Lagrange 5
outside Martius City
A pair of ZGMF-600 GuAIZs were out on patrol. Ever since that nuclear Valentine, ZAFT had been ardently patrolling the immediate space around the PLANTs. Given the progress of the war, their patrols have laxed a little, but only a little, none of the Coordinators wanted to be bombed again (as no one in their right mind would want to be bombed, ever). So while the patrol actively scanned the surrounding space, they didn't look too closely. After all, even if the Earth Alliance sent in a small stealth force, they would still be easily spotted by either long-range scanners or the naked eye.
"Hey, Shawn, you're lagging."
"Yeah, sorry. There's something... I don't know, off, with the sensors back there."
"Off?"
"Yeah."
"Like a glitch?"
"No... there's like a portion of static on the far-sensors. Somewhere off our five o'clock, about six kilometers out."
"Six... that's relatively close. How big is the static area?"
"It's about... 22 square kilometers?"
"Okay, that's a small ship."
"But there's nothing there, look, nothing."
"I know, I know."
"Damn it, hold position for a moment, running diagnostic."
"Wanna do another pass, just to be safe?"
"Eh, sure, just as soon as this diagnostic finishes." The first pilot turned his mobile suit around, intent on back-tracking on their patrol route, only to then catch a glimpse of a shimmer. Bringing the GuAIZ to a stop, the pilot squinted at space several inches to the bottom right of that majestic but cursed sphere called Earth. He couldn't be sure, but it looked like the stars were slightly off. He blinked, then his eyes widened in shock as a blue colored assault vessel seemingly materialized in front of the stars.
"Shawn, on me! Now!" The patrol shot off toward the PLANTs as the unknown vessel began releasing a cloud of golden particles. "Command, this is Sentry Team 3, we have unknown contact out here!"
In the command center, one of the watch officers received the call at his station.
"We hear you Sentry-3, where do you have contact?"
"Behind us, possible assault ship at sector seven." The officer frowned, checking his station's sensor.
"Sentry-3, my screen is clear. I see your unit, but sector seven is empty."
"Like hell it is! Look out the window you lazy wa-" cut to static.
"Sentry-3, could you repeat last?" Static. "Sentry-3?" He looked back at his station's screen. The two blips showing the patrol were still there, moving toward the center- the screen flickered. Uh-oh. He slapped the "urgent" button on his console and shot his arm up. "We got a problem!" And he wasn't the only one, as one by one by one other stations were experiencing their own difficulties.
"What's going on? Are we being jammed?"
"Wireless comms are down, but interior comms are still functioning."
"Is it pulse?"
"No way, all our systems would be down if that was the case."
"Someone go and notify the Defense Committee, we don't have a direct line to the Chairman's office."
"That's on Aprilius One."
"Then start running!"
Within some of the urban areas of Martius, some of the televisions flickered and telephones and radios stuttered somewhat. It wasn't a massive disturbance, but it was still enough for most people to wonder "what is going on?"
Watch Commander Linus Adler entered the command center, adjusting his uniform's hat and collar.
"Status report."
"Sir, our external comms and sensors appear to be disabled, but all other systems seem to be unaffected."
"The cause?"
"Unknown, but one of the patrol units reported the presence of vessel in sector seven." The commander went up to the window and squinted toward the said sector.
"Can we have eyes on?" A square of static appeared on the main screen.
"Negative sir. Exterior sensors are still down."
"Christ!" Adler smarted, picking up a set of binoculars, "do I have to do everything myself?"
"Sir?"
"There it is," Linus said, adjusting the focus, "one vessel... doesn't look like there's anything else. Do we have any units on standby-" A sharp digital tone made everyone wince. One the various screens and displays, sensors reverted back to what they were displaying before the interference.
"Sensors are back online."
"Incoming transmission!"
"Come again?"
On the main screen appeared the image of yellow angelic silhouette over a blue globe and a white background. And at the bottom of the screen were two words in blue letters.
