Chapter 9: A Change of Destiny

Legend

Italics shows character thoughts

Word shows Date, time, and location

-Word- Shows Noises, or actions such as sighing

Author's Notes:

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January 26, C.E. 71

Artemis Space; 3:00 P.M

Scion approached the huge fortress that seemed to be having quite the fiasco going on. The Buster and Dual were tearing up the outside of it and Scion could only assume the Blitz was on the inside. Scion wouldn't reach the Dual and Buster in time, they would enter the fortress ahead of him. Not only that but the Fortress seemed to be falling apart and moving inside it would be suicidal.

"Urgh…Yumi, Artemis is falling apart. The prototypes are in the fortress. I can't go on. I'm going to try and find the ship, I want you to get away from the fortress anyway you can."

" Understood, we'll prep the escape pods for use. Try to find the ship, though, Scion. It might still be around if the Prototypes are around!" Came the females reply.

Scion began flying here and there, to find the dock where the ship would have to be. It would have to be there. He flew closer to what appeared to be the dock, coming up to it from the bottom, when a white ship flew over him. He stared at the bottom of a strange legged-ship which Scion could only assume was the Archangel, the new battleship.

Scion, in a moment of half calculated thinking anchored his mobile suit to the bottom of the ship, using the magnetic powers that the funnels used to form his shield and shut down his mobile suit, keeping his basic reserves to power the magnetic pull. With his suit off he wouldn't, or shouldn't, appear on radar since he was just a floating hunk of metal.

With that down Scion was unsure of what to do. The ship was safe and even though he found it he was in a pickle. He decided to gamble on two things, one the ship had only the Strike to defend itself, assuming it was still in their hands and not in Zaft...and assuming it was not destroyed, and two the forces pursuing it had the others. Scion drew up a very vague plan that would possible save his crew and put him in a position to find out what the hell was going on. His choice was made.

One thing was certain, he couldn't destroy this ship or the mobile suit inside. It would put things in the favor of ZAFT and it already had three of the five machines, actually it had four of them counting Aegis. With a heavy sigh he activated his plan. First he powered up his machine, which sent the ship into a panic with an unknown mobile just appearing under it. Next he swung up and in front of the ship, slowing its advance.

Everything was still in that moment and Scion with a big breath of air opened contacts with the new ship.

"EA prototype battleship, Archangel. This is Scion Kazuma….mercenary pilot. I wish to speak with the commanding officer." It was simple and brief but he thought he sounded serious enough to be taken as such.

"I am the commanding officer, Murrue Ramius, state your business." It was a young female commander and Scion wondered why all these women were so demanding.

"My ship has been damaged close by, we have no way of travel and are stranded. I want you to take them aboard and care for them and in exchange…..this mobile suit and I will fight for this ship free of charge, until you reach your destination. I saw your recent battle and I know what you are running from…I know you need this assistance and I can help you as long as you give my crewmen a place to stay."

Scion could feel the sweat forming on his face and neck, he was honestly hoping they would take the bargain. His crew was in dire need and he wanted to protect the ship now, until a better option came up. He needed to make sure the EA could use the Prototypes, now that the ZAFT forces had them as well. But what an absurd plan! It was so outrageous that Scion was almost ready for them to open fire on him and blow him to kingdom come.

There was no visual feed so he could see nothing, the voice link had been killed as well. They were thinking it over.

"I will accept this on one condition, you are to leave that mobile suit until your men are taken in. In that case you will be allowed to dock." The commander stated.

"Captain! This is against protocol!" Another female who was out of view cried out.

"Ensign Badgiruel! We are in no position to turn down a helpless people, and certainly not when they are offering help of this kind." She turned to Scion, or faced the video feed, and waited for Scion to respond, who was struck dumb...they were accepting the deal!

Instead of speaking he simply opened a com to Yumi, letting it so that the Archangel could hear.

"Yumi, send those escape pods to my coordinates. You and the crew will be staying with the Archangel. I will offer them protection in return for your safety." He knew Yumi was smart enough to not blow his cover. He hoped anyway.

