PHASE TWELVE: Ghost of the Past
C.E 79 Orb Union (Present Day)
"…The civilians will make their way to Heliopolis and Scandinavia. It's not safe to stay here. So, I'd like you to split your forces as well, and head to Heliopolis. Now, more than ever, we need to protect those that are still there."
Athrun approached slowly, in time to hear the command given by Orb's golden-haired princess. Her back was towards him as she faced the commanding officers of what was left of Orb's military – a very small amount, he noted with an aching heart, but still holding on to their lives and ideals as they all were. He paused, his green eyes wavering slightly as he looked over her figure. Even with her back facing him, he could read Cagalli's emotions like an open book. She was dressed in her blue and white military uniform, her head bowed very low and her fists clenching tight. To his eye, he could see her shoulders trembling as she contained her emotions for her broken nation. This was the second time for them to see Orb burned down, but this time, it had been done in a devastating fashion, and he could see the amount of control Cagalli was forcing onto herself.
Of course, it wasn't only him who noticed: the commanding officers of Orb could see it clearly as well.
Kisaka stepped forward, his calm, wise eyes regarding her with a gentle look that Athrun had sometimes seen when he addressed the young Representative. "Cagalli… Sending us to Scandinavia or Heliopolis won't allow us to do anything. We've dispatched enough forces to Heliopolis, and Scandinavia has lost. We have lost. We have decided to accompany the Archangel to fight for those who still wishes to fight against RENEGADE," he said, his voice quiet and gentle, but still holding the authority of a senior commanding officer.
If possible, Cagalli's fists clenched even tighter, her nails digging deep into the flesh of her palms. "No!"
"We have already decided," Kisaka said squarely, moving forward to rest his hand on her shoulder. "I apologise, Cagalli, for stepping over your orders," he said, though the words were unnecessary – Athrun knew full well that Cagalli never minded that in the least, and had never abused her power as the leader of Orb. "We have lost many of our comrades, all who fought because they believe that RENEGADE's path is the wrong path to take. And we wish to continue that battle in their place. This is no longer a fight for Orb, but for the future we wish to have, as the late Uzumi Nara Attha had spoken of," he said.
Cagalli raised her head, her shoulders shaking as she tried to contain her tears. "But..!"
A gentle smile crossed Kisaka's lips. "You have done a wonderful job, Cagalli. But you should understand not to interfere with a man who wishes to fight his battles."
Armagi stepped forward, his eyes shining with tears towards his fallen nation. "Cagalli-sama… We wish to fight with you, under your command, against RENEGADE. So…" he trailed off, immediately bowing in front of her, followed by the rest of the remaining officers there. "Please!" Athrun clenched his hands as he watched their determination, then cast his eyes away as he listened to Cagalli's quiet sobs.
"Yes…" she answered finally, weakly, as she returned the bow, knowing that no words from her would make her soldiers head towards the shelter of Heliopolis. "Thank you… and I'm sorry…"
The small group dispersed, each returning back to their own regiments as they tried to put order again in the broken nation. Kisaka gave his orders firmly, issuing commands that included looking for survivors, making camps, providing medical aid, sending out food as well as to regroup the remaining soldiers and organise the civilians to be transported to somewhere that was safer for them. Athrun listened quietly, still facing Cagalli's back, and when Kisaka turned to leave, he gave a firm nod to the blue-haired Coordinator and Athrun nodded back, signalling that he understood. He waited until they were left alone, his eyes cast around at the wreckage around them. Dusk was approaching fast, and the sky was spattered with a blood-red colour that reflected the lives they had lost in the battle. Athrun exhaled slowly and stepped forward, placing a hand gently on Cagalli's shoulder.
The young princess turned, her eyes widening with surprise as she examined Athrun with her golden eyes. Athrun gazed at her deeply, managing a very small smile to tell her that he had heard what had happened. The tears flowed down her face instantly and he hugged her tight, allowing her to sob into his shoulder as she grabbed him. He tightened his arms around her, squeezing his eyes tight so the tears wouldn't escape his eyelids, though his shoulders shook with the effort. But Athrun said nothing, allowing her to cry freely, for he understood her unspoken words without any effort.
A leader was always responsible for the decisions he took. Whether to send his soldiers into battle, or to keep them away from fighting, each decision came with their own consequences. Fighting might be courageous, but what if the opponents were those unwilling to fight? Keeping away from battles might be cowardly, but what if the reason for battle was unjust? Yet some soldiers might live if they were forced to fight, and those that kept away might be killed. Those were the thoughts that continuously plagued a leader, and Athrun knew that Cagalli would die many times over for her nation. It was one quality of Uzumi Nara Attha's that Cagalli had, even if she was not related to the old leader by blood. He knew that seeing her soldiers fall hurt her more than anything, and her decisions were almost like she was sending them to their deaths. But he knew it wasn't true. Orb's soldiers were loyal, and they had wanted to fight.
When Cagalli's sobs subsided into silent tears, Athrun pulled away gently and took her hand, leading her towards a large heap of wreckage of what used to be a building. He placed his hands on her shoulders, pressing down lightly so she would sit and he moved to sit beside her, his eyes never leaving her face. Her eyes were golden, two orbs shining with all the emotions in the world, and he had been fascinated with them since he first saw them. He had never met anyone with eyes so pure – ones that reflected exactly what the owner was feeling, whether happy or sad. This time, her eyes were questioning and she wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "Athrun..?" she asked, her voice breaking in the middle as a quiet sob escaped her.
Athrun cast his eyes away, his gaze resting on the pieces of a ruined BuCUE mobile suit. He could just recognise what used to be an Orb Astray unit a short distance away from the BuCUE, now a heap of junk on the ground. Further away from that, there were Earth Alliance Windams and Exuses, all broken, all defeated. Beyond the wreckage, dead bodies were strewn, soldiers and civilians alike. This war was unlike the two wars Athrun had faced before, though the level of cruelty had nearly been the same as that of the previous war, of what the Earth Alliance (namely the Atlantic Federation) had done to the Eurasian Federation with their suppression and Destroy units. In one way, this war was different due to their need to lead rescue searches as well as being soldiers fighting the battle that led to the casualties.
Earlier, Kira and Athrun had both combed a few areas of the cities, searching for survivors. Athrun had gladly discovered that the city had been rather empty to begin with, but then they had spotted a small hand under a large wreckage, and when they had pushed it over, the sight of the mutilated body of a young child had been too revolting to see. Kira had turned, retching onto the ground, his hand pressed painfully against his stomach as he tried to contain his sobs... Eyes shut tight, the groans escaping his lips, his body shaking violently... Athrun had faced similar sights during the last war, but Kira had not, and as he helped the brown-haired Coordinator, he could only be thankful that they had been alone...
"Do you remember the last war, Cagalli?" Athrun asked softly, his eyes turning to the sky as Kira's familiar mobile suit shot past them.
"Yes… But what –"
"Back then, when I first joined ZAFT, I did it to protect you… and Kira. I thought if I had power, if I used the power to defeat those who are causing the hatred, then peace will come again and the fighting will stop. I was an idiot. Back then, I was a real idiot. I believed the Chairman… I knew he wanted peace, just as I wanted it, and I fought under him," Athrun said, choosing his words carefully, still keeping his eyes away from her as he thought back to the previous war. "Have you ever chased your dreams so far that you forget who you are?" he asked quietly, his thoughts turning towards his late father who had fought because of Lenore Zala's death, fought because he did not want to lose any more, but then had shot Athrun in the process of wanting peace.
"Athrun…" Cagalli trailed off, her hand reaching out to touch his tentatively.
