(A\N): I want to thank all who reviewed.

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

Chapter Sixty Six

Counter Assault

Orb Headquarters

Briefing Room

Mu was fairly confident about what they had come up with. With the few structural and power issues to deal with but other then that it was fairly possible to do what they were trying to do.

Cagalli and her crew arrived at the meeting as it started.

"What have you got?" Cagalli asked as all three took their seats.

"We have a possible way of destroying those satellites but we must hurry as the alliance has a part to play in all of this as well, and we need to act as quickly as possible," Mu told her.

"Very well," Cagalli said as Mu and the rest began.

Lacus listened to the words they were speaking, as did Athrun. Possibility was there but like with Mu they had to deliver a way to bring enough output and power to the weapons they wanted.

"You're sure the alliance even knows where it's located, I thought Jibril was only allowed to that information and his Logos network," Cagalli told him.

"Remember I was originally from the Logos network, if my memory severs me right I should be able to lead them straight to what we need," Mu replied.

"Now we have to deal with the power issue and how to raise the output," Athrun added.

"It won't have to be very high as the information she brought back these things are practically defenseless when they are in firing position, that does explain why they are insistent on destroying the military targets," Mu added as he did always wonder how that Kira's preaching was going to work with only the Doomsday's Genesis cannon. Now Mu wishes he didn't know as there were fifty in the hovering right above them, not very good.

"What about reactors like what is inside the Justice, nuclear energy should give us enough power," Athrun replied.

"The problem with that is we would need about twice the output from one of those reactors," Mu added.

"They have nuclear facilities all over the place now," Murrue added as once the alliance got the data during the first war they went crazy with it.

"We need reactors that are mobile, none are in the areas where we have to be," Mu replied.

"Then there is still out output, that would have to be drastically increased to get where it needs," Andrew replied as they were stuck on one wall but maybe they could get at least half of it done.

Like on cue however Erica came into the room.

"Miss Simmons," Lacus said as she seemed to have something to say.

"The data you sent me, I believe I can help you with half of it for the moment," Erica said.

Andrew looked up, "That was freaky," he said as the timing was perfect.

"The data you sent me, I am still working on the power issue but I believe I can solve the output," Erica said.

Andrew looked spooked, "Yes, freaky."

Mu sent her the data on the problems a little while ago and at least it looked like one issue was solved.

"With the right adjustments and a few extra attachments I found in the alliances data base I believe I can get the output high enough to reach the satellites," Erica said.

"Finally some good news," Cagalli said.

Erica explained that to them.

"That will work just fine I believe," Mu said as it was an interesting idea.

"The power issue however I think it would be better if you allow alliance engineers to weigh in on this, they may have better knowledge on this matter then I do," Erica replied.

"By the way, that communication device you gave me," Erica said.

Lacus looked at her.

"I can convert it to all of our ships and suits, the Doomsday's jamming equipment will no longer affect us," Erica said as she analyzed it well before she got Mu's request.

"Can you put it in our long range scanning equipment," Cagalli said.

"Already done, if the Doomsday is in the areas they will not be able to mask their position," Erica said.

Cagalli was very curious as they hadn't heard anything in awhile.

She typed a few things into the terminal in the computer.

"It will take a little while to adjust, but you should see in a little while," Erica said.

Cagalli would wait as they went back to discussions.

"I think with all we have that its time to contact the President again," Mu added as they wanted to at least get started.

Cagalli nodded, "I will make the call from here, I need that link again but this time no frequency," Cagalli made sure to say as they didn't want Zaft to get this message and without the frequency they wouldn't.

Cagalli started as she made the call.

Doomsday

Ryu's Office

Ryu was getting reports from all over the world, the forces he wanted withdrawn are heading to the mass drivers. The force he sent to Gibraltar was nearing Northern Africa. Last but not least the sacrificial pawns split into four units were getting themselves together, but travel would take some time. The evacuation to space was going to take time as well. They had to switch everything around because of the leak, however Ryu wasn't worried about that and for a very good reason.

Ryu recalled their space forces as they were now heading as close to the earth and guarding those reactors. If the alliance got something into space they wouldn't care of the risks and would do what they could to destroy them so Ryu had them extra guarded by their space fleet which was heading around to the appropriate spots. Their orders were to destroy anything that wasn't Zaft heading into space so it was quick and simple and Ryu wouldn't have to worry about space.

