-La Grange Point 3, August 3, C.E. 71, 0945.
"Aaaaghhh!" Kira shouted. The missiles raced towards the Freedom, hungry for something to destroy with all their fury. A seed exploded before his eyes. Kira pounded on the accelerator pedal and pushed the Freedom upwards for all it was worth. Many of the missiles soared underneath the rising Freedom, but two got in and struck the mobile suit. One of his fins came completely apart, which supported his starboard Balaena cannon. The other missile struck the Freedom square in the leg, severely damaging the knee joint. Kira attempted to flex the joint on the mobile suit, but found it only would respond to minimum movements. His eyes frantically searched for the source of the missiles and saw the looming hulk of the Agamemnon-class approaching.
On the bridge of the Regress, Admiral McCarthy saw the missiles detonate against the mobile suit's framwork, but the mobile suit still flew on. "What happened?" he asked.
"The mobile suit dodged it, sir," the Captain answered. "The ones that got in failed to destroy it."
"Fire another round then!" McCarthy ordered. "Make sure you get it right this time! Tell Halberton and the other ships to concentrate on the others, but not to touch the Archangel!"
"Load missiles!" the Captain ordered. "Laser designator?"
"Target acquired!" the officer responded.
"Fire!" the Captain and McCarthy ordered simultaneously.
Kira got a target lock on the giant Agamemnon-class and prepared to attack. The Freedom raced towards its target, but just before it got there, the next volley of missiles came roaring out of the launch tubes, right towards him. Because of the Freedom's velocity and the distance between he and the missiles, Kira gasped when he realized that he couldn't dodge this volley. He closed his eyes and prepared for impact.
Before the missiles honed in however, they were annihilated by a streak of red light, exploding prematurely. Kira opened his eyes and saw the Strike not too far away, its Agni cannon in the firing position. Mwu had saved him.
Inside the Strike, Mwu breathed a sigh of relief. His aim had been right on, exactly what he needed to happen. Suddenly, the chiming on his diagnostic board reached a fever pitch. He looked directly at it with the sinking realization that he'd used up the last of his energy. The Strike gradually went from its blue and white coloring to unmetigated gray, with no color whatsoever. "Shit!" Mwu cursed to himself.
"Mwu!" Kira transmitted.
"I'm outta power." Mwu's voice was unusually calm. "Don't worry about me. You O.K. kid?"
"I'm fine."
"You gotta get out of here now Commander! There's nothing more you can do in that state!" That was Athrun's voice. Mwu and Kira could see the scarlet red mobile suit coming towards them, its CIWS firing madly at the enemies in the vicinity. "Kira and I can handle these guys."
"He's right Mwu," Kira agreed. "Head back towards the Archangel and wait until they get you a new power pack."
"Roger," Mwu radioed back, his voice obviously dejected. He pulled back on the thrusters and turned the Strike towards the Archangel, which was now turning around to face the enemy fleet which was approaching fast.
On board, things were just as hectic. "The Agamemnon-class is approaching!" Tonomura reported.
"All enemy ships have turned towards us ma'am!" Chandra added.
"Twenty to port!" Murrue ordered. "Go around them. We've got to get out of here!"
"Captain!" Miriallia's voice was urgent. "Commander la Flaga's out of power!"
Oh no... Murrue thought frantically. "What's his current position?"
"He's headed back here," Collin reported.
"The others are engaged with the enemy forces," Miriallia reported.
"Lieutenant Badgiruel!" Murrue commanded.
"Captain?" Natarle returned.
"Advise Mr. Murdoch. Tell him to get the Sword Striker to the Strike, ASAP!"
"Yes, ma'am," Natarle answered.
Mwu's eyes darted this way and that, trying to dodge all the laser fire being strewn around. His Vulcan system still worked so he was able to destroy a number of missiles with them, and just in case he faced close opposition, he withdrew both of his combat knives from the Strike's hip-sockets. The Archangel loomed ever closer now. As Mwu approached, he came under fire again, this time from a trio of mobile armors. They fired their missiles and guns at him, catching the Strike in the back and upper torso when Mwu turned it around to fire back. He destroyed the trailing mobile armor with Vulcan fire, and kept firing as the others retreated. Suddenly, a Strike Dagger came straight at him and chopped with its beam saber. Mwu was able to evade just in time and the slice only cut apart the Agni cannon, which he ejected before it exploded. But the Dagger remained close and extended its weapon, aimed directly at the cockpit. Mwu scowled when he saw it coming straight towards him.
Before the blow could connect, the Dagger was thrown back by a force of some sort. Mwu identified it as a laser blast and then he saw a bright red streak flash across his viewport and cut the Dagger in half, blowing it to pieces. As the object slowed down, Mwu was able to identify it. An M1 Astray, designed and produced by Morgenrate. Orb forces had finally arrived.
