Yo everybody! Sorry for the delay. I ended up working on this chapter, the next two and the first two of Destiny. Speaking of Destiny, the things I have planned for it...Oh it's gonna be good. I really want to get to it now. Which is why all my other stories are pretty much on hold until I finish SEED.
Before I start the chapter, there's one thing I need help with. I have two mobile suits for Destiny I've come up with. But the problem is, unlike at of the other suits I've created, I can't come up with a proper name for either. The first is a fourth mobile suit stolen from Armory One. Unlike the Gaia, the Aybss and the Chaos, it can't transform. The second is a third nuclear-powered machine of Terminal. It posses a wide array of powerful close combat weapons, making it devastating up close. If anyone has any ideas on names for these machines, I'd love to hear them.
And now the Chris/Flay romance really gets going. Though I'm not all that sure of it personally. I don't think I'm all that good at that kind of stuff. I could be wrong, but I don't know.
Phase Fourteen: Land of Peace
After hours of being on duty with no break, Sai, Tolle, Miri, Flay, and Kuzzey were finally having their dinner. With the search for Cagalli now hold until morning, the Captain had ended their shifts for the night. While everyone else was devouring their meals, Flay was hardly touching her food. "What's wrong, Flay?" Sai asked.
"Nothing...It's nothing." she replied.
Sai knew something was bothering her, but didn't press it. Ever since they left the desert, she had been distant from just about everyone. Expect for Chris. Sai might have been a bit concerned about what was going on between the two of them, if it hadn't been for Chris's words to him after they first landed on Earth, when he was first concerned about the two of them being alone together.
"I have no intention of stealing Flay from you, Sai." Chris said. "I'm just trying to help her out with her grief over her father's death. To are arranged to be married. I'm not gonna come between you two. You have my word."
And he managed to brighten up Flay's mood after her father's death. So he was thankful to Chris for his help. And yeah, maybe a little jealous at the amount of time Flay had lately been spending with Chris.
"Excuse me. I'll be right back." Flay said, standing up.
"Flay? We're you going?"
"Ah...I just need to do something." she said, heading for the doorway.
"What?"
"...Nothing Sai." Flay said as she left.
Now Sai was growing worried. Why was Flay acting so strange lately? Sai couldn't sit back anymore. He was going to find out what was bothering her. He sat up. "Excuse me. "I'm going to see what's bothering her." he told the others.
He left the mess hall. He wasn't sure where she went. He figured he'd start at the crew quarters first. A couple minutes later, he rounded a corner and saw...Flay and Chris embracing and kissing.
Sai was shocked. His Flay was kissing one of friends. A friend that swore that he won't try anything like this.
They finally broke free of their kiss, but here still in a loose hug. Flay's back was to him. "Flay...I...I..." Chris mumbled, trying speak. Then he looked up and saw him. "Sai..." he said in horror and guilt.
Flay broke the hug and turned around. Her expression was the same as his. But Sai was too hurt and betrayed to noticed. Sai found himself at a loss for words. "Flay...Chris...Why...WHY?!" he shouted. "Were you lying to me this whole time, Chris?!! How long have you been doing this behind my back?!!"
Chris knew he should have let Flay kiss him. He should have pushed her away. But he hadn't. Instead, he kissed her back. As much as he wanted to deny it. To ignore it. To reject it. He had fallen for her. He didn't know how or why he had fallen in love with her, but he realized he didn't care how or why.
God...It was like some bad soap opera.
"Sai...I'm sorry." Chris said, trying to reason with him. "I never wanted to come between you two...But...I...I...I never meant to fall in love with her...It just happened-"
"SHUT UP!!!" Sai screamed, tackling Chris.
The two fell to the ground, Sai landing on top of him. Chris raised his head, only for Sai's fist to hit him. More punches hit his face. Sai knew nothing about fighting, in fact, he was pretty much your average nerd. Smart, not all that physically strong. But he was furious, fueling his strength. After receiving a few more blows to the head, Chris grabbed one of Sai's incoming fists and punched Sai in face, knocking Sai off of him. Chris stood up, wiping the blood from his nose. "Listen to me, Sai. I never meant for this to happen. I never wanted to come between the two of you. It just happen-GAH!"
