Disclaimer: I dont own Gundam Seed, note that some characters I am introducing are also from the Astray Manga, The Cgue Sword also belongs to 00virtuezero

Gundam Seed Destiny or Liberty

Chapter 14: Memories of comfort and pain

Captain Second Class Sai Argyle sat with a nervous expression inside the base class ship he was to command. The Churchill was a fine ship with some upgrades that rivalled the old Archangel. It was loaded onto a Sensou base mass driver to be launched towards space. Many Sensou bases were beginning to launch base class ships into space in order to join the Salamis Kai fleets in the construction of a headquarters for space. The Junk Guild would be assisting in the construction of the base in preparation for the war.

"Sir, we have finished loading up the new Jegan's" One of the CIC Ensigns said.

"Thank you, once the full crew is on board begin launch sequence" Sai said.

At first he'd been anxious about returning to space. But the call that Vincent helped him to realise that space needed plenty of experienced officers. It had been a while since he'd been in space but Vincent had confidence that Sai could command troops in space. Natarle and Kuzzey were already in space beginning construction of the Asgard colony facility. Ships travelling into space were loaded not just with equipment and mobile suits but also the different sections and materials for the massive space fortress Asgard. Captain Bright Noa wore a white space suit and oversaw construction efforts.

"Careful with those hull pieces they're part of the medical wing, I want the command centre finished first, and don't damage the components for the artificial atmospheres" Bright explained.

Natarle pressed several buttons on her touch pad, transferring Sensou funds to the Junk Guild in exchange for parts. Lowe Guile floated his Red Frame across the construction space, dragging wires attached to two corridors for the base. Custom Junk guild Astrays were passing crates and hull pieces to GM's. A GM command type used a heat laser to meld two pieces of metal together, working much like a bricklayer.

"Yes Mr Brahe I understand your concerns…rest assured I will personally tell Commander Rach and Chairwoman Alster of your problem…yes I'm sure they will allow you to participate in the search" Kuzzey said over the radio lines.

GM's flew off of Salamis Kai Class ships and began establishing a perimeter in face pirates got ambitious. Further away from the construction efforts several mobile pods flew towards the Earth. They were landing pods that carried mobile suits to survive re-entry. Several of the pods broke off and flew in separate directions. A Sensou radio operative took note of the heat sources.

"Sir, there are several unmarked landing pods falling into Earth's atmosphere" The Ensign said.

"Where are they heading?" The Salamis Kai Class captain asked.

"Wait a minute, there are actually several dozen landing pods sir, ten are heading to the Northern region of Afghanistan, Five to a region of Bosnia, seven to a region of Northern Africa and ten to a small continent on the Mediterranean" The Ensign explained.

"Hang on a second, those locations are known terrorist hideouts, Commander Rach never gave us the green light to take them out"

"Well it looks like someone is taking them down now…sir"

The mobile pods fell closer and closer into Earth's atmosphere, appearing to be shooting stars to some nations. However in the areas they were attacking there was a variety of conditions. The sunset on the Mediterranean, the moon was out in the Middle East and it was clear as day in other areas. Inside the cockpit of a machine, a blue haired pilot looked down at the region with a nervous expression on his face.

"Do we really have to do this?" He asked.

"We've got orders Socius, don't forget what Admiral Thanos did for you" A Scarred pilot said.

"O'Donnell's right, besides Dagger gave these guys an opportunity to really make a difference but they insisted on playing their terrorist games" A brown haired pilot said, he was wearing a green ZAFT flight suit and had a patch on one of his glasses lenses.

"Still Leons, wasn't there another way?" Socius asked.

"You should have asked that question before launching" A bitter voice said.

A pilot in a Black Storm flight suit opened his visor, revealing a man with a greying dark beard and a burnt right eye. He traced his finger over a photograph of his family before sliding the visor back over his face.

"Those people down there were given their chances and they have chosen to waste the generous opportunities that Dagger offered them, in a twisted attempt to change their lives or "serve gods will" they sought to deliberately murder others who didn't even care for their countries, trust me when we clear our their bases no one outside of our unit will shed tears for their deaths" The elder man explained.

The younger pilots nodded their heads before preparing themselves for battle. In the Middle East, the pods broke apart and revealed Black Zaku Kai's and Dom Trooper's painted with Black Storm armour and equipped with drill staffs. The lead machine fell ahead of the other mobile suits and was heavily customised. It was a Black Zaku Kai with larger shoulder shields and several rockets attached to its legs. The Zaku had two glowing eyes instead of the traditional one and was equipped with a heavy Gatlin gun on its back, an armour piercing machine gun on its left wrist and a staff with a sword attachment.

"Follow my lead" The Commander said.

"Yes Commander Krauss"

In the Bosnia campaign, Dom Troopers and Black GINN's were falling towards the ground. The lead machine was a Black Zaku Kai with a customised flight pack and a Zaku rifle. Its left shoulder had a blue bolt while like the other commander units the head was designed with two eyes and a horn. The bulking pilot inside scratched a scar across his cheek before sliding his faceplate down.

"All units, begin bombardment of enemy forces" He said.

