Optical Delusions

"Namarra, I'd say don't do anything desperate or stupid but—well—I know how much they mean to you."

"So, you know why I need to go back there?"

"Having Lexi will be a big help, but you're still poking at a hornet's nest."

"It's the last chance I have."

"What will you do if it won't work?"

"I can't think like that."

"But you need to. What will you do?"

"I won't think I'll fail."

"Just know you can come back here. I'm not sure if anyone else has said it yet, but you can always come back. Remember that."

"You're still here?" Namarra would have rather listened to her past conversation with Mu than hear such words, but she had begun expecting the worse. Lifting her forehead from her knees was more effort than she had anticipated. After her run-in with her brothers, Namarra found a lot of things hard to do. Even if it was only to curl up into a ball outside their room.

Orga scoffed after his statement, heading back down the hall without another word. Clotho followed close behind, Namarra not even seeing him acknowledge her. When Shani walked by she reached for his jacket, catching his sleeve. He did a slow look down, his one eye narrowing before he ripped from her grip.

Her stubbornness finally caved in after that.

"Miss Legund, to your feet," one of the two doctors ordered, hoisting her up under the armpit. "Mr. Azrael wants to see you in the medical ward."

"Why?" she spat, but didn't expect a reply. Making one last effort to look defiant, she pulled her arm from his grasp before finally giving in. Somehow, she doubted her forceful gesture hurt the doctor's feelings as much as Shani's had hurt hers.


Eclipse had agreed to it. Why? She really had no idea other than her selfish need and that just seemed too cruel to give any credit to. Her stupid pride that wanted to prove she might know more about her other half than the others thought.

Well, wishful thinking at least.

She followed silently behind her cocky captor, frowning as his shoulders tottered back and forth during his sauntering. He was in charge and he wanted her to know it. Given the circumstances, she shouldn't have been surprised she lost the power struggle. If strength was the contest, the two Berserkers would have done their damage and fled by then. Instead, intelligence was on the line and Eclipse was the very basic form of ignorant.

"Is she here yet?" Azrael asked, stopping the redhead and the three guards in front of a door labeled, "Infirmary."

"Yes, sir," the doctor replied, side-glancing at Eclipse. She just stared.

"Good, and is everything set?"

"I beg your pardon, sir, but should we really be doing this now? I thought this ship was following a lead on your orders and that probably means a battle sometime soon. Back at the lab—"

"My good sir, does it look like we're heading back to the lab any time soon?"

"Well, no but—"

"So I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself and just follow my instructions. I'd hate to keep my lovely guest waiting." Azrael held a hand to indicate Eclipse who resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She doubted it would have helped the situation if she had, no matter how much better it made her feel otherwise. The one thing that caught her attention, however, was the direction of the ship. The physician was wise enough to not say too much, but if she and Namarra had left a blazing trail back to Mendel, she would never hear the end of it.

And that was if everyone survived.

Shit.

The doctor showed a bit of restraint and stepped aside. Eclipse doubted the motion was out of respect, but at least his survival instincts were still active. Based on his misconduct, however, Eclipse started getting anxious. She had agreed to see a demonstration—whatever that meant—but maybe she had overstepped her own moral boundaries.

Azrael opened the door and motioned for her to go in first. "How kind," she muttered then felt her skin ripple when she saw the medical beds and various equipment. The sign outside should have been a clear indication of what was behind the door, but it was one thing to read the word and another thing to see it. If there was a time for her phobia to act up, it definitely wasn't then. Gulping, she stepped aside to let Azrael in first.

"Come, this way," he said, gesturing to a connecting room. He almost touched her elbow to pull her after him, but her survival instincts were still alive as well. Jerking away, she hesitated long enough for him to get the point. He smirked then entered.

Five more beds lined the walls, all of them bunk beds but one. Eclipse cursed silently when she saw Namarra lying there with an IV in her arm and restraints across her limbs. Sensor pads were stuck to her temples and chest, the blips on the screens making Eclipse's heart match the beat. Of course this was the kind of demonstration she had signed up for. Her instincts might have been sharp, but her IQ had definitely dropped if she thought this was going to be a mere rat in a maze demonstration. Then again, maybe a lab rat was involved after all.

"You look surprised."

"Just pissed about my stupidity."

"You underestimated me?"

"Please, your ego is already suffocating." Offering a small laugh, he motioned her closer to the bed, but she held up a hand to refuse, maintaining her distance near the door. "I may not be able to predict your insanity, but I know first hand what happens when a Berserker's strapped to a bed."

"My dear, you make me sound like a pervert, but no matter." Waving off the comment, he nodded at the male doctor across the bed. Eclipse hadn't meant it to sound sexual, but—admittedly—thought the comment suited the man. Although, watching the doctor tapping the shot vial she felt the entire room had gone immoral. Three guards had come in behind them and they were just as interested in the display as the man plunging the needle into Namarra's IV. When had war shifted from the simplicity of jamming a knife into someone's heart to messing with someone's brain?

"Do you remember what drug you were taking on Januarias 4?"

Eclipse wasn't listening at first, too wrapped up in trying to find some escape route. The echo hit her just in time to see Namarra's body twitch for the first time. The redhead twitched too.

"Well, that's a yes." He folded his arms over his chest and stared at Namarra. "I knew Vindur well and when he came to me for help, it was just too juicy of an offer to refuse despite the circumstances." He shrugged. "I mean, the director of Blue Cosmos speaking with a Coordinator of all people? Not exactly good advertising."

"So you had a part in that? He must've made some pretty good cash then."

"Yup, but despite Vindur's interest, the bastard stopped the treatment prematurely." Turning his head, Eclipse felt his eyes on her. Knowing it was in her best interest to participate, she turned to match his look. "Do you remember the effects that drug had on your system?" She shook her head and his shoulders moved in a half shrug, half stretch. The nonchalant attitude was really getting annoying. "I suppose you wouldn't."

The doctor stepped back from Namarra and pulled his sleeve back to stare at his watch.

"It was made to directly give power to your Berserker half. Vindur wasn't seeing signs that it was working so he stopped the dosage. In reality, the drug was working just fine, your episodes—we'll call them—just weren't appearing as frequently as we had anticipated."

Namarra's twitching had shifted to hyperventilating, her rapid breathing making the heart monitor near her bed beep a warning.

And another warning.

And another.

"Instead of making episodes appear more often, however, the drug increased the length and 'power' you could say. I just didn't realize it until too late."

Eclipse started biting the inside of her cheek nervously. Any ground she had gained she was drastically losing. What was it about Azrael that affected her?

"Power?" she asked.

"Do you know how your Berserker takes over?"

Namarra's eyes snapped open, the force of them almost making a noise in and of themselves. If the heart monitor hadn't been making itself hoarse the redhead was sure there would have been a smack. Namarra started struggling then, trying to force herself through the restraints, but only managing some severe bruising and frightened soldiers with automatics. Probably not a good thing. Eclipse turned back to the bed and crossed her arms, tapping her fingers against her elbows.

"Of course you don't," Azrael continued. "I'm sure you've realized it's attached to the emotion sensors in your brain and the first one it always links to is anger, the rawest emotion besides lust and—probably the real reason it's so attractive—it doesn't always make sense. So, each time you get angry, the Berserker stirs and, depending on how angry you are or whether or not it wants to, it takes over. It shuts down everything in your brain that you consider—well—you and makes its own waves. We just haven't come up with a machine to measure them so, in all medical certainty, you appear brain dead. Now this drug—" He sighed and motioned to Namarra as she started screaming, a sound not unlike the screech in Eclipse's own head. Hers, however, had more to do with his painful monologue. Azrael, no doubt, had to have been drunk with confidence to pull off this stunt.

