A/n
Here is the next Phase for you readers to enjoy! And as I do about every five Phase, I'll be giving my disclaimer for my story. I do not own anything in the Gundam universe as much as I would love to. I don't own ideas that I pull from other universes which I use in my story, so don't report anything like that to Fanfiction. It ruins the fun for us writers going on tangents and it ruins this for the readers. I only own my ideas, original characters and musings that go into this story. With that out of the way, on to the Phase you get to enjoy.
Phase 71: Return to Orb
October 5th, 73 C.E.
The Normandy
The Normandy was cruising towards Earth since it would deliver Cagalli back to Orb as Tyler had promised. The ship had resumed its course after the encounter and battle with the Alliance group that had been pestering the escort group. It would take a little more than seven hours to reach Earth for the Normandy. The time was calculated to avoid the ship being seen cruising faster than the regulations stated were set. The Normandy would still have reduced travel time with the way Paris flew the ship. Once reaching Earth, the Normandy would descend down to the surface around Orb. Atmospheric entry interface would put the Normandy's transatmospheric capabilities to the test. Tyler was confident that the Normandy's Heat Film plating would hold up through re-entry. But he still wanted to see how they worked and did in the atmospheric environment.
Tyler was in his quarters as the Normandy was going toward Earth since Lisa was in charge of the bridge. She could call for him should there be any need for the ship's captain to be present for something. While Tyler was "off-duty," he was still working on some things as he knew he should. He was putting together a report on inspecting the Milos station and tracking down Phantom Thief. Tyler was working on the report to make it look nice since it would be seen by his boss along with others. He wanted to keep his boss happy and not breathe down his neck if he possibly could. The jobs he got were hard enough normally without his boss keeping an eye on him while he worked. Then, as a ship officer, Tyler had seen the "suggestions" of what it should include for it to be "proper." Tyler didn't want the hassle of higher-ups chiding him about crap they didn't like. His piloting was one of those points that he knew some didn't think ship officers should be doing.
The report wasn't exactly short, which was kind of unusual for Tyler to write on a normal basis. Normally, his mission reports were moderately short and to the point, which most higher-ups appreciated. However, with what Phantom Pain had done at Milos and ZAFT's Armory One, the report had a lot to go over. Not just what the Normandy's boarding party had found while they were at the Milos station, and that wasn't the beginning. After setting out from Echowas and going over the brief in more detail had been where the mission had started for Tyler. His suspicions of Phantom Thief were that the Alliance's Phantom Pain team had changed things going forward.
Phantom Pain was a group that had proven to be troublesome before the mission Tyler had been assigned to. Their anonymity and lack of evidence that could connect them to OMNI and then to the Alliance made it difficult to hold them accountable as a group. The Intelligence Agency had gathered what information they could and had come to the consensus Phantom Pain was given orders by some outside of OMNI. Who it was that gave them orders hadn't been determined, though there were some educated guesses about who it could be. What information had been acquired said the group had been made up of handpicked from OMNI soldiers and officers. From what informants said, Phantom Pain also wasn't well-liked by those in OMNI. Those from the group had been rubbing OMNI the "wrong way" by taking charge of things and taking credit for what others did.
The "military operation" of Phantom Pain was established less than a year ago. The MO was, as Tyler knew, doing tasks that really shouldn't be done and were normally illegal. They left no witnesses most of the time, and when there were some, they were traumatized horrendously. Milos was a good example of how Phantom Pain did things they were given to do. There was the rumor that most in Phantom Pain were members of Blue Cosmos, sympathized with them, or had many of the same views. The Intelligence Agency was sure they were funded by the shadows more than the Alliance would help them. Who those funders were happened to be a mystery for the moment. Even SOLAS hadn't been able to get much information on Phantom Pain which was saying something.
There hadn't been strong connections made between Phantom Pain and Blue Cosmos, even if it was assumed. Tyler wouldn't doubt SOLAS and the Intelligence Agency were trying to find a connection. It would make sense that Phantom Pain would be working with Blue Cosmos as their views were extremely similar, if not the same. Tyler wouldn't be surprised if both were somehow involved with the "Enhanced Human Project." Phantom Pain and Blue Cosmos would fit the bill for those who would see nothing wrong with kidnapping kids. It had been made clear to Tyler that Phantom Pain was a dangerous group and not to be underestimated. It had been why he'd told Marks and Jenkins of his suspicions about going against Phantom Pain.
Tyler felt sorry for the Minerva hunting Phantom Pain's ship alone. If the Normandy had been free, Tyler would've seriously considered teaming up with them to take down the enemy ship. But with Cagalli on the Normandy, Tyler couldn't charge ahead without thinking about her safety since she was a political VIP. Cagalli's safety and getting her back to Earth was the Normandy's priority when she came onto the ship. Tyler knew it was one of those things he wouldn't like about being a ship officer. However, it was part of the job he didn't get much say in. And he knew if he didn't observe "some" of the proper manners expected of ship officers, his boss would come down on him for it.
Tyler kind of wished for a moment that he was a field commander again and not a ship captain. As a commander, he had lot more freedom of how he could accomplish the tasks given to him. And yet, being a captain wasn't all bad when Tyler took a more objective view of the idea. The crew had adapted to his command style, and some seemed to like it. Plus, Tyler was starting to become fond of "his" crew on the Normandy. They had been growing on him, which was nice and a neat change for him. Tyler had come to like the Normandy and commanding the ship even when he was sure that wouldn't happen at first. He kind of hoped that he could stay with the Normandy after delivering Cagalli home and reporting in.
At the same time, Athrun was heading for the captain's quarters. He had come to the point where he felt he needed to have a conversation with someone he knew would hear him out. Athrun knew Tyler would listen to what he had to say and hopefully give him some advice and direction. And if Athrun ever needed advice and direction, it was now. Things had come to a head in the last few days. However, the issues had been building for months, but Athrun had been tolerating and ignoring them rather than dealing with them. Yet, Athrun had come to the point where ignoring and tolerating wasn't cutting it anymore. And Athrun was tired of feeling close to useless a good portion of the time.
He wouldn't deny that helping Cagalli had its benefits for him. Athrun loved Cagalli even if he hadn't told her directly about his feelings. So, the next best thing he could think of was to be by her side and help as much as he was able. And that had been satisfying for a time, but the longer he'd been around Cagalli while she did politics, the stronger the feelings of restlessness had become. Athrun felt he couldn't talk about the issue with Cagalli, not because she wouldn't listen, but because she wouldn't understand. She wasn't a soldier, so she couldn't see his position effectively to comprehend what he was going through. Tyler was one of the few he knew who could sympathize with what Athrun was experiencing that he could go to now.
Nevertheless, with Tyler being a ship captain now, he would have other responsibilities he would have to see to. Athrun didn't want to interrupt Tyler and delay him in fulfilling his job's responsibilities. He hadn't forgotten that Tyler had told him many times that he would make the time if Athrun wanted to talk. It had been a privilege Athrun hadn't made use of, as he didn't want to abuse such a thing. But Athrun needed to get the weight off his shoulders, and Tyler could help with that better than any other on the Normandy. Thus, Athrun found himself coming to be before the door to the captain's cabin. Athrun took a breath and knocked on the door. Tyler was brought out of his thoughts at the knock. He rose, went to the door, and pushed the button to open it. When it slid open, Tyler was surprised to see his best friend Athrun standing there. "Athrun, what a nice surprise for you to come to visit me; it's always nice, of course, unexpected or planned," Tyler greeted. "What do I owe this particular visitation, my dear friend?"
Athrun was trying to figure out where to start with what he'd been dealing with for months. He'd not noticed how much weight he had been carrying on his shoulders for a while now until recently. Athrun had been attempting to organize his thoughts but hadn't had a great deal of success. But it was to his friends he turned to. At times, he was confused and "lost." It was a lesson he had learned from the Alliance-PLANT War. His friends would support him when he needed it the most. Yet, Athrun hesitated before speaking, "I wanted to ask your opinion on something if you have the time." Athrun looked at the deck, "If you're busy, I can come back later."
Tyler stared at Athrun for a moment, especially with the last line he'd said. He'd thought he had made it clear to his friends that he would always help them when needed. If that meant Tyler had to make the time to do the said helping, he made the freaking time for them. Tyler had lost count of how often he'd told Athrun and Kira to come to him for any assistance they may need. Friends were close to family; Athrun and Kira were essentially family for Tyler. Family made life worth living in Tyler's mind, so he made the time for it and did what he could for them. Whether that help required Tyler to fight on a bloody battlefield or humiliate himself in some fashion, it was the same to him in the end. He did what he could for his family regardless of what it did to himself or his image.
The report Tyler had been putting together could wait for Tyler to do whatever Athrun needed. If Admiral Raine had a problem with that, he would face her, give her the truth, and take the consequences she would hand out. Tyler had proven that point by helping Lacus escape the PLANTs during the latter half of the war. He would prefer to avoid having to face his boss in that manner, but if that was required for helping Athrun, Tyler would do just that. Yet, by what Athrun said, he wanted Tyler's opinion and/or advice about something. Tyler was more than willing to give advice to friends who asked for it. Perhaps, it would give hints why Athrun had been kind of "glum" while on the Normandy. Tyler had been trying to figure out what had been eating at Athrun but hadn't come up with much other than he was restless. Feeling useless was understandable, but Tyler felt there was more to Athrun's mood than that. Thus, Tyler gestured to Athrun to come into his quarters, "Certainly, do come in," Tyler said. "I can make the time to talk about what you want." Tyler shrugged, "Gives me a break from putting together a report that is unpleasant to write."
Athrun came into the room and found it was very similar to the set of quarters Cagalli had been put up in. However, as the ship's captain, Tyler's quarters would be larger than the crew's quarters. Tyler led them to a sitting area and took a chair against the wall that separated the desk area. Athrun took the sofa that had a table in front of it, not looking at Tyler, gathering his thoughts the best he could. Tyler still didn't get why the captain's quarters were as spacious as they were. In Tyler's opinion, the room felt more like an apartment than a set of quarters on a ship. The only idea that Tyler could come up with to explain the room design was it was meant for a "family."
Tyler was young to have a family of his own at his age. He hadn't considered the idea for a couple of reasons, the major one being Sakura. The woman had made "romantic" relationships almost something he wanted to avoid for his whole life. He knew the woman would literally jump at the mere suggestion of "making" a family with Tyler. What had happened during the Junius Seven rescue project had made that clear enough to Tyler. Military service had kept Tyler busy and away from Sakura for a few months, which he wasn't complaining about. But the captain's quarters had been a bit of a reminder of what Tyler dealt with when it came to Lacus's older sister. He knew he'd had to confront Sakura at some point in the future, but he wasn't ready for that event yet.
Tyler focused back on Athrun and not on his wayward thoughts since his friend had come to him for a conversation. He was curious about what Athrun could want to talk about or even what his friend could want advice on. There were a few possibilities that Tyler could think of, which Athrun could want advice on with what was going on in his life. Tyler waited for Athrun to start the conversation, but his friend said nothing for a long minute. He waited for another minute or two, hoping his friend would say something, but Athrun remained silent. Tyler took that to mean whatever subject Athrun wanted advice on was difficult for him. Tyler finally exhaled, "While I'm all for listening and giving advice to those who are seeking it," he began, "I need a subject to go on."
Athrun had been organizing his thoughts so he could give a sensible explanation to Tyler. Telling another about the restlessness you had been feeling for months and explaining it in a way that would make sense wasn't simple. Athrun had been trying to think of what he could've said to Cagalli before now. When he'd almost concluded what he could've said to Cagalli, the urge to not bother her had come up. "Well, you see," Athrun started, but his voice trailed off, still unsure where to begin. Tyler waited for a moment for his friend to continue and lay out the subject he had come to him about. However, Athrun didn't keep going after a few minutes, which kind of worried Tyler. He certainly hoped that Athrun wasn't coming to him for "romantic" advice. That wasn't Tyler's area of expertise, and he had no interest in becoming more knowledgeable on the subject.
With the thought of Athrun coming to him potentially for romantic advice, Tyler held up a hand. "I'll say this now for the record, I'm not the one to ask for romantic relationship advice," Tyler stated firmly. He paused as memories of what Sakura had done to him over the years she'd stalked him for. The majority of what Sakura had done had been more irritating and annoying than dangerous to Tyler's person. However, the woman had done some things which had Tyler fearing for his safety and virtue. "You can blame Sakura for my lack of interest in romantic experiences. So, it's best not to ask me for suggestions on how to tell Cagalli how you really feel about her. I think you should tell her that you love her. Still, beyond that, I'm not the one to go to for advice on that idea." Tyler sighed, recalling what Lacus had told him when he'd visited the last time. He'd teased Kira and her about "dragging their feet" with their relationship. Lacus had snapped a retort that had shut up Tyler good, and he wouldn't deny that. "According to Lacus, I haven't a clue about girls and how they see things." Tyler's gaze fell to the floor, "Her retort shut me up, and the lecture that followed conveyed that message to me."
Athrun hadn't come for advice on his relationship with Cagalli. That was a different subject that he needed to address in the near future. And Athrun didn't question Tyler's view of romantic relationships and why he wasn't interested in them. He wouldn't have believed it unless he'd seen it with his own eyes, but Tyler's troubles with Commander Clyne would certainly drive someone to avoid the idea. The complete change in the Commander's personality had been unbelievable. But it made Tyler's stories about her far more comprehensible than before seeing the point. Athrun shook his head, "No, I didn't come here to ask for help with my relationship with Cagalli." Athrun looked away from Tyler, "I'll figure out how to deal with that myself."
Athrun fell silent for a bit, trying to figure out how to word what he wanted to say to Tyler. He knew he could be openly honest with Tyler and not be judged by his friend. The restlessness and feeling useless had been getting worse recently. It was taking more of a toll than it had been before now. And if anyone would have ideas of how to deal with such feelings, it would be Tyler. Athrun sighed, "Tye, have you ever felt like you're just holding others back?" Athrun's head fell as he continued, "That's the best way I can word what I've been feeling lately with recent events. I am willing to help Cagalli as I can in whatever ways I can," Athrun paused momentarily, "Yet, I can't help but feel like I'm just there to be seen and not heard. That if I wasn't there, there wouldn't be much of a difference in how things went overall."
