I do not own Chris, Liz, or Johanna Dante, Saul, Ian, or Diana Kessel, John Alaric, the 11th Fleet, the Raven, or the Surge Gundams. They all belong to Akatsuki_Leader13. Nor do I own Gundam. Nor do I own Martin Nightengale, as he is Meteorthunder3's OC. I only own Akira, Tao, Nisha, NASA/NAZAFT, the 7th Fleet, the Wing, Z.A.M., and Diver Gundams.

CT7567Rules: You will see as the story progresses~! :3

Titanic X: Glad you like it. :)

A0930: Yes, Siegel is dead, but you will like this next chapter too. :3

bvh: PLEASE use a consistent guest name! Geez... But I am glad you still like it. But I want to know WHAT you love about it, not just that you like it, even though I like hearing that as well.

KentLinuxStadfelt: You will have to see what happens next, and no, I am not considering openings at the moment. Sorry. :(

Note to all readers: I am going to ask those with an account to sign in to leave a review in order to know who is leaving it, or at least put their account name on the review so I know who is sending it. If you want to sign in to leave a review, then feel free to do so. But if not, then at least put your account name at the top so I can see who you are. If you are a guest without an account, PLEASE put a CONSISTENT guest name. Thanks!


Phase Twenty-Nine: What Stands In The Way

An Apartment Complex

Aprilius One

"Ian, I want some answers. And I want them now." Admiral Rebbecca Kessel demanded. "It was bad enough when Saul went missing and you were forced to go on the run. But now our daughter and her entire Fleet have betrayed ZAFT. What is going on here?"

Ian sighed. "Siegel Clyne is dead."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Wu's men murdered him."

"There have been no reports of Siegel's death. How do you know that?" his wife asked.

"Because I saw the aftermath..."

-Flashback-

A group of ZAFT soldiers stood guard in front a seemingly normal house. The only difference between this house and the house next to it was the bullet holes in the front of the house and the bloodbath inside.

A black car pulled up to the house. A man with dark brown hair, wearing a black suit and sunglasses entered stepped out of the car. "Agent Birkin, Justice Department." he said, flashing his ID. "What happened?"

"We got a tip that the Clynes and their supporters were hiding out in this residence." a ZAFT Lieutenant replied. "We were dispatched to investigate and arrest the Clynes if they were here. But they opened fire on us and we were forced to defend ourselves."

"Show me." the agent emotionlessly replied.

The lieutenant led him into the house. Inside, was a massacre. Blood and bullet holes were everywhere. Just over a dozen bodies, covered with tarps, lay on the ground. "In the end, there was only one Clyne here. And we took care of him for resisting." the lieutenant said with a smirk as he uncovered the body furthest from the door.

It was Siegel Clyne. He was dead. His body riddled with bullet holes.

"You fools!" Birkin cursed. "You were supposed to take him alive!"

"Bah. So what? They would have killed him anyway. We just saved them the time of giving him a trail before the firing squad."

"Idiot! You were told to take him alive in case Lacus wasn't with him! Do you know why?"

"Ah-"

"Because he would know where Lacus is!" Birkin shouted. "Now, thanks to you morons, we have no leads and no idea where Lacus Clyne is! And now I have to explain to my superiors and the Chairman why we have no more leads."

Before the lieutenant could say anything, he stormed out of the house and headed for his car. Birkin started it up and sped off. A few minutes later, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number.

"DeCosta here." a voice said over the phone.

"It's me." Ian replied. "Siegel's dead."

-Flashback End-

"Siegel wasn't caught in the crossfire. I could understand that. His body was littered with dozens of bullets. They had executed him. And the way that man talked about it... This is what Hong Fa Wu has done to ZAFT. He's turned them into a group of Natural hating thugs."

Rebecca sighed. She hated politics. They always caused too many problems for soldiers like her. As far as she was concerned, the military and politics should never mix. "And Diana?"

"If I had to say, she's simply doing what she believes in. Apparently, she believes that ZAFT no longer fits her beliefs and has left to join a group that does. And I have to agree with her." Ian replied. "It's changed under Wu's rule. And not for the better."


Archangel-class Assault Ship, the Dominion

Near the Ptolemaeus Crater Base

"Sensors are detecting something! Distance 500, Orange 14 Mark 233 Alpha. Large heat source approaching! Looks like a warship class."

"Stand by for anti-ship and anti-mobile suit combat!" the Dominion's Captain ordered. "Starboard 10, lower bow, pitch angel 15! Activate Igelstellungs! Target enemy warship! Load missile launchers one through four with Korinthos! Valiants! Fire!"

The Bridge crew rushed to fulfill their tasks. But they were all green and weren't fast enough to finish in time. And the simulation ended with the Dominion's destruction.

"What the hell are guys doing?" a very annoyed Natarle Badgiruel shouted, chewing out her bridge crew. "You're responding much too slowly! At this rate, we'll be destroyed in our first battle!"

This was the third simulation in row they had failed and she was beginning to become very angry at their lack of success. Even the children from Heliopolis were better than this. Yet Ensign Lockhart was the only one who was learning fast enough. "You all could learn a thing or two from Ensign Lockhart here! She is the only one who is really learning what to do!"

