A new mission

by ryuxdragonx

A dammed long one, took me pains to write this...

6. Part 4

Phase Four – Scouting

"It's most definitely the PLANT trying to attack us! Why would they go after the Senate in Orb? They're trying to bomb Orb! Orb should join us in renewing the war! We cannot let something like this go unheeded!"

"No! It is the Earth OMNI forces who are attacking PLANT and ZAFT! They killed our representatives!"

"Did you even see the footage and analysis! Senator Ingriss was FROM EARTH! She was the one in front of that bomb! She-"

"Ingriss was formerly working for the East African government! They are loyal to ZAFT and so she was ZAFT's representative!"

"It was Amalfi who bombed the place! He left just moments before the bombs went off!"

"Amalfi is innocent!"

"Many Earth senators DIED in that explosion, are you telling me that it is still the Earth's fault!"

"Yes! Many of the PLANT's representatives are dead! Only one survived!"

"Senator Amalfi is a PLANT representative isn't he? So two!"

Dearka shut the television off in disgust as he sat in the mess hall aboard the Archangel. Officially their leave was over and now the Archangel was on standby, their original mission to Februarius 3 cancelled by Acting-Leader Ledonil Kisaka. The Kusanagi was to be sent to Februarius 3 to help ZAFT forces in containing the rebels. All the media outlets including the ones that were part of PLANT were reporting the same thing – blaming each other and everyone in between for what had happened in the Senate Hall.

He was sickened to hear that Senator Amalfi was the main culprit in the eyes of the Earth Alliance and felt angry at those ignorant Earth bastards that dare throw mud at Amalfi's name. Nicol's father shouldn't have be subjected to such a disgusting inquiry, but Miri had pointed out before she went to take her shift minutes ago, that Amalfi's leaving minutes before the bombs went off was a bit suspicious.

But that was really unreasonable. He knew Nicol's father, and based on his former teammate's personality, he knew where Nicol got half of his temperament. The Amalfi's were generally pacifists but willing to fight for whatever they believed in. There was no reason for Senator Amalfi to bomb the whole place up…no justifiable cause.

Throwing the remote onto one of the tables, he stalked out and wandered down the corridors. He wanted to go check on Athrun, seeing that his friend was in such a distraught state, but military regulations and the fact that they were all on standby prevented him from doing so. Captain Ramius was a harsh captain, but she commanded her troops well and had their loyalty. She had changed, he could give her that much, and knew that it was from her love's death during the war two years ago.

He was still reeling from the events two years ago…surrendering to OMNI, then finding out that the Archangel went rogue…joining up in their crusade to stop both sides from wiping each other out…finally finding something he wanted to protect…the cease-fire and subsequent reassignment to Orb's Liberation Forces… It happened so fast that he didn't even get a chance to really do anything. He had visited his family after the cease-fire was called and when the call went up for recruitment for the LF, he had joined. He didn't expect Miri to join the LF considering she was still distraught over her boyfriend's death and when she had showed up the same day to sign up, he was very surprised.

He had also tried to convince Yzak to sign up, but his friend deterred, saying that he had a lot to think about and subsequently disappeared. He had tried asking Yzak's parents where their son went off to, but even they didn't know or were either tight-lipped about it. Every time the Archangel was sent out on a mission Dearka always conducted his side mission to find out where his friend went off to, but each time was a failure and he always come back empty handed.

"Ah! Watch your head kid!" Kojiro Murdoch's voice made him look up just in time to duck from one of the workers carrying a heavy long box and was tipping over from its uneven weight.

He wasn't surprised to find that his wanderings took him to the hanger bay as it always had, and nodded a thanks to the head of maintenance. He stopped in front of his Buster Gundam and stared up at its face. It was a hardy machine…almost destroyed so many times, yet repaired in such great quality by Murdoch's efforts.

"What's with the down-in-the-dumps look kid?" Murdoch suddenly spoke by his side, but Dearka wasn't startled. He knew the Chief Petty Officer was just concerned about all the pilots aboard the Archangel and about those who were former pilots like Athrun and Kira.

"The news," Dearka replied, "it's trashy."

"Kid," Murdoch laughed lightly, "the news is always trashy. Journalists always go through the materials they have and the higher-ups beyond them choose what news and analysts to put forth. Don't blame the journalists themselves, blame those corporate executives."

"But the journalists should have some objection at least," Dearka groused.

"When you're paid that much money, you don't complain. You just do your job," the mechanic clapped his shoulder, "come on. Captain's going to be calling a meeting in a few minutes. Let's go crash it early."

Dearka sighed then nodded before he let Murdoch steer him away from staring at his Gundam and towards the briefing room.

Lacus Clyne bit her lip as she watched Eileen Canaver, the newest chairwoman of the Supreme Council, fend off allegations that Aaron Amalfi was part of the scheme to bomb the Senate Hall in the neutral nation of Orb and to kill at least a majority of the Earth senators, especially those that opposed his plans. She knew Amalfi, and in fact when she had been named chief delegate of PLANT to the Senate, she had appointed Amalfi herself to be her voice when she wasn't able to make it to the Senate meetings.

Amalfi had a kind soul, she could see that, even though he had originally conceived and installed the N-Jammers in both Freedom and Justice Gundam himself. He wasn't a bad person, just a grieving person for his son lost in the war. She had wanted to give him a new start, away from war, in which he could propose and see the peace that lies beyond the war that had clouded a lot of ZAFT and the Supreme Council members' minds.

Eileen Canaver had seen that too and now they both worked together to keep the peace and stop war from escalating once again. It wasn't an easy task and even now, it was getting harder. This new wave of terror and fear with the Senate Hall bombings scared a lot of people and made people regress back to their old habits of pointing fingers at each other.

Lacus had wanted to address the media, but Eileen said that it wasn't wise at the moment because then she would be targeted by the press and perhaps analyzed to include her with the current allegations thrown at Amalfi. But she knew that eventually she would be thrown into the turmoil – her actions analyzed and blamed. Eileen just wanted to protect her for a little longer…just a little more.

But she didn't want to be protected anymore. She wanted to do things her own way, even though she knew it would be a hard road. She was due to leave for Orb in less than two hours, her political reason would be to help calm tensions in the wake of the attacks, but in reality, she wanted to see Kira. Eileen knew of her relationship with Kira Yamato and had told her to leave as soon as she could. Athrun had even contacted her and she had promised him that she would try to be in Orb as soon as possible.

She loved Kira, but she knew that she could never be with him…but she would be his 'sheath' so to speak, him the unguarded blade that swung wildly even in times of peace, and she would be there for him. He needed her and she needed him – soul mates was the term for it, but only then, it was just soul mates, not lovers, but just two kindred spirits relying on each other.

"…I will take no further questions," Eileen's voice suddenly cut through her thoughts and she looked up to see her friend and ally, though the woman was at least twice her age, walk from the press podium towards her, ignoring flashes of cameras and microphones trying to be shoved into her face.

"Ravenous wolves," she heard the leader of the Supreme Council mutter and she smiled faintly as she followed by her side.

"What will happen now?"

"Amalfi's going to have to make his own public statement. I just don't understand why he left to take a message. Fortunately, when you get to Orb, contact him and have him make a statement. He's been reclusive since the bombings and none of my messages are getting through to him. I think he knows that he's the main culprit…"

"He knows what's at stake, Eileen," Lacus replied as they both got into an unmarked black car that was to drive them to the spaceport. "I chose him after all."

"I know," Eileen suddenly rubbed her forehead and tossed back a part of her long blonde hair. "No one told me this job was stressful… Too bad we can't send you to Februarius 3…"

"Hmm," Lacus tilted her head.

"Are you sure the new captain of the Kusanagi is all right? I mean, he seems a bit…pirate-like," Eileen looked a bit doubtful.

"Princess Cagalli chose him. After all, they are a part of Orb. I have no say whatsoever."

"But what about the Eternal?"

"They're now part of Orb so Captain Bartfield and the Eternal are no longer under my command, Eileen," Lacus smiled at her friend, "don't worry about it. Princess Cagalli told me that Quinn Misali is a good captain for the Kusanagi, even though he's named the Kingfisher."

Eileen nodded, still a bit unsure, but as the car pulled up next to the shuttle that was take Lacus to Earth and to Orb, she touched her shoulder. "Be careful down there, Lacus. There may be Blue Cosmos activity at work in Orb that we don't know about."

"I will…" Lacus smiled in reply before stepping out of the car and walking up the stairs to the shuttle.

Kira awoke to distant sounds of a bustling hospital and as he opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling he blinked. He remembered his previous dream…fuzzy images about labs and scientists, Colony Mendel, and then him in the arms of a woman with purple hair running for her life…his sister next to him in her other arm… But then everything else was fuzzy and he couldn't remember anything beyond that point.

He turned his head to his left and saw an opened window in which bright sunlight was streaming in, birds chirping outside. He turned his head the other way and found Athrun quietly passed out in a chair next to him, his arms making a makeshift pillow on the extendable table beside his bed. Tori was on his shoulder, in sleeping mode. Letting a brief smile touch his lips, Kira tried to prop himself up slowly as he felt stiff, but there was no pain.

He half succeeded as he managed to shift himself higher up on his bed, but that was about it. Frowning, he tried to lift himself up, but suddenly his left arm started to shake from the sudden efforts he was putting into his muscles and he fell back onto the bed with a thump.

That thump startled Athrun and woke him up and he blinked around widly before he focused on Kira. With Athrun shifting, Tori also snapped out of its sleep mode with a chirp. "What are you doing?"

Kira gave a smirk at Athrun, noting that his best friend's hair was thoroughly mused and that Tori was picking at the spiky ends. "What does it look like, trying to get up." He finally sat up and breathed a sigh of relief.

"How do you feel, Kira?" Athrun waved Tori away who flew away from his shoulder and instead perched itself on one of the monitors hooked up to Kira.

"Tori!"

Kira hunched forward, still not used to his muscles being all weak and watery on him. "I feel fine…stiff…how long was I out?" He raked his hair back, but his bangs still sprung forward. Giving a sideways look at Athrun he saw that his best friend had a concerned and worried look on his face.

"About a day and half. I'm glad you're okay," Athrun smiled sadly, "you had me worried really badly."

Kira narrowed his eyes in concentration as he tried to remember what had happened but all he got was blurred images of an explosion in the Senate Hall…something about finding Cagalli…helping Taylor…and then blackness. "I…don't remember…"

"It's nothing," Athrun placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze, "the good thing now is that you're safe."

"Is Cagalli okay?" Kira remembered that finding Cagalli after the explosion was his utmost priority. He noticed that Athrun had stiffened when he mentioned her name. "What…"

"They won't let me near Cagalli and I haven't heard anything since she's been transferred to the hospital," Athrun curled his left hand into a fist, "even Kisaka wouldn't tell me what's going on. I would have gone looking for her, but there are guards everywhere liable to shoot anyone."

"Oh," Kira stared at Athrun for a second before he closed his eyes and concentrated. He had heard that twins had a link to each other, even if they were fraternal like he and Cagalli were. Perhaps, even if he was born in an artificial womb while his sister in their mother's womb, they would still have the link. He searched his own mind, consciousness, and soul…and suddenly found a spark that he innately knew was his link with his twin.

Touching it with his mind, he felt it respond and opened his eyes to see Athrun staring at him worriedly, wondering if he had suddenly passed out. "It's all right…Cagalli's fine…"

"How do you-"

"It's a twin thing," Kira laughed lightly before a sudden burst of pain on his left side made him stop and his eyes bug slightly. He pulled up his shirt to see that the left side of his abdomen had a curved line of black stitching string in it. So that was what happened to his wound and why it hurt when he laughed…

"You okay?" Athrun asked and Kira lowered his shirt.

"Yeah. Just can't laugh too much…that's all," he smiled faintly.

Just then a knock came from his door and it opened slightly to reveal Lacus' face before a pink Haro bounded in and nearly smacked both him and Athrun in the face before Kira held up one of his hands to catch the pink robot.

"Myta! Myta! Haro!" the Haro whom Lacus called Pink-chan or Pinkie, said into his hand before he placed it at the foot of his bed where it promptly began to roll around, Tori flying from its perch to chase it. Pinkie, noticing that another fellow robotic companion was to chase it promptly rolled to the ground and began to roll around, leading Tori on a chase.

"Kira, Athrun," Lacus greeted as she entered and closed the door behind her.

"Lacus," Kira was surprised that she was here. He had heard that she was still at PLANT.

"I'll tell the doctor you're awake now," Athrun got up, sensing that the two wanted to be alone and Kira nodded before he opened the door and left, closing it behind him quietly.

Lacus took the seat Athrun vacated and gently touched his face with her fingers. "I got here as fast as I could, Kira. I'm so sorry for what's happened."

Kira blinked, "Why are you apologizing…if you were there at the Senate meeting…you could have been killed…"

Lacus shook her head firmly, "I should have been there. Then nothing like this would have happened."

"But Lacus…"

"Shhh…its okay Kira," she grasped his hand with hers and their fingers laced together. Kira felt at peace whenever she was near him and he knew that she would always be there to support him. He leaned against her shoulder and felt her arms engulf him.

"Lacus," he asked in a hushed voice.

"Hmm?" she was humming a song.

"Why did this have to happen? We all fought so hard for peace…why now?"

Lacus stopped her humming and he looked up to see a sad expression on her face. Granted they were the same age, but to him, she looked a lot older and wiser – more mature like Athrun. He had been taken aback by her apparent naivety when he had first met her, but appearances were always deceiving and she had been very mature since the first day – it was just the fact that she chose not to show her maturity.

"Sometimes there are those who felt they've been cheated of something they think they deserve. That's why they always want others to be hurt so their goal can be achieved. We're still in the age of learning how to trust one another…"

Kira nodded before closing his eyes. "Lacus…can you sing for me?" He could feel her smile looking down on him and she started to sing softly. Within moments, Kira was fast asleep, this time, dreaming of peaceful dreams.

Athrun kept fingering the badge that he wore on the outside pocket of his jacket. One of Lacus' aides had given it to him and said that he had been cleared by her to visit Cagalli who was located a few floors above Kira's room in an isolated place. He was surprised that Lacus knew, but he suspected she figured Cagalli would be kept in tight isolation and since only a few select people knew of their relationship, he wouldn't be allowed to visit her. Though he was grateful that now he was able to visit her, he wondered how did Kisaka react to this…or maybe he didn't even know…

As the elevator stopped and opened, Athrun stepped out and immediately the crescendo of safeties taken off of sub-machine guns, and pistols was heard. He blinked at so many men in black suits pointing guns at him.

"Who are you? State your purpose here," a man came forward, his hold of the gun on him not wavering.

"Athrun Zala. Lacus Clyne told me that I was cleared to see Princess Cagalli," Athrun frowned as he handed the man his badge slowly, as not to startle any of the other men in black from being trigger-happy. First the police, now this… There were times in which he wished he was back with ZAFT – at least the security process was a lot less hostile than here.

"He's cleared," the man called out to the others before handing him his badge back and as one they all lowered their pieces, safeties clicking back on in a messy staccato. The man led him along, not bothering to apologize (not that Athrun expected people in their line of work to do so), and knocked once. "Princess, a visitor by the name of Athrun Zala here to see you."

Athrun heard the distant outburst before a slight yelp and then Cagalli's muffled voice, "Let him in!"

The man in black opened the door and Athrun stepped in. He smiled slightly as he saw Cagalli rubbing her elbow looking a bit mournful before she gave her side table an offending glare. "It's not the table's fault," he helped, making her turn her gaze on him and he saw her face light up with delight.

"Athrun!" she made a move to get out of the bed, but Athrun rushed forward and stopped her from doing so by giving her a tight hug.

"Don't," he whispered as he released her before pulling up a chair and sitting next to her bed. "Cagalli, you shouldn't move."

"But…" Cagalli protested before a frown appeared on her face, "what took you so long!" She hit him none-to-gently on his arm.

Athrun winced in pain; she definitely could hit hard, "Ow. Before you keep pummeling me, Kisaka didn't tell me where you were initially. Only Lacus who just came a few minutes ago handed me a badge and told me that I was cleared to see you."

"Idiot," Cagalli hit him the arm again, but this time it was gentler. She smiled at him and Athrun blinked in surprise as he saw tears in her eyes. He lifted up a finger and wiped away her tears.

"Why are you crying?" he asked gently.

"I'm so happy, that's all…" she sniffed then hiccupped slightly as she tried to get her tears under control.

"How are you feeling?" he asked after a moment of silence passed between the two of them.

"Better. The doctors said that it wasn't as bad as it looked. The splinter missed most of my organs and they said that I needed less stitches than Kira. How is he doing?" Cagalli replied.

"Kira's fine. He's been having nightmares, of what, I don't know, but Lacus is with him at the moment so he should be resting fine," Athrun didn't mention to Cagalli that he was really worried when he had overheard a conversation between Kira's parents – something about Cagalli's father and a lab of sorts that somehow involved Kira.

