File 48 – Saddest Goodbye
The Archangel fires at Aircraft and oncoming missiles.
Murrue leans forward. "Variants, fire!"
The blasts take out a couple ships.
A bright slash goes through an Orb ship as the Forbidden leaps from the water. It explodes. Shani smirks. The Raider also makes quick work of the ships as the Calamity starts to fire and destroy the now approaching Astray.
Orga furrows his brow, "What happened to those two from yesterday?"
Daggers prepare to launch off the carriers. They land on shore in force taking out ground forces and Astray with ease
The Freedom soars through the sky above them. The targeting system finds all enemy and locks on to each of them. Kira fires all weapons, hitting and disarming those suits. He fires repeatedly.
Orga, Crot and Shani soon take notice of him and turn toward him.
The Freedom soars down and now slashes enemies with its beam saber. A pair of blasts converge on him but Kira leaps up to avoid.
Orga continues to fire, chuckling, "I found you! The strong guy from yesterday…"
Kira grits his teeth.
Shani fires a chest blast but Kira evades. He glances over at the Forbidden but the Raider comes up behind and barely clips him.
"I'll finish you off this time!"
The Calamity skims across the surface of the water also firing at him. The Forbidden comes from the other angle and the Raider soars toward him.
Kira blocks and dodge but the triple bombard is hard on him. He grips the controls, "Damn it!"
The three suits come straight toward him. Kira holds his shield in front of him. A blade boomerang flies through the sky at the Forbidden.
Shani barely avoids knocking it aside with his scythe. A blast hits the water in front of the Calamity halting it and another blast barely hits the Raider, it swoops to evade.
The Justices sub-flight pack flies through the air. The boomerang attaches to the shoulder and the pack attach to its back. The Justice maintains flight.
"Kira!"
Kira looks up, "Athrun? Why?"
The Raider swirls toward the Freedom and transforms to mobile suit form.
Crot fires, "Take this!"
The other two also begin firing again.
Orga smiles, "They're all here, that red one too."
The Justice flies over the surface of the water, "We also understand that there are some things worth fighting to protect."
Aircraft swoop down on the Archangel. Dearka grits his teeth and raises his cannon he fires a blast and takes out a whole group. The Strike lands behind the Buster. Miriallia glances over and gasps in surprise.
Kira glances back at the Justice taking position behind him, "Athrun!"
Athrun stares back seriously, "Break them apart!"
Kira nods.
They separate as a blast from the Calamity fires through the sky between them, then regroup and soar down toward the trio.
"This is the ship we'll use when we head up into space."
Rena glances over at Erica, "What?"
Lukas crosses, "Is the Revenant already aboard?"!
Rena gasps, "What do you mean? I need that suit for this battle!"
She glances at Rena, "It isn't ready for battle just yet."
Rena nods, "Fine. I still need to get out there. I'll use an Astray."
Lukas catches her as she goes.
She gasps, "Father?"
He smiles at her, "I want you to stay alert, don't make any foolish mistakes ok? Be sure to return safely, there's a lot I need to say."
She nods and heads off.
Erica glances at him, "You're not planning on staying behind are you?"
Lukas smiles at her, "Don't worry about it. You'll take care of the Kusanagi, I can bet on that." He turns to direct some techs.
"Thirty degrees to the left!"
Arnold obliges.
"Gottfried! Fire!" The Gottfried fires destroying an enemy ship.
Across the bay, Azrael sits comfortably in his carrier, "Hopefully, everything can be ended by tonight."
Rena's Astray races through heavy fire in a burned out city block. She spots the Buster running along. He comes under heavy fire but leaps up and connects his gun launcher and rifle together. He fires a single blast, taking out the group.
"Dearka!"
Rena lands behind him.
He glances over, "Verena? Are you ok?"
She nods, "Yes, have you seen the Justice or Freedom?"
He shakes his head, "I'm sure they're somewhere over the bay though. I heard that the Earth mobile suits were deployed there."
