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Gundam Seed Purpose Renew

Chapter 11: A choice with no regrets

Gekido looked up as he climbed out of the Purpose. A few of the Earth Alliance mobile armour pilots had gathered around his suit. Amongst the pilots was Canard.

"Thank you for protecting our comrades," one of the pilots said.

"Yeah, we owe you man."

"You showed those ZAFTIES who was boss."

Canard smirked and looked at Gekido. The slither of a smile crossed Gekido's face and he nodded his head.

"I couldn't protect the Montgomery, but at least some of you guys get to go home right? Don't bother with the thanks, I was just doing my job," he said as he floated away.

He narrowed his eyes at Kira, whose face was low and expression dazed. Clearly the boy was in some kind of shock. Gekido began making his way towards him, when Bentos got in his way.

"Too bad we lost Wade, he took a bullet for you today," the man said.

"I never asked him to," Gekido retorted.

"A shame he took matters into his own hands. Though I struggle to understand why, you didn't exactly treat him well, and all he ever did was try to be your friend," Bentos explained.

"Friends are the only ones who can treat each other like crap," Gekido lowered his head and floated past the older man, towards the elevator.

He got into the elevator and pushed a button for the upper crew deck. The young man leant against the wall and let out a sigh.

"Wade, you moron," he whispered.

We lost so many in that battle, and gained a few allies as well. I can't keep up with all the new people in the cafeteria. Some of them are as young as me and the others who volunteered from Heliopolis. The difference, they're trained soldiers and I wonder, what makes them want to do that. Each of them made the conscious choice to sign up, to fight. Me, ever since Heliopolis, nothing has been my choice.

Kira stood alone amongst the newcomers of the ship. Kai was serving up the food and batting some of the more eager crew aside.

"One at a time damn it, and no complaints about your portion size. I don't care if you give the Rock a run for his money in the size department, you get a small size just like everyone else," Kai explained.

"Who's the Rock?" one of the mobile armour pilots asked.

"Old twenty first century wrestler and actor, a big guy, unfortunately even if he was here he'd get miniscule just like everyone else," Kai said.

"We just got through a tough battle," another pilot pouted.

"If you'd prefer I could get some of our reserve stock, it looks like the crap they ate in the real world sequences in the Matrix."

"What's the matrix?"

"God, what are these kids learning?" Kai muttered. "Hey Kira!"

"Where are my friends?" Kira asked.

"They're working different shifts at the moment, why the long face kid?"

"The last battle, what Ensign Badqiruel did," Kira stopped as he felt one of the mobile armour pilots look at him.

"If she didn't do what she did, there's a good chance that battle could have gone on for a lot longer. I would have lost more comrades, more friends, and all the efforts you and your comrades made to save us, would have been for nothing. If it's between living and keeping their hands clean, there's a good chance everyone here will choose living," the boy explained.

He was the same age as me. But there was such coldness in his eyes. I suppose watching your comrades die can do that. For a moment I think what if? If one of my friend's dies, would I develop the same eyes as him?

"But surely there are laws against that kind of thing," Kira retorted.

"Of course there are laws, one life is never more important than others, especially when that one life isn't a citizen of our own country. We haven't yet formed any sort of agreement with ZAFT regarding the transfer of prisoners of war," the pilot explained.

"Lacus isn't a soldier," Kira said.

"Which is a good thing, because a soldier would be put in an actual cell. I'm not saying it was right, or a good thing, but it did save a few lives," the young man took his tray of food and took a seat with a few of the other pilots.

"For what it's worth kid, everyone agrees that Natarle was out of order, hell, Natarle herself feels that way, but like that Wes kid said, we can't be squeaky clean in war. Well meaning idiots are the ones that get killed first," Kai explained.

"Kai, why did you join the military?" Kira asked.

"I'm a colony kid, we never had many other options. Luckily one option I had was an EA recruitment office. Say what you will about the government, but when you're starting out from the bottom, the military looks after its own. It can be hard, but a rewarding experience, I always had a flare for spices and food, but I perfected my cooking techniques in the military, I also learnt about business management and leadership, and I've got quite a bit of money saved. The price? A few tours here and there, and service on warships."

"Have you ever killed anyone?"

The room grew silent, a few people turned their heads to look at Kira. Some had scorn on their faces, others were shaking their heads.