Tyler instantly understood what Athrun was trying to convey, even if its wording could confuse others. Athrun was feeling useless to those around him since he wasn't doing visible work. Tyler had been in the position sometimes and hated every moment he was thrust into it. He'd learned to be patient during such times as they normally led to something that really needed to be done, which would make a difference. Being unable to use the skillset you have and are good with could be hard on a person. The other part of the "torture" of what Athrun was describing was seeing others around you doing things that were helping circumstances. In Athrun's case, Cagalli doing politics and appearing to get things moving was seen by him. He would just be "with" Cagalli but not helping her. It was the "just there to be seen and not heard" piece Athrun had mentioned. And while Tyler wasn't a stranger to working in the background and his work not being seen by the general population, not being noticed got tiresome from time to time. Tyler put his hands together and rested his chin on them, "So, seeing others doing visible work and feeling like you are just standing around watching and not participating," Tyler asked. "That's something I'm familiar with and curse with vigor when it comes up."
Athrun had known Tyler could get what he had been going through lately. As a soldier, Tyler would be aware of having to stand back and watch others work, wishing he could jump in and do something. Athrun's skills were as a soldier, much like Tyler's were. Those didn't often help or were needed when it came to politics outside of war. However, there was only so much that Athrun could endure before the restlessness got the better of him. He couldn't stop the heavy exhale that escaped him, "I'm having a hard time figuring out what to do right now. Just standing around and "being" there as a bodyguard should that be required has become frustrating. And it isn't protecting Cagalli that is frustrating, it's waiting around for the chance I might have to do, so that is getting to me." Tyler could sympathize with Athrun's position quite a bit, even if he hadn't been in exactly what his friend had been. Athrun kept going, "Inside the colony, when the Alliance group attacked and stole the Gundams, chaos spread quickly. I did my best to prevent Cagalli from getting hurt during the whole event." Athrun stopped as he thought about how his efforts, as strong as they had been, hadn't gotten the desired result. "But she was still injured during the attack, which bothers me."
Tyler felt sorry for what Athrun had been going through over the last twenty-four hours. Phantom Pain caused trouble for the Federation and ZAFT with their recent actions. It was for that reason the chance of hunting them had been so tempting to Tyler. Athrun was clearly torn between his wish to be by Cagalli's side and the urge to help others. Tyler leaned back into his chair, "While I can certainly sympathize with what you've gone through while at ZAFT's Armory One, I've yet to hear what you want advice on." Tyler shrugged, "I want to help you in finding a potential answer to what is bugging you. However, I need more information to work with before doing that. I'm good at giving assistance, but I ain't a psychic or a miracle worker at the drop of a hat, as it's said." Athrun appreciated Tyler was listening to him get stuff off his chest that had been weighing him down. So, Athrun took a breath, "I was hoping that maybe, you might have some ideas on what direction I could go in."
Tyler could understand wanting to change one's direction if it was not satisfying. But to answer the point, Athrun would have to answer a different question first. That question was how much he wanted to stay by Cagalli's side. Was it worth the heavy feelings of restlessness and being useless to stick by the girl? If yes, then Tyler couldn't suggest much for his friend other than find an outlet he could work with. Should it be no, there was more advice that Tyler could give Athrun. Tyler put a hand to his chin, considering how to word his response. "That's an individualistic question and requires an answer to a different question first." Tyler gained a soft smile, "But that you ask those kinds of questions is a good sign if you ask me."
Athrun blinked at what Tyler had said. He knew the question he'd come to Tyler with was complicated. It was why he'd sought Tyler for advice on how to change his standing. However, the second sentence confused him somewhat. Athrun had been avoiding asking what he was doing to help Cagalli as he felt it could have him question his feelings about Cagalli. "What do you mean me asking questions is a good sign, Tye," Athrun inquired. "This has been haunting me for a while now. It has been getting worse over time and harder to ignore lately."
Tyler chuckled a bit, "It means you are noticing things aren't as you want them, and you're willing to admit and change that." Tyler's face fell and morphed into an expression of tired frustration, "It's so much better than Kira's mentality to such a thing when he is faced with it." Tyler couldn't stop the irritated sigh that got out of him, "His response is "things will work out somehow," and not to worry about it." Tyler shook his head, "As you would guess, his naiveté is still present and is holding him back from making good progress. You know how his cursed naiveté works for him and how our efforts haven't done much to get rid of it. Yet, Lacus is actively trying to change that as I understand it, can't say if she'll have any more success than we have though."
Tyler focused on the question his friend had asked him for help with. And it came back to the point that Tyler had determined how badly Athrun wanted to stay by Cagalli's side. Until that was answered, there was little advice Tyler could give Athrun. "As for your question of what to do, let me ask you a question first. Hopefully, it will help me narrow down what advice I can give you to try and help." Tyler paused, considering how to word the idea, "How important is it for you to be at Cagalli's side the majority of the time, Athrun? If you can answer that for me, I will do my best to help walk you through potential options you could go with."
Athrun was taken aback by Tyler's question, as it hadn't been expected. It was one that had floated around his mind and appeared in the forefront of it sometimes, normally when he was frustrated and restless. He hadn't wanted to answer the idea, worried he would say no. But things had come to the point he couldn't avoid the question any longer, and Athrun could see that now. He sighed in response, "Honestly, it's a question I've been avoiding for a while now. I want to help Cagalli, and I thought being by her was the best way to do that. However, lately, I'm not so sure being constantly by her side is the best way I can help her in her pursuits."
Tyler didn't want to paint Athrun's position as only a chore or a bad one. There were perks with Athrun being by Cagalli's side which Tyler could see even if he didn't see the benefit of them. "Don't get me wrong," Tyler commented. "I'm not saying you don't have some seriously nice perks with where you are, Athrun." Tyler shrugged and gained a small smile, "I mean, you work with and protect the gal you really care about; that's like a premium perk, my friend." Athrun blushed at the last line as he couldn't deny Tyler's point. He got to spend time with Cagalli, and the moments they got together were wonderful and memorable. Tyler snickered, "Honestly, I'm more surprised that you haven't said how you feel to her yet. Yes, you mentioned you've been trying to come up with a way to tell her, which I assume you want to make special." Tyler's smile disappeared, "At least it isn't as bad as Kira, who I bet drives Lacus up the walls with how dense he is." Tyler shook his head again and sighed, "I wonder if his naivete will ever be worked out of him. Or rather, I wonder how long Lacus will be able to handle it before she goes at him at some point. I will say that it will be long before Kira makes a move; if that's not the case, then I'll be shocked and impressed with him."
Athrun knew Tyler had a way of spinning things to change a mood when he felt like it. And maybe that was something he had come to his friend for, a change in mood. It also reminded Athrun it had been some time since he'd visited Kira. Cagalli went to see him, or Kira came to see her more often than Athrun made the time for. Athrun had been keeping himself busy to avoid the question of being around Cagalli being worth it or not. And yet, the discussion of relationships reminded Athrun that Tyler had his own issues with such things. He let out a laugh finally as his mood was improving, "That's true, but you're not one to talk," Athrun replied. "By the way, how's it going with you and Sakura?"
The single question shut Tyler up right quick, for it was a reminder of a standing issue he faced off and on. Sakura popped up randomly in Tyler's life, usually when he wanted to relax and unwind when he had the chance. Some of the instances had been less unpleasant than others that Tyler could recall when required. However, Sakura had in no way left him alone or listened to his requests to not insist on pushing her company onto him. If anything, she increased her efforts to stalk him, much to Tyler's frustration and strain on his mind. Tyler wasn't so dumb to think Sakura's efforts weren't to convince him to be in a relationship with her. That wasn't to say Sakura hadn't gotten prettier over time. If Tyler was honest, Lacus's older sister was drop-dead gorgeous. But he wouldn't tell her that point as it would encourage her. Her being good-looking didn't detract from the fact that she still stalked Tyler. And the activity was just off-putting in freaking ways that made it seriously creepy. Thus, Tyler groaned, "Athrun, be grateful you don't deal with the crap I do in the "romantic relationship" department."
Tyler stopped before he went into detail about his issues with Sakura and what happened between them. He didn't want to get into that mess if there was a reason he didn't have to. Instead, Tyler returned back to telling his friend how lucky he was with the girl he was with. "Cagalli worries about you and your well-being but gives you space," Tyler said, then frowned. "Sakura hasn't and unlikely will do that for me in the future. She gives me no space if I don't make an effort to avoid her. As you are among the few who know the truth, she's stalking me as she was before. And she's only gotten more insistent in the practice, which in turn has forced me to be more creative in how I avoid her. I mean, she'd be okay if she didn't stalk me like she does, but she still hasn't learned that no means "back off" and not "try harder" in her pursuit." Tyler waved a hand dismissively, "But don't worry about my musings." He cleared his throat before continuing, "Allow me to rephrase my question then. Is it worth having the feelings you've been describing to me often to stay by her side? I've heard love is powerful and can have people do things they wouldn't normally consider doing. However, logically, I'd say it's about how much you are willing to endure for the girl."
Athrun's head fell as he thought about the question. Was it worth the feelings of restlessness and uselessness he'd been experiencing? Within the last week, Athrun would have to say it hadn't been truthfully. He still loved Cagalli with all his heart, but his recent days had been akin to being dragged along the ground by shackles attached to his ankles. The toll it was taking on him was getting to a breaking point. "Promise you won't tell Cagalli what I'm about to say," Athrun stated. Tyler inclined his head to say he wouldn't tell the girl a thing that was being said in the room. "This last week has been horrible for several reasons," Athrun continued. "And it wasn't just this week that it has been the case; it's been getting steadily worse over time. While I'm not the most aware of how politics run, I swear Cagalli isn't thinking about how she appears to others. She isn't just representing herself when she goes and meets with others from ZAFT and the Alliance. Cagalli is a representative of the Federation, so her appearance and behavior can be used to judge the Federation. However, she doesn't seem to understand that point or at least doesn't indicate that she does."
Tyler would have to mention off the cuff to his mother to give Cagalli a lesson on meeting with those outside your own faction. He'd thought his mom had given Cagalli somewhat of a rundown of the inner workings of politics. Yet, apparently, the girl had been not thinking about how she appeared to others and that it would reflect on the Federation. Tyler could only imagine how the girl had been dressed and behaving around those she met with. He hoped she didn't behave how she did around him, though he doubted she did. Frustrated, he sighed, "I wondered if she wasn't a tad too young and inexperienced to do foreign politics." Tyler put a hand to his forehead, "I'll see what I can do with getting a message across to my mom about teaching Cagalli meeting foreign representatives has its own procedures. Hopefully, the girl will listen to her and learn proper etiquette with politics."
Athrun would appreciate Tyler having his mother help Cagalli with the idea. The woman had led the Republic for most of Tyler's life, so Ellen would know a thing or two about meeting with representatives of another faction. And Cagalli had mentioned she admired and respected Ellen a lot, so hopefully, she would listen to her. Athrun took a breath before he picked up where he'd left off, "Then came the attack on Armory One. One of those times that, as a bodyguard, I would be able to use the skills I have. Yet, even with my efforts, Cagalli was injured and had to have a doctor help her." Athrun held his head in his hands, "What good am I as a bodyguard if I can't save Cagalli from harm?"
"Athrun," Tyler said firmly, drawing his attention, "Slow down, and don't let your emotions get the better of you." Tyler leaned back, having moved forward at Athrun's outburst, "I'm likely among many that have told you an important fact of being a soldier or something similar. No matter how hard you try, you will not be able to prevent harm from coming to people one hundred percent of the time. The best you can do is mitigate the damage and injury to those you care about. And I would challenge anyone to do as good as you did against Gundams. Even I would be hard-pressed to prevent the girl from getting hurt doing what you did. So, stop blaming yourself for her getting injured, and be glad you were able to keep her and yourself alive through the attack." Athrun knew Tyler was right and was being a voice of reason and logic at a time he really needed that. Tyler was correct that Athrun had done well going against Gundams and staying alive through it. He and Cagalli could've been killed by any of the three stolen Gundams, and there would be little surprise at the result. Thus, Athrun took a moment to calm down and not let himself get worked up further. "Sorry," Athrun replied, "seeing my hand covered in Cagalli's blood keeps coming back to my mind. And that is accompanied by the horror and fear that came to me back then."
Tyler held up a hand to stop Athrun from going further. There was no need for Athrun to explain himself or his reactions. He cared about Cagalli and didn't want her dead or hurt. Seeing the girl in one of those positions would scare the crap out of him, Tyler didn't doubt. "You don't need to justify what you did in the colony, Athrun," Tyler returned. "You gave it your best, and that's what counts in my book. However, you still had yet to answer my question of whether it is worth it for you to endure what you are to stay by Cagalli's side." Tyler shrugged, "Until you give me an answer on that, I can't give any good advice you came asking for." Athrun knew he was trying to dance around the answer Tyler was asking for. He had come to the conclusion, which was his answer. Yet, he didn't want to admit the point though he knew he needed to do so. He exhaled heavily, "At first, I was willing to endure the restlessness," he admitted. "However, it's coming to the point that it is not worth the weight coming down on me any longer."
Tyler nodded, "Okay, with the answer being no right now, I can give advice. But I ask you to give me a moment to organize my thoughts for delivery." Tyler considered what Athrun could do to get where he implied he wanted to go. There were a few paths his friend could take to move forward and still "help" Cagalli's goals. With his skills, being a soldier would be the best way for him to use his abilities. Athrun could join the Federation; Tyler would even vouch for him and put in as much good words for Athrun as possible. But the Federation wasn't the only organization Athrun could go work for. Tyler would bet that ZAFT would be more than willing to take him back. Yes, he'd been "discharged" for what he'd done with the Aegis, but Tyler had the feeling that he would be pardoned in a heartbeat if Athrun approached ZAFT's leaders. In the end, it would be Athrun's choice where or what organization he would go to. "I would advise you to consider where your talents would best be employed. The job of a soldier comes to my mind, but that could just be me," Tyler remarked. "You can go to ZAFT; I doubt they would reject you or even bring up your discharge. Or you could join the Federation's military; I'm more than willing to put in a recommendation and a good word for you should you choose that."
