Chapter 5 up so R&R and enjoy!
When Ryan left the cockpit he saw Kira on his way out of the hangar
"Hey Kira wait up!" Ryan shouted running to Kira
"What is it?"
"Did you hear that about the girl, can you believe they did something like that?"
"Yeah, I don't think its fair for her to be threatened."
"Wonder if anyone escaped from the Montgomery?" Ryan then asked as they walked out of the hangar.
"Flay." Kira suddenly said and ran off.
"Hey Kira." Ryan ran after him, Kira stopped and walked into a room when Ryan caught up he saw Sai hugging Flay who was on the floor crying, Mir was also there.
"Sai I know it's a bad time but did anyone escape from Montgomery?" Ryan asked, Sai just shook his.
"Your liars!" Flay busted out giving Ryan and Kira a crazed look. "You said that you'd be there, so why didn't you protect my dad's ship" She continued sobbing all the while.
"Wait how am I a liar." Ryan stated not remembering saying anything like that to the girl.
"I gave her you word as well as mine and Arli's." Kira said his eyes on Flay.
"You what?!"
"You didn't make any serious attempt did you it's because you a co-ordinator too!" Flay shouted giving Kira a menacing look, Kira close to tears ran off.
"Kira!" Ryan shouted after him but he kept running.
"And you hate me so you didn't try either you freak!" Flay then shouted at Ryan giving him the same glare.
"Yeah I hate you but I tried and right now there's someone more deserving of my time then you." Ryan snapped back at Flay walking out and going down the corridor. He entered the room Lacus was in finding that Arli was still there and that the princess had that happy expression back that didn't take long.
"Oh hey Ryan I was just talking to Lacus about you." Arli said cheerfully.
"Yes she has told me quite a bit about you." Lacus happily said
"Oh did she now." Ryan said giving Arli a suspicious look, who just smiled.
"Yes about who you are and what you are like and you seem like a nice person." Lacus continued with a happy smile. I heard of happy go lucky but this is too much.
Well if that's you opinion, hey Arli do you by any chance have a picture of your old team?" Ryan asked Arli sitting on the lower bed in the room.
"Yeah but why?" Arli asked suspiciously.
"May I look at it?" Ryan asked, Arli gave him the photo he looked at each three people he didn't know and…
"Nicol!" Ryan shouted out as he recognised the green haired boy in the photo.
"Wait you know Nicol?" Arli asked now curious as was Lacus.
"Yeah part of my life before the war I lived in the PLANTS and during my stay I met Nicol and we quickly became friends, he was the only one that I told about what I am and he didn't tell anyone and treated me like a friend after. Of course once it did come out I didn't see him again, until now in the Blitz." Ryan explained still looking at the picture.
"So you were like best friends?" Arli then asked
"Yeah, well I've been here long enough I think I need to rest, see ya." Ryan said as he went to the door.
"Actually Ryan Murrue wanted to see you." Arli quickly said before he left.
"Ok, thanks." Ryan said as left and made his way to the bridge. When he entered he noticed it was empty apart from Mwu, Natarle and Murrue.
"So what did you want me for Captain?" Ryan asked standing in front of all three of them.
"We wanted to talk to you privately." Murrue stated "So that's why the crew aren't here."
"Fair enough, what about?"
"It's about you shooting down the Bernard ship and killing Admiral Garcia." Mwu said looking at Ryan with a serious look.
"Oh that, well Bernard was a complete accident when I was trying to shoot down a GINN, but Garcia yeah I did that on purpose." Ryan explained leaning back casually on one of the chairs.
"And why did you kill Admiral Garcia?" Murrue asked Ryan giving her serious look.
"Because he is a bastard and deserved it." Ryan bluntly said
"And you think that an acceptable reason?" Natarle snapped at Ryan giving him a glare.
"Oh so you want a good reason Ensign, how about that I killed him because he was one of those people who gave the 'ok' with getting rid of my family, is that a good enough reason!" Ryan shouted at all three of them his eyes filled with rage.