The doctor grabbed a towel and rolled it up like a rope. Leaning over Namarra, he shoved the material between her teeth and held down the ends on either side of her head. The Natural would have been alright with the gag if she hadn't started tossing her head back and forth, the coarse material splitting the corners of her mouth. Saying something quietly, the doctor managed to stop her head from shaking, but the rest of her body was another matter. Eclipse bit her bottom lip.

"Thank you," Azrael muttered and held up a finger to continue. "Now, that drug gave the Berserker more control which is probably why when your other half takes over, you're practically out of the picture."

"So, what about Namarra?" Eclipse asked, now tapping her foot to keep herself steady. If she thought it would work, she would have tried to do breathing exercises, but her anger management involved punching things, not good 'ole oxygen.

"Then you have noticed you're different. Truthfully, this is the first time Namarra's been administered the drug and this is a more advanced version than yours."

"What?"

"My, my, you look surprised. She's never been old enough for it to matter. It only makes a difference when a Berserker turns fifteen—has something to do with your genetic make-up—so all you've been witnessing up until now is a raw and unhitched form of anger. Nothing as advanced as you have. Alright, maybe that was a little inaccurate," he added, stroking his chin. "She's been showing signs of another conscious, but this should help it fully develop."

"Fifteen?"

"Yes, she's just shy, but since she's so emotionally unstable at the moment—I guess me making her 'brothers' war machines might have something to do with that—I figured it was worth a try."

It all left in a breath; her nervousness, Namarra's agony, Azrael's games—all of it. Nothing was left, just her guilt and insignificance wrapped around self-pity. How could she have been so oblivious? "Wait, you did that to them on purpose?"

"What? I was killing two birds with one stone, making the EA happy and advancing my Berserker research. Oh, and the funny thing is, if I had had direct contact with you to begin with, she probably might be living a semi-normal life right now."

"Watch it," Eclipse growled, but Namarra's muffled screams drowned her out.

"Then again, semi-normal would be pushing it. After all, when the drug separated your subconscious—well, sort of—it saved your life. Past Berserkers couldn't separate their lusting halves and went insane because of it. Hm," he looked at his nails, "maybe you'll live past seventeen after all."

It was all Eclipse that time; she couldn't blame her devilish alter ego. Reaching towards Azrael, she covered the good distance between them and grabbed his sleeve up near his shoulder. Pulling him towards her, she hooked her free arm around his neck in the same motion. The guards aimed their firearms a second too late, Eclipse already having put Azrael between her and the bullets.

The Blue Cosmos leader held his hands up and shook his head at the soldiers. Really, they could have overtaken her easily, seeing as she had yet to find a proper weapon, but Azrael's command seemed to trump their common sense.

Pulling them both backwards, she searched for something—anything with a point. She tightened her grip around her captor's neck as her hand blindly opened the drawers and scowered through them. The best thing she could find was a pen. At first she thought it had a thicker case with a hidden blade—she had seen one once on a ZAFT ship—but it was just a cheap writing utensil. She uncapped it anyway and adjusted her hold. Putting her palm flat against his temple, just over his ear, she pulled his head to the side, exposing his neck. The guards' eyes flickered with amusement as she held the point near the stretched skin.

The room grew very still, the only thing moving was Namarra writhing on the bed, but even she had started losing energy. Everything was a mind battle now.

"Honestly, my dear, what do you think you can do here? If you remember, you're on my ship."

She smirked. "If you recall, this ship already has a captain." Before he could retort, she pulled the pen to the side and pressed the button on her earpiece. "Coffee Addict, go around to the bridge and aim a rifle at the captain's seat. Fire only on my command."

"Copy that."

"And open a transmission."

There was a pause. "Opened."

"My dear Captain, unlike your Blue Cosmos counterpart, you're not stupid so please pick up the line before I'm forced to shoot."

There was a second of hesitation before Captain Badgiruel could be heard on the other end. Azrael was starting to get nervous; she could feel his breath quicken.

"Who is this?"

"Lunar Eclipse down in your sick bay."

"What—"

"Now, I'm gonna make this simple. Send some guards down to retract your dogs here, cuff Mama Bitch, and I'll take Miss Legund out of here peacefully. If not—well, you have a good imagination, right Captain?"

"What makes you think I care about the Blue Cosmos flunkie?"

Eclipse saw some movement to her right, but the guards flinched at the same time. They had guns, the doctor was unarmed and the only thing on the other side of the room besides medical sensors.

And one of those machines had just flat lined.

"Because you love your job, Captain, and he is part of that whether you like it or not."

She sighed and Eclipse smiled. "So, I'm just supposed to let you walk out of here?"

"If you—"

"You're right, that sounds a little boring, doesn't it?"

Eclipse heard the words out loud rather than through the same radio transmission, but she knew the captain had heard as well. Sometimes having two CAs was really a problem. Gulping—or was that really Azrael?—she turned toward the bed. Namarra was sitting upright with one hand over the doctor's mouth and the other on the back of his head. He looked unconscious, but a closer inspection would show the Natural had snapped his neck.

She pushed him off, his fingers sliding away from the restraints. Had he released her thinking she would help them?

Shit.

"I said, who is this?" the captain hissed, but Eclipse had already cut off her end.

"Just an unhappy customer," Namarra replied before undoing the rest of the restraints and taking out the IVs. The other machines screamed their displeasure, but one in particular had caught the redhead's attention. The very first machine to flat line had been the one monitoring her brainwaves.

Oh, fuck.

Eclipse stared back at her comrade and figured staying put was her best option, mainly because she knew what the hell was going on. The guards didn't move because they were probably too busy shitting their pants and Azrael was stuck, but no matter how fascinated everyone seemed to be with watching the Natural tear off all the sensors, Azrael's experiment had worked.

Namarra officially had her own alter ego.

"Addict, cause a ruckus, but don't destroy the bridge," Eclipse managed to command just before Namarra attacked the three guards. She pushed the gun down on one, its bullets clipping the shins of another before she thrust two fingers into the third guard's eyes. He started shooting and hit the already injured soldier before the pain forced him to black out. The last standing guard had frozen just after he shot his comrade in the legs. Some manner of pleading spilled out, but the Berserker was too far to care. Smirking, she grabbed one of his upraised hands and positioned a finger between her thumb and the side of her pointer.

Snap.

"Movement on the bridge. Fired some close shots and a few went pale, but most are running for the controls, not the toilet."

Snap.

"What are your orders?"

Snap.

Eclipse gulped and felt herself grow calm, a soldier trait she had come to appreciate in the past year. With the Berserker, her collectiveness still felt like a rage, so it was a comfort as well. An acknowledgment that she was still herself. For now.

She had loosened her grip, but Azrael didn't seem to be attempting an escape. "Retreat, we lost our peaceful exit," she responded before Namarra broke the guard's neck. If anything, it was a mercy blow. "Go to the rendezvous."

"Roger."

Namarra turned toward them next, her pupiless eyes crossing when a blood bubble floated near her face. Reaching up, she poked it with her finger and giggled—the Berserker giggled—when it flubbered away.

"Beautiful," Azrael breathed and she turned to him next. Cocking her head to the side, her face grew serious.

"And what to do with you?"

"He knows a lot about us," Eclipse said, surprised by her rational thinking. Her justifying Azrael's life? Really?

"That's true, but take him with us?"

"Oh, please do," Azrael whined.

Namarra's face twisted into disgust before she looked at Eclipse. Damn, was all she could think. Matching her comrade's eyes was different this time, the two-toned feeling much more ominous now that she knew what she was really up against.

"So, leaving him here would cause him more grief?"

"We're running out of time," Eclipse pressed.

"Then make a decision, I'll handle any new company outside."

