Gundam Seed: The Federation ver 2

by Blackshadow999

Different telling of Gundam Seed. With the conflict between Naturals and Coordinators getting worse as time passes, some nations have banded together and formed the organization known as the Human Federation. Will the Federation be able to help bring peace or will the hatred between Naturals and Coordinators destroy everything and bring extinction of humanity? Cover by Saddle Patch

54. Phase 54: Taking the Plunge

A/n

Happy holidays, for whatever kind you readers celebrate! I hope you are have a good season and/or holiday. I'm not one to try and offend so I'm just saying happy holiday so you can fill in the blank of whatever you observe or do. Here is Phase 54, the start of the battle scene, it has changed, so hope you enjoy it!

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Phase 54: Taking the Plunge

September 26th, 71 CE

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A Distance From Jachin Due, Lagrange 5

Lanus Treize had ensured the ZAFT vessels under his charge were as prepared as they could be for the looming battle. All ships were reporting ready, which gratified Lanus since it showed their willingness to serve. It would be hardest for those who had been in ZAFT to fight their former comrades. Those defending the PLANTs had been lied to and fooled into thinking the war was about defeating the other sides. Chairman Zala's twisted reasoning had pushed ZAFT down a path that had brought things to where they were now. Looking back, Lanus could see how the radical had subtly guided ZAFT to this point.

It was sadder to Lanus as Patrick had been a dear and cherished friend for years before the war. Patrick had once been one that believed peaceful co-existence with all types of humanity was possible. He'd worked hard to bring the idea to pass. Lanus knew of those efforts even if others had all but forgotten them. Patrick Zala had been a good and honorable man, and Lanus would defend that. But then Bloody Valentine had occurred, and those on Junius Seven had been lost. Patrick had never been the same after the loss of his dear wife, Lenore. Lenore had been Patrick's pillar of strength, his motivation and being taken from him had broken something in Patrick. Lanus had done what he could for his friend, as had Siegel, but nothing had helped. If things had ended there and Patrick lamented Lenore, things wouldn't have ended where they were.

Others had taken advantage of Patrick's grief and twisted it so they could manipulate him. Le Creuset was one of those individuals, Lanus had no doubt now looking back. He wished he had foregone the inquiry, which had been more a formality. If he'd simply dealt with Creuset before becoming a problem, then perhaps he could've helped Patrick turn away from his path. But because Lanus hadn't done that, Creuset and others could use Patrick freely. Lanus believe Creuset's goal was destroying the human race, though he couldn't figure out why. The destruction of humanity would also end Creuset, yet another reason his goal didn't make sense. Patrick had lost his way because of those like Creuset, but Lanus wanted to believe his friend was still in there somewhere. If Lanus didn't believe that, he would have to accept the Patrick he knew was gone forever.

Lanus wanted to try one more time to attempt to help his friend see the mistake he was making before it was too late. It was the least he could do for his friend and the good he'd done for humanity before the war. Patrick's legacy should be his work to unite the human race in its various forms. Thus, Lanus told his com-officer to find a link that could be used to get to Jachin Due's command center. The officer did as he was being ordered to, but it took a few minutes as the majority of ZAFT channels were being blocked to outside influence. Lanus was patient as the officer worked. He expected the task to be a complicated one. Patrick controlled the communication channels to determine the information distributed to defending forces.

At the same time, Jachin Due's command center had an air of focused quiet. However, there was also an underlying feeling of unease and foreboding which permeated the room. Those working at the consoles said little other than reporting anything out of the ordinary they saw. According to readings taken, the strike on OMNI's Ptolemaeus with GENESIS had been successful. There had been no survivors of the attack as estimates had predicted. And yet, the Alliance had made no visible response after the direct strike on their lunar headquarters. The lack of response made many uneasy, but few publicized their concerns. Some had shortly after the attack and had been met by Chairman Zala and those under his direct command dismissing such concerns. Their reasoning had been with no survivors, the Alliance was running scared, and they would soon be crushed as their allies had been.

Commander Ray Yuki was among those uneasy about there being no visible response from the Alliance. He had told Ezalia Joule of his worries about the Alliance's silence instead of voicing them to the Chairman. It was so unlike the Alliance to say or do nothing after a notable loss. Before now, the Alliance would make a stink like cursing and rallying forces for assaults against ZAFT. Every time ZAFT had made a devastating strike against the Alliance, their leadership had spun it, so they played the victim. Yuki would expect no difference with Ptolemaeus's destruction. If anything, Yuki would be shocked if there wasn't the loudest outcry against ZAFT made thus far. It would be a prime excuse to attack the PLANTs in retaliation. Nevertheless, the Alliance's leadership did not publicly announce the base being destroyed.

If that were the only "odd" thing going on right now, the uneasy feelings wouldn't be as bad. But Section 2 was regulating incoming information for ZAFT per the orders of the Chairman. Information being filtered was one thing, but blocking important data was dangerous and would come back to bite ZAFT. Since Admiral Treize vanished months ago, ZAFT's forces were barely holding together and keeping tactical positions. Yuki and a few others had stepped up at the insistence of the Defense Committee to help with the management of ZAFT operations and tactics. Yuki and others had only managed to keep the command structure intact but shakily so. Operations, in general, weren't going well. Important ones were focused on while others were on permanent hold. Yuki had been aware that Admiral Treize and his staff did a lot of unseen work, yet not how much until they had disappeared. Truthfully, Yuki and his colleagues were just keeping ZAFT from falling apart into chaos.

The issue, as Yuki and others saw it, with all the efforts they were expending, were for not. Chairman Zala didn't seem to notice or care about the issues ZAFT faced or all that was being done to hold defensive positions. All the Chairman seemed to be focused on was the "defeat" of the Alliance and the "ending" of the war. And defeat and ending were two different things now from what Yuki had been observing. Defeat meant wiping out the designated "enemy" when it wouldn't have referred to such earlier in the war. Ending the war was worse than defeat as it extended the conflict. With that in mind, Yuki feared "ending" inferred the war wouldn't come to a close soon. It would continue until all "enemies" of the Chairman were dealt with, including the Federation. The man who led the PLANTs demanded things that would've been unthinkable even a year before. But now, the complete destruction of the Alliance and their territories was an expectation. Yuki wasn't the only one having doubts growing with the current direction ZAFT was taking in relation to the war.

Yuki was brought out of his thoughts when one of the com-officers informed him they received an inbound link request. Yuki assumed the request was from one of the lead ZAFT vessels wanting more instructions than just to stand by. The Chairman was busy with GENESIS's preparation, so he wouldn't want to take the message. So, Yuki told the officer to connect the channel and bring it up on their console so he could take care of it. Yuki picked up an earpiece so he could talk to whoever it was calling in so the Chairman did not snap at the captain for potentially questioning orders. However, Yuki was shocked to see the face of Admiral Treize appear on the screen. There had been no sign or hint of Treize since he disappeared back in July. Section 2 had thoroughly searched for the Admiral and had no luck in finding him or picking up a trail that could lead to him. "Admiral Treize," Yuki uttered.

Lanus was glad to see an honorable man like Ray Yuki was still around for ZAFT forces. Men like Yuki were needed with the insanity that was going around lately. Yuki would hold things together and minimize the loss of lives. "Thank you for connecting the channel, Yuki," Lanus greeted, "It is appreciated. However, I need to speak with Chairman Zala. If you could either have him take over or put him on in some fashion, then please do."

Yuki hesitated for a moment, knowing that the Admiral speaking to the Chairman wouldn't go well. Chairman Zala had made it clear that Treize wasn't on his good list of people. The man had referred to the Admiral as a traitor and had painted him so. If there were the chance of the Chairman heeding Treize, Yuki would've connected them immediately. But the likelihood of the Chairman listening was beyond slim. And with the "mood" Chairman Zala tended to be in lately, Zala was more likely to attack Treize than listen to him. "Admiral," Yuki started, "I really don't recommend that you talk to the Chairman, sir." Yuki paused, thinking about how the Chairman would twist or turn anything said against his orders to either reflect badly on them or prove his view right above the other. "He won't listen to any suggestions that go against his orders," Yuki continued. Then he said what many, including himself, had been thinking to themselves about Chairman Zala and his "vision" that ZAFT was following. "The Chairman isn't the man he once was. He had lost sight of defending the homeland and is set on exterminating Naturals."

Lanus knew what Yuki was saying about Chairman Zala was more than likely truer now than before. The signs had been showing from Lanus's observations Patrick was in a spiral into madness. His friend hadn't been inclined to listen to those around him for close to a year now. He was more open about pushing for his way and ignoring others shortly after Siegel had been dismissed from the council. The man Lanus had known had been fading away and becoming lost to the thirst for revenge and beyond. There was a real chance Lanus's friend was gone forever by this point. But before possibly accepting that as fact, Lanus had to try once more to help Patrick see reason as fruitless as others may say it was. "I know where he has descended to, Yuki, better than most do," Lanus remarked, "But I have to try even if it comes to not. Please, connect this link to the main screen of the command center." Yuki blinked and gained a look of horror at the suggestion. Yet Lanus kept going, "Even should I be unable to reach the man I once knew, what will be said will open the eyes of others. The more who can see and comprehend the truth, the better chance there is for a somewhat peaceful end to this conflict."

Yuki had no idea how the Admiral could affect circumstances as they were to have anything like a peaceful end to the war. However, if anyone could help ZAFT be something other than mass murderers, as the Chairman would make them, it was Admiral Treize. And though Yuki knew if he did what the Admiral was asking, he would be blamed and likely court-martialed. If he did nothing, then things would become far worse for all. Thus, Yuki made his decision and sighed, "Understood, Admiral," he replied, "One moment while I connect the channel." He paused before he kept going, "I wish you the best of luck and pray for your attempt to do something good." Yuki then put in the commands to transfer the com-channel from the console to the main forward display.

Patrick had been looking over ZAFT force deployment and GENESIS's cooldown cycle status. The shot at the moon, specifically at OMNI's Ptolemaeus base, had gone well by all the data Patrick had been shown. It was the exchange for what the Alliance did to Boaz. It served them right for their nuclear strike against the base; they got to be on the receiving end. GENESIS's next target would be Earth, the North American Continent, which would be the fatal blow for the Alliance. If needed, another shot would be done to speed along the end of the Federation, and the war would then end. But before the plan could be put into motion, the display changed and disrupted things. The face of Lanus Treize appeared on the screen, with him sitting in the command chair on his personal ship, the Salong. The man's appearance at this time was irritating to Patrick with problems his resistance had created. Section 2 had not found him nor any leads that could hint as to where Treize had run off to. His disappearance had complicated things for a time which had delayed plans a worrisome amount. And yet, here he was, popping up to do who knew what to gum up plans as he'd done already. "Treize," Zala grumbled in almost a snarl.

Lanus gazed steadily at the man who had been his friend with pity and sadness. He once again regretted he hadn't acted sooner to help Patrick. Maybe then he could've prevented his friend from falling victim to the lies he'd come to believe. Now, there was a man that looked like Patrick and sounded like him but was less than a shadow of the man Lanus had known. "Patrick," he began, "It brings me sorrow to see you as you are right now. I wish we were meeting to talk about what has been troubling you rather than the current circumstances. Yet, dark times have forced us to face off like this."

Patrick wasn't interested in exchanging "pleasantries" with a man that wouldn't do what he was told. Treize had multiple chances to do what was best for ZAFT and the PLANTs to end the war but refused to do so. Treize had abandoned his duties and vanished, so he had nothing to say about changing things. The man was a traitor, as Patrick had said, regardless of what his defenders claimed about him. "There is nothing to talk about between us, Treize," Patrick said evenly. "Your disappearance speaks for you. You left behind duties showing you care nothing about the homeland or its needs."

