SailorStar9: Chapter 34 goes up. This is Chapter 35. To all my non-reviewing readers, I love you all! Will love you more if you review! *hugs all round!*
Disclaimers: I don't own Sailor Moon and Gundam Seed since if I did own them both, the Planetary Senshi will have equal footing as Sailor Moon and Cagalli won't exist. But you don't see that happening do you?
Chapter 35: Lacus Strikes
On the Archangel's hanger...
"If I don't return, you should use the Justice." Athrun told Dearka before he boarded the shuttle.
"No, you should be using something like that." Dearka corrected.
"Wait a minute." Cagalli called. "Athrun! Why are you...! Why?"
"Cagalli..." Athrun blinked at the flustered blond.
"Why are you returning to PLANT?" Cagalli pressed.
"I'm sorry." Athrun apologized.
"There's nothing to be sorry about." Cagalli retorted. "If you leave that behind..."
"It's better to leave Justice here." Athrun replied. "When Athena or you are in a pinch, Kira will take care of it."
"That's not what I mean!" Cagalli protested.
"But, I need to go." Athrun reasoned.
"Athrun!" Cagalli protested.
"I can't do anything like this." Athrun remarked.
"Cagalli." Athena chided.
"Athena..." Cagalli blinked at the Earth Goddess.
"You understand, right?" Athena smiled.
"Freedom, launching in order to protect the shuttle." Kira stated.
"Understood." Murrue replied. "Be careful."
On PLANT...
"Lacus Clyne is only being used." Ezalia began her speech. "We fully understand the hope of wanting peace. That's why we want to rescue her as well. We want to rescue her from the hands of the Naturals and their false Goddess who are deceiving her. So, for those who love her, we ask that you provide us with any information you may have."
In a bar, an incognito Rau received a disk with secret information on it.
In his office...
"That's right." Patrick held a video conference with Andrew. "Klueze came back with some info. I don't know how Freedom landed up with ORB, it looks like Athrun might have discovered something, but that idiot never reports anything."
"Wasn't it assigned to him as a top secret mission?" Andrew asked. "Information is bound to leak with careless communication."
"The arrogant Natural bastards are coming up, one after another." Patrick added. "We need to destroy them completely this time."
"I understand." Andrew replied. "I'll put forth my best effort, even for the Chairman who gave someone like me a second chance at life."
On the Vesalius...
"Is this the new model, 'GuAIZ'."Yzak asked, watching a mechanic work on the new mass production suit GuAIZ.
"Yes." the mechanic replied. "It's MMI's newest main force model. This model is being deployed more and more often these days. Soon or later, we'll be able wipe out the Naturals with these. I'll leave that to you."
Yzak growled and stormed off in disgust.
In his office...
After taking his pills, Rau examined the disk, which contained the classified specs on the Freedom and Justice and their N-Jammer Cancelers.
N-Jammer Canceler... he mused. This again.
On PLANT...
"Good work." Lacus started when DaCosta rushed into the hideout. "How are things in the city?"
"Not good." DaCosta replied. "Thanks to Ezalia Jule's speech, the citizens are in a state of chaos."
"I see." Lacus noted.
"The news about Siegel-sama still hasn't been announced yet." DaCosta added.
"Then..." Lacus started.
"Yes, it's a bit sooner than planned, but I believe it's time to start acting." DaCosta agreed.
"I understand." Lacus concurred. "The time has come. The time for us to go; to gather by Athena's side."
"I cannot accept it!" the pink Haro chirped.
In space...
"Kira." Athrun started. "You'll be caught in Yakin Doue's defense net soon. Go back."
"Alright." Kira replied. "Then, I'll be on standby around here."
"No, go back." Athrun corrected.
"Athrun." Kira stated. "You can't die yet. You know that, right?"
"Kira..." Athrun muttered.
"You... me... we can't die yet." Kira added. "Not yet."
"Yeah, not yet." Athrun agreed. "Okay, I'll remember that."
"Don't forget that both of us are Athena's Saints." Kira reminded and let Athrun go.
"This is Athrun Zala of the Special Forces directly under the National Defense Committee." Athrun announced his arrival. "ID Number 285002. Come in Yakin Doue defense force."
In his office...
"Natural bastards..." Patrick hissed, examining the classified data on GENESIS.