"Roger. We'll load the men and all the materials we can muster. It shouldn't take that long." Scion was right about Yumi but he could tell by her tone that she was not overly pleased.

Scion shut down Revolution and then was kept under guard by the Strike, who had re-launched just for that purpose. The crew eventually was retrieved and they were all gathered together in one place while Scion was escorted in by the Strike. Once Revolution had been docked Scion was able to breath easy, they weren't going to die a slow death anyway, or so he could hope.

January 26, C.E. 71

Archangel, Hangar Bay; 4:30 P.M

Scion got to ground level and was met with a number of armed men. He was urged to gather with the rest of the mechanics. Scion looked at the scene through his pilots helmet and sighed inwardly. Finally, two females and a male came to the scene and took command.

"All of you will be assigned quarters, the captain of the ship and mobile suit pilot are to meet in my office for a meeting." The female called Murrue Ramius ordered. Yumi and Scion, were then shown to those quarters promptly, without the ability to do assess anything of their situation. Scion didn't even have a chance to chance into normal clothes.

They, Scion and Yumi, were put in chairs and sat in front of an empty desk while they waited.

"Scion, I don't approve of this. This was not something we thought of as an option." Yumi said bitterly.

"A lot of things happened that I didn't think would, like that other unknown mobile suit." Scion retorted before going on, "Besides, we need to even the war out….not make ZAFT the most powerful. We need the help anyway, so don't complain and play along…let me talk when it comes to the Mobile Suit." Scion was barely able to get the words out before Ramius, Badgiruel, and the male from before stepped in The Captain took her seat behind her desk while the other two leaned against opposite walls on the far side.

"Welcome to the Archangel, as I stated before, I am Murrue Ramius. I have a few questions I would like to ask."

The two didn't respond.

"Well then, we would first like to know how you knew about the G-weapons." The captain seemed a bit unsure of them, she gave her two aids a skeptical look.

"I have connections in high places. You could say we were….important." Yumi suddenly said before Scion could try and say anything.

"Explain yourself." The Ensign barked suddenly. The Captain shot her glance but turned to see what their reply would be. The male simply shook his head with a slight smile on his face.

"I'm not allowed, we are mercenaries, hired for a job. The current job has been terminated and replaced with what we offered you. We cannot betray any details." Yumi again clarified.

"Well, what about that mobile suit?" The male asked, deciding to make his presence known, "And why don't you take that helmet off and let us get a look at you." He questioned toward Scion, who had forgotten he had it on.

Scion reached up and removed his helmet and like he expected, they were shocked, but he got the feeling I wasn't so much his eyes but rather something else. He couldn't guess what though.

"What kind of kids are being born today?" The male said in disbelief, giving Scion reason to believe it was his age that they were startled with.

-Cough- "Well, as to your question. We are not under obligation to share that information with you. Like I said, I have connections and we were, until at this time, under another agenda. I can't disclose any information and I would ask you to let only our Mechanics deal with the repairs on that machine, they will not bother your men, we owe you our lives and it will not be betrayed." Yumi once more answered the question and somehow Scion felt like he was just an eye sore.

The captain sighed in defeat, obviously too tired to continue the struggle. She stood up and put her hands on her desk so she could lean forward. Whatever this ship was going through it must have been one hell of an ordeal for a captain to be considering this and one could see she was very unsure of her own actions.

"Very well. We will accept your help, but you will follow our orders. Oh, and please, introduce yourselves."

The two stood with the captain and finally Scion got the jump on things.

"Scion Kazuma, ma'am."

"Yumi Akechi."

The captain nodded and they were dismissed, or more specifically they were taken away. After being taken down to their quarters they were left to their own devices. Scion decided to go back up to the food deck and see what was around, and get some food.

" Hey! I was looking for you." A cheery voice came from the elevator as the doors slide open. It was the blonde haired man. Scion looked at his cautiously as he stepped into the elevator with the man. They stood side by side as the elevator rose.

