And now, the Archangel would fight one last running battle along with Desert Dawn to get out of Dodge (North Africa). All the Desert Tiger has to do is to ground the Legged ship then capture it. And as the old saw says - "No plan survives upon contact with the enemy" so let's see who would remain standing in this desert showdown.
Read and enjoy.
Chapter 6 – Visits and Breakouts
Five days later, two Ereka jeeps were filled to the brim with people who were entering Banadiya.
On one jeep, Sahib sat on the shotgun seat with Kisaka driving. Behind them were Natarle Badguiruel, William Zapanta, and the Archangel's Quartermaster.
In the other jeep, Cagalli Yula Attha was sitting in the driver seat with Flay Alster sitting beside her in the shotgun seat. Sitting in the rear of the jeep were Kira Yamato, Miriallia Haww, and Tolle Koenig. To keep up with the customs of the land, the most of the girls were wearing shawls to cover their heads as well as the lower half of their faces.
It is surely odd that Cagalli was exempted but then again, most of the people would have thought that she had looked like a young man anyway.
All of the visitors were also wearing light colored pants and long sleeved light colored shirts to keep themselves from getting a sun burn. They had also worn sunglasses to keep their eyes from the glare of the sun.
When the two jeeps had reached the market place, both groups each went their separate ways. The Lieutenant had tried to tell her subordinates to be careful while trying not to sound like the martinet that she was.
The Filipino had tried to hide his smile at the stuttering of the Executive Officer only to have an pale elbow, that was hidden in a flesh colored sleeve, be buried in his stomach for his trouble. This had made everyone else laugh out loud while the couple in question were either coughing hard enough to regain his breathing or just holding her nose in the air.
The second jeep was parked between two camels so as not to be seen easily. This did have an adverse effect on two of the girls who were a little disgusted with how the camels had tried to lick their faces.
The rest of the teens did not mind the affectionate animals too much unless they were actually licked themselves. It was to their good fortune that the camels' owners were nearby and were able to discipline their beasts of burden easily.
Kira did ask if the ZAFT forces were based in the said town. Cagalli then led her new friends to a newly destroyed building where the Lesseps light brown front hull could be seen in the horizon.
"Now you know who truly owns this town," The blonde said as she had tried to keep her cool.
She then felt two hands on her shoulders and had to smile at the fact that it was Flay's and Miriallia's hands on her shoulders.
"Well, let's get shopping since we've only got two hours before we head back." Tolle's comments had successfully dissipated the doom and gloomy atmosphere as the four friends had started their shopping spree.
It did not occur to them that a brown haired man with sunglasses and tourist clothes was watching them from his table in a local open aired restaurant situated nearby.
-oOo-
In a certain mud brick house on the east side of town, a meeting was taking place. Sahib was negotiating with the town's black marketer while trying not to look foolish at the same time.
"My friend, it is a testing time for all of us since one of the towns that are allied to our cause was attacked with impunity." Sahib was telling the black marketer. "It is only through Allah's grace that our families were spared from such a fate."
"That maybe true, my friend." The said marketer said while keeping his tone business like. "Yet, it is simply because you have stirred a hornet's nest that had caused your latest troubles."
"Hmph, I still reiterate my request for aid in whatever form that you could give us." The leader of the Desert Dawn said as he had dismissed the hidden insult. "This is especially true for food and water since we do not want to overuse our two remaining seawater greenhouses and other desalination plants."
"The desert is a harsh place and water is very scarce," The man replied with smirk as he had given Sahib a piece of paper where the prices for all their purchases were listed. "So any price I give would reflect the risks involved in even giving one precious drop."
"These prices are simply insane," Natarle said as the note was passed down to her. The black haired ensign was sitting on Sahib's right while the Archangel's Quartermaster had stood behind her.
Behind her, William was both admiring the scenery and looking out for trouble as he had stood with Kisaka at the window nearest the door. The Filipino's right gloved hand was within range of his holstered POSEIDON CO automatic pistol if things got really ugly. Both men were also the last to receive the piece of crumpled parchment.
While the Filipino had blanched at the stated prices, the tall rebel had simply asked if they could be paid in ORB currency to nearly everyone's surprise.
After recovering from his swoon, the marketer had agreed and the deal was sealed with the usual handshake between businessmen.
To keep themselves incognito, both Natarle and William were wearing civilian clothes composed of the usual khaki pants and T-shirt combo with black boots. The need to keep their true identities a secret from the town's residents still rung in their minds as the townspeople may turn against them upon knowing their true identities.
Soon, six large wooden crates were pushed into the empty part of the room to show what ammunition the Desert Dawn and Archangel would be receiving later. Each crate was brought in two dollies underneath them that were pulled by two or more people.
About five more 20-ft containers that were filled to brim were said to be delivered by truck in the evening, carrying ordnance for the Archangel's own missile racks. All of the containers were hidden in a certain place safe from aerial and ground patrols.
