Disclaimer: see Chapter 1. Chapter 10 has been updated slightly to include some new content. Please enjoy the additional material.
Fated Shift: Rearmed
By Centurious the Azure and Storm Wolf77415
Orbital Melee
(Archangel, Bridge, February 13th, C.E 71)
It wasn't long before the Eighth Fleet reached Earth orbit. Finally, the end of their long journey was in sight. Murrue was certainly relieved to have her mentor and his ships at her side. But even more so, she was extremely proud of her crew. She fingered the new rank insignia on her collar, two narrow yellow bands and two square blue tabs, the rank of a full naval captain.
Halberton had promoted all four of the senior-most officers, The Hawk of Endymion was also a captain now, suitable for his place as the Archangel's Wing Commander Natarle had been bumped up to full commander and Sharon could now call herself Lieutenant Commander Heim. The pinkette in question was in her usual place in the CIC. The tension was at its highest. Despite being so close to the end, ZAFT had not let up. True to Lacus's words, the White Meteor was about to come calling again.
"Tactical, composition of enemy forces and possible time of interception?" Murrue asked Chandra. Everyone had been on edge, even Sharon had been rather somber. It was an indication of how tired and irritated everyone was of being constantly harassed by the Le Creuset Team. It was becoming a real problem.
"ZAFT forces will be on us in about forty-five to fifty minutes Captain. We're reading five Nazca-class destroyers and three Laurasia-class frigates. If they're all carrying full complements of mobile suits." He sighed as the implications sunk in. "We'll be going up against forty-eight mobile suits, including the stolen Gundams."
"Even with Captain Mishima and his people, we're looking at heavy casualties, Captain," Natarle said from her usual spot in the CIC. "The heaviest we've had to date," Murrue said nothing, having long gotten used to her executive officer's normal reports. She sighed inwardly, was it so much to ask for a little break and to have things be in the Earth Alliance's favor for once? Admiral Halberton, the one man who could beat Rau Le Creuset at his own game, the man who had taught her so much was present. Certainly, his presence would make a difference?
Murrue's gaze fell on the rank insignia sitting on her lapels, and her resolve hardened. She had to stop second-guessing everything. She was a captain now, not just in title but in full rank, and that carried great responsibility. A ship captain couldn't worry about every little thing. Her main duty was to her ship and the people under her command. It was in no small part due to Kira, Yukimasa, and the rest of the student volunteers they were able to make it this far. She had to have confidence, in them and in herself to prevail.
"Bring us up to Level One Battle Stations." Murrue stood up, straightening her uniform jacket. "Arm all weapons and get the pilots suited up and in their mobile suits standby. I want them on Alert Five and out in space the minute the attack begins." She held up a hand to forestall a protest from Natarle. "I'm fully aware that Admiral Halberton wants us to make it planetoid, but we are part of the Eighth Fleet too. We will fight alongside them."
Natarle let out a quiet groan. Common sense dictated they didn't get involved, but it was clear she was in the minority for that course of action. "I don't know why I'm bothering anymore." Sharon let a quiet giggle escape from her lips. "Don't think I didn't hear that, Heim." Straightening up her cover, She began issuing orders to the CIC staff. Again the crew of the Archangel would soon find themselves in the madness of combat.
(Crew Quarters)
"Fuck ZAFT," was Yukimasa's feeling about the whole situation. He had settled down with Flay for a little quiet time, but the shrill bleating of the alarm klaxon and the harsh red glow of the alert lights ruined that chance. Flay watched as her man got dressed. The redhead could only look on with admiration for how he was willing to go out there time and again to defend them. Yukimasa just gave her that cocky grin she knew so well. "Don't worry honey. I'm not looking to die here. We will go home and I'll take you out to dinner."
Flay smiled, standing up to embrace him. "You better." She rested her head against his shoulder. "Oh, how I wish I could be out there with you. Fight alongside you. I just feel so useless otherwise." It was a feeling that had cropped up for her lately. The redhead wasn't satisfied with just bridge duties anymore. Her father's death had sparked something inside of Flay. She wanted to be out there on the front lines, in the face of the enemy. It was the least she could do to pay them back.
Her little chat in the cafeteria with Miles had just fueled that desire. As devastating as her father's death had been. She also didn't want to be pitied. She had tried to tell her so-called fiancee that, but the man was notoriously thick-headed, being called a mere civilian, and insisting he would protect her. It sounded like something out of a bad anime.
Yukimasa gently brushed his fingers along her cheek. "You're far from useless, honey. I know you're uneasy ever since your father was killed. Just have faith in me and the others. We'll get through this alive." He remembered when Flay had spoken to him about possibly getting flight training. It made him uneasy to think of Flay stepping out there on the battlefield, but really was it any safer remaining on the ship? The Archangel was just as much a target as any of the mobile suits.
She gave him a light kiss before they departed for their respective duty stations. It was just a matter of time before blood was shed and steel would flash. Yukimasa walked with purpose to the hangar, running into Keijiro and Kuro along the way. The three boys shared a subdued glance and a nod of acceptance. "I guess it's time for us to earn our keep again." The stoner finally broke the silence. "You'd think ZAFT would be more polite and let us get home, but I suppose professional courtesy is beyond Rau Le Creuset's understanding."
The Sahaku brothers didn't hide their laughter. The bad joke was just what was needed to break the tension. Kejiro sighed. "See, isn't it a great thing you've got plucky comic relief like me around?" He draped his arms over Yukimasa and Kuro's shoulders, grinning. "Otherwise you two would be dark and grim and all the time. I think we have enough Sasuke Uchihas in the world already."
"Ugh, really?" Kuro looked incensed as the trio entered the locker room. "Comparing the both of us to the poster child of emo? I would think your standards would be higher than that, Keijiro."
"What can I say my brother K?" Keijiro began unbuttoning his uniform and getting out his flightsuit. "I always shoot for the lowest common denominator, it keeps the disappointment low." The door slid open, admitting Kira. "Ah, the White Knight appears. We couldn't go into battle without you."
"White Knight?" Kira blinked. He began getting into his flightsuit.
"Well, the Strike's Phase Shift color scheme certainly gives it the image of a gallant knight," Kuro said as he snapped the collar of his black flightsuit shut. He smirked a little. "I'm sure Yui sees you that way." Kira bowed his head slightly.
Keijiro leered as he grabbed his helmet. "Oh yeah, you're her knight in shining armor all right. Tell me, have you and the princess done it yet?"
"N-no! Of course not!" Kira got all flustered at those words. He immediately got visions of an enraged Ayami pursuing him in a murderous rage. "I mean, Yui hasn't said anything to me." His mind, and hormones, betrayed him. He knew what kind of body Yui had, remembering what he saw that first day at the pool. "But she's way too proper to just go at it like that!"
Keijiro just leered. "Hey, the prudes give the best head. Although, it does usually require you to loosen them up a bit first. I bet once she's unrepressed, Yui's a demon in the sack!" He couldn't help but enjoy winding the kid up. It was clear just how awkward Kira was when it came to the fairer sex. Not to mention he would face the wrath of a vengeful older sister.
"Oh give the poor kid a break." Yukimasa rolled his eyes. Before throwing a side glance at the Strike's pilot. "That being said. You should give it a thought, Kira. What we're doing right now. Who's to say you'll live to see another day? I"m sure that's crossed your mind at least once. I'd think you'd want to consummate your relationship with Yui so you at least have no regrets." He shrugged. "But that's just my thoughts on the subject. It ultimately falls to you."
The keeper of the Masamune walked out the door, his brother and best friend on his heels. Leaving Kira with some heavy thoughts. Banishing any further thoughts from his mind, He finished dressing in his flightsuit, grabbed his helmet, and made for the hangar. Of course, Yui was there, ever diligent in making sure her man's mobile suit was in top order, ensuring he came home alive and in one piece. They shared a brief embrace before he kicked off the deck, taking his place in the giant engine of war.
He looked over to the newest machine in the Archangel's complement. A tall, bulky mobile suit, its armor a pristine white, the only splash of color was the crimson red of its head crest. Its primary weapon, a large cannon mounted to its arm, with a sheathed longsword hanging on its right side. Alyssa, clad in a flightsuit as white as the machine itself was going over final details with Murdoch. "We tweaked the railgun, the power output is upped by thirty percent."
