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: You could have forgotten. That can happen. ^^'

CT7567Rules: You will have to see. And who would not know about JOSH-A and Heero's feat? He didn't exactly keep that a secret... ^^'

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

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 once more on the path of stability.


Phase Five: Scars That Won't Heal

Junius Seven

Unbeknownst to virtually everyone, a group of men and women in GINN High Maneuver Type IIs and worker pods were moving around the largest piece of Junius Seven. They were all fanatics on a mission. To first what Hong Fa Wu started. "Solar wind velocity is steady. Flare level S3. Estimated time to particle arrival, 30 seconds." one pilot reported.

"Hurry up." a GINN pilot said. "What about Unit 9?"

"We're just about ready sir." another replied.

A worker pod entered a code on the final motor. "Flare motor ignition countdown starting."

All of the mobile suits and pods started to withdraw from Junius Seven as one of them started the countdown. "Ten... Nine... Eight... Seven... Six... Five... Four... Three... Two... One... Particles have arrived. Flare motors activating."

Hundreds of red lights appeared across Junius Seven. The speed of the massive wreckage increased, driving towards Earth.

"Junius Seven has begun to move."

Sato, the leader of the group, glanced at a group of photos taped to his console. "Helen, Kristen... We'll be reunited after this." he whispered as his former home headed for Earth.

"Now fall! Our great tombstone!" Sato shouted to heavens. "On a world that has forgotten the voices of sorrow! That closes its eyes to the truth! And chooses to wallow in deceit! The hour of correction is now at hand!"


The Minerva

"I know you." Orga said.

"So? What's that got to do with our encounter now?" Heero asked.

The former Extended shook his head. "You were one of those who shot us down."

Heero just grunted. "Hn."

"How did you survive Jachin Due? We thought you had died in the explosion." Orga answered. "Don't you remember?"

Heero remembered all too well, as he had been there when it had happened. He had survived the explosion thanks to Wing Zero's armor, but he had been in hiding for the past two years in case another war began to brew.

The Natural turned away and walked out of the room, but not before he answered. "I managed to survive thanks to Wing Zero. That is all you need to know."

With that, he left the room, leaving behind several confused Coordinators and three confused former Extendeds.


Talia's Quarters

Later That Night

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Talia rose from her bed, draping a sheet over her naked body. She reached her desk and opened the comm. "Yes?"

"Captain. There's a message from the Supreme Council on Channel 1 for Chairman Durandal."

Talia looked over her shoulder at her bed. Gillbert nodded. "I'll take it in here." he said.


Thirty Minutes Later

Cagalli suppress a yawn as she rubbed her tired eyes. Standing beside her was Athrun and Flay. All of them were wondering why the Chairman had called for them in the middle of the night. The door to the Captain's Quarters opened. "Come in Princess." Durandal said, greeting them. "I'm afraid I have some grave news for you."

"What is it? What's happened?" Cagalli asked as they entered.

"Take a seat and I'll explain everything." Durandal answered.

Cagalli and Durandal both sat down as Flay and Athrun stood beside Cagalli while Captain Gladys stood next to Durandal. The Chairman let out a tired sigh and explained what they had just learned from ZAFT. Stunning and horrifying the three. "What? Junius Seven is moving towards Earth?" Cagalli exclaimed.

"But Junius Seven's orbit was supposed to be stable for hundreds of years. How could this happen?" Flay asked.

"We don't know. Perhaps an asteroid hit it and altered its course." Durandal suggested. "Regardless, it is now on a collision course with the Earth."

"If it falls... Orb... No, the entire planet..." Cagalli stopped, unable to finish her sentence.

Flay's mind was on her son and Chris. One of her hands was wrapped around her locket and Chris's dog tag. Junius Seven had been Chris's home before it was destroyed. His parents and many of his friends had died there and was their resting place. And Alexander was living in ORB. He was in danger. If Junius Seven hit the Earth, he would...

Her hand clenched around the two objects. She would not allow that to happen. She had lost enough already.

"Indeed Princess. If Junius Seven collides with Earth, the damage would be catastrophic." Durandal said. "At the moment, we're doing all we can to stop the collision and investigating what caused this disaster." Durandal sighed. "I must apologize for involving you in yet another incident, but I have ordered the Minerva to head for Junius Seven once our repairs have been completed. I hope you understand."

Cagalli nodded. "Of course. This is vital to all of us as well. And I offer any assistance that I or the ORB personnel with me can offer." she urgently said.

"I appreciate your offer, Princess. I fear that we may have to call on them before this is over."


