Chapter 36
Operation Spit Break
At the PLANTs; Kira and Lacus along with Father Mariko and Canard were all seated enjoying another cup of tea when Lacus's father Siegel Clyne returned home. He entered the outdoor gazebo where everyone was gathered as he looked to Father Mariko and told him. "I am sorry Father Mariko, but it seems there won't be any available shuttles that head back to earth until tomorrow."
"Don't worry Mr. Clyne. I am sure there will be one tomorrow."
"Thank you for understanding."
A maid poked her head in "Excuse me Master Clyne, but there is call for you from Eileen Canaver."
"I'll take it in here." Clyne replied as a small video screen with static appeared on the wall inside the room. "This is Clyne." Eileen's face appeared on the monitor as she begun.
"Clyne...Patrick Zala lied to us. Operation Spit Break has started, but its target isn't Panama its JOSH-A Alaska."
"What?"
Kira was taken back leaving him shocked as he dropped his tea cup.
"He didn't even ask for the Council's permission. He plans to take out the Earth Alliance in one swoop."
"Blast him."
"Kira!" Lacus asked as she noticed Kira was gripping his chest. "Kira what's wrong?"
"My friends they are all in Alaska." The young man was silent until. "I have to go back?"
"Are you going to fight ZAFT again?"
"No...I would rather not, but if I sit here then it will be worst for me because I did nothing."
"Well this is a side of you I have never seen before." Canard commented.
"At first I wasn't sure what should I be fighting for. Protecting my friends was one thing, but I think now I'll fight in what I believe in and I'll fight against those who only want to use the war for their own personal gain as well as to bring an end to the war." Kira replied as he seemed sure of himself.
"You're starting to sound like a pacificist!"
"If that is how you feel." Mr. Clyne began after Canard's comment. "Then there is something I think you'll need."
Nearly an hour later as a car was driving up to a ZAFT militray base. Inside; Kira and Canard were both wearing Red ZAFT Elite Pilot uniforms as Lacus was sitting with them explaining to them how to salute. Minutes later the trio were passing through a hallway. After they passed two guards in the hall after giving them a salute the trio entered a darkened hanger. The lights came on and in front of them was ZGMF-X10A Freedom. It laid dormant inside the hanger as it had recently been completed. Unlike what it would have been originally; this machine was equipped with Gundamium Alloy instead of Phase Shift, and aside from an N-Jammer Canceller; this Gundam had the ZERO system installed. Although it could have been given a fusion engine similar to the one Wing Zero and Epyon had. ZAFT wasn't quite successful in duplicating the technology yet.
"A Gundam?"
"Not quite" Lacus replying to Kira's remark as she explained. "This is the ZGMF-X10A Freedom. It was made using new technologies from Epyon. Including the ZERO system." This sent a chill down Kira's spine as Lacus then began again. "Don't worry the System can only be activated if the pilot wishes it. It however lacks a fusion reactor."
"So? Are you giving this to Kira?" Canard asked.
"Well yes unless you want to pilot it Mr. Pars?"
"Nah Kira can have it. Besides from what its looking now I think one of us will have to stay back with you, and I doubt ZAFT will be any less than happy that their new machine was stolen. I am sure a ex-Special Forces member of the Earth Alliance can keep an eye on your girlfriend for you."
"What!" Kira said as his face was turning kinda red.
Lacus faintly smiled at the comment.
"Look Kira you are needed back on earth so you better get moving ok."
Kira was silent for a moment until he replied. "Alright...thank you Canard."
"Kira. My father and I are entrusting this unit to you. Make sure no one can have a chance to duplicate the technoloy within that machine."
"Don't worry I won't allow it."
"Remember Kira when you are back on earth. Neither will alone nor strength alone will be enough. You may need a little of both or something more."
"Neither will alone nor strength alone will be enough." Kira repeated.
Minutes later he was standing on top of the Freedom's chest dressed in a ZAFT elite flight suit holding a helmet in one hand. Canard was waiting over on the catwalk. "Our hopes and feelings are with you Kira." Lacus kissed Kira on the cheek.
"Thank you."
"Take care."
Lacus moved away from the Freedom as she and Canard exited the hanger as Kira entered the Freedom itself. He began starting up its systems while at the same time he was making some adjustments to its Operating system. When he was finished he brought the Gundam's thrusters to life as he heard the roar of its boosters in the cockpit. That sound was followed by the voice of someone from the command center of the base demanding for him to stop. Kira ignored it as he put his foot down on the pedal at the floor of his cockpit and the Freedom took off. It flew out of the base and eventually out of the PLANT itself. It shot pass two patrolling GINNs like a bullet before the two could turn about and take up pursuit.
