Desert Dawn canyon

"What in the world?" Natarle said aloud as their group drove back into the canyon and noticing a blue and white vessel seemingly parked behind the Archangel. Setsuna had to smile.

"Ptolemaios."

"What?"

"That's Celestial Being's mothership," Setsuna explained, "the Ptolemy."

"You mean, the same people who made your Gundam?" Cagalli ventured. She was still wearing the dress that woman forced her into, but was able to quickly put her khakis back on under the skirt, losing the heels.

"Wow, they got down here pretty quick," Arnold Neumann commented as he parked the jeep. Natarle gave him a momentary glare but said nothing.

"About time you showed up." Leaning against the canyon wall, grinning with his arms crossed, was a tall man with brown hair, blue eyes and wearing a white and green uniform of sorts.

"Lockon," Setsuna said simply while they began exiting the jeep.

"Lucky little bastard," Lockon chided as he approached, "you have any idea how much trouble you caused us?" Setsuna grimaced a little.

"I... roger that."

"Don't 'roger that' me! Everyone has actually lost sleep because of you!" Kira and Cagalli looked at each other and back at Setsuna, visibly browbeaten and maybe even embarrassed. Quite the contrast to the young man who mercilessly gunned down a bunch of Blue Cosmos.

"You're with Celestial Being, I take it?" inquired Natarle, intrigued by the new arrival's accent. Lockon looked at the woman with short black hair, purple eyes and an upright stature. His expression softened somewhat.

"All depends."

"On what?" she asked, looking up at his face.

"May I ask your name, madam?" Natarle was taken aback.

"Umm... you may?"

"Alright, what is your name?"

"I'm Natarle, Natarle Badgir-I mean!" she straightened her posture and saluted despite being in civilian clothes, "Lieutenant Natarle Badgiruel of the Earth Alliance forces."

"From the Archangel?"

"Yes."

"A pleasure to meet you Miss Badgiruel," he said, holding out a white-gloved hand, "I'm Lockon Stratos, Gundam Meister of Celestial Being."

"A... pleasure to meet you too," she said, accepting his hand, her tone softer than what it normally would be.

"How was your descent?" Arnold asked, eyeing his Lieutenant, who seemed fixated on Lockon's face.

"Our descent was just fine," Lockon answered. "And you are?"

"Arnold Neumann, also of the Archangel."

"Nice to meet you." They also shook hands.

"Likewise. By the way, did you just touch down, or have been here for a few minutes?"

"A few minutes, try a few hours. We came down a little after Tieria messaged us."

"Oh, really?" Setsuna couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the look that just came over Badgiruel's face. Lockon heard him.

"That reminds me," his tone became more serious, "Setsuna, you owe everyone an apology!" He jerked his white-gloved thumb back at the Ptolemaios. Setsuna sighed.

"I do, don't I."

"Yes, especially Feldt."

"Feldt?"

"Yes."

"Why Feldt?"

"Oh, gee, I don't know. Maybe because she was worried sick about you? Or maybe it's because she thinks it's actually her fault that you went AWOL and almost got killed!"

"Her fault? How could it be her-?"

"Have you forgotten that she was looking over you after that bizarre 0-Raiser debacle?"

"Oh."

"Yeah, that's an 'oh' alright."

"Roger that." Setsuna stepped out of the jeep and started toward Ptolemy.

"And Setsuna?" He stopped and looked at Lockon. "I'm glad that you're alive." Setsuna nodded.

"Me too."

"So you must be his mentor," Natarle surmised as Setsuna walked away. Lockon gave a friendly chuckle.

"Actually, if we're going by seniority, Setsuna would be my mentor."

"He can't be that much older than us," Cagalli said incredulously.

"I didn't say he was older than me, but I've only been a Meister for a few months. Setsuna was actually my recruiter."

"Oh, I see." Lockon then took in a random sniff and crinkled his nose.

"Did you guys have a gunfight in a perfume shop today?"

"Not quite," Cagalli said, blushing in the green dress, "I'm going to take a shower."

Setsuna stepped up to Ptolemy and came face-to-face with Feldt, carrying a bag of tools. Their eyes met and she froze in front of him.

She thinks it's actually her fault that you went AWOL!

She opened her mouth, closed it, glanced to the side, fidgeting with the bag's strap over her shoulder.

"I-" She faltered and started again. "Setsuna, I-"

"I'm sorry." She stopped.

"What?"

"What happened earlier," Setsuna continued, "I'm sorry. For going off, causing you to worry."

"No, no, really I-" she faltered again. "Yeah... I was worried..." she admitted, crossing her arms over her torso, "I was... sorry... I know all this seems silly and..." she faltered again.

She thinks it's actually her fault...

"It isn't your fault Feldt." She looked right at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "The fault is all mine. I'm sorry." She took a deep breath, and smiled weakly.

"Thank you, sorry."

"Hey, Feldt. I mean it."

"I know, I know you mean it. Sorry, a lot has happened and... well... sorry." She fidgeted with the tool bag again.

"I need to talk to Sumeragi."

"Yeah, me too-I mean-" her cheeks turned a tad pink, "I've got things to do too, is what I meant."

"Roger that." And he stepped past her into the Ptolemy proper. Down familiar hallways and to the briefing room. No one there. He went to the bridge.

"Hey," greeted Lasse from the pilot seat, "look who's back."

"I'm back, where's Sumeragi?"

"In her room, she just got back from that Archangel ship."

"Did anything happen?"

"Not really, all I know is that we're going to help them get to the Red Sea." So what they had previously discussed. Setsuna went off to report to Sumeragi.

"So Celestial Being came down while we were in town?" Natarle asked in Ramius' office.

"They did," Murrue answered, "and I also talked with them and concluded, with a sound mind, that they are not a prevalent threat to the Alliance."

"What did they say?"

"Well... when we showed them our planned route to JOSH-A-"

"You actually showed them our intended route?!"

"-Sumeragi, their captain, called the overall plan: stupid."

"Wait, really?"

