Author's Note: You'll have to forgive the following chapter, I'm still horrible at battle scenes, so I hope this will be enjoyable.

Phase 11

ガンダム

Nazca - Class Battleship (Vesalius)

Athrun sighed as he stood outside of the commander's office, and cleared his throat, "Athrun Zala, reporting as requested, Sir."

"Come in." Commander Le Creuset called out as Athrun entered. The masked man was sitting behind his desk, data pad in hand, "I'm glad that I could finally find the time to speak with you, Athrun." He said as he set the pad down, "But with the acquisition of four of the apparently ten G Weapons, and the destruction of a Colony...well, you can imagine that I've been busy."

Athrun nodded, "Of course, sir, and I would like to formally apologize for my rash behavior during the last encounter with the enemy Mobile Suits." He said with true regret, "I...I underestimated the pilots of the Strike, and the Gold unit. If it hadn't been for Yzak and Dearka, I'd most likely have self-destructed the Aegis, and been KIA."

Rau shook his head, "I don't intend to punish you for your misconduct," he said, "When you requested to be sent out in the Aegis once before, I knew that you were not yourself. Even you wouldn't risk such a high priority machine on a glory hunting mission." He leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers together as he leveled his masked gaze at the man. "And now that it's all said and done, I would like to hear your reasoning behind your actions."

Athrun had been expecting and dreading that very question. He took a deep breath, "Sir, once again I apologize for my conduct," he began, "The events of this mission have left me more than a little rattled." He admitted frown as he remembered the encounter in the hangar, "Rusty was right beside me when he was gunned down. I was furious...I was ready to slit that damned woman's throat..." he growled, "But...I saw the pilot of the Strike...and it was someone I know. "

"An old friend?" Rau asked with a tilt of his head.

"An old, and very dear friend," Athrun said, "We attended the same Lunar Prep school, and he's a Coordinator."

Rau seemed taken aback, "Is he now?"

"Yes, Sir," Athrun nodded, "I never would've believed we'd see each other again in such a manner, and thought that he was only pulled into the cockpit by the woman that shot Rusty, but after I went out again, it was him inside the Strike, not the woman." He shook his head in disbelief.

Rau shook his head, "Oh, the ironies of war," he bemoaned with a deep sigh, "Very well, Athrun, I'm taking you off the next sortie." He said to the stunned Red Coat, "Before you object, it is clear that you will have trouble pointing a gun at that friend of yours, and I truly have no wish to put you in such a position."

"But, Sir, couldn't I - " Athrun began but the masked commander cut him off with a small gesture.

"Athrun, take into consideration that, while he was once your friend," Rau pointed out, "He may very well be an enemy of ours, now. I hazard the guess that he is a First Generation Coordinator?"

"Yes, Sir, he is, but -"

"Then you really can't expect him to take a side." Rau said with a shake of his head, "Children like him are caught between two worlds, Atrhun. While they are members of our race, their parents are Naturals, and unwelcome by the PLANTS." He explained, "While I doubt that he wishes you ill, I'm quite sure that he would refuse to join us simply because of his parentage."

Athrun wanted to argue, to say that his friend was being used and manipulated by the Naturals, but the words his commander spoke made sense to him. He had met with Kira's parents as a child, and they had been warm, and welcoming to him, even though he himself was a Third Generation Coordinator. And as he was now, he couldn't see himself doing to Kira what the Naturals had done to him.

Then a thought occurred to him, "There might be another way." Athrun said, causing the man to look at him curiously, "The pilot of the Gold unit was female, I know because she spoke to me over an open channel." He said, "When I had the Strike in my grasp, she viciously attacked the Aegis to free him even though her own G Weapon was heavily damaged from the fighting. And when the Strike was freed, and the Gold was out of power, Kira went after her in a heartbeat."

"You think that these two are romantically involved with each other?" Rau smirked with a nod of his head, "To catch your prey, one must use the right bait, as they say." He said thoughtfully, "But with that unit so damaged, do you believe that she will pilot it again so soon?"

