Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam
Lyna Crosswind's (property of BIGGZ1344) new machine is named after Super Robot Wars Weissritter, it is a mix of the said machine and the Duel(the idea also having been made by BIGGZ1344)
Amadi Dumas and Jona Seiran are both property of 00virtuezero, credit for editing also goes to him.
G-Lines based on the UC era suits. EZs based on the 08th MS team's EZ-8 Gundam.
Surprise, the next update didn't take a year to do. I liked writing this one, especially this opening scene
Gundam Seed Destiny or Liberty
Chapter 35: Sword of the blue skies
An intense battle was being waged in Earth's orbit. Earth Alliance ships clashed with Sensou and ZAFT ships. Daggers took beams to their chests, and Zakus and GMs were blown apart together. Sai and Kuzzey looked out of their ships as they were shaken by enemy missile fire. Their respective starboard and portside weaponry fired, hitting two Agamemnon class vessels flying between them. GMs and Guncannons flew out of Salamis Kai class ships. Attached to the Mobile Suits were back packs that had mechanical arms, attached to the arms were shields. The mobile suits used these to begin entry into the atmosphere, to take part in immediate strikes on Alliance navy and island bases.
"Load the Guntanks and G-bulls onto core landers, EZ's and ground Gundams into drop pods," one of the mechanics in a Salamis said.
"This is submersible unit carrier, GM Aquas prepped for drop!"
"Aerial unit carrier, Jet G-Lines and G-Fighters ready to deploy into atmosphere."
"Wait for the escort!"
But it was too late, the Salamis that was ahead of everyone, was quickly swarmed by a group of Dagger Ls. Leading them were a pair of Buster Daggers and a Long Dagger. The custom mobile suits bombarded the ship, destroying the GM variants and fighters as they were dropped. A few of the G-Lines braved firing back, but ill equipped with their jet packs, were quickly shot apart.
"Damn it," the captain of one of the Salamis Kais said. "Wait for our escort," he repeated the order, and the other ship captains nodded.
Their escort was none other than the Joule team. Shiho was already out in her customized Zaku, shoulder beam cannons blowing apart two Dagger Ls. She threw her beam axe, crashing it into a Dagger L's chest. As she continued to fight, the catapult on the Joule ship opened.
"Been a long time since we piloted these Yzak," Dearka said as he prepped his suit for launch.
"Shut up Dearka, these rudimentary 'upgrades' don't come close to the originals," Yzak retorted.
Dearka shook his head as his new machine was placed on the catapult. The new machines were built by the Alliance, and taken by Sensou. It saddened Dearka slightly, that one of their team mates wasn't alive to claim another upgraded version of his suit.
"Dearka Elsman, Verde Buster launching!"
"Yzak Joule, Blu Duel launching!"
Both Gundams launched out of the ship, spinning as their phase shift armor activated. Immediately drawing his beam sabers, Yzak scissor sliced one Dagger L in half, then kicked the Duel Dagger in the head. Dearka fired the Verde Buster's shoulder cannons, then linked his beam cannons together, firing long distance shots directly into the Agamemnon class ship. He grit his teeth together as the two Buster Daggers flew behind him. The Verde Buster dropped, dodging the Dagger's beams. Dearka eyes darted from one side screen to another, acknowledging the continued pursuit of both Buster variants. He fired a volley of missiles at both, making them go on the evasive. They flew upwards, both pilots widened their eyes as the Verde Buster flew between them, both cannons aimed at their chests.
"Still got it," Dearka grinned, before pulling the triggers.
As the Buster Daggers were thrown apart, the Duel Dagger fired wildly at the Blu Duel. Yzak weaved and jumped between each rail gun blast, missile and beam. The Duel Dagger fired its grenade, only for the Duel to kick it aside. Yzak threw one of the Blu Duel's rocket stilettos, destroying the Dagger's rail gun. The Duel Dagger then released a flurry of missiles, each one Yzak dodged, cutting down an additional Dagger with each movement.
"Damn space monster, die, die, DIE!" the pilot screamed.
Yzak fired his Vulcans, blowing up the Dagger's missile launcher. The Duel Dagger threw aside its rifle and purged its armor, drawing both beam sabers.
"That trick doesn't work on me, I'M THE ONE THAT MADE IT!" Yzak yelled.
He forced himself forward with the Duel's thrusters, grabbing the Dagger by its arms. Swerving and spinning, Yzak flew until he crashed the Dagger into the side of the Agamemnon class ship. Yzak yelled as he punched through the Dagger's cockpit, then fired the arm mounted rail gun. At the same time Dearka unleashed his arsenal, and Shiho fired her beam cannons. The beams and missiles pelted the ship until it began to blow apart.
