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: Trust me, NASA WILL expose LOGOs/Blue Cosmos soon enough. Just keep reading to see when, because it happens in the next arc. ;)

Titanic X: Glad you like it. :)

A0930: Celestial Being was in Gundam 00, but in this story, the group was disbanded due to conflict between them and another group. And you will see what happens as the story goes on. :) Your reviews are good to read. They make my day~! :3

nbj - Inconsistently named guest: PLEASE use the same 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.

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Phase Thirty: Spiral of Encounters

The Dominion

Near the Mendel Colony

Natarle sat in her command chair, completely focused on what was coming. She glanced out the bridge windows at the Dominion's escorts. Two Agememnon-class warships. The Washington and the Luther. Even with the two additional warships, Natarle knew this was going to be a difficult battle. She won't admit it to anyone, but she did not want to go after the Archangel. She'd rather that Azrael's information turn out to be false.

"Captain. Detecting one Archangel-class, one Izumo-class, six Nazca-class, and one unknown within the harbor."

"Wow. You would have guessed that they would have gathered so many allies in such a short time." Azrael commented.

"Bring the ship to Level One Battlestations." Natarle ordered. "Inform the Luther and the Washington to do the same. But do not fire until I give the order. Bring us to harbor."


The Archangel

"Captain! Two Agememnon-class warships and one unknown approaching!" Sai said.

"Bring the ship to Level One Battestations!" Murrue ordered. "Do we have a visual yet?"

"Yes ma'am." Sai replied, putting the image of the main screen.

To everyone's surprise, the lead vessel was the Archangel. Or rather, a second ship of the Archangel class. Aside from a darker color scheme and a slightly altered radar arrays, it was identical to the Archangel. But that wasn't the only surprise.

"This is the Earth Alliance Archangel-Class Assault Ship, the Dominion." a familiar voice said over the comm. "Archangel, can you hear me?"

Those that had served on the Archangel before JOSH-A were all stunned. They all knew that voice.

"Your ship has been listed as a rebel ship and we therefore demand your immediate and unconditional surrender. Should you fail to abide by these orders, we will have no choice but to destroy your ship." Natarle Badgiruel said as her face appeared on the main screen. "It's been a while, Captain Ramius."

"Yes. Yes it has." Murrue replied.

"I regret that we have to meet again under these circumstances."

"Same here."

"I heard about what went on in Alaska. However, I strongly suggest that you surrender and talk things over with Military Command." Natarle said. "I don't know what help I can be, but I'll do everything I can to assist you. I know you're well aware of what this ship is capable of doing."

"Natarle. Thank you, but we cannot do that. This isn't only about what happened at Alaska, or even what happened to ORB." Murrue answered. "We have serious doubts of the entire Earth Alliance as a whole. Therefore, there will be no surrender and no return to the military."

"If the Earth Alliance is willing to nearly wipe out a NASA base, then why should we trust that they will not kill us Coordinators just for even existing, huh?!" Tao demanded angrily.

"Oh, this is so amusing." Azrael spoke up, clapping his hands. "You should be embarrassed, Miss Captain. If we could solve everything by talking, there would be no conflict in this world. Enemies are made through misunderstandings. Once that happens, all that can be done is to shoot them before they shoot you."

"Director Azrael." Natarle said, trying to protest his intrusion.

"Misunderstandings? Yeah right! You would sooner kill all of us Coordinators working here than reach and understanding!" Tao snapped back.

Everyone on the Archangel's bridge fell silent for a moment.

"Isn't Azrael the name of…?" Miriallia asked.

Murrue's eyes narrowed. "Yes, the leader of Blue Cosmos."


Inside the cockpit of the Exia, Chris tightened his grip on the Exia's controls as he watched things unfold on his screens. The leader of that damned organization was here. The monster responsible for the Bloody Valentine was here.

'Focus. Focus dammit. Now is not the time for revenge. Stay focused and keep everyone alive.'


"Launch the Calamity, the Forbidden, the Massacre and the Raider." Azrael ordered. "Today we're sinking the unsinkable Archangel."

Natarle cut the channel. There was no other option now. "Tell the Luther and the Washington to deploy all mobile suits. Open the port catapult for the mobile suits. Target the Harbor with the starboard Lohengrin!" she ordered.

As the Dominion's mobile suits prepared to launch, its Lohengrin fired. The large beam streaked out and impacted the side of the colony harbor. Debris crashed onto the ships inside. "Status report." Murrue ordered.

"The ship's fine, ma'am. No real damage." Chandra replied.

Murrue opened the comm to the rest of the ships. "Is everyone else alright?"

"We're fine." Kisaka replied.

"We're fine as well." Waltfeld said. "But the Eternal isn't combat ready yet. We're gonna have to sit this one out."

"The Odin is good to go. But both the Valkyrie and the Einherjar are trapped by debris from the shot. They need some time before they can get out." John added. "The Archangel and the Kusanagi should engage the Dominion and its escorts directly."

"What about the Odin?"

John grinned. "Don't worry. I got something special cooked up."

"The 7th Fleet is ready to engage the enemy. We can attack from the rear using our ships to provide a distraction." Tao replied as she looked back at the captain from her ships.

Murrue nodded. "Very well, then. We'll deploy and engage them. Launch the Archangel!"

