Authors Notes

Sorry for this long wait a lot of shit happened and I promise there will be some action in the next chapter. Sightbent also helped a lot when he edited half of the chapter for me thank you
very much for that again.

As Heero and Zechs followed the ship through the atmosphere the new mobile suit in free fall was able to right itself, and somehow managed to land itself atop the Archangels hanger. After it landed the two took note that it starting to lose its color, a fact which both of the Gundam pilots would inquire about later.

Flipping his communication on, Heero stated, "Zechs, it seems like we're heading towards Africa."

"I can see that Heero. What I want is…" However before Zechs could finish his statement Heero interrupted him, saying the ship they are following had landed in between some sand dune, and was trying to get into contact with them on emergency broadcast channels.

"I repeat, my name is Murrue Ramius, I am the acting captain of the Archangel and I'm requesting to speak to one of the two mobile suit pilots."

"You can talk to them Milliardo, you have better skills at that than I do," Heero said with a little crack of a smile spreading across his face.

Zechs turned on his communication screen, broadcasting his face and answered to the captain's request. "This is Zechs Merquise, pilot of the mobile suit OZ-13MS Epyon."

What everyone on the bridge saw displayed on the forward screen shocked them. The image of Zechs, his long blond hair and piercing light blue eyes, were more striking than they had expected from a pilot. Once Murrue was able to shake herself from her shock she finally found the words to respond. "Why don't we talk in person Mr. Merquise? That way we'll have a little more privacy, so I can tell you what I know about your situation."

"That'll be fine. However, I do request that it be done outside. That way your ship can still watch us along with my companion in the other suit. That way, no one will try to take advantage of the situation," Zechs stated, hoping she saw the reason behind his suggestion.

"That is acceptable. My only request that you also come unarmed," Murrue stated.

XXX

Inside of the Archangel Kira was rushed to medical bay after falling out of his suit due to his high fever. After the doctors examination he came to the conclusion that he would be fine after some rest. Once he was finished the doctor left the medical bay to get something to eat in the mess hall, leaving Flay to watch over Kira. While she watched his fevered sleep she tried to decide what method was best for her to get her revenge. Her thoughts were between choices. "I could get him wrapped around my finger and have him die fighting to protect me, while fighting against his own kind… or I could just out right kill him now."

XXX

On the other side of the ship Murrue was starting to make her way outside to speak with Zechs; however, both Natarle and Mu were making their opinion known that she was making a mistake.

"Why can't you understand, Murrue? If you do this they'll be in a position either kill you or take you captive," Mu said, stressing the word captive so she'd give it more consideration.

"For once I have to agree with Lieutenant Flaga here," Natarle stated. "Think about it Ramius Tai-Cho. What if they are coordinators, or they just want to take over this ship with you as their hostage, or just out right kill you, then us?"

"Listen, both of you. I know and understand what you two are trying to say; however, there is something that both of you need to know. The reason why I agreed to this is that the mobile suits they're piloting are the reason we have the G-Units in the first place. Now if you will excuse me, I need to talk to them. Oh please tell Murdoch to fix the giant hole we have in the back of the ship."

Leaving, Murrue left Mu and Natarle standing there with both of their faces frozen in surprise.

XXX

As Murrue Ramius made her way out of the Archangel she found Zechs waiting about fifty yards away from the ship with Heero waiting inside the Wing Zero. It took a bit of work to make it the short distance across the desert sand, but despite her struggle to stay upright on the shifting surface she greeted Zechs with as much grace as an officer as she could.

"Hello there Miss Ramius, it's a pleasure to meet you in person," Zechs greeted her in a friendly tone coupled with a small bow.

Murrue was so taken aback by how he acted that all she could manage was a simply bow before she moved right into her explanation. "The pleasure is mine as well Mr. Merquise. Now I know you have questions, and…" however before she could continue the wind started to pick up. Slowly at first, but it kept increasing with each passing second. Faced with the abrasive wind Murrue considered the idea that it would be best not to get caught in when it got worse, so she decided to invite them aboard the Archangel to continue their talk. "I know that the both of you do not trust me, and I am inclined to do the same with you two; however, I know none of us want to get stuck outside in this. So why don't we continue this inside of my ship?"

