(AN): Thank you to all who reviewed.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or Destiny.

Chapter Twenty Three

Demands

Lacus' House

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, which was until she heard a voice.

"Mom," was all the voice said.

Lacus turned around only to see her Haro bouncing up and down saying Mom over and over again.

Lacus smiled as the round ball took up that name for her; Lacus walked over and picked up the ball as she left her room.

Lacus did this earlier but she wanted to do it again, she approached the room closest to hers as she opened the door to see her daughter sleeping peacefully. Lacus walked in again shushing her Haro as she placed it back on the stand next to her sleeping daughter.

Lacus smiled once again as the Haro then powered itself down. Lacus looked at the almost three year old sleeping peacefully. The girl had long blonde hair with her own blue eyes. Lacus sat down at the edge of the bed and gently covered her up again. As Lacus watched her she could only smile sadly at the situation. Lacus gently kissed her cheek as she left the room closing the door behind her.

Before heading back to her own room Lacus went to another door right next to this one. Once she opened the door she was greeted by a green bird that landed on her shoulder. Lacus slightly smiled at the small bird as she walked over to the almost three year old boy sleeping in his bed.

Sitting down she looked at the boy who was an absolute clone to his father, brown hair and violet eyes. The mechanical bird once again landed on the back of the bed as it detected the sadness in Lacus' aura.

Lacus gently kissed his cheek as she left the room and once again closed the door.

After she was out she gently slid down the door with tears in her eyes, she loved her children more then anything and wanted nothing more then to find their father for them, Lacus did find him but now she had no idea how to handle this situation she was now in. How was she supposed to explain to them that their father was responsible for the mass killings and the destruction he wanted to cause.

As Lacus lifted her head she remembered when she first found out she was pregnant and the tragedy that soon followed their birth.

Lacus wasn't having twins she was supposed to have triplets, that was something else that was unknown to coordinators but it happened to her.

Lacus found out about her pregnancy immediately after Kira disappeared, she was nearly two months along and she wanted nothing more then to share this news with him but he vanished.

Immediately Lacus only let a few know of this, Cagalli, Athrun, and Andrew were the only ones that she told. Lacus was under a lot of stress with Kira's disappearance that she decided for her children's wellbeing she would take a year leave of absence from her job as ambassador to Zaft. Lacus kept this from the media and all others that would do anything for a story; she didn't want her children placed in the spot light so only those select few knew about this.

Lacus bought this place so she could have a place to raise them peacefully. Everything was going fine until it was time for her to deliver, the first two children survived but unfortunately the youngest daughter she was supposed to have did not survive. Apparently there was a problem with the genetics and her body wasn't strong enough to support all three children, it was a small miracle that the other two survived but they did.

Lacus was grief stricken but for the sake of the other two she pulled forward, however there are still times when she remembers and breaks down slightly. The deceased daughter she lost also had brown hair with her eyes and she still remembers every detail. Her friends helped with funeral arrangements that was done in secrecy, but over time they got over it the best they could, but to Lacus nothing could ever replace her and her heart would always feel the loss.

Lacus remembers the first time when she held both of her surviving children, immediately she could tell something was different about these two, she expected some different things knowing how Kira's genetics are but they were not that needy at all. When she took them home Lacus considered stepping down from her job permanently, but when they were three months old she saw the situation starting to deter ate with the alliance and Zaft so she decided for the world they built and for the world their father created she would return and ensure that peace.

Lacus hired a private nanny the one she spoke to when she entered the house and she took care of them while Lacus was on trips.

As the two years went by, Lacus watched both grow up. Her Haro became her daughter's favorite as you could say pet, while the green bird Kira left behind was taken in by her son.

As both grew up it was clear they were different, extremely intelligent, and easily able to learn. Their daughter had a lot of Lacus in her, but she had Kira's shyness, she loved to sing and help Lacus in the garden. She basically looked like Lacus but the blonde hair at first surprised her but then she knew her own father was blonde not to mention a few on Kira's side so it wasn't that surprising.

Their son however was practically a clone of Kira, well of how Kira used to be in her mind, he was kind caring and above all unbelievable, at only two he was able to do things people would ever be able to do. Lacus found him one day looking over mobile suit specs that Cagalli and Athrun had with them once on a visit, he was easily able to identify how the machine worked, it was clear he had all of Kira's intelligence. It was strange Kira was the ultimate coordinator but he was born from two naturals, both of her children were born from an ultimate coordinator and a regular coordinator so it made her wonder if they would be even superior to Kira when they grew up, all of that was a mystery, from all Lacus knew was they were regular coordinators and the doctors they had couldn't find anything to say they were superior, but Lacus knew they were some how different, but to her they were just her children that loved doing what other kids loved to do.

