Yo! I'm a little late because of school and work. But this chapter's done now.

One thing, I have a bunch of ideas for this story and it's Destiny sequel. But I'm not quite sure about them. I'd really appreciate it if someone willing to hear them out and give me some feedback. It would mean that the person who helps me out will receive some major spoilers. But I'd be willing to hear out an suggestions or OCs you have.

And the mobile suit page has been updated with new MS.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OCs

Phase Six: Respective Solitudes

Archangel Hanger

January 26 C.E. 71

Chris breathed a sigh of relief as he shut down the Raven. Fighting in that enclosed space had been difficult to say the least. Not to mention that the whole base was falling apart all around them. It was a miracle that they had managed to escape at all.

He glanced at Flay. The girl was quite pale and seemed to be in a daze. He didn't blame her. He had been pretty much the same after his first battle. He remembered that feeling of scared, yet exhilarated after his first battle. But that fear he had felt his first time was gone. Which left him with a lingering thought.

'Have I truly gotten that use to battle already?'

"Are you alright Flay?" he asked.

Flay blinked a few times. "Huh? Oh sorry. I'll be fine." she said, a slight tremor in voice.

"That's good. Sai would probably try to kill me if something happened to you."

"Is that what a battle is like?" Flay suddenly asked, in a quiet voice.

Chris paused for a moment, unsure of what to say. "From what I've experienced, yes."

"How can you just go into battle like that? How can anyone go into battle?"

"I don't know. I'm not fighting battles. I'm just trying to protect the few important people I have left." Chris replied. "That's I've ever been doing since I first used the Raven."

"Few important people you have left?"

Chris closed his eyes for a moment. "That's something I do not wish to talk about. So please, respect my privacy."

Chris opened up the cockpit and stepped out as Kira did the same.

"Hey kids!" Mu shouted from hanger floor. "That was some impressive fighting back there!"

Chris smiled. "Thanks!" he shouted back.

At that moment, Flay stepped out of the cockpit.

"Miss Alster?!" a very surprised Mu shouted. "What are you doing in the cockpit?!"

"It's a long story!" Chris shouted back.

He turned to Flay. "Do you need a hand getting down?"

"Ah...Sure."

Chris wrapped an arm around Flay and then pushed off the edge of the cockpit hatch, sending them floating down to the hanger floor. When reached the floor, he let go of Flay. "There you good. You better go find Sai, I imagine he's very worried about you right now."

"Thank you." Flay said before leaving the hanger.

"So, is she your girlfriend?" Mu asked.

"What?!" he shouted, slightly blushing, he hoped from embarrassment. "No. Flay isn't my girlfriend. She's arranged to marry Sai. And I'm not kinda person that breaks a couple up like that for his own selfish reasons."

"Well anyway, I'm impressed that you managed to hold your own against members of ZAFT's 11th Fleet." Mu said.

"The 11th Fleet...I've never heard of them." Kira said.

"Nor have I." Chris said.

C'mon. Seriously?" Mu said, surprised by their reaction. "The 11th Fleet are those elite aces that ZAFT propaganda is always talking about and showing off. And for good reason too. They're the most dominate force in space and they've been a real nightmare for us."

"Really?" Kira asked. "Are they that strong?"

"Yeah. They've beaten the Earth Forces numerous time before. I've fought them several times before and I've only managed to shoot down one of them. Though I did dueled their original commander to a draw once."

Flashback

Battle of Endymion Crater

May 28 C.E. 70

Mu cursed as he pulled his Moebius Zero into a sharp left turn, dodging a burst of rounds from a black and white GINN.

"Of all the pilots I could have encountered, I end up coming face to face with the Black Hawk." he said, dodging more rounds.

Mu knew he was in serious trouble. He had managed to shoot down five GINNs earlier in the battle. One of them being a dark purple GINN of the 11th Fleet, but that GINN taken out two of his gunbarrels. And he was running low on ammo. And worse of all, he knew that his Zero was slower than the GINN. The Hawk was playing with him. He could catch up with him in an instant and finish him off. There was no way Mu could outrun him.

