Gundam SEED Rebuild

Ch. 12- Tough Times Ahead

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam SEED. The Lockheed and Donnelly families, Glenn's immediate family, and Doug McLaney are my OCs. Andria Yamasaki is Titanic-X-21's OC. Mark Allen and Mackenzie Allen are ZAFT Convoy's OCs.


Middle of October, CE 54

Mendel Colony, GARM Research Laboratory, Lagrange 4

The shuttlecraft slowly pulled into the dock, its passengers preparing to get ready to disembark. Among them was Senator Allen himself. He was leading a government delegation of representatives and senators, mainly composed of his fellow party members to visit the corporate colony on official business regarding medical safety for children in the womb in an era of renewed fear and scrutiny on the medical profession in the wake of the S2 Virus and the Coordinator Question. He gripped his phone before he pocketed it and turned his gaze to the dock itself. He could see a number of supply shuttles, including some for transporting other personnel to and from the colony.

"Hey Mark," one of his colleagues called.

"Hm?" Mark looked over. "Yes?"

"I didn't know we had another delegation on visit." There was another space shuttle of the same type used by a lot of Atlantic Federation Space Force and diplomatic VIPs, but someone had apparently scrubbed many of its identifying marks, save some low-vis roundels off...

Allen did not like the looks of it. Could another faction of the government be visiting in secret? 'Matthews might be trying to get back at us by gathering dirt...' he thought.

As the delegation disembarked, Allen put on his best politican smile as he was greeted by a secretary. "Senator Allen," she said. "Good to see you have made it safely."

"Thank you," Mark said, "and I believe Mr. Hibiki is expecting us as well."

The woman nodded. "Yes, sir. If you'll follow me..." As the AF Assemblymen were led through the building, there seemed to be tentaive glances given their way by the staff, with the civilian visitors and patients happily oblivious. While the secretary was on her cellphone, Allen, for his part, did acknowledge some of the staff with a nod. He watched as the woman finally lowered her phone. "Sir, if you'll follow me, Mrs. Hibiki is waiting for you."

"Mrs. Hibiki?" Allen asked, "but I thought-"

"She wanted to meet with you," the secretary stated.

"And any reason why this was not put into our itinerary?" Allen continued.

"She insisted that she wanted to speak with you personally, Mr. Senator." Allen stood silent as he contemplated this.

"Mr. Allen," one of his colleagues spoke, "we have a schedule to keep with the executives of GARM."

Allen turned to his aide. "Let them know I will be joining eight minutes later," he said, "I just got an important phone call from Washington."

"Okay," said the aide.

As Allen split from the group, the senator narrowed his eyes as he pondered why Mrs. Hibiki wanted to talk to him directly. He was led into a quiet waiting lounge. "She will meet you here, personally," the secretary said as she left.

As the senator sat, he reflected on the Coordinator Question and the fertility issues that came with it. It was an open, uncomfortable secret among many 2nd generation Coordinators. His eyes narrowed as he thought. 'There are many theories as to why it's happening, but... none of them have been really accurate or studied in depth.' he thought to himself. It was the fault of the extremes on both sides... Coordinator advocates who wanted to suppress inconvenient information and research, and anti-Coordinator Naturals who just did not care about the answers at all. 'The only questions now are... how do we deal with it? And what causes it?''

Allen's musing was interrupted when a meek-looking woman in long maroon hair and a yellow sweater looked upon him. "Oh, good! You're here!" she whispered, looking a bit frantic.

Allen rose from his seat. "You must be Mrs-"

"Via Hibiki," she said softly.

Allen thought Via looked defensive and nervous. "Nice to meet you, but where is your husband?"

"He's... busy with something that... must not see the light of day..." Via explained, shaking his hand. "The project... it's downright disgusting..." She looked up, her eyes filled with horror. "He's... trying to create an artificial womb with which to make an Ultimate Coordinator."

"Artificial womb? Ultimate Coordinator?" Allen was confused and incredulous.

"Yes." Via was hesitant as she pulled her hand back and reached into her shirt pocket. "I have evidence to prove it." She pulled out a set of photos and handed them to Allen. "See for yourself." Her hand was shaking, and she was rubbing her belly sadly.

The senator glanced to the photos and his eyes widened in shock. "What the... heck is this?!" he breathed, staring in shock at the artificial wombs and the infants within them.

"He's obsessed with the Coordinator Question..." Via was crying, "but it's beyond that now."

Allen lowered the images and glanced to her. "He did something... with your child," he growled, his eyes hardening. "Am I right?"

Via lifted her shirt slightly, revealing there was a surgical scar on top of where her womb is. "He took him," Via sobbed, "he's taken one of my children..."

Allen could not believe was he was seeing and hearing, and the scar on Via's belly told him the rest. Allen's eyes narrowed as he glanced to her. "And you want my help in getting the kids out, right?" he asked seriously.

Via nodded through her tears. "I've had it with this place... I can't stand another minute around that man..."