Both were happy and that was all that mattered to her.

That was what led her to the present Lacus was going to resign before all this happened so she could devote all her time with her children and finding their father, but now all of that was different.

Lacus stood up and walked to her main room, she had a few pictures of Kira, but now she couldn't let them see them anymore, she had no clue with how he would react in his present state and she couldn't trust he wouldn't try and steal them or worse hurt them, the old Kira she knew would never do that but with this new thinking she feared what Kira could do to them.

Lacus decided it had been a long day and she would now turn in, she just couldn't shake this feeling that Kira wasn't done yet and would soon bring this conflict to earth.

Aprilious One

Headquarters

After Ryu's meeting with the council he immediately called a press conference that would not only be broadcast to every Plant, but this one would also reach earth media stations as well. It was a little strange to call a conference this late but Ryu wanted it done now.

The council remained behind in the chamber as they would listen to the address in their current location.

Media personal all gathered in the conference room of the headquarters, they knew if he was addressing an issue this late then it had to be important. The podium was set up as the Zaft flag was standing straight behind it.

Ryu had his speech already planned out as he was escorted to the conference room; Zaft Special Forces surrounded him and the room as they made sure it was secure. Reporters were discussing amongst each other trying to see if any had inside sources as to what this was going to be about, but none of them did.

It suddenly got quiet as Ryu was announced.

Ryu walked out as cameras flashed and he took his place on the podium.

Plants

All channels were interrupted as Ryu's speech was about to be made.

Though it wasn't to late but late none the less, but many citizens were still awake and going about their business, all knew that the alliance was no longer in space so this was the first time they could go out without that small chance of being nuked.

Screens all over the Plants now showed Ryu as all stopped to watch.

Military Bases

It was the same for the military personal along the bases, they just made a great victory and now their new leader was going to address them. Generals and Admirals were the ones that really listened as they had a feeling this would also be an address on what they were going to do to keep the alliance on the blue planet.

Minerva

On the docked ship they were finishing up their reports to be turned in when they got the message.

Arthur turned to Talia, "It appears the chairman is going to make an address ma'am."

Talia looked at him and told him to put it on the main screen and to broadcast it throughout the ship. She finished her reports as she handed them over to one of her pilots. Under new orders she was to send one pilot to report to the headquarters as that was the orders for every squad in the Zaft military. Under normal circumstances Heine would have been the one to do this, but it was Shiho that volunteered, rather insistently to add. Talia agreed as she handed her the reports then turned to the screen.

Shiho took the reports as she knew she would have to report them to commander Hibiki, as would all the other chosen pilots from each squad that participated in the engagement. This was defiantly something new but Ryu wanted Kira to access all top pilots as soon as possible, the reason for that was unknown to her at the time but this was a good opportunity.

Before she left she stayed to listen to the broadcast.

Doomsday

The massive warship was docked in the largest hanger at Aprilious and many were also listening to the broadcast.

Willard knew the true goals but he also knew they couldn't rush things so this wasn't yet orders to head to earth.

Mendel Colony L4

Kira waited until Sarah fell asleep to finally leave, as Kira watched her it seemed she was going to cooperate so he would not have to take any further actions to make sure she did.

Once Kira left the room he was intercepted by the head scientist again.

"Commander," the man called out to him.

Kira stopped, "What is it?" Kira said feeling his head again.

"Sir, the specimen is out of the worst part so I believe we will have no more future problems. We will of course keep constant surveillance on him though," the man said.

"Is that all?" Kira asked annoyed.

"No sir, it appears the chairman is about to make an address," he said as Kira looked at him.

"Show me," Kira said as they began walking towards the main lobby.

As they were walking the man handed something over to Kira.

Kira took the bottle and looked at it.

"The chairman contacted me before you arrived, he said these should work for awhile," the man said as he was also a doctor.

Kira opened up the bottle and saw he now had his new pills, opening the bottle and taking a few he could feel instant relief.

"Careful commander, your body quickly adapts to any drug we will ever develop, by taking them in large doses as you did with your old ones your body will become immune, we don't currently have anything stronger then these," the man said quickly.

Kira's breathing was becoming normal as they seemed to work, "I suggest you start working on something stronger then, this will not go away until all have paid," Kira replied darkly as they entered the lobby.

Kira stopped as he saw Ryu begin.

Earth

Like Ryu predicted media stations immediately picked up on his broadcast and began running it themselves, they knew of the defeat up in space and this was big news as the Zaft chairman called a conference this late.

