Hello, sorry for the long wait. I was too into writing Frozen Fangs that I was ignoring my other stories. Special thanks to Mystlady, Meer Campbell 01, and Princess de la Luna for their reviews. Fortunately, this chapter is a little longer than the previous two and covers a bit more information about Setsuna's role in the war. Unfortunately, there is no Heine in it, but please don't lose faith. There will be some in the next chapter. Also, if you like this story, then please review and not just add it to favorites or alerts. With that all said and done, Enjoy

Chapter 3

Birth of Freedom and Justice

When Setsuna awoke from her tearful sleep Heine was gone, but she found a note from him by her nightstand.

Dear Setsuna

I'm sorry I must leave without a good bye, but duty calls and I must answer. However, I am sure that this will not be the last time we meet. Please, for my sake at least, live on happily and prosperously. I am sure there is someone else that needs you more than you think. If that is the case, then take care of that person and give them a hug for me. Until we meet again, live strong my angel.

Sincerely

Heine Westenfluss

P.S. There's hot coffee and muffins on the table for you.

"That man," Setsuna muttered to herself with a smile before walking to the table an eating the food that Lieutenant Westenfluss had so graciously prepared for her. After finishing the last bite of a blueberry muffin, she got ready for her work the best she could with the minimal tools she had on her. For her, this was the day that she did not want to come and tried to escape from by attempting suicide. Today was the day she presented two new mobile suit designs to the P.L.A.N.T. Supreme Council.

She knew she would have to stop by her apartment to finish preparing herself, but there was something more important that she had to do prior to going home. Setsuna went to the spot that she left her car and drove to the home of one of her close friends in order to pick up something very special to her. Once she arrived and rang the doorbell, she was greeted by a four year old girl with black hair. "Mama," she shouted as she lunged herself into Setsuana's arms.

Setsuna, in return, lifted the little girl to where both of their faces were even and kissed her on the forehead. "How's my little Hotaru doing? Have you been good for Miss Haruka?" The child shook her head eagerly and received more praise from her step mother.

"I wouldn't say she was an angel. She was more like a hyperactive monkey with a halo," teased a woman with short blonde hair. She stood taller than most women and wore a Z.A.F.T. red uniform decorated with five medals over the left breast and on her left arm. "I swear, Setsuna, you are one impressive woman."

The green haired designer blinked a few times then laughed a little at her friend. "Is taking care of my Hotaru too much for Z.A.F.T.'s Gold Falcon," she teased as Haruka became flustered. "But seriously, something like this will never happen again."

"It better not. I don't think my commander will be so understanding the next time you go emo. Speaking of which, I've got to go report in for duty, so do you guys need a ride?"

"No thank you Haruka. Hotaru and I have to head home and get ready for my meeting with the Council. So good luck with your mission and please come back alive." With that, the two women said their farewells and went their separate ways.

P.L.A.N.T. Supreme Council meeting room:

"Next to speak is Miss Setsuna Meioh with new mobile suit designs," announced National Defense Committee Chairman Patrick Zala. At the mention of her name, Setsuna took her place before the council and opened the files from her computer.

"Members of the Council, I would like to introduce you to the design specs for two new suits. As you are all aware of, several soldiers of Z.A.F.T. managed to steal four new machines from the Earth Forces."

"We are all aware of that, so please get to the point," growled National Defense Committee member Herman Gould. His outburst gained him the attention of the other Council members, but he was not getting positive reactions.

"Please continue Miss Meioh," pleaded Supreme Council Chairman Siegel Clyne in an attempt to prevent an argument.

"Utilizing the data obtained from the Earth Force's mobile suits, I have managed to create two of these "Gundams," except with greater proficiency. May I present the ZGMF-X09A Justice and the ZGMF-X10A Freedom." She gave the Council members time to read over the information pad given to each of them and waited for their questions. Desipte her cool exterior, she really wanted them to hurry so the pressure would be off her and she could get out of her painful high heels.

"Miss Meioh," said Chairman Zala, thus getting her attention. "I notice that you have installed two compact energy batteries for better performance and longer operating time?" His assumption was confirmed by Setsuna with a nod of her head. "May I suggest a more convenient and more effective power source for these machines?"

"What would you have in mind, Defense Committee Chairman Zala?" Immediately, Setsuna regretted asking as she looked into the man's serious glaze.

"I would suggest that you use a nuclear powered fuel battery to power these magnificent machines." Setsuna, along with every other Council member looked at the Defense Chairman with their mouths hung open in shock.

"Zala, what are you saying?! That suggestion is absolutely outrageous as well as impossible with the N-Jammer in use," shouted Siegel Clyne as he slammed his hands on the table before him. As far as Setsuna was concerned, Chairman Clyne had completely taken the words right out of her mouth. She, as well as many other citizens of the P.L.A.N.T.s, considered the use of anything nuclear to be taboo ever since the destruction of Junius Seven.

"Calm yourself Siegel and let me finish before you and the others choose to criticize me. There is a way to disable the N-Jammer, so a nuclear powered mobile suit is possible. Just think of the possibilities of that kind of mobile weapon, one that never runs out of power and does not waste energy with weaponry. Imagine the thousands of soldiers we could save and how much quicker we could end this war." There was another point that Setsuna knew Chairman Zala was hiding. She knew that if a nuclear powered mobile suit was destroyed, the number of enemies taken out by the blast would be enormous. However, the olive skinned woman was convinced that the other members of the council were aware of that too. "If there are no objections, then I propose we should begin the construction of these machines immediately." Unfortunately for Setsuna, her two mobile suit designs were approved, modifications and all.

Setsuna was asked to wait outside the meeting room while the council made their decisions on other topics. She sat down with a cup of coffee and sipped it slowly while watching Hotaru play with Lacus Clyne. Seeing her adopted daughter playing happily without a care in the world made her remember Heine's words. "He was right, there is someone who needs me," she muttered to herself. After ten minutes the council was dismissed and Setsuna found herself confronted by Patrick Zala.

"Miss Meioh, you will be transferred to the Integrated Design Bureau for production of these mobile suits. You will start the construction of these machines tomorrow morning at 800 hours sharp. Is that understood?" Setsuna did not like the man's tone of voice. Despite being the Chairman of the Defense Committee and a big shot in the military, he had no direct authority over her because she was a civilian. She frowned for a second, then turned it into a smirk which caught Patrick Zala's attention. "Is there a problem, Miss Meioh?"

"As a matter of fact, there is a problem. I'm taking tomorrow off from work to spend some time with my daughter. However, I will happily start the next day." Setsuna noticed Zala's face cringe in anger and inwardly congratulated herself.

"You bitch," the old man roared as he lifted her by the collar and slammed her against a wall. "What makes you think you have any say in this decision? Because it was not open for debate."

"Please remember Chairman Zala that I am a civilian contractor and I own exclusive rights to the designs of those machines. Also, I am the only one who knows how to properly build them, so if anything happens to me, the plans to the Freedom and the Justice will be gone forever. I understand my duty to the P.L.A.N.T.s and I will do my part to help end this war. However, I am a mother above all of that and I owe it to my daughter to spend some time with her." Setsuna managed to free herself from Chairman Zala's grip. "Now, if that is all you need to talk to me about, then I will be on my way. If there are any problems, then come see me at the park."

Without a firm reason or the authority to arrest her, Patrick Zala was forced to watch Setsuna, her daughter and Lacus Clyne take their leave from the building. "Setsuna Meioh, you have just made a very powerful enemy," he spat as he slammed his fist against the wall.