A/n

This one came quick, so it and the last will hopefully tied you over for two weeks or so, Enjoy the Phase!

Phase 50: Cracks Forming

July 13th, 71 CE

Mendel Colony Northern Spaceport, Lagrange 4

Creuset exited the Mendel colony, heading back towards the Vesalius after the events inside the colony. Yzak wasn't with him as he'd been upon entry. Creuset didn't know where the young pilot had gone, nor did he have much of an interest in knowing. Yzak had been useful for a while with his attitude. He didn't question things much, Creuset just had to point him in OMNI's direction and let him go. A good ignorant soldier, something Creuset was more than willing to use for his plans. So the loss of Yzak wasn't a great thing, nor was it a deal breaker by any means. Creuset would continue with his goals and see them through to them coming to pass.

Creuset would see the human race face its end and fade into oblivion, and he had promised himself that. It was Rau's ultimate revenge for what Hibiki and Da Flaga had done and used him for. Those two men had driven Rau to plot humanity's destruction by whatever means necessary. And the framework which laid the path the current conflict was taking was the result of years of work. Rau had done a great deal of "prodding" and "arranging" to get tensions as high as they were. Original predictions had calculated that the war wouldn't reach where it was for nearly a decade. With Rau's efforts, he'd cut that time by about half and had ZAFT and the Alliance at each other's throats.

Then sending the girl back to Alliance worked exactly as Creuset had hoped. She had gotten to the ship Azrael would've been on, which had been the intent. The girl would give an officer the disk with the n-jammer canceller specs. Those would get into the hands of Azrael, and the one Rau wanted the specs to get to. The man's hatred was so predictable, and the actions came from its simple to direct. The opportunity to get and use nuclear weapons would be far too tempting for Azrael and others like him in the Alliance. The man would get it to those who hated Coordinators, and they would demand nuclear weapons on the PLANTs. And they would be met with Zala's Gamma weapon GENESIS, and the two would clash, and destruction would spread. So, with nuclear weapons all but guaranteed to be around the corner, the end of the human race was not far away. It would be an amazing show, and Creuset was looking forward to seeing it all play out.

The only factors Rau had to be careful of were the Federation and those like Treize. They were the only ones that could stand against the coming nuclear clash. The Federation could potentially stop the use of nuclear weapons. Their work of extermination of OMNI's Orbital Fleets was gumming up the works. There were also those like Blass and Clyne who couldn't seem to keep their mouths shut and stay quiet. When Creuset had viewed the woman's "speech," he had been irritated and somewhat worried. The subject matter had been ridiculous, yet, the way it had been presented as a plea and call to the masses had been dangerous. Creuset knew that such could influence the masses, those from the Clyne family had the same gift of rousing the masses to action. It was why Rau had slipped the information which implicated Clyne in the theft of the Freedom and the leak of Spitbreak. If Creuset could get rid of the potential disruptive individual, then all the better for his plans. However, Clyne had disappeared along with his daughter, who wasn't helpful. There had been no bodies of either of them, and those sent were dead, so Rau assumed the two were alive somewhere. It was a lesson he'd learned over the years he had been working, if you didn't have proof of one being dead, don't assume they were.

It forced Rau to accelerate his plans and efforts as if he took too long, the Federation would ruin his goal. Treize was the other who could wreck things if he could override the Supreme Council. Zala was a good little puppet driving the mentality of destroying Naturals rather than just defeating the Alliance. But there were those within ZAFT that were still loyal to Treize rather than the National Defense Committee or the Chairman. Rau's attempts to get rid of Treize had failed thus far. The man was hard to get to, and doing so without notice was nigh impossible. So Rau had been focusing on Zala and having him go around Treize to deal with the man. The worst fear and threat to Rau's plan to end humanity was if the Federation joined forces with others like Treize. Should they get together and maybe some from the Alliance, the group would be a force to be reckoned with. Were that to come to pass, all Creuset's efforts and the plan would be in jeopardy. And with the Federation joining the war sooner than he had figured, things were a tad shaky. But if Rau played his cards right and directed things just right, even the Federation coming into the equation wouldn't change things.

The crossing with Mu inside Mendel was more "icing on the cake" for Rau with how things were going for his goals. He wanted to finish off Mu La Flaga personally if that was a possibility and didn't interfere with his goals. It would be a form of "poetic justice" for Rau as he could end Al Da Flaga's "legacy" once and for all. Such would be sweet vengeance for Rau for the man cursing him and his existence. It would tie up loose ends that Rau seemed to be haunted by, which had the annoying habit of popping up when it was the least wanted. Plus, tormenting Mu had become a temptation Rau just couldn't resist as it gave him such a kick. To be able to bring up Mu's loss of his parents and even tell him that Rau had done it had been more than amusing. And while Rau had intended to kill Mu in Hibiki's laboratory, there would be another chance to kill the man later, Rau didn't doubt.

Nonetheless, the unexpected wrinkle that had come up in Mendel had been Kira Yamato. That the boy was Hibiki's dream child brought both good and bad feelings to Creuset. He hated the boy for what he represented and for being Hibiki's work he would never shut up about. That the child had survived all the attempts to kill him was infuriating. It was especially true with all the odds stacked against him living to be a toddler. However, on the other hand, it was interesting to Rau as it allowed him to get back at Hibiki one more time. Rau would love nothing more than to beat Hibiki's perfect child in combat. It would show that Hibiki's work wasn't the end all be all the man claimed it would be when it was successful. The boy's ignorance was hysterical enough though it would make killing him a tad dull since he wouldn't know the reason. Yamato clearly didn't have a clue what he was nor what a blight on humanity he really was. While that took some of the fun of ending him out, if the boy felt despair before he died, Rau would take that.

Rau may have failed to kill the boy and Mu in Mendel, but the trip here wasn't a total loss with the Alliance getting his "gift." Nuclear weapons would move his plans along proficiently, and the end goal was the most important thing. Rau had worked too hard for too long to let a small thing lose sight of his revenge on the Human race. The wish to take out Mu or Yamato wouldn't ruin him and his carefully laid plan, and he wouldn't let that happen. He had learned patience would give him far more of a reward than getting something quickly. It had been one of the few good lessons Rau had gotten at Mendel, even if it was unintentional. So, Creuset would wait for another opportunity to get the two when it came up.

Creuset focused back on the present when he came out of the spaceport and spotted the three Nazca classes. There were signs of a battle on the opposite side of the colony, but it was far enough away that it wouldn't be an issue. The Alliance girl had been sent off to float that way to get to Azrael, so the battle was of no interest now. There was the normal radio chatter which indicated everything was going as expected. There was a GINN south of the vessel group keeping an eye on the battle going on. The GINN could be the one that had taken the lifepod over and released it for all Creuset knew. Still, everything was going as it should, and there was nothing that would change that for Rau. So, Creuset didn't think anything of the GINN or the ship's positioning as he kept going towards the Vesalius.

The pilot of the GINN noticed the machine approaching the three ZAFT vessels. It matched the one Rau Le Creuset was using. The pilot was there to apprehend the masked man as Admiral Treize required his presence. The one in the GINN was the individual known as the "Mocking Jay," the former ZAFT Champion. Treize had called upon them to assist in bringing in Creuset. The man was suspected of more crap than he was usually known for and would be made to account for it. The Mocking Jay had arrived on site and told the ship captains to keep things going like nothing was wrong or off. The less warning Creuset could get, the better the chances of capturing him with little fuss there would be. The ship captains didn't argue once the Mocking Jay had given a secret code, the Champions had to identify themselves. Once things had been arranged as the Mocking Jay preferred, they went out to take up the position as a "recon suit." They used their suit's special equipment to change the appearance of their suit to look like a normal GINN.

The Mocking Jay also had the help of a colleague who stopped Creuset from escaping capture. The Roc was hiding right outside the colony's northern spaceport, ready to cut off that avenue of retreat. Between the Mocking Jay and the Roc, Creuset would have little chance to escape the summons from Treize. The masked man was known for slipping away from things, so Treize had called on those he knew would get him there. That Treize saw reason to deploy Champions to bring in one man said how important what Creuset could've done. It was the reason the operation to catch Creuset was being taken so seriously. As far as those carrying it out knew, the National Defense Committee nor the Council knew of the point. The Mocking Jay kept their eye on Creuset as the man moved toward one of the Nazca classes. They saw on their sensors that the Roc had moved to be behind Creuset so he wouldn't be able to run away. Once Creuset was far enough away from the colony, the trap would be sprung.

Rau was focusing on lining up so he could come into the Vesalius and things could move forward with his plans. He was golden since none could connect him to the "leaks" the Alliance had benefited from. Rau had taken care to make it extremely difficult for any to connect him, though not impossible. However, Creuset hadn't been caught yet and would unlikely be anytime soon. And by the time some could possibly connect him, it would be too late to do anything to stop him and his goals. Plus, Rau had enough in the Supreme Council and its staff that would get him out of things it would give him time to counter those trying to get him. Yet, Rau was brought out of his thoughts by an alarm going off before he was shaken in his cockpit. After righting his machine, Rau scanned around to find his attacker that had struck his suit. However, Rau found nothing as he looked around that would fit an "attacker." Suddenly, Creuset felt something was off that he hadn't noticed moments ago.

As if to confirm his suspicions, a Federation mobile suit appeared between him and the colony's northern spaceport. The enemy suit cut off an avenue of retreat for Rau, which concerned Creuset with the current circumstances. Rau felt that withdrawing to the Vesalius wouldn't work for him to get away from this Federation unit. It also appeared to be a custom model with an odd pole weapon in its hands. The Federation unit rushed forward, igniting a beam blade on the pole, which took the shape of a scythe blade. Rau had to evade as the scythe sliced diagonally where he had been. As the attacks kept coming, Rau had to move into a defensive standing to prevent this enemy from getting a fatal hit on him. At the same time, he was going over the possibilities he had to work with to escape his situation when things changed again.

Projectiles shot past Rau from behind, caught his attention, and shifted it from the Federation unit. When Creuset looked back, he saw the GINN facing him, pointing its rifle his direction, clearly just having fired it. Then, before Creuset's eyes, the "GINN's" appearance began changing, it turned grey over all with white outlining along the shoulders and its shield. The shape of the mobile suit was very similar to Creuset's GuAIZ prototype. It was a machine Rau had seen before, which he believed the GuAIZ was based on. The ZGMF-575 InTREY was designed for infiltration and avoiding detection, mostly as the one who had been piloting it specialized in. Rau had been tricked into believing the InTREY was a GINN was due to the unique equipment it possessed. He had tried multiple times to get his hands on the technology so he could get others to give him a suit that could use it but had failed. Whatever made the mobile suit look like another was seamless at doing so and kept it from being detected as an enemy unit. The arsenal was nothing to laugh at either, for the masked man had seen some of it and even had been somewhat impressed. Although a portion of the performance was due to the pilot, he knew that.

And yet, what scared him was the pilot who the suit had been made for was supposed to be dead. Rau knew that because he had planned and had put in the effort for that pilot to die at Endymion. The sight of the ZGMF-575 InTREY said the Mocking Jay was alive as they shouldn't be. And there was no reason for Rau to expect the pilot not to want revenge on Creuset for trying to kill them. While it had looked to others in ZAFT that two of their Champions had fallen at Endymion due to the Alliance's Cyclops system, that wasn't exactly true. Rau had gotten the Mocking Jay and the Roc to be in the area of influence with the cyclops system. So, he had played a part in getting them killed, which records didn't mention at all, Rau had made sure of that. And the scythe wielder was using the style that the Roc was famous for, so likely was the man. Thus, the two Rau had attempted to kill at Endymion had somehow survived and were still around. They could threaten him and his plans more than others in ZAFT could, as they possibly knew things most didn't about Rau.

The next thing that Creuset registered, the InTREY, brought out the four hidden machine guns and aimed at Creuset himself. Two of the guns were MMI-M7S 76mm Heavy Assault Machine Guns, normally loaded with explosive rounds. The other two were MMI-M7B4 60mm Assault Vulcans, usually loaded with armor-piecing rounds. The ammunition type could be changed per the pilot's request, which was done on the Nazca it had been assigned to. The InTREY began firing its guns at Creuset, and as he didn't want to find out what kind of ammo it was using, Rau shot to the right. However, Creuset was met by the sight of the Federation unit coming at him with its beam scythe. Rau had his GuAIZ lean back to evade the first scythe swing, but it was closer than he liked. So close that Rau could see the beam's wavy lines working to keep its shape.