"That's good…" she pursed her lips briefly before she looked outside of her window. "The doctors said I should be able to leave within a couple of days…they want me here for further observation just in case I get an infection or something like that."

Athrun didn't say anything, as he knew that Cagalli wanted to say more, but didn't press her. She looked so sad… He wished that he had brought her a present of sorts, but it the impulse of finally being able to see her and to know that she was all right that made him take the pass and go straight up to her room. She finally gave a soft sigh and turned to stare at him.

"Why Athrun? What happened to all our efforts! Orb was supposed to be a neutral nation! What did we do to deserve all of this! Why, Athrun? Why!" she asked, her voice fierce, her eyes blazing at anger, but not directed at him. Her hands curled up into fists, nails digging half crescent moons into her palms as she squeezed her eyes shut.

Athrun caught her fists with his before she could slam them onto her bed and held them tightly. "Cagalli, listen, it isn't your fault-"

"Yes it is! I should have known something like this was going to happen!"

"No, you couldn't! You're not a predictor of the future!"

"Then I should have been prepared!"

"Cagalli!" Athrun let go of her hands and grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look at him, "Cagalli, look-Look at me!" He stared deep into her hazel-brown eyes, forcing her to look at him. "Listen, you couldn't have known. None of us could have. All right? You're alive while others are dead. Don't blame yourself for it, okay?"

"But-"

Athrun shook his head, "You're alive. After you get out of the hospital, its for the people that are still living to pick up the pieces and help those who are dead to find out who did this to them, okay?"

Cagalli stared at him for a minute before she suddenly burst into tears and buried herself in his arms. Athrun was startled for a second, but knew that she was crying out all of her pent up emotions for the last two years since the war's end. "Shh…its okay…" he stroked her hair and back gently as she continued to cry.

To his employers, his codename was Griever, a skilled jack-of-all-trades. He crawled quietly away from the vent he was looking from, retracing his steps back to the janitor's room on the heavily guarded seventh floor of the main hospital on the island. So the Princess had someone special to her, and he happened to be the son of the late Patrick Zala. Getting past him would be hard as he could immediately assess from what he saw and heard, Athrun Zala would protect Cagalli Attha with his life – he knew that.

Luckily, there had to be some time where Zala would be visiting his friend Kira Yamato down on the fifth floor. Griever wasn't able to decipher the level of the relationship between Zala and the Yamato boy, but it was no matter. As soon as Zala was gone, he would make the first of his many moves. Princess Cagalli was priority on his employer's lists, but the security guarding her made it almost impossible to penetrate from the outside, even if one was dressed in the garb of hospital workers.

Her guards personally delivered the meals, taken from the workers outside of her room to prevent any assassins. He knew that he only had a couple of days before she was discharged and after that, it would be almost impossible to track her movements.

He felt his left foot drop slightly and knew that he was out of the vent. Hanging by his fingertips, he dropped down to the floor, barely giving a look at the dead janitor that rested by a rack of cleaning supplies. Carefully putting the grate back up, Griever raked a hand through his brown hair and smoothed out the wrinkles in his janitor's uniform.

The room in which the Princess had been put into was a well-suited one and a wise choice by her guardians. There were no tall buildings from where she could see, and the tallest was only two stories. Everything looked out to the harbor…no sniping position for him. However, sniping the other council members of Orb would be no problem as a few of them had rooms ill chosen.

So the question was, how to get in… The night shift was just about the same as the day shift, but there was one advantage – little to no power was used during the night and at least majority of the hospital was asleep except for the security guards. Night was one of the best times to strike, but it would also be risky.

He would have to come back later and scout out the area at night before made his move. With the Princess gone, it would start the domino effect for his employers. No, Blue Cosmos could rot in their little world for all he cared; it was the world of Coordinators that ruled now…

Phase Five – Assassination

Murrue Ramius considered herself to be a fair captain, but an unfortunate woman. She since was a little girl; tragedy had always found her through her loved ones. Her father and mother died in a car accident when she was just a young girl, sending her off to live with her grandparents.

During her military service, she had fallen in love with a fighter jet pilot, but lost him in the beginning of the war with ZAFT. She had vowed then that she would never fall in love again, but when she met the gentle and caring Mu LaFlaga, she had found herself drawn to him.

Sadly though, he sacrificed himself to save her and the crew of the Archangel from the Dominion's Lohengrin's firepower. She was beginning to think that she had a black widow's curse, which was why, even two years after the cease-fire; she had never allowed herself to fall for any man.

Before she resigned her commission in OMNI there had been no fraternization between various commanders of the other warships, but now, as one of the highest ranking members of Orb's LF, some of the OMNI captains thought she was available since she was part of a different military force and sent her greetings day in and day out that she barely even responded to any of public comm calls.

She had her own personal link to her ship, the Archangel, which Orb had claimed immediately after the cease-fire as their own since it belonged to Morganroete, and her own personal comm channel in case any of the crew members needed to contact her. Her public channel, she just let it stew and rot in her quarters aboard the ship.

She sat in one of the briefing rooms aboard the Archangel, lost in thought. Their mission had been scrapped due to events in Orb, and now, were receiving reports from the Kusanagi that had been sent to Februarius 3 to quell the situation there and provide support to ZAFT that things were getting under control. Not bad for the LF's newest commanding officer of the Kusanagi. Granted there were more ships within the LF, the Kusanagi was only recently reactivated to provide support.

It had taken some time to choose the ship's new captain, but Murrue had recommended Quinn Misali, not because he was known as the Kingfisher in OMNI, but because he was a good man and she knew that from experience. Quinn had been one of her fellow classmates in the Academy where she had attended on the Ptolmaeus base on the Moon, and though he had a bit of a pirate-like air that got him demoted and written up so many times, he was charismatic and a damn good tactician and negotiator.

She didn't know if he had fought ZAFT during the war, but bet that he probably did, but didn't ask when he was announced to be the new captain of the Kusanagi. They both respected each other, and Murrue knew that Quinn always respected her wishes, not because she was a woman, but because she was a captain and his senior officer.

In a way, she wished the Archangel had been assigned to Februarius 3 so she was able to watch the Kingfisher in action, but she knew that her duties to Orb and to the LF was far greater here than in space at the moment. There were stirrings of a potential for another attack, this time a possible sabotage within the technological research department, the new name for Morganroete, either that LF's sources were hinting at a Heliopolis-like attack by some unnamed group.

Murrue seriously hoped that it wasn't Blue Cosmos, but she didn't really know if the anti-Coordinator group had gotten back on its feet since their leader, Azrael was dead and his conglomerate in pieces. This was also the reason why the Atlantic Federation was so jumpy lately – as the Azrael Conglomerate was one of its major military contractors and now with the lack of a new leader funds were dwindling rapidly – which meant no new mobile suit production and henceforth a twitchy Atlantic Federation.

That was also probably why the news, at the moment, was so harsh as a majority of the Earth senators had ties with the Atlantic Federation or the Azrael Conglomerate. She had sent out some of her crew to check with their own contacts about possible retaliation against PLANT, Orb, or even the Earth and had contacted a few of the higher-ups in OMNI herself that she had kept in contact with after she resigned her commission.

She knew that many in OMNI found her to be a rogue captain after her actions in Alaska, and branded her a traitor to the Earth Forces, but there was some support in the high chain of command from those who were more moderate and levelheaded. That was why she and her crew never got court-martialed even though they should have.

"Captain," her comlink beeped and she picked up it.

"Ramius here, what is it?"

"Kingfisher for you on channel 34. Shall I patch it through?" Miri Haw, her communications officer, said.

"I'll take it here, video and audio," she replied and moments later, brought up a screen that was static before Quinn's face appeared. He sported a mustache that gave him a roguish look – a mustache that would have never been allowed in OMNI, but LF's regulations were a bit more lax.

"Greetings Captain from the nice little zone of Februarius 3," Quinn mock bowed his head to her and Murrue rolled her eyes.

"What's your status," she asked.

"Everything's in the clean up stage. Apparently, it's not Blue Cosmos causing the problems here, but some radical Coordinator group who claimed they've been wronged in the war and wanted to get revenge by destroying those Coordinators who sympathized with the cease-fire. A bit messy, but we got the job done. I'm having some of the crew check the background of those involved to see if Blue Cosmos did fund them."

"Aren't Blue Cosmos supposed to be anti-Coordinator?"

"Apparently you weren't too up to date during the war. Remember Azrael?"

"Yes," Murrue frowned.

"During my time in OMNI's special ops, I overheard a conversation between him and one of his Cosmos flunkies. They've been trading information with some Coordinators – kind of ironic for a group proclaiming the end of Coordinators, don't you think?"

Murrue blinked, "I suppose stuff like that happens all the time."

"Yeah, but just want to make sure none of these Februarius peeps actually are tied. But if they are – we know who to go after next," Quinn replied.

Murrue nodded. "So what else?"

"What do you mean, what else?"

"Quinn, cut the bullshit. I know you didn't make this call just for that bit of information," she said and Quinn grinned slightly before his expression sobered into seriousness.

"There's something funny about all of this. First Orb, now Februarius 3. I think the next target is somewhere on Earth. I mean, it doesn't seem right, but get this…one of the people we took down started screaming about how Coordinators and Naturals were all messed up and everyone should die."

"That's twisted, what about it?" Murrue asked.

"Well, the odd thing was that the rest of his group didn't say the same thing. They were all gung-ho about taking down their fellow Coordinators and this guy comes along proclaiming that everyone should die. He even popped a few of his own people which didn't make any of his teammates happy."

"So they have a rogue person, and…?" Murrue wondered what Quinn was getting at.

"It's just a hunch, but I think the guy who's been demanding the deaths of everyone is part of something bigger that we should be keeping tabs on. Some of PLANT's scientists are going over the guy's autopsy right now so we should have the information within a couple of days."

Murrue raised an eyebrow at her fellow officer's deductive work. "Nice theory. Once you get the results, you might want to come back and brief the Princess on it."

"Oh, she's up and about?" Quinn looked cheered at the prospect. "That's good news."

"She should be out of the hospital by tomorrow," Murrue replied, "hope to see you in a couple of days."

"Roger that Captain. Kingfisher out," the link was terminated and Murrue sat back in her seat. What Quinn said about the rogue terrorist was disturbing…and it reminded her of her talks with Mu after they left Colony Mendel when he was resting up from his wounds.

During one of their conversations, Mu had said something that disturbed her to the core. 'That place is a place of hell. Where people begin to hate the whole world and destroy everyone around them because of it.' Was Colonel Mendel a part of everything?

Kira awoke feeling a lot better and found himself lying back on his pillow. He remembered falling asleep to Lacus' singing…and turned his head to see if she was there, but there was no one. Tori was perched on one of the monitors, robotic eyes closed and cooing softly to itself – asleep. He sighed, a bit content, and scrunched up his shoulders to stretch before relaxing his muscles. He felt a lot better; maybe the doctor would let him go today?

Lifting up his own blankets and his shirt, he pressed gently down on the stitches he had received and felt a slight twinge of pain, but that was about it. He had always healed fast and wondered if it was partly in his genes that his parents made him a Coordinator… There was a sudden knock on his door and Kira settled down his blankets before looking up to see the door crack open and a female doctor poke her head in.

"Ah, I see you're awake, Mr. Yamato," the doctor said in a pleasant voice, before coming in and checking the monitors that were hooked up to him. She made a few humming noises, waking Tori who stared inquisitively at her. Kira saw the doctor pet his robotic bird and Tori mimicked affectionate enjoyment before the doctor returned to looking at the monitors, making notes on a clipboard and folder she was holding.

She finally turned and stared at him. "Well you seem quite healthy, Kira Yamato. I'd like to keep you here for one more night, but you're free to walk around if you feel that you have the strength to. I'm Doctor Rowland by the way."

Kira nodded, "Um…why do I need to stay one more night?"

"Well, we just want to make sure that you're completely healed before we send you out. Your stitches will be taken out within a couple of weeks, so no seriously strenuous activities like lifting heavy cartons or running. You can jog, but take it easy," the doctor tapped her clipboard, "you were lucky to survive a puncture wound like that Kira. Others wouldn't have been so fortunate. Your surgeon told me that you were a Coordinator, right?"

Kira started slightly, surprised but Dr. Rowland smiled at him, "It's okay," she continued. "If you were a Natural, you wouldn't have survived your wound – you're lucky that your parents gave you the normal requisite of fast healing ability."

He didn't say anything as she gestured for him to lift his shirt up and pressed a stethoscope to his chest, checking his breathing before she pressed gently down on his stitches. After she was done she made a few more notes in her notebook and then handed him a pass of sorts.

"Ambassador Clyne told me to give you this when you awakened. Apparently, she's cleared you to go see Princess Cagalli. Fancy that," the doctor winked at him, "I'm actually quite jealous. You must have saved her from the explosion or something like that young man."

Kira nodded absently as he took the pass and set it on his end table. "Um, Dr. Rowland," he started, "are my parents here?"

"The police chief Kisaka convinced them to go home to get some rest. They've been here since you had your operation a few days ago. They should be back soon," the doctor replied. "Well, I've got a lot more patients to check up on, so please do take care of yourself Kira." She gave him a wave before leaving his room, closing the door behind her.

Kira glanced at the pass that the doctor handed to him before swinging his legs over to one side of his bed. He felt the cold bare floor before something fuzzy brushed against his foot. He started slightly, fearing that it was an animal of sorts, but looked down and saw hospital slippers were the only fuzzy thing on the ground. Stepping on the ground once more, this time putting his slippers on, he stood up shakily…his legs unused for the past few days.

He stood there for a few minutes, letting his legs get used to his full body weight again and moved his arms- He hissed suddenly in pain as he glanced at his left arm and saw that an IV needle was stuck in it. Pulling it out, he wrinkled his brow at it – and put it on the bed. He stretched and looked towards the end of the bed and found a long robe to cover his shorts and tee shirt.

Putting the robe on, being careful not to make any sudden jarring moves that might affect his stitches, he cinched it tightly and grabbed the pass Dr. Rowland gave to him before heading out of his room with Tori perched on his shoulder. Reading it, he noted that Cagalli was only two floors above…and headed towards the elevator at a slow walk.

Getting into the elevator, he pressed the seventh floor button and seconds later, the doors opened – followed by a crescendo of safeties being taken off of guns pointed at him. He stepped out and blinked, surprised at the number of men and women dressed in black suits, all of them staring at him.

"State your purpose here," a man came up to him and Kira held up his pass.

"I'm Kira Yamato…um, Ambassador Clyne had one of the doctors give this to me."

The man stared at his pass for a second before he gestured for him to follow, "So you're the one who saved the Princess. You're pretty lucky that the Princess is allowing you to see her."

Kira frowned at the man's words. If they only knew…he thought as the man led him to a door and knocked on it. "Princess, a visitor."

"Come in," he heard Cagalli's muffled voice and the man opened the door and Kira peered in.

He blinked in surprise as he saw that Athrun was also there before a grin crept up his face. Apparently both Cagalli and Athrun were shocked to see him, but Cagalli recovered first and leapt out of her bed.

"Kira!" she collided into him full force, knocking him to the ground as she hugged him and Kira winced slightly as pain rippled from his wound through his nervous system. He managed not to bump his head, as he lay sprawled on the ground.

"Princess!" a few of the men and women in black exclaimed, reaching down to her, but just as quickly Cagalli pulled him up and dragged him into the room before closing the door on their faces.

Tori flew to perch itself on Athrun's shoulder while Cagalli plunked him into a seat before sitting on her bed, staring at him. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself?"

"Ow…" was all that he could manage as he rubbed his side, trying to alleviate the pain. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Athrun trying to hide a grin and glowered at him.

"Aw, don't tell me you're all bruised up just because I knocked you down. Come on, you're supposed to be more hardy than that," Cagalli tapped him lightly on the arm and Kira sighed before a smile appeared on his face.

He was about to reply when he felt something odd in his mind…like a déjà vu sense or something of that nature. Looking up and around, he wondered what was it that was he feeling…it felt like a presence of sorts…but then…

"Kiiiirrraaaa," Cagalli waved her hand in his face, snapping him out of his funk and he turned back to see her sit back on her bed, staring at him. "You okay?"

"Oh…yeah," Kira decided to ignore whatever that déjà vu thing was and scratched his head, "just slightly distracted by…um…the décor."

"Yes, it's the same as yours," Athrun spoke up next to him, a bit dryly.

"Kira, stop spacing out and tell me when you're leaving. The doctors said I can leave tomorrow…"

Griever cursed silently to himself as he hastily backed away from the vent he had been peering from. His father had warned him of this and he hadn't heeded his father's advice until he had seen Kira Yamato stare around, trying to pinpoint him. Father had warned him that he and the one who called himself Kira Yamato were almost one in the same, if not exact and so would be able to sense each other.