CELESTIAL
BEING
"What the hell are we looking at?" The image flickered then cut to the image of a woman wearing a white uniform with purple crop jacket sitting in a captain's seat. She had long, wavy brown hair and a black mask obscuring her eyes and upper face.
"Attention ZAFT forces," the woman said with a clear and commanding voice, "I am Sumeragi Lee Noriega of the armed organization, Celestial Being. We have in our custody one of your pilots, Dearka Elsman of the Le Creuset Team. We seek to exchange him back to you. We do not intend to harm him or fight any of you, but if you force our hand, then we will act accordingly."
Archangel
Gulf of Aden
"You know, you're a real puzzle sometimes." The four of them were still on the deck, Allelujah and Marie still standing and Kira and Cagalli resting the vessel's hull. Kira looked at Cagalli as she continued. "You are skilled, and you can easily take out an entire army if you wanted to. But you're obviously not much of a fighter. Sometimes I'm wondering why you're fighting in- no." She briefly stopped herself. "I know you're protecting your friends; that's not what I meant."
"I figured."
"I guess, what I'm really wondering is: why do you go to such lengths? Waltfeld was right, you are fighting your own." Kira sighed.
"Makes me wonder why my parents made me a Coordinator in the first place." He looked at her.
"What about you?"
"Me?"
"What do you think about Coordinators?"
"Honestly, not much. My feelings for someone doesn't change because of their genes." Kira's eyebrows rose a little before he looked away. There was a pause.
"Coordinators are no different, than everyone else I mean."
"But you guys can do so much more than most," Cagalli pointed out. "What's more, your talented from birth." From the open door to the deck, Flay could glimpse the four of them and could hear Kira conversing with that girl. She's getting way too close to him! Kira probably wouldn't cheat on her, but that girl is still interfering. After some thought, she began to shed the outer layers of her uniform as Kira spoke again.
"Only if we practice, study, or train properly. We're not born with special abilities because we're Coordinators. True, we don't catch diseases easily and we're born with altered genes for physical traits. But I understood those to be the Natural's... or everyone's dream. That's why we exist. Only..."
"Only what?" Allelujah asked as Marie tilted her head to one side.
"Only, it isn't my dream. I had no choice in how I was born."
"At least no one is manipulating you," Marie said aloud. Inside, Flay froze in the middle of rolling up the hem of her undershirt.
"What do you mean?" Marie stretched her arms up before continuing.
"I was born within the Super Human Institute Labs. I don't remember much, but I do remember one of the scientists teaching me about how God wishes the best for all of us. But one day, one of the lab's experiments succeeded, sort of. I gained the ability to use quantum brainwaves, but I lost all my other senses. I couldn't move or speak, let alone see or hear anything. In that darkness, all I could do was call out with quantum brainwaves, again and again and again. Then, after who knows how long, I decided to call out just one more time. That was when someone answered." She looked up at Allelujah, smiling serenely. He smiled back, closing his eyes in remembrance.
"My baptism. At the time, there wasn't really anything to be thankful for. Since then, I had two reasons to be thankful. For being alive, and for Marie."
"Hold on," Cagalli interrupted, "so both of you were born in a lab?"
"Actually, I was born elsewhere. I remember seeing sky before living in the home, but I don't know whether I was taken or given up."
"Oh, sorry."
"It's alright. In a twisted way, I'm actually grateful for whatever they did to me. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have met Marie, and Marie is my reason to live." She blushed.
"I didn't do that much."
"You gave me my name; that's more than I could ever ask for." Marie couldn't help it, she giggled.
"Can I ask something?" Kira ventured.
"Go ahead."
"How did both of you end up with Celestial Being?" Allelujah's gaze dropped down for a bit before answering.
"A while after I met Marie, I and some of the others learned we were scheduled for disposal. So we stole some weapons and were able to escape. I was eventually found by Celestial Being and later became a Gundam Meister."
"And, the others?" A pained expression came over Allelujah's face and Kira instantly regretted his question.
"Dead, I was the only 'subject' to escape alive." Marie laid a gentle hand on Allelujah's shoulder and his expression was visibly soothed.