All six crates were opened to reveal various missile and projectile ordnance including those compatible to Wing Zero's machine cannons and wing Vulcan guns as well as the Strike's own CIWS.
Sahib then called the tall soldier to check the prices of the said ammunition and if it could be paid through some means that only they had known about.
Natarle was surprised when Leodonir told them to load the crates into the jeep and to head on ahead.
Two of the crates were laid on the first jeep and secured by ropes but there was not enough space for any more passengers.
The remaining four crates would be kept in the meantime until they would be picked up at a more suitable time.
The black tank top wearing freedom fighter had told the Quartermaster to head out first with the fully loaded jeep while he would drive the second one with two more crates.
He then led the remaining two into the marketplace where the teens had separated from the convoy two hours earlier.
When they had arrived, a storeowner said that some young hoodlums had taken a flesh colored Ereka jeep and took it for a joyride.
"Since this is more of a local problem, I'll deal with them," The freedom fighter said as he had run towards the buildings in the west. "You stay here."
"Just return as soon as possible, I'd rather be back in the camp." The black haired ensign said with a scowl. She would rather be inside her post than in a strange desert town with only the Filipino pilot for company.
"How about taking a break every once in a while," Leodonir said in return. "Even I know when to smell the desert flowers every once in a while."
This had Natarle gaping since she had known that the taller dark skinned man is also a hard worker but his words still stung for some reason. Behind her William had showed the barest hint of a smile so as not to be the receiver of his superior's wrath (and fist).
After a brief shopping spree, both crewmembers of the Archangel had sat down in the café where only an hour before was the center of a shootout between the teens and a strange man as well as a two man Blue Cosmos hit squad. They had both made small talk which was a better alternative than losing their minds in the silence.
A jeep much like their own had stopped in the roadside nearest to where the pilot and the officer were sipping coffee and a young woman about Natarle's age had gotten out. Her waist long blue hair was slowly lifted by a passing breeze as the young woman had looked back at the confused pair.
With a snap of her finger, both William and Natarle had felt the cold steel of automatic pistols on their backs. They were led to the jeep by the blue haired woman's henchmen before the jeep itself had taken off for parts unknown.
-oOo-
Ten minutes later, the group had arrived at a mansion at the other side of town from where they had been earlier. The couple was then led at gunpoint to the mansion's interior by two young men wearing khaki uniforms.
William had unconsciously let out a whistle at the sheer size and grandeur of the house that he and Natarle were heading to before he had received a light tap on his shoulder.
Thus, he had let out a little yelp as soon as they had entered the main doorway. It was this yelp that had sort of brightened a certain brunette officer's day.
From the doorway, the duo was led to a sort of receiving room where they had met the missing teens. Or at least, the male half of the said teenaged group was present.
"Where are the girls?" Natarle had asked both teens as she was worried about the teenage girls that were supposed to be with Kira and Tolle.
"They were taken to some room upstairs to freshen up and to get some change of clothes," Kira said in reply.
'Man, talk about a mother hen figure.' He then thought with a grimace.
"And that is where you'll be going, my dear." The black haired young woman had added as she had led the puzzled officer out of the room.
A sandy haired man had looked up from where he was preparing two more cups of coffee from his ancient coffee maker when he saw the newcommers.
He then noted the presence of the winged gundam pilot and said. "Ah, so you must be the human half of the Intruders that I have heard so much about."
"That is correct. May I ask your name kind sir?" William said as he had studied the man warily for any hidden weapons. 'Damn, of all the times I had to be unarmed it has to be now.'
When he and Natarle were captured earlier, both of them were quickly disarmed of their hidden side-arms as soon as they were herded to the jeep.
"Well, around here I am known as the Desert Tiger, but you can call me Andrew Waltfield." The man replied as he too had studied the younger man intently.
"Well then, call me Willam Zapanta." The Filipino said as he had shaken hands with Andrew. "Hmm, I like your moniker since it reminded me of Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox who had also fought here more than a century or so."
"Ah, another student of history, I see." Andrew said as he was grinning widely at the words spoken. "As a matter of fact, I had fought in the very same place that he did all those decades ago. I had even brought a decisive victory for ZAFT in the process too."
On the other hand, everyone else was surprised at how much a history nut the Filipino and the Desert Tiger really were.
"I'd like to show you all something," The Desert Tiger added as he had called the other young men who were sitting in the room and drinking coffee.
Both Kira and Tolle had stood up from the couch and followed Andrew and William to the fireplace.
The older man then picked up a small clay figurine that would have looked like a whale with something like wings on its back clearly shown in the front.
As Andrew had showed off the figurine to his guests, he said.
"This is a 1 in 500 scale model of Evidence One – the one that the First Coordinator named George Glenn had brought from his trip to Jupiter."