The senator pursed his lips as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'll do what I can to help," he told her gently. "We'll get your kids out of here." He then rubbed his head, "but how are we supposed to move your son when he's in... incubation?"

"I... I don't know..." Via whispered.

Allen looked down, trying to think. 'The best bet we got is to remove him when he's out of that thing...' he thought. 'And I may have to call in some help for that.' He grit his teeth. He had to focus on Via and the child she still had... for now.

"Okay. We'll see about getting you out of here," he told her. "But I will have to call in some help for this. After all, we can't let Ulen find out about this."

Via nodded. "Thank you..."

"Well, let's get you aboard my shuttle first." Allen said.

The woman nodded as she looked back. "I'll have to get my belongings," she said. Then she paused. "Unless you can have someone get them back to Earth for me."

"I can," Allen assured her. "Now let's get you to safety." Allen's phone rang. He saw it was his secretary and answered it.

"Mr. Allen, Mr. Hibiki is wanting to know where you are, the meeting has already started," the secretary said.

"I'll be there in a bit. I got caught up and had to use the bathroom," Allen answered, coming up with a plausible story on the spot.

As Allen escorted Via, he was met by his aide. He turned to Via and motioned for her to head out. "My aide can take you to the shuttle," he whispered. "Go." He told his aide. "Make sure she makes it on."

"Yes, sir," the aide replied. Allen watched as the aide took Via away quietly. Now that she was safe, he could start making plans for the boy, as well. However, first he had to deal with Ulen, and he was not looking forward to the meeting at all. Despite the meeting being about a real humanitarian issue regarding Coordinator Question, he had a strong feeling that Ulen was going to give a lot of answers he would not like.


December, CE 54

Armstrong City, Atlantic Federation Lunar Economic Zone, Luna

Andria Yamasaki stood just before the experimental test site developed for the testing of the new mobile workers to be built in the coming years. The building overlooking the test site had recently been finished in the last two years, which was a good thing as now the workers and developers could get started on the new project. It had only been a little over a month since the November CE 54 elections, and things in the Atlantic Federation were changing rapidly.

Already Andria could see that Coordinators living in the Federation were starting to be targeted more openly in states controlled by the Workers' Party and Nature Party, and she didn't like the way things were going. Her eyes narrowed a bit as she frowned.

The now-resigned former President Matthews' treachery had also affected the more moderate and pro-Coordinator Republican and Federalist Parties' chances of wresting control of the Atlantic Federation Assembly from the Worker's Party.

While George Glenn had fundraised for many supportive candidates and had helped to assuage public anger away from Coordinators with his successful roll out of treatments for the ongoing S2 pandemic, it still fell short with the Republicans and Federalists failing to agree on a majority coalition. While the Workers had lost a total Senate majority with the unseating of more anti-Coordinator senators like Allan Warren thanks to his blatantly unethical actions, they still had a significant plurality, and the Nature Party had grown in some of the areas the Workers had lost, and given that the Workers had an alliance with the Nature Party, it meant the Atlantic Federation government was more polarized and divided, with the left side of the spectrum becoming more radicalized against Coordinators and moderate Naturals.

The Atlantic Federation was ending the year with a weak and divided government, and while there was more opposition to Blue Cosmos, there was a noted lack of a united and strong coalition to take them on.

On the international front, while George Glenn worked with the new Atlantic Federation president to have the production facilities in the L5 PLANTs to speed up production and distribution of the S2 virus medicines and countermeasures, the political bruising within the Atlantic Federation's halls of power had their effects on the PLANTs and other countries...

As though throwing a tantrum over setbacks in the Atlantic Federation, Blue Cosmos and other anti-Coordinator groups stepped up their campaigns in other countries and across Earth Sphere space. Blue Cosmos cells in Western Europe had mobilized with anti-AF and anti-George Glenn propaganda to influence Brussels and get elite members into various European and Middle Eastern capitals. It appeared to be working as Atlantic Federation embassies and consulates were the sites of numerous protests and riots, while any company or business bearing Glenn's name was vandalized. Furthermore, the PLANTs themselves became increasingly politically and physically isolated as many Coordinators from around the world fled there.

Andria did not like where the world was going. The Atlantic Federation now appeared wounded by its internal contradictions and polarization on the world stage, and Blue Cosmos was taking advantage of the mayhem. Even the Coordinator radicals weren't making things much better either. If anything, they themselves also benefited from the disenchanted Coordinators fleeing the persecution.

Andria narrowed her eyes as she looked to her smart phone, spotting her news feed. The most recent attacks by a Coordinator supremacist group in Helsinki had shaken up the Kingdom of Scandinavia, but they were not allowing such groups to take hold in their seats of power.

The Zodiac Alliance on the other hand was gaining even more support among the international population of the L5 PLANT colonies however, and other colony clusters, particularly at Lagrange 2. Both L5 and L2 were becoming more centralized homes for many Coordinators and some Naturals around the world disenchanted with the state of discord on Earth, and with a lack of enfranchisement, were open to groups that promised some semblance of order in their uprooted lives.