"You've done excellent work as always, Chief Murdoch. It's good to know I have such capable hands as you and the rest of your staff to keep our mobile suits in perfect working order." Alyssa said. Murdoch puffed out his chest a little bit. It was always nice to receive a little recognition for your hard work. She looked up to the machine. "The MSX-00 Absynthion. One of the first-ever combat mobile suits ever produced. It may not be as sophisticated as the other machines here, but its brute strength will make up for that."
Alyssa then boarded the mobile suit, bringing it online. The mono visor, colored a deep sky blue, flashed to life. The mysterious female smirked, relishing the feel of power at her fingertips now. She guided the machine to the launch bay. "Alyssa Mishima, Absynthion, ready for launch!"
Kira continued prepping the Strike, as the blast doors shut, the deck quaking with the Absynthion's launch. The Hyperion and Masamune were already lining up to be next on the catapults. Keijiro was just itching for a fight. The earlier scuffle with the Advance Force wasn't bad, but this was going to be a whole other level. Yukimasa was just looking for an outlet for all the negative energy he had acclimated since meeting Miles. It just rubbed him the wrong way and he needed a target for his frustration. The Duel would have some new scars when he was done.
The Hawk of Endymion was already closing the hatch on his craft. The Zero was slowly making its way to the launch zone as well. It would be the last time Mu would take the unique ship out, as it wouldn't function in atmosphere. Luckily his wings weren't clipped, the Eighth Fleet had made sure of that, a pair of fighters colored brilliant sky blue sat in the corner of the hangar. But they would have to get planetside first before making use of them.
(PSV Vesalius, Dressing Room)
On the other side of the imminent battlefield, the pilots of the Le Creuset Team were also getting ready. Athrun was already in the cockpit of the Aegis, running through his preflight checklist. He sighed, thinking of his earlier conversation with Miguel. How could have Kira gotten involved with such major figures in the Earth Alliance?
Felecia floated by the Gundam toward her GINN. She saw Ezra working on the Thunderbolt. He was checking his machine's sword, ensuring the blade would be nice and sharp for this, He caught sight of her, so Felecia smiled and blew a kiss to him before arriving at her mobile suit. She floated inside, strapping herself in before putting her blue helmet on.
On a few levels, she was quite excited being so close to Earth. Maybe once the operation was over Commander Le Creuset would let them go planetside. That way, her wish would finally come true, and she could see the ocean. A girl could dream but first, they had to get through the Eighth Fleet. She knew of Lewis Halberton's reputation, and how their boss considered him to be one of the few people, Natural or Coordinator, on his level.
The Battle of Nova had shown that to be true, it had been a chess match the whole way across. Not to mention their prior engagements during the Grimaldi Front, Yggdrasil, and all the way back to the blockade itself in 69. Felecia keyed Ezra's comm line. "Hey there. You ready for this? Cause I don't know if I fully am." The swimmer asked. The only response she got was that familiar smirk.
"I know what you're thinking about. That giant puddle down there covering most of the planet. It must be killing you, being so close to your goal and yet so far away." Ezra just chortled, watching as his girlfriend got more and more flustered. "You could practically dip your toe from there."
"Don't tease me!" Felecia pouted, shaking both her fists in front of her chest. She got serious for a moment. "Ezra, I'll watch your back, but only if you watch mine, right?" The memories of the last battle coming back to her and her near brush with death. Ezra's smirk faded, replaced by a reassuring smile.
"Always," Ezra said to his partner. The Thunderbolt had undergone some repairs and gotten a new addition after the destruction of the beam cannon. One of the engineers had the brilliant idea of taking spare parts for the 66mm railguns and giving the dark Gundam some powerful fangs. It wouldn't do much good against Gundams with Phase-Shift, but it would be a more than capable ship-killer. Ezra knew exactly what would be his first two targets, the white ship, and its dark escort. They were the heart of it all. If they could be taken out, then their mission is complete.
He took note of the Aegis, watching the brilliant red Phase-Shift fizzle into existence. Athrun guiding his captured Gundam into the catapult's magnetic field, launching into the stars. The Blitz was next in line, and Felecia's GINN High Maneuver was behind him. It was like being back in grade school to Ezra. The ship shuddered as the stealth Gundam vaulted into the void. Nicol wasted little time going under Mirage cloak.
The catapult launch always felt like getting punched in the gut to Ezra. Although he heard from Shiho and other soldiers who had been Earthside say a mass driver launch was a thousand times more intense. The G-forces pushed him into his chair as he soon found himself looking at the endless curtain of stars. As entranced as Felecia was by the water, Ezra's two greatest joys came in tinkering in his workshop and flying.
He could see everything, the blue and green expanse of Earth, the gray, pockmarked orb of the Moon in the distance. Ezra would have enjoyed the view more, but he knew there was a job to do. He looked to the Gamow and the other five cruisers, disgorging their mobile suits. He saw the descendants of his machine fall into formation with the Aegis in the lead. Miguel's custom GINN, in the trademark orange with a skull and crossbones, Felecia's GINN HM, and Shiho's CGUE Deep Arms soon joined up with the Thunderbolt.
"So this is the big one, it should be a great fight. It's almost like Nova 2.0 if you look at it the right way." The Magic Bullet of Dusk wasn't hiding the eagerness at all for what was to come. "Not only do we have Lewis Halberton here, but I get another crack at the Hawk of Endymion," Ezra recalled the stories Miguel told about his clash with Mu at the Battle of Nova. He insisted he could have plucked the Hawk's wings if he had a little more time.
"Try to keep your eagerness under control, Sergeant." Shiho's cool voice rang in. "This is a bit more complicated than Nova. And don't forget what happened at Heliopolis. If you got your shit wrecked by one Gundam, imagine what those others could do to you as well."
The only response was an exasperated sigh. "Yeah yeah, I get it. No reckless engagement with a superior mobile suit. I've learned my lesson. That being said." Some of Miguel's cockiness returned. "I do want to get a small degree of payback against the Strike." Despite what he said earlier to Athrun about not wanting to mess with his best friend, there was a part of him who did want revenge for his near-death at the Orb colony.
Ezra said nothing, taking note of the new additions to the Duel. "An Assault Shroud? I guess it makes sense, given how Joule used to pilot an Assault class GINN." He noted the Shiva 60mm railgun and five-tube missile launcher now adorning the Gundam's shoulders. "Definitely gives a boost to his machine's offensive capabilities, but that heavy armor may prove to be a burden should we head down to the planet."
"I've got sensor contacts," Felecia said, watching the cluster of red sensor blips. "It's those three Gundams from earlier. They're on an intercept course right for us." It made her uneasy, remembering how close she came to ending at Kieran's hands.
As senior-most rank, Shiho took command of the impromptu element. "Okay, let's split them up. I'll engage the artillery Gundam, Aiman, you take the sniper machine, Kanitz and Anderson, deal with the machine carrying the oversized mace." Ezra and Felecia just gave the double click, ready to engage in battle with the monster from before.
"You as terrified as I am?" The swimmer asked.
"Not a bit." It was a baldfaced lie, but Ezra was determined to protect Felecia at any cost. "We do what we did like last time, just try to keep out of harm's way?"
She smiled and blew a kiss to him. "As long as you're here, I'll be fine. But you try to stay alive too, Ezra. I want us to go down to Earth and see the ocean together. You promised me, remember?" Oh yes, he remembered all too well. That day when Felecia said she wanted to see Earth and swim in its wide oceans. He would be right there alongside her. Felecia was his whole world, and he'd never break a promise to Felecia.
The Gravesend, Gunshot, and Firestorm came into view. The two sides split up, engaging their respective opponents. Once again the Gravesend was equipped with a new anti-ship sword, the Eighth Fleet had been quite happy to provide three fresh replacements for the one lost during the earlier skirmish. Ezra's eyes narrowed slightly, going for his own dark metal-heavy sword. "And with this, the dance begins anew!" The two machines crossed blades in the silent void of space.
Felecia flanked the Gravesend, spitting out a barrage of 27mm shells. As before it did little against the very thick armor of the old war machine, but she refused to show weakness. She was part of this team and would pull her weight, even if all she could do was keep the enemy off balance. But she reasoned that if any mobile armors came her way, then she could make quick work of them while Ezra dealt with the real monster.
Kuro took note of the blue GINN. It wasn't much of a threat to his machine, but it meant dividing his attention between it and the dark giant that was the Thunderbolt. That was not a prospect he relished. To his dismay, he noted the Thunderbolt's latest addition to its arsenal. "A massive railgun? That's even worse than the beam cannon!" He wound up with the anti-ship sword, kicking his engines on and going straight for the Thunderbolt. "That thing is going right now!"
