Disclaimer: Gundam Seed and Gundam Seed Destiny does not belong to me.
A/N: Finally, I can update! For the time being, the plot will be moving slowly :P
Phase 17: The Pressure of Submission
Streets of the Kingdom of Scandinavia
Kazuki was instructed by the king to bring the crews of the Archangel around the city. Kingdom of Scandinavia was a city area which was always busy. People were rushing to school and to work as though anything that happened outside was none of their concern.
Serene came along with Kazuki. The crews of the Archangel almost mistakened her as Lacus junior. Serene wasn't very happy about it that she hid behind Kazuki.
"My sincere apologies." Murrue apologized while the rest couldn't stop laughing. Murrue had read the report they had given to them. For a secret organization which was so huge to appear so suddenly wielding so much power was unbelievable. She didn't want to stress the crews up and so she agreed to an excursion around the city with Cagalli's permission. Cagalli knew there was no use brooding over how ORB was now. She was sure that 'There's a will, there's a way'.
"Hey is that the area for the coming international pianist gathering?" Serene asked in enthusiasm, "Rey-niichan is joining it right?" Kazuki nodded as he knew Rey would soften despite his looks.
"Rey knows piano?" Athrun asked. He recalled that Nicol who was a lover of piano too. He was an expert in playing it.
"Yeah, Rey will be joining. Pianists around the world will gather. It's a rare chance for them to get in contact after months of isolation." Kazuki explained lifting his finger up and pinched Serene on her nose.
The crews were looking awe at the stage of the concert hall when they arrived. The area was as big as the whole of their ship. "People will be able to get here with the guide of our ushers. Don't worry."
"Kazuki-sama." Someone saw him and nodded to him as a sign respect.
"I can't believe a joker can gain so much respect." Mwu commented while folding his arms.
"Because of us, the country is safe, that's why." Serene answered. "Don't look down on us." She eyed Mwu closely startling him.
"This gathering will definitely benefit us. They would be coming." Kazuki said suddenly. Athrun realized the meaning underlying in his sentence. "Nicol." He murmured attracting attention of the rest of the bridge crews including Cagalli.
"Athrun…"
"Forget about that, shall we get moving, everyone?" Kazuki turned on his cheerful mode.
"Yeah, let's relax for now." Mwu declared. "This is an order!"
"Yes!"
Suez
Lunamaria disguised herself as a tailor onboard the enemy port. Her purpose was to sound out the function of the gigantic structure which caused the disruption. She disembarked from the Minerva with some of the crews and boarded a boat.
Lunamaria dressed up in rugged clothing and a hood over. Carrying her bag filled with needles and sewing tools, she strolled down the streets with the crews. She could briefly see a black battleship in the port although it was detached and restructured into a normal ship. She knew she had to get onboard that ship somehow but not now.
Minerva
"Why?" Shinn slammed his hands on Yzak's desk. Dearka pulled him away before Yzak got flared up. Yzak was trying to contain himself. Lacus was sitting in the same listening intently.
"She volunteered to do it. As long as she is in ZAFT, she will be under my orders. As for you civilian, you should get off the ship." Yzak just answered bluntly.
"You!" Shinn was about to punch Yzak when Lacus spoke up, "I permit her to do that."
"What?"
"That's exactly what you had heard, Lacus-sama agreed to the plan." Yzak explained.
Shinn slumped to the ground shaking his head. "Because I'm too weak, I can't protect her." He cried into his palm.
"I want to be reenlisted and join in the operation with Luna." Shinn suggested suddenly.
"I can't agree to it. Besides, you are already enlisted in the Clyne Faction under orders of Lacus Clyne."
"What…?"
"That's exactly what Captain Jule had said. You are on our side. That MS contained armaments which belonged to us." Lacus confirmed.
"But I didn't agree to it."
"Oh no, I can't give you that MS you requested if you do not join the Clyne Faction." Yzak stressed. Shinn knew it was useless to oppose if he still wanted to fight. In order to fight, he needed the sword. With the reason alone, he nodded.
"That's way to go, Shinn, soldier of ORB." Dearka patted Shinn on his shoulder helping him up to the feet. "You are the only one who can protect Lacus-sama now."
Shinn left Yzak's office with dejection. Lacus was following him behind, "I'm sorry." She walked past him as she whispered feeling his presense beside her.
Kingdom of Scandinavia
"Hey Minamoto-san!" Mwu called out to Kazuki who was heading back to his base. Mwu wanted to talk to him regarding his ability. Athrun who saw Mwu running towards him nearby wanted to join in but Murrue instructed him not to saying that she needed to talk to him.
Kazuki without much thinking brought him to Rey who sensed him in no time.
"Kazuki-san." Rey clenched his fist when he sensed Mwu nearby. The feeling was awfully familiar.
"Familiar right?" Kazuki turned his head to Mwu.
"Yeah, it's like." Memories of the Excass and a white Zaku flashed through his mind. "The one nearby was the one that time."
"Bingo! Uncle Mwu!" Kazuki lifted up his finger in enthusiasm. "Don't call me uncle." Mwu grumbled. Smiling in enthusiasm, he brought him to Rey who was sighing upon seeing them.
"Kazuki-san."
"This is Mwu La Flaga son's of your original!" Kazuki introduced pulling Mwu to Rey for a handshake.
"Rey Za Barrel. A clone of your father." Rey introduced himself. Mwu was stunned. His eyes popped as big as an orange. Rey removed his hand before Mwu could shake it.
"You." Mwu almost yelled at him at his attitude. Kazuki just smiled. "Let's work together in harmony." He took both of their hands and shook it.
"It's going to be a long journey so be sure to get along." He added which earned him a punch each from both Mwu and Rey but Kazuki was able to dodge it on time. Chuckling, he pressed his remote control.
"That's the power of the URANUS. He showed Mwu the battle clips of the Asterisk with Infinite Justice."
"You even recorded that?" Mwu asked in surprise.
"There's no battle we didn't record by our own kinds who situated around the world." Kazuki smiled at Mwu.
"That's the battle you'll wat to review isn't it?" With that Kazuki switched off the monitor.
"Asterisk Gundam is amazing." Mwu shook his head in despondence. All of them would have been a goner if it wasn't that this Gundam stopped his attack and ordered a retreat.
"Asterisk is stronger but I personally think the Zeus is more powerful of the two mobile suit of URANUS as they basically took all the enemy mobile suits for themselves. Only these two solely belonged to them." Kazuki explained.
"There's another one?"
"Yes."
"I haven't been able to see its real power just yet." Kazuki continued. "I'm sure this one is strong."
"We had seen the Zeus before but haven't been able to see it displaying its real power." Rey added reluctantly. Mwu was deep in thought. If they were not able to fight against the Asterisk, wouldn't they be of disadvantage if the two mobile suits came together. In addition, the Zeus had not display its true power hence there was no information about it.
"It has an anti-ship sword. And it was able to sneak into the battle without anyone knowing. That's what I can tell you, Mwu-san." Kazuki reported what he knew.
"If only, Stri… that mobile suit was able to retaliate, then we would be able to see more of it." Kazuki folded his arm. "It wasn't easy."
"I see." Mwu sat down absorbing the information of the Zeus given by them. With that, Mwu stood up and left the base.
A/N: I didn't know where to stop already! Please continue to R&R! See you next time!