"Captain. We have an incoming message from the fleet headquarters." the comm officer said. "Hold position for incoming shuttle and mobile suits."

Natarle glanced out the window. A group of mobile suits led by a shuttle, was approaching the ship. Most of the mobile suits were Strike Daggers, but there were four that clearly weren't. Those four reminded Natarle of the G-Weapons from Heliopolis and she assumed they were the next generation of those mobile suits.

"Open the hanger hatches." she ordered.

A short while later, after the shuttle and the mobile suits had boarded the Dominion, Captain Bernard of the Ptolemaios Base, a blond haired man in a blue suit and four pilots in odd flightsuits, stepped onto the bridge.

"I apologize for interrupting you in the middle of a simulation." Bernard said.

"It was no problem at all, sir." Natarle replied as she and the bridge crew saluted.

Bernard returned the salute. "Allow me to introduce you to Director Muruta Azrael of the Atlantic National Defense Conglomerate. I'm sure you've heard the name before."

Natarle nodded. She was familiar with the man's name. He was after all the head of the largest weapons manufacturer for the Advanced European Union and the Earth Alliance.

Ensign Lockhart seemed to growl at his mere presence, but she paid him no heed. She was, after all, a lowly grunt, someone expendable to him, and nothing more.

"He will be joining you aboard this ship as an observer of the four state of the art mobile suits that have been transferred onto the ship."

"Nice to meet you, Miss Captain." Azrael drawled.

"Lieutenant Commander Natarle Badgiruel."

"I must admit, I never expected the Captain of this ship to be this young and beautiful." Azrael said before turning to Captain Bernard. "Is this some sort of added benefit?"

"Not to worry. She is very skilled." the Captain replied. "Her family has a long history of military service. In addition, prior to her posting here, she served as the first officer of the Archangel."

Arzael was impressed by this. "So you're very familiar with the Archangel then?" he said. "That will be very useful. Since our mission is to hunt down and sink the Archangel."


Ensign Lockhart let out a roar as she punched the wall. How could that man be on the very ship that she was on as well? Didn't he realize that he was inadvertently putting her in danger of losing her life as well?!

She closed her eyes, recalling her reason for being there. 'I can't let my emotions rule me. I have to remain calm. Just remember the training…' Falling back on her training from boot camp, Ensign Lockhart was able to bring her emotions under control.

Reaching up to touch a small Bluetooth, she called her contact. "Target confirmed. On ship, briefing everyone."

Those six words were all the confirmation that NASA would need. Her mission had begun.


Inside the Mendel Colony's Harbor

Several Hours Later

"Captain! Seven incoming warships!" Sai shouted. "Six Nazca-class and one unknown!"

"Scramble all-"

"Hold it." John said, interrupting her. "They may just be passing through here and not even know we're here. Rushing in isn't wise. Get us a visual first."

The lead ship was a pink vessel that was unlike anything they had seen before. But the other three were a familiar sight. The three painted Nazca-class warships were of ZAFT's 11th Fleet while the three normal Nazca-class warships were of the famed 7th Fleet. John took a sip of coffee through a straw. "Well now. This is interesting." he commented.

"Captain! Incoming transmission."

"Let's hear it." Murrue said.

Kira's voice came over the comm. "Archangel, Kusanagi, this is Kira Yamato. These ships are not our enemies. Please stand down."

John laughed. "Wow! Those three are something else! They leave with a shuttle and two mobile suits and come back with seven warships!"

A short while later, the seven ships entered the hanger alongside the Archangel and Kusanagi. The bridge crews of both vessels and some of their mobile suit pilots had gathered inside a docking passage, waiting to meet the crews of the newcomers. The doors opened and group of mostly ZAFT officers entered. At the head of the group was...

"Andy! You magnificent bastard!" John shouted in joy. "I should have known you were too stubborn to die that easily!"

Both men laughed as they shook hands. At that moment, a portion of the ZAFT officers saluted John. "Commander. It is good to see you again." a black-haired woman said.

John returned the salute. "Same here. And I see that you're the same as always, Ice Queen."

Waltfeld turned to Murrue. "Would it be out of line to say it's a pleasure to finally meet you all face to face? I'm Andrew Waltfeld."

"Commander Diana Kessel. 11th Autonomous Mobile Fleet." Diana added.

The other black-haired woman, wearing the black commander uniform of NAZAFT, saluted as well. "Commander Tao White, formerly of ZAFT, now with NAZAFT's 7th Independent Mobile Fleet."

"Murrue Ramius." Murrue said. "I must admit, I am quite surprised you all here."

"Same here." Andy replied, turning to Kira and Lacus. "Right youngster?"

"You have a very good reason to want me dead." Kira solemnly said.

"We're in a war." Waltfeld commented. "Everyone has a reason, yet no one does."

Kira nodded his head. "Thank you."


The Archangel's Hanger

A Short While Later

Dearka, Saul, and Nicol hadn't gone with the others to meet the crews of the newly arrived warships. Instead, they had opted to remain behind to do a maintenance check on their machines before going out to help the Astray pilots with gathering the supplies from Mendel. "So who do you think the newcomers are?" Nicol asked as he climbed out of the Neo Blitz's cockpit and floated down to his teammates.

