Wow I am on a roll this week, hu? Four chapters down for the count!

Lodonia Extended Laboratory

A car with tinted windows approached the gates of the large facility. The car stopped at the gates and a guard approached the driver's door as the window rolled down. The driver silently handed the guard a piece of paper. The man read the paper, nodded and handed it back.

"They're expecting the Director at the main building," he told the driver. "It's the large building in the center of the facility."

The gates opened and the car headed for the largest building in the facility. The car pulled off alongside the main entrance and the rear passenger door opened. A blond haired man in a powder blue suit stepped out. A lone dark haired man in a lab coat was waiting for him outside the entrance.

"Ah… Director Azrael. Welcome to Lodonia. We've been expecting you," greeted the Head Doctor of the facility politely. "I trust that your trip was pleasant."

"Please Dr. Andras, I'm short on time, so if we could skip the pleasantries today," said Muruta Arael.

"Of course," said Andras. "You're here for the Biological CPU Project, correct?"

"Yes," said Azrael. "We have seven new machines to use against the Coordinators, but no suitable pilots for them. I trust that you have at least seven CPUs that I can use." Azrael didn't mention the variants of those machines—after all, they were of no importance, and would be assigned to regular pilots to appease the Atlantic Federation's so-called 'allies'. Fools, all of them, but useful fools regardless.

"We have more than seven ready for combat, but I'll give you the top seven," said Andras. "Come. I'll show you."

Andras lead Azrael through the hallways of the facility, passing rooms of children, some as young as six, being taught to become trained killers. There were even rooms with doctors performing terrible operations on children by breaking their minds and bodies, and then remaking them into weapons. Most people would be horrified to see such things, but men like Azrael didn't see it that way. He saw it as merely the production of newer and better weapons to use against mankind's greatest and most hated enemy, the Coordinators. Men like Mikhail Andras and most of those that worked here only saw an opportunity to improve human genetic enhancements or to create super soldiers.

"The Biological CPUs have all been subjected to some biotechnological modifications to enhance their abilities to levels on par with a Coordinator," explained Andras as they walked through the corridors. "We've given them extensive mental conditioning by removing their memories of their past and other things that would prove to be a distraction in combat, as well as their sense of fear, while increasing their aggression."

"Unfortunately, the increased aggression also makes them harder to control," continued Andras. "But we've solved that problem. We've begun giving them the performance-enhancing drug Gamma Glipheptin. While the drug boosts their already formidable combat abilities, it has some negative effects on the CPUs. Most notably, the withdrawal effects that occur once the drug has run out of their systems and the damage it does to their nervous systems, but the addictiveness of the drug is what will keep them in line. They're not perfect, but they're definitely combat ready. We're hoping in a few years for one of the next two generations to be ready for use."

"The next two generations have been approved? I've never heard anything about that. Who approved it?" asked Azrael.

"Djibril," said Andras without hesitation. "He felt that it was necessary to prepare for all possible outcomes for this war, as well as its aftermath should we win the war."

"Djibril," said Azrael in annoyance.

Djibril was always trying to interfere with his plans. He was the second most powerful man in Logos and Blue Cosmos behind Azrael himself. Azrael hated the viper of a man. Djibril was always plotting and scheming of his own plans and ambitions. There were those that considered Azrael evil, but Djibril was much worse than he was. He simply wished to remove the threat of the Coordinators whether eliminating them all or just caging them and using them for the benefit of the true humans: the Naturals. Djibril wanted to wipe out the Coordinators and build a world empire with Logos as the secret leaders of Earth. Azrael didn't really want that, after all, he was the Director of the Atlantic National Defense Conglomerate. He made money off of war. Where was the profit for him if there was only one nation on Earth and no Coordinators to fight?

"You see, with the success of the Biological CPUs, we've become divided over how to improve on them," continued Andras. "Some have come up with a true second generation of Extended, while I and my supporters have come up with the EX-C Project, or the Extended Gamma Project as some call them, which will generate greater soldiers than whatever they come up with."

"Hmm… I've read the report you sent about the EX-C Project and I have to say you may have a point there doctor, but the materials you need won't be easy to come up with," said Azrael.

"I mentioned this to Djibril," said Andras. "He said not to worry. He would see to that we would get all of the materials we need for the project."

The two entered Andras's office. Andras sat down and began typing on his computer. A minute later, he stood up.

"These are the files of our seven best, combat ready prototypes," he said, gesturing for Azrael to take his seat.

The files on the seven CPUs were displayed on the screen before them.

"Shani Andras…" murmured Azrael, skimming the file. "I see you're truly dedicated to your work here, Doctor." Of course, even Azrael had to suppress a grimace of disgust. If he was honest with himself, he didn't like Andras at all, but of course, the man was the best.

"Indeed. I found a use for my useless son," said Andras proudly. "For years, I never thought he would ever amount to anything but he's finally proven me wrong."

Azrael nodded and resumed reading. "Clotho Buer…" he read. "Arrested for petty thievery and rape… " Azrael chuckled. "I'm surprised that, considering the victim, you managed to get him."

"Mr. Lorne said 'Use him as a guinea pig, make him into something useful. Or kill him. I don't care, so long as he never comes near my daughter again.' So I put him in the program."

"Orga Sabnak…" continued Azrael. "Arrested by the military as part of a group of smugglers selling military hardware to the black market and the enemy… during the arrest, he managed to destroy two tanks single-handedly with an RPG… Hmm, quite impressive."

"Yes, he's quite good at the handling of heavy, destructive weapons," said Andras. "Though, of course, he's far from my favorite."

"Carlos Fisher? Why's he here?" asked Azrael sternly, turning to glare at Andras. The man held up his hands in a mock defensive manner.

"Don't look at me," he said. "Carlos came and volunteered for the program. He's just not satisfied with how things were. He lost good friends getting past the defenses to destroy Junius Seven."

Carlos Fisher was the greatest hero Blue Cosmos had ever known. A Moebius ace in the Atlantic Federation's 13th Orbital Fleet, he'd been the one to fire the missile that had destroyed Junius Seven. While it was only one in a hundred and twenty of those damn hourglasses, the man had still killed more of the space monsters in that one shot than any thousand Blue Cosmos operatives had managed over the course of several years.

"I see," said Azrael. "Is he also on the Gamma Glipheptin?"

"We talked to him about everything before hand," said Andras. "He agreed to the Gamma Glipheptin, in order to ensure he's kept under control."

