(AN): I want to thank all who reviewed.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or Destiny.
Chapter Twenty Two
Hope
Orb Fleet-Archangel
After setting the course back to Orb, for the first time in awhile they could finally sit at a little ease.
Murrue ordered damage reports and repair crews to begin work immediately, but for some things they would have to wait until they returned back to Orb.
Shock was no longer a factor in the crew's decisions as many had now accepted that Kira was their enemy.
"How long before we reach Orb?" Murrue asked.
"I would say a couple hours captain, our fleet faired no better then us in the last battle," Newman replied.
"Captain we have a message from the hanger, apparently commander Lorronoke is preparing to leave," Miriallia told her.
Murrue looked back, "I will give him personal clearance to leave, I would like to personally thank him," Murrue said standing up.
With the crew working she wasn't really needed on the bridge so she excused herself to head to the hanger.
Hanger
After the entry was cleared the pilots began making their way out of their suits.
Cagalli was one of the first as Athrun was riding in the remaining hand.
Once down Cagalli looked at her machine, "That was to close a call."
Athrun looked at her machine, "I don't think it's worth repairing, an outdated model will only slow down an assault."
"I hate to part with it but, I guess its necessary," Cagalli said as they both looked over to Neo's machine.
"How he was able to respond to Kira I don't know," Athrun said as both started walking over towards the machine.
Neo was still sitting inside, he himself was finding that battle hard to believe, but the skill he used just felt very familiar and the person he fought also seemed familiar to him. His memories were still locked away, but just being on this ship something was trying hard to break through his subconscious.
Neo however decided it was best to let this go and return to an alliance fleet, he opened the hatch of his Windam and started making his way down to the floor where he saw the two pilots and a bunch of mechanics.
"Any word on where we are?" Neo asked.
Cagalli stared at him, "Near Orb…but there is something I have to know."
Neo stared at her.
"How did you keep up with him like that, I never saw him that mismatched," Cagalli said quickly.
"That is something I cannot really explain myself," Neo replied looking around and he saw Murdoch.
"You look like the head mechanic, I wish to leave immediately inform your bridge for me," Neo said.
Murdoch was getting the same feeling as a lot with this guy, he was very familiar.
"So you're returning to the alliance?" Athrun asked.
Neo looked at him, "That is correct; we don't know when they will attack again."
"I see," Cagalli said as Neo was looking over his machine, that last battle put a lot of stress on the machine as he pushed it past the limits.
After a few minutes Murrue arrived and approached Neo.
Neo noticed her, "Have you located the alliance fleet?"
Murrue stopped, "Yes, they landed somewhere around Central America."
"I must leave immediately," Neo said quickly.
Murrue somehow didn't want him to leave, "I…I just wanted to thank you for what you did, if it wasn't for you none of us would have survived."
Neo looked at her, "This is far from over, you will see that pilot again, I can feel it."
"Regardless I still want to offer you my gratitude," Murrue told him.
"Forget about it, we are still under a treaty so I am sure we will meet again," Neo said going back up towards the cockpit of his machine.
Once inside Neo powered up the machine and flew off.
Cagalli heard his words that treaty was something she wanted to get them out of and get them out of immediately, but now with the destruction of the lunar base she didn't think it was going to be possible.
Once Neo left he returned straight to the alliance.
Eternal
With the course set to Orb right beside the Archangel, all that was left was reminiscing of what had taken place.
With Andrew and Dacosta speaking with the Archangel and getting damage reports of their own Lacus was left mostly by herself and that only made her think. Right now however the last thing Kira said to her was pounding nails straight into her heart.
His unborn child would lead the way, what exactly did he mean, and how could he have a child on the way, it wasn't supposed to happen like this, but she also wondered with who. At this strange time despite his behavior he turned to someone else, that was something she would not accept, he had a life to come back to and he in turn made a different one with what was worse someone else.
This wasn't the time for those thoughts but she felt absolute betrayal when she heard that.
Lacus had to think of something else before she went crazy and she did that when she thought of going home, that was her priority at the moment.
Remainder of the alliance fleet
With very few ships that survived, they were on their way to the nearest military base with no news but utter defeat.
All three pilots Sting, Auel and Stellar were somewhat lost without someone to give them orders, they were on a standard ship, all three knew they were in trouble as all three failed, they didn't even destroy one suit they were just utterly defeated and feared they would be discarded.