"No, she may use one of the others," Athrun said, "But I'd recognize her fighting style easily. She's quick, aggressive and an extremely skilled pilot, especially for a Natural, at least I assume she's a Natural - "

"Yes, let us assume so," Rau nodded, "The Blue unit, is skilled as well, and I believe that the Red is a strictly hand to hand combat specialist from what Dearka's told me in his report." He nodded to himself, "Neither of them pose a great threat, however. From what Yzak told me, the Green is far more deadly than either of those two, and your statement about the pilot of the Gold means that aside from the Strike, we'd best keep an eye on those two particular machines, lest we be killed in combat."

"Now let me see if I have the correct idea," Rau said with a small approving smile, "Your plan is to capture the female pilot that your friend seems to have a relationship with, and use her as a hostage and as bait to lure him into surrendering; correct?"

Athrun frowned in distaste for his own tactic, "Yes, Sir, that is the idea, though it does leave a bitter taste in my mouth to resort to what I could call Natural tactics."

"Indeed," the commander said, "But then again, one must do what one can with what is laid before them," he sighed, "Alright. I'll inform the rest of your team of this plan, but Athrun, they need to know about this young man you're trying to save." He said, making the boy frown, "I know, I know, your business is your own, but should this whole thing come from another party, they may lose trust in your loyalties and your abilities as a comrade."

Athrun sighed, seeing the man's point. Yzak in particular would be furious, regardless of who he heard this information from.

The monitor on the commander's desk flashed and beeped. Rau frowned as he pressed the flashing key, "What is it? I'm in a meeting."

"Apologies, Sir, but we seemed to have caught up with the legged ship." Ades said, "The Gamow is pulling ahead of them to cut them off before the reach Artemis."

"I see," he nodded, "Any word yet from the ships we sent back to deal with the unknown tailing us?"

"We lost their signals just a few minutes ago, Sir," Ades said remorsefully, "We're all that's left. And that unknown ship is less than an hour away at best."

"Then we had best make ready to flee the scene as it were if our attempt on the legged ship goes sour," he said, "Have the four G Weapons prepped for battle. And have the pilots meet me on the bridge for a briefing. Athrun seems to have an idea about how we may yet capture the Strike."

ガンダム

Archangel - Class Battleship (Archangel)

Fumina was helping Kira work on the Strike as the trip to Artemis seemed to be going relatively peacefully. "You see?" Fumina giggled, "Just a little adjustment to the controls, and the Gundam's movements will be much easier to handle."

Kira smiled over at her as they were both seated in the Strike's cockpit, "I know that you've told me about working on Mobile Suits before, but I still can't believe how good you are."

Fumina smiled at him in turn, "Coming from you, I think I'd better take that as a compliment," she said with a small blush on her cheeks as she batted her lashes at him, "Or is that a challenge I hear, Mister Yamato?"

Kira raised his hands in surrender, "Whoa, no, I learned my lesson last time."

"Well, that's no fun," she giggled and leaned against his shoulder affectionately, "But at least you know I'm not the typical girl that's afraid of getting her dainty little hands dirty." She waved her fingers at him to show off the newest grease stains.

Kira laughed, "And you're certainly not the shy type, either."

Fumina shook her head, "But I am shy," she said, "I just know that I can be my self around you. If any other guy I knew wanted me to be the blushing young lady that you thought I was in the beginning, I think they'd dislike what I really am."

"They'd be fools," Kira smiled, "I think I might've lucked out. I honestly had a crush on that type of girl before."

[Don't I know it,] Fumina thought to herself with a giggle.

"So, are you really gonna let that guy take the Astray Gold?" Kira found himself asking, "I mean, you worked so hard on getting your hands on it."

Fumina shrugged, "Yeah, but at least I convinced him to let us keep the other four." She said, "Sure, I'm going to miss it, but in the end, he had a lot of potential to give the captain trouble if I didn't relent somehow."

"Well, I'm glad you did what you could to keep the others," Kira said as he reached over and pulled the girl into his lap, "I kind'a like the idea of having you out their to watch my back, now."

