Kira's radar pinged as it detected four GOOhNs being launched. His mind flashed back to the first time he had faced them in Strike. Most of Freedom's weapons were beams of some sort, but he did have his CIWS and railguns. And there was one trick he had learned from then …

"We've got no choice but to go through the blockade Kira. The Archangel will take down the submarine, which leaves you to deal with suits. Unfortunately there's a very good chance that both sides will detect us." Lacus told him.

"Understood. Be careful." He activated his phase shift.

He drew one beam saber and connected it to the other, forming the handle to the beam staff, but left it un-powered for the time being. Targeting the closest GOOhN, Kira armed his railguns and fired each one once. Two rounds shot out and struck the underwater suit before the pilot could react and destroyed it instantly.

In response, the other three scattered, coming in from different angles. Kira pushed his throttle up to full, feeling the sluggishness of the controls as he sped through the water. Torpedoes zoomed in, exploding close to him as he tried to evade.

One pilot got too close and Kira managed to grab hold of the suit and opened fire with his head-mounted CIWS vulcans. The enemy pilot screamed as the rounds slowly penetrated the armor and hit the reactor.

The Archangel had moved to within firing range and used their Valiant rail cannons on the ZAFT vessel, destroying the hapless sub in two shots. The explosion alerted the Earth Alliance and ZAFT forces to their presence.

"Hurry Kira, several squads are moving in towards our position." Lacus said.

Kira mentally cursed the reaction times of the forces above, and then powered up his dual beam sabers. Nothing happened of course, the water easily dispersed the particles that held the superheated plasma in place. But the energy that was used was still present. Nearing a GOOhN, Kira swung the saber, connecting with the hull of the suit.

Presented with an opportunity, the energy jumped and instantly a beam saber was formed inside the mechanics of the GOOhN. Just as quickly, the suit was torn apart by the energy, leaving only one more to deal with.

Before Kira could move towards his remaining opponent, a rail cannon round struck the suit and quick as a flash they were home free. Except, of course, for the massive enemy force behind them.

"Kira, we're ascending. Captain Ramius has ordered us to leave this area for the time being." Lacus reported.

"They've found us once Lacus, by accident sure, but now that we've been spotted you can be assured that they'll do their best to hunt us down."

"Now you're sure about this?"

"Of course I'm sure. The Archangel isn't exactly a stock model you know. They've been spotted and we're tracking them still."

"Of all the ships … still this presents a very interesting opportunity. You have heard about the recent kidnapping yes? Well chances are in favor that Kira Yamato has taken my bride to his ship."

"And as our new allies, you, Yuuna Roma Seiran, wish us to continue the hunt?"

"Of course, that is assuming you are not busy. I realize what a large task your group must accomplish, but even sending one or two ships to continue the search would not be impossible would it?" Yuuna asked.

"I am Neo Lorrnoke, I make the impossible possible. I will personally continue the hunt." Neo terminated the com link before Yuuna's bad hairstyle could overwhelm him.

'Well well, my little kitten. Maybe it's time I cut my hair …'

-

Memories resurfaced in the entire crew. What was happening now was all too similar to the events that had occurred two years ago. The Archangel was once again under constant attack while fleeing. The differences were there were no captured Gundams against them and they really had no place to go.

Murrue wanted no less than two pilots in the air whenever an attack commenced, but with only three pilots available, it meant that one would burning out for the second round. This time it was Kira and Cagalli up, with Cagalli on her second.

The Windams came in hard and fast, lead as always by a custom-painted purple Windam. The mobile suits didn't attack for more than fifteen or twenty minutes, their main attack was through attrition. The Archangel had soaked up a lot of damage thanks to past attacks and the crews were hard-pressed to repair the ship, the suits and keep themselves alive as well.

"We're nearing the time limit. All forces begin a general retreat." Neo ordered.

A chorus of affirmatives came back as he stopped his own attack against Freedom. However, Cagalli in the Strike Rouge pressed one final attack. Drawing a beam saber, she charged at him, no finesse or tactics at all, just brute force.

