Chapter 9: Aftermath
"Damage report!"
"Sir, we lost primary weapon controls at dangerous levels! Fireteams are conducting emergency procedures!", the intellegence officer haphazardly reported to the black uniform.
"I-Impossible..." said Ades as he regained his composure after seeing how the unknown Mobile Suit had blocked the Vesalius' beam cannons with a strange barrier emmitting from it before a blast from the G-Weapon rocked the ship as it caused severe damage. "At this point, we cannot continue on with the assault"
"This is a rather unexpected turn of events indeed." said Creuset whose eyes didn't leave the viewscreen depicting the 00 Raiser as he regained his footing. However despite this, small smirk appeared under his mask as he was both amazed and amused at the sight of the mobile suit and its capabilities.
Not only it was capable off dealing with the best pilots from the Academy with state of the art mobile suits, but also to its special abilities that emitted from its binders, that being the field it had formed earlier that saved the Alliance vessel from its imminent fate.
As he looked at those particles, he began to recall all that has happened ever since it showes up all of a sudden. His team's medical examinations and those particles may hold something for him if he had the chance to fight the machine, given that he could be killed because of its performance. But in a long run, this could be interesting for him.
"Sir, the enemy ship is moving towards the legged ship." reported the Vesalius' operator which only added more pressure to the captain. They had taken enough damage and fighting on would be too risky, adding to the fact that only a single GINN and the Aegis remained from its original seven team of mobile suits.
"Lady Luck doesn't appear to be with us this time…" answered Rau who saw that fighting would be useless as of now. "We need to fall back. Better to livr to fight another day"
Ades didn't say a word following that and he motioned the helmsman to turn the ship around from the three Alliance vessels.
"Montgomery, this is Setsuna F. Seiei of the 00 Raiser. What's your status, over?"
Static came through the speakers, until a fuzzy image coalesced on the 00 Raiser's monitor. Smoke filled the bridge of the Alliance battleship, with their mechanics repairing the ship at the best they can. Through the smoke, Setsuna could see Captain Koopman. The Alliance Captain looked harried, which wasn't a surprise considering the state of his command.
"We read you, Raiser. Thanks for the assist" Koopman said to the Gundam Meister. "The Montgomery isn't moving any time soon. We gonna need the Archangel to give us a tow and the Law will rendezvous as soon as possible, over"
"Understood. I'll connect you to Captain Ramius, over.", Setsuna said before he opened a channel to Kira, who was breathing exhasparately from the pressure. He nearly failed in protecting Flay's father from certain death, and it was only through Setsuna's intervention that stopped it. His chest felt heavy, because even though it didn't happen thankfully, the near-catastrophe took a toll in him, feeling like a fool for nearly failing his friends at that matter.
He heard Setsuna's voice over the comms that made him snap out of it. "Kira, look over the Montgomery and see that they'll have a safe transfer to the Archangel while I'm heading for the Law."
Regaining his senses, Kira complied. "Yes"
Seeing his protegé's rather worn appearance, the Gundam Meister added. "You did well, Kira", he told the Strike's pilot. "Rest up as soon as we return to the Archangel. We'll resume our practice as soon as your ready"
"I'm relieved to see we got here in time Captain," Murrue stated to Captain Koopman as soon as she made contact with the Montgomery.
"As am I, even if that meant disobeying orders. Several of my crew are launching a shuttle with our wounded and Foreign Minister Allster. We don't have the means to care for the wounded, or the weaponry to guarantee his safety any longer," Koopman replied. A medium-sized green shuttle left the intact hangar bay of the Nelson class battleship.
A pair of Mobius units from the Law that had survived joined up with the 00 Raiser while the Strike escorted the shuttle towards the Archangel. Kira didn't want to run the risk of ZAFT returning and taking that shuttle down, so he remained until the shuttle had entered the hangar.
The 00 Raiser and the Strike soon followed as the G-Weapon had detached the Launcher Pack. Exiting their machines, Kira and Setsuna looked at the shuttle to see the its door open and revealed Foreign Minister Allster escorted by two Alliance Marines.
