Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam
Sorry guys about another long wait for this chapter, Hopefully we'll get back on track.
Editing for this chapter was handled by 00virtuezero
Gundam Seed Destiny Or Liberty?
Chapter 30: Hidden Truth
Sheryl and Nia welcomed their return to the Minerva. Nia couldn't stand the Bagal team; especially the creepy Ruther trying to flirt with her and Sheryl just wanted to be away from the man who killed her son. The Minerva and a battleship carrying the Bagal team moved down the Black Sea and began docking with the coastal city of Diocuia, which had recently been liberated by ZAFT due to the Minerva team's actions at the Lohengrin gate. Talia let out a sigh of relief as the ship finished docking. Sheryl typed at her PDA, organizing shore leave for the Sensou crew.
"You know you're pretty good with the command thing, and you're a lot…wiser than Commander Rach," Nia pointed out.
"I'm no soldier, and did you just call me wise to avoid calling me old?" Sheryl smirked as the girl huffed.
"I was trying to come off as respectful but you really are a hag in comparison to Vin…I mean Commander Rach," Nia said.
Despite the intended insult Sheryl laughed and put her computer away. She turned to the girl, another one of her 'den children' in need of advice.
"Do you have an issue with Vincent continuing to lead Sensou?" Sheryl asked.
"Its not that I don't think of him as a good leader it's just…" Nia shuffled her feet nervously, hiding a blush on her cheeks.
"I know, he's far too young," Sheryl sighed.
"Then why don't you take command?" Nia asked.
"Because it takes a certain kind of mind set to lead people both older and younger than yourself into a battle, I'm not sorry to say that it's a mind set I don't have. While true Vincent carries a heavy burden, he also has friends to support him, friends like you Nia," Sheryl smiled as she patted Nia's shoulders.
A heavy blush crept across Nia's face. She immediately stepped away from the older woman, shaking her head.
"Its not like that, its just I said I'd help him so I'll help him, plus the chairman trusts him and if Vincent falls apart then the whole alliance falls apart," Nia explained.
"Riiight," Sheryl grinned.
"I hope I'm not as annoying as you when I'm your age," Nia growled.
Sheryl laughed as she turned and began walking down the corridor. Nia shook her fist, her eyes twitching in anger at the woman. But she still had a thick blush across her cheeks. Shinn, Luna and Meyrin then walked around the corner, the latter two girls smiling as they saw her.
"Hey Nia," Luna said, nearly tackling the blonde girl.
"We heard about your battle, great job Nia," Meyrin patted Nia's shoulder.
"Not bad, but I liberated a whole town," Shinn poked his chest with a cocky grin on his face.
"Well I beat a Gundam with a Zaku," Nia retorted.
"You damaged a Gundam, you never actually destroyed it or killed the pilot," Shinn pointed out.
"Killing a pilot is never something to be proud of!" The four teenagers turned to see Athrun approaching them. "But still, you both did well out there, you should be proud of what you've achieved," he smiled as the two soldier's saluted.
Unbeknownst to the group, Silver Mask stood around the corner, listening to the conversation with his arms crossed.
'It's just the beginning,' he sighed.
The group, minus Silver Mask continued walking to the main hatch. A few other crew members waited alongside Rey, Kojiro and Branden. They continued waiting until Arthur, Talia and Sheryl came to them.
"What's the deal Za Burrel? Why are we delaying?" Branden asked.
"The person waiting in the airlock is the man who personally oversaw the liberation of the city, you may also be interested to know that thanks to the chairman, his condition has improved significantly," Rey hid a ghost like smile as the others gasped.
The airlock opened and Nia barged ahead of Branden and Kojiro. Black boots stepped onto the ship, decorated by the flowing skirt of a long coat. He had opted to wear a full military uniform, a grey version of the white commander's uniform of ZAFT. But instead of white gloves he wore black gloves underneath armoured gauntlets. A simple black mask covered his face with holes revealing his blue eyes. Blonde haired had been stuck to the back of the helmet, but it appeared to be for decoration purposes. The gathered crewmembers gasped at the man's sudden appearance, most too shocked to believe that this man standing before them was Vincent Rach.
"Crew of the Minerva, welcome to Diocuia," he said.
With those simple words the doors behind him opened and the crew heard the intense sound of cheering. Shinn looked at Vincent with an intense gaze though Kojiro (whom was watching both intently) couldn't determine whether it was anger or disgust that motivated the boy's stare. Vincent turned his head and his eyes made contact with Shinn's. Kojiro recognised the emptiness of the man's eyes.
