I do not own the rights to Gundam Seed, Iron Blooded Orphans, Wing or Gundam Build Fighter/Try. All characters that are not my original characters are owned by their respective series creators. Please enjoy! Credit to the original plot device and the zero system goes to Nemesis Astrea. Any custom Gunpla credit also goes to their respective creators and developers unless stated otherwise.
Yzak laid in his cell and just stared at the ceiling. What did he do wrong? He had gone over that fight over and over. The enemy had no shield yet, his beam rifle had just scattered around its arm. Then his beam saber had hit its mark perfectly but it barely penetrated that damn shoulder armor. Even his strike to its core should have done more damage but the enemy had been like some kind of floating... Tank? Was that an apt description? He would use a word like calling it a god but that would be over selling it he thought. A brick maybe? It was a mobile suit. It was supposed to be tanky right?
Shaking his head, Yzak noticed he wasn't alone anymore. Sitting up in his cell he looked through the bars where a woman stood. She wore a black tank top and jeans, with some sort of jacket wrapped around her waist. "What do you want you filthy natural?" Sneered Yzak as he would have spat at her if he didn't know it would only float into the zero G.
The woman chuckled and looked at Yzak in the eyes. "I wanna try to save you from a fate involving Blue Cosmos and their wicked ways." Said the woman as she glanced at the guard at the entrance to the brig then back to Yzak. "I want you to join Tekkadan." She said as she turned slightly and revealed a tattoo on her shoulder of what looked like a red flower.
Yzak raised an eyebrow. "You want me to join some group? What are you crazy? Like I would ever work with a natural." He said as he turned away with his nose up in an act of defiance.
The woman giggled and shrugged. "That's fine by me. I'm not exactly a natural anyways. By no means am I a coordinator but I don't pilot my machine naturally." She said as she turned more to show him the spike protruding from her spine just above the tank tops lining.
That made Yzak's eyes go wide. "Wait so you're the pilot of Bravo One?!" He exclaimed as he got up and moved to the bars. She nodded and held her hand out through the bars, "Lily Solace, I pilot the Demon King." She said as Yzak was slow but took her hand and shook it.
"The Demon King huh? Is that it's name or a moniker?" He asked as he crossed his arms and floated back slightly.
"It's name. Technically it's a variant of the Gundam frame known as the Barbatos Lupus Rex. Though I just call it the Demon King." Said Lily as she crossed her own arms over her bust. "So... You wanna join Tekkadan? I'm thinking of making a chapter here in the Cosmic Era now that it seems I'm stuck here for good. Could use a strong pilot like yourself." She said as she tried to stroke the ego she knew Yzak had. She may not know much about the Gundam Seed as she did Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans; she still knew the basics of each character. Like how she could save Yzak from being tortured and tormented for information by Blue Cosmos till he was dead, bringing him into her own organization and convincing Murrue to likely hand him over would be easier. She didn't rightly know HOW to go about that but she figured she could always threaten to change sides. Kira would be an easy mark on the battlefield until he entered his Seed state, then she could just release the Demon King's chains and it would be a match to the death. Who's OP mode would beat who's?
Yzak scoffed at her as she contemplated how to get him into her own organization. "Pass. Who cares if you have some cybernetics. You're still a filthy natural." Said Yzak as he turned away from Lily.
Lily saw this and blinked. "Seriously? You're turning me down because of how I was born? Is your hatred for naturals that strong or do you hate everyone equally?" She asked as she kicked his cell bars, regretting it instantly as her foot started hurting.
"You're fighting for the Alliance aren't you? So even if I did join you, it's not like I would be any closer to sinking this ship and taking down the Strike." Said Yzak as he glanced back at her.
Lily nodded. "Ok, Ok I see your point. But I'm not fighting for the Alliance. I'm just fighting for this ship, I'm a mercenary here. So while yeah if you join me you will have to protect the ship and fight your kinsmen... It doesn't mean you can't shoot down other Alliance Units." Said Lily as she tried one more time to get him to join her.
He shook his head. "Naw... Still gonna pass. I'll take whatever the Alliance has for me over betraying my homeland in any way." He said angrily. Lily just shrugged and turned to leave. She tried. Now she just had to convince Murrue to keep him onboard somehow instead of letting the higher ups take him. She had a feeling he would come in handy here in the near future. For now she left to go do regulatory maintenance on the Demon King.
