Here it is finally had a bit of a hard time with some sections. I introduce Flay, there's also quite a bit about Matthias, a new OC and an extra twist or two in there as well. Sorry it took so long however it is the longest chapter so far.
I do not own Gundam SEED. Also Its about time I credited Phantomx05 as my beta reader sorry I should have done it last time.
L2 Remains of Island 3 type colony 'Helioplois'
Kira stared out at the debris field that was once Heliopolis, his home. His thoughts immediately turned to his parents. 'Mom, dad. You're safe right?' He wondered. The radio crackled to life bringing back from his thoughts.
"Kira are you ok in there?" Asked Matthias over the radio as the Strike's sensors notified Kira of the Defender's approach.
"Yeah I'm ok." Kira replied quietly. "I'm just worried about my parents."
"There was plenty of time to get to the shelters before the damage caused them to be locked down. I'm sure they're fine." Assured Matthias before pausing to let the true extent of what had just transpired to sink in for Kira while he got lost in his own thoughts.
'Parents.' A single tear began floating around Matthias's helmet at that thought
Again the radio crackled to life except this time it was Ensign Badgiruel's voice that issued from the speakers. "GAT X105 Strike please respond. GAT X triple one please respond.
Kira was the first to respond. "X105 Strike. Kira here." There was a barely audible sigh of relief from the Ensign before the raven-haired woman continued. "Is the Defender with you?" she asked.
Matthias quickly shook himself out of his memories and answered before Kira could. "Yes I am." He sounded slightly annoyed at not being addressed directly.
Natarle was unphased by Matthias's tone. "Are you both ok?"
"Yes." "Yep." Said Kira and Matthias respectively.
"We have the Archangels position and are capable of returning." Added Matthias Pre-empting Badgiruel's questions.
"Then proceed to do so." Ordered the Ensign though as she did so she couldn't help thinking 'He is so casual about everything but he gives the impression that he knows military regulations like the back of his hand at the same time. Just who is he?'
The two units were about to head back when the Strike detected something and began beeping to notify Kira. "What's that?" Kira asked himself when the screen highlighted a small slightly red light amidst the debris.
Matthias quickly realised Kira wasn't coming. "What is it?" He asked.
The Strike provided Kira with a zoomed in view. "It's a Heliopolis lifeboat. The propulsion section appears to be broken." The brunette teen replied stowing the 'Schwert Gewehr' and heading over to the stationary lifeboat.
Matthias smiled sadly. 'He really is too pure a soul to be fighting, fate sure has a twisted sense of humor.' He thought.
He turned his attention back to reality to find the Strike pulling up along side the Defender, now holding the damaged lifeboat in it's hands.
The two Gundams started heading back to the ship. Matthias contacted Kira again. "Just to warn you the good Ensign will kick up a fuss and begin citing regulations about you bringing that on board. Don't worry I'll deal with her."
"Thanks for that." Kira replied simply.
As predicted Ensign Badgiruel was less than supportive of Kira's retrieval of the lifeboat.
"What was that? Who gave you authorisation?" demanded Natarle.
"I did." Mathias snapped back. "Under the authority of being human." The last part of the remark obviously directed at the Ensign.
"Mr Rynar you are out of line." Badgiruel retorted.
"Am I now. For what? Showing compassion?"
Natarle had no comeback to that and decided to admit defeat, for the moment.
Matthias proceed to guide the Defender into the open catapult; the strike and life boat following behind.
Archangel Hangar
The Strike laid the pod down near the mechanics before heading over to its dock next to the Defender. Kira powered down the machine and exited but remained on the cockpit door to observe as refugees were helped out of the lifeboat. However Birdy had other ideas and flew out from its hiding place in Kira's shirt and over towards the lifeboat. "Hey Birdy! Wait!" Kira called out launching himself after the small robotic bird.
At that moment a girl with long flowing red hair and wearing a pink dress was helped out of the lifeboat. The noise of Kira's pursuit of his pet brought her attention to him. "Oh, I know you you're one of Sai's friends right." She said happily, propelling herself towards Kira.
Kira straightened just in time for the red head to collide with him and latch on. "Uh Flay. Is it really you Flay Allster? So you were on this lifeboat." He said more for his own benefit. Flay looked at him with fear and concern in her grey eyes.
"Please. Tell me what happened to Heliopolis. What was going on? What happened there in the end?" she asked.
"I was… with… My friends and I … I lost Jessica and Misha in a floral store and I ran alone to a shelter." She managed to explain. "And then everything..." She added with Kira looking at her concerned.
"This is a ZAFT ship, right. What going to happen to us, and what in the world are you doing on this ship anyway." She said having noticed the mobile suits in their cradles.
"This vessel belongs to the Earth forces." Kira explained.
"Your lying there are mobile suits on board." She countered turning to face the Strike.
"No. They also belong to the Earth forces. Well that one anyway."
"What do you mean by that? Who does the other one belong to?" The red head asked.
"It belongs to me." Came a voice from below them. The brunette and red head looked down to see Matthias floating up towards them. Swords on his back and Cyrus on his shoulder. The mechanical kestrel was watching Birdy wheel about with great interest. Kira thought he saw a flash of anger cross Matthias's face as the blonde looked at Flay but wrote it off as a trick of the light.