"Please take the time to enjoy the concert, you are all guests of honour," Vincent said.
"Guests of honour? Wait…did you say concert?!" Branden asked, his eyes practically popping out of their sockets.
The crew walked out of the ship and widened their eyes at what they saw. Crowds of soldiers were gathered around a stage while cheering people watched from a nearby fence. Two new mobile suits, one orange and another blue and white carried a pink Zaku with star symbols painted onto its chest. Standing on the Zaku's hand, dancing energetically to a pop remix of a familiar tune was one 'Lacus Clyne'.
"Oh for the love of Allah, kill me now! Just kill me!" Branden growled, hiding his head as the group walked towards the crowd.
"Focus Branden, did you see Commander Rach?" Kojiro asked.
"Vincent, yeah I did, a ZAFT uniform, he couldn't be breaking up Sensou could he?" Branden looked to Kojiro.
"My loyalty is mainly to Orb, if he does disband then I will be forced to return to the Orb military, just as you would be obligated to return to the Atlantic Federation," he explained.
"No way in hell is that gonna happen…damn it why did it have to be a pop remix, it was fine before!" Branden groaned.
Despite the Middle Eastern pilot's protests, every other soldier enjoyed the new beat, dancing and signing along to the tune. Vino and Youlan eagerly ran to the crowd and started cheering. Arthur bopped along to the song as well, whilst Talia watched Durandal depart one of the ships. She thought of his scheming personality, he was a charmer true, but he always had an agenda. He must have always planned for Lacus to come to the city.
"Did you have any idea she'd be here?" Luna asked Athrun.
"No, not really," Athrun muttered. He couldn't help but stare at the frenzy the other ZAFT soldiers were in. Personally, Athrun always considered himself a professional and felt that others should behave as such. Then again he didn't have the best social skills.
"Well it must be difficult for you to keep up, you're both such busy people," Luna smiled in understanding.
Meyrin shook her head at her sister's antics. She then grinned slightly as several pilots ran towards them.
"Oh, sorry," she 'stumbled' forward, grabbing Athrun's arm for support.
Luna's eyebrow twitched while Branden seemed to shoot electricity out of his eyes, aiming it straight at Athrun.
"We should probably find a place where we won't be in the way," Athrun said.
"Yeah," Meyrin nodded.
Athrun guided Meyrin towards the side, unaware that Branden was glaring at him. Meyrin herself however had a smile inside, she got to tease her sister and find out how Branden felt about her.
"Hey, Commander Rach?" Shinn walked up to Vincent.
"You are pilot Shinn Asuka correct?" Vincent asked.
"Don't you remember him Commander?" Kojiro asked.
"I am afraid many of my memories are fractured, the chairman provided me data relevant to the mission, your combat record is admirable Shinn, practically your actions at the Lohengrin gate, well done!"
Shinn glared at the commander as the man walked away. Nia followed the commander with her eyes, trying to see if he was merely veining ignorance or if he truly couldn't remember Shinn Asuka and the tragedy of Onogoro. Her attention then turned to the stage as the song began to close.
"Thank for your efforts everyone, continue fighting the good fight and thank you people of Diocia, remember to support the brave soldiers of ZAFT in their fight for peace," she happily waved to the crowd.
"FIGHT FOR PEACE!" a voice echoed from the sky.
The people of the city and the soldiers on the beach gasped as a trio of machines flew out of the clouds. They were without weapons, but the sight was never the less intimidating. One was a customized red CGUE whilst another was a completely new pink mobile suit. It landed gracefully behind the red CGUE, bowing as their leader, a suit the Minerva crew and even the common soldiers in the ranks recognized. They gasped as the Black Gundam opened its cockpit and a familiar face emerged. He travelled down the zip wire, wearing the white uniform of a commander.
"Dagger Thanos," one man in the crowd whispered.
"The black storm, the revenge of Junius Seven," another gasped.
Dagger nodded to Vincent, whom saluted the man. Nia raised her hand into a salute, followed quickly by Shinn, Luna and Meyrin. Meer looked at the gathering in shock. Alistair, sitting inside the Red CGUE smirked as he zoomed in on Athrun's face. His 'other' had his eyes narrowed at Thanos.
"It's almost like looking in a mirror, yet isn't," Alistair muttered.
"Please don't tell me you're going to quote face off all day," Lain said over the radio.