"A sad fate for a truly good man," said Azrael. "But perhaps one with which he can ensure our ultimate victory." He continued looking through the Extendents.

"Al De Cortez…" he continued. "Slaughtered his whole division in their sleep because he claimed he was ordered too. Was it true?"

"Of course." Andras said. "His division were nothing but approving coordinators. We used this opertunity to…recruit him into the extendents."

Azrael's eyes widened at the sight of the next two "I thought they both had died?" He asked gesturing to the next ones.

"Close but not quite there," Andras explained "They were the most resistant to the conditioning, but now they are both fanatically loyal."

"And this one, am I reading this right?" Azrael said in surprise.

Andras smirked "He will be piloting the test bed the system we managed to imitate from the Demon Wing, ironic isn't it? That he is piloting that machine" He said leaning back in his chair "And he is 100% natural."

"Hmmm… what do we have here?"

"Our best," said Andras with a sadistic smirk.

"Kelly burns," read Azrael. "Accused Vice Admiral Michaels of being a terrorist when she attempted to assassinate him. She blames Blue Cosmos for the death of her family, huh? I trust you've 'educated' her in the truth?"

"Certainly," said Andras. "And as I said, she, Al De Cortez, and those other two are our best. their performance is superior to all others."

" Well, they all seem quite impressive Andras." Azreal said. "You should be proud."

"We've been putting them in simulators where they pilot those prototypes from Heliopolis against high numbers of ZAFT mobile suits and situations that most pilots would find unsurvivable," said Andras. "And every simulation ended in victory for them, but I won't be proud until they do it in real life and fulfill their purpose. For now, though, we can put them through another simulation for you if you like."

"No. I'll take them," said Azrael. "They're perfect. How long will it be to get them ready?"

"A few days to prepare the team of doctors for their maintenance and the drugs," said Andras.

Azrael nodded. "The new mobile suits will require another two weeks at most before they're ready. If I send you the data on the machines, could you use the simulators to train them in using the new machines?"

"Of course," said Andras. "We can have them start tomorrow afternoon if we get the data today."

Azrael grinned. "Good," he said. "I'll have the data sent to you at once. I want them ready to pilot those machines by the time they're completed. Also, one of the new machines will be completed a bit earlier than we expected. Determine which of them is best with it, and send them to Panama to retrieve it. We want it ready to meet the ZAFT attack that will no doubt be coming."

Onogoro Island

May 15th, C.E. 71

The Archangel sailed into the very same hidden port they had been in the last time they were here. And just like the last time, the ship was badly damaged, though not quite as bad as it was then.

Unlike the last time, though, the ship was accompanied by five others, these from the Eurasian Federation, all of them docking into additional hidden ports around the Archangel's own.

As the Archangel docked with the port, Cagalli ran through the corridors of the hidden port, heading for the ship. The door to the Archangel opened, and Cagalli was about to run through it when a doctor and a nurse pushing a stretcher with a wounded crewmember barreled through the doorway. Cagalli stepped aside letting the more important group pass. She caught a glimpse of the person's injuries and it made her sick to think that Kira might have ended up like this as well.

Once they passed, she resumed her running until she found him.

"Kira!" she shouted, embracing the teen in hug that sent them both to the ground.

"Cagalli?" gasped Kira in surprise as Cagalli lay on top of him.

"You are such an idiot!" she shouted as she pounded at his chest with tears sliding down her cheeks. "You're just… You're so… I never thought I'd see you again! How could you do that to me?"

Kira took one good glance at her face and he knew she had been crying for days. She was tired and probably didn't get enough sleep. He said the only thing he could for her.

"Sorry."

She stopped pounding his chest and finally looked into his violet eyes. "So… you're really alive?" asked Cagalli as though, at any moment, Kira would disappear again.

"Yeah. I'm alive. And I did come back," said Kira. "Now, could you please get off me?"

The Bridge

The bridge officers of the Archangel, as well as Mu and Ryu, all stood as Lord Uzumi Nara Athha and his entourage entered the bridge.

"I'd like to thank you for coming to our aid once again sir," said Murrue.

"Given the circumstances, I'm sure you understand that we can't officially welcome you and your crew to Orb. But in any case, you'll finally be able to get some rest," replied Uzumi.

Murrue nodded. "Thank you."

Uzumi glanced around at the group, noting their weary expressions and defeated looks. "With the destruction of the Earth Alliance Headquarters, the world is once again drifting in a new direction," he told them. "Once you've rested up, I'll update you with the latest news. You'll see for yourselves. I'm sure it will provide you with more than enough food for thought. You might even question why you wore that uniform in the first place."

Orb Military HQ

A Few Hours Later

Lord Uzumi, General Takeo, Cagalli and Ledonir Kisaka listened quietly as Kira, Corrine, Murrue, Mu and Anderson took turns explaining what had happened to them. Adam, Ryu, Darknal, Sarah, Scout, Rusty and the Archangel's bridge officers were there as well.

"A Cyclops System? But even if the details of ZAFT's invasion plan had been leaked, that seems like a rather harsh course of action." Uzumi Nara Athha was visibly disturbed by what had happened at Alaska.

"But you have to admit, from a strategic standpoint, it was a tremendous victory," said Anderson, sounding disgusted. "Destroying eighty percent of ZAFT's forces in the operation in exchange for the loss of a smaller, undesirable force. To any military strategist or leader, that's definitely a worthwhile sacrifice."

"And here's the result." Uzumi pushed a button on the TV remote.

Images of the ruins of JOSH-A appeared on the screen.

"To the last soldier, our defense forces fought heroically. The destruction of JOSH-A and the sorrow that accompanied that loss shall be forever be marked in history as a day of infamy." Images of the wounded survivors of the battle appeared. "But despite this loss, we shall never submit to them. What right do the Coordinators have to threaten the security of our skies? The sacrifice that was made was immense, however, we must overcome this great loss and confront our enemies wherever we may find them." The image changed to that of anti-Coordinator rallies and marching Earth Alliance soldiers. "We must gather our strength and fight against the arrogant Coordinators to ensure the freedom and security of the people of Earth! To ensure the preservation of our Blue and Pure World!"

"God I hate that line," said Adam as Uzumi turned off the TV. "How the hell is killing Coordinators going to make the world blue and pure? It's nothing but bullshit."

"I understand why it's happened, but it's sure tough to swallow," said Mu with a sigh.

"To go along with the tone of its rhetoric, the Atlantic Federation has been increasing its political pressure on all of the neutral nations," said Uzumi. "They're being told that any nation that doesn't join the Alliance will be considered an enemy nation. Of course, Orb is no exception to this."

