"At this rate it will take another six day for Archangel to get to Venus" said Murrue. Archangel had left to catch up to the Eternal sixteen hours ago and already they were having trouble.
"Not exactly" said Athrun bringing up the map on the screen and showed them a course via an arrow on the screen. "If we take this course South-West here we'd make it to the area of Venus and catch up to Eternal in no time"
"Plus we'll cut our time by 80 hours" said Cagali.
"That's good but considering the power to accelerate the ship and decelerate at the rendezvous point. We'll be out of propelling power in a matter of seconds" said Erika.
"But then there's no getting back is there?" asked Murrue.
"No we do have a chance" said Cagali. "If we blow up the engines 7 to 14 in the Eternal the propelling force would get the ship back to Earth in no time. Also if we blow engine 4 it will spin the ship in Earth's direction. If we get the ship to Venus then explode the engines its force can give us the extra push we need".
"We only have one problem though" said Murrue, "according to what we already know we'll only be side-by-side with Eternal for 5 seconds".
"The main question is how many can we get on in 5 seconds?" asked Cagali.
"We have to take a chance. With no message from either Kira or Lowe, it means things are getting more serious" said Athrun. Cagali sighed.
"Alright then, Athrun and I will go to Eternal. Start the boosters up one more time and get ready to move" said Cagali.
"No Prime Minister. You're too valuable, I created the original Gundams so it's my duty to retrieve them" protested Erika.
"Thank you Erika but Cagali always does what she decides to do" chuckled Athrun, Cagali gave him a friendly punch on the arm and smiled. With no hesitations Archangel changed course and moved at full speed.
Amatu attacked with its blade but Gouf blocked with its own. With electric blazing out the two suits tried to push the other back.
"What's going on Shinn?" shouted Kira.
"Are you guys doing the right thing?" asked Shinn.
"What?" Kira shouted back. Amatu pulled away and lunged three times left and right, Gouf dodged them but barely and attacked back. Amatu blocked and took a swipe, Gouf moved to the left and pulled away from Amatu with its shield up.
"Shinn listen to me, activate the self detonation code" said Kira. He had heard just how dangerous Amatu once, in the hands of the pilot who beat him in battle it's was deadly.
Shinn ignored him and leapt into the air coming down with a powerful blow that took Gouf's shield arm off. Amatu took another swipe; Gouf dodged but gained a scratch to the chest. Pulling back it stopped. Amatu stopped and waited for an attack. However Gouf's hatch blew up and Kira in his space suit stepped out.
"I won't say it again Shin, press the button" he said, Shinn didn't move or say anything.
Black Frame was still flying high and already had taken out the Zaku's left leg and both its arms. Lowe had managed to dodge a few but now lay on the ground beat up.
"MU, WHY HAVE YOU BETRAYED US?" yelled Lowe.
"Relax Lowe, the show will be over soon" came Mu's voice on the speakers. Black Frame raised its shield up to reveal two missile ports.
"So this will end everything will it?" said Lowe with a small smile as he closed his eyes. Black Frame and the missiles flew to their target and exploded.
The dust of the blasts spread through the whole area making it nearly impossible for Shinn to see Kira. As the dust settled he looked to see Gouf was completely empty, Kira had escaped.
Lowe opened his eyes to see Black Frame was gone but also the impact of the explosion was a good few feet away from him. Putting on his space suit and picking up a bag which had his A.I computer friend 8 in he opened the hatch.
"Damn Mu, couldn't you have taken it a little easier?" asked Lowe as he floated to the lift to meet up with Kira topside.
Back in space the Eagle Ship kept a close eye as mobile suits were launched and heading for a secondary base above Earth.
"Apparently they moved the old ZAFT base Jachin Due to above Earth. It was protected by Neutron Jammers so it was not detected till it was too late. It was found out just two hours ago. A Eagle cruiser is on its way from the moon. Hopefully we can find someway of stopping them" said Luna. Milly nodded.
"Hey Luna, did you identify any new Mobile Suit models?" she asked.
"No, they all seemed to Ginns, GuAIZs, Zakus and Goufs. I saw a few Strike Daggers as well" said Luna.
