Chapter 6: Exposed

The Z.A.F.T flagship Minerva. The strongest battleship in entire Z.A.F.T naval force. The carrier can hold an untold number of Mobile Suits and has firepower unrivaled by any other ship existing. Within the lounge of this ship three pilots sit, awaiting their next orders. A pale skinned young man with blond hair leaned against the door to the lounge seemingly in deep thought. On the sofa sat a white skinned red haired young woman, the pilot of the Mobile Suit that tried to shoot down the shuttle at the Onogoro Island battle. Next to her sat a young white skinned man with dark hair and angry red eyes. He was holding a can of some drink in his hands but like the young man at the door, he seemed lost in thought as well. Soon a woman wearing a white Z.A.F.T Captain's uniform and a badge on her collar that depicted the symbol of angel feathers walked into the lounge and looked at the group. "I've just been requested, under the authority and command of a FAITH fleet captain, that I send one of my units to help her in an upcoming battle."

The three looked at their captain in confusion.

"Upcoming battle? Against Djibril?" Said the young woman with red hair.

"No... This battle has not yet been confirmed... rather its being expected... By the tone of the address I received from the fleet captain, its as if she's expecting the battle and that it will be a very decisive one."

"She's predicting a struggle? With who?"

"The address didn't say. It only mentioned it would be against those who wish to sever Chairman Dullindal's dream."

"I'll go."

The young man with the dark hair and red eyes stood up and looked directly at the captain.

"Shinn..."

"Shinn. I am not forcing you to accept this mission. Its only a request. If it were my choice however I would have you stay. We already have our orders."

"I know. But I have... things on my mind... I need to clear my head. Helping someone who's dedicated to the chairman's dream is the best way I can think of."

"Then you're to leave immediately. A shuttle will carry your Mobile Suit to the rendezvous point. From there your under the command of the fleet captain."

"Yes Ma'am."

The captain left and Shinn began to follow until the young woman in red hair stopped him.

"Shinn wait!"

Shinn turned around. The anger in his eyes left as soon as he gazed upon the young woman's face.

"Lunamaria? What's wrong?"

"Shinn I have a bad feeling... about this..."

"What could go wrong? Its only some small force that thinks they can take on Z.A.F.T..."

"No Shinn... Shinn I... I didn't tell anyone about this yet but..."

"What?"

Lunamaria turned and looked down at the floor, then back up at Shinn. "That day when I was chasseing after the shuttle... after it flew out of range... I saw something."

"You saw something? What was it?"

"I don't know exactly... It passed right by me, it was a blur, it was moving too fast... but I think... It was a Mobile Suit."

"A Mobile Suit? From Orb?"

"I don't think so... It was fast... much faster than the Impulse can ever go... and it was going straight up after the shuttle... Its probably even faster than the Destiny..."

Shinn gave a small laugh.

"No way something can be that fast. Especially not a Mobile Suit. No pilot can withstand the pressure in something going that fast straight upward." "Shinn..."

"I'll be alright, Lunamaria."

Shinn turned and headed toward the door. When the young man with blond hair stopped him.

"Shinn. Be careful."

Shinn said nothing and continued out the lounge.

"So you say she sensed something coming up?"

"That's right Captain Waltfeld."

"And you came up here why?"

"A change of scenery... I've had some... things... on my mind. I thought it would be best helping her out and seeing space again."

A tanned skinned man with a large scar covering his left eye and down his face gave a laugh and turned back to look at the young man with blue hair addressing him.

"You sure are one of the abnormal ones, Athrun. But I guess that's why your one of the favorites around here. So, where is she?"

"In the hanger, looking over her Mobile Suit?"

"And your going to leave her there alone? You're not the only one with problems you know."

Athrun reeled back and took Waltfeld's hint, leaving the bridge and heading down to the hanger. On his way down he found Angel looking through a window that spanned out showing the entire hanger.

"Oh, there you are."

Angel turned her head and gave Athrun a smile as he approached. "Hey there. Thanks again for everything you've done for me Mr. Athrun. For the booster to join up with the Eternal and even you coming out to help." "Athrun will do, and it was no problem. Are you feeling alright?"

"Yea... I'm alright... Just worried."

"About your friends?"

"More than just that... About a girl named Tia. She used to cling around our Kira all the time. I think this is the longest time apart they've had together. I don't know how its affecting her... I hope she's alright."

"What about your Kira himself?"