"What's that supposed to mean?" said the girl, finally releasing her hold on Kira.
Matthias gave her a smile that was obviously false. "I designed it, built it and now pilot it. It is mine." Matthias explained. Flay just stared at him in disbelief.
"Oh incase you are wondering there are two coordinators on board from Heliopolis." Matthias stated with a smirk. Flay immediately began looking around worriedly. "Who are they?" she asked obviously scared.
Matthias had to stop himself from laughing. "Before I tell you that, Sai and some of his friends are on board." He said calmly scratching his neck.
"Back to your question, you'll be surprised to know you're talking to both of them." He added bluntly.
Flay immediately went wide-eyed. "Get away from me!" she yelled, attracting the attention of the entire hangar, before slapping Kira across the face and then attempting to do the same to Matthias. Who somehow managed to duck under the girls open palm but ended up floating upside down in the microgravity as a result. "Bitch." he breathed watching the redhead depart the hangar before righting himself.
Kira turned to Matthias rubbing his raw cheek. "Did you have to say that? Especially as you seemed to know how she would react." He complained obviously annoyed.
Matthias let out a deep sigh. "I did that to show you what she is truly like." He said casting his haze over the hangar below.
"Why though?" pressed Kira not satisfied with the older teen's answer.
"You like her don't you?" Matthias asked back.
"I don't see how that has anything to do with this." Kira retorted avoiding the question.
Matthias kept pressing. "You do like her don't you?" he said, it wasn't really a question. Kira realised that Matthias wasn't going to give up and nodded once. "Kinda" he mumbled.
"I thought so. Though you've only watched from a distance and have never really got to know her properly have you?" Matthias surmised.
This time getting a shake of the head from Kira.
"That's why I did it. To show you what she is really like. Rather than having you getting involved with her and being hurt later." Matthias explained heading down to the hangar floor. "And to be honest I can't really picture you with her." He added off handedly.
"Oh really." said Kira decidedly unimpressed. "Who could you picture me with then?" He asked not really expecting an answer.
Matthias froze and his eyes glazed over as if he was seeing something that wasn't there. "Matthias?" said Kira now slightly worried.
"Matthias?" he repeated waving his hand in front of the blonde's face. Again, no reaction.
Kira was about to shake the other boy when Matthias's eyes cleared and he began moving again.
"Matthias are you ok? You just froze for a bit there." Said Kira still a bit worried.
The Defenders pilot just smiled at him. "I'm fine it's just something that happens from time to time." he said quietly. Heading over to the door.
"I wonder…" He whispered just too quiet for anyone else to hear before exiting the hangar. Kira followed straight after.
"Matthias." Kira said quietly causing the other boy to look at him. "I get the feeling that you have more secrets than everyone else on this ship put together." He aid as the floated down the corridor.
Matthias looked down at the floor but didn't stop.
"You're right." He said eventually. "I do have a lot of secrets and you probably have the right to know some of them but please not now." His voice was very quiet and on the edge of breaking.
Kira was stunned he'd never seen the other boy like this so broken and devoid of life. Then a thought struck him. 'Is this the real Matthias? Is the Matthias I've come to know just a mask for the true self within?' he was snapped out of his thoughts when Matthias spoke again. "I'm heading the bridge to find out what's going on and to see if I can sort out better quarters for you and me we are the ship pilots after all." He was already back to his normal self though his voice still contained a slight waver.
"What do you mean we are the ships pilots?" Kira asked.
"Do you think that it's over now? ZAFT isn't gonna make it easy for us so if you want to protect your friends then I'm afraid you will have to use the Strike again. At least until we can get to a place where we can drop you and the other refugees off." Matthias explained. Pausing for a second.
"Oh that reminds me. You'll probably be asked to at least help maintain the Strike it will be part of your responsibilities as a pilot." He added.
Kira nodded slowly, accepting the truth of what Matthias had said.
Matthias took pity on the brunette. "You know you don't have to destroy a MS to stop it from fighting; destroying the weapons or main camera is often enough." He assured. Heading in the direction of the bridge.
"Thank you." Kira called out after him. Matthias stopped but didn't turn around.
"For what?" he asked.
Kira gave a snort. "Protecting us, talking to me, everything." He replied smiling slightly.
Matthias turned around and returned the smile. "I should be the one thanking you." He said.
This confused Kira "For what?" Kira asked not realising he was repeating what Matthias had said only a few moments earlier.
"Understanding." Matthias replied simply before continuing towards the bridge.
Kira watched him go for a moment before meeting up with the rest of his friends.
Archangel Bridge
Matthias entered the bridge only to be immediately accosted by Ensign Badgiruel. "Civilians are not permitted on the bridge during a com…" She stopped when Matthias fixed her with a hard glare and his right hand went to his belt, or rather one of the throwing knives.
Ignoring the Ensign Matthias addressed Lt. Ramius and Lt. La Flaga. "So what's the plan?" he asked casually.