But when he went to swing, the bulky mobile suit nimbly slid to the left, and all the Schwert Gewehr cut through was the void of space itself. Ezra smirked. "I just got this thing, no way am I going to let you destroy it when I haven't had a chance to use it. In fact." he squeezed the trigger. "How about you be my first test subject?"
"Oh crap!" Kuro said, barely avoiding the yellow streak pass inches over Gravesend's right shoulder. He gaped at the railgun, the sparks still dancing on the edges. Kuro was so preoccupied he didn't notice Felecia whip around behind and smack him in the back with a barrage of shells, and swing from the heavy sword mounted on her rifle.
For Ezra, this was a glorious little slice of payback. He knew Felecia was enjoying it. "It's the small things in life you have to appreciate." He raised his twin-barreled shield rifle. "And we're just getting started!" He opened fire at the Gravesend, before swinging his obsidian-hued blade, managing to rake it across the left shoulder, leaving a heavy indentation.
Kuro winced as his entire machine shook from the impact. It was a testament to Gravesend's hardy construction that it didn't crumple like a tin can, the same way he did to the Storm Wolves' GINNs at Artemis. "Having some trouble there, K?" Of course Shino just had to razz him at that. He was as big of a troll as Eugene, if not a bit more. "I'm a little tied up, but I can sling a round or two your way if you want me to."
"Oh, by all means, don't wait on my account!" Kuro grunted as he avoided another of Ezra's sword swings. Out of the void of space, a pair of massive orange beams lanced out, causing the two mobile suits to break off. "Cutting it a little close as always Shino!"
(Open Space)
"You're welcome!" The pilot of Firestorm sing-songed back. He gritted his teeth in anticipation at the sight of the CGUE DEEP Arms, especially its beam cannons. The Firestorm's twin railguns and 120mm machine guns gleamed ominously. This would be a clash of sheer firepower, one artillery unit against the other. Shino lived for those kinds of fights. "Let's see what you got!" He opened fire with his giant cannons, letting the 110mm rounds fly, the yellow streaks illuminating the void of space.
Shiho growled, oh no way was that going to fly with her! "You like to play rough?" She rotated her beam cannons upward. "Then so do I!" The giant emerald lances nearly impaled the Firestorm. But Shino had the advantage of the Alaya-Vijana system. It allowed him to evade the CGUE attack. He raised his machine guns, spraying lead. Shiho brought up her machine gun, letting it make its profound arguments, of the 76mm variety. "Try this on for size!" She reached for the weapon hanging on the CGUE's right hip. It bore a more than passing resemblance to what Gravesend was using.
The thin orange-red beam of energy slid to life. "Wow, this gets better all the time." Shino stored the machine guns on the back-mounted racks. "All right, you want to get up close and personal, then let's get intimate!" He pulled out a pair of heavy combat knives, the edges starting to glow a brilliant orange hue. Inside the ZAFT mobile suit, Shiho smirked. It seemed someone wanted to tango.
Both pilots shouting out war cries, their blades met, the laser edge resisting against the glowing metal. "Ah, I do have to thank dear Phoebe for this little innovation," Shino smirked, thinking of the blue-haired engineer back at Morgenroete. He swung at the CGUE, only for Shiho to twist her machine, but the edge of the right knife did manage to sheer through the right leg armor.
This made the female ZAFT pilot mad, and responded by hacking off a chunk of Firestorm's shoulder armor. The metal melting under the glowing blade. Shino sneered, opening fire with the shoulder cannons. Shiho took the hint and pulled back some. The cannons rotating 90 degrees once again. Shiho was about to fire, when warning signals came to life, indicating overheating in the cannon barrels. "Of all times!" She cursed. "Damn it, why do you have to act up now?"
The beam cannons were still experimental, and the cooling systems still had numerous bugs that hadn't been worked out. Shiho winced as the Firestorm took another swing at her, she barely had time to block with her laser sword. She pulled out her machine gun, catching Shino's machine in the left leg and along the edge of the cockpit block. The laser sword and one of the heat knives locked once again. 120mm and 76mm shells flew back and forth. It would mark the beginning of a long fight, as Earth drew ever closer.
(Open Space)
Kira felt a certain pang of yearning at the sight of the Earth filling the Strike's view screen. It had been about two years since his family moved from their home on Izanagi Island up to Copernicus, and then to Heliopolis. He wondered how much longer until he could return to Orb, with Yui at his side. The White Knight was eager to show his princess, he had come to see her that way, his homeland.
However, before that could happen, he had to get through his old friend and current rival. The Red Knight was out there, and would do all he could to keep the Archangel and its crew from achieving their goal. His eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of the Aegis approaching him. "Okay Athrun, let's go again!" He raised his beam rifle, taking the first shot. But of course, the red Gundam neatly sidestepped it.
Inside the opposing machine, Athrun sighed as he saw the Strike, as always equipped with the Aile Pack, take a defensive stance. He had taken some time to consider what his old friend had said, and also something Lacus had said to him in passing before departing the Vesalius. "Holding onto hate is like drinking poison and waiting for someone else to die. It just doesn't work." The Red Knight had digested all of this thoroughly. Loathe as he was to admit it, his white counterpart and pink angel were onto something. Trying to convince Kira to join ZAFT, and how the Naturals were just using him was a losing battle, and that holding a grudge wouldn't accomplish anything.
So Athrun Zala decided the only thing he could do was his duty. The Strike was a target and he would eliminate it. Wordlessly he ignited his right wrist-mounted beam saber, opened the throttle to max, and hurled straight at his opponent. The golden blade arced, being met by the flaming weapon of its brother unit. "Okay then, Kira. You don't want to come back to the PLANTs?" He swung the blade upward, taking a large chunk out of the Strike's shield, before swinging back, getting across the shoulder. "Then I'll see to it you and that ship never get to Earth!"
Kira's eyebrows knit together at Athrun's declaration. If Athrun was really going to take the gloves off, then so be it. The beam sabers intersected as they had many times before. But this time, the Red Knight ignited the blade on the Aegis's other arm, looking to take another chunk out of the Strike. Kira batted it aside with his shield, firing the CIWS at point-blank range. But Athrun was undeterred. "I'll tell you this right now, Kira. When it came to my training at the Academy, I was the top in my class at melee combat." Aegis's arms crossed, twin golden blades illuminating the face. "Let me show you why!"
The Aegis broke for the Strike, Arm mounted blades ready for a double backhand strike. Athrun wanted to end this in a single blow. It was the least he could do for his friend. But Kira wasn't going to make it easy for him. He chucked his shield, letting the blade slash it in half. The Red Knight paid it no mind, his only intention to scissor the White Knight in half. "Goodbye, Kira." His voice was hollow, but his heart ached as he went to bisect the Strike. Only for his friend to surprise him, in a flash, he had grabbed the second ES01 beam saber from atop the Aile Pack, and was holding the Aegis's blades at bay.
"Nice try Athrun!" Kira strained, knocking the glowing weapons back. "But I've taken some time to study our previous battles." He brought the beam sabers up to a guarding stance. "And you should know better than anyone just how much of a fast learner I really am!"
"Oh give it a rest you too!" The friends turned rivals saw the Hyperion swoop by. "Why don't you just freaking kiss already! I mean really! Take your helmets, make out in a vacuum, and die already!" Leave it to Keijiro to stick his nose where it didn't need to be. The boys knew the stoner couldn't see their glares through their mobile suits and across the void of space, but it was a natural reaction. "Seriously, you two don't even swing that way, to begin with! What kind of man are you to cheat on the great Lacus with someone like Kira?" Keijiro continued to flit about. "And you, Yamato! Yui would go ballistic when she hears about your little cherry blossom tryst with this twink at Copernicus!"
"How do you know about that?" Athrun snarled, pulling out his beam rifle and taking a pot shot, only for Keijiro to deflect it with one of the arm-mounted lightwave shield.
"Easy boy, the answer to that is because I was there!" Keijiro smirked. "Remember the sewage truck?" It then registered to the ZAFT pilot of that day when he left for the PLANTs, how the touching if bittersweet moment was ruined by a massive industrial truck barrel through the park, the driver poking his head out screaming "Gay!" at the top of his lungs, before driving by, spewing waste product everywhere.