"That was close…" muttered Allster, scratching his head. "But… I still can't believe we lost the Bernard…."
"Daddy!" cried Flay happily she pushed herself down towards her father.
"Flay!" exclaimed Allster, wrapping his arms around Flay as she crashed into him.
"You're okay…" sobbed Flay, clinging to her father's suit. "Just like he promised…" Smiling, Flay turned slightly to look at where the two pilots were watching from afar.
"Thank you Kira! Setsuna!" called Flay, waving her hand towards the two where Kira gave a slight smile, as did Setsuna, though it was smaller.
The man looked around the hangar, looking at the three. He quickly noticed Kira's flight suit and guessed that he was the pilot of the Strike while the other had a different flight suit, whom he mused was the pilot of the other machine. But he let out another smile as the father and daughter go for another crushing hug.
"Daddy, I'm so happy you're okay!" Flay continued.
"Of course I am honey," Allster said, a little tired, "that sure was a close one!"
The Foreign Minister then set his sights on the two pilots, walking over them as they stood in attention "So you're the two who saved me and my daughter?" the older man asked, looking Kira up and down and then Setsuna, "May I know your names?"
"Kira Yamato. Pilot of the Strike", the brown-haired teenager said to him
"Setsuna F. Seiei. Pilot of the 00 Raiser", the raven-haired young man added.
The man held up his chin, studying Setsuna as he observed him and his machine. "Your G-Weapon is very impressive. But I have never heard of any report of a sixth unit being made"
The statement took Setsuna back as Allster continued. "I'd assume that special forces made their own without notifying the regulars or another was built after the original project. Either way, you two have my thanks"
Setsuna was about to say something in defense of his machine or its capabilities but nonetheless went along with it, sparing him any hassle because of it. On the other hand, Allster continued to study Kira. While he isn't any good in military matters, he was shrewd as a politician and he was using his judgement to figure out if he was there was something about Kira that he hadn't know yet.
"Well...thank you for saving us again. Could you take us to the Captain...what are your ranks?"
"Special Forces Commander", Setsuna lied, using the fake identity Murrue and Mu gave him back at Artemis.
"A volunteer", Kira said, rather dejectedly.
"A volunteer?", Allster said, surprise. "But you're too young!"
"With respect Mr. Allster, but Kira had been a great help at protecting this ship and your daughter", Setsuna said in defense for his protegé who looked down bashfully. "Surely age wouldn't be a such a hassle at that"
"I know, but to put children in mobile suits...", he started, trying to find a reason to meet Setsuna's sentence but couldn't find any. "Anyways, I need to have a word with the Captain."
Kira and Setsuna nodded as the two led the minister to the bridge while Flay left for her quarters. She gave an apologetic look to Kira for her father's comments about him. Smiling at her support, the two went along their ways.
Meanwhile, a heavily damaged ship that assaulted the fleet floated around the depths of space, awaiting reinforcements and repairs impending. Its hangar was almost empty; a GINN, the Aegis, and the commander's CGUE remained. They had beendefeatedonce the Legged Ship and the new mobile suit had arrived on the scene, much to the chagrin to the masked commander.
That wasn't meant to happened. How did the Strike defeat Athrun despite using a pack that has lower mobility compared to the last time? What other abilities does the unknown machine still have, and brought time for the Strike to launch a counter-attack?
The Agni had done a number on the Vesalius, severly damaging the hull. When the fires died down, and leaving burnt and shattered armor plating. It was that damage that was the subject of the meeting currently taking place on the bridge of the blue vessel. Surrounding the map table, Rau stood beside Captain Ades, Athrun and the surviving GINN pilot on the other side.
"Commander Le Creuset, we have to continue the search for Lacus!" Athrun urged, on the verge of losing his temper like Yzak.
"We could if we can," Ades replied on the behest for his commander, "but the ship has sustained severe damage, and your Aegis, a GINN and the CGUE are the only mobile Suits we have left."