"She had assumed that we would be rendezvousing with our forces in the Indian Ocean, and not running the gauntlet to Alaska."

"That's... actually a fair assumption."

"How did shopping go?"

"Very good, if a little expensive. In any case, we'll be ready to make the dash tomorrow."

"And how is Kira?"

"Hmm..." she actually had to think about it a little before answering, "I think he's okay."

"Just 'okay'?"

"Well... he, Cagalli and that Setsuna got caught up in a Blue Cosmos attack."

"Oh God, are they alright?"

"They're fine; apparently Setsuna killed a few of them with relative ease."

"But they are unharmed?"

"Yes." Murrue sighed with relief.

"In any case, you and I will be boarding their ship before we make the dash."

"Their ship? Celestial Being's?"

"Apparently, there's something Mrs. Sumeragi wants to talk to us about."

Kira stood on the walkway, leaning against the railing in front of the Strike. Mu came over and stood next to him.

"I heard you had some excitement during your shopping trip."

"Yeah," Kira admitted, "I guess you can say that."

"Sometimes I forget that Blue Cosmos is a terrorist group. People like that give Naturals a bad name."

"Hm," Kira agreed.

"How did you fare during the attack, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Alright. Setsuna helped the most."

"Did he?"

"Yeah, he even impressed Waltfeld."

"Ah, so you did meet the Tiger. What was he like?"

"Not what I expected."

"How so?" Kira told him about meeting the Tiger, the scramble over kebab dressings, then what happened in the Tiger's office. "Sounds like quite the fellow. Pity the war can't end so I can meet him."

"Yeah..."

"Hey, you're not gonna like what I'm about to say, but take my advise: try to forget him. Knowing about a man you're about to fight with for your life just makes the battle more difficult." Kira's gaze dropped down to his shoes. "How did Setsuna react?"

"He likes him, says: of all the men he knew who burned down villages, the Tiger is the first to let people to leave."

"Huh, makes me wonder what kind of life he lived before becoming a... Gundam Meister."

"What about the others?"

"What?"

"Setsuna's friends?"

"Oh yeah, they're friendly enough. A little shocking for some of us."

"Why?"

"Their 'tactical forecaster,' Sumeragi, her voice sounds exactly like the Captain."

"What?"

"Yeah, and one of their pilots sounds like your friend, Tolle."

"You're kidding."

Cagalli, finally back in her regular clothes, stood in the late afternoon air and looked up at the new arrival to the canyon.

Ptolemaios...

Celestial Being...

Gundams... more of them...

She recalled how Setsuna had earlier gunned down those terrorists, and their conversation with the Tiger.

"How do you know I'm not a Coordinator?"
"You acted on pure instinct... a natural warrior."

If Setsuna wasn't a Gundam pilot for this Celestial Being, then he would be an invaluable member for Desert Dawn. To think a Natural could actually fight at his caliber, and not even a professional soldier.

"Well, that's certainly amazing all on it's own," she said aloud. Then she heard a rustle and spun round to see a young woman with pink hair wearing a uniform similar to that Lockon guy from earlier. The new girl's cool turquoise eyes looking her over briefly before the girl started.

"Sorry," she said hurriedly, "I hope I didn't surprise you, it wasn't my intention."

"Oh no, not at all," Cagalli assured, waving her hand, "I just have a lot on my mind is all." The young woman relaxed, then put out a white-gloved hand.

"I'm Feldt, Feldt Grace of Celestial Being."

"Cagalli," she responded cordially while they shook hands, "nice to meet you." She looked back up at the Ptolemaios. "You people confuse me."

"Sorry?"

"No no, I didn't mean anything by it. Just that it's hard to figure you guys out."

"We get that a lot. Is there anything in particular you want me to clear up?" Yeah, how the hell did you build those monstrosities that make Morgenroete's models look like schoolyard bullies in comparison!?

"Well... if you don't mind, that guy, Setsuna."

"Setsuna? What about him?"

"First he shows up in his machine and easily tears apart some ZAFT BuCUEs. Then, when the Desert Tiger burns down an entire village, he goes out of his way to stop us from getting payback, just because 'no one was killed, you can always rebuild,' blah blah blah."

"Well, given what you're describe-"

"Then he saves our lives in town from a band of Blue Cosmos, but then goes on to say how war is a waste of life. Which, sure, war is nasty and brutish, I won't say otherwise. But the way Setsuna goes about it... I don't know; it just seems like he's doing one thing while saying another, you know?"

"Well..."

"Gah," Cagalli scratched her head out of frustration, "I guess all I'm trying to ask is: why is Setsuna like that? All badass one moment, then irritating the next."

"Why do you want to know?" Huh? That sounded a little...

"Hm?" Feldt's tone of voice was a little harder now, and her eyes seemed to have-

"Why are you interested in him?" Huh? Did I not just explain-wait? Her eyes... they are... angry? No? "Of all the things you can ask about, why do you ask about him?" Her eyes were... desperate? Is that what you call it? Almost sad? As though she was about to lose... something? Someone? Hold on?

"Are you his girlfriend?" Feldt froze, her expression swiftly shifting to a "what?" sort-of expression? "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply anything, I was just curious is all-"

"Oh gosh!" Feldt, her face now redder than her hair, turned away and covered her face with her white-gloved hands. "I am so sorry! I didn't mean to-oh God, I sound like-oh my God!" Oh my gosh, she is his girlfriend!

"No no, I'm sorry, I guess I sounded a little, well... sorry." Feldt lowered her hands, her face still red with embarrassment.

"I'm the one who should be sorry. You were only curious after all. And I just had to get the wrong impression and- oh God." Cagalli was overcome with relief that the misunderstanding didn't go any further than it did.

"So... Setsu- I mean, Mister Seiei, is your boyfriend?" Feldt's face flushed a bit more, crossing her arms across her torso.

"Not like, well no, I'm not. I just; sorry again. I do like him, I think. But we're not a couple or anything, not that, I mean... sorry. A lot has happened over the last couple of days, and I'm still trying to sort some things out." I see, so that's how it is. Cagalli reached out and patted the flustered girl's shoulder.