"Well, things are looking up," Dearka muttered.
Yzak huffed, even as ZAFT and Sensou soldier alike cheered over the radio. The Salamis Kais launched the Sensou ground forces onto the planet. Across the Atlantic, Sensou forces began to strike key Alliance positions. Guntanks ploughed through encampments, the desert armoured and red eyed EZs sniped down transports and supply planes, and the Aqua GMs sunk subs and battleships.
Report after report came in from Djibril's private bunker. Across the alliance territories, uprisings were taking place. Aided by Sensou mercenaries, people tore down regions owned by Djibril's allies. Common people took up arms and marched alongside the cheaply donated Sensou Shidens and mobile workers. Images had gone viral, of a Shiden standing over a fallen Dagger, freedom fighters executing EA officers and people celebrating on the streets as restrictions were lifted. All as this happened, Djibril had to listen to the complaining and excuses of the Alliance president, his puppet.
"I'm not interested in listening to this bickering," Djibril said. "What I want to know is, what are you people doing to deal with this situation? I added fuel to the flame that demanded...no destroy, and crush the coordinators. Are you now trying to put out those flames?" he demanded, slamming his scotch glass into his arm rest.
He stood up, looking at the retreating man and glaring.
"In the end, the weak will always side with the powerful, the victor will become the righteous one," he balled his fist, continuing to look at the president, who mustered some courage.
"We are doing everything we can, many of our places in Eastern Europe have been lost because you had Alhazard's unit broken apart, and we are beginning to stabilize things in Eurasia due to Heiwa Jaeger's help. It is your Phantom Pain unit Djibril that has begun to contribute little," he explained.
Djibril grit his teeth together, tempted to yell at the man again. To rebuff him for daring to call his Phantom pain project useless. But then, looking at one of the screens he saw the answer to his predicament.
"Orb, that's it," he muttered. "That nation is now part of our Alliance, and I understand their battle power is quite impressive. We'll have them go to the black sea, as part of its responsibility to the alliance, it will force ZAFT out. They can no longer refuse, and just the other day they already gave us a surprise when something unexpected came flying out of there. With the Archangel's escape they have much to redeem themselves for."
With that plan decided, Djibril cut communications with the president.
"A master plan requires a master tactician," a voice said behind Djibril.
The purple haired man didn't turn to look at the masked man walking behind him. He wore a padded black and red suit and a black version of Silver Mask's helmet.
"General Xaos," Djibril simply identified the man.
"You are putting everything on your ability to keep Orb under your heel, this is the only use the man child Yuna has," the general said.
"Orb has one of the strongest military powers in the world," Djibril retorted.
"Not with Yuna in charge, you'd best pray that Athha's children do not return," Xaos said.
"Casvall Aznable is in space, I do not fear him anyway."
"Then you are an idiot, if he returns the military will rally to his side, and if the little girl comes back, with her new confidence she will rally both the military and the people to her side. You are right in the fact that Orb may be the key to destroying ZAFT, but only with the right military mind leading them," the general pushed a few buttons on his wrist.
The screens all suddenly disappeared, replaced with a single profile of an African American man in a brown and black uniform. He had military cut black hair with a few grey strands, and a shaved goatee.
"Amadi Dumas, 41 years old, this man has been fighting since childhood, it's no wonder you had put him in charge of that youth training project," Xaos said.
"Which was a failure," Djibril huffed.
"What you don't know is that since it was shut down, we have had him training and leading operations. His corps is one of the greatest military units in the Alliance right now. Join it with Phantom Pain, put him in charge of the fleet and you'll defeat ZAFT," Xaos explained.
"We will leave it to Euthanus and Roanoke, if you must use Dumas, send him to take back the territories we have lost," Djibril said.
"Oh, did I imply somehow that this was your choice Djibril?" Xaos asked, turning the man's chair around.
The glowing red eyes on the mask pierced Djibril's nerves. He found himself shaking, seeing some kind of red aura rising from the masked man.
"Dumas will be leading the attack," Xaos said and Djibril nodded.
When Xaos left the room, Djibril gasped for breath. He looked down at his cat, the creature was still petrified.
Captain Todaka had spent most of his life in the Orb navy. He'd been at Onogoro, seen the carnage that had been wrought first hand. His first time seeing Orb nobility came when he was given a medal of appreciation by Cagalli Yula Athna, for his role in supporting Orb citizens caught in the crossfire of the Alliance invasion. He didn't trust the Alliance, nor like that was Orb now a part of it. But he didn't really have a choice, evident by the second noble he ever met.