Lastly he was tied up with the reinforcements he requested; they were stationed a few miles from the alliance territorial waters and couldn't advance until all forces had arrived.

Sure Ryu knew the Doomsday could probably do the job single handedly however he didn't want to risk another set back if for the slight chance the Doomsday was damaged or something and they lost even more time which they couldn't afford so he was going to call in the forces to lead the attack and be the targets so to say.

Ryu knew they had about sixty percent of the forces and the other forty were due to arrive in a day's time. This was another assault not planned so it was taking time to recall subs from nearby areas.

This was certainly one big mess but it was also a necessary mess, so Ryu wasn't worried too much about the final shot as he called it.

He went on working as Kira was handling other matters.

Private Floor-Room One

There was also one other piece of business Kira had to take care of before he started this assault.

Kira arrived in the room as Sarah looked at him, she knew he couldn't kill her for public appearance but he had several other methods of doing damage.

"You must be proud of yourself," Kira asked.

Sarah looked at him, "After all that time of using me of manipulating the public and of turning your son, your own flesh and blood into a mini you was enough for me to say you deserved everything you got."

"Defiant as always," Kira said tossing her a folder.

Sarah took it as she began opening it.

"I had this personally faxed straight from Plants," Kira told her.

Sarah opened it as a hand shot to her mouth, she started shaking.

"Apparently your mother committed suicide, so tragic," Kira told her.

Sarah saw her body it was just hanging their from her families residence.

Sarah felt a quick jolt of rage as she got up charging at Kira, "You did this!"

Kira smiled as he stopped her hand and knocked her back to the floor.

"I told you never to cross me; you didn't actually think I would let your actions go unpunished did you?" Kira asked, when Kira took care of the engineer he also had one more order which that loyalist carried out and sent the image to Kira.

She couldn't look at the picture anymore, "I'm done, I will not do what you want anymore."

Kira bent down snatching her arm, as she winced, "You will do everything that you are told, or I will make the ultimate watch as I hack you piece to piece."

Sarah was in a lose situation, that was something she couldn't allow him to see, even if he would probably enjoy it that was the thing she knew that Kira knew she would never allow happen.

"Its good that we understand each other, remember you do still have extended family as well and let's just say I am in an exterminating mood," Kira said turning around and locking the door as he left.

Sarah once again lost another family member to Kira, but the look and attitude Kira had now meant he wasn't playing around anymore. That last comment she knew meant his operation as well. They were still going along with it but all Sarah could do now was hope those sacrifices weren't in vain and Lacus would succeed.

Bridge

After Kira finished here he was heading to the bridge and did so at the right timing.

"Sir, we have problems," Willard reported.

"What's new…what is it this time?" Kira asked.

"Federation scouting patrols sir," Willard said.

"Distance?" Kira asked.

"Three miles and heading dead for us," Willard reported.

Kira knew they couldn't be spotted as they were using their jamming technology, however this time was different they were only using it to mask their presence and those that had arrived, they weren't jamming their radars and communication or the alliance would know they were around.

"What should we do sir?" Willard asked.

"I have to be a captain now as well?" Kira asked.

"My apologies sir…" Willard started to say.

"Lighten up old man, we are going to make history when this operation commences," Kira told him but it wasn't in his mocking joking voice it was serious.

"If they get in visual range we have no choice, blow them out of the water, that won't alert the alliance immediately but it will by us time until that boat is scheduled to check in so I trust you can handle that," Kira said taking his seat in the upper bridge.

"Yes sir," Willard said as he readied the weapons just in case.

Kira looked out the screen, "It seems we are catching no breaks recently, no matter however," Kira said not worried at all but things were defiantly starting to change around them. Their invasion went so smoothly until now, but they still weren't worried and had good reason not to be.

Doomsday and Patrol Destroyer

The alliance ship was just on a routine patrol as they were heading out a little ways from alliance waters as they always did.

This time however they ran into a giant of a ship.

"Sir," The helmsman said.

The captain took a look through the scope; the Doomsday covered the entire thing.

The captain nearly fell down, "Give me the base quickly."

The officers were trying to do that.

On the Doomsday however Kira gave the order, "Oh were spotted, captain."

