SailorStar9: Chapter 36 goes up. This is Chapter 37. 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 37: Spiral of Encounters
In the battlefield...
As the missiles approached, Kira went into SEED mode and fired his cannons to destroy them.
"Let's go!" Clotho hollered. "Hate!"
"All we need to do is leave the body intact, right?" Orga inquired, after Kira as caught off guard by Clotho? hammer and fired his cannons, forcing Kira to dodge.
After Kira dodged his chest beam, Clotho transformed into his mobile armor form and slammed in the Freedom.
"Damn!"Kira cursed as he was knocked back by the shockwave.
"Kira!" Athrun exclaimed. "Damn it!" and dodged Shani? curve beam. Pulling out his double-sided beam saber, he sent it flying at Shani, slicing through Forbidden? shields and destroying the scythe.
"Move, Clotho!"Orga snapped as he rained his fire on the dodging Kira.
"Do you want to destroy those things or what?" Clotho retorted and slammed into Kira.
"Take this!"Orga fired his chest cannon at the off-guard Kira.
Athrun went into SEED mode and blocked the attack with his shield, before charging at the Calamity and imploding its chest.
"Athrun!" Kira moved in to cover Justice from Clotho'a assault.
"I'm fine." Athrun assured.
On the Dominion...
"How unfortunate." Azrael noted. "What are you doing? Continue attacking them."
"There's a chance that our allies might get hit." Natarle objected.
"It's okay if they get hit. "Azrael assured. "They have Trans-Space armor."
"Archangel, approaching." the radar officer reported.
On the Archangel...
"Gottfried," Murrue barked. "Fire!"
On the Dominion...
"Evade!" Natarle ordered.
In the Mendel Colony...
Mu and Dearka flew past the Eternal.
On the Eternal...
"What's going on?" Andrew barked over the communication.
"I think there are ZAFT? people in here." Deraka replied. "Well... that guy! Regardless, we're going to check into the residential areas."
"The port on the other side, huh?" Andrew mused.
"Please prioritize the launching of the Eternal first." Lacus commented. "Even if we're rushing, we must leave it them if we can't move right now."
"Of course." Andrew replied. "Nagusa!"
In the Mendel Colony...
"They're coming!" the four pilots sensed each other's presence.
"Strike...?" Yzak gaped as the two mobiles suits came into view. "Buster?"
"Duel?" Dearka blinked.
"So, you're the pilot of this thing now?" Rau mused as he and Mu exchanged fire. "Mu La Fraga!"
"A new model?" Mu dodged Rau's attack. "With my new equipment right now...!"
Outside...
"Why you!" Orga cursed, firing his cannons at Kira and Athrun who dodged.
"Take this!" Clotho rained his bullets at Kira who avoided the attack and fired between Clotho and Orga.
"You, you, you!" Shani cursed as he charged in.
"Shani!" Orga snapped as he and Clotho dodged the curved beams.
"What are you doing, you idiot?" Clotho retorted.
"Why you!" Shani continued his attack on the Justice.
"That is completely reckless. Athrun noted.
Meanwhile, Asagi had finished cutting the cable.
"I'm sorry for taking so long." Asagi apologized.
On the Kisangani...
"No, I should be saying that." Athena replied and went into battle-mode. "Full speed ahead. We?e going to pursue the Dominion. Don't be a hindrance."
On the Archangel...
"Helldarts, fire!" Murrue barked.
On the Dominion...
"Valiants, fire!" Natarle countered.
On the Archangel...
"Evade!" Murrue ordered.
Outside...
"Why you!" Mayura cursed as she attacked the Strike Daggers.
"Asagi!" Juri called as she came to Mayura's rescue.
In the Mendel Colony...
"Damn you!" Yzak pulled out his laser saber. "How dare you use Dearka's unit?"
"Yzak..." Dearka dodged the silver-haired pilot's? assault.
"Who would have thought that I'd fight with you in a place like this?" Rau remarked, dodging Mu's fire.
"Rau Klueze!" Mu growled.
"I'm very happy," Rau noted, the two clashing in mid-air.
On the Dominion...
"Distance twenty, Orange fifteen, Mach One Alpha, ORB Transport Ship approaching." the radar officer reported.
"Looks like they're free." Azrrael noted.
On the Kisangani...
"Gottfried one and two, fire!" Athena barked.
On the Dominion...
"Withdraw for now." Natarle ordered as the ship dodged the Kisangani's attack. "Fire the signals."
"The situation is unfavorable for us right now." she told Azrael.
"Even when we have them in our hands like this?" Azrael was dissatisfied.
"All three of our mobile suits power levels are decreasing." Natarle supplied. "If they don't retreat, they will be shot down."
"So, what you are saying is, you'll win next time, but retreat for now?" Azrael threatened.
"Would you rather die here?" Natarle challenged.
On the Archangel...