Countries Leaders

Whether they were the ninety percent that supported the Atlantic federation or the remaining ten percent that still refused him all got this broadcast and were watching it.

Earth Alliance Fleet

Neo was called to the bridge of the ship he was on as the broadcast began; he and the rest of the alliance personal listened carefully.

With Jibril

Jibril and his Logos group also picked up on the transmission and they were listening carefully. Jibril only watched in hatred as did the rest.

Orb

Like with the rest the Orb population started watching the broadcast as were their nation's leaders and military personal.

Archangel

Murrue had it on the main screen as she watched with the bridge crew. The rest of the ship watched as well.

Eternal

Andrew was doing the same as this was an important broadcast.

In the hanger as soon as Athrun saw his new machine this one looked like it may have a chance to counter Kira's Armageddon. It was amazing to him as well.

As he was going over the specs that was when he heard about the broadcast and walked to the nearest terminal to watch and he did with anger.

Orb Headquarters

With the meeting going on the person that rushed in informed of this broadcast as Cagalli and the rest began to watch.

Unato and Yunna the two so called big shots watched with hatred while the others watched hoping it would be a message of a peace treaty or something but that was only wishful thinking.

Lacus' House

After Lacus finished checking on her children she was going to turn in when her maid quickly told her about this conference that was begin broadcast. Lacus quickly went to watch it, and as she looked at the screen she saw a man she actually hated, Lacus rarely hated anyone but this man she truly did.

Aprilious One

Conference Room

As the cameras flashed Ryu never once smiled or anything and when he looked up all cameras stopped as people were silent.

"Citizens of both Plants and Earth, I am sure all are well aware of what has accrued…our nation of Plant was brutality attacked by the earth alliance, however they were utterly defeated, as you can see on the images were are showing," Ryu said as the images of the Doomsday firing and they showed Kira's machine doing damage as well.

Plants knew Kira's machine by now as their savoir, the earth alliance were beginning to see that machine as their grim reaper.

"This attack clearly violates the first wars treaty, and is becoming all too common amongst the earth alliance," Ryu said looking at all the cameras.

"Therefore as the chairman of Zaft I say here and now we will take this no longer," Ryu said in a voice that shook many.

"We have driven the alliance from space and on earth you shall remain," Ryu said angrily.

"You have seen our power, I come to you tonight with a list of terms that are nonnegotiable to the earth alliance," Ryu said sternly.

All reporters were writing things our watching carefully.

People all over listened, on Plants many people liked this new attitude, they were tired of being attacked and for once they had a chairman that was taking charge. The people on earth highly got a sense of fear from this man.

"My terms are simple, no and I repeat no alliance ship is to ever set foot in space again, space ports will be shut down and monitored from orbit by Zaft forces, it is clear naturals and coordinators will never be able to live together, we have offered our hand of friendship every time and the result is always the same with the alliance attacking us with nuclear weapons, no more!" Ryu said sternly.

"I am moving to construct several satellite stations around the earth to monitor earth's activities, you go about your business and we will go about ours, these are my only terms," Ryu said as this was going perfectly.

Many on earth were having a fit, the Plants seemed to agree somewhat.

Ryu however wasn't done, "If ANY of these conditions are broken, I will take that as an act of war and I will send my warship straight to the heart of earth," Ryu said as an image of the Doomsday destroying the lunar base played again. "These terms are effective immediately, it is up to you alliance leaders I suggest we leave it at that, you follow these terms and we will have no problem," Ryu said sternly.

"I will do anything to protect the Plants from danger, commander Hibiki will personally see security from this moment on, as for his great leadership he will be highly rewarded," Ryu made that announcement public as Kira's popularity was growing to the citizens all planned out for him.

"I will work none stop to assure the safety and prosperity of the Plants, in that effect my citizens I believe I will have an issue that will solve the problem we coordinators face the most, I will have a solution that will end our greatest problem within the year," Ryu said as many knew what that was, it seemed not only was their chairman not taking any crap from the naturals but now he is saying he can solve their greatest problem of declining birth rates.

"For the sake our future I will continue to move forward…I thank you all," Ryu said as reports shot up hoping to ask questions.

Cameras flashed as media stations took over talking about the terms.

Ryu took no questions as he walked back with a small smile on his face, the bait has been cast and now the alliance only had to take it which knowing Jibril and the rest of the natural fools they would.

Plants

People were discussing what they heard and the vast majority agreed with what the chairman said. You had the few liberals that would always spout their nonsense but they were the minority.

Councils Chambers

The council was in most agreement but they didn't like it that Ryu didn't discuss the majority with him.

"This was brilliant," Sarah's father said.

"I disagree councilmen, this could have strong repercussions," another said.

