A/n
Alrighty then! Not only am I bringing you Phase 20, but there is also a couple of other things I have brought. First is a scene that I added in Phase 11 as I did have a few readers that wanted the scene between Cagalli and Ellen. Next, the Phase numbering system in now all numerical and not words halfway through along with consistent formatting. It is necessary for me as apparently, whatever fanfiction uses as its word processor, doesn't like Microsoft Word and so doesn't transfer everything. The other point that I will bring up is that I did make a small change in the Aurora's arsenal, I'll point it out at the end of this Phase. I still don't own anything from the Gundam Universe, as much as I would love to, just my own characters and musings. That's what I got before this Phase begins, so on with the story!
Phase 20: Promises to Keep
June 25th, 71 C.E.
-Tyler's pov-
The atmospheric ascent was pretty much the same as it normally was, somewhat bumpy on the way up while you're pushed into your seat. Still, once the shuttle exited the atmosphere, it moved slowly away from the Earth sphere. The shuttle wasn't really going to transport Lisa, Graham or myself to our destination, just get us up to space so we can travel the rest of the way. So, the three of us unbuckled the restraints and left out seats, heading towards the cargo hold where our mobile suits were. I thanked the shuttle pilots for the ride, before following Lisa and Graham to the hold.
We boarded the mobile suits that were used during the fight to defend the Republic, so Lisa to the Athena, Graham to the Thanatos and myself to the Aurora. When we were strapped in, the cargo hold was opened, and the three mobile suits launched out. The shuttle became smaller as all three of us shifted our suits into their flight modes and moved forward. The coordinates which we had been given to meet up with other Federation forces should take about fifteen minutes to reach from where we launched from.
When we got to the place, a large ship appeared in front of us and to my surprise, it was a Federation dreadnought. The Voyager-class dreadnought's overall length was four-hundred meters from front to back. The central section's shape was similar to the Enterprise-class cruiser, though the wings ran the whole length of the ship on both sides. The wings were level with the top of the ship for the back half of the ship, then tapered off forward and downward on the front half. There were four heavy engines, two mounted on the back of each wing and three built into the rear of the ship. The class only had one mobile suit catapult, where cruisers have two, the single linear catapult ran along the top of the dreadnought's length. It tended to support a crew of three-hundred, sometimes a bit more.
Like all ships the Federation built and used for the military, the Voyager-class was equipped with a combination of an optical camouflage field and a stealth system, working together to make a ship completely undetectable. The dreadnought was armed a bit lighter than cruisers were. There were two "Lancer" high-energy beam cannons, with one on either wing. Also, along both wings, were an array of twelve missile launchers each wing. There were eleven "Cepters" CIWS dual-barreled defensive gun turrets in total, four in front, with two on the center sections on either side of the linear catapult and a gun on both of the wings. There were two more midway along both wings and the last three were divided with one on top and behind the navigation bridge and the other two along the bottom length of the central section of the ship.
The major weapon of the Voyager-class was built into the forward of the central section of the ship, much like the Enterprise-class. But, instead of the MAC gun, the dreadnought had a three-hundred-centimeter multi-phase beam cannon that could outdo positron cannons ships had thus far. It was called the "Beastian" and even if it had a heat generating issue as any beam weapon of its size would, that was countered by a complex cooling and venting system built around the cannon. The Voyager-class dreadnought was definitely the hard hitter in an assault, where the cruisers were the heavy damaged deliverer of the Federation space forces.
Anyways, the three of us landed on the dreadnought, Lisa first, followed by me, then Graham bringing up the rear. Thankfully, this class of ship is able to carry up to ten mobile weapons, tends to have at least five Delta Fliers onboard. So, there was room for all three of our machines to be on the ship without difficulty. Lisa, Graham and I then next, reported to the captain of the vessel, where we got updated on what was going up here in space.
Thus far, attacks had been made on three out of the five member nations of the Federation, by the Earth Forces; those being the Republic, the Orb Union and the Equatorial Union. None of the nations had fallen to the Alliance, but neither did any of them get through the attacks without taking notable losses. The Euros Coalition and the Kingdom of Scandinavia were securing their borders and the Federation base known as Asgard was on high alert. Asgard was located on the island that had been known as Iceland before the reconstruction war. It was the major base for the Federation military for the Atlantic Ocean and took up the whole island. The Earth Alliance, hadn't liked the Federation's presence that the base had and made their displeasure vocal often enough, but it hadn't changed anything.
Up here in space, when the Republic came under attack, the Alliance's action seen as a declaration of war against the Human Federation. So, Federation's Admiralty got to work, namely the two admirals over the Federation's space fleets, those being Maharaja Karn and Katejina Loos, began the response to the Alliance. They had mobilized a good portion of the fleet and had been busy since then and had been going against the Alliance's orbital fleets. Each Fleet was first given the chance to surrender, and if that was declined, the fleet was completely destroyed. So far, two of the Earth Forces' orbital fleets had been destroyed from this response to the Alliance's actions on Earth, all in the matter of a few days.
The Earth Forces in space had quickly taken notice of the actions and had been sending messages to the Federation, mostly for them to stop. Not only was the response of the Federation Military against them a serious embarrassment for the Earth Alliance as they were suffering losses the likes of which they haven't before now, but the losses were mounting. The reply to that had been blunt, by merely said that due to the actions of the Alliance on Earth, the Earth Forces had openly declared war and were being dealt with accordingly. The Federation was pretty much ripping the Alliance's space forces apart, and if the Alliance forces on earth knew about the losses, they weren't saying anything about it, nor showing any signs that they noticed.
Then, there was also an operation being planned to assist Siegel and Lacus Clyne to escape the PLANTs. With the assistance and strides that Siegel Clyne had taken while he had been the Chairman of the Supreme Council, the Federation had a serious interest in keeping him from dying. So, there would be a group sent to the PLANTs to help bail both Siegel and Lacus out of the situation they were in now. I instantly requested to help on the operation as I'd promised Lacus that I would help her leave the prosecution she would face, though I didn't mention that. The request wasn't refused, but as the operation wouldn't start for a time, I would have to wait to go and help my friend. I accepted that, and the three of us were shown to quarters onboard the ship.
The day and a half that passed was long and near torture to me, for I worried each report I viewed from the Information Network. Most of ones I read in much detail, said that ZAFT soldiers that answered to the National Defense Committee, along with some from one of the groups that did clean up behind the scenes, were hunting down both Lacus and Siegel. So far, both of them were evading capture, yet who knows how long that would stay the case. But finally, I was given the green light to go to the PLANTs. There was not one, but two SOLAS teams on route, which I was to meet up with and that gave me so hope that help for Lacus and Siegel could get to them in time.
That's all I needed to hear, for I wasted no more time and went to the hanger and boarded my mobile suit. I launched out shortly after that and after shifting the Aurora into its flight mode, I put my foot down and hauled my rear towards Lagrange 5 where the PLANTs were. Hoping against hope, that those being sent to help them including myself, would be able to reach them before the worse happens, for there was the chance that we didn't.
-Line Break-
-Neutral pov-
The Archangel and the Orb Union's Izumo-class ship Kusanagi, came into a stable orbit after finishing the ascent into space, minimizing the effects of Earth's gravity. The M1 Astray suits onboard the Kusanagi exited the ship and positioned themselves around it in preparation of the modules connection procedures for the Kusanagi. During the launch of the Kusanagi from Orb, only the central module was launched from the mass driver, the other modules were already up in outer orbit. They had been under an optical camouflage field the Federation had provided so that no one would be tempted to steal the other modules.
So, the Kusanagi's central module stayed where it was while both the forward and rear modules were moved into position. The forward module drifted backwards and split along its horizontal center line as it approached the central module. At the same time, the rear module, which had more powerful engines moved forward towards the central module and split vertically and connected on both sides of the back of the central module. The haves of the forward module, attached to the front of the Kusanagi's central section, all of this operation being monitored by the mobile suits outside the ship, including the Freedom and the Justice.
Once the Kusanagi was properly assembled, a com-channel was established between the Archangel and the Kusanagi. Kisaka was in charge onboard of the Kusanagi, since Cagalli wasn't exactly up to the job after leaving Orb. Murrue tried to put on a smile, but wasn't able to do a good job, "So, how is Cagalli doing after having to leave Orb like she did?" she asked.
Kisaka lowered his head a bit, "She has calm down a bit from how she was when Lord Uzumi ordered her to leave with the Kusanagi. However, it isn't easy for her to have to part with her father, or leave the homeland the way she did. I… I can't look her in the eyes and tell her things will be okay and to not cry, not with recent events involving the Alliance," he replied.
Meanwhile, Kira and Athrun returned to the Kusanagi, Kira worrying about Cagalli, for she had been in a sad mood ever since they left Orb. So, the two went to her quarters to visit her and see how she was doing. When there was no response from Cagalli, Kira and Athrun entered her quarters. Cagalli was sitting on the bed, silent with tears coming from her eyes, not even acknowledging she had visitors. Kira floated over next to her, "Cagalli, are you going to be all right?" he asked.
Athrun held in the flinch and the urge to smack his forehead with a hand almost by reflex at the question Kira had asked. Athrun agreed with Tyler, in wondering sometimes if Kira's naiveté was genuine or a seriously good act he put on. Clearly Cagalli wasn't okay, and who could blame her, she had left her homeland in a rather damaged state. Her father was still there trying to clean up the mess the Alliance had caused, and the Earth Forces could attack again as well. Cagalli looked at Kira, before she threw herself at him and broke into sobs. Kira simply patted her head, while Athrun looked at the floor, not knowing what he could say.
While that was happening, the Kusanagi came alongside the Archangel, a shuttle launched from the Archangel, with Mu and Murrue onboard. Krystal stayed on the Archangel, and would take charge in the need arose. The journey was quiet, but not silent, as Mu did speak up as he piloted the craft, "You know, the real problems we will have to face are still ahead."
Murrue hummed in agreement, but wasn't ready right then to cross the bridge of looking forward towards the difficulties there would be. The shuttle arrived on the Kusanagi, with both Mu and Murrue making their way to the bridge of the ship after exiting the shuttle. Upon entering the bridge, Murrue glanced around, "This is very similar to the Archangel," she commented.
Kisaka smiled a bit, "Actually, it's the other way around, but then both ships were produced by Morgenroete, after all." He turned to one of the bridge operators, "Can you bring up a map of this area of space?"
"Sure, give me a moment," said a female voice.
Mu and Murrue looked in the direction that the voice had come from and saw Erica Simmons sitting at a console. Both were shocked to see the woman that was Orb's chief engineer at Morgenroete, "Chief Simmons, didn't think we'd see you here," Mu greeted.
"Hello Commander, nice to see you too. And you're lucky I'm here, with you and most of the other pilots operating MS's in space. It's a very different environment than doing it on Earth, there will need to be adjustments made and I'm the best one to do that. More so with the operating system Mr. Yamato wrote, which is comparable to the Federation's system and really is a bit easier to use," Erica replied.