"We're going to head for Artemis where we should be able to pick up provisions that we are in need of." Explained Lt. Ramius. Matthias let out a low groan causing everyone on the bridge to look at him. Matthias looked like he was about to give a shouting session but quickly contained himself.
"All my previous encounters with Eurasians have been unsavory to say the least. I try to avoid them when possible." He explained.
"As long as it doesn't cause us any problems then it doesn't matter." Said Ensign Badgiruel harshly obviously still smarting over the being human comment Matthias had made earlier.
'You'll probably have more trouble with the Eurasians than me especially if who I think is in charge of that waste of resources.' He added mentally.
Matthias was about to make a comeback when he noticed something on the wall of the bridge just behind the Ensign and then started casually sweeping his gaze around the bridge.
"With a bit of luck we should be able to reach Artemis without incident but if anything does happen we'll need you and Kira to sortie." said Mu calmly.
"As long as we won't have to fight offensively then that's fine. I spoke to Kira about it on the way up." Matthias answered still looking about the bridge.
"It would make matters a lot easier if these two were enlisted as volunteer soldiers with the honorary rank of Ensign and all the privileges that apply." Interjected Natarle.
Matthias smirked. "Loosen up a bit Ensign, following regulation is not always the best course. Though you are correct in this case at least regarding Kira." He said reaching into a back pocket.
"What about…" Badgiruel was cut off when Matthias threw a business card at her. "Oh!" she said as Mu floated over to read the card.
"Only 17 and an official mercenary. You're something dangerous alright." He commented.
Matthias just shrugged. "It helps with getting around unnoticed." He said off handedly. Adding, "I assume I'll still have the privileges of an Ensign which includes private quarters?" afterwards.
Captain Ramius nodded and the blonde haired coordinator slowly left the bridge.
Mu could only shake his head as he watched the younger pilot depart. 'He never once made eye contact with anyone. Why? Just how many secrets does he have.' The blonde mobile armour pilot couldn't help but wonder.
"Captain permission to do some research into Mr Rynar." Requested Ensign Badgiruel as soon as the door had shut behind Matthias.
Marrue considered it for a moment before nodding. "Granted. We know very little about him and I have a feeling we aren't going to learn much more by asking."
Natarle gave a quick salute before starting on her new assignment.
Archangel corridors, just outside the bridge.
Matthias couldn't help smiling as he walked towards the canteen.
'So they actually installed them not only on the bridge but the rest of the ship too.' He mused.
'Engines engaging.' Matthias froze, that thought wasn't his.
'What the hell!' Matthias searched around him only to find no one there.
'No-ones around so who's thought was that? Unless…' Slowly he looked down at the floor and then at the walls of the corridor.
'It was… is that even possible?' The blonde was getting increasingly confused.
'Ah I'll work it out later I have things I want to do now.' Shaking himself briefly he continued on his way to the ships canteen.
Vesalius Bridge. About the same time. (A/N I kinda forgot about this part so I just slotted it in as it contains some important stuff like the first mention of a second OC)
"Are you still sure they headed for Artemis? It would have made more sense for them to head towards the moon." Said Cpt. Adez.
"No that was a decoy. Also despite his faults Cmdr. Green agrees with me as well." Countered Le Creuset gesturing to the Second Nazca class destroyer that had joined them shortly after the Heliopolis collapse.
Adez suppressed a smile. The two white suit Commanders dislike of each other was well known within ZAFT.
"Are you sure the Green team will be enough? Our GINNs were completely outclassed." Adez commented.
"Who said I planned to rely on the Green team? Le Creuset said coolly.
This confused Adez somewhat. "What are you going to deploy we have no mobile suits left?"
"What do you mean? We have those four machines." Countered the masked Commander.
"Are you suggesting we use those?"
Le Creuset nodded. "Now we're finished with the data extraction I don't see why we can't use them. I definitely can't have that young hot head on the Claymore showing me up. Now launch Vesalius. Get Zelman and Green on the line."
Archangel Canteen a few minutes earlier.
Kira entered the canteen cautiously not sure what to expect. Everyone turned to face him but nothing was said. Taking this as a good sign he decided to sit down as far from Flay as possible. Though he couldn't help flinching when he saw the redhead. Sai glanced at both of them before speaking. "Did something happen between you two?" He asked.
"It's fine it's not anything you need to get involved in. Sai." Replied Kira firmly. Something about Kira's tone made Sai drop it.
Kuzzey was the next to speak up "I wonder where we are headed now that Heliopolis is gone?"
"They did change course didn't they there could still be ZAFT around." said Sai adding his 2 pence.
"They're intent on getting this ship and the mobile suits so I bet you they're still hunting us down." said Tolle seriously.
That got Flay worried immediately "You mean we are less safe now that we are on board. Say it isn't true."
"Well. Would you rather be stuck aboard that broken lifeboat" Countered Mir.
"Not exactly." Admitted the redhead clinging on to Sai's shoulder.
Mr Murdoch poked his head around the door. "Hey kid. I'm told you're gonna pilot the strike if that's the case you'll have to help maintain it." He said.
Kira nodded. "Matthias had already informed me that would be the case." Said the brunette getting up and following the chief mechanic.
