Author's Notes:

Some corrections for the previous chapters. The mobile suit Kira used in Phase Four is the Strike ROUGE, not the Rogue as I mistakenly spelled. Big boo-boo on my part. Thanks to Magicalfoci for pointing that out and making me notice. I'll be updating that chapter for corrections soon. Thanks to Warp Ligia Obscura for the name of the one of the Murasame pilots (Nishizawa). I got the Issou name from the subtitles of the GSD anime copy I have. And also to YomigaeruTsubasa for pointing out the limitations of radar and radio waves in a neutron jammer inundated Earth and the use of Japanese ranks and titles. I'll adjust these in the next chapters.

Also in Chapter one I wrote that there were two mobile suits in the Angel's Point main hanger, together with the Infinite Justice, when there was supposed to be only one (guess which one that is). I was writing then with the idea that the Akatsuki was there too, but that suit appeared on the Archangel in the next chapters. The Buster was not in the main hanger, but in a separate storage area.

I'll be giving my early apologies to the Latin and Spanish speaking readers of my story if I make mistakes with the syntax and grammar of your language. I'm not that fluent in Spanish, with just passing grades in that subject in college. So just tell me where I went wrong in reviews. Again my apologies.

Okay that's all for now. This next chapter's action sequence was inspired by mobile suit combat from the Mobile Suit Gundam 08th Mobile Suit Team series. Enjoy.


Disclaimers:

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED is owned and copyrighted to Hajime Yate, the Sotsu Agency, Sunrise and BANDAI.


Phase Five Meetings
Cosmic Era, Year 74. The Second Bloody VaIentine War had just ended, and Earth and the PLANTs again struggle to rebuild. The leaders of the major powers, weary of the constant conflict, their countries struggling to survive the post-war world, unite to sign another treaty for the rebirth of peace. But dark forces lurking in the shadows strike forth, dragging back the world into the maelstrom of chaos and ushering a renaissance of vioIence and tears.


Outskirts of Diego De Almagro

Chile State

Occupied South America

December 27, CE 74

He arrived from the small airport late that evening. Adam was allowed by the owner of this grand place to visit only under the cover of darkness, and only under heavy guard, hence the several escorts waiting for him as he got off the VTOL after the short, stealthy flight from his base. They asked him to stop before a waiting limousine, and stand with his hands up. One guard shined at flashlight at him, another frisked him down for weapons, while the others looked at him suspiciously, even though he was an infrequent visitor to this place. They are not taking in anything for granted, Adam thought, as he siIently allowed the obviously nervous guards to manhandle him. They wouldn't let anyone with anything that could be used as weapons enter their master's domain, even those known to be in contact with him.

But Adam did not feel threatened, knowing that he could defend himself and defeat these fools if it came to vioIence because their master wanted extreme secrecy and security for their meetings. Especially during these days, when the country they were in was under the brutal grip of occupation. Even though the village had no significant Atlantic Federation military presence, security was tightened for the threat of spies, informants or assassins.

He was allowed to get on the limo, and immediately after the car's door closed, they were off. Adam rode with the driver and two other guards, while the others rode on another front car and chase vehicle. The small convoy drove through the darkness fast, taking a back road that swung around the main village, and went directly to the first of a series of checkpoints manned by more guards. They were waved through the first one, as well as the last two, before they reached the main gates of the massive country mansion complex

The convoy stopped in front of the regal gates to the mansion complex, and watched as a security camera scanned him. The gates slid open, and Adam was driven slowly up the path to the house's driveway, where more dark suited security personnel accosted him as he stepped out of the limo. They were about to check him once more, before a voice from the grand doors of the house voice made them halt.

"There is no need to search him," said a petite, golden haired, teenaged girl. "I will vouch for his conduct." The girl looked up to her companion, a dangerous-looking. tall, bald man whose evil expression in his face was magnified by a long triangular scar across his left cheek. The bald one nodded, and the guards let Adam pass unhindered. Smiling, the girl met him, and offered her hand. "Hello, Adam."

Adam took the hand and kissed it, "Greetings, Lady Isis. I've come to see your father. I apologize for coming on such short notice."

Isis turned around, and began to walk towards the grand staircase that flanked the main reception hall of the house. She motioned for Adam to follow her. The bald man half a fell a step behind him, matching his pace and keeping his hawk like eyes for any sudden movement from Adam. They began their climb up the oak and marble stairway.

"I have been training hard, Adam," Isis declared. "Soon I will be ready to help you achieve our goals." Adam just ignored her.

Isis continued on. "Father was expecting you, Adam, so we were prepared for your arrival. He expects you have news for him."

"Does your father know I bring not so good news?"

Isis nodded. "Probably, but he never tells me these things. He probably thinks it's not important for me to know." She led him towards double doors on the third floor. She stopped in front of them, and looked up to Adam. "I hope the news is not too bad, for your sake," she said in a friendly manner, but dripping with danger.

She knocked on the door. "He's here now, father." Isis opened a door, and stepped out of the way for Adam to enter. "Maybe we can talk later then, Adam. I've missed you so." Isis pursed her lips, smiling seductively.

"Maybe," Adam responded coldly. "If I have time." He walked through the door and closed it behind him.

The room was the largest on the third floor. It was also the grandest, with paintings of Renaissance masters like Da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo framed in gold line the northern wall. Hundreds of old books filled a large bookshelf to the south end of the room, books with Humanist topics, tomes on Roman law, Greek sciences and philosophies, and Latin poetry. Ancient nautical instruments, large sextants and telescopes, ocean charts and old world maps and scrolls lay on top of a large oak wood table in the center of the room, flanked by a large globe on brass hinges.

All these treasures were shrouded in darkness, as the only light within the room came from the large, four-poster bed that dominated the eastern end of the magnificent chamber. Eerie blue light came from wall-mounted fixtures on both sides of the bed. Two giant Ancient Egyptian sarcophagus stood guard on both sides of the bed, alongside respirators, IV holders and different medical monitoring apparatus, all lighted up, their cold lights from there monitors adding to the foreboding feel of the room.

On the bed, his master lay. They call him the Pharaoh, and Adam thought it apt for a man who styled himself a powerful, but dying god-king. The man was wrapped in bandages all over his thin body, and a mask of pure gold covered his shallow face. Burned skin peeked out from spaces between the bandages, and singular white hair slid out from the small head. Only red eyes could be seen from beneath the elaborate mask.