"We've been taking them too lightly" said Milly as she checked the scanners on one of the Mobile Suits that had passed by and switched it to heat vision.
"As I thought, look" she said pointing out to Luna the cockpit.
"There's no human heat. These suits were being remote controlled and used as a diversion" gasped Luna.
"That means Jachin Due must be where they are hiding the new Mobile Suits. Contact Yzak at once, tell him to warn Waltfeld" said Milly.
An hour after receiving the message snow had begun to fall. People were in the city buying presents and enjoying the Christmas Eve spirit. Yzak watched from his office.
"So Sazuka is planning on taking over ORB in the name of Creuset. With almost 0 chance of defending ourselves she won't need 5 minutes to take over" he sighed and looked at the sky. "But it wasn't domination you desired though was it Captain?" he thought to himself.
"We're about 3 hours from the destination point" Erika reported, everyone on Archangel was anxious, Cagali sat already in her space suit.
"Why did you ever make the suits in the first place father?" she thought to herself thinking back to when she learnt about the Gundams.
"Self-Detonators?" Cagali shouted in the manufacturing plant.
"We installed them in the original five suits you saw yourself" said Uzumi as he watched the M1 suits being tested.
"What for confidentiality purposes?" asked Cagali still upset about the whole event of the suits built in the first place.
"No we originally designed for if they were to be captured. The pilot would set the time and escape. Thus not only do they survive but the suit would be destroyed stopping anyone from using it" explained Uzumi.
"But father, why did you create them in the first place. I thought ORB was a peaceful nation" said Cagali.
"We maybe peaceful Cagali. However people will try and use this to their advantage and take over. I will not allow Alliance or ZAFT to take control. ORB is independent and always will be. That is why if the situation were to occur we would fight back and never surrender" said Uzumi looking at Cagali straight in the eyes. Cagali felt a bit uneasy but then he gave her a disc.
"Can you take this to Erika? It's the blue prints of Strike Gundam. Your friend Kira let us download them so it maybe useful" he asked.
"Yeah…sure" said Cagali a little confused and walked out the door.
"I know she is young and headstrong. However she is the last hope if Rondo tries to get her own way" through Uzumi.
Cagali sighed, Athrun looked at her, and he knew how much she was going through. They had to protect ORB and he knew they would do their best.
Inside the city section of Nataku a helicopter flew over the city on its way to the shuttle bay. Inside Lacus sat with Haro and Tori both of whom kept silent and looked at Sazuka in a menacing way.
"Say you did succeed in fulfilling the late captain Creuset's goal? Why are you attacking ORB first? Shouldn't you try to cripple the Alliance?" asked Lacus.
"Your mistaken, I just want to be victorious" said Sazuka with a smug grin.
"Do you even know what you're fighting for? You make it sound like it's a game your sure you will win. Besides I know your fathers true intentions" said Lacus.
"Miss Clyne, please refrain from talking like that. It is I who wields the power here" said Sazuka staring at Lacus. Lacus said nothing but looked at the window with a serious expression.
On a nearby hill Lowe used his binoculars to watch the helicopter leaving. He passed them to Kira to look through.
"There's no way we can catch up to that" said Lowe, Kira was silent but followed the Helicopter.
"THEY ARE IN A RUSH FOR SOMEONE GOING TO EARTH" 8 said, Lowe had placed a voice chip in the computer so 8's words could be heard and read.
"That's because their escaping" said Kira with a serious expression as he gave the binoculars back to Lowe.
"Why they escaping?" asked Lowe, Kira was quiet.
"Come on Kira, remember she is Rau's daughter after all" said Lowe.
"I'm more concerned about the Sahuka family. I remember hearing the name Sahuka being connected to a certain little attack on Earth that succeeded" said Kira.
"They can't be serious, their actually planning on using the same tactics as the Junius 7 drop" said Lowe with his fists clenched.
"Correct Lowe" said Kira, "and we're going to stop them".
A few hours later, Archangel had finally reached the rendezvous point. While the crew kept the ship moving Athrun and Cagali were outside. They had placed a special wire with a harpoon on the end into a launcher for it to be fired.
