New chapter is up is up! Note: I do not own Chris, Liz, or Johanna Dante, Ian, Saul, or Diana Kessel, John Alaric, the 11th Fleet, Treize Zabiarov, Gyunei Ridden, Reccoa Schnieder, or the machines listed for the remaining members of the Le Creuset team, as they are Akatsuki_Leader13's and are used with his permission as such. I also do not own Xander Alexis, as he belongs to Mordalfus Grae. Nor do I own Matrin Nightengale, as he is Meteorthunder3's OC. I only own Tao White, Akira, Nishikama, Nisha and Taikyu Itsuno, Preisdent Marie Hilson, Gai Tatsuni, NASA/NAZAFT, the Presidential Murasame, the Raptor, the Dax, Wing, Traverse, and Z.A.M. Gundams, and the colony of New Juneau.

KentLinuxStadfelt: The Specter is not based on the Surge. Sorry if you got that impression. ^^'

CT7567Rules: Life happens, so I didn't update when I should. ^^'

nbj- Inconsistent Guest: You obviously won't stick with a single guest name, so I will just call you 'inconsistent guest' from now on.

Just a Crazy Man: You would be right. :3

A0930: I am glad you like Marie. :3 And all will be revealed as the story goes on. :3

Titanic X: Glad you like it. :3

Note to all readers: I am going to ask those who have an account to sign in and leave a review in order to know who is leaving it, or at least to put their account name on the review so I know who is sending it. If you want to sign in and leave a review, then feel free to do so. But if not, then at least put your account name at the top so I can see who you are. If you do not have an account, then feel free to leave a review anyway. Just no outright hatred of the story please.


Cosmic Era 72. One and half years of grim war between Earth and PLANTs ended following the space battle at Jachin Due. The two sides forged a peace treaty amid the ruins of Junius Seven, a place of unprecedented tragedy during the war. The former enemies pledged themselves to work for mutual understanding and to make every effort possible to maintain peace. As a result, the world is once more on the path of stability.


Phase Three: Warning Shots

The Minerva's Bridge

"Pressurization normal. FCS, contact. All stations normal ma'am." Arthur said.

"Scan for the enemy and our machines." Talia ordered.

"Single unidentified ship at Indigo 53, Mark 22, Bravo. Distance: 150." the radar operator reported.

"That must be their mothership." Durandal commented.

"Input its data into the database. From now on, we'll refer to it as Bogey-1." Talia said.

"Ma'am! I've found the Impulse and the ZAKUs." Meyrin called out. "Sector 157, Mark 80, Alpha. They appear to be in a battle."

Talia turned to the girl. "Can you contact them?"

"Negative. Radio interference is too severe."

"How many opponents?"

"Just two. But one's a mobile armor while one is a mobile suit."

"Deploy the GuAIZs." Talia ordered. "Tell them to move to support the Impulse and the ZAKUs. And if need be, cover their withdrawal to the Minerva."


"Captain Gladys has ordered you to launch and support the Impulse and the ZAKUs." Meyrin said over the comm.

"Yeah. The Reds always get the glory while we Greens end up spilling our blood so they get their glory." Shawn added as his mobile suit was loaded on to the second catapult.

The three Green Coats laughed as the catapult doors opened.

"Shawn Anderson. GuAIZ R launching."

The first GuAIZ took off, heading for their comrades, quickly followed the remaining two. "Alright guys, let's go kick some ass." Dale said.


"The GuAIZs have been launched ma'am." Meyrin said.

Talia nodded. "We will engage Bogey-1. Lower the bridge."

The bridge started to drop down, where it would shielded behind the armor of the ship's hull. "Maintain course Indigo Delta. Accelerate twenty percent." she ordered. "Prepare to fire signal flares and anti-beam depth-charges." Talia turned to her XO. "Arthur, what are you waiting for?!"

Her voice knocked Arthur out of his daze. "Ah... yes ma'am." he said, heading for his console. He quickly sat down, his fingers dancing across the console. "Launcher Eight. Load missile tubes 1 through 4 with Neidhart missiles. Activate Tristans 1 and 2. Activate Isolde. Target: Bogey-1."


Neo pressed his attack, his gunbarrels firing on the three machines, Wing Zero, the Impulse and the ZAKU. The ZAFT pilots struggled to evade the beams coming from seemingly everywhere. Shinn twisted, narrowly avoiding a barrage of beams. But a single beam grazed the Impulse's ankle. Shinn cursed as he continued to struggle against the beams. "This guy's hitting us from everywhere."

"Calm down Shinn." Rey said as he fired his rifle at a pod, but missed. "If you lose your focus, he'll shoot you down."

The new machine, one that Rey could not identify, fired on the mobile armor, forcing it back.

Shinn then fired on the newcomer once more, forcing the pilot to fly back.

"Damn that guy!" Shinn swore.


On the Minerva, Captain Gladys looked at the new machine that was engaging the Impulse. "Prepare to fire on that new machine." She ordered.

"Wait!" Cagalli cried at that point, floating into the bridge with her father and their two attendants. "That is not the enemy! That's Wing Zero!"

The mere name got everyone in the bridge to murmur in shock. "Wing Zero…" "The machine of the Berserker of JOSH-A?"

