Disclaimer: I may be bringing the Tallgeese and Epyon from Gundam Wing but how they were made is completely different from what we all know, which will be explained by Heero later in this chapter. Also there will be a Heero/Lacus romance and I am planning to bring in an original character to become Kira's girlfriend and there will be more kissing between our regular couples such as Mu and Murrue, Athrun and Cagalli as well as Dearka and Miriallia.
"Speech"
'Thought,'
"Communications"
Freedom, Justice and Wing-Zero.
Regular POV.
Archangel Bridge.
"Captain, ZAFT forces have made it past the first and second lines. Those two unidentified machines are tearing the 8th fleet to shreds!" Sai reported as the ship began its descent into Earth's atmosphere.
"Keep monitoring them, we've almost reached the atmospheric interface. Just hang in there," Murrue replied.
"Commander La Flaga's returned but the Strike's too busy battling the Duel," Miriallia informed. "Mobilesuit detected at Orange 18, mark Charlie delta. Captain, it's Heero and Wing-Zero, they're firing on the unidentified Mobilesuits,"
Heero's POV.
As I entered the battle I could already tell something was wrong with the way the Tallgeese and Epyon were operating. Having trained with my friends Jake and Zack for a year I had learned to tell their fighting styles apart. I also knew that Jake and Zack would never fight against me, but the second I opened communications with their Mobilesuits they began attacking me. Trying to talk them down as I evaded them wasn't working and Zero could tell their reaction time wasn't what it should be. There was one last thing I could try to get through to the cockpits, having worked on Zero, Tallgeese and Epyon with my father I had acquired override codes for the each suits communication system. What I saw on the HUD confirmed my fears, Tallgeese and Epyon were now being piloted by elite ZAFT pilots.
"What the hell have you done to my friends?" I demanded to their confused faces.
"If you're talking about those pathetic naturals they were shot trying to take these machines back from us," Epyon's pilot grinned.
"Now all we have to do is Capture your machine so we can exterminate you stinking naturals," Tallgeese's pilot laughed, aiming the shoulder mounted cannon at Zero. "Any last words?"
"Yeah, your targeting sensors are off by three degrees to the right!" I replied firing Zero's buster rifle between the suits, vaporising an arm and leg each. "I'll be waiting for you two on Earth,"
Cutting the communications lines I transformed Zero into its Mobile armour heading for the Strike's last position, flying right past the Ginns, the Blitz and the Aegis without them even noticing as they returned to their ships. A single Laurasia-class had broken through the remaining Earth Forces ships and was firing on a ship that had sent out a civilian shuttle moments before burning up in the atmosphere along with the Laurasia-class. Then I realised the shuttle was getting dangerously close to battle between the Strike and Duel, which were still fighting despite the danger of falling through the atmosphere. As kick to the head from the Strike separated the two Mobilesuits the Duel kept firing just as the shuttle was passing between them and there was nothing I could do to help, I was too far away to get there in time. I could only watch as the Duel fired on the shuttle, killing all those people aboard, reminding me of how my father died. Pushing that particular memory aside I pushed Zero through the atmosphere travelling on a trajectory parallel to the Archangel and the Strike.
Regular POV.
Archangel Bridge.
"Give me a status report Ensign Neumann," Murrue requested slumping back in her chair.
"Ma'am. The ship has landed safety and the Strike has been moved to the hanger. Kira's been taken to sick bay and Wing-Zero's requesting permission to come aboard," Neumann answered.
"Very well I allow him to come aboard. Have Commander La Flaga bring him to my quarters once he's out of his machine. You have the bridge Lieutenant Badgiruel," Murrue replied leaving the bridge. "Let me know if the situation changes,"
"Understood Ma'am," Natarle retorted.
Hanger deck.
Mu La Flaga stood waiting next to the new Skygraspers in a fresh uniform as Wing-Zero took its place next to the Strike, rubbing the lump on the back of his head he received when he tripped over a couch in the locker room trying to get to a communications panel while attempting to change out of his flight-suit.
"Something wrong Lieutenant La Flaga?" Heero asked descending on the zip cable, a backpack slung over his shoulder.
"Actually it's Commander now and I'm not used to the gravity on Earth yet because I tripped over a couch just before you got here," Mu answered trying to sound cheerful. "What's in the bag?"
