Chapter 12

"Trouble at L4"

Saturn Orbit

Earth System

Starship Eternal

"Well now that the testing is finish, contact the Archangel for their shield test Mr. Dacosta…Mr. Dacosta?" Ranma looks towards the other side of the situation table and see a stunned Zaft officer

"Martin!" Ranma shouted just to get him out of his stupor

"Uh, Yes Sir!" he hastily replied and saluted as he snaps out of his stupor, for he and the rest of the crew have just been scared out of their wits and are trembling in their seats when the Eternal, just got a direct hit from 2 missiles, each with a Fifty Kiloton yield.

The Mark 2 tactical nuclear missile are the most powerful nukes they have and the Eternal new shields have just shrugged them off for nothing.

The result was an astounding success; the crew felt a slight nudge of the nuclear impact as anti-glare windows shut closed to protect the crew from the blinding flash and the ships inertial dampers absorbed the g-impact as advertised

The Eternal survived, however the crew's frail constitution did not.

"Not feeling good?"

"Uhh…yes sir" Dacosta replied with a pain expression "May I be excuse, Sir?"

Ranma crossed his arms and watch them with an amused look in him, as he looks around seeing their faces the same as Dacosta and he understood that, everyone felt like their breakfast wanted to leave the confines of their stomach, fast.

There was a good 60 seconds when Ranma finally decided to be easy on them 'Sigh' "If any of you who wishes to be excused as well, before we continue, then I suggest you use it…now"

"Thank you Sir!" and with that every member of the Eternal's bridge crew ran out to the nearest John, which was quickly occupied while the others waited. Everyone else on the ship acted like first year cadets who just survived their baptism of fire.

"Greenhorns" Ranma muttered in remark and gave a slight laughs and then taps on the PA Systems "ALL HANDS, TAKE FIVE EVERYBODY"

At The Archangel, the crew and Capt. Ramius was relieved that the Eternal survived the test. When they were ordered to fire 2 Nukes at the Eternal in order to test the shields, they thought that the Admiral was crazy despite the assurances from Maher and the Admiral said that no harm will come to the Eternal. Reluctantly, Capt. Ramius fired two nukes.

"That…is Impressive" Captain Ramius remark and the rest of the crew wholeheartedly agrees with her except for one.

"What so Impressive about that?" the tellarite Maher question and snort "your Mark 2 Tactical Nuclear Missile are nothing more than 50 kiloton pea shooters compared to a photonic warhead that has 10 megaton yields" Maher gruff "You Delta Earth type Humans get too impressed to much"

"Well it's the first time we've seen a spaceship that actually survive a Nuclear Missile pig face, were not really use to these stuff yet" Chief Murdock answered him in a tellarite fashion.

"Well then get use to it quick, because if those Minbari dogs and their Vorlon Masters ever get here while you are still unprepared then you'll all be dead! And with honesty my friend, I would personally feel alot better that one of the Spacys Mainfleet is here, like the one the Admiral once commanded if he hadn't lost it"

'The Sixteenth Mainfleet of the UN Spacys Robotech Defense Forces' Murrue thought 'Could that Fleet be that big as they say it is?'

Murrue have read about the Admiral Saotome former commands, one of which is a UN Spacys Mainfleet before he commanded the REF. At first, when Murrue read about their military structure, she thought that they were overly exaggerated in the number of ships in one fleet alone.

Anyone would doubt that one Mainfleet of the United Nations, that numbers more than two hundred and fifty thousand warships, counting support ships and others. The Mainfleet boasted, that it has the destructive power equal to that of a million Zentraedi Battleships, though some say its somewhere close to the firepower to 2 million because now, the RDF have incorporated highly advance technology that greatly enhances their armed forces.

Murrue read about the first race of aliens they fought against. Zentraedi; a race of humanoid giants genetically engineered by a highly advance race that they themselves are genetically engineered which are not that dissimilar to what the Coordinators, except that, they don't have the genetic sterility problem.

The Zentraedi manned giant ships the size or bigger than a Heracles Command Cruiser. Unbelievable, but one can imagine seeing that vast Armada floating in space near Earth space firing on the planet, annihilating everything. Murrue has already seen the pictures of the Wars the UN Spacys have fought over the years especially the 'Rain of Death' and seeing that nightmare made her pray to God and hope that, THAT kind of nightmare, will not happen here on her Earth.

However, her fear of that kind of nightmare, of huge alien ships attacking Earth became real when the Admiral announce the reason why they are upgrading the EA Fleet, for a war of unimagined scale is spreading across the galaxy beyond their imagination.

