Earth Alliance Headquarters, New York, October 15, C.E. 71, 0930.
Storm clouds poured rain down from overhead, the water splattering on the stone walkways below the official looking building. There was no thunder and no lightning. It was just a normal fall rainstorm that no one outside of the building really payed much attention to. The interior of the building was lit dimly by the interior lighting system, but the darkened skies outside made the building much more shadowy and mysterious. Guards stood outside the door to the Inner Council chamber, high powered rifles secured in their grasps as they stood firmly at attention. They paid no attention to the debate going on inside and they weren't supposed to. The rain made a patter-patter sound on the roof of the building and echoed into the chamber directly below the roof on the top floor.
"I agree. Obtaining data on the N-Jammer Canceller was quite a coup Azrael." Azrael hummed a thank you to the diplomat who had complimented him on his recent work. After returning to the Lunar Base, he'd boarded a shuttle and quickly transported himself down to the surface. The data on the N-Jammer Canceller was safely being deciphered by the specialists at the Lunar Base at that very moment. It had been a very uplifting week for Azrael, even after the failure of the Earth Forces to recapture the ship of traitors exactly one week previous. The death of Sergeant Richards had been a shock, but Azrael had merely shook it off. Richards was a loss he could deal with. As long as the destruction of the Coordinators was kept on track, that was all that mattered to him.
"However," came another voice. Azrael turned his head to the bald-headed diplomat decked out in a black suit that was similar in stature to his own blue suit. "We're not too sure about you and Admiral Sutherland's idea for a direct nuclear assault on ZAFT. The energy crisis here on Earth has reached catastrophic levels...so we believe it would be wiser to concentrate on that."
"But you must understand-," Sutherland's image began to answer, but the bang of Azrael's fist smashing into the table stopped him mid-sentence.
"Why in the hell are you people talking like this?" Azrael said calmly, standing up from his chair to address the whole room. "Have you people suddenly become ignorant to what is going on in the war? A child can see we aren't going to win this war by just sitting back and minding to our own problems. If we have the opportunity to use nuclear weapons again we should seize it with the firmest grip."
"The Coordinators are still reeling from the blow they suffered at Jachin Due when their invasion force was annihilated. Coupled with the fall of Victoria and Carpentaria being cut off from any relief forces, the situation at the moment would be ideal for a final push to end the war quickly, gentlemen," Sutherland's image added.
"And besides, it's not like we haven't used nuclear weapons in the past," Azrael put in smugly.
"But..." one of the diplomats stammered, "that was all you and your people's doing, Azrael." Azrael frowned and put a scowl on his face. "It was...your people that put the missile up there during the assault-."
"And it was an Earth Alliance mobile armor that fired the missile, you imbecile!" Azrael hissed. "This war could have been over months earlier if it wasn't for the Coordinators cowering behind their N-Jammers. To top all of that we could've had the data on the N-Jammer Cancellers months ago, but you in the military failed to give any sort of thought to it."
"The woman who ran the Archangel made no mention in her report about the X-10A Freedom and X-09A Justice being powered by nuclear energy Director Azrael, you know that," General Pharris said. Pharris was General Corsig's replacement after the latter had been killed in the attack on the new ships just off of Prince Edward Island in July. "Given the circumstances at that time our momentum from JOSH-A was still high and we didn't have enough proof to solidify any suggestions that the N-Jammer Cancellers actually existed."
"You're making my point for me, General," Azrael said. "Why we need to strike at the Coordinators now and finish this war. You don't collect as many nuclear weapons as we have and just do nothing with them. They're powerful weapons meant to end wars. It happened in World War II and it must happen again if this war is to end. And don't forget we've spent good money building them all. The Lunar Base already has it's storage facilities stockpiled with them, correct Admiral Sutherland?"
"We've already collected enough of them to meet anything the Coordinators throw in response at us," Sutherland responded. "In my opinion, I agree with Director Azrael. A strike against the Coordinators now would more than likely bring the war to an end possibly by the end of the year."
Silence overcame the chamber for a few moments. Many of the people sitting stirred slightly in their chairs as the prospect of using nuclear weapons against the enemy. A good portion of them deep down knew that using them would end the war and bring them victory and they really felt no remorse for doing it in the first place. "Admiral McCarthy," one of the diplomats said to the image of the Rear Admiral beside him, a cigarette placed firmly between the fuzzy image's lips. "What is your opinion on this matter?"
McCarthy puffed on his cigarette several times and blew skinny white smoke out of his nose. "Gentlemen the only reason I'm on this Council is because you put me here. Most of what my opinion is is in agreement with what Director Azrael and Admiral Sutherland have said. The most likely course of action in my opinion would be to use the weapons sometime in the near future. The window of opportunity will be closed in all likelihood fairly soon."
"Shall we vote on it then, gentlemen?" Azrael suggested. None of the delegates objected. The vote was taken. 8-2 in favor of the attack. "It's settled then. Admiral Sutherland, it would be wise for you and your forces at the Lunar Base to begin preparations for the operations as soon as possible."
"It's going to take almost all of our combined strength at the Lunar Base to pull this off though, Mr. Azrael," McCarthy pointed out. "Mine and Admiral Sutherland's forces will not be enough. We'll need General Bradford's fleet as well."
"He'll do what he's told," Sutherland responded. "Woodrow's not going to disobey any orders that are given to him. He's not like that bastard Cantarii or that weak-minded Halberton at all. In the meantime, I would advise that our planetary forces take action against certain Coordinator forces in order to keep them distracted while we plan the operations at the Lunar Base."
"I will also be joining you back up there in about a week, Admiral," Azrael said. "You gentlemen will just have to figure out which bands of Coordinators will make the most appropriate targets for the Earth based operations. We'll handle the PLANTs." He smiled. "With nuclear weapons once again in our hands, the war will be over very quickly and not a single Coordinator will be left standing at the end of it."
Ptolemaeus Lunar Base, October 20, C.E. 71, 1000.
Transports fell from the atmosphere and touched down gently in the base's hangars. Giant haulers and trucks pulled out slooms of ammunition and aircraft. Newly mass produced K-bombers hovered in the space above the rock covered base joining Strike Daggers and other warships in the conjunction of Earth Alliance forces. Inside the docks, Valiant, Intrepid, and Dominion all sat motionless while crews scrambled across their metallic hulls making repairs to areas damaged in the fighting the week before. Other crews moved equipment and supplies from the base's interior to the ships in order that they would be able to fight again in the near future. The dock was literally buzzing with activity like a hive of bees waiting to swarm on the enemy who was threatening them.
The command center of the Lunar Base was quiet as holographic images played before the base's senior officers including Admiral Sutherland, Admiral McCarthy, and General Bradford. The images were those of the Earth, the PLANTs at L5, and other areas of space in between. A red line drew itself from the moon and streaked towards L5, ending at a point just beyond the La Grange Point's gravitic stability line. The image zoomed in, the hour-glass shaped PLANTs becoming more easily recognized. The line did not end at them however. It ended at another location, just in front of the PLANTs.
