Shinn was trying his best to dodge and defend from the pink aircraft's remote weapons, but there were so many of them that it was proving extremely difficult to do so. One was about to land a direct hit, but Rey's ZAKU flew in, blocking the shot.
"Rey!" Shinn shouted.
"What are you doing?!" Rey asked. "You're no better than a sitting duck, flying like you are now! This isn't your average engagement!"
Rey started to dodge more of the shots, taking down one of the remote weapons. Shinn frowned, but flew the Impulse Gundam forward.
On the horizon, the Minerva was flying through space, trying to find its two missing pilots.
"Locate the enemy!" Captain Gladys commanded. "Where are the Impulse and the ZAKU?"
"There's one unidentified ship at Indigo 53, Mark 22, Bravo! Distance 150!" One of the bridge members announced.
"That must be their mother ship." Durandal guessed.
"Log the vessel into our database." Talia ordered. "From now on, we'll refer to it as Bogey One."
"Impulse and ZAKU located at 157, Mark 80, Alpha." Meyrin said. Mayu's going to be relieved. "They appear to be involved in a battle!"
"Can you call them?" Talia asked.
Meyrin shook her head. "No, ma'am. It's impossible with all the radio interference."
"How many enemies?"
"One. But it's… a mobile armor!"
Rey dodged several more of the remote beam weaponry from the mobile armor, but the enemy pilot was just as good.
"Rey!" Shinn shouted. The Impulse drew out a beam saber and flew towards the enemy. He blocked several more of the beam shots of the enemy, but one of them singed the ankle of the Impulse. "Damn it!"
"We'll attack Bogey One! Lower the bridge!" Talia commanded, as the floor started to lower. "Course, Indigo, Delta. Accelerate twenty percent. Prepare to fire signal-flares and anti-beam depth charges! Arthur, stop staring about and get to your station!"
"A-Ah, right!" He quickly went over to his seat. "Load launcher eight, numbers one through four with Neidhardt! Activate Tristan one and two! Activate Isolde! Target: Bogey One!"
"Shouldn't our priority be to rescue them, Captain?" Durandal asked as the Minerva's cannons readied.
"It is. That's why we're attacking their mothership." Talia answered. "In this situation, the quickest way to save them is to push the enemy away."
Rey managed to shoot down another remote weapon, before the enemy mobile armor retreated.
"Those who try to take too much end up losing it all, I guess." Neo said, flying off.
Shinn regrouped with Rey, before they heard and saw several loud bursts. They looked to see the Minerva flying towards them, while also engaging with an enemy ship.
"The Minerva?" Rey realized.
"The retreat signal?!" Shinn recognized. "Why?!"
"It's an order." Rey said, as he turned his ZAKU and started to fly, making sure to stay out of the Minerva's line of fire.
Mayu stood outside the medbay door. Lunamaria had escorted Cagalli and Athrun inside to treat the representative's injury. It was too crowded for her to be in there.
Besides, she wouldn't want to be in the same room as Cagalli, lest she say something that she would regret.
She heard the sounds of battle, the Minerva's weapons firing at the enemy. She slipped a hand into her pocket, gripping her cellphone, before walking down the hall towards the hangar. She knew her brother and Rey had returned, as she had recognized the sounds of the mobile suits landing, even through the thick walls.
The Minerva was firing at the enemy ship, but two large objects had decoupled from it.
"Bogey One has detached a section of its hull!"
Durandal leaned forward, trying to see what they had removed.
"Stop firing!" Talia ordered. "Ten to starboard! Maximum thrust!"
The Minerva couldn't maneuver fast enough, as the two detachments crashed straight into the ship. The explosions shook the ship, but thankfully the damage wasn't too great.
Mayu felt the rumbles from the ship, but she steadily stayed upright. I need to get to the hangar!
She widened her eyes to see that Rey was already maneuvering past her.
"Rey! What's going on?!" She asked.
"I'm going to find out!" He called back. "Get to the hangar, Shinn's waiting for you!"
