Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam
Editing credit goes to 00virtuezero
Gundam Seed Destiny or Liberty
Chapter 36: The shadows of war
People in the Minerva were screaming, Silver Mask could hear them. Hear them all screaming as their skin was burnt, as the radiation leaked from the Tannhauser.
"We're about to land on water, brace for impact," Gladys warned the crew.
The Freedom, Silver Mask could see it, floating there like an angel, the Archangel behind it. Red eyes flared on his mask as he looked towards the Gundam. The eyes continued to burn as the Archangel opened its main catapult, and the Strike Rouge launched. It's pink and red phase shift armor activated, and the wings of its Ootori flight pack slid out.
"Orb forces, this is Cagalli Yula Athha, Chief Representative of Orb," Cagalli broadcasted.
"This is General Amandi Dumas, am I truly speaking with Cagalli Yula Athha?" a voice broadcasted over all channels.
"Amandi Dumas," Branden gasped, his hands shaking on his control sticks.
"I am Cagalli Yula Athha, I command all Orb forces to cease fighting at once," she said.
"Are you really Cagalli Yula Athha? No, impossible, the real Representative of Orb would know better than to try and stop a battle. If it truly was not the will of Orb's commander in chief to enact a treaty to join Orb with the Alliance, then she would have said so at the off set, as opposed to abandoning Orb. Or perhaps you are the figment of rebels, criminals that have hid behind Orb," Dumas explained.
"Chief Petty Officer Arnold Neumann, Petty Officer Dalida Lolaha Chandra the Second, Chief Petty Officer Kojiro Murdoch, Lieutenant Commander Murrue Ramius. Criminals under the charge of desertion, stealing military secrets and technology and the unauthorized hire of one mercenary Gekido Jaeger, criminals whom never faced courts, never faced justice, criminals whom hid on Orb and recently kidnapped the Chief Representative at her own wedding. The Chief Representative of Orb would not willingly associate herself with such criminals would she?"
The question hung over the radio, the Orb soldiers dared not move. On the Archangel, each of the crew members exchanged looks. It was no coincidence he had used the exact names of the people on the chip, excluding other in hiding crew members like Pal and Tonomura. Dumas knew exactly who was on the ship, he knew exactly how to paint them, and he knew exactly what buttons to push. Meanwhile on the Earth Alliance ships, Dumas stood looking at the Archangel, his eyes glaring at it. Neo contacted the Orb ships, demanding answers, and fuelling the fire.
"Who is that person? Is she really your country's Chief Representative? If so why has she suddenly waited until now to appear on board that thing and then order your forces to withdraw? Unless I receive an answer from you right now, things could get very nasty for you and your nation," Neo explained.
Yuna's hand and mouth trembled as he tried to come up with an answer, Todaka and the other Orb officers looking at him.
"W-well, this is...that is to say um..."he trembled, just imagining Dumas and Roanoke looking down at him.
He pictured the Freedom taking Cagalli, the humiliation of that day, the humiliation of this day. How dare they! He was Yuna Roma Seiran! No one did this to him! Gritting his teeth together, mustering all his courage, he said something that made the Orb officers gasp.
"I have no idea who that is!"
Neo smirked, not only because of the assurance of Orb's help, but because as they spoke, the Extended were launching. The Gaia, Abyss and Chaos, and the Fallen stepped off of the launch ramp. Lucifer spread his Gundam's wings, as Sting activated his thrusters. Auel transformed to submersible mode, intending to attack the vulnerable Minerva. Gaia landed on one of the islands, a shield for the ship in case forces broke through.
"Lord Yuna what are you doing?"
"That is the Strike Rouge, and that crest belongs to Lady Cagalli!"
"That doesn't prove that Cagalli is piloting that thing," Yuna shot back at the officers. "We don't know that do we?"
"But that voice?" Todoka asked.
"She's an imposter it has to be, I can tell, I'm her husband you know," he patted his chest, ignoring the sweat drops running down the back of the men's heads. "I-I-If not then Dumas must be right, those dirty criminals must have brainwashed her. My true, sane Cagalli, would never do something stupid like this and make a fool out of me."
'Oh brother,' some of the crew members thought.
"Shoot down that ship, that plague, ALL TEAMS ATTACK!" Yuna yelled.
"How could you do such a thing?" Todoka asked.
"If we don't, the Earth forces will start attacking us," Yuna retorted. "And our nation, I've come this far, for Orb, we can't turn around now and say 'we quit' can we?"
On the Archangel, Gladys shushed Arthur for the second time. She bit her thumb, unsure about the situation, but sure of one thing. The Minerva was in bad shape, medics were rushing burnt and radiation poisoned crew members to sick bay. Sheryl stopped leading the engineers and now led emergency crews.
"I can't imagine Orb pulling out its troops in this situation," Talia said.
"It won't, no matter what she says," Vincent said.
"Captain, commander," a beep suddenly caught their attention.
Heine had appeared on the main screen. He was wearing his white and orange flight suit, and was already inside the Gouf.