A map appeared on the forward display of the area they were currently in. The Earth Sphere was left of center of the screen and both ships' signals were below Earth in its southern orbital position. The PLANTs were shown in the position at Lagrange 5 and the moon also was on the map. Kisaka gestured to the map, "As you can see for yourselves, with the PLANTs at L5 and the debris of Artemis at L3, you can realize that we'll in a bit of a bind given enough time. Yet, for a little while, things should be fine and supplies will hold up, but water will be the first to become a problem in that regard."
As the meeting on the bridge was going on, Kira and Athrun moved outside the room and were waiting for Cagalli to collect herself. Cagalli had changed out of her military uniform and into the Morgenroete outfit she had been given. She then washed her face to rid herself of the signs that she had been crying. As she finished, a small photograph floated out of her things and she noticed it in the mirror, her father had given it to her before the Kusanagi had launched. She hadn't looked at the photo since it had been given to her and had been told that it was of Cagalli herself and her brother. It was the second time any mention had been made that she had a sibling, for Ellen had implied such. However, Cagalli had dismissed the idea as Ellen worrying about her keeping so busy.
But, as Cagalli looked at the photo, which was of a brown-haired woman holding two babies, one with brown hair and the other with blonde, thoughts swirled through her head. She turned the photo over and stared at the writing on the back that was only two words; 'Kira' and 'Cagalli'. If what her father told her was true, then she was the blonde baby in the picture and the writing on the back said that the other baby was Kira. Granted, Cagalli knew that she was adopted by her father Uzumi, but that had never really made a difference to her. Then she knew Kira's parents, Caridad and Haruma Yamato and considered them good people and they were like an aunt and uncle to her. But, never had she had thought that Kira could be her brother by birth, they hardly knew one another. Then, Kira was a Coordinator and Cagalli was a Natural, the necessary circumstances to have them be siblings were outlandish. For that to be the case, it required one of two things; either Kira's genes would've been altered while he was in the womb or he was taken out before he had been born. No matter which it could have been, for chance and fate to bring them together… Cagalli didn't know what to think of this.
Back on the bridge, the discussion of what to do next continued after their current location was established. "I believe that is would be best to set our course for the colony cluster at L4," Kisaka remarked.
The small number of colonies had been built during the earlier part of the colony construction race during the Cosmic Era, were located at. The colonies were made up of O'Neill Island 3 types and Bernal Island 1 types. The colonies were made for agriculture and scientific research and for habitation and had been among some of the first colonies people lived in before the PLANTs were finished. Nonetheless, due to a combination of conflict and a viral outbreak, the colony cluster became abandoned and had been so for over a decade since that was how things were. Yet, even if there were no people living within any of the colony structures, the majority of the colonies were still to some degree operational. But among the colonies, the level of operation varied mostly due to which had better built systems for the colonies, for they weren't all equal.
The most well-known and famous colony among the L4 cluster, was the Mendel Colony, which was an O'Neill Island 3 type colony. Before the conflict and viral outbreak, a group of scientists that were under the name of Genetic Advanced Reproductive Medical Research & Development, or GARM R&D, worked at the Mendel colony. Other than the group's name and just a few overall facts, most of the assumptions were unproven about them. That was public facts, none knew if any of the three major factions had more information, and out of the three, the Federation was the most likely to have the most information. The assumptions that came from public known fact and the rumors, weren't nice nor intended to be. And though from the team of scientists, the artificial womb came into being and assisted in the streamlining of Coordinator DNA alterations before the actual birth process. The artificial womb had made DNA arrangement a more accurate science and that couldn't be denied.
The man that was seen as responsible for the idea was Ulen Hibiki, he was known to be ambitious or more obsessed with what he and others called the 'pursuit of potential'. There was other gossip about the man, that painted him in a much worse light, but no proof had ever been found or made public.
With any of the colonies at L4, still at some level of operation, resupply and recharging should be possible. And at this point of the conversation of what to do, Cagalli, Kira and Athrun came onto the bridge. The three did hear enough to be able to understand, that the suggestion to set course to L4 and the colony cluster. Athrun even added the point that ZAFT had made an inspection of the colonies in the cluster after there had been a report of suspicious activity. It had ended out being nothing of real concern, but since then the colonies had been quiet. However, ZAFT scouts had determined that pretty much all the O'Neill 3 type colonies still had a breathable atmosphere inside them and could be entered without needing a space suit.
It was after that, Mu focused on Athrun, "So, after what happened in orb, you fighting with us has been nice, and that goes for the other ZAFT pilot too. But, with the battles ahead, I have to ask the question for both of you, how committed are you both to our cause?" Mu posed.
Athrun was silent at the question, for he knew what was being asked, and it was one that had been going around in his mind over and over. Would he and Dearka side with the Archangel when they went against ZAFT, or would the side with ZAFT? It was a difficult question to answer up to this point.
For Athrun, so much had changed from when he had originally enlisted and with what he had seen recent, it swayed his beliefs. This war had gone from fighting the good fight in defending the PLANTs, to being a quagmire of retaliation that kept escalating. Mu continued, seeing that Athrun was having a hard time with the question, "With you being Patrick Zala's son, I can understand the difficulty you face, but I have to ask for an answer on this," he said.
"Why should it matter whose son he is?! Athrun is," Cagalli began, getting angry at the implications being made.
Mu twisted to gaze at Cagalli, "Leaving one's own forces is a lot more of a serious matter for a soldier than you imagine it to be Missy. Not only that, imagine if your own father was the one who was in charge of the nations you promised and vowed to defend. You should be able to comprehend that a small margin," he said, before he turned back to Athrun. "Unless you believe in your side's cause and are fully dedicated to it, then fighting in this war isn't possible. It's not as simple as you seem to think it is, especially when that belief is turned upside-down."
Mu took a deep breath, "I hate to force this issue on you, but if we fight together, then can I and my comrades rely on you?"
Athrun paused, "It was around the time that the assault on Heliopolis, I think I began to notice there were changes I didn't see before that. My doubts grew since then, all throughout the pursuit of the Archangel. Seeing what I have, my views of this war have changed so much from what they started as. So, I can't speak for Dearka, but I will fight for the same cause you do, for I believe it's the right one, more so after recent events," Athrun justified.
Mu was nodding, "That's good enough for me. You have a strong heart and mind and I can put my faith in that," he said.
Kira then spoke up, "I don't believe that we're the only ones that wish for peace. Those in the Federation and even many in the PLANTs and on Earth I think want peace too."
Kira's statement, acted as a reminder of his last visited the PLANTs for Athrun, "You're more right than you know Kira. Lacus is among those in the PLANTs that are trying to advocate for peace. But, she's being hunted down as a traitor along with her father due to an incident they were involved in," he commented.
There was silence at the comment, especially when Lacus was mentioned and her being hunted down by others. None of them had forgotten about her, even when she had left the Archangel a period of time ago. They cared what happened to the pink-haired girl and to hear that she was in danger didn't sit well with any.
-Line Break-
-Tyler's pov-
Aprilius One, Lagrange 5
A few hours went by before I came into the area considered Lagrange 5, and spotted the hourglass shaped colonies. There were laid out in six rows with ten in each row and another grid of the same size below the first. I headed to Aprilius One, the capitol of the PLANTs as that's were both Siegel and Lacus were suspected to be. I maneuvered to be close to an airlock, then I exited the Aurora's cockpit and used my suits thrusters to reach the airlock. Entering the colony when the airlock cycled, before I began searching for the SOLAS team that should be here. I came across them within five minutes and fell in with them as the group moved forward. I didn't know any of those on this team, but then I'm more used to working in a small team or alone on assignments, so that's why I don't.
To my good fortune and luck, the team I had met with, was the one moving towards where Lacus was. Traveling through the maintenance corridors of the colony, which were empty and clearly unused for a great deal of time, we had no trouble as we proceeded forward. When we actually entered the habitable area of the colony, we were forced to make our descent to the ground using our suits' thrusters. Yet, before entering the colony interior, we activated the optical camouflage system that our suits had. They weren't as good as those on Federation equipment, but the system still tended to work enough to keep others from noticing those who had it.
Our group came to a structure that looked to be a house for multiple families, and was larger than a single-family home. We hid in the greenery and saw that on the outside was a group of green uniformed men with helmets and bullet resistant vests and they were seemingly guarding the place. Then, there were the gunshots from inside the place and those weren't what at least, I wanted to hear. The leader of the SOLAS team had us divide into two groups, where she was the leader of one and I ended out being the head of the other. My team infiltrated the building while the other team stayed outside and would deal with those 'guarding' the place.
Once inside, we moved towards the gunfire, which brought us to a dining room and a study. The attackers, who looked the same as those outside, were in the dining room, firing their weapons into the study, but they were also being shot back at. There were fifteen of the attacking forces and by what we could tell, there were less on the defending side.
We wasted no more time, three smoke grenades were rolled into the dining room and they began putting out billows of thick smoke. The smoke quickly filled the room and the sounds of coughing filled the air. That's when all of us here to stop Lacus from dying moved in, our helmet visors were switched over to a thermal filter and laying it over the layout that we had seen. At the start, we were just stabbing those we reached either in the back or the front, before letting them drop to the floor. We had gotten through almost half of them, when the windows were thrown open and the smoke rapidly dissipated. I sheathed my knife and took out my "Hornet" SMG, flicking off the safety. I gave the order to take down the rest of those here to kill the one we were here to save.
Even with their bullet resistant vest, those left of the ZAFT forces didn't last long before we had them all taken care of. Sounds of the gunfire of the Federation's "Avenger" assault rifle came from outside, signaling that those guarding were also being mowed down as well. I ignored the sick feeling that I still get from killing another and focused at the task at hand. After the attackers were dead, those with me and I turned off our suits' optical camouflage and we all became visible again. The others fanned out, searching the rest of the house for anyone else, while I moved forward, holstering my SMG as I went towards the study.
Before I entered the room though, two ZAFT uniformed men moved out behind the doorway and pointed sub-machine guns at me. I stopped where I was and watched as others came out from the room that they had been held up in, among them was my pink-haired friend. I took off my helmet, even while soldiers aimed guns at me, for the action would help move this along quicker. Lacus immediately recognized me and rushed forward and embraced me, "It's good to see you're okay Lacus. I'm here like I said I would be to help you get out of this situation, with help," I greeted the girl.
Then into my sight, came the same woman that had been with Waltfeld when I'd been stealing the Freedom. As nice as it is to see and know that Lacus is okay, we can't stay around here, there will be other soldiers that will come soon enough. We needed to move, and it didn't take long for me to get the point across that we needed to leave. And so, within a few minutes, we had those with Lacus moving away from the house and the SOLAS team, invisible and following alongside them.
We entered elevators that would take up to the center of the colony and it was clear that Lacus had some sort of plan to get out of here. It was as we were going towards the docks of the colony, that I knew it was time we parted ways. I needed to get back to the Aurora as I feel that I will need to be out in a mobile suit soon enough with how things are. I did manage to whisper to Lacus that we would see each other soon, even if she didn't see me when I did. Then I went a different way from the rest, and headed to the area that I had gone to steal the Freedom as it happens. There were multiple mobile suit docks down this way and most of them were unused, not a clue why they're that way, but I'm not going to complain.