Athrun took a moment to consider what Tyler was suggesting for him. Going back to being a soldier had come to his mind before now. It made the most sense with his skillset, and he could make a seeable difference. He had thought about going and seeing if ZAFT would take him back and let him work for them. Athrun was pretty sure Tyler was right that ZAFT would be more than willing to take him back and not mention the circumstances of his discharge. Heck, Athrun wouldn't be surprised if he was given "special" status to get him the best equipment and rank. As a Gundam pilot, his skills would be sought after by all military organizations, and he knew any Gundam pilot would be in the same position. Plus, Athrun still had friends and comrades working in ZAFT that he would like to reconnect with. The "occasional" communications with Nicol were nice, but Athrun would prefer to have more than that with his friend. And Nicol would put in a good word for Athrun, he wouldn't doubt.
Nevertheless, Athrun hadn't honestly considered potentially joining up with the Federation's military. Joining them had its own set of benefits that were more than just a little tempting for most. The Federation had the best equipment and the best training to work with out of the factions of Humanity; there was no real way to argue that. Access to their Information Network alone made joining the Federation's military a hard thing not to jump at. The limited view Athrun had seen of the network had made it clear the idea was incredible and a serious advantage to its users. Tyler would put in a good word for Athrun were he to join the Federation's military. And with his connections, that recommendation would likely go far in helping Athrun get placed where he could do the best. Also, it would allow Athrun to potentially work with Tyler on assignments that Athrun wouldn't refuse. They had always worked well when they were a team, and that hadn't changed in the years that had gone by.
Currently, the two sides were working toward the same basic goals, so either choice would work for the point Athrun was going for. Going to either side had its pros and cons that went with the choice, which made the choice harder. Working with the Federation would certainly have Athrun busy doing work that would help Humanity. However, going with ZAFT gave me the opportunity to see another side of the growing conflict. If Athrun could connect to some higher-ups in ZAFT, he could potentially coordinate with Tyler and the Federation. Should the Federation and ZAFT work together against the radicals in the Alliance, the conflict might be handled before it broke out into a war. The Alliance-PLANT War had seriously harmed Humanity, which it was still recovering from. The last thing the human race needed was another war to ravish and traumatize it. Athrun chose his words carefully, "I will take that idea into serious consideration. I need to think about the options and what benefits they could have before I make the decision."
Tyler knew the option he was giving Athrun would take some thought before it was made. But laying out the option had helped boost Athrun's mood at least, and Tyler would take that. Yet, there was one more thing that Tyler wanted to tell Athrun to consider with his choice. Doing what one could was all good, but if one didn't believe in what they were doing, it was hollow to some degree. "One other thing to consider, my friend," Tyler stated. "Doing good is great and all, but make sure you believe in what you are working for. If you only fight because another tells you to, it rarely ends well. You should know what that is like to experience from the war."
Athrun understood what Tyler was talking about with belief and fighting just because you were told to. That was what caused Athrun a great deal of regret and misery during the Alliance-PLANT War. Following orders given by Creuset and the monster who had worn his father's face had nearly taken everything from him. Their orders had come close to killing his best friends, making him beyond a mass murder, and having him hate himself with every fiber of his being. He didn't want to end out in that kind of a position again if there was any way he could avoid it, and he would do a lot to not end out in it. Athrun didn't and wouldn't end out on the opposing side against his best friends again. "I can never forget what just following orders did for me," Athrun admitted bitterly. "It almost took everything that made my life worth living."
Tyler nodded solemnly, "It is a horrible lesson to have to learn, but it is, as you said, one you never forget as long as you live." Tyler shook his head and continued where he had left off, "Your heart and faith in your own beliefs will not lead you wrong should you hold to them. Others will try to change or manipulate them, but if you hold to them, they will serve you well. And there will be others who will see your beliefs and wish to follow the same to become your allies." Tyler paused for a moment before he kept going, "I'm not saying mistakes don't get made or don't happen along the way. Human beings are flawed creatures meaning they make mistakes as they progress on their chosen path. I'll be among the first to admit I make mistakes often enough, even if I don't like them or try to avoid them." Athrun had a soft smile on his face, which got Tyler to chuckle, "It is nice to see you are in a better mood than when you came in," he remarked. "I was starting to wonder who you were and what you'd done with my friend."
Athrun had known his mood had been low for a while with his work around Cagalli. He'd been trying to not let it get to the point where it would affect the quality of his work or others around him. But apparently, his gloomy mood had been noticed and had been affecting others. Athrun gained an apologetic smile, "Sorry, guess I've been rather dreary to be around lately," Athrun apologized. Tyler grunted, "Yes, that is one point, though I hear there has been more than just that. You've been stiff, hardheaded, and obstinate, to name a few things more." Tyler paused, "I could keep going, but I don't feel like finding a thesaurus right now to use. I would hope I'm getting the unsaid point that others have likely been trying to tell you." Athrun had figured his glum mood had been affecting others, but not as much as Tyler implied it had. The restlessness which had been gripping him had been doing more than he'd thought it had. "Yeah, I suppose I have come off that way for a while now," Athrun replied. "The restlessness has been getting to the point it is impossible to ignore these days."
Tyler hadn't been trying to call out his friend and say he'd been a dead weight to others or anything. However, it seemed others hadn't noticed the effect of his glum mood or said nothing to him about it. He shrugged, "I wasn't trying to be mean or anything," Tyler replied. "Nor was I attempting to insult you or say you're a sour puss and the like. And this isn't the same when I call Kira "a special kind of stupid" when it comes to matters of social things." Tyler stopped momentarily, figuring it was best to move on to wrapping up his advice. "Listen, Athrun, the best advice I can give is to just be yourself." Tyler smiled, "You do that, and everything will work out for the better in the end in some way. I know that may sound like something Kira would say, but it is the truth I've found more often than not."
Athrun appreciated the advice; it was a good place for him to start. While he wasn't fond of the thought of leaving Cagalli's side, he was coming to the conclusion that was the best thing he could do right now. Whether he would go to ZAFT or join the Federation, Athrun couldn't say at the moment. After Tyler had given his advice, Athrun and he changed to catching up with one another. It had been more than a year since the two had seen each other. The last time the two had been around one another, Athrun had been visiting his parents' grave markers. The visitation was normally somber, but Tyler accompanied him for "moral support." Both enjoyed the catch-up session since it didn't happen once they had parted ways after the war.
An hour went by as the Normandy continued its journey toward Earth. Tyler finished up the report he was required to write for Federation higher-ups and submitted it. Tyler got a nap before he was due for his shift on the bridge. He also got a wash after he woke up, which was refreshing. As Tyler made his way to the bridge, he passed crew members along the way. The gossip he heard when he passed them was about what could happen after the Normandy descended to Earth's surface. It was a valid question that Tyler didn't have an exact answer to right now. The Normandy had finished its mission with the wrap-up around Armory One. The Alliance group was now not an immediate problem needing to be addressed. The federation policy would have the ship and its crew get some downtime if it wasn't needed for something else immediately. Tyler wouldn't say no to some shore leave if the opportunity came up for the Normandy and its crew.
However, before there was any chance of potential shore leave, the Normandy would have to reach Earth and then go through Atmospheric Entry Interface. He was confident the Normandy could do the job without an issue. Yet, it would be using a new system that hadn't been used specifically for the entry interface and not a simulated environment. The heat film plate system was tested in a simulated environment that mimicked atmospheric conditions. The system performed above expected levels in those conditions, so they would do the same in the atmospheric conditions. Still, Tyler wanted to see the idea in action. It was much the same feeling he got when testing experimental equipment when the opportunity came up.
Tyler exited the deck lift, turned to his right, and entered the navigation bridge. He found most of the crew on duty were not the primary crew he'd become familiar with. That was fine as the primary crew would be on the bridge when the Normandy went through entry interface. Tyler took his seat and brought up the Normandy's status on the tactical display and glanced it over. He found the Normandy was performing as he expected. The ship was designed well from what Tyler had seen when he'd gone over its specs. The Normandy's power generator and fuel supply had been keeping the ship's engines going as Paris had been pushing them. But the ship's cruising speed was less than when Tyler had gone off-duty from what he saw. However, after some convincing from Tyler, the pilot put their foot down and increased the Normandy's speed. With the Normandy's cruising speed, it would reach Earth's orbit in a couple of hours. Tyler just hoped the hours would pass by with little excitement or the like.
The hours went by with little out of the ordinary occurring to the Normandy as it drew closer to Earth. Tyler spent the time tying up some "loose ends" which had come up for him. One of those was getting a message to his mother as he'd told Athrun he would. The message would tell his mother Cagalli needed some help on how to properly work with other representatives. Athrun's descriptions of how Cagalli had behaved around ZAFT's Chairman Durandal was concerning. The girl was representing more than just herself or her homeland, and she needed to keep that in mind. Cagalli respected his mother and Tyler hoped Ellen could help Cagalli in this issue. Tyler's mother was a giant in the political world, and she would be able to help teach Cagalli what she needed to know.
Tyler was brought out of his thoughts when the helm called the Normandy had reached high-orbit above Earth. He knew re-entry would be simpler with the Normandy than it had been with the Shadow or the Delta Fighter as he'd done the idea in previously. The Normandy had systems designed for atmospheric re-entry and had been thoroughly tested for the idea. That was different than what Tyler had gone through with the Shadow's re-entry where he'd had to depend on the phase shift to get to Earth's surface. That had been close to a disaster for Tyler since landing had required assistance to do properly and not crash into the ground or sea. Tyler was far less concerned with the re-entry the Normandy was about to do. Tyler cleared his throat, "Okay all," he began, "I see no reason to wait or delay going through entry interface, so let's get to it." Tyler looked in the direction of the helm station, "Helm, orient us for phase one. We will be aiming for Orb territory and let's descend at an angle," Tyler paused considering what angle the Normandy would have the smoothest ride down with, "of between ten and eleven degrees."
After getting the helm's acknowledgement, Tyler turned to the sensor operator, "Search and detection, if you would calculate our landing zone from the helm's course plotting and the entry angle, that would be appreciated. We need our estimated entry vector so we can pass that on to Orb's Onogoro. I have a feeling they will want to send out an escort to guide us in after splashdown." Tyler turned to the defensive systems station, "Tactical, ready the HF plating system for deployment during the latter half phase two. I want it prepared for quick deployment before we hit the thermosphere." He then twisted to face the com-station, "Communications, if you would announce blue alert so the crew moves toward their stations for Entry Interface, that would be great."
At the same time, Athrun had convinced Cagalli to have a meal as the journey had been progressing. She had been staying in her quarters the vast majority of the time while on the Normandy. Cagalli had said something to the effect of "keeping up on news" as the reason she was almost locking herself in her quarters. Athrun hadn't liked her behavior since the Normandy's crew had been nice and welcoming to her, Athrun, and Quatre. She had been in her quarters after he'd gone out in the Aurora. Athrun had figured Cagalli wouldn't like him going out and fighting, but her essentially holding something against him for helping was making things awkward. Athrun had tried to talk to Cagalli about her irritation, but she had refused to do so. Thus, getting her to come out and have a meal was at least something he had managed to achieved. They were finishing up the meal when the "blue alert" was announced over the Normandy's internal speaker system. Athrun had figured out the Federation used colored alerts to announce a status for a ship. However, he didn't know what each color meant for a ship's crew, only a select few did Athrun know what they meant. He knew their red alert was for combat situations from the time he'd spent on Federation vessels but that was the only one that was known to him for sure. And Athrun hadn't heard blue alert while he'd been on a Federation vessel, so couldn't say what situations blue alert could be used for. The color alert had been followed by the statement of the Normandy beginning Atmospheric Entry Interface. But that didn't hint at the specific type of situations that blue alert could be used for.
The other point that came up with the announcement was a fact about the Normandy that hadn't be stated that Athrun had heard. Tyler had never mentioned the Normandy could be a transatmospheric vessel as the Archangel had been a prototype for. The Federation developing transatmospheric ships wouldn't be much of a surprise to Athrun. Tyler had stated the Federation had gotten all the data from the Atlantic Federation's G-Project. Athrun would be shocked if they hadn't gone over all the data from the project and developed parts they had found "interesting" further. The Aurora's phase shift armor was evidence that the Federation had improved the armor system from the Alliance's project. So, ships that could work down on Earth and in space would be something of interest Athrun would imagine.
Cagalli had been trying to figure out how events had led to what happened around Armory One. Thus far, she'd only found loose hints as to what "could have" directed things toward the attack on the colony. But there hadn't been solid evidence that would lead to the Alliance's assault. Nothing she could access on the Information Network had even suggested OMNI had been planning for the chain of events. Cagalli hadn't been able to come to any conclusions that would explain why the event had occurred. It had been frustrating she couldn't figure out why so many people had been put at risk. And for what, just to steal ZAFT's newly developed Gundams? Little if any good could come from the theft and with OMNI's actions as of late, there was no good which would come of the stolen Gundams. Her frustration had been increasing the longer she'd been searching for answers. Then Athrun had come by and managed to convince her to take a break and have a meal.
Cagalli finished her meal when the announcement came, and it got her to pause. Hearing the Normandy would be descending was out of the blue to her. There had been nothing mentioned or stated about the Normandy being a ship able to work on Earth as well as in space. She glanced around before she spoke, "Wait, the Normandy can descend to Earth's surface?" Athrun put a hand on her shoulder, "With the Archangel being able to do that, it was only a matter of time before other ships with the same capabilities were constructed." Athrun paused for a moment, "It just means that the Normandy will take us the whole way back to Orb, rather than just to orbit around Earth. If you want to watch the descent from the bridge, we could go should you want." Athrun left the offer open as he wanted to keep Cagalli from returning to her quarters and remain there for the rest of the journey. He'd seen some seats at the back of the navigation bridge which Athrun assumed were for guests on the ship. Cagalli could use one of those to view the descent and potentially engage with others which she had been avoiding.
