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

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

Chapter Thirty

Landing

Space near Mendel Colony

Kira and Lacus flew off, as Lacus rested herself next to Kira's body, Kira smiled at her as he set the course for earth, he just hoped they could get what they needed down their, fix or destroy this machine, and start bringing down Patrick Zala.

Lacus was glad but as she reached her hand on Kira, she saw something on her suit and it was blood.

Lacus looked at her hand and then quickly back at Kira.

Kira knew it was too late to try and kept it from her any further, "It's not that serious Lacus."

Lacus was not to happy with him, "Why didn't you tell me you were hurt," Lacus said as she looked down at his chest not seeing anything that looked out of the ordinary except for where his vest took the sniper shot.

Lacus gently placed her hand near the hole in his vest, and found that it was starting to leak blood. Kira couldn't get a full look at the wound while they were on the colony, but this was the first time it really started to bleed, Kira didn't think it was that serious at first, but with all the movement he was doing he probably made it worse, and now Kira had an angered Lacus looking at him which was not a good thing.

"I didn't think it was to bad, and this is the first time it started bleeding bad," Kira replied to her as he was now having a hard time maneuvering this mobile suit with Lacus trying to get to his wound.

"We could have treated it down their Kira, you should have told me," Lacus said as she was now doing her best to move off of him, but in a tight place as the cockpit that was quite challenging.

Kira decided that he needed to check it out, but since they couldn't stop anywhere he put the machine on auto pilot which would make them easier to follow, but it had to be done, Kira got the machine on auto as Lacus did her best to move off him and she was trying to get behind the seat to a first aide kit they had in her bag, but with the tighten space it was making it difficult.

Kira now did the difficult task of getting his vest off, Lacus did her best to help him, as she had found the small first aide kit they had, but her fear was that he was shot badly.

Kira got his right arm off the vest as he groaned a little as he got the left side off, Kira fought through the pain and finally got the vest off, as Lacus took it in her hand and threw it behind the seat, as she quickly widened her eyes at the sight.

Kira had a difficult time with the shot side of his body for one reason and that was because the bullet was still half in his vest and a little ways in his chest, he was very lucky it didn't blow all the way through. Kira could tell that the bullet mostly plugged up the wound itself, but after all his movements it started causing the hole to become bigger and more torn as that was why the blood was so frequent now. Kira also knew his body was different, however if that high powered sniper rifle would have been just a little bit closer that shot would have been all the way through and it would have killed him.

Lacus saw the sight and she could now tell why that bullet knocked Kira off his feet the way it did, and she was beyond grateful that it didn't go all the way through, however it was still a serious wound and it needed to be treated, even with his body that way it is Lacus knew he wasn't invincible.

Kira slightly smiled, "I guess I am losing my touch," Kira said lightly as he was hoping to ease the tension he felt from her.

Lacus raised her eyebrow, she was not at all amused, she felt her heart almost explode when she saw him get shot and now he was making jokes about it.

Lacus said nothing as she got a cloth and pressed it to his wound lightly as she was trying to help apply the pressure.

"It is not that serious Lacus," Kira said as he knew that was the complete opposite.

Lacus only continued applying pressure while looking through the kit for something else.

Kira knew however that now she was giving him the ever dreaded silent treatment.

Kira gently reached over and put his hand on her chin gently making her look at him, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you Lacus, there was just so much going on I didn't want you to have to worry about that to."

Lacus looked at him, "You still should have told me, we promised each other that from now on we handle everything together."

Kira slightly smiled, "Your right, and I will make it up to you," Kira said slightly as he gently kissed her.

Lacus blushed as she forgave him and gently kissed him back, but they had to part shortly after that as Kira had to do something about this bullet.

Kira knew just what to do as he looked at Lacus, "Get ready, this won't be very pretty," Kira said softly as he placed his hand on the bullet.

Lacus winced as she watched him starting to pull it out, it wasn't in that deep, but deep enough, Kira held his breath as he knew this had to be on a nerve or something, but with one quick pull he got it fully out, as Lacus immediately covered up the hole with as much pressure as she could.

"What did you find in the first aide kit?" Kira asked as he looked down at the bullet in his hand, that was one painful act.

"Not much, just a few bandages and not much else…we will have to get you some sort of medical attention, I know the Orb family well…" Lacus said as she was now wrapping the wound with a bandage to hold in place, there was nothing else she could do with the supplies they had, Kira however didn't like the sound of that as he cut her off.

