Eternal, September 21, C.E. 71, 2330.
Night, if you could call anytime in space night, had settled over the colony. The facilities were silent as people slept soundly inside their barracks. Mobile suits were unmoving. Warships immobile. Guns silent. An uncharacteristic moment of peace had overcome Mendel and the forces camped inside of it.
Floating quietly in the observation room at the rear of the Eternal's bridge, Athrun pressed his forehead to the plate glass in front of him and stared at his own reflection staring back at him. His green eyes stared into the metallic sides of the docking berth, while his blue hair blew in quiet strands in the weightless air. He had found himself unable to sleep tonight for some reason, so he had come here to get his thoughts together, though why he was here, he wasn't really sure. For the past few days, Athrun had just taken it easy aboard the ship, helping out wherever he was needed and managing to spend some time alone with his friends.
Flashback-
Athrun jumped out of the cockpit of the Justice when it returned to Mendel after he had taken it on an extended run around the Mendel colony's exterior, checking systems and making sure nothing had been damaged too severely during the assault two days prior. His feet hit the deck below and he pulled off his helmet. He saw Kira floating up the gangway to meet him. They slapped hands and Kira said, "How'd it go?"
"Fine," Athrun replied, turning back towards the Justice. "Systems all checked out okay and it didn't have any other problems that we didn't see before. So it's seems alright." Athrun turned back to Kira and started walking down the gangway. "Anything interesting been going around here?"
"Nothing much," Kira responded calmly. "The Freedom's good to go on a moment's notice and Lacus says there's nothing wrong with the Eternal, so for the next few days I guess we're good to just take it easy for a while."
"That's something different," Athrun commented. "Haven't heard that in a hell of a long time."
"I hear that," Kira responded. "Let's go get something to drink and chill for a while, what do you say?"
"Let's go," Athrun said enthusiastically.
End Flashback-
Athrun found himself smiling against his own reflection in the glass. Who knew you could relax in this environment? he thought happily to himself. Then he sighed and shut his eyes. Hard to believe there's a war going on outside of this place.
"Athrun?" Athrun opened his eyes and turned towards the doorway to find Cagalli standing there.
"Cagalli?" The blonde haired girl floated into the room as the door slid shut behind her.
"What are you still doing awake?" she asked quietly.
"I was going to ask you the same question," Athrun answered, helping her regain her footing on the floor.
"You should be asleep right now. You need your rest," Cagalli said.
"I couldn't sleep," Athrun said, turning back towards the window. "Guess I'm just not used to it being this quiet in my life. After all that's happened with the war that is."
"We all have to take advantage of these times when they come," Cagalli said, coming next to him and staring out the window as well. "Are you okay?"
"Never been better," Athrun smiled. "Everything's a-okay." Then he sighed and frowned.
"What's wrong?" Cagalli asked, laying a hand on his shoulder.
Athrun shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know." He shook his head and stared upwards at the ceiling. "I guess I just keep on thinking that the whole thing at Jachin Due could have been avoided. If only I'd tried a little harder to talk to my father. But it can't be helped now, can it?" he said, turning to face her.
"You did the best you could, Athrun," Cagalli said. "At least you tried to talk some sense into your father. Even if he is an idiot. Sorry, I didn't mean that," she said abruptly.
"No, it's okay," Athrun reassured her.
"It couldn't be helped...you know that right?"
"Huh?" Athrun said.
"Having to take out the invasion forces," Cagalli responded. "It was either that or we let them invade the Earth. You couldn't let that happen. I couldn't. None of us could. That's what you tried to tell your father and those people back at the PLANTs. They just don't want to let it sink into their heads."
"Yeah..." Athrun said quietly. "Just can't help but think what will happen now."
"Because of what we did the invasion's been called off." Athrun was startled. "My father told me earlier. Because of the amount of damage we did, your father called the invasion off. The Earth is safe now." Cagalli turned her head. "He also said that the Earth Forces attacked Victoria just before we hit Jachin Due."
"Victoria?"
"They got the mass driver intact," Cagalli said quietly. "It looks as if we helped the Earth Forces more than we meant to." She smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "Irony abounds in warfare," she said lightly.
