Disclaimer: I dont own Gundam
Sorry if the chapter seemed late, this chapter was once again edited by 00virtuezero, I also included an OST that I felt suited a situation perfectly. Enjoy
Gundam Seed Destiny or Liberty
Chapter 25: Blazing Rogue
The Indian Ocean still wasn't behind either the Minerva or the Phantom Pain unit. Both groups had lost members of their piloting teams. Vincent hadn't waited for orders from Talia; in fact he had pretty much taken over the ship. Gathering the piloting team around a map, Vincent addressed them all as if he expected them all to search. Athrun never thought of Vincent as a leader, but he was surprised to see how well Vincent could adapt to his role when under pressure. The "Rach" team would be an organized unit, at least as far as rescuing Branden went. Even Meyrin had joined the meeting, having been the last person in contact with Branden. She seemed out of place amongst the pilots, especially her sister.
"The Minerva is here, Miss Hawke point out on the map where you last had communication with Branden," Vincent ordered.
"Y-yes sir, he was just over these islands engaging the Bombard when I lost contact with him. A missile hit him and knocked him off his flight path, then we lost his signal," Meyrin explained.
"Then he could be dead," Rey said.
"NO…I mean he isn't, the missile only brought his mobile suit down, there was no damage to indicate that his machine would blow up," Meyrin said.
The other pilots shook off the shock of Meyrin's distress and turned back to the meeting. Kojiro gave Rey a sharp look, one that almost seemed out of character for him.
"Your words would be true if it was any other machine or pilot Rey Za Burrell. But Branden is not just any other pilot, neither is his machine like any ordinary Gundam. It's highly likely that our loss of communication means that his transponder was knocked out," Kojiro explained.
"What makes you think he isn't dead?" Nia asked.
"If the Murasama was to be destroyed the resulting explosion would be significantly larger than any other Gundam," Kojiro stated.
The others looked at him in confusion, causing Vincent to sigh.
"Please explain to them Kojiro," Vincent said.
"The Murasama Rogue, the upgrade to the Murasama is designed to generate a significant amount of heat in order to increase performance. This means that it'll move faster, projectile weapons will be more powerful and striking attacks will be heavier as well as more intense in the heat it passes on to the opposing mobile suit," Kojiro explained.
"Isn't there a backlash to that?" Athrun asked.
"Correct, while the Murasama will generate heat that heat will also build up within the cockpit, the temperatures are similar to atmospheric re-entry and the system isn't designed to be used for longer than a few minutes, perhaps even seconds. If so then the pilot will cook like a roast turkey!"
Looks of shock and disgust crossed the groups faces, unsure of whether Kojiro was serious or telling a very dry joke. Vincent slapped his palm against his face, an action the Purpose 2 mimicked.
"We call it the Blaze system; it was designed to be like the Arc generators' dream system and the GN-drive's Trans-am. But while those systems lock out after a specific time, the Blaze system can only be deactivated by the pilot," Vincent explained.
"This is fascinating but shouldn't we get back to planning a search?" Joe asked.
"Exactly, Shinn will search the sky in the Core splendour, the Purpose will carry the sword silhouette equipment in case Shinn needs to defend himself from a possible attack. While they search the air, Kojiro, Joe, Nia and I will disembark from the Minerva, landing on this island here. From there we'll search and if we don't find him, we'll swim or fly towards the next island. Everybody else will remain on standby in case the Minerva is attacked," Vincent pointed at areas on the map, all within a short distance of the Minerva.
Vincent picked up his helmet and nodded to the others. He ran to the RX, climbing into the machine.
"Good luck out there Commander," Nia said.
"Thanks Nia," Vincent smiled before closing the RX's hatch.
Silver Mask watched the scene, his helmet's speaker generating a short chuckle.
"Déjà vu perhaps? Though I doubt he'll run into a first love out there, don't you agree Athrun?" Silver Mask asked, turning his head to Athrun.
The blue haired pilot stopped, looking at Silver Mask, unsure of whether to be shocked, confused or offended.