"Valiants, fire!" Murrue barked.
On the Dominion...
"Fire the signals." Natarle gave the order. "Ten degrees to starboard. We're retreating from this combat zone."
Outside...
"Time's up?" Orga growled.
"No way!" Clotho complained.
"Why you! Why you! Why you!" Shani cursed, ignoring the retreat flares and continued to attack.
"Shani!" Orga snapped.
"It's an retreat order, you idiot." Clotho rebuked.
"But... but he..." Shani protested.
"Stand down for now." Orga barked. "What happens when they don't give us that again?"
Realizing his logic, Shani retreated.
On the Kisangani...
"Even your retreat is exceptional," Athena mused. "Natarle-san."
Outside...
Natarle-san... Kira wondered.
"Kira." Athrun snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Athrun, are you okay?" Kira asked.
"Yeah, but those pilots are..." Athrun noted.
"I felt this at ORB" Kira nodded.
"I don't think they'ree normal pilots." Athrun finished the thought.
"And," Kira added. "It looks like they aren't Naturals either."
On the Eternal...
"Is there still no contact from Fraga and Elsman?" Andrew asked.
In the Mendel Colony...
"Damn!" Mu fire his cannon at Rau who dodged.
"Not bad at all." Rau snorted.
"You bastard!" Mu growled. "Today is the day..."
On the Archangel...
"Dearka!" Miriallia called from the communication link. "Dearka? Major?"
"It's no use." she reported. "We can't set up a link with the colony's interior."
With the Yzak/Dearka battle...
"You Natural bastard!" Yzak hollered, charging at the Buster. "I won't lose to you."
Dearka destroyed the missiles Yzak sent at him with his cannon, the aftershock blowing Yzak back.
"Yzak!" the blond pilot shouted over the intercom.
"Dearka?" Yzak gaped.
In the Mendel Colony...
"I'll go." Kira stated as the two battleships re-docked back within the colony. "For now, please work on supply and maintenance."
"Kira-kun." Murrue gasped.
"No problems with the Justice." Athrun added. "I'll go as well."
"No, Dominion still hasn't stood down yet." Kira objected. "You stay here, Athrun."
"Kira?" Athrun echoed.
"It's alright." Kira assured. "I won't do anything reckless."
"All ships, please expedite your supply and maintenace." Athena gave the order. "If ZAFT is really at at other port, our situation will be tense once again. We cannot fall at a place like this."
With the Yzak/Dearka battle...
"Dearka..." Yzak was stunned. "Is it really you?"
"Yeah, it is" Dearka confirmed.
"But why are you with the Strike?" Yzak demanded. "What happened, you bastard? I'm happy that you're alive. But, even you won't be forgiven in this kind of situation."
"Yzak..." Dearka muttered.
"Dearka!" Kira came into the scene.
"Kira!" Dearka blinked.
"That's...!" Yzak gasped at the incoming Freedom.
"Stop, Yzak." Deakra came in-between the two. "You too, Kira."
"Leave this guy to me." he told the Freedom pilot.
"Will you be okay?" Kira asked.
"Yeah." Dearka replied.
"Understood." Kira nodded. "But, please don't do things that Athrun and I have done."
"Athrun?" Yzak echoed.
"Let's put down our weapons and talk." Dearka opened the cockpit after Kira took off to find Mu. "Yzak."
With the Rau/Mu battle...
"It wouldn't be so bad being killed by you, but not here." Rau remarked.
"But still," he kicked Mu down to the ground. "It looks like you aren't able to kill me yet. I guess children can't surpass their parents, huh?"
"Crap!" Mu cursed, dropping his Launcher part and pulling out the combat knives. Rau fired his claw anchors, which blew off the Strike's right arm. The claw anchors also hit the cockpit, causing an explosion, and a piece of shrapnel embedded itself in Mu's stomach.
"Fate is definitely on my side." Rau went in for the kill.
"What?" he then sensed Kira's approach.
"Mu-san!" Kira called, blowing off the GuAIZ's arm.
"Freedom!" Rau growled as Kira proceeded to blow off the GuAIZ's head and slice off its legs.
The GuAIZ crash-landed and Rau exited from the cockpit and ran towards the Strike just as Mu opened the cockpit. Rau fired at Mu as he got out of the Strike.
"Mu-san!" Kira proceeded to land.
"Shall we try to end it here?" Rau asked, and ran into an abandoned building.
"That bastard!" Mu cursed. "What is he...?"
"If so, follow me here!" Rau taunted as Mu took off after him. "I will personally take you to the gates of Heaven."
"Damn!" Mu took the bait and followed Rau.
"Mu-san!" Kira landed the Freedom and took off after the adults.
With the Yzak/Dearka battle...
Both pilots had landed and exited their cockpits.
"Yzak." Dearka greeted his friend.