"The 7th Orbital Fleet, under my command will break orbit and head in the direction of L5 on the 26th," Sutherland began, his voice commanding as he spoke. "With the N-Jammer Cancellers in our possession thereby permitting the use of nuclear weapons again, the Inner Council has ordered the immediate assault and destruction of the PLANT Space Fortresses Boaz and Jachin Due. The 7th Fleet's target will be Boaz, the fortress that will be the farthest from the PLANTs on the 30th, the day the attack is scheduled to occur. As soon as the Dominion and her escorts are repaired, the fleet will be able to sortie. Elements of the 13th and 15th Carrier Groups will join up with them on the 28th and proceed directly to Boaz. The Doolittle and the Washington will be transferred from the 3rd Lunar Defense Group to the 7th Fleet as well."
Thin white smoke emulated inside the command room, escaping from the mouths and noses of the officers inside. Bradford and McCarthy each held their cigarettes in their fingers while the Base Commander refilled his black pipe and puffed on it several times. Small whispers were the only noise being made under Sutherland's voice. Some sought to re-enforce what the Admiral was saying while others provided contradictory statements to his words. Bradford and McCarthy said nothing, listening and watching intently to Sutherland's voice and the images playing just before their eyes. "Once the Fleet is in range of the fortress, the Dominion, the Doolittle, the Washington, and the remaining vessels of the 17th Combat Force will split off from the main force and proceed to this point." A smaller arrow spread out from the larger line and pointed to an area approximately fifty degrees to the right of the first line. "The vessels of the main force will commence with the operation at approximately 1300 on the 30th and engage the Boaz Forces in order to draw them away from the fortress. With their main assembly of forces content to deal with the majority of our vessels, the Dominion and the others should be able to sneak in close enough to get within the specified range without encountering much resistance. At that point, the Peacemaker Force of Moebeius' and the Justification Force of K-Bombers will launch from the ships, each unit armed with at least one nuclear armed missile. While the first force creates a path, the two forces will fly in close enough to Boaz to launch the missiles..." the small images of bombers and mobile armors flew straight on towards the rock fortress and white lines spread out from them. The image of Boaz suddenly was awash in white speckled lights and lines. "And leave Boaz no more."
The whispers grew louder after Sutherland stopped speaking. McCarthy shut his eyes and smiled thinly. Bradford brought his cigarette in between his lips and puffed on it, blowing smoke out of his nose seconds later. "With Boaz out of the way, we will be able to proceed to the second target. Jachin Due."
The image behind him changed and shifted to bring in the entire view of the Earth and the surrounding space. On the Dominion's bridge, Hal sat back into the confines of his chair and breathed in and out progressively. He could see Strike Daggers carefully lifting nuclear tipped missiles up into the Dominion's hold and inserting them carefully into the ship's aft missile tubes. Hal's eyes blinked only occasionally as he watched the scene play out all around him. None of the bridge crew spoke. Not even the newest addition to the crew, Flay Allster. The girl had refused to return to the planet on her arrival at the Lunar Base and despite Hal's own concerns for her, she had been put under his command as a member of the bridge crew. She was dressed in the female Earth Alliance uniform, white jacket and knee-length skirt, and her red hair was tied in a tight pony-tail. Her face displayed little emotion other than a slim element of sadness or maybe even fear. Her blue eyes looked large and her body seemed rigid as she watched the briefing behind Hal. Her right arm was draped across her chest in order to grasp her left elbow with her hand, which made her look so innocent. It almost made Hal hurt to see such a young girl put in this kind of situation. From what he had gotten out of her she was still on board this ship because of something she still had to do. But what that was, he had no idea. Perhaps it had something to do with the Archangel, the ship she had formerly been assigned to? Hal had no clue really. He was still in the dark as to why the girl had jumped into his arms the week before after she had been brought aboard the ship. He assumed it was just because she was emotionally drained after her experiences that day, so he just shrugged it off. He guessed he had taken on a protector's role for the girl because he really wasn't able to let her out of his sight after she had come aboard and she never really left him alone other than when she retreated to her own sleeping quarters at night. Why that was, he also didn't comprehend. Sutherland's voice snapped his mind back to reality and he turned back to watch the images before him.
"A day after the elements of the 7th Orbital Fleet launch, the 6th Orbital Fleet under Admiral McCarthy's command will also break orbit and proceed to L5. They will arrive at their target on the 31st and assume the same combat procedures as the 7th Orbital Fleet did at Boaz. Jachin Due will launch most of their force to deal with the Fleet, but the Dominion and the other ships will re-assemble and rendezvous with them at this point just beyond Jachin's defensive network. The Jachin Due operation will take on the same characteristics as the Boaz operation and will proceed in much the same way. We expect more resistance from the Coordinators the second time in response to the offensive on the 30th, but our operations will already be in place and their resistance will be futile. After we destroy their fortresses the PLANTs will have no defense and we hope that the Coordinators will sue for peace shortly thereafter. The High Command is also planning on launching offensives on the ground as well, with Carpentaria and forces in Europe as the intended targets. Hopefully these simultaneous operations will jar the Coordinators in such a manner that this war will come to an end by the end of the year. However, should the Coordinators continue to fight on after the Jachin Due operation, we will still be ready with more forces." The image shifted again and another line joined the two already pointed at L5. "Twelve hours after the 6th Fleet leaves, the 5th Orbital Fleet, under General Bradford will follow in our tracks and proceed to a point just beyond the gravitic stability line of L5. They will be in place in case we must fight on further against the Coordinators. This is merely a precaution but General Bradford's forces will be equipped with much the same weaponry as the first two fleets and that includes nuclear arms. The remaining elements of the 9th Carrier Division will remain at the Lunar Base as protection should something unexpected occur while we are away. Other than that, the details of the operations are laid out in front of you, gentlemen. I'm open to any suggestions or questions, so ask away."
"You've said we can expect fierce opposition from the Coordinators anytime during these operations, Admiral," McCarthy pointed out as he removed the cigarette from his mouth. "What are we supposed to do if the nukes don't get through and you fail to destroy Boaz? My ship's will be sitting ducks if we head straight for Jachin with Boaz still operational."
"Should the first operation fail, and I highly doubt that it will Niles, you'll retreat back behind the gravitic stability point and rendezvous with Woodrow's ships and regroup." Sutherland folded his arms and took a step forward. "As soon as we have a clear signal of what the outcome at Boaz is, we'll forward you your orders, Niles. If we succeed, I'll be joining as well, so have your forces ready at a moment's notice."
"Admiral. The details of these operations are very impressive, but I wonder..." Sutherland's glance focused on Bradford's shadowy form in the dim lighting of the room. He could easily make out the cigarette in Bradford's hand, but the darkness of the room hid portions of his face, making him appear mysterious and almost intoxicating. "What happens if the Coordinators continue to fight after the Jachin operation? What if they don't surrender? What's your plans for if that happens?"