'Wait. Maybe I don't need to outrun him.' he thought. 'This is crazy. But it might just work.'

Mu suddenly cut his speed, stopping dead. His sudden stop caught the Black Hawk offguard, causing him to veer up and over him rather than stopping. Leaving him in the middle of Mu's sights. Mu deployed his gunbarrels and fired. He fired off a few rounds before an alarm sounded in his cockpit. He was out of ammo and the GINN had barely managed to evade the few he did fire.

The GINN spun around and squeezed the trigger of it's rifle. But nothing happened. The GINN stood there for a moment. They were both out of ammo. But Mu knew he was still in danger. Zero was defenseless while the GINN still had it's sword.

Suddenly, to Mu's surprise, the GINN's left arm reached up and saluted him. Before the GINN took off. Leaving him surprised and relieved.

"I don't know. That sounds more like he chose to withdraw and spare you're life rather than the two of you fighting to a draw." Chris said.

"I have to agree with him, Lieutenant La Flaga."

"Hey."

Shuttle to Aprilius One

January 28 C.E. 71

The door to the shuttle passenger compartment opened. Revealing only two people. Athrun's father, Patrick Zala, and a young man that Athrun had never seen before.

Both Athrun and Commander Creuset saluted as they entered the compartment.

"National Defense Chairman Zala, we hope you will permit us to accompany you."

The young man returned the salute while Patrick simply waved them off. "No need for formalities."

Athrun glanced at the young man sitting behind his father. He looked around Athrun's age and was clad in the red coat of a ZAFT ace. He had gray eyes and his black hair was cut in a standard military style. He looked rather bored.

"Ah Zane, I trust your assignment was a success." Rau said as he took his seat.

"Yes sir. Everything has been taken care of." Zane replied.

"Excellent." Rau said with a grin. "Athrun, I don't believe you've met my protege yet. Athrun Zala, this is Zane Scirocco. He'll be joining us once the Vesalius is repaired and the matter of Heliopolis's destruction is cleared up with the Council."

"Hello." the two politely said to each other as they shook hands.

"You never saw me on this shuttle. Am I clear Athrun?"

"Yes. I understand. It's been awhile, Father." he answered, taking his seat behind Commander Creuset.

"Needless to say, I agree with your opinion report. The problem is the fact that they've developed such advanced mobile suits. We'll forget all about the pilots. I went ahead and deleted that from the report."

Athrun stared at his father in surprise. Concealing more important from the Council like that, had to be illegal.

To Athrun's further surprise, Creuset said, "Thank you very much sir. I was confident that you would make that decision."

"Just think of the reaction if we told them that those machines were being piloted by Coordinators. It would only give the moderate faction something unnecessary to argue about."

"Wouldn't you also find it difficult to have your friend be referred to as someone who has sided to the Earth Forces, due to the report?" Commander Creuset asked.

"No, but..."

"The Naturals created a mobile suit that can perform that well even with a Natural piloting it." his father said. "So that's what we're reporting. Understand?"

"Yes..."

"We must be more serious about this. Rau, I should be able to get you command of the task force that will be hunting the legged ship. It will consist of the Vesalius, the Gamow and the 11th Fleet." Athrun's father said.

Creuset smirked. "Commander Kessel won't like that."

"No. She won't." Patrick replied. "But she will just have to deal with."

"It doesn't matter in the end. We will deal with the ship and those mobile suits." Zane said. "All traitors deserve only one thing. Death."

PLANT Supreme Council

Aprilius One

Thirty Minutes Later

"I believe you can understand from the course of events you just saw that our actions were not intended as an attack on Heliopolis itself but the result of collateral damage and that the Earth Forces were at fault for the collapse. That concludes my report. Thank you for your attention." Rau said, saluting the Supreme Council before taking his seat again.

"So Orb was working with the Earth Forces all along." Council Member Orson White said. "They're the ones who violated the treaty."

"Aren't you being a little premature." Ian Kessel said. "Orb is more than able to design and build mobile suits and warships."

"But not to design and build mobile suits with the Earth Forces." Ezalia Joule said.