Andria perked up as she heard footsteps from behind her on the observation deck and she turned away from the window overlooking the lunar surface to face her unannounced visitor.

"Honey," Jeff Glenn beamed towards his wife.

"Jeff," Andria happily greeted as she hugged him. "What brings you out here? I thought you'd be down on Earth for the moment."

"I had to cancel. I just got back from a last-minute meeting with the Space Force admirals at Ptolemais," Jeff replied.

"Ah." Andria began to step closer. "Well, glad you're here. I was just viewing the latest models." She gestured to the window, showing the new machines as they emerged from within the facility, each one moving somewhat clumsily.

"They're less clunky than the ones Dad had," Jeff remarked, "and larger."

"Yes." Andria nodded. "We decided to increase the size which helped significantly. The joints are also being refined as we work on them. What really makes it different is in the way the joints are manufactured. Unlike before, we decided to use carbon fiber and steel based materials to allow them to sustain the extra weight."

"Space development will really take off with this development," Jeff said staring at the units.

"That's the intention, Jeff," Andria said with a smile. "Plus, this will ensure that workers don't suffer from accidents in space from debris. With the mobile workers, space colony construction could become much more efficient."

"Yeah... and more maneuverable than even a space fighter," Jeff said.

The woman nodded. "While space fighters are good, it's the humanlike design that adds to that maneuverability." It then occurred to her. "They wanted to discuss the subject of mobile suits... didn't they?"

Jeff nodded. "They did. Specifically the more... martial... applications of such things." Andria was no stranger to the possibility of that.

"Apparently... certain groups and nations have already started exploring such possibilities," Jeff indicated, "and some leaders in the Space Force are trying to assess the viability and possible threat such weapons can pose."

"I can guess that would be the case," Andria remarked seriously. "But for the moment, that is all just theoretical, but one that has to be considered as viable."

"Well get this," Jeff told his wife, "your old friend Commander Halberton was made part of the study."

Andria managed a smile at that. Andria could remember that her former commanding officer had a great gift of sound mind and strategic foresight. "Sometimes I wonder how he got such a gift of strategy and command," she mused, chuckling a bit. "I miss my old commander and friend."

Andria sighed heavily after she spoke. "I just wish I could see him again... and to hear what he thinks of this..."

"Well, you might get to see him sooner than you think," Jeff told his wife, "apparently there is concern that the Zodiac Alliance has been the group most interested in mobile suit development..."

"I guessed that much, but... it's concerning as to how interested they are," Andria said softly, looking to Jeff in concern. "This maybe can either be a woman's intuition or my own paranoia, but I fear they may start to weaponize them before we can."

"You think?" Jeff grimaced.

"Think about it, Jeff. If the Zodiac Alliance develops these new machines into weapons, the disparity would be unmatched until we could field our own," Andria told him. "And if they are as militant as some claim that they are..."

"It could widen the conflict between Naturals and Coordinators," Jeff finished, "and give Blue Cosmos' paranoia a form of legitimacy."

Andria nodded grimly. "Yes." It was then that Jeff's phone rang.

Jeff pulled it out and glanced at the number. "It's our sales department." He clicked on the phone. "Jeff Glenn," he answered.

"Mr. Glenn, we just had a representative of the Pentagon's procurement office forward a file addressed to everyone on their list of registered contractors."

"I see. I'll look at it shortly," Jeff told the speaker on the other end.

"Actually, the file should be showing on your phone email now."

Jeff brought up his email and looked at the inbox. "I have it. Thank you very much."

"You're welcome, sir." The call ended.

Jeff opened the email and scanned it over. He was surprised to see that Glenn Aerospace was actually at the top... with rival Azrael Heavy government seemed to be playing with both rivals owned by completely opposite sides. "Azrael Heavy Industries is also marked here," Jeff told Andria. "And you know very well their attitudes towards Coordinators."

"Not to mention their history of predatory business practices," Andria noted. Owned by the rabidly anti-Coordinator Azrael family, the large corporation put a legitimate business face to one of the most dangerously powerful and radical members behind the radical Natural and organized labor movements in the West.

Jeff nodded, looking at the list critically. "This is something we have to get before Azrael Heavy Industries does," he said.

"But Azrael Heavy Industries has never been historically strong in the area of robotics," Andria thought, "what could they bring to the table that we don't have?"

"I don't know," Jeff shrugged, "but if the Space Force is going ahead with the Gressorial Project and the Azraels are looking to cash in..."

"We should take the chance as well," Andria said seriously, "Azrael Industries winning this contract would mean them controlling a large share of the mobile weapon market if G-Project lifts off. The Atlantic Federqtion is in a vulnerable position, and the Azraels never let crises go to waste."

"And not to mention that Zodiac themselves are perhaps looking to arm themselves with militarized mobile suits," Jeff said, "if mobile suits are indeed the future of combat, we would at least want to be at the forefront of countering such threats."