Kira blocked a Dagger's beam saber with his own and sliced off the mobile suit's arm. Athrun unleashed both of his beam boomerangs and cut up two more Daggers, but three more took their places. Athrun and Kira prepared to take the new foes on, but they never got the chance. Before they could even react, all of the enemies around them exploded. From the corner of his eye, Kira could see four more objects approaching. He felt relief flood across him. "Kira," Athrun transmitted. "What's going on?"
"Hold your fire, Athrun," Kira responded. "They're friends. They're Orb mobile suits."
"M1 Astrays?" Murrue gasped, seeing the red mobile suits come into the battle.
"Where'd they come from?" Neumann wondered out loud.
The lead M1 then raised the Archangel. "Archangel, this is Lieutenant Wayne Lapina, Orb 1st Orbital Fleet. If you want to get out of this in one piece, I suggest you move out of the way." Murrue saw the M1 fire its weapon and take out two Strike Daggers with ease. "Don't worry about the enemy ships. We'll take care of them."
"You heard him," Murrue ordered. "Bear port thirty-five!"
"Activate Igelstellungs and give the mobile suits backup wherever you can!" Natarle added.
Two of the M1's came up alongside the Freedom. "Hello, Mr. Yamato!" one of the machine's transmitted.
Kira recognized that voice. "You're the Astray girls from Orb..." he managed.
"Ensign Asagi Caldwell, to be more precise," the pilot sent back. "As you can see, we've been given new assignments since we saw you last."
"Talk about ironic. And I thought I'd never see your pretty face again."
"Knock it off, Juri," Asagi reprimanded. "We've got jobs to do. Follow us, Kira. Bring your friend too."
"Uh...?" Kira mumbled. "O...K... Come on Athrun!" Kira pushed the Freedom's thrusters and followed the M1's as they headed away from the battle, the Justice in his wake.
Frank dislodged his three remaining gun barrels and fired them at a Strike Dagger, blowing its head off and catching it with several shots to the torso. As the mobile suit retreated, Frank set his sights on the 130-class in front of him. As he prepared to fire his guns, a streak of green energy beat him to it and blew the missile launcher on the 130-class completely off. "Huh?" Frank gasped, looking for the source of the shot. He finally saw what appeared to be a small gun launcher attached to a piece of blue metal, lumbering on by itself. Mwu saw this too, flying above the Archangel's bridge, and he followed the device as it went around the 130-class as it tried to return fire. Both men tracked the device as it approached a larger piece of metal, that was painted in similar colors. Mwu saw the gun attach itself to the top portion of the thing, and it was then that he got a clear view of what the larger object was.
"It's a warship!" he yelled. As if to clarify his outburst, the warship unleashed its main cannons upon the already damaged 130-class, tearing it to pieces in a ball of flame. The large ship began to move out of its hiding spot and into full view of the battle.
"What is that?" Murrue asked to no one in particular.
"It's the Kusanagi," Kisaka answered calmly. Murrue turned her head to where he stood to her left and he added, "The flagship of the Orb 1st Orbital Fleet. It appears as though our fleet commander anticipated that they might attack the colony. He was just a little too late getting here," he added quietly.
"He is unbelievable," Cagalli added. "How does he do this?"
"That's where the M1's came from," Natarle realized. "Should we back them up, Captain?"
"I don't see why not," Murrue answered. "Mr. Crew...or whatever your name is, take up trail position behind the Kusanagi! We'll back her up if she needs it!"
"It's a whole new ballgame now," Neumann commented, turning his controls towards where the blue and white warship was located.
Above the ship, Mwu saw the parts of the Sword Striker launch out of the Archangel's starboard hatch. He chased after them and was able to catch up to them and load them onto the Strike's shoulders. The anti-ship blade attached itself to the back of the Strike's right arm with a clank and Mwu quickly activated the renewed phase shift armor, changing the mobile suit's colors once again. He breathed a sigh of relief and headed back towards the battlefield.
Kira and Athrun followed the M1 Astray girls through formations of Strike Daggers and mobile armors, cleaning up whatever the girls left behind from their initial attacks. Kira heard Athrun whistle in awe. "Where'd they learn to do that?" he commented. "And how can they even do that?"
"Uh...I kinda was the one who programmed the O.S. on those things," Kira conceded. "It was way back when we were initially at Orb."
"Well, I'd say it's a good thing that you did," Athrun answered, chopping up a Strike Dagger with his beam sabers. Kira silently agreed, crippling another mobile suit with his own beam sabers.
Regress maneuvered away from the mobile suit's as they launched their attacks on the mobile units. McCarthy watched with unnerving feelings racing through his veins. He'd seen the Orb warship come together and destroy his warship, and now the battle had taken a new turn. "Reassemble spread formation," he ordered. "Seal off the escape routes for the ship's and the mobile suits! We can't afford to let them escape us here!" Regress turned sharply to port to block one of the routes, with other ships following suit.
"They're trying to block us in," Kisaka commented.
"What's the status on the enemy fleet?" Murrue ordered.
"Three 130-class ships confirmed destroyed along with a 250-class," Tonomura reported. "Sixteen ships still combat operational in enemy fleet!"
"More mobile units are approaching ma'am," Chandra added.
