Chapter 07: Consequences

Kevin Walker's expression was suitably blank as a pair of security men escorted him to the Captain's office. Beside him was a handcuffed Jason Hibiki who did not return with Lacus do to her orders. He wasn't sure what the two felt about the actions that had brought about this court martial and prisoner taking. (his empathic sense allowed him to read the presences of zoanthropes and people he knew very well; and he could only read the emotions of zoanthropes), but he also didn't particularly care. If the Captain chose to discipline him for his actions, that was her choice; he feared it not at all. There was, after all, no possible way she could do anything worse than that which had already happened to him.

The escort stopped outside the hatch, and he stepped in along with Jason. Waiting for them were Murrue Ramius, Mu La Flaga, and Natarle Badgiruel, all in full uniform; even the Hawk of Endymion wore a cap.

Their expressions were interesting to observe. Of the three, only Ramius was inscrutable; Badgiruel looked very disapproving, whereas La Flaga appeared downright amused. He also held a regulations book, evidently for the purpose of finding which regulations contradicted which. Obviously, Kevin thought, the good Lieutenant is the defense attorney; he's enjoying himself too much to be prosecution.

"This court martial is now in session," Ramius announced coolly. "Acting-Crewman Kevin Walker, Lieutenant La Flaga will serve as your counsel, while Ensign Badgiruel acts as prosecution."

Kevin's gaze never flickered behind the sunglasses. "Thank you, Captain," he said calmly. "But I have no need of an attorney. I believe myself quite capable of defending myself."

All three officers blinked at that; then Badgiruel's eyes narrowed, La Flaga looked suspiciously like he was suppressing an anticipatory grin, and Ramius leaned back in her chair. "Very well, then, Mr. Walker. If you would care to begin, Ensign Badgiruel?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Badgiruel looked at the enigmatic pilot as if he were a lower form of life. "Acting-Crewman Walker, you stand accused of tampering with the Earth Alliance Forces Mobile Assault Ship Archangel's computers, theft of Earth Forces property, and aiding and abetting the escape of a prisoner of war. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

"I would say yes, Ensign," he said, still calm. "But I see nothing against which to defend myself. I do, however, have several clarifications to make."

"Oh, this should be interesting," La Flaga said in a stage whisper; the black-haired ensign's glare stifled him.

"First," Kevin began, "you have no evidence whatsoever of my having tampered with the Archangel's computers." He said this in a confident voice, leading Ramius to wonder how he knew, not realizing that his methods never left evidence. "Second, if you are referring to the ZGMF-1017 GINN stored aboard this ship, the charge of theft is not applicable. As is entered in this vessel's records, that machine was captured by myself during the battle in Heliopolis, and I have never surrendered it to the Earth Forces. I fly it in defense of this ship, but it is, as the legal authorities have recognized, my personal property."

Ramius considered him for several moments. "Point taken," she said finally. "The charge of theft is dismissed. Anything further?"

"Yes." Still speaking in that calm, emotionless tone, Kevin looked directly at Badgiruel. "As to the final charge and specification, it, too, is invalid; Lacus Clyne, as is also entered into the log, was not a prisoner of war. She was, as the Captain will remember she herself said, a rescued civilian, a guest. Therefore, and particularly in light of the fact that Miss Clyne is not an Earth Alliance citizen, you had no legal basis on which to restrict her movements. And," he added, voice suddenly very cold, "I might point out that according to your own regulations, Ensign Badgiruel's soon to be actions during that last battle were an illegal thought; hostage-taking is not permitted under any circumstances. Jason there, did his job to protect Miss Clyne so I have no ill feelings on the subject of that to him."

Badgiruel glared at him. "As was discussed during Acting-Crewman Yamato's court martial, I believe this falls under the heading of necessary actions taken during extraordinary circumstances."

"Garbage," he said succinctly. "'Under no circumstances', Ensign, is a very clear statement. And you also neglected the fact that what you did was one of the most loathsome and immoral acts I can imagine."

"You're one to talk!" she snarled suddenly. "You have, by your own admission, killed over three hundred people, Mr. Walker! At least all I was going to do was point out to the enemy the potential consequences of continuing battle; you massacre your enemies!"

"Don't judge me, Ensign," Kevin said very, very coldly. "You have no right to judge me." Raising a hand, he took off his sunglasses, and wiped his face with the other, removing the makeup that had long concealed what lay hidden there.

Badgiruel could not stifle a gasp as the true face of Kevin Walker was revealed at last. There was a jagged scar just to the right of his nose, running from his hairline down to the base of his jaw, bisecting his face. Apparently the result of an explosion, it gave his face an even more mature, and slightly sinister, look. "What on earth...?"

"If you knew even a fraction of what this cursed war has already cost me, Ensign," the soldier said very softly, "you would have nightmares for the next fifty years. I still have them, and will to my dying day. I have undergone trials that would terrify the most hardened soldier, that would have killed a lesser man. So don't... judge... me."