Sai's leg shot up, hitting him in the place that hurts regardless of whether one was Coordinator or a Natural. Now he was beginning to get mad. Sai just wasn't listening to anything he said. Sai got up and punched him again. Chris grabbed his fist and punched Sai in the stomach. Sai stumbled back and Chris followed up with more punches. One last blow to Sai's face and he fell to the ground. "I think you've had enough." Chris said, leaning up against a wall, breathing heavily.
Sai was lying on the ground, breathing just as heavily. Flay just stood there with an expression of horror and guilt on her face. "Well...Are you two done slapping each around? Or are you going to go at it a bit more?" John said, standing some feet behind him.
"I'm done." Chris said.
Sai didn't say anything.
"You teens and your hormones." John said, moving towards the two. "You're almost as bad as Cagalli. Almost."
He helped Sai up to his feet. "Come on. Let's get you cleaned up. Girl....Flay, right?"
"Ah...Yeah..."
"Why don't you take Chris and help get him cleaned up."
A few minutes later, they were in the men's washroom. He was leaning over a sink while Flay was wiping the blood from his face with a damp cloth. His lip and nose were bleeding. There were a few bruises forming on his face as well.
Chris sighed. "We shouldn't have done that. You're arranged to marry Sai. And I'm his friend. I swore this won't happen." he said. "Yet it did. I didn't want it to happen. I didn't want to admit it when it did happen. But the truth is, I began to feel something for you."
"I've realized, for a while now, that my feelings for Sai were never truly love. I thought those feelings were love, but when I started to spend more and more time with you, I found myself feeling true feelings of love and it wasn't for Sai. It was for you." Flay said. "But I didn't want to hurt Sai like that. I wanted to break it up with gently."
"Looks like it's a little too late for that." Chris said with a sigh.
The Deserted Island
The Next Morning
Athrun stared at the dead fire while the girl sat at the opposite side of the cave. It had been an interesting night with the girl that had forced his plane down, to say the least. After several attempts to kill each out and several heated arguments, the two had come to a quiet little ceasefire. The funny thing was that despite the fact they spent the night together in cave, he had no idea what her name was.
Suddenly, comm device on his wrist started beeping. Someone was trying to reach him. Athrun got up and headed for the Aeigs's cockpit. He opened up the comm line. A familiar voice came on the line. "Athrun. Can you hear me? Please respond."
"Nicol, is that you?"
"Yeah! Don't worry Athrun. We can get a fix on your position from this transmission."
"What is it?!" the girl called from outside.
"The radio's working!" he replied.
Suddenly, there was a different beeping. "What the?" Athrun said, glancing at the screen.
Someone else had picked up on the distress signal and heading this way by sea. But the ZAFT rescue team wouldn't get here until after them. Athrun climbed out of the cockpit. "A ZAFT team is coming to pick me up. But another ship picked up the signal and heading this way. They're coming this way on sea from the direction of your fighter." he said. "I have to hide the Aegis before they get here. I don't want this place to become a battlefield."
"Right." the girl said. "I better get back to my aircraft before they get here then."
She paused for a moment, unsure of what to say before she headed back to her Sky Grasper. So she settled for a simple. "Bye."
Athrun watched the girl leave for her aircraft. "Hey!" he called out. "Are you sure you're not with the Earth Forces?"
The girl turned back. "No. I'm not."
'There not even soldiers, yet...' Athrun thought as images of Kira and images of his brief encounter with the Raven's pilot filled his mind.
"Hey!" the girl shouted, distracting him from his thoughts. "I'm Cagalli! What's your name?!"
"Athrun!" he called back.
Cagalli nodded and headed back to fighter while Athrun climbed back into the Aegis, to move it to place where he could hide it for awhile. Until Cagalli's rescue party left the area and Nicol and the others came for him.