High Command meets the Demon
Commander Rau Le Creuset watched out the view port alongside his protege, Athrun Zala, as a shuttle carrying Mrs. Lacus Clyne flew off towards the Laurasia class vessel which was home for the Laconi team. He was thinking back to her parting words for Athrun, asking him what they should be fighting. He of course had his own schemes to worry about and felt the girl was simply too much of an idealist for her own good... Or Athruns. He couldn't let her get into his head lest he begin to sympathize with the pilot of the Strike and be even less effective against it. He was already clearly holding back quite a bit for some reason. "What should one be fighting Athrun?" He asked as he turned to face the raven haired Zaft red.
Athrun turned to face him and had a look of contemplation on his face. The fact he even had to think on it made him question his faith in the young pilot. He should have had an answer immediately. The question was rather vague and philosophical but if he truly had the conviction he knew Yzak had, he'd have had an answer immediately. Dearka had conviction though he also seemed to mainly be in the military for the status factor and even more so as a red ace pilot he was sure it got him more than a few looks from women... Something the Buster's pilot clearly enjoyed.
"Did you hear about Yzak? It was Bravo One. Ripped his cockpit clear out of the Duel and threatened to crush it." Said Rau as he let that information hang there. Athrun seemed disturbed by this fact but said nothing. "It seems our new foe is much stronger than we thought. Though according to Elsman he did manage to land a blow on its shoulder. Whether they can repair that damage or not I have no clue since we don't know what was in those crates... But given the similarities between Bravo One and Two, we can assume they come from the same place." Said Rau as he shifted around Athrun and got ready to leave him.
"Speaking of Bravo Two, we have word we found it stranded on Earth. When we finally got the cockpit open the pilot was passed out, Medics say due to the heat likely from re-entry plus the desert heat itself. It landed in the Desert Tiger's territory. They are examining it and the pilot to see how they are able to control their machines. The cockpit was empty aside from some kind of cord that was attached to the device on the pilots back. And once we removed the device and their flight suit we managed to find they had some kind of device embedded into their spine. Any thoughts on this?" Asked Rau as he shared a bit of confidential information with Athrun, seeing where the boy's mind was regarding the mystery machines.
Athrun put a hand to his chin in thought. "What if they have some way of controlling the machines as if they were their own body? Where was the cord attached?" He asked as he thought about this mystery cockpit system.
"It was attached to their back, the device covered the embedded one in their back." Sadi Rau as he listened to Athrun. He may have been on the money with this one.
Athrun thought for a moment before he sighed. "I am unsure Sir. Without seeing it for myself, I just have no idea how it could work otherwise." Said Athrun as he pushed off to head further into the ship. Rau smiled. At least it got him thinking about it.
High Command meets the Demon
Flay stood amongst the refugees staring at a screen which showed the Agamemnon class carrier- Menelaus that they would all be transferred too. Of course her father was off trying to arrange for her and Sai to be with him on a more formal shuttle that would take them straight to Earth. She had to admit she had become attached to this ship... Well maybe not attached. But she couldn't explain it... She didn't want to leave and it felt weird to her. Like she'd be leaving something unfinished, but what? she couldn't get out of her head that she had been here before... And it made her heart heavy. Made her want to cry.
She gripped her arms over her chest and just looked at the monitor, past the carrier, out into space. What could she do here though? She hadn't volunteered to work the bridge or anything like the others. As she tried to think of what to do she thought of the mysterious woman, Lily Solace. Her name floated amongst the refugees now and then, like she was a guardian angel similar to Kira despite her machine being called the Demon King.
Kira... When she tried to think of this Déjà vu and him she felt... A fiery rage... A hateful rage... But also a manipulative rage. This quickly transitioned to a blush as she felt herself get a bit warm in a certain area and again these feelings she felt with the warmth... They confused her. It was like her body was flooded with so many emotions that it couldn't decide what she should do or think.
Finally she turned and made her way through the crowd and walked with a purpose. Screw her father's position, screw the countless amenities she had waiting for her. The wedding to plan... Hell screw Sai! She never really loved him anyways... And this warmth she felt when she thought about Kira... After that rage. She had to admit it reminded her of that childish saying of hating someone is the same as loving someone. She WOULD figure this all out, she'd stop these stupid feelings, and she'd figure out what Kira and Lily had to do with all this. Even if her father disagreed.
Flay Allster was off to volunteer for the military. She'd even join Lily's group somehow if she had to. SHE WAS STAYING ON THIS SHIP DAMN IT!
High Command meets the Demon
Kira popped out from inside the cockpit of the Moebius Zero. He had just realized he was in a mobile armor helping with repairs... And yet, they had linked up with the fleet. Besides as soon as he left the ship he was a civilian again... Why bother helping with this?