"What is it?" he opened his communication link.
"Special Forces Athrun Zala has landed on Yakin Doue with what appears to be an Earth shuttle." the officer on the other end informed.
"What?" Patrick echoed. "An Earth shuttle?"
"Because of the situation, I'll dispatched guards, but..." the officer replied.
"Bring him here immediately!" Patrick cut him off.
"Excuse me!" the escorts entered with Athrun in tow.
"Athrun." Patrick glared.
"Father." Athrun started.
"You guys can go." Patrick instructed.
"Yes!" the escorts left.
"What's going on?" Patrick demanded. "What happened? Where are Justice and Freedom?"
"Father," Athrun started. "What do you think about this war?"
"What did you say?" Patrick barked.
"How long must we fight like this?" Athrun pressed.
"What are you saying?" Patrick snapped. "Furthermore, what did you do with the mission that was ordered? Report!"
"I..." Athrun added. "I came back, somehow, in order to ask you this seriously."
"Athrun!" Patrick hissed. "Why, you...!"
In her hideout...
"Lacus-sama!" one of her aides reported.
"Oh, this isn't good." Lacus remarked, going through the new information on the laptop. "We should do something."
In his office...
"That is enough!" Patrick fumed. "What does a little hatchling like you know in order to say something like that?"
"Isn't it you who doesn't know anything, father?" Athrun retorted. "Alaska! Panama! Victoria! We get hit when they shoot, and we hit them when we shoot back! The flames of war have spread to a point where they're uncontrollable!"
"Where in the hell did you pick up something as absurd as that?" Patrick snapped. "Did you get that from that bitch, Lacus Clyne?"
"Do you honestly think that this war will be over if you pit fire against fire?" Athrun demanded.
"That's right!" Patrick snapped. "When all the Naturals and the Earth Goddess die, the war is over!"
"Speak, Athrun!" he grabbed the younger Zala's uniform. "Where is Justice and Freedom? Even you might not be forgiven, based on your answers!"
"Father, are you serious?" Athrun asked. "What do you mean, kill Athena and all of the Naturals?"
"That's the objective of this war! Once we remove that meddling Earth Goddess, I'll replace her with one of my own people, someone who is obedient to me!" Patrick huffed. "That's what we're fighting for! Have you forgotten that very purpose?"
Pulling out his drawer, he took out his gun and pointed it at his son.
"Father..." Athrun blinked.
"You foolish idiot." Patrick took aim. "Answer me without the useless crap. Where are the Justice and Freedom? If you won't answer, I'll brand you as a traitor as well. Athrun!"
When Athrun remained silent, Patrick called in his guards to have him arrested for treason.
"Athrun!" Patrick pressed.
Athrun dashed toward Patrick to attack him and was shot in the shoulder by Patrick.
"Don't kill him!" Patrick ordered. "I still have things to ask him. Take him away. Force him to give up the whereabouts of Justice and Freedom. It doesn't matter if you treat him harshly. You're a disappointment, Athrun."
"I'm disappointed as well." Athrun muttered as the guards led him away.
Seeing Athrun being led off, DaCosta sprung into action.
At the L4 colony cluster...
"I'm sending the M1's out on reconnaissance." Kisaka informed as the Kusanagi and Archangel docked inside the abandoned colony Mendel. "There shouldn't be anything, but be on the lookout."
"Understood." Murrue replied. "All hands, second level battle stations."
On PLANT...
"Get on!" one of the escorts barked, as they approached a truck. Athrun attacked the guards in response and fled.
"Stop!" one of the guards ordered, only to have DaCosta knock him unconscious with the butt of his his rifle.
"What the hell is this? DaCosta covered Athrun's escape.
"Stop right there!" one of the black-suited guards demanded, preparing to shoot when DaCosta tossed a flash bomb at them.
"This way!" DaCosta led Athrun to safety, after throwing another flash bomb.
"Please turn the other way." he instructed."I'll shoot your handcuffs."
Athrun obeyed and DaCosta fired a shot at the cuff link, freeing the pilot.
"You're quite reckless." DaCosta noted.
"So are you." Athrun added.
"Are you planning to die?" DaCosta handed a rifle to him. "You even knocked down one of our own members."
