I was reading through my story a couple days ago, and found a bunch of grammar mistakes that I had skipped over before. I also realized that in the first chapter that Yzak's first officer was in I made him a lieutenant. He's supposed to be a commander, so just to clear that up right now. Ezekiel's name is supposed to be Ezekiel, I think a couple of times it shows up Ezkiel. Actually, I think there a lot of different versions of spellings for his name, I apologize for any confusion.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter :D For some reason I spent more time on this chapter then the others. I think it's because I'm working on some other stories as well. A few fics for Fruits Basket, and then possibly one for Scryed but I'm not too sure on that one yet. I'm starting to get addicted to writing fics. Please review this chapter if you can!

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or Seed Destiny


"Fire!"

The cannon blast slammed into the side of the attacking battleship. Bjorkland had to grab onto the side of the captain's chair in order to keep himself standing. Yzak covered his eyes as a yellow blast filled the screen. He gasped, and then leaned forward.

This is our chance.

"Sargent Holms get us the hell out of here!"

"Yes, sir!"

The ship jerked as the Voltaire shot out of the blast sight, taking off in the direction of the debris fields.

"Follow the Voltaire, Ezekiel," Suzuka ordered.

"Yes, Captain," he replied, setting course towards the north as well.


"What's the status of the ZAFT ship we fired on?"

"The engines are out of commission," Reiah told her, "They're dead in space."

"Life support systems?"

"Functioning normally, they sustained no damage."

"Good shot, Virgil."

"Thanks," the Lieutenant smiled at her.

"Entering the Northern Debris Belt," Ezekiel reported.

"There's about 200 meters between us and the Voltaire," Reiah said.

"Power down the ship, Vana." Suzuka ordered, "Release docking clamps."

There was a loud clash as the metal clamps released from the sides of the ship, attaching them to a large piece of floating debris. Using as the debris as an anchor, they could power down all unnecessary systems and keep from being detected by passing ships. The Northern Debris Belt was a sort of artificial asteroid field that had been created by debris left by past wars. Long ago, PLANT had sent clean up crews to gather all the debris into one place, since most of it was beginning to stray into the main shipping routes.

"OS operational," Vana told them over the communication link.

"We're leaving the ship in your hands, Vana," Suzuka smiled as she stood, "Cedric, I'm leaving you in command. Rey and I are heading over to the Voltaire."

"All due respect, Captain-" Cedric whispered to her, "-but do you think it's wise to trust him so early?"

"I understand your opinion," she said, "But I don't feel comfortable leaving him here when I'm not around. His Excellency Zala left Rey in my care, I will not let him out of my sight for too long."

"Understood," he said, "Be careful."


Suzuka sat in the shuttle heading towards the Voltaire. Looking over at Rey, he had an uneasy look on his face.

"Something wrong?" she asked.

Rey was silent a minute, "Captain Jule was a squad leader in one of the battles I was in a long time ago. He'll recognize me. Him, and probably Major Elthman."

"They won't make a scene," she said, "I've met them both personally. Don't worry, Rey, no one is going to report you to Twilight."

"I feel terrified when I think of them."

"Who?"

"Twilight," he whispered, looking out the window, "I don't want to go back, knowing what I know now. In the past, I don't think I would have questioned authority. I always followed the rules, and I always obeyed my orders. It still makes me uneasy going against everything I was brought up on originally, but still, it scares me to think that I was made to kill."

Suzuka looked at him sadly.

"Is that all I am?" he murmured, "A machine to kill?"

She smiled, "Of course not," steering the ship into the Voltaire's docking port, "You are you, Rey-kun. You have the freedom to be whatever you want to be."

He stared at her, and then smiled, "You're right."


Suzuka floated out of the shuttle, landing on the deck of the launch bay. Yzak Jule stood in front of the crew. She saluted to him, and he saluted back. The young, silver-haired Captain looked tired. He was pale, and she could tell he was struggling to stand up.

"Thanks for the save," he said.

"No problem, Captain Jule," she said, "It was honored to see you fight in battle. I've heard great stories about you and your crew."

"I am the one that is honored."

"What sort of repairs do you need? I'll send over my tech crews right away."

"That would be appreciated," he said, "We have sustained significant damage to our engines and weapons systems. We have injured...our mobile suits...squads are still returning from battle...and..."

He swayed to the side slightly, Bjorkland caught him.

"Captain Jule?" Suzuka walked up to him, grabbing his arm. His left side was soaked with blood.

"Get a med team in here!" Bjorkland roared.

Yzak stared at the faces around him, and he blacked out. The last thing he saw before he passed out, was Rey. He frowned slightly,

"...Le Krueze..." he whispered.

Rey frowned, staring at the floor as they carried the Voltaire captain to the infirmary.


Shiho marched down the hallway, still wearing her flight suit, not even bothering to get dressed into her uniform. She could not remember ever being this upset or angry in her entire life. Dearka rushed after her, "Shiho, wait!"

"Shut up!" she yelled, "I'm giving that bastard a piece of my mind!"

"Shiho-"

Seeing Bjorkland standing in the hallway, she frowned.

"Mr. Bjorkland!" she yelled, "Where's Captain Jule?"