Andria was solemn as she nodded, turning back to look out at the new mobile workers undergoing testing. Already they had moved on to showcasing the strength of the new units. Her eyes narrowed a bit. "One idea that we had was to adjust their manipulators to resemble human hands instead of the clawed appendages we have right now," she mused. "That would help the machines be able to handle firearms and other weapons more efficiently." She turned to Jeff. "Wouldn't you say so?"

"And make them all-round more versatile in general," Jeff remarked.

Andria nodded. "That's the basic idea." She gestured to where one of the mobile workers was struggling to lift a crate. "They can't do that right now, but hopefully in the future we can get them set up for that." She then sighed. "I just hope we can beat Azrael Heavy Industries to the contract..."

"We can... and we will," Jeff determined, "we want to protect our country... while the Azraels just want to profit from conflict at home and abroad."


May CE 55

Atlantic Federation Capitol, Washington, DC.

The S2 viral pandemic had begun to level off in many parts of the country and the world thanks to the distribution of the S2 viral treatments by George Glenn's vast international businesses and mass licensing to other entities throughout the planet and space... but as a newly minted senator from Virginia was quickly finding out, the political acrimony from the pandemic and last year's divisive legislative elections had only just begun.

AF Senator Gary Ramius, formerly a pilot in the Atlantic Federation Space Forces, found himself occupying a junior position in the Defense Committee that his notorious predecessor Allan Warren once chaired. With the Atlantic Federation in a weakened political position and international tensions rising, the divided government was struggling to define its priorities domestically and abroad with increasing partisanship in the governing parties.

Policies regarding space colonies, including the PLANTs at Lagrange 5, and relations with the other sponsor nations had also become contentious with the growing racialization of the issue surrounding Coordinators who chose to emigrate into space.

"Members of this august council," Gary began with his allotted speaking time, "my sources from Lagrange 5 indicate that there is a growing movement of support for the group we know as the Zodiac Alliance, a pro-Coordinator advocacy group. With the growing anti-Coordinator sentiment abroad and acts of aggression being committed by certain groups and governmental organizations against this population, I believe it is time we've had some tough discussions about the current Atlantic Federation's policy and military readiness to deter aggression against our citizenry." Many of the senators were in agreement, but there were also those who did not agree with this.

"It is my general concern that we as a nation are ill-prepared politically and militarily for the consequences of anti-Coordinator aggression and terror that seem to be feeding into the security issue where residents of these settlements feel under constant threat from those not content with just driving them into the depths of space..."

"If I may," the chairman presiding over the session interrupted, "what exactly do you mean by ill-prepared?"

Gary looked directly at him. "What I mean, Chairman, is that we are ill-prepared due to a number of factors," he began. "First, our military is not properly geared towards defense of our space colonies in terms of policy and focus. Second, due to our divided state, we cannot project our strength at home or abroad, which is allowing militant groups to act out. And third, it is a fact that recently we have become politically compromised at home with conflicting objectives, affecting military morale and creating uncertainty about its moral standing."

Here his eyes narrowed. "In short, we're not prepared for what may come our way... or for what may come our way due to said militant groups as long as they continue to grow in size and power unchecked as a result of our inability to deal with them."

"For example... excuse me," Gary sighed, "last year when my predecessor, former Senator Allan Warren tried to use this committee as a political weapon against George Glenn, it sent a message that elements of our own government were more concerned about settling scores with private citizens it disagreed with rather than serving the defense of the Atlantic Federation and all her is a mark right there of how ill-prepared we truly are."

"Mr. Ramius, we do not appreciate character insinuations on distinguished former members-"

"But it is also true!" Senator Ramius insisted. "Sad to say, we have powerful domestic groups such as Blue Cosmos whose members are helping to fund and support chaos and small-scale conflict overseas while using legal fronts at home to undermine our government and military with radical racial ideology to pit our citizenry against one another." Ramius knew he was treading dangerously, but felt the need to say it aloud. "We cannot hope to be a great power if we allow ourselves to be subverted and fail to put the responsibility for our present woes where they lay." A lot of other senators were in agreement, but there were those who were determined to deny the accusation.

"Mr. Ramius," an opposing senator from the state of Sinaloa objected. "You are insisting it's true, but where is the evidence to back it up? As far as my sources tell me, it is the Zodiac Alliance that is instigating the anti-government violence and stoking the conflict worldwide."

Ramius however was adamant. "If we continue to let people like that grow in power, then who knows how bad things may get if those people choose to initiate hostilities?" he said, standing his ground. "I for one am not about to let that happen. So it is of the utmost necessity that we take actions to correct the course our country is headed down before it gets to the point of no return!"

The Sinaloa senator just continued to be dismissive and aloof. "Mr. Ramius, let me tell you something about both the Zodiac Alliance and Blue Cosmos."

Senator Ramius was silent, but nodded for him to continue.

"I will acknowledge that Blue Cosmos is a real problem. Same with the anti-Natural parties up in the Zodiac Alliance. But..." He held up a finger. "The real issue is the Zodiac Alliance in of itself. Think about their location, Mr. Ramius. They have colonies under construction up in orbit. And who's to say that some of them may even want to initiate a worst-case scenario like a colony drop, per say?" he asked.