Willard took that as a signal, "Aim the Valliant," Willard said.

Their front right Valliant cannon took aim as it fired.

The alliance captain tried to maneuver his ship but he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The blast struck the ship head on as it took out the bridge and created several haul breaches.

"Such a waste of material, pity," Kira said as the ship started sinking; however the damage was to strong that the ship blew up.

"The alliance will be alerted to our presence with that now sir," Willard said.

"No matter, we keep schedule I doubt they will come to us," Kira said.

"Sir?" Willard said confused.

"Are you going senile old man? Don't doubt my abilities I know what they will do," Kira said seriously.

A few found that quite funny.

"Everything is so funny lately isn't it?" Kira asked looking in that direction.

Those who did knew to shut up.

"What I am a clown now? I am supposed to make you laugh? I am funny?" Kira asked standing up.

"No sir…no never sir…I mean no…" Officers were mumbling so quickly they were so scared.

"If I didn't have time to replace you," Kira said shaking his head.

"Get back to work," Kira said as they quickly turned back around and went to work.

"Keep me informed," Kira said turning to leave.

The bridge crew noticed but the commander had become a lot more aggressive and a lot more deadly.

Kira didn't order an attack right here and now as Kira knew the alliance if they had any brain power would hold off attacking as it bys them more time to come up with a counter against the chairman's operation so it was clear they wouldn't attack.

Alliance patrols

A few that were also near did get an explosion on radar as they radioed it right back to Panama to wait for orders on what to do.

Alliance Headquarters

Meeting Hall

The nations leaders were in constant meetings every day, they had to keep up with latest information as they were at war so many had things to report this day.

"I have been getting reports all night," the federation president added.

"I received it as well, all Zaft advancing forces have stopped their advancement and have begun falling back," another added.

"Maybe they are giving up," another added, which the moron received a few quizzical stares, why was it that there was always one politician that lived in a fantasy world, it was an unknown mystery.

"They are doing just like Orb said they would and are falling back to their captured mass drivers to evacuate the surface," the president told them.

"That means they might be ready to fire…we have to stop them," another said panicky.

"Losing your cool now will not help matters, we have to remain focused," the president said.

"Why put so much faith into Orb?" another asked.

"They got the data and they have been treating this war the way Jibril should have been doing, we took it to lightly and now we have a big mess, these Zaft leaders will not negotiate, they will show no mercy and they will kill us all, that is fact and now it is up to us to preserve our own fate," the president added.

There were some quiet discussions as they went on.

"All we know so far are that Zaft is withdrawing so this will be our strongest chance to secure all four of those areas Orb mentioned, once we have those then we will win," the president said.

"That is if Orb can come up with a way to destroy those things, and what about Zaft, they know we know about the four locations, you think they will just give them up to us?" another asked.

"I don't think they have a choice, that is unless they will sacrifice their own forces to hold them while a shot is fired," the president replied.

As they were going on a soldier came in and gave them a report.

Message arrived

"Sir, it seems that monster cannon ship has been spotted outside of Panama, other forces as well," the soldier said.

Others heard that.

The President knew what they were up to, "They are trying to make sure we cannot launch anything into space…and they are opening up a path to get to the other two areas, it is as I said."

Another messenger joined them, "Sir the Orb representative is on the line."

The president had a lot to deal with at once here.

"They need a decision in Panama sir," the first soldier said.

"We gave Orb the lead…we will let them way in on the situation, transfer the call," the president said as Cagalli's image came to the big screen.

Orb and Alliance Conference

Orb

Cagalli was preparing to go on when that long range data they got just came in, Cagalli saw where her brother was and where he was going to attack. Good thing they had that device or they wouldn't know, and now Cagalli had two things to report.

Cagalli watched as she was transferred to the main alliance meeting room.

Orb and Alliance

"Representative good to hear from you," the president said kind of urgent.

"I do have a report sir, but first we just detected…" Cagalli said but the president cut her off.

"Yes that monster ship and others are gathering around Panama," the president told her.

"They are trying to cut off space and open a way," Cagalli said.

"Just as I suspected…I need to know the status of your counter plan and quickly, I have to give orders to these people," the president said.

"We do have something sir and we will need a lot more time…if your forces stand a chance then send them out to destroy them…but if you're skeptical I would suggest by as much time as possible and wait for them to make the move," Cagalli told them.