After an hour of weapons testing, Admiral Saotome and a panel of observers have now certified the Archangel and the Eternal Space worthy and ready for duty. The Eternal however, needed an internal cleanup job plus several gallons of lemony scented liquid soap before they returned to Terminal. But, the Eternal didn't get to have its corridors cleaned, as an alert broadcast is sent to all ships.

"Red Alert!" the message from a female communication officer from the Prometheus appeared on their screens "we have received incoming message from UNS Hawaii at L5 Earth Orbit" she started "Space De-Fold event at L4 sector 16, IFF ID confirmed one Stargazer frigate UNS Sparrow, with Multiple Unknowns…correction, Unknown ID confirmed its…Minbari ships, 8 Sharlins, 12 Tinashis, 6 Centauri Primus and 3 Vorchans with several numbers of fighters, possibly Nials and Centauri Sentri fighters"

Everyone was in total silence when that message was received

L4
Location, Armory One and
Zaft Mobile Fortress Messiah
(several hours earlier)

In his chair watching Tv broadcast is Chairman Gilbert Dullindal in a sorry state with a bottle of brandy at one hand and a letter from the Plant Supreme Council at the other.

It has been a month since the fiasco at Heaven's Base, and Chairman Gilbert Dullindal is now in a the worst crisis of his political career, as the Plant Supreme Council and several of their Earth allies have started voicing their disapproval of his erroneous decision that day. Dullindal knew that his days are numbered as the Plants own populace found him to be more of a liability than a leader of their space colonies.

Now Chairman Dullindal every action were being scrutinized by his critics and political rivals, journalist, critics and even the public are constantly questioning his authority and giving him alot of bad review that started to affect his performance as chairman.

The Earth's public outcry and massive public protests became quite intense, that many demanded that Zaft must leave Earth, the loudest came from among the AF nations who are angry because they believe that Zaft deliberately interfered, causing the loss of the EA Heaven' Base.

EA believes that Zaft crippled the EA Mobile Suits production since most of the vital parts are manufactured on Heaven's Base and it's loss is a major problem for them if ever Zaft decided to start a war with their current condition.

Needless to say President Sheridan agrees with them, many EA commanders are screaming for a declaration of war, which was the worst choice to make. Fortunately, the new president will not allow the alliance to fall into that trap. Instead, President Sheridan asks caution, calmness and clear heads among the leaders of the EAF, for a war in their condition is something they needed to avoid as Zaft is waiting for them to make a mistake.

In fact, Dullindal is betting that the EAF will declare war immediately. Zaft forces are in position and ready to act if a full scale war occurs after this, though the fight will be rough, but without Heaven's Base the EAF can't sustain a long war.

The War never materialize

Things became even worst for him when the Real Lacus Clyne decided to reveal herself, when the other Lacus Clyne under Dullindal, ask the whole world to rid the world on the Last Vestiges of Logos at Daedalus Base and blaming them for all the problems they are having. For the real Lacus, it was the last straw that broke Lacus Clyne patience on the chairman and at once, she put a stop to it.

Immediately she interrupted the broadcast and told the world there are two different people before them, and that she confirms to the world that she, the daughter of Siegel Clyne, former chairman of the Plants, who fought in the last war with the Archangel and Orb is still here and standing right beside Orb's leader Cagalli Yula Attha.

Lacus told the world audience, that she will never ask anyone to do such a thing for the AF problems with Logos is an internal matter that they solving, to interfere could lead to another war which is something she wanted to avoid.

She asks the people to think twice and questions Chairman Dullindal true intentions as to why every action he make is pushing everyone to war that no one wants. She also asks everyone CAUTION, as not to let their emotions get the best of them, and understand carefully of why things are happening as they are.

Soon after that, Dullindal left Earth for the Plants as the broadcast ended. It wasn't long that the other Lacus Clyne, real name Meer Campbell, was spirited away by Athrun Zala with the aid of Meyrin Hawke and the Savior Gundam, Fleeing the Base at Gibraltar, Athrun knew that Meer would be killed once her usefulness to Dullindal was over. Meyrin will very much share Meer fate once they knew that she help them escape. And so, they headed towards any Neutral nation that can offer sanctuary before going to Orb.

For a month now, the Plant Supreme Council has been inundated with complaints and petitions of resignations of the chairman from their population that are now up in arms. Many are protesting against the chairman actions his Failures, irresponsible judgments, deception and a betraying trust to the people he swore his allegiance to, are the reason for the unrest.