The swings kept coming, and avoiding them was made harder by the weapon fire from the InTREY. Ray had to keep moving his shield to block the projectiles just in case some were armor-piecing. And then the InTREY started using its guns not to hit Creuset but to keep him from moving to the left or right. Rau could see what the InTREY was doing and cursed the action. The Mocking Jay was boxing Rau in so the scythe-wielder could pin or destroy him. His suit was shaken as Rau turned to face the InTREY to try and escape this situation. Creuset glanced behind him and found the Federation unit had latched onto him and was restraining his movements.

It only took a moment for Rau to realize there was nothing he could do to escape his current situation. Whatever the two were here to do, Rau could do nothing to stop them in their goal. The whole setup with the Nazcas seeming to be normal had been meant to catch him off-guard. The captains had been likely told to go along with the two for their plan as they had no reason to defy orders from a Champion, current or former. The real question was who had given the order for this operation, and the likely answer was Treize. Rau had feared that Treize might do something to interfere with his plans and goals. The man's influence in ZAFT was problematic as it could override the National Defense Committee. The man was one Rau couldn't manipulate, and he was too dedicated to being the "good" soldier.

Rau wasn't idle as he was "dragged" by the two mobile suits over to the group of Nazcas. He kept an eye on his sensor screen to see any potential changes that would worsen his circumstances. And he didn't have to wait long to find out things were worse than Rau had thought they could be. He spotted two Nazcas coming toward the group of three north of the Mendel Colony. The one in the lead was a Nazca that Rau recognized almost instantly as it was none other than the Black Jade. The ship was the personal vessel of the Black Zephyr, Sakura Clyne. And Rau had no interest in seeing the woman, more so as she was one who was chosen to bring another in ZAFT to task. The other ship was another Rau knew of with its unique markings, and it was called the Osprey. Like the Black Jade, the Osprey was the personal ship of a former Champion. The Champion who used the Osprey was the Mocking Jay, who would make sense as they were there. The issue with the two ships was that their crews were loyal to their Champions and not others with rank.

Rau knew there was little way he could get out of whatever this was about. Talking would be as difficult as the Zephyr and unlikely do him any good. He was clearly the target of something though he couldn't decide what he could be called out for. There were several things Creuset could call out for if some could connect him to events. There were some things Rau wanted to be connected to less than others, but he knew whatever he would be called out for wouldn't be good. And his thinking didn't help as he was being dragged toward the Black Jade. The Federation unit let go of Rau's GuAIZ but stayed not too far behind the InTREY. Creuset could see that possible avenues were being closed for him to get away potentially. Rau came into the Black Jade's hangar, and his mood still fell with the situation. The InTREY still held the suit, so Rau couldn't break away and try to escape from this.

Meanwhile, Sakura was making her way down to the hangar to see this operation through. Lanus had asked her to head out to L4's colony cluster to help with the "capture" of Rau Le Creuset. The man was to be brought back to the homeland so he could be questioned about leaks that had happened. What had Sakura curious about this was Lanus said two of her colleagues would be assisting. The two who were going to help were two believed dead, but if Lanus said they were alive, then Sakura believed it. She certainly wouldn't say no to seeing one of her closest friends she thought lost.

Then, Sakura had dearly wanted to take Creuset down a peg or more for the things he'd gotten away with before now. The man had caused horrible issues during the war, which others had to clean up after him. While that was bad enough, the man never faced the consequences of his actions. He either talked his way out of the incident, or others covered it up, so he got away from any response. However, this time, Lanus had been specific, Creuset had no excuse not to return to the homeland. If the man tried to come up with one, it was to be shot down, and the man brought back. Should that require him to be thrown into a brig cell, then that was to be done. And if Sakura was honest, she hoped Creuset was difficult so she could throw him in a cell. She'd wanted to do the idea since being told about his Heliopolis fiasco, and she may get the chance this time.

By the time Sakura reached the hangar, the area had been pressurized so the crew could enter. Sakura ordered the GuAIZ opened, and Creuset ordered to come out of the cockpit. If he refused to exit, he would be dragged out of the machine, and Sakura would enjoy watching that. The man would be searched for weapons and disarmed if he had anything. Should Creuset be smart and cooperate, then things would go smoothly. If he did the opposite, which Sakura wanted him to, she would personally enjoy dragging the man to the brig. Sakura floated into the dock area and ordered the GuAIZ to be opened, which some mechanics got to work.

Rau knew his time to think was quickly coming to an end. When the cockpit opened, he would be restrained and have to face judgment. And with him being on the Black Jade, he'd be facing Sakura, and he wanted to avoid that as long as he could. Rau had locked the cockpit, but he knew ZAFT mechanics would get through it given time. A hiss came, and a moment later, the cockpit hatch swung open, revealing the Black Jade's hangar. While it appeared much like any Nazca's hangar, the black CGUE left no doubt about the ship it was. Two mechanics came into view of the cockpit and signaled Creuset to exit. The gesture made it seem like a command rather than a suggestion. Rau assumed that if he didn't leave his suit's cockpit by choice, he would be dragged out by some in the hangar. So, to try and save some face and "cooperate," Rau unbuckled his restraints and exited the cockpit voluntarily.

Rau glanced toward the InTREY and spotted an individual coming out of it. The said individual was in a Federation pilot suit and it had no defining detail which could give conclusions about their features. It was typical of Federation spacesuits, and one couldn't tell much if anything about the wearer, not even gender. Their suits' equipment made the voice generic and mechanical, so one couldn't use the voice to identify the person. The helmet visor was much like the equipment used to disguise the voice, gave no hints to work with. Rau cursed that the Federation had such technology, and they guarded the use of obscurity. If he could've used such in his plans, they would be farther along than they already were.

Although it was no great mystery who the "Federation pilot" was, not with the mobile suit they used as it was exclusive. The "Mocking Jay" was the Champion who used the InTERY as it was made to fit their style of things. They were also the champion that the least was known about, and that was by design. The other Champions seemed to know about the Mocking Jay but never shared details about them with others. The Mocking Jay's ability to infiltrate was legendary, and none had been able to match them. Rau had attempted to figure out how the Mocking Jay did their job but had failed. He'd even tried to slip in and take their place after Endymion, but the Champions had figured out another had been attempting to pose as one of them. Rau suspects that the Champions and Treize were the only ones who know the true identity of the Mocking Jay anymore. No records existed anymore that even gave hints about the Mocking Jay. They were like a ghost Rau had tried to become but could not reach.

Sakura glanced at the Federation-suited person and nodded at them as she knew it was her friend, the Mocking Jay. They were the best at being untouchable by others that weren't in the selective inner circle of those who protected the PLANTs. Sakura hoped to find out where her friend had been after Endymion, and they had vanished along with Kurt. But there were priorities to see to first in the form of dealing with Creuset. And she really hoped the Creuset would be difficult so she could be rough with him. Thus, her gaze shifted to Creuset and morphed into a glare, "It's a displeasure to have you on board my ship again, Le Creuset," Sakura stated coldly. "I can't wait to know why you were brought here."

Rau had no doubt Commander Clyne knew why he had been dragged here far more than he did. The woman knew part of the reason why he was here, even if she didn't admit it. The Black Zephyr didn't follow orders she didn't know the reasoning to justify them. Sakura Clyne had earned the reputation that she couldn't be ordered around by any besides Admiral Treize. So, Rau put on a false smile "You wound me, ma'am," he replied, "But perhaps you can tell me why I was brought here? I have received no message about anything that could require your expertise."

The Mocking Jay could tell Creuset was searching for an out from this situation and was clearly desperate. The man wouldn't escape the summons that had been sent his way the day before he had gone out on the chase for the Eternal. While the National Defense Committee had assigned Creuset to the Eternal pursuit with Chairman Zala's recommendation, the summons wouldn't be avoided. The recent leaks had been costly and dangerous, Lanus were tracking down the sources of the leaks. And the evidence was pointing toward Rau Le Creuset, so he was to account for his activities. "Your presence is required for an inquiry Rau Le Creuset," the Federation pilot said. Their voice modulated tone and pitch changes continuously with the Federation helmet equipment. "There was a summons for you to answer questions before heading out on this assignment. You ignored it and left, likely hoping the summons would be dismissed while you were out pursuing the Eternal. However, Treize will not let this be waved off with recent events playing out as they have."

Sakura wasn't surprised that Creuset had used an "assignment" to attempt to get out of being questioned about his actions. It was "classic" Creuset, avoiding facing questions and inquiries to get out of facing the consequences. The man was almost infamous for the point, and some soldiers grumbled about it. So, Sakura scoffed, "Trying to worm your way out of facing the consequences again, Creuset," she posed. "When will you learn that only delays them coming? You reap what you sow. But now, what Lanus told me about helping with an issue makes more sense."

Rau kept his face impassive, but internally, he was worried about the implications that were being made. He knew of the "summons" that the Mocking Jay had mentioned. It had been extremely concerning when it had come, and Rau had looked for an excuse to get out of it. Chairman Zala ordering him to chase after the Eternal had been the convenient excuse he'd needed to slip away. Rau had hoped the summons would be pushed out or waved off so he wouldn't have to face it. The longer Creuset could put off facing Treize, the better, or the best-case scenario would be not to face the man. But it would seem that he wouldn't be able to avoid Treize asking him questions Rau would likely not want to answer. Rau didn't get a chance to say anything in his defense or try to wave this off as the Mocking Jay spoke up. "Lanus felt you might not come if you were asked again or told to, so some of us were asked to come to make sure you attend the inquiry."

Sakura smirked as Creuset was in a corner, and he wouldn't have the Council to provide a means to get out of this. Creuset had a knack for using some on the Supreme Council or the National Defense Committee to worm out of things. However, he couldn't use the excuse in this since this wasn't from the Committee or the Council but the head of ZAFT. The National Defense Committee normally deferred to Treize though it was less so lately. But when it came to investigations with leaks and potential moles, Treize had precedence. Treize had tracked down and handled potential issues before they became problems for ZAFT before now, so much, so the Committee had applauded his efforts. "Which means your attempt to get out of answering questions Creuset by using your assignment from the Council isn't going to work," Sakura mused.

Rau's face paled ever-so-slightly as the understanding he would have to face Treize sunk in. His only chance would be to reach out to someone like Chairman Zala to get him out of this event. Zala could order Treize and make the man do what he was told, but Rau felt things wouldn't be so simple. However, the Mocking Jay turned to Sakura and spoke again, "He is to have no use of any kind of communication methods while traveling back to the homeland." The Mocking Jay glanced at Creuset, "His avoidance has signaled it is best he not have the opportunity to speak to anyone before being questioned."

Sakura gained a sinister smile as the requirement gave her the chance to do something to Creuset that she had wanted to for a long time. She would have had the man chucked into a brig cell and left there. Granted, she could confine him to a set of quarters and ensure no communications when out from there. But she much more preferred the man to be in a cell which had no means to communicate. Sakura doubted it would humble the man, but she couldn't care less about that. Just having Creuset in a cell made Sakura's day, and she planned to enjoy every moment he would be in there. Sakura gazed at Creuset, and Rau didn't like the smile the woman had directed at him at all. The smile told that he would have no prayer of getting any of the crew potentially helping him. Rau wanted to get a message to Zala to get him out of facing Admiral Treize. But while on this ship, it was clear now that such wouldn't be possible, and steps would be taken to deny him.

Sakura continued to glare at Creuset, "You couldn't know how long I've wanted to do what I am with you, Creuset," she stated. She snapped her fingers, and two soldiers moved forward, saluting her, waiting for orders. "You are to 'escort' Creuset to a brig cell, and none are to talk to him," Sakura ordered. "He is to stay there until we reach the homeland, none are to speak to him nor interact with him." Sakura pointed at Creuset, then jabbed her thumb in the direction of the brig, "Get him out of my hangar." The soldiers moved forward, grabbed Creuset, and began pulling him toward the exit. Rau knew there was no point in struggling against the soldiers or arguing with them. They were loyal to Sakura and wouldn't listen to what he had to say after their commander had told them not to. He would have no help on this ship, only time to consider what he could do before facing Treize.

Once Creuset was dragged away, Sakura turned to face the Mocking Jay. "It has been some time," Sakura said in an almost hurt tone. "Officially, you're supposed to have died at Endymion." The Mocking Jay gestured toward the exit to the hangar, "It is not a subject to be discussed in open areas."