"They just want to get their hands on Orb's power," added an angry Cagalli.

"I'm sure you're all aware of this, but Orb does not refuse entry to Coordinators," said Uzumi. "We're one of the few countries that allow anyone to enter and reside within our borders as long as they honor the ideals and laws of Orb. We believe that no one should be judged on whether or not his or hers genes have been engineered. The only thing that labeling someone a Natural or a Coordinator does is create friction between people." Uzumi turned to Kira and his daughter. "Cagalli is a Natural, while Kira is a Coordinator. These are facts they have absolutely no control over. I cannot support the policies of the Atlantic Federation, because it labels every Coordinator an enemy and evil, insisting on attacking them for that biased reason. Who is really fighting who here? And what is the real reason behind it?"

"But sir. I understand the point of what your saying. And excuse me for saying this, but isn't your position a little… idealistic?" asked Mu. "Those sound like wonderful ideas, but Coordinators will continue to look down on Naturals who, in turn, will be jealous of Coordinators. That's just the way things are."

Lord Uzumi nodded and stood up. "I am aware of that," he said, walking away from the table. "It goes without saying, our nation has difficulty living up to this. But if we gave up on trying to improve the situation, then in the end, we'd be left with no other choice but to eliminate each other. At that point, it'd be too late to do anything but reflect and regret what had passed."

Uzumi stopped and turned to the group. "My friends, you wouldn't be suggesting that we keep silent and let this happen, would you? Because that's what the rest of the world is doing. From this point, you can choose your own course in life. I can understand if you still feel loyalty to the Earth Alliance, but you're all young and capable. Make your decisions carefully. And be sure to choose the future you truly desire."

"What's your view on this, Lord Uzumi?" asked Kira.

The former Chief Representative of Orb approached the former Earth Alliance Ensign. "I believe we are entering a time when our swords can no longer be held simply for display," he solemnly replied.

"I agree," came a new voice suddenly. Everyone spun around and was surprised to see Aunt Ning entering the room. "I heard everything," she said simply.

The Archangel crewmen and pilots all looked away from her guiltily, none more so than Kira.

"I'm sorry," said Murrue softly.

"Don't be," said Ning. "Me and Ishmal loved Jordan. he was the beloved child of the entire Numazaki House, the heir of a millennia old bloodline that, if legends are to be believed, could be traced back to the Goddess herself. But for that same reason, I always knew he would never sit idly by as this war passed through. It's the reason he was given military training. We wanted him to be ready. But you can't be ready for anything and everything. Even still, Jordan fought for what he believed in, right to the bitter end. It's now up to us to continue his fight. he had faith in us, and so we must have faith in him to look over us and make sure we don't steer ourselves down the wrong path."

Sarah looked away, choking back a sob. As Ning had spoken, for an instant, Sarah had seen Jordan, the man she loved, rather than the powerful Orb noble.

"You've got some prisoners from ZAFT on the Archangel, corret?" asked Ning. When she got the confirming nods, she continued. "I'll take custody of them now. There are some things I wish to discuss with them, including putting forth the same question you yourselves now face."

Morgenroete

Two Days Later

The Orca, the Guardian, the Slash, the Archer, the Inferno, the Blitz, the Buster, the Spark and a jeep entered the hanger. Erica Simmons stepped out of the vehicle.

"Park them on that side of the hanger!" she shouted, waving towards the left side of hanger. The eight mobile suits lined up on the left side of the hanger and powered down. Grimm, Adam, Sarah, Kira, Ryu, Corrine, Darknal, Mu, Scout, and Rusty exited the machines.

"So why did you ask us all here, Chief Simmons?" asked Mu as he climbed out of the Blaze, and Murrue, Mir and Cagalli climbed out of the jeep. "I understand that you wanted to upgrade and tune up the machines we recaptured, but why are the rest of us here?"

"I have some things to show you before we start work on the other machines," said Erica as the eight pilots and volunteer MS-mover joined the rest of the group. "Follow me."

A few minutes later, the group found themselves approaching another hanger. "You know we've been quite busy since you were last here," said Erica as they approached the doors to the hanger. "We haven't just been outfitting the Astrays with the Natural OS. Jordan left here with his own gifts to all of you." Her words shocked the pilots, expecally Sarah.

She opened the doors and they all entered the hanger. Greeting them was a pair of mobile suits. Both shockingly familiar.

The first mobile suit was the Strike completely repaired and restored. In fact, it looked as new as the day Kira first entered the cockpit.

The other mobile suit, while similar to the Slash, only with an added pair of massive metal wings on its shoulders. And with two Exia sword/Rifles, instead of one.

"Of course, you already know the Strike but the machine next to it is the MBF-X201-2 Slash Raiser," said Erica. "Jordan gave me the schematics for this suit along with many others before he left. Its almost as if he planned you would come back." A series of tears fell from Sarah's eyes.

"The Slash Raiser, much like the original Slash, is a Close-quarter-Combat specialized mobile suit." Eric continued. "Armed with two Exia Sword/Rifles, one Exia short sword, one Exia Long sword, two Beam sabers, and two Beam daggers. But there was one feature we added that wasn't in his original schematics."

"What?" Sarah asked, who was the most curious.

"After the battle in the Marshal islands," Erica said. "There was little to salvage from the Katana's wrechage, but one of the things that survived, amazingly, was its ARC Reactor."

There was a sudden silence among the pilots.

"You mean…" Sarah said.

"Yes." Erica said, gazing at the teen. "In a way, we put the heart of the Katana in the Slash Raiser. And he made it quite clear when he handed me these in your last visit that he wanted you to Pilot it."

Sarah was speechless. Jordan had made this mobile suit just for her. It even had alittle bit of himself inside of it now.

A tear formed in her eye, and she smiled. Thank you…Jordan. She thought.

"As for the Strike, we recovered it after your last battle in it," continued Erica. "The damage to it looked worse than it actually was, though because we didn't know what happened to you, we replaced the OS with one for Naturals but we can switch it if you like."

Kira looked up at his old mobile suit. "No," he said. "I have new mobile suit now."

"Then I'll pilot it," said Cagalli instantly. "If that's okay with you Kira."

"No," said Mu.

"What? Why?" she demanded.

"Because I'm piloting it," he replied.

"But your already piloting the Blaze Inferno!" Rusty said. Mu smiled at the teen. "You mean your piloting the Blaze Inferno, kid." He said. "The Claymore is too Damaged anyways. Besides, it was yours before you got captured."