"You bastard!" Athrun raged, firing his beam rifle again. "I got doused with that crap! My mom wouldn't let me into the house before I cleaned myself off with the hose and then I had to take three showers to finally feel clean again!" He remembered all too well now. The truck spewing the nasty greenish-brown ooze everywhere out of a jury-rigged pressure hose. He had shielded Kira with his own body and got a severe lashing from his mother when he got home.
But Keijiro avoided the green pulses with minimal effort. He cackled as the Hyperion jetted off. Leaving the Strike and Aegis to face each other once again. "Kira, don't tell me you actually became friends with that misanthropic asshole!" Athrun ignited his beam saber, only for it to be parried by the Strike's counterpart blade.
"He's actually not that bad once you get to know him." Kira quipped, swinging back. "But I'll admit he's very much an acquired taste!" The two knights battled with new vigor. Whatever Athrun felt toward Kira, he was determined to make Keijiro his next target!
(Open Space)
Yukimasa just looked annoyed as the Duel approached him, firing a couple rounds from the railgun. He swung his own beam rifle up, squeezing off three fast rounds before going for a saber. Yzak launched a grenade from his rifle, before drawing his flaming sword. The Masamune and Duel passed each other, carving molten trails along their right and left hips respectively.
"How do you like that, Sahaku?" Yzak sneered. "The Duel is even deadlier than before."
"So you're back and got some fancy new armor? Neat." Yukimasa wasn't impressed at all. He could see all the flaws of the Assault Shroud just as Ezra did. "I'll admit it lets your take a whole punishment than before, not to mention the railgun and missiles give you a whole lot more teeth, but still." Yzak lunged at him with a beam saber, but the Masamune just slid out of the way. "It makes you that much slower."
Yzak had no response. He just focused on finally taking the man who had become his greatest rival, aside from Athrun. He launched another grenade, squeezing off a beam salvo, catching the Masamune in the shoulder. "Maybe it does make me slower, but I can live with it because this is the power that will end you!" His voice oozed smugness. He continued firing his rifle. Only for the massive blade to flip out, splitting his attack, leaving only a few green flecks of light that died in the void of space.
"The power that will end me, you say?" Yukimasa's voice laced with cold air. "Clearly you've forgotten our last engagement." He let out a rather theatrical sigh that his twin brother would have swooned over. "So as always, you'll need to be re-educated!" The Masamune's rifle came up, but much to his surprise, the Duel stood there, not even keeping his shield up. Yukimasa's eyes narrowed slightly. He fired a single round right at the Duel's torso, and it harmlessly splashed off it.
The arrogant redcoat started laughing, clearly amused by the joke. "You think I wouldn't come prepared? The Assault Shroud has anti-beam coating across its entire structure, for extra protection!" Yzak put a strong emphasis on those last words. There was glee in his voice. "It's defense is ironclad. I won't let you get me like you did last time!"
This made Yukimasa think a moment. "Okay, did you just forget what happened when we did that initial pass?" He indicated the long black gouge mark on the Duel's left hip. "I managed a pretty significant blow on you then. So I don't think your defense is as strong as you say!" Yzak just let out a roar and went for the Masamune again, launching another round from the railgun, which Yukimasa neatly evaded. But Yzak was persistent, and was rewarded with scored a deep slash across the lower part of the Masamune's torso.
Yukimasa winced as alarms sounded and indicators began flashing on his screen, showing the damage done. "I'll let you have that one, but that's the only one!" The Duel's five-tube missile launcher delivered its payload. Yukimasa opened fire with his CIWS, blowing the projectiles out of the sky. He swung the big sword upward, managing to leave a heavy burn gouge across the Duel's right shoulder. The two machines brandished their weapons at each other, waiting for the next move to be made.
(PSV Vesalius, Bridge)
Rau contemplated the roiling battle unfolding before him. The Eighth Fleet was putting up a tremendous fight, but his task force was chopping their numbers away little by little. He watched one of the Drakes get incinerated by a Laurasia, a trio of GINNs made short work of a squadron of Mobieses. This pathetic squabble between Coordinators and Naturals never seemed to end. It was just proof that humanity would never learn. It would have to fall to him to put them all in their place.
The White Meteor's thoughts on that subject halted when his masked visage fell on the sleek form of the Agamemnon-class carrier at the heart of the Earth Alliance formation, the legged ship and the brown ship in a loose triangle. "Ah, Halberton my old foe. How long has it been since we met across the battlefield?" He mused to himself. "Ades, put me through to the Menelaos. I wish to speak with its commander."
Wordlessly, Ades hailed the Menelaos. He knew the history between his commanding officer and his Atlantic Federation counterpart. The admiral, wearing a spacesuit, appeared on the monitor. Rau just let out a light-hearted chuckle. "Ah, so good to see you again, Lewis. It's been, what six months now since we faced off at Nova?" To his bridge crew, it seemed the weirdest time to have a conversation with the enemy. "Such a terrible loss for you."
Halberton snorted. "Please, it's been more like eight months, and Nova was a mess for both sides. The only reason ZAFT took it, in the end, is because we had taken everything possible from it, so it was a liability to keep forces guarding it. Simply put, Rau. I let you win that one because I felt sorry for you!" Rau's lips twitched downward but only for a minute. He wasn't going to fall for that cheap shot that easily.
The masked commander folded his arms. "Be that it may, Lewis, I still managed to make off with most of your prized prototypes. I will give you credit, they are marvelous works of engineering. My four elite pilots have taken quite readily to them. Our technicians have already gleaned a wealth of data from them. The Integrated Design Bureau is already using it to improve our next generation of mobile suits. I'll be sure to pass their regards onto you." Rau threw a petty insult back at Halberton. "It must burn you up, the weapons you worked so hard to defend your people, now being used to destroy you! Once I destroy the legged ship and that last prototype. You're right back at square one."
But the admiral just laughed. "Not so much as you think! Our people spent months on the G-weapons, yes. And losing them was a big setback. But I'll let you know right here and now, We've already got plenty of data to work with, and we've already begun producing a few test models for mass production." Much of Rau's smugness fell away with those words. The Earth Alliance's mobile suit program was farther along than anticipated! Halberton drank it in. "I guarantee once those babies hit the battlefield, it will make even your CGUE look like a cheap toy! So I hope whatever the IDB comes up with is good. You'll need it!"
The White Meteor ground his teeth slightly. "Even if that's the case, I still possess your prototype machines. I can easily order one of my men to blow your ship from underneath you!" It was then a familiar feeling stabbed into the back of his mind. "It can't be, La Flaga?" It was then a dark shape hurtled past the bridge windows. Rau looked out the window to see the charcoal-grey-colored Moebius Zero parked right outside. "What is this? I thought the entire Zero Corps died at Endymion!" A refined voice came over the speaker.
"Oh I'm afraid they did, but I'm a latecomer to this party. It's so nice to make your acquaintance, Commander Le Creuset. Allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Captain Neo Roanoke, of Atlantic Federation Naval Special Operations Forces. I came along with the Admiral to ensure the Archangel made it to Earth. Of course, I could never pass down an opportunity to face one of ZAFT's greatest pilots before returning home. Perhaps you could entertain me for a while, or I could just blow you away right here and now?"
Rau let out a low huff as Halberton laughed in his seat. He just closed the channel, flashing a look to Ades, before sweeping off the bridge and down to the hangar. If this new arrival wanted a fight, he would get one! He moved with a more hurried step as he boarded his CGUE. There was a part of him anticipating what was coming. While he always enjoyed squaring off against the Hawk of Endymion, it wasn't often he had a chance to face someone else with the same gift he had.
The white mobile suit launched out into space, fast approaching its opposite number. Obscured by the mask as it was, no one could see Rau's eyebrows knit together. Yes, this Neo character used remote weapons. "Very well then, Mr. Roanoke. Let's see what you're made of!" He raised his machine gun and opened fire. But the Zero spun on its axis, evading it, before aiming its main railgun right at the CGUE. Not a problem for a pilot of Rau's skill to avoid. The dark Zero rushed by him, the familiar sign of the wired gun barrels unfurling, letting loose their deadly payload.
The shield gatling took its turn, opening fire at the nimble mobile armor. Roanoke banked to the left, leaving Le Creuset facing down the full length of his railgun barrel. He fired a single round. His ZAFT counterpart raised his shield, batting it away. "So, you're not all bark after all. I underestimated Lewis if he had someone like you around this whole time."
