Disclaimer: I dont own Gundam, the Winged Wolf is the property of dracomancer6491
Here it is, another shocking chapter and a tie in to the upcoming Lion's Silence. Enjoy!
Gundam Seed Destiny or Liberty
Chapter 15: Bared Fangs
ZAFT border patrols had been on the look out for activity lately, particularly near the lunar headquarters. The Plant defence forces knew it was only a matter of time before an attack was launched on the colonies. Sensou forces were also close to the area, construction of the Asgard had been completed and Salamis Kai Class ships had been sent out to patrol Plant space. Casvall sat patiently in the cockpit of his machine, a Red Zaku Phantom with a customised Vizard pack. His thoughts remained fixed on that masked pilot. He'd never interacted with Silver Mask during the previous war but judging from Lacus's recollection of the events then the man behind the mask, Jack, should be dead. Although there was a possibility of Jack having escaped Uragiri's research base before it blew up. Another possibility haunted Casvall's thoughts.
'Sakon, no body was discovered at Onogoro, but it's not your style to sneak around without telling me, and yet the way Silver Mask fought…' Casvall's thoughts were cut off as the Salamis Kai went to condition amber.
Pilots mounted their machines as the Salamis Kai Class vessels flew closer to a red and black ship. Casvall hacked one of the starboard cameras and examined the Martian vessel.
'So this is the infamous "Acidalium"' Casvall thought.
He kept his eyes on the ship as it made its way to Plant territory. Either the Mars colony was working behind the scenes or they were really looking to help the Plants. Or a third option was that they wanted something from the Plants and Sensou.
Durandal sat in his office, smiling as one of his assistants guided the mars representatives into his office. The two representatives from Mars were both as young as the Gundam pilots from the last war. Ergnes Brahe was the Captain of the Acidalium and pilot of the Delta Astray while his friend, Nahe Herschel was the pilot of the mobile armour known as the Guard shell. The two young men sat in front of Durandal's desk. Then a screen was bought forward and Flay Alster appeared on the screen.
"Chairwoman Alster, Chairman Durandal, thank you for seeing us on such short notice" Ergnes said.
"It is no problem Mr Brahe, Sensou is willing to help anyone in need of aid, preventing war is our goal after all" Flay smiled.
"And yet you couldn't prevent your own war"
"Forgive him Chairwoman, we've all been under heavy amounts of stress" Nahe said.
"Its no problem boys, I appreciate you putting your trust in us" Durandal said.
Ergnes shook his head in frustration as he got off his seat.
"The Mars Nation was formed to get away from the problems of Earth much like the Jupiter colonies, but now…our way of life has been disrupted, by an enemy with power we cant even come to fathom, a Newtype" Ergnes explained.
"Yes, Miss Alster sent me the report you gave one of her captains, that's why I've hired an expert in Newtypes" Durandal said.
Zack Tempest then walked into the office, followed by Anna and Mayura. Sitting beside the Mars pilots, Zack rubbed his hands together.
"A Newtype, your thinking he's from Jupiter aren't you?" Zack asked.
"Jupiter is still caught up in its election, they don't have the resources or the gall to attempt something like this, it's not just a military operation, it is an elaborate kidnapping plot" Nahe explained.
"Thousands of Mar citizens have been taken out from under our noses, and at the same time terrorists hit our own mobile suit factories…they took credit for the kidnappings and the attacks and have been spreading deception with propaganda and words of a beautiful new world that they will create, they are called Zeon, they are led by two men, one speaks madness while the other speaks insanity" Ergnes continued.
"What do you mean?" Flay asked.
"Gihren Zabi seeks to grant independence to the space colonies including the Plants"
"I've done research on Gihren Zabi, he was born in space and he's part of quite a large family, I'm not sure whether his other family members are backing him but I am, aware of his political power within the privately funded space colonies" Flay explained.
"When I was a doctor I once served the man, even back then he made me uneasy" Durandal said.
"Gihren Zabi, he has much hatred…whom is the other?" Zack asked.
"A man bearing a black mask and burns across his face, one whom claims to have come back from the dead in order to claim redemption and vengeance, Alex Leonard" Ergnes said.
