Chapter 12: The Burning Wings.
Legend
Italics shows character thoughts
Word shows Date, time, and location
-Word- Shows Noises, or actions such as sighing
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January 29, C.E. 71
Archangel, Scion's Quarters; 5:00 P.M.
The Archangel was now in the middle of the 8th Fleet. They had pulled along the flag ship, headed by Halberton, the Menelaos. Scion had entered the bathroomsto clean himself up from the last battle. He turned the bathroom faucet off and looked at himself in the mirror. He looked the same but during the last part of that fight he certainly wasn't the same!
"Ugh, come on Scion get it together. It was probably just a huge adrenaline rush from the battle, nothing to get all worked up over." He turned the water back on and splashed some water on his face, before cutting the water again.
He walked out after drying his face and looked to the far wall, the 8th Fleet's flag ship was on the other side of that armor plating, and Halberton. He wondered slightly how things would turn out, not that he was any enemy of Halberton, or that either one owed the other anything. Still…he wasn't an ally either.
All in all Scion wasn't too worried, the commander was a good person as far as he could tell. He didn't think he was a corrupt person…or at least not yet.
Scion had already received a message from Yumi stating she would be leaving soon to board the Menelaos and then stay with her fiancé on his ship, one of the support vessels, thanks to one of her amazing contacts. He was a bit disappointed about it but he had other things to do.
As to what Scion was going to do, he had already decided. He would see the ship to the Moon Base or wherever it was heading before leaving. The EA needed to begin the production of mobile suits to combat ZAFT and even the war out.
Scion made his way to the hangar, to work on his machine and to see Halberton when he arrived, there was an announcement for everyone to be there, Scion and Yumi included.
Archangel, Hangar Bay; 5:45 P.M.
When Scion came into the hangar he saw the normal buzz. The mechanics were going left and right, up and down, and every other which way to get things done. His own people were like flies hoping all over his own machine.
He turned his head to see Mu, as he floated around leisurely, to see Kira's head pop out of the Zero, probably helping with repairs. Scion decided to check what was up.
"We've already met with the 8th Fleet! So why do we have to be in such a hurry?" The young Coordinator asked.
"I feel uneasy if we leave it like this!" Flaga said excitedly, probably from Kira's sudden burst which was probably why the Zero pilot jumped.
"Although they are the 8th Fleet, most of their pilots are rookies." Mr. Murdoch pointed out. "When something happens we have to rely on the Lieutenant."
"What is going to happen to the Strike then? Is it okay to leave it like that?" Kira's question was a valid one. The OS had been boosted a lot by Kira so he could operate it and without a doubt a Natural wouldn't know what to do with it. To put it back though would mean to lower its abilities…still, a pilot less machine was useless no matter how powerful it was.
"Yeah…I know, but…going through the trouble to return it to its original state and lower its capabilities is somewhat…"
Scion had finally reached the group at this point but before he could say anything, the captain spoke, appearing out of nowhere and coming into the hangar area for probably the first time since Scion had been here.
"If possible, we would like someone to pilot it as it is." Murrie stated as she floated over to the group. Kira stated surprise at her visit while Flaga seemed to be expecting it.
"I'm sorry, but I have something I must talk to Kira with ."
Kira instantly gave a look of mistrust and the captain could only give a small smile.
"Don't look at my so suspiciously. But, I guess it can't be helped."
The two shortly left, heading for the Strike. The three of them, Flaga, Scion, and Murdoch, watched them leave.
"Well, I guess if Kira leaves we should all say something to him." Mu said.
"Yeah, no doubt. We'd all be dead without the kid, he protected us in the beginning before we got the other kid." Flaga and Murdoch both looked at Scion who drew away with a look that said, 'Hey, what are you looking at me for?'
"So, speaking of you, Kazuma. What are your plans?" Flaga asked Scion.
-Cough- " I'm going to see the ship to a base, so I know its safe. Besides, my crew is too big for the civilian ships to get in one trip." Scion was happy that Mu didn't use the term 'kid' when speaking to him, it felt degrading.
