A/n

Here is the next phase and the the second half of the Minerva's journey to Carpentaria. For those that were wanting action, this phase is the one you wanted. Do enjoy the Phase even if it is on the longer end of the spectrum.

Phase 89: The Path to Carpentaria

November 14th, 73 C.E.

The Minerva, North Indonesian Sea

Once Talia and Arthur returned to the bridge, Aila left the area. She still wondered what kind of meeting the two could've gone to and what it had been about. Talia seemed to know something which she wasn't telling anyone else about for the moment. That was starting to concern Aila as things seemed to be going a lot more smoothly than it had been for the Minerva in a while. Aila had unfortunately become accustomed to the Minerva being drawn into things and not getting what most would consider a break for very long. That type of thing just didn't seem to be in the "cards" for the Minerva and her service with ZAFT. Thus, Aila was left to question if there was something ahead which Talia knew about which the Minerva should be concerned with. From what Aila had heard, the journey to Carpentaria "should" be a smooth and uneventful trip from Shira. But the same had been said about other instances the Minerva had been involved in and those hadn't ended out that way. So, what evidence was there which could say that the trip to Carpentaria wouldn't be anything but what others said it would?

Aila thought that perhaps Athrun might know something about whatever could be going on which wasn't being said. Athrun seemed the type that had ways of being in the know that others didn't, though Aila couldn't say what told her that. Yet, if Athrun knew something, Aila would be willing to take that as not knowing was starting to frustrate her. The feeling that something was going on and being kept from the crew was nagging at Aila. She wanted to think that Talia had a good reason for not saying whatever was happening to the crew. But a whisper within her was incessantly saying that something wasn't right. The lack of talk was normally not a good sign, more one that was a foreboding one in Aila's experience. So, Aila began searching for Athrun in the hopes that he could shed some light on the situation that was occurring.

It took time for Aila's search to find anything. She had started with Athrun's quarters, but he hadn't been there. However, it had appeared that Athrun had been doing some sort of research which Aila couldn't determine what for. That had Aila all the more suspicious that something was going on and those in the know weren't saying anything. Aila had gone to the mess to see if Athrun was there but saw no sign of him. Yet, Matt had come up to her when he'd noticed her there, "Something is bugging you, lovey," he greeted. "What's eating at you?"

Aila appreciated that Matt was worried about her and was always willing to do what he could to help her. He really was a great guy, and she was glad they were in a relationship. But her current mood and the need for answers was making it hard for her to accept help from him right now. The sooner she found out what was going on that wasn't being talked about in the open, the quicker the stress would leave her. So, Aila turned away from Matt, "It's nothing, just frustrated at the moment," she replied. "Don't worry about it."

Matt could understand being frustrated, it happened to everyone off and on. And with what experience the Minerva had since it came into service, quiet times had been and would be rare. But he doubted that the frustration Aila was feeling wasn't what was bugging her exactly. She'd been called to the bridge close to an hour ago and had been there for around that time. Matt had wondered what reason the captain had to have Aila be in charge for a time. It had seemed so random, and Matt felt it wasn't but couldn't say what was going on. "I can tell you're frustrated, Aila," Matt said. "But that isn't what is bugging you, it is more a side-effect."

Aila figured that Matt would notice her frustration wasn't what was bugging her right now. However, Aila didn't want to spoil the mood that the crew was in with the "quiet journey" to Carpentaria ahead of the Minerva. Yet, the nagging feeling that she had wouldn't leave her alone. That feeling was saying something was going on and was likely going to change the quiet journey into something different. But Talia hadn't said anything that could explain what may be going on which Aila's intuition said was happening. Arthur hadn't mentioned anything either, but he'd glanced at Talia who had shaken her head. That to Aila said the two had learned something yet were keeping it to themselves for some reason. However, Aila didn't want to worry others unnecessarily just because she was frustrated. It could all be for nothing even if she didn't think that was the case. So, she exhaled heavily, "I don't know," Aila uttered. "I just feel that there is something going on that only few know about right now. Pilots like us are responsible for protecting the ship and so should know what could be ahead so we can prepare for it."

Matt couldn't disagree with what Aila was saying. The pilots of a ship were to protect it so were usually in the know about things ahead of the vessel that would need to be dealt with. Nor could he argue against the feeling there was something going on in the shadows which the crew weren't being made aware of. He had the same kind of feeling there was something not being said to the crew. But there could be a reason for whatever wasn't being said was kept back. Captain Gladys had shown herself to care about the Minerva's crew. Thus, Matt felt the woman would do what's best for the crew of the ship. So, if there was information being held back at the moment, the captain had to have a reason for doing so. "I wouldn't disagree, lovey," Matt returned before hugging Aila. "But Captain Gladys cares about the Minerva's crew so wouldn't put them in danger needlessly."

Aila felt that Matt was right about Talia and that her worries were her being paranoid right now. She knew Talia did her utmost to protect the Minerva and its crew, even if it wasn't always visible. If it wasn't for the "quiet time" that the Minerva was getting, Aila wouldn't be as concerned with circumstances. The Minerva hadn't gotten extended periods of quiet time to work with since it had been thrust into service. The ship had gone from one issue to another with some time to repair and resupply more than half the time. So, Aila had become accustomed to going from one clash with the Alliance to the next without much down time in between. "I know Talia wouldn't put those on the Minerva in danger if she could help it," Aila admitted. "I guess I just am restless as the Minerva really hasn't gotten a lot of quiet time during its short service so far." Aila paused for a moment, "I was looking for Athrun and see if he knew anything about what could be going on."

Matt blinked at Aila saying she was looking for Athrun. It was possible that Athrun could know about whatever it was that the captain and deputy knew about which was being kept from the crew. Athrun was to be the team lead on the field going forward, which normally meant they would get information before others. Yet, Matt hadn't seen Athrun since the Minerva left Shira's docks and headed out. He took the time to think and realized that Athrun had been absent or rather none of the crew had been talking about him that Matt had heard. That was odd as the Gundam which Athrun had brought had been spoken of in gossip among the crew. So, Matt came to the decision to help Aila find Athrun and see if he could help clear things up. "Then let's go find Athrun and see if he can help clarify things for us," he stated. "Athrun has to be somewhere on the Minerva, so with both of us, we should be able to locate him."

Aila appreciated Matt being willing to help her without hesitation even when she hadn't asked him. He always seemed to know what to say when Aila needed a pick-me up. Aila didn't want to imagine how things would be if Matt weren't with the Minerva right now. He could've been killed at Armory One as other ZAFT personnel had been. "You don't need to help me find Athrun you know Matt," Aila remarked. "I can find Athrun myself if you are busy with something."

Matt was more than willing to help Aila find Athrun. He'd been going to check on the three teen pilots, but that could wait. They appeared fine, but he wanted to just double check on the three with the unintentional alcohol consumption. So, he shook his head in response, "I was going to look in our juniors and make sure they okay, but that can wait for a bit. You've been stressing a lot lately and it ain't a good thing for that to be the case." Matt gestured for them to move forward, "Let's go find Athrun and see what is going on, shall we, lovey?" The two headed off searching for Athrun from the Mess.

Meanwhile, Athrun was working on polishing the plan which had been drawn up by the meeting with the captain and deputy so he could give an overview to the ship's pilots. The general plan for the Minerva to get past the OMNI fleet ahead should work, but the pilots would be doing a good amount of the work to accomplish it. Athrun didn't want the pilots who would be under his charge to be at risk more than they had to be. It was something he'd learned from the Alliance-PLANT War and the year after it, the real value of each and every life. Athrun fully intended to have all of the Minerva's pilots return alive and well after the ship got past the enemy fleet. But that could be a more difficult task than it had seemed at first with the data Athrun was working over.

Part of the problem that he was having was the lack of practical information about the skills and abilities of the Minerva's pilots. Athrun had ZAFT's files on each of the pilots, but they didn't give the details that Athrun would like. As a leader, Athrun knew the better one knew those that worked under them, the more effective they could be employed toward a goal. Sure, the files stated the results of ZAFT's testing and practical scores, but that was only measure for a pilot to be seen with. Athrun preferred to have first-hand accounts to go off of if he could work with those. Yet, Athrun hadn't gotten the chance to talk to the other pilots of the Minerva about their skills and abilities. The first meeting he'd had was helping them after they had unknowingly gotten drunk which wasn't the best way to start.

Nevertheless, Athrun was brought out of his thoughts when the door to the briefing room slid open. Athrun turned and found the two he'd met after arriving on the ship with the Saviour. He couldn't say what the two were doing coming to the briefing room right now. Athrun had been absorbed in translating the plan into something he could present to the other pilots. He wanted to have the point done and ready to present within the next hour so all the Minerva's pilots could have a planning session. That session would iron out the details of what each of them would do out on the field when the Minerva encountered the OMNI fleet. Athrun didn't have the data he'd shown the captain and deputy ready for the Minerva's pilots. So, Athrun had the briefing room's display turn off and focused on the two that had entered. "What brings you two around here," Athrun asked. "I mean no offense, I was just working on some things that would be best completed quickly."

Aila and Matt had only gotten a brief glimpse of what had been on the main display. It had looked like images and maps, but neither could say much more detail than that. For Athrun to be in the pilot briefing room by himself was odd to Aila and Matt. He seemed to be going over a collection of data which neither had seen before. Still, Aila was hopeful that now they had found Athrun, they may get some answers. "Athrun," Aila began, "I hope you can give us a moment of your time for a question."

Athrun was still had data to work through for the planning session. That needed to be done as efficiently as possible so plans could be fine-tuned before the ship came against the enemy fleet. However, these two could help Athrun in the way the data couldn't. Aila and Matt had seen the three teen pilots and knew what they could do on the field. Athrun needed information as to the skill set of each pilot and if they specialized in something. So, answering questions of these two did have merit for taking the time to talk to them rather than planning. "I can," he replied, "but I would ask you be straight to the point with questions. There are things that need to be done and putting them off isn't wise."

Aila could see that whatever Athrun was working on was being seen as important. While she was curious about that, she wanted to know what was going on which wasn't being talked about. Something in Aila told her that Athrun was in the know with Talia and Arthur. It was more her intuition that said that, but it was what she had to go on. "What is going on Athrun," Aila asked. "Talia and Arthur know something and that only seemed to be the case after they came back to the bridge. Yet, neither of them say anything about whatever it is that is worrying them. Do you know what is going on that is being kept from the crew? Or are you being kept in the dark as well?"

Athrun had gotten the impression that the captain was keeping the OMNI fleet ahead of the Minerva away from the crew for the moment. It wasn't Athrun's business why the woman was doing that, it was her decision. He understood some of the reasons why Captain Gladys was not saying anything yet. Athrun could keep the point from them and have them wait until the meeting with the other pilots. However, he wanted to have cooperation for those he would be fighting alongside with. So, being open with Aila and Matt would be a good place to start with that idea. "Well, about that," Athrun started, "It would be best not to spread this around right away, but there is an OMNI fleet ahead of us in the path to Carpentaria."

Both Aila and Matt were a tad surprised to hear an enemy fleet was ahead of the Minerva. There had been nothing said or even suggested that could be the case. However, it did explain somewhat why Talia and Arthur had been tight lipped. If the crew were made aware of such right now, it could and likely would cause issues and make preparations sluggish. But the question of how Athrun knew about the point came to Aila's mind. "How did you come to know about there being an enemy fleet ahead," Aila questioned. "I mean, it explains why Talia and Arthur appear concerned, but it seems odd you know about the idea."

Athrun didn't want to imply he'd kept information back and not told those who should know. He didn't want those on the Minerva questioning him and if he was there to help them or something else. Athrun had just felt it was better that Captain Gladys know about the OMNI fleet first rather than he just mention it. Tyler had given the info to him as he couldn't give it to the Minerva without the Alliance likely finding out and accusing the Federation working with ZAFT. But Athrun didn't want to imply he had contacts with the Federation which he could turn to if he felt the need. Those could be abused if others knew of them, or used for his loyalty could be doubted. "I happened to find out about the fleet," Athrun stated. "When I was able, I delivered it to Captain Gladys. I have been doing more research to see what the Minerva could be facing since the ship left Shira."

While the reply sounded reasonable, Aila felt there was something missing, but she couldn't put her finger on what. It was very possible that Athrun could've found out about an enemy fleet while he was staying in Shira. It wouldn't be that surprising as the Federation had ways of finding out information which others didn't. So, Aila dismissed the feeling that something was being left out for the time being. "And what has your research found out about the enemy force ahead of us," Aila posed.

With the two here and likely knowing the Minerva's pilots better than what ZAFT files could say, Athrun felt it would be better to have the two help in the planning before the presentation to the other pilots. It may be earlier than he had intended it to be, but Athrun knew there were times you had to take what you could get. "Perhaps you two would be willing to see and help with polishing the general plan which the captain and deputy had agreed to," Athrun inquired. "I could really use data on our three junior pilots and the two of you to assist with that. The files from ZAFT only can say so much and it doesn't give details I would like to have."

Aila and Matt blinked at the "offer" to help with planning to deal with the enemy fleet. Neither had expected that to come from Athrun. They were willing to help as it would give them the opportunity to learn what was going on. Should there be an OMNI fleet be in the Minerva's path, the two wanted to know what that would involve. OMNI wouldn't let the Minerva pass them to reach Carpentaria, it just wouldn't happen with the Alliance's actions as of late. And with the mention of a plan, it suggested there was a general idea of how to deal with the enemy forces ahead of the Minerva. So, Aila and Matt took seats and looked to Athrun for him to tell them what the plan was.

Athrun turned the main display back on and brought the maps to the forefront of the data collection. "This is a map of the Equa Passage which the Minerva is using to get to Carpentaria," Athrun stated. "Normally, there wouldn't be much of a concern of encountering an OMNI force on this passage which we wouldn't already be aware of before setting out. However, the group ahead I would say had been keeping a low enough profile to not be looked into heavily." Athrun had the map zoom in on the area he had determined the fleet was waiting to spring their blockade on the vessels they didn't like. "From what I've found through research and confirmed with some in the PLANTs' Intelligence Division, this is where the enemy fleet will be. It doesn't need to be stated, but OMNI will not allow the Minerva through without an attempt to sink the ship."