"Alright!"
The bridge crew recovered from the blast and got back to work analyzing the situation.
"Bart. What's the enemy ship's position?!" Talia asked.
"Wait one moment, I still haven't…"
"Activate CIWS, fire anti-beam depth charges!" Talia commanded. "They'll be firing at us next…"
"Found it! Red 88, Mark 6, Charlie. Distance 500!"
"Did they get away?!" Arthur asked.
Rey entered the bridge to get a handle on the battle. Though he was surprised to see someone else there, who briefly smiled at him.
"Mr. Chairman?" Rey asked, surprised.
"Damn them. Didn't think they'd use that to escape." Talia muttered.
"Seems to be one tough unit we're facing." Durandal commented.
"All the more reason why we mustn't let them get away." Talia said. "It'd be bad news if such a team got their hands on those machines."
"Right." Durandal nodded.
"At this point, it's too late to have you disembark and I believe it is best that we continue our pursuit of that ship." Talia said. "What is your opinion on this, Chairman?"
"Don't worry about me, Captain." Durandal said. "Judging from that firepower, it scares me to think of what might come later if we let them go now. Right now, our top priority is to capture them, or to destroy them."
"Thank you very much." Talia nodded, before turning to the bridge crew. "Still have a trace on them?"
"We can still go after them."
"Then this ship will resume its pursuit of Bogey One." Talia turned back to the front. "Course Yellow Alpha! Engines to the maximum!"
With the ship no longer shaking and artificial gravity kicking in, Mayu walked over to the hangar, as she heard an announcement come on.
"Attention all hands. This ship is commencing pursuit of Bogey One. Due to a sudden change in circumstances, this has become our maiden voyage, but the ship will be on a very important mission."
So it's starting now… Mayu felt her feet leave the ground as she entered the hangar.
"All hands, this is your opportunity to show what progress you've made during the daily training sessions."
"Mayu!"
She saw her brother floating by the open hatch of the Impulse, and kicked off the wall towards him.
"Big Brother… I'm glad you're okay." She said, relieved.
Shinn briefly smiled, but looked around the hangar. "Looks like we're finally heading into battle… are you sure you're going to be fine?"
Mayu smiled. "As long as I'm with you, I'll be okay."
Shinn patted her on the head. "You're growing up. Faster than I can keep track, even."
"Jeez, you don't have to do that!" Mayu pushed his hand away.
The bridge had risen back into its more casual position, the lights turning back on.
"Mr. Chairman. Please use the Captain's quarters to get some rest." Gladys said. "The Minerva prides itself on its speed, but the enemy vessel is also fast. I don't imagine much will happen right away. Rey. Please show him to his quarters."
"Yes ma'am." Rey nodded.
But as Durandal stood up, the communications turned on, and Luna's voice rang out. "Captain!"
"What is it?" Talia asked.
"Due to the battle, I was delayed in informing you about a situation." Luna said. "During take off, we found two civilians aboard a ZAKU in the hangar."
"What?"
"We detained the two, and found that one is Representative Cagalli Yula Athha of the Orb Union, and the other claims to be her attendant." Luna said. "They requested medical attention and a meeting with Chairman Durandal."
"From Orb?"
"Yes, Mayu was with us and confirmed it was the representative."
"It's her. What's she doing on this ship?" Durandal wondered.
"I acted on my own and arranged for the necessary medical care, and they are currently resting in the officers' quarters."
With the enemy ship, Neo Roanoke entered the bridge.
"It looks like we've succeeded." The officer said, seeing him enter.
"How much longer till we reach point B?" Neo asked.
"About two hours!"
"Do you think they will come after us?" The officer asked.
"I don't know." Neo admitted. "I don't know, so we should assume they will and continue along our planned route. One should always assume the worst, right? Especially on the battlefield."
"Hm. How about their recovery?" The officer asked about the pilots they had deployed to steal the mobile suits.
"They appear to be fine. They're sleeping like newborns." Neo said. "However, I'm a little concerned that Auel used the block word on Stella. I find that somewhat distressing."