"It looks like a fossil of a whale," Tolle said in disbelief.
"It would have been a whale if not for its wings, but even that is irrelevant," The Desert Tiger said with a sneer.
"Why would it be irrelevant if we could figure out what that thing is," Kira said with a bit of contempt.
"Well, whether or not we could figure out what it is, it is irrelevant since it is a symbol of what man could evolve to, given the right circumstances." Andrew deadpanned.
"Ah, so that is the reason why Coordinators are born in the first place." William had suddenly blurted. "Am I right, Mister Waltfield?"
"Call me Andrew and yes, you are correct." The Desert Tiger's face had softened at the fact that William had successfully defused the scene earlier. "Other than that, this thing's a pretty good paperweight. As for the real deal, its only use is for researchers to argue about it and everyone else to just gawk and pose with."
The Desert Tiger would have added more but the creaking of the opening door had stopped him from doing so.
From the now opening door, five young women had emerged with the oldest at twenty four years of age and the youngest at fifteen. Only one of the women was actually recognizable to the male visitors as she was wearing a blue pant suit that they had seen before. The other four were wearing expensive silk gowns of different colors – red, light green, black, and violet while wearing makeup.
The four young women's expressions were also similarly distributed in happiness, embarrassment, horror, and anger.
Upon closer examination, the red head who seemed to be glowing in happiness was Flay.
The blushing light brown haired one was Mirillia in her red gown. Tolle could not help but show an impish smile while showing a light blush himself.
Kira, on the other hand, was shocked at seeing both Flay and the glaring blonde who was actually Cagalli wearing violet and light green gowns respectively. Both aforementioned girls' dresses' combined costs would set him back a few years, given his meager pay.
Finally, William was doing a quick scan of all the girls before averting his eyes from the Lieutenant's gray eyes that had showed pure horror at the black seamless gown that she was forced to wear.
It was this very action that made the Filipino pilot not even notice that the black haired American officer had mimicked his actions including the pinkish tint on both their cheeks.
Andrew and Aisha had laughed so hard at the scene before them that they had almost forgotten why they had taken the said people to their mansion in the first place. Their shared laughter was also contagious enough that everyone besides the CIC commander and winged gundam pilot had also joined in.
After regaining their composure amidst the glares from their "guests", the brown haired Commander then explained that had them brought here for an object lesson.
Suddenly, the door had again burst open with two men entering with ZAFT-issued assault rifles.
The visitors had slowly backed up to the cabinet in the rightmost wall. Andrew had used the distraction to pull open a drawer before pulling out two ZAFT handguns, one of which he had thrown to his partner in both battle and bed.
"What do you want from us?" Flay said in her panic.
Two soft clicks were heard, signaling to everyone who had heard them that the handguns had their safeties switched to the off position.
"I mean even though you're supposed to be our enemy, we haven't even attacked you yet." The red head added in panic upon seeing the gravity of the situation.
"Well, Miss Allster and Miss Haww. We wanted to show your boyfriends that we could kill you whenever and wherever we wanted to," Aisha said with a deadpanned face as she had kept her handgun leveled at the teens. "Although, the rest of you can be useful as hostages especially Miss Badguirel."
"Alright, you showed us." Miriallia said as she had tightly held unto her boyfriend. "Now let us go."
Tolle had also stepped forward and used his body to shield his smaller girlfriend as he added. "Yeah, what she said."
Kira and William had gotten the hint as they did likewise for the other women. Natarle did glare at the winged gundam pilot since she had told him in hushed tones that she could take care of herself. Even then, she was ignored as William had moved even further to cover her and even glared at Andy for making Natarle a hostage possibly in exchange for the mobile suits and the Archangel. Both Flay and Cagalli had also hidden themselves behind Kira.
"If that's what you want, then you can go." Andrew said as he had slowly put down his gun and with some movement of his left hand, the others had done the same. "I mean, the one called Kira had saved my life earlier. It is only fitting that I do the same to you guys."
Just as the shaken group was leaving the mansion, the Desert Tiger had told them that in the battlefield he would not be as generous.
It was these words that lingered on the group's minds as they were picked up by Leodonir and another member of Desert Dawn in two jeeps. The young women had shivered involuntarily making the young men either embrace them or in Kisaka's case, put an arm around his young ward.
-oOo-
The jeeps had finally arrived at the Desert Dawn camp, an hour later. The girls had disembarked first and headed for their respective rooms. Cagalli then joined Flay and Miriallia in their shared bunk while Natarle headed for her own.
As for the guys, they had taken a brief nap in their respective bunk beds before putting on their uniform, eating dinner, and heading for their posts. Soon, both Cagalli and Tolle were having a mock battle in the simulator while the rest had watched in awe.
The blonde had already kept her gown in her new room's closet before changing to her usual attire of a red T-shirt and khaki pants. The other girls had also changed to their uniforms while keeping their new gowns.
