Chapter 8

CE 73, November 14th, Lohengrin Gate Entrance A-12, Gulnahan Ravine, Iran

Morning 11 30

"So he's back?" Sheryl asked, as Kaguya continued cleaning the leg joint of the Dagger L in the hangar. It was the last unit to be disassembled and hauled off to the trucks. "Hah… that uncle of mine always had a thing for taking risks." Sheryl wiped sweat off her brow. "What would he do if a couple of bandits decided to waylay him en route…?"

"I think he'd be the one doing the smacking around," Kaguya replied, and the two shared a moment of laughter. "Aren't you going to see him?"

"I'll go later," Sheryl replied. "But we're well on the way of completing preparations to return to Sinai Base… that takes precedence. We can't have the wounded lying forever in that dusty infirmary and makeshift tents after all."

Kaguya gave the left leg joint one last wipe, and flicked at the metallic surface, a ping sounding out that was quickly swallowed by the vastness of the hangar and the relative silence compared to the windy ravine outside. "Point taken. But you can still leave some jobs to me. It might lessen the chances of me getting on the Lieutenant's bad side again."

Sheryl laughed. "It'll be pretty easy to sabotage you then," she said, avoiding the greasy cloth aimed at her.

CE 73, November 14th, Lohengrin Gate Entrance A-12, Gulnahan Ravine, Iran

Morning 11 33

"So…" Ray begun, one thumb rubbing his left temple. "A nearby airbase that the OMNI forces used to transfer aerial supplies to the Lohengrin Gate… destroyed… by ZAFT commandoes. The commandos were nearly… or should I say, completely identical to the ones we fought before?"

"That sounds about right, Lieutenant," Guy said. "I've asked around as per your order, sir, and even the NGO doctor, Richard Camelot, says that he's heard of people talking about how ZAFT razed the place to the ground."

Nain continued keying into her laptop. "Notwithstanding the fact that we've had no intention to travel to that area in the first place because we were unaware they were constructing yet another new base there, this does seem to bring closure to a few of our theories." Nain looked up at the two pilots sitting in front of her. "That commando team has been operating in the area for a long enough time to arm local insurgents against us, destroy vital supply depots, and relay accurate OMNI troop movements that near the Lohengrin Gate, stretching as far as the end of the Suez canal."

"What are the odds of them remaining in the area after the attack?" Ray asked. "If we run into them again on the way back…"

Nain's reply was almost instantaneous. "Unlikely. It seems that the attack on that airbase was the last of their acts four days ago. Despite our odd situation now, it seems that the fact that we're dealing with simple townsfolk and not war-ravaged city people has saved us. That, and Coniel Almeda seems to have done a good job convincing them that we won't shoot people in their sleep."

"Or not, depending on how they prioritize things," Guy said. "We've nearly no information about ZAFT troop movement ever since the Lohengrin Gate, the hub of this area, got wiped clean off the map in terms of defensive capability. That kind of mobility and speed… They must have a VoLPHAU or two to carry them and their supplies across the land."

"Looks like they won't be of concern to us for the time being then," Ray said. "ZAFT has no bases in the region, and the Mahamul Base is relatively small… I don't think they have the capability to strike at us here and now. We'll be long gone when they come and look." Turning to Guy, Ray said "So, is the Lohengrin Gate cleaned up?"

Guy nodded. "Admittedly there wasn't much," the man took out a thumbdrive and pushed it across the table to Ray. "Either the base commander initiated a purge of the systems when the base went down, or the explosion from the Lohengrin cannon damaged a good deal of the electronics in here." Guy leaned back into his chair. "I'll like to believe the former was at work, but I'm guessing the latter is a more believable option."

The three officers were silent for a while. Ray was the first to stand. "Well, I wasn't expecting to get a hold of important data anyways," he said. "Good work, Leon. If you're free, I think Mendez could use your help in Hangar G-16." Ray rolled up his uniform's sleeves and sighed. "Administrative work is such a pain…"

Guy chuckled as Nain shot the First Lieutenant a piercing glare. "It's not my fault this place has poor administration." Nain continued muttering as Guy exited the room. "Fourteen different regulations broken in the handling of data… I'm almost glad that this place got wrecked, imagine what ZAFT could have gleaned from this if they'd even bothered to set foot in here."