"The obvious, General," Sutherland responded. "You're fleet will be brought in and we'll be forced to take the fight directly to their homelands."
Bradford's lip bit down on his cigarette between his lips. "You not planning on using nuclear weapons on the PLANTs are you?"
"If circumstances present themselves...then yes, Woodrow...we will use nukes on the PLANTs." A hum of voice cascaded from the individuals huddled around the image projector. Sutherland quelled the whispers as he added, "People, people. Understand. We are only planning on using the nuclear weapons on the Coordinators' space fortresses. From what I've heard you have no concessions about using them there. We've used them before...so what's the problem with using them on military targets? The Inner Council has already approved the use of them, and if we do use them the war will come to an end. The alternatives would involve bloody battles day after day with countless casualties on our side. Nuclear weapons will end the war. We've already used them before so what's to stop us from using them again, I ask?"
"Director Azrael." Sutherland looked intensely back at Bradford's form, the cigarette now placed between his thin fingers. "Technically it was Director Azrael's Blue Cosmos people that were responsible for that, Admiral. It was Blue Cosmos that smuggled the nuclear missile onto the ship and it was a Blue Cosmos pilot who fired it at Junius Seven. In reality, we had very little to do with the entire thing except to act as a supporting cast. We were completely in the dark about the entire situation...even you must realize that."
"General Bradford has a valid point, Admiral," McCarthy put in. "Even if both operations succeed...and I have the fullest confidence in them succeeding...the Coordinators will put up a fierce fight to stop us."
Sutherland paused. "The forces we have established will be sufficient for all operations, gentlemen. I have the full confidence in them. All we will have to do is put them in position and they will do the rest. Are there any more objections or questions?"
Bradford blew smoke out of his nose. "No, Admiral," he said quietly.
"I'm fine with it, sir," McCarthy added.
"Very good. The specs for the operations will be sent to the ships and the crews within the hour. Until that time, return to your units and prepare for sortie. That is all, gentlemen." Sutherland saluted and it was returned by all of them.
The senior officers filed out quietly, taking their cases and information with them. Captain Norris was waiting for Bradford as he exited the room. "What happened?"
"We're using nukes again, Brock," Bradford responded darkly. "On the space fortresses."
Norris groaned. "Azrael's work?"
"You know anyone else who would push this through so far?" Bradford asked dryly. "Sutherland's following him like a car in a draft and Niles isn't going to do anything against them. We'll be leaving on the 27th, so have the Intrepid ready. The targets are Boaz and Jachin Due."
"And the PLANTs?" Norris asked.
Bradford paused. Then he sighed. "If the situation presents itself," he responded quietly. "We've got no choice, Brock. It's either that or we lose our commissions. We've got to listen to Sutherland and that bastard. If it means using nukes..." he looked away. "Like I said...we've got no choice in the matter now."
At the same time, on board the Valiant, the details of the operations were being played over the front view screen. Seymour watched them intently from his chair, seeing the lines spread out from the Lunar Base and ending at L5. "Watch it, Clotho!" Orga's voice rang through the bridge, jarring Seymour from his train of thought.
"Shut up," Clotho responded. Seymour sighed heavily. Why do I have to deal with these three now? Why can't they just stay on the Dominion
"What the hell are they even doing here, Tomer?" Lester asked his friend, who was thinking the same thing.
"Sutherland's orders. They've gotta stay here until they finish prepping their new pills or something like that," Tomer responded angrily. "As soon as we can get rid of 'em, the better in my opinion."
"Same here," Lester added harshly.
The image on the screen zoomed in to focus on L5. A separate arrow split off from the first line to point at the asteroid fortress Boaz. Seymour watched several small groups of specks head straight for the fortress, mobile armors and K-bombers he identified them as, and saw several white lines streak from the specks. Suddenly, the Boaz fortress was awash in white light and flashing colors. "The Peacemakers and the Justifications will launch the nukes and destroy Boaz, clearing a path for the rest of our forces," the narration said in a metallic voice. Seymour's stomach churned as he watched it. His lips thinned into a line and he sank further into the back of his chair. The image shifted to Jachin Due, the same scenario playing out there. "Nuclear weapons will then be used against the second asteroid fortress, Jachin Due a day later on the 31st." His stomach turned again and his wrists squeezed the arm rests of his chair tightly. He shut his eyes and groaned quietly. He hated the thought of using nuclear weapons against the enemy again. After Junius Seven...where civilians had deliberately been the target...seeing the images on television...Keep yourself together! Seymour's mind screamed at him. You're the Captain! Don't look stupid in front of your crew! Seymour tried to maintain his composure, but what he heard next shattered it like glass. "If circumstances present themselves," the metallic voice continued, "the 5th Orbital Fleet will join up with the rest of the main strike force and subsequently launch successive nuclear strikes against the PLANT homelands." The hour-glasses on the screen exploded in white lights. Seymour's stomach exploded inside of him. His legs and arms went rigid and he shut his eyes tightly. He groaned heavily as he exhaled painfully through his nose, loud enough so that most of the bridge heard him.
"Captain McKinley?" Tomer asked concerned.
Seymour stood up from his chair and wiped the sleeve of his jacket across his face. "Ugh...Lester take over for me, okay. I...need to take care of something..." Seymour hid his face from them as he floated out of the bridge and into the corridor behind it, leaving a confused bridge crew in his wake.
The back of his head banged into the corridor wall hard, pain jarring through his temples and exploding in balls of fire. His eyes shut tight and his teeth ground together. Seymour brought his right hand over his eyes and covered them. He groaned in anguish. The image kept coming back to him. That of the PLANTs exploding right in front of his face...the fireball that had consumed Junius Seven a year earlier. The thought of using nuclear weapons sickened him. Against civilians nonetheless! Nuclear weapons themselves made him shiver. "Damn it!" he swore to himself. What was wrong with him? Out of the blue, a scene from his past came into his mind. One from Alaska...with his brother Stanley and his friend Coop...all those months ago...
Flashback-
Birds flew over the horizon as the sun set over the waterway just beyond JOSH-A Alaska. The sun's radiance beamed inside the hangar to which Stanley, Seymour, and Coop were relaxing at that moment. Stanley was leaned up against the door to the hangar with his arms crossed and a grin on his face. Seymour sat down on a bench in front of the door with his hands enclosed. Coop stood straight beside them both with his hands clasped behind his back. The breeze blew their hair about ever so slightly and the temperature was rather mild for this time of year. It was peaceful here...such a far cry from the war that they all knew was out there.
"I hear that the Archangel just pulled in yesterday," Stanley's voice said calmly in the evening sun. "Ship finally made it. I'm amazed."
"All the way from Africa across the Pacific," Seymour put in, "Damn. That crew must really be something."