Even Ramius and La Flaga were badly shaken by that glimpse at the torment in Kevin Walker's heart; it was only with an effort that the Captain brought the discussion -and her attention- back to the matter at hand. "In any case," she managed finally, "I believe we have determined the merits of this case. The charge of computer tampering is dropped due to lack of evidence; the charge of theft is dropped due to its illegitimacy; and the charge of aiding and abetting the escape of a prisoner of war is likewise dropped for the aforementioned reason." She shrugged, then actually smiled at the pilot. "Dismissed, Mr. Walker." Ramius then turned to Jason who was still cuffed. "Mu you can uncuff him." She said as La Flaga did so.

"Captain!" Natarle said outraged. "That man, is a soldier of ZAFT, he should at least be a POW!" She told them as Kevin looked at her again.

"Listen Ensign Badgierul, Mr. Hibiki, just did his job and is now doing another. Lacus has asked him to help this ship in any way he can. And as on the Other hand she has promised him that, if he is to work for the Archangel, that she make no word of this and that he was killed in action to make do her escape." Kevin told them.

Jason was uncuffed as he rubbed his wrists. "And don't worry Captain, I will use all my defensive Tatics to protect this ship as I swore my life to protect Miss Clyne." Jason said as he stood up. "Now, what of my quarters and among other things."

"Well we can't ignore you being a former enemy soldier so we will confine you to five areas of the Archangel, Corridors Excluded. You will be only allowed into your room the one you and lady Clyne shared, the Infirmary, Cafeteria, bathrooms, and the Bridge." Murrue told him as Natarle looked at her in utter shock.

"The Bridge Captain!" Nartarle called as Mu looked at her.

"He is the Iron Wall of ZAFT, the best of the best in defence tacticians, he alone saved many lives of ZAFT soldiers at the battle in Jachin Due. And if I heard correctly it was his Idea to turn the Station Noah into what is now known as the Defence Fortress Boaz." Mu told her. "His skills can prove useful if he is onboard the bridge."

Jason smiled as he dictated his favorite Quote of all time. "The best offense is a good defence." Jason said. "If you people excuse me, I will head to my quarters, call me or send someone to escort me to the bridge when need be." Jason said getting up to leave as he and Kevin both left the room.

After Kevin had stepped out, Ramius fully dropped the "Captain's face". "Well," she said to her fellows, "that was interesting."

"You can say that again," Badgiruel muttered.

"Must have been a lawyer in his past life," La Flaga opined with a grin. "And you know, he was right; and if Kira had thought of it, we wouldn't have been able to give him a warning, either."

"It was well done," the Captain agreed. "I hadn't thought of it quite that way, myself." She shuddered suddenly. "But you know, I really don't think I want to know what he was talking about at the end, there. We've both seen him shoot people without a second thought; the idea of something being so horrifying as to give him nightmares...!"

The Hawk shrugged. "Well, however good he is at killing people, Captain, he isstill a human being. Well, maybe not physically," he amended, remembering a certain security video, and his cryptic comment about having never claimed to be. "But his mind is human, and there have to be some things that bother him. Unless, of course, he's a sociopath."

"Which," Badgiruel conceded unwillingly, "he obviously isn't. A sociopath wouldn't have risked himself like that to get Miss Clyne out."

"That's true," Ramius agreed. "And I think I need to work on my 'Captain's face'; I had him scared for all of, oh, no time."

"One cool cadaver," La Flaga said, nodding. "And one with a death wish."

The other two glanced at him in surprise at the non sequitur. "What are you talking about, Lieutenant?" the Captain asked. "I mean, I know he's been depressed lately, but..."

"Take it from me, Captain, that kid -no, that young man- is notexactly chipper right now. Something in his eyes tells me that right now, death would be welcome to him." He shrugged slowly. "I don't know what happened to him, or what he's done, but it's bad enough that he really doesn't care if he lives or dies. Or rather," he corrected himself, "he doesn't care... after he reaches his next destination, whatever it is. He's a man with a mission, but as long as it's accomplished, he doesn't care if he dies in the doing."

"That... would be a real shame," Ramius said slowly. "He hides it well, but deep down, Kevin Walker is a very kind young man. It would be a great tragedy to lose him." She shook her head. "But I don't see what can be done about it. I suppose it's up to him."

"Him... and whoever it is that he's looking for," La Flaga murmured. "I don't think it's just revenge that he's after... and also I think we can trust Hibiki, his face shows that nearly everyone can trust him as long as he shares in their Ideals."

On the Vesalius, Athrun Zala and Aelan were floating down the corridor to visit Lacus so Aelan could be introduced to her. Athrun raised a hand just in time to catch the caroming pink ball that was headed directly for his face.