"Your reputation precedes you, Commander Le Creuset. We may not have been able to keep you from grabbing the other prototypes, but if you think we'll let you destroy the Archangel and the Strike. Then you'll have to go through me to make it happen!" Rau was confident in his ability to face down those with the same ability as himself, but Neo was not Mu. He was much more aggressive, using the gun barrels in wide slashing motions to throw up a wall of lead, following up with a shot from the railgun. It took the White Meteor all his skill to evade.
"Proving to be more of a challenge than you initially thought, Commander?" Neo smirked, letting out a sinister little chuckle as the wired gun barrels of his Zero circled about. "If so, I'll show you my true skill now!" His radar indicated another machine approaching, it was the Hawk of Endymion.
"Pardon me for crashing the party, but I'll never mess up a chance to dump on Rau. Besides, it will be nice to fly with another Zero pilot again."
"I'm eager to see you in action then, Captain La Flaga," Neo said. "We should be able to put on quite a show then." Rau certainly thought so. He was quick to fire his shield gatling at Mu, only for him to evade it. Neo was then on him in a second, firing a linear round. The White Meteor wore an evil leer. While he didn't engage in active combat very often anymore, he would gladly take on his old rival, and now he had another opponent in Neo Roanoke. Double the delight!
(Open Space)
Nicol had wasted no time in cloaking himself, skirting about the battlefield. He saw his comrades engaging their respective targets. He wasn't sure how to act. The Mirage Colloid certainly gave him an advantage. Nicol contemplated interjecting himself into one of the fights. He saw the orange GINN of the Magic Bullet of Dusk engage the bulky form of the Gunshot.
The green-haired redcoat was surprised to see the familiar sight of his commanding officer's white CGUE launch into the sky, taking on what appeared to be another Moebius Zero in a deep charcoal grey, almost black. "That's not the Hawk of Endymion. Where did he come from?" He and the other guys had heard about their commander's exploits against Mu during the early part of the war.
His attention then went to the Thunderbolt and blue GINN HM squaring off against the Gravesend. A part of him still cringed at the memory of Artemis, but he couldn't be afraid forever. Nicol Amalfi was a soldier of ZAFT and he had a duty to perform. The Gravesend was one of the bigger threats and Ezra and Felecia would probably welcome some help.
The plan was simple enough in his mind. Get into firing range, decloak, take a couple of shots, vanish under the Colloid Veil, lather, rinse repeat. Nicol primed his beam rifle, hitting the button to disperse his stealth. He was certain his fellow redcoats were quite surprised to see the Blitz flicker into existence, and plug the Gravesend with a pair of well-placed shots. The nano-laminated armor dispersed most of it, but it was enough to throw Kuro off balance and let Ezra swing his dark iron sword across the aged mobile suit.
"Thanks for the assist, Nicol!" Felecia chimed, firing her machine gun as Kuro was sent tumbling back by her boyfriend's follow-up slash. The two mobile suits locked their respective blades against each other, while the azure GINN continued to harass from a distance.
He just gave a double click before fading into obscurity once again. Patiently waiting for the next chance to strike at the Gravesend. It was then Nicol caught sight of the Absynthion mauling a couple of GINNs. His heart seized at the sight of one of the greencoats being incinerated by the giant railgun it sported, before cleaving the other GINN in twain with the bastard sword in hand.
"Kanitz, I'm going after another enemy mobile suit, hang on, I'm going to try something before I leave!" He asked, sending a couple more rounds at the Gravesend, avoiding a swing from the anti-ship sword. He launched the Gleipnir anchor, it wrapped about the giant blade. The Blitz's engines swung to life and Nicol swung with all he hand, wrenching the anti-ship sword out of the Gundam's hands. "Just to show I care!"
Ezra cackled at the maneuver. "Thanks, I'll remember this for sure!" He fired another round from his railgun. Kuro madly scrambled to reclaim his weapon. The Blitz faded back under cloak and went after the white mobile suit. Nicol sighed. It wasn't much, but he felt he got a little payback for the two fallen Storm Wolves. But now he had to deal with the hulking knight in front of him.
He quickly weighed his options. "If that thing is anything like the other Reconstruction War Gundams, it'll be highly resistant to beam weaponry." He recalled how his rifle shots hadn't phased the Gravesend much. "But, they don't have Phase-Shift armor. Which means the penetrator darts are my best option." From a cursory glance, the Absynthnion's armor was thick, but at the speeds, those little hunks of metal could move. He could do some damage at least.
Nicol steadied himself, he again decloaked and fired a single round at the white machine's back, just barely missing it. But it was enough to get Alissa's attention. He drew on every piece of resolve he had as the Absynthion turned to face him, and got a good look at his opponent. Saying nothing, he raised the Trikeros and opened fire, only for the massive engines on the back to flare up and it neatly evaded it, raising its weapon. "Oh no, you don't!" He hissed, hitting the cloak in a split second, letting the round skim over the Blitz's shoulder, vanishing once again.
Alissa's eyes narrowed. "Hm, the Blitz. This could prove to be a difficult fight. Between my mobile suit's sheer speed and the Mirage Colloid, it will be a matter of attrition." She scanned space, looking for anything that would indicate where the stealth mobile suit could be. The mysterious blonde then recalled something from the specs. She flipped on her high-intensity searchlight. "The Mirage Colloid system isn't perfect, it will cause a distortion in space. I find it, I find the Blitz." The cat and mouse game commenced.
(Open Space)
Akihiro was keeping himself busy by firing at some GINNs that got too close to the Eighth Fleet's starboard flank. He managed to plug one of them, but the other managed to evade it before shooting back at him. The 76mm shells didn't have much effect against Gunshot's thick armor, but it was proving to be a bother. He saw another GINN bearing down on a flight of Mobeiuses. He raised his beam sniper rifle, firing a round to keep the mobile suit away from them.
He sighed. While he had no problem playing guard duty. A part of him was itching for a proper fight. Given how target-rich this environment was, surely he could find something. Akihiro used his rifle to scan the battlefield. He caught sight of Gravesend and the Thunderbolt duking it out. "Keep it up, little brother. You only get better with every fight." He smirked a little, having trained alongside Kuro for years, Akihiro knew how much his partner's skill had grown both in and out the cockpit.
Then Akihiro's trained eye fell on a particular mobile suit, one that was decidedly not of ZAFT make with a tan and green color scheme. The Buster raised its mega launcher, sinking one of the Drakes. Before letting loose a missile barrage that sent a squad of hapless mobile armors to their doom. This did not sit well with the master of the Gunshot Gundam, and decided on his new target.
"Let see who's got the sharper eye." With that he squeezed the trigger, sending a single 120mm round streaking at the Buster. Luckily Dearka's senses were razor-sharp, and evaded the round, sending an emerald lance back his way. Akihiro let out a sinister little laugh. "Okay, now things get interesting!" The two sniper machines began a running battle across space, trading rounds.
Dearka panted, not used to facing someone at his own game. The Gunshot may have been seven decades old but its bite was nothing to ignore. He winced as one of the rounds blew across his left shoulder. The sheer heat, singing the Phase-Shift armor. "Damn, I hate to think what someone like Commander Russo could do with a mobile suit like that!" He fired another bolt back, watching with satisfaction as he connected on the right hip, just near the cockpit.
"Not so tough after all, huh?" The dark-skinned blonde let himself be smug, if just for a minute. It was the first major damage inflicted on the mechanical demon since their first encounter at Artemis. Dearka lined up his next shot, only for an orange streak to cross his field of vision. "What in the hell was that?" He said, before smirking at the sight of Miguel, currently engaging with Keijiro's Hyperion. "Give 'em hell man! Show why you're the Magic Bullet of Dusk!"
It had been pure chance that Miguel had run into Keijiro after crashing Kira and Athrun's battle. The blonde greatcoat had been bored and looking for someone to fight. So there he was. He had brought along some extra firepower in the form of Pardus-guided missile launchers on the legs and a Cattus 500mm recoilless rifle. He fired his first shot at the Hyperion, only for Keijiro to block with an arm shield.
"Kind of weak there, buddy." The stoner taunted, "But I'll you right now, what I have is not!" The wing binders came up, revealing the Forfanterie beam cannons. He fired a pair of massive green beams, but the orange GINN was gone before it could even touch him. Miguel grit his teeth, firing another shot from the Cattus, before launching some of his leg-mounted missiles.
(Open Space)
Ayami seemed bored as she dispatched one of the GINNs with a burst from her machine gun. She sighed as she idly dodged one of the GINNs coming at her with a heavy sword. "For real?" She sighed, taking it out with her shield gatling. "For all their so-called advanced intelligence, they're being real stupid."