With Jibril
With the failure they suffered Jibril sent forces to all countries that were to stubborn to surrender power over to him. He would either get their forces or he would destroy them that was the ultimatum.
Jibril was waiting for word from Neo to see how he would proceed next, but one thing was for sure he wasn't going to be down for to long.
Orb
Seiran Estate
The battles outcome was not one any of the Seiran's expected, first they never expected to lose and second they still had to deal with Cagalli.
"This is insane we have lost any power to launch a counter attack," Yunna was practically screaming out as he was pacing back and forth.
"Calm down, what we have to worry about next is the representative," Unato responded.
"I will get her in line, she will not do anything as foolish as breaking that treaty," Yunna said proudly.
"They are on their way back as we speak, we should call an emergency meeting of the council, that should put enough pressure on her to stay with the treaty," Unato said as they had to keep the upper hand or they would lose support in the alliance.
"Shall we head to Onogoro father?" Yunna asked.
"We shall leave immediately…" Unato said standing up; they were going to be ready for them when they got into port.
Onogoro Island
The sky was pitch black when they had finally arrived in Orb territory; they were given an escort to the port.
Archangel and Eternal
All sat back as the worst seemed to be over for the moment.
"This is far from over," Cagalli said standing up and looking at the island.
"Your cabinet will not let you just break out of this treaty," Athrun reminded her.
"Technically the treaty was the destruction of that ship, but since we no longer have access to it I believe I can get around it," Cagalli said leaving one battlefield for another and the political one in ways was far worse.
"What do you think Zaft will do now?" Murrue asked.
"He won't stop with just space, he will come after us again, and when that happens I need to be ready," Athrun said looking over to Cagalli.
Murrue then patched a signal to the Eternal.
On the Eternal things looked pretty good for the ships first trip into the atmosphere.
"Well I have to say we look pretty much screwed," Andrew said sitting back.
Dacosta looked back at him, "You don't think it's over sir?"
Andrew looked at him funny, "It was a joke…besides this is far from over, I swear last time I saw that kid act like this I ended up like this," Andrew said gesturing to his condition.
When Lacus saw the island she was relieved to be back, and after that they got a call from the Archangel.
"What can I do for you?" Andrew asked.
Athrun saw him on the screen, "I know we still have two machines left, I need one of them."
Lacus heard that, she really didn't want those machines used, it just didn't seem right, but now wasn't the time for her feelings to get in the way.
"Once we dock I will see that it is transferred to you," Lacus said to them.
Athrun nodded and signed off as both ships were now close enough to dock.
The ships each had their own dock but the other ship was visible, they turned around and began docking inside.
Onogoro Port
The other ships all docked around the port areas as the Orb fleet was completely worn out.
The Eternal and Archangel were inside the secret dock as each ship began powering down.
The crew began working and re-supplying and repairs while the heads were the ones to exit the ship.
On the Eternal Lacus, Andrew and Dacosta were the ones getting off as all three saw something they knew Cagalli wasn't going to be pleased with.
As soon as the hatch to the Archangel opened, Murrue, Cagalli and Athrun got off and immediately Cagalli cringed as she saw three people waiting for them.
One was Erica Simmons; she actually wanted to speak to her, but the other two Unato and especially the last one Yunna.
Yunna looked excited as all three of them were then approached.
"Welcome home representative," Unato said.
Cagalli nodded as she saw Yunna, "I swear I am not in the mood," Cagalli said glaring at him as she knew he would try to greet her with petty lines and anything else, just his presence annoyed her.
"We shall discuss that later, an emergency meeting has been called and we must attend," Unato said.
Cagalli looked back to Murrue, Andrew and Dacosta, "Work with the repairs and get the ships ready if need be."
They nodded and left.
Athrun looked at her, "I will stay here and prepare my new machine."
Cagalli gave him the go ahead as Athrun started walking away he took one look at Yunna and Yunna immediately shook and tried hiding behind his father, it was truly a pathetic site.
Cagalli looked at Lacus.
"Would you go ahead of me, I wish to return home immediately," Lacus said.
Cagalli nodded, "I know, go ahead and I will fill you in later," Cagalli said as Lacus began heading towards a chopper that would take her back to the main island.
"Shall we go," Unato asked as they left.