Crew Lounge

The Next Day

Minerva pilots and some of the crew as well as John, Orga, Martin, and Shani were sitting around, talking the news that had spread across the ship like wildfire. That Junius Seven was now on a collision course with Earth. Expect for Shani, Martin, and Orga, who were sitting off to a side, lost in their little worlds. "Hmm... But how did it start moving?" Vino asked before taking a sip from his drink.

"Maybe a meteorite or something hit it." Yolant suggested.

"So then is it really on a collision course with Earth?" Shinn asked.

"Aye." John grimly replied, staring into the contents of his coffee mug.

"This does not show the signs of being hit be a meteor." Heero noted, catching the attention of everyone in the room.

Shinn was stunned. "Then what happened?"

"Meteor."

"You just said that a meteor did not hit the colony, though."

Heero glared at Shinn. "Operation Meteor. Basically, a colony or colony remains get dropped onto the planet below, causing large amounts of damage and a large loss of life. It was nearly carried out in my old universe, but was stopped in the end."

"So you're saying that we would drop the colony onto the planet?!" Shinn snarled.

"No, I'm not. Someone else did though, and I believe that they are the ones responsible, whether they are Naturals or Coordinators." Heero replied.

Luna sighed. "First the attack on Armory One, which we have yet to wrap up, and now this. Just what is going on?"

"So what are we going to do when get to Junius Seven?" Vino asked. "I mean how do we stop something like that?"

"Simple. We shatter it." Heero answered as he looked about the room.

"Shatter it? How?" Vino asked.

"I just finished talking to the ZAFT Commander that's been placed in charge of the operation. It's impossible to change its course in time. So we're going to either let NASA find a way to break it up or use Meteor Breakers to shatter Junius Seven into countless smaller pieces. Most of which will burn up in the atmosphere. Those that do get through the atmosphere will cause considerably less damage." John explained.

"But that thing's huge!" exclaimed Yolant. "Even if we do break it half, that's still 8 kilometers we have to break up. And how will NASA be able to destroy it? It's a war memorial!"

Heero grunted. "And your point is?"

"How do you destroy something that big?"

"And what about the victims?" Meyrin quietly added. "It's filled with the bodies of those who died."

"But if it hits, Earth will be annihilated." Rey countered. "Nothing would be left, alive or dead."

Everyone was silent for moment, contemplating what would happen. "Oh well... If it's meant to be, it's meant to be. It's out of our hands." Yolant mused. "But look on bright side, it'd solve a lot of hassles for us and things would be better for us in the PLANTs."

WHAM!

"Ow!"

"Don't even joke about that, kid." John coldly said as he stood over Yolant.

Heero aimed his gun at the boy, stunning the crew members in the room. "Give me one reason to not kill you right here and now!" he snarled.

"Hey! He was just kidding around. Yolant didn't mean that." Shinn said in defense of his friend.

"You don't get it, do you? We're talking about billions of lives here! It would be the same as every PLANT being destroyed at the same time." John replied. "All of your friends, family, everyone you know, gone in an instant. That is what we are dealing with here. I don't give a damn about whatever problem any of you have with the governments of Earth. Its people do not deserve annihilation. And you're lucky that neither Representative Attha nor Flay are here at the moment. Both of them would kick your asses for that. Heero though, let's just say that you are screwed if you try it again. And don't get me started on how the President of the United States would react."

"We know that!" Shinn yelled back. "Yolant was just trying to lighten the mood!"

"You do not lighten mood with that kind of crap." John shot back. "I thought the PLANTs had changed since Hong Fa Wu ran things. What he said was the kind of garbage that he, the creep La Creuset, and those who followed them would say."

Unnoticed by the rest of them, Rey tensed at the mention of Creuset.

"If that's what those in the ZAFT still believe, I'm glad I left."

Shinn opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Luna interrupted. "That's enough you two! We're supposed to be allies here! Not tearing at each other's throats out!"

John nodded. "Sorry about that. I got a little carried away there. But I was right. This isn't a joking matter."

"I agree. But attacking Yolant isn't going to accomplish anything." Rey replied. "Shinn. I don't hear your apology."

"I'm sorry." Shinn grumbled.

"Now, let's focus on the mission ahead of us. Alright?"


New Juneau

Alarms sounded in New Juneau as Coordinators of NAZAFT ran to their stations, startled by the movement of the destroyed colony.

"Get a lock on where Junius Seven will hit! And get the data to NASA at once! We need to destroy up the colony before it hits Earth! Prepare the 7th for combat as well!" the colony Commander ordered as her men and women ran about.

"But ma'am! The overhauls are far from finished! Without the units, there will not be enough power to destroy the combatants if there are any!" an aide said as he looked at her. "We need more time!"

"If you noticed, we are out of time! Get the Squadron out there or you will be put on lower duties for the next few months!" the Commander snarled as she glared at the aide. The aide shuddered, but went about his duties, trying to coordinate the break-up efforts.