Yuna Roma Seiran, heir to the Seiran family, hated by some, seen as the saviors of Orb by others. When many of Orb's parliament died with Uzumi, the Seiran's stepped in, Todaka knew the politics of it. Although to his surprise one of the Seiran's wasn't a politician. In fact he was stood directly behind him as they were addressed by Yuna.
"In compliance with our treaty, Orb will dispatch troops to wipe out the ZAFT forces on the Black Sea," Yuna had a smile on his face as he spoke, despite the shock of the officers behind Todaka.
Yuna's brother however remained impassive at first. Jona Seiran was Yuna's twin, but other than their shared purple hair and blue eyes, they shared little physical similarities. Jona's face was firmer, a result of being more muscular than Yuna, and it showed on his broad shoulders and straighter posture. His hair had a different style too, still quite well kept, but shorter. The only real subtle similarities was in their voices, unlike Yuna's, Jona's was deeper and had more of an intimidating tone. If Yuna was to stand up to anyone, he would be laughed at, Jona however was a captain, and he commanded respect.
"The Takemikazuchi will be our flag ship, I will lead our forces as supreme commander," Yuna stood proudly, looking to the window, ultimately missing the officers rolling their eyes, and Jona's frown.
"Well with one thing after another, our nation is currently without a Chief Representative, that's why we must be clear on the stance our nation will take," Yuna explained.
"Yes sir," Todaka said.
Yuna then turned back, leaning on the table and looking at Todaka in particular.
"I want your best effort, this time for sure," he said.
"Yes sir," Todaka and the other captain, minus Jona raised their hands in a salute.
They were dismissed, and the Seiran brothers remained behind. As soon as the doors were closed, Jona spoke his mind.
"I assume I will be in charge of the defense force," he said.
"Defense force, brother what on Earth do you mean?" Yuna asked.
"Have you completely forgotten Thanos's threat, if we involve ourselves in the war, he will occupy our territory and with you taking the bulk of our forces to the Black Sea, I will not be able to adequately defend our island. You're taking most of the veteran and experienced soldiers with you, all I have left are young boys raised on the 'cult of the Athna' ideology," Jona explained.
"Then it'll be your job brother to whip them into an effective defense force, besides, Thanos has been stretching his forces thing," Yuna smirked.
"The man has been recruiting you damn fool, for every territory he took from the Alliance he gained a hundred more soldiers. I understand appeasing the Alliance and their requests, but why go yourself?" Jona asked.
"If I destroy the Minerva, not only will I appease the alliance, I will have truly proven the worth and value of Orb," Yuna nearly laughed, but restrained himself.
Jona shook his head, embarrassed by his fool hardy brother's giddy antics.
"This isn't one of your games brother, you're going to get yourself killed. And there's a flip side to your idea about Orb's value to the alliance," he explained.
"And what is that?" Yuna asked.
"We'll prove our value, for the alliance to further extort our country," Jona said.
Jona didn't bother saluting his brother, he just walked out. He kept on shaking his head as he made his way out of Orb's HQ. He had a defense to prepare.
The other scientists seemed uneasy. They always were when the head of research was there. Dr. Smith flipped through the pages of their report on the Extended. He listened to them try to pry the ribbon off of Stella, her defiant cries for them to leave her alone. Lucifer and Stark stood outside his office, the latter brooding, and the former passive. But Smith didn't doubt his creation's ambitions, just as he didn't doubt their abilities. The egg timer he put on chimed, and he prepared the lab robe. Water drenched the floor as the chamber he had worked on opened. The one inside coughed, gripping his head and the helmet that was on it.
"Calm down, just breathe, take your time," Smith placed the robe over the sixteen year old that had emerged from the chamber.
His hair was blue, eyes red as his body shook.
"Your legs need to adjust, but you'll take your first steps alone," Smith said.
The boy stood and took a few steps forward. He looked at Smith and lowered his head.
"Your name?"
"Patrick Uyiru," the boy said.
"And what are you?" Smith asked.
"Member of Phantom Pain, pilot of the Mercy, a fake," he said.
Smith nodded his head. His cloning experiments had gone a long way since the failure that was Le Creuscet. Adding the Organization's experiments in memory digitization and the rapid learning computer, was the next logical step. The cloning chamber could take DNA from the donor, in this case the Extended Saint Yuri, then add in years of development and learning. Clones rapidly grew and then were given the education they needed. In the case of Jone, and now Patrick, the combat experience of their original, taken from what was recovered from the Gundam. Smith left Patrick to dress and walked into the room reserved for the other Extended.
