By: Shadow Chaser
Phase Fifteen – Space, Where Dreams Fly
Kira glanced out in the vast emptiness of space, marveling at how small the PLANTs and even the moon looked compared to the wide black expanse, dotted with little stars twinkling in the distance.
"It's been a long time since I've seen the stars like this," the gentle voice of his mother made him turn around to see her and his father floating towards him. They grabbed the rails on the viewport of the Eternal, a bit awkwardly because of the disorientation of space.
All three LF ships had launched to space with the intention to head to Colony Mendel and stop the Talon leader, Sven Anderson once and for all. They had joined up with the Kusanagi in space. The Talon fleet left behind in Panama was so insignificant that OMNI had pushed them to stop the Talon in space and told them to leave the remnant Talon fleet on Earth to them.
Though the initial shock of seeing his parents man the Babylon's battle stations had worn off, Kira still couldn't believe that they were here. He had tried to ask them why, but they had given him vague answers along the lines of stopping the people at Colony Mendel and what not. He had his own suspicions, but he didn't voice it. He had never expected his parents to even know how to operate a control station, and much less, see his father giving firing solution orders and shooting missiles.
He had heard the bit about his father being one of OMNI's top assassins, but surely it wasn't true. He had a feeling that his adoptive father was more than he seemed and perhaps what his mother had been saying was true. No, adoptive was not the right word…now it should just be father. Keiji Yamato was his father. It didn't matter anymore if Ulen Hibiki was his real father; Keiji was the one who raised him along with his wife Kanoko. They were his parents. Not Katherine or Ulen Hibiki.
"How are you faring, Kira?" she placed her hands on his shoulders and he welcomed her presence. It made him feel protected…
"Better," he replied quietly as his father stood next to him, hands clasped behind him, staring out at the stars. "I still can't believe you joined up…"
"It's temporary," his father replied, still staring at the stars before his gaze drifted to the larger specks that was the PLANTs. "Your mother and I just want finish up business in Mendel before I go back to teaching obnoxious teenagers in high school."
Kira noticed that his father had hardened his gaze when he mentioned Mendel and that his mother had flinched slightly. He placed a hand on hers to comfort her. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw her looking down at him, surprised. "We'll finish whatever business we have at Mendel," he emphasized the 'we' part.
His father laughed lightly before clapping him on the shoulder, "You've matured a lot Kira. Your mother and I were worried, but now…you-"
"I'm myself," Kira replied, "I was worried, but Athrun, Lacus, and Cagalli told me otherwise. I realized that I had to do something. I couldn't let Griever control my life."
"That's my boy," Keiji sounded pleased.
There was a soft hissing sound as the door to the viewport opened and all three turned slightly to see Lacus poking her head in before her eyes widened in surprise at interrupting a family moment. "Oh, please excuse me," she was about to duck back out when Kanoko held up a hand.
"Wait, Lacus, please don't go. We were just leaving. I'm sure Kira would like you to stay," she beckoned her forward and Kira was glad that his mother knew what he was thinking.
"We'll see you in the meeting, Kira," his father squeezed his shoulder before taking his mother in his arms and the two of them floated out, leaving Lacus by the door. As the door hissed closed behind them, Kira stared at Lacus and saw her staring back at him.
Since he had last seen her, days ago in Cagalli's mansion, he had missed her terribly. During the launch into space, he had not even gotten a chance to talk with her, but now… He knew that she was part of the fleet, but seeing her in the flesh and not over comm. systems…
"Kira," she launched herself into his arms and he caught her, holding her tightly as he buried his face into her shoulder. Tears of joy leaked out of his eyes as he held her and breathed in her presence. His soul mate, his one true love…his other half that he knew he could never live without.
"Lacus," he whispered her name before he kissed her gently on the cheek and pulled away so that their noses were barely touching each others. "I missed you," he said in a quiet voice.