She starts off.
He turns, "You don't stand a chance against those suits in that Astray!"
She ignores him.
"Verena!" He turns his attention back to the Daggers. "Crap!" Damn that girl.
Cagalli watches the surveying monitors, frustration on her face. She turns and starts off.
Kisaka grabs her arm, "Cagalli!"
She yells at him, "Let go! I'm going out there too!"
He yells back, "Don't talk rubbish."
The Justice and Freedom are shown on a screen firing together.
"You think I can stay here on my own and see this happening? Even Rena is out there fighting!"
He grabs her by both arms, "That doesn't matter, she's a soldier! What will happen if a commander leaves his post?"
Tears well in her eyes.
"Stop this foolishness and face that fact!"
She turns her face, "But…"
He softens his tone, "You also can't cry."
Elsewhere. Uzumi and some other representatives watch the battle.
The door slides open and Lukas enters with a tech, "Uzumi sama?"
Uzumi turns as they cross.
"Preparations are set."
A tech finishes, "It just needs two more hours."
Uzumi furrows his brow, "That's too long. It's only a matter of time now."
Lukas nods, "Perhaps…" He gives him a look.
Uzumi nods, "All right I'll go. Order the remaining troops to assemble at Kaguya."
Lukas nods.
Uzumi turns to the others, "We're giving up Onogoro Island."
Everyone nods, "Sir."
Deep below the water.
"Orb seems to be holding on pretty well, huh?"
Rau watches from his periscope, "It's just a matter of time before their resources are depleted." He places his hand to his side.
Yzak stands behind him, the captain at his side.
Rau smiles, "As I thought, it's not a country to be underestimated. I can see why the Earth Military are so annoyed."
He glances aside, "How's the data collection going on those Mobile suits?"
A man watches four screens, "Collecting as much as we can from this distance."
Rau nods, "Sooner or later we may have to fight with one of them." He sighs, "It doesn't matter. At least giving this news will make Chairman Zala happy." He turns to go, "If anything strange happens, contact me."
He heads out with Yzak following him.
Rau pauses and glances back at Yzak, "This isn't interesting is it Yzak? Don't you feel like participating in the battle too?"
Yzak's eyes widen but he turns his head away slightly, standing at attention, "Uh... no…"
Rau glances forward, "Since ORB rejected ZAFT's support nothing can be done." He heads off. Although it would have been worth it to meet up with Verena on the battlefield.
Yzak reaches out, "I didn't…" He stops and follows Rau down the hall.
"We'll be observing for awhile longer then we'll return to Carpentaria."
Yzak stares forward listening.
"After Panama living a life restricted to a warship is annoying. Just bear with it a little longer."
Yzak looks up, "Commander!"
Rau turns, "Hmm?"
Yzak tilts his head, "What's
up with that girl?"
Flay lies asleep in her quarters.
"If she's a captive we should treat her like one."
Rau tilts his head, "Yzak… pointing a gun and shooting is not the only method to war."
Yzak tilts his head, "Huh?"
Rau continues, "I've been searching for a key and I've picked one up… probably… He turns to go, "And I understand that she's not exactly as lovely as Miss Verena was to watch over."
Yzak blushes, "I…"
Rau continues off.
Yzak furrows his brow.
The battle proceeds fiercely.
Rena maintains a position pinned down in a city alongside Mu.
The Archangel takes out another ship.
Murrue glances over her shoulder. "Order to retreat?"
Sai nods, "Yes, Representative Marlis sent the message on Representative Athha's order that the Archangel was to leave the front lines immediately to Kaguya landing."
Arnold turns, "Kaguya?"
Sabine stares at him and then Murrue, "That's were Orb's mass driver facility is."
Shani swings his scythe at Freedom but misses as Kira moves upward. He fires down. The Raider unleashes the Mjolnir hammer again at Justice but Athrun separates from the Sub-Flight lifter to evade. As he falls downward he fires up, barely missing the Raider. The Sub-flight lifter charges forward barely missing as well.