Well, it seemed that Yamato hadn't mastered his own powers, which gave Griever an advantage for tonight's mission. He had scouted out the hospital at night and found it to be the best of his choices since the clock was ticking and he didn't have that much time.

Dropping down into the janitor's closet again, he straightened his uniform and grabbed a few cleaning supplies before putting his cap on, adjusting the brim to cover a majority of his features. It wouldn't be good if the stupid doctors and nurses thinking him to be one of their patients blew his cover. He would report to his employers before making the hit tonight then go after the other council members.

Stepping out of the closet, he pushed a wheeled yellow bucket down the corridor, occasionally stopping to mop up a puddle he saw on the floor. Security was still heightened in the Princess' floor, but when at night, guards were usually less alert, even the ones who slept during the day and patrolled the night. It was the only slight advantage he knew he was going to get and he dare not waste it.

He turned slightly to mop up the floor, putting his back to everyone, but his ears were as sharp and paid attention to every thing around him. He listened as some children ran about, while emergency crews rushed other patients into the emergency room…

"Mommy…why can't I go home now?"

"Mr. Chan, I apologize, but your father has passed away now…"

"Can't I…"

"-I need an air tank plus some IV connections now!"

"Doctor it's a hot one! The kid's been shot twice!"

"Emergency room now!"

All the voices faded into his mind, but he kept strict tabs. After all, he had a perfect memory…until a voice suddenly pierced through his mind and he jerked bit before turning his head slightly to his left.

"…so he would be allowed to go home tomorrow?"

"That's right, ma'am."

"I'm so glad…thank you Doctor, thank you so much."

Griever watched as three adults walked by, one of which he didn't really care for, the female doctor. The man he registered in his mind as just another civilian, but the woman…the man's wife a part of his surmised, how dare she be here!

He watched her walk by out of the corner of his eye and narrowed them ever so slightly as she turned and for a second both of their gazes met. Griever broke contact first, turning back to continue his work. Father never told him that she would be here…

Perhaps before he executed his mission, he would contact his father to tell him of the new development he discovered. Of course, it wouldn't affect his original mission; it was just a side story, so to speak.

Kanoko Yamato stared at the janitor they had passed by for a long moment before her husband tapped her gently on the shoulder and she turned back to him. He looked so familiar…almost like Kira in a way…but that couldn't be, could it? Katherine had made sure that all of them were dead before she herself perished by her husband's hand.

But Colony Mendel was abandoned, correct? She had heard from Kira that they took refuge in there, but he hadn't mentioned anything about discovering Dr. Hibiki's work so Kanoko had assumed that it had been completely buried and abandoned.

But just now…it couldn't be could it?

"Dear?" her husband asked again and she blinked before turning to look at him.

"I'm sorry…what did you say?"

"I asked if you were okay…you seemed a bit disturbed about something…"

"No, no," Kanoko shook her head, "I'm fine. Just worrying over nothing…"

"Okay," her husband looked a bit skeptical, but Kanoko gave him a smile.

"It's okay. I'm just a bit overwhelmed by the news that Kira's going to be released tomorrow."

"Yeah…" her husband smiled back at her.

Night had fallen and visiting hours were already long over. As the night crew stretched into the middle of their shift, some, even though they had been sleeping during the day, were already feeling the effects night had on the human body. It was common for the janitorial crew to finally be able to go to work without having to deal with people and patients spilling or damaging things in the hospital – unless of course there was some emergency, so they went to work.

Griever also went to work, telling the others in the janitorial staff that he would be on his way after he gathered a few supplies and as they all exited out, he hung back, waiting until they were far away before he took out a handgun with a silencer on the muzzle out of the mop bucket he had been using. All the murky water had concealed his gun perfectly and now, he wiped it dry before sticking it inside of his uniform.

There was more weaponry in his bucket and around it, but he wouldn't need it until he reached the Princess' floor. As he stepped out once more, he headed towards the elevator, the other janitors ignoring him as the all went up and down the elevator during the night to clean the floors.

Pressing the 7th floor button with a gloved hand, he waited patiently and brought out a lighter. Just as the elevator pinged to signal his floor, he lit up the lighter and dropped it into the murky water… To which the water suddenly burst into flames – not water at all, but gasoline of sorts – and as the doors fully opened, he kicked the bucket of flame out and it rebounded against the wall across from the elevator sliding to the side.

He heard the shouts of a few guards and ducked into the inner confines of the elevator as the flaming yellow bucket suddenly unloaded its deadly payload and exploded.

Screams filled the air and Griever took out his gun, flicking the safety off before he dove into the flames that burned along the walls. He was cool and calculated as he took down those guards that were still alive, a shot to the head for each guard. He could hear beyond the distant roaring of the fire alarms being sounded and knew that he would have to be fast to accomplish his mission.

As he approached the door where the Princess was sequestered, Griever didn't hesitate and kicked the door down. The cool breeze of the room plastered his face, but his eyes scanned the room through the dimness of the moonlight that was filtering in. Stepping in, Griever pointed his gun at the bed…and was puzzled that there was no one on it…

Suddenly he sensed something behind him and raised his gun to point at the face of Athrun Zala who had tried to ambush him.

Athrun ducked as the assassin fired a bullet at him and immediately brought his left arm up and knocked the gun away from his hand. He couldn't really get a good look at the assassin as he wore a cap, but he didn't care. Blocking a blow, he retaliated with a jab towards the stomach and twisted slightly, pushing the assassin back into the room.

Cagalli had asked if he could stay with her and had even told the doctors that he was staying past visiting hours and he reluctantly agreed. He wasn't too sure if he was breaking any rules, but figured if the Princess of Orb spoke, then it was the Princess' words. Now, he was glad that he stayed…

The assassin suddenly leapt at him and Athrun twisted out of the way, defending himself before he retaliated with a few strikes of his own. He grunted in pain as the assassin clipped him across his side with a punch. Lashing out, he struck back, but the person avoided his leg. Athrun knew that as a Coordinator, he had enhanced strength and speed, but the assassin was avoiding most of his blows…which meant that he too was a Coordinator…

Which meant that someone at PLANT or ZAFT must be out for blood against Orb. "Who are you!" he demanded as he stepped back a few steps, assessing his opponent, the two of them circling slowly.

The assassin didn't answer…a professional he summarized, which meant that this was very serious. Of course, Athrun took everything seriously, but this was the first time he had to deal with an assassin. Back when he was in ZAFT they had taught basic self-defensive techniques just in case they had to deal with Natural assassins and pitted against each other to train.

He suddenly noticed a shift in stance from his opponent and took the opportunity and charged at him. They both crashed into one of the chairs on the far side of the room and Athrun rolled away, crouching on the balls of his feet as he watched the assassin slowly rise…his hat falling away…revealing his features.

What the… Athrun felt his jaw drop as he stared at the assassin. He looks exactly like Kira…no…wait…there's a scar… Indeed there was a long vertical scar running from the middle of the assassin's right eyebrow straight down to corner of his lip. "Kira…" he whispered and saw the corner of the assassin's mouth turn up in a feral smile before he leapt at him.

Athrun barely had time to bring his hands up in order to catch a knife from being stabbed in his head as he was pinned to the ground by the assassin. He found it hard to breathe as the person who looked like Kira dug his knee into his stomach, trying to force the knife down on him. He gritted his teeth in an effort to keep the knife from going any further and pushed up against the assassin's hand with all of his strength.

"Athrun!" he glanced quickly to see Cagalli, who had been hiding by the side of her bed suddenly charge at the assassin.

"No! Cagalli, don't!" he called to stop her.

"I'll deal with you later," the assassin spoke, and Athrun was startled to hear Kira's voice come out of the mouth. He paid for his inattentiveness as the knife slipped a few inches closer towards his face. He saw the assassin lash out with one of his legs and suddenly kick Cagalli who was in mid-charge, crumpling her to the ground.

"You bastard," Athrun managed to get out as he pushed against the hand that was holding the knife.

He struggled to draw breath, but with the assassin's knee digging painfully into his stomach and putting pressure on his abdomen, his legs pinned beneath him…he was beginning to see white splotches and knew that he couldn't keep this up for long.

Suddenly the assassin was bowled over to the side by a charging white blur and Athrun felt that he could breathe again. He sat up and his eyes widened as he saw that it was Kira who had saved him.

Kira clutched his side as a twinge of pain ran through it. He knelt down on one knee as he watched his opponent carefully. There was something familiar about the person that had been holding a knife to stab Athrun…something… His eyes snapped to stare at the assassin who laid sprawled on his side as he started to laugh.

"I should have known…Kira Yamato…" the assassin suddenly sat up and turned to stare at him.

Kira recoiled…shocked…that face…his…face…? That couldn't be…unless… Rau Le Creuset lied! He said that he was the only one who was a success…there couldn't be another one of him…that was why he felt so familiar because the person sitting across from him, his purple eyes lit up in an insane manner, was…him…

No! It wasn't him, it was just…a…

Those eyes bore into him and said forbidden words that Kira didn't want to hear. I am you…you are me…

His mind was numb with shock, so paralyzed with images of what Rau had told him during that fateful meeting, and with his dreams flitting through his mind, that he didn't even notice Athrun shouting as the assassin suddenly broke through the window and jumped out, dropping seven stories to the ground.

He didn't even acknowledge Athrun shaking his shoulder or his twin sister calling his name. All he could think about was the fact that there was another like him…another twisted experiment…

Griever dropped to the ground and rolled a few somersaults to absorb the impact of his fall. Seven stories wasn't that far of a fall, as he knew that he could survive it, whereas no one else could. Dammit…the mission was a failure due to Kira Yamato's intervention. He hadn't even sensed the boy's presence until it was too late…

As he ran, avoiding the strobe lights of the hospital coming awake, he hid under bushes and ducked past police who were rushing to the hospital, too busy on getting to their destination to notice him. He ran to the seaport where he finally stopped at a fairly empty and quiet beach and pulled out a long distance communicator.

Tapping a few buttons, he waited as his call was processed and a face appeared.

"Report, Griever," the face was hidden in the shadows, but he knew who it was.

"Mission failed. The Princess was not eliminated due to intervention by Patrick Zala's son, but there is one good news. Yamato knows that he's not alone."

"Good," the person on the other side of the line replied, "make your exit and come back here. I will have things taken care of to force their hand."

"Roger that," Griever terminated the link and pocketed the communicator before staring out into the ocean, illuminated by the moonlight. It was a wonderful night indeed.

Phase Six – Revealing the Past, Present, and Possible Future

Kanoko Yamato wringed her hands together for what seemed like the hundredth time since she had sat down in the fairly stark room in the mansion that Cagalli lived in – an inheritance from her father. She glanced up briefly at the five other occupants of the room before staring down at her hands that were on her lap, folded together. She couldn't stand to look at any of them…especially in light of what she was about to tell them. Even with Ledonil Kisaka and her husband there, she felt no support, not even to tell the other three children…no not children anymore, all adults, in the room.

But they were still children in her opinion. Especially little Cagalli…even though she was the second oldest of the three that were in the room right now. She didn't know where her son was, but suspected that after what had happened, he was probably in shock. She too had been in shock when Ledonil and the children told her what happened just hours ago.

Oh Katherine…why…she looked up ruefully again and this time, sighed before forcing her hands to be flat on her lap.

"I…suspect that you have a lot of questions and wonder why am I here," she started, catching Lacus, Cagalli, and Athrun's gazes with her own, "to tell you the truth, what you encountered mere hours ago is, in a twisted way, Kira."

She winced at the gasped outburst from both Cagalli and Lacus while she noticed that Athrun had turned completely white. "When Ledonil told me that you had taken shelter in LaGrange Point 4 where Colony Mendel was, I hoped that nothing transpired there, but now, I see that I was probably wrong in my assumption. Please…can you tell me what happened to Kira in Colony Mendel?"

"During…the lull in battle Kira said that he was going to help Mu LaFlaga in the Colony who happened to be battling Rau Le Creuset," Athrun started slowly, "He was in there for quite a while, but when he returned back out, he said that Mu had been injured… I didn't notice it then, but he seemed to be weighed down by something. After he had discovered that Flay Alster was still alive – a girl he had hurt badly – were his words, he passed out."

"I found an exact copy of the photograph of him and Cagalli as babies inside of his flightsuit," Lacus took over as Athrun looked very hesitant to continue, "the same one Cagalli holds… Somehow, this triggered something within Kira, causing him to breakdown."

Kanoko nodded before she extended her hand out to Cagalli. "Cagalli…may I see that photograph?"

"S-Sure…" Cagalli reached inside of her vest and pulled out a fairly worn photograph and handed it to her. "Mrs. Yamato, I don't understand-"

She held up a hand to quiet her down and turned the photograph around, faintly smiling at the hastily scrawled names of Katherine's children, her own handwriting mere moments before everything went straight to hell. She turned it back around and stared at Katherine's smiling face as she looked lovingly down at her twins. Feeling tears begin to prick at the corner of her eyes, she cleared her throat roughly before looking up at the three children who sat in front of her.

Facing the photograph at Cagalli she smiled sadly, "This is your mother, isn't it?"

"Yes…" Cagalli frowned, wondering what she was getting at.

"Your mother's name was Katherine Hibiki and she was a scientist on Colony Mendel, long before it was abandoned," she said, "her husband was Dr. Ulen Hibiki."

"He sounds familiar," Lacus suddenly interjected and Kanoko nodded in agreement.

"He would, considering that your late father opposed him," she turned to Athrun, "however, I am surprised that you have not heard anything of the man, Athrun."

"Should I?" Athrun looked confused.

"Your father, Patrick Zala, supported and funded half of his research. Though I suspected it was your mother who prevented any knowledge of this to be passed on to you," Kanoko tilted her head before turning to Cagalli and nodded to the Princess' unspoken confirmation, "Yes. Ulen Hibiki is your father…and also Kira's."

"But…what did my father- Uzumi I mean…"

"Dr. Hibiki was a genius, but like some geniuses, he fell into his own madness and believed that Coordinators could be more superior than what they were now. Patrick Zala supported his idea, and siphoned some of his funds into Hibiki's private account and stationed him in Mendel to conduct his research.

"Hibiki believed that there was something that prevented a Coordinator from reaching their full potential. He wanted to surpass George Glenn, the first of Coordinators and realized that the only factor in his way was not the gene manipulation, but the mother's womb. After all, the mother was still human and humans do always make mistakes.

"However, when he tried to present his research to the scientific community, he was pushed aside by Chairman Zala and kept in the quiet confines of the curtains he was in. The Chairman wanted the findings for himself to use as a possible propaganda to overthrown Natural rule in the near future.

"Not easily deflected, Dr. Hibiki continued his research since the funds from Zala and his other supporter had been generous. He decided to build artificial wombs to test out his experiments and took his own sperm and his wife's eggs to try to create successful tests. He thought that if he successfully created the ultimate Coordinator, he wouldn't have to stay in Zala's shadows."

"So…that means-"

Kanoko shook her head to Cagalli's question. "No…there was only one successful try."

"Kira," Athrun's voice didn't hint at any emotion, but Kanoko could tell that the young man was battling with his internal demons, especially that of what his father did.

"But…"

"During that time, your mother, Katherine, got pregnant with you. She had decided that if her mad husband kept up his experiments, all life would change radically and the balance of nature versus creation would be upset. She decided to escape with her child, you, as soon as you were born. However, when the first successful…experiment…had been completed, she changed her plan to save this child too, to have him grow up as a normal Coordinator child would. She didn't want to see anymore of this mad science."

"That was when she received the support of your father Uzumi, myself, and Mrs. Yamato here. We were all assistants to Dr. Hibiki, yet we were completely loyal to Katherine," Ledonil suddenly spoke up and Kanoko was glad for the respite.

"However, the plan didn't exactly work out. Katherine, in the middle of her flight, decided that she would destroy all evidence of what had been happening on Colony Mendel and went back. She died by her husband's hands, but before she did, she had sent us a message that all of the experiments, both failed and those that were in progress had been completely eliminated and all evidence destroyed."

"Uzumi decided to take you, Cagalli, as his daughter and Ledonil as your bodyguard. I took Kira with me and we decided to part ways, never to meet again," Kanoko said.

"But Patrick Zala had heard what happened to Colony Mendel and heard about Kira. He sent an agent to bring Kira to him," she gave a sideways look at her husband and noted the shocked looks on everyone's face except her and her husband. "Keiji was one of the top Naturals infiltrators, so good that he had been suspected of being a Coordinator by Patrick."

"But once I learned the truth, I vowed to help keep the conspiracy alive," Keiji Yamato held up his hands in his defense.

"Athrun," Kanoko turned to the young man, snapping him out of his stupor, "do you know why your father sent you to the Lunar Base for schooling instead of one of the PLANT's premiere schools?"

"He said it would be good to learn some of the ways Naturals work and to help improve relationships---you don't mean!"