"Don't know." Dearka replied. "Heard they're from ZAFT though."

"You think Yzak's with them?" Nicol asked.

"Doubt it. If he was, he would have come here by now." Saul said. "Probably a bunch of hot shot pilots that think they're all that."

"Hello Saul." a voice said from directly behind Saul, sending a shiver up his spine.

Saul slowly turned around. Coming face to face with his sister Diana. "Er...Hello sis."

"It's good to see you again Saul." she said before her fist hit his stomach.

Saul stumbled back in the zero-g environment, hitting the Neo Blitz's foot. "And if you ever do that again, you better be dead. Because otherwise, I'll hunt you down and make you wish you had died. Am I clear?"

"Yes ma'am." Saul instantly answered.

Diana nodded and left the trio. "Damn. That woman's scary." Dearka said as soon as she was safely out of the hanger.

Both Nicol and Saul could only nod their heads in agreement.


"To think that she managed to escape with something like this ship and three Nazca-class ships. Not to mention finding the 7th Fleet who deserted ZAFT as well. She's really something." Cagalli commented, staring at the Eternal with Athrun.

"Yeah." he said as Cagalli glanced at Kira and Lacus together in another catwalk.

"You don't mind, do you?" she asked. "She is your fiancée, right?"

"Ex-fiancée." Athrun replied. "Because I was such a fool."

Cagalli shrugged. "Well, better to realize that now than never." she said, a smile forming on her lips. "And I think Kira is just as much a fool. I guess even Coordinators can do stupid things. So, we might as well get used to it."

"You think so? I guess you're right.

The two glanced up again at Kira and Lacus.

"My father... He's dead Kira..." Lacus said to Kira, finally releasing tears and sorrow she had held in since she learned of her father's death.

She hugged Kira and cried into her chest. Kira simply hugged her back. This war had claimed many loved ones already. Flay's father. Those people on the shuttle. Waltfeld's lover. Tolle. Cagalli's father's friend. And now Lacus's father. It had to stop before more loved ones were killed. They had to stop it.

Chris watched the two groups from further down one of the catwalks. He sighed. He missed Flay and watching them only made it worse. But she was safe on Earth at least. He didn't have to worry about her safety.


"For what it's worth, I'm sorry about Aisha." John said, taking a sip of coffee.

Andy silently sipped his own coffee. "Actually, she survived as well. She chose to stay in the cockpit after I told her to get out." he finally said. "I guess she wanted to be with me regardless of the outcome."

John nodded before taking another sip. "She is a good woman. And loves you dearly. Had this war never happened, I suppose the two of you would have gotten married by now."

"Probably. I had considered proposing to her. But with the war going on, I felt like it wasn't the right time. I probably will once all this ends."

"Excuse me sirs." Diana said, approaching the pair.

"Ah Diana. Have you met with your brother yet?" John asked as he turned to her.

"Yes sir."

"So how many times did you hit him?"

"Only once." she replied.

"Only once? Don't tell me you're going soft on me." John teased.

"No sir. Won't dream of it, sir."

"And stop with all this sir stuff. We're over the same rank now. So there's now need for that."

"Sorry sir."

John hung his head in comedic manner and sighed as Andy laughed. "Some things never change." John muttered. "So any reason why you came by?"

"I wanted to ask when you'd be transferring back to the Odin and taking command of the Fleet sir." Diana answered.

John shrugged. "That eager to relinquish command? That's not a sign of a good officer."

"Perhaps. But the 11th Fleet has always been your Fleet sir. You practically built it from the ground up. You're the only one that should be commanding it sir."

"Well then, I guess it's time for me to take command once more."


Flay wandered the corridors of the Archangel. But this wasn't a pleasant walk through the halls. Blood and bodies filled the corridors. The bodies of the crew of the Archangel. Chief Murdoch. Dr. Hunnicutt. And many more people that she knew lined the halls.

But they all couldn't be dead. Someone had to still be alive. She continued to search the ship for someone, anyone that was still alive. Eventually she found herself on the bridge.

But it wasn't any different from the rest of the ship.

Captain Ramius sat in her chair, her lifeless eyes staring out into space. Blood poured down from wounds on her face and chest. John was sprawled over his console. His face was locked in an expression of terror. Below in the CIC, Miriallia was lying half on the ground, in a pool of blood. Next to her was Sai. His broken glasses were on the verge of slipping off his face. Natarle was there as well. She was slumped on her chair and like the others, had blood pouring from numerous wounds.

Suddenly, the sounds of battle filled her ears, distracting her from the horrors around her. She turned to the large bridge window. The Raven and the Strike battled two mobile suits she had never seen before. One was black and red. Armed with a number of heavy weapons. The other was dark gray and didn't engage them that much. Only firing the occasional shot from its rifle.

The black and red machine fired its two hand carried cannons at the Strike. The Strike raised its shield. But the multi-phase beams destroyed the Strike's shield and the arm holding it, as well as its right leg. And he continued to fire on the Strike. Obliterating the white and blue mobile suit.

