Gundam SEED: The Keshitai
A Kido Senshi Gundam SEED Fan Fiction by Prayer Reverie
Contact: prayerreverie(at)yahoo(dot)com
Summary: The heroes of the war set off to stop a vicious group from starting another! The fate of the Earth and the Colonies rests on their shoulders. KL, DM, AC, Y … uh …
This will be AU, thanks to Destiny (anyone seen Phase 01: Angry Eyes yet? It's awesome, with good background music!), however try to think of this story as a side-story, or a filler story much as Battlefield of Pacifists and Ground Zero was for Gundam Wing and Endless Waltz.
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam SEED in any way (although some days I wish), but any Original Characters and Original Mobile Suits are mine.
Rating: PG-13. I don't plan on mincing words and there will probably be some descriptive scenes, but nothing outside of the rating boundaries. You have been warned.
Angel of Dreams: well, Dearka has to get his charm from somewhere right? Good to see that I have at least one faithful reader, and I will certainly try to not disappoint.
King Arthur6687: Do you know any terrorists who give up? It definitely is a bad situation they're in, but have a little faith.
Admiral Larsen: Never heard of you, is your fic on this site? I got the names from one of the X-Men books, with Archangel and Apocalypse.
Yuugiri: I loved you last chapter in the Insatiable Heart. So far, my fic isn't bad.
Undernet-King: Thanks for the background info.
Yvonne: Thanks for the support, Sai DOES need a g/f, need to find a non-OC for him.
Zeta Gundam: Where have you been?! Hopefully I'll think of a chapter title soon.
Chibi Fyrefly: Definitely armed with a lot, I'll post their stats soon.
Darkness is good: KL is definitely popular. I don't want to spoil any surprises, just keep reading and have faith.
Darkness Flame: I've got something better planned than X10A Freedom and X09A Justice.
P.S.: Thanks for all of the kind reviews! You keep reviewing and I'll keep writing!
Chapter 6: Showdown at Armory One
CE 71, December 31st
A mid-sized car pulled up to the running group with the driver's side window rolled down. The driver slowed as he approached the teens and spoke up.
"Get in before they finish dealing with those other units!" he looked no more than 20 with short black hair and brown eyes, and he looked to be at least half-Asian.
They weren't the kind of people to turn down the chance of a quick escape, especially with Lacus' current condition. They hopped in and the driver sped off even before they had all sat down properly.
"Thank you very much Mister ..." Athrun said, thanking the driver and asking for his name.
"You can call me Otto for now." He supplied them.
"We need to get to a medical center now." Kira said urgently, trying to stem the flow of blood from Lacus' side.
"They'll be watching every known place on this PLANT, so I've got orders to take you to the Chon-Ji Tul. Don't worry, there's a good medical bay and plenty of trained staff to help." Otto replied, attempting to assuage Kira's fears.
The mayhem being caused by the new Gundams was quickly disappearing in the rear-view mirror. Otto took a few random turns to hopefully ensure that the units wouldn't be able to track him as effectively if he was further away and not on the original course.
"So how come you were at the scene so quickly?" Yzak demanded. The others perked up to hear the answer of Otto's timely arrival.
"Heh, actually I was late. I was supposed to try to persuade you all into coming aboard the Chon-Ji Tul before tonight's event, but I got lost on the way in, and by the time I got to the hall, the Gundams were wreaking havoc."
The car sped on, rapidly reaching its intended destination, the military port several miles away from the hall. The port officer sent them on their way after pausing seeing several prominent war veterans and an injured Lacus in the backseat.
Once they passed the security gates, they entered the port complex itself, and they stared in awe at the sight beheld before them. Giant spotlights were centered on a large ship, obviously the latest battleship. It was huge, at least 300 meters long, and it looked like it had three catapults to launch suits.
There were five brand new GuAIZ units lined up outside the ship, and all them were painted in different colors, their pilots were obviously aces from the Valentine War.