Tubes from the medical machines were connected to various parts of his body, as they were the remaining lifeblood for the hampered body organs of this dying flesh, giving him air to breed, liquids to digest, clean blood to flow. An air of death pervaded from the Pharaoh, as if Anubis was constantly hovering, waiting for the Pharaoh to give in to him and lose his soul. Only the sheer will of hate and a lust for power kept the man alive and coherent, with a mind that was the master of all chaos.

"Speak," the Pharaoh commanded, in voice that seemed to have come from the depths of Underworld.

"I failed in the mission. The seraph has landed on Earth," Adam responded.

A sharp intake of breath came from the Pharaoh, his only action denoting his attempt of mocking laughter. "I told you that you were too audacious in your actions."

Adam held his head high. "I know, Master. And I take full responsibility of my actions."

"No matter," the Pharaoh waved Adam's apology away. "We shall not dwell on your mistakes - though I expect that you learn from them." The red eyes grew stared deeply upon Adam. "How does your failure affect our plans?"

"According to Gregorius, the Enforcer lost half of their raiding force. I wanted that half for my next mission, but now I don't have those assets. It will affect my capabilities, unless we increase production of new units."

"How long would production take?"

Adam mentally calculated the Ienght of time. "About a month and a half, two months at the most-"

The Pharaoh inclined his masked head slightly. "At the expense of delaying the production of your special units," he finished.

Adam frowned. "Yes, my Master. We could work with the delay. Obtaining the special equipment for them is proving more difficult that expected. The target location is well protected. But we can take them when all of our assets are in place."

The Pharaoh was siIent for a while, considering the given information. "Very well, I will be patient. I allow the increase - though it is a drain to our current resources. It would force you to adjust your plans, but I want to be absolutely sure that we act only when you are ready." He waited until Adam nodded assent. "How are the plans of Dr. Samson coming along?"

"She said that her team has isolated a promising specimen, and continues to study with it," Adam reported. "She says that if the specimen proves viable, they could produce enough supplies within the first quarter of next year."

"Good. Dr. Samson is very reliable. I trust her to succeed as before." The Pharaoh looked at Adam once more. "You should emulate her, Adam. She is the one that contributes to our success the most you know. You should be very proud of her."

Adam looked away. "I value her help, yes. I admit her skills have been valuable for your plans. But I do not trust her or any of her scientists. I need her help only in keeping my Extended ready," he paused, thinking if he should say what he wanted to say next. "As for her other projects, I do not care what it is, as long as it's beneficial to you, Master."

The Pharaoh laughed. "You should know, of all people, how important she is - not only to me, but also to you."

"Her success will determine ours, Adam. Her expertise in her work is very important, since she is the only one still living with the knowledge and expertise of her very rare field. I need that knowledge so that my plans - and your plans would succeed. From the knowledge she holds comes the means to defeat our enemies."

The gray-haired pilot said nothing. He did want to contradict the dying man, but didn't want to risk losing his trust and support.

"You are siIent about this, Adam. I know you feel the need to gainsay what I said, but won't," the Pharaoh said, reading his mind. "Admirable, but do not think that you can hide your thoughts from me." The Pharaoh put his right hand on his chest. "But I am pleased that you honor this dying man with your loyalty. And you will be rewarded. Not only with your life, which I gave to you years ago. But also with the support and resources that you need."

The Pharaoh pointed at the massive desk in the middle. "I have something for you. Take the black binder." Adam walked over to the desk and found what the Pharaoh was pointing too. It was a large black plastic folder, with a thick pile of files bound within. Adam picked up the item, and he saw eight numbers printed on the binder's face. He studied the numbers, trying to figure out what they meant. Adam looked at the Pharaoh, who gestured to him to open the binder and read further inside.

Adam's eyes grew large as he read the contents of the first page. "But this is-", he started, but the Pharaoh's evil laughter cut him off.

"I knew you would like it, Adam! Think of it as a late Christmas gift from me," the Pharaoh told him.

Adam bowed. "Thank you Master. This is a great help. You are ever benevoIent to me."

"I can be benevolent when I wish to be, Adam. Never forget that." The Pharaoh fell siIent, and Adam took this as a sign of dismissal.

Adam started to leave, and reached the door when the Pharaoh spoke again.

"I have waited long, Adam, for my plans to bear fruition. I have sacrificed too much for it. I am dying now, immortality a dream I failed to make true. But vengeance I can still claim, as well as power, and I will have them. And you Adam, have a debt to me that must be paid." The last word rang like thunder. "Pay it with the blood of our enemies and the rebirth of chaos."

Isis was waiting for him at the foot of the staircase. "Have you finished your talk with Father?"

Adam nodded and headed for the main doors.

Isis held his arm. "Can't you stay with me- even for just the night?"

"No," Adam replied, shaking his head. He shook free of her grip and continued his stride out of the mansion. "I have a debt to settle first, Isis."


"What do you think, my friend?" the Pharaoh asked the darkness.

The bald man stepped out of the shadows, able to slip in unnoticed into one corner of the bookshelves from a secret door. He kept silent during the entire conversation, listening intently to everything Adam said, as was the order of his Master. "He is angry for his mistake, my Master. All the more that the one he hates the most got away from what he thought of as a clever trap he laid out. He will be more careful from now own."

"I expect that from him, my friend. He has to be more careful. We cannot waste our resources on unnecessary actions. He will learn to deal with his enemies all in due course." The Pharaoh closed his eyes. "Go and join Adam in the base. I want you to monitor his activities. Send Isis along with you. My daughter will enjoy the visit as well."

The bald man bowed. "And that would keep Adam on his toes - a distraction to his activities."

The Pharaoh nodded. "Yes, she will keep him alert, and divert the attention from your presence. Do my bidding, my friend. I am counting on you."

"My lord," the Knife said, as he melded back into the shadows, to do his Master's bidding.


Archangel

Inbound Orb

International Waters

Pacific Ocean

December 28, CE 74

Murrue waited in front of his door, repeatedly pressing the door chime to alert him of her presence. But surprisingly Mu didn't answer her, even as she hailed him via the intercom. She hadn't seen Mu since the Archangel re-entered the atmosphere and landed on the Pacific, landing a hundred miles to the north of Orb, in order to skirt around a typhoon system currently battering the northern shores of the island country, which blocked a direct reentry route for the Archangel. She wanted to call a conference amongst the immediate command crew, before they began their submerged run for Orb, but she decided to consult him first. But when Mu didn't answer her summon from the bridge - that made Murrue worried.