Zack widened his eyes and got off his seat. He breathed deeply as he remembered that name. Though he had never actually met Leonard, Sumika told him of what Alex had done. Zack had also been there to comfort a young girl whose father Alex had murdered. Lily Ghingham, daughter of Sorodan Ghingham the ruler of Jupiter sat in Zack's arms. She cried onto his shoulder while Scirocco, Haman Karn and Zack's mentors spoke of Sorodan's death.
"My friend has been murdered and now you wish to tie his daughter to a target" Tiberius Fury said.
"She is Sorodan's daughter, she must lead his people in his absence" Haman said.
"No, we must find another leader" Scirocco said.
At the time, Zack left the adults to discuss Jupiter's future. Lily needed comfort, but alls Zack could give her was a shoulder to cry on. Months later, Zack went away to Earth in order to make the Beowulf company more money in the Bloody Valentine War. Further down the line, Zack had for a moment felt the hatred in the Jupiter colonies. His home had been consumed by war. Much later still, the Archangel had captured Zack and inside his cell he felt the death of another person close to him.
"Concentrate Zack" Haman Karn said.
Zack sat inside the mobile suit simulator. Again and again he failed to pass Haman's funnel exercise.
"You need to track the funnels movements, though quick you can still see them, your Newtype senses are also valuable"
"Yes Aunt Karn!" Zack said.
"And don't call me Aunty Karn" Haman said, but she couldn't help but smile.
Inside the Archangel's brig, Zack felt a faint spark of the final battle that took place in the debris belt. Scirocco and Haman had been debating with someone, someone whom Zack couldn't identify. Then came a man with deep hatred, and just as Haman began to believe in a better future her future was taken away.
"HAMAN!" Zack yelled.
He shot up out of bed as he felt the beam pierce through the cockpit of her Qubeley. Clutching his chest, he felt more and more shots hit his precious friend's machine. He felt Haman embracing her imminent end and flying her machine towards the side of a meteor. Then he felt immense sorrow, not from himself but from this unknown pilot whom had showed Haman a better way to live.
"I'm…glad…I met…a man like you…" She whispered.
"No…not like that"
She killed herself; it was later that Zack learned of Alex Leonard's hatred. He had murdered Sorodan and plunged Jupiter into civil war. Then, when Haman showed signs of choosing a peaceful solution, Alex shot her Qubeley and shattered her space helmet. At the time Zack didn't know whether Haman put herself out of her misery or whether she was punishing herself. Alls he knew was that he had lost someone important to him. And of all people, it had been a mercenary whom avenged her. Or so they thought.
"Alex Leonard is dead" Zack said.
"Are you sure?" Brahe asked.
"I…maybe, he cheated death somehow, or perhaps he did die and then was bought back by Gihren"
"It doesn't matter" Durandal said.
"Yes, Sensou has a similar case in which independent colonists have gone missing, entire settlements gone with no word from the private military companies they employed to protect them" Flay explained.
"Is Alex Leonard bad?" Anna asked.
"He killed a lot of people important to me, its true that he lost people because of mercenaries, its true that that man Sakon Date killed the woman he loved, but he killed Sorodan first and then he drove Haman Karn to kill herself, if he really is back I pray that there is someone in Sensou who can kill him for good" Zack explained.
"Zack" Mayura said, calmly touching Zack's shoulder.
He stopped squeezing his hands and looked at Mayura with a hesitant smile.
"The cases are one in the same, Gihren Zabi's Zeon faction is a danger we can not overlook, that is why I'm going to put together a Sensou strike force to track Zeon down and stop them" Flay said.
"We'll assist" Nahe said.
"ZAFT stands ready to assist as well, that's why I'll have a ships and pilots accompany you, I'm also going to transfer a young pilot Isaac Mau to your team Mr Brahe" Durandal said.
"So it's decided just like that, your going to track down someone the Jupiter government should be trying to stop?" Anna asked.
"Its not that simple Anna, Tiberius and Talon are busy repairing the Jupiter colonies" Zack said.
"Should we help?" Mayura asked.
"No, forgive me Miss Alster, Chairman Durandal but I'm afraid this is a battle I can't get involved in"
"Why not?" Ergnes asked.