Earth Alliance Fleet
Neo was able to catch up to the fleet, when he boarded a ship the captain saluted but the greetings ended there.
The captain told Neo something specific as Neo now had to contact Jibril.
Going to a secured line he made contact.
"You failed me," Jibril said as Neo saw his picture.
"We were caught off guard sir, I suggest in the future you leave military matters to those that know something about it," Neo said sternly.
Jibril heard the insubordination but now was not the time, "Return to this location, it looks like a few countries are still being stubborn, I will need you to secure them for me."
Neo closed his eyes for a second, they should be focusing the resources they had on Zaft but he was still insistent in fighting with other earth nations, if this kept up Zaft wouldn't need to attack again.
"Very well sir," Neo said as they signed off.
Neo sat back down as he got word his pilots had made it safely and would join him at the next location.
When Neo was left alone he for the first time since he could remember, he was questioning just exactly what he was doing, was Jibril the man he first believed he was, he knew that wasn't the case anymore and if any of them were going to survive Zaft had to be taken more seriously then Jibril was doing.
Orb
Eternal
When Athrun arrived on board he was shown straight to the hanger, Athrun was lead straight to his new machine, this was the one he wanted when they started but with the situation he had to stick with the Savior and now he saw his new machine.
Athrun was about to approach when something came over the speaker.
Orb Headquarters
As soon as Unato led Cagalli into the meeting room, all the ministers were there waiting for her.
"Let us begin," Unato said sitting down.
"I believe we should get a situation report first," Yunna said trying to sound important.
Cagalli sat down and filled them in on the events of so far. Once she was finished they began.
"It is clear that Zaft has violated the peace treaty," Unato said.
"Are you forgetting they were attacked first," Cagalli added.
"Listen Cagalli, this isn't a game, a weapon of that caliber could destroy us all, you yourself heard your own brother's words," Yunna added.
"You wish to just throw away Orb's ideals for the alliance?" Cagalli asked angrily.
"I see no other choice representative, if we break the treaty we are in now, we will not only have Zaft for an enemy the alliance will become ours as well," Unato said calmly.
Cagalli knew she was backed into a corner, the entire time she was stuck in this corner, for one she knew now that Kira was serious and he would come for all of them, negotiating with Zaft was not an option, the alliance on the other hand just wanted them for their power, and they would be no more then tools, however with the alliance on the move attacking other countries if they don't join was something that was a waste of time and it would drain their military power. It was clear the alliance was only out for themselves, and it was clear they weren't taking her brother that serious yet, but when he fired that weapon straight down their throats they would regret it.
However despite all that Orb was her worry and she decided that she would remain in this treaty but that was only to benefit them to strengthen themselves for a battle they knew was not far away.
"I will not break the treaty, you can calm yourselves about that," Cagalli said but they didn't need to know everything she was planning.
"Wise choice representative, for Orb that is the best cause," Unato said.
"I knew you had what it took," Yunna said but wasn't liking the glare he got from her, it nearly petrified him.
Cagalli was about to say something when someone rushed in.
"What is the meaning of this?" Unato said.
"I am sorry sir, but you should see this," the man said as all looked at him.
Main Island Lacus Estate
The chopper landed out back as Lacus had a big enough place, she thanked them as she approached her house, she was very relieved to be back.
Lacus looked at the estate and remembered when she bought it, it was straight after Kira disappeared, she was hoping this would be there home when he resurfaced but things weren't looking to good in that department.
It had a great ocean view and wasn't that far from the main city.
As soon as Lacus opened the door she was greeted by one of her maids.
"Miss Lacus, it is great to see you back, I have heard about what was going on," the maid said.
Lacus smiled at her, Lacus chose her to work here as she did several tasks and Lacus wanted only the best for this job, and for a very good reason.
"I am sorry for being away this long, but…" Lacus said as the older woman smiled.
"Think nothing of it," the maid said with a smile.
Lacus spoke to her on a few matters that were important to her, before she went up the stairs did a few important things and then went to her own room.
Before lying down Lacus stared out the window over to the ocean, memories flooded her mind as she thought about the situation and about Kira.
Lacus was so wrapped up in thought she didn't hear the door behind her at first, that was until she heard a voice.
"Mom," was all the voice said.
To be continued…
(A\N): The next chapter takes place on both Earth and Zaft as Ryu makes his demands to the world. Bye for now.