"If you will excuse me for a second I will get back to you," the president said as he got the information he needed.

Orb

Cagalli was put on hold as she turned to her people.

"That didn't take him long, Hibiki wishes to strike Panama, very clever," Mu said.

"If they hit this one there is another strike zone by another target," Andrew said.

"Gibraltar near Spain," Athrun replied as he was once with Zaft, he knew.

"They will try and secure the four areas, maybe we should lend assistance?" Mu said.

Lacus looked at them, "I feel bad but we cannot, we have to wait for the right time, the earth needs our firepower for the right time."

They understood what she meant and that was when the satellites were heading down, they had a special role.

Outside they still had a guest listening to everything as she heard something very critical.

"Hibiki, Panama," Stellar said as she recalled what Mu told her.

"Neo not did," Stellar said as she was running that through her head, the last conversation she overheard, "No!" Stellar said to her mind loudly as she turned around and ran away.

Back inside they didn't have to wait much longer as the President came back on.

Alliance

Once they put Cagalli on hold the president contacted Panama with his orders.

"Strengthen your defenses and I will send as many forces to back you up as possible, under no circumstances are you to attack until they initiate it," the president said as now they had to buy time just as Cagalli asked.

The president wanted to be kept in constant contact of what was going on as well.

The ones in charge understood as they reported the situation and signed off.

The president had a few words as he made the right call on the matter and then made contact with Cagalli again.

Orb and Alliance

"I agree with your assessment representative," the president said.

"I understand, it isn't easy but we are in critical times," Cagalli replied.

"I trust however you have something that we can use to stop those insane Zaft leaders, something that will work?" the president asked.

"Yes, my officers and staff believe they have a way, I will turn it over to one of your former commanders," Cagalli said.

All looked as they saw Mu.

Mu entered the screen, "I was known by Commander Neo Lorronoke, however I go by my real name Mu La Flaga," Mu told them giving them a second to draw up his file he knew would be there.

The president got the info from his assistants.

The president turned his attention back after that, "Commander Lorronoke, Jibril's right hand so to say almost, looking back further your record to the alliance is impressive La Flaga."

"I am flattered but now is not the time for that," Mu said moving on.

"What do you have for us?" The president asked.

Mu nodded as data was being sent over to them.

"What you are looking at is the only thing I found in both the Orb and alliance data base that would even stand a chance since we can't make it back to space," Mu explained.

All looked at the data.

The president read it, "GFAS-X1 Destroy."

"Correct, it has a body large enough and the most effective weapons needed to make this work, other then that it is all we have," Mu told them.

"I remember reading a report not to long ago that one of these was destroyed fairly easy by that warship and a single suit," the president said.

"Correct, however we are not putting it into battle we will put it into saving this planet, its only goal will be to destroy those satellites," Mu replied.

Skepticism started.

"The weapons no where near have the range to get to that altitude," the president responded getting more reports from advisors.

"What I am sending you now are the modifications that will have to be made, the only thing that I am interested in is the two high energy cannons on the back of the Destroy, that is what needs to be modified," Mu reported.

"Let's say you are correct? How many do you need? There weren't that many into production," the president said.

Mu slightly smiled, "We have one plus there are five more Jibril has on earth."

"I never received that report," the president said.

"You didn't see it as Jibril didn't want any of you to see it, he stored them at one time in Heaven's base however they were removed throughout the year to random locations, I now know precisely the locations of each," Mu said.

The president saw his advisors looking over the data sent as no answer was given yet.

"Another thing is do we have time, if this plan of yours is possible I want to know how much time is needed, plus who would modify those weapons for what we needed?" The president asked.

"In the modifications includes a step by step basis, any mechanic could do it, time is of the issue as we still have one problem which I will get to but other then that this will work, the beam fired won't be very powerful but the satellites are defenseless and a single strike from what the modified cannons could produce will be enough to destroy it, when you agree to this however we will have to start moving them out and the mechanics will have to modify them as they are being transported, we have little time," Mu reported.

"Run this through for me," the president said.

"Gladly," Mu said as he went on, this was once they were in place.

"We place each one in a specific location, four locations means we place four, however we have six so we will place two in the areas where alliance presence isn't as strong, the two weakest spots are in Asia and Europe, I recommend placing two there," Mu told him.

