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: I will have Patrick be in the next chapter regarding Mendel, which will be up next week. :)
Titanic X: Glad you like it. :)
A0930: Ah, so you have read my story before, but this is the first time you are reviewing all chapters in general. Ok. :) And no, Chris is no alien, although I can see why you would think that. XD
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Phase Thirty-Two: A Place for the Soul
The battle between the forces of the Clyne Faction and the forces of the Earth Alliance raged on. Alliance Daggers clashed with ORB Astrays and colored ZAFT GuAIZs. The Dynames impaled a Dagger through its chest with its GN Beam Saber as it fired its GN Beam Pistol at another. A Strike Dagger fired at an Astray, piercing its cockpit. The mobile suit exploded. Suddenly, a trio of beams hit it. The Dagger's rifle exploded. A beam tore through its left shoulder, severing the arm. The final beam blew its head. The Dagger pilot frantically drew his saber defensively. "Leave while you can." Lucius said as his rifle locked on the Earth machine.
The Dagger pilot didn't need to be twice, and fled the area. Elsewhere, Diana fired her arrestors at a Dagger. One grabbed its right shoulder while the other grabbed its left thigh. Diana pulled her shield in front of her and charged at the Dagger. The mobile suit fired at the Panther, but was blocked by the shield. Just before she reached the Dagger, Diana drew her beam saber and sliced through it with ease.
Some distance away, the Freedom, Wing Zero, and the Justice battled the Calamity, the Forbidden, and the Raider. The Wing and the Z.A.M. Gundam had backed off to help defend the 7th Fleet ships. Kira fired his rifle at the Calamity. But Orga dodged it and fired his Todesblock bazooka. Wing Zero flew up and shots flew past it, hitting the Forbidden's energy deflection shields. The beams bounced off and headed towards the Justice and the Raider. Both machines barely managed to dodge the shots. "Shani! What the hell are you doing?" Clotho shouted.
"Shut up!" Shani yelled back, firing his railguns at the black machine.
Clotho avoided the shots. "Bastard!"
"Knock it off!" Orga roared, wildly firing his cannons at the other mobile suits, forcing everyone to stop and dodge the shots.
From the far side of Mendel, the ZAFT forces advanced towards the battle area: eighteen GINNs, two GuAIZs, one CGUE, a CGUE DEEP Arms, the Duel and the five Nazca-class warships. But most were unaware of the escape pod traveling with the ZAFT forces.
The Archangel
"Damn." Samuel swore. "We have to withdraw before the ZAFT forces reach firing range and we become trapped."
"We'll clear an escape route for us by punching right through them." Waltfeld said. "The Eternal and the Kusanagi will clear the path. Archangel, you and the 11th Fleet need to continue dealing with the Earth Forces. The 7th will provide cover should you need it."
"But sir! That's near suicidal!" DeCosta said. "If we make a direct run towards them, then warships will be able to attack us with full force at almost point blank range."
"That's true, but should we manage to break past them, our odds of being pursued will be drastically decreased." Lacus said.
"And the ZAFT warships have spread out to make sure they ensure all of us, including the Alliance." Samuel added. "If you move fast enough, you'll be able to engage one or two of their ships before they can reform their line and overwhelm you. Strike hard. Strike fast."
Waltfeld grinned. "Yeah, it's risky, but it's our best chance. Captain Ramius?"
Murrue nodded. "Yes. We'll hold off the Dominion and its forces while you make the path."
"Lisa. Take the Valkyrie and your team, and help them punch through the ZAFT line." Diana ordered.
"Yes ma'am." Lisa said. "You heard her ladies! We're punching through the ZAFT forces!"
The Eternal, the Kusanagi and the Valkyrie started to turn towards the approaching ZAFT forces.
"Ready Gottfrieds One and Two!" Kisaka ordered as the three warships moved towards the ZAFT fleet. "Set targeting to the oncoming ZAFT vessels! All M1s are move to intercept the approaching enemy mobile suits."
The ZAFT fleet had spread out to ensure that they would ensnare all of the fighting warships. But this also meant that the Nazca-class ships were spread out. And wouldn't be able to immediately provide support to one of their own, should they become overwhelmed.
The Gottfried cannons on the Kusanagi fired, as were the Eternal's missiles and main cannon, and the Valkyrie's cannons. The shots went streaking out into space, heading for the two nearest battleships, the Vesalius and the Burton, as they fired at the three warships.
As these barrages were unleashed, a tiny object flew past the ship. Flay whimpered and held the restraints tightly. She had been adrift in outer space, but there hadn't been a battle raging around her. Even worse, someone had preprogrammed the pod and locked out the controls. So she was completely helpless.
The ZAFT forces closed in on the Eternal and Kusanagi. Mobile suits from the two sides prepared to engage one another. Though the Astrays and GuAIZs outclassed the GINNs, their pilots made up for this gap of technological power with experience and slightly larger numbers.
Yzak, Shiho and Saya moved to support their warships. Lisa fired at the Duel as it approached. Yzak sidestepped the shots and fired back. Lisa blocked the shots with her shield and fired again. Yzak blocked with his shield, when suddenly, Lisa fired her arrestors. The grapplers grabbed the Duel's shield and tore it from the machine's hand. Yzak swore as Lisa fired more shots at him. He dove down, drawing a saber in his left hand. "It's gonna take a lot more than that to beat me!" he shouted, lunging at the GuAIZ with his beam saber.