Sakura led her friend to her quarters on the Black Jade so that none could listen to anything said or seen. Once the door was closed, Sakura turned to the individual in the Federation spacesuit. Her friend removed their helmet, revealing their face, which few had ever seen. Before, Sakura was a face she'd not seen for nearly four years, not since Endymion had happened years ago. The face was that of a woman with almost regal features, which gave it a somewhat unnatural beauty. Her light blue eyes matched the color of her hair that went down her back. The woman's name was Kari Lyloa which only a select few ever knew. Kari made sure few knew anything about her as it helped in her work and style of doing things. Sakura moved forward and embraced her friend, "Do you have any idea how depressed I was when I thought you were gone?"

Kari sighed, "I wanted to get a message to you, but it was too risky until now," she replied. "With what happened at Endymion, questions need answers before the truth is made public. There was no accident, so investigations are being conducted to find out who set up things in that event." Kari could see the almost familiar expression of anger that morphed into what was expected of a huntress. It was clear that Sakura desired to make those who caused Endymion to suffer. While Kari wouldn't say no to that, facts didn't narrow down the players enough to not leave a bloodbath. The war had enough blood being spilled without more being added needlessly. "No, Sakura," Kari stated, "Don't go searching for others to blame and suffer for what happened. Facts haven't narrowed things down enough for you to have vengeance without a bloodbath."

Sakura glared at her friend with the response she got, "And you think I have a problem with leaving a trail to get vengeance?" Kari shook her head, "I know you don't have an issue with leaving a trail of blood and bodies behind to get payback. However, now isn't the time to do that, Sakura, there are other things to worry about that take priority. Undoubtedly you've noticed that the war is getting worse faster than it has before. If this war doesn't change direction soon, we all suffer." Kari grabbed her helmet and put it back on, "Thus, we all have work we can be doing to protect the homeland and beyond."

After Kari left the ship and returned to the Osprey, the ship disappeared in the L4 colony cluster. Sakura had the black Jade set its course for Aprilius One so Creuset could face Treize. She ensured the masked man didn't have any form of outbound communication. Sakura wouldn't put it past the man to reach out to someone on the Council to worm his way out of accounting for his actions. Creuset had gotten out of facing the consequences before now, whether it was using others or rationalizing his way out of things. So, Sakura would love nothing more than to see the man get nailed and face punishment for whatever he'd been up to lately. The last mess she'd had to clean up had been ridiculous, and she wasn't happy the man had been put on other things without much thought. From where Sakura saw it, Creuset had too much trust from those like Zala and some on the National Defense Committee. Creuset's record wasn't a shining one, more the opposite, and most commanders would say that about the man.

For Creuset to be sent in pursuit of the Eternal didn't sit right or well with Sakura, and she suspected something was off. When capturing a stolen ship, a mission commander with experience was normally chosen. Creuset's skill set didn't match what tended to be needed for ship capture. That made Sakura think the Committee and Zala more wanted the Eternal destroyed rather than captured. It suggested that Zala and his cronies might be aware his baby sister was on the ship and wanted to be rid of her. If all of that proved true, Sakura would make all involved suffer for their parts in this mess. She fully intended to have Creuset in shackles when he exited the ship if she could get that to occur. Sakura wouldn't care for the spectacle which would come with such a thing, and she would more enjoy it.

The journey took two and a half days, and it went by almost silently for those on the Black Jade. There was no communication made other than they were returning to the homeland. No mention of Creuset being on the ship to the Defense Committee per Sakura's orders. Rau was left in the brig cell he had been taken to from the hangar with nothing to do. The only people he saw were the crew members who brought him food, and they didn't talk to him at all. He had searched the cell and found it was secured nice and tight, with no means to work with to get a message out. It didn't surprise him that the Zephyr would make sure any in the brig had no way to communicate to any outside the ship. The woman rightly guessed that Creuset had connections to some on the Defense Committee and even to Zala. The Zephyr would notice he used others to get out of things he was involved in, whether by choice or not. It was one of the reasons he avoided the likes of her, and they were too observant and nosy to be good for him.

The only thing that had been said to him during his time in the brig was that he would face an "inquiry" when they arrived at Aprilius One. That was concerning enough looming ahead of him, especially with Treize being involved. The Zephyr herself delivered the news, which only dialed up the issue the "questioning" would be. Treize looking into his activities was extremely bad for Rau. He may have covered his tracks well, but with how Treize could dig things up, Rau's efforts wouldn't be enough. If Treize could connect him to Azrael, Creuset's plans could become compromised. With how smooth his plans were going, Rau didn't want a disruption to them. Especially now that nuclear weapons weren't far away for the Alliance and ZAFT. Rau could get Zala to wave off things along with enough on the National Defense Committee. Treize, on the other hand, Rau doubted he could get the man to leave him alone to his own devices.

And it wouldn't likely be just Treize at this "inquiry," there would be others as witnesses for the hearing. And those other participants would be chosen by Treize himself, which wouldn't work out in Rau's favor. Depending on who Treize chose, Rau could be in serious trouble or just in an uncomfortable position. Rau knew some wanted to take him down for past actions, among other things. Specifically, some in the PLANTs' justice department had serious beefs with him. Really, Creuset saw no good outcome for him with facing Treize and whoever else he had with him. Rau's only chance to not be shot down by this inquiry was for another to get him out of it.

Upon arrival at Aprilius One, Creuset was further worried when the Zephyr came to get him personally. He said nothing as his hands were shackled, holding his tongue as saying anything wouldn't help him. Rau was led off the Black Jade, escorted by four soldiers and Sakura herself. Outside the docking tunnel, Rau spotted a good number of soldiers who bore markings that said they were some of Treize's personal staff waiting. Once again, Rau had no way out of this, and possible avenues had been closed before he could use them. The only way he could have a chance to get out of this was to hope some on the Defense Committee saw the security footage of Rau being guided away. If that did happen, there was a good chance Zala would demand Rau be released and the questioning stop.

Rau was guided to the main ZAFT office complex on the colony where he knew Treize's office was. Those on the Defense Committee had little control of the complex, Treize and those under his command ran it. Creuset was taken to a large room which he was told would be where the inquiry would be held. One glance around the room showed Rau it was set up like a legal courtroom with a raised level with a stand. On the stand were chairs and space to have paper and pens for the witnesses/questioners. There was also a seat in the center of the room with a desk in front of it. The seat in the center was clearly for the one being questioned as all the questioners could see them clearly. Rau scanned the stand from left to right to see who he would be facing and dealing with. And what he took in didn't comfort him as he saw none that would be knowingly sympathetic. Creuset didn't know the man on the far left, but by the clothes he wore, he was a member of the PLANT's Legislative committee.

The next in line to the right of the first man was someone Creuset had a few run-ins with whom he didn't recall fondly. The woman was around five foot seven, dressed in a crisp business suit, and had a no-nonsense expression on her face. Her neutral brown hair went just below her neck and was straight. Her eyes, which were gazing at him coldly, were a lighter brown than her hair. The woman's name was Maria Lotoths, and she was the director and Chief Attorney of the Justice Department and ran things in the said department. She had been one of Rau's critics and was quick to try to call him out on the "messes" he was involved in. Lotoths had been looking into his activities for much longer than Rau liked. She was why he had taken care to cover his tracks as well as he did with how the woman dug into things. Rau tended to avoid the woman the best he could with her nosiness so he could keep working on his goal. But he knew the woman had been trying for a while now to charge Creuset with crimes. However, she hadn't managed to do it, mostly as Rau would have others block her attempts.

In the center of the five was none other than the man Creuset was concerned with regarding his current plans. Lanus Treize, the unofficial leader of the ZAFT military, was called by most "Admiral," or that's how he was treated. Rau begrudgingly would admit the man was an amazing commander and tactician. If not for Treize, ZAFT wouldn't have whipped the Alliance as proficiently as they had. Rau's issue with the man was that he followed his views and beliefs first and foremost. If orders from the National Defense Committee or the council went against those, Treize wouldn't do it but come up with an alternative. He was close to six feet tall and had an average figure overall. His short ginger-colored hair was combed back as it normally was, which brought attention to his ice-blue eyes. Treize was handsome for being in his early forties and had the respect of many within the PLANTs, which Le Creuset wasn't pleased about. He was wearing his custom blue ZAFT commander's uniform and was looking at Creuset as he was brought into the room.

To Treize left was the silver-haired Ezalia Joule, the current chair of the National Defense Committee. It was a position she had filled since Patrick Zala had taken over as the Supreme Council's Chairman. Joule was normally one to follow orders from what Rau had seen, which he didn't have an issue with. She was one to take Zala's orders and get them where they needed to go with the Defense Committee. Yet, for her to be here when the Chairman wasn't didn't bode well for Creuset. Joule wasn't one to help Rau out of messy situations unless Zala specifically told her to somehow.

The last on the stand was a man Creuset didn't know, but like the first one, his clothing was clear to which part of the government he belonged. The man was a member of the Administration committee, meaning that representatives from four of the five committees that made up the Supreme Council were present. And it was unlikely that any here would be taking answer that Creuset might give to asked questions and move on. Treize had made sure that none would have a good argument to say this inquiry was fair and representative of the PLANTs' government. It was clear that Zala had nothing to do with this, which was a problem for Creuset. Treize could be doing things without the Council's involvement, but it was rare for the man.

The issue Rau had was that Zala couldn't get him out of this questioning, which would damage him. If Treize knew what Rau had been doing, he would be imprisoned at best and executed worse for what he'd done. Treize couldn't be manipulated as Zala could be, making him far more helpful. Rau thought he'd planned ahead enough to deal with Treize and keep him out of the picture long enough to get things going in the direction he wanted. But this inquiry showed that Treize could stand up and do things the council didn't approve of. The worst possibility Rau could think of would be Treize splitting off and taking more than half of ZAFT's forces with him. The last thing Rau needed was another group like the Federation gumming up the works.

Rau was guided to the chair and sat in it before the shackles were removed from his wrists. The soldiers then moved back and left the room, and the door closing banged with finality. Rau faced forward, gazing at Treize, doing some real quick thinking of what he could say to help himself. He couldn't tell the truth about his activities, and he would be imprisoned or killed for what he'd done. And knowing the type of man Treize was, the man would have some kind of evidence before he accused any of something. So, Rau was in boiling water in this, and there was little he could do to change that. The best chance he had was to draw this out until someone could bail him out of this questioning session. Thus, Creuset looked to the stand and put on an impassive expression. "Admiral Treize," Rau greeted, "it's always a pleasure to see you, sir."

Lanus had been studying Creuset from the moment he entered the room. The man had proven he was a good actor when the situation required him to be. However, Lanus was surer now that Creuset was hiding something than he had been when evidence had been brought to him about the point. It had been brought to Treize by his Obscure ZAFT Intelligence team or OZI, who reported to him directly. Treize had originally created them as an internal accountability group, but they had become a special intelligence team he would use to look into things others didn't. They had helped curtail problems in the past before they had become serious issues. If not for OZI, leaks and potential moles would've likely been issues years ago but had been kept down until now.

Thus far, the damage had been toned down with the clear mole ZAFT had. The Defense Committee was having little luck at finding the mole. However, the council wasn't giving them much room to work to search for the one betraying ZAFT. So, Treize had put his OZI team on the issue and quickly identified some possible individuals. Treize had been bringing in those found by OZI and questioning them about their activities. The more Lanus learned about this mole issue, the more concerning it became. He had dismissed most of those OZI had brought to light, thereby narrowing down the mole's identity. And now, the search had come down to a select few left, and Creuset was on that shortlist. What made him a target of interest was not just his activities but also the "connections" he had and used. Treize had seen Creuset get out of things that any other soldier would face the consequences for. Historically speaking, that was a dangerous quality as the most dangerous moles/traitors had the immense if not blind trust of leaders. Creuset showed classic signs of such a dangerous individual, so he had to be either confirmed to be one or cleared.

It was the reason Treize had others on these inquiries, so there could be clear evidence of who was at fault for recent issues. And since the council was so busy these days, Treize had taken on the search for the mole. When he had brought this up with the Defense Committee, they hadn't said no to his offer. They were busy with the Alliance's activities as of late and the Federation's mobilization. So, Treize had taken full responsibility, even if not officially, for finding the one leaking information to the Alliance. "While the standard greeting is nice, Creuset," Lanus remarked, "let us hope that you hold the same view by the end of this inquiry."