"There she is, the Chon-Ji Tul, built during the last war, but not commissioned until today. Her name means 'Heaven and Earth', and she can carry an unprecedented 10 mobile units." Otto said, driving towards the Chon-Ji Tul's berth.
An explosion was felt all the way in the port complex. Base personnel were scrambling around, trying to find the cause of the explosion. It was pretty obvious the enemy Gundams were responsible for it, but in what way was still unknown.
"We've got to take off and get to Armory One right away, before those Four Horsemen catch up to us. Kira, the infirmary is on level 12, I suggest you take Lacus there before joining us on the bridge." Otto said as they pulled up to the bridge connecting the port to the new ship.
They were barely half-way across when the five GuAIZ units powered up and started moving towards the Chon-Ji Tul. Otto smiled and waved as the units docked inside the catapult tubes. The black and dark-blue colored unit waved back before disappearing inside.
Finally, they crossed the chasm and were greeted by several petty officers. One of them offered to take Lacus from Kira, who promptly declined. The officer shrugged and lead Kira down to the infirmary as Otto and the other officers led the rest of them to the bridge to meet the captain.
-
The doors swooshed open, admitting Kira and Lacus into the infirmary. The doctor and a nurse looked up from their paperwork and rushed forward at the sight of Lacus. Kira set her on one of the tables and stood back to allow the trained staff to help her.
After about 10 minutes of examining her, the doctor turned around to address Kira.
"You got her here in time before the blood loss turned critical, but we're still going to have to surgically remove the metal, which has broken in several places. You can stay if you like, but don't get in the way." Wasting no more time, he turned around again and starting issuing orders to get Lacus prepared for surgery.
I won't leave you again Lacus; I'll always be here for you.
-
"I am Captain Ronald Mycholuk of the Xephon-class battle Carrier Chon-Ji Tul. You can call me Ron for short." He was at least 6"1, close to 180 lbs. had striking brown eyes and light-brown hair with blond streaks.
"This is Councilor Yzak Jule, Commander Dearka Elsman, Sub-Commander Shiho Hahnenfuss, Princess Cagalli Yula Athha, former Commander Athrun Zala and Miriallia Haww." Otto said, introducing the group.
"Weren't there two more? I thought you were supposed to bring back eight. Damnit P, if you don't listen" Ron started.
"Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne are down in the infirmary. No need to trip boy." Otto cut him off, explaining the absence.
"Captain, we have clearance to launch at our discretion." One of the crewmen announced.
"Right then, open an internal channel." Ron ordered. The crewman nodded, letting the captain know the channel was active.
"This is the Captain, today we embark on our maiden voyage, under what could be the most extreme circumstances. We are on the brink of a new war, and it is up to us, the crew of the Chon-Ji Tul to stop it now. I have faith in each and every one of you, and I am confident that we will prevail. Secure out riggings for final launch."
The bridge crew bustled around for final preparations as the launch doors opened. An announcement went out to secure all stations for the Chon-Ji Tul's launch. Dearka looked around, taking in the similarities between this bridge and the bridges from the Archangel and the Vesalius.
"What's at Armory One that's so important?" Yzak asked.
Ron turned and sighed before responding. "We're going to pick up a few prototypes."
Prototypes? Why wasn't I informed of this? Yzak was outraged. It was bad enough that the Chon-Ji Tul wasn't scrapped when the war ended, but new mobile suit prototypes? That was the worst news of all.
"Sir, port tower gives us two thumbs up to launch and wishes us luck." An aide reported.
"Right then, Chon-Ji Tul, launch!" came Ron's order.
There was a slight tremor as the ship was released from the docking clamps, but the engines kicked in and slowly the battle carrier descended through the launch tube built into the PLANT.
In no time, the new ship was moving away from Aprilius City and setting a course for Armory One. With the new course laid in, the Chon-Ji Tul engaged their engines at full thrust, rapidly speeding away from the PLANT.
"We'll be at Armory One in an hour sir." Reported the helmsman.