Lisa sidestepped the swing. "Your machine maybe better than mine, but a mobile suit's power doesn't always determine the outcome of a battle!" she said, igniting her shield's beam claws.
Meanwhile, Shiho and Saya were engaging a trio of Astrays. Shiho fired her thermal cannons as Asagi fired her beam rifle. Both pilots missed as they dodged the other's shots. Shiho drew her laser sword and lunged at the Astray. Asagi quickly blocked the swing with her own beam saber. The two were locked for a moment, trying to overpower the other. Then both machines pushed back. Both girls raised their weapons and charged.
Nearby, Saya battled the other two Astrays. She fired her beam rifle at the Astrays. The two M1s split apart, dodging her beams and firing back with their own. But they missed as well. Juri continued to fire as Mayura moved to attack the GuAIZ from behind. But Saya recognized this tactic. She hit her thrusters, flying upwards at maximum speed. Both ORB pilots were caught off guard by this, allowing Saya to turn and fire at her opponents. But both instinctively pulled to the side, dodging the shots.
The Archangel
The Buster, the Surge and the Neo Blitz had been resupplied and were ready to launch. The Archangel's catapults opened and the Neo Blitz was loaded onto the catapult.
"Nicol Amalfi. Neo Blitz launching."
The machine was launched. The Buster and the Surge were then loaded onto the catapults.
"Dearka Elsman. Buster, ready to launch."
"Saul Kessel. Surge takin' off."
The final two machines launched from the Archangel. "Archangel, where do you need us?" Dearka asked.
"The two Agamemnon-class ships and their mobile suits are beginning to cause problems for the Odin and the Einherjar." Miri said. "They need some back up."
"What about Kira, Heero, and Athrun?" Nicol asked.
"They're still fighting those four machines with Commander Alaric."
"Where?"
"Point Bravo 32."
Chris nodded, his machine still out on the field, heading towards their location. "I'm going to help them."
"Alright. We'll help out the 11th Fleet." Dearka said as he and his teammates headed for the Odin and the Einherjar.
"DIE!" Martin cheered, firing his remaining missiles and Gatling guns at the debris in front of him.
The debris exploded. The Farsight braced itself as debris and a few missiles impacted it, knocking the machine. "I found you!" Martin shouted, firing at the Farsight.
John dove out of his firing path, firing his beam pistol and sniper rifle at the Massacre. At that moment, the low power alarm went off. John scowled. "Damn. Looks like playtime is over."
Martin grabbed his left beam saber and charged at the Farsight. But as the Massacre was halfway there, a pair of GN Vulcan rounds sped towards its path. Martin stopped the Massacre and the rounds missed him by a few feet.
"Well, you're not my doppleganger, but you'll do." Chris said before firing at the mobile suit.
"Pest! Die!" Martin roared, firing at the Exia.
"Whoa..." Chris said, pulling a series of quick evasive maneuvers. "You alright John?"
"Yeah but I'm low on power."
"Pull back. I'll keep him company."
John nodded his head. "Kira, Heero, and Athrun are nearby, battling the others. Regroup with them."
The Farsight turned and started to leave. "No! You're not leaving yet!" Martin pouted, heading after it.
Chris drew a saber and lunged at the Massacre. Martin spun around and blocked with his own saber. "You gotta go through me first." Chris said.
The Dominion
"Captain! ZAFT lifepod approaching. It's broadcasting a distress signal." the radar controller said.
Natarle was bewildered by the move. Was this that prisoner the ZAFT Commander spoke of? "What are they thinking, launching a pod like this without waiting for any sort of reply?"
Azrael smirked with enjoyment. "That's a vexing question. Do they want us to recover it, or perhaps destroy it?" he said, "If this is some kind of trap, it's an odd one. So what should we do?"
Natarle didn't answer, as her ship rocked from the impact of enemy fire from the Archangel. The lifepod had to wait for now.
Simultaneously, the Luther and the Washington, and their mobile suits battled the 11th Fleet and their 7th Fleet allies. Both Agamemnon-class warships fired at the Odin with their cannon. "Evasive maneuvers!" Captain Lee shouted.
The Odin pulled to the left, evading most of the beams. But two beams grazed the right side of the warship, cutting two long gashes along the ship's hull.
"Captain! Atmosphere venting in subsections 36 through 39!"
"Seal off those compartments!" Lee ordered. "Target the nearest Agamemnon and fire! And what the hell are the mobile suits doing out there?"
The Odin fired at the Luther, but it managed to evade the twin beams from its cannon.
Akira, who was in the Wing, flew around the Strike Daggers, slicing one in half before he pulled back, firing on another Dagger with his beam rifle. The shot hit the leg of the Dagger, making the limb fly off in space.
Nearby, the Surge sliced a Strike Dagger in two. The Buster fired its gun launcher at another Dagger, destroying it. But more Daggers approached. "Damn. All they seem to do is crank more of these tin cans out." Dearka said, firing off his missiles.
Nisha unleashed several missiles from the Z.A.M. Gundam, hitting a squadron of Daggers and wiping them out in a series of explosions.