Athrun chuckled. "You're right. It's ironic that I was the one who cost my father the chance to win the war, as well."
"Did it hurt?" Athrun turned to Cagalli to find her staring at him again. "When your father shot you, that is."
Athrun's eyes narrowed and they darted towards his right shoulder, the place where the bullet from his father's gun had struck him. The wound had healed, but he could still feel it after all this time. "No," he responded, though.
"Don't lie," Cagalli said. "Of course it did. You were shot by your own father. And then he told you yesterday that he should've killed you when you had the chance. Of course it hurt."
Athrun paused. "Yeah...it did..." he responded at last.
Cagalli saw his saddening expression and immediately felt bad. "I'm sorry," she apologized quickly. "I shouldn't have brought it up. But look on the bright side," she said. "There's still a chance for us to talk some sense into your father."
"What do you mean?" Athrun said quietly.
"With the invasion a bust, my father's going to try and talk to your father and those people running the PLANTs again. Try to get them to at least talk with him. Though I doubt it's going to happen after what we did...but we still can't give up now. We need to try and bring this war to an end. In a way that will benefit both sides, and will spare millions of people's lives. That's why you need to be getting your rest anyway, Athrun." Athrun smiled and shut his eyes. "That's what we're all going to do from now on. That's what we vowed to do since the beginning. And that's-!" Cagalli stopped mid-sentence when Athrun's arms went around her waist and he pulled her into a tight embrace. Cagalli's arms snapped around his shoulders and she felt herself pulled completely off the floor and into the air. Her cheeks warmed and her eyes widened. "A-Athrun..." she stuttered, shocked out of her existence.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly against her ear, holding onto her tightly.
"Y-you're sorry?" Cagalli asked. "F-for, what?"
"I'm sorry," Athrun repeated. "Just that." For a moment, neither of them said anything, lost in each other's arms. Cagalli felt her cheeks cool and she relaxed. For some odd reason, this position felt very comfortable to her. His arms were strong around her, and she could feel his heartbeat next to her breast. Her own heart was also racing. "I'm also sorry for kissing you at Boaz earlier," he added.
Cagalli's mouth widened ever so slightly and she smiled. "Why are you sorry for that?" she asked.
"I have no idea."
Mendel, September 22, C.E. 71, 0700.
"They may not be the most capable people, but based on the information you provided me, they should be able to help you in your cause." The voice of the Reverend Malchio was calm and serene as it came through the speakers of the monitor on Uzumi's desk. "The Junk Guild will be able to provide you with anything mechanical you will need to assist you in your journeys. Please understand, sir. If circumstances to transpire against them, they will not be able to meet certain demands should the Earth Forces or ZAFT find out what they are doing. But I trust that they will do what is right for yourselves as well as them alone. I sincerely hope that all of you will be able to accomplish what you have set out to do. My prayers are with you." Malchio's head bowed and his image disappeared.
"With the Junk Guild now providing us with supplies, this will only strengthen our cause to preserve the world as it is," Uzumi proclaimed to the others in his office, John, Lacus, and Cantarii. "When you get the chance, Miss Clyne, please give my eternal thanks to Reverend Malchio for all his help concerning this matter."
"You have my assurance that Reverend Malchio is behind us the entire way, sir," Lacus added.
"I thank you," Uzumi said. He stood up and faced his guests. "My friends. With the success our forces had at Jachin Due a few days ago, the world is again shifting in a new direction. With the Earth Forces recent victory at Victoria, the war is now once again at a stalemate. Their Lunar Base will once again have a supply route to connect it with the planet, so they will more than likely bolster their forces in orbit. With that said, it also increases the likelihood that the Earth Forces will be sending units out to search for us. Should they find where we are currently based, we will have no choice but to abandon Mendel and pitch camp elsewhere."
"Abandon Mendel?" John gasped. "But Mendel's the only base you have up here, Lord Uzumi."