"And damaged, with the exception of my CGUE," Rau added, damahed, "returning to the PLANTs would be the most suitable option right now.
And if Lacus dies, this will surely add gasoline to the bonfire, Rau internally mused to himself.
But Athrun wasn't going to let this pass. His fiancé was still out there. And he wasn't going to just leave her behind. Hecouldn'tleave Lacus behind, he just couldn't.
"But commander-!"
"Permission denied, Athrun", Rau chided to the bluenette. "We cannot risk losing the Aegis and your battle with the Strike has already proven that. Going on alone will only add salt to the wounds"
Forcing himself to remain calm, Athrun saluted. "I understand, Commander"
Kira wandered around the ship until visiting Lacus crossed his mind. The girl was singing softly as he approached, in the process of writing a new song. Kira smiled on hearing that, as it soothed his worries earlier.
"Hello Mr. Yamato," Lacus greeted cheerfully when the door opened, "did you come to visit?"
"Yeah," Kira replied with a solemn smile, "it's good to see you Lacus."
Lacus smiled at Kira as he sat in the chair across from her. She liked the visits from him; the two did have a lot in common after all. But what Kira doesn't know that she knew that he was the pilot of the Strike.
"Are you okay Mr. Yamato?" she asked softly.
"You can call me Kira you know," the pilot said with a small smile but Lacus could tell something was bothering the other teen.
"Are you sure you're okay...Kira?"
"No, I'm not," Kira admitted, as feeling the need to open up to her, "I hate this...I hate having to fight Athrun."
"Athrun is your best friend isn't he?" Lacus said, recalling her last conversation with Kira.
"Yeah...fighting him is something I never really thought could happen. And he still thinks I'm being used by the Earth Forces. And no matter how many times I tried to tell him about my friends. I wish he would listen to me."
Placing a hand on Kira's shoulder, Lacus smiled at him, "I'm sure Athrun will come around eventually. And Earth is near, am I correct? Won't you leave the ship then? I mean Mr. Setsuna had been helping everyone aboard"
Kira sighed, "I could, but I can't. I don't want to fight in this war. But I don't want anyone on this ship to be in danger...and if the time comes and he would go, what good am I as a pilot if I couldn't catch up with him? So until then, I have to stay until they're safe..."
"You sounded just like Athrun," Lacus said, maintaining her smile, if a little bit somber, "he hated fighting too. But he wants to protect the PLANTs as well as he can."
Kira let a sad smile cross his own face. He had already known that, but somehow...hearing it from Lacus gave him hope. Hope that the two could peacefully lay down their arms and just return to the time when they were still friends.
And then, someone knocked twice before the door opened to reveal Setsuna, a firm expression shrouding his usually stoic face. "Kira, we need to talk", the Gundam Meister urgently told the boy.
"They're gonna what?!", Kira nearly shouted before a hand covered his mouth that silenced him.
Setsuna shushed him, looking at their surroundings to see if anyone is nearby. Thankfully, no one is at the area at the moment. "They're suggesting to use Lacus as a hostage against ZAFT, in hopes that holding her would have them sue for a ceasefire. But what they didn't know that would only make things worse for Earth"
"But Captain Ramius would disagree, right?", Kira asked, hoping for a better solution for the pink-haired girl.
"That is Badgiruel's suggestion, and most disagreed but considering that we would meet with the 8th Fleet anytime soon, I have a feeling that the higher leaders of the Alliance would see this as an opportunity", Setsuna explained to the boy, whose mind was now agitated on what to do.
"But what should we do?", Kira inquired, puzzled. He definetly doesn't want Lacus to be a bargaining tool between two sides but he couldn't really do much as of now.
The Gundam Meister looked at him almost incredulously. "Take her back"
Now the boy was shocked at his suggestion. "What?