"I was wondering something…." the man asked sheepishly while he rubbed the back of his head.

"You should start with your name first, eh?" Scion asked.

"Mu La Flaga."

If Scion hadn't been in null gravity he would have fallen face first to the ground, Mu La Flaga was a known hero, he had even seen him while on the Moon Base, before he had become famous though. What was the Hawk doing here?

"I was wondering where you came from…" Mu asked as he looked forward.

"The Colonies. Though I don't see why that's important." Scion answered.

"Do you have hate Coordinators?"

"In another life."

"Good."

The Elevator opened up and Scion stepped out as Mu did. They walked the hall together with Mu as he tried to dive further into his person, but was stopped by a defensive Scion. Before they reached the lunch room Mu stopped Scion.

"I hope you don't have anything against Coordinators, it will make things stressed." Mu advised before retreating. Leaving Scion with a big question mark in his head.

"Obviously….a coordinator is on the ship somewhere." Scion assumed.

Walking into the lunch room he saw two individuals. A blonde haired boy with shades and a red haired girl. The male was in uniform and the female was in a pink dress. They looked at him, the male stood.

"This room is for the crew. Civilians are allowed in only during specific times." He said.

"Yeah, I'm not a civilian. I'm your new muscle, the merc." Scion said, feeling slightly inflated with his words.

"You're…you're the pilot of that mobile suit?" The blonde asked, a bit thrown off.

"So, you must be a Coordinator too." The female piped up and looked at Scion with a mild look of distaste.

"No, I was born in the colonies, far from PLANT. I'm Scion Kazuma, you?" Scion tried to turn the subject from his past to the now.

"I'm Sai, this is Flay. Sorry about her, she didn't mean anything by that." Sai greeted Scion.

"I just assumed that he was, Sai! Only Kira could pilot that other mobile suit so it only made sense." She retorted, Scion sweat dropped as he listened to the obviously spoiled girl. Sai took a deep breath before looking to Scion.

"We have a coordinator who pilots the Strike. He's Kira Yamato, so if you don't like Coordinators then just leave him alone. He has it rough as it is." Sai said.

Scion nodded and went to get something to eat, when he returned the two were gone. Scion sat down and began to slowly shovel food into his mouth. He thought about the conversation and in a flash of lightning it dawned on him and he spat out the mashed potatoes that were in his mouth.

"Kira! Kira Yamato?" Scion said mildly.

"That was the guy Athurn was talking about…the traitor."

Scion looked over towards the kitchen entrance and put another spoonful of mashed potatoes in his mouth.

"What were the chances of that…" He mumbled to himself with a mouth full of food. Come to think of it, Scion began to wonder why he was surprised about anything anymore.

The rest of the day went by without any hint of trouble. Yumi and Scion met that day and talked about the events that had occurred. Obviously this ship was in a very bad position, considering how easily they accepted Scion's offer of help. They must have been on the edge of defeat numerous times.

It was finally decided to use this ship as a staging point to strike at the other prototypes and destroy them. They were far too dangerous in the hands of ZAFT. What they would do after that, concerning the Strike and the Archangel would have to wait.

Scion made constant rounds about the ship, talking to the crew and finding they were all wary of him but didn't seem to want to make him angry in anyway, probably because they all knew they needed the help. More importantly to Scion was this pilot, Kira Yamato, who he could not find. He was always somewhere other then where Scion was. After awhile Scion gave up his search and returned to his quarters later that day.

"Scion?" Yumi called from the outside of Scion's quarters. A beep went off and the door slid open to allow her in.

"Yumi, what is it?" Scion asked quickly.

"It's not a battle but the commander of this ship would like you to go into the debris belt and help re-supply the ship by pulling in anything they ask."

"…..I can't. Not that place.." Scion retorted calmly.

"Scion, I understand your situation but--"

"Don't, just don't. You don't know know, you don't understand, and I won't go out there."