This was going to be close…


A Private Estate

Earth

A group of wealthy men sat around a plush, expensive-looking lounge, talking about the looming crisis. "Well then, this is a shocking situation."

"Indeed. A truly unprecedented crisis. The doomsday scenario of Earth."

"I can't help but wonder if someone actually wrote such scenario."

"I've ordered Phantom Pain to investigate that matter." Djibril said to his associates.

"Does that even matter now? What good will such an investigation do?" Mr. Lorne asked.

"That's what we are investigating." Djibril answered.

"Why did you call this meeting, Djibril?" Mr. Gradenko asked with an impatient tone in his voice. "I can't see the SAF and all the other nations of the Earth not doing everything they can to prevent that thing from falling and taking the necessary precautions in case it does hit."

Djibril suppressed a smirk. "I'm not being overly dramatic when I say that I am completely shocked by what's happened." he said. "Junius Seven... Is this really happening? And why? Those were the first questions that entered my mind as well."

Mr. Hoffesommer punched the table he was sitting at. "Cut to the chase Djibril."

"No. That's the whole point." he replied with a smirk. "Given what's about to happen, the whole world will be asking these questions. That's where we come in. Durandal of the PLANTs has already issued a warning to all the nations of the Earth and that ZAFT is already doing everything they can to prevent a collision. NAZAFT is on high alert as well."

"He was quick to do so."

"They're panicking as well."

"Perhaps this event is due to natural causes." Mr. Lorne mused. "If that's the case..."

"So what? That's irrelevant now." Djibril said, seeking to crush any thought of that before it started. "What's important is what happens after the crisis. What's important is the answer that we will provide the grieving citizens when they ask, 'Why did this happen?'. This is why I have secured us a useful asset." He turned to the door. "We will have a new machine soon."

"What kind of machine?" Mr. Hoffesommer inquired as he reached for a glass of wine.

Djibril smirked. "They will be the new armaments of the EA. Soon, if they perform as expected, all of the nations will have them, and the PLANTs will fall to us, the wielders of the machines of destruction, the Destroy."

"Impressive Djibril. You've been thinking quite far in advance for this." Gradenko commented.

"Of course. Regardless of the cause, no one can deny that very soon, one clumsy, stupid object up in the sky is going to fall down on our heads. It's a humiliation! Think of how this looks. Because of that cursed thing, we all run around, looking scared and spineless. Someone must pay for this disgrace. But who?" Djibril paused, letting his question sink in. "Who else but the Coordinators who put that thing into space in the first place! Doesn't that make sense?"

"That's fine with me. But given the situation, the damage may be so severe that we may not have the strength to fight a war." Lorne pointed out.

"That is why I have gathered you here today." Djibril replied. "Escaping and seeking shelter is fine. But immediately afterwards, we should attack, with the plan. I'd like to request your collective approval."

"Brilliant."

"A bold move."

"The resulting hatred for the Coordinators will get the people riled up. They will fight."

"Those that are left anyway." Mr. Lorne sighed. "I suppose that we'll be uniting the people with the power of hatred."

Gradenko nodded. "It appears that there are no objections, Djibril. We'll meet again after the crisis has ended. Have a detailed plan prepared by then."

"I shall."


Junius Seven

"Commander. We're in position, as are the Valkyrie, the Einherjar, the Thor, the Loki, the Baldur, the Voltaire and the Rousseau." an operator reported.

The Commander nodded. "Patch me through to all our forces in."

"Yes sir."

"All ZAFT personnel, this is Commander Diana Kessel. As you are aware, Junius Seven is on a collision course with Earth. If it hits, the devastation it will cause will be catastrophic. We cannot allow that to happen. All team leaders, deploy your teams. We need to get the data on the colony's descent to NASA! Commander Kessel out."

"You know, I got a bad feeling about this." Ajay commented as the first of the mobile suits were deployed. "A real bad feeling."

"That does not matter." Diana replied. "We have to break up Junius Seven before it can hit the Earth. But only if NASA can't react in time."


The Bridge of the Baldur

"Look at the size of that think. It's huge." Dearka commented as they watched Junius Seven draw closer to Earth.

Commander Yzak Joule looked over should at his red coated second-in-command. "What do you expect? They have to be big Dearka. We live on these things, remember."

"I know that Yzak. The mission we're on is very important. I commented on the size as a reminder of just how important it is." Dearka replied, heading for the elevator.

"Just make sure the job gets done." Yzak called out. "We're running out of time."

Teams of GuAIZ Rs and ZAKUs carrying probes left their ships, heading for Junius Seven. Within a matter of minutes, the first of the teams had gotten into stand-by positions with their probes. But they weren't alone. A pair of GINNs fired on a ZAKU and two GuAIZs setting up a probe, destroying the three mobile suits before they fired on the device. Elsewhere, a pair of GuAIZs, carrying one of the Data Probes, was shot down by a GINN.