"We didn't meet again until years later," Marie resumed. "In that time, the lab engineered a new personality to recover the senses I had lost and gave me to the military. A lot of things happened, but Allelujah eventually found me." She then addressed Kira. "You aren't wrong. You couldn't choose how you were born, but you were able to choose how you lived. Honestly, I'm somewhat envious. I never had the chance to wonder: what do I want to do with my life? What are my dreams for the future? But you were able to go to school and work toward a dream of your own design." Kira's expression seemed to brighten somewhat. He glanced to Cagalli, who gave him an encouraging smile.
"Oh, I was wondering where you were," a cheerful voice chimed at the door to the deck. Kira and Cagalli jumped as Flay appeared, her jacket gone and her midriff on full display due to her hiked up undershirt.
"See!" Marie spoke up, turning to Allelujah with her hands on her hips.
"What?"
"She has no problem showing a little skin," she pointed out as Flay threw her hair back.
"I can see that."
"So what's the problem with me?"
"The prob-," Allelujah became flustered as he figured she was talking about his brainwaves from earlier. "Are you saying that..." I'm seriously asking her this? "...that you like other men looking at you...?"
"Is that a problem?" Yes! Well... kind of? I know you love me, but won't other men...?
"But, when other men see you..."
"They'll see you have a good-looking girlfriend." Allelujah perked up at this, his mind drawing a momentary blank. Is that why she wants to show herself off?
"Is that why?" Marie promptly turned her head away and crossed her arms.
"Or maybe I just want to feel the warm sun on my skin." She fixed him with a raised eyebrow. "Is that a problem?" Can't she sense my concern through her brainwaves? It isn't like I'm forcing her to- oh wait. He forced himself to take a deep breath.
"Sorry, I wasn't trying to control you." He really wasn't. But I just don't like the idea of someone else seeing you like that! Marie smiled.
"I know," she said, turning to face him, arms behind her back and earnest eyes looking up at him, "and I can sense your concern." Can you? "But understand that I am myself."
"I do- I mean, yes. Sorry."
"Well then," she reached across herself and grasped the hem of her top, "off with my shirt."
"Marie!" She stopped midway up her torso.
"What? I got my bra on. Besides there's only girls here."
"That's not-" he stopped himself, palming his face, "sorry, I'm sort of stuck."
"Stuck?"
"I don't want to control you like those at the home," he averted his eyes and his cheeks reddened, "but I don't want others to see... that much... of you either." He palmed his forehead. "And I sound like a selfish jerk."
"Not selfish," Flay spoke up, "just jealous; it's kind of sweet." She genuinely smiled at the two of them. "You two are quite the open couple. Talking about such things in front of others."
"Sorry." Marie nudged him with an elbow.
"How about we discuss this later? That way we can figure some things out." Allelujah nodded.
"Yeah, that would be best."
"In the meantime, let's compromise," and pulled her shirt over her head, her hair falling over her shoulders and neatly framing a snow white sports bra. "Ah... that does feel good." Allelujah could only sigh inwardly.
"Are you alright?" Kira asked. Cagalli was currently doing her best to suppress some laughter that was threatening to break. She waved a hand.
"No, no, I'm fine," snicker "sweet vengeance, if only I thought of it earlier."
"What are you talking about?" Flay inquired curtly. Cagalli looked over at Kira.
"There's only girls here." Kira was puzzled, wondering what she was thinking behind that mischievous little smirk. Then he figured it out.
"HEY! WAIT A MINUTE!" Cagalli burst out in laughter and even Marie had to grin a little.
Lagrange 5
PLANTs
Patrick Zala was going through a recent report when the phone on his desk beeped. He noticed the caller id: Martius Control Center. Frowning, he answered it.
"Defense Committee Chairman."
"Chairman, Watch Commander Linus Adler. We have an abnormal situation developing in Sector 7 outside of Martius City."
"Abnormal?"
"Yes sir, do you know anyone on the Le Creuset Team?"