"We already linked up with the fleet, why are we rushing repairs? I mean even the Duel has mechanics working double time to repair it." He said. He had watched from the Strike's gangplank when they opened the Duel's cockpit. He was a kid... Like him and Athrun. He had then remembered the Duel was part of Athrun's team. He wanted to go talk to the pilot, get to know him, ask about Athrun and life in the plants. But he then remembered the pilot was an enemy, and not only that a prisoner. He likely couldn't talk to him anyways.
Lt. Commander La Flaga turned to him from where he was "laying" above his mobile armor. "Well maybe I don't feel secure while it's damaged." He stated with an annoyed tone before turning to the rather basic G-Weapon. "And the Duel, I don't know why it's being repaired. I mean we have no pilot for it, they are just gonna tear it apart at JOSH-A anyways." He said before turning back to Kira.
At that point the head mechanic Murdoch decided to put in his two cents. "We were told to have it repaired by the Captain. Apparently she wants it to look good for the command staff inspection when we link up with the fleet. Other than that there is no real reason to repair it. Maybe she plans to have Commander La Flaga take it over." Said Murdoch with a chuckle.
Kira looked over at the deactivated Strike almost hiding behind the Demon machine. "But what about the Strike? Wouldn't it be better if I tried to fix the OS to work for Commander La Flaga instead? Or just reset it back to the original OS?" He asked though his tone stated he was almost worried of what may become of the 17 meter tall war machine.
Mu seemed to back away slightly at the prospect of piloting a Gundam. "I don't know if restoring it to its original state is a good idea as it'll lower its overall performance." He said as he joined Kira in looking at the machine that had defended the ship countless times already. He had to admit, next to the Demon King it seemed almost worn out, tired, like the dull gray that it was colored currently was a sign that the prototype was ready to pass the torch of defending the ship on to the white, black and gold monstrosity.
"Then let's hope that nothing happens to the Demon King. I'm not sure if Lily can pilot the Duel herself, however if worst comes to worst we can always let the Lt. Commander become an MS Pilot. After all, you can make the impossible actually possible right?" Murrue said with a slight giggle as Mu grimaced at the thought of being forced to pilot the Duel. The Lieutenant floated towards the group, specifically towards Kira.
Murdoch chuckled and looked at the Lieutenant. "So then I take it we are keeping the Duel?" Asked Murdoch.
Murrue nodded. "For now, yes. Since it was meant to be part of the G-weapons project that included the Archangel, High Command wants us to hold onto it until the Archangel reaches Alaska." Said Murrue as she looked to the gray machine to the right of the Demon King.
"I also came out here because I'd like to have a small chat with Ensign Yamato." She stated. This got a suspicious look from Kira. She smiled. "Don't give me that look. It's just a small chat." She said before taking the boy's arm and floating away with him towards the Strike.
High Command meets the Demon
About an hour later Lily stood amongst the crew of the Archangel, her new Tekkadan jacket on as it had been in the suitcase with the other clothes for her. She otherwise wore a red crop top which accentuated her breasts and showed off her toned belly while she had jeans on for pants. The rest of the crew was in what she assumed was the dress blues of the Alliance or what came close to it for the kids since they were just in their uniforms.
As Admiral Halberton exited his shuttle everyone saluted except Lily, who just rolled her eyes and saluted as she had been trained in the military back home which was not too different from the Earth Alliance's salute but different enough she could easily be made out as someone who likely shouldn't be there. Looking past the officers as he greeted Murrue he looked to Lily, clearly sizing her up as well as examining her as a potential threat.
Walking over to her he extended a hand. "I take it you're the mysterious pilot of the machine known as the Demon King? There's not much information about you in the last few reports but enough I can guess who you are." He said as Lily shook his hand.
Lily smiled. "That would be correct. And you must be Admiral Halberton. I've heard a little bit about you in passing from some chats with Murrue." Said Lily as she let go of his hand and put it in her pocket. A moment later in Mikazuki fashion she pulled out a small treat and popped it in her mouth. "Sorry... Bad habit." She claimed but really she was just trying to mimic the pilot as best she could.
"Well from what I understand, you're not exactly from our world. I would be most interested in learning more about where you come from but I'm afraid that will have to wait till later. For now I would like you to join us in the command meeting so we can discuss proper compensation for your work on this ship." Said Halberton as he moved on.
Halberton decided to move onto the group of children behind them. "And who do we have here?" He asked as he approached the group of students.