"Good, keep the ship on yellow alert, and keep the sensors trained for any non-friendly suits and ships in the area. I want to know if something is gunning for us." Ron ordered. The lights dimmed a bit as yellow lights flashed every minute, showing the yellow alert status to the entire crew.
"I'm going to go check on Kira and Lacus." Athrun said, heading for the lift doors.
"I'll go with you." Milly said. Kira would always be her friend, and she had grown very fond of the pink-haired songstress.
"I'll go too, he is my brother afterall." Cagalli said, joining them and linking her arm through Athrun's.
"Might as well give in to peer pressure." Dearka said, unwilling to leave Milly by herself after the appearance of the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse.
"I'm staying, there's a few things I need to discuss with our good Captain here, and probably Otto as well." Yzak said.
Otto and Ron looked at each other and shrugged. "The infirmary is on level 12, take the lift and once you're on 12, follow the signs." Otto repeated.
The group left, leaving Yzak to discuss whatever he needed to discuss. Ron motioned Otto and Yzak to join him in his ready room, adjacent to the bridge. They sat down and Ron opened his hands, letting Yzak speak.
"Why wasn't I informed about these projects? As part of the National Defense Committee, I should be made aware of all new developments involving weapons, ships and suits." Yzak started off with no preamble.
"Yes you should be told when new projects are underway." Ron agreed.
"Then why" Yzak started again.
Ron cut him off. "The Xephon-class was developed before the war ended the same with the SF-99 series. I will let you know right now that the project heads are going to start a new MP suit project soon, using designs they recently found in an old abandoned asteroid base."
"Well so long as I receive all information on the SF-99 series and the Xephon-class, I will have no reason to launch an investigation on the possibility of traitors on the project teams."
Otto looked at Ron with a startled and somewhat annoyed look. Ron kept his own face passive, instead moving to sate Yzak's concerns.
"As you wish, Councilor Jule, I will have the files sent to your desk once we reach Armory One."
"So why am I here?" Otto asked, not sure as to his purpose in this little impromptu meeting.
"Because you have secrets, and I don't like allies with potentially explosive pasts." Yzak said, turning to face Otto with a hard stare.
Otto rolled his eyes in disbelief. "So go hack into my file, I've got better things to do than waste my time with you." He got up to leave.
"You're not a Coordinator, are you?" It was more of a statement than a question, but Yzak still had a few doubts.
Otto sighed and sat back down. He looked at Ron, who nodded.
"Not entirely. My mother was a first generation Coordinator, but my father was a Natural. She died when I was three, and he died during the war." Otto explained.
"You're still hiding something." Yzak prodded. "I won't tell anyone else, I'm a PLANT Councilor, not a tabloid reporter."
"My father re-married a year later with a Natural and had a daughter before becoming a minister of the Atlantic Federation. You were on the same ship as her for a few weeks, but he died in front of her eyes."
"That's not possible, you're telling me you're ..." Yzak was stunned.
"I am Daniel Pierce Alster, son of George Alster, older brother of Flay Alster."
-
"How is she?" Kira jumped at Milly's voice. He was sitting in his chair, fatigue nearly overcoming him as the doctor worked to remove all of the metal in Lacus' body.
"Doctor says he's almost done." Kira replied, suppressing a yawn.
"Why don't you take a nap Kira?" Athrun suggested.
"Thanks, but no. I promised Lacus I wouldn't leave her side anymore."
"Look, you all can't be here, I can allow two people at most in here while surgery in being performed. The rest of you have to leave now." A nurse said, shooing them out.
"I'll stay with Kira." Milly volunteered.
Dearka was going to object, but Athrun grabbed his arm and led him out, followed by Cagalli. She took a seat right next to Kira, and brushed the creases out of her dress. They were all still wearing their formal wear from the party.
Kira blinked stupidly as enfolded him in a hug.
"Lacus will be fine, trust me now get some sleep Kira Yamato." She whispered in his ear.