"No, wait—" Azrael began, but Eclipse had renewed her hold, pulling his head back and to the side. Staring at his neck, she hesitated. His hands had started flailing by that time, and if she kept pausing, he would get away. Frowning, she grasped the pen and stuck it into his ear. It wasn't angled down the canal—for a fatal blow—but stuck in the cartilage just inside, the side of his head looking like a pen holder. He floundered for a bit before the shock and pain finally made him pass out.

"Nice," Namarra commented, poking her head back inside and motioning her to follow. "I was hoping you wouldn't kill him."

"He does know a lot," Eclipse agreed. "But we can't bring him without pulling the whole EA after us. The Three Ship Alliance can't handle that."

"Oh." Namarra blinked, punching in a lock code from the outside. It must have been a standard sequence in the Earth Forces since it worked. "I just wanted to give him a slower death later."


Mainly because of the ruckus on the bridge, their escape was rather boring. They had to make it to the Decay, that was obvious, but would the suit be under guard by that time? Namarra didn't mind. She had already commanded Chicabo to pull a weapon on anyone who came near, so she doubted much would be going at their disadvantage in the hangar.

She smirked.

Turning down the final hall, Namarra nodded to Eclipse to open the door. The Berserker had grabbed one of the guard's handguns—since they had spent most of the magazines in their automatics—and had Eclipse do the same, but she didn't plan on using it, especially now that they had reached the hangar without incident.

The Decay was the first thing they saw, the mobile suit standing in the hangar with both rifles aimed at the pilots near the other door. Shani, Orga and Clotho were leaning against the catwalk, but the Decay didn't have a rifle on them. Seeing as it had specifically positioned itself in front of their suits, there was no way they could get in to pilot anyway.

"So, you finally showed. Enjoy holding us hostage, bitch?'

"Since you asked," Namarra began, sauntering up to the man. "It is kinda fun."

"Fine then," he spat and knocked Clotho's game out of his hand to get his attention. Always the one otherwise occupied.

"Ah, ah, ah." The Berserker wagged her finger back and forth then pointed at her suit.

They didn't care.

Namarra sighed and saw Shani move first, but he went at Eclipse. She didn't see where his punch ultimately landed, Orga's own attack a bit more distracting than her comrade's immediate welfare. The Berserker leaned back out of the way, but didn't have much room. Her head hit the wall and she spun to her right, just out of Orga's reach. Using both hands, she pushed hard off the wall and hit her shoulder against Orga's jaw, shoving them both against the catwalk railing again. Orga's gut hit the pipe first, buckling him over and if it wasn't for Namarra's follow through, he may have kept going. She couldn't get a very good hold on him, however, mainly because no matter what, he was still stronger.

Sparing a moment, she glanced over at Eclipse and still saw her struggling with Shani. Clotho didn't seem to be around, but there was an arm around her throat a second later. Leave Clotho to do the sneak attack.

"Damn it! I would apologize but—" She stopped, punching her elbow backwards into his ribs then using the distraction to push his forearm up to her mouth. She bit down.

"Enough!"

Orga had her in a hold when the captain entered the hangar, but he only tightened it after the order, probably upset about the command.

"I said stop!" she yelled, Namarra turning back towards Eclipse when she heard a punch hit hard. The redhead clutched her stomach and leaned against the wall to catch her breath. Clotho stood nearby, but he just glared, holding his injured arm. She was surprised—and thankful—no one had gotten shot.

"Let them go."

The universal, "What?" coursed between the three pilots and Orga opened his mouth to argue, but the captain merely said the same thing.

"Let them go. Director Azrael is out of commission right now so you listen to me."

"But why let them leave? Clearly they—"

"Enough, soldier." Clotho bit his tongue, but still didn't look pleased. "They were never my prisoners and this is a battleship, not a science lab. I will not promote such savagery and—if you haven't noticed—there's a mobile suit armed and ready to fire in my hangar."

"You don't promote savagery?" Orga repeated as he released Namarra. "But yet you keep us aboard. How do you explain that?"

"If you want to leave, leave. I have other, more reliable pilots." The captain crossed her arms over her chest, making Namarra smirk. Despite human anatomy, she had balls.

The Berserker almost paused to wait for their reply—and perhaps her other half would have—but given their state of mind, she already knew it. Instead, she walked over to Eclipse and pulled her from the wall just in time to hear Orga answer, "No," for the lot of them. The girls headed towards the Decay then, the Berserker showing an uncommon sense of compassion by taking one last look back before she shut the cockpit.


At first it was hard to tell the difference. Eclipse had seen Namarra snapped before, but never this calm. Perhaps that was what irked the redhead the most. She seemed in control. A creepy kind of serenity that made the redhead squirm and it was never a movement her comrade missed. The side glances made her freeze then feel uncomfortable all over again. It was an endless loop but at least Eclipse was going to have her own space again soon.

Now she knew how Namarra had felt like on Mendel.

"Stealth just reached the rendezvous point. I can board there then we can hightail it back to the ships."

"Sounds peachy," the Berserker responded and Eclipse frowned. For being berserk, Namarra didn't seem willing to harm her. That was probably a good thing, but it was still strange. Knowing her own Berserker to take the beneficial way around, shouldn't Namarra's be just as selfish? Why didn't the Berserker just want to stay there and help her brothers? After all, provoke Eclipse a little more and they might have been able to pick off the crew and take the boys by force.

"We lost our element of surprise," Namarra chimed in, making the scrunched redhead have to readjust her helmet just to make eye contact. "Destruction's more fun when they don't see it coming—well, most destruction. Torture's fun too."

And whose fault is that? she thought, but was more offended by her second remark. Normally, she was alright with such confessions, but since she was the one at the mercy of a psychopath, a frown seemed justified. Besides, FS was the only psychopath she really knew and he wouldn't harm her unless prompted.

Namarra was another matter entirely.

"Oh, stop pretending like you don't agree. And what isyour real reasoning for keeping that barbarian Azrael alive? Sure, he'll probably be strangely turned on by your attack, but still alive nonetheless. Here I thought he was getting under your skin."

"That really was my answer, we might be able to use him later. There aren't many people who know that much about us. And, don't forget, he's the only one willing and pressing to keep your brothers ticking. He's kinda important, you could say."

"Damn annoying though and I can't help but feel you're gonna regret leaving him alive."

Eclipse laughed wryly then gave a sigh when the Decay announced the Stealth was in sight. It was more of a thankful breath than anything, finding the conversation far too friendly for any Berserker. She knew their other halves were different, but to call Namarra kind was stretching the truth past the breaking point. So why the cordial appearance? To develop trust?

She debated bringing it up before she boarded the Stealth, but ultimately decided against it, figuring she'd just converse with Namarra about it once she was a little more like herself. Closing the cockpit, she took off auto control and checked to see if there was any damage. Addict had specified that nothing was particularly wrong—just a depleted supply of the Colloid—but she needed more time to figure other things out as well.

Shocking Namarra back to her original self being one thing.

It would have been the most obvious thing to do, but using the Scylla might have done the job cleanly enough. Finding a way to power it up without the Berserker catching wind would be difficult, but anything else either involved blowing up the suit or shorting it out completely and with a battleship coming any day, they needed that suit battle-ready.

"—detected," Coffee Addict said, Eclipse really only hearing the tail end of the report, but seeing the blinking red beacon on the Decay's silhouette made enough sense.

"Uh, Nam, we have a problem. Addict's saying you have a tracker on the Decay."

"Oh, I know. Chicabo told me about that hours ago."

"Wait—what?" If Eclipse hadn't been shocked, she would have been impressed. That explained the pleasantness at least. If Coffee Addict had mentioned the tracker at any time before the rendezvous, at least the Berserker could say she was being tolerable.

"Sure, makes sense. I mean, why else would that captain really let us go? Honor code, my ass," she muttered and Eclipse felt herself growing angry, not only at herself, but also at her comrade for being so damned nonchalant. "And besides—"

"Fuck 'besides,' Nam. You're leading that ship right to the Alliance!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, such a tragedy."

