Finally. I'm done this chapter. Part of the delay was because I had a lot of recent schoolwork and I recently came down with a nasty cold that sapped my strength to write. And the other being that I kept on changing parts of it chapter a lot. But it's done now.

Phase Twenty-Three: Decisive Fire

Aprilius One

Athrun watched as crews worked on getting the ZGMF-X09A Justice ready. He could see the side of the nuclear reactor. It's red and yellow warning sign clear for all to see. Even seeing it with his own eyes, Athrun still couldn't believe it. A machine powered by nuclear energy. The PLANTs had all agreed to abandon nuclear technology, because of the danger it represented. Yet here they were working on a mobile suit powered by a nuclear reactor. His father's words still echoed in his mind.

"If we want to win this war, then we'll need that power."

But just how would they use nuclear power to win the war? With just two mobile suits? That didn't seem possible, regardless of how powerful these machines are. Then what was his father referring to?

"It's so sad. Nicol had always loved her songs so very much." Yuri Amalfi said, distracting Athrun from his thoughts.

Athrun hadn't told him that Nicol might still be alive. Commander Creuset had advised him not to tell Nicol's parents that he might still be alive, because if he was wrong, then it would only get their hopes up before shattering it. And they'd end up reliving the same pain all over again. So Athrun had decided to keep quiet about it "I'm very sorry about what happened to Nicol." was all that Athrun could say.

Yuri nodded. "I know. It's alright." he said, his tone tired and weary. "I'm sorry too. I understand why it happened. This is a war after all. And you did avenge him."

A fresh wave of guilt hit Athrun as memories of Kira and the Strike's destruction reemerged from the back of his mind. The guilt and sorrow was as fresh today as it was the day he killed Kira.

"But when there are young people like you and Nicol out there fighting on the battlefield, sacrificing yourself for all of us, I can't fathom how someone could betray us. Betray you like that. That's what angers me more than anything else. We've already sacrificed too much!" Yuri said, his face a mixture of grief and anger. And that why we decided to equip the new models with N-Jammer Cancelers."

Athrun's thoughts turned to Lacus. His mind was still plagued with questions and doubts about her. Why did she betray ZAFT? Why give a machine equipped with a Neutron Jammer Canceler to a spy? The Lacus he knew, wouldn't do such a thing. But he had seem the footage. It was her. There was no question about it. Then why had she done such a thing?

"Should this technology fall into the hands of the Earth Forces, they'd be more than willing to use nuclear weapons again. We must prevent that from happening, at costs!" Yuri turned to Athrun. "I'm counting on you Athrun."

Athrun's gaze was fixed squarely on the Justice. He wasn't going to allow another Bloody Valentine to happen. Even if he had to wipe out entire base to prevent the N-Jammer Canceler from being used to bring back nuclear warheads into the war.

Clyne Residence

A Few Hours Later

Athrun wandered through the backyard of Clyne mansion. The place looked like a tornado had torn through the area. The soldiers and investigators not caring about the house and it's yard in their search for Lacus and her father. He had come here, hoping for answers. But it didn't look like he was going to find any.

Athrun remembered all the times he had visited Lacus here. During happier times. Now those memories seemed old and faded, while memories of the Bloody Valentine, the destruction of the Blitz and his near-suicidal attack that destroyed the Strike and Kira, stayed as crystal clear as the day they happened.

Suddenly, Athrun heard the sounds of movement behind him. He spun around, reaching for the sidearm in his coat. But he stopped the second he saw what it was. The pink Haro. The very first Haro he gave to Lacus. She loved her Haro, especially the first one. And she wouldn't have forgotten about it. She would have taken it with her. "Haro!" it shouted as it bounced around.

Athrun reached out for it, but Haro bounced away from him, forcing to him chase after it. "Haro! Come back!" Athrun called out as he ran.

"I don't wanna!" Haro chirped as it bounced away, heading for the flower arch.

It was here that Athrun finally caught the pink machine. As it continued to chirp and buzz, Athrun looked around at the arch. The flowers that had once covered the arch, had been torn down. Leaving a white skeletal frame in it's place. He remembered the white roses that grew in the arch. Lacus had told once that they were planted so she'd always remember where she first sang in public.

Then something clicked in the back of mind. What if Lacus hadn't forgotten the Haro? What if she had left it behind for him to find? That means that she would have left it behind with a message for him or her location. At that moment, the final piece snapped into place. Haro had led him to the flower arch. The only place where the white roses had been planted.

Athrun knew where she was. He took off, still holding Haro. He was going to get answers from her one way or the other.

White Symphony Theater

An Hour Later

Athrun parked his car and stepped out into the rain. He glanced at the Theater's sign. 'White Symphony' was written on the sign with a pair of white roses. The theater had been closed months ago and was slated for demolition. But Lacus had been leading a campaign for the theater to be restored, halting the plans for demolishing it for the time being. In the meantime, it was abandoned. There were no shows there. Nor any reason for anyone to be there. The prefect place to hide.