A Few Days Later
The Archangel shuttered as another shot from the Buster impacted it's hull. The Strike and the Farsight, atop the the Archangel, fired at the mobile suit. Smoke was pouring out of several of it's thrusters. The crimson GINN fired it's railgun at the ship. A pair of rounds impacted the hull, further damaging the battered ship. The Raven, in it's mobile armor mode, chased after the Guul mounted GINN as a pair of Sky Grapers chased after the Buster.
"Nicol, Saul, flank the ship and target it's engines." Athrun ordered.
If they crippled it's engines, the legged ship would be dead in the water. They'd have no choice but to surrender.
"Target the Guuls! The flight platforms!" John said, firing his rifle. "They can fight us if they can't stay in the air."
The Blitz and the Surge raced around the sides of the Archangel, avoiding or shooting down the missiles that were fired at them. Nicol fired off his lancer darts at one of the Archangel's Valiants, destroying it. The mobile suits then fired on the ship's engines. The warship shook violently. Suddenly, the Raven appeared above them. "You're not taking out this ship!" Chris shouted, transforming the Raven back into mobile suit mode.
The Raven fell like a rock on the Blitz. Chris kicked the black mobile suit off it's Guul while landing on it. Nicol screamed as he fell into the ocean. "Nicol!" Saul shouted, turning to the Raven as it turned to him.
The Raven ducked and fired as Saul fired his beam rifle. The beams flew over the crouching machine while a pair of rounds tore through the Guul. The Surge joined the Blitz, falling into the water. The Raven drove a beam saber through the Guul, destroying it and transformed back into it's mobile armor mode.
The Duel swooped down on the Archangel, firing on the Strike. "I'm gonna get you this time, Strike!!"
The Strike fired back, hitting the Duel's Gaul. The Guul exploded, but Yzak simply let the Duel continue falling towards the Archangel.
"That's one stubborn pilot." John said, leaping up into the air.
Yzak dropped his rifle and reached for a beam saber. But he wasn't fast enough.
"But too much stubbornness can be a weakness!" he shouted, kicking the falling Duel.
"Gah! Damn you!!" Yzak shouted as he flew into the water.
The Farsight started to fall towards the water as well when the Raven picked it up and dropped it off on the Archangel. "Thanks." John said. "Keep on firing on the Guuls. We can win this."
While this was happening, a large Orb naval fleet approached the battle. The Archangel and the mobile suits were nearing Orb territorial waters. The Orb flagship hailed all of the combatants.
"This is a warning to the Earth Forces warship, it's mobile suits and all ZAFT mobile suits. You are currently approaching Orb Union territory. Alter your course immediately. In defense of our neutrality, we strictly prohibit all armed ship, aircraft and mobile suits from entering our territory. Turn your forces at once." the Orb Commander said.
Zane smirked. It was over. The legged ship was doomed. Either they would sink the ship or Orb would do it for them.
'Damn. We're stuck between a rock and a hard place. We stay on our path and Orb blows us out of the water. But even if we turned away, with the damage we've received, we won't be able to survive the next attack.' John thought.
"I repeat. Alter your course immediately. This is your last warning. If you do not, we will exercise our right to defend our nation."
Cagalli, who had entered the bridge with Kisaka, said, "Don't listen to him. Keep on heading towards Orb."
She grabbed Kuzzey's headset. "Who the hell do you think you are, saying that crap after seeing the mess we're in! The Archangel is going to enter Orb territorial waters, do not attack us!"
Athrun immediately recognized the voice on radio as the same as the girl he spent that night on the island with.
"Ah...Hell..." Chris said. "She's gonna piss off the Orb military and then we're really gonna be screwed."
"Who is this?" the Commander asked, his face appearing on the screen.
"Who the hell are you?!" Cagalli shouted back. "If you can't figure out who I am, then contact your superior! Contact my father! Contact Uzumi Nara Athha!"
This announcement stunned everyone. The crew of the Archangel, the Orb fleet, the ZAFT forces, everyone.
"I am Cagalli Yula Athha!"
"What?! She's the daughter of the Lion of Orb?!" Chris said.
"Apparently, our Overemotional Goddess, is in reality an Overemotional Princess." John said. "I didn't see that one coming. Of course, she could just be trying to confuse them to the point that they'll let us enter their territory just to straighten things out."