"My regular clothes. I don't like the idea of wearing this flight-suit for more than three days in a row," Heero replied planting his feet on the hanger deck.
"I guess you're right. We'd better get going, the captain wants to talk with you right a way," Mu retorted.
"Right," Heero said offhandedly.
"You don't sound too please about that," Mu said leading Heero into locker room.
"I just don't want to get into a war over that sweet ass of her's with you, since you obviously like her," Heero answered peeling off his flight-suit.
"You're right, she does have a nice ass but that's not the reason I like her," Mu rebutted crossing his arms over his chest. "But I also happen to know you like the pink haired princess,"
"She's engaged to Athrun Zala the pilot of the Aegis," Heero replied spraying himself with deodorant. "Let's just drop it so we can see Captain Ramius,"
Heero's POV.
Murrue's Quarters.
"I assume you want to know those two machines that decimated your fleet?" I asked taking a seat beside Murrue's desk.
"That, and I'm also wondering why you fought against them," she answered unbuttoning the top of her uniform jacket.
"I owe you for saving my life in the debris belt and you didn't throw me straight into a jail cell. What's more you fixed Zero up for me and allowed me to continue being its pilot. I doubt ZAFT would have been so accommodating," I explained taking a disk out of my pants pocket. "This contains a readout on those machines,"
Taking the disk Murrue inserted it into her desk computer, bring the image up on a big screen on the far wall in front of her desk displaying Tallgeese and Epyon. "How did you get this information?"
"Because those to suits were created by my father along with Wing-Zero. Two of my friends Jake and Zack were the pilots but they're dead. They were killed and now ZAFT pilots control them," I replied frowning at the display. "The one on the left is called Tallgeese it doesn't have the same firepower as Zero but it is as fast and manoeuvrable when in space. In an atmosphere its top speed is around Mach 8.5 which it can only sustain for a very short amount of time which makes it a very powerful weakness,"
"Why's that?" Mu asked.
"With those kinds of G-forces the pilot would be killed with in two minutes at Mach 6.2 doing complex manoeuvres, but since a coordinator is piloting Tallgeese he'd probably be able to go at 7.4 for about ten seconds. As for weapon Tallgeese has a single shoulder mounted dozer beam cannon which from what I saw of the battle can cut right through the armour on any of your ships as well as a single beam sabre under the shield on its left arm. The maroon coloured Mobilesuit is called Epyon and unlike Zero and Tallgeese is designed for close ranger combat only all thanks to a friend of my father who believed in using swords for fighting a war instead of guns. Like Zero, Epyon has the ability to transform into a mobile armour resembling a two headed dragon because of the segmented super heated whip connected to the shield on its left arm. Its only other weapon is a slightly larger beam sabre connected directly to its generator which for all three suits won't run out of power," I explained ending my lecture. "If you're worried that ZAFT will try and duplicate the generator technology I can guarantee that's impossible,"
"And what makes you so sure? Your father created these machines didn't he?" Mu asked suddenly sceptical.
"I don't remember saying he created Mobilesuit technology. He only built Wing-Zero, Tallgeese and Epyon based on incomplete schematics on three alien machines. The generators are so advanced it's impossible to duplicate them with today's existing technology," I answered heading for the door. "The only thing they'd be able to duplicate is the weapons which are similar to the four machines they stole from you. And that means they'll be coming after Wing-Zero and its twin buster rifle,"
"And why is that?" Murrue asked.
"The buster rifle has the power to destroy an entire colony in one shot or up to 50 or more Mobilesuits. I owe it to everyone I left behind to ensure ZAFT doesn't get their hands on Wing-Zero and that means I have to destroy Tallgeese and Epyon," I replied. "Now if there's nothing else I'd like to get something to eat,"
"You're free to go," Murrue said.
Regular POV.
Archangel Crew Section.
Later that night.
After Heero's meeting with Captain Ramius everyone on the Archangel seemed to have no problem with him being back, Kira's friends included. They told him, Kira had developed a fever during his re-entry in the Strike after the Duel destroyed the shuttle with the Orb refugees onboard. We all paid a visit to Kira in his quarters after dinner hoping he was feeling better but when they all saw Flay Allster dressed in a pink Earth Forces uniform leaning over him Heero remembered how she treated Lacus.