Lanus knew there would be those who would use his departure to smear him. He was aware there were those who wanted him out of the way so they could take the reins of ZAFT for themselves. Before now, Lanus's detractors would not be in the open as they would've been taken care of. However, with the downward spiral, the war had gone into, that had done a complete one-eighty. And with Patrick in the camp of those that wanted Lanus to be an obedient soldier, he would be against Lanus's efforts to protect the homeland. His friend had blinded himself to everything around him, and others had helped that along. Such contributed to Patrick's vendetta to exterminate Naturals. That vendetta would bring about the fall and destruction of the PLANTs if seen to its end. "While I may not be around the PLANTs directly, that does not mean I have foregone my vow to protect the homeland from threats foreign and domestic. However, our views on how to protect the homeland from threats have come to differ, and that difference is growing larger by the day."

Patrick grunted at Treize's reply and rebuttal. It was classic Treize, explaining away results that were lacking and fell short of the goal they should be meeting. In the end, it was nonsense that did nothing for Coordinators. Treize had vanished from the PLANTs before being apprehended and brought to task. All investigations had gone nowhere, not a peep from Treize since, and no cooperation from anyone who knew anything about the man. Evidence gathered from July going forward showed the man had done nothing for the benefit of the PLANTs while he had been away. The man had earned the reputation of being the protector of the homeland and, yet, had been proving the opposite. On the other hand, Patrick had been working tirelessly to make a path to end the war once and for all. And he was about to do just that, providing a future for Coordinators to enjoy free from fear of Naturals. That made it ironic for Treize to be here trying to say that Patrick was failing the PLANTs while his inaction was helping them. "Your attempted explanation of your inaction isn't amusing, Treize," Patrick returned coldly. "You have done nothing for the PLANTs after vanishing. Meanwhile, I have been working to bring an end to this war once and for all as you are supposed to be working for. And unlike you, I have led ZAFT to be on the precipice of ending the conflict with the foolish Naturals." It would be better to have Treize say what he was going to. It would show that he was the traitor Patrick had stated he was. Still, Patrick glared at Treize as he continued, "So, get on with whatever nonsense you have so ZAFT can get down to business."

Lanus frowned at the response from the Chairman. It was expected from the signs that had been seen within the last year. However, even so, it still hurt greatly to see how far Patrick had fallen into the madness he had been pushed into. His end of the war would lead to the end of the human race entirely, all types, including Coordinators. The chances of getting him to see the truth were slim to none, and Lanus knew it. Yet, since they met in their early twenties, Patrick had been a friend for a long time. They had been kindred spirits, looking for ways to make the world a better place for Coordinators and others. The dream of humans living alongside one another, not letting genetic orientation divide them, had united the two, and Siegel joined them in that. The memories of the earlier days made where Patrick had come to even harder to swallow.

But as Patrick had stated, ZAFT and those that made it up were on a precipice. A precipice was akin to a crossroad where a serious choice had to be made to move forward on one of the various paths. There was still the chance to turn away from the path that led to a spiral into endless darkness. "We can agree that we stand at a precipice, Patrick. And so, I will attempt to help you see where the two major paths that are before us will lead to." Lanus paused to make sure he had as much attention as possible. This conversation was not just for Patrick; it was to inform those under him who so often went ignored. "Your insistence on Natural extermination will not end the ongoing war. It became obvious some time ago and was proven by those like Blue Cosmos with their vendetta to kill Coordinators. Instead, it will carry the conflict on into the foreseeable future. You claim such actions are for the protection of the PLANTs and their citizens. However, it is in truth to fulfill the thirst for revenge and retribution that others have dragged you into." Patrick was quickly becoming enraged at Treize's sermon. He was painting a false narrative that was clearly wrong. As Treize was implying, those leading ZAFT like himself were nothing like the filthy Naturals. Revenge had nothing to do with what ZAFT was working for. It was all for the future Coordinators would have to enjoy. So, Patrick growled and began spouting counters to what Treize had said so the fool would be silent. Yet, Lanus spoke over him and kept going, "Your demand to use a nuclear-powered weapon, wiping out the enemy you have your sites on to end the war, is no different than the radicals in the Alliance."

Lanus could see his words were having little effect on reaching the one who had been his friend. The Chairman wasn't heeding what reasoning Lanus was using to show the truth. It was yet more proof that Patrick Zala couldn't be reached and that he was gone from the world. Lanus didn't want to accept Patrick being gone as fact just yet, but it was becoming harder not to. That brought sorrow to Lanus's heart. Patrick's wandering into a dark and mirky paths was nigh impossible to undo. But no matter how slim the chance was to find Patrick in that darkness and lead him out of it, Lanus would try to save his friend. But he couldn't help the sorrowful expression that came to him. "I can understand losing Lenore broke your heart, Patrick. She was the light in your life, and to be without it is harder than any who hasn't lost loved ones would understand. But look at what you're setting ZAFT to do to countless others, my friend. You are planning to rip away what was taken from you and cause them the same kind of pain that you've suffered from."

There was silence in Jachin Due's command center from all but the Chairman, who was growling and snarling. The information Admiral Treize had given while speaking with the Chairman brought much into question. Not only did it paint a picture of the Chairman being far less the leader he'd been portraying himself to be, but there was also more. Since Patrick Zala had taken over as the head of the Supreme Council, more than policy had changed. When Chairman Clyne was leading, the goal had been ending the war as peacefully as possible. However, with Chairman Zala, it was the opposite. It was defeating the enemy rather than peace. Then Admiral Treize was implying even when he wasn't saying directly that the Chairman was on the same level as the terrorists, the Alliance heeded. The reference was deepened with reference to the Bloody Valentine.

The other thing that was more implied than mentioned specifically was the use of GENESIS. Firing on the moon at OMNI's, Ptolemaeus had been to send a message, or that's what had been said when asked. And while striking the Alliance's symbol of power in space would deal a blow to them, it still didn't feel right. GENESIS had proven to be a dangerous weapon where its beam would strike. And that led to what the next planned target was for the weapon. None in the command center had been given much time to consider how the use of the gamma-ray would affect Earth. There was nothing left of Ptolemaeus, and it was likely to do similar to the immediate area it would hit on Earth. Thus, what Admiral Treize said about the path ZAFT was on would end in misery was valid. However, the fear of the Chairman and what those loyal to him would do kept the vast majority quiet. The silence was broken by Chairman Zala's snarling rising in volume, "I'm not interested in the lies you spout, Treize! Get to the point of your foolish nonsense, and then get out of my sight!"

The madness that had taken root in the Chairman was strong and blinded him and corrupted him as well. Blindness Lanus could deal with and help remedy given enough time and opportunity. However, corruption was much harder to cure or undo from Lanus's experience if it could be done. It meant the chances of saving Patrick were fading fast if they weren't already gone. "The path you have ZAFT on will not end the war, whether you see that or not. It will end the human race entirely, all its forms, including Coordinators," Lanus stated flatly with an expressionless face. His expression then morphed back to sorrow, "What brought you to this point, Patrick? What happened to the man who believed in and worked for a bright future of co-existence with all forms of humanity? Where is the Patrick Zala who shared the dream of a future where children wouldn't need fear threats to themselves because of their genetic type? Why do the very things you swore you would never allow to happen to another Coordinator after you lost Lenore? GENESIS isn't the answer to humanity's current woes, even if others claim it is."

Treize was wrong, so wrong, on what GENESIS would do to end the war once and for all. It would eliminate the Alliance and delegate them to the anils of history. Then the Federation would follow them shortly thereafter, with GENESIS doing much the same to them. Once the Naturals on Earth who could threaten the PLANTs were eradicated, the war would come to its conclusion. The homeland would flourish after that, and a bright future would stretch out before Coordinators. The sacrifices which would be made by those who had fought for Coordinators would be honored for the future that came for all Coordinators. With that in mind, Patrick snorted, "You're wrong, Treize. GENESIS will end this long war once and for all. The Earth Alliance will fall and burn away, never to trouble the human race. Humanity will be purged of those who are as an infection to our species as it has advanced to the next era it will have. Coordinators will have the future, and it shall be bright for all of them. The dangers they have faced will be conquered and make them stronger," Patrick stated firmly. "It is you who does not understand, Treize."

Lanus felt as if his heart was stabbed deeply at hearing the answer Chairman Zala had given. It hadn't been stated directly, but the words and their implications were enough to clarify the point Lanus had been avoiding. His friend Patrick Zala couldn't be saved anymore; he was gone forever. He couldn't honestly deny the point as fact anymore with what the Chairman had said. The man he was seeing wasn't Patrick, he merely wore Patrick's face and used his voice, nothing more. Then, Chairman Zala had declared he wouldn't stop until he destroyed Earth if given the opportunity to do so. And should Earth be ruined by GENESIS, the PLANTs would die, even if at a slower rate than those on Earth would. Yet, due to Lanus's vow when enlisting in ZAFT, he couldn't stand by while the homeland was in danger. Chairman Zala had made it clear he was an enemy of the PLANTs and needed to be treated as such.

As the fact sunk in, Lanus gained a hard expression knowing what he had to do now. He wouldn't hold back against this man who was a domestic terrorist. Terrorists were to be dealt with harshly and efficiently as possible. That was standing policy. And Chairman Zala was tarnishing his friend's legacy of co-existence, which Lanus wouldn't permit to go unpunished. Where Lanus may have failed in what he'd hoped to do coming here, he would not abandon the homeland in its time of need. "Is that so," Lanus posed coldly. "You can use the media to spread your lies, Chairman." Lanus had seen the blatant lies that the media had been feeding the general citizens of the PLANTs. He'd been having his OZI attempt to curtail that, but they hadn't had a great deal of success as Lanus had hoped they would. The media was under the council's control, which was in the Chairman's pocket using Section 2. Lanus continued, "But those you are supposed to be representing will learn you've been deceiving them soon enough."

Ezalia had been listening to the conversation as it had been going on. It had been clear Lanus had been trying to reason with Patrick in the hopes of helping him see the horribleness he was working to bring about. Patrick had stated the talking points that he and others had used to accuse Lanus of abandoning the PLANTs after he departed. Ezalia didn't doubt Lanus had been busy after leaving the homeland. The man wasn't one to be idle when things were happening, and the war had been picking up the pace lately. And Lanus had drawn around half of ZAFT's fighting force away with him, which had been dropping off the radar a few ships at a time. The conversation quickly deteriorated with Lanus keeping calm while Patrick was emotional.

She couldn't disagree with Lanus's view that Natural extermination wouldn't end the war. Ezalia was one of those that knew the truth but kept silent as she knew those who didn't suffer. Section 2 "handled" any that questioned the Chairman lately, and those handlings were getting worse from what she was hearing. She and the others on the National Defense Committee had been doing what they could to keep ZAFT from falling apart. That job had been extremely work-involved, and the task was barely doable even with extended hours. The lack of response from the Alliance after their Ptolemaeus base was destroyed was also worrisome. A growing number of personnel within ZAFT were questioning the point, which was heading towards doubting the Chairman.

Then came the change of tone with Lanus, which had caused Ezalia to blink and hesitate. It seemed that Lanus no longer intended to try to get through to the Chairman further. The expression Lanus had was one he possessed when a serious situation came up that he would handle. The mention of lies could refer to many things; there were, unfortunately, many things to choose from these days. A lot of things Chairman Zala had been saying were untrue, and that could be proven with a quick bit of simple research. Lanus kept going, "If Earth is made unlivable through a nuclear attack, whether by nuclear warheads or GENESIS, then not only will Earth suffer. The supplies from it to the PLANTs which supplement the needs of the colonies stop." Lanus paused, "Lie as you will to those around you, but I will not allow you to deceive those who fight to protect the homeland."