"If there is any further movement, I'll also sortie," he said. "Is that all right?"
"Yes thank you," Gladys smiled.
Vincent however looked at the situation outside the ship. The Archangel and Freedom, righteous saviors seeking to stop the fighting. Except once a fight of this magnitude started, it only ended when one side, or both had suffered enough casualties. It was how every battle of the last war ended, how every battle in history had ended. Reasonable voices and good intentions weren't enough.
"Damn it Yamato," he muttered.
"Fire on that ship," Todoka said.
"But sir..."
"Fire on the rebels misleading us," his eyes were firm, but his heart wavered. 'I'm counting on you Freedom!' he thought.
The Orb ships let out a barrage of missiles. Kira remained calm, bringing up the Freedom's targeting computer, targeting each projectile. His pupils reflected the blinking lights of the computer as he brought the Freedom up higher. The Freedom raised its arms, ready to release its weapons in what was one of its signature moves.
"You're open beeyatch!"
He widened his eyes, something crashing into the side of his machine. Silver Mask's eyes flared as he delivered a kick to the Freedom's head. The soldiers on the battlefield reveled in shock, seeing the legendary suit get dominated.
"No, the Archangel," Kira said, gritting his teeth together as the Aero blocked his path.
"Cagalli," Athrun gasped.
(Sengoku Basara OST-Ieyasu Tokugawa theme)
Suddenly, a gold blur rushed in front of the Archangel, its ragged cloak fluttering in the wind. The gold light passed and the cloaked machine raised the minigun it held. The barrel rolled, and bullets coated the sky. A wall of explosions decorated the battlefield, and two beams flew through the smoke, blowing up the missile launchers on the Orb flag ship. Every participant in the battle looked at the cloaked machine in shock, as it rested its rifle on its shoulder. A single red eye glowed on the machine's part broken face. Lacus stood up, looking closely at the machine. Each crew member of the Minerva looked at the camera in awe and shock. Even on the Earth alliance ships, everyone had stopped.
"That machine," Yuna whispered.
Neo gripped his head, images of a white Gundam type suit flashing before his eyes.
'I have heard the name, but, why do I recognize that machine?' he wondered.
"The Purpose," Kira whispered.
"About damn time you showed yourself," Silver Mask chuckled.
The crew of the Archangel widened their eyes at a message swept across their main screen, utterly covering it and conveying a simple message:
"LEAVE NOW!"
Vincent looked closely at the machine, its paint job was a little darker, and it had some noticeably patches from old damage and scars. The original had looked like a patch work suit, but not even the subtle changes and the massive cloak could obscure what it really was. Not from the people that knew the pilot so well.
(Sengoku Basara-Battlefield)
"So what, what the hell is a Purpose anyway?" Auel asked, laughing as the Abyss emerged.
Suddenly, the Purpose fired its rifle, hitting one of the Abyss's wings.
"WHAT!" Auel yellled.
Sting and the Windams approached the Gundam. The Purpose threw its minigun, crashing it into the Chaos. Then it flew forward, in a flash of yellow, it cut through the chests and wings of the Windams. Swinging its sabre, it held the blade outward, facing down the Orb and Earth Alliance forces.
"Open fire captain," Dumas commanded Neo.
The masked man hesitated, seeing the machine, but in its place a white armored version of it. He grit his teeth together as he stood.
"Fire our main guns, and launch a volley of missiles," he commanded. "Seiran, command your forces to continue to press the attack, on both the Archangel and on...the Purpose," Neo whispered the last part, again touching the side of his head.
The Purpose attached its sabre to its shield, and began to fire Vulcan's on its head and wrists. It strafed to the left, shooting down each missile, and using its shield to block the remainder. Murasame's flew towards the Purpose, led by the Fallen. Lucifer drew his beam sabre, clashing with the Purpose. Sparks pelted both machines as they continually crossed blades. The blue thrusters behind the Purpose folded out and activated, the Purpose suddenly darting across the battlefield. It flew around the Minerva, firing sniper shots that slammed into some of the Daggers on the starboard cliff side.
"Incredible, this is the power of Gekido Jaeger's old machine," Shinn whispered.
"What are we waiting for, all forces, continue attack on the Earth Alliance forces!" Vincent stood and pointed his finger forward.
Shinn nodded his head. He fired his missiles, hitting two Murasame's out of the sky. Luna, Heine, Rey, Joe and Nia launched as well. Kojiro and Sheryl continued relief efforts in the Minerva, seeing everyone to the medical bay, and clearing debris.
"That really is the Purpose isn't it?" Sheryl asked.
"I didn't see it in the original war, but something tells me it is," Kojiro said.
The Purpose stopped, its red eye turning towards a distortion above it. Purple energy gathered around the distortion, and as if throwing off a cloak, a Gundam appeared.
(SRW-Vanishing Trooper)
The Wild Raven spread its wings and raised its rifle.
"Sorry I'm late Minerva, had to pick up something on the way," Zack grinned.