Her eye fell on where the Strike and Aegis were battling. "The kid seems to be holding his own. I suppose Yui saw something in him after all." Oh wasn't that a delight to hear, not having seen her little sister in months, only to find out that she had a boyfriend now? Kira Yamato's first impression wasn't the best. He wasn't soldier material in her eyes, but yet, he had forged a connection with her.
Oh, Ayami Mochizuki didn't get to where she was by being oblivious. Especially when it came to the matters of her little sister. Yui was her greatest treasure, and loved her immensely. After dragging the two of them into a nearby office she finally got the story of how they were set up on a blind date by Tolle, and found they actually had really good chemistry.
Kira himself told the elder Takamura sister of how his grades had improved thanks to Yui's help, all the while she was blushing, flashing small smiles at him. A part of Ayami thought it was cute, but the rest just wanted to throw up.
Yui had been firm in her convictions. Kira had filled a void in her life she never knew existed. And too bad if anyone disproved, not even her older sister would sway her stance on the subject. So Ayami begrudgingly respecting her baby sister's wishes, also slipping her a small gift before they parted ways.
So now she was settling for just blasting hapless ZAFT scrubs out of the sky. A CGUE like hers came at her. "Oh, finally a challenge." Ayami drawled. It wasn't Le Creuset himself, but surely someone in a CGUE was a step above the average greencoat. Ayami pulled out her heavy sword, being met by her counterpart's weapon. The shield gatling on the other CGUE came up, but the Midnight Witch was quick to avoid it.
She went for another swing of her heavy sword. But the ZAFT pilot was just as quick, going for its machine gun, hitting the dark blue CGUE at near point-blank range. "Oh, you did not just do that to me!" Ayami hissed, firing back with her shield gatling. But the white CGUE was faster, coming in for a deadly strike, but Ayami knocked it back with a devastating kick. She smirked, but it was enough of an opening for a pair of GINNs to swoop in, guns blazing.
"Oh come on!" She groaned. Luckily she didn't have to deal with the interlopers, as one was impaled by a 90mm railgun shot, and the other blown to pieces by a barrage of heavy machine-gun fire as the Firestorm sidled up to her. "Uh, thank you." She said to the mercenary. Who promptly blasted the offending CGUE to slivers of metal.
"Not a problem there, ma'am!" The male pilot drawled. "Clearly these asshats don't know how to treat a lady right." Shino was about to lay on his charm to the smoking hot Japanese commander. Only for him to get caught off guard by a barrage of large green beams. The two saw a flight of GINNs, being led by another CGUE, but very different from the one they just dispatched.
It was a deep shade of blue, with large cannons mounted on the shoulders. "Hey now, it looks like ZAFT has been playing mad scientist," Shino remarked to Ayami. "Tell you what, how about we team up? I think this is something that requires a little bit of extra muscle, and I'm the guy to provide it."
Then Yukira's mobile suit approached them. "Hey, don't forget me, Shino! These small fry aren't worth my time. At least with you, I can get a proper workout in." If Natarle had been there, she would have offered Ayami a drink and some of Keijiro's best green. This was too much silliness for any sane soldier to endure.
On the other side of the battlefield, Shiho was evaluating her position. She had read the mission reports from the other three G-weapon pilots of how effective the Reconstruction War Gundams really was. "Keep in formation, this isn't going to be a normal walk in the park." She pulled out her laser sword, raising her beam cannons to firing position. A part of her was a little nervous, knowing the cannons still suffered from overheating issues, but this was a chance to further find those issues. "Leave the Gundam type to me." Mechanical issues aside, Shiho wasn't going to let her squadmates down.
The other GINN pilots gave an affirmative. They were more than willing to let the elite take on the monster mobile suit. The two CGUEs were nothing to take lightly, but it was more manageable in their eyes. It wasn't long before bullets and emerald lances began too many to count were flying around. Shino launched a pair of shells, managing to plug one GINN in the torso, a second getting its head crest knocked off.
This got Shiho hot under the helmet. "You're going to pay for that!" She fired her beam cannons at the Firestorm. Both found their mark, scorching the underside of the Gundam's left hip and neatly creasing the right shoulder. Marring the salmon-hued paint. Shiho went in with her laser sword. "Let's see you handle this!" Surely the old machine couldn't handle something like this bisecting it in half. Shino's response came in the form of a pair of heavy combat knives. The laser sword swung upwards, only to be parried by the right knife. "What the hell?"
Shino smirked. "Remind me to thank Miss Simmons for the little touches she made to these old beasts." The knives were made of laminated armor, more than capable of standing up to any beam weaponry. it had been a countermeasure thought up by Tatsuo and Erica in case a situation as this occurred.
Yukira simply focused on the GINNs. All she needed was a gun and a sword, and she was perfectly happy. "Time to chop up some pissants!" She declared, opening fire with her machine gun, riddling one GINN with bullets before slashing it apart.
Ayami said nothing, simply targeting one of the GINNs, her aim true as ever. Her swordsmanship flawless, weaving in and out amongst the enemy units, dispatching them but with a single swing of her blade. She sighed. "I used to find satisfaction in removing every one of these thrice-damned robots from existence, but all it does anymore is remind me of what we lost." Her fists clenched up. "Oh, Yuuya."
(EAS Archangel, Bridge)
Murrue winced at the sight of a Nelson exploding. The battle was fast tilting in ZAFT's favor. Even with the addition of the Kagutsuchi and Tatsuo's men, the Eighth Fleet was quickly being picked apart by the Le Creuset Team and their allies. It was all she could do to watch as a trio of Moebiuses attacked a GINN, two destroyed by a barrage of gunfire while the remaining mobile armor, set ablaze by the rounds from the machine gun slammed into its opponent, taking out the GINN, sending both pilots, ZAFT and Earth Alliance out on a pyre of fire and steel.
It gave her a headache at the thought of Admiral Halberton's men willingly throwing themselves into the meat grinder just to ensure they stayed alive, as one of the Nazcas blew apart a Drake and but not before a Nelson avenged its fallen comrades by destroying one of the Laurasias.
"Captain, we've lost forty percent of allied forces!" Sharon paid no mind as the ship shook from the force of the Vesalius's beam cannons. The CIWS blasted a couple of missiles fired from a GINN that got too close, the mobile suit was then destroyed courtesy of an assist from the Kagutsuchi. "We'll make Earth interface in less than ten minutes."
"Our forces are still engaged with the enemy, and the cover fire from the ZAFT ships is ensuring we can't get close enough to fully support them!" Natarle barked up from the CIC, only for another Earth Alliance vessel to be destroyed. "Dammit, we just lost the Attila! At this rate, there won't be anything left!" It was clear that despite her professional demeanor, the Archangel's executive officer's heart ached at seeing her comrades die so needlessly. "We've received word the Orb civilians have boarded the shuttle. They'll be ready to depart momentarily."
"We're now seven minutes from Earth interface!" Sharon reported, watching as the beacons from three more allied ships went silent. She struggled to keep her voice from cracking at the sight of how brutal this fight was going. "Seventy percent of the Eighth Fleet has been destroyed." Murrue threw a sympathetic gaze to her pink-haired friend, noting her wiping the tears out of her eyes.
The headache was turning into a full-blown migraine, which wasn't helped by Natarle's next words. "Captain, we're being hailed by the Menelaos!" Murrue's heart burst at the sight of Admiral Halberton, the bridge of his command ship in shambles, flames everywhere.
"Murrue, what are you waiting for, get out of here and make your descent while you have the time!" Halberton seemed calm despite his voice being raised. "We all knew what the outcome would be when we signed on. "You represent the future, my dear." The look of fatherly pride made Murrue happy and devastated all at once. "I know you'll be able to end this war. I've taught you everything I know, and you have that glorious ship and the mobile suits within it. You have everything you need to make it happen. I'm so proud of you, Murrue, always know that, my dear."
"Admiral, one of the ZAFT ships is on a direct collision course with us!" Hoffman said from off-screen. The Gamow was bearing down on the Menelaos with a frightening speed, It had already taken a few strong hits from the remaining Earth Alliance vessels. Captain Zelman was determined to take Halberton off the board for good. The command ship fired a few volleys, but the frigate was undeterred. It seemed nothing could stop it until an object streaked in behind the Gamow. The entire backside of the ship went up in flames as its engines were destroyed.
