Nassir walked looked on as flames lit up the night sky. The burning town brought a sense of pleasure to him, though there's one thing he couldn't get over at all.
"Why warn them of the attack beforehand?"
"Weren't you listening? That isn't my style; if you want, you can go on a killing spree and disobey orders if you like," Andrew said as he lowered the binoculars from his eyes.
"Sorry, sir," Nassir saluted and waited as commanded.
"Learn that your vengeance isn't above the law," Abela whispered in his ear with a smirk. Saying nothing, Nassir looked on as the Pilots returned.
"That should've sent a message," Waltfeld said as he turned away, sipping coffee.
"And if it doesn't?" Lisandro asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Then we fight, sir," Waltfeld turned his attention towards the higher-ranked officer.
"No need, remember, this is your turf; you're in charge here," Lisandro replied with a smirk as he and the rest of ZAFT forces retreated during the night.
Snowfall
Deeraj woke up from the blaring alarm and the voice of Sasha piercing his ears.
"All hands level one battle stations!"
Getting up, Deeraj rubbed the sleep from his eyes and rushed out the doorway. As the door opened, he crossed paths with Cleo, the ship captain, stopping slightly; he turned to her.
"Cleo! Do you know what the situation is?!"
"The desert dawn is heading to attack ZAFT forces!" Cleo said as she stopped herself, looked at the young man, his eyes filled with determination. Nodding, Deeraj turned and exhaled, his mind clearing as he rushed off to put his suit on and enter the MS. Cleo couldn't help but smile as she saw that what had happened hadn't affected him; instead, he gave him motivation. Shaking her head, she rushed off to the main bridge herself.
Hanger
"Deeraj, Isa is going out first, but your next; we don't know the size or strengths of the enemy, be careful!" Sasha said through the communication log.
"Roger," Deeraj said as he pressed the right pedal slowly, causing the machine to walk forward. Grabbing hold of the shield, Awaken stepped both feet on the catapult, latching on. Switching on the phase shift armor, he tapped the buttons on the right side, causing the machine to activate fully. After he was done with his procedures, Awaken leaned forward and launched. Pressing down on both pedals, Awaken hovered in the sky a little.
Open desert
"Deeraj, why haven't you transformed?" Isa asked as she aligned herself with Awaken's trajectory. Taking the invitation, Deeraj pushed on both pedals slightly, causing the Gundam to rise a little, and aligned itself ontop before slowly pressing the middle pedal coming down on his sister's air-craft.
"I just have a feeling," Deeraj said as a sensation went up to his spine, making him react quicker. Moving the left arm and angling it, a missile bounced off his shield and into the air. Only three? Deeraj thought as he tapped a button on the right control stick, selecting the beam sniper, making his machine reach for it and grab hold of it. Aiming, the screen targeting system locked on, taking the shot. Lower! Doing exactly that, he aimed a little lower and fired. The beam traveled through the air and connected with the side of one BaCUE. Isa flew past the group as they turned their attention towards the white mobile suit; turning around, Deeraj pushed down on both the left and right pedals and pushing the left stick forward, jumping horizontally off Isa. Leading with his shield upfront, the BaCUEs fired off missiles into the air, hitting the shield with pinpoint accuracy, causing the missiles to hit their target. Letting go of the shield, Deeraj put away the sniper and grabbed the two beam sabers on his back skirts. Before he could make a move, little flashes below the BaCUEs caused him to stop what he was doing, pressing down on both pedals, causing Awaken thrusters to push it up a little. Pulling the right control stick backward, causing the machine to move back, Deeraj took his feet off both pedals and pressed down on the middle pedal, making the machine descend downward.
"Why are they here?!" Isa's asked out loud as she flew around, shooting off rockets at the BaCUEs sensors, though she hit the neck of the machines as they moved their heads to avoid the missiles.
"Isa! I'll handle them! We don't want any strays to hit the resistance accidentally," Deeraj called to his sister as he pushed down on the pedals again, as the BaCUEs made easy work of the resistance. "Your opponent is me now!" Deeraj said he pressed the fire button on the left control stick, causing the Vulcan to shoot. Aiming where the two were going, he landed in front of them, activating his beam saber. While that happened, the BaCUEs spun around him in both counters clockwise and clockwise. Taking the control sticks, Deeraj spun around clockwise, causing dirt and sand to rise from his thrusters. Now with their vision filled with sand, Deeraj waited for a second. There! Deeraj felt a sensation in his head, making him lunged forward, slicing vertically with his left beam saber cutting the ZAFT unit in half.