He looked at the Freedom and Purpose, raising his eyes in surprise as the Purpose raised its rifle to the Freedom.
"Kira, isn't that thing on your side?" he wondered out loud.
An additional aircraft appeared in the sky, one piloted by Mayura and Anna.
"Good to see that Seiran bastard is stubborn as ever," Mayura whispered.
"Are we really going to fight against Orb?" Anna asked.
"I don't want to, but it is the job."
The Purpose suddenly fired its rifle, the beam flying inches past the Freedom's head, and inches past the Archangel's bridge.
"Well, it seems the good guys aren't getting along," Silver Mask grinned as he flew at the Purpose. "Come on old friend, SHOW ME YOU'VE STILL GOT IT!" he yelled.
He drew his beam sabre, just as the Wild Raven flew forward. The Purpose ignited its beam sabers. The Wild Raven ignited its bayonet blade, and all three machines clashed. The Purpose held up both arms, blocking the strikes of the two mercenaries. Silver Mask and Zack flew backwards, one firing its rail rifle, the other firing its graviton cannon. The Purpose dropped, the thrusters on its knees helping it to spin around. It fired its beam pistols, forcing both Gundams to block. Zack followed the movements of the Orb forces, they split between attacking the Archangel and the Minerva.
"Cagalli, words won't reach them, I'll do what I can," Kira said. "Mr Waltfeld, Mr Alaric, please look after Cagalli."
Both Andrew and John nodded their heads. They slid the visors down on their flight suits. Both of them wore Orb 2nd gen flight suits, Andy taking on orange and black stripes on his, whilst John's was black with a pair of eagle eyes on the helmet.
"Murasame, coffee duo launching," John said.
"I thought we agreed we would be the Tiger and the Eagle," Andrew said.
The pair of Murasame's they piloted launched out of the Archangel. Andrew's had gold armor instead of white, whilst John's was black. He also had instead of a regular beam rifle, a sniping rifle. In midair he fired at the Murasame's attacking Cagalli. One shot got one in the head, and another took out one of their rifles.
"We aren't Kira, we're used to kill shots," John muttered.
"I know, but we can't take any casualties from Orb," Andrew said.
Andrew carefully aimed, firing shots that destroyed the Murasame weapons. One of the Murasame's managed to hit Cagalli on the shoulder, putting her into shock. A shot from John's rifle destroyed its wing, sending it crashing to the ocean below.
"Damn it, Cagalli, get out of there now, you're not going to reach them," he said.
Zack followed the Freedom, watching as it disabled several Murasame's and Windams.
"Good to see you've still got it Kira," he said.
He saw the Freedom begin to approach the Impulse. Shaking his head, Zack moved the Wild Raven to intercept the Freedom. He raised his shield, blocking a shot at his head. Then he drew his beam sabre, deflecting Kira's own sword.
"Nice try Yamato, but that whole take out my main camera and weapon shit won't work on me," he moved forward, delivering a flurry of blows that Kira blocked with his sabre.
Kira folded out his rail guns, forcing the Wild Raven to fly upwards. He carefully aimed, but the Wild Raven was too fast to get a complete lock. As he dueled with Zack, he noticed the two new ZAFT machines shooting apart Murasames. Heine drew his sword and cut one Murasame in half across the waist. He then fired his wrist mounted beam Vulcans, coating a Murasame before it blew up. Nia drew her own sword, cutting a Windam before it could draw its sabre. She flew backwards, firing her beam Vulcans, barely hitting Cain's customized Windam.
"What," Vincent muttered, following the Gouf's movements.
"What is it Commander?" Arthur asked.
"No, I just, figured Nia would be better with a close range machine," Vincent shrugged.
Luna fired her cannon, blowing up one of the Windams beside Cain, forcing him to change his flight direction.
"Thanks Lunamaria," Nia said.
Luna nodded, though slightly confused by Nia thanking her. Usually she would have charged in head on, especially now that her suit had a flight pack. Zack kept on flying in the Freedom's way, shielding the Minerva and the ZAFT crew.
"Look buddy, I don't mind you guys trying to help Orb, but it would be kind of awkward if I let you attack the people I was hired to help," Zack explained.
"Get out of my way Zack," Kira said.
"You see that just doesn't sound threatening coming from you. I understand Kira, I understand that that is really Cagalli in there, that she really wants to stop Orb from getting into this fight. But it is already in the fight, and doing what you're doing now will spell disaster for both sides," Zack explained.
He locked sabers with the Freedom again, both Gundams spinning in midair, their wings spread. When they pushed one another backwards, a familiar sound echoed in the minds of the two pilots. It linked all Newtypes.
"So get out of here Kira, now," Zack said.
A seed spun in front of Kira's eyes, and suddenly burst.
"Oh come on," Zack muttered.
The Freedom slid out all of its weapons, firing them all at once. Beams slammed into the rifles and heads of multiple Murasames and Windams. Athrun's own rifle was destroyed, as was Branden's arm.
"DAMN IT! I let myself get distracted," he cursed.