It was, of course, Haro. Which meant, of course, that a certain someone was wandering the corridors. Again.

"Lacus?" he said surprised.

Lacus came drifting around the bend in the passageway. "Oh, I'm sorry, Athrun. Haro was wandering around again, wasn't he?"

Handing the eccentric robot back to its owner, Athrun stifled a sigh. "Lacus, I'm more concerned about you wandering around. This is a warship, after all; it's not exactly safe to be wandering all over the place. And I'm sure you need some rest," he added, guiding her back to the quarters set aside for her. "I'm sure it was hard for you, being on that Earth Forces ship. The way they must have treated you..."

"Yeah, and with the death of Iron wall has been disturbing." Aelan said beside them.

"Oh Lacus this is Aelan Le Creuset, Rau's adopted daughter aka the Red Queen." Athrun said as Aelan extended a hand to Lacus as Lacus shook her hand.

"It is a pleasure to meet you." Lacus said with a reassuring smile.

"No the pleasure is mine miss Clyne, if only my friend was here she be going crazy right now." Aelan said (A/N: If no one figure it out yet she is talking about Meer). Lacus couldn't help but giggle at such a thing.

Lacus shook her head. "Oh and Athrun It wasn't like that at all. Mr. Yamato in particular was very kind; and of course Kevin looked out for me and so did Jason."

Aelan shuddered at hearing the name that murdered so many of her friends. "They're both fools," she said angrily. "They're just being used, but they justify it; something about-" He broke off. "Wait a second. What do you mean 'of course' he looked after you? You know Kevin?"

"Of course I do!" She smiled in fond memory. "Kevin and I have been close ever since we were little; he never stayed long in the PLANTs, of course, but we saw each other quite often. I'm very fond of him, and I was very happy to see him alive; we all thought he was dead."

Athrun gaped. "Dead? 'Very fond of him'? Lacus, how do you know Kevin? He's just a student from Orb, that's all; I wouldn't have thought you'd have even met him, let alone..."

Lacus smiled oddly. "I don't think I should tell you exactly how I know him; he seems to have gone to a great deal of trouble to conceal his true identity. But he is far, far more than a mere student, Athrun. Perhaps someday he will reclaim his birthright, but for now..." She shrugged, and her expression turned serious. "However we met, I have known Kevin for many years, Athrun, and I do not believe it is at all possible for him to be manipulated; he is far too strong-willed for that. And I also think he would notice if a friend as close as Mr. Yamato were being 'used'. No, Athrun, Kevin has his own reasons for his actions, whatever they may be; they certainly are not reasons pressed upon him by others."

"Hmph" Aelan went, "As if a monster like that could ever be good." Aelan said as Lacus and Athrun looked at her with confusion.

"What do you mean Miss Creuset?" Lacus asked her.

"I am sorry but my past is as painful as what you think Kevin's is. And I don't truly feel like talking about my past." Aelan said as she turned to leave. "I will leave you two be, I need some rest." Aelan said heading to her quarters.

"Oh and Athrun you should know that he nearly killed people for my sake, during that last battle." Her usual apparent naiveté seemed completely in abeyance. "Had the Ensign attempted what she threatened -something I do not hold against her- I have little doubt he would have done so. Also... there are dark places is his heart now. Dark places, and a hatred of ZAFT. I would suggest that you consider what could make him hate our forces so much."

"Lacus, I don't understand..."

"Please, Athrun. Just think about it."

Before the discussion could go further, a metallic-tinged voice spoke. "If you don't mind, Mr. Zala, I'll get Miss Clyne settled in."

Athrun spun, surprised by the voice. "Invictus!"

Indeed, it was the armored assassin who stood at the hatch. "I don't mean to intrude," he said in his flat, toneless voice, "but I believe there are matters Miss Clyne and I should discuss, while we have the chance; I'm leaving for the Gamow within the hour." He shrugged. "As I said, I don't wish to intrude; but if you have no objection..."

Lacus was watching the faceless man carefully. "It's all right, Athrun," she said finally. "I believe Mister... Invictus, isn't it?... and I do have matters to discuss. If you would excuse us?"

Now very confused, Athrun shrugged. "Very well, then. If you'll excuse me..." he stepped through the hatch, then looked back. "And I will think about it, Lacus. Even if I don't understand it."

The hatch sealed, and Lacus turned her full attention to the assassin. "You seem very familiar, Invictus. May I assume there is a reason for that, as well as for your desire to speak with me?"

Invictus nodded. "There is indeed... Lacus." He touched his helmet, and the faceplate cleared, revealing the sandy hair and jade eyes. "As I said, we have things to discuss."

"Yes," she agreed, eyes wide. "I believe we do..."

And at that moment Aelan was listening in on the small conversation the two had as she planned on going with Invictus to the Garnow with her Hyperion Gundam.

