Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed Destiny or any of its characters.

A Spy to the Gods

Section Nine

I had awoken to the announcement that we were closing in on the Mahamul Base; it was my cue to get my arse in gear. I showered, finally, and suited myself back into the regular morning ritual that had been hindered for the past week due to constant moving back and forth between the intelligence community and ZAFT. I went to the galley and downed a bland breakfast meal and a coffee that was more suited as a brown muddy puddle at the side of a county road rather then being poured down my throat; I should've grabbed a few more packets of sugar. Even though it was quite late in the morning, I still attracted a few stares and caught the sound of a whisper or two, with the odd quiet giggle and bellowed laugh of a half arsed joke. I finished quickly; or rather I didn't finish and left what I couldn't stomach. I was never one for a large appetite, which my mates and comrades in arms appreciated as they usually finished off my meals for me.

I spent the rest of the morning searching for a printer to print off the intelligence report I had received from Carpentaria station. I preferred to present it to them in a file rather then in a memory stick, it makes it look like it's worth reading. I scouted Meyrin to help me find a printer and a folder to keep the papers in. With all that printed off, I checked over it a few times in case I had to omit any pieces of sensitive information, in any case I was only going to present it to them, they'd have to give me something in return if they wanted the file.

I turn to Meyrin as I just finish slotting the print outs into the military brown folder. 'I'd like a word with the Captain first, any idea where she is?'

'Before you called me over here I was just coming back from the Bridge, she was still there when I left.' She explains whilst learning against the closed door.

'Well I hope she is this time, I wouldn't want to have another encounter with your Executive Officer.'

'You don't like him do you?' She asks.

'Do you?' I look directly at her as I stand up from the chair.

She shrugs her shoulders and looks off to the side 'Well, I've got to admit he is a bit weird.' She admits jokingly.

'How is he weird?'

She shrugs again 'He just is, I guess.'

'Well, that's fair enough, I'm finished here.' I walk over to her.

'Okay.' She pushes herself off the door, giving me some space to open it.

'Thanks again for your help Meyrin.' I thank her as she steps into the corridor

'Oh it's no problem Mist… eh… Jack. Jack, just Jack.' She rambles clumsily as a shade of pink begins to tint her cheeks. I snicker a little and give her a reassuring smile. 'Erm… if there's anything else I can help you with all you have to do is just ask.' She rights herself. I ponder this for a moment, I'm sure that there was something that I needed to get. I can't help but pull a face as I think hard trying to remember.

'Tape…' I mutter to myself.

'Sorry?' Her eye brows twitch slightly, she looks confused.

'Cello tape, I could do with some cello tape if you can get your hands on it?'

'Eh…' She bites her bottom lip. 'I'll see what I can do. Eh… do you need it now?'

'No…' I lie. 'No I don't think I'll need it right now.' It would be useful but I guess I don't need it this minute. I notice the distinguished white uniform of the Captain creep up behind Meyrin. Gladys looks completely unchanged since the last time I saw her, not a hair out of place as far as I can tell, she must use hair spray by the case.

'Morning Miss Hawke.' She bellowed out intentionally. Meyrin jumps a little before quickly spinning herself around on her heels to face the Captain, knocking her elbow into my ribs in the process.

'Oh… sorry.' She apologises to me briefly before giving her Captain a clumsy salute. 'Good morning Ma'am.' The Captain returns it in much proper form.

'Can I ask; what you are doing in Mr Browning's quarters with him?' Gladys asks with a playful smirk on her face.

Meyrin's response is silence, but I notice her cheeks turning a distinctive shade of scarlet. 'Eh…'

'I asked her for a printer.' I decide to help Meyrin out of a fluster, yet again.

'I see.' She nods her head, though to be honest she doesn't look convinced. That's some dirty mind she's got.

'I'll be going then if you don't need me for anything else.' Meyrin says quickly.

'That's fine Miss Hawke, see you later.' Gladys says as she folds her arms across her chest whilst still wearing that ridiculous grin plastered on her face.

'Bye.' She starts to leave even before the word escapes her lips.

Gladys' eyes follow the retreating Meyrin, she giggles a little 'She's quite easy to tease.'

I raise an eyebrow, feigning un-interest. 'Is she?' I mutter. 'Anyway, 'morning.' I finally greet her properly.

She turns to face me. 'Ah, good morning Mr Browning, how are you enjoying your stay here?'