Sleep was so tempting to Kira, he closed his eyes for a second to think about it, and before Miriallia could react, he was asleep on her shoulder. She repositioned herself more comfortably and rested her head on his.
The nurse helping the doctor looked up for a moment and smiled. They made such a cute couple, but both of them were already attached to others. She chuckled and got back to work, following her doctor's instructions to help the poor girl on the table.
-
Another Alster, just great, the red-head was bad enough when she was on the Vesalius, I still don't know why Le Crueset brought her aboard. Now I have to deal with her older brother. Yzak was not happy at this new information.
"You're not going to go ape-shit on Yamato are you?" Yzak asked cautiously.
"Why would I?" Otto, or rather Daniel, asked.
"P, she was involved with Kira before she died." Ron said, frowning.
"At least that was her choice, not like her arranged engagement to Sai Argyle. I told my father I didn't approve of arranged marriages." Daniel said with a bit of scorn in his voice.
"Well as long as you don't try to kill him or anything rash like that." Yzak said, feeling a little relieved. He didn't like it when two of his teammates could possibly go at it at any second.
"My father's death was tragic, but he was involved in the war by his own choice, being a minister of the Atlantic Federation. I understand that he put his life at risk every time he boarded a warship. Flay's death was unnecessary, and I still grieve for her, but blaming someone who tried to protect her won't bring my little sister back."
"Just remember those words Daniel Pierce Alster." Yzak warned.
Daniel nodded and got up again to leave, satisfied that Yzak was done with him. He sighed when Yzak asked for him to wait another moment.
"What's with the secret identity 'Otto'?"
"I wanted to keep a low profile after I left home, so I assumed the name 'Ottoman Dallas'. I wanted to see what I could do on my own, without my father's shadow hanging over me."
-
"So you four failed your mission."
"The targets were identified and located, and now the entire Coordinator society knows of us." Mordecai, the pilot of the War Gundam, replied.
"But you failed to apprehend them, or kill them as your orders stated." Again, it was a statement.
"Niisan, I don't believe you had taken into account the reaction times of the security forces." Untensu, the pilot of the Death Gundam, said, trying to calm his older brother down.
"Listen Untensu, you always claimed to be a superior pilot to me, I expect the four of you to be able to deal with whatever ZAFT throws at you and still complete your mission. Perhaps I should have gone as well."
"Lord Syuu, your presence was not required; we did smash a large portion of their mobile suits." Kali, the pilot of the Famine Gundam, interjected.
"I think Hiroto is anxious to try his new toy out." Gideon, the pilot of the Conquest Gundam, said chuckling lightly.
"As much as I hate to admit it, Gideon is right. Get your Gundams ready to go; we're going to Armory One to intercept that ship. And I'm going with you in my Apocalypse Gundam." Said Hiroto Syuu.
The Four Horsemen pilots smiled.
-
"Captain, Armory One has queried us." The communications officer said.
"Send the proper codes and tell them to get the SF-99's online." Ron replied, leaning forward in his seat in anticipation.
"We've received clearance to dock; they say that only five will be operational."
"Better than none, Helmsman, take us in, one-quarter thrust."
The Chon-Ji Tul slowly entered one of the docking bays in the Armory One PLANT. Ron, Daniel and Yzak were waiting for the lift to arrive so they could gather up the rest of the party and go inspect the prototypes. The lift doors opened, revealing Cagalli, Athrun, Dearka and Milly.
"Where's Yamato now?" Yzak asked irritably.
"Lacus just came out of surgery; he's making sure she's alright." Milly replied, rubbing her shoulder.
"Get him up here, we're going to inspect the prototypes and then we're going to kill those Four Horsemen." Yzak ordered.
Milly stepped back into the lift, muttering under her breath about rude Coordinators. The doors closed, sending Miriallia back down to level 12 as Dearka rolled his eyes at Yzak.
"What?" he asked.
-
Milly was still muttering curses as she stormed into the infirmary. Lacus was still sleeping with Kira by her side, holding her hand tightly. Milly calmed down at the cute sight, and gently place her hand on Kira's shoulder.
