Kido Senshi Gundam SEED: The sixth Gundam.
By: Prayer Reverie
Contact: prayerreverie(at)yahoo(dot)com
Summary: A sixth Gundam was developed at Heliopolis, unbeknownst to the Earth Alliance, Orb or ZAFT. AU for changing the SEED storyline and because of Destiny's confirmation.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam SEED in any which way (although some days I wish).
DreamAnimeKitten: You don't have to wait for long.
Tenryu: I know about the 3 Astray Gundams, but those were built by Orb, not the Earth Alliance, besides who wouldn't want a Coordinator with a Gundam?
Xaeta Alexin: Sounds cool, the Slayer Super Deformed version. Let me know.
RVD: Sure he may have been a neutral citizen, but that was to get away from war.
Chapter 3: Orders
C.E. 71, February 4th
After his first combat mission, Ian decided to apply for some training. The Prometheus featured several training simulators, and with the help of a few technicians, he installed some software and data from his Slayer. Over the next few days he participated in two more patrol missions, both were uneventful and quiet.
He also spent most of his free time learning how to properly control his powerful mobile suit. Several pilots joined him and together they trained in larger 'missions'. Ian finally felt confident enough to battle again and properly use all of the Slayer's abilities.
Ian, Diane and two other pilots were relaxing in the pilot's lounge when Commander Fanel and Captain Hashagowa entered.
"Officer on deck!" announced on of the pilots.
"As you were." said Hashagawa.
"We have received another transmission from Commander Le Creuset. We are to join up with the Vesalius and the Gamow as soon as possible." started Fanel.
"What about the Tritonen and Verbatim?" asked the second pilot.
"They will join up with another Nazca-class destroyer to make up for its recent losses." answered Hashagowa.
"Why are we joining up? I thought our mission was to test the Nazca II-class." asked Diane.
"Chairman Clyne and the Council have decided that the best way to test the Prometheus is in battle with another group. That and the fact we have found another Gundam. Although the honorable Chairman doesn't want to 'put all his eggs in one basket' he figures that 5 Gundam units together may end the war sooner that anyone thought." replied Hashagowa.
"Then let's get to it!" said Ian eagerly.
C.E. 71, February 5th
Two ZAFT ships hung in space, waiting outside the debris belt. Rumors of an Earth Alliance taskforce running around destroying lone ZAFT ships were everywhere. The Gamow with Duel, Buster and Blitz was on its way, but until then it was up to Aegis and Slayer to engage the rampaging Earth Alliance ships.
"Why are we waiting here when there may be survivors in there?!" demanded Athrun Zala, pilot of the X303 Aegis Gundam.
"Beats me, but I'd rather suit up and hunt those ships down now than wait for the rest of your team." replied Ian.
Athrun snarled in frustration and slammed his fist down on the table. Ian was a little surprised at the Athrun's attitude. The young pilot was known to be a competent and cool-headed pilot even under pressure.
"I can't take sitting here anymore so I'm going to get some time in the simulators. Want to join me?" he offered to Athrun.
"No." the blue haired pilot growled out.
Ian shrugged then got up and left Athrun to his own thoughts. Whistling a tune he didn't pay too much attention as he walked, and when turned a corner he slammed right into Diane.
"Ouch, sorry about that." said Ian, holding his head in pain.
"I think it was my fault." she said hazily.
Ian got up first and then helped Diane up.
"So where were you heading?" he asked her.
"Actually I was trying to find you. Mission Orders from Commander Creuset." she said, picking up a folder that she dropped.
Taking the offered folder, he leafed through the sheets. He finally looked up.
"Well, it should make Athrun happy at the very least." he said, smiling faintly.
"Athrun?" she asked politely.
"Ah, he's been all up ons since he learned about the Silverwind's disappearance. Now that we're near the Debris Belt, he figures we should go mount a search and rescue mission, but Commander Le Creuset denied it." he explained.
"Well these should boost his spirit a bit, but I have to get back to the bridge. I'll see you afterwards maybe?"
"For sure!" he said, flashing a grin then running off to find Athrun.
After finding the other pilot and informing him of their mission, Ian asked what was located inside the Debris Belt that had everyone on edge.