Ray raised an eyebrow as he turned the thumbdrive around with his fingers. "So… this?" Ray continued as he looked over the device. "You put Guy in charge of Section G-3, Major… the information storage servers. Those were under hardened bunkers, so compared to the rest of this place, you could say that Section G-3 was sparkling clean. The data inside… deployment orders, supplies list… footage of the Impulse and Minerva in action, even?" Ray held the thumbdrive up, its metallic casing glinting under the white light of the briefing room. "Guy may not have found much, but I wonder just how many hidden and encrypted files were in the folders he copied over…"

To her credit, Nain did not bat an eyebrow. "That's classified," she said, taking the thumbdrive out of Ray's hand with a well-aimed swipe. "I still work for OMNI Intel Division, you know. Just not as an active field agent." She slid the thumbdrive into her laptop and begun typing rapidly. "They'll want an answer for this bungled excuse of a base." Her lips curled into a half-grin as she continued typing. "I may be Atlantic by employ, but can you imagine OMNI Intel getting this data faster than the Blue Cosmos lackeys from the Atlantic Federation's Bureau of Intelligence?"

Ray sighed. "I understand, Major. I apologize if I sounded rude." Turning back to his laptop, Ray continued to sort out his share of the data. "Perhaps the question on all our minds is… what happens after this… after we return to Sinai?"

Nain simply shrugged, and went back to her typing.

CE 73, November 14th, Lohengrin Gate Entrance A-12, Gulnahan Ravine, Iran

Afternoon 04 46

Sheryl sat down, a water canteen in one hand. Beside her, Richard took a seat as well, the foldout chair creaking slightly as he rested his burly frame on it.

"I don't know what we would've done if you didn't turn up, Uncle," Sheryl said. "The way you patched them up… even the senior medics were impressed, and everyone here more or less has a basic understanding of first aid at least. We were planning to drive everyone home regardless of how injured they were, and before you did your work on them I didn't think they could all make it back in good shape, at least not with their conditions worsening."

Richard smiled. "I didn't hone my skills just to be outdone by the average field medic, you know," he paused to take a drink out of the canteen. "Besides, compared to what I brought and what you guys had lying around this place, I'd say I had better equipment on hand to deal with severe injuries." The man sighed. "And I thought the plasma burns I saw during the Bloody Valentine War were bad. These are on a whole new level."

"It can't be helped," Sheryl said. "As weapons are created, so are new armour types to counter them. The easiest way to counter that armour is to simply increase the overall power of the weapon. With beam technology, things like armour penetration, cooling efficiency and barrel durability all give way to simply having enough range and output to melt through all obstacles."

Richard looked at his niece. "Are those your thoughts from your experience as a sniper?"

Sheryl returned the look, but with a grin. "I craft my own rifles and they part the air gently, not slice through it. Just like how you and Dad have taught me to." She took a small drink out of the canteen. "Hunter's pride, I guess?"

Richard gave a short laugh. "Looks like your childhood has come to the present to save you."

As the two continued talking, Sheryl noticed two of the locals approaching. Apparently, Richard did as well, because he turned to Sheryl. "Well, duty calls." He raised his water canteen. "A toast. To surviving yet another battle."

Sheryl returned the gesture. "Stay safe once we're out of here, Uncle."

"My thoughts for you exactly," Richard said, standing up. "Your aunt and I will always welcome you with open arms, should you change your mind about being a wandering soldier."

Sheryl nodded, as one of her last few relatives on the planet walked away.

CE 73, November 14th, Lohengrin Gate Entrance A-12, Gulnahan Ravine, Iran

Evening 05 01

Kaguya gave one last look-over on her Dagger L, trying to ignore the fact that there were explosives strapped to its armour. So far, the Dagger L had done well, and the fact that it was barely used since three days ago meant that its on-board battery charge was nearly full. Unfortunately, it needed maintenance, and in-between cleaning out the base and salvaging everything they needed, Kaguya hadn't found much time to run a proper routine on her Dagger L unit. She couldn't complain though, since Guy's unit, lying right beside hers, was equally as dusty, and still lacked its left arm, the hole hastily sealed over with layer after layer of duct tape. She still remembered the never-ending crackling sounds of sticky tape being taken off the roll, and the little pile of cardboard cyclinders when Guy and a soldier were done with the task.

