Disclaimer: See Chapter 1


"General Unilateral Neuro-link Dispersive Autonomic Maneuver system activated." The various controls and screens all lit up, illuminating the cockpit. Dearka flipped several more switched as Buster fully turned on. He grabbed the piloting controls, once again feeling the comforting metal beneath his hands.

"Let's see what you can do now, Buster," he said as he charged into the battle. The modification had vastly improved the flight capability in space, so dodging was no problem now for Dearka. He aimed for a line of mobile suits firing at the ArchAngel and pulled his beam rifle into place, pulling the trigger to fire.

The ArchAngel shook as more beams and missiles exploded onto the battleship. Miriallia looked on hopelessly until she saw a yellow beam from the direction of the ZAFT forces disintegrate a mass of Gold Cosmos units. Another array of guns fired upon the enemy as the ZAFT forces moved into place. Finally after a period of nonstop shooting and explosions, the ArchAngel made it to the protection of the ZAFT forces and the Gold Cosmos space unit was obliterated.

Several other ships helped pull the ArchAngel into a port in a nearby PLANT for repairs. The battleship was carefully transported into the spacestation and the gates closed. After docking, the crew came out to relax a bit while Murrue, Athrun, and Cagalli went to see the ZAFT Council to decide on the next course of action and to relay to them what happened in Orb.

"Their forces are too large for a quick ending to the war," one of the representatives announced. He displayed a projectile of pictures taken of the Gold Cosmos forces. They were vastly outnumbered. "In order to even the power, we'll need more ships along with all four of the Gundams with fully trained and experienced pilots." He looked at Yzak, Athrun, and finally Dearka, who was made by Yzak to attend the meeting.

Athrun laughed, "Well, its about time Kira got off from his vacation." Cagalli looked overjoyed at the thought of seeing her brother again. "He's currently at the PLANT that we're in, so we can ask him to help out personally tomorrow."

"Very well, meeting adjourned." They all rose and filed out of the meeting room. Yzak rushed up to Dearka and placed his hand on his guard's shoulder.

"Well, tell her now," he muttered. Dearka shook his head to imply that his answer was still "no."

"I don't think now's the time. There's a war and everything starting; it's just too distracting." Dearka looked away. "If I do tell her, then it'll just make her sad if I die too…"

"Die? After going through all that to save you last time, you still think you can die with me around?" joked Yzak. "But if you don't think it's time, then you'd better promise me you'll tell her after we get rid of Gold Cosmos."

"Since when do you care?"

"Since I'm your friend, ha. What? Fine, since you're too caught up in your daydreaming about a Natural to protect me." Dearka gently shoved Yzak in response, who laughed.

Kira stared at the sky contentedly, sitting in the grass with Haro's jumping around him in vibrant colors. He turned to Lacus, who just came and tranquilly sat down beside him. She sighed, "Kira, it's time for you to go back once again."

"I know," the Coordinator chuckled, "I bet that Athrun and Cagalli are both coming today to get me. It will be great to see them."

Several hours later, one of the orphans came yelling, "Kira, there's some people here to see you!" Kira thanked her and rose from his seat. Along with Lacus, he walked to the house to greet his friends. They were all overjoyed to see each other again.

"Kira!" called Cagalli as she hugged him.

"Long time no see," Lacus said to both of them. The Haros bounced around her repeatedly greeting the guests with a "Haro!"

Athrun nodded. "It's really good to see you both again. However, it pains me to say this, but we're in a dire situation and a long-term reunion is not an option at this point." Lacus looked at him with understanding. He went on to short, summarized description of Gold Cosmos' rise to power.

"We need you to pilot the Freedom. Orb's rebuilt it," Cagalli finished for him.

"When they broadcasted, I thought it was really just another joke. I think I somehow already knew that I had to go back, back to the war that won't stop…" Kira said sadly. He looked up at Athrun, "However, if I can do something to permanently end this war, then I will!" Lacus walked up next to him and turned to face him.

"May I come? I promise I won't be in the way…"

Miriallia woke up to find herself in the PLANT that the ArchAngel docked in instead of Orb. She sighed, "So it wasn't a dream." She dressed and went outside for a walk. The PLANT was a lot like Orb. Roads crisscrossed here and there, fields of grass covered the landscape, and little artificial, yet realistic streams ran down the hillside. "Tolle…" The Natural walked aimlessly around for most of the morning until she accidentally collided with someone in her daydreaming.

"Dearka?" Miriallia gasped in surprise. He looked away.

"Uh, sorry, wasn't looking where I was going," Dearka said, scratching his head and blushing like he always did when he was nervous.

She laughed, "Me either. Care to accompany me back?" He nodded okay. They walked back together to the space station, neither saying a word.

Azrael Kogane stood over a map of all PLANTs and current ZAFT forces in the area. He was very much like the younger Azrael. Kogane had light blond hair combed back with several strands of hair tied back and bright light blue eyes. He pondered over his decision for next operation for the downfall of the Coodinators. The door opened and one of the soldiers entered.

"Sir Azrael, the PLANTs have not surrendered despite the broadcast," he said. The soldier glanced at the map. It was filled with x's and little diagrams of the PLANTs of all twelve sectors. There must be at least several thousand people inhabiting each of the PLANTs. He shouldn't be feeling any of this, but he felt sickened at the fact that they had just threatened to kill so many innocent people. However, he was a soldier, and he does not ask, just do. He has never met a Coordinator, yet he was taught to hate them.

Azrael nodded, "I see… Is there any other bad news you need to relay to me?"

"The battleship known as the ArchAngel has made it to the enemy forces. So, we've lost the Gundams that they have redeveloped to ZAFT also. We've been unable to take it down despite our space forces' efforts. So, what are our next orders?"

Azrael continued staring at the map, lighting his face in the dark room. "Destroy the PLANTs as decreed."

"But sir!"

"Send out the order now!"

"Yes sir!" The soldier went out. Azrael continued to look on unmovingly at the little red marks and pictures on the map.

"Well, little brother, I'll show you how to correctly and fully exterminate our… impurities…" he muttered.