Please help us, Deeraj! Niky's voice came loud and clear, making the pilot turn around and rush forward. Putting away the beam saber in his left hand, Awaken burst out of the cloud of sand with its left hand extended. Grabbing hold of the BaCUE's hand, Awaken turned it over and stab into the belly of the machine, still hovering a little thanks to the thrusters, piercing the cockpit, killing the pilot instantly. Stepping on the left pedal, Awaken stopped and slid to a halt, taking out and deactivating the weapon and putting it away. Turning around, Awaken's head tilted down to the group, were Cagalli, Ledonir, and Niky all looked up towards the machine, Cagalli holding another person in her arms. The big male grabbed Cagalli and Niky by the shoulders and nodded, running away from the combat zone. With the sand now clear, Deeraj caught a glimpse of the jeep Andrew was in and went to follow it.
Before he could take a step, Deeraj looked to his left and pressed down on both pedals, making Awaken jump, causing two missiles to miss their initial target. Landing next to his shield, Awaken grabbed hold of it and readied itself for another skirmish.
"A new model?" Deeraj asked no one in particular as he stared down a purple machine. Switching through his weapons cycle, he picked the bazooka and held up his shield and weapon as he aimed. This feeling, is it Nassir? Deeraj thought as two Ginns joined the purple machine and rushed down the hill. Awaken held up its shield and let go of it at the last second before ducking underneath. The first GINN slashed horizontally, cutting the shield right through, grazing the tip of the Gundams head; not armed with standard weaponry, these GINNS have heated blades that are said to be on par with beam sabers. Jumping back, Awaken readjusted its aim and took the shot. It hit the eye of the Ginns face, causing its main camera to be destroyed. Landing on its feet, Deeraj pushed the right control stick upwards and fired again, hitting the shoulder, putting away the bazooka. Awaken's thrusters moved it forward as Deeraj cycled for the beam saber on its back, grabbing hold of it, Deeraj moved its right arm to slice downward, though the pilot jumped back, not in enough time to avoid a scratch, but enough so that it wouldn't kill him. The GINN fought back, sashing horizontally at the torso; Awaken leaned back as commanded by Deeraj and front kicked the long sword out of the Ginns hand. Now having no weapon, the GINN stopped its movements in disbelief; taking advantage of this, Deeraj sliced diagonally, cutting the torso in half. Turning its head, the other Ginn fired off a bazooka round side-stepping the missile. Deeraj pressed on the pedal right pedal, making him run forward, pressing down to the max; Awaken's thrusters quickly moved them forward. The Ginn reacted by throwing away its bazooka and taking out its long sword, and machine-gun the sword heated up in time to meet with the beam saber. A flash of light emitted as they made contact, pushing off the other, the Ginn rushed in again, slashing diagonally. Seeing this, Deeraj maneuvered Awaken's hand to twist its beam saber to the ice grip parrying the attack. Pressing down on both pedals, Awaken jumped a little, reeling its arm back and punching the face of the taller MS, sending it crashing into the ground. Readying to finish it off, Deeraj stabbed forward, only for him to be pushed to the side, taking him off guard. Awaken stumbled a little, almost falling in the sand, but Deeraj managed to stop it from doing so, turning his machines head to look towards the purple machine. Nassir?! Deeraj thought as he readied his machine, taking a stance before he squinted his eyes. No, it isn't; this is... someone else.