He remembered how torn he had been back then,during the second war, to fight for something he could not fully and truly understand and support. He remembered how, back on the Minerva, he had scolded Shinn for being the best soldier, the one he, Athrun Zala, should have been, following orders and performing accomplishments that far surpassed other pilots. He remembered how he had envied Shinn's faith and trust in Gilbert Durandal, something he had until he met Kira and learned about the attack done on Lacus. He remembered how he had often gazed into his reflection after he showered, staring deep in his own eyes and realised that, horrifyingly, he did not know who the other person was. Kira and Athrun had always been brothers. If Kira didn't know who Athrun was, then how could he even know himself?
A soldier would fight for his leader, but to be able to do that, their dreams must be the same, they must have the same faith for the same thing, and thus the soldier would fight for that battle, even if it meant death.
Athrun turned his emerald-green eyes towards her, an unreadable smile on his lips. "During the second war, I knew what I wanted: a world where we all don't need to fight anymore. Our dreams never clashed… but our methods did. I had followed the Chairman, believing that he was trying his best to achieve something that seemed impossible, but as a soldier, I had followed the wrong leader. That had been my mistake, Cagalli. Do you understand?" he asked softly.
Cagalli lowered her eyes, biting her lips. "Yes…"
The smile grew wider and Athrun rested his hand on her head. "Don't let Orb's men become the idiot that I was back then," he said, his eyes warm as he watched her.
.
A girl, no more than four of five years old, shivered as she crouched down beside what used to be her old school. She had amazingly escaped unscathed, physically speaking, but her green eyes were fearful, already witnessing so much more than she should in her five young years. She was shaking, hugging herself, already crying so much that she no longer had the strength to continue. Her eyes rested on a young man dressed in a pilot suit, with dark brown hair and calm amethyst eyes, and she pressed her back against the wall further.
Kira looked around, his ears sharp for any tell-tale sounds that might suggest life trapped under the wreckage. As he observed his surroundings, his gaze finally rested on the young girl and he immediately rushed forwards, crouching down slowly in front of her. "Hey…" Kira greeted her softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. She shrank back, her eyes a brilliant emerald colour that reminded the Coordinator of his best friend. "It was scary, wasn't it? Will you come with me? It's okay. I won't hurt you, I promise," Kira said, spreading his arms to show that he wasn't going to attack. The girl hesitated, and out of fear of being alone more than anything else, she stepped into the open arms, sobbing pathetically like a lost kitten as Kira hugged her and stood, carrying her in her arms.
He had flown in the Freedom earlier, examining the ruins of what used to be one of the most peaceful nations on Earth, and he had understood why Athrun could possibly have his anger snapped back in PLANTs. Kira lowered his eyes, holding the girl protectively as he began to walk towards the nearest camp they had set up among the ruins. He had been to the orphanage in the Freedom earlier, had seen their years of work damaged and scarred and broken, but nobody was there. Caridad, Reverend Malchio and the children had long left for Heliopolis, and that was the smallest amount of comfort that Kira took from the battle of Orb.
A flurry of pink, white and purple hurried over to him and Lacus was beside him at once, a small blanket in her arms which she draped around the little girl. "Ara… Are you alright?" Lacus asked, a kind smile on her lips as she took the girl from Kira's arms. "My name is Lacus Clyne. What is your name?" she asked gently. The girl gave her name, another anonymous name listed as the victims of the battle, but Lacus's eyes merely softened. "I see. That is a pretty name. Come, you must be hungry," she said, carrying the girl towards the safety of the camp.
Kira watched her leave and exhaled slowly, turning his eyes on the crimson sky above them. It was beginning to darken very quickly, and by nightfall, the search for survivors would need to be postponed for a few short hours. Still, Orb's military men were efficient, and they had already gone through the broken shelters, leaving the homes and cities left to comb, though Kira had hardly found anyone there. They were either dead, blown to smithereens by the Destroy units earlier, or had already left to take shelter. A ghost city.
"Kira," Lacus's gentle voice reached him and Kira turned, smiling his thanks as he accepted the mug and bread from her hands. She stood beside him, her azure eyes gazing beyond the wreckage where Kira could just see the lapping water of the vast ocean. "Are you alright, Kira?"
The brown-haired Coordinator nodded, taking a sip from his mug. "I'm fine, Lacus. Don't worry. Are you alright?" he asked, turning his eyes to her worriedly. He was referring to her previous actions, when she had courageously addressed the ZAFT soldiers from the Archangel, even when they had attempted to assassinate her back in Aprillius...
She smiled warmly at him and nodded. "I am," she said, watching interestedly as Kira began to eat his bun. "I talked to those ZAFT soldiers that stayed back. Many do not wish to fight this war," she said quietly. "I already know what I need to do. So… don't worry about me anymore, Kira," she said, her voice the usual calm, melodious voice that had always soothed him.
Kira gazed deeply into her azure eyes, finally nodding when he could see the determination there. "I understand. In that case, that is fine," Kira answered.
Lacus turned, her eyes on the sea again. "It has been difficult for Murrue-san…" she began once Kira finished his bun, then recounting what had happened on the Archangel previously involving Ryuu Apene and the truth about Natarle Badgiruel. Lacus had met the young officer of the Archangel when her life pod had been rescued by Kira during the first war, and it pained her when she learned of the details of the last battle from Miriallia once the Archangel landed. As she spoke, she watched as Kira's eyes began to cloud from grief, the surprise now apparent on his face as he listened.
"I see…" Kira trailed off when Lacus finished, his eyes careful as he finished his drink and placed the mug onto the ground beside them.
"Kira…" Lacus reached forward, her eyes tearful as she rested her gaze on him. She had seen him at his worst those two years after the first war, and it worried her whenever he needed to climb into a mobile suit cockpit. She was fearful that the gentleness in his amethyst eyes would disappear, as well as his child-like innocence that she had come to love. Kira turned to gaze down at her, and she watched with an aching heart as she recognised the wetness in his eyes.
"I'm glad I knew," the young pilot said truthfully, a pained smile on his lips. "Thank you, Lacus."
"War is so sad…" Lacus said quietly, casting her eyes down as she remembered how Kira had fought against Athrun, twice, nearly killing each other in the process. Lacus hated wars more than anything and she bit her lips, her eyes clouding.
Kira smiled gently and stepped forward, taking her into his arms and embracing her tightly as he buried his face into her sweet-smelling hair. "I'm glad, Lacus," Kira said truthfully, feeling her quiver slightly in his arms. "I'm glad, because I got to meet you… and everyone else… Before this, I always thought of war as something that never involved me and my friends. But now I see the reason why we should all keep fighting…" he said, pulling back to rest his eyes into her shining azure ones. "I want to be with you, always," he said sincerely.
"Kira…"
He rested his hand on her cheek, pressing his lips against hers.
"Please sing for me, Lacus… The song of peace."
C.E 79 Heliopolis – Lagrange Area 3 (Present Day)
As a person, Yzak Joule never regarded himself as a lucky man, nor did he ever see himself as a fortunate one. He knew many who would trade places with him for what could be seen artificially; immediate elite ZAFT pilot, one of the youngest Commanders to obtain his own squadron, youngest to hold the position as a General and earn the purple ZAFT uniform as well as being an advisor for Lacus Clyne… But Yzak had never been particularly pleased with those accomplishments. He was an elite pilot, but always second-best to Athrun Zala. He was one of the youngest Commanders to lead a full squadron, but that squadron had been wiped out in a blink of an eye in front of him. He was a General wearing ZAFT's purple uniform, but his Chairman had been forced from her position and he had rescued her from it, which then led him to become a traitor to ZAFT…
No, Yzak did not believe that he was a particularly lucky man. The purple uniform signalled that he had seen enough deaths, had killed enough people, and had witnessed enough monstrosities that gave him the label of being 'experienced', 'able' and 'qualified' to lead the military. It was, to him, a rather revolting perception.
