Gundam Wing: Destiny's Call

by operation meteor

Sequel to Journey to a New Battlefield. It's been two years since the Bloody Valentine War and tensions are rising. When a shadowy group attacks the colony of Armory One, a certain Gundam pilot takes to the battlefield once again. However, little to his knowledge, some old friends are on a journey to his new world. M for language and violence (again, it's war. What do you expect?)

4. Chapter 4

Author's Notes: Hello again, everyone, it's good to be back. I did warn you all in the last chapter that the updates would be slower in coming; I'm getting back into my stride of long, detailed chapters, and that's not going to be changing anytime soon. I work at my pace, and no one else's.

Special thanks goes to EpyonZero23 for creating the cover I'm now using for this story. I owe you one, buddy!

Only two songs for this chapter, in order of appearance, both from Gundam Wing: "Using the Cloak of Darkness" and "The Wings of a Boy Who Killed Adolescence."

Enjoy!

Episode Four: The Brewing Storm

In the hidden and sophisticated communications room inside the seaside estate they shared with several of their closest friends, Murrue leaned forward in her chair and listened carefully as Heero gave her a detailed rundown of the attack on Armory One and the arrival of the other four Gundam pilots. On the surface she was calm, but inside her heart was pounding as she took in his riveting account, and her mind was racing with the potential ramifications and possible next moves.

There was a moment of silence after Heero concluded what Murrue would consider to be the verbal summation of his imminent report. She considered herself lucky that she had the comm room to herself for the moment; she felt like she needed the space to absorb everything that her boyfriend had told her.

Murrue was the first one to break the silence. "Well, you certainly weren't exaggerating when you said that the situation had become much more complicated."

Heero nodded. "For now the others are following my lead, but I can't ask them to do that forever. Once I get them briefed on our world and the last war they'll be able to make their way forward without relying on me."

"You're not worried about one of them accidentally blowing your cover?" she asked.

Heero shook her head. "Trust me, Murrue; they're quick on their feet. They're already adapting. I just need to give them more material to work with."

"Does Cagalli know yet?" asked Murrue.

"No," Heero replied, "I haven't had a chance to speak to her yet, and she's still in the med bay. I'll get her and Athrun up to speed as soon as I can. Miriallia's already got some idea of what's going on, but I'll need to talk to her eventually too."

"None of you are at risk from ZAFT?" she said nervously, "They made you a priority target for a reason in the last war, Heero, and they're part of the reason we've kept a low profile since then. I'm sure they haven't forgotten the path of destruction you carved through their ranks."

Heero nodded. "I know. Saving the Minerva and Armory One seems to have bought us some good will, though, and with the casualties ZAFT suffered in the attack they weren't exactly in a position to turn down my offer."

"All right," said Murrue, "If the Supreme Council Chairman is on board though, you know that he's going to want to question Cagalli about your Gundam. After all, she did host the demolition last year. Do you think she'll be okay during his interrogation?"

"Yes," Heero replied, "We helped her practice her cover story, Murrue, remember? She'll be fine."

Murrue smiled. "I'll trust your judgment on that, Heero. So, what's your next move?"

"Bringing the others up to speed on the Cosmic Era is next on my to-do list," said Heero, "After that it's up in the air. As soon as Cagalli's feeling better I'll talk to her and Athrun. From there on it really depends on how long it takes us to find that unidentified battleship."

"Considering it's equipped with Mirage Colloid that will be a tall order," said Murrue, her eyes narrowing, "Who do you think built it?"

"The Earth Alliance," Heero replied immediately, "If I had to guess I'd say it was a black project."

Murrue nodded. "Makes sense… and they'd have plenty of incentive to raid Armory One given what ZAFT was developing there. Ships and mobile suits commonly used by the Earth Alliance but with no standard beacons or markings, infiltrators that hijacked the three prototypes and sowed chaos inside the colony… this has all the makings of a black operation."

"Agreed," said Heero, "Of course, we can't prove it."

"Not right now," Murrue replied, smiling again, "but if you can capture that ship then it's a whole new ballgame."

She was pleased to see Heero give her a small smile in return. "Roger that. Speaking of that ship, I was reviewing the combat footage and noticed something interesting about one of the mobile suits it carries."

"What is it?" she asked.

"Check this out," he said.

Images of the battle appeared on the screen, with Heero fast-forwarding through them until he reached one at a point just a bit before he had engaged the violet mobile suit with the gunbarrel drones.

"Check out the black and red mobile suit in the background," he said, "Notice anything about it?"

Murrue leaned forward as Heero zoomed the image in on the machine that was breaking off to go fight the Impulse. Her eyes narrowed as she saw the red skull and diamond emblazoned in its Phase Shift Armor.

"That symbol!" she said, her eyes widening, "That's the logo for Desperado Enforcement!"

Heero nodded. "Their main office is in the Atlantic Federation, and according to Bristow they're not above taking dirty jobs under the table. I can see the Earth Alliance bringing them in for a black op like this."

"That looked like a pretty sophisticated mobile suit," said Murrue, "Do you think Desperado developed it themselves?"

"It's possible," Heero replied, "They've grown to the point that they have the resources for something like that. However, it's also possible that it could be on loan to them from the Earth Alliance for combat testing… or it could've been sold to them outright."

"If this was a black op," said Murrue, "why wouldn't the pilot reprogram the Phase Shift Armor to hide the logo?"

"They probably thought that no one would survive the attack," said Heero grimly, "That battle group that came out of the debris field would've started bombarding the colony after it had destroyed the Minerva, and that unknown battleship and its mobile suits were doing a pretty good job of ripping up the ZAFT patrol screen. It's a good thing the others arrived when they did."

"Speaking of the others," said Murrue, her eyes narrowing again, "their arrival here wasn't an accident. I think… I think we both know why they're here, Heero."

Heero nodded. "Three of them, at least. As for Wufei, I don't think he's the type to go along just for that. Still, I know you're right, and you know what my answer will be to them."

Murrue smiled; Heero's reply was proof of how well she knew him by now. "So, when are you going to break it to them? About us, I mean."

"Soon enough," Heero replied, and Murrue was surprised to see him smirk, "preferably when I introduce them to you face to face."

Murrue could not help but laugh. "Yes, I suppose the looks on their faces when I kiss you will make it worth the wait."

"Especially Duo's," said Heero with a chuckle, "We should have someone ready to take a picture of him when it happens. It'll be good for a laugh."

"If what you've told me about him is any indication, I'm sure it will be," said Murrue.

"For now I'll just tell them I'm not going back," said Heero, becoming serious again, "We can work with Erica to figure out how to get them back to their world, but that will take some time. In the meanwhile, we could definitely use their help."

"With things the way they are now, I can't argue with that," Murrue replied, "Speaking of help, Heero, how can I help you? There's got to be more I can do here than just relaying data from you to the others. I can't just sit back here and act as a messenger while you're risking your life!"

"I know," said Heero, "and I wasn't planning on it. I do need your help, Murrue, beyond the role you're playing right now."

Murrue smiled and her heart started racing with excitement. "What can I do, Heero? Name it and it'll be done."

"Contact Erica," he said, "and have her start fitting the positron boosters to the Archangel. Get in touch with the crew and put them on standby."

Murrue's eyes widened; she hadn't been expecting that. "Are you sure, Heero?"

Heero nodded. "Yes. Give Natarle and the others out at the L3 resource satellite a heads up, too. The Dominion should launch and head for the orbital Debris Belt; it can cruise through there and remain concealed until we know for sure what battlefield to reveal it at."

"Wait a minute," said Murrue, "You think we'll need both battleships?"

"Both battleships and the mobile suits that are ready with them," Heero replied, his eyes narrowing, "Murrue, this is bigger than just a raid on a colony to snag a few prototypes. I don't know what's coming next, but whatever it is I have a feeling it'll take more than our Gundams and the Minerva to deal with."

It was a sobering statement, but Murrue did not question it. Ever since Heero had first mentioned the attack on Armory One she'd felt that something larger was at work. She just hadn't expected Heero to ask her to put their big guns on standby so early in the game.

"What about the Kusanagi and the Eternal?" she asked, "Should I request the Tiger and the Wolf mobilize them as well?"

Heero shook his head. "Kusanagi's an official part of the Orb Union Space Fleet; if we get her involved it will make things even more complicated for Cagalli. As for the Eternal, I think we should keep her in reserve for now."

Murrue nodded. "All right. About the Dominion and her mobile suits, though… are you sure Shemei's ready? That machine…"

"She's been training hard and Eric's been supporting her," Heero replied, "More to the point, that mobile suit's meant for someone with a duelist's mentality, and she's got that. She's ready, Murrue. I'd stake my life on it."

"Okay, Heero," said Murrue, "I trust your judgment. I'll contact the others and get the ball rolling."

"Thank you," said Heero, "Be ready to launch at any time."

Murrue smiled. "You got it. Be careful, Heero. I love you."

The Gundam pilot gave her a small smile in return. "I love you too, Murrue."

….

"Cagalli!" said Athrun, "How are you feeling?"

Orb's Chief Representative closed her eyes for a moment as she sat up in the bed. "I think so… my head could be better."

Raising her hand to her head, she could feel the bandages wrapped around her forehead. There was a cool sensation coming from her head not too far from where the cut had been, and she realized that the bandages were also holding a cold compress there as well.

She looked around the med bay for a moment. "Where am I?"

"The Minerva's infirmary," Athrun replied, "Don't you remember me bringing you here?"

There were some brief flashes from the earlier battle going through her head, and she vaguely recalled Athrun taking her to ZAFT's new battleship, but pieces were still missing. "Maybe… I must've passed out again before we landed."

"You did, actually," said a nearby woman with short brown hair and blue eyes in a green ZAFT uniform, "You were very lucky, Lady Cagalli; the head trauma could've been much worse."

Cagalli smiled. "Did you treat me?"

The young woman nodded. "I'm part of the ship's medical staff. Nurse Natalie Rhodes, at your service. It's an honor to meet you, Lady Cagalli."

Cagalli bowed her head. "Thank you for helping me."

"It was my pleasure," she replied before looking over at Athrun, "Your body guard has been worried sick about you. He hasn't left your side since he brought you on board."

Cagalli looked over at her boyfriend. "Ath… Alex…"

Athrun smiled at her and grabbed her hand. "I'm just glad you're up, Cagalli."

"You're still not out of the woods just yet," said Natalie, "Our Chief Medical Officer left me in charge of you while he files his report, and I'm under orders to keep you in bed for the time being. Please understand that it's for your own good, Lady Cagalli. We need to keep you under observation to make sure the swelling doesn't get any worse."

"How long will I be here?" asked Cagalli.

"No more than a day, I believe," Natalie replied, "Is there anything I can get for you?"

Cagalli smiled. "May I please have some water? I feel like I could drain a lake right now."

Natalie nodded. "Of course. I'll be just a moment."

As the nurse went to get her drink Cagalli turned to Athrun. "Alex… what happened to the colony? What's going on with the battle?"

"They cancelled the alert a little bit ago," Athrun replied, "so I know the battle's over. I don't know the status of Armory One though. The Minerva was forced to launch after we boarded to help repel the attack. Beyond that I don't know what's going on."

Cagalli nodded. "I see."

"As soon as we're able to we'll have to contact Orb and let them know you're okay," said Athrun.

Cagalli nodded again. "They'll want a full briefing on what happened here… I don't think I'm up for that yet."

"I agree," said Natalie as she returned as handed Cagalli a bottle of water, "I'm sorry for eavesdropping, but I'm afraid our Chief Medical Officer won't be letting you do anything strenuous for the next twenty-four hours, and that includes high-level communiqués. On the bright side, it will give you some time to compose and prepare yourself."

"She's right, Cagalli," said Athrun, "Don't worry about the homeland for now, okay? Just focus on getting better."

Cagalli smiled at him as she took a drink. "Okay, Ath… Alex."

A soft chime came from a speaker over by the med bay door.

"Please excuse me," said Natalie before going to check on it.

Cagalli and Athrun watched as the door opened just as the nurse got to it. They were surprised to see both Chairman Durandal and Captain Gladys standing outside.

"Chairman! Captain!" said Natalie as she saluted, "What brings you here?"

"We wished to check in on the two guests we have here," said the Captain.

"I know Lady Cagalli is still recovering from earlier," said the Chairman, "but I'm afraid we must speak with her."

"With all due respect, Chairman, Captain," said Natalie, and Cagalli could hear the nervousness in her voice, "I'm under orders from my immediate superior to make sure Lady Cagalli rests up. She's in no condition for any high-level talks at the moment."

"I understand your concerns, nurse," said the Chairman with a sympathetic smile, "but I'm afraid this is an urgent matter."

"Chairman, please," said Natalie, "Can't this wait just a little while?"

"I'm sorry, Nurse Rhodes," said the Captain, "but this is vital. Let us in, Nurse Rhodes. That's a direct order from your Captain."

The nurse bowed her head and looked towards Cagalli and Athrun, her expression apologetic. "Lady Cagalli…"

Cagalli shook her head and smiled for the young woman. "It's okay, Natalie. We'll be all right."

"If you will please excuse us, nurse," said the Chairman, "I apologize, but these are sensitive matters of state."

Natalie bowed her head. "I'll be in the office. If there are any problems I wish to be notified at once."

"Of course," said the Captain.

The Chairman and the Captain approached Athrun and Cagalli, waiting for Natalie to leave before speaking.

"How are you feeling, Lady Cagalli?" asked the Captain.

Cagalli nodded. "Much better. Thank you for taking us in, Captain Gladys."

The Captain smiled. "It was the least we could do. I'm sorry you got caught up the attack. Our security should've gotten you and your bodyguard to a shelter."

Cagalli shook her head. "It's not your fault. The Chairman had one of his aides leading us to a shelter, but… he was killed during the attack."

Chairman Durandal sighed, and Cagalli was surprised to see that his remorse seemed genuine. "Evans… he will be missed."

There was a moment of silence before Athrun spoke. "What's the status of Armory One?"

"Relatively secure for now," Captain Gladys replied, "The enemy has been driven off, and we are in pursuit."

Athrun's eyes widened. "Pursuit? You have both Orb's Chief Representative and the PLANT Supreme Council Chairman on this ship!"

"A fact that I'm well aware of," said the Captain firmly, "but we cannot afford to let the enemy get away. They must be brought to justice!"

"The Captain is correct," said the Chairman, "I'm sorry, Lady Cagalli, but I'm afraid we cannot divert and return you to Orb quite yet. If there is a chance for us to catch the perpetrators of this attack then we must take it."

Cagalli nodded. "It's all right. I understand why you're doing this, and I support it. The people who attacked Armory One need to answer for what they've done, and they're a threat to the peace that so many died for two years ago. If my return to Orb must wait so that we may capture or destroy them, then so be it."

"Cagalli…" said Athrun.

She looked at him and smiled. "It's okay, Alex. I'm sure we're in good hands. Besides, with you here they'll have a very good pilot at their disposal."

"I'm afraid that's out of the question," said Captain Gladys, "Lady Cagalli, your bodyguard may have been able to pilot a ZAKU Warrior during the attack, and I don't doubt that he has prior military experience, but the fact remains that here and now he is a civilian. Alex Dino, you will not be taking part in our combat operations."

"But I can help!" Athrun protested, "As Lady Cagalli's bodyguard it is my duty to defend her, and I the best way that I can do that with a mobile suit. No other pilot's been assigned to the ZAKU Warrior that I brought aboard, right? I can still fly it, I'm a veteran of the last war, and I'd even be willing to operate under your command, Captain!"

"You know, Talia," said Chairman Durandal with a smile, "his willingness to subordinate himself to your orders is something that our other guests did not offer."

Both Cagalli and Athrun's eyes narrowed.

"Other guests?" she asked, "Excuse me, but what is going on?"

"I'm sorry, Lady Cagalli," said Captain Gladys, "but I'm afraid the reason that the Chairman and I are here is more than just as a courtesy."

"What are you talking about?" asked Athrun.

"When I said earlier that the enemy had been driven off," the Captain continued, "I neglected to tell you that it was not our forces that had beaten them back. As much as it pains me to admit it, if it were only our forces on the battlefield today we would've been defeated and Armory One likely destroyed."

"So someone intervened," said Cagalli, "Who was it?"

"An old friend of yours from the last war," said Chairman Durandal, his eyes narrowing, "I'm sure you haven't forgotten Heero Yuy."

Cagalli was stunned. "Heero's out here?"

"Why would he be here?" asked Athrun.

"A very good question," said the Captain, "and another one would be 'why is he flying a mobile suit that appears for all intents and purposes to be an upgraded Wing Zero?'"

Cagalli's eyes narrowed. Even with her head injury she maintained enough of her wits to know where this conversation was heading. It was a possibility that she had prepared for ever since Heero had explained his plan for preserving Wing Zero in secret while tricking the rest of the world into believing that it had been destroyed. Heero had even been the one to coach her on what sorts of questions to expect and how to respond. She just hoped that she would be able to put that practice to good use now.

"Captain," said Cagalli carefully, "what are you implying?"

"Allow me, Talia," said Chairman Durandal, "Lady Cagalli, prior to the signing of the Treaty of Junius Seven you hosted not only Provisional Supreme Council Chairwoman Eileen Canaver but also the Atlantic Federation President and an international media delegation at the demolition of Wing Zero. You specifically held that event as a show of good faith in order to move the treaty forward to ratification by the PLANTs, Earth Alliance, and the Orb Union."

Cagalli nodded. "Yes, I did. After the suffering both Orb and the rest of the world endured in the Bloody Valentine War I understood that compromise and sacrifice would be necessary in order to bring about a meaningful peace treaty. It took some doing, but I was able to convince Heero of that as well, which is why he turned over Wing Zero to me for demolition."

"So you're saying that that truly was Wing Zero that was destroyed February of last year?" asked the Captain, her eyes narrowing.

Cagalli hardened her expression, a practice she had learned well through watching her father over the years. "My administration was and remains completely devoted to the peace, Captain Gladys. The world needed Wing Zero to be destroyed in order for there to be a treaty, so we fulfilled that desire."

"And the mobile suit that Heero Yuy flew today?" asked Chairman Durandal, "Does the Orb Union deny any knowledge of it?"

"Yes," she replied firmly, "We do."

"Liar!" cried a male voice.

….

Shinn Asuka hadn't come to the Minerva's medical bay by choice. As the pilot of the prototype Impulse he was required to get a full evaluation after each sortie in the mobile suit, whether it was training or combat. He hadn't paid much attention to the explanations for why this was necessary when they had first been brought up; he vaguely remembered something about ZAFT wanting to get complete confirmation that piloting a mobile suit as advanced as the Impulse would have no negative lasting effects on the person assigned to it.

Shinn wasn't alone; Rey was with him. Both pilots had changed out of their flight suits and into their regular red uniforms. Rey was actually under the same orders as Shinn was; a medical exam after every flight. Shinn had always been puzzled by this since the ZAKU Phantom Rey flew, while a formidable mobile suit, was not as intense to pilot as something like the Impulse or one of the stolen prototypes. He had tried asking his friend about it, but Rey had always either changed the subject or pretended to not hear him. Shinn had asked Lunamaria and a few others if they knew anything about it, but they appeared to be as much in the dark as he was.

The door to the medical bay may have been closed as Shinn and Rey approached, but it was hardly soundproofed. Shinn could hear muffled voices coming from inside, and as he and his friend had gotten closer he'd been able to make out who the speakers were and what they were saying.

"The Captain and the Chairman," he heard Rey whisper, "Shinn we should come back later."

Shinn barely heard him. What he was hearing them discuss with the Orb Chief Representative and her bodyguard was raising the hairs on the back of his neck. Old memories from two years ago were resurfacing, and he could feel a burning sensation in his chest.

"Shinn," said Rey cautiously, "Don't do anything rash."

It was a warning that may as well have gone in one ear and out the other. The more Shinn heard the more enraged he became, especially as he listened to the Chief Representative make one lie after another to the Captain and the Chairman about Wing Zero. Shinn hadn't bought Heero Yuy's spiel about his mobile suit being an entirely new 'Gundam Albion' for a moment, and even if it was there was no way in hell he believed that the Demon Lord of Avalon had built it without the help of the Orb government.

Finally he couldn't take it anymore, and he barged into the medical bay. "Liar!"

Everyone in the room turned to him as he entered, while Rey followed in his wake. "Shinn, let it go."

"Shinn Asuka, what the hell are you doing?" snapped the Captain, "How dare you intrude on a meeting between your superiors and a foreign head of state!"

"She's telling you the same bullshit that Heero Yuy and those other four pilots told us down in the hangar!" Shinn snapped back, "I can't believe you and the Chairman are actually taking her seriously!"

Rey grabbed his shoulder. "Shinn, this isn't the time!"

Had Shinn been more attentive and less ruled by his anger he would've noticed Cagalli and her bodyguard trade startled looks at his mention of 'those other four pilots', and the Chairman and the Captain would've seen it as well. However, his fury had distracted both him and his superiors from recognizing that gesture and the potential importance behind it.

Before he could do anything else the Chief Representative's bodyguard moved forward. "You dare to insult the Representative like this? I thought ZAFT soldiers were trained to act more appropriately with visiting dignitaries! You're a disgrace to your uniform and what it represents!"

"Shut up!" snarled Shinn, "What the hell do you know about anything? You're just her goddamned lapdog!"

"Shinn, that is enough," said Chairman Durandal, "Whatever quarrels you may have with our guests should be addressed through the proper channels."

"You're in breach of protocol and being disrespectful not only to our guests but to your superior officer and our Supreme Council Chairman as well!" said the Captain, "I know you're originally from the Orb Union and have past grievances with it, but if you continue in this manner I will have no choice but to throw you in the brig!"

"Grievances?" spat Shinn, clenching his fists, "It's more than just that!"

"Whatever petty concerns you may have," said the bodyguard with a glare, "you should be more careful in how you voice them."

"Petty concerns?" Shinn snarled before pointing at the Representative, "My entire family was killed thanks to Orb!"

He saw Cagalli's eyes widen in shock. "What? Your family…"

Shinn nodded, his fury now directed straight at her. "I believed in your country and your ideals. My entire family did! Then they were all killed when the Alliance attacked Elysium!"

Both Cagalli and her bodyguard were taken aback like that.

"Elysium…" said Cagalli softly.

"Yeah," said Shinn, struggling to continue articulating in the face of his near-overwhelming rage, "We were evacuated from the homeland during the Alliance invasion on the surface and were set up in the refugee camps. When the Alliance followed us into space and attacked the colony the local residents were evacuated while the refugees were left to fend for themselves! You abandoned your own people to slaughter!"

Cagalli shook her head, her face pale. "No… we never meant for…"

"Don't bother with your pathetic excuses!" Shinn spat, "I'm done believing in your family and your so-called ideals. I refuse to believe in Orb. I refuse to believe in your seemingly innocent bullshit!"

The bodyguard took a step forward and grabbed him by the shoulder. "I demand that you take that back at once, you little punk!"

"Apologize at once, Shinn!" the Captain demanded.

"Yes, Shinn Asuka," said the Chairman, "Please, you must apologize. If you do I will personally guarantee that there will be no consequences for this incident."

"Shinn, come on," said Rey."

"Are ZAFT med bays always this lively?"

It was a new voice, but one that was familiar to Shinn; he'd heard it down in the hangar earlier. Turning around, he was confronted by the sight of none other than Heero Yuy standing in the doorway of the infirmary. He had changed out of his black flight suit and now wore a pair of blue jeans, a green tank top, and a dark blue jacket.

"You…" he said.

"Heero!" said Cagalli.

"What are you doing here?" asked the bodyguard.

"I could ask the same question," said Chairman Durandal, "What brings you to this part of the ship, Heero Yuy?"

"I was familiarizing myself with the Minerva's internal layout," the famous pilot replied casually, "I also wanted to check in on Cagalli. She is an old friend of mine, after all. Cagalli, are you doing all right?"

The girl nodded and smiled. "I'm okay, all things considered. Chairman Durandal and Captain Gladys just told me a little bit ago that you were here. I had no idea that you'd come out this way."

"I was in the area on business when the attack occurred," said Heero, "along with four old friends."

"Four old friends?" asked the bodyguard pointedly.

Heero nodded. "You never met them in the last war, and I apologize for that. They're on the Minerva with me now, and I'll properly introduce you all later."

Cagalli nodded, and Shinn saw her eyes narrow. "We'll be looking forward to it."

Shinn didn't give a crap about the pleasantries they were exchanging. Heero's entrance had completely stolen his thunder, and his anger was rapidly becoming little more than impotent frustration.

He saw Heero turn to the Captain and the Chairman. "Am I intruding?"

Both of them nodded.

"Not to be blunt or rude, Heero Yuy, but I'm afraid you are," said the Captain before she turned to Shinn and Rey, "As are the two of you, and if one of you wants to avoid some time in the brig then an apology would be in order right about now."

"I apologize, Captain," said Rey, "but Shinn and I are required to come here after every flight for medical evaluation."

"I didn't mean an apology from you, Rey," Captain Gladys replied, "and I'm well aware of the requirements that you and Shinn are under for medical evaluation, but that will have to wait until later."

She then glared at Shinn, not saying anything but making perfectly clear with her withering gaze what was expected of him. He looked over at the bodyguard, who removed his hand from his shoulder.

Shinn looked at Cagalli. "I'm… sorry."

His voice was barely over a whisper, and it stung his pride deeply to have to utter those two words. There wasn't an ounce of sincerity behind them, and he refused to give her or the others any more than that.

Luckily for him it appeared that the Representative was unwilling to press the matter. "It's all right, Shinn Asuka. Also… I truly am sorry about your family. I admit that Orb did fail them, along with the other refugees on Elysium. I've been trying ever since then to make up for that failing… and many others."

Shinn didn't know what to say to that; it had come out of nowhere. Unlike him she had actually seemed sincere in her apology. It was too much for him to handle right now. All he could do was look down for a moment before nodding at her.

"Now please, Shinn, Rey," said Chairman Durandal, "I must ask that you leave us for now. I'm sorry, Heero Yuy, but I'm afraid that also goes for you as well. Do not worry; per our agreement I assure you that you will have time later on to speak to Lady Cagalli in private."

The legendary pilot nodded. "Along with your medical staff's continued care for her injuries, that's all I can ask. I'll take my leave now."

With that Heero left the room, with Shinn and Rey following close behind him. As the door closed behind the three of them Shinn expected Heero to go his own way, but he was surprised when Wing Zero's pilot turned to face him.

"You're the Impulse's pilot, correct?" he said.

Shinn's eyes widened. "How do you know that?"

"It's hardly a state secret," Heero replied, "I went over dossiers for the assigned pilots of the prototypes being developed at Armor One along with those of other prominent officers and officials prior to the start of my mission. It would seem that the profile of you was more than a little charitable."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Rey.

Shinn glared. "You've got something you want to say?"

"Yes," said Heero bluntly, "Your official dossier had listed your natural talent, but also said you were a little 'hot-headed'. If what I just saw in there was any indication I'd say that whoever wrote the file was significantly understating the matter. It certainly helps to explain why you were defeated today."

"Hey!" snapped Shinn, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Goddamn it, Shinn," Rey muttered.

"A man once told me," said Heero, "that the best way to live a good life is to act on your emotions. I agree with that sentiment and have tried to follow it to the best of my abilities. However, there is a fine line between acting on your emotions and being ruled by them."

"Cut the crap," Shinn growled, "If you want to insult me, say it plainly."