Rusty smiled. "Thanks Mu." He said.

"Hold on there. We still have a few more surprises for you all," said Erica, leading them to another hangar. They gasped in surprise at what they saw.

Another pair of mobile suit stood before them with Morgenroete crews working on them. The first looked like the Dragon-X, but there were some obvious, if minor and Major, difference from the original, notably the knife-storing holsters in the forearms, and a massive X on its back much larger than the original's. A group of workers appeared to be struggling to load one of the knives into a holster on the nearly complete machine. The second one looked very much like the Strike, in fact it was almost identical.

"Come on! What's taking so long?" shouted Louise Lenix from next to the machine's foot. "Why haven't you gotten that knife loaded into the forearm yet? That was supposed to be done half an hour ago!"

Crews scrambled to get the knife in question loaded into the forearm holder. Johanna sighed and turned to face the new arrivals as the group in question approached. "Hi. Showing them the new machines?" Erica nodded.

"Well then," began Johanna, turning to the rest of the group. "You can consider this the Dragon-X 2.0. Another one of Jordan's gifts to you. Its officially called the MBF-X9999 Blaze Dragon. Armed with two Hyper impulse cannons, four knive dispencers, four beam sabers, two mounted on the wrists, and two holstered on the hips. Also, it has two wrist mounted flame throwers, and Mirage Colloid. Also, when in space use, you can utilize the 6 DRAGOON Fangs hidden under the double X cannon. And obviously, it was ment for Ryu here."

The said mobile suit pilot blinked in surprise. "w-wow." He said.

Erica smiled and continued. "The second machine is the MBF-X104 Marksman." She said. "It was based off of the design of the Sniper Strike pack, with a beam sniper rifle, standard beam rifle, two beam sabers, four assault knives, and Mirage Colloid. Also, we added something of our own to it. An active camouflage cloak. It's a standard MS-sized camouflage cloth at first glance, but it also features an anti-beam coating, and is specially manufactured to be able to produce low-power Phase Shift Armor, which changes colors to blend in with the surrounding environment and uses more conventional means to avoid radar. It's not a perfect stealth system in the way Mirage Colloid is, since it can't adjust quickly to changing environments during movement, but it also doesn't require the sacrifice of Phase Shift Armor, and it can be powered so long as the machine still has combat-level power left. I believe Grimm was the intended Pilot."

Grimm gazed at his new suit, and smiled. "Remind me to faint in excitement later." He said.

"You haven't seen the last surprise yet," Said Louise. "Come on over!"

The group walked around the two machines, and the Archangel crewmen gasped in surprise at what they saw, Sarah stepped back a few feet in shock while Louise walked over to stand next to Ning, the two looking up at the machine.

The Shadow Scythe.

Or rather, what was left of it, specifically, the head and torso. The machine was suspended upright in the air, and the limbs were all suspended around it, all of it being worked on by Morgenroete crews. Supported behind it was a pair of massive, batwing-like components. And the damaged Blitz was being rolled in as well.

"Like it?" asked Louise, smiling at the group. "After the battle, we salvaged pretty much everything from the Shadow Scythe, and brought it here. Originally we were going to repair it, but seeing how damaged the blitz is, we desided to merge the two units into one. We're gonna call it the Shadow Blitz. By the time its complete, this machine will be able to outmatch anything Morgenroete has produced up to this point. It will have all of the firepower both the blitz and shadow Scythe had."

As they continued explaining the systems of the Shadow Blitz, Sarah glared at the Shadow Scythe. She knew that Matthew was not anywhere in Orb now, but the Shadow Scythe was still his machine. The machine he took after he killed Jordan's Parents. The suit he piloted before Jordan died. The suit Jordan fought countless times to avenge the deaths of his Parents.

Now it was a wreck. Sarah couldn't help but be slightly glad of that.

"An impressive assortment of machines," said Adam, whistling. "So what are you going to do with them?"

"Depends on what happens next," said Ishmal as he approached the group. "As for the Strike, Slash Raiser, Marksman, and Blaze Dragon, I see no reason that you can't have them if you want them. They were Jordan's gift to all of you. I believe Lady Ning planned the same for the Shadow Blitz, though you'll have to ask her about it. It technically belongs with the Archangel, though, alongside with all the other survivors of the first generation."

"You're just going to give us these machines?" asked Mu.

"Yes. Lord Uzumi himself said to give these machines to you, though he has no say on the Hellfire Blitz," said Ishmal. "He said that if you're going to try to end this war, then you're going to need the strength of these machines to do it. Personally, I agree with him. You're going to need more than just the machines aboard the Archangel right now."

"Yeah, but we only have eight pilots," said Mu.

"For now, but one never knows what tomorrow might bring. Just because you have only eight pilots, doesn't mean that you will always have eight pilots." General Ishmal turned to the units under construction. "That is one thing I have learned in life. Things can change in an instant."

"You can leave the pilots to me," said Ning. "I already have the perfect candidates in mind. It'll be awhile before I get back to you on that, though. And don't forget, there's a good chance that Captain Anderson and his people will be joining the Archangel, to the best of their abilities. If necessary, we'll provide them with machines as well."

Ning's eyes narrowed. "Yes," she said softly. "For a peaceful tomorrow. For the future Jordan died for."

"Speaking of that," said Adam. "There's something I've been curious about. I've seen GINN's destroyed before, and the near-destruction of the Shadow Scythe, as well as a GINN self-destructing. Why was the explosion of the Aegis so much bigger?"

"Perhaps it's somewhat ironic, but you can blame Jordan's Parents for that," said Louise. "They had this genius idea to increase the power of the self-destruct. Most mobile suits work simply by detonating their power plants, destroying the suit from within, the explosion spreading into the area immediately surrounding the suit a few meters out. For the Aegis and the others, it isn't so simple. It draws all available energy and forces it into the battery, fracturing it. It's not so much a direct explosion as it is an implosion, with the energy drawn into a small space before being let out, increasing velocity, area and sheer force. It takes more time, but in general, is considerably more effective."

"So why was the Katana so much worse off than the Strike?" asked Sarah, hiding her pain.

"Simple," said Ning. "Jordan was too much. He used the Arc system so much, and the battle between the Katana and Shadow Scythe already "destroyed" the Katana before it was caught in the explosion of the Aegis. The Clashing of two separate mobile suits using the system… It was just waiting for a slight push to make it fall apart."

