Chapter 3: Athrun and the Decisive Fire

"… and we ask that any sovereign nations join the Earth Alliance as soon as they can so that we, the Naturals of Earth, may present a united front to the Coordinators and end the war as quickly as possible. The Orb Union, the Kingdom of Scandinavia and the Equatorial Union, we urge you all to consider."

"That message began broadcasting an hour ago." It was the first of June, Cosmic Era 71. Uzumi Nala Athha, Murrue Ramius and Mu La Flaga had just finished watching what one could consider an ultimatum directed at any neutral nation, such as Orb.

"The Earth Alliance knows Orb will never join, but a stunt like this will make us look like we support ZAFT by not joining. I have my suspicions that the Blue Cosmos, led by Murata Azrael, is behind this push." Uzumi continued.

"I think this is a three-fold attack. Their first objective is to train their troops in mobile suit combat, which Orb will provide plenty of practice for." Mu started.

"Well, the second is obviously to go at ZAFT with all of Earth behind them. Once Orb has fallen, Scandinavia and the Equatorial Union won't last much longer. But what's the third?" Murrue put in.

"Their third objective is to obtain a mass driver. The Kaguya mass driver would be perfect for the Earth Alliance to launch ships with." Uzumi told them.

"Which means we have to protect Onogoro Island long enough to launch into space and evacuate Orb safely." Mu said.

"But that's impossible! Orb doesn't have the resources or people to fend off the ground forces of the Alliance." Murrue burst out.

"Maybe not for a toe-to-toe fight, but accompanying our M1 Corps, we have numerous hard points already installed. If we start the evacuation now then I believe that we can get everyone to safety before a fleet comes knocking on our door." Uzumi corrected.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I must prepare a rejection suitable for the Alliance." Uzumi nodded at the two of them and left the room.

Mu stretched and stood. "I'm going to go find Kira, there's something he needs to know. You look tired Murrue, you should get some rest."

Murrue would have heeded Mu's words of wisdom but she had too much to do on the bridge of the Archangel. Flay was disappointed that she couldn't pilot a mobile suit so she volunteered for the bridge. Murrue considered moving Sai to the secondary helmsman and putting Flay in his old place but she wasn't sure. A good solution would present itself; all she needed was a little time to think about it.

"Kira! Get your butt out of there, you and I need to talk." Mu snapped, standing over Freedom's cockpit.

The advanced mobile suit was flat on its back, lying next to Strike and several M1 Astrays. Kira grumbled something incoherently and put his keyboard back and climbed out.

"What?" he asked irritably. How was he supposed to finish modifying Freedom if everyone from Mu to Erica to the three test pilots kept bothering him?

"Don't take that tone with me." Mu scolded. He motioned for Kira to follow him.

Now Kira was completely puzzled at Mu's behavior. He figured it was from whatever they discussed at their meeting but he couldn't help but feel that he was responsible for this.

"Flay came to me yesterday morning." Mu said suddenly after they had been walking for several minutes in silence.

Kira gulped. He knew what she talked to Mu about. "She wanted me to override you on your decision since apparently I've been made the flight commander of Orb." Mu continued.

"I turned her request down and told her that you still have precedence over me in some matters." Kira was shocked to hear that.

"But there's something I want you to know." Kira leaned in close to listen.

"Her father was a pilot once." Mu held a hand up to forestall Kira's remarks. "Just listen Kid. The last battle he fought in a mobile armor was at Yggdrasil, a fourth generation space station. He was shot out of two Moebius' and managed to land a third damaged one. The man was a brilliant pilot and he should have continued to fly with us but when he landed the third armor something blew and a piece of shrapnel came close to completely severing his spinal cord."

"After rehab he took the place of an Atlantic Federation minister who had retired. Piloting and politics, both were his strong suits. Give her a chance Kid; she may take after her father more than we know."

Kira stared at the floor for a minute and then looked Mu in the eyes. "I've made my decision."

"I see." Mu said noncommittally.

It was an odd time of the day. Most of the bridge crew had finished their shifts and gone to find something to eat and perhaps rest a while. Due to the lack of manpower, most of the senior crew was doubling their shifts so that everything would be completed. Orb couldn't help out too much; most of their able-bodied people were being trained as pilots.

At this point in time, the only people on the bridge were Arnold, pulling his third straight shift without a break, Flay and Miriallia. Both girls were in the CIC center, going over the repairs. They were of course chatting about – in Arnold's opinion – nonsensical things, as most girls do.

"So what do you think the captain will do with the Buster pilot that surrendered?" Mir asked.

Flay eyed the girl uncertainly. The tan Coordinator was a bit of a bad subject for the two of them, both of them tried to kill him in rage, and Flay could swear he had a crush on Mir.

