(A\N): Thank you to all who reviewed.

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

Chapter Sixty Five

Final Preparations

Doomsday

Kira's Quarters

After Ryu made his decision Kira had one thing to do before they began their campaign. Kira returned to his quarters as he made a satellite call up to the Plants.

Kira was on standby as he waited to get in contact with the person he summoned.

Kira soon saw that person as he contacted the large station where he built the Doomsday and the four mobile suits.

"Yes, as you requested," the soldier said stepping out of the way.

Kira watched as the person came into view.

"You wanted to see me commander?" the person asked.

"When I designed my ship I left you in charge of a few highly important tasks correct?" Kira asked.

"Yes sir," the person said.

"Just for the record, after I designed my scanner I placed in my quarters, I left you in charge of programming it correct?" Kira asked.

"That is correct sir, you had it specifically designed to open for your own genetic code nothing else," the engineer said to him.

Kira nodded his head, "Tell me, when I said specific it meant just me and let's say not any of my offspring correct?"

"That is right sir, the sequence I programmed was meant to match your specific genetic code, offspring hold half but not the full, it will not open for anything but your own," the engineer added.

"I see, you failed me," Kira told him deadly.

"Sir?" the person asked confused.

"Using my children the scanner was able to detect them, I gave you a specific task and you failed!" Kira said voice rising.

"There has to be some mistake sir," the engineer added.

"For your sake that was what I was looking for, after I looked at the programming it wasn't set for my full code, after so many traces it would just open up, you disobeyed my orders and did a half complete job," Kira said staring straight through the man.

"Impossible, that can't be sir…I…" the engineer said.

"That is all I needed from you," Kira said as he looked over in the monitor.

The soldier from behind raised a weapon to the back of the engineers head.

"Just know your family will soon join you," Kira added.

"Sir?" the person asked quickly.

A shot was heard as the engineer fell, it was a point blank shot and quite messy.

The soldier then looked to Kira.

Kira stared back, "Make sure this is known to other engineers, I will not tolerate failure…and finish off the family of that idiot as well, let them be an example for all those that fail His Excellency."

"Yes sir," the soldier said as the com ended.

With that out of the way Kira stood up and went to Ryu's office, the Doomsday was once again on the move.

Ryu's Office

Ryu was completely busy in his office. He had monitors and terminals all working as he called a conference with just about every high ranking officer in every area where their invasion force was located. Only a few were missing and Ryu had a reason for that, which he would get to later.

Kira walked in as he stood at attention and allowed Ryu to finish.

"Did I hear you correct sir?" one said, this office was in upper Asia.

"That is correct, I want all forces to abort their mission and begin falling back to the mass drivers we have secured," Ryu told them.

"We are making good progress sir, we have finished securing lower Africa," the officer from Africa added.

"Don't make me repeat myself, all land commanders are to begin falling back to the mass drivers for immediate departure back to space, the situation has changed," Ryu ordered.

"As you wish sir," another officer added.

"This is my final order, all of which will begin this immediately, those I told to stay remain on link, the rest do as you're ordered," Ryu told them.

"Yes sir," The officers said as about eighty percent of them signed off.

Ryu was left with the other twenty percent.

These commanders had detailed knowledge of what was going on, they were of Ryu's highest trusted, the others were Ryu's loyalists as well but they knew nothing of the plan which is why Ryu wanted them back to space first.

"Our goal has been compromised, we have no choice but to act immediately or the alliance will begin taking measures to get back up into space to destroy our satellites," Ryu told them.

"They still control at least two strong mass drivers sir," one officer said.

"We are taking measures for that now, but right now I have orders for all of you," Ryu told them.

All listened as Ryu went on.

"Our four main reactors and eight satellites are located in three strong regions, the first over Asia, the other over Europe, and the remaining two are over North and South America," Ryu told them.

"I have ordered the Doomsday which we are on our way their as we speak, we are heading to the alliances panama base, with one of the two threat full mass drivers," Ryu told them.