"What the... Gunfire?" Dearka said as watched a team being gunned down. "Shiho, everyone, we're under attack! Form up around the probes and defend them! Yzak, we're under attack! You better send out reinforcements!"


The Odin

"Commander! The Joule Team, the DeCosta Team and the Kukov Team are reporting that they're under fire!"

Everyone on the bridge was stunned. Who'd be insane enough to attack them as they were trying to shatter Junius Seven? "Send word to the fleet! Deploy all mobile suits at once! Everyone is to defend the Data Probes! Everything else is secondary to that!" Diana ordered as she headed for the elevator. "Send word to the Minerva too!"


The Girty Lue

"What do think those ZAFT mobile suits are doing?" Lee asked as they watched the two groups of ZAFT mobile suits battle.

"I'm just as puzzled as you are." Neo replied. "Perhaps this isn't an act of God after all. Send out Treize's team and be sure to record as much data as possible."


The Minerva

"Three minutes until mobile suit launch." Meyrin said over the intercom. "All pilots are to board their machines and remain on standby. I repeat..."

"I know we're supposed to assist the teams breaking up Junius Seven, but what exactly does that mean?" Luna asked Yolant as she reached her ZAKU.

"Well..."

At that moment, Luna spotted Athrun boarding the spare ZAKU. "Hey. What is he doing?"

Yolant looked over his shoulder and shrugged. "Well I guess in a support operation like this, it's better to have too many machines than not enough."

"Well... I guess he does know how to pilot a mobile suit." Luna commented.

A few minutes later, Rey's ZAKU and the Farsight had been loaded onto the catapults. The crews were going through the final launch preparations when Meyrin's voice came over the intercom. "Abort launch immediately! The situation has changed! The 11th Fleet is battling an unknown force at Junius Seven! All units are to equip for anti-mobile suit combat!"

"What? Meyrin! What's going on? Who's attacking Junius Seven?" John asked, trying to get a handle on the situation.

"That's about all we know." Meyrin replied. "We just detected them."

"Damn. This rules out natural causes." John said. "The only ones that would be attacking the teams out there would be the ones who altered Junius Seven's course."

"That doesn't matter." Heero said. "The mission is still the same. Ensure that Junius Seven is broken up before it hits the Earth."

The Core Splendor was launched, followed by the Force Silhouette, the Chest Flyer, and the Leg Flyer. After Shinn's machine had launched, the rest of the machines started launching. Soon, all of the Minerva's mobile suits had been launched, heading for Junius Seven.


Elsewhere

"This time, the Coordinators have gone too far this time!" Gyunei shouted as they approached Junius Seven. "I'm gonna tear them to pieces!"

"Patience. They will pay in due time." Treize said, scanning the area. "There. I've located a group of ZAFT warships. Xander, Gai, you're with me. We're going to sink those ships. Reccoa, take everyone else and go after the mobile suits."

Across Junius Seven, the ZAFT forces battled the insurgents. A GuAIZ was sliced in two by a GINN. Dearka fired his gun launcher at the GINN, destroying it. Shiho aimed her cannons at a pair of GINNs and fired, hitting both machines. A third lunged at her with a sword. But Shiho shot it down with her rifle. "Damn. These guys are persistent." Shiho said as she switched out her rifle's dead battery clip for a fresh one. "But why are they attacking us? We're trying to break Junius Seven up."

"No clue." Dearka answered, combining his gun launcher and rifle together and firing on a group of GINNs. "But this isn't really the time for questions."

As Shiho and Dearka continued to fire on the insurgents, the Extended pilots arrived at Junius Seven. "Spread out and destroy them all." Reccoa ordered.

Gyunei licked his lips in anticipation as they headed for the two ZAFT pilots. "Alright! Time for some action!"

Dearka swore as the two of them dodged the incoming shots. "Damn. The thieves from Armory One. As if we didn't have enough problems."

Reccoa drew one of her sabers and lunged at Shiho. The ZAFT ace threw her rifle in front of her as she pulled back, catching the blade. Shiho fired her cannons at the Blu Duel. But Reccoa dove down, evading the beams. The second the beams past her, Reccoa leaped forward, intending to cut the ZAKU apart. But just as she reached him, a burst of beams tore between the two, forcing them both back. "Shiho, you alright?" Yzak asked as he moved in front of the dark blue ZAKU.

"Fine sir."

Yzak took a glance at the Blu Duel. "Hmph... A new Duel model. Well, get ready punk. Cause I'm the original Duel pilot and there's no way I'm going to lose to you!"