The Sinaloa senator pointed up. "That alone would cause catastrophic damage to the planet and possibly wipe out a significant proportion of the human population. And don't forget that Coordinators show not only great technological prowess, but also the ability to organize. Blue Cosmos has a lot of loud and vocal, but relatively small bands of riff-raff. But... the Zodiac Alliance, if sufficiently radicalized, what is to stop them from say..."

"Possibly even depriving us of nuclear fission, which is what we use primarily to power our cities?" the senator asked.

Senator Ramius frowned at his colleague's accusations. "We are going to make contingencies for such an event. And as for the possibility of a colony drop... that is why I say we are ill-prepared. If we do not have the sufficient moral and political strength, we cannot adapt to the changing political climate. That is why we have to do whatever we can to ensure we do not remain as divided as we are right now."

"But let me end by saying this... Blue Cosmos has very real backers in politics and industry on Earth... and contrary to your aspersions, we would be foolhardy to just dismiss them as street riff-raff. If we should have to confront the question of the Zodiac Alliance , it would be most dangerous for us as a nation to allow Blue Cosmos to subvert our foreign affairs and national defense policies for their own self-serving ends," Gary finished.


Gary filed out of the chamber with the other senators. While he thought he was the voice of reason, the session felt repetitive and unproductive beyond what was already obvious. He sighed as he hung his head. "Sometimes I wonder if I can even reach their common sense..." he muttered. But he knew that some of them knew... but had sympathies for Blue Cosmos.

For one, Ramius found the senior senator from Ottawa to be a total anti-Coordinator and anti-Republican freak. Ramius knew to steer clear of the insufferable man outside of business hours, and the Nature Party leader had become even more insufferable since his party took more control of the Labor coalition with the weakening of moderates in the Worker's Party. The new senator was right now in a tight spot. He was only four months into politics, and he felt that little was being accomplished.

"You must be Senator Ramius."

Gary turned to the direction of the voice. He recognized the constitutional firebrand from North Carolina. "Senator Allen?"

The man nodded. "Yes. I'm actually glad to see you here in this cesspit," Allen remarked with a sad smile.

"Cesspit? I thought this was supposed to be the Senate?" Ramius gave a sardonic chuckle.

The other man nodded. "Well, you know how it is these days," he said seriously.

"You know," Ramius said, "I've been here four months, and I've never met you face to face up to now."

"Well," Allen extended a welcome hand, "now you have." The two men shook hands. "Congrats on your victory last November by the way," Allen said. "You just helped to retire one of the most unscrupulous villains I've had the dishonor of working with."

The new senator of Virginia nodded. "Thank you, Senator Allen... and I'm guessing that you have a particular reason for approaching a freshman senator like this personally?"

Allen gave a nod. "Yes. Just to inform you of who you should be wary of," he said in a softer tone. He took Ramius aside to a more private corner. "You know the senator from Alberta?"

Ramius nodded. "Vaguely."

"Al Da Flaga," Allen told him.

Ramius recognized the name. "The Homeland Security Chairman? What about him?"

"He's someone you have to be wary of," Allen explained. "There are... rumors... of some shady activities he's been involved in, but no evidence to confirm them."

"Such as?" Gary raised an eyebrow.

"There's one rumor that he was involved with illegal cloning," Allen whispered. "And what's more is that despite his public opposition to Coordinator technology... He's funding something related to them."

"But... he's a leader of the Worker's Party," Gary pointed out.

"That may be the case, but he's going against those very beliefs for some reason," Allen cautioned. "To him, it doesn't matter what the beliefs are. He sees he's above the law. Nonetheless, he's very dangerous with many connections."

Gary pursed his lips.

"Also, there is a man who's been rumored to have a relation to the Azrael Conglomerate," Allen informed.

"His name is Buren Lancaster, and he's a senator from England itself. He's been supposedly working on its board of directors, and he has been seen with Azrael a number of times at corporate functions."

"Jonathan Azrael..." Gary muttered the name of the radical industrialist. The Azrael family was notorious in both industry and politics.

Allen himself knew all too well what the Azraels were capable of, and it worried him immensely. "And the Azrael Foundation has been increasing their political funding of candidates and pro-BC causes," he added.

Gary frowned. "That's going to change things..." he muttered.

"Yeah... and here we are a more divided government in decades since the Federation began, and with growing threats abroad," Allen said, "I tell you, George Glenn is right, until our side starts getting its act together, we're gonna slide into something terrible, and you can bet that Blue Cosmos will profit from the chaos it's financing through their proxies abroad and in space."

Ramius had to agree. "Darn straight, but how can he convince everyone? What does George Glenn plab to do next," he asked.

Allen gave a huff of amusement. "Last time I spoke to him... he said that he wanted to establish some political bonafides in Texas."

"Oh? That's something new from him," Gary mused.