"Take her back", Setsuna repeated for him, explaining the boy the possibilities that could occur. "If ZAFT discovers the daughter of their leader at the hands of the Archangel, it would only result of the Alliance being portrayed as barbarians for taking hostages. In addition, it would only attract unwanted attention to the ship, and they won't stop unless they have her back"
Kira couldn't agree more on that but he was just a volunteer, no authorization from the military whatsoever. "Can't you do it then?", he asked lamely, asking himself why did he do that just now.
The Gundam Meister sighed. "I have no say regarding the matter but I felt you have the obligation on bringing her back yourself. You did bring her here after all", Setsuna reasoned out. Not because he wanted to be involved, (He hated taking hostages until the situation calls it) but finds it fitting to test Kira of his convictions, and to take risks at any given situations.
And hearing what they planned to do to Lacus is a war crime from Setsuna's point of view, but he would prefer the boy into doing it himself this time. Kira had often been cautious since their last engagements, even during their simulations, and this could be a step for him to take matters into his own hands.
"The choice is yours Yamato", Setsuna firmly said before turning back from him. "Only decide at your choosing"
"Is there something wrong?"
Kira shook his head, it didn't take long for him to decide his next move, not wanting to imagine what they could do to her. "Nothing. But, I have to get you back to ZAFT."
"But...wouldn't they do something you if you did that?" Lacus asked, worried.
"My friends would probably help actually but I'm not sure if that would be enough."
"But...even if your friends help how could you get me to a ZAFT ship?"
Kira shrugged in response, "The Strike. It's the only way I have to get you off this ship. And I don't want you to stay...I do love talking to you, but the Alliance..."
"What about Mr. Setsuna? Does he know about this?", the pinkette inquired.
Kira looked down, wether or not he should involve the man for all that matter but he shook his head. "I don't know until I find out..."
Naive as she may act, Lacus didn't need Kira to finish that particular sentence. She knew exactly what he was talking about. The Alliance would toss her in a cell, after using her for political leverage against the PLANTs.
And it was something that Kira wouldn't want to happen. "Are you sure Kira?" Lacus still had to ask.
The pilot nodded, "I am. Everyone should be heading to get some sleep after that battle. Come with me to the hangar."
Lacus nodded back. Kira grabbed her hand and pulled her into the hall. Just like he had been expecting, he had waited long enough for everyone to be asleep or well on the way to doing so. The only ones still awake aboard the ship were on the bridge or in the hangar.
That worried him... but Kira couldn't afford to be spotted before he was in the Strike but he couldn't drag his friends into this, meaning he would have to do this on her own. Lacus wouldn't have been able to keep up if Kira hadn't been dragging her along.
Fortunately, they made it to the changing room without any attention. Kira turned his head while Lacus got into a space suit, before getting her into the hangar proper. Once again, Kira looked around to make sure they were alone. Not seeing anyone in the hangar, Kira moved into the Strike. Lacus followed as soon as Kira waved her over. Closing the hatch, Kira powered up his machine, its yellow eyes flashing to life as the cradle moved aside. The Strike walked forward, by some minor miracle no one entered the hangar until the launch hatch had already closed behind it. At that point though...
"Strike what do you think you are doing!" Natarle screamed into the radio, "Stop this immediately!"
"He's got Chairman Clyne's daughter...I think he's probably taking her back to that Nazca," Mu's voice came over the radio
"WHAT?!"
"Nothing we can do either. The catapult is already open. We couldn't stop the Strike even if we wanted to."
"Then send Setsuna and his machine! He can still catch up to them!", Natarle haphazardly suggested.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible", Setsuna's voice came over the radio as he walked over the bridge to see what was going on. "My machine is not fully re-supplied or refitted, and I wouldn't be able to catch up to him at that matter", the Gundam Meister lied, knowing that the 00 Raiser would be able to catch up to the Strike easily but chose to let him go, disliking their suggestion in taking hostages anyway.
And surely, enough they couldn't. Kira had automated the Striker Pack attachment procedure, and an Aile Pack dropped into place on the Strike's back, as the launch countdown flashed.
"Hang on, Lacus," the pilot told his passenger, as the Strike Gundam was shot forward, activating its Phase Shift as it left a blue trail of light behind it.