"Those are the students of Heliopolis, Sir. They have been helping us handle the bridge given our less than skeleton crew amount of staff." Murrue stated as she floated over. Just as she got there his aid floated over and reminded him they did not have much time to do a meet and greet. "I apologize but I have to make this quick. On behalf of the 8th Lunar Fleet, I'd like to thank you all for your help. I'd also like to extend my own personal thanks for helping this vessel get as far as it has." He then saluted them and floated off along with his aid and the Command Staff.
High Command meets the Demon
Rau Le Creuset looked over the tactical map. He was planning a strategy while also rethinking the past 2 months and how everything has happened. His plan was going well, the fact he did not capture the Strike or sink the legged ship didn't help but he liked the chase it gave. Then Bravo One showed up and he has been having to think around the mystery machine ever since. He turned to check on the bridge staff and their current status.
"The Zeigler and the Gamow have joined up with us." Said his Captain as he floated over to stand behind his chair.
"Any sign of Bravo One or the fleet taking notice of us?" He asked as he looked at the screen above for the current status of the enemy fleet.
The man shook his head. "No, it seems they have taken up a low orbit though. I'd assume they are doing this while they make rapid repairs to the heavily damaged escort ship as well as repairing and resupplying the legged ship." The Captain stated as he noticed the Commander move back to the tactical board. He pushed out of his chair and floated over.
"Originally I thought the legged ship was destined for their Lunar base. Though with the appearance of Bravo One as well as their current position I believe they intend to drop to Earth. On their current course they will descend down to Alaska. I would assume they plan to deliver the data on the prototypes, both the Strike and the Duel along with the legged ship itself. And with Bravo One I'm assuming they want its data even more." He stated as he looked over their tactical map once again.
The Captain knew the look on Rau Le Creuset's face. He had a plan formulating. "I'd like to eliminate the legged ship before it can escape to Earth, while we still have an advantage. What do you say? Feel like playing battleship?" He asked with a chuckle at the pun.
The Captain smirked. "Well the Ziegler has 6 GiNN's, we have five machines including the Aegis...Aaand the Gamow can launch the Buster and the Blitz. If we had the Duel as well we would be at a slightly stronger advantage." He said, though the blonde commander waved him off. "While yes it is a prototype and it has proven useful, in this setting it would be no better than a GiNN with advanced armor and weapons. But still that armor would allow it to get close to the ships to eliminate them." He said before glancing at a specific battle group within the fleet.
"The infamous Halberton... It's time the Admiral was removed from the game." He started quietly as he continued to plan the attack. He turned to the Captain though with one last command. "Get as many vessels from the surrounding area to join us as well. As much as I hate to treat them like cannon fodder... The more GiNN's we throw at Bravo One the less it can hamper our attempt to bring down the legged ship." He stated. He lied... The green GiNN pilots were a mix of actual green pilots and some veterans... But he was more than happy to throw them at the mystery suit if it meant he could learn more.
High Command meets the Demon
Halberton's aid was confused and saddened. "To go to such lengths as using weapons meant for assaulting a fortress within a colony as well as destroying Artemis... All for one ship and a single mobile suit?" He asked with a sigh.
Halberton held his hand up. "That's not the concern right now. We should simply be grateful that Lt. Ramius and her crew were able to keep the ship intact and get it to us as soon as they could. They did the best they could and we need to remember that." He stated.
"However, the appearance of this... Demon King..." He said, glancing towards Lily. "And its recapture of the Duel can be counted as a victory for the Alliance. After all, it's one less machine in their arsenal. There's also the fact that she saved Vice Foreign Minister Allster. The Alliance itself owes her a debt of gratitude." Said Halberton, to which Lily nodded and stayed silent.
The aid however, seemed to wish to touch a specific subject and the way he phrased it made Lily roll her eyes. "Sadly Alaska doesn't see things as victorious as we do... Especially regarding the capture of the Duel." Stated the aid as he looked at Lily with contempt for some reason.
Again Halberton raised his hand to silence him. "Those big wigs in Alaska barely know what ground combat is anymore, let alone the first thing about space combat. The fact we recovered the Duel at all is a boon to the program in general. How that happened is of little consequence." Said the Admiral as he put his hand down. Lily felt this was her prime opportunity to see to it that Yzak stayed on the ship and the Duel stayed with them.
"Admiral if I may, you said that you guys owe me a huge debt. May I make a request regarding the Duel's pilot?" Asked Lily as she stepped forward.
"You are an outsider here, you have no place to..." Started the aid but Halberton once more stopped him.