And with my continuing good luck I found the near prefect dock that would meet my needs wonderfully! Then, two came down the hallway, one soldier and the other I would guess was an engineer of some kind. Well, I really couldn't have them find out about what I was doing or that I was here. So, moved behind the two and hit them hard in the back of the head, not enough to kill them, but I did knock them out and that was good enough for me. I then, dragged the two down the hall where I found a convenient storage room to stuff them into so that they would be found later.
I returned to the dock I had found and entered the room, turning the lights on to see the whole room to see what I'd to work with. After taking into the room I went to one of the consoles and took the time to get this room to have power flowing into it. I opened the airlocks to the launching tunnel and once that was done, I remotely instructed the Aurora to come through and land… none seemed to notice any of my activities. Honestly, ZAFT personnel were becoming so lazy, it was dangerous these days still, it helps me, and I'll take that for now! I input commands to link up my suit to the equipment here to recharge and resupply it for the battle I believe I will soon be fighting. Now it was a matter of me waiting for the process to finish and pray I don't get caught before that's done. The area may appear to be unused, but that doesn't mean that no one comes around this section of the colony. I had found two looking around, so I need to be careful even if things were going fairly well thus far.
-Line Break-
-Neutral pov-
Lacus and her group kept moving towards the main docking facility for the colony for ships and shuttles. They were taking less used and watched routes to get to their destination, mostly since Lacus's appearance was as well-known as it was, with her being hunted by those loyal to Patrick Zala it made it necessary. Yet, along the way, a few soldiers, who were part of what was being called the 'Clyne Faction' met up with them. They didn't bring welcome news, those searching for Lacus were being delayed and falsely led so far. That was expected, but the other piece of news that they brought got Lacus to bring the group to a halt.
They were told that Athrun Zala had come back from the mission he was on, but the strange thing was that he hadn't come back with the mobile suit he had been sent out with. No, he had come back to Aprilius One on an Alliance shuttle instead. Athrun was now in custody of the regular forces that were under the command of Chairman Zala. After meeting with Chairman Zala, Athrun was being taken to be 'questioned' or really interrogated. Lacus believed that Athrun had been trying to confront his father, but she couldn't say for sure.
After hearing that news, Lacus asked Aisha if there was any way to help Athrun out of the predicament that he had gotten himself into. Aisha quickly assigned Martin DaCosta, Waltfeld's right hand and go to man the task of getting Athrun out of the situation he was in. A few men went with DaCosta after Aisha had given him the job and told them to catch up to the ship after he had Athrun with him.
Lacus, Aisha and the rest continued onward towards the main docks and even with taking less watched routes, the journey took around ten minutes. But they finally came to an observation lounge above the ship they would take to leave Aprilius One. The FFMH-Y101 Eternal, was a pinkish dark red color over all, with an overall length of three hundred meters. It had the single mobile suit catapult on the forward half of the ship and the majority of the ship behind the catapult. The ship had ten engines in total, with two on each of the wing pod structures and the other six on the rear of the main ship body.
For armaments, the Eternal had forty missile launchers, spread throughout the wings, central section and the rear of the ship. The main offensive weapon of the ship was a large beam cannon, mounted above the catapult deck. The cannon was supported by three smaller beam cannons on both wings for a collective total of six of them. On the defensive side of things, there were twelve CIWS guns and two double barreled CIWS to intercept incoming fire. Then last, but not least, the Mobile suit Embedded Tactical EnfORcer, or METEORs were docked to the front of the ship just forward of the mobile suit catapult. The METEORs were a weapon system in themselves with four high-energy beam cannons, beam swords and missiles with each of unit.
Aisha and the other ZAFT soldiers moved forward, while the Federation SOLAS team surrounded Lacus. With the SOLAS team around Lacus, she was brought onboard the Eternal without anyone seeing her at all. Aisha and the others weren't stopped or even questioned, as the dock workers had seen some of them with Andrew Waltfeld, who was assigned to be the captain of the Eternal. Lacus made her way to the bridge once onboard the ship, and was greeted by Waltfeld, "Miss Clyne, welcome aboard the Eternal. Are you ready do ship out?"
"Yes, it would be best for us to leave while we can," Lacus replied.
Aisha took a seat near Andrew, "I would have to agree with Miss Clyne in this, but we're still waiting for your father," she said.
Then from the back end of the bridge came a mechanical feminine voice was heard, "Siegel Clyne is no longer able to reach this ship, others are helping him."
The members of the Federation's SOLAS team had become visible at the rear of the bridge and it was from their 'leader' that the statement had come. Lacus instantly became very worried at hearing that her father wouldn't be joining them like the plan had been originally. She hoped that didn't mean that something had happened to him, like being killed. Andrew nodded, "Very well then," he said, before he picked up the communication phone in his chair's armrest. "This ship is beginning its final preparations, is that understood? This ship is in its final preparations, now all of you get to work."
Those who weren't in on the escape plan, were being offloaded, since it was wished for the least amount of people hurt in this endeavor. "Loading departure plan C, forced exit subroutine one nine two zero, online," one of the bridge operators announced.
"Adding logic array, security disengaged. All systems go!" said another operator.
"Charge engines for forward thrust," ordered Aisha.
The as the bridge lights came on and then, over the radio, a voice that sounded somewhat desperate was heard, "Commander Waltfeld, what are you doing?! Take off orders haven't been given for your ship! Respond Commander Waltfeld!"
No one on the Eternal paid attention to the dock controllers, but their actions did bring up a problem. The co-pilot turned to Waltfeld, "Commander, the code to the main gate control system has been changed."
Andrew Waltfeld sighed, while Aisha giggled, "They are clever doing that, though it would've been better if they had left things as they were," he remarked.
Aisha nodded, "Well, then the damage that comes from our exit will be on their heads, just means that it will be rocky," she said.
Waltfeld nodded, and face forward, "Main cannon, prepare to fire! Target, main gate! Fire immediately after takeoff!" he ordered.
The main beam cannon lowered its pitch angle to aim at the gate that led out of the dock and began charging up. Lacus focused on the journey ahead, "Eternal, please launch!" she commanded.
The Eternal's engines burned and propelled the ship forward slowly, even as the dock controllers were continuing their pleas for the Eternal to stop. The main beam cannon of the Eternal fired at the wall ahead and the gate was ripped open and the ship flew out of the dock.
Meanwhile, while all that was happening, Athrun was being escorted to a truck that would take him somewhere to be 'questioned' and 'ruffed up' if necessary, by what the chairman had said. Athrun had tried as hard as he could to convince the man that was his 'father', that what was being done wasn't right. But, in the end, his effort had been for not, for the chairman hadn't listened to him at all. The realization that the Patrick Zala that Athrun had known was gone, had shaken him to the core. All that Chairman Zala had been insistent to know, was what had happened to the X10A Freedom and the X09A Justice and what their locations were. Then, the man had pointed a gun at Athrun himself, that had hurt Athrun more than the soldiers pointing weapons at him.
Athrun's next action of attempting to assault the chairman were foolish and he knew it, but the anger he felt at the man that appeared and sounded like his father burned. Fuel was added at comprehending how blind this man that led the PLANTs, and had become immense. When Athrun had asked how this war would end, the chairman had shouted that only when all Naturals were dead would the war end. It had been at that moment, Athrun had fully understood how Tyler had felt when he had performed for security camera before stealing the Freedom. It had snapped something within Athrun and he couldn't stop himself in attacking the man that used his father's face and voice. Still, to be shot by the one who had been your parent… it had shocked Athrun, more than the pain from the bullet going through his shoulder.
He was now being escorted out of the government administration complex, with looks of confusion and incredulity from other people there. Thought swirled around in Athrun's mind as he moved forward. Echoes from those like Lord Athha, stating that Patrick Zala, his father justified what ZAFT was doing by claiming Coordinators were a new and separate species. That the man that had been his father 'ruled' the PLANTs and ZAFT now and not the council. Kira saying it wasn't his time to die just before they parted, making sure Athrun knew that echoed in his head. Tyler's final sentence also rang in him, of doing what it took to stay alive and it was that, which helped Athrun make up his mind.
As the soldiers on either side of him were gesturing for Athrun to get into the truck that had two black suited men sitting in the back already, Athrun knew the time to act was now. The black suited men were from a "section" there were supposed to be part of the Justice Department officially, unofficially they were the ones who settled things that the public never found out about. Athrun shoulder one of the soldiers and then spun around and kicked the other backwards, following it up by body slamming the first soldier into the nearest wall. Athrun then ran away from the truck, looking for a place he could lose the pursuers that he would have.
What surprised him, was when a number of the soldiers turned on the others there and opened began firing their guns at them. One of them followed Athrun, throwing a flash grenade at the black suited men, stopping them in their tracks. Athrun ducked behind a stone wall of the building he was next to and sunk to the ground feeling lightheaded, probably from the blood he'd lost so far. The soldier told Athrun to turn his back to him so that he could shoot his cuffs to get them off. There was a bang and Athrun felt the cuff loosen and he let them fall to the ground, "You're being far too reckless you know," said the soldier, chucking another flash grenade.
The soldier turned to Athrun, "Are you trying to get yourself killed? You even knocked over one of our own men in this," the young man said.
Athrun stared at the man, "Who are you?" he asked.
He man pushed his helmet up, showing red hair, "I'm with the so-called 'Clyne Faction'. You've made this a lot more complicated than it's supposed to be, so cooperation would be helpful!"
The man handed Athrun a gun, as a second soldier was slow walking backward by them, "DaCosta, hurry it up! They're recovering from their confusion!"
The three hurried along and managed to escape their pursuers and make it to a shuttle that was hidden out of sight. The three boarded the craft and quickly got it into the air and flying heading for a tunnel out of the colony.
Back on the Eternal, Andrew Waltfeld turned to Aisha, "Where is DaCosta? Wasn't he with you?" he asked.
Aisha frowned, "I thought he would have made contact by this point. We were given information that Athrun Zala had gotten himself into a bad situation. Miss Clyne wished to help him and I sent DaCosta and a few others to do what they could, haven't heard anything from them yet," she replied.
Just then a shuttle came out of a colony tunnel and was seen by those on the Eternal, then over the radio, "Commander! Sorry to keep you waiting sir," came the voice of DaCosta.
Aisha smile, "My, there he is now, he still has impeccable timing doesn't he Andrew," she remarked.
Andrew sighed, "That he does my dear, that he does," he muttered, before he turned his attention to his subordinate. "DaCosta, move to the aft hatch," he paused and closed the com-channel. "As soon as they get onboard, I want maximum thrust! That way we'll shake those who will attempt to chase us."
-Line Break-
As Sakura Clyne made her way towards the office of the PLANT's Supreme Council's chairman, Patrick Zala, and she was in a fairly bad mood. Most of the times she had be required to meet with the man or others from the council, it would end out being annoying talk that ended out being a waste of her time. Most of those times had been while Zala had been the head of the National Defense Committee, and Sakura didn't see any reason why the man would change from how he was before. So, Sakura was prepared to receive a lecture of why she should do what the committee says above all others. That coming from fools that didn't have a clue what goes on around a battlefield, they were politicians after all.