Still, things could have been worse. And he supposed he was lucky in a way that, while remaining in hiding in Heliopolis, he was able to do so with the second-class Nazca-class battleship, Aurora, and not any other normal ship. Firstly, the Aurora was ZAFT's ship. Secondly, it belonged to Kira Yamato, who had been one of the top Commanders in ZAFT and PLANTs, therefore enabling the ship access to a lot of confidential information. Thirdly, one of the Aurora's crew members was a young soldier with pale red hair named Meyrin Hawke.
Yzak had learned about Meyrin's hacking skills when he had read the report on how she had infiltrated ZAFT's system in Gibraltar which led to Athrun's escape during the second war, but he (and many other ZAFT officers) had never really seen hacking as a notable skill for a ZAFT soldier. Now, Yzak was grateful that the young girl had such a troublesome talent. Equipped with the efficient Aurora as well as the high-tech computers of Morganroete, the young soldier was nearly unstoppable, her fingers tapping the keyboard day and night, day and night, as she kept up with the movements of those in PLANTs. Yzak had begun to think that she might even be able to pinpoint one of Lacus's damn Haros with her capabilities.
Three weeks had passed since the attack on Orb, and those in Heliopolis had watched, struck and wide-eyed, as the devastation of the small nation was shown via Terminal. Yzak had easily identified Kira and Athrun's mobile suits during the battle, and he had watched as the defence lines were pushed back, as the shelters housing the civilians were struck, as the GFAS-X1 Destroy units had been deployed, reducing the once-rich nation into little more than just one island of rubble. What was left of Orb's once-strong, proud forces had then joined the Archangel in battle, and during the three weeks since the attack, they had fought once in the Oceania Union, and several times in the Equatorial Union.
The Oceania Union had always been a split union, with New Zealand siding with the Earth Alliance and Australia siding with PLANTs during the second war. ZAFT's Carpentaria base was located in the Oceania Union, which was once the main base of ZAFT after Gibraltar. However, since the end of the second war, Victoria had become the most influential base on Earth and had led the attack on Gibraltar before the attempted assassination on Lacus Clyne. Under Lacus's command, Carpentaria had sent its forces against Victoria in defending Gibraltar, and after Lacus was thrown from her position as Chairwoman of PLANTs, Victoria and Carpentaria were ordered to send their forces to the battle of Orb. Unsurprisingly, quite a large number of the forces from Carpentaria had turned their backs against PLANTs and had battled alongside Lacus and the Archangel. Carpentaria was then attacked after the battle of Orb, and the Archangel had fought to defend it, but had lost the battle as they had done in Orb. Still, quite a number of ZAFT's forces from Carpentaria had joined the Archangel in their battle against RENEGADE.
The battles in the Equatorial Union had been more to suppress than to invade. The only reason why the Equatorial Union held a neutral ground was due to their forces that were deemed too weak for the Earth Alliance to exploit. Several small bases had put up resistance fights against RENEGADE, and small-scale battles had taken place there, which the Archangel had participated in. After the battle of Orb, the United States of South America had joined RENEGADE and became an ally to the Earth Alliance once again, leaving the Equatorial Union the only neutral ground left unattacked. Yzak couldn't blame the United States of South America completely, of course, because the EA had a large military base there in Panama... but he believed that what they did was an act of cowardice, and he did not support their actions one bit. To Yzak, it was better to go down fighting than to suddenly turn around and befriend enemies just to stay alive.
It seemed that on Earth, the only opposing forces left were the resistance groups based in the Eurasian Federation that had always been an enemy-of-sorts to the Atlantic Federation, despite both belonging to the Earth Alliance. If RENEGADE succeeded, then all in Earth would be one big Earth Alliance, and Yzak had no doubt that the weaker Eurasian Federation would be suppressed by the Atlantic Federation. That was probably the main reason why they were putting up resistance fights. Only the Atlantic Federation would truly thrive in richness if the Earth was given to the Earth Alliance completely.
Of course, it wasn't as if there weren't any tensions in space as well. The moon, which had always been the base for the Earth Alliance, was also putting up resistance fights. It was common sense that the Coordinators would demand the space as their territory and force the Naturals on Earth if RENEGADE was to truly succeed in separating the Naturals and Coordinators. If that happened, the Earth Alliance forces on the moon would be at the biggest disadvantage, so it wasn't surprising that they were against RENEGADE's ideals.
It all seemed very simple, and Yzak couldn't help but ask the one question he knew many were asking: Why, oh why, were those who were supporting RENEGADE couldn't see that the plan would never work?
The young General ran his hand through his hair angrily, clearing the thoughts from his mind. He had never liked the game of politics, as much as he was able to understand them. He just couldn't understand why some people were so silly with their ideals and decisions.
"General Joule..?" A small, almost timid voice broke through Yzak's thoughts and his head shot up in surprise. He blinked several times, his blue eyes scanning the room and finally resting on the one who had addressed him; Meyrin Hawke. They were in the Aurora's bridge, and Yzak had been examining the electronic map of the Earth in front of him, tapping into it and making small notes of the progress of the battles when his thoughts had overwhelmed him, blinding him to those around him. Now, snapped out from his reverie, Yzak nearly lost his bearings on where he was and what he had been doing. His eyebrows rose a fraction of an inch, signalling for Meyrin to continue. "It's Ambassador Joule. She's scheduled to return to Martius City tomorrow," she informed.
"Are you sure?" Yzak asked, instantly moving to Meyrin's side. His eyes focused on the screen where, almost unbelievably, he could see quite clearly that his mother had an appointment there for an aerospace engineering development conference and meeting regarding ZAFT's newest weapons. His lips pressed together into a thin line and he straightened, crossing his arms.
He had been waiting for this all this time, of course, nearly working Meyrin to her death with detailed reports on the happenings of ZAFT and PLANTs, especially one that involved his mother. With battles taking place in Carpentaria and the Equatorial Union so near to the Victoria base, his mother had been busy in Aprillius most of the time. Now, with battles most likely being concentrated in the Eurasian Federation which the Atlantic Federation would be giddying over, it came as no surprise that Ezalia could finally pull herself away from Aprillius for a while. It was the opportunity to return to PLANTs that Yzak had waited for, and he knew it was time for him to leave. These long weeks of gaining intelligence and sitting in Heliopolis was beginning to drive him insane.
"Good job. Keep updated with the situation in PLANTs. I want to know if they're going to launch an attack on the Moon or Heliopolis," Yzak commanded, turning and exiting the Aurora's bridge. As soon as the door slid shut behind him, Yzak took out his communication device, tapping into it swiftly as he ordered Dearka and Shiho to meet him in the pilot briefing room.
Yzak was only half-surprised when the door slid open to reveal his ace pilot, Shiho Hahnenfuss, already waiting for him in the briefing room. Her long chestnut hair was neatly combed and swept back, and she gazed at him with sharp eyes as she saluted him. Yzak nodded, crossing the room and resting his back against the wall with his arms crossed as he waited for Dearka. It did not take long. Within five minutes, the door slid open and the blonde-haired Coordinator stepped in, his violet eyes turning to Yzak swiftly with an arched eyebrow.
"So, what's going on?" Dearka asked, stepping inside and allowing the door to shut behind him.
"I'm going back to PLANTs," Yzak said easily.
Dearka's eyes widened. "What?" he sputtered, shaking his head when Yzak did not respond. "How are you going to get back?"