Eclipse pounded a fist against her cockpit. The Stealth muttered some kind of complaint, but she ignored it. "You have got to be—"

"Geez, relax. If you recall, they were already heading in that direction and have a little more faith in your new best friends, would you?" The Berserker sighed and Eclipse felt her face grow warmer. The last thing she wanted to do was attack the Decay, but Namarra had crossed the line from being a dick to being one with a homicidal agenda. She did remember the Blue Cosmos' doctor saying something about following a course on Azrael's orders so maybe the tracker was nothing more than confirmation. Either way, she wasn't pleased.

That's what I get for trusting a Berserker, she thought and growled. "Damn you, bitch."

"Come, come, no need for names. And just think, when the Archangel faces off against its clone, we'll be able to capture the guys and just shuffle them into Mendel."

"What?"

Namarra shrugged. Even though the redhead couldn't see the motion, she could hear it in her voice. "Think about it. There's a really short time lapse between doses, right? So, the closer they are to Mendel—where we're gonna shackle them up—the more likely we can save them."

"You had the Dominion follow us just so you could be closer to Mendel? You put our comrades in danger just so—"

"You said we were on the same team with this plan, Eclipse." She had made the effort to accent her code name. Now she was just getting pissed.

"I agreed to save them, yes, but not get everyone else killed!"

"So says the person who was going to offer coordinates instead of information. Hypocrite."

"Namarra—"

"Fine, attack me—whatever." The Decay stopped and turned towards the Stealth, holding out its arms. "The time you're wasting right now could have been used to radio ahead. Have you ever thought that maybe you underestimate our new allies, and that maybe this little demonstration is what they need? Think about it," the Berserker continued, "would you rather have the Three Ship Alliance—TSA; cute, huh?—make some stand against an entire army or just one ship? They have to come out of their hole eventually—"

"And having an entire fleet waiting for them is suicide, I get it," Eclipse said, pulling down her keyboard so she could type a message to the Eternal. "I know what you're trying to say, but even for a Berserker you're making too much sense."

"Well then, do explain."

"You've never cared about the Three Ship Alliance—TSA—whatever—before."

"I care about my brothers and Erika said she could help."

"So? She might die in this onslaught and then you've no one to blame but yourself."

The Berserker laughed as her suit attempted to mimic her behavior. Its stiff joints did nothing more than angle in awkward movements, but the point was clear. And Namarra was probably just pulling back and forth on the levers crazily anyway.

"Oh, my darling Lexi. I think you'll do most of the blaming for the both of us. After all, there are plenty of scientists willing to take a weekly allowance, but there are only three ships with your dear family and friends." Turning, the Decay started making its way towards Mendel once more, Namarra still giggling. "Tell me, who drew the shorter stick now?"

Cursing, Eclipse's finger pressed down on the keyboard, sending the message to the Eternal. With any luck, they'd be able to get the ships ready in time. The Dominion wasn't trailing too closely—actually, the Stealth hadn't even picked up the signal until it noticed the tracker—so they should have enough time to prepare.

She just didn't know how many ships to prepare for.


"What the hell is this, Lexi?" Commander Waltfeld slammed the paper down on the armrest. "You're telling us an EA ship is trailing you? What kind of rookie mistake is this?"

"Aboard I was given the impression they were already headed in your direction. The tracker was probably more of a confirmation for the captain. There was such a power struggle on that ship I really shouldn't have been as surprised as I was." She took a drink of her water bottle, leaning back in the seat. "This should be a relief, Commander. Now you get a leg up on the enemy."

"Sure, that was before two ZAFT Nazca -class ships joined the other one at the opposite port. We kept an eye on them after your initial report—Elsman and Zala have eagerly taken that post—but we've been biting our fingernails since. Now you're telling us you're bringing the other army right to our doorstep?"

Eclipse could just imagine the amount of anxiety in the crew. They were probably at half watch and the ones working were jumpy while the ones off were barely sleeping. The escapees from Orb had only just arrived and were settling in, not to mention half of them didn't even have proper weaponry. Add to that the ZAFT reinforcements and the girls' little escapade gone theatric.

And she hadn't even mentioned Namarra's new "talent."

"I'm confident ZAFT won't interfere if a conflict arises with the EA," Eclipse said.

"Even if it's Commander Le Creuset?"

"You were able to confirm that then?"

The older man sighed, but shook his head slowly. "Elsman agreed that your old comrade wouldn't have been transferred off the team, but we've been getting reports of Le Creuset in the PLANTs. Either someone's lying to us or your teammate's under new command."

Eclipse thought about that for a moment and finally ended up shaking her head. "Does it really matter who it is?"

"Unfortunately, yes. He doesn't wear that white uniform for nothing."

"And you're just as much of a military genius."

"Please, Aisha was the only one able to flatter me." He held up a finger and winked despite the painful memory. "You're a close second, but I'm not as capable as I used to be. Nope." Pointing at the screen, his face went serious. She shut her mouth. "I'm not looking to be cheered up, just stating the simple truth and my point is," he continued, glancing to the side and pressing a button on his armrest, "we can't count ZAFT out yet."

"I'm sorry, Commander, have I interrupted something?" Eclipse heard Murrue's voice, but didn't see her until Waltfeld adjusted the communication line. The Archangel captain looked startled when they finally had the three-way transmission. "Lexi, it's great to see you, don't get me wrong, but I was under the impression you were doing some personal business."

"It ended a bit prematurely."

"And, based on her report, an Earth Forces battleship is headed this way," Waltfeld finished.

"Yes, we got the report and have started immediate preparations. Nothing too flashy, I'm afraid, since there isn't enough time to set a trap."

"And with ZAFT sniffing around we're gonna have to keep on the low down," Mu added, putting a hand on Murrue's chair and coming to a halt. "Sounds like it's gonna be an old-fashioned gun fight."

"I'm positive ZAFT will keep clear," Eclipse repeated. "If an advantage develops they'll probably take initiative, but they might only deploy two or three mobile suits to scout."

"With three Nazca-class ships they mean business, though, even if they'll only deploy for recon," Waltfeld added, nodding off to the side to one of his crew members. "We might have to split up our forces to watch our rear just in case."

"Is the Eternal able to move?" Murrue asked and the commander sighed.

"As of ten minutes ago, no. If anything we're ZAFT's target, so maybe it's best we stay in the harbor to watch our tail anyway."

"Seems to be the best option," Mu agreed and the others nodded.

"Very well, I'll check on the Kusanagi and fill them in. Lexi, how long until you're at port?" Murrue asked.

"About forty minutes. The EA battleship is roughly an hour behind us. The Stealth managed to get some specs on the ship so I'll send it your way. If I can help it, you won't be surprised."

"Roger that." Murrue smiled and reached over to stop the transmission, but Mu cut in.

"Lexi, is Namarra still with you?"

Just the way he put it made her hesitate. The girls had agreed to share their plan with the main captains and pilots, but since no one really had the right to stop them, they had all heard the plan and not much more. Even Cagalli had remained silent, surprising Eclipse at first until her and Athrun shared a look, practically declaring they had talked about it. Kira had added himself to the list of "Agree and don't argue" after he glanced at Mu. The adults looked to be the most worried, but that was to be expected. Hearing the concern in Mu's voice, however, was interesting. Eclipse knew he and Namarra had formed some kind of bond—much like between her and Waltfeld—but she had never expected it to be anything more than acquaintances. Perhaps she had underestimated Namarra's tie to the Three Ship Alliance after all.

"Yes, she's fine and heading back with me."

"Good," he said, but sounded more skeptical than assured. Despite that, he nodded to Murrue who finally ended their end of the transmission.

"How you holding up?" Waltfeld asked, apparently not as startled as the redhead had been. "I'd suggest grabbing a bite once you get in, but you youngins have a tendency to fast before a battle. Not sure if that's a good thing."