"Wing Zero? You mean that machine from the Battle of Jachin Due and the personal machine of the Berserker of JOSH-A?" Arthur asked in surprise.

"Yes!" Cagalli cried.

"And how do you know it is him?" Chairman Durandal asked.

Cagalli just looked back at the machine. "I know him. If anything, only one type of machine can last as long as it has without Phase Shift."

"I see. Then can you contact him?"

"Normally he monitors all channels. Just call out." Athrun replied.

Captain Gladys nodded. "Very well, then. Meyrin, open all communications channels."

Meyrin nodded. "Channels are open."

"Good. Would you do the honors, Lord Uzumi?" the chairman asked.

"Yes. Heero Yuy, this is Lord Uzumi. Can you hear me?" the man asked.

In a few seconds, Heero Yuy's face appeared on the screen. "Roger that."

"I thought for a moment my head injury got to me." Cagalli said as Heero looked at her.

"No, I am very much alive." He replied. "Requesting permission to come aboard."

"Permission granted. Shinn, that machine is friendly. Do not fire any further."


Shinn could hardly believe what he was hearing, but he could not deny what his superior said.

Suddenly, Neo found himself under fire. Three GuAIZ Rs appeared, firing their beam rifles on the Exus. Neo expertly piloted his mobile armor through the beams. He glanced at the newcomers. Not only that, he saw the new ZAFT warship heading for the Girty Lue. "We don't want to lose what we already have by being too greedy." Neo commented as he recalled his gunbarrels.

Once his weapons had docked back onto the Exus, Neo took off, heading back to his ship. As he fled, the Minerva fired off its signal flares, ordering the mobile suits to return. "Come on. Let's head back." Rey said.

Dale grunted. "Figures. The second we get here and save your asses, we get recalled."

"Hey. We didn't need your help." Shinn shot back.

Shinn and Dale were not on the best of terms. The two had frequently butted heads at the Academy, and in one case, literally. Their graduation and assignment to the Minerva hadn't changed things at all.

"Knock it off, both of you!" Rey yelled, stopping any possible fight in its tracks. "This isn't the time or the place to pick a fight, Dale. And we needed their help, so show a little gratitude Shinn. Unless of course, both of you would like to sit out the next couple of sorties. And I will tell the captain."

Both pilots grumbled.

"What was that?"

"Thank you for your help." Shinn said with forced politeness.

"Sorry for trying to pick a fight with you." Dale grunted.

"There. Now let's head back before the three of us start running out of power." he said, taking off for the Minerva.

As they traveled back to the Minerva, Shawn made a whip cracking sound over the comm. He, Dale, Tristan, and Shinn all started to fight back laughter. Even Rey struggled to fight back a chuckle.

Wing Zero also followed, having been given permission to dock with the ship.


The Minerva fired its missiles at the Girty Lue. The Earth ship countered by taking an evasive maneuver and firing it's CIWS guns, taking out the missiles that the Girty Lue couldn't evade. "Target its engines. Fire!" Talia ordered.

The Minerva's Isolde triple cannon fired, narrowly missing the Girty Lue. A moment later, the Exus landed in the Girty Lue's hanger. "Withdraw now Lee!" Neo shouted.

The Girty Lue took off, heading away from the PLANTs. "Bogey-1 retreating ma'am." the Minerva's radar operator said. "Yellow 71, Alpha."

"What's the status of our machines?" Talia asked.

"They're returning now ma'am. Wing Zero is marked as friendly." Meyrin answered.

"Tell them to hurry. We need to continue pursing Bogey-1." the Captain said. "Set course heading: Yellow Alpha."

Aboard the Girty Lue, Neo entered the ship's bridge as the Minerva fired its cannons at them. The ship shook from the force of the near impacts. "Captain! Enemy ship still approaching. Blue 0. Distance: 110." an officer reported.

"That ship is quite fast." Lee commented. "It could give us a lot of trouble."

The Minerva fired another spread of missile at them. "Incoming missiles!"

"Hard to port! Dodge it!" Lee ordered.

The ship turned to port, firing its CIWS, shooting down the missiles dangerously close to the ship. "Detach side propellant tanks! Prepare to detonate them!" Neo ordered. "Detach the whole arm assembly! Let them get a taste of that! Meanwhile, rise bow 35 degrees, port 10 degrees! Engines at maximum!"

The Girty Lue rose to port, evading another barrage from the Minerva's guns. As it moved, it detached its propellant tanks. The tanks floated back, towards the Minerva, surprising its crew. Save for Talia. She had an idea on what those were and wasn't going to take a chance. "Cease fire!" Talia shouted. "Starboard 10 degrees! Engines at maximum!"

The tanks neared the Minerva when they exploded. Fortunately, they were far enough away and the Minerva's hull was strong to safely weather the two explosions, though the ship shook violently from the force of the two explosions. "Burt! What's the position of the enemy ship?"

"Just a moment ma'am."

Activate CIWS. Fire anti-beam depth charges." Talia ordered.

"Found them! Red 88, Mark 6, Charlie! Distance: 500." the radar officer reported.

Arthur glanced back. "They got away?"

Talia scowled. "The nerve of them. Escaping like that."

"We seem to be facing a first-class unit." Durandal commented.