"I missed you too…but you came, and helped us," she smiled before they drifted a bit apart, still close, but enough so that they were both gripping the railing and occasionally staring out at the stars.
"I came because I had to. Senator Amalfi met me down in Morganroete and told me that while my friends had been fighting to protect me, he made me realize that I was not fighting to kill, but fighting to keep the peace that we've worked so hard to attain," Kira explained and suddenly trailed off as he saw a smile form on Lacus' face. "What's so funny?" he asked.
"I was the one to ask Senator Amalfi to meet you down there," Lacus replied, "I knew that it would shock you, but he was also very reluctant to meet you. I felt that the two of you have something in common. You both wanted peace, yet you both felt so alone. I wanted you and him to realize that you were not alone, you had family, friends, and those nameless faces that want peace."
She suddenly looked abashed and looked down, "Please forgive me Kira…I'm sorry if you were angry…"
Kira opened his mouth, but then closed it. He mulled over what Lacus had said for a few seconds before he tilted her chin up from the floor with his hand, making her stare into his eyes while he stared into hers. "Lacus, none of this was your fault…" he whispered before leaning in and gently kissing her on the lips.
It only lasted for a few seconds, but in those seconds, Kira could feel his soul bond with hers. They were soul mates, one in the same…and both could feel the love and adoration for each other. He reluctantly parted with her after a few seconds, but the lingering effect of the kiss was still there.
"We should get to the meeting," Lacus said after a few minutes of silence and of staring at each other.
"Then let's go," Kira replied before placing an arm around her waist and leading her to the door. The two exited the viewport room, and headed towards the meeting.
Athrun squeezed Cagalli's hand in reassurance as Kisaka brought up a full holographic map of the Earth Sphere. He glanced over to see Kira and Lacus slip in, just as Kisaka started speaking. He wondered where they had been, but decided to ignore it as Kira probably spent some time alone with Lacus – which was much needed, he knew.
"As Yzak had told us, a majority of the Talon's fleet was sent to Panama, leaving only a handful of skeletal ships to defend Mendel. Though there are no indications of super weapons like Genesis or Cyclops system in Mendel, we still need to be wary of traps. All other LF ships have been occupied in their own assignments to watch and guard for possible resurgence or retaliation of Talon sect forces in PLANT and various bases of the Earth due to the Talon fleet's defeat in Panama.
"The four ships, Eternal, Babylon, Kusanagi, and Archangel will be the only ships, in LF, OMNI, and ZAFT to be headed towards Mendel. If we do not stop Sven Anderson's plans, then there will be no others to pick up after us," Kisaka pitted them with a hard stare.
"There will be two infiltration teams of four. I will be leading one, and Ledonil here will be leading the other one," Quinn Misali casually stepped up, touching a few buttons on the holographic projection to show a map of Mendel, which was by far a very small installation. "The first team will be in charge of subduing any resistance we encounter while the second team is to neutralize Anderson and any data that seems too dangerous to fall into the wrong hands.
"The infiltration is the hardest part and there might be a chance that those that go will not return. Mendel, as you know, was known for its experimentation. We don't know what kinds of humans or even creatures we might be encountering in there," Misali said in a flat voice and Athrun glanced over to see Kira freeze up slightly at the mention of 'experimentation' and 'creatures', but Lacus placed a hand on his forearm to calm him down and he relaxed.
Athrun figured Misali didn't know any better as he only had the barest of information, but he wondered what was the general public's opinion on the events of Mendel. He would have to ask someone later…
"They're not creatures," Cagalli hissed beside him and he looked at her, rubbing his fingers over hers to try to calm her down.
"He doesn't know…only a few know," he whispered back before paying more attention to what Misali and Kisaka were saying.
"I'll need four more volunteers for both teams. Kanoko Yamato and Brian DaCosta have volunteered their services for each team," Misali said and Athrun looked over to Mrs. Yamato, shocked to see that she had volunteered. He would have never expected someone with her gentle disposition to even be holding a gun, much less volunteering for what looked like a suicide mission.