The Dynames was sniping from not too far away, about a mile out. Several Daggers blew up, seven shots for seven machines.
The Neo Blitz appeared out of nowhere, igniting its beam saber and slicing through a Dagger from behind. "Come on." Nicol said. "The Odin needs some help."
Saul chuckled. "Saving my sister's flag. I'm gonna enjoy this."
The trio headed the Luther, the closer of the two Alliance warships, dodging fire from Daggers and the warship's vulcans. Saul struck first, skimming across the top of the ship's hull. He targeted the several of the Luther's vulcans and fired, destroying a number of the ship's anti-mobile suit guns. Nicol followed, going after the main cannons of the ship and fired his beam rifle. The cannons exploded. As this happened, Dearka moved towards the rear of the warship. His target was the Luther's engines. He combined his gun launcher with his high-energy rifle and fired. His shots hit the engines, heavily damaging them and crippling the warship's ability to move.
"They've weakened the ship! Fire!" Lee ordered.
The Odin's beam cannons fired. The beams tore the Luther's nose, penetrating deep into the ship. The Luther stood there for a moment before explosions ripped through the ship's hull, destroying it.
Almost on the other side of the battlefield, the Freedom, Wing Zero, and the Justice were still caught in the firefight with the other three enemy mobile suits. Seeds had shattered in Athrun's and Kira's minds, but even that didn't seem to be enough to give them the edge over the Calamity, the Forbidden and the Raider. Heero however, did have the advantage thanks to the Zero System.
The Forbidden fired its cannon. Kira and Athrun barely managed to evade the onslaught of curving beams. "Terminate!" Clotho shouted, throwing his spherical breaker at the trio.
Kira blocked the weapon with his shield and fired at the black machine. But Clotho dove out of the way. The Calamity fired its cannons at the Justice. Athrun sidestepped Orga's shots and threw one of his beam boomerangs. Orga dodged the weapon. Heero fired the Twin Buster Rifle on the Forbidden, Shani dodging the shots, if just barely. Then again, the shot had not been at full anyway…
Suddenly, a barrage of beams tore through the area, narrowly missing the Calamity. Everyone stopped and turned to the source. The Exia, brandishing its GN Blades, flew towards them. The Massacre was right behind it, firing wildly.
"Martin! What the hell?" Orga shouted. "Are you trying to kill me, you lunatic?"
"Yeah!" Clotho added. "And that copycat is mine!"
Chris shook his head. "Not this again." he said, taking out the GN Vulcan and then firing at the Raider. "I'm the original. You're the copy."
The Raider immediately took off after the Exia, dodging its shots. "Shut up! I'm gonna tear you apart!"
The Dominion
"Captain Badgiruel, the Luther had been sunk and we've lost fifty-percent of our Strike Daggers."
Natarle couldn't believe it. With the loss of the Luther and half of their Strike Daggers, they wouldn't be able to stay in the battle much longer, especially with the incoming ZAFT forces. Just then, a scream of static turned her attention over to communications. "What is that?"
"It's the signal from the lifepod, ma'am. It's being broadcasted over an international rescue channel." The operator answered. "Shall I clear it up ma'am?"
"Yes."
Static faded somewhat as the voice started to come through. "Archangel...ese help me..."
Natarle gasped. She knew that voice.
The Archangel
The same message was heard over the communication lines of the Archangel. It was hard to believe, but the voice was very familiar. They all knew who it was.
Miriallia glanced over her shoulder. "Sai, isn't that-"
"Yes." he said. "It's Flay."
The bridge crew was surprised to hear her voice. They couldn't help but wonder where she had been all this time and how she ended up inside a ZAFT lifepod.
"Who is that?" Azrael asked. "What's this all about?"
"It's Flay Allster." Natarle explained. "The daughter of the late Vice Foreign Minister George Allster."
Azrael raised an eyebrow "Are you serious?"
Before she could say more, Flay continued her calls. "Please! That man gave me the key!" she yelled, her voice filled with fear. "The key to end the war!"
Everyone was baffled by her words. Certainly it was enigmatic, but the Dominion's captain wasn't about to stand back and wait for any more developments.
"Get me the Calamity!" Natarle ordered. "Have Ensign Sabnak retrieve that pod immediately!"
Elsewhere, the Exia pulled away from the battle, its GN Drive propelling it at high speed. "Hold on Flay. I'm coming." Chris said as he flew for the pod.
But at the same time, the Calamity broke off its attack and headed for the pod. Kira, Heero, and Athrun saw this, but were unable to help because of their ongoing battle with the rest of the Extended. Chris reached the pod first. "I got you Flay!" Chris shouted, reaching for the pod.
For the first time in a long time, Flay felt truly happy. "Chris!" she shouted in joy. His machine was different, but as long as it was Chris in that cockpit, she could care less.
But Chris hadn't realized that the Raider was still chasing after him. "No you don't, copycat!" Clotho shouted, firing his hammer at the Exia.
"Chris! Behind you!" Flay shouted.
But it was already too late.
The hammer hit its target, tearing through the Exia's left side. There was an explosion in the cockpit. A piece of shrapnel impaled his left bicep as a smaller piece smashed through his helmet's visor, cutting into the left side of his face. Chris screamed in pain, clutching his bloody face. At that moment, the Calamity picked up the pod.