"Kira..." a horrified Flay whispered.

Then Kira's murderer turned to the Raven. It repeatedly fired its cannons at the Raven. But the Raven transformed into its mobile armor mode. In that state, it was too fast and maneuverable. It dodged the shots and flew in close to the mobile suit. The Raven transformed back and before his opponent could react, sliced through its chest with his beam sabers. The black and red mobile suit exploded.

But as soon as the fireball died out, the gray mobile suit attacked, releasing a number of strange funnel shaped objects from its backpack. The funnels surrounded the Raven, firing beams at it. The Raven tried to avoid the beams. But they were coming from all directions. He dodged one shot, but another shot blew off its left arm. Another tore through its right wing. Its head exploded. Its right leg was severed at the shin. The Raven's railgun was destroyed. By the end, the Raven was completely helpless.

Then the funnels all at once, fired at the Raven's torso.

"NOOOOOOOO!"

"NOOOOOOOO!" Flay screamed as she shot up.

Her breathing was heavy and frantic. She was in Creuset's quarters. Thankfully, she was alone. But it had all been a nightmare. The Archangel, and everyone on board, was still alive. Chris was still alive.

She pulled out the dog tag Chris had given her, from underneath her undershirt and held it in her hands. Chris told her that as long as she wore it, she would be safe. But for the first time wonder, if they were protecting her, what about Chris? He was the one out there fighting. Risking his life. He needed it more than she did. She should have refused it, so he would still have it. "Please." she whispered. "Please. I don't care how this war ends. So long as Chris and I are together again after it's all over."


The Archangel's Bridge

The Next Day

"As some of you already know, this colony was scrapped before the war because of a biohazard incident years earlier." Samuel explained to the gathered group of people from the Archangel, the Eternal, the Kusanagi, the 7th Fleet and the 11th Fleet.

Mu nodded. "Yeah. I remember that incident. It caused quite a stir."

"But because of that, it has received only minimal damage and pirates and the like have avoided it out of fear of being exposed to what caused the biohazard in the first place." Samuel continued. "So this place is ideal for us to use as a base for now."

"Our immediate concern is the moon. From what we've heard, the Earth Forces have been continually sending forces from Victoria since they took it back." Lacus said.

"That can only mean one thing, they're planning an all-out attack on the PLANTs." John added, now wearing his old Commander's uniform with his black leather trenchcoat over the top.

"You think they'd actually do that?" Murrue asked.

"Of course. Their forces are full of people who have always wanted to do that." Andrew replied. "For the preservation of our blue and pure world."

"Let's not start that." Mu said in an annoyed tone.

"Hey. They're not my words. Though I can't see how getting rid of all the Coordinators will lead to a pure world. Hell, I don't even know what a pure world is."

"Then there's Hong Fa Wu and those that think like him in the PLANTs. They believe that because of the superior abilities of Coordinators, they are the new and superior race of humanity. And Naturals are nothing but vermin compared to them." John added as Cagalli left the bridge. "As Lord Uzumi said, neither side will tolerate the other to exist."

"We live in such a cruel time." Murrue said, leaning onto Mu.

Mu nodded. "Yeah."

"Then there is NASA, the one side that many wish to avoid due to their power. BUT, back in the past, they were well-known in the human rights arena, as they did not tolerate anyone, and I mean anyone, who violated the basic human rights that ALL humans are entitled to. And it is because of their power that no one dared to call them out on it. If someone was violating human rights, then they did not say that America was wrong and that they were right. And no. This isn't a cruel time for humanity. It's actually fairly normal." John said. "Look at our past. Just about every war, every conflict, has, in the end, been like this. Two groups of people unable to tolerate each other for whatever reason and descending into violence. That's the flawed nature of humanity. People tend not to like people that aren't like them."

"But it has always been we humans who do this and who stop this. Throughout history there have been many people who feel the way we do." Lacus said as she placed a hand on Kira's shoulder. "Wouldn't it be great to create a world where fighting is not necessary?"

Kira smiled. "Yeah."


Athrun stared out into the Mendel Colony's harbor. His thoughts were on everything that had recently happened at the PLANTs with the Chairman. He had hoped that he could have reasoned with his father's friend, convince him to find a way to end this war peacefully. But he wouldn't listen and instead, threatened him and shot him.

"I finally found you." Cagalli said, pulling him away from his thoughts. "I bet your mind's going around in circles, getting nowhere. That's why you need to discuss what's on your mind with everyone. When we gather for meetings, you should be there too."

"Sorry."

Cagalli glanced at his arm brace. "Does it hurt?"

"Ah, no." he lied.

"What are you talking about? Of course it hurts. You were shot by your own father. Well, not your father per say, but his friend. Ah, I mean, former friend."

"I couldn't stop him. I realized it for the first time. I was totally powerless. And I didn't understand a thing." he admitted to her.

"Everyone feels that way. Those who think they understand are only fooling themselves." Cagalli shot back.

"Cagalli..."