'It's not been too bad actually.' I admit.

'Well, that's good. You're getting quite friendly with her, aren't you?' She asks, hinting at the young CIC operator.

'Meyrin?' I ask, feigning ignorance this time.

'Of course.' She says calmly. Not wanting to answer, I keep up the act, trying to look confused, as if I don't know what she was talking about.

After a moment of looking at her like an ignorant bugger, she decides to change the subject and speak. 'I hear you were pestering the Vice Captain the other evening about you wanting to take on the remnants of the EAF at that base by yourself.'

I shake my head in disbelief, and grin a little 'I'm not that brave...' I harden my expression '…or stupid.' I finish.

'I'm glad to hear that, though I am a little curious what you were hoping to do?'

'I missed my old job.' I don't really though, as much fun as it could be, it was also very boring and taxing for the most part.

'If you miss it that much you should've followed Athrun Zala's example and reenlist in ZAFT. I bet with your experience, you could've been assigned to FAITH.' That I would hate, I'm one of these people who hate being saluted and 'sir'd' by others, doesn't happen that much but when it does I don't bother to return it. Besides, it was only in the regulars did that happen, it was almost an unwritten rule in Special Forces to never respect your superior in the traditional ways. It was also a tactic, to give any enemy observers difficulty in establishing who the commanding officer was. That was fair enough by my standards. I was getting very bored with the constant 'tick tock' attitude of the regulars; it's probably why the unconventional attitude of Special Forces attracted me to join them.

I grin again and look away 'No thanks, too many skeletons in a closet that I prefer to keep closed.'

'Well then, if you'll excuse me, I've got to attend a meeting with the base commander at Mahamul.' This is my chance. She starts to walk away.

'Would it be regarding the EAF's Suez base?' I ask, in a voice just louder then a whisper.

She stops and turns head and torso around to face me again. 'And what would that mean to you?' She isn't smiling this time.

'I've just come into some interesting information, everything ZAFT would love to know about the EAF's Lohengrin Battery.' I explain.

She raises and eyebrow 'Are you serious?'

'Of course, there's a file on my desk that contains key intelligence gathered from sources on the ground regarding the base defences, including weaknesses.'

She stays quiet, obviously deep in thought 'Is it reliable?' She asks finally.

'It's definitely worth a look.' I feel like a bloody door to door salesman. 'Let me tag along to the meeting and I'll present it to there. From what I've read of it, it sounds like the Commander is in quite a bother with this Lohengrin Battery, what I've got is definitely of some use to the campaign in this area.'

Again, she remains silent while she thinks. She sighs 'Alright then.' She gives in.

'Great, oh one more thing, did your XO inform you of my cover? The one with Martius Arsenal?'

'I'm afraid he didn't' She shakes her head. That seems typical of him.

'The last thing I want here is to attract attention from the crew, as well as my liaison job, I have a cover that I'm with the Martius Arsenal Field Research Group. It's nothing really, just something so I your crew don't get too curious.'

'Oh I see, how come I wasn't informed before?'

I sigh. 'When they issued me my equipment, they neglected to inform me of this little card. Currently there's only five, including yourself, who know of my official role here.'

'And I'm right in thinking that you want to keep it at the five of us?' She catches on quickly, certainly one of the more articulates in the circus that is the ZAFT military. I feel like giving her a round of applause.

'Yes. That's right.'

'Who are the other three?' She says as her hand brushes her lips briefly.

'Myles Brener, Lunamaria Hawke, and Meyrin Hawke.' I state the names.

'I'll inform them when I get a chance.' She nods. It's too nice of her to be doing me favours.

'Meyrin's already been informed.'

'I see.' She says, a little too playfully for comfort. She looks at her watch briefly 'That meeting is in a few minutes, if you want to get yourself ready, we'll meet you on the port side exit at twenty to.'

I look at my own watch; I've still got some time yet. 'Port side exit at twenty to, see you there.' I watch her waltz off for a moment before closing the door to. I sit back down into the chair and the check the contents of the file yet again. I miss my old job.