As the Archangel maneuvered out of the harbor, another thought came to mind as she glanced at the debris outside. "Keep an eye for debris. The metapolymer tether lines out there are especially hazardous."

A moment later, the Freedom, the Exia, Wing Zero, and Justice both launched and immediately went after the four closest enemy units.

"Athrun, it's those guys again. The ones we fought at ORB." Kira said as they sped towards the four incoming enemy machines.

"Yeah, I see them."

At the same time, the Kusanagi slowly moved from its mooring to join the battle. "Accelerate to full speed once we're outside." Cagalli ordered. "We'll cover the Archangel's port flank."

"Roger that."

The Odin slipped out just behind it. But instead of going to engage the Earth Alliance ships, it seemingly pulled away from the battle.

"Captain! One of the Nazca-class warships appears to be fleeing the area as do the other Nazca-class ships."

"What?"

Azrael chuckled. "I guess not all of their allies are as brave as them."

Natarle didn't say anything. It was unlikely that they were fleeing. They were no doubt trying to hide and ambush them. But if they defeated the Archangel and the other ship before they were in position, it would be meaningless.


The four Biological CPUs saw their primary targets right away. As much as they wanted to just demolish them, they had to remember their orders. If they failed, they feared they'd be subjected to the punishment again.

"Remember they want these things intact." Orga said.

"Well, you think they'd be satisfied with just one?" Clotho asked.

"They better." Martin said. "Cause I don't think I can stop myself from killing one of them!"

Attacking first, the Calamity fired every weapon it possessed. Various energy beams streaked through space, forcing the Freedom and Justice to stop and dodge the shots. The Massacre opened fire on the pair, forcing them the pair to separate. The Forbidden and the Raider attacked, Shani, swinging his scythe at the Freedom while Clotho fired the Raider's hammer at the Justice.

Seeds shattered in both of their minds. Kira pulled back at the last second, avoiding the attack. Athrun blocked the hammer with his shield. The force pushed the Justice back, but spared it any damage. But pilots knew this was going to be a tough battle.

Heero then opened fire on the Calamity, forcing Orga to dodge the golden beam that lanced forth from the Twin Buster Rifle. It was not going to be easy, Heero knew, but he had to defend the ship the best he could.

Orga opened fire with all of its weapons, but Heero, having immersed himself in the Zero System, was able to see where the shots were going and dodged accordingly. The beams sped by Wing Zero as Heero made his way into the center of the attack. Orga then slammed into Wing Zero's shield, forcing the Gundam back. Igniting Wing Zero's powerful engines to full, Heero was able to overcome the thruster power of the Calamity and force the other machine back towards the battle zone.

"No way! How can this guy have so much power?!" Orga exclaimed as he tried to overcome the power of Wing Zero's thrusters. It was no use though, as the Calamity's engines could barely reach the maximum thrust of Wing Zero's engines.


As the Kusanagi prepared to enter the battle, Cagalli quickly surveyed the area to see where the ship needed to go first. The Archangel and its forces already were taking on the Dominion, so that left only the two Agememnon-class warships to contend with.

"Engage the closest Agamemnon-class first." Cagalli ordered. "Aim for its engines."

But suddenly the entire ship jerked to a complete halt, as though it collided with an invisible wall. Everyone on the bridge was nearly thrown around.

"What happened?"

"Sir, we've been snared by some kind of cable! It's wrapped around the port engine section!" the helmsman answered.

"Break free!"

"We can't, we're already at maximum thrust!"

Kisaka growled in frustration. The Kusanagi would be a sitting duck until it got freed. "Asagi! Get out there and cut whatever's trapping the ship!"

"Roger."

Asagi quickly left the Kusanagi, seeking to find where the ship was entangled and get it free. She only hoped that she had enough time.

Back on the Dominion, Natarle took notice of the Kusanagi's plight. She opened a channel to the Washington and the Luther. "Captain Leon, Captain Walters, the Izumo-class seems to be incapacitated for moment. Concentrate your forces and firepower on the Archangel. We need to take them out it before the ORB ship can free itself."

"Roger."

"Ma'am."

The Strike Daggers of all headed for the Archangel, where they came face to face with the rest of the Archangel's mobile suits. Mu fired the Launcher Striker's Agni cannon, destroying a Dagger. "Eat this!" Liz shouted, firing her sniper rifle at another.

"Time for you to stop this pointless attack!" Nisha snarled as he fired all of the Z.A.M. Gundam's weapons at once.

Aki' flew around in the Wing, striking down the Strike Daggers with his machine's Taiyou-ko wing blades. Many were sliced in half and exploded or lost limbs to the speeding machine. Others lost weapons to him, while others lost their shields as well.

A pair of Daggers fired at the Neo Blitz, but Nicol deflected the beams and fired his pincer claw at one and shot at the other. Saul slice one in two with his swords as Dearka gunned down one with his cannons. A barrage of bullets tore through one Strike Dagger before the Exia's GN Beam Saber blades sliced another in three.

Elsewhere, Shani was ignoring their present orders concerning capturing the Freedom and the Justice and heading for the trapped Kusanagi.

"Shani, where are you going?" Clotho demanded. "Ugh, that dumbass!"