Fumina smirked and tapped her finger against his nose, "You're a better pilot than you think you are, Kira," she said, "You just need a little more practice."

"Not sure I like the sound of that," Kira chuckled nervously.

"Oh, don't be a wimp," Fumina huffed before both of them broke into laughter.

"All Mobile Suit and Mobile Armor pilots report to the bridge, please," Natarle announced over the PA system, "I repeat: all Mobile Suit and Mobile Armor pilots report to the bridge, please."

The pair sighed, "Duty calls." Fumina shrugged before drifting out of his lap and propelling herself out of the cockpit and down into the hangar. Kira followed closely behind her. Fumina had an idea about what was going to happen, but she wasn't sure. Her memory had been getting fuzzy lately, and she had to wonder if she'd taken a blow to the head.

On their way to the hangar, however, she saw something that made her memory snap back. It was Kira's friends, all dressed in Earth Forces uniforms. "Kira!" Tolle called out as he floated toward him with Miriallia, Sai and Kuzzey.

"Tolle?" Kira blinked in surprise, "Guys? What are you -?"

"You all look great," Fumina beamed at them radiantly, before looking at Miriallia, "But Miri, what on Earth convinced you to wear such a short skirt?" She demanded as the girl fidgeted a little as she tried to pull the skirt down, "You'd barely have to bend over to flash someone!"

"I know, horrible, isn't it?" She blushed, "I thought they'd be longer, like Ensign Badgiruel's, but apparently female enlisted have to deal with this."

Kira blushed a little at that, "But why are dressed like this in the first place?"

"We decided to help out," Sai explained with a small smile at his friend. "This ship's undermanned right now, and they could use all the help they can get, even if it is just for a little while."

Kuzzey nodded, "And they wouldn't let us on the bridge unless we wore these." He said whilst plucking at his collar.

Tolle just grinned, "But don't you think the ZAFT uniforms are cooler?" He asked, gesturing to his uniform jokingly, "I mean we don't even get a rank badge, isn't that lame?"

Chandra, who had been escorting the group, frowned in offence, "Alright, wise guy, why don't we ask the next ZAFT ship to enlist you as their practice dummy?"

Kira and Fumina laughed, but the young Coordinator looked slightly worried for his friends, even though he felt thankful for their support. Tolle looked at him after Chandra was through chewing him out, and smiled, "You guys are always doing the fighting," he said, "So we thought that we'd do what we could to help you guys out, especially since you're risking your lives for everyone on this ship, us included."

Miriallia nodded, "We're all in this together."

Chandra smiled, "Alright, guys, let's get moving," he said, and ushered them down the hall before calling out over his shoulder, "And if you guys are gonna be launching again, be sure to get a new normal suit for Fumina. The last one had some tears in it."

"Thank you, Officer Chandra," Fumina waved as he departed, "Let's go, and get suited up. I've got a feeling that we really will be going out soon."

ガンダム

Nazca - Class Battleship (Vesalius)

Artemis had just come into view as the ZAFT pilots gathered on the bridge. "So that's the famous satellite base of the Eurasian forces." Ades said as gazed at the large asteroid ahead of them.

Rau smiled, "Indeed, that is the Umbrella of Artemis," he smiled to his comrade before turning to the pilots, "As you are all undoubtedly aware, we have a limited window in which to capture our quarry." He said, motioning Athrun to join him, "Pilot Zala has a rather unorthodox plan to not only capture the Strike, but one other G Weapon."

As the commander gestured for the young pilot to take over, Athrun steeled himself, "The plan is simple. One of these pilots is a female, and suspected to e romantically involved with the Strike's pilot." Dearka and Yzak scoffed and chuckled respectively, "While I doubt we'll see the Gold unit fighting since it was heavily damaged during the last battle, I can easily recognize the fighting style of that pilot. If we can capture that pilot, and use her as bait to coerce the Strike into surrendering, Rusty won't have died in vain."