Twenty to, she's late. There's already a bit of an entourage here, all donned in green. I keep my distance, they whisper quietly to one another. This'll never bloody end, despite Athrun Zala's arrival, the shift of rumour and discussion is starting shift to that enigmatic young man in civvies drifting about the ship. They stand to attention suddenly, and salute, I look over my shoulder, to see the Captain, her XO and a young looking 'red elite', with a distinct insignia pinned on his chest, I notice the Captain is wearing the same insignia, I guess he must be the Athrun Zala who's been drawing the attention away from me, I must definitely thank him. The three salute back in turn.

'Hello Mr Browning, glad you could join us.' Gladys says in a professional manner, certainly different from the conversation not an hour ago. 'I don't think you two have been introduced yet, this is Commander Zala of FAITH. Commander Zala, this is Mr Browning, a… civilian advisor.' We're introduced. I feel a sense a relief sweep over me after a tense moment of when she was figuring out how to introduce me. I'd rather have her keep it vague for the moment, at least until the regulars are out of the way. I'm surprised she didn't inform him before actually, unless she's waiting for my word for it.

'Hello there.' The blue haired young adult holds his hand out. I accept it and give it a short yet firm shake.

'Good to meet you.' I greet him

'You've remembered that information, haven't you?' Gladys asks as we withdraw our hands.

'Of course, I've got it in the file.' I pat the brown folder under my left arm.

'All right, let's get going then.' Trine intervenes.

'Yes, yes Arthur.' Gladys says, sounding rather annoyed at his interruption. We all pass through the airtight exit and walk down the gangway, being careful not to trip. I keep myself between the Captain and her group, and the entourage.

It's hot, stifling almost. The sun is blinding, I have to shield my eyes with only my hand, and it doesn't help since it reflects off the tarmac. I just try to squint hard. From what I can tell, the Mahamul base looks miniscule compared to Carpentaria. I spot a few warehouses, mobile suits, a building that looks like a command centre and barracks of course. I spot a lone man in black uniform, behind him is his own green entourage standing to attention.

Gladys, Trine and Zala advance forward towards the lone officer, I keep a few steps behind but in front of her own followers. They halt, everyone apart from myself salute. I have to shake my head subtly at how silly it looks.

'I am the Captain of the Minerva, Talia Gladys.'

'I am the Vice Captain, Arthur Trine.'

'I am Athrun Zala of the Special Forces.' They all put there hands down to their sides.

'Athrun... Zala?' The officer in black says, looking a bit star struck. I hear a few whispers between the soldiers in kepis behind him. They all look as confused as their commanding officer is. It's always said that a leader leads by example; 'do as I do' not 'do as I say'. I force myself to hold a laugh at that thought.

'No, please excuse me for that.' The officer regains himself as he remembers his position and rank. 'I am the Commander of the Mahamul Base, Joachim Rudl. Thank you for coming all this way.' He salutes.

'It's not a problem.' Says Gladys, I'm surprised at how she's forgotten about all the commotion on the way here.

Rudl turns to look at me, he looks over my attire, suddenly grasping the thought that I look quite out of place among all the uniforms. 'And you would be?' He asks me.

'I'm Jack Browning, a civilian advisor currently assigned to the Minerva.' I step forward calmly, handing him both of my identification cards. He looks them over briefly, flicking through them half a dozen times. He nods once and hands them back to me. 'I'll be attending the meeting with you, if that's alright?'

'I see, good to have you here.' He says as he salutes me. He holds his position for a moment expecting me to return it; he begins to look uneasy and embarrassed under the eyes of his men. He puts his hand down to his side and clears his throat. 'Eh… well would any of you like a cup of coffee to start things off? As inhospitable as this area seems, they do at least have some good coffee beans.' He starts to lead us away; the Minerva's green uniforms stay behind.

'Yes, thank you very much.' Gladys says.

'I could do with a decent cup.' I mutter too loudly.

'Are you insinuating that my ship serves terrible coffee?' She asks, perhaps faking her offended response to my comment.

'Maybe he's used to having everything his own way.' Trine says, still taking digs at me whenever he can. I think he's suggesting that I'm like him; I'd like to knock his head off for that thought. I remain calm though.

'There's a fine line between coffee, and some black liquid that looked like it was flushed out of a radiator.'

'The situation over here seems rather difficult.' Gladys states. I'm seated at large command table, with a large map projected on it. It also doubles as a coffee table. I take a sip from the carefully crafted cup; the coffee is also carefully crafted, I've got a new found respect for the Middle East. All four of us sit at one end of this table with Rudl sitting on his own at the opposite side. His cap lies on the table, revealing his light brown wavy hair; he's armed with a pointer which he uses to demonstrate his understanding of the area. I wait for my moment to dive into the brief; I glance over to the file on the table. I subconsciously lay my hand on top of it, as if to defend it.