"Never knew you had a flair for the dramatic," Lasse mentioned from the helm as Sumeragi adjusted the mask she was wearing.
"Well, I figured they would pay attention to something out-of-the-ordinary. That way they'd be more willing to talk to us."
"As if an advanced warship materializing in empty space isn't out-of-the-ordinary enough."
"At least they won't shoot us outright."
In the auxiliary hanger, Saji, Tieria and Dearka suited up and sat in the Ptolemy's Small Space Boat on standby.
"Are you sure you know how to operate this?" Tieria inquired of Saji, rubbing his gloved hands.
"Yes, I do. I'm just nervous, that's all."
"Why? You're not shooting anyone."
"I know. But that doesn't mean we can't be shot."
"That is possibility," Tieria conceded. He looked to their captive. "What are the chances of your comrades opening fire on us before we hand you over?"
"Honestly, I have no idea. You guys are literally attempting the second ever prisoner exchange."
"What happened during the first exchange?"
"We got our Songstress back and she told off my team's leader for attempting to start a fight in front of her."
"Songstress?" Saji asked.
"Yeah, THE Songstress." Dearka looked at the both of them, an incredulous realization dawning on him. "Don't tell me you haven't heard of Lacus Clyne?"
"Nope, sorry."
"Good grief, you guys are hella-clueless."
Commander Ray Yuki entered the Martius Control Center and both he and the Watch Commander saluted each other.
"Linus."
"On-screen, they haven't moved since contacting us." Yuki took one look at the image of the unknown vessel before recognizing it.
"Oh great, it's that one."
"What one?"
"That's Unknown 4, the Big One."
"You mean, the ones that the Le Creuset Team encountered?"
"The same. They said they wanted an exchange?"
"Yes, they claim to have one of our elite pilots in their custody."
"Who?"
"Dearka Elsman." Yuki's eyebrows couldn't raise any higher.
"Of the Le Creuset Team?"
"That's right. You know him?"
"He's the son of Chairman Tad Elsman."
"Oh, crap, sorry, I should've realized."
"Nevermind that. Can we contact the Unknown?"
"We can, but shouldn't we notify the Chairman or Rau Le Creuset?"
"I have no idea where Creuset is, and Elsman is at an Administrative Committee meeting. Hail the unknown first."
"Yes sir."
"Incoming signal," Anew reported. Sumeragi fixed her mask and straightened her posture in her seat. On the front monitors, the image of a man in a shale-colored uniform appeared. The individual seemed to be standing in the middle of a bustling control center. The man was handed a microphone from off-screen and spoke into it.
"Unknown Vessel, I am Commander Ray Yuki. Do you read?" Well, showtime Kujo.
"We read you. I am Sumeragi Lee Noreiga of Celestial Being. Pleasure to meet you." That wasn't too much, was it?
"I understand you have one of our pilots?"
"That's right."
"Who is the pilot?"
"Dearka Elsman of the Le Creuset Team; dark skin, blonde hair." Even through the digital video, she could see recognition on Yuki's face.
"And... who do you want in exchange? Understand, we have never heard of you or your group. I highly doubt we have anyone to release to you."
"It isn't who we want to exchange," she clarified, crossing her legs, "but what."
"What?"
"We want a complete record of events and military actions starting from January of last year." The look on his face was either surprise or relief or both.
"Umm..." It's surprise then. "Very well. I will relay your demand and will promptly get back to you." End transmission.
"Okay, let me know when all the patrols are accounted for." Zala hung up the phone, only for it to begin beeping again. He picked it back up. "Yes?"
"Chairman," that was Yuki, "I've just spoke to the captain of the Big One."
"Big One? Wait, that Big One?"
"Yes, Unknown 4; they call themselves: Celestial Being and it looks like they're led by a woman."
"A woman?"
"One Sumeragi Noreiga. I'd have the analysts go through the POI files, but under the-"
"Worry about that later." Going through Person-Of-Interest files would be necessary, but it would take far too long for the current situation. "What do they want?"