"So it's just like that Matthias guy said both him and Kira are the pilots of those machines and are coordinators." She said more to herself than anyone else.
Sai immediately realised why there had been the tension between Kira and Flay earlier and decided to help build some bridges. "Kira and Matthias may be coordinators but they're not with ZAFT at least not anymore in the case of Matthias."
"They're still one of us, cherished friends." Added Mir.
"I See." said Flay quietly. "However what do mean that Matthias isn't part of ZAFT anymore." She added.
"Exactly what she said. I am no longer part of ZAFT." Said Matthias startling everyone as he had entered without making any noise again.
"But why?" Asked Flay having recomposed herself.
"Lets just say I found out about some people in ZAFT who are proving themselves to be the 'space monsters' that you say we are and they decided to kill me because of what I know about their plan." The blonde snapped bitterly.
"What is their plan?" This time it was Tolle who asked.
Matthias sighed. "It's the reason why I built the Defender. To stop them and their plan for genocide."
Everyone in the room paled at this revelation. While Flay found her beliefs to be shaken.
'Daddy told me that all coordinators were monsters but Kira seems to be a nice enough person and Matthias wants to stop other coordinators from wiping out the naturals. Is it possible that my daddy was wrong?'
The redhead looked up to find Matthias looking directly at her.
"Yes." He said confusing 4 of the table's occupants and surprising the 5th.
Having spoken he turned to leave only to he hailed just before he left the canteen.
"Hey Rynar." called Mu called from the other table the man having entered just after Matthias. "Can I speak with you?" he asked.
The younger blonde sighed before replying. "Sure."
Turning to face the EA officer as he walked over. "I was watching you on the bridge and I noticed that no matter who you spoke to you never made eye contact. Why is that?" The older man asked calmly.
"I know you noticed." Replied Matthias with a sigh. "I suppose it was going to come out at some point might as well get it over with now." Finally making eye contact with Mu.
The first thing Mu noticed that the eyes were dead, completely emotionless like their grey colouring, then it hit him. "Contact lenses?" He asked. Drawing the attention of everyone in earshot. Matthias nodded once.
"Before I take them out are you sure you want to see them. It will change how you see me and possibly how you see the world if I tell more about them." The younger pilot warned.
Mu looked around seeing the eager looks on the faces of all present. Weighing up the option he made his decision.
"I think we all want to know more about you. So I will see them." Said the older blonde eventually.
Matthias bowed his head and slowly but deliberately removed the contact lenses.
There was a concerted gasp from all those who could see when he looked back up again.
Seeing Matthias's true eyes Mu suddenly felt tiny and inadequate. The eyes themselves were an amazing shade of light blue practically jewel like. But it was what was within the eyes that made everyone gasp. Within both eyes a bright energy danced at the same time moving like liquid and flame. Mu with his experience with soldiers saw more. These were the eyes of someone who had been through hell, seen so much death and destruction and yet they burned with determination like none the Lieutenant had ever seen before.
"Do you understand now?" Matthias asked after a few moments.
"More than I did before." Answered Mu still slightly entranced by the younger mans eyes.
"That's all I will give you for now maybe sometime soon I'll tell you about the energy within my eyes or rather my mind." With that Matthias left discarding the contact lenses into a bin.
'It's about time everyone saw the real me.' He thought as he left.
Archangel hangar, 3 minutes later.
"Hey Murdoch I'm gonna open up section B on the number 6 trailer I brought with me." Yelled Matthias as soon as he entered the hangar.
"Trailer 6… Isn't that just the spares? What would you want in…?" Murdoch trailed off when he actually saw Matthias. Even from a distance the glow within made the blonde pilots eyes quite visible.
"What the hell is up with your eyes Matthias?" blurted out the chief mechanic attracting the attention of the entire hangar.
"Which question do you want me to answer first?" Responded Matthias completely unphased by Murdoch's outburst or the murmurings of the hangar crew or even Kira's confused gaze.
Murdoch immediately felt ashamed of himself. He shouldn't have blurted out like that. "Sorry I wasn't thinking. Err about the eyes first as everyone wants to know." He said apologetically.
"These are my true eyes that I've been hiding under contact lenses until Lt. La Flaga started asking questions. I don't see any reason to hide them anymore so I'm not going to." Explained the young man sweeping his piercing eyes over all present.
"As for trailer 6 not all of it is spare parts." He added with his customary smirk.
Confused Murdoch decided to stop what he was working on and follow the blonde teen over to the trailer in question.
He got there just in time to see Matthias open a small hatch in the side of the trailer revealing a number pad.
"Watch this." Said Matthias a huge smile lighting up his face as he typed in a code.
As he hit the last digit the trailer issued a loud hiss followed by a metallic groan.
Murdoch watch incredulous as a section of the trailer detached itself and then proceeded to transform. The sides opened out while the top folded down. As the container opened out shelved swung out of the walls all with some sort of item on them. The transformation finished with a quiet clunk.
The black haired mechanic couldn't help but think it looked like some type of hi-tech armoury, only a few of the shelves held weapons.
Matthias tapped the side of the armoury/storage container. "RA Industries custom job seriously the guys there can build almost anything. I call it my toy box." He commented still smiling broadly.