"FLAY!" Chris screamed as the Calamity flew off with the pod while a seed shattered in his mind.
"CHRIS!" Flay screamed as she helplessly watched the Exia slip further and further away.
Ignoring the pain of his injuries, Chris roared as he chased after the Calamity. But the Raider and Massacre fired on him, forcing him to dodge their shots, but he continued on after them. The Raider threw its hammer at him again. But he turned and sliced through it with one of his sabers. Chris turned and pursued the Calamity. Fortunately, the Exia was faster than the Calamity. He caught up to the machine and grabbed its back.
"What the hell? Get the hell off me!" Orga shouted, trying to shake him off.
"Let go of her!" Chris yelled back, trying to pry the pod from the Calamity's fingers.
"No! Someone get this punk off me!"
The Raider, in its mobile armor mode, appeared. It ignited its Ahura Mazda sabers, heading for the two. Chris saw him coming. He had no choice. If he stayed on the Calamity, the Raider would cut through him and likely into the Calamity. It would destroy both machines, and Flay's pod in the process. He had to let go.
He released the Calamity, spun and fired at the Raider. Forcing Clotho to stop and evaded the shots. The Raider transformed back and fired. Chris dodged, but his vision briefly blurred. His wounds were beginning to affect him. But he couldn't stop now. He had to save Flay.
Clotho fired his railgun again. Chris sidestepped the shots. But this time, he wasn't fast enough. A round grazed the Exia's right leg. Suddenly, a barrage of beams flew past the Raider. The Freedom approached the pair.
"Chris! Fall back! There's nothing you can do!" Kira shouted as he pulled alongside the Exia.
But he couldn't go back yet. He had to save her. Chris turned to chase after the Calamity when Kira grabbed the Exia's arm, stopping him from. "Let me go dammit!" Chris shouted. "We have to save her!"
But the Calamity was already nearing the Dominion. It was too late.
"Get back to the Archangel." Kira said. "Ms. Badgiruel is the captain of that ship. She won't let anything happen to her."
Chris gritted his teeth. 'He's right. But...' He sighed. 'I never should have let her go at JOSH-A. None of this would have happened.'
"Chris?"
"Yeah yeah. I'm going." he replied, heading for the Archangel.
The Archangel
"Ma'am. The Exia's been damaged and is returning." Miri said. "They couldn't rescue Flay in time."
Murrue grimaced. They couldn't do anything for Flay now. But at least with Natarle as the captain of that ship, Flay would be safe aboard the Dominion.
"Captain Ramius." Commander Waltfeld said. "We're about to make our move."
She nodded. "Understood. Fire the signal flare. Recall all mobile suits." she ordered. "Bring us to the Eternal's position."
Upon her command, flares shot out and exploded in brilliant lights. The remaining mobile suit pilots all saw the flares and started their return their respective ships.
The Dominion
With the pod now on board and a portion of the ZAFT forces had reached their position, Natarle knew they had to withdraw. Due to the destruction of the Luther and much of their complement of Strike Daggers, they wouldn't be able to survive a battle with the ZAFT forces. "Recall all our remaining mobile suits! Once all units have returned, we'll pull back from this sector!"
The Dominion fired its own retreat flares. And the surviving Alliance forces began their withdrawal from the battle.
The Vesalius shook as it was hit again and again by the combined fire of the Eternal, the Kusanagi and Valkyrie. Fires erupted within the ship as damage spread across the ship. Nearby, the Burton shuttered as the Valkyrie's GuAIZs fired on it, along with the 7th Fleet's guns. One GuAIZ fired at the Burton's main cannons while another fired on its engines. The cannons and the engines exploded. Leaving the ship crippled.
"The Burton's lost its main cannons and engines!"
"We've lost control of the plasma surge!"
Ades gritted his teeth as the three warships started to through the newly formed opening in the ZAFT line. The Vesalius was finished. But if this was going to be his final battle, he would at least die with some honor. "Keep on firing!" he ordered. "We need to stop them for as long as possible!"
By now, the Archangel, the Odin and the Einherjar had caught up with the rest of their forces. The Freedom, the Justice, Wing Zero, the Buster, the Surge and Neo Blitz had all taken up defense positions around the three ships. Everyone watched as the Eternal and the Kusanagi fired one final barrage at the already dying warship. As the warships and their escorts drove through the breach, Athrun, Dearka, Nicol, Aki', and Saul gave a departing salute out of respect to what had been their ship and its crew.
The Vesalius then exploded in a massive fireball.
Rau watched his flag's destruction emotionlessly. "All remaining troops, we're retreating!" he ordered. "Regroup at coordinates Delta Zero."
The loss of the Vesalius and Ades's death were of no concern to him. Once Flay handed over the disk she carried to Azrael, the last stage of his ultimate plan would be set in motion.
The Dominion
With the last of the mobile suits aboard and secured, the Dominion and the Washington took off, heading back to the Moon.
Flay, meanwhile, had been escorted to the bridge. She was nervous...No. She was scared. This ship was like the Archangel. But it wasn't. They were the Archangel's enemies, which meant she wasn't any safer here than she had been with ZAFT.
"So you're Flay Allster."