The Gamow lurched forward, wracked by a chain of explosions as it listed to starboard, finally falling under the Menelaos's main beam cannons. Murrue let out the breath she had been holding. Natarle voiced the question on her mind. "How did that happen?" Their answer came in the form of a Moebius, armed with what appeared to be a massive beam cannon!
"That was close." Miles's face appeared on the screen, clad in standard Earth Alliance orange, his voice came over the speaker. "Are you okay, Admiral Halberton? I saw that ship about to collide with you and I figured I better act quickly!"
"Your timing couldn't be better, Ensign Copeland." Pride exuded from the older man's voice. Murrue certainly found her respect for the young soldier going up. "You've definitely earned yourself a promotion with that maneuver." Halberton directed his attention back to his best protege. "Murrue, recall your machines and get planet-side right now! I'll notify Captain Roanoke and Commander Mochizuki and get them to round up your men. Ensign, you do the same!"
"Understood, Admiral. Captain Ramius, I take my leave of you!" The mobile armor's engines came to life and Miles headed out into the wider battlefield.
(Open Space)
Neo Roanoke prided himself on being a multitasker, he was able to engage Rau's CGUE while still paying attention to the various communications frequencies. He was relieved to hear that Miles had managed to save the Menelaos. The White Meteor had proven to be a hardy foe, but the Earth was growing ever closer and it was time to wrap things up. The destruction of the Gamow had caught Rau off guard enough for Neo to aim his wired gun barrels, blasting off the white mobile suit's head crest.
Mu then piggybacked on that, destroying the CGUE's shield gatling, and the entire left arm along with it, courtesy of a well-timed linear cannon shot. Le Creuset grimaced as the alert messages came on his screen. "I'm at a disadvantage it seems. Well then, Mu, Captain Roanoke, I'll give this round to you, but it's far from the last time we'll meet!" He fled back to the Vesalius.
"Not too bad, I don't think I've ever laid that much hurt on ol' metal face before!" Mu remarked, relishing the rare day that his rival was sent scuttling off with his tail between his legs, before remembering that the White Meteor wasn't the only masked man present. "No offense to you, Captain."
"None taken," Neo replied. "But I think you should return to your ship, Captain La Flaga. It won't be long before you reach planetside and the Archangel will need your skill. Commander Mochizuki and I will cover your escape. with some parting words, I wish you good hunting!"
It was with that Roanoke turned his Zero on its end, rocketing away for where Ayami was battling alongside Yukira and Shino against the ZAFT machines led by Shiho. The wired gun barrels spun out, beginning to fire rounds, while the linear cannon managed to spear one of the GINNs, causing the enemy formation to break. Shino in turn swung one of his combat knives, one clashing against the Deep Arms's laser sword while the other swung against the opposite side of the burning weapon, destroying it.
"Oh shit!" Shiho had been blindsided by the Zero's sudden arrival, and the Firestorm had capitalized on it. She fired her beam cannons, driving off the light red-hued Gundam. One of the remaining GINNs, equipped with a Cattus, fired a couple of rounds at Yukira's CGUE, letting the others escape.
"Thanks for the assist, Captain," Ayami said, watching the receding shape of the blue prototype CGUE.
"Not going to lie, that was some sweet timing!" Shino added.
"I showed up because we're running out of time." Neo was straight to the point. "Commander Mochizuki, you, Ensign Copeland, and I are going to make the rounds and see to it that the Gundams make it back to the Archangel. The ship's about to enter the planet's atmosphere and no one is going to be left behind!"
"Understood sir." Ayami knew exactly where she was headed first, but she then opened a link to Yukira and Shino. "Hey, I don't usually think too much of hired guns, but you two mercs actually handled yourselves pretty well today. I'll give you guys that much." This earned her a slight smirk from the white-haired Attha, and a suave grin from the artillery operator. Ayami guided her mobile suit away, zeroing in one specific beacon. She found the Strike and Aegis duking it out, but not very intensely. She raised her shield gatling, causing the two mobile suits great surprise.
"Who is that?" Athrun asked. The only response he got back was a barrage of 76mm shells to the face.
"My girlfriend's older sister!" Kira's response making Athrun wince, as he evaded the dark blue CGUE's heavy sword. "Athrun, I think this fight is over for now. Try to stay alive, will you?"
"You do the same, Kira, and good luck with your girlfriend's sister!" The Red Knight shifted the Aegis to mobile armor mode and swiftly departed. The White Knight watched as his long-time friend slowly receded from view. Ayami's face appearing on the Strike's monitor.
"Uh, thank you, Commander Mochizuki." Kira offered.
"You're welcome," was her curt response. "Now get your sorry ass back to the Archangel or you're going to be left behind! No way am I going to let my little sister be left alone!" The hard demeanor faded a little before Ayami sighed. "I am entrusting Yui's safety to you for the immediate future. If you truly love my sister, then you won't let any harm come to her, and you won't break her heart either. Yui's a lot more sensitive than she lets on. Believe me, I know this."
"Of course, Commander," Kira said, even offering a salute to the woman, who just gave a slight nod. The screen went dark and Kira made his way back to the Archangel. He saw the dark gray Moebius Zero fly on the periphery of the battle between the Gunshot and the Buster. It was eerie seeing just how good the mysterious man was, not to mention how much more dangerous he could be in a mobile suit.
The two snipers had gotten in their fair share of hits on each other, a couple of holes were in the Gunshot's leg and right hip. The Buster's Phase Shift ensured there wasn't any lasting damage, but Dearka was certainly feeling it. He noticed blue filling his view screen. "I guess I'm going to need the wrap this up." He said, lining up another shot.
He became flustered at the sight of Neo Roanoke effortlessly soaring in, the linear cannon hitting him in the right shoulder and arm. Dearka tried to fire at the Zero, only for Akihiro to capitalize on the distraction and plug the Buster in the head. "Oh come on!" He whined.
The green and tan Gundam was caught by the planet's gravity well, beginning a descent into the atmosphere. "I guess I'll just enjoy the ride then." Dearka closed his eyes as sparks began flying off.
The running battle between the Absynthion and Blitz had been unique, to say the least. The sheer speed of the former keeping it one step ahead of the latter, while the stealth features of the black and red mobile suit ensured that Alyssa couldn't get a clean shot off with the railgun.
Nicol evaluated his situation. His battery life was at forty-five percent and dropping fast. He had nearly used up his whole supply of colloid particles in evading the mad speed rushes that belied the metal giant's hulking frame. The beam saber was ignited, clashing with the Absynthion's knight sword. It was a struggle for the green-haired elite to keep the white mobile suit back. He swung the beam saber in a wide arc, managing to carve a long gash along the lower part of the Absynthnion's torso.
"That was rather crude of you!" Alyssa said, swinging her blade about, much to Nicol's disbelief, it took a large chunk out of the Blitz's shield. She let out a bemused chuckle. "A late addition, but an effective one nonetheless. I dare say you're not as invulnerable as you were before."
It was clear to Nicol he was on the ropes. He fired one of his kinetic penetrator darts, but the Absynthnion was far too fast, avoiding it completely. A couple more beam shots, but Alyssa was just as fast on the draw, firing a 155mm shell from the railgun. A yellow trail streaked across space, hitting the Blitz square in the chest. If not for the PSA, Nicol wouldn't have survived.
"I need to get out of here," Nicol said, noting his battery was now at twenty-five percent, his alarm began blasting at him that his colloid supply had run out. It was time to put discretion before valor and return to the Vesalius. But Alyssa wasn't about to let him do as he pleased. Using the Absynthnion's superior speed and maneuverability, she was able to keep the Blitz cornered.
Luckily help came in the form of the Aegis. It was quite a display, the mobile suit in attack mode, the Scylla primed and firing, scoring a direct hit on the Absynthion's starboard vernier engine, before switching to mobile suit mode, beam saber ignited, taking a chunk out of the head crest. Alyssa grunted, seeing the Archangel in the early stages of re-entry. "I suppose it's time to cut my losses then." She made for the carrier.
"Thanks, Athrun, you saved my neck," Nicol said. "What about the Commander, and Dearka and Yzak?"
"No clue," Athrun said, only to catch sight of his CO's mobile suit, in rather poor shape flying by them. "Commander Le Creuset!" He said, the Blitz and Aegis flanking the white CGUE. "Are you all right sir?"
"I'm fine boys, don't worry about me." Rau was quick to shake it off. "The Hawk of Endymion and a new arrival was a dangerous team, but I'll manage." It bothered Athrun still, but there was nothing more that could be done. He gazed out longingly at Earth, thinking about Kira one last time, wondering if they could ever meet as friends again.