"I don't think we're allowed to hold him in a neutral country as a renegade ship. Captain Ramius will probably release him before we leave and let Orb deal with it." Flay replied after thinking for a few seconds.

"I suppose that's the only choice we have." Mir said a hint of sadness evident.

Flay was never one to pass up an opportunity such as this. "Aww … isn't that cute, Mir likes the enemy pilot." She teased.

"I do not!" she replied indignantly, "I tried to kill him once, I'm pretty sure that's the furthest you can get from liking someone."

"Come on Mir, it's not so bad liking someone who tried to kill us all once. Besides, if he's all tied up then he can't run off and die, right?"

"Is that what you wanted to do with Kira?" Mir turned the tables on Flay.

The red-haired girl paused for a second before replying. "We've all changed, and I think for the better. Kira … he forgave me for what I tried to do."

"He is a sweet guy, but when something gets him going, there's not a lot that can stop him." Mir giggled.

More than you know Miriallia. "That's not always the best thing either, he won't let me fight with him, and Mu won't let me pilot either. I'm starting to feel like a little child here."

"That just shows how much he cares about you, he doesn't want you hurt."

"I suppose, but I feel the need to protect him now, to start repaying the debt of saving us all of the time."

"Oi! Quit chatting and get back to work down there!" Arnold yelled having finally grown tired of three hours of chit-chat between the two of them.

Both girls jumped at his anger and got back to work as Murrue entered the bridge. "Status?" she asked.

"Repairs are ahead of schedule Ma'am. The Archangel will be fully operational in three hours." Arnold reported, not looking up from his station.

"Good. Get some rest Neuman, you need it." Murrue replied.

"But …" he turned to face her.

"No buts, don't make me make it an order."

"Aye aye Captain."

As Arnold entered the lift, Murrue turned towards the CIC. "You girls are also dismissed."

Two "Yes Ma'am" came out from the center and then Murrue was left in silence. She stood near one of the windows and stared out as the sun was slowly setting for the day. For nearly twenty minutes, she stood alone, and she didn't bother to turn to see who had exited the lift onto the bridge.

"Feeling lonely?" Mu asked.

"Commander? What are you doing here?" she asked in surprise.

"Just checking up on you Captain; and I'm not a commander anymore." Mu replied moving beside her.

"And I'm not a captain. Why did you return to us at JOSH-A?"

"I hate leaving unfinished business." Mu explained, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her in close.

"Unfinished busi-" she was cut off when her lips met Mu's.

Their first kiss lasted only a few seconds and Murrue broke it, her cheeks flushed.

"I don't date Mobile Armor pilots." She told him.

"That's fine; I'm a Mobile Suit pilot now." He put the emphasis on suit.

They came together in another kiss, consensual by the both of them.

Flay and Miriallia walked through the corridors to get the mess hall. They were chatting about something interesting when Kira found them. "Flay! Mir!"

"Hi Kira." Mir greeted, giving him a wave.

Flay got a quick peck on the cheek and a hug as Murrue's voice came over the intercom system.

"Attention please! This is a message from Archangel captain Murrue Ramius. To all crewmembers; at this very moment an Earth Alliance naval fleet is on its way to Orb. The Earth Alliance has demanded that the Orb government dissolve itself within 48 hours of their arrival. If those demands are not met, they are prepared to launch a full-scale attack. The Orb government it attempting negotiations, but it seems very likely that an attack is unavoidable. In the event that the negotiations fail, the Archangel will join the Orb government in fighting against the Earth Alliance. However, this is my personal decision and you are under no obligation to follow my orders. Those of you who wish to leave, please follow Orb's instructions and seek shelter."

"So it is true." Kira muttered.

Flay paid no heed to Kira's odd words. "Kira, Mir and I were about to head to the mess hall for a bite to eat, would you care to join us?"

"I'd love to, but I've got to find Mu … and Manager Simmons. I'll find you later, okay?" without waiting for a response, Kira tore off, racing through the corridors.

"What was that all about?" Mir wondered.

Flay couldn't answer her.

It was late in the night by the time Kira got back to the quarters he once again shared with Flay. She was still up, working on something at the computer terminal located near the door. "You're late." Was the greeting he got.

"Sorry." He apologized, moving to let the door close behind him.

"So what have you been doing these past several hours?"

"Arranging and fixing a few things, nothing major really."

Flay turned in her chair to face her boyfriend. "Do I really want to know?"

"Well, this time, yes." She stared at him with an almost bored look on her face, waiting for him to go on.

"I've decided to let you pilot."