Talia turned her chair to face the Chairman. "All the more reason we cannot allow them to escape." she said. "We've passed the point where you can disembark, but I believe that we should continue our pursuit of that ship. What are your thoughts, Chairman?"

"Please. Do not concern yourself with me, Captain." he answered. "If we were to neglect these embers, imagine the inferno they could become. Frankly, the thought frightens me. It's our duty to recapture those machines, or failing that, destroy them."

Talia nodded her head. "Thank you." She turned to the radar operator. "Do we still have a trace on them?"

"Yes ma'am."

"In that case, this ship will now continue its pursuit of Bogey-1. Course Yellow Alpha. Engines at maximum."


Elsewhere, two men watched the distant flashes of the space battle from aboard the bridge of a ship. "Captain. Detecting two unidentified warships leaving ZAFT territory. One appears to be pursuing the other." an officer of the ship reported.

"It's seems that ZAFT has been attacked. Send word of this to Terminal." the first man said.

"Undoubtedly, the unidentified ship in pursuit of the other is a ZAFT ship.

"What of Lady Cagalli? Do think she has gotten involved in this?" the second man asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

"Knowing her, yes. We better set course for that ZAFT ship. And have the mobile suits prepped, just in case."


The Girty Lue

A Short While Later

"You idiot!" Treize shouted, slamming Auel against a wall. "You used Stella's block word without authorization."

"If I didn't, she wouldn't have stopped fighting that white one!" Auel yelled back.

Treize threw him to the ground and put his foot to Auel's throat. "Do something like that again, I'll be sending your head back home to your mother."

Auel started screaming and thrashing the instant he said the block word. Treize stepped off him as several of the doctors rushed to pick up Auel and take him to their lab. They carried him to their lab as he entered the lab for his generation of Extended. Reccoa and Gyunei were already there, replacing the drug cartridges of their implants.

Treize barely tolerated the other two. They weren't always on the best of terms, despite what he was told to do. Though they been in the same test group as they went through the Extended process. Most of his memories of that time were foggy, disjointed and unclear.

"Aw... If it isn't Trieze." Gyunei mocked.

"Shut up Gyunei, before I shall remove your tongue." Treize threatened.

"Like you could defeat me."

He despised Gyunei. He was an arrogant little punk. Gyunei believed that he was superior and should have been in command. Not him. He walked towards Gyunei, looming over the younger teen. In one shift motion, he grabbed Gyunei by the throat and slammed him on the ground. "How many times have we done this? Every time, you've lost Gyunei."

Gyunei grunted.

"Still you persist with this constant, pointless struggle to see who is superior. When the answer is and always has been the same." Treize said. "You will always be inferior to me. Like an animal grasping at the full moon, you will never reach me. No matter how desperately you grasp, I am beyond you."

Gyunei let out a snarl. "No! I am strongest Extended ever created! You are inferior to me!"

"03 Omega Red."

Just as with Auel, Gyunei started screaming and flailing around in agony. Treize turned to one of the doctors. "My drugs."

"Here you are." the man replied, handing him a cartridge.

Treize pulled off his shirt and replaced the near empty cartridge from his injector and replaced it with a fresh one. Without even glancing, he left the room, heading for his quarters to change into his uniform.


Captain's Quarters

The Minerva

An Hour and a Half Later

"Words cannot express my regret that you were caught up in these events. However, I would like you to please understand our situation." Chairman Durandal said.

Sitting across from him, Cagalli nodded. Her two attendants and father were standing at her side. "Have you been able to find anything about that enemy unit?" she asked.

"Actually we haven't." Gilbert admitted. "Nor do we have any leads on the carrier ship as well, which is why we must take control of the situation as soon as possible. Before it become irreversible."

"Yes, I understand. That goes without saying, Chairman Durandal. Right now we can't do anything that would disrupt our fragile world." Cagalli said, bowing her head.

"Thank you Princess. I had believed that you would feel the same way." Durandal said before he stood up. "If you would like, please allow me to give you a tour of the ship."

"Chairman-"

Durandal waved Captain Gladys off. "It may be temporary, but they are putting their lives in our hands. I'm merely offering a gesture of good faith from our country to a sworn friend."

Suddenly, the room's intercom panel started to beep. Gladys pushed a button and Arthur's face voice came through. "Captain! An Izumo-class battleship is approaching."

"What? What is an ORB warship doing out here?" she asked.

"Unknown ma'am. They're hailing us."

"Patch it through to this room."

The bridge of the Izumo class battleship appeared on the screen. "Greetings. I am Captain Vincent Toth of the ORB Izumo-class ship, the Susanoo. We were pursuing a band of pirates that had been harassing ORB interests when we detected your battle. We are aware that Chief Representative Athha was visiting the PLANTs. We wish to know if you have any information on the whereabouts and wellbeing of our Chief Representative."

"She, her father, and her attendants are-"

"Captain Toth!" Cagalli yelled, moving in front of the screen. "Why are you here?! I told the rest of the government that I would visit the PLANTs without any military escort."

"With respect ma'am, Commander Alaric felt that there should be someone around just in case something happened."

Cagalli let out an annoyed sigh. "Of course. Where is he?"

"Currently, he's in the cockpit of his mobile suit."

"Let me talk to him."

"Yes ma'am."