"In a mobile suit, it's a very good thing," Eclipse responded, wanting to add in that he should already know how hazardous vomit in a helmet could be, but held back. He didn't seem amused by her response and she frowned, crossing her arms across her chest after she put the water bottle back in the cubby. Staring at the screen, his normal, contemplative face was flipping into a frown. If she didn't know him any better, she would have said he looked nervous. "I've never known you to get upset."

"I am human, Lexi. Besides, I was just thinking and you happen to be where my focus point usually is."

"I would say keep thinking that hard and you'll get wrinkles but…." She trailed off and heard others laugh on the bridge. One voice was unmistakably Lacus and the other was probably DaCosta.

"Hey now, it's a sign of wisdom." They all shared a laugh after that—even Waltfeld's seemed genuine—but Eclipse cut hers short, hearing Namarra's cackle added into the mix. Frowning, she said goodbye before confronting her other problem.

Namarra's transmission opened soon after. She was leaning back in her seat, legs crossed and her hands behind her head. One eye was closed as the other pupiless one stared at her. She smirked.

"Aw, how cute. Daddy checkin' in?"

"Just giving my report."

"Ah." She closed the eye and took a deep breath. "I'm glad I don't have Daddy-Dearest glancing over my shoulder."

"You and Mu seemed to be getting along well. He even asked if you were coming back. That sounds a little Daddy-ish to me."

She shrugged. "He's one of the few who doesn't treat me like a kid."

"Apparently, you are."

"Kinda sucks knowing you've been taking orders from a near-fifteen-year-old, doesn't it?"

Eclipse felt like saying something sassy—complaining about how they've just been helping each other and not necessarily taking orders—but common sense took over and she clamped her lips shut. There was no point in taunting the Berserker any further. In fact, she had to start coming up with a way to bring Namarra back. Sighing, she turned off the video transfer, but kept on the communication just in case. She had forty minutes to come up with something, but a part of her wondered if she should wait. Amazingly, it wasn't her Berserker half who suggested the idea and even more surprising was how quickly she decided. Knowing Namarra to be so emotional when it came to her brothers, she couldn't trust her in the coming battle. So, that meant the only option was a little teamwork with the Berserker if she didn't change back on her own by then.

Hah, more wishful thinking.


They arrived at Mendel forty minutes later as Eclipse had predicted. Lacus had asked her to come to the Eternal and even offered to the Berserker, but Namarra headed to the Archangel instead. The redhead almost followed—not liking the idea of her going rampant in the ship—but both Namarra and Lacus had insisted she would be fine. After watching the Berserker's hold wane throughout the forty minutes—for once positive thinking worked—the redhead figured nothing could go too wrong.

Lacus met her just outside the hangar, her traditional pink and white garments morphing into a black skirt-like kimono. An interesting change of pace that matched her well. "Thank you for coming, Miss Lexi."

Eclipse shrugged, not really sure what the big deal was. It might have made more sense if Waltfeld had asked to see her, but Lacus?

"We want you to talk to him." Cagalli opened the hangar door behind them and joined in. Apparently, this was planned because Eclipse was the only one startled.

"Him? Talk to whom?"

"Kira," Lacus explained, putting on a half smile as if to soften the blow.

"Everyone's nervous that you and Namarra aren't as—well—" Cagalli paused, her eyes shifting uncomfortably. Lacus smiled to give her a confidence boost, but it didn't make Eclipse feel any better. "They're worried you're not that faithful to us."

"And talking to Kira will help? How?"

"Please, don't get offended, Miss Lexi," Lacus continued. "But everyone knows you and Kira don't get along and there are so many people who count on him. With everything about to happen—"

"I should make peace with him," Eclipse finished and the girls nodded.

Ever the budding diplomats.

Sighing, she scratched her head. Seemingly, it was a small problem. Two pilots who didn't exactly see eye to eye weren't uncommon, but when one of those pilots had the tendency to have her own agenda and the other was the equivalent to the perfect hero, there was bound to be some repercussions. No doubt she had some pull with Orb and the Eternal, but even if she had spent some time working on the Stealth in the Archangel hangar, her past exploits spoke for themselves.

Neurotic.

"Should I really be worrying about my reputation this much?"

"It's not all about your reputation," Lacus began. "Kira's expressed his own skepticism, especially after you left for that EA ship."

"You just need to calm his nerves so you're not all butting heads in the fight." Cagalli draped an arm over her shoulders. "You've fought with Athrun and Dearka so you know them well. And we all know how easy it is to trust Mu on the battlefield." Eclipse and Lacus nodded. He was probably the most versatile pilot they knew. "Kira's the one you have bad history with," she continued.

"But we seem to have this mutual understanding that even if we don't talk to each other, it doesn't mean we can't trust each other in a fight." Shaking her head, Cagalli stepped back to cross her arms and Lacus folded her hands. "What?"

"Miss Lexi, it's a simple request."

"Lacus, I have other things I need to prepare for."

"Lexi." It was Cagalli that time, turning the redhead around and pushing her through the now open hangar doorway. "You need to do this for yourself too."

"What, you my therapists now?" she asked, but the two merely waved as the door shut between them.

Kira was in the Eternal hangar, as expected, near his suit. Eclipse stared over at him, wondering if she should take her chances and bail or just get it over with. There was a part of her that felt her "therapists" were just biased because they had a relationship with the guy, but what they had said made a lot of sense. After all, Eclipse couldn't say she didn't expect the confrontation, just dreaded it. With so much action coming up, loyalties—and just the comfort of knowing a person could trust a comrade—were anything but luxuries. Staring at Kira, however, made her wonder. Giving her shoulders a shake, she swallowed her pride and walked over to him.

The Freedom pilot looked up as she neared, the contemplative look on his face convincing her he was thinking the same thing or at least wondering if he should trust her or not. "Lexi." He nodded, a hand twitching at his side as if he was considering a handshake. The movement fell short.

She didn't argue. "Kira, I'm thinking we have some things to discuss."

"To put it vaguely, I guess we do."

"You can trust me to have your back."

"You're good in a fight, yes."

"Thanks, I think, but I was just told by some reliable sources that you have a lot of doubts about me."

"Can you blame me?"

She shrugged, surprisingly not offended at his honesty. "No, I can't."

"What you've been doing lately doesn't exactly classify you as devoted."

"It all depends on who you're asking."

"What's that mean?"

She shook her head, not meaning to upset the man, but her tone probably made the response worse than intended. "I'm devoted, Kira, don't worry."

"Is that why you left for that EA battleship?"

"I already explained my reasoning for accompanying Namarra. Could you look me in the eye and not tell me you wouldn't do the same thing?"

"Then are you going to ask me if I would go easy on those three pilots?"

She shook her head again. "I could never ask that of you—any of you—not anymore. I believe I've come to a personal conclusion on that and while I don't like the situation, I'd have no right to ask anyone to put themselves in danger like that."

"So, you're gonna protect them yourself?"

"Honestly? I don't have the power to. But," she continued, holding up a finger, "I can't guarantee my comrade's actions."

"Then perhaps I should be talking to her."

"I think she's starting to understand it's hopeless, just hasn't given it time to sink in. She's…struggling and—to be honest—it's a sad day when a person accepts the fact that a family member is going to die and there's nothing that can be done to change it."

"Then I should be concerned if she's really that uncertain." He made it a statement, but she didn't blame him. "I can't be upset with her wanting to protect someone, but she's making it pretty damn hard."

"As I'm sure Athrun felt about you, don't you think?" She had anticipated a startled response, but instead he gave a weak smile and began hanging his head. "I've caused so—"

"Stop." She held up a hand, but he didn't seem to notice.

"—much suffering. I feel I need—"

"I said stop."