"Taking out the alliances power here will limit the risk when our satellites are lowered into the atmosphere," Ryu added as that was their goal.

"What is our orders sir?" one officer asked.

"The reactor over Asia I know is no threat since we control most of the land, but the European reactor is in threat," Ryu told them.

"Gibraltar mass driver in Spain," another added.

"We have no force in that region yet, but we have no choice, you will gather up your forces and do a full out assault on that base, you will have limited time so once you destroy the base you will have to use the driver yourselves to get back into space," Ryu told them.

"What other counter measures do you believe they will use sir?" another officer said.

"From our intelligence I don't believe they have weapons capable of reaching that altitude without a mass driver, you need not worry about that just destroy the forces and use the driver to get yourselves back in space, I will not wait around for long," Ryu told him.

"Yes sir," the officers said.

"Head in from northern Africa, and do not fail me," Ryu told them.

"Yes sir," the officers said as he lost about eighteen percent of the twenty he had remained as only two percent were left.

Ryu gave the final orders, "The rest of you are with us, our goal is to wipe out the alliances rebuilt Panama base, it is without the strongest base they have."

"The reactors will still be at risk sir," the officers said.

"We have no choice, those are risks we must take, take your navel fleets and join up with us at these coordinates," Ryu told them.

They got the coordinates as that was all they could do for now.

Kira listened as Ryu wasn't telling them everything, but they didn't need to know everything either.

Once they signed off Kira approached.

"This is it commander, after all we worked for it comes down to this," Ryu told him.

"We will destroy Panama then head to the location," Kira told him.

"The Doomsday will be the last ship remaining on earth and we will be over the most critical area," Ryu replied.

"I believe the alliance will pose a larger security threat when it comes time for the satellites," Kira added.

"We have no choice, they do know the locations but that doesn't mean they will be ready in time either, besides like with us they have no clue which ones will start the chain reaction, they have eight satellites to chose from and if they chose the wrong ones the reaction will be to late to stop as it will spread to the others, and what we want will happen, to bad they don't know about IT," Ryu told him.

"Luck of the draw, but if we finish this quickly enough we will know when to use them, and which ones will start the reaction," Kira added.

"There is nothing more we can do on the situation right now, prepare your people for the upcoming assault," Ryu told him.

"One suggestion sir," Kira told him.

"Go on," Ryu gave permission.

"We have several forces on the surface that are skeptical of what we have been doing, instead of allowing them to head up to the Plants where they would give us trouble after we complete this task, I suggest we split them up into four and place them near the surface below the main points where our critical satellites will be lowered, if the alliance poses any threat they will keep them stalled enough that we should be able to finish our task, and we will have people who pose us problems out of the way," Kira told him.

Ryu smiled, "Killing two birds with one stone, I like how you think commander, such a shame I have already put that in motion."

"Sir?" Kira asked.

"What you saw on the screen were most of the land commanders, but what you didn't see were the ones you just spoke about, they know not of our actually plan so we can make up whatever we want," Ryu added.

"I understand sir," Kira told him.

"Leave the rest of this to me for now and focus yourself on the upcoming battle, use the satellite images for the last time as we will have to start shutting down their surveillance mechanisms and preparing for Extermination," Ryu told him.

"I will handle that now sir," Kira told him.

"I will give the final orders to the lets call them pawns, and I want a report before the day is out," Ryu told him.

"Yes sir," Kira replied saluting before leaving.

If what they were going to do would succeed, then some sacrifice would have to be made, but a sacrifice of this caliber would be acceptable, about ten percent of their invasion force would lose their lives, but since they were skeptical of Ryu this was all accepted. Changes had to be made since the alliance knows what they are planning so this was at least a loss they could afford to lose.

Orb-Onogoro Island

Headquarters

With Cagalli and Athrun

After the alliance leaders sent the report of their military inventory Cagalli placed it in the hands of her military officers, however Mu was the one taking on the lead here. The officers agreed as not only did they have to come up with a strategy but they had to be able to counter whatever Kira would do to stop them.