"Guys we'll be alongside the Eternal soon" Murrue told them over the com-link.
"If it looks dangerous get back into the ship at once" added Erika.
"Sure thing" said Cagali.
"Here it comes" said Athrun, Eternal was heading straight in their direction. Archangel decelerated at once so it could get close enough but Eternal was speeding up as Archangel slowed down.
"We'll be in alignment in 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1" Erika countered down.
"NOW" shouted Cagali. Athrun fired and the harpoon shot out and by luck just hit into the Eternal. Using a special device Cagali and Athrun jetted across and were half way to the Eternal when the Archangel's deceleration stopped and the wire was pulled back and shuddered.
"CAGALI" yelled Erika as the crew watched Cagali fly off the wire and was tumbling. Athrun activated his back up jet pack and flew towards Cagali and caught her and with luck landed on Eternal.
"Are you okay?" asked Murrue.
"Bit shaken but I'll survive" said Cagali, the crew sighed as the wire snapped a few seconds later. Archangel could only go forward; luckily there was an old Alliance base nearby for them to refuel.
"Take care everyone, say hi to the goddess for me" joked Cagali as she and Athrun entered the ship.
The air was still active and they made for the Mobile Suit deck where the Gundams where.
"The climate control is keeping it cold" said Athrun as he removed his helmet.
"Yeah but its still hotter then the desert in here" groaned Cagali taking her helmet off. The two looked at the suits.
"Hey guys, surprised to see us?" asked Athrun.
Jachin Due was now positioned above the islands of Orb. The pods containing the new Mobile Suits were now ready for departure. In the main control room Rondo watched from the main screen.
"We're now positioned above ORB, the Eagles cruisers have departed from the area" reported one soldier.
"So now they fight back but its too late, by the time they can muster enough forces the Attha family will no longer be in command of ORB, RELEASE THE BLACK FRAMES PODS" ordered Rondo pointing to Earth.
The first seven pods were released, each containing up to four Black Frames. They began to descend slowly towards Earth atmosphere. Suddenly a mysterious figure was flying towards them.
"LADY RONDO, UNIDENTIFIED MOBILE SUIT COMING FAST" yelled a solider.
"WHAT? On screen now!" ordered Rondo. The soldiers enlarged the target.
"Checking the Mobile Suit make…It's Strike Gundam" the soldier gasped.
"Strike? Who could even pilot that thing let alone challenge us?" Rondo asked herself.
"Strike is heading towards our suits".
Equipped with its Aile Strike back Strike Gundam ignited a beam sabre and charged in destroying a pod with one swipe. One by one it took care of the pods then turned its attentions to Jachin Due. The pilot smirked.
"Great I knew they'd take ORB first, guess those mysterious people at Jachin Due two months ago weren't miners" he said.
"The Black Frames cannot fight back whilst their inside the pods, if we release them now they'll burn up in Earths Atmosphere" reported a solider.
"Shall we launch Amatu?"
"No there is no need" said Rondo, suddenly the screen changed to see Strike Gundam's pilot.
"This is Wing calling".
"Dearka Elsman. What brings a ZAFT soldier like you here?" asked Rondo not afraid.
"I fought for ORB once before plus I prefer the Controls of Gundam to that of a Zaku" said Dearka giving Rondo a cold stare. Strike was now on Jachin Due and had its Beam Rifle aimed below at the control room itself.
"One shot from here and it'll penetrate and take out that room and the whole base. Rondo Sahuka surrender and disarm yourself at once" he said. Rondo was smiling and just laughed looking up at the roof knowing Strike was on the other side.
"Ha, I dare you to shoot at us" he she said.
"Oh do you?" asked Dearka tempted to fire.
"Yes, because if you do you'll learn that these Black Frames are not the only cards we're playing" said Rondo
"You bitch" said Dearka.
"Didn't you know? I was the one who after a two year peace began the rift between Alliance and ZAFT" said Rondo proudly.
"What? Junius 7" gasped Dearka, Rondo has began to laugh.