"You like coffee? The stuff we brew in the caves is quite good."

"Umm... yes? If it isn't too much trouble."

"Not at all," she assured her, leading the way. Feldt suddenly giggled. "What?"

"Mister Seiei," she quoted, "doesn't fit him at all."

"Oh gosh, you're right! Sorry about that."

the Lesseps, the morning after

"What's with those guys from Gibraltar?" Andrew smarted, tossing a folder onto his desk. "Why are they giving us ZuOOTs? Are they out of BuCUEs?"

"Well, they say that they can't provide us with any more of those. Perhaps they think they're making up for it by sending those two to us." DaCosta relayed, thinking about the Duel and Buster being loaded up.

"With experience limited to battle in space, I can help thinking they'll only get in our way."

"Their team is considered one of the elite."

"Hell, I don't like the fact that they're from the Le Creuset team." Andy responded shuddering slightly, "I never liked that guy." Andy jumped from his desk and passed DaCosta who took off after him. "I suppose that we should meet those two."

"What about those other mobile suits sir?" DaCosta asked, "The ones that have shown up in the area, what if they show up again?"

"Then I guess we'll just have to shoot them down too."

The wind started to pick up and blow sand over Dearka and Yzak who seemed pretty surprised by the sudden splash of sand in their faces.

"What is it with this place?" Dearka asked covering his eyes with his arm. "This is horrendous." He sighed as it slowly calmed down.

"As they say, you don't know the desert until you've experienced it." Andy said, getting within earshot of the pair. "Welcome aboard the Lesseps. I'm Andrew Waltfeld." The pair stood at attention and saluted.

"Yzak Joule of the Le Creuset team."

"Dearka Elsman, also of the Le Creuset team."

Andrew and DaCosta returned with their own salutes, "It must've been tough getting you from space. We welcome you."

"Thank you very much." Yzak said before lowering his arm.

"You know, that scar can be fixed with some simple surgery... but it looks more like a symbol of a promise you made to yourself," said Andrew smiling. Yzak turned away. "Looking away after hearing those words implies that this symbol reminds you of a humiliating experience, perhaps?"

"More importantly," Yzak snapped, "tell us where the legged ship is!" Andrew turned and took a few steps looking up at the Duel and Buster.

"That ship is currently about 180 kilometres southeast of here at a resistance base." Andrew said looking over. "And in the company of one or more unknown mobile suits."

"Unknown...?" Yzak then remembered the machines they encountered in orbit. "Those things are here?"

"Oh, so you've already had a run-in with those guys?" Andrew asked looking back toward Duel and Buster.

"I remember that they were tough bastards," Dearka commented. Yzak gritted his teeth.

"Next time I see that bladed blue-and-white one, I'm gonna blow it to bits!"

Desert Dawn base

Murrue, Natarle and Mu are welcomed onto the Ptolemy by Tieria, now wearing a white and purple uniform. They went through a pure white hallway and through a sliding door to the bridge. Scattered about were Sumeragi, Feldt and three others wearing the Celestial Being uniform, two men with dark gray colors and a lavender-headed woman with a vermilion-red colored uniform.

"Welcome to Ptolemy," Sumeragi greeted before gesturing to the others, "and the ones you haven't met yet. Our helmsman, Lasse Aeon, new addition, Anew Returner, and our mechanic, Ian Vashti." Her eyes went to Natarle. "And you must be the one we haven't met yet."

"Yes," Natarle snapped to a salute, doing her best to ignore the Murrue-like voice, "Lieutenant Natarle Badgiruel of the Archangel."

"Oh, so your the one," Ian spoke up, crossing his arms.

"I beg your pardon?"

"My daughter told me that your mechanics tried to cannibalize 00 on orders of one Lieutenant Badgiruel." Nartarle lowered her hand and frowned.

"I'll have you know, I only ordered them to examine the mobile suit, not break it."

"Then take a picture, don't cannibalize it!"

"I didn't say to canni-" she forced herself to take a breath, "you are an unknown group in possession of advanced mobile suits. We are more-than-obligated to ascertain the threat level of your machine against the Earth Alliance."

"Sure, like a mobile suit is dangerous without a pilot!"

"Enough!"
"Enough!" Murrue and Sumeragi snapped at their respective subordinates.

"We're not here to make enemies Badgiruel; don't antagonize them!"
"The 00 is fine Ian, they're only doing what they think is right." Natarle, Ian, Lasse and Anew were all visibly surprised by the stereo of voices.

"Eh, sorry," said Ian, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Apologies," Natarle apologized. Sumeragi sighed and shrugged, shaking her head at Murrue.

"Anyway," Murrue cleared her throat, "we should go over the plan for our dash."

"By all means," Sumeragi agreed. She pressed a button somewhere and a glass circle on the floor lit up.

"Well that's fancy," Mu observed as a map of the region was outlined at their feet.

"We are here," their position is marked on the map as Sumeragi narrated, "canyon, span of desert, the Itbay Hills and the Red Sea." The areas were marked. "Based on our previous flights, ZAFT has superiority around these areas and Eurasian forces are positioned at Suez. Lockon is returning from a scouting flight. The main ZAFT force that we need to worry about, this Desert Tiger, is here. But there is also something here, a cluster of buildings, possibly ruins."

"Oh, the Desert Dawn told me about that place," Mu added. "Talbadiya Factory District, it was abandoned for years before the war even started."

"Could it be used to stage an ambush?"

"I doubt it, at least as far as BuCUEs are concerned. It's too small to hide a substantial force."

"Could a single mobile suit be able to hide there?"

"One, yes; maybe two."

"In that case, we'll have our long-range Gundam, Cherudim, stationed there. Aside from that, we plan posting Gundam Seravee west of the open desert. If and when the Tiger decides to pursue us, Tieria will standby until they pass and will then target any carriers. Arios will scout ahead before returning to provide support. And 00 will remain with Archangel until we reach our destination."

"Sounds good to me," said Murrue. "There isn't much to actually plan in regard to a dash."