The Martian pilot narrowed his eyes at the Newtype.
"If that man really is Alex Leonard, if he really is the man who killed Uncle Sorodan and Aunt Haman, then I'll lose myself to rage and I'll charge head first towards him, endangering my team mates" Zack explained.
"It's all right Zack, I'm putting together a Strike Force led by Natarle and Bright, they will save the colonists" Flay said.
Zack nodded his head, while Ergnes gruffly agreed with the plan. The young Newtype mercenary knew that his place in this war was on Earth. He knew that if did end up fighting Leonard then he would be consumed by his own hatred for the man. And win or lose the battle, Zack would come out no better than Alex.
Bhishma watched in disgust as more ships were sent up into space. It seemed that no thought had been put into this attack at all. The Alliance would send out teams of ships and mobile suits to protect a nuclear attack force. Windam's had been fitted with rocket launchers that would release the powerful world shattering warheads. The Russian officer sighed, thankful that he wasn't part of a barbarous attack on a civilian populated region. Nothing could be gained from this assault and yet that idiot of a president and Djibril were going to sacrifice men for a gain less attack.
"Commander Alhazard, we've completed an assessment of the Duel Dagger team sir" An Ensign said, saluting to the giant of a man.
"Are there any concerns?" Bhishma asked.
"None sir, the mobile suits have been fitted to your specifications"
"Good, have the pilots fitted on full uniform to prepare themselves for drills" Bhishma said.
"But sir, the pilots are on their breaks" The Ensign said.
"That's not what Dagger Thanos would say, and believe me if we end up as his enemy he wouldn't waste a seconds hesitation to attack the base at this time of the morning, so get them up, dressed and ready for target practice" Bhishma explained.
"Yes sir!"
Bhishma huffed as the ensign ran away. Pilots these days were too focused on comfort. He was going to make sure the pilots were ready for a war, even if he had to smack them awake himself.
Port Panama was a buzz with the awe and shock of Alliance staff. Jeremiah eagerly looked out of the window of his private jet. Flying alongside his jet was the mysterious Gundam Liberty.
"Incredible, it must be a distant cousin of the Archangel's Strike, with aspects of the Purpose" Jeremiah said.
Jessica smiled at her mobile suit fanatic boss. The Liberty pulled off several aerial manoeuvres, sliding across the airfield and flying up into the air. Simon sat inside the machine, wearing a grey version of the Alliance flight uniform. He pulled on his sticks, flipping the Liberty out of the clouds and sending it diving towards the ground. Straightening the sticks and the footpads, Simon landed the Liberty perfectly in front of the awed crowd. Jeremiah limped off of the jet, walking towards the crowd. They lined up and saluted him, a salute he returned in perfect military fashion. After all he had once been a pilot. His single regret as a pilot was that he never got to pilot magnificent machines like the mobile suits.
"Director Israfel" A Captain said.
"Captain, are the machines ready?" Jeremiah asked.
"Yes sir, Simon Hunter is just putting his machine back into the hanger"
"Excellent, let's have a look" Jeremiah said eagerly.
Simon climbed out of the Liberty, making sure to put Magnus's electronic lock on. That way no one but he would be able to pilot the machine. He had parked his mobile suit next to several other machines. When Simon saw the Director of the Atlantic Federation he immediately stood up straight and saluted the officer. The red haired pilot beside him also took up the salute stance.
"So your Simon Hunter…it's strange you look like someone I know" Jeremiah said.
"I get that a lot sir" Simon said nervously.
"And this must be the mysterious Liberty Gundam, impressive machine, mid weight frame, compartments and slide out weapons and judging from the similar chest design it as an Arc generator doesn't it" Jeremiah explained.
"Yes sir, you know of the Arc system?"
"Minute details, I'm no expert in the theory but I have seen recordings of the barrier, energy blast and the inspiring dream system"
"I haven't used those techniques yet, I'm not even actually sure whether the Liberty can do those things" Simon said.
"Now lets take a look at these other two…I'm already familiar with the Strike E or the Strike Noir as it's also called, but I haven't seen the GAT-FJ108 Raigo up close" Jeremiah put a hand to his chin as he looked up at the machine standing next to the Strike E.