Standing beside one of the Skygrasper's front landing gear, Sai was pretty jealous that a mere girl had a higher kill score in the simulator than even he did.
Watching Tolle though, Sai could tell that Zero had taught him well. The brunet was learning quickly on how to maneuver his simulated craft and even use some "out of the box" tactics as he had taken Cagalli for a ride in their simulated dogfight.
Even then, the blonde was easily keeping pace with the brunet and had even used some tricks of her own as well. To Sai, it was as if both of them were born to fly.
"Hey, big brother." Flay told Sai as she had laid a hand on his shoulder. "Are you thinking of how to make a date with a certain songstress and then having your way with her?"
The caramel haired teen had clenched his teeth momentarily at how would his ex fiancée would even think of him that way. At the very least, both players had gotten a game over at the words spoken in their shock.
"You pervert," Cagalli was saying when she had gotten out of the simulator right before Kira had gotten a hold of her. "I'm gonna kick your butt straight to Cairo."
Miriallia was also forced to stand still when Tolle had restrained her as soon as he had gotten out of his own simulator.
The brown haired teen was thinking that Sai was old enough to think of such things when she had remembered the time when he and the other guys were caught secretly reading Playboy in Kira's dorm room.
"Flay, that's not funny." Sai said as he had whirled on his ex with his green eyes flashing.
"I'm sorry, bro." Flay said before nearly breaking in tears. "I just had to say something shocking to get you out of your trance. I didn't mean anything by it."
"Ahh, it's actually ok for us since it is normal for us at our age." Sai said with a deep sigh before someone in the nearby bay had told him to speak for himself.
Ignoring the shouted insult, he added quickly. "Thankfully, Kira was a bit squeamish at the sight of sexy girls in their birthday suits."
This time, the three girls had looked intently at Kira and the wide smiles on their faces were enough to make him run to his shared room with William further in the ship. A confused William with Birdy still sleeping in his hair had emerged from the door where Kira had gotten into, a few minutes later.
"What happened to Kira back there?" The Filipino had asked as he had looked back the closing door. "He looked like he had seen a gaggle of ghosts as he hid in our room's closet and was shivering like crazy."
A brief outburst of feminine laughter was his reply.
Both Sai and Tolle could only look at each and say in unison. "Oy vey."
-oOo-
In Kira's and William's room, a panting Kira had entered the opening door and sat down on his bed. He had picked up the blue cooler that was placed just under his bed just for situations like these and took a large gulp of cold water. Sniffing his underarms, the brunet pilot had taken his bath supplies with him as he then headed for the warship's multiple shower room.
When he had returned to bunk, Kira had seen William sitting in his bunk just across from it. Birdy was probably in somewhere else in the ship since he was not in the Filipino's hair anymore.
"Kira, the girls said they're sorry fer spooking ya back there." William was saying upon seeing his younger friend.
Sitting at his bunk, Kira replied as he had made a dismissive gesture. "That's ok. I never knew that the girls could be that scary.
"That's good," William said with relief. "I do wonder what's going ta happen next. I mean, after we get outta of the desert, we still havta get to Alaska right?"
"I'm not sure, William." Kira replied as he had put his chin on his cupped hands. "Athrun's the thinking one between the two of us."
"I see what ya mean," William said as he had lain down on his bed. "Could ya tell me more about your best friend? I've always been curious 'bout him."
"Sure."
-oOo-
While Kira was talking about his blue haired best friend, Athrun himself was on his way to his fiancée's mansion in the PLANTS. In his mind, he was still puzzled as to why Kira was so adamant about leaving the Archangel and joining ZAFT.
The Red Coat did have a glimpse of the reason why when he had talked with Tolle that one time. More than that, he was actually shocked at the fact that Lacus would actually let herself be taken hostage just to let the famous Eight Fleet and a shuttle full of Naturals go.
Granted that the people in the shuttle were civilians, yet the Eight Fleet, one of the most powerful space fleets of the Earth Alliance, was also let go in the process. This was the real reason why he had taken the time to visit his pink haired fiancée.
Athrun had noted that in talking to her, he could piece together what had been hounding him since his team's last encounter with the legged ship.
After two beeps of his sport car's horn, Athrun was permitted to enter the Clyne mansion's titanium gates. He had gotten off in front of the mansion's front door as a valet had borrowed his keys.
The friendly (and old) butler had let him in while calling for Lacus. A gaggle of multi-colored Haros had announced her arrival.
"Athrun, it is so nice to see you." Lacus had paused when she saw the pensive expression on her fiancé's face. "Is there something wrong? You could tell me about it if you want."
"Uh…it's nothing." Athrun had instantly regretted those words the moment he said it.
"Athrun Zala, this is the first time in months that you have gotten leave and you don't even enjoy it?!" The pink haired singer had said with her arms akimbo.
