Disclaimer: I Don't own Gundam Seed

Editing credit goes to 00virtuezero for this chapter. Sorry for the wait everyone, this fic is still going (strong I hope :)

Gundam Seed Destiny or Liberty

Chapter 37: Differing views

It was considered a victory. Despite the loss of so many men, the Alliance considered the battle a victory. As Simon climbed out of the Liberty, he was met by cheers from many of the EA soldiers. They praised him for his actions, protecting the ship from Sensou, killing a ZAFT ace and fighting evenly with the Impulse. Simon removed his helmet, taking in the cheers and praise. But he found no real comfort in it, his hand was still shaking. It shook as he put his uniform on, and shook as he reported to Captain Roanoke's office. Dumas was sat in Neo's chair, the masked man behind him. The general looked over a data pad, placing it on the desk and showing that it was Simon's own profile.

"Impressive performance today Hunter," Dumas said.

"Thank you sir," Simon raised his hand in a salute.

"I called Alhazard in earlier, he said you're a good soldier, high praise from a man of his reputation, and Euthanus expects great things of you!"

"I won't let either of them down sir, I'll live up to your praise too," Simon said.

"My praise matters not, you need not my respect as I do not need yours," Dumas stood up, his tone straight forward and not impolite, approach commanding and not aggressive. "I know what you are and why you hesitated today, 'brother of Gekido Jaeger'. Whilst I cannot condone the creation or existence of an artificially made being, I am not so foolish enough to waste a resource," the man explained.

"Am I to be considered equipment now?" Simon asked.

"Watch your tone soldier, I expect discipline and obedience from all those under my command. And no, you're not going to be considered equipment, at least not anymore than any other soldier would be," Dumas said.

He walked past Simon, to a map displayed on the wall.

"Carpentaria, Gibraltar, the numerous small outposts owned by the Sensou corporation, or perhaps we will move through the Marmara sea and take Port Turkios, then move on to retake Diociua. There are many options we must consider, the Archangel is a threat, Dagger Thanos a threat. Especially if he will do what I believe he will do," Dumas explained, putting a hand to his chin as he spoke.

"What do you believe he will do?" Neo asked, genuinely interested.

"Naturally, he will attack everyone," Dumas said.

Simon looked to Dumas in shock, whilst Neo seemed amused by his decision.

"He doesn't have the man power," Simon said.

"That isn't where his strength lies, in terms of mobile suit performance, he's the greatest pilot there has ever been. On top of that is his tactical experience, particularly in guerrilla warfare, his greatest tactic being striking where an enemy is weak, pushing the enemy forces into being consumed by chaos and in the aftermath of that, taking the resources, winning the hearts of soldiers with his charisma and forcing the leaders to surrender completely.

"Durandal is similar, but the opposite side of Thanos. Thanos whom is the ideal image of a soldier, Durandal is the ideal image of a politician. Someone who makes good on promises, who wins the people to his side. Thanos's might comes from his skill, Durandal's from his control of information. When you control the information, you can always paint yourself to be the saviour of humanity.

"I believe that Thanos will attack Suez, which is why I'm going to have additional forces from Lunar base orbital drop to reinforce them. At the same time he will make good on his promise concerning Orb and send forces to take it. Even though we took the main fleet, they have a sizable force to defend it. It would be troublesome if Orb was taken, which is why I will have Lucifer lead some forces to Orb, whilst Stark will protect Suez."

"You would trust two Extended to lead important defensive battles?" Simon asked.

"Not trust, I would order them to do it. Since Thanos was seen at Diocia, I suspect he would attack there. Yet, considering what I know of the man's reputation, once he has heard of the Archangel, I do not think he would be able to resist testing himself against the Freedom," Dumas paused, seeming to think for a moment.

"So when you say everyone, you mean everyone. I find it hard to believe considering his limited resources, that he would actually try to wage war on everyone," Neo commented.

