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:
NukeDawg: Thanx for the comment about the Dark Strike. Xan vs Shinn eh? Nice idea. I'll see what I can do.

ChibiRulz: You mean, the 'Woohooo' part? Glad you like that one. :)

Thanx for the reviews. Keep 'em coming!

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

Before that, here are the specs for the new Dark Strike Gundam. Credits to MAHQ for the specs on Strike;

Model number: LG-01A
Code name: Dark Strike Gundam
Unit type: prototype atmospheric mobile suit
Manufacturer: Junk Guild
Operator(s): Junk Guild, Unknown
First deployment: C.E. 73
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 17.72 meters
Weight: max gross weight 72.0 metric tons
Construction: unknown
Powerplant: improved ultracompact energy battery, power output rating unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; Phase Shift (PS) Armor, Mirage Colloid stealth system, "Razor Edge" wing blades
Fixed armaments:
2 x "Igelstellung" 75mm multi-barrel CIWS, fire-linked, mounted in head
2 x "Dark Excalibur" anti-ship swords, attached to both side of hips, hand-carried in combat
2 x "Red Fury" beam saber, stored at the back, hand-carried in combat
Shield, mounted on left arm
Optional armament: beam rifle, power rating unknown
Technical notes:
The design of the Dark Strike Gundam was based on the original Earth Alliance prototype mobile suit, the legendary Strike Gundam. Lowe Guele, an engineer from the Junk Guild and the pilot of the Astray Red Frame, obtained the technical data from Erica Simmons, Chief Engineer of Morgenroete Inc in Orb and improved the design on it. From where he got the idea for the sinister looking design, no one knows.

From its weapons arsenal, it was clearly seen that the Dark Strike was influenced heavily by Lowe's Red Frame which puts more emphasis on conventional weaponry with energy saving in mind. Despite being equipped with numerous conventional weapons, the "Red Fury" beam sabers and a standard beam rifle were attached as a countermeasure should a beam type weapon is needed. The "Razor Edge" bat-like wings not only serve as a method for atmospheric flight, its razor sharp edges also can be used to cut through any obstacle/blockade and will be prove useful when the unit is outnumbered. Furthermore, with the enhanced version of the Mirage Colloid system, the unit can be safely hidden while the pilot is away and won't be detected by any type of radars.

Despite its similar basic design, the Dark Strike is not capable of using various striker packs like its predecessor but Lowe had made an improvement to the longevity of the energy battery in order to sustain the Phase Shift Armor and the Mirage Colloid for a longer period of time.

Now, on with the story!

Chapter 11: The Missing FAITH

Both Out Frame and Dark Strike had almost reached Orb upon entering the atmosphere. While Xander easily activated the Mirage Colloid for his unit, Jess have to maneuver his way around the Orb's sensors.

"Hey Jess. Why do we have to go to Orb?" Xander asked out of curiousity.

"Well, a little bird told me that a wedding is on between the Chief Representative and some guy called Seiran." Jess replied.

"Oh, and who is this little bird?"

"Hey, hey. Don't go around snooping for my secrets now."

"Fine. But why the wedding interests you so much? Don't tell me you're taking wedding pictures now."

"I have a gut feeling that something interesting will happen."

"What, the 'cut the wedding cake' part?"

Before Jess could reply, their sensors picked up something. "Mobile suits coming in this way!" Jess exclaimed.

"Well, let's split. Not that I need to run anyway." Xander said sarcastically.

Jess shook his fist. "Curse you and your Mirage Colloid system. I'll land on the nearby island and make myself scarce. You?"

"Hmm. I want to see what's going on. Mobile suits appear during a wedding? Something's wrong here."

The Freedom Gundam with Kira as its pilot was speeding away from his pursuers who were using the massively produced Murasame. Cagalli, who was in her wedding dress, sitting on his lap. She was puzzled why her twin brother took her away from the wedding in the first place.

After they reached within striking distance, the whole squad of Murasame opened fire.

"Looks like I have no choice. Cagalli, get ready." Kira informed.

