aquacchi: Thanks. As I've said before, I didn't like Flay in the first half of SEED, but after Kira 'died', and she became less crazy, I grew to like her. And when she died, I felt little sad. As I said before, the Flay in this story will be different and will survive.

Bloodyknight85: Okay first off, Chris knows how to fight, you know martial arts, not the art of war. Secondly, Flay just wanted to learn something to deal with the pain and sorrow of her father's death. As to who will be affected more by th shuttle's destruction, it will be about equal between the two of them. It's just that Chris will also be affected by the fact that his best friend shot the shuttle down in cold blood.

Phase Ten: Burning Clouds of Sand

"So why were you picking a fight with those punks?" Chris asked.

"Actually, I wasn't trying to pick a fight them." Zane said. "I detest violence."

"Well, then you probably should have kept your mouth shut."

"No. I won't back down from my beliefs." Zane said. "Coordinators. Naturals. We're all people. Flawed, but decent people. This petty hatred Coordinators and Naturals must end."

"Then you should learn to fight. So you can defend yourself."

"I told you, I detest violence. Even if it's to defend myself."

"You really believe that, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Well then. I tell you what, as you keep on saying that and won't defend yourself. Then those that want to beat you up of that, will have to get through me first."

Chris groaned and shifted slightly on the bed. He was lying unconscious on a bed in the Medical Bay, an IV in his arm and swear soaking his body. Flay pressed a wet cloth against his forehead, trying to bring down his fever. Lying across from him was Kira, who was in the same state.

"How are they, doc?" Liz asked, eying her brother in concern.

"Despite the fever, neither has any signs of infection or internal injuries. Right now, all we can do is give them plenty of fluids and try to lower their body temperature." the doctor replied.

"That's it?" Sai asked.

"Well, this is the first time I've given medical treatment to a Coordinator. And I'm not claiming to be an expert when it comes to diagnosing their symptoms. But I do know that the capabilities of their bodies are far greater than ours. So I wouldn't worry too much about them." Doctor Hunnicutt said.

"But-"

"They may look us, but their internal abilities are completely different from the rest of us. Expect for you, of course, Miss Dante." Hunnicutt said. "Their bodies are capable of greater strength. Their minds are capable acquiring more knowledge than the rest of us can. No fatal illness will develop with that immune system."

The door opened and Lieutenant La Flaga entered the room. "Hey Doc. What's doing on?"

"I was just explaining to them to them that Mr. Yamato and Mr. Dante are going to fine." the doctor replied.

"That's good to hear." Mu said. "They both took tremendous pounding out there."

"Hey, that reminds me. Liz?" Mirallia said.

"Yeah?"

"The last thing I heard from Chris was a name he shouted. Does he know anyone named Zane?"

Liz's eyes went wide with shock. "Wh...What did you say?"

"He said the name Zane."

"That's impossible." Liz said. "Zane was his best friend at Junius Seven. But he's dead. Killed in the Bloody Valentine."

"But couldn't he have survived like you too did and become a ZAFT pilot?" Sai asked.

Liz shook. "No. He was a total pacifist. He hated it when Chris fought to protect him from bullies. Zane would never step into a mobile suit. No matter the situation."

Aboard the Vesalius

Athrun stood in pilot lounge, staring out at mobile suit hanger. His thoughts were entirely on Kira. He was torn. He and Kira were best friends. But now. By some cruel twist of fate, they were now enemies.

"There you are." Saul said as he and Nicol entered the room. "We've been looking all over for you."

Athrun turned to his two teammates.

"Yzak and Dearka landed safely on Earth." Nicol said.

"So did that lunatic Scirocco." Saul added.

"They're at the Gibraltar Base. But we don't know when their suppose to return."

"Is Yzak's wound still bothering him?" Athrun asked.

"I doubt it. A guy as stubborn as Yzak would keep on fighting no matter how bad the wound." Saul said. "Hell, he's probably right now demanding to get resupplied and sent out to hunt down the legged ship."

Athrun chuckled. "Yeah. That sounds like Yzak." he said. "So what's our orders now?"