Climbing into the cockpit, and trying to block out the presence of the occasional glance from one of the local militiamen standing guard around the mobile suits, Kaguya started up the system to perform an onboard check.

The computer completed its self-diagnostic just as Guy peeked in. "We've got permission from Ray to move our Dagger Ls to Hangar G-15," he said. "Once we get our units fixed up, we'll be ready to make the journey home."

"Oh? They've finally finished getting everything in gear?" Kaguya asked. "At the rate things were going, I thought that we might have to stay a few more days."

"Some of the locals went in to help," Guy said. "Apparently Ray let them in. Seems like everyone's finally warming up to each other."

Kaguya leaned back into her seat. "About time," she said, pushing a few buttons. "Help me tell the guards that they need to stand clear while I'm getting up and follow me into the hangar, thanks."

As Guy went off to tell the locals to get ready to move, Kaguya set her hand on the power throttle. For some reason, having its firm grip under her hand felt almost comforting.

As Guy watched Kaguya walk the Dagger L away, he turned to face his own unit, and nearly bumped into Coniel, who was carrying an armful of what looked to be small medicine boxes. The smaller woman stumbled, trying to move out of Guy's way, and half the boxes went clattering onto the ground.

"Sorry," Guy said. "Let me help you with them, there seems to be a lot to carry."

"Thanks, but don't you have to follow your comrade over there?" Coniel asked, nodding in the direction of Kaguya's Dagger L.

"That can wait," Guy said, as he followed Coniel winding through the crowd of locals who had gathered in the area to help carry the supplies given to them onto trucks. "That said, you're pretty smart to correctly guess that I was the pilot of the other machine. I guess you aren't the leader of the local resistance for nothing."

"I just guessed," Coniel replied, ducking under a long package carried by two man; Guy, deciding to play safe, went around them, and caught up to her as fast as he could. She turned to face Guy. "That night back when your people first arrived here… your voice came from the Mobile Suit with a missing arm. Besides, I'm not the leader... we have a group making the decisions."

"Still, the guys seem to respect yours," Guy said as the two stopped in front of a small crowd of women and children. Some of them looked suspiciously at Guy, but Coniel turned to them with a nod to show that he meant no harm. "Your parents would be proud."

Coniel gave a quick smile. "Praising me will not get you anywhere, Mr. Soldier," she said, as she turned to walk back towards where she came from.

Guy laughed. "Oh my, I wouldn't dare," he said, feigning embarrassment at Coniel's words. "Rather, it makes me happy that you're that capable at such a young age."

Coniel turned to look at him as they walked. "You sound like a father," she said, stepping deftly to the side to avoid a passing OMNI soldier. The soldier turned to salute at Guy, who returned the salute quickly and hurried on.

"You're pretty sharp," Guy said as he caught up. "I do have a daughter and wife... they live in Copernicus."

Coniel struggled with the word. "Co… Cope…"

"Copernicus," Guy said. "A city on the moon with its own administration, free from the trappings of Alliance politics."

"Really?" Coniel asked. "I've heard people mention that there are entire cities on the moon, just like how the people from ZAFT live in space, but this is the first time I'm talking to someone who actually knows about it." She turned to wave at a group of locals on a passing truck. "A daughter…"

"Are you a single child?" Guy asked. Taking out a photo, he handed it to Coniel.

"Oh, I can see the resemblance to you," Coniel said, scrutinizing the contents of the photo. "I've always wondered what it would be like to have a sister…" her voice trailed off. "Her eye colour," Coniel turned to look squarely at Guy's eyes, which were blue. "They're… violet? And your wife's eyes are violet as well?"

"My wife is a Coordinator, and my daughter has her genes too, of course," Guy said. "We used to live on Earth too, until the anti-Coordinator pressure got too bad…" His words dropped off as he turned to look at Coniel, who had slowed down in her tracks.