She turned to see Azrael approaching her. His eyes locked on the disk she held in her hands and grin on face. "So, is this that key you mentioned?" he asked, reaching for it.
Before she could react, Azrael plucked it from her hands. "Y...yes." she nervously answered.
"Interesting." He mused, examining the disk. "Where did you get this?"
"From a ZAFT officer named Le Creuset. He wears a mask."
Azrael's eyes lit up and his smile grew even wider. He quickly left the left the bridge, heading for his quarters.
At that moment, Natarle rose from her chair, surprising Flay. "It's good to see that you're alive, Miss Flay." She said with a slight smile. "Are you well?"
Flay, finally broke down and began to cry. Seeing this, Natarle wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders, allowing the teen to let it all out.
Ensign Lockhart watched this, noticing the small USB that was hanging from her wrist.
The Hanger
"Director Azrael congratulates you all on a job well done." the voice of one of the doctors said over the comm.
The four Extendeds were barely aware of his words. The pain of withdrawal was blocking the outside world as they flailed and screamed in agony. The cockpit hatches of their machines opened up. Standing on the catwalks was a doctor carrying four vials of the medicine that would take the pain away. The four pilots immediately unbuckled their safety restraints. They moved as quickly as they could in zero-g, tearing off their helmets. They all quickly drank up the bitter medicine.
Almost instantly, the pain shrank to a dull ache in their entire bodies. Clotho, Martin, Orga and Shani all let out a sigh of relief as they limply floated there.
The Archangel
Murrue entered the infirmary. Mu, who had been treated for his injuries, was sitting on one of the cots, an IV in his arm. He was flipping through an old photo album. She glanced at the old book. "What is that?"
"We found that inside the colony." Mu explained. "No, actually Le Creuset pretty much gave it to us."
Mu turned the page. There was a photo of Mu and his father, smiling. "The thing I remember most about my father, was that he was arrogant and unreasonable." he said in a weary tone. "He was always belittling other people. He looked down on just about everyone. He died when I was just a kid. But he still seems to haunt me."
"What do you mean?"
"As crazy as it sounds, Rau Le Creuset is clone of my father. And a failed one at that." Mu said. "He ages too quickly because of short telomeres. At this rate, he may not even last a few more years. He's a man with no past and no future, and maybe no true identity."
"So he wants to take the entire world down with him somehow?"
Mu slowly nodded. "But I won't let him do that. Even if it costs me my life, I promise I will stop him."
Murrue gently ran her fingers through his hair. "Please don't say things like that."
Mu twisted his head and saw the look in her eyes. All his anger and frustrations melted away. "I'm sorry." he said before their lips met in a kiss.
Chris walked through the corridors of the Archangel's crew quarters. A bandage was on his left cheek and his left arm was in a sling. He was lucky. The chuck of shrapnel that hit his arm just missed the bone. He'd be fine in a week or two.
But that didn't matter. He had failed to rescue Flay. She was right there. And she slipped out of his hands. He punched a wall in frustration with his right hand. He hadn't been strong enough. He had failed her.
"Blaming yourself because of what happened to Flay?"
Chris glanced over his shoulder. "She'll be safe with Badgiruel on that ship." his grandfather said, approaching him.
Chris sighed. "I know. But I had her. She was right there. And I couldn't stop them from taking her."
Samuel put a hand on his grandson's shoulder. "She'll be fine. No doubt the Dominion is heading back to Moon. She's not a soldier. They'll ship her back to Earth."
It did little to make him feel better. Suddenly, he remembered that lab. He pushed those events into the back of his mind during all the fighting. He couldn't deal with it at the time. But now...Now he needed answers.
"Inside Mendel...I learned some things. I need to know. Who were my parents really?"
The Eternal
Cagalli hurried through the corridors of the Eternal. Kira had asked her to come aboard the ship. Apparently, he had found something important in the colony. She entered the room Kira was in. Inside were Kira, Athrun, Heero, and Lacus. "Thanks for coming Cagalli." Kira said, handing her a picture frame.
She let out gasp as she held it. Her hands shook as she pulled out the photo her father had given her. They were two copies of the same picture. Where had this come from?
"Kira?"
Kira started to shudder and looked away. The memories of that place were coming back as fresh as when they happened. He was about to speak when there was a knock at the door. "I'm sorry to disturb you." Martin said from the other side of the door. "But General Dante has asked for Kira and Cagalli to come aboard the Archangel as soon as possible."
Cagalli opened the door. "We're kinda busy here. Did he say why wanted to see us?"
"Not exactly. He said he had some things he needs to tell you about what happened in Mendel."
Kira immediately perked up. He had forgotten that Creuset had revealed that Chris's parents were apparently involved in what happened there. Perhaps his grandfather could fill in the missing pieces.
"Tell him we'll be there in a little-"
"No. We'll go now." Kira said.
Cagalli turned to him. "Kira?"
"I think he can fill in some of the missing pieces behind these photos and what I found at Mendel." he answered.
Cagalli nodded. She was just as desperate for answers. "Then let's go."
"Kira, I would like to go as well." Lacus said.
This surprised Kira. "Lacus?"
"Then I guess I better go as well." Athrun added.
"I need some explanation as well. So I'll come too." Heero replied.