"I'll volunteer," her husband next to her suddenly spoke up and Athrun blinked, but he didn't get a chance to voice his surprise as Misali did it for him.
"Keiji?! What in the blazes are you doing here?!" Misali looked truly shocked.
"Nice to see you too Kingfisher," Keiji Yamato replied in a slightly sarcastic voice.
The room suddenly burst into murmurs before a few more calls of volunteering echoed, trying to be heard over each other. Athrun knew that he should but just as he was raising his hand up, Kira's voice spoke loudly over the crowded room.
"I'll volunteer," he said and Athrun stared in shock as Cagalli grabbed his sleeve to keep herself from falling over in shock. Did he hear what Kira just said?
Apparently the whole room also heard and went silent, all eyes on Kira who seemed unperturbed by so many eyes on him at once.
"I'll join Captain Misali's infiltration team. During the war two years ago, Mu and I were able to enter into Mendel and see its wreckage. I know the way to its buried secrets and can show you it," Kira said and Athrun frowned, hoping that his best friend knew what he was doing…
"I don't think-"
"No," Keiji suddenly stepped in front of his son, "he's not volunteering."
"Dad-"
"No. You and I will talk about this later," Keiji glanced back at his son, his face impassive.
"He's right," Murrue suddenly spoke up, "you're too valuable as the pilot of the Freedom. If there are more mobile suits there, you and the others will have to defend the ships."
Athrun saw that Kira looked a bit disappointed and angry, but kept his emotions in check as Ledonil continued the briefing. He knew that he would talk with his friend later.
"Sunne and Ivanov will join my team while Nemati and Chan will be joining Captain Misali's," Kisaka said before switching the projection to a broader scope, "there will be a separate meeting for the teams later on, but for the moment, the data given to us shows that the possible entry points will be here, here, and here. The Kusanagi, since it has the lowest of firepower capabilities, will run interference for the infiltration teams while the Archangel, Babylon, and Eternal will be keeping any Talon ships there at bay."
"Everyone all set?"
There were murmurs of agreement and Misali clapped his hands together, "All right then. We'll be at Mendel in about twelve hours. Until then, we'll do three four-hour shifts. May the Fates smile down on us."
It was a few hours later that Athrun found himself on board the Eternal's mess hall. It was once again the only ship capable of carrying both the Justice and Freedom without cramping any space. But he wasn't the only one in the mess hall. Sai, Dearka, Miri, and Yzak had also joined him, Cagalli, Lacus, and Kira. Athrun noticed that there seemed to be a distanced feeling between Miri and Dearka and wondered why, but shoved the thought away as Yzak thunked his mug angrily down on to the table.
"I should have been on that team," he said in a quiet but angry voice, "it was my family's duty to eliminate Anderson."
"You're better needed piloting Duel. I mean who knows what we might encounter out there. You've seen what the pilots of Claw, Corsair, and Liberty could do," Athrun explained calmly, rolling his mug in his hands before taking a sip of the coffee inside.
"So?" Yzak glared at him, "it should have been me!"
"Yzak-"
"Shut up Athrun. It's different from your family's views. My mother expects me to kill Anderson!"
"So when have you stopped listening to your mother and think for yourself?" Athrun narrowed his eyes, peeved at his friend.
"I think for myself-"
"At this rate, no," Athrun interrupted him glaring at the stubborn white-haired pilot.
"What the hell do you know?"
"You are just as stubborn as you were all those years ago!"
"I've changed!"
"Yeah right-"
"SHUT UP!" Kira's roar made both of them stare at him, their words hanging as they slowly sat down.
"I'm sick of hearing everyone fight," Kira was still staring at his mug, but Athrun noticed that his best friend's hands were holding his mug tightly, a slight tremor in its contents. He heard a slight creak from the mug and realized that Kira was to the point where he would crack the mug with his bare hands if he had to.