"Sorry kid we didn't know." Mwu said apologetically
"How would you and don't call me kid Mwu." Ryan snapped back.
"But still do you realise the consequences for your actions." Natarle calmly said
"Do you really think I care I've been doing this sought of thing for months!" Ryan shouted out now glaring at Natarle who flinched.
"So you are that 'angel of vengeance' that soldiers have been talking about." Mwu said curiously.
"Angel of Vengeance?" Murrue asked looking at the lieutenant.
"Yeah remember when he said he was attacking ZAFT and Earth forces they started calling the guy and the mobile suit the angel of vengeance, so by the looks of it we've got a ZAFT pilot now earth forces dragon of space, Arli, and the angel of vengeance." Mwu explained.
"I am not with the Earth forces." Ryan coldly said to Mwu
"We know but you are welcome to join as part of the ship's crew like Arli has done, and I would like to thank you for helping us." Murrue her expression turning to a kinder one.
"Thanks but I doubt I'll take you up on that offer, as like I said I'm defending the civilians so once they're gone I've got nothing to stay for." Ryan said calmly his expression turning lighter.
"Oh yeah what about Arli, Kira and the others?" Mwu asked
"Well yeah but I rather not, not until I get the others that got rid of my family, until then earth forces and ZAFT are my enemy." Ryan said thinking about what Mwu said.
"And who are they ?" Murrue asked, concerned.
"I only know one more, the blue cosmos leader Muruta Azrael." Ryan said his eyes narrowing.
"Good luck with that not even the great assassin the dragon of space could kill him, apparently." Mwu said humorously.
"Don't worry, are we done now I would like to go." Ryan said looking away from them.
"Alright then, don't worry you'll won't be charged with anything." Murrue said calmly. Ryan headed to the door and walked out and headed for the hangar. He checked on Hydra once he got there updating anything he needed to update, then he noticed Kira and Arli in their pilot suits along with Lacus who was also in a space along with Mir and Sai were heading towards the Strike, Ryan easily beat them there before they noticed.
"So where are we going then?" Ryan asked curiously looking at them all as he stood in front of the Strike's cockpit.
"Ryan move please we're getting Lacus out of here." Arli said moving towards Ryan.
"That's obvious enough but why and not because she was used as a hostage, they had no choice." Ryan said not moving from his position.
"I'll tell you later so please just pretend you didn't see us." Arli pleaded staring Ryan right in the eyes.
"You know this is stupid, but I trust you will tell me the reason so hurry and get her out of here." Ryan said smiling as he floated out of the way, Kira, Lacus and Arli entered the Strike and the mobile suit walked towards the catapult.
"Mir, Sai lets move quick." Ryan said as he moved away the two following him. "Are they coming back?" Ryan asked suddenly.
"Kira promised us and Arli is with the Earth Forces so she is coming back." Sai said looking at where the Strike was as it had launched out.
"Alright you two leave the hangar now before your caught." Ryan said seeing some of the staff below
"Right." They both replied as they quietly left. Ryan looked down as he saw Mwu getting into his Mobieus zero, preparing for launch. He knows that it won't be easy.
Ryan waited until the Mobieus launched, but for it to return with the Strike shortly afterwards. He saw both Arli and Kira follow Mwu out of the hangar, Ryan silently followed. Must be in trouble well Arli probably since I think civilians can't be punished unless it changed then good-bye Kira. He thought with a slight smirk at the end but followed until they entered a room. Now lets see what happens. Sai and Mir came by not long after.
"Where is Kira and Arli?" Mir asked worriedly
"In there having a trial probably, lets just hope they don't get into too much trouble." Ryan said looking at the two.
"Well we did Murdoch got us and now we've got clean up for a week." Sai said giving a humorous look.
"You got caught, unlucky I was sensible enough to get out of there and no one saw me." the door then opened with Kira and Arli leaving, followed by Mwu and Natarle.