The president knew that was in case one was destroyed they would still have another.

"When the time comes they fire their shots at the satellites, the blasts will produce a massive amount of energy and will like terminally damage the Destroy, however the shots by our calculations will reach the satellites as they enter the atmosphere," Mu replied.

The president wasn't too pleased with this but like Mu said they had nothing else to go on, this was their last chance, space was out as Zaft would destroy them before they even left the earth. No other ground weapon could reach that high and they were truly backed into a corner, the president hoped he was wrong and they could pull this off, but his advisors were taking a lot of time over there.

However they finally came back.

"Your report?" The president asked.

"It looks good sir, with the modifications they are suggesting this very well could work, the Destroys will be useless afterwards but it will stop those satellites," the chief advisor reported.

The president was becoming more convinced.

"However there is still the question of power," the advisor said again.

"That was the problem I was mentioning, we don't have a way to power them from Orb, we basically need mobile reactors or something to that matter, I was hoping the alliance would have something to that effect but it wasn't in the data base you sent us," Mu said hoping they held something back as all nations try to do sometimes despite a crisis.

The president looked back to the advisors.

They went back into conference.

"It is stated how much energy we will need," Mu replied.

The advisors knew that as it was a lot but it took a lot to keep a shot fired for as long as they would need. Range was everything and the longer the shot the more energy they had to have, not to mention the energy the Destroys suck up so they basically needed a mobile nuclear power plant or something. The shot needed to be fed once it was fired so if the alliance had no answers they were in trouble and the plan would have to be scrapped.

"Can it be done?" the president asked.

The advisors turned back to him, "The modifications they want to make to the Destroy will place a lot of stress on that large machine but it can be done, I suggest we start moving them into location while Zaft is withdrawing."

"Can you power them or not?" the president asked.

"We…we believe so sir, but you should have them moved into place immediately, we are going to work on something that could be of help," the advisors said.

"Very well…what about the modifications?" The president asked.

"They can be worked on as the Destroys are on route as well as when they arrive, I have a detailed report we can send to their mechanics as well as part orders, they can get them before the depart, but they will have to leave soon as Orb suggested, we cannot afford to wait to long," the advisor said.

"I suggest that you send as many forces to these areas as possible sir, another thing as the Destroys will also be vulnerable once they are equipped for this so they will be useless in a fight," Mu added.

"I understand, now tell me what you need from me?" The president asked.

"I need you to contact these locations and give a priority order that the machines are to be immediately transferred, with Zaft withdrawing out of the areas you should be able to get this done since the machines aren't that far off," Mu said transferring them the locations.

"I will give direct orders," the president said.

"One thing though is why they are withdrawing from the areas around the targets?" one advisor asked.

"I can answer that, remember that we surprised them and they weren't ready to start this operation, however now they had to accelerate it," Mu told them.

The president listened.

"Zaft is withdrawing forces as you know, however the forces they have in those areas are likely ones they want to keep so they are pulling them out and are likely to start putting in forces they consider sacrificial, since they have to move forces around and get them off the planet it takes time and they will have to leave them open at some time, that is our chance and that is why we have to move now," Mu told them.

"…Very well, I am still skeptical but…" the president replied as he thought of the situation, what they were trying to do was never done before he would feel a lot better if he could see it completed.

"You will see once the Destroys are set up and ready," Mu replied quickly.

"I wasn't finished, I am skeptical but this is the last chance we have and we gave Orb the lead so I will do all you asked, well done…I will contact you again once we begin," the president said as he saw some support in the room and he did like the idea as well, he just didn't like it that they had so few options, their was no backup plan if this failed they were all dead, and since they took the threat so lightly they blamed themselves.

The president didn't have time to think anymore as he started contacting those locations immediately. They weren't out of this fight yet.

Orb

"They agreed," Cagalli said.

"Now all that is left is for all of us to do our part," Mu said as he had one thing in mind.

"Where the Doomsday goes we go," Athrun added knowing they had a little bigger role then just that.

Lacus looked around, "They will do there job and we will finish him off once and for all," Lacus said referring straight to Kira.

They were going over what they were going to do as they couldn't do anything for the moment but their time would soon come.

They were talking when they suddenly got an alert.

"What is that?" Cagalli said looking around.