"We've docked at Armory One; Yzak wants you with the others so you can all check out the prototypes." She said softly, not wanting to wake Lacus.
Kira nodded, light kissed Lacus on her forehead and stood up.
"Can you watch her for me? I want someone she knows to be at her side when she wakes up." Kira asked.
"Of course. Now you'd better go, Yzak is really impatient."
Kira left, leaving Milly with Lacus. The brunette Natural took the time to look at Lacus. She had never seen the songstress look so fragile before. The nurse had taken the time to comb the long pink hair neatly, but Lacus' face was pale from blood loss and the surgery. Her chest was heavily bandaged, and Milly could faintly hear the doctor talking about the total length of the metal they had extracted. From what she could hear, another two inches of metal and the shard would have pierced Lacus' heart.
"You're going to be out of the action for a while, but maybe this will convince you and Kira to take a long vacation together. You're both too gentle to be involved in more fighting." Milly whispered, stroking Lacus' face.
-
"Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to the Armory One SF Lab. I am the designer of the SF-99 Series, Doctor Phillip Shayd." He was about 5 foot 10, with balding white hair and bright brown eyes.
"We've been working non-stop on the X01, X02, X03, X04 and X05 for the last month now, and they're finally ready for use. The X06, X07, X08 and X09 won't be operational for several more months, probably closer to a year." He explained, leading them to a hangar facility.
They entered and before them stood five new Gundam mobile suits.
"May I present to you the latest brain-children of all of the engineers in Armory One." It was a shock to the entire group to see five new Gundams, even to Ron and Daniel who were aware of the capabilities of all five.
"First, we have the X01, codenamed the Eternal." Phillip said, pointing to the first one on the left, painted in mostly white with blue and red on the torso area.
"Next we have the X02, codenamed the Matrix." They moved one, and he pointed out the second Gundam, painted in a medium green with black parts.
"Thirdly we have the X03, codenamed Angel." This suit was painted white with pink parts, mainly on the torso area. Its V-Fins were curved back, almost forming a gold halo above the head.
"Our next Gundam is the X04, codenamed Veritas, which is Latin for 'Truth'." The fourth suit was beige and black and carried multiple weapons.
"Finally we have the X05, codenamed Aequitas, Latin for 'Justice' or 'Equality' and essentially the brother to the X04." The X05 was painted with the same colors as the X04, but it held fewer weapons and had a staff on its back.
He turned to face his audience. "The five of you will pilot these machines, but we will need to conduct tests for the pilot of X02 Matrix." He said, looking at Kira, Yzak, Cagalli, Dearka and Athrun.
"What's so special about the Matrix?" Dearka asked.
"The X02 is a prototype in the truest sense. Some of you may have heard rumors about a powerful psychically controlled mobile suit being developed. This is our greatest achievement to date: The eXperimental Mental upLink System or XML System for short. It requires strong mental abilities and honed skills to operate it. There are no standard controls other than a few start-up buttons." Phillip explained.
"And you want one of us to master the system?" Yzak said.
"Exactly, who better to try than veterans and heroes from the last war?"
Yeah, who better indeed? Dearka thought bitterly.
"If one of you is able to master the XML, it will provide the pilot and the suit with the best reflexes possible, since the commands will originate from the mind and not have to worry about using hands and feet." He continued.
"But we should hurry up and test you all before it's too late. The testing area is just over here." he led them to a simple simulator shaped and designed like a mobile suit cockpit.
Opening the simulator door, he told them how in conjunction with the helmet specifically designed for X02 would enhance brain waves and send those to the receiving end on the Matrix. Inside the cockpit was nothing but a chair with straps and a simple looking flight helmet.
Dearka volunteered first, donning the helmet and sitting inside the simulator. The hatch closed and the tan pilot started the XML system. Lights above the simulator flickered on and off, telling the spectators that Dearka was having a hard time with the system. Finally, one light turned solid green for several seconds before they all turned red and flicked off. The hatch opened, revealing Dearka who was breathing a littler heavier than usual.