On the bridge of the Archangel, all they could do was watch the machine fly away, past the Law and the Montgomery, and into the distance and the crew naturally in a state of shock.
"What is he doing?!" Allster shouted, "He can't do that? Can he?!"
"No he can't," Natarle bit out.
"Let him go..." Murrue said, "we can't do anything ourselves."
"What!? Can't you shoot him down or disable the Strike?" Allster protested to which Setsuna sighed in disapproval. 'Did I really save him for this?'
"If he lashes out, that would be a problem made by ourselves", Setsuna argued in a calm tone. "And if Ms. Clyne was harmed as a result of our recklessness, we have one less G-Weapon and a vengeful ZAFT to deal with. Let him take responsibility for his actions. And let him learn from his mistakes'
The crew were silent at hearing Setsuna's assessment. He wasn't wrong for the entirety of his statment, as having ZAFT go after their heads losing the last G-Weapon due to their hastiness to act would result to dire consequences at the matter. All they could do was to wait until he comes back.
"I'm sure Kira will be back," Sai said, as the only one of Kira's friends who could risk talking with Allster around.
Kira was approaching the Vesalius with his weapons lowered. He saw no need to antagonize the already damaged ship. Especially as it was still able to (and did) bring its weapons to bear on the Strike despite the damage.
"The is the pilot of the Earth Alliance Mobile Suit Strike to Nazca-class," Kira began, "I have Lacus Clyne aboard. My ship, the Archangel, recovered her lifepod in the Debris Belt. I am returning her to you now. Send out the Aegis to receive her...only the Aegis."
The Vesalius stopped, and opened its launch hatch. A red blur shot forth, flaring its engines as it flew at the Strike. Kira quickly recognized the Aegis, with a repaired leg. The machine slowed to a halt as it got closer to the Strike. Once again, Kira raised his beam rifle at the cockpit of the Strike's sister unit, still not willing to take any chances.
"Athrun?"
"Yes." Athrun's voice came through the comm, getting both Kira and Lacus to smile.
"Open your cockpit."
Across space, the Aegis' cockpit opened up, revealing a familiar red-suited figure. Kira opened the Strike's own cockpit at that sight, telling Lacus to talk into the radio.
"Hello Athrun, it's so good to see you again!" the pop-star called out, waving at the Aegis.
"I confirm Lacus Clyne is aboard the Strike," Athrun said over the radio to the Vesalius, relief clear in his voice.
"I'm sending her over now," Kira radioed, as Lacus left the Strike.
Watching her float over to the Aegis, he was happy that Lacus was safe, but he was also sad to see her go. She had become one of his best friends during aboard the Archangel this time around. Seeing her leave...it was like part of him leaving.
Though, naturally, said pilot turned the moment sad again.
"Kira! Come with us! There isn't any reason for you to stay with the Earth Forces any longer!" Athrun shouted, "You brought Lacus back to us...don't tell me you still trust them if you did!"
Kira's smile grew sad again, "I'm sorry Athrun. I don't want fighting you...I really do. But I have friends on the Archangel! And I can't just leave them. I hope you understand."
Athrun's face bore a surprised look, as he saw Lacus raise a tape Kira had given her, a grin on her face. Athrun smiled despite himself...leave it to Kira to do something like that. But still... it pains him to leave once more.
Without another word, Kira closed the hatch of the Strike and backed away from the Aegis and flew back towards the Archangel.
As he floated down to the hangar deck as soon as he return, Natarle stormed forward, and glared down on the young pilot.
"Do you have any ideawhat you have just did?!" she barked out, causing Kira to flinch in fear but mustered enough courage to say something in defense.
"What was wrong about that?"
Natarle sputtered, before settling for grabbing Kira's arm and dragging him out of the hangar. Allster followed behind, and Kira could feel the force of his glare. The vice captain draghed him into Murrue's office, where the Captain and Mu were sitting with their full uniform on while Setsuna (Due to his fake background and titular status as MS commander) stood beside Kira, who gave him an approving nod of his decision.