"It's still too early to give up on your father's friend. You may still have the chance to talk to him properly. So stop standing around alone looking so hesitant and-"

Athrun interrupted her by hugging her with his good arm. He didn't know why, he just felt like doing it. "Sorry."

"Wh-What do you mean, sorry?" Cagalli stuttered as she tried half-heartedly to break free of the embrace.

"Well, like I said. Sorry."


The Vesalius

"This is the Eternal's projected course, calculated from the data we received from Jachin Due." Rau explained to Ades and the gathered pilots.

"The L4 Colony Group. As expected. We continue to have problems there. First it was dealing with those suspicious people hiding out there, and now this." Ades said.

"I can't imagine the Clyne Faction would be this organized. When did they get the desire to fight? And a number of our forces have defected to their side. We should expect anything." Rau said.

"I've personally met Commander Waltfeld, Commander White, and Commander Kessel before. I never would have expected this from either of them." Ades commented.

"He's a war hero who miraculously made it back alive after an encounter with the legged ship and its mobile suits. And she was the former student and successor to one of the best space commanders we had. Not to mention, she is the new leader of the most insane space fleet ever to exist. Who would have expected this from them?" Rau replied.

"It's too bad we have to get involved with this mess." Ades said with a sigh.

"Yes. But it can't be helped. Things seldom go as you plan. It's not an easy thing to try and understand, the thoughts hidden within one's heart." the masked commander said.

"Yzak. From now on, Athrun is your enemy. Can you shoot him down?" Rau asked his white haired subordinate.

"Of course! I'll shoot down any traitor!" Yzak sharply replied.


Le Creuset's Quarters

A Short While Later

Rau collapsed into the chair behind his desk. Drained. Flay moved to the side of the desk. For the first time since she was first captured by him, she felt concern for him. Of course, that was probably more because she was worried about what would happen to her and her unborn child if something happened to him. "You're exhausted." she commented.

"I'm only human, my dear." the masked man replied.

"I've spent much of my life as a soldier, going from one battlefield to another." Le Creuset added. "If you say it's because I'm a soldier, I have no argument. But no one is ever born into this world a soldier."

The words struck a nerve within Flay. She remembered her previous life before the attack on Heliopolis. She had been a pampered teenager with a doting, wealthy father. She once had lived a life in relative luxury. But that was all gone. Now she was a POW and a mother to be. And yet, aside from her father, she didn't miss any of what she once had. That life now seemed almost completely alien to her.

"I'd like nothing more than to put an end to that forever. And wouldn't you?" he said, pulling out a disk from the drawer. "I hold the final key, but if it stays here then the final door will never be opened. I wish there was something I could do about it."

Flay gazed at the disk, wondering what secrets it held. Wondering how it could be the key to ending the war. And if she should truly believe what he said.


The Dominion

"Clotho Buer. Enhancement implants, stage three. Biological CPU for the X-370. All personal data deleted."

"Martin Nightingale. Stage four enhancement implants. Biological CPU for the X-151. No personal data."

"Orga Sabnak. Biological CPU for the X-131. Stage two enhancements. Also no personal data."

"Shani Andras. Stage four. Biological CPU for the X-252. No personal data."

Natarle shook her head. She had been curious about those four pilots Azrael had brought on board. There was something... off about them. They didn't seem to be normal soldiers. Then there was the extra medical personal that had come on board and taken over one of the med bays. But just looking them up in the ship's records led to only more questions. "All four are classified as equipment. Not pilots." she commented.

It didn't make sense. Why would they be listed as 'Biological CPUs' for their mobile suits? Why were their personal records deleted? Was that how Azrael and her higher ups saw these pilots? Just equipment?

"How much longer before we get to L4?" Azrael asked, interrupting her thoughts.

"We're almost there." Natarle replied. "But I'm still not convinced that we should be going there without any proof."

"My sources are accurate. And that's all the proof we need. It's not as if we're going there based on nothing."

"But you can't trust information from the PLANTs! It could be a trap!" Natarle argued.

Truthfully, she did not wish to fight Captain Ramius and the rest of her former crew members aboard the Archangel. But she had no choice in the matter.

"The Freedom, Wing Zero, and the Justice. They're the codenames of the three machines we're after. And they're sending five Nazca-class vessels to L4 after them. If the information is true, we can't afford to miss this chance. That's why we're going." Azrael leaned on her chair's display screen and continued. "Let me make one thing perfectly clear. You may be the captain assigned to command this ship. But there are people higher up that have to look at the larger picture here. You've been told to do as I say, right? Just make sure you don't forget that."

Ensign Lockhart could not help but overhear the comments about the four pilots she had seen earlier. They were listed as equipment?! She clenched her fists before she shook her head. Once again, she had to keep her emotions in check.

He entered the room, startling the men and women in the bridge. The man in charge, Azrael, looked in his direction. "Ensign Dana Lockhart." She said, saluting in the manner of the Earth Forces.

"Ah. You must be that ensign recently assigned to the ship, is that right?" he remarked, looking her up and down.

"Yes, sir." She replied. "I could not help but overhear that the four pilots of this ship are listed as equipment?"

