Gundam Seed Destiny Remake
Phase 5: Scars that Won't Heal
In the ruins of Junius Seven...
A large numbers of GINN High Maneuver Type II along with a team of purple MAW-01 Mistrals are working on an operation.
"Solar wing velocity remains the same."
"Flare level at S3. Estimated arrival time, 30 seconds."
Baron himself personally oversees the operation, which personally disgusts him, but did well in hiding it.
"Hurry! What about unit nine?"
"Yes, almost ready."
"Emitted particle arrival confirmed. Beginning countdown to flare motor activation."
The mobile suits and mobile workers immediately evacuate the area as the countdown starts.
"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, particle flux detected! Flare motors activated!"
All the flare motors in the area activates and lights up the entire ruins like a christmas tree as Junius Seven starts moving. As Baron watches he looks at the photos of a young Athrun Zala and Lenora Zala.
"Athrun... Lenora... It would appear that a world of blood will stain my cold hands after all this, but despite all that I must move on, until I eliminate my true enemies, but for now I must remain as a loyal soldier of G.O.D.", Baron said sadly as he watches Junius Seven heading for Earth.
In the ZAFT Space Station...
"Junius Seven has accelerated by an additional two percent."
"It remains on a collision course with Earth, zero, zero, five."
"What in the world happened?"
"Considering its mass, it's unthinkable that it could change course so easily."
In the PLANTS council room...
"Have You contacted the Chairman on board the Minerva?"
"Are they sure it's headed for Earth?"
"What steps can we take to avoid collision?"
"What'll we do about warning Earth?"
Talia's Quarters...
The captain rose from her bed, draping her naked body with a blanket and open her the comm. on her desk. "What is it?"
"Captain. I've got the Supreme Council online for Chairman Durandal. Channel one."
Talia looks over to Gilbert on her bed and he responds with a nod.
Thirty Minutes Later...
"What?! Junius Seven is moving towards Earth?!" Cagalli exclaims in shock and horror. "But how, such a thing is practically impossible."
"I myself have no idea." Durandal admits. "Only that it is in fact moving, at a fast pace and on the most dangerous possible route."
"If it falls... Orb... No, the entire planet..." Cagalli stopped, unable to finish her sentence. Her hand clench at the thought.
"Indeed Princess. Considering that mass I'm sure you already have a good idea that the damage would be catastrophic." Durandal said.
"That PLANTs are doing everything they can to find how this happened as well as how we can avoid a collision." Durandal sigh. "I must apologize for involving you in yet another incident, but I have ordered the Minerva to proceed towards Junius Seven as soon as repairs are finished. Fortunately, we happen to be in close proximity. I hope you understand."
Cagalli nodded. "Of course. This is as grave a concern to us as it is to you. I'll do anything in my power to help." she urgently said.
"I appreciate your offer, Princess. But right now, I ask that you please remain calm. If there's anything you can do, we'll be sure to ask you.", Durandal assures.
"It may be difficult, but we will try to establish direct contact with your nation.", Talia said. "We will also take steps to have a ship to come and pick you up as soon as possible."
"Yes. Thank you.", Cagalli said sadly trying to hold back her tears.
Crew Lounge...
"Hmm... But how did it start moving?" Vino asks before taking a sip from his drink.
"Maybe a meteorite hit it. Something outside that altered the orbit." Yolan responds.
"So is that thing really on a collision course with Earth?" Shinn asks, drinking some of his beverage and leaning on a wall.
"Yeah." Sayla grimly replies.
Luna sighs. "First the robbery on Armory One, which we have yet to wrap up, and now this. Just what is going on?"
"So what are we going to do when get to Junius Seven?" Tristan asks. "I mean how do we stop a colony? I mean a nuke couldn't do that."
"Simple. We smash it." Rey answers. "By blowing it up by the inside."
"Smash it? How?" Vino asks.
"It's impossible to change it's course in time. If we want to avoid a collision, we have no choice but to smash it to pieces."
"But that thing's huge!" Yolant exclaims. "Even if we do split it half, it has a diameter of at least 8 km!"
"How do you smash something that big?", Vino asks.
"And what about the victims? What about the bodies of those who died?" Meyrin quietly add.
"But... should it manage to hit Earth as one solid piece, there's... no doubt that the planet will be decimated." Rey grim. "If that happens, practically nothing will be left. Neither living nor dead."
"Earth...destroyed?" Vino shivers at the very though.
Everyone was silent for moment, contemplating what would happen. "But, well, I guess it an't be helped, can it?." Yolant muse. " It's beyond our control. But it might end up being easier for us on the PLANTs since it'll eliminate all kinds of hassle." Unknown to anyone Cagalli and Athrun heard it all nearby.