Athrun entered the theater. The whole building was in a terrible state of disrepair. Old posters from the theater's last performance, a concert by Lacus, were still on the walls. Debris littered the floor. A layer of dust rested on the floor and walls. He wondered if it was sit structurally safe. Regardless of whether it was safe or not, he continued further into the theater, pulling out his gun as walked. He wasn't sure what he was walking into, but he was going to be prepared for whatever he encountered.

Then he heard something. A voice singing. He couldn't make out the song or the singer's voice that well. But it was female and it was coming from the auditorium. Athrun entered the auditorium and there, sitting on the stage and singing, surrounded by debris, was Lacus.

He started walking towards the stage as Lacus continued to sing, seemingly unaware of his arrival. Athrun found himself looking back at everything that had happened since Heliopolis. Discovering Kira in cockpit of the Strike. Miguel's death at Kira's hands. The destruction of Heliopolis. The battle in the Debris Belt. The Raven's pilot returning Lacus to him. The battles with Kira and the rest of the legged ship's pilots. The destruction of the Blitz and the loss of Nicol. His grueling battle with Kira and Kira's death. But most of all, Cagalli's words to him after that battle.

"Someone's killed for killing another! Then that guy is killed for killing him! How is that twisted thinking ever going to bring peace?!!"

Athrun wished that none of this would have happened. His mother gone in the Bloody Valentine. Kira, and possibly Nicol, dead as well. Saul and Dearka missing, presumed dead. Lacus, a traitor and a criminal. Everything just seemed to be falling apart.

"No problem! No problem! Lacus!!" Haro shouted, bring Athrun out of his thoughts and ending Lacus's singing.

Haro then jumped out of Athrun's hand, bouncing off the ground towards Lacus. Lacus caught it in her hands and smiled. "Why hello there Mr. Pink." Lacus said, turning to Athrun. "I was certain that you'd be the one to find him and bring him here.

Athrun climbed onto the stage. He needed answers. "Explain yourself Lacus. What have you done?"

"I'm sure you you've heard all about. That's why you've come here, isn't it?" Lacus replied, her smile still on her face.

Athrun felt himself getting angry. He wanted answers! "Is what they're saying about you true, Lacus? Did you really give provide assistance to an enemy spy? Answer me!"

"I did not help a spy." She calmly answered. "I simply provided Kira with a newer, better sword. Because I felt that he had need of it now."

Athrun's eye widened in shock. That was impossible! Kira was dead. He killed Kira himself. She was using Kira to trick him! "You're lying!" he shouted, pointing the gun at her. "Kira's dead! I...I..."

"Killed him? I assure that he's still very much alive."

"That's impossible! I saw it with my own eyes! There's no way he could have survived! What kind of trick is this, Lacus?!"

Lacus shook her head. "No. It's no trick. Reverend Malchio found Kira unconscious and brought him to me. Then Kira told me about what between the two of you. Don't you believe me? Do you even believe what you see with your own eyes? Haven't you seen how things have changed? On the battlefield, or even here now that you've returned?"

Athrun couldn't deny that things had changed. The N-Jammer Cancelers and the PLANTs using nuclear power were just the latest changes he had seen going through ZAFT. Changes that Athrun had to admit, he didn't feel with.

"What is that you're fighting for? Is it because of that medal you received? Or your father's orders?" Lacus asked, her tone and demeanor completely changing, becoming serious. "Because if that is so, then you'll likely find yourself fighting Kira as an enemy again. And I as well."

"Lacus…"

Lacus stood up and walked towards him. "And if you see me as an enemy, then you might as well shoot me now, Athrun Zala of ZAFT!"

Athrun knew he couldn't just shoot her. This was the girl that he had been arranged to marry. He lowered his weapon completely and hung his shoulders. How had this whole mess come to pass?

Suddenly, a group of armed men in black suits entered the auditorium. They're guns trained on Lacus. Athrun pulled Lacus behind him and pointed his own gun at them, unsure of what they here for. "You have our thanks, Athrun Zala." the leader of the group said as he approached them.

"What's going on here?" Athrun demanded.

"Naturally, her fiancée would know her best and where best to find her. You've saved us a great deal of time." the man replied. "Now please step away from her. She's a fugitive accused of treason. We've been authorized to use lethal force if necessary. Are sure you want to protect her?"

Athrun was stunned. Lethal force? That couldn't be right. His father wouldn't order such an extreme measure. Would he? "Those orders can't be right." Athrun said, his gun still pointed at the men.

At that very moment, a shot rang out. Instinctively, Athrun pulled Lacus behind a large piece of debris. One of the suits fell to the ground. More shots rang out. A number of the men in suits were gunned by their unseen attackers. They fired back, but their attackers were hidden in the shadows of the auditorium. Those on the stage however, turned their attention to Athrun and Lacus, pinning them behind the ruins. Gunfire opened up on the stage, killing the men on the stage and finishing the last of them off. Armed ZAFT soldiers entered the auditorium, checking to make sure the first group of armed men were dead. A pair of armed men stepped onto the stage. The first was a young man in a green ZAFT uniform with maroon hair. The second was older with black hair and wearing a suit. Athrun instantly recognized him. He was Ian Kessel, Saul's father and the only Council member that supported Siegel Clyne that wasn't in custody.