Cagalli and Athrun were now sort of waiting on Lacus, for some reason she didn't want them around the children and though she said she would give them space, Cagalli really wanted to know what was going on, both of them were in Cagalli's office as by morning since Lacus went into see them they got word as Lacus said she would be with them in a few minutes.

That time soon came.

Lacus' Office

After that successful meeting Lacus returned here, she spoke with the children as they were still a little distant from her. One thing Lacus noticed was taking their minds off things was the mechanical pets they had to leave behind when the reverend took them into hiding but she did notice being around familiar things was helping them, if only a little bit but it was a start.

Lacus didn't want to be too quick and was giving them their space she didn't want to reach out and push them back to whatever the chairman put in their heads. Her daughter was the one that was opening up the most, the reason was simple as she was a lot like Lacus, her son however had had the father figure of Athrun around but Lacus knew that was never enough for him as now he had the chance to meet his real father. Her son loved mobile suits and Kira let him fly one, she knew his confusion was probably more with denial as no matter what Kira did he wanted to be apart of it, that scared her. He was a kind boy just how Kira was but now she didn't know, he was a wildcard he could go either way. Lacus knew it wasn't really fair to him as he needed that father figure so badly and Athrun just wasn't enough for him. In the state he was in if Kira got a hold of him he would be raised in just what his ultimate brother was going to be a true killer. All Lacus could do with him was stay honest and move at the pace he was comfortable with.

As for the infant daughter, Lacus just saw innocence, she knew the decision Sarah made was correct. Lacus owed her a lot so if the worst had happened Lacus would gladly take her in. the resemblance was far too strong to her deceased daughter that Lacus felt that part of her back again. She could never replace the daughter she lost but at least it made Lacus happier that she had a little girl to look after again.

Watching the children Lacus knew if they failed these children didn't have a future, no one would.

Lacus spent a few hours as very little was said but she saw progress. She stayed with them all night as they didn't sleep she knew she had to report to Athrun and Cagalli as she kept them waiting all night so she kissed all her children if they allowed it and she began walking out.

"Mother…" her son said.

Lacus turned around, "What is it?" Lacus asked softly.

"Are you leaving soon?" he asked.

Lacus looked at him, "I will have to soon."

"Can we come with you?" her son asked.

Lacus looked at him, this was sudden, but she thought for a second, sure that wasn't safe. but really no where on earth was safe, and he would eventually see Kira again to.

"Why do you want to go?" Lacus asked.

"I have to see, I have to see," was all her son said.

Lacus believed she understood that her son was trying to find the correct path.

"Very well, when we leave on the Eternal I will take all of you with us," Lacus told them.

Her son didn't respond as he went back to doing what he was doing.

Lacus left the room as she headed for Cagalli's office, Lacus never liked the idea of taking her children into battle but as she said they were no safer there then anywhere else. She just hoped he would see what she explained to him out in the field, however dangerous or however risky it would be.

Lacus finally entered Cagalli's office.

Cagalli's Office

Athrun and Cagalli saw Lacus as she entered.

"How are they?" Cagalli asked.

Lacus looked at them, "I am sorry for keeping you in the dark so long but…"

"What did he do to them?" Cagalli asked.

Lacus looked at her, "It wasn't just Kira it was the chairman as well."

Lacus then explained everything that she knew of what happened, even though some things the children still didn't talk about. Athrun and Cagalli listened in astonishment; they couldn't believe what they did to these children. They were innocent but the chairman and Kira didn't think anything of it.

"So he tried turning them against me? I would never use them or make them do anything they didn't want to," Cagalli said hurtful by what happened.

"I know you wouldn't, but you know that chairman, I don't know a whole lot as they still won't talk about most of it but they...I had to lie to them to get them on the chopper and that was by far the right thing to do and the most wrong thing to do," Lacus said as that was a double ended sword but something that had to be done.

"I believe they will snap out of it," Athrun said as he trusted them.