"I'm using the ZAKU that we stole from Aprillius Four," the silver-haired General answered coolly. "That will get me to Martius without much suspicion. But I'll need to rely on Lacus's followers to get inside," he said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he voiced his plan. In truth, Yzak hadn't planned his entry as well as he wanted to. The more he thought about it, the more ridiculous the idea seemed, so he had decided not to ponder about it and just follow the flow and hope for the best. It wasn't his best plan as a military strategist, but it was the only possible way he could think of. Sure, he could hijack a passing aircraft and sneak into PLANTs that way, but it would be a gamble. Unfortunately, Yzak was one of ZAFT's Generals, and being the youngest and Lacus's personal advisor, he wasn't exactly unpopular with the soldiers. He would have to make a bold entrance and hope for the best.
The black-uniformed Captain sighed deeply, his palm moving to rest against his forehead as he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Honestly, Yzak…"
C.E 79 PLANTs, Martius Military Station One (Present Day)
"Preparing mobile suits for launch. ZAKU, all systems online. Starting launch sequence."
Yzak's fingers moved easily through the switches as he adjusted the olive green ZGMF-1001 ZAKU Phantom's controls, already strapped in the cockpit of the mobile suit and clad in his red and white pilot suit. He set the course to the military station of Martius, knowing full well that by the time he arrived, his mother would be there except if she decided to have a change in her schedule, which he doubted. "Don't die, Yzak..." Athrun's voice echoed in his mind and Yzak cursed, his fingers tightening around the ZAKU's controls. Damn that stupid, pathetic, annoying Athrun Zala, for getting into his head at such a time.
The small screen to his right flickered to life and he could see Dearka leaning in front of Meyrin, his eyes unreadable but the smile playful on his lips. "Oy, get back here soon, Yzak," Dearka said, giving him a small thumb's up. "You better not die!"
Yzak snorted. "Shut up, Dearka. You better make sure this place stays in one piece for when I get back," he said angrily, glaring at the blonde-haired Coordinator.
Dearka arched an eyebrow and snickered. "Roger!" he answered, giving Yzak a hearty salute that was too enthusiastic for Yzak to appreciate. The screen flickered off and Yzak fought the urge to roll his eyes.
"Yzak Joule. ZAKU. Launching!"
He boosted his thrusters, the old mobile suit moving very slowly if compared to his Hyper Duel… but it couldn't be helped. The main thing was for him to arrive in Martius and demand to know what was going on, even if it had to be done in a stinking old ZAKU. Yzak launched from the Aurora and out of Heliopolis, the course already set for him to arrive in Martius. As he travelled, he couldn't help but think that this was probably one of the stupidest things he had ever done. Then again, ever since he had come face-to-face with the GAT-X103 Buster on opposite sides of the battlefield during the first war, it seemed as if he had always done stupid things that would be shameful to be written as a personal biography. Martius, apart from being the colony of PLANTs and ZAFT's national defence headquarters, was also the colony that specialises in aerospace engineering and shipbuilding. It was a colony full of prototype weapons and latest developed mobile suits, and he was flying straight into it.
He was walking straight into a ravenous lion's den with pieces of bloodied meat plastered on his body screaming bloody murder. If the situation hadn't been so grave, Yzak would have probably laughed at himself.
He had to try, though. Ezalia Joule was his one and only parent, and Yzak had never known anything about his father, nor did he ever have the curiosity of wanting to know. Ezalia never said anything, and Yzak never asked. He had shared Ezalia's features as a copy and paste male version of the older Coordinator, and Ezalia had been both his mother and father since he could remember. He wondered if that would make a difference to how he would be treated, compared to what Athrun had faced during the first war. Yzak knew that Athrun had previously lived in Copernicus with his mother and that his late father, Chairman Zala, had never lived with them. Yzak wondered if that had created a gap between the two Zalas that led Patrick Zala to have the strength to shoot his own son, but he didn't know, of course.
It wasn't as if Yzak was a family man, much less a person who could understand the feelings of others. He had very little understanding on the unscientific human emotions, and he always acted on extremes on any emotion he felt. He could not imagine himself with a family in the future (or ever, for that matter), and had always viewed himself as a soldier through and through. Strange emotions did not appeal to him, and he preferred to stay away from them.
As the PLANT colonies began to loom in front of him, Yzak narrowed his eyes and increased the speed of his ZAKU, drawing his mobile suit closer. "Martius Station One, this is General Yzak Joule piloting ZGMF-1001 ZAKU Phantom: Unit Number X1990. ID Number APP3199. Requesting for land," he said, his voice firm and emotionless.
"This is Martius Station One, you have permission to land. Please enter hatch number A132. ...Welcome back, General Joule."
Yzak arched an eyebrow, interest and surprise now making him curious. He docked the ZAKU easily and climbed out, taking off his helmet and was instantly greeted by a green-uniformed ZAFT soldier that he had never met. "Sir!" the soldier saluted, and Yzak returned the gesture. With his carefully trained eye, Yzak took note of the amazingly crisp green uniform, the neatly-combed brown hair, without a single strand out of place, and most importantly, the innocent blue eyes that was unlike his ice-cold ones. A rookie… Yzak noted, nearly snorting at his luck. A rookie performing the necessary procedures of allowing a friend mobile suit to land, piloted by a ZAFT General many ranks too high. He was possibly too new to even know Yzak's status as possible-MIA-soldier-or-traitor-to-ZAFT.
The lie came smoothly. "I am here for the 2PM conference in Room A201. Please inform Representative Ezalia Joule regarding my arrival," Yzak said easily.
"Sir!"
Yzak watched as the green-uniformed soldier turned to head back to the control room, his blue eyes missing nothing. It was too easy. Almost uncomfortably so. But he shook his head and headed to the changing room by the side, taking off the pilot suit and dressing in his purple ZAFT uniform. He paused in front of the full-length mirror, gazing deeply into the reflection of his eyes, exhaling slowly. When he had first joined the ZAFT academy, he had often dreamed of putting on this uniform, but now that he was finally in it, it felt like nothing but pure responsibility weighing down on his shoulders. Shaking his head, Yzak exited the changing room and came face-to-face with the nameless soldier again.
"Sir! Representative Joule is waiting for you. I will escort you to her," he said, too helpful, of course, but then again, all rookies were. Yzak nodded, cool as ever as he followed the rookie down the hallway and to their left to what he knew was where the more private rooms of the station were located. The soldier stopped in front of a door to one of the rooms and saluted, his blue eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Yzak nearly felt sorry for the rookie. This was perhaps the most exciting thing that had happened to the green-uniformed soldier, and it was clear that the nameless idiot was trying to make a good impression of himself. But Yzak had no time for this. He didn't even have the authority to give the rookie a recommendation.
Yzak gave him his thanks, nearly scowling when his eyes shone with delight, and turned to the door, pressing the button of the intercom. "Yzak Joule. I'm coming in," he announced, stepping in when the door slid open.
He had been in one of these rooms before, of course. It was simply furnished, with a round table and six seats, a large screen to their side and nothing more. There was only one person in the room, and Yzak immediately recognised his mother, taking note of the tired circles under her eyes and her slightly messy hair. "Yzak?" Ezalia stepped forward, her piercing blue eyes running through him. Her expression was guarded.
"Mother," Yzak greeted.
Ezalia moved forward, a display of emotions in her eyes as she immediately pulled the young General into an embrace. "Yzak! I… Thank goodness! I thought you were…" she broke off, speaking and breaking off again as she tried to find the right words to say to her son. When she pulled away, silent tears were running down her cheeks and she shook her head. "Your squadron. The Voltaire…" she managed, the four words providing all the explanation Yzak needed.