"This isn't the time or the place for that kind of thing…and what do you mean first love?" Athrun's eyebrows twitched in anger.
"Oh so you liked someone before the blonde did you? Sorry my mistake, your second love…I doubt your relationship will survive the recent strain so I'll go with…Meer Campbell being your next great love," Silver Mask let out a hearty laugh as Athrun stepped back in shock.
"What do you mean next great love?" he asked. "And how do you know about Meer? Who the hell are you anyway?"
"Spoilers Athrun, spoilers," Silver Mask shook his head as he walked to the elevator.
Kojiro prepped the Kenshin for launch, sliding his helmet's faceplate down. Vincent's face suddenly appeared on his screen.
"Try not to worry too much Kojiro, we'll find him," Vincent said.
"My concern is for the machine Commander, if he dies because of the heat generated by the Blaze system then the test will be a failure and the research into the system will be cut. The benefits of the blaze system far exceed that of the risks, unfortunately not everyone sees that, if Branden fails on some twisted quest to prove himself better than Gekido Jaeger then our battle strength and morale will be reduced significantly," Kojiro explained.
"You're worried," Joe cut in.
Rey listened with mild interest while Luna and Shinn both looked at their screens, intrigued by the conversation.
"You're certainly entitled to be concerned for the guy's health, after all he's your best friend," Joe chuckled.
Shinn and Luna smiled while Vincent chuckled. Even Rey seemed to hide a smirk. Kojiro cut off communications as he stepped towards the launch catapult.
"Best friend?" he muttered, huffing, as his mobile suit was equipped with its spear. 'I really don't understand…why one friend must be valued more than another!' Kojiro thought before he launched.
Two dark colored Gundams faced off in the forest. The atmosphere and sparks they generated alone were reason enough to know that this would be one deadly battle. Branden grit his teeth together, while Darcel shook with excitement. Suddenly, the Slaughter Gundam began rolling its Gatling guns. A flurry of bullets flew into the Murasama, knocking it back slightly. Branden pushed his sticks forward, sending the Murasama running towards his opponent. He used the Gundam's assault swords as makeshift shields, protecting himself from the bullets. Both Gundams swung their arms around, slamming their weapons together. Branden dragged his swords against the Slaughter's guns, trying to cut them apart.
"What the hell are those things made of?" Branden wondered.
Darcel knocked Branden's suit back, then fired several missiles from his shoulders. Branden immediately activated his rockets, despite the damage to the Murasama's back. He flew backwards, dodging several of the missiles and ripping trees out of the ground as he flew into them. The Murasama flew upwards, firing its Vulcan's into the forest. Darcel blocked the bullets with his Gatling guns, and then fired back with his own Vulcan's. He flew upwards, releasing a torrent of missiles. Branden flew straight ahead, manoeuvring himself around the missiles. He raised his sword, swinging it down towards the Slaughter Gundam.
"YOU THINK THAT'S ENOUGH!" Darcel yelled.
The Slaughter swung its Gatling guns around, hitting the Murasama across the head. Branden was knocked further back into his seat, as the Murasama crashed into the water.
"Damn it, this guys tougher than I thought he'd be," Branden said.
He looked up at the water and crossed his arms as missiles began flying into the water. The missiles flew into the Murasama, throwing it deeper into the sea. Branden grit his teeth together, his finger lingering over a red button, a button covered by a small glass casing. His eyes then drifted up to the Slaughter as the barrage stopped. Darcel threw aside his Gatling guns and drew two red beam sabres from his back. The Slaughter began to release a series of red pulses as it floated towards a nearby island. Inside the cockpit, Darcel's body generated the same pulses. The volume of his laughter slowly grew before he let out a full-blown cackle.
"I have so little knowledge of my former life, like many of the Extended my former existence was one society wouldn't have traded a second glance at. Perhaps I was an abducted, a happy boy taken from his family and his parents are still looking for him, or perhaps I was born on the street, ill favoured, unseen by the rest of the world. What I do know is this; people do not care for one another, because that is their greatest weakness…WE ARE BORN IN THIS WORLD TO ENVY! DESPISE! FIGHT AND DESTROY EACH OTHER!"