"Damn that's ... hard ... to learn." He said while taking the helmet off.
"A good try nonetheless Mister Elsman. Now who's next?"
Athrun volunteered to be next, and his test was barely better than Dearka's. Athrun managed to three lights green before they all turned off. Doctor Shayd thanked Athrun for his attempt as Cagalli gave it a go. Her attempt was worse than Dearka's, none of the lights turned anything above flickering amber.
Kira went in next, and after several seconds, the lights turned green one after another. He started to concentrate and the lights turned solid. Phillip was overjoyed at this latest result and heartily congratulated Kira on his success. Kira turned to Yzak.
"Are you going to try it out?" he asked.
"Might as well give it a try, it couldn't hurt." Yzak said, taking the helmet and sitting on the chair before the hatch closed.
-
"Time until we reach the target?"
"One hour sir at current velocities, but we will be in range of their early warning systems in about 5 minutes."
"That won't be a problem; no defense they could ever mount would be enough to stop us."
"So the flight plan remains the same?"
"Yes, it is unchanged. Group A will cover us as Group B eliminates any mobile defenses. Group C will open a path for group D, who will accomplish their mission in any way possible."
"Then get the pilots on standby."
-
"Well I think we have the proper Gundam assignments now. Cagalli will pilot the SF-99-X03 Angel Gundam. Remember, Princess that the Angel focuses a little more on defense than it does offense. Next, Dearka will pilot the X04 Veritas Gundam. Now it is similar to your old Buster, but it does have a melee weapon mounted on the repeater cannon. Athrun, you will pilot the X05 Aequitas Gundam. Its beam staff is similar to dual beam sabers you could connect on the ZGMF-X09A Justice."
"Warning, incoming unidentified vessel approaching Armory One. Bogey-1 has just passed Early Warning System. All pilots please stand-by in their respective briefing rooms for more information." Came the warning.
"Yzak, Kira, I think both of your assigned Gundams are obvious." Phillip called to pilots running towards the briefing room.
They made it into the briefing room just before the base commander appeared on the viewscreen. The commander wasn't more than 30, but he already had thinning grey hair, mostly due to the war.
"The ship approaching us isn't a registered type used by the Earth Alliance, ZAFT, PLANT or Orb." He started.
"So we have no idea who this is attacking us?" Cagalli asked.
"I'll bet it's the Blue Cosmos, probably their elite corps, what were they called?" Dearka suggested.
"The Keshitai." Kira and Yzak said in unison. They looked at each other, surprised.
"That would be a fair assessment. They will be in firing range in less than 20 minutes. All pilots are to launch immediately. Assignments will be given once all squads have launched. Get to your suits." The viewscreen shut off.
The group looked at each other for a brief second before heading for the change rooms adjacent to the hangar bay where their Gundams were. Cagalli split off, entering the females change room.
Athrun and Dearka changed in record time, leaving the room before Kira got his shirt off. He finished changing before Yzak did; grabbing two helmets, he floated over to where Yzak was zipping up his flight suit.
"Here, this is yours." Kira said, tossing a green and black helmet towards the silver-haired Coordinator.
"Thanks, but are you sure? Doctor Shayd thought for sure you would be the pilot." Yzak said, plucking the helmet out of the air.
"I'm sure." Kira said, remembering Yzak's test.
-
Flashback
Yzak put the helmet on after strapping into the seat. Immediately the lights outside the simulator burned a bright solid green. The Coordinator was amazed; he hadn't even started the system up yet.
He put the sim through a few test moves and figured if the real thing was just like this simulator, then it really could be the most powerful weapon ever invented. Finally, he shut the cockpit down and opened the hatch.
Everyone outside was amazed. Phillip stepped forward to shake Yzak's hand.
"Congratulations son, I think we have our pilot. I've never seen such quick response times from anybody, Kira included."