"I don't know what kind of game your playing, but there's no way the daughter of the Lord Athha would be on that warship." the Commander said, closing the line.
"Like we're gonna let you enter their territory in the first place!" Dearka said, firing on the Archangel's engines.
"Damn pest!" Mu said, firing at the mobile suit.
Dearka fired at the Sky Grasper as it flew past him. Dearka took aim at the fighter. "I got you now!"
But before he could squeezed the trigger, the second Sky Grasper, armed with the Sword Striker, came up on him from behind. The large blade extended, ready to slice the Buster in half. "Shit!" Dearka cursed as he tried to maneuver out of it's path.
Dearka managed to pull the Buster out of it's path. But the anti-ship sword sliced off his Guul's right wing, causing it and the Buster to fall to the ocean.
"Yeah! I got him!" Liz cheered.
But the damage was done. The Archangel could no longer maintain it's altitude with the damage it sustained, forcing it to land on the ocean. Specifically, in Orb territorial waters. The Orb fleet immediately started to take up positions alongside the damage vessel, preparing to fire on it.
"It seems we have no other choice." Kisaka said to Murrue "Don't worry. The gunners of Orb's Second Defense Fleet are know for their accuracy."
"Since you have disregarded our warnings, we have no choice but to open fire."
The Orb fleet fired on the Archangel. The Raven landed on the Archangel's hull, alongside the Strike and the Farsight. "This can't be good." Chris said as rounds struck the waters, dangerously close to the Archangel.
"Actually, they're not trying to hit us. It looks like things may just be turning in our favor." John said as the bombardment rained around them.
Both Athrun and Zane weren't stupid enough to try something now. Their only choice was to fall back with the others.
Once the ZAFT forces were long gone from the area and they had gotten a bit deeper into Orb waters, the Orb warships stopped firing at them and instead, escorted the Archangel into an hidden dock on Onogoro.
"This dock is owned by Orb and Morgenroete." Kisaka explained. "Not even satellites will be able to locate the Archangel once it enters the dock."
"First off, I want some explanations." Murrue said. "Just who exactly are you?"
"Ledonir Kisaka." Kisaka said, snapping to attention. "Captain in the 21st Airborne Division of the Orb Military. I am Lady Cagalli's bodyguard."
"Then you really are Chief Representative Athha's daughter."
"Yes." Cagalli said.
Murrue sighed. "What's going to happen now?"
"I believe it would be better to ask the person who'll be coming here shortly. Orb's leader, Uzumai Nara Athha." Kisaka said.
Aboard the Cousteau
An Hour Later
"This announcement is nothing but a pile of crap!" Yzak shouted, slamming his hands on the table.
"I can't believe they expect us to believe that the legged ship has left their territory." Dearka said. "They're treating us like fools. Maybe it's because we have a raw commander."
"Dearka. Don't blame Athrun for this." Nicol said.
"Yeah Dearka." Saul said. "If we had stayed, they would have blown us up as well."
"But at the same time, we cannot allow the legged ship to escape yet again." Zane said. "We should have finished them off when we had the chance."
"That's all irrelevant." Athrun said. "You can't deny that Orb has given us their official response. Complain and call them lairs all you want, it won't change the situation."
"What?!" Yzak shouted.
"This isn't like Heliopolis. Orb's military might and advanced technology is great for us to simply force our way in." Athrun said. "If we forced our way in, it would only be a diplomatic nightmare for ZAFT and we'd be lucky to escape from there."
"Your analysis is impressively rational, Athrun...Oops...Commander Zala." Yzak sarcastically said.
"Hold on. Are you saying we should just accept their word and leave?"
"We'll ask Carpentaria to apply some official pressure. If that does not resolve the situation quickly enough, we'll sneak in." Athrun said. "Does that meet with your approval?"
"Ah...So we can pinpoint the ship's location." Nicol said.
"Sounds like a good idea to me. So long as this doesn't turn out like Heliopolis." Saul said.
"I agree." Zane said. "If we find proof that they're hiding the legged ship than that changes everything."