They both gave a sigh of relief, "Well, I'd better get back to work." Murdoch said as he pushed away from the Zero. Flaga gave a mini salute to Scion before going into his machine to start the repairs again. Scion went to Revolution to also do some work.
Scion held unto the guard rails and looked up at the machine. It was a monstrous thing, why mankind thought up these things he didn't know. But he'd rather it be in his hands then in someone else's hands.
"Scion, can I have a moment with you also?" Scion turned his head to see the approaching captain.
"Don't see why not, I'm your hired soldier after all." Scion joked, trying to act bitter to make it funny.
"True." She smiled from the small amount of humor. "I just wanted to thank you, you've only been on the ship for a few days but you've made things a lot easier for the entire ship. Taking a bit of stress off of all of us. Most of all, Kira."
"Huh?"
"Before you came we put our entire future on that boys shoulders. When you came it became easier for him, since we could rely on both of you. It isn't fair to put that on either of you, you're too young for that responsibility but, I want to thank you for your help." She bowed her head in thanks.
"Heh, hey, we aren't done yet captain!" Scion pushed off the walkway and up to Revolutions chest, where he planted himself, "I'm not done until I see this ship safely transported to Alaska, the Moon, wherever. Don't apologize to me when I haven't finished my job yet! I said I would safely escort this ship in exchange for looking after my men! I mean to do it too." He gave her a thumbs up with his right hand as he slowly pushed himself back down to the walkway. The female captain and smiled before standing up straight.
"Well then, Scion Kazuma, I expect nothing short of your best. Understood!" She was back to her normal self and Scion saluted in mid-drift.
"Yes, ma'am!"
"I expect you to see Commander Halberton's arrival, Pilot Kazuma, don't be late!" With those last words she retreated to the ground level, to await the arrival of the Admiral.
"Heh, got it, captain." Scion turned back to Revolution and gave a heavy sigh. "Too bad I'm protecting this ship for my own selfish reasons as well."
Archangel, Hangar Bay; 6:30 P.M.
They were all assembled, Scion next to Kira with all the mechanics and students who volunteered. Murrie, Flaga, Natarle, along with the original crew of the Archangel were up front as the Admiral and his second descended from their shuttle to meet the crew.
Scion looked around briefly but found no sign of Yumi. It didn't really surprise him since he had noticed their continued drifting ever since they entered the thick of his war, and even more since they joined the Archangel.
"My, I thought it was over when I heard that Heliopolis was destroyed." Halberton said as he descended down to Murrie, using her to stop his descent. "Its good to meet you people here."
"Thank you very much." Murrie replied with a salute, "Its been a long time, Admiral."
"I received reports about the battle and I was worried."
Scion assumed he was speaking of the battle when the Advance Fleet was destroyed while trying to meet with the Archangel. He wondered how big the lose of the advance fleet was to the entire 8th, not to mention the lose of Flay's father who was a high ranking official.
"Is everyone okay?" The Admiral next asked before eying commanding officers, telling them to introduce themselves.
The Ensign stepped forward and saluted, "I am Natarle Badgiruel."
"I am Mu La Flaga, from the 7th Mobile Fleet." Flaga next stated, also with a salute.
"Ahh! How fortunate for them to have you with them." Halberton stated as he sprung over to Flaga's front.
"No, I really didn't help much." Flaga responded, not accepting the praise.
The man smiled and turned his attention to the group of kids, Scion included. "Ah, what about those people over there?"
"Yes, they have been helping with the operation of the ship. Students from Heliopolis." Murrie answered.
Halberton, a bit unkindly, pushed the Flaga out of the way and made a beeline for the group of teens. They all stood up straight, to show respect.
"It's been confirmed that everybody's family is safe." He started with a smile on his face and a certain air of glee around him.
In response all of the kids looked at each other with happy faces. Scion looked at them all, without them it wouldn't have mattered how hard he fought. They were the real stars. The ones like Mir and Sai who worked on the bridge and those that worked in the hangar as mechanics. Real hero's right in front of his eyes. They made the wheels spin and that is what wins a war.