"Just what in the hell are you doing in here Allster? You shouldn't get to close to Kira, he's a dangerous coordinator," Heero glared pulling her to her feet by her wrist.
"How dare you say that about Kira! He risked his life to save all of us because he is a coordinator!" Flay shouted wrenching free of my grip.
"Oh really? And I thought he only agreed to pilot the Strike because his friends are aboard this ship. After all it was coordinators that killed your father on board the Montgomery. Miriallia told me how hostile you acted to Kira after the battle and now you expect me to believe you've forgiven him like that!" Heero shouted back. "I can tell you're only being nice to him so you can somehow get revenge for you father! Why blame Rau Le Creuset when you can blame Kira for being a coordinator,"
"Is.. that true Flay?" came Kira's shaky voice. "Do you still blame me for your father's death? Is that why you acted so nice and kissed me?"
"Flay? Please tell me it's not true?" Sai asked, not believing his ears.
"So what if I did! Kira promised me he'd protect my dad's ship but he didn't!" she hollered, tears streaming from her eyes running out of sickbay.
"Feeling any better Kira?" Heero asked sitting beside his bed.
"I'm all right. But how could you tell Flay was using me like that?" Kira inquired.
"I felt the same way when my father was killed," Heero answered leaning back in the chair. "If I weren't for my friends Jake and Zack I would have used Zero to kill his murders,"
"Where are your friends now?" Miriallia asked sitting on the opposite bed.
"They were killed by ZAFT trying to reclaim their Mobilesuits, the same ones that decimated the fleet in orbit, Tallgeese and Epyon. I've already given the information to Captain Ramius and Commander La Flaga," he replied sadly.
For most of the night the five of us just talked up a storm, bringing up old embarrassing moments from our past before we all became soldiers till it was time to hit the sack.
Early Morning 5am.
Everything was quiet aboard the Archangel in the early morning desert, most of the crew was still sleeping in their quarters side from those on graveyard duty. In their shared room Kira slept soundly, his bunkmate Heero however was mumbling in his sleep about a certain pink haired coordinator girl every ten minutes. Miriallia and her boyfriend Tolle were already awake and heading up to the bridge to begin their shift, at least Miriallia was awake, Tolle was still half asleep and hadn't put his uniform jacket on correctly. Captain Ramius was the only person who wasn't able to get any form of sleep as she gazed into the locket of her deceased boyfriend for the tenth time that night before turning over and closing her eyes. Unbeknownst to the crew the ship was being monitored by an enemy Commander who'd rather be drinking his experimental coffee than fighting a war.
"Anything to report DaCosta?"
"Sir, the target hasn't moved since landing six hours ago," DaCosta answered lowering his binoculars to face his Commander. "But we did notice their starboard hanger open then close for a minute after landing though nothing was launched,"
"I see well it's about time we commence the operator," Waltfeld replied chugging back the last of his coffee heading back to his troops waiting at the bottom of the dune, with DaCosta on his heels.
"Why not launch a full attack right a way, Commander? We may be able to destroy them since we have the element of surprise," DaCosta suggested.
"That would be the best course of action but it's just not my style to attack someone when their guard is down, even if they're our enemy," Waltfeld answered tossing his cup over his shoulder once at the bottom of the dune where the soldiers stood waiting for their instructions. "All right listen up! Our mission tonight is to evaluate the battle strength of the Earth Forces vessel and the Mobilesuit within,"
"Can we finish them off if we get the chance?" one pilot asked offhandedly getting a chorus of chuckles from the others.
"I don't want any of you to get overconfident!" Waltfeld barked. "The Le Creuset team failed to destroy the legged ship in space and Halliburton's eighth fleet sacrificed themselves to allow its descend to Earth. Now then may fortune smile on every one of you,"
Archangel.
On the bridge Miriallia and Tolle had arrived for their shift two minutes late but were let off easy thanks to Ensign Neumann. Shortly after Lieutenant Badgiruel arrived the radar alert sounded grabbing everyone's attention.
"Detecting lasers directed at this ship, matching. Confirmed, they're laser designators,"
"All hands level 2 battle stations! All hands level 2 battle stations!"