Heero nodded. "If you insist. If you're going to follow your rage every time you get into a fight then you're not a soldier. You're just a brat with a mobile suit."

Shinn clenched his fists, the rage that Heero had called him out on swiftly building. "You'd better watch yourself…"

"Shinn, don't do this," said Rey.

"If you can't master your anger and come to terms with the past," Heero continued, "then you're not fit to be a soldier and a mobile suit pilot. You're not fighting to protect anyone; you're just trying to satisfy yourself. All the anger and talent in the world will not bring your family back to life."

That was the last straw. All the fury that had been churning about inside him since first hearing Cagalli's voice in the med bay was now swirling like a raging cyclone. It needed an outlet, any outlet, and the pilot in front of him would do nicely.

He hauled off and let fly with a right hook, but his fist met only air. For a split second Shinn saw Heero Yuy's rapidly approaching head…

…and then the world went black.

….

"Shinn! Hey, Shinn!"

"Wake up, Shinn."

The voices somehow managed to pierce the daze that the young ZAFT Red was in, and the blackness that had taken him earlier gradually began to recede. Two red blurs were standing over him, and as the seconds went by they eventually cleared up to the point that Shinn began to recognize them as Lunamaria and Rey.

"Hey! Wake up, idiot!"

That was the only warning Shinn got before the open palm of Lunamaria's hand met his cheek in a hard slap. It certainly helped speed him back to consciousness, but the stinging that followed was not a welcome partner to the throbbing in his head.

"What happened?" he mumbled as he tried to stand up.

"From what Rey told me," said Lunamaria as she helped him to his feet, "it sounds like you were being a dumbass. Even for you that was stupid…"

"What are you talking about?" asked Shinn before turning to Rey for help.

His blond friend was more helpful than the red-head. "You picked a fight with Heero Yuy, remember?"

A few images flashed through his mind, and Shinn nodded. "I think so… how'd I do?"

Lunamaria looked completely flabbergasted. "How'd you do? He dodged your only punch, head butted you, and knocked you the fuck out! You've been napping on the floor here for the past ten minutes!"

"Oh…" said Shinn, his face flushed with embarrassment, "Do… do the Captain and the Chairman know?"

"They still haven't left the med bay," said Rey.

"You're lucky that Rey and I will cover for you," said Lunamaria, shaking her head, "You'd just better hope that Heero doesn't tell the Captain about this, or this time she'll really lay into you, and I won't back you up then."

"Come on," said Rey, "You need to get something to eat and drink. We can come back later for our medical evaluations. If they ask about your head just say you hit it during the fight and your helmet wasn't enough to completely absorb the impact."

"I'll slip in there and get you a cold compress," said Lunamaria, "If the others ask I'll say it's for me. You owe me one."

Shinn nodded. "Thanks. By the way, why are you over this way in the first place?"

"I was coming to check up on you guys," she replied, "I know you're both supposed to get checked out after each flight, and this was our first combat sortie. You two doing okay? Besides that bump on your head, Shinn."

"We'll be fine, Lunamaria," said Rey.

"Yeah," said Shinn, desperate to change the subject, "I think I just need something to eat, like Rey said."

Lunamaria nodded. "Do that and then go get some rest. Rey and I will wake you up if anything happens. I'll catch up to you after I get the compress."

"All right," said Shinn.

"Rey," said Lunamaria, "keep him out of trouble, please?"

Rey nodded. "I will."

Lunamaria turned towards the med bay, and Shinn could've sworn he heard her mutter the word 'idiot' under her breath. After what had happened earlier, Shinn privately admitted that he deserved that.

What the hell had happened? He was a Coordinator, and from everything Shinn had heard Heero Yuy was supposed to be a Natural, but the way he had moved during their very short fight was absolutely inhuman.

You watched the sword fight between him and the Valkyrie that got posted online during the last war, he mentally berated himself, You knew he wasn't like a regular Natural. You walked right into that beat down.

As Rey led him towards the Minerva's dining facility he silently swore not to get caught off guard like that again. He shook off Heero's earlier admonition about his anger ruling him; if the so-called Demon Lord of Avalon been through anything close to what Shinn had suffered then he wouldn't have the nerve to lecture him about being emotional.

"Shinn?" said Rey cautiously, "Are you doing okay?"

Shinn nodded. "I'm fine, Rey. Next time we go into battle I'll just have to prove to Heero that he has no idea what kind of pilot I am."

Rey nodded, though Shinn thought he also saw his friend shrug. "I'm sure you will."

….

"Nice setup," said Duo as he and the other Gundam pilots followed Heero into the Minerva's conference room.

It was a decent sized room for a ship like this. A large black, circular table was positioned square in the middle of it, with chairs for a dozen people sitting around it. In the center of the table and in the ceiling directly above it were a set of holographic projectors.

It had been a few hours since that tense meeting in the hangar when the Gundam pilots had first entered the Minerva. Duo and the others had killed time going over their mobile suits and the small data packet that Heero had sent them earlier, patiently waiting on him to prepare an actual briefing for them. Like Heero they had all changed out of their flight suits and were now wearing their typical civilian clothing.

As soon as the God of Death and the other pilots were inside he saw Heero hit a keypad on the wall, closing and locking the door behind them.

"I've already swept this room for listening devices," the Perfect Soldier said, "We can talk freely in here."

Due smirked. "So that's what you were up to while we were hanging around down in the hangar."

"I doubt it took Heero that long just to do a bug sweep," said Trowa.

"Are you all set for the briefing, Heero?" asked Quatre.

The Perfect Soldier nodded, and Duo saw him set the black laptop he'd been carrying down on the table. "I'm not going to log into the Minerva's network and use the holo-projectors; too much of a chance of them using the channel to get into my computer and access the data in there. Sorry, but I'm afraid that this will just be a narration; we'll save the visual aids for another time."

"Fine by me," said Wufei.

"Aw, man," groaned Duo, "Talk about a letdown."

"Why do you need the laptop, then?" asked Trowa.

"As a reference," Heero replied as he sat down at the table and opened up the laptop, "There's a lot we need to go over."

"We're ready whenever you are," said Quatre.

Heero nodded. "Then take a seat and get comfortable. We're going to be here for a while."

….

I always figured he'd have one hell of a tale for us when we found him, thought Quatre as Heero went on with his account, but still… I never dreamed that it would be anything quite like this.

Like the other four Gundam pilots he'd patiently listened as Heero outlined everything that had happened since he had come to the Cosmic Era over two years ago. Quatre was utterly fascinated by the odyssey his friend had undergone. All the people he'd met, the factions he'd encountered, the battles he'd fought in… it was a war to rival their old conflict, even surpass it. If it were anyone else telling a story like this Quatre would've recommended them to a psyche ward, but when it was Heero Yuy doing the talking it was pretty damn hard not to take him seriously.

He knew that Heero was being honest, but at the same time Quatre could tell that his old friend was leaving something out. It took a while, but as Heero continued his story Sandrock Saladin's pilot slowly began to realize what it was.

The Captain of the Archangel, he mused, Murrue Ramius… there's something between them.

It was in the way Heero spoke whenever she came up in the narrative, however fleeting, that clued Quatre in. There were very subtle signs, and if someone did not know Heero then there was very little chance that they would've picked up on it, but they were there all the same. When he spoke of the Captain's accomplishments there was the faintest hint of pride in his voice, one that never revealed itself when Heero spoke of his own deeds or those of anyone else in his story. At times he could see small signs of admiration when he spoke of her devotion to her crew and strong will. He gave subtle praise to her cunning and leadership ability, and whether Heero recognized it or not this Captain Ramius popped up more in his narrative than any other person that he had met.

If Heero wasn't ready to go into details right now at what was going on with him and Murrue Ramius that was fine with Quatre. He could pry it out of him later. Quatre did suspect though that it would ultimately make the four Gundam pilots' mission much more difficult.

In fact, he thought as Heero continued, we may have been doomed to fail before we even left our world, if my hunch about the two of them is right.

Quatre lost track of the time, but he figured it must've been at least a couple of hours before he finally wound up his story. Eventually Heero closed the laptop and leaned back in his chair.

"Well," he said, "that's the gist of everything. I'll send you more comprehensive information on this world, the factions that rule it, the mobile suits, and anything else that you want to know. It'll just take me a bit of time to work it all up."

Duo whistled. "Damn… you had one hell of a ride, didn't you?"

"It's a good thing you came over here with your Gundam," said Trowa, "I doubt you would've survived your battles without Wing Zero."

"It sounds like we really missed out," said Wufei, and Quatre could detect more than a hint of envy coming from the Chinese pilot.

Heero nodded. "We could've used your help, although I'm sure you were all busy back in your world."

The way he said 'your world' rather than 'our world' was another sign to Quatre that their original mission might not have a chance of success.

Quatre nodded. "Between reconstruction and peacekeeping we've all had plenty to do. Howard and Lady Une were the ones who did most of the work on figuring out how to cross over to this world to find you."

"I figured as much," Heero replied.

"They gave us some data to show you," said Trowa, "It'll help us set up our return to our world eventually."

Heero nodded. "Send it to me later. I'll pass it on to a friend who should be able to help you with that."

"You mean 'help us,' don't you buddy?" said Duo.

Heero shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I'm not going back."

There was silence for a moment after that.

Well, thought Quatre, that was certainly quicker than I'd expected.

"Say… say that again, buddy?" said Duo hesitantly.

"I told you," said Heero firmly, "I'm not going back."

"Hey!" said Duo, "The whole reason we all came out here in the first place was to bring you back!"

Heero nodded. "I appreciate the effort you put into this undertaking, and I will do everything I can to make sure that you return to your world. However, that does not change the fact that I will not be joining you."

"There are many people in our world waiting on your return," said Trowa, "They need you to help preserve the peace."

"And what about Relena, man?" said Duo, "She pushed real hard for this! She cares about you more than anyone else in our world, Heero! I thought you two had something!"

Heero sighed. "We did, but… it wasn't what you think it was. Besides… things have changed for me, Duo, more than you could possibly realize."

"Heero," said Quatre carefully, "Can you at least think about it? Please, don't dismiss this so quickly!"

"It's not like you have to make a final call on this right off the bat anyway," said Wufei, "After all, it will take quite a while to get things set up for our return. There's a lot that we need to prepare, and we need a considerable amount of resources for it."

Quatre nodded. "Wufei's right. Look, Heero, at least consider it while we work through the current situation, okay?"

Heero shook his head. "I'm sorry, Quatre, but there really is nothing for me to consider. My mind is made up, and it has been for far longer than you know."

"Damn it, man!" said Duo in frustration, "Do you have any idea how big of a pain in the ass you're being right now? Look, I get that you did a hell of a lot here while we were trying to figure out how to come after you, but this isn't your world, Heero! We need you back in ours!"

"From what Quatre said earlier it seems like you've all had no problem keeping the peace in your world without me," Heero replied, "This world needs me far more than the old one does. More to the point, I've made a new life for myself here, Duo. Regardless of my past attachments, I'm not going to abandon what I've gained here."

"Do you have any idea what this will do to Relena?" cried Duo.

Heero closed his eyes for a moment, and to Quatre it seemed like he was genuinely remorseful. "Relena's a strong woman. She'll make it without me. I think… she would understand."

"Really?" said Duo, folding his arms, "Well I sure as hell don't."

"Perhaps there's something that we're missing," said Trowa, his eyes narrowing, "Is there anything you left out of your presentation that would help explain your refusal?"

Heero nodded. "You'll see in due time."

"That's it?" said Wufei, raising an eyebrow.

Quatre held out his hands. "I think we should put the matter on hold for now. This is hardly the time to be arguing amongst ourselves. We're on a ZAFT battleship trying to conceal the fact that not only is Heero's mobile suit one that was supposed to be destroyed but that we're from another world. Until we're able to get off this ship and join up with Heero's friends in this world we need to be very careful about how we go forward."

Trowa nodded. "We need to present a united front. If the Supreme Council Chairman detects any dissent in our ranks he will exploit it."

Duo sighed. "All right, I'll drop it for now. Don't think I'm letting you off the hook just yet though, buddy. This is just a break."

"Whatever you say," Heero replied.

"So," said Wufei, "what's our next move?"

"For now, settle in," said Heero, "I spoke with the ship's XO before calling this meeting. Quarters have been arranged. I'll show you where they are after this. We'll stay with the Minerva for the time being and hunt down that unknown battleship from the attack on Armory One. As soon as we get the chance, though, I'll get us over to my friends. We'll be able to work out a better plan then."

Quatre smiled. "Sounds like a plan to me."

Duo shrugged. "It's something."

"It'll be enough for now," said Trowa.

"As long as we run into the enemy again, I'm good with it," said Wufei.

Quatre sighed with relief as everyone began standing up. For now he'd consider them all lucky to have averted a major crisis; that argument could've gotten a lot worse. However, he knew that they were far from out of the woods yet.

….

Leaning back in his chair, Eric 'The Wolf of the Far East' Bristow took a moment to absorb what Murrue Ramius had just told him. In his early to mid thirties, the man who had once been a ZAFT Field Marshal and the master of Siegel Clyne's growing spy network before passing his services on to Lacus Clyne had changed very little over the past two years. Tall and clean shaven with black hair and cunning brown eyes, he had traded in his old custom Field Marshal's uniform for the typical garb of a Morgenroete employee, though of course this was merely to disguise his role as an overseer of Terminal's intelligence network and one of the organization's mobile suit pilots.

"Well, now," he said, his brow furrowed in thought, "I did not see that one coming."

"You can say that again," a very familiar female voice chimed in from behind him.

He turned and smiled at the North African beauty behind him. Now twenty-seven years old, Shemei Bristow, also known as the Valkyrie, was as lovely as ever. Like him she was clad in typical Morgenroete attire, but that did little to detract from her beauty. Her lithe and athletic figure was readily apparent, and it was one that she continued to hone through both combat training and swordplay. Her silver eyes glistened with a playful light, and her long dark hair with purple highlights fell freely behind her. He reached over and held his wife's hand, savoring the feeling of her soft and smooth light brown skin.

They'd married earlier in the year, firmly convinced that after all they had endured together in the last war that they were perfect for each other. Both had fond memories of the ceremony and the honeymoon that had followed, but neither had let that distract them from their work as members of Terminal.

"So the other four Gundam pilots have finally made their way over to our world," said Shemei with a grin, "I always hoped we'd get the chance to meet them."

Eric nodded. "I hear you there. I do wish it could be under better circumstances, though."

"Indeed," said Murrue, causing the two of them to turn back to the screen, "From what Heero told me they've managed to earn the goodwill of the Minerva's crew and have worked out a temporary alliance, but I don't think that they can stay with them for long."

"Agreed," said Eric, "We'll have to arrange a rendezvous with them as soon as possible."

Murrue nodded. "That's part of the reason we need the Dominion to launch from L3 and make for the orbital Debris Belt. If things take a turn for the worse and Heero and the others need to bail from the Minerva then we need to make sure that they have options available."

"Well, I don't think it will take us too long to get underway," said Shemei, "Natarle's got everyone here at the resource satellite running through drills, so it's not like we got to cancel any shore leave. ZAFT and the Earth Alliance don't patrol out this way like they used to either, so we should have no problem making it to the Debris Belt without being spotted."

"We'll talk to her when we're finished here," said Eric, "How long will it take you to prep the Archangel?"

Murrue sighed. "Significantly longer than launching the Dominion will take, I'm afraid. Attaching the positron boosters takes several hours, and we'll need to head out under cover of darkness in order to minimize our risk of exposure. It's pretty late in the day now and mounting the boosters will most likely consume most of the night, so I probably won't be able to get my ship underway until tomorrow night when we have fresh cover."

"You'll get it done, Murrue," said Shemei with a smile, "You always do."

Murrue smiled in return. "Thank you, Shemei. By the way, how are things going with your new mobile suit?"

Shemei chuckled. "It's a real beast, no denying that. Still, I've got a handle on it now."

"I can't believe Heero once flew that thing," said Eric, his eyes narrowing, "or at least the original version. That System's a real monster, you know?"

Murrue nodded. "So Heero's told me. I know you two have been through a lot lately, especially with Shemei's training. Heero believes in you, and so do I, but that doesn't mean I'm not allowed to worry."

"Believe me, you're not the only one," said Eric, "I know Shemei didn't like the Judgment, but I really would've preferred that mobile suit to this one."

"No," said Shemei firmly, "this was the right move for me. Eric, Murrue, I appreciate your concern, but this is what I want. Trust me, I've got this."

Eric smiled at his wife. "Well, at the very least you know that your girls and I will be backing you up when we go into battle."

"Don't forget Natarle and La Flaga," said Shemei, smiling again.

"Speaking of the girls," said Murrue with a smirk, "I'd pay to see Lan's reaction when you break the news to her."

Both Eric and Shemei laughed.

"I'm with you there," said Shemei, "After how hot and bothered your boyfriend got her in the last war, for her to learn that his four old friends are here too… she is going to have a field day."

"Adaline and Priscilla will be right behind her," said Eric, chuckling, "though Lan will definitely have them beat for enthusiasm. Should we start placing bets on who she picks as her target?"

"Let's save the betting until we meet the pilots in person," said Murrue, "How's that sound?"

"Fine by me," said Shemei.

"Sure thing," said Eric.

"About Lan," said Murrue, her expression becoming somber, "How is she? It's been almost a year since her mother… not to mention Shanghai…"

Shemei nodded grimly. "I know. Whenever I see her she looks well, and I've still got Adaline and Priscilla keeping an eye on her, but still… when she wants to put on a front, she's good at it."

"She hasn't talked about it in quite some time," said Eric, "Although with the one year anniversary coming up that might change. It might also influence her in how she reacts when she meets Heero's friends."

"I'll watch her, Murrue," said Shemei, "Who knows? Maybe hooking up with a Gundam pilot will do her some good?"

Murrue nodded. "Yes, though I suppose that depends on which one. Well, I'll leave her to you then. Tell the girls I said hello, will you? Natarle and La Flaga as well."

Shemei smiled. "Will do, Murrue."

"We'll get things rolling on our end," said Eric, "Anything else you need from us?"

"Only for you to keep your guard up," said Murrue, "I don't know what Heero thinks is coming our way, but I'm inclined to believe him when he feels it's something big."

"As are the two of us," said Shemei, "Don't worry, Murrue. We'll be ready."

"Count on it," said Eric, "I'm sure we'll be seeing you and the others real soon."

Murrue nodded. "Good luck, and farewell."

The Archangel's Captain disappeared from the screen, leaving the two of them in momentary silence to mull things over.

Eric was the first to speak up. "So, they're really here… the Earth Alliance and ZAFT would be shitting themselves if they knew just who entered the playing field."

"Got that right," said Shemei with a smirk, "I know you said that Zala and the Defense Council hated Heero with a passion in the last war. I can't imagine the response four more of him will get from the big powers."

Eric smiled. "So, when are you going to break the news to the girls?"

"After we let Natarle and La Flaga in on the action," Shemei replied, "Besides, I want to be there in person when Lan and the others learn what's going on. The look on her face is going to be priceless!"

Eric smirked. "No argument there. All right, let's get to work!"

….

Sitting on a chair out in front of Reverend Malchio's orphanage in the Marshall Islands was a lovely young woman. Eighteen years of age, her appearance was positively angelic even when she wasn't decked out in full regalia. She wore a very simple white and light blue dress, which apart from two thin straps perfectly revealed her pale shoulders. Her pink hair flowed freely, falling down to her waist, and was unadorned save for a gold clip in her right bangs. Gentle and peaceful cerulean eyes watched her boyfriend play soccer with the children, and a content smile was on her face as she took it all in with the setting sun.

He looks so happy, thought Lacus Clyne, If one didn't know him better they'd never imagine that he fought in the last war… and suffered so dearly.

The now eighteen-year-old Kira Yamato was clearly holding back as he kicked the ball to one of the young boys. As the Ultimate Coordinator, the product of forbidden research out at the mysterious Mendel colony at L4, the young man could've easily joined a professional team, and at a much earlier age too if he'd desired. Clad in a simple pair of black pants and a white button-up shirt, her boyfriend looked to be so at ease, which made him all the more handsome in Lacus' eye. He'd let his brown hair grow just a few centimeters longer than he'd allowed it to in the last war, but apart from that he hadn't really changed much physically over the past two years. His gentle purple eyes spoke of a sensitive and kind nature, although the events of the war had given them a more mature edge. He'd become more philosophical and contemplative since the conflict, but at heart he was still the compassionate and slightly-shy young man that Lacus had fallen in love with.

The two of them had lived a quiet life out at Reverend Malchio's orphanage since the end of the Bloody Valentine War, visiting their friends in Orb and taking part in an occasional Terminal meeting but apart from that content to watch over the children the blind spiritual leader was looking after. For an insanely popular songstress and one of the most famous pilots of the war it might seem like a considerable step down, but the two of them were more than happy with this change of pace. The funds Lacus had acquired from her singing career and continued to receive through royalties were far more than sufficient to support them, and that wasn't including her considerable inheritance from her late father.

It was fortunate Mister Bristow was able to move father's liquid assets before Patrick Zala could freeze them and use them in his war efforts, she thought, They've certainly come in handy for supporting Terminal and keeping father's dream alive.

Although she currently had a hands off role in the organization, Lacus was still kept up to date on their activities thanks to her friends. They were very respectful of the support she'd given Terminal and always asked for her input whenever a major operation was being planned. That was why, though she was happily watching Kira play with the children, her mind occasionally turned towards a friend that was currently on an important mission for the organization.

I hope Heero's doing all right, she thought, He's been working very hard lately. So has Murrue… I think the two of them need to take some time off soon. Perhaps I should invite them to come out here and stay with us for a few days when Heero returns. A bit of distance from operations like this one would do them some good.

She'd actually done precisely that a few times since settling in here with Kira. Murrue and Heero had always accepted her invitations, and Lacus knew that the lovely Captain was quite popular with the children. Heero had taken a bit of work; his withdrawn nature made it difficult for him to connect with kids, although he had made an effort to join them in their activities whenever he and Murrue had visited. Lacus was sure that his past experiences played a role in his issues with warming up to the children, especially a particularly painful even that he had told her about when they had reencountered each other on the Eternal after the fall of Orb.

"Lacus," said a familiar voice behind from behind her.

She turned and smiled at the speaker. "Reverend Malchio! Please, come out and join us!"

The blind black-haired man shook his head. "I apologize, Lacus, but you're needed inside. Miss Ramius is requesting to speak to you."

Lacus nodded, now a little worried; Murrue wouldn't be making a social call while Heero was off on a mission. "Very well. I'm coming inside."

She stood up and looked briefly over at Kira and the children before climbing up the stairs and entering the orphanage. Lacus strode quickly through the main living room and through a back door which led down into a shelter and a secure communications room.

She took a seat and smiled as she saw her friend on the screen. "Murrue, it's good to see you again!"

The lovely Captain of the Archangel nodded and smiled at her. "You as well, Lacus. How are things with you and Kira?"

"Going quite well, thank you for asking," Lacus replied, "He's actually outside playing with the children right now. Would like me to invite him in?"

Murrue shook her head. "Not right now, but in a little bit perhaps. Heero always said that I should ask for you first when it comes to serious Terminal matters."

Lacus nodded. "He was quite right. Murrue, what may I do for you? I know that you would not have called at a time like this unless it was important."

Murrue sighed. "I spoke to Heero awhile ago. Lacus, Armory One's been attacked."

Lacus gasped. "Oh no! Are Athrun and Cagalli okay? What about Heero and Miriallia?"

"They're fine," Murrue replied, "Cagalli was wounded, but Heero said she'll be all right."

Lacus sighed with relief. "Thank heaven…"

Murrue nodded. "I agree. Lacus, Heero was force to reveal himself in order to save the colony… and he wasn't the only one."

The songstress's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, Murrue?"

"Lacus," said Murrue carefully, "during the course of the battle four more mobile suits intervened and aided Heero in repulsing the unknown assailants. They were Gundams, Lacus… more specifically, the Gundams."

Lacus' eyes widened in shock. "You mean… the other four pilots from Heero's old world?"

Murrue nodded. "The very same, Lacus. They're all on board ZAFT's new battleship right now in pursuit of the enemy. Heero thinks it's an Alliance black operations unit. They stole three of the prototype mobile suits ZAFT was developing at Armory One, though Heero destroyed two of them before they could escape."

Lacus was now very uneasy. "An Earth Alliance attack… they're trying to start another war?"

"We don't know what their ultimate objective is right now," said Murrue grimly, "and we only think it's an Alliance black op; we don't have concrete proof. That's why Heero and the other four Gundam pilots joined the Minerva to pursue the enemy. If they can capture the surviving battleship they may find the answers we need."

Lacus nodded. "I hope so."

"As do I," said Murrue, "Lacus, that's not the only reason I called you."

"What else is going on, Murrue?" she asked.

"Terminal is mobilizing," Murrue replied, "I'm preparing the Archangel as we speak, and Natarle's doing the same with the Dominion. Heero advised that we leave the Kusanagi and the Eternal out of this matter for now."

Lacus nodded. "I understand. What do you need from me?"

"To tell Kira that we need him with us," said Murrue, "I'm sorry, I know how much this time away from the field has meant to him, but Heero thinks that there is something much larger afoot here, and I want Kira flying the Freedom when the time comes."

Lacus sighed. "Murrue… are you sure you need him? Kira's so happy right now. He's kept up his skills in preparation for a day like this, I know, but still… must he fight again?"

"We don't know if we'll actually be engaging in combat yet," said Murrue carefully, "but… if we must, I know that having Kira with us would be invaluable. Please, Lacus, we need him. Everything that we fought for two years ago could be at stake here!"

Lacus nodded reluctantly. "Very well. I'll talk to him, Murrue… and I will be coming as well."

Murrue shook her head. "Lacus, you don't have to…"

"Yes, I do," said Lacus firmly, "If Kira must risk his life for the sake of the Cosmic Era again, and if you and Heero are willing to do the same, then I will do no less. I will join you on the Archangel, Murrue. I know that I can be of use there."

Murrue gave her a small but grateful smile. "Thank you, Lacus."

"You are most welcome, Murrue," said Lacus, returning her smile, "I'll go grab Kira right now."

….

It felt very good to finally get a break from the bridge. As far as Meyrin was concerned she'd had enough excitement for one day. At the time that her watch had been up there was still no sign of Bogey One, and that was fine by her. She wanted to catch them, but she also wanted to pause and catch her breath before diving into another fight.

She hadn't been able to talk to her sister since Lunamaria had brought her ZAKU Warrior back on board the Minerva. Meyrin was hoping to catch her in the mess, but for all she knew Lunamaria had already gone to the room they shared and was catching some shut-eye. She couldn't blame her if she was.

After everything that's happened today, she thought as she stifled a yawn, I could use a little sleep myself.

In her distraction she failed to notice someone crossing her path, and she bumped right into him.

Her eyes widened as her face hit something black, and her face flushed with embarrassment as she tried to steady herself. "I'm so sorry!"

"No worries," a familiar male voice replied, and Meyrin felt her heart skip a beat, "You okay, little lady?"

Oh, my, she thought as she slowly raised her head to look at the person she'd hit, Don't tell me…

Sure enough, there was the pilot of the black mobile suit that had saved the Minerva earlier. He was out of his flight suit now, and Meyrin felt more heat rush to her face as she finally got a good look at him without his helmet on. His attire was rather surprising; the black pants and over-shirt and the white undershirt and collar struck looked very much like a priest's getup. He had an easygoing smile on his face, and without the helmet to restrain it his long braided tail fell down behind him.

