Chapter 3: Mistake

When Kira awoke, he felt the complete opposite of what he expected. He really didn't want to face Athrun "Haro." His head was filled with so many thoughts. Apparently, he wasn't welcome here. He was tearing apart their friendships just by being on the team. They hadn't trusted him enough to even give their last names. And to top it all off, he's dead meat once they step into East Earth. It didn't make any sense. His "friend" Athrun had played him for a fool. Kira reluctantly got out of his sleeping bag, and saw everyone else already up. They were waiting for him, no doubt. Kira tried to pretend to not know what was going on.

"Hey guys, what are you doing up so early? Are we going on a mission?"

Athrun walked towards him, looking pretty sad. "Kira, I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to-"

Kira couldn't hold his feelings in anymore. He was getting very frustrated.

All of the members of the Gundam Force saw the look on his face, and really didn't want to lose Kira. Then, Lacus cut into Athrun's sentence

"He just wanted to tell you that you'll need some sort of weapon for our missions in West Earth, right Athrun?"

The blue-haired teen's head shot up. "Wa-oh yeah, right, you need a weapon. But if you'd like, I could make you one if I had the materials. I've heard that Sector E is a big producer of machinery and weapons for West Earth. You live in Center Earth, Kira. Is this true?"

Kira was surprised that they hadn't kicked him off the team. But he kept this feeling to himself and didn't let it show, so they wouldn't suspect anything.

Kira nodded. "Yep, it's the perfect place to make weaponry. The only problem is that… well… since we're in a war, they mainly sell to West Earth soldiers. It would be almost impossible to get their materials unless you have a lot of money. And I mean a LOT of money. They're really faithful to the West Earth Alliance. And also-"

"I see… Any suggestions?"

"I've got one," Yzak said. "Why don't we steal the money, or better yet, steal the weapons and materials?"

Athrun scratched his head, unsure that this was the right way to do this. "Well, we don't want to unarm the West EA. But, we could use that if we don't have any other better options. Hm…" Athrun continued to be in the same position, deep in thought, until he got an idea.

"What if we pretended to be West EA soldiers?"

Kira ran his hand through his hair. "Athrun, this really isn't a good idea…"

"Why? What's the problem?"

"Well, Sector E is a really small town. Even though they are large producers in weapons, they are very poorly defended. If we went there, we'd bring along the enemy. It isn't going to suspect an attack, since it Center Earth is supposed to be a remote, safe haven. We got lucky with Sector C."

"You're missing the point, Yamato. We'll make any sacrifices if needed," Yzak said, coldly.

"I agree with Kira. That isn't right," Lacus stated.

Dearka shrugged. "Then we should vote to see what we should do. Who votes that we shouldn't go to Sector E?"

Lacus and Kira's hands were the only to go up.

"So, who votes that we should pretend to be West EA soldiers?" Yzak, Dearka, Athrun, and Cagalli raised their hands.

Kira sighed, knowing that only disaster was around the corner.

……………………………………………………………………….

Sector E wasn't any different then what Kira said. There were merchants in torn and old clothes who had set up shop all down most of the streets, which weren't paved at all. All it was was a light tan/brown color that represented the town completely. There were small buildings that looked like they were older then all of the Gundam Forces' members' ages combined. Some of them didn't even have a roof. Kira guessed that even though Sector E was a very poor town, people flocked to it since it was in a very remote location and was very peaceful.

"Not for long," Kira thought in sadness.

As the group searched for merchants selling weapons, they saw that the back area was completely different then the area they just passed. It was even more developed then Sector C, which was really saying something, considering that Sector C was the most developed of them all in Center Earth.

"This must be where they sell machinery," said Athrun, not very happily at all. Apparently, he had been thinking about what Kira said earlier and wasn't sure about their decision.

"It's a shame," Kira sighed. "This area is even more developed then Sector C, and yet they don't bother helping the rest of the town. They're suffering, while these people are living the life in mansions. I can't believe people can be fooled by peace so easily. They'll do anything, just to be at peace, even live in poverty."

"I guess that just proves how bad the war is…" Lacus said sadly.

"Well, that's what we're out to fix, right?" Kira said trying to lighten the mood. "At least if this town is still standing by then…," he muttered under his breath.

"Right, and we'll do anything to reach this goal."

The group pressed on, but had no luck in finding merchants that sold weapons. They checked every shop but this last one. As they entered it, they saw that the products weren't anything of use. The owner quickly spotted them and greeted them. He was a tall, bald man with a goatee.

"Welcome! Can I interest you in anything?"

"Uh, we were wondering if you had any weapons or some sort of gadgets. We're part of the West Earth Alliance," Athrun said.

The man scowled at hearing Athrun's words. "West EA, huh? I'd never sell something to the likes of you! You've got a lot of nerve coming back here, since you decided not to pay recently!"

"Whoa, I'm sorry. We're not really part of the West EA. We were faking because we thought you were really supportive of them."