"Captain Roanoke, gentlemen," he greeted them.
The chambers for the extended were active, glowing as they slept, the monitors showing readings taken from their brains.
"The Captain got them settled earlier sir, it always impresses me how he deals with them," one of the scientists said.
Smith huffed, 'Roanoke's' talent for ringing in teenagers, was precisely why he was selected for the project. That and his heightened awareness was too unique a resource to throw away, especially when it came to the mediocrity of other Alliance commanders. He wasn't quite a Newtype, yet that is.
"Are we happier with memories, or are we happier without them? I think about that from time to time," Neo said. "To become that hysterical, she must have experienced something pretty significant."
"You're right, she came back with a strong impression of something, but I'm sure it'll disappear," the other scientist said.
"I think they're lucky not to have a memory, they're fighting machines, whose only job is to defeat the designated enemy. Any unnecessary feelings would get in their way, reduce their efficiency level," the other explained.
"Yeah I know," Neo said. "Anything they learn or feel won't be good, for those kids that is. Sympathy for them will only make things harder."
He turned to the doorway, opening it and looking back at the scientist. Smith supposed neither of them were bad men, it didn't matter what they thought, the project would still happen. They were just making the best out of the circumstances, creating justifications as was common in humans.
"This is because I let them go into town," the scientist said.
"They can pick up a lot from that, just make sure you effectively edit their memories, make them forget Jone, make them forget this incident ever occurred," Smith explained.
"That girl fears dying more than anything else, she fears the monster especially, to live, she'll have to keep fighting, until she has destroyed the monster," Neo explained.
The captain and scientist left, confident that when the scientists were done, Stella would cast the ribbon aside as if it was nothing. Neo looked over Patrick as they passed, the boy was neatly buttoning up an Alliance blue uniform. He shared Jone's interest in looking professional, but it seemed little else.
"Why make him so different?" he asked Smith.
"Because it doesn't matter if you create an exact genetic replica, that person will always be their own person," Smith said.
Neo nodded his head, he didn't like Smith, the man seemed cold. But enjoyed his work, perhaps too much. He had to walk him to the hanger anyway, they would be meeting their new commander. As Smith began walking up his boat, Dumas came onto the Phantom Pain's ship. The officer nodded to Smith as he passed, behind him were a pair of blue jacket pilots. An orange haired and eyed man named Emilio Bloderick, and a black haired and eyed man called Dana Snip. They were the respective pilots of the Rosso Aegis and Nero Blitz.
"Welcome aboard Dumas, we'll be rendezvousing with the Orb fleet soon," Neo said, saluting the man.
"Once we do, see that our forces are split, Lyna Crosswind and Stark will join the 81st," Dumas said, saluting before quickly leading Neo on a walk to the bridge.
"Stark won't like that," Neo said.
"I don't care what the pet extended likes captain, he'll follow my orders, we'll finish loading the new machines and then carry on to pursue the ZAFT forces," Dumas explained.
"Yes sir," Neo nodded.
He was going to like working with Dumas.
Everyone liked Heine.
"Bet you he'll die in the next battle," Branden said.
The Sensou crew members looked at Branden in shock.
"What?" he shrugged his shoulders," Usually the friendly and personal commanding officer is the one that gets killed first."
So far Heine had proven to be popular, despite his Faith status, he was lax and comfortable to be around. Sheryl knew this from the few conversations she'd had with him in town, Noah knew it from the times he'd met Westenfluss during the last war. The return to the Minerva and leaving the port had been an awkward experience. They were on a schedule, so a debriefing about the incident with the Extended had to be held in the hanger as the crew entered. Vino, Luna, Youlan and Meyrin gave their testimonies, and they were ignorant as expected. Rey was late at the moment, so was Nia of all people. The ship grew even quieter as Vincent walked onto it, without a mask, gloved hands in the pockets of his green coat. He looked increasingly uneasy, eyes darting to each of the people watching him.
"Are you okay?" Sheryl asked him.
"Everyone is looking at me," he said.
"Not for what you think," Sheryl took a mirror out of her pocket.
"Didn't think you were the type to put make up on," Branden commented.
She opened the mirror and showed Vincent his face.
"I know what you've all told me, but all I can see are fragments of bone, my muscle fibers, burns right down to..." Vincent stopped himself, rubbing his hair and taking a few deep breaths.