"Still no contact with Lieutenant Barrington's plane, ma'am," Miriallia reported.
"Lieutenant Badgiruel!" Murrue commanded. "Prep the Lohengrin's for fire. Make sure you don't hit any of the Orb mobile suits or the ship!"
"Yes, ma'am. Prepare to fire Lohengrin!" she shouted.
"Positron bank at maximum," Pal reported. "Muzzle-choke potential stabilized. System confirmed ready to fire." The plasma cannons came out from their hiding spots at the base of the Archangel's legs. Pal took careful aim and centered their fire upon a group of Strike Daggers and a warship to the port side of the ship.
"Fire!" Natarle shouted. The plasma cannons unleashed their fury upon the enemy forces unfortunate enough to be in their path. Strike Daggers were annihilated before they even had a chance to move and mobile armors were sent spiraling away in balls of flame. Immediately thereafter, Kusanagi, travelling ahead and to starboard of the Archangel, fired her main cannons and crippled a 250-class that attempted to block her path.
"Engines to maximum!" Murrue shouted. "Get us through that hole!"
The two ships slowly approached the closing gap between the ships. A 250-class and a Jani-class were moving to block their paths, their guns blazing at the Archangel and Kusanagi. The two M1 Astrays that had remained behind to protect the ship's went ahead to attack the ships, along with the Mwu in the Strike, and John's two remaining bombers. As they approached, something astounding happened. Out of nowhere, the 250-class suddenly caught fire and exploded. John and Mike had to pull back hard on their control sticks to avoid soaring into the mass of flame and debris. The M1's and the Strike pulled up above the Archangel and Kusanagi as they continued forward. "What the hell was that?" Mwu heard one of the M1 pilots gasp. It wasn't Lieutenant Lapina, so Mwu knew it to be the other pilot.
"Pipe down, Ensign Howell," Lapina's voice reprimanded. "Archangel, Kusanagi, did you see how that just happened?"
"This is Captain Robert Jackson of the Kusanagi," a deep, raspy voice sang back. "Lieutenant, we didn't see where it came from."
"Neither did we," Murrue answered.
"There's another signal, ma'am," Tonomura reported, listening carefully to his headset. "It's another warship! Bearing, point six-two-two, mark delta four-C!"
"I see it," Neumann answered. A confused look spread across his face.
"What is it," Joseph asked.
"It-it's painted...pink..."
"Huh?" Murrue added, also confused. She could see the other warship now, and it was indeed painted pink. It was as large as the Archangel and was firing its main cannons, but she could see no mobile suits launching from it. Where did it come from? she asked herself.
"Enemy ship is transmitting," Chandra reported.
Everyone listened as the voice came over. "This is the supply carrier Eternal," the bright female voice responded. "To all forces involved in the defense of the Gyndana colony. We ask permission to join your fleet."
Murrue looked over to Natarle for reassurance, but got the same confused look from her first mate. "They don't seem to be displaying any hostile intentions toward us," Kisaka observed. "Of course, it's not my decision whether or not they will be permitted to join us."
"Why not?" Murrue asked.
"Because he's not the senior Orb official present here now," Cagalli answered. "You forget. The Kusanagi is the flagship of Orb's Orbital Fleet. I'm betting the fleet commander's on board her right now."
As if to clarify Cagalli's explanation, the Captain of the Kusanagi spoke through the intercom. "Eternal, this is Kusanagi of the Orb 1st Orbital Fleet. Take up position to our starboard and await instructions. That's all the orders I have right now."
"Orders received," the pink ship sent back. The line went dead at that time.
"We have to take that Jani out," Natarle commented. "Aim Gottfrieds! Fire!"
The main cannons fired at the remaining warship in their path and damaged it severly. The M1's came in with their weapons blazing and destroyed the ship's weapons emplacements in one sweep. Mwu charged in with the Strike's anti-ship blade drawn and sliced into the ship's underbelly, causing more explosions. John fired his bomber's remaining missiles and saw the bridge of the warship explode in a bright ball of flame. The warship effectively crippled, it began drifting slowly away from its formation and towards its dying space.
McCarthy watched the ship die from the bridge of the Regress. He grimaced to himself at the sight of two more of his ships and many more of his men go down. Angrily, he said, "Message all ships. Order them to retreat to the Lunar Base! Order the mobile units to return as well." The battle was over at this moment and he knew it. He wasn't going to risk any more good solider's lives today. But there was some optimisism in his mood at that moment when the Regress made its turn away from the now destroyed colony. They'd accomplished their objective here today. Gyndana had been destroyed, and Orb had been disciplined for their childish behavior in the face of the Atlantic Federation. Hopefully the Pacific Fleet had had the same amount of luck at the homeland.
McCarthy could only hope for the best as he lit a cigarette and puffed on it several times. "It's funny isn't it Captain."
"What is, sir?" the Captain requested.