"The Voltaire was lost. So was the squadron," he confirmed quietly.
"But you survived! Yzak… Thank goodness. But where have you been all this time?" Ezalia asked, her hands still on Yzak's shoulders.
Yzak shook his head slowly. He wasn't here to answer her questions. "I'm sorry for making you worry, Mother. But… what are you doing?" he asked, his blue eyes searching hers. "Why are you back in the Council? Why did you attack Lacus? What is ZAFT doing?"
His mother sighed deeply and released him, walking over to the nearest chair and pulling it out. She sat on it, her eyes turned away from him. "I was afraid you'd ask those questions, Yzak. I had been waiting for you to return..." That would explain the too-easy entry...
"I can't fight for what you're fighting for," Yzak said coldly.
Ezalia looked up, now clearly ruffled. "Lacus-sama allowed us to be attacked. Belittled. Exploited. Didn't you see what they did to Scandinavia and Gibraltar? To Orb? To the Equatorial Union?" Yzak did not fail to notice how she did not mention the traitor Carpentaria base. "How many more Coordinators will you let them kill before you finally understand, Yzak?" Ezalia asked, her eyes burning with anger. "Peace can only be achieved if both sides wishes for it!"
"Peace will not come when both sides hate each other!" Yzak spat, angered. "Mother, you know this plan doesn't work. Coordinators and Naturals cannot be separated. Even kept apart, they'll still fight each other! All that'll happen is another round of wars like what happened last time!" he lashed out furiously.
"I know that!" Ezalia snapped. Yzak stepped back, surprised. "We all know that. The Naturals won't stop until each and every one of us are wiped from this universe, Yzak. That is why we need to fight. You saw those Destroy units attacking Orb. The Earth Alliance were still developing those monsters all this time, and what would they have used it for if not to attack the Coordinators?" she asked, her blue eyes burning. "What we've learned since the beginning of all this is that the Earth Alliance had always been ready to attack us. And it's time for us to take action. We cannot leave our Coordinators to die!"
"By trying to separate them?" Yzak shouted angrily.
"No! By weakening their forces and wiping them out when they're done fighting!" Ezalia shouted back, rising to stand. Yzak stopped, his eyes widening as the shock settled in. "That's right, Yzak. Even you should know by now that even the Earth Alliance isn't planning for separation. Why do you think those resistance groups are forming on the moon, if not to become a bait for ZAFT to attack with their forces and weaken our military with more casualties?"
Yzak clenched his fists tight, turning his gaze back to the ground. He inhaled slowly, trying to contain his emotions. "I will not join you," he said flatly.
Silence passed between them, and Yzak closed his eyes, his nails digging deep into his palms. What his mother said made sense. Worse still, it only confirmed his suspicions. RENEGADE was just a lie, an excuse for two extremes to attack the neutral groups so nobody else would oppose them when they would finally come to kill each other, once and for all. With Orb down, Scandinavia devastated, the anti-extremist military bases wiped out, and resistance groups suppressed, who would stand in the way of the ultimate Coordinator and Natural battle?
"I cannot attack you, Yzak…" Ezalia said quietly as she walked towards him, resting her hand on his shoulder. He raised his eyes to meet hers and he could see deep sorrow in the blue orbs, so identical to his. "You are my son, and I love you. And I cannot hurt you. But PLANTs cannot run away from this, Yzak," she said, sighing deeply as she rested her palm against his cheek. "Go," she said, turning away.
"Mother…"
"Go, Yzak."
Yzak clenched his teeth and turned, walking to the door. As it slid open, he bowed his head, fighting the urge to turn back to look at her. "I'll create the peaceful world, Mother. Wait for me," he said, exiting the room without a glance towards her.
He went.
Not even bothering to change into his pilot suit, Yzak went back to his ZAKU unit and strapped himself in, his fingers finding the right switches as he activated his mobile suit, immediately starting the launch sequence.
"ZGMF-1001 ZAKU Phantom: Unit Number X1990. Please stop. You do not have permission to launch!"
Yzak laughed coldly, shaking his head to clear away his thoughts. Well, at least the rookie wouldn't be reprimanded for allowing a trespasser to dock into the military station. He could take comfort in that. Ignoring the warning, Yzak boosted his thrusters and took out his beam assault rifle, at the same time launching two high-explosive grenades towards the control room. Alarms rose around the station and Yzak quickly exited the shaft, shooting immediately as a number of ZAKUs and GOUF Igniteds began to close in. With his right hand equipped with his Tomahawk beam saber, Yzak lashed out furiously, barely aware of the tears threatening to escape his eyelids as he quickly tried to put his distance away from the mobile suits, from Martius, from his mother.
A red-hot rod lashed in his direction and Yzak dodged, his mobile suit moving down swiftly and he shot with his rifle, thrown back as it exploded between them. "Kuso!" Yzak cursed, shooting down the GOUF's thrusters and boosting his own. Another sped in his direction and Yzak threw his beam saber like a boomerang, launching another grenade at it as it occupied itself in deflecting the attack.
Two ZAKU mobile suits flanked him and Yzak cursed, taking aim with his beam rifle and beginning to shoot. The one on his right dodged, but a boomerang suddenly sliced its middle cleanly in half, causing a huge explosion that threw Yzak to the side. He nearly collided with the other ZAKU but Yzak turned sharply with the thrust, the back of his heel slamming into the mobile suit's cockpit, sending it down. The pilot screamed in surprise, and as another came to his aid, a high-energy beam cannon fired and both exploded, the impact throwing Yzak back once again. Yzak wanted to curse in the most colourful language he knew as he gazed up towards the two Enigma units, the signature beam cannon and boomerang identifying them as Dearka and Shiho's units.
"KUSO! What are you doing here?" Yzak shouted angrily at them, boosting his thrusters as he moved away from PLANTs.
"We can't let you have all the fun, Yzak," Dearka answered, grinning widely at the annoyed General. "Meyrin got in contact with the Eternal. They've launched," he informed. Yzak's eyes widened with surprise, and it was only then that he spotted the pale red ship moving away from the colony along with them. He clenched his teeth, his fingers gripping his controls. "Let's go, Yzak. We can escape if we get on the Eternal."
Yzak glanced back, spotting the new mobile suits that had joined in the battle. He recognised the units as those from Factory that had come to rescue Lacus when she had been attacked a few weeks ago, and he turned, watching as they attacked the pursuing ZAFT mobile suits. So… the Clyne faction is joining us now… Without a mother ship launching to continue their pursuit, however, it was futile. Even if ZAFT give chase, it was unlikely that they would catch up to the extremely fast Eternal. The ZAKUs and GOUFs soon retreated, and a small part of him wondered if his mother had a play in allowing his escape. The grenades he had launched at the control room would have caused enough confusion and communication damage to give him a head start, of course, but somehow, he knew that someone had helped him escape. He lowered his eyes, turning and boosting his thrusters to head to the Eternal.
"Oy… Yzak… Are you alright?" Dearka asked from his Enigma.
Yzak said nothing.
C.E 79 Indian Ocean, Archangel (Present Day)
The ZGMF-X30A Ultimate Freedom docked into Archangel's hangar and Kira slumped back, closing his eyes as he exhaled deeply. Another lost battle, more casualties, more deaths, more killing… He had just come from one of the two ZAFT Vosgulov-class submarines that had joined them from the battle of Orb, taking note of their damages and lost soldiers. He opened his eyes slowly, his violet eyes focusing on the ceiling of the cockpit of his mobile suit. Kira glanced to his right, spotting the Infinite Justice that was right beside him, telling him that Athrun had returned from Orb's fleet above them.