Saul shrugged. "We're heading back to the PLANTs. Something about some new operation. I really don't know. But I do know that we're gonna some sweet R and R." Saul said with a grin.

Hours Later

Chris slowly opened his eyes. His blurred vision slowly came into focus. There was something in front of his head...

"Birdie."

"GAAAAAH!!" Chris screamed, startling Birdie, causing it to fly from his forehead. "KIRA!"

Birdie landed on Kira's shoulder, who was sitting up right on his bed and laughing. "Why does that thing like to sit on my head?!"

"Oh come on, Birdie is just trying to be friendly." Kira said.

"No. It's trying to make a nest on my head."

Kira laughed some more. "It's just a robot. Birdie doesn't even know how to make a nest."

"Well, if I wake up one morning with twigs in my hair, I'm dismantling that thing."

The door opened and Flay entered the room, carrying a food tray and several glasses of water. "Chris. You're awake." she said. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I went through a grinder and then an oven." Chris said. "What happened?"

"What's the last thing you remember?" Kira asked.

"NO! Don't! That's a civilian shuttle!" Chris shouted. "There's only innocent civilians on board!"

"Innocent?! There is no such thing as innocence amongst the human race!" Zane shouted back. "It's time you learned that!"

Zane fired his railgun. The round tore through the shuttle, like a knife through paper. The shuttle exploded, killing all on board. "NOOOOOO!!!" Chris screamed.

"The shuttle being destroyed." Chris bitterly said. "Fighting Z-the GINN. And that's about it."

"Well, the GINN activated it's ballute and escaped when the gravity was getting too much." Kira explained. "Then you passed out. I tried to pull you back to the Archangel but the Strike's thrusters weren't enough. Then the Archangel pulled itself under us and landed us on the ship. Then I passed out as well."

"Well, I owe you one, Kira."

"Don't mention it."

"No. I always payback my debts."

Chris let out a hoarse cough. His throat was bone dry. It felt like he hadn't had a drink in weeks.

"Here. Have some water." Flay said, handing him a glass.

Chris sat up and downed the water in a single gulp. "Thanks."

Flay handed Kira his food tray. "I'll go get you some food and some more water." Flay said, heading for the exit.

Chris sighed. "Kira, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"That red GINN that destroyed the shuttle was piloted by my best friend."

"What?"

"A year ago, he was a total pacifist. He hated violence in all it's forms. Even when I defended him from guys that wanted to beat him up, he hated it. He also believed that no Coordinator was better than a Natural and vice versa. But now...He's become a monster."

"I'm sorry." Kira said.

"I'm sorry to lay this all on you. I know you have your own thing to deal with. The pilot of the Aegis is your friend."

"You know about Athrun?"

"I know that the two of you were friends from before the war started. And that's about it."

"It's true. Athrun and I went to the same Lunar prep school. We both left before the war started. Athrun returned to the PLANTs, I went to Heliopolis."

"You know something. This whole war is messed up. A boy that hated violence becomes a cold-blooded monster. Two pairs of friends end up fighting on opposing sides. And for what?! A pointless war that's brought pain and misery to everyone." Chris sighed and shook his head. "This whole thing is FUBAR."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm go to stop him...one way or another." Chris said bitterly. "All I ask that you to avoid fighting that red GINN if we ever encounter them again. Unless you have no other choice. I'll do the same with the Aegis."

Later That Night

"So this is the new warship of the Earth Alliance." a black haired man said, looking through binoculars with a mug of coffee in his hand. "What do they call it again?"

"The Archangel." a blond haired girl replied.

The man chuckled. "That's funny considering the ship has been more like an Angel of Doom for the Earth Forces. Heliopolis. Artemis Base. Admiral Halberton and the 8th Fleet. All lost after coming into contact with that ship, while the ship itself escapes." he said. "Of course, the fact that it has survived all those encounters, is testament to it's crew, it's mobile suits and the very ship itself. They're just what we need to push Waltfeld out the area."

Sahib Ashman, the leader of the rebels, nodded. "How do you know they'll be willing to aid us, Victor?"

Victor took a sip of his coffee. "Mmm...Delicious. A prefect blend of French Roast with a dash of cinnamon, powdered chocolate and nutmeg." Victor said, savoring the flavor of his coffee.