"Yes, Mendel is the only secure base we have, Colonel Namora. But there are others outside of Mendel, people who sympathize with us in the PLANTs and on Earth. Given what they've done for us in the past, and what they are still contuining to do for us now, there is no doubt in my mind that there will be some sort of safe haven for our fleet and forces to remain undetected by either side." Uzumi shut his eyes. "The war is going to be taking newer and more devastating turns in the coming months, my friends. We must be ready at all moments to resist any attempts to destroy either the Earth or the PLANTs. No obstacle must stand in our path. Our sword has awakened. And now we must continue to put it to good use."
Archangel, 1000.
Sai strolled down through the corridor two decks below the bridge. This was where many of the crew's private quarters were. He had spent most of the early morning at his post on the bridge's CIC, but now he was heading down to the hangar to assist with the work going on there. Just about ten minutes ago, Coop had paged him saying that the Morgenrate people needed to speak with both Lieutenant Barrington's and Ensign Haas about something. What it was however, he didn't know.
At the end of the corridor, he found the room corresponding with the number to the one Stevy, Niada, and Jay were staying. Just before he knocked, he heard something. From inside the room, came the pulsating beat of a guitar making its way through a cord precesion. Notes went up and down, low and high, as they cascading through the doorway, unifying into a single, breathtaking rhythm. Also, something that sounded like a stick beating on a hard-wood surface joined in with the guitar, setting the tempo, and driving the beat forward. Sai then heard a voice come over the guitar line.
Hey little sister, what have you done?
Hey little sister, who's the only one?
Hey little sister, who's your Superman?
Hey little sister, who's the one you want?
Hey little sister, shotgun!
It's a...nice day to...start again!
It's a...nice day for a...white wedding!
It's a...nice day to...start again!
The guitar and drums continued to pulsate as Sai knocked on the door. "Lieutenant Barrington!" he called.
Hey little sist-. The voice abruptly stopped, as did the guitars and drum beat a moment later. "Yeah? Who is it?" he heard Stevy's voice say.
"It's me, Sai," he said into the door. "Listen, those guys at Morgenrate need to see you guys about something!"
"Give us a minute, kid!" Niada's voice sounded. The door to their quarters opened shortly therafter, and Sai could just make out Stevy putting his black guitar with white strings back into its case and shoving it under his bunk. "Any idea what they want?" Niada asked.
"Apparently there's some new type of explosive they've been working with and they wanted an expert opinion, so John pointed to you guys," Sai said.
"Typical John," Stevy said. "He tries to make it so we're useless because he's afraid we'll do something stupid, but when someone screws up an explosive, we're the first three he calls."
"Well, at least we're not just sticking around here all day, just going over the damn planes all day," Jay put in.
"Yeah, at least there's that," Stevy responded, as they exited their quarters and headed down the corridor.
"That song you guys were playing," Sai said. "That was awesome. Was that really you guys, or was that a recording?"
"No, that was us," Stevy said proudly. "I play guitar, Jay does drums, Niada sings."
"Only because you can't," Niada responded, knocking his twin brother in the shoulder.
"Who wrote that?" Sai asked.
"Stevy did," Jay announced.
"Something I've been working on for years. With the war and all I never really had the time to put the finishing touches on it, but now, I figured what the hell, let's get it done."
"Stevy even wants to take it on the road when this is all done," Jay said.
"Liar!" Stevy responded. "I only said I wanted to make a recording of it, that's it. No tours. No gigs. Nothing. I only play for fun."
"And when we're short on change," Niada put in, getting a laugh out of all of them.
"Where'd you learn to play like that, Lieutenant Barrington?" Sai asked. "Parents?"
An awkward silence came over the group. "No," Stevy replied quickly, brushing past Sai, after a moment, Niada following suit.
Sai motioned to ask Stevy something else, but Jay put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "Don't ask them." Jay turned and stared at his friends' retreating backs. "Both of their parents died when they were little. They've been orphans since they were six or seven. They don't like to reflect back on it much."
"Oh..." Sai responded quietly in realization.
They eventually caught up to Stevy and Niada at the base of the elevator, which Murrue and Natarle were both exiting. "Good morning," Murrue said kindly to the quartet as she passed.
"Morning, Captain," Stevy responded quickly. "Lieutenant," he added, nodding to Natarle.
"Ma'am," Niada said.