"Well, well. Glad you two could join us, My Queen an you assassin."

Two hours later, on the Gamow, the assassin and Aelan both ignored the sarcastic remark as he entered the Bridge. Invictus and Yzak Joule had detested each other since their first meeting, two weeks earlier; this was hardly the first time they'd clashed. He's got guts, I'll grant him that, the armored man thought, leaning against the bulkhead. Most ZAFT pilots are scared to death of me; but I suppose if this crew were that easily intimidated, they wouldn't be with the Le Creuset team.

Aelan grew to learn how to cope with Yzaks remarks and let them fly. Because if she let her anger fly at him he would have two blades sticking out of his back.

All three of the Gamow's G-pilots were present, for a meeting called by Yzak. "So how about you tell us all what's going on, Joule," Invictus said coolly. "I presume there is a point besides telling me that were late?" As Aelan wondered the same thing.

Yzak smirked. "Of course. See, we've got the trail of the legged ship again; and with Miss Lacus Clyne no longer a factor, we can take it out at our leisure."

The assassin folded his arms. "Something tells me, Joule, that you would have been happy to attack the ship even with Miss Clyne aboard. In which case, I would have killed you."

"As would I if you killed someone with such dishonor." Aelan said as Yzak turned to her.

Dearka Elsman chuckled at the cold remarks, but the temptation to laugh died as the mystery man lightly touched the katana hilt over his shoulder. "Well," he said hastily, "she isn't on board, so we can concentrate on the matter at hand."

"Right," Yzak agreed. "That ship's been giving us trouble from Day One, so I say it's time to take it out... permanently. We'll have caught up with it within the hour, so now's our chance."

"There's one problem," Nicol Amalfi pointed out. "They've nearly reached the rendezvous point with their Eighth Fleet; as it is, we'll have only ten minutes before we have to break off. After all, even our new machines can't handle an entire fleet without support."

"I would suggest that the cowards keep their traps shut," Yzak said contemptuously.

"Yeah," Dearka agreed. "I say we have ten whole minutes."

"Mabye even less, it just depends on if the Eighth Fleet decides to move towards the Archangel when we attack." Aelan said as the other three pilots nodded.

"Right. Is it only ten minutes, or is it a full ten minutes? It's all in how you look at it, really."

"He's not a coward, Joule," Invictus said quietly. "Moreover, unlike you bloodthirsty hotshots, he's right. The Eighth Fleet will eat you for breakfast if you get too close."

Yzak snorted. "And here I thought you were supposed to be the big, bad assassin; the one who could accomplish any mission, anywhere." Aelan smirked at the comment.

"I didn't get this far by ignoring the risks, Joule." He straightened, cracking his neck. "You don't survive by ignoring the odds this way; and need I remind you that the Strike has fought you to a standstill in every battle you've fought? Even in the first, he eventually blew your Duel's arm off, Joule; and from Zala's reports, he's gotten a whole lot better since. Then, at Artemis, he covered the legged ship's escape; and did so without gettinga scratch on him."

"Mainly because, of some things unkown to everyone. This Natural is better than most others, I have never seen a Natural so good since the Hawk back at Endymion." Aelan told them. "But this time I actually have a decent Suit to use." Aelan said as Dearka nodded.

"Also that first time, we were still getting the hang of these machines ourselves," Dearka pointed out. "And at Artemis, he only faced the Blitz. Now, with all of us together, we can beat him."

"Aren't you forgetting one variable?" Invictus tapped the computer display. "Your plans -such as they are- are based upon scenarios where only the Strike and the Hawk of Endymion's Moebius Zero are involved. You are neglecting the fact that the legged ship also has in its possession a captured GINN, now re-equipped with what seem to be spare beam weapons for the Strike. That is also a force to be reckoned with."

"You have no worrys about that, I will deal with the GINN myself." Aelan said in a cold voice. "Its pilot has some Sins that need some smiting." Aelan told them.

Dearka snorted. "Hah! It's only a GINN anyway; these new machines can blow those away easy. And I know the pilot as well. He's just a well-read, body-building drifter; nothing we need to worry about."

"On the contrary, Elsman, you should be very worried about that pilot."

"Invictus has a point Dearka, The pilot holds more secrets than most of people in this room." Aelan said looking at Invictus as she knew what he really was.

Nicol looked at the armored man curiously; he seemed to be the only one to take him seriously. "You know him, sir?"

"In a manner of speaking." Invictus shrugged. "Suffice it to say that I have access to more intelligence on this fellow than the rest of you. Believe me, if he were piloting the Strike, we could conceivably be worse off than we already are. I can't be certain, of course; our data on his piloting skills is limited to observational data from recent battles. But in other respects it is unequivocal: if this battle were being fought on foot, Kevin Walker would kill all of us... probably without even breaking a sweat."