(Unicorn-Mad-nug)
A laugh echoed across the radio. Zack and Kira felt a pressure in their minds. The Slaughter positioned itself over the Minerva, readying its weapons.
"The Minerva," Branden whispered.
Zack and Kira prepared to move to aid the ship. Suddenly, a red blur slammed into the Slaughter. Darcel laughed as the Murasama locked its sword with his gatling guns. Darcel followed the suit's movements, firing his gatling guns as it swerved. Branden felt the heat building up inside his suit, his vision blurring for a moment. But then his sight became clear, and he flew the Gundam forward. He roared as he struck the Slaughter multiple times with his sword, before kicking it in the head. Darcel's main camera flickered, and he yelled himself. Throwing his guns aside, he launched a volley of missiles as he drew his beam sabers. The Minerva fired its own missiles, intercepting the Slaughter's projectiles. Branden looked over his shoulder and grinned at the ship. Inside it, Meyrin held her headset tightly.
"Your path is clear Murasama Rogue, go for it!"
The Murasama raised its sword, moving at full speed towards the Slaughter. A pitch black aura began to emanate from the Slaughter, just as a purple one appeared around the Wild Raven. Zack switched to raven mode, ramming the Freedom. Kira was thrown back on his seat, matching the movements of the Freedom. The Wild Raven ignited its thrusters, pushing the Freedom further and further away from the Minerva.
"That's it, that's it, show me, SHOW ME! COME AT ME WITH EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT!" Darcel yelled.
Branden yelled as the blade of his sword glowed red. He deflected the Slaughter's first blade, then locked with the other. The Murasama flipped in midair, catching Dumas's attention.
"Those movements, that blade work," he whispered to himself, watching the battle between the Murasama and Slaughter more closely.
Branden swung at the Slaughter, knocking it off balance. Darcel fired his chest cannons, forcing the Murasama back. Branden threw his sword, just as the Slaughter opened one of its leg mounted missile pods. The sword struck the pod just as it fired, blowing up the Slaughter's leg. Darcel giggled to himself as he flew backwards, watching the Murasama return to its usual shade.
"Until next time bastard," Branden said, taking a few deep breaths, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Minerva, we've broken through the front line, we're in firing position of the Orb fleet," a voice said over the radio.
Vincent looked towards the Orb fleet, seeing Noah and the Halion brothers in the sky.
"I thought they were being blocked by depth charges," he said.
"We had them move around them, and position themselves to attack the Orb fleet," Talia explained.
Vincent narrowed his eyes, knowing full well that Captain Gladys had kept him out of the loop. He looked towards the battle, where Noah's team was positioning itself to attack the Orb ships.
"OH NOOOO! What do we do? What do we do? What do we do?" Yuna screamed and whined, hugging his chair.
Explosions suddenly rose up from the ocean.
(SRW-Steel Beowulf-ver. Passion)
"Don't worry Orb forces, your backup has arrived," Bhishma rolled his eyes.
He flew the Giant Duel under water, aided by the new sub leg propulsion system attached to it. Ginn Wasp types and Goohns fired their weapons at the Duel variant. However, the fortress like suit simply took their torpedo strikes, using its own body as a shield to protect the Orb ships. Bhishma fired his claymore missiles, destroying some of the submersible suits, breaching the others. As their pilots were crushed, Bhishma burst out of the ocean. Sochiro and Noah fired their rifles, the latter cursing as Bhishma's shield deflected the beams. Ruther drew his sword and swung it at Bhishma. The giant Duel however dodged the swipe and flew under water.
"Where did it go?" the sub commander asked.
Suddenly, the sub shook. Bhishma had landed on top of it. Raising the Giant Duel's arm, he slid out the bunker buster. Then he pierced through the sub, shooting the buster through it, triggering an explosion in the sub. He flew away from the sinking sub, as Earth forces on the cliffs fired at Noah's team.
"Damn it, we've lost our sub Minerva, we're falling back to the cliffs, maybe we can take out those snipers," Noah said.
"Where's our nearest flight pad, we should send them support," Vincent said.
"We don't have one nearby, they'll need to lay low," Gladys said.
"One of those snipers was the one from Armoury one, there is no laying low when you're in that one's crosshairs!"
He walked over to Meyrin.
"There is a Sensou test base at this location, they have a squadron of jets there that can provide them bombing support," he explained.
"Belay that order Meyrin, we're not going to waste the lives of test pilots," Talia said.
"I just want them to provide cover for Noah's team, if not then at least get the Minerva as close to the cliffs as you can, we'll be able to extract them then," Vincent explained.
(Tm Revolution-Zips Under cover remix)
Luna shot a Windam through the chest, looking up as the Purpose and Dusk Gundams flew over the Minerva. Both machines were continually clashing sabers. She zoomed in on the Purpose, looking at its right arm.
"Is that an orange Ginn arm?" she asked.
"A souvenir Gekido took from Miguel," Athrun said, adjusting his radio to try and communicate with Kira.