"You've been working so hard in such a harsh situation. My thanks to you too." Halberton said before his second, Hoffman or something, noted that they should be going. The man nodded.
"I'd like to talk to you people again later." He scanned them over before locking his eyes on Revolution and then back on the group of kids. Moments later his eyes found Scion. He said nothing as he looked away and exited the hangar to have a meeting with Flaga, Murrie, and Natarle.
Scion watched him go, he wasn't really surprised that Halberton found out it was him. For one, he knew that he was there because of Revolution. It wouldn't be any of the mechs so they were all ruled out, and Halberton probably had id's on the other kids. Scion though, had no such thing. He was presumed dead the day he left the EA.
The group all dispersed to do their normal routine. As Scion headed towards his mech he was stopped by Jackie.
"I got a message from the Admiral, he wants you to join the meeting."
"Huh? What for?"
Jackie shrugged and pushed off towards the hangar exit, to take up his position on the bridge.
Scion sighed and looked back at his machine before kicking off to the corridors to join the meeting.
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"What? Now I have to wait?" Scion said with a large douse of annoyance in his voice.
"Orders are for you to wait until after the meeting being held. I'm just following my orders." The single guard said as he shrugged his shoulders.
"Bah. Fine." Scion went to the end of the corridor and sat on a bench to wait for his time to talk to Halberton. No doubt he had a lot of questions being aimed at the Captian and, soon, him. Shigen took a deep breath and slammed his hand into his pocket.
How many things had occurred in the past…what…week or two? War moved a lot faster then Scion thought. Not only that but it changed people a lot faster too, in the beginning Scion was so eager to start fighting, he wanted to get to Heliopolis so badly and start his vague plan. But now, he just went into battle with a kind of dopey vigor. In two weeks he went from a over-zealous berserker to a sadden soldier. It was the reality of war he supposed.
He was nudged in the shoulder by the guard who pointed to the Murrie, Natarle, and Flaga leaving the quarters they had just been in. Scion stood and walked back to the door and stepped inside.
"You called me, Admiral?" Scion said, trying to sound oblivious to the fact that Halberton might know who he was.
"Oh, yes, sit down." Halberton said in a cheery mood, obviously humoring Scion. No sooner had Scion sat down did the mans face change and the door behind shut closed.
"I never thought I would see that mobile suit in the hangar of an EA ship. This war continues to surprise me. Scion Kazuma is it? You are reported to be dead." Halberton began officially.
"What do you want?" Scion retorted with a slicing tone.
"To understand you reasons for being on this ship. What are your intentions?" He folded his hands in front of his face and waited for an answer. One that Scion took his time in giving.
"My intentions are my own, but I have no ills means for this ship. I'm currently contracted to the ship." Scion answered as he turned his head to the wall on the far right, to avoid eye contact.
"Yes, so Murrie tells me. Well, I have a proposal for you."
"You mean a condition for letting me leave alive you mean?" Scion spat while still breaking eye-contact. He didn't know why he was being so defensive, but he felt like it was the right stance to be taking right now.
The Admiral grunted softly but choose to ignore the last comment, "The ZAFT forces following the Archangel will attack. That is for certain. When they do you are too disobey any orders Murrie gives and sortie to help delay the ZAFT forces until the Archangel can successfully re-enter the Earth's Atmosphere."
Scion turned his eyes on Halberton for a while, when Scion was in his mobile suit the man was much nicer. Now though, he was being an admiral and thinking of his men. Being the devil was part of the job he supposed. Though Scion and Halberton knew they didn't hold any killing intents towards the other, they were both just following their agenda's….that happened to conflict with each other. And to Halberton, he was a liability that could come back and bite the EA in the ass one day. So he was trying to make use of Scion and snuff him out at the same time. Smart guy.
"Fine. In return, you leave all of my crew on board the Archangel alone, let them do as they wish as far as their lives. I don't want any of them forced into the military." Scion said finally. Halberton nodded before the door behind Scion was opened and a guard stepped in. Scion took that as his cue to leave and did so in haste.