"Pilots that need to be returned to the cradle whenever something happens? Does the lab really believe they can be of use to us?" The officer asked Neo.
"But they're a lot better than the previous group, don't you think?" Neo pointed out. "They fully understand what we tell them and the work they're given. It's a necessary evil. We're still in the trial stages in many regards. This ship, the mobile suits, our pilots… and the world."
"Yes. I understand."
"The day will eventually come, when everything will begin in the true sense." Neo smiled. "Under our name."
Mayu had goggles over her eyes as she worked on repairing the damages to the Impulse Gundam. Thankfully there wasn't much from the battle, only a few small dents and scorches on the shield, and a bit on the ankle, but she'd rather make sure it would stay in top shape for her brother. While the sounds of repairs were loud, she could still hear her fellow mechanics.
"Who would've expected we'd be in actual battle?"
"Right."
"How did this happen so suddenly, anyway? This won't lead us straight into another war by any chance, will it?"
Mayu's grip tightened on her tools, as she tried focusing much more on repairs. She tuned out the conversation as she sat in the cockpit of the Impulse, running more maintenance on the controls.
Another war… surely not, right? She thought, looking at her prosthetic hand. If one breaks out, more people are going to get hurt… more tragedies like what happened at Orb will break out…
"Hey, Mayu."
Mayu looked up to see Shinn by the cockpit entrance.
"Big Brother."
"Why not take a break?" Shinn asked. "Looks like the Impulse is doing fine right now."
"Okay." Mayu nodded. A break would help clear her mind.
Shinn helped Mayu out of the Impulse and handed her a drink cup. "I got your favorite."
"Strawberry?" Mayu said, looking at the drink. "Thanks, Big Brother."
Shinn raised a brow. "Something wrong? It looks like something is bugging you."
"Well… that's…" Mayu saw Luna floating over.
Durandal and Talia had met with Cagalli and Athrun in the officer's quarters.
"I don't have the words to express my regret for involving you in this unfortunate situation." Durandal told Cagalli. "However, Princess, please understand our position."
"Don't you know anything about that enemy unit yet?" Cagalli asked.
"Ah, that… no. We still have no information, not even on their carrier." Durandal answered. "However, that's all the more reason why we must take control of the situation as soon as possible. Before it becomes too late."
"Yeah, I understand. Of course, Mr. Chairman." Cagalli sighed. "Right now, we must do everything we can to avoid upsetting the still fragile state of our world. At any cost."
"I knew you'd understand." Durandal smiled. "I believed that you, Princess, would view the situation in that way."
Athrun noticed that Durandal glanced at him, but dismissed it as nothing.
"If you'd like, I'd like to give you a tour of our ship while there's still time." Durandal offered as he stood up.
"Mr. Chairman!" Talia chided.
"Although it's temporary, we are asking them to put their lives in our hands." Durandal argued. "This is the least that our nation can do for our allies, in good faith."
"Athha of Orb?" Shinn said, as Luna had explained everything that had happened.
"I was surprised too." Luna admitted. "What are the odds of meeting her here, considering her impact in the last war?"
Shinn was rather silent as he stared over at the green ZAKU. Mayu had finished her break and went over to look at it, in spite of Shinn suggesting she take a longer break.
"Something up with the ZAKU?" Luna asked, following Shinn's view.
"No, it's. Well, the machine hadn't been assigned to the Minerva. So I was curious who was piloting it." Shinn said.
"Actually, it seems that it was her escort piloting it. He said his name was Alex." Luna said, before turning to Shinn. "But… he could be Athrun."
Shinn widened his eyes.
"That's what the representative called him. In the heat of the moment, she called him Athrun. Mayu heard it too." Luna said, turning to the girl who was working on ZAKU's repairs. "Athrun Zala. It's rumored he lives in Orb now, right?"
"Athrun… Zala…" Shinn repeated.
Mayu turned back to her brother with a look of concern.