Yzak drew his Falx beam axe and swung at Reccoa, who blocked with her saber.

At the same time, Sting launched his mobile pods, firing on Dearka as Auel swung his spear at Shiho. Dearka dodged Sting's shots before firing back his combined weapon at the stolen machine. Shiho drew her sword and clashed with the Abyss.

Other ZAKUs and GuAIZs fired on the Rosso Aegis and the Gaia. Both pilots dodged the beams and fired back with their rifles, shooting down many of the ZAFT machines. But as if that wasn't enough, a group of GINNs attacked both groups.

Gyunei laughed as he transformed his machine into its mobile armor mode. "So many targets... Who am I gonna crush first? I know... YOU!" he roared, lunging at Dearka.

But he was stopped by a single beam. "Hn. Of course you would be here to interfere with the mission." Heero said.

The Impulse, the ZAKUs, the Farsight, the Strike Raven, the Forbidden, the Calamity and Raider appeared.

Rey grunted as he and Orga fired on the Gaia. "The Specter's not here."

"That doesn't matter at the moment. There's plenty of enemies right here." Orga replied.

Martin glanced around at the mobile suits around them. "Hey. Which guys are we supposed to attack?"

"The black and purple GINNs and the guys from the last battle." John answered.

Martin smirked. "All I need to know."

Orga unleashed a fierce barrage from his cannons and bazooka, blowing away several GINNs. A pair of GINNs fired on the Forbidden, their beams bouncing off his defectors. Shani laughed as he fired his Hresvelgr cannon at them, the curving beam destroying them.

Stella landed on Junius Seven, transforming the Gaia into its mobile armor mode, heading for a pair of GuAIZs setting up a Data Probe. Suddenly, the Raven Striker pack slammed into the Gaia, knocking Stella back. Flay landed in front of the Gaia as the Raven Striker reattached itself. Flay drew one of her beam saber as the Gaia transformed back and drew one of its sabers, and the two clashed.

Gyunei wildly swung his beam saber-tipped arms at the Impulse. Shinn backed away from the Aegis, ducking and sidestepping his swings. A lucky swing caught Shinn's shield, cutting into it. Shinn let go of the shield as he drew his saber and swung it down on the Rosso Aegis. Gyunei ducked back, kicking the Impulse in the chest. "I gonna do what no one else has done. I'm gonna take your head! Then even Treize will have to acknowledge my superiority!"

He fired off several shots from his Scylla cannon. The beams forced Shinn back. "Damn. This guy's nuts!" Shinn said as he fired his rifle at Aegis.

Reccoa and Yzak continued their duel when Heero fired on the Blu Duel, forcing it back. "Hey! Stay out of this!" Yzak shouted.

Reccoa pulled out several of her Stiletto penetrators and threw them at Wing Zero. Heero pulled out his shield. Two of the Stilettos hit the shield while the third piece missed Wing Zero's engines. "You're not very skilled." Heero noted.

"Luck had nothing to do with it, Coordinator." Reccoa stated, firing her beam guns at the two.

Both machines blocked her shots with their shields before firing back.

Elsewhere, Athrun, Luna and Rey battled the insurgents. Luna fired her cannon, hitting two GINNs in one shot. A GINN moved behind Luna, intending to shoot her in the back, when a beam tore through it. "Thanks Rey." Luna called out.

"Don't mention it." Rey replied, firing at more GINNs.

A GINN fired at Athrun's ZAKU, but Athrun blocked it with his shield and drew his tomahawk. The GINN pilot, seeing that as a challenge, discarded his rifle and pulled out his sword. The GINN rushed towards Athrun. Just as it was about to attack Athrun struck, slicing off its sword arm. But GINN pilot didn't let up. He continued to attack, trying to tackle Athrun, leaving him no choice, but to slash at the GINN's torso, destroying it.

Well aimed beams rained across Junius Seven, taking out the insurgent GINNs with surgical precision. "Sir, it's good to see you again." Diana said as she pulled her dark purple ZAKU alongside the Farsight.

"I'm not your superior officer anymore." John said with an annoyed tone. "Call me John."

"Yes sir."

John shook his head and rolled his eyes.

"Commander! The Specter and two unknown mobile suits as well as several GINNs are heading for the fleet!" a ZAKU pilot reported.

Diana scowled. They needed to protect the Data Probes. But if they lost their ships, they'd have nowhere to go afterwards. "Basque! Take you team and defend the fleet. Everyone else, focus on protecting the Data Probes."

Basque nodded. "Ma'am."

"You made the right choice." John said. "We have to minimize the damage to Earth, even if the fleet suffers for it."

"I know sir. I know."