Asagi didn't need to search long before she had found the cable that had the ship immobilized. Pulling out a beam saber, she cut into the cable, melting it away layer by layer. However, due the material it was made of and its thickness, she had no idea how long it was going to take her.

Suddenly out the corner of her eye, a dark shape loomed out of nowhere. She quickly recognized it as one of the enemy Gundams from the battle back at ORB. It was right in her face, and there was no time or means to dodge or even fight back. The Forbidden reeled back its Nidhoggr scythe, ready to slice her Astray to pieces. But it was not meant to be. Something slammed into the Forbidden, sending it flying. It was the flightpack of the Justice. Athrun had come in just in enough time to save Asagi.

"Don't just sit there!" he shouted. "Hurry and get the ship loose!"

"R-right." Asagi replied, wasting no time in getting back to work.

Athrun reattached his flightpack, when a proximity alarm rang. He saw the Forbidden was returning, this time now focusing on him. Drawing one of his beam sabers, he charged forward to answer the challenge.

Simultaneously, Kira had his hands full taking on the Raider. However, the Massacre was nowhere to be seen. The enemy machine was flying circles around him, but he did what he could to take shots at it when it drifted into his sights. The Raider came to a halt, aiming its Todesblock. Kira tried to take the chance this apparent opening gave, when a second alarm rang. He looked to see the Raider's Mjolnir hammer was coming right at him full speed. He fired the Freedom's head mounted vulcans, hitting the weapon to try and slow down its momentum. It worked just barely, but it was enough. Swinging his shield, he batted away the hammer, causing it to now strike the Raider straight in its torso.

At that very moment, Martin appeared from below, firing his head mounted beam cannon at the Freedom. Kira flew out of the path of the beams, firing his own rifle back. But the Massacre dodged his shots. The Massacre fired its cannons at the Freedom. Kira evaded the beams, only to come face to face with the Raider in its mobile armor mode, its Ahura Mazda blades activated. Kira swore as he sidestepped the machine. These pilots were skilled, far more skilled than most. Kira wasn't all that sure if he could defeat more than one of these guys at a time. But Kira had no other choice. If he didn't stop these guys, they'd destroy everyone.


On the other side of Mendel, the five Nazca-class ships had arrived unseen. Along with Zane, Yzak, Saya and Shiho, Le Creuset could see the battle unfolding in front of them.

"Well, look at what we have here." the Commander said, "The curtain's been raised on this little show."

Ades looked up from his console. "The Eternal, the 7th Fleet, and the 11th Fleet are definitely there, along with two other vessels, one of which happens to be the legged ship. It seems that the Earth Forces have two Agamemnon-class, but the other is unknown right now. "

Le Creuset took a look at the console and then back out the bridge's windows. "Whatever the case, until we've a better understanding of what's going on, it'll be best if we stay out of it for now." He then rose from his seat. "However, Yzak, Zane, and I will enter the colony and gather information."

Ades was taken aback. "You're personally going, sir?"

The Commander nodded. "I want the Noin, the Helderton, the Burton and the Heusinger to remain here. If all goes well, we can easily bring a number of matters to a close. Now, get my GuAIZ ready."

"Yes, sir."


Mu suddenly felt a familiar feeling race up his spine. A feeling he hadn't felt since Alaska. And he knew exactly what the cause of it was. Creuset was here. Mu turned around and headed back towards the colony, flying past the Exia, the Buster, the Neo Blitz and the Surge.

"Hey, Pops!" Dearka called out. "Where are you going?"

"Watch it with the Pops!" Mu warned. "There are ZAFT forces close by!"

'Zane.' Chris thought as he turned and followed the Strike. 'The Commander was always going about how he always knew when Le Creuset was around. And if he's around, Zane's not too far.'

Dearka and his teammates were bewildered by Mu's claim. They all wondered how La Flaga could actually know if ZAFT forces were nearby. However, if he was correct and a ZAFT force had followed the Eternal, the 7th Fleet and the 11th Fleet here, then they had to take action now before they found themselves pinned between ZAFT and the Alliance. The three pilots glanced at each other for a moment before firing their thrusters and followed after the Strike and the Exia.

The five mobile suits rushed back to the Mendel harbor, passing the Eternal and the two Nazca-class vessels and deeper into the colony.


Inside Mendel

The Duel and two GuAIZ flew through the colony interior. Rau smirked as they traveled. Everything thing was shaping out nicely. He now had the means to supply Azrael with the data he had obtained from his contacts in Aprilius One.

Though he would slightly miss the girl…It had been a long time since he indulged in such things, and he found it amusing how she always resisted and fought. Of course, had she stop fighting, he probably would have gotten tired of her and stopped.

Rau smirked. Soon her real purpose would be fulfilled. The final door will open, and at here of all places. It was certainly poetic. Mankind's end would begin here, the place that symbolizes Mankind's desires. Mankind's greed. Mankind's true self.

Suddenly, the Strike, the Exia, the Buster, the Surge and a machine that looked like the Blitz entered the hanger.

"The Buster and the Surge! Those bastards!" Yzak shouted. "They're not gonna get away with using their machines like that!"

The Duel sped off towards the two machines in question and the Neo Blitz. Zane turned his attention to the Exia. "It's been awhile Chris. I see you got a new machine as well." Zane said, firing his beam rifle on the Exia. "But this is no GINN. You aren't gonna win this time!"

