Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Mobile Suit Gundam
Italics=thought
Chapter 10
The Minerva arrived at the base of Carpentaria two days after it left Orb. The crew felt a bit more at ease when the ship docked in friendly waters. Since they hadn't received any further instructions, Gladys decided that the crew could take some time off.
"It's such a relief to finally be in ZAFT territory," said Arthur. "I wonder what our first mission will be?"
"I've been informed that someone is on their way from headquarters with our instructions," replied Gladys.
Meanwhile, Athrun in the Saviour, had just entered Orb air space when he received a message.
"Unknown fighter, you have entered Orb territory, inform us of your actions or be fired upon."
"This is ZAFT special forces member Athrun Zala. I'm looking for the Minerva."
"You think we're stupid, we don't know any Athrun Zala, besides the Minerva has been out of Orb for two days now."
"What?" said Athrun. "Then this is Alex Dino of the Atha family. I'd like to speak to the representative."
"The representative isn't here; she was abducted during her wedding."
"What?" asked Athrun again.
"You haven't made your intentions clear, prepare to be attacked."
"I don't have time," said Athrun as he turned the Saviour into mobile suit mode, sliced the two Murasames and flew off in fighter mode.
"I'll try Carpentaria," said Athrun as he flew towards the Oceania Union.
Meanwhile on the Archangel under the sea.
"That was a foolish thing to do," berated Cagalli. "Kidnapping a nation's head of state from her wedding makes you international criminals."
"It was reckless," admitted Waltfeld sheepishly.
"But we had no choice," added Kira firmly. "These are crazy times and if you insist on doing stupid things this world will be heading for trouble."
"What stupid things?" asked Cagalli. "I have so many responsibilities that I have to think about?"
"So you think it was a good idea for Orb to join the Earth forces and for you to marry Yuna?"
"Of course I do, otherwise I wouldn't have done it. It was the only way to stop Orb from burning again."
"So it doesn't matter if other nations or the Plants burn as long as Orb's safe?"
"No, I just wanted to do the right thing for Orb," cried Cagalli.
"I know how you feel," added Relena softly. "I had to make the same decision when my country was under attack. To save my people and end the fighting, I surrendered and dissolved my kingdom and became a puppet for the Romefeller Foundation."
"So you think I did the right thing? Putting my nation's safety above others?"
"Only if you believe it was. The only way to live a good life is to act on your emotions; that's the philosophy that Heero lives by."
Kira nodded. "We all make mistakes but there's still time to fix things." he said comfortingly as he pulled out Athrun's ring to give to Cagalli. "Come with us Cagalli, and we'll find the right answer, together."
Cagalli broke down in tears as her brother held her comfortingly.
It was around noon and Shinn was walking towards the port when he saw a red mobile suit fly overhead. He ran towards the Minerva just as the mobile suit landed.
As the suit landed in the hanger, the crewmen stood in shock at the sudden appearance of the suit. Heero didn't even bother to look up as he continued to go through the files he stole from the Carpentaria mainframe.
"Who is that?" asked Luna as the cockpit opened.
She got her answer as the pilot lowered himself to the ground. He was dressed in a purple ZAFT flight suit, adorned with the winged badge of Faith.
"Athrun?" said Luna as he took off his helmet.
"Athrun Zala, Faith member, requesting permission to come aboard," said Athrun as the group saluted him.
"Did you see?" asked Shinn as he ran to the group and saw Athrun. "What are you doing here?"
"Show some respect, he's a member of Faith," said Luna.
Shinn noticed the badge and did up his uniform while saluting. Athrun saluted back before speaking.
"Would someone please escort me to the captain?"
"I wi…" began Meyrin before Luna cut her off.
"I will Sir," said Luna.
Athrun nodded. "Heero Yuy can you please come with me, there's something of importance for you to hear."
"Roger that," said Heero as he lowered himself to the ground.
"Are you back with ZAFT now?" asked Shinn.
"Looks like it," answered Athrun as he followed Luna to the elevator.
"Change of heart?" asked Shinn accusingly.
Athrun just stared at Shinn as he watched Heero walk past him. He saw Shinn bristle at the sight of the foreign pilot. Heero gave Shinn a quick smirk over his shoulder before following Athrun and Luna.
As the three stood in the elevator, Heero spoke first.
"So you re-joined ZAFT then?"
"Yes after what you said and the talk I had with the chairman I thought it was the right thing to do."
"I see. By the way, your girlfriend got abducted by the Freedom before she could say I do to Yuna."
"I heard she was abducted, but the Freedom?"
"Yeah and I suppose the Archangel too."
"And where's yours?" asked Athrun. All he got was a stern look from Heero. "I see."
Luna stood there in silence as she listened to the two pilots talk. As they arrived at the captain's office, Athrun dismissed Luna as he and Heero entered.