"But wasn't there something else you wanted to talk about?" Natarle asked. Sumeragi nodded, gesturing to the door. The Earth Alliance trio followed Sumeragi down the corridor to a larger square-shaped room with three large wall monitors, another circular floor monitor (larger than the one in the bridge), three banister railings and one control console. Already in this briefing room was Allelujah and a young woman with long white hair. Allelujah nodded at them in greeting as Sumeragi spoke.

"You already know Allelujah, this is Marie Parfacy." The girl nodded in greeting. "And they are what I want to discuss with you."

"What do you mean?" Murrue inquired. Sumeragi looked to Allelujah.

"Do you want to explain or...?"

"I will," Allelujah stepped forward. "The two of us want to leave Celestial Being." The EA officers weren't expecting to hear that.

"I... beg your pardon?" asked Murrue.

"Don't misunderstand," Marie spoke up, "we don't have any problems with Celestial Being, we're not defecting."

"But you still want to leave?"

"Yes," Allelujah continued, "but not because we have any grievance. We would've died years ago if not for Celestial Being. But given the circumstances, we would much rather be able to live in peace, as civilians."

"I see..." Murrue said slowly.

"Then why bring this up with us?" Mu asked. "Are you incapable of just getting dropped off by some remote location?"

"Getting dropped off is not the problem," Allelujah explained. "The problem is that we know basically nothing about this Earth."

"Oh, right."

"There's also the problem with your objective," Sumeragi brought up, "crossing two oceans and hopefully ending up in Alaska."

"What does that have to do with these two?" Natarle asked incredulously.

"Allelujah is the Meister of Gundam Arios."

"Gundam-oh." Natarle got the gist of what Sumeragi was suggesting.

"We will lend you use of Gundam Arios and its support unit, the GN Archer, until you reach friendly airspace. In exchange, we ask that you allow Allelujah and Marie to disembark your vessel as civilians. We will then reclaim Arios and the GN Archer, and that will be the end of that." Murrue and Natarle looked at each other. It went without saying that this was a very unorthodox deal, but it seemed simple enough. Natarle merely gave a non-committal shrug and Murrue made her decision.

"I don't see why not."

In Ptolemy's hangar, Setsuna was looking over the other Gundams, 00 was still onboard the Archangel for the time being.

"So we're fighting once again," said Saji, now standing him.

"This time it's different."

"I know, but that still doesn't make it any better."

"It's war, actual war, what could make it better?"

"Well... who's the greater evil?" Setsuna crossed his arms in thought.

"From what I got from the Tiger, and from what else I could gather, all this started because of the issue of genetic manipulation. Somewhere it spiraled into chaos, probably because of those Blue Cosmos terrorists we encountered; and as a result, something happened which prompted ZAFT to actually invade areas of Earth. There's still something we don't know."

"I see," said Saji, nodding his head. Setsuna scrutinized him for a moment, before turning to leave.

"Well, I need to get back to 00." He turned to the door to the hallway, but then stopped, looking over his shoulder toward a cluttered portion of the hanger.

"What is it?"

"I don't know yet." He motioned with his head. "Come with me."

"Umm... okay?"

Saji and Setsuna started down the halls, Setsuna slowing his pace every so slightly, forcing Saji to follow suit. Once they got to a fork, Setsuna subtly pointed right then swiftly stepped left, Saji stepped right. Behind the corners, Setsuna raised a finger to his lips and Saji nodded. They both waited silently... and one of them wasn't surprised when Flay peeked around the corner, freezing as her sight met Setsuna's gaze. He quickly grabbed her by the arm.

"Wha- hey!"

"I should have known..." Setsuna sighed, beginning to pull her along with Saji close behind them.

"Let go of me! Do you have any idea who I am?" Flay chided loudly, struggling against Setsuna's grip.

"What are you doing on our ship?" Setsuna interrogated.

"Let me go!"

"You realize we agreed to help you, right?"

"We don't need your help!" Flay shouted. "Kira can fight ZAFT alone, he should fight them alone!" Setsuna stared at her, somewhat confused.

"Alone? What makes you think Kira can stave off an entire army?"

"Kira's a Coordinator! He can protect us without your help!" Now Setsuna was surprised.

"So you know?"

"Of course I know! Everyone on the ship knows!" So everyone knows that Kira was probably the most valuable member of the crew.

"Then why don't you want to assist him?"

"Kira doesn't need assistance! He's more than capable of fighting ZAFT on his own!"

"What is wrong with this you?" Saji asked incredulously as Setsuna lead her along.

"Why were you spying on me in the hanger?" Setsuna continued his interrogation.

"I'm not answering any of your questions." Flay said, looking away.

"If you answer that one question I'll ensure you get returned to your ship before the battle begins." Setsuna pressed, which seemed to get Flay's attention for a moment. "Maybe..." I can't believe I'm saying this, Setsuna thought, even though it's a lie, "...I would even lend Kira my 00."

"Wait, you would?" Saji asked and Setsuna gave him a look.

"I'll answer your question:" Flay replied, looking back at her captor, "I wasn't. There's your answer."

"That's a lie," said Setsuna.

"Excuse me!"

"I heard you sneaking around the hangar."

"I don't know what to tell you, but I have no idea where your hanger is. The reason I was following you is because I've been looking around this ship for the last half hour! When I saw you two, I figured I could follow you to the hanger." Interesting defense, but neither Saji nor Setsuna were willing to believe her at this point. They then came across Anew talking with Lasse.

"Anew! Lasse!" Setsuna called ahead, "we have a stowaway."

"Well, that's trouble then." Anew said. Flay, upon one look at Anew, suddenly jerked backward.

"A Coor- is she a Coordinator?!" Flay yelled. Lasse cocked his head and Anew crossed her arms.

"Coordinator? Oh wait, you mean those genetically modified humans, right?" Anew asked and Setsuna nodded. "In that case, no I am not."

"Your hair is a dead give away!" Flay said pointing, "That is not a natural hair color... and don't say that you dyed it." Anew smirked.