Nicole stepped forward, "Athrun, what makes you think that the Strike's pilot will fall for this?"

Athrun and the commander shared a look before the younger man gave a reluctant nod. "Because that pilot happens to be a young First Generation Coordinator" Rau told the group, "And a very dear friend to young Athrun here."

"What?!" Yzak roared. "That's why you've been sulking? Over a traitor!"

Dearka reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Ease down, Yzak."

"He's no more a traitor than Athrun is," Rau said, "I said that he is of the First Generation gene," he stressed, "Which means that his parents are Naturals, and while he may be a Coordinator like us, he can't turn on the Naturals because he would feel guilt in one form or another. I highly doubt he wants to fight against us, either."

"Huh, sounds just like you, Nicole," Yzak said with a sneer, "A coward through and thr - " Yzak never finished as Athrun's fist impacted his face.

Athrun stood over the angered pilot, "Whether or not he an Nicole are similar doesn't matter, Joule," he sneered, "But you will never insult one of your comrades like that again in my presence, is that clear?!"

Yzak glared at him, but said nothing as he wiped his lips of the blood that slipped between them.

"The Gamow is currently about to cut the legged ship off before she can reach Artemis," Rau said, ignoring for the time being the open hostility between his ranks, "Once we engage, wait for Athrun's command, and then converge on the female pilot, and whatever Mobile Suit she may be piloting. If we can manage to take her hostage long enough for Athrun to convince the Strike's pilot to surrender, then we'll have won against the the Earth Forces, and have all five targets as well as the unexpected G Weapon." He said, looking out ahead of them as the ship closed in on the Archangel. "Now get to your Mobile Suits, the operation will commence as soon as the Gamow has them cut off."

ガンダム

Yamato - Class Battleship (Black Pearl)

Marika was standing on the bridge of the Yamato, her eyes locked on the still so far away engines of the Nazca-Class ship. "How long until we're within firing range?"

Eugene turned to her from the helm, "About thirty minutes as the Cosmo flies," he said with a growl, "Dammit, they'll catch up before we can take a shot!"

"We could send out the Mobile Suits?" Dante suggested.

But Marika shook her head, "They're not fast enough, and they'd run out of power before the fighting gets serious," she said, "I am not risking our crew's lives like that." She frowned as she leveled her gaze at the Vesalius. "But at this point, all they have are the four Gundams."

"You said that the Cosmograspers could deal with these kind of Gundams," Chad said from his seat, "We've come all this way, Mom, so why not let us give it a shot?"

Marika bit her lip, "It's not that I don't want to try, Chad, but I don't want to put you and the other in unnecessary danger," she sighed, "And the younger kids -"

"Have been forced to fight, and die before," Eugene finished, looking back at her, "Mom, you gave us all a second chance to live a better life. Now let us repay that by helping you get your daughter back."

Marika looked at the blond boy, ready to cry, "Open a ship wide channel, Lieutenant Sevenstark."

"Aye, Captain," Eugene said as Marika picked up the microphone. "Channel open."

Marika nodded, and spoke, "Attention all hands." She said, "We are currently half an hour away from our goal. The ZAFT vessel, Nazca-Class Vesalius, will be carrying four Gundam-type Mobile Suits. While the four Gundam-types we have will be able to match them in strength, they would run out of power long before the battle could be decided in our favor." She said with a sigh to let her statement sink in, "I cannot ask our Mobile Suit pilots to risk themselves in such a manner. Which is why the pilots of the Sinanju, Calamity and Sword Calamity, and our GINN will be staying behind for the time being." She took a deep breath. "Pilots of the Cosmograspers, and Murasame transformable Mobile Suits will be sent on ahead to harass the two ZAFT ships, and distract the enemy Gundams since they are the faster units. However, they will run the same risk of losing power fast in the distance between our ship, and the targets. The Archangel is capable of holding them off, but not for long, so I will not ask my pilots...I'll beg them." The three young men on the bridge turned to her in shock, "Please...please help me get my daughter back."

Eugene's hands tightened on the helm.