"Do you mean it's a new pilot or the coordinator in the brig?" Asked Halberton which raised the eyebrows of most in the room. A new pilot for the Duel? They already had one? That was news.
Lily shook her head. "The one in the brig. You won't need another pilot for it, Sir. I think I can convince him, with time, to join my organization, Tekkadan. As I plan to start a new chapter here since I seem to be stuck here. If I may I'd like permission to allow him to use the Duel if I can. And you have my word if he were to turn on this ship he will die along with it. I had the chance to do it once, I can do it again." Said Lily as she put her hands behind her back.
The Admiral thought on this for a moment, silencing his aid the moment he began to burst out about how ignorant she was for asking for such a request. "And you're certain you can recruit him? What if you do so and he turns on you anyways? He would die a hero to the Zaft for bringing down this ship and/or the Strike at this point." Said Halberton as he reviewed the idea of his head.
Lily nodded. "Fair point. But I don't plan to let him out of the brig unless I am certain he will not be a problem." Said Lily as he didn't mention already attempting to coerce him to their side.
Halberton nodded. "Fine. As long as he stays in the brig unless you're certain he will fight for us. Should you be unable to recruit him within a week's time, I want him transferred to us for questioning. Is that acceptable?" He asked as he held a hand out for Lily to shake. Lily shook it and smiled.
"Of course Sir." She said, not informing him she knew something was still bound to go wrong in the battle ahead and cause them to land in Africa. Even without the Duel to distract Kira there was always the chance the Buster or Blitz would take its place.
Halberton nodded. The aid decided to speak up once again now. "Ok then... There is still the matter of the young coordinator boy, Kira Yamato. We can't very well forget him now can we?" He said. His tone once again made Lily roll her eyes. If there was anyone clearly part of the Blue Cosmos in this room... It was him... And the way he spoke about Kira, it made Lily wish she could beat the shit out of him.
Murrue sighed. "With all due respect, Kira is a kind and gentle young man. I pulled him into the Strike due to the fact that during the attack he was in the harbor district where we were moving the G-Weapons and had led him to the Strike with the intent to save it. During that time I was shot by the pilot of the Aegis and could barely pilot the Strike with its OS as it was left alone with an injured shoulder. During the engagement with a GiNN, Kira noticed his friends on the monitor and managed to react to an attack that would have caused the Strike to fall on his friends. Ever since we switched spots after that he has piloted the Strike solely to protect his friends and in extension this ship." Murrue took a breath, realizing she had essentially made it sound like Kira HAPPENED to be there and she had forced him into the Strike... Which she had but at the time it was that or have both of them die. If she had to make the choice over again she'd do the same thing in a heartbeat.
She took a deep breath before continuing. "It is my belief that due to the stress as a civilian piloting the Strike and fighting against his own people... No, that's not right. Piloting the Strike and being FORCED to become a soldier has put on him and how he has not once let us down. We should let him go with his friends to Orb if he chooses as an act of gratitude for all he has done." She said, This got a smile from both Admiral Halberton and Lily, both the Aid and Natarle were scowling.
"But what about the fact he has knowledge of a top secret military project? If we let him go now, who knows if..." The aid didn't get to finish his sentence as Lily slammed her fist down on the desk.
"AND WHAT IF YOU LET HIM GO? HUH? HE'S A CIVILIAN, AND EVEN MORE SO HE'S JUST A KID YA JACKASS! YOU'RE REALLY GONNA ARGUE ABOUT A KID... A KID! HAVING TOP SECRET MILITARY KNOWLEDGE? WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A KID WHO WOULD SOONER BECOME A COMPLETE AND UTTER DICK LIKE YOURSELF THEN MAKE A STUPID MISTAKE LIKE SELLING MILITARY SECRETS! SERIOUSLY... IF YOU WANNA CONCOCT ANY PLANS TO STOP HIM FROM LEAVING GO AHEAD... BUT IF KIRA ULTIMATELY IS KEPT HERE BY FORCE..." She paused there for a bit of a dramatic effect so the aid felt her full intent of her words.
"If Kira is kept here by force in any way I will climb into the Demon King and rip and tear my way through this shipt until there's nothing left. I may be a merc currently working for this ship but even my bosses in Tekkadan gave the kids under their command the CHOICE to fight. Coordinator or not he's still just a kid. He should be worrying about prom or dates or fuck getting laid at his age. Not when or where his next battle is." Said Lily angrily as she stepped back. If there was one thing Lily hated about Gundam Seed... It was the blatant racism in some characters.