"—to apologize—" Frustrated, she actually reached out and put a hand across his mouth. She was done being understanding. Kira blinked, but seemed to get what she was getting at.

"I guess we've come to accept matters differently. That's fine. Just please stop thinking you're the only one in the world—on this ship—in this hangar that has something to feel ashamed of."

"I don't believe that at all."

"Then just remember everyone in this war has been given choices and acted accordingly. You may blame yourself for a death but you didn't put that person there in the first place."

"Is this supposed to make me feel better?"

She shrugged.

"Then tell me this, do you believe in what you just said?"

Shrugging again, she crossed her arms across her chest. "Not really, but I'm trying to. After all, I'm talking to you, aren't I?" She decided not to mention that his girlfriend and potential twin sister talked her into the confrontation.

Kira smiled. "I guess you are."

"If I can start my road to recovery by making some kind of peace with you, then you can start the same way. Agreed?"

Now he shrugged. "Is there really any reason to say no?"

"I guess not," she admitted and then they shook hands, an awkward movement Eclipse found rather unnerving, but at least Kira hadn't looked on her with pity that time. Perhaps he wouldn't slip as deep into self-loathing as she had anticipated. For Lacus's and Cagalli's sake she didn't want that for the young pilot, but—all the same—she didn't plan on babysitting him. Knowing the feeling was most likely mutual—that time she could confidently say it was a good possibility—they nodded and parted, Eclipse heading immediately to the Stealth while he wandered off to the Freedom.


Namarra stood in the Archangel hallway. At first she wasn't sure why she had gone there—let alone how she had gotten there from the Decay—but it hit her the second she felt the familiarity of the Earth Forces. Usually, it wasn't a comforting experience, but the mere fact that these soldiers and walls used to be in the same army as her family helped her relax. Only the second she looked up and saw Mu did the deep sense of "home" really sink in. She was so startled, she started to cry.

Or was it the other way around?

The man noticed her just as she started, blinking once or twice before her emotion finally registered. By that time, Namarra's vision was too blurred to even see Mu moving in her direction, but she made no motion to either step aside or wipe away her tears. She hadn't bent over, collapsed—anything her young self might have typically done despite her war-hardened personality. Instead, she stood in shock, not even registering Mu's close proximity until he touched her shoulder.

"Namarra?" He made it question which was vaguely insulting. Either he had meant it to be cruel—unlikely—or he had guessed way more about the situation than she had previously shared. "Namarra!" He shook her shoulders then, making her wonder what kind of look was plastered there. Since her view hadn't moved from the same spot on the wall at the end of the hallway, she doubted it was pleasant.

"Uh—s-sorry," she mumbled and blinked, her hands finally coming up to wipe her eyes.

"Oh, don't say that," he replied, the girl hearing the difference in his voice as his head swiveled. Probably to see if anyone had joined them but everyone was most likely too busy with preparations to notice them. Even Mu had his pilot suit on, ready to board the Strike. "C'mon, let's get you cleaned up."

She nodded; what else could she do? The Berserker must have gotten her through the immediate shock and as far as the Archangel because that made more sense than her feet moving on their own. After all, she didn't even think she could step without Mu's grip on her arm.

Damn, she was really messed up.

"They decided to stay."

"I know," he replied, but there was really no way he could have gotten that kind of information. He had anticipated it just like everyone else probably had. Was she the only one who had been hopeful? Who had been delusional?

"They were given the choice and they stayed."

"I know." He walked away for a second to grab something out of the side bathroom. At first Namarra didn't even know where they had ended up, but once the desk and side bedroom came into focus she had a pretty good idea. The only person to have such a grandeur room was the captain and the desk in front of her had probably seen its fair share of pivotal decisions. Of course Mu and Murrue had intensified their relationship; it only made sense. She should have felt nervous, or the least bit uncomfortable, but she was even numb to common courtesy.

"Here." He had come back with a washcloth and started to reach towards her face as if he was going to wipe the stains off himself, but stopped, smiling lightly as he held it out in front of her instead. "Clean up."

Yes, one of the few who treated her like an adult.

Taking it, she started dabbing her eyes, but didn't get too far, fresh tears falling once her shock began to chip away. The cloth stopped around her nose, the familiar scent not helping her stubborn resolve. Mu swore, but other than that didn't seem too keen on comforting her. Probably more concerned about other accusations despite the fact that they were already in deeper shit than sexual harassment claims.

"They didn't even remember me."

"I know," he breathed, leaning against the desk and rubbing a hand across the back of his neck.

"They're coming here, but no matter what—"

"I know."

"—there's still no way I can save them. No matter what my other—" She paused briefly, the words getting stuck in her throat. What her Berserker half had suggested sounded so appealing when they were coming back from the Dominion, but now it just sounded silly. There was no way she could talk the guys into staying at the satellite. By the time they registered who she was, they'd be writhing in pain from the withdrawal symptoms. "They're gonna die, aren't they?"

"I kno—" Mu stopped, cringing a little at his rehearsed response. She looked at him then, the feeling of utter horror and panic beginning to paint itself across her face. She knew he saw it because he pushed away from the desk and bent down in front of her, hands on her shoulders. "Namarra, no matter what, you can't predict the future. Don't give up on them."

"H-how can you say that after all this? Even you thought it was a stupid idea."

"Hey, don't lump me with the other idiots out there who have no faith," he remarked. "Namarra, everyone here is holding on to some glimmer of hope. I'm sure most of the soldiers just want this war to end, Lexi probably wants a normal life again, and even my hope is to protect Murrue and get out of this alive."

"So, I wasn't being naïve or foolish?"

"You are just being a good sister." Giving a soft smile, he ruffled her hair, moving her hand to wipe the washcloth across her face. So, in the end he had treated her like a child after all, but right then Namarra really didn't care. Despite how much he had cheered her up, however, she still felt so helpless.

"All hands, level one battle stations! I repeat, all hands, level one battle stations!"

And it seemed that feeling would only worsen.


Eclipse was already in her suit when the alarm sounded, having stayed there since her conversation with Kira. Staring at the screen, she bounced her foot impatiently near the controls, her bottom leg resting off to her left. She was sitting sideways, the knobs and levers jabbing into her back, but the pain was a bit welcoming. A masochist? Her?

Namarra was late. That was all she could think about. Quite sad, really, because her fellow Berserker could take care of herself well enough, but berserk meant things were handled too well. "C'mon, Nam," she muttered, now tapping her elbow. The Decay was still docked on the Archangel, but even though it was a mere ship away, the fact that she hadn't heard anything was making her nervous. Perhaps she was hoping for the blood-curdling scream to bring her running, but somehow wishing for the Berserker to start torturing someone so she could intervene seemed counter productive.

The announcement sounded through the Eternal's hangar once more, not making her nerves any less electric. She should have been more panicked about the Dominion's approach than Namarra's untimely disappearance, but the battle seemed easy compared to knowing a Berserker was walking around the Archangel.

"Lexi, I need you to launch," Waltfeld said, his voice on the verge of yelling. He had made such a command after the first announcement, but she had asked for a delay. He didn't seem as understanding this time.

"The Stealth hasn't detected the Decay yet."

"And sitting in the Eternal is helping? The Freedom and Justice have launched and the enemy has already pulled the pin out of the grenade. I need you out."

"I don't want to be in position then hear Nam's wreaking havoc in port."

"Look, Lexi, I can't tell you what to do, but I'm going to strongly—and sternly—suggest you get out of here. Be a little more trustful, would ya?"

Frowning, she swiveled in her seat. Now she was having trust issues? Grand. "Addict—"

"No, still on the Archangel."

She sighed. "Got it." Starting her machine, she walked it toward the launching platform and snapped on her helmet.

"Stealth, you're clear for launch," the communications soldier announced. "Waiting on you."

"Roger that. Stealth taking off."

