Outside the destruction of Junius Seven, several mobile suits were placing motors on the various debris that remained of the colony.

"Solar wind velocity remains the same. Flare level at S3. Estimated arrival time: 30 seconds."

"Hurry! What about unit nine?"

"The emitted particle has arrived. Beginning countdown to flare motor activation. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two. Particle flux detected! Flare motors activated! Junius Seven has started to move."

"Allen… Christine…" One of the pilots said. "I'll see you again once this is over."

The colony chunks began to slowly move, breaking through its natural orbit.

"Now fall! Our great tombstone! On a world that has forgotten the voices of sorrow, that closes its eyes to reality, and continues to live veiled in the shroud of deception… Remember this lesson well!"

The remaining half of Junius Seven was on a collision course, headed straight for Earth.

ZAFT was on overdrive, analyzing the change in Junius Seven's orbit.

"Junius Seven has accelerated by two more percent. It remains on a collision course with Earth, zero, zero, five."

"What in the world happened?! Considering its mass, it's unthinkable that it could change course so easily."

"Have you contacted the Chairman on board the Minerva?"

"Are they sure it's headed for Earth?"

"What can we do to avoid a collision?"

"What about warning Earth?"

Talia turned on the communicator in her room to sound only. "What is it?"

"Captain." Meyrin spoke. "The Supreme Council is on line number one. They want Chairman Durandal."

Talia turned to Durandal, who was sitting on her bed, looking through a few files. Hearing the news, a grim expression made its way onto his face.

"Mayu!" Lunamaria opened the door to the girl's room. She saw Mayu sitting at her desk, having just closed her laptop.

"Oh, hi Luna. What is it?" Mayu asked.

"Bad news… really bad news." Luna frowned. "Meyrin's going to explain everything to us."

Mayu instantly understood, standing up to follow the older girl. Bad news? It's just one thing after another…

"What?! Junius Seven is moving?!" Cagalli leaned forward, with the Captain and Chairman having called her for a meeting. Athrun was silently standing by. "But how?!"

"I have no idea." Durandal admitted. "Only the fact that it is moving, and fast. It has taken the worst possible trajectory."

"We've been able to confirm the same with our own crew." Talia said.

"But how could this ever happen?" Athrun asked. "It was said to be in a stable orbit, safe for hundreds of years."

"Either a collision with a meteor, or some other factor." Durandal suggested. "The bottom line is, it's moving even as we speak… It's headed for Earth."

"If it falls…" Cagalli clasped her hands. "If it falls, what'll happen to Orb? Or to Earth for that matter?!"

"Considering its mass, I'm sure you already have a good idea without me telling you." Durandal noted grimly. "The PLANTs are doing everything they can to find out how this happened and how to avoid a collision. I must apologize for involving you in yet another incident, but I have ordered the Minerva to proceed toward Junius Seven as soon as repairs are finished. Fortunately, we happen to be in close proximity. I hope for your understanding, Princess."

"Of course!" Cagalli nodded, though she briefly gripped her head. "This is a grave concern to us, as it is to you. If… If there is anything at all that I can do to help…"

"I understand how you feel." Durandal said. "Right now, however, I ask that you please remain calm, Princess. If there's anything you can do, we'll be sure to let you know."

"It may be difficult, but we will try to establish direct contact with your nation." Talia spoke up. "We will also take steps to have a ship come and pick you up as soon as possible."

"...I see. Thank you." Cagalli nodded.

The ZAFT members aboard the Minerva were discussing the situation in the breakroom.

"Yeah? But how could it have moved?" Vino asked.

"Either a meteoroid hit, or some other thing altered its orbit." Yolan suggested.

"Is it really on a collision course with Earth?" Shinn asked.

"That's what Bart said." Meyrin nodded.

Luna sighed. "First, the robbery at Armory One, then before the dust even settles, this? What's going on?"