Azrael looked at her with a suspicious look. "Why do you want to know, Mists Lockhart?"

The ensign looked nervous and fearful for the briefest of moments before it faded. "I was just curious. I am new here, after all."

The blonde man smirked at her. "Of course you are, my boy. You see, we need to do anything to win against those who are better than us in EVERY manner. And that means doing things that are not allowed by laws, laws that are outdated in this era of war. The laws of warfare, and human rights, all outdated and no longer applicable in this time. We need to defy those very laws that once held us back, and those very laws are old and no longer capable of being enforced. As if they could anyway. Then, this world will be pure and blue once again!"

She shuddered at his words, wondering how this man slept at night, knowing that what he was doing was wrong on so many levels.

"What about the United Nations? What if they find out?" She asked.

"Those old fools will not do a thing to stop us. After all, they declared neutrality on each and every issue that comes up to date. They cannot and are not fit to lead this world. Only Blue Cosmos and Logos can bring about the new era everyone wants!" Azrael replied.

Ensign Lockhart gulped inwardly. The ironic thing was, she knew he was right. Well, only on the neutrality issue that is. And yet, the United States was already trying to lead the world in their absence, but to little effect.

"If the United Nations isn't going to stop you, what about the United States?"

Azrael just scoffed once. "Please. As if that nation could stand a chance against us. The Earth Alliance would just overpower the nation with its sheer numbers. Even they have to fall sometime."

Deep down, Ensign Lockhart knew that he was right, but that was why she was even on such a mission. She was doing it to protect her nation from falling to Blue Cosmos and the EA that they influenced.

"After all, the United States and the United Nations are just idealists who can't even fight to protect their ideals that they spout. Well, maybe the United States has a bit of bite to match their monstrous bark, but that's it." Azrael added, a thoughtful look on his face.

"But sir, didn't they drive off the force that was to conquer them? Isn't that a bit much to be a small bite?" Ensign Lockhart asked.

Azrael looked at her like she was nuts. "Are you implying that the United States has much more power than they are letting on?"

She had a mysterious smirk. "You never know. There is nothing simple about them." With that, she turned and left.

Azrael and Natarle stared in surprise, but the former more so than the latter. What was she implying?

In her room, Ensign Lockhart opened the line to her contact. Her face came up on the screen as soon as she heard the signal from her computer.

"I understand the target is onboard?"

"Yes. The mission is now underway. Of course, the hard part is over. Now all I have to do is wait for the time to come."

Her contact nodded. "I see. Very good. When will you be able to pull it off?"

She sighed. "That is where things are getting complicated. The ship is about to head into battle and I can't just take him out right away."

"That makes things more difficult then. If we eliminate him right now, then things could get hairy for everyone involved." Her contact noted.

"Agreed. That is why I think we should wait to do so until a later date. Until then, I can observe him and send back data on the ship as well as the crew and…'equipment.'" She explained.

"What do you mean by that?"

"The four pilots, they are classified as nothing more than equipment. I believe that this is confirmation of our worst fears. The Earth Alliance has created super-soldiers, and not Coordinators…" her voice trailed off.

"Oh…no…You can't be serious. They didn't!" her contact exclaimed.

"They did. They have created the one thing that you have feared would exist. The Earth Alliance has created the rumored-to-exist Extended."

Her contact just slumped back in her seat. "Then our work was all for nothing…"

"Not necessarily." Ensign Lockhart replied. "If I can get data on the four pilots as well as the medical records used to treat them, then we can try and create a method of reversing what the Earth Alliance has done to them."

Her contact looked at her. "Are you sure you can do that?"

"Yes, I am."

"Then we will have a new project to take on. And about time too. There has been a breakthrough."

That got the ensign. "What?" She leaned forward, hands on her desk. "Are you serious?! They actually made the breakthrough we need?!"

A grin crossed her contact's face. "That and more. We can use them once again."

She fell back, a small laugh escaping her. "Finally! It's about time we regained use of those things!"

"Well, I had best go for now. Update me when you get the chance next."

"Understood."


Washington D.C.

President Hilson looked out at the sky above the White House. She could only imagine what the world would be like if Blue Cosmos had never come about, and if Logos had never existed.

The blue sky seemed so peaceful, and yet it could change at any minute. Just like the human race could. And yet, it seemed so possible to create a truly perfect society if one acted right or made the right decisions, etc.

People walking hand in hand, regardless of genetic type. People living together without hatred for the other genetic classification. Children running about together, never knowing hatred for any reason. No one lashing out at anyone because they are inferior, etc.

The United States, her home, was often called the Coordinator's paradise due to their acceptance of them, but even then it was not a true paradise. There were still issues of acceptance, and issues of trust. Hence why they refused to become true allies of the PLANTs.

Looking back at her first predecessor on the Oval Office wall, she walked over. Reaching out to touch the painting of George Washington, the president wondered how he would react to the world around him in the present era. "What would you do?" she murmured.

The U.S. president walked back to the window, often wondering how she would be able to bring about a true paradise for everyone. It just seemed to not be possible. Sighing, she put her head down on her hands, watching the birds flit by.

But, unknown to her, the answer was right above her, and the world altogether.