Eclipse had been ordered to stay near the port and prevent anyone from both attacking their base as well as to keep the Eternal out of too much danger. The ship had most of its weaponry armed, but it couldn't do much from the harbor without bringing the whole thing down on top of it. It was enough, however, to keep it out of immediate danger. While Eclipse didn't pay a whole lot of attention to the Dominion forces onthe ship, she remembered enough to give a detailed report later on. Twelve Strike Daggers were docked along with the three machines. With their alliance consisting of a mere three ships, that meant about four Daggers per ship. Bad odds. The Three Ship Alliance may have had nine suits at their disposal, but three pilots were rookies and Namarra's brothers could probably keep at least half of those remaining six occupied. So, that meant Eclipse would probably have to handle the bulk of the Daggers.

Originally, Namarra was added to make a tag team, but after everything that had been going wrong, a part of the redhead wished she would just huddle up under the covers in her bed.

Hah, unlikely, she thought and positioned herself in front of the harbor. Be a little more trusting, huh Commander? She gave an uneasy laugh and brought up the Dominion onto the screen. It really did look just like the Archangel which wasn't a good thing when he came to power. Hopefully, giving the official specs on the battleship to the Archangel meant they had enough of a warning to prepare some kind of battle plan.

Or at least wing it.

"Decay leaving the Archangel," Coffee Addict announced and brought the suit up onto the screen next to the Dominion. It looked normal, but then again, mobile suits weren't exactly known for facial expressions.

"Nam, you know the plan?" She tried to bring up a visual transmission, but the Natural declined.

"Yes, I heard."

Well, she sounds normal.

"I'll cover port side."

"Roger that."

The Kusanagi launched as soon as the Archangel and Dominion were within firing range of each other. The Strike and Buster were already flanking the Archangel while the Freedom and Justice attempted to catch up.

"You're really gonna stay here? According to the plan?"

"Yes."

"Nam—"

"God, just drop it! Yes, Lexi, I'll follow the plan. Do I like it? No, it sucks shit, but there's nothing more I can do without possibly getting people killed. There, happy?"

"Surprisingly, no, but I'll leave it at that."

"Fine."

She should have been content with her confession, but it really seemed sadder than anything. To have to give up on family like that was disturbing. Sure, she would never consider herself a real family person either, but the concept was gloomy; a form of hopelessness that made her cringe. A part of her thought she should keep trying to save Namarra's brothers. After all, Azrael had put it pretty plain on the Dominion. Yes, he was a bit crazy and sadistic, but there was still truth in his words. Those three guys were caught up in something that wasn't their fault. She owed them their lives at least, right?

Still thinking of family, she contacted the Regean.

"Yo."

"Lathan, stay safe."

"You too, sis." And they broke it off. A simple exchange, really, but needed nonetheless. She had similar conversations with Athrun, Dearka, and even Mu before focusing back onto the coming battle.

Here we go.

No one got too far. Given the amount of firepower heading in their direction—not to mention the Strike Daggers and three suits aboard who had yet to launch—it should have been an all-out gun fight like Mu had mentioned earlier. Instead, a voice came over the radio. Eclipse—and no doubt Namarra as well—had recognized her immediately.

"This is the Earth Alliance Forces' Mobile Assault Ship Dominion. Archangel, do you read me?"

Even though the Natural had made the note earlier, Eclipse started thinking the same thing, the Dominion captain had balls, especially knowing the power struggle happening between the Earth Forces and Blue Cosmos. She doubted Azrael would have been the one to suggest a diplomatic approach, so the captain had acted on her own. That took guts. Then again, there was no indication Azrael was even vertical yet so that may have been her only chance to break standard procedure.

"The military has classified you as a renegade ship. We, therefore, demand your immediate surrender. Your ship will be destroyed if you fail to comply."

"She's stating the obvious," Namarra muttered and Eclipse merely nodded, hearing Captain Badgiruel greet Murrue by her name. The redhead remembered feeling that the Dominion captain was hiding something, but to be personal with the Archangel crew? Or was it all pure reputation?

"I regret having to meet you again under these circumstances," Captain Badgiruel continued.

"So do I."

"I heard about what happened at Alaska. Nevertheless, I strongly urge you to surrender so you can discuss the matter with the authorities. I don't have much influence, but I'll do everything I can to help you. You're well aware of this ship's capabilities."

Murrue seemed to think it over. Eclipse didn't have a visual on the conversation, but she didn't need to see what was going on in order to understand it. Based on her hesitation, they really did know each other personally. The redhead doubted the Archangel captain was considering surrendering, so there was really no other explanation. Surprisingly, she hadn't expected that. Perhaps a little selfish of her, but she thought the two Berserkers were the only ones fighting comrades. Now it seemed like everyone was beginning to face friends and family.

War was truly a nasty business.

"Natarle," Murrue began, "thank you for the concern, but we cannot do as you ask. This isn't only about what happened at Alaska. We have serious doubts about the Earth Forces in their entirety. No surrender. No return to the military."

"But Captain Ramius!"

Azrael laughed, making Eclipse's skin crawl. Well, he was conscious after all. Too bad he couldn't have stayed down because his laugh was not something she had ever wanted to hear again so soon. "That exchange was simply fascinating. Oh, Captain, you should be embarrassed. There would be no conflicts in this world if everything could be solved through discussion. Misunderstandings create enemies and when you have enemies, you shoot them."

"Director Azrael!" the captain hissed.

"Damn, maybe you should have killed him," Namarra cursed and Eclipse heard her hit the console.

"Apparently, a pen to the ear doesn't even equal a loss in comprehension."

"Pity."

"Calamity, Forbidden and Raider, launch!" Azrael shouted, cutting out Captain Badgiruel completely. "Today we destroy the indestructible Archangel." And the transmission ended, leaving everyone on the other end deaf for that moment of complete silence; the "breath before the plunge" as Lathan would say.

Taking her brother's cliché to heart, Eclipse took a deep breath. Orga, Shani and Clotho launched, a mere three colorful dots followed closely by the swarm of Strike Daggers. At first she thought Namarra was going to make some kind of kamikaze sprint towards her brothers, but she remained still.

So, she had given up.

Four Daggers sped towards the port. At first it looked as if Eclipse's initial assessment would—unfortunately—turn out to be correct since the troops were spreading out evenly, but two Daggers broke off at the last second and sped towards the Kusanagi. Only one of the Astrays had gotten a chance to launch and given their place on the battlefield, it made sense. Surrounding the Orb ship were many metapolymer tethering strings, the left over skeleton from the colonies in the area. At any other time they might have looked harmless, but if the suits were to launch just as they were passing near one of those wires, the sheer velocity mixed with a direct angle could cut the Astray in half. They were lucky to have gotten the one suit out undamaged, but launching the others right then would mean dumb luck and poor aim had done half of the work for the enemy.

"The Kusanagi needs to move," Namarra remarked, bringing up her buckler to dodge and block one Strike Dagger's assault.

"I'm sure they're on it," Eclipse responded, ducking down and away from her opponent's own shooting. "We'll keep an eye out though."

"Hah, yeah, because we have three eyes."

Swinging out two beam sabers, Eclipse put one in each hand and started her counter. The Strike Dagger proved to be a better pilot than its immediate onslaught predicted, however. Typically, some stray bullets and pitiful charges meant a rookie pilot, but he must have been holding back. She sliced across at his hips, but the machine hit its boosters at the perfect moment and rocketed upwards. The suit's feet swung behind it as it rose, looking off balance, but really the pilot was doing a fairly good job at avoiding her attacks. Given the Earth Alliance had had the machines for quite some time now, it was expected the pilots would be getting better. While it proved to be more of an enjoyable challenge, with the Kusanagi about to be under some severe fire, she really couldn't afford to be dancing with some bimbo.