Kira was still unsure what that meant, biy hopefully this could still work out.
Mu was holding a law book, just like last time, and Natarle took her and sat down opposite the grinning Lieutenant. Allster settled for sitting next to Natarle and keeping up the glare at Kira while another man, who wore a white Alliance uniform and in his forties, by the name Russel Monroe, who was the Captain of the Law, followed suit.
As Kira moved to the center of the room, Captain Koopman came in and sat down next to Mu. Setsuna and Captain Koopman sat beside Mu. Granted, it may just be because it was the only open chair. Before he could put more thought to that, Natarle's voice broke in.
"The defendant fails to understand how much his actions endangered this ship," the angry Ensign said.
Setsuna raised his hand in objection. "I fail to see how returning a civillian is a danger to the ship", he added, resulting of some raising their eyebrows as he was the one who suggested that Kira would take responsibility.
Then Koopman raised a hand, "Captain Ramius, I ask that the former comment be stricken from the record"
Mu started his own argument, "In any case, Kira here was acting to return a civilian non-combatant back to her home nation. So I plead for leniency for the Strike's pilot"
"I second the motion", Koopman added.
Kira blinked in suprise on how three of them were there in support him. While he could see Setsuna vouching for him, given the nod earlier, he didn't expect Captain Koopman and Mu going along with him as well.
"Under Article Four, Exception C of the Corsica Treaty, we would have been well within our rights to keep Ms. Clyne aboard until reaching Earth," Natarle said, with Allster nodding in agreement. Monroe, being Allster's yes man, agreed with him.
"I was not informed of her being aboard... however, that was perfect chance to force ZAFT to end the war young man!", Allster told the teen, his dismay obvious.
Murrue looked between the two men, somehow maintaining a calm facade. Even if on the inside she was starting to question her hearing.
"In any case...the Nazca has withdrawn, and there are no other ZAFT forces in the area," Mu continued, "so, returning Ms. Clyne was a relief rather."
"And almost lost us the Strike," Natarle pointed out.
Murrue looked down once, before looking back up at Kira. The pilot didn't flinch, or show any signs that he was worried, as if he knew what he was doing and was willing to take responsibility. She was curious on how he was acting more like a soldier than a civilian brought before a court. But they have other important matters.
"Now then, do you have anything to add Kira Yamato?" she asked calmly, "why did you act without authorization?"
Kira frowned at Natarle and Allster, before turning back to Murrue, "I rescued Lacus because she was a civillian in need of help. And after I heard that she was going to be used as leverage, I knew I had to do something. And I couldn't let that happen Captain."
Murrue's eyes widened at the conviction in Kira's voice whereas Setsuna allowed an approved smile at his words. Setsuna then raised his hand, motioning Murrue to gesture the Meister to give his statement in defense for th young pilot. "Considering the circumstances and possibilities regarding Ms. Clyne. Returning her to ZAFT would be most viable course of action"
Raising an eyebrow, Captain Monroe asked. "How so, Commander Seiei?"
Setsuna began to explain, "If ZAFT knew about her being held in an Alliance warship, they will stop at nothing at bringing her back, considering she is the daughter of the Chairman. If we did use her as a bargaining chip, the people at ZAFT and of Earth will view the Alliance in a negative light for using hostages, which I imagine that support for the Alliance would wane from within and ZAFT could use this as propaganda to rally more supporters for their cause. And if something happens to her, Chairman Clyne would have his reasons to do everything necessary to crush the Alliance for what they did to his daugter. So at least in my point of view, what Kira did is not a crime, and therefore, should not be held guilty at the accusations thrown at him"
Every officer aboard looked at him with widened eyes, impressed by his choice of words and they don't see any error of his point. Indeed whatever they could do to Lacus won't benefit the Alliance at the possibilities that could arise, and whatever action they plan to take regarding that statement would most likely not end well for them.