"But this ship has certainly gotten itself involved in something incredible!" Durandal said, as he and Rey lead Cagalli and Athrun through the Minerva. "To have to fight in an actual battle the day before its own launch ceremony?"
Rey pressed a button, opening an elevator door. "We'll take this lift up to the mobile suit deck."
Athrun briefly paused, before following the others in.
"Think of this section as being the core of the ship." Durandal said. "I am not at liberty to tell you how many the ship can hold, but I can tell you we aren't at full capacity."
The doors opened to reveal the hangar, showing the mobile suits under repair. Cagalli pushed herself forward to look.
"I've taken you've already met the ZGMF-1000, the ZAKU." Durandal said. "It's currently the main machine of ZAFT. And then there's the Impulse that utilizes the launch system, arguably the main feature of the Minerva. I understand you had a chance to see it at the factory."
"Ah, yes." Athrun nodded.
"Apparently, according to the scientists, this is a brand new, highly efficient mobile suit system." Durandal said. "I don't claim to be an expert on the technical aspects, however. But I take it that the Princess does not care much for this."
"You seem awfully happy about it, Mr. Chairman." Cagalli said.
"I wouldn't call this glee." He said. "I am simply proud of everyone's earnest work, and to have come this far and gain this much power…"
"Power…" Cagalli repeated. "You said that power is necessary because there will always be conflict, Mr. Chairman."
"Yes."
"Then, how do you explain what happened here?!" Cagalli demanded, her voice raised and attracting the attention of several people in the mobile suit deck. "The damage suffered by your nation as a result of just those three new model mobile suits!"
"Representative!" Athrun said.
"So you're saying that's reason enough to remain powerless?" Durandal asked.
"Why are such things necessary in the first place?! Why now?!" Cagalli shouted, unaware of the anger growing in one of the soldiers, whose sister was trying to calm him down. "We made a pledge not to repeat the tragedies of the past! We were committed to following a path that we could proceed along hand in hand!"
"Well… Consider this, Princess-" Durandal was about to speak, before a different voice rang out.
"More of that idealistic crap the Athhas are so famous for!"
They all looked down to see where the voice came from, with Shinn Asuka's back to them.
"Big Brother…!" Mayu said, shocked.
"Shinn!" Rey jumped down towards him. Shinn slowly turned to look up at Cagalli, with the girl rather shocked by the amount of venom in the young man's glance. Before Rey could reprimand his friend, the alarm started to blare.
"Located enemy vessel. Distance 8000." Meyrin's voice rang. "Condition Red announced! Pilots, standby in your machines!"
"Hurry with the final checks! It's starting!" The head mechanic shouted.
We're heading into battle again. Mayu thought, realizing this is how things would be like from now on.
Rey tried grabbing Shinn by the collar, but he brushed him off, floating towards the Impulse.
"Shinn!" Rey called.
Mayu watched as her brother left.
"I'm very sorry, Mr. Chairman!" Rey said with a salute. "He will be punished for his actions later!"
He floated towards his ZAKU, and Cagalli stared after him.
"Representative Athha…" Cagalli looked to see a girl with a scarred face looking up at her. "I'm sorry for my brother's words! Please forgive him!"
She was surprised with the bow Mayu gave her, before she rather quickly left for her station.
"I am also terribly sorry, Princess." Durandal apologized. "That young man who yelled at you and that young girl who apologized are immigrants from Orb. Those words were the last thing I expected to come out of him, though it seems like his sister was privy to why."
Cagalli was surprised by hearing that, and wondered why that young man was full of anger. But with the scars on his sister's face… she had an unfortunate guess why.
"So they came after all." The Earth Alliance officer said, seeing the Minerva approach on radar.
"Yeah. Well, it goes to show that ZAFT aren't twiddling their thumbs." Neo said. "We're going to crush them! All hands to battle stations! Pilots are to proceed to the briefing room!"
"I don't expect the enemy to deliberately proceed into the debris, but this is nevertheless a dangerous battleground." Talia said to her officers. "Helm, we're counting on you."