Since the end of the battle of Orb, two ZAFT squadrons consisting of two Vosgulov-class submarines carrying numerous GOUF Ignited, CGUE, ASH and GOOhN units had joined them. Along with them, a small fleet of Orb soldiers had also joined the Archangel, consisting of Cagalli's flagship, the Harutsuki, as well as five Aegis-class battleships carrying Astrays, Murasames and Yamakaze units. In the battles they had faced following the battle of Orb, Kira had led the ZAFT units while Athrun had taken over the Orb units. He had watched as his comrades were killed, one by one, all to protect those who still wishes for peace between Naturals and Coordinators. Most of the resistance groups they helped were Naturals, and Kira felt the irony of the unification they had in fighting what was supposed to be their own comrades.
Numerous battles had commenced since Orb's battle, and Kira could feel the tiredness weighing him down. Their defeats were beginning to become repetetive, but Kira knew they wouldn't stop fighting. It was impossible to just stay and watch while RENEGADE tries to wipe out any resistance. Kira was beginning to understand the pattern of Renegade's attacks, leading the ZAFT and Earth Alliance soldiers into battle, then leaving when it was clear which side had won. What bothered Kira was the pilot of the Advocate, who had told him in the battle of Orb about the Advocate and Zantetsuken being two mobile suits specially designed to bring him down. But after Orb's battle, the two that had always engaged him in battle were the Adcovate and the Apocalypse. The Zantetsuken and Imperial, on the other hand, had always attacked Athrun, leaving the Premium and the many ZAFT and Earth Alliance mobile suits to Shinn. Despite their small forces, Shinn, Lunamaria, Mu and Waltfeld had worked hard in battle, and the casualties were not as damaging as they perhaps should have been.
A small, uneasy feeling began to settle in his chest. It came always, whenever he thought of the Apocalypse and the Imperial. Kira sensed something different about the two mobile suits, and he couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was. Could he possibly know the pilots? It seemed hardly likely. But he had once experienced the same feeling, back during the second war when Mu had thought himself as Neo Roanoke, and Kira had engaged him in battle and sensed something amiss. The other three mobile suit pilots, he guessed, were Extendeds, and he had talked to Athrun about it and received the same opinion. But there was no way for him to be sure.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Kira deactivated his Gundam and opened the cockpit, grasping the lever to transport him to the ground. As soon as his foot touched the surface, he took off his helmet and shook his head again, his long brown hair falling in front of his face.
"Kira," Athrun's voice greeted him and Kira turned, facing the Orb Admiral. "Are you alright?" he asked, walking over to the brown-haired Coordinator.
Kira forced a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, Athrun. Thanks," he said, smiling warmly at his friend. "Where's Cagalli?"
"The bridge, with Lacus. We just received news from Terminal. The Eternal has launched, and they're on their way to Heliopolis," Athrun said. The other Coordinator nodded slowly, and Athrun realised that Kira was dead on his feet. His brows pulled together. Of course Kira was tired. Since Orb's battles, they both had split their duties from battling, to joining the rescue forces, to maintaining their mobile suits, to handling the Orb and ZAFT forces on their side as well as helping the Archangel... Though Kira had returned strangely late tonight, Athrun realised. "Oy, are you alright? You shouldn't push yourself too hard, Kira," he scolded lightly, turning to lead his old friend towards the Archangel's changing rooms.
Kira laughed lightly and shook his head. Three weeks had passed since the battle in Orb, and although they had engaged in numerous battles afterwards, Kira's wounds had healed fully and he knew that it was just the exhaustion that was showing on his face. Athrun, Kira knew, worried too much about everything. He allowed the blue-haired Coordinator to steer him to the changing room and he took off his blue pilot suit, dressing himself in his white ZAFT uniform again. As he buttoned the uniform, Athrun spoke, gaining Kira's attention again; "Yzak had been there when the Eternal launched. He was in PLANTs. His mother… His mother joined the Council under Yuri Amalfi after they tried to assassinate Lacus. Ezalia Joule. She used to be ZAFT's National Defence Committee Member during the last war," Athrun said absently, his side resting against the locker as he watched Kira.
Kira paused, understanding coming over him instantly. "Is he alright?"
Athrun shrugged, and nodded slowly. "Ah…" he said slowly, though Kira could see the pain in Athrun's eyes as he was reminded of his late father. Briefly, Athrun explained what had happened between Yzak and Ezalia and as Kira listened, his eyes grew darker, his fists slowly clenching together as all their suspicions were confirmed.
"I see… So we've been right all along. RENEGADE was never there to separate the Naturals and Coordinators. They're just there to get rid of the neutral countries…" Kira trailed off, clenching his jaws.
The other pilot nodded slowly. "It's really come down to this…"
C.E 79 Eurasian Federation – Destiny Gaia, Ultimate Freedom & Infinite Justice (Present Day)
GENERATION UNRESTRICTED NETWORK DRIVE ASSAULT MODULE
G.U.N.D.A.M ZAFT
"We're fighting alongside ZAFT this time. The Atlantic Federation sent their forces to ZAFT's Mahamul Base, and there are Eurasian resistance fighters there as well. Don't get your enemies mixed up," Miriallia said, her turquoise eyes sparkling with slight amusement. "They haven't received back-up forces from ZAFT to help with the attack yet," she informed.
"I get it," Shinn answered, his fingers flicking through the switches as his red eyes scanned the screen in front of him. He wasn't surprised that ZAFT hadn't sent in any forces to help the Earth Alliance in destroying its own base in Mahamul. They would only end up with casualties in defeating those that opposed them and wouldn't benefit with such an attack.
"Ehhh..? We're supposed to assist those that turned their backs against the Earth Alliance by fighting the same type of mobile suits?" Lunamaria asked, her face twisted and her brows furrowed as she tried to imagine such a confusing battle.
"It couldn't be helped," Miriallia answered sympathetically.
Shinn snorted and shook his head. "It's alright, Luna. Just keep your eyes open. You'll be able to recognise them easily," he reassured her.
Lunamaria relaxed, smiling slightly. "Thanks, Shinn."
"Preparing mobile suits for launch. Connecting APU. Catapult, connected. Freedom, standby. Systems, all green. Freedom, please launch!"
"Kira Yamato. Freedom. Launching!"
"Justice, please launch!"
"Athrun Zala. Justice. Launching!"
"Destiny, please launch!"
"Shinn Asuka. Destiny. Launching!"
Shinn activated the phase shift armour of his black and gold mobile suit and boosted his thrusters, launching from Archangel's hatch and bursting into the open air as soon as the red and white ship surfaced from the ocean. His radar could detect the battle from afar already and the Destiny transformed into its fighter-plane mobile armour form, immediately racing towards the tell-tale orange and red explosions in the sky. He vaguely registered Kira and Athrun's voices from the Freedom and Justice as they commanded the ZAFT and Orb fighters, launching straight into battle. With the Mahamul base located well within the mainland, the Vosgulov-class ZAFT submarines and the Orb carrier and battleships would be useless. Only the Archangel and the mobile suits would be leading the battle this time, and Shinn could already sense the danger. Being so close to Victoria, he could only hope that PLANTs would not send back-up forces for the Earth Alliance.
His blood-red eyes scanned the area as soon as he entered the battlefield, and his Destiny's radar detected the heat signals easily, identifying the different mobile suits engaged in battle. From the ZAFT Mahamul base, the one they would be protecting, a number of ZAKUs, GINNs, CGUEs, BABIs, BuCUEs and LaGOWEs were engaged in battle with Earth Alliance Windam, Dagger Moebius, Exus and Euclid units that came both from the Earth Alliance and the Eurasian resistance groups. Distinguishing which of the EA units were friend or foe was rather terrifying, and Shinn hoped that Luna would be alright. Shinn spotted EA Hannibal-class land battleships and ZAFT's Compton-class land battleships joining the battlefield, and gritted his teeth in frustration.
