A/N: Sorry about the long hiatus, but real life caught up. I hope to be posting more regularly now that I have the text back in my possession. Here comes the battle before the arrival at Artemis. Thanks to EmperorDraco7 for beta reading.

Standard Disclaimers apply.

Chapter Five:

Phase Shift Down

Archangel:

Miguel's machine was placed on the catapult and he finished his preparations for launch. Roxy appeared and said, "You're clear for launch Miguel." Miguel nodded and said, "Okay. Miguel Aiman, Launching." With that his machine was forced out into space. Kira looked at the camera screen waiting for his orders to launch. "Kira go ahead and launch," Roxy said. Kira nodded. "Right," he said. "Kira Yamato, Strike heading out." The Strike was launched and took formation next to the orange GINN. The two prepared to enter battle with the enemy.

With Mu:

Mu started off towards the Vesalius, using the debris field to cover his heat and keep out of sight.

Vesalius:

Athrun, Nicol, Dearka, Yzak, and Eric were all prepping their machines for battle. The Aegis and Black Hawk were put on the catapults and launched. They were followed by the Duel and the Buster. Last to launch was Nicol in the Blitz. Yzak said, "Let's destroy this ship and head home." Athrun and the others nodded. Athrun said, "For Rusty, Miguel and the others." They took off towards the Archangel.

Elsewhere in the debris field:

Ryan was sitting in his machine watching for the enemy machines to come by. He noticed them fly by without noticing him. He activated Mirage Colloid and his machine disappeared from sight. He raised his rifle and was attempting to lock on and watch the battle from a distance. The targeting computer was working quickly as he typed in some of the modifications for his radar system.

Archangel:

"Enemy silhouettes on screen, Ma'am," Roxy said, "They are confirmed to be the Aegis, Black Hawk, Blitz, Buster and the Duel." Murrue nodded and said, "Prepare for anti-mobile suit battle."

Near the Archangel:

Kira pulled out his beam saber and prepared to engage the enemy machines. Miguel closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I have to remember they are now the enemy," he whispered to himself. He drew his beam rifle and prepared to engage.

Near The Vesalius:

Mu was almost to his target. He hoped he made in time to stop the Vesalius in its tracks.

Battlefield:

The Buster aimed its shotgun at the Orange GINN and Dearka said, "How dare you defile Miguel's memory you filthy natural." Miguel deftly dodged the attack and fired at the Duel and stopped Yzak in his tracks. Yzak muttered, "Bastard you were supposed to focus on Dearka." Miguel dropped back a little bit and fired the beam rifle at the Buster as well.

Kira parried a strike from the Aegis and dodged a shot from the Blitz. He swung his beam saber at the Aegis and kept a close eye on the Blitz. The Black Hawk started for the Archangel when a beam glanced off the shoulder of his machine. "What the Hell," he said, "Where did that come from?" He turned his machine as he was struck by two more successive shots. "Sniper in the area, guys be careful," He shouted.

Ryan laughed as the Black Hawk looked around for him. Eric grit his teeth and cursed as his plan was stopped dead in its tracks. He decided to take his frustrations out on the Strike. He charged forward, but was forced to stop as his right leg was almost hit with another sniper round. He saw the direction it came from and started charging towards the area.

Black smiled as he slowly moved behind an asteroid. Torrico moved into the spot where the Shadow had been. Suddenly he was hit in the back with a well-placed shot and his right arm hung useless. "Guys I can't use my right arm anymore. I am going to drop back and provide covering fire." He dropped back to a distance close enough to enter the battle if he had too.

Yzak grit his teeth as he was trying to deal with the Aiman custom GINN. "Dearka this guy is good. Let's attack him from both sides." They broke off and charged at him from both sides. Miguel smiled and deftly dodged Dearka's shots and parried the blow from Yzak.

Kira was struggling to hold off both the Aegis and the Blitz. His power supply was dropping critically low. He parried two more attacks from both the Aegis and the Blitz. "Nicol get the ship," Athrun said. Nicol backed off and activated his Mirage Colloid. He started towards the Archangel. Athrun resumed attacking the Strike. Kira was trying his best to defend himself, but he couldn't keep up. Suddenly the strike turned a dull gray color as he ran out of power. Ryan started firing several round bursts towards the Blitz's direction and suddenly the Blitz reappeared. "Miguel protect the Strike."

Miguel started to move towards the Strike when the Aegis grabbed the machine in mobile armor mode and started forcing it towards the Vesalius. "Kira I am taking you to ZAFT where you belong," Athrun said. Kira shouted, "I don't want to go to ZAFT my friends are on that ship and I am only fighting to protect them. Why can't you understand that and just leave us alone." Suddenly a shot from out of nowhere knocked the Aegis away from the Strike and the Moebius Zero came into view. "Yeehaw," yelled Mu. "Kira you okay? Archangel send out the Agni Strike Pack." Suddenly Kira was pushed into the path of the catapult by Ryan with his mirage colloid still activated.

Kira changed packs and powered up again. He started to fire at the enemy machines. Yzak and the rest started dodging. "Let's go guys. The Vesalius was hit. Let's return to the ship," Eric said.

Aboard the Archangel:

Mu and Miguel landed and climbed out of their machines. Miguel went and changed into his uniform. Mu walked over to where Ryan would be landing.

Kira landed his machine and gripped the controls tightly and breathing heavily. He couldn't move to get out.

Ryan landed and placed the Shadow in its spot and climbed out. He stood there for a moment taking a breather. "You still have it, ShadowWolf," Mu complimented. "Thanks Mu. How's the kid," he asked? Mu looked at the Strike and said, "I haven't checked yet." Ryan nodded and said, "Come on. Let's make sure he is okay." Mu nodded and they walked over. Murdoch was banging on the hatch and said, "Come on Kid, get out." Mu said, "What is going on?" "Kid refuses to move," Murdoch replied. Ryan shook his head, "Mu you handle this. I have to go shower and change." Mu nodded. He opened the hatch as Ryan walked away.

"Kira are you okay," he asked? Kira kept breathing heavily. Mu placed a hand on his shoulder and Kira snapped out of it. "Huh, I am okay," he lied. His hands were shaking on the controls and he continued to look at his feet. Mu said, "Let's eat, it will help you calm down." Kira nodded and shakily stood up and climbed out. They went and changed.

A/N: I decided to stop the chapter here because I started writing the scene with Ryan and Roxy. It got too long. So I decided to end it here. I hope you all enjoyed it.