She next searched for him on the hanger bay. Murrue thought he might have fallen asleep again while working maintenance on the Akatsuki or the Skygraspers, as he was prone to do once in awhile, but even that lead turned up cold. She was about to give up when Chief Petty Officer Kojiro Murdoch, the wild haired chief tech of the Archangel's mobile weapons maintenance teams faced her. "He's up there," Murdoch said, pointing at the ceiling. Getting his meaning, Murrue quickly left the hanger bay, and climbed the access ladder leading to the outside observation deck.

She found him leaning by the deck's fence, watching the dark clouds of the typhoon cast an angry pall over the ocean. The wind was blowing strong on the deck, momentarily forcing Murrue to cover her eyes from the sudden gustiness. Mu didn't seem to mind the wind, as stood unmoving in its path, his golden hair being blown back in the air. Ever since he came back to her life this had become his favorite place when Mu wanted to be alone or think. Murrue had learned to gauge his mood when he was here, she knew when to approach him or leave him be. But the violence of the weather increased her worry for him, and she decided to know what's wrong.

"Mu!" Murrue called out over the wind. He turned slightly at the sound of her voice, but returned to face the storm. Murrue went to him, standing by his side. Mu still didn't speak to her, content to continue gazing at the angry heavens.

"What are you doing here?" she asked with a worried tone. "The wind's too strong, Mu. It's dangerous up here."

"I know."

Murrue furrowed her brows. "Mu, what's wrong?" She touched his hand with hers. Mu looked at her hand, and held his gaze there.

"I feel like there's something's waiting for me out there." He indicated the storm.

"What do you mean, Mu?" Murrue was even more confused.

Mu lifted his hand from hers and grabbed Murrue's. "I'm not sure, but I feel restless, you know? Like there was something that I still have to do or discover somehow."

Murrue looked towards the storm. "Do you think it might have something to do with your time as Neo?"

Mu fell silent. "Maybe."

Murrue tightened her grip. "You're really impossible to read sometimes."

"Iie," Mu chortled. "I'm Mr. Impossible right?"

Murrue let go of his hand, and placed hers akimbo. "I'm not joking." Murrue faced away from him. "I'm worried about you. Lately you're always spaced out or something. You've been acting like this ever since we visited Johnny."

Murrue felt Mu embrace her. "I'm sorry. I know you mean well." Mu kissed her behind her ear. "I'll be fine. I just have a lot of things on my mind."

Murrue nestled her head by his. "You know I'll be there for you if you need me."

Mu rubbed his cheeks on her hair. "I know, and I'm really grateful for that."

Mu turned her to face him. Both their eyes met, in understanding of the feelings they shared, birthed in joint companionship in war, which they hoped to nurture in the new future. They both closed their eyes at the same moment, and felt each other's aura, as both leaned to kiss…

Until the buzzing of Murrue's personal comlink broke their reverie. Surprised, Murrue quickly pushed Mu away, and activated the talk button. "What is it?"

A nervous sounding Kira answered back. "Sorry to bother you, Murrue-san, but we're approaching the thirty mile distance from the Point. You asked me to tell you when so -" Murrue looked up to the direction of the bridge tower. Kira and Arnold Neumann stood there, both looking down at them from the viewport of the command bridge, both looking apologetic. Murrue felt her face redden, while Mu slapped his forehead in frustration.

Murrue sighed, before speaking into the comlink again. "Get the command crew into my ready room, Kira-kun. Have the second shift take the conn." She watched as Mu titled his head to his side and frowned at Kira's direction. He was mumbling about something she couldn't hear.

"We'll be there in five minutes. Out," Murrue finished, tucking the comlink into her skirt's pocket. "What are you mumbling about?"

Mu shook his head. He led her towards the open hatch. "It just seems like I can't get one over the kid these days."


Southeast of Nova Olinda de Norte

Amazonas Sector

Brazil State

United States of South America

December 28, CE 74

This rainforest is really getting on my nerves, Will thought, as he slapped dead the millionth mosquito to feast on him on this humid afternoon. His body ached from being prone in an uncomfortable position. He lay on a muddy patch of grass beside the massive tree perched on top of an inclined cliff, overlooking a clearing in the jungle canopy, where a primitive, dirt road dominated one bank of a creek flowing south from the east. He considered his position secure albeit very dirty, with the extra protection of a stack of logs he placed in front him to add to his cover. Will was supposed to watch this particular spot, and chose his vantage point for maximum area of coverage and protection from detection.

The Atlantic Federation forces were supposed to use this road to transport supplies to and from the nearby Federation base at Nova Olinda do Norte a medium sized town a hundred miles southeast of the sector capital of Manaus, near the fluid frontline of the embattled United States of South America. Scouts from the USSA regulars had detected a convoy coming along this road, and estimated that they would be passing this spot around this time.

The plan called for Will and the rest of the Twenty-First Composite Mobile Platoon to wait for the Federation convoy to arrive, and with Will's firing of a signal flare, ambush the convoy. They would hit and fade, hitting hard and doing as much damage as they could in a few minutes of combat, then fade into the thick jungle and disappear. Success of the mission depended on timing, which was to be dictated by Will's actions. Simplicity, speed and stealth, was what the mission called for.

If only the great William Bartley could deliver on his part of the mission.

William could hear the approaching convoy now, the steady hum of internal combustion engines mixing with the rumbling of heavy footfalls of the mobile suit escorts. Looking through his powerful binoculars, Will saw the lead jeep appear from the last bend to the clearing, a heavy machine gun mounted on it, followed by the giant shape of the GAT-02L2 Dagger L mobile suit carefully looking about the open space ahead. The two head into the clearing and stopped at the middle, and Will could see someone on the jeep, probably an officer, say something to a handheld radio set. Moments later six Army trucks, flanked by two other Dagger Ls and two more armed jeeps, entered the clearing and stop behind their scouts.

Seeing that they had the best chance for their ambush at that moment, Will pulled out his flare gun. He raised it up, cocked the hammer, aimed at an opening in the rainforest's canopy and pulled the trigger.

Or tried too. But Will was surprised to find a great deal of slack in the trigger, and horrified to see that the trigger was broken, leaving the flare gun useless. "Why you useless piece of-", Will angrily threw the broken flare gun away. The gun hit a nearby tree hammer first, and the force released the hammer, which struck the firing pin of the flare, which launched from the gun, and struck full force into the tree beside Will, igniting it in flames.