"Affirmative Captain Sanada"

The Zaku Kai opened its flight pack and fired a volley of missiles, bombarding the terrorist base. In the Northern African campaign, mobile suits began to land in the Private military company encampment. The PMC Astray's fired at the Zaku Kai's, which fired back with machine guns and beam rifles. A Zaku Kai with thick legs hovered across the dry landscape, firing a beam bazooka. The massive beams destroyed several PMC Astray's. The Zaku Kai had a horn and two eyes like most commander units but it wasn't black, instead it had green colours on its arms and a brown chest area.

"What a bunch of idiots, not accepting Thanos's proposal" The short pilot said.

He was the opposite of his bulky machine, having very little muscle on his skinny frame. His hair had been shaved and dark rings were under his grey eyes.

"Now they can all die!" He said.

He then drew a long beam sabre and slashed two Astray's apart with one slash. Suddenly a brown GINN landed behind the Zaku and drew a Gerbera Straight Katana. The GINN pressed the blade against the back of the Zaku.

"Remember what Thanos said Xander Cane, do not hate your enemy" The Pilot of the GINN said.

"Shut up Un No!" Xander growled.

"If you continue down this path of ignorance Xander there will be no place for you in the world that Dagger creates" Un No said.

The GINN suddenly swung around, cutting an Astray in half. A Blue GINN with spikes on its armoured and words written on its wings ploughed through PMC forces. It fired the rocket anchors attached to its arm, crushing the cockpits of two Astray's. What appeared to be an upgraded Aegis switched out of its flight mode and slashed two Astray's across their chests. The Rosso Aegis then fired its beam rifle, shooting down two more Astrays. In the Mediterranean campaign, Marcus flew his Zaku Kai right into the heart of his enemy. His swords cut apart stolen GINN's and Strike Daggers.

"Wipe the enemy out, show no mercy" Marcus said.

A Red CGUE landed and drew its two beam swords. The blades extended and the beams surrounded the swords before the CGUE rushed forward. It was equipped with an assortment of close range weapons and two midrange beam pistols. Swinging its ignited beam swords around, the CGUE Sword cut several GINN's apart. Several Triskeros missiles then flew into a Strike Dagger. They were fired by an upgraded Blitz. The Blitz Nero fired its beam rifle alongside pitch black Astrays.

"Government sources believe that the battles taking place in known terrorist, Insurgent and private military company locations are the work of pilots bearing the symbols of the Black Storm faction" A reporter with blue hair and yellow streaks explained.

The camera attached to his mobile suits gun took videos of the smoke Mediterranean island. Media companies local to the areas being attacked were also covering the event. A Strike E raised its cannon, firing a blue and red beam into an Insurgent GINN. The Strike E had green phase shift armour that matched the Launcher pack it had been equipped with. A Hyperion G fired its submachine gun, shooting apart several Insurgent GINN's.

"Why are they attacking those regions?" Jess Rable wondered out loud.

He moved his Astray Out Frame closer towards the Mediterranean island, catching as many shots of the battle as he could. Later he would send the images to Miriallia Haw, whom would pass the videos onto Sensou before the major networks published any of articles.

Further away from the conflicts taking place Vincent now stood face to face with Lacus. He had his arms crossed while Flay looked between the two of them.

"Wow, this is awkward, so Vincent what's up?" Flay asked.

"Assassins just tried to kill me, Branden and Kojiro, they planted bombs at the airfield" Vincent said.

"Oh god, was anyone hurt?" Lacus asked.

"Don, one of my best mechanics"

Flay widened her eyes, knowing that the news would break Nena's heart.

"Flay I've given the order for all Sensou ships to leave Earth, right now they're working on building Asgard"

"Natarle told me about it, are things really going to be that bad?" Flay asked.

"Yes they are, I recommend that you get on a shuttle and go to the Plants" Vincent said.

"But…"

"You can spend two days with Kira at the most, but I wouldn't recommend staying when Orb starts enforcing its Neutrality treaty, The Earth Alliance knows that the Minerva is here and once it launches its assault on the Plants they'll be after ZAFT's most advance ship, Branden, Kojiro and I will stay with the Minerva" Vincent explained.

"Fine, I'll stay here for a few days before I set off" Flay said.

Vincent nodded his head before turning towards the road. Athrun and Kira had both gotten back from their drive and looked down at Vincent in confusion.

"Vincent, Cagalli just told me that Sensou ships have been piling onto Mass Drivers, what are you doing?" Athrun asked.

"We're leaving Orb and joining up with ZAFT, when the EA attacks The Plants they'll need help, as much help as they can get" Vincent explained, looking at Kira when he spoke.

"What about Sensou's policies?" Kira asked.

"I don't think you really have a say in Sensou policies Kira, four times, four times I asked both you and Lacus to help and you rejected the offers…what on Earth for?" Vincent asked.

"I don't think your wrong in fighting Vincent, but Lacus and I aren't wrong either, I am sick and tired of people killing one another, and I want no part of it anymore" Kira explained.

"That's why the Earth Alliance will attack the Plants Athrun" Vincent said. "Kira and Lacus can say otherwise but the cold hard reality is that no one on Earth gives a shit about the Plants"

"That's not true!" Kira said.

