Chapter 4: Tragedy

"So how did it go?"

"The shot fired normally ma'am The Incinerator is now recharging back to normal output."

"Good."

Tia sat at the Captain's seat of a Z.A.F.T Nazca class carrier wearing a white Z.A.F.T uniform and the pin she had received on her collar. Her Nazca, as well as four others, were positioned just above the Incinerator.

"Alright begin the next step send the signal from Galford Colony. It's time to lure out the retaliation force!"

"Yes Ma'am."

The tall man who conversed with Tia in the hanger before watched over her with expectant eyes.

"You're very good at this young miss."

"I told you before Reimond I have a name."

"Yes, sorry."

Tia exited the bridge after giving Reimond a very angry look and floated down the hallway on her way to her quarters. She entered the private room and grabbed a hold of her bed pulling herself on it.

"Kira... I know you're alive and you'll be coming soon. I have to show you the true path Kira... For our sake, for humanity's sake..."

Kira raised his head up off the floor and looked around.

"Everything is in tact..."

Kira stood up and patted himself down.

"I'm in tact..."

He then walked over the short distance to where Karen had fell and rested his arm on her back to feel she was solid. Karen, then realizing she was solid herself, got up from the floor.

"You're in tact too! What's going on?"

The two turned to look around the room. They quickly dropped their expressions when they realized only four other people out of the twenty or so in the command center at the time were standing. Looking around they saw enormous amounts of black ash littering the floor and controls. Karen went over and picked up the ash, then silently let it slide through her fingers. "They've been... Incinerated..."

"What...?"

"That light."

Karen brushed off the ash among the console and immediately brought up a log of the past five minuets.

"No damage to any of the circuitry or the overall structure of the base... This weapon only harms people..."

Karen began to type furiously at the controls of the console while Kira ran up the stairs to the elevator and rushed inside. He immediately went to level eight of the base and rushed toward the quarters of his friends. Thomas, Garis, and Jones were all sitting in a circle in one room playing cards. Kira's rapid intrusion startled them all.

"What are you guy's doing?"

Garis stood up and responded to Kira's yell with yells of his own "What are we doing? What are you doing barging in like that? Aren't you supposed be giving Commander Karen the report of the mission?"

"What do you mean by that? You guys didn't feel that just now?"

"Feel what?"

Kira took a step backwards in disbelieve and bolted out the door down the hallway.

"Hey Kira! What's going on?"

Kira continued running, ignoring Garis and barged into Elain's quarters calling her name. Elain stood with nothing but a towel rapped around herself seeing as had just finished taking a shower. Elain kicked the door into Kira's face sending him flying backward into the wall and yelling at him to knock before entering a woman's room.

"Elain's ok... Derrick and Yuki!"

Kira rushed over to the Extended capsule room to find many of the Extended sound asleep in their capsules. Kira also spied Derrick and Yuki and confirmed their safety. Karen and the four surviving command center operators were busy typing away at the various controls of the room when Kira reappeared. He immediately rushed down next to Karen and reported what he saw.

"Everyone else is fine and the structure of the base is in tact, but for some reason no one felt the beam or the deaths that resulted."

"We analyzed the properties of that beam. As I thought, it's a weapon that only affects organics. They call the weapon "The Incinerator" claiming it to destroy those with evil intent. The light enters through the optical sensors and begins to rapidly burn and destroy someone from the inside out. It only works on creatures with optical sensors. Humans, insects, any type of animal but not plant life. The process only takes an instant but it reduces the targets to ash. Fabrics in extreme proximity to the exposed body are burnt as well when the flames inside burst outward... There's also something else, something we couldn't identify. Some type of resonance within the beam." "That's probably the reason why no one felt anything..."

"Probably... We've traced the source of the firing signal. The controls for that weapon are stationed close by it on the Galford colony."

"Then that's where we going, to destroy that station!"

"Rest up. You and your team leave at 0800 tomorrow!"

"Yes Ma'am!"

The Albatross launched off the base's Mass Driver system and began its journey into the Earth's gravity well. The Albatross left the atmosphere and began cruising inside the gravity well. Inside the briefing room of the Albatross Kira explained the objectives of this mission.

"Sensors have picked up two Z.A.F.T Nazca class carriers stationed just above the gravity well. Since Yuki's and Elain's Mobile Suits are the only ones that can operate within the gravity well they will be deployed to assault the two Nazca classes. With any luck you guys can just lead them into the gravity well and let the Earth take care of the rest. As soon as the Albatross is clear of the orbital units it will make its course to Galford colony. The Z.A.F.T security around the colony will most likely be heavy so I will be launching in the Gaplant Zero to support the Mobile Suit teams' attack. After I launch the shuttle containing the strike team to destroy the station will launch escorted by Jones in the Byalant. Garis, how's your arm doing?" "Doing fine Kira. The med team patched it up really well."

