Phase 4: High Tide

"Shin, get out of the way," Mina shouted.

Shin then broke his daze and slammed the propulsion peddle. His Zno went upwards at a 45 degree angle. Shin then charged his phonon masers and fired at the Deep Forbidden. The beams hurtled at the mobile suit, but the Deep Forbidden went into close combat mode and activated its Panzer energy deflection system. Shin thought that it was over, but his two beams bent when it impacted the Deep Forbidden and destroyed parts of the coral reef.

"Shin, my computer is reading that the Deep Forbidden has an energy deflection system which means your beam weapons are absolutely useless."

"Got any advice?"

"The Zno is designed for close combat. If you can get close to it, then you might have a chance."

"Well that's a relief," Shin said sarcastically.

"Squad leader Asuka, what do we do?" one of the Goohn pilots asked.

"You guys take care of the Earth Alliance fleet. I'll handle the Deep Forbidden alone."

The Goohn squad rushed towards the EA fleet in swim mode while Shin and the Deep Forbidden began their duel. The Deep Forbidden fired its torpedoes again as Shin rushed forth. Shin saw the torpedoes and transformed into swim mode. He charged upwards at a 70 degree angle and dodged the torpedoes.

"Shin, be careful not to waste too much energy. I would suggest destroying the Deep Forbidden's tail extension. Then you can do furtive high speed attacks since the Deep Forbidden's sonar array is located in its tail."

Shin lunged forth in swim mode and tackled the Deep Forbidden. But that gave the Deep Forbidden the opportunity to stab the Zno in its left shoulder with its trident. Shin rushed back just as the Deep Forbidden fired its phonon masers. It was a narrow escape for Shin.

"This guy is really tough." Shin was all out of breath. His nervousness was building up again. Just one wrong move and he could be dead.

"Shin, the Deep Forbidden has a limited energy supply. Try to wear it out."

"Okay." Shin then swam behind the Deep Forbidden quickly and fired his torpedoes. The Deep Forbidden dodged one of the torpedoes, but the other destroyed its tail extension.

"You'll pay for that, ZAFT pilot," said the pilot of the Deep Forbidden.

"Bring it on," Shin replied.

"I haven't even started my assault and it seems you're already out of breath." The Deep Forbidden lunged forth with its trident. Shin assumed that the pilot was trying a melee attack, but the Deep Forbidden pulled back and fired its phonon masers. Shin wasn't ready for it and one of the beams tore a hole in the Zno's leg.

Shin quickly swam away and hid behind part of the coral reef.

"Mina, I can't do this. That suit is just too powerful."

"You can do it, Shin. I believe in you."

"Where are you, ZAFT pilot? Come out and play."

Shin was beginning to panic. His inexperience and lack of raw power was getting to him. He became truly afraid.

"I see you."

Shin looked upwards and there was the Deep Forbidden. It fired its phonon masers just as Shin was beginning to swim away. Shin retaliated by firing his phonon masers, but the beams just bent and the Deep Forbidden emerged unscathed.

"Shin, Captain Doran is sending reinforcements. A Goohn squad should be here momentarily."

Shin felt a bit relieved, but his moment of relief allowed the Deep Forbidden to have its opening. One of its torpedoes took out the Zno's right ankle. The Deep Forbidden then moved in for the kill with its trident.

"This is the end for you, ZAFT pilot," the Deep Forbidden pilot said maniacally. He raised his trident, but a phonon maser came hurtling forward. The Deep Forbidden pulled back at the last moment and went into close combat mode.

"We're here to assist you, Shin Asuka. ZAFT Goohn Squad B at your service."

"Thanks," Shin replied gratefully.

"More ZAFT flunkies for me to kill, this must be my lucky day."

The Goohns immediately began their torpedo assault. The Deep Forbidden was caught in a cyclone of explosions. For a minute it looked like the Deep Forbidden had been destroyed, but out of the cloud of bubbles, it emerged. It charged straight into the nearest Goohn and stabbed it in the chest. The Deep Forbidden then turned around and destroyed two more Goohns with its phonon masers.

"Remaining Goohns form a formation around me," the Goohn Squad B leader shouted. Two Goohns came to his side. "Delta attack formation, let's go."

The three Goohns lunged forth in swim mode only to meet their end by the Deep Forbidden's phonon masers and torpedoes. Shin watched in horror as the last of the Goohn squad was destroyed.

"I won't allow the Earth Alliance to destroy anymore. Coordinators shall no longer be oppressed." Shin then saw the black seed in his mind burst. He lunged forth and fired his two remaining torpedoes. One caught the Deep Forbidden in its torso damaging it a bit.

"Damn, you," cried the pilot.

"The feeling is mutual."

The Deep Forbidden fired its remaining torpedoes and both its phonon masers. A huge explosion occurred and Shin's Zno disappeared in a vortex of heated water. Bubbles flew everywhere and the coral reef was filled with the hollering of the pilot's laughter.

"Shin," Mina screamed. "Shin, please report. Shin, come in."

Then all of a sudden Shin's Zno burst through the vortex in swim mode. He tackled the Deep Forbidden and switched to combat mode. "Why can't Naturals leave Coordinators alone?" Shin shouted just as his claws ripped into the Deep Forbidden's cockpit.

The resulting explosion caused waves to ripple. Shin's Zno shot straight out of the water. He fired his phonon masers at any Earth Alliance ship within range. "Coordinators shall no longer be oppressed by your tyranny."

The remaining Earth Alliance ships began a full scale retreat. They had lost the Deep Forbidden unit and knew that they were no match for the remaining ZAFT Goohns. Shin dived back into the water and swam slowly to the Leviathan.

"This is Shin Asuka requesting permission to dock."

"This is Ella Lania, you are free to dock. Welcome back Mr. Asuka."

Shin docked into the hangar and got out of his mobile suit. Mina was running towards him. She lunged at him and the two united in an embrace.

"I was worried about you, Shin."

"It's okay, I came back didn't I."

"Shin, that was some skill you showed out there," said the chief mechanic. "But next time go easy on the mobile suit."

"Shin," said Captain Doran, "I'm impressed by your prowess on the battlefield. But now you should take a break. We need you for the defense of Victoria. We have a new mobile suit for you. Take a look at that." He pointed to a new mobile suit. "It's called the CGUE Deep Arms. You will be acting as squad leader for the defense of the mass driver."

Shin stared at the mobile suit. Panama was the only thing he had his mind on now. This war had to end. He knew that without war, peace was impossible.