"Ha that is false there Invictus, Walker has only started to pilot a Machine since Heliopolis and he is a quick study. However because of my past I can take him at any time, in a mobile suit or in a fist to fist competition." Aelan told them.

"You're kidding," Dearka said instantly. Then he paused. "...aren't you?"

Aelan gazed at him levelly. "No I am not kidding."

"What is he anyway?" Yzak demanded. "Some kind of super commando?"

"In a manner of speaking," Invictus said. "Most data is classified, but one datum you may use as a guide is the fact that he was once known as Crimson Tiger."

All three pilots looked suddenly more thoughtful. "Oh," Yzak said softly. But he still shook his head. "Still, we can't afford to pass up this opportunity; and in the absence of both Commander Le Creuset and our senior pilot" and the fact that Athrun Zala flew the dedicated command machine still rankled "I make the decision. And I say: go."

"Very well, then," Nicol said, bowing to the inevitable but still uneasy.

"Fine," Invictus said simply, heading for the hatch. "If you're that determined to excessively risk your lives, that's your business."

"Hmph the only one who risks his life in the coming battle is Walker." Aelan said as she cracked her wrist.

Battle was not on Kevin Walker's mind as he headed for the Archangel's cafeteria, completely oblivious to the existence of his physical duplicate tens of thousands of kilometers away and another destroyer that was with him. He was, instead, enjoying a private little victory, one which very few people could possibly have understood the full significance of.

We did it, Kira, the soldier thought in profound satisfaction. We got Lacus out, and we didn't even get punished for it. He'd heard Kira had merely gotten a warning... whereas their accomplices had gotten head-cleaning duty for a week. Not, of course, that punishment would have bothered me much; what could a civilized human being like Murrue Ramius do to me that could possibly be worse than the things Oracle did?

Sai raised an eyebrow when Kevin entered. "You're looking better than I've seen you lately; did you just watch a massacre or something?"

The black-clad youth ran a hand through his ragged sandy hair and barked a laugh. "Just pleased with myself, Sai, that's all. Even I can't be depressed after pulling off a neat operation like that; and for a close friend, no less." He reverted to his usual calm demeanor. "And as for your little joke, Sai, I believe you're operating under a mistaken impression. Just because I'm good at killing doesn't make me enjoy it." He said as in the corner holding a tray of food was Jason who couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

"Makes you sick, huh?" Mir suggested.

"No," Kevin said slowly, "it actually doesn't. Mir, what you have to understand is that killing is something that gets easier every time you do it. I don't especially like that fact, but it is one; and that after you've been through as much as I have, as many battles, you don't really feel much about it at all."

"Glad I'm leaving once we reach Earth, then," Kira said, walking in. "I'm not a soldier; I don't want to get that experienced at killing people."

"Kira," Blade said, sipping a glass of water, "I don't blame you a bit."

And that was when Flay Allster walked in.

In that instant, Kevin Walker might have been made of stone, freezing into a stillness so complete he could easily have been mistaken for a piece of furniture; a trick he'd picked up during his wilderness years, and a habit he fell into whenever he was startled or concerned.

In this case, he was both. So far as he knew, Flay hadn't noticed his presence when she railed at Kira the previous day, but given everything that had happened, Kevin was not certain she would be in her right mind just now. As it later developed, he was right; but at this point in time, everything seemed normal.

Mostly.

"Flay!" Sai began, standing and walking over to her.

Flay ignored him, heading straight for the pair of Coordinators. "Um, Kira, Kevin...?"

"Flay?" Kira acknowledged, more than a little bemused.

"I want to apologize," she said abruptly. "To both of you. I know I never said anything to you, Kevin, but I did threaten your friend..."

"Forget it, Flay," the soldier said simply. "The past is past. And under the circumstances, I can't really say that I blame you."

"As do I." Jason said from the corner. "You only used one of the worst Defence tatics known, but in your situation it was a necessity" Jason said.

"Thank you I think. But still... The things that I said..." Flay hung her head. "Kira, I shouldn't have said those things to you. I know you were doing your best out there, that there was nothing more that you could have done... and you did protect the Archangel, just like you always do. So I just want you to know... I'm behind you both, all the way. I'll support you."

Kevin nodded fractionally, expression about as compassionate as it ever got; Kira also nodded, but glanced away. "Flay, I'm sorry I couldn't save your father..."

Something flickered in her eyes, unnoticed, but then she smiled. "You did what you could, Kira. I just wish this war would end as quickly as possible."

He finally looked up, and smiled back. "I agree."

So do I, the mystery man thought. But not until I've killed certain people... like Patrick Zala.

Then the alarms went off.

"What's going on?" Ramius demanded.

"Radar interference," Pal responded. "N-jammer levels increasing. Searching... one Laurasia-class detected, closing fast."