Athrun's suggestion for a different activity did sound more appealing for Cagalli. She still wanted answers as to why so many lives had been threatened. But the endless research hadn't brought anything to light and had only irritated her as a result. She needed a break from the idea, both to clear her mind and give it some peace. Maybe some in Orb's general council or at Onogoro's military command could take on the task and get answers. More people doing the research would be more efficient and have a better chance at getting results. So, Cagalli nodded, "Okay, I need a break from what I've been doing anyway," she replied. "Sorry I've been so distance and glum lately."
Athrun had noticed Cagalli had been bugged by something and it had been consuming her time while the Normandy had been traveling. He hadn't figured out what was bugging her exactly, and she'd not given an answer when he'd asked her. It worried Athrun a bit that Cagalli had been absorbed in something to the point she had essentially locked herself in her quarters. It was rare for Cagalli to shut herself up for research or studying something specific. So, when it did happen, it was normally on something serious to her. Yet, Athrun shook his head in response, "No, it's okay," he returned. "It's been a stressful last seventy-two hours for us. Everyone reacts differently to stress, so it's okay." Athrun gestured in the direction of the deck lift, "Shall we head to the navigation bridge?"
The two floated to the corridor and quickly arrived at the deck lift. Crew members had been rushing around, heading for their stations at the announcement. But the lift wasn't packed as Athrun thought it might be when he and Cagalli were making their way to the bridge. As Cagalli and he exited the lift, Cagalli pushed herself down the corridor, but halfway down she fell to the deck. She had been so surprised by the effects of gravity coming on she didn't catch herself as she fell. Athrun had been moving slowly knowing the effects of Earth's gravity would come into play soon enough. He'd told Cagalli to move slower, but she hadn't listened to him about Earth's gravity being the reason to do so. Athrun walked over to where Cagalli had gone down, "I did say it would be best to move slowly," he remarked. "With the Normandy making the descent down to the surface, Earth's gravity will affect us on the ship." Cagalli rose from the deck, realizing Athrun was right and that she'd forgotten Earth's gravity field would influence the ship as it descended.
The two came onto the Normandy's bridge and found the crew at their stations and Tyler in his chair. Athrun noted Tyler was handing out orders, and doing so proficiently. It was proving he could be a fine ship officer when put to it. He wouldn't deny Tyler's command style was unique and certainly not taught by any military organization. And yet, with a crew that could work with it like the Normandy's seemed to, then the style was effective in its application. It also required higher-ups not coming down on Tyler with regulations and protocol enforcement. Athrun directed Cagalli to one of the chairs at the back of the bridge before taking the seat next to her himself.
The Normandy began shaking a bit as it descended into low orbit and into the outer area of Earth's atmosphere. Tyler was gazing at the tactical display which was showing the Normandy as it was descending toward the surface. The Normandy had breezed through phase one of entry interface without an issue. It was doing much the same with phase two and was handling the descent just fine. Phase three wouldn't be that different other than the heat film plating system being active and protecting the ship from atmospheric heat. The primary crew had taken their normal stations by the start of entry interface phase two. Tyler wanted to test Paris's skills again with the descent and landing of the Normandy on Earth. The man had proven he had the skills to fly a ship better than most Tyler had met, and that had impressed Tyler somewhat. But getting through re-entry and landing well was a challenge for any pilot to do successfully. "Paris," Tyler called, "I have a challenge for you which I'll add to the reward I owe you already should you pull it off."
Lars had enjoyed the "challenges" Captain McGregor had given him thus far during his service on the Normandy. He'd gotten to do more as the Normandy's primary pilot than he'd been "allowed" to do with any craft previously. Heck, if Lars were to do anything he'd done with the Normandy while most higher-ups were watching, he would be reprimanded in no time flat. "I'm all ears, cap," Lars replied. "What did you have in mind for me to do?" Tyler smirked, "While I'm confident you'll get the Normandy through Entry Interface just fine, that's not the challenge. I already owe you a drink, but I'll add a full meal to that if you can give us a soft landing that makes me applaud your performance. You think you're up to it?"
Lars had gone through entry interface in a shuttle before. He'd heard the process was supposed to be difficult, but he hadn't found it as hard as others said. Lars hadn't imagined he would do entry interface with a space-going vessel. And yet, he was about to do that with the Normandy which shouldn't be that difficult compared to a shuttle. A soft landing with a craft after re-entry tended to be more difficult. Shuttles may have runways to soften the landing, but those only did so much. However, for the Normandy, it would be landing on water and that was a different matter than a runway. A landing in water was known to be rough and was expected for pretty much any craft. So, the captain's challenge was a tall order indeed, even with the reward offered upon completion. "If any can do it," Lars began, "I'm the guy to pull it off, cap." Tyler smiled at the reply as it was the one he'd been hoping to get from his primary pilot. If Paris could give a decently soft landing on the water, then Tyler would be impressed. Lisa came onto the bridge as Paris was speaking and she could only wonder what Tyler was daring Paris to do now as she took her seat. "Then, let's see you do it, Paris," Tyler returned, "I look forward to owing you a dinner on top of the drink you earned earlier."
The Normandy continued to descend downward into the Earth's atmosphere. There was the announcement on the bridge the ship was about to enter phase three of entry interface. Tyler ordered the heat film plate to be activated which was done. Athrun's attention was perked up at the mention of "heat film plating" from Tyler. The name was in reference to something Athrun had never heard of. However, as he watched the tactical display, the bottom of the Normandy changed color, signaling there was something different. It led Athrun to believe the "heat film plating" was some sort of new heat shielding system the Normandy had to work with. As Athrun glanced forward toward the helm's viewing window, he saw an orange glow of the atmospheric heat becoming visible. The Normandy shook as it fell through the Earth's atmosphere. A system operator called the HF plate's integrity was holding against the atmospheric friction.
Meanwhile, down on Earth, ships had set out from Onogoro to meet up with the "Normandy," which was carrying Lady Cagalli. Onogoro had stated they had received communication from the Normandy around eight hours ago they would be escorting Lady Cagalli back to Orb. From what Onogoro said, the Normandy was able to operate on Earth as well as in space. Those from Orb were grateful for the Normandy's actions in escorting Lady Cagalli. When word came that the colony Lady Cagalli had been heading for to meet with a PLANTs representative, there had been great worry. The attack could've gone much worse than it had ended out being by what information was available. But in the end, Lady Cagalli was safe due to the efforts of ZAFT and the Federation's military forces and that's what counted. The ships were on their way to the meet up point as the Normandy had said they would be descending soon. The Normandy was predicting they would come down around the Marshall Islands and splashdown. From there the plan was for the Orb group would escort the Normandy back to the mainland. The Normandy would then dock at Onogoro where Lady Cagalli would exit the ship.
At the same time, around the orphanage on the Marshall Islands, Kira and Lacus were watching the kids playing outside. It was part of the normal routine of the day with them for a while now. Kira had come up with the idea for the two of them to disappear from the spotlight and from notice of the factions. With Kira being a Gundam pilot and the Freedom's specifically, he would be sought after for his skills, even with his Gundam having been destroyed. On the other hand, Lacus had her fame as a singer and her participation in the war. She was beloved by those who lived in the PLANTs. That could be used by some to get their way if she was brought under their control. Thus, Lacus had followed Kira into "hiding" from the general public, their location known only by close friends and trusted individuals.
Kira had brought Lacus to Orb to meet his parents as she had requested. His parents had liked Lacus when they had met her, which Kira had hoped they were. He really did love Lacus, and wanted a future with her, though he didn't know how that would play out. With the war having ended, Kira wanted to have a quiet life with Lacus. However, with what things he'd been hearing from Cagalli and Tyler, the peaceful times may not last for a great deal of time longer. Kira didn't want to fight again, and he especially didn't want Lacus do get into a mobile suit again. So, to vanish from the public eye, Kira, Lacus, and Caridad moved to the orphanage Lacus had been told about that Reverend Malchio was managing. It gave them something to occupy their time to help out at the orphanage. It helped Kira forget temporarily that he had blood on his hands due to the war.
Lacus and Kira had quickly became used to the routine of looking after the children at the orphanage. Lacus had become a favorite of most of the kids as she was nice to them and sang when they asked. From what Kira could tell, Lacus seemed happy with looking after the children and didn't miss what her life had been like before. She appeared to have a gift with children and he felt that would translate to her being an amazing mother someday. Kira and Lacus were able to keep up with events somewhat with Cagalli and others would visit from time to time. Tyler would visit and work on finding homes for the kids at the orphanage. He had found some really good homes for some that had passed through the orphanage.
Others had come over the time Kira and Lacus had come to live at the orphanage and took up residence. Two had been Andrew Waltfeld and his partner Aisha. They were quick to become popular with the kids. Andrew's stories about his service in ZAFT were favorites of the kids as they liked how he would tell them. Aisha became a second mother-like figure for many living at the orphanage along side Caridad. Murrue Ramius also appeared months after Kira and Lacus came to live at the orphanage. She said something along the lines of looking for things to do with the war over. Murrue did mention the Archangel's crew had spread out looking for things to do since the Archangel had gone into "storage."
On the current day, the kids were playing outside on the beach as they did most days. It was close to midday when some of the kids began muttering to one another and pointing at something. Aisha went over to those that were and asked them what they were looking at that had them chattering. One of the older kids pointed up to the sky saying they saw what they thought was some kind of "odd bird." Aisha glanced in the direction the kids were pointing and saw there was something there. She squinted to try and see what the object could be and it didn't take long for her to be sure what the kids saw wasn't any kind of bird. It had a faint orange outline which would strongly suggest it was a ship descending from orbit. The craft didn't appear to be a shuttle from the shape from what Aisha could tell.
That a ship was potentially descending down to Orb territory and not around the mainland was rare. For shuttles and other craft, they would come down around Onogoro and Orb's mass driver normally. However, it could explain the Orb vessels that had taken up position a ways off the Marshall Islands less than an hour ago. Although, it would suggest that the craft descending was carrying something or someone on it for Orb vessels to be there to escort. Aisha couldn't recall any that would fit that idea which she'd heard recently. She and Andy had been using what means they could to keep up on current event and news. Some of that info came from the Federation's Information Network with their public access Orb got for their citizens. Other facts came from contacts they still had within ZAFT on what was going on around the PLANTs.
And as the craft got larger, it lost the tint of orange and became more visible to Aisha. The vessel was unlike any Aisha had seen before from any faction. The ship appeared to be shorter than many space-going vessels. She would estimate it to be around two-hundred meters in length from bow to stern. Aisha assumed the ship was a Federation vessel with how different it was and coming down in Orb territory. If it was a new ship class the Federation had developed, it was the first Aisha had seen since the war. Its apparent size suggested it was lighter than Federation cruiser. And yet, it was longer than a Laurasia but looked to have less space somewhat with most of its structure in the center with wings attached to the rear part of the ship structure.
Aisha grabbed the mini telescope she was carrying to get a closer look at the descending vessel. There were a few things she spotted which caught her attention as she scanned the ship over. She heard Andy's voice calling for the children to gather together and to head back toward the house as she kept glancing the ship over. The underside of the ship seemed to shimmer which was odd to her since Aisha had never seen such an idea before. It could be a new system or piece of equipment that the Federation had recently invented. The wings appeared thicker than what most ships possessed, and Aisha couldn't think of a viable reason for that to be the case beside storing weapons in them. Andrew had directed the kids back toward the house for the time being as Aisha was looking at what the kids had pointed out. He saw the "ship" which was coming down toward the water. Why a vessel was descending from space down to this area, Andrew couldn't say with what he knew. There had been the group of Orb vessels that had appeared a little less than an hour ago. He hoped Aisha's examination could give more of a potential explanation for what was going on.
Re-entry was about what Tyler expected for a ship or shuttle doing the idea. It had been far better than what Tyler had experienced in the Shadow years ago. The HF plating had held up wonderfully and had cut down atmospheric heat slightly better than ablative gel did. It did help the Normandy's descent angle was less than half what Tyler did in the Shadow. And the ship came down in the general area that Tyler had been hoping for. There were islands ahead which Tyler guessed were Orb's Marshall Islands but the Normandy could avoid those. Orb vessels were a distance ahead and were undoubtedly the escort which the Normandy would have to Orb's mainland.
As the Normandy continued dropping closer to the water, Lisa ordered the wings shift to be flat and in line with the underside of the ship. It was a feature to help the ship work as well on Earth as in space, part of the transatmospheric capability of the ship. The wings could adjust to help flying more efficiently on Earth and shift the positions of the engines. They would shift when the Normandy was in the water to have the engines be submerged. Tyler's gaze was forward as he wanted to see how Paris would do splashdown with the Normandy. "Okay, Paris," Tyler said, "I'm looking forward to seeing how you pull off splashdown."
Lars smirked at the comment from captain McGregor. Re-entry had been a breeze with the ship's HF plating. The Normandy had handled the atmosphere like it was made for the idea occurring over and over. And Lars had a plan for splashdown and making it "soft" as the captain had challenged to do. He would use the ocean to decelerate the Normandy by having the ship dive under the water. Once the Normandy slowed down, Lars would have the ship surface and sail smoothly forward from there. "Just you wait, cap," Lars stated, "I'll have you applauding soon enough." The Normandy descended lower and lower, Paris using the maneuvering jets to adjust the ship's orientation.
Back at the orphanage, the children had gathered on the building's back porch as they had been instructed. They were watching and chattering as the "ship" got closer to the ocean and the Marshall Islands. The vessel had become clearly visible to the naked eye as it got closer to the ocean's surface. In fact, the ship soared close by where the orphanage giving a good view of the vessel. Andrew couldn't help but hum, "Quite a beautiful ship," he remarked, "especially seeing it this close." Aisha nodded, "And it isn't a ship class that I've seen before," she added. "But for it to be able to descend down to Earth is different since the Archangel was the only ship I can think of which can do so. But apparently, the Federation has developed a ship that can do the same." The kids were chattering with each other about the "cool ship" that had passed. Most of them only saw ships in pictures and education lessons sometimes. This was the first time they had seen a vessel up so close.