"Captain Ramius," Jay put in.
"Morning, ma'am," Sai said lastly.
The elevator doors shut behind the two women with a hiss. Both of them looked to each other for an answer as to what the hell just happened. "What was that about?" Natarle wondered out loud. Murrue shrugged her shoulders and continued down the corridor. "Do we have any scheduled planes for this morning, Captain?" Natarle asked.
"I don't remember any," Murrue answered. "So, I'm assuming we have the morning free. Why, Natarle?"
"No reason," Natarle said. "But since we don't have anything scheduled, I thought that this would be an ideal time to do a thorough check of the Archangel's internal systems while we have the chance."
"Alright. If you feel it's necessary, thanks," Murrue said. "Would you mind taking command of the bridge for the morning Natarle," she added, "I've...got to speak with Commander la Flaga about something."
"Business as usual, Captain?" Murrue snapped her head to face Natarle and found her subordinate smiling a bit.
"What?" Murrue murmured. "What are you suggesting, Natarle?"
"Captain, please don't try to hide it," Natarle said, turning back to forward of her. "Everyone on this ship knows that you and the Commander have some sort of relationship now."
"Oh...does everyone really know?" Natarle nodded slightly. "Hunnh...I guess we didn't do a very good job of keeping it a secret then," Murrue added with a small laugh. "You're not mad about it are you?"
"Of course not," Natarle responded quickly. "If you and Mwu have feelings for one another, I'm not going to stand in your way. I'm not that uptight. Just as long as you two don't let it interfere with your judgment out on the battlefield, everyone else is okay with it."
Murrue smiled. "I haven't let it happen yet, have I? And I assume Mwu hasn't."
"No. Commander Barkhesh hasn't told me anything like that," Natarle answered.
"What?" Murrue asked.
"Your brother is the one who gives all of the air group's reports in to Admiral Cantarii and Lord Uzumi," Natarle said. "Naturally, he has to present them to me before he takes it to them in case there's something we need to omit from it."
"Why is Frank doing that?" Murrue asked.
"Because Colonel Namora has other things to worry about and Commander la Flaga isn't good with reports. You saw clear evidence of that when he stood before the Inner Council in New York a while back."
Murrue sighed lightly. "You've got a point."
"So then, Commander Barkhesh is the next in line, and he takes care of all the diplomatic stuff for them. I've got to admit, he's the smartest and most capable airman I've seen in all my time in the military." Murrue glanced over at Natarle as she added, "He's one of a kind really. You must be lucky to have him as your brother, Captain."
"Oh, my God," Murrue said suddenly. Natarle turned her head to see Murrue come across and take her by the shoulders. "You like my brother!"
Natarle's breath left her mouth and her body stiffened. "I do not!" she responded harshly.
"Oh, I think you do, Natarle," Murrue beamed, letting go of her.
"I don't," Natarle persisted. "He's my friend and all, but..." she hesitated.
"Your silence means you do like him, Natarle," Murrue finished. "You like him, you like him," she sang as she left Natarle behind her in the corridor.
"I really don't, Captain!" Natarle called after Murrue, desperately trying to catch up to her. "It's just a...business relationship!"
"I'm going to tell everyone about this, for sure!" Murrue called back to her.
"You better not!" Natarle shouted. "Or else I'll..."
"I'm kidding, Natarle," Murrue giggled. "Take it easy. If you like Frank that much, of course I won't tell him." She let Natarle catch up and laid a hand on her shoulder. "You've got to do something like that yourself." Murrue entered another elevator and the doors sighed shut in front of her, leaving a stunned and wide mouthed Natarle in her wake.
Valiant, Lunar Orbit, September 25, C.E. 71, 1100.