Badgiruel cursed. "And just moments before our rendezvous!" She shook herself. "Captain?"

Ramius merely nodded, and hit an intercom switch. "All hands to Level One Battlestations! Pilots, to your machines! Iron Wall to the bridge!" She paused, looking down into CIC. "Blade's GINN is working for once, right?"

Badgiruel consulted the computers. "Yes, Ma'am; looks like he at least managed not to run into anything while he was AWOL."

"Good. Then have Mr. Murdoch get it ready, too."

"I," Kevin Walker said to no one in particular, strapping into his cockpit, "am getting very, very tired of having my meals interrupted." He keyed his radio. "Kira, you and the Lieutenant up?"

"I'm ready, Blade," Kira answered.

"Everything checks out," La Flaga echoed. "Bridge?"

"All right, then," Ramius replied. "Launch when ready."

The two mobile suits and mobile armor made their way into the catapults. "Kira, Kevin, Mu" Mir called, "the ZAFT forces are a Laurasia-class, the Duel, the Buster, the Blitz and what you said earlier Kevin that the Red Queens new unit is with them."

"Those four again," Kira muttered, resigned. He was getting tired of facing off against the same trio over and over again... and the Red Queen though at least it was better than having to fight Athrun again, something which he was fairly sure he'd have to do someday.

Kevin cracked his neck and leaned back, preparing himself for battle. As usual, he allowed a wall to arise between his conscious mind and his emotions, permitting the cool detachment which had served him well through so many battles. It was training he'd received long before, during the most hated time of his life. Hated, yet useful; he felt no shame in using the skills the arrogant bastards had given him. It was only fitting that ZAFT should reap what they had sown, after all... but he still wondered on how that Aelan Le Creuset knew about Abaddon.

The Moebius Zero moved forward into the port catapult. "Mu La Flaga, launching!"

Kira hit the last few switches in the sequence. "Kira Yamato, launching!"

The stolen GINN replaced the Strike in the starboard catapult. "This is Blade. Now engaging." He was pushed back into his seat by the ferocious G-forces of the electromagnetic catapult.

It was the first time the three disparate machines had launched together, in one wave, and it was perhaps the most bizarre formation ever flown off an Earth Forces (or any other) vessel. It was also, by virtue of the Strike and the pilots, possibly the most dangerous.

"Here they come," Nicol murmured, guiding his Blitz in on the legged ship.

"Yeah," Yzak agreed, grinning. "And today, we destroy the legged ship and the Strike! We won't have to chase after them anymore."

"Right." Dearka smiled in anticipation. "All they've got is the Strike, a GINN, and a mobile armor. Piece of cake, eh?"

Overconfidence,thought the assassin known as Invictus. He was watching and monitoring comm traffic from his stealthed shuttle. He did not really see the point of being out here; unlike his employer, he was none too confident that they would actually succeed in destroying the Archangel.But, a job was a job, so he'd follow orders... even if it risked exposing his existence to two of the people who must not learn of it.

"Today is the day I avenge the others." Aelan thought as she had her energy Cannons go over he shoulders so she was ready to deploy her umbrella shield all around or when she wanted to fire her machines cannons.

"Nicol," Yzak began, thinking out there battle plan, "the legged ship is all yours. Dearka, keep that mobile armor busy, Aelan you keep the GINN off us; I'll deal with the Strike."

"Roger that," Nicol acknowledged.

"With pleasure." Dearka said heading for the Mobile armor. Aelan nodded in her cockpit thinking that was Yzaks smartest decision in a long time.

"Alright then!" Everyone called. "Let's go."

"Incoming," La Flaga said tersely. "Blade, Kira, let's go!"

"The Eighth Fleet will be meeting up with us in a few minutes," Ramius reminded them. "We need only hold on until then; even they won't attack once we've rendezvoused."

"Indeed, that is the only chance we got to survive this battle." Jason called over the intercom.

"That's true," Kevin muttered. "Dearka Elsman is sarcastic and maybe impetuous, but he's not stupid. Okay, let's do this. I got the Queen!"

The two trios merged as they met, and machines began splitting off. Nicol blazed right past, heading for the Archangel; Kevin engaged the Hyperion Unit as La Flaga engaged the Buster; and the Strike faced off with the Duel.

"You're not getting past us, RED," Blade hissed, firing off his beam rifle.

Aelan blocked the shot the same way she did when she protected the Aegis the day before. "As if I want to attack that ship!" Aelan called as she wailed her machine guns fire on the GINN which dodged the attacks.

"You don't stand a chance!" Dearka retorted, firing gun launcher and beam rifle simultaneously at the Zero. "You're going down!"

"Not if I can help it!" The Zero's wired gunbarrels deployed, spraying cannon fire at the G-weapon.

Meanwhile, Yzak smiled coldly at the image on his displays. "Strike! Isn't that what you're called? It fits... 'cause you're about to strike out!"