"Ah...But Orb didn't design those machines. Morgenroete did." Ian said. "And last time I checked, Morgenroete was a company, not a country. As such, could do what they please."

"But Morgenroete is a corporation of Orb." Ezalia argued.

"Yes. But Morgenroete is an independent company and is not the Orb government. And we have a treaty with the Orb government, not Morgenroete."

"This only further illustrates that those living on Earth cannot be trusted." Herman Gould said.

"Trusted? How arrogant is it to believe that we are the only trustworthy ones." Kessel said.

"However, Commander Le Creuset, are these prototype mobile suits wroth all of the sacrifices that have been made by our forces?" Patrick Zala asked, interrupting their argument.

Rau Le Creuset stood up again. "To explain the new mobile suits and their capabilities to you, I have one of our pilots with me, who has not only piloted one of the new machines and fought against the two machines that have remained with the enemy. Athrun Zala. He will give you the report on these new mobile suits. With your permission of course."

"I will allow Athrun Zala to present his report." Siegal Clyne said.

Athrun saluted and approached the council. The display screens in the council's tables came to life, showing the first of the new machines, the Aegis.

"First, this machine is known as the GAT-X303 'Aegis'. One major characteristic is it's ability to transform. Due to it's frame structure, it is fundamentally different from five of the other machines, this allows the machine to transform into a mobile armor. Upon transformation, it's equipped with the powerful 580-millimeter dual-phase energy cannon called Scylla. Along with the other machines, it comes with an armor system called Phase-Shift Armor, which has yet to be tested in actual battle. At present, we are reprogramming the OS to bring out it's maximum potential. And based on the specs of the machine, it is believed that these mobile suits are superior, both in technology and power, to ZAFT's main weapon, the GINN."

The Duel appeared, one of it's beam sabers drawn.

"GAT-X102, 'Duel'. This machine was developed with close-range combat in mind and has a wide range of uses. It's believed to the basis of the development of the other machines. Like the others, it has anti-air system 'Igelstellungs'. The machine also has a beam saber and an anti-beam shield.

Next, the Buster appeared, firing it's powerful cannon.

"GAT-X103, 'Buster'. This machines was designed with long-range artillery attacks in mind. It is believed that this machine was built to provide fire support from the rear and sniper attacks. It is not equipped with a shield, however it has a 350-millimeter gun launcher that uses attachments to become an ultrahigh-impulse long-range sniper rifle or an anti-armor shotgun."

Then the Blitz appeared. It raised it's arm and fired off it's missiles.

"GAT-X207, 'Blitz'. This one has a special feature called Mirage Colloid. Where by gas particles are released over the armor's surface, turning this machine virtually invisible to enemy eyes. This makes it effective for search and destroy missions. However, when this system is activated, it is unable to use it's Phase-Shift Armor System. It's believed that this machine was developed for blitzkrieg warfare. It is also equipped with it's own weapons, Trikeros and Gleipnir."

The images on the screens changed to images of the Surge racing into battle.

"GAT-X204 'Surge'. This machine is not only the sister unit to the Blitz, but is also the fastest of all the mobile suits from Heliopolis. In fact, it's maximum speed is faster than any of the current ZAFT mobile suits. The drawback however, is that repeated uses of it's high-speed capabilities rapidly drain it's battery. We believe that it was designed specifically as a counter to the high-speed mobile suits of the 11th Autonomous Mobile Fleet. It's primary weapons are a 55mm beam rifle, a pair of anti-armor swords and the "Hakenfaust" triple claw weapon."

The screens now displayed the Raven, firing off the twin barrels of it's railgun.

"Now the two that got away. First, the GAT-X305 'Raven'. Like the Aegis, this machine is able to transform into a fighter-like mobile armor. It's mobile armor form also appears to be able to double as a flight platform for other machines. It's primary weapon is the dual 52mm hyper velocity railgun with a shield attachment. It's main weapons in it's mobile armor mode is a pair of 76mm machineguns and the Ahura Mazda beam weapons mounted in the feet of the mobile armor. We suspect this machine was designed primary for atmospheric and space combat.