"Then… why are you with the Earth Alliance?" Coniel asked as she caught up, holding out the photo to him. "You know they hate Coordinators, right? Why?" Guy could clearly see the confusion in her eyes. "Won't this put your family in danger? What if the Alliance found out that your wife and daughter are Coordinators? Or how would your wife feel if she knew that you were killing people that were like her?"

Guy walked back, taking the photo from Coniel. "She knows. Besides, Coordinators aren't a separate species, you know. They were born from Naturals as well. Decades before today, Coordinators and Naturals actually lived together. I can't say they ever lived in harmony thanks to fear-mongering, but killing each other was never part of their daily plans then." Guy pocketed the photo. "I first met her back then, and I've always seen her as a normal person. She, in turn, saw me as a human as well." He paused before continuing. "I've killed Naturals before I had to kill Coordinators, back when there was dissention in the Alliance during its formation. Killing Naturals, killing Coordinators… I've always thought of it as simply killing people."

Coniel put her hands into the pockets of her coat and began to walk again. "It's hard to imagine that. You might think that we who live here don't know anything, but some people in town have televisions, a few even have computer units, even if they're old, and almost everyone has a radio of sorts. Every time the words 'Natural' or 'Coordinator' are heard or seen, it's almost accompanied by words of hatred, and talk of killing." Coniel turned to look at the setting sun. "And the people who live here are what you'll call Naturals too. If an army comprised of Naturals can't get along with fellow Naturals, like you guys, then how would they get along with the Coordinators that they hate so much?"

Coniel turned to face Guy. "And how can someone who works for the Alliance see Coordinators in another light?"

"I don't know," Guy said, joining Coniel at her side. "I don't know either. But this job is simply to protect my family the only way I knew how. I took them and ran to Copernicus because if they stayed on Earth, the Naturals would kill them, but I returned to the Alliance because I needed the job, if I wanted to provide them the same comforts they had back on Earth." Guy turned back to face the ravine, and the people moving around. "And in that last war, I mostly fought to prevent ZAFT from winning. Patrick Zala, the leader of ZAFT, swore to exterminate Naturals in that war. Who's to say he wouldn't start a genocide hunt for all remaining Naturals after he won? What would happen to my daughter, when she shares my blood? But this time, I don't know. I never believed that ZAFT had a hand in dropping the Junius Seven wreckage. But I can't rule out the possibility of them doing it either."

"Why not?" Coniel asked. "You said you didn't believe that they could do something like this, right? Even I… even I don't think they could do something like this, after going through to the trouble of fighting and looking out for our safety at the same time."

"The world right now is a swirling mess of colours," Guy said. "The truth is right in front of you, but how much is the real truth, and how much was added in during the time it took for the news to arrive to you? When it comes to people who fight for their own cause, like those who dropped Junius Seven, who are part of no nation and no army, one can never be sure." Guy took out the photo again, looking at it. "I don't know. I don't know what step to take, I don't know who I can turn to for help. All I can to is to keep going forward at a time like this."

The two were silent for a while. Coniel was the first to break the silence. "Maybe you can find out, Mr. Pilot," she said, moving closer to look at the photo. "You're the first Alliance soldier I've met that has an interesting story to his life, the first who doesn't treat the word 'Coordinator' like something dirty." She moved back and raised both arms to shoulder level, looking at the people moving around as she did so. "And the soldiers here too. I thought you were all just like the Alliance that came in here and swept away our normal lives." She put both hands down again, and Guy noticed that she was smiling. "You all have something different that we've all seen over these past few days. Something that the other Alliance soldiers didn't have. That's why I felt that I could trust you."

Guy smiled as well. "Well, it's a relief to hear that. Maybe… maybe I might find the answer to this after all." He held out his hand. "Thank you."

Coniel took the handshake. "From one person to another."

CE 73, November 15th, Lohengrin Gate Entrance A-12, Gulnahan Ravine, Iran

Morning 09 20

Morning saw a neat line of trucks lined up outside the Lohengrin Gate's A-12 entrance, and some locals gathered to watch the procession. Ray himself was talking to Coniel.

"Well, it's been an interesting period," Coniel said. "A five-day experience, from a hostile encounter." She turned to look at the gathered locals for a while; some of them shifted as the met their gaze, but she had managed to hold back the more radical ones in the group. "I wasn't sure that we would get along, but it seems like you can never judge things by your eyes alone, especially in these times."