"Also... Next time you wanna be a racist ass... Just spit it out and say you hate him for his augmented genes, hell you're probably not my biggest fan either with my nano machines. Don't fucking matter. Me and Kira are both still human, so is the kid in the brig. Treat us that way or stay the hell away from me." She said before taking a breath and closing her eyes for a moment.
"My apologies Admiral for the outburst... But if there's one thing I will not abide by, it's racism and forced child soldiers." Said Lily as she turned around to leave. "I'll be in the hangar working on the Demon King if anyone needs me." She said before leaving.
Natarle decided to speak up at this point. "Um...that...outburst aside. I feel it can't be denied that the boy has natural talent as a pilot for the G-weapons. He also has intimate knowledge of the secrets of the G-weapons. I feel he would be a great asset to the military if we could convince him to volunteer." She said, stopping to get the Admiral's reaction.
"Oh? And what secrets are these? Zaft previously had four of the G-weapons and now we have a potential new pilot for the Duel or the Strike. I see no secrets to hide or a reason to force him to volunteer when he clearly has no intention of joining." He stated, contemplating just what Natarle was getting at.
"Sir, there is also the factor that Kira was able to write the OS for the Strike in under 3 minutes, under combat conditions as well as almost instantly was able to pilot it. We could use him to write a natural usable OS and teach a new pilot for the Strike or even have him continue to pilot it given the lack of trained pilots. His parents are naturals who survived the colony collapse. If we could somehow use them..." Natarle jumped when she was interrupted by Halberton slamming his fist down this time.
"That is enough Ensign. I will hear no more talk of this. I for one agree with Miss Solace and Lt. Ramius. That line of thinking is something Blue Cosmos or lesser admirals may use but I for one will not condone it. If Kira Yamato wishes to leave and end his career as an MS pilot then I for one will be the first to shake his hand, thank him for his service and see him off to whatever adventure he chooses next." Said Admiral Halberton to which Natarle apologized profusely for her actions before allowing them to continue.
High Command meets the Demon
Kira was looking into the eyes of the Strike. Its dim yellow eyes seemed weary and tired. Or perhaps that was his own mind. He thought back to how this all began and wondered what he would have done if Murrue hadn't pushed him into the Strike. When he looked into the machine's eyes though... He couldn't help but feel a connection between him and the machine.
"It's a hard thing to shake isn't it?" Called a familiar voice. Kira turned to see Lily floating up beside him.
"What do you mean?" Asked Kira, not understanding what the far more experienced pilot meant.
"You feel a connection. Like the machine just won't be the same without you at its helm... Hell like you won't be the same without your hands around the control sticks." Said Lily before turning to look at her own machine.
"Yes...No...I...I'm not sure. I just...leaving it here... It just doesn't feel right." Said Kira as he looked to the head taller white and black machine with gold trim.
"Been meaning to have a heart to heart with you about piloting. It's like nothing else. Mobile suits have the power to kill...obviously...but they can also create." Said Lily, recalling diorama of Gunpla she'd seen of GM's holding up a crumbling wall even after they had rusted and become unusable as more than the wall's repair...appearance wise. Or a busted Zaku set in stone under a bridge. It's last act being to hold it up and together.
Kira gave him an odd look and Lily realized she had said the wrong thing. She chuckled. "Nevermind, I forgot the ones helping to create things were in my dreams." She said as she pulled Kira down and opened the Strike's cockpit.
"Let me put it this way, a friend helped me put piloting into perspective with it. Just a simple statement." She cleared her throat before continuing.
"There's a mystical bond between man and machine. But the man doesn't pick his machine, be it a car, a plane or a gundam... The machine picks the man." She said before gently shoving Kira into the Strike. "And of all the MS pilots I know. Not once, even when the machine was just on paper or a 3D model, have I ever NOT seen a mobile suit pick its pilot." She stated before floating to the side towards her machine.
"Food for thought Kira!" She shouted as she pushed off the gangplank and went down to where the techs were prepping the new back plate and thruster unit to be applied to the Demon King.
Kira sat down in the cockpit and looked around. The screens were blank, dials were dark, and the machine was shut down. Yet he could almost feel it calling him. He put his hands on the control sticks... And everything seemed right. But...he couldn't abandon his friends... But if he piloted the Strike, with Lily and the Lt. Commander at his side, maybe he could still protect them... By trying to end this war sooner rather than later?
Kira closed his eyes and sighed. He shook his head, "I'm not a mobile suit pilot...and I don't want to keep fighting..." He whispered. Finally he climbed back out of the war machine and closed the hatch. He then glanced over to Lily who seemed to be arguing with the techs about something. He smiled. He didn't need to fight when people like them would be defending this ship. Besides... He needed to go with his friends.