Murdoch noticed that the hangar was unusually quiet. "Get back to work you slobs." He yelled startling all who were still staring at the transformed container, which was practically everyone in the hangar.
When the sounds of work had started up again the large mechanic turned back to the considerably smaller pilot. "So what is all this stuff?" He asked as if nothing had happened.
"Personal items, current projects, old projects, designs." Matthias replied indicating a number of shelved full of data disks with the word 'designs'.
"So why are you coming in here?" probed the mechanic.
Matthias picked up a sky blue electric guitar from one of the shelves before responding. 'Two reasons. One I've been assigned my own quarters so I want to move my personal items to my new room."
Having fiddled with the guitar for a few moments he put it down.
"And two?" Pressed Murdoch.
"Those." said Matthias pointing and nodding at as shelf that had a folded pilot suit and a helmet on top both black.
"You could have just got a pilot suit and helmet from the changing room, Rynar" Commented the mechanic.
"You actually think this is a standard pilot suit and helmet?" Asked Matthias giving the older man a questioning look.
"…"
"The pilot suit is bulletproof and has slots for a few throwing knives. While the helmet is part of the HIDAS on the Defender." The blonde explained.
"Hmm… HIDAS. I saw that in the Defenders specs. What is it?" Mused Murdoch finding his voice again.
"How well do you know old military helicopters Petty officer Kojiro?" Matthias asked seemingly randomly.
"Patchy, depends on how old and how widely used the helicopter was." Answered Kojiro.
"What about the AH64 Apache?" said Matthias, crossing his arms.
Murdoch just nodded.
"I just took the technology from that and updated it I even used the same acronym so you should know what it is." Matthias's blue eyes took on an even brighter glow.
Murdoch suddenly realised what the acronym meant. "Helmet Integrated Designation and Aiming System. HIDAS right?"
"Yep. Except this is fine tuned for sniper use."
Murdoch just shook his head.
"I'll leave you too it. Just make sure it's calibrated before we end up in battle again."
With that the chief mechanic went back to his work.
Archangel bridge a short while later.
Two large heat sources detected indicating warship engines. Distance 200, yellow 33 mark zero 2 Charlie. Course zero shift zero." Reeled off Romero Pal.
"Beside us, but it's headed in the same direction?" mused Lt. La Flaga.
Marrue leaned forwards in the captain's chair. "Are they on to us?" she said, concerned.
"They're a fair distance." Assured Natarle.
"Objects outpacing us, identified as Nazca class vessels." Added Romero
Mu grimaced. "They're positioning themselves to cut us off at the pass." He summarised.
"Where's their Laurasia class?" commanded Natarle.
Romero rapidly pressed some buttons on the console. "Hold on a moment… There's a heat source following us 300 to stern. When'd that appear?"
"We know the Laurasia will eventually overtake us but if we use the engines to out run it then both Nazca classes will double back and come right at us." said Mu analysing the enemy strategy.
"Hey bring me up a space map and data on the three vessels." He added.
"Do you have a plan?" Asked Natarle.
"I'm getting ready to think about it." Mu replied rather cocksure.
Vesalius Bridge.
"So that's it." Said Cpt. Adez
"The umbrella of Artemis." Confirmed Le Creuset.
"It looks like they already know we're here. It's active." Said a third voice.
"Ah. Commander Green I was wondering when you would contact us again." Stated the Masked commander turning to the communication screen.
On the screen was a young man with close cut ginger hair and grey/green eyes.
He looked like a student albeit a particularly short one. Only the ZAFT white commanders uniform showed him to be military. The young man grimaced and the older mans statement. "I'd rather not speak to you at all but it is necessary. I assume we are going to commence now." He responded in a low growl.
"That is correct." Said Rau ignoring the aggressive tone of the younger commander.
"These Earth forces machines better be all you've made them to be. I'd hate to have to report you for incompetence." The ginger threatened sarcasm dripping off the second sentence.
Rau just ignored him and terminated the link.
"The time is now." He said to Adez
"Rotate 180 degrees, match velocity to Artemis then proceed slowly at low speed." Ordered Cpt. Adez. Moments later his orders were completed.
Both Nazca class destroyers were now facing the Archangel.
Archangel canteen.
The level 1 battle stations alarm was blaring out all across the ship. In the canteen there was some discontent.
"Is this ship entering combat?" Questioned one of the refugee's
"But they've got us on board." Complained another.
"Kira Yamato and Matthias Rynar to the bridge, Kira Yamato and Matthias Rynar to the bride." Announced the intercom getting the attention of the group of teens sitting at one table.
"They're going out to fight again." Said Mir sadly.
Tolle nodded "To protect us."
"Just as they have done as long as we've know them." Added Sai.
Mir looked at her boyfriend. "It's always been that hasn't it we're always sitting on the sidelines waiting for one or both of them to get in the game and protect us."
Tolle looked down slightly. "I think it's time we stopped letting ourselves be protected and help out." Looking up at the others as he finished.
Both Sai and Kuzzey nodded in agreement.
Hangar about the same time.