"Victor!" Sahib said in annoyance, knocking the man out of his coffee trance.

"Hmm...Oh right." Victor said, clearing his throat. "Because they're just as desperate as us. They're in the middle of enemy territory. They have no clue as to the recent events here on Earth. And they're in the Tiger's backyard. They have no choice but to seek our aid."

"Chief!" a rebel shouted. "We just received word. The Tiger's left the Lesseps with five BuCUEs. He's heading for that ship."

"Should we help them out?" another rebel asked.

"No. Not quite yet." Victor answered. "We need to their strength with our own eyes first. And if they fall here, then they weren't strong enough to help us defeat the Tiger anyway."

"Ma'am! I'm detecting laser designators! We're being targeted!"

"Take us to level one battlestations!" Badgiruel said.

Chris and Kira quickly climbed into their mobile suits. Lieutenant La Flaga was waiting as Murdoch, Johanna and the hanger crews raced to get one of the three Sky Graspers the 8th Fleet had given them, up and running.

"Come on. Why haven't we been given the order to launch?!" Kira said.

"We don't yet know the full strength of the enemy. Nor are the mobile suits designed for this type of terrain." Badgiruel said.

"The Raven's mobile armor won't be affected by the desert terrain. I can launch and deal with the enemy. And things get too hairy, Kira can launch and back me up." Chris said.

"Very well." Murrue said. "Launch the Raven."

The Raven was quickly loaded onto the catapult. "Raven Gundam launching." Chris said before the catapult activated, launching the mobile suit into the air.

Chris immediately transformed the Raven into it's mobile armor mode. He flew towards the helicopter, firing his machineguns at them. He shot down one while the other two fled. "You attack us and think that you just get away. I don't think so."

"They've deployed the Raven." Martin said.

"As expected." Andrew said. "Spring the trap. Let's see how well it fights when it's grounded."

Suddenly, from behind a sand dune, a pair of BuCUEs equipped with missile launchers, fired a barrage of missiles at the Raven. "Dammit." Chris swore as he dodged most of the missiles.

But some hit their target, sending the Raven crashing into the ground. Chris transformed it back to it's mobile suit mode. However, Chris found the feet of his machine sinking into the ground.

"Dammit. This sand's too loose. I can't get a decent footing. I need to get back into the air."

Chris activated the Raven's thrusters, launching the mobile suit into air. Only to have another barrage hit him, sending the machine back to the ground. The two BuCUEs emerged from their hiding place, circling the Raven. The first one lunged at him. But Chris used his thrusters to leap out of the way. However, the second BuCUE anticipated this and slammed into the moment he land. "Gah...Archangel, launch the Strike. I need some cover fire, so I can get back in the air."

"Roger. Launching the Strike now." Miriallia said.

"Tell Kira to watch out. Moving in this sand is a pain in the ass."

The Strike armed with the Launcher Striker, was launched from the Archangel. It landed on a dune overlooking the Raven and the BuCUEs. The second the Strike's feet touched the sand, it sank. "Whoa..."

"I told you the sand was nightmare."

The helicopters returned, firing on the Strike. The missiles slammed into the Strike.

"They've deployed X-105." Martin said.

"Deploy the remaining BuCUEs. I want to see it's capabilities." Andrew said.

Three more BuCUEs emerged, two with railguns and one with a missile pod, firing on the Strike. The impacts of the weapons forced the Strike down the dune, towards the Raven. Kira fired back with the Agni cannon. But the BuCUEs were too fast for him.

"Those machines may be strong in space, but here on Earth BuCUEs rule!" a BuCUE pilot shouted.

Meanwhile, Chris wasn't having much luck either. The two BuCUEs hounding him were too fast for him to hit them either. "Dammit." Chris cursed as a BuCUE dodged the rounds from his railgun. "Kira, if you got any ideas, now would be the time."

"Cover me for moment." Kira said, as he pulled out the keyboard and started typing.