"He's exploring the governorship of his home state," Allen added, "he thinks it might be the best place to start for someone of his executive experience."

"George Glenn, the governor of Texas?" Gary was surprised, "that's a huge leap. And for such a major state in the American Gulf States region."

"What made him decide to take that step?" Gary asked Allen.

Allen shrugged his shoulders. "The last election cycle... he felt there was a dearth of good leaders and role models to inspire people. He figured that if there were not enough people courageous enough to step into the gap, he would be ready to serve his nation again in a more... political capacity."

Gary nodded. "I see. Kind of reminds me why I chose to go into politics as well.

Allen's watch then beeped. It was then that he remembered. "I've got a court case in California..."

"Hold on. Why a court case in California?" Gary asked.

Allen sighed, "a custody battle involving someone I helped to get away from her mad husband..."

Gary felt like he wanted to ask, but something told him it would be wise to wait. "I understand."

"I cannot disclose much, but all I can say is that it is one very screwed up affair," Allen grimaced. Gary nodded, having a feeling that something would come out sooner or later.

"Well, I should get going before I miss the flight," Allen said, "but hopefully we can meet again somewhere more relaxed and in much friendlier company."

"Well, looking forward to getting to know you and the others more too, Allen," Gary shook his hand, "safe flight."

"Thanks," Allen nodded, and then turned around to leave. He left the room, but as he did, he only gave Gary a small nod. A nod of affirmation that he had faith in the younger senator.


Lockheed Home

Jacksonville, Florida

"Watch that tree, Derek," Adrian laughed as he tried to help his maturing first son steer the model plane with his remote. The young boy gripped it and stuck his tongue out as he adjusted the controls. The remote pad camera showed the plane veering close to the underside of the tree branches. Derek smiled a little as he weaved it through the branches.

Adrian chuckled at the sight. "You're a daring little rascal, aren't you, Derek," he teased.

"Daddy," Derek laughed. The man rubbed his son's hair. "You're doing a good job there," he praised.

"Something tells me that you're going to be a good pilot," Adrian rubbed his son's head.

"I wanna be a pilot, daddy!" Derek chirped with a giggle.

"Yes, you do, yes you do!" Adrian laughed back. Suddenly, there was a wail from the back deck as another Lockheed son was demanding attention. Adrian sighed as he got up from his eldest and made his way over to where little Elias was crying. "There, there little Eli," Adrian comforted him.

The younger boy stopped crying as his father soothed him with gentle bounces. Unexpectedly, the little Elias began to giggle. "That's my son," Adrian cooed with a smile. Elias gurgled with his Dad's gesture.

The father sat back down on the deck and looked up at the sky, watching Derek's plane fly around with ever increasing agility. It was a hard life to be a single father living a military career. But other times, it was worth it, he thought as he looked at Elias who was now cooing happily as his little hands waved.

Derek meanwhile was grinning as he wandered the yard while controlling the toy plane. His eyes were fixed on the toy as he wandered closer to the deck before stopping and then making it fly over and through the air closer to his father and brother. Elias looked at the toy plane with an entranced expression and cooed happily.

"Hahaha," Derek laughed happily.

"It looks like your brother is as interested as you are, Derek," Adrian said with a grin.

"Right, Daddy," Derek replied with a toothy smile.

The military officer looked back to the sky, his eyes narrowing as he wondered what was going to happen now. He had been told by his boss at the base to expect a new assignment within the months of summer or so.

The only question was, what was this new assignment?


Flaga Mansion

Calgary, Alberta

"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING!?"

A young Mu La Flaga froze. The boy was holding onto his mother, Marianne Vi Flaga when the angry voice of his politician father shouted behind them. He glanced up to her, worried. His mother was in tears. Her amber eyes were obscured by her long, curly brown hair, but her clenched teeth betrayed her anger and frustration.

This was their chance to get out, and so Marianne spun around. "I'm going, and Mu's coming with me!"

"No, you are not!" Al snapped as he approached them from around the corner. "I gave you my love, this home and life!" Al warned, "and you will stay and do as I say!"

"No!" Marianne screamed back, "you don't love me!"

"And you never loved our son, either!" she added.

Al Da Flaga's face went red at Marianne's accusation. "That is it...!" he growled. "This is how you repay me!?" Al Da Flaga pointed to Mu. "It is because of your weakness that he is not like me!"

"Says the one who only cares for himself!" Marianne hissed, her eyes narrowed. "All you ever wanted was to raise yourself! And you only use Rau for your own selfish political interests!"

"I have long since had it!" Marianne growled, gripping Mu behind her tightly in a surprising grip. "So we are leaving, and you can't... no, you won't stop us!" She swung her suitcase around for emphasis and walked with Mu towards the front door. The two made their way to the door, and one of the butlers opened it. Marianne and Mu finally left the estate, intent on making their own lives away from their father and his clone.

"You don't leave without my permission!" Al Da Flaga yelled.

"Too bad!" Marianne snapped. "We're leaving, and you won't stop us!"