"Hey," said the young man with concern, "You all right?"

Meyrin nodded frantically, doing her best to regain some measure of composure. What in the world was wrong with her?

"Y-yes!" she said, "I'm fine, thank you! I'm so sorry about that!"

"Easy, there," the young man replied, "I said no worries, remember? It's okay, really."

"Right, thanks," said Meyrin, giving him a nervous smile, "I… I saw you earlier. I work on the bridge… I'm in charge of communications, and you were on the screen."

"Is that so?" said the young man, "In that case, sorry about that little threat I made during the fight. Didn't want you guys backstabbing me after I'd saved your necks. No hard feelings?"

Meyrin nodded. "It's fine. No worries."

"Good," he said as he held out his hand, "Name's Duo Maxwell. What's yours?"

Her smile grew a little as she shook his hand, failing to notice the plain silver ring on one of his fingers. "Meyrin. Meyrin Hawke."

"Nice to meet you," said Duo, looking at her thoughtfully, "You look a little familiar… is that red-headed chick from down in the hangar related to you?"

Meyrin nodded. "That's my older sister, Lunamaria. She flies the red ZAKU Warrior."

"Gotcha," said Duo, "Fancy that, you two being on the same ship. I guess you two caught a lucky break."

"Yes," said Meyrin, "I was glad to be assigned to the Minerva with her."

Duo nodded. "Hey, are you busy right now?"

Meyrin felt her face flush red again. "Umm… no…"

Duo grinned. "In that case, you mind showing me where a guy can get a bite to eat around here? Not gonna lie, I'm starving."

Meyrin nodded and smiled again. "Sure. Actually, I… I was just about to go get some food as well, so… I'd like the company."

"I'm game," said Duo, "It's no fun eating by yourself."

With that she led him towards the Minerva's mess, all the while stealing glances at him and praying that he wouldn't catch her staring. She hadn't known what to expect upon actually meeting the pilot of that black mechanical Grim Reaper, but it definitely wasn't this.

At least he's friendly, she thought as she looked at him again, and… pretty cute…

She felt a brief hint of jealousy towards her sister when she remembered that Lunamaria had met him first down in the hangar bay. Her sister wouldn't have tried to make a move on him right then and there… would she?

And why did thoughts like that keep popping into her head?

"What's up?" asked Duo.

Meyrin blushed furiously at having been caught staring and frantically tried to come up with an excuse. "Um… well…. your outfit. Are you a priest?"

Duo chuckled. "Nope, I just like the getup. As an orphan I spent some time in a church back when I was a kid. There were good people there, and I guess the look kinda rubbed off on me."

Her eyes widened. "An orphan? Oh my god… I'm so sorry."

Duo shook his head. "Don't worry about it. We almost there?"

Meyrin nodded. "Yes. Right here."

She led him into the mess. It was sparsely populated at the moment, but the few crew members that were there all gave her startled looks as Meyrin guided the strange pilot over to the food. She tried to smile and hoped that she didn't look half as nervous as she felt.

"All right!" said Duo as they grabbed trays, "Let's dish up!"

It was simple military fare, but her new friend didn't seem to mind as he grabbed a sandwich, an apple, a bag of chips, and a bottle of juice. Once the two of them got their food and grabbed a table the pilot wasted no time in digging in.

"Man," he said, "I'm glad Heero was able to work out that deal with your Captain earlier. Otherwise I'd be stuck with the rations I've got on Deathscythe, and those aren't nearly as good as this."

"That's the name of your mobile suit?" asked Meyrin, "Deathscythe?"

"Well," Duo replied in between bites, "Gundam Deathscythe Omega's the full name. Pretty sweet machine, eh?"

Meyrin nodded. "It's impressive… and pretty scary."

"That's the idea," said Duo as he took another bite, "A scared enemy is easier to take out. Plus it looks pretty badass, eh?"

"Yes," said Meyrin, "and it has Mirage Colloid."

Duo shook his head. "No it doesn't."

Meyrin was confused. "But it can cloak! That's what Mirage Colloid does!"

Duo nodded. "Yes, it can cloak, but it uses a different system."

Meyrin's eyes widened. "Really? What kind?"

"Sorry, little lady," said Duo with a smirk, "Afraid I gotta keep that a secret from you."

Meyrin looked down. "I see."

"Hey, don't be like that," said Duo, and he reached over the table to pat her on the shoulder, "Look, you seem like a nice girl, so it's not personal, okay? I just don't want my buddy's secrets falling into the wrong hands. I know the other guys feel the same way about their Gundams. It's not that we got anything against you and your friends, but we gotta protect ourselves too."

Meyrin smiled. At least he's being nice about it.

"Okay," she said, "I understand."

She let him dig into his food and tried to do the same, but Meyrin was now distracted by all the thoughts running through her head. What kind of secrets did Deathscythe Omega hold? How could it cloak without Mirage Colloid technology? Where was Duo from? What had happened to his family?

She doubted she would get answers to those questions anytime soon.

….

Lunamaria sighed as she entered the hangar. She knew she really should've been getting some sleep right about now, but she wanted to check in on her mobile suit before she turned in. Besides, she also wanted to take another look at the five new mobile suits that had landed in the Minerva earlier today. Yes, Heero Yuy had warned that the machines were primed to blow if anyone got too close without the supervision of the pilots, but there was nothing wrong with admiration from a distance, was there? It would also be a good distraction from her friend's earlier stupidity.

"Damn it, Shinn," she muttered under her breath, "You make it way too easy for people to get under your skin."

What the hell had he been thinking, picking a fight with Heero Yuy? From what Rey had told her the Demon Lord of Avalon had been critiquing his performance in the battle, and while Lunamaria could understand Shinn getting irritated about that she didn't see it as something to throw a punch over. Besides, she had to admit that Shinn could use a little criticism.

At the academy the instructors were always praising his talent, she thought, and yeah, he's got a lot of it. More than me, and I've got no problem admitting that. Still, he's not perfect. He's way too impulsive… I guess it's fitting that his mobile suit is called Impulse. If he could keep a cool head he'd be a better pilot. A few of the instructors said as much back then, but that was always secondary to the admiration for his abilities.

A familiar voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Hey, Luna! What's up?"

She smiled and waved at the speaker. "Nothing much, Yolan. Just here to check up on my ZAKU."

Yolan chuckled. "You're not the only one."

Lunamaria raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Yolan jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "I mean that guy over there."

Looking past him, Lunamaria was surprised to see the Chinese pilot from earlier floating not too far from her mobile suit, his eyes narrowed and arms folded as he studied it. He'd ditched the black flight suit from before and now wore simple white pants and a blue tank top, while strapped to his waist was both a pistol and the sword from earlier.

"What's up with him?" she asked.

Yolan shrugged. "Beats me. He was over by his mobile suit until a few minutes ago. Then he started wandering around."

Her eyes narrowed as she went over towards the man, vaguely remembering his name from before. "You're Chang Wufei, right?"

A small nod was his only answer.

"So," she said, "you get to look at our machines but we can't look at yours? Double standard, much?"

"We never said you couldn't look at our Gundams," he replied calmly, "As long as you do so with your eyes and from a distance I have no problem with you looking at Nataku."

Lunamaria was puzzled. "Nataku? I thought you said your mobile suit was the Gundam Altron Custom."

"It's both," said Wufei.

"That doesn't make any sense," said Lunamaria.

Wufei shrugged but gave no real answer.

Deciding that a different approach might work better, she held out her hand. "Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot earlier. I'm Lunamaria Hawke. You can call me Luna for short if you want."

To her pleasant surprise the young man accepted her hand with a brief shake. "Call me Wufei."

Well, she thought with a smile, this is progress.

"So," she said as the two of them turned back to the red ZAKU Warrior, "what do you think of my mobile suit?"

"Not bad for a mass production model," he said, "It seems pretty versatile."

Lunamaria nodded, eager to elaborate. "You bet it is! This is just the basic form. Most of the time I actually use a Gunner pack. I'm pretty good at long range, you know."

"If that's your specialty then why weren't you using it today?" asked Wufei with a raised eyebrow, "A pilot should fight with the setup they're most proficient in."

Lunamaria sighed. "I didn't really have a choice in the matter. The Captain ordered me to launch in the basic form because at the time we were still inside the colony. The Gunner ZAKU's primary weapon is too powerful to be used in that environment; there was way too much potential for devastating collateral damage, and if any of my shots had hit the central shaft I could've destabilized Armory One."

To her relief she saw Wufei nod in agreement. "A reasonable assessment. In that case, though, why didn't you utilize one of the other packs like the white mobile suit did?"

Lunamaria shrugged. "They just had me launch plain. I don't know why; I don't get to pick and choose the orders I'm given. Besides, I actually have trouble controlling the Blaze pack with those additional thrusters. As for the Slash pack, it's designed for close combat and that's not my strongest area. Maybe the Captain knew that and decided the basic form would be best for that situation."

"Perhaps," he said, "Was that your first battle?"

Lunamaria nodded shakily. "Yeah… it was."

"I could tell," said Wufei, "Your moves were sloppy."

Lunamaria glared at him. "Well excuse me for not being perfect on my first time out! I bet you weren't such a hotshot in your first battle!"

To her surprise, rather than get heated or offer some rude reply, she just saw him close his eyes for a moment. "Nataku…"

There he goes with that name again, she thought, What gives? And what's that got to do with what we're talking about now?

When he opened his eyes he turned to her, and she was caught off guard by his piercing gaze. "Leave the battlefield while you can. Someone like you will be destroyed by it all too soon."

Lunamaria folded her arms. "I can handle myself! I just need to build up my skills! Don't think you can just walk in here and tell me to 'leave the battlefield'. I'm not a coward! I'm not going to run away!"

"It's not cowardly to recognize that you're out of your league," he replied calmly, "This isn't where you belong."

"That's not your call to make!" Lunamaria snapped at him, "It's mine! Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Someone who understands combat far more than you do," said Wufei with a glare, "Given that I saved your life I would think that my advice would carry weight."

"It would if you weren't a jerk!" said Lunamaria.

"There's nothing wrong with an honest evaluation," said Wufei.

"Well I don't think you're being honest!" Lunamaria shot back, "I think you're just afraid of a strong woman on the battlefield! Threatens the little boys-only club you've got going with your friends. How's that for an honest evaluation?"

"You're being irrational!" Wufei quipped.

Lunamaria smirked at that. "Nice to see that I can get under your skin too. You just watch the next time we go into battle, Wufei. You'll see that I can handle the battlefield just like you!"

"Then don't come crying to me when you get in over your head!" growled Wufei.

"I won't!" she replied as she turned around, "I've got my own friends to help me out! Goodbye!"

Damn it, she silently fumed, I said earlier that it was too easy for people to get under Shinn's skin, then there I go and get in a fight with that guy! I mean, okay, neither of us threw a punch or anything like that, but still…

She knew it was important to keep calm. After all, they would need the help of Wufei and the other Gundam pilots when they met the enemy in battle again. Whether she liked him or not, she would have to work with him.

I just hope those other four pilots aren't like him…

….

Access to the Minerva's officers' lounge was, as the name implied, restricted to the upper echelons of the warship's crew and visiting dignitaries. Heero Yuy doubted that he and his friends would qualify under the traditional sense of the term 'visiting dignitaries'; well armed guests and potential security risks would probably be a better way to put it. As such, he doubted he was really officially welcome in the ship's officers' lounge. However, to a Gundam pilot, 'restricted access' simply meant 'come back with lock picks'.

So here he was, having hacked his way through the small security panel outside the lounge, enjoying the view of the passing stars. He'd taken his travel bag to the quarters he'd been given a little bit ago and was now taking a little time to relax and contemplate the current situation.

As far as I know my little scuffle with Shinn has been the only major confrontation we've encountered with the crew so far since that meeting down in the hangar, he mused, All things considered I'd say we're doing all right so far. We'll see how things play out going forward.

Events were already in motion beyond the attack on Armory One and the subsequent pursuit of the warship ZAFT had labeled Bogey One. If Heero's calculations were right, by now Murrue would've contacted their secret base out at L3 and Natarle would be prepping the Dominion for launch. Back in Orb Murrue would be working with Erica to get the positron boosters mounted on the Archangel and rounding up the ship's crew.

He knew what his friends and allies were up to, but the moves of the other players on the board were more difficult to determine. On ZAFT's side Heero was sure that by now reinforcements were on their way out to Armory One while outlying patrols were sweeping space for any sign of Bogey One. Their actions beyond that were a more open question. Chairman Durandal must've issued new instructions to the PLANTs' diplomatic and intelligence services along with the military, but it was hard to predict what those orders might be. The Earth Alliance was currently an unknown factor, but if Heero's suspicion about the attack being one of their black operations then that left a whole host of possibilities on the table.

If Bogey One and the force that had struck Armory One were unofficially part of the Earth Alliance, would the government be marshalling another secret force to back up the battleship? Was Bogey One engaged in a definite retreat, or would it eventually reveal itself in an attempt to lure the Minerva into a trap? If it would be reinforced, how many vessels would be devoted to backing it up?

"Too many questions," he murmured, "and not enough answers."

He heard the lounge door open behind him, and he didn't need to turn around to know who it was; he could see their reflection in the window behind him.

"I don't believe we ever extended you an invitation to this room," said Chairman Durandal as he floated in with two of his aides behind him.

"You assume that I needed one," Heero replied, still not turning around.

"Well, Talia did provide me with the access code for here a little while ago," said the Chairman, and Heero could see his reflection smirking, "To my knowledge she never gave that to you."

"She didn't," said Heero, "and it wouldn't matter if she changed it after this; I could still get in."

He heard the Chairman chuckle. "I don't doubt it. You've proven that you can get in to just about anywhere when you put your mind to it. Aprilius One was a standout example."

"Sorry about the mess I made back there," said Heero, "You didn't exactly extend me your hospitality."

"Well, it didn't take us too long to clean up the physical damage," said the Chairman, "and you were surprisingly careful with our central shaft. I suppose I should thank you for that; it would've been easy for you to rip the capital colony apart."

"I don't target civilians," said Heero, his eyes narrowing.

"For which the citizens of the PLANTs are profoundly grateful, myself included," Durandal replied before turning to his aides, "Please, leave us for now. I'd like to speak to Heero Yuy in private."

"Sir," said one of them, "are you sure?"

"With all due respect, sir…" began the other.

"That's enough," said the Chairman, raising his hand, "I imagine that if Heero Yuy wanted to kill me neither of you would be able to stop him anyway. Please, wait outside."

Heero waited for the two men to leave the lounge before finally turning around to face the Chairman.

"You seem pretty confident given my reputation," said the Gundam pilot.

"Your past actions back up your earlier statement," Durandal replied as he floated forward, "Patrick Zala tried to paint you as a threat to the PLANTs, but the fact was you never once targeted a colony beyond your intrusion of Aprilius One. Whether it was against the Earth Alliance or ZAFT you never once targeted civilians. You remain a mystery in many aspects, Heero Yuy, but by this point I do believe we've at least established that you do have certain principles."

"I could've changed over the past two years," said Heero, meeting the Chairman's gaze, "You could be taking a major risk with your life."

Durandal smiled. "Well, as they say, fortune favors the bold."

Heero turned back to the window as the Chairman joined him at it. "What do you want?"

"To simply converse," said Durandal, "I was sincere down in the hangar when I said that it was an honor to meet you in person. Believe it or not I've always hoped I'd have the chance to speak with you. There is no figure from the last war as singularly fascinating as you."

"I don't do small talk," said Heero, "and you're not here to 'simply converse' as you put it. You want something more."

Durandal smiled. "You're a blunt one, aren't you? Quite refreshing when compared to the honeyed words and endless circling I'm typically forced to engage in back in the homeland."

"Now you know why I typically don't get along with politicians," Heero quipped dryly.

Durandal nodded. "If I had experiences like yours under my belt I imagine I would be wary of anyone from the ruling classes, as it were. Not all of us are simply in it for power and money, you know."

"I'm well aware of that," Heero replied, "You've yet to prove that you're not one of them."

"A task that I suspect will be quite difficult with you," said Durandal, "although I do relish a challenge."

"Then I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself," Heero deadpanned.

The two of them were silent for a moment before Heero spoke again. "Why was Armory One so lightly defended?"

"For a single colony I believe it was adequately defended," Durandal replied, "At least against a force that would not have been employing a Mirage Colloid-equipped battleship. Had a conventional fleet been mustered to attack we would've been aware of it well in advance of an actual assault and would've had time to marshal sufficient reinforcements. Even a surprise attack could've been warded off; again, I believe the major factor in why we could not do that today without your help was due to the cloaking capabilities of Bogey One."

"What about internal security?" said Heero, his eyes narrowing, "From what I caught from Armory One's radio traffic it sounds like the intruders were simply able to fence-hop and plant a diversionary bomb before storming the key hangar, slaughtering everyone inside, and taking the prototypes."

"I will convene a formal commission to look into the matter," said Durandal, "Clearly our internal security procedures require reevaluation."

"If Armory One weren't constructed out at L4 you could've avoided this whole fiasco," Heero pressed, "Why build a new colony devoted to advanced weapons development out there rather than within the secure environment of L5?"

"It's part of a pilot program," Durandal replied without missing a beat, "The Earth Alliance has abandoned all claims to L4, and completely pulled out during the Bloody Valentine War. They've conducted a handful of salvage operations out there but by and large the Junk Guild is the main party combing through the debris, and we have engaged them in a few contracts out there since the end of the war. I felt that it would be an ideal location to start up a new colony city."

"So you're planning on eventually having at least ten colonies out there?" asked Heero.

Ten was the standard figure for a PLANT colony grouping within L5. These groupings were referred to as cities, with Aprilius One being both the PLANT capital and the capital of Aprilius City.

"Yes," said Durandal, smiling again, "and their construction would actually be easier since we could use recycled materials from the L4 debris field in addition to newly forged components. Call it a hybrid approach. Armory One proved the feasibility of such an approach; our technicians rated the refined metals to be structurally sound and equal to what is used in the standard construction of PLANT colonies."

"Why lead the pilot program with a colony devoted to weapons development and manufacture?" asked Heero, studying the Chairman carefully, "Would all ten colonies follow Armory One's lead in their specialization?"

"To a lesser extent," Durandal replied, "Armory One is intended to be the center of the arms industry in that area. While future colonies would have their own facilities to supplement and support Armory One's capacity they would also put more emphasis on other crucial economic areas like agriculture, consumer goods and civilian scientific research."

"Ambitious," said Heero cautiously, "and apparently not well known. It's the first time that I've heard of this program at any rate."

"Yes, well, we wanted to get Armory One off the ground before inaugurating the broader program," said Durandal, "The full plan is known only to the Supreme Council and a handful of advisors and technical experts. We're going to give Armory One more time with its own operations before going public with the wider program. We will need to make the proper diplomatic arrangements with the Earth Alliance, at the very least; if they did not fight us on Armory One they would certainly take issue with a full Coordinator colony city at L4."

"It almost sounds like you're provoking them," said Heero, meeting the Chairman's gaze, "In fact, one could say that the whole exercise with constructing Armory One and using it as the launching point for the Minerva and the Second Stage mobile suits appears to be designed to goad the Earth Alliance into some form of aggression. Giving it a relatively light patrol screen given its importance combined with the sloppy internal security would almost be like putting a cherry on top of a very appetizing sundae."

Durandal's eyes narrowed. "You make it sound like I wanted the colony to be attacked… and that you think the Earth Alliance was the one that made the strike."

"It makes for an interesting thought exercise, doesn't it?" asked Heero, carefully watching for how the Chairman would react next.

There was a moment of tense silence before the Chairman chuckled. "Yes, I suppose it does. You have a very active imagination, Heero Yuy."

"Considering a wide variety of possible scenarios makes one better able to react to events," Heero replied.

"Quite so," said the Chairman, "Have you ever considered a career as an intelligence analyst? I think you'd be as adept at that occupation as you currently are as a mobile suit pilot."

"A desk job's not really something I'm interested in," said Heero.

Durandal smiled. "Yes, for a man like you, I suppose that would be the case."

Heero decided to take the conversation in a different direction. "How long will you be on board the Minerva?"

"I'm not entirely sure," said Durandal, "Obviously I want Talia to pursue the enemy and bring them to justice for the attack on Armory One, but at the same time I'm well aware that my position as Supreme Council Chairman means it is not proper for me to remain on board this ship during such a hunt. However, it is difficult to arrange a departure for myself and Lady Cagalli without potentially disrupting the Minerva's pursuit of Bogey One. I'm sure we'll be able to coordinate a transfer with the fleet at some point in the future, but for now it would appear I'm stuck with this ship."

"You seem less bothered by the prospect than other politicians might be," said Heero.

Durandal chuckled. "Yes, well, unlike other politicians I don't mind the chance to get out of the halls of power on occasion. There's something refreshing about being out in the field like this, even exhilarating. I can certainly see why individuals like you might choose to walk this path rather than play it safe on the home front."

"Don't assume you know me," said Heero coolly.

Durandal nodded. "Fair enough. Even two years after the war you remain an enigma."

"A trait that I find to be valuable," said Heero, "It keeps my enemies guessing."

"It almost seems like you count me among them," Durandal replied with a smirk.

"Not yet," Heero replied, "but that can change."

"I understand your reluctance to trust me," said Durandal, "especially given that you fought against both ZAFT and the Earth Alliance in the last war. However, I do wish that you would consider treating our current partnership as more than just an alliance of convenience."

"If you think I'll actually join ZAFT then you're a worse judge of character than I thought," said Heero, his eyes narrowing.

"You misunderstand," said Durandal, "I don't want you to formally join our ranks. Informally we could still accomplish a great deal if we worked together in the pursuit of goals beyond simply hunting down Bogey One."

"What sort of goals?" asked Heero carefully.

"Long-term stability for the Earth Sphere," said Durandal with a smile, "You said earlier that the paramilitary group you're operating with is acting in the name of preserving peace. We have a mutual interest."

I wouldn't be so sure about that, thought Heero, I don't know how you plan to achieve your 'long-term stability', but I doubt it's through methods I would approve of.

"So you're not just a politician," he said cautiously, "You're a visionary."

"A practical visionary," said Durandal with a hint of pride, "My goals are quite realistic, Heero Yuy, and achievable."

"Is that so?" asked Heero, "Even with the attack on Armory One?"

"We adapt to circumstances," said Durandal, "As a soldier I'm sure you can appreciate the sentiment."

Heero nodded. "I can. I can also tell when someone's trying to play me."

"Hardly 'play you', as you put it," said Durandal, "My offer is sincere, and you would be an invaluable partner."

"Partner?" asked Heero, "Or asset? There's a distinct difference."

"Well," said Durandal, "given your particular talents I would admit that you would be acting far more in the field than I would, but the fulfillment of my vision would be worth the risk on your part, I assure you."

"And what is that vision?" asked Heero pointedly.

"A better world," said Durandal with a smile, "One where men like Patrick Zala and Muruta Azrael could never rise to power again. Isn't that the kind of world you're fighting for?"

Heero shook his head. "You have no idea what I'm really fighting for, and I'm not inclined to tell you either. Find someone else to serve as your pawn, Durandal. As far as I'm concerned our partnership will remain a temporary one… and I can always cut it short if I think it suits my interests."

"You're being short sighted," said Durandal, his expression hardening, "That's not what I expected from a man like you, Heero Yuy."

"That's because you don't really know me," said Heero as he turned around and headed for the exit, "and you never will."

….

"You know," said Miriallia as the door to Heero's quarters shut behind her, "it's a good thing Captain Ramius has so much faith in you. A lesser woman might get the wrong idea about me being alone in her boyfriend's bedroom."

"And you're lucky Dearka holds you in such high regard," Heero replied as the two of them went over to the small table nearby, "and that I told Murrue that you were on this ship, which means that by now Dearka knows you're here as well."

Miriallia breathed a sigh of relief. "So he knows I'm safe. Thank you."

"Anytime," Heero replied as the two of them sat down.

It was difficult for Miriallia to be able to actually meet with Heero without compromising her cover as an independent journalist. Heero had very carefully approached her not too long ago, and now here they were in his cabin. Looking around, Miriallia was impressed with the lodgings.

"These are officer quarters," she said, "I didn't think ZAFT would give you such preferential treatment after having the displeasure of fighting you in the last war."

"Perhaps," Heero replied with a smirk, "but their need for my help now outweighs past animosity. I imagine the Captain ordered her XO to throw this in to influence me… or the Chairman instructed him to."

"Do the other four have the same accommodations?" she asked.

Heero shook his head. "They're split into two rooms. Still, it's room and board so they're not going to complain."

Miriallia smirked. "I never knew that the Gundam pilot slogan was 'We'll fight for food'. I seem to recall you and Captain Ramius reaching a similar agreement when you first met us."

"Considerably different circumstances," said Heero, "and I was much more cooperative with Murrue."

Miriallia nodded. "Right. So, what's up?"

"You don't know all the details of my past," said Heero, "Murrue's the only one that I've given a full account of my war before coming to the Cosmic Era. That being said, I know you are aware of a few details."

Miriallia smiled. "Yeah, like how you and four other boys went up against the might of the world. Knowing that and seeing those new Gundams today… well, it wasn't too hard to figure out who those four pilots are that showed up here."

Heero nodded. "Good. That'll make things easier."

"I take it they're here to bring you back," said Miriallia, "Have you told them 'no' yet?"

"Yes," Heero replied, "though they still think that with time they can convince me otherwise."

Miriallia laughed. "I guess you didn't tell them about your relationship with Captain Ramius yet."

"I talked it over with Murrue earlier," said Heero, "and we both agreed it would be better to tell them when they meet her in person."

Miriallia nodded. "I'm sure it will. So, what do you need from me?"

"Your report, first," said Heero, "You were inside Armory One for about a week before the attack. What did you see?"

"Well," she said, "they gave the press corps a tour of both the shipyard that held the Minerva and several of the surrounding military facilities. That being said, I doubt I know anything about the battleship or the mobile suits that you don't already know."

"Don't worry about that," said Heero, "What was your impression of the colony itself?"

Miriallia took a moment to think before answering. "Well, with the launch ceremony coming up there was definitely an uptick in activity. Things were pretty lively from what I saw. You couldn't walk five meters without running into men and women in ZAFT uniforms. Still…"

"What is it?" asked Heero, his eyes narrowing.

"There were a lot of soldiers," said Miriallia carefully, "but that didn't necessarily translate to high security. They seemed pretty relaxed, and it's just a guess right now, but I think most of them were green. You'd think a colony developing new weapons would have more veteran troops for security."

"You said the press corps got a tour of military facilities besides the shipyard," said Heero, "Did that include the section that the infiltrators attacked?"

Miriallia nodded. "Yes. In fact, yesterday they even gave us a sneak peak at the Abyss, Chaos, and Gaia. I'm no expert, but when I was looking around there security didn't seem to be very tight. I think you could've infiltrated that facility with no effort."

"So do I," said Heero, "and the enemy certainly had no trouble with it."

"Who do you think they are?" asked Miriallia.

"I have no proof," said Heero grimly, "but my money's on Alliance black ops."

Miriallia shuddered. "That's what I was thinking too. Typhoon-class destroyers, Dagger Ls, a Mirage Colloid-equipped battleship… no way that this was a bunch of renegades, though I'm sure the Alliance will spin it as such."

"Which is why we need to capture that battleship," said Heero, "Getting access to its computers is the only way that we can prove the Earth Alliance's involvement."