"But I heard that they didn't make it back with that Strike mobile suit," Coop added. "The only one they brought back with them was the one they captured. I hear the pilot of the Strike was declared MIA and the Buster's was captured."
"That's the story I heard, yeah," Stanley answered. "Sheesh. Makes you wonder what it's gonna take to end this war. ZAFT went after that ship with virtually everything they had, I hear. And that was just for one ship. Man oh man, this war's just going on and on."
The friends didn't speak for a moment. Finally, Seymour broke the silence. "How do you think the war's going to end?" His older brother turned to look at him and he added, "What's going to happen, I mean?"
Stanley turned his head away and said, "I'm guessing that we'll just keep pounding away at one another until one side just gives in and can't take it anymore. That's what I'm guessing at least. I'd hate to see anymore good people go out and die for a war that's not going to end for a while."
"It probably won't end until one side completely finishes off the other," Coop said, joining the conversation. "I mean...so the other side can't fight back anymore. That's the most likely outcome in my opinion. Though...all of that would go down the tubes without the N-Jammers."
"Nuclear weapons?" Seymour shuddered.
"Yeah..." Coop said. "I wonder what would happen if the Alliance would be able to use nukes again? Would they actually use them?"
"I wouldn't be surprised," Stanley responded. "They've already used them before and they probably won't waste their time to use them again. It's either that or let idiots like us win the war." Seymour chuckled. His brother was right. They were just idiots fighting an idiotic war.
End Flashback-
Stanley...Coop...Thoughts of his late friends haunted Seymour every time he thought about them. He wished they could be here now with him...to cheer him up and make him laugh. But they were gone. Taken by the war. He slowly reached into his pocket and withdrew the pocket watch that was inside of it. He held it up in front of his eyes and watched it twirl around at the base of the chain. The silver sparkled back at him and he could see his image in it. Though in his mind...he knew that it should be Stanley's image reflecting in the silver...not his. Stanley should still be alive. He was the smart one. He was the brave one. Seymour could never compare to him. So...why was he still alive? Why was Stanley gone and why was Coop gone? Why was he the one to survive? Why?
"Seymour." Seymour's eyes blinked open, a scattered tear flying away as he blinked it out of his eyes. He turned his head to his right to see Jessie standing there, her arms folded and her face sincere.
"Oh...hey Jessie," Seymour responded quietly.
"Something the matter?" she asked, coming beside him, noticing his pained expression.
"No," he answered quickly. He shook his head to get his thoughts together and added, "Everything's fine. Just forgot something."
"Forgot something?" Jessie said, raising an eyebrow at him. "Seymour."
He couldn't hide it from her. He knew it by the look on her face. By the way her form was completely serious in the way she moved and spoke. He sighed. "I needed a break. Some time to clear my head, I guess. You saw the briefing didn't you?"
"I heard. About the operations against the space fortresses," she answered, leaning against the wall beside him. "How the Inner Council approved the use of nukes against them."
"Yeah, that's what I heard," Seymour said. "It's gonna start on the 30th. We'll be leaving on the 27th as soon as repairs are complete..." His voice trailed off and his head dropped to the floor.
"What's wrong?" she asked. He didn't answer. "Seymour, something's wrong. I can tell. You can tell me. I'm your friend, aren't I?"
He looked into her face and saw her smile innocently back at him. He managed a smile as well. "I was...thinking. Thinking about my brother...and my friend. How we all debated on how the war was going to end."
"Go on."
"It was back at JOSH-A. We all basically agreed that the war was going to last a while...the only way one side was going to win was to beat the other into surrender. Nukes were out of the question in our minds...we knew the High Command wouldn't hesitate to use them again...but we never anticipated they would be able to this soon. We said that it would be up to idiots like us to end it." He looked at her and added, "We were all idiots."
She smiled back at him. "Some people never change." He laughed. She did as well.
Seymour stopped laughing and sighed again. He didn't speak for a moment. "Makes me wish...they were still here..."
"Seymour..." Jessie said softly.
"Why'd they have to go?" he whispered. "Why them? They were a hell of a lot braver than I was. Hell of a lot smarter than I was. Why did they die? Why am I still alive? That's...what I was thinking about...just then. How I was the only one out of all of us to make it this far. How much I missed 'em...missed having them around...what I could've done to keep them alive..."
His face was saddened as he stopped speaking. It made Jessie hurt inside. "Seymour..." she breathed, laying her hand upon his. It seemed to startle him because he snapped his head back to face her with his eyes somewhat widened. "It wasn't your fault," she said confidently. "You did the best you could. No one could've asked for more. It's not your fault that they're gone. They just were unlucky...that's all. You didn't do anything wrong to help them die." Her voice was soft and caring as she spoke. "You can't blame yourself for what happened...and you aren't alone Seymour. You still have friends. Lester. Tomer. Keryuoko." Her eyes seemed to sparkle. "And me."
His voice caught in his throat and he found himself unable to respond. "We'll always be here for you Seymour. Just like you've been there for us. You've been the best friend I've ever had. You've helped me perform my best out there on the battlefield. Same with all of us. You're the reason we're still alive here today. It's your doing that we made it through Mendel so intact. You can't dwell on the past. You have to look to the future for your answers." Her expression softened. "Would Stanley have wanted to see you acting like this? Would Coop want to see you doubting yourself when you know it wasn't your fault that they died. It wasn't your fault. Just get that through your head...and you'll be fine. You're a great human being, Seymour. No matter what happens...no one can take that away."
Her words...he knew...they were true. He couldn't take his gaze away from her beautiful face...her sincere expression...her caring hand gently caressing his own. It was almost perfect. Suddenly, all of his fears and troubles melted away. Everything seemed to fall into place for Seymour. At that moment, he was completely at peace. With himself and with the world. "Feel better?" Jessie whispered. He nodded slowly. "Good. Now go back to being that caring friend of mine that I care about." Seymour's heart was racing. His blood heated up inside his veins. He knew what he was about to do. His mind tried to hold him back, but his heart beat the crap out of it and knocked it out.
Jessie turned and started to release his hand, but he held onto it tightly. "Jessie, wait," he said quietly. She turned her head to face him and he pulled her to him. Her body pressed against his and he draped an arm around her waist. "You were right," he said, his other hand brushing a strand of dark blonde hair away from her face, revealing a startled expression with surprised eyes and a gaping mouth. "There was something I forgot to do." He kissed her.
Her lips were warm and sweet as he kissed her. Her eyes shot open and her body melted against his, her hands placed on his shoulders. Her lips were shaking ever so slightly as the kiss lingered. Thoughts raced through her mind as they kissed. Of what she had been through in her past Earth Alliance service. The perverts who couldn't go a day without touching her butt and harassing her. Those men who had cooed her and mocked her. Those men who had made her feel the worst she'd ever had. The thoughts of how she could never fall in love with any male. But...none of that mattered now. It couldn't. Not now. Not with him.