Lanus knew nuclear weapons being used only brought more problems for all of humanity. For the PLANTs, it would only worsen standing issues and bring them to light for the public to see. The homeland couldn't produce enough food and water for its own population to live on. It required supplies from Earth and the Moon to supplement the needs for food and water. That led to what would make a population boom fail, as history made clear. Lack of food and water transitioned into starvation and thirst, which would cause people to die. Supreme Council members could deny and wave off the point as they wished. The truth would condemn them. "You know as well as I do the PLANTs are not self-sufficient, no matter how you deny it," Lanus continued. "The homeland needs supplies from Earth and the Moon to survive for the foreseeable future. Your use of nuclear weapons will rip that away forever. The population boom you plan to help your cause will fail due to the lack of basic supplies."

The other issue that ZAFT and the PLANTs faced was one all Coordinators bore. Coordinators had what could be considered a sterilization problem after an average of two generations from the first Coordinator in the genetic line. Some said it was due to something with the genetic manipulation done with Coordinators. However, there was no definitive proof that the scientific community accepted it. PLANT scientists had been working on a solution but had little success thus far from what Lanus had been told. One of the foremost scientists had admitted to Lanus it would likely take five years, in the best-case scenario, to invent a method that might make a noticeable dent in the sterilization issue. Lanus had seen on the Federation's Information Network that their scientists were also working on the problem. They seemed to be closer to a potential solution than ZAFT was. It was all the more reason not to strike Earth, as the Federation's work would be lost. Lanus kept going, "And even if supplies weren't an issue, the Coordinator sterilization problem would be. Our scientists are no closer to a potential solution than before the war. It isn't solved by pairing as you advertise, Chairman. I don't doubt scientists have told you that in some way, even if you don't listen to their answers. It only delays the issue by a generation half the time and little more. Those that don't die from starvation and thirst will be unable to reproduce effectively with your plan."

The things Lanus was saying were true, and Ezalia couldn't deny it honestly. She and others had tried to bring such up with the Chairman, but he had waved any attempt off as nothing to be concerned with. Chairman Zala didn't acknowledge the PLANTs got supplies from Earth to supplement the homeland's needs which couldn't be met naturally. Nor did the man allow the conversation about the "Coordinator sterilization" issue that Lanus mentioned to be brought up in his presence. Ezalia saw the signs of both problems being "kicked down the road," and that was more than worrisome. That would only make it harder when both issues had to be faced, and procrastination was no longer possible. Such was the Chairman's response to things he didn't want to deal with or saw as not a problem.

The two main reasons there was a sizable number of Coordinators currently were the Coordinator Boom and the freedom the Federation had in place for its citizens. The Coordinator Boom had started in the early 30s of the Cosmic Era and lasted for close to twenty years, thereby increasing the number of Coordinators. An amount of those Coordinators moved to the PLANTs when the colonies' construction was completed. The population levels for Coordinators continued to grow before leveling off due to the Federation's laws that prevented discrimination against people with Coordinator children. In not for the Federation's principles on genetic orientation not being a reason for discrimination, Coordinators would have things much harder than they did. Few in the Supreme Council admitted either point nor did most other leaders of the PLANTs do so. Were Earth to go, so would the Coordinators that came from the Federation and any understanding that Coordinators were people and human.

The other major issue that wasn't discussed by those that should be thinking about it was the possible responses that would come the PLANTs' way from those left after the attack on Earth. Ezalia wasn't one foolish enough to believe the Federation would do nothing after an attack on Earth. Those like the Chairman did might underestimate the Federation and think dealing with them would be as easy if not simpler than the Alliance. Like her, those on the Defense Committee were worrying and fretting about what mess they would be in when the Federation turned their attention to ZAFT. GENESIS wouldn't be left alone once revealed. It would be assaulted until the Federation destroyed it. Then they would turn their ire on the PLANTs and ZAFT, which would fall heavily on them. The Federation had been whipping OMNI faster and more efficiently than ZAFT had gotten closer to. While the Chairman may not have paid attention to the reports, Ezalia and others had. The Federation would do much the same to ZAFT as they were to the Alliance. All the recordings she'd seen of the Federation's mobile suits had shown they would outdo GINNs and CGUEs. And who knew, the Federation could've devised a means to neutralize nuclear weapons. It wouldn't surprise Ezalia if they invented something to do such a thing. Thus, as Lanus said, the path the Chairman was pushing down would end badly for the PLANTs just as it would Earth.

However, Ezalia knew Lanus would be aware the Chairman would no longer listen to such reasoning. Lanus wasn't foolish nor unaware of the descent into madness Patrick had been making. But with the tone he was using, it didn't make sense for Lanus to say what he was, knowing it would reach the Chairman. Yet, after considering for a moment, Ezalia realized why Lanus was doing what he was. He wasn't stating facts for Chairman Zala to hear any more; it was everyone else in the command center Lanus was speaking to. He was speaking the truth for those who had been kept in the dark by Chairman Zala and those who were loyal to him for the moment. Lanus's word was trusted more unofficially than Chairman Zala's, and there was little argument in that. Ezalia didn't believe Lanus would stop with just those in the command center. He would keep going to any that would hear him. Lanus Treize was going to attempt to turn the defending ZAFT forces against the Chairman. And honestly, Ezalia felt the man could do that if he could get use of the com-frequencies ZAFT used. She would keep that in mind if things went south further than they already had gone.

Patrick was a tad amused that Treize was stating lies as if they were facts. The man was blind to the strides toward the PLANTs' independence. The homeland was ready to be on its own, for the colonies could support themselves with what they produced. And scientists had been promising they were close to breakthroughs on the sterilization problem Coordinators had been bearing. Section 2 had been encouraging scientists to work extra hard so it would sooner pay off. Treize's attempts to convince any were wasted, just as the man's skills were. Chairman Zala scoffed in response to Lanus's statements, "You believe the nonsense you're spouting will change anything with the plans I have?"

Lanus just gazed at the Chairman, "You assume I was talking to you any longer, Chairman." Lanus shook his head, "You refuse to hear and acknowledge the truth. You made that clear already. So, the facts I was stating weren't for you if you weren't aware. They were for the rest listening to this conversation which you regularly ignore or discount as important. I will tell the truth to all in ZAFT who will listen," Lanus stated firmly. "And I'm confident you will be frustrated at how many will heed the truth and then fight for the right reasons. Those with good hearts in the Alliance have already proven the truth is powerful, more so than an empty web of lies radicals offer. Those loyal to the homeland will show the same and turn away from your deceptions."

Patrick glared at Treize angrily at him, saying he was talking to others. He was attempting to turn others against the PLANTs and the council he led. Patrick wouldn't let that stand, any that turned against the council were traitors and would be dealt with as such. "You dare accuse me of spreading lies, Treize. I'm the one leading the Supreme Council, which works for the PLANTs' best interests. You are a soldier who is to do what you are ordered to do and not question those who can see the bigger picture. You never offered solutions to the war, merely delays that gave the enemy time to bring more horrors. I will end what you never could," Patrick snapped. "Coordinators are the fittest to survive and will inherit the future, and all the rest will become extinct."

It was like dealing with a child throwing a temper tantrum to Lanus. And it had been years since his daughter had thrown one when he was present. "There is an old phrase which many have held to, myself included. "United we stand, divided we shall fall," and it is true, Chairman. Humanity's continuing survival depends on being united and working together. That is the solution to the war I work for and believe will bring the best possibility about. Thus, I'm with the united team and front, Chairman." Lanus gazed at Chairman Zala pointedly, "Your actions are divisive and drive wedges between people. History makes it clear which side of the old phrase wins the majority of the time. It isn't division, as falling leads to worse things. I will see that the united will be victorious once again in this," Lanus returned before closing the com-channel.

At the same time, all vessels were reporting to the Britania preparations were complete for battle. Moses was at the holo-display looking over ZAFT's defending forces' positioning. Their setup was defensive and postured them to be between the colonies and an attacking force from the moon's direction. With the battle ahead, he felt something needed to be said to get across how critical the situation was. Failure wasn't an acceptable option for the coalition fleet in this battle. Should they lose, humanity would be lost forever, and nothing could change that. Moses looked up from the display, "Comm, open a channel to all ships in the fleet. I want them to hear this." The com-officer turned and nodded, "Yes, sir," they replied and put in commands, "Channel open, Admiral."

Moses took a breath, taking a moment to organize his thoughts to get across what he wanted to say. Never would he have thought he would be leading the fleet he was right now. The fleet was unlike any that had been assembled before, thought to be impossible by most before now. It had taken the threat of nuclear weapons raining down to bring about the fleet's creation. While that was disappointing, it was a relief the threat was dangerous enough that it should get many to recognize the need did just that. "I wish to speak to every single person on the ships, be they officer, crew member, or pilot." Moses stopped momentarily, "Never before have so many come together from all places the human race has settled and made home." Moses faced forward and gained a firm tone, "But never before have we faced a threat such as Humanity does now with nuclear ruin looming over all."

Throughout the coalition fleet, all had paused, listening to the speech being given by Admiral Moses. There was a definite ring of truth in the words spoken by the man. "We all may be different genetic types, come from different backgrounds and experiences. But we have come together nonetheless, regardless of those facts which have divided humanity. And though the threat of nuclear ruin coming to us all is the reason we have assembled, it is that which has given us the motivation to put aside the differences that have put us at odds."

Tyler had stopped after grabbing onto the Aurora's pilot seat, listening to what the Admiral had to say. The man was speaking the truth as Tyler knew it, but it seemed that he was trying to unite all in the fleet. It was no small task, Tyler knew, but Admiral Moses could do the job if any here could. The man wasn't one of the leaders of the Federation's military for nothing. Moses continued, "Those in control of nuclear weapons currently will show no mercy to any they see as enemies or that stand against them. And we must not give them quarter in this fight before us."

Whether ZAFT, OMNI, or Federation, every pilot paused, listening to Admiral Moses. The crews of the vessels were still doing what was needed, but they were listening to what was being said. Moses kept going, "They will terrorize the places we each call home, attacking our neighbors, friends, and those we love and hold dear." Moses paused, "We must stand fast in the face of such terror and adversity, not giving it satisfaction. They will advance until the last of us who stand against them fall, but we will not fall." Most in the fleet straitened at the statements of what Admiral Moses said they would do. The belief in what they would be fighting for swelled up in them. "We shall prevail against those who are set on bringing about the end of humanity, or else many lives will be lost, and we cannot let that happen. Our actions will define each and every one of us in the coming battle. We must show the conviction in our hearts and the good that is in every human being. Stand fast, stand strong, stand together." Battle stations were declared after Admiral Moses finished, which were followed by scramble orders for mobile weapons to go out.

Meanwhile, it was not even a minute after Treize had finished his "conversation" that Chairman Zala reacted. Ezalia observed the man, the current leader of the PLANTs' Supreme Council, go into a rant. The rant was mostly on how much Treize was a traitor to the homeland and how he was an enemy and would pay for his actions. It was quite the picture to compare, to tell the truth. By the end of the conversation, Treize had been calm, even if cold, in complete control of himself. On the other hand, Patrick had lost emotional control and was snapping at talking to Treize. It showed how far Patrick Zala had gone down the path of what most would call insanity. Lanus had been right with what he'd been implying during the inquiry Ezalia had been involved in. The Chairman had been manipulated and pushed down the path he was on, which he was guiding ZAFT down. Whether Creuset, along with others, did the manipulation, Ezalia couldn't say. However, Ezalia was ripped from her thoughts when a console operator spoke, "Chairman," they called, "Some kind of disturbance has been detected at red twenty-two, bravo seventeen."