Then, the other piece that added to her current mood, were the rumors that she'd begun hearing upon her return to the PLANTs this morning coming from Earth. The rumors implied. Those that not only had her father and sister committed some sort of crime, but one of massive proportions. It was completely ridiculous, and Sakura's glare sent at those who had been saying such things had silenced them. To even hear the suggestion that her father or her little sister Lacus would betray those living in the PLANTs was as ludicrous as Lanus choosing not to work for the protection of the PLANTs. And to even hear it suggested angered Sakura and she wasn't someone that you wanted to be angry at you if you wanted to live long!
When Sakura enter the office of Patrick Zala, she didn't have a pleased or nice expression on her face. Yet, Patrick Zala had an equally unhappy look set on his face as he watched her approach his desk. "Commander Clyne, how nice of you to come by after getting back," Zala said flatly.
Sakura glared at the man, "Don't waste my time Zala, get to the point for which you 'requested' to have me make the trip here. I can think of other things to do with my time and I'm not in the mood to stand and listen to lectures," she ordered.
Zala smiled a bit, "To the point as you always are, I can respect that, more so these days. I want to know where you family is currently," he said.
Sakura let out a snort, "I haven't heard from them since I was last around the homeland. I've been busy cleaning things up on Earth, since there's been a number of messes to clean up lately, if you haven't noticed. And the second I return to the PLANTs, I'm told they've disappeared and I'm being demanded to tell others where they could be. Not only that, there's a ridiculous rumor going around that both my father and sister have committed treason. So, perhaps you can explain to me, why I'm more than ready to strangle the next person that whispers such crap, before I do just that and you get to deal with the bodies I leave behind," Sakura snapped.
Instead of answering vocally, Zala activated a screen to Sakura's right and showed her the video that had Lacus helping someone in a ZAFT red pilot suit. Even as Sakura watched the recording, she didn't buy what was being inferred by this recording. There was information missing and with that being the case, it made Lacus appear completely guilty. The 'pilot' did give an amusing gesture in Sakura's view, as it was clearly directed at Zala and it was something she herself agreed with. The pilot then got in a new mobile suit and left with it, none had done much to stop them, which she noted. Once the video finished, Sakura face Zala again, "So then, what do you know about the one in the red pilot suit," she asked.
Patrick Zala glowered at the question, "There is little information on the pilot, but what does that matter, they will pay when they're found? You can clearly see that your sister, Lacus Clyne has betrayed us and what we stand for! Now I order you Commander Clyne as the Chairman of the PLANTs, to tell me where they are!" Zala bellowed.
Sakura kept calm, even with this man yelling at her, yet she did feel the urge to send her fist straight into this idiot's gut or his face would do as well. It was clear that Patrick Zala's growing vendetta had focused on the Clyne family now, and Sakura didn't appreciate it at all! However, she shrugged her shoulders, "Like I said, I haven't the faintest idea where they are, and even if I did somehow know, what reason is there for me to assist you in this foolish witch hunt of yours Zala?"
"Siegel and Lacus Clyne are traitors to the homeland and must be punished for their crimes! You honestly think I would believe that you would know nothing about their whereabouts?!" Barked the man.
Sakura's fury was increasing and becoming hard to control, so she just glared at Patrick Zala, "Did it ever occur to you, that others along with yourself drove them both into hiding, and so, they would unlike have a way to contact me chairman? Or did that conveniently slip your mind, because right now, I'm tempted to make you shut up," She questioned bitterly.
Zala seemed to take a moment to calm down, "Very well, but understand, they are traitors now. Helping them is a crime, so do be careful and know what is more important, obeying your superiors or being loyal to a family that discards its values," he returned.
That statement infuriated Sakura passed her boiling point, she closed the distance between where she had stood and Zala's desk. Sakura reached forward and grabbed the collar of Patrick Zala's uniform and wrenched the man forward towards herself, which caught Patrick Zala completely off guard. "You listen and listen good Patrick Zala, just because you've taken the position of chairman of the Supreme Council, doesn't make you superior to everyone else around you. To me, it makes no difference whether you are the head of the council or if you were a fresh green pilot that it was my job to give a wake-up call! You nor any other tell me what to do, not before now nor ever! The only person who can give me an order and expect me to follow it without telling me why I should give them the time of day, is Lanus Treize and no other. Don't you ever forget that fact Patrick Zala, or I will show you first-hand how I got the reputation I have as the Black Zephyr," Sakura said emotionlessly.
Sakura released Patrick Zala and then left his office, continuing to fume at the man. She was stalking towards the Black Jade, thinking upon all the crap that Zala had shouted at her about her father and sister. Then to have the gall and the stupidity to attempt to tell her, Sakura Clyne what to do, it just enforced her dislike of Patrick Zala. Sakura's mood had been foul before, but it was even worse now. The two who were escorting her to the Black Jade, could see that Sakura was in a very bad mood and so, were keeping silent. They were terrified of the woman and they just look at each other and silently agreed to do nothing to make it worse… so they could keep living.
It was as they came up to a group of ZAFT soldiers and engineers gathered together that the three came to a stop. Sakura came forward and demanded to know what was going on and the second that they understood who it was in front of them, they snapped to attention. One of the engineers answered Sakura and said that they were finishing up an inspection of the less used areas of the colony. However, there were some that had not reported in and were missing so, there was a discussion to decide what to do.
Sakura managed to contain her annoyance and irritation at seeing incompetence of the soldiers here. So, instead Sakura took charge and quickly organized the soldiers and engineers in to teams to search for those who were missing and figure out what was going on. Even she herself went searching, it was something to do and it took her mind off of Zala. It was within ten minutes, Sakura and those with her came across a room that contained two who were missing. The engineer and the soldier were out cold, and looked to have been disabled by a blow from behind. Sakura ordered those with her to call for medical personnel to their location right away and one of the soldiers did as she said to.
Meanwhile, Sakura started inspecting the surrounding area, in order to perhaps ascertain what had happened to the two that had been found. It was clear that something or someone had come across them and had disabled them. She glanced through the viewing ports of the two closest docking facilities and found nothing. Yet, when Sakura looked into the third, she stopped as she spotted there was something inside when there shouldn't be according to the engineers.
Sakura opened the door and entered the Mobile suit dock, drawing the gun she had with her. The room was dim with all the lights off, except the dull light by the door. So, Sakura found the switch for the lights and flicked them on. With the lights on, Sakura turned around and got a view of the mobile suit sitting in the dock. Even with the years of service Sakura had given to the ZAFT military, she hadn't seen a mobile suit like the one in front of her.
The head appeared to be similar to the stolen Alliance machines that those pilots who had been stuck with Creuset used, and it had the same grey coloration. Its frame was different than those suits, but they had clearly been some of the basis that had been used in the design process. There were also vents on either side of the torso and on the front of the shoulders. Also with the shoulders, there were short wings that stuck out at the end of either shoulder cover. The legs did have large vents above the ankles and beside them on the outside were short wings and thrusters. Behind this mobile suit, was two long guns or cannons and a pair of long wings. Sakura shifted her attention to the armaments that this machine had, and she noticed a shield attached to the left arm and it was white, shorter than any GINNs or CGUE shields. In the right hand was a good-sized rifle and looked to be a tad bulkier than normal beam rifles.
For this suit to be here in an unused dock and none know about it, was odd, even by Sakura's standards. She assumed that it was the product of the Integrated Design Bureau, they always were working on improving mobile suits or just making new ones. But, the question on Sakura's mind, was why those from the Bureau would store one of their machines in a place like this, it didn't make sense for them as security conscious as they were the majority of the time.
The suit appeared to at least be hooked into cables and other things that were for resupply. Still, there was something about this whole setup that didn't feel right to her at all. Sakura was scanning around as she was more than halfway to the forward control console for readings of the suit and yet, there was nothing. Nevertheless, she had this sixth sense more than long enough to know that it wasn't wise to ignore. Then, there was movement to the left and Sakura swung her gun in that direction, "Stop, come out with your hands up!" shouted Sakura.
A figure moved to get behind equipment, but Sakura fired her gun, yet she missed whoever it was in the room other than herself. She slowly floated forward, keeping her gun at the ready as she got closer to the intruder. As Sakura was looking over into the shadows, something appeared on the right. But when she turned that way, she saw only a helmet floating there, before the figure burst up from below on her left. Sakura was taken by surprise and the gun was kicked out of her hands. Then Sakura found herself confined by two arms going around her middle and she was held fast. She fought back against the intruder and with her strength, it would unlikely have been long before Sakura would have overpowered whoever the intruder was, if not for one fact. "I don't have the time for this today Sakura," said a male voice.
The foul mood instantly vanished, and Sakura felt her heart skip a beat at the sound of that voice, along with a tingling warmth spreading through her. Sakura felt quite happy as she twisted around and hugged the person in the blue Federation pilot suit, who she now knew to be the one that she adored, Tyler McGregor.
-Line Break-
-Tyler's pov-
Time seemed to be moving slowly as I waited for the maintenance and resupply process to finish so the Aurora could launch out at 100%. There would be fighting ahead of me and I didn't even think to doubt it for I was no fool to think otherwise. Things were going dandy for me, notwithstanding the two I'd had to disable and stuff in a room. However, then I began to hear voices and other noise outside the docking area, meaning that there were people coming my way. I rushed over to the switch for the lights in the room and shut them off, throwing the room into shadowy shapes and blackness. Then, I dove downward and out of sight of the entryway to this dock, using equipment and supplies to hide myself from being discovered.
I stayed hidden among supplies below the level of the entry to this room as I listened to the sounds outside the docking area. I couldn't tell what was happening or who was talking, but I was hoping that they would move along quickly and not come inside this dock. Yet, I didn't get my wish as I heard the door to this room slide open and I saw light coming in from the doorway. The sound of a gun clicking as it loaded a round into the chamber, so whoever it was that came in had a handgun… great.
The next thing I knew, the lights of the room flashed on and I immediately sunk lower behind a group of liquid tanks. Still, I poked my head up over the tanks and spotted the shadow of whoever it was that had come into the dock. By the shadow's position, they were staring at the Aurora from halfway between the doorway and the forward control console. They began floating forward slowly, scanning around the room, which would get worse for me the longer this goes on. So, I decided to make a dash for my suit's cockpit by using the shadows to remain unseen as long as possible. I was doing nicely, or at least that's what I thought, "Stop, come out with your hands up!" shouted a female voice.
I reacted on reflex and moved behind metal equipment and heard a bang of a gunshot and the striking of a bullet on metal. However, what was irking me the most, was the voice belonged to someone that I knew quite well and wasn't in the mood in any way to see right now. I mean of all times for our paths to cross, why do Sakura and I have to come to be in the same place at the same time now?! And by how loud the bullet striking metal had been, the woman that chased me got close to hitting me with said bullet. My next action had to count, or I just might get a bullet hole in me somewhere and I would like to avoid that!
I removed my helmet and tossed it forward and upward, using it as a decoy. Sakura took the bait and turned towards my thrown helmet, giving me the opportunity to blindside her. I zoomed towards her and kicked the handgun out of her hands, then swung around to be behind the woman. I quickly encircled her middle, including that both of her arms and locked Sakura into a kind of bear hug and held on for dear life! But, even with the effort I was making to keep Sakura from moving, her strength was more than I could contain for long and I knew it. My only other option in this, is to appeal to the liking Sakura has of me and hope she doesn't kill me. "I don't have the time for this today Sakura," I said with effort.