Crot leans back gritting his teeth, "Tsk! Why don't these guys hurry up and die!"
The Calamity fires up at the sub fight but it soars past him. Orga turns, "They're so damn hard to deal with…"
The battery alarm flashes and he gasps. He was well below critical, "Crap!" He glares down at it, "This stupid mobile suit! Power is already depleted?"
Crot comes on his radio, "You didn't control your fire? Idiot!"
Orga looks up, "What did you say?"
The Raider fires at Freedom as Crot glances over at Orga, "If you want to go back, do it yourself. Don't come looking for me."
He turns his attention forward just as the Justice leaps from the water its beam saber overhead ready to strike down. Athrun yells as he goes for the attack. Crot raises his hammer to defend and it is sliced in half, exploding. He falls backward and transforms into bird mode as he heads off fuming.
Orga comes on his radio, "The idiot is you, isn't it?"
Crot looks up, "What did you say?" He jerks forward as the Calamity lands on his back. "Don't just jump on me you bastard!"
Orga glares down at him, "Shut up! And quickly go back to reload. You have no choice either, right?"
Crot grits his teeth and glares forward when he knows Orga is right, "Damn it!"
The Forbidden continues its attacks against Freedom. Kira flips over avoiding the blasts. He fires back hitting the phase shift armor.
Shani glances over at his battery gauge, "Huh? It's finished?"
He glances aside and sees the Calamity and Raider heading off. Kira glares forward and charges at the Forbidden drawing his beam saber. Shani swings his scythe. Kira blocks with his shield. The Forbidden soars off. Kira watches it go as the Justice comes up beside it. Both were breathing pretty heavily.
Azrael sighs as the suits come in. "Those guys, after powering them up so much they still are unable to produce results."
The captain turns, "Hurry with the reloading!"
Azrael sighs, "oh well… not good enough huh?"
The Archangel sits docked at Kaguya.
"Are you saying we have to escape from Orb? Uzumi sama…"
Inside the main control room of Kaguya, Murrue stood with Mu and Arnold staring over at Uzumi with Cagalli.
"You should already understand the situation. It's already a matter of time before Orb falls."
Cagalli glances at her father, "Father? What are you saying?"
He closes his eyes and glances downward, "People are already evacuating. We have also arranged for aid. The rest will be handled by us."
Dearka with Rena next to him leans back against a wall near the doorway.
"Even if we lose Orb."
Kira enters followed by Athrun.
Rena glances over and smiles at them.
"There are certain things that we must not lose. Behind the Earth military there is a blue cosmos leader, Murata Azrael."
Everyone stares at him not knowing what to say.
Uzumi continues, "And PLANT is now in the hands of people who advocate that Coordinators are the new leaders. In Patrick Zala's hands."
Athrun glances downward. Kira glances slightly back at Athrun. Rena glances aside.
"If things continue to go this way, sooner or later, the world will be purged into a never-ending conflict due to the uncompromising stance of these two groups."
Everyone watches Uzumi seriously. "Can we really accept this? In your future? You, who would know another future, take from this place a tiny flame of hope to advance toward it."
Rena stares at Uzumi.
He glances over at her and furrows his brow and then glances at the others, "Though it will be another difficult path. I believe that you can understand. Murrue Ramius."
She glances downward solemnly. Mu glances over at her and she looks back at him. He smiles.
She glances forward again, "This small yet strong flame shall never be extinguished. We believe in this."
Uzumi nods, "Then, let's hasten the preparation."
Murrue nods.
Arnold exits past Athrun. Dearka glances over at him. Uzumi places hand on Cagalli's head. Rena watches and smiles. Uzumi glances over at Kira. Kira tilts his head staring back at him.
Outside techs rush to install a booster to the Archangel.
Down below the Kusanagi is raised. Astray prepare to board.
Mayura stares forward, "We're definitely going into space."