"Very well. I'll go along with this. For now. But if it were up to me, we'd be forcing our way in. I can't disagree with the son of Committee Chairman Zala, now can I?" Yzak said, leaving the room with Dearka. "Who knows, maybe I'll get a chance to see the face of the Strike's pilot."
Athrun's expression immediately sadden. He knew Kira was piloting the Strike. And once again he felt himself torn between his duty to ZAFT and his friendship to Kira.
Orb Parliament Building
Onogoro Island
Murrue, Natarle, Mu and John had been led to an empty conference room, where they waited. The door opened. Uzumi Nara Athha and an older man entered the room. The older man was wearing an Orb Military uniform, a General based on the markings and appeared to in his sixties but was in excellent shape. He was taller than Athha and quite muscular. His body was that of a lifelong soldier's. He had short, gray hair and matching thick, bushy mustache. His eyes were a familiar grayish-green.
"Hello. I am Uzumi Nara Athha. And this is my close friend and advisor..."
"General Samuel Dante. Currently serving as the liaison between Morgenroete and the Orb military." the man said.
"Dante?" Mu said. "As in-"
"Yes. I am the grandfather of Christopher and Elizabeth Dante." Samuel said. "You have my thanks for watching over them. As well as my daughter-in-law. With the death of my youngest son, they're the only family I have left."
"You're welcome." Murrue said.
"Now that we have the pleasantries out of the way, it's time to deal with the matters at hand." Uzumi said. "Our official statement is that our naval forces fired upon the Archangel, driving it from our waters."
"Do you really expect ZAFT or those pilot perusing us to believe that?" John asked.
"No. But they cannot disprove what we have said. And it is unlikely that they'll try any military action without concrete proof that we are lying to them." Athha said.
John nodded. "Because if they didn't, they'd be invading Orb without a legitimate reason. Something ZAFT can't afford to do with their manpower."
"Exactly." Samuel said. "If they attack us, they'll have to draw vital forces from other theaters of war. Which is something ZAFT can't afford to do here on Earth. For all their superior mobile suits and technology, they still lack the numbers necessary to truly defeat the Earth Alliance."
"You didn't save us just because we had your daughter on board, or his grandchildren for that matter, did you?" Mu asked.
"Do you honestly believe that either of us would risk that fate of a nation and it's people for the sake of three children?" Uzumi said.
"Excuse me, if I implied that sir."
"Things would be so much easier if it were only that simple." Athha said. "Heliopolis. The children of this nation that volunteered and ended up joining the Earth Forces. The success of G-Units in battle after battle. I've thought over this again and again. Would it have been wiser to just let that ship and it's mobile suits sink? And even at this very moment, I'm still wondering if I've made the right choice."
"Lord Uzumi, I'm terribly sorry. About Heliopolis and the children. I know my words on this matter aren't an official apology, but from a personal stand point, I am deep sorry for what happened." Murrue said.
"No. Forget it. There's plenty of blame for us to share. Since this is also an inherent problem of our nation. The reason we maintain our stance as a neutral nation is that we don't want to face Naturals or Coordinators as enemies. We can not carry out these intentions without power. And yet with power, we become a target. I'm sure, as soldiers, you don't want to have this type of discussion."
"In any case, we should explain to you why we didn't let your ship be destroyed." Samuel said. "We would like all of the Strike's and the Raven's combat data as well as the loan of their pilots, my grandson and the Coordinator, Kira Yamato, for technical cooperation with Morgenroete. We're willing to provide you with extensive assistance with your repairs if you agree."
Murrue hesitated. "Lord Urumi, we'd like some time to discuss the matter."
"Very well then. We both have some matters to attend to." Atha said. "You'll be escorted back to your ship for now. We'll come by tonight for your answer."
The Archangel
A number of people were gathered in crew quarters of the Archangel, watching Cagalli, now clad in a dress, fighting with a servant as they started to leave the ship. Chris and Flay were at the back of the group, avoiding Sai as much as they could. Neither of them had spoken with Sai since that night and had pretty much avoided him.
"Holy crap!" Chris said. "She's a girl!"