Darcel leaned forward in his seat and Branden widened his eyes, seeing the Newtype's ghostly image staring back at him.
"So your Branden Kamal, you have such a delicious childhood, such a delicious mind…oh wait, I'm sounding really gay aren't I?" Darcel laughed as he leaned back.
Branden gripped the side of his head; it felt as if the inside of his head was being pounded like a drum.
"What I mean Branden is that your childhood isn't so different from mine, we were born into this world to hate others, the Coordinators, ZAFT, even our own creators Blue Cosmos and the Earth Alliance," Darcel explained.
"Creators? I was born ass hole, I ain't a genetic freak like you," Branden growled.
"Freak huh…take a look at your childhood Branden," Darcel grinned.
Images flashed before Branden's eyes. Sweat ran down the back of his head as he ran with other children. They ran across a track, with armed guards watching them. The dirt was wet and stained their chests as they performed a series of push-ups. Their drill instructor would occasionally push their heads into the dirt puddles. Branden would always get the worst of it, until one day he decided to push back. A look of intense rage had filled his eyes as his head rose out of the mud puddle. He turned to his instructor, a man twice his size. Branden let out a yell before jumping at his instructor, hitting his back and pushing him to the dirt. The little boy pushed the man's head into the dirt, the hateful look never fading. Everyone's screams and warnings were a blur; he didn't even take notice of the man's twitching hands. This man had done something wrong to him and he would hurt him back.
"ENOUGH!" another instructor yelled, hitting the back of Branden's head.
Branden looked at the scene, his form like a ghost as he watched his younger self get dragged across the dirt. His touched his back, feeling every lash of the whip. The punishment didn't have the intended effect the scientists hoped. Branden turned to Darcel as his own "spirit" form appeared.
"Tell me Branden, does that childhood look normal to you?" Darcel asked, laughing as Branden squeezed his hand into a fist.
"SHUT UP!" Branden yelled.
He swung his fist at Darcel, but he merely passed through the Newtype's body. Branden fell to the floor, rolling across a sandy surface. He got up off the floor, staring at the sand dropping from his fingertips. It wasn't a memory, but a recreation of a report he read about Gekido Jaeger. This was the desert Gekido and Miguel Aiman fought on. Branden looked across the sand, seeing the two men trading blows. Gekido punched Miguel across the head, and Miguel countered with a kick to Gekido's gut. They grabbed the collars of one another's shirts, glaring at each other before slamming their heads together. The pair yelled, their roars turning into the echoes generated by machine speakers. Branden looked up at the sky, watching an orange GINN clash with a blue and white Gundam. The two machines suddenly turned into modified versions of themselves, the Purpose gained more weaponry, a smaller head and grey armour, while the GINN changed into a completely different suit. They slammed their swords together and changed once again. Branden now looked at the Defrock with its twin Arc generators and the Nenshou Kokoro. Both machines suddenly lit up, glowing gold as they clashed swords one final time.
"I see, you wanted to be like him didn't you?" Darcel asked, appearing behind Branden.
Branden glared at Darcel, but he didn't disagree with the man's point. Lowering his gaze, Branden did remember the admiration he felt for Gekido Jaeger. The man never gave up, he didn't concede to the social norms of a soldier or the demands of his superiors. He was a bad soldier, but in a way a good man. But most of all, when Gekido was beaten down, when he strayed and fell he rose to the challenge again and again. Gekido Jaeger had loved ones to pick him up when he acted like the one thing he never was, human.
"You envy him because of that don't you?"
"I'm not envious," Branden snapped.
"Really, who's going to pick you up when you fall?"
"Right back at you asshole, whose gonna help you huh?" Branden asked.
Darcel widened his eyes for a moment as Branden returned to the visible world. Branden smashed open the glass covering the Blaze system activation button. Without a seconds more hesitation, Branden slammed his fist into the button.