"They want to exchange young Elsman for, and I quote: 'a complete record of events and military actions starting from January of last year."
"..."
"Sir?"
"I'm here. They really want a record of military actions?"
"That's what that Sumeragi woman said. And no, I don't know why they would want that either. But do we even have that kind of record on hand?"
"Not that I know of- wait, yes we do."
"We do?"
"Well, I do. I have a separate database at my home. So we could compile a record from that. More importantly, have you been able to confirm whether or not Elsman's kid is actually there?"
"Not yet. You think we can get Elsman or Creuset over here?"
"Creuset has just been attached to Spitbreak and Tad is in Sextilis City."
"Wait, what about Athrun and Amalfi's boy? Are they still here?"
"Not anymore. They're already on their way to Earth."
"Are they? I thought their transport wasn't scheduled until tomorrow."
"No, their flight was on the 28th."
"Uh sir?"
"What?"
"Today's the 28th." Patrick Zala's brain actually had to play catch-up to understand this sudden revelation.
"I'll get back to you." He smacked the receiver down and picked it up again.
"I wonder what Yzak is doing right now," Nicol wondered as he and Athrun passed through a checkpoint at Aprilius One's flight center.
"Hopefully he's either resting or getting time in a simulator," Athrun smarted.
"You don't think he's out there, scouting for the legged-ship in that desert?"
"He probably is, I'm hoping he isn't."
"ZALA! AMALFI! HALT!" Both turned around suddenly as a green uniformed officer ran up to them, panting heavily.
"Yes, what is it?"
"The Chairman- *pant* -he says- *pant* -it's urgent."
In the Ptolemaios' main hangar, Setsuna and Lockon were on stand-by.
"I gotta say," said Lockon, scrutinizing the row of massive hourglasses in space, "those look more advanced than any of the colonies we've built."
"Maybe," Setsuna replied, "but I think they look incredibly fragile."
"That's probably not regular glass, you know."
"Still looks fragile. A heavy vessel could just ram the side and everyone would suffocate."
"Maybe that's why they have a substantial mobile force; they don't want anyone running into their homes." He adjusted the image on one of his monitors. Going down the line of hourglasses, he noticed a small gap in the sixth or seventh cluster. "You think they're gonna stay calm, or do you think they'll try and rescue their pilot?"
"We shall see."
Yuki answered the phone.
"Yuki."
"It's me," said Zala, "Athrun should be on his way and I have the data that the unknowns want."
"From the other database?"
"Yes. Its a bit rudimentary, I just compiled the bits of data together, but it should suffice."
"Should we inform the rest of the Council?"
"I already told Clyne. He just told me to 'be careful' and 'try and get Tad's son back.' So basically what we're already doing."
"Fair enough. What do I tell 'Miss Sumeragi' outside?"
"Nothing yet. Have all available patrol units on stand-by as a precaution."
"Yes sir."
"They're hailing us again." Sumeragi readied herself in her chair.
"On screen." The image of Commander Yuki appeared again.
"Miss Sumeragi," oh God, their calling her 'miss.' "how do you intend to hand over our pilot?"
"We have an unarmed shuttle. We will send the shuttle part way while two of our Gundams hold back. You send one of your units to meet the shuttle half-way and we'll make the exchange then."
"Fair enough."
"And don't call me: miss! I'm not that old."
"Oh. Okay, apologies. I'll get back to you when we're ready to make the trade." End transmission.
A few minutes later, Athrun and Nicol entered the command center.
"Athrun, Amalfi," Yuki hurriedly saluted them, "thanks for coming on short notice."
"What's going on?" Athrun asked, also saluting Watch Commander Adler. "We were just told to come here on father's orders."
"On screen," said Yuki, pointing to the main monitor where Unknown 4 remained in view, "look familiar?"
"No, should it?"
"It's associated with those unknown mobile suits your team encountered."
"Wait, those machines?"
"Well, what is it doing out there?" asked Nicol.