"HOW CAN YOU SAY THOSE THINGS?" She yells, startling everyone and robbing them of their focus. "IT CAN"T BE HELPED?" She questions with an angry confused look, as if she could only reject such a reality. "Things will be better? Do you know what'll happen to Earth? How serious this is? Do you know how many people are going to DIE because of this, even if Junius does manage to break up?" She rants, making the Hawke sisters look down with sorrow.
"I'm sorry..." Yolan apologizs, as if he was begging for forgiveness. Cagalli simply growl passively.
"Is this the way you people from ZAFT think?!" Despite her point already being made, Cagalli continued to hammer down furiously. At the same time Shinn felt his very blood boil. He turned his attention towards Cagalli.
"We went through that TERRIBLE WAR!" Cagalli press on. "And we all suffered! I thought things were changing under Chairman Durandal. Is that not the case?!" She finishes. Athrun puts his hand on her shoulder to calm her down.
"It's not as if Yolant really meant what he said." Shinn calls out. "Can't you even tell the difference?!"
"What was that?!", Cagalli snarls only for Athrun to restrain her.
"Shinn, you should watch what you say." Rey warns with a serious look. Shinn rolls his eyes carelessly, and turns back towards Cagalli.
"Oh, that's right. This person is important, isn't she? She's Orb's Princess, after all." Shinn questions in a derogatory fashion.
"Why you little!" Cagalli growl, trying to step forward, while at the same time Athrun put his hand in front of her and steps forward, finally speaking up.
"It seems you have some sort of grudge against ORB. May I ask why?" Athrun questions, only to have Shinn look at him with a very angry and seriously hateful expression. I hear you used to live there. If you're trying to pick a fight with the Representative for some unrealated, trivial reason, I won't stand for it.", Athrun warns.
"Trivial? I won't allow anyone to call it trivial!" Shinn questions, his voice challenging the Athrun as he stomps forward towards the two. "And unrealted?! You're wrong on that account as well!"
"I'll handle this.", Cagalli silently said to Athrun.
"Alright, but don't do anything foolish.", Athrun whispers back as he lessen his hold on her. Cagalli walks fowards and stand toe-to-toe with Shinn to confront him. "So what's your problem with me?"
"My family was killed because of the Athhas! They believed in the nation, and they believed in your so-called ideals! And in the end, they were killed at Onogoro!" He explains.
Hearing this, Cagalli gasps slightly but regains her posture as Shinn continues. "That's why I'll never believe you! I'll never believe and of your idealism again! I will never believe the nation of ORB! When you said you'd protect the nation's justice did you ever think of how many lives would be lost as a result of you insistence?!"
I don't want someone who doesn't have a clue to talk like she knows everything!", Shinn finishes silently walking past Cagalli and purposely bumping her in the shoulder as he did.
Cagalli thought of what he said and knows what to do and turns to Shinn. "I'll admit I didn't know anything about what happened to your family, but let me tell you this. If you blame and hate me for it then I'll bear the burden, but I warn you to not involve Orb into it.", Cagalli warns.
Shinn turns to Cagalli and sees something strange in her eyes. Instead of looking like human eyes, her irises were one large gradient of gold and black except for a single, small dot in the center of each eye. He stares into that glare for what seemed like hours. This look in their eyes, it wasn't right, even for a coordinator. He didn't know what this was, and despite his bad attitude, it honestly scared him. Both Cagalli and Athrun then leave.
"What the hell is she? She's not human, neither a natural, nor a coordinator." Shinn said to himself only for his crew mates to hear.
"You should be careful with your SEED factor.", Athrun suggests.
"I know Athrun, but for some reason it's like I can summon it by will instead of it happening at random. I thought only Kira could do that, but that was because of his Ultimate Coordinator genes.", Cagalli said.
"Shinn... why did you...?" Lunamaria questions, although she was almost at a complete loss for words.
"Because that Princess is a moronic bitch! My family payed the price with their lives because she has to hold onto her precious ideals and principles, which if you remember correctly, didn't even help them out during that last war!" Shinn plants himself down on one of the sofas.
"Oookay."Vino backs off a bit. "Why did you say that thing to her at the end. About her 'not being human'?"
"Oh...that...um. Her eyes...it...it wasn't normal." Shinn exclaims. "Seriously! She had some sort of..glow in their eyes. I can't explain it...well... It was creeping me out, like something you see in a horror movie... honestly"
"What? You serious?" Meyrin questions, leaning forward.
"Yup, deadly serious." Shinn shaking his head in response.