All in Jachin Due's command center stared between the sensor feeds and the real-time images of the area stated. The video display showed a wavering ripple before objects began appearing where the rippling had passed. The objects sharpened into vessels, and sensors began to show information on them. "Multiple signals are coming up at two hundred and closing," a console operator announced with slight panic. "Readouts on signals identify Federation, OMNI, and ZAFT vessels of all known classes," reported another. "Sensors are showing more than a hundred ships and increasing," called a third.

Ezalia could only stare, gape, and worry at the sight that was unfolding right in front of them all. The largest fleet she'd seen was here around Lagrange 5, and she would challenge it if the fleet were seen as the largest historically. The number of Federation ships alone was more than ZAFT intelligence's general estimations. The strength of the Federation had never been able to be confirmed by any ZAFT agency. None lied about the Federation's Military strength, and it was normally not brought up in conversation. Of the few instances the Federation had "flexed" their might, the one after Bloody Valentine had been the most telling as there had been more ships than either side who had been involved had possessed. However, the force Ezalia was seeing now dwarfed what had been witnessed at Junius Seven. She didn't want to count the Federation vessels of all their known ship classes, and it wasn't small. They made up the bulk of the fleet, but there were others too. It also included OMNI vessels; even ZAFT ships were among the Federation vessels as they closed slowly.

The fleet's sudden appearance could only be explained by using the Federation's stealth technology. However, as far as Ezalia had heard or read, the Federation's stealth tech was employed on their ships individually. The appearance suggested the Federation had developed some sort of new application to hide a fleet. If that was so, the Federation had a better advantage than before, and they'd had the edge over the other two factions during the war. And by what Ezalia saw, her rough guess was that ZAFT defense forces were outnumbered four to one; being optimistic, it was likely more. That was just ship-to-ship numbers, mobile weapons odds would be even more stacked against defending forces.

If numbers didn't make the standing circumstances hard enough to deal with, then other facts certainly did. Treize would be on the opposing side ZAFT defending forces would now fight against. Ezalia would bet there would be other tacticians within the enemy fleet who would be working with Lanus. She didn't doubt some of the Federation military leaders could probably give Lanus a run for his money. And should Lanus have been working with the Federation, he could have used their information network. The Federation's Information Network was nothing to scoff at, ZAFT's intelligence department had left no doubt about that. Ezalia had known when Patrick had gone and accused Lanus of being a traitor, and serious repercussions would follow. The Chairman had ignored all the problems that had been hitting them, passing off such to be dealt with by others. Lanus facing them now was just the most recent consequence the PLANTs and ZAFT were dealing with. ZAFT's military had been split over the past few months and descended into chaos. Lanus had been an anchor for the military for the years of the war. He'd held ZAFT together through hard events and prevented things from escalating into horrible things. So when he left, Treize had drawn a fair percentage away with him, around half, in fact, if not more by this point. The preparations that had been made by defending ZAFT forces were done in the expectation of Alliance forces coming, not the fleet in front of them.

As the coalition fleet's stealth field dropped, revealing all the ships which made it up, a scramble order was initiated. Mobile suits began launching out from the coalition fleet's vessels. Delta Fighters were flying from the Federation ships, one after another. From the ZAFT ships came a mixture of CGUEs, different types of GINNs, and a few GuAIZs. And lastly, different types of Daggers and mobile armors came from the OMNI vessels. Some of the Delta Fighters were carrying the newly invented rifles made for battles such as the one they were going into. The rifles were called "Canceller Disrupters," and their function was to disable neutron jammer cancellers. They did the job by firing a spread that shorted out cancellers they came into contact with. The purpose of doing that was to stop the use of nuclear weapons by disrupting the cancellers and bringing back the effects of the N-jammers. If N-jammers' effects returned, the nuclear tech would become inert or neutralized.

After Lanus had ordered condition red for the Salong, he headed down to the hangar. Even before the conversation with Chairman Zala, Lanus had intended to go out to the battlefield personally. The conversation only strengthened Lanus's resolve to fight to determine Humanity's future. This battle wasn't just to stop the use of nuclear weapons though that was one of the motivations. The fight here would determine whether the human race would avoid extinction or be dragged into it. This conflict had transcended factions that the war had encouraged, and it was about the fate of humanity. It had been nearly two years since Lanus had been out on a battlefield in a mobile suit. There hadn't been a need for him to do so with his tactical planning, so he hadn't been out. Piloting had a set of skills he didn't use lately during the war, and he did miss some of the things which could happen on battlefields. Being in a mobile suit brought challenges for Lanus, and overcoming such produced a kind of satisfaction that not much else did. There was just a sense of elegance in the art of battle that Lanus had found, much as dueling knights would participate in. And it was something one couldn't find off the battlefield that fascinated Lanus.

As mobile weapons were launching out from their respective ships, the Gundam types also headed out from theirs. The Freedom and Justice were the first to head out from the Eternal. They had been the first, so they could link up with the METEOR units which would be employed in this battle. The METEOR units' docks opened and shifted outward before releasing the clamps which held the weapon systems in place on the Eternal. The moment after, the METEORs were free of their docks, and their twin thrusters deployed their stabilizing fins as they floated forward. Both units used their maneuvering thrusters to adjust their orientation per the Eternal's remote orders to line up to link. As the Freedom and Justice lined up and began moving backward to link with them, the METEORs' forward cannon and link-point cover swung back and out of the way. The Freedom and Justice floated back toward the METEORs, and their main beam cannons shifted to the side as the two suits moved their backpack equipment. The two tapped the link-point, and the clamps for the linking system flipped into place and held the Freedom and Justice in place. Kira and Athrun saw that their suits' systems updated to include the METEORs arsenal in a few seconds.

The Aurora followed the Freedom and Justice shortly after they had launched from the Eternal. Tyler observed the two linking up with the weapon systems the Eternal had made to work with ZAFT's X series. After seeing them link up with the METEORs, Tyler shifted the Aurora into its flight mode and moved out of the launching line of the Eternal. He figured the flight mode would be the best option to start with as it was versatile enough for most situations that would come at the start. Tyler knew this battle was of the utmost importance for more than just those who would be directly involved. The results would affect the whole human race, literally determining its survival or end. Thus, failure wasn't acceptable for those here to stop using nuclear weapons. Tyler had seen the "rifles" which had been produced to counter and disable n-jammer cancellers. The things he'd read about the idea gave him real hope; such could prevent nuclear weapons from flying and bringing ruin to many innocent lives.

Lacus had gotten into the Regenerate's cockpit with feelings of worry filling her. She understood this battle would be unlike any before it from the ongoing war. It was to be the beginning of the war's end if things went as hoped. However, if those who had come to settle things failed, nuclear weapons would destroy the human race. The only thing that would be chosen on that path would be who died first and who died slowly after them. That alone was more than enough motivation to give her best efforts in this fight to make sure those who were bent on destroying humanity were stopped. The Regenerate would be the last of the Eternal's mobile suits to launch, which wasn't an issue to Lacus. After the Aurora had shot out, the Regenerate was moved to the catapult. Lacus headed out from the Eternal and shifted her suit into its mobile armor cruising mode. The mode was extremely similar to the X303 Aegis's cruising mode, with the legs and arms forming the front.

Meanwhile, on the Archangel, the Strike and Blitz were the first to leave the ship's catapults. The Buster and Duel followed them while the Shadow brought up the rear from the Archangel's machines. Mu glanced around and was both gratified and amazed to see the sheer number of mobile weapons the fleet was sending into battle. The numbers were beyond anything Mu could think of for a side in a skirmish during this war previously. From what Mu could see, they outnumbered ZAFT's defending forces by more than six to one. It felt like he and others were finally a part of something that mattered and would make a real difference. Mu didn't doubt history would record this day, this battle, for what happened during and after it. And he was glad he could play a part in this event which humanity would tell about for generations to come. Krystal was much of the same mind as Mu when it came to this event; it was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

The Strike and Shadow moved over to be among OMNI forces and were listening to the chatter going around. It was clear those from the Fifth, Sixth, and what remained of the Eighth Orbital Fleets were dedicated to this battle. From what Mu chatter he heard on com-channels, the pilots sounded more into this fight than most which had occurred in the war thus far. It was almost like it had revitalized their motivation for serving in OMNI. However, Mu was jerked out of his thoughts when he heard a voice he hadn't for more than a year. He looked down at his sensor display and found the voice was coming from a customized Strike Dagger. Mu got onto the same radio frequency, "Is that you, Jack Reacher," he asked in an even tone.

Krystal blinked at Mu's question as the name he mentioned belonged to an armor pilot they both knew. Jack had been among the "veteran" armor pilots who could use Zero Armors effectively. Krystal and Mu had thought they were all that remained of that group as all but them had been killed in action or disappeared. There was a pause after Mu's question, "Do mah ears deceive me, or is that the Hawk of Endymion ah hear," Jack asked in his southern drawl. Mu smiled at hearing he had been right on whose voice he'd heard. Jack had been a friend during the academy days they had. "I could ask you the same, Jack," Mu replied, "You went missing before the Grimaldi Campaign." There was the sound of Jack laughing, "Ah wouldn't say ah was missin, La Flaga," he returned. "Ah decided to move on to other things. Got tired listenin to officers that expect us to put our lives on the line and die without tellin us why."

Mu would've asked for more detail but didn't get the chance. "Jack wasn't the only one that vanished for those reasons," said a feminine voice. Krystal recognized the voice instantly, "Jamie," she questioned, "Jamie Iska?" The woman had been Krystal's best friend she'd worked with on missions before meeting Mu. "You know it, Krystal," Jamie answered, "Hear you and La Flaga have been seeing a good amount of action this year. You two seem to be magnets for the idea when it is the least helpful." The four were interrupted by yet another, "As nice as a reunion can be," a voice with an Irish accent said. "Now's not the time for it, youngins." One of the Federation space fighters came into their visions and matched the speeds of mobile suits moving forward. "There be a great deal of work to get to, so do catch up on your own time and all that."

Jack's laughter was heard again, "So, the rumors of ya still being alive are true, Swift? Ah always knew you bein shot down was false. You're too good to be taken down by ZAFT in the way OMNI was sayin ya were."

At the same time, the Astrays headed out from the Kusanagi one after another. The Asuka was the last suit out from the Kusanagi, Cagalli bringing up the group's rear. The Astrays tool up formations in two groups of three, the remaining Astray just behind the Asuka, which was in the lead. Cagalli's feelings of trepidation had lessened now she was out on the field but hadn't left her. She was in a Federation pilot suit as there had been nothing else to use for her. The suit was bulkier than Orb's standard space suit, which wasn't bad, just different. The framework inside the suit had taken a bit to get used to, or rather its dynamic adjustments it did around her body. The extra equipment built into the suit had interested Cagalli for a bit. Yet, it had quickly become more of a distraction for her, so she turned off the display that used the helmet's visor. She didn't get how Federation pilots dealt with the extra stuff, maybe some sort of training that helped them work with such. Cagalli was just glad to be doing something of value to help end the war instead of standing by and watching others do that.