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Archangel, Hangar Bay/Shuttle Bay; 7:40 P.M.
Scion had departed from his conversation with the admiral and committed himself to wandering around aimlessly for the time being. He wasn't sure whether to label Halberton as a bad guy or a good guy playing the bad guy to protect his fleet. Scion shook his head finalizing that it didn't matter, he had no choice but to do what he was ordered to do or his crew would be in a pickle.
Scion passed through by the doorway that lead to the shuttle area designated for the civilians to be transported to earth. He saw in the line Kira Yamato talking to a small child who had given him a origami of some kind before returning to her mother. Scion decided to stop in and say goodbye.
"So, leaving, Kira?" Scion said as he came up beside the former pilot, keeping his voice in a monotone so he didn't influence Kira in any particular way.
"…Yeah, I never wanted to pilot the Strike in the first place." Kira responded as they stood in line.
Sadly, Scion didn't have anything to say to that. He himself has always been an over eager soldier, so ready to start a war and end it. So ready to kill someone without realizing the magnitude of his actions. Bitterly he wondered how many families has he torn apart, how many widows, mourning mothers and fathers, and sniveling siblings had he created because he sat behind the controls of the machines of war?
"Hey, Kira." Scion put his hand on Yamato's shoulder and gave him a small smile, "We do what we have to do. You did your job and no one will think less of you no matter what you do."
Kira nodded with a return smile before Scion slapped his back and stepped back, "Don't worry, If anyone talks bad about you, I'll give them something to yap about!" Scion waved before starting back towards the hallway and then to his machine, his own machine of war.
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Archangel, Hangar Bay/Shuttle Bay; 8:05 P.M.
Just like Halberton stated the attack by Zaft came quickly. The alarm was raised and Scion looked up from his position in his cockpit as they called for Flaga and Kazuma to report to their stations. Scion activated the controls of his machine and made ready to…disobey orders to obey another's.
Several minutes passed by and it was obvious that Murrie was not going to sortie the mobile suits. She was trying to make a run for it to the Atmosphere!
"Argh, so this is why you wanted me to disobey orders! Damn it." Scion closed the cock-pit and started for the linear catapult. Instantly Miriallia's face came up in a screen.
"Scion, what are you doing?" She asked.
"I'm launching, don't ask any questions and just get yourselves down to Alaska! I'll cover the ship and support the 8th Fleet." Scion yelled as he launched himself down the catapult, without waiting for a proper countdown. He boosted away from the Archangel and went straight for the heart of the battle, which was still in the middle of the 8th Fleet.
Reaching the battle field instantly put him under fire by the Enemy, he had heat signatures from all over the place. He was willing to bet that all four of the stolen prototypes were in here somewhere along with numerous other mobile suits.
Scion was instantly met by two GINN mobile suits. Scion cursed to himself at his misfortune, he'd probably be the last of this Fleet standing if all four of those machines were here. The two GINN's circled around the Revolution as they tried to engage him in long range combat, but a quick deployment of the Funnels lead to a quick demise of the two machines who couldn't dodge so many concentrated blasts.
Just as Scion was going to continue onward he was shot at from above and to his rear. He veered off to his left to avoid the shots and came face to face with the Aegis and Blitz.
"..Heh, fancy meeting you out here, Zala." Scion remarked, trying to make some humor of his dim situation.
"Where's the Strike and the Legged Ship!" Athurn asked as him and his ally positioned themselves on both sides of Scion.
"Oh, probably on Earth by now." Scion bluffed.
"What!" Athrun exclaimed.
"I don't think so Athrun, I just got a transmission from Yzak and Dearka, they are engaging the legged ship."
"Shit, come all the way out here and those two get around me. Damn it Halberton…if Kira left the ship then it won't make it!" Scion pressed down on his pedals and sent Revolution back towards the Archangel at full speed. He didn't get far before the Aegis fired its Scylla 580mm Energy Cannon, forcing Scion to return his attention to the two machines around him.