Mu whistled lowly for Setsuna's defence for Kira, while the latter had a grateful look on his face. However, Murrue continued to read over the book to issue her verdict on the young pilot.
"Kira Yamato's actions are in violation of Military Law...Article 3, Section B...Article Ten, Section F...and Article 13, Section 3," Murrue said, "as such, Kira Yamato is subject to the death penalty."
Kira had a look of shock, betrayal, and fear cross his face. He knew what he did was right, and yet they would go thay far. He could see Setsuna remaining calm despite the verdict. Oddly enough, he noticed even Allster and Monroe looked a bit uncomfortable about that. They weren't idiots but having teen being executed is beyond them.
"However, that is in the context of a court martial. Military Law has no provisions for sentencing a civilian," Murrue continued, "so I call upon Kira Yamato to carefully consider his actions from now on."
Kira's expression began go brighten upon hearing her word while Setsuna, Mu and Koopman felt relieved it hadn't come to this. He mentally thanked the Gundam Meister for standing up for him, and those who supported him.
"Wait a minute!", Allster interjected. "While I am relieved that the execution is set aside, but surely he can't walk away scotch free?", he asked, knowing that the boy still violated some standard protocols.
Murrue sighed. "For unauthorized use of military equipment, Kira will be confined to his room until we reach the 8th Fleet. He will only be allowed out for maintenance duties on the Strike, or should a combat situation arise."
"In other words, don't do something like that without permission kid," the older pilot said with his signature grin as he placed a hand on his, "at least let me know first!"
Kira, grateful at them, sputtered. "Thank you so much!"
The rest of the officers then left the room, with Kira and Setsuna being left last in the room.
"Thanks for standing up for me, Setsuna", Kira said to the Gundam Meister to which waved his hand in dismissal.
"You only did what was right for your everyone. If anything, I should be thanking you. For believing in what you felt was right not just for her, but for the whole crew", the Gundam Meister answered back as Kira smiled at him and the two exited the room and, unsurprisingly, found Kira's friends outside, worried for him.
Seeing that he isn't needed, he left the boy to explain everything for them as he returned to his quarters.
"What did you just say happened to Setsuna?", Lyle asked, flabbergasted at what Ian told him. The two were inside an office at a hidden Celestial Being outpost in outer space. The mechanic had called Lyle for a meeting, thinking of ways how he could solve this, now that they had a missing Gundam Meister.
"All I know is we were testing the repaired 00 Raiser's Trans-Am system but then, he suddenly vanished after utilizing the Quantum Teleportation System", Ian tried to explain, rubbing his temples. "We tried searching for him and his machine through scanning all over space but we can't find any trace of Setsuna or his machine"
"Does Ms. Sumeragi know anything about this?", Lyle asked, crossing his arms.
"She does and she's not happy about it. The reason why we called you here is because we need your help at locating and rescuing Setsuna", Ian told him as he looked at the void of space worriedly for the Gundam Meister, hoping for the best that he is all right, otherwise Neil will most likely haunt him beyond the grave.
"How am I suppose to find him then?", Lockon asked, raising an eyebrow. "I thought my machine is still in development"
Ian didn't say a word but motioned Lyle to follow him, and they walked up to the hangar where the younger Lockon widened his eyes at seeing Cherudim Gundam repaired, with additional upgrades at its disposal. He had thought his machine had been out of commission ever since his battle against Revive Revival's Gaddessa, and the unit itself was under development under a new name.
"It isn't ready as of now", Ian explained to him as Lyle shook his head a the thought and listened to the chief mechanic. "We managed to scrape whatever funds we had from the Wang fortune and repaired the Cherudim, as well as building a new unit using extra and recycled parts. And while repairing it, we had it outfitted with a few modifications, but are based on the GNHW/B system and of Setsuna's own machine"
Lyle nodded in acknowledgement though he was curious what it could do. "I guess that could work. But how long do you think would it be ready?"
Ian sighed. "Truthfully I don't know, but hopefully ready as soon as possible. We can't afford to lose a Gundam and its Meister"