"How's that possible?" questioned Murrue, utterly astounded.

Ning didn't answer, but a single word echoed in the minds of her, and Ishmal.

Legacy…

Aboard the Cousteau

May 25th, C.E. 71

"Panama… I think HQ is asking too much of us this time," the said Cousteau's Captain, his tone weary. "We just don't have the forces."

"We really don't have any other choice," Rau told him. "The Chairman has ordered us to disrupt the momentum the Earth Forces gained from Alaska before the homeland becomes threatened. We need to close the door to space by trapping them here on Earth. That's why it is imperative that we destroy Panama's Mass Driver."

"What of the Gungnirs?" asked the Captain.

"They'll arrive on schedule," replied Rau.

"Gungnirs… I've heard some of the officers and pilots complaining about relying on something that's never been used in combat before to win the battle. But the real problem's on our side. Will we even be able to capture the target points in time?"

"Our soldiers have sworn to extract harsh vengeance for Alaska. We will succeed," said Rau before leaving the bridge.

ORB Hanger Repair Bay, Archangel

'Corrine sighed as she entered the hanger of the Archangel but immediately brightened at the sight of a familiar brown haired Junk Tech "Lowe, what are you doing here?" She asked in surprise.

Lowe grinned "Well me and Eight here were in the area and had something we thought you could use with the new suit you picked up," He explained looking up at the Hope "Just by looking at it I can tell that is one Powerful Gundam."

Corrine grinned "Thanks," She said "And I have been feeling something has been missing from it though."

Lowe grinned at her "Could it be a Katana?" He asked gesturing to near the Hanger doors to were a Mobile Suit sized Katana sat.

Corrine blinked before beaming at the Tech "Lowe you are a genius," She announced kissing him on the cheek "Thank you."

Lowe blushed a bit chuckling "No problem," He assured "Also this Katana is different from the type your used to, it has an anti-beam coating of course, but it also much more sharper than the ones used by Terminal, so you're not relying on the power of the swing."

Corrine smiled at Lowe "I owe you yet another one Lowe." She said smiling "And because of that I'll let you help me work on the Hope."

Lowe's eyes widened to comical proportions "YES!" He shouted in excitement and sprinted off towards the Hope with Corrine following behind at a much more sedated pace shaking her head in amusement.

ZAFT Fleet

In Earth Orbit

ZAFT mobile suits were launched from the warships. They moved towards the dropships and their drop pods. A Crimson GeL entered a pod with a trio of custom colored GINN High-Maneuver Types. Five Laurasia-class warships, modified to launch Gungnirs, waited alongside the dropships, and the Hades.

"Gungnirs… bah! Things like those take all the fun out of being a soldier," complained Jack as they waited for the Operation to begin.

"We're gonna need them for this Operation." Said Brunard Grudego. "After Panama, we need this victory."

"He's got a point." Rainer Altman said. "I'm still amazed at what happened at JOSH-A though…another Cyclopes…"

"That was Zala's fault." Dietrich Silber said. "Panama was the original Target, and then he changed it and walked right into the EA's trap."

"Well, at least we're part of the infamous Sorcerer team now." Dominic Schwarze said. "I still cant believe we all got beaten by that one suit."

"He was a model Mobile suit pilot to the end." Dietrich said. "It's a shame that he may be dead now."

"Ya, your right." Rainer said. "Even though he and his wingmen killed most of our squadrons, he was just doing his job so we cant really blame him for that."

"You don't find may pilots like that nowadays." Brunard said.

"Listen up," Zar said, interrupting the ace's chat. "Our job is to secure landing sites for the Gungnirs. Once they're cleared, the Gungnirs will be launched. Once they've been fired off, this battle will end."

"Attention all forces, prepare for space drop," said the dropship's combat coordinator. "In ten… nine… eight… seven… six… five… four… three… two… one."

There was a shudder as the pod was launched. The pod started its descent towards the atmosphere alongside dozens of other pods. "YEEEEEEE-HAW!" shouted Cory as they entered the atmosphere.

A few minutes later, the pods finished their atmospheric entry. The pods streaked through the air heading for the Porta Panama Base and its Mass Driver. Elsewhere, DINNs, ZnOs, GOOhNs, Guul-mounted GINNs, GeL's, the Duel and a CGUE DEEP Arms were launched from the sub carriers.

Panama's defenders all scrambled as the ZAFT forces approached the base. The drop pods opened, releasing their mobile suits. Fighters were scrambled to intercept the mobile suits as anti-air turrets powered up. John demonstrated his legendary sniper skills, firing his rifle at a trio of approaching fighters as the ZAFT suits around him opened fire as well. From the sea, airborne and amphibious mobile suits attacked, hitting naval warships and beach defenses.

The space-borne mobile suits slowed their descent. Those that weren't shot down by the defenders landed safely on the ground and continued to engage the Earth Forces. Basque Gideon fired off his Barrus heavy particle cannon and Gatling guns at a group of gun emplacements on the side of a mountain. DINNs and Guul mounted GINNs chased down the Earth Forces fighters, blowing them out of the sky. ZnOs emerged from the waters around Panama, attacking the coastal defenses and installations of the Porta Panama Base. Tanks and gun emplacements roared, their shells striking some of the attacking mobile suits. The ZAFT forces were heavily outnumbered. But as always, their mobile suits were far superior to what the Earth Forces could bring to bear.

Archangel's Bridge

Onogoro Island

"How are the repairs coming along?" asked Murrue as she sat down in the captain's chair.

The bridge officers, Mu, Ryu and Chief Murdoch, were there with her.

"Both the Orb crews and my guys have gotten a fair amount of the repairs done," Murdoch informed the captain. "A few more days and we'll be done and ready to go."

"Then what?" asked Ryu. "Kira said we should fight to end the war, but how do we go about doing that? Should we go into space and link up with the pink princess and Terminal? Or should we stay on Earth and do something here?"

Murrue sighed. That was a very good question. Who should they be fighting? ZAFT and the PLANTs? The Earth Forces? Everything had become so complicated now.

"Were you able to reach your contacts in the PLANTs?" she asked, hoping he could shed some light on things.

"Yes and no," said Victor. "I got in touch with the middlemen that pass the messages between us, but they were unable to reach my contacts. So I don't know what's happening in the PLANTs since Alaska."

"Captain!" said Chandra. "We're being contacted by the Orb Military HQ."

"Open a channel," said Murrue calmly.

General Dante's face appeared on the main screen. "ZAFT has launched an attack on Panama," he announced.