She nodded, "You were sent to keep an eye on Kira. Your father couldn't do anything more because of the rising in political tensions between the Earth and PLANT. But when I met your mother, I knew that she was nothing like your father and had a good heart. She knew nothing of the covert activities your father was embedded in, but she was very bright in picking out that Kira was a special Coordinator."

"That was why my messages to my father always came back with questions about Kira that I thought I had answered. My mother intercepted them, didn't she?" Athrun asked, the clarity of the situation dawning in his eyes.

"Yes she did, but she never knew how special Kira was; all she knew was that if word got out of Kira's unique abilities, she knew that your father would know something was up," Kanoko closed her eyes briefly before opening them again, "but when tensions arose and you were sent back to PLANT, we knew that we couldn't stay on Earth or on PLANT anymore so we moved to Heliopolis, knowing that it was far from the conflict that we brewing between Earth and PLANT…however, we were wrong…"

"Father and the other Council members had contracted Morganroete to build the Gundams," Cagalli whispered, staring down at her own hands, fisted tightly.

"But Mrs. Yamato…what of the look-alike? I thought you had said Katherine Hibiki destroyed all evidence," Lacus asked, her eyes serious.

Kanoko sighed heavily, "That was what I had been afraid of. We suspected that Chairman Zala and Anton LaFlaga, a prominent Natural corporate head, might have smuggled samples of Dr. Hibiki's research to test for themselves. Perhaps when Anton LaFlaga died in the fire a few years into Dr. Hibiki's research, his things were discovered and sold to the highest bidder to try to replicate what Hibiki was doing."

"So…what now?" Cagalli asked, her face pale with the news.

"If word of this gets out, tensions will arise once more," Kanoko stared at Lacus, Athrun, and Cagalli in the eye, "and this time, stopping the war between Coordinators and Naturals will be impossible."

Kira backed slowly away from the doors to the room that everyone but him had been occupying. He had heard enough…and didn't want to hear anymore. Already, the pain had spread to clutch his mind, filling it will visions of what Rau had said those years ago… It was true…he was created…an unnatural phenomenon that shouldn't have existed.

Why did they want him alive? He should be dead for all purposes… Inwardly, he wished he had died; he had been one of the failures…why did he have to be alive right now? Why now? What was his purpose?

He stumbled out to the courtyard, and staggered towards a tree, slumping unceremoniously down in front of it, his back leaning against the coolness of the tree's trunk. He felt the blunt edges of the trunk scraping his back through his thin tee shirt, the summery night still giving off heat, but he felt no respite.

He could feel tears pricking at the corner of his eyes, but he didn't care as they started falling. Hollowness seemed to consume him as he cried out his sorrow, pain, and anguish at all that had happened to him.

Why…why was I created, he thought. Was I just a figment of someone's psychosis, their own experiment? Even my adopted mother said I was an experiment…I was a danger to everyone around me. Was I to be destined for the battlefield if I had been a successful experiment?

Was I to become like…my…clone-brother?

Kira sniffled and rubbed his eyes before he looked up past the darkened branches and up at the moonlit sky, still night time and only hours away from daybreak. He felt so lost from everything. Ever since his encounter with the person who looked like him, he felt so lonely, so out of place.

Ever since he was young, he knew that he was a Coordinator and his parents never denied it. When he asked why they made him one; their only reply was wait until he was older. He never thought about it, because at the school on the Lunar Base, he had met many other children, both Naturals and Coordinators who were like him and it was also why he became best friends with Athrun.

But was his friendship with Athrun a false friendship? Was what he heard just a façade for Athrun to become his best and dearest friend just to spy on him? Was everything a lie with him and Athrun?

And what about Cagalli? She had said that they were twins…and even showed the picture of the two of them together, but that was impossible. There couldn't be any truth in that…it…just…wasn't feasible. Could the misconception of him and Cagalli being related, much less twins, be a possibility? If he was created from an artificial womb, and she from their real mother's womb, then there was no way in the laws of humanity that they could be twins…it just wasn't possible.

Was Cagalli just keeping his hopes up? Was her father, Uzumi Attha, lying because he knew the truth to his existence and didn't want him to find out? Well, he found out from Rau and most certainly was confirmed by Mu when Rau revealed his identity. And now with his adopted mother…

Who was he anyways? Was he actually Kira Yamato, a senior college student at Orb's technical college, former pilot of the Freedom and Strike Gundam…Coordinator… Was he destined to be the ultimate weapon for Patrick Zala in his war against the Naturals? Like a time bomb of sorts? Was that what he was to become?

Or was there something else to his existence…or perhaps he wasn't supposed to exist at all, after all, he was the result of a massive tampering with the laws of creation and evolution. By all rights, should he even be alive?

"Kira…"

Kira nearly started at Cagalli's soft voice, but he didn't look up or even acknowledge her as he heard her steps coming closer to him. He just stared at a certain point in the dewy grass that was by the base of the tree, running his eyes over the roots that were above ground.

"Kira…" he felt Cagalli sit next to him, but he ignored her.

"Kira…I…know you were listening on us…I could feel it…" Cagalli started softly, "its…a twin thing."

"We were never twins nor siblings," Kira finally replied in a rough voice, and out of the corner of her eye, he saw her draw back, hurt from his comment.

"Yes we are," she suddenly narrowed her eyes, "you know it as well as I do. It doesn't matter if you were created nor was I born from a real womb-"

"Yes it does," Kira snapped, interrupting her, "it does. You…real. I am just a freak of nature. Created in some sick and twisted experiment."

"You are not a freak of nature!" Cagalli grabbed his shoulder roughly, but he shrugged her off violently, moving away from her.

He heard her scramble after him, and suddenly turned and stared at her, his eyes completely blank and devoid of anything. Seed-mode. "Don't you dare come any closer, Cagalli Yula Attha."

She recoiled, stumbling back on her hands. "Kira…your eyes…"

"I'm not human. I was created, that's all there is to it," he said in a harsh voice.

Cagalli hesitated for a second before she narrowed her eyes and raised a hand to hit him. He caught her easily and twisted it downward, seeing pain spring to her eyes. "Kira…stop…"

"You see? Strength comes easily to me. It's not human, nor is it Coordinator…" he didn't ease his grip on her hand, emphasizing his point.

"Kira…stop it!" Cagalli cried out slightly in pain as she tried to wrench her wrist from his strong grip. "You're hurting me…"

"You still don't get it, do you? I'm not your brother. I never was and never will be!" he dropped his voice to a quiet but deadly whisper.

"Kira…" Cagalli tried pulling harder, but his grip tightened, "you…are my brother. I don't give a damn if you were created! None of us do! You are one of us. You're not some freak of nature. Who gives a shit if your mother says that you were created from an artificial womb.

"I don't care if you are different from me. You are my brother, my twin, my own flesh and blood. You are you…"

She slumped against the tree trunk, and Kira blinked, his eyes still devoid of anything, as he saw tears start to fall out of her eyes. His grip on her hand lessened, and her hand slipped out of his, falling limply to the ground. His eyes started to lose their severity and returned to their normal state, wide and with realization that he had hurt her…

"C-Cagalli…" he whispered before he started to back up from her. He froze as she reached up and touched his shoulder gently.

"Don't, Kira. Don't leave us…okay? Don't fall away from those who still care for you and will always care for you no matter what the truth is," Cagalli whispered, her voice halting and sad.

Kira sighed before he turned slightly and gave his sister a half-hearted smile that was forlorn and fully if misery. "All right," he agreed quietly as he reached over his shoulder and gently clasped her hand with his own.

"We're your family. Athrun, me, Lacus…everyone, including your mother and father," Cagalli said in a quiet voice.

Kira sighed, "But…you-"

"Kira," she shook her head forcibly, "she's your mother. Katherine Hibiki might have been our birth mother, but Kanoko Yamato was the one who raised you to who you are. You are her son…" "You're also my brother and my twin," she whispered the last part as she drew her legs up to her chest and rested her chin on them. "I can somehow feel you inside my mind…"

Kira placed a hand on her shoulder, "Same here…"

"That's good," she murmured before she gave a small laugh, "I was beginning to wonder if we had that twin-thing or not." She gave a little smile and was glad that he returned it, even if it was a ghost of it.

"So…what now?" he asked.

"Stop pouting and being all 'let-me-beat-up-myself' and go see your mother?" she suggested.

Kira froze at the suggestion. He couldn't see her now…not…

"Kira," Cagalli snapped him out of his daze, "stop it. She's your mother…"

"Yeah…but…"

"But nothing. Tell her how you feel about all of this. She understands it as much as you do. Believe me, when she told us about you, even though you were listening outside, you didn't see her face. She was crying…she never wanted you to be like you are. Like our birth mother, she wanted you to live a normal life. That's what she tried to do all her life, to make you feel normal."

"Yeah…" Kira reluctantly agreed. He began to realize that even though his mother and father knew that he was not a normal Coordinator, they had tried to keep his life as normal as possible and he was starting to appreciate their efforts.

"Be strong, okay?" Cagalli shook his shoulder, squeezing it once to reassure him.

Before she could remove her hand, he placed his over her and gave it a gentle squeeze. Looking at his sister he smiled sadly, but his voice was renewed with confidence. "Thank you, Cagalli."

Athrun watched the whole scene unfold quietly in the shadows. He knew that at the time, intruding upon what was a time of healing between siblings was probably not the best idea. He had followed Cagalli out after they had decided to retire for the rest of the night to at least get some sleep before daybreak peaked in a few hours. He had thought Cagalli would go straight to bed, but she had went outside and he followed quietly behind her, as not to startle her.

Turning away to let his friends have some privacy, he headed back to the spacious mansion, looking up at the clear moonlit sky as his feet meandered their path back up the steps and past the front doors. A lot of the questions he had when he was a child were finally answered, especially regarding his father and mother's behaviors during his schooling on the Lunar Base. He now understood why his father was so persistent since he mentioned Kira's name after first meeting him all those years ago.

But even now, with the revelations that had been told to him, he still couldn't exactly take it all in as the whole truth. There just can't be the possibility that Kira was created, or even that any of Dr. Ulen Hibiki's experiments were actually experiments. What Kanoko Yamato said seemed so far out of the reaches of the norm that he had a hard time believing it.

But for one thing certain, it did explain why his father was so interested in the genetics of Coordinators, and why his obsession, even though he was in charge of the history of the structures of PLANT – that was December City, eventually destroyed his friendship with Siegel Clyne.

But still…the idea of an ultimate Coordinator…Kira! No…the Kira he knew couldn't be such a thing. Kira was kind, gentle, sweet, and always caring for others before himself; easily hurt, burdened by so many things that he shouldn't have been burdened by. There was no way his best friend would ever be something like that twisted sick clone-whatever could be. No way that Kira would be able to commit such acts. Kira was a gentle soul.

He on the other hand, had hardened his own soul when the war between ZAFT and Earth had heated up four years ago. The events of Junius 7 told him that he couldn't afford to be innocent anymore, but the case was different with his best friend. Kira could afford to be innocent because his parents had no ties to PLANT, no ties to anything, and wanted to live the life of peace.

He hardened his soul so that he would be able to see Kira's go free…but now…he knew that Kira's soul was more fragile than ever. He had been blaming himself for the deaths of so many other people and while Athrun knew that he could just spout words of comfort, he knew that they were platitudes of nothing in Kira's own mind.

"What Mrs. Yamato said, is true, Athrun," Lacus' gentle voice making him turn around to see her walking down one side of the two-ballroom staircase that led to the second floor of the mansion.

"Lacus…I thought that you had turned in for the night," he noticed that she was dressed in a nightgown with a blue robe wrapped over her that really contrasted her long pink hair.

"I was about to, but your expression when you left the room told me that you had a lot on your mind. Do you want to talk about it?" she asked.

"No…" Athrun shook his head, "don't worry about it…I…I can sort this out…" He was about to turn around and walk away when a sudden impulse made him turn back around and stare up at her. "Why didn't I know about this earlier! I could have found out from my father what happened and why he fell to his own madness. With this information, I could have prevented him from ever building Genesis!"

Lacus shook her head firmly, "No Athrun, you couldn't have known," she suddenly held up a hand to stop him from interrupting her, "with information like this, if you had known, then eventually the Supreme Council would have known and then the research would have continued. Many more like Kira would have been born and then there would be the genetic race of ultimate Coordinators to dominate everyone. You were a soldier, Athrun. The less you knew, the less the public knew."

"But-"

"Athrun, I knew something about what happened in Mendel, because my father wanted me to know. My mother was very unkind to him and I suspected that she had manipulated some of the genes that was used to create the experiments, and tried to alter my own genes. He wanted me to know that there was a chance, a slim possibility that I could be an ultimate Coordinator and wanted me to take extra care of what I did and how I presented myself to the public.

"But for you…there were no boundaries. After you and Cagalli had left, Mrs. Yamato told me that there was more to what Dr. Hibiki had created. There was something in the genes that if combined with another link-so to speak, then it would activate. The activation process he thought was something breaking, like a consciousness of sorts, but dubbed the reaction, seed-mode," Lacus said in a measured voice.

Athrun stared in shock. If what Lacus was saying was true…then…he had the genes of being an ultimate Coordinator. He had experienced seed-mode…in battle. It was like a breaking of his battle awareness, a seed that cracked inside of his mind and he could suddenly see his targets in a clearer light. During that time, time seemed to slow down, enabling him to predict patterns and discard them to directly hit his targets with uncanny accuracy. He had a faster reaction time, a better sense of control over his Gundam…

For a few minutes, he couldn't speak, but only stare at the ground in shock as he realized the magnitude of what Lacus was telling him. "My…father…" he braced himself against a railing of the staircase, suddenly feeling as if his chest was constricting his movements. All of the sudden it was painful to breathe…

"Athrun," Lacus placed a hand on his shoulder and he looked up at her, "even if you do have the genes of an ultimate Coordinator, you are not one. You are you…a normal third generation Coordinator like I am."

"Then what…"

"You have a slightly harder time going into seed-mode, don't you Athrun?" Lacus asked and Athrun wondered how did she know when he realized that during their battles in Justice and Freedom, their comm channels were always on, and Lacus was always able to see them switch into seed-mode.

"Yes…"

"Then that only means you are still human," she explained.

"But…what about Kira?"

Lacus shook her head, "Kira is Kira…he will always be himself, just as you are."

Athrun felt better with her words and nodded before letting go of the railing. "Thank you Lacus…" He leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek before walking away. Even though she belonged with Kira now, he had always held her in his heart as a special person – a confidant of sorts. Now, it was no different…

Truly, he realized, of the four of them, Lacus was probably the most adult – the rest of them children to her guidance.

Lacus touched her cheek where Athrun had kissed her. It was a gentle friendly kiss, nothing more than that. He still surprised her at times, always a gentleman and very much different from Kira. Kira was a lost soul, one that needed her guidance and she was willing to give it whereas Athrun already knew his own path and knew what course he had to take.

Her father had always said that she was much wiser than she acted, and she knew that. It was a façade to act like a naive little girl, oblivious to the outside world and its consequences, but she had always been active in politics since she was born. Her mother had been one of the researchers working at the labs on Februarius City, home of the biochemistry labs and genetics labs that were used to create first generation Coordinators or to tweak second and third generation Coordinator's genes.

Her father was heavily involved on the Supreme Council, and so she grew up around everything. She knew that what Kanoko Yamato had told her was very important and of all the people that were in the room, she had to keep the secret well within the confines of the room.

If word of what happened on Colony Mendel spread throughout PLANT, then there was nothing that Eileen Canaver or herself could do to stop a tidal wave of resentment against Naturals. After all, Dr. Hibiki was a Natural scientist who had gone mad. The sheer mention of a Natural that tampered with Coordinator genes to actually try to make an ultimate Coordinator would have all the right-wing factions of both sides screaming for blood.

Lacus knew that both the Earth and PLANT could not afford another war. Not with the creation of N-Jammer technology and both Genesis and Cyclops in each other's hands. It would not be a war anymore; it would be mass genocidal murdering of each other – especially if right-wing factions took over the leadership of both OMNI and ZAFT. Xenophobia of each other would escalate tensions to the point where everyone would be completely wiped out.

Which was why the next step for the LF and for Orb was to track down whoever was trying to disrupt the peace. Lacus had a feeling that the attacks on Februarius 3 and Martius 5 were only the beginning of something larger. Orb was the first step…and the next step was hitting the Earth then somehow blaming PLANT for it – which meant that they had to find out where was the next target before anything could happen.

Even if Mrs. Yamato had said that the secret must not be let out, Lacus knew that the war between Coordinators and Naturals was inevitable – it was the only question now: How long would the peace last?

And…could they stop the outbreak of war and keep the peace?

Phase Seven – Decisions to Make

Murrue was quite surprised at the turnout in the massive conference room in the main governmental building of Orb. This was strictly an LF personnel only, but there were a few people like Lacus Clyne and the LF's main sponsor, Orb's Cagalli Attha, along with a few of the technicians that worked at the technological research facility, like Erica Simmons, and three other people she couldn't have expected.