He was suddenly knocked off balance, the Purpose and Dusk having rammed him. The Saviour recovered, looking up as the Dusk and Purpose slammed their heads together. Silver Mask fired his rail rifle multiple times, the Purpose dodging or slicing apart each one. The Purpose fired back with its rifle, but the Dusk dodged. The beams however flew over the Impulse, past the Efreet and then slammed into several of the Daggers on the cliff. Both Gundams flew across the battlefield, swiping and shooting at one another. They locked blades, swooping over the Archangel as it shot apart several missiles shot at it. Andrew beheaded a Murasame, then flipped back to dodge the rampaging Gundams. John followed their movements with his scope, a grin on his face.
"Something about this seems very familiar," he said.
The orange machine and grey Gundam slammed their fists together, their eyes flaring as if staring at one another. Silver Mask yelled, whilst a digitized roar echoed through the radio channels. It filled the Archangel, filled the Minerva, and echoed on the loud speakers of the Earth, Sensou and Orb boats. Both machines slammed into one another, sparks and energy dropping into the ocean. Branden landed on the Minerva, looking up at the battle before he got back into the ship.
"Incredible," he said.
Mechanical arms replaced the barrel on the Purpose's rifle, putting in its place a rail cannon. The kinetic energy built up as it flew around the Dusk, which opened its own rifle. Blasts collided together, electricity surging in the area like a singularity, blowing aside the clouds.
(SRW-Ignited)
Through the clouds the two Gouf Igniteds flew, towards the islands near the Alliance fleet. Nia fired at the Windams above her, as Heine slid a glowing red wire out of his wrist. He banked to the left as the Gaia pounced in its wolf form. The wire knocked the Gaia back, spreading electricity through it. Stella screamed in pain, sliding across the rocks and returning to mobile suit mode. She aimed her rifle only for Heine to wrap his heat rod around it.
"This is no Zaku, you hear me, NO ZAKU!" Heine yelled.
The rifle exploded, further angering Stella. She drew her beam sabre and swung at the Gouf, which ducked and jumped back. Nia slid her own heat rod out and whipped the Gaia again. Heine then swung his, also hitting Stella. She screamed in fury, whilst the ZAFT machines continued their assault. Beams came down from above, and both Goufs adjusted their courses.
"Gaia, I suggest you fall back, you're useless in this battle," Cain said.
"We wouldn't want you dying Stella," Darcel added.
The Windam fired its rifle as the Slaughter released a barrage of missiles. Heine blocked the shot as Nia intercepted the missiles, both machines adjusting their flight paths away from the islands. Darcel rolled his chest gatlings, forcing the two Goufs on the evasive. Cain drew an antiship sword attached to his custom flight pack, locking blades with Heine.
"We need to try and fly closer to those islands, recharge the Impulse and Saviour and have them support Heine and Nia," Vincent explained.
"The Impulse needs to stay here to protect us, I'm not against sending Athrun though, launch the Force silhouette and fire the Deuterion beam," Gladys commanded.
Shinn disconnected his blast pack, lining up with the Minerva as it deployed the Force silhoutte. The red flight pack slammed into the Impulse's back. Rey and Luna both fired their weapons, keeping the Aegis and Strike Noir off of Shinn. Joe locked swords with Sven, the dark suits spinning and flying into the clouds. The Minerva fired the beam at the Impulse's head. Its armor turned blue, fully charged, the Impulse slid its shield into defense mode and flew into the fray. Shooting at the Aegis.
"Kojiro Sasaki, Kenshin launching!"
The Kenshin landed on the bow of the Minerva, drawing its spear. Suddenly, sub arms came up out of the water, and a beam sabre was ignited. Luna looked at the ghost sabre in shock, before Rey suddenly tackled the machine. The Zaku Phantom dived into the water with its opponent. Its mirage passed, revealing the Nero Blitz. With its new sub arms, it was much more maneuverable in the water than the Zaku. Rey fired his missiles, but only to give himself cover.
"Rey," Luna whispered, shocked as the Kenshin suddenly stepped beside her.
"We'll need bazookas, the beam rifle works at reduced effect," he said.
A rack slid out of the catapult, holding a set of bazookas. Kojiro took one, looking to Luna.
"I've got his back," he said.
Luna realized, that he was trusting her to protect the ship. That he was also abandoning the logic of protecting the Minerva, to protect one of his comrades. Nodding her head in agreement, Luna fired her cannons, stopping Stark from shooting at the diving Kenshin.
"You little bitch, I'll enjoy killing you," Stark grinned.
A shot suddenly struck the Bombard's shoulder.
"What?" Stark seethed in anger, looking in the direction of Mayura's ship.
She swerved, dodging the beams from Stark's pistols. He rotated the shield parts on his Gundam, blocking Luna's cannon shot.
"Nice try, but you're still finished," Stark grinned.
He released a volley of missiles, Luna braced herself, closing her eyes as she felt the missiles explode. But the Zaku Warrior was still very much standing. She opened her eyes, seeing the Murasama, standing with one of its shields charred. Branden threw the shield aside as the Minerva fired back at the Bombard, forcing it to fly back. He took a missile launcher off of the weapon's rack, and began firing at the Windams and Murasame's.