That response didn't encourage Rau at all with his chances of getting out of this without being implicated in bad things. Normally, investigations like this would be done by the Defense Committee with the help of the Justice Department if needed. Rau had hoped that with all that was happening, both groups would be too busy to do any serious investigation. But it was his luck that Treize had taken up the task for the Committee, likely without the Council knowing. And with the complications which had been popping up, Rau would have been looked into by Treize's OZI. That group was meticulously gathering info on those they were assigned to by Treize himself. If that was the case, then Rau was in more trouble of being discovered than he had considered in the best-case scenario. So, Creuset took a moment to think carefully about what he said in this room. "With the rumors of leaks happening, an investigation is warranted," he commented. "I'm more surprised that you are managing it, Admiral. With the war going as it is, you must be busy managing our military forces and doing a masterful job at it. I understand that the National Defense Committee tends to look into leaks and what causes them."

While Creuset was saying it was normally true, the leaks were serious enough to make an exception. The clear leak of Operation Spitbreak to the Alliance had cost many lives of good men and women. The cyclops system being present made it obvious someone had told the Alliance about the operation. That narrowed down who the mole could be, as most of ZAFT didn't know the real target of Spitbreak. Then recently, the Alliance had somehow known where specific ships were when they shouldn't. Lanus saw it as only a matter of time for a more serious leak to occur if the mole wasn't dealt with or hadn't happened already. And with mounting evidence pointing toward Creuset, there needed to be an accounting for his actions. "There are indeed leaks occurring, Creuset, and some concerning ones at that," Lanus replied. "You no doubt can see what results in that can have as you were around some of the results of the recent leaks."

Ezalia didn't like how Lanus worded the "leak" issue that had been happening and getting worse lately. Leaks had been suspected for about a year, but there wasn't enough evidence to pin them down to handle things. Spitbreak had changed the view of the leaks not being enough of a problem to divert attention to. The issue had been the Defense Committee had been stretched thin already and so didn't have much to spare on an investigation. It was why when Lanus approached her and others on the Committee and offered to do the investigation, and they jumped at it. Lanus had the resources and could make the time the Committee couldn't. Ezalia knew Lanus had an intelligence team that could dig up information at times better than ZAFT's intelligence department. If any could track down who was involved in the leaks, it was Lanus's OZI team. From the report Lanus had given the Defense Committee, OZI was narrowing down where the leaks came from proficiently.

The meeting today was to question one of the select few that intel said could be the leaker. And when she'd been told who it was the inquiry would be probing, she had been concerned. Chairman Zala seemed to trust Creuset with "odd" tasks, normally handled differently before the current year. When there was an issue such as Heliopolis or what came from it, the mess was given to Lanus, who would manage to get it cleaned and not become a political fiasco. That was the system between ZAFT and the National Defense Committee. The Committee figured out what goals needed to be worked on and allocated resources for it, Lanus did the planning and execution to get the results. Such a system had ZAFT in a better position against the Alliance than it would be without Lanus. It was why Ezalia had said nothing to Patrick about this inquiry into Creuset.

Since becoming the Supreme Council Chairman and even a little before that, Patrick had ordered things be done by the Committee and bypass Treize. There had been some on the Defense Committee that hadn't been comfortable with doing such. The issue was the number of doubts about Patrick, and his way of doing things was growing. It was one of the signs that ZAFT was straining and could split if things didn't improve with the council and ZAFT's military. If the leaker could be found and handled, perhaps things could be calmed down, and the Council could focus on working to end the war peacefully. So, Ezalia glanced at Lanus with his remark, "Lanus, I would hardly call the serious breaches of security as simple leaks. And for the Alliance to get ahold of that information is dangerous enough not to dismiss it as a minor problem," she insisted. "It was why we on the Defense Committee were willing to let you take over the investigation on the leaks."

Lanus wasn't treating the issue of the leaks as a minor problem. It was why he had OZI on the job for the last few months to track down evidence that would lead to the responsible individual(s). If anything, Lanus knew all too well what a threat loss of sensitive information to hostile forces. And so, with the Defense Committee as busy as it had been recently, they didn't have the personnel to do the investigation right now. Lanus had seen Patrick had been pushing people more lately than before. But he hadn't been able to meet with and ask Patrick why he was so forceful these days. It was unlike Lanus's friend to work people so hard for fruitless escapades. It had been hard for Lanus to watch as Patrick slipped into "madness," which seemed to plague him now. However, Lanus focused back on the present, "I have not treated this investigation as minor Ezalia, for I know it is not. Rest assured that those I have working on this, along with myself, have been working hard to settle this as efficiently as possible. The full report will detail the urgency and detail taken to ensure this is properly addressed. The Council and its committees will be free to review the work done to take care of the leaks happening." Lanus smiled slightly, "We in ZAFT try to help where we can with the governmental body being so busy these days."

Lanus turned back to focus back on Creuset as he was the target of this inquiry. In truth, Lanus was convinced that Creuset was the one leaking the evidence OZI agents had brought to him. Creuset had met with a known Alliance agent before Spitbreak when he shouldn't have been around JOSH-A. "Back to the reason you are here, Creuset," Treize stated, putting a hand to his chin, "Surely, Creuset, you can understand the threat leaks are to ZAFT. It is necessary to find the one responsible for the leak as soon as possible, so the threat is handled." Lanus paused for a moment, "If you are not responsible for the leaks, then you have nothing to worry about with this inquiry. We are here to discover the truth so that we can better uphold the interest of the PLANTs and its citizens."

All on the stand were focused on Creuset, who was internally sweating at the things he'd heard already. Rau had counted on the Defense Committee being bogged down enough that the investigation into leaks wouldn't be done seriously for a time. However, Treize had put him in jeopardy and at risk of being imprisoned at least. The Defense Committee had handed him the job and likely without telling the Council. And Treize hadn't been slacking off on it by what the man said, which didn't bode well for Creuset. If Treize's OZI team had been doing what they were assigned, Treize likely already had evidence potentially connecting Rau to the leaks. For when it came to it, Rau had been the one who had been supplying information to the Alliance. He had put forth the effort to make it appear others had done the point rather than him. Yet, if OZI personnel had been investigating the leaks, Rau's efforts may not be enough to fool them.

The saving grace that had both helped and protected Rau from scrutiny was he had others preventing such. Some on the Council and the Committees had stopped any attempt to look into Rau's activities. And not only that, such had prevented Rau from being held accountable for the things he'd done or been involved in. One of those had been Patrick Zala, and the man had been able to wave off or detract any trying to look into what he did. The man had been simple enough to manipulate over time to get him to agree with Rau's words. It had taken a tad longer to get Zala to trust him enough to listen to what he said over others. The blind trust Zala gave him had made advancement for Rau's plans better than he'd thought it would.

As Creuset didn't answer or reply to Treize's statement about this inquiry, Maria glared at the masked man. Rau Le Creuset was a man she had been trying to hold accountable for years now. Maria had brought cases against him, accused him of crimes she had reason to believe he had committed, but nothing had stuck. The man had gotten out of every case, every attempt to accuse him, which annoyed Maria. She firmly believed that none were above the law and that justice would prevail with those that did wrong being held accountable. And those like Creuset flew in the face of such a view and almost flaunted being able to avoid facing the consequences for the wrongs they committed. Maria wasn't the only Justice Department member who wanted to take down those like Creuset. And Creuset was a standing target that many of the Department's prosecutors wanted to nail.

Thus, when Lanus had asked for someone from the Justice Department, preferably a prosecutor, Maria had been curious. Upon asking what Lanus needed a prosecutor for, Maria had been somewhat stunned. She had heard rumors that some within ZAFT had been investigating the leaks they claimed were happening. Maria hadn't been really paying attention to the incidences which had been occurring. But Lanus said he was investigating the leaks certainly had Maria wondering how serious such was. As long as she'd known Lanus, Maria knew he didn't act without reason and purpose. His mentioning he was doing inquiries with some individuals potentially connected to the leaks had gotten Maria to listen harder. Lanus had said he wanted a skilled prosecutor to question some, stating some would need to be put under pressure. Maria had agreed to have some prosecutors available as needed for Lanus. All he would have to do was ask for one and give a place and a time. The inquiries had been different from what the two who had gone to help Lanus had said. The questioning had been firm and direct, which Maria appreciated when others weren't delicate in serious matters.

It had been two days ago that Lanus had asked for another prosecutor, Maria had asked who it was Lanus was questioning in the coming inquiry. The moment Lanus had said Creuset's name, Maria had stopped what she'd been doing and gave Lanus her complete attention as she questioned when and where Lanus told her the facts. Maria had personally told the man that she would be there herself to assist. Maria rearranged her schedule to ensure she could be present at this inquiry. With Treize questioning Creuset, Maria believed if there were ever a chance to nail Creuset, Lanus would make it possible. And with Creuset sweating, the masked man was worried about being here. It was an expression Maria had been waiting years to get from the man. "You being called here means you are a suspect, Creuset," Maria said flatly. "You should be familiar with the position. I've looked into you often enough; this time, you won't have others to give you a quick out." Maria folded her arms, "I certainly hope you have a good explanation for handling the information you were trusted with."

Lanus knew Maria had the wish to take down Creuset. She had made it clear over the years after taking leadership of the Justice Department. Maria and others had tried several times to arrest and convict Creuset. They had managed to arrest Creuset around half the time, but convictions had never been able to get the man. The woman was the kind of person who saw that the rules applied to everyone, no exception, and tried to enforce that. So, the woman had issues with Creuset but had been silent, mostly because Chairman Zala had said to drop the issue. It was the reason that Lanus felt Maria had volunteered to come to this inquiry herself. He had no issue with those here with him to question Creuset as they all had good skill and reason to be here. So, Lanus took a breath, "Let us begin the inquiry then." There was the sound of shuffling papers for a moment, then Treize spoke again. "Rau Le Creuset, your service record within the ZAFT military is good overall. However, you also have a history of questionable judgement and actions throughout it." Treize paused as he would give credit where it was due, "I will say that your performance speaks well enough of you."

Maria wouldn't leave it at the point with Creuset's good performance record. Not with the trouble she'd had with the man and his actions she had to deal with over the years. She knew Treize had his own experience dealing with the messes that Creuset caused or made worse. "I will not contradict your assessment Lanus," Maria began before glaring at Creuset, "But I will add that you, Creuset, are no angel nor good samaritan. You have been involved in questionable incidents over the year. If most others had been involved in what you have, they would've faced the consequences. Yet, you seem to slip out of them more often than not." Maria stopped for a moment, "However, in this instance, you were trusted with the information that happened to be leaked to the Alliance. And unless you can prove you weren't careless, you certainly fit the bill of the mole that I've heard about."

Ezalia sighed at Maria about accusing Creuset of being the mole. She'd heard that Maria had more than a chip when it came to Creuset. The rumor was more than half of the Justice Department had it in for Creuset, and they wanted to nail him for something. How Creuset had ticked off those in the Justice Department, Ezalia couldn't say. Ezalia didn't have anything personally against the masked man. She didn't appreciate the methods he resorted to as they tended to cause messes by the end. Her issue more came that Creuset didn't help with the "cleanup" others had to do that job. So, Ezalia focused her gaze on the masked man, "As Lanus said, you're held in high regard, Creuset. But many of us on the Defense Committee have frowned upon your use of unorthodox methods to accomplish your goals. With all that in mind, I would hope you've done what you have for ZAFT and the PLANTs and didn't give the Alliance information that has done ZAFT harm."

Rau could see he was in deeper water than he originally feared he was. Not only did Treize likely suspect he was involved in the leaks, but it sounded like he had implicated it to those here. Rau would still try to alleviate and deflect any accusations or implied crimes sent his way. "I can assure you, ma'am, my loyalty is to ZAFT and the PLANTs," Creuset answered firmly. "My actions during the war have always had the homeland's defense and protection in mind."