"Never underestimate Thanos, there is a reason we called him a madman," Dumas smirked, linking his fingers together.

"Am I to be transferred or deployed somewhere else sir?" Simon asked.

"No, you are dismissed," Dumas said.

Simon saluted the man and turned away.

"One more thing Hunter!"

He stopped, looking over his shoulder at Dumas.

"I know what you are, from the same production plant as Gekido Jaeger, a cyborg clone, an artificial life form," there was disdain and even hatred in Dumas's voice. "I thoroughly disapprove of what was done to create you. Prove yourself useful to the Earth, that is all!"

Simon was about to open the door, when he finally gathered his courage and turned towards Dumas. Neo and Dumas both looked towards him, for a moment, Dumas's hand lingered over the gun he kept strapped underneath his desk.

"My name is Jaeger, Simon Jaeger, it's a name that I'm proud to bear. I am not Gekido Jaeger's clone, I am his brother. Even though we weren't born the way you believe all life should be born, we have a place in the world, and a voice. And we will make it known!"

Again Simon saluted the man, and turned on his heel and left. Dumas shook his head, a small smile crossing his face.

"Very well Ensign Jaeger, prove your place in the world, through battle!"

When the Minerva landed at a port, coroners collected the bodies left by the battle. Vincent watched as the ZAFT crew members performed a salute for their fallen comrades, including Heine. Only his possessions were collected.

"Did he have family?" he asked Talia.

"His mother and father, but no one else," Talia said.

"What the hell happened Gladys, you weren't approving of any of my strategies," Vincent said.

"We need to come to an agreement Commander, whilst you lead Sensou forces, this is my ship," Talia said.

"Fine, then I'll lead the mobile suit forces."

"That role will go to Athrun!"

"Right now, Zala's judgement is completely clouded, you saw his performance in the battle, as soon as Orb got involved he held back, the Archangel completely paralyzed him," Vincent explained.

"He was seeing his old comrades again, I realize the possibility of having to engage them..."

"Don't you dare say 'old comrades' so casually," Vincent snarled.

"You're emotional, there, I said it commander, right now your judgement might be as clouded as Athrun's is," Talia said.

Vincent narrowed his eyes and turned away from the captain. He looked down the deck and saw Athrun trying to console Shinn. The young pilot brought up a point.

'Yamato, you were trying to help, but you only made things worse,' Vincent shook his head, his hands shaking and vision blurring. 'Damn it, the burns hurt again.'

On the upper deck, Silver Mask sat with his legs crossed.

"Well, isn't this just a mess," the masked man said, before he chuckled.

Inside the ship, Branden was collecting his drink ration, avoiding Kojiro.

"Guess you'll be going to the Archangel then, since your representative is on there," he huffed.

"As of now, Cagalli Yula Athha does not have the authority to command our military, more importantly I do not recognize her or Yuna's authority," Kojiro explained.

"Mr. by the book is being insubordinate," Branden chuckled.

"Serving with Sensou I have learnt that right and wrong are never clear cut. It is right to avoid war, but it is wrong to allow another force to bully or threaten you into submission, it's why many sovereign nations do not negotiate with terrorists. The Seirans have done such a thing, and they did such a thing after the Archangel departed Orb in the first war. They sided with the Earth Alliance because they were afraid, just as Cagalli no doubt attempted to marry Yuna out of fear as well. Neither are acting with clear consciences or in a logical manner. So right now, it is logical for me to side with Sensou, and my friends," Kojiro explained, leaving the other youth shocked.

"Friends huh, didn't think we would use that term for us," Branden said.

"We spend much of our social time together, and we do engage in banter, so, we are friends!"

Branden laughed, leaving Kojiro confused. From a distance, Meyrin watched the Sensou pilot leave. Beside her, Luna looked between them and shook her head.

"Just talk to him," she said.

"Oh I couldn't..." Meyrin's voice drifted slightly as Branden looked towards her.