Azrael's Quarters
The Dominion
Azrael inserted the disk he took from Flay into his computer and opened the files. He was very eager to see what Creuset had given him. First to come up were the complete schematics of the Freedom and Justice, which was a goldmine in itself. As he had suspected, they were nuclear powered, which explained their amazing capabilities. With the information, the Advanced European Union could easily build new mobile suits that outclassed the GAT series, maybe even NASA's Traverses! But then he found an even better prize. The words 'N-JAMMER CANCELER' appeared on the screen and Azrael's eyes lit up as his lips stretched into a grin. Every piece of data needed for the device was now in front of him. Well, almost all the data anyway. Still, he laughed maniacally in triumph. Now the Earth Alliance could regain its nuclear weapons production capabilities, and throw it at the Coordinators in full force. The greatest gift of all had been dropped right in his hands.
"Perfect!" he shouted as he laughed the laugh of the mad and the dammed. "This is all too perfect!"
Ensign Lockhart drifted down to her room, the conversation with Flay Allster still fresh in her mind.
-Flashback-
"Are you sure you will get this to NASA?" Flay asked, her voice filled with fear.
The ensign just smiled and nodded. "Yes, I can. And don't worry; nothing bad will happen to you. I will see to that personally."
Flay did not seemed to be too relieved. But something told her to trust this woman, who seemed to have a calming air around her. Shaking, she held out the USB, which Ensign Lockhart took.
Looking at it, she asked the question. "What is it?"
Flay just looked down. "I was told by a ZAFT officer to get it to NASA."
"I see." With that, the woman left.
-End Flashback-
Ensign Lockhart entered her room, closing the door behind her and locking it. She then went to her computer and plugged in the USB. Staring at her right in the face was the answer to NASA's N-Jammer Canceller problem.
"No way…" She murmured as a grin crossed her face. This was NASA's answer!
Immediately, she sent the data down to Earth, where her contact would receive it.
Washington D.C.
President Hilson could only grin as the data flowed in from her contact up in orbit. This was the data that they had been waiting for! Using the email system for Washington's leadership, she brought up the contacts she had in her list and sent them the data. The N-Jammer Canceller plans and data were now theirs!
In the Pentagon, military personnel were running about, eagerly sending the data to their superiors who received the news with grins that could not be suppressed. Almost immediately, the news of obtaining the N-Jammer Canceller data was sent out to the defense contractors and builders. Now they had the advantage!
In factories around the alliance, production was beginning right away. Still, tests would be needed to confirm the data. But that they could do.
President Hilson smiled as she looked up at a certain point in orbit. "Well done, Danielle…Well done…"
The mission's secondary objective had been accomplished.
NASA Missile Silos
The techs were all cheering as the news came over the TV stations almost at once.
"Can you believe it?! We have the data! We actually have the data!" an engineer cried as he threw his hat up into the air, only for it to hit another worker on the head with an "OW!"
"Hey, if it wasn't for their quick thinking in Washington, we would have never gotten the data we now possess." A scientist reminded him.
The engineer just grinned. "Yeah, I know. But still, we actually got the data!"
His comrade just shook her head in disbelief. "That guy…"
Another worker looked up from the missile that was open. "Well, given the tech of the things, we should be able to hook it into the systems. We did, after all, install nuclear fusion based engines in these things." He remarked.
The lead military officer walked over. "That we did. If we can make these old things use nuclear-fusion reactors for engines, then installing the N-Jammer Cancellers should be no trouble at all." She said as she stopped near the team.
"When's the soonest we can start installing these things?" another worker asked.
"As soon as the first ones come out, which should be in a day at the least, three days at the most." The major replied as she looked back at the worker.
Everyone there could not help but grin in response.
Dominion
Ensign Lockhart was already talking with her contact, who was more than pleased with the results.
"Nice work, Ensign. You really outdid yourself." She praised her.
"Thank you, ma'am. But that is just the secondary objective. The primary one is still in effect, and I hope to pull it off in the next few days to say the least. If not, then in the next week." Ensign Lockhart replied.
Her contact could not help but grin. "I expect you to do so with flying colors then."
Both just laughed, despite the risk of being found out. Then her contact turned serious again. "No, seriously, I expect you to pull this off with success. If this is anything, then you can do this with no trouble."
"I know. But there is still the risk of my cover being blown, even with this success." She reminded her.
"Just do not forget that NASA is counting on you to return, not only alive and well, but successful too. If you return alive, but the mission a failure, then it is okay. You are needed as an inspiration, not just as a soldier." Her contact replied.
"That may be true, but I am still a citizen of the nation. And it is in my blood to help out when I can, even if I am the just an ensign." Ensign Lokchart remarked. "I can't just sit back and do nothing."
'Although, that may be what cost many soldiers their lives…' She thought to herself as her contact just looked at her with a confused look. Still, she let it slide.
"Just be careful and don't slip up." Her contact said before she closed the line.
"Will do…"
Washington D.C.
The president leaned back in her chair, her head in her hands. Why did she have to be so stubborn?!
"Damn it, Marie…Why did you, of all people, have to be made President of the United States?!" she groaned. There was no answer. Sitting up, President Hilson looked out the window.