It was a Gundam model mobile suit but it lacked the signature shoulders that other Earth Alliance machines had. Once activated its phase shift armour would change into a white, blue and red design similar to the Strike's old paint job.
"I understand there hasn't been a pilot found for the Raigo yet" Jeremiah said.
"No sir, not yet that is" The Captain said.
"But the Alex…"
"I'm the test pilot sir" The red haired pilot said.
"What's your name?" Jeremiah asked.
"Christina Mackenzie sir"
"Ah, I understand you were a test pilot alongside Commander Rach" Jeremiah said.
"Yes sir"
"How well would you say you know this machine?" Jeremiah asked.
"Just as well as the people who made it sir, maybe even better"
"I see, perhaps you should be the permanent pilot then"
"But sir I've never been in a fight before"
"Neither had the pilot of the Strike, and he didn't have military training, you've piloted this machine for months no, one might even go so far as to saying your almost one with this machine" Jeremiah explained.
"Sir I really don't think I'm up for this" Christina said.
"I trust you more than a pilot who isn't familiar with the machine" Jeremiah said. "The Alex Gundam, simple looking piece of machinery, fold out machine guns and a simple beam rifle and shield, it'll be good for ground front line combat, on the ground you've got nothing more to worry about than the enemies in front and above you…its easier to fight on the ground than in the air" Jeremiah explained.
"Where will we be posted?" Simon asked.
"Tell me are you familiar with the Phantom Pain unit?"
The lunar base had launched its primary attack force and was already on its way to the Plants. Yzak sat on the bridge of his ship, waiting for the Earth Alliance to arrive. On the other side of the border of the Plants were several Thanos Musai Class ships. The Black Gundam itself stood on the Ra Calium carrier. Dagger kept his eyes on his homeland, waiting for the signal for the attack to be given. Casvall and other Sensou pilots mentally prepared themselves for the imminent attack as well. Windams and Dagger L's flew towards the Plants as the Zaku's, GINN's and Guaiz's launched. Dearka launched in his Zaku Gunner while Yzak followed in the Slash Zaku Phantom.
"Yzak Joule of the Joule team launching" Yzak said.
No one knew who fired the first shot, but after the first shot came complete chaos. War was chaos, yet war in space was like a chaotic opera. Ships fired at one another, mobile suits grappled and missiles and beams flew across space, never stopping until they hit something. Yzak fired his Gatling guns, while Dearka threw a volley of grenades. They blew apart several Strike Daggers and then fired their beam rifles at Moebius armours. An Orange Zaku Phantom flew out of a Nazca class vessel and began firing at approaching Dagger L's.
"ALL RIGHT BOYS LETS GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME FOR THE PRESERVATION OF OUR BLUE AND PURE WORLD!" An EA pilot yelled.
The words bought disgust to the Sensou pilot's faces. A requirement for Sensou pilots was to never utter those words with intent. There was just one Sensou pilot with anti coordinator ideals.
"AAAATCHOO!" Branden yelled.
"Is there something wrong Branden?" Kojiro asked.
"No, I must be allergic to something here" Branden said.
"Unlikely, your reaction would be much more severe if you…oh that is humour isn't it?"
"Yes Kojiro, its humorous" Branden growled.
Back in space, the battle between ZAFT and the EA had kicked off. Yzak drew his tomahawk and slashed a Windam in half. Dearka then fired his cannon, destroying two Dagger L's. Dagger moved his troops out, bringing his forces into ZAFT airspace. He fired his beam rifle, signalling for the Musai's to fire barrages of beams into the Alliance fleet.
"Enemies incoming to our right, keep pushing through the enemies in front" An Earth Alliance officer said.
"Captain, heat sources approaching from our left, its Sensou" An Ensign said.
GM Snipers stood on top of Salamis Class ships, firing their rifles at Windam teams. GM's and Guncannon's launched out of the ships.
"They've boxed us in, keep pushing forward, release some of the nukes if you have to" A captain said.
"Heat sources approaching us, the lead machine is approaching us at an accelerated rate, wait…HE'S HERE!"
