ZAFT intelligence finally tracked down Djibril to Orb. As troops from Carpentaria gathered for an invasion along with the Minerva, Chairman Gilbert Durandal issued an ultimatum to the Orb Representative: hand over the Blue Cosmos leader, along with former ZAFT red coats Kira Yamato, Athrun Zala and Minerva's former CIC officer Meyrin Hawke, or face the consequences.
"I need to consider my options, Chairman."
"You have three hours, Princess." With that, the line went dead. Cagalli ordered Kisaka to mobilise Orb's military. The terms were unacceptable to her; a battle was now the only solution.
Durandal had no doubt that Cagalli was merely buying time. He gave the objectives of Operation "Angel Down" to Talia Gladys. Despite her misgivings, she acknowledged the orders. With the St. Helens as the flagship of the invasion (codenamed "Fury"), the Minerva would be busy with her own mission.
The other lords were silent on the matter. Although they would love to hand the three ZAFT fugitives over, they knew that Cagalli would never do that, based on her friendship with them. More importantly, the lady had already made clear her knowledge of their connections with LOGOS. They had lost their power to protest any decision the Representative made.
Once the three hours were up, Cagalli sent her reply. She couldn't hand Djibril over, for she had no idea where he was hiding. As for the others, "you can forget about them."
"That leaves me with no choice, Princess." Cagalli severed the connection herself. Words were unimportant now. She only hoped that Orb would pull through this battle intact.
With both side poised to strike, the battle commenced. As the Murasames and ZAKU Warriors fought in the skies, both Freedoms and the Justice threw themselves into the heat of the battle. After the Minerva's three ace suits had been launched, Gladys stated their other mission.
"The Minerva has just been assigned another task. In addition to 'Fury', we are to execute 'Angel Down': destroy the Freedom and the Saviour!" The crew, Shinn and Lunamaria gasped at this latest instruction. Regardless, they decided to obey.
The Destiny hacked its way through the Orb ranks until it came face to face with the Freedom. After a few strikes, Shinn realised that the pilot was not his friend.
"Who are you? Where's Kira Yamato," demanded Shinn.
"A friend of his, that's who I am. Look out for the other Freedom if you want him." With that, La Flaga flew off. Shinn had his target fixed on his friend. If anyone was to take Kira down, it would be him.
Meanwhile, the Legend had sighted the Justice. After informing the Minerva of Athrun's change in MS, Rey engaged the red unit. As he fought his former team mate, Athrun realised that Rey's piloting style was eerily similar to Rau's. What did it meant?
The Impulse had been spotted by the Eternal. Despite Athrun's protest, Lacus insisted on being with the ship. She would see for herself just how far Durandal would push the whole thing. The new CIC on board decided to hail the ZAFT suit.
"Shinn, is that you?"
"Meyrin?" Luna was surprised to hear her sister in the battlefield.
"Sister?" Meyrin didn't have time to say more. More enemy suits had locked on the Eternal. Andrew decided to call for reinforcements from Hilda...
The Destiny had finally sighted the Strike Freedom. Kira, who had been disabling the enemy as they come, knew that the dreaded moment had arrived. The two friends locked their Mobile Suits' swords together. After a few bouts, neither was able to gain the upper hand.
"You've improved," remarked Kira.
"Well, I did learn from the best," replied Shinn. He remembered his friend's fighting style. The Destiny would have to watch its weapons and cameras...
In her office, Cagalli was watching the battle. She wanted to join her brother and friends.
"If only I had another MS to pilot...Kisaka, can I use the Saviour?"
"Actually, we do have a unit for you." The giant took out his phone. After contacting Erica Simmons, the colonel led her to a hangar that she didn't know existed. Erica was there to receive them as she unlocked the final gate. The trio soon stood before a golden MS.
"After the first war, your father asked me to design a unit for you, which would symbolise a new beginning as you lead Orb to the future. This is the ORB-01 Akatsuki," said Erica.
"'Dawn'..." remarked Cagalli. She took a deep breath. Although she had not been in strict training, she should be just fine...
As Kira and Shinn continued their duel, the older teen was getting desperate. With the Destiny tying him down, and the Legend doing the same with the Justice, ZAFT was beginning to punch a hole through their defences. Shinn had his own problems as well; his energy supply was running out. Without a word, the Destiny bolted for the Minerva. Kira decided to take care of the rest of ZAFT first.
Meanwhile, the Minerva had sighted the Archangel. Talia decided to give her former ally a notice.
"We meet again, Captain Ramius, although we're now on different sides. To think that our ships had once fought side by side..."
"May the better ship win, Captain Gladys," replied Murrue stiffly. Natarle and Arthur gave orders for the Archangel and the Minerva to be fully prepared for combat. As the two ships took shots at each other, it became clear to both sides that the enemy crew was no pushover. Natarle suggested taking their ship underwater. Murrue had the same thing in mind as well. Also, they would be able to avoid attacking the Minerva.