The Raven leapt into the air, landing besides the Strike. Chris fired on BuCUEs, not trying to hit them, but trying to keep them on the move and not firing at them. A barrage of missiles streaked towards the two. Chris fired his railgun at the missiles. The rounds hit some of the missiles, setting them off. The explosions took out the rest.

Suddenly, the Strike got up, now standing on top of the sand, and fired, taking out a BuCUE's missile pod. Another BuCUE tried to tackle the Strike. The Strike spun and slammed it's cannon into the BuCUE, sending it flying. The first BuCUE tried to tackle the Strike from behind. But Kira was faster, driving the Strike's elbow into it, knocking it onto it's back. Kira fired the Agni, destroying it.

Chris suddenly realized what Kira had done. He had adjusted the OS to the desert terrain. "Why didn't I think of that?" he said to himself. "Kira, you cover me while I adjust my OS."

"Right."

Chris pulled out the keyboard and started adjusting the OS. He wasn't as fast as Kira, but he still managed to adjust it pretty quickly. "I'm good." he said, the Raven taking it's first solid step on the sand. "Let's see how you like me now."

A barrage of missiles flew towards the Raven. The Raven leapt up, avoiding the missiles and transformed into it's mobile armor mode. "The BuCUEs may rule on Earth, but the Raven rules the skies!" Chris shouted as the Raven's Ahura Mazda energy weapons activated.

The BuCUE was fast, the Raven was faster. The energy 'claws' across the BuCUE's back. A moment later, it exploded.

Though they had finally countered the BuCUEs, both machines had used up a great deal of battery power and Chris had used up much of the Raven's railgun ammo. And there were three BuCUEs and two copters left.

"The proper timing and application of force is the true way to win a battle, Waltfeld. Even a pinprick can be fatal if aimed correctly."

Suddenly, a trio of shots rang out. Two copters and a railgun barrel of a BuCUE exploded. A gray GINN High Maneuver type, covered in a tan tarp, armed with a sniper rifle, was laying on a sand dune a fair distance away. The GINN rose to it's feet, it's crimson monoeye scanning across the battlefield.

"Amazing. To be able to hit three separate targets so quickly and from that far away. That's one amazing sniper." Martin DeCosta said.

"Yes. That's the best sniper I've seen since...Well, in quite a while." Waltfeld said to his subordinate.

Suddenly, a band of rebel vehicles emerged from several sand dunes, firing missiles at the BuCUEs. Their weapons were inferior to the weapons of the BuCUEs. But they were major distraction to the mobile suits.

One jeep parked next to the Strike and fired a cable to the Strike's leg. "Pilot of the Earth Forces mobile suits, if you want to live, follow my instructions." a voice said over the comm. "We've set a trap at this location. Lure the BuCUEs there."

Seeing no other option, Kira and Chris headed for the location, with the rebel jeeps close behind. The location in question was near the GINN. The BuCUEs chased after the 'fleeing' forces. The Strike and the BuCUEs reached the spot. The Raven swooped down and grabbed the Strike with it's claws and flew off.

And with that, the trap was sprung. A massive explosion consumed the BuCUEs in an instant.

"We're withdrawing." Andrew said. "We've achieved our immediate goal."

A Short While Later

The warriors of Desert Dawn were now gathered in front of the Archangel, the Strike and the Raven. Kira and Chris remained in their machines, just in case. The GINN's pilot had left his cockpit and was with the rest of his comrades. Captain

"I would like to extend my gratitude to you for your help." Murrue said.

"I am Sahib Ashman. The leader of the Desert Dawn." Sahib said. "There is no need to thank us. Our reasons for fighting were not necessarily to save you. They happened to be our enemy as well."

"You guys against the Desert Fox?" Mu said.

"I recognize your face. But I cannot say where."

"That's Mu La Flaga. The Hawk of Endymion." a man in a dark trenchcoat, with short black hair and gray eyes, said.

The man extended his hand to Mu. "Victor Cain. Formerly of ZAFT's 11th Autonomous Mobile Fleet. Now a merc working for the Desert Dawn."

Mu shook the man's hand. "One of Alaric's guys, eh? I thought I recognized that type of GINN." Mu said.