"It takes two hands to clap. I appreciate all that you have done, especially having your people help out yesterday," Ray said.

"I thought that perhaps a bit of help would be prudent; after all, you were also clearing out the base, and delivering anything usable to us," Coniel replied. "I just didn't expect it to be that fast."

"Well, with proper equipment, everything can be done fast. Still, I'm surprised that you agreed in the agreement that we could take all the mobile suit parts. Are you sure you don't want us to assemble some mobile suits?" Ray asked. "It wouldn't take much time to get a few up and running…"

Coniel shook her head. "No," she replied, "We don't have a use for them. These mobile suits, they're complex machines, right? They need to be fixed when they break down, refuelled and recharged when they run empty. None of us here have the technical know-how to support mobile suits, even if we could practice on their use." She shrugged. "And I've been thinking about it. What if our townsfolk start to get drunk on the power a mobile suit provides? What if ZAFT mistakes our people for the Alliance? Or worse, what if the Alliance comes back, and finds us using their mobile suits?"

Coniel held out her hand. "I realized something recently… that in these times, we have to judge with what we see and hear, and not what we assumed of others," Ray took her hand. "And the fact that having mobile suits might increase the threat to our town is part of that."

"I see. Then I wish you good luck and peace," Ray said, as he shook her hand. "Not all Earth Alliance officers are like those who built the Lohengrin Gate… and not all of them are like us, either," he said, boarding the truck.

"I know," Coniel said, watching. "I can't see all Alliance soldiers as good… but at least, I will judge them with my own opinions and thoughts. After all… inside, we're all just humans."

Ray, his hand out of the window, gave a thumbs-up sign as the truck started up. Within seconds, the heavy vehicle roared to life, and the convoy started moving. The general transports were first, followed by MS carriers, and finally the APCs that carried the Sinai Base soldiers to their destination. Kaguya and Guy sat in their Dagger Ls', the trucks carrying them ending the formation.

Guy turned to look at the gathered locals, and gave one last sign. The locals watched, some with mild amusement, as the dark grey Launcher Dagger L sat up and put its right hand to its head, and gave a brief salute before lying back down. The driver of the MS truck leaned out and looked at the mobile suit, a small sound of disapproval escaping his lips.

"What was that for?" Kaguya asked. "If you'd lost balance, you might have started another landslide, and we'll be forced to unpack again."

"Nothing much," Guy said, leaning back into the seat of the cockpit. "Just a sign of thanks to these people. They managed to find it in their hearts to believe us… Someday, if I can… I will return that favour."

Kaguya smiled as she relaxed into her own pilot seat. "Someday, Leon. Someday."

Coniel watched as the procession slowly moved out of sight. "Well, that is that," she said, turning to the gathered locals. "Alright, everyone, we have our own town to rebuild. Let's go home."

As the locals dispersed, Coniel returned her gaze one last time to the convoy's direction. "And all the best of luck to you all as well," she whispered.

CE 73, November 14th, ZAFT Diocuia Base, Black Sea Region; Turkey; Southern Eurasia

Afternoon 01 30

Alan looked around. He recognized the street. He recognized the bakery down the road. He recognized the woman and child walking past him right now. After all, they were his neighbours.

Gone in an instant. A bright light enveloped him, and he shielded his eyes reflexively, his hands held up, his chest constricting in a sense of unease.

When he regained control of his sight again, the area around him was a sea of glittering stars. Debris drifted past, and occasionally a human body would appear as well. Specks of light in the distance indicated battle, and somehow he knew, by memory, that those were the first production GINNs against the Alliance's Moebius units.

After all, he had been on one of them during that fateful day.

"Sir," Grace said. "Sir!"

Shaken from his sleep, Alan awoke with a book sliding off his face, the sunlight forcing his eyes close again. Shaking his head, Alan pinched the bridge of his nose, and looked around. He slowly remembered the events of the day; today was his second day off, and he had come to the small park in the base to read. Unknowingly, he had fallen asleep. He took a look at his watch. I came out straight after lunch… he thought. It couldn't have been too long. "Is Fredric not with you?"