"But I didn't even try that hard, it was like breathing, it felt so natural." Yzak replied.
"That's a good thing, because when you're in the middle of a tense battle, you don't want to have to worry about concentrating on the little things. Commands should just flow from you like water from a waterfall."
-
"Let's go kick some ass." The five pilots met up outside of the changing rooms.
They boarded their assigned Gundams and prepared for launch.
"All units are cleared for launch!"
"Kira Yamato! Eternal, launching!" the white, blue and red suit shot out into space.
"Yzak Jule! Matrix Gundam launching!" Yzak's mind controlled green and black suit followed Kira.
"Cagalli Yula Athha! Angel! Launching!" Orb's Princess sped off to battle in her pink and white suit.
"Dearka Elsman! Veritas! Moving out!" The first beige and black suit launched.
"Athrun Zala! Aequitas, launching!" The second black and beige suit launched, completing the Gundam launch sequence.
Several squads of GuAIZ and CGUE suits launched afterwards, forming up and moving as one. The enemy ship was in sight, and it looked like a modified version of the Archangel-class battleships.
"All units be warned: the enemy ship has launched four mobile suits of an unknown type, repeat the enemy vessel has launched four unknown suits."
Unknown to the majority of the PLANT forces perhaps, but to the pilots of the SF-99 series of Gundams, their enemy was all too familiar. The FHA-G01X Conquest Gundam, the FHA-G02X War Gundam, the FHA-G03X Famine Gundam and the FHA-G04X Death Gundam.
"The four ponies have come out to play. I say we take it to them, we outnumber them several times over." Cagalli said, ready to lay a smack-down.
"The Chon-Ji Tul is launching to provide cover."
"This is the best way to test our new Gundams. Arm yourselves, we're going in!" Yzak ordered.
Kira was armed with dual beam sabers, dual head gatter cannons, a beam rifle and a shield. Yzak had only his two beam sabers and dual head gatter cannons. Cagalli had leg mounted tri-barreled beam cannons, dual beam sabers, a chest-mounted "Lancer" energy cannon, dual head gatters, a beam rifle and her shield. Dearka was the most heavily armed, with dual high-energy beam cannons mounted above the shoulders, large rail-cannon, a rapid-fire beam rifle with a beam bayonet, and an experimental I-Field, which would block all beams. Athrun was the most balance with four head gatter cannons, a beam staff, and a "Scylla" chest cannon.
All of the Gundams feature Nuclear Jammer Cancellers and Nuclear Fission Reactors, both technologies would be banned under the new treaty.
"Hold up, there's a fifth unit launching, it's an unknown type as well." Kira said, breaking in before they could attack the first four units.
"What the hell is that?" Athrun asked, unable to make out what it was.
"That's almost 30 meters tall! Taller than the Death Gundam!" Dearka said, scanning the newest arrival.
"It doesn't look too heavily armed, but what about those shoulder mounted bazooka-type cannons? That could spell trouble real quick." Cagalli added.
"Whatever that suit is, it's too late now, we're about to join in battle." Kira said, attempting to end the speculation.
"Break by pairs and attack: Cagalli and Athrun, Dearka and Kira. I'll go solo and test out this XML in combat. Good luck!" Suiting words to action, Yzak accelerated and drew both of his beam sabers, moving in to take on the Conquest Gundam.
The War and Death Gundams moved in to attack the Angel and Aequitas Gundams as the Famine Gundam targeted the Eternal Gundam. The last unknown Gundam moved towards the Veritas Gundam.
The fight had begun.
A/N: Holy crap, sorry for the delay, but I was busy with the World of Warcraft Stress Test Beta (Open Beta starting Monday, get yours then!). Thanks for all of the reviews for my last chapter, please keep it up. Just a note: the head gatters on the SF-99 series are similar to the Igelstellung head vulcans on the GAT-X series. I'll post the stats for both sets of Gundams on my website by the next chapter and I'll have the links. Thank you again!