"Oh that lost little boy is fine. Hehe I used to do the meanest things to him... but ever since that day, since our home was attacked and I looked into his eyes when he said "I'm going to Dezas!" he stopped becoming that lost little boy we all grew up with. He became our leader..."

Athrun looked out toward the hanger and said to Angel he could relate. "Athrun, I'm sure he'll come around one day. That kid that's constantly on your mind... Shinn... I think."

"How did you know about him?"

Angel gave Athrun a big smile and Athrun too smiled and laughed. "Right... I forgot who you were for a second. I need to thank you too Angel. You're helping me ease my mind just knowing what I'm going through." "Anytime Athrun, anytime."

The Nelson class ship transporting Yuki, Elain, Kira, and the rest of the survivors from the Galford battle landed at Senjo base. Yuki, Elain, Kira, and Karen who came to greet the group rode the elevator down the fifteen levels to the command center and exited as soon as the elevator opened its doors. Standing just a ways from the doors stood a young man in a Dezas uniform with spiky dark drown hair the same height and age as Kira and wearing an unusual pendant on his necklace. Elain gasped at the sight of him as Kira stepped out in front of the group. Kira's eyes narrowed at the sight of the young man and the young man gave a cocky smirk.

"Kira Zamura."

"Koji... Jikara..."

Kira lunged at the young man grappling him and tackling him to the floor.

"Kira!"

The two wrestled until their momentum brought them to the edge of the stairs and they began tumbling down to the command center floor. The group rushed down the stairs after them trying to keep pace with their tumbling. Karen looked over to Elain on their way down uttering a few words.

"I see they've met!"

"Oh you don't know the half of it!"

As soon as the group reached the command center floor Yuki was the first one to rush over to the two.

"Kira!"

Yuki stopped where she was when she saw the two sitting in an upright position laughing hysterically.

"Wha-What the...?"

The group joined in the conference room to discuss the new plan of attack after the defeat at Galford. Since Koji's appearance Kira's eyes have been burning with possibility and hope, as well as Koji's.

"Well I was going to introduce our new member but it seems you guys have already met..."

"I don't know him Commander..." said Yuki, wearing Kira's usual lost face. "Neither do I. Well, I've been talking with him since he came because you all left me down here." Said Derrick with a rather displeased look on his face.

Elain began to laugh as she took it upon herself to introduce Koji. "That guy right there is Kira's other half. Whenever Tia wasn't with Kira, Koji was. They were the dynamic duo of the station. Everything they planed went perfectly when teamed with each other. It's like they're brothers. Hehe it took all Tia could muster to rip Kira away from Koji when they were together."

"Two years ago I left the station to see what it was like on Earth. During the television reports of Z.A.F.T's attack on Orb I saw some weird Mobile Suits that turned out to be you guys. I decided to travel in this direction when I met Derrick in downtown Senjo. As soon as I asked him if he saw those weird Mobile Suits on TV everything came together, and now I'm here!"

Koji threw on a big grin which made Kira angry.

"You should have already known it was us in those Mobile Suits! You should have been here sooner!"

"Well of course I knew it was you. You can't go around being "the guy that knows the truth behind evolution" in public though. Those people are scared of anyone with a sharp object, how do you think they'd react if I told them I could see the time?"

Kira calmed down and began to think.

"I guess so... But we're going to have to reveal ourselves eventually..."

Koji grappled Kira wrapping his arm around his neck.

"Take it easy Kira! That time will come when it does! For now lets concentrate on having people alive when we decide to show up!"

"Well... it does seem everyone is friendly with each other. That just makes it easier for me to continue then! Alright everyone listen up!"

The group turned to Karen as she began pointing out to the monitor in the room. The monitor showed a map of the current position of the Earth and Moon as well as the colonies and PLANT that lay between them.

"We've been tracking The Incinerator's movement after the Galford attack to find it heading into this area here."

Karen circled an area on the monitor close to Earth orbit which then enlarged into the highlighted area.

"The weapon seems to be gaining mass as it travels. Our guess is that they've been adding on to the weapon tirelessly, even during the Galford attack."

Karen pointed back to the monitor showing the Z.A.F.T fleet escorting the weapon in an area of open space.

"If they continue this present course they're going to intercept with this cluster of colonys."

She circled a group of colonies toward the bottom of the monitor. "Their current orbit around Earth would have them come directly in contact with Z.A.F.T." Derrick jumped realizing the threat of this situation. "

Those colonies..! That's where Fergion is!"