He raised his eyebrows as she smiled at him. Though his reaction made Meyrin blush and walk away, Branden rubbing the back of his head too and Kojiro still looked at him in confusion. Noah stood on the deck, looking out at the sea.

"Glad they collected Westenfluss's stuff, Faith members really get a lot of benefits don't they?" Noah looked over his shoulder at Sheryl.

"The Halions? Did they have anyone?" she asked.

"Who knows? Women, men, probably their fair share, I can't imagine that a lot of people will turn up for an empty casket funeral," he said.

"They were your team mates, your comrades," Sheryl said.

"Yeah but you heard Gladys, it's such an easy word to throw around," Noah huffed as he turned around, leaning against the railing lazily.

"Vincent doesn't really say a lot of positive things about them, the Archangel crew I mean. I spoke a few times with Sai and Kuzzey, there are good people on that ship," Sheryl explained.

"Good, nice maybe, nice people, but good...after shooting the main gun and killing and crippling so many others," Noah smirked and Sheryl glared.

"I'm not condoning what they did damn it, I had to drag a sixteen year old kid out from the rubble. One of the men I regularly had breakfast with had his legs crushed, then there were the screams," Sheryl explained, her hands already forming fists.

"You're pissed off, so am I believe it or not, but I'm not going to beat my head against a brick wall trying to figure out the logic behind their decision, if they really felt there was any logic. I'm a soldier, a warrior pure and simple Mercis, I can't pretend to understand the politics, or pacifism. As nice as those things sound, I just can't accept them as tangible beliefs. All I saw back there was an impulsive decision, and trust me, I'm an expert on impulsive decisions, and so are you too right Asuka?" Noah grinned, looking over towards Shinn.

"Very funny commander," Shinn huffed. "But if they hadn't gotten involved, then maybe..."

"We don't know who would have survived," Silver Mask said, drawing everyone's attention towards him.

"Honestly I don't think Heine, or Ruther and Sochiro would have survived. Now of course to us what Freedom and the Archangel did was stupid, but to them, they believe they're in the right. They were right in the first war after all, so why wouldn't they believe they could achieve something like this. 'Stop fighting', because that worked out so well at Jachin Due didn't it?" the masked man laughed as he walked away.

Vincent tightened his hand into a fist. An action that grew worse as he watched Athrun, looking out at the distance. The Commander of Sensou shook his head and walked back towards the ship.

"Meeting, now," he said to his Sensou team.

It didn't take long for Sheryl, Branden and Kojiro to find a quiet spot. Since the attack, the Sensou crew had kept apart from the ZAFT crew. Vincent rubbed his forehead as he waited for some of the ZAFT mechanics to pass them by.

"What's this about Commander?" Branden asked.

"Gladys, she's trying to reduce my authority here," Vincent said.

"No offence Vincent, but you're not exactly in the best condition, she's also the captain of the ship, so her taking command is likely and justified from a certain standpoint, I certainly wouldn't let you lead," Sheryl explained and Kojiro nodded his head in agreement.

"So you agree with her?" Vincent asked, lowering his head slightly.

"Talia Gladys is a competent military commander, that being said, when weighed against any loyalty Sensou may earn from her, it will be second to any request from Chairman Durandal," Kojiro explained.

"On account of them banging?"

"Don't be crude Branden, Talia isn't so shallow as to be loyal because of love," Sheryl said. "She's by the book military, it doesn't matter whether an order Durandal states seems wrong, she'll obey because it is the chain of command. This isn't a copy and paste of the Archangel, no matter how much Durandal seems to want it to be," Sheryl explained.

"So do you think I shouldn't be here?" Vincent asked.

"I'll fight beside you no matter what Commander," Branden said.

"So long as you wait an appropriate time for your wounds to recover," Kojiro added.