The screen changed. Now it displayed John Alaric, in his old black ZAFT flightsuit and his helmet on his lap, sitting in the cockpit of the Farsight II. "Ma'am." he said with a nod.

"I told that I didn't want any additional protection."

"I know ma'am. But I felt that it was better to be safe than sorry." John said. "And it looks like I was right. Now we can take you back-"

"No. I'm staying."

"Very well then. At the moment, it would be better if the Susanoo did not accompany this vessel, as the Alliance would very displeased if they learned that ORB was lending military power to ZAFT." John said. "However, I request that my team as well as Miss Allster's mobile suit, be transferred over to the ZAFT vessel as your bodyguards, Lady Cagalli. There will be little reason to complain about a small team being sent to protect the leader of our nation. Of course, I guarantee that my small team is a match for anyone on board that ship."

"Wait. You're not talking about them?"

"Of course."

She sighed. "Fine, so long as they accept your assistance." Cagalli said, turning to the Chairman.

"I have no objections." Durandal said. "Any assistance that you prove would be greatly appreciated. Do you have any, Captain?"

"No. But allow my hanger crew some time to clear up some space for your mobile suits."

"Alright then, prepare your hanger to receive five mobile suits." John said, closing the channel.

"Arthur." Talia said, switching the channel. "Inform the hanger that we're receiving five mobile suits from the ORB warship."

"Yes ma'am."


The Susanoo's Mobile Suit Hanger

"Alright. I'll launch first. Afterwards, launch the Strike Raven. I'll carry it to the ship. Then you guys launch." John said, putting his helmet on and powering up the Farsight.

The Farsight II stepped onto the catapult. "John Alaric, Farsight taking off."

The catapult launched the mobile suit into space. A few minutes later, the Strike Raven was loaded onto the catapult. "Launching the Strike Raven."

The mobile suit was launched and John caught it with ease. Then one by one, the three members of his team launched. Then the mobile suits took off for the Minerva.


The Minerva's Hanger

"Athha from ORB?"

Luna nodded. "Yeah. I was surprised too. What are the odds of meeting a big hero from the last war out here?"

Shinn didn't say anything. "What's wrong Shinn? Is it that ZAKU?" Luna asked, gesturing to the green ZAKU behind her.

"No. Nothing's wrong." Shinn replied. "I was just wondering who's ZAKU that is, since it's not one of the Minerva's."

"It was her bodyguard. He said his name was Alex." Luna said before she leaned in close to him. "But, he might be Athrun. Athrun Zala. I heard her call him that in the heat of the moment." She glanced back at the ZAKU. "It would make sense. I heard he moved to ORB after the war."

It was at that moment that a new machine entered as well. Heero backed Wing Zero into a spot not too far off from the slot where Athrun's ZAKU was located. Luna stared at the machine that had entered the hanger.

Was it really him?

"What is with that new machine?" Luna asked.

"I have no idea." Rey replied. "But it does not look like a normal machine, as it is not losing its coloring."

"Yeah. But why?"

"Well, if I recall correctly, only one machine does not lose its coloring."

Luna gasped. "Wait. Are you saying that that machine is Wing Zero?!"

"It could be possible." Rey replied.

"The first two mobile suits are in Catapult 2. Pressurizing airlock now." a voice said over the hanger intercom.

Moments later, the doors to the catapult opened and the Farsight, carrying the Strike Raven in front of it, entered the hanger.

"That's...That's Farsight! John Alaric's mobile suit!" Lunamaria said, her eyes filled with shock and excitement. "The legendary Black Hawk! I never thought I'd actually get to meet him!"

"A third mobile suit has entered Catapult 3. Pressurizing airlock now."

"I wonder if the next mobile suit belongs to the Desert Tiger." Lunamaria said. "Wouldn't that be amazing, Shinn? Fighting alongside legendary aces such as the Black Hawk, the Desert Tiger and the Berserker of JOSH-A?"

"I don't know." Shinn said. "Does it really matter?"

The airlock door opened, revealing...

...the GAT-X252 Forbidden.

Shinn's face immediately changed from indifference to shock.

"Whoa..." Lunamaria said. "I've never seen a mobile suit like that before. It must be a new model."

Lunamaria pushed off her ZAKU, heading for the Farsight.

Unlike Lunamaria, Shinn had seen that mobile suit before. It was one of the mobile suits that had ravaged ORB when the Earth Forces invaded. To his horror, the Forbidden was soon joined by two of its cohorts, the GAT-X131 Calamity and GAT -X151 Massacre. To Shinn, those mobile suits were the embodiments of death: the Forbidden, slicing through waves of people with its monstrous scythe, Massacre striking from the air like a wicked predator upon the defenseless, the Calamity, spewing fiery death from its many cannons upon the innocent. By the time the three mobile suits had been secured and their pilots exited the cockpits, the shock had worn off and Shina was angry...No. Furious! What the hell was ORB doing with those monstrous machines?!

Shinn pushed off Lunamaria's ZAKU and headed towards the pilot of Wing Zero. He would deal with those other pilots later.

Elsewhere, John climbed out of his mobile suit and reached the hanger floor. Luna was there to greet him. She saluted him and John returned the salute. "Commander John Alaric of ORB."