"Commander Kellerne to the bridge," Yuri's voie said boomingly. "Cosmo squad is ready and awaiting deployment orders."

"This is Lieutenant Junior Grade Mizukha," Kusuha's gentle tone drifted from the airwaves, "Murasame squadron all present and accounted for, and awaiting deployment orders."

"Mobile Suit team is standing by, and awaiting orders, Captain," Lafter said laughingly, "You made my muscle-head cry, Mom."

"Oh, shut up, Lafter!" Shouted a sobbing Akihiro.

"We're all ready to fight and die for this, Marika," Yuri said, "Just give us the command."

Marika smiled at that, and sighed, "Thank you, all of you." She wiped her eyes a moment later, "Commander, take the Cosmo squad out, and use harassment tactics against those ships. Do not risk yourselves. Murasame squad, you're to do the same with the four enemy Gundams. Capture them if you can."

"Aye, aye, Captain," Yuri said.

"Okay, Mom," Kusuha said.

Marika choked, and smiled, "Call me captain, Kusuha." She griped halfheartedly. "All hands, prepare for level-2 battle stations, standby for level-1!" She order, "Chad, keep those ships in sight, and Eugene, prepare the rear launch bay for the Murasames. Open port and starboard hangars and load one Cosmograsper each. Send the other two to the upper catapults, and launch when ready."

"Yes, Mom!"

"CALL ME CAPTAIN!"

ガンダム

Archangel - Class Battleship (Archangel)

When the plan was put together, it was as Fumina had suspected. She suggested, however, that she use the Violet Astray's Mirage Colloid to get in close to the enemy ships, and complete it instead of using his Moebius. Mu had admitted that the idea was tempting, but Heero had shot the idea down when he mentioned that the Mirage Colloid used up a tremendous amount of energy from the Mobile Suit, which would also leave Fumina vulnerable.

Kira had, needless to say, backed him up in asking Fumina not to try it. Kou had taken her side in stating that she was probably the best Mobile Suit pilot that the ship had outside of Heero. Allenby was on the fence about the matter. While she knew that Fumina was a good pilot, and fighter, she also didn't want to risk her if the Astray's battery ran down after the system's use.

Murrue had made the call up to Fumina, since she was a civilian, and wanted to follow through with the idea. In the end, Fumina got her way. She and the Astray Violet would be going out ahead of the others with the Mirage Colloid activated so that she would remain unseen until the last second.

Now the four Gundam pilots were stationed in the locker room waiting on the deployment orders. Kou sat on one of the benches with his hands clasped while his left leg was jumping. Allenby was fiddling with the clasp on the neck of her normal suit. And Heero was silently waiting with his arms crossed, seemingly napping.

Fumina and Kira were both standing by the door, both of them nervous for what was to come.

"So you're really doing this?" Kira found himself asking, "You realize that if you run your battery down, the chances of getting back to the ship are - "

"Slim to none," Fumina said, smiling a little, "But I've got faith in all of you," she said, looking at the young Coodinator, "Especially you." She bumped his shoulder lightly with her own. "Whether you want to admit it or not, you're a damned good pilot, and a better person than you think."

Kira smirked, "I hope I can prove you right."

Fumina looked at him, "Kira," he looked at her, "Trust yourself." She smiled at him, "You've survived a lot up to this point, and we will survive a lot more until its all over."

Kou whistled, "That's deep."

Allenby smacked him on the back of the head, "Moron, you just ruined the moment!"

"They were having a moment?" Heero asked.

"I thought you were asleep?" Kou said in surprise.

"Right before a battle?" Heero asked in the same tone.

Fumina and Kira laughed, the tension utterly shattered just as the door opened and Mu walked in. "Well, it's nice to see you're all in good spirits." He smiled at the teens, "We'll all know the plan, right?"

Fumina nodded, "I go out ahead of the ship and activate my Mirage Colloid just as the Archangel is turning to fight, so they won't see me." She said, "Then I go for the Nazca-Class to inflict damage on the engines to make them retreat while the rest of you guys keep the Gundams' attention."