Juri adds, "It's what we wished for."
Asagi nods, "Damn the Earth Military."
They proceed forward as the loading hatch opens.
"I don't understand. You'll be going aboard the Kusanagi as well won't you?"
Lukas paces past Rena as they stood on a balcony overlooking the sea.
"You know I've traveled to a great many places in my life. But ORB has been one of the most beautiful places on the Earth; I have dedicated my life to its protection and growth."
Rena shakes her head, "What are you saying?"
He smiles at her, "I made foolish mistakes in the past but returning you here to your country when you were a child is something I will never regret. You've grown to be a strong and resilient woman. You'll carry on the Valorous house proudly."
Rena gasps and furrows her brow, "You're staying behind? But father, what…" Tears fill her eyes, "I can't let you do this… it makes no sense, what is the point in dying?"
He crosses and hugs her, "Oh… my dearest. This is not about me. You must go on in my place. Return to space, end this war." He smiles, "And tell Isamu how proud I am of him as well." He pulls back, "Will you do that for me?"
She stares at him.
He glances aside, "There's still much to do, don't worry about me. Now go, to your friends' side."
Rena shakes her head, "I can't… I don't want to." She looks up at him, "There's so much left to say."
Lukas smiles and kisses her on the forehead. "My heart knows all it needs." He holds her in his arms.
She lays her head against his chest, "Daddy…"
He strokes her hair, "I want to talk about Kira Yamato."
She gasps and steps back, "Kira?"
Lukas smiles, "He has a character stronger and wiser than many I have ever met. I'm glad I had the chance to truly get to know him. Because no one could ever be good enough for you except him."
She glances downward. "Kira… he… he's just a just friend… now."
Lukas tilts his head, "Oh? Are you sure about that?"
She looks up at Lukas, tears rolls down her cheeks, "I'm scared… scared of being hurt again."
"Don't be afraid. Don't let this conflict force you away from your true love. You embraced it once. Follow your heart, the right path will show itself like it once did."
Rena's eyes widen.
Lukas smiles, "It's fine but no matter what, I want you to stay at his side."
Azrael glances over from his seat, "Congregating at Kaguya?"
The Captain standing there crosses his arms, "They are also putting everything on the line for this battle."
Azrael scowls, "Tsk, that Athha. Even at this point of time he's resisting. But it's fine. It's going to get ugly. So let's punish them as much as we can."
Down below Crot, Orga, and Shani sit in their room struggling with their severe withdraw symptoms.
Murrue with Mu at her side stares up at the main monitor on the Archangel bridge. "Even though we are using the Kusanagi's reserve booster, the power is still efficient."
Arnold and Sabine work on upgrading the control system. An image of the Archangel with its Plasma stabilizer blade comes on monitor.
"With the Lohengrin in full force, the positron interference will escalate the process."
Sai watches the simulation on his screen as he performs minor system checks.
"That way we can increase acceleration."
Miriallia enters carrying a tray of drinks for everyone.
The Justice, Freedom and Buster stand just outside the Archangel.
Dearka tilts his head as he looks over at Athrun, "Even though we can return to Carpentaria, if we wanted, we're actually fighting against the Earth military here as well."
Cagalli pleads with her father at the main control station.
He focuses on the mission at hand, "How is the Archangel doing?"
Cagalli clenches her fist, "Father? Let's all leave together. There's no need to stay behind."
They watch as the Kusanagi passes forward.
"Now performing the final adjustments to the boosters."
Uzumi leans forward, "Hurry there's not much time left."
Cagalli yells, "Father!"
Athrun glances aside, contemplating. He starts to speak, "ZAFT's Athrun Zala…"
Kira and Dearka stare at him.
He glances forward, "She understood all of this."
Kira tilts his head, "Athrun?"
Athrun continues, "Following the orders of our country and military, shooting at enemies, I thought that was all there was to it. There's no other choice. If only we could end this war earlier, even by a day…" He thinks of his father. "But we in reality… by what methods and against whom should we be fighting?"