In a private estate on Earth...
A group of wealthy men sat around a plush, expensive-looking lounge, talking about the looming crisis. "Well then, this is a shocking situation."
"Indeed. A truly unprecedented crisis. The doomsday scenario of Earth."
"I can't help but wonder if someone actually wrote such scenario."
"I've ordered Phantom Pain to investigate that matter." Djibril said to his associates.
"Should we really trust that Jupitarian? He's not the type to hate coordinators and wars. Not only that he is a friend of George Glenn?" Mr. Lorne asked.
"Fear not, for I know of a way to keep him on leash." Djibril answers.
"If you got everything under control why are we meeting Djibril?" Mr. Gradenko asked, an impatient tone in his voice. "I can't imagine the Atlantic Federation and the governments around the world sitting back and letting that thing fall. They're all busy dealing with evacuation issues and plans, should it fall."
Djibril suppressed a smirk. "To be honest, I'm very shocked about what has happened." he said. "Junius Seven? Is this really happening? And why? Those were the first questions that entered my mind as well."
Mr. Hoffesommer lights a cigar at the table he was sitting at. "Forget the prelude, Djibril."
"No, this is precisely whole point." he replies with a smirk. "Given the situation, the whole world will be asking these questions. Then we must provide them with answers. Durandal of the PLANTs has already issued a warning to all Earth Nations and sent the message that he is doing everything within his power to avoid a collision and deal with the situation."
"He was very quick to do so."
"They're panicking as well."
"Perhaps this really was caused naturally." Mr. Lorne muse. "But, if so..."
"No. None of that is important any longer." Djibril interupts. "What's important is what happens after the crisis. When the people search for answers as they weep the answers we provide them will be important. Which is why I have secured us a useful asset." He turned to the door. "Miss Milla."
A young woman in a business dress enters the room. She was an attractive girl, with black eyes and her skin was a dark tan color. She politely bows before the group. "Good afternoon gentlemen. I am Djibril's secretary, Arella Milla."
"Miss Milla will be the public face of the Earth Alliance once this crisis has ended." Djibril said. "Why don't give them a little preview."
"Yes sir." Milla bows before turning to the group. "This is the speech I've prepared should Junius Seven fall and the damage was minimal. 'People of Earth, a terrible tragedy has befallen us. Cities have devastated. Countless lives have lost. A horrible accident... Or at least that's what Chairman Durandal of ZAFT would have you believe. The truth is that is was not an accident. But an attack on us.'" she cleared her throat and smile. "You'll have to wait for the rest, gentlemen."
"Thank you, Miss Ryker." Djibril said with a wave of his hand. "You may leave. I will meet you shortly."
She bows her head before leaving. "As you wish, Lord Djibril."
"Hmph... Where did you find that girl?"
"She's a daughter of a friend of mine. He told me she has a way with people." Djibril muse. "Who better to be the 'Voice of the People' for this war?"
"Impressive Djibril. You've been thinking quite far in advance for this." Gradenko comment. "But I must wonder. You have a-lot a friends you never told us about, why is that?"
"My friends are not good with the public. I'm afraid that is all I can say.", Djibril said nervously but did well to hide it.
"Alright, but given the situation, the damage may be so severe that we may not have the strength to fight a war." Lorne points out.
"That is why I have gathered you here today." Djibril replies. "Escaping and seeking shelter is fine. But immediately afterwards, we should attack, with the plan. I wanted you all to understand this beforehand."
"I see."
"You think aggressively."
"With a growing hatred for the Coordinators the people will be fired up."
"If there are any left, that is." Mr. Lorne sighs. "We'll be uniting them, I imagine. With a love called "hatred".
Gradenko nods. "It appears that everyone approves of the plan, Djibril. We'll meet again after the crisis has ended. Have a detailed plan prepared by then."
"I shall."
Later as his guest leave Milla enters his office.
"I take it everything has gone well?", Milla asks.
"Yes, is Captain Baron made any bold moves?"
"Not quiet."
"That man is really patient, I'll give him that. Have Keys keep a close I on him and if the situation calls for it have my unit delivered to Earth."
"Understood, Djibril, High Executive of G.O.D."
Near Junius Seven with the Minerva...
"The Voltaire and the Rousseau have taken the Metoer Breakers and gone ahead.", Talia reports to Gilbert.
"Right. We should hurry as well.", Gilbert suggests.
"Have the Earth Alliance Forces taken any action yet?", Arthur asks.