"Aye. Until he was killed. Though I respect Miss Kessel, the Black Hawk is and always will be my true commander." Victor explained. "When he was killed, I took my GINN and left. Been fighting as a mercenary ever since."

"You strike me as well informed people. Do you know who we are?"

"You are the crew of the Archangel, the Earth Forces new warship. You came to Earth to escape Le Creuset's Team. Those machines of your's are..."

"X-105 Strike and X-305 Raven." the blond girl said.

"So here we are. You know who we are and we know who you are." "Though I am surprised that you are here. I assume that you landing was an accident. So I'm curious to know what you plan to do next."

"Can we count on your complete cooperation?"

"If you're serious about talking, then you such lower your weapons."

"They should disarm as well."

"Very well." Murrue said. "Ensign Yamato, Ensign Dante, come down here."

The two exited their mobile suits and headed for the group. Kira took off his helmet first. Surprising the Desert Dawn members that someone so young could be the pilot of such a powerful mobile suit. The girl suddenly took off, heading for Kira. "So it is you." the girl said, clearly angry. "What is someone like you, doing in that thing?"

She tried to punch him, but Kira caught her fist. "Let go of me!" she shouted, trying to break free of his grip.

She broke free of his grip, hitting Kira in the process. "Whoa. Calm down." Chris said, approaching the two, taking off his helmet. "Hey, wait a minute. You're that tomboy we thought was a girl."

"You too!" the girl said, turning to him.

Her fist slammed into his jaw.

"Ow...Damn. You hit as hard as my sister." Chris said, rubbing his jaw.

Desert Dawn Main Base

A Few Hours Later

"This is our frontline base. Our homes are in the towns. If they haven't been burned to the ground. Tassil, Moula, and even as far as Banadiya. Our group is all volunteers, expect for Mr. Cain, who's a merc we found and hired." Sahib said, pouring a cup of coffee. "Coffee?"

Victor took a sip of coffee and immediately spat it out on the ground. "Okay...Who made this swill?" Victor said in annoyance. "If you can't make a decent cup of coffee, than don't even bother making it."

Victor immediately poured the pot of coffee on the ground and started making a fresh pot.

Sahib shook his head. "You'll have to forgive Mr. Cain. He's an excellent strategist and easily the best marksmen alive. But he has an eccentric love of coffee."

"Hey there's nothing with wanting a good cup of coffee in the morning."

"You average a dozen cups a day."

"Okay...There's nothing with wanting a good cup of coffee in the morning, afternoon and evening."

Sahib sighed and shook his again. He walked over to the table in the center of the command room.

"So what's her name?" Mu said, motioning to the blond girl.

"We call her the Goddess of Victory."

"And I call the Overemotional Goddess." Victor said.

The blond let out an annoyed growl and threw an empty coffee cup at him. In a single, rapid motion, he drew his handgun and shot the cup in midair. He twirled the gun on his finger and holstered it. "See." Victor said. "Overemotional."

The girl scowled and left the room.

"Impressive." Mu said.

"I told you, he's the best marksman alive." Sahib said.

"But what's her name?"

"Cagalli Yula." Victor said.

"While this area may be under the domination of ZAFT, but it's not like they have enough forces can control the entire desert. Yet only three days ago ZAFT conquerer the Victoria Base. Since then, they've extended their control over the area."

"A shame about that." Victor said. "They ruin a rather nice contract I had with the Earth Forces."

"Oh?" Mu said.

"Yeah. I was suppose to report to the Victoria Base. They were gonna send me to the 8th Fleet. I would have been there when they linked up with you guys. Probably would have assigned me to the Archangel. But they attacked before I could get there. Had they waited a day, I would have made it. But ZAFT had other plans and I ended up joining these folks."

"The African community of this area has traditionally sided with the PLANTs. The lower region, the South African Union resisted as best they could. But in the end, the Earth Forces still abandoned them anyway." Sahib said with a sigh. "Everyday, the frontlines are being pushed back, farther and farther."

"But that hasn't stopped you guys, now has it?" Mu said.

Sahib took a long hard stare at him. "As we see, ZAFT and the Earth Forces are no different. They both come to gain control and take away what is ours."