Vessels of the Earth Forces encircled the Moon as they trundled through the blackness of space. They were ships of the 5th, 6th, and 7th Orbital Fleets, all sparkling with gleam. At the center of the group of ships, flew four Agamemnon-class ships, including the Regress, flagship of Rear Admiral Niles McCarthy of the 6th Orbital Fleet. Inside the diamond shaped formation flew the three ships that all the others were there to protect. To the rear and starboard was the Jani-class ship, Intrepid, under the command of Captain Brock Norris, 5th Orbital Fleet, and one of the most battle savy ships that remained in the Earth Forces, a veteran of the first battle at Jachin Due at the beginning of the war, and of the action on the Grimaldi front a few months later. To her port floated the newest ship of the Orbital Fleets, the second ship of the Archangel-class, the Dominion, commanded by Captain Hal Omanney, 7th Orbital Fleet, and flagship of Admiral William Sutherland, Commander in Chief of the Earth Alliance Combined Fleet. With her hull gleaming and her guns pointing towards the heavens, waiting to unleash their fury on any intruders, she was currently, the most watched ship in the galaxy. However, she was not the most important vessel at the moment. Sitting directly in front of her, was the ship where the masterminds of the Combined Orbital Fleet would be converging in a matter of moments. The heavily modified Gerosian-class ship, the Valiant, commanded by Captain Seymour McKinley, 5th Orbital Fleet, and flagship of General Woodrow 'the Basilisk' Bradford, head of the 5th Orbital Fleet. These three ships were the center of attention on this great morning above the lunar surface.
A small shuttle made its way through the opening at the tip of the bow of the Valiant and made its way into its hangar. Along the starboard wall rested for Moebieus mobile armors, the centerpiece of the Orbital Fleet's anti-mobile suit combat. Opposite them along the port wall, sat two Strike Daggers, the new mass production mobile suits that had proven so valuable to the Earth Forces in the more recent months.
Below them on the deck, stood soldiers of the Earth Forces. The officers of the Valiant stood at attention at the front of the group, their uniforms pristine and their officer's caps snug on their heads. In front of them, stood their commanders, General Bradford and Admiral McCarthy, also standing at attention. They watched the shuttle approach and set down on the deck just in front of them. An access staircase was rushed over to the side of the shuttle and attached to the hull, to allow its passengers to disembark.
As the door to the shuttle slid open, Bradford leaned over to McCarthy and whispered, "Niles, tell me. You think he's in a good mood today?"
McCarthy shrugged ever so slightly. "I have no idea to tell you the truth," he said. "With the success at Victoria, I'm assuming he is."
Bradford raised his eyebrows and added, "Doesn't exactly make me feel any better about this."
"Attention all hands!" someone shouted. Everyone snapped to attention and cut the chatter. A figure appeared at the top of the stairs and began his descent. He was dressed in the full Earth Forces uniform, with a dark red patch on his shoulder, the identification of a full Admiral. Behind him descended an individual dressed impecably in a light blue suit with a violet shirt and black tie. His blonde hair was combed to perfection and his blue eyes seemed to blaze with fire with every step he took.
Bradford and McCarthy saluted smartly as they approached, and everyone behind them followed suit. "General Bradford Admiral McCarthy," Sutherland said as he set down on the deck and returned their salute. "What a pleasure it is to see you both."
"You do us a great pleasure by being here, sir," McCarthy praised.
"It is an honor to see you again, Admiral," Bradford added.
"Gentlemen, I believe you both have met Murata Azrael, Director of the National Defense Association," Sutherland said, gesturing towards Azrael, who stepped up to the group intently.
"Ah, yes," McCarthy said smartly. "Pleasure to meet you again, sir," he added, saluting.
"As am I," Bradford put in quickly.
"Gentlemen, what say we keep the small talk short for today," Azrael suggested. "I'm sure your junior officers don't want to hear us just talking about nothing, no would they."
"No, sir," both of them said at once.
"Well, General," Sutherland said. "Are these really the crew that I left back in New York in July that was so young and immature?"
"Yes, they are sir," Bradford said, turning his head. "And believe me, they're ready for anything ZAFT has to throw at them."
"I see," Sutherland said.
Behind them, more figures had descended down the stairs and onto the deck. Among them was Captain Bernard Rutherford, assistant to Murata Azrael, who stood off to the side of the group, not even bothering to take part in the conversation. Next to him stood Ensigns Clotho Buer, Shani Andras, and Orga Sabnak, the pilots of the new machines, Calamity, Forbidden, and Raider, remaining still as best they could in their uniforms.