Kira grimaced, juking left to avoid the Duel's introductory blast, and did not deign to reply verbally. He used instead the universal language of war: gunfire.

"Don't you know when to give up, Walker?" Aelan demanded. she was getting annoyed already; that dratted GINN was evading almost everything she threw at it.

Kevin took the next shot on his shield -also one of the Strike's spares- and fired back. "I won't let you kill my friends, Creuset. Not after everything ZAFT has already done to me."

"Ha, and you think that you are the only one that has had a bad past!" Aelan called as she fired her Cannons and the GINN was forced to dodge to one side as a cannon blast blew by. "Urgh! Just die already, will you?"

"Sorry; been there already, and I didn't like it."

La Flaga swooped in next, gunbarrels out and firing at the Buster. "Take this!"

"You're just a puny mobile armor," Dearka muttered, turning to engage the Zero, "so get out of my way! Go down!"

One of the gunbarrels was hit, and La Flaga reeled in the remaining three, maneuvering away at the same time. "Doesn't this guy ever give up, Blade?"

"I wouldn't know, Lieutenant," Kevin replied calmly. "About the only other time we met, I tossed him through a wall; I have no idea how long it takes for him to give up in a fair fight." He snapped off another shot; as it was blocked. "I do, however, wish The Red Queen would just go away."

"Yeah; too bad we're not fighting trench warfare or something." The Hawk wove through space, firing his linear cannon. "Then we could just send you after them."

"I'd settle for being in atmosphere." The younger pilot cursed suddenly; another attack from the Hyperion had just blown away his beam rifle. "I could probably at least try and board it, then; up here, my... special abilities... are useless."

The Blitz was now en route to its own target, and giving the Archangel fits in the process. They were already busy having a slugging match with the Gamow; now they had to deal with one of their own former machines coming straight at them.

Then it got worse: the Blitz vanished.

"Captain, I've lost the Blitz!" Tonomura called, hurriedly checking all his instruments.

Ramius was unfazed. "It's gone under Mirage Colloid," she said calmly. "Fire anti-beam depth charges and anti-air shrapnel warheads."

"Roger," Badgiruel acknowledged. "Fire anti-beam depth charges! Stern missile tubes, switch to anti-air shrapnel warheads!"

"Affirmative!"

Nicol grimaced inside his cockpit, seeing the warheads fast approaching him. Given that he could not evade the attack, he would have to block; and he knew as well as anyone that he would have to drop Mirage Colloid in order to reactivate his Phase-shift. The power consumption demanded it.

"That's right," he said in grudging respect, making the necessary adjustments. "This machine once belonged to you; of course you know its weaknesses."

The now-decloaked Blitz raised its right arm, blocking the barrage of shrapnel with its Trikeros. Unnecessary, of course; the warheads were, after all, kinetic weapons, which Phase-shift rendered effectively useless.

And he did not need to be visible for long; the attack past, he vanished back under Mirage Colloid, leaving the ship once again blind as far as he was concerned.

But this time, Badgiruel had an idea. Seeing the Blitz fire, it occurred to her that she could use the attacks against their originator. "Calculate the Blitz's position from the shot's angle," she ordered. "And disengage Igelstellung auto-tracking; put up a curtain of fire!"

"Yes, Ma'am!"

This, Kevin Walker thought, is getting completely out of hand.

The Blitz and the Gamow were both pouring energy fire on the Archangel, which he was sure would overwhelm even the carrier's new laminated armor soon enough (after all, even if the armor was immune to beam weapons itself, it still transmitted the heat to the interior; this he knew, having certain inside knowledge of the ship, from past experience); the Strike was now completely occupied with the Duel; and he and La Flaga were pinned down by the Buster and Hyperion.

The fact that the GINN's beam rifle was toast didn't help; naturally, Dearka was now pressing the attack against his Zero Target -which had, after all, no beam weapons at all- in favor of destroying the one enemy which could currently hurt it.

For Kevin still had his beam sabers.

"Why won't you just die? Like you killed my friends!" Aelan demanded, blazing away at his enemy.

"Sorry," Kevin replied easily, "but I'm not quite ready yet. There are still a few more things I need to do, a few more people who need to die. If it helps any, one of them is Earth Forces."

The ZAFT pilot paused. "What?"

"Let's just say he killed someone very important to me." The soldier said nothing more, preferring instead to rush forward, beam saber in hand. As Aelan drew her own beam sabre added in from an extra of the Duels.

Come on, he thought. Just a few more minutes... What I'd give to still be Berserker-capable...

Naturally, the Duel was still dueling with the Strike. By this time, both parties had switched to beam sabers themselves, and were slashing away at each other, neither gaining the upper hand. As did the GINN and Hyperion.