"Looks like I finished just in time, though I'll have to wait to move my personal belongings." Muttered Matthias as he floated down from the Defender's cockpit.
'Three enemies… ready.' The young pilot froze. 'That voice again.' He frowned. 'It was clearer this time. Sounded scared but determined.' Murdoch broke his train of thought. "Hey kid… err Matthias. Didn't you hear you're needed on the bridge?"
"Sorry I sort of spaced out for a moment there." The blue-eyed pilot responded before closing up the toy box and heading towards the bridge.
Archangel Bridge.
"Captain I have civilians here requesting to speak with you." Said Mr Chandra from the EWAR position in CIC.
"We have no time for that. I'll deal with their complaints later." Responded Natarle in her usual harsh manner. "Just instruct them to remain quiet."
"Well. Erm. The students from Heliopolis have asked me if we need help with the operation of the ship. They would like to volunteer." Explained Dalida Chandra.
Much to the surprise of captain Ramius.
Catching herself Marrue accepted the offer of assistance.
Pilot ready room
Matthias entered the ready room to find both Mu and Kira already suited up. Kira in a standard blue, black and white pilot suit Mu in his custom violet, black and white.
"What took you so long?" Commented the mobile armour pilot noting that the younger blonde was not carrying his swords for once.
Matthias just glanced at him before starting to change into the custom black and grey suit he had brought with him.
The pair watched slightly alarmed as an extraordinary number of weapons, mainly throwing knives appeared from various sections of Matthias's clothing to disappear into one of the lockers.
Matthias finished changing before heading over to the other two.
"Remind me never to get on the bad side of you." Joked Mu.
Matthias nodded smiling. "Good move. So what's the plan?"
With that Mu went over the plan he made a little earlier.
"That's pretty good. Though it is obvious you haven't been over the Defenders specs so I'm going to make an adjustment in my role." Said Matthias when Mu had finished. Quickly he went over the adjustments with the other pilots.
Hangar. A few minutes later.
Mu floated over to the newly repaired Mobius Zero. The younger pilots following just behind him. First he looked at Kira. "No matter what. Think only of protecting this ship and yourself." He said to the younger of the two coordinators.
Mu turned to Matthias and was about to speak only to be transfixed by the blondes glowing eyes. "If you think I need advice then you're more of an idiot than I thought." Said Matthias pushing off towards the Defender.
Mu took a moment to realise he had been insulted before entering the Zero.
As Kira headed over to the Strike his thoughts turned to his friend Athrun.
As he did so the Zero was loaded into the starboard catapult.
"Mu La Flaga. Launching!" With that the linear catapult activated hurling the Orange mobile amour out into space.
With that both the Strike and the Defender were loaded into the catapult.
Kira and Matthias were both mentally running over the plan only to be interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Kira, Matthias."
"Miriallia!" Exclaimed both pilots simultaneously upon seeing their friend over the vid-com.
"From this point on I will act as the combat operator for the mobile suits and mobile armour." Sated Mir calmly. "I'm counting on both of you." She added with a wink.
"We're all counting on the pair of you." Added one of the bridge crew.
Both mobile suit pilots felt a bit better after that little exchange.
"Mir. The Dead-eye pack is ready for use so please equip It." said Matthias smiling.
"Roger that. Kira you have the Aile pack this time." Responded the brunette girl.
In the starboard catapult a flight pack was lowered onto the strike while a shield and beam rifle were placed in its left and right hands respectively.
Meanwhile in the other catapult a single unit was lowered on to the Defenders right shoulder. A black angular shape connected to the top of the shoulder but folded down behind it a rack of ammunition magazines was also part of the unit and was attached to the upper arm.
"Right I'll launch first using the cover of the Lohengrins to get into position undetected." Explained Matthias.
"Roger that." Mir Replied.
"Matthias Rynar Defender Gundam. Let's do this.
The defender shot out of the catapult but did not activate its phase shift and headed up using gas thrusters alone to maneuver.
Behind him the bases of both of the Archangel's 'legs' opened up to reveal the rectangular barrels of the ships Lohengrin positron cannons.
On the bridge Cpt. Ramius issued her next order. "Fire engines. Now activate assault cannons."
On her order the mighty warship ignited its engines and twin massive beams of antimatter blasted out towards the two Nazca class in front of them.
Both ships managed to dodge the massively powerful weapons but only just.
All three ZAFT Vessels detected the Archangels thermal signature and began launching their mobile suits. The Aegis launched from the Vesalius while the Gamow deployed the Duel, Buster and the Blitz. Lastly the Claymore Launched 5 GINNs and a CGUE.
"Multiple enemy MS launches detected." Said Jackie Tonomura from his enemy search and detection position.
"Send out the Strike." Ordered Natarle.
"Kira." Said Mir
Kira just nodded his thoughts turning to his friends on the Archangel that were now art of said ships crew.
"Kira Yamato Strike Gundam. Heading out."
With that the Strike was catapulted out ready to defend the Archangel.
"All heat sources ID'd." Said Chandra. "We have the Aegis, Five GINNs and a CGUE to the front. While to the rear are the Duel, Buster and the Blitz."
"All the stolen G weapons are being sent to engage us." Sighed Cpt. Ramius.