"In this war, our defined enemies are Coordinators. However, as this war has progressed, I've found that our most common enemies are our own selves. Here, for example, we destroyed a colony inhabited by Naturals like you and I. It's ironic that our intelligence reported not a single Coordinator to inhabit Gyndana. Make's you really think about what we're actually fighting for in this war." McCarthy removed the cigarette from his mouth and blew smoke out of his nose. "Anyway, it was just a thought. Let's get back to the Lunar Base and regroup." With the destroyed colony in its wake, the 6th Orbital Fleet began its withdraw toward safe space.
"Enemy fleet is withdrawing, ma'am," Tonomura reported. "Hostilities appear to be ceasing at the moment."
Murrue breathed a sigh of relief. Before she could calm herself further, she was interrupted. "Captain, Lieutenant Barrington's plane is transmitting its signal," Miriallia reported.
"What's the message say?" Murrue asked.
"It reads, 'Radio to cockpit has been shot out. Plane is otherwise undamaged and we are returning with full crew intact. We have with us an escape capsule we secured with a tow cable and are bringing it to you. The inhabitants are believed to be Governor Riklia and other high ranking officials. Requesting orders on what to do with it.' Signed, Ensign Cooper Bradford."
"I believe it would be best if we handed the capsule over to the Kusanagi and let the fleet commander deal with them at this time," Kisaka commented.
"I imagine he'll want to chew out Riklia for not evacuating the colony," Cagalli added, her voice tapering off at the end. "More innocent people are gone. They took their lives away for no reason. Damn it!"
"At least we made it out alive," Natarle broke in. "And, all of our forces are still in one piece, so it can't be considered a complete defeat."
"It's still a defeat more or less," Murrue answered. "We were lucky allies showed up right when we needed them. Unexpected as they were."
"Speaking of allies," Natarle continued. "What are we going to do about the Eternal, if that's even what it's really called?"
"They asked to join the fleet, so I presume we should send someone to at least speak with them." Kisaka's voice was in its usual calm tone, which surprised Murrue considering the event that just took place. "The only question is, who?"
"Who else," Murrue commented quietly.
"You want me to go meet with 'em?" John had virtually screamed into the comm when he had received the message. "What the hell am I gonna say? I don't even know who's on it."
"We know that, John," that was Mwu's voice. "But right now, you're the senior officer here. As far as I'm concerned you're the only one here who can at least talk to someone without screwing themselves over."
John sighed. "Alright, I'll do it. But keep your weapons primed in case they try anything funny."
"Roger, that," Mwu answered and the comm went dead.
John exhaled painfully and then said, "And I thought I'd never have to do this stuff again."
"Some things never change, Colonel," Mike answered.
"Colonel, Ensign Yamato's on the line."
John activated the comm once again and spoke. "What is it kid?"
"I'd like to accompany you to meet with the personnel on the ship, Colonel," Kira requested.
"What are you talking about?" John answered. "You're the best damn pilot we have here right now Yamato. You're more useful up there than you are anywhere else."
"Colonel. You'll need someone to go with you to meet with them. And are you really sure you'd rather have anyone on board that plane accompany you?"
"Hey! I heard that!" Mike shouted.
Almost to himself, John commented, "Good point, Kira. Alright then. You've permission to accompany me, but don't do anything stupid, O.K.?"
"Yes, sir," Kira answered and signed off.
-Eternal, La Grange Point 3, August 3, C.E. 71, 1600.
The hatch to the huge pink warship opened to admit the visitor. The large blue and white mobile suit fit almost perfectly into the hold of the ship as it descended into the hangar facility. Kira breathed evenly as he set the Freedom down onto the deck and heard the mobile suit's engines hiss to a stop. For a while, he just sat inside the Freedom's cockpit, deep in his own thoughts. On his way here, he'd had to egress close to what was left of the destroyed colony of Gyndana. From his cockpit, he could make out the forms of people floating in the airless space. He could see their faces. The look of sheer horror on every single one. Men. Women. Even children. Somebody stop this...Kira thought to himself, a tear forming in his eye. I can't stand this senseless killing anymore!
A roaring noise brought Kira back to reality. He could see the bomber carrying Colonel Namora glide into the hangar and set down gently onto the deck. Blinking away the tears, he pulled off his helmet and pressed the button to open the cockpit. The shield rose up and offered Kira his first real view of the inside of the ship. Unlike its pinkish color on the outside, the inside was painted in the standard blue and grey colors of a warship. Though this one didn't look like the interior any warship ship he'd ever seen. The hangar wasn't very large, but it still was very spacious and held both the Freedom and the K-Bomber with relative ease. There were several members of what Kira believed to be the deck crew working on other tasks at the moment and who didn't seem to even recognize his presence.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, Kira heard a sound. It was oddly familiar, though he couldn't recognize it until the object that was the source of the sound came close to him.
"HARO, HARO! KIRA! HARO!" Kira caught the small pink object with his right hand and held it in his palm, staring at it for some time. It's small eyes blinked from red to black and its mechanical voice continued blaring out words and phrases. "YOU FEEL FINE?! HARO! MY, OH MY!" It was Haro alright. The mechanical contraption, made by Athrun Zala, that always stuck right next to its pink-haired owner.