Kira let the information sink in for a second but before he could continue again, Flay leapt from her chair and enfolded Kira in a hug which knocked the two of them to the floor. He laid there on the floor, his hands around her back, while she whispered thank you over and over, her arms around his neck.

Finally she looked at him again. "So what made you change your mind?" she asked innocently.

Well between you pouting all day long, Mu pestering me nonstop and the fact that we need all the help we can get …Kira said none of what he thought. Instead, he winked at her. "It's my secret."

"Now you'd better get some sleep, you've got a big day ahead of you, learning how to pilot and all." Kira said in a fatherly tone.

Flay stood up and brushed herself off. "Like I'm going to be able to sleep now knowing I get to pilot." She crossed her arms. "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"

Kira leapt up to his feet and swept Flay off of hers. She giggled as he twirled her around in a bridal fashion. He gently put her on the bed. "I've got a few more things to finish, so I'll be back in a few hours, and when I get back you'd better be asleep." He warned teasingly.

He stood once more and opened the door. "Kira?" Flay's voice stopped him, so he turned his head to look at her. "Thank you."

He nodded and left once again.

Inside the hangar of the Archangel, Kira, Mu and Kojiro were discussing a few things to optimize the overall performance of the suits. Kira obviously had the most to say on the matter, with Mu and Kojiro lending a Natural's perspective of things to help out. The lower hangar doors hissed open, allowing Miriallia to lead a blindfolded Flay out onto the deck. Kira took notice and quickly made his way down to the girls.

"Why am I blindfolded?" Flay asked for the tenth time.

"Because Kira wants this to be a surprise for you." Mir replied for the tenth time.

"Where are we?" she asked as Mir's hands left her shoulders.

It wasn't Mir who answered, but rather Kira. "The hangar bay." He said nonchalantly as he removed the blindfold.

Flay gasped as her vision returned. Behind Kira was decidedly an M1 Astray, but in decidedly non-standard colors. The head was pink in color, with the V-Fin and chin a deep red. The arms and outside of the legs were purple, with the outside of the torso and the rest of the legs black, and finally a stripe of white to cover the rest of the torso.

From behind Kira came Mu with a flight suit draped over his left arm and a helmet held in his right. It had the same color scheme as her mobile suit, with the words "Flay" on the left side of the helmet and "Red Dragon" on the right. An emblem of a red dragon breathing fire was on each shoulder of her flight suit.

"Congratulations Ensign Alster on graduating." Mu said formally, handing her flight suit and helmet over.

Flay was speechless. She took her flight suit and stared at her customized M1. "Alright, play time is over! Back to work!" Murdock called out, getting his crew back to their duties.

Kira took Flay's hand and led the stunned girl towards the zip line. She had seen Kira descend often enough that she could do that part no problem. Flay held Kira tightly, not because she was afraid to fall, but rather because she couldn't believe this was real and not a dream.

"So show me how to work this." Flay said, finally snapping out of it.

"Sure thing … Ensign."

On June 13th, Cosmic Era 71, the Earth Alliance's 4th Naval Fleet parked off the coast of Onogoro Island and reiterated their demands: the current government to be dissolved, the mass driver to be handed over and the armed forces to disarm themselves. The 48 hour deadline had begun.

"Well Kuzzey, I guess this is it."

"Wait Sai, maybe I –"

"Stop. You've already decided to leave the ship right? I think you're making the right choice."

Kuzzey stared at Sai in disbelief.

"Violence is not the only way to win a fight. Still I –"

"Sai … thanks."

Sai and Kuzzey shook hands.

"Let's meet again, when the war is over." Sai said.

"Yeah, when there's peace."

With 24 hours to go before the deadline expired, Kuzzey Buskirk and 10 other members of the Archangel left, seeking shelter for the coming storm.

"Director Azrael, it's time." The captain announced.

"Launch missiles and suits. The 'Lion of Orb' will regret this day." Murata Azrael ordered.

Dozens of missiles were launched from the fleet, all aiming for the coastal defenses of Onogoro Island. As soon as their time ran out, the Archangel launched.

"Kira Yamato, Freedom, launching!"

"Mu La Flaga, Strike, moving out!"

"Flay Alster, M1 Astray, launching!"

The rest of Orb's M1 Astray Corp launched, led by their three test pilots, Julie Nien, Asagi Kodoueru and Mayura Lapats. "Get the M1's to form defensive lines no more than 50 meters apart. Flay, back them up; I'll go with these three. Kira's got everything else." Mu ordered.

"Incoming missiles!" Miriallia warned.

"Got 'em!" Kira said, boosting upwards and firing with his HiMAT attack.

"More incoming!"