"I promised them they didn't have to see anyone they didn't and that mentioned you to that was why I did what I did," Lacus explained.

Cagalli nodded, "I understand…I will give them their space."

"As will I," Athrun replied.

"Thank you," Lacus replied, "I know we have matters at hand here but I really can't get it out of my mind…however I will be able to command the Eternal when we go into battle, if we go into battle."

"It will come down to us, the Minerva is just about prepared and we still have three powerful ships," Cagalli said.

Athrun was about to weigh in when they got word from Mu.

"I think I have something get down here now," Mu told them.

All three looked quickly and headed down to the main briefing room.

Doomsday

Destiny's Hanger

Shinn watched as they resembled his machine, luckily Mu didn't damage it enough where it needed interior work; they assembled the new arms and legs as they did a little body work, replacing the armor and do finishing touches. All in all it would be ready for the battle upcoming.

Shinn knew they were going to attack the Panama Base but he was never given knowledge to the ultimate plan. Shinn was a little annoyed as they once again seemed to ignore Orb, and that was one of the main reasons he was here.

Shinn was throwing his usual cocky attitude around as Kira arrived with his mission briefing.

Kira approached as he knew Shinn didn't stand, if this was another day he would not be to pleased, but Kira had other things on his mind.

"Your briefing," Kira handed him the pad.

Shinn looked at it for a second and back to his mobile suit.

If this was any other day as Kira thought the last time, but Shinn stepped his boundaries.

Kira reached down latching a hold of his uniforms collar and pulled him to his feet, "You will get on your feet when I am talking to you got it!" Kira shouted straight in his face.

Shinn took a quick look into the commanders eyes, they were different from he remembered; now they looked ready to kill him.

Shinn did say nothing.

Kira knocked him back a little, "I didn't hear you!" Kira said still having a hold of his collar he was just jerking him around.

"I got it," Shinn said taking the pad.

"I got it what?" Kira asked tightening the grip.

"I got it Sir," Shinn replied cocky.

Kira had enough as he kneed him straight in the gut.

The wind was immediately taken out of Shinn as he dropped to one knee.

"Let me make this clear to you hear and now, I no longer have time for your measly childish attitude, you disobey me one more time and I swear on His Excellency that I will shoot you on spot, do I make myself clear?" Kira asked.

"Crystal," Shinn said standing up.

"Speak up," Kira replied dangerously.

"I understand sir," Shinn said as he was forced into a mock salute.

"Keep that in mind," Kira said as he left the room.

Shinn placed his hand to his stomach as the commanders punches were certainly getting tougher. However something had to change as he seemed like they were on some sort of time issue now.

Ryu's Office

Ryu was on the link with the last of his field commanders, these were none other then the sacrificial pawns.

"Are my orders clear?" Ryu asked.

"I shall move my forces to Asia as you wanted sir, but what are they for?" the officer asked.

Ryu only stared, this was another reason they were always questioning him, another reason was as when he first made contact with them they once again were nosing around about the objective, many civilians were getting lost and how Ryu's rules of engagement were that was causing massive amounts of causalities and many that didn't do it were mysteriously disappearing, Ryu got around that as he ignored them and gave them their orders.

"You will find out when you get there," Ryu replied.

Another officer spoke, "My unit is supposed to be over Europe sir, with the force the alliance is still in control, how will I get them there?" another asked.

Ryu explained he gave an assault order to take Gibraltar and the area wasn't far from that.

"As you wish sir, but I still think this is risky," the officer replied.

"What about us sir?" the others asked.

The remaining vulnerable spots were over North and South America.

"We are currently taking out the alliances base that connects the two, you will come in behind us and move in from there," Ryu said.

"Sir this…" they were going to ask more questions.

"This is top classified information, make contact with no other Zaft units, I trust your units can handle this," Ryu said playing into them; he knew how to get around this.

"Very well sir, we will do what me must," they said signing off.

Ryu finished as he knew the fools would follow orders but just between him he was glad they would finally be gone.