"It's all clear." Ian said. "You can come out now."

Lacus walked out from the debris. "Thank you Mr. Kessel." she said with a smile. "Did Reverend Malchio's shuttle manage to take off?"

"Yes." the younger, maroon haired man answered. "He's on his way to Earth now."

"More will come." Ian added. "It'd be wise for us to leave as quickly as possible."

Lacus nodded. "I understand." She turned to Athrun. "Goodbye Athrun. And thank you again for bringing Mr. Pink back to me. You'll find Kira on Earth. I suggest you go there and have a talk with him. He is after all, your friend."

And with that, Lacus, Ian and the soldiers left. Where they were going, Athrun didn't know. But he did know where he was going. The technicians had told him that the Justice would be ready for him in a few days. And once it was ready, he'd head to Earth. To see Kira with his own eyes.

Atlantic Federation High Command

The Pentagon

In a secret room, underneath the Pentagon, a group of men were arguing. But these were not ordinary men. They were the ones who ran the Atlantic Federation. And now because of JOSH-A, the Earth Alliance as well.

"This is humiliating! Our success at JOSH-A is virtually worthless now that we've lost Panama!" an enraged Secretary Raynes shouted.

JOSH-A had been a major success for them. Greatly weakening ZAFT, as well as the Eurasian Federation, enabling them to take control of the Alliance as a whole. But with the lost of Panama, things were in jeopardy of turning against them.

"Our Lunar bases will exhaust their stores very quickly with the supply route from Panama cut off!" Foreign Minster Wade said, his tone just as angry. "How are suppose to launch a counteroffensive with this situation?!"

"We're accelerating our plan to recapture Victoria." Defense Minster Keegan answered, trying calm the worried and angry Heads of the Atlantic Federation. "But it's not going to be easy to take their Mass Driver undamaged."

The wary President of the Atlantic Federation let out a sigh. Just when they had completely turned the war around in their favor, ZAFT had struck back. Reversing things and returning the disadvantage to the Alliance. "And what about Orb? What's the latest news on them?" President Griffin asked.

"We've repeatedly asked for their assistance. But that stubborn fool Uzumi Nara Athha refuses to see things our way." Wade replied, disgust in his tone for the neutral nation and it's esteemed leader.

Worse news for them. Orb's Mass Driver was the only one not under the control of ZAFT. They had hoped that they could reason with Orb and bring them into the fold. But their damn belief of neutrality was stopping that from happening.

Virtually unnoticed and ignored by the men in the room, was the sound of fingers tapping on the table. "Oh really? Is it because they're...neutral?" Azrael drawled as his fingers repeatedly tapped the table. "That's just not right, now is it? Not when all the others risking their lives, fighting against...Mankind's enemy."

"Azrael, I wish you won't phrase it in such an extreme manner. We are not Blue Cosmos." Griffin said.

Griffin didn't particularly care for Azrael. He was a bit too extreme for his liking. But the man was the Director of the Atlantic National Defense Conglomerate, the main arms manufacture for the Atlantic Federation. As a result, he wielded a great deal of power with the Federation.

Azrael stopped tapping his fingers, making an apologetic shrug. "Sorry. No offense was intended. But I simply can not understand why you people continue to tolerate a nation like that. One that hides behind such flimsy excuses. I think we've reached a point in this conflict where being neutral is a luxury."

"But the Orb Union is a completely independent sovereign nation. We have to acknowledge that." the President replied.

"Yes. But Orb is a nation of Earth, isn't it? That means it should be obligated to cooperate with the Alliance. That only seems fair, now doesn't it?" Azrael commented. "If you'd like, I'll be more than happy to lead the negotiations. I'll deal with Orb."

Many of the officials stared at Azrael, unsure of what he was planning. "What do you mean?" the uncertain Foreign Minster asked.

Azrael stood up. "Our priority is to get our hands onto someone's Mass Driver. And right away. Why settle for one when you could have two?"

Many seemed convinced. But not President Griffin. "Well...yes but-"

Azrael cut him off. "You'll be quite busy planning the Victoria Operation. It would be more efficient to divide these responsibilities. And while we're at it, we might even have a chance to test the new toys."

"You're planning on using the new machines?" Minster Keegan asked.

"It all depends on our esteemed counterpart reacts. If the noble Mr. Athha is even half as stubborn as he's rumored to be, then I think we could find ourselves in for a little excitement." Azrael said, a predatory grin appearing on his face.

Port Panama

Commanders Diana Vessel, Lisa DeCosta, Basque Gideon, Lucius Raveshaw, and Ajay Cortez, walked down the halls of the hastily erected ZAFT base near the ruins of Port Panama's central base. As they walked, they passed many ZAFT officers and soldiers, many of whom glared at them venomously. Glaring at them for what they did. As they passed a pair of ZAFT pilots, one of them said, "Nothing but a bunch of traitors."