Dullindal orders Involving Zaft in the Atlantic Federation internal problems, the fake Lacus Clyne, the discovered fake Nuclear Attack on the Plants, and his Destiny Plan revealed and now rumors about him perpetrating the Fall of Junius 7. Rumors or Gossips whether they are true or not, proven or not, tends to cause considerable doubts to ones already tarnished reputation, especially if of you are a politician trying to hold on to power.

In the command room of Messiah, Dullindal watches the Plants TV news broadcast showing protests rally's, Tv shows from daytime talkshows to forums as outspoken critics of the chairman are questioning his ability to lead the nation and in latenight Talkshows, he's the butt in on all the humor and jokes.

A month has past and only now, in a news broadcast, several councilors are meeting with Ms. Clyne and representatives of the AF and Orb openly in Aprillius Seven to discuss a new treaty that involves the restoration of the United Nations Council which many are open for its return.

Dullindal was surprised and angry that he was unaware that Lacus Clyne is back at the Plants for the past month and under the full protection of several members of Zaft. Nothing was told of this to him until an announcement from the Plant Supreme Council that the real Lacus Clyne is back on the colonies and is here for treaty talks in a plan to restore the UN Council.

Lacus Clyne safety and protection was guaranteed by the Supreme Council and placed Yzak Joule Command to protect her. Yzak answers only to the council, bypassing the chairman's authority which is a major blow to his credibility as a trusted leader.

"Damn them!" he yelled angrily as he threw a bottle of brandy at one of the screens smashing it and at the other hand he crumpled the letter and threw it away. Zaft officers were surprised and startled by that display while a hand picks up the crumpled letter and pocketed it.

'I'll show them, I'll show them all!' he thought angrily

Everyone in the room knows that, Gilbert Dullindal political career is in ruins the moment he let his anger and impatience got the better of him. He spent most of his days trying desperately in salvaging his reputation in order to keep himself in power, he played the political game, making alliances in the political world, trying to increase his approval ratings and every means necessary that a politician in trouble need to do he did it, and yet, his mistake came back hitting him on the face like a Boomerang.

Worst of all, he can no longer initiate his Destiny Plan, now that the public have gotten first look of the plans first before he can start it, the situation is no longer favorable and with no political and military support he would be immediately be opposed if he even try. Lately, his once self assured, self confident façade of a man slowly melted away, replaced with anger and the stress of a man with no future. He started to let his beard grow and done little hygiene the same time he started drinking, he smelled like he hasn't taken a bath in quite a while despite the clean clothes and cologne he's wearing.

Zaft commanders and officers watch him fall from grace; among them are Captain Talia Gladys and her XO Arthur Treise of the Minerva. For the past month Talia watch Dullindal slowly sink into a pit of depression and there was nothing she could do to help him get out of it.

Talia and her XO return to the Minerva and have gone back on patrol duty without the chairman didn't even noticing she was even there. They walk back to the ship, Arthur spoke his concerns to her

"The Chairman is getting worst" he said

"His career is over, Arthur." She said back as they step inside the elevator "The Plant Supreme Council is impeaching him and he's being ordered to relinquish his authority as chairman upon his immediate return to Aprillius," she showed him the crumpled up letter from the council, and in her inner chest pocket is a letter from the chairman, an order she's having conflicting emotions

"He won't let this be over" she muttered low in her voice

Minerva's battlefleet now on patrol

The Minerva's crew has an air of gloom as moral is at an all time low for they themselves are quietly questioning their own chairman's ability to lead them and already, a few of Minerva's crew have started to get into fist fights with each other from those supporting the chairman and those criticizing him, especially two of Minerva's ace pilots who are doggedly loyal to the Chairman.

They are Lt. Shinn Asuka and Lt. Rey Za Burrel.

Both awarded with the 'Order of the Nebula' and were raised in rank after the Battle of Heaven's Base and BOTH were made FAITH officers on the spot. Talia remembers that time in her quarters; Gilbert awarded the two for their loyalty to him, and no one else knew this until it became official several weeks later.

Now Talia had the two confine to quarters as they are the only two people that keeps starting the fights all the time and it was getting irritating. The two have started to have bloated head after becoming members of FAITH. They started defending the chairman against those who spoke ill will or against him, causing them to become quite unpopular to many of the crew.

Many of the crew who once they called them friends now calls them 'Dullindal's Gestapo' or 'Gilbert's Lap Dogs' and to some in act of spite, they even called them 'Blue Cosmos' and that made Shinn angrier than most when they called him that.

Back in her quarters, Talia lies down on her bed and looking up the ceiling, lost in thought. On her desk is a letter from Gilbert and it was an order to lead her task force to take Zaft Command in a specific time. The Chairman is planning a Coup and FAITH is in the front of the charge.