"You're just running from it. Fine, don't go and stay in here like a coward. I'll be in my quarters." She cut back at Scion before exiting calmly.

When the group all departed to get the water, Scion wasn't with them.

January 27, C.E. 71

Archangel, Hangar; 5:00 P.M

Scion entered the hangar to see this escape pod that was brought in. Everyone must have had the same thought in their mind, was it from the actual attack? If not then what was it doing there? Scion was a considerable distance from the main group and decided to keep it that way. There was several gunmen, a few of the young students gone soldiers and two or three engineers.

The hatch opened and instantly a pink robotic ball came floating out with a roaring 'Hello!' And Scion's heart sank.

"No...it…it couldn't be her…." Scion thought to himself as he suddenly got into a better position to see and sure enough, moments later, Lacus Clyne made her way out of the pod. In reaction, Scion made sure he was hidden from view.

"You've got to be kidding me! She could blow everything!" Scion's head was scrambling as he turned his head away from the group as the pink haired girl was caught by a brown haired boy Scion hadn't met. He retreated to the corridors, he'd have to talk to her one on one before she accidentally saw him and let something slip.

After a moment Scion turned to see that door to the hangar slide open and the pink haired girl escorted through it. Scion turned quickly and made a detour down the nearest hall that he could find. With a sigh of relief as they passed he took to follow them to see where they were going to keep Ms. Clyne for the time being.

They took her to an empty room where Lacus, the commander, her second, and Flaga went in. Almost instantly afterwards a group of the crew crowded around the door to try and hear what was going on. Scion ended up standing behind the boy that had caught Lacus from drifting around the hangar.

The door slid open and the Ensign, a female with a very hard locked face. She came out and told them all to get back to work, sending them scattering down the hall. The women stepped forward to make sure they were on their way and Scion came face to face with Lacus who waved at him and the man next to him. They looked at each other before turning away.

"So…what do you think?" Scion asked, trying to make conversation.

"Uh…I don't know." The man answered. He seemed occupied with his own thoughts as he headed towards the hangar. Scion turned down another route to double back around so he could speak to Lacus.

It took several minutes but finally Scion saw the trio leave and Scion went up to the door, and oddly enough, found it open. The door slid open and he walked in to a rather beaming Ms. Clyne.

"Oh! Mr. Kazuma! I thought I recognized you." The girl greeted.

"Shhh! Lacus, you can't go around acting like you know me. It will blow my cover if they know I've been to PLANT's they will think I'm connected to ZAFT."

"Oh my, I didn't think about that. Perhaps you could just explain to them--"

"No….I'd rather avoid that all together. We need to act like we just met or something."

"Oh, I see. Well then, Hello there, I'm Lacus Clyne. What is your name?" Lacus said, playing along with the idea a bit too literally.

"Uh….Scion Kazuma. Nice to meet you…."

It went on for a while like that, with both of them having idol chat that really went no where in the end. Just…talk. The conversation ended with Lacus wanted to get something to eat, and her not knowing the way, Scion decided to show her the way, completely unthinking that she may have been detained to her quarters.

They came to the kitchen to find a ready argument going on, Flay was argueing with a blonde haired girl Scion knew to be named M….something. He couldn't put his finger on it but would remember it later he was sure.

"What is she's really strong, right!" Flay could be heard saying as Scion and Lacus walked through the kitchen door. Lacus got to speak before anyone else did, or before they could.

"My…who's really strong?" She said, causing everyone to turn with shock on their face, as if she was some monster. Scion, stood behind her slightly to her left and looked at the group with is own look, one of embarrassment for not thinking that Lacus shouldn't have left her room earlier. Big mistake on his part.

"Ah, I'm sorry if I surprised you. I got thirsty. And please don't laugh at me, but I'm very hungry as well." Lacus continued as she moved away from Scion, following the wall to avoid going through the group."

"Hold on a second!" The brown haired boy said, as another boy with strange blue hair raised his hand as if to stop her.