Kira soon arrived with the briefing.

With Kira and Ryu

"Sir," Kira said.

"I have just finished the last plot, I have sent the forces to the most vulnerable areas where the reaction will start, I believe they will at least hold them off long enough for it to be completed," Ryu told him.

Kira slightly smiled, he knew.

"My battle report sir," Kira said handing him what he wanted to do at Panama.

Ryu looked it over.

"Mission approved, do what you have to," Ryu told him.

"Yes sir," Kira replied.

"Once you finish the campaign we head for the final destination," Ryu said.

"I understand sir," Kira replied as he left to prepare his machine.

Ryu sat back as their reinforcements would be joining up with them tomorrow; they weren't at a fast pace, but since a lot of organizing and changes in plans they had to move massive amounts of forces so it would take time. That time would also give the alliance what they wanted as well and that was time for a counterattack or a defensive strategy. That wasn't good but they had no choice.

Orb-Onogoro Meeting Room

With Mu

After Mu got the information from the alliance he was looking it over as he was returning to the officers Cagalli left to help with whatever Mu was up to.

Mu was on his way there when he ran into a face that looked so innocent, yet could be so deadly.

"Neo…" the voice called to him.

Mu turned around, "I have told you Stellar, you can call me Mu from now on," Mu told her.

With his memories returned he still knew how these extended were treated and what he personally did to them. Mu took responsibility for them and swore that he would help them adjust to a normal life after the war but now two of the three were gone and she was all that was left.

Mu didn't want to tell her about Sting and Auel, but she overheard from a few Orb officers and she went a little crazy. The word die truly sent her into a frenzy. Thankfully Mu was back by then and was able to calm her down that was when he explained his own situation with her. She seemed fine after a few days, well as fine as she could be and Mu had to admit he wanted her in that other Destroy machine they had, and she had trained for it. However he was starting to decide that maybe her continuing fighting would be a bad thing and was thinking of pulling her from that. This could be the first big step in helping her adjust to being normal even with odds against them he was still thinking of putting that through.

Stellar only looked at him.

"How have you been feeling?" Mu asked.

"Ocean," Stellar said.

"You saw the ocean today?" Mu asked, it was like talking to a toddler but it had to be this way and he wanted to help her.

Stellar nodded, "They are gone?"

"Yes they are gone, but we will not allow that to happen again," Mu told her.

"Neo, are you going to leave to?" Stellar asked.

Mu saw the fear she showed, "I will be alright, we are going to put a stop to all of this, I have to take care of something, but I will talk to you again later okay?"

Stellar smiled as she nodded.

Mu felt very sorry for her, she was messed up and he hoped she could one day have a normal life.

Mu went into the room as Stellar watched him.

Briefing Room

Mu walked in as Murrue saw the whole event. Mu explained the situation.

"She has really taken to you," Murrue told him.

"I could never repay what I did to her for Jibril's benefit but at least I can give her a normal life," Mu said as Murrue smiled at him as they began the conference.

Mu looked over all the alliance data as he mixed it with Orbs.

"The question is how we knock off those critical eight satellites?" one officer asked.

"We don't really need eight, only one reactor can start it and two satellites so all we need to do is hit the correct two satellites," another replied.

"The only problem with that is we have no way of knowing which two it will be, we have to work with the eight," Mu said as he showed the world map on the screen and compared the file Lacus got with the map.

"These are the four areas," Mu said circling them.

"Strong Alliance forces in three of the four areas," Murrue told him.

"Over the middle of china, which Zaft now controls, number two located straight in northern Spain, one near the Brazilian upper border, and the last one is dead above the Arizona Mexico border," those eight two in a place are the critical ones, we stop them and everything will come to a halt," Andrew said as he was at this meeting as well.

"The Atlantic and Eurasian forces are strong in those three areas, it can be done but the forth area is all Zaft presence," Murrue added.

Mu was in thought, "They do know we know their plan but they don't know how we will counter it, they are likely working on the time table of getting this done as soon as possible, so its luck of the draw."