Miriallia nodded. "I get that, but… do we really want to? Don't get me wrong, I want them to pay for what they did too, but… if we conclusively prove to the world that the Earth Alliance attacked Armory One, their actions would be considered an act of war. The PLANTs would have no choice but to respond with force."

Heero nodded. "I know. That being said… war might be coming regardless of our actions with regards to that battleship."

Miriallia raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Before our meeting here," said Heero, "I had an encounter with Chairman Durandal in the officers' lounge."

Miriallia's eyes widened. "Really? What happened?"

"We talked for a while," said Heero, "and he tried to recruit me."

"He wanted you to join ZAFT?" said Miriallia, "He's out of his mind!"

Heero shook his head. "It wasn't an offer for me to join ZAFT, but of a long-term informal alliance. He said he had a vision for long-term stability in the Earth Sphere and that I could help him make it happen."

"What did you say?" asked Miriallia.

"I turned him down," Heero replied, "He thought we were like-minded people; I told him he didn't know me."

Miriallia smiled. "Well, you're right about that."

Heero nodded. "Still, the way he was talking does concern me. It's just a hunch for now, but I don't think the Earth Alliance is the only superpower with plans in motion."

Miriallia's eyes narrowed. "You think Durandal's got something up his sleeve. Any idea what?"

"Only speculation for now," said Heero.

"Your speculation's been pretty good in the past," said Miriallia, "Hit me with it."

Heero nodded. "Miriallia, I know the Wolf's been having you monitor international media in addition to your other duties. What have they been saying about Armory One?"

Miriallia was a bit taken aback by that line of questioning, but she went along with it. "It depends on the news network. Atlantic Federation ones have called it anything from 'questionable' to 'evidence of ZAFT's imperial ambitions', though only the more hardcore outlets use phrasing like that. Eurasian and East Asian networks have followed a milder tone. The Orb Union's on the fence, acknowledging the right of the PLANTs to build new colonies and that the Earth Alliance has let go of its previous claims to L4 since the war, but at the same time pointing out its potential to raise tensions. That is one of the reasons why Lady Cagalli was visiting today, after all."

"What about PLANT news sources?" asked Heero.

"Mostly supportive, though there has been some criticism," said Miriallia, "The networks most favorable to the current administration have more or less proclaimed it 'the latest jewel in the PLANTs' crown', though most anchors don't go quite that far. Still, from all indications they and the broader PLANT population are fully behind the endeavor."

"I see…" said Heero.

Something was definitely on his mind, and Miriallia wanted in on the action. "Does any of that mean anything to you?"

"I think Durandal's got his homeland's media right where he wants them; going along with the administration's public policy while in private he believes something else entirely," said Heero, "Conventional wisdom would view the construction of Armory One as a major accomplishment for the Chairman's administration, but I don't think Durandal sees it as a crown jewel… at least, not in the normal sense of the term."

"What are you talking about?" asked Miriallia.

"When I was talking to the Chairman in the lounge," Heero replied, "he mentioned that Armory One was just the start of a larger colonization program, with the full plan only known to the Supreme Council and a handful of others. The Earth Alliance's reaction to Armory One's construction was critical but relatively mild all things considered; an entire colony city at L4 would merit a much stronger response."

Miriallia's eyes widened. "I'll say. Hell, the Alliance Navy might even try to blockade the site if they knew that was Durandal's long-term plan!"

"Sending tensions through the roof," said Heero, "and making it much more likely that a new war would break out. They bit early, but it still might play to Durandal's advantage."

"What do you mean?" asked Miriallia.

"I don't think Durandal sees Armory One as just another feather in his cap," said Heero grimly, "He sees it as bait, and the Alliance seems to have taken it. The light patrol screen, loose internal security, mostly green troops, the development of new mobile suits and an advanced battleship… that's an almost irresistible target."

"You make it sound like Durandal wants another war," said Miriallia nervously.

"I don't know for sure what he wants," said Heero, "I think he was telling the truth about seeking long-term stability for the Earth Sphere, but I don't believe he intends to seek it through traditional diplomacy."

"So what do we do?" asked Miriallia.

"We play our cards close to the chest for now," said Heero, "I want you to keep an eye on the crew and the Chairman if you can. I'll get in touch with Murrue again and tell her what we've gone over. Whatever's going on, we're in the middle of something big, and we have to plan our next move carefully."

"Anything else?" asked Miriallia.

Heero nodded. "Get some rest if you can. I think you're going to need it."

….

Talia sighed with relief as the bridge door closed behind her. The day still was not over yet, but it already felt like so much more time had passed since the attack on Armory One. So much had happened in the span of mere hours, and she was absolutely exhausted. Finally her watch was over, and she could get some much needed rest. It was fortunate for her that she kept some food in her quarters; she didn't think she had the energy to go to the mess right now.

I haven't had a day this long since our campaigns in the last war, she thought as she made her way to her room, I just hope everyone else is doing all right.

All things considered she knew that her crew had performed well for their first battle. Sure, Shinn's outbursts and the deaths of two of her pilots made it far from perfect, but it could've gone much worse. Of course, were it not for the arrival of their five heavily armed guests, it would have gone much worse.

I never thought that I would end up playing host to the Demon Lord of Avalon, she mused, let alone four of his associates with their own demonic mobile suits. If this is fate's idea of a joke it's in very poor taste.

There had still been no sign of Bogey One at the time that she had left the bridge. She could only hope that when she awoke later that there would be some good news on that front, although with the ship's Mirage Colloid system she had her doubts. It was pointless to worry about that for now though; she needed to rest, not to grapple with things beyond her control.

"Finally a reprieve, Talia?" said a familiar voice.

Only one person on the Minerva would call her by her first name, and as she turned around she saw him behind her.

"Chairman Durandal," she said, "Where are your aides?"

He smiled at her. "I ordered them to get some food and rest. I hardly need their assistance right now anyway. Please, Talia, there's no need to stand on ceremony when it's just the two of us."

Talia nodded. "Very well… Gilbert."

"I presume you're heading to your quarters for a well deserved rest?" he asked, "Would you care for an escort?"

Talia smiled. "It's not like I could turn you down."

"You could if you choose to," Durandal replied, "I would not use my authority to coerce you in a personal matter, Talia. If you wish me to go, please say the word."

Talia shook her head. "No, I don't mind. Actually, I welcome it."

With that the two of them headed off through the ship's corridors.

"I must say, I have missed this," said Durandal, "A simple stroll like this, with you. It brings back memories."

Talia nodded. "It does. Can anything be simple now, though, Gilbert? You are the Supreme Council Chairman, after all."

Durandal chuckled. "Yes, that does seem to throw a wrench in things wherever I go. Still, between us I believe we can have some simplicity."

Can we really?, she thought, old memories stirring in her mind, The way things ended between us, and what's happened since…

She decided it was time to give voice to something that had been bothering her for quite some time now. "Gilbert… why was I chosen to command the Minerva?"

"I would think that'd be obvious, Talia," he replied with a smile, "You're a talented and experienced commander. Your record is exemplary and you've more than proven your loyalty and discipline."

"I would like to think so," she said carefully, "but… Gilbert, you know as well as I do how the fleet promotes and reassigns its Captains. My elevation to this position was… not traditional."

"I'm well aware of typical ZAFT procedures and the customs of its officers," said Durandal, "and most of the time they serve a useful purpose. However, at times one must recognize when they pose an unnecessary obstacle and move to circumvent them. Besides, the process that you're referring to is more informal than formal; there's more room for exceptional action with exceptional individuals."

Talia smiled and tried very hard to keep from blushing. "I always knew you were a natural for politics. Your silver tongue serves you well."

Durandal chuckled. "Yes, I've found that flattery can open many doors and smooth many roads, though I would never presume to sway you with honeyed words alone. Please, Talia, rest assured that I would not heap false praise upon you; I truly do believe you deserve to command the Minerva."

"Enough to interfere in ZAFT's reassignment and promotion system?" she asked with a smirk.

"I wouldn't call it interference," Durandal replied smoothly, "Exerting influence would be a better way to put it. Let's just say I opened their eyes to the right decision and nudged them in the proper direction."

She looked around furtively, but thankfully no one else was in sight. "You do realize that this will seriously damage my reputation as Captain if you reveal your… influence."

Durandal nodded. "Fortunately I'm quite discrete, Talia. You know that very well."

"For that I am thankful," said Talia, "I always did like that about you."

Durandal smiled knowingly. "Just that, Talia?"

Talia could feel herself blushing. "Are you really going to make me play this game, Gilbert?"

Durandal shook his head but was still smiling. "Make you? Never, Talia. To quote a certain Transylvanian, 'Enter freely and of your own will.'"

Talia smiled with him. "You always did have a thing for classical literature… another quality that I liked about you."

"To appreciate and understand the works of past masters is to delve into our own souls and come to new self-realizations," Durandal replied, "All that we have built, whether it be structures or culture, must pay its due to those who came before."

"Your philosophical side never got old, either," said Talia, and she was surprised that her tone had become almost wistful, "Those nights that we spent out late in the parks, talking and pondering… I truly did enjoy that."

An almost devious smirk appeared on his face. "Indeed… and they always led to a stirring encounter back home."

Now the heat was rushing full bore to her face. "Gilbert, please... not out here."

"Very well," he replied, "but how about in there?"

She was startled to realize that they had already reached her quarters. Talia turned back to Durandal and was surprised to find that he was now much closer to her.

"This past year and a half that I've been Supreme Council Chairman," he said, his voice almost a whisper, "has been both a rewarding and a trying experience. Talking about the past like this with you takes me back to simpler times, ones that I recall quite fondly. If you don't mind, I would certainly like to get further… reacquainted, Talia."

Talia could feel her heart racing in her chest as she felt Durandal's breath on her face. By rights she shouldn't even be considering what she was now. It had been a very long day, and she was in dire need of rest…

…but there was more than one way to recover from the burdens of duty and command.

"Gilbert," she said softly, "Can I still count on your… discretion?"

He nodded. "Of course, Talia. Your reputation's not the only one at stake, after all."

She was still hesitant. "This… this can't have a greater meaning, Gilbert. A ZAFT Captain and the head of government… it can't go far, you know that."

"A hard but true reality," he replied, "It will mean whatever you wish it to mean, Talia."

She nodded and opened the door. "I'll hold you to that, Gilbert."

"Of course," said Durandal, his smile growing.

Her lips met his as she led him inside and the door closed behind them.

….

Smoothing out a wrinkle on his black and grey uniform, Colonel Nazara waited patiently at his desk while a secure communications link was established. He glanced over at his bed while he did so, smirking at the disheveled sheets and the fresh memory of what had disturbed them not too long ago.

She resisted more than usual, he mused, Auel and Sting's deaths may have had something to do with that. Still, the sedative worked, and once the doctors are through with adjusting her memories those two might as well have never existed as far as she'll be concerned. Next time Stella should be more pliant…

He was forced to remove the cruel smirk from his face as the connection made it through and the monitor shifted. It was time to make his report, and the party he was reporting to would not be pleased at his delay.

The man who appeared on the screen looked calm and collected, but if past experience was anything to go by Nazara knew that the façade would fall apart once he delivered his news. Lord Djibril, the head of the secret society of industrialists and plutocrats called LOGOS that ruled the Atlantic Federation and influenced the broader Earth Alliance from the shadows, did not take ill tidings with grace. His appearance almost seemed to be emblematic of his capricious nature, with cold silver-blue eyes and hair emphasizing the cruel and cold part of his personality while the garish yellow and purple suit hinted at a much more volatile side.

Nazara had hoped to lead the conversation, but his master beat him to the punch. "You're late, Colonel."

Nazara lowered his head in his closest approximation of a contrite bow. "A thousand pardons, Lord Djibril. My delay was caused by the time and effort it took to ensure that we had eluded pursuit."

"I assume that you are clear of Armory One?" he said.

The Colonel nodded. "We are, and the Mirage Colloid system remains engaged. Our comm link is secure, and the signal has been routed through at least a score of satellites. It will take the enemy quite some time to trace the signal, and far more to even try and decrypt it."

Djibril smiled. "Excellent. I'm sure you laid waste to the enemy thanks to the Girty Lue's cloaking device. It's the perfect tool for a surprise attack like ours."

Nazara nodded, forcing a smile that he knew would not last once the report got under way in earnest. "Quite so, Lord Djibril. Our opening strike was quite effective thanks to it."

Djibril leaned back, his smile still on his face. "Deliver your report, Colonel."

"Of course," he replied, "Our opening attack went as planned. "Auel, Stella, and Sting were able to infiltrate Armory One without difficulty and had no trouble in hijacking the Abyss, Chaos, and Gaia. They wrought considerable havoc inside the colony before interior forces led by a fourth prototype forced them to pull out."

Djibril's eyes narrowed. "A fourth prototype? Our sources indicated that there were only three."

"They were mistaken," said Nazara, "From the data we gathered during the battle it appears that this mobile suit was inspired by the GAT-X105 Strike we developed in cooperation with Morgenroete during the last war. Our pilots witnessed it equipping packs analogous to the Aile and Sword packs, and it would be reasonable to assume that it has one based on the Launcher pack that it has not revealed yet."

Djibril scowled. "You should've captured that one as well, Colonel."

"An effort was made," he said, forcing himself to remain civil, "but in the end we were unable to do so."

Djibril shrugged. "Well, no matter. A Coordinator copycat of our first successful mobile suit does not interest me. The other three prototypes are far more interesting to me in any case."

Which means he'll be that much angrier when he learns that two of them were destroyed, Nazara thought darkly.

"Our three Extended pilots managed to get out of the colony," he said, choosing to dance around the matter for a few seconds longer, "Meanwhile we inflicted considerable casualties with the Girty Lue and her mobile suits. Force Alpha also launched from the debris field to move into bombardment range of Armory One. ZAFT launched its new battleship to defend the colony and it moved to intercept Force Alpha."

Djibril smirked. "Ah, their precious Minerva… I'm sure its fiery demise was a pleasure to witness in person. Colonel, do be sure to send me footage of its destruction for my viewing. It will be so sweet to watch, along with seeing the new mobile suits we stole from the abominations being used against them."

Here it comes, he thought, Time to unleash the cyclone…

Nazara cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, my lord, but I'm afraid that will not be possible."

Djibril frowned. "What is that supposed to imply? You know security restrictions mean nothing to me, Colonel."

Nazara grit his teeth. "It's not a matter of security, but of facts on the ground. The Minerva was not destroyed… but the Abyss and Chaos were."

The reaction Nazara had predicted did not disappoint.

"Excuse me?" Djibril hissed with an arctic chill, "Perhaps you wish to clarify your statement, Colonel… carefully, I might add."

"There's nothing to clarify," Nazara growled, "The Minerva survived, and Abyss and Chaos were destroyed… by Wing Zero."

And now we shift from blizzard to volcano, he mused, in three, two, one…

The buildup was subtle, but the signs were there for one who knew where to look. Nazara could see a slight twitch at the corner of Djibril's mouth. His gaze seemed to flicker, with his eyes taking on a manic light. His breath had shortened slightly. For a brief instant he seemed to freeze entirely, and Nazara knew that the dam was about to break.

He was not disappointed.

"Wing Zero? Explain this AT ONCE, Colonel!" Djibril roared, "It was DESTROYED! It cannot POSSIBLY have interfered!"

"I thought it was destroyed as well, my lord," Nazara replied, surprising himself at how calm his voice sounded, "Apparently the Orb Union deceived us; the unit we saw get demolished must have been a fake. Not only did Wing Zero survive, but it has been upgraded."

Djibril slammed his hand on the arm of his chair. "Upgraded? You should've DESTROYED IT, COLONEL! You have NO IDEA what your incompetence has cost us!"

Nazara's patience was wearing thin; he would not be belittled like this. "If there is someone that is incompetent it is our intelligence agencies. They were the ones tasked with attempting to track Heero Yuy after the war and make sure he did not acquire another mobile suit like Wing Zero! Since they couldn't even find him after the final battle I would say that they failed miserably!"

"You were the one that encountered it on the battlefield in the final battle of the last war!" shouted Djibril, though his voice was actually a bit calmer than earlier, "You failed to destroy it at Jachin Due, and because of your failure Wing Zero was allowed to survive to the end of the war in the first place! Now you tell me that Orb's bitch Chief Representative was able to trick us into believing that they had destroyed Wing Zero when in fact they had hidden it away and blew up a dummy instead!"

"Take it up with the Seirans!" Nazara growled, "They're our chief intelligence sources inside Orb, and they're supposed to report to you! They should've caught on to Cagalli's treachery!"

"You forget yourself, Colonel!" Djibril sneered, "The power you hold now is power that I gave you! It can be taken away if I deem you to be a liability!"

There was harsh silence for a moment, with Nazara begrudgingly realizing that, for now, he would have to back down. It was a severe wound to his considerable pride, but he would find a way to avenge it later.

"Forgive me… my lord," he grumbled, "I only ask that you apportion blame to where it truly should go."

Djibril nodded, his expression becoming cold again as his fury seemed to return to a controllable level. "Accounts will be settled, and heads will roll. Yours remains safe from the chopping block, Colonel… for now."

Nazara bowed his head but said nothing.

One day our positions will be reversed, he silently resolved, and when they are I will take great pleasure in watching you squirm!

"Now," said Djibril, "continue with your report."

Nazara nodded. "After Wing Zero destroyed the Abyss and Chaos I engaged it in the Nosferatu and prevented it from destroying the Gaia. Sam engaged the Strike copycat while Force Alpha continued to move forward to attack the Minerva. However, before Force Alpha could begin bombardment, they were attacked from above by two unknown mobile suits. Just before that two more unknown machines had engaged the Dagger Ls it had launched at the Minerva. All four mobile suits are unique, but our preliminary analysis does show some similarities… to Wing Zero."

Djibril's eyes narrowed. "So now there's five of that damn thing?"

Nazara shook his head. "None of the new mobile suits have anything like Wing Zero's rifle. That being said, they are all formidable machines. Scans revealed them to be nuclear powered and constructed from the same unknown alloy that Wing Zero is made of. Together those four mobile suits with the Minerva destroyed Force Alpha. The Girty Lue was barely able to escape the battle after recovering my mobile suit, Sam's, and the Gaia. Minuano managed to damage the Strike copy but failed to destroy it."

Djibril folded his arms. "So, apart from the capture of the Gaia, wrecking some facilities in Armory One, and destroying a few ships and mobile suits, this operation was a complete disaster! An entire Black Fleet battle group destroyed, and you lost two of the prototypes you were sent to steal!"

"The arrival of Wing Zero and the other four new mobile suits was completely unforeseen by anyone," Nazara growled, "Under those circumstances we were lucky to manage to retreat with the Girty Lue."

Djibril nodded. "Yes, and now we must adjust our plans. This operation was supposed to have resulted in us gaining all three of those prototypes, destroying Armory One and the new battleship, and killing both Chairman Durandal and Representative Cagalli! Instead we only got the Gaia as a consolation prize!"

"My lord," said Nazara carefully, "we can still salvage the situation. The Girty Lue's current course takes it into the orbital Debris Belt, and I know that Force Beta is in the area. They're larger than Force Alpha was, and when we rendezvous with them we can spring an ambush of the Minerva and destroy that ship, along with those new mobile suits!"

Djibril nodded. "Yes. Rear Admiral Xen is with them on the Obstinate; her new toys should prove to be useful in such a battle."

Xen, Nazara thought, I'd hoped not to have to deal with her…

"Can we trust her?" he said, "She's one of the very few soldiers of her kind left in our forces. We discharged the vast majority of them for a good reason."

By 'her kind' Nazara was very simply referring to the fact that Rear Admiral Dorana Xen, head of the Earth Alliance's Special Projects Task Force, was a woman. In the aftermath of the Bloody Valentine War there had been a considerable shakeup within OMNI Enforcer, driven by the very prominent defections of the Archangel and the Dominion. The new High Command and powerful figures in both the government and LOGOS had reached the conclusion that because both those ships were commanded by women their captains had been weak and thus not sufficiently devoted to their cause. In the eyes of the all-male higher ups women lacked the necessary strength, brutality, and loyalty for command or for soldiery of any kind, and as a result of these and other sexist beliefs all female members of the Earth Alliance armed forces, or at least those directly controlled by the Atlantic Federation, were discharged shortly after the signing of the Treaty of Junius Seven.

There were only two exceptions to this rule. The first one was if a woman had proved herself to be of particularly great value. Rear Admiral Dorana Xen fit the bill in this case due to her sheer technical genius; her Special Projects Task Force was a vital research body for the military and the men who had oversight of her were forced to admit that it would not run nearly as efficiently and productively without her. Girls like Stella Loussier were the second exception; orphans picked up off the street or kidnapped from institutions and thrown into the meat-grinder of the Extended Program.

Djibril scowled. "I also had her kept on as the head of Special Projects Task Force for a reason, Colonel. She'll do her job, and with enthusiasm; she's been waiting for a chance to test her toys against targets that will shoot back."

"I doubt they'll be successful in destroying any of them," said Nazara, "These aren't a handful of GINNs we're up against, after all."

"They don't have to destroy any of them," Djibril replied, "They'll serve as distractions while the rest of your force moves in for the kill."

Nazara nodded. "As long as they can operate in the Debris Belt, I can use them."

"From what I understand the A.I.s have been developed to the point that maneuvering through a field of scrap is no issue," said Djibril, "You'll have no problem using them in your Debris Belt battle."

"What about Xen?" he asked, "She won't be questioning my authority, will she?"

"Of course not," said Djibril, "Xen knows how the game works; whatever Phantom Pain says goes, all the more so if it's from the head Colonel. Your authority on the battlefield will not be in question, Nazara."

"I'll also need new mobile suits to replace those lost in the Armory One raid," said Nazara, "and two more Extended if you can spare them."

Djibril nodded. "Let's see… Irina and Gregory should do nicely. I'll have them sent out at once. They'll be waiting for you with Force Beta, along with your replacement Dagger Ls."

"Thank you, my lord," said Nazara.

Djibril scowled. "I expect better results this time, Colonel. Kill Heero Yuy and whoever his four friends are. The final destruction of Wing Zero is of paramount importance; it's too great a threat to our plans to be allowed to survive any longer."

Nazara nodded. "It will be done, Lord Djibril."

"It had better be," Djibril growled, "for the preservation of our blue and pure world. Good hunting, Colonel."

As the head of Blue Cosmos and Logos disappeared from the screen Nazara leaned back in his chair.

"For the preservation of our blue and pure world," he said with a cruel smile, "and for a little revenge!"

….

October 3rd, C.E. 73

Still rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Talia rushed onto the bridge. She'd only gotten a few hours of shuteye before she'd gotten an alert from one of her subordinates, and she hoped that this was worth them getting her out of bed when she desperately needed some sleep.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Captain," said the sensor officer, "we've found Bogey One!"

That was enough to shake off any remaining weariness. "What? How?"

"A recon GINN from one of the outlying patrols passed this on to us a few minutes ago," the officer replied, "Check this out!"

Looking up at the screen, Talia saw what appeared to be empty space for a moment. Then there was a flicker before what looked like pieces of Bogey One appeared. Those pieces then disappeared before being replaced by different sections of the ship. After about a minute of those strange fluctuations finally the entire vessel appeared.

"It looks like they're having problems with their Mirage Colloid system," said Talia.

The sensor officer nodded. "Aye, Captain. Their position's currently just at the edge of the orbital Debris Belt. That recon GINN is still tracking them, but its mother ship isn't as close to Bogey One as we are."

"Can we get that ship on our radar screen?" she asked.

"It already is," the officer replied, "It's faint and at the edge, but it's there."

Talia nodded as she settled into her chair. "Best speed to the engines, helm! We're going to run her down!"

"Aye, Captain!" her helmsman replied.

It would take a considerable amount of time to catch up to Bogey One from this distance, but as long as their Mirage Colloid system continued to malfunction the Minerva had a shot at her, and Talia was determined to take it.

It won't be long, she thought, I'm going to make you pay for what you did at Armory One!

….

"Captain Lee," growled Colonel Nazara as he entered the bridge, "What the hell is going on?"

"Our Mirage Colloid system was on the fritz and then shut down," the Captain replied, "We're trying to find out what happened now."

Damn it, he silently fumed, We were supposed to reveal ourselves eventually to lure the Minerva in, but this is too soon!

"Get me engineering at once!" he ordered.

When the middle-aged Chief Engineer appeared on the screen Nazara pounced. "Chief Schrader, what the hell is wrong with our cloak?"

"Colonel," the Chief Engineer replied, "we're still looking for the source of the problem. However, based on the fluctuation of the cloak before the complete failure it appears that a circuit or relay was damaged by the shockwave from the detonation of the external fuel tanks in yesterday's battle."

"I told you we ran the risk of damage if we detonated them at that distance," said Captain Lee, "Frankly I'm surprised the cloak didn't fail sooner."

"Shut up," snarled the Colonel, "Chief Schrader, how long will it take to fix?"

"I can't give anything solid right now," said the Chief Engineer, "We still need to find the source, and with the system distributed so widely that will take a considerable amount of time. I'm sorry, Colonel, but I can't make any guarantees."

"Just get it fixed," growled Nazara, "Now!"

He didn't even wait for the Chief Engineer to reply before cutting the connection. "How far out are we from Force Beta?"

"Several hours," said Captain Lee, "We should still be able to rendezvous with them before the Minerva catches up to us, but it will be tight."

Nazara nodded. "Get us there as fast as you can. Let Force Beta know that we're being pursued."

The Captain nodded and moved to carry out his orders.

I can still win this, he thought, If we can make it to Force Beta and organize our attack before the enemy catches up to us, we have a shot. Follow me, Minerva…

…to your death.

….

"Lady Cagalli," said Natalie, "with all due respect, I believe you should rest a little more."

Cagalli shook her head. "Natalie, I appreciate your concern, but you said twenty-four hours rest and observation, and it's been over that time period now. I need to get out of here just for a little while before I go stir crazy."

"I'll be accompanying her," said Athrun, "If anything happens I'll bring her straight back here."

Cagalli was relieved to see Natalie nod. "Very well. I would ask that you return here later on just so I can do another check on your head."

Cagalli smiled at her. "I will. It's feeling a lot better already though."

"Still," Natalie replied, "I must insist on it."

"Don't worry," said Cagalli, "I'll come back later today."

Together she and Athrun left the infirmary. Cagalli was really looking forward to get an actual tour of the ship, however informal it might be. Since Athrun had served in ZAFT during the last war she figured that he would be able to serve as a guide; the Minerva might be a brand new battleship, but surely an ex-soldier who was familiar with ZAFT protocols would be able to learn the ropes quickly enough.

She found herself smiling as the door closed behind her, and her boyfriend was quick to pick up on it. "You're looking pretty well."

Cagalli turned to him and nodded. "It feels great to finally get out of there. Natalie's nice and all, but any longer in there and I think I'd go nuts."

Athrun smiled at her. "You've never been one to sit still for long."

"It's nice to know that some things never change," said a familiar voice from down the corridor.

Turning towards the sound, Cagalli's eyes widened at the approaching figure. "Heero! What brings you over here?"

"I was coming to check up on you and Alex," he said, nodding at Athrun, "I'm sorry about yesterday. I hope I didn't make things too difficult for you."

Cagalli shook her head, taking care to stay 'in character' like he was. "Chairman Durandal and Captain Gladys were pretty set on getting answers about the Albion's appearance and Wing Zero's destruction, but it was nothing that I couldn't handle."

"They won't stop here," said Athrun, "They'll raise this issue again at the embassy level soon if they haven't already."