"Whoa, calm down, Lacus." Athrun's hands were already raised in mock surrender. "How about we talk in the gardens outside?"
"Oh; alright." Lacus said she had let out a small sigh as she led the taller teen to the gardens. "Let's get these guys something to do first."
She then drew a handlebar moustache on one of the bigger haros and instructed the smaller ones to play tag with the mustached one being it.
Lacus had also led the troubled teen to a garden table overseeing a lake near the mansion.
"So what's the trouble, Athrun?" Lacus had sat down in front of her fiancé. "Is it related to Kira or is it related to me?"
"Actually, it's a little bit of both." The ZAFT Red Coat said with his hands behind his head. "I'm just curious as to how the heck is that legged ship able to make a Coordinator betray his own kind."
"It's not the ship but the crew that makes all the difference," The pink haired girl said with aplomb. "There are those that really don't mind if their fellow crewman is a Coordinator or a Natural and as for those that do, they let it slide since in Kira's case, he is the only one that could pilot the Strike effectively."
"And you?"
"Well, they almost held me hostage but when um…somebody came, things just had gotten a little hectic to say the least."
This had made Athrun gasp in realization. "Did you meet a high ranking officer of the Earth Alliance?"
Lacus was silent since if she had told her answer to Athrun, both her father and fiancé would go ballistic. Athrun had seen this and calmed down immediately.
"Lacus, I promise that I won't tell anyone." The blue haired teen said in the hopes of calming the singer down.
"Pinky promise?" The singer said as she had raised her right pinky.
"Pinky promise," The soldier answered as his right pinky had encircled her smaller one.
"I actually met two high ranking officials," Lacus said in a low voice as she had closed her eyes in fear of what Athrun may do. "One of them was called Admiral Halburton and the other was…George Allster."
When she had opened her eyes, Athrun was visibly shaking in either rage or fear as he had suddenly stood up from his garden chair. "Athrun, are you ok?"
Hearing the concerned voice, Athrun had apologized for his behavior. "Did that monster in human form touch you in any way?"
"Athrun!?" Lacus was shocked at how her fiancé had acted so unlike what she had known him to be. "He didn't touch me. His only daughter- Flay is also there and she has actually joined the crew of the Archangel just before I left."
"What the heck?!" Athrun said as he had to sit down again, this time in shock. "This is getting crazier and crazier. I mean, why did the Vice Foreign Minister of the Atlantic Federation even allowed his only child to man the one warship that everyone in ZAFT would like to be destroyed."
"I'll tell you the whole story whenever I can," Lacus said as she had stood up. "For now, I have to get to my recording studio while you still have to return to the Vesalius."
"Oh, alright." Athrun said as he stood up before the singer had led him towards the front door.
"Thanks, Lacus." The blue haired pilot said as he had given the smaller girl a peck on the left cheek before leaving.
"See you soon, little brother." Lacus had joked as Athrun was heading out the door.
"Not too soon, Sis." Athrun had fired back before laughing as the maple door had shielded him from the alien glare that was seen on the singer's angelic face.
As he had walked back to his car, the blue haired Red Coat then thought. 'She does have a point though. I'm acting more like her little brother than her fiancé. Dearka's right, I do need a real girlfriend.'
-oOo-
Back on Earth, Kira had finished telling his story about his and Athrun's times together in their younger years. William had listened intently and it was only after the story had ended did he cup his chin between his forefinger and thumb on his right hand.
"William, is something the matter?" Kira asked as his older friend had remained silent for a good five minutes after he had ended his story.
"Nope, I'm jus' wondering why did you and Athrun act the way ya did when I arrived in Heliopolis?" The winged gundam pilot answered as he had stood up from his bunk. "I mean, you were both ready to shoot each other when I arrived."
"I'm really not sure," The brunet Coordinator answered. "Maybe it is because of his loyalty to his fellow Coordinators or something else altogether."
"Well, sittin' here thinking 'bout it isn't going to help matters." William said as he then headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Kira had asked as he too had gotten up from his bunk.
"To that desert kid's funeral," The Filipino said with a straight face. "I think his name's Ahmed or somthin'."
"I'll join you since I was there when it happened."
Together, the mobile suit pilots of the Archangel headed for the impromptu funeral services made for the fallen freedom fighters in their last debacle with the Desert Tiger's forces.
-oOo-
The funeral was as short as it could be. The people in the rebel base had given their obligations to the dead according to the book of Koran. For most of the Archangel crew, they could only stare in wonder as the dead were stripped off their clothes, then washed completely before covered in strips of white cloth.
They had also joined in the prayers as they had neared the dead and even helped in the carrying of the deceased to their burial grounds nearby. The atmosphere in the burial grounds was somber as the loved ones of the deceased who had cried their hearts to the heavens.