"Three of the possibilities work in our favor," an officer said.

"If it's the fourth it's game over though," Andrew reminded them.

"We will have to get some sort of force into that area," Mu replied.

"How, the Zaft occupation forces went through that area and annihilated the alliance force," another added.

"We have the entire alliance arsenal at our disposal, if we contact Eurasia and provide more forces I believe they could possibility take it back," another added.

"What about our forces?" another asked.

"Where the Doomsday goes, we go, if I know that kid like I do he will be one of the last ones to stick it out, they will make sure they can get this off," Mu added.

"They will have to evacuate their forces first, that requires a Mass driver, which they have a few but that will take time," Murrue told him.

"Precisely, that gives us the time to set up, however I wouldn't put it past them to sacrifice forces to get this off so that has to be added in," Mu replied, he knew Kira well and since they shared the same abilities he could tell what he would do as it would be what Mu would do in this situation.

"The only problem we have is how do we destroy those weapons?" Andrew asked.

"Sending a force into space is out as I believe the Zaft space fleet is already starting to mobilize around up there, we will get picked off if we try to launch, I hate waiting this long but if we do this it will have to be from the ground, just before they attack and those satellites are left unguarded and defenseless," Mu added.

"Agreed," a lot of them said.

"Even so how do we get a weapon to reach that altitude, do we even have a weapon that could do that?" Andrew asked.

Mu was trying to figure that out, however looking over the alliance notes he got an idea.

"If we could find a way to get the output stronger, I believe this will work," Mu added as he started showing them a few things.

"You will need a lot of generated power for that," Andrew said but this could work.

"I make the impossible possible remember?" Mu said with a smile.

Murrue chuckled a little, that was what she missed about him, but she had to admit this could work if they could get enough output and power.

They discussed it all night as they believed this would work.

"I believe this will be our only chance, but we have to begin shortly as the alliance has to do their part in this," Mu told them.

"Agreed," Andrew said as it was the only shot they had, nothing else would work, even this was a little extreme but it wasn't impossible.

Mu then contacted upstairs and told Cagalli and them to join him as this was their only hope.

"This will bring the kid our attention you know," Andrew told him.

"I am aware, Commander Hibiki as he is now called wants me destroyed but I will not die by his hands, I trained and shaped that kid and I will make it right," Mu added.

Outside the room a guest was listening to everything.

"Hibiki, make Neo die," Stellar said as she was listening to everything.

Stellar didn't like the sound of that.

Doomsday

The night the Orb people were discussing the campaign, the Doomsday was forced to come to a stop. They were arriving too quickly to the edge where they would be spotted by alliance patrols. Kira and Ryu predicted that the alliance would step up their patrols and that was what they did. Sure they could jam their radar and such but with so many Atlantic Ships in the area it was highly possible one would be able to alert their commanders and they would lose a little edge here without all their reinforcements with them.

A few reinforcements were arriving through the night but Kira knew it would still be another day before all they wanted would arrive.

Ryu knew this was the last day he could use their satellites for surveillance as that function had to be shut down before they attacked the Panama base.

They monitored their forces on earth.

Like Ryu ordered many forces were falling back to the mass drivers to be launched back into space. Ryu noticed the forces he sent to Gibraltar were gathering on the African Continent and would attack going up the Mediterranean Sea to Spain.

Looking at the other forces they were ready to start heading for the assigned spots on the four continents all they needed was Ryu's orders, but that would still be a little more time.

Kira was on the bridge looking out over the sea; tomorrow they would be able to make their attack on Panama.

Orb

It was early in the morning after Lacus gave her report on the children that they were summoned to the briefing room, Mu was optimist that whatever he had would work.

They soon arrived in the briefing room as he was about to give them the report.

During that meeting something did change.

To be continued...

(A\N): This was one of the final two set up chapters for the remainder of this path. The last one will be the next chapter, Mu gives his plan, they contact the alliance leaders, and Kira begins his assault on Panama. See you later.