The response to the question of loyalty was almost generic to Treize, and it also seemed rehearsed. To Treize, it only helped the evidence he'd gotten from his Intel team, which implicated Creuset. Lanus would admit that the evidence against Creuset was hard to dismiss, especially the man's clear acquaintance of Muruta Azrael. But Lanus wouldn't just accuse another without blatant evidence, which proved the individual was guilty. Thus, Lanus decided to clarify things, "So then Creuset," he said, regaining the masked man's attention. "Perhaps, you could clarify something which had come up. Within the last year, you've made several trips to Earth, both on and off duty, correct?" Rau didn't like the path Treize was going down nor the implications that were being put out about him. It was getting far too close for comfort as Rau could see that Treize would be pointing towards the times he had met with Alliance personnel. And it was clear that Treize's OZI team had tracked his movements while he'd been on Earth. As if Rau needed more of a hint that Treize was nailing him, Treize continued. "During many of those trips, you did not spend it in friendly or neutral territory, but Earth Alliance territory by what gathered information states. So, why might that be?"

Rau knew that if OZI had been looking into him, they would likely discover his "ventures" into Alliance territory. He had come up with an excuse should any ask what he'd been doing in "enemy" territory. Rau had avoided such questions before now due to having others being blocked or waved off. However, Rau felt he wouldn't be able to get those here to move on to a different question than this one. Treize wasn't one to let one he was talking to avoid a subject he brought up, which was a frustrating quality of his. Yet, the time locked up on the Black Jade had given Rau time to think through specific responses. Rau took a breath, "A fair question, Admiral," Rau began, "I have good reasons for those trips. For several of them, I was contacting trusted informants who gave me intel on the Alliance's activities. I delivered the intel to the Defense Committee after leaving enemy territory to use it. Others I was visiting acquaintances who live in Earth Alliance areas."

There was muttering between the four on the stand aside from Lanus about Creuset's answer to the question. On the other hand, Lanus had expected some sort of excuse from Creuset for his activities in Alliance territory. His OZI agents had shown Creuset had been doing questionable things, and the man's attempt to get it waved off only strengthened the point he was at fault. And the most concerning "trip" had been before Spitbreak was to take place, which was suspicious. From what the agents had told him, it really appeared like Creuset was meeting with the Alliance's Muruta Azrael. The man was a leader of the Alliance and a known Coordinator hater as well. Should Creuset meet with such an individual, his loyalty had to be questioned. Thus, Lanus would be more direct and see how Creuset would respond to what was being asked. "And what was true of your trip to Earth in December of last year when you had some free time before starting an assignment?"

Treize's question was as pointed as possible without being specific about the subject. It told Rau that Treize's OZI agents had looked into that trip specifically, which was extremely bad for him. And if they had seen him meeting with Azrael, then Rau was essentially screwed in this hearing as that could be used to incriminate him. The path Treize was going down said he likely knew what Creuset had been doing in meeting with enemy forces. With Treize's logic, the man would connect the dots and see Rau had been working against ZAFT and the Alliance. So, Rau hesitated for a moment, thinking about what to say that wouldn't be used to condemn him. Treize would make sure he faced the consequences for his actions if none got him out of it. And there weren't any other four that Rau would've chosen to be in something like this. Treize wouldn't help him, even if he were "fair" in judgment, since he would go where the facts led. Joule might help him out of this, but it was just as likely she would side with Treize. Rau didn't know enough about the men here, so he didn't count on them to be of any assistance for him not to be nailed for his actions. Lotoths would be looking for a reason to convict him as she always did with the incidents he was involved in. And this hearing was a prime opportunity for the woman to have a chance to hit him with criminal charges.

Rau's outlook was grim with those questioning him, and there was little to help him change that. Treize would drill down to his meeting with Azrael and wouldn't allow lies to pass. And when it came to that, Rau would be branded a traitor and charged as such. Even if Chairman Zala tried to intervene, he would have to have most of the Supreme Council backing him. Rau didn't think more than half of the Council would help in that should they look at the evidence. Those on the Judicial Committee would side with Lotoths, and many on the Administration Committee would follow them. Thus, if this inquiry ran its course, Rau would end out imprisoned, never to see the light of day again. So, Rau swallowed, "Like with my other trips, the one to Alaska was to gather intel for ZAFT operations."

There was the scratching of writing utensils being used while Lanus paused at Rau's answer. Lanus had expected Creuset to dance around his questions about his activities on Earth. OZI agents had brought troublesome evidence on the man, giving just as worrisome implications. Creuset had been seen with Alliance and OMNI agents while on Earth and was left to his own devices. After those incidents, problems came for ZAFT, both quiet and non-quiet. There had been disappearances and even assassinations after Creuset had met with enemy agents. Evidence implied Creuset had given sensitive information to the enemy, which had gotten others killed. Whether the masked man admitted the point or not, nothing he'd said contradicted the standing evidence against him. Treize continued with his questioning, "Then tell me, Creuset, and you were to land at Victoria and then report to Carpentaria a few days later. And yet, you left Victoria and didn't show up to Carpentaria until a week after you were supposed to. Between leaving Victoria and arriving at Carpentaria, you traveled to Alaska by information gathered. And specifically, you went around JOSH-A when you claimed you were visiting an acquaintance on the west coast of the Atlantic Federation, according to your itinerary. Why would you lie about your intended destination and then go to such a place, Creuset?"

As Rau feared, OZI had dug into where he went during one of the times that he wasn't required to be on assignment. They hadn't taken the itinerary as truth, and they had looked further and found out he'd been around JOSH-A. If OZI had tracked him to JOSH-A, they would likely have found out he had been meeting with Azrael. It was possible that Treize could connect him to the leak of Spitbreak's target to the Alliance. Treize would expect a leak with there being a cyclops system as it would take time to put in place. Rau was running out of possible excuses and ways to redirect suspicion from him to others. Creuset had just said that his acquaintance had delayed him, and most at Carpentaria had accepted that. But Rau felt Treize didn't buy that and would keep questioning him until he caught him in the lies he was using. Yet, Rau thought of a way to wave off him being around JOSH-A potentially. So, Creuset bowed to those on the stand, "I apologize for my conduct during that time. Saying I was seeing and an acquaintance was covered to make contact with an informant. They told me they had critical information on the Alliance's plans but needed to deliver it in person. The informant is a double agent I discovered more than a year ago and have been working with. They were at JOSH-A at the time, working as an Alliance communication worker. With the urgency they were implying there was, I figured it was best to see what data they had."

In Lanus's opinion, the response seemed a tad desperate, though it was possible. However, OZI reported that Creuset had met with Azrael, which stood out. If it wasn't for that, Treize might be willing to accept the explanation with further facts. And with the Alliance having a cyclops system in place at JOSH-A, what Creuset said didn't fit. It would have taken four to five months to install a system of the size required for what happened in Spitbreak. Yet, it was becoming obvious that Creuset was doing what he could to blame himself. Plus, there were other things to discuss in this inquiry, so the fact OZI had found could be brought up later. So, Treize hummed, "I see, well, should that be the case, let us move on then since there is still more to cover."

Rau let out a held breath, with Treize not drilling further upon his trip to JOSH-A. He didn't believe it would be the end of the issue. Treize was too stubborn to let go of something he felt was important or had caused serious problems. But Rau would take a break from his meeting with Azrael for the moment as he was sweating about that. So, Rau prepared for whatever Treize would question him about next. Treize continued after picking up a paper, "During Operation Spitbreak, the final reports strongly suggest you discovered OMNI had the cyclops system set up under the base before it was activated. It also states you made it into the base and had the chance to look around before returning to the sub you were assigned to." Treize paused for a moment and gazed at Creuset, "However, I read no mention of you informing any other officers or even the mission commander about the system."

Lanus knew Creuset had issues with other officers before now and had done "questionable" things to clarify that. And while having disagreements with fellow officers was expected from time to time within ZAFT, not helping in crisis was unacceptable. If it could be proven, keeping information back to get others killed was a serious crime. "I can understand that one might not get along with fellow officers, but not to mention such a critical fact." Treize stopped and just gazed at Creuset, "It is as if you wanted for a good portion of the brave men and women in our forces to die." Treize brought a hand up to his chin, "You should know, as other officers do, that intentional action that leads to allies dying is a serious crime within ZAFT."

If there was ever a strike against Rau, this was a big one. With ZAFT protocol as it was, if one's actions intentionally got allies killed, then Treize took that seriously. If charges were needed, the Justice Department would be called upon. The Council would have nothing to do with the proceedings, nor would the Defense Committee. It was the system ZAFT used, and it had worked well for years which was why it wasn't questioned. And Treize wasn't wrong that Rau had not said anything about the cyclops system to the mission commander. Rau had wanted many ZAFT soldiers to die so the Council would have reasons to retaliate against the Alliance. And the way Spitbreak had gone had given the results Rau had wanted as more aggressive responses had been taken. However, being called out on not saying anything with Treize, implying he had known about the system, made Rau look very guilty.

Ezalia didn't like what Creuset had been saying in this inquiry thus far. His visit to this "double agent" seemed extremely suspicious, especially with it being around JOSH-A. Treize seemed to know more about what Creuset had been doing but hadn't gone into detail. She hoped Lanus would reveal more about that incident later as Ezalia wanted to know more. However, when Treize stated Creuset knew about the cyclops system at JOAH-A and yet said nothing, Ezalia became more worried. The protocol was clear in such a situation, Creuset should have reported the find to the mission commander. That the masked man didn't was a potential crime worthy of a court marshall for any soldier. And this was the man which Patrick had been putting a great deal of trust in lately. Patrick had been asking for information from Creuset lately rather than getting reports from those like Lanus. Ezalia gazed at Creuset in growing horror, "Is this true, Creuset? Did you discover the cyclops and say nothing about it to anyone else, knowing what it would do when activated?"

The things Maria had been hearing in this inquiry hadn't surprised her in some ways but did tick her off in others. Creuset's past actions had shown her that the man was the kind that cared only about themselves and their goals. They felt themselves above the law and rules, which Maria detested and took pleasure in taking down. That Creuset had not only possibly interacted with an enemy agent but had also gotten allies intentionally killed didn't surprise Maria. It confirmed that the man was only working for himself as she'd expected from him. Thus, Lotoths huffed, "I knew you were something else, Creuset," she began, "But you are good at proving you can do worse. Yet another example of one of your biggest shortcomings," she said coldly, drawing Creuset's attention. "Your loyalty as you've claimed is to ZAFT, is in reality, to yourself first and foremost." Maria folded her arms and glared at the masked man, "Rest assured, I want more answers so I can pin you with the proper charges for what you've done."

Lanus took time to calm the others with their outcries at being told Creuset had left allies to die. He could understand their concern and fears with the facts they had heard already of Creuset's actions. The man had done dangerous things to those around him and ZAFT's standing and situation. Rau was sweating while Treize was calming the other four down. Treize was still in control and worried Rau more than the threats Lotoths had sent him. The man had influence in ZAFT, which could trump Zala in certain situations. But Rau kept himself calm and didn't let the panic in him show as Treize turned back to him. "Creuset, during your December visit to that informant, did you happen to make any reference in any way to Operation Spitbreak, even if indirectly?" Treize paused, "The target was originally meant to be Panama, and it was believed OMNI was convinced it. However, with a Cyclops system of the size there installed, it implies that they found out that JOSH-A was the real target and had known for a number of months."

Creuset felt the first drops of sweat forming as Treize asked the question. It said OZI had seen his meeting with Azrael and likely had reported it to Treize. And the question literally cornered Creuset and gave him no excuse to use to cover for his actions. Anything he said could be used to connect him to the Alliance. That connection would lead to charges of treason which he couldn't have waved off without the Council majority siding with him. His plans would still likely continue as they were and end with what he wanted. But there were still too many factors to guarantee that outcome to Rau's satisfaction. And as the silence stretched out, Rau knew if he said nothing, he would answer Treize without words. Should he give some sort of answer, Rau would be doomed to be accused of wrongdoing. He was screwed if he spoke and was doomed to stay silent.

At the same time, Patrick Zala rushed to the ZAFT office complex. Some had told him Creuset had been brought back to the PLANTs by the Black Jade. That had been odd, but Patrick wouldn't complain as he needed a report from Creuset, and the sooner, the better. However, he'd been informed that Creuset had been escorted to the ZAFT office complex. It had been odd that Treize had ordered it for some "inquiry." Patrick had heard something about Treize doing inquiries but hadn't looked into it further. The man managed the ZAFT forces and ensured things got done, all that was needed. However, yesterday Patrick had been told that Treize had been doing the investigation into the leaks that the Defense Committee was supposed to be doing. Patrick wouldn't care that Treize was doing the job if the investigation wasn't a priority. However, the leaks were to stop, and the Defense Committee was to get that done, not Treize.