Ending the war wasn't the only reason Cagalli had insisted on launching out to the battlefield. She had a personal reason to come out and fight: to defend those she cared about. Cagalli didn't want those on the Kusanagi to die, nor the ship's pilots. They were all good people and didn't deserve to be killed in this war. Then there were those like Kira, Lacus, and Athrun which, all of three were people she didn't want dead. Kira was possibly her brother, and while she'd never had a sibling before, Cagalli wanted to see what that was like. Lacus was a nice girl, and Cagalli could see her becoming a friend, given the opportunity. And Athrun, she didn't know where to start when it came to him. Cagalli liked Athrun, she thought of him as a friend and maybe more, given time. She hadn't sorted out her feelings when it came to Athrun yet. There was just so much confusion. The guy made her heart flutter in a way that no other boy had before. He was far better than Yuna Serian, who had insisted on "courting" her at least.

On the ZAFT part of the coalition fleet, the Blitz, Duel, and Buster had made their way over to their allies. Yzak had been insistent on being around the ZAFT forces rather than the former OMNI vessels and mobile suits. Nicol and Dearka hadn't seen a reason to argue with Yzak on the point as it wouldn't make a great deal of difference when the fighting got underway. Once they had reached the part of the fleet Yzak wanted, they glanced around to take in their surroundings. Nicol saw CGUEs and GINNS already out and moving slowly toward Jachin Due. The base which was supposed to be the last line of defense for the PLANTs. And now, they would be assaulting it because it protected ZAFT's nuclear-powered weapon.

That ZAFT had used a gamma-ray on OMNI's Ptolemaeus had not sat well with Nicol. It told him enough on the Council, and the Committees had leaned toward radical things that were going down a bad path. Nicol didn't want to believe his father, Yuri, would potentially agree to use nuclear weapons. His father had been against the suggestion of such before. Nicol had heard him say nuclear technology should be left in the past and not picked back up after the Bloody Valentine. He'd heard his father's view, and Nicol agreed with such regarding the possible applications for nuclear technology. The Alliance had already proven they were willing to employ nuclear weapons if given the opportunity to assert their dominance. Nicol would've thought and hoped the leaders of ZAFT would be better and not do similar or the same as the Alliance was. But the past month had shown that hope was a dream that wouldn't come to pass now.

Nicol's attention was ripped away from his thoughts when an unexpected sight caught his eye. A custom GINN was among the ZAFT mobile suit forces, which stood out against the rest. The frame was that of a GINN but had features that were similar to a CGUE mixed in. The torso was blue, while the rest of the machine was white. The "GINN's" thrusters were not the normal ones but more like the CGUE's, yet even more proficient looking. The suit's armor was heavier in key areas, from what Nicol could see. The equipment it had included what looked like a beam rifle, a railgun, and potentially beam saber hilts. The coloration was known within ZAFT forces, for they were those Admiral Treize chose for his personal machine. Nicol was somewhat shocked to see the Admiral's mobile suit out on the field. The man hadn't been seen on a battlefield for nearly two years, as Nicol could think of. There hadn't been a need for Admiral Treize to go to a battlefield himself, his tactics had made any requirement moot. Admiral Treize being out would have a negative effect on the home fleet, Nicol had no doubt. But it would give a chance to the coalition fleet to have success in this fight. If any could convince defending forces of the truth and have them help do the right thing, it was the Admiral.

Nicol wasn't the only one to notice the appearance of Admiral Treize's mobile suit, both Dearka and Yzak spotted it too. Dearka sort of wondered if the Admiral would appear in this battle with the Salong being in the fleet they were with. It wasn't a surprise that the man was working with the Federation now. With what the Supreme Council was doing lately, Treize wouldn't have agreed nor gone with their schemes. Dearka couldn't see his father siding with those who were for attacking Earth. Tad Elsman wasn't one to be swayed by radical or passionate views and opinions.

Yzak, on the other hand, was concerned to see the Admiral's mobile suit on the side going against the home fleet. The Admiral facing off against the PLANTs' defenders had been unimaginable before now. And while what he'd been hearing about the decisions of the Supreme Council as of late, he didn't think it should've led to the current circumstances. His mother was a good person, but Yzak didn't want to believe what ZAFT had been working for would result in a fight like this. Yzak didn't like that he and others would be engaging the home fleet, but the goal, as explained, made sense. The threat of nuclear weapons being used shouldn't be left to loom over any. The Bloody Valentine had proven what nuclear weapons could do to colonies, which would be the same if done elsewhere.

As the coalition forces were closing the distance between them and ZAFT's defending forces, Lanus took action. He switched to a rarely used com-channel and kept a secret between himself and his closest subordinates. The channel wasn't even known to the National Defense Committee or the Supreme Council. It was meant to be a way for them to communicate without being potentially spied upon. And Lanus was certain ZAFT's champions would believe him or already know the truth of the Chairman's lies. None of the Champions were foolish or ignorant of what went on with ZAFT. "My brothers and sisters," Lanus began, "fellow defenders and protectors of the homeland. The PLANTs are again under threat, yet this time not just from foreign adversaries but also from corrupted domestic opposition. That opposition has guided ZAFT down a path that will not just jeopardize the homeland but pull it toward its destruction. The web of lies which has been laid by those in power has gone on long enough and is to be torn down." Lanus paused, "Another time has come where the PLANTs' people silently cry out for their Champions. They call for those they have come to depend on to save and lead them away from danger. Who will answer their call for relief and safety from the threats looming?"

The five remaining Champions that ZAFT had out of the original ten that had stepped forward when the war started listened to Treize. The man had led them for the years of the war. Treize had always shown he had the PLANTs' best interest in his heart and mind. Not once had Treize let the homeland be vulnerable, even when the National Defense Committee had put it in a weaker position. Treize was a much better leader for ZAFT than Chairman Zala had ever been, even when he was head of the Defense Committee. Zala loyalists would screech the opposite when they weren't spreading lies about Treize. The Champions had been silencing those loyalists quietly so they would arouse suspicion from the Council. However, now Treize was calling them to arms to fulfill the vow they had all made at the start of the war. The remaining champions would answer Treize's call, and Sakura was the first to reply, "The Zephyr will answer their call for protection!" Even when only half of the Champions were still alive, they wouldn't back down from a call from the one to whom they were loyal. "The Dragon is ready to protect and serve," came a male voice.

With each reply from those who were loyal to the homeland and the ideals Lanus held to, he couldn't help but be gratified. He knew the Champions would step forward when he called upon them. They had always been quick to follow orders he gave out to them and fulfill them to the best of their abilities. Lanus had appreciated their loyalty to him and the homeland which they showed. Even when their number had been taken down from the war, the Champions still were willing to step forward. "The Phoenix is here and will do whatever it takes to protect the homeland," called a feminine voice. The responses and the conviction that they were given in heartened Lanus. To know there were still those who remembered what it meant to defend the homeland no matter what, to be a true soldier was gratifying. The answers kept coming, "The Wolf won't allow any to threaten the PLANTs," said a gruff and deep masculine voice. "The Condor is still committed to defending the homeland," returned a soprano-pitched female voice.

That was all the remaining ZAFT Champions that the PLANTs' citizens were aware of. However, their belief was incorrect, as Lanus knew two of the Champions were still alive. The two had just shifted where they worked, which was with the Federation. The two were still loyal but had told Lanus they would work where they were to help the PLANTs. Kurt Gream and Kari Lyloa had done just as they said and had been providing helpful information. "The Mocking Jay heeds the call of the Homeland," Kari answered. Kurt followed her quickly: "The Roc will eliminate those who will threaten the homeland no matter who they are."

Lanus was happy to hear the seven remaining Champions say there were ready to serve the homeland as they had always been. He hadn't doubted they would hesitate to step forward and do what duty demanded them to do. And with them assisting in the battle, more of ZAFT's defenders would see the lies being told to them. The more that turned from Chairman Zala and his web of lies, the greater the chance of stopping nuclear ruin from raining down. The Champions would lead the way for others to follow to fight for what was right. However, as Lanus was about to continue, another voice was heard, "The Comet will defend the people of the homeland as their Champion and hero!"

Lanus hadn't expected to hear the voice of Graham Aker, for he was one of the missing three Champions. Two had fallen in the war, fighting and defending ZAFT positions against the Alliance. Graham had simply vanished close to two years ago without a trace. Lanus had his intel team look into the disappearance, but they had found nothing. The homeland hadn't taken Graham vanishing well at all, for he'd been the hero they looked to. True, a few had been pleased that Graham had disappeared, and Lanus had kept eyes on those. So, for Graham to reappear now was a good omen to Lanus and others. There were so few good omens or things going in a good direction lately one had to take what they could get. The fleet was the other good point happening for Humanity currently. Mobile suits from both sides met and clashed as Lanus instructed his closest soldiers what tasks needed to be done.

ZAFT defending forces quickly found themselves shoved hard on the defensive by the attacking force. The sheer numbers they were fighting were more than ZAFT had ever faced before now in the war. ZAFT's home fleet's morale fell as enemy teams were observed to be made up of Federation, Alliance, and ZAFT machines. Having former allies fighting them hurt enough, but facing forces from both other factions added to it. Slowly but surely, ZAFT defenders were being forced back closer to Jachin Due, losing ground they had staked. Even the Alliance hadn't been able to push ZAFT back so efficiently in the war to date. The battle was rapidly becoming a losing one quicker than anything the Alliance had hoped to do to them. The enemy vessels were also starting to move forward, firing their weapons as they approached. ZAFT defending ships were overwhelmed by the enemy's weapon fire as the mobile suits were pushed back.

The reports coming into Jachin Due's command center weren't encouraging to those there. Honestly, incoming information was merely showing this fight's end with ZAFT losing would be but a matter of time. Patrick was fuming at the enemy fleet attacking them just before GENESIS was readied for its attack. If they had an hour, then the attack on Earth would've been made, and the war would start toward a conclusion. But the interruption had disrupted preparations enough that GENESIS's cool-down phase was drawn out, which delayed its charging and firing. If that wasn't bad enough, then the home fleet being forced to give up ground didn't help at all. Patrick didn't doubt traitors helping the enemy was causing the loyal to hesitate, which frustrated him. However, if the home fleet could hold the enemy back from Jachin Due and GENESIS for long enough, the gamma-ray could rip apart the fleet. That thought gratified Patrick, and so he ordered the charging of GENESIS be started as soon as possible.

Ezalia could see Patrick was angry with the turn of events. Lanus trying to reason with him had only made the Chairman's mood worse than before. And the opposing fleet appearing out of nowhere had accelerated things worsening. It hurt to see the man showing he didn't "care" about the soldiers giving their lives to protect the PLANTs. The Chairman wasn't changing formations or trying to give the defending fleet a better chance in the battle. Instead, the Chairman's orders were related to GENESIS with its defense and intended use. Patrick's insistence on his orders horrified her with the implications that came with them. It sounded like the Chairman intended to use GENESIS to take down a portion of the enemy fleet. The use of the gamma-ray on a fleet would be overkill if not for the size of the attacking one. The opposing fleet was large enough not to be destroyed by a shot from GENESIS, though it would still be a massive amount of lives lost from the said shot.

And yet, Ezalia also observed enemy forces getting worrisomely close to Jachin Due as the skirmish kept going. While she didn't agree with the Chairman's views on how to end the war, she felt the loss of Jachin Due would not be good for ZAFT. Should Jachin Due fall, the last line of defense for the PLANTs would likely fold. And though Ezalia didn't want what the Chairman was planning to happen, she didn't want the PLANTs to be in danger either. As the old adage went, she was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Ezalia did order Jachin Due's lightwave barrier to be activated so the base's defense could be solidified. The barrier was installed months ago when ZAFT intel had acquired blueprints on lightwave barrier emitters. The emitter network that ZAFT had put in made a "rougher" barrier around Jachin Due than Artemis possessed. However, the barrier served the same function as Artemis's defense had done for it. The barrier mitigated enemy attacks and narrowed ally traffic to a small point, making it harder for enemy volleys and bombardments.