"Yeah I'm gonna grab Athrun's neck and mutter 'die!' repeatedly," Alistair huffed.
Lain chuckled at the reference, sitting inside her new machine the Gerbera Tetra. She exited her machine, running to Dagger's side as she removed her helmet. Nia widened her eyes, alongside her fellow teammates.
"Lain," Nia gasped.
"Hey sis," the identical girl waved to her sister.
"Can't see myself saying hey bro," Alistair muttered bitterly, staying inside his machine. His eyes kept close watch on his look alike.
Durandal walked away, flanked closely by Rey and his bodyguards. Vincent and Sheryl both also walked to Durandal's side, looking Dagger Thanos in the eyes.
"Dagger Thanos, why have you come?" Vincent asked.
"I have come to make my intentions clear to both Sensou and ZAFT and to recruit more whom wish to follow me in my path," Dagger narrowed his eyes, pausing as he closed his eyes.
The dramatic pause only served to increase the man's resolve as he declared his ambition:
"I Dagger Thanos…armed with my Black Gundam and the firm faith of my allies, will sever the chains of the irrelevant and corrupt Earth Alliance and establish new bonds between all nations in the creation of a new Earth sphere government that will encompass every nation of Earth!"
Durandal remained stoic, whilst others widened their eyes.
"You said you wouldn't interfere with other nations," Sheryl said.
"In times of peace and economic stability a country is capable of running itself, but in times of war, violence and corruption people turn to leaders and symbols. If a country is attacked by or attacks another nation then I will eradicate the violence and corruption of that country and leave it to the good people of the nation to rebuild and create new governments, that is why I have gathered military might into a single force," Thanos explained.
"I see your point," Vincent said. "Military power should be built with the intention of never being used, yet being used once when only necessary. But even if you were to eradicate the evil of this generation a new generation of Muruta Azraels might arise and with your intervention many will die," he explained.
"It has to stop, the Black Storm alone will be the military might of this world, once the nations have turned over to a pacifistic style of government and have accepted the protection of a single organization then we may finally know peace. War will no longer create men like Azrael or even men like me, the kind that sends children into battle, the kind that haven't buried their own sons!"
Sheryl widened her eyes slightly at that statement, remembering the day that she buried an empty coffin. Branden too thought of Sakon and how they hadn't even found a body, a single cross on the beach and rusting mobile suit were Sakon's only memorials.
"That is why you have urged nations to leave the Earth Alliance and have attacked any that have chosen not to," Durandal said.
"Yes, and Earth will merely be the start, I wish for any in ZAFT and the Plants whom wish to follow my plan to join me. We of the Black Storm will reside on our own nation as the peacekeepers of this new UN," Dagger said.
"I see you have developed some ambition in your self imposed exile, is that why you gained favour on Mars and Jupiter?" Durandal asked.
"Yes, but that is a tale for another time," Dagger said casually.
"Indeed, there is much for us all to discuss, I assume you predicted I would invite you to the mansion," Durandal smiled.
"Yes and I safely assume your men are sensible enough to block off access to the machines behind me so to as avoid tripping their self destruct mechanisms," Dagger smirked.
"You're indeed a master of chess Dagger, we should play some time," Durandal.
"What makes you think we aren't playing now?" Dagger chuckled.
Shinn looked between the two men, unsure about whether they were being friendly with one another, or actually threatening each other. Dagger chuckled yet didn't smile, sure he would have a triumphant smirk across his face at times but his face remained like steel, unwavering with determination. Luna, Shinn, Nia and many others of their generation admired Dagger Thanos. Soldiers were naturally drawn to him not just because of his skill but his belief in a code of honour and conduct that all soldiers should adhere to. The three machines of the Thanos faction remained on the docks, with Alistair staying inside his suit. Silver Mask watched Durandal's limo drive away, his glowing eye narrowed in suspicion.
Unbeknownst to both the Thanos faction and ZAFT, a small group of Earth alliance soldiers still remained on the island. They however were considered equipment, not soldiers. The Extendeds all looked at the scene that had taken place at the port and when the confrontation was over they drove away, ignoring it as if it had never happened. Stella looked out of the window of the jeep with an empty expression in her eyes, whilst Auel leant back into his chair. Jone however sat next to Auel contemplating what he had seen.
"Say guys, do you think we could do better than this?" he asked the younger Extended.
"We have been given orders, it is our duty to carry those orders out," Lyna said.
"She's right, it doesn't matter who wins this war, if we continue to follow orders we'll survive," Sting explained.