"They claim to have one of our pilots 'in custody' and that they're willing to hand him back to us."
"That's new," Athrun wondered aloud, "are they Naturals?"
"No idea. They identified themselves as: Celestial Being, and I've never heard of any group."
"Who's the pilot?"
"They say it's Dearka Elsman-"
"WHAT!"
"WHAT!"
Yuki held up a hand, "-but we have not confirmed this. That's why you're here."
"If Dearka is up here," Nicol pondered, "then what happened to Yzak."
"One problem at a time Nicol," said Athrun. He looked to Yuki. "What's the plan?"
Sumeragi checked the time. It's been a little over an hour since they arrived. She honestly had no idea how to properly forecast a hostage exchange. Aside from her career in the AEU, she had focused solely on lightning-fast operations, and never considered insurgent tactics. Such tactics included hostage-taking, which (in addition to targeting innocents and/or civilians) takes a long time to implement; more time to make a mistake, more time for the enemy to mount an effective response, more time for something to go wrong. In addition, she knew very little about ZAFT, save for what little she was able to glean from Dearka, and could not even afford to guess; even with the Gundams.
The image of Commander Yuki in the control room appeared once more, this time with a young man with pitch black hair in a very distinct red uniform standing to one side.
"Sumeragi, we have the data you requested and units on standby." Alright, now we proceed. But first...
"In what format is the data currently?" Yuki answered by holding up a square data disc.
"Do you want the data transferred to you wirelessly?" Sumeragi had considered that, as it would've been faster, but it would've made their systems more vulnerable to intrusion or a virus.
"No, a physical disc will more than suffice." She nodded to Feldt before turning back to the screen. "We're now sending out our shuttle," she stated as Feldt relayed orders to the meisters, "and we will hold positions until you match our movements."
"And our pilot?"
"In the shuttle." Yuki nodded.
"Roger that. We will be sending three units." As Yuki spoke, Sumeragi cocked her head at the young man in the red uniform. His hair was more navy blue than black and his eyes were a cool green. He looked equally curious and concerned and young! Seriously, why were there so many actual soldiers around Setsuna's age? (At least, Setsuna's age when he became a Gundam Meister.)
["Turn Back" - Kawai Kenji]
00 and Cherudim launched ahead of the slow-moving shuttle. Now that they were closer, they could truly comprehend how immense those hourglass-shaped colonies actually were.
"Okay, I take it back," said Lockon, "those are actually more solid than they appear." Setsuna silently acknowledged the remark as he checked the E-Sensor.
"Contact ahead, three of them." Lockon activated his Gundam's sniper rifle.
"I see them. I think... I think the one in the middle is one of those Gundam-lite types we first encountered."
"Which one?"
"The black-colored one; I think it was one of the stolen units."
"Send us images of the units," Sumeragi ordered over the comm. Back on the Ptolemy's bridge, Anew looked at the images on her station's monitor and brought up some pictures from the files they have received from the Archangel. She quickly found matches.
"Sumeragi, the units consist of... two ZGMF-1017 GINNs and the GAT-X207 Blitz."
"Which means one of the Le Creuset team is here," Sumeragi surmised. "What do the Angel Files say about the Blitz?"
"Says... Earth Alliance G Project prototype, Phase Shift armor, grappling claw- oh! Everyone, be advised, the Blitz is equipped with a visual stealth system: Mirage Colloid."
"I hear you," Lockon responded, keeping the Cherudim at distance. "Setsuna, I'll keep an eye on the Blitz, you focus on the other two."
"Roger that." The shuttle, meanwhile, pulled ahead until it was relatively 100 meters between the Gundams and the other mobile suits. At the shuttle's controls, Saji lifted the visor of his helmet to wipe some sweat off his brow.
"It's okay," Tieria said as Saji lowered the visor, "there's only three of them. The chances of them taking action at this point are slim." He got up from his seat and began floating toward the hatch with Dearka. "Maintain position for now."
"Right."
Outside, the Blitz moved up a little as the GINNs hung back. Lockon could discern a faint light signal on the Blitz's head.