With all that was going on, Patrick wouldn't waste time getting Treize to mind his business. He would've had some from the Defense Committee deliver the message to Treize and move on. Yet, as Treize was questioning Creuset at this time, Patrick would personally set the man straight. Creuset was needed for far more important things than some sort of foolish inquiry. Plus, there was no need to investigate Creuset, his work was important and trusted. Thus, Patrick was in a bad mood with this unneeded job he had to do. He had better things to be doing to protect the PLANTs from the cursed Naturals. So, when he busted into the lobby of the main complex, he ignored the female soldier at the reception desk. Patrick grabbed the first soldier he encountered beyond the lobby and demanded they take him to where the inquiry was taking place. The soldiers that joined the one Patrick had grabbed told him that Admiral Treize was holding the inquiry and was to be left alone. Patrick glared at the soldiers and told them to take him where the inquiry was being held.

In the inquiry room, Lanus was about to ask Creuset if he had anything to say for himself but was interrupted. Noise from outside the room grew in volume, drawing attention away from Creuset. Lanus had told the staff to do what they could to ensure the inquiry was not disturbed or interrupted. Then the doors burst open, revealing Patrick Zala with three soldiers flanking him. Frankly, Lanus hadn't expected Patrick to pop up during this inquiry. Patrick was rather busy with how involved the Council was in the war these days. From what Ezalia had mentioned, Patrick was heavily involved with events and seemed to be having issues with stress. It was one of the reasons that Lanus had offered to help the Defense Committee, to relieve some of the stress. Patrick was a friend, after all, Lanus was always willing to help a friend with problems.

On the other hand, Rau smiled internally at Zala's appearance. It was the miracle he needed to get out of his current situation. Zala could get this to end before Rau was charged, and it became much harder for him to get out of things. If the inquiry had gone the whole way, the Council couldn't have done a great deal to help him. And with how Lotoths was on him, she wouldn't have let the Council help him without a fight. But with Zala here now, there was a high chance he would stop this and bail Rau out.

Patrick scanned the room and took in the five that were on the stand and Creuset in the chair at the center of the room. On the stand was a man from the Legislative Committee, and another was from the Administrative Committee. There was also Ezalia to Treize's left and Maria Lotoths to the man's right. None of the four should be here as there was plenty of work to do for all of them. If they had time for this farce, they had time to work for their Committees or departments. Creuset was needed for far more important things to see that Patrick had for him to do. "What is the meaning of this," Patrick demanded Zala, "Why is this occurring when there is more to be done to win the war?!"

Lanus was a tad surprised to see his friend Patrick down here and at ZAFT's office complex. It was rare for Patrick to come down here instead of sending a messenger to deliver whatever Patrick wanted. So, it had been a while since Lanus had seen Patrick since he'd been busy with recent events as the Chairman. However, Patrick interrupting the inquiry implied that he may demand Creuset be let go. The evidence against Creuset was mounting to implicate him as the mole. But if Patrick took Creuset, Lanus feared the man wouldn't be punished or even barred sensitive information. Dangerous information had already been lost due to Creuset's actions, and if not stopped, there would be more.

It was one of the things that worried Lanus as much for his friend Patrick's well-being as anything else. He'd seen Patrick's descent into the madness he was swimming in these days. Watching the descent had been painful for Lanus since he cared about his friend. Patrick had once been a good man with a view of a bright future for the human race, not just part of it but as a whole. But then Bloody Valentine occurred, and Patrick had become the shadow of the man he'd been before. Lanus had been trying to help Patrick as he could, yet nothing he'd done had helped Patrick. Instead of arguing with Patrick, Lanus stood up and bowed, "Patrick, what a nice surprise for you to take the time to visit," he said in a friendly tone. "With all the responsibilities you have taken on as of late, my friend, it has to be hard to make the time."

Patrick glared at Lanus, focusing on the man responsible for this whole event. Treize was stepping out of the bounds his position had and causing unneeded issues. He was supposed to make sure ZAFT forces had what they needed to do the tasks the Defense Committee handed them. The time Treize ran ZAFT had come to an end as he wasn't willing to put the Alliance in its place. It was why the Defense Committee was giving out orders and organizing operations now rather than Treize. "Lanus, what is going on here," he growled, "There are other things to be done."

The "question" Patrick growled hurt a bit for Lanus to hear as it said more without words than the words themselves did. Once, a bond of trust between Lanus and Patrick had been a part of their friendship. They would help one another to protect the dream of Coordinators having a place in the Human race and being seen as equals. And yet, Patrick now was similar to those he had sworn he'd stand up against. He saw Coordinators were a new race, the next step of "Human evolution." Patrick had stated clearly that Naturals were scum and must be wiped clean from the human race. And he had made ZAFT's fight just that, the vendetta to destroy Naturals. It fit the description recently given by Ellen Blass on her label "humankind's true enemy." But Lanus didn't want to give up on Patrick and accept that he had lost his way. So, Lanus smiled, "With you being so busy these days, I thought I could help look into the leaks that have been happening. The Defense Committee has been stressed with all the tasks they have been getting lately. Thus, I offered them to let me handle the issue of the leaks and the one responsible for them. They were willing to have me do the job and thanked me for taking a bit of the weight off their shoulders. I would think it would also put your mind at ease, for I have been doing a thorough job of tracking down the mole we seem to have. Tis what a friend does, eases the burden of his companion, is it not?"

Patrick had been specific with the instructions to the Defense Committee regarding the leaks. They were to have Section 2 look into the problem and hunt down the one responsible. They had been reporting Clyne could be and likely was the one leaking, though they were still gathering evidence. The Defense Committee hadn't accepted that overall, but Patrick had ignored those griping about Clyne being a "good person." The leaker case had been all but closed and should be moved on from. Yet Treize was still digging into something unnecessary now. So, Patrick's expression became one of growing irritation, "That won't be necessary, I have others looking into the issue, Treize. So let them do your job properly and not interfere with others."

With what the inquiry had already uncovered with Creuset, Maria wasn't about to let it end just because another said so. Zala had gotten Creuset out of investigation before this, which had frustrated Maria. While on the Defense Committee, Maria had less of a way to claim Zala was Obstruct Justice. However, now that Zala was Chairman of the Supreme Council, that changed things if he stepped in. The Chairman of the Council was not to impede or interfere with an investigation of the Justice Department. That was made clear in the governing documents the PLANTs used to define law. And Maria wouldn't just let Zala bail out Creuset when she essentially had a solid case against him. Thus she stood up, "On the contrary, Chairman, I would disagree. This inquiry thus far has brought facts to light that need more investigation into Creuset's activities."

Rau stopped himself from flinching at Lotoths speaking out against the Chairman. While she wasn't normally a threat to Creuset, if she could get a case against him, then she would be. Before, when Zala had been on the Defense Committee, he could block Lotoths from opening investigations against him. But with Zala being the Chairman now, Lotoths had a bit more power to call out Zala and stop him from blocking her. Lotoths continued, "Should you break up this inquiry, Chairman, and I will not let that stand. Such an action can and will be considered an obstruction of justice by the department. With your time as the Chairman, I would hope you understand how serious an offense such is. You have read the governing documents the PLANTs have, so you know interfering with an investigation of the Justice Department can be a crime."

Patrick ignored Maria's statement as he wasn't interested in hearing anything she had to say. The woman currently running the Justice Department was more annoyed with Patrick than he tolerated. She ran the department well enough to keep things moving smoothly that he ignored their griping. Patrick had more important things to do than listen to the woman's ramblings. "This farce is to end, and all of you are to return to your duties immediately," Patrick ordered. "If you have time for such things like this to waste time on, you can do needed work." Creuset walked out of the room behind Patrick Zala, and the doors closed behind them.

Patrick's reaction to the inquiry was troubling in Lanus's eyes. The inquiry was important as Lanus was more sure now that Creuset was the mole. And his friend was now facing potential obstruction of justice charges from the Justice Department. That would split the council if things came to that, which was the last thing ZAFT needed right now. And yet, Lanus didn't want to lie or hide the truth from those here about Creuset. So, Lanus exhaled heavily, which drew the attention of the other four, "This is an unfortunate turn of events. I fear Creuset is manipulating Patrick and leading him on into further madness. To what end, I can't guess yet," he said, "But none of the possibilities I can see are good ones."

Maria turned to face Lanus at the statements he had just put out. It implied Lanus knew facts about Creuset that he hadn't mentioned yet. She hoped that Lanus would share the information he had been holding back. And it wasn't that she blamed him for holding back, for she didn't doubt that he had his reason. But for him to claim Creuset was manipulating the Chairman was bold and troubling. "What makes you say Creuset is manipulating the Chairman, Lanus," Maria asked. "It could explain a few things, but I would need more than just your word to run with such a thing."

Lanus put his hands together, "Creuset has been getting more special assignments than most officers other than the Champions get." Lanus paused, "When I inquire as to why all I get told is that he is the best fit for the job. I had OZI dig into the point further, and they reported to me that such was untrue."

Ezalia nodded, "That is much the same explanation I received when I asked why Creuset was being chosen as often as he was. The only other thing mentioned was that the Chairman would request him to be put on the missions."

Lanus hummed, "And whenever something happens and a mess results, Creuset never gets blamed even when I tried to hold him accountable for some incidents. That is what makes me suspect Creuset is manipulating Patrick and others to cover for him. His actions have made it clear that he is the source of the leaks that have happened."

Maria blinked at the accusations that Lanus was making about Creuset. And she didn't doubt he had proof of the point which she would love nothing more to have. Maria planned to bring charges against Creuset even if Zala barked not to. Should she have a more solid case, the Council would side with her and override Zala. "I assume you have proof of your suspicions, Lanus," Maria said. "Rest assured that any proof I can get will help me nail Creuset and stop him from doing more damage."

Lanus sighed, knowing what he was about to tell those there would likely set others against them. Creuset's meeting with Azrael was about as damning as any of his actions as it showed he was working with the enemy. Spitbreak had occurred the way it did due to Creuset giving information to Azrael. And it was even possible that Creuset had met with the Alliance at L4 while pursuing the Eternal. OZI was currently looking into that possibility and seeing what damage could've been done. "Creuset was lying about his activities in Alaska, and he was not seeing an informant as he claims," Treize remarked. "He gave information to an enemy agent, which resulted in Spitbreak's results."

It was Ezalia's turn to blink with disbelief at Lanus's statement. If true, Creuset was guilty of treason and needed to be apprehended as quickly as possible. However, Ezalia would need proof that was essentially unquestionable to accuse Creuset and have enough on her side to take him in. "Do you have physical proof of that, Lanus," Ezalia asked? "If I could see it, I would convince others, and we would take Creuset. Should he be the mole as you say, then I'm all for stopping him before more damage is done."

Treize input a command, and a display screen lit up on the right side of the room. The video which began playing was the one OZI had taken of the event in Alaska involving Creuset. It showed around JOSH-A's interior, appearing to be waiting for someone to meet him. A moment later, Creuset was approached by a man in a business suit, and the two began to talk. Lanus paused the video and zoomed in on the man in the business suit. "The man Creuset is talking to is named Muruta Azrael. He is the director of the Alliance National Defense Industry Association. He is also the current leader of the anti-Coordinator Organization Blue Cosmos. OZI agents recorded this when they were tracking Creuset upon my orders. For him to meet with an Alliance leader is troubling. And I can only conclude that Creuset told Azrael about Spitbreak, which ended up getting many killed. Logically, I can only wonder how long Creuset had been giving information and getting the same from the Alliance. But in the end, it is clear that Creuset isn't acting in the best interest of the PLANTs as he claims."

Lanus resumed the video, and Creuset was seen giving a storage disk to Azrael. Maria couldn't agree more with Lanus about Creuset after seeing the video. Creuset had betrayed ZAFT and the PLANTs and would do so if left to his own devices. She now had the proof that she needed to charge and prosecute Creuset and win the case. If the Chairman stood in her way of that, she would charge him with obstruction of justice. There was a somber silence after Lanus's remarks, but Maria spoke after a minute. "I've seen enough," she stated. "There is enough evidence to arrest and prosecute the man on several charges, the foremost being treason." Maria paused, "I may have my grudge against the man, I didn't wish to believe he'd gone so far when you came to me. But the evidence presented is a far more telling accounting of events than what comes out of Creuset's mouth." Maria rose and bowed to Lanus, "Forgive me if I seem abrupt, but there is work to do, and it needs to be done with haste, good day."

