SailorStar9: Chapter 35 goes up. This is Chapter 36. 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 36: What Stands in the Way
At the Alliance's Ptolemaeus lunar base...
"Horn Blower will standby in the 8th Orbit." the intercom came on. "Starlin, Mailer, and Mekris, will move to the 2nd Orbit. 7th Service Squad, please join up with the flight at 3.7 acceleration speed. The 4th Supply Ship is arriving at ten seconds later than expected. Raise your orbit, Magnum! The 51st Combat Division is taking off."
On the Dominion...
"Battleship on radar." the radar officer reported at Natarle flew the Dominion into orbit and started a combat stimulation. "Distance 500! orange 14! Mach 233 Alpha! A large heat source is approaching. It's assumed to be a battleship."
"All ships, all mobile suits, prepare for battle." Natarle gave the order. "Decrease starboard 10 degrees, bow 15 degrees! Activate Igelsheteron! Aim the Valiant at the enemy ship. Activate missile pads 1 through 4! Load the Corinthos! Valiants, fire! "
"What are you hesitating for? "she barked when the crew fumbled at the controls, causing them to fail the stimulation scenario. "You're acting too late! We'll all die in our first battle like this. Don't you know?"
"Captain, a message from the Fleet Headquarters." one of the crew reported.
"Sorry about that." an officer apologized as he entered with Azrael. "I'm sure you're training hard at the moment."
"It's fine, sir." Natarle saluted as the two men entered the bridge.
"Let me introduce." the officer started. "This is the Director of the National Defense Industrial Alliance, Murota Azrael. You've heard of him before, right?"
"Yes..." Natarle trailed.
"He will come with you to monitor the 3 newest mobile suit models that are being assigned to this ship." the officer supplied. "Please take care of him."
"Nice to meet you, Captain lady." Azrael greeted.
"I'm Major Natarle Bajirul!" Natarle saluted. "But..."
"But who would have thought my captain would be so young and beautiful?" Azrael cut her off. "So these are the perks, huh?"
"Please don't worry." the officer assured. "She's an exceptional person for this. She's from a traditional military family."
"That's..." Natarle started.
"Even more, before she was assigned here, she was the Vice Captain of that Archangel." the officer added.
"Really?" Azrael's interest was perked. "So, she's acting on her own, huh? I'll look forward to it. From now, we're off to shoot down that Archangel."
On the Vesalius...
"This is the predicted course of the Eternal, which has been collected from the Yakin Doue's pursuit data." Rau stated.
"The L4 Colony Cluster?" Ades noted. "Just as I thought. This sure has become awkward. Suspicious people made it their hideout before, and now it's being used like this."
"I believe the the Clyne group's plan isn't that grand, but," Rau surmised. "'We don't like war...', is it? It looks like it's pretty divided even within the military. Don't you have a feeling that something might pop up?"
"I have had a chance to meet Captain Waltfeld." Ades added. "But who would have thought he would do that."
"He's a man with a sharp tongue." Rau pointed out. "Even Chairman Zala took a hit, while sitting on his chair. He's a miraculously revived 'hero', afterall."
"Now, we're ordered to suppress them." Ades added.
"It can't be helped." Rau snorted. "The world isn't something that goes by whatever you had planned in your mind before. The treachery hidden within a person is not something that can easily be seen."
"Yzak." he started. "From now on, Athrun is your enemy. Can you shoot him?"
"Of course." Yzak replied after a moment's of hesitation. "I can shoot a traitor."
In his office...
"You seem tired." Flay noted after Rau sat in his seat.
"I'm also a normal human being." Rau reminded. "From one battlefield to another, that's how I've always lived. I can just give 'it's because I'm a soldier' as an excuse. But, it's not like we were soldiers when we were born. I want to end this as quickly as possible. You feel the same, right? I finally obtained the final key that's needed to end this, but I can't open the door if the key is here. I sure would like to open that up soon."
In the L4 Colony Cluster...
"Wasn't this the colony that got scrapped before the start of the war due to a bio-hazard incident?" Andrew asked.
"Yeah." Mu replied. "Even I remember the incident here in Mendel. It sure stirred up the world a bit. But well, thanks to that, it's minimal damage. Don't you think it's the best place to be secluded for now?"
"I guess the obvious problem is definitely on the Moon." Athena reasoned as the two adults entered the Archangel's bridge.
"I've heard that the Earth Military is currently dispatching an endless amount of troops from Victoria." Lacus supplied.
"Is it a move to make a full-scale attack against PLANT?" Murrue wondered.
"Well, it's a bunch of people who were itching to attack in the first place." Andrew pointed out. "For a blue and pure world?"
"Stop that." Mu chided, noticing Murrue's downcast sigh.
"It's not what I said." Andrew shrugged.
"Well, that's true." Mu agreed.