Kira smiles and tilts his head, "Let's go together, Athrun." He glances at both Athrun and Dearka, "Let's search for it together. The answer."
Both Athrun and Dearka smile over at Kira.
Rena sits in a jeep heading over to the Archangel. She glances off at the horizon even with the chaos of war going on it was still a sunny and beautiful day. The breeze blows her hair.
Is this the end of Orb? She furrows her brow.
The jeep stops, "Miss Verena?" She glances over at the driver who held the door open for her and smiles.
"Thank you."
He takes her hand and helps her out. "I wanted to thank you."
She stares at him and tilts her head.
He blushes, "I've always loved you."
Her eyes widen.
He laughs, "I'm a big fan… I'm so glad that you turned out to be just as I dreamed you would. Beautiful, kind, and brave."
She stares at him not knowing what to say.
He chuckles, "I'm sorry… but thank…"
She leans over and kisses him on the cheek, "Thank you and take care."
He places a hand to his cheek, "I'll never wash this cheek ever again."
Rena smiles, "That wouldn't be very hygienic but sweet nonetheless." She glances over toward the Archangel and spots Kira standing with Dearka and Athrun. She stares at Kira particularly. He laughs slightly.
The side hatches to the Earth carrier open. The three suits prepare for launch, "Let's finish it this time." Azrael watches them onscreen as they head off, "I have a slight desire to have my meal upon the mainland.
The launch hatch for the Kusanagi opens.
"Kaguya's theoretical test-run data is within permissible limits."
The radar screen comes up. "Incoming units detected on radar. It's… mobile suits…"
Cagalli gasps.
Alarms sound. Kira, Dearka, and Athrun glance over.
Inside the Archangel the crew gasps.
Uzumi glances down, "Ms. Ramius, please launch."
Murrue comes up on radio, "Understood. Kira kun?"
Kira already in Freedom was activating his systems, "I'll cover the sky. Archangel, please go on ahead. What about Kusanagi?"
Uzumi comes on, "It's preparing to launch."
Kira glances over at his side monitor and spots Rena. She stands staring up at him. He gasps, Ren?
The driver of the jeep hangs up his radio and comes around the side of the jeep and motions back toward the main facility. Rena tilts her head but nods. He helps her back into the jeep and they drive off.
Kira closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
Athrun comes on, "It's going to be a sky battle. It's impossible for Buster."
Dearka glares forward.
"Dearka go with the Archangel." He nods.
The Archangel lifts off.
"Increase vertical line by 20 degrees. Lohengrin standby."
The two gun decks open.
Sai and Miriallia sit ready. She tilts her head as she sees the Buster come into the load hatch.
Cagalli pleads with her father.
He glances over at her, "How much time are you going to waste by procrastinating here? Hurry up and go!"
Cagalli glances over the terminal, "But…"
A tech glances over, "Mobile suit approaching, distance 15."
Uzumi grasps Cagalli's arm and drags her toward the door, "We have our responsibilities."
Rena stares at the Kusanagi as she and Lukas cross to the door. She pauses and throws herself in his arms.
"And you have your responsibilities."
Tears well in Cagalli's eyes. "But…"
Her father glances back at her, "If there is no one left to carry on our ideals, then everything is finished! Do you understand that?"
Lukas enters he and Uzumi share a glance.
The three suits approach.
Crot spots the Archangel ahead and smiles, "There it is. Let's go!"
The Justice comes up behind it, "Kira! It's coming!"
Kira glances down at the facility. The Kusanagi. "Please launch as soon as possible."
Murrue furrows her brow sternly, "Fire!"
The Lohengrin powers up and fires. The resulting cascade surrounds the Archangel allowing its thrusters to pick up increasing speed; it blasts off into the sky.
Orga glares at it as it disappears, "Damn!" He prepares to fire but a blast comes up from below barely hitting the Raider as the Justice and Freedom move in.