Sheryl sighed as she turned away from her workstation. Vincent's search team had reported in and there was still no sign of Branden. Shinn had yet to report in, which infuriated Sheryl to no end. Despite being one of the volunteers, Shinn wasn't putting his full effort into the mission. Likewise a few of the other Minerva crewmembers weren't searching either. Talia had recommended turning over a search to one of the other ZAFT teams.
'It'll be better for Branden if he's found by a Sensou team,' Sheryl thought.
She rubbed her eyes, her body clock hadn't gotten used to journeying across the continent. Vincent had always told her to get some sleep, something she threw right back at him. All of these children fighting didn't sit right for Sheryl, especially Branden who had been fighting for most of his life.
'Oh Branden,' Sheryl sighed.
Sheryl had buried an empty coffin once; she had no intention of burying others.
"Shinn, have you found anything yet?" Meyrin asked.
"For the fourth time Meyrin I haven't found anything, neither has the Purpose," Shinn said.
"Oh, please report as soon as you do find something."
A smile crossed Sheryl's face as she walked up behind Meyrin.
"Branden wouldn't like it, but I'm glad people are concerned about it," Sheryl said.
"Ma'am, if you don't mind me asking what was Branden's career like before he joined Sensou. Alls I've been able to find on him is an old class photo from an abandoned Blue Cosmos program," Meyrin explained.
"Branden did work for black ops; he was involved in a war mongering operation in Jupiter. A pilot called Kyusai Thanos found evidence of the activities Branden's unit were up to. But Branden was acting on the orders of a senator, who brutally…I mean mysteriously disappeared before the authorities could arrest him," Sheryl chuckled. "Anyway during his time in Jupiter, Branden began fighting a mercenary by the name of Sakon Date, I'm not quite sure what Sakon said but the battles had a significant effect on Branden. He betrayed his unit then joined up with a few other Gundam pilots to liberate Jupiter and bring in a democratic government, a few months later Sakon died, the war ended and Branden left the alliance to join Sensou," Sheryl explained.
Meyrin nodded her head, her curiosity at least partially appeased. Sheryl smiled before returning to her workstation.
'Ah to be young again,' she thought.
Kojiro walked the Kenshin across the forest, occasionally checking his radar for heat sources. If Branden did use the blaze system, his suit's heat signature would become significantly larger. The former Orb pilot came to a stop as he looked at a scratch mark on the floor.
"What is it Kojiro?" Joe asked.
"Branden had been fighting here," Kojiro said.
"Kojiro, Vincent here, Nia and I have found some bullet casings, as in big bullet casings. Branden must have been fighting the Slaughter, we'll continue the search," Vincent explained across the radio.
The RX dropped a bullet casing it had been holding and resumed its walk towards the beach. Behind it stood Nia's Zaku, following close behind. Nia kept an eye on her radar, looking out for any signatures that matched the Murasama and the Slaughter.
"Commander Rach I was wondering, how did Branden join Sensou?" Nia asked.
"Thinking of transferring?" Vincent smirked.
"What? No I was just curious about how a pilot like Branden was allowed into Sensou."
"Well believe it or not the first time he came to me was a time I rejected him. We were short on soldiers but I didn't like Branden, his background was shady and his attitude was troubling. But then I got a letter from Casvall, recommending that Branden serve under me," Vincent explained.
"That mute pilot was the one that recommended Branden?" Nia asked.
"Yeah, Cagalli argued tirelessly with Casvall, a pointless statement really considering Casvall's mind was set and well, your can't really argue with a mute guy."
Nia and Vincent both laughed.
"Now that I think about it, I think Casvall only did it because Sakon Date was his best friend and Sakon took a great interest in Branden's development. I don't know why though, I mean Sakon would have dismissed Branden as another enemy if he was anyone else," Vincent sighed as he rubbed his head, still incapable of figuring out the one eyes dragon's complicated personality.
"And do you trust Branden?" Nia asked.