Zechs looked at her for a few seconds, trying to see if there were any other motives behind her suggestion, but he was unable to find any. "I would be delighted to join you as long as we can bring our suits aboard, but be aware that our suits self-detention devices will be armed. That way if any of you try to cross us or try to take our suits, you will die as well."

Murrue's eyes fought to grow wide enough to express her complete shock, but the act proved too difficult in the sand soaked gales blowing into her face. They were willing to go to unbelievable extremes to make sure no one was able to get their hands on their suits. However, staring wide-eyed at the man couldn't help her wrap her mind around why they were so protective of the two mobile suits, so abandoning trying to understand their motives she finally spoke up, "That… is fine… Now let's head inside before it gets any worse out here."

As Murrue started walking back to the Archangel to tell them to open the hanger doors for the two suits Zechs went back to his suit.

When Zechs got back in the pilot seat he opened a line to Heero. "Heero we are heading inside of the ship to continue this discussion you will be with me. However before we get out of our suits we are going to arm the self-detonation devices."

"Mine is already armed for anyone who tries to open the cockpit without passcode first Zechs. Zero will never fall into someone else's hands I will make sure of that."

XXX

Over at the Gibraltar base Yzak and Dearka had just landed. Yzak was fuming not only did the Strike get away, but some new suit which he had never seen before had protected a bunch of cowardly soldiers running from a battle.

"I CANT BELIEVE THE STRIKE GOT AWAY!" screamed Yzak while almost punching a hole through his locker.

"Calm down Yzak we can get the Strike later, but what I want to know where the hell that red suit came from."

"You and me both Dearka, when it showed up I scanned to see what the alliance had brought to the fight; however, all I got was everything saying unknown like the alliance doesn't even know what they built."

"Well they are Naturals." Dearka said. "However I don't think they were that idiotic if they built the thing. I bet Orb built them for themselves, and never got to program any info in for the Alliance."

Before anyone could say another word the base commander ordered for Yzak and Dearka to come to the communications room to speak with Rau Le Creuset about their orders.

When they arrived they saw Rau waiting for them, and before anyone could say or do anything Rau stated saying "Your team mates will be joining you in a few days. When they arrive you are to attack the legged ship if they make it out of Waltfeld's area of Africa. Also…"

XXX

As the sand storm started picking up Waltfeld and his lieutenant Martin arrived atop of a sand dune overlooking where the Archangel landed. Waltfeld was in deep thought about how the legged ship was lucky enough to get away from everything that ZAFT has thrown at them, and now there are rumors about two new suits that the G-Units has information on them but they only had height and weight among a few other things.

"So Sir what are we going to do about the legged ship?"

"Don't know yet Martin. The only thing we have to go on is that they do have control of the Strike, and that it can change its weapons during battle, and that it has been able to hold off everything we have thrown at it. Then there are some new rumors going around about a new suit that one of Creuset members saw, and some images of another one that followed the legged ship down through the atmosphere."

"Well with this sandstorm raging we are left in the dark about what they are doing, but they are also in the same boat as we are Commander Waltfeld. So what are your orders?"

"I want as many BuCUE's, attack choppers along with the Lesseps to be on standby and ready to attack after the sandstorm is over."

XXX

A few minutes before Waltfeld showed up Zechs and Heero just got done loading their suits inside of the now Identified ship call Archangel. Down inside of the hanger Murrue, Natarle, and Mu was waiting for the pilots to power down their suits and step out of the machines. After a minute the cockpits opened up reviling the one who introduced himself as Zechs. While in the other suit was a teenage boy with dark brown hair with eyes the color of a deep ocean blue.

XXX

A minute before they opened their cockpit up. The two people inside of the cockpits of the two machines they were discussing what measures they were going to use to make sure no one tried to take their machines.