This stunned everyone.

"What? So soon?" questioned Murrue. "They can't possibly have enough strength after JOSH-A to launch such an attack."

"Don't underestimate them," said Ryu. "They wouldn't attack unless they had a means to win the battle. There's a good possibility that Panama will fall."

"A ZAFT weapon that hasn't been used before?" asked Mu.

"Likely," said Ryu. "Though I don't know what it could be. If it was a new mass-production mobile suit, they would have used it at JOSH-A, so it couldn't be that. As to other weapons, I know that they were working an EMP weapon early in the war but they took time to deploy on the battlefield and it could only be used once, maybe twice, before the Earth Forces would upgrade their EMP shielding. The military deemed it unfeasible as a weapon to turn the tide of the war and, as far as I know, scrapped the project. But they could have reopened the project after I've left or simply used what they created before the project for this one battle. Of course, they could have some other new weapon as well, maybe even another suit like the Freedom and Hope, though I certainly hope not. So the question is, if they do lose Panama, what will the Earth Forces do after that? Especially with their new attitude after Alaska."

ZAFT Fleet

"Sir. The landing sites have been secured."

Commander Darlian nodded. "Then launch the Gungnirs!" he ordered. "It's time to finish this."

The bottoms of the modified Laurasia-class ships opened. Three large pods were deployed from each of the ships, descending on Panama

Porta Panama

Dominic fired at the advancing tanks. They were no match for his new GeL. It was pitifully easy. There was just no point to it. Until the day the Earth Forces could field armies of mobile suits on the battlefield, they never stood a chance against them.

Dominic looked up in time to see the fifteen pods descending on the battlefield. The Gungnirs had arrived, which meant the battle would end soon. Suddenly, a beam struck a nearby GINN, destroying it. A blue and white mobile suit appeared, armed with a beam rifle and red shield.

"What the… Is that the Strike?" asked a GINN pilot.

"No. It's different mobile suit," said Dominic firing at the mobile suit.

Bullets from the CGUE's rifle tore through the machine's chest destroying it, but more of them soon appeared.

"You won't have things so easy from now on," said one Earth Forces pilot.

"All you Coordinators are just a little too cocky," added another pilot. "I think it's time to take you down a peg."

"At last. Opponents worth fighting. No more pitiful mobile armors, tanks and fighters," said Dominic with a smirk on his lips. "Attention all forces! Incoming Earth Forces mobile suits!"

"Well, I'll be damned," said Brunard over the radio. Though to Dominic, it sounded more like "It's about damn time!" than anything else. "Mass produced Earth Force's mobile suits. I thought this was gonna be a dull mission."

"Cut the chatter," came Zar's voice as sniper rounds began tearing into the advancing enemy mobile suits. "Our enjoyment of the mission is unimportant. What is important is that this could compromise the mission if we become lax, and turn the tide of the war if we don't address these machines well-enough."

"Yes sir!"

The Sorcerer Team's assault swiftly took down over a dozen of the machines. But more kept coming, and the new machines fired back, destroying two DINNs and a GINN while Dietrich sidestepped several shots and threw his shield at one of them. His shield hit its mark cutting into the target's chest.

"Gah! Damm it! Sir! There's too many of them!" said one of Dominic's last remaining squadmates as he struggled to stay alive. "We have to fall back!"

"No!" said Dietrich drawing his sword with the CGUE's free hand. "We have to have to drive them back so the Gungnirs can be deployed and fired! No retreat!"

Dietrich raced forward. Nearby members of the Sorcerer Team charged forward with her while Zar and the rest of the ZAFT forces fired at the enemy from the rear. Dietrich and his teammates fired as they headed for the enemy lines. The Earth Forces mobile suits were completely caught off guard by the charge. They had expected the ZAFT forces to be shocked by the appearance of their mobile suits and, combined with their superior numbers, would have enabled them to push the enemy back. Instead, they found themselves being charged by a group of ZAFT soldiers that weren't phased in the slightest by their ambush. They fired at the modified mobile suits, but with their thrusters, they were able to sidestep the worst of it. One of the GINN High-Maneuver Types lost its left arm but that didn't slow it down much.

The Sorcerer Team reached their targets. Dietrich sliced one machine in two as she fired at another. Dominic and his team smashed through a group of the poorly designed Strike-imitation suits. The man impaled one of the machines with her sword. Brunard blew away two with his grenade launcher while Rainer gunned down a fourth machine. More enemies fell. The ZAFT soldiers became reinvigorated at the sight of the Sorcerer Team tearing through the Earth Forces mobile suits.

"Come on boys!" shouted a GINN pilot. "We can't let the Sorcerer's Fighters have all the fun!"

The rest of the nearby ZAFT forces pushed forward, driving into the Earth Forces line.

"Hehehe," said the mobile suit captain with a smirk. "If they think this is all we've got, then these damn Coordinators are even stupider than I thought."

An instant later, beams rained down on the ZAFT mobile suits, destroying a half-dozen of the regular military suits and several of the Sorcerer Team's own machines. The ZAFT forces, even the elite pilots, stumbled back in shock as a mobile suit descended before them.

The Agressor squadron members all gasped in surprise.

The mobile suit before them looked virtually identical to another machine they'd once fought, but it possessed two black "wings", and its colors were an inverse of that machine: primarily black, with a red trimming. Perhaps most telling, though, were the red eyes that seemed to possess a demonic glint that the green eyes of the Katana never possessed.

"Hahahahaha!" laughed Al De Cortez, an insane glint in his eyes. "Finally, live targets!"

The Trikerkos beam saber, one of the primary weapon of the GAT-X000 Retribution, flipped forward from its standby position, the machine charging forward while shooting a beam saber from its left wrist into its hand, spinning around and beginning to cut apart even the Sorcerer Team's forces.

"Damn it!" said Dietrich. "This is Commander Dietrich Silber at Site Three. We're encountering heavy resistance from a new Earth Forces mobile suit. Its not a mass-produced one, this thing is much tougher, requesting reinforcements now and advise that all other sites are reinforced immediately!"

The Sorcerer Team pilots were quick to realize that, though powerful, this machine was nothing like the Katana. They'd all studied the later footage of the legged ship and its mobile suits captured by the Zala Team, and this… thing… before them was an abomination.

"Those bastards…" said Zar quietly over the radio, his grip on his GeL's controls tightening in anger. "That… thing!… is a disgrace! It's a dishonor to the memory of the true warrior that Alen's son was! Blue Cosmos bastards!"