"At first no, I only let him in because of Casvall's recommendation and like I said at the time we were short on combat ready pilots. But now I can say with confidence that I trust Branden to do the right thing, sure he may be selfish at times but when push comes to shove I have no doubt that he'll pull through for his comrades. True he has his issues but you'll find that with Gundams the more exceptional the pilot, the more messed up their lives are," Vincent explained.
Nia nodded his head, certainly seeing some odd characters in Sensou. Then again, the Gundam pilot of ZAFT wasn't all there either. Kojiro stopped the Kenshin in mid step, raising his spear slightly. Joe stopped behind him, but instead lowered his shotgun.
"There's nothing here Kojiro," Joe said.
"I know, that wasn't what worried me, I wanted to know what you wanted to ask me?" Kojiro asked.
"You can't see me through the mobile suit but you can still tell I want to ask you something, you could give Newtypes a run for their money," Joe laughed.
"It's not that, you've been wanting to ask me a question since we began the search," Kojiro said, turning the Kenshin to Joe's Kampfer.
"Yeah it's true, I wanted to ask you, the Blaze system was something you came up with right?"
"It was a joint project carried out between me, Sheryl and the Infernus crewmen Noah!"
"Yeah that's my point, you recommended that Branden's suit be given the system, why not put it in your own suit?" Joe asked.
"I lack the ability to cope with the system," Kojiro said.
"Yet you had faith that Branden could use it, that's what I'm getting at Kojiro, clearly Branden's a good friend of yours," Joe smiled.
"You're wrong there, it wasn't faith in Branden that made me choose him, it was simple logic. I recommended Branden because out of all the Sensou pilots he's the one that has spent the most time physically training his body in endurance. While its true many of our pilots can last through sheer determination, Branden actually has the physical strength to endure a system like the Blaze system," Kojiro explained.
"So there was no other reason?" Joe asked.
"No," Kojiro replied with a deadpan expression.
Joe blinked in confusion before shrugging as the Kenshin walked away.
"One of these days you're going to have to admit that Branden's your closest friend," Joe said as he walked after Kojiro.
'Closest friend, could that be what we are?' Kojiro wondered, lowering his head slightly.
They were always fighting together and hanging out. Branden was always talking to Kojiro and Kojiro always listened. Then there was the time they came to one another's defence. For Kojiro he only needed help on the battlefield, which seemed to be an opposite for Branden. Branden only ever needed help outside the suit, during the times they weren't supposed to be fighting. Yet Branden always seemed to find a fight.
"TAKE THAT BACK ASSHOLE!" he had yelled at a ZAFT pilot.
"Well I'm right, that guy is a monster!"
It had been the aftermath of an Earth Alliance attack on the Plants. Casvall had destroyed several retreating Alliance ships, including one that had surrendered. The ZAFT pilot Branden was fighting had said that Casvall's actions bordered on monstrous, something Branden took to heart.
"Bad things happen in war pal, sometimes they cant be avoided," Branden said.
"I'd expect that kind of talk from an EX-Blue cosmos member, its idiots like you that led to Junius Seven's destructions, you're the real monsters!"
Branden narrowed his eyes at the group of pilots before he rushed forward.
"I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT A MONSTER CAN DO THEN COORDINATOR!" he yelled.
Suddenly, Branden was grabbed from behind and slammed onto his back. Kojiro held the collar of Branden's jacket, pushing him into the ground.
"That's enough, all of you back to your squads," Kojiro said.
"Hey, you don't have the authority to order us around," the ZAFT pilot said.
Kojiro let go of Branden and walked over to the group. He looked at them with a stern expression that made at least two of the pilots back off.
"Sensou and ZAFT are now allied, the only time you do not follow a ranking superiors orders is when they are illegal or are given by an enemy. I am not an enemy, so I outrank you, walk away soldier and I won't reprimand you for provoking your fellow pilots or scandalizing a superior officer," Kojiro explained.
With a grudging huff, the pilots walked away. Kojiro offered Branden his hand, but the stubborn middle-eastern pilot got up himself.