"You're still in a lot of pain, that much is genuine, but the doctors, our doctors assured us that the pain would pass. That you would be able to pilot as well as you did before," Sheryl explained.
Her eyes drifted to the machine being loaded into the Purpose Mark 2's place. Shinn and Luna looked up at the machine in awe.
"Sensou RX-81ST G-line, limited production mobile suit based on the GM before its upgrade, except this particular G-line has the Full Burnen armor and propulsion system," Joe explained.
Luna walked around the machine, looking at the booster rockets on its backpack. Shinn however couldn't help but look at Vincent, who was also looking up at the machine.
'Lying bastard,' Shinn thought, as he walked away.
"Hey Shinn," Luna called after him.
"About time we've gotten rid of that Mark 2," Branden said.
"What makes you think we have gotten rid of it?" Sheryl asked.
Branden looked at Sheryl in shock, then at Kojiro for answers.
"You know what's going on?" he asked him.
"Of course," the stoic pilot said.
"For now Vincent, I'd feel better, in fact I think everyone would feel better if you sat in the bridge, and only go on sortie in an emergency," Sheryl explained.
"You think I'm crazy don't you?" Vincent asked.
"I think you're damaged son, and without the new system in your suit, you'd be a liability out there," Sheryl was delicate and calm, knowing her commander didn't need a firm hand.
But it was a difficult scenario, she'd look like she was taking command, undermining him.
"He'll need all the help he can get then," a voice said from the walkway.
Branden narrowed his eyes, any advance he could make stopped by Kojiro's hand on his shoulder. Rey was standing before them, holding a small case under his armpit. He stood to attention and saluted.
"I am sorry for any misunderstanding we had the other night, I was acting on the chairman's orders, who was acting as Vincent's doctor. He only wishes for Vincent to return to active duty as soon as possible, which is why he has created aids such as..."
"Listen here pal, we don't need any more of your help," Branden snarled, stepping towards Rey.
"Stand down Branden," Vincent said, his voice firm, pushing against Branden with his arm.
He winced, but his eyes remained stern, the way a commander should be. The young man took the case Rey offered and saluted.
"We'll take any help we can," he said.
Vincent opened the case, revealing a black domino mask, with red lenses on it.
"The chairman experimented in the brain's reaction to certain lights, the mask will directly expose your eyes to the necessary spectrums in order to control your pain, and allow you to pilot," Rey explained.
Vincent nodded his head and saluted Rey.
"Thank you, I'll be sure to thank the chairman when we next meet," he said.
Rey returned the salute and walked towards one of the elevators. Vincent's Sensou team mates breathed out sighs of relief as he closed the case.
"You win Sheryl, I'll stay out of the cockpit, but if our backs are against the wall, I will get into the machine," he said.
It was then that Nia arrived, the blonde haired girl looked flustered, but offered no apology for being late. She saluted and walked past Sheryl, causing the woman to roll her eyes. Vincent watched Nia walk with Sheryl, he couldn't quite place it yet, but there was something very different in her step. He began walking past the pair, as they looked up at the other machine being loaded on.
"A Gouf, for me?" Nia asked.
"The chairman was impressed with your performance," Sheryl said.
Unlike Heine's orange Gouf, Nia's had a black chest area and grey limbs and a head. The Minerva stayed on base for a while, taking its time to rearm itself. Noah, Ruther and Sochiro had their machines moved to a sub, whilst Sensou battle ships had ground GMs put onto it. In the day that passed between their next deployment, Heine familiarized himself with the ship and crew.
"Once we're on the battlefield, it doesn't matter if you're Faith, Sensou, a red coat or a green coat, we're not like those guys from the Earth forces who can't fight, unless they're in a group under orders," he explained.
"Right," Athrun said.
"So we should all think of ourselves as equals!"
Branden stood further away from the chatting group, gritting his teeth together in frustration. He understood what Heine was trying to do, ease the tension. There were some officers who built a wall around themselves, put themselves apart from the grunts. Heine wasn't like that.
"Does it make you angry?" Meyrin asked, shocking Branden with her sudden appearance.
"Being told that the Earth forces, of which I was once a part of can't fight unless they're in groups? No not at all," the sarcasm in his voice made her laugh, a sound that made him smile, briefly. "He's wrong though, quite a few of us have fought on our own before, myself, Vincent took on multiple Astrays before he fled for relief work," Branden stopped for a moment, an apologetic look in his eyes.