"You must be the natural Nassir was talking about; your name is Deeraj, right?" A female voice entered his ears, sounding a little too chipper to be on the battlefield. "My name's Abela! Nice to meet you, let's have fun!" The Gatling gun on the left arm started to spin and fire; bullets went towards the white mobile suit's direction. Pressing the right pedal, Awaken moved to the right away form the resistance; while he moved that way, the bullets followed. Stepping on the left pedal, making Awaken come to a stop, Deeraj pressed down on both pedals, rising in the sky. Moving slightly to the right as the bullets tried and followed him, Deeraj mind reached out to the other pilot, abling to predict her movements somewhat. Taking advantage, Deeraj cycle through the weapons, took out the beam sniper rifle, and held it with both hands, the left hand supporting it, effortlessly dodging her shots towards him while trying to adjust her aim. Firing off a shot of his own, the beam hit its target, which was the Gatling gun. Throwing it away, Abela jumped away from the explosion. That accuracy is inhumane! Using this to his advantage again, Deeraj rushed down, putting away the sniper, and threw a jab towards the face area. However, Abela had different plans, as she quickly brought up her shield in time to block the hit, shocking Deeraj. "I'm no Ginn!" Abela yelled as she threw his hand away and jumped up, swinging her sword, slashing horizontally across the chest. Gritting his teeth, Deeraj pulled back on the left control stick and moved his left foot, roundhouse kicking the purple suit in the face, sending it to the left. Abela thought quickly and steeped in both pedals, causing her to rise and landing on both its feet. Landing on its feet, Abela looked at the white mobile suit, its eyes gleaming blue towards its opponent. Tightening her grip, she rushed forward, her machine slowly running through the desert before the thrusters came in. Deeraj took out his beam saber and ran forward a little as well. Look out! Niky's voice made him turn his head to the left; seeing a missile coming towards him, not having time to doge, Deeraj pressed the fire button on the left control stick shooting its Vulcan's at the missile, destroying it. Though it created the perfect smoke for the Abela to take advantage of, his mind felt a sensation through it, making him take his free left hand and move the torso to the left. While he did that, Awaken's left hand came into contact with Abela's sword, pushing it away from her target. Shocking her, Deeraj catalyzed and closed lined the machine with the same hand.
Abela bit her lips as she felt gravity pull her, and her machine slammed down to the sand; looking up, she saw sinister blue eyes staring back at her. Taking its beam saber and backhanding it, the white Gundam moved its arm and placed it over her cockpit. So many things started to run through her head, was this really the end for her? Defeated by a natural? No, this isn't a normal Natural, no way! Abela closed her eyes as she waited for the sweet embrace of death, though it never came, as a missile shot the back of the White Mobile suit, throwing it off balance. Turning around, the second Ginn from before had risen and moved towards the Gundam. "Stand down! This pilot isn't an ordinary pilot!" Abela pleaded with her comrade.
"No! I'll make way for you to get out of here!" the Pilot called out as he fired more bazooka shells at Deeraj. Awaken turned around and faced the Ginn, using its thrusters to rush towards it. The Ginn went to grab ita long sword, only of it to be shot off by another approaching enemy, the Aile Strike Gundam. Stabbing forward to the now vulnerable Ginn, Deeraj hit the engine, causing the MS to explode after a few seconds. Seeing this, Abela managed to get herself up, filled with rage, that her comrades died at the hands of a natural.
"Abela, it's time to retreat," Lisandro's voice called for her on the monitor.
"B-But!"
"That's an order; we've already lost two suits; we can't afford to lose you too,"
"Yes, sir," Abela turned around and ran away from the battlefield. Deeraj turned around as the exploded Ginn flames fumed behind him, looking at the purple suit retreating. Turning around, Deeraj walked around the fire, and the small group of individuals huddled in a circle. Opening the hatch, Deeraj took off his helmet as the strike landed on the opposite side of him.
"Good work Deeraj, I'm glad you're on our side," Isa said as she landed beside him.
"Yeah," Deeraj replied as he took the rope down from the cockpit; Deeraj looked up to see Kira slaps Cagalli in her face on the brown-haired boy, an angered expression wore on his face.
"What the hell can you protect with just feelings?" Kira asked, clenching his fist. Leaning on Awaken's foot, Deeraj noticed Niky walking up towards him, so he got off the foot and met her halfway.
"Your heart, it's screaming in pain," She noted.
"Yeah," Deeraj replied as he looked down, away from her eyes.
"Was it painful?"
"Yeah," His voice cracked a little, though she didn't need to say a word, as she took his head and brought it to her chest, a tear coming down her own cheek, as she understood what he was saying. Isa got out of the machine she was flying and looked at the moment before her, now understanding what Aarav meant when he said, it's good he has someone like him.