"How well does that ship of yours' fare in Earth atmosphere?" Victor asked, pouring a cup of coffee. "Anyone else want some coffee?"

Murrue and Natarle both declined. Mu took a cup.

"It can't fly at high altitudes." Natarle replied.

"If it can't fly over a mountain range, then your option is to try to break through the Gibraltar Base."

"Which is suicide with your battle strength." Victor said, sipping coffee. "But there is another path. But it's potentially as dangerous as Gibraltar."

"What would that be?" Murrue asked.

"You could take the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and then to the Pacific. But there's one obstacle in your path."

"That would be?"

"The Desert Tiger."

The Archangel's Hanger

Later That Night

'I have to get stronger. If I don't, this ship is finished.' Kira thought as he furiously typed away in the Strike's cockpit.

"I've seen that look before. You're thinking that you're the only one who protect this ship and everyone on board."

Kira glanced around the monitor. Standing there was that mercenary. "Hi there. I don't believe we've been properly introduced. I'm Victor Cain. Coffee?"

"Ah...Sure. I'm Kira Yamato."

Victor handed him a mug and two silently drank for a minute. "You know it will only get worse." Victor said.

"What?"

"If you spend all your time working on this thing and fighting, you're only burn yourself out." Victor said. "When that happens, all that with remain of you is a burnt out shell. And then you'll be useless to anyone."

"But I-"

"But you're the only one that can protect the ship. Stop being so arrogant kid. Everybody on board this ship is fighting to protect it. Not just you." Victor said. "No true defense can rest on the shoulder of one man."

"Now I'm not saying that spending some extra time on the Strike is wrong. But sending every waking moment in this cockpit will destroy you and likely get yourself killed. Take that other pilot, Chris. I noticed him spending a far amount of time with that red headed girl, teaching her martial arts. And right now, he's having dinner with the rest of you kids." Victor said. "Go, have some dinner with them. Don't make me pull you out of there and lock down the Strike."

Seeing as he had no other choice, Kira got out of the cockpit and headed outside. As soon as he was out of the hanger, Victor got into the cockpit of the Strike.

"Let's see just good this machine is." he said, pulling out the computer monitor.

Outside Tassil

"The whole town is asleep sir." DeCosta said.

"There are some who would put them to sleep permanently. There are those who like that approach. Not me. We'll give them a warning first then attack fifteen minutes later." Commander Waltfeld said. "Well, go on. Warn them."

"Sir." Martin said, getting into another jeep.

The jeep sped off for the town.

Eighteen Minutes Later

The kids from Heliopolis were all gathered around one of the many campfires in the rebel base, eating and taking amongst themselves.

"Things were certainly taken a strange turn." Sai said. "Who would have thought that we would end up in a rebel camp of all places."

"It's better than being alone the desert with only ZAFT Forces for company." Liz said.

"True. But it's still pretty strange."

"Well, strange things happen. It reminds me of the story of grandfather's dogtags." Chris said, pulling out said dogtags from underneath his collar. "My grandfather was-"

"The sky! It's burning!" someone shouted.

"It's coming from Tassil!!" another shouted.

And so ends another chapter.

"Whether from a far or up close, they shall never see me coming until it is too late." Victor Cain
Mobile Suit Serial Number: ZGMF-1017MX GINN High Maneuver Type Custom 'Talos'
Unit Type: Customized high mobility mobile suit
Powerplant: Ultracompact energy battery
Special Equipment: Lightwave pulse thrusters
Armament: 1x JDP2-MMX22 experimental 27mm armor assault rifle with MA-M3 heavy sword bayonet, 2x beam saber (concealed in shoulders), 1x 76mm sniper rifle, additional weapons vary
Pilot: Victor Cain
Appearance: same as the GINN High Maneuver Type
Color: Gray with dark gray trim
Info: A mysterious GINN with an equally mysterious pilot. All that is known is that he was a member of the ZAFT's 11th Fleet until the death of the Black Hawk, John Alaric. Since then, he's been working as a mercenary, fighting for anyone willing to pay him.

Also I want to thank my fans, over a hundred hits within 24 hours. Keep on reviewing, cause it keeps me writing.