"And the verdict was?" Ryan asked with interest.
"They're not punishing us." Kira replied relief in his voice.
"Maybe because of our great piloting skills." Arli said happily, as if it was the answer.
"Yeah right I'm the best mobile suit pilot here I could easily take care of the ship on my own." Ryan said smirking
"No your not, me and Kira could beat you." Arli said smirking back
"Lets hope we never have to find out." Ryan quickly said back before walking off, leaving confused faces. What to do, I wish something would happen. Ryan thought as he continued walking through the corridors, he got his wish as the sirens started blaring off. Well anything but that. He headed for the hangar, after putting on his pilot suit and went into Hydra's cockpit.
"Ryan your up against the Buster, the Duel and the Blitz." Mir informed.
"Ok then, Ryan, Hydra launching!" Hydra catapulted out with phase shift activated and advanced towards the three mobile suits, not waiting for the others. Hydra fired a barrage from the Gatling guns causing the three suits to separate and then it's beam sword and charged towards the Duel clashing beam sword with beam sabre and then broke apart as the Buster fired a shot form it's beam cannons, the Blitz firing it's own beam rifle shots and as was the Duel causing Hydra to be evading all the shots and blocking some with the shield. Two beam shots raced past Hydra and hit the Buster and Duel, followed by the Strike and Combat with the mobieus coming from the side and exchanging shots with Buster. Hydra slamed in to Blitz moving both away from the other suits, Blitz then repeatedly slashed at the Hydra who dodged then slashed with it's own sword.
"Nicol stop!" Ryan shouted out over the radio to the Blitz.
"What?!" Both suits broke apart neither suit moving "Who are you?" Nicol asked confused.
"Nicol it's me Ryan." He replied his face showing on one of Nicols screens
"It is but how?" Nicol said shock and happiness in his voice.
"Its complicated but for a few months now I've been attacking ZAFT and earth forces bases." Ryan reluctantly said
"So you're the angel of vengeance, but why help he Earth Forces?" Nicol demanded
"I'm not there are civilians on that ship from Heliopolis so until they're safe I've got no choice." Ryan replied seriously.
"I see, but my orders are to take down that ship Ryan, I'm sorry but I have to although now I know your alive I'd rather not fight you." Nicol said that uncanny kindness in his eyes, before quickly being replaced with determination as the Blitz disappeared from sight and Hydra's scanners. Damn, the Mirage Colloid. Hydra turned and try to see if it appeared again, he saw it appear briefly as it blocked fire from the archangel before disappearing again. Hydra rushed to the Archangel although it now had a barrage of missiles and bullets up so it had to dodge as well, Ryan saw the Blitz appear again and raced towards it before it reached it was hit by the archangels barrage and was knocked back away form the Blitz as it headed for the ship and landed beside the bridge Ok enough is enough Hydra regained balance and was about to head of to the Blitz again which was shooting the Archangel near the bridge, the Strike then flew past the Hydra quickly followed by the Duel ignoring the Hydra. Ryan watched as the Strike slashed the Blitz with it's beam sabre which it dodged and quickly attacked again with a knee strike to the head making fall back from the ship, then it countered the Duel's slash with a stab from the armor Schneider to the side of the cockpit, the three G-weapons quickly retreated.
"Kira that was incredible, your…no your more then that your unbelievable." Mwu complimented to Kira.
"Oh please that type of manoeuvre is easy to perform, but Kira that was unlike you what happened." Ryan quickly stated.
"What about Yzak is he ok?" Arli asked worriedly the Combat now landed beside the Strike as was the Hydra the Mobeius floating above.
"Don't worry I didn't hit the cockpit directly so he should be ok." Kira replied reassuringly.