"What was that the chairman was talking about?" another asked as about the problem they faced.

"That is a question we will have to ask at the next meeting," another said as they had another meeting one that Kira would be at.

Minerva

Mixed reactions on the ship, Talia didn't trust Ryu or Kira at all, the plan seemed a little extreme but maybe necessary she didn't know.

The rest were surprised as well, this ship was defiantly not just willing to go along with Ryu and Kira's sayings so easily.

Doomsday

Willard smiled at what he heard, their plan was in motion and soon he hoped they would be at earth.

The pilots listened as well, Shinn actually agreed with the chairman, though he hated Kira he agreed with the chairman, Luna was surprised and Rey had to leave for the pilots meeting that was being called, he wanted more information on what happened to Gil but Ryu didn't even mention him, it seemed as if all the Plants didn't care he was gone, that was bothering him.

Earth Alliance

The people were shocked, and many outraged, it seemed Zaft was taking the superior road, however there were also a lot that disagreed with the alliance, but refusing could have drastic consequences so they had to go along with their leaders.

Earth leaders knew this wasn't going to set well with the alliance, a few that refused the alliance saw an opportunity to in this that they would work on later.

Alliance Fleet

As Neo heard that he knew Jibril wasn't going to take this so quietly and speak of the devil he was immediately summed to his quarters as a call came in.

With Jibril

Jibril blew his top at what he heard as did his council.

"How dare they give terms to me," Jibril said angrily.

"I agree, we are not beaten yet," one man said through link.

"We have to regroup and regain control," another said.

Jibril looked at him, "It is time we cease control of the remaining countries resources."

"We are in agreement then, if we make it look like we are agreeing to Zaft's terms we can rebuild without them knowing," another said.

Jibril smiled, "You people work on regrouping and I will handle the remaining countries," Jibril said signing off.

Jibril immediately contacted Neo.

Neo's face appeared.

Jibril said only one thing, "Get me those countries, take what you need and crush them if need be."

Neo nodded as he knew this was a bad idea, he wanted to concentrate on that pilot he fought but first thing was first he had to follow Jibril's orders. He just couldn't stop that feeling that he met that pilot before.

Orb

The Orb people were slightly feared by this, they liked the old Orb where they were neutral but now they couldn't be that anymore, they only hoped that the leaders would abide by Zaft's terms.

Archangel

Murrue could only shut her eyes, she knew just what the alliance would do and it wasn't to agree.

In the infirmary Yzak stopped by to see Dearka, he was still beaten up pretty badly but would recover, and it seemed if things like this kept going they would be stuck here, he only hoped his inside source could get any information they could use, but that was a big long shot.

Eternal

Andrew knew how this would end, but it appeared that Ryu knew this as well.

"What do you think commander?" Dacosta asked.

"We will soon be at war here," Andrew replied taking a sip of coffee.

In the hanger Athrun was disgusted, but it was clear he would have to master this machine as soon as possible.

Orb Headquarters

After the speech the council started bickering again.

"You see representative we have to keep the treaty," Unato said.

Cagalli sighed, "I already know that."

"This is outrages if they think we can agree to those terms," Yunna replied.

Cagalli stood up, "We will adjourn the meeting for tonight, I have made up my mind so we are done here."

Yunna and Unato wanted to discuss this more, but Unato decided since she didn't break the treaty they were fine for now.

After they left Cagalli sat down, she knew those terms would never be accepted, but what angered her more was that Ryu wanted them to defy, it was also strange that last thing he said but she would have to deal with that later.

As she walked out she found Erica Simmons waiting for her.

"May I have a minute?" she asked.

Cagalli agreed as it appeared she had something important to say.

Lacus' House

Lacus turned off the monitor, she knew the stage was now set and the alliance would soon take that bait, and she feared that Orb would be one of Kira's first targets, when that happened.

Lacus knew she had to discuss this with the others so she went to turn in, quickly checking both her children again she would not just let this world go so quietly.

Mendel Colony L4

After the speech Kira smiled, "Very soon, this will all end," Kira said as he walked back to the room, he knew the alliance was foolish enough that he would be to earth in no time.

Kira was returning tomorrow, he had to report to the council as well as the pilots meeting Ryu wanted him in charge of, Kira knew this would take time to head to earth so he would be assessing the pilots hoping to find the ones suited for situation he would have on earth. Finally Kira had to report to Ryu, where Ryu would unlock more of his power. All of that was taking place tomorrow so Kira took a few more of his new pills and turned in.

To be continued…

(A\N): The next chapter will also be another step up chapter and it takes place on both Earth and Zaft. See you later.