Nonetheless, despite the base's increased defense, Ezalia's hopes of things ending okay were fading. She heard a report of defending forces switching sides, likely due to Lanus's efforts. The Champions were the first to turn against those following the Chairman. Ezalia had expected them to turn when Lanus connected with them. They were loyal to the man. Yet, with the champions turning, others were slowly doing the same and joining the opposing fleet. The enemy force was focusing on Jachin Due and not the PLANTs. But Patrick didn't care or listen to any saying that. He would screech they would turn to attack the PLANTs after Jachin Due fell. The Chairman kept demanding GENESIS's preparation be rushed so it could fire on the enemy fleet and cut a portion down. He claimed that once that was done, defending forces would be able to push back and mop up. However, with the rate of allies turning, GENESIS being used would come too late for defending forces to reverse this battle's direction.

Lanus noticed the lightwave barrier being deployed around Jachin Due. The installation had been something he approved of as it gave the base a better defense so they would be able to endure against a heavier assault. But Jachin Due had to fall for this battle to conclude, that was the best way to get the fighting to stop. Jachin Due controlled GENESIS, and such control had to be disrupted as soon as possible. While defending ZAFT forces were heeding the truth being spread to them and switching sides in this battle, it was steady and not rapid. Yet, none switching sides would be able to enter Jachin Due and get the barrier down. However, there was one Lanus knew who could get inside the barrier and work on making it fail. Kari, the Mocking Jay, had infiltration skills that were legendary and second to none. If any could get in without being noticed by those on the station, then it was her. Thus, Lanus reached out to Kari and told her to get into Jachin Due and do what she could to disable the barrier emitter network.

Kari had no issue with what Lanus asked of her since infiltration was her specialty. The Chairman was clearly digging in his heel and refusing to admit the truth. The man was dangerous and needed to be stopped before his nuclear weapon was used. Kari wasted no more time and activated the InTREY's unique image projection system. The system caused a ripple and made her machine to appear as a GINN with damage. Once the guise was up, Kari made her way steadily toward Jachin Due so as not to arouse suspicion. She bypassed the defenders around the base without challenge from them. They glanced her way but didn't think anything odd as they fell for her disguise. Kari approached the small opening in the lightwave barrier and passed through the space.

Once inside the barrier, Kari kept going toward one of Jachin Due's hangars. Yet, she was scanning around for the emitters so she could target them at the right moment. When Kari would attack the emitters, her disguise would've served its purpose and no longer be needed. The timing would be important as too earlier would be countered, and too late would be far less effective. And locating the emitters wasn't difficult as they were out and projecting the barrier. The real question was where the hole in the barrier would be best made, as that's where Kari would need to focus her efforts. Kari calculated the center of the station would be a good place to start, so halfway to the hangar she'd been heading for, she made her move. Kari opened fire on the emitters and quickly began taking the area network she had spotted, which kept the barrier over the center intact.

After a few emitters had been destroyed, the command center took notice the lightwave network was under attack on the inside. It didn't take long to spot the "GINN," which was doing the attacks on the emitters. Other mobile suits moved to stop it, but the "suit" changed its appearance and forced the interceptors to back off. The suit was quickly identified as the ZGMF-575 InTREY, which was used exclusively by the Mocking Jay. It had already been established that the Champions had turned against the Chairman and ZAFT's defending forces. The Chairman ordered the InTREY to stop before the lightwave barrier was compromised. GINNs and CGUEs moved again to stop the attacker from destroying the emitters for the barrier.

Kari did give those working to halt her progress a real run for their money and made them work. She certainly didn't make stopping her a simple or easy task showing off her skills. And by the time the CGUEs and GINNs managed to force Kari to pull back, the damage was done. A hole had been developing, giving a path to the base's structure. The hole, which had started as multiple holes, was increasing in size as time ticked onward. It was open and big enough for the attacking fleet to start shooting in that direction. The mobile suits inside the barrier quickly left the InTREY alone and worked to intercept the incoming shots. Kari quickly disappeared after her attackers moved on an interception course. She easily managed to get away and rejoined the battle.

In Jachin Due's control center, the operators scrambled to repair the lightwave barrier. Enough emitters had been destroyed that keeping the barrier was straining what remained. They tried to reroute power to other emitters to maintain the barrier with the Chairman shouting at them. Yet, all the efforts expended were in vain, the gaps' growth was slowed but not stopped. Gaps would connect to form bigger holes as the forward section of the barrier was slowly fading. The sides and rear of the lightwave barriers were still going well enough, but without the forward section was needed the most. Mobile suits had to reposition as the barrier's forward section began collapsing. The assault on Jachin Due surged forward and picked up speed with the collapse of the defensive barrier.

As that was going on, Tyler had split off from the group that had been Kira, Athrun, Lacus, and him. He'd quickly been surrounded by other mobile suits as he moved toward ZAFT's defending forces. A few strike Daggers joined the Aurora along with some Delta Fighters and a team of three GINNs and a CGUE. Tyler wouldn't say no to others helping him progress to Zala's nuclear weapon. Teamwork would make things move along faster, and the quick the gamma-ray was disabled, the better, in Tyler's opinion. When the clash against ZAFT defending forces came, Tyler fought just as others did. However, Tyler was glad to see those around him working together to fight forward. They had been enemies before this battle, but now they were helping one another toward the goal. Tyler's group was pushed back by Jachin Due's defenders, and though he didn't like that, Tyler didn't let it get to him. Progress was being made as long as the nuclear weapon was disabled and destroyed.

Athrun had separated from those who had come from the Eternal and moved to do a different approach to Jachin Due. This battle was a tad personal for him as a creature that wore his father's face and used his voice was a major cause of it. That fact more than bothered Athrun, as his father hadn't been a horrible individual who wished to destroy the world around them. The goal of the battle was to stop the use of the gamma-ray ZAFT that had been built, and he wouldn't forget that. Athrun had even seen the "rifle" carried by some, which had been mentioned during the scramble orders had been sent out. The rifles carried were the devices the Federation had invented to counter nuclear weapons. From what Athrun had been told, the rifles had to be close enough to fire its "spread" at the nuclear weapon to disable it. Tyler had said something about it affecting n-jammer cancellers, but not much beyond that.

After he separated from those he'd launched out with, Athrun quickly noticed that the Blitz had popped up around the Justice. While Athrun appreciated Nicol helping him since he considered him a friend, they still fought against former allies. Athrun had come to terms with fighting against ZAFT as it was becoming, which had been a trial for him. Nicol may not have done the same as of yet, so this would be more difficult. Yet, before Athrun could ask Nicol if he was okay with what they were doing, Nicol beat him to speaking. "Together again, are we not, Athrun?" Athrun smiled, "Indeed we are, it seems," he answered. Then he hesitated, "I'm sorry we ended out in this situation, Nicol."

Nicol could hear that Athrun regretted they were in this fight but was having difficulty as to figuring out why. Yes, Nicol knew Athrun's father, the current chairman, had brought ZAFT to where it was now. That fact hurt his friend, and Nicol could sympathize as his father was on the Council. But Athrun shouldn't blame himself for what his father was doing as they were separate and different people. "Don't blame yourself, Athrun," Nicol replied. "You wouldn't have been able to change what the Chairman has done." Nicol paused, "I'm here to fight for the things I believe in. I fight for this force's goal since I believe it is right for all of humanity at this time."

The two didn't have time to talk more as the fighting drew them in and held their attention. They had started near the fleet but were forced to fight and move away to the east side of Jachin Due. As they worked their way forward toward the base, the fighting got harder as their opponents became more desperate. Those with them fought but were either forced back or destroyed in their fight. Yet, assistance arrived to Athrun and Nicol in the form of missiles striking attacking GINNs. When Athrun and Nicol looked in the direction that the missiles came, they saw a GINN custom model. It was colored orange and had a skull and cross-bone crest. The suit was armed with a heavy blade, a 76mm heavy assault machine gun, a custom shield, and two missile launchers. The shield was thicker than a normal shield that a GINN would carry. In comparison, the missile launchers were like those that were a part of the "D" equipment GINNs could use. They were M68 "Pardus" 3-barrel Short-range Guided missile launchers. Both knew the suit as it had been described to them by Miguel several times as it was his own mobile suit.

Miguel had been with one of the defending Nazca classes when the large fleet had appeared. The home fleet had been positioned to be ready for an Alliance force potentially coming to strike at the PLANTs. There was the rumor and possibility of the Alliance attempting with a nuclear attack on the homeland. ZAFT intelligence found no evidence of an Alliance fleet within a worrisome distance. But with what happened to Boaz, it was seen as only a matter of time before the same would be attempted on the PLANTs. With the homeland in danger, Miguel had insisted on using his own custom model GINN while waiting for the Alliance. But that wasn't what came to ZAFT's home fleet in any way. The Federation and others had shown up instead and had targeted Jachin Due.

Miguel had no issue with the Federation or those who made it up. He'd found those he had met tended to be good people. The Federation hadn't threatened the PLANTs directly before, nor even come around L5 that Miguel knew of. But that had clearly changed with the use of GENESIS on the Alliance's lunar base Ptolemaeus. The assumption higher-ups had was the Alliance would respond badly and attack. The Chairman had claimed and assured the Alliance would be panicking with fear with the show of GENESIS's power. Miguel didn't believe the Alliance would be likelier to lash out and attack than cower and panic. None had expected the Federation to appear and bring ZAFT to task as they were. ZAFT had watched as the Federation "dealt with" the Alliance over the last few months. Miguel had viewed a few recordings himself, which recon GINNs had captured. He'd been impressed with how the Federation had honestly whipped the Alliance Orbital Fleets. The Federation had done what ZAFT had tried a number of times over the years of the war. And they had done the job in months instead of years which ZAFT leaders didn't admit when asked.

When the battle with the Federation and their allies started, Miguel had done little for the orders being handed out. However, once Miguel noticed the Champions had switched sides and were working with Admiral Treize, Miguel made a decision. Those loyal to the Chairman and the stuff he was spouting were dragging the PLANTs and ZAFT down, and Miguel wouldn't be a part of that. Admiral Treize had always done better at leading ZAFT than any from the National Defense Committee. So, given a choice, Miguel would go with the Admiral rather than the Chairman and Council. One knew where they stood with Admiral Treize; the man was honest and honorable. Thus, Miguel had been fighting against ZAFT forces working with one of the teams under the Dragon.

Nonetheless, as Miguel was working his way through a team of GINNs, he noticed some different mobile suits. He recognized the Blitz immediately, but the crimson "Gundam" was unfamiliar. That the Blitz was around and working with the other Gundam made Miguel think they were a team. Miguel figured Nicol had sided with Admiral Treize in this battle, and he would do that. Some of the last news Miguel had heard from Nicol was he and the Vesalius had been heading out to L4 for some sort of mission. Nicol had sent a message that he had been separated from Vesalius and was traveling with others. Miguel wouldn't say no to working with Nicol again and those he was working with. "You look like you could use an extra pair of hands, Nicol," Miguel stated over an open com-channel. "And I will lend an expert pair to the cause." Miguel wielded his machine gun against ZAFT's defending forces as Nicol was snapped back to the battle. Athrun was surprised to see Miguel on the field and fighting on their side. But he had little time to think about it as enemy forces were pushing back.

At the same time, Mu and Krystal were still with the group they had joined up with, as the coalition fleet's forces had been heading for ZAFT forces. They had quickly got involved in the fighting with ZAFT, helping their allies as they went. Their group was taking the straightest approach to ZAFT's Jachin Due. The base had been one OMNI had gone against a few times during the war, but all of those had ended in failure. However, this instance Mu felt would be different and end with the base falling and the coalition winning. The Federation had prepared things to give the best chance for all of them to stop nuclear weapons from being used. Mu hadn't forgotten Mrs. Simmons's explanation of what ZAFT's weapon could do if it hit Earth. Earth would suffer, all in the strike zone would die immediately, and the rest on Earth would die over a year or less from the after-effects.