Athrun saluted Gladys and handed her the briefcase he was given. Gladys looked over the contents and looked back at Athrun.
"Do you know what our orders are?"
"No Mam, I was given no instruction."
"Well it seems to me that you've been assigned to the Minerva, and the Chairman has made me a member of Faith. He has also requested that Heero Yuy be assigned to the Minerva as a mercenary until further notice."
Heero just nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"It also says that we are to head to Gibraltar by way of Turquious to assist with the attack on Suez."
"Yes Mam," replied Athrun.
"Well we're here in Carpentaria until repairs are done so I suggest that you enjoy yourself until we leave."
"Yes Mam," replied Athrun as he saluted and left the room with Heero.
Back in the hanger, the crewmen were given the maintenance plans for the Saviour and told to study it carefully. Athrun was sitting in the Saviours cockpit, going through some diagnostics when Luna stuck her head in.
"Yes?" asked Athrun.
"I just wanted to say that I'm Lunamaria Hawke, pilot of a ZAKU Warrior," said Luna.
"Nice to meet you."
"So this is one of those new transformable mobile suits?"
"That's right."
Across from the Saviour, Heero was sitting in Wing Zero's cockpit when he looked up from his work from the loud sound that Luna was making as she talked to Athrun. As he looked at the Saviour, he could see Luna kneeling on the cockpit door and her mini skirt had ridden up a bit. Heero felt the blood start to rise in his face at the sight in front of him and looked down when he saw Luna stand up and turn around. Luna saw Heero's head dip just as she turned around and noticed a bit of red on his face. She realised what he was blushing at and thought it was cute that he was so bashful. Heero shook himself mentally, telling himself that it was disrespectful to Relena.
"Did you want to sit in it?" asked Athrun.
"Can I?" asked Luna in reply.
"Yeah, just don't touch anything."
Athrun got out of the cockpit and Luna got in and immediately started commenting on everything.
"The mode selector panel is different and it uses different types of plug-ins."
"That's right."
"It's different to Wing Zero's cockpit."
"How do you know that?" asked Athrun in shock at what Luna said.
"Well I had gone to see Heero about why he hit Shinn and I found him in Wing Zero so I was able to see inside."
"I see," replied Athrun as he looked over to Wing Zero. Heero lifted his eyes briefly to connect with Athrun before returning to his work.
Three days later, the Minerva left Carpentaria and set out across the Indian Ocean for the port of Turquious, while escorted by a ZAFT subamarine. Meanwhile, a couple hours away, an Earth Forces fleet sat waiting.
"Looks like the intel was correct," said a man in a mask as he looked at the image of the Minerva and its projected course. "Prepare the pilots."
"Yes Sir," said an officer.
On board the ship, a blonde haired girl sat on the deck, watching the ocean. Two earth forces soldiers saw her and one walked up.
"Hey there pretty lady, what are you looking at?"
"The sea, I like looking at it."
"How about you come back to my room and tell me what you like looking at?"
Suddenly the man was jumped from behind and a blue haired boy pulled a gun.
"You better not, she may look like a ditz, but when she gets going she's a handful. You see me and my friend are part of Phantom Pain."
The two men backed off in fear and ran away. The blue haired boy turned to the blonde.
"Come on Stellar, Neo is looking for us."
At the sound of that, Stellar smiled and walked after the blue haired boy.
"It sounded like we're going into battle. I wonder how many I can kill?"
"Yeah," replied Stellar.
Meanwhile the Minerva was sailing close to where Phantom Pain was waiting when the radar went off.
"Captain, unknown ship on radar," said Meyrin.
"Go to condition yellow, tell the pilots to report to the briefing room," ordered Gladys.
"Yes Mam. Going to condition yellow, all pilots report to the briefing room," came Meyrin's voice over the loudspeakers.
The Earth Forces fleet, picked up the Minerva on radar.
"Go to level one battle stations," ordered Neo. "Tell the base to send out all Windams."
Neo then headed towards the hanger as the officer sent out the message.
"I can't believe I have to stay behind," said Stellar gloomily as she stood with the blue haired boy and a green haired one.
"It can't be helped, the Gaia can't swim or fly," said the blue haired boy.
"I'm sorry too Stellar," said Neo as he entered the hanger.
"Neo," said Stellar in joy as she ran up to the man in the mask.
"You'll stay behind and protect the base," said Neo.
"Sir, the base commander is on the line," said the officer.
"We can't possibly send out all our Windams, we'll be defenceless," said the base commander.
"I'm leaving the Gaia behind to protect it."
"One mobile suit?"
"Yes and that's final," said Neo as he cut the line. "Launch all mobile suits."
"Yes Sir," said the officer.
Back on the Minerva, the radar picked up the heat signals of the enemy mobile suits.