"You're all still so young, personally, I don't want any of you to fight," Sheryl said and the three pilots looked at her in surprise. "I know it's too personal, but every time I see one of you climb into a machine, I see my son. And every time I wonder whether it will be the last time I see you again. Lately it's come to apply to the others, Lunamaria, Nia, Rey, even Shinn, the troublesome shit that he can be sometimes."

Branden and Vincent laughed, the latter stopping before Branden did.

"I already buried one child, now I've buried more, yes they would have died because of the battle anyway. But I believe, as Shinn did, that many others died because of the hypocrisy of that ship. And that, pisses me off!" Sheryl's hands shook as she spoke.

"Athrun, he's going to find them, the Archangel crew, Kira Yamato, and the real Lacus Clyne," Vincent said. "He'll get Gladys's permission, she'll probably send a tail after him, Lunamaria maybe or Nia."

"And you want to go after him, to talk to Kira Yamato, pilot of the Freedom," Kojiro assumed and Vincent nodded his head.

"You aren't going to punch him are you?" Sheryl asked. "Because I don't want to miss that!"

"No Sheryl, I'm not going to punch him, I'm hopefully going to make him see sense. There was a quote, a way of living that Kira, for all his talk of peace violated when he fired on us...'peace cannot be achieved by force, it can only be achieved by understanding,'" Vincent explained.

"Albert Einstein," Sheryl put a name to the quote and Vincent smiled.

"There was a point in his life when Gekido realised the great wisdom in those words. It took me until just now to realise what he meant. I need to show them, the great folly that was in what they did today," Vincent's fist shook.

"Well shit, you're the commander, you don't need permission to do that," Branden said.

"He's asking us to cover for him, idiot," Kojiro said and Branden glared at him. "I would personally like to go with you, if you're going to convince them to do what I think you will, then I would very much like to join you. But, if there is a role you believe I should play here, then I will not fight it."

"So far, we've been going off of the script that Durandal has provided for us, and something tells me that the Archangel is too. Well I want to stop that, because if we do go off of that script, then there will only be disaster in the end. It's time to change everything," Vincent raised his fist to his chest in determination.

The other members of the Sensou team nodded in agreement. Unbeknownst them, 'Nia' had been watching, her hands shaking as she processed what they had said.

'So they suspect that Durandal is playing a game too,' she realized, walking back to her quarters.

She got into the bathroom, removing a seemingly benign makeup mirror and foundation pen. Rotating the pen, she removed a pin from the makeup mirror, and then inserted the pen. She turned it, creating a wavelength. Removing the reflective glass, she revealed a miniature key pad, which she typed a message out with the tip of the foundation pen.

"Casualties on the Minerva confirmed, presence of Freedom and Archangel confirmed."

'Nia' snapped the mirror shut and let out a deep breath.

'I can see why you like him though sis,' the image of Vincent's authoritative face flashed before her eyes. 'I hope he doesn't become our enemy!'

Miles away from the Minerva, Nia rose from the ground, rubbing shaking her head. Her vision was still slightly blurry, and she had a headache. The last thing she remembered was meeting her sister. Widening her eyes, she got off the cot she had been placed on and looked to the man sitting on the bench in front of her. Her eyes narrowed in fury, Dagger Thanos sat there, in military fatigues and a shirt. Behind him were a few of his men, Lucas and Cairo amongst them.

"Hello Nia, sorry about the conditions, we can't really afford our own prison," Thanos said.

"You," Nia seethed.

Then she widened her eyes, remembering her sister.

"No way," she muttered, the realization hitting her harder than a punch to the gut. "That bitch!"

"Don't blame your sister too much, it was my plan after all. Nothing personal but your resemblance to one another is too good a resource to pass up," Thanos explained.

"OH THAT MAKES ME FEEL SO MUCH BETTER!" Nia yelled.

Cairo gripped his ears whilst Lucas huffed.

"My, my, it didn't take her long to start yelling," a voice spoke.

