All the debris from manmade made it hard for the mobile pods to maneuver through. It took a few days before they found the exact debris they needed. The debris containing the mainframe of computer boards.
"This one is too damaged to see inside," one of the Minerva engineers spoke on the radio.
Lunamaria was closer to this debris. She moved her machine to grasp it while Shinn and the other pilots fought off the oncoming attack from the radicals.
"Hurry up, Lunamaria!" Shinn yelled as he blasted away.
"I'm hurrying as fast as I can," she yelled back while trying to dodge hits coming her way.
"Are all the mobile pods accounted for?" One pilot yelled out.
"Yes!" Another pilot answered.
Dearka with the help of a few pilots were fending off blasts that were aimed at the mobile pods. Yzak and Shiho were out of range, shooting damaging blasts at the enemy.
"Package received, retreat!" A command was shouted to all the fighting pilots.
When the mobile pods were all in, the mobile armors drew back, leaving the enemies to retreat as well.
"That was a success!" Arthur beamed.
Declan didn't share the same energy. It was a success but there was no sign of the unmarked, white GUNDAM. It felt too easy to be getting this debris. Was this group just wanting cryo-tanks? What could they be wanting to do? It ate at him. He needed to figure it out before the next mission.
The bridge didn't move back to its original state until they were far enough away. Declan relayed a few commands as he and Arthur headed out to the hanger where the debris was placed. The engineers moved out of the mobile pods while the rest were working on fixing the damaged mobile armors.
Declan and Arthur viewed the scene from the pilot lounge. "Just pieces like these will help move us towards a more peaceful future," Arthur spoke first.
"We will need to keep vigilant," Declan watched as some of the engineers work on the debris fragment. "Accumulating more debris fragments means we will have more chances to be in perpetual battle until we reach Armory One again."
"That's why we have this ship though," Arthur rebuked. "A formidable warship. Flagship of ZAFT."
"Yet it took heavy damage from the Archangel and the Justice GUNDAM alone," Declan argued. "Formidable as she may be, she still can't win against everyone."
"B-but those two are formidable on their own," Arthur explained. "The Three Ship Alliance and those GUNDAMs, even with the late Commander's tact, we were overturned. Against any other vessel, we are formidable."
"I'll give you that," Declan agreed. "Those two engineers, it could be coincidence that they are here for combat, but let's make the most of them." His voice got lower. "They could be the key to making our mission successful."
"Agreed," Arthur watched the two work to get side panels open from the fragments. "I'll keep them as our first choices in retrievals and gathering the information from the fragment debris."
"Good," Declan felt assured. "If we want to keep things peaceful, we'll need to rely on everyone."
The debris fragment still had hard discs that were in good condition to retrieve information. The debris fragment was gutted through for all salvable materials. The materials that could not be used were periodically moved back out into space.
Selena was staring outside one of the windows into space. Mikael drifted up to her. "Do people not understand that the vastness of space isn't their garbage disposal?"
Mikael let out a sigh. "Humans don't care for that. They're just selfish beings-"
"Prized on capitalism," Selena finished the sentence. "I guess I said it more than enough times. Has the last been thrown out?"
"Yes," Mikael answered.
"This mission just started but it's going to end quickly," Selena informed. "Next, is another cryo-tank. Let's continue to confuse them."
"Just need six more pieces," Mikael mused. "You think they will change their tactics?"
"I hope so," Selena teased. "It won't be any fun taking it from them when they keep the same routine."
On the next mission, they were nearing a biological CPU research lab, similar to the one in Suez, Egypt. The crew members that were at the Lodonia lab were weary as this was an abandoned Earth Alliance facility. They were first there for an undercover investigation, retrieving some information. The facility was a laboratory dedicated to the Earth Alliance Extended program which was a training ground for captured children, forcing them to undergo rigorous military training regiments. Unfortunately, many lost their lives to this training and the ones that could not keep up were drugged and tortured. It was a place no one wanted to be at again.
Shinn floated by his machine while thinking about his last trip in there. He remembered Rey seizing inside that facility. Learning everything about Rey, he wondered if Rey was ever in a situation like that. It was hard to think of Rey, as someone he trusted as a friend, was a manipulator. Shinn didn't think about Rey after the truth was revealed but now, coming back to this facility, he knew that Rey probably couldn't choose a different path. Seizing in a facility that manipulates children, it could be something that Rey had to go through as well. That he couldn't see anything else but a way to survive.
Lunamaria touched his shoulder. "Hey. I know its hard, but this time we won't be going in. The crew will." She tried to comfort him.
He gave her a small smile. "I know. It's just hard remembering the first time and I am reminded of Rey and now Stella." His thoughts took him to Stella and the other pilots who were experimented on.
"Naturals condemning Coordinators for reworking their genes, but go to such lengths of trying to make their own altered humans," Selena interjected. She had been getting his machine ready for launch. Selena came to notify him he can launch any time. The two looked over to her. "How is their blue world pure when they live on a planet that over hundreds and thousands of years slowly evolved itself to make its genes better?" The two stared at her in silence. "I overstepped. Your machine is ready for launch." She started to turn.