"You're..." Athrun blinked.
"I'm one of the people of the Clyne section of the Athena Faction." DaCosta replied. "Geez, our plan are not going as planned."
"Sorry, I didn't know." Athrun apologized.
"Well, it's understandable." DaCosta replied.
"DaCosta, hurry!" one of the soldiers exclaimed.
"Let's go!" DaCosta sprung into action.
On the Eternal...
"Well then." Andrew started and alerted the crew. "The ship will start the final preparations. Got it? The ship will start the final preparations. Start working!"
"Wait." the original crew were forced off the ship by Andrew's loyal men. "Why, you...! What are you doing?"
"Just get off the ship!" the soldiers pushed the crew off.
In the elevator...
"I said no!" the pink Haro chirped on Lacus' lap.
"No, Pink-chan." Lacus hushed the Haro. "Stay quiet."
In his office...
"What?" Patrick hollered. "You think saying, 'He's escaped,' is going to solve anything, you idiot? Send out a criminal search announcement throughout the country! Notify the port soldiers as well. You must not let him get away."
"Athrun, you little...!" he hissed.
Meanwhile..
"We need to hurry!" DaCosta declared, flying in a shuttle towards the spaceport with a bandaged Athrun in tow.
On the Eternal...
"Sorry for being late." Lacus arrived on the bridge.
"Well, well." Andrew replied. "It's good to see that you're safe."
"Shall we go?" he asked, after Lacus took the commander's seat.
"Yes." Lacus replied.
"Departure round, C-4 route." the operator declared. "Force subroutine 1920, online. Logical-aid, added. Security purge, confirmed. All systems, go!"
In the control room..
"Hey, what are you doing?" the operator demanded as the Eternal prepared to take off. "There aren't any orders for your ship to launch. What's going on? Come in, Captain Waltfeld!"
On the Eternal...
"The code of the control system of the main gate has been changed." the operator reported.
"Smart, aren't they?" Andrew noted. "They could have just let us out."
"Looks like we're off to a bit of a wild start." he told Lacus. "Please be prepared."
"It can't be helped." Lacus remarked. "We have no choice but to go. Athena needs both her Popes at her side."
"Main cannon, prepare to fire." Andrew gave the order. "Target the main gate. Fire at the same time as our launch."
"Main cannon, prepare to fire. Target the main gate. " the weaponry officer repeated.
"Eternal, launch!" Lacus instructed.
In the control room..
"What are you doing, Eternal?" the operator demanded as the ship prepared to take off. "Stop your ship!"
On the Eternal...
"The alarms has been sounded at headquarters!" the radar officer reported.
"Fire!" Andrew barked.
"What about DaCosta?" he asked after the cannon blasted the gate open.
Meanwhile..
DaCosta maneuvered the shuttle out of the firing planes' way and flew out of the space port.
"Captain!" DaCosta called.
On the Eternal...
"DaCosta to the rear hatch." Andrew ordered. "Full speed ahead after retrieving the shuttle. This one's fast. Let's go."
On the Vesalius...
"What?" Rau echoed. "Eternal? Athrun?"
"A pursuit order has been issued." the officer replied.
"Even the great Vesalius can't catch up with that." Rau remarked. "We'll just have to leave it to the Yakin Defense Force."
"Yes." the radar officer replied.
Regardless, it's a masterpiece, Chairman Zala. Rau mused.
In space...
"It's fast!" one of the GINN pilot gaped at the speedy ship.
On the Eternal...
"Athrun, are you okay?" Lacus asked when Athrun and DaCosta entered the bridge.
"Lacus!" Athrun gaped.
"Yo, nice to meet you." Andrew greeted. "Welcome to the lady's ship. I'm Andrew Waltfeld."
"Mobile suit squad ahead." DaCosta reported. "Number, fifty!"
"Yakin's squad, huh?" Andrew mused. "Well, it's only proper. Prepare the main cannon. Activate Sirius!"
"What about the mobile suit aboard this ship?" Athrun asked.
"They're out at the moment." Andrew replied. "This ship is made to carry the Justice and Freedom."
"Please open all communication channels." Lacus requested.
"Lacus?" Athrun blinked.
"Roger." Andrew smiled.