"Well then, maybe my hair is this color because people from our universe can have whatever color hair we choose." Anew said poking Flay's forehead. Flay tried and failed to swipe the hand away.

"Does everyone on this ship enjoy mocking me?" Flay almost shouted back.

"Can you take her to Sumeragi?" Setsuna asked. "I need to get back to 00."

"Of course," Anew replied. Anew and Lasse each took an arm and led Flay off to the bridge.

"So... why was she in the hangar?" Saji asked.

"Your guess is as good as mine," said Setsuna. "I thought maybe she was looking for a machine to give to Kira, but now I'm not so sure. Something is wrong with that girl."

about half an hour later

Kira stood by the Strike, staring at it while waiting in his flight suit for when they would have to have him launch. He noticed Setsuna return earlier, and he had climbed straight into his 00 Gundam without a single word to anyone. Maybe he was steering himself for the fight ahead.

"I just hope he doesn't show up..." Kira said to himself, thinking about Andrew Waltfeld.

"Strike standby for launch!" Kira immediately boarded the Strike and started up its systems.

Sumeragi sat in her chair, looking over the various monitors.

"Archangel, Ptolemy, our Gundams, their Gundam, a Skygrasper jet, and 17 resistance vehicles," she counted aloud.

"Our comms and E-Sensor are linked to Archangel," Mileina reported.

"Good. Try and sync up with thier database while you're at it. Murrue said that she'll reserve ZAFT unit data for us."

"Will someone please UNTIE ME ALREADY!" Flay nearly shouted, straining against the cords that held her to a seat in the back. Everyone ignored her.

"Optical Camouflage?" Sumeragi inquired.

"Fully operational," Feldt reported.

"Alright then, bring us behind the Archangel Lasse."

"Roger that."

"Allelujah, you know your place in the plan right?" Lockon asked as Cherudim's systems all read as green.

"Yes," Allelujah answered, "I am going to make circle runs around the targets and draw them away from the Archangel and give them more time in the open for Tieria to record their movements so we can see how they function. It'll make this difficult not being allowed destroy the enemy Gundams. I would much prefer your role for today."

"What, lying in wait while the bad guys slowly march past?"

"You don't like ambushes?"

"I like ambushes, I just don't like waiting for one. And with you doing your best to lure the enemy away, I'm going to be waiting for a long time."

"Cherudim, you're clear to launch." Feldt said over the comm.

"Cherudim, launching!"

"Arios is good to go!" Mileina told Allelujah as he watched Cherudim take off toward his forward position.

"Roger. Allelujah Haptism, Arios Gundam, taking off!"

Eastern Desert between Desert Dawn canyon and Itbay Hills

A long line of fire erupted across the desert sand. The landmines had actually been there for weeks, but they were never in the way, might as well get rid of them now. Over this line of fire passed the Lesseps (with the Duel and Buster stationed atop it), the smaller battleship Petrie, 5 BaCUEs, 4 ZuOOTs, and 7 Agile attack helicopters. The Tiger was serious this time.

"Contact!" Kuzzey reported from his station, "there's a lot of them!"

"Yes, we can see that," Murrue acknowledged. "All units, launch." In the hangar, Setsuna had lined up his 00 to the side of Mu's Skygrasper; 00 will launch after the jet.

"This is it boys," Mu said over the comms. "Mu la Flaga, launching!" The Skygrasper was catapulted forward and 00 began to walk out as the Aile Pack was equipped to the Strike.

"Setsuna F. Seiei, 00, setting out." 00 launched upward and alighted atop the Archangel's hull, scanning the distance. "Kira."

"Yes?"

"Looks like the Tiger has sent in a force of attack copters. We're going to have to provide more cover for Cagalli on the ground."

"Understood. Aile Striker, launching!" The Strike launched. Back on the bridge, Sai scrutinized the screen at his station.

"Can you see what we're facing?" Murrue asked.

"Yes ma'am," Sai answered. "One second, can you hear us Feldt?"

"Loud and clear," she answered over the comm, "just tell us what's out there, we can sort out the data from there." Sai carefully examined the screen.

"We have 4... 5 BaCUEs, numerous Agiles, 4 ZuOOTs and... two battleships." He turned in his seat. "Captain, I think the bigger one is the Lesseps."

"Which means the Tiger is here personally," Murrue said with a nod. "Did you guys get all that?"

"Yeah, we got it," Feldt answered assuredly, "I just have one question."

"What's that?"

"Why are these names so goofy?" Miriallia actually snickered, causing Natarle to look over in annoyance. Tolle, seeing the irritated gaze on his girlfriend, visibly shrugged his shoulders.

"She isn't wrong."

Speeding across the desert sand, Cagalli tried to steer herself. It was kind of hard to do that with that kind of force heading straight toward them. Clutching her rocket launcher, she glanced over at Ahmed beside her. The boy smiled and raised a fist in encouragement. Cagalli just had to smile and return the gesture before turning her attention forward.

"It's now or never, we need to win this!"

Purple particle blasts rained down and penetrated one of the Agiles. The enemy chopper exploded and the other Agiles scattered.

["Intervention" - Kawai Kenji]

Arios dived down, darting through the hot desert air firing at another Agile as it dashed over the desert sand. Scratch two. Some Agiles fired missiles at the agile Gundam. The missiles missed and Arios transformed, unleashing a hail of fire from twin blasters in it's forearms. Three Agiles were hit, one went down. Scratch three. Arios transformed back and sped off again, buzzing the Lesseps' bridge.

"Now we're talking!" Cagalli yelled as other Desert Dawn members cheered.

"The BaCUEs will be next," Sahib called out, "half to the left, half to the right. Go!" The Strike and the Skygrasper attacked as the BaCUEs charged and the Desert Dawn split up. As the BaCUEs rolled on, Arios dived down again and peppered the tiger-like machines with GN fire.

"Woo-hoo!" Mu celebrated as the Strike destroyed the first BaCUE, "you fly better than me; keep at it!"

Allelujah, meanwhile, noticed something out of the corner of his eye.

