Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed, but some guy out there in the world does, there your proof, live with it!

Phase 4: Pushing too Far

All of the Earth Alliance troops had retreated back to the safety of their armada. Most soldiers had returned with severe wounds. Sick bay was packed as the doctors and nurses tried as best they could to tend to the injured.

Orga, Shani and Crot weren't doing any better for by the time they had reached the ship, their drug had begun to wear off and thus the three of them began feeling painful withdrawal symptoms as they dragged towards the lab by several scientists.

By then, Azrael stood waiting for them with a menacing glower on his face as he approached the three pilots who were more preoccupied with their pain than with him.

"Do you expect us to win when your performance is that low!" Azrael demanded, not bothering to pay attention to their cries and groans, "Now you've gone and gave the enemy the upper hand!" The pain just seemed to keep coming along with Azrael's verbal torment. "As punishment for your actions, you will not be receiving your usual supply unless I have directed so!" Azrael finished, strolling out the door and walking towards the bridge once more.

The lab personnel left the three to their misery as the cruel and twisted treatment continued.

Orga scanned the room, trying to find anything to ease the intense pain, but he failed to find anything of the sort in the empty lab. He was trying his best not to scream, but his whimpers could still be heard.

Crot could barely stand the pain as he tried grab onto something, but the metal walls of the lab couldn't provide the support sending Crot sliding back down to the ground as he let out a sickening groan.

Shani had his eyes squeezed shut and his hands clutching his head as he tried to block out the intruding pain in his body.

The minutes slowly ticked by as each second seemed to taunt the three agonized pilots. Finally the door slid open revealing the scientists once again as they walked in holding the vials that would stop the horrible pain.

The three pilots quickly snatched the vials from the scientists' hands and greedily drank the fluid inside.

"You are to report to the hangar within ten minutes," stated the scientist and with that, left the lab.

Orga trudged out of the lab doors as he headed for the hangar once more with Shani behind him. Crot was slightly reluctant, but decided it best not to enrage Azrael once more as he followed Shani and Orga down the long halls.

"DaCosta, what do you mean that the Earth Alliance is gonna attack again?" Andrew questioned.

"That's what I managed to scope out," explained DaCosta.

"Wouldn't their units be damaged from last time? You can't regroup and attack in that small amount of time..." Andrew remarked.

"Well, why don't I go with you this time?" suggested a soft voice from behind.

"Sure, why not? After all, there was something weird about that Gundam pilot...and I'd like to see just what is going on with that fleet," Andrew replied, "DaCosta, send out the main troops. I'll follow up with the remaining forces."

"Yes sir," DaCosta replied, running off to inform the soldiers of this development.

"We'd better get going too, shouldn't we Andy?" Aisha questioned, gently taking a hold of Andrew's hand.

"Yeah, let's go," Andrew replied, as they walked off towards the hangar.