The Minerva

"Ma'am. The Joule Team is under attack by Chaos, Gaia, Abyss and two of the machines from Bogey-1." Meyrin reported.

"What? At this rate, they won't be able to carry out the operation in time." Arthur exclaimed. "Captain, we need to attack Bogey-1!"

Talia turned to Durandal. "Chairman, I'd like your opinion on Bogey-1 at this time. Are they renegades or are they from the Earth Alliance?"

"It's difficult to say. Personally, I don't want to think of them as members of the Earth Alliance. There's no telling what would happen if such embers were ignited."

"But the situation has changed."

"Yes. If that unit admits to being a part of the Earth Alliance or somehow associated with them, then they would have no reason to fight us."

"What if they believe that we are protecting those GINNs?" Durandal mused.

"But we're not!" Arthur nearly shouted.

"It's not that obvious." Talia countered. "Image if those machines were Daggers and Alliance forces showed up. You'd think they were a part of that as well."

"Are we able to contact Bogey-1?" Durandal asked.

"There is the International Rescue Channel." Talia replied. "We might be able to contact them through that channel."

"Then please try to contact them." the Chairman said. "Tell them that we're supporting the work to break up Junius Seven before it drops to Earth."


The ZAFT Fleet

"You idiots! Trying to drop this on the Earth! I'll make sure you don't live long enough to see it crash!" Treize yelled, firing his beam revolvers at a group of GINNs, GuAIZs and ZAKUs, destroying them all with well-aimed shots.

"Hey punk! Eat this!" Basque called out from the edge of the Einherjar's catapult, firing his Orthros beam cannon.

Treize effortlessly sidestepped his shots as raced towards the ship. He fired off a single beam, piercing Basque's cannon, destroying it. Then Treize tackled the ZAKU, slamming it into the Einherjar's hanger doors. "Time to die, Coordinator." Treize said, pointing his cannon at Basque's ZAKU.

Basque roared, drawing his beam tomahawk and lunging forward. Treize fired, the beam piercing the ZAKU torso and hitting the Einherjar's hanger. The Bruticus exploded. Treize then aimed his cannon at the bridge of the Einherjar. Suddenly, he felt something. Treize spun to the left and fired, nearly hitting another machine. The machine fired its rifle, forcing Treize to leap off the Nazca-class. "Urgh. I'll dispose of you too!" he shouted, drawing his sword.

The machine's pilot only responded by switching from his rifle to his beam saber. The two charged forward, their weapons clashing.

Gai fired the missiles from his machine's chest at the Thor. Explosions tore across the side of the ship's hull. Xander approached the Odin, firing a barrage of missiles and beams at the warship. Explosions blossomed across its hull. "Oh? Still standing? Here! Take another barrage!"

Suddenly, a pair of ZAKUs fired on him. "You're not sinking the Commander's flag!" one of the pilots shouted.

"Jerks! Get out of my way!" Xander roared, firing on the ZAKUs.


Washington D.C., United States

President Marie Hilson looked up at the falling colony, her eyes wide with horror. "A colony drop… but… why…?"

Fear was present in her veins, pinning her to the single spot in the Oval Office. She could not run, nor could she think straight.

Her vice-president was beside her, also feeling the same thing. Alarms were sounding, and staff was running, but only the president and vice-president were staying in place.

A Secret Service agent busted into the Oval Office, gun ready to use if need be. "Madam President, you and the vice-president need to get to the underground bunker now! Otherwise you will be killed!"

That snapped her out of her trance. Looking to the agent, she shook her head. "No, I'm not leaving here. We need to defend the planet." President Hilson replied.

"But…ma'am…how can we do that if you do not get to safety?"

She smirked at him. "We use the missiles." Becoming serious, she gave a command. "Prepare to activate Protocol 5831, Program Delta-5-A10. Prepare to fire two ICMBs!" She ordered.

The agent stared in shock before snapping to attention. "Yes ma'am!"

Vice-President Young stared at his superior. "You're not serious!"

"I am, Jason. If we don't, then the world as we know it will be destroyed." She replied.

He just nodded, knowing what the president was saying.


Suddenly, as the various combatants fought across Junius Seven the deployed Data Probes lit up, sending data back down to Earth, where NASA techs were prepared to send up the only thing that could save the Earth.

Suddenly, there was a flash that only a select few knew all too well. It was picked up by the members of the 11th Fleet, with ample warning time too.

Diana issued the order. "All units! Retreat now! NASA has reacted! Repeat, NASA has reacted!"

This got everyone who was in combat, both EA and ZAFT alike. Only ORB's pilots knew what she meant.

"They can't have! It's too powerful!" Flay exclaimed.

"Well, they just did." John replied, knowing all too well what NASA had done.

"Don't celebrate yet." Athrun said. "We still have work to do. We need to send down more data."