Aila was rather impressed that Athrun had not just narrowed down where the enemy fleet was going to be but had already confirmed the point. As a member of FAITH, Athrun could make requests of the Intelligence Division and expect it to be handled efficiently. But with Athrun opening with just this, Aila hoped that meant he had more to work with for planning. Matt was about as impressed as Aila was with what Athrun was presenting to them. Knowing the location of the enemy fleet before the Minerva stumbled upon it was an unexpected advantage to work with. And Matt felt that Athrun had more to give them which the more they had the better the plan could be.

Athrun had the maps move to the background of the display and the file of the blockade formation move to the front. "Let me move onto the formation that the blockade is likely to use which is key to the plan which has been drawn up." Athrun gestured at the image on the file displayed, "As you can see with the file I have brought up, this is the formation I suspect OMNI will be using. It fits what can be seen in the image from the Intelligence Division." Athrun had the image become larger to show the formation better, "The formation is made up of two basic lines, which has one in front and the other behind the first. Comparing it to the Intel Division's image, I am now relatively sure of the fleet's makeup. The rear line is made up of four Spengler-class carriers and five smaller support ships, likely OMNI's Fraser classes or something similar. The front line seems to be made up of fifteen battleships, a mixture of OMNI's Des Moines and Arkansas classes. I also suspect that some of them have equipment to counter underwater attacks like from subs and mobile suits, though I can't say for sure."

Aila and Matt were in a state of shock with how much data Athrun had on the OMNI force ahead. Sure, ZAFT intel could've gotten the information, but they hadn't given anything like this that either knew of recently. Aila would love to know where Athrun could've obtained this data, but him having it was the more important point of this. So, for the time being, Aila was willing to not ask where Athrun had gotten the information and just use it to help the Minerva's chances. Matt also wondered where the data came from, but he was more than focused on the data Athrun was giving them. The enemy fleet had twenty-four ships, and no doubt more mobile suits than the Minerva had to work with even with the Saviour on it now. The numbers didn't spell a good situation for the Minerva ahead. Yet, Athrun had implied there was the makings of a plan to get beyond the enemy fleet. "I'm guessing the plan you mentioned will be more tactics than just blasting through," Matt posed. "Cause from what you've presented, blasting them won't be enough to get through them by what I'm seeing."

Athrun was glad Aila and Matt weren't asking questions about the data or where it had come from. It seemed that they were more interested in what the data provided than where it was obtained. Athrun could respect that the two were focused more on getting through what was ahead the best possible rather than other things. So, Athrun continued, "Yes, there is a general plan to get through the OMNI fleet. Thankfully, the fleet formation isn't without its weaknesses and vulnerabilities that can be used against it." Athrun pointed to the two spots which had been discussed by Captain Gladys to be used to break through the fleet's formation. "The space between the outer arrows and the ones next to them were decided to be the best places to break through the fleet in the discussion between the captain, deputy, and myself."

Aila studied the two places that Athrun had referred to in the fleet formation. Both spots had merit to use to get past the fleet's front line, but the enemy ships could move to counter. It would be dependent on the competency of OMNI's crews. But getting information on that kind of thing would be something that ZAFT intel would have great difficulty doing. Yet, if the Minerva could get past the front line, then there would just be the Spenglers and their support ships before being home free. "I get the feeling that breaking through that front line will be easier said than done," Aila remarked. "Correct me should I be wrong."

Athrun knew that if not for the data on the file he got from Tyler, Aila would be quite right. But knowing that OMNI had a habit placing less experienced crews on the edges of their formations made a difference. Then there was the other point of what OMNI instructed their ships and mobile weapons about friendly fire. Those two facts which the Federation had observed was interesting and worth noting. Thus, Athrun inclined his head, "You are correct it won't be easy." Athrun paused for a moment, "However, there is two things which have been observed that I believe will make a difference. Those are OMNI placing less experienced crews at the edges of formations and them being told to avoid friendly fire."

Matt blinked at what Athrun said as it was so out of the blue it had him having a doubletake. He'd never heard of the observations that Athrun had just mentioned. Matt would be inclined to agree with them as they would make sense with how OMNI did things. Yet, Matt had never heard of any studying such things that close to come to that conclusion. "Not that I would disagree with the observation you mention," Matt replied. "But I can't think of any that would study such things so close that they could make a conclusion like that. I know Aila and I haven't questioned where you got this data, but it ain't sounding like something regular ZAFT intel would provide."

Athrun wondered how long it would take for that question to come up. He had answers he could give to deflect from the source he had to work with if needed to. Talia had understood there were reasons to not know the source Athrun had got to for help. Athrun hoped that Aila and Matt would understand the same. "It is better not to ask where I got this, some of the sources are to remain anonymous," Athrun stated. "I know ZAFT policy would say otherwise, but there are exceptions to that policy."

Aila had the impression before this that the data Athrun had was from places it was better not to know about. She had come to understand that there were times it was better to not know where some information came from. And as the data would help the Minerva be ready to deal with the fleet and keep heading to Carpentaria. So, in this case, it didn't matter a great deal where the data they were viewing and would use came from. As long as it was accurate enough to work with and depend on, that was what counted as far as Aila was concerned. "Athrun has a point, Matt," Aila commented. "At this time, we don't have much room to ask questions like that or complain. The Minerva has enough on its plate to work on without adding more to it with asking for details that do not matter right now." Aila focused back on Athrun, "Do forgive him, but if you would continue Athrun, that would be great."

Athrun had laid out the fleet makeup, and that was all well and good. It was a part of the plan for the Minerva to get through the OMNI fleet. However, the enemy mobile suits and the potential mobile armor was the more worrisome element of the upcoming fight. Athrun felt it best that he lay out what the Minerva would be facing beyond just the enemy fleet. The mobile armor which he believed was the "special equipment" Tyler had referred to concerned Athrun. And should it have some sort of beam deflection system which was just as likely, there needed to be a plan and a contingency ready for it. "With the fleet makeup free, I think it best that we move to the mobile weapons," Athrun stated. "And they are the ones which are more concerning in the group ahead."

Aila and Matt's attention sharpened at the mention of mobile weapons the enemy fleet. Athrun had said mobile weapons rather than mobile suits. He'd also said they would be the more concerning of the enemy force rather than the fleet itself. That Athrun had said mobile weapons rather than mobile suits suggested there could be something more than just suits, like a mobile armor. Aila and Matt hadn't forgotten the last Alliance mobile armor the Minerva had encountered in the Gulnahan Ravine. If the enemy fleet ahead had something similar to what the Minerva had encountered in the last bout with the Alliance, that would complicate things. "You said mobile weapons specifically and not mobile suits," Aila remarked. "Does that mean the enemy fleet has a mobile armor?"

Athrun didn't have proof of his suspicions that the OMNI fleet had a mobile armor with it. However, he was becoming more inclined and sure that the Alliance fleet had a mobile armor to use with what he was seeing. The problem Athrun had was he didn't have evidence to prove to others he was right. Nor did he have any data on the armor he suspected the enemy fleet had which he wish he did have. "I have no specific evidence to say if the fleet ahead does have a mobile armor. However, data I was able to obtain did say the fleet had special equipment to work with. I took that to mean there was something like a mobile armor they could use against ZAFT forces they encounter. It would stand out from mobile suits. There is a chance the equipment could be custom model mobile suits, yet I don't see them using that. And after viewing the records of what the Minerva faced during its last operation, I'm very inclined to think the fleet has a mobile armor for the said special equipment."

Athrun's logic made sense to Matt and Aila about the enemy fleet having a mobile armor. The issue was if the said mobile armor had something like the reflector or deflection system which had blocked the Minerva's positron blaster cannon. If the armor did, that would make dealing with it more complicated and that would be time consuming. And from what Athrun had said about the plan, time was a factor in the upcoming fight. The longer things took to get past the fleet, the more likely the OMNI fleet could stop and potentially sink the Minerva. "I wouldn't disagree with the fleet having a mobile armor to work with," Aila replied. "And if it is anything like the one we encountered almost a week ago, then that is concerning. The ability to deflect beams was something we've not seen before."

From what Athrun had understood, the Alliance had been developing deflection technology for a time now. According to data from the Federation, it was only in the recent months that the Alliance had been putting out mobile armors to the field with deflection systems. By what Aila said, ZAFT hadn't been aware of the Alliance's development. "I've heard that the Alliance has been working on deflection technology for a time now. Although, it seems they have only recently been using such on the battlefield. I will admit that the Alliance having deflection technology is concerning, but it can be overcome."

Aila was left to wonder how Athrun seemed to know that the Alliance had not just developed deflection technology, but they had been working on it for a time. It was possible that he'd heard such while he'd lived within the Federation's member nations. It would be a surprise at all if the Federation had found out the Alliance had been working on deflection technology. That did bring up the question of if Athrun did have a source within the Federation he had gotten some of the data he'd presented from. Not that it was Aila's business if that was the case or not, the data was still valid as far as she could tell. "So then," Aila began, "What is the general plan for the Minerva to get past the enemy fleet?"

Athrun began iterating what he, Captain Gladys, and Deputy Trine had come up with in their meeting. As Athrun was giving the plan, Aila and Matt were considering the chance of success the idea could have. Breaking through the edges of the front-line formation was straightforward enough that it should be doable. That wasn't what worried Aila, the ships in the enemy fleet were more just means of delay in her mind. It was the enemy mobile suit and the mobile armor which would make the fight hard. However, Athrun's strategy for the Minerva's pilots could help counter what the Alliance could do for the most part.

Aila and Matt contributed the skill sets for themselves and the three junior pilots as Athrun got into the more specifics of what the Minerva's mobile suits would do. With the information that the two gave, Athrun was better able to figure out what each pilot could do for the fight. The female teen had the best sniping skills of the Minerva's pilots and that could be used to help the ship. OMNI battleships had a weakness in having a spot that if hit could mess with what was used for targeting and accuracy. Matt and the blonde teen were good at the frontline which would be helpful at making the path forward the Minerva needed. That left Aila and the last teen Shinn to be in the two Gundams the Minerva had besides the Saviour. The Gundams would work on keeping enemy forces back and dealing with the mobile armor when it appeared.

Aila didn't have any issues with the plan as it had been laid out to her and Matt. It was straightforward and should work against the OMNI fleet ahead of the Minerva. The plan could be better, but that would require more details and facts that they didn't have. The plan could adapt enough if the Alliance did something unexpected fighting against the Minerva. She couldn't say how the three junior pilots would take or see the plan. Rey and Shinn would likely see little issue with the plan, more have clarification questions. On the other hand, Lunamaria could argue and be against the idea which Athrun had laid out. Aila hoped that Lunamaria would listen and show Athrun respect in this, but she hadn't with Matt until recently, so Aila couldn't say how Luna would go. If Luna did act out, Aila and she wouldn't doubt Matt would have to step in and get the girl to see reason.

With the location that Athrun had shown the enemy fleet was, the Minerva should meet the OMNI force in around two hours. There was time for an explanation to the junior pilots before the battle with OMNI would begin. Aila felt the three teens would do better if they had a meeting with Athrun which would give them the time to ask questions. Although, Aila didn't feel the three would need two hours for that. Still, Aila was grateful that Athrun had taken the time to explain things to Matt and her. The planning meeting had been fruitful in Aila's mind even if it hadn't been short with the more than an hour it had taken. "Athrun," Aila began, "I want to thank you for taking the time to explain what is going on to both of us. The planning session was also very helpful in many ways." Aila paused for a moment, "However, I think it would be best that there be one more meeting with our juniors present so they can be given the plan and ask questions they may have."

Athrun had no issue with laying out the plan to the three teen pilots. He planned to do that with the other three before the battle against the OMNI fleet ahead. And having the assistance from Aila and Matt had made planning for the strategy that would be use had been more than Athrun had hoped. Their knowledge of the junior pilots' skill sets had helped determine where they would best be employed on the looming battlefield. Yet, while the plan sounded good when stated, whether it would play out the same way in practice was another matter. The only experience Athrun had with the junior pilots was when they were drunk. Thus, Athrun didn't know for sure how the three teens would respond to the plan that was going to be used. "I wouldn't disagree with a meeting with them," Athrun returned. "We have about two hours until we come into detection range of the OMNI fleet."

Aila said she would gather the three teen pilots and have them in the briefing room in around forty-five minutes. That was fine to Athrun, for if laying out the plan took around as long as it had the previous two times, it would need a thirty to forty-five minutes. That would still leave time for questions from the junior pilots should they have any. And Athrun preferred to have the teens ask questions about things rather than just assume when possible. The plan that had been discussed wasn't without its risks to those directly involved. Athrun was of the mind that one shouldn't be forced to put their lives on the line without knowing why and how risks were being mitigated. So, Athrun agreed with Aila having the three junior pilots in the briefing room in forty-five minutes to do a final once over for what loomed ahead of the Minerva.

It did take Aila some time to find the three teen pilots. The crew was spread throughout the ship as Aila had begun her search. It was understandable as there was no apparent looming threat to the Minerva at this time. The captain had said that ZAFT intel had said the journey to Carpentaria should be a clear and uneventful one. Thus, none were rushing about or worried about what was ahead of the ship, which they weren't aware of right now. There were still those on duty, but that wasn't all the crew at the moment. Thankfully, Matt was quick to say he would help her find their juniors so they could be informed of what was ahead. Aila appreciated him helping her as he didn't have to, but he was willing to do so anyway. The two did find and direct the three teen pilots toward the briefing room given the time they had.

The three teens were curious why Aila had told them they should go to the pilot briefing room. There was nothing that any of them could think of which Aila would need to tell them at the moment. The Minerva was on its way to ZAFT's Carpentaria base and from what had been said, there was nothing in the ship's path. Aila did mention they would be getting the opportunity to meet Athrun Zala by going to the briefing room. That had been enough for at least Luna to stop asking more questions of Aila. Neither Rey nor Shinn were against meeting Athrun Zala, he would be the field lead for the Minerva going forward after all. So, the three headed for the Minerva's pilot briefing room as Aila instructed them to do.

Athrun made his way back to the pilot briefing room after going to his quarters to try and fine tune the presentation of the plan. He wanted to have the presentation of the plan to deal with the OMNI fleet as straightforward and simple as possible. Athrun felt there would be questions from the younger pilots about the OMNI fleet, which was understandable. However, Athrun only had so much data on the enemy fleet, and an amount of that was not as solid as he would like it to be. Athrun more hoped the teens would go with the plan which would have them positioned specifically. From what Aila and Matt had said, Lunamaria Hawke had some issues with taking orders from some. Athrun hoped that wouldn't come up, but he had an idea which could get the girl to cooperate.