"Do you know what my parents said when they heard about Junius Seven being destroyed, they said "how terrible" and then we went back to eating dinner and watching day time TV, and when the EA starts attacking the Plants again the people of Earth are not going to be questioning why it is being done, instead they'll choke up the propaganda like babies on a tit"

"Vincent you don't mean what your saying your just angry because of Don, that wasn't your fault" Athrun said.

"My fault…I never said anything about blaming myself…god, its not easy to go to war you know, I…DAMN IT!" Vincent yelled.

He rubbed his eyes and forehead in frustration.

"Maybe, maybe if it had been Gekido then things would have been easier, maybe he would have done what needed to be done. Made the hard choices that I couldn't make" Vincent explained.

Athrun lowered his head while Kira walked forward. He placed his hand on Vincent's shoulder and smiled.

"If that's what you think Gekido was, ruthless and cruel then you didn't know him at all, Gekido was my friend but above all that he was a good person, he hated it but he couldn't fool any of us really. We all knew that Gekido Jaeger was a man who never compromised" Kira explained.

Two years ago

Kira stood with his friends on the Archangel's outside observation deck. The sun was out and everyone was enjoying the brief respite they had. Miriallia was leaning against Tolle's shoulder and Flay was applying sun tan lotion to her arms. Kira looked behind him and saw Gekido leaning against the wall. The grey haired pilot kept his eyes fixed on the ground, occasionally looking up at the sun.

"I can't believe the kinds of fish that live in the sea, the tech crew put a camera down below and so far I've seen twenty different kinds of sea creatures" Kuzzey explained.

"I'd say the oceans got the biggest animal habitat than every land region combined, the deeper you go the more you see" Sai said.

"Makes you wonder whether there's anything hiding out in space" Tolle said.

"Here we go…" Mir muttered.

"No I'm serious, there has to be something out there besides us, I'm telling you once we've got FTL we'll be going where no man has ever gone before"

The others laughed while Gekido shook his head. He walked off of the deck and into the ship itself.

"Gekido wait, my shift will be starting soon too, I've been thinking about the Strike and the Purpose and I was wondering, do you think the Purpose's weapons will go with the Strike?" Kira asked, following behind Gekido.

"Probably not but it would be worth a try, Cagalli's already been bothering me about letting her go on a test flight, but I'm letting anyone other than myself pilot that machine" Gekido explained.

"You take some real pride in that mobile suit don't you?"

"Don't you taker pride in yours?"

The two pilots walked onto the bridge to see half of the usual crew missing. Natarle was at CIC as always and Mu La Flaga was taking over for Neumann. Gekido walked around the captain's chair and checked over the CIC crew. Pal and Chandra were both working on radar and communications respectively.

"I trust you two enjoyed the Earth sunshine" Pal said.

"Yeah, although the others might not want to leave the deck" Kira said.

Chandra and Pal both laughed while Gekido took a seat beside them. He tapped the keyboard, checking diagnostics on the weapons. The statistics didn't show anything wrong with the weapons, though Gekido personally felt that it wouldn't hurt to check the guns themselves. Climbing out of CIC, Gekido then turned his head as he heard the radio crackling.

"Picked up a pretty bad radio signal, its an old channel as well" Chandra said.

"Is it a concern?" Natarle asked, walking over to the group.

"A distress signal ma'am, just a few clicks away from our position"

"Play the message" Mu said.

"Please if there are any ZAFT forces in the area we need help, Insurgents have come to our homes demanding our food, they've wiped out the ZAFT mobile suits here" A panicking man explained.

Gunshots could be heard over the radio along with the familiar footsteps of mobile suits.

"Pirates" Gekido growled.

"This is ZAFT controlled territory, they'll send reinforcements for that area" Natarle said.

"Are we just going to leave them then?" Kira asked.

"Even though they'll be using mediocre Insurgent type GINN's we cant afford to waste time on them" Mu said.

"The Purpose is fast enough at top speed, I could be in and out of the region fast and before ZAFT gets there" Gekido said.

"No Ensign Jaeger, the civilian casualties will be minimal when ZAFT arrives anyway" Natarle said.

"I can be out there quickly and reducing the likelihood of there even being any civilian casualties"

"Ten minutes…that's the estimated response time for ZAFT forces, try to save the town in that window of time and not a second after" Mu said.

"Commander…"

"Don't worry, if there's any machine that can get there and back in time it's the Purpose"

Present Time

The Purpose Mark 2 slowly transformed into its mobile suit mode and landed in a small street on an island. It had been drawn to this area for some strange reason. People were walking out of their owns and looking up in wonder at the machine.

"Father is that the machine?" One boy asked.

"Yes, that machine came to save us when we needed help the most" The man said.

The Purpose looked at the floor, noticing the scars of bullet craters. Looking at its hand, its databanks or "memory" flashed as it remembered. A version of it had come to this small village and had drive off a group of pirates. Clutching its head, the Purpose's armour groaned as more memories flooded its neural network.

"GO AWAY!" Kira yelled as his seed shattered.

Much to Zack's surprise he found himself being kicked into the Earth's gravity by the Strike. Gekido felt his body start to sweat and become heavier as he and Akushi were pulled into the atmosphere.