"Lunamaria Hawke. Commander Alaric, it's an honor to meet a living legend like yourself. I hope you don't mind if I ask you for your autograph."

John chuckled. "A living legend? I don't know about that. But I will give you an autograph later." he replied. "Now, who is the commander of this ship's mobile suit complement?"

"At the moment, no one." Luna answered.

"Then we have much to discuss before the next sortie."

"I imagine we do, including choosing a new commander."

Heero then floated down, making Luna gasp with awe. "It's really him. It's the Berserker of JOSH-A!"

The Natural looked back in their direction, making Luna blush.

"Good to see you Heero." John said as he put a hand on Heero's shoulder. "Where have you been for the past two years?"

"Everywhere." He replied flatly.

"What's so great about him?" Shinn asked as he reached the two.

"Shinn, Heero is the Berserker of JOSH-A! He wiped out a Cyclops System for crying out loud!" Luna replied.

Shinn just looked away and left, heading towards the pilots of the other three machines. Even Heero did not deserve his rage after all…


"What the hell is ORB doing with those machines?!" Shinn shouted as he reached the trio. "And what the hell are ORB pilots doing in these machines?! Don't you know what these things have done?!"

"What the hell are you yelling about?" the first pilot said, taking off his helmet, revealing his olive green hair and blue eyes. "We've had these machines since they were built."

Shinn froze for a moment, realizing what he just said. "YOU BASTARDS!" Shinn screamed as he grabbed the pilot's black and light blue flightsuit. "IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU THAT MY MOM IS DEAD!"

"What the hell?! Let go of me!" Orga shouted just before Shinn punched his face.

"Hey buddy, if you wanna fight, then you got it!" Martin said, grabbing Shinn in a headlock.

Shinn elbowed him in the gut a couple of times, causing him to let go. Orga punched Shinn in the gut, knocking back Shinn. Then Shani tackled Shinn and punched him in the face. But at that moment, a couple members of the hanger crews rushed to help Shinn. One grabbed Shani from behind, pinning his arms. Shani head-butted the man, which caused him to break his nose and lose his grip. Another crew member lunged at Martin with a metal hand tool. The grey haired pilot caught the man's arm and in one quick motion, knocked the makeshift weapon from his hand.

"Shani! Martin! Orga! That's enough!" John Alaric shouted.

"Hey! Don't yell at us! This kid started it!" Martin said, gesturing at Shinn.

John turned to Shinn. "Well?"

"How can ORB just let these bastards live after all they did?!" Shinn demanded. "After all the people they killed?!"

"Jeez kid, do you only come in loud and louder?" John said, rubbing an ear.

Shinn scowled at him. "Alright, alright. Stop with the death glare. It's a rather long story. The short version is, they have no other purpose but to pilot these machines. So when we captured them, we rehabilitated them and put them to use for ORB. To redeem themselves of at least some of the pain and destruction they brought to ORB. As well as the pain and suffering they endured." John said. "They're harmless unless provoked. Most of the time."

"There is no way they can repay what they've done." Shinn shot back.

John stared at him for a moment. "You're from ORB, aren't you?"

"What if I am?"

"Nothing." John answered. "It really doesn't matter. Now if you excuse us, I need some coffee. Shani, Martin, Orga, come on, we're leaving. Miss Luna, if you'd be so kind as to find me once you are done with your duties, we have a lot to discuss with your captain."

The four took off, leaving the hanger. Shinn stood there, squeezing his fists to the point that his fingers cut into his palms, drawing blood. "Shinn, I don't know what your problem is with those guys." Rey said. "But if you wish to keep on piloting, I suggest you stow it."

Shinn glared at him. "Fine. Happy now?"

"Yes."

Rey glanced back at the Wing Zero, wondering if it really was the real deal.


Elsewhere

The elevator doors opened and Chairman Durandal, Cagalli, Rey, Lord Uzumi and Athrun exited while Flay stayed behind. Durandal turned around. "Are you not coming, Miss Allster?"

"No. I just want to check over my machine." Flay answered.

"Very well then. If you need a hand, don't be afraid to ask someone for help."

Flay bowed. "Thank you." she said before hitting the down button on the panel.

Durandal cleared his throat as he moved towards the edge of the catwalk overlooking the hanger. "The ZGMF-1000 ZAKU. As you are already aware, it's currently the backbone of ZAFT's mobile suit forces." he explained. "And then we have the Minerva's most distinguishing feature, the ZGMF-X56S Impulse and its launching system. According to our engineers, this is the newest, most efficient mobile suit system. Although personally, I don't quite understand such technical matters." He paused, taking note of Cagalli's expression. "I take it that you don't much care for it, Princess."

"Well, you certainly seem happy about it, Chairman." she replied.

"Happy isn't the word I would use. My feelings stem from the thought of how hard everyone has worked. To come so far from such chaos and to gain such strength."

"Such strength. You said strength was necessary because there would always be conflict." Lord Uzumi noted.

"Yes."

"Then how do you rationalize what's happen?" Cagalli asked. "The damage your country and its people have suffered is due to the presence of those new mobile suits."

"So then you are saying that we should not seek to acquire power?"

"Why is it necessary in the first place? Especially now!" Cagalli said. "We swore not to repeat the tragedies of the past. We were committed to a path that we could all walk together!"