One was the Kingfisher, who had taken the quickest shuttle PLANT had to offer back down, his face still agitated and nervous, a sign that something had gone up during his investigate since they had talked yesterday. The other two sat in the back, away from everyone, just eyes in the crowd, but Murrue spotted them clearly. She had never expected to see both Athrun Zala and Kira Yamato, since they resigned their commissions from their respective armies and settled down into civilian life.

Word of an attempt on Cagalli's life had spread like wildfire, which also accounted for the presence of a lot of armed men that lined the walls. Orb was taking no chances with its leader, even against her own will. Murrue didn't really mind as she too was worried about the young woman's safety, but the guards' blank stares and unmoving bodies did unnerve her slightly. They were like mannequins in a department store or something like that.

Though she knew that it was important for both PLANT and Earth representatives to be there, which was why Lacus and one of the surviving senators who wasn't seriously injured in the blast, were in the room. She had thought that both Athrun and Kira had not wanted anything to do with military or the LF. For them to be here…it was curious indeed.

She knew that Athrun worked with Erica in the technological department, to develop better mobile suits for the LF's forces, but Kira…Kira was a university student, which made it odder for him to be in a meeting like this. Something must have happened during the bombing and the subsequent attempt on Cagalli's life for him to be here…

"All right, settle down," she held up a hand to quiet down the room, bringing everyone to focus on her. "First off, before we get started, I'd like to thank both Senator Tzu and Princess Cagalli for joining us today after making complete and healthy recoveries."

Formalities were not needed, but she felt that she had to include it in, just to keep on the Earth's good side as she most definitely knew that Senator Tzu would be reporting to the Earth military after this briefing. The polite applause for the two she had mentioned died quickly as she dimmed the lights and turned on the holographic projector next to her stand.

"The recent attacks against both Orb and PLANT have made us more aware of a possible conspiracy. We had dispatched ships to the various PLANT cities to help quell down rebellions that have erupted there. Most of the findings we have discovered there were disgruntled Coordinators who resented that they were cheated out of the war. But on one of the cities, Martius 5, there's been rumors circulating that merits our attention.

"Captain Quinn Misali and his ship, the Kusanagi had been assigned there. Captain, your report?" she stepped to the side as she gestured for Quinn to take the stand in which he did, his face grim.

"Martius 5 had been originally assigned as an investigation point before the attacks started, which led me to believe that something was going on," Quinn didn't seem to follow the norms of a normal briefing and instead seemed to be talking from one person to another, "when we got there, there was a rogue group taking pot shots except for one guy. He had been shouting that everyone should die, both Coordinators and Naturals and even shot a few of his own during the raid.

"When we took him down, we sent his body for an analysis. The results show a tampering with his genes and modification of his memory. It was as if he was injected with a brand new set of genes that had nano-technology in them to replace his own genes. He then probably underwent an extensive mind wipe and reconstruction to make him what he was," Quinn's words were grim and harsh and even Murrue felt her jaw drop slightly in shock.

The tampering of genetic material…it sounded like Coordinator work, but that couldn't be. Coordinators had their own set of gene exchange and would never do something that barbaric. She briefly wondered if it was related to Colony Mendel, but dismissed the idea…it was too far fetched as Mendel had been abandoned for the last few years.

"Look," Quinn seemed a bit uncomfortable with so many people staring at him like fish out of the water, "I'm not really good at this briefing stuff, but if the results are true, I think the next targets we should be protecting is somewhere on the Earth, most likely an Earth base. Senator, you know the risks…I mean if these guys attack an Earth base, then some of OMNI will probably blame ZAFT and then ZAFT will blame OMNI and there goes that ping-pong effect."

"The signs of a build up of military presence around our bases would cause ZAFT to wonder if an invasion is imminent. Also, it might give the advantage away to whoever is committing this terrorist attack that we are on to their plans. What if they decide to attack elsewhere?" Senator Tzu asked in a calm and controlled voice – Murrue most definitely knew that the man was a rational thinker and always thought of many options and presented holes in any solution.

"If the suggestion of a build-up of both militaries to try to prevent such a thing from happening is given, then I think that the LF needs to rethink its initial agenda. The civilian population would begin to wonder if we will go to war again, and if that were to happen, then the terrorist would have won – they would come out saying that the build up of military indicates a return of war and conflict," the Senator continued.

Murrue saw Quinn frown. She knew that he hated being one-upped by anyone and hoped that he restrained his ego enough from turning this briefing into a shouting match. "Then what do you suggest, Senator?" Quinn asked, his voice calm, but tight.

"I suggest nothing at all, I am merely pointing out the facts to you, Captain," Senator Tzu said.

"Perhaps, Senator, are you implying that the LF should sit back and do nothing at the moment? Because if the fear of being attack has stopped everything then ultimately the terrorist have won," Cagalli suddenly spoke up and Murrue hid a grin as she saw that her twist on the Senator's words took most of the pressure away from Quinn and placed it on the Senator's shoulders.

"Of course not, Princess," Tzu replied mildly, "I was just concerned about the limited ships the LF has in order to patrol both the main bases of OMNI and the PLANT cities along with Orb itself."

"Captain, what other analysis did you receive from the other ships around the region concerning possibility of an attack?" Murrue suddenly spoke up, trying to prevent a mini bloodbath between the Senator, Cagalli, and Quinn. She really couldn't believe the ridiculousness of everyone trying to bait each other, even if their suggestions were valid. The only senior ranking person that seemed to be keeping their cool was Lacus Clyne and she hadn't said anything yet.

"It's all scattering, random attacks, but most definitely aimed at PLANT. That's why I think the best idea right now is to just check the OMNI bases and major cities on Earth that have the highest risk. We can send in small teams to camp out and watch for any activity before we move the big ships in," Quinn suggested.

"It is a feasible idea, if not that bright, Captain. Since there is little we can do now, I will talk to OMNI and the President about your suggestion. However, no authorization will be given to the LF's warships to enter OMNI ports unless in extreme situations," Senator Tzu said before she stood up and brushed imaginary lint from her expensive looking suit, "now if you would all excuse me, I have other pressing matters to attend to. Good day."

Murrue was surprised at the abruptness of the Senator's departure, but didn't show it as Quinn left the podium and sat back down in the front row of the briefing room, letting her take the stand. As soon as the door hissed shut from Tzu's departure, she flipped to another projection, this time of the Earth.

"The most viable targets that are OMNI bases near civilian cities are these…"

It was much later, after the briefing and into the wee hours of the early evening, when Murrue still found herself in her office aboard the Archangel. She was looking through reports, of both combat situations and ship maintenance. As a captain of a ship she knew that she had to regularly check and fill out reports to give to Orb as any type of military force would do, but she hated doing that. Most of the time she could handle reports on ship maintenance and combat situations, it was only the death reports that she hated dealing with. But even now, her reports were beginning to look tiring to her eyes and she blinked them a few times to keep her vision from blurring.

A sharp rapping knock startled her and nearly made her spill some of the paper reports onto the ground. She looked up, rubbing her eyes furiously before saying, "Come."

The door hissed open to reveal Quinn, holding two cups of coffee. He stepped in and placed one on the edge of her table before sitting himself down on one of the two chairs facing her desk before propping his feet up on the other end of her table.

Murrue blinked a bit before taking the coffee and sipping it, letting the warmth of it run down her throat and reviving her tired eyes. She then glared pointedly at Quinn who shrugged and removed his feet from her desk.

"Thought you needed it after today," he said in a conversational tone.

"Thanks," she replied, setting the cup down, "anything I can do for you?"

"Ouch," Quinn winced, "you're in a good mood right now."

She gestured to the reports strewn across her desk, "Try these."

"Hey, I do that too, except not with a perpetual frown. Geez, after all these years you've become bitter," he said.

"War can do that to you," she snapped at him, irritated.

"We're not in a war right now…well, actually, belay that. We're in between wars," Quinn replied and Murrue raised and eyebrow at his attempt to humorous.

She decided to ignore him and continued to look through the reports, but somehow she was distracted after Quinn had come in. She looked up to see him staring intently at her and frowned. "What?"

"You. Just wondering why you look like hell," Quinn asked and Murrue was about to reprimand him when she sighed heavily and shook her head.

"I'm not cut out to be a captain, or to be in command of such a task force like the LF I don't even know why I'm here. I mean you saw the briefing…Senator Tzu basically wrestled control away from my hands. How can I command ships without even contending with a troublesome Senator?" she set the report she had been reading to the side and took another sip of the coffee.

"Murrue, politics are always like this. I've seen you in action. Sure you may think you're not good as a captain, but you're one of the most humane ones in any fleet, both OMNI and ZAFT. You tend to think with your heart and not by the book," Quinn said, setting his cup of coffee on a corner of her table where his feet were previously occupying it.

Murrue froze at Quinn's sentiments. They were close to what she and Mu had discussed during the lull in combat after they had went rogue before the Dominion found them. Hearing those words in almost the same exact way brought painful memories to the surface of her consciousness.

"That's what Mu used to say…" she whispered as she felt tears spring to the corner of her eyes, but they did not fall.

She looked up at Quinn and saw a stricken expression on his face before he hastily apologized. "I'm sorry Murrue. It's just that…well…"

She attempted a smile to calm him down but it was a sorrowful smile. "It's okay Quinn… Probably everyone knows that…"

"No, no…please, let me explain…" Quinn waved his hands, "I didn't mean to infringe upon the territory that you've created with Mu and I feel awful about it. I mean, I used to know him back from my special ops days…and I told him about you, well, I didn't mention your name, but I mentioned that I knew someone who was bound to become a captain, but one of the most humane captains like Admiral Halberton. I didn't expect the two of you to meet up…so…"

Murrue genuinely smiled, "Thank you…"

"So…um…" Quinn suddenly picked up his mug downed some of its contents before setting it back down again. "How do you think Mu would react to what's happening now?"

Murrue knew that Quinn was avoiding saying that Mu was dead or any reference to death for the fear of her breaking down and she appreciated his efforts. "Honestly…crack a joke of sorts before hopping into the Strike or Mobieus Zero and shooting down whoever's responsible."

Quinn laughed lightly, "Yeah…you're probably right."

"He would be concerned about the safety of everyone else though…" she sighed wistfully, imagining that Mu right now would be checking up on the pilots and perhaps Kira and Athrun, even Cagalli to make sure they were really all right. The bombing had given everyone a scare, and she knew that Mu would have raced to the scene to try to do something.

"What about the teams?"

Murrue shook her head, "The idea is feasible, but we're spread too thinly. I might have to pull some of the other ships like the Osiris and Aluwin from their ZAFT ports to help patrol the OMNI ports, but OMNI would go nuts if they found out."

"Well, I'm headed back to the Kusanagi tomorrow so I'll be able to find out some more things and send it your way," Quinn said and Murrue nodded.

"If we're hit with a pronged attack, it would be bad for us. Though the Archangel is getting more supplies of the latest Astray models, it might not be enough," she said, a frown appearing on her face.

"I still get the feeling that this is just a warm up for something bigger, but what…" Quinn voiced his thoughts.

Murrue silently agreed as she took another sip of her coffee, but this time, it chilled her instead of warming her. Somehow, she knew that whenever the next attack came, whether it be Earth, PLANT, or Orb it would bring everyone to the brink of a new war…

They had to prevent it before anything else could happen.

The overhead lights on the highway passed by at regular intervals, the car doing a steady 70 miles per hour. Athrun would have gone faster, if not for the fact that he was in deep thought and was doing all the basic functions of driving automatically. Kira and the others were already back at the mansion, eating dinner, but he had opted, after the briefing was over, to just drive around. He wanted to think alone, without anyone bothering him – and most likely Cagalli worrying over him.

He didn't mind her worrying, it was that he needed some time to think things through alone. As he drove, he wondered about today's briefing… Though they all got at least some sleep, Athrun had known about today's briefing from Erica Simmons, and while he never attended any of the LF's briefings, something inside of him told him that today's was important, and it had been important.

The night before, after he had finished talking with Lacus, he laid in bed, thinking about his life. He loved the peace and quiet he had as a civilian working with Erica, but there had also been something missing from him. It was the soldier inside of him, yearning to do something to help protect others. The bombings told him that even as a civilian he was almost unable to protect any of his friends from being seriously injured.

So should he go back to the military life? Should he once again, take up arms?

Inwardly, he knew that he had already prepared himself for something like this. It was sitting in a deep level of the building he worked at, a secret from almost everyone save him, a few technicians, and Erica. Even Cagalli never knew the secret that lay dormant in the deep levels of the former Morganroete building… He wondered if it was the right thing…to build something so destructive without her knowledge, after all, she was the leader of Orb and the voice moderating the peace talks.

The problem was that if the Earth and PLANT found out about the secret, there were many ways they would interpret their findings. One most likely case was both would be outraged at the LF and Orb – and subsequently demand that the LF be disbanded because they were going to use their weapons to impose themselves and take over the whole of the Earth and PLANTs.

Both factions would then demand that the weapons be turned over to either side – and it might escalate the situation back into war once more. Which also wasn't a good step. But the namesakes of the weapons were to ensure that peace survived and that the LF was doing the right thing.

But actually taking up arms once more…

Ever since he had joined the Clyne Faction and deserted ZAFT, he had always felt unsure of his position to moderate peace. The soldier inside of him wanted to protect PLANT from any harmful interest from the Earth and wanted him to remember his father and mother. The gentle side, the civilian, wanted him to protect Cagalli from harm, from being manipulated by both the Earth and PLANT. But did he want to actually shoot a gun, pilot a mobile suit, infiltrate an enemy's territory to gather intelligence again? Was he happy with his life so far?

The answer was two sided and Athrun gripped the wheel tighter as he thought about it. He loved the peaceful life he had for the past two years. First living with Mariko on his little island and with all the war orphans, then living in Orb and finding that peace was enjoyable and almost returning to the life he once had on the moon in prep school.

He couldn't say that he loved fighting, nor did he enjoy it, but it felt like an integral part of his life. The war times made him see the ugly and good side of both ZAFT and OMNI. It was a sharper perspective on the situations between a Coordinator and a Natural, unlike peace where civilian life was hardly given any news concerning how tense situations were or how the military was really doing.

"I.D. please," a deep gruff voice startled him out of his musings and he realized that unconsciously, he had driven to his workplace, the former Morganroete building. He hastily took out his I.D., which he always kept by his side and showed it to the guard who checked it then nodded and handed it back to him.

Athrun drove through the lowered gates and winded his way through the parking lot, finding a space close and parking in it. He got out and locked his car before jamming his hands into his pants pockets and walked inside the building.

Getting into an elevator, he took his card out again and swiped it through a magnetic reader that allowed him access to the deepest levels where the secret project was being kept. No one else save a few technicians sworn to secrecy and Erica would be able to do a successful swipe of their I.D. card. If they tried, then security guards would be all over them in less than ten seconds.

A keypad popped out underneath the reader and he tapped in the sub-level he wanted before the elevator took him down. It only took a few seconds before the doors pinged open and Athrun stepped out.

He blinked in surprise as he saw Erica Simmons sitting at the main console overlooking the hanger bay that stored the two secret weapons they built. "Didn't expect to see you here…" he greeted her as he walked over and peered over her shoulder to see what she was doing.

"I had a sixth sense you'd be coming down here today after what was explained during Captain Ramius' briefing. They're in perfect condition, all ready to be deployed," she tilted her head up, indicating the two weaponry.

"Yeah," Athrun stared at one of the two weapons, his mind running over the memories of the weapons that had been thought to be destroyed in the war two years ago and while they had, he had found the plans, inherited by his father, and rebuilt them with Erica's help. "Problem is…are they actually needed?"

"One never knows," Erica replied as he sat down next to her in a swivel chair. He hunched forward and rested his head on his hands that were folded on an empty part of the console board.

"Erica…be honest. If I bring this out to help the LF, would I actually be doing good or just fulfilling my role as a soldier?" he asked, still staring at one of the two weapons.

"Well," Erica pulled her hair back before leaning back in her swivel chair and stretching. "I think it would be both, to be honest with you. I mean, you were once a soldier and you still have that instinctive training within you. Your reaction time has not faded, meaning you still keep active in whatever you like to do. Maybe that's why you wanted to find work here. You never wanted to be far away from technology because you love it so much."

"But that means-"

"No, not really. It doesn't mean that you love war; it means that you just like to do things that you like to do. Think about it…when you were with ZAFT, did they let you close to any mobile suit you can tinker with? I mean not by rewriting the OS programs or anything, but like really tinkering and building," Erica tilted her head to the side and Athrun looked at her.

"No, not really," he replied.

"So, this is your chance to help and build things. It's your chance to help ensure that peace still exist and if need be, weapons such as mobile suits or the G-units that Kira's so fond of calling Gundams, have to exist. You don't have to use these weapons, but it's ultimately up to you to decide."