When Athrun entered the briefing room, he found the three younger pilots were sitting in seats chatting with one another. By what Athrun heard, two of them were questioning what the meeting was going to be about. Aila and Matt were also there, but seated behind the teens who were in the front row. Athrun cleared his throat to have attention drawn to him so he could begin the presentation. "Thank you for coming," Athrun started. "We have things to discuss for an event ahead in the near future." Athrun came to in front of those in the room, "But I suppose that introductions are in order first. My name is Athrun Zala, I'm a member of FAITH and currently assigned to the Minerva. By what Captain Gladys has said to me, I will be the team lead when operations take place on the field. I do hope that we can work together for the benefit of the Minerva as a whole."

The introduction Athrun gave had gotten the teens to go silent. Aila could appreciate Athrun's introduction as it was to the point and established that he would be the leader for the Minerva's pilots would be working with. Athrun hadn't been required to give the introduction as he had, FAITH could do what they saw fit and not have to explain anything. Out of the teens, it was Shinn who spoke up first, "Okay, the introduction is nice, but what are we in the pilot briefing room for? Aila said it was to talk about something, yet she didn't give any more detail about what the subject was going to be."

Athrun figured that Aila and Matt wouldn't say much about what was ahead of the Minerva. He'd seen that the point of the OMNI fleet was being kept quiet from the crew. He couldn't fault Captain Gladys for not wanting to make the crew aware right away. Gossip could be very problematic and a hindrance when it was allowed to run wild. And there was no reason to have the crew worrying about the enemy fleet ahead when there was nothing which could be done about it until the Minerva came up against them. "Yes, I would imagine you have questions," Athrun remarked. "And what I will be presenting will likely answer many of the questions you have." Athrun step over to be on the right of the main display before he continued, "What we will be discussing is a plan to deal with an enemy fleet which the Minerva will encounter in the near future."

The images that came up on the main display and spread out caught the attention of the teens. Rey and Shinn were taking in the images of an OMNI fleet along with maps of the ocean which the Minerva was traveling in currently. Both the boys were processing why they were looking at images on the display and trying to make sense of them. Lunamaria blinked at seeing the images as they didn't make immediate sense to her. The OMNI fleet was simple enough to see, but the maps and other images on the display since they didn't seem to relate. "What is all this," Luna questioned. "You said something about an encounter in the near future, but that would be after the ship leaves Carpentaria, right?"

Athrun shook his head and pointed at the satellite image of the OMNI fleet. "Unfortunately, the Minerva will be forced to deal with OMNI forces before it arrives at Carpentaria," he continued. "It isn't known by the crew yet per Captain Gladys's insistence, which is her prerogative. However, for we pilots of the Minerva, we need to go over what is ahead. And until the captain tells the crew, none of you are to go around saying anything about what I will be telling you in this briefing, is that clear?"

Aila and Matt nodded in understanding of what Athrun was stating to them. He'd already explained that Captain Gladys wanted to keep the upcoming fight from the crew until they got closer to the enemy fleet's location. Both Shinn and Rey nodded slowly, though they had questions about Athrun saying there was an enemy fleet ahead of the Minerva. Captain Gladys not telling the crew about the OMNI fleet ahead yet wasn't bad if it was being done for a good valid reason. The woman had shown herself a logical thinker that cared about those under her command so far, and that was unlikely to change. On the other hand, Lunamaria wasn't okay with saying nothing to the crew about an enemy fleet ahead. The crew had every right to know about what danger lay ahead as the Minerva's pilots did. "And why the hell shouldn't we tell the crew about an enemy fleet in the path of the Minerva," Luna challenged. "They have as much right to know as we do."

Aila had been concerned that Luna would be antagonistic in this briefing. She would want answers which she may or may not agree with. The girl was still working on understanding that orders from above her were given for a reason. Those reasons may or may not be explained to her when the orders were being given to her. She had to learn to accept that orders wouldn't always come with an explanation when they were handed out. Talia had a good reason not to reveal the enemy fleet ahead of the Minerva for the time being, Aila was sure of that. Aila would guess Talia didn't want gossip to spread and blow up the situation more than it would be when it came to the Minerva. "Lunamaria," Aila stated firmly, "mind your tongue." Luna flinched at being addressed by Aila. But Aila didn't stop there, she continued, "You won't always get an explanation as to why you get the orders you do when they are given. Accept that point and pay attention to this briefing. And you three will refer to him as Commander Zala or sir unless told otherwise. Is that understood?"

Athrun was getting a hint as to what Aila and Matt had meant when they had mentioned one of the teens could be emotional. It was somewhat reminiscent of what Yzak could be like which wasn't really a compliment. Athrun could understand the want for an explanation as to why one was being asked to do what they were. But there were times that things were being considered above pilots, which would require them to have some faith what was being done was for a reason. Athrun focused on Lunamaria, "I can understand you disagree with the crew not being told about the OMNI fleet ahead," he remarked. "However, I'm the wrong one to argue about it with. You are free to go talk to Captain Gladys and ask her why she hasn't told the crew about the enemy fleet after this briefing. If you choose not to do that, then you will be held to the captain's wish to not have the crew know until she tells them." Athrun turned back to the main display, "But let us get to the briefing where I will explain what is ahead and how we will be dealing with it."

Aila and Matt blinked at how Athrun had just dealt with Lunamaria. It was quite impressive as he hadn't raised his voice or even argued with the girl at all. No, he had reasoned with the girl and given her an option to go with rather than arguing with him. Then Athrun had shifted the subject to the briefing rather than give Luna a chance to counter him. It was almost like Athrun had done this type of thing before this enough to know how to deal with those that argued with authority figures. Aila made a note to herself to ask Athrun if he had such experience and if he did, could he give details about it. Matt had to keep himself from smiling at the scene he'd watched between Athrun and Lunamaria. Zala had handled the girl better than Matt ever had been able to do with her.

Athrun focused back on the data he would be presenting to the Minerva's pilots rather than one arguing. He brought the map of the general area up and gestured at it, "This is a map of the Equa Passage which the Minerva is using to get to Carpentaria. Normally, there wouldn't be much of a concern of encountering an OMNI force on this passage. The PLANTs' Intelligence Division keeps eyes on used travel routes for ZAFT forces and keeps us up to date." Athrun had the overhead images come to be on the right while the zoomed in view of the area the enemy fleet was on the left. "Yet, as you can see from these two images, there is an enemy fleet ahead and is able to move into the path the Minerva is on before the ship could pass them. I would assume the OMNI fleet has been keeping a low enough of a low profile to not be noticed until now." Athrun pointed at the overhead image of the enemy fleet before he continued, "With the OMNI fleet positioned where it is, it can quickly move into a blockade formation before a ship can move passed them."

Shinn and Rey were paying close attention to the data being presented to them. From what they could see, the fleet wasn't huge but nor was it small either. The Minerva would have to work hard to get past the enemy fleet and get to Carpentaria. That the fleet's location before reaching them was something and could be an advantage for the Minerva. And with what Athrun had already shown them, it suggested he had more to show them about the OMNI fleet ahead of them. The two were thinking of the questions they could ask after the presentation was done to get details of what the pilots would do on the field. It proved to them that Athrun Zala's reputation wasn't just for show, he knew what he was doing, that much was clear. Lunamaria had wanted to argue with Commander Zala about the crew not knowing about the enemy force ahead. However, the guy hadn't given her a chance to say anything more with him starting the briefing. Luna had all but forgotten the points she had wanted to argue as Commander Zala presented the information on the enemy fleet ahead.

Athrun had the maps move to the background of the display and the file of the blockade formation move to the front. "Now that I have your attention, let's move onto the formation that the OMNI fleet is likely going to use which is key to the plan which has been drawn up." Athrun gestured at the image on the file displayed to the three teens. "From the file I have brought up, the formation OMNI is probably going to be using against the Minerva." Athrun had the overhead image from the PLANTs' Intelligence Division was brought back up to be on the left of the file. "Seen side by side, you can see the formation in the file does appear to match what the Intelligence Division was able to provide."

Athrun had the Intelligence Division's image go back to the background and had the image become larger to show the formation better. He wanted to have the teens understand what the Minerva would be facing up against before reaching the enemy fleet. It was only fair as they would be among those that would be fighting the OMNI forces from the blockade. "The formation is made up of two basic lines, which has one in front and the other behind the first, Athrun iterated. "The rear line is made up of four Spengler-class carriers and five smaller support ships, likely OMNI's Fraser classes or something similar. The front line seems to be made up of fifteen battleships, a mixture of OMNI's Des Moines and Arkansas classes. I also suspect that some of them have equipment to counter underwater attacks like from subs and mobile suits, though I can't say for sure."

The iteration of the enemy formation held the three teens as if spellbound. This was the most detailed briefing about an enemy force they'd had before actually faced the said enemy force. But if there was this much and more data on the OMNI fleet ahead of the Minerva in his path, why hadn't this been announced before this? Commander Zala implied that the PLANTs' Intelligence Division had provided the information he was providing them. That division tended to provide ZAFT forces data on what could be in their path, it was one of their responsibilities. Granted, the teens weren't in the position to know data that could come to the Minerva from the Intelligence Division firsthand. But the three teens couldn't help but feel apprehension at the data they were seeing about the enemy fleet ahead of the Minerva.

Aila had been watching the teens as she knew what Athrun was going to presented to them already. She hadn't missed their silence and was sure it wasn't just from them listening to the presentation. The situation that the Minerva was facing was different from what it had experienced previously. They knew where the enemy force was and their general strength before they encountered them. That hadn't happened much since the Minerva had been forced into service earlier than originally planned. And the plan which Athrun had presented was quite a viable one from what Aila could figure. Once it was explained, Aila felt that their junior pilots would agree the plan would give the Minerva the best chance to get past the enemy fleet and reach Carpentaria.

Athrun continued with his presentation, moving on to the general plan which had been made. "The general plan to get through the OMNI fleet is fairly straightforward overall." Athrun pointed to the formation file, "Thankfully, the fleet formation isn't without its weaknesses and vulnerabilities that can be used against it." Athrun gestured at the two spots which had been discussed with Captain Gladys to be used to break through the fleet's formation. "The space between the outer arrows and the ones next to them were decided to be the best places to break through the fleet in the discussion between the captain, deputy, and myself."

Luna blinked at what was being said and implied by Commander Zala. It sounded like the "plan" was to not face the enemy force directly. That didn't make sense to Luna as the enemy force was in the path of the Minerva to reach Carpentaria. With an OMNI fleet blocking them, the Minerva and its mobile suits would have to remove the enemy force for the ship to get to its destination. "Break through," Luna questioned, "Don't you mean attack the enemy fleet, sir?"

While dispatching an enemy force was a way to deal with those that were blocking a path, it wasn't the only way. In this case, attacking the enemy force would actually put the Minerva at a disadvantage against the OMNI fleet. Use of brute force tended to come with a cost, and with the fleet the Minerva was going to face ahead, the price which would be paid would be high. To avoid that high cost, the implication of tactics instead of brute force was the focus. Defeating the enemy wasn't the goal of the fight the Minerva would go into soon enough, it was to pass the enemy fleet and head for Carpentaria. "I understand your question," Athrun acknowledged. "From what I've read, the Minerva has been forced to fight against enemy forces for survival since being forced into service." Athrun pointed at the image of the fleet before he kept going, "However, in this instance, the enemy force has the Minerva beaten on overall power. Attacking head on or using brute force would be unwise since it would come with a high price before the end."

Shinn had been studying the file being displayed while listening to the exchange between Commander Zala and Luna. He squinted to see what the "notes" which were on the file which were in smaller text than the rest. From what Shinn could discern, the notes referred to not just weaknesses of the formation, but "habits" of OMNI with that. As far as Shinn knew, ZAFT didn't tend to have that type of detail in files like this, only the Federation would possibility do that. That suggested that the file was a Federation one, which would be odd enough for Shinn to question it if not for the seriousness of the situation the Minerva was going to be facing. Should the file be from the Federation, then the notes were likely true and valuable information to work with. So, regardless of where or how Commander Zala got the file, the data it had could make a difference in the fight ahead.

The OMNI fleet had the advantage in numbers and power overall as Commander Zala had said to Luna. The Minerva would be hard-pressed to counter that and come out on top from what Shinn could see. Thus, brute force wouldn't be the way for the Minerva to get through the enemy fleet and keep going to Carpentaria. That left tactics or a crazy idea to be employed to get the Minerva past the enemy fleet and not be sunk. And of the two, Shinn felt the former was what the plan mentioned would be using. The notes Shinn had read said the crews on the outer enemy ships tended to be more inexperienced than others. That could be used for an advantage and opportunity to break through the front line. The enemy carriers would be left for the Minerva and its mobile suits to deal with before racing toward Carpentaria. "So then," Shinn started putting a hand to his chin, "the goal is to get past them rather than fight and taking them down I take? At least that is what I get from what you have been saying sir."

Rey had been looking over what was on the display while Shinn had been doing the same. He was in agreement with Shinn on what he was taking away from what had been said and implied. Attacking the enemy fleet head on wouldn't go well with the numbers on the enemy side, and that included enemy mobile suits which hadn't been mentioned yet. The Minerva had six mobile suits to send out, two of which could use Guuls to work with. That six would go against likely at least three times that if not more with four enemy carriers in the fleet. Tactics were the best option to use to deal with the fleet and have the ship come through as undamaged as possible. "That goal I feel will be easier said than done," Rey remarked. Then he turned to look at Athrun, "Correct me should I be wrong, sir."

Athrun was somewhat impressed that the two boys had already started grasping parts of the plan which had been discussed. The girl would likely take some convincing to be on board with the plan and play the part Athrun had in mind for her. However, there was time to get the teens up to speed and give them details as to what they would be doing when the Minerva encounter the OMNI fleet. So, Athrun shook his head, "You are quite correct, Mr Za Burrel. The goal won't be easy to achieve, but it will be more likely to get the Minerva past the enemy fleet intact. With the OMNI fleet having the advantage in numbers both with ships and mobile suits, they have a real opportunity to sink the ship. Their goal will be to stop the Minerva from moving forward while attacking the ship until it's sunk." Athrun gestured at the formation file before continuing, "Which is why this briefing is going to go over the tactics which will help us get past the fleet and continue on to Carpentaria."