"Don't just stand there gawking, we need to cover this ship right?" he asked Luna.
"You get them into position for me to take out," she said.
Branden nodded his head, releasing a flurry of missiles. Two Murasame's swerved to avoid them, only for a white and red beam to pierce through their cockpits. Luna took aim, then fired again.
(Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans-Crescent Moon)
Athrun watched as both the Goufs were struggling against the Windam and Slaughter. He fired his hip cannons, separating the Windam from Nia's Gouf. Then he drew his beam sabre, locking blades with the Windam. Cain parried Athrun's thrust, kicking the Saviour across the head. Athrun quickly turned to jet mode, ramming the Windam and pushing it off course. Cain adjusted his wings, altered the speed of his turbines. Then he jerked the machine to the right, turning it and firing a beam that took off Nia's left wing. She screamed as her Gouf began to lose altitude, getting dangerously close to the Gaia. Athrun fired his hip cannons, forcing Stella back. He again changed into jet mode, positioning himself underneath Nia. The Saviour shook as the Gouf landed on top of it, Athrun fighting with the controls over the added weight. With determination in her eyes, Nia fired her wrists blasters at Cain, making him dive low, out of her range,
"Heine, we need to retreat, we can't beat them at our reduced effectiveness," Athrun said.
"If we retreat, we'll leave the Sensou strike team open for an attack, they're nearly there Athrun," Heine retorted.
The ground Gundams on the Sensou boat stepped across the deck, each one covering a different area. Two with machine guns at the flanks, one with a beam rifle at the back, and another with a one hundred and eighty millimeter cannon. The pilot targeted the bridge of the ship. Suddenly, a beam slammed into the barrel of the cannon, throwing the Gundam back. A Gundam suddenly landed on the deck of the Earth Alliance ship, the Liberty Gundam.
(Sengoku Basara OST-Luster)
"Brother," Simon whispered, looking between the Sensou ship and the Purpose.
He squeezed the controls tightly, raising the rifle as a warning to the Sensou forces.
'My brother's family, his legacy, what am I supposed, to do?'
His heart pounded against his chest as the Earth ship got closer and closer. He grit his teeth together, images of Gekido and the Purpose gathering in his mind. A flashback of the lab that created them, the battle of Jachin Due, his signing up to the Earth Alliance and swearing to protect its citizens. Again he looked up at the Purpose, continually clashing with the Aero Dusk.
"Pilot Simon, fire at that ship immediately," he heard Neo's voice over the radio.
"FIRE!" Cain yelled.
"This is...what I have...to do," he said.
(Berserk-My Brother)
Simon raised his head and yelled, the pupils of his eyes narrowing into slits. Winged rocket boosters on the back of the Liberty's waist engaged, hovering the Gundam on the surface of the water. Simon drew the beam sword from his back and dragged it through the boat, making the Sensou Gundams jump off. Without looking back, Simon kept flying forward. Heine looked towards the Liberty, just as it swung its sabre around. Athrun and Nia froze, both gasping as the Liberty cleaved through the Gouf's waist. Heine felt the plasma burn through his belly, his face plate shattering from the shockwave. He pulled his head back, letting out one bellow of agony, before both parts of the Gouf exploded.
"HEINE!" Athrun yelled.
The Liberty flew past the Saviour. Its eyes blazing as it blocked beams fired at the Murasame's and Windams. Auel looked at the Liberty in shock, surprised by its sudden increase in performance. Shinn narrowed his eyes at the Liberty as it approached. He fired his beam rifle, only for the Liberty to rapidly dodge. Then he drew his beam sabre, and the two Gundams clashed.
"YOU KILLED HEINE!" Shinn yelled.
His seed shattered, and darkened red eyes seemed to meet feral blue. Both pilots yelled, slamming their sabers together. Their thrusters engaged, attempting to push each other back. The Impulse blocked the Liberty's fist with its shield, and the Liberty dodged the follow up kick. Shinn brought his sabre down, and Simon parried. Simon swung his sword, pulling off a fake that Shinn incorrectly parried, then he thrust his sword, grinding it against the side of the Impulse's head. The plasma burnt at the armor, and Shinn replied with a swing that caught the Liberty's shoulder. Shinn grit his teeth together, struggling as the Liberty continually punched the Impulse's head. The Purpose and Silver Mask turned to the Liberty, hearing Simon's feral roars across the radio. In a flurry of pink and green, and sparks and slashes, the two Gundams moved like blurs, only the clashing of their sabres visible. They yelled as their heads slammed together.
"His machine's better at close quarters," Vincent commented.
"Who?" Arthur asked.
"The enemy, have Luna and Branden provide cover fire for Shinn to equip the Sword Silhouette," Vincent said.
"We can't afford to take that risk," Arthur said.
"Shinn will lose if he doesn't adapt the Impulse's equipment to fight them," Vincent repeated.