He suddenly looked at her with a serious, stern look in his eyes.

"He's in the infirmary, Major."

"Wh-What?" Dearka gasped, "What happened?"

"The bridge took a lot of damage," the first officer commented, "Captain Jule took on some injuries. He just collapsed in the docking bay. The doctor is already busy with some many other wounded that we didn't notice in time-"

He yelped as Shiho pushed him aside, walking into the infirmary. Suzuka stood over the still form of Yzak, surrounded by a few other aids, stitching up his wounded side. His clothes were covered with his own blood.

"Yzak!" she shrieked.

Suzuka looked up, "Get her out of here!"

Dearka grabbed her, and he dragged her out of the infirmary. As the door shut, she glared at Dearka, "Why did you drag me out!"

"Shiho, calm down. Throwing a fit is not going to help Yzak."

She stopped, and sighed. There was nothing she could do right now but wait.

"You're right," she said, "I'll be on the bridge assessing the damage reports. Dearka, you should probably go manage the returning mobile suit squads."

"That's a good idea." Bjorkland said, "I'll be on the bridge. Major Hahnenfuss, I want updates every hour."

"Yes sir." she saluted, and walked off down the hallway.

He exchanged a glance with Dearka. Dearka shrugged, and jammed his hands in his pockets, walking off down the hall. As he pasted the observation deck, he stopped. Standing there was a tall young man with long blond hair. Dearka frowned a second, and then chuckled.

"They told us you died."

Rey looked at him, "It seems that fate was not willing to let me go yet."

Dearka stood next to him, "I think it's the same for all of us."

"Captain Jule called me Commander La Krueze."

"Don't think anything of it." Dearka said, standing next to him, "When I first saw you, I thought the same thing. It's obvious that you're a clone."

Rey sighed, "Why are you a Major? You're above a rank like that."

"I like being able to just do my duties, and then go to sleep at the end of the day," the dark-skinned Coordinator yawned, "I already have too much on my conscience to have the will to order people to their deaths. I still don't understand how Yzak can ever survive being a captain."

He stepped away from Rey, and headed towards the hall.

"Major Elthman?"

"Yo?"

Rey was silent a moment.

"I was curious..." he said, "What ever happened to my team mates?"

"Asuka and Hawke?" he said, "They live in Orb, last time I heard. They live on the east shore of Orb. Asuka works at an auto repair shop, Hawke works in some type of shop in town...don't really remember what it was. Miriallia and I went there once. It was-"

Rey looked at him curiously. Dearka had suddenly gone blank when he mentioned Miriallia's name. For a second, Rey could see a hint of sadness and regret in the Coordinator's face. It was alarming somehow, so Rey changed the subject.

"Thanks." Rey nodded.

"Don't mention it." Dearka disappeared down the hallway.


Yzak lay in the infirmary, a hand resting on his chest, the other resting at his side. He was sore, and he could barely move at all now. Suzuka stood over him.

"Captain Kiriyuhi-"

"The ship's doctor is already preoccupied with the injured crew, so I took you. I knew that you would have preferred the crew tended to first, but it was an emergency" she said, "You have a fever, and you need to rest. Don't worry about the ship, Captain Jule, your crew is taking care of it."

The door opened, and Shiho Hahnenfuss walked in.

"I apologize for my earlier behavior, Captain." She said to Suzuka, "I was...not in the right mind."

"Quite understandable, Major," she said, "I'll leave now. I need to speak with your first officer and contact my ship."

"Thank you." Yzak said as she left.

Shiho sat on the edge of the bed, staring at him.

"Don't you ever do that again, or I will kill you myself."

Yzak stared at her.

"Did you mean what you said?" she asked.

He smiled, closing his eyes, "I meant every word."

"I still want to marry you."

He gasped, looking at her. Before he could reply, she leaned down and kissed him. He closed his eyes, laying a hand on her face.

"Yzak, I-"

"Shh."

Yzak pressed his hands on her face, prying her mouth open. He slowly pulled his lips from hers far enough to speak,

"It's okay," he said, "I'm alright, you don't need to worry."

"Don't ever scare me like that again." she said, touching her forehead to his, her hands were shaking, "I really thought-"

"I'm alive, you're alive, that's all that matters."

She watched as he reached up into his uniform jacket hanging from the wall and pulled something out. He then slipped it into her breast pocket, kissing her once more.

"I believe I have something you lost," he whispered, and then he fell asleep. Slowly pulling the sheets back up to his chest, she kissed his forehead and left the infirmary. Reaching her hand into her pocket, she pulled out the object he had given her. It was her silver engagement ring, then one he had given her the day before he had been expelled from the council.

She gripped it in her hands, and pressed it to her lips. A tear slid down her cheek as she leaned against the wall.

"Yzak," she whispered to herself, "I love you."


Well, that's the chapter. The next one should probably come around Feb 13, or in about 4-5 days if I don't have too much homework. After doing an outline of what I think the general story will be, it turns out I think this fic is going to end up being a little long -- It should be okay though, I don't think I'll have any problems updating. I just started to introduce the Dearka x Miriallia pair in this chapter, but it probably won't be completely addressed for a couple more chapters.

Thanks for reading, and review if you can :D

Arigato!