Elsewhere, more of the Earth Forces Strike Dagger mobile suits appeared across the battlefield engaging the ZAFT mobile suits. Many of those ZAFT pilots were caught off-guard by the Earth Forces mobile suits. They were not used to fighting against enemy mobile suits. They were used to fighting inferior tanks, fighters and mobile armors. Added to this, the Strike Daggers were technologically superior to the GINNs and other ZAFT machines. Many GINNs and other ZAFT mobile suits were quickly torn apart by the Strike Daggers but not all of the ZAFT pilots were being overwhelmed by the new machines.

A beam tore through the cockpit of GINN, and the mobile suit exploded. The Strike Dagger turned, searching for a new target when it was obliterated by machinegun fire from overhead.

"Just lousy rip-offs," said Yzak as he set destroyed several more Strike Daggers. "The only threat from these things is numbers."

"Joule team, the Sorcerer Team is being driven back by a new prototype mobile suit," came the voice of the Costeau's combat controller over the radio. "You are ordered to engage the enemy at Site Three."

"Roger that," said Yzak, turning his Guul in the direction of Site Three and blazing forward as fast the platform could take him.

A Strike Dagger impaled a GINN with its beam saber. The pilot withdrew the saber and kicked the GINN down before it exploded. Suddenly, a blade descended slicing the Dagger in two down the center. Dominic smirked as the machine exploded.

"Even with fancy, new mobile suits, you guys still ain't good enough," he said in a cocky tone, though his worry over the prototype that was mixed in with the Strike Daggers was evident to those who knew him well.

There was a burst of gunfire, followed by an explosion behind him. "You're getting sloppy," said Sasha as she approached her comrade. "That mobile suit was about to shoot you from behind."

"Nah. I already knew he was there. Just as I knew you were in the prefect position to ambush him," replied Dominic nonchalantly.

"Don't be so cocky," said Sasha. "That arrogance will get you killed one day."

"Bah! Come on. Loosen up a little."

The GINN behind the two was suddenly sliced apart, and they both backed away as the Retribution approached them. Suddenly, a hail of beam energy cut off the winged prototype.

The Duel and a DEEP arms had arrived, and Yzak and Shiho promptly leapt off of their Guuls, landing before the Retribution with Yzak's beam sabers drawn, and Shiho's large, laser-bladed sword drawn.

That bastard. Yzak thought as he glared at the Katana lookalike. That…thing is an Insult to Jordan!

"Your going to pay for disrespecting a friend!" Yzak shouted as he charged forward.

"Oh, something with beam weapons?" shouted Al De, laughing his head off. "Finally! Maybe you'll give me a challenge!"

His words were true—even the Sorcerer Team had been forced to flee before the combination of the insane pilot and his machine.

The Retribution charged forward, slashing with the Katana swords, the Duel deflecting with his own sword. Shiho snapped her thermal cannons into place, firing on the Retribution, but the machine leapt into the air, dodging, and switched to its beam rifle and opened up with the rifle, Shiho barely dodging away before returning fire with her thermal cannons, teeth grit in frustration.

Elsewhere

A GINN loaded the final EMP caster into the Gungnir. "Right. Caster 12 is primed," said the pilot. "Now to–"

Suddenly, the last GINN covering him exploded. The pilot swore. He had to activate the Gungnir now. The GINN moved towards the Gungnir's control console. The GINN's fingers were inches from the console when a beam hit the GINN destroying it. A trio of Strike Daggers approached the Gungnir.

"Now. What the hell is this?" asked one pilot.

"Probably some new weapon the Coordinators cooked up," said another. "We better destroy it to be on the–"

An energy blast suddenly tore through the third Strike Dagger. The machine fell to its knees and then exploded. The Ravage with heavily reinforced armor and a thermal cannon appeared in the skies, leaping off its Guul.

"Pathetic," said Kane over the radio, making sure he was using a frequency the enemy pilots would hear. "Your machines are superior, but as always, your pilots are inferior."

"Inferior! I'll show you inferior, Patchworker!" shouted one pilot as he drew his beam saber and charged.

"Idiot," said Kane as he squeezed the trigger.

An energy blast tore through the mobile suit's right shoulder, severing it. A sudden barrage of missiles tore into the Strike Dagger's torso, tearing it apart.

"You bastard!" shouted the remaining pilot as he fired off his rifle.

Kane was faster as he sidestepped the shot and fired back. The blast hit the machine's chest removing the last threat to the Gungnir. Kane walked up to the Gungnir's console noticing it was still waiting for activation.

"Now this won't do," he said as he pushed the activation button. "There. Now everything is back to the way it was. I hope you enjoy our present, Naturals."

With the final Gungnir activated, the count down on all the Gungnirs started.

30…

20…

10…

5… 4… 3… 2… 1… 0

The Gungnirs fired, each releasing a wave of energy. The waves spread out, consuming the entire area. The ZAFT mobile suits were unaffected but all of the Earth Alliance machinery, save one vital piece of equipment, weren't so fortunate. The EMP waves fried the circuitry of all of their machines and computers. From tanks and gun emplacements to Strike Daggers to the Panama Base itself. The Mass Driver overloaded, sending a massive surge through the track, tearing the entire thing apart.

Gungnir Site Three

"Oh damn," said Al De Cortez, sounding calm and sane for the first time since he'd reached the battlefield. "Though thing things power could last forever with that Arc Reactor. They won't want to lose it. Hmm… the Mass Driver's already gone anyway. Yeah, I don't think they'll have any complaints about me leaving here. Actually, that's definitely what they'd want me to do. Too bad, I wanted to destroy more of these things."

The Retribution leapt back and took off into the air, faster than any of the ZAFT pursuers could follow, The Joule and the Sorcerer Teams glaring after the winged mobile suit.

"What the…? My machine! It won't move!" said a Strike Dagger pilot as he frantically tried to get his machine to work.

Dietrich pushed the mobile suit down and pried open the cockpit hatch. The pilot stepped out with his hands raised. Other nearby members of the Sorcerer Team, and the Joule team did the same, rounding up a group of Earth Alliance soldiers. But…

"Aw… what's the matter? Is your toy broken?" said a ZAFT pilot as pushed a Strike Dagger down and fired at the cockpit, laughing as he murdered the defenseless pilot.

"Stand down damn it!" shouted Zar. "They're defenseless!"

"Who the hell cares about a bunch of disgusting Naturals?" said the pilot, aiming at the gathered group of soldiers.

