Disclaimer: Um, do I really have to say it again?

Howya! So, it's update time again! Yay, go me! Thanks to all you wonderful people out there who are reviewing this story, I love you all! Now, on a small side note, this chapter again starts after the events happen, but you'll find out everything, I promise! Please, it's really not my fault! It's just the way these chapters are going. I think my plot bunny hit its head. Hope y'all understand.

Frightened gray eyes flew open. The room, it was so unfamiliar. And so dark. Where was she? And where was that man? Hang on, that...that man...he'd been wearing a...a...Oh God! No, this wasn't happening, this couldn't be happening. Her army, her nation, they were meant to protect her, not land her onboard an enemy ship! The...the coordinators. She was alone on a ship full of coordinators! Kira...she wanted Kira, or..or Sai. Someone who'd tell her it was alright. But Kira was dead...and Sai thought she'd been transferred. Alone, she was truely alone.

Rustling in a cornor caused her to whip round. A hand closed over her mouth in a vice-like grip. A strong hand, but a small one. Squinting in the dark, she made out the dim outline of a face pressed close to her's.

'Please, don't try to talk. Just don't. You'll land us both in trouble,' the voice was soft, just above under-the-breath. And it was female. 'Look, I need to go. Please, don't sound any alarm. They won't listen to you anyway, most people here are racist.' Go? Where was she going? And why be so sneaky about it? This was her ship, right? But the girl was almost pleading with her. And she was right. No ZAFT soldier would listen to a natural.

'Oh, and one more thing. Tell Onii-chan I'm sorry. Tall, mask, you'll know him.' With that, the door slid closed, allowing the young ZAFT girl to exit. Flay instantly scrubbed at her mouth. That thing had touched her!

Jo walked down the brightly lit corrider, pulling on her gloves, the helmet under her arm. Only for you L' would I walk away from this ship and my nation. I trust you, I really do, but don't walk me into a situation where I've got nowhere to go.

Unlike the corridor, the hanger was as dark as any of the rooms. The cool, metalic sheen of the tools and weaponry gave the place an eerie look. Like a badly done horror movie. Yzak was waiting by the MS's. She smiled at him, shoving a stray strand of hair off her face. It slid back to its former position instantly. Yzak smiled back.

'Stay in touch.' he whispered, gently pushing that same strand away from her face. This time, it stayed where it was. She smiled back. 'I will. Everything ready?' The silver haired teen nodded. Swallowing, she looked down. 'Don't worry,' she whispered, 'I won't hit you too hard.' He slipped his finger under her chin, raising her head. The gentleness of his kiss caused her to simply melt into his embrace, never wanting to loose this feeling. This glorious feeling of simply being in his presence, his arms around her. To be almost as one with the person she loved. To stay here, in his arms, where it was safe.

But, like all wonderful things, the kiss ended. The miraculous feeling was lost and she was standing in the dull hanger ready to desert. And he was here, a loyal soldier turned spy all on the whim of a hunted girl. It was do or die time. With a wince, she slammed her palm into his forehead. He crumpled, and she boarded the Caliber. Like Yzak had promised, the catapult propelled her out into the night.

Nicol stared at the girl, the same girl who'd tried to kill them, in shock. Dearka stood next to him, eyebrows raised. 'What do you mean we're being set free?' The girl gave him a withering look. 'What I said. You're being set free. As we've deserted the EA, we've no right to hold you. You're free to go.'

Thge young girl then turned sharply and made to leave. Dearka moved to intercept her. She glared at him as he stood in front of her. Nicol hovered in the backround, recognising the look from Yzak and the Little Lady. A challenge, but also an understanding. Slowly, Dearka dipped his head and murmured one word.

'Sorry.'

'I don't understand!' Nicol hurried after Dearka, trying to catch up with the older boy's strides. 'Understand what?' the blond asked. 'Why, why set us free? We're still a valuble asset, if they're going against ZAFT. They could still use us. Not to mention the fact we've got nowhere to go. I'm KIA and you're MIA, ie, we're both dead. We can't go back to ZAFT.' Dearka shrugged. 'We can't really stay here either.' Nicol sighed. 'A land of peace, and we've got nowhere to go.'