As the conversation between the senior officers continued, Seymour and the rest of his fellow officers stood at attention as best they could. "That's Admiral Sutherland?" Jessie whispered beside him. "He doesn't seem that bad."
Seymour leaned over to her slightly and whispered out of the corner of his mouth, "Now. Just wait until we get on the bridge and he gets into the business about the war. Then he's a bitch."
"Oh boy," Jessie said sarcastically.
Just then, Jessie thought she heard what sounded like a whistle. Then she heard words following them. "Man, check out the blonde fox in the front, Shani."
"That's a hot specimen if I ever saw one."
Jessie turned her head towards where she thought the voices were coming from and fixated on the three pilots standing behind Sutherland and Azrael. They were whispering to one another, and from the projection of their eyes, she could tell they were staring at her, which made her feel increasingly uncomfortable.
"Jessie?" Seymour said beside her, following her gaze towards the trio of pilots.
"Captain McKinley!"
"Yes, sir!" Seymour said smartly, saluting as Admiral Sutherland approached. Jessie and the other officers did so accordingly.
"It's a pleasure to see you again," Sutherland said, his jaw set firmly as he spoke. "I don't believe I've been introduced to you, though," he said to Jessie.
"Lieutenant Jessica Mitchell, 5th Air Fleet, at your service, Admiral Sutherland," Jessie said.
"It's a pleasure Lieutenant Mitchell," Sutherland praised. Turning back to Seymour, he added, "Captain McKinley, I believe now would be an ideal time to begin our strategy meeting."
"Yes, sir!" Seymour said. "Please follow me, and I will lead you to the bridge."
Quickly, the crowd dispersed and Seymour led the way towards the bridge. Jessie followed immediately in his wake, followed in order by Admiral Sutherland, General Bradford, Azrael, Admiral McCarthy, Captain Rutherford, Orga, Shani, and Clotho. It took only a matter of minutes before they were almost to the bridge. Behind her, Jessie could hear the three boys still making comments. "Look at that behind, Clotho. Man, that's nice."
"Front part's not bad either, Shani."
Jessie groaned uncomfortably and moved closer to Seymour at the front of the group. Seymour saw her come closer to him and for the first time, he heard the voices behind them. "It's okay, Jessie," he whispered. "Don't worry about 'em, they're idiots."
The bridge doors sighed open to admit the group and they dispersed around the chairs at the top of the bridge. Tomer, Lester, and the ship's helmsman saluted as they entered from their seats at the front of the bridge.
For the next half an hour, the group watched the footage that had been brought aboard the ship. Footage from the battles in the past few days at Victoria and Jachin Due. Explosions dotted the screen at the front of the bridge and mobile suits flew past the screen at efficient rates. All eyes were lost in the images, taking all of it in. It was indeed hard to believe all of this had happened within a grand total of five hours time.
Finally, the images stopped and the screen went black. "Your opinions, if you have any, gentlemen?" Sutherland asked.
"It's unbelievable to me, sir," McCarthy said. "I can't believe Orb had that much military strength up here, even after I fought them at Gyndana."
"Our recent reports indicate that much of Orb's technology has been provided to them by the PLANTs, so the performance of their equipment in hindsight isn't all that unexpected." Sutherland turned to the others and said, "Whether we like it or not, gentlemen, they saved our asses by destroying the Coordinators' invasion fleet. They also bought us some time to contemplate our next moves."
"However, based on what we've just seen, the position of the Orb forces will need to be taken into consideration," Azrael put in, folding his arms. "Orb is currently at war with us, so they are an enemy, despite the fact that they are also fighting the Coordinators."
"In other words, the 'my enemy's enemy is my friend' standard is moot in this situation," Sutherland interpreted. "Orb's strength must not be overlooked. Do you possibly have any more information than we do about these vessels and machines of theirs?"
"Nothing much more than you have, sir," Bradford said. "We came to the same conclusions that you did about the attack plan and the intended results."
"However, we did manage to interpret their exit vector as they left Jachin Due, Admiral," McCarthy put in.
"Really, now?" Sutherland said. "What did you find?"