He hadn't even bothered to try to keep his voice down. "Hmph. They're worse than those damn, disgusting Naturals." his comrade added.

Both Ajay and Basque stopped. "I'm sorry, I'm a little hard of hearing. But what did you just say?" Ajay asked. "It sounded like you called us a bunch of traitors. But I know that no one would be stupid enough to say it to our faces."

"I said, you're all traitors to ZAFT." the first pilot shot back.

"Well then. Me and King Kong here, have a problem. You see, we can't decide just what to do to a pair of jackasses like you two." Ajay said as Basque, standing behind him, punched his palm as he glared at them. "Should we just beat the crap out of you? Or should we-"

"Ajay. Basque. Enough." Diana called out, not even looking back. "They are not worth our time."

Ajay grumbled. But in the the end, the two of them rejoined the group and they continued on their way.

"Walk away traitors!" the second pilot called out. "The Naturals don't deserve any mercy! The future of Coordinators can only be guaranteed when every Natural is dead! The Black Hawk would be ashamed to see how his Fleet has become weak under your command! His entire command has become weak and pathetic!"

Diana stopped, turned around and walked back to the two pilots. A few moments later, both pilots were on the ground, Diana standing over them. Diana put her foot on the chest of the second pilot. "You can insult me. You can insult the men and women under my command. But you will not insult the memory of the Commander by saying such things, Pilot..." she glanced at the name tag on his uniform before continuing. "Sato. The Commander would not have condoned that massacre. Especially what you two did. Gunning down surrendering, wounded Earth soldiers and doctors. If I ever serve on the same battlefield as you two again and catch you doing such a thing, I'll execute for war crimes myself."

Diana then straightened out her uniform and left with her subordinates. A few minutes later, they reached the doors to the briefing room. Only Diana entered the room. The inquiry that was going to take place was closed to all but those testifying.

Inside the room, Rau Le Creuset and several other officers and various members of the military sat, waiting for the officers in charge of the inquiry to arrive. Diana sat down next to Creuset. "Commander Kessel, it is a pleasure to see you again." the masked snake greeted.

"Be quiet Creuset. I still blame you for what happened." Diana coldly shot back.

"You're blaming me for the massacre? Isn't that a little harsh? As I recall, neither of us were able to obtain any order of the soldiers while they massacred the soldiers of the Earth Forces."

"No. Not that." Diana replied. "I blame you for sending out my younger brother's team after the legged ship with an inexperienced commander that led to his disappearance."

"Hmm...I didn't know you cared." Creuset commented. "You certainly never acted like-"

"Be quiet Creuset, before I rip your forked tongue out."

At that moment, the door opened and a group of ZAFT officers entered. Led by Admiral Thule, Supreme Commander of ZAFT Forces on Earth.

Diana was both pleased and relieved that Thule himself was in charge of the inquiry. The graying Admiral was known as a fair man. And he didn't involve himself in the politics of the Supreme Council, which meant that he was in Zala's camp.

Admiral Thule and the other officers returned the salute. "Commander Kessel. Commander Le Creuset. This inquiry has been called to answer the question of what exactly happened at the end of Operation Odin's Spear. And whether or not, charges should be brought up. Since the two of you were the Commanding Field Officers, our investigation will start with the two of you. Commander Kessel, if you'd give us your testimony first. Start from the beginning."

Diana nodded while Creuset took his seat. "The initial landing and securing of the Gungnir sites went off without much difficulty. Our superior mobile suits easily dealt with their outdated weaponry. However, shortly after the Gungnirs were deployed on the field, new, mass produced mobile suits of the Earth Forces appeared on the battlefield. The mobile suits themselves were superior to our GINNs and other mobile suits. Though in the end, the inexperience of the Earth Forces pilots at mobile suit warfare, gave us an opening to exploit and we drove them back. We then proceeded to push forward, so that we could buy time for the Gungnirs to be set up and fired."

"How combat effective would you describe the new Earth Alliance machines?" an officer asked.

"Very combat effective sir. As I said, they were superior to our GINNs. Their armaments consisted of a beam rifle, beam saber and a shield. Most of our machines didn't stand a chance against that hardware. My personal opinion on the mobile suits are that if we do not race to meet the challenge these new mobile suits represent with new, superior, mass produced mobile suits of our own. Then I fear that our technological advantage. The only advantage we have in this war, will be lost."

Thule nodded. None of them needed to reminded of how the bulk of their victories in the war were solely due to their technological superiority over the Earth Forces. If it wasn't for their mobile suits, ZAFT would have lost within a few months of the war. And even with the mobile suits, there had never been a guarantee that they would win the war. Especially now with the losses from Spitbreak and the deployment of Earth Forces mobile suits. "And what of what happened after the Gungnirs were fired? Why did our own forces end up fighting each other?" the Admiral asked.