"Do I look like I'll listen to my enemies comfortably?" Yzak trained a gun at him.
"Am I your enemy?" Dearka posted the question.
In the abandoned building...
"Do you know this place is, Mu?" Rau echoed after a gun shot.
"How should I know?" Mu retorted and returned fire.
"How could you not know of this place?" Rau chided as he led Mu deeper within. "That's a crime."
"Mu-san!"Kira hollered.
"Kira." Mu responded and the teen joined him.
Kira Yamato? Rau mused. He'salive?
At the docks...
"Just do something about that with the CLT-Phase!" the head technician barked.
"Eh?" the assistant echoed. "But it'll be all over if it takes another hit."
"Then, put a charm on it or something and pray it doesn't get hit. " the head technician joked.
"In other words, parallel circuit the B-Arc Bridge." Athrun advised. "And find Diodeoly at Dump-25."
"Second team, hurry up with the emergency manipulator installation and the distortion calculations." the intercom came on. "Asagi-unit is returning."
"Three Nazca-class ships." Asagi reported. "They are hiding at the opposite port amongst the debris."
"Three Nazca-class ships?" Andrew snorted. "What a warm welcome."
"What about Dominion?" Athena asked.
"Still no movement." the radar officer of the Eternal replied.
"I wonder if Fraga and Elsman will bring us any info." Andrew mused. "Damn, what squad is that?"
"It's Klueze Squad." Murure supplied. "Somehow Mu was able to know. He's able to know. He says he's not exactly sure how he knows, but he knows Rau Klueze."
In the abandoned building...
"Even you came to grace me with your presence." Rau declared. "I am very happy. Kira Yamato-kun. I see, so you're the pilot of the Freedom?"
"Mu-san!" Kira shouted.
"Kira!" Mu remarked as the teen hurried to his side. "Why did you follow me?"
"How can I just stay put and wait for you there?" Kira asked. "What am I going to say to Murrue-san?"
"You little twit!" Mu jibbed.
"Mu-san, your wound." Kira noticed Mu's injury.
"It's nothing." Mu assured. "Anyway, if you're going to shoot, at least take the safety off."
"Now, come as you will." Rau prodded. "Come to where everything has started. Kira-kun, this is your birthplace."
"Don't listen." Mu chided. "Don't be swayed by what he says."
Outside...
"You became my enemy." Yzak declared.
"I don't remember becoming your enemy." Dearka reminded.
"Shut up." Yzak snapped. "You're a traitor."
"I haven't betrayed PLANT either." Dearka added.
"What did you say?" Yzak hissed.
"It's just that, the Naturals are..."Dearka started. "I just lost the desire to listen to the military like a lapdog and shoot down any Naturals they want me to shoot down."
In the abandoned building...
Rau had led the two into the lab.
"What is this place?" Mu wondered.
Kira looked over at the undeveloped embryos when Mu ducked his head, the pair barely dodging Rau's gunfire.
"Feeling nostalgic, Kira-kun?" Rau droned. "You should know this place."
"I... know this place?" Kira echoed.
On the Dominion...
"Please have us withdraw." Natarle requested. "Instead of requesting reinforcements here, it's better to retreat for now and shave off their frontline. It's...!"
"You sure are persistent." Azrael growled. "If you do that, well all get killed by ZAFT. They'll be able to shoot at us soon."
In the abandoned building...
Mu reloaded his gun and stalked into the lab, returning Rau's fire, before getting hit by a bullet on his shoulder after he leapt over a tube.
"Mu-san!" Kira gasped and leapt behind the tube. "Are you okay?"
"I won't kill him." Rau assured, stepping out into the light. "He's here afterall. At least not until he learns everything."
That said, he tossed a photo frame containing a similar picture Cagalli received from Uzumi over to the two.
"Father?" Mu echoed, seeing the shattered photos of Al Da Fraga.
On the Vesalius...
Archangel... Flay mused.
In the abandoned building...
"Don't you want to know as well?" Rau taunted. "The conclusion to this lowly human desire. Don't you want to know about those ignorant people who pursued a bright dream in the name of evolution? You too, are their offspring."
SailorStar9's rant on the episode: The cliffhanger from the last episode is pretty easily resolved with Kira simply using his SEED mode to dodge and destroy the missiles. I'm actually surprised that it took him and Athrun so long to use their SEED modes against the new Gundam pilots. In this fast-paced episode, we see a three way battle for most of it, with one portion being the Gundam battle, another the ship-to-ship battle, and the last being Mu and Dearka versus ZAFT. The strange Newtype effect is used again when Rau and Mu sense each other, but also when Rau senses Kira. What exactly is going on in that old genetic facility they're in? Why is there a picture of Kira in there, and why are there pictures of Mu? Finally, Yzak meets with Dearka, but he doesn't trust him. Will he understand that hes fighting for the wrong side, or will he continue to be his stubborn self?