Note to Readers:

I apologize that the last chapter was not up to par. I was ill and tried to write despite feeling like shit. Also to X-Over one of my reviewers: The eighth MS team will not be appearing in this story, but maybe sometime in the future I might do a side story, but that is a very big maybe.

Phase 9:

Location: Satellite Orbital Path One. EFSF White Base.

Time: December 31, 0079.

Local Time: 2245.

"Clearing both launch decks. Opening hatches. MS-18 and N-1 you are clear for landing, please reduce speed by 45 per cent."

Both mobile suits silently followed the guide lights and landed in their respective launch decks. The N-1 set down hooking unto the stopper cables and slowly walked back into its launch rack. A Federation engineer rapped on the hatch and Amaro came out.

"So" said the engineer, "How was it this time?"

Amaro said, "Sensor range is still a bit of an issue, plus the cockpit takes some getting used to."

The engineer scratched his head and replied, "Well, I can boost the sensors by another 5 per cent if I reroute some wires, however, I can't do a thing about the cockpit." Then engineer looked inside and said, "Although a full unobstructed view in every direction--must be nice."

Amaro said, "Yes, it doesn't feel like you are contained in a mobile suite at all--feels like you are naked in space."

The engineer laughed hysterically. "That's one way of putting it kid! Anyhow, we finished up upgrading your beam rifle. No increase in power, but it can now hold an extra five rounds."

Amaro nodded and quickly decided to change the topic. "How is Sayla doing in the MS-18?"

The engineer replied, "Pretty well. I managed to get a good look inside the suit and the controls are similar to a core booster. The transition went quicker than expected due to the similarity."

"And the others?" asked Amaro.

The engineer looked over his clip board and replied, "Well, the gun cannons have been restored to full combat readiness, also due to the fact that Bluestone had a couple of spares, and that they were more accurate, we reworked the computer so that they could use the Ms-14J's beam machine guns. Regarding the 14J's one of them has a faulty reactor so we can't employ that one. As for the second one, Major Ridden has been practicing on it constantly. So much so that I have to adjust it every time he returns. He is pushing the suit way too hard. Of course, if I had a MS like that I would want to see what it could do."

Suddenly the intercom blared out: "All hands to secondary bridge for emergency briefing."

The engineer said, "Go, I'll start boosting the sensors as much as possible."

Amaro quickly went through the docking bay airlock into the secondary bridge. Inside was the entire command crew of the ship.

Bright looked around and said, "It's finally happening." He then brought up a computer map. "The extraterrestrial force has begun to move. According to the current course and speed, they are going to bypass Solomon entirely and head directly to earth. At their current speed they will be here at exactly one minute past midnight. We are counting at least 40 ships, thanks to our long range recon. Most of the ships are the same type that were used to wipe out Side 3. There are several new types, we don't know the capabilities of these new ships, so we are going to have to use extreme caution. Bluestone will now brief you on the logistics."

Amaro noticed as Bluestone walked up to the map that his arm was no longer in a sling but now he had a eye patch covering his dead eye. The reason he was still aboard was due to the fact that A. He was experienced at fighting the aliens and B. so were most of his surviving crew who were now servicing the ship.

Bluestone said, "According to intelligence, we managed to find a weakness on these giant spear head shape ships. These pictures were taken by Federation satellites and Zaku Flipper Recon Teams." He then showed a photo of what appeared to be the underbelly of a ship. "Directly in the middle of the ships haul is what appears to be a giant docking bay. It's big enough to fit a pair of Magellan's. Intelligence and footage that managed to survive the assault on Zeon shows that this is a massive docking bay, capable of holding in our estimates approximately 100 fighters. We estimate that bigger spearheads could carry double that number."

Kai yelled out, "You've got to be kidding me! Those things can hold 100 fighters? That means they could possibly have from 4-6 thousand fighters."

Major Ridden who was sitting near the back of the room calmly said, "Quit your bitching Fed, it just means more targets for me."

Bluestone simply stated, "I'm continuing before a fight breaks out. Anyhow, it is our expressed belief that an extremely fast moving mobile suit armed with nuclear weapons could get under these ships, evade expected anti aircraft fire and deliver a payload directly into the docking bay. In turn crippling the ship.

Also recent intelligence shows that mega particle beams can pass through their shields if fired at very close range. The mission is as follows: The N-1, the MS-18 and the 14J will attack the ships. Major Ridden will provide cover fire, while Sayla and Amaro will use the 380 mm. Hyper-bazookas armed with nuclear shells to attack the hangers."

Sayla stood up in shock, "Sir--"

Bright cut her off saying, "Sayla I understand your concerns. However, the N-1 and the MS-18 are the only suits that could possibly have enough speed to dodge their anti aircraft fire. The two gun cannons will stay behind and defend the white base from any enemies that get too close."