"We'll deal with that when the time comes," said Cagalli, her eyes narrowing as she looked at Heero, "In the meantime, the Chairman mentioned that you weren't the only Gundam pilot on this ship. Is there something you want to explain to me, Heero?"

Heero nodded. "Yes, though not out here. Would you mind following me?"

He didn't wait for an answer before he started off down the corridor, leaving Cagalli and Athrun no choice but to tag along. Cagalli's mind was already racing, and she realized that the Gundam pilot's arrival here was more than just a friendly check-in.

"Heero," she said, "you knew I would be leaving the med bay today, didn't you?"

"Yes," Heero replied, "Standard procedure for a wound like yours would be a twenty-four hour period of observation and rest. Frankly I'm actually a little surprised that you didn't force your way out of the infirmary sooner."

Cagalli smiled. "Yeah, well, both the nurse and Alex wouldn't let me out."

"You needed to rest," said Athrun, smiling at her, "Sorry, but as your bodyguard I can't let you wander around when your health's at risk."

Cagalli elbowed him and smirked. "You're no fun."

"Nor should he be right now," said Heero, "This is hardly a pleasure cruise."

Cagalli sighed. "Don't you think I know that, Heero? We just got out of a battle yesterday and are pursuing the surviving attackers. We'll probably plunge right into another fight soon enough, though since you're here now I'm not exactly worried about our survival. I am worried about what all this means for peace in the Earth Sphere… not to mention the nightmare that'll be waiting for me when I get back to Orb."

Heero nodded. "I imagine the other noble houses must be panicking right about now. Have you had a chance to contact them?"

Cagalli grimaced at the thought. "It's on my to-do list… and I'd really rather put it off for a little bit longer."

"You have to get in touch with them eventually, Cagalli," Athrun admonished her.

"You're worried about the Seirans?" asked Heero.

Cagalli nodded. "They've been pushing pretty hard for closer ties with the Earth Alliance, especially when it comes to security, and they weren't very happy about me making the trip out to Armory One. This incident won't help matters."

"Even though the Earth Alliance was the most likely party behind the attack on the colony?" asked Athrun.

Cagalli sighed. "Without hard proof it won't matter to them. Yuna and Unato will just say that the attack proved that ZAFT couldn't guarantee my safety or broader stability and that they provoked it by building Armory One and launching the new armaments program."

"What about the other noble houses?" asked Heero.

"They're all still pretty shaken up by the Alliance invasion during the last war, along with the attack on Elysium," Cagalli replied, "Orb's tradition of neutrality used to be an area of mutual agreement, but the events of the last conflict really threw a wrench in our internal politics. The other noble houses see our refusal to engage in a bilateral security pact with either of the dominant powers as making us vulnerable… and since the Earth Alliance has the strongest military presence on the planet, they're leaning towards partnership with them."

"They do have a point about Orb's vulnerability," said Heero, "but if it entered into a major partnership with either the Earth Alliance or the PLANTs you would become nothing more than a vassal. It wouldn't be right away, but eventually Orb would be reduced to a client state. You'd be nothing more than a pawn to them instead of a meaningful and powerful entity. Besides, Orb's neutrality is actually part of what ensures stability. If it becomes allies with either the Alliance or ZAFT it would upset the balance of power and make a new war all the more likely."

"I wish the other nobles saw things the same way," said Athrun.

Cagalli shook her head. "My father was the strongest proponent of our stance as a neutral nation, and he surrounded himself with people who held those beliefs. When he died, those people died with him. I've tried to find others with their courage and determination, but I haven't had much success. After the war I had to forge partnerships with the players still left standing in order to rebuild Orb. My father's faction was hit hard, so despite the success of our efforts to bring the conflict to an end I wasn't exactly in a position of strength."

"You've done well with what's available to you," said Heero, "Despite everything that's happened, Orb still stands as an independent nation. Under your continued leadership I believe it can remain that way."

Cagalli smiled. "Thanks, Heero."

The Gundam pilot nodded. "No problem. By the way, we're here."

Looking past him, Cagalli was startled to see that Heero was right; just behind him was the door to the conference room.

She looked at him nervously. "What have you told them about me?"

"That you're the leader of the Orb Union and a decent mobile suit pilot," Heero replied, "I thought I'd leave the real first impression up to you."

Cagalli smirked. "How generous of you."

"Fair warning," said Heero, "Apart from Quatre, we're not natural diplomats. We say what we're thinking, simple as that."

"I figured as much after getting to know you," said Cagalli, "I'm ready."

"Are you sure?" said Athrun, looking over at Heero, "We sure as hell weren't ready for Heero. How the hell are we supposed to handle four more of him?"

"That's up to you," said Heero as he opened the door, "Good luck."

The two of them followed him inside. Cagalli wasn't sure what to expect. Her knowledge of the other four Gundam pilots was very limited. Heero had shown her and some of the others a few pictures of them and their mobile suits but had not gone into details.

If they're anything like him, she thought nervously, I may be getting in over my head here…

Standing around the conference table were four young men. Cagalli was struck by how, like Heero, none of them wore military uniforms. They were all dressed casually, though Cagalli was taken aback to see one had on what looked like a priest's getup. Two of them seemed friendly enough, while one struck her as aloof and the last one was just as damned hard to read as Heero.

Cagalli saw Heero turn around to make sure the door was closed behind them before he turned to the other four pilots. "Everyone, this is the Orb Union's Chief Representative, Cagalli Yula Athha. Her bodyguard is Athrun Zala, though for the sake of his cover please refer to him as Alex Dino when out of this room."

The blond pilot was the first one to step forward, holding out his hand and smiling at her. "My name's Quatre. It's nice to meet you, Lady Cagalli. I've read a lot about you in the materials that Heero provided us."

Cagalli smiled as she shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Quatre. Please, call me Cagalli. It sounds like Heero's been getting you and the others up to speed."

"Yeah, and he certainly gave us some entertaining reading," said the pilot in the priest's outfit, "Name's Duo Maxwell. Nice to meet you, princess."

Great, she thought, looks like this one's a joker.

She gritted her teeth through her smile. "Please don't call me that."

Duo chuckled. "No promises there, princess."

Ignoring him, Cagalli turned to the remaining two pilots. The one with the brown hair swept forward over his right met her gaze and nodded. "Trowa Barton. It's a pleasure."

"Likewise," said Cagalli before looking at the last pilot.

The young man with Chinese features folded his arms and nodded. "Wufei."

"So," said Cagalli, "what brings you all over to the Cosmic Era? From what little I know I thought that you four were helping to keep the peace in your world."

"We were doing that," said Duo, "but come on; did you really think we'd just forget about our old buddy?"

"We came here to find Heero," said Quatre, "After all he did in our old war we weren't just about to give up on him after he went missing."

"Even the explosion of the falling Barge reactor would not have been enough to kill you as long as you were piloting Wing Zero, Heero," said Trowa.

Wufei smirked. "I would've been disappointed if that was all it took to kill him."

Sounds like he's got a reputation back in his old world too, mused Cagalli, although I really shouldn't be surprised by that. This is the guy that destroyed the Alaska base, Avalon, and GENESIS after all. Who knows what kind of crap he pulled in his old world? Well, I guess Captain Ramius does, but she never releases any information about that unless she's with Heero and he gives her the okay.

"Anyway," Duo continued, "we came out here because we knew that Heero was still alive, and we wanted to find him and bring his ass home… and he's being a real pain in the ass about that last part."

"I already made myself clear on that point," Heero replied calmly, "The Cosmic Era is my home now. It doesn't matter how hard you press the argument. I'm not leaving."

"Haven't you thought about it at all, Heero?" asked Quatre, "It's not just about all the work it took us to get here. There's everyone you met in our war to consider! You may not be the most sociable person, but I know you made a few friends apart from us. Besides, there's still Relena!"

Relena?, thought Cagalli, her eyes narrowing as she studied Heero, Who's that?

Heero shook his head. "Quatre, like I told you yesterday, she would understand my decision."

"Maybe that would make more sense to us if you would tell us what's driving you," Quatre replied, "I know you, Heero! You're not just staying in the Cosmic Era to protect the peace! There's something else here that you refuse to leave!"

Cagalli smiled; she knew exactly why Heero had refused to leave. She would back up her friend, although she did have a question to ask him first.

"Heero," she said, "why haven't you told them the real reason?"

"Because it's not just for me to tell them," said Heero, "They'll find out soon enough."

He means when they meet Captain Ramius, she thought, All right, Heero, I'll play along for now.

Cagalli nodded. "Fair enough, Heero."

Duo and Quatre looked confused.

"What are you talking about?" asked Duo.

Cagalli smirked. "It's just like Heero said. You'll find out soon enough."

"Interesting," said Trowa.

Wufei shrugged. "Whatever."

His reaction struck Cagalli as odd; he wasn't nearly as worked up about the matter as the others were. In fact, he didn't even seem to care.

It feels like he didn't come here to bring Heero back, unlike the others, she thought, So why is he here?

Athrun stepped forward. "Look, now's really not the time to be having this kind of argument. In case you haven't noticed the Minerva is in pursuit of the battleship that attacked Armory One. We could end up fighting them at any time!"

"We're well aware of that," said Trowa.

"Relax," said Duo, "We're not going to let this get in the way of how we fight. We're better than that."

"We agreed the day before to put this matter on hold," said Quatre, "I think we should abide by that, at least until this hunt is over."

Trowa nodded. "That would be wise."

"Good," said Wufei, "We've got bigger fish to fry right now."

"Speaking of fighting," said Heero, "We need to get Athrun into the combat rotation. To my knowledge no other pilot's been assigned to the ZAKU Warrior that you brought Cagalli aboard the Minerva in."

"Another pilot couldn't hurt," said Quatre, "especially if it's one we know for sure we can trust."

Athrun shook his head. "I already tried talking the Captain into it yesterday, but she wouldn't allow it. She and her crew only know me as Cagalli's bodyguard; they don't know who I really am."

"Don't be so sure," said Heero, and Cagalli saw his eyes narrow, "The crew, perhaps, but Durandal may suspect otherwise."

"What makes you say that?" asked Athrun.

Heero closed his eyes for a moment before replying. "A feeling. Nothing more."

Duo chuckled. "Still being a cryptic bastard. At least that part of you hasn't changed."

"If the Captain refused before, how do you plan on getting Athrun into the flight rotation?" asked Trowa.

"I'll talk to her myself," said Heero, "along with Durandal. I can be pretty persuasive."

Quatre smiled. "You've actually become something of a diplomat since we last met, at least if what happened down in the hangar yesterday is anything to go by. This should be interesting."

"Hold on," Athrun interjected, "If Durandal suspects my true identity, why hasn't he mentioned it to anyone else yet?"

"He has his own agenda," said Heero, "I can only speculate. Perhaps he's trying to keep his options open."

"What are you talking about?" asked Cagalli.

"We should head to the bridge," said Heero, not directly answering her question, "It'll be better to handle this now rather than immediately before a battle."

"You don't need us to tag along, do you?" asked Trowa.

Heero shook his head. "Cagalli and Athrun will be enough. If any of you want to tag along, by all means."

"Ah, what the hell?" said Duo with a smirk, "I'm bored anyway. Might as well stir things up on the bridge."

Quatre sighed. "I guess that means I'd better come too. Someone has to keep you from causing too much trouble."

"I'll be down with Nataku," said Wufei, "Try not to screw things up."

"You're just begging for me to clock you one, you know that?" quipped Duo.

"Easy, boys," said Cagalli.

"I'll be down in the hangar too," said Trowa, "I want to make sure Heavyarms Arsenal is ready for battle."

"All right," said Heero, "Let's go."

….

"Absolutely not," said Talia.

She'd thought she'd put this matter to bed the day before down in the med bay, but here was Lady Cagalli's bodyguard again asking to pilot the ZAKU Warrior he'd flown yesterday. To make matters worse, not only was he confronting both her and Durandal right on the bridge with Orb's Chief Representative by his side, but coming along for the ride were Heero, Duo, and Quatre.

"Why not?" asked Alex, "You know I can pilot it and you need every pilot you can get for the coming battle!"

"It's irregular and in complete violation of protocol!" Talia shot back, "Regardless of whatever ability you showed yesterday the fact remains that you are a civilian, Alex Dino! The rules are very clear here; you will not be piloting one of our mobile suits!"

"Captain Gladys," said Lady Cagalli, "I can appreciate the regulations that you are required to uphold in your position, but surely you can make an exception under circumstances like this! Alex Dino is a fine pilot, and not only would he serve you well but it would also allow him to better fulfill his own duties as my bodyguard. It's not like the enemy is actually on the Minerva right now, after all."

"Captain Gladys, if I may?" Heero cut in.

Talia turned to the Demon Lord of Avalon, her eyes narrowing. It made some amount of sense that Lady Cagalli would aid her bodyguard in trying to convince her to let him fly in the defense of the Minerva, but why someone like Heero Yuy might intervene in a matter like this was harder to pin down. She was aware that the pilot was friends with the Orb Union's leader, but she couldn't see that as reason enough for him to help out on this kind of an issue.

Talia nodded. "Go ahead, Heero."

"I can personally vouch for Alex's combat abilities," said Heero, "We fought together during the last war. His skills are solid, and his experience would be a valuable asset to us in a time like this."

Talia sighed. "I can appreciate the fact that he's a combat veteran, especially if he managed to survive the hell of the last war, but you should know that there is more to this than just experience. As a civilian he would have no knowledge of ZAFT combat protocol and how we conduct operations."

"I'm a civilian too," Heero replied, "I may be paramilitary, but as I'm not part of a formal armed force and its accompanying structure I do qualify as a civilian in the broad sense. The same goes for the four pilots working with me. I don't see you making an issue of that."

"That is true," said Durandal with a smile, "but you and the pilots with you are a different case. The combined power of your Gundams and your skills are invaluable to us in a time like this, and since I know you worked with ZAFT defectors like Andrew Waltfeld and Eric Bristow I know you're familiar with our protocols and doctrines. Talia is aware of that as well. We have no such assurances with regards to Alex Dino."

Durandal's words made sense, but there was something about his smile that made Talia uneasy. It was a smile she knew all too well; it was the one he wore when he was about to enact a plan.

Gilbert, she thought, what hand do you have to play in this?

She saw Alex take a step forward. "Actually, you would have that assurance. Before I fought alongside Heero… I was a member of ZAFT."

Talia had been aware of the bridge crew following their conversation, though to their credit they had at least tried to be sneaky about it. Those attempts at subtlety went right out the window at Alex's statement. She saw more than a few jaws drop and eyes widen, and for good reason; it was pretty ballsy for a defector to reveal himself on the bridge of ZAFT's newest warship.

She turned to Orb's leader. "Lady Cagalli, is this true?"

Lady Cagalli nodded, and her eyes narrowed. "It is. He joined with Orb to help us end the war, and in return I've granted him asylum. I've done the same for plenty of other defectors from both the PLANTs and the Earth Alliance. I know the sentences ZAFT demands for those who desert the ranks, but I would think very carefully before arresting him if I were you, Captain Gladys. You'd be instigating a serious diplomatic incident, and considering that you have your hands full right now I don't think any of us would want that."

"Be careful, Lady Cagalli," said Talia with a glare, "With all due respect, you're not in Orb right now. You should be mindful of your position."

"You should be mindful of yours," Heero cut in, and Talia was stunned at just how icy his gaze had become, "She may be on a ZAFT battleship right now, but with my backing she easily outguns you, and you know it. Don't think that just because I'm not in the Albion right now that I can't raise hell. I was the one that stormed the Dominion and killed Azrael in the last war, remember?"

How could I forget?, she thought darkly, I believe you had two others go inside that ship with you at the time… and since you have four pilots backing you up I know you're even more formidable now. Even though my crew is made up entirely of Coordinators that does not guarantee our victory in a shipboard firefight if you are our adversary. Still, I can't just let you make threats on my bridge without response…

Before she could fire back at him, though, Durandal beat her to the punch. "Please, everyone, let's step back here for a minute. There's no need for threats right now. Lady Cagalli, I give you my word that your bodyguard will not face any sort of legal action or reprisal here for his past actions… even if he's Athrun Zala."

Talia's eyes widened in shock, and though she wasn't paying attention to them right now she was sure that her bridge crew's reactions mirrored her own. Lady Cagalli and her bodyguard seemed taken aback as well. Glancing over at the other three pilots, though, Talia found them to be quite calm. Duo actually seemed to be amused by the turn of events, while Quatre appeared mildly concerned and Heero had simply narrowed his eyes as he studied Durandal.

"Gilbert," she said softly, "are… are you serious?"

"Quite so, Talia," he replied, his smile growing as he turned to the others, "and please, don't try to deny it. I understand your desire to conceal your true identity, Athrun, but you needn't concern yourself with that here and now."

"Hold on!" Lady Cagalli stammered, "You… you don't have any proof!"

Durandal smirked. "Your bodyguard's reaction is all the proof I need, Lady Cagalli."

Indeed, the bodyguard seemed almost as at a loss for words as his master, and what he could muster did not help matters. "How… how do you…"

Quatre sighed. "So much for keeping his cover."

"Yup," Duo chimed in, "Looks like the cat's out of the bag now."

"You knew the whole time," said Heero, and from the tone of his voice it clearly wasn't a question.

Durandal nodded. "From the moment I received the dossier in preparation for Lady Cagalli's visit to Armory One I knew exactly who he was. You had a good cover, Athrun; the ones who wrote the file had no idea that 'Alex Dino' was an alias. Still, it was doomed to failure the moment I saw your picture. You see, we've met before, and I never forget a face."

Athrun shook his head. "No… we've never met before."

"Ah, but we have," said Durandal with a chuckle, "although I quite understand if you don't remember, Athrun. It was at a fund raiser in the capital back during the war when Siegel Clyne was still Supreme Council Chairman. You were home on leave, and your father had brought you to the gathering, although if I recall correctly it looked as though you would rather have been anywhere but there. We shook hands briefly, but knowing how many other people you were introduced to that evening I'm sure my face must've blurred together with all the others."

Athrun nodded. "Yeah, sorry about that. I don't recall you specifically… but I do remember the gathering you speak of. My father trotted me out there in full military uniform so everyone could see that his own son was part of ZAFT and the war effort; it was a way for him to squeeze further donations out of the pockets of his supporters."

"Yes," Durandal replied, "A common enough ploy in politics, with varying degrees of effectiveness depending on circumstances. It worked quite well that evening, I believe."

"You've made your point," Heero cut in, "Since you're aware of who he really is then you know that he would have no problems adapting to ZAFT combat operations."

"He's right," said Athrun, "and like I said yesterday down in the med bay I would be willing to place myself within your command structure. I would obey your orders, Captain Gladys, as long as they allow me to protect Lady Cagalli."

"An offer that we did not get from Heero Yuy," said Durandal with a smirk, "That's something to consider, right Talia?"

Talia sighed; the tone of Durandal's voice made it clear that he wanted her to do more than just consider it. Still, she would make damn sure her protest was known before signing off on this.

"With all due respect, Chairman," she said, "this is still highly irregular. The Defense Council would not take it well if we allowed a civilian access to one of our combat units, and I still have my own concerns about integration and the integrity of the chain of command."

"I understand, Talia," Durandal calmly replied, "If it's the Defense Council that worries you I can handle them. I don't believe Athrun would give you any trouble with regards to your tactical operations."

Athrun nodded. "Captain, if you let me fly that ZAKU and protect Lady Cagalli I will obey your orders. Please, let me fight the next time we go into battle!"

In theory Talia could still refuse, but she knew that in practice there was only one option available to her. Durandal seemed to have already made up his mind on the matter, and as a mere Captain she could not go against him. Besides, despite her protests she did see the value in having a pilot of Athrun Zala's caliber fighting under her command. Even with a mere ZAKU Warrior she was sure that he would be formidable, and with Lady Cagalli aboard the Minerva he would have plenty of motivation to fight.

"Very well," she said, "I'll allow it provided the Chairman has no objections to it."

Durandal smiled. "None at all, Talia."

"Lady Cagalli," said Talia, "You are sure about this?"

The Orb Union's leader nodded. "Completely."

Talia turned back to Athrun. "In that case I advise you take some time to familiarize yourself with your machine. You may have briefly flown it in yesterday's battle, but it would still be wise to study up."

Athrun nodded. "I will."

"Be quick about it," said Talia, "It won't be too much longer until we engage the enemy again."

"How far ahead of us are they?" asked Heero.

"Still some distance," said Talia, "but we're gaining on them. We'll be within combat range in a few hours."

"In that case," said Heero, "I have an idea."

….

"That's the ugliest ship I've ever seen," said Colonel Nazara.

The modified Salvager-class Reclamation Ship Obstinate wouldn't be winning any prizes for beauty, that was for sure. Manufactured by the Atlantic Federation-based firm Atlas Unlimited Heavy Industries, or AUHI, the vessel was a clear case of where form definitely followed function. 400 meters in length, the ship looked like a giant oval with varying shades of grey plating, a big cylindrical opening right at the bow, and a rectangular command tower jutting up from the upper starboard hull at roughly amid ship. The vessel had been designed as a means to manage and profit from the ever expanding orbital Debris Belt, with the large frontal opening typically being lined with a series of large manipulator arms with claws and various other devices designed to cut up scrap metal and funnel it into the ship for processing before taking the haul back to a refining facility. It was a strictly utilitarian design, one that was perfect for its intended role. As this particular vessel was now used by the Earth Alliance's Special Projects Task Force the salvaging equipment and the manipulator arms had been removed, and the ship now functioned as a hybrid research vessel and carrier. Its armaments were strictly defensive, consisting of twenty CIWS, ten anti-air missile launchers arrayed along the upper hull, and a dual beam cannon mounted on the lower surface. The vessel's engines had been completely overhauled to the point that they were now considered to be military-grade, and while that was a substantial improvement over the original design it did not change the fact that this was not a dedicated warship. Aside from her weak armaments, the vessel's hull remained commercial-grade; she would not last long under heavy fire.

The Obstinate was not the only vessel rendezvousing with the Girty Lue. Flying with the vessel were ten Typhoon-class destroyers, four Nelson-class battleships, and an Agamemnon-class carrier; Phantom Pain's Black Fleet Force Beta. Each destroyer carried six mobile suits, while each battleship carried eight and the fleet carrier held an impressive twenty machines. This made for a grand total of 112 mobile suits, and that wasn't counting the units operating from the Girty Lue or the special machines carried aboard the Obstinate.

"Colonel," said the communications officer, "We're receiving a hail from the Obstinate!"

"Xen, no doubt," said Captain Lee.

Nazara nodded. "Put her through. Let's get this over with."

The main monitor shifted and the head of the Special Projects Task Force appeared on the screen. In a stark contrast to the ship she was on, Rear Admiral Dorana Xen was a very striking woman. She was in her late thirties, with cold and analytical blue eyes and mid-length black hair. The white officer's uniform fit her quite well, but despite her physical attractiveness she had never shown an interest in romantic attachments; her heart belonged to her research and nothing else.

"Colonel Nazara," she said, not bothering to hide her disdain, "I understand you're being pursued by a resurrected demon… and that you've lost two of the prototypes I was supposed to study, along with the entirety of Force Alpha. I thought you might botch this op, but I never dreamed you'd screw it up this badly."

"Mind yourself, bitch," snarled Nazara, all pretenses of formality and respect for rank thrown right out the window, "or I'll give you a real reason to complain."

"Threats without teeth mean nothing to me, Colonel," she replied with a glare, "Lord Djibril values my work and expertise far too highly for you to try to eliminate me over your fragile ego. You're a collared attack dog, and your master has you well on the leash. Behave yourself, mongrel."

Nazara grit his teeth. He would never openly admit it, but he knew full well that Xen was right. Her knowledge and skill were valuable commodities in the eyes of Lord Djibril, and as long as that fact held sway he could not touch her.

"Your toys had better be ready, Xen," he hissed, "That resurrected demon you spoke of will be attacking us soon enough, and it will be bringing friends."

"So I've heard," said the Rear Admiral with a smirk, "Four more new mobile suits flying alongside the upgraded Wing Zero. If Lord Djibril had granted us a larger force we could've mounted a capture operation."

"It doesn't matter now," said Nazara, "Our orders are to destroy them, along with the Minerva. Your little experiments had better be enough to distract them, Xen, or this operation will not go well."

"Your concerns are duly noted," said Xen dryly, "and misplaced. All forty units are fully functional, and while I doubt they'll be able to take down Wing Zero or those other four mobile suits they should serve as a more than adequate diversion."

The units Xen was referring to were beam-cannon equipped TS-MA2 Moebius mobile armors. With the Earth Alliance now employing mass production mobile suits the bulk of their mobile armor fleet that had survived the war had been reduced to either scrap or test targets. What had saved these particular units from those fates were the experiments that Xen had performed on them.

Each unit was equipped with a newly developed combat Artificial Intelligence.

Research involving Artificial Intelligence was almost as much a taboo within the Earth Alliance as genetic research along the lines of Coordinator creation. However, the circumstances of the last war, particularly the first half when the Earth Alliance had no mobile suits of its own, had convinced the higher-ups to invest in possible weapons that they ordinarily would've dismissed outright. Xen's A.I. research had thus been funded, but apart from a rudimentary return A.I. that had been utilized on the Strike-Avengers developed in the last war Xen had met with no success before the end of the conflict. However, in the two years since the Second Battle of Jachin Due the Special Projects Task Force had made significant progress, and today's operation would be the first combat test for the A.I. Xen and her team had created. Even if all forty units were destroyed today the data collected from their engagement would still be invaluable and could very well pave the way to improving the A.I.s to the point that they could be used on mobile suits.

"What about my two replacement Extended?" asked the Colonel.

"They're aboard here too," said Xen, "along with the four replacement Dagger Ls you requested. Shall I transfer them over now?"

"Hold on," said Nazara before turning away from the screen, "How long until the Minerva reaches combat range?"

"She's not too far away, sir," the sensor operator replied, "Probably about twenty minutes."

"We're cutting this a lot closer than I thought we would," muttered Captain Lee.

Nazara nodded before turning back to Xen. "Don't bother transferring Irina and Gregory. Just launch them from the Obstinate, along with the Dagger Ls and the Moebius A.I. units. It won't be too long now until we engage the enemy."

Xen nodded. "Very well. Just try not to lose these two this time, Colonel. We put a lot of work into their mobile suits. Calamity-Aile and Forbidden-Sword will be quite expensive to replace."

"No promises," Nazara replied dryly.

Xen sighed. "I should've expected as much. Xen out."

As she disappeared from the screen Nazara looked over at the sensor operator again. "Is there any sign of the Minerva's mobile suits yet?"

"Not yet, sir," the officer replied.

"It won't be too much longer until that changes," said the Colonel, "Send the order out to all ships; I want all mobile units launched immediately. The Obstinate's Moebius units will form the first wave. The mobile suits will wait for them to engage the enemy before setting up for flanking attacks."

"Aye, sir," said the communications officer.

"Captain Lee, array the fleet for battle," Nazara ordered, "Destroyers out front, battleships brining up the middle, Obstinate, Girty Lue, and the carrier Bismarck at the rear."

The Girty Lue's Captain nodded. "Aye, Colonel."

"Get me engineering," said Nazara.

A few seconds later Chief Engineer Schrader appeared on the screen.

"Chief," said Nazara, "what's the status of the Mirage Colloid?"

"We're still working on bringing the system back up to full functionality," Schrader replied, "We're close, Colonel."

"Can it be done in the next twenty minutes?" asked the Colonel impatiently.