"Great, we'll need everyone we can get on this mission."

"Heh everyone we can get but poor Derrick. Seeing as he couldn't bring his Rock Asshimar into space he had to stay behind."

Everyone got a good laugh out of Derrick's misfortune until Kira brought everyone's focus back to the mission.

"I want everyone suited up. Normal suits on from here on out. Once that's done everyone should remain on standby notice until Captain Norris gives his word. Yuki, Elain, ready your units for launch when the Captain gives his signal."

"Yes sir!"

"Alright everyone! Let's go!"

The team saluted and floated out the room heading to the lockers for their normal suits. As soon as they were done Yuki and Elain immediately went to the hanger and prepped their Float Messala's for launch. In the bridge Captain Norris Gaudry floated in and took his seat looking out toward the oncoming enemy.

"We'll be exiting the gravity well in thirty seconds sir."

"Alright, relay the Messalas their launch clearance, have them launch in fifteen seconds!"

"Yes sir!"

An announcement rang in the hanger as a female voice prompted everyone to prepare for Mobile Suit launch.

"Float Messala Yuki unit! You are cleared to launch on catapult one! Float Messala Elain unit! You are clear to launch on catapult two! All hands evacuate the launch deck!"

The Two Messalas positioned themselves on the Albatross's catapult rails in they're Mobile Armor variants.

"Yuki Nanaka, Float Messala! Launching!"

"Cleared!"

Yuki's Messala darted down the catapult on an interception course of the two Nazca carriers ahead.

"Elain unit, launching!"

"Cleared!"

Elain's Messala closely followed shooting off the catapult heading toward the Nazcas. In wasn't long until the Nazcas began to retaliate firing their beam cannons at the incoming Mobile Armors. The Messala's gracefully dodged the incoming fire however and began their assault firing the mega particle cannons on its back and the enemy ships. Inside the Albatross Captain Norris began to seize the opportunity.

"Alright our units are stalling the Nazcas. Set course mark 0385. Destination Galford Colony!"

"Setting course, mark 0385, coordinates X124 Y246 Z90, destination Galford Colony!"

"All hands level one battle stations! Initiate condition red!"

"Condition Red initiated, repeat Condition Red initiated! All Mobile Suit Teams prepare for launch!"

Down in the hanger the echoes of the female operator bounced around the room.

"Gaplant, Byalant, standby for launch orders! Gabthley, Barzam, Marasai teams begin launch procedures!"

The Albatross made its way to the awaiting fleet a Galford colony while Yuki and Elain continued to hold of the Nazcas. A couple of ZAKUs and GOUFs were launched from one of the Nazcas to try and fend off the Mobile Armors that were rapidly damaging their ship. As one ZAKU began firing at the Messala it was taken by surprise by the other Messala that had transformed into its Mobile Suit variant and grabbed the ZAKU from behind. The Messala then performed a spinning tumble toward the Earth, entering the gravity well and then letting the ZAKU go. The ZAKU plummeted uncontrollably into the Earth's atmosphere while the Messala transformed to its Mobile Armor variant and rejoined the battle.

"This area is their turf. We can't fight Mobile Suits that operate at peek efficiency when they're inside the gravity well! Retreat before we get sucked in by the Earth's gravity!"

"Captain! The Delorious!"

The crew of the Z.A.F.T Nazca peered out the bridge port to see the other Nazca slowly fall beneath them.

"The Delorious has been taken in by the Earth's gravity!"

"They're already doomed... Get us out of here before we share their fate!" "Yes Sir!"

The Nazca accelerated upward just clearing the gravity well to watch their companions meet their end. The Messalas however chased after them, unwilling to let their target go.

"Barzam Team! Reinforce Marasai Team in sector A! Gabthley Team! Clear a path for the shuttle to land on Galford Colony. Keep pressing, their power is running low!"

"Kira Zamura, Gaplant Zero! Launching!"

"Cleared!"