A soft moan escaped from her throat as her eyes closed and she returned his kiss. His lips were soft and gentle against hers and they felt so perfect melded together. Her left hand moved up from his shoulder to touch his clean shaven face, his smooth skin running gently beneath the tips of her fingers. The world was all a blur to them at this time. They were lost in each other's kiss. They didn't care what was happening then. All that mattered-.
"Whoa! What do we have here?" Both sets of eyes snapped open abruptly and looked straight at one another. Their lips parted quickly and their heads turned to where the sound had come from.
"What's going on?" Shani said, coming beside Orga and Clotho.
"Captain and the Air Commander were getting down to some serious business," Clotho said.
"I see they know how to keep themselves busy," Orga laughed. "So she did accomplish her mission of distracting the men aboard this ship."
Seymour's mind screamed at him. For even thinking about doing what he'd just done. His breath came in shallow heaves as he listened to them laughing and joking behind him. Just then, he noticed that the weight in his arms was gone. He turned his head quickly to face forward and saw Jessie's form retreating down the corridor away from him. Her hand was placed above her mouth, completely humiliated and embarrassed as she quickly escaped from the mockery of the trio behind her. Seymour raised his hand to call out to her, but he stopped. She was already too far away. His hand trembled as it formed a fist and dropped beside him. His eyes closed as well as his mouth. He could hear them laughing behind him. Their voices making fun of he and his friend. It made his blood boil and his heart rage. "I tell ya, Captain," Orga said, coming beside him. "That was pretty smooth of you. Nice job."
"Ensign Sabnak," Seymour said quietly. Orga hummed a response that was cut short by Seymour's fist crashing down on top of his head, sending him flying down on the deck. A giant OOF! escaped from Orga's throat as he hit the deck with a crash. Seymour didn't even bother to see if he was okay for he quickly kicked off the deck and floated away from them, heading off to find his friend.
Behind him, Clotho and Shani helped Orga back up to his feet. "Man, what was his problem?" Clotho wondered out loud.
"He's just pissed that she chickened out and ran off," Orga responded, rubbing his head. "Don't worry. With a fox like her under his wing he'll do just fine."
"A-hem." The trio turned behind them just in time to see Lester and Tomer come out from behind Keryuoko, their faces looking positively annoyed. Their arms were folded and their eyes burned with anger. Anger to what had just happened to their friends.
Outside in the dock, Bradford and Norris were just now returning from the briefing. "You think they'll be able to handle the operation, Woodrow?"
"They're good soldiers, Brock," Bradford added. "Worst comes to worst, they won't do anything stupid. Nothing like that happens on this ship." Then, an anguished cry echoed through the dock. Both men turned their heads just in time to see a body come flying out of the Valiant's access door and crash into the deck below. Another cry sounded just after that as another body came flying onto the dock. The third and final body crashed beside the two previous ones and they all slowly got to their knees. Bradford heard someone shout, "And stay out!" before the door slammed shut with a loud bang. Bradford and Norris slowly turned their heads to face one another and Bradford said, "Or...maybe not." He quickly headed towards the steps to get to his ship.
Seymour searched room to room, trying to find any sign of where Jessie had run off to. He felt like such an idiot. Why the hell did he have to kiss her like that? Without even making sure to see that they were alone. He was such an idiot! And now Jessie was probably hating him right now for doing that. How could he have done that? A quiet whimper sounded near him. He followed the sound to the ship's observation room at the base of the bridge. He slid the door open slowly and saw her. She was standing straight up, her arms fallen beside her, her eyes staring out at the grey dock surrounding the ship, streaks of tears cascading down her cheek. He took a small step forward and shut the door behind him. He quietly whispered her name, but she made no move to recognize him. He came beside her and she still didn't turn. It made him feel even worse. How he'd humiliated her and embarrassed her. After she'd called him a friend. Some friend he was. He hung his head and said, "I'm sorry."
Jessie heard him. She slowly turned her head to take in his facial features. His head was hung and his eyes dripped with sorrow and sadness. It made her feel his pain, much worse than her own pain. She turned her body and moved to stand before him, tears still dripping from her eyes. Seymour raised his head to stare back into her face. She slowly threw her arms around him and hugged him. Instinctively his arms encircled her body and held her close to him, her head laying gently upon his shoulder. "I'm sorry..." he cried. "I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault..." she whispered. "It's not your fault. It's those idiots' fault." They stood in silence in each other's arms for the longest time, just holding onto one another, their bodies swaying gently from side to side. "Seymour...it's not because of that that I'm crying. It's for the same reason...you were earlier."
"I know..." he whispered.
"They're going to use nuclear weapons again," she said softly. "They're going to use them on civilians...that's what I'm afraid of."
"Me too," he whispered. "I don't want to have to use nuclear weapons on anyone...even if they are the enemy. It doesn't feel right. Even if it will end the war."
"We'll be murdering thousands," she cried. "I don't want that to happen, but..."
"I know. We really can't do anything to stop them now. But...from I've heard...the decision on nuking the PLANTs won't be made until after the first operations. So...we still have some time left..."
Jessie removed her head from his shoulder and looked into his eyes. "Seymour...you're the best person I've ever met. I should've told you sooner...but..."
"Yeah...me too," he responded, smiling. She smiled back at him. "It looks like we've got a lot of work to do, though."
"That can wait," she whispered. "After all...I've got more important things to worry about now."
"What?" he asked. He felt her soft hands cup his face and pull him close.
"You!" she whispered. She kissed him deeply, passionately. The kiss was so powerful that it forced them both off the deck and into the weightless state. He at least remembered to wrap her up in his arms as they kissed. Their bodies floated together, not touching the deck as they held one another for the longest time.
Eternal, October 25, C.E. 71, 2100.
"So you were with the Earth Forces this entire time?" Kira, Athrun, and Dearka stood on the gangway below the Freedom and the Justice inside the hangar. After the battle in the debris, the fleet of ships had retreated back to the L4 Colony group and regrouped with the Kusanagi and her escorts. News of Lord Uzumi's death had been saddening, but many of them were glad to have made it out alive. At this moment, it was a strange moment of peace for the three Coordinators.
"Yeah. Spent two and a half months with 'em," Dearka responded. "Used a false name though...so they probably don't know who I really was. Had to do terrible on the physical and the tests when I first enlisted, but for me terrible meant I did well for a Natural."
"You were the one who had to tell Commander Swanson's family about him?" Kira asked. "That's how you got the sword...right?"
"Right," Dearka answered quietly. "His wife gave it to me. Told me not to give it back until peace reigned again." He sighed. "Makes you wonder if this war's ever gonna end. With people like those racists in the Earth Forces running things."
"It's the same with the PLANTs," Athrun put in. "My father's...not himself."
