(AN): I want to thank all who reviewed.

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

Chapter Forty

Rescue

Orb Headquarters

"What now?" Cagalli asked as things couldn't get any worse.

"We are receiving a signal representative," the soldier said as Cagalli took it.

Leaving the room she went to the control room where she took the audio signal, it was sent to this particular frequency and one Cagalli recognized since it was used in their last battle against the Minerva. It was a standard distress signal with a locations beacon, with a short com message. Cagalli recognized the voice as Arthur, apparently they sunk to the bottom where they went down and were taking on heavy water.

Recalling the message Cagalli knew the captain of that ship was trying something and she feared that Kira must have done his damage. After all that was the direction Kira was last seen and since they got this signal that means the Doomsday must be out of the area by now or the com would never reach this distance.

Cagalli returned to the room and explained the situation.

"We should help them," Lacus added.

"This could give us another powerful ship if we are able to save it," Andrew said.

"I know that area, from their location the water isn't really that deep, enough to cover the ship probably but not impossible," Neo added.

"It will be quite a chore however, can we really spare the ships needed to go after them, after all that is Zaft territory," Todaka added.

"I have made my decision, what ships we can spare we will move them out immediately, it shouldn't take more then a day or so, I want repair parts and equipment to be on standby, we will assist in repairing them once we get it back to the surface, if possible," Cagalli added.

"With the Archangel, it will take even less time," Murrue added.

"I will go as well, we will take the ship and do what we can to recover that ship, if nothing else we can at least try to rescue the crew," Cagalli added.

"I will stay and help with the Songstress' idea, still a completely crazy one, but we cannot put that on hold," Andrew added.

"Agreed, use the staff as you see fit, if all goes well we should be back in a day," Cagalli added.

"Let's get this done," Cagalli added, as this was just the type of distraction she needed.

Cagalli gathered what she needed as they returned to the Archangel and it left joined with a few destroyers, equipment was on standby to be flown out if needed.

Minerva

As the ship was heading down Arthur transmitted the signal to Orb, just as Talia said. This was a long shot but it was all they could do for the moment. Heading down bow first they were very lucky they weren't in that deep of water yet. The ocean covered the ships top but only by about fifty feet. The ship was still very visible from the air as they were just off the coast of Asia.

Unfortunately with the amount of water they were taking on, many crew members were losing their lives to the waters. The hangers were taking on water as well, but the crew sealed them the best they could. The mobile suits however were able to break threw as they had very limited maneuverability, but at least they were out.

Bridge

"Status?" Talia said as they still had ship systems, but if the sea water got to them it would be over.

"Propulsion is down," Arthur said.

"Haul breaches all over the lower decks ma'am, the waters are being contained the best as possible, the maintenance teams are trying to pump the waters out, but that may not be enough," Meyrin said.

"Do we still have communications?" Talia asked.

Meyrin confirmed.

They were watching as the suits were moving around in the waters.

Mobile Suits

Shiho, Luna, and Rey made it out as they got the communication, a few other had joined but these suits were definitely not built for swimming.

"Do you read me?" Talia reported to them.

"Were here," Rey finally said as they got the signal.

Talia decided it was best to use these suits, "Move the suits around the ship and give me a full status report, try and patch up holes with anything you can," Talia added, a lame thing to do, but it was better then nothing.

"I need one of you to head for the surface and maintain surveillance, they might come to assist us," Talia ordered to Rey.

Shiho took command of that operation as she herself would head towards the surface and maintain stealth surveillance. She began heading up as the others started making their way around the ship.

With Shiho

As soon as her suit reached the surface she immediately began taking scans, so far there was nothing on the radar, the area was practically deserted, no civilian vessels either but if they came in contact with the Doomsday, then that would explain why their wasn't any.

Heading back down, and up she maintained this surveillance.

Bridge

"I think we have something ma'am," their helmsman said.

"Report?" Talia asked.

"It seems a few engines have survived the blasts, they are still working but fairly weak," the helmsman added.

"Can you get us to the surface?" Arthur asked.

"Not without help, we just don't have the power, but if we do get a little assistance then I believe we will have enough to reach the surface," he added.

Talia nodded, "In the meantime I will have our suits seal those holes on the lower haul, have maintenance pump out the water as soon as an area is sealed."

"Yes ma'am," Arthur said now giving orders.

Outside the suits did what they could, the patched up holes with the scrap that fell from the ship, as well as taking metal from other parts that weren't. Sealing them was the toughest part as the best way would be to weld them on with the sabers but underwater sabers were practically useless. That was until the two from Kira's team tried there's. It seemed Kira built these suits a little too well, as they were working. This would take longer but it was the best chance they had.

When an area was sealed, the maintenance workers quickly got pumped the water out with the filtering system but this ship was designed for space combat and not earth. Though this system was primitive they were using they were glad they had it. Slow as it might be this might just save their lives.

Aprilious One

Ryu's Office

With his greatest glory so far, Ryu was still pleased over the destruction of Orb's capitol. With firm control over the media and the Plants solely distracted with the ultimate project, he wouldn't have to worry about anything on the home front for now at least.