"Oh, my. It seems that Haro is happy to see you again Kira!"
"Huh?" Kira's head snapped up when he heard that voice. His eyes widened with shock as he saw the girl approach. Her long pink hair flowed behind her and she was smiling from ear to ear. She floated up towards where he was and he took hold of her hand to keep her from missing him. "Uh...Miss Lacus..." was all he could say.
Lacus giggled. "Just plane Lacus is fine Kira. I trust that you've been well since I saw you last."
"Um..." Kira struggled to find the words. All the events that had happened during the time period between when he and Lacus first saw one another came flooding back. The Battle at Alaska. His reunion with Athrun aboard the Archangel. Pilot training in California. The 'mission' over Cuba. The betrayal by the Earth Forces. The struggle to reach safety. And finally, the destruction of Gyndana, just hours before. What could he possibly say? "I've been fine..." was all he managed to say.
"I see," Lacus responded, still smiling. "Well, I assume you're here to get some explanations as to what I'm doing here?"
"Uh, sort of, I guess," Kira managed, floating alongside Lacus as they desceded towards the deck, Haro still blaring off with its usual phrases. "What exactly are you doing here?"
"That will all be answered shortly," Lacus answered. "I'm very glad to see you again Kira. Is Athrun with you at this time?"
"Yes, he is. He's out in his mobile suit right now." In a quieter voice, Kira added, "Trying to look for survivors."
"Oh. I see. I hope we can all have a talk later."
Kira and Lacus both touched down gently onto the deck. Kira looked and saw the entrance ramp of the K-Bomber descend towards the deck. He saw Colonel Namora, clad in his blue and white pilot suit, float off the ramp and yank his helmet off, rustling his hair in the process. Tucking his helmet underneath his arm, he floated ahead to where a group of people were waiting at the entrance to one of the adjoining corridors to the hangar. Kira followed Lacus towards them also, taking his position behind Colonel Namora. There were two people waiting for them when they arrived. The male had on the dark green uniform of a senior officer, red hair, and a serious expression on his face. The female was tall and well built, with black hair cascading down to her back, underneath an officer's cap. She had the green uniform of a ship captain, and had virtually the same look on her face as the man did. ZAFT... Kira thought uneasily.
They both saluted and John and Kira returned it. "Welcome aboard the Eternal, Colonel Namora," the woman said.
"Damn, everyone does know you," Kira commented, only to get a harsh look from John in return.
"I'm Captain Janice Steele, the Captain of this vessel. This is Commander Martin DaCosta, second in command of our force."
"Also my bodyguard," Lacus whispered to Kira, who nodded in understanding.
"We appreciate you coming to see us at this time Colonel. Our leader is eagerly awaiting to speak with you at this moment." Gesturing to DaCosta, she added, "Commander DaCosta and the guards will take you there shortly."
"Thanks, but I'd rather have just the Commander escort us," John commented. "You understand, that I'm not entirely sure that I trust you people right now."
Captain Steele tried to reassure John that it would be her honor to have the guards escort them, but John cut her off. "And I already said, that I'd rather have just the Commander take us. In the meantime, please tell your people they are not to touch the bomber, or the mobile suit. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Colonel, but-."
John extended his right hand ninety degrees outwards. Behind him, Kira heard a clanking sound and he turned to see the bomb doors underneath the K-Bomber swing open. He also saw the nose guns and tail guns change their positions to point straight at the deck. Inside the cockpit, he could see Mike looking out at them through the viewport, as if he were waiting for the Colonel to do something.
"In case you didn't understand," John began, "I said don't touch the plane or the mobile suit. If you do, my gunners have orders to incinerate this ship from the inside. Now, I will ask you again. Do I make myself clear?"
Captain Steele had a stunned expression on her face, but she nodded slowly. John lowered his arm and the guns deactivated. Kira moved up to stand next to John and asked, "Colonel, sir. What are you doing?"
"I was just stabbed in the back for the second time in three weeks, Kira. I'm not about to let it happen again. Besides, I would've thought you'd would've wanted to have it so people wouldn't touch the Freedom?"
"Yeah..." Kira conceded.
"Then we agree." John turned back towards Captain Steele and said, "I will accompany Commander DaCosta to speak with this leader of yours now."
"Follow me please," DaCosta said, turning into the corridor. As John and the others floated past, Kira noticed that Captain Steele still had that same shocked expression on her face. Shaking his head, Kira thought, he's good at what he does.
With Lacus in tow, Kira followed John and DaCosta down a series of corridors which seemed to go on forever. All the walls and bulkheads were the same, with no variety to them. The only sound that was made among the group was the constant chatter of Lacus' Haro, its mechanical voice talking up a storm. Finally, they reached a large door with an security lock on it. DaCosta slid his I.D. card through it and it beeped in acceptance. The door slowly slid open with a hiss and the four people walked inside.