(Leading Edge of Earth's Atmosphere, Gravesend vs Thunderbolt)
"Why did they make these old machines so fucking durable?" Ezra growled in frustration, firing his railgun at the Gravesend one more time, getting it in the right knee and left shoulder. But the demonic white and blue machine didn't even blink at it. He swung the heavy sword one more time at the Gravesend, only for it to be knocked away by the anti-ship sword. The twin-barreled railgun silently boomed its response.
Kuro was equally annoyed at the hardiness of the old Gundams. Earth was getting closer and ZAFT clearly didn't know when to let up. He was sure the Gravesend could survive reentry if he had to, but he wanted to get back to Cagall in one piece. The Thunderbolt launched a barrage of missiles, catching him on the left side. The Gravesend was battered and dented, but the armor held firm, even after a shot from the twin-barreled railgun. He swung the anti-ship sword, cleaving the weapon in half. "Suck on that!"
Felecia had wisely kept her distance the whole time, ensuring she didn't catch Kuro's wrath. A quick check of her ammo wasn't promising. "I've got one last mag, and then my heavy sword's all I have left!" She didn't relish the thought of engaging the Gravesend in close quarters combat. With little recourse, she slammed in her final magazine and fired a short, controlled burst at Kuro, a few rounds slamming into his back, leaving a few dents, but not much else.
The young Sahaku just glared at the blue GINN HM. It had been little more than an annoyance compared to its partner machine, but he couldn't afford any further distractions. He wanted to target Felecia, but Ezra was doing his best to shield her. The shoulder-mounted railgun fired yet again, clipping Gravesend in the shoulder and removing a chunk of its armor. The three of them getting closer to Earth with every passing second. The Gundams could handle the heat, but not the GINN.
Felecia was apprehensive as her ammo counter was close to ticking zero. It made her feel that much more vulnerable with every shot she took. "Probably need to bow out here soon." She remarked, longingly gazing at Earth. "So close and yet so far away." Her sensor board lit up, Felecia gasped to find Ayami's CGUE right in her face, machine gun aimed right at her. A single burst and the GINN's head was blown off. The heavy sword followed, Two swings, and her mobile suit was lacking arms and legs.
"FELECIA!" Ezra screamed, The Gravesend now totally forgotten. He fired the railgun at the interloper, but Ayami dodged it, simply flying off in another direction. She raised her machine gun to fire at the vulnerable GINN only for the Gravesend to put out a hand.
"Let them go, for now, Commander," Kuro said, the adrenaline starting to fade and heavy fatigue setting in. All he wanted to do was go back to the Archangel and see Cagalli. He watched the Thunderbolt take a protective stance in front of the stricken machine. "I've had enough bloodshed for one day, and I think they've had enough too."
"Why would you let the enemy escape like that?" Ayami sounded incensed. "Letting them go means they'll have another chance to strike another day and they won't return that kindness!"
"You're probably right, and when we lock blades again. I'll put him down for good." Kuro said. "I may be a good soldier, but I'm not going to kill a vulnerable person like a dishonorable coward. Just as you were about to do." He snorted derisively. "For someone who descends from samurai, I'd think you'd understand better."
Ayami scoffed. "Oh, bitch please you're one to talk about being a samurai! You're nothing a cheap knock-off, you and the rest of your country are just a bunch of wannabes and cast-offs who couldn't hack it so you had to flee to some desolate rock in the middle of the ocean!"
The black-clad pilot just rolled his eyes. "Well excuse me for not being a bloodthirsty maniac like you apparently." He drawled sarcastically. "So nice to meet you, have a nice day!" Kuro left Ayami without a further word, looking forward to enjoying Cagalli's much calmer presence.
Now sure that the Earth Alliance and mercenary forces wouldn't pursue them, Ezra turned his attention back to his girlfriend, coming up to the stricken GINN. "Felecia, please tell me you're all right!"
"I'm okay," Felecia responded, her voice shaken but not hurt. "But I'm afraid my machine is junked. You mind giving me a lift?"
"Sure." Ezra checked his instruments. "But we don't have time to return to the ship, we're already in the initial reaches of the gravity well. It looks you may very well get your wish, honey. We're going to Earth!"
"I can't wait!" She sounded so excited. The GINN HM's hatch opened, and the slim figure in blue came out. Felecia used her jetpack to fly over to the Gundam. Entering the cockpit, she settled into Ezra's lap.
"Hold onto me tight." He said as she clung onto him.
"Always." She whispered. Felecia couldn't believe her luck. She would get to see the Earth, and that wide expanse of blue beneath them. The ocean was that much closer to her. Already she could hear the waves and smell the salt in the air.
(Leading Edge of Earth's Atmosphere)
Yukimasa and Yzak's duel had reached a fever pitch, the two of them dancing on the fringes of the planet's atmosphere. The white-haired redcoat was making use of every aspect of his machine's arsenal, but the master of the Masamune was doing the exact same thing. He brought the sword up, splitting the beam round in half. "You want to keep this up, Joule? I mean, I could go all day, but I don't want you to hit burnout."
"Spare me!" The Duel's pilot sneered, firing his railgun at the Masamune. "You're not going to get to Earth! I'm going to destroy that piece of junk once and for all, and then I'm going to destroy that ship and I'll finally be able to walk away with my pride intact!"
"Over my dead body!" Yukimasa snarled. No one would harm the Archangel, no one would harm Flay as long as he drew breath. He ignited a beam saber, which Yzak met with one of his own. He could feel the tug of Earth's gravity drawing the two machines in more and more by the second. It wouldn't be much longer now.
"I hope you haven't forgotten what I said about that precious Assault Shroud of yours, because where we're going, it's just going to be a lot of dead weight!"
"As long as I kill you, then it won't matter!" A sleek form suddenly cut between the two mobile suits. Yukimasa recognized as a high-speed shuttle commonly used by the Atlantic Federation military. He remembered that Halberton had given it to them in order to transport the Heliopolis civilians back to the homeland. But Yzak didn't know that. "Oh, fleeing soldiers?" He sneered, aiming his beam rifle at the shuttle. "You won't escape alive!"
Yukimasa cursed, raising his beam rifle to try and intercept the Duel, but the railgun suddenly swung backward, firing a shot and catching the Masamune square in the chest, sending the sleek mobile suit falling further into the atmosphere. He could see a faint crimson glow starting to form on the leading edge of his mobile suit. There was nothing he could do. Yzak would soon murder a bunch of innocent civilians.
Or he would have if not for the captured Gundam's weapon to suddenly explode in its hand, "What the hell?" Yukimasa was surprised to see a Moebius of all things bearing down on The Duel, doubly surprised at the payload it was carrying. "Whoa, it's sporting a beam cannon, that could actually do some damage!" The engineer in him couldn't help but be impressed.
Yzak was less than enthused. "A mobile armor? A mobile armor did this to me?" His rage was growing by the minute. He aimed the railgun, only for Miles to blast it away, before firing a barrage of 40mm shells. The ZAFT redcoat vented his rage as the Duel joined the Buster and Thunderbolt. All he could do was stew in his rage at being shown up by a mobile armor of all things. "I'll overcome this, I will ensure they don't get away next time!"
For Yukimasa, he was just exhausted. He barely registered the alert warnings that he was plummeting in the atmosphere. He knew the Masamune could take the worst of it. But he was fast losing consciousness. His thoughts went to Flay, and how she would play with her hair, how her blue eyes sparkled. He was just about to finally let the darkness take him, only for a faint voice to reach his ears. "Yukimasa! Yukimasa!" His vision sharpened enough to see the familiar form of the Strike approaching him.
He could see Kira's face appear on the monitor. "Yukimasa, you're drifting off course, we're heading into ZAFT-controlled territory!" The White Knight's words meant little to the red-eyed warrior as darkness finally claimed him. An eternity seemed to unfold before him, nothing but darkness as far as he could see. But then he felt something caress his forehead, and a faint light in the distance. Yukimasa chased that light, and the face of an angel coalesced before him.
"Hey there," Flay whispered, tears in her eyes. "What were you thinking, scaring me like that?" She rested her head against his chest, crying softly. He gave a wan smile, gently stroking those crimson locks.
"What can I say? I like ending my fights with a big flourish." Flay just gave him an annoyed pout, but it didn't matter. They had made it to Earth and were together. At the end that was enough for both of them. For now, they just wanted to be together.