The road was bumpy. The two young boys walked along the cliff road. The smell of the sea caused them both to wince. The sea held so many painful memories. So many deaths. Athrun and well...themselves. Ha, so funny, they were both dead. So this was like, "Night of the Living Dead" or something. He swallowed his laugh.

'Um, Dearka?' Nicol suddenly murmmered. He turned, to look back across the nation of peace and saw that it was fast becoming a battlefield. He stared at Nicol, the face of the young EA soldier coming into his mind. They stayed like that for several seconds, before turning and running back to the Morgenrote building.

Jo stared at the battle going on in front of her. It was another few miles away, she was safe here. But Orb was a peaceful country, they shouldn't be fighting. Although, she knew as well as everyone else, the Orb military was hugely powerful. But a full scale attack on a country full of civilans, of both races, that was wrong. With a sigh, she pressed the accelerator.

She only got a few feet further, before she had to make a sharpe dodge. Well, so much for bein' safe. An EA mobile suit flashed past her, flying low to the ground. The feet of the Caliber slipped on the support craft, but managed to stay on. Pulling the MS upright again, she glimpsed a family. They were on the ground and looked unhurt. She bit her lip. The mother and father looked middle aged and the two children...the boy looked older. He was protecting his sister. Oh, Zack. Mama, Papa. Why did you all...

Shaking her head and swallowing her tears, she again made her way towards the battle. L', you told me to go to Orb for the Legged Ship, please tell me your information was solid. Cause if I have to fight this battle only to find that my target ain't here, I swear I'm hunting you down.

A warning flashed on the screen, forty percent power left. She shrugged and flew right into the thick of the battle.

From the other side, Dearka and Nicol entered. Nicol was upset, the M1 Astray had nowhere near the power of the Blitz, not to mention he'd had to rewrite the OS. Dearka was all safe and happy in the Buster. Nicol hadn't been let near it. Oh well, he guessed this hulk of junk would do.

Neither Buster or the M1 had the ability to fly, so they stayed on the ground and, after explaining to the new pilot of Strike (Well, Nicol had explained, Dearka had smirked), helped the Legged Ship to fend of the EA's mass production MS's. Which was a rather boring job as they were destroyed to easily. The two young pilot's shrugged. The numbers annoyed them though. There were too many.

Jo contacted the Legged Ship. Well, better make sure they didn't fire on her. The captain looked only a few years older then she was, maybe earily twenties? She winced as the young women asked sharply, 'Who are you?' Jo smiled, Hey, it may show them I'm friendly, And said, 'Ensign Joffie Wheeler of ZAFT, recently deserted and in serious shit right now. I'm not about to open fire, I'm here to join for your cause.' Now, did that sound sucky or what. "Join for your cause"? What was I thinking?

The young women looked skeptical. Jo smiled again. 'Really,' she added, 'Would I be here if I wasn't?' The women shook her head, slowly, and managed to return the smile. A second later, Jo was sent spiraling to the side in a rather rude reminder that this was a battle. Muscles shaking slightly from the shock, she fired back at the MS. It exploded with ease. Um, OK, that was easy.

Soon, however, to everyones surprise, the EA retreated. She landed Caliber near the Legged Ship, a little harder then intended, and descended from the cockpit, pulling off her helmet. The sound of Athrun's voice caught her attention, and she turned to see a blonde girl attempting to choke both him and Strike's pilot. Hang on, wasn't that guy meant to be dead? She shook her head and caught sight of two other boys who were meant to be dead. Her breath caught.

'D..Dearka? Nicci?' she stammered. The entire flock of soldiers turned to face her, hell, even Athrun turned. He gasped as well. With almost baited breath, the four walked up to each other. Standing in a circle, they stared at each other, before screaming:

'YOU IDIOT!'

Well, what ya think? If there were somethings left unexplained about why Jo deserted, it will be explained next chapter. And I think we all know who the Orb family is. Well, hope y'all enjoyed and please leave a review? Please?