"Bring it on Zane. Even in a new machine, you can't beat me!" Chris replied, firing back with his GN Vulcan.

Rau turned his attention to the Strike. Then he felt it. His smirk widened. "So you're the one piloting that machine now, Mu La Flaga."

Mu fired the Agni cannon at the GuAIZ, but Rau was too fast for him. The other man was evading the shots with ease. "Damn. I think I may have chosen the wrong armament for this." Mu said as he fired off more shots.


"Die! Die! Die!" Martin cheered, firing all of his Gatling guns at the Freedom and the Justice.

At the same time, Shani wildly fired off his plasma induction cannon. Beams and bullets filled the area. Kira, Athrun, Heero, Clotho and Orga found themselves struggling to avoid getting hit.

"Martin! Shani!" an annoyed Clotho shouted as he struggled to avoid the beams.

"What are you doing, you idiots?" Orga added.

The two Extended pilots paused at that moment, giving Kira, Heero, and Athrun an opening. Kira fired his twin plasma beam cannons at the Forbidden, forcing Shani to stop and deflect the beams. At the same time, Athrun drew his sabers and lunged at the Massacre. Martin instinctively pulled his beam Gatling guns up. But that's what Athrun wanted. The sabers sliced through the gun barrels. But at that moment, Martin fired his beam cannon. But Athrun pulled the Justice's head out of the path of the beam. Heero fired on the Calamity with the Twin Buster Rifle, making Orga dodge was well.

Elsewhere, the Kusanagi was finally freed from the cable and headed to support the Archangel with its Astrays. But it wasn't the only one. Appearing out of nowhere on the Alliance battlegroups' left flank, the Farsight and the Odin's GuAIZ's emerged, firing on the three Alliance warships. Behind, the Odin emerged from behind an asteroid, adding its fire to battle. GuAIZs and Astrays gunned down Strike Daggers as the Archangel, the Odin and the Kusanagi fired at the Earth Forces warships.

The Dominion shook as several missiles impacted its hull. "Captain! ORB and ZAFT warships and mobile suits approaching! We also have identified the three Nazca-class ships as being of NAZAFT! They are behind us!"

"Oh my. It's seems they've come to the Archangel's rescue." Azrael commented.

The Kusanagi's Gottfrieds fired at the Dominion. But the ship managed to evade the beams. "We're temporarily retreating! Fire the retreat signal!" Natarle ordered.

Azrael was stunned by this. "What?"

"Right now, we're at a disadvantage." Natarle explained. "We can't win if we stay for now."

"But we had them cornered!"

"Maybe. Maybe not. The Nazca-class fled as the battle started. They weren't running, they were using all the debris around the colony to mask their presence as they moved to flank us." she answered. "Plus those four machines are starting to run low on power. If we don't retreat now, we'll be destroyed."

"So you're saying, run away today to come back and win another day?" Azrael said, a smirk forming on his face.

"Are you really that eager to die?" Natarle replied.

The Dominion fired its flares. The surviving Strike Daggers withdrew, returning to their ships. The Calamity, damaged from its fight with Wing Zero, and the Raider started to head back. "Damn. I guess our time's up." Clotho cursed.

"Yeah. It looks that way." Orga said.

But their two other teammates were less than willing to retreat. Martin was like a berserker, swinging his beam sabers at the Freedom wildly while Shani kept on firing his cannon at the Justice. But Kira and Athrun were more than able to dodge their attacks.

Clotho and Orga pulled up alongside their unbalanced teammates. "Martin, Shani! We gotta go!" Orga called out.

"Screw that! I'm not stopping until these punks are dead!" Martin cried back.

"Yeah!" Shani added.

"You idiots! We have to retreat! Do you want to feel that pain again?" Orga shot back.

Both pilots scowled. They all hated loosing. But they hated the pain more. Seeing no other option, the four Biological CPUs fled, heading for the Dominion.

With their enemies retreating, Kira and Athrun both breathed a sigh of relief, along with many of their comrades. "Kira, Heero, are you alright?" Athrun asked as he pulled alongside the Freedom.

"Yeah." Kira replied. "But those pilots... Those pilots aren't Naturals."

"If they react on such strong emotions, they will die in battle." Heero replied. "They cannot control their reactions. That is not normal for anyone, even them."


Inside Mendel

Yzak swung the Duel's saber at the Buster, but the machine dodged the saber. Yzak swore as the three mobile suits circled him but didn't actually do anything. He was getting annoyed. It was bad enough these Naturals were piloting Dearka's and Saul's machines, but he hated this cheap copy of Nicol's Blitz even more. It was an insult to his fallen comrade's memory.

"Yzak! Please! Stop this!"

Yzak froze. He couldn't have heard that voice. It was impossible. "Nicol?"

"Yes Yzak. It's me. I survived that battle and my Blitz was rebuilt." Nicol answered.

"Come on Yzak." Dearka said. "We don't want to fight you."

"Yeah Scarface. Fighting you is too much trouble." Saul added.

Yzak was completely stunned but all of this. So much so, that he didn't even notice Saul's comment.


Outside Mendel

The Justice, Wing Zero, and the Freedom arrived at the Mendel Harbor as the Archangel, the Kusanagi and the Odin entered the harbor. "How is everyone?" Kira asked.