"It's not about that," Shinn spoke to her. Selena turned back to face him. "Its about control. It's always been about control." Selena nodded before leaving.
"Shinn?" Lunamaria was concerned. She saw he was getting angry. He clenched his fist.
"I'm fine," he let out a breath. "She just reminded me that with all of these leaders in place, they only care about how much power they wield. How we all are just expandable pawns. Let's go Lunamaria." He drifted up to the cockpit. Lunamaria sighed as she headed towards her machine.
Mikael caught Selena by the hand. The two headed to get changed into space suits. The mobile armors were launched first, to search for any enemies close by, once the signal is given that it was clear, the mobile pods were launched next.
It was easy to get into this lab. There were dead bodies floating throughout. Selena and Mikael were the first to go through the lab. They could hear some of the other crew members not wanting to be in that situation. There was no need to get the information from the computer database as that information was seized after Lacus became Chairwoman since the Lodonia lab had all of the information on every person who was in the labs. What they needed from this lab was the instruments and cryo-tanks that were used. It was smooth so far getting the items out of the laboratory. It was placed in cargo carriers. The crews took as much as they could as any moment the enemy could be near, ready to attack.
"Minerva, we are making our way back," one of the engineers stated.
The mobile pods were halfway back when the same GINNs and ZAKUs came out to attack. Shinn moved his machine to act as a shield in front of the mobile pods.
"They always come after we gather the items," Shinn gritted.
"Shouldn't it be Earth Alliance mobile armors after us instead of Coordinators?" Lunamaria blasted a few rounds.
"Give them cover, fire guns on port side!" Declan commanded. The enemy was gathering in close.
"Firing guns on port side!" One of the crew on the bridge confirmed.
The 40mm CIWS blasted away the oncoming missiles from the enemy mobile armors.
"Are all mobile pods accounted for?" Declan asked.
"We still have half outside, sir!"
"Keep covering them until all are in!" Declan proclaimed.
"Sir! Joule Team is coming to assist."
Since Mikael and Selena were first in, they were the last ones out. They trailed behind the others trying to get back to the warship. An enemy DINN RAVEN with mirage colloid stealth system operating, grabbed the last mobile pod.
"An enemy DINN RAVEN has captured one of our mobile pods!"
"What crew members were in that mobile pod?" Arthur followed up.
"Private Viola Orsino and Private Sebastian Illyria."
"We can't fire accordingly incase we shoot them down as well," Declan gritted. "Relay to the Joule Team."
"Yes, sir!"
"Get those mobile pods inside! We can't have another stolen!" Declan commanded. He barked off orders trying to turn the tables.
Shiho steadied her aim with the beam assault rifle. She relayed to Yzak she was ready to fire when he was in position. He commanded her to fire. The beam hit the DINN RAVEN, taking out the head and shoulders of the machine. Yzak used the Slayer Whip on his GOUF IGNITED to grab onto the mobile pod and yank it out of the DINN RAVEN's clutches.
"Sir, we have more DINN RAVENs coming in!"
Another DINN RAVEN grabbed the headless DINN RAVEN and started to take off. Shinn was about to head that way when the unmarked, white GUNDAM was coming in close to him.
"The white GUNDAM is here and I'm not letting it go!" Shinn raised his weapon and pushed his machine towards it. The white, unmarked GUNDAM headed towards Shinn without stopping.
"That GUNDAM isn't stopping, Shinn, get out of there!" Lunamaria saw on her screen.
Shinn braced his machine for a head on collision, but nothing happened. "Huh?" The white GUNDAM moved through DESTINY like a ghost. The battle halted as everyone that could see the fight was seeing the spectacle.
"D-did that GUNDAM just move through the DESTINY like a g-ghost?" Arthur gaped.
Shinn turned to see the white GUNDAM head towards the DINN RAVENs. It launched a whip entangling both machines, letting an electric current bring the pilots pain. The white GUNDAM took the two machines off into the distance before disappearing before their eyes.
"What-what just happened?" Shinn was in shock. Did a machine that size really go through him? How was that even possible?
"We're still in battle here!" Yzak brought people back to focus. "Keep holding off until we have all the mobile pods in safely!" His orders were received as this distraction brought heavy damage to the enemy until the enemy retreated.
"Wait, the facility, it's gone!" A pilot noticed.
"What?!" Dearka moved his machine to view the area. "He's right. It's gone. What is going on?!"
Yzak brought the mobile pod back to his vessel. A lot of the crew were confused about the situation at hand. There were whispers amongst the crew as they worked on repairing mobile armors. Yzak, Dearka, Arthur, and Declan were in another meeting.
"Is there any technology like that out there?" Arthur asked. "That can make solid material transparent to move through?"
