Lunamaria was practising at the pistol range again. Despite her efforts, she kept missing the targets. She looked at the person practising next to her. Kira was already approaching Athrun's level; he could hit the target most of the time even when holding the pistol with one hand. The girl sighed. When would she ever learn to shoot straight? Kira noticed the lady looking at him.
"Still having trouble with the targets?" Lunamaria nodded. Kira put his gun down and observed the lady's shooting. He soon discovered her problem.
"You're squirming too much. Don't be afraid of the gun. Remember: you're the one holding it."
"I know, but..." Luna's hands were shaking by themselves.
"Here." Kira helped hold Luna's hands together. The lady blushed. If Kira saw that, he didn't show it. After a while, he released his grip.
"Now, try again." Oddly, Luna actually had confidence in herself. She took aim. After emptying her clip, she couldn't believe her results; she had hit the target at least half the time.
"Not bad," mused Kira. He was happy for his colleague. Lunamaria thanked the boy profusely.
"You always had it in you. You just needed to be more confident." The lady smiled at the compliment.
Shinn was with Yolant Kent. As part of the ship's tech crew, Yolant had been busy with repair work. At least, his shift was over, just in time for Lacus Clyne's concert broadcast on TV. As the idol appeared, both teens noticed something.
"Hey, she seems a little different today," observed Yolant. Shinn had the manners not to say out his thoughts that Lacus's bust seemed to be bigger. Athrun was passing by behind the pair. He quickened his pace when he saw what was on the TV. He nearly bumped into Kira and Lunamaria, who decided to take a break themselves.
"Athrun, what's the rush," asked Lunamaria. Athrun was rarely so absent-minded.
"Nothing," said the teen as he walked away. Kira was thinking about his friend. Athrun had been acting a little strangely ever since he returned from PLANT. What was going on?
"Look, it's Lacus Clyne. She sure is a talented singer," sighed Lunamaria. Kira took some time to observe the lady who was singing and dancing on the stage. Wait a minute... Kira excused himself, while Lunamaria had noticed the slight change in Lacus's appearance as well.
Athrun was leaning against the wall next to a vending machine, a can of coffee in his hands. As he took sips from it, he thought about Lacus... and Meer. Surely, things were not as simple as they seemed.
"Mind if I join you," asked a familliar voice. Athrun looked on as Kira bought for himself another can of coffee. As the two friends stood side by side, Kira decided to voice his suspicion.
"That Lacus that's on TV now...Is she the real Lacus Clyne?"
Athrun knew that Kira would spot it sooner or later. As the couple's close friend, it would have been unusual for him not to notice. Athrun shook his head. His friend tried hard to conceal his surprise. This was no laughing matter.
"Lacus was nearly assassinated." Upon hearing that, Kira choked on his drink. After the brunette had cleared his throat, Athrun continued.
"My return to PLANT was to deal with the aftermath of the incident. She's now in hiding, in Orb."
"Is that so? Who else knows about this?"
"Chairman Durandal. In fact, he was the one who came up with the idea of using a body double." Kira began to have his doubts about the man. He remembered their first meeting; like Cagalli before him, he was now finding that smile of Durandal's disturbing.
"I hope you'll help keep this a secret, even from Shinn," requested Athrun.
"Not a word."
After her repairs had been completed, the Minerva set off for the Black Sea. As she approached the Gulnahan ravine, located east of Suez, Talia ordered the ship to be stopped. They had met their obstacle: a land-based Lohengrin positron cannon fortification in the ravine, which was the only point in the area passable by large vehicles, such as the Minerva. The EA's "Lohengrin Gate" was built in the middle of the ravine. Also, according to ZAFT intelligence, the mobile armor YMAG-X7F Gells-Ghe was stationed at the base. The Gells-Ghe's positron reflector shield was able to block any weapon in ZAFT's arsenal, even the Minerva's "Tannhäuser" positron blaster cannon. A frontal attack, even with ZAFT's top aces leading the charge, would be suicidal. There had to be some other way, thought Talia. She looked through the intelligence reports again. They mentioned a local resistance movement. Perhaps, they would be of help.
The resistance had the same thing in mind. They sent Conil Almeta, a 14 year-old girl to the ship. She claimed to have information "which would ensure victory for ZAFT". Talia summoned the "Reds" to her office.
In front of the ZAFT personnel, Conil spoke of a cave system in the ravine. The EA had no knowledge of their presence. If the Minerva's MSes used them to sneak into the base,...
"We'll be able to destroy the Lohengrin cannon," exclaimed Shinn.
"Sounds like you're pretty excited about the idea," wisecracked Talia. Shinn lowered his head, his face red with embarrassment.
"Shinn, you'll be our infiltrator for this mission."
"Me?" The teen pointed to himself. The captain nodded her agreement.
"Given the narrow cave system, only the Impulse would be able to go through them while broken up in their component parts. Athrun, you and Kira would lead the assault after the Impulse had taken out the cannon. Remember the Gells-Ghe." The two pilots acknowledged their orders.
"Lunamaria, Rey, you two would provide backup should the Freedom and the Saviour require assistance."
"Yes, Captain."
"Shinn, the mission depends on your success. Don't screw this assignment up. Another FAITH pilot would be joining us in this."
"You can count on me, Captain. But..." Talia decided to notify her Reds that Heine Westenfluss was in this mission as well, together with his team. The elite pilots looked at each other. They had seen Heine in the base earlier on. A handsome, eloquent guy like him was a team leader? Athrun couldn't help but do a comparision.
After launching in the Core Splendor, Shinn headed for the caves. The girl hadn't lied to them. He didn't encounter a single soul until he saw the cannon. Piece of cake, thought the ace, as the assembled Impulse took out the EA's trump card, along with its guards.
After receiving the news that the Lohengrin had been destroyed, it was time for the Saviour and the Freedom to do their job. The Gells-Ghe didn't stand a chance in close combat, and was disabled by the two units. Without the mobile armour, the enemy base was quickly reduced to ash, with help from the Westenfluss team. The Saviour and the Freedom then went to the nearby city, which had previously been occupied by the EA. The resistance fighters were not lazing around either. They had swiftly rounded up the EA officials and troops in their area. Kira saw some fighters raising their rifles at the captives. He switched his radio to an open frequency.
"Don't shoot the prisoners!"
After a short silence, a gruff voice replied.
"Why should we do that? These EA dogs have oppressed us since the day they came. Their cruelty to us can only be repaid in blood!"
"If you kill them, you are no better than the dogs which you proclaimed them to be," said Kira softly. That seemed to have an effect on the men. They lowered their guns. Kira sighed.
"Let's go." The Saviour followed behind the Freedom as they returned to the ship. On board the Minerva, Shinn was already beaming form ear to ear as the crew praised him for his skills. He had helped win the day for them, and he was proud of it. As for Kira and Athrun, all they wanted was a good rest...
Afterthoughts
-Please RnR!