The Captain's orders were firm and set as Kira joined the space battle. A count of five Z.A.F.T Nazca class ships guarded the space port to Galford Colony. However in terms of power the Albatross and its Mobile Suit Teams matched strengths and a battle resulted above the colony. Dezas's Marasais, which looked like upgraded versions of Z.A.F.T's ZAKUs, played the role of fire support. Their beam rifles had the ability to fire in rapid succession which made them perfect for mid range support. The Barzam was the main attacking unit with several engaging the Z.A.F.T ZAKUs and GOUFs launching from the Nazcas. The Barzam's charging beam rifle never got to see good use however since the Mobile Suits would prevent them from gathering the time to fully charge the weapon. The battle raged seeing casualties on both sides. Barzams and GOUFs were caught at close range with weapons skewered inside them while the Marasai team gave the adequate cover fire needed destroying the Z.A.F.T ZAKU defense line. Mobile Suits were being destroyed one by one, and Kira also played a hand in the destruction. From his Mobile Armor variant Kira successfully shot down three ZAKUs and two GOUFs before transforming in the Mobile Suit variant of the Gaplant Zero. Heading toward the colony Kira dodged the fire of a ZAKU and retaliated immediately destroying it, then armed the Gaplant's beam sabers to cut through a number of GOUFs trying to grapple the highly maneuverable Mobile Suit with their heat rods. The battle began to swing in favor of Dezas. With the Bee Gabthley Team making a path to the colony's space port the shuttle and the Byalant was finally able to launch. The Byalant proved to be another maneuverable foe for the Z.A.F.T forces. Despite its lanky appearance it was able to dodge and retaliate to even the Nazca carrier's beam cannons. Kira's Gaplant moved in to cover the shuttle's flank as him, the shuttle, and the Byalant supported by the Gabthley team made its run for the spaceport. Enemy forces began to die down as the shuttle neared the spaceport and Jones did his part in the Byalant fending off the enemy Mobile Suits.

"This has been some trip Kira! We never would have experienced all this if we were sitting back at the station!"

"You can enjoy all this once the mission is over Jones! We still have our objectives!"

"Right Kira! We're approaching the spaceport now!"

To their surprise the colony's spaceport was housing a Nazca class ship ready to ambush them. The Nazca appeared and caught the group off guard firing its beam cannons into the battle.

"Evasive maneuvers! Regroup and clear the Z.A.F.T Mobile Suits from the port!"

The Gaplant Zero and Byalant had no problem dodging the Nazca's fire as they spread out to attempt to flank the Nazca. Mobile Suits began to flood from the ship as the Bee Gabthley Team arrived and brought the fight right outside the colony's spaceport. Kira and Jones came around and destroyed the Nazca's engines as it cleared the spaceport but before the chain reaction of the explosions destroyed the ship the Nazca fired one last shot with its beam cannons, destroying the Byalant's left arm completely and sending it crashing into the colony.

"Karim!"

Karim Jones rocked violently from the impact on the colony wall. With his helmet cracked and blood from cuts to his face dripping down, the Byalant's panoramic monitors around the cockpit's linear seat began to flicker off one by one

"Go Kira! Remember what Angel said! One life to save eight. In my case One life to save millions more! Finish the mission!"

A Z.A.F.T Gunner ZAKU Warrior soon came to finish the job firing its large beam cannon at the Byalant destroying it completely.

"KARIM! ARRGHH!"

Kira suppressed his sudden anger and sorrow over the loss of his friend and rocketed inside the spaceport. He landed in the Gaplant's Mobile Suit variant and quickly exited the Mobile Suit carrying a vernier pack and an automatic rifle as the shuttle landed escorted by two Bee Gabthleys. A team ten Dezas soldiers, including Garis and Thomas, emerged from the shuttle each wearing a vernier pack and armed with an automatic rifle. The group floated over to Kira who had just touched down from exiting the Gaplant Zero.

"Kira! What happened? Where's Jones?"

Kira turned away from Garis mentioning only that they had a mission to accomplish.

"No... No way... he can't be... Karim!"

"We don't have the time! He gave me his final wish! We have to complete the mission! Everyone spread out and head toward the station! We don't want to be all killed at once by enemy explosive rounds! Let's go!"

Kira opened the airlock to the colony interior and rocketed inward with the team toward their destination. An artificial sunset was settling over the colony interior as the team maneuvered themselves in the colony's artificial gravity. It took some time before the group reached the station but they finally reached their objective. One by one the group snuck into the station looking for the control center of The Incinerator. Kira wandered the hallways slowly. The station was dark and poorly lit. Perfect settings for an enemy ambush. Sneaking his away around each corner, Kira was extra careful to make note of any foreign noises he heard. All he heard however were the footsteps of his fellow soldiers following behind him. Thomas made his way over to Kira's position as they entered a rather large room. "Kira... something's wrong... its too quiet in here... We haven't found a single enemy soldier... You would think this place would be crawling with them..."

"I know... but keep your voice at this level... we don't know what could be in store for us..."

The two entered the large room together and began to inspect every corner. The team shortly followed checking the areas missed.

"This room is clear sir."

A soldier said to Kira raising his voice to normal level. Another soldier commented how the walls and floor seemed unusually smooth while a female soldier asked for Kira's attention.

"What's wrong?"

Kira approached her as she stood over a console with a lever next to a blinking red light.

"Other than the low output of the lights this is the only thing generating power in this building."

Kira stepped over to examine the flashing light next to the lever. As soon as he looked at the light it shot up the console turning from red to yellow then to green. Power then began flowing through the station lighting up the hallways and corridors, and the room the strike team was currently occupying. Reflective metallic doors slammed down blocking any chance the team had of escape.

"Sir the exits have been sealed off!"