Both Yzak and Dearka were surprised to hear Athrun's voice. "What are you doing here, in a place like this, you bastard?" Yzak angrily asked.

"That doesn't matter." Athrun replied. "We still have to finish the job."

"I know that." grunted Yzak.

Dearka and Shiho grabbed a fallen probe as Yzak and Athrun flew cover for them. "You sure haven't changed, Yzak." Athrun commented as they traveled.

"You too."

Dearka chuckled. "All we're missing is Nicol and Saul."

A group of insurgents rose up from behind a large slab of rock, ambushing the group as they reached a drill site. "Yzak!" Athrun shouted as they attacked.

"Shut up! I'm the commander now!" Yzak said, as trio of GINNs surrounded him. "Don't order me around, civilian!"

Yzak swung his beam axe in a wide arc, slicing a GINN in half and hacking the legs off another. The third fired on him, but Yzak was faster, dodging the beams and stabbing the GINN through the head with a beam saber.

Athrun gunned down two GINNs when a third rushed him. Athrun grabbed one of his grenades. Just as the GINN reached him, Athrun slammed the grenade into the GINN's eye slit, just left of the monoeye. Athrun pulled back just before the grenade exploded, taking out the GINN. Dearka fired his gun launcher and rifle at last two of GINNs the group, destroying them as Shiho set up the probe.

The Data Probe, along with several more, activated, lighting up throughout the colony. Even more data was sent back to Earth, just in time for the missiles to adjust accordingly.


The Girty Lue fired off its retreat flares. One by one, the Extended pilots withdrew from the area. Treize was the last, taking one last look at the remains of the other machine, a GINN. Treize had thrown nearly everything he had at the unit, and in the end took it out. It had been too easy to take down. Forget that white machine from ZAFT though, the Berserker of JOSH-A was a real opponent. He would remember that and seek him out in later battles.

Aboard the Minerva, the crew let out a sigh of relief. "It looks like they finally believed us." Durandal commented.

"Perhaps. Or perhaps they withdrew for another reason." Talia said.

"Another reason?"

"That flash." she replied. "It is consistent with that of a missile launch." Talia sighed. "We must start choosing between risks… Descending with Junius Seven and getting caught in an explosive blast, or descending away from the colony." Talia turned to Durandal. "I'm sorry sir. But I'm going to have to ask you to transfer to the Voltaire. The Minerva will descend into the atmosphere. We'll try to get as far away from the blast zone as possible."

"What?" a very stunned Arthur said. "You can't be serious Captain!"

"I don't know how much we'll be able to avoid, but if we could do something but didn't how could we live with ourselves?"

"But Talia..."

"I'm a woman of luck. You can trust me."

"Very well. Thank you Talia." Durandal solemnly said, rising from his seat. "We will meet again."

Talia saluted him. "You should get going Mr. Chairman."

Durandal turned to Cagalli. "Princess."

Cagalli shook her head. "No. I'm staying." she said, surprising the crew yet again. "Athrun hasn't returned yet. Besides, if the Minerva is going to all this trouble to try and save the Earth, then I'm going with it. Besides, the Minerva will have to get out of the blast radius anyway, and I am the only one who knows what NASA is up to concerning this."

"Yes, but people who hold office have other duties as well." Talia replied.

"Well, if the Representative wishes to stay, then I will respect her wishes." Durandal said before he left.

"Inform the Voltaire that the Chairman is transferring to their ship. And fire the retreat flares." Talia ordered.


The Minerva fired its flares as text messages appeared on the consoles of the ZAFT and ORB mobile suits. "It's time to withdraw. We're getting too close to the blast radius." Diana said. "All forces withdraw."

The survivors of the ZAFT fleet withdrew to their ships as Minerva pilots and their ORB allies headed back to the Minerva. Shinn was heading for the Minerva with them when he caught Athrun, Flay, Heero, and John getting away from the colony.

"What are you doing?" Shinn asked as he rushed to their position. "We have to get back before the Minerva leaves us!"

"Get out of here. Don't worry about us." Flay replied.

"The Minerva's descent will take it away from the colony. NASA has launched a couple of missiles at the ruins." Athrun added.

"But-"

"If you want to help, then help Heero cover us." John said. "I doubt that our attackers have given up that easily."

Beams suddenly hit the shield of Wing Zero. "NO!" Sato roared as he led five GINNs towards the group. "We won't let you stop it!"

Two GINNs were armed with rifles and fired at the five as they approached. Shinn, Flay, Heero, and Athrun quickly blocked the beams with their shields.

"My daughter's tombstone must fall! It's the only way the world will change!" one pilot screamed as he raced towards the five.