Sakura's struggling against me stopped, then she then spun around and hugged me, or in my view started crushing me to herself. "Sakura… contain yourself, I'm in the process *gasp* of helping your little sister and I'll be unable if I don't go soon," I reasoned.
Sakura eased up on crushing me and stared, "Helping Lacus?" she asked.
I sighed, "I would not doubt by now, you've heard what she and your father are accused of by this point. I tried to get as much attention off of them as I could, but it wasn't as much as I wanted to," I remarked.
The pink-haired woman's eyes widened, "You were the one in the ZAFT red suit," she uttered.
I nodded, "Yep, that was me, your father asked for my help and I didn't say no. However, I did get to show what I thought of how the current chairman is running things."
Sakura snickered, "Yes, he didn't look happy about the gesture you showed in the security footage, although I can assure you, you're not the only one that feels that way about the man's actions," she returned. Sakura then released me, "Go then, help Lacus, for I can't right now even though I wish to."
I was about to turn and go, but then without warning of any kind, Sakura grabbed both sides of my face and then pressed her lips to mine in a kiss. I was too stunned to fight the action, but Sakura made it clear that she was liking the kiss, before she pulled back and pushed me away from herself. No idea what kind of expression I had on my face, I just grabbed my helmet and shoved it back on to hide whatever it was. Yet, I couldn't deny my cheeks were burning at what Sakura had just pulled without me having the opportunity to prepare myself!
I adjusted my helmet to lock it and seal it into place as I floated to the forward control console and inputted the command to disconnect all the cables from the Aurora as well as starting the airlocks to cycle and open the launching tunnel. Glancing over to the door, I saw Sakura leaving and locking the door behind herself. I moved to the cockpit of my mobile suit as cables were disconnecting from my machine. Once inside, I settled myself into the seat and buckled into the restraints and the backpack part of my pilot suit locked to the back of the pilot seat. It was a newer feature for pilot safety that Federation mobile suits were being built with according to Carlos. The pilot suit would lock into the seats to prevent the pilot being thrown around the cockpit, which is preferred.
Next, I brought the mobile suit's operating system up and after the quick booting process, I gripped the controls firmly. Once the tunnel was fully open, I had the Aurora leap upward, racing through the tunnel and outside Aprilius One. I shifted the Aurora into its flight mode and activated the phantom stealth and the phase shift armor. It's the nice thing about Federation stealth technology, it's a separate system that doesn't require what the phase shift uses, so they can be active at the same time. Anyways, the Aurora vanished before it could be noticed by ZAFT. I flew the Aurora in an arc around the colony and as I came around to the opposite side I spotted the ship I believe Lacus had mentioned to me being her way out. I tilted my machine and moved into a path that would follow the ship, but I had to shove the throttle close to full to start catching up.
As I was closing the distance between the dark pink ship and myself, a message came to the Aurora, saying that Siegel Clyne had gotten out from Aprilius One. However, he had been injured in the process, something about a bullet to one of his shoulders. The injury had been treated as best as was possible and was wrapped up and so wasn't a big issue. Siegel was being escorted back to the dreadnought that was around the area right now. That brought peace to my mind, as I wanted both Lacus and Siegel to be alive and away from the PLANTs for the time being.
I kept following the 'Eternal' as Lacus had called it for a distance, in which I got closer to the ship itself. However, as I was in visual viewing distance of the Eternal, I also saw a massive structure ahead of us. The structure was made up of an asteroid, which ZAFT had made into a military base they called Jachin Due. The place could take a nuclear bombardment and had taken a moderate one earlier in the war when nuclear weapons were sometimes employed. It was also the main base of ZAFT's that stopped attacks that were to be directed at the PLANTs themselves. In fact, I took in what I estimated fifty GINNs heading in our direction, accompanied by a couple Nazca and Laurasia-class ships approaching with them. Those GINNs were armed with artillery type weaponry, which going against one ship was kind of extreme. Me thinks some idiot has a serious problem and anger management issues that aren't being properly dealt with.
-Line Break-
-Neutral pov-
Athrun, accompanied by DaCosta, left the hanger and were making their way towards the navigation bridge. There was a bit of a jerk as the Eternal increased its speed, but that didn't affect either Athrun or DaCosta. They soon came onto the bridge and Athrun could only stare around, for the bridge of this ship was unique. There was the captain's chair slightly above the vice captain's seat. Then there was also a seat for likely a commander next to the vice captain's place where they would be on a Nazca-class's bridge. The rest of the bridge stations were set in a 'U' around the outer edge of the room. Yet, Athrun's gaze settled on Lacus Clyne who was in the captain's chair, it was the last place he expected to see her.
When the lift to the bridge had opened, Lacus turned and after seeing Athrun, she got out of her chair and sailed towards him, "Are you okay Athrun? Your shoulder," she started saying.
Athrun looked at the floor, somewhat ashamed and saddened at the memory of what had occurred between him and his father. "It's the price I paid for trying to reason with him."
Lacus frowned at what he said, not fully understanding what Athrun was referring to, but was able to guess that it had something to do with Patrick Zala. Andrew Waltfeld turned in his seat towards Athrun, "Hey there youngster, welcome to the ship of the songstress. I'm Andrew Waltfeld and the lady next to me would be my second in command and partner, Aisha," he said introducing himself.
The introduction itself didn't shock Athrun as much as the unsaid implications that came with it. Yes, the last visit when he had come back to the PLANTs after what had happened around Orb, had shown that things had changed. Nevertheless, he hadn't thought that ZAFT itself had become so internally divided between the chairman and Admiral Treize. For the differing opinion wasn't new, but for the split to drive things to armed forces being divide into two different sides was disturbing.
"Mobile suit forces approaching! Fifty GINNs and a few Nazca and Laurasia classes behind them," announced one of the bridge operators.
"Likely forces from Jachin Due," remarked Aisha.
"Indeed, not all that surprising," agreed Waltfeld, "Ready the main cannon to fire and activate CIWS," he commanded.
Athrun felt restless, even with his injury, sitting around doing nothing never was something he liked. He was well aware that he wasn't in a position to ask to help, but Athrun couldn't stay silent, "Does this ship have any mobile suits on board?"
There was silence to the question, and Athrun was taking that as a no, when Andrew Waltfeld spoke, "Well… technically yes, we have one."
Athrun's head snapped up at being told that the was a suit on board, "But, it still needs adjustments before serious use," Aisha finished.
"What do you mean?" Athrun asked.
"This ship was originally meant to be used exclusively for the Justice and the Freedom… basically the new 'X' series," began Waltfeld. "Yet, the Integrated Design Bureau didn't stop with those two."
"They made another one and are in the process of constructing a fourth and fifth," continued Aisha.
It was stunning, that not one, but three other mobile suits were designed with similar features to the Freedom, the Justice or both. But, Athrun also saw the dangers of the idea as well, since they likely would have nuclear reactors like the Freedom and the Justice do. Athrun was about to inquire further however, Lacus spoke up, "Open all channels for outgoing communications."
Waltfeld nodded and faced forward, "Roger, open all com-channels."
"Let us hope some listen, though I doubt the ones that could prevent issues will," remarked Aisha quietly.
Lacus took a deep breath, then began, "My name is Lacus Clyne, and although I stand in opposition to Chairman Zala, due to our differences of opinion, I don't wish to fight with any of you. The future that Chairman Zala is working towards is a dark and cold one that ends all of humanity. All parts of humanity deserve a better future than that, we are capable of creating and better future. So please, let our ship go and consider what it is, we really should be fighting against."
The response to Lacus's entreaty, came in the form of the sensors detecting incoming projectiles. Waltfeld sighed, "Well, had hoped for a moment that they would listen, yet alas, seems they aren't going to. It's not so easy for them, the military is taking commands from two different sources and they have different objectives in mind with their orders."
Aisha nodded sadly, "Unfortunately, I believe that Jachin Due's forces are taking orders from Chairman Zala."
"Commence counterattack!" ordered Waltfeld.
-Line Break-
-Tyler's pov-
"My name is Lacus Clyne, and although I stand in opposition to Chairman Zala, due to our differences of opinion, I don't wish to fight with any of you. The future that Chairman Zala is working towards is a dark and cold one that ends all of humanity. All parts of humanity deserve a better future than that, we are capable of creating and better future. So please, let our ship go and consider what it is, we really should be fighting against."
After hearing Lacus say that, it wasn't surprising to see the squadrons of mobile suits approaching the Eternal to begin their assault. I knew what needed to be done, it's time for me to get to work fulfilling points of my job description of being one of the good guys. I would save the Eternal from getting destroyed and kick a** while I do, and doing so with style! I rocketed forward as I pushed the throttle against its stop, bringing the crosshairs of my machine's 90mm vulcans to bear on the nearest GINNs. When I had them in my sites, I opened fired, aiming for the artillery, since they are explosive and can just as readily go off while in their racks as when they hit a target. For a few of the GINNs, my shots did strike the weapons and those went bang, some of the ZAFT suits did manage to detach them before they detonated, but I still got many of them anyways.
As more missiles and projectiles sailed at the Eternal, the ship's defenses were falling behind, so I gave them a helping hand. I brought the Aurora to point down the path the missile would travel to reach the Eternal. Then I fired both the plasma cannons and the beams engulfed a number of projectiles, taking care of them. I shut off the stealth system, leaving me with phase shift armor on and changed my suit over from its flight mode to its suit mode.
I quickly began to do some amazing moves in not just evading and dodging, but also shooting back and pegging GINNs. I also used the opportunity to try out the secondary mode for the Aurora's beam rifle, its stream mode. I hadn't had a chance during the battle around the Republic to try the idea out, but I was still curious as to what the mode could do and now is as good a time as any. So, upon switching the rifle's mode over, the front half of the weapon split open. I took aim and pulled the trigger and to my surprise, my rifle began emitting a focused beam that blasted right through the GINN I'd aimed at. The beam didn't stop flowing, I essentially had a very long beam saber that my rifle was the hilt for. I started sweeping my rifle horizontally and the beam cut through the GINNs that I pointed my rifle at. When next I'm around Teswa, I need to find out who came up with this idea and shake their hand! Granted, it drains power more than using the rifle its normal mode, it used power like the plasma cannons do, but it's awesome.
After I had used the stream mode of my beam rifle for a second time, I caught sight of a custom Delta Fighter, appearing on the battlefield. It had a different color scheme than Delta Fighters were produced with, it was dark grey overall and had also had a non-standard arsenal. First, it has smaller railguns than the standard Delta Fighter. Then with the shield, there were still 60mm Vulcans, but they were built into the shield structure plus, there was a pair of 80mm gatling guns on either side. The last piece of equipment was a unique weapon combo in the form of a long rectangular beam rifle that had a pole coming out from the butt of the weapon.
The custom machine shifted into its mobile suit mode and took out the pole and ignited the two emitters on the endo of the pole, producing a long-curved beam blade shape like a scythe. This mobile suit what piloted by one and only one man, after all, he is infamous for his preference to use a scythe like weapon, something about the best tool to open 'tin cans' or warships to the rest of us. I'm glad that he's not my opponent for I would lose and he's scary to go against, have done it a couple of times, and I still have nightmares about those. Let's just say that the man quickly proved how good he was with his weapon of choice as he sliced through one GINN after another, sometime multiple suits with a single swing. My ally also would switch to using the flechette rifle on the end of the beam scythe pole from time to time, which operated like a shotgun, by firing a spread of beams with each discharge.