"So…should I?"

"Should you what? Pilot it or join the LF? Well," Erica shrugged, "it's really up to you. My question to you is…are you happy right now?"

"Yes," Athrun said but then hesitated, "No…I don't know. I mean I like it because it's peaceful and it reminds me of a better time before the war, but…it's not the same."

"So your real dilemma is, should you leave Cagalli here in Orb and go with the LF or stay and protect her."

Athrun balked at the statement, staring at Erica. "Cagalli-"

"I may be no psychologist, but during that meeting today, I saw that you were really worried for the Princess' safety. Now I'm not the one to pry into people's lives, but you truly love her and care for her more than anyone save Kira. Somehow I get the feeling that you're afraid of losing her, though I don't think it's to Kira oddly, but you're afraid that if you go off with the LF, and you one day come back, she might not be there. You're afraid of some terrorist trying to assassinate her and you won't be there to protect her."

Athrun froze. Aside from a few mistakes that he knew wasn't her fault, especially those on Kira, she had basically hit his biggest fear dead on. He was afraid of losing Cagalli…he was afraid that she would be ripped away from him much like almost everyone that was close to him. During the war, he had been afraid of losing Kira, his best friend, and when he had 'killed' him, he tried to deny that fear into a revenge for Kira killing Nicol. But when Cagalli shouted at him and forced him to realize that he had actually killed one of the dearest persons he held in his heart, he realized that he didn't want to lose anyone close to him anymore.

That was why he chose to pilot Justice. He wanted to protect all those that were dear to him – even Kira in his Freedom. He didn't want to lose anyone else. Inwardly, he realized that he already knew the answer to his own question.

"If it's to stop whoever's doing this and to protect all that I love," he stared at the gray face of one of two most powerful G-units ever built, "I'll pilot the Justice Gundam again."

Phase Eight – Returning to the Battlefield

Cagalli awoke to bright sunshine casting vertical beams into her room, little slits in the places where her curtains couldn't hold together. She squinted slightly at the brightness of the light and glanced to her end table where a digital clock was blinking the time. It was still fairly early in the morning and she wondered why she had awakened so early.

"Tori!"

The mechanical swish of wings made her look up to the end of her bed where Tori was perched, its head tilted and looking at her before giving a slight mechanical flutter of its wings.

"Myta! Myta! Haro!" a sudden red colored Haro bounced up from the floor and tried to land on Tori, who flew up into the air to avoid being smashed by the Haro who was trying to chase it.

Cagalli frowned as she saw the two robotic creatures chase each other around. She gave a soft groan of annoyance before she took one of her two pillows and placed it on her face in an effort to curb the noise the two were making. There was hell to pay for whoever let the two in. As she tried to block out the noise by squeezing the pillows over her ears, she belatedly realized that with all her efforts she still couldn't go back to sleep.

"Argh!" she finally took the pillow off of her face and opened her eyes, glaring at the ceiling of her four-poster bed. She sat up and chucked a pillow at both Haro and Tori and was mildly surprised to see it smack her Haro in the face before falling to the ground.

"Haro! That wasn't nice!" her Haro said in an indignant electronic voice but got the point as it bounded out of her room, Tori following it.

She flopped back down onto her bed, too awake to go back to sleep and sighed. Though she was still officially on recovery status, leaving the governing of Orb in the hands of the Councilors that had recovered with less injury than she had, she still felt like she needed to do something. After the briefing yesterday, she had talked with Erica on transporting a few of the newest Astray Mark II models to the Archangel which was going to be heading out of port and over to Panama where it would coordinate with top OMNI officials to try to prevent surprise attacks like those that caught the PLANT cities of Martius 5 and Februarius 3 off guard.

Though Orb had no real direct control of the workings of the LF, they were a major sponsor of funding and so Cagalli had the last say on certain things happening in the LF – otherwise it was just an independent military force, united by common bonds of peace and cooperation.

She rolled over and got out of bed, pulling some clothing from her wardrobe. Since there were no real important meetings for her to be in, she decided on casual clothing and went into the bathroom that was adjacent to her room. She quickly showered and cleaned up before she changed into her clothes and stepped out, feeling more awake, the tiredness gone from her body and eyes.

As she opened the door and headed downstairs, she heard the distant cry of "Tori!" followed by a multitude of "Haro! Myta!" and realized that with her and Lacus in the same house, that meant double the number of Haros rolling around. Though she loved the Haros Athrun built for her, having twice as many…she wished she could just shut all of them off.

"Good morning Princess," one of the servants, all loyal to her father and now to her, greeted her and she nodded a morning greeting, trying to suppress a yawn. She headed downstairs where she saw the butler of the house approaching her.

"Princess, the councilors would like to talk to you after your morning meal. It concerns the Senate and what proceedings should everyone take in wake of the bombing. Also there is the departure of the Archangel today and might I suggest that you take some time to visit the students that were wounded in the blast – it would provide an opportunity to tell others that Orb has not faltered."

"I know…" she said in a tired voice. "Tell the councilors I'll talk to them this evening. I want to spend the morning going over the specs of the new Astrays with Erica before they're to be loaded onto the Archangel. Schedule sometime in the late afternoon a trip to the hospital. Give me all the names of the students that are still hospitalized. Schedule sometime tomorrow a visit with the students that had been treated and released. I want to talk to every student including their parents if they've passed away."

Cagalli was sick of giving something to the press to show that Orb was still on its feet, but she also knew that as a leader she was responsible for overseeing the safety of her own people. She had already tried comforting Kira…but she felt like she needed another outlet. Pouring all of her frustrations onto Athrun wasn't a good way, as she didn't want to burden him further – especially in light of the information they had found out from Mrs. Yamato.

If her butler was surprised, he didn't show it, and instead nodded, "Very good, Princess. I will see that it is done." He left and Cagalli continued on her way.

She briefly wondered where Athrun was, as she had not seen him since last night…it was odd…

Kira didn't even know why he was at the hanger bay where the Archangel was docked; much less even know why he had attended yesterday's briefing. He supposed that he missed seeing Sai and Miri and wanted to get a chance to say hi before they were to depart on their next mission, but his mind was in such turmoil. Even with Cagalli telling him to be strong, he still couldn't as doubt ate at his every action.

He had begun to question everything he did, everything he had done…but silently as he didn't want to worry his friends further. He jammed his hands deep into the pockets of the windbreaker he was wearing, the hanger bay a bit more chilled than he would have liked in the summer heat. He saw technicians scrambling all over the place, working on last minute repairs or moving supplies onto the ship.

After leaving the Archangel for two years, he realized that the ship hadn't changed much. The paint was as bright as the day it burst from its docking bay on Heliopolis and into the middle of Rau and Mu's battle, and there weren't any apparent signs of damage from all the battles the ship had been through. He felt a twinge of nostagia for the days that he lived aboard the only thing he called home for the better part of a year, but quashed it immediately.

Even with the briefing, he had felt the pull to return to help defend all those who couldn't defend themselves, but he didn't want to be embroiled by death and destruction all around him anymore. With Freedom destroyed, it was his salvation to live the life of peace – but he still questioned that why was he still alive while millions of others were dead, either by his hand or by others.

He still questioned his own actions in the war – blinding fighting just to protect his friends, but even failing at that for the most part. He had let Tolle die because he didn't try hard enough to prevent his Skygrasper from flying close to his and Athrun's vicious battle. He had let Mu die because he failed to stop the Dominion from firing its Lohengrin cannons. He had not stopped Rau sooner from destroying the shuttle that Flay was on, or from heavily injuring Mu and the Strike. He had not stop his own bloodlust from destroying Athrun's friend Nicol and had not stopped himself from giving grief to Nicol's parents.

He had not saved the shuttle with the little girl who gave him a flower.

All those lives…

"Kira," Miri's voice made him look up from his musings and he saw both Miriallia Haw and Dearka Elsman walking towards him.

Miri hugged him briefly before stepping back and Dearka held out his hand to which Kira shook. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

He shrugged before gesturing to the Archangel, "I heard that you guys had your next mission so I guess I wanted to see you before you left." He attempted a small smile, hoping that Miri wouldn't be able to see past it. He still wasn't too comfortable talking with Dearka, even though they fought together in the Clyne Faction during the war.

"I'll go get Sai," apparently Dearka also wasn't comfortable talking with him either and went off into one of the Archangel's hatches to grab Sai Argyle.

"So…how are you feeling Kira? I heard that your class was also in the…" Miri trailed off, looking a bit uncertain and Kira placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm better. The doctors said the stitches should come off in a day or so," he reassured her before taking his hand off and letting it hang limply by his side.

"That's good," Miri smiled, "You know…um…"

There was an awkward moment of silence and in that short period, Kira realized that since he had left the Archangel, his friendship with Miri and even Sai had been growing further and farther apart. He was a civilian…they were part of the military – they didn't really have any common ground except for the fact that they were all friends back on Heliopolis. Talking about Heliopolis was always painful especially witnessing the destruction of their own home colony…so…

"Kira!" Sai called from the hatch that Dearka had went in a few minutes ago and ran over. Moments later, Tori flew from wherever it had been flying around and perched on Sai's shoulder, giving him and inquisitive look before it hopped over to Kira's.

"Tori!"

"I see you still have Tori," Sai shook hands with him, smiling slightly.

"Yeah," he replied, "so…um…how long are you going to be out?"

Sai shrugged, "I don't really know. Captain hasn't given us the full details yet, but we'll probably stay Earth-bound for now."

"Oh," Kira realized that they were probably going to be split up into small teams and suddenly was worried for them.

"Well, um, Captain's gotten me to prep the ship, so I shouldn't really stick out here too long," Sai suddenly broke the silence, looking a bit awkward and hesitant.

"I should also go and help. They're bringing in the new Astray models so…" Miri also looked a bit ashamed at leaving so soon but Kira shook his head.

"It's okay. You guys be careful, all right?" he clapped Sai on the shoulder.

"Yeah. You too Kira," Sai gave a small smile before he and Miri turned and walked back to the ship.

Kira watched them go and some part of him, he felt alone once more.

Athrun sat in front of the controls of the Justice, feeling a familiar swell of anticipation that he had never felt since the last time he had first gotten into Justice over two years ago. As he flicked on the power and did a systems check, his fingers running over the keyboard quickly, his eyes taking in the information, he thought back to what had happened only a few hours ago.

He had told Lacus that he was joining the LF and that the Justice and Freedom Gundams had been rebuilt, but she was the only one who knew. He didn't know how to tell Cagalli or worst, Kira. Part of him was afraid of their reactions… Though he didn't know if Cagalli or Kira was going to be seeing the ship off, he most likely suspected that Cagalli was going to be there…and therefore see him load up the Justice onto the Archangel.

He didn't want to leave them without any warning…but…

"Status check," the buzz of his comm system made him look at it for a second before he looked out of the main tri-window cockpit, seeing a technician waving to him from the console Erica had occupied the night before.

He ran his eyes over the results before replying, "All green."

"Roger that, Justice. Good luck out there," the technician started up the elevator to take him up to ground level where he would be able to load up onto the Archangel. He had told Murrue this morning that Justice had been rebuilt and he was joining them, but he didn't know if she told the rest of her crew.

"Thanks," he replied as the giant elevator propelled him and Justice upwards.

As the elevator went up, Athrun shifted in his flightsuit, the traditional orange-white of Orb. He was ZAFT no more so he felt that wearing his uniform and flightsuit, the red colors of ZAFT was a bit awkward and had asked for an Orb LF uniform. He didn't really know if Dearka was still wearing the red colors, but he did know that majority of the crew of the Archangel still wore the colors of the OMNI forces.

As the lift slowed down and then stopped, he moved Justice forward out of the lift to the hanger bay. As he rounded a corner, the Archangel came into view and on the upper left hand corner of his middle screen, Miri's face appeared. "Justice are you ready to board?"

So the crew did know that Justice had been rebuilt and he nodded. "Have all the Astrays been loaded?"

"Yes. It will be a tight fit, but when we get to Panama, we'll be meeting up with the Eternal to give them some of the Astrays," Miri replied.

"Didn't expect to see you here," Dearka's grinning face suddenly appeared underneath Miri's. "They didn't tell us…well, the Captain's probably told the main crew, but hey…this is a surprise."

"I've given it some thought," Athrun replied before Dearka waved a hasty goodbye and terminated the link.

"Did you tell Kira about this?" Miri asked, her voice full of concern and Athrun shook his head.

"No…"

"You might want to…he's here…" Miri said and Athrun looked beyond the Archangel to see Kira, standing to the side of the dock near some piles of crates, a shocked expression on his face.

"Oh…" the flightsuit suddenly felt a bit restraining, "thank you Miri."

Miri didn't say anything, but nodded and terminated the link. Athrun moved forward and clomped into the Archangel's hanger bay, noticing that Miri's statement about having a tight fit was correct. The Archangel was holding a lot of the new Astray models, and he barely got Justice to fit in. As clamps latched on, holding his mobile suit in place, he opened the cockpit hatch and rode down on a cable near the side of his Gundam.

"Hey kid, welcome aboard," Murdoch, the head technician aboard the Archangel greeted him with a friendly slap to his back, "haven't seen you since the cease-fire. Good to have you and that suit aboard again."

Athrun nodded, somehow feeling that if he said 'Good to be back' it wouldn't sit well with his own conscience. "I'll be back in a few minutes. How much time do we have before we take off?"

"About half-hour. Better hurry kid," Murdoch replied before he took off.

He ran outside to the dock and skidded to a stop as he saw Kira who stared at him with confused eyes. Tori flew from his shoulder and Athrun raised a hand to let the bird perch on his fingers as he walked forward to meet his best friend.

"Hi Kira," he greeted.

"Athrun…" Kira's gaze was an open wound, "h-how…why…"

It was the same look Athrun saw five years ago when they had parted ways. "It's not for war…" he found himself saying, "I…want to protect you… Protect Cagalli…protect everyone who's dear to me…"

"But…"

Athrun sighed sadly as Tori flitted from his fingers to his shoulder. "During that blast…I felt so helpless. Cagalli was injured…you were near death…I felt so powerless. After what…your mother told us," he hesitated slightly and saw a new pain spring to his best friend's eyes, "I wanted to stop whoever was doing this. I…didn't want them to hurt you anymore, Kira."

"Do you remember what you told me when we were living with Mariko?" Kira started in a quiet voice.

"Yes…" Athrun couldn't really catch what his best friend was getting at, "I said that the reason we were alive was to make up for things…"

"But is rebuilding Justice and taking it out to war the right way to make up for us to be alive while so many others are dead?" Kira asked.

Athrun turned away from his friend's open and vulnerable look, finding a sudden spot on the ground next to his feet very interesting. "It's not war…it's defending those we care about and those we love."

"But…" Kira's voice broke, "it's killing others by taking something so deadly as that machine!"

Athrun clenched a fist tightly before he looked up and met Kira's open gaze, forcing himself not to flinch from it. "With anything in your possession, you don't necessarily have to kill with it. You fought in Freedom to only disable because it wasn't in your nature to kill…but…I'm different from you…" He glanced at the Archangel for a second before turning back, "I was a trained soldier…"

"But even as a soldier, you don't have to kill…"

Athrun smiled sadly as he reached out and placed a hand on Kira's shoulder, "Which is why I'm not…unless it is absolutely necessary. Kira…you're a gentle soul and you should have never had the burdens you carry on you. Let me…let Cagalli…let Lacus carry your burdens for now. Please…"

"Departure in five minutes. All hands report to your stations!" a general announcement came from the speakers within and outside of the Archangel.

Athrun let go of Kira's shoulder and held up his right hand to his own shoulder and Tori hopped onto it. He held out his hand, Tori fluttering its wings. There were no words exchanged between them, but Athrun smiled as Kira reached his hand out to receive Tori.

It was only a few seconds of silence between them, but it lasted an eternity. The flashes of memories passing between them of all the times they had, both good and bad…the battles they fought together and against each other. The memory of prep school…of the recent bombings…finding out the truth of Kira's origins…everything.

How did two childhood friends become the worst of enemies? How did they become the best of friends afterwards? Simple. They trusted each other completely.

Athrun was the first to turn away and walked back into the Archangel, not looking back. He could feel Kira's eyes on him the whole time and a small wistful smile appeared on his lips. Kira needed someone else to carry his heavy burden…and he hoped he was up to the challenge.

"Athrun!" Cagalli's voice brought him to look around to see her running towards him, dressed in what would be the orange jackets of Orb and the LF. Beyond her he saw Erica and Lacus, watching them. He stumbled back slightly as Cagalli hugged him tightly, using all of her weight. She buried her face in his shoulder and he could feel a wet spot begin to form where her eyes were and realized that she was crying.

"Why!" her voice was muffled, but Athrun wrapped an arm around her waist while his other arm stroked her hair.