"We won't let you go back to the Legged ship! Nicol!" Athrun called out and the Blitz re-appeared directly in front of Scion, after using its Mirage Colloid to sneak in front of the MS. Scion barely had enough time to raise his shield to his face before the Blitz shot of one of its Lancer Darts, the missile punctured Scion's shield and exploded seconds later.
Scion engaged all of his funnels and blasted away from the two MS, as he dropped his main rifle and pulled out his beam saber before engaging the Aegis who had returned to its Mobile suit form, and the Blitz who came at him as well.
It was a nasty battle. Scion was sure if the funnels weren't there to keep both mobiles suits from attacking him at once he'd be finished. Compared to these guys he was still a rookie, they were Coordinator elites. He could only rely on the power of his machine and his awareness to use the funnels to get him out of his alive. Spending almost an entire year with the Doc doing training missions wasn't helping him right now.
Even so, he wasn't making progress. The funnels were using their shield mechanism more then attacking and it was rapidly depleting his reserves, too quickly for the sun to replenish his batteries. He was going to go dry at this rate. Something had to give.
"Damn it." Scion muttered as he parried another blow from the Aegis before the Blitz slammed into his right. Scion gripped his controls hard and turned to head back at the Blitz just as the Aegis appeared above him and thrust its beam saber at Scion. Thankfully, the interference of the funnels deterred him from completing the assault.
"..Get out of my way!" Scion yelled as he shot towards the Aegis, turning all of his funnels towards the purple machine, each funnels making it impossible for the Aegis to move away. Scion yelled as he brought his beam saber up. Athrun raised his shield and blocked the attack as the Blitz launched another Lancer Dart and pierced Scion's right leg and actually carried him off a little ways from the thrusters still being active after the shit struck, it never exploded but remained in the leg of Revolution.
"Ugh." Scion righted himself and caught the two enemies in his sightings and braced himself for another assault. The Blitz came forward this time and fired its rifle at Scion who took evasive measures. Five beam shots later Scion was alerted of the Aegis quickly coming down on his head, firing its Scylla 580mm Energy Cannon again. Scion jerked his controls as the Blitz began a attack run.
"Argh!" Nicol yelled. The Revolution brought up its beam saber and struck back at the Blitz, who parried and reached out with his spare hand and gripped Revolutions right shoulder. Before Scion could pull away the Blitz delivered a kick to the middle of his mobile suits frame.
"You pest!" Scion muttered as his funnels responded by firing a full volley at the Blitz, nailing its right shoulder and grazing its left leg. Scion righted himself and readied his saber again but not before the Aegis swooped in, still in its MA form, and grabbed Revolution.
"You won't return to the Archangel!" Athrun yelled.
"You'll have to kill me first! You spoiled brat!" Scion spat back.
The Aegis turned direction and made a run for an EA ship who was supporting the Flag Ship, Menelaos. It dove through enemy fire, avoiding missiles, and continued at ramming speed. Scion's eyes opened wide, he was going to bulldoze Scion through that ship!
"I know your machine doesn't have the phase-shift armor that we have." Athrun stated.
"So, kill me in the explosion while you get away with nary a scratch…bastard." Scion began working vigorously to escape from the grasp of the Aegis, to free himself before he was in a world of hurt. Picking up speed, the Aegis grew closer and closer to the EA ship. Scion's mind worked at one-hundred and fifty percent, trying to find anyway out of this situtation. The sweat on his hands began to build under his glove, this was not going to be fun.
"ATHRUN!" Scion yelled as the Aegis slammed directly into the ship. A huge hole was made because of the suicidal run and then a massive explosion followed. All nearby vessels, EA and ZAFT, stopped to watch what would be left of the two machines if anything at all. The explosion subsided, leaving a massive dust cloud in its wake, but still no Aegis nor Revolution emerged from the wreckage. Nicol moved closed to the destruction with a growing fear for his friend.