"Kira, whilst there's no actual law or regulation against answering that question (or one they could enforce), it is looked down upon. There are just certain things you don't ask, or tell. Now I can't pretend to know what you're going through, and there's a limit to what your friends can understand. But whatever you have to do to cope with what you're going through, you do it all right kid?" Kai asked and Kira nodded his head.

None of them can help me. Maybe cause they're too busy finding their own ways to cope with the things they do. I was too afraid to speak with Bentos, Wade seemed to be the only one I could approach but...I still think of how he pushed Gekido out of harm's way. Even if it meant dying, he didn't hesitate to lay down his life to protect his friend. But for me it wasn't dying, I didn't want anyone to die. Least of all Athrun, and the people he had come to consider friend.

The boy walked until he passed Canard. The Eurasian soldier stood with his arms crossed, raising his head as Kira passed.

"You know the answer," he suddenly said and Kira stopped.

Canard wasn't looking at him, but clearly what he had to say was for him.

"You've seen that I've killed enemies, because that's what they were to me. I'm a coordinator...first gen, like you," the young man said.

Kira's shocked reaction made Canard laugh.

"We're both proof that the Plants aren't the native colony's of coordinators everywhere. I don't feel any connection to the people who live there, because they aren't my people. Then again I don't consider myself a hundred percent Eurasian either," Canard explained.

"So why do you fight?" Kira asked.

"Survival wouldn't match your moral standards," Canard said.

"You're fighting to live?"

"What would you rather be, a bystander powerless to do anything but get caught in the crossfire? Or someone who at least has a chance to fight back against death. Heliopolis, Junius Seven, they were proof that there's no safe place, this isn't some skirmish or occupation in a far off country, this is the new world war."

"I don't want my friends to die, and I don't want to kill anyone, and I want to live at the end of this," again Canard laughed at Kira.

"You don't ask for much do you? Well good luck with that," the dark haired man huffed and began walking away.

When Canard passed the cafeteria, the young pilot Wes walked out and looked towards Kira.

"Hey Strike pilot," he called out to him, jogging to catch up with Kira.

"I'm sorry about before," Kira said.

"It's your opinion and you're entitled to it, you're from Orb right?" Wes asked and Kira nodded his head. "I grew up there, my mom still lives there, and my grandparents. My grandpa was a soldier, there's a VA office there he goes to, it means veteran association, they give treatment for post traumatic stress disorder. I'm not saying you're suffering from it, unless you look this pathetic all the time," Wes shrugged as Kira frowned. "Just, if you manage to get out of this, go there. If not, I found the best people to talk to are you friends," Wes explained.

"They won't understand," Kira said.

"You won't need them to, they just have to listen to you, if they're really your friends, it probably won't be that hard for them," Wes said, waving over his shoulder as he walked away.

My friends, Tolle, Sai, Mir and Kuzzey, they're there to listen. But honestly, and I'm ashamed of myself for feeling this way, but there was only one friend I wanted to talk to about what I was going through.

Athrun suppressed his anger as he, Rau and Miguel waited for Thanos to arrive. The man arrived in his customised black CGUE and climbed out, not even in a flight suit, much like how Rau would fight. He floated towards the three of them and saluted.

"Commander Le Creuscet, Zala, Aiman," he said.

"Good to see you again Commander Thanos, well done in the battle earlier," Rau said.

"You're probably the only one who feels that way, speak freely you two," Thanos gestured to Athrun and Miguel.

"I understand the important of eliminating the enemy, but you endangered a hostage sir," Miguel said.

"One girl!"

"That one girl is the chairman's daughter, the most beloved citizen of the Plants," Athrun said.

"Contrary to popular belief, Lacus Clyne is not a princess, Siegel's title is an elected position, not inherited, as for how much the people love Lacus? They don't know her, the world isn't filled with people who will spend months mourning a stranger, life goes on for those people. If destroying the Archangel guarantees that ships of that type never threaten the Plants and its citizens, then yes, I will sacrifice Lacus Clyne. I don't want to and I don't expect anyone to be pleased about it, but it is what I will do," Thanos explained.

"Athrun, Miguel, try to understand, Thanos is speaking as a soldier of ZAFT, whose priority is to protect the people," Rau said.

Athrun grit his teeth together, the part of him that was Lacus's friend wanted to hit Thanos. But the part of him that was a soldier of ZAFT, trained in scenarios inspired by Thanos's operations, sworn to defend the Plants, knew that there was logic in what Thanos was saying. Miguel understood it too, to a much better degree. Special treatment was given to the family of politicians, the kind of treatment that didn't apply to lower class citizens. If it was a choice between saving Lacus, and protecting his family from the Archangel and their white devils, Miguel knew what the obvious choice was.