"No…I will not bring them into this matter, I do not trust Orb," Kira said as he knew he agreed to get assistance from Orb by Lacus but now he wasn't so sure and he didn't want to be around anything political or military while he was in this shape.

Lacus slightly frowned, "I know them well Kira, I have known them since I was small and I trust them…besides they can help with what we need.

Kira wasn't going for it, "I will not be around high figures in this shape, we have to find something else…I will not trust them," Kira said kind of hasty.

Lacus was getting confused and she could tell his wound must be affecting his judgment, and it made her worry that there could be some more serious damage internally or he wouldn't act like this.

Lacus gently placed her hands on his cheeks as she made him look at her, "I believe I know someone that could help Kira…I won't take you to them if your not ready, but I don't know if he will be able to help these wounds so we might be forced to go to Orb right away," Lacus said as Kira once again shook his head.

"They will take our machine Lacus…I will not be used as a tool again…" Kira said as he was starting to sweat badly and Lacus didn't know what was going on, he was fine for one minute and now he was like this, it just made her theory truer.

"Do you trust me Kira?" Lacus asked as she was looking deep into his eyes.

Kira returned her look, "…More than anyone."

Lacus smiled, "Then let me do this…I know your in pain, but show me how to change the coordinates of our decent to earth…" Lacus said quickly as Kira began typing it up.

Lacus quickly looked at the small computer monitor of the mobile suit as she knew the coordinates well as her and her father visited this man very often and she knew that she could trust him.

Kira was feeling worse as he thought removing that bullet would do better, but now it was making him worse, and he knew something on the inside was wrong, his bodies healing could only do so much before it was overwhelmed and now he was thinking that the bullet might of somehow connected with his lung, it wasn't that far in, but that doesn't mean it didn't connect with it, even slightly could do a lot of damage.

Lacus finished up typing in where she would take them into the mobile suits computer as she looked back at Kira, "We still have a little while until we reach the earth Kira, I need you to stay with me now," Lacus told him seriously as she would have to keep constant watch on him until they reached the earth, but more importantly the earth forces territory, however Kira was still aware of that.

Kira knew he had one more shot of morphine he could take, but he decided to save it for when they reached that earth forces space, things could get a little ruff especially with a Zaft mobile suit.

Lacus kept an eye on his wound, changing the bandage when it was full, she noticed that his blood was slowing down, which was probably the result of his body but she wasn't taking any chances, Lacus also kept him awake by talking to him the best she could, she didn't mention anything about war or nothing like that and she noticed he seemed to act better not hearing anything about fighting.

Kira slowed his breathing down as he was assisting his body the best he could, but he could feel something wrong as the time passed, a part of Kira was also glad, up to now he never faced such a serious wound and it proved that he was more human then he ever considered himself, Patrick always said he was the ultimate being, the ultimate weapon, untouchable, and indestructible, Kira now knew Patrick was dead wrong.

Kira looked at Lacus the best he could every now and then, and he could see her concern, she tried her best not to show it to him as she always gave him the smile he loved seeing.

Lacus was also glad his body was far more developed then any other coordinator, any other coordinator would not be able to last as long as it was going to take them to get to earth, but she knew Kira would. Lacus could feel him less tense as she held him the best she could in the tightly enclosed space, but she could feel his conditioning worsening with the time that kept passing so all she could do was hope they could make it in time.

Space Zaft Ship

Right after Kira and Lacus blasted out of the colony Rau ordered his ship to pursue, but knew very well he would never catch up to the new high powered machine, the captain followed protocol, but Rau knew it was useless, so now he had to inform Patrick.

The captain looked back at him, "Shouldn't we launch our machines sir?"

Rau looked at him, "They will never catch up to it…besides we have other ways of finding it…pursue the machine as far as our space goes while I contact the leader."

"Yes commander," the captain said as they set the course to pursue and now Rau had to contact Patrick, but he was very fascinated at his former trainee, he thought Kira was growing weaker but that seemed the opposite now.

Rau sat down as he now had to contact Patrick.

Rau was in his private quarters to make the call, as he activated the communication equipment, it didn't take long for Patrick's face to appear on screen.

"Le Creuset give me good news," Patrick said as more of an order.

Rau gave him the news, "We cornered them at the Mendel Colony sir…however they just blasted through the gate and are currently headed towards the earth."