"After the Gungnirs were fired and all of the weapons of Panama's defenders were rendered useless, members of the 11th Autonomous Mobile Fleet and myself began rounding up the surrendering soldiers. But one pilot mercilessly murdered a defenseless Earth Alliance soldier. I ordered him to stand down, but he refused. He then tried to gun down the captured soldiers. I fired on the man, destroying his GINN's head and main camera. I again ordered him to stand down. This time, he complied. I then ordered all ZAFT forces to refrain from firing on surrendering Earth Alliance soldiers. Most disobeyed this order and proceeded to kill the defenseless soldiers. I then ordered all who were still willing to listen to a superior officer, to defend the newly captured POWs. I urged them to avoid fatal shots, but if necessary to protect themselves or the prisoners, to shoot to kill. My only regret is that such a situation occurred in the first place."

"You should have let the men extract their revenge for Alaska. After what they did at Alaska, no mercy should have been given to those bastards." one of officer said, his voice filled with contempt for both the Naturals and Commander Kessel.

"I'm sorry sir. Sorry for following the rules of war." she shot back. "And sorry for not letting petty hatred and bigotry cloud my judgment. I thought we were military officers, not Patrick Zala's fanatics."

"Watch your tongue, girl. Or you may find yourself regretting-"

"Enough!" Thule interrupted. "Colonel Brunt, I remind you that I will not tolerate anyone threatening a ZAFT soldier. Nor, Commander Kessel, will I tolerate a ZAFT soldier talking down to a superior officer."

Diana bowed her head. "Apologies Admiral."

Brunt scowled. "I apologize as well Admiral." he said halfheartedly.

Thule cleared his throat. "Any further testimony Commander Kessel?"

"Nothing beyond my personal feelings on the massacre that followed the firing of the Gungnirs."

"Very well then. Commander Le Creuset, we will now hear your testimony."

Rau stood up as Diana took her seat. "Yes sir. While Commander Kessel was commanding from the field, I was aboard the Cousteau, commanding and directing the battle as a whole. When the Gungnirs were fired and our own forces begin to fire on the Earth Alliance soldiers. We received Commander Kessel's order to cease attacking the Naturals and I likewise tried to stop it. But the anger from Alaska was far too great for either of us to control. It was truly appalling to see our soldier stoop to that level. But truthfully, I doubt we could have done more than what we did do."

Several Hours Later

After hearing their testimony, as well as the testimony of a number of ZAFT soldiers and several captured EA officers, Thule dismissed them, informing them that he and the other officers would deliberate over whether or not charges should be brought up on anyone.

When Diana left the room, she found her subordinates, still waiting for her. Lucius was the first to speak. Asking what they were all wondering. "Did they reach a decision sir?"

"They're deliberating. They said they're going to have their decision to tomorrow." Diana explained.

Diana and her subordinates walked past the hastily erected POW camp. It was basically, several rows of tents, surrounded by a chain link fence and patrolled by armed guards. The Earth Alliance personnel within the camp quickly spotted and recognized them as they walked past.

"That's the Commander of the 11th Fleet. She saved my life."

"Yeah. We would have been done for if it wasn't for her."

"Those maniacs would have killed us all if it wasn't for them."

"I heard they're gonna lock her up for fighting to save us."

"What?! No way! Are the Zafties that crazy?!"

"Are you kidding? Half the soldiers here wanna put a bullet in our heads."

Diana didn't blame them for thinking that. After Alaska, things were changing. It was bad enough that Patrick Zala had managed to beat Clyne in the election, making him the new Supreme Council Chairman. But with the loss of so many soldiers during Spitbreak, more and more were following Patrick Zala's insane beliefs. And now because of her actions, the men and women under her command were likely to suffer. One way or another.

Suddenly, one by one, the Earth soldiers started saluting her until almost the entire camp was at attention. Diana stopped and returned the salute. The truth was, she didn't regret her actions in the slightest. Despite whatever punishment it may bring. She would not forsake her honor or the honor of her subordinates.

ZAFT Supreme Council Chambers

"And if no one has any other matters to bring, then this concludes-"

"Pardon the interruption, Chairman Zala, but there is one matter that you have forgotten about." Yuri Amalfi said, interrupting the Chairman.

Patrick frowned. He had hoped that the members of the National Defense Committee that served on the Council wouldn't bring this matter up. It enraged him that the majority of the Defense Committee had agree to such a thing.

"And what would that be?" Ezalia asked.

"With the start of the mass production of the GuAIZs, the Defense Committee has been deciding who should be given these new machines first." Yuri explained. "Much of the Committee has agree that our best fighting force should be given the new mobile suits as soon as possible. Especially, with the Earth Forces deploying their own mass production mobile suit. A machine that I should remind you, is superior to the backbone of our own military, the GINN. The majority of the Committee voted that the 11th Autonomous Mobile Fleet should be amongst the first to receive the new GuAIZs. But they wish for the matter to be brought before the Council for final approval."

"But how do we know that Commander Kessel's loyalty is strong? Her father is suspected of being a traitor and a spy, and has completely disappeared." Zala argued.