Nia focused more on her surroundings, they were in an old military tent. The entrance flap was lifted up, revealing the man who spoke in the voice Nia recognized. But his face was one she recognized too, the green eyes, the blue hair. He stood smirking, wearing a black version of the ZAFT uniform.

"Athrun, you're in on this too!" she said.

"I am not Athrun Zala," the young man growled.

She had never heard genuine fury in Athrun's voice, in fact the concept seemed impossible to her. That was enough to make her relook 'Athrun', this boy was a dead ringer for the Saviour's pilot. But his hair was rougher, much like his features. He had the facial scars of a fighter, a result perhaps of living amongst rougher soldiers whom used physical violence for discipline and recreation. A look from Thanos seemed to calm the young man.

"You'll have to forgive Alistair, he's understandably touchy when it comes to his sense of self. As I said before Nia, this abduction and replacement was nothing personal. I figured we could speak better in my camp, and truthfully, as the Minerva is now I could see us inevitably becoming enemies. This was the best way to save you, for your sister's sake," Dagger explained.

"Save me? You mean...because of what Durandal has planned?" she asked, her voice as low as a whisper.

Dagger leant his head forward, smirking.

"Oh Vincent, you really should be careful who you let into the circle, unless his trust in you isn't wasted. So tell me, what you know Nia?" he asked.

"I won't betray ZAFT," Nia grit her teeth together.

She crossed her legs and sat on the cot, glaring at Thanos. He closed his eyes and shook his head in amusement.

"What can you betray? I doubt Durandal would give details to a pawn, I already know all that I need to...let me elaborate, and you might just change your mind about Durandal, savior of ZAFT and humanity," Thanos grinned as he stood up, motioning for Nia to follow him.

"Please, he insists," Alistair pulled open his coat, revealing the pistol he had ready.

"What? You think you can find that ship?"

Talia looked at Athrun in surprise. From the privacy of her office, he approached her with a proposition concerning the Archangel.

"Yes ma'am," he said, Talia humming in consideration. "I'm sure you're aware of what's in my records captain, but I fought alongside that ship. During the Great War I fought with the Archangel against the ZAFT forces at Jachin Due. I know the person whose most likely piloting that mobile suit, the Freedom, as well as the crew of the Archangel. And it goes without saying I know the Orb representative we heard, but that's just it, I know them so well that, I can't fathom why they would do this."

"I know how you feel," Gladys began. "I don't understand it either but..."

"I think that after Orb sided with the Earth forces, all they wanted was to get them to stop fighting and go home. But there must have been a better way they could have achieved their goal, a way that wouldn't have ended with lives being sacrificed. Maybe they don't understand the whole situation, they don't know they're making a mistake. I'm sure headquarters is going to want to take action on this, in that case I think it's my duty to try and find them, when I talk to them I can work out some kind of solution," Athrun explained.

"And is that your judgement as a Faith operative in the service of ZAFT?" Talia asked.

"Yes ma'am!"

"Then I really don't have the authority to stop you," Talia sighed as she stood up. "I agree that the entire battle, which resulted in pointless sacrifices, was unnecessary. Although who knows what would have happened if we had fought the Earth forces without interruption, from the Archangel, or the Purpose," Talia said and Athrun grimaced at the mention of the Gundam.

He still remembered the demon like presence of the Purpose during the last war. Despite its ragged appearance in this war, it was still very much the same machine.

"Very well, I understand, you have my permission to leave the ship. But will you be all right by yourself?"

"I'll be fine ma'am, and thank you for obliging me," Athrun saluted the captain, and Talia returned it.

As the Saviour launched out of the Minerva, Rey and Kojiro analysed data taken from the previous battle. The two stoic pilots uploaded a disc into the computer and looked at the intelligence gathered by both ZAFT and Sensou operatives. Pictures showed a G-line and ground Gm's analysing a distinct area. Then the coordinates came up. Following that they displayed specs on the original Gundam Purpose, before it's numerous on the fly upgrades.

"Such speed," Rey noted, seeing the blurred pictures on what they currently had.