"And once the war is over then what, you guys aren't 'perfect' as Stark and Lucifer are. We might all one-day 'cease to function'" Jone took great care not to say Stella's trigger word.
"What the hell has brought this on?" Auel asked.
"I think it would be better to live in peace and not to suffer," Jone whispered.
"We've got a good thing in the army you know, they feed us, gives us plenty of enemies to kill and some down time as well," Auel explained.
"For all we know there might be hundreds of replacements waiting in storage," Jone muttered.
He sighed as the children ignored his comments. Lyna's eyes however widened slightly, showing that some part of her understood what Jone was getting at.
Halfway across town Lucifer sat in a coffee shop, drinking a cup of tea. In front of him was Heiwa Jaeger, whom kept his face concealed with a hat and sunglasses. Lucifer sipped the tea and then put the cup down.
"I've managed to secure what you asked for," Lucifer said.
"That's good, Stark got me some data the other day, he's doing this for the money but why are you doing this exactly?" Heiwa asked.
"My capabilities are beyond special forces, beyond simply being a pilot for the Atlantic Federation, beyond even Logos and Uragiri," Lucifer explained. "Those fools are beneath my ambitions and power, Uragiri was nothing but a deluded harlot and Logos are simple minded fools who inherited their power due to aristocracy."
"In that regard you and I are similar, we understand that evolution can only take us so far," Heiwa smiled.
"But while you seek expansion, I will seek domination," Lucifer said.
There was a slight pause before Lucifer looked into Heiwa's eyes. The Ulimate coolly stared in the grey haired man's blue eyes.
"If you tell Djibril or try to get in my way I will kill you," he said.
Heiwa slowly chuckled before rising from his seat.
"Don't worry about a thing Lucifer, your actions will only make things better for me, heaven or hell, I don't mind not being the one in charge," he smiled. "So long as things change then it doesn't really matter who's in charge!"
Lucifer huffed, annoyed by Heiwa's presence and mystery.
The limos arrived at the mansion Durandal was staying at. The very same orange machine that had carried the pink Zaku was now stood beside the mansion, its pilot exiting to welcome the new arrivals.
"Heine Westenfluss, I see you've come far since service under Hawkins," Dagger said.
"Thank you Admiral, a table has been prepared on the roof, right this way," Heine spoke courteously, but he wasn't a stuck up upper class man, he'd been in his share of fire fights.
"Lain, how are you here?" Nia asked, poking her sister's shoulder.
"I flew here of course, on my new machine," Lain grinned.
"Smart ass, I'm not talking about that, how did you come to be under Thanos's command?"
"She sought me out Miss Holland, she rather foolishly took a GINN and nearly ran out of air," Dagger said.
Lain lowered her head, whilst the others behind her looked at her with sweat drops running down the back of their heads.
'I really wish he didn't bring that up,' she mentally groaned.
"Where have you been all this time? Are the rumors about Mars true?" Branden asked.
"I did provide security for both factions of the mars civil conflict, many of my men had been part of the PMC forces of those conflicts, they were without purpose or guidance so I gave them a cause to fight for," Dagger explained.
"Is that what happened with you Lain, did he give you a purpose?" Nia asked.
Lain remained silent and continued walking with her commander. The group finally reached the roof of the mansion. A dining table big enough for the people present had been set up. Only Heine and Vincent were left without chairs to sit on, the latter stood behind Durandal.
"How is the situation in space chairman?" Talia asked.
"Admiral Thanos's forces currently hold the best position for attacking both Sensou's Asgard station and the Plants. The Earth Alliance will occasionally launch an attack, but either Sensou or Thanos intercept their forces," Durandal explained.
"Your shield is of course no longer near the Plants, we felt we'd have to pick up the slack," Dagger said.
"Do you mean Gekido Jaeger?" Vincent asked.
"Yes, he's come to Earth and has already begun preparations to continue our campaign, though he is a little too violent in his approach. If at all possible I would like to end this with little blood shed," Durandal sighed.
"But it isn't possible is it Durandal, because we are at war, and war makes people do horrible things…or at least that's the punch line used in the aftermath; 'we've all wronged one another, we all simply wanted peace' but its never that simple…nothing is ever simple," Dagger explained.
"It's because…" Shinn paused as everyone looked at him.
"Shinn speak your mind," Vincent said.
"Go ahead, I greatly value the opinions of people fighting on the frontlines," Durandal said.