He didn't mean for it to sound like it did, that Vincent was some sort of coward. Meyrin was looking at him, expecting further elaboration, he felt his cheeks flush.
"There was this one guy in the Thunderbolt sector, man he was a badass, could almost forgive his love of jazz," he said, grinning with his eyes closed.
"Branden Kamal right," he looked ahead and narrowed his eyes slightly.
Heine was standing with his hand extended for a shake.
"Sorry for interrupting, we never properly met at the hotel," the young man said.
Luna and Shinn both tried to hide the fact they were laughing, the memory of the incident still fresh in their minds. Nia though remained impassive.
'She probably has a better sense of humor than them,' Branden huffed.
"I am Branden Kamal, there we're introduced," he said.
Heine still stood there with his hand extended. Most of the room stood and waited, for Branden to do something besides look at the coordinator's hand in anger. Shaking his head, Branden walked past Meyrin and out of the room.
"I'm sorry for his behavior," Athrun said.
"Don't be, I'm sure he's professional enough to continue working with us," Heine said.
"What do you mean?" Meyrin asked.
"Didn't any of you know, Branden Kamal used to be part of a Blue Cosmos task force?"
"He did say that but what does that have to do with anything?"
"He shares their ideology concerning coordinators," Nia said.
"Nia, where did you hear that?" Athrun asked.
"Oh, I overheard a few Sensou soldiers talking about him," she said.
Meyrin looked at the door Branden walked through, a hurt expression across her face. He stood on the other side of the door, arm pressed against the wall, looking at the floor and letting out his frustrations.
"Damned coordinator," he said.
Moments passed, and the senior and Faith level officers stood at the Minerva's briefing map. Vincent felt the eyes of the other crew members on him, heard the whispers as Captain Gladys explained the situation with Suez. The Earth alliance forces still held that chunk of land, and the forces intelligence confirmed was moving through the black sea, could either reinforce Suez, try to take back Diocuia or move straight to Gibraltar.
"The biggest concern is that they have the carrier we faced over the Indian Ocean," Talia said.
"You mean the unit with our stolen machines?" Arthur asked.
"They're down one pilot though," Vincent added.
"We will head for our first line of defence at the Dardanelles strait."
Athrun and Heine showed no objections. Arthur of course agreed with his captain as always.
"Commander Rach?"
He raised his head, no realizing that Gladys had been trying to get his attention.
"Yes Captain?"
"Do you agree with this plan?" she asked.
"Yes, they'll most likely try to attack us as we come out of the strait, they'd position forces where ever we would go to avoid their fire," Vincent explained.
Talia nodded her head, though still not confident in Vincent's opinion. He had pointed an obvious strategy.
"Athrun, there's one other thing," she said, before Athrun and Heine could leave.
"We've confirmed that the Earth reinforcements, are from Orb," she said.
She saw and understood the hesitation on Athrun's face.
"It is unfortunate, but they're with the enemy now, will you be okay Athrun?" she asked.
"Yes ma'am," he said.
"If you excuse me captain, I need to check over my machine," Vincent said, walking with Athrun and Heine to the elevator.
When the elevator door closed, Sheryl shrugged her shoulders and sighed.
"I can't figure out whether it's a macho guy thing, or a stubborn boy thing," she said.
Talia nodded her head in agreement, her second officer looking between the two mothers, confused.
The Minerva set off at 0600, as scheduled, word spread around the ship very quickly that they would be facing the Orb forces in the next battle. When on his break, Vincent decided to get some air. He walked onto one of the decks looking at the sea, but found Silver Mask there. The masked man stood there, arms leant against the railings.
"Sorry, the moping place is taken," he said.
"I'm not here to mope," Vincent retorted.
"Mope, self-reflect, it's all relative, about what you saw earlier it..."
"I've already figured it out," Vincent said.
"Really?" Silver's glowing red eyes blinked for a moment.
"Maybe not the whole story, but I do have a general idea of what's happened. Don't worry, I won't say anything!"
"Good, good," Silver Mask muttered, rubbing the back of his head.
They both turned to the doorway as it opened, revealing Athrun.
"I'm sorry but I can't self-reflect when people are crowding, go and find another spot to do it," the masked man said.
"I'm not here to 'self-reflect'," Athrun said.
"No, you're just here to mope," Vincent chuckled.
"I can tell Athrun, you get this look on your face, your eyes slightly narrow, you look at the ground a lot."
Vincent laughed, for that was exactly what Athrun was doing.
"You don't know me," the blue haired pilot said.
"You'd be surprised how well I know you," the mercenary retorted.
"Yo!"