The situation got even better when the Freedom arrived, and Kira added his efforts to the mix. The three of us, managed to shoo away what was left of mobile suits that had come out to face the Eternal from Jachin Due. The Eternal kept moving forward, looking relatively undamaged from the battle. I shifted the Aurora into its flight mode and moved over to fly alongside where I believe the bridge was. My stealth system was off as I flew beside of the Eternal on its right and saw that the Freedom was cruising on the ship's left.
"This is the Freedom, Kira Yamato here," Kira identified himself.
I was containing the mirth I felt, which was still somewhat painful to do, at the images that had come to mind. Among those were a few of Lacus and Kira being around one another again after their separation, being the way they were. Plus, I was happy to hear my friend's voice honestly as I hadn't heard it for a while.
"Kira?!" Lacus uttered in surprise over the com-channel.
I could stay silent no longer, "Your timing is as impeccable as it usually is Kira, you're as dependable as you normally are."
"Tye?" replied Kira in surprise.
"Were you expecting someone else then? Granted, I've been keeping myself busy lately, but I do try to do what I can to help, part of being one of the good guys," I returned.
The conversation turned to where we would go and Kira mentioned that others were around the L4 colony cluster. Those others included; the Archangel and an Orb Union vessel that Kira called the Kusanagi. So, that's where we headed to… just hope that we can get some time to relax, though even if we do, doubt it would last long. I flicked on the phantom stealth again as we went forward towards Lagrange 4.
Once we arrived at the area of Lagrange 4 hours after the fight with ZAFT Jachin Due's forces, the sight of the colony cluster brought an eerie feeling to me. The abandoned colonies here at L4 are still operating to varying degrees like they were felt odd to me, it wasn't entirely the same as Junius Seven felt to be around, but it was similar enough to be unsettling. We approached the colony called Mendel, named after Gregor Mendel, a historical figure from the nineteenth century before the Reconstruction war and the Cosmic Era. And the colony was the most well-known one in the L4 cluster, but its history isn't the nicest.
By what I could see from a distance, the reports about the colony were accurate, with it being the most intact colony overall in the cluster and I would guess the most functional of them too. The Eternal started maneuvering to back into the dock of the colony I slowed my approach, watching the proceedings. While I watched, a message appeared on one of the displays in my cockpit and when I brought it up, I read the contents. It said that a shuttle from the Voyager-class would be departing for the Mendel colony with Siegel Clyne on board shortly. I don't doubt Lacus would appreciate seeing her father, for I assume that she hadn't had much contact with him regularly as of late.
I waited for the Eternal to move into the dock running to the left of the Archangel. The Archangel was in the front position of their dock run with what I would guess was an Orb Union ship behind them. As I was left to decide which ship I should land on, I detected the shuttle I assumed was from the Federation dreadnought coming up from behind me. I quickly made my decision and flew towards the Eternal, contacting the bridge so that they could open the ship's catapult. The Eternal's catapult was opened at my request, and as I locked in my approach, I switched off the stealth system of my unit and shifted it into MS mode.
Even with my suit's thrusters slowing my forward momentum, I felt the moderate jerk as the Aurora came into contact with deceleration cables. The cables stretched and brought my machine to a complete stop, though it was a tad rocky. It's the reason I prefer the magnetic rail deceleration option that the Federation military employs, and I more used to using that method. The shuttle followed me in at a short distance behind, so when the outer airlock closed, we were both inside the Eternal. I moved the Aurora to a free dock, as there was five in total in the Eternal's hanger. The odd thing, was that there was one dock that contained a mobile suit and it was different than ones than I've seen.
The suit's frame was unique, but kind of reminded me of the Aegis's to an extent, I think because it had blades on its feet and the torso section did look similar. However, the machine appeared to be built, for lack of a better term, in sections then connected together. At least its legs and arms looked to be able to shift like the Aegis could. There also seemed to be a backpack part, not like the Justice's Fatum-00. Then on either side of the backpack, two other limb like parts sat, folded up to be behind the shoulders of this unit. I saw no obvious weapons on this machine, which meant to me that it possessed hidden weapons.
Once I had the Aurora in a mobile suit dock, I popped out of my mobile suit and floated in the direction of the shuttle. I had my helmet off and had nearly closed the distance separating the shuttle and myself covered, when the door opened and out came Siegel Clyne. The man had bandages wrapped around his left shoulder, which the first message had mentioned a bullet had found him during his extraction. Granted, that's better than him taking a bullet in a more vital place, but would have been nicer for him to have taken no bullet shots at all.
Another man followed Siegel out of the shuttle, he was in a Federation pilot suit, with his helmet off like me. His height was 6'1" and fairly muscular, at least he had a better muscle build than I do, don't know if that's due to him being a Coordinator or just because he worked to be so. Anyways, the man's hair was grey and flowed to the back, which complimented his tan skin pretty well. His face made a stark contrast to the rest of his appearance, mostly due to two particular features. Those being his gold colored left eye, and the black square patch that laid over his right eye and the surrounding area, which was held on by a strap that went around his head. His one eye that was visible, gave a cold and uncaring air, not really much niceties came from it. He's a tad younger than my mother is, believe in his late thirties maybe early forties, were I to guess.
The man's name was Kurt Gream, though most wouldn't know his own name, more the nickname he gained from his reputation he gained earlier during the war. He had fought in it on the side of ZAFT, and had been an amazing pilot and still is, just works for the Federation now. Nevertheless, while he was a pilot for ZAFT, he was known as 'the Roc' or the 'Grimaldi Roc', an ace pilot as well as one of ZAFT's champions. That's right, this guy is the infamous pilot that owned a good portion of the defending Alliance forces at Endimon. He was 'supposed' to have died when the cyclops system the Earth Forces had built there went off, though he didn't.
Yet, the funny thing, with all his skills, we have the same rank within the Federation military, both of us are licensed to pretty much do what we see fit on the field. But, I'll admit, Kurt could beat me in a fight with mobile suits, he's ranked as number two in the pecking order of ace pilots of the Federation while I'm number three. Yes, there was one more above both of us, but now I would say two with Graham working for the Federation military. Graham could out do myself and the two better than me, I've see the skills he has, so I know what I'm talking about. What he had done during the battle of the Republic, that was simple stuff compared to the other things he could do.
Of course, Kurt had been the pilot of the custom Delta Fighter that had helped in the defense of the Eternal against the Jachin Due's forces. His preference in the weapon he used was almost like a signature for the man and yet, the things he could do with his beam scythe and beam shotgun combo, were scary to go against. I did give a nod to Kurt, which he returned nonchalantly, before I focused on Siegel Clyne. "See that though you got out alive, yet I see it wasn't without receiving a mark for it Siegel," I remarked.
Siegel rubbed his injured shoulder, "Yes, that sounds about right, I was worried about how the situation was going for a time, but it all ended well enough. Although, there were a number of good men and women that sacrificed their lives to make the escape possible," he replied.
Siegel didn't say any more, but Kurt took of the narrative of what had happened on the other end of the rescue operation. Kurt had been leading the other SOLAS team, which he said he volunteered for, he mentioned that he owed a favor to Sakura, didn't say why. Apparently, when they had gotten close to where Siegel had been holding up in, ZAFT armed forces had already found Siegel. The SOLAS team jumped in and helped, but those who were defending Siegel had been giving their all, some making the ultimate sacrifice to do that. After getting Siegel and those with him out, Kurt then found a bottle with 'something flamable' inside and made an old fashion Molotov cocktail. Kurt then used that cocktail to convince others that Siegel was dead and get rid of the evidence to the contrary, by burning down the house that Siegel had been held up in.
Honestly, if the SOLAS team hadn't arrived when they had, Siegel would unlikely be here right now. If Siegel had died, then the world would have even less of a chance of peace and its already hard enough. We can't afford to lose the advocates of peace there still are, there aren't as many as there once were.
The conversation came to a close, and with the Eternal docked like the other two ships were, that made it easier for use to move into the docking facility and from there to the other ships. The reason, tunnels connected to each ship allowed us to use the port facilities to travel between the crafts. The three of us made our way to the tunnel that led to the port and we traveled through it to the colony's southern port facilities. I get the feeling that Lacus would have gone to Kira for comfort and the port's internal structure seemed the most likely gathering place for the two.
I found out that I was right the gathering aspect, when I spotted Athrun with Cagalli in one of the rooms that was an observation lounge or at least it had a clear view of the docking area and the three ships now there. I glanced upward when movement caught my eye and saw both Kira and Lacus in one of the corridors above us. Siegel and Kurt stayed behind me, but didn't enter the room that Athrun and Cagalli were in. I would guess the officers of the Eternal were introducing themselves to the Archangel's crew and vice versa at this time.
As I got closer, I began to overhear some of the conversation between Cagalli and Athrun, "Really? I'm glad," Cagalli was saying to Athrun.
Haven't a clue what she's talking about, but then, I'm coming in on the middle of the conversation, so that's what I get. Neither Athrun, nor Cagalli appeared or gave any sign that they had noticed that I had entered the room. "But to think that she escaped with that huge thing. She's really something, I'll give her that," Cagalli continued, while looking at the Eternal.
Athrun muttered his agreement. I was just studying the pair, thinking how well they seemed to get along. I mean, Athrun begin formally engaged to Lacus would have been fine with me, though I think Lacus and Kira make a better pair personally. However, I believe Sakura had some problems or she had made it known that she didn't intend to accept Athrun being married to Lacus anytime in the near future. Both Cagalli and Athrun turned to gaze up at Kira and Lacus, who were talking by what I could tell from where I stood.
"Don't you mind, she is your fiancée, right?" Cagalli asked.
"Former fiancée," Athrun replied, smiling slightly. Cagalli was looking puzzled before Athrun continued, "Mostly because I was such a fool."
I couldn't hold in the snicker at my friend's admittance, and it was that, which got both he and Cagalli to realize I was in the room. "Worry not Athrun for you're not alone, we all can be fools at times, it's a way that we learn," I said.
"Well, it's better to realize it than never. The lessons hard learned are the ones we remember the most," Cagalli stated.
I blinked at the comment, for it's one that my mom had said every now and then. And now that I think about it, mom had mentioned that she did talk to the child of a friend, though she never said a name or anything. I guess that the friend could possibly be Uzume Athha, in which case Cagalli could fit the idea. It would explain where she got the second sentence from, "You've wisdom beyond your years to know and say that Cagalli. Applying that idea, is a different matter and normally comes through experience, but that's beside the point right now," I returned.
Cagalli looked over to where Kira and Lacus were again, "And I think that Kira is just as much a fool. So, even Coordinators can be fools."
I burst out laughing at that, and once I contained myself, I spoke, "Coordinators are as human as any other, so we can be stupid in how we choose things, just like everyone else. Why anyone thinks that Coordinators are perfect and can't make mistakes, needs to stop smoking whatever it is they are, because they're frying their brain. Still, I wouldn't say that Kira is a fool like you think he is, definitely not the kind Athrun has been recently." I turned to Athrun, "No insult or offense intended my friend," I said.