"The enemy!" woken up by the alarms Kira hurried to get dressed. "I won't let anymore people die because of me," In his rush to the hanger Kira forgot all about his bunkmate who was still fast asleep.
"What's the situation?" Murrue demanded taking her seat.
"First attack wave consisting of eight missile, we're countering with Igelstellungs,"
"What's going on? Where's the enemy? That's it Strike is taking off!" Kira shouted from the Strike's cockpit.
"Kira wait," Miriallia pleaded.
"We don't know the enemy's battle strength and orders haven't been given to deploy yet," Natarle said.
"Where do get off acting so calm about it? Hurry up and open the hatch!" Kira demanded shutting his helmet visor.
"Well Captain?" Natarle asked.
"I don't like his attitude but we don't have much choice. The ships guns are useless against moving targets," Murrue replied.
"Understood. Get the Strike to the Catapult," Natarle instructed.
Hanger.
"APU activated, connected to catapult. Equipping with Launcher Striker pack. System all green. Strike you may proceed,"
"Kira Yamato, heading out!" he shouted as the catapult shot the Strike out of the Archangel.
After exiting the ship Kira immediately notice the gravity as he carefully landing on the sand, loosing his footing instantly. As he tried to stabilise the Strike three combat helicopters came out from behind a dune, firing their missiles at Kira which missed on purpose just as he activated the Phase Shift armour. Getting tick off from that cheap shot he switched on the targeting scope for the Agni beam cannon, but the helicopters disappear before he could get a target lock.
"Damn it!" he curse seconds before his left side warning alarm went off.
Five of ZAFT ground type Mobilesuits, BeCUEs relentlessly attacked the Strike as it struggled to keep its balance in the sand. All Kira could do was repeatedly fire the Agni and hope to hit something while engaging from the air. A fair distance away from the battle Commander Waltfeld watched as the Strike dropped to the ground and somehow managed to get its footing. If this were a natural piloting the Strike modifying the OS like this in the middle of the battle would be impossible. A smirk came over his face as he watched destroy one of the BeCUEs.
"DaCosta relay this to the Lesseps. Fire main cannons at enemy vessel," Waltfeld ordered lowering his binoculars.
In the Strike's cockpit Kira's warning alarm went off again, alerting him to incoming cannon fire which hit the Archangel. Breaking into Seed mode as the second volley approached Kira fired his gatling cannon at the sand picking up enough dust to distract the BeCUEs. Launching into the air one of the ZAFT pilots had the same idea only to get punched by the Strike, throwing the machine into the cannon fire, the remaining shells were destroyed by the Agni. But by now the power levels in the Strike had fallen dangerously low, if Kira continued fighting any longer he could say good-bye to his Phase Shift armour.
"Damn I used the Agni way too much," Kira said trying to think of a way out of the situation.
Archangel Bridge.
"Give the Strike cover. Archangel slow advance," Murrue ordered.
"Too risky if the Strike takes a hit in its current state its PS armour will be drained," Natarle replied.
"Damn!" Murrue exclaimed angrily slamming her hand on her armrest.
"What's going on?" came Heero's yawning voice from the elevator wearing a simple tank top and track pants. "Can't a guy get some shut eye around here?"
"What are you doing here? We're in the middle of a battle, shouldn't you be in Wing-Zero right now?" Murrue asked frowning at Heero.
"A battle," Heero echoed holding a hand over his mouth to cover a huge yawn. "Is that what woke me up?"
"Don't just stand there! Get into Wing-Zero and support the Strike!" Natarle shouted.
"You don't have to yell I can hear you just fine," Heero replied yawning yet again. "Anyway there's no need for me to go out there,"
"What!" Murrue gasped just as a helicopter exploded.
"Captain we've got a group of vehicles approaching from the south. They're firing on the BeCUEs!" Miriallia reported followed by another yawn from Heero.
"Told you," he said sitting in the first officer's chair beside Murrue where he fell right back to sleep.
Disclaimer: As I told you I suck at battle scenes but I tried my best. Chapter three is slightly longer than chapter 1 and it's taken me a while to finish it and I enjoyed every second, though it was really hard writing the desert battle. In this fan fic Epyon is not equipped with the Zero system only Wing-Zero which I am planning to modify later down the road. So leave a review and I'll post chapter 4 as soon as I can. Bye.