"What happened between you two anyway?" Dearka wondered out loud. "When you came back to the PLANTs after you got transferred that is?" Athrun looked into his memory for the answer and found a scene he desperately wanted to forget. It was after he'd returned to the PLANTs, been presented with the Justice, and spoken to Lacus in secret after she'd been declared a traitor.
Flashback-
"You spoke to Lacus Clyne?" Patrick's voice was intense as he spoke from behind his desk.
Athrun stood at attention in his ZAFT uniform in front of the desk. "Yes, father," he said. "I did speak to Lacus."
"Where is she?" Patrick demanded. "Where has she gone?"
"I don't know," Athrun responded evenly. "I don't know what her true intentions are...but...father. What are your true intentions?"
"What?" Patrick hissed. "What did you say?"
"You heard me father," Athrun said calmly. "What are your true intentions for ending this war?"
"What are you gallivanting about, boy?" Patrick asked harshly, his voice rising. "I asked you, where is Lacus Clyne?"
"I told you, I don't know," Athrun responded. "But what she told me made me wonder father...what exactly are your intentions for ending this war?"
"Stop this foolishness, Athrun!" Patrick demanded. "I know what's happened. Lacus Clyne filled your head with lies too, didn't she! You don't understand a thing, you little bastard!"
"I think you're the one who doesn't understand anything, father!" Athrun proclaimed. "This war has kept on escalating ever since you came to power. Alaska was a terrible defeat for us and yet you've increased the military's reach and kept on forcing the issue with the Naturals. This war will only keep on escalating!"
"I know that!" Patrick thundered, coming around his desk to stand in front of his son. "The only way to win this war is to keep fighting until we win! There's no point in having a war unless you can win! Have you forgotten that, boy!"
"That won't help!" Athrun shouted. "This war won't end with that kind of intuition, father!"
Patrick grabbed Athrun by the collar of his uniform and shouted, "Of course it will! When the very last Natural is dead, the war will end!"
Athrun's eyes widened and his mouth went aghast. "Are you serious? Do you mean what you just said father? How you want all Naturals dead!"
"That's been the whole point of the war this entire time, you fool!" Patrick thundered.
"It's because of mom, isn't it?" Athrun saw his father's eyes begin to burn. "The Naturals that killed her. This is all part of your plan to seek vengeance because of losing her! What would mom say if she found you acting like this father!"
Patrick hissed fiercely through his teeth. "You little bastard!" Patrick threw Athrun across the floor and sent him flying down to the floor. "Your mother would have slapped you across the face if she was still alive, you bastard!"
Athrun slowly got onto his elbows and raised his head. He saw his father reach into the drawer of his desk and take something out. "A gun...father?" Athrun asked quietly.
Patrick brought the gun to center on his son. "One last time, Athrun. Where is Lacus Clyne!" Athrun didn't respond. "I'm warning you boy. I won't hesitate!"
"Father, please-aah!" Athrun cried out as the bullet struck him in the shoulder, sending him sprawling down to the floor. His heart broke inside of his chest. His father had shot him. Red blood seeped out of his shoulder and dripped onto the metal floor. An image of his mother Lenore came before Athrun's mind as the guards entered the room and began hauling him away. That was it. His mother's death was responsible for all this, and Athrun was probably the only one who knew the truth. His father wasn't coming back...and there was probably nothing anyone could do about it.
End Flashback-
It had been immediately afterward that two members of the Clyne Faction, sent by Lacus, had broken him out of custody and rushed him off to the hangar. With word coming in late of the incident to the facility, Athrun had been able to get access to the Justice before it was locked down. He'd managed to barely escape the PLANTs with the ZAFT forces hot on his tail. He'd escaped and he'd come to Earth. "It's because of my mother," Athrun said quietly. Kira and Dearka looked at him perplexed. "My father's trying to exact revenge for her. That's his motivation for escalating the war."
"Damn," Dearka whispered. "I'm sorry Athrun."
"Don't be, it's not your fault," Athrun responded. He shook his head. "I tried my best...but my father's...gone."
"It's not too late, Athrun," Kira said next to him. "You're still able to talk to your father. There's still a chance, however slim, that we can get through to him."
"I know...but it's a slim chance." Athrun raised his head to stare at the Justice above him. "It was right after that that I came to find you, Kira. Remember...at Alaska?"
"Yeah..." Kira responded.
Flashback-
The blue ocean whizzed below the Freedom as Kira went about his usual patrol run. With the Archangel having been assigned to delivery duties in the Pacific after Alaska, Kira had been forced to just go out on patrols. Which was exactly what Kira had been hoping for. That he wouldn't have to fight anyone. This was a very peaceful time for him. Alone in the cockpit of the Freedom...with just his thoughts. He often contemplated what would happen if he would have to fight someone again. He'd promised Lacus he wouldn't...but he was still with the Earth Forces...technically that is. With his friends still in the service of the Earth Forces...Kira felt that he couldn't leave them just yet. The people aboard the Archangel still needed him. Not for his skills as a pilot and a fighter. Just needed him to be around...which would make them feel safer along their journeys. Kira prayed silently that he would not have to fight again. But...he vowed silently to himself...if it came to that...and his friends were in danger...and others he cared about would be depending on him...he really, would have no choice...but to fight again. He hoped that day would never come.
The Freedom soared above the cold waters of the northern Pacific, just south of the giant crater that had once been the Alaska base. Kira could see the crater from where he was in the air. The Archangel was about thirty miles to his southwest and they were reporting good conditions. It was about time for him to head back. Then his diagnostic board began beeping intensely. Kira looked down at it and saw something approaching. His computer identified it. X-09A Justice. A mobile suit. A ZAFT mobile suit. Damn, Kira swore to himself. He could see it just ahead of him...the scarlet red mobile suit riding on what appeared to be a backpack just ahead of him. He soared towards it and passed it at high speed. The Justice turned to stare at the Freedom as it passed, not making any move to go for its weapons, which surprised Kira. It was then that his radio activated. "This is ZAFT Special Forces Agent...Athrun Zala." Kira gasped inside his helmet. "Do you read me Freedom...or should I say...Kira Yamato?"
"Athrun...?" Kira breathed quietly. It couldn't be. Why would he be all the way out here? Slowly, he keyed the radio. His mind kept playing images of that day long ago, when they had nearly killed each other on that island. The Aegis exploding in his face and nearly taking him with it. He thought he would never see Athrun again, much less talk to him. "What are you doing here?" Kira asked calmly. "Has ZAFT decided to stretch its arms out here?"
The Justice came right in front of the Freedom and stopped. "I'm not here under any specific orders," Athrun answered inside the cockpit. "I'm here on my own. Because...I wanted to see you."
Kira paused. "Athrun?"
"Something's happened, Kira." He paused. "The homeland has ordered me to either capture or destroy that machine you're piloting...the Freedom. You know why, don't you?"
"The N-Jammer Canceller," Kira answered.