"Provoking and scandalizing, I'm not an expert on military protocol but aren't those benign charges when off duty?" Branden asked.
"Very few soldiers are experts, accept for myself, their behavior wasn't acceptable, but your behavior would have warranted time in the brig, or several lashes…which I suppose you would have enjoyed," Kojiro said with his usual dead pan expression.
Branden growled before grabbing Kojiro by his neck. The former Orb officer showed little concern as Branden tightened his grip.
"Don't…even…joke about that," Branden growled.
"Branden, I am not your enemy," Kojiro said.
Branden widened his eyes for a moment before letting go of Kojiro. He looked at his hand in shock.
"I am sorry Branden, I had read that jokes were a good way of easing tension…I didn't realize you'd take it personally," Kojiro placed a hand on Branden's shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze.
"This isn't the part where you tell me you "have and always will be your friend" is it?" Branden asked.
"Of course not, my books indicate that we haven't known each other long enough to be friends," Kojiro said.
"There's the Spock like expression I'm looking for, thanks Kojiro, if I had punched those guys I probably would have regretted it later…well not really but we can't have trouble with this alliance can we?" Branden smirked as Kojiro nodded.
Branden walked to the doorway.
"Branden wait," Kojiro said, stopping Branden in mid step. "How many times were you whipped?" he asked.
Branden sighed as he rubbed his back.
"Enough to make scars, I had the biggest ones removed, all of Vincent's scars are at his front and his face, they're symbols of his determination. My scars are symbols of a victim," Branden slammed his fist into the wall.
"I disagree," Kojiro said, crossing his arms. "If you were whipped multiple times, it's a sign that Blue Cosmos didn't completely bend you to their way of thinking," he explained.
Branden slowly nodded his head before he walked away. He looked at his hand as he walked, realizing he had never been that aggressive with his own teammates before.
'Where did that come from?' he wondered.
Darcel impatiently tapped his fingers against his controls. He couldn't stop the build up off blood lust inside him. Never before had he had such fun and felt such sensations. The Lodonia labs gave him a different feeling or "pressure" as Newtypes called it. Hundreds of children screaming some out of fear, others anger and many more simply because they didn't want their deaths to be silent. The pain, hatred and defiant emotions were like drugs to Darcel, as addicting as the contents of his inhaler. He noticed his hands shaking, and realized that this was probably about the time the doctors would have given him another dose. But the truth was, Darcel didn't need those drugs anymore. He'd found a new drug, a new addiction.
"I'M WAITING FELLOW GUNDAM!" Darcel yelled.
He generated his Newtype power, intending to force Branden out of his hideaway. The Slaughter's eyes glowed a red colour as the intensity of the beam sabres increased. Red Newtype power flowed out of the machine like a mist, like an aura of Darcel's bloodlust. It flowed like blood across the floor and Darcel's grin never faded as the water began to bubble. This isn't a metaphor the water was actually boiling.
(Gundam Unicorn OST-Mad-Nug)
Steam rose out of the water as a figure slowly emerged from the sea. Darcel fixed his gaze on the Murasama Rogue. It was vibrating, its armor glowing red as it generated high levels of heat. The Damon claws seemed to extend from the heat generated through the six blades. Branden glared at the Slaughter before he charged forward.
"Blaze system active, recommended duration ten seconds," the computer announced.
"TEN SECONDS! I NEED MORE!" Branden yelled.
"BRING IT!"
The two glowing Gundams slammed their swords together, sending sparks and energy coursing through the island. On the Minerva, the crewmembers widened their eyes at the high build up of heat on the radar.
"Whoa, that's either a very big mobile suit or…"
"Branden's Murasama," Meyrin interrupted the crewmen.
Sheryl looked to Talia, whom nodded her head in agreement at the unspoken command.
"Move to that area, send a message to the mobile suit teams, have them support the Murasama Rogue," Talia said.
"We already know Captain, we're on our way," Vincent said over the radio.