Patrick was steaming, "How could YOU fail me!" Patrick screamed out, "What about the unit you took?" Patrick yelled again.

Rau actually didn't know about it them, but he knew that from experience that team was no more if they got out after that much time, "I am currently pursuing them as we speak sir, but you know as well as I that that team is no more."

Patrick placed a hand on his head, "I can't believe this…the election will be taking place and I don't have my prize to offer," Patrick said annoyed.

Rau smiled, "You beat Clyne in all the polls sir, I believe that you have nothing to worry about."

Patrick looked at the screen from his office, "Any conformation that Kira found our little surprise?"

Rau didn't know that, "Like I said sir, I know nothing of what happened inside the colony…we could had back and investigate if you wish?"

"Since we have the tracker on the machine, and from what I just now gather it is still working we can keep an eye on the location he heads, head back to the colony and report to me what you find," Patrick told him.

"As you wish sir…I take it you have something up your sleeve," Rau said.

"That is all for now, get back to me as soon as possible," Patrick said as he signed off.

Patrick was beyond mad for yet another failure, but as he phoned his secretary he had called for his unit to report to him in a few hours and the secretary set it up.

Patrick sat back in his chair as Kira was really becoming trouble now, especially if he learned what was down in the basement of the colony, however Patrick decided to move forth and not worry about it any further, he had to start planning for his war.

With Rau

Rau went back to the bridge as he gave the orders for the ship to be turned back around and since they were only a little ways away they got back at the colony in no time, as they used another entrance that was going to be used in launching the N jammers. The ship docked in the large storage room under the Mendel Colony as Rau was going to personally handle the investigation.

Space Clyne Faction Ship

Andrew and his team went straight back to the southern dock after Kira and Lacus left, they normally wanted to look around, but with Rau's ship out there they didn't want to take any chances of being spotted and figuring they would head after Kira and Lacus, Andrew and his team got back in their shuttle and headed back towards their ship.

Dacosta saw them approaching and gave the clearance to land.

Once inside Andrew returned to the bridge as Dacosta welcomed him, but he saw soon that Lacus was not with them so they all feared the worst.

"Welcome back Commander…I take it Miss Clyne wasn't there," Dacosta said hoping that was all it was as did the rest of the bridge crew.

Andrew smiled, "Miss Clyne was down on the colony," Andrew said as all their faces dropped thinking she was now dead.

Andrew loved playing around with them, "Don't get so down she is still alive," Andrew said as all looked at him with shock.

"Then where is she sir?" Dacosta asked.

Andrew smiled again, "She is in good hands and heading down…" Andrew said but hesitated; he didn't want to share this information with anyone but the chairman and decided to do that now.

"Never mind that…Turn the ship around and head back home, I have to report to the chairman…don't worry she is safe and will stay that way," Andrew said as he left the bridge.

Dacosta understood he had to do that for a reason so he just carried out the orders and they started carefully heading back to the Clyne Plant.

Andrew's Quarters

Like with Rau Andrew decided to do this call private and Siegel was practically waiting by the phone as he immediately answered the transmission.

Andrew saluted, "I have completed my mission sir," Andrew said as that was partially true.

Siegel sighed in relief, "Thank you for all your hard work... let me speak to my daughter."

Andrew hesitated for a second, "I would like to do that sir…but she is not here."

Siegel grew confused, "You just said you completed your mission, where is she?"

"She is safe sir, I just spoke to her myself…however she is now heading down to Orb," Andrew said.

Siegel was completely lost, "How is she getting to Orb and how could you just let her go unprotected," Siegel was growing furious it was his daughter they were talking about

"She isn't unprotected sir, she is with the man that saved her, the one that was sent to kill her," Andrew said but immediately regretted it.

Siegel was to happy, "You let her go with him!" How could you not stop her?"

"It was her choice sir…besides I spoke with him and learned a few things, besides sir she is far safer with him then she could ever be with us," Andrew replied.

This was all a shocker to Siegel, "I'm glad to hear she wasn't kidnapped by this man…but how can she trust him so easily?"

Andrew smiled, but decided to hold out the real reason, "Your daughter is very intelligent sir, I guess she feels safe around him, I told her to contact you once they reached Orb."

That wasn't to reassuring, "You spoke with this man?"

"Well he is practically a kid sir, I take it the same age as your daughter, his eyes were truthful and I could tell he was working for Patrick Zala in the past, the recent acts I am sure of were committed by him under Patrick Zala's orders," Andrew told him.