Casvall slammed his Red Zaku's foot into a drake class bridge. He looked coldly at the enemy forces before opening the sections of his Vizard pack. Barrages of missiles flew out of the pack, destroying mobile armours and mobile suits alike. The Black Gundam flew between several EA carriers. Dagger lifted a hyper bazooka onto his shoulder and fired several shells into the sides of the ships. Zaku Kai's then fired their own weaponry, hitting the mobile suits and smaller ships defending the heavy carriers. Lain fired her bazooka, hitting a Strike Dagger in the chest.
"I wont let any of you attack my home, none of you will get close" She said as she drew her beam axe.
She yelled as she flew towards a team of Windam's. Cutting one across the chest, she then swung her axe at another. But the Windam drew its beam sabre, blocking the axe. Lain grinded her axe against the Windam's sabre, trying to push the beam into the Windam's head. The Windam threw Lain back, but she managed to recover in midair. She then threw her axe, splitting the Windam's head open. Blocking several shots with her shield, Lain then fired her bazooka; destroying two Dagger L's attacking her.
"NOT ONE OF YOU!" She screamed.
"Lain calm down" A voice said behind her.
The Dreadnought H raised its cannons and shot two Alliance mobile armours. Then Canard switched the cannons to sword mode and cleaved three Daggers' in half with one swing.
"Canard" Lain said.
"We need to focus on the missile teams, but their defence forces wont make it easy for us" Canard explained.
Drawing his submachine gun, Canard fired a barrage of beam bullets into an Earth Alliance carrier. Lain drew her rifle and fired several shots into the Strike Daggers defending the carrier. The Black Gundam threw its bazooka aside and drew its beam sabre. Several smaller mobile armours flew beside him. But much to Yzak's shock, the mobile armours linked together, forming a Zaku. Other parts linked themselves together, revealing three Zaku Splendors flying beside Admiral Thanos. They drew their swords and dived towards an Earth Alliance Nelson Class carrier. The four mobile suits dragged their blades across every side of the ship, cutting it into four pieces.
"Damn, this is the power of Dagger Thanos?" A GINN pilot asked.
"Sir, Windam Nuke teams are approaching the Plants"
Yzak turned his head, widening his eyes as Duel and Buster Daggers shot a path through his defence forces. Shiho fired her Zaku's bema rifle, widening her eyes as a Duel Dagger cut her shoulder. Windam's flew past the mobile suits and gradually got closer and closer towards the Plants.
"Admiral Thanos there's no Neutron Stampeder defending the Plants, I repeat there is no Neutron Stampeder" A Zaku Kai pilot said.
"What? What is Durandal thinking?" Dagger asked. "ALL FORCES PURSUE AND DESTROY THE NUCLEAR MISSILE TEAMS!"
A Salamis Kai Class carrier began launching mobile suits. The Mass Calamity and Forbidden Darkness flew side by side.
"Never thought we'd be defending this place" Shani said.
"Shut up and shoot those things down Shani" Orga said.
The Two Gundams fired their beam cannons, destroying a line of Windam's. Inside the Salamis Kai Class ship, the Brave Flag was being prepped for launch alongside a unique Gundam. The Gundam had the standard face, but the helmet was shaped like a wolfs head. It had crimson wings and black armour.
"Winged Wolf, stay on me as we flank the Dagger defence teams" Graham said.
The two mobile suits flew out of the ship, dashing around Daggers and shooting them down with beam rifles. The Winged Wolf fired its beam shotgun, blasting two Daggers apart.
"Shit they're getting through" Orga said.
"NO!" Lain yelled.
The ZAFT pilots on Earth watched the battle at a pub in Orb. Branden and Kojiro were beside them, watching the scene in shock. Vincent took a break from prepping his mobile suit and narrowed his eyes at the Windam's approaching the Plants.
"Why televise the battle?" He wondered.
Jeremiah crossed his arms and closed his eyes as the Windam's fired their nukes. Kira and Lacus widened their eyes as they watched the missiles fly towards the hourglasses. Suddenly, several crimson beams flew into the missiles, shooting them out of space. The ZAFT and EA pilots stopped as they watched several funnels fly across every inch of the battlefield, shooting down nuclear missiles fired by the Windam's. A smirk crossed Durandal's face as he imagined the discussions taking place inside the Plants. The camera portraying the battle zoomed in on an image.