Will slipped and fell back on his back in fright. The fire grew rapidly up the tree, immediately covering the ancient wood with red flames, as black smoke rose up to the sky. A burning splinter landed on Will's head bandana, and he quickly removed the burning cloth from his pointy orange hair. Will heard man-made noises above the crackling of the burning wood, and scared to see that the Feds where alerted by his disaster. They were pointing at him now, and one the soldiers opened fired at him with a jeep-bourn machine gun. Tracer rounds lit up as twelve-point-five millimeter bullets exploded all around his vantage point, but the height and angle of the cliff protected him from direct hits.

He forced himself to get up, not able to get a foothold on the wet ground at once, and then started to head for the deeper into the rainforest. His anxiety increased as he heard the loud noise of a thruster flaring and the ground shook as one of the Dagger Ls made a thruster assisted jump to scale the cliff. Panting for breath, he kept on running, which proved difficult in the dense rainforest, as he heard a tree splinter and crash as the Fed slammed into it while landing. The whirring of the Dagger L's CIWS rang in his ears, and bullets flew all around him, cutting down vegetation and exploding trees into deadly fragments. Will thought he was going to die, cut down by the deadly rain, but salvation came as he stumbled into a dropping slope and fell into it.

Will rolled, slipped and stumbled down the incline, until he reached the bottom. He felt dazed and dizzy, and his body hurt all over from bumps, cuts and bruises. It took him awhile to get his bearings, and he was happily surprised to find out where he landed. "Cool," Will exclaimed as he saw the hulking shape of his orange and green custom GAT-01 Strike Dagger, 'Wipeout' kneeling in front of him, hidden behind some trees and a large boulder, seemingly sinking into the muddy ground from all its weight.

Will stepped on the lift cable and retracted it, and started up to the cockpit. He jumped into the cramped space and positioned himself in the pilot seat, starting up the energy battery and powering up primary systems. The sound of fighting outside was growing more pronounced, as more rumbling from mobile suit engines filled the area. The Shousa must have started their ambush as soon as the Feds fired on me. Man, is the boss going to be pissed at me! Nice going, Willy. You've probably screwed up this ambush from the get go. Will was still thinking these thoughts when the ground in front of him erupted, as a blast of green beam energy struck the soil.

Wipeout's engine was barely heating up when the mobile suit fell to its side from the shockwave. Will was thrown off his seat, head hitting the overhead monitors. "Oww," he cried as he rubbed the hurting area, relieved the no blood was present. He was still in pain when he saw the Dagger L's foot was about to step on him.

Reflexively Will pulled on the control sticks and pushed on his pedals. Wipeout's foot thruster ignited, and Will launched the mobile suit towards the Dagger L. Wipeout's shoulder struck the Federation mobile suit in the shin, and the Dagger L suddenly gave way and crashed to the ground. Will took the opportunity to make Wipeout stand, and the massive giant staggered to get upright. But the soft mud of the forest floor made him slip once more, and Wipeout landed hard on top of the fallen Federation suit.

He felt the rumbling as the Fed pilot began to push Will off him. Will tried to grab the Fed with Wipeout's right hand, but the Fed batted it away with its beam rifle. The Fed angled the rifle towards Will, but the rifle was blasted away by a spray of bullets coming from the north. The Fed tried to evade the fire, but his prone position made it near impossible. Several hundred rounds of seventy-six millimeter armor piercing rounds raked through the body of the Dagger L, and after many seconds of constant fire the Fed suit seize to move,

Will got his mobile suit to a kneeling position and turned to his rescuer. "Sorry about that. I slipped in the mud."

A cool voice came from the cockpit of a blue and yellow custom GINN, which had walked over to one side to pick up the Dagger L's beam rifle. "Well it's a good thing I saw you mud wrestling with that Fed." The GINN seemed to look over the rifle, and attached it to one of the custom holders welded on the GINN's right hip. "You'd better get up. The Shousa and Gunny are already hitting them from up top." The GINN pointed above the canopy, where a black and red Windham and gunmetal Dagger L with flight packs were launching 'Drache' air-to-surface missiles in the direction of the convoy.

"Thanks Scott," Will replied. "I owe you one, again."

He heard his friend's chuckle. "I'll hold you on that. Come on. Let's cover the flyboys." The GINN trotted away towards the creek. Will followed, finally getting Wipeout out of the muddy ground. He saw the GINN stop at the vantage point he used minutes ago, bringing up the left hand to signal him to halt.

The ground where the convoy stopped was on fire. Several trees had fallen, cut down by weapons striking them. Several dead bodies, torn apart by the relentless rain of metal and beams, lay scattered in pools of blood. All of the trucks were now burning, and the mobile suits were damaged and pinned down by the two aerial attackers. The few surviving infantry huddled around the Dagger Ls, and Scott was peppering them from their vantage point with autocannon fire, adding to the destruction below.

One Fed mobile suit bravely but foolishly left his cover and started to fire heavily at the flyers in the open. Will and Scott concentrated their combined fire on it, disabling the Fed's rifle and forcing him to kneel under the cover of its anti beam shield. The black Windham dove aggressively at the beleaguered Dagger L, under the covering fire of the rest of the team. Another accurate shot from Scott tore off the Fed's shield hand, exposing in to the Windham.

The black mobile suit drew a Stiletto anti-armor penetrator knife from its hip, and threw it at the Fed. The Stiletto's rocket thruster activated halfway down, increasing its velocity for penetration. The blade struck the Dagger L squarely to the right of neck. The explosive charge inside the blade shot forth and detonated in the internals of the Dagger L, igniting the mobile suit's battery, and tearing the mobile suit in a massive blast.

With the death of their comrade, the remaining Feds decided to quit. Surviving foot soldiers ran for the forest, braving the hail of machine gun fire from the Shousa's Windham. The last Dagger L succeeded in driving the Windham back with counter fire, and cleared the way for their retreat. Will considered pursuing, but the distance assured that the Feds could get away before he could get down to their position.

"All units fall back. Rendezvous at point Charlie." Shousa Ward commanded over the tacnet. Will followed Scott along their preprogrammed route, as the two airborne units started to climb into the sky. There was no pursuit from the ravaged convoy, but the team was wary of reinforcements, which they knew was definitely on the way. They retraced their path through to the fallen Dagger L, which the two picked up and dragged along with them. The started off along a hidden trail underneath the thick canopy of the rainforest for their rendezvous point

"Good salvage huh?" Will asked his companion.