"Yes. But...I have no intention...at least now...of carrying out those orders. Nor do I have any intention of fighting against you or your allies."
"Athrun..." Kira's mind kept on telling him to be careful. This person had tried to kill him. But Kira also remembered what a good friend Athrun had been in the past. They had been best friends. Until the war. "Why...?"
"I...just want to talk..." Athrun said quietly. "Okay? Just talk. That's it." Kira stared long and hard at the Justice, thinking of the person piloting it. Could he trust him? Could he trust the person who'd almost killed him and killed his friend Tolle. Kira had no choice really. It was either that...or refuse...and force the two of them into battle once again. Kira was sure he wasn't going to let that happen again. He led the Justice back to the Archangel.
End Flashback-
"You were the only one I thought I could trust on Earth...after I spoke to my father...and Lacus. She made me realize that I didn't know what I was really fighting for. Or rather, what I should be fighting against. I came to Earth...to find you...and see if I could still trust you." Athrun smiled. "I'm glad I did."
"That's when you told me what happened...with you and your father," Kira remembered. "Remember?"
"Yeah," Athrun said. "They took me in. After I told them what happened. Captain Ramius believed me. I can't understand why, though."
"That's how she is," Kira smiled. "Never anyone like her."
Athrun nodded his head. He turned to Dearka and said, "The report she turned about the Freedom and the Justice made no mention of the N-Jammer Cancellers...so there's no chance the Earth Forces have in knowing about them."
"So you were just like me," Dearka said. "A POW aboard a ship you tried to destroy." Then he smirked. "And then we ended up fighting for them. At least Yzak is okay."
"That reminds me...I've been wondering Dearka. Why...did you even get called to San Diego...if you weren't part of the Earth Forces?" Kira brought up. "And why...did you fight against ZAFT?"
Dearka paused. He turned away from them and stared off into space. "I had no choice really..." he said quietly. Kira was confused. "That's right, you didn't get the second page," Dearka said.
"Second page?" Kira asked.
"You know that summons Colonel Namora sent all of us?" Kira and Athrun nodded. "There was a second page to mine." Dearka remembered it as if it was yesterday, what the second page had said.
To Dearka Elsman, POW.
Because of your actions against the Earth Alliance the High Command has ordered your immediate return to New York for interrogation and internment. You are being viewed as a threat to the existence of the Earth and its people. You will be forced to suffer for the crimes you have committed against the Earth and the population of the planet. Should you refuse, you will be forced to receive the death penalty.
However. The High Command is making you an offer. Should you chose to accept it, you will face limited internment and no interrogation. The offer has been stated on the previous paper. If you choose to join Colonel Namora's unit in San Diego, you will face no punishment for your crimes. You will be forced to fight for the Earth Alliance however. If you choose to accept it, join the rest of the summoned in San Diego. You have until the 14th of May to answer. Remember. If you refuse, the people who have you in their custody will be forced to turn you over to the Earth Alliance High Command and you will face interrogation, internment, and possibly the death sentence. You have committed unjust crimes against the Earth worthy of death. This is the Earth Alliance's one sole offer to you. If you wish to live, then report to San Diego on the 17th of May. That is all.
Earth Alliance High Command.
"It was either I fight with you guys...or I get sent back to New York and face whatever the hell they did to me. So really...I was just a pawn for them...fighting against my own people in order to save my own life." Dearka shook his head. "How could I have been so stupid...to think I could actually trust those bastards for their words."
"So you really had no choice," Kira answered. Dearka nodded. "Neither of us did. It was either we fight...or we face futures far graver."
"You weren't the only one to get the second page, Dearka." Dearka turned to Athrun who had uttered the words. Athrun looked to his friend and added, "How do you think I ended up fighting for them too? I would've faced the same thing you would have. I was a POW in their eyes. If I didn't fight...you've heard of people cracking under interrogation. I was worried...that I'd say something...and not know about it. That I would hurt more people than I would help by actually going. Plus I'd likely end up dead anyway if I didn't fight. That's why I fought with you guys at Cuba. That's why I fought for the Earth Forces."
"Same here, man," Dearka answered.
"Me too," Kira added quietly. He sighed. "I wish we didn't have to fight. That we could just live in a world without war or fighting. That we could live in peace...forever."
"Join the club, Kira," Athrun responded quietly. "It's already got plenty of members."
"Hey Athrun," Dearka said. "I wonder...how did you stay sane...after your dad shot you that is? What made you go on?"
Athrun smiled. He reached inside his jacket and withdrew something. "What do you think?" He handed him the picture of he and Cagalli. The one taken on the plane just after she'd found him on the beach. "She gave this to me...along with the amulet...when ZAFT came to get me...after I'd fought against you...Kira. There's another one as well...I think she's still got it. She told me it would make sure we didn't forget one another." He shrugged his shoulders. "That's what kept me sane. The knowledge that there was someone out there I could still count on. I look at this...whenever I feel angry. And I want to fight. It helps me repress my anger. This is what's kept me sane all these months. This photo...and the rest of you guys."
Kira shut his eyes. "Makes me wish I had something like that. To repress my anger and frustration...after I've lost some close friends. I've let that happen too many times already."
"After we got back from New York," Athrun said.
Kira nodded. "I was angry. Angry over what the Earth Forces had tried to do us. They killed their own soldiers...set them up...lied to their families. It made me angry. It made me frustrated. That's why I was so excited...to go out and fight against them afterwards. My anger got the best of me. I wasn't able to control it. It wasn't until afterwards that I'd realized what I'd done...how bad it made me feel. I broke the promise I'd made to Lacus. It hurt me badly."
"You're not the only one who did that, Kira. I acted in the same way," Athrun pointed out.
"We all do you guys," Dearka responded. "Sometimes we just gotta let lose and vent our frustrations. It really can't be helped." They didn't talk for a while. Nobody really wanted to. Dearka checked his watch and noticed the time. "I better be getting back to the Archangel. It's getting late." He turned and floated off of the gangway.
"See ya!" Athrun called.
"Talk to you later, Dearka!" Kira added. Dearka waved back and then he was gone, leaving Kira and Athrun alone. They both turned and leaned over the railing in front of their mobile suits. Kira looked long and hard at the head of the Freedom. Its head looked like a face looking straight back at him. Looking directly into his very soul. "Makes you wonder..." he said quietly. Athrun turned to him. "What's next for us? After all this...things can only...get worse?"
Athrun sighed. "It's likely...probable I'd guess."
"Kira!" a voice called out quietly. Both Kira and Athrun turned their heads to see Cagalli's form approaching them from the other end of the gangway.
"Cagalli?" Kira asked as she came close.
"We...should talk...Kira..." she said.
"Oh. I'll...leave you guys alone then," Athrun said, turning to leave. Cagalli reached out and took hold of his arm, telling him to stay.
"Something on your mind Cagalli?" Kira asked kindly.