"We're alright. But we lose contact with Mu, Chris and the others inside the colony." Murrue replied. "Mu said that ZAFT was here and they went to investigate."

"Okay. Heero and I will go and check on them. Athrun, you stay here in case the Dominion tries something." Kira said heading into the colony.


Inside Mendel

The Exia slowly walked in-between the abandoned buildings of the colony. Chris glanced back and forth. Zane had lured him into the buildings. No doubt he hoped that he would have the advantage on the ground. Maybe he did. Maybe he didn't.

"Where are you... Where are you hiding... There!"

The Exia spun around and fired as the crimson GuAIZ fired its beam rifle. The beam passed by the Exia's chest, missing him by a few, few feet. While Zane sidestepped the GN Vulcan rounds. "It seems you've improved." Zane said.

"I could say the same for you." Chris replied.

Zane chuckled. "I have you to thank for that. You've pushed me to my limits and beyond them. I had gotten lazy and my skills had dulled fighting nothing but pathetic Naturals."

"What happened to you Zane? You were never like this. You always believed in the good of people!"

"I was a fool back then. There is no good in humanity! All we do is hate, fight and kill! That is all we know how to do! That is what we are! Bigots, soldiers and killers! And soon, humanity will receive the punishment that humanity as deserved for so long!"

"What? What the hell are you talking about?"

Zane laughed. "You can only see the two warring sides. You can't see what lies beneath it all. You-"

Suddenly, the Freedom and Wing Zero appeared, both firing on the GuAIZ. But Zane dove out of the way, fleeing from the area. "Chris, are you alright?" Kira asked as he landed next to him.

Chris nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine."

"Good. We can't have you being a liability on the battlefield." Heero replied. Chris frowned at the comment, but he also knew that it was Heero's way of asking if he was alright and confirming it.

"Where're Mu and the others?"

At that moment, all three glanced up. Above them, the Strike and Rau's GuAIZ battled. Rau fired, hitting the Strike's cannon, destroying it. Mu drew his knives as Rau fired his extensional arrestors at the Strike. They tore through the Strike's right arm and left side of its waist. There was a small explosion in the Strike's cockpit, sending a shard of metal into Mu's side as the Strike fell to the ground.

Rau aimed at the Strike and was about to fire when a beam tore through his rifle. He looked up, only to see the Freedom and Wing Zero. Kira fired again, blowing off the GuAIZ's head. Then, Heero drew his sabers and sliced through its legs, sending Rau's ruined machine to the ground.

Rau swore as he climbed out of his disabled machine and fled. But Mu saw this and tried to stop him. Rau fired his sidearm at him as he passed the Strike. "What do you say we put an end to this all today?" Rau said, running towards that building.

"Dammit." Mu cursed, chasing after his masked rival. "What are you up to now Creuset?"

"Come with me!" Rau called back. "Come with me and I'll show where it all began and how it will end!"

Kira, Heero, and Chris watched the two men enter a large building. Seeing no other option, they grabbed their sidearms and left their machines, heading after them.

Mu slowly moved through the hallways, a hand on his bloody side. Creuset had disappeared within the numerous hallways of the building. "Do you know what this place is, Mu?" Le Creuset called out, his voice echoing throughout the building.

"Why would I, you psycho?" Mu replied.

He then squeezed off a couple of shots blindly in Rau's direction. Rau fired back, forcing Mu to duck for cover. Mu quickly moved once the firing stopped, running to a column.

"It's such a tragedy that you don't know!" Le Creuset shouted.

"Mu!" Kira shouted at that moment, distracting the two.

Before either man could react, Kira, Heero, and Chris fired at the ZAFT commander, forcing him to pull back from the small group.

"Kira, Heero, Chris, don't!" Mu warned as the three teens approached.

Rau was stunned by hearing the boy's man. Was that boy Kira Yamato? This made for an interesting twist. He already knew of the son of the Dantes' from Zane, but if Kira Yamato was indeed that child, than this was going to be far more interesting. "The prodigal son returns!" he called out.

Rau's words briefly confused Kira. He couldn't think about that at the moment. He, Heero, and Chris all looked out to see if the coast was clear and rushed over to where Mu was hunkered down. The trio immediately saw the wound on their senior and friend. "Mu, you're hurt." Kira said.

"A wound like that will only slow you down, which will only hamper our chances of escape." Heero said as he looked at the wound with a serious look on his face.

"It's nothing." Mu lied. "Listen, this is our chance to get this guy once and for all. Now the three of you follow me and be careful."

The four then slowly moved out, checking every corner and hallway for any sign of Le Creuset. They knew he was close, but had no idea where and he was likely lying in wait to ambush them at any moment.

"Kira! Do you remember this place Kira?!" Le Creuset called out again, "This place is where you were born!

Kira stiffened. "What is he talking about?"

Mu glanced back over his shoulder. "Don't listen to anything he says. He's trying to play mind games with us."

"Yeah. Don't lower your guard for moment Kira." Chris added.

"And you, Mr. Dante! You were born here as well!" Rau shouted.

"Yeah right, psycho!" Chris shot back. "Play your mind games with someone else!"

Heero was confused, but also on high alert. Being trained in this sort of thing, he knew that Rau was trying to scare them.