A shot rang out. The GINN's head exploded. "What the hell? Why are you firing at me?"

"I will not allow the senseless execution of defenseless soldiers," said Zar. "Stand down or I'll put you down."

The pilot wisely dropped his rifle.

"Attention all ZAFT forces," said Zar, keying his radio. "This is Commander Hellfury. The execution of surrendering Earth Forces soldiers will not be tolerated. Anyone who shoots a surrendering soldier will be punished severely."

"Who the hell do think you are, Natural Lover?"

"Yeah! They deserve to this for JOSH-A!"

"Let's kill 'em all!"

Cheers filled the comm. Most of the ZAFT soldiers were out for blood. An eye for an eye. A massacre for a massacre.

"Very well then," said Zar. "All members of the Sorcerer Team and any other willing ZAFT soldiers, I order you to stop the slaughtering of the surrendered soldiers wherever you can. The use of lethal force has been approved but try to refrain from killing, if possible. I will take full responsibility for what happens here."

Across the battle, groups of mobile suits from the Sorcerer Team gathered around captured Alliance soldiers. Many ZAFT soldiers wisely chose to avoid these groups, more out of fear of the Sorcerer Team than anything else. A small few like-minded pilots, including Yzak and Shiho, joined them in defending the captured soldiers but not all did as those two groups did…

"Out of the way!" shouted the first of a pair of GINN pilots.

"Sorry. No can do," drawled Dominic.

"Why the hell are you bothering to protect these dogs?" shouted another pilot. "Look at what they did at Alaska! They don't even give a damn about their own forces!"

"I got my orders pal. Just back away before things get messy," he said.

"Filthy Natural Lover! Then you deserve to die as well!" shouted the first as they raised their rifles.

But Dominic was faster. Drawing his elbow blades, he sliced through the rifles cutting them in two.

"Gah!"

"What? Dammit! You'll pay for this Natural Lover!"

"Don't you two ever shut up?" asked Dominic as he sliced through the GINNs' heads. "There. Say anything else, and I'll have to kill ya both."

"Julie was at Alaska! This is for her!" said a GINN pilot as he aimed at a surrendering tank crew.

Suddenly, a sword sliced through his arm. "That's enough," said Brunard raising his sword to strike again if necessary. "They're surrendering. ZAFT soldiers don't fire on surrendering soldiers."

"But they–"

"No buts or I take your head," said Brunard. "We're ZAFT soldiers. We're better than them. We don't stoop to their level."

"Damn Natural Lover! You were at Alaska! Why are you defending these animals?" shouted a GINN pilot as he crashed to the ground after his Guul was destroyed by Yzak.

"Is this the true face of ZAFT then?" asked Yzak, instead of answering his question. "Who are the real animals, then? At least Alaska had some strategic value. This is meaningless, animalistic slaughter to quench a thirst for blind vengeance. I won't stand for it."

Yzak gunned down two more ZAFT mobile suits that were trying to get at the group of Alliance soldiers he and Shiho were defending.

Is this really what ZAFT is about now? questioned Yzak, removing his helmet and looking at the ZAFT insignia on it, a PLANT-shaped Z symbol. This isn't why I joined ZAFT. We're only supposed to be protecting the PLANTs, not slaughtering Naturals for petty reasons and to establish our own sense of superiority and appease our pride.

With a cry of anger, Yzak gunned down a dozen more of the ZAFT murderers.

"This isn't what the ZAFT I joined stood for!" he said coldly. "You're no better than those Blue Cosmos murderers! Hell, you might even make them look good!"

But even then, there just weren't enough of them to save many of the Earth Alliance soldiers. For every one they saved, ten more were mercilessly gunned down. Medics and wounded soldiers leaving a bunker were mowed down by a pair of GINNs. Immobile Strike Daggers were used for target practice by ZAFT mobile suits, their pilots still inside. Lifeless naval vessels were sunk by ZnOs and GOOhNs whose pilots would then crush the fleeing lifeboats with their suits arms. A barrage of missiles from the ZAFT sub carriers rained down upon the base. Without its anti-missile turrets, there was nothing to stop the missiles from hitting their targets. Destruction rained down upon the Porta Panama Base. Buildings and hanger were hit and leveled. Not even the underground command center was spared. Several missiles struck the building over top of the command center, causing the ceiling to collapse, crushing the command center and everything within it.

The blood of thousands of Naturals flowed freely through the base that day, almost all of them slaughtered for some blind, empty vengeance, aimed against actions of which some of them had regretted deeply, and would've even given their lives to reverse.

Numazaki Manor

A few hours later

"So, now you see the true face of ZAFT," said Ning grimly as she turned off the television screen and turned to face the three ZAFT pilots that had been staying at the manor as a combination of guests and prisoners.

The four all slumped in a defeated manor. That slaughter… it had been…

Well, there was no way to truly describe it. Even their disgust over Alaska was nothing compared to this. The feeling in the pit of their stomachs reminded them of the Bloody Valentine—only this time, it was Coordinators, not Naturals, who were responsible.

"What do you want from us?" asked Kelsey, sounding defeated. Ning leaned forward.

"What I want is simple," she said. "What I want is what you all, deep down, truly want."

The pilots stared at her uncertainly.

"I want you to fight for the sake of peace."

Alaska Crater, Former Site of JOSH-A Base

The Next Day

Four of Zaft's mobile suits flew over the massive crater, all four pilots staring grimly at the location where Blue Cosmos had wiped out so many lives simply to sate their own thirst for Coordinator blood, cement their control over the Alliance and to try and cripple ZAFT, almost certainly in the hopes of an all-out assault on the PLANTs being made possible.

"According to Carpentaria, this is where Kira, Corrine and the Freedom and Hope were first spotted," said Athrun.

"The legged ship and a few others escaped." Eric said. "Where do you think they went?"

"I have a guess," said Athrun. "Probably the same guess as you have. But if that's the case, we'll have to wait for them to make their move. We've got no other leads, so…"

"The Marshall Islands, then," said Anthony, who joined the team once they got to earth.

"So, you thought of it too?" said Matthew.

"It seems obvious, and the Marshall Islands are the perfect hiding place." Anthony said.

"Yeah," said Athrun. "Besides, I want to visit that place… Jordan's grave. I want to talk to Malchio too."

"Alright, then." said Matthew. "Marshal islands it is."

"Got it," said Athrun.

With that, the four mighty mobile suits turned southwest, their destination the Marshall Islands where the final confrontation of the Archangel and the Zala Team had taken place.