'Yes, as expected of the forces at Suez, we can't attack them carelessly.' Rudl starts his briefing. A small gasp escapes Trine's mouth. 'If we really wanted to defeat them, a large-scale orbital drop operation like that of the last war would be the best option. However, that plan apparently isn't getting past the council.'

'"We have no territorial desires on this planet." I wonder if that's the reason why the council is telling us we can't do it.' Gladys ponders.

'Although I support the High Council and the Chairman's policy on not expanding the war any further,' Rudl continues 'we also don't want them doing whatever they like because we're staying quiet.'

'By that, do you mean there's a problem, other than the Suez?' Gladys asks. There's always a problem Gladys, I would've thought you'd figure that out by now.

'Under normal circumstances, the Earth Alliance should be launching campaign against this Mahamul Base and across the Mediterranean to our Gibraltar Base, with their Suez Base as their stronghold. However, they're unable to do that as they wish. Why? The reason is here.' Rudl traces the pointer around the table.

'The Western Eurasia District?' Trine asks, sounding almost surprised.

'Yes. Now that we have the Indian Ocean and Gibraltar in our control, the stability of this area between Suez and the main continent is a must. If not, Suez would be isolated.' Rudl speaks as he pushes a switch and the map on the table rises up to a three dimensional view showing a sort of valley, at the end of it is what looks like a town. 'Centred around the ammunition plant in Gulnahan, they are maintaining a lifeline to Suez by forcing compliance in the district... and applying pressure against resistance in Eurasia. And thanks to the attacks being launched from Central Eurasia, the resistance forces have been placed in the difficult situation of being unable to pull back further south.'

'But on the other hand,' Zala finally speaks 'if we're able to overcome that point, we will be able to cut off their lifeline to Suez, assist the resistance, and indirectly deal damage to the Earth Alliance Forces? That's it, right?' He states. I take another sip of the coffee, adoring the extravagant taste.

'Yes, that's basically it. But they understand that too. They haven't made the job easy for us. We can only approach them from our side via this canyon, but they've also figured that out, and have placed a positron cannon here,' Rudl points 'and have stationed a monstrous mobile armour with a deflector to defend it. We tried to break through before, but the result was miserable.'

'It's like the one from back then!' Trine exclaims in surprise.

'But... perhaps with Minerva's forces...' Rudl seems pretty confident in his forces and in the men under him. Though I have my doubts that even the Minerva would be able to breakthrough with Rudl's forces, from what he's described of the defences, a frontal assault is suicidal. He's going to have to rethink his tactics than just a frontal assault otherwise he'll be remembered as the next Field Marshal Hague, the greatest mass murderer of World War One.

'I see. So basically, unless we break through there, we won't be able to get to Gibraltar?' Gladys sums up. Trine forces another gasp out that mouth of his as he grasps the situation; come to think of it he's looking rather ill. I smirk inwardly at his misfortune.

'Well, that's basically how it is.' Rudl regrettably states.

'I wonder what raccoon thought up of such a plan to make us blaze this kind of trail?' I hear Gladys ask herself, though she knows who that 'racoon' is. 'Well never mind. Doing something like that is indeed our job.'

Rudl sounds like he's finished, as is Gladys, Trine and Zala look like they've got nothing left to say. 'I suppose it's my turn to speak now.' I take my hand off the file. 'If you don't mind Commander Rudl, but I have some information I'd like to put on the table.'

His eyes fall on the brown folder 'Sure. Let's see what you have.' He nods his approval as well.

'I was asked,' I start 'to pass along some information that was gathered by an officer in the field along with the assistance of the local resistance, the same that you mentioned in the briefing.' I begin to open the file and read glance through it. 'In this file here is the description of the area, most of it you'll know of I'm sure. However, what I'm sure you don't know; is that there's an underground passage running from just outside the battery's radar range and comes out just at the base of it.' I pass the printout of the map, a distinct red line showing where the tunnel is, to Athrun. 'However the tunnel isn't wide enough for a mobile suit to manoeuvre through without take quite a few knocks along the way.' The printout finds its way back to me; I stand up and pass it along to Rudl.