"Impossible" Branden said.
"Is that what I think it is?" Flay asked.
Vincent frowned at the image while at the Earth Alliance base; Jeremiah pressed his head against the TV screen.
"The armour is a little different and the weapons have been heavily modified but that's definitely…"
"Definitely what Sir, we can't see it" Jessica said.
Jeremiah stepped away from the screen and the people watching widened their eyes in astonishment. Standing in front of the Plants was a Gundam, bearing grey and red armour. Its face had the standard V-fin, but also fins sticking out of the back and top of the helmet. Two red slits were glowing on a black crystal shape on the Gundam's head, replacing the standard eyes and mouth of most Gundams. Athrun noted that the Gundam's shoulders were similar to his old Justice. It carried a beam rifle and had a solid sword attached to its left shoulder. On its right shoulder was a beam cannon and a Hyper Bazooka, facing downwards to be taken off for battle, and potentially to also be used as extra thrusters.
"Its, even more beautiful than the last one, especially that pack" Jeremiah said.
A red crystal glowed on the Gundam's chest and as a change over its previous model it had three horns on its wrist armour. The Gundam had a flight pack and much to the astonishment of the EA pilots, the Fin Funnels it had been controlling folded and attached to the pack, becoming six wings.
"It is…get our mobile suit team out of there now, that's the Nenshou Kokoro" Jeremiah said.
"The Nenshou Kokoro" Lain whispered.
"Drive them back, destroy the Earth forces" Dagger said.
"Is that really the Nenshou Kokoro?" Dearka asked.
Yzak tried to make contact with the Gundam as it flew towards the Windam team. But his attempts to establish a communications link were cut. Sensou and ZAFT ships were given the machines profile and ordered to flag it as a friendly.
"Sho Nenshou Kokoro" Yzak and Graham read.
The Sho Nenshou's eyes shined brightly as it dived towards the Earth Alliance forces. Splitting its Fin funnels off, the Nenshou began firing its Vulcan's and beam rifle. Bullets and beams pierced through the cockpits of Windams while the funnels shot at Dagger L's and mobile armours around the battlefield. Overcoming their initial shock, the allied forces began their counter attack. Dagger sliced a Duel Dagger in half and passed the Nenshou. For a moment it was as if Dagger was trying to look the pilot in the eye. Inside his office, Durandal smiled at Zack Tempest and Ergnes Brahe's reactions.
"Sho Nenshou Kokoro, the Shine Burning Heart, its far more powerful than the original Nenshou Kokoro" Durandal said.
"Is that…it couldn't be…who is the pilot?" Zack asked.
Alls he could sense was rage, not enough to identify anyone. Durandal simply remained silent and turned to the screen. The Nenshou drew a red beam sabre and sliced a Long Dagger in half. It then flew around beam blast and intercepted missiles with blast from its funnels. Linking the funnels back to the pack, the Nenshou drew its beam cannon. Swinging the cannon around, the Nenshou's crystal shined as it fired its beam cannon. The magnificent orange beam tore through the cockpit of a Nelson Class ship and consumed two Daggers before slamming into an Agamemnon class carrier. A cylinder clip detached from the cannon and the Nenshou slid another clip into the barrel.
"It's the Nightmare of the Earth Alliance, we can't defeat it" A Dagger pilot said.
"He's a relic of the past age, an animal that we can put down" The pilot of a Duel Dagger said.
He threw aside his rifle and drew a beam sabre. Flying head first towards the Nenshou, the pilot yelled as he swung his sabre downwards. Suddenly, the Nenshou dashed to the left, and then slashed the Dagger in half. The pilot screamed as the crimson beam ripped him and his machine apart. Turning towards the Earth Alliance forces, the Nenshou aimed its cannon at its targets.
"That mobile suit, we can't beat it" A Mobile armour pilot said.
"We're surrounded, everyone signal the retreat" The Captain of an Earth Alliance ship said.
Dagger slashed a Drake class carrier open, watching as its crew was swept off into space. Earth Alliance ships began their retreat, but the Nenshou kept pushing forward with ZAFT and Sensou forced behind it. Casvall fired his beam rifle, shooting a carrier apart. Yzak and his forces stayed behind to protect the Plants, and watch the carnage that the Nenshou committed.