"And while we're keeping them occupied, we try to damage those machines to the point of retreat or shut down," Heero said, "That should be easy enough. The pilot of the Duel seemed to be a hot head, and easily out matched if you keep a cool head."

Mu nodded, "He's all yours," he said, "Also, Rachel wants to borrow your craft, and fight with me out there as my backup." He frowned, "You okay with that?"

"Only if you're the one piloting the Cosmo," Heero shrugged, "As far as I remember, there's only five of them including mine, so I'd rather have it in the hands of someone I know can take care of it."

Mu chuckled, "Oooh, she's not going to like that."

"You're a better pilot, case closed." Heero shrugged, "If she doesn't like it, then she should practice more."

"Fair enough," Mu said, "Thanks for the loan, though. I'll make sure to take are of her." He gave the younger man a thumbs-up. "Alright, are we all ready?"

"Yeah!" Was the collective answer aside from Heero.

ガンダム

The bridge was dead silent as Fumina launched, her Gundam visible for thirty seconds before the Mirage Colloid activated. "Astray Violet confirmed launch, Ma'am," Romero said, "The Laurasia-Class seems to have not noticed. All is going according to plan, Captain."

"Good," Murrue sighed in relief, "Then prepare to rotate the ship forty degrees to starboard, and make ready to engage the Laurasia-Class." She looked below her to Natarle, "Ensign, have the Lohengrin charged and ready to fire once we have a clear shot at the forward approaching ship."

"Understood, Captain, charging begins in T-minus fifteen seconds." Natarle relayed.

"Open all missile launchers, hell darts and wombats, make ready for ship to ship confrontation." Murrue said, "And load anti-beam chaff in salvos one and two."

"Roger."

"Enemy ship is moving to cut us off, Captain!" Said Officer Neumann. "We have locks with the valiants."

Murrue nodded, "On your word, Ensign."

"Confirmed," Natarle said, "Launching Mobile Suits now! Valiants fire! Give them cover!"

Meanwhile, as the battle commence...

Fumina was sweating bullets as she drifted ever closer to her target. The explosions and cannon fire behind her as the two ships engaged did little to help them settle. The Vesalius was speeding up and opening the hangar doors. First came the Aegis followed by the Blizt, Duel, and Buster Gundams. The Aegis seemed to hang back for some reason, but she was able to ghost right by it with Athrun noticing her.

[Just a little more,] she thought as she heard chatter over the radio that had the rest of her comrades launching. [Just a little closer!]

Back in the battle, the Duel was looking furiously for the Green frame that had humiliated him before. He grinned as he spotted the frame bringing up the rear of the advancing suits. "You're mine this time!" The Duel sped toward the Green Astray, the Astray pilot catching sight of him right away and drawing his rifle.

"Astray Green to Astray Red, looks like the Duel wants to settle up with me," Heero said, "You and Blue gang up on the Blitz, and see if you can't disable it. La Flaga, think you and the kid can handle the Buster?"

"Who're you calling kid?!" Rachel shouted.

Mu chuckled, "That's a roger, Green, you got Duel, we've got Buster." He saluted from the cockpit of the Cosmo, "Good hunting everyone!"

The Green and the Duel faced off not long afterward as the stolen Gundam fired on him first, the Green dodging effortlessly and returning the shot that ricocheted off the Duel's shield harmlessly. [He's improved.] Heero thought approvingly.

Rachel frowned as she moved the Moebius closer, "This sucks!" She snapped as she released the Moebius bits, targeting the backside of the Buster, "Why couldn't I use the Cosmo!?"

"Don't be a wine back, or you can go back to the ship and bring back some cheese for our guests here." Mu laughed as he dodged the shots the Buster fired at him, surprised by how agile the Mobile Armor was, "But I gotta admit, I might have a hard time not keeping this thing!" He let loose with the beam cannon.

Dearka was annoyed as the two Mobile Armors buzzed around him, "Dammit, they're just Mobile Armors!" he growled before locking onto the Cosmo with the Buster's shotgun, "Alright little bird..." He smiled as he took the shot.