After the ceremony, whispers of the phrase- Alahu Akbar (God is Great) was heard by the puzzled crew as the remaining freedom fighters had sworn that their comrades would be avenged…one way or the other.
Preparations for a breakout operation at the Talbadiya Factory District were later started in earnest.
-oOo-
In the meantime in the sands near the city of Banadiya, two transport planes from the ZAFT base in Gibraltar had landed in VTOL mode and were now discharging their precious cargo.
Four ZuOOTs were being unloaded into the sand to provide additional firepower for the Desert Tiger's forces. In addition, both the Duel and the Buster were also being unloaded for sortie with the said forces.
From his vantage point near the planes, Andrew Waltfield had chosen to make his dissatisfaction of the inclusion of the Le Crueset team pilots in his forces known to his executive officer – Martin DaCosta.
The junior officer then told his superior that it was the pilots of the newly arrived mobile suits who have the needed experience in fighting the Archangel and its compliment fighters.
"It's not that," Andrew said while trying to keep his cool. "Those two are from Le Crueset's team. I hate that blond jerk."
"I suggest that you give some respect for our commander since if it was not for him, we won't even be joining you today." A youngish voice said from behind the Commander and Ex-O of the ZAFT North African forces.
"Well, well." Andrew said with a smile as he and Da Costa had faced the newly arrived Yzak and Dearka. "That scar of your face would indicate your willingness to fight against the odds."
Yzak had turned away from second upon the reminder of his humiliation in the hands of both the Strike and Wing Zero. Noticing this, the Desert Tiger then added. "Or maybe it's something that is to be ashamed about."
The white haired pilot had only snorted at the spoken fact while Dearka had clenched his fists.
"Sorry, I must've hit a sore spot somewhere." Andrew said as he did not want a fight to occur right then and there. "I suggest that you both head for your bunks to get rid of your jet lag. DaCosta, have a room arranged for these fine gentlemen, if you please."
"Sir," Martin said with a salute. "Let's go, you two. We need you in top condition when we do start the attack."
Both Red Coats had joined Da Costa with Yzak throwing a glare from his left shoulder.
Andrew had simply smiled back in response before he too left to supervise the transfer of the new hardware to the Lesseps and its complement land battleships.
-oOo-
Two days after Yzak and Dearka had arrived at Banadiya, the remaining members of Desert Dawn and the Archangel had moved out from the safety of the former group's hideout at daybreak.
This was done in the hopes that they could at least gain a good lead from the Desert Tiger's forces. Unfortunately, Andrew's team had detected the Archangel's movements and moved in to intercept at Talbadiya.
The sandy haired commander had sent the Lesseps as well as the Petrie on ahead of the Petrie's sister ship Henry Carter in the hopes of a pincer attack. The stage is set for desert warfare between mobile suits and land battleships within the shifting sands of the Sahara.
-oOo-
Sai was monitoring the radar screen along with Jackie Tonomura when they had come across numerous contacts from their radar screen's eleven o' clock position. Some manipulations of the controls before them had yielded to what the whole crew had been both awaiting and fearing since they had started this desert run.
"Ma'am, we have confirmation of two large vessels coming towards us from the north east," Jackie said over the din of the bridge. "Vessels confirmed to be a Lesseps class and two Petrie class."
"Acknowledged," Murrue said as her stomach had made a flip flop.
She then steeled herself for the following battle before saying. "All hands, level one battle stations. I repeat, all hands, level one battle stations."
"Ma'am, we are now preparing for anti-mobile suit and anti-ship action." Natarle said from her seat in the CIC below. "Miriallia, get all pilots ready for launching."
"Roger, Ma'am." The brown haired controller said in reply. Her face was grim since she was hoping that they could have gotten away from Waltfield's clutches. "Kira, Mu, Cagalli, and William, get ready guys."
"Thanks, Miriallia." Kira said from the Strike's cockpit.
"So launch us already," Cagalli said from the cockpit of Skygrasper Two.
"Hold it, missy." Mu said in the airwaves as he too was already sitting in the cockpit of Skygrasper One. "Let's not be too hasty or we'll regret it dearly."
"I'll agree on that one since we don't want ta be easy targets for the ships' cannons," William said as he had summed up the others' thoughts in the airwaves as he just got on Wing Zero's own cockpit.
"Not if we can strike them back," the blonde said in her defense as she had squeezed the good luck stone that Ahmed's mother had given her the night before with her right hand.
"I'll have to agree with Cags in this one," The brown haired controller had told them. "They're already nearing us with every second. Mu and Cagalli will launch first followed by Kira and William."
"Mir, don't call me Cags…yet." The freedom fighter had said amidst the giggles heard in the bridge and the airwaves. "Shut it if you value your lives."
"Oops. Sorry, Cagalli." Miriallia said before starting the launch sequence. "Prepare for launch."