They fired their weapons at the Freedom as it continued its flight towards earth. Kira didn't bother with them as sheer speed Freedom possessed was able to place more and more distance between them with each passing second. However a group of three more GINNs were ahead of him firing their machine guns at the approaching Gundam. Without even blinking; the Freedom wiped out its beam saber and hacked off the arm that held each GINN's machine gun as it passed evening the three ZAFT machines without weapons; save for their swords.
As the Freedom continued its heading to earth unopposed; it passed a civilian shuttle carrying Athrun on board. Athrun looked at the Freedom as it flew pass them heading for earth. Three days later, it was early that morning as more than seven dozen transfers were underway. Natarle was already on her way to Panama aboard a submarine. Fllay and Mwu were waiting for theirs. In the skies near by; more than seven dozen ZAFT airborne mobile suit carriers were heading towards Alaska escorted by legions of ZAFT DINNs. They were being led by a commander's type DINN and Gundam Duel. The Duel was flying in the air on its own Guul with Yzak at the controls while piloting the white DINN was Rau Le Creuset himself.
"Attention all orbital drop forces. Proceed with your descent and let Operation Split Break begin."
After Rau's announcement; the orbital drop ships above Alaska let loose their payload as the pods began falling towards the earth below them. Operation Split Break had begun and its attack on Alaska was now about to begin as well. Back at his station at the space fortress Jachin Due; Nicholas Peacecraft remained at the command post as he watched the various monitors give him up to date information on their forces movements. In less than five minutes now the attack would begin. After three days the operation began; Alaska was about to laid to waste, but more to the truth of the matter was that the Earth Alliance knew the ZAFT militray was going to attack their HQ and was waiting for them to attack so they could spring their trap. The Cyclops System that laid below the base was armed and ready.
Around the same time the Freedom was about to enter the atmosphere in about thirty minutes, but at Orb. One Heero Yuy was growing restless as he remained in the ICU. He was still kept in his body cast as ten guards outside his room were still there to make certain that if in the unlikely case Heero manages to recover faster than expected, and attempted to leave; they were to stop him. Now their ability to stop Heero was about to be tested when he overheard the guards outside talking about Alaska how ZAFT had launched a massive invasion on the Earth Alliance HQ.
He even also overheard that word has reached them moments ago that Orb Intelligence believes that the Alliance has set up a trap at their base. They were planning on luring in as many ZAFT soldiers as possible before setting off their trap whatever it may be. Concerned for the safety of Natarle: Heero tried to force himself up out of bed. As he was doing so he used his strength to shatter the body cast he was in allowing him more free movement. Duo was trying to keep Heero from leaving as he placed both hands onto his chest trying to force him back down, but Heero wasn't stopping.
"Damn it Heero where the hell do you think you are going?"
"I am going to Alaska. Do not try to stop me?"
"Like hell I am going to let you leave like this?"
Duo knew that he couldn't stop Heero, but he had an idea as he heard the heart montiors flat-lining since their sensors were disconnected from Heero's body. As a nurse and a few guards rushed in. Duo looked to them and shouted.
"He is having a seizure. Use that Defribilator"
Heero's eyes went wide as instead of the nurse: Duo seized the Defribilator and used it on Heero as he shouted "clear!" A jolt of electric current shot through him. Again before the pilot of Wing Zero could react. Duo shocked him again, and following that a third time. Finally before Duo could preform a forth one: a nurse shot Heero with a needle filled with a powerful sedative made to incapacitate Heero. The pilot was just lucky the Defribilator didn't kill him, and neither did the sedative. After the nurse and the guards carried the unconscious Heero back onto his bed. They left to get some restrains they could use to keep Heero in bed. Zechs stepped in a few minutes later.
"So he tried to leave after all. I thought he would be too injured to attempt movement?"
"Yeah...lucky that nurse was ready with the sedative."
"I was expecting him to attempt it a little later. This seems a little early?"
"Think the news of ZAFT invading Alaska instead of Panama must have really got his attention."
"I am surpised something like that would get him to react like this? Was there anyone or anything on the Archangel that might provoke this?"
Duo thought about what Zechs was asking him, but he soon came to one conclusion. He remembered how he and Mwu set Heero up with Natarle. It was when it hit him. Like his thoughts for Relena were. His feelings must be boarding on the same level of what he felt for Relena. Possibility more for all he knew, but it was the only conclusion he could think of.
"I think I know?"
Zechs looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"On the Archangel he was involved with its second in command Natarle Badgiruel. On a." He turned to look away as he finished. "A personal level."