Neo easily avoided her attack and fired his last missile point blank into her cockpit. The attack shocked Cagalli long enough for him to draw his own saber and cut the legs off before stabbing the saber through the head.

"Cagalli NOOOOOO!" Kira screamed, rushing forward as Neo left the battle.

Kira grabbed hold of the damaged Rouge and brought it and its pilot back to the Archangel. Just as the damaged Strike Rouge was secured, the battleship shook as if a giant hand had grabbed them.

"What the hell was that?" Kira wondered.

"Get down kid! More missiles are incoming!" Andy yelled from the cockpit of his Murasame.

"Missiles?" Kira gasped.

He was thrown clear of Freedom's cockpit as the second salvo of missiles impacted and landed roughly on the hangar deck. Another wave hit and Kira heard several of the engines die out.

"Uh-oh …" Kira rushed to the bridge to find out exactly what was going on.

And when he got to the bridge, he wished he hadn't found out. It was Orb. Their entire naval fleet was trailing behind them. "I guess Orb is utilizing the treaty now." Kira said.

"It would seem that way. Astray Shrikes have begun their runs at us, and its taking its toll. There's simply too many out there to launch you and Andy, so we're hoping that if we can get over some solid land then we can delay their pursuit." Murrue explained.

Before Kira could respond to her, an incoming message was received. Lacus put it up on the main screen. There was no mistaking that ugly hairdo, it was Yuuna. "Hello Archangel. I am the great Yuuna Roma Seiran, and I have the power to save you, and the power to destroy you." He started.

'Oh god, not him again …' Kira thought.

Yuuna continued, showing a really bad smile. "I know that you are holding my wife Cagalli Yula Athha Seiran onboard, and I demand her immediate and unconditional release. Should you unwisely refuse, I will have no choice but to lead my troops into victory as we destroy you."

"Lead your troops?" Kira questioned. "From where, behind the broken altar?"

"Or maybe you're actually back at Orb and are sending out a hyperwave broadcast." Murrue put in.

"Nah, it's probably just a recording and he's actually sucking his thumb in fear while in his mother's lap." Lacus corrected.

They all laughed. Except for Yuuna, he was trying to come up with a retort. "Yeah … well … SHUT UP!"

The bridge crew onboard Yuuna's ship all exchanged looks and rolled their eyes. "Strike Astrays! Attack!" Yuuna ordered.

"Uh sir … they're called Astray Shrikes." The captain corrected.

The com link was cut before Yuuna's reply could be heard. All the humor in the situation evaporated as the Shrikes continued their attack runs, damaging the Archangel even further.

Hope beckoned to them as they passed over solid ground. Using their few remaining engines, they pushed as far inland as possible, hoping to escape the range of the aerial units and the naval vessels.

One last salvo of missiles hit them, damaging the engines beyond what they could take and sending the famous battleship plunging into the lush forest beneath them. As they slowed to a stop, Murrue spoke up. "What's the range of the Astray Shrikes?"

"Under these conditions they're limited to 40 kilometers, but they can usually push it to 45, but that doesn't include getting back. I'd say at most 25." Arnold answered.

"And what's our distance from the shore?" Lacus asked.

"30 kilometers." Was the answer.

"We're not far enough and we're a sitting duck." Murrue stated. "Order the evacuation of the Archangel. All personnel are to be divided into teams and issued firearms. Make your way further inland and find a way to contact our allies."

"Why teams? Why not go together?" Lacus questioned.

"We'll be far too easy to track as a large mass. Groups of five or less will be a lot harder to spot and track." Kira responded.

Neo flew overhead the downed battleship and saw the crew run out into the forest. "Well, I always love a challenge." He chuckled, and landed his purple Windam.


Oh noez! Things We Do is almost at an end! No! Oh well. Thank you for the reviews so far, keep it up and I might somehow think of a way to delay the inevitable. Somehow. Once again I'm promoting my site, which now has more pics added to the FIA screens section.

Prayer