"Well…I think agree that what war makes us do is complicated…but the reasons why war becomes the end result of conflict isn't. In every generation there are stupid, selfish people that push for war, people like Blue Cosmos," Shinn explained.
Dagger Thanos chuckled slightly before he got off his chair.
"Stupid selfish people true they were selfish, but they knew how to make the war benefit them. War if done correctly can benefit society, it can jumpstart the economy, lead to technological developments, jobs and create heroic figures that inspire future generations…that's often why people can get away with going to war," Dagger explained.
"The demand for war generates profits and the war itself results in mass profits, take this machine for example," Durandal said as he looked to Heine's machine. "The ZGMF-X2000 Gouf Ignited, one of the first models of its kind, in the next few months production models will be given to elite pilots such as yourself Nia Holland. War generated a demand for machines like this, and the companies that produce them profit from the production…whom do you think profits from a full scale war," Durandal turned to his guests and smiled. "Throughout history, organizations such as Logos profited from war, and when the wars stopped, they created the demand, they pushed for more conflict in order to profit. Logos originated from an ideal, and that ideal was the Earth Alliance!"
"Bullshit," Branden growled. "You're saying every conflict since the Earth Alliance, hell every conflict in history is part of some grand old conspiracy, Sensou would have found out about it!"
"Durandal speaks the truth Branden, ever since the Earth Alliance was first formed, Logos has been pushing it behind the scenes, why do you think the presidents seem to be so incompetent, its because Logos are getting them votes and every so often a conflict to prove just how 'deserving' of the presidency they are," Vincent explained.
Vincent turned to Durandal and saluted him.
"Sensou is with you Durandal, we will help in anyway we can to track down the members of Logos and apprehend them," he said.
Dagger narrowed his eyes at Durandal from behind Vincent's back. The exchange went unnoticed by those present, but Durandal merely smiled at Dagger's concealed anger.
"Can it really lead to an end?" Athrun asked. "Two years ago I was asked a question, if one person kills for revenge and is killed for being a killer can it really lead to peace?" he recited Cagalli's words and in a way Gekido's words as well. "From what I've learnt, at some point the soldiers themselves are going to have to stop. We must come to our own judgments over what is necessary to bring peace, if it's at all possible for soldiers to bring peace."
Dagger sighed as he rubbed his head.
"I've done bad things, I failed to protect Junius Seven, resulting in Patrick Zala's madness, I even failed my own children, my adopted son lost to his own desperate search for redemption and another lost to an impossible dream, one that I find myself sharing," he sighed. "If my redemption leads people to calling me a tyrant then I will accept that burden and fight to bring an end to the corruption that stains the Earth Alliance!"
The man's eyes held a determination that shocked Vincent slightly. He gripped his head for a moment, seeing a man he called friend and mentor, a man whom had the same determination as Dagger Thanos.
"Thank you for your hospitality Chairman, Lain and I will soon be out of your way," Dagger said as risen from his seat.
"Sir can I…" Lain shuffled her feet nervously.
"Yes Lain, go ahead," the man smiled as Lain turned to her sister. She gave her twin a hesitant look and squeezed her hands.
"We have to have that talk Nia," she said.
"And everyone else has to get some rest, there are rooms ready for each of you, no sharing, just your own private rooms," Vincent explained.
"Good, Branden snores," Kojiro said.
"I don't snore!" Branden growled.
"No but you do have dreams that make you smile and go 'oh Me…!"
Branden immediately planted his hand over Kojiro's mouth, glaring but blushing profusely. Vincent let out a laugh before putting a hand to his head.
"Are you okay Vincent?" Sheryl asked.
"Yes, I am fine, everyone of you please get some rest," Vincent said
He walked past Shinn and left the roof. Shinn squeezed his hands into fists, gritting his teeth together in frustration. Vincent in his eyes had done the one thing he asked him not to, forget his sister. The masked man walked across the hallway, leaning against the wall as he gripped both sides of his head. Images flashed before his eyes of the inside of a mobile suit.
'Memories,' he remembered shooting and stabbing Astrays at the battle of Orb.
He saw the face of a young grey haired man and remembered the punches of discipline and words of encouragement.
"Gekido," he whispered. "What am I trying to remember?"
Athrun and the others left Durandal's company and whilst Lain walked after Nia, Sheryl followed Dagger Thanos.
"Admiral Thanos, do you really intend to go through with this?" Sheryl asked.
"Yes, if things do not change then people will die, I will add to this until the rational minds are left to repair this world. Too long have we seen people speak up in hatred, it must be made to stop," Dagger explained.