"By the looks of it we have reached the 8th fleet." Mwu said the mobile armour docking into the hangar. The three suits did the same. Finally my little mission is coming to the end, soon I will have no reason to stay. A image of the people he had met on the Archangel came into his head and the ones he made friends with, Kira, Sai, Mir, Tolle, Kuzzey…Arli. Guess if I meet them again and they are still on this ship…I'll have to kill them. Ryan then left the cockpit and caught up to the others who were with Mwu.
"Hey Ryan I just told these two that Admiral Halberton is paying us a personal visit so I'm hoping you'll stick around so I can introduce you with Arli since you are the best pilot, aside form Kira." Mwu said with a sly smirk at the end.
"Whatever I don't go until the civilians are safe so I might as well, and I can beat Kira easily anytime so I'm the best pilot." Ryan said back not being called 2nd best a compliment.
"Ok but he'll be here any minute so we have to get everyone else here so you are going to wait." Mwu said back apologetically knowing Ryan wasn't going to like it, he was right as Ryan narrowed his eyes at him, Mwu just managed a small smile before walking off to the Mobieus.
"So was you able to talk with Nicol?" Arli asked suddenly as Kira followed Mwu.
"Didn't go too well, but I think he is quite happy with me being alive." Ryan replied smiling a little.
"Well I guess that is good but did he try to fight you?"
"No he tried to avoid me and go for the Archangel, as always."
"Do you think they'll attack again?" Arli asked slightly concerned.
"Only if they get reinforcements, even four G-weapons will have trouble taking down an entire fleet like this one." Ryan said reassuringly
"Could you?" Arli asked
"Easily." Ryan replied quickly winking "If I wanted to."
"Hey you two the Admirals here so get in line!" Mwu shouted out across the hangar as a small shuttle entered the hangar, Ryan and Arli were placed at the end of the line where Kira and the others slightly distanced off for Mwu 'special introduction'.
"I knew we were his favourites." Arli joked as the Admiral was talking to the ones from Heliopolis, Ryan just quickly smiled at her and turned back round as the Admiral approached.
"Admiral Halberton this is the two pilots that have helped us to get this far along with Kira, Arli who has joined the Earth Forces and Ryan." Mwu introduced professionally to Halberton.
"I checked your records and was surprised to see the angel of vengeance assisting this ship and the dragon of space, although I am curious as why you have the same nick name as the legendary assassin." Halberton said to the two showing a kind expression.
"Well during my training I was a good shot and we used the name to scare the enemy, but once they found out it wasn't him the name just stuck with me." Arli explained looking at the Admiral directly in the eyes, Admiral then turned to face Ryan with the same expression.
"I only helped this ship because of the civilians on board, nothing else." Ryan coldly said to the Admiral not returning his kind expression.
"I can assure I was one who opted for your families…execution, and I don't blame you for attacking our bases. Now Arli since you have joined the Earth forces your rank is Ensign for your deeds, as for you Ryan if you wished to join then you would instantly receive the rank of Lieutenant junior grade and will remain on this ship." Admiral Halberton kindly said, surprising Arli a little with the rank.
"I must admit I am tempted by that offer but I'd rather not, but what of the ranks of Murrue, Mwu and Natarle, out of interest." Ryan said not as coldly and softening his expression a little.
"Well Murrue and Mwu have reached Lieutenant Commander, where as Natarle has reached Lieutenant junior grade." Halberton replied, receiving a very small smile form Ryan.
"Sir." A soldier behind said to get his attention.
"Yes I know, well I hope I can speak to you all later." Halberton said before going off with the other officers and soldiers. Ryan immediately walked away and entered Hydra to finish adjustments to prepare for re-entry.
"Hey Ryan why don't you join, I think we're going to Earth too." Arli interrupted Ryan suddenly form his work, although he didn't look up.
"No, besides you should see if Kira and the others are joining or not since they are still civilians." Ryan said while still working, getting a huff from Arli and walking off, leaving Ryan in peace again, making sure the cooling systems would work until he has landed as the drop would cause a lot of energy from the phase shift to be used, and if they didn't work he'd get cooked and served in seconds. Once the work was done he left the cockpit and saw the Admiral's shuttle was not in the hangar, shrugging Ryan started walked off to get something to eat, he was stopped by Murrue who was standing near the Hydra looking at it then noticed Ryan and turned to face him with a warm expression.