Mu and others had seen the "unique" rifle carriers, and one was in their group. Orders had made it clear the rifles were to be protected at all costs, not the carriers. That said to Mu that any could use the rifles, meaning whatever powered them was built into the weapon, but there was a limited number of the rifles. If they lost them all, there would be no way to stop nuclear weapons from being fired besides destroying them. And by what the rifle carrier said, they had a maximum range of around three-hundred-fifty meters. So, once ZAFT's nuclear beam cannon was found, a rifle carrier would need to get to that range to use the rifle to buy time for the weapon's destruction to occur.

In the ongoing fight, Mu paired with Jack's Strike Dagger, and they worked well together. It was almost like they were back in the pilot academy as they often watched each other's back. They ended up being roommates at the academy at the beginning of the second year and remained so for the rest. And it was clear to Mu that Jack had already become used to using a mobile suit. "See, you haven't lost your groove, Jack," Mu said as he shot a GINN. "You're as good with a mobile suit as you were a Zero Armor." Jack slashed a GINN, "Same could be said of ya, Mu," he replied. "Ah'll tell ya, the transition was like a hard week's work on the ranch. But ah put in the work, unlike others who thought it would be no different than armors."

Krystal heard the two exchanging words and shook her head, "Those two haven't changed from what they were supposed to be like at the academy," she remarked. "Pretty much, they were like that, comparing how much work the other was doing," Jamie commented. "Or didn't La Flaga tell you he and Jack were roommates for most of it?" Krystal blinked at that, as Mu had said nothing to that effect. However, if Mu had been Jack Reacher's roommate, it would explain many things that Mu did. Krystal sighed, "That explains several things, Jamie. And no, Mu never said anything about Reacher being his roommate at the academy."

The custom Federation fighter morphed into its suit mode, revealing it had a backpack section with attachments. Those attachments shot off and flew off, but Krystal spotted the faint signs of gunbarrel wires linked to them. The pods hit their wire ends and began shooting beams at ZAFT's defending forces. Cormag knew he'd taught these four not to get distracted when they were in combat. He'd given that lesson multiple times to every student he'd got when he was back in OMNI. "Like I said before," Cormag stated, "Do catchup after this battle. You youngins need to learn to focus on the task at hand. I know I taught you that lesson at the academy several times, in fact. Distraction can be as much an enemy as an ally, and it is good at gettin pilots killed."

While the others were going toward Jachin Due, Lacus had taken the Regenerate and headed in the direction of the PLANTs. She'd seen Athrun and the Blitz moving towards Jachin Due's eastern side as she had gone her way. Lacus had also seen the Buster and Duel go to the west, followed by others. The Strike and Shadow go more directly in the base's direction, along with Alliance forces behind them. The Aurora had disappeared not too long after launching from the Eternal without a trace. But Lacus had confidence that Tyler would be okay on his own as he'd proven he could look after himself. Kira had gone off to the field to do what he could to help push back the ZAFT defending forces. He had also joined those keeping an eye out for the Alliance forces coming to attack the colonies. Lacus was doing much the same since the Alliance forces that had joined the fleet were convinced others would try that.

Nevertheless, Lacus still tried to convince the ZAFT pilots to disarm and stop fighting so they didn't lose their lives. But her attempts had little to no success in her efforts to get others to stop fighting. Lacus's heart ached at the deaths which were happening for such foolish sediment as the hatred of others for being a different genetic type. The war had truly become beyond horrible in what it produced. While she knew how bad the war was, Lacus had still willingly launched out to the battle. Her resolve was strong and made her willing to fight against ZAFT's home fleet. The Chairman's nuclear weapon had to be stopped for the safety and survival of humanity. The Federation and their allies had the best chance to do the job, and Lacus believed that. However, Lacus was brought out of her thoughts when GINNs and a GuAIZ attacked her, forcing her to shift the Regenerate out of its cruising mode. Lacus defended herself against the GINNs, which had stopped her. Lacus kept the GINNs in front of her for the first minute and dealt with them. However, the GuAIZ managed to get behind the Regenerate in the position to get a clear shot.

At the same time, Sakura had been making her way across the battlefield toward Jachin Due. She'd seen a machine that looked to be the same one her beloved Tyler had been with when he'd been around Aprilius One. She had only gotten a brief glimpse of the unit, but that had been enough to pique her interest. As she fought, Sakura had been searching for the Aurora, wanting to work with her beloved Tyler. It would make this battle more worth it to her personally, as the enemy ZAFT force was becoming a pain to deal with. Those loyal to Zala were panicking with those they were fighting against mounting odds. She was accompanied by two others who had been under her command for some time. They were having as much ease as Sakura was with dispatching their enemies.

However, Sakura's attention was caught by the scene of four mobile suits fighting one another. It stuck out to her because one of the mobile suits was a new Gundam type. The Gundam had a unique frame from the ones Sakura had seen thus far. It seemed most similar to the one Zala had been using earlier. There were beam blade emitters on its feet by what Sakura could spot. Its legs and arms looked to be able to shift like Zala's machine had been able to. The "backpack" of the Gundam appeared to be made up of shifting parts with beam weapons built into it.

As far as Sakura knew, ZAFT didn't have Gundams to work with right now. Those that ZAFT had been using had switched sides and were against it currently. So, it was likely the purple Gundam was helping the Federation. And right now, Sakura was doing as Lanus had ordered, assisting the Federation and its allies in this battle. Yet, as Sakura studied the fighting style of the Gundam, she realized it was familiar. The style told Sakura who the pilot of the purple Gundam was. Sakura knew that it was possible that Lacus could be out on the battlefield. Lacus had become stubborn, and her determination had strengthened. Looking back, Sakura could hardly believe her baby sister had grown up as much as she had. Of course, Sakura was proud of Lacus for her progress. But she didn't know if she was ready to accept that her baby sister was becoming a strong young woman. However, Sakura was pulled back to the present when the GuAIZ had gotten behind the Gundam. Sakura wasn't about to let another attack her sister, and she do nothing.

Lacus glimpsed the GuAIZ aiming its beam rifle at her, and she started reacting in order to evade the attack. Nevertheless, the GuAIZ never had the chance to pull the trigger of its rifle, for its arm was sliced off before it could. A heavy blade had cut through the rifle-holding arm before the GuAIZ was kicked away. Lacus spotted the black CGUE who had attacked the GuAIZ and knew who was piloting it. The coloration was a dead giveaway, as no one dared to use the black and crimson themselves. Sakura's reputation made sure the coloration was only seen as hers. The CGUE brought up its assault machine gun and used it to force the GuAIZ to back off from the Regenerate and those now helping it.

Sakura had her heavy blade in one hand and kept firing at the GuAIZ with her machine gun with the other as she began closing the distance. The GuAIZ used its shield to block the shots but couldn't get out from under the barrage as the machine gun moved as it did. Sakura got right in front of her opponent, put her gun away, and slashed the GuAIZ in half. She grabbed the beam rifle to use for herself in this battle before she drew away a moment before the GuAIZ detonated. Her wingmen dispatched two of the GINNs, and Lacus handled the last one. Sakura returned, and her wingmen took their position slightly behind her as they faced the Regenerate.

Lacus was happy to see her sister was okay and working on this battlefield, seemingly on the same side as she was. Mr. Waltfeld had assured her that Admiral Treize would reach out to the champions, and they would side with him. So, Lacus hadn't doubted Sakura would switch sides to fight with the Federation and its allies. But seeing her sister reminded her that she and her father had kept Sakura in the dark about their plans. She'd been down on Earth during the theft and its planning, but that didn't change the fact that neither their father nor Lacus had told her anything. It had been necessary at the time with Sakura's position in ZAFT, for it would've put her in more danger. Their actions had been done with the best interests of the PLANTs and their citizens in mind, but that didn't fully pardon what they had done. Lacus hadn't like being quiet or not telling Sakura things, even though it was for the best. She'd always tried to keep a good relationship with Sakura as she loved her sister. Their father and Lacus herself had been prepared to face the consequences of what they had done. But to lie and be silent with her had filled Lacus with guilt, and she felt horrible.

Sakura faced the Gundam that her baby sister was using. With what rumors and things Sakura had found out, she wasn't the most pleased with either her father or sister. They had not said anything about their actions, which had gotten them into trouble. Sakura didn't like being kept out of the loop on things that affected her family. She'd been the defender of the Clyne family shortly after her mother had died from the poison she'd been slipped. Thus, when the rumors of Lacus and their father being traitors, she'd been ready to kill those who dare say such things. Sakura had learned the truth from Lanus and his intel teams. She believed them as she knew they did genuine research and checked their info the best they could. She'd been angry at first to learn they had gone and helped a mobile suit to get out and to those who can use it best. Sakura would've been on board with the idea and made sure few, if any, would've known about the operation. However, she had been on Earth at the time, so she couldn't help them with the project, which had lessened her anger.

Then with what Tyler had said to her before leaving Aprilius One, he had been involved as well. She didn't blame him; her beloved would do what he could to get her father and baby sister out of trouble. It certainly matched with what the recording of him stealing the Freedom to get attention onto himself. And Tyler had definitely gravitated attention to him with his performance, especially Chairman Zala's ire. Plus, Tyler had kept his word to Sakura by protecting Lacus while Sakura couldn't. She appreciated his efforts and would "show" him how grateful she was the next time their paths crossed. Enough time had passed for Sakura to no longer be angry at her father and sister. They had been doing what they thought best for the people they loved, which wasn't wrong. Thus, Sakura was calm as she opened a com-channel to the Regenerate, "While I am proud of you for standing up and fighting for what you believe in, Lacus." Sakura paused, "You and father have some explaining to do for what actions you took and why."

Lacus didn't disagree with her sister wanting an explanation, as she deserved one after being kept in the dark. She was happy her sister was proud of her for doing what she was, but the guilt dampened that feeling. "Sakura," Lacus began, "I'm sorry for not saying anything about what happened. Father and I didn't want you to worry or be compromised with what we did." Lacus hesitated, "But I agree we need to sit down and talk about things." Sakura shook her head, "Not right now," she returned, "There is work to be done and a battle to fight to its end."

Meanwhile, Kira was fighting ZAFT defending forces much like others were doing. However, he was not heading for Jachin Due directly, instead opting to keep an eye out for Alliance forces as a priority. There were already enough assaulting the ZAFT base and searching for ZAFT's nuclear weapon so that he could focus on other things. The METEOR unit Kira was equipped with was helping make progress at a steady pace. Plus, allies fighting alongside him assisted with the approach and lookout duty. Federation, ZAFT, and OMNI mobile suits worked together with him to make a path forward. He didn't think he would see it while the war was going on. But this battle was to protect Earth and save humanity from extinction, so the will to survive was at the forefront.

Kira had seen those from the Eternal had gone their separate ways on the battlefield. Lacus had tried staying with him, but ZAFT forces separated them quickly after the clash. Athrun had flown off in a different direction from where Kira had headed. Tyler had done much the same as Athrun going off in a different direction than him. Both had other mobile suits following them, which Kira hoped would help his best friends stay alive. Those from the Archangel had also gone their separate ways on the battlefield. Yet, as the allied force had moved forward, they had formed teams to fight with. It was a safe mentality to work within the battle as ZAFT would take down those they could.