The Normandy pointed its nose down just before it touched the water. The transition for the Normandy slipping below the water shook the ship somewhat but wasn't a hard rocking as a ship hitting water directly. Tyler was impressed with the dive underwater as it was an ingenious way to decelerate the Normandy. He'd asked Paris to impress him, and the man had delivered on the challenge. Tyler owed him a drink for getting to Armory One in good time, and he would owe him a meal for the splashdown. The Normandy pitched upward and surfaced as Tyler smiled at being impressed. "It would seem I owe you a meal, Paris," Tyler remarked, and he clapped his hands together. "Your splashdown was impressive, and the dive deceleration was ingenious."
After the Normandy surfaced, it moved forward to where the Orb vessels were waiting for it. Tyler asked Miss Alloy to communicate with the lead Orb vessel that the Normandy was waiting for instructions to where it was to take up position in the escort formation. After exchanging information, the Normandy moved forward, and the Orb vessels took up positions alongside of it. The journey to Orb's mainland took over an hour in total as it was slow and steady. Tyler turned around to face Cagalli who was still strapped into the guest seat. "We should arrive at the dockyard around Onogoro in around an hour at our current pace," Tyler stated. "I certainly hope the ride was not too bumpy, but we will get you to your destination." The remaining journey to Orb was quiet with the Orb escort moving along side the Normandy.
Onogoro came into view around fifty minutes later for those on the Normandy. The escort vessels broke off as the Normandy continued forward toward the docking area. Miss Alloy got into contact with Onogoro's port control and asked which dock the Normandy was to enter. The Normandy was directed into one of Onogoro's dry docks which was filled with water at the moment. The ship turned around before it backed into the dock. Paris made sure to align the Normandy with the docking structure for when the dock drained the water inside it right now. Once the Normandy came to a stop, the water level began falling inside the dry dock. The Normandy fell with the water level and came to sit on the pylons in the dry dock as the dropping water level continued downward.
The plan was the Normandy would be inspected, needed work done, and resupply while docked at Orb. Tyler would speak to whoever he needed to for his crew to get some shore leave while they were docked in Orb. The Normandy would likely be in Orb for two days or more so shore leave would be fine during that time. Heck, Tyler would ask Cagalli to help him if he had to for the benefit of the Normandy's crew. Tyler also would like to swing by and visit Kira and Lacus while he was around Orb as well. He did that when the opportunity came up which wasn't as often as Tyler liked. Plus, Tyler had information for the orphanage for two families looking for adopting a kid. It was something he did to help those at the orphanage as they were good kids that had just had some bad things happen to them. The urge came from the soft spot Tyler had for children in unfortunate circumstances.
Dock scaffolding moved into place over the Normandy, including a boarding path to one of the Normandy's airlocks. Tyler ordered the airlock the boarding path had come to be against be unlocked and opened. Miss Alloy had reported the port control informed her a team of Orb military personnel would be coming onto the Normandy. They were coming onboard to do the general inspection and to confer with the Normandy's captain. Tyler assumed when the Orb team came to meet with him, they would escort Cagalli off the ship too. It would free the Normandy of its VIP which Tyler wouldn't say no to. And it didn't have anything to do with Cagalli personally, she was okay. Tyler just didn't prefer to deal with VIPs if he didn't have to do so since they could be a pain.
It wasn't more than ten minutes before the Orb team appeared on the navigation bridge. Tyler rose and bowed to the leader of the team and identified himself as the Normandy's captain. He and his crew were thanked for escorting and protecting Cagalli back to Earth by the team. Tyler replied to the gratitude by saying those on the Normandy were happy to have been able to help in what ways they could. Tyler did inquire who he needed to speak with to request shore leave for the Normandy's crew. He was referred to Onogoro's commanding officer who was on duty currently for that request. Tyler thanked the Orb team before bowing to Cagalli and wishing her well after leaving the ship. Tyler asked Lisa to take charge of the Normandy while he traveled to Onogoro's military command and see the one in charge. Lisa had no issue with Tyler heading off and talking with Orb's military. He was looking into getting shore leave for the crew, it showed how much he cared about them.
Tyler departed from the Normandy and quickly found a vehicle to use to get to Onogoro's military command center. The drive over to it was uneventful for Tyler. The roads were not busy and so the drive was quick enough. Upon arriving at Orb's command center, Tyler flashed his military ID and asked those he came across where he could find the commander on duty. Once he found the person he was after, Tyler laid out what he was there to request. Tyler had to give a summary of what had happened around Armory One since he was asked. It made Tyler believe high-ranking military officials and political figures in Orb had been made aware of general facts of the incident. Tyler saw nothing wrong with a summary since it wasn't anything classified. The general public wouldn't know about it until later once a clean version of the event was made.
Tyler's request for shore leave with the Normandy's crew was granted. And Tyler was informed that the inspection had found a few things that would take some time to correct. Resupply would require three days if not slightly more. And while the ship didn't have major damage, there was some minor damage that would need to be seen to. Apparently, there was some odd-looking things with some of the Normandy's systems according to the two engineers from Morgenroete that had been on the team had brought up. Tyler had nothing against Morgenroete doing adjustment and repairs on the Normandy. Those from Morgenroete knew their stuff and had gotten better after Orb had joined the Federation.
Tyler headed back to the Normandy and gave the good news about shore leave being given to the crew. He then went to his quarters and reported in the Normandy's status. The reply Tyler received from Federation high-command was the Normandy should head toward the Republic in five days after it was supplied. Beyond that, there wasn't anything in the reply that Tyler translated into orders from the ship. It gave time for some shore leave and Tyler wouldn't complain about that. Tyler had found a happy and unstressed crew tended to be a good and efficient crew. That was a preference Tyler had over the opposite of a stressed crew. The Archangel had shown Tyler how that could go, both good and bad sides of it. He could visit Kira and the rest at the orphanage during the time the Normandy was in Orb. Also, Tyler could get some time to relax before any potential orders came for the Normandy.
Tyler returned to the bridge and informed Lisa of the reply from Federation high command. Lisa nodded in acknowledgement and suggested they have a skeleton crew on the ship at all times. Tyler didn't disagree with that and said they could make up a schedule, so all the crew got some shore leave. The two sat back down at the tactical station and got down to discussing the shore leave schedule. They both agreed it would be better if the crew stayed on the ship for living quarters rather than hotels. As long as the crew was sober and able when they left, Tyler wasn't going to be too picky about things. The crew could do as they liked as far as Tyler was concerned while on shore leave. It wasn't his business what they did on their own time as long as it didn't affect their performance while the ship was on assignment. Thus, it didn't take long for Lisa and Tyler to make up a schedule for shore leave. They announced for the crew to check the closest terminal for the schedule when each crew member would get shore leave.
Tyler left the Normandy first, leaving Lisa on the ship to watch over things. He saw trucks pulling up as he came off the boarding ramp. A moment later people exited the vehicles and what they were wearing said they were from Morgenroete. Tyler was glad to see Morgenroete was being as efficient as they always seemed to be. He'd become fond of the Normandy and wanted it to be able to serve the Federation's military for a long while. Tyler went to the car he'd used to travel to Orb's command center. He did consider reaching out to Athrun and see if he wanted to join Tyler visiting Kira. But his friend had left with Cagalli, so Tyler assumed his friend would be busy for some time. Thus, Tyler drove over to where he could get a heli so he could travel to where Kira lived now by himself instead.
Tyler started up the heli and lifted off when he got permission from the airport traffic tower. His flight plan was straightforward as he would go directly to the Marshall Islands. The trip would take around eighty-five to ninety minutes at a decent speed. The flight was quiet and uneventful for Tyler. He spent the time going over what had happened on the Normandy's first mission. There were some questions he wanted to ask of others to get a better view to what Phantom Pain could be doing. Kira had told Tyler Murrue had come to live at the orphanage a while back which gave him an opportunity. Tyler wanted to have someone who had been in the Alliance give their opinion on the chain of events. The armor pilot specifically was odd and Murrue would know who to go to for asking for more potential information on who they could be. It he could've, Tyler would've reached out to Krystal McAlester, but he didn't have a clue where the woman was these days.
The island Tyler was aiming for came into view which brought him out of his thoughts and back to the present. Once the island was below, Tyler turned to the right and headed for the landing area it had. He swung into the concrete-covered area and made a soft landing with the heli. Tyler exited the aircraft and snagged one of the general vehicles left at the landing area to travel around the island. There were roads on the island even if they were dirt ones for non-main roads. Tyler cruised along the main road toward the orphanage knowing the route by heart having been to the place enough. The drive took around fifteen minutes, and it was as beautiful a scenic drive as it ever was.
Tyler pulled up to the "orphanage" that Kira and others lived at on the island. The building wasn't small but didn't span the whole property it was on. The structure appeared to be two buildings put together. The larger section of the place was the living area including the bedrooms and bathrooms. The other part was the common area of the orphanage where the kids would interact with each in groups. The orphanage also had a deck which had stairs down to the beach below the building. The place could house up to thirty to forty kids from what Reverend Malchio said, and the man was the one who officially ran the place. From what Tyler had been told, there was on average twenty to thirty kids there at a given time.
Tyler did what he could to find families for the kids and give them a good home. None of the orphans had done anything to end out in the circumstance they were in. Most of them were war-orphans because of the Alliance-PLANT War. Tyler felt for the kids as he'd lost family to the war. He felt that could be why the kids liked him so much, he could understand what pain they were feeling. However, he'd been going through a dry-spell with finding homes for the kids lately. He normally could find at least one family a month that would be willing to take a kid in. Yet, he'd had two over the last six months which wasn't due to a lack of effort on his part. Nevertheless, Tyler would take what he could get for the kids and keep trying to find places they could have a happy life.
That wasn't to say Tyler felt the kids at the orphanage were unhappy with living where they were. Kira and the others who worked there gave it their best to give the kids what they could. Caridad, Kira's adopted mother was a mother-figure for the kids and was helping them understand what a family was supposed to be about. Kira's adoptive father helped supply the orphanage both financially and materially by what Tyler had heard. Lacus was probably the most popular with the kids by what Kira had said and Tyler didn't doubt that. The girl was just so approachable contrary to what her idol image would suggest. Plus, Tyler would assume Lacus singing would be liked by the kids too. Tyler hadn't heard anything about how Murrue had been seen by the kids, but none had said they hated her or anything. Mr. Waltfeld and his partner was like according to Kira. Waltfeld was popular for the stories he would tell the kids while his partner Aisha was another mother figure. Tyler also believed the two were there to "protect" Lacus from any potential attempt to kidnapper or kill her which he appreciated.
Tyler exited the vehicle and glanced at the big window in the common area that looked out toward the road. The window was filled with many faces of children staring out at him. Tyler couldn't help but smile at the "response" from the children he got when he stopped by. The kids were cute, and he couldn't help but enjoy the time he got to spend around them. He waved at the kids in the window before they disappeared from it. Tyler assumed the children were racing off to tell adults he was there. The children were better at being an alarm or announcer than a machine could ever do in Tyler's opinion. Thus, as Tyler strode up to the front door, it opened, and he found Kira's mom standing there. Caridad was a sweet lady Tyler had found, so he felt Kira had been lucky to get her as a mom. Tyler nodded his head to the woman, "Hello Mrs. Yamato," he greeted. "It's always nice to see you and I hope you don't mind an unannounced visit as I didn't have time to plan this ahead of time."
Caridad smiled at the greeting from Tyler. The young man who was a friend of her son dropped by the orphanage occasionally. She was glad Kira was friends with Tyler as their friendship had done wonders for Kira's development. Kira always spoke highly of Tyler whenever he talked about him. And said Tyler would go above and beyond for Kira when he needed help of any sort. Tyler had also taken up looking for homes that would adopt orphans and passed the information along to those at the orphanage. His efforts had already borne fruit as it had found families and homes for some of the orphans. From what Caridad had heard of some of those former orphans, they had been happy since with their new families. Those who ran the orphanage like Caridad couldn't thank Tyler enough for what he tried to do for the kids. Caridad smiled, "You're always welcome Tyler," she replied. "All the children enjoy your visits. You should know you're popular with them due to the stories you tell them and finding them homes."
Tyler would've said he was just trying to help those who needed and definitely deserved help, but never got the chance. For it was a moment later kids flooded out from behind Caridad and surrounded Tyler. He glanced around himself as the children were chattering away. It was hard to understand to make out what they were saying individually. But Tyler greeted the kids the best he could, so they knew he was trying to listen to what they were saying. They had much to say, and they deserved to be heard, but they didn't know how to take turns as well as they could yet. Tyler simply enjoyed the attention since the children had avoided him the first few times he'd come by the orphanage. "Hey, I'm just glad they stopped hiding from me as they did at for the first few times I swung by to visit," Tyler replied. "Avoidance is fine with some of the work I do, but I don't want that with the kids here."
At the same time, Lacus was approaching the front door wondering who could have come by. Some kids had come rushing to her saying something about there being a visitor. That's what she got from what she could understand from their chattering. Honestly, the kids were so cute to her, and it was hard not to smile at their antics. They loved being around her by what they said and was confirmed by the other adults at the orphanage. The kids also liked her singing and would ask her to do so often. However, it was rude to crowd someone visiting the orphanage and the children shouldn't be doing that. When she came to the front door, she found Caridad there looking out at something. Lacus moved forward to see what was going on and found Tyler outside surrounded by most of the orphanage's children. It wasn't exactly rare for Tyler to pop up from time to time around the orphanage. However, he normally planned ahead and gave warning before his arrival.
It was nice for Tyler to come and visit, but Lacus couldn't help but wonder how Tyler could be around and why. Tyler's military service kept him busy and usually going everywhere. So, it was rare for him to get around Orb often while on assignment which he tended to be on regularly. By what Kira said, Tyler had told him the work he tended to be handed had Tyler in "non-Federation" territory. Lacus had asked what that meant, but Kira had replied he didn't know what Tyler meant by it. Apparently, Tyler said it was better they do not know what he did or where. He had claimed a portion of his work was classified for a reason and so he couldn't go into detail. Instead of wondering why Tyler was here, she focused on the kids surrounding him. "Come now everyone," she stated. Lacus hadn't missed that those surrounding Tyler were all trying to be heard at once. "You need to take turns in speaking or none of you will be heard properly."