"That's right Derrick... Z.A.F.T is going to attack the Dezas engineering base at Fergion Colony. Without that colony Dezas will no longer be able to design, fund, and build the Mobile Suit needed to fight Z.A.F.T. If they destroy Fergion, they'll defeat Dezas."

Kira stood up looking straight at Karen.

"Then we have to get up there and stop them!"

"Yes Kira, that's exactly what we're going to do. Fergion is already mobilizing its forces for the impeding assault and we're gonna take what we have left here at Senjo Base and aid them."

Derrick turned and gave an angry snort.

"If only we can use that Destroy we could end this a lot sooner!"

"Derrick you know as well as I do we don't have the power to lift something that massive into space. We don't even know if it can perform in a zero-G environment as well."

Derrick sunk in his chair while the others began to concentrate at what was going to be the most important battle yet. Elain then turned to Yuki with a puzzled look on her face.

"Yuki, shouldn't you need to sleep by now... The last time you were in your capsule was once we got back from Orb. You haven't been asleep since..." "I know what you mean Elain but... I don't need to. I feel like I can just keep going."

Derrick looked over at Yuki and laughed.

"Hah, you're a weird one. I had to go in twice while you were away."

Karen looked at Yuki wondering why she hasn't been feeling the pains and stress most Extended endure when out for long periods of time, especially after going through the Galford battle. Just then the monitor turned to snow and Karen was alerted they've picked up an unidentified signal. Karen called to trace the signal as the figure of a young man with an eye patch over his left eye and lose black hair began to speak behind the screen. Kira looked at the image to try and make out the figure. As the static began to clear Kira instantly recognized who that person was.

"Roderick...?"

"Good morning, good afternoon, to wherever you are or during what time I bid you hello. My name is Roderick C. Wallingford and I live here, on this orbital space station."

"Orbital space station... Commander Karen! That signal is coming from Augusta!"

Across the screens of Earth, citizens watched the young man speak. In PLANT the giant news screens mounted on buildings showed the young man as well. Inside the colonys orbiting the Earth and moon familiar faces gathered around their TVs to hear the young man speak. The broadcast also reached Chairman Dullindal watching from his office, the captain of the Minerva, as well as the Archangel and the Eternal, and also in front of Tia in her Nazca class ship.

"For a long time now my friends and I have lived on this station sheltered and protected by the Earth Alliance. We had freedom of mobility within this station yet we were still confined like prisoners. Our complaints were always silent however. We did not feel the need to speak when we were living in peace. Two days ago that all changed however. Two days ago a Z.A.F.T fleet attacked our station and killed my friends. This incident has yet to be announced to the public and citizens of PLANT out of fear. Fear of who we really are. We were put on this station for a reason, for we are the next step in human evolution."

Everyone in the conference room was shocked to hear Roderick begin to confirm their existence. Chairman Dullindal watched with intrigued eyes as the citizens and soldiers gasped and gossiped over what he had just called himself. Inside the Nazca class Tia reeled back in shock then stood up watching her monitor gasping for air.

"We have lived on this station in total secrecy until now! Z.A.F.T has invaded our territory and it is finally time to reveal ourselves to the world!"

Tia slammed her fists down on the console in front of the monitor as her bridge crew looked at her confused.

"No... No, no no! What is he doing? He can't reveal us? He'll kill us all! We'll be hunted down... that's what they always said... if we were ever to come out... Roderick! STOP!"

"Our abilities surpass that of the Coordinators without the technology of gene manipulation. We were born without tubes or probes but have gained an extraordinary gift! The true path to mankind lies within us!"

"Roderick..."

Inside the conference room Kira watched in amazement as Roderick began to boldly inscribe his name in this conflict and in history being the first of the group to identify himself to the world as the next step in human evolution. Tia turned angrily and rushed over to the navigators console bringing up their current location and the location of the station.

"We're going to pass right by it... All ships! Target the source of the transmission! Fire at that station as soon as it comes in range!"

"Ma'am...?"

"THAT'S AN ORDER!"

"Yes Ma'am! Relaying the order to all ships!"

The Nazca's turrets began to take aim at the station floating toward them. Each ship had their primary beam cannons aimed to completely destroy the station.

"Ships are in range ma'am!"

"Alright! Fire!"

Each Nazca fired off their main cannons all at once and the beams cut through space heading directly for the station.