"Everyone, be advised, there are two mobile suits on top of the enemy mothership. I think they're the same ones we fought in orbit."

"This is Archangel," Sai responded. "Can you repeat that Arios?"

"Two Gundam-like mobile suits. One dark blue, and the other is tan."

"The Duel and the Buster?!" The Archangel shook, barely avoiding an artillery barrage from the ZuOOTs.

"What?" Murrue started, "They're here too?"

"Where are they?" demanded Natarle.

"On top of the Lesseps," Sai reported, "Allelujah saw them

"It shouldn't matter," Tieria broke in, "Seravee, engaging target."

A series of particle blasts slammed into the Petrie, causing it to become dead in the sand. Gundam Seravee ascended from it's previous position and fired another loose barrage at the ZuOOTs, causing minor damage.

"Despite knowing their inferior technology, I still can't comprehend how they can be so weak," Tieria said to himself, before lazily moving Seravee away from a blast from the Buster.

"What the hell?!" Dearka cried out. "They can't all be down here! Yzak, didn't you say you saw only one of them descend?"

"That I saw, yes, but there were also reports from other fronts."

"Well ONE of them just disabled a small battleship, and the atmosphere must be affecting my weapons! Any ideas?"

"Yeah," Yzak snarled, seeing the Strike dispatch a second BaCUE, "I'm finally going to kill the Strike!"

"Yzak wait!" Too late. The Duel launched itself off the Lesseps, landing on the crest of the nearest sand dune.

"This red uniform isn't for show-!" Yzak stated- the sand began to shift under the weight. "-Woah?" And the Duel slipped sideways with the dune. "Woah, WOAH!"

"Yzak, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine!" Yzak said shakily as he got the Duel up on one knee. "I HATE THIS PLACE!"

"Well, this is going south rather quick," Andrew smarted in the cockpit of the LaGOWE, "might as well get out there. Keep sharp Aisha."

"That goes double for you Andy." Andrew chuckled.

"Maybe the Henry Carter can turn things around." The hangar door of the Lesseps began to open.

Arios dived down, transformed, brandished a beam saber, sliced clean through another Agile (scratch four), and landed atop a BaCUE. As the ZAFT pilot cried out: "It's on me!" Arios stabbed right through the center of the BaCUE's torso, and then leapt off as it's prey sparked then exploded. Arios transformed back and flew off again. Another ZAFT artillery barrage whistled through the hot air.

["Intervention" - END]

"Sumeragi," Feldt called from her station, "enemy contact, behind us!"

"Behind us?"

"Yes, they just entered open desert." A monitor showed another small battleship creeping into view, flanked by two jet fighters.

"Huh, they must've been using the rock formations as cover. Notify Cherudim."

"Lockon," Mileina said into the comm, "another enemy has appeared behind us, approaching from the south."

"Behind me?" Lockon responded over the comm. "Oh, I see 'em. Give me a moment."

"New enemy firing!" Anew reported.

"Brace!" Lasse called out in time for a shot from the second Petrie-class to impact the cloaked Ptolemios, resulting in a very visible ripple effect in the air.

"What are you doing?" Flay yelled from her seat. "Use your machines and destroy them already!"

"Rome wasn't built in a day young lady," Anew chimed sweetly.

"Sumeragi," Feldt reported, "our integrity is still solid, but that hit disrupted the optical outline." Sumeragi shrugged and sighed.

"Well, it isn't like we need the element of surprise. Disengage the camouflage and increase GN particle output."

"Yes ma'am."

The Tiger's LaGOWE charged forward, it's twin beam saber activating. Dashing over the sand, the Tiger sliced through a Desert Dawn jeep and knocked over two others as it sped past.

"Uh oh," said Mu, "big one!" Kira, finishing off his third BaCUE, looked over the Strike's shoulder to see the LaGOWE charging toward him.

"That's Waltfeld!" He launched the Strike away as the LaGOWE closed the distance.

"I told you kid," the Tiger said over the comm, "I told you I would see you on the battlefield."

"Andrew Waltfeld," Kira breathed. The Stirke and the LaGOWE face each other down as battle continued to echo around them.

"My," said Aisha, "the boy has caused quite a bit of damage, hasn't he?"

"I told you he was skilled."

"Commander!" Andrew pressed another comm button.

"What is it DaCosta?"

"There's another one!"

"I know, that's why I'm out here."

"No, sir, behind the legged-ship!" Andrew looked. Low and behold, a massive desert mirage slowly dissipated to reveal a dark blue and white assault ship, seemingly materializing behind the main enemy.

"Now how the hell did we miss that? Aw well, at least the Henry Carter is here."

"Another behind us?"

"Yes captain," Natarle confirmed. "Good thing we have another ally to bear the brunt, but we're still in a pincer."

"Well, the Tiger is no fool, that much is certain." Through the windows, everyone saw the 00 fly towards the main fight.

"Now where is he going?" Natarle asked incredulously.

The LaGOWE lunged forward, the Strike parrying the attack but falling back.

"No! Mr. Waltfeld! It doesn't have to be like this!"

"Sorry kid, but there is no other way! I'm a soldier. This isn't ending until one of us is destroyed!"

"Kira!" 00 landed in between them as they were about to clash again and rammed its shoulder into the LaGOWE. "Kira, get back to the Archangel, I'll handle this one."

"But, you know who's piloting that, right?"

"Of course I do, that's why I'm telling you to protect the Archangel!" Kira looked to the 00, then to the LaGOWE.

My guess is that you acted on pure instinct. A natural warrior, a natural berserker even.
War is a waste of life.

Kira had to *grr*ed for a moment.

"Alright, good luck." The Strike took off.

"So," Andrew said to himself, only hearing half the conversation over the Strike's comms, "I guess we have to deal with this guy."

"Really," said Setsuna's voice, "I thought you actually wanted to fight me."

"You? You're that machine's pilot?" Aisha was surprised as well.

"I am. You thinking about backing down?"

"Hmpf, you know me better than that. You're a natural warrior after all." 00 readied itself.