Mayu remained silent, having heard the information and processing it. If the Junius Seven wreckage hit the planet, it would undoubtedly be devastating, perhaps leaving Earth unhabitable.

"Now then. What should we do with Junius Seven?" Luna asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Mayu stood up. "We have to stop it!"

"But how?" Yolan asked.

"Smash it to pieces." Rey suggested.

"Smash it?" Vino said. "The whole thing?"

"It's impossible to change its orbit, at least not with the amount of people we have aboard the Minerva." Rey said. "If we want to avoid a collision, we have no choice but to smash it to pieces."

"But that thing's huge!" Yolan pointed out. "It's at least 8 kilometers in diameter right through the middle!"

"How do we smash something that big?" Vino added.

"With the damaged condition it was in the first place, maybe if we aim for significant cracks, it should probably fall apart easier?" Mayu suggested.

"But many of the bodies of those who died are still there…" Meyrin frowned.

"But if it drops, Earth will be annihilated." Rey said. "After an impact like that, nothing will remain. Not even those living on Earth now."

Rey's words went through everyone's minds as they stood in silence.

"Earth… destroyed…?" Vino repeated, as if he couldn't believe such a thing.

"That's right." Yolan said.

"That's terrible…" Meyrin said.

Mayu thought back to Orb, remembering where her parents had died. It would be even worse if Junius Seven hit the planet.

"But, well, I guess that's just how it is." Yolan said, sitting up. "It's beyond our control. But it might end up being easier for us on the PLANTs, since it takes care of a lot of stuff that way."

Shinn noticed Mayu clenching her fist. "Mayu-"

"How… How can you say that Yolan?!" Mayu shouted.

Several of the others tensed up. Mayu very rarely got angry, even back at the academy. Though she usually kept herself controlled, Shinn wasn't the only Asuka that could shout.

"Billions of innocent people might die, and you're just writing that off?!" Mayu yelled.

"Well said. I couldn't have put it better myself." A new voice spoke.

They all turned to see Representative Athha walk in, with Athrun right behind her. All of Mayu's anger seemed to drain, while Shinn started to glare. Everyone briefly saluted, though Shinn looked away.

"How is it that the youngest one here is the one aware of how serious this is, about what could happen to Earth?" Cagalli asked, before turning to Mayu. "I was seconds away from coming in and yelling, but you said everything that I was going to."

"I was… just expressing my thoughts, Representative Athha." Mayu said, having calmed down.

"S-Sorry, Mayu." Yolan said.

"It's not me you should be apologizing to." Mayu slightly glanced at him.

"R-Right."

"But is this really the way you people of ZAFT think?" Cagalli asked, a bit of a harsh tone in her slowly rising voice. "We went through that war! And we all suffered! And finally, under Chairman Durandal's administration, things seemed to be changing! Is that not the case?!"

"Stop it, Cagalli." Athrun said quietly, gently pulling her arm.

"It's not as if Yolan really meant what he said." Shinn spoke up, finally facing Cagalli. "Can't you even tell the difference?"

"What?" Cagalli took a step forward, as Athrun tried to pull her back.

"Big Brother, I did not appreciate what Yolan said myself, as the joke was in poor taste." Mayu said. "You should watch what you say to Representative Athha."

Rey was the only one that noticed Mayu's voice was slightly trembling. He recalled that she'd sometimes get annoyed with how protective her brother could be back at the academy, but this tone was completely different. Shinn, however, was focusing more on Cagalli that he didn't notice.

"Right right, she's kind of a big deal, isn't she?" Shinn said, sarcasm heavy in his voice. "She's Orb's Representative, after all."

"You-!"

"Put a lid on it, Cagalli!" Athrun said. Seeing that she calmed down for the most part, Athrun stepped up to talk to Shinn, who merely glanced at him. "I take it you dislike Orb. May I ask why? I hear you and your sister used to live there. Please refrain from picking a fight with the Representative over an unrelated, trivial reason."