"What the hell would a Natural know," Yzak said in a derisive tone, still angry and Athrun's anger flared once more.
"Leave Kira alone-"
"Please, Athrun, let it go," Kira's voice, now cold, made him stop and he stared at his best friend, barely noticing the shocked and tense expression on everyone else's face. Even Lacus was hesitating to say something to Kira to try to soothe his anger.
"For starters, I am a Coordinator like you," Kira said, pitting Yzak with a frosty look, "second, whatever prejudices you hold against Coordinators or Naturals, leave them. The people you'll be fighting are Coordinators and Naturals with Coordinator-like abilities."
"I know that," Yzak snapped, "I was the spy within."
"Then you should also know that a fair amount aren't human," Kira replied in the same frosty tone.
"Nikolai Mercus sure as hell isn't," Yzak muttered.
"Who?" Dearka asked, confused.
"Griever," Kira replied and Athrun wondered how he knew, but left it at that as he realized what Yzak had said.
"Not human?"
Yzak nodded, "Genetically enhanced, he looks almost like you," he pointed a thumb at Kira, "except for a wicked scar down his left side."
Dearka, Miri, and Sai gasped at the revelation, but Athrun already knew about it and just nodded. "He was the assassin sent to kill Cagalli, but he was very fast," Athrun said before putting an arm around Cagalli's waist and hugging her closer to give her some reassurance.
"The Claw was piloted by Amai Asterli. She's one psycho bitch," Yzak downed the contents of his mug, "Asterli joined before I came aboard, but she was altered by some implants to bring out her more aggressive emotions."
"That's why she was yelling all over the place," Dearka murmured.
"Who was in the Corsair then?" Sai asked, ignoring Yzak's flinch of being asked by a Natural.
"He was a recent candidate from Orb," Athrun stared, surprised and noticed that Cagalli and Kira also had shocked expressions on their faces. "They took him aside days prior to the bombing, and altered him. I think his name was Taylor Ren."
The sound of a mug shattering made everyone stare at Kira who was shaking, his eyes wide with fright, the remnants of his mug and contents forming liquid bubbles that started to float everywhere. Athrun reached out a hand to try to calm him down, but to no avail.
"Taylor?"
"Know him?" Yzak asked.
"He was in the Senate Hall…he was there when the bombs exploded…he was injured…he…couldn't have been the pilot of Corsair," Kira looked scared and betrayed before Lacus took him into her arms and let his head rest on her shoulder. She rubbed his arms to soothe him.
"Wait, that means he was the one who bombed the Hall," Cagalli put two and two together.
"No, it was Nikolai," Lacus suddenly spoke up, making Athrun turn to see her staring at everyone, "I had talked with Senator Amalfi and he said that his aide was named Nikolai Mercus. Nikolai hit him on the back of his head to knock him out before setting off the bombs to frame him."
"Then we should capture him and set him in front of a tribunal to clear Senator Amalfi's name," Miri suggested.
"No," Kira interrupted in a quiet voice, "we should kill him."
"Kira?" Sai and Miri looked shocked and Athrun stared at his best friend.
"Kira are you sure-"
"Griever is one of them, Athrun," his best friend replied, "you know as well as I do that they shouldn't live."
Kira suddenly got up and headed towards the door to the halls. Lacus hurried after him and just as the two got to the door Yzak impulsively spoke up.
"Wait, you're telling me that we should kill the only chance to let Senator Amalfi's name be cleared?! You've killed Nicol and now you're going to keep tarnishing the Amalfi name?!"
Athrun glared at Yzak for bringing up the subject of Nicol's death but the white-haired pilot ignored him. He turned his head and stared at Kira, noticing how stiff his friend was.
"Yes I killed Nicol," Kira started so softly that he barely heard him, "but I will not let Senator Amalfi's name be tarnished further. Griever is more of menace than the deaths of a person or of their name would ever be." With that he stepped out, the door hissing close behind him.