Equipped with his beam assault cannon, Shinn fired as soon as he came within firing range, the high-powered beam immediately cutting through the Earth Alliance mobile suits and the resistance fighters, allowing Kira and Athrun's units to place themselves in the middle, assisting with the battle. Missiles were deployed and the Ultimate Freedom fired, multiple beams shooting out from its armaments and creating a wonderful display of red and orange in the sky as they exploded. As the Archangel neared, Shinn could hear Lacus beginning to address the Earth Alliance attackers, but it was clear that her influence weren't as great on Naturals as they were to Coordinators.
"You..!" A familiar cry reached Shinn's ears and he instinctively dodged as the all-too-familiar Premium lashed down with its sword. Shinn could immediately spot the Renegade ship, as well as the four Gundams that began to join the attack. He glared at the blue and white mobile suit, taking note of her white flyer, and his hands gripped his controls tight.
This pilot… Shinn cursed aloud, the Destiny Gaia transforming into its mobile suit form and he immediately equipped both his beam sabers. Shinn laughed darkly. "You really don't know when to give up, do you? I'll take you down today. DON'T MESS WITH ME!" Shinn shouted, boosting his thrusters and lashing out, their swords clashing dangerously. He was really annoyed with this mobile suit, that had seemed to engage him with nearly every battle, and it was time to kill the annoying little mosquito.
.
"Kuso!" Kira cursed, his Freedom moving back as he avoided the Advocate's DRAGOONs, shooting them with his beam rifle. He clenched his teeth: the DRAGOONs were equipped with shield generators similar to the ones equipped on the DRAGOONs of the Destroy Gundam.
"Kira!" Athrun struck a DRAGOON unit, with his beam saber and locked his cannons onto the Advocate, firing and forcing it back.
"Don't interfere!" Genei shouted, deploying his missiles from his flyer at the same time as the Imperial.
The Freedom moved forwards, shielding the Justice from view and it locked onto the missiles, all armaments firing instantly. The missiles exploded between them, the smoke now thick clouds in the sky. Genei cried out in surprise as the crimson Justice blasted from the smoke in front of him, lashing out with his beam sabers, catching both his beam rifles which exploded between them.
Quickly, the Advocate deployed its DRAGOONs and the Zantetsuken fired its Hyper Impulse Cannon, forcing the Justice back. Athrun clenched his teeth as he moved just in time, the carry shield mounted on his left arm taking the impact of the cannon and exploding. He cried out slightly as his Justice was thrown back from the impact, but he maneouvered the mobile suit expertly, the cannons mounted on his shoulder locking onto the Zantetsuken and firing instantly.
A blue, white and gold mobile suit moved past the Justice in a blur as Kira activated the antimatter propulsion system, moving in front of Athrun to protect him, lashing out with his Strike sword, the blade clashing against the Apocalypse's sword as the dark red mobile suit activated its Voiture Lumiere propulsion system. It was a four-on-two battle, and Athrun clenched his teeth together as he moved his mobile suit, careful to be aware of his bearings with the four lethal fighters.
The Imperial fired its missiles again and Kira avoided, allowing Athrun to shoot them skilfully with his machine gun, the six mobile suits engulfed with red and orange explosions again. An alarm sounded from his right and Athrun turned, taking out his beam saber just in time to block the attack from the Advocate as their swords clashed. The blue-haired Coordinator gritted his teeth, lashing out with his beam saber, then moving back as the Advocate deployed his missiles. Athrun boosted his thrusters, taking two sharp turns to drive them off, and multiple shots were fired from the Freedom, the missiles exploding yet again. A loud alarm sounded from above and Athrun thrust himself back, nearly an inch too late, as a high-energy beam cannon shot was fired from above by the teal and orange Zantetsuken. Kuso… These guys…
.
The Premium moved back, switching its right sword for a boomerang blade, but Shinn had been ready. As soon as the mobile suit attempted the switch, Shinn lashed out with his beam saber, catching her directly and the boomerang exploded between them, sending her back. The pilot cried out in surprise as the mobile suit was thrown off-control and Shinn flipped, slamming his heel against her cockpit and sending the mobile suit to the ground, sending loud, powerful shockwave vibrations through the earth.
"Liesel!" An enemy pilot cried out, but Shinn ignored it. Disengaging his shield from his left arm, Shinn boosted his thrusters, crying out angrily as he brought down his beam saber, but the Premium was quicker, propelling itself away just in time to avoid the beam saber as it slammed onto the ground, sending dirt and dust shooting up from the attack. Shinn turned, the image of a crimson-coloured jewel exploding at the back of his mind and he threw his shield which struck her chest, sending her back. He could feel the power running through his nerves, his fingers tingling with the new sense of awareness and heightened reflexes. He will defeat her!
Shinn threw his boomerang, firing with his rifle as soon as the boomerang hit the cockpit, the two exploding in a bright red blast. She cried out again, her voice reaching him in his cockpit. As she was thrown back, Shinn used the opportunity to slam the heel of his Gundam against her again, sending her crashing down onto the earth. The cockpit was forced open from the multiple attacks and Shinn took out his rifle, ready to aim at the pilot, only to find himself frozen to the spot with his finger hovering above the trigger, his eyes wide and unblinking as he stared at the open cockpit.
He knew the pilot was a woman, of course. He had heard her voice many times. And he knew she wasn't a Natural. But this…
Shinn gasped for breath, trying to teach himself how to breathe again as his eyes widened at the sight before him. Her helmet had been forced off amidst the deliberate attacks he had done to her cockpit, revealing the one face he had never wanted to see in a mobile suit cockpit.
Stellar.
Shinn shook his head, his mobile suit halting and his hand shaking as he pointed the beam rifle at her. No… Impossible. Impossible! Stellar had died in Berlin, in his arms, her last words telling him that she loved him and he had put her to rest in the depths of the gentle water that she had always loved to gaze at. But he could recognise that face anywhere, and the golden-yellow hair surrounding her gentle face was unmistakeable. Shinn trembled, terrified, as she coughed and opened her eyes, revealing the same shade of beautiful pink-ish violet eyes that he had always loved. She looked around, panicked at the state of the Gundam's cockpit, and worked with the controls, forcing the machine to rise again.
"Shinn!" Athrun's voice was the only warning he received as the crimson mobile suit slammed against his, a high-energy beam shot catching his Destiny's leg as it missed his torso, then exploding and sending them both back. "What are you doing, Shinn?" Athrun shouted angrily, immediately firing towards the Zantetsuken with his beam rifles.
Shinn's head snapped up in surprise, his gaze fixed firmly on the rising Premium. The orange and teal Zantetsuken moved towards it, grabbing it firmly by the arm and pulling it away as it aimed its cannon towards them again. His eyes widened in horror as the beam cannons mounted on the Justice's shoulders locked onto the Zantetsuken and Premium, ready to fire.
"NO! STOP! STELLAR!" Shinn cried out, slamming his shoulder against the Justice, sending it away. Athrun cried out in surprise and the Zantetsuken fired, catching the crimson mobile suit's flyer pack which Athrun disengaged just in time before it exploded, sending him towards the ground. The flyer made an impact on the Zantetsuken and he heard the pilot crying out as the Hyper Impulse Cannon exploded along with the Justice's Fatum-01 sub-flighter backpack.