"You sure you trust him?" Siegel asked, not to sure.

Andrew smiled, "Yes sir, I told him our goals are the same and offered him to join us, but he won't take the chance in trusting another faction again…the guy has sincerity to him and has never been given many choices, but he threw all that away when he saved your daughters life, we owe him our trust."

Siegel trusted Andrew, "I see, very well then, I will get more facts when Lacus contacts me…thank you again for the work and have a safe journey back," Siegel told him.

"Thank you for your words sir…I know soon our reign will be up, but I will not stop serving your cause," Andrew told him.

Siegel smiled, "You are a loyal friend and I thank you, I may lose the chairman's seat but that will not stop my cause…and if Lacus and this guy can help then our dream will become reality."

Andrew smiled again, "I surly hope so sir," Andrew said as they both signed off.

Andrew turned the com off as he decided not to tell Siegel just how personal Kira and Lacus were, he could tell from the way they were acting and he decided that was between them at a future date, but one thing was for sure he knew when it came to Lacus, Kira could be trusted.

Clyne Plant

Siegel finished the com as he was beyond relief that Lacus was ok, but he got the feeling there was more to it and he had a pretty good idea of what it was. He trusted Lacus' ability to make good decisions and if this was who she chose then he would accept that, but of course he still had to see this man for himself.

Siegel returned his thoughts to what he would do next and knew all he could focus on that could help at this point was the conference he called and all the leaders of the Earth and Zaft would be on, he hoped that could be the turning point to achieving a true lasting peace agreement.

Earth Atmosphere

Kira was in no better shape when they reached Earth Alliance territory, Kira took the last shot of morphine as he had to that the machine off of the autopilot and speed it up to maximum power.

The strain on him was far worse as they flew towards the atmosphere, luckily for them they ran into no earth force presence, and Kira knew that Zaft controlled apart of the space that they were flying near so alliance presence would be at a minimum.

Lacus tended to him the best she could, but he was running close to empty, but the most difficult part for him was still to come, when they would have to enter the atmosphere, Lacus was impressed that this machine would be able to enter the atmosphere, with no trouble to the people inside, so that was about the only positive thing going for them so far.

Kira knew the machine was heading for the coordinates Lacus typed in, so all he had to do was stay on that heading and as he looked at the exact spoke where she typed it in, it was near Orb territory in from what he saw was what looked like a desolate place, Kira however trusted her decision so that wasn't stopping him.

Kira fought through the pain, as they finally started their decent into the atmosphere, "This could be a little rough," Kira said as he began the decent pattern.

Lacus looked over at him and saw that he was really starting to struggle, "Maybe you should let the autopilot handle this Kira."

Kira shook his head, "To much can go wrong…I can handle this," Kira said as he could feel his morphine wearing off again, hours of traveling through space and the strain by the increased acceleration were striking him again, and of all times.

Kira maneuvered to the last decent angle as they breached the atmosphere, Kira could tell this was a well developed machine, however it was still not helping his strain.

The machine shook violently as Kira was struggling to keep it steady, the machine was getting a little hotter, and Kira wasn't even wearing his suit, luckily the thing was well developed.

Lacus held on to him as tightly as she could while still applying pressure to his wound, but she was noticing him blinking his eyes like he was trying to stay awake, "Talk to me Kira," Lacus said as she had to keep him conscious.

Kira regained his senses as he heard her, but realized he was off angle a little, but he was easily able to correct that, "I'm fine," Kira said as they were about half way through, but that was when the machine really accelerated and they didn't know why.

The machine let off a warning alert as Kira was angling too far to the left and he had to correct, however that was his weakened side.

Kira took one look at Lacus' face as he realized if he didn't so something they both would die, Kira mustered up the remaining strength he had as he but it all into stabilizing the decent.

Kira's was in agonizing pain, but before reaching the point of no return, he got the machine stabilized and back on course as they finished their decent and were now safety through, Kira was out of strength and could feel himself passing out, so he quickly placed the machine back on autopilot as his body gave out.

Lacus regained her senses as she was more worried about Kira than herself, she prepared herself for the end their and she was glad at least she was with Kira, but as they broke free she realized that he did it, Lacus quickly looked down at him as he placed the machine back on autopilot and then passed out.

Lacus felt her heart drop again as she immediately checked him out, she knew it couldn't end like this, not after all they had been through, she couldn't have lost him now.