"In the end we didn't need to look, he created a beacon for us to follow," Meyrin smiled.
Branden yelled as he pushed the Slaughter back, sending it sliding across the floor. Darcel laughed with enjoyment as he took to the skies, firing a flurry of missiles. The Murasama Rogue fired its impulse cannon, destroying the storm of missiles. Branden left a red trail behind him as he flew up at the Slaughter, thrusting his claws at the machine. Darcel dodged every strike, but the sheer build up of heat burnt several parts of his armor. He swung his sabers around, clashing them with Branden's claws. Both Gundams slammed their blades together again and again, releasing even greater levels of heat ad Newtype energy. Darcel yelled as he released his power, directing it towards the Rogue's cockpit. Branden suddenly yelled, releasing a wave of heat from the Murasama's armor. Darcel widened his eyes in shock as the heat distorted his senses. Branden then swung around, slamming his foot into the Slaughter's chest, once, then twice and a third time that threw the Slaughter back.
"Ten second recommendation overcome, passed thirty seconds, recommend shutting down…" Branden promptly pushed the mute button on his computer before looking to the Slaughter.
The inside of the Rogue's cockpit looked as if the machine was going through re entry. Alarms were blaring and sweat was running down Branden's face. He took off his helmet; sweat practically pouring onto his knees. Driving the Murasama forward, Branden thrust his claws at the Slaughter's head. Darcel ducked underneath the blades and slammed his knee into the Murasama's stomach. He then swung his sabre at the Murasama, only for Branden to block the attack with his right claw. Branden swung his claw around, but Darcel easily dodged the attack. Darcel blinked in mild confusion before deepening his grin.
"I get it now, your movements are getting slower, that system hurts you doesn't it?" Darcel asked.
"If Gekido Jaeger could fight like this, THEN I CAN TOO!" Branden roared.
"You truly are a stubborn and WORTHY OPPONENT!" Darcel yelled in delight.
Both pilots yelled as they swung their swords around. But much to Branden's shock, Darcel pulled his suit back and casually sliced both the Murasama's arms off.
(End OST)
Branden's vision blurred as the Slaughter kicked the Murasama, sending it crashing onto a nearby island. Darcel landed the Slaughter near the Rogue, placing his foot on the machine's chest. He raised his eyebrows in mild surprise as the Slaughter's foot began to melt. Stepping off the machine, Darcel pointed his sabre at the Murasama's chest.
"Branden we're on our way," Shinn said over the radio.
"Launch the Impulse's components," Talia ordered.
"Not out yet," Branden's breathing was heavy, but he still gripped his controls tightly.
Meyrin widened her eyes as she listened to Branden breathing across the radio. The young man sounded as if he was in pain. Darcel smirked at the defiant nature of his rival and directed his sabre away from the Murasama.
"I'm going to let you live, you will improve Branden, get stronger and provide me with an even greater challenge, the name is Darcel Archer, remember it well" Darcel said as he turned away from the Murasama.
The Slaughter flew into the sky, launching a flurry of missiles to cover its escape. Shinn and the Purpose dodged the missiles, shooting at the Slaughter as it retreated into the ocean.
"BRANDEN SHUT DOWN THE BLAZE SYSTEM!" Kojiro yelled as he and Joe ran up to the Murasama.
With a final gasp, Branden deactivated the system, turning the Murasama back to normal. Meyrin shifted in her seat slightly as the Impulse carried the Murasama back to the Minerva.
"Go ahead Meyrin, I can take over for you if you'd like," Sheryl said, looking at the girl with a smile.
"Thank you Ma'am," Meyrin said.
Sheryl pulled the girl off her chair and directed her to the door. She took Meyrin's headset and sat at her post. Talia look at her, her eyebrows raised in mild intrigue. Sheryl simply grinned and much to her surprise, Talia smiled back. Meyrin exited the elevator to see the mechanics spraying the Murasama down with water. She looked below her and saw Branden drenched in sweat, his soaked flight suit abandoned on the floor. He held an icepack to his head, looking at the ground as Vincent spoke with him.