"We have yet to receive word on any action taken by them.", Gilbert answers. "But they won't get there in time anyway even if they do send over vessels from the Moon. The only option they have is to fire nukes from Earth's surface to destroy it. But That'll likely have little effect. I won't do much more than scorch the surface. In any case, Earth is the motherland for us as well. We must do everything we can to deal with this unprecedented danger. What we can do with this ship and what it's equipped with might be limited but I ask that each and every one of you give it your all."
"Yes, sir!"
In her quarters Cagalli was thinking over that Shinn said to her. Athrun walks and finds her in a glum mood. He walks over to comfort her.
"There's no use thinking about it, Cagalli. You knew very well that there would be people like that."
"However... For him to talk of my father in that way!", Cagalli weeps thinking over his death. "My father suffered a great deal over the decisions he made. Yet he..."
"But there's nothing we can do about it. Sometimes there are things just beyond our control. But I'm sure it's overwhelming enough for him to deal with his own feelings.", Athrun said remembering Junius Seven's destruction and his brutal duel with Kira. "You do realize that, don't you, Cagalli?"
Cagalli hugs Athrun and cries.
The Bridge of the Voltaire...
"Looking at it again, this thing is really huge." Dearka comments as they watch Junius Seven draw closer to Earth.
Commander Yzak Joule look over should at his green coated second-in-command. "Of course it is! We live on one just like it, you know!"
"I'm just telling you that I realize just how big this latest mission of ours is." Dearka replies, heading for the elevator. "We hadn't had one like this, since GENESIS."
"Remembers, we have little time." Yzak calls out. "The Minerva's also on its way. Work effectively!."
"Roger that."
Minerva's bridge...
Both Athrun and Cagalli enters the bridge as the crew prepare themselves as they approach closer to Junius Seven.
"1200 to Junius Seven."
"Bringing up optical image."
The two look at the image and sees Junius Seven.
"Can you open a line with the Voltaire?", Talia asks.
"No, we can't get a normal line yet!"
"What's the matter, Athrun and Lady Cagalli?", Gilbert asks noticing the two's presence.
"I ask you this, knowing it would be unconventional. Please lend us your spare mobile suits!", Athrun asks, shocking the crew.
"That certainly would be very difficult to do. Do you think I could authorize that, under the circumstances?", Talia replies.
"I understand completely. But given the situation, we can't just watch and do nothing.", Athrun said.
"If you have any spare working machine, then please.", Athurn said.
"I know how you feel, but...",
"Very well. I'll authorize it.", Durandal said interrupting Talia. "Under my authority as Chairman, for special cases."
"Chairman?!"
"This is not a battle situation, Captain.", Durandal said with assurance. "The more machines we can get out there, the better. Plus the skills of two veterans of the previous war might help in case things goes wrong."
Teams of GuAIZ Rs and ZAKU bodyguards carry the Meteor Breakers towards Junius Seven.
Within a matter of minutes, the teams have start setting up their Breakers, completely oblivious of an enemy presence. Out of nowhere two GuAIZ Rs are suddenly sliced in half destroying them instantly.
"What the...?", Dearka said turning to the explosion and sees what appears to be a gundam in an appearance of a necromancer. Just then the GINNs comes out of hiding at start attacking the defenseless GuAIZ Rs.
"Tch... Keys probably here to keep an eye on me.", Baron mutters noticing Keys appearance.
Yzak watched the whole thing on screen. "What's going on?! Who do they belong to?!"
"Unknown! No response from the IFF and among them is a Gundam."
"What?!"
Girty Lue...
"Do you know the the ZAFT are doing?" Nataly asks as they watch the two groups of ZAFT mobile suits battle.
"I'm as confused as you are." Scirocco replies. "But one thing's for sure, this was no coincidence. Have Jason and the Extended board their shuttle to Earth and have White Hope prepare for battle. I have a bad feeling about this. Have them record as mush detail about this as possible and engage if necessary. Have their mobile suits equipped with Gliders."
Minerva...
"Three minutes until mobile suit launch." Meyrin said over the intercom. "All pilots are to board their machines and remain on standby. I repeat..."
"I know the mission is to support smashing it apart, but whar are we expected to do?" Luna asks Yolant as she reach her ZAKU.
"Well..."
At that moment, Luna spots Athrun and Cagalli boarding the two spare ZAKUs.
"These guys are flying out as well, I'm told. They say for support work like this, the more machines we can get out, the better."
"Really. Well, those two are capable of piloting mobile suits." Luna comment.
"It wasn't easy, but manage to set the OS to your liking.", the chief mechanic, Shawn said to Cagalli wearing a green ZAFT pilot suit.
"Thank you.", Cagalli said entering her unit.