Mendel Colony

As per Patrick's orders Rau and his team returned as they checked out the entire colony, Rau stayed in the underground dock as he accessed the computer that Kira stole data from and he could tell that it was activated.

Rau sent people to the surface to gather information on the status of the team as he worked down here.

Rau's first task was seeing that the N jammers were still safe, functional, and still could be used when ready.

As Rau was finishing up down here, the team he sent on the surface called him up and he joined them on the surface.

Once Rau approached the Facility he saw the several members wiped out as the team led him inside, Rau found the dead commander and a few others, but more then that, Rau was led to the area of Ulen's old office that they never could open, Rau walked in and saw that Kira definitely searched inside, but if their was anything useful he must have taken it.

Rau finished up his investigation after hours of searching and knew it was time to contact the leader, and to do that he had to use his special communication equipment he had his people set up.

Rau sat down and contacted Patrick; it wasn't long before he came on screen.

"What did you find Le Crueset?" Patrick wasn't beating around the bush.

"We finished our investigation sir, from what we gather he did search the underground dock and likely knows what we intend to do with the N jammers…about the other matter I am not to sure he was able to break the code yet," Rau reported.

Patrick thought for a second, "Status of the team?"

"All dead sir, however it seems he was able to access the office of Professor Hibiki, it seems the lock was a DNA scanner that was accessible to all that carried his blood line," Rau told him.

That interested Patrick, "What did you find inside?"

"Nothing of importance sir, but if their was something he might of took it," Rau reported.

Rau didn't receive a response as he saw Patrick talking to someone, and after about a minute Patrick finished up, "I just received a report saying he entered the Earth Atmosphere, apparently near Orb."

Rau smiled, "Are we heading after him sir?"

"Get your team back here, I have an idea," Patrick ordered.

"We will return immediately sir," Rau said as Patrick signed off he had an idea.

Rau finished up here and they finished up while heading back to the ship to return to the Plants.

Zala Plant

Patrick's office

After Patrick signed off with Rau he now waited for his unit to arrive, Patrick told the person that gave him the report to get the Zala unit up here, and after a few moments they arrived.

All walked in and saluted though there was only three and Patrick kept an eye on his son.

Patrick wasted no time, "I have a mission for you," he said.

Yzak smiled as he hoped it would be what he wanted.

"We just received word that our stolen machine has breached the Earth Atmosphere and his heading around the Orb territory, your mission is simple," Patrick told them.

Athrun looked at his father as he remembered his mother's words, and then there was the guilt and anger he felt.

"You will finish the job you failed to do at the mansion, I want him and that girl dead," Patrick ordered as Yzak smiled that was what he was waiting for.

"I will not fail you again sir," Yzak said.

Patrick looked at them, "Make sure you don't, you will head down to earth with commander Le Crueset and land at the Carpentaria base while we get final position on the machine, after we have position you will move in and finish the job, and recapture my machine," Patrick ordered them.

Yzak couldn't ask for a better mission, "Yes sir," Yzak and Dearka said as Athrun just saluted.

"You will leave once the commander gets back…dismissed," Patrick said as he held Athrun back again.

Yzak and Dearka left to prepare.

Patrick looked at his son, "Do not make me look bad on this one Athrun, you know what to do correct?"

Athrun looked at him, "Yes I know what to do father, I will end this now," Athrun said as Patrick smiled.

"Now go," Patrick said as Athrun left and Patrick was pleased he finally agreed with him.

Athrun left as he knew what to do, he couldn't let this slide anymore and he had to put an end to it, he knew his mothers words, but the anger was not going away, he had to find Kira and put an end to this.

Earth near Orb

A lone figure with several approaching him saw the object falling from the sky, and it was landing in the spot where he always got a visit from his friend Siegel, the man knew this had to be urgent especially after all of what was going on.

The man didn't waste any time as he and the several others with him heading to the spot where only two knew the location and that was Siegel and Lacus, with the events the man knew this had to be Lacus, he didn't for a second believe what Plant released on Lacus, so he knew he had to head over there.

Unfortunately others with radar saw this object falling from the sky as well, and they would also be investigating.

The mobile suit landing in the appropriate place as the man Lacus trusted along with many others were fast approaching.

To be continued…

(AN): I hope you liked this chapter, the next one will take place mostly on earth, I don't know when it will be up. Bye for now.