Athrun paused for a moment to wait and see if there would be any questions posed before he actually got into the general explanation. There was silence from the pilots, which Athrun took to keep going and give the outline of the plan before getting into the details. Athrun pointed at the highlighted areas on the formation file, "These two spots are of interest for more than the reason that they are weaker than other places in the front line." Athrun stopped for a moment, before taking a breath, "This file is from an anonymous source, but it is a reliable one. The notes iterate OMNI have a habit of putting less experienced crews on the outsides of fleet formation. We can assume that means the outside arrows likely have little in real battlefield experience and so will react slower and less coordinated than an experienced crew would."

Shinn nodded in understanding with what Commander Zala had just iterated. With the file likely being from the Federation, the notes were trustworthy and could be counted on being pretty accurate. Shinn couldn't say who or what the source Commander Zala had mentioned was, only that it was likely with the Federation. But he wouldn't complain about getting data like this to work with to keep the Minerva being sunk. Shinn assumed that there was much more to the plan than what had been laid out so far. He wanted the whole plan before he asked questions to clarify any part he didn't understand. Thus, Shinn didn't say anything, merely listening to what was being said, taking it all in. Rey was much of the same mind as Shinn was about what was being presented to them. The information was sound as far as Rey could figure. He couldn't say where Commander Zala could've gotten the file, but it didn't matter at this time.

On the other hand, Luna was trying to wrap her mind around what was being shown to them. The fleet formation made sense, it was simple and easy to comprehend. It would fit an enemy blockade formation to stop ships and with it by one of the routes ZAFT tended to use to reach Carpentaria, it made logical sense. What was confusing Luna was Commander Zala saying that OMNI put less experienced crews in specific places in a formation. That kind of data was something which wouldn't be made public knowledge, Luna was sure of that. That begged the question of how Commander Zala's "anonymous source" could've gotten such data about OMNI fleet formations. And that had Luna questioning this "source" that Commander Zala had mentioned. The guy said they were trustworthy, but the data seemed too specific to feel right. "Really," Luna posed, "And just who or what is this source of yours that managed to get such specific information, sir? I can't see OMNI just handing a random person that kind of data and be telling the truth."

Aila knew that Luna was argumentative, and that quality could be tiresome at times like this. The source's identity didn't matter right now. Athrun said it was reliable and that should be enough for the moment to say it was better not to ask further. She didn't doubt Athrun had his reasons to not say who the source was. Aila could only guess that the source was in the Federation which would explain the data she'd seen. And with the current climate between the factions, it would be surprising for the Alliance to make a big deal for some from the Federation helping ZAFT not to loose people. "Lunamaria," Aila stated, which got the girl to flinch a bit, "you would do well to listen rather than ask the questions on your mind right now. Let Commander Zala lay out the whole plan before asking questions to clarify things."

Athrun was grateful for Aila doing what she was to get the girl to be a bit more respectful. He wasn't going to reveal all the sources he had to go to for things. Athrun had his reasons for not revealing them and it was best they remained anonymous with conflict growing into war. While there may be time for the briefing, there wasn't a great deal to waste before the Minerva encountered the enemy fleet. It was best that this briefing was used to make all involved aware of the plan and clarify questions about the roles to be played. So, Athrun continued where he'd left off before being interrupted, "The other fact which will be to our advantage is an OMNI force like the one we'll be going against is told to avoid friendly fire. That doesn't just apply to the enemy ships, but their mobile suits as well." Athrun paused and had the formation file take up the whole display. "With that in mind, let me lay out the plan which has been drawn up to deal with this enemy force and reach Carpentaria."

Athrun then began laying out the general plan for the Minerva and its pilots to get past the enemy fleet. He began with the breaking through the edges of the front-line formation. The idea was straightforward enough that it should be doable from what the teens could see and understand. Athrun did mention the front-line ships would do what they could to delay the Minerva from breaking through their line. He also mentioned that enemy mobile suits would also be involved with delaying the Minerva's advance. Athrun then moved onto the first group of the Minerva's suits and their task. The group would be working to make a path for the Minerva to continue to move forward. They would be taking the brunt of enemy fire but would more hold attention of enemy mobile suits. Athrun glanced at Rey and Matt, "I know the task won't be easy for you Matt and Rey, but I believe you can manage the best with it." He paused for a moment, "Are you two willing and up to the task?"

Matt had been willing to do the idea when it had been explained to him an hour ago. He didn't doubt Rey would be willing to assist in the point. The teen may be quiet, but he was quite competent on the battlefield from what Matt had seen thus far. "I know I am," he replied.

Rey had listened to what Commander Zala said the group ahead of the Minerva would be expected to do. The task itself wasn't complicated, it was more keeping aware and not being surrounded by enemy forces. And that Commander Zala had chosen him and Mr. Dems to do the job said he felt they could accomplish it. Commander Zala had far more battlefield experience than any of them. With that experience, he would likely be able to better determine where each pilot could be the most effective. "I am also willing to take on the task, commander," Rey responded. "If you believe we can do the task, then I will do my utmost to do it."

Athrun was glad there was no disagreement from the two about being on the frontline making a path for the Minerva. It was a dangerous task with them being first targets for enemy mobile suits. So, he nodded before moving onto the next task in the plan which the mobile suit pilots would be expected to do. That task was for the ZAKU which would stay on the Minerva working on dealing with disabling the OMNI vessels. With that in mind, Athrun faced Lunamaria, "Miss Hawke, I would like you to stay with the Minerva," he began but he was interrupted before he could say more.

Luna had gained an irritated expression on her face the moment she was told she would be on defense. That had been her position for the last few battles the Minerva had gotten into. Not that Luna had a real issue with defending the ship but doing that over and over was getting tiresome. And staying with the Minerva was akin to being told she would be on the defensive in the fight ahead. "And be on the defensive, right sir," Luna stated. "You know, I'm getting tired of being the one that always seems to be defending the ship while other go out and doing the fighting."

Athrun hadn't said the girl would be on the defensive, but she hadn't allowed him to explain what her task would be. With her sniping skills, she was a near perfect fit for disabling the enemy vessels by hitting their weak spots. The girl was reminding him more of Yzak the more Athrun saw of her. Athrun saw that Aila was about to step in again to get the girl to stop and listen, but he held up a hand. "I can understand seemingly being relegated to a specific task or position during battle," Athrun commented. "However, if you had not interrupted, you would've heard that defense isn't the task I had in mind for you."

Luna blinked and stared at Athrun for a moment, "Wait what?"

Athrun nodded, "Yes, you heard right, defense isn't the main task you will have, though if you can assist with that, please do." Athrun paused for a moment organizing how to deliver the task for the girl. She had been argumentative much as Yzak was, though he was better than he used to be. But the same method that had been used with Yzak, Athrun felt would likely do well here. That method was to deliver the task in the form of a challenge that most couldn't do well with. Yzak had been one that couldn't say no to a challenge that others had difficulty with. Athrun had a feeling the girl could be similar. "The task will be a challenge," Athrun remarked. "I would say the average ZAFT pilot, green or red couldn't pull it off. At least, I hear you have sniping skills that are more than notable, is that correct?"

Luna was trying to figure out what Commander Zala was getting at. Sure, Luna's sniping skills was better than average, one of her more notable skills as a pilot. But being assigned to the Minerva hadn't really used that skill set of Luna's as of yet. However, the mention of a challenge had caught Luna's attention. That Commander Zala said the challenge was one that most wouldn't be able to pull off made Luna wonder what he was talking about. Her curiosity was peaked enough to want to know more, "Yeah, I can snipe better than average, but why do you bring that up? You mentioned a challenge, what are you talking about?"

Athrun put some commands for the display to have specs on OMNI's Arkansas and Des Moines Classes appear. "Perhaps you are not aware, but OMNI's main battleship classes have a weakness that can be exploited. However, it is difficult to do as one much strike an area that is rather small. Frankly, a sniper is really the most likely to be able to pull off hitting the right spot to disable them." Athrun had the images enlarge and zoom in on a front view of the ships and and a section be highlighted. "You see, one would need to shoot within the highlighted section which isn't large from a fair distance. Aila told me you had notable sniping skills, so I though you may be up to pulling such off."

Luna studied the image on the display of the OMNI vessel. As Commander Zala had said, the target area wasn't very large at all. The precision that would be required to strike it was high with little margin for error in any direction. It certainly would be some real tricky sniping to pull off, Luna would admit. Yet, Luna was already doing some brief figuring of what would need to be done to pull the idea off. While it would be difficult, Luna felt she could hit a target that size given a chance or two. She would have to take into account the distance the beam would have to go and make sure the beam had enough power to go the distance. While doing the sniping that was being suggested would be unlike any of the simulations that Luna had done during training, it wasn't that technical a shot to make. But Luna wanted to make sure she was understanding correctly what was being suggested for her to do. "Let me see if I got you right sir," Luna started. "You're wanting to see if I can pull off sniping at a range enemy ships and disable them in a shot or two?"

Athrun nodded, "That is the idea, yes," he remarked. "It will be at a range of two-hundred meters or more on average. That range shouldn't be all that hard for a competent sniper to work with, but only a solid shot will have a chance to disable an OMNI vessel. That is where it becomes hard to pull this kind of thing off. Not only do you have to hit your target, you also have to calculate the needed power per shot and have a clear firing line to the target." Athrun stopped and gazed at Lunamaria, "Do you believe you can pull such a shot off, and potentially do it multiple times?"

Luna had to take a moment to consider the challenge she was being extended by Commander Zala. If she was honest, the technicality of making the sniping shot was within her capability, but that was under ideal conditions. Luna doubted the fight ahead would be ideal conditions for her to make a shot like was being laid out, let alone multiple shots like that. And yet, even with the chances of her pulling off the shot were low, something in her wanted to try anyway and prove she could pull it off. It wouldn't be easy, the idea would require her to do things she wouldn't normally do out on the field. "I don't know if I can pull off sniping like that, Commander," Luna admitted truthfully. "But I'm willing to give my best effort and try to make shots like you are suggesting."

Athrun had hoped the girl would take the challenge of the sniping shot. It wouldn't be easy to pull off for even a skilled and competent sniper who had lots of experience. And yet, it would give a chance to see if the girl had to potential for a sniper and also gain confidence in herself. It would give the girl something different to do than she had been doing for the Minerva. Perhaps that would help her not be so argumentative as she had been in this briefing. "That is your task in the fight, disable as many of the OMNI vessels as you can," Athrun replied. He then turned his attention to Aila and Shinn. The last task would start easy with the two and Athrun being on the defensive and keeping enemies a distance from the Minerva. However, what they would be doing would likely get much harder when the enemy mobile armor appeared on the field. They wouldn't know much about the mobile armor before they got a real view of it when it appeared. Athrun exhaled heavily, "The last task in the plan has to do with something I haven't brought up yet. Shinn, Aila and I will be the ones to have to deal with when it comes up."

Shinn focused his attention on what Commander Zala would say next. His mention of a task for him gave a slight feeling of apprehension for some reason. Shinn couldn't say what it was that was making him feel apprehension, but the feeling wouldn't leave him. The enemy fleet and its mobile suits would be enough to work on for them without something else being added to the plate. Even with the questions which were popping into Shinn's mind, he didn't voice them at this time. He still wanted the whole picture of what was ahead before he asked any questions about the enemy force.

While Athrun didn't have proof of his suspicions of a mobile armor, he was surer of its existence now than before. Standing evidence implied the enemy had a mobile armor to work with even if it didn't prove the assumption. Then there wasn't data to say much about the mobile armor or its capabilities so they could prepare for it. Thus, the three of them would be in the dark about the mobile armor until they got a view of it. "Our task will be defending the ship by keeping OMNI machines at a distance. However, it is very likely that the enemy fleet has a mobile armor to work with from the evidence there is at the moment. As such, I can't say what model the armor could be or anything about it before it appears. My source referred to it as "special equipment" which tells me it will likely be new or a recent model the Alliance has developed. I would hazard a guess the armor will have something similar to what the mobile armor the Minerva encountered in the Middle Eastern area going against OMNI's Lohengrin Gate. The task the Gundam types have is to stop the armor from reaching or attacking the Minerva along with defending the ship."

The mention of a mobile armor being with the enemy fleet made the teens feel uneasy about the fight ahead. The new model mobile armor that the Minerva had encountered during the assault on OMNI's Lohengrin's Gate had proven to be problematic. It had equipment that could block beams, even as powerful as the Minerva's positron cannon. For the Alliance to have developed deflection technology would spell issues in the present and in the future. If whatever kind of mobile armor the enemy fleet ahead possess had similar equipment, then taking it down would be difficult. The enemy fleet would depend on the armor's deflection system to distract and stop the Minerva. Thus, the task of taking down the mobile armor was an important one, Shinn wouldn't argue with that.

However, if the three Gundams the Minerva had to send out worked together, a single mobile armor could be taken down. Gundams had the potential of taking down hard opponents with what they could do, history had proven that. Shinn still wasn't entirely sure he had the makings of a Gundam pilot as Commander McGregor said he did. But using the Impulse had let him use his skills better than a ZAKU ever had. So, if he was given another chance, Shinn would take the opportunity to use a Gundam again. And it sounded like Commander Zala had done a lot of thinking and research into this enemy fleet ahead. He had chosen each of them for the tasks he had laid out based on their skill sets. Shinn was inclined to say that Commander Zala's experience and tactics would have the best chance to get the Minerva through the enemy fleet waiting for them. "The plan certainly sounds like the best one we can work with to get to have the Minerva reach Carpentaria," Shinn replied. "I'm willing to do the task you need me to do."

Athrun nodded glad that each of the Minerva's pilots had agreed to doing the tasks that the plan required. There were some questions for clarification asked after the plan had been laid out, which Athrun answered the best he could. Athrun was keeping an eye on the time so he could wrap up the briefing before the need to board machines. He didn't want them all to go from the briefing room directly to the hangar to fly out into battle. Athrun preferred time between the two events, even if it wouldn't be all that long.

It was around midafternoon, when the Minerva saw the first group of the Indonesian Islands. Talia knew it wouldn't be very long before the Minerva would come into detection range of the OMNI fleet waiting for them. She believed Athrun's predicted location for the enemy fleet was on the money, for it made logical and tactical sense. The plan which had been drawn up was the best which could be made with the time and data they had to work with. Talia had as much confidence as she could for the Minerva being able to get past the OMNI blockade and make it to Carpentaria. However, the waiting she and Arthur had been forced to do hadn't been pleasant. She had announced to the crew there was an OMNI fleet in their path to Carpentaria around thirty minutes ago. That had gone about as well as she'd expected, increasing the tension the crew was under. The Minerva was as ready as she could be for the looming fight as she could be made. Crew members were prepared to race to their stations when condition red was called.