With the threat now neutralized, The crew of those still alive boarded whatever truck they can and went home. Deeraj and Isa, however, stayed behind; silence fell upon the two.
"Hey, tell me, what happened between you and Cleo?" Isa asked, shocking her little brother.
"Huh?"
"I noticed you two hadn't been all lovey-dovey like ya'll normally are, plus she didn't sneak out her room."
"Ah, we're taking a break; according to her, she doesn't want emotions to play a factor whether we lived or died,"
"But wouldn't that make you want to protect them more?" Isa turned raised a brow.
"It does; I still love her but, until the war is over-"
"You're not doing anything with each other until the war is over? But-"
"I know, there's no way of knowing."
"Tch!" Isa turned her body and stormed off towards her fighter jet.
"Huh, where are you going?" Deeraj asked, looking up at his sister climbing onboard into the cockpit.
"To talk with someone!" With that, the engines started, and she took off into the sunset, leaving her brother and his Gundam alone. Looking up towards the sun, Deeraj held up his hand and stared at the palm of it.
"N-no! Mother!"
"I-I'm sorry, Emila."
"D-damn Naturals, I-I couldn't-"
"This is the end, huh? I'll be joining you soon."
"Shit looks like I won't be coming home this time, Milla."
Clenching his fist, no matter how many times he heard the last words or thoughts of someone he killed, it'll never change the fact that he had no choice on the battlefield. Coming to accept those deaths was another story, as he still vividly remembers the pain in their voices. If only the war can end! Deeraj turned and was about to get back on the rope and ascend towards the cockpit, only for a sensation and a voice. "Nassir."
As he muttered that name, a jeep rolled through the desert, light shining as it came to a complete stop. Taking his hand, he hovered over his pistol while his old friend walked out of the car.
"Why are you still here?" Nassir asked, keeping his distance.
"I have a better question; why are you here?"
"To pick up one of our comrades, that you barely missed the cockpit too, or did you do that on purpose?" Nassir asked with a smirk.
No, I was intending on killing whoever it was inside, but-
"You put on quite the show; the desert tiger now is fully interested in you, are you honored?"
"I just did what I was ordered to do," Deeraj said as he took hold of the rope, still hovering over the pistol.
"Yeah yeah, I hear you, just know the next time we fight, I'll show no mercy just as you have, blue-eyed devil."
"Is that what you guys are calling me?" Deeraj couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
"Well, considering all anyone's ever seen was the mobile suit, I'm the only one who's seen your actual face; the name came from that," Nassir pointed up towards Awaken. Saying nothing, Deeraj tugged on the rope, causing it to lift him into the cockpit. "This will be the last time we talk as friends! From now on, we're enemies!" Nassir yelled out as he got back in the truck and drove towards the one BaCUE not exploded. Steeping on both pedals, Awaken rose off the ground and hovered towards Snowfall.
Looking as the machine flew away, Nassir felt his face grow heavy as his own words seat in. Prying open the cockpit, Nassir dragged out the pilot's unconscious body and placed him in the Jeep. Riding off, Nassir made it back towards the Desert hideout HQ.
Desert tiger HQ
Abela sat in the room, looking down as Lisandro patted her back.
"It's ok; it's not like we could have predicted the naturals had such capable pilots on their side, let alone an actual OS for them."
"I want him," Abela looked up towards the General. "I want to fight him again!"
"Well, you just missed him," Nassir said as he walked into the room as well, following Andrew.
"What?!"
"He stayed behind and looked over the wreckage he did; it appeared he wished for a different outcome," Nassir said with a monotone voice.
"Bullshit! He was laughing in my face before he was about to kill me!"
"Luckily, he didn't; I told you he wasn't an ordinary Natural, and to not underestimate him, and what'd you do?"
"All I had to go on was, he had quick reflexes and controlled his mobile suit good!"
"He does more than that; I'm sure you can tell after fighting him, care to share?"
"You fought him as well!" Abela argued back.
"Enough both of you," Lisandro commanded the room without raising his voice.
"All this means is that the Naturals had something hidden up their sleeves; we'll need to plan around him more; any suggestions?" Andrew asked.