"Both of you, prepare for the next sortie, Commander Thanos and I must talk," Rau said.

"Yes sir," both pilots said before floating towards their machines.

"Zala would make a good officer," Thanos said.

"Indeed," Rau nodded his head, smirking.

Despite Athrun confronting him, and looking at him with such hatred, Thanos saw the great potential the boy had. Rau remembered that Thanos had never been one to hold a grudge. The man was a form of patriot, dedicated to the protection of the Plants and its people. So much so that he was willing to do callous things in service of a greater good.

"My priority will be chasing the legged ship as well, I won't let a simple girl stop me from destroying that ship and the remaining G-weapon," Rau said.

"Lacus Clyne is far from useless, she could make a good leader one day. But what she could be should not take precedence over what will happen to our citizens if that ship gets to Alliance command," Thanos explained.

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Rau asked.

"Continue the pursuit and seize an opportunity when it presents itself!"

My friends, I want them to understand. But at the same time I know that isn't what it is about. I know they'll still believe in me, so long as I don't let what has happened change me. I kept telling myself that it won't change me, that I won't turn back. But then I hear the scream.

Kira looked into the medical bay and saw a sight that made him tremble. Flay was on her knees, gripping Sai's jacket and shaking. Tears were flowing down her face and her grief filled scream echoed into the hallway. Mir stepped behind Kira and shared his surprise, seeing a completely new side of her friend. Any of the disapproval she had felt for Flay's actions over the past few days was replaced with sympathy.

Flay, I don't think she had ever been like this, so vulnerable, so hysterical. No one could fault her for it either, she watched her father die. After I had promised to protect him.

"Flay," Kira whispered.

"YOU!" Flay screamed, looking at Kira, helplessness in her eyes. "You said it was going to be all right...that my dad would be fine because you'd be there. Why? Why didn't you protect my dad like you said you would?"

Then I saw it, the hatred in her eyes. She had been judgemental with Lacus, but with me, when she looked at me I could see that in that moment, I was the person she hated the most in the world. Her hatred was the last thing I wanted, more than anything I wanted her to look at me like she did before. I wanted to be there for her, to tell her how sorry I was, that I did everything I could.

"Kira did his best Flay," Mir said.

"You didn't even try to fight seriously did you, IT'S BECAUSE YOU'RE A COORDINATOR TOO!"

Those words tipped me towards the edge. I ran, as fast as I could. I couldn't let anyone see me at that moment. Everything that I had been through had just piled up. Seeing Heliopolis become a battleground, then seeing it falling apart. Learning that Athrun was with the ZAFT forces. Getting called a traitor at Artemis, shooting someone for the first time, battle after battle. My own life in danger, my friend's lives in danger, the knowledge that I could kill Athrun or get everyone else killed, then wondering on top of it all if my parents would be all right too. It was all too much, I floated to the observation deck, where I thought no one would be. I leant against the glass and just let out all my tears and frustration.

"Ahem!"

Kira wiped is sleeve across his eyes, looking over his shoulder and seeing, leaning against the far wall Gekido. The young man had a bored expression on his face and was eating of all things a sandwich.

"How long have you..."

"Long enough to know you're a bit of a cry baby," Gekido huffed.

"I'M NOT YOU! I AM NOT A SOLDIER!" Kira yelled, with so much anger that Gekido tipped his head back in surprise.

"Why are you crying?"

Kira looked to his right and saw Lacus floating there.

There she was, the songstress of our enemy. She had been through so much, been put through so much. But all she had in her eyes that day was compassion. She was kind enough to ask me that simple question.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING OUT OF YOUR ROOM!" Gekido yelled, floating over Lacus, his very voice throwing Haro across the room.

"I wanted to look at the stars, then I heard crying, so I came to see what I could do," Lacus explained.

Gekido dragged the palm of his hand over his face, frustration welling up inside of him. Kira sheepishly backed away, Lacus on the other hand just floated with a smile on her face.

"You've got to be kidding, you were used as a hostage...for all you know this ship could be filled with people with Blue Cosmos beliefs," Gekido said.

"I know you two don't share those beliefs, you're both kind," Lacus said.