Shinn drew both his beam sabers as the Liberty fired hooks on its waist. The hooks caught Shinn's arms and with a spin, Simon threw Shinn towards the water. Shinn quickly engaged his thrusters, firing his Vulcans at the Liberty. Simon blocked them, firing the miniguns on his shoulders, hitting the Impulse several times before it swerved out of the way. Kira flew towards both machines, only for Zack to again get in his way.
"Damn it Kira, why won't you just get out of here?" the New type demanded.
"Because right now Cagalli is crying, because this is what she feared," Kira said.
"Then why the hell didn't she just go back to Orb?"
"Because it's dangerous for us there," Kira retorted.
Zack narrowed his eyes, sensing no doubt or fear in Kira's voice. In fact, the once timid pilot, seemed so certain now. Both Gundams looked up as a third machine loomed over them.
(End OSTs)
Noah nodded his head, hearing the message over the radio.
"Westenfluss is KIA," he told the Halion brothers.
"Fucking called it," Ruther said.
"Shut it Ruther," Sochiro said.
"We're behind enemy lines boys, time for us to get as far back home as we can, unless you guys don't mind being prisoners of war?" Noah asked, smirking as he saw their reactions.
"Fuck that, I hate enclosed spaces," Ruther said.
"We would never give away Intel," Sochiro said.
Noah shook his head, looking over the rocks he and the Halions were hiding behind. He could see a whole line of Doppelhorn Daggers. Drawing his Guaiz's sword, he nodded to both Halion brothers.
"YAHOO!" Noah yelled, jumping over the rocks.
He cut one Dagger in half, as Ruther stabbed another in the chest, and Sochiro shot another from long distance. Sochiro remained behind them as they began slashing their way through the ill-equipped Alliance soldiers. They were meant to fight at a distance, not the close range specialized Guaiz's. Ruther laughed continuously, slashing one Dagger apart after another. He performed a spin, cleaving through the waists of two at the same time. Jumping upwards, Ruther brought his sword down on a third one. Sochiro suddenly jumped over him, rapidly firing his rifle into three more. The three Alliance soldiers screamed before their machines exploded. Ruther held out both his swords, and Sochiro raised his rifle.
'Always knew those two would work well together,' Noah thought.
Noah took a step forward, before an alarm alerted him to an enemy. The Mercy Gundam had landed before him. Patrick was wearing the same color of flight suit that Jone had worn. He grit his teeth together nervously as Noah raised his Guaiz's sword. Folding out the Mercy's heat rods, Patrick wrapped both weapons around the sword. Electricity flowed through Noah's machine, he yelled, trying to fight the pain. Ruther and Sochiro stopped, looking to their commander. The Giant Duel suddenly flew over the cliff, cutting through Noah's arm with its sabre. Bhishma raised his sabre as Noah stopped shocking the Guaiz.
"That all you got?" Noah asked, gritting his teeth together, his helmet cracked from the strain.
(Kingdom Hearts-The other promise)
Alhazard brought his sabre down. Suddenly, a sword collided with the sabre. Ruther pushed Bhishma backed, as Sochiro stepped to Noah's side.
"Commander, we can only buy you so much time," he said.
"What?" Noah looked to his left and right, both brother's faces appearing on the side screens.
"We're outnumbered sir, the likelihood of us surviving is slim," Sochiro said.
"No point in you going out in a blaze of glory yet," Ruther grinned.
"To hell with that, we're going to break our way through," Noah said.
"Sir, we don't have a chance, you'll be killed if you're lucky, captured if unlucky, clearly the Mercy was set on disabling your machine," Sochiro explained.
Ruther cut the Mercy's plasma whips, and blocked Bhishma's counter attack. Sochiro fired at the airborne Lyna, who fired her rifle down at them.
"Sochiro, Ruther," Noah whispered.
"Go sir, we'll clear a path!"
"You'd better move your ass commander!"
Noah squeezed his controls tightly. He turned the Gargoyle, looking over his shoulder at the two brothers.
"You take out as many of as you can, understand?"
"Sir, yes sir!" both brothers said.
Noah engaged his rockets, jumping upwards. He traversed a great distance by pushing his thrusters and the Guaiz's legs. More Daggers landed around the Halion brothers. Ruther swung his sword, cutting apart two Daggers. Sochiro fired his rifle, hitting one Dagger after another. He sniped mobile suits that tried to attack Noah. The Mercy fired its Vulcans, hitting Ruther's head. He grit his teeth together, his main camera flickering. Boosting forward, he punched the Mercy across the head. Then he turned, seeing a Dagger swing its sabre at Sochiro. He threw his sword, impaling the Dagger. Ruther drew two beam sabres from his waist, but the Mercy suddenly cut off his left arm. A shot hit Sochiro's knee, forcing him onto it.
"Damn it, he needs more distance," Ruther snarled.
"You don't have to tell me," Sochiro retorted.
"Well maybe if you were a better shot!"
"Shut up Ruther!"