"Unfortunately Chairman, we have yet to find anything to support such an accusation." Louise Leitner, Head of the Judicial Committee said. "Nor have we found any evidence tying the other arrested Council members to the Clynes' treachery. In fact, we have nothing to even hold them on."

Zala's expression turned into an outright scowl. "Search harder. They've been working with that traitor Clyne. I know it."

"As I said, the investigators have yet to find any solid connections to tie the arrested Council members to the Clynes and what they've done." Louise replied. "We've searched their residences and office. We've been questioning all of the families and close associates. And we haven't found anything to even point to the possibility of them being spies."

"Just keep them detained until we can find the Clynes and get this whole mess straightened out." Patrick said, trying to control is anger. If they were released now and returned to the Council, they would fight to stop GENESIS. Because they were too weak and stupid to understand what needed to be done to ensure the future of the Coordinators. GENESIS must be completed. So it could usher in the Age of the Coordinators.

"We are getting a bit off topic here." Yuri commented. "We're discussing whether or not the 11th Fleet should be given the first of the new GuAIZs. Though the Defense Committee voted in favor of giving them the new GuAIZs, they also felt that due to the sensitive nature of Commander Kessel's family, we should be the ones to make the final decision. Personally, I'm in favor of it. They are our best unit and they deserve the best machines we have."

"I must agree as well." Ezalia said, surprising Patrick. "Regardless of her family, Commander Kessel's unit is one of our best. With the new mobile suits of the Earth Forces clearly superior to our own GINNs, we must start equipping our best combat units with the new machines immediately to counteract this new threat."

Patrick scowled. He had no other choice. "Very well then. Those in favor of giving the first of the GuAIZs to the 11th Autonomous Mobile fleet."

Most of the Council raised their hands in favor. There was no way around it now. If it were up to him, he'd have the entire fleet locked up just for their traitorous actions at Panama. But the majority of the National Defense Committee had decided that they should be rewarded for their skills, ignoring their actions completely. It infuriated Patrick. Ian Kessel had fled before they could arrest him. He couldn't touch his wife, Admiral Sarah Kessel, without indisputable proof that she was a traitor. And now the man's daughter and successor to that infuriating John Alaric was being rewarded for a blatant act of treason! Where was the justice in that?!

Perhaps it was time to have Creuset manipulate the evidence and remove Diana Kessel once and for all and replace her with someone more willing to see their side of the picture.

Port Panama

The Next Day

"The incident at Panama was regrettable and deeply disturbing. But this board has determined that there was no way for either of you to prevent such situation from occurring or stopping it once started. And Commander Kessel and the 11th Autonomous Mobile Fleet actions in defending the surrendering soldiers against our own forces, was the only option that could have taken to minimize the lost of life. Therefore, their shall be no disciplinary actions taken against Commanders Le Creuset and Kessel, or the 11th Autonomous Mobile Fleet." the Admiral declared. "Furthermore, due to the sheer number of soldiers participating in the unauthorized execution of surrendering Earth Alliance soldiers and our heavy losses at JOSH-A, there will be no disciplinary actions taken for this incident."

Diana wasn't surprised. As the Admiral had said, their forces were too depleted and the those that took part in the massacre too many, to punish. They'd have to punish just about every soldier in the field at the time. That was a lot of men and women to punish. To properly punish them, would likely cripple ZAFT fighting strength on Earth. And after JOSH-A, they were barely able to maintain their holdings here on Earth. If the Earth Forces could rapidly mass produce their new mobile suits in large numbers, they would easily overrun the ZAFT bases on Earth. They'd retake the Mass Drivers of Victoria and Kaohsiung relatively quickly. Moving the center stage of the war to space. To ZAFT's front yard. They needed every soldier in their armed forces fighting, if they were to have any chance of winning the war now.

"Though, on a personal note, I must admit that the willingness of our own forces to kill defenseless Earth Alliance soldiers, troubles me greatly. We are soldiers. ZAFT soldiers. We do not engage in such savagery. Even if the Earth Forces themselves do it." Admiral Thule added. "I officially declare this matter closed."

Both Commanders saluted, waiting for the salute to be returned and for them to be dismissed. "Before you go, Commander Kessel. It's been requested by the Defense Committee, that you and the 11th Autonomous Mobile Fleet are to return to the homeland to receive the first of our new mass production mobile suits." the Admiral said, saluting the pair. "Congratulations Commander. Dismissed."

"Indeed. Congratulations Kessel." Creuset said, offering his hand to her.

Diana stared at him for a moment before reluctantly shaking his hand. She didn't believe a word the man had said the previous day. She then headed for the exit. She had no desire to be near that masked snake any longer than she had to. As with the day before, her subordinates were once again waiting outside for her.

"So what's our punishment?" Ajay asked as she exited the room.

"They're giving us new mobile suits fresh off the assembly line."

"Damn. That means I got to get use to a whole new machine now." Ajay complained. "Couldn't they have just locked us up or something?"