"I see. So that was the reason." Zechs answered as his expression left signs of how concerned he was now.
Meanwhile at the same time in Alaska: all hell had broken loose as ZAFT was invading Alaska and hitting JOSH-A hard and with everything they could throw at it. The skies were filled with such a gigantic number of enemy machines that it was impossible to count every single machine. On the ground seemingly endless legions of BuCUE units, ZuOOT units and GINNs. Many of the GINNs led by CGUE units were armed with type-D equipment. Many of the ground forces stationed to defend the base were destroyed almost instantly as soon as both sides had one another in their sights and were in range to open fire on one another.
Havoc and chaos erupted on the battlefield as both sides fought unaware of the growing danger. Flying through the air in his own command DINN unit. Rau Le Creuset was heading straight for a hidden entrance on the far side of the base concealed by a waterfall. He flew through the narrow tunnel that led him deep into the base itself. Meanwhile with all of the chaos of battle raging. Mwu La Flaga was running through the tunnels attempting to locate anyone inside headquarters, but yet he was shocked to see the place was almost deserted.
Where the hell is everyone. I thought ZAFT was planning to attack Panama, but something about this wasn't right the minute we got here. They sent off so many troops to Panama that we have left the base too much of an easy target for ZAFT. Too easy if you ask me. Mwu paused for a moment as he considered another possibility. One he wished hadn't came to mind. Unless...headquarters has something else up their sleeves. Before he continued his pace down the halls; something tugged at his mind. Was detecting the familiar presence of another within the base. Its that feeling again. Could Rau Le Creuset be here as well.
Elsewhere; Rau had made his way over to the main command center where his attention was on a computer station. He was looking at a read out of the Cyclops's System. He knew it was armed and ready for detonation. Suddenly Mwu poked his head by the entrance into the command center with a gun already drawn and ready. Before the ace pilot could shot Rau in the back. Le Creuset detected Mwu just as he had sensed him. Rau turned and drew his own weapon right before firing off three shots at Mwu La Flaga. Rau then quicky dove behind a large computer console before ultimately taking shelter behind the doorway on the far corner of the command center.
"So you're here too eh Mwu La Flaga." Rau chuckled. "It must mean that you are no longer useful to them. Hawk of Endymion; how the mighty have fallen." Rau heard Mwu curse something at him before he decided to add. "I would have to stay and play, but I am afraid time is not on my side today. I'll see you again if you survive the coming heat wave." Rau turned and dashed down the hall leaving Mwu behind. Before he could take up pursuit; he eyed the computer Rau was looking at a few moments ago. He realized then what he meant by surviving the coming heat wave.
They can't be serious!
Meanwhile back at Jachin Due; Nicholas was watching as up to date information from the battlefield followed by a steady stream of live images were being shown. As he studied them he maintained a observation glance on the images he was seeing. Something about scene was clearly troubling him.
"Send a message to all respective commands at Alaska to order their troops to be wary."
"Commander Peacecraft?"
"You heard me. Something isn't right...tell our men to be on the look out for anything suspicious."
"Uh...very well sir."
The soldier went about transmitting the young Peacecraft's orders to the ground forces at Alaska. Meanwhile Nicholas rose from his chair and proceeded to leave the command center. He turned his head to one on looking ZAFT commander as he asked. "Has the special forces drop team been readied for operation Odin's Vengeance."
"Yes sir."
"Have Epyon prepared. I will lead our surprise assault on Panama's mass driver personally."
"Yes commander Peacecraft. Most of the preparations have been completed."
"Good."
Back on earth as the Archangel were among the few remaining ships to hold their own against the overwhelming numbers of the ZAFT invading army. Despite some damage to their hull and some of their weapon placements; the ship was still putting up a good fight. ZAFT were suffering some losses as well, but unfortunately nothing noticeable.
"Aim the Gottfried cannons and fire." Murrue ordered as the cannons were targeting a pair of in coming DINN units posed to attack them. But one DINN managed to evade the energy beams fired at the DINN and its companions. Although its companions were shot down; the lone DINN was moving in to shoot the bridge. But a passing jet fighter flew by the Archangel before shooting down the DINN with a few missiles.
Mwu La Flaga's victory was short lived as a passing GINN on a Guul managed to damage the engines of his craft with a shot from its machine grazing the engines, but at the same time inflicting more than enough damage to force it down. Turning his craft towards the Archangel; Mwu eyed a hole in the left hand side hanger doors. The hole was more than wide enough to fly his aircraft through. Although Mwu was shocked by the stunt the pilot was pulling, but still called for engineer crews to be on stand by.