Rau's laughter echoed through the halls. Seeing no other option, they continued on until they came to a door labeled 'HUMAN GENE MANIPULATION LAB'. Pressing the switch, it slid open and they ventured inside. They moved down a dark hallway before coming into lab's interior. All around them they found large dark cylinders lined in rows. What was eeriest about them was that the power sources were fully functioning. But why would that be if the colony had been abandoned years ago?

Moving across the catwalk, they found an even more disturbing find. In front of them was a cluster of glass tubes, each containing a dead human fetus. All of them were underdeveloped and malformed. They didn't even look human. A shutter crawled up Chris's spine. He was beyond creeped out. Though he was the son of doctors, he hated hospitals. They always made him feel creeped out. But this was much, much worse.

"What the hell is this place?" Mu muttered.

"Don't know. Don't care." Chris said. "Just want to get the hell out of here as soon as possible."

"Does any of this bring back memories, Kira?" Le Creuset mocked.

Mu twisted to the side, catching movement inside a room to the left. He rushed inside, firing his weapon. He then saw a figure and a muzzle flash. The bullet tore into his arm, the pain forcing him to drop his gun.

"Mu!" Kira shouted as he, Heero, and Chris ran in, grabbing their comrade and shoving him behind a sofa. They then quickly joined him behind it as well.

Le Creuset finally emerged from the shadows and walked towards his enemies. "I won't kill just yet, not after all the trouble I went through to bring you here."

"Cut the crap, you maniac!" Mu growled, fighting back the pain of his wounds. "We're not playing your game!"

Le Creuset remained nonchalant. "I'll give the three the full story before I finish you off." He then grabbed something and threw it at them.

It clattered to the floor and slid to a stop next to Kira. Glancing over to it, he was shocked by what he saw. It was another copy of the photo Cagalli had shown him. There was no mistaking the woman in the picture or her babies.

"And he's not the only one with secrets here." Le Creuset then tossed a folder at them.

The folder fell open as it landed, scattering the photos and the files it contained. One fluttered to the middle and it quickly caught Mu's attention. The photo was of a man carrying a small boy atop his shoulders.

"That's me." He gasped, "That's me and my dad. But why is…how…?"

But that wasn't those weren't only photos that caught someone's attention. Chris's eyes were locked onto a photo as well. The picture was of a group of men and women in white lab coats. Among them were two very familiar faces.

"Mom...Dad..."

Le Creuset sneered at Heero, almost as if he had something to hide from him as well. Heero felt chills creeping up his spine as the masked man reached into his pocket. But when his hand emerged, there was nothing in it. Heero had never felt so glad that this man did not know of his past, or where he was really from.

Le Creuset smile was cruel and he laughed in wicked delight. "I'd like to tell you all a little story." he said. "One of the full extent of mankind's insatiable desires, and of the crazed fools who followed their insane dreams. All in the name of progress..."


New Juneau

The NAZAFT commander looked worriedly towards the L4 location where Mendel colony was located. She hoped that everything would be alright. Commander Le Creuset had fled there, and it was not good.

If he planned something big, it was not going to be good for anyone, Natural or Coordinator. She could only hope that whatever Le Creuset had planned was not brought about any time soon.


Dominion

Ensign Lockhart floated by the hanger where the four machines were stationed. A frown crossed her face as she recalled those four pilots. How could anyone do such a thing, turning normal human beings into only weapons and equipment, and sleep so soundly at night?

Sure enough, Director Azrael floated by him, wearing his pajamas. He looked so smug and sure of himself. So much so that he didn't even acknowledge the other Earth Forces officer beside him.

The blonde man made her growl inside as she reached for her gun, but she did not pull it out. She knew what his mission was, and it was not yet time for it to be completed.

Ensign Lockhart made her way to the medical bay, where the four pilots were being treated with medicine and other drugs. The doctors, if those madmen could be called that, were writing down notes on their status, conferring amongst themselves the conditions of the young men, whom they referred to as equipment.

It made her skin crawl, but she shook her head. She had to remain detached from everything in order to complete the mission, just like the president did in special ops all those years ago.

Making her way to her room, Ensign Lockhart opened the door and entered her space. Once the door was shut, she sat down at her computer and brought up the com-line to her contact.

"Ah, I see you are still alive." She remarked with a smirk on her face.

"For the moment. It seems that the Earth Alliance considers me to just be a normal person who hates ZAFT and all Coordinators, which is fine by me as long as they don't get any more suspicious." She replied.

"True. Still, you have only a certain amount of time to pull this off." Her contact reminded her.

Ensign Lockhart just sighed. "I know that. Anyway, regarding those pilots, I managed to get some data when they were brought in to the medical bay for treatment. I have their charts and everything else pertaining to their treatments all ready to send to you."

Her contact nodded. "Very good work. It was not easy though, was it?"

"No, it was not. I had to knock out a doctor in order to gain the charts anyway. He did not see me do it though, thankfully."

"Just be more careful from now on." Her contact reminded her. "Anyway, that data should be very helpful in the future, mainly for the reverse treatment of those pilots and others that will come after them no doubt."

"Agreed. Still, I can't believe that the Earth Forces are going this far by now."

"We have to be extra careful, mainly with how we act from now on. And in regards to that, I have some news on the N-Jammer Cancellers."