"Hey Zechs don't forget to lock down you're your cockpit once you get out. We don't need someone trying to find out what these suits can do, or try piloting them."

"I know that Heero you're making it sound like I am fresh out of flight school." Zechs said shaking his head in disbelieve.

XXX

As the two pilots lowered themselves they looked around and noticed that one of the suits they saw in space didn't have any color and was a dull gray of a color. As their feet hit the floor they walked over to Murrue, and her company of officers along with some security personal.

"Welcome aboard the Archangel which is the first of her kind in the Earth Alliance Military." Murrue said happily welcoming the two pilots.

"It is an honor to be here. Now I hate to cut these introductions short, but I am sure you have questions." However before Zechs could continue Mu interrupted him by asking "How come your two suits haven't been powered down, and who is your friend next to you?"

Before Zechs could answer Herro started speaking by saying. "My name is Heero Yuy pilot of the Gundam XXXG-00W0 Wing Zero, and our suits are powered down; however, we have armed the self-detonation devices. If anyone of you tries to take our suits or try to take information from them they will be responsible for killing everyone here."

Everyone within hearing distance was shaken to their very core to hear that they would go that far to keep their suits in the passion along with whatever information they might contain. Natarle was about to say something but Murrue stopped her by saying "That is fine. Now let's go somewhere more private to discuss certain things."

"Let's get this under way then." Zechs said in a polite manner.

After a few minutes Murrue, Mu, Natarle, Zechs, and Heero arrived at a conference room. After they all got seated Murrue spoke up "Now since we don't know much about you; however we do know when you arrived above the Earth from the report I have right here. After you get done we will try and answer any questions you two might have."

Murrue handed over the file that the previous captain had gotten from the old director of the Morgenroete which belongs to orb, and reminded them this is not a official record.

Heero and Zechs looked over the file the first one stated. 'July 8th year C.E. 71 I was outside in the country side of orb where I was enjoying the day. However when I looked up towards the sky a blinding light caught my eye. Within a couple of hours I already had a team together consisting of the brightest minds that naturals and coordinators within orb including my daughter in-law Erica Simmons. We arrived to find large amounts of debris everywhere, and once we started to look around we found it to be from an unknown origin. Once we got further inside of the field of destruction we two suits, and the only thing any of us could say at the point was extraordinary. It took us quite a few hours to load the suits, and to me they just emanated power. We used what information we could get to create the G-Units for the Alliance. My daughter in-laws report follows after this page.' Signed Robert W. Simmons

"Well at least we know what date we arrived here." Heero said.

"Indeed Heero. What is todays date Miss Ramius?"

"It is February 14th."

"So we were somewhat asleep for 7 months. That now explains the stiffness we experienced." Zechs said in a somewhat quiet tone.

Heero was already looking at the next document. 'July 8th after we got the new machines on board I was asked to find out if the pilots were still alive. Once we were able to identify that there were pilots inside of the machines, but were somehow in a cryogenic sleep. After I told my father in-law he ordered me to locate and open the cockpits. It took me close to a hour to find both of the cockpits, and once located I tried to open them. However every time I got close it seemed to be rewritten so no one could gain entry except for the pilots, and to be honest it started to make me mad. We even tried using our most powerful lasers to cut them open but it didn't even leave a scratch on the unknown metal. Eventually I was able to hack into one of the systems but even that seemed to be changed and rewritten before my eyes. We were able to gain a little information that helped my father in-law build something's for the Alliance which I disagree with. He should have listened to Mr. Athha I knew this would end up biting us in the ass.'

Zechs and Heero were impressed that someone was able to gain access to even one of their systems. Zechs started to look up and put the files away and said "That answers some questions." Murrue and the others look relieved to hear that. "However that doesn't mean we trust you we want the history that has happened for the past 20 years. Then we will see if we will fight for you or leave, but before that are there any questions you want to ask?"