"I am Setsuna F. Seiei, I'm a Gundam Meister of Celestial Being and a survivor of Krugis." 00 aimed a GN blade at the Tiger. "I am your enemy."

"And I am Andrew Waltfeld, the Desert Tiger of ZAFT!"

["Scramble" - Kawai Kenji]

They charged at each other, the beam sabers and GN Swords clashing in a shower of sparks!

A laser blast pierced one of the two Infestus jets, then the other one, destroying both.

"Lockon Stratos, targeted and firing." Gundam Cherudim rose from it's hiding place in the ruined refinery and started firing on the Henry Carter. Each shot taking out one of the battleship's cannons, one after the other. "At this rate, I won't even need the shield bits."

Seravee and Arios continued to rain fire on the ZuOOTs. Mu's Skygrasper got a lucky hit on one BaCUE and the Desert Dawn managed to obliterate the leg on the last BaCUE, which stumbled onto its side. Cagalli took aim, and fired the fatal shot. The last BaCUE exploded and the resistance cheered.

"Get out of the way you pests!" Yzak shouted in frustration. He was multitasking between keeping the Duel atop the ever shifting sand and fending off the Desert Dawn soldiers circling around him and firing their rocket launchers every now and then. Not that the rockets actually did anything against Phase Shift armor. Of course, given the circumstances, Yzak couldn't land a shot on the jeeps either.

"Yzak!" The Buster impacted the sand, aiming one of it's cannons at a cluster of Desert Dawn.

"Look out!" someone in one of the jeeps yelled. The Buster fired-slipped as the sand shifted. The blast narrowly missed it's target, igniting the sand and causing the jeeps to shudder and loose control slightly.

The 00 and LaGOWE circled round each other, parrying blows and dodging each others particle blasts.

"Damn, you're pretty good too," Andrew admitted after yet another parry, "I thought you were just a guerilla." Setsuna didn't respond, reversing direction to try and gain an advantage.

"Commander," DaCosta spoke over the comms, "the Henry Carter is disabled!"

"What?!" The two machines halted their fight as another barrage whistled overhead.

"There was fourth unknown, concealed in the refinery ruins." Beyond them, behind the fight devolving between those two and the resistance fighters, the critically damaged Petrie violently detonated. So be it.

"DaCosta, the outcome of this battle is clear. I'm hereby ordering a full retreat. Get the Lesseps out of here. That's an order."

"...yes sir."

"You too Aisha." Aisha turn to look at him.

"I would rather die than do that." Andrew had to smile.

"You're just as foolish as I am." The Tiger lunged.

"The cannons are down on the third," Mileina reported.

"Prepare GN missiles," ordered Sumeragi, "target the bridge and hull below it."

"Targets locked," Anew reported as Lasse aimed the front of the Ptolemios at the Henry Carter.

"Fire!"

A cluster of missiles swarmed the disabled battleship, one penetrating the bridge's window and detonating within. The top third of the vessel erupted in flame.

"Well," said Lockon, "they're not getting up from that."

"Focus on moving, Yzak!" Dearka called out as one of the ZuOOTs blew up.

"What do you think I'm trying to do! It's not like I'm choosing to slip in the sand like a stupid-"

"MOVE!" The Buster shoved the Duel just as a blast from Seravee struck the ground between them. The shove saved Yzak, but the shot hit one of the Duel's legs, blowing off the mechanical calf.

"Damn it!" Arios flew down, transforming and alighting upon the sand next to the landing Seravee. The Desert Dawn jeeps circling the stolen Gundam now drove off to regroup.

"There's no way out of this," Dearka said, feeling sweet on the inside of his helmet. "Damn it!" The Buster lurched forward and planted itself between the unknowns and the Duel. Dearka switched on the speaker system. "Hold up! Cease fire! Cease fire!"

Setsuna maneuvered the 00, side-stepping the Tiger's last lunge, parrying that beam saber again, only this time finishing with his GN Sword over the LaGOWE.

He brought the sword down, right through the front of the torso where he guessed the cockpit would be, and the LaGOWE crumpled.

["Scramble" - END]

The orange-colored mechanical tiger gave off some static sparks. Setsuna launched the 00 back, away from the defeated machine before it exploded. On top of the Archangel, Kira looked on. He took off his helmet and rubbed his eyes.

"This is 00... enemy commander is defeated, the rest are retreating. Mission complete."

"Hold up! Cease fire! Cease fire!" Dearka broadcasted, "I'll deactivate my mobile suit and surrender to you, if you let my friend go!" The eyes of Seravee flashed.

"What do you think Allelujah?" Tieria pondered.

"I... think we should take him."

"You don't think it's a ruse?"

"I doubt it. And even if it was, I'm pretty sure we can handle it."

"True."

"In any case, the one we leave behind would tell his leaders about our Gundams' strength. That could help keep ZAFT away from the Archangel."

"Since you'll be going with them, that would make the Arios even more of a deterrent."

"And the pilot we bring onboard could also answer some questions about the other faction's perspective on this war and maybe we could get a clearer picture about what we're up against."

"I agree."

Meanwhile Yzak and Dearka were in a private comm.

"What are you thinking?" Yzak shouted, "You can't let the enemy get their hands on the Buster."

"Have you been paying any attention? These guys will just use the Buster for target practice."

"Dearka!"

"I'll be fine. Get back to the commander and tell him everything you saw them do. Maybe ZAFT will think of some counter-measure." Tieria's voice came over their comms.

"We agree to you're terms. Power down, and we leave your friend alone." A few seconds later, the Buster turned from tan to gray as it's Phase Shift deactivated. Arios and Seravee grasp onto each of the Buster's arms before lifting off, making a bee-line to their ships. Yzak could only look on amidst the sand and smoke.

"DAMN IT!"

Itbay Hills

In the Archangel's hangar, a crowd had gathered around the Buster. The enemy pilot had just been handcuffed by Lockon, with Setsuna and Tieria holding him by an arm. Lockon looked to Sumeragi, who nodded, and he carefully removed the helmet, revealing a young man with a skin tone on par with Setsuna and blonde hair.