Burt and Meyrin were currently scanning actively for any sign of enemy forces. The two had been working together to hopefully get the first sighting of the OMNI fleet the captain had mentioned was ahead of the ship. The announcement about the fleet ahead had driven up tension on the bridge more than the rest of the crew. Knowing a battle was coming in the near future was always stressful until it started. So, Burt and Meyrin wanted to see the enemy forces ahead so they could help burst the tension that was hanging over the Minerva. The tension was growing and getting to a point it was getting hard to bear.

It was Burt who spotted the heat sources coming onto the radar detection screen from the south. It was around where the captain had said the enemy fleet would pop up. Burt began typing out commands to get what data he could on the signals appearing in detection range. "Captain," Burt called, "numerous heat sources detected ahead, distance is 35." Talia and Arthur glanced at Burt's station with his report. They had known it was coming, it had been but a matter of time with the data Athrun had presented really. Yet, even when it was expected, being told the looming battle was almost upon them didn't feel any nicer. "Fleet make up, Burt," Talia questioned, "What are you seeing?"

B urt typed in commands to get more details on the signals that were popping up on his display. There looked to be twenty-four vessels in total with the enemy fleet being detected. Four of them appeared to be OMNI's Spengler-class carriers which their mobile suits tended to launch from. With the Spengler classes looked to be smaller support ships, seeming to be Fraser classes or something similar, five of those from what Burt could see. The ships ahead of the Spenglers appeared to be made up of OMNI's Arkansas and Des Moines class battleships. There were seven of one and eight of the other class. The fleet had seemed to spread out in a blockade formation in the Minerva's intended path. "Signals are being identified as four Spengler classes, five smaller support vessels with them," Burt replied. "The ones ahead of the carriers are Arkansas and Des Moines class battleships, a mix of fifteen of those ships ma'am."

The numbers were as Athrun had predicted during the planning meeting. Athrun's research had paid off in ways that Talia would thank him for later. If not for Athrun's information, the Minerva would have been caught completely unprepared for this blockade fleet. The chances of OMNI placing a fleet in these waters was a risky thing with how their relations with the Federation stood. So, ZAFT hadn't been all that worried about OMNI forces this close to shipping lanes or the Carpentaria base. The report from the Intelligence Division hadn't suggested anything like this ahead. Talia feared if Athrun hadn't gone back to them and requested they look again, they wouldn't have known either. But with the blockade ahead, the Minerva now had to break through it and race to Carpentaria. Athrun would be handling the field operations during the battle. Talia cleared her head and focused on what was ahead of them, "Upgrade to Condition Red," she ordered. "Lower the bridge to combat position. Prepare for anti-ship, anti-mobile suit combat."

Meyrin announced condition red over the ship speakers to signal the crew to get to their stations. The bridge began lowering down into position behind the armor plating in the lower section of the bridge tower the Minerva had. Alarms were sounding to signal battle was imminent with the fleet ahead of the Minerva. Meyrin ordered the mobile suit pilots to suit up and board their machines and prepare to launch. Arthur moved to his station when the bridge arrived in its combat position. Talia picked up her captain's phone so she could speak to the crew before the Minerva went into battle. "This is Captain Gladys," she began. "We are about to enter combat with an Alliance blockade which is in the Minerva's path to Carpentaria. I know this wasn't announced until recently, but I know that every single member of this ship's crew is up to the task. We will get past this fleet, and they will not stop us from getting to Carpentaria. You've all trained for situation like this, do the best you are able is all that will be asked."

The Minerva's pilots had already suited up and had entered the hangar to board their mobile suits. Athrun had gone over last-minute instructions with the pilots on the way to the hangar. He was confident he and the others would be able to accomplish the tasks that the plan needed to have done. The Minerva's pilots were as prepared as they could be for what was ahead. Each of them understood what task they were being given and what was expected from it. Athrun would still keep an eye and be aware of what each of the pilots were doing during the battle. It was the responsibility of the team lead which he would be for the Minerva. Athrun jogged over to the Saviour and took the zip-line up to the cockpit.

Aila had listened in while Athrun had done last-minute instructions while they had been heading to the hangar. Athrun certainly did have a knack for being a team lead from what she'd seen thus far. Sure, he was an experienced Gundam pilot which was great, but that didn't automatically make him a good leader. Aila could only guess that Athrun had some sort of previous experience with leading a team to be as good as he was. She just hoped the plan which had been drawn up would work out as it was supposed to. The plan certainly sounded straightforward when it was explained. However, Aila feared it playing out on the battlefield would be anything but straightforward. Aila wiped her mind as she ascended to the Osiris's cockpit.

Rey, Lunamaria, and Matt went over to the ZAKUs and had the boarding platforms rise up to the cockpit levels. Luna was already figuring out the general calculations she would need to make the shots that Commander Zala challenged her to make in this battle. The Gunner wizard was capable of making the shot, but default and general settings for the beam cannon wouldn't cut it to be successful. Rey was focusing on the task ahead for him and Matt going to the front line. Rey would equip the Slash set for the battle and would be using the Guul so his machine could flight in the air. Matt had said he would be using the Blaze set for the fight at the front. Between the two of them, they should be able to create a path for the Minerva to keep moving forward through the enemy fleet.

Shinn headed to the Core Splendor, thinking about the task he, Aila, and Commander Zala would be working on. There was no way to know when the enemy fleet would deploy their mobile armor into the battle. OMNI would likely wait until the armor could do the most damage it could to the Minerva were Shinn to guess. Until the armor appeared, the Gundams would be on defense for the Minerva. That was fine, though Shinn didn't like waiting for a problem to appear before it could be handled. Shinn would be using the Force Silhouette for the battle as it would give the Impulse atmospheric flight during the fight. He wasn't looking forward to this battle, but it couldn't be prevented. OMNI wouldn't let the Minerva through to reach Carpentaria, it was as simple as that. The Minerva had to get to Carpentaria even if that meant it had to break through an enemy blockade.

Talia ordered the Minerva to deploy it CWIS system and have them sweep actively once enemy attacks started coming. The Tristans shifted into their combat forms and started tracking the lead Arkansas and Des Moines battleships. The Isolde rose up and joined the Tristans in targeting the OMNI vessels. The missile tubes with Parsifal and Dispar missiles for the battle. Talia ordered the Minerva to proceed forward and prepare to turn to port for the breakthrough point in the enemy blockade. She hoped that Athrun's intel was right about OMNI putting less experienced crews on the edges of formations. That would certainly help the Minerva in this battle and get past the blockade and reach Carpentaria.

Meyrin got to the task of getting the Minerva's mobile suits out to the field. She got on the line to the hangar to do her part of the launching process. "All personnel to ready positions for mobile suit launching procedures," she announced. "Core Splendor, standby for takeoff." Meyrin typed in the command for silhouette fliers to be loaded into the catapult. Shinn had chosen the Force Module for the battle with the enemy fleet, so Meyrin had the launch system pull the selected module out. "Force Silhouette selected, opening silhouette hangar one." Three platforms were already in the lift shaft waiting for the launch, but they rose up, awaiting the fourth being brought out. A storage hanger with the number "1" on the front split horizontally open, and the fourth platform moved to the central elevator. "Silhouette flyer, standby for launch."

Silhouette flyer's platform moved into the catapult lift before Meyrin spoke again, "Platform setup complete, central catapult online, opening airtight shutters." The airtight shutters were raised up after the order came, enclosing the central elevator shaft. After the shutters lock to the ceiling of the hanger, Meyrin continued, "Emergency crews, standby at launching positions. Raising central catapult to launch position." The platforms started rising upward towards the catapult. Shinn toggled the last switches to have the OS active and ready as he felt the Core Splendor begin to rise. "Core Splendor, all systems online. Prepare for takeoff sequence." All the Splendor's systems checked out as good from what Shinn saw as the aircraft rose to launching position. The platform came to a stop and locked into launching position before exhaust vents rose up behind the Core Splendor. "Catapult power levels normal," Meyrin stated. "Course clear. Core Splendor, please take off."

Shinn saw the catapult's top and bottom light up, activating to show the takeoff course for him to take out. He moved the throttle forward a little, letting the engines warm up for use before Shinn looked up at the display to signal the timing for launching. The signal came up before Shinn took a breath, "Shinn Asuka, Core Splendor, launching," he announced before throwing the throttle all the way forward The Core Splendor shot forward and took off from the catapult and zoomed over the sea. Shinn had the craft climb up higher, keeping an eye on the sensor screen. The other three flyers were quick to launch out and take up position behind the Core Splendor.

The linear catapults opened and had the tracks extended out to launching position for the mobile suit. Matt and Rey's ZAKUs were moved to launching position first, the Guuls would follow after them so they could use them. Matt's ZAKU was equipped with the Blaze set per his request, while Rey's Phantom was given the Slash set. Matt had his ZAKU walk to the edge of the catapult and leap up to the upper deck to wait for the Guul. Rey did much the same as Matt once his Phantom had its equipment attached. The Guuls were sent out shortly after the ZAKU and Phantom had moved to the upper deck. The two lept up and landed on the Guuls and locked their suits into the lifters.

Luna was the next to be sent to the left catapult while Aila was moved to the right one. Luna merely had her ZAKU move to the edge of the catapult and leap up to the upper deck. It would be the position she would work from, not for defense this time, but to make an incredible shot if not more. Luna was relieved that she wouldn't be "assigned" to defense this time as she had in the last few battles. Not being able to fly and fight in the air wasn't nice, but at least she would get to do something which would make a difference should be able to pull it off. Luna was starting to think that Commander Zala may not be a bad guy like she had thought at first. His battlefield experience was something else, she would give him that at least.

The Osiris shot out of the right catapult as the Saviour was being moved to the left catapult. Aila had the Osiris shift into its flight armor mode before climbing and making an arc to take up her assigned position. She was to cover the Minerva starboard side in this battle until the enemy mobile armor appeared. Aila had the Osiris go back to its suit form once she reached the designated position. She matched her speed to the Minerva's so she could stay with the ship as it moved forward. Aila hoped that Athrun's plan would work as intended. The Minerva really could use a break and some good luck for a change with its short service history.

Athrun had the Saviour zoom out from the Minerva before he climbed upward to get a better view of the battlefield. Once Athrun leveled out the Saviour, he glanced around to take in the setup of the enemy fleet. It was in the blockade formation that the file had shown as Athrun had predicted. The makeup of the fleet was also as Athrun had thought it would be. That would make the plan more likely to work as it had been drawn up to do so far. Now the question would be if the OMNI fleet would respond as it was expected for OMNI to. If so, then the plan Athrun had come up with would be effective and successful. Should the enemy fleet not act as OMNI had a habit to, then adaptation would be needed.

As the Minerva sent out its mobile suits, the OMNI fleet had already started deploying its own Windams. All the Windams were equipped with the Jet set so they would have atmospheric flight during the battle. The number of Windams was sizably higher than the ZAFT ship was getting out. The fleet commander was watching the ZAFT ship as it approached and deployed its mobile weapons. The ship was one in the Alliance database, a recent addition in the current year. It had been Captain Roanoke from Phantom Pain which had encountered the new enemy vessel first. According to the man's report, the ship was a powerful one and had Gundams it could use. And from what the fleet commander could see, that part was true since there were three Gundams on ZAFT's side.

The fleet commander had heard the stories about Gundam type mobile suits much as any had from the Alliance-PLANT War. The suits were supposed to be some kind of super-weapons when piloted by skilled pilots. Records tended to agree with that to a degree, but they were still mobile suits. No matter how powerful a mobile suit could be, they could be destroyed. With the number of Windams the fleet had, it would be possible to overwhelm the Gundams. The fleet commander was committed to making sure the ZAFT vessel didn't get past and reach their Carpentaria case. The blockade of the shipping lane had been cutting off a avenue for ZAFT to supply Carpentaria. The OMNI top brass wanted that to be maintained to weaken the ZAFT base before it would be assaulted.

Athrun saw the enemy mobile suits approaching them. It was best for the team to stick to the plan from the get-go. OMNI forces would try to separate them from one another and the Minerva. If they succeeded in that, they would work on picking off the Minerva's machines one by one. So, Athrun opened a channel to the other pilots, "Do your best to stick to the plan," he stated. "The enemy force will try to draw us away from the Minerva and separate us so they can take us down one by one. Don't let them push you too far from the Minerva or the rest of us. Remember, the goal is to get through the fleet, not sink it."

It was shortly after Athrun's reminder that Matt and Rey began clashing with Windams. The two stuck close to each other as they began working on making a path forward for the Minerva. Other Windams passed the first two enemy suits and headed for the ZAFT vessel and the Gundams around it. Shinn took up a defensive position as the Windams began coming toward him. It was much the same mentality that he'd used while defending Asgard. Aila also countered the Windams which had headed in her direction. Athrun kept the area directly in front of the Minerva clear of enemy mobile suits as he kept an eye out for the mobile armor the enemy had to use.

Talia noticed the Minerva's pilots were following the plan that Athrun had drawn up. And they were performing the tasks the plan had very well. The path that Matt and Rey were making would allow the Minerva to turn to port and head for the breaking point in the enemy's front line. The Gundams were keeping enemy mobile suits at bay and not getting too close to the Minerva. However, the OMNI battleships began firing at the Minerva which had Talia focused on the enemy vessels rather than the mobile suits. The Minerva returned fire and quickly disabled some of the smaller vessels in the Alliance fleet through the use of "Parsifal" ground missiles and the Minerva's 'Isolde' triple cannon. That was followed by the launching of torpedoes and both Tristan beam cannons being used against their enemies.

As the Minerva moved forward, Luna was targeting the closest enemy battleship. She was making the needed adjustments to make the shot that Commander Zala had challenged her to do. Locking in the target area on the nearest enemy ship was not too hard, even if the precision lock took a bit to set. She had to charge the beam cannon as the shot would need more power than the default shot used by a small margin. Luna waited for a clear firing line, keeping her breathing measured as she waited. A moment later, Luna had a clear path, so she pulled the trigger and watched the beam zoom toward its target. Yet, just before the beam hit, the enemy ship moved enough to have the shot graze the ship instead. The graze showed Luna, her adjustments hadn't been enough to have had the shot work even if the ship hadn't moved at the last moment. She refocused and fine-tuned her adjustments to the beam output. Luna wouldn't give up after just one attempt at the challenge she had been given.