Silver Mask pulled his head back and groaned, Heine had walked onto the deck as well.
"Seriously? Is this what we're reduced to, group moping?"
"What would we be moping about?" Heine asked.
"He's moping about having to attack Orb, he's moping about his condition," the mercenary pointed at Athrun and Vincent respectively.
"It is a shame, I heard Orb is a beautiful country," Heine said.
"It is," Athrun nodded his head.
"This place is beautiful too," Heine motioned to the islands and the sea, breathing in the fresh Earth air. "You'd rather not fight them?" he asked Athrun, who shook his head. "Well who would you rather fight?"
"It isn't that simple, it's not like there's someone I'd rather fight," Athrun said.
"Not even an army of Muruta Azrael clones, which would make things easier wouldn't it?" Silver Mask asked.
"Wouldn't be much of a fight though," Vincent muttered.
"Agreed, though truthfully, I'd rather not fight anyone either, but this is a war and we are soldiers," Heine's look became firm, his voice losing its friendly and joking term. "Stop worrying, if you don't, you'll die!"
"Be aware yourself Heine," Silver Mask said.
Heine nodded his head and looked out at the sea. Silver Mask impatiently tapped his foot against the ground, waiting for all three to leave. Then Branden arrived.
"Oh for god's sake!"
The Earth fleet was ready, Yuna was sitting with his arms crossed on his chair, upset that his battle plan was shot down. On the flag ship, Dumas stood with his arms crossed, but his expression and poise completely different from Yuna's. He stood confident in his commands, stood as a commander and not someone whom was hesitant. The Extended had all mounted their machines, Sven and his Strike Noir were with the 81st, and Bhishma Alhazard's team was also positioned in the vanguard.
"The bulk of our army is Orb, but why mix our forces?" Cain Euthanus asked.
"It is simple really, we don't want it to look as if we're using Orb as cannon fodder. Seiran may be too stupid to see it, but other Orb officers know that Djibril's intention was to throw Orb into all of the fighting," Dumas explained.
"You wish to ease the burden on Orb," Neo said.
"No, I wish to achieve, unity," Dumas looked at the path ahead with conviction in his eyes. "An alliance that is not united, is destined to fail, I suspect the same applies to this unholy alliance we now face."
In the ZAFT sub unit, Noah cursed, he grabbed the radio and contacted the Minerva.
"Shit, they've put depth charges along our path, we'll launch a couple of Ashs to clear them out," he said.
"We can't wait, we'll establish the defensive line," Talia said.
Vincent stood beside her chair, looking at the mountain lines, before they went to condition red. The bridge slid down into battle position, and everything went dark.
"No attack, could it be," he muttered.
The ship suddenly shook, but not from an attack in front of it. On the mountains overlooking the strait, were formations of Doppelhorn Dagger Ls, the barrels of their cannons upgraded for a greater range. They fired, releasing a barrage that hit the Minerva from both sides.
"They aren't relying purely on their ships," Arthur said.
"We need to perform random maneuvers, keep the enemy guessing," Talia commanded.
The Minerva began to swerve across the ocean, the rounds from the Doppelhorn cannons crashing behind it. But some were still occasional hits.
"Looks like those damn Doppelhorn things aren't just for show anymore," Branden huffed, taking his helmet off and putting the zip of his flight suit down.
On the mountain top, Lyna stood in her new machine, the Weissritter, a Gundam based upon upgraded specs of the duel. Similar in nature to Bhishma's Gepanzert, but oriented for light weight flight and sniping combat. Lyna removed her own helmet as her targeting camera came down from the cockpit ceiling. She tied her hair up, making sure nothing would be in the way of her eyes. As soon as her hands made contact with the camera, struts shot down from the Gundam's back, sticking into the ground. Her rifle's barrel stretched and struts slid out of it, sticking into the ground and supporting its size. The Gundam's helmet slid over its eyes, and a holographic camera appeared. Lyna took deep breaths and looked through her scope. Her heart beat slowed as she targeted the port side of the ship.
"You're in my crosshairs," she whispered.
The 'Sniping Duel' fired its rifle, sending a blast careening into the side of the ship.
"One of the CIWS has been destroyed," Talia listened to the damage report and narrowed her eyes.
"Just one, what could they hope to achieve from that?" she wondered.
"Launch the Saviour, Aero and Murasama, have Shinn launch afterwards with his Blast pack," Vincent said.
"I would have him launch with the force pack and have him provide aerial support," Talia countered.