Diana ignored his complaints. "Inform the men that we'll be heading out soon. And that we'll be returning to the homeland to receive our new mobile suits." she ordered. "Lucius, contact Lee and the rest of the Fleet. Tell them that we'll be taking the Kaohsiung Mass Driver to return to space and that I'll contact him with more details once I've secured our means of transportation."

"Sir!" the four officers said before carrying out her orders.

Onogoro Island

"Are you ready for this?" Chris asked.

"Not really." Kira replied. "You?"

"About the same. But we have to do this." Chris said. "This sure makes all of our previous battles seem like a cakewalk."

Kira nodded. "Yeah."

"Well then. Let's do this."

Chris rang the doorbell. A minute later, the door opened, revealing Tolle's mother. She looked terrible. Her hair was a mess and her clothes weren't much better. Her face was pale with dark bags under her eyes. Though she wasn't crying, there were tear trails running down her face. "Hello Mrs. Koenig." Chris quietly greeted. "May we come in."

She stared at them for a moment, but she didn't quite seem to register them initially. She seemed to be partially in shock. She nodded. "Come in." she said, her voice quiet and tired.

The two teens entered the house and followed her into the living room. Tolle's mother slumped down in chair, her hands griping a picture frame that seen in her hands until this moment. They couldn't see the picture in the frame but there was no doubt that it was of Tolle. Her eyes were lock on the picture, almost as though she was trying to will her son back to life. Both Kira and Chris felt fresh waves of guilt. They both had been there. If only they hadn't been distracted by their own personal battles, one of them could have saved Tolle. But they had failed and one of their friends paid the price for it.

The two of them sat down on the couch across from the chair. "We came by to deliver Tolle's personal affects." Kira said, holding up the bag of Tolle's clothes. "And to apologize for Tolle's death."

She didn't look up from the picture. "Why? Why did he have to go out and fight in this wretched war?" she asked, her voice cracked and on the verge of becoming sobs.

Kira and Chris paused, unsure of what to say. There wasn't anything they could say to make it better. So in the end, Chris spoke. Simply saying the truth of the matter. "Tolle wouldn't have gotten involved in this war if it wasn't for us."

Tolle's mother looked up at him, as did Kira. He continued, his tone bitter and dejected. "All he wanted to do was help us out...He didn't want for us to be the only ones baring the burden of protecting everyone on the ship. He fought because he wanted to help us."

Kira bowed his head in shame. "He died trying to save me from the person I was fighting." Kira added, his tone the same as Chris's and unable to look Tolle's mother in the eyes.

Chris sighed. "We never should have let him-"

"I understand." she quietly said. "You were Tolle's friends. And he wasn't the kind of person to let his friends bare a burden by themselves. I never blamed either of you for Tolle's death. Please, I need to be alone right now."

Both boys stared at the woman. "Please leave." she said again, this time louder as tears started to roll down her eyes.

The teens nodded. "If that's what you want, then we'll leave." Kira replied.

He and Chris stood up and quietly left the house. "Well. All things considering, that went fairly well." Chris commented once they were outside.

"Well? Really?"

"Yeah. I kinda expected that she was going to scream at us after we told her. Maybe even throw something at us." Chris answered. "But you never know how someone is going to react in that situation."

"I suppose you're right. Well, I guess we better be heading back to the Archangel now."

"Nah. You can, but I'm gonna go for a stroll for a while. I need to clear my head." Chris replied, walking away from Kira.

"But Miss Murrue said that we weren't-"

But Chris cut him off. "Don't worry about it. If she gets mad, it'll be on my head, not your's. Besides, I'm not gonna start blabbing that I'm a mobile suit pilot from the Archangel. In fact, most probably don't even know the name of the ship." he said, still walking away.

Kira, seeing no other option, shrugged and headed back to the Archangel.

Chris wanted some time just to think. He hadn't really things since Alaska. When this whole thing started at Heliopolis, everything had been so simple. Protect the ship from ZAFT. Then Zane returned to his life, completely changed. Gone was the pacifist that believed that Naturals and Coordinators could live peacefully together. In his place, was a teen driven by pain, anger and grief. A teen who seemed to hate everyone. He knowingly shot down a civilian shuttle, proclaiming that there was no such thing as innocence in the human race. Chris had no idea what happened to him after the Bloody Valentine, but it couldn't have been good. He honestly wasn't sure what he was going to do about Zane ultimately. Was there anything left of the person he had once been? If he had no other choice, would he be able to kill him?

Then there was Flay. That had been really complicated. Now he admitted that he had been at least physically attracted to her before the destruction of Heliopolis. But then again, just about any guy would be attracted to her. Until he started spending time with her. Every changed after that. When he had first felt truly in love with her, he didn't know. Hell, he could have been in love with her from start but only recently realized it. Whatever it was, it didn't matter. He loved her and she loved him. That was all that mattered.