Ryu now believed it was his time to head to earth; he wanted to personally oversee the engagements they would soon be having with the Atlantic Federation. Ryu already made travel arrangements when he saw something around the area Jibril was supposed to be, it seems as if a lot of signatures were leaving the area. Ryu tried zooming in further but they did have interference from the blizzard and something else of unknown origin, this was the only area on the earth they couldn't really tap into real good.

Checking his data he got, Ryu was caught with one ship in particular, it looked like if it was going the long way it would reach the federation on the west coast. Tapping in further when it left the area, Ryu saw that the ship matched the one that Jibril was using.

That data was courteous of Neo, who made sure Zaft would have everything they needed in hunting him down.

Looking back at the area it was clear they were abandoning the base, however as he checked the Doomsdays location, he would have to contact Kira, apparently all Kira had to do was head across the pacific a ways and the ship would come straight to him, this would also lower the risk for sending his best ship into heavily hostile ground for the base, this was working out just fine.

Reaching for his communications equipment, Ryu contacted Kira.

Doomsday

Bridge

Willard resumed course as they were about to head out of the safe area, which was when he received communications.

"Sir, it's the chairman," Sarah said back on duty.

"Patch it through," Willard said as she did.

Willard saluted, "You called sir?"

"Where is the commander?" Ryu asked.

Just on time it seems as Kira was now returning with Shinn.

"We just got him on radar sir, he should be here shortly," Willard said.

"Transfer my call to his hanger, I will take the call there," Ryu said.

"Yes sir," Willard said nodding over to Sarah, she transferred the call and waited.

Suits

Communications between the two as they flew back was none existent. Shinn just assisted in helping sink some of his friends and all for what, his revenge on Orb, that was what he lived for and that was what he would do. He knew what happened to the people, but with the military targets still remaining the work wasn't done.

Kira was pleased with himself, he got Talia and her party out of the way, their was no way they would survive, even if she got the crew off the ship, they wouldn't make it far in the world, they were branded traitors and any Zaft person stumbling on to them would either destroy or capture them, either way same result. Naturals were really fuming over coordinators so if they found them like with Zaft same result.

Kira however had to focus on Jibril, but Orb was still also on his mind.

Looking at the ship ahead, he radioed to Shinn, "Dock and await for further orders," Kira said quickly as the two split up and went to their respective docks, landing both of their machines.

Kira's dock

After landing and powering down, Kira sent the mechanics to work on the hand of his machine, since the damage from Heine's rods needed repairs. It wouldn't take to long as the crew got to work immediately.

After heading to his room, he unzipped the flight suit as he took a couple more pills, it had been awhile, but time to think always did this to him, good thing however these were the new brand and his headache went away immediately.

"You have a call from the chairman sir," Sarah said letting him know.

Kira detected the malice in her voice when she said sir, "Path it through," Kira said sitting down and turning the monitor towards him.

Sarah patched it through as Kira saw Ryu.

"Sir?" Kira asked.

"Well done with the Minerva, such a same we had to lose such a ship but the nuisance is over," Ryu said.

"Yes sir," Kira said.

"I am getting ready to head to the surface, but first it seems as if Jibril is abandoning his base and is heading straight in your direction," Ryu said.

Kira looked at the map as Ryu sent him the images.

"You will alter your plan and wait for him here," Ryu said pointing to the location.

"Use the hibernation mode and let him come to you," Ryu said at the wonderful system Kira made for this massive ship.

Kira also knew by doing this it spared him a few extra days as Jibril's speed wasn't that great, but he knew they were doing it to look like a civilian freighter, but this just gave him the time he would need, as now he was going back to Orb.

"I understand sir, I will do so immediately," Kira said quickly.

"I will see you when I arrive, just do what you have to and eliminate Jibril and anything else that gets in your way, I will have personal keep you posted if Jibril changes course," Ryu said signing off.

Kira sat back and placed a hand on his face with a slightly smile, radioing the bridge Kira gave Willard the new orders as he had some orders himself to give out here.

Willard changed course as they were now heading towards the Americas.

Kira started doing something else.

Pacific Ocean-Near Asia

Orb party

Like Cagalli planned this only took her a day to arrive, at the coordinates, they had to be extremely careful, but it seemed as if the only Zaft presence was on the land in Asia at the moment, their sea power was focused elsewhere, even after attacking Orb it seemed as if they just left the area and for this that was a good thing.

The Archangel arrived with a few destroyers.

Minerva

The entire day was actually going a little better for them, the hole was getting patched up though they had to take armor from the ship, but it was working. They patched the damage as the maintenance crews pumped out the water, however the best news was about to come.

Archangel

Shiho was in the area doing her surveillance when the Orb party arrived; she waited a few minutes and then showed herself.

"Up ahead captain," Miriallia said.

Murrue looked ahead as they contacted the suit.

"You're a sight for sore eyes Orb ships, I am now acting commander Shiho Hahnenfuss," Shiho introduced herself.

"Representative Atha, tell me can I speak to your captain," Cagalli said.

"I will inform her, standby," Shiho said going back down.

After a few minutes they got the signal from the frequency used as it was Talia.

