Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY

The New Coordinate

Story:
AU of GSD. Xander Darklighter, a pilot with attitude problem was just assigned to Minerva when three new mobile suits were stolen from Armory One. What will happen when he decided to take that path in front of him?

Notes:
Thanx for the reviews, guys. I appreciate 'em a lot.

I don't own GSD, their characters or anything else aside from Xander Darklighter.

Chapter 4: Without You Near...

Battle of Jachin Due, two years ago...

Xander, in his black CGUE unit, was surrounded by more than a dozen of Earth Alliance's Strike Dagger units.

"Tch. Bunch of cheaters. Boss, some help here?"

Another customized CGUE unit came in, destroying every single Dagger units in her way.

"Stop calling me that, idiot!" Its female pilot shouted. "One more crap like that and I swear I'm gonna kick the hell out of you!"

"Hahaha. Sorry about that. Let's take 'em out!"

"Roger that, Xan."

With swift reflexes and deadly accuracy, the two finished off their enemies within minutes.

"Xan, another wave coming in. Get ready."

"These guys should really give it a rest..."

"You mean US a rest." The female said.

Xander smiled at the blonde haired woman. "Yeah. That too. Where are the others, by the way?"

"They have their own battle to fight, Xan. Just like us."

"Yeah. I'm getting sick of all this. When we get this thing over with, I wanna quit ZAFT and head back to my home at Orb."

The woman smiled. "Whatever you say, Xan dearest."

"Oh? You're okay with it? I thought you'll be putting up another hot debate with me."

"As long as I'm with you, I don't care where I'll be."

"Thanks, Claire. Thanks..."

The two then battled a wave of Strike Daggers and emerged victorious. Xander's sensor was picking up something unusual. It was coming from that satellite like structure called GENESIS.

"Claire, a huge amount of energy is coming straight for us."

"I know. Let's get out of here. Quick!"

Claire was already out of the way but Xander couldn't do the same.

"Xan, what's wrong?"

"Dammit! The thrusters ain't working! Claire, get out of here! Just leave me!"

Claire approached Xan. "No, I won't. I won't leave you."

"Dammit Claire! Get out!"

Claire's unit grabbed Xander's CGUE and threw it away out of harm's range. Xander was shocked by her action. By now, the energy blast had almost reached her, blowing up everything, causing massive destruction in its wake.

"Claire, what are you doing? Get the hell out!"

Claire's image appeared on the screen. She was crying. "It's too late for that, Xan. I'm sorry..."

Xander smashed the controls over and over again. "Claire! Don't..."

"I'm sorry, Xan. I don't know what to do..."

Xander already in tears looking at her crying. "I...I..."

Claire shook her head. "You don't have to say a thing, Xan. If you are in my place, you will probably do the same thing."

Xander's vision started to blur because of the tears. "CLAIRE!"

"Goodbye, Xander Darklighter. Being with you, is the best time of my life. Take care, my love. Please live. For my sake..."

The energy blast from GENESIS washed through her and Xander was blinded by the flash. By the time he recovered, the battle was over and there was nothing that lives except himself. Slowly, he picked up a small box from the dashboard and opened it. There was a diamond ring inside and he took it out. Tears were forming in his eyes again. Not bothered by it, he opened the hatch and let himself float in space. Finally, he screamed at the top of his lung.

"CLAAAAAAIRE!"

"CLAIRE!" Xander woke up from his sleep, gasping for breath. He sat up then turned to the table, looking at the small frame which contains a photo of him and Claire.

"Claire..."

He then put on his uniform and leave his room.

Most crew were inside the lounge when Xander reached there. Everyone were busy talking about the new event that is happening.

He waved at everyone inside. "Yo. What's the commotion?"

Everyone looked at him. "Uh, is it something that I should know?" he asked.

"The remains of Junius Seven is heading towards Earth right now. We just got the confirmation from the council." Lunamaria informed.

Xander raised his eyebrows. "Oh?"

Lunamaria got up and approached him. "Oh? Is that all you have to say?"

Looking at everyone who were staring at them, Xander took a few steps backward. He started to think that they are in a lover's quarrel. "No. I mean...it's bad, of course. Hahaha."