Most of the crew started laughing or chuckling at his comment. Cagalli growled. "Why the hell do you people keep on saying that?!"
"Because it's amusing." Chris said with a grin.
Captain's Quarters
The Archangel
A Short While Later
"I'm against this." Natarle said. "This nation is dangerous."
"Here we go again." John said under his breath.
"And what do you propose?" Mu asked. "Getting off here and swimming to Alaska."
"No, of course not. That's not what I'm suggesting." Natarle said. "I think that we should pay for the repairs."
"I understand what you're getting at. But..."
"But that won't be the end of it. They never mentioned it to us, but I'm sure they're under tremendous pressure from ZAFT. Yet they still made the decision to help us. You realize why that is, don't you?" Murrue said.
"Indeed." John said, sipping his coffee. "They must be having some kind of problem with their own mobile suits. Something that those kids apparently fixed. Don't worry, I'll go with them and keep an eye on them. If you agree, of course."
"We have little choice but to accept their offer."
"Whatever you say Captain, seeing as I don't have any authority to do anything about it. But this matter will be going in my report." Natarle said before leaving the room.
"Man. And I thought Diana was a cold woman." John said, downing the last of his coffee. "But that woman is like a glacier."
Early the Next Morning
Unbeknownst to the majority of Orb's citizens, a pair of mobile suits were walking towards the Morgenroete Headquarters in dawn hours. Chris yawned. "Man. Would it have been that hard for them to get a couple of transport trucks for us? We could have easily gone through the front door rather than this twisting side route at five in morning."
John, who was riding in the car leading them to the facility, laughed. "I suppose Lord Uzumi wishes to keep this as low key as possible."
"Why does it matter?" Chris asked. "By the end of the day, everyone at Morgenroete will know we're here."
"True. But it's better to be safe than sorry." John said. "We don't know if the Le Creuset Team bought Orb's story or if they're out there, waiting for us. Personally, I doubt they bought it. They're waiting for us to leave Orb. Those guys aren't the kind to just give up. Especially if that masked creep, Le Creuset is with them."
"So they'll be waiting for us when we leave Orb, then?" Chris asked.
"Likely." John said. "When we're done here, get yourselves some R and R. Cause it's unlikely that we'll get a break until we reach JOSH-A. Those guys will likely be hounding us all the way to JOSH-A."
Chris yawned again. "Meh. Whatever. Let's get this whole thing over with."
A short while later, the Strike and Raven were secured in a Morgenroete hanger, deep underground. Johanna Dante and another woman, clad in a Morgenroete crew chief uniform approached the trio. "Hello. I'm Erica Simmons. Welcome to Morgenroete." the woman greeted.
"So this is the heart of Morgenroete." John said. "Where the Gundams were first conceived."
"Yes." Erica said, leading the into another hanger. "Though they were built in Heliopolis, this where it all began."
"Oh that reminds me. I have something for you." John said, searching through a pocket of his coat.
He pulled out a disc and handed it to Erica. "What is this?" she asked.
"When we were in the desert, I studied the schematics of the Strike and the Raven, and came up with some...interesting things. However, I can't do anything with what I've come up with, so I'm handing it over to those that can use it."
"You're an ex-ZAFT commander, right?" she asked, inspecting the disc.
"Yes. Don't worry, I have no intention in rating out Orb to ZAFT or anyone else. Or handing over Orb technology to the PLANTs." John said. "You hold in your hands the only copy of what I've made."
Erica handed the disc to Johanna. "See what's on the disc for me." she said.
Johanna nodded. "Right."
Johanna left as they entered the hanger. Inside the hanger were mobile suits. Ones they had never seen before. They were similar to Strike in appearance. But were clearly a new model. Kira, Chris and John all stared at the machines in amazement. "Admiring the Astrays? They're impressive, but no where near as impressive as your machines." a man voice called out. "It's been awhile Chris."
Chris's eyes immediately widened. He turned to the large man in an Orb uniform approaching them. "Grandpa?"
Samuel smiled and hugged his grandson. "It's good see you alive and well. When I heard what happened at Heliopolis, I feared the worst." he said.