"Send out the mobile suits," ordered Gladys. "And go to condition red."
"Going to condition red, going to condition red, all pilots board their machines," said Meyrin.
"Lower the bridge," ordered Gladys. "Get me Athrun."
"Yes," asked Athrun as he sat in the Saviour.
"I don't have the authority to send you or Heero out, it's up to you," said Gladys.
"I'll launch," replied Athrun as he looked at Wing Zero. "I guess Heero is too."
Heero had already entered the launch catapult.
"Heero Yuy, Wing Zero, Launching," said Heero as he was flung into the air.
The other mobile suits followed. As Heero, Athrun and Shinn flew towards the enemy, Zero took in all the data and projected the most likely outcome to Heero.
"Looks like fifty Windams, the Chaos, and the Abyss. Battle time, no more than thirty minutes," said Heero over the radio.
"No one can destroy that many machines in thirty minutes," said Shinn.
"I was only counting on one from you," retorted Heero to make Shinn fire up.
The three mobile suits charged at the enemy and Heero took out five Windams with the buster rifle before swapping to the beam sabre. The Chaos appeared on radar and charged at the Saviour.
"I've got him," said Athrun as he engaged the Chaos while Shinn and Heero continued their destruction of the enemy.
"This guy is good," said the green haired Chaos pilot as he continued his battle with the Saviuor.
As the battle started to get close to a nearby island, Wing Zero's search eye picked up the nearby base.
"Shinn, go take out that base," ordered Heero as he disabled some more Windams.
"Why don't you do it?" Shinn spat back.
"Just do it Shinn," ordered Athrun in frustration as he fought the Chaos.
"Fine," said Shinn as he flew towards the base.
A purple Windam saw Shinn move and flew to intercept.
"No," said Neo as he engaged the Impulse.
"This guy is tough," said Shinn as he dodged an attack.
Stellar was watching nearby and when she saw the Impulse attack the purple Windam, she charged forward.
"Neo," she said as she crashed the Gaia into the Impulse.
The purple Windam withdrew as the Gaia engaged the Impulse.
"You," said Shinn as he saw the Gaia. "I'm going to take you down today."
The two mobile suits clashed and the duel pushed them closer to the base. As the Gaia knocked the Impulse down Shinn saw a bunch of people separated by a fence. He then saw the Earth Forces soldiers shoot down some of the men trying to escape.
"Monsters," said Shinn as he fired at the soldiers.
The Gaia then attacked the Impulse but Shinn reacted and sliced off the Gaia's arm. The Gaia withdrew and returned to the ship.
Meanwhile in the water, the Abyss was destroying all of the underwater mobile suits that the sub had deployed.
"Your machines are no match for me," said the blue haired boy.
Back in the air the Saviour continued to battle the Chaos while Wing Zero made short work of the Windams. Heero then noticed a barrage of missiles fly at the Minerva. Luna tried to shoot them down but the gun was out of energy. Heero flew in and intercepted the missiles.
"Are you ok?" asked Heero.
"Yes," replied Luna. "But my gun pack is out of energy."
"Drop your pack," said Heero as he separated the buster rifle into two. "Take this but only fire at one percent or the impact will destroy your suit."
"Alright," said Luna as she took the rifle and fired at some Windams while Heero took off to the main attack force.
Back on the island, Shinn was destroying the base, attacking every Earth Forces weapon. Neo noticed this and ordered a retreat.
"But why?" asked the blue haired boy in the Abyss.
"Because we failed to achieve our objective, Auel" replied Neo.
"You mean you lost," retorted Auel.
"You didn't get a big target either,"
"Then I'll get one," said Auel as he headed towards the sub.
Up in the air, the Windams and the Chaos were retreating and Shinn was continuing his destruction of the base.
"That's enough Shinn, the enemy is retreating, return to the ship," ordered Athrun.
Shinn didn't listen as he removed the two fences and allowed the people to reunite with each other. Shinn smiled at the sight of the happy families. As the three suits were heading back to the Minerva, Auel was charging forward, undetected by the sonar. Zero picked it up and Heero fired the buster rifle at the Abyss.
"What the?" asked Auel as the engine started to cut out and the Abyss surfaced. "Damn it."
He then returned to the ships while Athrun and Shinn looked in astonishment that Heero was able to hit the underwater target.
On board the Minerva, Shinn had just landed on the hanger floor when Athrun walked up and hit him in the face. The people in the hanger could only stare at what Athrun did.
"You want to hit me, go ahead, I don't care. I helped those people," said Shinn.
"You don't get it. The power you have isn't something you can use whenever you want. When you pilot that suit you have a greater responsibility than any other. I suggest you remember that," said Athrun as Shinn stormed off with Rey and Luna in toe.
Heero looked down from his cockpit and nodded at Athrun as the Minerva continued on its path.
To be continued…