Murrue wasn't shocked to hear they still didn't trust them, but at least they were willing to answer some questions. "Are you a threat to my crew, and if it comes down to it will you help us?"

"No we are not a threat we don't hurt or kill for the fun of it. We only fight to defend ourselves. Now for your other question we don't know yet we need more information."

"Understandable we will leave you two alone here to read over the history of the last 20 years; however, there will be a guard posted outside." After the others left Heero and Zechs looked over the information they were given, and both were disgusted with what the Alliance did. The Saint Valentines incident was a nuclear attack on a civilian colony which was only producing food for others.

Zechs just held his head looking over everything the Alliance and what ZAFT has done. "Heero both of these factions are worse than OZ and the Earths Alliance."

"I agree with you Zechs. This is almost what happened with our original mission Operation Meteor. Expect for the Earth being the target it was the people of space."

Zechs could only nod in an agreement. "Neither of them are in the right, and both extremist's parties are high in the military to take charge like it is with ZAFT. While the Alliance extremist is in charge of the military which means the alliance would never stop till they accomplish their goals."

XXX

About a midnight Kira finally woke up to see Flay watching over him.

"Kira your finally awake I am so glad. We thought you were going to be out much longer, but it seems we were wrong." Flay said happily

Kira looked up to hear seeing her smile made him happy then he remembered what happened when he was fighting the Duel up in space. "Flay where is Ramius Tai-Cho?"

"I believe is down in the hanger bay looking over two suits that are responsible for the creation of the suit you pilot and protect and everyone." Flay said with a smile but her thoughts were far darker 'Yes I will get you to fight your own kind till you die for letting my father die you coordinator scum.'

"Thanks Flay you're a good friend." As Kira got up struggling to keep on his feet as soon as he reached the door flay grabbed his arm and kissed him.

XXX

Down in the hanger bay everyone couldn't help but stare at the two new suits, and wanted nothing more than to look at the machines weapons and capabilities. However because of what that Heero person said stopped them from trying anything like that. Kira finally was able to make it to the hanger after Flay got done kissing him saying see will see him later. After looking around he Saw Murrue looking up at two different suits one of which he saw save the shuttle, and wondered why they still had their color he would ask the captain about it later.

Kira was about to yell out to the captain when he noticed someone run up to her. After a few seconds he noticed her starting to leave and decided to wait for her to come up to talk to her. Once she started walking towards where the new pilots are she noticed Kira was waiting for her.

"Kira I am glad to see you're awake. So what are you doing waiting down here for? You should be resting."

"I heard that the one who saved the shuttle that I couldn't get to in time was here."

"Yes he is along with his friend that pilots the other suit. He called it Wing Zero, and I am on my way to go see them right now they just got down looking some things over."

"Do you mind if I meet them also?" Kira asked with a hopeful look in his eyes.

"No I don't mind at all Kira."

As the two of them made their way to the conference room where Heero and Zechs was in they both saw Natarle, and Mu waiting for them at the entrance. As Murrue nodded to both of them they went inside to see both of them setting looking over a computer.

Murrue looked at them and wondered if they would help them or not. "So have you two decided to help us, and do you have any other questions?"

Zechs just looked up with a cold stare and asked "What do you all think of coordinators as a whole?"

Everyone was shocked to hear that as his first question, but none of them hated the coordinators. Trust though was another question all together. Natarle spoke up "No none of us hate them, and even though he is in the room I find it a mistake to let him pilot the suit we have."

Murrue was disappointed and furious at the same time he has protected everyone one this ship. "Lieutenant that is out of line he has protected everyone here." Before she could say another word Zechs spoke up interrupting her "Well we have come to a decision then." He let his words linger a few seconds before continuing "We will help out till we get near the country of Orb, but after that you are all one your own."

XXX

"Commander Waltfeld the Lesseps is awaiting your order to attack."

"Good Martin we will attack them tomorrow as test of sorts. I will wait to attack them to see if they can fend of this attack."

XXXXXXX