"Indeed," Kojiro muttered.

They shook their heads when pictures of the team sent to track the Purpose was sent back. A Noctiluca Zaku was shown on the ground, its arms ripped off, Aqua GM's beside it. The video panned to the Purpose, showing the underwater mask attached to its head, the submersible fins and rotors on its flight pack.

"I had heard that the Purpose created a pack to fight underwater, could it have adapted to switch combat modes without the need of separate equipment?" Rey asked.

"According to Commander Rach, the Purpose was known for this. Judging from the markings on the armour, I wouldn't say that the Purpose had recently gone back onto sortie," Kojiro explained.

"But a pilot..."

"I think reports are right, that machine, much like the Mark 2, doesn't need a pilot," Kojiro said.

"We should see the captain regarding the other matter," Rey said and Kojiro nodded his head.

Following Athrun had been easy. Finding him and Miriallia even more so. In truth Vincent knew the key to finding the Archangel, at least for Athrun would be Miriallia. He walked towards their table at the cafe, pushing his sunglasses up his nose. Thick frame sunglasses was Sheryl's idea of a disguise. She said something about him growing his hair longer to complete the look, but there was no way Vincent would grow his hair out that long.

"So Haw, can you find the Archangel or not?" Vincent asked, smirking as Miriallia and Athrun looked at him in shock.

"Vincent what are you..."

Vincent removed his sunglasses, showing both Athrun and Miriallia the scars. She gasped in shock, bringing a hand to her mouth.

"Vincent I'm so sorry," she said.

"Yeah, I get that a lot lately, you aren't as subtle as you think Athrun, I'm not the only one tracking you. You didn't think Gladys was just going to let it be did you?" Vincent asked and Athrun looked around.

"You've already made every mistake they're counting on you to make, all there's left to do is see the Archangel, get Kira's answer and say our pieces," Vincent explained.

"Vincent, what are you hoping to do?" Athrun asked.

"I didn't come here with a mobile suit ready to fight if that's what you're implying, besides I'd lose," Vincent raised his shaking hand.

The show of just how physically crippled he had become, was enough to convince Athrun and Miriallia. She would set up the meeting, and would take Vincent to see Kira, whilst Athrun would meet them there. Vincent sat next to Miriallia in the car, flexing his fingers.

"So it really is that bad?" she asked.

"I'm not sure, maybe," he said.

"So can you even use a mobile suit anymore?"

"I don't know," Vincent lowered his head, worried about the same thing.

"Maybe it's for the best, maybe it would be better if you weren't on the battlefield anymore," Miriallia said.

"Yeah, maybe it's better if I don't lead Sensou anymore," Vincent huffed.

"It was something you felt obligated to do though wasn't it?" she asked.

"I went on to lead Sensou because I wanted to, no one forced me to do it. Even now I'm still leading Sensou because we're trying to do the right thing here. But there is a smart way to do the right thing, and that's what I want Kira and the others to know. I assume you're going to join them once this meeting is over," Vincent explained and Miriallia nodded.

"It's my ship too," she said.

A silence hung over them as Vincent looked out of the window. It was clear it would be a seaside meeting. On the backdrop of the setting sun they would meet, and once again, Vincent predicted that the friendship Kira and Athrun had would be shared. As for Cagali, she was probably about to have her heart broken.

'But let's face it Athha, you broke Athrun's heart first,' he thought.

"So that Purpose, and that Gekido in ZAFT, are they both genuine?" Miriallia asked.

"The former? Yeah, definitely the real thing, as for the latter...I honestly hope it isn't, you can quote me on that for the article if you want," Vincent half smirked.

"I could write, how the young commander of Sensou, wounded, tired and anxious, is admirably staying his course. I know that you don't like Kira, but you're actually a lot alike, you were both thrust into a situation that was too much for you both," she explained.