"Trivial?" Shinn glared. "I won't allow anyone to call it "trivial!""

"Big Brother-!" Mayu tried to interrupt him, but he ignored her.

"And unrelated?! You're wrong on that account as well!" Shinn shouted, getting closer. "My parents were killed and my sister lost so much because of the Athhas!"

Athrun and Cagalli looked at Mayu, eyeing the scars on her face and prosthetic leg. Seeing their glances, Mayu unbuttoned her jacket, showing how the scars went further down her neck, as well as her previously unseen prosthetic arm.

"We believed in the nation, and we believed in your so-called ideals. And in the end, our parents were killed at Onogoro! Mayu lost her arm and leg, and it was a damn miracle she even survived!" Shinn's eyes threatened tears, remembering that day, remembering the fear of losing his sister. "That's why I will never believe you! And I will never believe the nation of Orb! I'll never believe any of your idealism again!"

Mayu put her jacket back on, looking at the ground. While she didn't necessarily agree with her brother's words, she didn't argue against them either. Orb was supposed to be a place of peace, but the war was brought to their doorstep.

"When you said you'd protect the nation's justice, did you ever stop to think how many lives would be lost and ruined because of your actions?!" Shinn demanded, crumpling the coffee can he held. "You don't have a clue. So stop talking like you know everything!"

Shinn left the room, making sure to bump his shoulder into Cagalli on the way out. Vino was the first to follow him. "Hey! Shinn!"

The others started filling out soon after Shinn. However, one person stayed behind.

"Representative Athha…" Mayu bowed her head. "I'm sorry for my brother's outburst."

"That's-" Cagalli was at a loss for words.

"I can only ask that you don't hold it against him." Mayu said, with sadness in her eyes. "He wasn't always like this. He used to be a much nicer person, but what happened to our parents and me… it changed him."

"I… I understand that." Cagalli nodded.

"You're incredibly strong for continuing to push through in spite of everything." Athrun complimented. "It's clear to me that your brother's anger is due to a sense of protectiveness towards you."

Mayu nodded, before she turned to leave. As the door opened, she glanced back at them. "Representative Athha, while Orb is a place of… painful memories. I still do consider it my home. One day after everything… I hope to return there."

A small smile was on Cagalli's face, but it disappeared as Mayu left.

A bit of time had passed, as the bridge members started to get to work to prepare for the mission.

"The Voltaire and the Rousseau have taken the Meteor Breakers and gone ahead." Talia said.

"Right. We should hurry as well."

"Have the Earth Alliance Forces taken any action yet?" Arthur asked Durandal.

"We have yet to receive word on any action taken by them." Durandal said, before putting his hand under his chin in thought. "But they won't get there in time anyway, even if they do send over vessels from the Moon. The best they can do now is fire missiles from Earth's surface to destroy it. But that'll likely have little effect. It won't do much more than scorch the surface. In any case, Earth is also our motherland. We must do everything we can to deal with this unprecedented danger. What we can do with this ship and what it's equipped with might be limited, but I ask that each and every one of you give it your all."

"Yes, sir!"

Cagalli was sitting in thought in the room she and Athrun were given. The door opened and Athrun walked in, holding a drink bottle.

"Cagalli…" He set it down on the desk, seeing her barely react to it. He knelt down to look up at her. "There's no use thinking about it, Cagalli. You knew very well that there would be people like that."

"But…"

Mayu was in her room, going through blueprints and schematics of past ZAFT mobile suits. On her desk was her phone, with the last photo open being her brother's smile from several years ago.

She thought back to meeting with the representative of Orb. Part of her always wondered how she would act if she met her. Would it be anger? Resentment? But after meeting her face-to-face, she was relieved that she didn't speak out of line. Any doubts she had about Orb seemed to melt away as she thought of her former homeland. Though, she knew her brother didn't share the same feelings…

She heard a knock on her door and opened it.