Unknown location

Several NAZAFT officers entered a cavern of a meteoroid which was expected to hit the Earth in a few weeks. They had detected strange energy readings from it and were investigating to make sure it was nothing bad.

They drifted through the small cave before a massive opening was spotted. Light shone through, and as they entered the opening, it was revealed to be a hallway. The NAZAFT soldiers moved through the hallway, peeking in the doorways they went by. Awe was on their faces, but when they reached the main room, shock struck them hard.

Before them was a massive computer. The huge screen glowed as countless streams of data flowed over it. The numbers moved so fast that only the Coordinators of the group could see them, and even then it was a strain on their eyes. A form walked up to the computer's keyboard, which was locked to even them.

"What is this place?" a female Natural asked as she looked around the massive room. "It seems to be too advanced to be human technology."

"Well, according to the records that were found, this all is human tech, just much more advanced than even today's technology." A male Coordinator replied as he walked over to the screen. "That something like this could exist…even I am impressed."

"Try telling that to the president. She was the one who authorized us to come here." The female Natural shot back. "Besides, we need to get data on this place before anyone is allowed to come here."

"Yeah, yeah. I get it." The male Coordinator replied. He walked back over to the small group, which was now busy gathering information on the massive computer in any way that they could.

As they gathered up data, the massive screens began to change, showing an old man wearing a purple suit, with a cane, sitting in a plush library. The small group looked up in shock.

"To those who have found this place, I had hoped that the world would become a much more peaceful place with the actions of Celestial Being. But if this message is being played, then Celestial Being has fallen, and the future of the human race lies in the hands of the United States. I had hoped to never have the world's future rely on a single nation, or a nation at all, but if Celestial Being has indeed fallen, then my plan's first phase has failed."

Everyone in the massive room looked at the man before them on screen.

"The second phase of my goal lies with the United States and its ideals. Only then, can the world experience true peace. The quantum supercomputer Veda will guide the President and the citizens of the United States to the future that all of humanity wants. Petty hatred over race, religious strife and subjugation into a single faith, territorial conflicts, monetary gain; all of these things must be eliminated from the human race if it is to survive in the future. The Mobile Weapons known as Gundams must be used to bring this about."

The man's words seemed to affect everyone there, even the President, who was listening in from her office on Washington D.C.

"To fight to end war…it seemed like a good idea at the time, but it failed if Celestial Being has fallen. The second phase has no set plan in place like the first phase did. It is dependent on how the United States can react to each situation that comes up. If the right decisions are made, then the world can truly begin to understand peace. But how the leaders react is what will either lead to the salvation of the human race, or the end of it. Normally I would never do such a thing, relying on the leaders to make the right decisions like this, but I have no choice left. This is the last chance the human race has…I just hope that it was not all in vain. If it was, then I was a fool, and a stupid one at that."

The message cut out, leaving several stunned human forms in the Veda chamber as it was now known. "Wow…" the leader murmured.

Everyone there nodded in shock, but decided to move on with their mission.


Washington D.C.

President Hilson sat in the Oval Office, going over the message she had heard over the com-line to her office. She had her hands in front of her mouth, folded no less. There was a calculating look in her eyes as she reflected on what the message had said.

'That man…there's no doubt about it. It is Aeolia Schenberg himself. But why is the most brilliant man to have ever lived trying to unite the human race? And why is he doing it for peace?' she wondered as she looked at the image of George Washington. 'And why is he, of all people, relying on a single nation to try and bring about his goals? Specifically, why the United States of all nations? Is there something about us that makes us the ideal nation to carry on his goals? And if there is, what is it that led to him placing such a burden on us?'

Closing her eyes, the president reflected on why she was even in the office of President. It had been because of her predecessor getting killed by a Blue Cosmos member. She had agreed to take the oath of office, if only to prevent the nation from losing its leadership that had kept it going for almost five hundred years. And now it was her turn

Looking back on it, she knew that the she had made the right decision by doing so. If she hadn't, things would have gone downhill fast. President Hilson opened her eyes and stood up, walking over to the massive windows behind her desk.

The sun shone through, revealing the White House lawn where children were allowed to play as long as there was no threat to the president herself. Natural and Coordinator children ran around, playing like they had been doing so for generations. 'Fighting to unite the human race… If the second phase had been implemented earlier, then the human race would have been dead. But now, the human race is on its way to peace, and Logos/Blue Cosmos is the last obstacle in the way of that, even if they want to deny it.'

"Humanity will be at peace soon." she murmured, almost as if reassuring Schenberg that his wish was almost a reality.

The fact that the United States had refused to fall to the anti-Coordinator ideals was a big part in the stability that still seemed to exist. Add to that the fact that the Reconstruction War had been averted due to their power and influence, and another big part was realized. She could now see what had helped to bring about the current state of the world based on the history of the nation alone.

Still, there was a long way to go before peace was truly realized…


New Juneau

The colony was on alert as people ran to their stations. The second of the Archangel-class ships, the Dominion, was heading towards the L4 point. And given the fact that the ship was of AEU design, they had to be ready for anything, even an attack that could wipe them out should the ship turn towards the PLANTs.