"None taken," Athrun replied.
I faced Cagalli again, "Kira is more naïve than he is foolish most of the time. Long have I been waiting for the day that he sheds that naiveté, pray that I live to see it and I doubt that I'm the only one," I finished.
I gestured to Athrun I would be back, before I went back to where Kurt and Siegel were still waiting. We then floated through the corridors, heading towards where Kira and Lacus were in the port area. By the time we reached the hallway that I could hear voices from, it instantly became clear that Lacus was crying. She probably believed that her father was killed, which was not the case as he was with me. I opened the door a little and peeked in and saw that my ears were indeed working perfectly fine, Lacus was crying into Kira's neck. I cleared my throat to get the attention of the pair, "Umm, don't doubt this is a bad time, but with Lacus crying her eyes out, I just can't stand by and do nothing." I said.
Kira looked at me with curiosity, "What do you mean Tye, can't whatever want to say wait for a bit?" asked my friend.
I gave a pained smile, "Normally I would say yes, yet right now no. In fact, I believe I can improve Lacus's mood tremendously," I finished. The door opened the rest of the way, revealing Siegel Clyne behind me and the man floated past me. "For look here Lacus, your father is alive and okay," I said.
The second Lacus saw her father, she shot towards him and hugged the man, crying once more, but in happiness, not in sadness. I motioned Kira to leave the two alone and he did as I motioned him to do. Kira and I went down to the observation lounge, where Athrun and Cagalli still were. And with Kira, Athrun and I in the same place at the same time, it was high time that we caught up with one another. Yes, Cagalli is still here, but I don't see her presence making much of a difference in the catch-up session.
I decided to be the one to start off the conversation this time around, and I began with my return home to the Republic. Talking about the feelings of worry and foreboding that I had felt when I had gotten home, was unpleasant. I paraphrased the message of the Atlantic Federation the best I could recall the wording, while I contained my anger at what ridiculous crap had been said. Granted, the Republic hadn't been completely unprepared for the Earth Forces attack as there was some time to do things before they arrived. The Federation military had been making preparations without notice for many years for the time that an attack would come, whether it came from the Alliance or ZAFT for both were expected at some point. That hadn't stopped the battle from being harsh in many ways, but it had helped minimize some of the damage incurred.
The wait time before the battle had been near torture for me at least, even with the impressive show of new mobile suits. Then the battle itself, had been horrid and I doubt that I was the only one to think of it that way. Things had started out okay; the Earth Forces were being halted in their advance, their mass production mobile suits were not being allowed to land on the mainland and so the Alliance was being forced back. Then, the three custom Alliance machines had appeared, and the flow of the battle had changed, the losses that we on the defending forces were taking multiplied and the effort required to defend the homeland increased. Athrun's arrival with the Justice was impeccable, for me specifically as he saved me from likely kicking the bucket!
The short talk Athrun and I had after the battle against the Alliance, was not as satisfying as a good long conversation, but that was all the time we had back then. We separated there, Athrun had headed to Orb while I had headed into space. From there, I had eventually gone to the PLANTs so that I could keep my promise to Lacus and help her and her father get away from those who were hunting them. I happened to leave out my encounter with Sakura, since I didn't see a reason to bring up that event nor what it involved. So, once getting out Siegel and Lacus, getting away from the PLANTs had been a bit of a task, but was handled. That was the short and sweet of what had happened for me over the time of separation between the three of us.
Kira was next in this conversation, and he started just after our parting at Orb when I left for the Republic. The tension around Orb was much the same as it was at the Republic, and increased as the attack from the Alliance loomed. The news of the results from the Earth Forces's attack on the Republic did provide a small morale boost, but the looming fight dispelled the effect for the most part. The preparation Orb made was respectable, so when the forces of the Atlantic Federation came, they were close to ready for the attack. The attack itself, came around two days after the Republic was assaulted. The fight went as good as could be expected, much like it had for the Republic and the Equatorial Union. It would have likely been worse if Federation forces hadn't been there to assist in the defense. Heck, Orb might not be standing right now, if they had been alone in their fight, who can say what could have been. None can say that those defending Orb hadn't been giving their all to protect their home. By what Kira said, Mu and Krystal showed their dedication and determination on the battlefield, even with it being their first real fight while piloting mobile suits.
When the break had come after the Alliance forces had fallen back without much of a reason other than the custom mobile suits which had appeared, went had gone back to their ship. The period of non-aggression lasted for close to two days, which was odd. Why it was that long, I can't say at this point, my only guess is that the Alliance was waiting for more forces to join them, but there could be more to it than that. Then, when the Alliance resumed their attack, the three custom suits that had been at the Republic appearing around Orb. The second fight had ended okay, but the losses had been harsh for both sides.
Leaving for space made sense to me, for that's where this war was and would get worse and where it has to stop. To know that Uzumi Athha was still alive did give me hope that things could become better. Like with Siegel, those who advocated peace were needed more now than before and the more of those there are the better chances there were for peace to be realized. Once up in space, Athrun had headed off to the PLANTs, probably to confront the chairman were I to assume. Kira had escorted Athrun two thirds of the way, around to the area that the forces from Jachin Due attacked the Eternal.
Athrun took up the narrative from there, going back a bit to be at his return to the PLANTs following what had went down outside Orb. He had noticed the change in how things felt around the PLANTs. Athrun mentioned being told of the failure of the massive ZAFT operation 'Spit break' which was the assault on JOSH-A. He also giving a short explain of the hopes that the operation bringing about a quick end to the war, which could happen but was unlikely. It had been just after I had taken the Freedom, so those running the ZAFT military and those running the PLANTs had been panicking about recent events. Then, I didn't blame Athrun not believing the rumors of Lacus and Siegel having betrayed the PLANTs, not with what both had done for the PLANTs before that. However, the meeting with the Chairman was much more revealing and educational in my view than what Athrun had heard along the way.
The major points of note would be; the results of what had happened with JOSH-A; the response that followed, Le Creuset, what the Council thought and a couple of other things. The officers that had been reporting to Chairman Zala had made what had happened sound worse than it had been. It hadn't been that there wasn't the correct information, for informants within ZAFT had supplied information that ZAFT command knew of the approximate losses taken. So why they would do that makes little sense, unless it was to force immediate action, there's not enough information to say yet. Then for Chairman Zala or those under his command, not to know where Rau Le Creuset was after JOSH-A, that made me more suspicious of the man and I already suspected a great deal of things about him. Specifically, I'm of the opinion that from the facts and evidence that points to Creuset being the rat that I've been witnessing the work of lately.
And yet, from what Athrun said, the chairman seemed to trust Le Creuset more than Admiral Treize, which didn't just worry me, it seriously alarmed me. Case and point, the track records of Treize and Creuset were very different. Treize had the golden, pristine one, achieved great results and exchanged the least amount of losses. While on the other end of the spectrum, Le Creuset had nearly the opposite type of record, he may get results, but would cause political fiascos and a slew of problems along with his actions. I would think that most sane people would be more likely trust Treize rather than Creuset, but it's the opposite with Chairman Zala and no real reason as to why.
Back to Athrun's account, the Supreme Council wanted to know what was going on, which gave me the impression that most of them had been kept in the dark about a lot more things than previously thought. And to keep those who are supposed to be working with you from knowing what you're doing, it breeds problems far more often than preventing them. One of the few good things the chairman had done, was to order the remaining ZAFT forces to move to Carpentaria, but Treize was doing that already. Next, things had turned to Lacus and Siegel, where Patrick Zala had shown himself to be far less tolerant and less able to control his emotions.
For him to be hunting them both was one thing, to be using ZAFT's justice department and regular soldiers to do that job… that sounds more like abuse of authority. I might not know how the governmental system the PLANTs use works from back to front, but I pretty sure that the chairman doesn't have the authority or power to order other committees to do whatever job comes to their mind. Patrick Zala is acting more like a dictator than a council leader, and with the way he's going lately, the man is heading towards tyrannical fast.
Athrun being shown the video of Lacus bringing me to where the Freedom was stored, had further confused him by his own words and it's understandable. After the meeting with the chairman, Athrun had the mental conundrum of the orders he had been given of finding the Freedom. While searching for the mobile suit was fine and justified, the other half of the orders were ridiculous, ludicrous and self-destructing. To order the elimination all people AND facilities that the Freedom came into contact with was dangerous for ZAFT. So, either the man hadn't thought out just what they could entail, or he didn't care enough anymore about anything other than his own goals to think about it what consequences would result. His orders, if followed, would pit the PLANTs against the Federation as that require the destruction of Teswa R&D and a portion of the Republic to start and include Orb and the Archangel. ZAFT is having enough difficulty against the Alliance without adding lots more crap to their plate!
Athrun had gone looking for Lacus, to get the real story from her, checking multiple sources to see what the real story like most sensible people would. When he had gone by the Clyne residence, he had looked around and he hadn't found many answers. One room that he described sounded like the room I had been in during the early stage of my recovery. Athrun continued his search and when he had found Lacus, she had told him the truth and it wasn't an easy truth for him to hear. He had doubted at first, but Lacus had manage to persuade Athrun of the truth, even with it being a hard realization. She had even made the wise suggestion of Athrun coming to Kira and me to talk, which I would thank her later for.
And so, Athrun had done the sensible thing and decided to look for answers himself. After taking the Justice, he left the PLANTs and started the 'search' for the Freedom following the basic path I had taken. Athrun had gone by Alaska when he got to Earth and had witnessed the results from the Earth Alliance's actions at JOSH-A. The crater that was where the base and surrounding area, showed charred ground and little else. From there, Athrun had headed towards the Republic, thinking I had gone there. He had come upon the scene of the Alliance throwing themselves at the defending forces of the Republic.
Of course, he had jumped in and helped, to which I'm grateful to my blue-haired friend. After the battle came to a close, Athrun and I'd had our short talk, in which I flat out told him that I didn't blame him for what happened outside of Orb. My suggestion for Athrun to go to Orb to assist Kira, was in my view still the best choice at the time. And from the outcome with both battles around Orb, I stand by that insistence I had.
Then once their group made it up to space, Athrun mentioned his thoughts of wanting to confront his father about what he was doing. Athrun had been seeing that the chairman's actions were not being done with the best future of the PLANTs in mind. And when he had said that line, I couldn't stop myself from voicing my thoughts, "Good Golly Athrun, part of me wants to say how noble of you it is to wish to attempt to reason with the man. However, the other half of me, urges me to grab your shoulders, shake you with some decent force and ask what were you thinking at a rather loud volume."
Athrun lowered his head at hearing that, yet Kira was the one to speak, "Tye, that's pretty harsh you know."
"Yeah, doesn't change the point Kira. I expect this kind of naïve ignorance from you," I shot back, pointing a finger at Kira, then swung to face Athrun. "Not you Athrun, even if I can understand your desire to help the man that looks and sounds like your father. I'm not saying that you couldn't possibly change his views, but from what I've seen, the man is completely focused on his vendetta now."