"C-Captain Gladys!" Mayu saluted her, before realizing she was in her casual clothes. "Um, I-!"

"It's fine, Mayu. At ease." The captain said. "May I come in?"

Mayu relaxed, and let the captain enter. "What can I do for you?"

"Mayu, I wanted to apologize for allowing you to go out into a battlefield like that." Talia said. "You're not at the age to be sent into combat, yet I allowed it regardless. Your brother and friends gave me quite the earful about it, which I understand entirely."

"I-It's okay, Captain." Mayu said.

"But I'm here now to ask an important question, Mayu." Talia said. "It's about your position on the ship."

"Yes?"

"Rey told me about your skill out there, and that he believes you could be a valuable asset to the team, considering we lost a few of our pilots already." Talia said. "But I want you to make the decision."

"Me? Out there?"

Talia nodded. "If you want to refuse, that is alright with us as well. I spoke with the Chairman, and he said that he'd be willing to fund a new mobile suit for you from one of the spare frames back in one of the PLANTs."

"What-? Why for me of all people?" Mayu asked. "Someone like Luna or Rey would benefit more from it."

"The Chairman sees your potential, Mayu." Talia said. "And between you and me, I believe he's concerned about someone your age on the battlefield, and wants to make you a machine that can keep you safe on the chance you do decide to enter battle."

Mayu was surprised at that knowledge. The Chairman of all people believed in her? All she did was defend the Minerva…

"You don't have to answer immediately, Mayu." Talia reassured her. "Take the time to think about it."

Mayu watched as her captain left, before she turned back to her closed laptop. Opening it up, she looked at the mobile suit files again, looking at the various specs.

I… Can I make a difference?

"For him to talk of my father in that way!" Cagalli said, remembering her late father and his sacrifice. "My father suffered a great deal over the decisions he made. Yet he…"

Seeing Cagalli was about to start crying, Athrun's voice took on a more comforting tone and hugged her. "But there's nothing we can do about it. Asking him to try and understand won't help. Right now, there's no way he could understand. I'm sure his own feelings are already overwhelming enough. But at the same time, there are people that don't share the same sentiment, such as his sister. You do realize that, don't you, Cagalli?"

Cagalli threw herself into Athrun's arms, letting herself cry freely.

Aboard the Voltaire and approaching Junius Seven were several ZAFT members, including two veterans of the previous war.

"Looking at it again, this thing is really huge." Dearka said.

"Of course it is! We live on one just like it, you know!" Yzak reminded him.

"No, I'm talking about the extent of our next mission." Dearka said, admittedly insulted.

"Listen! This is a time-sensitive operation!" Yzak told him. "The Minerva's also on its way. Work effectively!"

"Roger." Dearka saluted, leaving the room.

Seeing that Cagalli had fallen asleep finally, Athrun left to give her a bit of quiet time. He went over to the elevator, surprised to run into Lunamaria.

"Huh? Is the Princess feeling better?" Luna asked him, passing by.

"...She also lost her father and friends in that war." Athrun said, continuing the conversation from earlier as Luna turned at his words. "It's not as if she doesn't have a clue."

Shinn was looking out the window into the hangar, looking at the mobile suits ready for standby. While he was looking more at the Core Splendor he piloted, occasionally he'd glance at the GuAIZ that Mayu used previously. Rey entered and started readying himself, but noticed Shinn glancing at him a few times. "What is it?"

"No. Nothing." Shinn said.

"If it's about earlier, don't worry about it. I'm not upset." Rey said, as Shinn turned back to him. "What you said was correct."

Shinn had a relieved smile, but part of him was a bit worried considering what Mayu had said.

Athrun entered the bridge, as the crew were starting their last minute preparations.

"1200 to Junius Seven."

"Bringing up an optical image." Meyrin said.

"Can you open a line to the Voltaire?" Talia asked.

"No, we can't get a normal line yet!" Meyrin said.

Durandal noticed that Athrun had entered the room. "What's the matter, Athrun? Oh, Alex, was it?"