"Chairman tell me, is that Gekido Jaeger in the machine?" Zack asked.
"He will reveal himself to the public in a few days time, you can stay to watch if you'd like" Durandal said.
As the Nenshou fired its cannon again, Lacus herself fainted.
"LACUS!" Haro screamed.
Silver Mask stood in the Minerva's rec room with Rey. His glowing eye narrowed at the Nenshou Kokoro.
"Did you know anything about this?" He asked Rey.
The blonde pilot merely shook his head. Silver Mask kept his gaze fixed on the screen while the other Minerva crewmembers cheered the Gundam on. Disarming its cannon, the Nenshou drew another beam sabre and dived towards a group of retreating Dagger L's. They fired their beam rifles, but the Gundam dashed in between the shots. With incredible speed and merciless strength the Nenshou cut each Dagger in half. Then it stabbed both sabres into a Windam's chest. Oil spread across the Gundam's armour, giving it a bloody look.
"This is the raw strength and aggression of the Nenshou Kokoro?" Ergnes asked.
"All forces, begin your retreat" Dagger said.
"But sir, we have the enemy forces on the run" Lain said.
"There's no need for us to completely wipe our enemy out, leave that to ZAFT…where is Canard?" Dagger asked.
Lain looked to her right and saw that Canard's Gundam was gone. She widened her eyes as the Dreadnought H flew towards the rampaging Nenshou.
"Talk to me, tell who you are" Canard said.
Getting in the Nenshou's way, Canard spread his arms out and slid his helmet open. The Nenshou sheathed its sabres and pulled its fist back. Canard braced himself as the Nenshou slammed its fist against the Dreadnought's head.
"Well he certainly hits like Gekido"
The Dreadnought was sent rolling back as Duel and Buster Daggers began to surround the Nenshou. Djibril smiled as the mobile suits surrounded the Gundam. Canard pulled his Gundam up and aimed his submachine gun at the surrounding mobile suits. Yzak and Dearka flew to the Nenshou's side, both of them keeping their eyes on the Gundam and the enemy mobile suits.
"There's definitely someone in there?" Anna asked.
"Yes, a pilot is controlling that machine" Zack said.
Vincent looked at the machine and compared it to videos of the last Nenshou. Then he went through footage of the Purpose. The fighting styles matched. Nenshou flew forward, kicking a Dagger across the head. Yzak yelled as he swung his Tomahawk around, beheading several Windams. Casvall released a volley of missiles, destroying the rifles of several Duel Daggers. Dearka then fired his cannon, splitting several Buster Daggers in half. Flying forward, Canard punched a Windam back and then began madly firing his submachine gun. He span around, hitting the Daggers around him. Mass Calamity and Forbidden Darkness then dived towards the battle. The Winged Wolf drew two beam sabres and slashed several Windams apart. Then it spread its arms out, opening a hatch on its chest. Dagger L's fired their beam rifles, but much to the pilots astonishment the beams flew straight into the Winged Wolf's generator.
The Gundam's eyes then shined brighter before firing its beam rifle. Orga yelled, firing his cannons and blowing several mobile suits apart. Shani fired his own cannon, curving the beam around to slash five Daggers apart. The Nenshou tore a Duel Dagger's cannon off, and then smashed the machine across the head with its own weapon. Splitting off its funnels, the Nenshou then took a spike off of its wrist. Igniting the beam blade, the Nenshou threw the beam dagger into the chest of a Buster Dagger. Earth Alliance pilots began to scream as Sensou and ZAFT mobile suits shot them apart. Shani cleaved a mobile armour in half with his scythe, and Orga mercilessly shot a helpless battleship. The Winged Wolf joined up with Casvall and an orange Zaku and began firing shots into a Nelson Class carrier's hanger. Vincent watched the scene in disgust before dialling a number into his long-range satellite phone. Bringing Kuzzey's face up on screen, Vincent began to relay orders.