He released her after a few seconds and she stared up at him with tear-stained eyes. "Why Athrun? I thought you were happy with you life here…"

"I am," he replied in a gentle voice, his left hand tracing the outlines of her face, "I am happy. But…I can do more if I'm out there. I can protect you from further harm…"

"You can protect me by staying here…" Cagalli sniffled, wiping her eyes roughly but the tears didn't stop.

Athrun sighed and stared at the wall on his right before looking back down at her. "I want to stop them, Cagalli," he started in a hesitant voice, "I want to stop the bastards who did this. They were aiming to take you out and I should have seen it coming.

"Please," he tilted her chin up so that she was looking into his eyes, "don't stop me…all right?" He leaned down and kissed her gently, until he felt her deepening the kiss and he obliged. Drawing her up into his arms, he closed his eyes. They both parted a couple of minutes later Cagalli's face tinged red while Athrun smiled at her blushing. She looked cute blushing, he thought as he held her at arms length.

"A-Athrun," Cagalli stammered.

"I will come back safely…don't worry," he pushed her gently back and she didn't resist his efforts.

He raised a hand and pushed the door close button on the hatch and watched as it immediately snapped shut between them, startling Cagalli out of her frazzled state. The door automatically locked as the rumble of the engines coming online for the Archangel buzzed through the walls.

Cagalli pounded against the door, her eyes filled with tears, but Athrun just waved a good-bye to her as the ship began to move out of port. He saw her hastily step back still calling his name silently as he watched her grow farther and farther away… Soon she was blended within the gray and blue of the fading port and emerging sea that surrounded the main island of nation. Athrun turned his gaze to the blue skies above him.

He had returned to the battlefield once more – but this time, not for war, but to keep the peace and to protect his friends and loved ones.

Phase Nine – Indecisive Thoughts

Kira walked numbly from the taxi that had brought him back to the front gates of Cagalli's estate back to the mansion, feeling none of the sweltering summer heat that defined mid-afternoon. All he thought about was that Athrun had left…to return to the battlefield and the Justice Gundam had been rebuilt. A part of his numbed mind knew that Athrun must have started the project ever since he inherited the plans from his father's passing, but another part couldn't accept the fact that one of the deadliest weapons ever to fly in space and on Earth had been rebuilt – all for the sake of keeping the peace.

What peace was there when weapons existed? How could the creation of weapons be able to keep the peace without killing others? Wasn't the purpose of a weapon to kill? He didn't know the answer, but he still reeling from the sudden shock that Athrun had joined the LF.

As he walked in, Cagalli's butler holding the door open for him, he climbed the stairs to his room. His feet wandered around his room before he sat down on the bed he was given. He shared an apartment with Athrun, deciding not to live with his parents because of too many questions he wanted to ask them, even though many of them had been answered – he still had a lot more. That apartment was now empty…as it had been for the last few days.

Perhaps he should return to his normal life. See Haruka and Taylor in the hospital as he found out that his friends survived – especially in light of Haruka's grave condition. Go back to finish his last year of school…get his degree…

And then what?

He had his options, but was he happy with them? Was he happy with his own life?

The half-length mirror in front of the desk across from his bed reflected his pensive and sullen gaze and he stared at himself. It was the endless mirror concept, the other side of his bed possessing another exact copy of the mirror – lined up the same way. It showed the endless reflection of himself, hunched over on his bed, staring at himself in the mirror.

This is what you look like, a part of him seemed to say, you are haunted, tired, and alone. All alone.

As he turned away from his own reflection, he finally noticed an envelope that was resting on the corner of the desk. He got up and went over to his desk and picked up the envelope. A jagged scrawl of his name was all that told Kira that whatever was in the envelope was from Athrun.

He opened it up and pulled out a two-page letter and began to read:

Kira,

I apologize for not being able to tell you this in person. If you've already saw the Justice Gundam, then you know that I plan to join the Liberation Forces. The question that you might be thinking is why?

Why do this? Why start the process of killing others again? Well, I feel that it isn't killing others. It is for the sake of protecting others. Those 'others' are you, Lacus, and Cagalli. All of you are dear to me, but I worry the most for you as you are my best friend and like my own brother.

Remember the times we had in the Lunar Prep School? You used to be picked on so much by the bullies that I had to come rescue you each time you punched one of them and gave them a bloodied nose. It wasn't because you couldn't defend yourself, no you knew the basics of defense, it was because I worried about how your actions would affect you personally.

You have more than a gentle soul, Kira. You don't have to fight this battle anymore. Let the others carry the burden for you. It's not your nature to fight as you grew up with parents who loved you dearly. Trust in them, as they trust in you.

To you, right now, it may seem that they are not your parents at all, but they are. You are very lucky to have them stand by your side through everything. Even though your secret was shrouded and revealed by the worst possible person and moment, don't isolate yourself to us and to the world.

I don't care if you were 'created' or born in an artificial womb. You are still the Kira I met all those years ago – the guy with the fun personality and great character. You are my best friend and brother; the only family I have left.

And as your guardian brother and best friend, this was why I rebuilt Justice and joined the LF. A brother should always protect his family members and so now, I am protecting you like I am protecting Cagalli and Lacus.

Please, return to the gentle nature you've had before the war. Don't forget about what you've been fighting for, but don't dwell on it. You are you – nothing more, nothing less. You are a Coordinator, a Natural, and everything in between.

I know you've been giving thought to help rebuild Heliopolis in L3, so if you want to give Erica Simmons a hand in jump starting the program, enclosed is a little something I thought you should have to help you on your way.

I don't know when I'll be back, but in the meantime, watch over Cagalli, all right? She keeps saying that she's the older one of you two, but she also needs protection. Keep an eye on yourself too.

-Athrun

Kira placed the letter back on the desk and opened up the envelope. He dumped out the contents inside and an I.D. card clattered out. Picking it up, he turned it around and saw that it was exactly like Athrun's I.D. card that he used to get in and out of the technical research building he worked in, except his own picture was on it.

He stared at it for a few minutes; all the while he felt a deep anger simmering inside of him. That anger started to boil second by second as he kept staring at the I.D. badge. Finally, he let out a yell of frustration and threw the I.D. card hard against the wall to his left where it bounced and clattered to the ground. He held up the letter that Athrun wrote and crumpled it up, grunting as he threw the balled up letter against the same wall where it rebounded and rolled to a stop.

How dare Athrun do this to him! How dare he give a sympathetic letter and expect him to understand everything! How dare he, Cagalli, and even Lacus think the way they thought he would! No one understood him! No one! No one knew what he was going through!

"AHHHHHHHH!" he screamed out his frustration before he collapsed to his knees, out of breath, his hands curled into fists. He suddenly lashed out against the desk's drawers and punched it rapidly with his right fist. With each hit, he felt the wood creak from the constant pressure but he didn't care.

Kira finally stopped as an acute pain flashed from his knuckles and he heaved a heavy sigh, slumping over before he stared at his bloodied fist, noticing the trails of little cuts that bled, lacing his knuckles.

"Kira?" Cagalli poked her head in and Kira looked up, surprised that he hadn't even heard her come in. "Kira! What did you do!" she noticed the bashed in desk drawers and him on the ground staring at his knuckles. Kneeling down next to him, she reached out to hold his injured hand, but Kira raised his arm up from her reach and glared at her.

"Don't touch me," he growled at her, the anger inside of him still boiling.

"Kira? What's wrong?" Cagalli looked at him confused but Kira just shook his head, a mirthless, bitter laugh forced out of his lips.

"Don't think you didn't know. You knew that Athrun was going to leave, didn't you! You told him what happened when we talked after my parents told you about my secret, didn't you!" he glared at her.

"Kira, I didn't know Athrun-"

"Save it, Cagalli. You and Athrun, even Lacus," he snarled, scooting back from the desk and leaning against the foot of his bed, "don't know what I'm going through." He stared at his bloodied knuckle, his left hand unconsciously rubbing the back of his hand.

When there was no answer from Cagalli, Kira looked up to see that she was staring at him with a simple gaze…except it made him feel uncomfortable. Finally, she sighed and stood up her hands on her hips. "You're right, we don't know what you're going through, but you can accept the fact that we're trying to help you-"

"I don't need your help," he muttered. "I've always been alone and never needed anyone's help…"

"Fine," Cagalli narrowed her eyes and Kira looked at her, "if you don't need our help then that's fine by me. You can go on blaming the whole world for your problems. I don't give a shit anymore. I try to help you, try to make you feel better, but no, you just throw everything back into my face.

"You know," Cagalli laughed mirthlessly, "Athrun might have a point in leaving. He had told me in a letter," she held out a folded letter, "that I should keep an eye on you. To help you through what you're going through right now, even if I don't understand it. But maybe I shouldn't listen to him because right now, all you've been doing is pouting, being an ass, and not even showing backbone."

"I should just tell him that I was sorry I couldn't take care of his best friend, my own brother, because he was too consumed into the fact that the world revolved around him," Cagalli pierced him with a tear filled glare, "because you know what Kira Yamato? You are alone."

She spun on her heel and walked out, slamming the door behind her, leaving Kira alone in the room.

Kira stared at the shut door before he pulled his knees up to his chest and buried his head between them, squeezing both of his hands together, not caring if the pain in his right hand screamed at him.

He was alone…

Lacus entered the fairly darkened room, waving to her bodyguards to stand down. There was no harm in the room, only a terrified person who had been waiting to see her. "Do you mind if I turn up the lights?" she asked the person, only seeing his silhouette.

"Go ahead," the voice was hushed, ragged, but that was understandable as he had been through so much in the last few days.

Lacus turned up the lights and smiled gently at the weary face of Senator Aaron Amalfi who sat hunched over slightly, his hands and arms resting on a table. "Hello, Senator. How have you been?"

"Not too good," Amalfi looked up at her, exhaustion lining his face, but his eyes still sparkled with the passion that made him such a persuasive speaker in the Supreme Council and now in the Earth Senate.

She took a seat across from him, folding her hands on her lap. "Eileen Canaver sends her best wishes."

"Hmm," Amalfi smiled briefly before a frown appeared on his face, "she's probably got her hands full trying to calm the media down and sway attention from me. Lacus, it wasn't me! I didn't set those charges off!"

"I know, I know," Lacus held up a hand to stop him mid word, "No one is saying it is your fault. It is all speculation right now. The evidence Orb's been going through has no conclusion yet."

Amalfi nodded before slumping back in his chair, "It's kind of Orb to do this…I…didn't know what happened until it was too late." He stared up at her before his gaze slid sideways and his eyes took on a distant kind of look. "Robert had called me out, saying that I had a phone call. When he picked up the phone…there was this voice that only said 'You've betrayed us.' Then I felt the rumble of the explosion…"

Lacus nodded, "What happened?"

"I don't really know. I mean, one minute this voice talks and then I feel the explosion. I turned back to go to the Senate room and then I think someone knocked me out. When I awoke, no one was there in the room where I had taken the call, but rescue crews were pouring in," Amalfi shook his head before laughing bitterly, "I guess I do have to be blamed. I mean, my alibi isn't even that great. How can I present to the Earth Senate and even Orb and PLANT that I'm innocent? I tried contacting Roger, but the hospital worker I talked with told me he died in the explosion…"

"What was the name of the hospital worker?" Lacus asked, concerned.

"It was a young intern. I think his name was Nikolai Mercus," he rubbed his hands together in a nervous gesture, "Lacus…how did we come to this? Two years ago, war had ended and I found a new career path – and now this." He shook his head sadly, bowing it down, "I should have just stayed on PLANT, perhaps even retire…"

"Don't say that, Mr. Amalfi," she frowned, "you are an integral part to bridge and solidify the peace between PLANT and the Earth. I chose you to be my voice when I am not here. I chose you because you understood the horrors of war and how peace had to be achieved and fighting should be stopped. Even with the deaths of so many of our colleagues and the blame fallen on you, stand strong. We will get through this, all right?"

Amalfi stared at her, a sad smile on his face, "You sound just like your father, Lacus. Siegel Clyne would have been proud of who you've become today…giving up a majority of your idol career to be a peacemaker."

"I wish for peace so I sing the song of peace and speak its words too," she replied, "do not worry, Senator. I will be returning to PLANT in a few days and would like you to come with me."

"I-I don't know," the fear was back in Amalfi's voice. "I…mean, what if…"

"Stand strong," she reached out and clasped one of his hands with her own, giving it a reassuring squeeze, "if the media hounds, then let them. You do not have to answer to them. If assassins come, let them. You are well protected, Senator. Orb's Princess Cagalli does not believe you are culprit to the bombings and the Liberation Forces are investigating similar bombings all over the PLANT cities and possible ones on Earth."

"All…right… I will go with you," Amalfi finally agreed after a few minutes of silent contemplation.

Everything was going according to his plans. He was happy with the results Griever and his other agents brought to him. Even though there were slight discretions in their missions, everything overall, was still good.

"Commander Anderson, a report from Lynx says that the Archangel has been sent out to Panama. Also, Justice Gundam has been rebuilt," a fresh-faced officer stopped in front of him and bowed slightly.

Sven Anderson waved the officer away before returning to stare out at the endless blanket of stars that surrounded the remnants of Colony Mendel. Though the viewport reflected some of his mangled face, he ignored it as had for the last eighteen years of his life. But he hadn't ignored the deep hatred that had been boiling inside of him for those eighteen years. He was finally getting his revenge, on everyone that wronged him – and if innocents were part of that casualty, then so be it.

He believed that the sins of a parent should be passed onto their children, retribution lasting and sweet and so those children, now perhaps teenagers or older, would pay for their mother's and father's sins. The Earth wronged him, Orb wronged him, and PLANT wronged him…and why should he not have his revenge?

Let them retaliate with Justice or whatever mobile suit they had, it would not stop the inevitability. Let them come with the weapons blazing…he had his own vendetta. "Griever!" he suddenly snapped, turning around briefly to stare at his personal assassin.

"Sir," Griever was the epitome of perfection, and the only successful creation of the batch that he had tried to develop using Dr. Hibiki's notes. Using nano-technology and growth acceleration at the right speed, he had created his own tool to use. The only problem…was that he had known about the other successful test and he had been afraid when the two met, but that had been resolved easily.

"Did you activate our new little puppet during your stay on earth?" he asked.

"Yes sir. She is ready and operational. I also contacted Hyperion and he says he is ready to rendezvous with us if we so decide to attack Panama," Griever said in matter-of-fact voice and Sven glared at him.

"Since when did you give the orders around here Nikolai?" he asked in a quiet voice. Inwardly he was proud of his little creation, having enough guts to stand up to him…but he would have to put him in his place. After all, he created him, and would be able to destroy him if necessary. A little pain now and then didn't hurt…A little psychological words wouldn't hurt…

"I will give the order to attack," he pressed a button embedded in his wrist and watched as the teen sudden fell to the ground and started to writhe in pain, unable to scream because of the nano-probes that controlled him. He increased the pain signals given to the probes inside of the boy a little more…

"If you think this is pain, what do you think will happen to you when you actually meet your predecessor, Kira Yamato? You met him only for a brief moment, but that moment caused you some pain, didn't it?" he pressed the button again and Nikolai stopped twitching, lying down on the floor, heaving gasps of air.

He watched as the teen moved slightly before a rueful smile appeared on his face. A burst of an unseen wind blew up in his face, but Sven just smiled against it. He pressed the button again and immediately the wind stopped as Griever thrashed around again, pain consuming his body. After a few minutes, he shut off the pain and turned around, walking back to the window to stare out into the blackness of space.

"Have you learned your lesson yet, Nikolai?" he asked in a friendly voice.

"Yes, sir," the hoarse reply came from the teen behind him and he barely heard him get up, but knew that he was standing again, fighting against the pain that was probably threatening to overwhelm him.

"If you do not want to pain to consume you again, kill Kira Yamato when you get the chance. Or else he will kill you," he said, before he turned around and clapped his hands together.

"Now, prepare a task force and send it to Earth. I want Panama to burn."

Phase Ten – Crossing Paths, the Babylon

Cagalli stared at the readout she had received from Erica Simmons. "So is it ready for launch?" she asked Kisaka who was sitting across from her in a conference room table down in the technological research department's main building.

"Yes, but I seriously ask you to reconsider what you think you're doing," Kisaka replied, frowning. "Even though the Council has approved of you leaving, don't you think the media will pick up on the fact that you have gone missing?"

"Orb provides the funds to build the LF's mobile suits and some of its ships and you're telling me that I shouldn't go out as its leader to oversee the investigation?" Cagalli asked, skeptical of Kisaka's words.

"No, Princess, that's not what I'm saying; I'm saying that there is the high possibility of a battle to occur if Miss Lacus' sources are correct, and if you do go to Panama, you might stand the chance of-"

"Being killed? Is that what you're worried about?"

She watched as Kisaka clamped his mouth shut and knew that she had scored on her protector's deepest fears. Though the recent revelation about Kisaka being one of the original assistants to Dr. Hibiki shed new light on her perspective of her guardian, she still believed that he was too overprotective at times.