It was a small office, with a large viewport dominating the rear of the room. A desk with its chair turned away sat next to the window. Two bookcases were on opposite sides of the room, with several chairs arranged in the center. One man stood against the window, facing the entering group. He had a stern face and black hair that looked as if it needed a haircut. DaCosta saluted and said, "Colonel John Namora and Ensign Kira Yamato of the Archangel are here to see you, sir."
Lacus stood next to Kira who stood behind and to the left of John. She appeared calm, which made Kira feel a little better, but he was still nervous as he stared at the large chair that was turned away from them.
"Welcome aboard," the chair's occupant said. Kira's eyes widened when he heard the voice. He knew it. It can't be, he thought. Slowly, the chair turned to face them. The man seated there was leaning back with his arms resting on the arm-rests, his legs casually crossed. His face was heavily scarred and one eye was completely gone, a large scar running across the now closed eyelid. His brown hair was its usual mess and he was smiling. Seeing Kira's startled face, he raised his eyebrows. "What's the matter kid? Think I'm supposed to be dead?"
John hummed in what appeared to be understanding. "Andrew Waltfeld. The Desert Tiger lives."
Andy tilted his head towards Kira and said, "Don't even bother asking how I got out of the LaGOWE alive kid. Even I'm not sure how I pulled that off."
"Uh...yes, sir?" Kira didn't know what he was supposed to call Waltfeld right now.
"General Waltfeld," John began again. "May I ask to what we owe the honor of having this ship save us just hours ago?"
"I'll get to that in a moment. First, let me introduce my colleague over here." Andy gestured to the individual standing next to him. "Major Orel Yakov. I believe you've already met Commander DaCosta my second in command and Captain Steele." Orel saluted smarlty and returned to his position.
"Orel Yakov?" John asked. "The original test pilot for the GINN?"
"Yes," Orel responded, his English-accented voice standing out. "It is an honor to meet you Colonel. And to you, Ensign Yamato. You're quite the historic individual in the PLANTs because of what you've done to ZAFT in the past months."
"Uh...thank you, sir." Kira answered. "But, if you're all with ZAFT, and this is a ZAFT ship..."
Andy chuckled. "Let me assure you both of one thing. This ship, and everyone aboard it, is not with ZAFT."
"Why not?" John asked.
"Because things are different now among the PLANTs," Lacus answered. Kira turned his head to face her and she continued, "The people there are blinded by their hatred of the Naturals, and they have no wish for peace."
"She's right," DaCosta confirmed. "The government is run by the military now, and the public opinion towards the war has increased greatly in the past weeks."
"That's of course mostly due to the failure at Alaska and the bombing of Cuba." Andy took a sip from the mug that sat in front of him. "Which you both participated in, or so I've heard."
"I was commander of that mission, General," John answered.
"I anticipated as much. Only someone as daring and crazy as you would be able to pull something like that off." Andy set his mug down and stood up gingergly, DaCosta lending a hand so he could stand up. "Thank you. But what I want to know is, what are you doing here? I'll tell you why we're here, but first I think it would be best to explain why you are here."
John hesitated at first, but then managed, "We were stabbed in the back..."
"Excuse me?" Andy said inquisitively.
"What he means is," Kira said, "The entire mission to bombard Cuba was a set up, concocted by the Inner Council of the Earth Alliance. The plan was to have special agents sabotage the planes before we took off and have us all shot down by anti-aircraft fire over the target. Some of us managed to get out, and we were brought to New York, where we learned the truth." Kira said those last words slowly and his head drifted down towards the floor. He felt something touch his shoulder and he glanced to see Lacus lay a gentle hand upon his shoulder for reassurance. He managed a small smile, which she returned to him.
"After we learned what had really happened," John added, "We managed to escape from captive and in the process stole the new prototype bomber aircraft the Earth Forces had been developing."
"The plane sitting in the hangar right now is one of them, yes?" Andy asked.
"Yes. We returned to the sanctity of the Archangel, and Captain Ramius sheltered us from enemies. They had been the ones who supported us in our mission to Cuba, so they also had been betrayed. We agreed to work together and we managed to escape the planet."
Kira took up the tale. "We, Colonel Namora that is, managed to locate a mass driver that neither side knew existed and were able to launch off of it. We subsequently blew it up, so neither the Earth Forces or ZAFT can use it now. The ship spent ten days in the debris belt, looking for some place of safety, and we eventually decided to head to Gyndana, which is where the Earth Forces attacked today. And now here we are," Kira concluded. "That's basically the general story, though there's a lot of detail to go through, if we get the chance."
"Don't worry about it," Andy responded.
"I find it interesting that the Earth Forces would actually want to have their best pilots die," Orel commented.
"When you think about it, it isn't all that mysterious," Andy answered. "Taking Alaska into account, what they tried to do to them is nothing compared to what they did that day."
"Considering the impact it had on ZAFT, I can only assume this is what led ZAFT to reform itself as you depicted," John remarked.
"Mostly, to some extent," Andy nodded. "I was on the sideline for most of the affair, but Miss Lacus was at the forefront of it, so she probably knows more than I do."