"I can't make any promises," said the Chief Engineer, "This is a highly complex system, Colonel!"

Nazara grimaced in disgust. "I don't want excuses, Chief, only results. Get back to work and inform me the second the system is operational!"

Schrader nodded. "Understood, Colonel."

As the Engineer disappeared from the screen Nazara got out of his chair. "Captain, I'll be making a sortie as well. Have Stella and Sam get down to their mobile suits. Command is yours."

Captain Lee nodded. "Understood, Colonel. Good hunting."

"It had better be," growled the Colonel as he headed for the exit, "Too much is riding on it."

….

Unbeknownst to Force Beta of the Black Fleet it was going to be engaged much sooner that it would've liked. Floating not too far from the Obstinate was the Deathscythe Omega, concealed thanks to its active-cloak, with a clear view of the enemy force.

You're not the only one that can disappear, Bogey One, Duo Maxwell thought with a smirk, You've got no idea that the shoe's on the other foot now, eh? Well, they do say ignorance is bliss. Too bad you won't have much longer to enjoy it.

He watched as the enemy ships deployed their mobile suits and mobile armors. He'd been watching them for some time now, waiting patiently for the right moment to contact Heero and give him the go ahead per the plan they'd worked up earlier. Deathscythe Omega was streaming data to Wing Zero Albion and the other three Gundams, along with the battleship Minerva. Studying his sensors carefully, Duo's eyes narrowed as he looked at the readings coming from the Moebius units.

"Mobile Dolls," he muttered, "Didn't think I'd find those out here. At least they don't look as tough as White Fang's old toys."

Deciding now was as good a time as any he got on the secure tactical channel and contacted Heero.

"I've got firing data coming your way, buddy," he said with a grin, "Time to light them up!"

….

Like the Deathscythe Omega, Wing Zero Albion and the other three Gundams had launched earlier; with their nuclear reactors they naturally had a much longer operating time than the battery powered mobile suits used by the Minerva. This meant that Heero and the other Gundam pilots had been able to deploy their machines well before Bogey One or its accompanying battle group would've been able to detect their launch, and the Perfect Soldier had taken full advantage of that by sending Duo ahead as forward recon while positioning the other Gundams in concealed locations in the Debris Belt ahead of the Minerva.

Despite the Deathscythe Omega's impressive stealth systems Heero knew that the enemy would've detected Duo's transmission, although they would be unable to pinpoint the Gundam's exact location. Still, the enemy would know that they were being monitored, which meant that now was the time for Heero to make his move.

"I have my firing lane," he said to his friends, "Locking in now."

Technically speaking he didn't have a clear shot towards the enemy force; all the scrap of the Debris Belt was a considerable obstruction. However, with Duo acting as a spotter combined with the full power of the upgraded Twin Buster Rife, the floating chunks of metal may as well have been little more than confetti.

Raising the Twin Buster Rifle and using the data provided by Duo, Heero acquired his targets. The barrels of the fearsome weapon began to glow with golden-yellow light, its unholy might about to be unleashed in its full glory.

A few seconds later a familiar beeping came from his console; it was time.

Letting out the breath he'd been holding, Heero pulled the trigger…

…and cut loose at maximum power.

….

"Captain!" cried the Minerva's sensor officer, "Massive energy spike coming from the Albion!"

"My god," said Talia softly, "Is he really…"

It was really a reflexive utterance on her part; she knew exactly what was about to happen. After all, she'd seen it in person in the last war.

The glow at the barrel-points of the Albion's rifle reached its peak…

…and then the power that had destroyed Avalon and GENESIS was unleashed.

It was like a second sun had burst into existence in front of the Minerva and then immediately flung itself towards their enemies. The blast was blinding, and Talia could've sworn that it was actually larger than the ones that she had seen in the last war. A massive tsunami of lethal light rampaged across space, washing over and disintegrating any scrap metal in its way before engulfing the forward ranks of the approaching mobile armors and mobile suits. Even the carnage it wrought against them wasn't enough; the blast kept going until it slammed into the front line of the enemy's warships.

When the light finally faded enough for Talia and her crew to assess the impact they were stunned at what they saw. The blast had carved a large tunnel through the Debris Belt, big enough for even the Minerva to pass through with room to spare. Checking the data on her screen, Talia was shocked to see that the wave of energy had consumed 19 Moebius units, 21 Dagger Ls, and a staggering five Typhoon-class destroyers.

"Such power!" said Arthur in shock.

"Impressive…" said Durandal.

"What else did you expect?" asked Lady Cagalli, who had been allowed to stay on the bridge to observe the battle that her bodyguard would be taking part in, "This is Heero Yuy you're dealing with here."

She sounded confident, but as Talia stole a look at her she could see that the Orb Union's leader's face had paled slightly, and her eyes were wide. Even her familiarity with the famous pilot apparently hadn't completely prepared her for this level of destruction.

"Ma'am," said the sensor officer, "the Gundams are advancing! They're moving to engage the enemy head on!"

Talia nodded. "Meyrin, get our mobile suits in the air. Blast load-out for Impulse, Gunner for Lunamaria, Blaze for Rey and Athrun! Take us forward and acquire targets as fast as you can!"

"Roger that!" the young woman replied.

Twelve ships left, Talia thought, along with over a hundred mobile suits and mobile armors. We're going to have our hands full here…

….

In the cockpit of the Nosferatu Nazara snarled as he looked upon the aftermath of Wing Zero's attack. The blast from the mobile suit's unholy rifle had ripped apart the front ranks of their mobile suit and mobile armor formations, and with five of its destroyers knocked out in one shot Force Beta was now scrambling to regroup. Nazara had been well aware of the power of Wing Zero's rifle, but this blast had actually seemed to be stronger than those recorded in the last war. On top of that the degree of accuracy in the attack was incredible, all the more so when the distance of the shot combined with the obstruction of the Debris Belt was taken into account.

There's only one way he could've made a shot like that, the Colonel thought, He has a spotter!

"Scan the surrounding area!" he ordered over the main tactical channel, "There must be a mobile suit nearby that guided that shot!"

While his forces searched for the spotter Nazara checked up on his personal detachment. Jetstream Sam was naturally in one piece, as was Stella. To his relief Irina and Gregory were all right as well; he would need them and the rest of his force if he was to stand a chance at prevailing today.

The two Extended were flying unique hybrid models based on mobile suits developed in the last war. Irina's mobile suit was the GAT-X134 Calamity-Aile. It utilized the frame of the GAT-X131 Calamity and was an effort to merge its firepower with the agility of the Aile Striker pack. The dark blue mobile suit kept its chest-mounted Scylla 580mm multi-phase energy cannon, along with the two shoulder-mounted Schlag 125mm high-energy long-range beam cannons. It also utilized the same shield mounted on the left arm with the built-in Kaefer Zwei 115mm dual ram cannon. However, it lacked the large bazooka of the original unit. Mounted on the shoulders just beneath the two cannons was a modified Aile pack with improved mobility over the original design and capable of supporting full atmospheric flight. The pack also included beam sabers and the 57mm beam rifle used on the original Aile Strike.

Gregory's mobile suit was the dark green GAT-X259 Forbidden-Sword. This one was based off of the older GAT-X252 Forbidden, and it maintained that mobile suit's signature backpack with the Geschmeidig Panzer energy deflection system, twin Eckzahn 88mm railguns, and the Hresvelgr plasma induction cannon. The arm cannons had been removed, although the unit still wielded two head-mounted Igelstellung 75mm CIWS. Replacing the metal scythe used by the original Forbidden was the exact same type of anti-ship sword used by the Sword Striker pack.

Nazara had his doubts about how well the machines would perform against the revived Wing Zero and the four new mobile suits flying with it. Still, they would serve as useful distractions and would be able to give the other Phantom Pain mobile suits the openings they needed to attack Wing Zero and its comrades and destroy them.

"Stella," he said, "Are you ready?"

The blonde girl appeared on his screen and nodded. "I am… Colonel."

Still hesitant, he thought, That won't do. I guess I'll have to nudge her a little more.

"The monsters are coming, Stella," said the Colonel, "The one you and I fought yesterday is leading them. Fight with everything you've got, Stella, or the monster will kill us."

Stella shook her head. "No! I won't let that happen!"

Nazara smiled. "Of course you won't, my dear Stella. We'll stop him here!"

"Yes!" said Stella with a smile, "I'll do my best!"

Nazara nodded. "I know you will."

Good girl, he thought, Now that you're stable I won't have to worry about you. The other two might still be a problem though…

"Gregory, Irina," he said, "Stay focused on the mission, do you understand? If you don't then there will be consequences."

Two faces appeared on his screen. The first was a dark-skinned sixteen-year-old boy with brown eyes, while the second was a girl with short black hair and harsh blue eyes.

"Understood," grumbled Gregory.

"All right," pouted Irina.

Not quite what I was hoping for, he thought, but it will have to do. Extended can be such a pain sometimes. So difficult to manage effectively…

Checking his sensors, Nazara could see Wing Zero and three more of the new mobile suits from yesterday leading the charge toward his force. The Minerva was some distance behind them, and it had just launched two ZAKU Warriors, a ZAKU Phantom, and the fourth prototype from yesterday. Those four rear units weren't a big concern to the Colonel; it was Wing Zero and the other units at the front of the pack that were his top priority.

His eyes suddenly narrowed as he realized that something was off.

There were only three of the other new mobile suits flying up front with Wing Zero.

Yesterday there had been four.

"Shit!" he snarled, "Where's the black one?"

It was then that he heard a male voice come over an open channel, one that he recognized from yesterday's battle.

"Say hello to the God of Death!"

….

Start "Using The Cloak Of Darkness"

With a mighty swing, Deathscythe Omega brought its signature weapon straight down upon the bridge of a Typhoon-class destroyer. The emerald energy blade ripped through the ship's command center, and as it went up in flames the Gundam's cloak deactivated, leaving the God of Death with a fiery backdrop for his mobile suit.

Now that, thought Duo with a chuckle, is how you make an entrance!

As the warship fell away from him, drifting out of control, Duo hit his thrusters and ascended. It was a timely move; the other nearby warships were already training their guns on him and opening fire.

"Damn," he said as he weaved through their salvos, "Opening up so close to a drifting ally… these guys are cold!"

Evading fire from the warships wasn't a big challenge for the God of Death, but some of the enemy mobile suits were already turning around and coming back to engage him. He could take them, but it would be best to put some distance between himself and the warships to do that; getting caught in a crossfire wouldn't be fun. Besides, if he mixed it up with the mobile suits up close then the enemy ships couldn't fire without risking hitting their own machines… although he wasn't entirely sure that they were averse to taking that chance.

All right, Heero, he thought, I've drawn some of the heat off of you. Have fun with the rest of them!

Between Heero's opening shot and Duo's sneak attack the enemy was in complete disarray. The bulk of their mobile suits, along with the A.I. mobile armors, had naturally been at the front of their force, charging out to meet Wing Zero Albion and the other Gundams. The blast from the Twin Buster Rifle had ripped a big hole in their ranks and had wiped out half of the Typhoon-class destroyers, though these were not impossible losses for the enemy to recover from. However, Duo's strike after the enemy's smaller units had already begun moving forward meant that their foes' were now frantically adjusting from not one but two surprise attacks that had hit in rapid succession.

Out ahead Duo saw Wing Zero Albion was leading the other Gundams towards the enemy. Practically neck and neck with it was the Altron Custom; Duo was sure that Wufei was raring to go. Close behind those two were Sandrock Saladin and Heavyarms Arsenal. The other four mobile suits from the Minerva were scrambling to make up the distance between them and the unfolding battle, but Duo had to wonder if he and his friends were going to leave them any more than scraps from this target rich environment.

Duo smirked as a squad of Dagger Ls approached him; it was time to go to work.

With a broad swing of his beam scythe he sliced one of the attacking machines in half. Whirling the weapon around to fend off the others off he then brought it down on the head of another Dagger L and ripped it apart. A third machine lashed out with its violet beam saber, but Duo swiftly brought his scythe around to deflect the attack before tearing into his foe.

Lock-on alarms told him that one of the remaining four destroyers had acquired him as a target for its missiles. The black warship opened fire, and Duo decided with a grin that it was time to unleash a nasty surprise on his attacker. As the warheads approached Duo used his Hyper Jammer ECM Suite to hack roughly half of the incoming missiles. The warheads affected by the hack turned upon the ship that had fired them and streaked back towards the destroyer, while Duo shot a few more down with his Vulcan Guns and evaded the rest. He was pleased to see the hacked missiles hammer the black destroyer that had launched them, and while they didn't take out the ship they did cause considerable damage to its upper deck.

Meanwhile Heero and the others were hitting the front ranks of the enemy force. Wing Zero was opening up with its machine cannons and railguns and had already taken down two Dagger Ls and three of the Moebius A.I. units. Altron Custom's beam trident was whirling like an emerald cyclone, slicing two Dagger Ls in half before unleashing its Dragon Fangs and crushing two Moebius drones. Trowa was cutting loose with his artillery, and with a storm of bullets and missiles he shredded no fewer than four Dagger Ls and seven A.I. mobile armors. Not to be counted out was Quatre, and with Sandrock Saladin's Heat Shotels he eviscerated three Dagger Ls in a series of brutal chops before taking down two Moebius units that had tried to flank him.

Their dominance against the cannon fodder was undeniable, but Duo could pick out a few unique units in the menagerie that looked like they would put up more of a fight. As he cut down two more Dagger Ls he could see the violet unit with the gun-drones that Heero had fought yesterday making a beeline for Wing Zero Albion, while the black and red unit with the beam katana was heading for Wufei. The stolen Gaia appeared to be backing up the violet unit, though Duo was confident that Heero could take on both machines. His eyes narrowed as he saw that the dark blue and dark green units that had originally been flying with the forward force had come about and were rushing for him.

Duo smirked as he ripped apart another Dagger L with his scythe. "You want a piece of me? Bring it on!"

Both machines replied with fire. The dark blue mobile suit opened up with its shoulder cannons, chest cannon, and beam rifle, while the dark green unit cut loose with its railguns and plasma cannon. Gunning his engines, Duo weaved through the hail of fire, and his eyes widened in surprise as he saw the plasma beam fired by the green unit actually curve in an attempt to track him.

He can redirect his energy shot, thought Duo, That's a nasty trick!

The two unique mobile suits weren't the only units gunning for him. Several Dagger Ls were moving in as well, and Duo knew that he would have to stay on his toes in order to avoid getting flanked.

He rushed in at the green unit and took a swing with his beam scythe. The enemy responded by blocking the attack with its anti-ship sword. Before it could counter Duo broke off and charged the dark blue unit. If he could close the gap that thing would be all his.

The heavy artillery unit poured fire at him, this time adding the twin guns mounted in its shield to the mix. Duo got close, but at the last moment he was forced to dive to avoid a curving beam of plasma from the green mobile suit.

"You two aren't bad," he said with a smirk, "Too bad for you I'm better!"

Both machines charged at him, firing as they went. They weren't the only ones moving in to attack; the Dagger Ls had joined the fray now too, and they were firing away with their beam rifles.

"Sorry, guys," said Duo as he rushed the weaker units, "but you're not invited to this party!"

With a broad swing of his beam scythe he took down two Dagger Ls before whirling around and slicing a third in half. He closed the cloak of Deathscythe Omega to block fire from additional units before charging them and cutting down two more machines. A vertical chop destroyed one more and gave him the room he needed to once again face the two unique models.

He reopened his cloak and went evasive as both machines opened up with everything they had. The dark green unit was out in front while the dark blue one supported it from the rear, and Duo made the former his first target. Gunning his engines, he weaved through particle beams, railgun rounds, and curving plasma before reaching blade range of his adversary. The green mobile suit managed to bring its anti-ship sword up to block his first strike, but a twist of the scythe brought its emerald blade around and into the backpack of Duo's foe. Sparks flew from the device, especially around the plasma cannon, but the mobile suit was not defeated quite yet.

Duo dived to avoid fire from the dark blue artillery unit before redoubling his assault on the green mobile suit. He rushed back in and took another swing of his beam scythe. This time his strike caught the metal core of the unit's anti-ship sword and broke the weapon in half. Another swing brought his emerald scythe right into the mobile suit's cockpit and ripped it apart.

Duo grinned as he turned on the blue unit. "You're next, pal!"

With the destruction of its comrade, the blue mobile suit pulled out and activated a violet beam saber. It charged in at Duo, opening up with every gun it had as it closed into saber range. The volume of fire was impressive, but Duo was still able to work his way through the barrage. Raising his beam scythe, he blocked the mobile suit's opening strike before countering. His strike cut through the mobile suit's left shoulder, taking out the cannon mounted their along with the unit's arm and one of the wings.

The damage was serious, but it did not deter his adversary. The dark blue mobile suit charged right at him, without a hint of planning. For Duo it was a relatively simple matter to deflect the mobile suit's beam saber strike before countering with his scythe, slicing off the unit's head before whirling his blade around again for a slash through the machine's torso. The unit went up in flames as Duo immediately turned around and began engaging more Dagger Ls.

"Come on," he said with a smirk, "Who wants to dance next with the God of Death?"

End "Using The Cloak Of Darkness"

….

Start "The Wings Of A Boy Who Killed Adolescence"

With a burst from his machine cannons Heero eliminated the last of Moebius A.I. units. A precise salvo from his railguns took down two Dagger Ls. His beam saber flashed in a green blur as it cut down one enemy mobile suit after another. The Gundam pilots had utterly mauled the front ranks of the enemy forces, but more mobile suits were incoming, and among them Heero could see some familiar faces from the day before.

The gunbarrel unit and the Gaia, he thought, and the Desperado mobile suit. Looks like it's time for round two.

Raising the Twin Buster Rifle, Heero sighted in and cut loose. A fresh blast of energy ripped through space, and while the three custom units were not hit the wave of hellfire took down seven Dagger Ls before slamming into one of the four remaining Typhoon-class destroyers and turned it into a fireball. The blast had the added benefit of scattering more enemy machines, giving Heero a bit of room to plan his next move.

The violet unit and the Gaia were clearly coming for him, while it looked like the Desperado mobile suit was setting up to engage Wufei. Duo was still tearing through the Dagger L teams that had turned back to fight him, while Quatre and Trowa were shredding their way through more machines. Athrun and the three ZAFT pilots from the Minerva would soon be entering the fray, while the Minerva was trying to set itself up for an attack on the enemy warships that did not endanger any of its mobile suits.

Cutting down two more Dagger Ls with his beam saber, Heero increased his speed and rushed to meet the Gaia and the gunbarrel unit head on. The two mobile suits wasted no time in opening fire on him, and Heero brought his outer wings forward and activated their energy shields to deflect the barrage. Continuing to move forward he saw the two of them split up to form a classic pincer movement. It was easy to disrupt it; he fired a low-power blast at the Gaia, forcing it to go evasive and giving him a bit of space to engage the gunbarrel unit.

His foe from yesterday immediately deployed its four replacement gunbarrels and opened up with them, its beam rifle, and linear guns. Heero rapidly closed the distance, weaving his way through the barrage before thrusting forward with his beam saber. The enemy expertly deflected the blow, and Heero knew that a flank attack from the gunbarrels was coming. He dived to the lower right, avoiding getting caught in their crossfire and slicing through one of the gunbarrels with his beam saber.

Just like yesterday, he thought, I'll wear him down.

He quickly turned around to block a beam saber strike from the Gaia. Counterattacking with a horizontal slash he managed to push his enemy back before climbing to avoid more fire from the gunbarrel unit. Both the violet machine and the Gaia came at him with guns blazing, forcing Heero to go evasive. The gunbarrel unit came in hard and made a vertical chop with its beam saber. Heero parried the blow before breaking off to the right to avoid getting caught from behind by the Gaia.

Okay, he thought as he dodged beam and linear gun fire, this might be a little harder than yesterday.

He opened up with the Twin Buster Rifle, forcing his foes to go evasive and buying himself a bit of room. Heero then took aim with his railguns and fired at the Gaia. The slugs wouldn't break through its Phase Shift Armor, but that wasn't the point. The impacts would drain energy and knock the mobile suit off balance, giving Heero a little more time to engage the gunbarrel unit.

Gunning his engines, Heero once again rushed in at the violet mobile suit. The enemy immediately responded with a hail of particle beam and linear gun fire, but it was already easier for Heero to make his way through the bombardment thanks to having taken out one of the gunbarrels. Reaching saber range, Heero made a diagonal slash with his emerald blade, one that the enemy swiftly parried. The Gundam pilot quickly followed that up with a thrust, but once again the enemy was able to deflect the attack.

Diving to avoid getting flanked by the Gaia, Heero set his sights on the stolen mobile suit and opened up with the Twin Buster Rifle. The enemy was able to evade the shot but was put on the defensive, and Heero used the opening to fire another blast, this time at the violet mobile suit. That one too managed to dodge the shot, and Heero decided to use the chance he had to rush the Gaia.

He gunned his engines and came in hard. Raising his beam saber he brought it down hard in a vertical strike. The Gaia was able to block the attack, but the sheer power behind the blow pushed it back. Heero made a second attack, this one a diagonal slash, and while the enemy was able to deflect it the strike once again pushed the mobile suit back. The Gundam pilot was forced to break off before he could make a third; the gunbarrel unit was coming in fast and he didn't want to get caught from behind.

He climbed to put some distance between himself and the two custom mobile suits. The move put him in good position to deal with another squadron of Dagger Ls that was trying to get in on the action. Heero cut loose with his machine cannons and railguns, ripping apart four machines with precision fire.

He didn't have time to pat himself on the back for the quick kills; both the gunbarrel mobile suit and the Gaia were coming back in for more.

These two don't know when to quit, he thought as he brought his wings around and activated their energy shields to deflect beam and linear gun fire, Too bad for them it's going to get them killed.

End "The Wings Of A Boy Who Killed Adolescence"

….

Whirling his beam trident like an emerald tornado, Wufei was eviscerating any Dagger L unfortunate enough to engage him. Two of the black machines went down in the blink of an eye, the latest victims of the Gundam pilot's lethal close-quarters-combat skills.

"None of you," he growled, "are worthy of fighting Nataku!"

Releasing his Dragon Fangs, the L5 native demolished two more mobile suits. Several more machines opened up with their beam rifles, and Wufei put his Gundam's upgraded engines to good use. Blue fire blazed from the powerful thrusters, and Wufei rushed across space like a comet. Charging his foes far too fast for them to react, he plunged his beam trident into the cockpit of a Dagger L. Withdrawing the emerald blade as the machine exploded, he whirled around and cut another in half with a lightning fast slash. Diving to evade more beam fire he repositioned himself and once again let fly with the Dragon Fangs. The green serpents plunged into the cockpits of two more mobile suits, turning them into fireballs.

This is hardly a battle, he thought with disgust, I feel more like a butcher than a warrior ripping apart these guys. Isn't there anyone here that can actually fight?

It looked like at least Heero had found opponents who could last for more than a few seconds; his one-against-two fight with the gunbarrel unit and the stolen Gaia was still in full swing. That wasn't too surprising to Wufei though. Wing Zero's pilot had always been able to find the strongest opponents on a battlefield; his repeated clashes with Zechs Merquise were proof of that. Wufei was glad to see that his old comrade hadn't lost any of his skills, but if he couldn't find challenging foes of his own he was going to be very irritated. Even Romefeller and White Fang's Mobile Dolls could put up a better fight than what these pathetic pilots were showing him.

He wasn't the only one tearing up the opposition. As Wufei cut down another Dagger L with his beam trident he could see Sandrock Saladin and Heavyarms Arsenal utterly mauling the enemy squadrons. Trowa was putting out a volume of fire quite worthy of his mobile suit's namesake; the Gundam's Gatling Guns, large and small, filled space with bullets and were turning enemy units into Swiss cheese. The Double Assault Beam Cannon mounted on the Gundam's left arm was getting a workout as well, completely blowing away any mobile suit unfortunate enough to get caught in its crosshairs. While Trowa was dominating his opponents at range, Quatre was ripping apart his adversaries up close. The wicked Heat Shotels of Gundam Sandrock Saladin cut down one Dagger L after another like the scimitars of the Ottomans. A few mobile suits managed to lash out with their beam sabers before being cut down, but if they thought that their energy blades would be able to cut through the Gundam's swords they were in for a rude awakening as the micro-energy field emitters within the blades activated and blocked their attacks. Their shock would not last long; they were cut down by the Heat Shotels mere seconds later.

As Wufei stabbed a Dagger L through the cockpit an alarm went off. Checking his sensors, he smiled as he saw a new mobile suit heading his way. It was the unit that had faced off against the Impulse in yesterday's battle and had kicked the ZAFT pilot's ass. Its beam katana was ignited and the mobile suit was rushing for him head-on.

"All right," he said as he turned to meet this new foe, "Let's see if you can do better than these guys!"

It was as if the black and red mobile suit had heard his challenge. The unit raised its blade and brought it down hard, and while Wufei was able to deflect the attack he was impressed at the speed and precision behind it. He immediately countered, whirling his twin beam trident around in a swift slash. His adversary expertly parried the strike and made a counterattack of their own with a quick thrust. Wufei was able to redirect the attack and struck back in kind with a thrust, but the enemy had pulled back before the blow could connect.

Not bad, thought Wufei as he charged forward, Let's see what else you got!

His foe was more than ready to oblige him. The enemy dived and tried to hit Wufei from below, but he was able to respond by swinging his beam trident down. His adversary caught the blow on his blade and was able to counter, but Wufei deflected the attack and struck back again. This time as his enemy blocked the attack Wufei added the left Dragon Fang to the mix, sending the weapon out to crush his foe. The weapon hit the mobile suit in the shoulder but it didn't have any effect against the unit's Phase Shift Armor.

"Interesting," said Wufei as he pulled back the weapon and lashed out again with his beam trident, "It looks like the Dragon Fangs won't be of much use here."

He didn't mind that inconvenience though. Quite the contrary; it would make for a better fight.

A fight, he mused as he crossed blades with his foe again, yeah… I think that's why I really came out here.

Like the others he had wanted to find Heero, but for Wufei what was really driving him was not the desire to bring the lost Gundam pilot back to the After Colony world. In the two and a half years that Heero had been gone Wufei had come to a different conclusion than his fellow Gundam pilots about their old comrade. In Wufei's mind, if Heero had wanted to return to their old world, he would've done so already; his combined skills, intellect, and the raw power of Wing Zero left no doubt in Wufei's opinion that the Perfect Soldier would've been more than capable of such a feat.

So why had he stayed?

Wufei had found the answer in his discontent with the peace that had followed the end of the Eve Wars. In the immediate aftermath of that final battle over two years ago the pilot from L5 had been pleased at the progress made by the world, by humanity as a whole, but after a while something had begun to feel out of place.

He had felt out of place.

So many lives had been sacrificed to achieve peace, and while memorials had been constructed and speeches given it felt like most people just wanted to forget the great ordeal that had brought them to this point and move on. Those soldiers that had survived the conflict, whether they were OZ or White Fang, had also seemed to be forgotten by the people of the world. All that they had endured and fought for seemed to hardly matter to the civilians who had moved forward, not bothering to stop and ask what to do for soldiers who now had to struggle to find a purpose beyond the battlefields that they had known for so long.

Peace at the expense of lives, he thought bitterly as his beam trident met the enemy's beam katana yet again, and at the expense of the honor and dignity of those that survived… is that really peace? The world owed its soldiers so much, regardless of the side they fought on in our war, and yet it never even paused to consider what the new age would mean for them. It simply used them and them discarded them. They were used as weapons and then cast aside… as were the five of us. We earned the peace, not the people; they simply accepted it from us and took it for granted.