"Lacus Clyne, the daughter of Chairman Siegel Clyne disappeared a few days ago. Her ship, the Silverwind, has not been heard from, and we dispatched a Long Range Recon GINN to search for them, but so far nothing." said Athrun.
"That can't be the entire reason, why would the Council assemble 5 Gundams in one place?" Ian asked.
"Well, there is the Archangel." admitted Athrun.
"The who?"
"Earth's new mobile assault battleship, capable of carrying mobile suits and designed to carry the Gundams. The ship, whatever is left of its crew and the Strike Gundam escaped the destruction of Heliopolis and they were recently tracked down to the Debris belt but they may not be here anymore." Athrun explained.
Ian's fists tightened in anger at the mention of the Earth Alliance at Heliopolis.
"So they're the reason that my home is gone." he said angrily.
Athrun merely looked down at the deck plating, saying nothing.
C.E. 71, February 6th
"Sir, communications has picked up an encoded Earth Alliance pulse. It seems it's from the advance element of the 8th Fleet." reported the communications officer.
"Well then, it seems our 'rampaging' ships are from Rear Admiral Halberton. Inform Commander Creuset and Captain Ades on the Vesalius." ordered Captain Hashagowa.
Fanel opened a line to the pilot's ready room.
"We've located the advance element of the Alliance's 8th Fleet. The Vesalius is being informed now, but I believe that we'll go into battle. Prepare your suits and standby for action." he said. The pilots on the other end saluted and ran off.
"Incoming transmission from Vesalius sir."
"Captain, Commander, alert your pilots for standby. We'll launch and destroy the ships before they can rendezvous with the rest of their fleet. Ian and Athrun will launch from here." said Rau Le Creuset.
"Aye sir."
The communications screen went dead and Fanel commed the pilots again, relaying the orders.
Ian and Athrun floated in their suits, waiting for the signal to attack.
"So does this suit you more Athrun?" Ian asked.
"Well, it's not quite a rescue mission, but at least we're doing something." he replied.
"Although it may be overkill with our current force, two destroyers, two Gundams and three GINNs, all for an advance Earth Alliance force." he continued.
"Better safe than sorry." Ian quoted.
"All mobile suits, incoming Earth Alliance warships detected. Engage in designated teams. Good luck." Said Le Creuset.
The three GINNs accelerated at an angle away from Ian and Athrun. Ian cloaked and followed Athrun in towards the now-engaged GINNs and Moebius'.
"We'll take the second 130 meter-class ship while the GINNs take the other one." said Athrun.
"Roger that."
Ian caught clips of Earth Alliance transmissions, but it was too garbled to make sense. Meanwhile the GINNs were rapidly taking the escort ship Law apart. It wouldn't last long against the sustained fire.
Athrun transformed the Aegis into its mobile armor form and armed his 580mm "Scylla" multi-phase energy cannon. He targeted the other escort ship, the Bernard. Athrun fired and the beam tore through the ship, the reactor went critical and the ship exploded.
"One down, two to go." Athrun said.
The GINNs finally destroyed the Law, and moved towards the Montgomery, a 250 meter class ship. They took the same approach, circling the ship, attacking the turrets and any remaining Moebius mobile armors.
"Athrun, incoming Earth Alliance mobile suit and mobile armor." Ian reported.
"What? From where?"
"It's the X105 Strike Gundam and something called the Moebius Zero." Ian said.
"Kira ..." mumbled Athrun.
Huh? Is Athrun talking to himself now? Ian asked himself.
Strike fired at Athrun, but the ZAFT pilot dodged and fired back. The Zero flew towards the three GINNs and began his attack on them. Ian cloaked and started to move in towards Strike, hoping to disable the Gundam.
A random shot from the damaged Montgomery hit Athrun, doing no damage but it stunned him momentarily. The pilot of Strike aimed at Aegis' head, when Ian uncloaked and charged at Strike.
The Earth Alliance pilot turned in surprise, and then Ian activated his beam saber and sliced through ... the beam rifle? Strike managed to dodge the assault and drew his own beam saber in response.
Athrun finally recovered and drew his own beam saber as well. Pushing his thrusters to full capacity, he intercepted Strike's thrust and parried it away.