Cagalli nods. Kira was about to counter the attacks when the display alerted him on a new presence. The Dark Strike came in and cut through the ranks of Murasame with its Razor Edge wings.

"Strike?" Cagalli and Kira gasped. Then, a voice came in.

"Freedom pilot, do you read me?"

Both Kira and Cagalli recognized the voice and called his name at the same time. "XANDER!"

There's a loud static sound on the other end and it buzzed for a few seconds. "Whoa there! Keep it low. The speakers is about to blow off here. Anyway, Kira, is that you?"

Kira nods. "Yeah."

"Heh. Never thought you're the pilot of Freedom. The Chief is there, I assume?"

"Yeah." Cagalli said. "I thought you're..."

"Dead? Nah, I'm still alive and kicking here."

"Just where do you get that Strike unit?" Cagalli asked.

"Long story, no time to tell. There will be more of them coming here. Kira, you go on while I hold them off."

"But..." Kira stammered.

"No worries, Ace. The moment you're out of sight, I'll pull away."

With Kira and Cagalli left, Xander turned to another wave of Murasame who was approching his way. He pulled out both Dark Excalibur swords as he prepared for the incoming wave.

Xander sighed. "Ah, man. Here we go again. First, the Feds. Now, Orb. Then what? Seems like the whole world is against me now."

With that, Xander engaged the whole Murasame squadron.

The Freedom landed on the waiting Archangel's catapult deck safely. Then, Lacus appeared on screen.

"Kira, shall we wait for that Strike unit?"

Kira considered for while then shook his head. "No. We don't have to. Xander will know when to pull away."

"Sir Xander?"

On the bridge, Murrue Ramius and Andrew Waltfeld gasped when Lacus mentioned Xander.

"Xander, eh? He still love sticking his nose out." Andrew said.

"Should we help him?" Murrue asked.

Andrew shook his head. "We don't have to. He's a Dark Crimson and one of my best protege. He knows a strategic withdrawal when he sees one."

Xander watched the Archangel slowly submerged into the sea and smiled.

"So, that's the Archangel. Things are getting interesting now. Well, better pull out now. Jess probably have a lot of shots of me taking these guys out."

With that, he pulled away from the battle and used the Mirage Colloid to aid his escape.

A few hours later...

Xander was dozing off on one of the islands near Orb when Jess woke him up.

"Wake up, man. Jeez. Just how long will you sleep?"

"Hey, I need some more time to recover my stamina here." Xander said in protest.

"Guess what? While you're sleeping, I managed to catch a few shots of another mobile suit. It's a Gundam I tell you."

Hearing this, Xander's eyes widened. "Another one?"

"Here." Jess threw a few photos. A red Gundam in its both mobile armor and mobile suit modes taking out two Murasame units.

"I bet this is the new Savior Gundam PLANT had been hiding." Xander said.

Jess looked up to the sky and sighed. "Savior, huh? Don't you think PLANT is getting suspicious right now? With five Gundam units now, they could easily win this war. Well, now that the three of them are with the Earth Alliance now, I think it's even."

Xander nods. "Yeah. To tell you the truth, I don't like Dullindal. He's scheming something. I could feel it ever since we met the other day."

At ZAFT Carpentaria Base, Lunamaria and Meyrin were purchasing some supplies for their own needs. Lunamaria pulled out the photo of Xander and Claire.

(Claire Whitestar. I never thought that my senior from junior high was Xander's...)

Her thoughts were interrupted by Meyrin's question. "The repairs on Minerva will be done soon, right?"

"Eh, yeah. I think so." she replied.

"If that's the case, we'll be leaving soon, right? Looks like I should buy more while I still can."

Lunamaria looked at the amount of things in her sister's shopping basket. "I can see that even though I don't know why you need so much stuff..."

She let her words trailed off as she remembered what happened to Xander.

(Xander...)

"Sis, are you okay?" Meyrin asked.

Lunamaria nods. "I'm okay. Well, I better be going then."