Kira was doing far better than in his last encounter with Yzak; in the weeks since, he'd gotten a much better grasp of his machine, and he used that knowledge to dodge, block, and parry every strike that came at him. But it couldn't last forever.

Archangel was having her own problems. The Blitz had succeeded in reaching the so-called "legged ship", and was pounding at her with its Trikeros. He was also in a position where none of the ship's guns could hit him.

Another blast from the Gamow struck the ship. "Heat distribution system can't seem to keep up," Chandra reported. "Armor temperature is reaching dangerous levels!"

Ramius glowered at the displays and began to resign herself to death. "I can't see it lasting more than a couple more hits..." Jason said even with his limited knowledge of the ship.

"Where are our mobile suits?" Badgiruel demanded.

Mir was already reaching for her console. "Kira! Kevin! The enemy is beside the Bridge! Get back here!"

They both heard the frantic call; in Kira's case, the Duel was about to try and cut him to ribbons, where as the The Hyperion had finally succeeded in landing a hit on the stolen GINN severing a wing. They both turned to look anyway.

"No..." Kevin whispered. "I can't let this..."

"The Archangel!" Kira's heart seemed to cease beating, and time stopped for him. Faces floated before his mind's eye, and he remembered...

Flay, after her father's death. "You didn't make any serious attempt to fight, did you? It's because you're a Coordinator too!"

A little girl, just before the battle, being reassured by Flay. "We're entering another war, but it's fine. Because Kira will be out there; he's fighting to protect us."

"Really?"

Behind Kira's eyes, an amethyst seed burst; and it echoed across space to Kevin Walker's mind, wherein a jade seed came apart.

Two pairs of eyes widened, unnaturally clear, and two mobile suits moved.

The GINN spun around Aelans next attack, which should have blown him away, and continued forward, both beam sabers out. He launched into a fast and furious series of slashes, opening numerous gashes in the G-weapon's armor as Aelan was only able to block a few not havning time to get her Umbrella shield up.

The Duel, meanwhile, was coming right for the Strike. "I've got you this time!" His beam saber came close, close enough to cut his enemy in half... and his enemy was no longer there. The Strike boosted over the Duel's head, coming to a relative stop directly behind it. "He dodged it?"

Now it was Kira's turn to slice down. His beam saber struck deep, cutting through the Phase-shift armor like it didn't exist. Then he was gone, rushing to the Archangel's aid.

Nicol was shooting at the legged ship's superstructure with complete confidence now; he knew nothing could touch him there. And he was wrong... without even seeing it until far, far too late.

"NICOL YOU GOT COMPANY!" Aelan called as even though her machine was in bad shape chased after the GINN.

"Stop it now!"Kira shouted. He landed where the Blitz had been but a moment before, tossed his beam saber away, and pushed off, slamming the Strike's knee hard into the Blitz's torso.

That's two out of the fight, Kevin thought with even greater detachment. What of the Duel and Buster?

Yzak was coming up behind Kira. "I've gotcha this time!" Once again, his beam saber came down.

Once again, he missed.

The Strike dodged to the side, and suddenly an Armor Schneider was in its hand. Normally, the weapon would have been useless against PSA... but there was a chunk of PSA missing from the Duel now.

Yzak grunted in surprise as the weapon struck deep into the gash, then pain when his displays exploded in his face, shattering his visor.

The Duel went careening backwards, out of control, to be caught by the Blitz. "Yzak?" Nicol called. "Yzak! Are you okay in there?" He switched frequencies. "Dearka Aelan!"

"What is it, Nicol?" Dearka was having his own problems, trying to get to his friends As Aelan had her umbrella shield deployed and chasing after this demon her enemy had suddenly become.

"It's Yzak!"

He didn't have to explain. Yzak did so himself. "Urgh, it burns, it burns, it burns!"

Dearka cursed. "We've gotta get out of here," he said reluctantly. "Yzak's hurt, and my Buster is running low on energy. Let's retreat before that fleet arrives."

"Right."

Aelan reluctantly agreed as she could not destroy her target. "Damn, I hate having to retreat in the middle of battle."

The damaged GINN and the Strike touched down on the Archangel's forward deck, both pilots breathing heavily, while the Zero assumed a protective position above the ship. "Look at that, they're gone! You were incredible, kids!"

Kevin did not reply, being more concerned with catching his breath. Kira managed, "Lieutenant..."

La Flaga, in awe of what had just happened, shook his head. "No, you're more than that. You're unbelievable."

Kira managed a weak, exhausted chuckle. "Not really."

Then came the most welcome words any of them had heard in days. "The Eighth Fleet is here!"

For now, it appeared the worst was over. Little did they know...

A/N:

Infinite Freedom - Good luck in your Plans.

Solid: Shoot, I didn't read it closely, Jason was refering to Junius 7. I forgot to make him say he was talking about Junius 7