"No sir," Grace said, her countenance, ever professional. "Last I heard, he went downtown. That said, we've finally received our new orders."

Alan picked the book up and flipped through it, folding a corner of the page he was at before closing the book. "So soon? I was expecting them to come later. Even if we're commandos, this is a bit too much, isn't it?"

"The orders are scheduled for three days later, sir," Grace replied.

"Oh. Looks like I was wrong," Alan said. "Well, what did they say?"

Grace flipped through the file she carried with her. "Deployment to Central Europe, for starters. We run recon as we make our way to join ZAFT forces stationed near the borders of the Romanian region."

Alan stood up and began to walk back to the barracks, Grace falling in behind him. "Eurasian Federation territory. Perhaps this might be easier than I thought."

Grace tilted her head to the left for a moment. "How so, sir?"

"The Eurasian Federation has always been the more logical and pragmatic out of the two main superpowers in the Alliance," Alan said. "They won't be combing their lands that vigorously for a Coordinator presence, and even if they do find us, they won't be smarting for a fight right off the bat. And with their recent retreats, we can be sure that they won't come thundering out of some hidden mountain valley, either."

"I see," Grace said. "And with our new members, we'll be able to handle greater threats than before."

"New members?" Alan asked, pausing to acknowledge two ZAFT commanders saluting him as they crossed paths.

"It's listed in here, sir," Grace opened the file again and handed it to him. "We have two new pilots, assigned to us as of today."

Alex scanned through the file, searching for the names of pilots. "Larry Falke! I know that man. I used to be under him on the Grimaldi Front early on, before I was assigned to Earth with my own team. He's a survivor of Operation Spit Break. Patrick Zala really did a number on the troops deployed on Earth when he tried to play espionage…" He paused at the other name when he realized that Grace was saluting someone. Looking up from the file, he saw a group of ZAFT personnel pass by… and he finally noticed why Grace stopped.

Athrun Zala, in a redcoat's uniform, walked past Alan, while conversing with another female redcoat pilot with red hair. Noticing the FAITH pin on Athrun's uniform, Alan saluted as well.

"At ease," Athrun said, falling behind his group. "We're all off-duty when in this place… and besides, it feels odd to have a Captain saluting me."

"Chain of command has to be observed, sir. It keeps authority intact," Alan said. At this distance, he must have heard my words.

Athrun glanced at the file. "Larry Falke? I see… I have to congratulate him on his recovery if I run into him. There isn't any first-generation pilot who didn't know his name as one of the top MS instructors in ZAFT's military academy." He nodded at Alan. "It was a good thing Spit Break didn't claim his life... it would have been a waste. It's good news that he'll be adding his strength to yours."

"Thank you, sir," Alan said. Looks like he's not the kind of person to pick at old bones. That's good.

Grace rejoined Alan's side as Athrun walked off. "So he's Athrun Zala? Up close, he's a bit less muscular than I imagined."

Alan looked at his long-time subordinate and decided to try a joke. "You mean, like a bodybuilder?"

"I don't mean something that's that far off the charts, just... less lanky than he is now." Despite Grace's near-perfect poker face, he knew when she was indignant, from the subtle tone of her voice. Holding back a slight urge to smile, he resumed looking for the names of pilots.

"Suzuki Amano…" he slowly pronounced the name. "Rare to see someone of Japanese heritage in ZAFT, seeing as people from there were the least percentage during the Coordinator boom." He continued reading. "Reassigned as part of a personnel transfer from the PLANTs?"

"It seems that she fought at the Break the World incident two months ago, under the Joule Team, and later at the Battle of Aprilius One." Grace added. "To survive, and with a recommendation to our squad… perhaps, her skill is like a raw diamond, uncut, but with promises of greatness."

Alan closed the file and looked across the base to where ZAFT's pride, the Minerva, was moored. "I can only hope so." He held the file up. "After all, the Raider Team's distinction is never having been assigned an easy mission before."

Afterword:

With the opening of the story settled, things are going to shift to the meat of the tale; combat in Europe, where the majority of the story will attempt to provide closure for.

I mean, yes, the first Destroy attack in the series took place there, but given the volatile situation of OMNI in general we could have gotten so much more out of it than just people getting stepped on.