The front hatches were being lifted up to let the two aircraft take off into the wild blue yonder.
"Mu La Flaga, Skygrasper One, launching."
"Cagalli Yula, Skygrasper Two, launching."
Both Skygraspers had taken off and headed for the Lesseps. Skygrasper One was fitted with the Launcher Striker pack to increase its firepower. As for Skygrasper Two, it was fitted with the Sword Striker pack to give Cagalli a variation in her attack runs.
Back in the Archangel, both the Strike and Wing Zero had stepped on the catapult. The Strike was given the Aile Striker pack since Kira needed the additional mobility in dealing with Bu-Cues.
In the meantime, William had requested for the use of the beam sniper rifle that was stolen from the GINN in the Debris belt. To explain why, the Filipino said that he had needed precision this time rather than pure destructive power.
"Kira Yamato, Strike, taking off."
"William Zapanta, Wing Zero, headin' out."
Kira had activated the Strike's phase armor as soon as his mobile suit was launched. He then followed the other mobile suit as the winged gundam had landed in the sands in between the ships as the Bu-Cues were being launched from the enemy ships.
The Skygraspers had already started their attack runs on the two ships as the Archangel had lent its firepower to the task.
Both the Strike and Wing Zero were already beating the Bu-Cues they had met in battle. They had used a combination of beam sabers and beam rifle fire to take out the quadruped suits from either short range or mid range.
One time, William had even reportedly said as Zero had kicked a Bu-Cue out of the way. "Alright, I found ya little doggies, now git outta here."
This out of the blue comment had given a breath of the much needed humor to the Archangel's crew and their allies.
"You think you're funny, Intruder." A youngish voice that the crew and pilots had known all too well was heard in the airwaves as red beams had nearly fried the gundam's alloyed skin in its right arm. "I'll show you funny."
"Ma'am, it's the Duel and the Buster." Sai said from his station as the warship had rocked from numerous hits. "Plus two TFA-ZuOOTs mobile suits situated on both the Lesseps and the Petrie's upper decks."
"Ma'am, we also have a third warship coming at us from behind." Jackie added. "It is identified as another Pretie class with two more Zu-OOTs on its deck."
Both mobile suits had already gotten rid of the Bu-Cues but the Strike was kept busy by a TMF/A803 LaGOWE that had suddenly showed up in front of it.
"Hey, dog breath," William said on the airwaves while his machine had dodged the beam fire from the Duel and Buster and firing back. "How's about you take on somebody yer own size like me?"
"I'd rather play with the kid here," another familiar bass voice, at least to a few of the crew, was heard. "You're still next on my hit list though, wiseass."
"What the hell?!" Kira had exclaimed in his surprise. "It's the Desert Tiger."
"In the flesh, kid." Andrew said in the airwaves with aplomb.
"You're mine," Cagalli said as a light brown seed had exploded in her mind's eye. "Nobody interferes. I mean it."
"Like hell, we will." Kira said as a purple seed had also exploded in his mind's eye.
"William, how about we take on the ships?" Mu said as he had noticed that both the Strike and Skygasper Two were moving in on the lone LaGOWE.
"How 'bout giving us some fire support?" The blonde ace then told Natarle on the radio.
"Sure," The Executive Officer said as the Archangel had evaded some beam and cannon fire from the three ships before retaliating with its own firepower.
The Skygrasper and winged mobile suit then headed for the Lesseps while both the Duel and the Buster had continued firing at them. The ships' attention was also diverted from the Archangel in order to deal with the new interlopers. All four of the Zu-OOTs were already taken out of action by Mu and Cagalli earlier.
More Sledgehammers were also launched from the Alliance warship's missile launchers towards one of the Petrie class warships – the Henry Carter as the Archangel had turned around to engage it.
Most of the said weapons were either shot down by the Henry Carter's machine cannons or jammed by its released flares.
Still a few missiles had gotten some decent hits in the ship's vulnerable parts, making the Petrie Class produce smoke and leave the arena to lick its wounds for a while.
Even then, the various missile trucks had also done enough damage to the ship's outer armor and weaponry before they too had to turn back since they had run out of ammunition.
Yzak had tried to make himself a moving target by igniting the Duel's rear thrusters and landing on the sands below to disastrous effects. Seeing that the Duel was having problems in the sand, the Buster had also jumped ship in the hopes of helping its sister ship out.
William had to laugh at the mobile suits that were trying to stand up and walk on the softer ground while Zero had passed them both in a low flyby towards the Lesseps.
The AI did include the taken image of the struggling mobile suits to its hard drive for posterity as well. The winged gundam then closed in on the still firing warship before slashing cannons and missile launchers at very close range.
The great land battleship had to withdraw as it too had spewed smoke from its dispensers. Andrew was too busy fighting the combined efforts of the Skygrasper and Strike to even notice his ship retreating from the battle.