"That's right; it was I who assisted those former soldiers in having that huge rock lump head directly towards Earth. If you continue in getting in my way of reaching my destiny I will have the Colony Nataku dropped in the way" she told him. Dearka growled, he took his finger off the fire button but made sure Strike was still aiming.
"You will surrender, unlike Cagali I have no intentions in letting you join us but I'll gladly take your Gundam as a peace offering" Rondo sneered.
With nothing in their way the pods began launching again and now were entering Earths Atmosphere. Dearka gritted his teeth, he had to watch this, with Nataku still a threat he could not do a thing.
A shuttle launched destined for Earth, closely following it was Gold Frame Amatu. Shinn looked at Earth with an evil smile.
"ORB, lets see how you enjoy your new ruler" he laughed.
"Drop Nataku onto Earth!" shouted Lacus, she was sitting next to Sazuka and had heard the back up plan.
"Sazuka please don't do this" she pleaded. Tori and Haro were in a state of fear and were flying around.
"Lacus please, there is no need to create such a danger as long as all mankind bow at my feet" said Sazuka calmly.
"And you think I'll help you?" asked Lacus.
"I know you will, you see you are an icon to all because of your strong beliefs in peace. When they see their dear Lacus Clyne with their new leader they'll have to obey me for your safety" explained Sazuka.
"So that's why you abducted me" said Lacus.
"Now you get the picture" chuckled Sazuka.
Onboard Eternal Athrun floated into engine control 2 where Cagali was preparing the engines to take them back to Earth.
"Control 1 ready for turning" he said.
"The heats getting worse we have to hurry" said Cagali as she finished up.
"Just think of it as a sauna" joked Athrun as they left the room.
At the bridge of the ship they took to their seats. Athrun set the first explosion off. It was small but the force turned the ship round into a spin. Cagali watched the radar for the red line to touch the blue.
"This should do it" she said and hit the button. The engines at the back exploded at once, the force did not destroy the ship but made it go forward at incredible speed, only 13 hours to Earth.
"Well should get a lot cooler now" laughed Athrun, Cagali just sighed.
Inside the main base in Nataku the alarms were blasting out and explosions were seen everywhere. Many soldiers were wounded but not dead. Darting out of the smoke Kira and Lowe made for the Colony control room brandishing a hand gun each and grenades. While soldiers fired on them the two aimed so their foes were wounded and Lowe threw a grenade to make them clear the area meanwhile in the control room someone was reading a mission description.
"Operation Meteor. The plan devised in secret by the Sahuka to gain control of Orb. The thrusters and stabilizers that keep a colony in place are sped up and moved to one direction. Doing so the Colony directs itself at Earth damaging PLANT on the way. After the drop and chaos unfolds the Gundam army of ORB gains mastery with Sahuka family on top"
Kira began hacking into the door controls of the control room while Lowe threw a grenade to keep the enemy busy. They got in as the explosion occurred and locked the door. To their surprise six soldiers were knocked out and some was at once of the computers.
"Took your time didn't you?" asked Mu.
"How bout that, knew you were no way the bad guy" said Lowe.
"Give me hand guys. There's a strong lock on this system" said Mu.
"We're on it" said Kira as he and Lowe took a computer each and began trying to prevent the colony stabilizers and thrusters from moving by locking them down. Lowe connected 8 to the system to help.
"We'd better hurry, their launching Black Frames onto ORB" said Kira.
"The last locks a bit of a doozy" said Lowe.
"THERE HAS TO BE A BACK DOOR, LEAVE IT TO ME" said 8.
"A lot of soldiers who are part of this army are old comrades of mine. I'd known about Rondo's plan. Her twin sister used to work with me. However we have your friend in Serpent Tail to thank for killing her Lowe. That made her sister more determined to win. I had to do something so while Murrue took Archangel to help Cagali and Athrun I used some contacts to sneak in as a member. But it's taking me too long to stop them" explained Mu.
"What about Shinn? Did he become a soldier of Sazuka to help prevent the invasion?" asked Lowe.