The Orb forces were surprised to see this golden Mobile Suit seemingly from nowhere, and beginning its destruction of ZAFT units. Cagalli addressed her men.
"All Orb units, this is Cagalli Yula Athha. The EA did not manage to occupy Orb, and today, neither will ZAFT succeed!"
With their improved morale, the Murasames began to push ZAFT further away from their shores. On top of that, a single pod had landed, and three DOM Troopers had stepped out from it.
"All right, guys. Let's do it! For Chairman Clyne and Miss Lacus," rallied Hilda. On the Eternal, her captain had noted their presence.
"All friendly forces, this is Lacus Clyne of the Eternal. The three DOM Troopers which you see in the field are not your enemies. They are here to lend their assistance to Orb!"
With the Archangel underwater, the Minerva decided to take their battle elsewhere. As the Destiny was getting resupplied, Shinn was figuring out how to beat the Freedom. When he launched again, he still didn't have a clue.
Abi Windsor couldn't believe the data that she was receiving. She quickly got her captain's attention.
"The St. Helens had been sunk!"
Talia knew that it was the work of the Archangel. She gave orders for the Minerva to take over as the new flagship. Her attention then turned towards the Akatsuki.
"Shinn, it seems that an important officer is piloting the golden MS!" The Destiny flew towards the newcomer. Sure enough, several Murasames were acting as its escort. As Shinn took them out, Cagalli realised that she was facing a top ace of ZAFT. She went into SEED mode.
As the Destiny took on the Orb suit, Shinn couldn't help but admire the pilot for his skills.
"You are an outstanding pilot."
"I did survive Jachin Due, Shinn Asuka." Cagalli had recognised the boy's voice.
"Lady Cagalli?" Shinn couldn't believe that his enemy was a lady, and the Representative of Orb to boot. Cagalli took advantage of the Destiny's momentary lapse to close in. This had got to end, thought the FAITH pilot as he steadily lost ground. He activated his own SEED powers. The Akatsuki began to struggle under the Destiny's fierce attacks. Looks like I've bitten off more than what I could chew, thought Cagalli.
Suddenly, another MS came charging from the Destiny's rear. It placed itself between the combatants.
"Cagalli, shouldn't you be somewhere else?" His sister got the idea. The Akatsuki flew off into the distance.
"Ironic, isn't it? More than two years ago, at this very place, I inspired you to become a MS pilot. Today, we are fighting as enemies."
"All this wouldn't have happened if you didn't join LOGOS!" Knowing that Durandal had fabricated lies about him, Kira decided not to go on further. The Destiny's moves were much more aggressive this time round. There could only be one explanation for that, thought Kira. The older boy went into SEED mode as well.
The Impulse flew around the Eternal, destroying her escorts. Due to Meyrin's pleas, Andrew didn't target the suit. Meyrin switched to an open frequency.
"Sister, get out of here!"
"Meyrin, why did you become a traitor?" Although it pained Lunamaria, that was the truth (at least to her).
"Things aren't that simple! Although I don't exactly know the situation, the Chairman is not being completely honest!" With that, Lunamaria remembered her friends' meeting with the Orb Representative. Her mind was in a whirl. The Impulse pulled away from the enemy ship.
After their long battle with each other, the Justice was still in a deadlock against the Legend. Despite their frustrations, neither pilots could manage to break through the other's defences...
Djibril looked at his watch. It was time to go; besides, he had outstayed his welcome. As he boarded the shuttle, he couldn't help but smile at the downcast faces of Unato and his son. With the confusion in the battlefield, it shouldn't be too difficult for him to reach the moon. Despite the Murasames and the Impulse, he managed to escape safely.
With their target gone and their forces in disarray, Talia ordered a retreat. As ZAFT disengaged from the battle, Shinn left a parting shot for Kira.
"We'll continue this at another time."
As ZAFT retreated, Orb forces began their own regrouping. Cagalli decided to seek her father's approval over an important matter...
Kira and Athrun were trading accounts of their battles. Athrun was worried about Shinn's skills.
"If he turns out to be Durandal's trump card, we may have to..." He stopped short of saying the actual word; they got the idea anyway.
Upon hearing of the Seirans' dealings with LOGOS, Lord Uzumi accepted Cagalli's request of annulling her bethoral to Yuna. As she silently applauded her new-found freedom, Uzumi had something to say.
"You led Orb to war over your brother and friends."
"Father, Durandal is hiding many things, and I intend to expose him." Uzumi sighed. His time was indeed over.
Cagalli thought about the things she intended to reveal to the world. It's time Durandal received some shocks of his own...
Afterthoughts
-Please RnR!