She was aware of her abilities, but it was her family history that was the most interesting part about her as a person. President Hilson's real name, her birth name, was Mackenzie Samantha Allen, the last survivor of the Allen Political Family Dynasty.
During her time in college, she had been attacked by Blue Cosmos, or rather, her family had, leaving her the only survivor of the four found in and outside the house. Afterwards, she had gone into hiding as Marie Hilson, a normal college student who happened to be a victim of an explosion not too long afterwards.
Still, she often wondered why she hid herself from her past, and her family's achievements. There was no need to do so, and yet she was. President Hilson knew that it was because she did not want to be targeted by Blue Cosmos from day one.
Despite that, President Hilson had politics in her blood. That she could not deny. True, her style of speaking publicly was far from refined, but then again, the Allen Dynasty, her family, had been known to be rather blunt on a regular basis to get their point across.
If it wasn't their speaking skills that made them famous, then it was their achievements that made them well-known, most of which were in the Coordinator and Natural rights arena. That was what the Allen Dynasty was known for.
President Hilson just sighed. How could she be so unwilling to accept her family's history and embrace it? Hell, she was the last living member of the Dynasty! How could she be so stubborn like the rest of the political line?!
She just shook her head. She knew why well enough…
Pentagon
Defense Secretary John Keller looked over the data that had been sent recently from the White House. It was just the data that they needed to overcome the N-Jammers. Listed before him was the mineral that was needed to overcome the radiation among other things. And that they had in abundance within their own boundaries.
The realization then began to hit home. They had the mineral! That meant that the Earth Forces and LOGOs/Blue Cosmos would have to try and gain the mineral through trading! It was just too perfect! Now NASA had the advantage, and it was their turn to shine once more! Not only as a nation that was known for human rights defense, but also as a former superpower that had regained its once-held title.
Defense Secretary Keller smiled at the data as it scrolled across his screen. This would be their way of getting revenge on LOGOs for what they had done to Coordinators in the past and present years. Not to mention, NASA would have a position of power that no one would want to challenge, lest they face a nuclear missile attack on their cities.
That last part made him frown, as he knew that the alliance would face stigmas and angry people for their decision to use such weapons on other nations. Still, it would be better than letting the PLANTs suffer another massive loss of life. Not even the largest mass attack on the United States in its entire history could compare to the Junius Seven attack.
The mere idea of using nuclear missiles of that caliber made Keller shudder just thinking about it. The fact that NASA was willing to use such things worried him, and yet the thought of countless people dying all because of a war that was started by Blue Cosmos/LOGOs disturbed him even more, thus the justification in using such powerful weapons.
It was the only option NASA had left; otherwise they would have to rely on the PLANTs winning the war, and with Wu's faction in charge, that seemed highly unlikely at this point. Given the fact that the man wanted to wipe out ALL Naturals…And Blue Cosmos/LOGOs all Coordinators, those missiles were the only thing that would be able to end the war.
Blue Cosmos/LOGOs feared NASA, if not for their military power, then for their ability to adapt economically and produce whatever is needed for war at a high rate of output. The PLANTs respected NASA for their history and reputation in the human rights arena, but knew little of their true military and economic power due to the N-Jammer Drop and the fact that NASA had hidden their true potential in the early years of the C.E. era.
It only made sense then that NASA was also affected by the N-Jammers, but in reality, they were far from it due to using nuclear fusion reactors to power their factories among other things.
Keller looked out the window of the Pentagon office that was his to use. Military personnel were running about, trying to get data and information to the right military officers.
He frowned at the recollection of JOSH-A. The OMNI forces there had forced them to withdraw their own forces stationed there, mainly the Coordinator officers, otherwise OMNI would kill them all just for merely being different and existing. So the NASA Joint Operations Center had made the decision to recall all active-duty and on-leave Coordinator officers and soldiers just to keep them alive, but out of protest, they had also withdrawn all Natural officers and soldiers as well, leaving the Earth Forces with no form of aid from NASA.
That included taking the Traverse Gundams and data with them, so OMNI had no real defense against ZAFT when the attack had happened. And the news of the base commander being killed as he left was even more disturbing. Not to mention, the Cyclops System had been under the base as well, so the OMNI soldiers there were responsible for the loss of the base. And the group would be asked to replace it once the war was over.
It made Keller sick to think that OMNI had gone to such lengths to keep the base from ZAFT. If OMNI really wanted to keep the base out of ZAFT hands, then they could have asked NASA to take it back, but given their hatred for Coordinators, NASA would have said no anyways.
Merely attacking Coordinators for simply existing made the older man sick to his stomach with hatred and disgust that could not be hidden from view. More often than not when he heard the phrase 'For the preservation of our pure and blue world', he felt like throwing up on the nutjob who said it.
He laughed slightly at the thought of doing so, but it faded quickly, as he was aware of the situation of the war. Both sides were more than willing to go to such extreme lengths to win, and NASA was caught in the middle. They had to act, otherwise, no one would be left alive in the end…
Dominion
Few hours later
Ensign Lockhart looked out the window of her room, watching the stars drift on by. Taking out her ID card, he looked at the image on it. A young woman who had dark brown hair and brown eyes was shown. See sighed, wondering just how many identities she would obtain. This was just the first one, but if this mission was a success, she would regain her real identity. Then she would be able to be with the one she loved, who happened to be a Coordinator.