"You could have gotten yourself killed back there; I don't ever want to see you take a risk like that again are we clear?" Vincent asked.
"Yes grand commander, we're clear," Branden said.
Vincent slapped Branden's back before walking away.
"You lasted longer than we initially thought, I'll increase the recommended time to twenty seconds, but follow the commander's orders," Kojiro said.
"Your concerns appreciated Kojiro," Branden grinned.
"Don't be ridiculous, our fighting strength would be significantly less if we lost you," Kojiro turned his back and walked away.
Despite his statement, Kojiro flashed a rare smirk, one Branden shared. Branden removed the pack from his head and looked up, seeing Meyrin staring at him.
"What the hell are you looking at?" Branden asked in a gruff tone.
"I…I just came to see if you were okay," Meyrin said.
Branden grunted, pressing the icepack against the back of his neck.
"I'm fine, why do you care anyway?" he asked.
Meyrin looked away slightly.
"Its just…I heard you on the radio, you sounded as if you were having trouble breathing…like you were out of breath," she said.
"Yeah, the helmet didn't really help, I'll probably take it off first thing the next time I use the system," Branden explained.
"Again, but it almost caused you to pass out," Meyrin looked at Branden in surprise.
Branden smirked as he looked at Meyrin.
"Yeah I did, but the power I got from it! Now I know what it feels like to fight like Gekido Jaeger!" Branden grinned slightly.
"O-okay, are you sure your all right?" Meyrin asked.
"Yeah I'm good bridge bunny," Branden said, waving his arm dismissively.
Meyrin turned away shyly, looking at the Middle Eastern teen from the corner of her eye.
"Sorry I bothered you," she said.
The red haired girl quickly ran off the deck, leaving Branden alone. He huffed as he turned to the catapult, looking at the ocean. It was calm before the storm for him, for one day he'd fight Darcel Archer again. But for now he couldn't help but think of the coordinator girl that stared at him so often.
"Weird girl," he muttered.
If one were to go past Talia's office they would hear two women laughing. Sheryl sat in front of Talia's desk; the captain had removed her hat and enjoyed a cup of tea with her colleague.
"I thought Branden was going to break Tieria's glasses for shutting down his mobile suit, but Tieria just gives him this plain look and says "I was joking"", Sheryl laughed.
"They certainly are a handful aren't they?" Talia asked.
"Yes, but quite frankly I wouldn't have them any other way," Sheryl said.
Talia nodded her head, leaning back into her chair as she drank her tea. Sheryl grabbed the photo on Talia's desk, smiling at the photo.
"Cute kid, where is he now?" Sheryl asked.
"The Plants, the Beta colony living with my parents…I understand you had a son as well," Talia lowered her gaze slightly.
Sheryl lowered her cup and sighed.
"Yes, Wes, he was a pilot, far too young in my opinion, younger than the others. But like many other parents I've had to bury a child, I don't intend to bury any others. Sensou is my spouse and all of those boys are my children," Sheryl explained.
"To our children then," Talia said.
"May their lives be complete and filled with happiness," Sheryl smiled as she drank from her cup.
Next Chapter 26: The soldier's life
Purpose: Such a retched world we live in, where the differing views collide.
Athrun: Is that where you formed, the idea? You're not the first person who's ever wished for more power!
Shinn: My family was killed, because of the Athha's and Commander Rach's interference.
Purpose: to love is to cherish and to lose that love is war.
Noah: I make no apologies.
Vincent: I did what had to be done; if there was a better way you can bet your next paycheck I would have used it.
Cain: This is our life; we can not change it simply because we wish to
Sheryl: HE WAS MY SON! MY BABY!"
Shinn: You think your sanctimonious words make anything better?
Simon: Alls we need is will, that's what leads us to action damn it.
Purpose: this is our existence; this is the soldier's life!
Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter, next time we'll be back on track with the Destiny plot, along with added character confrontations including Vincent and Shinn