Lacus was comforting, but the way she referred to Gekido confused me. I hadn't seen a kind person, maybe someone who understood people better than he made out, but now a compassionate person. The way Lacus looked at him though, the way she looked at everyone else. No fear, no judgement, here was a mercenary, and a rude person at that, yet she regarded him the way no one else in the ship did. She amazed me in that moment.

"Don't call me kind, so, did it all finally get to you?" Gekido asked.

"What do you care?" Kira retorted.

"Why the hell do you think I asked?"

Kira looked at Gekido, who shrugged his shoulders as he looked at the stars.

"People don't ask unless they have an interest, which should imply care," Gekido huffed.

"Why were you crying Kira?" Lacus asked.

"I didn't become a soldier willingly, I'm a coordinator, but I'm not loyal to either ZAFT or the Earth Alliance, I just didn't want any of my friends to die. But I've had to kill to keep people alive, I've even have to fight Athrun, a friend of mine," Kira explained.

"He's the one in the Aegis isn't he?" Gekido asked.

"Yes."

"I see, and this guy Athrun, he's a good friend to you right?"

"Yeah!"

"Athrun is a very kind person, a good friend, as are you Kira," Lacus said.

"Oh you've gotta be kidding me, you know that guy?"

"Why yes Mr Gekido, in fact Athrun is a dear friend of mine, in fact he is to be my future husband," Lacus said, causing Kira to widen his eyes and blush.

"You mean the man you're contracted to mate with," Gekido said.

"Gekido!"

"I'm calling it what it is Kira, on Earth we have sex because we want to, in the colonies it's for the fun of it, in the Plants it's for genetic survival," Gekido explained.

"Mr Gekido is quite right, on the Plants many marriages are arranged, as part of an effort to study and combat the sterility that begins to form in third and some second generation coordinators. But a great many wonderful childhood friendships are formed this way, which leads to a great deal of successful marriages," Lacus added.

Her face was so casual, and bright, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Feeling disturbed, and at the same time finding it funny, it gave me the distraction I needed.

"Neither you nor Athrun are bad people for wanting to protect the things you care for," Lacus said.

"Thank you," Kira whispered.

"What pushed you Kira, was it Flay?" Gekido asked.

"I don't want to talk about it," Kira said.

"Cause that's healthy, let me guess, she said it was your fault her old man died, that you weren't taking things seriously, and I bet she threw in some coordinator insult too," Gekido explained.

"I didn't want Athrun to die!"

"So at the time you were fighting as hard as you could," Gekido turned to Kira.

There was something in his eyes, compassion? I don't know, maybe it was as close as he could come to it at the time. But he looked at me with a face I had never seen on him before. It wasn't anger, but understanding.

"You blame yourself for what happened, I can see that Kira, it's the kind of person you are. That's the kind of person people can like, but also take advantage of. It doesn't make you strong, or weak, it just makes you, you. But right now, blaming yourself is only putting you through pain..." Gekido paused and looked down for a moment, as if debating whether he should speak.

I could tell that what he had to say, wasn't his secret to give. But I like to think that he wanted to help me, at least at that moment.

"I knew someone who had fired one of the nukes at Junius Seven," Gekido revealed. "He said that it was his fault, that he shouldn't have pulled the trigger, that he should have made a stand. It may have been an empty gesture, it may have gotten him killed, but at least his conscience would be clear. But later he began feeling differently, as I'm sure you will Kira. What happened to George Alster, wasn't your fault, it wasn't my fault, it wasn't the fault of any of the pilots on our side, or any of the crew of the Montgomery. There were plenty of things we could have done differently, but everyone fought as hard as their strength would allow them to. You believing that you could have made the difference, that you could have saved her father, it isn't just illogical, it's narcissistic too!"

He was blunt, but right I suppose. Later on, someone would say the same words to me.

"One person can't make all the difference Kira, don't think about it anymore," Gekido said.

"But I..."

"A few days ago you were a student at a technical college, the closest thing to a mobile suit you had seen had been an exploration buggy. This isn't some anime Kira, where the inexperienced kid will step into a mobile suit and immediately become a bad ass. You made an incredible OS, it turns a rookie like you into an ace, but it doesn't make you a fighter," Gekido turned to the observation window again and kept on looking at the stars.

What he and Lacus both said was enough to cheer me up. Enough for me to like Lacus and at least somewhat understand Gekido a little better. I had no idea that Kuzzey had been listening and when I walked away and leant against the wall, I had no idea whether or not Gekido or Lacus still knew I was there, but I still heard what Lacus said to Gekido.