One of the maids with a bittersweet smile presented Marianne's personal car to her. The woman nodded and got in, opening the passenger door for Mu.

"Thank you, Cornelia," Marianne expressed. Cornelia bowed, "many of us are deeply sorry that it has to end this way, Mistress."

"It has to be done," the soon to be ex-Mrs. Flaga admitted, "for the betterment Mu's future."

The butler who helped Mu shook the little boy's hand. "It was worth it," he admitted, "to have been in your service."

Mu nodded. "Thanks," he said. "I hope you stay safe."

"I can take care of myself young man," the butler smiled, "you and your mother take care of yourselves."

Marianne looked to the butler. "Thank you for your kindness."

"Anything I could do to help you and Master Mu," the butler replied.

Al Da Flaga stormed towards the front door. "Where are you going!?"

"And listen, about Rau..." Marianne whispered to the butler. "Look, he may be his clone... but I hate what Al is doing to him."

"I'll keep an eye on the boy," the butler responded, "no one deserves being used like that. I promise to do my best."

Marianne glared back up to Al. With one final huff, she turned and grasped the steering wheel before starting the engine.

"You will regret this, you hear me!?" Al raged. The maids and butlers stood by silently, but uncomfortably. "You and your son will have less than nothing without me!"

"I doubt that highly..." Marianne muttered to herself as she drove off. Mu shed silent tears, but did not acknowledge his now former father. As the two drove off, they were unaware of just how much things would change...

Back at the house, Al Da Flaga seethed as he stormed back to his study. He was seething with so much humiliation and rage that he didn't even bother yelling at the maids and the butler who helped Marianne and Mu out of the house. He had intentions to get back at them. The only question was... how?

"Ah..." he just waved the thought off. So what if she and that inferior son left? After all, he still had his true heir. Even if he had that blasted telomere issue... he had other uses.

Even if Rau was not going to live as long as he should have, he could still sire a new heir. "Maybe that useless defect may have one final use after all..." Al sinisterly plotted.

Little did he know that Rau had spied on the whole confrontation with Mu and Marianne, and the clone had plans of his own. His eyes narrowed as he snuck off towards Al's office...


May 16, CE 55

Anaheim, California

Caridad and Haruma Yamato had flown in from Orb a few days ago. The two were just glad Via had escaped Ulen and gotten custody of her two children. The custody battle had been a two-month affair with alot of heartbreak and acrimony. However, the two kids were now safe, and Via was projected to give birth in a matter of days.

Caridad was eager to see her sister. She wanted to be there after the ugly separation between her and Ulen, even though she did not know the full picture.

The Yamatos approached the hospital once the cab they had taken from the hotel had dropped them off. "This is where she said she was staying," Caridad said.

Yeah. I'm just glad that she got away from Ulen when she did..." Haruma said softly. "The guy was creeping me out." He stared up at the hospital. "The nerve of the guy..."

Caridad grimaced as she remembered the custody battle. All Via told her was that Ulen was planning something untoward for the twins. The very idea was enough to make her sick to her stomach, and it made her all the more relieved that she was able to escape with both twins. As to what Ulen had been planning, all she could think was of how depraved he had become. Ulen had become increasingly secretive and deflective about his work on the Coordinator reproduction issue, and whatever it was, Via was distressed.

Caridad had no idea as to what it was, but she suspected that it was enough to make Via flee. However, her sister had not given details as to what it was. She hoped that Via would be more forthcoming on the issue now that she was safe.

The Yamatos entered the hospital and found the receptionist desk. The woman behind the desk looked up. "Welcome. Can I help you?" she asked, smiling at the two.

"I'm here to see Via Hibiki," Caridad told her, "I'm her sister from Orb."

"Ah. I remember you called a few days ago," the receptionist remarked. "She's up on the fourth floor. Her room is just a few doors down on the left from the elevator."

"Thank you," Caridad replied as she and her husband went towards the elevator. Haruma pressed the button for going up and the door opened. He and Caridad stepped inside and the door closed shut as Caridad hit the fourth floor button. "How long has it been since we've last seen your sister?" Haruma chatted as the elevator moved.

"About six months," Caridad said. "Though it feels much longer than that," she rubbed her forehead.

"Not too surprising," Haruma remarked. "Well, given what was going on, I can't blame you for feeling that way." The elevator dinged as it opened on the 4th floor, the young Yamato couple exited and walked left towards Via's room.

As they approached, they heard Via groaning and... a baby whimper? Caridad and Haruma glanced to one another and darted for the doorway. Caridad tapped on the door. "Via? Are you okay?" she asked.

"C-Caridad?" Via's voice sounded as another baby whimper came from inside. "Come in, come in," Via sounded happy despite her apparent discomfort.

Haruma opened the door, and the Yamatos walked in. They were surprised to see Via holding a baby in her arms.

"Oh!" Caridad's hands flew to her mouth as Haruma blinked.

"Sshhh, it's alright, Kira," Via cooed as she held the baby. The baby known as Kira had short brown hair and a cute chubby face that resembled his mother's. His eyes were a vibrant purple like Via's.