Scott's black haired, Asian face appeared on an MFD. "Maybe. No time to check this one out - wouldn't know until we airlift this back to camp. The beam rifle's toasted. I don't know if I could fix or modify it."

Will frowned. "That's too bad. I wanted another beam rifle."

"Get you one next time. I need one myself." Scott killed his line, leaving Will to silently travel back to their rendezvous point.


"Did you get that?" the old driver asked the freelance photographer.

The woman nodded. "Yes. I got everything I want. I told you it was worth the trip. First time I saw mobile suits mud wrestle."

The old man frowned, not at all amused. "You know that this is dangerous, senorita."

"Si," she replied. "But I had to get these shots, Senor Robles. Someone has to report about how this war is fought."

But the old man was not convinced. "How do you intend to send that out?"

The rusty-orange haired woman checked her camera. "I can send it via satellite through an encrypted signal." She looked at an image, and smiled in satisfaction at its quality. "Plus a few security precautions I have in my magic hat. I can do it when we get back to town"

"Very well then, lets get out of here before we get spotted. And it's getting dark already. Let go before the Federales set up any more checkpoints. Vayamos." The old man began running into the rainforest, heading to where their vehicle was hidden. Miriallia Haww took one last look at the burning battlefield, before she silently followed the old man back to the vehicle and civilization.

Archangel

Inbound Orb

Three Miles Northeast of Angel's Point

International Waters

Pacific Ocean

December 28, CE 74

"Report Mr. Chandra," Murrue was speaking from her command seat. They had completed their underwater stealth run for their approach to Angel's Point, and the Archangel was now closing in on her hidden dock.

The bespectacled ship's sensor officer looked up from his displays and faced her. "There's nothing on the passive sonar within four thousand meters underwater, Kanchou. No surface contacts except for a small fishing vessel at three hundred twelve degrees, range eighteen hundred. Depth readings place the bottom at seven hundred forty feet. Distance to the gates is twenty-five hundred meters. Orb waters are at less than one thousand. All clear all the way to Angel's Point, Kanchou."

Murrue nodded. "Very well. Mr. Neumann, decrease speed to one-eights maximum. Bring the ship up to twenty meters. Mr. Chandra, deploy the VHF antennae when we level off. Lacus-san, please raise Angel's Point. Tell them that we're coming in."

"Raising to twenty meters," Neumann announced from his station. The Archangel's bow pointed up, as the massive ship decreased its depth, leveling off near the water's surface. "Leveling off. Speed decreasing. Speed holding at five knots."

"VHF deployed, Kanchou." Chandra reported.

Lacus began speaking into her earpiece. "Angel's Point control this is Archangel. Please respond."

Erica Simmons' voice came alive over the Archangel's bridge speakers. "This is Angel's Point. We hear you loud and clear, Archangel. We show a faint signal near passive buoy number four, approaching the gates at four-point-niner-four knots at three hundred twenty-one degrees, distance twenty two hundred. Is that you, Archangel?"

Murrue looked over at Chandra, who nodded confirmation. "Confirmed, Angel's Point. We request entry clearance and procedures," Lacus responded for her.

"Roger that, Archangel. Be advised that we have a friendly ASW Murasame flying nearby. It's reporting your signal faintly on its passive. He also reports no other signals within three thousand. Recommend you come left fifteen degrees to port, at depth one thirty-two, speed three knots. That should put aligned for the IDS designator." The integrated docking system or IDS was a series of electronic signals, passive sonar and infrared, that serves as a guide for the Archangel in entering the underwater dock of Angel's Point. Four low-frequency sonar beacons on the four corners of the underwater gates are activated when the Archangel begins its final approach, and the Archangel positions herself within the box created by the beacons, thus aligning herself for the optimum entry approach.

Three minutes later, the Archangel reached the prescribed depth. "Cutting speed to three knots and holding, Kanchou," Neumann advised.

"Mr. Chandra?"

"We're in position, Kanchou. I have the beacons on the passive. The Archangel is within optimum clearance for the gates. Distance is nine hundred meters and closing. Bottom depth has risen to three forty-five."

"Very good," Murrue replied. "Count it down to six hundred meters."

"Aye Kanchou. Distance is now eight fifty… eight hundred… seven fifty…"

'Slow her down a bit, Mr. Neumann," Murrue ordered softly.

"Decreasing speed to two knots. Preparing for turn." Neumann reported.

"Seven hundred," Chandra continued his countdown. "Six fifty… six forty… six thirty… six twenty… six ten… six hundred, Kanchou!"

"All stop!" Murrue barked. "Turn to starboard one-eighty!"

"Commencing turn." Neumann cut the speed of the ship and turned the wheel hard to the right. The Archangel shuddered as its massive bulk turned slowly on its axis, and thirty seconds later she ended up with her stern pointing directly at the gates. "Turn complete, Kanchou. Speed zero."

"Distance to gates holding at five thirty-seven meters." Chandra added. He listened to the sonar for seconds and then spoke up again. "I hear popping and machine noises from directly astern. Angel's Point is opening its gates."

Murrue accepted the information with a nod. "Commence entrance and docking. Mr. Neumann. Reverse thrusters at two knots. Straight and slow, Arnold."

"Aye." Neumann set the throttle to reverse, and gently increased the speed to two knots, all the while looking at the IDS display to maintain the ships position relevant to the beacons. The Archangel began to slowly creep towards the opened gate, maintain a straight reversed movement.

"Distance to gate is down to five hundred… four hundred fifty… four hundred," Chandra continued his countdown.

Murrue looked over to Mu, who sat at the chair slight below to her left. He gave her the thumbs up.

"Distance now at two hundred… one fifty… one hundred…"

Murrue gripped the armrests. "Easy now, Mr. Neumann." Neumann nodded, who was tensed and in complete concentration with his work.

"Fifty… forty… thirty… twenty… ten…five… four… three… two…one… the stern is passing through the gates now, Kanchou." The shadow of the gates was coming over the ship, and the lighted interior of the docking bay was coming into view. "Clearance is good at seventy meters up and down. Plus fifty… plus one hundred… plus one fifty…plus two hundred… two hundred ten… two twenty… thirty… forty… fifty!"

"Full stop, Mr. Neumann!"

Neumann cut the throttle, and gently applied the brakes, as the Archangel halted its reverse momentum, rocking to buoyancy of the water. As she halted to a full stop, four large mechanical arms appeared from hidden storage bays from both sides of the docking bay, reaching out to grab the sides of the Archangel. "Stabilizing arms are being deployed, Kanchou."