"You are kind too," she said and Kira widened his eyes.

"Kind?" Gekido huffed. "Don't make me laugh, I didn't say what I said to be kind, I said it because it's right. Don't say stuff like that when you get to the Alliance fleet, it'll make them think they can use you," Gekido said.

"They will not use me, I will not do anything to harm my homeland," Lacus said and Kira, perhaps even Gekido was surprised by the strength in her voice.

When she said that, it wasn't like the girl we had picked up in the debris field. She sounded more like a leader, it was a hint of who she eventually become.

"Likewise, I do not want the Earth Alliance to be completely annihilated, I would rather this war be settled peacefully. Whatever I can do to make that happen, I will do," Lacus explained.

"Do you know what ends war, what ends the death, a big enough body count, a bit enough debt, wars have only ended after great tragedy, after one side or even both realise the immense economic cost of fighting that war. More than that, it's because at that point..."

"Both sides understand one another more," Lacus said and Kira poked his head out, seeing Gekido nod his head.

"But there are still those who can't let go, whose lived have only been defined by battle. You call me kind? I want to fight, I want to fight, I want to fight," he repeated, his fist shaking. "For as long as I can remember I have only been good at fighting, for as long as I can remember I've only felt alive when I'm fighting for my life...I don't know whether it is an attitude I gained from fighting, or whether there's something inside of me that drives me to fight," Gekido explained.

At the time I thought 'how messed up is this man'. It was only later, when fighting became a part of my everyday life that I began to understand him a little more and feel more than just sympathy for him. After that conversation, I realised that Lacus wouldn't be safe with us anymore, that no matter the type of EA soldier or officer, she would be used. That she wouldn't let herself be used, and that would put her life in danger. Unbeknownst to me, Gekido thought the same thing.

Gekido was looking at the Sensou transport and the Gundam Purpose side by side. He was picturing in his head schematics, designs and ways to apply parts of the ship to the Purpose. The merc had already transferred necessary funds to Bentos, making the small craft his property. He put on a pair of overalls and gloves and cycled through music on his phone. Putting on a pair of ear phones and goggles, he picked a song he would play.

'Hiroyuki Sawano Feat. Takanori Nishikiwa, roll the dice, it seems fitting considering what's about to happen,' Gekido smirked and hit play.

Using a mistrals arm he began sawing off the wings and rocket boosters of the transport. He then used the same Mistral to move the parts to the back of the Purpose. Leaving them on the ground for a while, Gekido next focused on attached Miguel Aiman's Ginn arm to replace the Purpose's missing one. He replaced inner circuitry within the Purpose's inner shoulder joint and fused the arm to it. Once inside the cockpit, he tested the arm, moving it, flexing the fingers. The reaction time was slower than it would have been if he had the Purpose's real arm. But he still made do with what he had. Taking pieces of Wade's Merc, he began attaching them to the chest area of the Purpose, then the knee joints. Moving to the back of the Purpose, Gekido attached the arms of two Mistrals to the Purpose's backpack. Then he picked up the stripped down thrusters of the Sensou ship and attached them to the arms. The thrusters were curved, making them very easy to manoeuvre with the arms.

"He's a pretty good mechanic," Murdoch commented, watching Gekido work.

The young man wiped the sweat off of his face, and many of the crew heaved as he vomited, driven to sickness from the work he had done. But after drinking some water he still kept on working. His work took him through the corridors of the ship, making mental notes of where everything was. At the same time he looked through his phone, searching private companies for parts. The Junk guild had a space station, a type of safe house they will willing to let to anyone who paid enough for it. Then there was technical assistance, a salvage crew from a colony near the debris field, Side colony mechanics who had gone private. He went into the locker rooms and looked at the flight and normal suits. Kira's flight suit wasn't some custom model, but one commonly used by Alliance soldiers above the crewman rank. There was a row of flight suits that matched Kira's, but even more of the yellow and brown suits used by the lower ranked pilots, a number that had grown since taking in the survivors from the previous battle. Gekido also looked at the normal suits and saw that despite being heavier than the flight suits, they offered better protection. The helmet's also didn't obscure the face too much. He turned off his music and rested his ear phones around his neck.

"Hey Gekido, Murdoch told me about your work in the hanger, haven't you stopped to rest?" Mu asked the young man as they passed one another.