"Athrun! Can you hear me?" Nicol called out to his teammate. The smoke began to clear and Nicol eyes opened slightly at the sight, both the Aegis and Revolution were inside a purple shell of some kid.
"You!" Scion yelled out as he stabbed the Aegis's legs off. The two were encased in a hexagonal shield, made by the combined efforts of the funnels system. The shield broke off and Scion slammed the enemy away.
Normally Scion couldn't return fire when encased but because the Aegis had held onto Scion he protected them both and then attacked while inside the shielding. It was just luck that Athrun hadn't been aware of this ability or he might have had Nicol get rid of the funnels first.
Nicol instantly went to aid Athrun and prepared himself to defend his ally. The two machines stared at each other, and soon Athrun, in mobile form now, had righted himself as best he could without his legs. The Blitz activated its beam saber while Athrun made ready to shoot Scion down.
"Are you alright Athrun!" Nicol asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. We have to keep him from the Archangel until Yzak and Dearka destroy it."
"I don't have time for this!" Scion readied himself for the two machines to continue their assault, but before they could a EA Vessel passed between the them. Scion's eyes opened wide as he recognized it as Hablerton's ship, the Menelaos. Scion gave one second of mourning before calling his funnels to him and pushing them and his machine to their limits to reach the Archangel, using the ship as a cover as he retreated. He didn't even realize that Yumi, could possibly be on that ship. He blasted through the charred remains of the EA Fleet, what was left of it anyway.
"Hang, on everyone. I'm coming.." Scion said to himself as he neared the sight of the descending Archangel, the destroyed debris of the civilian ship and the three falling stars, the Buster, Duel, and Strike. Scion instantly noticed that the Strike was far off the trajectory of the Archangel.
If Scion's mind hadn't already been in overdrive he might have thought of something a bit more practical then what he was currently going to do. He dove into the atmosphere after Kira, or who he assumed could only be Kira, planning on ramming into him and pushing him closing to the Archangel.
"Scion, what are you doing!" Mir's voice came on the com.
"I'm going to bring the Strike to you! Be ready to intercept." Scion then shut off any outside communication and threw off his helmet and wiped his brow as he descended. The heat ran up rapidly.
Revolution was suddenly rocked by the explosion of two of his funnels that couldn't handle the intense heat and pressure. A third exploded as he continued his ramming path. Then the Revolution, like Scion wanted, rammed into the Strike and ropelling him in a better direction, towards the Archangel which was moving to catch him.
"Just have to steer…stee….uh…ugh…" Scion's head bobbed as he strained to keep his eyes open. He looked at the Strike once last time before the last of his funnels exploded, rocking his machine, and sending Scion into a feverish state, not being strong enough to deal with the intense heat. His hands slipped from the controls and his head took one last look up before it slumped back into a hunched position.
Scion wondered, as he continued to fall, if he did that for himself or for the Archangel. Whatever the case Scion smiled, he kind of felt like he might have actually saved someone. As he fell into full unconsciousness, Scion felt more accomplish then he had in his entire career thus far. With a cough and a heavy breath Scion closed his eyes, finding sleep very hard to resist.
The Archangel watched in horror as the Revolution fell in a vastly different direction then the Strike and Archangel. All communication was rejected and they could only watch as the debris of the funnels burned in the atmosphere, appearing to give the Gundam burning wings as it descended to Earth...
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Author's Notes: Alright, so long time no see. Sorry for the delay, been busy and since I don't own the SEED eps I have to rely on a friend of mine who, until currently, I was not able to see. But, as you all can see, things may not have gone as some of you may have thought. Where will Scion land on Earth? That's the big question huh? In the desert with the rest, in the ocean, or someplace else. Who knows...well, I do. There is also another mystery here as well, but I'll let you find that one for yourselves.
But, anyway, I hope the action sequences were easy enough to understand and get a hold off. Its difficult to do these scenes while not just making them all about dodging and shooting and more dodging. But hopefully I pleased most of you.
Anyway, hope you enjoy this and hopefully I got out most of the bugs.
-Arc.