"BRIAN WHY ARE YOU WITH ZAFT!" Gekido yelled over the radio.

"Fool, I'M A COORDINATOR! MY FATHER IS A ZAFT COMMANDER! I AM AKUSHI THANOS AND THE FRIEND YOU KNEW WAS BUT A MASK!"

"I DON'T BELIEVE IT!" Gekido yelled defiantly.

"THE KIND HEARTED FOOL YOU KNEW DIDN'T EXIST! ORB DOESN'T WANT PART OF THE FIGHTING! BUT NOW IT WILL PAY FOR ITS HYPOCRISY!" Akushi yelled as he aimed his rail guns.

The eyes of Kira, Gekido and Zack widened as they saw what Akushi's target was. Gekido pushed down on the controls, ignoring Bigg's heat warnings. The Purpose extended its arm, hoping to intercept the shots. Akushi laughed sadistically as he fired the rail guns. Kira dropped his jaw in utter shock while Zack cursed ZAFT. To say Gekido was shocked was an understatement as he watched the target being blown apart. Akushi had just done the unthinkable; he shot down the civilian shuttle. Gekido had seen the faces of the civilians watching the battle, including Kisagi's and Tachi's. He remembered the little girl that had given him a flower, he remembered the pranks of his adopted siblings, and more importantly he remembered the times that Yamato had tried to get him to smile. The memories of friendship he had with Brian were gone.

"Brother, sister…father!" Gekido whispered silently.

This memory caused anger, yet also feelings akin to depression in the neural network. Looking up at the sky, the Purpose zoomed its vision at the machines that had been following it. It searched its databanks and found the details of the mobile suits. Murasame Reconnaissance types, Orb mobile suits but the colourings identified them as Earth Alliance machines. Looking back down at the civilians, the Purpose tilted its head in confusion. Some of the children were playing by its feet while the men and women were going about their daily business. One girl looked up at the machine with a smile.

Another memory flashed before the Purpose's eyes. The girl had been younger and hiding behind a hut as the previous Purpose bought down a GINN with its bare hands. Now she looked up at the "brother" of the machine that had saved it with an emotion the Mark 2 didn't recognise. When it looked at it's earliest memories it felt only anger, amusement, pity and strangely regret. But that wasn't him was it? Gekido Jaeger never felt regret didn't he? Floating off of the ground, the Purpose then flew towards the islands hill and forest regions. It landed in the forest and crouched on the floor.

Jeremiah huffed, for the Murasame's couldn't see the Mark 2 through the trees. If he gave them the order to get closer there as a good chance that the Mark 2 would attack them. Turning to Jessica he nodded his head, there was no point in wasting resources watching the Purpose when it clearly wasn't a threat anymore. Although Jeremiah was still curious over what the Gundam had done to Jeremiah he would have to keep that curiosity at bay for now.

"Jessica please set up an appointment with Mr Hunter"

On Orb, Flay, Kira, Athrun, Lacus and Vincent sat on the beach and recalled the days that they had spent with Gekido. Vincent actually smiled as they told him about the kind of man Gekido used to be. The war and the people he encountered helped him to grow into the man he became at Jachin Due.

"When Gekido was around, you'd feel this odd sense of fear, yet when he was out in that field you knew that he was the man you could trust to fight" Flay explained, curling up to Kira.

"I already believed in the future of this world, but Gekido showed me a way of thinking I thought I'd never feel, I don't know why I loved him and I still don't know why I love him, alls I know is that he is one of many people who deserved peace" Lacus said.

Vincent lowered his head as he got off the sand.

"Everyone, I'm sorry for the way I acted earlier, those who choose to fight are not wrong, yet neither are those who have chosen not to fight" Vincent said.

"What are you going to do Vincent?" Kira asked.

"Fight as I always have, perhaps one day I'll be as good a man as Gekido was"

As Vincent walked away, Kira couldn't help but see Gekido walking beside him. He smiled as he realised that Vincent already was as good a man as Gekido had been. It took him back to that moment in the aftermath of Junius Seven. Kira and Flay floated into one another's arms. Just a few moments ago, Vincent had aided Kira in saving Flay from Rau Le Creuscet's Providence. The two lovers embraced one another and despite the work that had to be done, Vincent took comfort in the fact that Kira and Flay could have a life together.

"THIS IS MY PURPOSE!" Gekido yelled.

The Nenshou Kokoro swung its cannon around before firing a magnificent beam towards the giant mobile suit Omega. Pilots widened their eyes as the light from the explosion consumed the Nenshou.

"GEKIDO!" John yelled.

He flew his Farsight towards the explosion, but stopped as a one armed GINN blocked his path.

"Stop Commander Alaric, you're not going to do anyone any good" Joe said.

"But Gekido…"

"Commander I know he is your friend but we also have duties to our own men"

John sighed as he nodded his head, he began helping the wounded onto ships while Joe looked at the scene.

"You better have survived, Gekido Jaeger" Joe whispered.

Joe yawned as John and Andy loaded supplies onto their jeep. The three ZAFT aces had travelled into town to pick up food for Minerva's trip back to ZAFT's Carpenteria base. Much to their surprise Sensou had covered the cost of supplies.

"Are you actually going to get out and help?" John asked.