Ensign Lockhart perked up. "What sort of news?"

Her contact sighed. "The devices were flawed. They would not function for longer than ten minutes at a time. And even then, it was for only one use. We had the right idea, but we went about it the wrong way."

"So that means we don't have the nuclear capabilities we once had. Once again, we lack an effective means of defense against the Earth Forces and an effective means of protecting the PLANTs." She sighed.

Her contact nodded. "It would appear so. I just hope we can regain our old capabilities soon. We will need them in the future if the world survives this war."

Ensign Lockhart nodded. "I agree. Just keep me informed on the progress."

"Will do."

The com-line closed down. Despite the line being encrypted and linked directly with NASA, She still had to be careful. Ensign Lockhart sighed.

"When will this useless war end?"

There was no answer for the time being…


NASA missile Silos

The crew worked around the clock, removing the defective N-Jammer Cancellers they had developed. "Man, and just when we seemed to overcome our most debilitating loss of firepower, this had to happen!" an engineer exclaimed as he tossed out the smoking N-Jammer Canceller. It landed in a pile of other similar devices with a small thud.

"Just how can we get any worse than this?" the lead scientist asked as she fell back against a missile butt.

The engineer shrugged. "How am I supposed to know?"

Looking back at the stockpile, the two could see others doing the same work that they were.

"When we seem to overcome the odds, they always come back at us tenfold." A soldier muttered as he lugged by a cart of N-Jammer Cancellers. The others could not help but agree with him.

"It seems that we just can't overcome the odds like we used to." The engineer replied. "Maybe…we are losing our touch?"

The scientist smacked him upside the head. "Don't say things like that!" she shouted back. "We can't be losing our touch! We just can't! Not when the PLANTs and Earth need us!"

"I know that! I was just saying!" the man whined.

"Well don't just say that next time!" she snarled back.

Looking back at her work, the team leader returned to her duties…


Washington D.C.

President Hilson looked out the windows of the White House, wondering how the agent was doing on his mission. Of course, he was probably fine due to his new assignment and recent graduation, yet she could not help but worry. She was the country's leader after all.

"Why did you have to take on this mission?" She wondered aloud. The agent was not there to answer, but she had a good idea of what he would say if he was there. 'I can't just sit back and do nothing. I am an American, and I would gladly die for my country, not matter what the circumstances.'

'Of course you would as well.' She reminded herself. It was just like her to do such a thing.

Many people would have had her kicked out of office for doing so many dangerous things, but it seemed that she was what the nation needed. A leader who was willing to do things with her people, not just act as a regal official, was what made her so unique. Unlike other leaders, the president was willing to suffer with her nation, not remain distant from them.

And that was just the tip of the iceberg with her. Even though she was brash and inexperienced, she had the potential to be a leader. Hell, if she had even three years of experience in Washington politics, she would be a real force to be reckoned with on the international stage. But all she had was two years as president, not the ten years that most people had.

But then again, she was also an enigma to everyone she met, just the way she liked it to be. The president knew she had politics in her blood, and yet she came from a family where there were no politicians. That was the confusing thing she wanted to have hidden. Still, who was she to argue? As long as she was effective, that was all that mattered to her.

"A leader who is not afraid to speak her thoughts in a direct manner, and is more than willing to suffer with the people instead of being so distant from them…I'm really is something else…" the president murmured as she looked at her picture located on the desk of the Oval Office.

It seemed that the people of America and NASA both were beginning to warm to her. They had heard of her exploit against the two ZAFT officers, which had really thrown the country into a shock. Still, it had shown her as merely human, not as the invincible leader that she was usually made out to be, and that was what had struck home with the citizens.

They were more than willing to follow her if she was willing to suffer with them as a people, and as an individual.

It made her smile knowing that the country would do anything to work by her side, and that she was more than willing to work with the people to make that happen.

With her in charge, there was little that they could not do…

President Hilson sighed, the toll of being in office beginning to close in on her. How the past presidents managed it, she had no idea.

It was all up to those who were in power now…


ORB refugee ship

The Earth Forces trailed the ship, weapons aimed and primed to fire, which they were doing.

"Damn it! We signaled that we were carrying refugees! Why are they still firing on us?!" the ORB captain snarled as he looked back at the fleet following them.

"How should I know?" his vice-captain asked.

The ship could not make any more than fifteen knots, which was not enough to outrun military vessels of comparable size. They were a suitable target, even while moving.

As the ship of refugees made its way out to more hostile waters, there seemed to be no hope for them. The Earth Forces ships were more than eager to shoot and sink them, rather than let them reach safety with their Coordinator civilian cargo.

On the lead ship of the Earth Alliance fleet, the commander grinned. "Well, I think it is time to show those Orbies that they can't escape us, no matter how hard they try, don't you?"

He looked back at his second in command who had a savage grin on his face as well. "Oh, yes Captain. I believe it is time to show them indeed."

The Earth Forces fleet prepared to fire on the civilian ship that was fleeing for its life. As the guns targeted the sides and lifeboats, it seemed to be the end.