Talia turned to the young man, also curious why he was present. Athrun looked at the captain with determination in his eyes. "I ask you this, knowing it would be unconventional. Please lend me one of your mobile suits!"

While the captain and the other bridge members looked surprised, Durandal looked rather pleased.

"That certainly would be very difficult to do." Talia said. "Do you seriously think I could authorize that, under the circumstances? Do you want to put former Chairman Canaver's efforts to waste?"

"I understand completely. But given the situation, I can't just watch and do nothing." Athrun said. "If you do have a machine that's usable, then please!"

"I know how you feel, but…"

"Very well. I'll authorize it." Durandal spoke up. "This is under my jurisdiction, as Chairman."

"Chairman?!" Talia said.

"This is not a battle situation, Captain. The more machines we can get out there, the better." Durandal reasoned. "And you're well aware of his great skills."

Talia turned back to Athrun, seeing the look of determination in his eyes.

"Three minutes to mobile suit launch. All pilots are to standby aboard your machines." Meyrin announced. "I repeat. Three minutes to take off. All pilots are to standby aboard your machines."

Mayu was sitting just outside the cockpit of her GuAIZ. She was less worried about this situation, since it wasn't going to be combat. She looked out, and widened her eyes in surprise to see that Athrun was in a ZAFT pilot suit.

So he's going to be helping us. Mayu thought, watching him get into the cockpit of a ZAKU. Knowing a legendary pilot of the previous war would be working alongside them slightly reassured her.

"One minute to mobile suit launch." Meyrin said.

"Tell them to follow the orders of Commander Joule once they get there." Talia ordered.

"Detecting heat missions indicating a battle at Junius Seven!" One of the bridge crew reported. "They're mobile suits!"

Meyrin tapped the intercom. "Abort launch! The situation has changed. The Joule Team is engaged with an unknown opponent at Junius Seven."

"Yzak?" Athrun recognized the name.

"An unknown foe?" Mayu felt the launch stop.

"All units, alter your equipment for anti-mobile suit combat."

"Bogey One also confirmed! Green 25, Delta!"

"That's here?!" Arthur shouted.

"What's going on?!" Athrun asked.

"I have no idea." Meyrin reported. "What remains unchanged is that our mission is to support the Joule Team! Upon completing equipment switch, please proceed for take off!"

Both Bogey One and a new unknown enemy? Or are they working together? Mayu wondered. But…

She could feel her hand tremble on the controls, as she watched the others switch to stronger weapons.

I'll be entering battle again…

Luna appeared on Mayu's communicator. "Mayu, the situation has changed. It could be dangerous. Would you rather not go?"

Mayu shook her head. "This time, I'll be with you and Big Brother. I'll be okay."

Luna nodded. "I got your back, Mayu. And with Athrun Zala on the team as well, we'll probably handle it too."

"Right." The communication ended, as Mayu saw the Core Splendor take-off. "Mayu Asuka, GuAIZ R, launching!"

Athrun watched as everyone started to take off. As he felt the ZAKU's weapon pack equipped, he saw the catapult clear in front of him. "Course is clear. Please take off!"

"Athrun Zala, taking off!"

A/N: I really enjoyed writing a lot of Mayu's scenes here. Adding another perspective for the entire situation regarding Orb, as well as her own views towards them. The idea I have in mind is that Mayu might have been through hell, but she hasn't lost the kindness from before the accident. She might have had to grow up fast to help her brother, but she's still a twelve-year old girl. In addition, a lot of conflict comes for Cagalli since she has to talk to a younger child who suffered due to Orb's decisions.

Oh and speaking of age since some people commented on it, from what I've looked through, Mayu was 9 when she died in canon, while Shinn would've been around 14 (2 years before SEED Destiny). I decided to put her nearing 10 during the accident, so she's 12 by the time of the fic proper.

Feel free to leave a review. See you all next time.