Murrue felt the shudders along the ship as the stabilizing arms connected and sealed itself to hull, holding the Archangel fast and secure to the dock. "Cut all power to engines, Arnold. We've made it. Well done everybody." She took in the entire bridge crew, who where nodding and smiling in satisfaction for a near-flawless docking. "Let's secure from level-two alert and prepare the ship for disembarkation."

"Message coming in on the viewscreen from Angel's Point control, Kanchou," Lacus reported, and the main viewscreen came to life with the face of Morgenroete's red haired chief engineer. "Good work in docking, Murrue. We'll start draining the water in the dry dock. You'll be able to get off in about a half an hour. Welcome back, Archangel."

Murrue took a glance at Mu and saw him grinning broadly. She relaxed and smiled at the viewscreen. "Thanks, Erica. It's good to be home."


Mu felt Murrue's hand touch his briefly as the main access hatch of the Archangel opened up to the vast dry dock. The water had drained most of the way now, allowing the dock crew to work and approach the ship. The gantry bridge has extended from the dock to the access point, to allow the crew to open the main hatch. Mu was at first blinded by the bright lights hanging on the man made cavern's ceiling, but he easily adjusted to them. His eyes had cleared enough to see the gaggle of people waiting for them at the other end of the walkway.

Murrue stood with Lacus at her side. Mu stood slightly behind Murrue, while Kira stood parallel to him. They waited in attention as the crowd marched towards them a tall dark-skinned officer leading the way. He stood a few meters from Murrue, and saluted her. "Permission to come aboard, Kanchou," he said. Mu thought that she was going to lead them in saluting the star-ranked officer. But she turned to Kira, who was surprised at his move. Murrue raised an eyebrow at the brown-haired Coordinator, who picked up the hint that he should lead the salute, being the ranking officer amongst them.

So the running joke between Murrue, himself and Kira, who was still not used to the sudden promotion to Shousho after the invasion of Orb months ago, went on. Stifling a chuckle, Mu watched as Kira awkwardly saluted the tall officer. "Permission granted," Kira replied. "Welcome aboard the Archangel, Kisaka-sama." Chujo Ledonir Kisaka smiled, as he answered Kira's salute. Kisaka shook Kira's arm and nodded. "Welcome back, my friends." He next took the hand of Murrue, who shook it firmly. The rest entered the hatchway and stepped into a open corridor.

Mu took the chance to scan the group that met them, as they all exchanged greetings amongst them. Kira was now locked in a strong grip with Athrun Zala, his best friend and once constant companion of Kira's sister, the Orb Chief Representative Cagalli Yula Athha. Cagalli was not with the welcoming party - she was still recuperating from her injuries in a hospital in Scandinavia. Mu recollected his experiences with Kira's twin, remembering the time when she flew in a Skygrasper under Mu's tutelage. He also remembered when the blonde tomboy princess gave up the Akatsuki to his care for the Archangel's mission to space. He wondered if the feisty and strong young woman was going to be well again, for her twin's sake and Athrun.

Athrun, on the other hand, seemed fully recovered from the injuries he sustained during the last war, and had taken to his responsibilities in the ODF Special Forces during the last few months. Though not as close to Athrun as he was to Kira, Mu had worked well enough with the blue haired Coordinator to know him as a responsible and intelligent person, though prone to periods of doubt and reluctance in his abilities. But Athrun was a good pilot, a fine officer, and an overall nice guy. Mu concluded that Kira was lucky to have Athrun as a best friend, and their group was lucky to have Athrun as a full-time ally now.

Between Cagalli and Athrun, Mu witnessed the love of the two for one another when as Neo he was recuperating and incarcerated in Archangel's sickbay. Although from what he heard that there was a parting between the two - though he generally didn't meddle with other's business, Mu silently hoped that they could get back together once more, for their own sakes.

Murrue was now talking to Erica Simmons, Morgenroete's resident engineering genius. A prime mover in the development with the G project series of mobile suits, which developed and designed Kira and Mu's ill fated Strike among all others, Erica was also assigned to head the overall maintenance of the Archangel and its mobile suit complement when here at the base. Erica and Murrue had grown to become good friends in the two years Murrue worked as 'Maria Vernes' of Morgenroete's shipbuilding division B - her cover during her self-imposed exile in Orb with Kira, Lacus and Andrew Waltfeld.

Mu turned his attention to the Tiger of the Desert, who was offering his real right hand to him. He first met Waltfeld in the battlefields of North Africa as an enemy, when Waltfeld was still ZAFT's ground commander of its forces there. Mu and Waltfeld joined forces with the Three Ships Alliance, which was what the Terminal organization was called then, late in the war, when Waltfeld commanded the stolen Eternal and fought with the Archangel and Orb battlecarrier Kusanagi. Mu heard that during the time Mu was thought too have died when the Strike was destroyed at Jachin Due, Waltfeld and Murrue bonded more in friendship and shared loss, Murrue having thought to have lost Mu while Waltfeld grieved over his departed lover and partner, Aisha.

Murrue and Waltfeld got closer in their time together in Orb, and seemed to be in a verge of a deeper relationship. Waltfeld's return to space with Lacus and Mu's subsequent return to the Archangel dashed any hope for this, but Mu still harbored some jealous ideas about it. When Murrue heard about this, she laughed it off and assured Mu that it wasn't meant to be, and that she still chose him over Andrew. According to her she and Andrew were no more than friends. At first Mu was skeptical, but his trust and love for her eventually removed the doubts clouding his mind. We'll most of it, he admitted to himself, still feeling some lingering jealousy at Waltfeld, as he shook Waltfeld's only remaining natural hand.

Behind Waltfeld stood three other people. The young red haired girl of sixteen with the twin ponytails Mu recognized as Meyrin Hawke. She was exchanging kisses with Lacus now, and the two friends were talking about something he couldn't hear. Mu met her when Meyrin was rescued with Athrun when they tried to escape ZAFT. Athrun protected Meyrin in the ordeal, and in return she helped Athrun recover from his injuries aboard the Archangel. From that time on she and Athrun were inseparable. From what he heard that even Cagalli left Athrun to Meyrin's care when the ship left for Copernicus. He had witnessed the young Coordinator's bravery when she accompanied Athrun, Kira and Lacus in their ill-fated attempt to rescue Lacus' double Meer Campbell, where she fought once more in Athrun's side.