Caridad couldn't resist cooing at the boy. Haruma also had to give a fond smile. He was just too cute.

"Via! He's so cute!" Caridad was giddy.

"He's got your eyes," Haruma remarked to Via.

Via teared up at the sight of her sister and brother-in-law. "Yes he does," she said. "I didn't know you had another child besides the twins," Haruma said.

"That's just it. I only had two," Via said softly.

Caridad was confused. "I'm sorry, but what was that?"

"I only had two children," Via repeated. She then looked down at Kira, "he's one..." then to her belly, "and Cagalli's still here." There was an awkward silence for a few seconds.

"Wait..." Haruma questioned, "so... how was Kira born early?"

"It's kind of... a long story, but... to put it simply..." Via took in a breath and let it out. "Ulen took him out of my womb," she raised her maternity shirt to show the scar on her belly.

"Oh..." Caridad was horrified, and Haruma was shocked. "W-what did he do!?" Haruma asked.

Via looked down and whispered. "Ulen put Kira into an artificial womb for his experiment... Kira was rapidly gestated as a result."

Caridad was now sick to her stomach. "Ulen did that to Kira!? But why!? Why would he do such a thing!?"

"To... create a perfect being... the Ultimate Coordinator," Via said softly, so quietly it seemed to be impossible to hear, but hear it the two Yamatos did, and both were sickened by the idea. "And he was going to subject him to more, so I had to act."

"But perfection is impossible!" Haruma blurted. "It's only subjective to the one who sees it as achievable."

"So... how did you get away from him with Kira?" Caridad asked.

Via looked down, then back up at her sister. "I had help from the Atlantic Federation government..."

Caridad was surprised. "Who?" she asked.

"It was Senator Allen," Via said, "he got me away from Ulen back here to California..."

Haruma looked to his sister-in-law. "That's perhaps the best thing possible," he said seriously. "Given Ulen's tendencies for perfection, I wouldn't put it past him to try and get the kid back though."

Via nodded, and then continued, "it was Senator Allen who also testified in my favor at the custody hearing..."

"Then he'll have that covered, I assume," Caridad surmised.

Via nodded. "I was able to get the custody order from the judge because of his support, and I also got a restraining order against GARM so that they could not use any data they got from Kira's time in that artificial womb. I have it under lock and key."

Haruma let out an audible sigh. "That's good. He's not one to mess around, Senator Allen." He then looked to Kira. "And him?"

"He'll be protected by a special squad of agents until Ulen's in custody," Via said seriously. "It's become a BPS investigation..."

Caridad embraced Via and Kira gently. "Oh, Via. I'm just happy that you and Kira are safe." She looked Via in the eye. "He'll never get close..." she whispered. "We'll make sure of it."

"I got a restraining order against him, sis," Via said, "but... the hurt is still..." Via buried her face in her right hand. "What's happened? I barely recognize what Ulen is now...It's like all he wanted was to make Kira a mere extension of him."

Caridad and Haruma both grimaced at the thought. Haruma clenched his fists. "So where is he now?"

Via looked down. "He's still up at Mendel," she said softly. "He had to be down here on Earth for the custody trial, and that was the last I've seen of him," Via told Haruma, "but I could tell he was very upset when the judge ruled against him." "He had to be down here on Earth for the custody trial, and that was the last I've seen of him," Via told Haruma, "but I could tell he was very upset when the judge ruled against him."

"That's just like him," Haruma remarked. "He always did have a prideful streak when it came to his work."

Caridad looked to her husband. "Well he can dwell in his hurt pride... Mother and Father were right, he was more married to his work than to my sister."

Via nodded. "Way too much."

Caridad looked on at Kira in his mother's arms. "So... how long was he in that thing?" she asked hesitantly.

Via looked down at Kira sadly. "Enough to cause him to gestate quickly," she murmured, "and he's now a Coordinator."

"I see..." Caridad now understood. Kira was a Coordinator, and a very special kind unlike previous generations.

"Well, at least it was soon enough for you three to get away from that freak," Haruma sighed, trying to see the silver lining, "and he won't get to use his medical data for whatever else heaven knows about."

"Yeah. About the only good thing," Via remarked. "I'm just concerned he may try again... using what data he has accumulated from the other experiments..." Via stroked Kira's hair. "But no longer will he be using Kira to advance his own agenda."

That was the main good thing, the trio knew. However, thanks to Ulen, Kira now had the burden of being a Coordinator in a contentious world, and no one could tell what life had in store for this boy...

End Chapter 12


You gotta love and hate writer's block, but thanks to seeing the new Gundam SEED Freedom trailers, I should be getting my inspiration and mojo back.

Anyways, I finally got to Kira's birth and Mu La Flaga leaving with his mother, two events that I really consider milestones for this story. I hope you all enjoy and review this, and stick around as I look to wrap up the lead up chapters before the main story arc.

Good reading, and God Bless everyone! :)