The ship did not make a move to head towards the PLANTs, but the colony was still on high alert and given the situation, they had good reason to be on high alert too.

But the Dominion went on its way, and so the colony was safe, for the time being…

The NAZAFT commander looked over as the ship made its way past the colony. "So, the Earth Forces have another Archangel-class eh? Well, the newer a ship is does not really make a difference. It is the crew that makes all the difference. A ship with a crew that knows it well can defeat a crew that has much better technology given the right circumstances, after all."

She smiled at the recollection. It was true in so many ways.

The smile then gave way to a frown as the commander recalled what she had been told recently. 'Blue Cosmos could care less about Naturals actually winning. All they want to see is the destruction of all Coordinators. That alone is what is disturbing, even more so than the news about the United Nations.'

She knew that the group could only go so far before even the UN got involved however, and yet she had no idea of how far they would have to go before the UN got involved again. That was the one factor that she did not know.

And all it took for this to happen was one man's secret…

"Just how far will humanity have to go before peace is finally realized?" she wondered aloud.

The answers never came…


NASA Missile Silos

The crews were working on installing the newly termed N-Jammer Cancellers on the old missile warheads that were still not attached fully.

They had at last found a way around the N-Jammers themselves. Of course, they were unaware that ZAFT had done the same thing, but under a different purpose.

Still, the fact that they had done so without either group knowing of it was a feat in itself, and one that they would celebrate once the war was over.

"Can you believe that we finally achieved the impossible?" A scientist asked as she watched an engineer install the device.

"Nope. But here we are, installing one of these babies on our missiles, getting them back online. Hard to believe, but it is real." The engineer replied as he hooked it up to the missile's control systems.

Another worker walked by, a smirk on his face as well. "Now we can show the Earth Forces crazies that we are not some powerless nation like the rest of them are."

"Hey, don't say that about the Earth Forces. They are fighting well, considering the fact that they do not have nuclear power." The scientist chided him.

The worker just smirked back at her before leaving. The scientist just shook her head. "Man…that guy…"

"Hey, he's right though. If we didn't have such things, then we would have been considered useless allies by the PLANTs." The engineer replied.

The scientist laughed. "Yeah, I guess you're right." She then looked back at the missiles behind her. "Still, the Earth Forces would be more than willing to attack ZAFT if they had gotten to the N-Jammer Canceller first."

"Hey, that could change you know." The engineer replied as he closed up the missile he was working on.

"True, but if it does happen, then we will be able to react as well." She reminded him.

The man just laughed at her comment. "Yeah, and they will regret it big time!"

Both laughed before looking back at the stockpile they were still working on.

"We have a deadline, and it is coming soon. If we can't complete the project, then we will have only a limited amount of missiles for defense." The engineer said.

"Yeah, but we can do it. If we found the way around the N-Jammers, then we can do this no problem." The scientist replied.

The man nodded, hoping that it would be enough to deter another war.


Archangel

Liz looked over in the hanger, trying to find Heero Yuy. Glancing over at Wing Zero, she could see the cockpit open. Inside was a form she knew had to be Heero Yuy. No one else was allowed in Wing Zero.

"Hey! Heero!"

Heero looked up as Liz drifted up to him. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to get back home, so I can return if need be." He replied.

Liz looked in the cockpit, only to see the simulation running. "Really? What does Zero say about your chances?"

"So far, they are getting slimmer each time I run the simulation." Heero said flatly as he ran his hand over the keyboard with the speed of a Coordinator.

"What are they as of right now?"

"10% and getting slimmer." Heero replied. He seemed to have a weary tone to his voice, but it was hard to determine if it was just that.

Liz looked back at him, still unable to get used to the fact that he was about the same age as her brother. His eyes held the look of an experienced soldier, and yet he was as young as they were. Heero was also a Natural, another thing that made him the odd one out. The only Natural capable of beating a Coordinator in combat.

"So…you are trying to get home even when you were nearly married against your will? Why?"

Heero looked over the readouts for Wing Zero, but replied anyway. "I have no future there, and I was nearly married against my will. But I want to get back home so I can be with those who are my comrades. Still, the chances of that are very slim, and if I did have that chance, I would turn it down."

Liz just shook her head. "If it is because you are the only Natural who can pilot a Gundam, then that is bad reason to try and go back to a life you did not want. Here, we do not care if you are a Natural or not. All that matters is your skills, and that you have in abundance. Do not forget that, Heero Yuy." She said before she drifted away from Wing Zero's cockpit.

Heero looked back at her, her words echoing in his mind. He knew that she was right, so he would have to just get used to his new home.

For the first time, a weight seemed to be lifted off of his chest. A small smile crept over his face as he watched Liz leave the hanger. "Thank you…"

Maybe this place wasn't so bad after all…


The battles take on a lull while everyone recovers slowly. The Dominion gets new pilots while new possibilities come around. And what of this new announcement to the United States? What awaits now? Read on to find out! :3 Flames, AKA, hate filled/spamming reviews, will be deleted AND/OR reported depending on if they are signed or not. Anyway, read and review! ^^