Tyler looked back to the front door and saw Lacus standing there. Tyler would admit she'd been pretty before the war had come to an end, yet somehow the girl had become even prettier in the last two years. It was much the same with Sakura, but Tyler didn't mind being around Lacus unlike her older sister who made his life harder when around him. Lacus was in a simple blue mid-length skirt and white short-sleeve shirt. Tyler still had to wonder how his naïve friend had managed to catch the attention of the girl in front of him. Kira wasn't in any way a flirt or playboy, the opposite really if Tyler told the truth. Not that Tyler felt Kira was lacking in good qualities, he had several. It was just some of Kira's best qualities were harder to see due to his cursed naiveté and humility. Tyler smiled, "It's fine, Lacus," he remarked. "This is much better than what I do while I'm out doing the duty and protecting the peace. And I welcome this after my last assignment, it is an amazing change and I'll take that." Lacus wanted to question what Tyler meant with his last assignment, but that could be done later. Instead, she began helping herd the children inside. "Come now children, let us get inside," Caridad said, gesturing for the kids to go inside the house.
Tyler followed the two women and kids inside the orphanage. The stress Tyler had been under and the horrible images from Milos faded from his mind as he entered. The orphanage was the same as it was the last time he'd been there. The absence of change was welcome as it was an anchor he could hold to. Tyler had found it was simple things that helped one's sanity survive the storms it went through. And while Tyler was willing to do the nasty work he got handed sometimes, it still took a toll on him. Tyler was brought out of his thoughts when two young kids grabbed his hands and were pulling him deeper inside. Tyler was brought into the main common area where there were chairs and some sofas. A moment after entering, Reverend Malchio came into the room led by other children. "We have a visitor you say," he mused as kids guided him to a chair. "I can't recall expecting any today." The man faced the direction the kids had pushed him to be looking. "I'm sorry for not greeting you earlier," he said, "But we don't get visitors often."
Tyler would've bowed for good manners with the man, but there would be little point in doing so. The man deserved respect for several reasons, a lot of them doing with the work as a mediator for political events. Malchio was also a former priest or a religion leader/officer of some kind by what Tyler had heard, though he couldn't say which one. However, the man was blind and had been for a while by what Tyler understood. Perhaps, it was being a priest that made the man so good with children and beloved by them, Tyler couldn't say. "It's Tyler McGregor, reverend," Tyler replied. "Sorry for visiting unannounced, but I happened to be around Orb when my last assignment came to its end. So, I try to swing by when I'm able and I happened to be free. I hope you don't mind me coming by."
Malchio smiled at hearing Tyler reply to him. The young man was well-liked by the children at the orphanage. It wasn't a surprise the kids like him as they did. Tyler had found homes for several of those who had been at the orphanage. After the first few, all the children had come to the realization Tyler could find a family which would love them too given time. "I would say the current residence here would say you are always welcome." Malchio chuckled a bit, "Each of them are hoping you can find them a place they can call home and a family that will accept and love them."
Tyler laughed at the last statement as it was something he did his best to give the kids. In fact, Tyler had two potential families that had reached out to his offer of adoption. The contacts were always great as it gave a kid who had come into hard times a chance for a loving family. Tyler vetted those who expressed interest in adopting a child, it was his part as an intermediary. "Is that so," Tyler mused. "Well, as it happens, I have two families that have expressed interest in adopting a kid from this orphanage. I've vetted both and can stated they would provide good homes for those you would choose." Tyler smiled, "I'll give you the information while I'm here so you can determine who can go to the two families."
Kira had heard the increased noise that had started a short time ago, and that had gotten him curious. He'd been looking over the bedroom to see what cleanup had to be done today. It was Kira's day to lay out the chore schedule for the kids. However, the kids had gone toward the common area a short time ago instead of going all directions like they normally did. So, after inspection the living area, Kira began heading toward the common area of the complex. The chattering of the kids got louder as Kira drew closer to the sitting room. When Kira came into the room, he stopped and glanced around. He was kind of shocked to see Tyler since his friend had said nothing about swinging by recently. Not that Kira was against Tyler popping up unannounced when it did happen. But Kira couldn't think of what reasons which could've brought Tyler around here at this time. "Tye," Kira remarked, "I was wondering what all the excitement was about."
Tyler glanced at his friend and smiled, "What can I say, I'm popular here," he returned. Then he shrugged, "It could have something to do with me finding opportunities for the kids here to have a permanent home that could have me so well liked, I can't say." Tyler patted the heads of the closest children, "They certainly are cute and deserve a place to call home and families that care about them. So, the efforts to find such places for them is well worth it to me in the end and I only wish I could do it faster for them." Tyler paused as he wanted to have a conversation with the adults and no children present. "Yet, there is one thing I would like to get out of the way before spending time with the kids." Tyler glanced at Kira and gave him an expression that said they needed to talk without the kids in the room. Kira noted the expression Tyler sent at him and figure it meant he wanted to talk without most in the room. He cleared his throat, "Hey, Lacus," Kira said, "Why don't you take the kids outside for the moment? I'll join you in a little while, there is some things Tyler seems to want to discuss."
Lacus nodded, but she wondered what would be discussed between Tyler and those that stayed. It took some time to calm the kids down and start directing them toward the porch and lead them outside. Lacus wanted to swing back and see what Tye would talk about. If Caridad and Malchio could look after the children, then Lacus could slip away and listen in. Something in her insisted whatever Tyler was going to speak on was important, though she couldn't say how it would be. She and Kira had been out of the loop for a time, only getting basic news about what was going on in the world and in space. And with some of the news she'd seen lately, Lacus couldn't help but suspect there was more going on that the news implied. Lacus feared the implied conflict happening outside the public eye was building and could potentially lead to another war.
As that was happening, Murrue was approaching the common area wondering what was occurring with the noise she was hearing. By what she had heard, it sounded like there could be a visitor to the orphanage. And while it was true Murrue was keeping a low profile, she technically wasn't in hiding as some would do in her position. Murrue was convinced there were some within the Alliance who would seek her and the rest of the Archangel's crew out. They knew things that the Alliance didn't want others to know about and so could be a risk to them. Living within Federation member nations cut down potential chances for OMNI agents finding them. However, it didn't make the idea impossible and that could cause other issues beyond just them.
Murrue spotted a group of children being led toward the porch as she was approaching the sitting room. When she entered the sitting room, she found Kira was there along with Andrew and his partner Aisha which was not unexpected. Yet, of all people, Tyler was standing there which didn't make sense. The young man normally sent a message ahead when he would come to visit the orphanage. Thus, it was rare for him to pop up unannounced though it did happen sometimes. However, with him being here, it suggested there could be something to him popping up. Yet, Murrue couldn't help but be curious as to Tyler's presence and why he could be here. There was the chance Tyler had just been in the area and came to visit with some free time. Her interactions with Tyler and his time on the Archangel had shown her Tyler acted with purpose and reason. That hadn't seemed to have changed in the years after the war that Murrue could tell.
Tyler's gaze shifted to Murrue when she entered the room for a moment, but then returned to Kira. The kids were out of the room and now there were four that should be fine with hearing what Tyler would talk about. Waltfeld and his partner would understand the need for being tight-lipped about the chain of events Tyler had been through. Their opinions would be nice as they would be able to say better with what ZAFT could be thinking. The Gundam development wasn't the issue, it was the information about them had gotten into the hands of the Alliance. That shouldn't have happened if ZAFT had been careful as they should know to be. And while ZAFT had changed slightly since Treize had left, Tyler didn't want to think it had fallen enough to have serious information getting to enemies and some going rouge.
Murrue being here was something Tyler had hoped for as her experience with the Alliance would be helpful. The whole chain of events was out of the ordinary and Tyler could only figure out so much on his own. Murrue may not be as corrupt as many in OMNI could be, but she had been around them enough to know how they could think. And while Tyler had seen Alliance mentality, Murrue would know OMNI protocol better than Tyler did. Protocol could fill in some of what confused Tyler and he really wanted to understand why Phantom Pain had done what they had. Their dirty methods didn't fully explain why they had taken the path they had for both Milos and ZAFT's Armory One.
With the kids gone, Kira hoped Tyler could get on with whatever he wanted to talk about. Tyler visiting was nice and everything, but it sounded like he had a reason for being here. Whatever the subject Tyler wanted to discuss was affecting him, that much was clear. Tyler was one who was calm and collected with what came his way usually. So, for something to affect him tended to say it was different than what the public ever saw or was informed about. Tyler's work from what Kira had been able to gather was different than what normal soldiers received. He had mentioned he was a part of the Federation's SOLAS which was seen as the Federation's best of the best. So, it wasn't unreasonable to imagine such would get mission others couldn't properly handle. Thus, for him to show he was affected by something he had to do was notable. It could mean the job had been harsher or different to the point that the public would unlikely ever know about it. "So then, Tye," Kira began, "what is it you want to talk about? I would guess it is something important or non-nice if you wanted the kids out of the room before you even say a thing about it."
Tyler had to take a moment to order his thoughts so he could deliver the information in a way that wouldn't put the listeners in a bad position. There were parts of his assignment he would have to have a promise from the listeners they wouldn't talk about it with anyone else. The stuff with the Information Network alone was seen as top-secret information which the public wasn't to hear whispers about. And it wasn't that Tyler felt those in the room wouldn't be able to keep their mouths shut since he was sure they would. It was them knowing about some things which would put them in a position which could get them into trouble. Tyler ended out put a hand to his chin, "You'll have to forgive me for not speaking up right away," he replied. "My last assignment was troublesome to the point it is hard to figure where to begin with the crap."
For Tyler to say the assignment he'd just finished was a "troublesome" one was saying something. While the three besides Kira didn't know much detail about what Tyler did within the Federation's military, what had been said to them didn't sound nice. From what three had heard, they couldn't help by think the jobs Tyler got were the type which the public didn't know about. Andrew grunted, "You saying that doesn't inspire positive feelings with whatever you want to talk about," he remarked. Aisha nodded in agreement, "Indeed, are you sure you should be talking about it with us, who are not in the military?"
Tyler didn't blame the two for the comments, for he'd been saying them too in their position. For those who were in or had worked for a military organization, they tended to learn you didn't ask about certain things. Normally, there were words or phrases that signaled it was better to not ask further. "Troublesome," was definitely one of those words that was a flag to say the following information was risky to know more about. Tyler's smiled hollowly, "Spoken like a veteran soldier," Tyler remarked. "Hear certain words and know it means it's better to not ask for more information." He sighed, "While I would agree with the sediment, I would like more the opinions you could give. I'll state specifically what information is to be treated differently and how when it comes up." Tyler paused for a moment, "I don't know what news you get here regularly, so feel free to correct me as you see fit. But the Alliance has been busy outside the public eye and their work isn't helping promote peace."
Andrew and Aisha had been looking at the News that came from Orb and using the limited access the orphanage had to the Federation's Information Network. It hadn't been stated specifically or openly, but there had been implications to what Tyler had said. However, even looking "between the lines" hadn't given an accurate feel of how bad the Alliance was making things. "I take it the Alliance is causing conflict while trying to make the position better," Andrew posed. Aisha knew by a "better position," Andy meant the Alliance attempting to make themselves the dominate faction of Humanity. "You mean the Alliance is still trying to assert itself as the dominate faction and the one to rule them all," Aisha added.
Tyler knew those who had fought in the war would understand the Alliance hadn't changed as much as they claimed they had. He was one of those who had seen the radicals had returned either taking positions of power or manipulating those who were in those. Tyler still believed there was something more behind the recent surge of OMNI, but he couldn't say what it was exactly. "I don't disagree with your assessment of the Alliance," Tyler admitted. "My last assignment was an example of that point." Tyler paused for a moment, "However, there was more from it than just the normal schemes the Alliance use for their goals. That is what has me more concerned."
The inference about the Alliance didn't sit well with Murrue. Yes, she had come to terms the Alliance and its OMNI wasn't the organization she'd enlisted in. Yet, it sounded like the Alliance had become worse than it had been during the Alliance-PLANT War, not better. It hurt to see the faction she had once believed in fall so far from what values it had once possessed. She'd found herself thinking if the Alliance could have as much dedication to its citizens as the Federation did, maybe it could be a better faction. Instead, those directing it were focused on their pursuit of power and vendettas of hatred. "What is it that concerns you, Tyler," Murrue questioned. "You have stated you have your own experiences that show what the Alliance is like. What on your last assignment sticks out for you that has you worried?"
Tyler's head fell but a frown was visible before he looked downward. Recalling what he'd seen at Milos made fury burn with Tyler. Walking into what was akin to a crypt was bad enough, but the sight of parents trying to protect their children had tugged at his heart. Tyler was well-aware OMNI didn't see those outside of their faction much as people any longer. But he couldn't help but wonder if they hadn't given up a portion of their humanity with the innocent blood they so willingly spilled. "The assignment on the face of it from the briefing was simple enough," Tyler began. "The ship I was assigned to was to investigate an incident that had recently occurred. The incident involved a group going to a Federation outpost and boarding it. And from what I saw and the facts I received; the group was an Alliance one."
Andrew was considering what Tyler had said. For an Alliance group to cause an incident at a Federation facility was concerning as well as odd. The Alliance had the tendency to avoid drawing attention to itself directly since the war. They had especially been careful to not draw attention openly from the Federation. So, for them to cause an incident would be a change in that behavior which was troubling. "That is certainly a troubling change in behavior," Andrew remarked. "Attacking a Federation outpost is a bold move, bolder than the Alliance has been as far as I know."