"I wonder, how is killing Coordinators an act to make the world blue and pure?" Athena posted the question.
"I don't even know what a blue and pure world is to start with, but in PLANT's shoes, I'm sure that they wouldn't want to get hit for that measly reason." Andrew added, as Nicol slipped out of the bridge. "However, even the top heads at PLANT have already decided to treat the Naturals as 'pointless beings'. I'm sure they'll counterattack. So something like that will never happen again. I wonder, how long is this going to continue?"
"The situation is serious." Murrue sighed.
"Yeah." Mu agreed.
"But people who changed like that and people who go against them are all humans either way." Athena noted. "No matter what the era is, there were a lot of people who held the same ideals as we have. Don't you want to make a world like that? A world that isn't like this."
"Yeah." Kira smiled.
In the observation deck...
"You were here all along?" Athrun was snapped out of his musings by Nicol's voice.
"Are you thinking of something in that head of yours?" Nicol asked.
At Athrun's blink, he added, "Thinking by yourself isn't going to solve anything. That's why everyone's talking to each other." Don't be absent at a time like this. You and I, we're both Athena's Saints."
"Sorry." Athrun apologized.
"Does it hurt?" Nicol looked at his sling.
"Well, no." Athrun looked at his injury.
"Of course it hurts." Nicol corrected. "You got shot by your father."
"I could not stop my father." Athrun confessed. "I just realized it."
"Athrun?" Nicol blinked.
"I realized that I couldn't do anything and that I knew nothing about." Athrun reprimanded himself.
"That's the same for everyone." Nicol pointed out. "It's the person who pretends to know, who's weird." Nicol added.
"Nicol?" Athrun was surprised at the outburst.
"It's still too early to give up on your father." Nicol advised. "Someday, you might even have a second chance to talk to him sincerely. So, don't stash yourself here and...!"
"Sorry." Athrun cut him off with a brotherly smile.
On the Dominion...
Natarle went through the data files of the three pilots.
"Clotho Buer." she stated. "Strengthening implant, stage 3. X-307's 'living CPU'. All personal data has been completely purged. Orga Sabnak. X-131's 'living CPU'. Stage 2. He also doesn't have any personal data. Shani Andras. Stage 4. X-202's 'living CPU'. No personal data. All three aren't pilots, but 'equipment' huh? Treat them like expendables, huh? But..."
"How long do we have until L4?" Azrael asked.
"We will arrive soon." Natarle replied. "However, I still can't agree with this. We're going to L4 without any basis."
"My information is completely accurate." Azrael corrected. "That's your basis. We're not going there without basis."
"But, intelligence from PLANT..." Natarle protested. "It might be a trap."
"Freedom, Justice." Azrael listed. "Those are the code names of those two. In order to pursue those two units, 3 Nazca-class ships are heading for L4. There's no way to do this if it's true, right? That's why we're going. Do you understand now? You are definitely a Captain who can command this ship. But even above that, there is a human being who overlooks the whole battlefield in order to strategize and command."
"You've been asked to listen to my requests, right?" he reminded. "I'd like you to take that seriously."
In the L4 Colony Cluster...
"We've loaded all of the ammunition and materials that we can carry." Andrew stated. "After those run out, I've arranged for people who are left at PLANT to somehow help us out."
"How much time until the final embarkment?" Athena asked.
"I see." she nodded after Lacus answered. "Please, try to hurry up."
"She sure is amazing." Mu noted as he used the Strike to move the crates. "Our Earth Goddess, already taking up the leadership role so quickly."
"Major!" Asagi chided. "We'll take care of that."
"It's fine." Mu replied. "This could serve as training as well. You guys tried out the simulation in space, right? I can't let the kids take all the enemy kills."
"If Eternal is a strictly transport ship, I guess it's better to have Freedom and Justice standby there, right?" Murrue asked, holding a three-way video conference with the other two ships. "We'll have the Strike and Buster."
"Understood." Kira nodded. "Then, Athrun and I will move to the Eternal."
On the Dominion...
"Colony Mendel." the radar officer reported as the abandoned colony came into view. "Three battleships have been confirmed to be inside the colony. One of those ships is presumed to be Archangel."
"It looks like we're a step ahead." Azrael was pleased. "That's what I call, lucky. Well, let's start. Feel free to shoot the ships down. What I need are those two mobile suit units, and of course, Athena's attributes: the Nike Staff and the Aegis Shield. Such treasures are wasted on a mere child. We're already to launch as well. I guess we'll need to keep our side of the bargain too."
"This ship will now engage in combat." Natarle gave the order. "Activate Igelsheteron and Valiants. All missile pods are to be loaded with Sledgehammers. Aim Lohengrin. Target, Archangel-class 1st ship, Archangel."
On the Archangel...