"I don't care!" Flay screamed back as she headed for the GINN. "I won't let you bring down Junius Seven! Such a tragedy must never be unleashed on the world again!" Drawing a beam saber, she sliced the GINN in half at the waist. "I will not let my son die for the sake of your vengeance."

"His daughter? Who are these guys?" Shinn asked.

"I thought so. Only one group would be insane enough to do this: the diehard fanatics of Hong Fa Wu." John grimly answered. "The maniacs believe that the only way for Coordinators to live safely is to get rid of every last Natural. They're no better than Blue Cosmos."

"You bastard! Don't you dare compare us to them!" an insurgent shouted, racing towards John with his sword.

John fired a single shot, piercing the GINN. "There is no reasoning with these mad men. Just shoot them down."

Heero was engaged with two other GINNs, intent on preventing them from falling farther from the ship even more. "Your plans of destruction for Naturals will have to be put on hold, permanently!" the Natural snarled as he fired the Buster Rifle at the two GINNs. One dodged, but the other was not so lucky. The blast grazed the side of the machine, the energy causing the GINN to explode from circuit overload. The first GINN ran at Wing Zero, but Heero was ready for it. Beam saber out, Heero slashed the GINN across the torso, causing it to explode in a fireball.

Athrun pulled out his tomahawk as Sato swung his sword at him. "Have you forgotten about the innocent lives thrown away here? You're living in a damn dream world! Laughing with the butchers who caused this! You bastards!" Sato ranted as he clashed with Athrun. "The cowardly successors of Clyne have deceived us! They've corrupted and weakened ZAFT! Can't you see that? Hong Fa Wu knew it all along! The only truth path for Coordinators is one that he had chosen for us!"

Images of the Bloody Valentine, Wu's madness, and GENISIS and the devastation it brought. Wu's legacy to the world. More insane, irrational hatred…Athrun realized that these guys were truly just like Wu…He growled to himself. These guys were beyond hope. His ZAKU's foot slammed into the GINN, forcing it away from him. "You…BASTARD!" Athrun shouted as his SEED exploded. "There is no way that we will let you kill everyone just for your sick and twisted ideals! WU IS DEAD! GET USED TO IT!"

The other remaining GINN lunged at Shinn with his sword. Shinn sidestepped the GINN and hacked off its sword arm. But that didn't stop the pilot. The GINN jumped Shinn, wrapping its legs around the Impulse. A moment later, the GINN self-destructed, throwing Shinn back.

"Shinn!" Athrun called out.

At that very moment, a large chuck of the GINN hit the shield, denting it.


The Minerva

"Initiating Descent Sequence Phase Two." Arthur said as the Minerva's wings folded and it entered the atmosphere.

"What about the Impulse and those other machines?" Talia asked.

"I can't locate them, ma'am" Meyrin reported.

"No... Athrun!" Cagalli called out.


"They'll suffer this time! The Naturals will feel our wrath!" Sato screamed as he grabbed the leg of Athrun's ZAKU, pulling him down. Growling, Athrun used his tomahawk and tried to slice off the arm of the GINN. But his aim was off, and he could not. Athrun wasn't about to die though, and was prepared to slice off the leg of his machine to escape.

Suddenly, Shinn appeared, slicing the leg off with his beam saber for him and kicking Sato to the surface of Junius Seven. Shinn grabbed the ZAKU and headed for the Minerva alongside Heero, John, and Flay. At that point, there was a large explosion of light and heat that was far too powerful to be just a mere explosive warhead.

Athrun, Shinn, Heero, Flay and John fought to reach the Minerva. "Dammit! Those lunatics delayed us too long." John said. "We aren't going to make it."

"No. We can make it." Shinn said, pushing the Impulse to the limit.

But gravity's pull was too strong and the five fell away from the ship.

And towards the planet that was now behind them…


Somewhere in the Marshall Islands

"Now hurry up everyone." Lacus calmly said, helping Caridad, Chris, and Reverend Malchio usher the kids into the shelter under the church.

"What is it? Where are we going?" one child asked.

"Oh I know! We're going shopping, aren't we?" a little girl asked.

"Aw... But I want to play." another said.

Lacus smiled. "No. We're not going shopping. There's a storm coming. So we need to go under the church to wait it out." she said sweetly.

Chris was already in the bunker, leading several children into it.

Lacus glanced at the deck of their house, expecting Kira to be there. But he wasn't. The smile dropped from her face. "Kira?" she called out, searching for him.

Lacus quickly spotted him. Kira was standing on the beach, watching the first flash light up the night sky.


Chapter is complete. NASA unleashes the most powerful missiles ever created on the ruins of Junius Seven while the ZAFT forces try to stop the descent of the colony. But what repercussions will this have for NASA's leaders in the next war?

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! ^^