Aisha wouldn't disagree with Andy's view of the change of OMNI and through them the Earth Alliance's behavior. From what some contact she and Andy had in ZAFT intelligence, the Alliance had been causing issues outside the public eye. They caused conflict to ignite and fed fuel to the fires they were starting. ZAFT intel was saying the Alliance seemed to be pushing for more, like another war. Attacking a Federation outpost would certainly be a step towards potential war. And yet, the Alliance had lost badly against the Federation during the Alliance-PLANT War. There was little sign that if they fought against the Federation now the result would be different for them. So, the question of course, was if the Alliance did want a war, why would they go against the Federation first? Their record against them had continued to be poor as far as Aisha had heard. "Doing that is definitely bold for the Alliance," Aisha stated. "But why prod the Federation when it has only gotten them into serious trouble which translates to losses for them?"
Tyler figured Andrew and his partner would pick up on Phantom Pain's actions being different than what was expected from the Alliance. Murrue may not understand or not want to think about the Alliance doing horrible things. Kira wouldn't see the point until Tyler gave more detail and made it as simple enough for a child to get. Tyler ended out exhaling, "Oh, they chose the station for a reason," he replied. "However, I'll get to that soon, but it will need a disclaimer before I get into that piece." Tyler paused for a moment, ordering his thoughts about what had been learned about Milo's, both from the investigation and the station's black box. "In the said incident, the Alliance group boarded or rather invaded the station," Tyler stopped as the images of the dead came back to mind. Kira could see whatever the Alliance group Tyler was taking about did something which affected his friend. The weird thing was Tyler didn't get shaken by a lot of things, at least not show a visible reaction to it. "Tye," Kira started, "you okay?"
Tyler gave Kira a look that he showed often enough which delivered his frustration of Kira's naïveté. He couldn't help the gesture as it was essentially a reactionary response to his friend's naïveté when it popped up notably. And it wasn't just it popping up, it was when it displayed itself so thickly that Tyler couldn't hold in the frustration. Tyler tried extremely hard not to blow up at Kira, but that was difficult at times like this. He knew it wasn't Kira's fault, for his friend didn't flaunt his naïveté on purpose. Kira's naïveté was a creature unto itself and was like a leech or some sort of parasite. However, Tyler hadn't found a way to rid his friend of the naïveté that was a permanent solution. Thus, Tyler sighed heavily, "Kira, your naïveté would drive a devout saint to drink in little time flat," he stated flatly. "If I was okay with what I had to see, I wouldn't be talking about it as I am."
At the same time, Lacus had finished helping direct the kids to going outside. She had been making her way back to the sitting room so she could find out what Tyler wanted to talk about. That he wanted to talk to adults only said the subject whatever it was happened to be one that tended to be nasty. He was out there seeing what was going on that didn't get put into news broadcasts. Lacus had heard rumors the Alliance had been causing trouble, but little more than that. Hopefully listening to Tyler's conversation with the others, Lacus could learn what had been going on lately. She got close to the room when she heard Tyler make a comment about Kira's "naïveté."
Lacus had been learning about what Tyler and even Athrun had been referring to with naïveté in relation to Kira. The last year or two that had passed since the war had taught her all about it. She had thought it was just Kira being innocent and Lacus still felt that accounted for a portion of Kira's obliviousness. But she had found there was more to it than just him being innocent. Kira did seem to be overly naïve about the social stuff that came up with him. It had quickly become frustrating when her tokens of affection were taken as "just friendly" gestures. She was still trying to make Kira aware that she loved him. Lacus had thought they had made some progress admitting their feelings to one another. However, not much had changed between them since then even with her efforts.
Lacus was brought out of her thoughts when Tyler sighed after commenting about Kira's naïveté. "As I was getting to before Kira's naïveté kicked in and interrupted," Tyler stated. "Around two days ago, a group invaded a Federation outpost. They had a reason or rather a target they were going for. However, they saw fit to execute and/or exterminate all on the station without exception." There were gasps from those in the room that came to Lacus's ears. She was horrified at what Tyler was saying a group did. This group Tyler was talking about had murdered innocent people for one reason or another. There was no logical reason any could have to slaughter innocent people she could come up with in any way. Tyler kept going after a pause, "I have a hard time getting the images of the bodies of the people they murdered out of my mind. It's certainly a new low for the Alliance, and I thought that there were at least enough within it who had an amount of humanity left that would tell them murdering innocent people is wrong. Yet, there are clearly those who have little to none that think nothing of such."
Lacus glanced into the room and saw all in there had expressions of horror and anger at what Tyler had said. "How can they do such horrible things," Murrue muttered in disgust. Tyler scoffed, "I'm amazed you still think those who are in charge of the Alliance have good intentions by this point, Murrue. They have proved the radicals have control and only pursue their vendettas. They have tried to kill you at JOSH-A along with the rest on the Archangel, they haven't changed much since, other than perhaps getting worse." Tyler glanced around the room as he needed to give a disclaimer before going further. He noticed Lacus at the doorway listening to the conversation along with the rest. "Now, before we continue, I need to state a disclaimer that you all must agree to." Tyler paused before continuing, "What you are about to hear is not to be talked about outside of this room to anyone. That isn't negotiable, even I can't make an exception to the point as it is something Federation high command would step in if that does happen."
All in the room looked at each other before gazing back at Tyler. It was Andrew that spoke first, "I take it whatever happened next is something the Federation doesn't want to be made public for some reason," he posed. Tyler nodded, "That would be correct and really an understatement," he replied. "Not that I don't understand why the point is kept secret, there are several reasons for the idea. But if you agree to keep what I'll tell you to yourselves, I will keep going. And I assure you that once I tell you, it will become clear why the Alliance group did what they did."
Tyler's mysterious reply made what he could tell them all the more curious. The Alliance attacking a Federation outpost was bold and it was unlikely they would take such a risk if there wasn't a potential benefit for them. Andrew couldn't figure out a logical reason, or even a crazy reason the Alliance could have to attack a Federation facility. They would know what a risk it would be to go against the Federation. They would face consequences and would unlikely be able to evade them landing on them. "Okay, I'm willing to keep my mouth shut," Andrew answered. "I'm rather curious what the Alliance was after that they would take the risk of drawing the Federation's wrath."
The others agreed much as Waltfeld had to the disclaimer, even Lacus which kind of surprised Tyler. The incident was not a simple one, Tyler was well aware of that fact. And it wasn't that Tyler felt any in the room wouldn't understand the reason the network breach was to be kept a secret. Tyler took a breath before he kept going, "Okay, since you agreed to kept your mouths shut about what you're about to hear, I'll continue." Tyler paused for a moment, "The goal for the Alliance group was to gain access to the Federation's Information Network."
Andrew blinked at Tyler's iteration about the goal of the Alliance group. It was no secret that the Alliance wanted to get access to the Federation's Information Network. Andrew wouldn't be surprised in the least if the Alliance had made attempts to get to before now. In fact, he would be shocked if they hadn't tried to breach the network before. However, should the outpost have had a connection to the network, it certainly explained why they would raid the place. "I see," Andrew remarked. "That would explain why they would attack an outpost out of the way to not be noticed right away."
Aisha didn't disagree with Andy about the choice of the outpost mentioned. Yet, the Alliance would be aware better than most that the Federation's Network was defended in multiple ways. The reputation of the Federation's network was earned, none had been able to breach it thus far. That would be big news if it ever happened which both the other factions would talk up, she didn't doubt. "While true, Andy," Aisha commented, "I would imagine the Alliance knows the futility of going after the Federation's Network. It would be a waste of time and bring consequences for an attempt. So, it makes me wonder if there is desperation involved with this Alliance group."
Kira didn't doubt what Waltfeld, and his partner were saying true, he couldn't help but wonder. Tyler had stated what the group had been after, but assumptions were being made before he'd finished his telling. There could and likely was more to the story that he hadn't said yet that could explain things better. "There's more to the point, isn't there, Tye," Kira questioned. "I feel there is more than you've said, and we haven't let you state it with the assumptions being made."
Tyler gazed at Kira and gained an expression of incredulity as he kept looking at his friend. It was one of those times he couldn't help but wonder if Kira's cursed naïveté wasn't the most amazing act. Kira was showing comprehension to inference which was not something he did often. And if naïveté was all an act, Tyler would be thoroughly infuriated at his friend for putting him and others through the crap the naïveté brought on. Tyler knew he wasn't the only one that cursed Kira's naïveté when it came up. Yet, Tyler didn't feel it was an act, his friend wasn't that good of an actor from what Tyler had seen over the years. Tyler gained a frown, "Kira, I've asked the question before, but I'll ask it again," Tyler began. "Is your naïveté some sort of brilliant act?" Kira blinked at the question since it didn't make any more sense than it had before when Tyler had asked it. Tyler observed his friend's confused expression that had come to his face, and that was all the answer he needed. Tyler sighed, "While your naïveté is leaving you alone, you are correct that there is more to the point."
All turned back to Tyler with him saying there was more to the incident than just an Alliance group making an attempt to access the Federation's network. "Now that you'll all let me finish the story," Tyler continued. "While the Alliance was there, they tried to access the network, likely keeping a crew member alive for the point. They were able to breach the network for a little less than two minutes," Tyler stated. "Although after that time they were locked out by security protocols."
There was silence after Tyler's last sentence, so much so that one could hear a pin drop to the floor. His admittance that there had been a breach to the Federation's Information Network had shocked those listening. The reputation of the network wasn't questioned by most if any. It had been that way for years, ever since the existence of the network came to light. For it to be said to have been breached was more than concerning. The network was supposed to contain dangerous information about all the factions. Were the Alliance to gain and use such type of information for military operations, the results would be catastrophic. Murrue was the first to find use of her voice, "Tyler, are you really saying an Alliance team managed to get access to the Federation's Information Network?" Tyler nodded slowly, "That is what I said."
"That is very concerning," Andrew said. He quickly considered what potential implications the breach could produce. Depending on what information they could've extracted from the network, ZAFT and the PLANTs could be in serious trouble. "Did the Alliance team take any files while they had breached the network?"
Tyler paused for a moment, knowing the answer wasn't nice, though it didn't matter anymore. The stolen data had been dealt with by the Normandy's boarding team during the encounter around ZAFT's Armory One. But like when Tyler had talked about Phantom Pain's efforts to get to the Information Network, he'd been interrupted and couldn't give the whole truth. Tyler felt it would be the same for the second half of this explanation. "Yes, they did take some, however," Tyler began. Yet, Tyler was cut off by Aisha, "What type of files did they take, and what were they about?" Tyler held up a hand to silence the woman and any other that wanted to speak up. "If you lot would allow me to finish and not snap questions and demand answers of me, I'll give the facts," Tyler stated clearly. "I haven't the faintest idea what the files were about, nor do I really care in the end. The stolen data has been dealt with, so the Alliance won't be able to use them for whatever they were intending to do."
Andrew blinked at Tyler's statement of the "data" being dealt with already. That was a good thing as he felt whatever the data the Alliance stole from the Federation was, it would have something to do with ZAFT. Tyler hadn't mentioned what dealing with the data involved, but in the end, it didn't make a great deal of difference. "Okay, that's nice the stolen data has been seen to before the Alliance could use it," Andrew replied. "But what happens to those that breached the Federation's network?"
Tyler felt the Phantom Pain team would be hunted for the purpose of apprehending them. That wasn't his job nor the task of the Normandy, as much as Tyler may have wished it was for a time. Whether ZAFT or the Federation handled the group wouldn't make a great deal of difference when all was said and done. But while they were "at large" and left to their own devices they were dangerous. "They will be handled by others," Tyler replied and shrugged. "I can't say better than that right now." He paused for a moment, "If I had my way, the group would be arrested and tried for their crimes and the lives they've taken. However, that is not up to me or up to me to help with for the time being." Tyler exhaled heavily, "The horror didn't end there, the group moved on from there to the ZAFT colony to steal Gundams developed there. And I don't doubt they killed a lot of people during the theft."
Andrew didn't like what he was hearing, not because of the subject matter in general, it was more specific details that were worrisome. The Alliance sending out teams to do "dirty work" for them that the public only heard bits and pieces about if anything wasn't surprising. It was more an unsaid expectation of the Alliance once the radical elements had taken back control of the faction. The concerning point was they had a "group" which could operate ignoring rules and standing laws. Tyler had implied the group couldn't be traced directly back to the Alliance with solid evidence. The autonomy that would afford the group would make holding them accountable nigh impossible. Such a group could explain some of the odder rumors that Andrew and Aisha had heard within the current year. "I would agree this group you are talking about did a lot of horrible things," Andrew remarked. "But while this information is concerning, you imply you wish for a second view or opinion on something. What might that be?"
Tyler knew at least Waltfeld, and his partner would pick up on the wish for a second opinion. The two had seemed familiar with how the factions worked more than just average soldiers would. It wouldn't shock Tyler if the two somehow kept in contact with some in ZAFT's intelligence department. "What was done was bad, but that this group, which is referred to as Phantom Pain pulled off successfully is odd to me." Tyler paused, thinking how to word the point he was trying to make. "The planning that would have to go into it, as well as the information they would need doesn't add up on the face of it. The data they went after seemed specific, which the Alliance shouldn't be aware of was on the Information Network. And then with the Gundam theft, for the Alliance to discover their existence and where they were being developed is another point that doesn't make sense logically. They were either extremely lucky, or they got the information that led them to do what they did."
Andrew could see what Tyler was inferring and not saying out loud, and he would have to agree with the implications. For a successful operation, the Alliance would need to know their targets and how to get to them. He didn't doubt the Federation was looking into how the Alliance could've discovered the existence of the files they tried to steal. The Federation learned quickly when an exploitation was revealed, or a weakness used against them that changes needed to be made. A trick rarely if ever worked against the Federation more than once. It was one of the points that made the Federation as strong as it was. Andrew applauded the Federation for taking any show of weakness as an opportunity to improve themselves.
It took strength to admit when something bad happened to yourself or that you had a weakness. He could only hope ZAFT would do so without Treize at its head. The Admiral's retirement had been kind of sudden. Many had tried to convince Treize to stay for longer and lead ZAFT after the war. From what Andrew had heard from some colleagues, the Admiral had said something to the effect of wanting to spend more time with his family. The man deserved time with his family with the good he'd done within ZAFT. If not for Treize, ZAFT would've suffered far more losses against the Alliance during the Alliance-PLANT War. The man's dedication and service to the troops had saved many lives of ZAFT soldiers. But with the Admiral's absence, Andrew couldn't help but wonder if there had been bad habits developed within the organization.