"It can't be Zaft," Murrue added.

A soldier soon reported to them as their eyes widened.

Outside-Near Middle of the Island

The Outside Hanger

Orb had one large Destroy left, and it was equipped just like the one Sting had, with one adjustment. Erica was using this one to run tests on so she actually increased the speed and flight time significantly. However what was about to happen was going to put that to the test.

The Destroy was in the process of being tested so it was out in the open and security was not as strong since they were running tests in an area where they believed they knew where Zaft presence was so their was no risk.

Stellar however had other ideas. For whatever reason goes in an extendeds head she couldn't get what she heard out of her head. She wouldn't allow Neo as she still calls him to die. What she heard was the reason and the person that would do it. She was the only one left and as she heard that she remembered the other two as something just snapped in her mind again. She wasn't going to allow Neo to die as well.

She made her way to the machine as she quickly went into action using her more superior then natural skills to stop all engineers and mechanics that were around it. She luckily didn't kill any but she did quite a number on them.

She boarded her machine as she started powering it up. Unfortunately for Orb they finished working on the machine functions and it could fly again.

Stellar powered it up as she only said one thing, "Neo not die."

She finished the machine as she knew the location she had to go since she had been their a few times when they first started out with Neo. She set in a course as she flew off.

Orb personal wasn't ready for this as the machine just made it over the ocean when people arrived to check what was going on. They found people unconscious and hurt but a few heard what she said as she kept repeating it, they then contacted the headquarters.

Headquarters

The soldier that had the message rushed in and started explaining.

Mu's eyes widened as he learned who it was.

"She kept saying Neo not die, Hibiki and Panama," the soldier said.

"She must have been listening or she heard it from earlier," Mu said.

"That leaves us one destroy short as well," Andrew said as they had six Destroys they could use now there was five if something went wrong.

"Can we follow her?" Mu asked.

Erica who was there knew what she put on that machine, "It's not as slow as the one you used earlier, you could follow but you would be far into alliance territory before you caught her."

"I know how you feel but you cannot follow her," Murrue told him.

Mu knew he couldn't afford to engage Kira right now, they had to fight him on there terms not like this, Mu knew Stellar was a good pilot but against Kira he wasn't so confident. All Kira would have to do is use his abilities and he was sense what she fears most, then it was all over.

"We can use the communication now," Lacus said as they had that device now.

"We tried, she has it turned off, nothing we can do about it now," the soldier said as they tried raising her before heading here.

Mu turned and left the room, he felt very responsible for her.

"I hate to say this but we have to make sure he doesn't leave," Athrun said, knowing they had to consternate on the bigger picture. Was it cruel, probably but with the world at stake here they couldn't afford to worry about one pilot. All were expendable if the time came all might be in a similar situation so they had to do what they had to do.

Cagalli understood and but security around the mobile hanger so Mu couldn't get there.

"This is cruel but it might by us even more time," Andrew said rationally.

"I know, but still," Lacus said hating it.

"We have to move on, we have to prepare for our role in this as well," Cagalli said as they went back to the plan.

Mu was outside remembering Stellar, he couldn't allow her to die but he couldn't let the world die either. He had a very difficult decision to make and he had to make it quickly.

Doomsday

Bridge

The sun rose on the next day as all reinforcements had arrived.

Kira gave the final briefing as the ships knew what they had to do and Kira knew what his role would be as well.

Ryu authorized the forces to begin as they knew why the alliance didn't attack them, they knew they were here but they weren't attacking for one reason. Zaft didn't have the luxury of time and the alliance needed more time so as much as they could stall they would do it.

With the final orders out Kira was about to head to a hanger when he got a report.

"Sir, long range sensors are picking up a Destroy heading this way," the officer said.

Kira looked, "Distance?"

"About an hour away sir, it seems to be moving quite fast," the officer replied.

"Must have come from Orb, interesting, I will have to speed up our little battle then," Kira said looking forward to another encounter with a Destroy. Kira also took note that no more Orb materials were heading this way so it looked like a solo job by someone.

Kira left heading for the hanger as Shinn was already in his.

When the time came the orders were giving by Ryu to all ships as they started moving in for the attack.

To be continued...

(A\N): The next chapter is the Panama battle, Stellar arrives, Mu makes his decision, and the Destroys are on the move. Bye for now.