Ruther slid his Guaiz back, swinging his sabre and keeping Bhishma, the Mercy, and several daggers back. Sochiro fired his rifle again, hitting the Weissritter and destroying its rifle. He then fired two more shots, hitting two Daggers in the back. The click of his rifle signaled that it was empty. He dropped the rifle and removed his helmet.
"It's done," Sochiro said.
Plants-Four years ago
"It's done," he had said.
The boy his age was crying. They shared the same face, though, often their expressions made them look completely different from one another.
"Stop crying brother," he said.
But he carried on, on his knees, crying over a grave stone.
"The naturals killed them," the boy said.
"They were murdered by people who just happened to be naturals. They wouldn't want us to be vengeful!"
"It doesn't matter what they want Sochiro, they're dead, I'm alone again!"
"You are alone, and vengeance...a laughable reason to fight," Sochiro said.
ZAFT Academy-One year later
"What was it about revenge you were saying Sochi?" Ruther grinned, looking down at Sochiro.
"You misunderstand, I was simply defending my class mate, they were making fun of her for wearing glasses. She would be blind without them," Sochiro explained.
Behind Ruther were several members of his class. Sochiro was shielding a few weak looking trainees in pale green uniforms. By contrast, Ruther was with the red uniformed people.
"The moron thought he could take us, pathetic," one of the red cadets said.
Suddenly, Ruther elbowed him in the face. The red uniformed cadets looked at Ruther in shock as he cracked his knuckles.
"Sochiro looked after me when I was weak, I don't need him anymore but let me make one thing clear, nobody calls him names but me!" he pointed his thumb at his chest.
Sochiro rolled his eyes as Ruther threw himself into the fight. They were noticed by an officer of particular standing.
"I saw how you two fought, in surprisingly good synch, I'm putting together a unit, I want you two to be a part of it," Noah Bagal explained to them.
"We refuse!" both brother's said simultaneously.
"Sorry, did I sound reasonable, you actually don't have a choice. Your little stunt has kicked you off to deployment early, I'm now your official posting!"
In battle
"Brother, that mobile armour got too close!"
"Do you think I'm weak, stop interfering in my battles!"
At Jachin Due
"RUTHER! RUTHER!"
Ruther's Guaiz was motionless. Sochiro had floated out of his machine, and pulled the wrecked cockpit open. Ruther looked up at him, angry at first. Then he froze, seeing the shine to his brother's eyes. There were tears in his eyes that day. He closed his eyes and lowered his head.
"Stop interfering damn it," he whispered.
Present
"Go, get out of here," Sochiro whispered.
"SHUT UP! You heard what the commander said right? You like following orders right?" Ruther asked.
Sochiro drew a revolver from his Guaiz's hip, shooting two Daggers in front of him. Ruther slashed two more, and stabbed another through the chest. He threw the mobile suit wreckage at Bhishma and Patrick, moving so that Sochiro could throw a grenade to knock them both back. He fired his revolver again and again, hitting Alhazard's shield. Ruther shoulder barged the Giant Duel, his smaller Guaiz's legs groaning, the knee circuitry breaking as he pushed the Duel variant back.
"Take out as many of these bastards as we can, don't ever stop," Ruther said.
"Shooting the targets, until I'm out," Sochiro whispered.
Several Daggers pierced Ruther's Guaiz with their beam sabers. Ruther stabbed one in the head with his knife, blood pouring from his mouth. He felt something slam into his side. Outside his machine, Sochiro was hitting the Dagger's off with his pistol. Their Guaiz's hands suddenly gripped one another. Artillery shells suddenly slammed into Sochiro's back, one snapping his leg. He fell to the floor, Phantom Pain Daggers gathering around them.
"Always interfering," Ruther said.
"Always overextending yourself," Sochiro retorted.
Ruther laughed, slowly lowering his head. He didn't lift it back up. Sochiro lifted his head however, raising his hand in the ZAFT salute.
"Mission accomplished commander, we showed them, the strength of ZAFT!"
The Daggers suddenly began to fire their rifles. Patrick hugged his arms, flinching with each shot he heard. Lyna watched the scene, he hand shaking, much to her confusion. Bhishma raised his hand in a respectful salute of the ZAFT fighters. When the Daggers stopped firing, they revealed the lifeless and punctured corpses of the Halion brother's suits.
Noah landed his suit on the Minerva, just as the Kenshin landed on it with Rey's Zaku. The Sensou and ZAFT alliance began their bitter retreat. Shinn looked over his shoulder, seeing the Liberty floating with the Earth Alliance and Orb forces, victorious.
'Next time I'll win and I will avenge Heine,' he thought.
Inside the Liberty, Simon formed his shaking hand into a fist. He looked towards the retreating form of the Purpose, then at the images of the destroyed Sensou and ZAFT machines.
"Brother," he whispered. "I've chosen my path, I WON'T STOP NOW!"
Next Chapter 37: Differing views
Shocked and surprised? Enjoyed the update? I hope so.
Next time Athrun has a little guest when he meets with the Archangel crew.