Shinn was on his way towards Minerva. He looked at every hangar he passed to see mobile suits everywhere. He remembered the moment before Xander's GOUF was crushed. The smile on his face.

(Till the end, he is still carefree as ever...)

Suddenly, he saw a red mobile suit approaching Minerva. Curious, he quickened his pace.

Within the hangar, the crew had gathered around the red Gundam. Its pilot got out and descended to the floor. On his chest, bears a symbol of the highest rank within ZAFT. He was carrying a briefcase with and put it down. He pulled off the helmet and Lunamaria instantly recognized him.

"Athrun?"

Athrun didn't reply. Instead he introduced himself.

"Identification number: 285002. Athrun Zala of the special unit, FAITH. Requesting permission to board this vessel."

Shinn just arrived and saw him. "You?" He approached him. "What is this? What's going on?"

Lunamaria nudged him. "Hey, watch your mouth. He's with FAITH now."

With that, everyone saluted Athrun. Except Shinn. "Why are you..."

"Shinn!"

Athrun smiled and returned the salute. Shinn quickly pushed his stuff away to Meyrin, fixed his collar and salute Athrun.

"Is the captain on the bridge?" Athrun asked.

"Ah, yes. I think so..." Aves replied.

After changing his clothes, Athrun walked into the elevator with Lunamaria as his escort. He leaned against the wall and sighed.

"Why were you recalled suddenly?" she asked.

"Eh?"

"What I mean is, is it all right?"

"I don't know if you'd say I was recalled. I just went to PLANT and met with the Chairman..."

Ignoring the stare from Lunamaria, Athrun asked the question that's been bothering him. "When did Minerva leave Orb? I hadn't heard about that..."

Lunamaria then filled him on the latest development and how they were attacked by the Earth Alliance. Athrun noticed that her expression was somewhat down when mentioning about the battle. Athrun decided to test his theory.

"Xander. Where is he? What happened to him?"

Lunamaria turned away as she tried to hide her tears. "Xander. He...sacrificed himself to save Shinn..."

Athrun took a few moments for those words to sink in. Another one of his friend had gone because of war. "Xander..."

Athrun was inside Talia's office with Arthur watching the developments. Talia read the paper delivered and looked at the two small boxes which contained a FAITH insignia in each of them. She then took one of them and opened it.

"He reinstated you to FAITH, assigned you the newest and most powerful unit and sent you to this ship. And he appointed me to FAITH too? I wonder what is he thinking. And you as well."

"Please excuse me." Athrun said apologeticaly.

"There's nothing for you to apologize for. If I may ask. Who is the other one?"

"It was supposed to be Xander. But I heard he..."

"M.I.A. I don't want to think him as a deceased. But I thought he was supposed to leave ZAFT the moment we reached here. If he survived, that is."

"The Chairman wanted me to persuade him to stay but the way things are now..."

Talia closed her eyes. "I see. So then, do you know the content of these orders?"

"No, I was not informed about it."

"I see..."

In her quarters, Lunamaria was putting on her pilot suit. Then, she remembered Xander's words;

"Looks like this the end of the line."

(The smile on his face. The tone in his voice. Did he just gave up on living? Was it because of Claire?)

Minerva left Carpentaria for its new assignment the next morning. Athrun entered the briefing room to see Shinn was reading a magazine. Ignoring him, he walked to the window and the thought of what happened to Cagalli, Freedom's re-appearance during the wedding and the emergence of a new Strike unit as told by Talia entered his mind.

(If Kira is with her, she should be fine.)

He then looked at his palm to see the FAITH insignia that was meant for Xander.

(Xander, I think you're still alive but where are you now?)

Xander sneezed the moment he woke up. "AA—CHOO!"

"Flu?" Jess asked while he was frying the fishes.

Xander rubbed his nose. "I don't think so. Seems that someone is missing me or something."

Jess smiled and handed him a freshly cooked fish. "Well, let's eat and head to Gibraltar."

"Yeah, yeah. Things will be hot soon. Literally."

To Be Continued...