"War creates a cycle Thanos, I agree in the fact that Logos must be stopped, but everything else…what you are suggesting is a dictatorship," Sheryl narrowed her eyes.
"What I am suggesting is more missions like the one the Grand Commander launched against True Faith, the absolute destruction of those whom add to the chaos, the only difference is that I am no politician furthering a goal, I will be in charge of my own nation and will only take charge if the leaders of other nations are unfit for the task…much like Cagalli Yula Athha!"
"Are you going to attack Orb?" Sheryl walked up to Dagger, fixing a glare into his eyes.
"If Cagalli doesn't return to put things right, an occupation may be the only option left. The night is darkest just before the dawn and the blood shed of war is at its worst when it is close to ending, I don't want to see any more parents lose their children anymore than you do," Dagger said.
"You lost your adopted son during the last war didn't you and another child too right?" Sheryl asked.
"Yes, in that aspect we can understand one another," Dagger sighed.
Sheryl watched as Dagger walked away. She leant against the wall and closed her eyes, remembering her son. The admiral continued walking down the steps of the mansion, intending to contact one of his supporters in the city for a lift. He stopped as he saw Silver Mask walking up the steps. The masked man walked past the admiral and for a moment their eyes seemed to meet. A smirk crossed Thanos's face as the masked man continued to walk away, pretending to ignore his presence. But the masked man stopped as he heard Thanos whisper something.
"You, talking to me? What did you say?" Silver Mask asked gruffly.
"I think you heard me Silver Mask," Thanos chuckled as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a phone. "Yes, I'm in the city, meet me at the café as expected!"
Silver Mask turned away from the man and resumed walking up the stairs.
Nia followed Lain to one of the few deserted spots of the mansion. It was a lounge space that hadn't yet been occupied. The seats looked expensive, beyond anything even their parents made in a year. It had a good view of the garden; the two twins looked at one another; the awkward silence and Nia's frown made Lain scratch her cheek nervously. She yelped as Nia approached her, the longhaired girl wrapped her arms around her sister's neck, hugging her tightly.
"Why didn't you write to me? Why didn't you say you were even alive? I hear nothing from you; I have to hear that my little sister has joined a renegade ZAFT cell when a bunch of idiots in suits show up at my house? Why didn't you tell me before all of this happened?" Nia asked.
Lain could tell that her sister was close to tears. Nia had always been the toughest of them in terms of her confidence and up front nature. But Lain wasn't afraid to admit that Nia cried for their parents the most. She returned her sisters hug and smiled.
"I'm so sorry Nia, I'm so, so sorry. I wanted to contact you, to talk to you again, but there was always something going on, some mission or circumstance that prevented me from even writing. My time with Thanos and his team has been incredible, I've made so many new friends and we've done a lot to help people, not just in countries outside the alliance but in space too. There's so much I want to talk to you about, but there might not be enough time," Lain explained.
"Then we'll make time, come with me Lain, the path Thanos is leading you down sounds dangerous and if he fails not even Durandal will be able to keep you from being punished, especially if you end up killing one of our soldiers, come back with me Lain before it gets any worse," Nia said.
"No Nia, I have to stay with the Admiral, things are going to get worse but only because of Durandal's ambitions, and he has something really bad planned."
"And who told you that, Dagger Thanos?" Nia asked.
"I trust the admiral's judgement," Lain said.
"I trust his judgement too, and if you carry on like this not even he will be able to protect you. Thanos is suggesting taking on the entire world as one single militia, not even he can take on the whole world Lain," Nia grit her teeth together, frustrated by her sister's stubbornness.
"I have to follow my heart Nia, and my heart tells me that Durandal is bad news…we can't sacrifice our freedom," Lain muttered the words as if she had practiced them.
"What about us Lain, what about family? I'm your sister, we can find a home together again, like we promised…so long as we're together we'll know what a home is," Nia pulled out her locket, holding it close to Lain's face. "This was our promise to one another Lain, our promise to find each other and return home, because our home is wherever we are with one another, it can be the Plants, Earth, Sensou or ZAFT, so long as we're together we're home!"
Lain returned her sister's determined expression, but for entirely different reasons. She brushed Nia's hand aside, grimacing slightly at Nia's hurt expression.
"I've already found the place I can call home Nia, I found it two years ago," Lain said.
Nia widened her eyes as her sister walked past her.