What I said, acted as a trigger and he Athrun continued where he left off, telling how he managed to convince Kira to help him and after delivering the Justice to the Archangel. I wish Kira had talked Athrun out of going to the PLANTs, but unfortunately, his naivete did its thing again. They left for the PLANTs shortly thereafter, Athrun in an Earth Alliance shuttle, while Kira was in the Freedom, to go with him a portion of the way. The detail that Athrun then gave of that meeting were not only quite impressive proof of his memory, but also painful to listen to for it proved me right.
-Flashback-
-Neutral pov-
When Athrun had arrived at Jachin Due in the Alliance shuttle, he had been detained, which he had been expected. He had returned without the mobile suit he had left with, Athrun was prepared for the questions that would be demanded of him. He didn't answer much of them, but was polite about those he did answers, even if those interrogating him weren't. However, two things saved him from further questioning, the first was that someone came upon the interrogation, and it was Admiral Treize of all people who had been touring the base at that time. He had asked what was going on, and those trying to get information from Athrun couldn't come up with a response for the man. The second point that got Athrun out of the questioning, was that orders came that he was to be escorted to the Chairman's office immediately.
The trip to Aprilius One was quiet, and then the walk to Patrick Zala's office was the same. The two soldiers said nothing as they escorted Athrun, gave no expression to say anything. Upon entering the office, Athrun noted it was darker than it was the last time he was here. The expression on his 'father's' face was even less kind than when he received his mission to find the Freedom. Patrick Zala signaled for the soldiers to leave and they did, before he came around his desk and stood in front of Athrun. "You've returned from you mission and yet, by what I'm to understand, you came back on an Alliance shuttle and not a mobile suit. Now, where is the Justice? What happened to the Freedom?" he demanded.
Athrun's intention was to confront this man that was his father, in the hope to understand why he had been doing things that got so many people killed. The man Athrun remembered from when he was a child, had been a good man, stubborn at time and stern, but good natured and stood up for others. However, this man in front of Athrun now, was not even a shadow of that man, but for the good in him that Athrun still believed he had, the attempt had to be made to reason with him. "Father, what are your true feelings and intentions in regard to this war?" Athrun asked calmly.
Chairman Zala, just stared for a moment, before gaining an expression of annoyance on his face, "What did you say?" he shot back.
"You heard me, how much longer must we continue fighting?" Athrun continued, not willing to back down on this. The inquiry which questioned the purpose and reasoning for this conflict was important and Athrun had to know.
Again, Patrick Zala paused at the question, not quite believing that the one in front of him was asking this. "What nonsense are you blathering? What's important now it the mission you were handed! You're to report on that!" insisted Zala.
"I've returned because… I felt the need to directly ask you this question Father. How much more of this fighting, this destructive war must there be, how many more live will be lost before it ends?" Athrun shot back with as much insistence.
Patrick Zala, gained a look of growing anger, "Enough of this Athun! I will not have a child, who doesn't understand a thing, talking like this," he growled.
Before now, Athrun would have likely backed down, but not anymore, not with the things he had seen. Athrun wasn't ignorant of the world around him, nor anymore of the rising cost this 'war' was taking. "It is you who doesn't understand a thing! Alaska, Panama, Victoria, and then the battles that resulted because of those, do even know the exact numbers of those who didn't come back! You attack another, and then you're attacked again because you attacked! All the lives that are lost in this count for nothing, it doesn't make sense at all. This war only escalates, and more people die, yet nothing changes, the same responses and reactions don't solve anything. This war and the disasters its brought, they'll never stop with the current mentality, it will only keep spiraling into the death and destruction and it's getting out of control!" Athrun reasoned, but by the end he was close to shouting.
"Where did you get such crazy ideas? Have you been deceived by that girl as well, Lacus Clyne and her lies?" demanded Zala.
The replies coming from his father, were becoming more ridiculous each time, he wasn't listening to the subject matter, just thinking of the justifications for himself and his goals… whatever they were. The effects the war was having even now, were doing horrible things and were going beyond the original arguments that brought it about. "Father, do you seriously think that meeting power with powerwill put an end to this war?" Athrun questioned incredulously.
"Of course it will! The moment every last Natural is exterminated, the war will end!" Patrick Zala shot back.
Athrun was dumbfounded, not only at the answer, which was one he had never thought he would hear from this man, but also the conviction it was stated in. For, he was sure that when Chairman Zala said 'every last Natural', he included those that were a part of the Human Federation. The sheer amount of lives that would end and destroy… it went far beyond mass genocide, it was pure evil! This was more a mantra or answers Athrun would expect from groups like Blue Cosmos, not his father.
"Now tell me Athrun, what happened to our machines, the Justice and the Freedom?! Be aware that depending on your answer, even you may not be forgiven!" Patrick Zala said, regaining Athrun's attention.
He had to ask the question on his mind, though he was pretty sure what it would be in his heart, "Father, do you really mean what you said, about killing every Natural?" Athrun inquired seriously.
The chairman closed the distance between himself and Athrun and grabbed his son by the collar of his uniform. "That's the whole point to this war! That's why we're fighting it in the first place, how could you have forgotten that?" he snapped angrily.
This conversation was going worse with each line, "And do you include those who are members of the Federation?" Athrun questioned, hoping that somehow, he could make his father realize what he was saying and take back what he claimed.
"Of course it does, they are no different than any other Natural type, the Federation can't be trusted, Naturals have corrupted them and so, they are as much a threat as the Earth Alliance!" Chairman Zala barked, before he threw Athrun forward to the floor.
Athrun hit the ground and bounced once, before he hit the ground and rolled a few feet and came to a stop. It had been like a knife to the heart to hear his father declare that he would keep this war going until every Natural was dead. Such an action wouldn't bring an end to the war, Athrun knew it, the Coordinators who had loved ones that were Naturals wouldn't allow it. Such actions would only keep this vicious cycle this war was, going until humanity utterly destroyed itself. Athrun's thoughts were of why would his father do this and go so far as to keep this war going? However, the click of a gun being loaded and made readied to fire, was heard. Athrun glanced up at Chairman Zala, "A gun, father?" Athrun asked, tones of disbelief mixed with sadness entering his voice.
"Now, stop giving me that garbage and answer me! Where are the Justice and the Freedom?" Chairman Zala demanded.
Athrun gazed downward, at last realizing what Tyler had been trying to tell him when it came to the man that was the Chairman of the PLANTs. The man in front of Athrun looked like Patrick Zala, and even sounded like him, but he wasn't Patrick Zala anymore, he was now a stranger. The man that had been Athrun's father Patrick Zala was gone… and the awareness sinking in hurt more than any of the words that had been said.
-Flashback End-
-Tyler's pov-
The meeting had ended with Athrun being taken by soldiers to be questioned, yet that hadn't happened as it was planned. Men that weren't loyal to Zala got Athrun out of that jam and had managed to get him to the Eternal shortly after the ship had launched.
I must admit, Kira, Athrun and myself seem to find ourselves lots of trouble to get ourselves involved in as of late. I think that Athrun and I are better at the idea than Kira is, but that's a matter of opinion. The mood between the three of us was glum and I didn't like it at all. I let out a sigh, "Well, at least we're all alive after what's happened, that's something to be grateful for if you ask me. Take this all as a 'you live, and you learn' experience," I said.
Kira smiled at me and nodded, "You're right Tye, with the events we've all been through, it's quite amazing that we're here right now."
"Say Tyler, do you know what the Federation's response is to the recent events?" Athrun asked.
I hesitated at the question, for it was a loaded question, "I know some of the responses, yeah. What you need to know, is there's a lot of factors, the two major ones being the Earth Alliance and ZAFT." I began, and at the mention of ZAFT Athrun frowned more.
"First, the Alliance has attacked three out of the five member nations on Earth, the Equatorial Union was also hit. The Earth forces that struck in the Equatorial Union were sent packing as the assault acted as a reason to put aside the differences that had the Union dealing with civil unrest. The Euros Coalition and the Kingdom of Scandinavia are tightening their borders and defense now. Although, the Alliance would have to get past the Federation's Asgard base at the western edge of the Euros Coalition and that's a base they've never won against. But still, those in control of the Earth Alliance have made their intentions clear, they want the vendetta to be fulfilled no matter what, and the Federation is in the way," I iterated.
I paused, for the other response was less nice, even if I agreed with the actions. The results were harsh to say the least, the losses faced by the Earth Forces were an example that the ones in control of the Alliance didn't care about anyone but themselves. "As a result of the attacks on Federation member nations, the actions are seen as a declaration of war against the Human Federation by the Earth Alliance, even if they didn't state it being so. Here in space, the Federation's space fleets have been mobilized and are hunting down the Alliance's orbital fleets. They give them the chance to surrender, and if that's refused, then the orbital fleet is then destroyed. Thus far, by what I've understood, two of the Alliance's fleets have been eliminated and a third will soon follow. It's been all done within the last two weeks, so I doubt that the Earth Forces have high morale or are feeling nicely about their allies on Earth, if they know at all," I continued.
The audience in the room had increased, since the conversation had begun, and with the things that I had said, most were not looking happy about the subject. I took a deep breath and kept going as there was the other part of this, "Then, you have ZAFT, and that's a different and a more complicated matter than the Earth Alliance is. And as far as I can tell, the biggest part that cause the issues, stems from the schism that's formed between the leadership of the PLANTs and the head of ZAFT's military."
"You're referring to ZAFT's Admiral Treize," posed Mu, who was part of the audience in the room.
I nodded, "Yep, that would be the head of ZAFT's military, even if it is unofficial. The information supplied, implies that the distance between him and the PLANTs Supreme Council's chairman, is growing on both sides and not slowly. I feel one of the main reason things aren't even worse than they are now, is Treize is keeping a firm standing and keeping control of the majority of ZAFT forces." I turned my head to Kurt who had been listening from the beginning, "Tell me Kurt, how much influence does Treize actually have within the ZAFT military, you know the man better than I would."
Kurt put a hand to his chin, "Depends on how many fear the current chairman, I would think the majority of ZAFT officers would follow Lanus over Zala, but can't say for sure any more. I can guarantee that the remaining champions will stand behind Treize, not a question about that," he replied.
That hopefully meant that much of ZAFT's forces would be likely back the champions, but with how Chairman Zala been running things, who can say. There was also one piece of information that I hadn't said yet, and didn't know if I should at this time. The Federation had found out that there were some in ZAFT that were building a 'super weapon' of some kind. Information about the weapon hadn't been obtained yet, and that was extremely troublesome. I have the feeling that Patrick Zala is behind the super weapon, whatever it is, and is keeping the information about secret. That implies that he might think that there are those that supply the Federation with information, which is correct.
Phase End
A/n
That's where I'll stop for this Phase. Now originally, I had one more scene in this Phase, but I decided that it works better as the start of the next Phase. It will make more sense I think when Phase 21 is written, and it adds a real change in the storyline. Anyways, the change I made in the Aurora's arsenal, was that the 50mm Vulcans that are usable in flight mode, are now 90mm versions instead. Other than that, nothing else has changed for that machine as I like it the way it is. For Siegel Clyne's survival, like Uzumi Athha, I have parts for them to play in future, so they ain't dead in my version. If any of you should dislike that change, tough luck, my story, my choice. As I say at pretty much each chapter, please some of you write a review, long or short, doesn't matter to me, just tell me what you think or ask questions. Until the next Phase, peace out all!