Athrun had seen the shot Luna had made, and he had to applaud the attempt. Sure, the girl had barely missed hitting the area he had told her to aim for. However, she had gotten far closer than Athrun would expect others to manage on the first shot. He didn't doubt that the girl was also making adjustments to the beam for the next shot to be effective should she hit the target area. It was a good view at the real potential that Lunamaria had as a sniper specialist. The girl hadn't been far off where she had been told to aim, that alone was something to note. The first shot was definitely more than good enough to give her another chance to try to make the shot again.

Athrun's attention shifted to the others out on the field with the Minerva. Rey and Matt were making decent progress on making a path for the Minerva to turn hard to port and break through the enemy's frontline. Shinn and Aila were holding the general place by the Minerva and were keeping enemy mobile suits at a reasonable distance from the ship. The Minerva was firing upon enemy vessels that were attacking. Some ships were getting damaged and were having a hard time continuing the attack on the Minerva. Athrun was fending off Windams himself as he kept an eye on things. There was still no sign of the enemy mobile armor yet which concerned Athrun. OMNI would normally send out their strongest machine to get things moving in the direction they wanted. For them to keep a potentially powerful mobile armor as an enemy ship was advancing was off for them.

Luna had made her adjustments to the rifle and took aim again. She locked in the nearest enemy battleship and zoomed in to have her rifle trained on the area that Commander Zala had pointed out. Luna really wanted to make the shot she had been challenged to do. It would prove she wasn't just assigned to the Minerva by chance, that she had the skills to end out with the ship. Luna waited for the clear path to fire down, keeping her breathing measured and using her heartbeat to focus her attention. It seemed a long moment later that the path opened for Luna to make the shot, and Luna took it. She watched as the beam zoomed at the enemy vessel, not taking her eyes off it. The beam struck where Luna had been aiming and punctured the armor plate the ship had. For a moment, Luna thought she had missed the mark or the beam hadn't been adjusted right as the ship kept going. But then the ship's weapons froze and the vessel appeared to stop in the water. Luna blinked to make sure she wasn't seeing things that she wanted to be true. But the enemy ship's condition didn't change, which meant that she had successfully made the shot.

A thrun had glanced back in time to see Lunamaria make the shop on the OMNI Arkansas class and disable the ship. The girl had successfully made the tricky shot that he'd challenged her to make. It proved that the girl's sniping skill had real potential to be something amazing if she developed it more. However, Athrun's attention was drawn back to the enemy fleet, specifically one of the Spengler class carriers. What had caught his attention was a section of the ship's deck opening up which was odd. Mobile suits would launch from Spenglers cargo bay from the side hatches, little should launch from the upper deck. Then Athrun realized that it could and likely was the OMNI fleet sending out their mobile armor. Athrun had the Saviour's optics zoom in a bit to get a better view of the enemy machine. The armor was larger than an average mobile armor Athrun had seen by a notable margin. It was green overall and had an orange stripe up the middle from what Athrun could see. From where Athrun was, he couldn't spot much with weapons.

The mobile armor took off from the Spengler and began making its way toward the Minerva. Athrun spotted some cannons on armor and what looked like some sort of beam emitters. The cannons or emitters would make the machine dangerous likely at any range were Athrun to guess. And Athrun feared that what he was seeing was just some of what the enemy mobile armor was capable of. He opened a channel to the other pilots, "The enemy mobile armor has appeared on the field," Athrun stated. "Matt, Rey, pull back to help defend. Aila, Shinn, get ready to advance and engage the mobile armor."

Athrun wasn't the only one to spot the mobile armor, those on the Minerva's bridge saw it too. Talia saw the mobile armor surging toward the Minerva as well. She knew the plan was for the Gundams to engage the mobile armor and take it down. But this armor was a different model than the one the ship had encountered assaulting OMNI's Lohengrin's Gate. It was worth a shot to see if the Tannhäuser could take the armor out along with some of the ships behind it. So, Talia focused forward, "We can't let that mobile armor get to the Minerva. I know the plan was to let the Gundams handle it, but if we can take it out, then we save them the trouble." Talia gazed at Arthur, "Activate Tannhäuser, target that mobile armor. If it is effective, then we may make a path through the blockade quicker."

A rthur didn't disagree with what the captain was ordering. The plan Athrun had seemed like a really good way to get through the blockade. But if the Tannhäuser could make a path through it, then it would cut the time to get past the blockade down. It would also cut the risks the mobile suit pilot were put in in the battle. "Very well, ma'am," Arthur replied. "Activate Tannhäuser. Transferring firing axis control. Target enemy mobile armor."

The crew of the Zamza Zah saw the ZAFT ship being out what appeared to be a positron cannon. The ZAFT vessel was supposed to have one by what reports had stated. And if it fired it, the beam would do damage to the fleet if it wasn't blocked. So, the crew leader ordered the armor repositioned to use its positron reflector system. The Zamza Zah tilted forward to have the reflector's emitters in place to deploy the field. The emitters charged and activated forming the reflection field. The Zamza Zah held its position waiting for the enemy to use its positron cannon.

The Minerva fired the Tannhäuser, Talia and Arthur hoping it would work. Athrun had mentioned it was likely the enemy mobile armor would have some sort of deflection system as the one around the Gulnahan Ravine had. Talia hoped that Athrun had been wrong about the armor having a reflection system. If Athrun was right, then using the Tannhäuser would do nothing but encourage the OMNI fleet to keep fighting. The Tannhäuser's beam raced forward across the water, explosions following the beam as it surged forward. However, the beam came to a halt with it contacted the positron reflector the Zamza Zah had deployed. The armor was pushed back a little from the positron beam, but the reflection field held. Energy arcs were going around the cockpit as the reflector blocked the beam. That made the armor crew nervous the reflector may not hold. Their concern increased an amount when some of the positron energy surged past the Zamza Zah. But the vast majority of the beam was blocked by the reflector and did not blast past the armor.

Athrun had watched as the Minerva had fired its positron cannon at the mobile armor. It hadn't surprised Athrun the armor had managed to block the beam. With the Alliance having developed deflection technology, there was no reason to expect them not to use it to their advantage. From what Athrun had seen, the deflection done wasn't perfect, but it was still effective enough. Athrun still felt that the Federation's deflection technology would be able to outdo the Alliance's version. But that comparison was something which could be answered at a later time when a mobile armor wasn't trying to destroy the Minerva. Athrun got on the radio with Aila and Shinn, "Aila, Shinn, move forward and attack the enemy mobile armor," Athrun ordered. "We can take it down if we work together."

"Understood," Shinn replied.

"Got it," Aila shot back.

The Zamza Zah surged forward toward the ZAFT vessel after blocking its positron cannon. The crew fully intended to blast holes in the ship and sink it. The Zamza Zah would succeed where others had failed in taking down the ZAFT vessel which had become a symbol of their power. However, before it got too far, the three enemy Gundam types got in its way. The armor should be able to handle a gundam, but three at once was a different story. The three Gundams split apart and moved to surround the Zamza Zah. The crew decided to focus on one gundam at a time and take them down before it attacked the enemy vessel.

The Osiris had remained between the Minerva and the mobile armor. The Impulse moved to be on the left while the Saviour went to the right. The Zamza Zah responded by changing their beam cannons over to the "Vasiliec" hyper-oscillation crushers. If the Gundams thought that they had the advantage in close-quarters combat, the Zamza Zah's crew would prove them wrong. Phase shift armor may block the crushers for a time, but blocking would drain their power faster which would give the Zamza Zah the advantage. The crew leader directed the others to focus on the blue and white Gundam first. The Zamza Zah spun and rushed toward the Impulse, extending its claws, aiming for the Impulse's legs. The claws began glow red as they opened as the Zamza Zah closed the distance between it and the Impulse.

Shinn saw the armor spinning around and coming at him. He had the Impulse moving back to evade the enemy's attack. However, Windams began shooting at the Impulse stopping Shinn from moving back. Other Windams appeared to occupy the Saviour and Osiris making them unable to assist the Impulse. Shinn tried dropping down to dodge the armor rushing at him. But the Zamza Zah used its GAU111 cannons to shoot at the Impulse to stop it from dropping to get out of the way. Shinn couldn't see a way to evade the attack, so he tried to use his beam rifle against the armor. The Zamza Zah activated its reflector to block the bolts from the beam rifle as it closed the rest of the distance. The armor swung its crusher forward and managed to get a hold of the Impulse's right leg. Shinn had the Impulse struggle against the hold but found the armor's grip couldn't be broken.

The Zamza Zah zoomed downward once it had a hold on the Impulse, pulling it downward with it. Athrun had seen the Impulse was in a dire position with the armor getting a hold on it. The armor just had to drain the Impulse's power enough to get its phase shift to go down and then Shinn would be in life-threatening danger. The mobile armor had proven to be more troublesome than Athrun had predicted. The Osiris was occupied by enemy machines so was unable to assist the Impulse. Shinn needed help quickly or he would potentially die. Athrun wasn't about to let things to end like this with OMNI flipping the tables on the Minerva. With that resolve, Athrun's SEED mode activated which could flip the tables against OMNI.

Athrun blocked one of the Windams striking with its beam sabers before shoving the enemy back. Athrun then brought his beam rifle and shot the Windam who had swung its beam saber at him. Then Athrun twisted around and fired a bolt at another Windam which had been approaching him. He then had the Saviour drop while it transformed into its armor mode to get free of the Windams that had been attacking him. Athrun shifted his attention to be on the enemy mobile armor. It still had a hold on the Impulse and was dragging it down toward the water below. Athrun began racing toward the armor, aiming for the antennas that had been used for the deflection system. If one, preferably more of those antennas were damaged, the deflection system wouldn't be able to save it from attacks.

Shinn was trying to think of something he could do to flip the situation and turn it around. The Impulse's power supply was falling with the claw or whatever it was gripping its leg. The weapon the armor had was using the phase shift armor to drain the Impulse of power. Keeping calm with the situation as it was currently was extremely difficult for Shinn. The Impulse would either slam into the ocean or the left leg would be ripped off when the phase shift went down. The alarms screeching in the cockpit weren't helping Shinn keep himself from panicking. Shinn glanced down at his power readouts and wasn't encouraged by what was displayed. The Impulse's battery power levels were falling, having just dropped below twenty percent. If or when the power dropped fifteen percent or less, Shinn would be in serious trouble. The phase shift would go down at less than ten percent and the enemy's hold would likely rip off the Impulse's leg. And with the rate the battery's power level was falling, it wouldn't be long before Shinn lost his phase shift armor.

Shinn could only watch as the battery power go from "critical" to "emergency" as his power supply dropped under ten percent. The readouts on the phase shift displayed it was out of energy supply. An alarm buzzed signaling the armor system was shutting down due to lack of power. The Impulse lost its color it had from the phase shift armor, turning grey with the exception of the silhouette pack. An alarm blared at Shinn as the Impulse shook, and he realized the Impulse's left leg had just been ripped off by the mobile armor. Shinn knew if he didn't pull off something right now, he was going to die. His options were limited with having little power and the Impulse damaged.

Athrun had been going for the mobile armor when he saw the Impulse's phase shift go down. That was a very bad sign as it meant Shinn was in serious trouble and could be killed. When the mobile armor had ripped off the Impulse's leg, the Impulse was sent flying down toward the ocean. With little power to work with, the Impulse would have little way to save itself if it hit and sink into the water. But while the enemy mobile armor was in play, helping Shinn would be far more difficult to manage. Athrun was sure that the mobile armor would disrupt any attempt to help the Impulse, whether it was the Osiris or the Saviour. He cursed the point that the enemy mobile armor had shoved the Minerva and its mobile suits into.

As Impulse fell, alarms were sounding inside the cockpit, but Shinn wasn't hearing them. Memories were flashing through his mind as he was falling toward the water. Time with his friends, family raced through his head. One memory quickly stood out from the rest, which was the evacuation from Orb during the Alliance's attack during the war. Flashes of Shinn seeing Federation forces defending citizens including his family stayed his mind. It had been one of his motivations to become a pilot, saving lives as his family's had been saved. That motivation had morphed into resolve the likes Shinn hadn't felt before. All the stress from the battle faded away and he had a moment of complete clarity. Shinn wouldn't accept nor allow things to end like they were right now.

Should the enemy mobile armor reach the Minerva, then the ship would be destroyed and all those onboard with it. The Impulse would need resupply to make a difference and take down the armor. The Minerva had the Deuterion Beam which could give Shinn power to work with. Meyrin could have a Leg flyer and any other equipment sent out for him to use. Shinn was starting to see a possible path Shinn could go down to turn the tables and get things back on track for the Minerva. He couldn't say why he hadn't seen the possibility before, but he would take the opportunity he could see. Shinn wouldn't let the mobile armor get the better of him and attack his friends while he could do anything about it. Shinn shoved the throttle forward and had the Impulse stop from going into the water.

The Zamza Zah noticed the Impulse using its thrusters to stop its fall to the ocean. Taking the enemy Gundam's leg had been a great start. It should've shown the enemy pilot they couldn't win against the Zamza Zah in combat. ZAFT Gundams weren't superior to what the Alliance had been developing for this war which would have the Earth Alliance end out on top of Humanity. The armor crew had the Zamza point its "legs" down, switching the two crushers back to its multi-phase beam cannons and other weapons at the Impulse. The barrage on the enemy Gundam would put an end to it so the Zamza Zah could move onto the remaining two. ZAFT forces tended to be tenacious but would be put down and shown they weren't going to win.

Shinn somehow sensed the attack from the mobile armor coming at him without seeing it with his eyes. He reacted on instinct and had the Impulse zoom out of the way of the beams fired at him. Shinn couldn't say how he'd known the attack had been coming at him, it had just been a feeling which he couldn't explain that had shot through him. He didn't question it for the moment, instead focusing on defeating the mobile armor. Shinn had the Impulse climb up from being just above the water and headed toward the Minerva. He needed to resupply and get fresh equipment to take down the enemy machine. "Minerva, ready the Deuterion Beam system," Shinn ordered as he dodged the Zamza Zah attacking from behind him. "Meyrin, get a leg flier and the Sword Silhouette ready to launch."