"A large heat source approaching." Sai reported. "It's being read as a battleship-class. Distance 700. Orange 11. Mach 18 Alpha. Searching the library....! No record!"
"All hands, first level battle stations." Murrue gave the order.
"All hands, first level battle stations." Neuman repeated the order over the intercom. "I repeat! All hands, first level battle stations."
"Athrun." Kira started.
"Yeah." Athrun agreed.
On the Dominion...
"Lohengrin number 2, fire!" Natarle barked. The cannon blasted the entrance shut.
On the Archangel...
"Archangel, take off." Murrue ordered. "Go outside the port."
"Captain Ramius." Athena opened the link.
"What's the situation on Kusanagi?" Murrue asked.
"We can go out." Athena replied. "It's okay."
"Eternal still hasn't finished it's final checks." Andrew reported.
"Understood." Athena replied. "Please standby within the port. Once we find out if it's ZAFT or the Alliance, we can discover their purpose as well."
"Understood." Andrew replied. "Sorry."
"Activate Igelsheteron and Valiants!" Murrue gave the order. "All missile ports at the stern must be loaded."
On the Dominion...
"This is the Earth Alliance's Space Battleship, Dominion." Natarle opened the link to the Archangel. "Archangel, can you hear me? We request that your renegade ship surrender to us unconditionally."
On the Archangel...
"Natarle..." Murrue muttered.
"Lieutenant Bajirul..." Neuman gasped.
"If you do not heed to our request, we will shoot down your ship." Natarle stated.
"Captain!" Miriallia reported. "This is a visual of the enemy battleship."
"Archangel?" Murrue echoed in shock.
"Same class ship?" Neuman wondered.
"It's been a while, Captain Ramius." Natarle greeted her former captain.
"Yes." Murrue agreed.
"It's unfortunate that we meet again in this circumstance." Natarle added.
"Right." Murrue nodded.
"I've heard about what happened in Alaska." Natarle supplied. "But, please surrender right now and try to talk with the military superiors once more. I'll try my best to defend you as well. I'm sure you know the efficiency of your ship very well."
"Natarle, thank you." Murrue replied. "But I can't do that. It's not just because of Alaska. We're trying to go up against the Earth Military itself. Therefore, we will not obey or surrender."
On the Dominion...
"Captain Ramius... Natarle muttered in shock at the firm refusal.
"I was wondering what you were doing." Azrael burst out laughing. "That's disappointing, Captain lady. If things can be solved through talking, there would be no war. Are we enemies because we don't understand each other? So enemies must be shot."
"Director Azrael." Natarle growled.
"Calamity, Forbidden, Raider, launch." Azrael gave the order. "The 'invincible' battleship, Archangel, I'll be sure to scrap your parts all over space today."
On the Archangel...
"Azrael is..." Miriallia started.
"The leader of Blue Cosmos!" Neuman hissed.
On the Dominion...
"Course clear!" the intercom came on as Orga prepared to take off. "131, launch OK!"
On the Archangel...
"A mobile suit has launched from the Dominion." Miriallia reported.
"Kira-kun." Murrue called. "Mu."
"Roger." Kira replied. "Launching."
"Strike, please launch." Miriallia declared.
"Let's go." Mu announced and took off after Kira.
"Athrun Zala, Justice, launching." Athrun declared and took off.
"Buster, going." Dearka gave Miriallia a salute.
"Buster, please launch." Miriallia gave the all-clear.
On the Archangel..
"Buster and Strike will cover Archangel." Murrue gave the order.
In the battlefield...
"Athrun, it's the three from before." Kira noted.
"Yeah." Athrun agreed.
On the Archangel..
"Be careful with the debris." Murrue warned. "Be especially careful of the sharp metal-poly bustring."
"Roger." Neuman replied.
On the Kusanagi...
"After departure, full speed ahead." Athena instructed. "We'll stick to the rear of Archangel."
In the battlefield...
"Let's go!" Orga fired his cannon.
"Take those things in one piece?" Clotho echoed after Kira and Athrun dodged Orga's attack.
"I guess we can kill half of it." Shani shrugged.
On the Dominion...
"Archangel and an unidentified battleship." the radar officer reported. "Approaching. Course, green 94. Mach 3, Bravo."
"Missile pods, 1 through 6. Load up with Corinthos distance-homing missiles." Natarle gave the order. "Set the patterns to B and aim. Target range from Orange-Alpha 17 up to 42. Fire at a 5-point angle level. At the same time, advance. Course, Indigo 13. Mach 20, Charlie. Full speed."
"What are you thinking by trying to fire the missiles at that pointless direction?" Azrael wondered.
"If you don't know, just sit tight." Natarle advised.
In the battlefield...
Mu and Dearka tag-teamed and attacked the Strike Daggers together.
On the Kusanagi...