Maria left the room after that, and Lanus had no doubt she would get the Justice Department to work on arresting Creuset. The other three bid farewell to Treize and left the room as well. Lanus stayed in his seat, contemplating facts as they stood and what would be the best action for him to take. The change that had occurred in Patrick over the last year had been problematic. And with the recent events, Creuset had gained "unwavering faith" from Patrick and others. That was far more dangerous than ignorance of what a subordinate was doing when sending them out. The way those in control of the Council were deciding things only came with a path forward that looked bleaker and darker than at the beginning of this war. Patrick was hell-bent on harming some sort of Earth as much as he could. Unfortunately, that would come back to harm the PLANTs and likely end in the homeland's destruction.

Lanus couldn't in good conscience sit by and do nothing while his friend, who had lost his way, did something worse that the event that took his wife from him. So, with that in mind, Lanus made his way out of the room to get things in motion. With Patrick having authority that could officially overrule Lanus's own with ZAFT, Lanus knew it was best to vanish. Patrick would do something to try and get Lanus out of the way and out of the picture. However, Lanus had come up with a protocol for a situation such as he faced now. He'd designed it if the Council ever took control through the committees and went down a dark path. And if ZAFT wasn't going a dark path currently, Lanus couldn't see how it could get much darker. He may wish he didn't have to resort to the protocol, which would put the homeland in a worse position, but it was more dangerous to do nothing.

The protocol was known as "Final Order 66," and only Lanus could initiate the order. The Defense Committee had no idea it existed, nor did the Supreme Council. It was given to officers and captains once it was clear they could be trusted, and they had shown they wanted to protect the homeland above anything else. It was made clear in the message given to the officers to say nothing about the order to any on the Defense Committee or the council. The order told said officers that things had come to the point those loyal to the homeland had to take matters into their own hands. The ZAFT military would be split, and those who knew what needed to be done would take orders from Lanus himself and ignore all others. The Council couldn't be trusted to protect the homeland anymore with their actions. The war was being used for their wish to kill Naturals, which wouldn't end for the PLANTs.

Thus, Lanus took his trusted aids to tell everyone in the offices to pack things up but do so subtly. It would be best none suspect he and those at the ZAFT offices were moving elsewhere and vanishing from the rest. He also sent his order over encrypted channels so that the process of separation could begin. Lanus also sent a message to those at the dock his personal ship was docked at to prepare it to leave. Those at the Salong would make sure none would discover the ship being loaded or leaving. The transfer of personnel and supplies comminuted unnoticed and uninterrupted as time progressed.

Meanwhile, as days passed by since the inquiry that Treize had run, things moved as they had before. The inquiry was never mentioned by the media or by any of the Committees. The message had gone around that Treize had been overstepping his bounds and to ignore him. Patrick's grip on the Council and the Committees was close to absolute. And he made sure all focused on the ongoing war rather than any investigation going on with an individual.

Ezalia Joule didn't speak of what had happened at the inquiry with Lanus. She kept her head down within the Defense Committee, so Patrick didn't target her. Ezalia could see Patrick was taking out those that spoke out against him or his orders. And while she may disagree with Patrick on several things he said or believed about the war, she knew things could be worse. The facts that Lanus had put forth nagged in the back of her mind. He had made a good case that Creuset was the mole and a traitor, which was hard to argue with. But Patrick wouldn't listen to anything said against Creuset. However, Ezalia had more than enough to work on, as did the rest of the Defense Committee. She wasn't given time to wonder about why Patrick trusted Creuset so much that he would not look at facts.

Maria Lotoths, on the other hand, didn't stay silent nor was idle after the inquiry. She went straight to work on making a case against Creuset. Other Justice Department members assisted Maria in the task as the masked man had been a target most of them wanted to take down. And with evidence that could put away Creuset given by Lanus, Maria wasn't going to waste the opportunity. With all her years working in the Justice Department, she had put away a number of criminals, but Creuset was one that had consistently wormed his way out of facing the consequences of his actions. Maria would nail the masked man this time and make sure that none could bail the man out of facing Justice! She openly admitted that she had a problem with Rau Le Creuset, but people like him got her into the legal stage, to begin with. Maria disliked those who did whatever the hell they felt like and then didn't face ANY of the repercussions that anyone else would.

While the case would be simple enough to build, it was anything but easy or simple. The workload of the Justice Department had become heavier as of late. Maria felt the workload was not just increasing due to cases coming their way. She suspected that half the cases the department was getting were being sent to them to "keep" them busy. The Council's actions didn't help, and it was creating more cases for the Justice Department to deal with. So, while Maria wanted to take down Creuset, she wouldn't let her grudge against Creuset blind her. The Justice Department needed her leadership and management more than she felt the need to take down Creuset. Her duties took priority, and she could be patient in taking down Creuset.

Maria had revolutionized the Justice Department and how it ran since she took over its head. She had overhauled the Department's processes and redid several of them to get things in order. Before Maria took the helm, cases with the Justice Department took weeks to process. After she was done with the cleanup and reorganization, they took days at most for the majority of cases to be worked through. There were no longer backlogs that the other Committees complained about. The Administrative and Legislative Committees had been grateful for Maria's changes. She had improved the Justice Department's reputation in the two years she'd been running it, and she didn't intend to change.

Maria reviewed the list of standing cases the department had to work on. Once the list was cleared, Maria would have some focus on Creuset and taking him down. With the cases on the list, Maria felt they could be cleared before the end of the day. As long as there weren't notable interruptions, things would move along smoothly. But as if Maria's thoughts about interruptions were a signal, the door to her office opened. When Maria glanced up, she was kind of surprised to see Chairman Zala. He was involved with Creuset, so if he was here for that, he was interfering with something he shouldn't. The man was enough of a problem with how he ran the Council. His actions made more work for her and the rest of the Justice Department. "Chairman Zala, this is a rare sight for you to come to my office personally," Maria greeted. "You usually send someone else to deliver instructions from you for whatever you think you need from us."

"Well, yes, but I'm here to have you do something rather specific," Chairman Zala replied. Patrick came forward and placed a small pile of papers in front of Maria.

Maria stared at Zala for a moment, then glanced down at the papers he had put on her desk. The title said it was a form to make a case against someone, which got her a bit curious. Maria picked up the top page and scanned the form to see what Zala wanted the department to do. The form Maria looked over was one to charge one with treason, a rare crime for the Justice Department to have a case for even these days. For a split second, Maria thought perhaps the Chairman had finally seen reason. Should this form be to charge Creuset with treason, Maria would be more than willing to do that right away. However, the hope was momentary as Maria scanned down the form and she took in what was on it. At the bottom of the form was the name Lanus Treize which didn't make sense.

Of all people, for Zala to accuse of treason, Lanus was the last one to be expected. Lanus had done more ZAFT than any other individual, and the man had made the organization what it was today. For any to consider charging Treize with betraying the PLANTs was absurd by any standard. The only reason Maria could even fathom charging Treize was to try and get rid of him. The odd thing was Zala should know getting rid of Treize would come with serious issues. The man held ZAFT together even during hard times; if he disappeared, ZAFT would suffer. Instead of questioning what this form was about, Maria just scanned it over again, incredulous at what was on it. If she didn't know Zala lacked a sense of humor, she would ask if this was some kind of sick joke. Maria put the page down and gazed at Chairman Zala, "If I weren't aware you have little to no sense of humor, I would think you were trying to pull some sort of joke with this form. Maria narrowed her eyes, "So, what are you trying to do with this form, Chairman?"

"As the form states, you are to arrest Lanus Treize for the crime of treason," Chairman Zala replied.

Maria knew the top page of the form wouldn't stand up in even a preliminary examination by any prosecutor. And she looked at the accompanying pages with the initial form of what crime was to be charged. She found a ridiculous string of obviously false lies on the pages after the first one. The lies were so blatantly wrong that Maria could disprove them in less than a minute. Look into Lanus's service record; pretty much every lie would be shown as false. Lanus was one of the most decorated and exonerated military officers ZAFT had, and almost every officer would say that. It only implied further that Zala was trying to get rid of Lanus for one reason or another. The slander that Zala was attempting to hoist on Lanus was beyond foolish.

Maria, for a moment, thought about exploding at the Chairman and demanded to know what he was doing. It would be rightly deserved, and the man was not using his brain in any real way with what he'd handed her. But Maria felt lashing out wouldn't help this at all. Zala was here to try and use the Justice Department in a way he had no power. So, Maria was reining in her anger as she put down the rest of the pages. "Tell me, Chairman," she started evenly, "what do you think the purpose of the Justice Department is?"

"The Justice Department is to arrest criminals, and so you have one. These forms show you that the job needs to be done," Zala returned.

The answer was almost generic, and that frustrated Maria further. Zala was framing the view of the Justice Department being some type of attack dogs for the Council. That wasn't what the Justice Department was, it was for upholding law and holding people accountable to them. Maria picked up the pile of papers Zala had brought, "If you truly believe that bringing criminals to justice is our job, then you wouldn't bring such garbage here to this department or me," she barked. "This form is beyond a poorly written insult, Chairman," she snapped, taking the pages and throwing them into the trash. "Yet, claiming you know the purpose of this department, you come here and tell me to charge someone of treason? And instead of pinning such a crime on one who deserves that, you would have me do such on the one who deserves it the least! Lanus Treize, a man that has a record that few can say something bad about, you want charged with treason. You also supply "evidence" that is ridiculous and, for the majority of it, clearly false!"

Maria took a breath to calm down before she continued, "Let me state this so that you understand, sir. The Justice Department is not the Supreme Council's attack dogs for you to sick on whoever disagrees with your views or intentions. The department upholds the laws the PLANTs have and oversees legal matters when the need arises. We are autonomous from the Council since we also ensure council members don't violate the laws. So, I cannot and will not accuse Lanus Treize of treason as I know he has committed nothing of the sort. You will have to provide solid evidence, not the drivel written on this form, even to have me think about accusing someone of treason. If you don't, chairman, I will charge you with both obstruction of justice and abuse of authority before the end of the day. Then I'll see you removed from your position as these actions show you are clearly unfit for it!"

Chairman Zala wasn't happy with what Maria told or threatened him, leaving in a huff. Maria noted Zala's reaction and knew it wasn't the end of the issues she had with Patrick Zala. And it wasn't more than a few minutes later that Maria's deputy attorney, Charles Manning came into her office. The man was a friend that had joined the department around the same time Maria had. The two had become a team that quickly rose within the department to their positions. Charles smiled, "I assume whatever the Chairman came to have the department do wasn't something we would normally do then, chief," Charles asked. "He certainly appeared displeased as he was leaving."

With how she had refused the Chairman, Maria was sure the man would target her. Never mind the work she had put into the Justice Department and improving it. Zala did not see reason anymore, and he was too much of a radical to have any. Thus, Maria sighed, "That's putting it mildly, Charles," She replied. "Honestly, I'll be amazed and shocked if, by tomorrow, I'm not relieved of my position as Director and Chief Attorney of the Justice Department."

Charles thought for a moment that Maria was making some sort of joke about the Chairman. But after a moment and Maria's expression did not change, he realized she was being serious. Maria believed the Chairman would relieve her as head of the department by tomorrow. It was horrible to think about since Maria had made the Justice Department what it was now. The staff wouldn't stand for it and would go on strike in a heartbeat should Maria be removed. So, Charles Manning gawked a bit as he saw that the woman he respected and was glad he worked with wasn't joking. "Chief, are you really serious," he questioned without stopping himself.

"With the reaction the chairman gave when I told him that the Justice Department isn't the attack dogs he can send after those he commands, yes, Charles, I'm serious." Maria shook her head, "I wouldn't doubt I'll be removed from being Chief Attorney soon." She exhaled, "I'm just saddened things have come to this point, and none do anything to stop this."

Even should Maria be removed from her position, it wouldn't change the answer from any in the department. The Chairman would receive the same answer from any staff, and they weren't attack dogs for others. So, Charles raised his hands and rubbed his temples, "That won't change things, I'm of the same mind when it comes to the purpose of the Justice Department. That means that Chairman Zala will do the same for me as well. Without either of us, I doubt any others would come to work. In fact, I know they would go on strike if we both get removed."