At the same time, Rau had launched out from Jachin Due in the new Gundam, the ZGMF-X12 Providence. He'd initially tried to hunt down the Mocking Jay, who had gotten in and ripped a hole in the base's defense but couldn't find them. So, he had gone out to the field and had gotten to work destroying those attacking Jachin Due. He wasn't defending the base per se, but it couldn't be destroyed just yet for his plan to come to the conclusion he wanted. GENESIS had to be ready and aimed at Earth before Jachin Due could fall. Or else the years of work Rau had put in for the downfall of the human race would be wasted. He would do much to make his plan happen, it had come to the point of no return, and Rau would see it through. But as he was going across the field, he spotted the Freedom surrounded by other mobile suits, which caught his attention. It was the chance to beat and destroy Hibiki's dream child once and for all. Such had been a wish since the moment the boy had come into existence for Rau.

He'd failed at Mendel to finish the boy, but there had been other more important tasks to see to at the time. Yet, now, an opportunity to destroy the boy and fulfill the lifelong wish to outdo and strip Hibiki of his "life's work," which was the man's pride. The only regret Rau would have was Hibiki wouldn't see him destroy his dream child with his own eyes. So, Rau moved forward toward the Freedom, firing at those with it. Rau couldn't care less about the extras with the Freedom, and they were akin to weapon fodder to him. He deployed his DRAGOON pods and had them start mowing down the extras, shooting those they missed with his beam rifle. Rau would get Yamato by himself, destroy him psychologically, and then kill him.

Kira's attention was jerked back to the present when some of his allies got shot down. Upon glancing around, Kira quickly spotted the mobile suit responsible for dispatching his allies. The Gundam-type suit was grey overall, and the torso was blue, except for the sides around the lower torso. The vents were yellow, then the area around the neck and collar was also yellow. Looking at his allies, parts that matched the coloration of the enemy suit were moving and shooting them. There were four small parts and three larger ones doing the work of dispatching his allies. From what Kira could see, the parts appeared to have docking points on the backpack of the opposing machine and on the hip skirts. There was a shield on the left arm of the machine that was half the size of the Freedom's shield from top to bottom. It also appeared to have beam gun emitters, two of them, built into the shield, along with a beam saber emitter as well. This mobile suit's other visible weapon was the "handheld" weapon was substantially large than the one the Freedom had and looked to need to be supported by the shoulder when used. If the size were anything to judge by, then the power output would be higher than the "Lupus" rifle the Freedom and the Justice were equipped with.

Kira tried to help his allies, but the pods ripped apart most of them, and others backed off. Kira told the remaining allies he would handle the enemy Gundam and for them to go and help the others. The enemy suit looked dangerous, and Kira would do his utmost to prevent it from doing more harm. The power readouts from the enemy unit said it more than likely had a nuclear reactor like the Freedom did. If that were true, this machine could have other similar abilities as the Freedom and Justice, especially if it was a part of the same series. Mr. Waltfeld had mentioned another unit of the series, which the Freedom was a part that had been in production, and it hadn't come with the Eternal. So, the enemy unit could possibly be that unit that ZAFT had retained. Thus, Kira took up a defensive stance with the Freedom, preparing for whatever was coming.

Rau noted the Freedoms allies had left it, meaning the extras were no longer an annoyance to take care of before the real fun began. He recalled the DRAGOON pods back to their docks to have a quick recharge while he messed with Yamato. Rau opened a channel so he could taunt the boy as he wanted to, "Is fate not ironic, Kira Yamato," Rau began. "That we should meet on this battlefield to fight for the future for Humanity?" Rau gained a maniacal grin, "Humanity's actions have led to this moment in which fighting decides what path it takes for itself. And I wouldn't miss this for anything, not with all that has been done to get here." Kira hadn't expected Creuset would appear on this battlefield though he knew it was a possibility. Yet, his attention was shifted as the pods detached from Creuset's mobile suit and moved forward, shooting at Kira. He dodged and evaded the beams from the pods that came off Creuset's mobile suit. And what made this even more frustrating to Kira beyond the needless deaths of his allies was Rau Le Creuset was cackling like a madman. "This is what humankind has worked so hard for, Kira Yamato," Rau shouted joyfully. "They created this war and all it came with!"

Rau used his weapons and aimed at the extra equipment that the Freedom had this time. But Kira avoided the shots firing back with the missile pods. Rau had to jerk back and have the Providence's DRAGOONs moved back and use their beams to intercept the missiles from the METEOR unit. The boy proved to be Hibiki's "perfect" child with impressive capabilities. And seeing it with his own eyes angered Rau as it brought back memories of Hibiki boasting how amazing his child would be. "You are more an eyesore than you were before," Rau snarled, "Making your father proud. It sickens me to no end, boy!" Then Rau regained his twisted and maniacal smile, "But then, you are the culmination of mankind's desires and dreams, so of course, you would be a serious obstacle to its end."

Kira saw the pods turn towards him, knowing that in this situation was going to get harder, he made the decision to undock from the METEOR unit. The METEOR shot away back toward the Eternal as the Freedom's wings snapped open. The suit's HiMAT mode activated, increasing its mobility as Kira faced Creuset again. He gritted his teeth at Creuset's claims and now could see what Tyler meant when he said not to take what the masked man said as he said it. Whether what he said was true or not, he was chatting to throw Kira off, and Kira wouldn't let it happen again. Not after all those who had sacrificed their lives in this battle thus far! "You may be right, and my sire may be proud of what I can do. I can't say what you had against him, but it doesn't involve me." Kira paused for a moment, "Yet, your view of what humankind's dream is right now is only in the negative, Creuset. That's your fault and choice, focusing on only the negative, ignoring and dismissing the positive!"

A/n

And that's where I'll leave off for this phase and pick up in the next one. For those that have read the original version, this was Phase 25, but I split it in half as it was getting much too long for one phase. Now, onto the highlighting and pointing out things from the Phase I do in the closing notes. Let me start with the first scene which is the conversation between Treize and the Chairman. For you readers, I wouldn't doubt you know Patrick Zala is a lost cause, there is more than enough evidence to say that. This scene isn't to prove that even though it does, this is a friend trying to save another as fruitless as it can be. So, in this I wanted to put forth a few points that is different than canon. There is a history between Patrick, Lanus, and Siegel that started before ZAFT was formed. Patrick and Lanus were the first to meet. Where Patrick told Lanus of his dream of humans co-existing with each other. Lanus was convinced to help Patrick working towards the stated dream. It is because of that history which motivates Lanus to attempt to convince Patrick of his error. On the other hand, Patrick doesn't want anything to do with Treize due to him being an obstacle. The conversation is I think more telling on how blind the Chairman has become to reality and the consequences that will result.

The other half of the first scene's conversation between Treize and the Chairman are the implications from those listening. I know Ray Yuki doesn't have a large role in canon other than stopping the Chairman and dying in the task. I tell you right now, that's not how it will work in my story, but you'll see more about that later. Yuki and some like him as I mentioned are "running" things in ZAFT that Treize had been doing before he departed. Yet, the officers don't believe the stuff Patrick is claiming about Treize being a traitor, but they don't publicly denounce it. And I want to state that while not in canon the Chairman has a tight hold over the PLANTs and ZAFT. That is done through fear and enforcement of "Section 2" which are Patrick's attack dogs that can do whatever it take and not be held accountable. So as Yuki shows, there are those that still will heed Treize if given the opportunity over the Chairman when it really counts. And he isn't the only one, though I don't say it specifically, I will in these notes. The other which I will point out is of course, Ezalia Joule who is the "sane" military leader as head of the PLANTs' National Defense Committee. She knows that Lanus is no traitor. She doesn't say it publicly but that is so she isn't replaced by a loyalist of Patrick. Ezalia also saw the fallout with ZAFT once Treize left the colonies. And a peek behind the curtain for you readers, she will play a part in the next phase in thwarting the Chairman.

Moving onto the next part I want to highlight for you readers is the speech that Admiral Moses gave. For those that are gamers, you probably have guessed what I took as inspiration for the speech. Yes, it comes from Mass Effect 3 done by Hacket just before the final levels of the game. For those that don't know what I'm talking about, don't worry about it, just one of those references for fun I put in. However, the speech has significance as it is both to unite those in the coalition fleet and set the tone for the battle. I wanted to make it clear that in this universe genetic orientation is their racism if it hasn't been obvious. I also imply with "all the places the human race has settled" there is more than just Earth and the colonies and there will be more but that is for later. This speech touches those fighting to stop the use of nuclear weapons on the places they called home. That makes the last line the most powerful I would think with standing strong and together.

The scene where mobile suits were launching out I expanded for a few reasons. First, understand I write with the mentality you readers may not have watched the anime version of this. So I describe what happens in more detail than perhaps is needed to get the point across, but allow your imagination to picture what I do. I also wanted to show that Mu and Krystal aren't the only "zero armor" pilots left alive as canon has with Mu. In my story, several had vanished and went to work for the Federation for one reason or another. Plus, it gives me the opportunity to introduce Cormag a bit earlier than I do in the original version. Then, I got to give Cagalli some "screen time," for her to give her feelings about what she was getting into and why. I wanted to give her some depth to work with both now and later. I don't think she gets good character development in canon until more Destiny and I don't like that.

Now onto the battle scene and the action it comes with which makes Phases like this one fun to write. Lanus of course calls for the Champions to fight with him, it was going to happen as they are loyal to him and the ideals he fights for. It is quickly noticed by ZAFT defending forces and only adds to the crap they are put under. I believe the Chairman's reaction is telling as he "believed" his vendetta is the only thing that matters and ZAFT should be as fanatical as he is about it. Should any in ZAFT not be absolutely committed to the extermination of Naturals everywhere they could be found, they are traitors. I know this is a textbook case of fanaticism but that is the point I'm trying to make as the radicals have made it so for the Alliance and ZAFT. Now Jachin Due does not have a light wave barrier in canon, but I feel it is a possibility and should've been. After all, if you can give a better defense to you main defending base, why wouldn't you do so? Plus it gave the opportunity for me to show the skills of one of my characters off and the reason she is called the "mocking jay." Next, I want to once again say I saved characters who died in canon for a part to play later on. Miguel is a good example, he fights in this battle along side Athrun and Nicol and makes a difference. Also, it gave me a chance to research his custom GINN which gets glossed over in canon.

Lastly, the encounter between Kira and Rau which got its first part in this Phase and will continue in the next. Now, I hope I've made it plain that Rau hates Kira with a passion not because of how Kira is, but what he is and represents. Rau more hates Hibiki and Kira is the man's life work, thus he wants to destroy that to attack the man he hated so much. I also give a picture of how Rau sees the human race and the path it was on. However, unlike in canon where Kira panics in the beginning, he don't do that in my story. Tyler's talks with Kira about Creuset did make a difference even if they didn't seem to do so at the time. Kira isn't confused or put off by Rau's attempts to mess with him. And this battle will keep going in the next Phase but it will be different from the original.

In conclusion, I apologize once again for these ending notes being as long as they are becoming. The changes I've been making for this are more extensive than I thought they would be when I started this. I also give far warning, with the planning I've been doing for this, the next few Phases after the next one will likely take longer than two weeks to write. Two of them will be essentially brand new before I move to the Destiny portion of this story. So, as of the start of the coming year, I'll be posting hopefully every three weeks, potentially less time. However, I work full time and go to school which contribute to taking time that I could be writing, so it is what it is. I appreciate you readers giving my story a chance with this rewrite. Please, some of you take the time to write a review and tell me what you think thus far, I do read them even if I take time to reply to them. I hope and will try my best to have the next Phase posted by the end of the year. The Phase is titled: "Fight for the Future" and is the second half of this battle. Peace out until the next Phase!