"They didn't lock your door?" He, Kuzzey, said in disbelief.

"I don't understand! Why is a ZAFT girl walking around without permission!" Flay interjection as she put one of her hands to her cheek, she seemed scared of the almost angel looking girl.

"Uh…that was me. I let her out, her door was unlocked anyway. She wanted something to eat and rather then have her roam around I brought her here to get something then to take her back to her room."

They all then looked at Scion as if HE was the crazy one now. Flay seemed ready to say something to him but Lacus beat her to the punch.

"Don't be upset with Mr. Kazuma, he was only trying to be nice. I came out without permission. I'm very sorry." She bowed in apology and gave a sincere smile.

"Also, I don't belong to ZAFT. ZAFT is just the army, it stands for…"

"You're all the same, you're all coordinators! I can't believe YOU let her out without permission. You are just here to fight!" Flay yelled at Lacus before turning her last words back on Scion.

Scion stepped fully into the kitchen with the feeling of a headache coming on. This was turning into some mess, that was for sure. But he couldn't help but like the atmosphere, not the hate but the chaos. It reminded him of his old days in the EA military. But, he pushed them aside, knowing what those days led too.

"We are not the same?" Lacus curtly answered, "I am not military personnel. You don't appear to be as such either, so we are the same. My name is..--" Lacus extended her hand for a shake only to have Flay back away as if it were some sick thing.

"I don't want it, stop it! This is utter nonsense, why do I have to shake your hand? You're a coordinator don't act like we can be friends!"

The whole room took on a different tone then. Kuzzey seemed shocked along with Miriallia, who's named he finally remembered. The other boy, with brown hair, seemed insulted or shocked for whatever reason.

Scion, was not pleased to say the least.

"That's enough, no more. Miriallia, give me that food." Scion walked past the two boys and took the food, turned and gave it to the boy with brown hair, who he still had not gotten a name for.

"Take that to her room, and escort her back."

The boy nodded and soon the room was left with only Scion, Flay, Kuzzey, and Miriallia in it. Scion walked up to Flay and said very bluntly.

"Despite what you may say, despite what differences Coordinators and Naturals have, the only monster I see here is a little girl in a pink dress." With that, the new to the business mercenary left.

Though the remainder of the day Scion and Yumi were able to peace together the ships situation. All four mobile suits, Aegis, Blitz, Buster, and Duel were taken by ZAFT and were being used to destroy the Archangel and the Strike. The ship was also undermanned which explained why so many young people were being used to operate the ships open positions.

But more so was the ships military capabilities. While the ships weapons were powerful it had only the Strike piloted by a pilot with absolutely no experience, even if he was a Coordinator the experience lack would be obvious, and the ship used by Flaga which didn't compare with the Prototypes.

In the end the choice seemed to simply come down to the need for professional help and, most likely, the ship wanted Scion's mobile suit on their side for protection and perhaps to find out where it came from. So it was concluded that the ship was fulfilling their agenda and perhaps the EA's.

But, in the end, Scion just shrugged and said it was a stroke of luck that they were in such bad shape. Because just like they were using him….so could he use them.

Scion blamed it on fate, saying that the gods sometimes like to...change peoples destinies...

Author's Notes: Okay...so, I have to apologize to everyone for being gone for so long. I had a string of family deaths and after the first of them I just didn't feel like writing anymore. Then the others kept me away longer.

But thanks to a friend I got back into the game and my interest for the series was peaked again. So I finished this chapter and I am on my way once more!

This is the first chapter into the actual series, so it means I have to do a lot more research to see how things will change when I divert them from the original series. I think, that most of the changes will be small, except for a few key things I may decide to twist for plot reasons. But, normally I'll simply tie Scion into the story and make it all neat and tidy.

So, sorry about the wait and I hope everyone enjoys this, new comers and old reviewers. Note, I'm still a bit rusty so excuse typos, sometimes word does not help a writer at all. So enjoy this latest installment!

-Arc