The screens changed to the final new machine, the Strike. Launching from the legged ship.

"Finally, the GAT-X105, Strike. From what we know, it is a machine capable of various types of combat. It's design allows this model to switch between a number of different weapon packs, named Launcher, Sword and Aile. From what we can tell, the Launcher has a 320-millimeter ultrahigh-impulse cannon. Our assumption is that it also has a 120-millimeter anti-ship Vulcan cannon as well as a 350-millimeter gun launcher. The Sword module equips it with a 15-meter long anti-ship blade and a beam boomerang. In addition, the machine carries two combat knives in it's hip section. It is assumed that this machine has a high combat potential."

"That is all." Athrun said before saluting and then returning to his seat.

"They've actually manufactured these abominations!" Jeremy Maxwell said, the disgust evident in his voice. "Those disgusting Naturals."

"But they're only in the trail stages. You can hardly consider seven mobile suits a threat." Eileen Canaver said.

"But if they've come this far, the next step would be to mass-produce." Ezalia said.

Ian Kessel started to laugh, causing everyone to stare at him. "I'm sorry. But this is just so ridiculous." he said. "You call those mobile suits abominations, but the Earth Forces are simply doing what must be done in war. If your enemy builds a superior weapon, than you must better weapon to counter that one. Frankly, I'm surprised that it took them this long to create their own mobile suits."

"How can you say that?" Gould asked. "This is a clear indication of the Naturals intentions. They crave war, a desire to violence and havoc."

Kessel laughed again. "Few people, whether Natural or Coordinator, ever truly crave war. Next you're going to say that all Coordinators care only about peace and all Naturals are Blue Cosmos members." he said. "Your thinking is just like that of Blue Cosmos. Narrow-minded and bigoted."

His comment sparked a massive shouting contest among many of the Council members. While Clyne vainly tried to reestablish order among the Council. When Patrick Zala spoke.

"There is no one who prefers to fight. Who among us actually wants to head out to a battlefield? We want to live peacefully, gracefully, and happily. That has always been our only wish." Zala stood up, his voice becoming louder. "But who so ruthlessly shattered that wish? Who took our freedom away for their own selfish ambitions? Who pushes us aside to better themselves? Who exploits the Coordinators?"

"Who will never let us forget the Bloody Valentine Tragedy? The nightmarish destruction of Junius Seven! 243,721 people. It has been one year since that abominable incident claimed so many of fellow citizens. Yet we've pondered endless to try to end this war quickly. Our demands have been minor. However, the Naturals have put our efforts to waste, time and time again!"

"We fight because it's the only way to protect ourselves. If we must fight to protect ourselves, then we have no choice but to fight!" Patrick Zala said, bringing his speech to an end.

Almost the entire Council was quiet. None could really argue with him. Save one.

"As always, you have a flare for the dramatic Zala. But using the victims of Junius Seven as rallying cry for war is despicable and an insult to their memory." Ian said with a mock applause.

Zala's face could barely conceal his rage. "How dare you say." Zala said, barely stopping himself from yelling. "My wife was killed at Junius Seven."

"Which is why someone like you should not be a member of this Council during this war." Ian replied. "Leaders, both political and military, should never have a personal reason for fighting a war. They must lead with a clear mind. Free of anger, hatred, and desire for revenge against the opposing force. They must be willing to hear any call for peace and even if there is only a slight chance, they must be willing to take it. I do not believe that you are able to, Zala. And frankly, I fear the day you come into power."

"My fellow Council members, as you know, I come from a long line of soldiers. I served in ZAFT's military before becoming a member of this Council. My wife and children are all fighting this war. I know how wars must be fought. We must fight this war with calm and rational minds. Not minds consumed by hatred and vengeance. It must be fought for peace and peaceful coexistence with the Naturals and the Earth. Not for retribution. Seeking retribution and vengeance will only lead to more death, more pain and suffering, more hatred."