"Who are you?"

"Dearka Elsman of the Le Creuset Team."

"Not surprising," said Mu. Sumeragi looked to Murrue.

"You want this Gundam, I take it?"

"Of course, the Buster was ours to begin with. Honestly, I never thought we would get it back."

"That works out just fine then. You take back your Gundam, we'll take the prisoner."

"Agreed." Sumeragi waved at the Meisters.

"Take him to the Ptolemy."

Kira had yet to change, sitting on a chair in the locker room.

"So how do you determine the winners and losers? At what point do we put an end to it?"

"War is a waste of life... with no rules..."

"When every single one of your enemies is destroyed? Perhaps then."

"This isn't ending until one of us is destroyed!"

"Of course I know who it is, that's why I'm telling you to protect the Archangel!"

Kira sighed.

"You alright kid?" He looked up as Mu entered the room.

"Uh... yeah, just tired."

"Are you? Celestial Being pulled most of the weight this time round." Mu put a hand on his hip. "You're thinking about Waltfeld, aren't you?" Kira, after a few moments, had to nod. "You're not mad at Setsuna, are you?"

"No, I'm not mad. But," Kira shook his head, "I can't understand why he wanted to fight him in my place."

"Is it not obvious?"

"Huh?"

"He knew you didn't want to kill him. So he fought in your place. You should thank him before they leave."

"Yeah..." Kira acknowledged with a nod, "I should." He paused while Mu began to change his clothes. "Would it have been better if I killed Waltfeld?"

"Honestly, it wouldn't have mattered if he was killed at all. Celestial Being made the last battle a cake-walk. All that matters is that we made it out alive."

"Take care of yourself," Feldt wished well as she and Marie hugged each other.

"You as well," Marie replied, "I pray we meet again." Most of Celestial Being was gathered in front of an entrance to the Archangel, bidding two of their members farewell. Some of the Archangel crew and Desert Dawn looked on. Allelujah actually embraced Setsuna, giving each other a strong pat on the back.

"Watch over everyone," Allelujah leaned in and whispered, "Soran Ibrahim."

"Roger that," Setsuna replied, "and you watch over each other."

"I definitely will."

"Just don't forget about us," said Lockon as he and Allelujah grabbed each other's forearms.

"I never will," he leaned in and whispered, "Lyle Dylandy."

"Fair enough." Tieria was next. Allelujah promptly gave him a hug, surprising the purple-haired Meister for a few seconds before returning the gesture.

"The three of us made it this far," said Tieria, "promise you'll keep it that way."

"I promise." Marie, meanwhile, had staggered a bit when Mileina threw her arms around her.

"Please tell me we'll meet again!"

"We will, we will," Marie assured the little girl, "I swear, once we find a place, I'll have you and everyone over for tea and kartoshka. Oh, and some beer for Sumeragi." Speaking of which, Sumeragi had a box of sorts tucked in her arm.

"Something for when you settle in," she said, presenting the wooden container. Allelujah received it and opened it to see a glass bottle labeled: Bolivar's Angostura.

"Thank you Sumeragi, I don't know where I'd be if not for you." Sumeragi gave an impish sort-of smile.

"Oh, you give me too much credit. Here," she leaned in to his ear, "wishing you luck from Leesa Kujo," and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before giving Marie a warm hug.

"So this is it?" Murue wondered as everyone finished their goodbyes.

"For now at least," Sumeragi answered. "There's so much we don't know. If not for our Gundams we'd be a babe in the woods."

"All things considered, I'm just glad we could help each other." They shook hands. "It's been great knowing you."

"Thank you for everything." She turned to Natarle. "And a pleasure knowing you as well."

"Thank you," Natarle said as they shook hands.

"Setsuna." Setsuna looked to a uniformed Kira as Sumeragi shook hands with Mu and Ashman. Kira rubbed the back of his neck. "I... wanted to say thank you; for earlier." With the Tiger, Setsuna figured. He nodded.

"You're not a killer."

"What?"

"I can tell. I'm not saying: you can't fight; you're just not a killer at heart."

"Yeah... sorry..."

"I didn't say it was a bad thing."

"It's a good thing?"

"You're fighting to protect; your heart and mind are in the right place. Never forget that." Kira nodded.

"I won't." Setsuna held out a hand.

"Until next time, as allies."

"Yes," Kira shook the Meister's hand, "definetly."

["Annani Issyo Dattanoni" - Kawai Kenji]

The groups began to part ways, Celestial Being embarking the Ptolemaios as the afternoon sun touched the horizon.

"Oh! Feldt!" Feldt was one of the last to board, looking over her shoulder at a waving Cagalli, "about what we talked about; Don't worry about it."

"What?"

"You've got nothing to worry about. I wish both of you good fortune." Feldt's cheeks then turned pink and she smiled.

["Annani Issyo Dattanoni" - 0:08]

"Thank you," she waved back, "let's have some coffee again Cagalli."

"Consider it a promise!"

["Annani Issyo Dattanoni" - 0:16]

Feldt closed the entrance behind her and Ptolemy eventually rose up, golden particles showering the area with a gentle glittering light. Many of the Desert Dawn cheered as the ship ascended towards the heavens with apparent ease.

"Now that is a sight to behold," Sai observed as the trail of golden stars slowly faded.

"Yeah," said Tolle, "a pity they couldn't stay." Mirialla stretched her arms.

"Well, I'm going to check on Flay."

"Why? What's wrong with her?"

"I'm not sure, she said she felt stiff after being 'tied down for so long'."

"Huh?"

"Oh, that," Marie remembered with a giggle, "well... it's kind of a long story."

[RECORD SCRATCH]

Ptolemy's holding room

"Do you have psychic powers then?" Mileina asked through the comm to Dearka, who sat legs crossed on the floor, feeling annoyed by the current line of questioning.

"No."

"Can you sense other people like you around you?"

"No."

"Do you have some sort of super mode?"

"No!"

"Hmm... ...not very super-human are you?"

"Coordinators aren't like that!"