A few minutes later, Sally's Kampher had been loaded onto the catapults. The crews were going through the final launch preparations when Meyrin's voice came over the intercom. "Abort launch immediately! A change in the situation! The Joule Team is engaged with an unknown force at Junius Seven."
"What?! What's going on? Who's attacking Junius Seven?" Sally asks, trying to figure out situation.
"I don't know." Meyrin replies. "We were just told about it and it appears a Gundam is among the attackers."
"Damn. That rules out natural causes." Mathew said. "The attackers must be the ones, who altered the coarse."
"Bogey One also confirmed! Green 25, Delta!"Malik reports.
"Why now of all times?!", Gordon complains.
"In any case." Suiren said. "Arm yourselves with anti-mobile suit weapons, ensure that Junius Seven is broken up before it hits the Earth."
The Core Splendor was launched, followed by the Force Silhouette, the Chest Flyer, and the Leg Flyer. After Shinn's machine had launched, the rest of the machines start launching. Soon, all of the Minerva's mobile suits had been launched, heading for Junius Seven.
The Joule Team have great difficulty fighting off the attacking GINNs. Yzak have the ship launch the surviving mobile suits their weapons, while the backup team are launched with Yzak in the lead. The GuAIZ Rs and ZAKUs grab their weapons and fire back on the GINNS forcing them on the defensive. During the battle Dearka notice the unknown gundam is missing. A GINN appears behind Dearka's ZAKU as was about to do the finishing blow only for it to be kicked away by Athrun's ZAKU.
Baron's GINN stop and took notice of the saving ZAKUs action. "Could it be?" He flies his unit towards Athrun's ZAKU and tackles him to the far side of the battlefield. "I'll deal with this one.", Baron said to the other GINN pilots.
"Athrun!", Cagalli screams not noticing the unknown Gundam behind her.
"You should worry about yourself, first.", the Keys said as Cagalli froze as its presence.
"Where did he come from?", Cagalli thought in shock.
Athrun's and Baron's duel area...
The ZAKU draw its ax and strikes the GINN, but the GINN blocks it with its katana.
"It must be fate that we meet, Athrun Zala.", Baron calls out via speaker in a different voice . Athrun was shocked at this, how did the pilot know his name and who he is. "You must be wondering how I know who you are. It's quiet simple for you see your father used that same move on me. "
"You know my father?", Athrun asks in shock.
"Yes, in fact I hate him after what he has done to me.", Baron said. "He thought he finished me off when he kicked straight towards my Moebius cockpit with his GINN, but by some miracle I survived."
"It was a pity that he died before I could kill him myself, but when I learned of his son I found my opportunity again. We're destined to fight as we both hate each other."
The GINN fire its Beam Carbide. Athrun avoids the shots and responds with his.
"Destined to fight, you say? You've given me the reason you hate me, but I have no reason to hate you! "
"I'm not surprised as my identity was never revealed, but for you it's worth telling you. I haven't been satisfied, since I launched a nuke at a certain PLANT."
Suddenly Athrun's world shatters upon hearing those words. Thinking back when Junius Seven was destroyed. Baron smiles evilly as he announce who he is.
"My name is Baron Cancer! The pilot of the Moebius that launched the nuke at Junius Seven!"
Athrun was horrified at those very words. In front of him was his mother's killer. Athrun tighten his fist in anger. "You're that one, who killed mother?"
"That's right, but that's not all. I was also responsible for assassinating George Glenn and Tragedy of Copernicus. In other words I created the steps for the First Bloody Valentine War and now I'm intend to create another and I doubt anyone will believe you on what I just told you."
"Then it was you... You were the one responsible for everything. All the lives lost."
"Yes, they were playthings for me. War is the only thing that can satisfy me. It's to kill my boredom."
Finally Athrun's rage reach it's boiling point at those final words.
During Cagalli's battling with the unknown Gundam she suddenly have a bad feeling.
'Something's wrong. I have to get over to Athrun fast.' Cagalli thought.
"Ahtrun?", the Keys asks. "I see. He's someone special to you."
'Did he read into my mind?', Cagalli thought in shock.
"It would appear that fate has played an amusing game. All tales have a beginning and an end.", Keys state confusing Cagalli on what he meant.
"For Athrun, the beginning was the day the destruction of Junius Seven stole everything from him."
"What are you talking about?"
"The pilot that launched the nuke stole his home, his friends, his mother and finally his father's sanity. Amid the calamity and the flames that ignored his prayers, his tale began that day. And it would appear that his tale will come to an end."
This shocks Cagalli. "What did you just say?"
"His scars that won't heal has finally ripped open his future is like his father."
As he said those words, Athrun in blind rage charge towards Baron.