High Command meets the Demon
Sai and his fellow tech students looked at the papers Natarle had just handed them. He held his up and asked, "Discharge papers? But... When did we join the military?" He asked as he looked to the Admiral's aid.
"While we would like to extend our thanks for helping us get this far, the fact is it's illegal for civilians to participate in military operations. For that reason we have manufactured records stating you volunteered just before the Heliopolis incident. Since you'll be disembarking soon these are your discharge papers. Without these any military officer who looks into the records of this ship can claim you are deserting and put you under court-martial." Said Natarle as she looked at the confused faces of the Heliopolis tech students.
The group looked at them with seemingly concerned and thoughtful looks. "But what about Kira? Is he getting these papers?" Asked Kuzzey as he looked at the two officers hoping his friend wasn't being shanghaied into piloting the Strike.
The aid got a scowl on his face at being reminded of the coordinator boy who had piloted the Strike. Natarle however pointed to the papers she had set on the bed. "We made papers for him as well. Please make sure they get to him before you all disembark." She said before her and the aid moved to leave but Flay stopped them when she said, "Excuse me!" They stopped and turned around.
"You didn't participate in any combat operations. You have no need for discharge papers." Said Natarle before again moving to leave.
Flay shook her head. "No it's not that. I want to enlist." She said loudly as if nervous about it. Everyone gasped at the girl's claim.
Natarle turned to her again, "And for what reason do you wish to enlist? I'm certain your father won't approve."
Flay nodded and looked down at the floor. "I know daddy won't approve, after all he's more than happy to leave and get back to the safety of Earth... But for some reason I feel I need to stay. I don't know why, maybe it's the fact I refused to help this whole time and I feel that I could have done more... Or maybe it has to do with the fact I've started to get comfortable on this ship." She said to which the aid's eyes widened.
"You're the Vice Foreign Minister's daughter. Now I see what you mean by he won't approve." He said quietly.
She nodded. "Please allow me to enlist. My father may not approve and will likely do everything he can to stop me... But if I can't enlist with the Alliance... Well..." She looked up with determination in her eyes. "Then I'll find a way to join Tekkadan. For some reason I can't shake the feeling that if I leave I'll be leaving something unfinished. And this is something... I just can't live without it if I don't see it to the end." She said with conviction in her voice now.
Natarle nodded. "Okay... In that case, come with us. We'll get you a uniform and get all the paperwork filled out." She said before the now three of them left the room and left everyone looking to each other then to their discharge papers.
They all looked up when they heard a tearing sound. It was Miriallia. "What are you doing Mir?" Asked tolle, concerned by his girlfriend's actions.
She giggled, "Well we can't very well leave Flay here all by herself, right?" She asked. The others once again looked at their papers.
Tolle then tore his in half. "Well if you're staying I obviously have to stay. Can't leave my girl on a warship and still feel okay with myself." He said, which made Miriallia hug him. Of course her boyfriend would follow her.
Kuzzey then tore his in half. "I'm not going back alone. I mean Sai you're staying right? Flay is your fiance after all." He said as he noticed Sai's hesitation.
Finally Sai looked up...and tore his papers as well. "I mean if Flay is staying, I might as well stay. After all, I would be a bad fiance if I left her alone on a warship." Said Sai as he continued to shred his paperwork.
The others meanwhile grabbed Kira's papers and went to go find him as alarms began to blare, signaling a battle was about to begin.
High Command meets the Demon
Kira looked to the line of refugees boarding the shuttle that would take them to the Menelaus. He was still having second thoughts about leaving. As he thought though he felt a tug on his pants and looked down. He saw a little girl holding an origami flower.
The girl held the flower up and smiled. "This is for you... Thank you for protecting us." She said as Kira took the flower. Her mother then called for her and she floated off to her family to join them. Kira was about to move to board the shuttle when he heard Tolle call out for him. He turned to see his friends still in their uniforms.
He was surprised to see them ready for duty. "What are you guys doing? Aren't you leaving?" He asked as he was handed a set of papers. "What are these?" He asked.
"Your discharge papers... We kind of tore ours up. Flay decided to enlist for some reason and we figured we can't very well leave her here." Said Miriallia as she smiled at her friend.
"Yeah plus the ship is short-handed as it is. They likely need us on the bridge. We figure it'd be our fault if the ship got shot down due to lack of staff." Said Tolle as he patted Kira's back and pushed off to leave the hangar with Miriallia.