"After you left Kira," Lacus began, stepping forward, "My father and I had to go into hiding, because Chairman Zala believed it was us who told the Earth Forces of Operation Spit-Break's true target."
"Hiding?" Kira asked.
"Isolation more or less. Athrun came to see me on one occassion and I told him that you were alive. That's probably how he met back up with you on Earth, am I correct?"
"Yes, you're right," Kira answered. "But, where's your father, I mean, Chairman Clyne now?"
Lacus didn't answer, and DaCosta answered for her. "Mr. Seigel's dead. Soldiers assigned to assassinate him and Miss Lacus got to him before we could escape, though this information hasn't been leaked to the public in the PLANTs."
"If they only knew," Orel commented quietly.
Andy nodded and said, "It was about that time that I returned to the PLANTs. I made contact with Chairman Zala and was able to get patches into the meetings of the Supreme Council through Commander le Creuset. I was able to listen in on all their debates, with not one of them, with the exception of Chairman Zala, knowing. That was where I learned about the attack on Panama."
"Panama?" both John and Kira cried at the same time.
"ZAFT forces from Cuba attacked Panama two days ago and destroyed its mass driver," DaCosta answered. "So the Earth Forces are practically stranded on Earth right now."
"The attack was brought up as a means to cripple the Earth Alliance," Andy continued. "With them now stranded on the surface, Zala will no doubt begin pushing for the final invasion of the planet. He's become increasingly unstable in the past few months, and his decisions will only get more innocent people killed. You see, Chairman Zala wants all Naturals to die, much as the leaders of the Earth Alliance wants all Coordinators to die. He's been building up the military for months now, producing the mobile suit that you pilot, Kira. The one with the N-Jammer Canceler powering it."
Kira nodded. "That's what Miss Lacus told me when she gave it to me."
"A few days after you left, Athrun took the Justice and went to Earth to see you," Lacus added quietly. "He also swore that he would protect the machine with his life."
"I'd been planning on defecting from ZAFT for weeks after I returned to the PLANTs," Andy continued, sitting back down in his chair. "I was able to get support from Captain Steele and Major Yakov, who also shared the same views as I did. With their assistance, I was able to ascertain control of this ship and escape with it. I'm sure you recognized on your entry that the ship was damaged in the escape by intercepting forces. Major Yakov supported us in his personal GINN, but it was damaged so severely that we haven't been able to use it in the days since."
"So in other words, you're defectors as we are," John commented.
"Exactly," Andy answered. "We're both in a similar situation right now." He leaned forward and folded his hands together. "The way the war is going now, it will only be a matter of time before either side annihilates the other and we have total genocide upon us. I have neither the wish, nor the desire to see that happen. If it means fighting my own people, then so be it. I imagine you both have the same thoughts and ideas?"
"Yes," Kira answered quickly.
"Pretty much," John added. "But aren't you worried that since you stole a warship, that ZAFT'll come after you?"
"They already have, haven't they," Andy commented.
Lacus stepped forward and added, "The Eternal was originally designed to be the support carrier for the X-10A Freedom and the X09-A Justice. That's why the Freedom fit so well in the hangar, Kira."
"We received word from an informant that the Earth Alliance had made demands of Orb concerning their position of the war," Andy continued. "Being a neutral state as it is, we figured that Orb would refuse and be the subsequent air vent for all the Earth Forces bad gas. I made the decision to head to Gyndana, anticipating that we would be able to meet with a representative of Orb, but when we arrived, we found the colony gone, and you were the only forces in the area that weren't depicted as hostile. So we attacked the Earth Forces vessels, and here we are."
Andy handed his mug to DaCosta who took it and left to refill it. "Our situations aren't all that dissimilar Colonel. Both our ships and crews have no desire to go back to their respective positions, and we both agree that we do not wish to see mass genocide accompany future events concerning the war. I believe, it would be in the best interest of both our causes, that we formed an alliance of some sort."
"An alliance meant to prevent both sides from destroying each other," Orel added. "Naturals and Coordinators working together, as role models for the rest of civilization."
Lacus added her sweet voice to the cause. "Neither will alone, nor strength alone, will be enough to accomplish what we all desire. But together, we can achieve much more than we could separately. Only together, can we keep both Naturals and Coordinators from destroying one another and creating more hatred. Only together, can we finally return to our homes, and allow everyone else to return home, under the banner of peace."
Kira smiled. Turning to John, he added, "Even you have to see it Colonel. Despite the circumstances, our causes are intertwined. It was no doubt the work of destiny that brought both of us together. It's destined that we are to work together towards a better tomorrow for future generations. You said it youself I believe, at the beginning of the war, or so I understand. 'Separately, we are hopeless, but united, nothing can stop us.' You said those words, didn't you?"
Andy moved gingerly around his desk and stood before John, his considerable height bringing him almost a heads length above him. "Colonel Namora. I know you've been betrayed many times in the past. By good friends perhaps. But now, I promise you, on my entire honor, this is one alliance, that will not come back to betray you." Andy extended his hand towards John and waited. John paused for several minutes, Kira assumed he was considering every option that was available. Slowly, John raised his hand and grasped Andy's moving it up and down several times.