"I'll get some coffee and a banana from the kitchen, I've got more work to do," Gekido swiped his screen, sending off some requests.

"Listen, I know we didn't get off on the best of feet, but we appreciate all you've done to help us," Mu said.

Gekido looked away from his phone and nodded his head, recognising Mu's thanks.

"It's been an honour to meet you La Flaga, tell the captain this is the only ship I've enjoyed serving on," Gekido said and Mu laughed.

Gekido went to his bedroom and saw that Yamato and his children were asleep. Haro rolled across the floor, looking up at Gekido.

"Tell them I'll see them later," he said.

He put on his flight suit, looked over his submachine gun (just in case) and checked his watch. The young man floated in the locker room, a normal suit floating beside him.

I couldn't let Lacus be used. Not by Sensou, not by the Alliance. She was just like us, a kid who wanted to go home. So I took matters into my own hands, I knew what I had to do to help her and I did, taking Lacus from her room and making our way to the locker room. She would need a flight suit in case the worst happened. But when we got there, I didn't expect Gekido to be waiting.

"You arrived a little later than I thought you would," Gekido said.

"Gekido," Kira gasped.

The young mercenary was also eating a banana and drinking a cold capsule of coffee. He had just about finished the banana when he looked at Kira with a firm expression.

"You understand what might happen if you send her back right, all of the risks that are involved to you and the ship. Even if you come back, then there's a chance Natarle will prosecute you, they could execute you for this," Gekido explained.

"What?"

Gekido then began to laugh, shocking Kira and making Lacus smile.

"You idiot, you aren't technically part of the military so that law doesn't apply to you. And since Murrue likes you she'll give you a slap and then say don't do that again, no wait...that's the other captain, the guy who slaps...she'll just say don't do it again. But this still puts the ship and you in danger," Gekido stated.

"You want to get Lacus out of here right?" Kira asked.

"Yeah, come on Kira, it's easier if I do it, no one has to risk their life for this," Gekido said.

Kira nodded his head in understanding.

"You can do one thing to help me out though," Gekido flicked the banana peel towards Kira and smirked. "Tell them you stumbled upon us and you were going to raise the alarm!"

"What?" Kira blinked in confusion, tilting his head to the side to avoid the peel.

Suddenly, Gekido punched Kira in the face, knocking him out.

"That wasn't very nice," Lacus said, checking Kira's condition.

"Shut up and get changed," Gekido crossed his arms and huffed.

He widened his eyes and blushed though as Lacus began to casually pull her dress off.

I thought 'son of a bitch, he knocked me out'. My cheek was going to ache for the next few days, but when I woke up I smiled on the inside. Gekido was willing to risk his life and his alone. That was his choice without regret.

With Lacus dressed into a normal suit, she climbed into the Purpose, holding Mr Pink on her lap. She sat on Gekido's own lap and smiled at him, seeing the blush on his face.

"Let's just go," he grumbled.

The Purpose's eyes glowed as it began to move, walking towards the launch catapult. In one of the control rooms, Yamato stood, smirking as he typed in the necessary codes to open the launch hatches.

"Ensign, we have an unauthorised launch," Miriallia said. "Wait, a text communication has come through!"

"Put it on the main screen," Murrue commanded as she and Mu floated onto the bridge.

"Taking Lacus home, don't follow me, Natarle if you have a complaint screw you!"

"He's going out there alone? " Sai asked.

The Purpose slid across the catapult, ignited the rockets on its back mounted 'sub-legs'. It was equipped with the stolen Ginn's experimental long range rifle and had added layers of armour onto it. He flew the Gundam closer and closer towards the ZAFT ships, opening a communication channel.

"This is Gekido Jaeger contacting the ZAFT forces, I have in my custody Lacus Clyne, I am willing to return her, but only if Athrun Zala comes to collect her," Gekido explained.

On the ship, Dagger Thanos narrowed his eyes at the Purpose.

"Is my machine ready?" he asked one of the CIC crew.

"It is sir!"

Dagger nodded his head and made his way off of the bridge.

Gekido's actions saved me, kept the ship out of danger and saved Lacus. But he would face the first real threat in his journey. And that threat would come from the two deadliest pilots in ZAFT.

Next Chapter 12: Berserk

Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter, next time Athrun watches as the Purpose is attacked by Rau and Thanos, and it'll take more than Lacus's scolding to stop the Black Storm.