He wondered where she was right now. Mu had said that he left her in the line for their sub at JOSH-A. The sub had been bound for California. So she could be there. Or she could have been transferred to somewhere else after arriving there. But she was safe. He knew that. Sutherland had said that she would be useful as a propaganda tool than a soldier. Which meant that she wouldn't be anywhere near the fighting. She'd be safe no matter what happened. And she had the good luck too.

Finally, there was the Earth Alliance's recent actions at JOSH-A. Now he didn't blame the Alliance for the Bloody Valentine. That was the work of Blue Cosmos, not the Alliance. And he had to admit, after fighting for the Alliance, he had felt sympathetic for them. Most would think that a Coordinator like him should favor ZAFT. But after seeing the Earth Alliance forces being wiped out time and time again by smaller ZAFT forces, it was hard to feel any sympathy for them. Especially considering that ZAFT was practically blaming the entire Alliance for Junius Seven. Some were even blaming all of the Naturals for it. That didn't sit right with him. It was the same as Blue Cosmos's rhetoric.

But then JOSH-A happened. And everything changed. The Atlantic Federation, which had at first seemed to be a desperate nation within the Earth Alliance trying to protect their people. Now they were like Blue Cosmos. Willing to do anything to ensure their victory over ZAFT and to increase their own power in the Alliance.

He wandered around for about fifteen minutes when he reached Orb's biggest and most crowded shopping district. He slowly moved through the throngs of people when he bumped into a girl. The girl fell down to the ground, the bags she was carrying, spilled their contents all over the place. "Sorry about that." he said, helping the girl get back on her feet.

The girl appeared to no older than thirteen. She had short brown hair and matching brown eyes. "No. It's my fault. I wasn't watching were I was going." she replied as she started to gather up all of the stuff she had bought.

"Here. Let me give you a hand." Chris said, kneeing down to help her pick up her stuff.

A moment later, Chris grabbed the last fallen item, a pink cell phone. He was about to hand it to her when a voice called out, "Mayu!"

Both turned to the source of the voice. A black haired, red eyed teen. A year, maybe two, older than the girl. He appeared to be searching for her. "Shinn! Over here!" the girl shouted, waving a hand in the air.

The boy ran up to them. "Come on Mayu. It's time to go."

"Alright Shinn." She turned to Chris. "Thanks for giving me a hand, Mr..."

Chris smiled. "Christopher Dante. But just call me Chris."

"I'm Mayu Asuka."

"Mayu. We have to go." the boy said in an annoyed tone.

"Alright, alright Shinn. I'm coming."

She started to walk towards her brother. "Wait! You forgot this." Chris said, raising her cell phone up.

Mayu grabbed the phone. "Thanks!" she shouted as she left with her brother.

Chris gave a small wave as she left. A normal life. He had forgotten what life was like without the war. He missed it. As much as he grown to love piloting the Raven, he missed being a normal teenager. But something told him, he would never have a normal life again. At least not as it was before Heliopolis's destruction.

Earth Alliance Spengler-Class Carrier, the Powell

Outside Orb Territorial Waters

One Week Later

"The neutral nation of Orb. What a detestable nation." Captain Oswald commented, staring out at the Orb mainland. "Bring the fleet to a full stop."

"Sir." the comm officer said before relaying his orders to the entire fleet.

Azrael smiled as the fleet came to stop. Orb hadn't mobilized their forces yet. They knew what was coming and were merely gathering their strength. But it would be pointless in the end. "It's time to give them our ultimatum." the smug director said.

"Do you really think Orb will submit?" Oswald asked.

"Not likely with Uzumi Nara Athha in charge. No. They'll fight. To the bitter, bloody end." Azrael replied, the grin never leaving his face for a second.

Oswald turned to Azrael. "What's the status on those new machines of your's?"

"The mobile suits will be ready for tomorrow. And the doctors have assured me, that the pilots will as well."

The Captain grunted. "I don't like the idea of giving our four new mobile suits to a group of science experiments. They should be given to our aces, not those freaks."

"I need I remind you that because of ZAFT's technological superiority, most of our aces are dead." Azrael said. "Besides, most of our aces couldn't hope to match their abilities."

Azrael was so very pleased with himself. His plans were going off without a hitch. Everything was falling into place. Soon Athha would removed and Orb's Mass Driver, along with Morgenroete and it's technology would be their's. Then all that would be left, would be to deal with the PLANTs and the Coordinator threat once and for all.

Alright, that's it for now. Next up, the beginning of the battle of Orb. Oh, can anyone spot the Destiny character that appeared in this chapter, beside Shinn and Mayu? Speaking of those two, originally, I wasn't going to have them appear in story. Save perhaps including the deaths of Shinn's family during the battle of Orb. But as I started writing this chapter, I thought 'why not?' and added them in.

One thing I always wondered about SEED is why there was a scene with Athrun speaking to Nicol's father after his death, yet they never had a similar scene with Kira talking Tolle's parents. I found that odd that Tolle was virtually forgotten about after Miri attacked Dearka, while Nicol's memory seemed to linger and showed up a little in Destiny. So I created that little scene with them visiting Tolle's mother. Something that I felt Kira would have done during his second visit to Orb.