Kuzzey looked at Kira and smiled. "Go on without us... Oh and say hi to our parents for us please." He said before leaving Kira to look at his discharge papers. "Hey come on kid, we have to go!" Called out the officer in charge of loading the transport. Kira then looked at the flower and remembered Lily's words.
He crumpled up his papers in his hand and pushed off to leave the hangar. "Please go on without me!" He called out and went to do what he had to do. "If I have the chance to make a difference...I should take it. After all... The Strike chose me!" He thought in a sort of mental pep talk. He had to go suit up.
High Command meets the Demon
Flay stared at the blue flight suit. She was blushing... She had nearly begun to beat the locker in an unknown fit of rage...but...it soon once again caused her to feel that unfamiliar warmth...and her heart ached at the thought of not seeing Kira again. She had never thought to have feelings for the boy, in fact she had somewhat liked the idea of marrying Sai even if it was arranged. He fit her status in life as a partner. But with him gone...who would pilot the Strike? She had no experience on the bridge, Mu and Lily had already come through and changed into their flight suits.
She had essentially just disowned herself in a fight with her father where she essentially made it clear she'd find some way to stay. She may have disowned herself from her father at least.
But this confusion was driving her mad at this point. Even worse now as she looked at Kira's flight suit. Lily was a natural and she piloted her machine like it was an extension of her own body. But she had heard she had some secret device that let her pilot.
But what else could she do? No refugees to help keep calm, the bridge was staffed, granted they all had to work almost around the clock shifts or had to be ready to jump to their stations at a moment's notice.
But just as she reached to pull the suit from the locker her hand was stopped. She looked up and saw Kira. "You...What are you doing here?" She asked, a tear coming to her eye as she was gently pushed away from the locker by Kira. The source of all her confusion...all her rage...and he was smiling at her with amusement.
High Command meets the Demon
Kira was just entering the ready room, expecting to see Lily half naked but instead he saw Flay standing in front of his locker. Was she planning to pilot the Strike? He had to laugh quietly at the thought. Not so much laughing at her... So much as laughing at the thought of her in the strike. But this helped him almost make sense of what he felt earlier when Lily spoke to him about his connection to the Strike as when he thought of her dying in the strike as it was destroyed it pained him to realize that he cared more about the fact the Strike would be destroyed and less about Flay's life.
And before all this he had a massive crush on this girl...and now he cared more about that machine than her. He frowned at the thought. He noticed though she seemed to be hesitant to grab it. He slowly began to move towards her and watch her. Just as she went to grab the suit he reached out and gently grabbed her arm.
He smiled as she turned to him. "Yeah... I'm still here. Everyone decided to stay since you volunteered. And I realized if I left I'd be worried about you all. It's easier for me to stay and protect you all then leave and worry. Besides..." He said, pulling the flight suit out and getting ready to change into it. "I think Lily would hunt me down and kill me if she had to babysit you on the battlefield." He said with a chuckle as he moved so she could leave. "Go back to your bunk for now. I need to get ready in case we have to sortie." He said as he pushed Flay towards the door to leave. She blinked and nodded, leaving but stopping at the door and turned to him.
"Kira... Please come back. And when you do...find me. I want to talk with you in private." She said before leaving. And with that he got into his flight suit and began to mentally prepare for another fight.
High Command meets the Demon
Ok... So that's chapter 4. wow. This ones big. Some of you may notice I copy and pasted a lot of what I wrote for Celestial Seed in here, that's because those bits are geared mostly towards how the episode is supposed to go. I have realized a lot of the bulk of my chapters for Celestial Seed where Noah monologues or his inner thoughts or his interactions with Nicol. So expect the chapters for this story to be short unless they specifically are geared towards how the episode goes.
Also I kept Flay having her mental break because I still feel it fits in the story as even though the zero system has been refined it is still going to have to react to so many changes. From Asny coming in in the torment gundam to the crates from "Iron Blooded Orphans" showing up to Lily capturing Yzak. It has to keep up with all this and more as the story goes on so I still plan to have her break down slowly till she has a psychotic break.
Also, while it would not be permanent, let me know how you feel about the IDEA, not saying it will happen, but the IDEA of Lily having a fling with Kira in order to further alter Flay's timeline by monopolizing his time and sleeping with him instead? And yes I know we are talking about a 31 year old character and a teen but I mean while illegal it happens irl often enough in high schools XP I dunno. It's a thought. Something I came up with after she gave Kira his moment of bliss with her.
Thanks so much for reading. Please review and I hope you're enjoying it so far.