"No, have him act as a secondary gunner unit, there's a reason they took out our portside defense, just need to...work...how...out...what it could be?" Vincent struggled to get his words out, brushing his literal side burns.
"USS Kirishima here, preparing to launch our Jet GMs, shall we move to provide support?" the captain of the Sensou ship asked.
"Yes please," Talia said.
"No, take the other ships and move to attack the Alliance main fleet, we'll draw the Orb and EA aerial forces to us. My forces showed that they can take on those four before, now they're just a trio, we focus on drawing their fire, the rest of Sensou deals with the head of the snake," Vincent explained.
The Sensou crews let out a collective hoorah over their commander's faith in them. An uneasy expression crossed Talia's face as she looked at Vincent. It was an expression Shinn had as he launched, but for different reasons. As the Impulse completed its transformation sequence, Shinn thought of what Athrun said to him earlier.
"You loved Orb didn't you?" he asked. "That's why you're angry about all this, about today's Orb, about the Orb that couldn't save your family at Onogoro."
"He's wrong," Shinn said to himself.
He looked at the Orb Astrays and Murasames approaching, thinking about that day.
"He's completely wrong," he told himself.
Missiles came down from the sky, Shinn quickly fired his cannons, intercepting many of them.
"The port side, they are going to target the port side," Vincent said.
"Turn to our starboard side, don't expose our weak side to the enemy," Talia commanded.
"No, keep us exposed, Shinn can handle the defense as the others take on the approaching mobile suits!"
"Commander Rach, I am in command here," Talia retorted.
The uneasy exchange didn't assure the crew members, many of whom looked at one another in concern. Outside, the Saviour, Aero and Murasama engaged Orb and EA forces. Athrun carefully targeted the weapons of his enemies, whilst Branden and Silver Mask crushed them with sword and rail rifle respectively. The Saviour twisted in midair, firing its hip cannons and destroying a group of missiles. He turned and fired his rifle, destroying the rifle of an Astray. Branden cut down Astrays and Windams together, gritting his teeth as additional waves of enemies came at him.
"They can't decide what to do," Dumas said.
Neo looked up at the man.
"Not all humans are equal, the simple truth in this world is that there are leaders, because people need leaders. If there isn't a clear leader, all you will have is chaos," the man elaborated.
Four Murasame's flew together, transforming to mobile suit mode and hitting Branden's shields with beams they fired together. The force of the attack knocked him back. Silver Mask fired a beam from his rifle, hitting a Windam, then he dragged it through two Murasame's in midair. He noted Athrun's hesitant movements and shook his head. Athrun himself watched the Orb forces fighting alongside the Alliance mobile suits, they seemed to be in synch with one another.
"The greatest advantage the Murasame's have is their ability to seemingly move as a single mass, to work together, they create the opening that our stronger suits use," Dumas explained.
Branden blocked a Windam's sabre, firing his Vulcans as if flipped back. A pair of missiles hit the Murasama, knocking it off balance. The Saviour transformed out of its jet mode, Athrun widening his eyes at the approaching forces. It was being led by the Aegis. Emilio moved his Rosso Aegis ahead of his squad, igniting his beam sabre, clashing with the Saviour's own sabre. The formation of Windams and Murasames moved ahead of the two red suits, straight towards the Impulse.
"You won't get past me," Shinn said.
He jumped off of the Minerva, firing his missiles, then his cannons, destroying the whole squad. Bhishma sat in his mobile suit, his defences already active. As Dumas told him, the barrage of attacks would force the ZAFT ship to turn. Then fire its positron cannon, Bhishma would block it with his shield and the Alliance would be seen as heroes for protecting the 'new kids' in the alliance.
"Captain Gladys, don't fire the Tannhauser," Vincent warned her.
"Orb is now part of the Alliance, we have to punch through their forces," Talia said.
The Minerva pulled off the turn, opening the hatch for the Tannhauser. It charged and Vincent grit his teeth together. Sensou previously forbid the use of positron cannons on Earth, now as part of ZAFT they were breaking their word. Suddenly, a beam struck the side of the cannon. It flew straight through its armour, causing it to spark before...
BOOM!
Each of the Minerva pilots widened their eyes in shock. Silver Mask's red eyes narrowed, as he let out a chuckle.
"About time, Freedom," he said.
The blue winged Gundam descended from the sky.
"Freedom, Kira," Athrun looked at the machine in shock.
Unlike his friend though, Kira was resolute in his determination to do one thing. Stop all of the fighting.
Next Chapter 36: The shadows of war
It's good to be back :)
Next, all out warfare