"From the size of their force you'd think they would be engaging a small carrier group not a single vessel." Commented Neumann from the helm.
Outside the Strike and Aegis Detected one another while the defender slowly and stealthily got into position.
In the Strike Kira watched as his machine locked on to an approaching heat source. As he did so his thoughts turned to Mu's advice. "No matter what. Think only of protecting this ship and yourself." 'Easier said than done.' He thought heading towards the ping.
In the Aegis the red machines superior sensor suite (It's a command unit so it would make sense) identified the Strike first. "That's Kira." He said tensing himself.
A few seconds later the Strike identified the Aegis.
"That, That mobile suit it's Athrun." Kira exclaimed.
Meanwhile the Martin team closed in slowly choosing to observe for the moment. The three remaining Gundams spilt up and continued to close in.
The Aegis activated one of its wrist mounted beam saber's the yellow beam held ready. Kira in turn drew one of the Strikes beam sabers waiting for the attack.
Which didn't come. The Aegis approached but just passed in front of him.
Then the radio crackled to life. "Kira."
"Athrun." Kira responded a little surprised.
"Stop this please; put away your sword Kira." Athrun pleaded. "We are not enemies. Am I right?" The blue haired pilot continued. "Why do we have to fight each other?"
"Athrun."
"You're a coordinator just like us. Why would you want to fight against your own kind?"
Kira was unsure how to answer and was slightly cowed by Athrun's tirade.
The Duel, Buster and Blitz were fighting their way through the Archangels missile fire. Yzak in the Duel took command.
"I'm going to back up Athrun. Dearka and Nicol you two go after the ship." The silver haired pilot ordered.
"Roger that." Acknowledged Nichol in the Blitz intercepting two missiles with his beam rifle.
The buster took out the rest of the missiles with a single blast from its gun launcher. "What?" Questioned Dearka.
"Knock off the whining Dearka and Bag that trophy." Countered Yzak, much to Dearka's annoyance.
With the Green team the command structure was much more refined and amicable. "Looks like we have an interesting situation between the Strike and the Aegis. What do you think Lyle?" Said Cmdr. Green from his sky blue custom CGUE. Lyle Johnson was Cmdr. Martins Second in command.
"Looks to me like the irony of warfare in full swing Ben. The enemy pilot is probably a close friend of Zala." Said Lyle bringing his GINN alongside his commander's suit.
The ginger commander grimaced slightly at his lieutenant's use of his first name but ignored it. "Hmm I don't imagine that Zala would become close friends with a natural. So the pilot is probably a coordinator. In that case let them talk, we may end up with another ally." He mused.
Snapping back to the reality of battle he began to issue orders. "Right Hans and Christopher you go after the ship. Graham and Joshua you watch over the Strike and Aegis feel free to engage when one of Le Creuset's idiots interrupts their conversation. Lyle will stay with me acting as mobile support if needed. Clear."
A series of Affirmatives came back over the comm.
The units paired off heading to their assigned positions.
The Buster and Blitz began engaging the Archangel properly while the while vessel added its Igelstellungs and Valiants to the barrage it was putting up.
Kira saw the beleaguered vessel and moved to assist only to be intercepted by Athrun and the Aegis. "Kira enough."
"Athrun."
"What are you doing with the Earth forces? Why are you siding with the naturals? Tell me!" Pressed Athrun.
Kira continued to jink the Strike around in an attempt to shake off the Aegis.
Kira remembered what Matthias had said about protecting his friends and felt a surge of conviction. "I am not part of the Earth forces. On that ship is a group of people who are very good friends of mine I only got in this thing to protect them." He countered.
"Besides what are you doing with ZAFT? Why did you get involved in the war?" Kira had now turned the interrogation on Athrun. "You use to tell me you hated the whole idea of war. So what happened?" Kira added the last bit with a sad tone afraid of the answer.
"I already lost my mom in the bloody valentine." Kira's eyes went wide now it made a lot more sense.
An alter prevented him from saying any more as the Duel approached firing its' rifle. "You're not fighting Athrun why not?" reprimanded Yzak continuing to shoot at the Strike.
"X 102 Duel. That one too?" Said Kira taking a beam blast on the Strikes shield.
Graham and Joshua saw the Duels intervention and joined the fight as well. Kira suddenly found himself up against three suits.
The Archangel meanwhile was making life difficult for Nichol and Dearka as well as Hans and Christopher.
Kira boosted away dodging beam and machinegun fire but that was becoming more difficult as the Duel and the two GINNs closed distance. Athrun could only watch as his friend fought for his life. As he watched he couldn't help but wonder. 'Where is that other unit?'
Inside the Strike Kira was having similar thoughts. 'Dammit Matthias where are you I really could use your help right now.' As if on cue an emerald beam lanced down and cored through one of the GINNs, which floated for a moment before exploding.
The sudden destruction of the machine stunned all those nearby causing a brief pause in the battle.
"Damn you. You killed Joshua you naturals will pay for that." Screamed Graham forgetting what his commander had said earlier.
"Where the hell did that shot come from?" Ben asked himself slightly shocked at the loss of his team member.