"There is no such thing," Declan answered.
"But we all saw it," Arthur countered.
"What did the pilot say?" Yzak moved on.
"Shinn explained that he braced for impact, but the impact never came," Arthur explained. "When he opened his eyes, the unmarked, white GUNDAM was not there. He saw on his screens the limbs of the machine but it did go through his machine as he saw the backings of the limbs. There was no feelings or unusual sensations he felt besides bracing for impact and the usual adrenaline rush during battles."
"It was solid after moving through the machine since it captured the two DINN RAVENs," Declan added. He was not liking how this situation was progressing. "It applied electric current like that of GOUF IGNITED. This machine needs to be captured, but we can't capture it now when it can move through solid. Keep an eye on that machine."
"What about the facility?" Dearka asked with his arms crossed. "A whole facility that was partly blown up and fragmented, disappeared as we watched this GUNDAM move through one of our own. Something is going on here."
"You're right," Declan agreed again. "We'll send a message to headquarters, see if they have heard anything like this. You have our soon to be specialists, ask them if they know anything. We will touch base again, until then."
The four signed off. Dearka floated over to the map. He wanted to see where the coordinates they were heading next. Yzak mulled over the information. He brought out pictures of the unmarked, white GUNDAM. They were in a folder with dates and information about the machine on it. He'll have to update it now, as the machine threw him a curve ball. He asked Dearka to bring in Viola and Sebastian for their opinions.
The two saluted Yzak. He saluted them back. Yzak had them recount the situation at the last mission. The two recalled it with the same information they knew of. Dearka handed them two pictures of the white GUNDAM.
"What are your thoughts on this machine?" Yzak eyed them.
Selena spoke first. "The architectural style of the unmarked, white GUNDAM is reminiscent of Earth Alliance's and Orb's Morgenroete, Inc's G-Project and ZAFT's GuAIZ EFT. Possible phase shift armor yet why would it be all white in color? Recent whip, now is based off a GOUF IGNITED."
"What about fueling since there is no vessel in the vicinity?" Dearka asked them.
"Could be like the Minerva's," Mikael answered while staring at the photograph. "Deuterion Beam Energy Transfer System, which allows the ship to recharge the battery of a mobile suit within range, as it fires a deuterion beam from a specialized emitter to a receiver on the suit. It's only used in dire circumstances in the past but it could be used more now. So far, the Minerva is the only one with this technology, but it could be replicated by now."
"What about mirage colloid stealth system for vessels besides mobile suits?" Dearka continued.
"Plausible," Selena speculated. "As the whole vessel is covered in particles that are held in place by a magnetic field. The system has been improved as it no longer requires an allotted time or that the vessel needs to be painted black. The remade ZGMF-X42S DESTINY GUNDAM piloted by Shinn Asuka has a mirage colloid stealth system activated with Wings of Light is used, as it spreads those particles, leaving a trail of after-images that can confuse enemy pilots and make the GUNDAM difficult to capture. It could be using something similar. However, the application to warships is not known."
"And what happened with the DESTINY GUNDAM with the white GUNDAM?" Dearka tilted his head. "Any information on technology like that?"
Selena and Mikael looked at one another before looking at Yzak and Dearka. They shook their heads.
"This is news to us," Selena started. "Possible technology could be invented through Morgenroete, its rival Actaeon Industries. Not something I could see from Adukurf Mechano-Industries as it's based on large-scale mobile armor development. Fujiyama Company is not intimidating but has been rising and Librarian works was disbanded thanks to the Junk Guild."
"What about the disappearance of a bombed facility?" Yzak finally asked a question. The two shook their heads again. "And the disappearance of two DINN RAVENs?" They shook their heads. "Thank you for your opinions. You are dismissed." The two saluted them before leaving.
"Well, least things got interesting," Dearka muttered. Yzak shot him a glare. Dearka retracted. "I guess I might have jinxed it earlier. Anyways, if your Amory One engineers don't know about this, then this is something that might be a problem later, a big problem."
"We need to get a handle on this," Yzak placed the photos back in the file. "Since a message will be disclosed to headquarters, we will see if they know something more. It could be something these two aren't allowed to know yet. We stole GUNDAMs in Orb, and suits were stolen out of Amory One. It wouldn't surprise me if something like that happened again."
Mikael and Selena headed towards the dormitories. There was no one around. Mikael kept his voice low, so only she could hear. "I didn't think you would steal the facility. We didn't need anything out of there."
"We don't," Selena shrugged. "But that was part of the confusion."
"You're just messing with ZAFT," Mikael teased. "And here you were friends with them."
"Friends with certain people in ZAFT," Selena corrected. "Besides most of them aren't in there anymore."
"Also," Mikael glanced around. "I think we should celebrate when we get back that the name was spot on."
"See it was a good name," Selena smiled. "Now just to listen in if they know your machine's name."
"I have a shadow of a doubt," Mikael winked. Selena jabbed his side with her elbow.