"I am Lacus Clyne." Lacus declared. "Due to conflicting ideals of the future, I've become an enemy of Chairman Zala. I do not wish to fight with you. Please let our ship go. Also, I'd like you all to rethink about who is it is that we really need to fight against."
In space...
"Captain!" one of the GINN pilots gaped.
"Don't be fooled." the squad leader replied. "We have orders to shoot them."
On the Eternal...
"It will be difficult, if you say something like that." Andrew noted. "Commence interception!"
"Please try not to shoot their cockpits." Lacus requested.
"Even that's difficult." Andrew admitted. "Main cannon, fire!"
"Six GINN units coming from Blue Alpha five and Charlie seven." DaCosta reported.
"They're coming." Andrew warned. "Intercept."
"Six more GINN units coming from Blue Delta twelve." DaCosta added as the ship was bombarded by the GINN missiles. "Missiles approaching! We can't intercept them all! The rest are approaching!"
Outside...
Just as the GINNs closed in, Kira arrived in time to defend the Eternal, destroying the missiles with his rifle beam.
On the Eternal...
"Kira?" Athrun gaped.
"Thank you." Lacus noted, after getting knocked into Athrun after the shockwave.
Outside...
With all the missiles dispatched, Kira proceeded to use all his weapons to cripple the entire attacking force.
On the Eternal...
"This is Freedom, Kira Yamato." Kira's voice came over the intercom.
"Kira?" Lacus gasped.
"Lacus..." Kira blinked.
"Yes." Lacus beamed.
"Kira..." Athrun muttered.
"Hey kid, you saved us." Andrew remarked.
"Walfeld-san?" Kira blinked in surprise.
After the Eternal docked at Mendel alongside the Kusanagi and Archangel...
"'Nice to meet you..' would sound weird, huh?" Andrew noted, the three ships' crew meeting up. "I'm Andrew Waltfeld."
"I'm Murrue Ramius." Murrue saluted. "But I was really surprised."
"You and me both." Andrew agreed. "Isn't that right, kid?"
"You have a reason to attack me." Kira started.
"This is war." Athena cut in. "Anyone might or might not have their sense of obligation."
"Thank you." Kira muttered.
"But you sure took your time, Andy." Aisha chided, removing her mask before her lover and floated over to hug him.
Elsewhere...
"You're always rife with injuries." Cagalli noted.
"Your olive branch protected me." Athrun replied.
"I see." Cagalli remarked. "That's good. But, who would have thought you'd come out with that? She's pretty amazing."
"Is it okay?" she asked, the tow noticing the close proximity between Lacus and Kira. "She's your fiancee."
"Only a long time ago." Athrun replied.
"What?" Cagalli blinked.
"I'm an idiot." Athrun admitted.
"Well, you just realized it now." Cagalli nodded. "It doesn't matter. But, I think Kira's an idiot too. The Coordinators sure are idiots. It can't be helped."
"I see." Athrun smiled. "That's right."
"Actually, I tend to think the same for the male species, Natural, Coordinator or deity." Athena quipped, entered the observation deck with Nicol.
"What does that mean?" both Athrun and Nicol echoed.
"You men are all the same." Athena smirked. "Going through complex rituals to disguise the fact that you have emotions."
On the upper deck...
"My father..." Lacus sobbed. "Passed away."
"Lacus..." Kira started before Lacus threw herself into his arms and wept.
SailorStar9's rant on the episode: As I expected, Athrun's attempt to reason with his father failed. However, he now sees that his father is a genocidal maniac bent on the destruction of all Naturals. In fact, Patrick is seen examining some secret weapon called GENESIS. From the looks of it, it's some kind of large cannon. Maybe he plans to use it as a doomsday weapon to fire at Earth and kill all Naturals. Andrew makes his return here, and he surprises everyone, including Kira. Though he survived, he paid a high price since he lost his left eye and arm, along with Aisha. Is it just me, or is thievery of top secret weapons a bit too easy in this series? At the beginning, ZAFT easily steals the four prototype Gundams. Later, Kira has no trouble stealing the Freedom Gundam. With that in mind, you'd think ZAFT would have some more security for new ships. And why is this ship painted pink? Also, it seems a bit too easy for Kira to fight since he takes on 50 GINNs and CGUEs and disables them all like they're nothing.