"It's just a single enemy ship." Athena told the weaponry operator. "Aim for it's engine."
"What is it?" Nicol asked, the whole crew staggering forward as the Kusanagi was caught by a cable.
"I can't figure it out." the ship's operator replied. "No, some kind of cable is all around the ship."
"Cut it off!" Athena instructed.
"It's impossible." the operator replied.
"Asagi," Athena opened the link to the hanger. "Something's binding the ship. Cut it off."
"Roger." Asagi replied.
In the battlefield...
"What?" Shani noticed the trapped Kusanagi. "Over already?"
"Kusanagi!" Athrun exclaimed when Shani went after the trapped ship.
"Hey, Shani!" Clotho snapped. "That bastard."
"Let's get this one first." Orga declared as he and Clotho attacked Kira together.
Kira slapped Clotho's hammer into Orga.
"Later." Shani greeted the stunned Asagi who was severing the cable.
"What are you doing?" Athrun barked, having used his backpack to slam Shani out of the way. "Hurry."
"Yes." Asagi went back to her job.
On the Kusanagi...
"Athrun...." Nicol blinked.
In the battlefield...
"Don't get in my way." Shani warned, the two pilots charged at each other.
On the other side of Mendel...
"Well then." Rau's fleet arrived. "What is the meaning of this? The curtains have been raised already?"
"Two other ships other than Eternal." Ades added. "One of them is the legged-ship. It looks like the Earth Military has only one ship."
"But since we can't figure out what's going on, we have no way of acting on anything." Rau surmised. "Yzak and I will infiltrate the colony and start gathering the intelligence."
"You're going personally, Captain?" Ades echoed.
"Helldalin and Hoijing will stay here." Rau instructed. "Colony Mendel. If we dig deep enough, we can figure out a lot of things. Got it?"
"Yes." Ades replied as Rau and Yzak proceeded to the hanger.
On the Archangel..
"What about the Dominion?" Murrue asked.
"There's too much debris." Sai reported, before he corrected himself. "Dominion spotted at Blue 19, Alpha!"
"When did she...!" Murrue was stunned at the sudden appearance of the Dominion above them.
On the Dominion...
"Gottfried, fire!" Natarle barked.
On the Archangel..
"Evade!" Murrue ordered.
"High speed missiles approaching from Orange Delta." Miriallia reported., their movement triggering the stagnant missiles Natarle planted before.
"Intercept!" Murrue barked.
"It's too late!" Sai replied.
In the battlefield...
"Archangel!" Kira fired his cannons at the incoming missiles attacking the battleship.
On the Dominion...
"That's pretty amazing." Azrael noted, when some of the missile still managed to hit their targets, despite Kira's intervention.
"This stratagem is nothing more than child's play." Natarle remarked.
In the battlefield...
"Natarle-san." Kira flew towards the Dominion.
On the Dominion...
"We just need to capture that, right?" Natarle questioned.
"Yes, right." Azrael smiled.
"Then, Calamity and Raider..." Natarle added. "Valiants, Gottfried, target the enemy mobile suits. Fire!"
In the battlefield...
Kira dodged the energy beams, only to have Orga and Clotho tag-team him.
"You're getting caught this time." Orga grinned.
On the Archangel..
"Captain! Freedom is...!" Miriallia gasped.
On the Vesalius...
"Ready, Yzak?" Rau asked. "We're going."
Yes." Yzak nodded and the two took off in their mobile suits.
In the battlefield...
"This feeling...!" Mu stopped in his tracks. "Could it be?"
"Hey!" Dearka called out as Mu took off. "Old man!"
"Old man?" Mu retorted. "ZAFT is here."
Abandoning the battlefield, Dearka took off after Mu.
"Kira!" Athrun exclaimed when Kira came under attack by Orga, Clotho and the Dominion.
On the Archangel..
"Kira-kun!" Murrue gasped.
On the Dominion...
"Sledgehammer, target the enemy mobile suits." Natarle gave the order. "Fire!"
In the battlefield...
Kira's eyes widened as the barrage of missiles flew towards him.
SailorStar9's rant on the episode: Well, this certainly was an interesting episode. After being assigned to the Dominion in episode 41, Natarle gets to take it into action against her former crew-mates. Though she makes a small effort to talk to Murrue, she doesn't seem to probe too deeply to try to find out why her former captain has defected. Maybe she's hesitant because Azrael is bossing her around, but she seems to go into battle a bit too easily. She doesn't have much hesitation in fighting her old crew-mates and even manages to outsmart Murrue. Also, Mu goes into combat and something very strange happens: he has a Newtype-style flash when he senses Rau. It's the exact same visual brain flash and sound effect used in the original series. What's even stranger is that in Mu's two previous encounters with Rau, this effect was never used. Is this series trying to somehow establish some form of Newtypes? Either way, we'll see next episode.