Meyrin now works with Lacus as her private secretary and confidante, working out details for the Clyne Foundation, Lacus' work to help support war orphans from the devastated PLANTs and Earth countries, using the fortune his father left for her, the inheritance Cagalli received from the devastated Seiran family after her "marriage" to the ambitious clan's scion, and contributions and donations from helpful friends and acquaintances. Meyrin spends most of the time here on Orb now, not willing to return to PLANT after the embarrassing incident at Gibraltar, even though she had received a full pardon from the colonies' Supreme Council. Mu suspected Meyrin would not leave Orb only because of Athrun, who had returned to his adopted homeland hopefully for good. It was obvious to Mu that Meyrin had feelings for Athrun, but was unsure of her position in Athrun's life.

The next person was a pleasant surprise for him. It was Dearka Elsman, an old comrade from the first war. He stood there silently, in his dark green ZAFT uniform, watching them with a smirk in his face. Mu had first met Dearka in the same circumstances as Waltfeld, as enemies. Dearka, together with Athrun, Yzak Joule and several others, had stolen the prototype mobile suits of the Atlantic Federation from Morgenroete's factory in the Heliopolis Colony, and that incident led to Mu serving on the Archangel. Mu battled Dearka who piloted the stolen Buster in several occasions, together with Dearka's commander Rau La Crueset, with whom Mu shared a strange psychic link and who he eventually found out to be the genetic clone of his father, Al Da Flaga.

Dearka was captured and taken prisoner on the Archangel after Kira's supposed death in the Strike's death duel with the Aegis, but eventually joined forces with the crew during the Atlantic Federation's invasion of Orb. Together they helped the Three Ships Alliance end the war. Though Mu knew that Dearka had a budding relationship with Archangel's erstwhile CIC officer and Kira's classmate Miriallia Haww, Murrue told him that the two tried to make things work but eventually broke apart. Mu couldn't confirm this, since Dearka was alone and Miriallia wasn't around. Mu gave the tanned-skinned, golden haired Coordinator a warm handshake as he looked over at the last person.

Mu was stunned to see him, the angry hawk-like red eyes staring at him from under the mass of black hair. He was frowning, as if the frown and his anger a permanent fixture in his boyish but cold visage. Mu had met this person once before, when he returned the weak and barely alive Stellar Louisser back to him after her capture by the Minerva. Mu felt guilt for betraying this boy, whom Stellar called Shinn, by breaking the promise he as Neo Lorrnoke gave him to keep Stellar safe, in a place without war or pain, a warm and gentler world. Mu was expecting an outburst from him, but Shinn was not looking at him, nor did he show any signs of recognizing him. Mu traced his cold stare to someone behind him, and was not totally surprised to see that the unwilling object of the stare was Kira.

Apparently everyone else noticed this, and an uneasy silence fell amongst the group. Like himself, Murrue was also gauging Kira's reaction, but to his credit the kid kept his quiet, content to avoid Shinn's stare. Lacus was also watching Kira worriedly, while Athrun's eyes shifted between Kira and the red-eyed pilot. Meyrin looked between angry and scared, and was also trying to avoid the Shinn's stare. Waltfeld, Kisaka and Simmons kept silent, as was a slightly amused and curious Dearka, who knew nothing about this and was waiting for the next thing to happen.

Mu, who was one of the few who fully understood what had happened between Kira and Shinn, decided to act. He understood the boy's hatred for Kira, since it was Kira who killed Stellar when the Freedom destroyed the Phantom Pain's GFAS-X1 Destroy in Berlin. Now they faced each other in person apparently for the first time since the war, and it was developing into a potentially explosive situation. He had to diffuse this bomb before it blew up in their faces. He stepped in front of the boy and offered his hand. "It's nice to meet you again. Shinn, isn't it?"

The boy broke his gaze and looked Mu in the eye, first in confusion of who this person was and then with hate as he recognized the voice behind the face. "Neo." Shinn locked his gaze into his, but Mu held it.

Waltfeld cleared his throat. "Now that we've greeted everyone, let's retire somewhere we can sit down and talk. We have a lot of things to discuss." Kisaka nodded agreement. He eyed Murrue, indicating the need to keep this thing quiet and within themselves.

Murrue picked up the hint quickly. "There's a conference room near the hanger bay on this deck. It's not far from here. We could use that." She started to lead the way, but stopped and eyed Mu to follow.

Mu was about to start, but Shinn moved first. He bumped Mu on his shoulder, and walked passed Kira without acknowledging him, heading down the corridor. For a moment no one moved, until Kira started to follow Shinn. The rest followed afterwards, leaving Mu and Dearka to trail behind.

"Nice way to greet old friends, eh, Old Man?" Dearka said, using the nickname he once used to call Mu.

"Hai," Mu answered, as he quietly walked behind the rest. "You could say that."


Athrun kept silent and just listened as their group discussed the current situation in the Archangel's deck-five conference room. Kira had just completed his intelligence brief for them, filling in the rest of the Archangel's battle with the raiders in space, and the Minerva's arrival to drive the raiders away. The senior officers were now starting to discuss the ramifications of the battle, while the others silently listened.

Kira sat to the left of Murrue-san, with Mu-san at the opposite end. Athrun sat beside him, with Dearka at his left. Waltfeld-san was directly opposite him, with Kisaka-sama to the right and Erica-san to his left. Lacus and Meyrin excused themselves from the meeting, to catch up and talk about the activities of the Foundation with Meyrin filling Lacus in with updates. Only Shinn refused to sit down with them around the table. He was stood leaning on the wall near the doorway, seemingly ignoring Kira while he spoke, but Athrun knew that he was listening intently. Athrun had not had the chance to talk to his former Minerva teammate, but he could sense the animosity from him for almost everyone in the room. He was clearly uncomfortable being here – in Orb and helping those he had come to hate the most.

Kisaka was speaking now, addressing the group. "So now the raiders have actively targeted the Archangel. They're either lucky to spot you approaching Earth, or they're worried that we might be planning something and had you tailed. They found the chance to hit us and they took it."

The group at looked at one another, sizing up each other reactions to Kisaka's statement. "I'd like to believe they just stumbled upon the ship by chance," Waltfeld spoke up first. "It's scary to think that they were planning to hit us all along."

"But that's a possibility we can't dismiss, Waltfeld-Shousho," Athrun insisted, speaking for the first time. "We've all gone up against them, and know how tough and technologically advanced they are. It'll take someone with great will and great resources to mount several attacks like this."