"Captain McKinley," Bradford ordered. Seymour pushed a button on his chair and a map of the Earth and the surrounding space appeared on the screen in front of them. "Based on these trajectories, their most likely destination would have been L4, but we're not sure yet."
"L4..." Azrael murmured. "That place doesn't have any functioning colonies anymore, I thought."
"It's not supposed to," Rutherford put in. "If I may sir, the colonies at L4 were damaged and abandoned by our forces at the start of the war, and we haven't been able to find any that were worth salvaging, so we've basically left them alone."
"Perfect place for them to hide," Bradford agreed.
"They could have found a functioning colony that we didn't spot, yes," Sutherland said. He paused. "I'm inclined to think that's where they're holed up."
"One of our intelligence outposts on the planet also intercepted a transmission from an unknown source to one of the Orb ships," Azrael said. "We couldn't find the source, but based on the wording, we believe that it was the Junk Guild who originated the transmission link."
"The Junk Guild?" McCarthy asked. "What would they have to gain by supporting Orb?"
"I'm not sure," Sutherland said. "But we can't afford to pass this by. Orb must be dealt with...and fast." He spread his hands on the back of one of the chairs and thinned his lips. "General Bradford," he said at last. "I'm going to be putting you in charge of hunting down and locating the Orb ships."
"Sir!" Bradford said.
"We'll be able to handle things here while you're away, so get moving as quickly as you can. Take as many forces as you need," Sutherland ordered. "But please don't return unless you've managed to find some sort of evidence as to the location of the Orb ships. That's an order."
"Yes, sir," Bradford saluted. "I will execute my duties to the fullest."
"I appreciate that," Sutherland said. "Now if you will excuse us, I believe we shall take our leave. Captain McKinley, Lieutenant Mitchell." Sutherland saluted and turned on his heel, heading towards the rear of the bridge.
Seymour and Jessie watched he, Azrael, and McCarthy head out of the bridge and began to each breath a sigh of relief.
"Good luck, guys," Orga said, brushing past them.
"I wouldn't count on it," Clotho put in. "They had to stoop to having a girl be their air commander."
Jessie's body stiffened. Seymour hissed quietly next to her. "They'll be lucky if she doesn't distract the men and get 'em all killed," Shani whispered, just loud enough for everyone on the bridge to hear.
Jessie's fist clenched and she turned to head after them, when Seymour laid his hand on her shoulder and stopped her. "Easy, Jessie," he said sternly. Lester and Tomer each hissed themselves at the comments those pilots had made at their friend. Jessie turned her head back to Seymour, who had a serious expression on his face. "Wait until you're in the Strike Dagger to shut 'em up." Jessie smirked.
Bradford too had heard the comments directed at Jessie, but he restrained himself from taking any action against them. They were Azrael's pets after all. He didn't want Azrael in his face for having shouted at his pilots. He'd already had enough of that bastard for one day.
Outside the bridge, Sutherland and McCarthy took their leave, while Azrael stayed behind. He glanced quickly from side to side and said, "It's clear, you can come out."
A figure moved out of the shadows from behind him and came beside him. "What did you think, Sergeant?"
"Masterfully done, sir," Jack Richards answered, his pretty boy face now coming into the full lit corridor. "You've made sure Bradford and his cronies won't interfere with our future plans."
Azrael began walking down the corridor away from the bridge with Richards beside him. "You're sure you're men are in position like you said?"
"Confirmed it yesterday, sir," Richards said evenly. "Everything is completely set up on their end. All we need is to get our forces ready."
"Admiral Sutherland has already assured me that the vessels needed will be provided to us," Azrael said. "With a little bit of luck we'll both have a gray strand of hair free from our heads."
"And a little something extra while we're at it," Richards put in.
"My, you're eager to get this over with," Azrael remarked. "Eager to settle the score with your...friend?"
"Something like that," Richards responded. "There's some unfinished business I have to settle with a scruffy pair of delinquents as well." He added quietly. "Something I should have done a long time ago."
"Well then," Azrael said, "Let's get started then. By the end of the month, the traitors will be no more." An evil laugh escaped Azrael's throat as he and Richards disappeared down into the encroaching darkness of the corridor.