"Hey I'm already in shape, you old guys look as if you need to hone your skills" Joe smirked.

"Old guys!" The two friends growled.

Joe laughed as the two men dragged him off of the jeep and threw him into the crates, picking the crates up; he lifted one onto his shoulder and grinned at several women passing him by. They giggled while John and Andy shook their heads. Further downtown, The Hawke sisters walked out of several shops to see Nia listening to CD's in the music store.

"Hey Nia, enjoying shore leave?" Luna asked.

But Nia merely ignored the girls, remaining in a trance as she drifted into memories. She was with her family again, before the Bloody Valentine war broke out. Nia and her twin sister Lain had been the middle children of two human rights activists Amy and Tohru Holland. Lain was the dedicated one, the one always pleasing mom and dad. But Nia never doubted that her parents loved her. After all they were trying to achieve a peaceful solution to anti coordinator movements. One fateful day everything changed for the two girls. Their parents were to speak at a UN conference in Australia where Nia and Lain's older brother lived. The two activists bought the twins and their two youngest children with them.

"This is going to be too boring" Nia grumbled.

"Oh come on sis, its an escape from school" Lain said.

"Now girls what are you going to do when you see your brother?" Amy asked.

"Give him the biggest hug he's ever had" The two twins said.

Tohru smiled as he parked the car. The family walked towards the lobby of the hotel they'd be staying at. There, the eldest child was waiting. He smiled as he waved at his parents and siblings. Amy and Tohru walked with their sons towards the hotel with Nia and Lain falling behind slightly. A man wearing a black hood and gloves bumped into Lain, knocking her over.

"Hey, watch where your going dummy" Nia said, helping her sister up.

The man looked back and caused Nia to step back a bit. He had a scowl across his face and a cloth across his left eye. Nia bit her nail and the one eyed man merely smiled. He put his hands in his pockets and walked on. The two sisters rushed to meet their parents, smiling as they waved. Suddenly, the lobby was consumed in a cloud of fire that threw Nia and Lain back. They screamed as they felt the pain of the fire.

"AAAGH MAKE IT STOP!" Lain yelled.

"MOMMY DADDY!" Nia screamed.

The two girls clutched one another's hands as their vision began to blur. Tears fell down their eyes and the whole world went silent. The last thing they saw before they blacked out was the one eyed man standing over them. When they lost consciousness he reached into his pocket and against his better judgement he called the ambulance services. The two girls were bought into the hospital together and were treated for their burns. Throughout their treatments they screamed in both grief and agony.

"They were the only survivors?" A nurse asked.

"Yes, the police believe that it was a terrorist attack, their parents were activists for coordinator rights" The doctor explained.

"Those poor children"

"If not for that grey haired guy they probably wouldn't have survived…what did he say his name was again?"

"Sakon, he only gave a first name"

The two staff members left Lain and Nia both asleep in their rooms. A few minutes later, Sakon walked into the room. He lifted his hood up and removed his cloth patch, revealing his useless left eye. Putting a small lily into a vase beside Lain's bed, the mercenary looked at the two survivors. Though advanced medical technology would remove their brutal scars, nothing would be able to heal the trauma they had experienced.

"I know its not worth much, and I know that it wont do you any good, but know that…I'm sorry" Sakon said solemnly.

Sakon Date removed a photograph of the girl's family. It showed Amy and Tohru with their younger sons. The picture had been what he used to identify his two targets, but the children weren't supposed to be there. Flicking the photo onto Nia's bed, the mercenary walked away in shame.

Nia was shaken out of her trance by an impatient Middle Eastern teen yelling in her ear.

"OI WAKE UP!" Branden yelled.

Nia clutched her ears, cursing out loud as she pushed Branden away. Meyrin and Luna both scratched their heads sheepishly while Casvall sighed.

"So Mr Kamal what brings you here?" Luna asked.

"Killing time, plus I'll be meeting Kojiro here, he says he has a replacement for my Murasama" Branden said.

"So you'll be going back to fighting?" Meyrin asked.

"It is my Purpose"

"That's so sad"

"I don't believe in sadness" Branden said.

If Casvall could speak he would have coughed something along the lines of "bullshit". Branden had cried at Sakon's funeral and even though Casvall wasn't there he was sure Branden had cried when he first heard of Sakon's death. It had been after the battle of Orb, when Athha had destroyed himself and the mass driver. Branden had been working on his machine when a casualty report had been given.

"Did you guys hear, half of our forces got wiped out by some pilot in a one eyed mobile suit" A mechanic said.

That put a smile on Branden's face, as he knew that Sakon often piloted mobile suits with single right eyes.

"Yeah but then that pilot Cecelia killed him" A pilot said.

Branden widened his eyes and rushed towards the pilot.

"What do you mean Cecelia killed him?" Branden asked.

"Exactly what I said, that new pilot shot down the machine, what was left of it fell into the water"

At the time Branden resisted the urge to punch the pilots face in. When he got back to his room, he threw his food tray across the room.

"DAMN IT! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DIE LIKE THAT!" Branden yelled, smashing his fists against the walls.

Much later, Branden would learn exactly what Sakon had died for. He'd given his life to save Bright Noa and his family.