Shinn Asuka, an ORB civilian who was on the ship, looked back in shock. The captain of the civilian refugee ship also looked back, eyes wide with terror. "Oh no…"

As the ships of the EA prepared to open fire once more, a volley of shells suddenly came out of nowhere, hitting the water between the fleet and the single ship. Looking in the direction of the shell fire, the EA captain stared in shock at the massive fleet that was heading their way. Above said fleet was the famed and infamous red and white striped flag, the blue field with white fifty plus stars on it standing out against the clear blue sky.

"No way! How did they know where we were?! I thought we hid our signals from them!" the EA force captain exclaimed.

"We did, but they still managed to track us down!" the vice-captain replied.

On the ORB ship, the captain looked stunned as well as relieved. "I can't believe it…Lord Uzumi called ahead for back-up…"

Shinn looked at the captain, surprise on his face. "Lord Attha…called for them?" he murmured as he looked back at the fleet that was now forcing the EA fleet to retreat. The stars and stripes of the flag waved proudly in the sun, making Shinn stare in awe. "Lord Attha…called NASA…"

It was a defining moment for Shinn, but also for NASA and ORB as well.


EA Fleet

The fleet retreated to ORB, which was now in ruins and under their control. "DAMN IT!" the commander shouted as he hit the wall of his room.

"Why did they of all fleets have to show up!? Damn Lord Attha! He really knows how to push our buttons!" the man snarled as he looked back at the former Attha Palace.

The fleet that had driven them off, the infamous fleet no less, just happened to be the most feared fleet around, and of NASA no less! Said fleet was also the most powerful in the Pacific Ocean! "The Combined Liberation and Retaliation Squadron…he just had to call them and get that ORB ship to safety…"

NASA was now beginning to prove to be a real thorn in the Earth Alliance's side, and a real dagger in the side to Blue Cosmos/LOGOs no less. And it did not help that they had used one of those to defend the PLANTs of all things as well!

"First NASA uses one of those to defend the PLANTs, then they drive off the invasion force sent to conquer them, now this?! They are such a NUISANCE!" the commander snarled. But the word nuisance was not really the right term to describe the alliance. They were more like an enemy, more or less.

Lord Azrael would be disappointed to hear that the Coordinator refugee ship had been escorted to safety under the feared CLRS unit, that was for sure…


United States east coast

People began to clean up the remains of the Strike Daggers that were left behind by the fleeing Earth Forces. Construction crews began to clear the roads of the remains of both Traverses and Strike Daggers, the police and fire departments removing the human remains inside both.

Bodies were lining the hospitals and roads, all in body bags to prevent exposure to the sun and elements. Ambulances moved the injured to the hospitals to be treated, where doctors would treat them, even if they were Earth Alliance.

EA soldiers who were captured feared for their lives; based on what they had seen, they had very good reason to be scared, but at the same time, their fears of being killed for simply following orders were unfounded.

Upon being treated by doctors, they were more surprised to receive basic medical care than they were at being treated by Coordinators no less. In fact, the doctors who were Coordinators did not even think about harming them or even poisoning their patients, despite what they had been told by their superiors.

It was a mild shock, but a good one as well, for it showed that even Coordinators could be caring and kind, despite the stereotype for Coordinators that had been made by the Earth Forces and Blue Cosmos.

A doctor looked over the chart of a soldier from the EA who had a broken leg and severed right arm. "Well, it appears that you're stable now." He remarked. His patient looked back at him, wariness present in her eyes.

"Are you sure that you're not going to…well…you know…take advantage of me like the higher-ups say you will…?" her voice cracked at that.

The Coordinator looked back in shock and disbelief. "Is that what they have been telling you? I can't believe this…" he sighed, shaking his head. "Do I look like I would do such a thing?"

The soldier shook her head. "No…but that is what makes it easier, right?"

"Look, I am a doctor, first and foremost. I would never even think about doing such a thing!" the doctor replied.

The female soldier began to relax somewhat, but she still was wary nonetheless. Her doctor just shook his head once more. Well, at least she had calmed somewhat, so it was a start.

The man went over to another patient, a male NASA soldier who had burns on his legs and arms from retrieving another EA officer, this time from the remains of a battle zone.

His female patient looked at him, wondering just how wrong her superiors were about Coordinators. The one treating her did not seem like the average Coordinator, and he did say that he was a doctor first and foremost…

She shook her head, wondering if what she was thinking was correct to even assume. From what she had been told, NASA Coordinators were just like any other Coordinator, all aggressive and mean towards Naturals. The higher-ups had even said that Coordinator medical professionals took advantage of their Natural patients, but from what she had seen, that assumption was all wrong.

This Coordinator truly seemed to be dedicated to his work as a medical professional, and had no other goals in mind.

A small smile crept across her face. 'Maybe…we can overcome this hatred for Coordinators one day…if NASA continues this that is…'

People were still being brought in as police officers made their way around the hospital zones to prevent Blue Cosmos members from getting inside. Three people had attempted to do so, but were currently being detained under suspicion of being Blue Cosmos members. If their claims of being NASA Armed Forces personnel checked out though, then they would be released and treated accordingly.

Still, there was tension between the NASA forces and the captured EA soldiers. And it all came down to time to see if it would fade into history…


The Dominion battles the Archangel and the rest of the Terminal fleet while Chris, Kira, Mu, and Heero follow Le Creuset into Mendel colony while Yzak faces down his former teammates. 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! ^^