"Yeah, but who?" Mu chimed in. "I don't know if the LOGOS had anymore strike forces like Phantom Pain that can be used this way, and only LOGOS and Blue Cosmos are the only groups radical enough to do this. I should say 'were the only groups', for all intents and purposes they're all dead or imprisoned."

"We can't underscore the chance that some of them must have survived and gone underground." Murrue interjected.

"That's possible," Mu conceded. "But where's the proof?"

Waltfeld glanced over to Kisaka, who shook his head. "We don't have concrete evidence yet, but we do have some promising leads."

"South America," Kira answered.

Kisaka nodded at him. "Hai. Like I said in the report I sent out to you days ago, all the clues point to that embattled state. But we can't be sure unless we confirm it."

Murrue sat back straight. "And that's where the Archangel comes in."

"Correct," Kisaka confirmed. "The ship is the only unit Orb can afford to send out to investigate this matter actively as long as it can be done covertly. We can't openly break Orb's neutrality stance with open and direct intervention with military troops in South America." Again Kisaka looked at everyone, but nobody said anything. "We can supply you with everything you need at our disposal, and resupply you using contacts which we can divulge to you for this mission. We'll give you the details once we agree on our course of action."

Athrun turned to Dearka. "What about ZAFT?"

Dearka stretched his arms. "My orders are to act as liaison between the militia and Orb's irregular Special Forces - meaning you guys. As per providing support, ZAFT will only send them on a limited basis only upon positive confirmation and identification of the raiders and their intents and only upon careful consideration by High Command and the Supreme Council. That's how my order sheet read."

Athrun sighed. "Can we do it, Kanchou?" he asked Murrue.

Murrue considered it for a moment then turned to Mu. "What do you think, Mr. Impossible?"

Mu grinned roguishly. "Might as well. Nothing better for us to do."

Murrue closed her eyes before she decided. "All right, we'll do it. But we need to make preparations first. We'll need to transfer the mobile suits we have here at the point and get the supplies we'll initially need. And we'll need to meet to finalize our plans. We'll need about three days to prepare everything."

Kisaka nodded. "We'll have everything you'll need for you. In fact I suggest that -"

Athrun's attention to the meeting was broken as he noticed Shinn edging away from the corner, and slip out of the room. Nobody else except for Kira and him seemed to have noticed this until the door hissed close once more. Kira stood up and excused himself, and followed the red-eyed pilot out into the ship's interior.

Waltfeld watched the door close behind Kira. "Don't you think someone should follow those two?" he said, in the direction of Athrun.

Athrun had thought about just that, but decided not too. "I don't think we need too. Kira can handle himself. This is between him and Shinn. I'm not sure I want to get involved."


Shinn got bored and irritated with all the discussion inside the Archangel's conference room, in which he felt that the conversation was going around in circles and not getting anywhere. He found Yamato's brief informative, even though he wouldn't admit it to anyone else. He still harbored ill feelings towards Yamato and his twin sister, for the deaths of his family and Stellar. But Shinn knew he would have to work with Yamato and his friends eventually, now that he signed up with their group. It was a necessary thing in order for him to achieve his goals. Shinn knew that Athrun recruited him to use his talents, so Shinn would gladly use Athrun's friends for his advantage in return.

He walked silently through the corridors of the Archangel, ignoring the looks the regular crew gave to this stranger within their midst. Some thought of accosting him, but didn't in obvious wariness of the aura of anger Shinn was emanating. Shinn thought about looking for Meyrin, to talk to her and explain things. But she had not attended the session, leaving the room with Lacus Clyne, apparently to talk over some business. Meyrin had kept on avoiding speaking with him unless it was really necessary during the time they spent waiting for the Archangel to arrive, and things were bound not to change for the better at the moment.

Shinn eventually reached the end of the corridor, where a hatchway to the main hanger waited to be opened. Shinn opened the door and stepped into the massive hanger. His eyes fell on the wide space, towering more than thirty meters tall, with dozens of crewmen running and working all around to service the mobile suits parked safely on the maintenance gantries. A burly middle age man was barking instructions to the maintenance crews, standing beside a gray mobile suit on one corner of the hanger.

Shinn glanced at the gray suit, taking in its features. He studied its profile, with a growing feeling of recognizance. His heart beat faster as his eyes locked onto the mobile suit's head. His jaw dropped, as he stared at awe at the vision he beheld, one he last saw on that fateful day, when he crashed on the surface of the moon, when Stellar visited him in that aura of pure light, when he cried all the tears that flooded his heart in Luna's loving arms.

Shinn ran towards the sleeping giant, unheeding the surprised yells of the tech crew, finally coming to stand awestruck and scared of its power and vision at its feet. This giant was the physical manifestation of the power that he once possessed, the curse of destiny that he had wanted to give away. This was Gilbert Dullindal's legacy to him; the means to which Shinn made Rey's fervent wishes come true for him; the sword Shinn wielded in confusion and anger.

"Destiny…" Shinn whispered, amazed and awed by the sight

It looks like Destiny, he thought; with Shinn being its pilot he could easily recognize the chassis design. But something, no, a lot of things looked different to him. The beam boomerangs remained, but the long ranged beam cannon, folded and hung at the back of the mobile suit, parallel to the storage for the anti-ship beam sword, was gone. A second anti-beam sword replaced it, and Shinn noticed that the sword handles were shorter than he could remember. The anti beam shield was gone too, as was the single beam rifle stored at the back below the thruster backpack. Two rifles replaced it, one different from another, hanging from holders from both sides of the hips. The two wings looked different too, looking longer that it last was. Four Vulcan barrels protruded from the head, as well as four antennae, twice more than the original design.

But the most revealing change in the design was in its head crest. Gone was the 'X-42S DUE' engraved in the red square, replaced by something more powerful, more mysterious to behold.

X-43A FENIX RENASC

"Fenix Renasc," said a voice from behind him. Shinn spun around, and was met with the eyes of a pink haired woman, who smiling at him, in a kind, sad way.

"Lacus Clyne –"

The Coordinator songstress nodded, then faced the mobile suit. "'Renaissance Phoenix' - the Phoenix Reborn. Just like you, Shinn Asuka, reborn and soaring free from the fires of destiny, because you chose to be here."

Clyne looked up to the dormant giant. "The Destiny Phoenix has been waiting for you, Shinn-san," Clyne said, turning to face Shinn once more. "It has been waiting for you to be reborn."


On a split-level access way high above one side of the hanger bay, Kira watched silently the unfolding scene below, as Lacus talked to Shinn, standing very still in evident surprise at the sight of the dormant mobile suit.