"Yes ma'am."
"We'll send out Shinn and Luna first." Talia said. "Is the crew ready?"
"Yes, ma'am! Mayu reports everything is ready for launch!"
"6500 to target!"
The door opened to the bridge, and Talia looked back to see Durandal enter alongside Cagalli and Athrun.
"Mr. Chairman!" Talia said, surprised by his sudden appearance.
"May I have a word, Captain?" Durandal asked. "I'd like to invite our guests from Orb to join us on the bridge."
"Huh? Ah, but, that's…"
"As you're well aware, the Representative took command of a battleship in the previous war, and has a long experience in warfare. I'd like to have her perspective as she observes our combat methods." Durandal explained.
"...very well." Talia said. "If that's how you feel, Mr. Chairman."
"Thank you, Talia." Durandal nodded, as he took his seat with Cagalli and Athrun.
"6000 to target!"
"Lower the bridge! Prepare for battle against a battleship and mobile suits." Talia commanded.
Within the enemy ship, the pilots had recovered and were now properly suiting up.
"That new model vessel?" Auel asked.
"Yeah. I wonder if we'll see that combining fellow again." Sting said.
"Then this time, we'll be sure to either break him apart or capture him." Auel declared.
"In either case, we're going to have some fun again." Sting said. "Ey, Stella?"
"Ah…" Stella zipped up her suit, seemingly unaware of what they were talking about.
Mayu was at her station, running last-second scans to make sure everything was in proper working condition.
"Lunamaria Hawke, ZAKU Warrior, standby for launch. All systems online. Commencing launch sequence."
Mayu looked up to see the ZAKU Warrior being moved into the catapult. She had wished Luna luck earlier.
"Standby to launch Impulse. Blast module selected. Silhouette Hangar number three to be released. Platform setup is complete."
Mayu looked up to see her brother in the cockpit of the Core Splendor. He spotted her staring up at him, and gave a brief salute. Mayu smiled, returning it as the lift continued to rise.
"Central catapult online. Opening airtight shutters. Core Splendor, all systems online. Commencing takeoff sequence. Hatch opened. Linear launch system engaged."
"Target, on our present course. Distance 4700."
"ZAKU, Impulse! Launch!" Talia ordered.
Cagalli wasn't paying attention to the battle, instead remembering the words she heard earlier.
"More of that idealistic crap the Athhas are so famous for!"
"Representative Athha. I'm sorry for my brother's words! Please forgive him!"
"That young man who yelled at you and that young girl who apologized are immigrants from Orb."
"Bogey One…" Durandal said. "I wonder what that ship's real name is."
"Huh?" Athrun looked over.
"Gunner ZAKU Warrior, catapult engaged."
The weapons were attached to the back of Luna's ZAKU, as she activated her helmet's visor.
"Luna Hawke, ZAKU! I'm taking off!"
The ZAKU was launched from the ship and flew ahead.
"You're next, Impulse. Go ahead!"
"Shinn Asuka, Core Splendor! Taking off!"
Mayu watched at her station as the Core Splendor launched. She ran several simulations on her monitor, checking to make sure everything was running smoothly.
It's all good. Mayu thought, switching to the camera footage. She watched as the Core Splendor combined with the two other parts into the Impulse, before the Blast module connected to the back and formed the Blast Impulse Gundam. Seeing as she couldn't observe well from here, and all her work on repairs was over, she made her way to the bridge as per the captain's orders. Big Brother… Please don't let your anger blind you in this battle.
"The name of a thing is an indicator of its existence." Durandal went on. "Then what if that name is not real?"
He looked back at Athrun.
"If it's not real, would that mean its existence is not real either? Is that what it would mean? Alex… Or rather… Athrun Zala."
Athrun widened his eyes at the Chairman's words.
A/N:Here, Mayu's influence on the story starts to become clearer. We're starting to see her own struggles, as well as how she interacts with the rest of the cast.
Feel free to leave a review. See you all next time.