The shot struck the left wing of the Cosmo, sending Mu into a spin, "Shit! Sorry, Heero! He got my wing!"

In response, the Green Astray turned his rifle on the Buster. Yzak saw the movement, and blanched, "Dearka, incoming!"

The Buster moved just in time as the rifle shot nearly took the Buster's right arm off. "Thanks!"

"Stop playing with those toys, and come help me with this guy!" Yzak yelled as he clashed with the Green Astray once more. "And where the hell is the Strike?"

The Strike, as it happened, was hurtling toward the Aegis, beam saber alight. "Atrhun!"

"Kira, stop!" Athrun begged as he defended himself with his own sabers, "We don't have to do this!"

"Then retreat!" Kira shouted back, "You destroyed my home, and put my family in danger, and you still think I'll join ZAFT!?" Kira roared angrily, "You even injured the woman I love!"

Athrun frowned, [So I was right,] he thought, [It was someone important.]

Just as the Strike was pushing him back, an explosion caught their attention as the Vesalius came under attack. Athrun looked at his monitor and saw with surprise that the missing Astray had indeed entered the battle. Floating above the Vesalius in all its mechanical glory was the Astray Violet as it raised hell across the ship with shots from its CIWs, and rifle.

"There you are," Athrun sneered and broke off from his friend to take on the Astray unit. "This is Zala, I've spotted the target, everyone break off and converge on me! I've got the Strike right on my tail!"

"STOP! Kira shouted as he shot after him, firing shots after the Aegis. Not to kill, but to wing, or injure, but the Aegis was faster and more agile than the Strike, and easily maneuvered around the hail of gunfire.

Fumina must've seen him coming because she was waiting for him as he neared and fired a shot right at his Gundam's head. [She doesn't aim to kill,] he thought in interest as his Mobile Suit shifted form and crashed into the Astray, [Not a good idea in the middle of a battle.] The Astray was crushed int the Aegis' grip as Fumina struggled to get free.

Meanwhile the other Gundams from both sides were advancing on them. The Duel pulled up next to the Aegis and put his beam saber dangerously close to the cockpit, "Lay down your arms," Yzak shouted over an open channel, "Or I'll cut hers off!"

That brought the Astrays and the Strike to a screeching halt. Kira was furious, now. "Let her go!"

"You want her back?" Athrun said, his voice hard and angered, "Then you'll have to surrender yourself, and the Strike to us." He said.

Fumina glared at the Aegis through her monitor, "Like hell!" She snapped, and rotated the Violet's head around so that the CIWs were aimed directly at the Aegis cannon. She opened fire, and Athrun was shocked into loosening his hold on her.

That was enough, and Fumina twisted her Gundam out of his claws, and rocketed back toward her line.

"Dammit!" Yzak snapped as the Duel charged forward -

- only to be shot from behind by a beam.

Rau, watching the plan fall apart from the bridge, whipped around just as eight new Mobile Armors sped passed the Vesalius. The Gamow was heavily damaged from its battle with the Archangel, and was in full retreat as the new arrivals chased after it.

The Blitz was taken by surprise as the Red and Blue Astrays rushed in and pounced on him. Once the Gundam was locked in their grip, both units fired up their thrusters and sped back toward the Archangel with their prize while Dearka roared in anger as he fired after them, coming dangerously close to hitting the Blitz a few times. Fumina charged him, and knocked him back with a shoulder check before retreating herself with Kira and Heero close behind her.

The Duel and Aegis pursued, but were forced to move off as four of the eight Mobile Armors came hurtling toward them launching missiles.

"This is the Vesalius," Rau said over the channel, "We're retreating."

ガンダム

Author's Note: There's the twist I was talking about. Nicole has been captured. Will he stay that way? Will he get away? Will he keep the Blitz? Will I ever stop asking these silly questions?

Ya'll know what to do if ya wanna see what happens, until next time! Adios Amigos!