The orders from Shinn sounded different from when he asked for things before that Meyrin had head. Meyrin wondered if she should do what Shinn asked with the different feel to him asking in this instance. She glanced at Captain Gladys silently asking if she should do as Shinn said. Talia had heard the difference in Shinn's voice with him asking for resupply and fresh equipment. Yet, something in her said that Shinn knew what he was doing, even if she couldn't say why she felt that way. With the Minerva in the position it was, it needed things to change if it was to get through the blockade and get to Carpentaria. So, Talia nodded at Meyrin, "Do as he says, Meyrin," she ordered. "Give him whatever he asks for right now." Meyrin nodded and had the Deuterion beam system begin acquiring the Impulse for a target.

Athrun could see what Shinn was working to do. The issue with resupplying and getting fresh equipment was the mobile armor was trying to attack Shinn and take him down. The Impulse would need to keep in line for the flyers and it would be required to be still for the Deuterion beam to give it power. The only way the armor would leave the Impulse alone for it to do what it needed was for another to draw its attention. So, Athrun had the Saviour surge forward at the Zamza Zah firing bolts from his beam rifle against it. The Saviour attacking did as Athrun had been aiming for, shifting the mobile armor's attention to it rather than the Impulse. Athrun got on a channel to the Impulse, "Shinn get what you need," Athrun ordered. "I'll distract this mobile armor." The Saviour rushed forward drawing his two beam sabers intending to slash at the reflector emitters.

The Zamza Zah had his attention shifted from the damaged enemy Gundam by one of the other two firing upon the armor. The crew attempted to return fire and get the enemy Gundam to back off so the Zamza Zah could finish off the blue and white one. However, the red gundam dodged and rushed forward closing the distance between it and the Zamza Zah. The crew tried to avoid the beam sabers which were coming at it. They succeeded with evading one of the swings of sabers aimed at it. Yet, the second swing clipped one of the rear antennas. The issue was the clip did cause problems with the reflector system. It may still work, but there was just as much a chance it wouldn't deploy either. So, the Zamza Zah focused on the Saviour to get it to back off or take it down.

While Athrun kept the Zamza Zah busy, Shinn moved the Impulse into position to receive the Deuterion Beam. With the Impulse as close as it was to the Minerva, the charging cycle with the Deuterion beam would be shorter than when Shinn had used it around Asgard. The Deuterion beam locked in the Impulse before firing its beam. Shinn watched as the Impulse's battery level rapidly climbed up from the level it had fallen to. As it was climbing, Shinn reactivated the Impulse's phase armor bringing its colors back. He knew it would take around a minute for the two requested flyers being loaded to the catapult. So, Shinn whipped around and faced in the direction the mobile armor and Saviour were fighting. The Impulse could help finish that fight and dispatch the mobile armor. With that in mind, Shinn had the Impulse rush toward the Saviour and Zamza Zah.

Athrun had been working to keep the enemy mobile armor busy while Shinn was resupplying. The task wasn't easy with the armor aggressively attacking the Saviour. Athrun was managing the fight with his SEED mode making a difference with the enemy being so aggressive. He knew it was more a matter of buying some time to get another to assist in dealing with the enemy machine. Athrun had only been dancing around the mobile armor for a minute or two when things changed. The Impulse reappeared with the mobile suit coming down with a sweep of a beam saber. Shinn missed with his strike, but it gave Athrun the opportunity to surge forward drawing his own beam sabers and scoring a hit on one of the Zamza Zah's legs.

The armor's crew were starting to panic as two of the enemy Gundams were working together to assault the Zamza Zah. Evading and returning attacks to one enemy gundam was a difficult enough task for the armor's crew. The red enemy Gundam had been harder to fight against than the blue and white one had been. But then the latter had to return with its armor system back up and working which complicated the fight. The armor's crew managed to dodge the beam saber swung at them. However, that gave the red one the chance to slash one of the Zamza Zah's cannons off. The crew did try their best to hold its own against the two enemy Gundams, but it was a losing battle.

Shinn darted in a moment after the Saviour had gotten in a slash on the armor and taken out one of its multi-phase beam cannons. He sliced off one of the armor's projectile cannons on its leg before drawing back so the enemy machine couldn't grab him. Athrun took out his beam rifle and moved forward and banged his rifle against the center antenna before pulling the trigger. The antenna exploded along with a hole being made by the beam passing through the armor. After Athrun pulled back, both the Saviour and Impulse rushed forward at the armor to strike at the same time. Athrun was coming from behind the armor while Shinn was coming from the front.

The armor's crew attempted to veer out of the way of the two Gundams coming at it. But the shot from the red gundam had damaged the rear thruster making the armor unable to move side to side. All the crew managed was to spin the Zamza Zah around instead of moving out of the enemies' strike paths. They did get the two forward multi-phase beam cannons to rise and point at the Impulse and fire. The Saviour went to the side shooting bolts from its beam rifle through the mobile armor. The Impulse put its shield up to block one of the beams shot at him but continued forward toward the armor. Shinn cast the shield aside and moving out of the path of the beam before he surged upward and then dove down at the mobile armor. The Impulse brought its beam saber down and slammed it down into where Shinn guessed the cockpit would be for the armor. Shinn figured that the Saviour shooting beams through the mobile armor would deal a fatal blow to the enemy machine, but he wanted to make absolutely sure the armor couldn't do harm to the Minerva.

The Saviour and Impulse drew back from the mobile armor as explosions began engulfing the Zamza Zah. The destruction of the mobile amor which the explosions finished wasn't missed by those on the field. For those on the Minerva, it was a relief to see the mobile armor being taken down. The machine had been a menace and had appeared to be aiming for the Minerva from its approach path. It had taken the Saviour and Impulse working together to dispatch, but the job had been done. That just left the remaining ships of the OMNI fleet and their mobile suits to get through to reach Carpentaria. Getting through the enemy blockade would still take work, but it seemed less daunting than it had been when the plan had been drawn up.

The OMNI fleet commander's confidence took a blow at seeing the explosions which signaled the Zamza Zah's destruction. The mobile armor had been the trump card the blockade fleet had to use against ZAFT ships that came this way traveling to their Carpentaria Base. The Zamza Zah had been effective against the couple of ZAFT subs which had tried to go against the blockade. But ZAFT's new "star ship" had managed to dispatch and destroy the Zamza Zah. The fleet commander felt the enemy had gotten lucky with their Gundams which had led to the Zamza Zah's defeat. Previous ZAFT mobile suits had fallen to the newly developed mobile armors OMNI had been employing. Now without the Zamza Zah, it would fall to the blockade ships and the Windams to stop ZAFT's star ship from proceeding forward.

However, there were issues with blocking the ZAFT ship and its mobile suits from moving forward. The enemy vessel was a powerful one, the fleet commander wouldn't dispute that point anymore. What was in Captain Roanoke's report had seemed somewhat unbelievable when the fleet commander had skimmed it over. Yet now it was clear that Roanoke hadn't been exaggerating about the ZAFT vessel or its capabilities. The Zamza Zah had been the means to block the enemy's positron cannon with its reflector, but that was no longer an option. Then there had been the shots from the enemy ship which had somehow disabled a couple of the frontline battleships. The fleet commander couldn't explain how a single shot to those vessels had disabled them but not destroyed the ships, yet that's what had been reported. Thus, turning the tables on this ZAFT ship would be difficult, but it had to be done.

Back with Shinn, he still had the mental clarity he had gained while going against the mobile armor. The path which he could go on to help the Minerva was still in his mind and it remained viable. He would just need to switch equipment and Shinn could get down to business getting the enemy blockade to leave the Minerva alone. "Minerva, send out the leg flier and Silhouette," Shinn ordered. He then moved into line to dock with the fliers. Once in the fliers' launching line, Shinn waited for the fliers, watching his sensor display for their signals. It was a moment later that the signals of the flies popped up for Shinn. He input the command to have the Impulse eject the damaged legs and the Force Silhouette pack. As the Impulse was working on changing equipment, Aila began helping Luna and Rey in the Minerva's defense. Athrun and Matt kept Windams off the Impulse to prevent any from disrupting the process.

Shinn had the fresh leg flier connect to the Impulse and sync up with the suit. That was shortly followed by the Sword Silhouette connecting, giving Shinn the new equipment set. He reactivated the Impulse's phase shift armor before facing the enemy vessels. Shinn flew forward at the enemy fleet which fired at him in response to his approach. He dodged the barrage of missile with ease that surprised Shinn himself, but he didn't think much about it. Shinn then landed on the closest Arkansas class battleship, drawing his anti-ship swords and combining them as he went. Right after Shinn landed, he began swinging his combined swords around, slashing the ship up, including the bridge.

Athrun was quick to follow the Impulse to assist on forcing the OMNI fleet to back off and have the Minerva pass the blockade. The tide of the battle had turned, and it was now in the Minerva's favor. If they made a hard push forward, the Minerva could break through the enemy blockade and get to Carpentaria in one piece. The destruction of the enemy fleet wasn't required, but if they didn't retreat, would likely happen. Athrun went to the right of the battleship which Shinn was working on and began firing on the ships nearby. He was switching between the Saviour's beam rifle and plasma cannons, punching holes through the enemy vessels.

Matt had blinked for a long moment after seeing the Impulse land on an enemy battleship and begin hacking it up. Sure, he knew the kid had talent and potential, Matt had seen it as clearly as Aila had. But what Matt was seeing went beyond the talent and potential he'd seen around Asgard and Gulnahan. It was like the kid had suddenly changed into an ace pilot who was owning the field. The way Shinn had evaded the missiles sent at him had been like a well-practiced dance move. If someone told Matt that the Impulse had an ace trained by one of the Champions right now, he'd believe it if he didn't know Shinn was the one in the cockpit. But Matt cleared his head and moved forward to help Athrun and Shinn get the OMNI blockade to fold for the Minerva.

Those on the Minerva and the other mobile suit pilots could only stare at the incredible scene playing out in front of them. Of course, Athrun Zala was seen as a war hero from the previous war, so none would argue his skills and experience which could pull off an amazing turnaround. Yet, the same couldn't have been said about Shinn and the Impulse before the scene which was being witnessed right now. Shinn had suddenly gone from being a good pilot to an amazing one in what seemed to be a blink of an eye. And that went unchanged as the Impulse went from to ship, he was whipping the enemy force. Talia came out of her daze and had Malik get the Minerva to move forward onto the path which was being made for them. Athrun, Shinn and even Matt were carving a path through the enemy blockade which the Minerva could use. It would be a waste for the Minerva not to use what was being provided to it by its mobile suits.

It was minutes after the turnaround began that retreat signals were deployed by the OMNI fleet. What remained of OMNI's blockade fleet turned and began limping away from the Minerva. The OMNI fleet commander couldn't believe what he'd witnessed. Things had been going according to plan. The ZAFT vessel was on the road to being disabled so it could be potentially capture or destroyed. Yet, then the Zamza Zah had been defeated by two out of the three enemy Gundams. Then those two Gundams and a ZAKU had proceeded to rip a path through the blockade by taking down ship after ship. The speed of the change and the intensity had been as frightening as it had been unbelievable. It made the fleet commander wonder if there wasn't some truth to the stories of Gundams being weapons unlike anything that had come before.

Back with the Minerva, the ship was sailing through the wreckage of the enemy blockade. The Minerva had taken damage in the fight, but nothing which would prevent the ship from reaching Carpentaria in a timely manner. Talia let out a relieved sigh with the Minerva having managed to break through the enemy blockade. She'd though that Athrun's plan would've been the means which the Minerva would manage to do the job. Yet, what had actually happened was something out of a war story in her mind. Shinn's performance was beyond outstanding and then some. Talia would challenge any on the National Defense Committee to say assigning Shinn as a Gundam pilot hadn't bee the right decision. What those on the Minerva had just witnessed proved that Shinn was no ordinary pilot. "Looks like we managed to break through the enemy blockade," Talia stated. "I wonder if it would've been anywhere as near successful if we had followed the plan Athrun came up with."

Arthur wasn't going to disagree with what Captain Gladys had just said. What Mr. Asuka had just done was nothing short of amazing. He had piloted like one would expect an ace pilot to pull off against the OMNI blockade. Arthur would admit he had been somewhat unsure about the captain putting Mr. Asuka in the Gundam rotation. However, there was no more doubt that Shinn deserved to be in that rotation with skills like he'd just shown. The Impulse, Saviour, and ZAKU had just saved the Minerva from far worse circumstances that may have come upon them. So, Arthur turned in his seat, "I would agree ma'am," he remarked. "I mean, all our pilots did impressive work out there against the enemy fleet and their mobile weapons. Athrun's plan was brilliant, but I didn't know if we could pull off much of it, yet we did. And what Shinn and Athrun managed was simply incredible. I would expect Mr. Zala to be skilled and pilot out on the battlefield with the experience that he has, him being a war hero and everything. But both he and Shinn took down more than five ships each and a carrier or more."

Arthur wasn't wrong, Talia knew, but still, the turn had been completely unexpected in this situation. She had no doubt the report she would put together along with Athrun's field report would be quite the read for others to do. Talia only hoped that it would do good for Shinn's record along with the other pilots the Minerva had at its disposal. They had all performed above expectations and that should be noted and recognized by higher ups. Granted, there hadn't been anything from the National Defense Committee yet about Shinn's field promotion. But it had been days, not a full week thus far so it could still come. Yet, with the report from engaging the OMNI blockade, Talia was reasonably sure those on the committee wouldn't say much about Shinn's promotion any long.

Instead of worrying, Talia had the bridge crew, including Arthur get back on task. Meyrin got down to recalling the mobile suits and getting them back to the ship. Arthur began doing damage control and putting together a list of damage needing to be worked on. Talia told him to order the list by prioritizing immediate repair needs and stuff that Carpentaria could do more efficiently. Burt was to look ahead for any other signs of OMNI causing trouble the rest of the way to Carpentaria. Talia then told Malik to keep the Minerva going slow and steady until the mobile suits got back on the ship. Once they were back onboard, he was to pick up the pace and get the ship to Carpentaria as quickly as reasonably possible.

Rey and Lunamaria were the first two to return to the hangar with their ZAKUs. Luna was still trying to wrap her brain around what she'd seen Shinn just pull off. Sure, she told him she believed he was a great pilot and Luna had meant that when she'd told Shinn. But what he'd just managed to do went beyond what "good" or even "great" pilots were capable of pulling off. Shinn had charged into the enemy fleet and had done an amount of the work of decimating it. If Luna hadn't known it was Shinn, she would've sworn she was watching an ace pilot at work, like Commander Zala. It had just been that surreal to Luna that she still wasn't entirely sure she'd actually seen what she had. She made a mental not to herself to ask Shinn what had happened out there for him to pull off what he did.