"My daughter has a younger brother now thanks to him, I wont forget what he did for me" Bright said.

He patted Branden's shoulder, leaving him at Sakon's grave. The Middle Eastern teen punched the stone, cursing as he broke his hand. Clutching his bruised hand he cursed.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it…. ha, ha…HA HA HA!" Branden laughed out loud. "You ass hole, even when you're dead you get the last word" He said.

Branden smiled at that memory, waving for Kojiro to come over. It was time for him to get his new machine.

Cagalli and Athrun sat at the dinner table, eating together as they always did. The maids and butlers knew that their relationship was more than just platonic. Of course Yuuna knew this too, he and countless others disapproved. That's when Athrun told her that he wished to go to the Plants, to see what was being done. When the shuttle was prepared, Cagalli paused as Athrun stepped up to her. He took her hand and much to her shock, slipped a ring onto her finger.

"Thi…this isn't the time to give a girl a ring" Cagalli said, blushing furiously.

"S-sorry" Athrun said nervously.

Cagalli simply smiled, typical Athrun. They shared a final kiss before saying goodbye to one another. As Athrun left, Cagalli couldn't help but drift back to the first time they had met. They met as enemies and then parted as friends. Then when they next met they mourned the loss of a friend. And after some time again they met as friends. Things "escalated" from there and they gradually grew closer. There came a time, in between Gekido's full transformation into a Cyber Psyche and the final battle of the war when Cagalli had let the doubts get to here. In the past month she had learnt that she wasn't really Athha's daughter, Kira was her brother and the realisation that she was becoming more than just friends with Athrun.

"What are you doing here sulking?"

Cagalli looked up to see Gekido standing over her. He was wearing his Cyber suit, a revolutionary flight suit that clung to his frame. The suits visor made him look like some kind of creature, although the Haro's had taken to calling him a "super hero". He even had the pose down as he looked at her.

"Well Cagalli, what are you doing?" Gekido asked.

"I'm wondering, what happens after all this, do I tell that people the truth, that I'm not an Athha, that I'm in love with a coordinator, what is my future?" Cagalli wondered.

"Your future is what you choose to make it, stop doubting yourself and start seeing the truth, who cares if Athrun's a coordinator, he's a great guy" Gekido said, practically forcing the last words out. "And adopted or not, you are Uzumi Nara Athha's daughter, that's a fact no one can deny because he had the pride of a father and despite what you say, you bared the pride of a daughter didn't you?"

"Yes, I was proud"

"Remember that pride as the Lion's daughter, because you'll need that when you lead your nation into the future" Gekido said, offering her his hand.

She gripped his hand and he lifted her onto her feet. Gekido touched her shoulder and gave her a look of respect underneath his helmet.

"Even though I said all those bad things about him, he earned my respect long before his sacrifice"

Cagalli nodded her head and took her helmet. When she flew into battle she flew with the confidence that she could win and lead her country into a brighter future.

Shinn had been jogging for what felt like hours. He didn't feel like shopping or doing anything in the town. And going to park he went to with his family would only stir up unnecessary memories. Instead he chose the beaches of Onogoro, it seemed like every place he went to made him think about two years ago. Vincent Rach had been partly responsible for the death of his parents, but the blame was more on the Earth Alliance and the Athha's. The Athha's had decided to stick to their ideals while the Alliance hadn't left Orb to its peace. They launched brutal attacks on the nation and still Uzumi Nara Athha didn't surrender.

'But Vincent Rach, if only he'd been the pilot he was now two years ago, maybe my parents and Mayu would have survived' Shinn thought.

He stopped for a moment and looked at his surroundings. Just ahead of him he saw a memorial of some kind. A young brown haired man was standing at it, paying his respects. The young man turned to face Shinn and the two looked one another in the eyes for a moment.

"What is this place?" Shinn asked.

"A memorial for all those that died at Onogoro, I've never been here myself but from what I can tell there used to be flowers here, the waves must have blown them away" The man explained.

"I guess it means they can't be fooled, no matter how beautiful the flowers are, people will just wipe them out" Shinn said bitterly.

The brown haired man raised his eyebrows in confusion and Shinn rubbed his head sheepishly.

"Sorry if I said something odd"

Shinn walked away from the site, flowers were a lot like people in war. People would be wiped away just as easily as flowers were. That was a cold reality of war. And some people knew that war was just on the horizon.

Next Chapter 15: Bared Fangs

Shani: Never thought we'd be fighting to protect those things

Orga: Hey Shani, bet you can't shoot down a row of Nukes

Yzak: Don't let any of those missiles hit

EA Pilot: ALL RIGHT BOYS LETS TAKE THOSE THINGS DOWN FOR OUR PURE BLUE WORLD!

EA Pilot: Our forces are being pushed back, wait a minute that machine….it cant be, the Nenshou Kokoro!

Gundam Liberty: Lion's Silence final preview

Multiple nuclear explosions lit the space in front of the Plant hourglasses. Zaku's and Sensou GM's flew at the fleeing EA forces. A Red Zaku flew at the front, ploughing right through enemy forces. Drawing an axe, the Zaku sliced a Dagger in half. Casvall narrowed his eyes at the fleeing enemy forces, stopping his assault as he felt a tingling in his head.