"I didn't want to disturb you from your work so I waited until you were done." Murrue explained
"What do you want?" Ryan asked curiously.
"Well I just wanted to thank you on helping us out, I know it was for the civilians but you have helped us out a lot and I hope you achieve your goals, and maybe we'll meet again someday." Murrue said holding out her hand.
"A pleasure, captain, although if we do meet again we may be enemies and I won't hesitate to shoot you down." Ryan said shaking Murrue's hand.
"Then neither will we." Murrue firmly said
"You know you are one of the few soldiers who have gained my respect, Murrue."
"I'll take that as a compliment then." the sirens then started blaring off. "Well looks like this is good-bye."
"Sure is, let me launch, before I descend I'll help you out one more time." Ryan said smiling, Murrue smiled back and took off for the bridge as Ryan got in to Hydra and prepared for launch.
"Ryan there are approximately twelve GINNS and the four G-weapons, guess we'll see you around." Mir said as Hydra was ready to launch.
"So you guys stayed, I don't know why but now isn't the time, Ryan, Hydra launching!" Hydra launched rushing past Halberton's ship and several others until he saw some of the GINN's attacking mobile armours.
"Hey you GINN pilots your so pathetic that you can hardly beat a simple mobile armour!" Ryan shouted out to the GINNs trying to catch their attention, it worked 5 GINNs forgot their targets and charged towards Hydra firing with machine guns and bazookas, Hydra dodged them all while returning fire with the shoulder claw cannons which hit two of the GINN's in the torso exploding while the other 3 dodged, Hydra quickly charged and slashed 2 with the beam swords in half exploding behind it and then shooting down the last with the cannons. This caught the attention of 3 more GINNs that sped towards the gundam. Lets try this. Hydra's chest opened up and multiple beam shots fired out in rapid succession hitting all 3 GINN caught off guard and were destroyed. The chest closed back up and Ryan saw the four G-weapons taking down ships and mobile armours, the Duel and Buster advancing to the rear. That Duel looks different, oh well nothing to worry about I'll deal with the other two. Hydra rushed towards the Aegis and Blitz firing it's beam rifle forcing them to halt their attacking and avoid getting hit. Hydra rammed into the Aegis knocking it off balance, hen beam clashed with the Blitz.
"Why are you helping the Earth Forces?" Nicol asked as they broke apart.
"Well, you can hardly call it a fair fight." Ryan jokingly said back.
"You never change." The two clashed again briefly before the Aegis rejoined and began shooting Hydra with it's beam rifle and slashing with it's wrist beam sabre, 2 more GINNs joined in the fight staying at long range shooting with machine guns, Hydra was now blocking beam shots and sabres and dodging fire barely having a chance to attack back at any of the suits. Ryan got a quick chance to see the metal house in battle with one of the ZAFT ships, the remaining two GINNs were still fighting mobile armours, not much of the fleet had been destroyed, he also saw the Archangel heading to Earth and the Combat and Strike fighting Buster and the Duel and the Civilian ship crossing paths with them. NO He forgot the fight and Hydra busted towards the battle ignoring the shots barely missing it by retreating units of the GINNs, Hydra raced past the Buster as it was caught in the gravity as the Combat returned to the ship in time, the Strike was still fighting the Duel, the ship now between them, the Duel then started shooting the shuttle the Strike reaching out for it, Hydra rammed into the Duel, but not before it fired a shot that caused for the shuttle to explode. Ryan saw the Strike trying to re-enter on it's own forcing the ship to move off course so the Strike could land on the ship, the Duel took it's chance to fire missiles at the Hydra as Ryan was distracted hurtling it away from it. Before Ryan blacked out one thought ran through his head.
I failed…again.