But as Ensign Lockhart, she had to hate Coordinators in order to pass off as one of the Earth Alliance officials. That in itself was hard, as she wanted to go back to the way she normally acted whenever there was a Blue Cosmos member or supporter around.
It was so hard to pass off as one of those who could be classified as a war criminal, and she knew it. This was her first time doing so too. Hell, it was her first mission in general!
Ensign Lockhart frowned before putting the ID away. She glanced back out the window again, wondering when the war would truly start to come to an end. 'Will it be by genocide launched by both sides, or will someone else interfere, sparing the world its destruction?'
She was fully aware of those who wanted to end the war peacefully, which included NASA of all alliances, as well. It just seemed to fit with their idea of ending the war by other means.
Yet, those in power within ZAFT and out of ZAFT seemed to think otherwise. They desired the complete destruction of the human race. Closing her eyes, Ensign Lockhart began to recall the facts that led to her situation currently.
'First off, Commander Rau Le Creuset of ZAFT sold nuclear missiles to the group Blue Cosmos/LOGOs so they could use them to cause the Bloody Valentine incident. But before that, there was the Copernicus Tragedy, which was caused by a rogue Coordinator who wanted to kill the UN leaders who had been chosen to go to space, not the UN leaders on Earth.
Next, there is the death of Commander White, who was killed by a bomb that was planted at the Gibraltar base of ZAFT. That eliminated the 7th Fleet's commander, but not the fleet itself, which was good. Still, the mole we had inside ZAFT was killed, meaning that someone knew about that ahead of time. Not to mention, the 7th Fleet is made up of Coordinators who are all from and connected to NASA one way or another.
That means that someone targeted the fleet for a reason. And that person was more than willing to hand over N-Jammer Canceller data to the forces of Blue Cosmos/LOGOs, which is disturbing to say the least.
That girl, Flay, said that the masked man gave her the disk that Director Azrael now has…!'
That clinched for her. It all made sense now. Rau buying and selling nukes, the bomb killing Commander White, taking Flay hostage and using him to give the N-Jammer Canceller to Azrael, it was all connected back to one man.
"ZAFT Commander Rau Le Creuset…HE is the one behind all of this!" She blurted out as he sat up. Heading over to her computer, she brought up the line with her contact.
"What is it?" Her contact asked. It was no doubt early where she was.
"I just figured out who is controlling this whole war!" Ensign Lockhart replied almost immediately. "I know who is responsible for almost everything to date! But it's not who you might think!"
Those words got her contact's attention at once. "What?! How did you find that out?!"
"I merely thought about the events leading to the mission I'm currently on. And it all just came together from there. True, the Copernicus Tragedy was not done by this man, but everything thereafter was. It is that ZAFT Commander, Rau Le Creuset! He is behind everything else that has happened in this war! And he wants to wipe out all of humanity!" Ensign Lockhart shouted back.
"He WHAT?!" Now her contact was shocked beyond belief. "Wiping out all of humanity, not just Naturals or Coordinators?! How insane can this guy be?!"
"I have no idea. I just realized this not too long ago myself. So while it does sound hard to believe, I feel that this may be what he wants to do." Ensign Lockhart replied.
Her contact sighed. "This really complicates matters now. We just received the data on N-Jammer Canceller tech, and then this news comes up. Just how much more pressure needs to be placed on us anyway? Aren't we doing enough to try and end the war?"
Ensign Lockhart sighed. "Apparently not if this is what Le Creuset is after."
"You have to remember, this is all just a guess though, right?" her contact reminded her.
"That's just it. Looking at the facts, I don't think that this is a guess." Ensign Lockhart replied.
Her contact frowned, knowing that she was right. It did not make sense for this all to be a mere guess, given the past events that they knew about.
"Just be careful when you go back out there." She reminded her before closing the connection once more.
New Juneau
People moved around, working to get the data on the PLANT military's movements to NASA and the others involved in trying to end the war.
It seemed that the PLANTs had some kind of plan to try and win the war based on the movements of their ships. But as to what it was, they did not know.
That was the one mystery that the NAZAFT commander did not like to have unsolved. It just meant more trouble for all involved in the war, including NASA itself. And to add in the fact that they were still out their most powerful missiles just made things even worse yet.
They needed those missiles, and with the data that had recently been sent, they were now close to regaining the one advantage they had lost. But it all relied on how quickly the devices could be produced, and based on recent records sent to the colony, that was very quickly. The N-Jammer Cancellers were already being produced in fact.
Still, that could only by them some time before the PLANTs unleashed whatever they had planned for the Earth.
And that was going to come very soon, she knew.
It was going to come very soon indeed…
Looking out the window, she watched the Naturals and Coordinators who lived in the colony working on finishing up with the newest update to the colony's defenses, a missile launcher that would fire the most powerful man-made weapons ever created.
She just hoped that they would never see combat in the near future…
Flay is rescued, but not by the Archangel. Now in the hands of the Earth Alliance, the NJC plans have been delivered to those who want to commit genocide. But at the same time, NASA gets the answer to their own N-Jammer issue, just as the secrets of Mendel Colony begin to reveal themselves. 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! ^^