"This room... it's completely reflective... The walls, floor and ceiling are made of mirrors. No wonder they were so smooth..."

"Kira, what should we do?"

Kira turned to Thomas then around the room looking for anything he can use as an escape point. Kira looked straight up and saw stars in the ceiling.

"Up there. There's an opening in the ceiling."

One of the soldiers activated his vernier pack and thrusted up to the ceiling. He placed his hand in what he hoped was an opening but was disappointed.

"It's a bulletproof plastic. If anything we're going to suffocate in this room. "They knew we were going to come here, they had this set up for awhile now."

Kira pounded his fist against the consoles cursing under his breath of how they fell for such a trap.

"Captain, The Incinerator... It's turning!"

"What's that?"

Captain Norris looked out toward the Z.A.F.T weapon to see it rotating toward the colony. Then from behind the weapon a fleet of eight Nazca class ships appeared, each launching their Mobile Suit teams against the already exhausted Albatross.

"It was a trap..."

Inside the lead Nazca class Tia watched over the battle and ordered the destruction of the Dezas ship. The Z.A.F.T Mobile Suits then began assaulting the Dezas Mobile Suits and its flagship the Albatross.

"Captain!"

Captain Norris sunk into his chair and sighed deeply.

"It seems we were outsmarted by the commander of that Z.A.F.T fleet. No doubt this was all just a ploy to lead us here and finish us off. We have no choice, all hands evacuate the Albatross! Get as far away from the combat zone as possible. Relay the message to all remaining Mobile Suits to rendezvous at the Rigal Mountain colony! Repeat, we are abandoning the Albatross!"

The fleeing Mobile Suits began to get picked off by the new Z.A.F.T forces entering the battlefield. Those that did escape barely made it out. Escape pods from the Albatross launched one by one but only a fraction made it away from the Mobile Suit force destroying them.

"Captain..."

"Didn't I give the order for you all to evacuate?"

The entire bridge crew remained inside with the Captain as they watched the Z.A.F.T fleet approach them.

"We've been together for along time Captain."

"Yes, we've been through it all Captain, even Jachin Due. We won't abandon the Albatross when it needs us the most."

Captain Norris looked around to see every last member of the bridge crew smiling back at him.

"Yes your right. All of you are right. This is our ship! We won't let Z.A.F.T sink this ship without a fight! Gunners! Target the Z.A.F.T fleet with every last operational weapon we have! FIRE!"

"Yes Sir!"

The Albatross fired a hail of missiles and beam fire at the Z.A.F.T Nazca classes damaging the front line and having a twin beam shot rip through and destroy on the Nazcas in the backline. Tia became outraged to see their will to fight has not yet been broken.

"Those idiots! What are they doing? Hurry up and destroy that ship!"

Through the hail of fire a Z.A.F.T GOUF appeared outside the Albatross's bridge and immediately destroyed it and the crew inside with a whip of its heat rod. The destruction of the bridge sent explosions down the Albatross's corridors and into its main sections. The Albatross became riddled with explosions. It was only a matter of time before it ultimately detonated from within and finally sink.

"Tch... no use. We have to think of something else. This plastic glass isn't event denting."

The soldier's frustration over not being able to destroy the plastic left him thinking of other options. Kira looked around the room again seeing what else he could find. A couple of soldiers were trying to lift the doors that slammed shut with no luck, while Garis looked around the ceiling holding his arm. A monitor flickered on suddenly bringing the group's attention to the reflective walls it was displayed on.

"Sir? What's that?" The screen showed a giant cylindrical object looking right toward them.

"That's... Not good!"

"Kira?"

The cylinder began to emit a yellow glow from its core which sent Kira into a panicked frenzy.

"The mirrors! Destroy the mirrors now!"

"What's going on Kira? Oh, maybe you want to use the shards to try and cut through the glass?"

"NO! That light! That light will kill us if we stare at it! This entire room is reflective! There's no escaping the light! Destroy the mirrors now!"

Everyone began pounding at the mirrors with their guns as the cylinder began charging. When the cylinder discharged its energy the screen flickered off and a faint yellow light began to gradually shine through the plastic glass. Kira began to stop slamming his rifle and vernier pack into the consoles and floor and began shooting down at the floor with his rifle. "Come on! Break Damnit! BREAK!"

Through the floor's reflection Kira witnessed the beam getting wider and closer. His eyes widened as he stopped shooting the floor and began pounding on the cracks the bullets made with the butt of his rifle.

"Break! Break! BREAK!"

Each slam began to crack the glass little by little but not enough to shatter the entire mirror. This didn't stop Kira however, as he kept slamming on the mirror. Coming down with a tremendous strike, Kira threw all his strength into destroying the mirror, yelling in fury. The beam of The Incinerator finally engulfed the station, as well as the portions of the colony adjacent to the station.