Without even stopping to catch his breath. As soon as Mwu made his crash landing inside the Archangel he wasted no time running to the bridge. Once he arrived; everyone was surpised to see him including the captain who shot the frist question at him. "Major La Flaga? What are you doing here?"
"That is not important...what is important is that we get out of here."
"What?"
"Ok listen up. There is a Cyclops System set up right below HQ. It is set to go off in any moment. When it does it will turn everything within a ten kilometer radius into a blast furnace."
"What the hell for?" Arnold shouted from his station.
"HQ has been completely abandoned. They knew ZAFT was going to invade Alaska, so they set this up to eliminate half of ZAFT's fighting strength."
"What kind of insane plan is that?" Kuzzey asked.
"We're soldiers. That is the scenario they came up with, and if we are ordered to die. Then I guess we have no choice but to do it don't we."
Murrue was frustrated and disgusted with the plan the Earth Alliance had come up with, and the fact they were being used as bait. Even sickened her more.
"Hail our companion ship. Tell them we are withdrawing from the battlefield."
Everyone expect for Mwu looked at her with shocked expressions.
"We are abandoning the battlefield. I want it known that I Murrue Ramius is making this decision alone. Lets get the hell out of here."
The Archangel proceeded to make their attempt to escape the battlefield. But their path was blocked by attacking GINNs and DINNs from all sides. If that wasn't the least of their problems. Another one named Yzak Jule was approaching the Archangel from behind inside his Duel Gundam as it flew towards the bridge of the Archangel riding its Guul. It managed to evade the Archangel's defenses and set itself up for a clear shot at the bridge as it pointed its beam rifle at them. A wave of fear washed over them as the had guessed this was the end for them, but suddenly out of nowhere; a beam shot down from the sky taking off the Duel Gundam's right arm along with its beam rifle.
Everyone was stunned as Yzak turned his attention skyward to see what had taken his arm off. The Freedom Gundam descended from the sky as it drew its beam saber before taking the Duel's head off with a swift swipe of its beam saber. The Duel was sent falling off its Guul and towards the waters below before it was picked up by a DINN.
"What the hell was that?" Yzak roared as he was carried off the battlefield.
The crew on the bridge of the Archangel was just as equally confounded as Yzak was. As Freedom floated before them with its back turned on them. It spread forth its wings as a voice was heard over the intercom on the bridge.
"This is Kira Yamato. Archangel do you read me. This is Kira Yamato."
"Kira!" Miriallia exclaimed in surprise.
"I am here now. Archangel...pull back." Kira declared as he entered SEED mode. He saw a pair of DINNs closing in, so he took out both beam sabers and rushed them. In his wake the DINNs lost their heads and were forced to retreat. Before the other GINNs and DINNs in the area could launch a attack on Freedom. The Gundam switched over to its HiMAT mode and began shooting off the heads and weapon arms of the enemy mobile suits with seemingly unconquerable accuracy. In moments; more than three dozen ZAFT units were forced to retreat.
Those on the bridge witnessing Kira at work left their jaws hanging and were in near shock. Mwu had just taken off from the Archangel in the Skygrasper carrying the Strike's Launcher equipment. It was providing Kira with a little bit of assistance. But as the battle dragged on; Kira noticed that the Archangel wasn't heading back towards base.
"Archangel? Why aren't you pulling back?"
"Kira...there is a Cyclops System set up below HQ. It is set to go off any minute. We didn't know they used us as bait."
Kira was taken back by the plan the Earth Alliance had set up. He had an idea that might help the Archangel get away from the blast radius, and even in the process save the lives of the ZAFT pilots engaged in battle. Kira opened a line to both sides and spoke "Attention both Earth Alliance and ZAFT forces. The Alaska Base has been abandoned and they have rigged it to self-destruct by use of a Cyclops System. It will detonate any minute now so I am asking both sides to withdraw from the area immediately. Please withdraw immediately."
At that same moment at the ZAFT space fortress Jachin Due; Nicholas Peacecraft was listening to Kira's transmission being broadcasted to him by one of the commanders on the scene of the battle. A expression of horror crossed his face as he shot up from out of his chair shoving aside a ZAFT soldier in the process as he began shouting.
"Attention all ZAFT forces; this is Commander Nicholas Peacecraft. I hereby order the immediate withdrawal of our forces from the Alaska area. I repeat I order all of our forces to withdraw from battle now! This is a direct order. All forces withdraw now!"
"Commander what are you doing?"