Pulling the other blade behind the first, she stabbed it up, trying to catch the suit's feet as they dangled just out of reach. It poked halfway through the foot, but did nothing more, probably not even alerting the sensors in the suit. Cursing, she flew backwards away from its own beam saber.

"Since when were these guys good?" Namarra asked, her teeth gritted against each other as she threw her attacker's blade out wide. She gave a well-placed attack across the cockpit, but it didn't cut deep enough, the Dagger's pilot quick on the controls. The Decay leaned in for a charge just as Eclipse had to dodge another thrust from the Dagger in front of her.

It started shooting once the redhead was out of close range, the beams missing her suit by a large amount. At first she thought it was poor aim—despite the previous remarks on how well the pilots had improved—but the assault had been meant for the harbor itself. Eclipse knew she had been edging closer and closer to the port, but hadn't expected the Dagger to be so daring. The small caliber really didn't do much to the satellite.

Just pissed off Eclipse.

Cursing, she charged at the Dagger, slicing up at the beam rifle and cutting it in half before bringing her right arm around to cut across the cockpit. The machine attempted to dodge the strike, but the tip still punctured the metal, searing a gash. Sparking, the controls contorted from the heat then froze immediately after being exposed to space's cold nothingness, but not before some flailing wires had cut holes in the pilot's suit. She heard him scream, but it was more of a wet gurgle, the lack of oxygen outside contorting the wounds—not to mention freezing his veins in a rather slow manner—and forcing his body to go through a series of conniptions the redhead didn't even want to comprehend. Spinning the machine, she damaged the propel system and kicked it away. After sheathing her beam sabers, she pulled out her rifle and fired through the open gash. A mercy blow. She could have left him to writhe—and she was considering it—but with odds against them, her sadistic side would have to be appeased another time. Turning away from the explosion, she glanced over at Namarra.

The Decay was in some kind of hand-to-hand grappling match, neither machine having the mobility nor the dexterity to be attempting the moves the pilots wanted them to. Namarra had torn off the Strike Dagger's head, but the pilot was a stubborn little thing, latching its legs around the Decay's waist and holding Namarra's arms out to the side. If anything, it looked like a good position to self-destruct, but the Dagger pilot seemed more the "never give up" kind than the one with a death wish.

"Don't you dare," the Natural growled, Eclipse knowing she had meant her. "Just give me one second." It was a surprising second, Namarra opening her cockpit a crack and poked her arm out to aim at the Dagger's with her handgun. The redhead could only figure the hatch had been damaged much like her own opponent's and when the Dagger stopped struggling after she fired, she was proven right. Kicking the suit away, Eclipse glimpsed a leaking, red liquid before Namarra did much the same thing as she did and fired, nicking the battery.

"Slimy bastards," the Natural muttered as it exploded.

"That was ballsy. Opening your cockpit mid-battle?"

"Meh, we're out of range from any immediate friendly fire."

Eclipse frowned, but didn't argue. There was really no point.

"Stealth, Decay head to the Kusanagi now!" Waltfeld yelled over the radio. Both girls brought up a visual at once and cursed. "They're trapped with four Strike Daggers heading in their direction."

"But our post—" Eclipse began.

"The Eternal will be fine. We'll manage."

"The Archangel—" Namarra added, but the commander cut her off too.

"Is holding its own. Go protect the Kusanagi."

"Roger that."

Trapped was an understatement. The metapolymer tethering strings were completely wrapped around the ship, making it a present for the drooling mobile suits urging themselves in that direction. Even Shani had seemed interested, his fight with the Justice coming to a standstill. The Forbidden kicked the red suit away.

"Shit," the girls said simultaneously, and sped towards the ship. They added a couple more colorful words for good measure, but it really did no good, especially after the Strike Daggers started attacking the most exposed area of the ship.

The Regean.

"Nam—"

"Yeah, I got this one," the Natural announced, directing the Decay over towards the Strike Dagger ready to slice the Regean's hangar down the middle. She fired off two shots, one going wide, but the other clipping its right shoulder. The hit propelled it away from the transport for a moment, not allowing it the direct attack it was anticipating. It caught itself well, however, readjusting its angle just in time to catch the Decay's beam saber through the cockpit.

Eclipse sped towards the other Dagger as Namarra encountered her enemy. The Regean was putting up a decent fight, but with its limited weaponry and the Kusanagi still tangled up, there wasn't much Lathan could do on his own. Too bad he wasn't getting more than brownie points for effort.

The soldier saw the Stealth coming and did the most drastic thing the redhead could think of. She had anticipated him to return her fire, but instead the Dagger flew towards Lathan's feeble attack and wrapped its body around the weapon. Its fingers bent into the metal and its knees buckled around the side of the transport like a bear hug gone suicidal. Lathan had stopped his shooting—most likely not wanting to cause an explosion—but, given the circumstance, his odds were the same either way.

"Charging Scylla," Coffee Addict announced before Eclipse could even give the command and she was already aiming the weapon when her suit declared, "System go." Hoping to short the Earth Alliance machine out completely without setting off the battery, she fired.

But the Dagger self-destructed before the sparks even left her hand.

"Lathan!"


A/N: Hey guys, definitely been too long this time, but I have been planning a trip. Yup, I'm heading to Germany! Just thought I'd throw that out there. A bit of a vacation and I've been working a lot so this chapter was moving a bit slow. Sorry! It's done now, though, so please enjoy!

I have a feeling some of you are going to be shocked about Nam's age because more than a couple have expressed they have thought Nam to be about 18. Nope, younger. Hopefully, I didn't give any of you literary whiplash, but I've had that planned for a long time so I tried to tone her down. If anything she's rash like a younger teen, but since she's been dealing with military stuff for a while she might seem like she's acting older. Oh well, I'm not gonna explain every little hint about her being younger, but if you really want to see my reasoning or whatnot, just let me know.

I've come to realize that when I made it a goal to explain some of the holes in the Anime, I unofficially announced my OCs the main reason a lot of things go south. Did anyone else notice that? I noticed it the most in this chapter, because they make so many rash decisions to get some kind of information on their other halves and it always seems to backfire in some way. Given, the Dominion was already headed towards L4, but still they kinda lead them there. Ah, girls…

It got a little slow in the middle of the chapter, but there were some relationships/conversations I needed to get out before the main battles started firing up. I know there's another lull in the timeline before Boaz, but the first real battle that the girls are fighting with the main SEED cast basically needs some loyalties talk.

I also thought it was interesting that the series never really showed anyone panicked, especially Waltfeld or the other ship captains. It was like everyone was always calm and in control. I tried to hint at a little worrying on the adult end just because that seems to make a little more sense to me.

And I leave you all on a cliff hangar. Cruel, I know, but this series did that to all of us constantly, so I thought I'd add to the, "What's gonna happen next?" atmosphere. :)

I know this is a little off topic, but I'm kinda curious to know if anyone checked out my "newest" story. It was really a skewed rewrite, but I wonder if any of you read it? (Masquerade in Chains)

As always, shout out to my betas: Death-Scimitar, CSSStravag and Maderfole. I had a quick timeline on this one so applause is recommended!

And thank you to everyone who is still around reading this! Thanks!


Corrections to the Narrative:

Alright, so I gave in to peer pressure and changed Mwu's spelling to Mu. Other than that, the canon's pretty intact as of this moment. The Three Ship Alliance had a warning instead of being blindsided, but I didn't really like how the series made them look so flustered and surprised about the Dominion showing up. So, this served my purpose a little better.


Questions/Gripes:

Yeah a little bit of a lag chapter last time, but thank you all for the comments. I plan on getting a few more runs with this story as soon as I come back from Germany—or maybe even while I'm there—so I hope to cut down on the long chapter breaks. I write more in the summer/when it's sunny so that should be very soon! Thank you all for sticking with me though.


See you next chapter!

Strata