"Maybe, it all depends on how this meeting goes, I want to see if we really are alike. Because I haven't got it figured out yet Haw, I really don't...something tells me that that is how Kira and I differ," Vincent explained.

"You think Kira has it all figured out?" Miriallia asked.

"I think that Kira thinks he has it all figured out," Vincent said.

They remained silent for the whole car trip.

Nia's hands were bound behind her back as she followed Thanos through the camp. It had recently been set up, a mobile command centre for a mission. Black painted DINN's and newer mobile suits had been set around the camp.

"MSM-03 Gogg Thunder, MSM-04 Acguy Thunder, MSM-07 Z'gok Thunder, MS-07B Gouf Thunder, the bulk of our forces for the coming operation," Thanos stated.

"These mobile suits, which that Gouf is..."

"An earlier design before the overpriced ZAFT model, it's cheaper to produce, the hover unit though not as fast as the Gouf's traditional flight pack has greater maneuverability. And of course there is my Gundam," Dagger looked up at the said machine.

"So do you intend to use these mobile suits to attack ZAFT?" Nia demanded.

"Not just ZAFT, everyone," Dagger said and Nia gasped. "The Earth Alliance and its member states, ZAFT, Sensou, and of course I need to remind Cagalli of the consequences of her actions."

"Orb," Nia seethed.

"That nation has a very troubled line of leaders, inconsistent really. I told Cagalli that if she sided with the Earth Alliance forces, or allowed her parliament to pressure her into a situation that was against Orb's interests, then I would personally see to it that Orb suffers the same fate it did in the last war," Dagger explained.

"You want to crush Orb?" Nia asked.

"It isn't a case of want, besides, do you really think Durandal is going to be any different?" Dagger asked and Nia hesitated.

"He..."

"Is launching a campaign of conquest, it's really no different from mine. The only question is do you think you know Durandal's endgame in all this? Because I'll be sure to reveal it to you," Thanos smirked, crossing his arms and leaning against his Gundam.

It was a temple that was where they would be having their meeting. Vincent leant against the side of Miriallia's jeep, his arms crossed, holding his sunglasses. Wondering what he could say, wondering whether he'd be able to contain your anger. Then he remembered an excerpt from Gekido's book, and it was like the pilot was there, telling him what he needed to hear.

'Kira was a whiny prick when I first met him, nice guy, not the kind of person who should be in a war. At this point though, near the end, he seems so sure of what the right thing is. And honestly that pisses me off even more. I still like him, still respect him, I'll still fight for him and alongside him. But I can't agree with him. It seems more like a zealot than the guy who just wanted to avoid as many casualties as he could.

'If you meet him, you'll probably like him, so long as you're not discussing the nuances of war. You'll get along, and your world views, you'll probably share them. Except for when it comes to the fight, and how it should be fought. That's the difference, he sees the crusade, not the path of the fight itself. That's why I pick you over him Vince, you're a better fighter, a better leader because of that!'

Vincent put the disguise back on and looked to the rocks. Kira began climbing up with Cagalli in tow.

"Kira," Miriallia called out, running towards them.

"Miriallia," Kira smiled.

"You know I couldn't believe my eyes when I realized it was actually the Freedom flying around out there. Though I did hear about how you kidnapped the bride and then hightailed it out of Orb," Miriallia explained.

"Yeah, that's kind of a long story," Cagalli said. "By the way, where's Athrun?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't tell you in the message because I had to be careful, not just for Athrun but for..." Miriallia turned towards Vincent, whom began to approach with his hands in his pockets.

"Vincent Rach," Kira whispered.

"Athrun's rejoined ZAFT," Vincent said.

Both Kira and Cagalli widened their eyes, the latter muttering 'no'. An engine roared over their heads, and the Saviour came out of the clouds. Transforming to its suit mode, the Saviour landed a few feet from the temple pillars. Athrun went down the cockpit's entrance cable, and then approached the group.

"Kira, Cagalli," his voice was set to its usual calm tone, but Vincent could tell he was holding something back.