"He's accurate, almost like a robot; maybe he has a computer helping him?" Abela asked first
"Blue-eyed devil has always had that accuracy; what's worse is that he can move like he's been doing it for years, even though mobile suits had just recently been developed," Nassir stepped in.
"That machine came into a report not too long ago, flying in and single handily taking on multiple mobile suits, even giving the stolen G-weapons a run for their money," Andrew piped in as well.
"We can't forget about the strike, Gundam; whoever was inside of there is dangerous as well. So, to recap, both the Strike and Blue-eyed machine are on our destroy to win list; we'll have to come up with a plan for them both the next time we face them."
"Next time for sure!"
Snowfall, hanger
"What's with the sudden change back?" Niky asked as her right eye blinked in confusion.
"Looking back on it, the wing binders were great at what there designed to do," Deeraj started as he took alose a part of the wings. "Giving me greater mobility while not having to worry about the weight slowing me down. But there's one major flaw in them; I can't maintain the flight capabilities with them on, reason being is that the wings were adjusted for that reason, while the wing binders were just a test."
"So, why are you loosening up the wings? To make them lighter?" Niky asked as she squatted next to him, grabbing a wrench to help.
"Not exactly; the blueprints are right there," Deeraj point next to her feet. Grabbing it, she looked at the details. "I came up with the idea to make them better suited for both flying and ground capabilities at the same time, an all-purpose mobile suit."
"Use it to its fullest extent, huh- alright! Give me the night, and I'll have this ready!"
"W-what are you-"
"Go rest; me and the engineers will take care of this, right?" Niky turned back and glared at the hard-working men. They nodded in unison, gulping in their own spit in fear.
"Are you sure? It's my machine-"
"Our machine, now go makeup with the captain or spend time with your siblings, let the engineers and mechanics worry about this," Niky said, her voice a little more excited than usual.
"Our? Okay, I'll leave you to it then," Deeraj got up and headed for the door, waving her off. Once he left, Niky took the banes that covered her left eye and pulled it back, her eyes different color eyes sparkling with determination.
"Alright, boys! Let's make this present for the ace Pilot useful so he won't get killed!" Niky took command as she shouted.
"Yes, Ma'am!" The crew said as they immediately went to work. Cleo and Isa watched, astonished at how quickly she managed to get them working from a distance.
"If my brother decides to fall in love with her while ya'll on your break, I wouldn't blame him," Isa commented; Cleo shook her head in agreement at first and then turned towards the older sister with a shocked look.
"H-how did you?"
"I'm his older sister for a reason; It didn't take much since he was already thinking about other things."
"Oh, I see," Cleo said as she looked down.
"It's not that I'm mad at you, by the way, at first I was, but on the way back, I let it sink in. Instead of beating the hell out of you like I was planning to, why did you do it?"
"I- I just didn't want our feelings for each other to get in the way of our military duties,"
"But, your job is to command the ship; he is to protect or attack depending on those commands. Wouldn't it be better for him to have strong feelings for the captain so he'll try harder to fight?" Isa asked.
"It's more for me... I can't help but feel like if he's in danger, I have to protect him, even though it works out the other way around most of the time."
"So, you feel that you have to get even?"
"More like, I want to protect him too."
Silence fell over the two as neither said a word for a brief period.
"Did you consider his feelings?"
"That's what makes this even harder; I want him to be happy, I want us to make it so we can continue what we have,"
"Wouldn't he be happier if you're still together? Why not counting, because we are in a war, there's no guarantee-"
"We are gonna survive, my love will make sure all of us will make it through!" Cleo turned her head, eyes gleaming in determination; Isa sighed and smiled a little bit.
"Sure, sure, we'll follow behind your love Captain," Isa saluted.
Dawn, Snowfall Hanger
Niky sighed as she wiped the sweat on her brow, closing her eyes as she looked at the newly modified wings.
"Alright! let's put these bad boys on!" Niky said to herself, as she was the only one in the hanger. Hooking up the hooks on the backpack, she rose it up and pushed the lever to that it was attached to the machine. Climbing inside the cockpit, using the code, Deeraj gave her, she pressed a button, connecting with the machine. "Great! Alright, time to test this, now... How did he say to do this?" Niky asked no one in particular.