Uzumi drags Cagalli across the walkway to where Kisaka stood.
"Uzumi sama? Cagalli!"
Uzumi tosses Cagalli toward him, "Here Kisaka, I'll leave my idiot daughter in your hands."
Kisaka nods. Lukas looks on.
Cagalli glances over and struggles against Kisaka's grasp, "Father!"
Rena wiping her own tears away glances over and crosses to the doorway.
Outside the Freedom and Justice stave off the attacks from the three earth suits.
Cagalli stares at her father as he places his hand on her head. "Don't make that kind of face as the daughter of Orbs leader."
She pulls forward, "But…"
Rena leans sadly against a wall near the doorway.
Uzumi stares at Cagalli. "Even though you'll be separated from your father, you're not alone." He reaches in his pocket and pulls out a photo of a mother holding two infants. "You have a brother."
Cagalli gazes down at the photo and back at her father. She takes the photo in her hand. She flips it over; 'Kira and Cagalli' are inscribed on back. She gasps and looks up at her father. He nods.
Kira fights intensely firing toward the enemy.
"I'm happy to have been your father."
The door shuts between them. Cagalli begins to bang on the door crying as the walkway pulls back.
Her father moves away, "Go Kisaka!"
A spaces hatch closes over the door.
"All personnel evacuation confirmed."
The Kusanagi takes off.
"All systems go."
Rena watches as Cagalli rushes toward some windows.
"Kusanagi final launch sequence start. May Houmeia protect us."
The Kusanagi starts along the mass driver catching the attention of Shani, Crot and Orga.
Orga smirks, "Oy, oy, oy."
The Justice and Freedom move in.
"Athrun!"
He nods, "I see it."
Cagalli bangs on the glass, "Father! Father!" She leans forward sobbing.
Rena crosses.
Kisaka glances at her and gasps.
Rena wraps her arms around Cagalli, "It's ok to cry for now…"
Cagalli gasps and wraps her arms around her.
Rena glances out the window, "Soon we will have to be strong to fight for the future of Orb." She fights to stop her own tears as she rocks Cagalli in her arms, "And you have to be strong to lead us. But right now it's ok to cry…" Tears roll down her cheeks.
The Freedom and Justice continue to hold off the three pilots. They increase their thruster speed to match the Kusanagi, the three suits barely behind them.
Orga glares forward, "Crap!"
Kira grits his teeth, the Freedom reaches forward to grasp the Kusanagi. He catches hold and turns reaching out to Athrun in the Justice.
The three pilots were frantic, "Shoot it down!"
The Justice slowly moves back. Kira struggles as he forces the Freedom to stretch its reach further. Athrun does the same and the two suits move closer until Freedom grasps Justice and pulls it up next to it.
The trio continues to fire like crazy barely missing but slowly closing in.
Kira and Athrun nod at one another and activate all their weapons.
The trio gasps.
The Freedom and Justice fire. The blast hits the water causing a massive wall of water between the trio and them. The Kusanagi continues up the last bit of the driver and blast off into the sky. Kira and Athrun stare downward as the climb into orbit.
Uzumi watches the ascent from inside the main control room. Lukas crosses next to him. The other reps also gather around, relieved that the Kusanagi managed to escape unscathed.
Uzumi smiles, "The seed has flown away, with this all is well."
He turns the key on the self detonation, "Orb and the world." He presses the button, "Will not be subjected to your manipulation."
A bright glow emanates through the room and over the horizon the Earth fleet witness the same bright glow filling the sky. The mass driver explodes bit by bit cascading across. The factory explodes in a massive fireball.
Aboard the main carrier Azrael gasps in complete shock and frustration.
The final bit of mass driver explodes and crumbles into the water.
Cagalli gasps. Rena stares forward also in shock. Both Kira and Athrun also gasp. Cagalli shakes her head. Rena covers her face sobbing.
Cagalli screams, "Father!"