"Sumeragi, the Blitz is signaling us. It's asking permission to approach."
"Understood, one moment." Sumeragi hailed the control center. "Commander Yuki, we have visual contact with your units. Have the Blitz set its comms to frequency EPH-6.12 before we proceed."
"Very well, one moment." Yuki turned to Athrun. "Have Nicol change his comms frequency, but route it to us so we can hear."
"Got it." Athrun went to the nearest station and spoke into the microphone. "Nicol."
"Yes?"
"The unknowns want to communicate to you directly. Change your comm frequency to EPH-6.12 but route to us."
"Roger."
"And be careful, they asked for you by name."
"My name?"
"No, the Blitz."
"If they have Dearka, then they probably know about our mobile suits."
"Or maybe they found out."
"Athrun! You actually think Dearka would give them intel?"
"No, but I didn't think he would be captured either."
A new voice came over comm frequency EPH-6.12.
"This is the Blitz, do you read?" What the hell? Sumeragi thought incredulously, this boy sounds like he's about Mileina's age!
"We read you. Proceed 75 meters toward the shuttle and standby."
"Okay, proceeding forward."
The Blitz moved ahead, Cherudim followed the Blitz's progress and 00 soared around in the distance. At exactly 75 meters, the Blitz drifted to a halt.
"Tieria," Sumeragi contacted the shuttle, "prepare to make the exchange."
"Roger." With the shuttle's side facing the PLANTs, Tieria opened the exterior hatch with Dearka beside him, hands cuffed in front of him with a generous six-inch chain between the metal cuffs. Dearka breathed a sigh of relief. "What is it?"
"That's Blitz. I know for certain, that pilot won't kill us."
Speaking of which. Nicol zoomed in one of the cameras on the side of the open shuttle. That's Dearka alright, now there's nothing to worry about.
"Blitz." That Sumeragi woman again. "Proceed another 15 meters."
"Copy, proceeding." He pushed the Blitz forward slowly. "Aegis, this is Blitz, it's him, I'm absolutely certain."
"...Understood Blitz," Athrun's voice responded, "just stick to the plan. I got this."
"Okay." He stopped the Blitz within ten meters of the shuttle, wary of the other two unknowns flying around, not to mention their mothership. "This is Blitz, I'm in position."
"Roger that," said the woman. "Now open your hatch-"
"Wait, can you patch me through to Dearka first? I need to confirm its him." A brief pause.
"One moment, patching you through now." Alright Athrun, Nicol thought as he prepared to connect Dearka to the control center, it's all up to you.
["Turn Back" - END]
At the shuttle hatch, Dearka heard the comm connect. Finally, about time he talked to a friendly-
"Elsman, this is Aegis, do you read?" Oh, it's Athrun, doesn't matter.
"Yeah, I read you. Dearka Elsman, ID number 284998."
Yeah, that's Dearka alright, but with senior officers looking over his shoulder, Athrun had to prove it beyond reasonable doubt.
"Dearka, listen carefully, I need to ask you something."
"Oh come on, you know it's me."
"I know, but the others don't. Last we've heard, you were still on Earth. I'm gonna have to ask for something more than just your ID."
"Okay, fine, go ahead."
"What lingerie did your last date wear?"
"WHAT THE HELL!? Where'd that come from?"
"Just answer the question," Athrun persisted with, what he hoped was a straight face as the other officers in the room gave bemused or disapproving looks.
"Seriously? Out of all the things you could ask me, why that?"
"Well, only Dearka Elsman can tell me about a young lady's fondness for red satin panties."
"Red sat- what are you talking about? Her panties were azure blue lace- I mean!" Athrun just had to grin a little as the others in the control center either snickered or cringed.
"Yes, that's correct, and what else?"
"ATHRUN!"
"What?"
"What the hell! Are you the only one hearing this?"
"Yes," he lied.
"Then what's the point of asking me these questions?"
"Do you want me to help you or not?" He heard Dearka growl over the other end.