"I'm sorry Nia, but I cant abandon the friends I've made, or the purpose I've formed within Thanos's new world, not even for you I'm afraid…I have to stop it, to stop the tragedies that lead to two sisters no longer seeing eye to eye," Lain let a few tears fall from her eyes before she walked away.
Nia turned to her sister, but the girl was gone and her legs seemed paralysed. They shook violently and her right hand cocooned the locket, gripping it so hard that it cut into her palm. Her gritting teeth devolved into out right grinding, she was so angry that she wanted to hit something. She wanted to hit her sister for abandoning her, she wanted to hit Thanos for brainwashing her, she even wanted to hit the politicians that declared her sister traitor, even though right now she could describe Lain as just that.
"Traitor," she growled, her fury doing nothing to disguise her tears. "God damn, fucking, asshole TRAITOR!" she yelled.
The young woman slammed her fist into the wall, kicking the nearest chair until it tipped over. She continually pounded at the wall, screaming an assortment of profanities that would have had her disciplined if just anyone had found her. She stopped however as a gloved hand gripped her shoulder. At this point she didn't care who it was, she just let her tears out.
"Why? Why does my sister have to be an enemy?" she asked.
The hand hesitantly tilted her chin and Nia looked into the blue eyes of Sensou's commander. He rubbed the side of his head and patted Nia's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, I'm just…struggling to remember something, but looking at you and your talk of promises," he widened his eyes as a whole memory flashed before his eyes.
"Are you okay?"
"Of course I'm okay shit head" she snipped. "I mean I didn't mean it like that"
"Then how did you mean it?" Vincent asked.
Vincent crossed his arms as he waited for Nia to speak. She nervously closed her eyes before stepping forward.
"Look I think you did the right thing a year ago okay? Sometimes its not good enough to stop the problem for a little while, sometimes the problem has to be gotten rid of altogether, and maybe…maybe what you did could have been done differently or maybe it was too late. Maybe you could have offered an escape for anyone who didn't agree with what was going on in that town or maybe there wasn't anyone like that in there but you did what you thought was right and made a tough choice that very few would have been able to make and I'm sure you'll carry the weight of that choice for the rest of your life. I think…I think that's noble in its own way okay?"
Vincent looked at the girl in shock while she blushed. He always had her pegged as the antisocial type.
"Just…fuck it you have my support okay stupid? And if…shit if you need my help whenever and one of your people can't help or can't help then…if it doesn't conflict with my feelings or my duty then I'll help all right?"
"I thought Asuka was the only one that held a phone possessively."
Vincent turned around, smiling slightly as Nia walked to his side.
"He thinks no one knows about it but we all know about it, he thinks we'll make fun of him for it but that's not true…its natural to cling to an object that reminds you of your loved ones," Nia explained, touching the pendant around her neck.
"I know that, I'm just thinking whether I really want to know what the last thing my Dad said to me was," Vincent sighed, putting the phone in his pocket.
STOP THE MACHINE'S UNSTABLE!" Sheryl yelled as the Gundam "bomb" surged with energy. "COMMANDER MOVE!"
Vincent was frozen in place as the device exploded, releasing a blast of Arc energy mixed with GN particles. The Purpose Mark 2 moved forward, kneeling behind Vincent and using its arms as shields.
"VINCENT!" Nia yelled as she ran over to the scene.
The other Minerva crewmembers stopped what they were doing, hearing or in Shinn's case seeing the explosion in the distance.
"VINCENT! COMMANDER ARE YOU OKAY!"
Nia and Sheryl ran over to the Purpose as it separated its arms. A digitised cry escaped the Gundam's speakers as it looked at Vincent. Sheryl and Nia both widened their eyes in horror as the curled up Vincent screamed. His face had been burnt beyond recognition, strands of his hair were spread out around his head and Nia covered her mouth as she saw a fragment of bone on his cheek, yet he was still alive and in complete agony.
"You…you were concerned for me, you have something that belongs to me, what was it?" Vincent asked.
Nia wiped her tears and reached into her pocket. She pulled out the mobile, putting it in Vincent's hand.
"Your dad left a message on there, I know it's painful to find out but you should really listen to it," Nia explained.
"My dad…I remember now…my dad's dead, oh god…he died in a hospice and I never visited him once," he gasped.
"Your father he…just listen to the message and you'll understand," Nia sighed.
"My father is gone and what is left of my family wants nothing to do with me," Vincent said.
"It's the same with my sister," she said.
Vincent lowered his head slightly as he put the phone in his pocket.