The Petrie was also being pounded by Mu's Skygrasper and the Archangel before it too had to retreat.
-oOo-
"Guess that leaves us, beautiful." Andrew had told his lover, Aisha on the airwaves as Martin had reported the full retreat to his commanding officer. "I suggest that you escape too."
"Are you crazy?!" Aisha replied as the LaGOWE had evaded the relentless fire from their enemies. "I'm staying with you to the end, mister."
Thankfully, Aisha had gotten a potshot at the Strike's wings but it was protecting the fallen Skygrasper at the time. The said mobile suit's wings were sheared off since its phase armor was slowly blinking out.
"I suggest you surrender, Andrew." Kira's voice was heard in the airwaves. "We've already disabled your ships. You're all alone now."
"A true mobile suit pilot never surrenders, kid." The Desert Tiger said with a wolf like growl. "They'd rather die with honor."
The LaGOWE was about to ram or slice the now powered down Strike when it was rammed from the side.
"What the hell?!" was heard from the LaGOWE's radio signal as the quadruped suit had lied in its right side with a large dent on its exposed left.
Wing Zero, with its arms crossed in front of its massive chest as it had stood over the downed suit where some sparks were seen on the four legged mobile suit's exposed side.
"I would suggest that you escape while ya still can," William's tinny voice was still heard loudly and clearly in the still functional radio. "Then again, I could probably help with the escape if ya want to."
"Go to hell," Aisha said as she had recovered quickly.
"Maybe someday," William replied quietly as Zero had made a quick slash just in time as the mobile suit blew up. "Right now, all three of us need ta live so we can settle scores at a later time."
The winged gundam itself was hit by the airborne debris but thankfully, the LaGOWE's cockpit was still intact some distance from the burning wreck.
"See ya later." William added then engaged Wing Zero's back thrusters as it had carried the damaged Skygrasper in its arms.
The Strike had followed the winged machine a minute later on the ground and in a slower pace. The Archangel then picked up both mobile suits before it headed back to the Desert Dawn HQ.
Extra: (Fight scene against the Desert Tiger)
"Hey, dog breath," William said on the airwaves while his machine had dodged the beam fire from the Duel and Buster and firing back. "How's about you take on somebody yer own size like me?"
"Nah," the smooth voice of the Desert Tiger had replied. "I've had more fun with Black, White, and even Luminous than I've had with you. Beat that, loser."
There was silence on the airwaves as Wing Zero had set down on a nearby sand dune. The silence was made overbearing as the whole battle had grinded to a halt.
William then slid out of the lowered chest cockpit of the gundam and sat down with his legs bent in front and his arms wrapped around his larger appendages.
A robotic voice could be heard from the vacated cockpit saying. "Emo."
"Hey, Chuutaro." Mu's teasing tone could be heard in the tactical net. "Be nice to a Pretty Cure fan, will ya."
"Hiya, Mr. Takashi 'sucks at camping' Misumi." Andrew teased back. "Didn't know that yer lil' girl can kick butt till we've got our asses kicked eh?"
"Chuutaro?!" Yzak suddenly exclaimed as he had lost control of his machine thus it had fallen to the sands below, head first. "Isn't that a dog's name?"
"Aw, I always knew that my widdle Nagisa could be more than her grades have been showing." Murrue's teasing voice was also heard in the tactical net making a certain Air Boss redder than a tomato. "That's my little girl."
"That's Miss Nagisa, alright." Flay's voice had added with obvious hero worship in her voice. "She rocks as Cure Black."
"Bad dog," Mu said with a bit of fierceness in his tone, ignoring the laughter in both the command and tactical net that seemed to be open for some reason. "I'm telling Miss Sanae that her granddaughter's golden retriever bites back."
"Aw, shucks." Andrew said with a groan as his fiancée and everyone else were laughing heartily. "Wait a minute, how come Cure Sunshine's here too?"
"I've always wanted to see Miss Hikari," the red head said to the guy's confusion. "And boy, did I meet her in person."
So yeah, I added the other girls besides Flay and Cagalli in the fashion segment scene of the episode and ended up with a more humorous result in the process. Then there's Athrun and Lacus whose relationship turned out to be more like sibling-like rather than romantic; something that is kind of hinted in the show. Finally, I thought why not get Aisha surviving as well so as to divert this from canon even further. Besides, a happy Waltfield is... a happy Waltfield.
The extra is also here because I discovered that some of the voice actors of the Gundum Seed characters also voiced some characters in Pretty Cure as well. As for Murrue, she was just playing along since her voice actress was not in Pretty Cure.
Next chapter, it's going to be wet and wild as the Archangel crosses the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Also, a certain princess meets a certain knight in an island for two.
But before that, let's see if Ash and his friends would escape a watery grave twenty thousand leagues under the sea so they could meet a former Pokemon Master in a tropical isle.