"That's old news! All of the merchants hide their machinery from those filthy bastards! They started using their power to get the weapons without paying, and we depended on them! Ever since then, we've been suffering! Even the ones who still benefit from outsiders like yourselves!"

"But I don't care. Take the weapons. I've saved up enough to move and go back to my family far away at the edge of West Earth."

Athrun bowed in thanks of his kindness. "Thank you sir."

The owner opened up the back of the shop, revealing hundreds of weapons and gadgets, but only one caught Kira's eye.

"Whoa, what's this?" It was a suit, kind of like Yzak and Dearkas, but it had a lot more details. (It looks exactly like the Strike Gundam.)

"That, my boy, is my latest import from a great inventor. The Strike suit! I've also included a sword, a shield, and shoulder armor. It's all yours."

"Thank you!" Kira carried (well actually, dragged) the suit with the others, who were fascinated by it.

But as they walked away from the building, ZAFT forces were approaching the vicinity.

Then, chaos erupted from an explosion. The group quickly looked to see 7 Mobile Suits they had never seen before. They were BuCues from East Earth, and by the looks of it, they weren't just going to go after the Gundam Force, but the whole Sector also.

Athrun looked at the surroundings in haste to come up with plan. He saw people running every which way, a lot of fire, and the mystery machines.

"Alright, Yzak, Dearka, go after those strange machines. Cagalli, try to keep order among the people. Lacus, Kira, we're going to put out those fires."

Kira reluctantly nodded and joined them in extinguishing the flames that were spreading fast. Kira knew that he could easily take those machines out, especially because of the great sword that he had equipped with the suit. He took a look at his surroundings. There missiles being shot at buildings. The machines were crushing innocent people. He looked to his left to see the kind merchant who gave him the suit on the ground, blood spilled everywhere. Kira clenched his fists in anger and frustration.

"This can't be happening… These are innocent people who gave up everything they had to live in peace!"

Lacus and Athrun looked back to see that Kira wasn't joining them and didn't look too happy.

"Kira, what's wrong?" Lacus asked in concern.

"I… I have to do something! I just can't let anyone die like this!" The former shine and kindness in Kira's eyes disappeared. The Kira they were speaking to only minutes ago is gone. He suited up in the Strike suit as quickly as possible and prepared for battle.

He quickly drew the Beam Bladed Sword and readied a fighting stance. He cut a BuCue in half and quickly turned around to see three more diving in his direction. The teen moved backwards, making two BuCues smash each other, and then threw a hidden beam boomerang at the one in front of him. It exploded instantly on contact.

"Bull's eye…" He muttered.

Kira then turned around to see three left. Taking advantage of the grappling claw, he grabbed a fallen building with it and flung it at them, knocking all of them over.

"Now to finish the job!" He threw three boomerangs and destroyed them all. The brown haired teen looked below to see some of the soldiers retreating. "Cowards!"

He flew down below, striking all of the soldiers near him. There was one on the ground, wounded. "Please… Spare me…"

Kira ignored his plea and got ready to stab him, but Athrun and Lacus grabbed him before he could do it.

"Stop it Kira! He's already wounded!" Athrun yelled.

"East Earth never has mercy! Why should we have mercy on them!"

"Just because they are evil doesn't mean that we have to be!" Lacus said.

Kira then stopped struggling, and watched the soldier retreat. He slowly exited his fighting frenzy, heavily panting.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me…"

The rest of the group joined up with them, equally shocked at Kira's sudden fierceness and abilities.

They all stayed to help the wounded and fix some of the houses, but over all, it was hopeless. In the end, most of the people went to Sector D or F, the last Sector. After the people left, the group decided to leave.

It was pretty much silent as they set up camp at night fall. After everyone had gone to bed, Kira was still out in front of the fire, deep in thought.

"Hello Kira."

He turned around to see Lacus. "Hey Lacus."

"So, what are doing up so late?"

"I'm just thinking about earlier."

"… You're a Coordinator, aren't you?"

Kira was silent for a while, but decided to tell her the truth.

"… Yes, I am. First generation, to be specific."

"You sound like you are ashamed about it. You should never be ashamed about who you are. Besides, all of us are Coordinators, so you fit in just fine.

"Yeah, you're right. Thank you, Lacus. I'm going to go to bed now."

"All right. Good night, Kira." Lacus put out the flames and headed to bed herself.

At an East Earth base…

A soldier came into the room, reporting to Patrick Zala.

"Sir, the attack on Sector E was partially successful. The Sector was wiped out, but all but one soldier survived. He's in the infirmary-"

The soldier he was talking about came in, limping on one leg.

"Excuse me sir, but I know two members of the Gundam Force…"

Patrick Zala then grabbed the man by his collar. "Tell me who they were!"

"I don't think you want to know…"

"I said tell me!"

"You really don't want to know who it was…"

Patrick Zala was at the end of his rope now. He punched him in the face, expecting him to tell now.

"Tell me or I'll have you executed!"

"All right ! Lacus Clyne and your son, Athrun Zala!"