"Fine. My last date wore light blue panties and a pink bra. Oh, and she also had black stockings."
"And didn't she have any other features of note."
"Oh come on, her father would kill me if I said that! I'm assuming this is being recorded somewhere."
"Dearka."
"Fine, fine, she has a birthmark on her right thigh... are you sure no one else is listening?"
"Yes," Athrun reassured as everyone else was holding in laughter at this point, despite the situation, "one moment." He turned to Yuki and saluted. "Commander, I can confirm without a doubt that the prisoner is, in fact, Dearka Elsman."
"Understood," Yuki said with a nod, "tell Nicol to proceed with the exchange."
"Yes sir."
The voice of the Blitz's pilot came over the comm.
"We've confirmed Dearka's identity, we'll proceed with the exchange."
"Good to hear," said Sumeragi, still trying to digest the recent dialog, "open your hatch and we will make the exchange."
From the shuttle's hatch, Tieria saw the Blitz's cockpit open and took hold of Dearka's arm.
"Well, end of the line."
"Yeah, thanks." Using the jet-harness, Tieria pulled Dearka through the empty space, slowly drifting toward the black-colored mobile suit.
10 meters...
9...
8...
7...
6...
Nicol, released the straps of his seat and stood up as Dearka and the unknown in a purple pilot suit and opaque visor closed in. Within the last meter, the unknown gave Dearka a shove and Nicol promptly caught him by the arm.
"Not a word," Dearka said sullenly.
"What?"
"Not. One. Word."
"Not even to welcome you home?"
"Oh, yeah, thanks. Just, not a word until I punch Athrun in the face."
"Okay, that's fair." Nicol looked to the unknown, pressing a foot against the side of the cockpit.
"I believe you have something in exchange," the unknown stated.
"Oh, right, here." Nicol reached beside the pilot's seat and brandished a black square data disc. The unknown in purple accepted it then kicked off, floating back to the shuttle.
"We made the exchange, I'm pulling back."
Everyone in the control center breathed out in relief. Yuki patted Athrun's shoulder as the latter ran fingers through his hair.
"We're not done yet," Yuki clarified, "keep an eye on the unknowns."
"The shuttle is returning to the Big One," another young man reported.
Tieria and Saji entered the bridge.
"Well that went smoothly," said Sumeragi, turning in her seat and taking off her makeshift mask. "And the data?"
"Right here," Tieria answered, holding up the disc.
"Returner, is that isolated port ready?"
"Yes, over here." A pink-faced Anew drifted over to one of the stations by the door and accepted the disc. Measuring the disc in her hands, she looked over the three external disc-drives they had hooked up and chose the middle one. Perfect fit. On-screen, after a brief diagnostic that indicated "No Malicious Software," appeared a list of dates and unencrypted text.
"Success!"
"Looks like these Zap guys are men of their word."
"Nah, they just probably figured the information was inconsequential compared to one of their pilots."
"Nevermind that," said Sumeragi, "come on, let's get out of here before our luck changes. Tell Setsuna and Lockon we're leaving."
"Yes ma'am," said Feldt, looking a little...
"Are you alright?" Saji asked.
"Of course I am, why?"
"Nothing, you just look a little flustered is all." Feldt's blushed deepened and she stammered a bit before Sumeragi came to her rescue.
"Lasse, get us moving please."
"Yes ma'am."
"What happened in here?" Tieria inquired, noting apparent embarrassment on Sumeragi, Returner, Feldt and Mileina.
"Oh, you missed out," said Lasse as the Ptolemaios began to turn.
"Not now Lasse," Sumeragi urged, "later, later."
["Just Communication" - TWO-MIX]
In space, Cherudim and 00 began to back up, the two GINNs matching their movements and the Blitz up-and-darting out of there.
"Well, what do you think?" Lockon asked. "Mission accomplished?" Setsuna nodded in the 00's cockpit.
"Exchange complete." Dispersing more golden GN particles, the Gundams and Ptolemaios all quickly turned and soared off as ZAFT looked on.