"No he hates ORB for the death of his family during the battle two years ago before the creation of the Three Ship Alliance" said Kira as he pressed a few final buttons.
"Okay it's done" said Mu. Lowe got on the radio.
"You stop the colony from dropping?" said Milly on board the ship; Luna had already passed on the message. In less then a minute Dearka was back on the fire button.
"This is Wing I'm destroying Jachin Due" he said and Strike fired a shot into the base. It hit the main control room setting off a chain reaction inside the base. Jachin Due was being torn apart and turned into nothing but small boulders. Strike managed to take flight and survived the explosion. Dearka looked to his left to see a shuttle just escape the blast and head to Earth.
"You were a little late, see you on Earth" chuckled Rondo, Dearka growled.
"We were unable to prevent the invasion" said Mu.
"At least we saved the colony from being a weapon. Now we have to get moving" said Kira, just then the door began knocking.
"It's over now" said Mu.
"Not necessarily, got some mail from Athrun and Cagali" said Lowe and pressed ENTER, Athrun came on the screen.
"Cagali and I have successfully directed the Eternal towards Earth. With its speed now it should arrive in at least the next 6 hours" he said.
"Lowe, 8, send Athrun a message. Tell him and Cagali to send Strike Freedom to the point AD-654" said Kira.
"Are you crazy or something?" asked Lowe.
"I'll pick up Freedom in space and head for Earth at once. You guys meet up with me on Earth once Eternal has arrived" Kira told them.
"There's a shuttle in Hangar 5, it'll get you there" said Mu.
"Thanks, Lowe I need you to do me one last thing" said Kira.
"Sure what ya need?" asked Lowe who had put either in its back.
"Put you hands by your side" said Kira.
"Uh Kira we're meant to be escaping" said Lowe confused.
"Blow the door down" a voice could be heard on the other a side.
"Hurry up will ya" said Kira a bit annoyed.
"Well okay" said Lowe and did it, "don't see what that will…" he stopped as he felt Kira punch him in the stomach. Lowe was shaking and nearly out of breath.
"Why? Why? Why in the…" he began.
"I hate to do it because you're my friend, but we need to make it look convincing" said Kira, Lowe grinned, he knew what was going on, and then he passed out.
"Make sure he can escape in time, we need him to pilot Red Frame" said Kira giving Lowe to Mu who put him over his shoulder.
"Good luck" said Mu as Kira lay on the floor to look knocked out. Six soldiers ran in to see Mu the only man standing.
"It's okay I took care of them. But the colony can not drop now" Mu told them. Kira got up and darted right out of the door. The Soldiers followed, Mu smiled, he and Lowe would be getting a piece of the action soon.
Back over Earth a Sky Grasper flew towards the planet, Strike was still in space, floating on its back. Milly sat at the controls of Sky Grasper and sighed.
"Must you always be a hero Dearka?" she said to herself.
Dearka sat in reading a small pocket book he had brought. He had been there for 3 hours now, his screen beeped but he didn't look.
"Is that you Milly?" he asked.
"I'm your chauffeur Dearka" Milly chuckled.
"Thanks" said Dearka looking at the screen. "So Milly, how have you been?" he asked.
"I'm good" said Milly then went red, "it's been two years and 5 days you know".
Christmas C.E 74, Sazuka's army has taken over the entire ORB Empire. As snow continues to fall along with the dropping Black Frames. Peace on Earth has come to a close after one year. Even the Eagles are powerless to do anything. Now as all hope is lost. A single Gundam called Amatu and its pilot wait above Earth. A Junk Tech is thrown into prison by a friend. The crew of Eternal head to Earth launching a small one Mobile Suit pod towards the planet. Praying its pilot will survive. The only Mobile Suit the Eagle's posses prepares to fight. Sazuka stands at the ORB embassy ready to take her place in history. And as a small green robot bird takes flight a young woman looks to the sky. Praying for hope to arrive in time. And that hope leaves Nataku to meet with its comrade in arms. A small hand of heroes prepare for the final stand, it all comes down to this. The future depends on one final battle.
To be concluded in Gundam Seed Endless Waltz Part 3