Aila and Matt were the next two to arrive back in the hangar with their machines. They both descended from their machines glancing at one another to make sure the other was fine after the battle. Aila noticed the Guuls were in the process of being stored by some. Aves was having other mechanics checking over Rey and Luna's ZAKUs. She couldn't help but exhale heavily as Matt came up to her. "Looks like things worked out for the Minerva getting past the blockade, even if not in the way we thought, wouldn't you say love," Matt asked her. Aila wouldn't disagree with Matt's iteration, but she was still processing what had gone on during the battle. "Indeed,"
she admitted, "It certainly didn't go the way we expected, but in the end, the Minerva made it through and that's what counts. I am curious how Shinn pulled off what he did, but I doubt he will have more of an explanation than we do."

Matt could no better explain how Shinn had managed to do what he had than Aila could. The kid had done something amazing, there was no question about that. It could very well be a mix of luck and desperation which had helped Shinn pull off the stunt. History did say such a mix could produce unexpected results and what Shinn had done was certainly an unexpected result. Matt wouldn't argue that "flukes" could and did happen on occasion on battlefields. He'd seen stuff that was amazing one-time events to know flukes could happen. So, Matt shrugged, "Shinn did an amazing job, I don't think any on the Minerva will deny that. But things were desperate out there for a time, so if could just be a lucky fluke, right love? The kid is talented, but I haven't seen anything to say he's so skilled that he could pull that type of thing off on command."

The conversation ended when the Saviour and Impulse entered the hangar. A silence slowly settled over those in the hangar as the last two mobile suits came to a stop and their pilots descended to the deck. Everyone in hangar stared at the two pilots as they reached the deck, wondering many things. Athrun was expected to do amazing things out on a battlefield, he was a war hero after all. So, what he'd pulled off while amazing wasn't exactly a surprise other than how amazing Athrun had been. However, what Shinn had managed to do was just as amazing but far more surprising that he'd managed to do it. Those in the hangar slowly began approaching the two as Athrun turned to face Shinn.

Athrun had been impressed by how things had gone out on the battlefield against OMNI's blockade. It hadn't gone according to the plan he'd drawn up for the Minerva to break through the enemy blockade. If anything, what had actually happened was really a better outcome in the end than Athrun had predicted could go down. The enemy mobile armor had been more troublesome than Athrun had predicted. But it had been taken down, which had begun the turning of the tables. What had stood out to Athrun was the change which had come with Shinn after getting damaged by the mobile armor. There had been a clear change in how Shinn was fight, Athrun couldn't have missed it. But he dismissed that train of thought for the time being for later attention and began walking toward Shinn. "Shinn," Athrun called out. "If I could have a word."

Shinn turned to face Commander Zala, wondering what he could want to say. Shinn had done the best he could out there to help the Minerva and follow the plan the commander had presented. Sure, things changed so the plan had to adapt, but surely Commander Zala would understand that. "Yes, Commander," Shinn asked. "Things did get dicey out there, so things didn't go according to plan I admit."

Athrun shook his head, "I'm not calling you out on anything, I assure you." Athrun gained a smile, "I just wanted to say well-done out there. I know things didn't go exactly according to plan but battles rarely go that way. Plans are guidelines which battles can be fought will, not how things will go each time." Athrun paused for a moment, "However, I believe your performance is more than worth noting and recognizing. So, as the field lead, I wanted to tell you that your efforts out there were amazing. Keep up the good work, okay?" Shinn was taken aback and really kind of shocked that Commander Zala was commending his efforts in the battle. Commander Zala was a war hero, one of the notable and skilled pilots ZAFT had besides the Champions. To get a compliment/commendation from him was a big deal for pretty much any ZAFT pilot. Before Shinn could say anything if he could think of something, Athrun kept going. "Should you keep working on your skill then you'll go far. Heck," Athrun commented, looking towards Aila and Matt, "It may not be long before Aila, Matt, and I have to work hard to not having you pass us by."

Shinn was blown away at being told he could work towards the level that the other Gundam pilots could perform at. It brought back to Shinn's mind the stuff Commander McGregor had said about Shinn being a Gundam pilot. Shinn had been telling himself that his skills were a far cry from what a Gundam pilot had. Commander McGregor had assured Shinn that he would get there given time, though Shinn hadn't quite believed it at the time. However, now, after what Commander Zala had said, Shinn couldn't help but wonder if Commander McGregor hadn't had a point about Shinn's potential as a Gundam pilot. Perhaps if he did polish his skills, then Shinn could properly think of himself as a gundam pilot that stories talked about. He still couldn't explain the mental clarity which had come to him in the battle. Nor could Shinn say how he knew the path he had taken would work as it did.

Shinn couldn't think of what to say to Commander Zala's commendation. But the silence was broken by the sound of clapping was heard. Shinn turned the direction the clapping was coming from and saw it was his friend Rey doing it. A moment later, others joined in with Rey applauding Shinn's performance. Within a minute, everyone in the hangar were clapping for Shinn and Athrun. After a few minutes of applause, Chief Aves got all there organized and back to working on repairs, leaving the mobile suit pilots. The five began heading for the locker room, leaving Athrun where he was as he didn't follow them. Athrun heard the five talking about what Shinn had done, specifically after the "change" had occurred. Luna was the insistent one for an explanation. Aila did try to get the girl to leave Shinn alone and not pester him before the group exited the hangar.

Athrun's thoughts returned to what he'd seen with Shinn's performance that he'd moved to the back of his mind earlier. The change stood out for some specific reasons, more because Athrun had seen the idea before. The qualities that Shinn had exhibited were hard to miss when one knew what to look for. Athrun knew them as he'd seen them in the previous war with a few individuals, his two best friends in particular. There had been at least one other which Athrun could think of specifically that had a similar change during the last war, and that had been Lacus. Heck, Athrun had exhibited a similar type of change during stressful battles, even in the battle that had just ended.

The idea itself wasn't known to the public that Athrun was aware of, not with how rare it was to come out in the few who had the idea. The subject of SEED Factor was controversial among the intellectuals that did know about it, and they were inclined to argue if it was factual and real or just something used to explain instances that defied normal explanations. From what Tyler had said, SEED Factor was hard to actually prove without specific data by what medical and scientific professionals said. The data was supposed to be unavailable or just not recorded with most people according to what Athrun had found during research on it. However, finding credible sources about SEED Factor had been extremely difficult. Much of what Athrun knew about SEED Factor came from his own experience, and what Tyler had told him about it. There were a couple of articles about it, but there was so much criticism that it was hard to know what was fact and what was not.

Athrun had learned the most from Tyler, but Lacus and Kira had also said a few things which had given him food for thought as the phrase went. Athrun had been doing the research because he seemed to have SEED Factor himself. From the discussions Athrun had with Tyler, those who had SEED factor could experience/express the idea in different ways. However, there were some common abilities which had been observed by others, Tyler included. An example of one of the abilities was "having eyes in the back of the head." Tyler had said it was more enhanced awareness. If that was the case, it was awareness at a level Athrun couldn't explain and he'd experienced himself. Yet, Athrun didn't argue the ability as he'd seen it with his own eyes with Tyler and Kira, besides feeling it for himself.

If his best friends were examples of what SEED mode was like, then it was something Humanity wasn't ready to understand in Athrun's opinion. Going against Kira with him in SEED mode had been insane. Athrun would say it had been beyond ridiculous, had sailed out of the realm of somewhat insane and into ludicrous and freak unexplainable. What made the idea of SEED mode even more terrifying and ludicrous was Kira's was tame compared to what Tyler was like with SEED mode. Athrun cared about his friend, and knew he was an amazing and nice guy the majority of the time. But Tyler with SEED mode was beyond "terrifying out one's freaking mind," Tyler became a nightmarish monster which defeating seemed impossible. And Athrun doubted he was much better to others when he was in SEED mode as his best friends.

With that foundation established, should Shinn possess SEED Factor like Athrun, and his best friends did, that could both be concerning and fascinating. And from what Athrun had seen in the battle with OMNI's blockade fleet, it was becoming likely. The increase that SEED mode gave was helpful, Athrun wouldn't deny that. It could get the possessor out of an impossible pinch and make it seem easy to outsiders. However, SEED Factor was as a double-edged blade, it came with a price. For Athrun and Kira, it had been heavy exhaustion after use thus far, but that could change in the future. Tyler was a better example of what SEED mode could do to someone after using it.

The only reason that Athrun wasn't sure if Shinn had SEED Factor at this point was a clear point about it. SEED Factor was quite rare to manifest in people, regardless of the type of human they were. Then SEED mode activating took near crisis for the first experience by what Tyler and Kira had mentioned. There was the chance the battle could've provided the "crisis" needed to have Shinn activate SEED mode if he had it. Athrun would keep an eye on Shinn to see if he saw any of the other signs of SEED Factor. The name may not be widely known to the human race, but the incredible performance was something people to notice of. There were some that were more than willing to take advantage of a SEED mode user. And to defeat another with SEED Factor, it normally took another with the same ability.

A/n

And that's where I'll leave off for this Phase. Understand, the next few phases will not involve the Minerva and them around Carpentaria. Sorry for this being so long, but as my writing style tends to be, I go from one point to another normally. But the length was worth it with the material covered if you ask me. There are three or four general scenes that I will be going to go over and highlight in this. The first is of course the meeting between Athrun, Aila, and Matt.

The meeting which takes place between the mentioned three is more the pre-planning meeting for the pilots or rather those that are the leaders of the pilots. I wanted to show that Aila isn't blind or dense like some with figuring something was coming ahead of the ship. Thus, she and Matt after she bumped into him went looking for answer which brought them to Athrun. I also wanted to show the relationship between Aila and Matt as they do care about one another. They find Athrun when he is trying to fine-tune the plan for the OMNI fleet. It is a blessing in disguise in a fashion as Athrun needed information on the other Minerva pilots which Aila and Matt were able to provide. Athrun saw no reason to not tell the two about what was ahead since they could help him work on the plan.

The planning meeting is similar to the one that happened in the last phase with Talia and Arthur. Athrun lays out the situation ahead of the Minerva with the OMNI blockade. The basic rundown is the same as the previous meeting with how things will generally go with OMNI as things stand. Remember, Athrun hasn't gotten to know the three teen pilots as well as Matt and Aila do. He had met them but doesn't know their skill sets or the abilities beyond what ZAFT records say about them. I'll get into why that is important in a bit, but it does make a difference in the long run.

Now onto the meeting which the three teens are involved in. I have been told that Luna's attitude is a bit much by some. I say she is a teenager, and they can be emotional and Luna is just an example of that. She's sassy for the moment but will get better given time, so just tolerate her behavior for the time being please. The planning and really the assignments for the field are to show the strengths of the teens. While this is the third iteration of the plan, it is the most detailed of them. I would point out that Luna is still argumentative, she doesn't know Athrun well yet, so she is going to be that way. On the other hand, Shinn is the only one to notice the file Athrun shows is not ZAFT's but likely from the Federation. Remember, Shinn was a Federation citizen so has experience with how they do things. This is yet another instance in which the Shinn in my story is shown to be different than canon's. He isn't driven by rage and thirst to prove himself as he is in canon, and it is better if you ask me. Shinn has potential and his "issues" in canon really hurt that from coming out earlier. Instead, my Shinn is thinking more logically and realistically which shows him to be a better character.

Let me move to the assignments for the fight that Athrun gives out. Matt and Rey are good frontline fighters, that has been shown. Lunamaria's task was chosen with her sniping skills in mind. I know Luna snaps back at Athrun before he can tell her that, but she has been put on the defensive for the Minerva a lot, so I would give her a break. And Luna's attitude is being compared to Yzak as they did snap at others quite a bit, tell me I'm wrong. So, Athrun gives the task he has for Luna in the form of a challenge. Any of you readers that have experience with sniping can correct any of my assumptions with the idea I got wrong. And finally, Aila and Shinn as the Gundam pilots will be helping Athrun against enemy forces.

Now onto the fight scene in this phase. While the Minerva may have known what they would be facing thanks to Athrun, it is still a battle. This fight is based somewhat on canon's Minerva's battle right after leaving Orb if you readers might have guessed. The battle in general is as you read, and I hope you enjoyed the extra stuff I put in. I know that the Zamza-Zah is technically and earlier model than the one that the Minerva faced in the Gulnahan Ravine. But those on the Minerva didn't come down in Orb in my story, so this battle is the first encounter they have with the Zamza-Zah. And regardless of it being an earlier model, it still is an effective machine against its enemies.

Moving to when Shinn uses his SEED mode, I want to highlight that a bit. Before this, Shinn hasn't used his SEED mode, and he has no idea he even has it. Tyler may suspect Shinn could have SEED factor, but he doesn't know for sure. And remember, a first time SEED mode tends to come during a situation of extreme stress. Tyler, Kira, Athrun, and Lacus are proof of that point even if we don't have Tyler's story. Athrun sees the signs, even if others wouldn't recognize them. SEED factor is still not a well-known subject to the general public, only really in specific circles. And Tyler has taken the time to explain general stuff to the other three so they can recognize it when they might see it. That was why all the rest were in shock at what Shinn did on the field with his SEED mode, they don't see it for what it is. Such is expected of Athrun with him being a war hero, but not Shinn.

Finally, I want to go over the "afterward," in the hangar of the Minerva. Athrun compliments Shinn, and the kid really does need that as he doesn't tend to get recognized as he should if that wasn't made clear. I also want to highlight that Shinn recalls Tyler's words which means those were sticking with him more than potentially implied. Shinn doesn't know about SEED mode which came to him, he only sees that as "mental clarity" of sorts. You readers know it for what it really is just as Athrun does. I would state that SEED factor is an extremely rare thing for a person to have. I know in my story there are several, but the idea is in actuality a rare thing to see in a person. I may explain SEED mode and factor more in this Phase but that is to give background more than anything else.

In conclusion, this phase while long is kind of a leave off point for the Minerva for a time. The Phases coming up will be with Tyler and others. But this is a good place to leave off for the Minerva for a time and come back to later. As I always do at the end of each Phase, I would ask some of you take the time and write a review and tell me what you think of this phase, ask questions, or tell me your thoughts. I do read the reviews, my life just doesn't always allow me to reply to them as quickly as I would like. Peace out until the next Phase!