"Thank you representative or accepting our distress call," Talia said gratefully.

"What exactly happened?" Cagalli asked.

Talia explained the battle and as soon as Kira's name was mentioned Cagalli cringed as she didn't like hearing it anymore.

"How is your ships condition?" Cagalli asked again.

"A few engines work, we plugged most damage, and are currently pumping out water, but we don't have enough power to get to the surface," Talia reported.

"We believed that from the case, a few of our ships are carrying spare parts, they are no where near the design for your ship, but with a few power transfers they should at least get you back to the surface and back to Orb," Cagalli added.

"Thank you," Talia said again.

"We have a few maintenance suits that will assist in placing the thrusters on your ship, we don't really have a lot of time, Orb is still in danger," Cagalli said again.

Ordering her crew from the other ships to work they placed the thrusters on the ships, they were only built for experimental submarines and such but it should work for now, no way they could go into battle with these but all they needed was the ship back to Orb. They helped with a few other matters as well.

Cagalli kept in constant communication with Talia as they worked this out, the work went well into the night.

Orb-Onogoro Island

Headquarters

With Cagalli gone for awhile, Lacus went to work on what to do with Kira; she explained her idea to a few mechanics and pilots as they agreed to work with her.

Andrew and Athrun luckily found what they needed as they transferred it over to the engineers to get it prepared.

Outside

Mobile suits and personal were preparing the base accordingly; they placed what Lacus said in all the spots she wanted it. They had to lure Kira down here if this had any chance of working, and that was what she was going to do.

Lacus was outside overlooking what the crew was doing and they were working quickly and hard, this was no easy task, but it had to be down. Many thought she was crazy and others thought it was too great a risk to take, with herself and the base around, this was practically all they had left of Orb and too much damage would mean the end.

Lacus watched as everything was set up, and that was when Andrew and Athrun joined her.

"Is it ready?" Lacus asked.

"Yes, all set up…are you sure you still want to do this?" Andrew asked.

"It has to be me," Lacus added.

"You are using yourself as bait Lacus, he would easily go for anyone of us, not just you," Athrun added.

Lacus shook her head, "This is something I have to do, one day you might understand."

"Do you even know how to fly one of these things?" Athrun asked.

Lacus slightly smiled, "I know basic maneuvers, besides I don't have to fight just lure him down, this is my plan after all," Lacus said in her defense.

"Basic maneuvers will not be enough songstress, if he catches you that will be over, this is to risky because basically you have to out fly him and nobody can out fly Kira," Andrew said again.

Lacus shook her head again, "No, this isn't really about flying either, stop worrying so much, it will work."

"At least let us assist you," Athrun said.

Lacus smiled, "You and the rest of Orb must hold back any Zaft forces Kira brings, open a hole and don't let anyone engage him, I don't want them to waste there lives."

"Very well, we will allow him to go," Athrun said.

Lacus smiled again, "You must not show yourselves at all to him, promise me that you two will follow this to the core?"

Both agreed with her, they didn't like this at all, one wrong move and she was done for.

Pacific Ocean

Archangel and Minerva

With everything in place the crew was ready to begin.

Cagalli and the Orb crew did all they could at this point.

"Bring the engines on line, and monitor the power flow," Talia ordered.

"Yes ma'am," Arthur said doing just that.

They started bringing the engines on line as the power from the generators and thrusters Orb strapped on to them starting firing up.

"Everything looks good ma'am," Arthur said quickly.

"Alright, let's go," Talia said as they began.

Powering up the ship, the ship slowly began ascending.

"It's working ma'am," Arthur said excited.

It was slow but they made it to the surface.

Cagalli was glad.

"You have our deepest gratitude," Talia said again.

"Let's return to Orb, that is if you wish to go," Cagalli said.

"On behalf of my crew, allow us to join you," Talia asked.

Cagalli nodded, "Its' our pleasure," she added as they began their way back to Orb.

All ships including the Archangel all attaches cables to the Minerva as they began their way back, the repair they did was only temporary, it still needed a lot of work to be battle ready and they feared they wouldn't have the time for that.

Cagalli explained what they were up to and Talia agreed to help in any way she can.

Doomsday

It took two days at full power to reach their target spot, Kira however never let Orb out of his mind, when they arrived at the spot they were supposed to be in it was a little ways off the Mexican coast, with their radar if Jibril's ship arrived then they would be able to tell.

They then entered their hibernation mode, basically the ship sent out signals interfering with all radar equipment in its range, unlike during battle times, hibernation only effects the radar in the Doomsdays location, everything else is visible and makes it look like nothing it there, the only way they could be spotted is if someone stumbled on to the ship and if that happened they wouldn't live long to tell about it.

Once docked Kira knew he had nothing to do but track Jibril's ship, seeing it was still a long ways out he turned his attention back to Orb. If he wanted he could make it there and back in no time, organizing a force would take to much time and resources but if he were to do this alone, then that is another picture.

Kira now made his decision.

To be continued…

(A\N): This was just a small set up chapter; I didn't want this added with the next chapter. The next chapter switches to Lacus' preparations and Kira launches.