"Thank you for this Nia," he said as he walked past Nia. "If you ever need to talk I'll always be here!"
"Thank you Vincent," Nia smiled, wiping her eyes.
She smiled because she had hope that her commander could go back to being the man he was.
Lain returned to Thanos's side, just as their transport arrived. The driver wore a ZAFT uniform, but had absolute loyalty to Dagger's cause. That was why he was acting as a spy within Durandal's staff.
"Is it done?" Dagger asked the young girl.
"Yes sir, my sister won't join us," Lain wiped her eyes.
Dagger never lectured the people under his command about their emotions. Alls he asked of them was for them to draw on the power their emotions could give them, but not let themselves be ruled by those emotions. So he didn't mind Lain's tears, because he knew that despite how hard the confrontation was, Lain had passed her test of loyalty. However Lain noticed firmness in Dagger's eyes that he probably wouldn't have held if Lain had chosen to stay with her sister. He rewarded loyalty but respected people who stood by their convictions.
"Perhaps she will, perhaps she can be showed exactly how wrong Durandal's plan is," Dagger said.
Lain looked to her leader in shock, her young but intellectual mind seeing what he was proposing.
"You weren't exaggerating your resemblance, then again I suppose I shouldn't be surprised…you are identical twins after all," he didn't smirk or smile, because this wasn't a friendly conversation.
Lain widened her eyes in realization this wasn't just her test of loyalty, it was her assignment.
Far away from the now liberated city another battle was being fought. Zaku Kai's and Z'Gok's of the Thanos faction fought a devastating battle against an Orb scouting group. Murasume's flew across the sky, only to be shot down by Zaku Kai's. A Z'gok jumped onto one of the naval boats, stabbing an Astray with its claws and sidestepped another Astray's sword. The Z'Gok tore through the Astray's cockpit, opening its claw to fire a beam. The beam tore through the Astray and slammed into the ship's bridge. A Zaku Kai rolled across the ground, firing a fully automatic rifle at the Murasames flying over it. The Black Zaku Kai had claws attached to its wrists and missile pods built onto its legs.
"Idiots from Orb, oi Canard, maybe you should have taught your sister a little discipline," the pilot, a gruff English man said.
The Dreadnought H fired its cannons, hitting two Murasames.
"Maybe you should shut up Brian," Canard growled.
"I see it's too soon to joke about that, still the admiral would probably prefer you going renegade and trying to find your younger siblings," Brian explained.
The British pilot threw his rifle aside and slid out his wrist claws. He cut through two Astrays before stabbing another in the chest. The Zaku Kai drew two pistols from its hip and fired at any Astray that approached it.
"I said it once and I'll say it again, idiots from Orb, just because you have better machines than ours doesn't mean you'll be victorious this day," the man grinned.
He looked at his radar, which was blaring to alert him of an incoming signal. Canard widened his eyes as green beams tore through the Zaku Kai's chest.
"BRIAN!" Canard yelled.
The Zaku Kai blew up in a shower of metal and oil. Canard turned in the direction the beam came from, narrowing his eyes in fury.
"GEKIDO!" he roared.
A grey and blue jet flew out of the clouds. Its arms, legs and flight pack folded until a Gundam head popped out of the main body. The Gundam spread its arms out, revealing the green crystal on its chest, two sabres on its back and weapons that included a rifle with a gatling gun underneath the main barrel and a device on the right arm that resembled a shield, but didn't look like it would be as use as a defensive weapon. Clearly it was a hidden weapon.
"Gundam Mark 3 'Decade', pilot Gekido Jaeger…long time no see Canard Pars…how long has it been? Two years…who's counting anyway?" Gekido grinned.
Canard narrowed his eyes at Gekido comm. Image. The grey haired man was dressed in a grey ZAFT flight suit with a blue trim across the helmet and chest area.
"Is that really you Gekido?" Canard asked.
"You know I always was curious…about which one of us would win in a fight," Gekido put on a feral smile before drawing one of his beam sabres.
Both pilots let out bestial roars as they charged at one another, igniting a duel between former best friends that eclipsed the previous battle.
Next Chapter 31: Past regret
Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter, next time the we take a trip to the past as key characters of the conflict remember what happened before the war. Cain recalls his past at the Mendell project and how he met Sheryl, Canard remembers the day he left Kira and Cagalli as he battles with the Decade Gundam and Vincent struggles to recall details of his past.
Part of Dagger Thanos's rise to power, his actions on Mars and Jupiter can be seen in Gundam Rise Purpose.