"Are you really clueless?"

"No, of course not. Let's just say, that whatever happens around me matters little to me. Now, if you excuse me..."

He then quickly left and headed for the hangar.

(Matters little to me, huh...)

Lunamaria sighed. "I can't believe him. The situation is serious and he just doesn't care about it."

"I think he cares but he just tries to act cool." Vino Dupre, the only crew with a perfectly tanned skin, said.

Kento Youran, the spiky haired engineer laughed. "Hahaha. I thought of that too. I can tell, from the way you act around him, you like him, don't you?"

Lunamaria instantly grabbed Youran by the collar and pulled him close, with angry veins on either side of her head. "One more of that and I'll flush you out in deep space, hear me?"

"Uh, hahaha. Yeah. I hear you. I was just kidding. I'm sorry." Youran apologized as he tried to laugh it off.

Xander was tuning up his unit when the alarm sets off once again. He frowned.

"Three minutes until the launch of mobile suits. All pilots should stand by in their respective units."

"Aww, can I have some peace and quiet around here?" he moaned.

"Xander!"

Xander looked outside to see Athrun in ZAFT pilot suit. "Oh? You're going out?"

He nods. "Yeah. I got the Chairman's permission for this. Can you go out and assist us?"

"Tch. This matter is none of my business but for your sake, I'll do it, Boss."

Athrun smiled. "Heh. It's been a long time since you called me that."

"Hey, you're always a leader, my friend. Well, guess I should get ready too. Glad that I have stored my pilot suit here."

Xander puts on his pilot suit. It was black with a fire emblem engraved on the chest to represent Dark Crimson.

"Guess I couldn't run from reality much longer..."

"The launch is being halted. The situation has changed. The Jule Squadron is battling an unknown force at Junius Seven!"

Lunamaria and Rey gasped but Athrun said in surprise. "Yzak?"

"Unknown?" Shinn asked.

"Ha. You hear that, Boss? That woman of a guy is there too." Xander remarked sarcastically.

Athrun grinned. "Yeah. I bet he'll be glad to see you."

"Ha. I'm looking forward to it."

"All units, please change your equipment for anti-mobile suit battle."

Suddenly, a crew on the bridge informed. "Located Bogey-1. Green 25, Delta!"

All pilots gasped. "What's the meaning of this?" Athrun asked.

"I don't know. However, it doesn't change this ship's mission to support the Jule Squadron." Meyrin replied.

"Fine by me." Xander said. "Boss, let's do it."

Athrun nods. "Yeah."

"Central catapault, online. Initiating depressurization sequence in the launch bay. All emergency personnel, please stand by. Core Splendor, all systems online. Starting the launch sequence."

Shinn was turning on all the system when Xander patched through the line. "Shinn, the battle will be intense out there. Be careful."

Shinn nods. "Yeah. I will."

Xander held the ring as he utters a silent prayer. "Claire, I know you can hear me. Please, bless me with all your strength to help my friends on this mission."

Lunamaria appeared on screen. "Xander. The situation looks bad out there."

"Yeah. But not as bad as Jachin Due if you ask me. Be careful out there."

"I will. You too."

Shinn was the first to launch.

"Shinn Asuka, Core Splendor. Launching!"

The small jet fighter launched followed by the leg flyer, chest flyer and the force silhouette.

"Rey Za Burruel, ZAKU. Launching!" With a composed nerve, Rey calmly launched out.

"Lunamaria Hawke, ZAKU. I'm launching!" The red ZAKU unit takes off.

Athrun was prepared for take off. Xander messaged him.

"Boss, you're still composed as ever." he said.

"You're mocking me, aren't you? Your composure is way better than mine."

Xander raised his hands. "I rest my case."

"Path clear. Please launch!"

Athrun narrowed his eyes as he braced himself.

"Athrun Zala. Launching!"

Xander smiled as his friend took off.

"System all green. You are clear for takeoff."

"Being with you, is the best time of my life."

Smiling, Xander looked at the photo of him and Claire attached on the controls.

"Xander Darklighter. GOUF, I'm gonna rock!"

To Be Continued...