"True Princess. But-"

"Making excuses has been a specialty of the Earth Forces!" a voice called out, interrupting the Chairman.

Everyone turned to source of the voice. "Shinn." Rey said, jumping down to hanger.

Shinn glanced over his shoulder, glancing at Cagalli but not glaring at her. Rather his eyes were filled with disappointment more than anything. But before anyone could say anything, alarms went off.


Crew Lounge

Shani, Martin and Orga were off in their own little worlds, relaxing. Orga was laid out on a couch, reading his latest paperback novel. Martin was sitting on chair, reading his newest book as well. And Shani was also sitting, listening to his music, his head bobbing up and down with the music. John was leaning on a wall as he attempted to drink the crap in a can they called coffee.

John took a sip and winced. 'You'd think that with all they've put into this new warship, they'd be able to stock it with some decent coffee.'

Meyrin entered the lounge. "Oh. You must be the pilots from the ORB ship that transferred over." she said. "I'm Meyrin Hawke."

Only John acknowledged her. Shani, Martin and Orga remained oblivious to the girl. "Hawke?" John said with a chuckle. "Well Miss Hawke, I'm the Black Hawk. John Alaric. You'll have to forgive Shani, Martin, and Orga. They're not exactly the most sociable of people."

Meyrin took note of their clothes. John wore an ORB uniform with a black, leather trenchcoat over top. The others however, where a bit different. The one reading the book wore an ORB uniform without any sleeves and dark shirt underneath the uniform. The grey head's uniform was open and its sleeves had been trimmed. Making it look like a short sleeved vest over a red t-shirt. The last one had ripped knees on his pants and his coat was open, revealing an orange t-shirt underneath. It was odd seeing soldiers wearing uniforms that clearly violated military regulations.

"Hello John...Wait…The Black Hawk?! You're the Black Hawk?!"

"Yes. Do you want my autograph as well?"

"No. My sister's a big fan though." she said.

"Lunamaria? I know. The second I set foot on the ship, she asked for my autograph."

"Sorry about that."

John waved his hand. "Don't worry about it. Though it's not-"

"Enemy ship sighted. Distance: 8000." a voice over the intercom interrupted.


"Enemy ship sighted. Distance: 8000. Condition Red. All hands to your stations. All pilots are to stand by in their units."

Tristan cursed as he threw his cards on the table. "Is this going to happen every time I'm winning?"

"Looks like." Dale said, standing up. "Guess you're just unlucky that way."

"Come on. We got to get to our machines." Shawn said. "Can't let the Reds and those pilots from ORB get all the action."

"Knowing our luck, we'll be the last to deploy and stuck supporting the Minerva." Dale added as they headed to the hanger.


The Minerva's Hanger

A Short While Later

All of the mobile suit pilots had quickly suited up and boarded their machines. John looked around at their force of mobile suits. Hopefully, it'd be enough to deal with the stolen prototypes and whatever else Bogey-1 had. "Commander Alaric." Captain Glayds said, coming on the screen. "I'm going to temporarily relinquish command of the mobile suit team to you. If you're okay with it."

"Hey! He's not a ZAFT Commander anymore. Why should he be in command?" Shinn argued.

"I would believe it's because I have the most experience here. I have fought more battles than anyone else here. In fact, I believe that the Academy still teaches some of my tactics. So, why wouldn't I be in command? Are you really that uncomfortable with me in command? Or is that you're uncomfortable with the fact that you'll be fighting alongside those three?"

Shinn didn't reply.

"Now, Rey, you and the other ZAKUs will remain behind with the Minerva and protect it should they try to ambush it as we engage the enemy ship."

Rey nodded. "Roger."

"Shani, Martin, Orga, Flay, Heero, the GuAIZ team, and you, Mr. Anger Issues, will come with me. We'll head out and hunt down the warship. Shani, Martin and Orga will take point and I'll take the rear. As for Heero, he will take center."

"I thought Commanders were supposed to lead their forces into battle, not bring up the rear."

"True. But let me point this out. The Massacre, the Calamity, and the Forbidden all have Trans Phase Armor, which can take more of a pounding than any of the other machines here aside from Wing Zero. So why not have them go up front? Don't you want them to die anyway? As to why I'm in the rear, it's because it would be better that I function as a sniper in this battle. As there's a lot of debris out there that they can hide behind and ambush us with. So I'm going to try to spot them before they can ambush us. As for our latest guest, he will be involved as well. So shut up and get ready. They're waiting for us. They'll likely doing to try to cut us off from the Minerva."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because, if I was their Commander, I would draw the bulk of the mobile suits from the Minerva, and then attack. The question is, who will they target, us or the Minerva?"

The Strike Raven and the Farsight were loaded on to the catapults. "John Alaric. Farsight launching."

"Flay Allster. Strike Raven, taking off."

The two mobile suits were launched into space as the Calamity and the Massacre were loaded into position. John opened a private channel to the Calamity, the Forbidden and the Massacre. "Hey, you guys ready for this? It's been quite some time since you've fought in combat."

"Yeah yeah. We're ready." Orga said.

Martin nodded. "Yeah. Let's kick some ass!"

Shani just grunted.

"What about you, Flay? This is your first time in combat."

"No it's not." Flay replied as the next two mobile suits launched.