"Ian, help the GINNs." Athrun said his voiced rose in anger.
"Roger that, I'm on my way." Ian turned and left Aegis and Strike to duel it out.
As Strike and Aegis dueled, the Vesalius fired its Gottfried heavy cannons at the Montgomery, destroying it in a large explosion. Then his communications board came alive with activity.
"All ZAFT forces, this is Ensign Badgiruel of the Earth Alliance battleship Archangel. We are currently holding Lacus Clyne, daughter of Siegel Clyne, aboard our ship. If hostilities persist we cannot guarantee her safety." said a strong female voice.
"Kira! Is this your sense of justice, fighting along side with these cowards!?" Athrun demanded over the same channel.
"Athrun ..." came a timid reply.
"All forces, return at once." ordered Creuset.
"I'll rescue her, by myself if I have to Kira. I'll show you the true meaning of justice!" Athrun bit out before turning and flying at full speed back to the Vesalius. Ian moved alongside the Aegis and together they left the battlefield.
Once docked and shut down, both pilots were ordered to the bridge. Athrun was silent on the ride until Ian spoke up.
"Who is this Kira fellow?"
Athrun looked sad at the mention of that name.
"He's an old friend of mine; we went to junior school at Copernicus City together. I found out that he's with the Earth Alliance using the last Gundam. He's an idiot being controlled by those Naturals! And now Lacus is there!" Athrun punched the lift wall in anger.
Ian's response was cut off by the doors opening. Le Creuset and Ades were waiting for the two.
"Good. You are aware of the current situation. Even if our intelligence is correct about their crew we" Ades was cut off by his sensor officer.
"X105 Strike has launched from the Archangel!" he said.
"Incoming transmission from X105!" announced the comm officer.
"This is Kira Yamato, of the X105 Strike. I have with me Lacus Clyne. I will return her if my conditions are met: Your ship must power down its engines, only the Aegis may come out to meet me. Any violations may result in harm coming to Miss Clyne." he said.
Athrun looked at Le Creuset for guidance. The masked man nodded, and when Athrun left the bridge, he spoke up.
"Ades, get my CGUE ready, and Ian's Slayer."
"Lacus is now in my custody, and I'm returning home." said Athrun.
Rau launched in his CGUE, blasting away at full speed. He passed Athrun when Ian launched in the Slayer. Neither got much farther along when a soft female voice came over the comm system.
"Commander Rau Le Creuset, I am Lacus Clyne. As a member of the Memorial Committee, it would be inappropriate to create a battlefield in front of me. I demand you cease all hostilities immediately." she said.
Rau muttered something about a perplexing girl, and then turned back to dock with the Vesalius. Ian docked afterwards and then finally Athrun.
"Well I hope that was worth it." Ian said to Athrun while he, Athrun and Lacus rode the lift to another deck.
"Could have been worse." Athrun said back.
Lacus was smiling the entire way up and her pink toy Haro was bouncing around excitedly, alternating between saying 'Kira' and 'Athrun'.
The crew was informed later that the Gamow was on its way to the Vesalius after the failed attack on the Archangel. Duel, Buster and Blitz made an attempt on destroying the ship, but the end result was Yzak getting injured and Duel severely damaged.
The Vesalius, Gamow and Prometheus were waiting for one more Laurasia-class light frigate to meet up with them and until then they waited. Yzak was cleared for active duty, but was told to keep it light. Being the stubborn Coordinator that he was, he returned himself to full status. Most of the engineers and technicians were working on Duel, fixing all of the battle damage and upgrading up with more armor, mobility and weapons.
All of the other mobile suits were inspected and any minor damages were repaired. It was finally revealed that Command believed the 8th Fleet would shield the Archangel while it dropped to Earth.
It was up to the five Gundam pilots and the escorting GINN units to break through the blockade and destroy the Archangel and Strike. The danger inherent made the odds nearly impossible, but everyone in the force loved a challenge.
A/N: Another chapter done and Gundam SEED events were slightly altered. Next chapter will feature many more changes. I am taking aspects from both the T.V. version and the Manga adaptation. Please always R & R, and thanks to those who already have done so.