Maria was about to agree, but then at the thought of the stated situation. Apparently, Chairman Zala had forgotten how much the Justice Department did for the Council. She chuckled, "Well, perhaps it would do the current chairman and the other members of the council good to understand just how much we in the Justice Department do to help govern the PLANTs. And I can think of little better way than for the department to shut down to get that across. Plus, I'm a tad curious about how much the chairman knows of the laws. For if he knows as little as I believe he does, the chaos he's dealing with now will become much worse rather quickly."

The next day, as had been predicted, a group of soldiers came into the Justice Department to relieve Maria Lotoths of her position as Chief Attorney. A day later, Charles Manning went through the same experience as refusing to accuse Treize of the crime of treason. Due to these actions, the rest of those who worked in the Justice Department refused to go to work. This caused the Justice Department as a whole to come to a standstill and stop functioning.

And as the days went by, Lanus and all of those in ZAFT offices slipped away to the Salong's dock. Lanus was in the last group that vanished from the office complex into unused corridors. Two staff members approached Lanus after coming to the Salong's docking area. "Admiral," said the female, "things are going according to plan. The Salong is fully supplied, and the crew is onboard waiting for your arrival." Lanus nodded in response, "Very good, have our agents gotten in place to make an exit unnoticed?"

The male staff member nodded, "Yes, Admiral," they replied. "Everything is in place for the Salong to leave, and none be aware of it. However, there has been a development in the last twenty-four hours." Lanus gestured for the man to continue, and they did, "Mrs. Lotoths was relieved of duty hours ago. From information, her deputy will go through the same in the next twenty-four hours. There are rumors that the Justice Department is threatening to shut down if that happens."

Lanus knew if the Justice Department shut down, it would have a cascading effect and hit the council hard. Maria had done an amazing job shaping and improving the Justice Department over her two years as its head. And when the department went down, all their work would be piled on to the Legislative Committee and the Administration Committee. That would, in turn, bog down the rest and make the council much less effective as a whole. However, Lanus doubted that would change Patrick's leadership, just slow him down. That would cause Patrick to be frustrated and blame all for being too slow. It was a bad situation coming, but there was nothing Lanus could do to help in that, not with Patrick wanting him out of the picture. Lanus shook his head, "There is little we can do to affect those events," he stated. "Make sure our agents keep their eyes and ears open while not being found out. We will need to keep in the loop and know what is happening around the homeland."

The two staff members nodded and went separate ways as Lanus came into the main docking area. Waiting in the dock was the ship that Lanus commanded exclusively and had been involved in its design. The Salong-class ZAFT command battleship, the only one of its kind, was three-hundred-fifty meters in length and was red overall. Its shape was similar to the FFMH-Y101 Eternal, with the central ship length being connected to a wing structure at the back section. The armaments included three duel barrel high-energy beam turrets, a 150mm cannon, two plasma cannons, twenty missile launchers, and a total of fifteen CIWS 60 mm turrets, which were spread over the ship for defense. The 150mm cannon was below the bridge in the center of the ship, the bridge being in the upper central section above where the engines were located. The missile launchers were set in the wings, ten on each side of the center. Two of the three high-energy beam turrets were on the top of the center section, one towards the front of the ship and the other above the 150mm cannon. The third beam turret was on the underside of the center of the ship towards the nose of the vessel. The two plasma cannons were mounted in the pontoon on either end of the wings. The Salong could carry up to eight mobile suits and had two catapults that were on either side of the center on the underside of the ship. This vessel was a self-contained command center with the systems and equipment onboard.

Lanus checked in with the docking control, and they informed him everything was as ready as they could make it. So Lanus boarded the Salong and headed for its command bridge. The bridge was what the Eternal's had been based on, so it had a similar layout. Lanus took his seat and looked forward, "Ship status," he posed.

The helmsman turned and saluted, "The Salong is ready to go, Admiral," they replied. "We've just been waiting for you." Lanus smiled as it had been some time since Treize had been onboard the Salong, and he'd missed the faithful vessel. "Then the time for us to leave is now," Lanus announced, "We have done what we can here, and now we must strike out and work for the homeland abroad." The ship left Aprilius One without any notice as some made those monitoring blind to the event. "Protocol 66" was in full swing and moving along at a good pace and hadn't drawn any notice of those who reported to the Council. The path the Salong took went past a group patrolling that was loyal to Treize, so they didn't report seeing anything.

Lanus and the Salong vanished from those who had tried to look for him before any noticed him missing. Soldiers that kept to the original ideals that the ZAFT military stood for, to serve and protect the PLANTs and their citizens, took commands from Treize himself. They were also keeping him informed on what was happening while the military was shifting away from the control of Chairman Zala. Lanus just hoped he and those following him could do what needed to be done to protect the homeland.

A/n

And I'll leave off there to pick up in the next phase, not being a cliffhanger, but being a cliffhanger. Okay so, on to the explanation portion of the ending notes. This Phase if it wasn't clear is about Rau's work, the consequences of them, and the changes within ZAFT itself. Tyler has done a fair job telling us about what Rau has done from the evidnece Tyler had seen. However, we get more from Rau himself and he has been busy as well as patient working toward his goal. He also goes into detail why he hates Kira. I would feel sorry for the lot Creuset got in life, if not for his wish to destroy the human race, and I would hope you readers feel the same. The masked man isn't a victim as he would have you believe with my protrayal, and I would like to say it is accurate. I will give him his patience and drive are impressive as they can outdo some quite a lot.

Moving onto his capture as it is different somewhat than the original. I introduced one of ZAFT Champions thought loss much as Kurt Gream is, but this one is different. With that, I would like to take the time to elaborate my idea of ZAFT having Champions which have names. Each name refers to the individual it is assigned to, normally to something with their style or a obvious personality quirk. For example, with Sakura, hers is the Black Zephyr, which has two parts to it. The "black" refers to her cold and scary air which all ZAFT soldiers know either by stories or by first hand experience. "Zephyr" refers to wind as in Sakura can move like the wind and be untouchable, but make dangerous contact with her opponents. Thus, each champion name has meaning to them, even if it isn't apparent. In the case of Kurt's, I had Mu and Krystal kind of explain why his name is the way it is. For my new one, the Mocking Jay, it has nothing to do with the Hunger Games movie, but the bird. As per the definition "he mockingjay is a species of bird who are Black in color with white patches on the undersides of their wings. Mockingjays are famous for their ability to mimic a wide range of sounds produced by humans." The mimicing ability is the "quirk" the name refers to as I hope some figured out. However, the Mocking Jay is unique in the point that none outside the champions know the true identity of them.

Back to the scene, Creuset was going unknowingly into a trap set for him. But all the rest of ZAFT forces there knew about the trap as the Mocking Jay and Sakura made sure of. Kurt was also called in to help with the capture showing the champions with the Federation would still do things for Treize. Of course, Rau had no chance of escaping, the trap was designed to make sure he wouldn't have options. What is referred to later is Rau had used his orders to pursue the Eternal to escape Treize questioning him. Creuset is taken to the Black Jade for transport back to the PLANTs not to be accompanied by the two who had helped in the capture.

When Creuset is on the Black Jade he realized he was in more trouble than he had been calculating. Rau knows Sakura isn't fond of him putting it mildly, she hates him, but doesn't have enough of a reason to do horrible things to him yet. He has been careful to not earn the wrath of Sakura the best he could. So, it is no real surprise that Rau is put into the brig rather than quarters, Sakura getting back at the man among other things. We do get the real identity of the Mocking Jay who is the friend that had "broken" Sakura when thought lost stated by Lacus for those who will ask about that. And sorry I couldn't find the image I used to describe her for those who would want that. Kari does give the hint there have been things going on which prevented her from telling Sakura she was alive. That doesn't mean I will reveal those later, but I might, just haven't decided yet.

Next we have the "inquiry" Rau was forced to go to which he'd tried avoiding. Creuset was looking for any way out of it, and being in the brig Sakura had hadn't given him a chance of that. The escort that met him was no better, so Rau is left to hoping and his wits to save him, and as implied, he wasn't confident with those. Rau is more than concerned with Treize, mostly because of the influence the man has in ZAFT. Plus, Rau knows Treize can and would deal with him in a way that would make his plan suffer greatly since Rau has no pull with him like he does with the council. Things don't get better once inside the "courtroom" since some of those chosen as "witnesses" won't be good for Rau.

Let me take a mometn to talk about both Lanus Treize and Maria Lothos as they are characters of mine which at least one has a lasting role. As some of you may have guessed, Lanus Treize is based on a character from a different part of the Gundam Univerise. For those who haven't guessed or aren't a Gundam fan like I and others are, the character Lanus is based on is Treize Khushrenada from the Gundam Wing part of the Univerise. His appearance is the same as is much of his personality, since it was just want I was looking for in an unofficial leader of ZAFT. So, go to the gundam wikia to see what he looks like and details on his personality if you want more. Maria Lothos I fear I have no image for but is much what most would think of when seeing a business woman. She does have a beef against Creuset, but that has been described in the Phase already. The only thing I would add is I would think most honest and law-defending lawyers want justice served and criminals punished, so too does Mrs. Lothos.

Back to the inquiry, I stated for the record, Treize already knew Rau had committed crimes and was in the wrong. And that Lanus had gotten reps from the Council's committees and departments gives it ligitimacy. So, I would compare it a large company's HR coming to an employee and asking them about something they were involved in. The point of such is to explain any odd or unknown circumstances or factors they don't know already. It is not to attempt to lie your way out of punishment. The party asking the questions know you did crap, they are just seeing if you understand that before handling out the "reasonable" punishment. All lying tends to do is make the coming punishment much worse than if you had told the truth and admitted wrongdoing. With that being said, Rau's attempts to play down and wave off what he was being accused of was an exsercice in futility. Treize would own him and Rau would be in shackles and labeled a traitor by a jury in a day. And understand, Trezie has a intelligence team which is in fact better than ZAFT intell deparment. So the facts Lanus had were solid and would convince a jury easily.

Or Rau would've been in chains to be incarserated if not for being interrupted by one of the select few who could shut it down without good reason stated. Make no mistake, Chairman Zala bailed Creuset out of seriously deep troubled waters he was sinking in. And I mean the type of sinking which has a three ton cement block tied to you muliple parts of your body kind of thing. It shows how much influence Rau had in the form of trust from Chairman Zala, along with how he gets out of a lot of the things he does. Treize even explains the solid evidence he has and shows some of it. I will say that Patrick Zala wouldn't have accepted the proof, he is too far gone to listen to reality if it isn't obvious. The second to last scene is the one I had in the original where Patrick essentially shuts down the PLANTs' justice department for not doing what he told them. So, I don't see a reason to get into that scene as it didn't change much from the original.

The final scene of this phase which is an important on as it is the start of a quite different path than canon. Now, in the original, Treize leaves the PLANTs, but that is said on less than a page then. As you readers saw, I expanded that into a actual seen rather than a passing mentioning. First, Lanus knew there would come a point he would have to leave the colonies or else face wrongful imprisonment at the bear minimum. Thus, he had been preparing for his exit and what would follow before it would be required. I do want to point out that Treize had his own network of informants similar to the Federation's Information Network, just on a smaller scale. So, he knew what was going on, and could see the time was right for him to vanish before others could get to him. Also, I want to point out something that has been mentioned before this Phase, those in ZAFT have loyalty to Treize. For a portion of them, that loyalty trumps (no pun intended) their obedience to the Supreme Council. And for that portion, Treize had a protocol which only they knew about and would receive. Thus, Treize had everything he needed in place to make his exit smooth and unknown to those who would want him out of the picture. And yes, I was making a joke with calling it "Protocol 66" which is in reference to "Order 66," for you Star Wars fans, I'm one too.

So, I know I said long closing notes being longer was possibly going to become a normal thing, but I really had hoped it wouldn't. However, I will state in my defense, I regret none of what I pointed out or highlighted. I hope you readers appreciate the time I take to give details and give you a peek behind the "curtin" I work behind. Thus, as always, you all know what's coming right? If some of you could take the time to write a review, to tell me what you think, ask questions you may have, or just to support my work. Yes, reviews support my writing, it encourages me to keep working at it. So, while I don't like the tactic, you want this story to keep coming, please write a review. It helps me get through the spurts of writer's block that come to me. The next phase is titled: "Descent into a Waknig Nightmare," hope it will be done in the next two weeks, peace out until then!