Wufei had spent the time between the war and the journey to the Cosmic Era maintaining Nataku and trying to fight alongside his friends to protect the peace, but he couldn't find the same sense of purpose that they could in that. His mind kept going back to the battlefields of old… and to his final match with Treize Khushrenada.

It was a match that even now Wufei considered to be a defeat for himself despite the fact that Treize was the one that had fallen.

Damn it, Treize, he thought as he continued to trade strikes with his foe, You beat me and quit…

Treize had fulfilled his grand design; creating a battle that would shatter mankind's very will to fight. In the ultimate gesture of acceptance of war's brutality and futility he had let Wufei have a rematch with him and then let the Gundam pilot run him through with Nataku's beam trident. In death he remained victorious, and that had haunted Wufei ever since. At the same time, though, Wufei could not deny the sense of fulfillment he had felt in fighting Treize in both of their duels. He was one of the few foes that had truly earned Wufei's respect, and part of him had been looking for someone like that ever since.

If there was one thing peace had taught Wufei, it was simply how ill-suited he was for it. Even the times he had helped the other Gundam pilots in their peacekeeping efforts could not make up for how lost he'd felt now that the war that had so very much defined him was over.

That was how you felt, wasn't it, Heero?, he thought as he saw Wing Zero's pilot continue his clash with his two foes, You were always at the fiercest part of the battlefield, and you found the ultimate opponent in Zechs Merquise. There's a reason you're the greatest of our number; you were born for the battlefield. You thrived on it in our last war. You and I are the same; we can only feel alive on the battlefield.

It was that reasoning that had led Wufei to his conclusion; the reason Heero had not returned to the After Colony world was because he had found a new battlefield. He had rediscovered what had given him purpose and fulfillment in life. A return to the battlefield had to be better than the aimless peace that Wufei had found himself in, a peace that warriors had won but civilians had simply taken for themselves while casting those who had brought it about aside. Fighting for a cause, for justice, and because it was what he knew best; that was something Wufei understood all too well.

That was why Wufei had joined this expedition. Heero hadn't gone missing; he'd gone on a journey.

A journey to a new battlefield.

And it was one that Wufei had been determined to follow him to.

To find a new cause, a new justice, to fight for.

To find a new place to belong.

That was why he found himself smiling as he continued his clash with the red and black mobile suit. The feeling that came with fighting a strong opponent was one that he hadn't felt in a long time. It took him back to his two duels with Treize, and while he hadn't yet taken the full measure of his current adversary it was clear that their skills were not to be trifled with.

Come on, he thought as his beam trident met the enemy's beam katana again, Show me what sort of warriors your Cosmic Era has to offer. Show me what your world showed Heero in the Bloody Valentine War. Show me a battlefield where I can find meaning and purpose!

Show me a battlefield where I can fight for true justice again!

….

His twin Heat Shotels ripped through another Dagger L as Quatre continued to carve a path of destruction through the enemy ranks. That machine had barely exploded before Quatre brought his blades up to block a beam saber strike from another mobile suit. Quatre effortlessly blocked the attack before countering and cutting the Dagger L in half.

It's a good thing Howard created those micro-field emitters for the Heat Shotels, he thought, Otherwise I'd be in real trouble.

Diving to avoid particle beam fire, Quatre found the shooter and rushed towards them. He raised both his Heat Shotels and brought them down hard, tearing right through the Dagger L. Moving swiftly to the right, he blocked a vertical strike from another Dagger L before responding with a horizontal slash and ripped it apart.

"Quatre!" yelled Trowa, "Dive!"

Quatre reflexively obeyed, and mere seconds later the space where his mobile suit had been was filled with a hail of bullets and powerful yellow beams as the Heavyarms Arsenal opened up. The pilot of Sandrock Saladin saw the barrage tear into an oncoming squad of Dagger Ls, blowing apart four of the mobile suits like a string of firecrackers. Quatre immediately ascended again to attack the stragglers and swiftly cut down two more of the black mobile suits.

"Good timing," said Quatre.

"Check it out," said Trowa, "The fleet's splitting up."

As he cut down another Dagger L Quatre saw that Trowa was right. Two of the remaining Typhoon-class destroyers, along with two of the Nelson-class battleships and the Agamemnon-class carrier, had broken away from the rest of the battle group. They were going on a long arc through the Debris Belt that would set them up to hit the Minerva from the right flank. Meanwhile Bogey One, the other Typhoon-class destroyer and the remaining two Nelson-class battleships were moving forward along their original course, while the strange gray ovoid ship that had launched the Moebius drones was hanging back to the rear.

"What's the plan?" asked Trowa as he ripped apart three Dagger Ls with micro-missiles.

"We'll hit the flanking force," Quatre replied as he hacked another Dagger L to pieces, "Athrun and the others will be joining the fray soon. They can help Heero, Duo, and Wufei deal with the rest of these guys. If Minerva stays on her current course she'll be able to open up on Bogey One and the other warships shortly."

"Got it," said Trowa, "I'll back you up."

Slicing another Dagger L in half, Quatre altered his course and headed towards the flanking group. Heavyarms Arsenal followed with guns blazing, mowing down two more mobile suits that attempted to catch Sandrock Saladin in a pincer attack.

We're doing well, thought Quatre, but we're not done yet!

….

"Whoa!" said Shinn as he observed the fighting, "Look at them go!"

"No kidding," said Lunamaria, "They're tearing it up!"

"Stay focused," said Rey, "We'll be in the middle of it real soon."

"He's right," said Athrun, "Cut the chatter and prepare for engagement!"

Shinn scowled but said nothing in reply. He was still trying to get over the fact that not only was the bodyguard of Orb's Chief Representative actually the famous Athrun Zala but that Captain Gladys had let him fly a ZAKU into battle today and had given him operational authority over Shinn, Lunamaria, and Rey despite the fact that he was no longer a member of ZAFT.

At least he couldn't complain about the firepower available in their group of four. At the head of the formation were Athrun and Rey, each utilizing Blaze packs for their respective ZAKU Warrior and ZAKU Phantom. Lunamaria had her custom red ZAKU Warrior outfitted with her best Wizard pack, the Gunner pack, while Shinn was utilizing the Impulse's most powerful augmentation, the Blast Silhouette pack.

The Blast Impulse was designed for all-out assault against ships and fortifications, although its raw firepower was also quite deadly against mobile suits and smaller targets. In this configuration the unit's Variable Phase Shift Armor was a mix of black, blue, white, and green. This was actually the weakest setting of the Variable Phase Shift Armor, sacrificing protection in order to provide the greatest possible amount of power to the mobile suit's heavy weapons.

Said weapons were a formidable array of cannons and missile launchers. The unit's primary weapons in this configuration were two large M2000F Kerberos high-energy long-range beam cannons, which would be slung between the mobile suit's arms and torso when in use and folded back when not. On the opposite end of those cannons were two GMF39 quadruple missile launchers holding AGM141 Firefly guided missiles, which would swing up over the mobile suit's shoulders when deployed. Usable in both configurations were two MMI-M16EX2 Deluge hyper-velocity rail cannons which were mounted over the Impulse's shoulders. Rounding out the unit's arsenal were two MA-M80 Defiant beam javelins for close-quarters-combat, which were stored in the pack when not in use. It was an impressive and powerful configuration, but it was actually Shinn's least favorite of the three Silhouette packs available for the Impulse primarily because he preferred close-quarters-combat. Still, the Captain had ordered him to sortie with this pack and in a situation like this he knew that the firepower would definitely come in handy.

"Listen up," said Athrun, "Rey and I will lead our opening attack. Shinn, you and Lunamaria use your artillery and back us up!"

"Got it!" said Lunamaria.

"Fine," grumbled Shinn.

I'm supposed to be a lead pilot, he mentally fumed, I'm not backup, damn it!

Ever since the Albion and the other four Gundams had shown up on the scene, Shinn had felt like he and his fellow ZAFT pilots had been playing second fiddle. They were supposed to be ZAFT Reds, the elite pilots of the PLANT military, and yet it seemed like they had been relegated to the role of supporting five paramilitary pilots. What stung just as bad was the fact that Captain Gladys had decided to put a civilian in charge of their team. Athrun Zala may have been a famous war hero but he was no longer part of ZAFT. Hell, legally speaking he was still considered a traitor!

Shinn shook his head. For now he had no choice but to suck it up and fight like this. He was at least determined to make sure that today's battle went better than yesterday's engagement had. If he could truly demonstrate his skills and the power of the Blast Impulse then maybe that would be enough to alter the balance between the ZAFT pilots and Heero Yuy's team.

Of course, if the way this battle was currently going was any indication, Shinn would have a hard time proving his worth compared to that of the Demon Lord of Avalon. Heero's opening shot alone had wiped out half of the enemy fleet's destroyers and dozens of mobile suits and armors. The Albion's pilot hadn't slacked off since then either, and even now he was still mixing it up with both the stolen Gaia and the gunbarrel mobile suit.

Shinn had been looking forward to a rematch with the pilot that had defeated him yesterday, even if the Blast Silhouette was not his preferred pack for that kind of fight. However, the black and red mobile suit with the skull on its chest was already engaged with the Altron Custom in a furious duel. The green Gundam's speed easily put the Force Impulse to shame, and unlike Shinn in yesterday's battle Wufei had taken no damage so far and seemed to be fighting his foe on equal terms.

Damn it!, Shinn silently fumed, It should be me fighting that guy again! I have to get back at him for yesterday! Why does Wufei get a crack at him instead? It's not fair!

Even with the Albion and Altron Custom caught up in their own private engagements that still left Deathscythe Omega, Heavyarms Arsenal, and Sandrock Saladin to rip into the enemy fleet. It had been thanks to Duo that Heero had been able to make his powerful opening shot, and since then the pilot of Deathscythe Omega had torn his way through the enemy's rear mobile suit teams. Meanwhile Quatre and Trowa were ripping apart Dagger Ls as they rushed to meet the group of warships that had broken off from Bogey One's battle group, and despite being outnumbered and outgunned neither pilot was requesting backup. If yesterday's performance was any indication, they probably didn't need it.

"What's this feeling?" he heard Rey say, "That purple machine…"

"Hey, Rey!" said Shinn, puzzled at his friend's behavior, "What's up?"

There was a pause before Rey responded. "It's nothing."

"Check it out!" said Lunamaria, "The Gaia's breaking off from the Albion! It's heading right for us!"

So it was, and it was hardly alone; several Dagger Ls were joining it, and they all were heading right for Shinn's group.

"Okay," said Athrun, "Rey, can you solo the Gaia?"

"Affirmative," Rey replied.

"Good," said Athrun, "Keep that thing busy. The rest of us will punch through these Dagger Ls and attack Bogey One and the other capital ships directly! I'll take point. Shinn, Lunamaria, provide fire support."

"Understood!" said Lunamaria.

Shinn nodded. "Okay."

Rey's white ZAKU Phantom immediately broke away and moved to intercept the Gaia. Shinn's friend opened up with the Blaze pack's missile launchers, and a horde of warheads flew forth, ripping apart three Dagger Ls that were out ahead of the Gaia. Other missiles streaked towards the stolen prototype, but they were either shot down by the unit's CIWS and beam rifle or detonated against its Variable Phase Shift Armor, not doing any damage. As the ZAKU Phantom rushed in it ignited its beam tomahawk, while the Gaia already had its beam saber activated.

"Here we go!" shouted Athrun.

Shinn saw the former ZAFT ace's green ZAKU Warrior open up with the missile launchers of its Blaze pack. The swarm of missiles destroyed two Dagger Ls while the rest were either shot down by other mobile suits or missed their mark. Athrun immediately followed up the barrage with fire from his beam rifle, and another Dagger L fell from a precise shot to its cockpit.

Both Shinn and Lunamaria took that as their cue to cut loose. Shinn was eager to tear into the enemy and as soon as his heavy weapons swung forward he opened up with both Kerberos beam cannons and Deluge rail cannons. Crimson fire and yellow slugs flew through space, and four Dagger Ls were obliterated under the barrage. His fire was swiftly joined by a blast from Lunamaria's heavy rifle, and the red stream of energy blew apart two more mobile suits.

"Nice!" said Lunamaria.

Shinn nodded. "Let's keep it up!"

Up ahead he saw that Athrun had activated his beam tomahawk and was cutting down another Dagger L. Shinn saw a few mobile suits coming in from Athrun's right flank and he opened up again with his beam cannons and railguns. The combined streams of energy and physical slugs destroyed three more Dagger Ls, while two more fell to another blast from Lunamaria's rifle.

Checking up on Rey, Shinn saw that he was engaged in a furious close-quarters fight with the Gaia. The stolen prototype may have been more advanced than Rey's ZAKU Phantom but Rey wasn't letting that deter him. His Blaze pack's additional thrusters gave him a crucial boost in mobility, and he was using that to full effect to stay ahead of the Gaia's fire, while the two shoulder-mounted shields came in handy for blocking the beams that Rey could not dodge. Rey's beam tomahawk repeatedly clashed with the Gaia's beam saber and both machines traded beam rifle fire, but so far neither mobile suit could gain the upper hand.

Deciding to switch things up, Shinn released the two heavy beam cannons, letting them swing up and over the Impulse's shoulders and bringing the missile launchers mounted on the other ends of them to bear. At the same time he grabbed the twin beam javelins and activated them. Now wielding two spears of violet light, Shinn braced himself for the next round.

He cut loose with his missile launchers. Eight warheads flew forth, four of them connecting with a Dagger L apiece while the other four were shot down by CIWS and beam fire from other enemy mobile suits. As Lunamaria took down two more machines with her heavy Orthros cannon Shinn rushed forward and impaled a Dagger L on his beam javelins. Cutting loose with his railguns, he took down another Dagger L before blocking a beam saber strike from another machine with his javelins before stabbing it through the cockpit.

"Good job, Shinn!" said Lunamaria, "We're on a roll!"

Shinn smiled. "I'm just getting started!"

….

Very impressive, Heero Yuy, thought Talia Gladys as she observed the unfolding carnage, A simple yet quite effective plan… and now it's the Minerva's turn to join the fray!

The corridor that the Albion had blasted through the Debris Belt was where the bulk of the mobile suit combat was taking place; there was no way that Talia could fire through there without the risk of friendly fire. Instead she had taken the Minerva just beyond the left edge of the corridor, using the floating scraps of metal to provide some cover as it moved in to attack Bogey One's force.

It was fortunate that the enemy fleet had split into two flotillas; it would make her strike much easier to pull off. Talia nodded with approval as she saw Heavyarms Arsenal and Sandrock Saladin engaging the flotilla that had tried to move around the main fight to flank her warship. Quatre's Gundam was carving through one Dagger L after another while Trowa was already tearing into a Typhoon-class destroyer with a hail of bullets, beams, and missiles. Explosions ripped across the vessel's starboard side, opening it up like a can of sardines. The remaining destroyer, the two battleships and the carrier filled the sky with beams, missiles, and CIWS rounds in an attempt to take down the two Gundams that were attacking them, but their efforts were to no avail.

Back in the central brawl she saw Deathscythe Omega continue to maul any Dagger L that was unfortunate enough to get within reach of its emerald blade. The black Gundam was swift and lethal, with a string of explosions from fallen mobile suits left in its wake as it provided a potent distraction for the Dagger Ls. Heero and Wufei continued to wage their respective duels against the violet gunbarrel machine and the black and red mobile suit from yesterday's battle, tying up the formidable units and giving Athrun's team room to aid Duo in destroying more Dagger Ls as they drove head-on towards Bogey One's flotilla.

"Arthur," said Talia, "do we have an active firing solution yet?"

"We will soon," her XO replied, "The Typhoon-class destroyer in Bogey One's flotilla is the closest target."

Talia nodded. "As soon as you have a lock, open up with the Tristans and Isolde. Save the Tannhäuser for the larger ships."

"Aye, Captain!" said Arthur.

"Meyrin," said Talia, "contact Athrun's team. As soon as they punch through the Dagger Ls have them strike Bogey One! They have to take out its weapons and engines; we need it intact!"

"Understood, Captain!" said Meyrin.

"Captain!" cried the sensor officer, "The modified Salvager-class ship at the back of the enemy force is beginning to pull away!"

"Should we target that ship instead, Captain?" asked Arthur.

Talia shook her head. "Its armaments are primarily defensive; the only heavy artillery it has is the ventral dual beam cannon. It's not a threat to us; focus on the enemy's pure combat vessels."

"It may have valuable intel aboard it, Talia," Durandal chimed in, "That vessel did launch the unmanned Moebius units, after all."

"That may be," said Talia, "but it's not the ship we're after here. Bogey One is our top priority, and cutting down her escorts is key to getting to her. We're concentrating our efforts on that… unless you're ordering me to do otherwise, Chairman."

Durandal shook his head. "The battlefield is your realm, Talia. Act as you see fit."

Talia sighed with relief. "Thank you, Chairman."

"Captain!" yelled Arthur, "Firing solutions locked in on the destroyer!"

Talia nodded. "Open fire!"

The Minerva's formidable beam cannons and triple gun. Emerald beams and yellow shells raced across space, and the barrage slammed into the destroyer's upper hull. The enemy ship's topside guns were blown apart, and a follow-up salvo destroyed the bridge.

"Target's command center is neutralized!" cried the sensor operator, "The destroyer's drifting!"

"Excellent!" said Arthur.

"Well done," said Durandal with a smile.

Talia was going to admonish them for celebrating too early, but the enemy beat her to the punch. The two Nelson-class battleships and Bogey One opened up with their heavy weapons, filling space with beams and missiles. Since Talia had taken the Minerva out of her exposed position in the corridor and into the swirling scrap of the Debris Belt she had some cover, but the vessel still shook as the enemy's return fire struck her armor.

"Return fire at will!" Talia ordered as she braced herself against her chair, "Damage report!"

"Hull's holding so far!" replied one of her subordinates.

So far, she thought as her ship traded fire with the enemy trio, but that could change all too quickly…

….

Nazara grimaced as the Nosferatu lost a second gunbarrel to Wing Zero's beam saber. He still had the two upper attack drones, but he could not deny that the momentum was with his enemy.

"Come on," he growled as he poured beam and linear gun fire at his foe, "I'm not done yet, Heero Yuy!"

Just like yesterday, his barrage could not touch Wing Zero. The combination of the upgraded mobile suit's incredible agility and the two energy shields in the outer wings made it fiendishly difficult to attack, and all that wasn't including the phenomenal skill of its legendary pilot.

Two years away from the battlefield has not dulled his edge in the slightest, he thought, and I have no subordinates in this engagement that can hold their own against him. Well, perhaps Minuano, but I'd rather avoid asking for his help when I'm already in a duel. He'd never let me hear the end of it.

This battle was supposed to be a trap for the Minerva and Wing Zero's new squadron, but instead it had been the Demon Lord of Avalon that had sprung a surprise attack with his guided long-range blast. The decloaking black mobile suit that had served as Heero Yuy's spotter had only thrown the Black Fleet's Force Beta into further chaos as it had made its strike after the bulk of Nazara's units had already moved forward to engage Wing Zero, and that was before the other three unique mobile suits of Wing Zero's team had entered the fray.

Sending Stella away to engage the three ZAKUs and the fourth prototype may have made tactical and strategic sense, but it had also made Nazara's task much more difficult. Without the Gaia to serve as a distraction Wing Zero had become much more aggressive in its attacks on the Nosferatu. The Colonel had tried to bring in Dagger Ls to flank his foe, but Heero had always seen them coming and had blown them out of the sky.

Sparing a glance towards the Gaia, Nazara saw that it was still locked in a duel with the white ZAKU Phantom. The two mobile suits still appeared to be evenly matched, which was very disappointing as far as the Colonel was concerned; the combination of Stella's abilities as an Extended and the stolen prototype's capabilities should've been enough for her to defeat lesser units in his mind. Nazara imagined it had something to do with the white mobile suit's pilot. If nothing else, the strange tingling feeling the Colonel had felt earlier at the back of his mind when the white ZAKU Phantom had come into combat range indicated that its pilot was an unusual specimen.

Unfortunately for Nazara, Stella's current stalemate was actually good news when compared to the rest of the battle. The Colonel's flanking flotilla, which had been meant to catch the Minerva in crossfire, was being torn apart by two of the new mobile suits from yesterday. The blue mobile suit with the heavy gatling guns and beam cannons had just obliterated the group's second Typhoon-class destroyer, while the unit with the two curved blades had just finished carving up one of the Nelson-class battleships. Several Dagger Ls had tried to protect the warships, but all they'd succeeded in doing was making themselves targets for the two attacking mobile suits, who had swiftly cut them down before returning to their assault on the flotilla. The remaining battleship and the Agamemnon-class carrier were pouring fire from every weapon they had at the two mobile suits in an effort to bring them down, but to the Colonel it appeared to be an exercise in futility.

The green and red ZAKU, along with the fourth prototype, were continuing to blast their way through the remaining Dagger L squadrons as they kept charging towards the Girty Lue's flotilla. While the pilots of the red ZAKU and the prototype were evidently inexperienced, it was clear that the same could not be said for the green ZAKU's pilot. Its beam rifle fire was well-placed, it moved with precision and purpose, and its beam tomahawk carved up any Dagger L that tried to engage it up close. The covering fire from the Gunner ZAKU and the prototype's artillery left something to be desired in terms of placement, but it was still powerful and the pilot of the green Blaze ZAKU was taking full advantage of it.

Meanwhile, Jetstream Sam was still locked in a duel of his own with the new green mobile suit. Beam katana and trident repeatedly clashed, but neither unit appeared to be able to land a solid hit. It was a testament to the skills of both pilots and the power of their mobile suits, and Nazara was simply glad that the mercenary was keeping such a dangerous foe occupied.

As his beam saber clashed with that of Wing Zero's he received a hail from the Girty Lue's Captain. "Sir, the Obstinate is quitting the field!"

"What?" he said with a snarl as he pulled back to avoid a follow-up strike from his foe.

"Rear Admiral Xen is withdrawing!" said Captain Lee.

"Damn it!" he growled as he disconnected with his ship and contacted the Obstinate, "Xen, you coward! Where the hell do you think you're going?"

"Away from here," she replied calmly.

"I haven't given the order to retreat," said Nazara as he traded fire with Wing Zero, "You'll be shot for desertion!"

"Hardly," Xen replied with a smirk, "I am following orders, just not yours, Colonel."

Under the mask Nazara glared at her while continuing to exchange shots with his foe. "Explain yourself at once!"

"My instructions from Lord Djibril," she said, "were to support you in the battle and gather data from the deployment of my Moebius A.I. drones. While I've been constantly transmitting the data from this fight back to both Daedalus and Arzachel bases in the event that ill-fortune befalls the Obstinate, my orders from Lord Djibril also include the authority to make my own retreat in the event that I judge the battle has turned decisively against us. I have made such a judgment here, and I am withdrawing to preserve myself, my staff, and my ship for future projects. If you don't believe me you are free to take the matter up with Lord Djibril… provided you survive your encounter with Heero Yuy, of course."

Djibril, you set me up!, he silently fumed, I will make you pay for this betrayal!

"I won't forget this, Xen," he snarled as he parried a beam saber strike from Wing Zero, "and I will make you regret it!"

"We shall see," Xen replied coolly, "If you wish to live long enough to do so then I'd strongly recommend a swift retreat at this point; your present situation is quite untenable. Farewell, Colonel."

As she disappeared from his screen he contacted the Girty Lue. "Captain, has engineering repaired the Mirage Colloid yet?"

On his screen the Captain nodded. "Yes sir. We can activate it at any time."

With great reluctance, the Colonel came to the conclusion that they would have to, and quite soon. A crimson blast from the Minerva's bow-mounted positron cannon had taken out one of the Nelson-class battleships that had been escorting the Girty Lue. While the flagship and the remaining battleship continued to trade fire with the Minerva Nazara recognized that they alone would be unlikely to destroy ZAFT's new warship. Her armor was tough, and while the Phantom Pain vessels were scoring hits and dealing damage the same was also true for the Minerva's other weapons when it came to the Black Fleet's ships. The Minerva's Captain was also skillfully making use of the scrap floating in the Debris Belt to give the ship some cover, while the commanding officers of the Girty Lue and the surviving battleship accompanying her were hardly showing such capability.

There was also the matter of his continuing clash with the upgraded Wing Zero. As Nazara dodged a blast from the mobile suit's legendary rifle he knew that, just like yesterday, this was a fight that he could not win.

I don't understand it!, he silently fumed as he returned fire, only for his foe to deflect the shots with his energy shields, Why can't I defeat him? I'm the best pilot in the whole damn Earth Alliance and I'm wielding its best mobile suit! How is that not enough to kill him?

He admitted that the upgraded Wing Zero was more advanced than the Nosferatu, but the technological difference was not enough in the Colonel's eyes to account for what would soon be back-to-back defeats to the same adversary. It wasn't as if Nazara was lacking in experience either; after all, he had survived not just yesterday's encounter but also his first clash with the Demon Lord of Avalon at the Second Battle of Jachin Due. The way he saw it he was more than amply motivated too; there was nothing quite like the prospect of revenge to give him that extra push in a fight.

And yet it still wasn't enough.

He swore that he would do whatever it took to find a way to defeat him. While he still wanted to prove that he was superior in a one-on-one clash, it was clear now that that could not happen with the Nosferatu as it currently was. Clearly upgrades were in order, and if even those were not enough then Nazara would settle for swamping his foe with overwhelming numbers. If he couldn't defeat Wing Zero in single combat he could at least have the satisfaction of delivering the killing blow after it had been suitably beaten down. He didn't care how many pilots he had to sacrifice in order to achieve that goal; they were all more than expendable in his book.

As he crossed blades with his foe yet again he decided it was time to pack it in. "Keep the Mirage Colloid on standby, Captain, and begin pulling back. Sacrifice the Rumsfeld to cover your retreat. Have our surviving Dagger Ls attack whichever of the new mobile suits is closest; they just need to distract them long enough to cover my retreat. Jetstream Sam and Stella need to be covered as well. We will need them in future battles."

Captain Lee nodded. "What about the Bismarck's flotilla?"

Nazara shook his head as he opened up with his two remaining gunbarrel drones at Wing zero, only for the mobile suit to evade his fire. "They're outmatched, and at this point escape is impossible for them. At least they can provide a brief distraction for the two mobile suits mauling them while we withdraw."

"Understood," said Captain Lee, "I'll reallocate our surviving Dagger L units accordingly to ensure enough cover for the Girty Lue and our most important mobile suits to withdraw."

"Good," said Nazara as he dodged a blast from Wing Zero's rifle, "Do be quick about it. Nosferatu, out."

….

Cutting loose with her Orthros heavy rifle, Lunamaria blew away another Dagger L. That mobile suit had barely been destroyed when another one rushed in to attack her up close. Thankfully Lunamaria was ready, and she was able to bring up her beam tomahawk to block the attack before chopping through the Dagger L's torso.

Man, she thought, these guys don't quit!

The enemy numbers had definitely been worn down, but the surviving Dagger Ls didn't seem ready to cut and run yet. If anything they were redoubling their efforts, but after a moment Lunamaria realized just what was really going on.

"Bogey One's pulling back!" she cried as she blasted another Dagger L with her rifle, "It's trying to run!"

"Not if I can help it!" shouted Shinn as he shot down a mobile suit with his twin railguns.