"Right. First time in combat, in a mobile suit."

"I'll be fine. You taught me well."

John chuckled as the remaining mobile suits launched. "If only he could see you now. You've come a long way from that little girl."

At that moment, the Impulse's Core Splendor was launched, followed by the Blast Silhouette, the Chest Flyer and Leg Flyer. The four components assembled, creating the Blast Impulse.

Finally, the machine that resembled Wing Zero launched as well.

"Alright everyone, listen up." John said to the assembled pilots. "Bogey-1 has entered the Debris Field. There are places to hide in there. Also, they know we are after them and they will set a trap for us. So keep your guard up and your fingers on the trigger. Good luck out there."


The Minerva's Bridge

Durandal, Cagalli, Lord Uzumi, and Athrun stepped onto the bridge. Talia glanced over her shoulder at the group. "Chairman?"

"Ah Captain. Can I ask a favor of you? I would like to have our guests from ORB on bridge as well. Will you allow it?"

"Ah... But that's-"

"As you know, the Representative commanded a ship in the last war and has fought in many battles." Durandal explained. "I would like to have her perspective of our combat methods."

"I understand. If that's how you feel Chairman." Talia said.

"Thank you Talia."

The three took their seats. "Distance to target: 6000." an officer reported.

"Lower the brigde." Talia ordered. "Prepare for anti-ship and anti-mobile suit combat."

The bridge dropped down into combat position. "Ma'am. The Impulse, the GuAIZs and ORB mobile suits have launched and moving to intercept Bogey-1. Rey and Luna are remaining on board for defense." Meyrin said.

"Bogey-1. I wonder what the real name of that ship is." Durandal mused. "A name reflects its owner's nature. But what if the name is really a fake? If something goes by a false name, does that mean it is fake as well? False by nature? It that, what it would mean?" He turned to Athrun. "Alex? Or is it Athrun Zala?"


Battle zone

Heero Yuy glanced about as he observed the other machines he was with. This was going to be a close battle, but he had a feeling that he would be able to handle it.

It was not normal for him to be so out of the picture, but given what was going on, there was no real chance for him to speak up, or even say anything at all. Still, that was to be expected. Another war was starting, after all.

Wing Zero's eyes flashed. "I know Zero. But this time we aren't going to sit back like we did so many times in the past, even if we were just defending the Archangel."

This was not going to be easy…


The invisible ship made its way over to the battle zone, just as the combat began.

Akira was now in his pilot suit, preparing to take off in the Wing Gundam. "All systems are green." He murmured as the catapult opened for the first time.

"Akira Nishikama, Wing, Launching!" he cried as the machine exited the ship.

Tao was next, her machine prepared for combat as well.

"Tao White, Diver, Launching!"

The new ship was to see combat for the first time…


United States Naval Base, Norfolk

The aircraft carrier USS Bill Clinton made its way out of the naval base, a new weapon on its top deck. The planes were a grey color and were sleek in appearance. A cockpit was located over the nose area, but that was just the beginning. The new planes were similar to the old F-22s of the A.D. Era, but they were much different as well.

Once a decent distance from the mainland, the carrier's crew launched one of the F-22 Raptors, only for it to spin around and turn into their newest Mobile Suit, the NAS-X111-A Raptor. Despite appearing as a normal MS, the new machine was actually stealth based, as the form allowed for the smallest radar signature as possible instead of outright disappearing.

The pilot flew around, taking out the "Musket" beam rifle and firing on several automated target drones. Each drone blew up upon contact with the beam, for a total of ten shots out of eleven. 90% accuracy. Many on the carrier, including the machine's designer, were stunned and in awe at the power of the new machine.

"So far so good…" the captain of the carrier said as she looked over the data coming in. Things were working in accordance with the design so far. "How is the reactor holding up?"

"Nuclear reactor is in the green. No problems have been detected so far." An engineer replied.

"Good. Let's just hope it stays that way."

The new Raptor was designed so that the cockpit could be ejected and the pilot could escape using an ejector seat, an old concept that had been used back in the A.D. Era, one that had had high survival rates.

Her eyes flicked over to the designer. "So, has it worked to expectations so far?"

The designer nodded. "Yes, but the only way to really test it is to use it in combat." The designer, James Jackson, replied.

The captain just looked back at the new machine. "So I have heard." She replied.

Jackson just looked up again at his newest machine. "We needed a machine that would be capable of aerial attacks on the Earth Forces as well as on ZAFT. And this is what we came up with, following the find of the F-22 data of course. But we did not stop there. We also came up with a mass-produced version of the Diver following Commander White's defection from ZAFT. That will come in handy against ZAFT and the EA as well due to its underwater capabilities."

The captain nodded. "I heard that. The idea sounds good in both practice and on paper. And it was sorely needed." She mused as she reflected on the larger loss of life following the Invasion of NASA. Many U.S., Mexican, and Canadian soldiers had lost their lives that day, with more dying from injuries sustained afterwards. It was the largest loss of life they had seen since the C.E. Era began.

"Our defense comes first, and the defense of the PLANTs comes second." She said as the Raptor flew overhead.

"Flight Speed: Mach 2.2. That's excellent!" the engineer exclaimed as he read off the data. "All weapons are functional!"