"I am a competent pilot of Strike Rouge. If a battle were to occur, I can handle myself out there," she folded her arms across her chest, "and even so, since the Archangel received clearance to rendezvous with the Eternal at Panama, there still won't be enough ships to patrol the Earth Military's three main bases. The Babylon can handle that."

"The Babylon still needs a captain," Kisaka said and Cagalli was about to reply that she was in the process of finding one when she caught a gleam in his eyes.

She sighed, "Why not…will that appease your fears?"

"No," Kisaka replied truthfully, "but it will ease them a little. Princess, your father never wanted you to live the life of war and endless battles."

"But to defend Orb, one has to live battles for now. There will be time to study later, when war's over," she said in a quiet voice, "tell the crew of the Babylon that we're departing in a day. We'll load up the rest of the Astray Mark II models and head to Panama." She turned to head out the main room of her the governmental building of Orb, when Kisaka's next question stopped her.

"Cagalli, what about your brother?"

Cagalli hesitated, feeling a pang of regret before she shrugged it off, trying not to be bothered by it. "Don't tell him. He shouldn't be fighting any battles anymore…just like Athrun told me. Let him have the peace he deserves…"

Athrun absently scratched a flake of paint from the outside railing of the Archangel, one of the few decks the ship had, and stared out into the endless blue ocean, the Pacific Ocean. Though they were only half a day away from Panama, the Pacific the quickest route as traveling over sea was faster than traveling over land, Captain Ramius had kept them on a level 3 battle alert status since they left Orb waters.

Only right now had she called off the alert and Athrun had decided to spend some time outside. He brushed a few strands of his wayward dark blue hair away from his face; the sea spray whipping them up at the speed the Archangel was traveling at. Wandering around the hanger bay had done him no good, as he was finished with completely upgrading the Justice and didn't want to get in Murdoch's way of him tweaking the Astrays and the Buster Gundam.

He didn't feel like socializing with the Astray pilots that had joined up, and spending time in his quarters wasn't appealing…so he had come out here. He wondered briefly if Cagalli and Kira received his letters to them…and what their reactions were. Glancing down he reached inside of his orange jacket, the standard uniform representing the LF/Orb, and briefly touched the pendant-stone necklace that Cagalli had given to him two and half years ago.

She was the most important person to him, aside from Kira and Lacus, and he was determined not to let anything happen to her. He was her personal bodyguard, her guardian, her-

"Kind of expected you to be out here, Athrun," Dearka's voice startled him out of his thoughts and he turned slightly to see his friend walking over to him, hands stuck in the pockets of the orange jacket of the LF. So Dearka had put away the ZAFT uniform and donned the colors of the LF.

"Dearka," he greeted as the blond haired man stood next to him, leaning against the railing, a curious expression his face.

"So what made you join the LF? Last I heard was that you were happy in Orb, away from ZAFT and the politics in the aftermath of the Genesis and the war," Athrun noticed that his former teammate avoided mentioning his father's death.

It was true that he had been devastated to find that his father died in his own hands, saying to him to continue his work after the mass genocide he committed by activating Genesis, but he had gotten over that hurdle with help from his closest friends at his side.

"I thought about it," he replied and Dearka raised and eyebrow, telling him to elaborate, "and I decided that it's a better way to protect my friends…"

"Ah," Dearka smirked, an expression that Athrun realized he had missed seeing for a while, "so you mean that you would like to get those sons of bitches who blew up the Senate Hall."

Athrun frowned, "It's not like that. I just…" He trailed off as he thought about it. Why did he suddenly decide to join? Was he that angry at the people who had caused so much harm and pain to Cagalli, Kira, and their lives? Did he want vengeance that badly? He realized that the answer was yes…he was furious, he was angry, he was… He had said to Cagalli before they parted that he wanted to get back at the bastards who did this to her…and it was true…he wanted to make them pay.

"You were the same almost three years ago…you know…after Nicol's death," Dearka started quietly, "and then when I fought Yzak in Colony Mendel, Kira told me that I shouldn't repeat the mistakes you and he did in your fight."

Athrun stared at his friend, wondering what he was getting at. He had never known Dearka to be insightful, but then again, he never really got the chance to get to know his former teammate, even though they fought together in the Clyne Faction.

"Athrun, don't turn this into a quest for vengeance. It's not like you," Dearka said before turning around and headed back into the ship, leaving Athrun alone on the deck, still staring out at the endless blue sea.

Kira knocked on the door and opened it when a voice said, "Come in." He peeked in and smiled slightly as he saw his friend Haruka sitting up in the bed, a far cry from how deathly pale she looked just a days ago in the bombings. There was an unusual odor in the room, but he ignored it. "Hey Ru, you feeling better?" he asked as he took a chair and pulled it up next to her bed before sitting down in it.

He had gotten his stitches out a few hours ago and had decided to visit his friends while he was in the hospital.

"Yes, much better. Taylor stopped by a few hours ago, he's already home and recovering," Haruka smiled at him, clapping her hands together, "he even brought me some flowers." She gestured to the huge bouquet that was sitting on a side table and Kira blinked at its sheer size.

So that was what the odor was…all those flowers, mixture of different smells the they gave off was enough to make him slightly lightheaded. He wondered how his friend could stand it, but she seemed to be acclimated to it. It was going to take him a while to get used to the smell…

"I brought you something," he reached into his windbreaker's pockets and pulled out a small package that he had hastily wrapped. Yes, this was the peaceful life he should have…he should be visiting his friends in the hospital, getting them get well gifts and then when they were all better, return to finish their studies at the university.

"Ohhh," Haruka squealed and opened the gift before taking out the silver charm bracelet. "You and Taylor always think alike!" She reached over to her side table and pulled out a similar charm bracelet, except it was gold and put both on. "See?" she showed off her wrist and Kira nodded absently. He was a bit distracted by the smell and his head felt a bit light from it.

"Guess what?" Haruka poked him startling him out of his thoughts, "I'm gonna be able to go home tomorrow!"

Kira blinked, "You are? That's great." He was quite surprised, especially since he had found her barely alive in the rubble and with internal bleeding. Internal bleeding took a long time to heal…but Haruka was up and about this fast… Did she have Coordinator genes like he did but was too afraid to tell him and Taylor?

"Hey," she mocked glared at him, "you don't sound too excited… You want me to stay in the hospital!"

"Oh, no, no…just wondering…never mind…" Kira shook his head, trying to change the subject.

"No…go on. You look like you wanted to ask me a question," Haruka pressed, "come on…tell me?"

Kira violently shook his head, "No. I'm fine…"

He watched as she sat back, a thoughtful look crossing her face before she clasped her hands in front of her. "Do you think I'm a Coordinator?" she asked quietly and he started to shake his head no, but then decided to be honest and nodded.

Haruka quirked up a small smile before she began to pick at her blankets. "Ha…you know… That's what my parents actually wanted me to be, but I guess you can say that I'm a failed genetic defect. The process went all wrong because of my mother's habits… I do possess a few of the genes that people associate with Coordinators like fast healing and that sort, but overall…I guess I'm a cross between a Natural and a Coordinator."

Kira didn't know what to say…instead he grasped one of her hands and squeezed it gently in comfort, knowing that it was probably hard for his friend to spill one of her deepest secrets. He had his own secrets, but he dare not reveal it to anyone, including his friends Taylor and Haruka. If they were to find out…if the world was to find out…

"Thanks Kira," Haruka replied softly, "you and Taylor have always been there for me…" She leaned back against her pillows and moments later, was fast asleep. He felt her hand slack in his grip and retracted his hand, staring at her for a few minutes, watching her peaceful features.

Shouldn't the life he have be like hers? Peaceful…able to be at so much rest and not to have so many worries like he did? He didn't know…

Keiji Yamato approached the door with his wife by his side and knocked gently. There was a muffled affirmation for them to go in and he opened the door, stepping into Ledonil Kisaka's office. Even though Kisaka was the head of the police department, he had a few different offices, and Keiji had called in to find out which one his friend was in. This one so happened to be in the technological research department, to which they had received visitor passes in the front security gate.

He prided himself for his own control, but recently things had been spiraling out of control and he didn't like that one bit. He was a military man, long retired from the field since he decided to marry, but a military man nonetheless. He had enjoyed his life of peace but now, he wanted to do more – to end the ghosts that were haunting his family once and for all.

He was reluctant in returning to this kind of life…but had decided that once this was over, he would immediately retire back to his normal life. No more dealing with science, military, or politics of sorts. He would just become a normal high school teacher, teaching children the values of right and wrong and of peace.

"Keiji, Kanoko, what can I do for you?" Ledonil had always addressed them by their first names as they were really close to the conspiracy concerning the children of Katherine Hibiki.

"We know that you're planning to head to Panama to join the Archangel," Keiji said in a firm voice. It was a total bluff, but he had always been lucky with his bluffs…and this time was no exception. He saw Ledonil freeze slightly in his movements before trying to be nonchalant again.

"That's ridiculous. Why would-"

Keiji decided to try his other gamble, "We also know that after Panama, you'll be heading to Mendel to destroy the rest of Hibiki's work."

That was the clincher and he saw Ledonil's jaw drop to the floor and knew that he had guessed correctly. "H-How…I was going to leave the Princess in the care of Captain Ramius…and with a small crew take the Babylon to Mendel to destroy the Colony once and for all…"

"You're going to need some help. Remember, I used to be black ops in OMNI," Keiji thumped himself in the chest before gesturing to Kanoko, "Plus, Kanoko's got the knowledge of where everything was stored. You were only a guard, but she knows the inside of the labs and knows where the backups are so you can destroy those too."

"You're civilians you can't-"

"No one has to know. We can just stay confined to certain areas," Keiji pressed, "Ledonil, you know it as well as I do. Mendel has too much information stored in it. If Kira found out during the war what he was, what do you think some fool floating around that area would do with that information."

"I won't allow it," Ledonil started but Keiji slammed his hand on the table hard, startling himself, his wife and even his friend.

"Dammit," he shook his head, "I just want peace that's all. If someone was able to create another successful test of what Kira is, how the hell do you think they won't stop at that rate? If someone has that knowledge we have to stop them. The first step is to eliminate anymore information at Mendel and you need our help!"

He looked up and saw that Ledonil had hung his head, sighing before he lifted it back up and nodded. "All right…just…if Cagalli sees you, I'm not going to be responsible."

"Thank you, Ledonil."

"Don't thank me yet, Keiji, Kanoko. Things aren't going to get any easier right now."

Captain Lya Matato hated Naturals. Worst of all, she hated her fellow Coordinators who she thought were so spineless as to actually form a peace-treaty with the Naturals. How disgusting and despicable! It was all the stupid Clyne Faction's fault. She knew that if she ever got her hands onto the siren Lacus Clyne she would kill her without any hesitation.

"Captain, message from the Retribution," one of her officers suddenly spoke up and she raised an icy eyebrow at him.

"Patch it through," she said in a cold voice.

"Retribution calling Brimstone, Captain Matato do you copy?" the captain of the Retribution suddenly filled her communications screen in front of her.

"What is it?" she asked, a bit annoyed.

"We've intercepted transmissions from a traitor on our ship who had been trying to contact both PLANT and OMNI. We've tracked down the source of the transmissions and placed the person in the brig but it's a sure thing that OMNI knows we're attacking Panama."

"Let them gather their defenses, Captain," a new voice interrupted her and she turned slightly to see a handsome young man with a wicked looking scar down the left side of his face, walking towards them.

"Griever," she greeted the young man.

"Captain Matato," he nodded back a greeting before facing the captain of the Retribution who was still on the comm, "Captain Ishikawa, make sure you have your men watch your prisoner carefully. It wouldn't be too good if he escapes or is killed right now. We can still bargain with the prisoner's mother who's a prominent member of the Supreme Council in PLANT. Otherwise, the attack is still on schedule."

"Yes sir," Captain Ishikawa saluted once before terminating the link.

"We begin the attack in 30 minutes," Griever said in a curt voice and Lya nodded.

"Roger that. All hands to battle stations," she sounded the general alarm before bringing up her tactical data onto her screens. With their fleet, anything should fall in their way. After all, those that betrayed them deserved to die along with the infidels.

They weren't even in Panama's port for at least two hours when the general battle alarm sounded aboard the Archangel and similarly in the Eternal, both of which were resting next to each other to make the transition of newer mobile suits a little easier.

Athrun ran to the Justice, and climbed up and powering up his suit. Bringing up the three main view screens, he saw that Dearka was climbing into the Buster and a few of the other pilots of the Astrays were getting their mobile suits ready.

"Justice, are you ready?" Miri's face popped up in a small display on the top left hand corner of his main screen.

"Ready for launch," he moved his mobile suit forward to the Archangel's launch pad. A three light countdown signaled him and when the tone of an all clear sounded, he pushed his thrusters forward to the maximum, hurling him out of the Archangel's bays and into the blue skies over OMNI's Panama base. He was joined in the air moments later by a bunch of Astrays and Buster along with a hundred Strike Daggers of OMNI's mobile suit force. Behind him, he saw the Archangel and Eternal pull out of their ports, guns ready to fire at the enemy.

In the far distance, his targeting system pinpointed multiple enemies and little blips that told him missiles and mobile suits were on approach. The battle to protect Panama had begun.

Phase Eleven – Joined Forces

Cagalli stared at the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. She mentally willed the Babylon to move faster. Already they had received advanced warning that certain forces calling themselves the Talon were going to launch a massive attack on Panama. That was just a few hours ago in the midst of their crossing to join the Archangel and Eternal. The transmission had cut off abruptly, telling her that whoever had been sending the message had probably been captured by enemy forces.

She didn't know how long before the battle had started or was it even starting, but she knew that by the time the Babylon got to Panama, it might be over – and either the attackers had left no survivors or Panama was barely recovering. Judging by the way their forces had devastated Orb and wrecked havoc all over the PLANTs, she guessed their attack force was going to be big.

The real question was, how did they get so many armaments without alerting any of the three major governments? The only real conclusion Cagalli came up was that they had been preparing for their attacks before and during the war, recruiting dissents and AWOL soldiers and special ops personnel during the war to help better organize the Talon.

"Waiting is always the hard part, isn't it Cagalli?" a high pitched voice startled her out of her thoughts and she turned around, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Lacus! What…" Cagalli felt her jaw drop a few centimeters as she stared at the pink-haired girl who was holding Pinky, her favorite Haro in her hands.

"Myta! Haro!"

"I sneaked aboard," Lacus smiled as if it was a simple answer, "the locks aboard the Babylon aren't that secure."

Cagalli balked slightly, remembering what Athrun and Kira had told her, Lacus had a penchant to have her Haro undo the toughest of security locks, enabling her to roam about. "If Athrun finds out you're here…if Kisaka…"

"No more different than if Athrun found out you've gone to join the battle in Strike Rouge. Piloting a mobile suit is far more dangerous than commanding tactical in a warship," Lacus said in a quiet voice and Cagalli stared at her, struck at how she came to that conclusion.

"I'm competent enough," she defended herself.

"Yes," Lacus nodded, "I've seen you in battle, but your presence might upset Athrun. Yes he is a soldier and would not allow himself to be distracted in his battles, but he's also a gentle soul like Kira. The two of them have so many similar attributes that if they see you or me in the middle of the battlefield… They will fight to protect us, but they will also act rashly if they perceive us in harm's way. Athrun will fight to protect you, he loves you dearly, but he will also hesitate if you are threatened."

"Then I won't let myself be threatened. I'm going there to help Athrun, to help the Liberation Forces. I don't need a lecture," Cagalli snapped at Lacus.

Lacus held up a hand, trying to calm her down, "I'm not lecturing you, Cagalli. I'm only telling you to be careful out there. Things have been going downhill since the attack on your country that I only see your safety as a priority. You are an integral part of the peace process. If you were to fall in battle, then the ramifications would destroy this peace that we've tried so hard to create. OMNI and ZAFT would be all over each other at a moment's notice and war would resume with a deadly vengeance. Entropy would rule the Earth and the colonies."

"Even though entropy is rising, we still can't let the Talon get away with this," Cagalli understood what she was saying, "thank you Lacus for telling me the truth."

"It's what friends do for each other," Lacus replied.

He sat hunched in the cell that he had been thrown in, beaten and bruised, but not too injured. He had realized that his captors wanted him in semi-good condition, perhaps to bargain with PLANT for his release. Well they would be sorely out of touch as he had barely kept in touch with his mother for the last two years – not after what he had seen during the war, the destructive power of Genesis, the ugly face of war with both sides trying to just kill each other because of some petty hatred.

It was also why he had secretly joined the underground faction of the Liberation Forces, a secret group of soldiers, spies, and civilians located in PLANT. They were under the direct command of Lacus Clyne, and acted like an extension of the Clyne Faction. During the last phases of the war, he had heard the propaganda spewed from his mother and the late Patrick Zala, declaring Lacus a traitor – but he didn't believe it.