"I don't think so," said Athrun as he took down one machine with his beam rifle, "There's still too many left between us and Bogey One!"

Lunamaria didn't want to admit it, but it looked like Athrun was right. It wasn't just her group that was being held up either. The Minerva had moved forward in an attempt to engage Bogey One, but the surviving Nelson-class battleship that had been escorting it had moved between the two vessels and was now trading fire with the Minerva. While the older warship was no match for ZAFT's new battleship in a straight-up fight like this, she was buying valuable breathing room for Bogey One.

"Rey, watch out!" said Athrun as he dodged enemy particle beam fire, "You've got incoming!"

Looking for Rey's white ZAKU Phantom, Lunamaria saw that Athrun was right. Several Dagger Ls were rushing at him, and while their purpose may have been to provide cover for the stolen Gaia to withdraw they would still be in an ideal position to flank Rey and take him out.

"We got to help him!" cried Lunamaria.

"I'll handle that!" said Athrun, already rushing to back up Rey, "You and Shinn help out the others!"

Help the others?, thought Lunamaria as she looked around the battlefield, Which ones?

Heero appeared to be doing fine. He was still locked in his duel with the violet mobile suit from yesterday, and some Dagger Ls were quickly approaching that ongoing fight, but enemy units had tried to but in on the clash earlier in the battle and Lunamaria had seen Heero deal with them with ease. Quatre and Trowa likewise appeared to be in good shape, with Sandrock Saladin carving up the last Nelson-class battleship in the flanking flotilla while Heavyarms Arsenal was unleashing a hail of bullets and missiles on the Dagger Ls that were trying to take them down.

Then she saw Wufei. The aloof Chinese mobile suit pilot was continuing to engage the black and red machine that had defeated Shinn the day before. Like Heero's clash with the violet mobile suit it was unfolding at lightning speed, with both machines trading strikes with incredible precision and agility. Whether they were truly evenly matched or if Wufei was simply holding back Lunamaria couldn't say, but now it was quite clear to her that Shinn had never stood a chance against that enemy in the prior battle and that he'd been quite lucky to escape with his life.

Lunamaria didn't think that Wufei was in danger from his immediate adversary, but she could see Dagger Ls moving to get in on the action in his fight too. The pilot of the Gundam Altron Custom was highly skilled, but Lunamaria had to wonder if even he could fight a powerful opponent like the mobile suit with the beam katana while fending off flanking attacks from lesser machines.

"Shinn!" she said, "Do whatever you want; I'm going to help Wufei!"

She didn't wait for her friend's reply; she was already gunning her engines and rushing towards the duel. As she flew, Lunamaria brought up her heavy rifle and began searching for targets.

All right, Wufei, she thought, Let's see you look down on my piloting skills after I save your life!

….

Deflecting a slash from his foe's beam katana, Wufei swiftly responded in kind. Once again his adversary was able to block the attack, although Wufei noticed that it wasn't as smooth and precise as before.

He's tiring, thought Wufei with a smirk, It won't be long now.

The fight had been good; Wufei wouldn't deny that. His foe wasn't of the same caliber as Treize and Zechs, but then again very few men were. It was enough that his adversary had been able to last this long against him. Wufei would salute the stranger's skill and daring, but that would not prevent him from cutting his enemy down.

As he deflected a vertical strike from the enemy's beam katana, Wufei whirled his double-ended beam trident around, bringing the other set of prongs down in a sweep designed to cut his foe in half. The enemy was able to parry the blow, but it was a close call, and their counterattack was easily blocked.

Wufei pressed his advantage, unleashing his left Dragon Fang. The mechanical serpent slammed into the black and red mobile suit's right shoulder, and while it couldn't break through the machine's Phase Shift Armor that wasn't the point. His foe was knocked off balance by the impact, and Wufei swiftly followed that up with another whirling slash from his beam trident. This time he scored a hit, though it was a glancing one. His foe was able to pull back at the last possible second, and the tip of the emerald beam trident left a scorched scar in the mobile suit's left shoulder, disrupting the Phase Shift Armor in that location but doing no real damage. Still, Wufei took small scar as a sign of progress, a signal that the tables had definitely turned in his favor.

As Wufei deflected the enemy's counterattack he heard a male voice coming over the radio. It was unfamiliar, but he didn't doubt for an instant that it was his current adversary.

"Not bad," said the man, sounding surprisingly relaxed, "Far better than that pup I fought against yesterday. You're certainly no amateur, whoever you are."

Wufei smirked as he made a stab with his beam trident, one that his foe barely managed to block. "The name's Chang Wufei. I suggest you remember it, because it's the name of the man who's going to kill you!"

He was amused to hear his adversary chuckle. "Perhaps so… or perhaps not. I'm not dead yet, Wufei!"

Wufei nodded, the gesture less an acknowledgement of the obvious statement and more of a salute to his enemy's strength. "No, you're not. What's your name, warrior?"

"Samuel Rodrigues," his enemy replied as their blades met again, "Don't forget it."

"I won't," said Wufei as he pressed his assault.

He had his foe on the defensive now, and Wufei was determined to bring this duel to a close. Wufei continued to drive Rodrigues back with whirling strikes from his double-ended beam trident, wearing his adversary down and looking for an opening that would allow him to make the killing blow.

I'm close, he thought as he made a series of quick slashes and stabs, I've almost got him!

Then an alarm went off in his cockpit, and as he glanced at his sensors he scowled. "Damn it, not now!"

Several Dagger Ls were rapidly approaching his duel. Frankly he was surprised it had taken them this long to try and butt in. Wufei could deal with them, but he would much rather continue his duel with Rodrigues uninterrupted.

Catching his foe's beam katana in between the prongs of his beam trident, Wufei readied his left Dragon Fang to fire at the closest Dagger L. However, before he could make his attack the unit was destroyed by a blast of crimson energy. It only took Wufei a moment to find the source of the shot; a familiar red ZAKU armed with a Gunner pack.

"Hey!" yelled Lunamaria, "I've got your back, Wufei!"

Wufei glared as he parried a counterattack from Rodrigues. "I don't need your help."

"Oh, come on!" cried Lunamaria, "I just saved your life!"

"I could've taken him," Wufei shot back as he unleashed his left Dragon Fang on another Dagger l and crushed it.

"That's bull," said Lunamaria as she opened fire again, taking out another Dagger L, "Would it kill you to admit that I just bailed you out?"

What is it with this girl?, he thought, What's she trying to prove?

Wufei was about to make another strike at Rodrigues when he saw the black and red mobile suit begin to retreat. "Hey, just where do you think you're going? We're not finished here yet!"

"Not my idea," Rodrigues replied, "but the boss ordered me to pull back. Until next time, Wufei!"

Wufei wanted to pursue, but a Dagger L was in his way and moving in for a beam saber strike. He deflected the blow and countered, cutting the mobile suit in half, but no sooner had he cut that one down when another had taken its place.

Rodgrigues wasn't the only enemy retreating. As he dodged beam fire from another Dagger L Wufei could see Athrun's green ZAKU fighting alongside Rey's white machine, fending off more Dagger Ls while the Gaia withdrew back towards Bogey One. Shinn was trying to pursue the Gaia, but additional enemy mobile suits were in his path as well. Wufei could also see more of the enemy mobile suits moving in on Heero's duel, doubtlessly to provide cover while the violet gunbarrel machine escaped.

They're sacrificing the lesser units to allow the advanced machines and Bogey One to escape, he thought, What a bunch of cowards!

He could still try to chase Rodrigues and Bogey One down. As he cut down another Dagger L Wufei realized that he still had a chance to carve himself a path through the lesser mobile suits and towards the real enemy. However, that would involve leaving Lunamaria to fend for herself. Part of him reasoned that there was nothing wrong with that; he hadn't asked for her to come back him up, and any risk to her she had brought upon herself. His sense of honor would not allow that, though. Like it or not, he knew that she had been acting under the belief that she was saving his life, regardless of Wufei's opinion that with his skills he could've easily contended with the incoming Dagger Ls while still dealing with Rodrigues. If he left her alone there was the very real chance that she could die, and there would be no justice in letting that happen.

So rather than try to catch up to Rodrigues and Bogey One he let fly with both his Dragon Fangs, crushing two machines that had been trying to flank the red ZAKU. Another mobile suit fell to a blast from Lunamaria's rifle, but the survivors still refused to retreat. Wufei could admire their commitment to their orders in the face of certain death, but that would not stop him from sending every last one of them to their graves.

….

As he parried another beam saber strike from the violet mobile suit, Heero was fully aware of the shift in the larger battle. Across the engagement zone the surviving Dagger Ls were throwing themselves against the Gundams with suicidal abandon to allow time for what the enemy must have considered essential units to retreat, and Heero knew that he would have to deal with some of that himself soon enough. His sensors showed at least a squadron of the machines swiftly incoming, and if he wanted to defeat his current adversary before they could interfere he would have to do it quickly.

We can't let Bogey One escape a second time, thought Heero as he pulled back to avoid getting caught in crossfire from his foe's two gunbarrel drones, We have to capture that battleship!

However, Heero realized that that might not be possible today. Bogey One was already pulling away from the fight, and if its Mirage Colloid system was operational again then it could disappear at any time. The Gundam pilot remembered that the battleship had not cloaked yesterday until the mobile suit he was fighting right now had boarded it, which meant that not only was it a valuable machine but that its pilot was very important as well. That gave Heero even greater incentive to finish his duel as quickly as he could.

He raised his rifle and fired, sending a blast of golden-yellow energy downrange. However, his enemy was able to dive and evade the shot before returning fire with their gunbarrel drones, rifle, and linear guns. Heero deflected the shots with his energy shields before pressing forward, determined to slice his foe in half.

As he neared his target he saw both of its remaining gunbarrel drones suddenly move forward. Remembering what had happened yesterday, Heero immediately brought his outer wings forward and activated his energy shields again. The move came not a moment too soon; the two gunbarrel drones detonated in a one-two punch as soon as they got in range. Just like yesterday, the exploding drones were not a direct threat to the Wing Zero Albion, but Heero knew that the intent behind the move was not to hurt him, only distract him.

The moment the blasts had faded Heero moved to pursue, but the squad of Dagger Ls that he had spotted earlier had finally moved in, and he was force to contend with them before giving chase. As he cut down one machine with his beam saber he could see the violet mobile suit rapidly approaching Bogey One; the unit was quite fast even without the thrusters from its gunbarrels supplementing its engines. Destroying another Dagger L with his machine cannons, Heero quickly scanned the battlefield to see if any of his friends were in a position to intercept either Bogey One or the violet mobile suit.

The closest Gundam was Deathscythe Omega, but Duo looked to be tied up with a team of Dagger Ls. Heavyarms Arsenal was in the process of annihilating the last warship, the carrier, from the flanking flotilla with a hail of bullets and beams while Sandrock Saladin contended with any remaining mobile suits in that part of the fight, but by the time they got within range of Bogey One Heero was sure that the battleship would've recovered the units it deemed vital and cloaked. Wufei was also contending with a team of Dagger Ls, although he did appear to have help from Lunamaria. Athrun was helping Rey fend off a group of machines that had interfered with his fight with the Gaia.

Shinn was actually the closest non-Gundam pilot, in fact the closest pilot period, to Bogey One, but if he ran into the violet mobile suit Heero doubted that he would survive; even without its gunbarrel drones the unit was potent, and the Perfect Soldier knew that its pilot was definitely beyond Shinn's skills. He was currently in pursuit of the Gaia, though it looked like that mobile suit would be able to dock with Bogey One before he'd be able to catch it. Still, if the hotheaded ZAFT pilot could hit Bogey One's engines then there was still a chance to prevent the enemy from escaping; the Blast Impulse definitely had the firepower needed to knock out Bogey One's engines.

Seeing an opportunity, Heero got on the radio as he shot down another Dagger L with his railguns. "Shinn, get to Bogey One and disable its engines!"

"Why should I take orders from you?" the ZAFT Red replied angrily, "You're not part of ZAFT! You're not my superior officer!"

"You're the closest to that ship and have the firepower required to disable it," Heero replied calmly, "You have the best shot at knocking out their engines before they can get away. If they're able to retreat we'll never find out who was behind the attack on Armory One and this whole battle will have been for nothing!"

"Fine," Shinn grumbled, "but I'm not doing it because you're telling me to!"

"As long as it gets done," said Heero as he ripped apart another Dagger L with his machine cannons, "Avoid engagement with the violet machine if you can; you're no match for its pilot."

"Shut up!" said Shinn before he cut the connection.

Heero shook his head in disgust as he evaded enemy fire. The boy had talent, but his pride and temper were serious liabilities. He had to wonder how his drill instructors at the ZAFT academy had never stamped them out of them. Either they had tried and failed miserably, or they had simply ignored them in favor of advancing the boy based on his piloting gifts alone. If Shinn Asuka represented the finest of the new breed of ZAFT pilots, then Heero was greatly disappointed; even the weakest of the late Patrick Zala's Special Operations Squadrons would've ripped him apart.

Hot-headed and so wrapped up in his innate talent that he can't see just how obvious his flaws are, Heero mused, He's far too impulsive… I guess it's fitting that his mobile suit is called Impulse. It makes him predictable, and that will either get him killed or reduce him to being nothing more than the pawn of his superiors… or quite possibly both. I don't think Durandal would have any qualms about making the boy his personal attack dog and throwing him into the meat grinder.

At this point the boy's future as a mobile suit pilot did not look good, which was a shame as far as Heero was concerned. Shinn's talent was real, his potential quite genuine. The deaths of his parents and sister were clearly a powerful motivation for him, and Heero was sure that part of why Shinn was fighting to prevent others from suffering as he had. Heero could understand and even admire that sentiment, but Shinn had also allowed his sorrow from the tragedy of the Battle of Elysium to become infected by rage. Rage at his powerlessness to prevent his family's loss, rage at the government that was supposed to protect them from the ravages of war…

…rage at the world that had stolen his innocence.

The boy had potential, but whether it was the potential to be an ally or a threat would be determined by whether or not he could find peace with his past and master his anger. If he could accomplish that then he could become a true force for peace and justice in the world. If he could not, however, then he would become little more than ZAFT's rabid hound, attacking whoever his masters told him to without a second thought…

…and Heero would have to put him down.

….

Rushing towards the Girty Lue, Colonel Nazara was pleased to see that his decision to sacrifice the surviving Dagger Ls was paying off. So far the mass production mobile suits were managing to keep the upgraded Wing Zero and the other four powerful units at bay. The same also went for the ZAKU Phantom and the two ZAKU Warriors that had also taken off from the Minerva, while the new warship herself was still locked in an artillery duel with the final Nelson-class battleship of Force Beta. Jetstream Sam's Ronin was already lining up for its docking approach with the Girty Lue, and it would be just a matter of seconds until both Nazara and Stella would be able to do the same.

The only matter of contention was the fourth prototype from Armory One. It had managed to punch through the Dagger L screen and was moving in fast. Worse, the unit was clearly wielding an augmentation pack designed for anti-ship and anti-fortification combat, and there was a very real risk of it getting in range to strike the Girty Lue before the battleship could activate its Mirage Colloid.

We'll be cutting this close, he thought, I'd better have Captain Lee prep our final bit of cover.

He contacted his flagship, and its Captain appeared on his monitor. "We're ready to receive you, Colonel, and the Mirage Colloid system is ready to activate on your command."

Nazara nodded. "Good. Captain, prepare the Starburst Contingency; there's a chance we may have to use it."

Captain Lee nodded. "Yes, I can see that prototype coming in now. Starburst Contingency will be ready before you land."

Nazara smiled. "Excellent. Nazara, out."

The Colonel was tempted to come about and engage the incoming prototype himself, but prudence won out. Destroying the machine would be a blow to ZAFT, but right now withdrawal and survival had top priority.

He spared one last look at Heero Yuy as the Demon Lord of Avalon continued to shred any Dagger Ls that came near him. The next time the two of them met in battle, Nazara vowed that things would be different.

Three times now you've made me taste bitter defeat, he silently fumed, The fourth will not go so smoothly for you, Heero Yuy, I promise you that!

….

Gunning his engines, Shinn flew towards Bogey One as fast as the Blast Impulse could take him. Not for the first time in this battle did he wish that Captain Gladys had ordered him to sortie with the Force Silhouette instead; its increased speed would really come in handy right about now.

Still, Shinn couldn't deny how satisfying it would fell to pound Bogey One with the Blast Impulse's considerable artillery. He was quickly approaching optimal firing range, and was already moving to target the battleship's engines with his heavy beam cannons and railguns. As soon as he had a lock he would cut loose. Once the engines were knocked out, Shinn planned to move on to the warship's heavy weapons. The Gaia and the black and red mobile suit from yesterday were already inside the ship, and the violet gunbarrel unit was just now entering the vessel; there was nothing standing between him and his target.

I won't let you escape, he thought, You're going to pay for attacking Armory One! You're going to answer to me!

He was just seconds away from getting a target lock he saw several hatches open up along the vessel's hull. Shinn had only a moment to brace himself before a swarm of missiles flew from the ship, some heading right for him but others seemingly going in random directions. He readied his weapons to shoot down the missiles that threatened him directly when they suddenly exploded on their own. The detonations weren't typical explosions, though; they were brilliant, blinding flares of light. They completely overwhelmed his visual sensors, and his targeting systems went haywire as well; some sort of chaff was apparently in the warheads as well.

"No!" he shouted as he shielded his eyes, "They can't get away!"

He fired wildly, praying that one of his shots might hit the warship and disrupt the Mirage Colloid it was undoubtedly deploying. When his visibility cleared up Shinn was very disappointed; there was no sign of Bogey One.

"Shit!" he snarled, slamming his fist against the arm of his chair, "Those fucking bastards!"

As he seethed with rage, he vowed that this would not be the end of it. One way or another, he would find the people on that ship and make them pay dearly for the crimes they had committed.

….

There was a cheer from the bridge crew as the last Nelson-class battleship succumbed to a hail of particle beams and cannon rounds from the Minerva. Talia was not among those celebrating; Bogey One was the ultimate objective of this operation, and she would not rest on her laurels until it was captured.

"Head for Bogey One!" she ordered, "Target her forward guns and fire at will!"

"Captain!" cried the sensor officer, "Bogey One is no longer on our scopes! She's completely disappeared!"

Talia's eyes widened. "What?"

"Ma'am!" yelled Meyrin, "Shinn's on the line!"

"Patch him through," she ordered with a sinking feeling in her stomach.

The pilot of the Impulse appeared on the main monitor, his disappointment and frustration clear even through his helmet visor. "Captain… Bogey One got away. It fired a bunch of flare rockets when I moved in to attack and then it cloaked."

Talia nodded. "Understood. Assist the others with mopping up, Shinn."

"Copy that," Shinn replied.

As the main monitor shifted back to the battle, Talia saw that there wasn't much for her side left to mop up. Albion and the other four Gundams had wiped the floor with most of the enemy mobile suits, and there were only a handful of them still on the field. Between the combined efforts of her own pilots and Heero's team the remaining enemy units would be eliminated in short order. Talia hoped that one or two might surrender so that she could capture them for interrogation, but from what she could see they all seemed quite intent on fighting to the death.

No captured battleship and no surrendering mobile suit pilots, she thought grimly, The only thing we're learning about our enemy through these battles is that they have no qualms about throwing away soldiers and materiel…

"Are there any enemy ships left in the area?" she asked.

"The only ship on scopes is the modified Salvager-class ship," the sensor officer replied, "They began their withdrawal a while ago."

"Get them on screen," Talia ordered, "and plot a trajectory."

The repurposed Reclamation Ship was already a good distance from the battlefield. Her pace was significantly faster than what was standard for a ship of that class, and Talia guessed that the vessel's engines had been upgraded to make its performance more suitable to whatever its new role was. It had already gained some distance, but the gap was not insurmountable.

"Captain," said the sensor officer, "the enemy's trajectory takes them towards Alliance territory! Looks like they're making for the Lunar Perimeter!"

"I knew it," said Arthur, "The Earth forces are behind all of this!"

"So the evidence would suggest," said Durandal, "but it is still circumstantial. It is still too early to tell what their final destination is."

"Captain, what are your orders?" asked Arthur.

Chasing the Salvager-class ship was the obvious call, but if they were making for the Lunar Perimeter then that would unleash a whole new can of worms. To say that the Earth Alliance would be concerned about ZAFT's newest battleship approaching the Moon would be a significant understatement. To make matters worse, word would have already spread about the appearance of the Albion, and if the attackers were linked to the Earth Alliance then they would know that Heero Yuy was now traveling on board the Minerva, along with four more mobile suits that appeared to be at least derived from the legendary Wing Zero. For all she knew the Earth forces could have already dispatched patrols to shadow the Minerva the moment the ship left L4, or to intercept it if it came within a predetermined distance of the Lunar Perimeter.

"Sensors," she said carefully, "before it fired the flare rockets, what was Bogey One's last known trajectory?"

"Analyzing," her subordinate replied, "It looks like the trajectory could take it to the edge of L1… or towards L5."

"There's no way they're going towards L5," said Arthur, "Even with a Mirage Colloid system there's no way they would risk an attack on the homeland!"

"L5 should still be warned," said Durandal, "We need to place the Home Fleet on secondary alert."

Talia nodded. "Chairman, if you like I can set you up a secure channel so you can make the necessary call."

"Thank you, Talia," he replied, "Before that, though… what shall we do here? Do we attempt to track down Bogey One again, or do we follow the ship we can see?"

"You know the clear call there, Chairman," she said, "At least with the Salvager-class ship we can maintain sensor and visual contact."

"Yes," said Durandal, his eyes narrowing, "but if their destination really is the Lunar Perimeter… our pursuit may be justified, but I fear that it could also inflame tensions."

"They're already inflamed, Chairman," said Talia, "That craft may not have participated in the attack on Armory One, but it was clearly working with Bogey One! At this point it's our best shot and finding some answers!"

"And when the Earth Alliance inevitably sends out a patrol to intercept us?" asked Durandal pointedly, "Would you risk the life of your nation's chief executive in such an encounter, and that of Orb's leader as well?"

Damn it, Gilbert, state it plainly!, she thought, If you don't want me to pursue then give the order! Don't play political niceties on my bridge!

Talia sighed. "Perhaps in this case it would be best to rendezvous with the nearest friendly patrols. There should be other ships that can track the Salvager-class vessel while we come up with an appropriate strategy."

Durandal nodded and smiled. "Yes, I believe that is best. Send the ship's trajectory data to the closest recon patrols and have the ones with the swiftest ships follow at a safe distance. They are to break off if the ship appears to be rendezvousing with Alliance fleet units."

Talia turned to Meyrin. "Get the word out to our patrols. After that, recover our mobile suits once mop up operations are complete. This battle is over for now."

Meyrin nodded. "Aye, Captain!"

She heard Lady Cagalli sigh with relief. "Thank goodness."

It was a sentiment Talia partially shared. As much as she wanted to capture Bogey One and bring those aboard it to justice for their attack on Armory One, she was also quite grateful that the engagement was winding down with no casualties on her side. Her crew and her pilots had acquitted themselves well today, even if they were overshadowed by Heero Yuy and his four companions.

We're all still alive, she thought as she watched the remaining Dagger Ls fall one by one, We may have failed to achieve our objectives, but we live to fight another day. I'll gladly take that…

….

Over three years had passed since the Bloody Valentine Tragedy, and the remains of the colony at the heart of that dreadful event drifted through space as a titanic monument to the sins of those that had attacked her. Junius Seven had been split in half by the nuclear strike, but even reduced so she remained vast and imposing. The memorial markers that had been placed on the one year anniversary of the attack and at the end of the war named for the nuclear attack on Junius Seven struck Commander Michael Cortez as superfluous and unnecessary, even insulting; how could any tribute do justice to the massacre that had taken place here?

This was not just a place of mourning and remembrance for Coordinators in general. Michael's younger brother had died in the Bloody Valentine Tragedy. Surveying the ruins of the bottom half of the colony, the blond-haired, brown-eyed man wondered if his sibling's body was down there in one of the buildings, or if it had been lost to the vastness of space. The twenty-nine year-old Coordinator shook his head; even if Richard's body was down there, it would be all but impossible to find. Besides, at this point it did not matter. Michael was not here on a memorial mission.

His task was one of vengeance.

Michael had already been a member of ZAFT before the opening shots of the Bloody Valentine War, but the attack on Junius Seven had steeled his resolve in a way that nothing else could ever hope to do. What had started as the desire to protect his people turned over months of bitter and brutal conflict to the thirst for bloody retribution. It had been little surprise when he had drifted into the circles of Patrick Zala and the radical faction. After all, the late head of both the Defense Council and eventually the PLANT Supreme Council understood Michael's loss and rage in a way few others could, having lost his wife in the same attack.

From his seat on the bridge of the Laurasia-class frigate Curie he waited patiently for the means to his end to be implemented. The vessel was not alone; she was part of a group of forty ships of the same class, over which the Commander had authority. Well, former Commander was a more accurate term; no one present here today was still a member of ZAFT. The frigates and mobile suits they possessed were all stolen property, military hardware that had been decommissioned and destined for the scrappers. It had taken careful planning to acquire them and assemble them all here, along with finding supplies for them, like-minded individuals to crew them, and to conceal them in the orbital Debris Belt. The undertaking had been painfully slow at times, a task in progress since mere months after the official end of the Bloody Valentine War, but after nearly two years of labor the dreams of all in this force would finally be realized.

He turned to his communications officer. "What's the latest from the engineering teams?"

"Sir," the man replied, "at last report thirty percent of the Flare Motors have been assembled and moved into position."

Michael nodded. "How long until the others are mounted and ready for activation?"

"Between twenty four to thirty-six hours, sir," said the officer, "From activation it will still take time for them to build up power and speed. Chief Engineer Lambert estimates that it could be anywhere between three to five days before we're able to achieve impact."

"No matter," said Michael, "We've waited years for this. What's a few more days? Carry on."

The officer nodded. "Aye, Commander."

Returning his attention to the remains of the colony, a dark smile crept over Michael's face. The treaty that had been signed over these ruins was a farce. Muruta Azrael and the High Command may have died in the Second Battle of Jachin Due, but that was far too light a price to be paid for the innocent blood that had been spilt here. GENESIS may have been destroyed, but Michael swore that he would bring the will of Patrick Zala to fruition regardless of the costs. The Naturals of Earth would look into the sky and tremble at the coming onslaught, knowing once and for all that their time had come. They would know the legacy of Patrick Zala…

…and then they would know fire and death.

Preview for next time!

With the escape of the Girty Lue, Heero and the others have lost their best chance to find proof of the Earth Alliance's involvement in the attack on Armory One. However, priorities suddenly shift when it is discovered that the orbit of the remains of Junius Seven is decaying and that it will soon impact the Earth. Terminal and ZAFT scramble to stop the descent, but they soon discover that the colony's fall is being facilitated by members of the old PLANT regime. As a battle for the fate of the world unfolds, the son of Patrick Zala is forced to confront his dark legacy. Next time, on "Destiny's Call", Episode Five: Sins of the Father.

"The Sins never die.
Can't wash this blood off our hands.
Let the world fear us all.
It's just means to an end."

Donna Burke, "Sins of the Father"

Author's Notes: All right, the fourth chapter is done! Sorry for the wait on this, but you should all know by now that I don't do rush jobs. The work wouldn't be nearly as good if I did. Thanks for sticking with me on this so far. We've got a long journey ahead of us yet. Also, more canon-violating is ahead, so stay tuned for fun times!

Until next time! Please review!