"Athrun," Kira said.

"Vincent, Athrun, Kira, Cagalli, Mir. Are we done staring at each other and calling one another's names?" Vincent asked, smirking slightly when they looked at him. "Gekido, that's what he would have said he had a way of spoiling a moment by making you think how ridiculously dramatic that moment was. Didn't he make you think Kira about what was revealed at Mendel? How, the fact that you were different than even coordinators, didn't change the fact that you had lived, that you had a family. Didn't he make you think Cagalli, about the same thing? And about how Uzumi wasn't a saint, or evil, but just a nice guy and a bad guy all the same? Don't you see Casvall as a brother too now? Even you Athrun, even you are different now, you had the courage to shoot your own father because it was the right thing to do. Because sometimes peace, lives, they require sacrifice to preserve!"

"Cagalli before you yell at Athrun for rejoining ZAFT, listen to what he has to say. And Kira, I want you to explain to us both why you intervened in that battle. And I want you to listen, and consider your options more carefully. Just like I'll listen and consider my options more carefully based on whatever you have to say to me. And I hope that the person listening in on us right now will consider their options more carefully," a small smirk crossed Vincent's face when the trio with him gasped.

He imagined Luna wherever she was, widening her eyes herself, holding a listening device to her ear, questioning herself.

"When answering me though, I want you to consider this, and to know this..." Vincent removed his glasses revealing the burns on his face.

Then, to the horror of those present, he removed his shirt. A network of severe burns across his skin, his limbs shaking as he dropped the shirt to the floor.

"I want you to know that whatever your explanation, you did kill people back there, and that others, now have to look and live like this!" he ran his hand over his chest, indicating the worst of the burns on that area.

Horrors of war, of conflict. The body of the commander of the Sensou forces was not just the only evidence of it. Shinn carried that evidence in his memory, he carried the last remnant of his family in his pocket and his heart. Kojiro was the product of those horrors, and the necessity of a soldier whom could commit them. Branden too had had his whole life controlled by those horrors, his life and personality had been defined by conflict and though he carried more the scars of physical abuse, he too was a map of horror like his commander.

"Because it is what god demands, or because it is what science demands, or because you are jealous, I do not care so long as you fight for a purer world!" he remembered that man, Dumas, saying to him between the melee combat lessons.

Even Rey was a result of horror. Though the trio he flew with didn't know exactly how. He, Branden, Shinn and Kojiro landed at the site that ZAFT intelligence had indicated. The sun was setting a red backdrop behind them, but as they came into the apparent facility, everything grew darker. Wires and lights hung off of the ceiling, blood stained the floor, and bodies of scientist and soldiers littered the place. They kept their guns level, just in case anything was still out there.

"A cleanup operation," Kojiro said.

"But what exactly where they trying to cover up?" Shinn asked.

Rey slid open one of the doors, stepping into one of the rooms. Shinn turned the light on behind him, and when Rey stepped closer into the room, he froze. Rey looked around, seeing the glass tubes, the surgical lights and gurneys. Something was set off inside of him, he began to shake and tremble. To the other three, it seemed as if the usually stoic pilot was having a panic attack. His breathing rate increased, eyes set on the sights before him.

"Rey," Shinn called out to him.

He fell to his knees Shinn immediately going to his side. Kojiro though remained focused on the task, turning on his flash light and putting it over one of the tubes. Branden approached it, dragging his hand over the wall of dust. Even Kojiro's face matched Branden's horror. The naked body of a child was inside, and Shinn took but a moment away from Rey to see the wires imbedded in this child's spine and head. All of the tubes had a child of differing age, but the same treatment inside of them.

"What the fuck is this place?" Branden's question was on everyone's mind.

Next Chapter 38: Places of Sin

Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter and the version of events covered. Next time, Kira, Athrun and Vincent will debate, and the Sensou and Minerva crews will discover the horrors of the Extended lab.