"Casvall, why don't you share in my dream?"

Natarle and Bright sat in the Asgard briefing room, carrying out a briefing via long-range communication with Flay.

"Casvall's odd behaviour is a matter of concern but right now Vincent and I want you to focus your attentions on this Zeon uprising" Flay said.

"What are the details?" Bright asked.

ZAFT Zakus flew across space, exchanging gunfire with Gaza C's and D's. Zoloats followed Chronicle Asher and Katajina Loos into battle, slicing their way through Sensou GM's. A shadowed Gundam released its funnels, firing a storm of beams that consumed the coalition mobile suits.

"Though small in numbers, the Zeon forces are all made up of people whom grew up in space, their twisted vision is that attacking the Alliance and ZAFT will somehow earn them independence in space, we also believe that this faction is connected to the abduction of several hundred colonist including citizens of Mars" Flay explained.

"What are we supposed to do?" Natarle asked.

"Fine them, stop whatever they are planning and rescue the colonists, for this mission Natarle you will receive a new crew and a new ship"

Peacekeeper!

"All hands go to level one battle stations" Natarle said.

The Peacekeeper folded out its collection of weapons and armaments as it and the White Base approached an Earth Alliance fleet. Bright Noa sat on his own captain's chair, giving out the order for mobile suit forces to launch. A Guncannon walked onto the pad, followed by a grey Gm custom and several different variations of the GM.

"This is Hayato, I'm heading out"

"Burning here, my GM is ready for launch"

Much to the shock of the Sensou Forces, the Earth Alliance ship they were facing was an Archangel class carrier.

Gabriel!

The Gabriel and the Peacekeeper weren't the only ships prepared to fight one another. Other ships flew towards the area, one with the intention of stopping the fighting.

Radish! Argama!

The five ships were destined to work together for a greater good.

(Gackt-Metamorphoze)

Funnels and mobile suits flew around the battlefield, shooting at the ships and cutting other mobile suits apart. Natarle grinded her teeth together as the Peacekeeper's positron cannon was blown up. A Gundam extended a pair of wires, lashing them at the Red Hyaku Shiki. Casvall pushed his mobile suit forward, grinding his sabre against his opponent's energy shield.

"Come with me Casvall, let me show you a place where humanity can finally achieve a future worth having!"

Sensou and Jupiter party mobile suits watched as the Hyaku Shiki flew into an asteroid field.

"Where is he going?" Burning asked.

"That pressure that the Gundam was giving off, I've never felt anything like it" Judau said.

"No, he wouldn't just abandon us like this" Hayato said.

"CASVALL!"

Kamille Bidan

"Zeta Gundam ready to launch" Kamille said.

The Zeta Gundam rammed a Gaza C head on, and then switched to mobile suit mode. It fired its beam rifle as more mobile suits began to surround it. Igniting its beam sabre, the Zeta slashed at two funnels and then switched back to wave rider mode. Flying across space, the Zeta Gundam dodged hails of beam fire and missiles fired from a meteor base. Kamille rubbed his head as he felt an immense pressure in his mind. His Newtype senses surged as his vision went white.

"AAAAGH!"

Ergnes Brahe

"You take our citizens and just expect me to accept this twisted vision of yours, I wont, I refuse…I'LL TAKE YOU DOWN!"

The Delta Astray slammed its sword against the Hyaku Shiki's sabres. Pushing the red machine back, the Martian pilot yelled as he continually hit Casvall's sabres. Casvall continued his defensive stance before swinging the Hyaku Shiki round and kicking the Delta across the head.

"Engage, Voiture Lumiere!" Ergnes said.

A pair of light wings suddenly shot out of the Delta's back. In a burst of speed, the Martian Gundam slashed off the Hyaku Shiki's arm. Ergnes yelled as he thrust his blade towards the Shiki's chest.

Kou Uraki

"I am a soldier of the Earth Alliance, if temporarily working with Sensou protects alliance interests then I'll go along with this plan…but is everyone in Sensou really willing to go against their own comrade?"

The Zephyranthes flew between Rick Dias's and Zoloats, shooting them with its rifle. Kou drew his beam sabre and extended his shield as a dark Gundam slammed its sabre against his.

"What are you willing to do against Casvall? Are you prepared to kill him?" Kou asked Natarle.

"If he is working with Zeon, if he had fallen for their plan then he has become an enemy of Sensou" Natarle said.

"And despite our personal feelings, despite what our hearts tell us, sometimes we have to perform a necessary evil, even if it breaks our hearts to do it" Bright explained.

Mafty

"I don't care about the Earth anymore, I don't care about my family anymore…the adults destroyed any chance we had of living in peace, the dream that Leonard is offering us is the only peace we will see in this world"

The XI Gundam's eyes flared as it blocked several missile blasts with its barrier. Mafty ruthlessly stabbed a Jegan in the chest, and then fired his Mega beam cannons, destroying an Alliance Drake class ship. He drew his beam sabres, flying straight towards its rival Gundam units.