Samuel turned to Kira. "And you must be Kira Yamato. I am General Samuel Dante. Chris's grandfather." he said, shaking Kira's hand.
Kira noticed something odd about his gaze. But he couldn't place it. "Ah, hi."
Samuel turned to John. "I don't know you."
"Officially, I'm Victor Cain. Unofficially, I'm John Alaric."
"ZAFT's Black Hawk? They say that you and Tiger are dead." Samuel said.
John sighed. "I'm alive. But Andy's dead."
"Ah. General Dante, I wasn't sure if you were going to join us this morning." Erica said.
Samuel grunted. "You know how politicians and bureaucrats are. Constantly arguing and passing blame on everyone else. There are those that still want us kick the Archangel out as means to avoid a war with ZAFT. Damn, cowardly Seirans. Say what you want about the Sahaku, at least they have some backbone in them." he said. "If war comes to Orb, it will come and there'll be nothing we can do to prevent it."
"Have you explained the Astrays yet?" Samuel asked.
"No. I was about to."
"I'll do it." Samuel cleared his throat. "These are the M1 Astrays. A mass produced mobile suit from Morgenroete that will serve as Orb's primary frontline mobile suit. As you can see, it shares many characteristics with the Strike. And Morgenroete is currently in the design phase of another machine that will share characteristics with the Raven."
"Now you see the true face of Orb. The so called neutral nation." Cagalli said, approaching the group.
Kira, Chris and John all noticed the red mark on her right cheek. Samuel chuckled. "I see the stubborn little Lion Cub of Orb had a fight with the Lion of Orb again."
Cagalli scowled at him. "These machines are to be Orb's protectors." Samuel said. "As you know, Orb will not attack another nation. Or allow another nation to attack it. Nor will it become involved in the conflicts of other nations. With these machines, we have the power to ensure that just belief."
"That's the kind of nation Orb is. Or at least, that's what it was suppose to be until my father betrayed it." Cagalli said.
Samuel sighed. "Again with this. You're as stubborn as your father. Not even he can knock some sense into you." he said "You know that isn't true. He never knew about the mobile suits being built at Heliopolis-"
"Shut up! That is no an acceptable excuse! He was the Chief Representative!" Cagalli shouted. "Not knowing about the matter is crime as well."
"Which why he stepped down as Chief Representative, handing it over to your uncle." Samuel said.
"Like that changed anything."
"You just don't get, do you? Orb needs Lord Uzumi right now." Samuel said. "Ever since this war started, Orb has been in a difficult position. With our Mass Driver and advanced technology, both ZAFT and the Earth Forces have pressured us to choose a side in this war. A weaker leader have buckled under the pressure and submitted to one of the sides, pulling Orb into this war. Lord Uzumi has chosen the only path that stays true to Orb's principles."
Samuel turned and started walking away. "Come. Let us get to work and leave this stubborn, foolish, little girl."
Cagalli let out a growl but ultimately, followed him and the others out of the hanger. A short while later, they entered the control room of the Mobile Suit Testing Chamber. A trio of Astrays were standing in the Testing Chamber. Erica put on a headset. "Asagi, Juri, Mayura, begin your drills."
The mobile suits activated and proceed to move through their exercises. Movements were slow and pathetic. It was like they were moving underwater. Cagalli sighed. "Those three haven't changed at all. They're still just as slow."
"Actually, they're twice as fast now." Erica said. "Though you do bring up our problem. Though we have the mobile suits, we're still struggling to come up with an OS that allows a Natural pilot it on a similar level as Coordinators."
"And you need our help because we both rewrote the Operating Systems of our machines." Chris said
"Exactly. We need your assistance in this matter." Erica said.
"Okay. Let's get to work then."
Elsewhere, a pair of fishermen waited on some rocks on the shore. A group of scuba divers emerged from the waters and approached them. The lead diver pulled off his mask. "Athrun Zala, of the Le Creuset Team."
One of the fishermen smiled. "Welcome to the Land of Peace." the ZAFT spy said.
Yay! I'm now done the first half of SEED! Now everything I've been waiting to do can now begin.
As always, please Review!