He looks at it carefully, glancing back a forth between that and the map on the table. He nods 'Do you suggest a Special Forces assault through the tunnel?' He asks me.

'Afraid not, the exit is blocked at the end, and I doubt that any plastic explosives that could be carried by a team would be able to blow it open. Even if they do somehow, they have one hell of a climb against them. The resistance tried a recce mission which involved that; they were detected at the foot of the cliff and subsequently massacred.' I don't bother to mention the part that it was fortunate that they were killed rather then captured, otherwise my new friend would've been found out. Trine lets out another gasp.

'The Impulse might be able to get through the tunnel.' Zala intervenes. 'If it's split down to its Core Splendour and individual flyers, it might be able to pass through. Do you have the specific data of the tunnel?' He asks me.

'No, not yet. It's been arranged by our officer in the field that we pick up a resistance contact, a Miss Conille. She'll be carrying that specific data regarding the tunnel route. The details about the pick up are in there as well.' I nod towards the file. 'That's about it from me.'

'How come your man didn't transmit that data when he sent you all of this information?' Trine inquires.

'Security risks, he has to be careful what he can transmit, where, when, how etc. Otherwise the EAF may be able to triangulate his location and put himself at serious risk of compromise. For all we know the EAF may have the town under such close observation that he's hiding in a toilet somewhere.' I explain, my voice getting sharper to drive home the point into his thick skull.

'Thank you for your input Mr Browning.' Rudl thanks me, maybe to prevent a developing argument between me and Trine. 'We'll definitely be working up possible options at how the tunnel can be used. Well then, we'll talk again later about the timing of the operation. We have preparations to make as well. But this time, I hope that we'll be able to break open a path with the Minerva.' He finishes with some confidence. I collect all of my loose papers, finish the last of the coffee, I don't want to waste a drop of it. That reminds me, one last thing I had to ask.

'Oh, Mr Rudl?' I ask as the others are making there way to the door.

'Yes?' He replies, still at his table.

'Any chance of having a few of those coffee beans on the Minerva?' I stand up, the file back under my arm.

'Ah, so you like the coffee huh?' He seems flattered, might even be genuine.

'Yes, it was very good.' I flatter him more. 'What do you think Captain?'

She ponders an answer for a moment before nodding her approval. 'I'd like that.'

'Well I'll see what I can do for you.' Rudl replies. 'It's the least I could for the help.'

We leave the room without another word, Gladys and Trine don there peaked caps once again as I follow them through the corridors of the building back outside. The sun beats on my forehead again. I smell the horrid fumes of warm tarmac once again. The two discuss in whispers with one another. I notice Zala starting to lag behind, obviously busy with his own thoughts. I'm busy surveying the area, the scenery, how barren, desolate and lifeless. I wonder why humans chose to reside in such places. The soldiers and mechanics are busy, fixing up mobile suits and transports, preparing for this attack maybe, such a waste, they might as well shoot themselves now.

'Why didn't you leave the file with Commander Rudl?' Arthur breaks me from my train of thoughts.

I sigh once as we continue walking. 'You can take it with you when you meet him later on if you like. My parts done, all you really need to do is press forward that the contact must be picked up at the designated time and place. That's non-negotiable since I don't have direct contact with her, and it'll take too long through normal lines of communication.' I explain to him as we reach the gangway.

'Alright, we'll make sure of that.' Gladys says. 'Is there anything else? What if she doesn't turn up or if she's late?'

'The documents have it all detailed, she should be aiming to be at the rendezvous two hours before we're supposed to pick her up, if she isn't there, it would be because of something serious, in which case you or Rudl would decide on the course of action on whether to continue or not, it's not up to me, it's not my operation. Besides it's not as if picking her up is hardly a major deviation from the route you have to follow to get to Lohengrin anyway.'

'Alright that sounds fair.' She's says as we enter the Minerva. She holds a hand out. I hand the file over to her.

'Take good care of it now.'

'Of course I will.' She says. Well, I got what I wanted in return for the file, a decent cup of coffee.

Endnote: Section Nine completed. I'm currently aiming to try and meet the goal of completing a section every month, at this rate I've have to release another three before March. I'm afraid I can't promise that as I'm getting quite a few college assignments to complete at the moment, and they must take priority.

I'd like to thank reviewers for the encouragement (as well as for reviewing :p), and constructive criticism.