Cagalli paused, not meeting his eyes. She reached into her pocket and withdrew something. "It's this..." she said, her voice tailing off. Reaching forward, Kira took it in his hand. He brought it to his face and his eyes widened. It was...that photo! The photo...that he saw...on his monitor...in the debris belt. The one of the woman...holding the two babies. Kira's voice choked. He couldn't respond. "Other side..." Cagalli whispered. Kira slowly turned the photo over and his body trembled. Scribbled on the back were the words, Kira...Cagalli... Athrun saw this too and he gasped. He snapped his head to face Cagalli and saw that she was crying. "My father...gave me this photo...just before he..." she sobbed. "He said...that I wouldn't be alone...that I'd be with my brother!"
Kira choked on his breath. His body trembled viciously. Words came to his mind. Words that Rau had spoken to him. "The Ultimate Coordinator!...I'd always thought the twins had died...especially you!...maybe they were on to something...a great number of your siblings were sacrificed." Twins...could it be?
"Who's the woman...holding the babies?" Athrun asked quietly. Cagalli shook her head to say she didn't know.
Kira spoke nothing. How could he? This hit him like a nuclear bomb going off. It was...true. He didn't...want to believe it...but...how he could not...now? The photo was staring him back in the face. The baby...the boy...himself. Kira's lip trembled as tears began to form in his eyes. He couldn't figure out what to say. How could he? This meant...if Cagalli had this photo...then that meant...she was his...sister. Kira should have been happy to learn this...but...for some reason...he wasn't. It meant...that what that psycho had told him...was true. It was all true. He floated backwards away from his friends, the photo still clutched in his hand.
Cagalli watched him go, her own tears cascading down her cheeks. She looked to Athrun for an explanation. Athrun paused. He knew what was wrong with Kira. He'd told him himself. "He'll tell you...later." The tone of his voice told Cagalli that something terrible had happened. It made her hurt even more. She sobbed intensely, holding onto Athrun who was just as shocked as she was. It made him hurt inside to see his friends cry. He took her in his arms and held her face to his chest while she cried. Cagalli cried for the longest time while Athrun held her. Athrun even cried himself occasionally. Kira never let go of the photo the rest of the night. It stared at him all through the night as he tried to sleep. He couldn't get the image out of his head. It was true. It was all true. Kira cried himself to sleep that night, tears of sorrow and frustration.
Kusanagi, October 28, C.E. 71, 0500.
"We'll have to make due with what we can now that Mendel's gone," Andy observed from the other side of Cantarii's desk. Captain Jackson and Lieutenant Manchisco were also present. "We'll be fine with supplies for a while, but they won't last forever. The Junk Guild will probably be able to help us, but with the Earth Alliance on to them it's going to be difficult for the next few months."
"Yes, I understand," Cantarii answered. "The one thing that's going to be particularly scarce quick is water and that's what I'm worried about."
"Since we're in L4, we may as well take advantage and see if we can find water sources in any of the other damaged colonies here," Jackson suggested.
"It'll take time though and that's what we don't have right now," Cantarii responded. "We've got to figure out our next move soon."
"It'll be easier to scout around now that we've got one of the Archangel's Skygraspers operational for space flight though," Andy put in. "Who's piloting it by the way?"
"Colonel Kisaka's the pilot as of now," Jackson answered. "He took it on a test flight last night and said it was fine. Morgenrate's still working on the second one though. Kisaka's going to pilot it until we can find a full time pilot for it."
"At least it means we've got more odds with us to have it operational," Cantarii said.
The door to Cantarii's office chimed. "Director Crue here to see you, sir."
"Come in." Josef pushed his way past the door and into the room, saluting as he did so. "Are you feeling better, Josef?"
"Yes, thank you sir," the Intelligence officer responded. "I just wish I could say the same for the front."
"What's happened?" Manchisco asked. Josef produced a rolled up piece of paper and spread it out on Cantarii's desk for all of them to see. Cantarii stood up and lit a cigarette and puffed on it a few times. "Holy..." Manchisco hummed.
"They're mobilizing this soon?" Andy wondered out loud. "We didn't think they'd be able to for at least another few months."
"This is virtually the entire damn Orbital Fleet," Cantarii observed. "They all moved yesterday?"
"The 7th Fleet left two days ago on the morning of the 26th. Based...on our course projections...they're heading for L5."
"Sutherland's fleet," Cantarii said. "What's the intended target?"
"We're not completely sure, but based on intercepted transmissions and their course...we think they're heading for Boaz," Josef answered, pointing to the rock fortress with his index finger. "If they maintain their present speed and course, they'll reach Boaz sometime on the 30th."
"That's three days from now," Jackson put in.
"Are they really going after Boaz?" Cantarii wondered out loud.
"There's more I'm afraid, Admiral." Josef pointed to another group of figures on the map and added, "Yesterday morning the 6th Fleet broke orbit and headed virtually along the same course that the 7th did. The 5th followed them that afternoon. McCarthy and Bradford both mobilized their fleets within twelve hours of each other. We believe their heading for L5 as well."
"They're converging on the PLANTs," Cantarii said.
"Are they all heading for Boaz?" Manchisco asked.
"Not a chance," Andy responded. "Boaz is probably only the first target. If they mobilized that many ships they've got bigger ambitions in mind."
"I agree," Cantarii said. The he asked darkly, "What are the chances of them actually going after the PLANTs, Josef?"
"Slim to none, Admiral," Josef responded. "ZAFT has many defensive lines built up around the PLANTs ever since we hit them at Jachin. And Jachin Due itself is still recovering from the assault, so there's a fair number of ships there as well. Boaz has nothing guarding it right now, so we anticipate that it will be the target. But as for the others...we're not sure."
Cantarii placed his hands on his desk and paused. He blew smoke out of his nose in a long, slow puff. "One thing's for sure. The Earth Forces mean business now. Something's up." He turned to Jackson and asked, "How long until we can get to L5?"
"At top speed we can make it there by the 31st, Admiral," Jackson responded.
"That's a day later than the anticipated time the 7th will arrive, Admiral," Josef pointed out. "We won't be able to get to Boaz in time to make a difference."
"What about the Eternal?" Andy suggested. "She's faster than the others. At top speed she can get there on the 30th. But it would mean we'd have to go ourselves. If you don't want us to Admiral, we'll remain here."
"No," Cantarii answered quickly. "I'd feel better if we actually had some sort of force at Boaz when the fighting starts." He looked at his fellow senior officer and said, "Get back to the Eternal and get her moving as quick as you can, General. We'll follow, but it's best if you head off ahead and reach Boaz. We don't know exactly what we're up against here, so I'd feel better if we had some eyes ahead of us."
"No problem," Andy answered. "I'll get her moving right away."
"Tell the others to start preparations as well," Cantarii ordered. He shook his head. "I fear there may be more to this entire thing than meets the eye, gentlemen. Be careful out there." He saluted and they all returned it.