"More missiles?" Kira wondered.

"Mobile suits!" Mu shouted out.

Earth Alliance transport planes flew overhead and dropped more suits directly on the island while the main group attacked from the sea. The Strike Daggers attacked relentlessly, destroying anything that looked vaguely militaristic. A large group began to move inwards towards several buildings, and there was little the three test pilots could do to stop them.

Kira banked sharply, having dealt with the missile barrage. His targeting computer locked onto several Daggers and he once again opened fire with his HiMAT attack. As soon as the beams struck the enemy suits, Kira dropped his shield, cut his thrusters and grabbed both beam sabers.

In a flash of light, he had disabled a handful more Daggers before reclaiming his shield and boosting out of there, leaving Strike and the M1s to deal with the survivors. Another warning came from the Archangel. "More heat sources detected, it's a mobile suit … no … mobile armor … wait!"

Whatever it was, it opened fire, narrowly missing the legged ship, and then it swooped away. As soon as it flew over solid ground, everything became clear. It was two mobile suits, one riding on top of another transformable one. A third suit destroyed several Orb naval ships with quick attacks.

The Calamity, Raider and Forbidden had arrived. It was at this point that Dearka, now released and dressed in civilian clothing, decided he had had enough of the slaughter that was going on around him. His mind flashed back to the last conversation he had with Miriallia.

"Wait, where's the Buster?"

"It was ours to begin with, so Morgenroete has it." She replied.

"Damn." A thought struck him. "You're not fighting are you?" he grabbed her upper arm to stop her progress.

"I'm in the Archangel's CIC. And … Orb is my homeland."

"Goddamnit!" he yelled before running off.

The Earth Alliance's trio of new Gundams continued to wreak havoc on the Orb defenders, with the Forbidden and Raider keeping Kira occupied while the Calamity danced back and forth through many battles.

Enemy fighters closed in on the Archangel, readying their missiles. "Multiple contacts above!" Mir warned.

"Evade them!" Murrue ordered.

But before Arnold could even move, two planes closed in only to be destroyed by a single accurate shot.

"What the?"

"Archangel what do you think you're doing?" Dearka demanded.

"Buster …" Sai reported.

Why him? Mir wondered.

Dearka launched his missiles at the group of fighters and shot down the survivors promptly. Mu raced towards the Calamity Gundam, which was firing at anything and everything in front of him. He fired twice at the artillery suit, hoping to get the pilot's attention.

Unfortunately for Mu, he did. Orga opened fire with his chest mounted Scylla cannon, blowing Strike's right arm and beam rifle away.

"Damn!" he cursed, flying backwards to gain some distance.

"Mu!" Flay cried out.

"Don't worry about me! Keep your attention on THEM!" he scolded.

Just in time, Flay turned her attention back to the battlefield and blocked a shot from a Dagger. She fired back as Mu retreated to the safety of the Archangel. Kira occupied the attention of the sombrero-hat covered Gundam and the hammer-tossing transformable one while the last one, the one with all the guns, kept switching between crushing Astrays and taking potshots at the sky.

Flay wanted to help Kira out very badly, but her Astray wasn't capable of sustained flight like Freedom; it couldn't even match the thruster output that Mu in the Aile Strike had. She'd be a sitting duck and would only distract him if she tried to help him.

The minutes passed as both sides settled into a stalemate. Her sensors picked up the launching of Skygrasper loaded with the Launcher pack. What the? She wondered. The agile fighter picked up speed and set a course straight for the Powell-class naval carrier in the center of the fleet.

Zooming in, Flay could see the Agni cannon charge up as the pilot centered in on the bridge. Before the he could fire, Raider's sphere breaker hit the port side of the Skygrasper, tearing off the left engine, wing and the cannon itself. No longer able to keep itself aloft, the fighter nosedived downwards and started a flat spin before crashing onto the main deck of the carrier, intact but on fire.

And Kira, who had one eye on the battle and one eye on the Skygrasper, found himself in a very bad situation. Below him, the Calamity Gundam, above him, the Raider Gundam, and across from him, the Forbidden Gundam. He could dodge two fields of fire, but the third would inevitably get him. All three Earth Alliance mobile suits opened fire. Freedom dodged the shots from Raider and Calamity, and then Kira recoiled in horror as the arcing induction plasma shot from the Forbidden arced around, aimed directly at his cockpit. There was no way he could dodge in time.

Something red intervened, sliding between the beam shot and Kira.

Notes: Well, I actually wanted to add more, but … well … shit happens. I hope my next update will be sooner rather than later like this one was. I would like thank everyone for reviewing "Things We Do", and I urge you all to review this chapter … please?

Prayer