Gyunei Guss

"There's that pressure again, I feel like letting go, like losing myself to that power…Leonard's vision is tempting, but I know its wrong"

(Gackt-Ai Senshi)

The Xi Gundam dodged several funnel blasts, slamming its sabres into a giant red shield. Gyunei yelled, pushing the Xi back and aiming his rifle at Mafty.

"Hathaway Noa, your lost in a dream world" Gyunei said.

The Sazabi released a red surge of New type energy while the Xi Gundam glowed a blue colour. Both New type pilots yelled, the memory of a green haired girl flashing before both their eyes.

Amuro Ray

"Casvall, human wisdom can help us to overcome our problems, don't lose yourself in a dream that isn't real"

"Amuro Ray, Dijeh launching!"

The Dijeh span its beam naginata round, cleaving a Gaza C in half. It fired its clay rocket launcher, destroying several Hambrabi's. Amuro slid his visor open as he yelled at Casvall.

"YOU JUST NEED TO BELIEVE IN OTHERS CASVALL!"

"If your so wise Amuro Ray then share that wisdom with the world"

"There's still hope left"

"You wont say that when you experience the dream, let me show you a better world"

Alex Leonard, Weaver Gundam

Slipping on his mask, the scarred man smiled as he put a hand to his head. The colonists facing him all widened their eyes as they felt someone reach into their minds. Smiles crossed their faces as they saw what Alex could offer them. Behind him rested a machine that would make their dreams come true.

"The chambers of the Dream Weaver will put those inside of it into a dream like state in which they will enter a world that fulfils their greatest desires…when I survived I was given the ability to show people what they truly wanted from life, peace is not an option so why not give those who deserve it a chance to really live their dreams"

A hatch of the meteor base opened and a white and blue Gundam flew out of the hanger. It spread its grey finger arms out, gripping a red and gold shield and a blue beam rifle. The machines gold eyes shined as its wings spread out. Its wings were a series of funnels and rockets attached to one another. Alex sat in the pilots seat, looking at a full 360-degree view of his battle.

"Let me give all of you the dreams that you DESERVE!"

As it released its Newtype energy, the Weaver Gundam also unlocked its Fin Funnels and released them on the approaching attack force.

Casvall Athha, Lio Aznable Gundam

"Father, Sakon, what future is there for Earth?"

A Gundam activated its phase shift armour, changing its dull grey coat to a shining red. Golden locks extended from its helmet and its eyes both glowed, the right one red and the left one green. Casvall moved the Gundam forward as its systems cycled through the weapons. Much of its design was based On a Gundam that Uzumi had built for Cagalli in Orb. The Lion of Orb had left his children two Gundam's, both to be used when needed. Now was the time for the crimson Gundam to fly and for Casvall to watch another's left side.

(Two Steps from Hell-Hearts of Courage)

Gundams clashed together and people screamed as their loved ones died around them. Casvall stood amongst the ever-changing chaos, wondering what he always asked.

"What future is there for humanity?"

Amuro walked to Sayla Mass's side, swinging her round. Both looked at one another before pressing their lips together. In his office, Bright looked at a picture of himself and his son. Falling onto his desk, he yelled at the situation he was now faced with. Judau dodged flurries of beams, frowning as two blasts slammed into his machines back. Cecily gripped Seabook's arm and cried into his shoulder.

The Delta Astray flew back to back with the Zeta Gundam, firing their beam rifles while Newtype Energy surged around them. Alex commanded his funnels to gang up on Kamille, cutting off his legs and arms while the Weaver slammed its sabre against the Delta's sword. An explosion on the Peacekeeper threw Natarle off of her seat, but she continued to yell out orders. Casvall sat inside the cockpit of his Hyaku Shiki, losing himself to a dream he constantly had.

"Father, did you die with hope for the future?" He asked.

"Not everyone embraces their deaths, fear of dying is nothing to be ashamed of, at the same time it is also all right to fear tomorrow" Uzumi said.

"Everyone…everyone is willing to die, but I'm not willing to die because I don't believe that the futures they hope for will come true"

"So what do you hope for?"

The Gundam pilots yelled and screamed as Newtype energy swirled around them. Alex screamed, his nose bleeding from the strain of his powers. Inside the Meteor Base, the dream weaver began to shine as it trapped Alex's targets. Sakon smirked as he walked past Casvall, patting his shoulder.

"If you don't think that the world has a future then make one of your own, make sure it's a good one though" He said.

"Sakon…my friend!"

"Casvall, I think I see what's so appealing in Alex's power"

"I can finally do things right in my life"

"He's giving us the kind of life we've never dreamed of having"

"My sister can be happy"

"I can be with the women I loved"

Casvall fell to his knees, crying as he contemplated the future that Alex was going to bring. He was lifted off of his feet and thrown out of his dream.

"Living in a dream world isn't a future old friend, it may have been your fathers way to cave into the inevitable but it isn't your way, get up Casvall, wake this world up WITH A ROAR!" Sakon yelled.

The Aznable stood completely still, urging the funnels to attack. Casvall smirked as the funnels fired and the beams reflected off of the red armour, flying straight back into the funnels.

"I gotta get me one of those" Judau whispered.

Kidou Senshi Gundam Liberty: Lion's Silence

In space, everyone will hear him roar!

Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter, Lion's silence will be up soon