"Think about it. It makes sense. The Earth Alliance has set up a too thin of a defense to properly defend their headquarters. To militray commander could have made such a mistake. Even though they assumed we were going to attack Panama; there is no logical militaristic reason why they would have left so few forces to defend their main base. Unless they were setting a trap for use, and we have fallen for it."
"Yes sir I understand." The ZAFT commander turned to the others and shouted. "You heard the commander. Order all of our forces to withdraw now!"
The leaders of the ZAFT militray understood what Nicholas himself realized. They only hoped they could withdraw before the trap could be sprung. Meanwhile back on earth; almost within moments the entire ZAFT army was pulling as hasty retreat. Kira and Murrue was surpised to see this happening while the BuCUE and ZuOOT units were fleeing down the shore line attempting to get away as soon as possible. However a small group of ZAFT soldiers consisting of GINNs and a CGUE leading them broke through the main gate.
Unaware that ZAFT was retreating; the main staff from the JOSH-A base detonated the Cyclops System. The horrific system activated as the area was slowing being engulfed in intense microwave radiation. The Earth Alliance was caught in the blast, but only Kira in the Freedom and the Archangel followed by the Skygrasper managed to escape the blast in the mists of ZAFT's retreat. The Earth Alliance suffered heavy losses along with ZAFT suffering a mere ten percent of their forces lost; mostly ground forces such as the slow moving ZuOOT and several BuCUE units. Thus ZAFT's fighting strength was more or less unaffected.
As the smoke cleared from the horrific power of the Cyclops System as the array itself was destroyed in a gigantic explosion that left nothing but a large smoldering crater marking where the base once was. Up at the PLANTs; ZAFT was horrified to find that what Nicholas had suspected about the battle after Kira's transmission confirmed his suspicions. A short while after the battle; the Freedom and the Archangel found a deserted small island to land on. After disembarking from his machine; Kira approached the awaiting Archangel crew still wearing the ZAFT flight suit.
As he continued his approach; he removed his helmet and everyone was glad, but at the same time shocked to see him. "Looks like I arrived just in time." Kuzzey and Miriallia rushed to greet him as Murrue and Mwu remained back and watched the scene before the ace mobile armor pilot shot a question at the new pilot of Freedom.
"Were you with ZAFT?"
Kuzzey and Miriallia were silent for a moment as they waited for Kira to answer.
"Yes I was, but I am not with them nor I am with the Earth Alliance anymore either."
Murrue and Mwu were both taken back, but as Mwu looked at Kira's face he could somehow see some change within him.
"Well I am sure you have much to tell us, but what about that machine? Does it require any maintenance." Murrue asked as she looked at the Freedom.
"It doesn't require maintenance because it has a N-Jammer Canceller." Everyone was shocked by the fact that the mobile suit Kira is using has a nuclear engine. "That machine was entrusted to me. So I will personally handle all repairs and maintenance. If you or anyone attempts to tamper or even try to get the N-Jammer Canceller Data then I'll leave. By force if I have to."
"Consider it done." The captain turned her around. "Do you got that!" Murrue told the crew members behind her.
Meanwhile up at the PLANTs in Aprilius City at the PLANT capital. Athrun Zala had just arrived when word about the incident at Alaska was spreading like wild fire. As Athrun entered he saw Nicholas Peacecraft followed by three ZAFT commanders heading towards his father's office. As he proceeded towards the same pathway Nicholas had just taken; he saw Captain Yuri. He waved and called out to him.
"Captain Yuri!"
He noticed the ZAFT pilot and walked towards him as his expression showed that he seemed puzzled.
"Athrun Zala what are you doing here?"
"I'll tell you later, but what is going on?"
"Well to be honest I am not sure, but from what I heard the Earth Alliance had set up a trap using a Cyclops System at Alaska. Lucky Commander Peacecraft saw through their deception and called a retreat just in time after hearing a burst transmission from the enemy. We suffered only minium losses while the losses sustained by the Earth Alliance was far greater."
"I see...lucky for us."
"Right, but there is one other thing." Yuri paused for a moment. "Before the battle itself started I heard that one of our new prototype machines was stolen. Apparently a spy helped the thief steal it."
"A spy...who?"
"I didn't want to be the one who told you, but the spy was Lacus Clyne."
Athrun dropped his suitcase as he was overwhelmed with disbelief. "What...impossible?"
"I don't have all the facts, but the best one to ask about the matter would be your father."
Athrun was speechless for a moment until he finally said.
"Speaking of which I have to see him."
"Oh...then you better get on your way then. I'll see you later Athrun." Yuri said with a salute as he walked away.
"Yeah you too."
Athrun began making his way towards his father's office with only these thoughts in mind. Lacus...it just can't be.