Flares were fired, making the pilot bank to the left to avoid the simulated enemies.

"Radar signature, unnoticed! Evasion time, high!"

The pilot then flew down and unleashed a missile at an old ship that was barely afloat. The target was hit in one strike.

"All missile guidance systems are functional!"

The next ship was sliced into thirds with the twin beam sabers. All of them sank.

"All beam saber settings and systems are green!"

The Raptor then turned to its flight mode and flew around as more drones were released. The pilot firing the CIWS, the drones fell into the ocean.

"CIWS, wing mounted, works as expected. All parameters are normal!"

Everything had worked so far, but they really had to test it yet. There was no real way to seriously test the new machine unless it was under real stress, and that they needed to do.

"We need to test the Raptor under stress, but that is going to be next to impossible considering that we are at peace right now." Jackson said as he looked over at the now incoming machine.

But soon, the Raptor would make its big debut in the course of what was to come…

The cruiser next to the carrier had launched its own testing unit, the NAS-X112-A Dax. The single pilot machine was currently under the water, zooming around the probes that were designed to emit false enemy readouts. If anything, the Dax's true weapon was in its speed.

"Speed readout, 40 knots! Underwater!" a crewman exclaimed as he looked over the data. That was 5 knots faster than expected!

The cruiser's captain nodded. "Very good. If anything, that's much better than we had hoped." He said as he looked back at the data reader.

Under the water, the Dax unleashed three torpedoes that took out three probes.

"Torpedo launch, three hits. Heat-readers worked as predicted." The data reader said as he glanced over the incoming test data.

A sigh came from the captain as he leaned back in his chair. "Testing two new units isn't all that interesting, but it sure beats going on patrol when there is no action." He said as he looked back at the underwater image of the Dax, now in its mobile suit form.


Pentagon

Keller looked out the window, the flag flying above the nation's capital. The red and white stood out against the sky, the dark blue and white reflecting in the light as well. 51 stars were on the field of blue, the newest one belonging to a PLANT colony that was now a state.

New Juneau was that very PLANT. He sighed, wondering why the Coordinators were often called the 'inhuman space monsters' when they weren't.

The mere fact that people hated them made him wonder why Coordinators had to endure such hateful feelings. He was afraid for his Coordinator children that he himself had. He was afraid of what people would do to them if they found out he had such children. That was what the people of the president's administration had to hide. Each member had a Coordinator child, or Coordinator family members. Well, all except the president that is…her family was lost due to their actions for Coordinator rights. It was ironic. She had no Coordinator family members, nor had any Coordinator children, yet the rest of the administration to hide the fact that they did.

The Defense Secretary could understand why the president had requested such a thing, but at the same time, he wondered why she had made such a request. Keller and the rest of the administration were afraid of what Blue Cosmos would do.

Lives would be lost, all for merely existing. Families would be torn apart, and murdered for merely living out their lives.

The U.S. was far from perfect, but they all had a reason for going on with their lives. They refused to be ruled by Blue Cosmos/LOGOs. That was their main reason for still going on with their lives. True, they also had to do so for their Coordinator citizens, but it was for their own survival that the nation refused to bow down to the terrorist group.

If they did, then who knew what would happen?

But, unlike the rest of the world, the U.S. was willing to face being criticized for their actions if it meant standing by their ideals. The ideals that had made them famous in the past, and even now, made them famous, or infamous in this case.

The U.S. was often called the nation of traitors by Blue Cosmos/LOGOs, and called the Coordinator's Paradise by ZAFT. But it was neither. The nation was imperfect in the arena of Coordinator rights, but it was better than other alliances like the AEU at least, right?

Right?

Keller sighed again as he recalled his children. The rights they now had were not recognized in the AEU and other alliances like them, and it made him wonder if the U.S. was really alone amongst the world powers in supporting Coordinator rights. True, ORB was with them along the same lines of thinking, but the small nation was not a world power. They did not even have the military might to take on the Earth Forces and win.

The only nation and alliance that did was the U.S. and NASA. Canada and Mexico were considered world powers as well, but not at the level of the U.S. That was what made being an American citizen so hard. The American people were facing a threat that could only be faced down as a truly united planet, and they were doing it alone…

But what made it so hard was the fact that the old group that had once run the planet was no longer providing help on the international level. The alliance of NASA was on its own.

If there was no international help, then NASA had no chance of overcoming the terrorist group that now had the world in its grip. Even with the nation of Japan helping out, it was still only four nations against the world, five if ORB was included.

Five nations against the Earth Forces, which were far more numerous than the five nations' militaries combined. The only group that was capable of defeating such a powerful force was now neutral, and he knew it.

It was hard to accept, but NASA was on its own, even with ORB and Japan helping out…

Why did things have to be the way they were?

Keller could only hope that the world learned from its mistakes and came to its senses soon.

Otherwise NASA would not stand a chance…


The battle picks up as the thieves escape, but more issues loom on the horizon. All the while, NASA tests new units and prepares for what could be a new war. What happens next? Read on to find out~! :3

Anyway, you all know this, but I will put it anyway. Constructive criticism is appreciated as are reviews. Flames, AKA, hate-filled/spamming reviews, WILL be reported and/or deleted depending on if they are signed or not.

Anyway, read and review! ^^