"Ah shit. The calibration was off slightly." Said Matthias obviously unhappy about taking a life. Quickly he typed a few commands into the keyboard before activating the helmet-mounted sight again. He smiled as the thin piece of material clicked down over his right eye. As he did so the now unfolded sniper rifle shifted as a section moved over in front of the Defenders face.
In the Strike Kira let out a sigh of relief before contacting Matthias.
"You cut that a bit close." He complained angrily.
"More fun that way." Counted Matthias. Kira shook his head the other pilot was obviously enjoying this.
Kira looked up to see the second GINN charging him sword drawn and raised above its head. It was too late to do anything but scream. Then a second bolt flashed out perfectly. Kira opened his eyes again to see the GINN withdrawing minus it's right hand, head and left arm.
Another two shots followed and both Hans and Christopher were forced to return to the claymore heavily damaged.
Acting cautiously both the Duel and the Aegis kept their distance from the Strike.
Matthias smiled at his handy work. "Right. Now to say hello to an old friend." Focusing on the blue CGUE.
Stowing the enhanced sensor package he boosted towards the Sky blue machine.
Vesalius
"Enemy vessel approaching distance 740." Reeled off one of the bridge officers.
"Message from the Gamow 'we've confirmed that the total enemy combat force is two mobile suits." said another.
Le Creuset interlocked his fingers. "And no mobile armour, it's still not ready for sortie." He added.
"It's safe to make that assumption." Agreed Adez.
Kira found himself being ignored as the ZAFT units searched for the source of the beam blasts. Kira couldn't help but feel annoyed not that he wasn't thankful for the respite. However Matthias had taken out nearly half the enemy units and attracted the attention of those not currently engaging the Archangel and had probably waited till he need rescuing to do it. A beep from the console notified Kira that the Defender was rapidly approaching the CGUE and GINN that had hung back waiting to be called only to have their force decimated before that could happen.
The Duel also noticed the black machine and made a move to intercept. Kira immediately snapped up the strike's rifle and loosed off a round at the head of the enemy machine.
Yzak swore and barely managed to bring up the Duels shield to block the sudden attack. "So you're actually gonna play now?" He said drawing a beam saber and charging at the blue, white and red machine. Kira backed off firing his rifle.
Ben watched as the Defender descended on him like a falcon. He managed to squeeze off a few bursts at the rapidly moving MS only for them to be dodged or absorbed by the phase shift. Quickly he switched to the CGUE's sword raising and bracing himself for the impact.
It didn't come. The Defender flipped round rapidly decelerating to stop directly in front of Ben. Looking very much like an angel from hell. Ben also noticed that Lyle had pulled up beside him also with his sword drawn.
Then the black and blue MS did something neither of them expected it contacted them or rather contacted Ben. "It's been a while since I saw that CGUE and it wasn't under the most favorable circumstances last time." The ginger haired commander's eyes went wide with recognition.
"Impossible. You're dead. I saw you crash!" The Young commander was near hysterical.
"You know this guy?" Asked Lyle slightly unnerved by his superiors outburst.
A low chuckle filtered over the radio. "Oh I should think he knows me he's tried to kill me at least twice." Matthias was enjoying himself.
"So now you're a traitor as well as a monster that means I have even more reason to kill you now." Spat Ben regaining control of himself.
Matthias was getting bored.
"Whatever. I'm not part of the EA and I'm using this ship as transport. Anyhow ZAFT betrayed me first genius." He countered drawing a beam saber.
Lyle was the first to respond to this launching his GINN forward.
"I don't care who the hell you are but I'm gonna take your machine apart." He yelled as he closed.
There was a rush of static over the comm. As Matthias sighed. The Defender simply sidestepped the reckless strike. He followed up the dodge with a diagonal slash and a kick removing the head and right arm of the mass-produced machine and sending it tumbling back towards the Claymore.
A quick burst of the thrusters dropped him under a vicious slash by the blue CGUE. Immediately he countered with an upward thrust only for the strike to be deflected by his opponent's sword. 'Looks like I still can't… this is going to be fun.'
With that Matthias drew a second beam saber and charged.
Yeah I decided to cut it off here because other wise this chapter would end up around 9000-10000 words as I planned to have the rest of Matthias's duel with Ben, Mu's attack on the Vesalius, Phase shift down and the arrival at Artemis in this chapter. It should be pretty obvious as to what is special about Matthias now though you haven't seen everything he can do yet. As for my new OC well I gave him a bland name because I thought it would be sort of funny as everyone has exotic names in animes and because I based the character off a friend and there is a reason why Matthias doesn't take him apart like the rest of his team that will come out later. As for his team members two Germanic names and the rest are from 00. Lastly Matthias is hearing voices what is it?
O.K. the next chapter will contain everything that I wanted to include in this one as well as Artemis. Also Matthias will loose it. Big time.
I have a poll on my profile now regarding the fate of Matthias as I have two ways I can go at towards the end of the story but I don't know which one to choose (When I say 'survive' in the question remember I've already established that he is not normal so death may not be as bigger deal for him as you think). I originally had one asking about Flay but I took so long writing this chapter that I decided what I was going to with her already.