Kia simply said, "Thank God, there is no way in hell you could pay me enough to go up against one of those things directly."

After hearing this Amaro wanted to punch Kia's lights out but held back and thought, that's just like Kia alright.

Bright said, "All ships are currently assuming defensive formation. We will be linking up with the Zanzibar Class ships Madagascar and Antananarivo and the Salamis Class Hook and Cape along with a dozen public and Jicco Class assault boats. All hands immediately to your stations."

Location: Musai Class Ship Dragoon. Satellite Orbital Path 2.

Time: 2315

"All hands level l battle stations. Repeat--All hands level 1 battle stations. Linking up with Chivvay Class Ships Lancer and Thresher. All mobile suits to launch immediately."

Char looked at Captain McCormick, he was in a pilot suit ready to board one of the new MS-11 action Zakus.

"There is no reason for you to go out there." Char said to McCormick.

McCormick nodded and replied, "I know, however, before I was promoted I used to pilot mobile suits all the time. I really miss it. Don't worry the ship is in capable hands. XO Betterman is almost as experienced as I am. Besides, you could use a sharp shooter."

Char nodded, he had heard of McCormick's record. After the battle of Odessa when many transports were retreating into space, McCormick in an obsolete MS-5 equipped only with a long range rifle, shot down multiple flydart interceptors trying to shoot down the transports as they exited the atmosphere. Even more remarkable was the fact that he was firing from space, shooting them as they reached the apex of the atmosphere. The mobile suit he was now piloting was obviously a huge step up. The action Zaku was one of Zeon's latest. It was equipped with magnetic near zero friction joints and a high power reactor. It was on par with the MS-14A only in a smaller more compact package.

McCormick closed the cockpit and powered up the machine. The heads up display went on illustrating current weapons carried and how much ammunition was available. Holding a high powered 90 mm. Sniper rifle he quickly maneuvered the suit out of the Musai's launch bay, followed by two other action Zakus equipped with machine guns and the white devil. McCormick looked at the white devil and thought that Char had really done a nice job painting it. What used to be white was now red, blue was painted black, and the rest was in gold trim. Since they didn't ship the devil with a shield, one was borrowed from a MS-14. It was holding a Zaku bazooka equipped with nuclear shells and one extra clip.

McCormick said over the radio, "So how does she handle?"

Char replied, "I can see why this thing is a monster: Computer assisted controls, lunar titanium armor, and high output bean sabers capable of cutting a Musai's gun turret in half."

Before McCormick could respond a whole group of MS-9Rs linked up with them. Half were carrying the standard automatic bazookas, the other half machine guns. There was even one MS-9R carrying a MS-14 beam rifle.

"Sigma Squadron Here! Delta Squadron and I are ready. Assuming the attack formation. All units armed with bazookas to attack the Spearheads hanger bay. All other units are to provide cover fire."

Char looked straight out the cockpit. There they were. Forty gigantic ships, as big as colonies, heading straight for them at high speed. Char simply nodded and put on his flight helmet arming the bazooka. They might lose, but they were going to certainly give them hell.

Location: Covenant Star Destroyer Silent Line

Time: 2358

Commander Reneen stared out the view port. It was amazing how much battle strength the Infidels were able to scrape together. "All ships in my battle group go to ΒΌ speed. Remember their beams can pierce our shields at point blank range, we must not get too close." The Elite smiled, currently Commander Plo was directing the battle from a place called Side 7, during one final check of the computers, Plo discovered that this now abandoned colony was developing mobile suits, so his ship the Moonlight Symphony, along with two Frigates and Cruisers were currently at the colony giving it a thorough check. Of course Plo could still communicate with them, broadcasting on hyperspace band or S-Fred as it was called, worked extremely well. The primitive jamming technology only worked on communication at the subspace level.

The massive Infidel Armada was before him. He quickly yelled, "Deploy all fighters--Prep guns for long range bombardment. Remember we must keep them occupied for at least one hour."

From the ships hanger spewed forth a massive number of Banshee and D-type fighters, along with the new Nexus type. The Nexus was a new development. After encountering the fighters of the New Republic, pilots began to demand similar ships. The Nexus was the result. Like most Covenant fighters it had no shields. However, the Nexus was extremely fast, maneuverable and well armed with four rapid fire plasma cannons and a twin fuel rod launcher. These tear drop shaped fighters, according to the data, performance was on par with the Imperial Tie Intersected, only better armed.

Covenant fighters and enemy mobile suits began to clash with one another. For on this date, January 1, 0080, the Final Battle was about to begin.

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Next: Black New Year: Part 2

Rave Drifter