"You press this button," A finger pointed to a button.
"Oh, thank you!" Niky said unconsciously as she pressed the button, making the machine startup, and then handled the rest. Pressing another button, causing the backpack to connect with Awaken. Looking up, she saw a woman with a faint smile on her lips; her face struck something in her, though she couldn't put her finger on it. "O-oh, was I being too loud in here?"
"No, not at all, but I don't remember a new mechanic being assigned to my ship," The long red-haired woman said as she leaned on the outside of the cockpit.
"Oh! That's because my files haven't been transferred yet; it should be about a day or so before it comes in."
"Really? What rank are you?"
"Well, I'm whatever rank an engineer should be, right?" Niky said as she looked up slightly, seeing the smile on her face. Cleo chuckled a little bit before getting even more comfortable with how she was standing.
"I see why Deeraj trusts you to touch his machine; he'd only let me do it once before," the red-haired woman said before gasping as if she forgot something. "Oh, my name is Cleo, Cleo Archer, nice to meet you," Cleo extended her hand towards the short white-haired woman.
"Nomi, Nomi River, but you can call me Niky," Nomi said as she took Cleo's hand. Cleo's green eyes shined as they shook, her smile widening.
"I see, so why are you working on Deeraj's machine?"
"This, he said he was going to do it, but I manage to stop him,"
"He didn't resist?
"Tried too," Niky pressed a button, causing Awaken to perform tests. "Amazing, this is crazy; it does the check-up itself."
"Well, I have a question for you," Cleo said as she turned around and leaned her back on the side. Nomi nodded, though she didn't look up from what she was doing. "What interest do you have with Deeraj?"
"It's not an interest; it's more like a connection... I'm drawn to him," Nomi looked up from the panels to answer and then back down, her eyes tracking whatever she could.
"Drawn?" Cleo whispered to herself, and then a beep was heard, making her turn around.
"All done!" Nomi climbed out and stretched her arms and legs. "But why do you ask-" Nomi looked at the captain for the first time, seeing her face. "Y-your the one who hurt Deeraj's heart," Niky clenched her fist as she stared at the women. The tension fell upon the air as Niky lunged forward clocked Cloe in her jaw, taking her by surprise. Stumbling a little bit, Cleo was taken aback before she was suddenly hit again, this time making her fall. Looking up in shock, the white-haired woman's eyes had a fire in them.
"W-what?"
"You're selfish! Did you understand what you were saying that night at all?!" Niky yelled as she asked the question. Cleo was in shock. Was she getting lectured for something she had done? "I heard the whole thing, "wait till the war is over," when there's no telling whether either will survive!? Don't make me laugh! Some captain you are!"
"I've known him longer; you don't know what we've been through; I-It's just too much, Not know whether he'd still be alive again or not."
"Really? Then since your on a break, you wouldn't mind me taking him?" Nomi asked.
"W-what?!" Cleo pushed herself up off the ground and rushed the shorter girl, wrestling her to the ground. "You can't have him! I love him?"
"You do? But from what I can see, you don't."
"I do! I love him!"
"Then tell him that! If he suffered any more, he'd be killed!" Nomi took her collar and headbutted Cleo, stunning her. Punching her in the face, Cleo got off, the white-haired girl huffing. Neither moved as Nomi took a seat next to the cockpit on the railing and leaned her head back, as Cleo slowly walked away before stopping.
"T-Thank you for knocking some sense into me."
"Just know next time, I won't say anything; I'm just going to steal," Niky winked as she closed her eyes. Cleo walked out of the hanger, leaving Nomi to rest for a little bit. Though unknown to both of them a listener was eavesdropping on the argument. Walking out of the shadows, Isa walked up the railing and took the cover she had brought for her, and placed it there.
"Couldn't have said it better myself," Isa said as she turned around and was met with her younger brother's face. "So? What do you think?"
"Hmph," Deeraj smiled as he bent down and planted a kiss on her forehead. Getting up Deeraj held her in his arms and took her to a more comfortable place. Placing her in his bed, Deeraj left the room leaving her to slumber. Though unknown to the two siblings, Nomi lifted her left hand and felt the spot he kissed her at blushing in happiness, and then closed her eyes with a smile.