"Athrun!" Kira cried out, boosting his thrusters and moving towards the Justice, only to have the Apocalypse attack with its sword, the Voiture Lumiere propulsion system making him move like nothing but a blur. Kira activated his antimatter catalyst system and the Advocate fired its missiles and deployed its DRAGOONs, forcing the blue, white and gold mobile suit back. The Freedom turned sharply, turning and firing all its armaments at once, the missiles exploding between them in brilliant explosions as the two mobile suits forced the other Coordinator back.
The Zantetsuken boosted its thrusters, pulling the Premium along with it as it turned to head back towards the Renegade. Shinn's eyes widened and he boosted his thrusters, tears streaming down his face. "NO! STOP! STELLAR! STELLAR!"
Multiple alarms were issued in his cockpit, deafening and nearly overwhelming as Shinn chased after the two Gundams, his hand outstretched towards the blonde-haired pilot. "SHINN!" Athrun shouted. A mobile suit slammed against his back and an explosion sounded above him. Shinn turned sharply, his eyes widening as he took in the Justice whose legs had been blasted off by a round of missiles fired by the turquoise Imperial.
"You're annoying!" the Zantetsuken pilot shouted, releasing the Premium and, in one swift move, it grabbed the sword stored in the Premium's white flyer and thrust it down, penetrating the middle of the crimson mobile suit. Shinn watched, horrified, as the Infinite Justice exploded, sending him backwards, his back slamming hard against the hard ground.
"ATHRUUNN..!"
.
"Athrun! ATHRUN!" Cagalli screamed, terrified, her eyes wide as the crimson Justice moved and slammed itself against the Destiny, protecting it from the Imperial's missiles, only to have a sword thrust into the middle of the mobile suit by the furious Zantetsuken pilot. The Justice exploded, sending large pieces of debris and parts onto the ground below. Cagalli could barely hear her own voice as she screamed his name, again and again, frightened tears running down her face as her body shook.
She felt Lacus racing towards her, holding her upright and hushing her, unregistered soft words escaping her lips as she tried to calm the young princess, but Cagalli could not even register her own voice, let alone Lacus's. She felt her body resting against Lacus's, allowing herself to be embraced, as, still wide-eyed, she watched the battle.
"Murrue-san!" Sai turned and called out to the Captain, his eyes burning.
Murrue clenched her fists. She observed as the Renegade turned, its hatch opening as it waited for the two mobile suits to retreat: the teal and orange Zantetsuken as well as the blue and white Premium. If she was going to take action, it would need to be now.
"Thirty-five degrees port. Descend by ten degrees. Valiants, take aim! Be careful not to hit Kira. FIRE!"
.
"ATHRUN!" Kira shouted, horrified beyond belief, his hands shaking as he clenched his controls, watching as the Infinite Justice exploded right in front of him. The shock of the explosion halted the Advocate and Apocalypse for a moment, but that was all Kira needed. Angered, furious, terrified, he boosted his thrusters and escaped them, positioning his Ultimate Freedom between Shinn's Destiny and the Imperial. Shinn still hadn't moved, rooted to the spot. "KUSOOOO..! WHAT ARE YOU DOING, SHINN?" Kira shouted angrily, the two cannons mounted on his shoulders locking onto the Imperial, and he fired. It moved back, and at the same time, the Advocate and the Apocalypse raced towards them and Kira gritted his teeth. He locked all the armaments of the Freedom to the three Gundams, firing instantly, and at the same time, he registered the high-energy beam attacks from the Archangel - the Valiants, aimed between him and the three.
Kira breathed heavily, trying to contain his emotions. The Zantetsuken and the Premium had returned, and he could take on these three Gundams, at least to buy time until their power supply ran out. But he couldn't do it with Shinn's Destiny in the way. For some unknown reason, the black-haired Coordinator still couldn't bring his mobile suit to move.
"Kuso!" Kira cursed, boosting his thrusters and grasping the Destiny's arm firmly. "Lunamaria! Murrue-san! I'll leave him to you!" Kira shouted, and with one swift move, he swung the mobile suit towards the Archangel, registering Shinn's cry of surprise. At least the black-haired Coordinator was still conscious. "Keep him away if he can't fight!" Kira snapped.
"Kira!" A gold mobile suit, the Akatsuki, halted beside him, and Kira registered Mu's anxious voice from the cockpit of his mobile suit. "Let's go, Kira!" he commanded.
Kira nodded firmly, the image of a violet-coloured jewel exploding at the back of his mind. He equipped his Strike Sword, activating his antimatter propulsion system, and he boosted his thrusters, lashing out furiously while still carefully avoiding the Valiants of the Archangel as he battled.
.
"Commander Aiten!" Schellen Iyadomi, the Renegade's CIC called to the silver-haired masked man. "The Zantetsuken and the Premium has docked. Advocate, Apocalypse and Imperial will run out of power soon!"
"Leave them! This is the chance to take down the Freedom!" Tierra, the Zantetsuken's pilot, called out angrily from his mobile suit, now safe in the Renegade's hangar.
Carnell Toren, the Renegade's enemy detection and electronic warfare identification crew member, turned and rested her eyes on Daisuke. "The Earth Alliance forces are losing the battle! There's no back-up from Victoria!" she reported, her eyes widening. For the first time, they were losing a battle to overpower the small ZAFT base.
Daisuke pursed his lips, his brows pulled together as he assessed the situation. "Renegade will retreat," he decided finally.
"WHAT?" Captain Sethe Tienn lashed out with his hand, his blue eyes burning dangerously. "This is the chance to take the Freedom!"
"The position isn't beneficial to us," Daisuke snapped. "Remember that RENEGADE is a coalition of both Coordinators and Naturals. ZAFT hasn't sent us any back-up forces, so this is no longer our fight. And the Earth Alliance is losing. When the Premium is repaired and our mobile suits are working in full power, we can bring down the Freedom. The Justice has been taken down, and that is enough. For now, let us retreat," he commanded.
"What makes you think that we can win next time, Commander Aiten?" Sethe asked coldly.
Daisuke turned his masked face towards the Captain. "Didn't you see? That Destiny pilot seemed unable in attacking Liesel."
Sethe clenched his fists. He believed that Daisuke was a coward, but as Carnell turned and reported again, he knew also that he shouldn't let his hatred win for now. The time would come. Besides, he would feel much better if Kira Yamato were to die in his hands. "Signal flares! The Renegadei will retreat!" he commanded.
Author's Notes: Another interesting twist to the story, I fancy, but let it be reminded that the pairing for this fic is Shinn/Lunamaria. :D I somewhat read in Gundam Wiki that the writer for the still-undecided Gundam SEED movie wanted to have Stellar in post-GSD in some way, and this is my interpretation of what that might have meant. Anyway, I seem to have run out of reviewers after Kira's epic entry. :'( I hope you're all still reading! I'll finish this fic regardless, but it'd be nice to gain more feedback and know I have readers out there. Next update is predicted to happen some time around the 17th September.
My thanks goes to AngelicFox12 and Magus-15IchiGo who reviewed the previous chapter (and those before it!) as well as those who alert-ed, favourite-d and read the fic! The review link is below, right in the middle. Click and give me your two cents? Please? Tune in for the next update!
AngelicFox12: I thank you for being such a loyal reviewer, AngelicFox. XD I think I'm beginning to somewhat get the hang of writing the battle scenes because this one is a little easier to write than the last one. I can't believe how long this fic has turned out. O.o Out of curiosity, as one who has read up until this point, did it ever occur to you that the last scene would have happened?
Magus-15IchiGo: Thanks for your review! :D They're always so encouraging, and I'm really glad you're still reading. Arigato gozaimas! I hope you liked this one as well. :D