"If my friends are hearing this I want them to know, it is time to stop hiding. We did not expose ourselves to the world. Z.A.F.T did when they declared war on us. But like anyone when attacked, when their way of life or they're home is threatened, we will fight back! We will not let the Z.A.F.T invaders destroy us! When Z.A.F.T came to this station most of us died fighting them off but we were able to drive them away. Even now my friends are still out there! Fighting for our survival! Let Z.A.F.T, the colonies, PLANT, and whole world know of our name! We call ourselves..."

The signal cut and the transmission went dead all that was left on the screen was static.

"Roderick...? RODERICK!"

Kira rushed out the conference room and headed up toward the elevator leaving Yuki behind to call his name.

The screens of static displayed all over the Earth and colonies leaving many to wonder what had happened and why this young man was denouncing Z.A.F.T's name. Chairman Dullindal watched the static silently as it cut off into colored bars and then to a news broadcast about the signal. "So... They finally appeared. The next step in human evolution. I had hoped their appearance would come once Logos has been destroyed but time and fate wouldn't allow it... An enemy more dangerous than Logos ever will be has shown its face, it now only depends on what direction they take..." "Roderick..."

Inside the Eternal's bridge Angel watched the news report on the screen with tears in her eyes. In the captain's seat Andrew Waltfeld ducked his head down thinking of what this incident meant to her and behind her Athrun only watched with grief and sorrow on his face.

"Young miss I believe that was your signal was it not?"

"Yes, captain..."

Angel turned and passed Athrun without a glance heading out the bridge. Andrew Waltfeld then turned over and looked at Athrun.

"Athrun, take good care of her out on the battlefield."

"What? You mean she's going to be launching?"

"That's right and it's up to you to see everything goes well. From this moment on you stop becoming a soldier and become the guardian of evolution."

"Stop becoming a soldier...?"

"Captain! We're entering Fergion colony airspace in thirty minuets."

Andrew Waltfeld turned around and gave the order for the Mobile Suits to stay on standby alert. Athrun left the bridge heading toward the hanger thinking about what Andrew Waltfeld had just said.

"Guardian of Evolution..."

"Booster!"

Kira stormed into the hanger demanding they put one of the boosters on the Gaplant Zero. The Mobile Suit was designed to support a booster for extended flights and atmospheric exit but has yet to be tested. The crew not knowing the motives behind Kira's order but trusting his judgment attached the booster to the Gaplant Zero as Kira entered its cockpit. When the crew was clear of the machine Kira ignited the booster and rocketed it off into space heading toward the orbital station.

The station was in shatters. Debris flew everywhere and covered the station as Kira landed within the same hanger he had escaped from two days ago. Kira floated down the hallway in his normal suit gasping at the destruction. Holes were punched right threw the station caused by the Nazca's cannon fire. Twisted metal and fabric flied the space between the hallways and bullet holes marked each turn. Kira made his way to the lower sections where his horror escalated seeing the bodies of Z.A.F.T soldiers and his friends floating in a bloody mass. As he progressed deeper atmosphere began venting from the pipes, telling Kira the upcoming section of the station still has air. Kira entered what used to be the lounge but now was a horrid mess of spent bullet casings, blood and debris. Kira continued onward, heading down the hallway and stopped at the room he and Roderick had shared. Inside, surrounded by wires and cameras and with a large metal pole sticking through his chest laid Roderick against the wall and floor as if he were being pulled down by gravity. "Kira entered the room and Roderick opened his eyes.

"Zamura..."

"Roderick..."

"You came Zamura... you heard me speak..."

"Yea... it was a good speech Roderick..."

"Really...? That's good... I was afraid it was going to be horrible..."

Kira gave a slight laugh as Roderick mustered a smile.

"Kira..."

"Yes Roderick?"

"Get them... stop Z.A.F.T... Kira Zamura..."

Roderick closed his eyes and gently passed on leaving Kira to reflect upon his roommate's last words.

"Don't worry Roderick... I'll get them..."

Kira left the room, his room, with tears flowing uncontrollably from his eyes. He made his way back to the hanger and looked out toward the distance to see the explosions and struggle of Mobile Suits fighting.

"That's it... over there... Z.A.F.T has begun its fight at Fergion..."

The tears never stopped dripping down Kira's face as he entered the cockpit of his Gaplant and closed the hatch activating it. The panoramic monitors displayed the broken, destroyed hanger he was in as he took off his helmet to wipe away the tears. Kira put his helmet back on and sealed it to his normal suit as he slowly left the hanger.

"I'm coming Z.A.F.T... I'm coming to end all this madness... today!"

Kira boosted off in the direction of Fergion Colony where the battle for the survival of Dezas has already begun.