ZAFT developing Gundams wasn't surprising to Andrew any more than he assumed Aisha would be shocked by it. The Alliance-PLANT War had proven how powerful Gundams could be for those who had them. Even with ZAFT becoming a more honorable organization since the war, developing Gundams would be too tempting not to do. However, development and construction of Gundams would be kept quiet and away from the public. So, the point Tyler had brought up was a valid one about the Alliance group knowing things they shouldn't. "Indeed," Andrew mused, "An enemy unit getting their hands on information pointing to Gundams is more than odd." Andrew paused for a moment thinking about the possibilities that could logically explain how it had happened. "The likeliest possibility that comes to my mind is there being a leak about the Gundams location."
Aisha wouldn't disagree with Andy about there being a leak from ZAFT that the Alliance had obtained somehow. It made sense with them knowing where the Gundams were, but there was more to the incident than that. Not only had the Alliance group known where ZAFT had been developing the Gundams, that was bad enough in itself. The group had also found out enough about the Gundams they could operate them. The tailoring that would be required for another to use a new Gundam wasn't something most could do on command. That implied an amount of the new Gundams' specs had also found their way into the hands of the Alliance. The most likely way that would occur that Aisha could come up with was there being a mole inside ZAFT. "I think there was more than a leak, Andy," Aisha remarked. "I would bet there was a mole involved in this."
All turned to Aisha at her suggesting there could be a mole for the Alliance within ZAFT's ranks. Tyler nodded as a mole being involved in the incident would explain more than just a leak did. The way the stolen Gundams had been piloted had said their operating systems had been altered and customized by the thieves. While the location of the Gundams could have slipped out, their specs would've been far less likely to be so. Tyler put a hand to his chin, "That would make more sense than a leak," he commented. "The thieves had to have some idea about the Gundams' operating systems beforehand to alter them as they no doubt did. Although, if that is so, then that is concerning for different reasons which ZAFT really should be investigating." Tyler stopped, figuring that going any further on the potential mole issue was not helpful nor something any of them could do much about. There was still one other thing that had bugged Tyler which he wanted to bring up.
The piloting skills the tin can pilot had shown stood out enough to be memorable to Tyler. Their effective use of the gunbarrels alone was more than just odd for any OMNI pilot. Either the pilot had been recently found by the Alliance or they had been hiding them. Tyler was suspicious with the sudden appearance of an expert pilot like tin can was. It nagged at him which he couldn't dismiss as much as he wanted to. Tyler hopped Murrue could perhaps shed some light on where the pilot could've come from. There was the chance she could know nothing about such a pilot, and that was more likely. But a competent armor pilot would've been known in certain circles. Krystal would be in some of those circles and Tyler hoped Murrue had a way to get to her. Thus, Tyler gazed toward Murrue, "Say Murrue," he began, "Mu didn't mention anything about OMNI holding good armor pilots in reserve or anything, did he?" Tyler hesitated as he knew Mu was a sensitive subject with some, "I encountered one that was more than just good and I can't get that point out of my head."
Murrue was taken aback at the question from Tyler as it came out of the blue. Mu had never mentioned anything like Tyler was describing that she could recall. OMNI wasn't an organization that held back for much of any reason other than being forced to. So, it was unlikely that OMNI had been hiding a good armor pilot until recently. Murrue shook her head, "Mu never said anything about such a thing that I can recall," she answered. "But I wouldn't know much about good armor pilots sorry to say." Tyler figured Murrue may not have any kind of answer as to information about tin can pilot. Murrue wasn't in the circles that would have information about such types of pilots as the one Tyler had fought against. "Then do you happen to have a way to contact Krystal," Tyler asked. "She is in the circles that may have something on the one who I went against around ZAFT's Armory One."
From what Murrue had heard last, Krystal had enlisted in the Federation's Military last year. She had mentioned something to the effect of wanting to do something to help curtail conflict. Natarle had done much the same thing as Krystal. The two would reach out to Murrue from time to time but didn't say a great deal as to what they did regularly. She did have the means to contact the two if there was ever a need, but she hadn't abused that. Her two friends had military careers they were pursuing, and she didn't want to disturb that. "I do have a way to contact Krystal when needed," Murrue admitted. "Yet, it will take some time to get an answer from her as she keeps busy as far as I know."
Tyler didn't expect a quick answer from those he could get one about tin can pilot. But an answer would be helpful should he ever come across them again in the future. And he felt fate would be whimsical and have him face off against tin can pilot at some point again. With Tyler's luck, it could be a faceoff with tin can in a mobile suit rather than a mobile armor. "I'm fine with being a little patient for an answer," Tyler replied. "I'm more asking about the point for the time should it come that I face off against the pilot again. Their skill set was different and geared toward gunbarrel use which is a rare one within OMNI." For Tyler to note an enemy pilot had the same type of skill set as those like Mu and Krystal was something. It was a rare skill set as Tyler implied and Murrue knew that. And Krystal would know of those that would have such a skill set if any would. "I can ask Krystal," Murrue said, "But I can't promise she will know much more than I do about this pilot you came across."
Kira had been listening to the exchange that had been going on between Tyler and the others. It had gotten him thinking about a lot of things Cagalli and Athrun had been talking about when they had visited the orphanage. It sounded like the Alliance was encouraging conflict among the factions. For what purpose they could be doing so, Kira couldn't say exactly. However, he feared their actions could lead the human race toward another war engulfing it. Humanity was still recovering from the Alliance-PLANT War even with around two years going by since its end. It had made strides from where the war had ended, but were another war to come about, things would go downhill fast. So, he couldn't stop asking the question that was coming to his mind, "Tye, with what you've been talking about, do you think there is more going on than being seen?" Kira paused for a moment, "Do you think the Alliance is driving humanity toward another war? And if that is so, how close would you say such is to happening?"
Tyler had to once again wonder if Kira's naïveté had gone to let him have such a good view of what was going on in the background. The question was a valid one which Tyler had asked himself during missions he'd been sent on in the current year. The Alliance's actions had been causing issues but there was more to it than that. Their encouragement of conflict did seem to be directing the human race toward another war. However, there seemed to be more than just the Alliance just pushing in their pursuit of power. Much like the mission before Tyler had been assigned to the Normandy, there seemed to be another group in the shadows pulling strings for events to happen. Should there be a group manipulating the Alliance as Tyler was kind suspecting, that group was a dangerous one. Their goals needed to be questioned and determined as they didn't appear to be for the best for Humanity.
Nevertheless, Tyler thought about the last two questions that Kira had posed. The answer to the first question was yes, there was more going on than was being seen by the public. The next question was a very likely yes with the actions of the Alliance being what they had been recently. It was the last question that was the one Tyler didn't have a definitive answer for and he wanted one. With things going in the direction, they were thanks to the Alliance's actions, it was a matter of time before war broke out. The Federation was working to prevent that, but the efforts being made were not enough. In Tyler's opinion, it would only take a horrible event to tip things to descending into the environment war needed to start. "That's hard to say, Kira," Tyler admitted after a minute. "The Alliance's actions are encouraging conflict and that isn't helpful with the recovery going on since the war. I fear it won't take a great deal to create an environment where war could start and take hold. However, I feel it will take an event that affects everyone in ways that other situations don't to ignite a war. I wouldn't put it past the Alliance trying something like that, but with the rate they're going, it will take more time. Those influencing the Alliance have been making it clear war is seen as more of a benefit for them than peace."
The conversation ended and Tyler was invited to stay for dinner as was almost a custom for those at the orphanage to do. Tyler accepted the invitation since he had no pressing reason to turn it down. He wouldn't be able to stay the night with the conditions he and Lisa had set for the crew of the Normandy. As fun as it would be to stay at the orphanage and play with the children, that wouldn't work out. With him being a captain, Tyler felt it was best to abide by the rules he set as much to set an example as anything else.
A/n
I'll leave off there for this phase and continue it with the next one. Now onto the highlighting and explanations I give at the end of a Phase about what I wrote in it. There are a couple of things in this Phase I wanted to point out. So, I apologize in advance for the length of these ending notes if they turn out to be long for this Phase.
Let's start with the first scene in this Phase which include Tyler's summary and the conversation between him and Athrun. So, I know not all readers like the recounting and summarizing, I get that. I was one of those that skipped the summarizing events episodes in the anime like others did too. However, I feel the summarizing I do does have some purpose when I put them in other than filling space. First, it gives the view of the one doing the summarizing which doesn't always get seen or told. Second, it refreshes things for you readers to keep what has happened in mind for the events that will happen. In this case, Tyler tells his view of both recent events and of his dislike of writing reports that he is required to do. It highlights Tyler doesn't like the new responsibilities he gained with his ranks promotion to captain. The point shows the difference between a field commission and a ship officer's commission.
Tyler's view of recent events does give a perspective of what wasn't necessarily said during them. Phantom Pain did damage, that isn't what I would point out, it is their MO and the fact Tyler strongly suspects dangerous funders that aren't identified as of yet. The MO isn't mentioned in canon and is only lightly implied if you can call it that. I want to paint Phantom Pain as they appear which is a group which does dirty work. And when I said dirty work, I'm talking about the nasty stuff which doesn't get talked about in the open and doesn't get recorded on official or even loosely unofficial records. I may have mentioned before some of the kids for the Enhanced Human Project are kidnapped, Phantom Pain is involved in that. Then the funders, which Tyler suspect are behind Phantom Pain, let me get into that. So, you readers and I know Logos funds the Alliance and Phantom Pain already. However, it isn't public knowledge in the story yet as that comes later. The second part of Tyler's recounting is more what happened to the Minerva and Tyler's wish to help so not much to go over there.
Moving on to the conversation between Athrun and Tyler as there as some things I want to point out in it. First, I want to point out that the friendship between the two is so strong they value one another's opinion over what other authority figures may say. To say the trust between them is strong is an understatement, it goes beyond mere trust. Lacus kind of said the point many phases ago, they believe one another over anyone else. Plus, Tyler sees both Athrun and Kira as family and that will be shown in this half of the story more than the first half. Thus, at a "life's crisis" that Athrun is facing, he would come to Tyler for advice. Simply put, Athrun's crisis is feeling useless with being a bodyguard, yet he wants to help Cagalli. One can't help but feel sorry for the guy and his position, or at least I do. The advice Tyler gives him leads to what Athrun does in canon which is going back to ZAFT, yet there is more to this conversation than canon ever had. So, Tyler did say to Athrun to use his talents as a way to determine what to do.
Athrun's talents involve piloting a mobile suit, I think that should be rather obvious. However, there are other talents which aren't mentioned which Tyler does take into account. Athrun has commanding skills which I don't think get mentioned enough. Canon implies he has them but doesn't give them much credit for the idea. I on the other hand, will say that Athrun can do great with commanding forces on a battlefield. Maybe not as good as Tyler is with it, but Tyler has had more experience with the matter. The second point of the conversation I would point out was Tyler suggesting that Athrun could enlist with the Federation's Military. Now "Spoiler Alert" Athrun doesn't do that, but there is information we get from him because of the suggestion. Athrun has seen in general how the Federation's military works from a shorter distance than most from other factions get to. They get the best equipment that have serious advantages over the other two factions along with the best training. And access to the Information Network alone makes it tempting, more so with some exposure Athrun has had to it.
The next scene with the Normandy descending and arriving at Orb has some interesting things to highlight. Let me get into a more detailed explanation of the Normandy's "heat film" system as it is a new Federation-developed technology. So, this is a difference from the original version of the story and I had fun coming up with this idea. It takes some qualities of Phase Shift Armor, like its fuzzy deployment and drawing from power to disburse and nullify things, in this case intense heat. It can cover the whole ship, but it normally does only half of it when employed. I also should mention the Normandy has a version of a nuclear reactor for power, which is why it can go for a while. Next, I would point out that while Tyler doesn't like the responsibilities that being a captain comes with, he does an amazing job being one. Yes, he has his "commanding" style which is unique to him, but I wouldn't hold that against him with the results he gets. Shifting to the perspective on Earth this scene has, this part is also new from the original. There is a brief summary of what Kira and Lacus had done to get there, but that stands as it is. Those at the orphanage that Kira and Co live at get a view of the ship. I want to point out that Andrew and Aisha give their "expert" opinions on the ship. They imply the Federation still has their technological advantage they had during the Alliance-PLANT War. The flyby the Normandy does is close enough to have the kids excited since they don't get views of ships so close up.
Let me shift to the next part of this Phase where the Normandy is docked in Orb. I will focus on Tyler going to visit the orphanage. Originally, Tyler had Athrun accompany him, but I decided to change that. I wanted Tyler to have time without Athrun in this for his explanation and such. So that you know, Tyler can fly a heli and most vehicles and aircraft, it was part of his SOLAS training for those that would ask. Moving onto Tyler getting to the orphanage, I would point out what Kira's mom thinks of Tyler. First, I imply she knows that her adopted son needed help with social development. I know I point Kira's naivete out often, but it is that significant a quality/problem that it bears repeating. Second, Caridad judges Tyler's character by things such as his efforts to find homes for the kids at the orphanage. Now the conversation between Tyler and others which is about recent events. Tyler tells them the truth as he wants their opinions about what had happened and the implications they came with. Tyler knows that Andrew and Aisha can give a ZAFT view point that could be better than what Tyler got from Talia. Talia had been under stress, so may not have given an open opinion as Andrew and Aisha could.
In conclusion, I stated again, I'm putting out this Phases as I can, but I hold to every three weeks by the latest or I say otherwise. I know this wasn't an action filled Phase, but it is a transition phase. And I'm sorry to say for those that want the action will have to wait likely at least one more phase before you get that. I plan for the next phase to build up to the colony drop event. As I ask in every Phase, if some of you could write reviews, I would certainly appreciate it. I do read them and answer what questions are asked as I can without spoiling things. The next Phase is currently titled: "Apprehension." Peace out until the next Phase!