Canard slashed a Duel Dagger apart as the Nenshou threw another beam dagger. The dagger pierced through the cockpit of a mobile armour. Jeremiah began calling Earth Alliance HQ, keeping his eyes on the battle monitor. He watched as the Nenshou slammed its shoulder into the side of a Drake Class cruiser. It used its funnels to shoot out the battleships thrusters and any mobile armours protecting it. Earth Alliance crews screamed as the Drake Class carrier got closer and closer to an Agamemnon class cruiser. Casvall noticed what the Gundam was doing and flew to its side. He slammed his own shoulder against the ship, helping the Gundam to push the ship towards one of its own allies.
"Oh my god" Lain muttered.
"Canard, make your way back to us" Dagger said.
"Is it right…is fighting like that right?" Lain asked.
"It doesn't matter, in the end during a war where everyone has a gun no one is truly right, Canard make your back to us now"
Canard watched in shock as the Nenshou and the Zaku pushed the Drake into the Agamemnon. In the Plants, Anna put her hands to her head while Zack grinded his teeth together. They could both feel the immense emotions resonating from the ships and the two machines pushing them towards one another. Kira looked at the scene in pure shock and further from the hut, Andy and John dropped their cups.
"This is Captain First Class Kuzzey Buskirk, I am relaying direct orders from Grand Commander Rach, all Sensou and ZAFT forces are to cease their attack on the retreating Earth forces Immediately" Kuzzey explained.
"For God's sake Djibril, get our people out of there" Jeremiah said before slamming the phone down.
Simon squeezed his hands into fists while Christina kept her hands on her mouth. Shinn kept on a neutral expression while Branden conveyed complete disgust over the battle.
"Casvall what are you doing?" Cagalli and Branden wondered.
'They all have to be destroyed' Casvall thought.
The two ships slammed together, both going up in a blazing explosion. Casvall flew his Zaku away from the explosion, coldly looking at the crashed ships. The Nenshou flew through the explosion, watching the retreating forces as its funnels docked with its pack. Lain took off her helmet inside the Ra Calium, wiping sweat off of her face and hair.
"Oh my god, is that really Gekido Jaeger?" She asked.
"Perhaps it is, perhaps he came back and saw what a mess the world became and it only deepened his anger" Dagger said.
Canard threw his helmet to the ground, grinding his teeth together. He pulled his fist back and slammed it against the Dreadnought's leg.
"DAMN IT!" He yelled.
A girl wearing and old Earth Alliance uniform soon floated into the hanger. She tilted her glasses and looked at Canard in concern.
"Meriol Pistis" Dagger said.
"Admiral Thanos, is Canard…"
"Take my advice, leave him alone for now"
Dagger walked away while Canard continued to hit the Dreadnought's leg. At Earth Alliance HQ, Simon looked towards his Gundam.
"If it isn't Gekido then I wont stand for this insult on the Nenshou's image, and if it is Gekido then for what he's done I have no choice but to kill him" Simon explained.
In Orb, Vincent zipped up his flight suit and looked at the repeated images that had been relayed by the major news networks. They adored the appearance of the Sho Nenshou Kokoro. Tasha walked out of her changing room and looked at her commander.
"Your angry aren't you?" She asked.
"Durandal didn't tell me about this, he probably won't tell me about it until it suits him" Vincent said.
"Vincent…" Tasha said, planting her hand on Vincent's shoulder.
Vincent brushed her hand off and looked at her with a serious expression.
"Get in the G-Wing, if things get tough I'll need the Burning Components" He said.
Tasha looked up at her commander's new machine. The Rezel was a primarily blue armoured machine, with some grey parts legs, chest and arms. Its visor was a green colour and the machines backpack enabled it to fly in midair in both mobile suit mode and wave rider mode. Vincent put on his helmet and climbed up the ladder towards the machines cockpit.
"What should I have the men tell Branden and Kojiro?" Tasha asked.
"That I've gone out for a test drive!"
The Rezel was moved to the launch catapult as the seaside hanger opened. Vincent slid his faceplate down as he prepped the machine for launch.
"Vincent Rach, Rezel launching!"
Next Chapter 16: A fathers spell
Next Chapter we see Athrun meet with Durandal, the reveal of Meer and the astonishing reveal of the Sho Nenshou Kokoro's pilot. Plus Vincent meets some friends outside of Orb's borders.