"I can only hope that all those goals you just said can be fulfilled by what we have," John said quietly. "And that the Orb forces will agree with us."
"As do I." Andy released John's hand and added, "I guess, you'd both be glad to get back to your ship now. I can assure you that no one has even come close to your equipment and that they have remained untouched. Once again, I thank you for coming and understanding our cause."
"Thank you for having us, sir," John saluted.
Kira saluted also. "It's good to know that you're alive and that we have some allies out there. Thank you."
Andy saluted as well, managing a smile.
John and Kira returned to the hangar shortly thereafter, John returning to his plane while Kira floated up towards the Freedom's cockpit. Lacus had followed him from Andy's office to the hangar and was now floating behind him. "What do you believe the Orb Forces will say. Once you talk to them that is," she asked.
"I don't know," Kira answered, turning to face her. "Orb's in a difficult position right now. They did help us out before, but right now, I'm not sure. We can only hope for the best." After giving it some thought, he added, "I'm sorry about your father, Lacus."
"It's alright," she answered. "At least he's in a better place..." Kira could see the tears come into her eyes and he immediately felt like he'd been shot in the stomach, thinking that he shouldn't have brought the subject of her father up. Lacus threw herself on him, embracing him as she crying into his shoulder. Shocked at first, Kira held onto her while she cried and comforted her, as they floated in front of the Freedom.
"THERE'S A PROBLEM!" Haro sounded, floating beside them.
"Don't worry about a thing," Kira soothed her. "I promise everything will be fine. We'll both get through this and bring peace back to the galaxy."
Kira eventually released Lacus from his hold and let her float away from him. He got into the Freedom's cockpit and strapped himself in, slipping his helmet on in the process. He activated the mobile suit's systems and had it walk across the deck towards the opening to space. He saw the bomber carrying Colonel Namora and the others take off before him and he waited before the coast was clear. Just before he left, he saw Lacus waving to him from the side of the hangar. He smiled and waved back. He turned forward and gunned the Freedom's engines, heading out into the vastness of space, knowing that he now had allies backing him, and the Archangel, was finally in a place of safety.
-Vesalius, La Grange Point 3, 1750.
The mobile suit emerged from the pink warship and headed out into space, towards its home base no doubt. Looking through the binoculars in front of him, Rau confirmed it. "That's definitely it."
"The X-10A Freedom?" Captain Ades commented behind him. "So that's where it's been taken."
"The legged ship is also in the vicinity," Rau confirmed. "It appears as though the Freedom and the Justice are both aboard her. It confirms the intelligence we received on the battle in Argentina."
When word of the Eternal's theft had reached them, Rau had taken upon the task of tracking the ship as it left the vicinity of the PLANTs. Accompanied by the Laurasia-class ship, Ziegler, the Vesalius had followed Eternal here, to the L3 Cluster. Staying out of sight of the ships, they had witnessed the destruction of the Gyndana colony and the entire battle from a safe distance, so as not to be seen. The Slythr Team, led by Commander Tomas Slythr, Rau's fellow commander, was only a short distance behind them, as had been reported to him by Slythr himself. Slythr's force consisted of three Nazca-class ships like the Vesalius, and the added strength of his forces would give them a powerful fleet.
"You were right then," Ades said. "The Eternal did lead us right to them. Are you planning on striking them?"
"We're all set to go as soon as you give the word, Commander," Yzak added, standing behind the senior officers.
Rau studied the view from inside his binoculars for a moment. He had seen the forces the legged ship had launched in the defense of Gyndana, and they had appeared to have taken no losses. Neither had the Orb vessel, nor the Eternal suffered any losses, so attacking them now would be suicide. "No, we'll wait until Slythr's team arrives. Then we'll decide what to do."
"But Commander," Yzak insisted, "They're in a prime position for an attack. With the debris from the colony we'd be able to stage hit-and-run tactics against them and catch them off guard. We could knock off the legged ship and the defectors in one move!"
"Our orders are not to destroy the legged ship's forces, Yzak," Rau reminded him. "Our orders are specifically to recover the stolen Freedom and Justice, and then destroy the legged ship. With Slythr's team added to our forces, we'll then be able to launch an attack."
"But they'll be gone by the time he gets here!" Yzak shouted. "If we don't seize the moment now, we'll end up paying for it later!"
"As I said before Yzak," Rau said calmly, "We'll wait for Slythr's ships to rendezvous with us. Then we'll decide what to do next. Is that clear?"
Yzak scowled, but saluted, "Yes, sir."
"Stand down from battle stations Ades," Rau ordered.
"Yes, sir." Rau turned back towards the viewport and stared out at the destroyed colony and the ships around it. Yet again, the Earth Forces take a small step towards annihilation. This will undoubtedly lead to their downfall, and the downfall of all the rest of them. How amusing it all is...