"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. I urge you, all of you, don't let this war become personal. Don't let this war become about vengeance for this lost at Junius Seven. Don't let this war become consumed by hatred. Nothing go will come of it. We must be better than those who destroyed Junius Seven. This war can not end the way it started. If it does, then nothing changes and the next war will just continuation of this one. It is our responsibility to ensure that our children, their children and all the children yet to be do not suffer from our mistakes."

Patrick Zala's Office

An Hour and a Half Later

"Damn that man!" Patrick Zala cursed. "That stubborn fool just can't see what needs to be done! He'll ruin everything! There has to be a way to remove him."

Rau quietly sighed as Zala continued to rant and rave about one of his biggest political opponents. Ian Kessel was proving to be a difficult political opponent. Though the man was for fighting the war, he was against Patrick Zala more radical views and sought to end the war peacefully. Unlike Zala and himself.

"Perhaps, but unfortunately, Kessel has a great pull with the military." Rau said. "He has support of a number of our armed forces and his wife is one of ZAFT's top admirals. Plus his daughter is the commander of one of our best units. Any direct action taken against him at the moment, could be disastrous to our cause."

"We won't be in this mess, if your assassin had done his job properly!" Zala yelled back. "If he taken out Alaric like was suppose to, we would have had the 11th Fleet under our control and discredited Kessel, all in one fell swoop!"

"At least, he managed to remove Alaric." Rau replied in his defense.

Alaric had been a major problem for them. On the one hand, he and the 11th Fleet had become icons of ZAFT's military might. But unfortunately, he was strongly opposed to Patrick Zala and his faction. Worse yet, from the early days of the war, he had been extremely suspicious of both of them. Alaric had becoming close to uncovering things that they had both sought to keep buried. Fortunately, they had a mole within the 11th Fleet who had informed them of all of this.

The three of them had created out a detailed plan for eliminating Alaric and then framing Diana Kessel as his killer and an Earth Forces spy. Allowing a more supportive commander to take over the 11th Fleet. It would have also tainted the reputation of the Kessel family, branding them with the suspicion of treachery and would have greatly weaken their support.

Unfortunately, by pure chance, Diana Kessel discovered the assassin in the act of killing Alaric and killed him. But not before Alaric was fatally wounded. Though she killed the assassin before he could name them. Naturally, he labeled a Earth Forces spy. And Diana Kessel replaced her mentor, John Alaric, as commander of the 11th.

Though Diana disliked and didn't trust both Zala and himself, she didn't seem to continuing his investigation into the two of them. Or at very least, didn't have anything she could use at the moment. Which was fortunate as she was a wild card that could possibly disrupt their plans. And any disruption this late in the game could jeopardize everything he had worked for.

Perhaps he'd see about getting the legged ship and it's mobile suits to deal with her.

Debris Belt

February 2 C.E. 71

Chris sighed as the Raven flew through the all debris and garbage that made up the Debris Belt. He and Kira had split up and were searching the area for supplies they desperately needed. Once they found something, they would call the Archangel and they would send out teams to retrieve the supplies. But at the moment, they hadn't found much of any thing.

"Hey Chris, have you found anything yet?" Liz asked over the comm.

"Nah. There's nothing really here." he replied as he maneuvered under some debris. "This is starting to look like a-"

Chris froze the second he maneuvered around the debris and saw what was in front of him.

'No...It can't be...'

"Chris? What is it? Chirs? Brother, are you there? What do you see?" he heard his sister ask.

But his thoughts were entirely on what was in front of him. Somehow, he managed to speak. But he wasn't sure how he was able to say anything.

"What do you see? Chris? Are you there? Please respond." Liz frantically said over the comm.

"Home..." Chris replied, his voice quiet and faint. "Liz...It's home..."

Liz's face instantly became pale and like her brother, she was paralyzed from shock.

"What is he talking about?" Captain Ramius asked. "What has he found?"

"Our home before the war started...Junius Seven."

Finally, I can reveal that little secret. Of course compared to a few of the other things I have been considering for Seed and Destiny, this pretty much nothing. Before anyone asks, no, he never met Athrun or his family. They just lived in the same colony. And I have to ask, did anyone actually see this coming? Cause I left a few hints in the previous chapters and some of you might of figured it out.