As Dullindal fears of loosing authority and control over Zaft, he started making more FAITH members and many of them are very loyal to him. Making more FAITH members all over Zaft, means that they can override the authority of any officers in command in any ship MS squadron, and bases for they have the power of the chairman and answers only to the chairman. Recently, Messiah was stocking up supplies weapons, ships, food, water and Mobile Suits

Talia herself is a member of FAITH and she's been suspicious of Dullindal intent as her ship, the Minerva have been stock up with supplies months after Heaven's base, she fears that something wrong was about to happen and she has the letter that her fears were right.

Talia sigh heavily and shook her head at the scheme Gilbert is planning that involves her ship and FAITH.

'Judah, what am I going to do?' she asks in thought which is strange to her as to why she thought of the UN pilot all of the sudden. She closed her eyes, though she doesn't feel sleepy she felt something is making her.

In her dream, Talia was standing at a hill overlooking a crater where a city once stood about 4 maybe 5 kilometers away and everything she see is a land scorched by fire long ago.

Talia look around and see someone standing nearby, it was Judah, looking sad

"Judah" she said and that startled him

"Wha?! Captain Gladys, what are you doing in my dream?"

"Your dream, I thought this is my dream?" she answered

"You're dream?" he looks at her curious "Captain, I doubt that this is your dream unless, you live on Yokohama city"

"Yokohama? In Japan" looking around she was confused

"I don't understand, how could this be Yokohama the city is intact?"

"On your Earth yes, this is my Earth, this is my memory, the land that my parents sworn an oath to restore to life after it was destroyed during the 'Rain of Death' on my Earth"

"Rain of Death, what are you talking about?"

"I don't understand it myself as to why I'm thinking about you while I'm having a nap inside my fighter," then Judah got a very mischievous Idea come up "But since this is a dream I can do this"

"Judah what are you…"

Judah grabbed Talia by the waist pulled her close to him, raises her face gently to look at him closely, and gave her a nice kiss.

The next thing, Talia suddenly woke up when something just rattled the Minerva all of the sudden.

"What in the world!" she looks around and found herself back in her quarters she was blushing as that dream was almost so real as she gently touched her lips as the feeling of Judah's kiss lingers.

The Minerva was 200 thousand kilometers away from Messiah as a sudden flash or explosion have occurred at Messiah. Thinking that it was a nuclear detonation had occurred, the Minerva turn to look as the lights died down to reveal a surprising sight.

From the blinding light came out a ship the Sparrow whiplash the Messiah side and any few feet further the ship would have slammed into the Zaft Space Fortress side. The other incoming ships were not so lucky.

Slamming nose first at one of Messiah Entrance is a Sharlin burying itself deep into Messiah while another ship, a Tinashi collided with a Nazca ship causing a massive explosion destroying the Nazca while severely damaging the Tinashi but the rest remained undamaged.

The Sparrow continued its forward momentum as their navigational thruster came online and adjusted its moves and made a dead stop. Captain Ramil watches his aft screen as they can see that they just defolded right in front of Messiah, Zaft Mobile Fortress.

Just then the comm. System acted up and the main viewer shows one teed off Capt. Fa Yuiry of the Hawaii

"Well now, isn't this a fine mess you got us into Ramil" Fa remark

"Fa it's not my fault!" he answered defensively "the Fold drives malfunction when we tried our escape, we"

"Spare your excuses for the Admiral, do you have sublight operational?"

"Yes, but just barely" he replied

"Then get your ass as far away from here, a battle fleet is jumping into Earthspace right now"

At that very moment flashes of light is seen from the distance which soon followed by ships by the hundreds that appeared to be decelerating from incredible speeds while others, flashes of light from a spacefold event, arrive above Earths orbit carrying several upgraded EA ships numbering about twenty and the UN Spacy built fleet christened 'The Delta Fleet.'

The two fleets separated, the EA Fleet headed straight to lunar orbit to suppress the Blue Cosmos Group controlling Daedalus while the Delta Fleet scattered into battle groups in orbit of the planet.

Unknowingly one defold group came too close to the moon, right at the path of a shuttle and a Drake ship in pursuit of the shuttle who refuse to respond to their hails.

The Drake ship took evasive maneuvers to move out of the way of a Gloria class Battleship. The Shuttle was another story, as the pilot tries to avoid a collision but it hit the Gloria hull, severing its left wing as the result. The shuttle tumbled into space uncontrolled until a Rescue team recovers them.

TBC