A/N: Well to put it out there for you guys is that the laptop I was using to write this chapter on, decided to up and die on me! Can you believe it!? So I had to re-write this from scratch when it was about 40% done! Now with my new laptop I hope there won't be any drawbacks...let us hope.
Whilst I lost my laptop, I am delighted to say that the rewrites are coming along smoothly. So, I decided to post the first which had been redone and chapter 2 will be releashed soon. The rewrites will be having their own story and down-rated to T. However if you require a lemon I will sort one out for you somehow. There is some margin of differences in them as you'll find out.
In other news, since my motorbike accident, I have been stuck in hospital and rehab unit on the base. When coming back home I usually played BF3 with my mates, my favourite FPS...if only there was a Mobile Suit Gundam version!
Opening Theme: Naked Arms (English Version) – T.M. Revolution
Phase 67 – Our Pledge
May 22nd C.E.76, 1059 Hours - L3, Outer Haven, Angel Mobile Fortress: Arcadia, Operations Room
"IFF receiver active, target indication initialising, reading system cooling all good, calibrators steady. Standby to start rotation on atomic particle accelerator. Starting now".
"No problems from the readings so far.
Yuan stood at the back of the operations room with his arms folded and a scowl on his face. He wondered to himself the question on how it ever came to this? The decision for it would seem reasonable, but would it not stooping down to ZAFT's level? Of course Yuan cannot argue the case with the higher ups in the council. Despite Kira being an Admiral and chief in defence of Haven, it would not sway in his favour.
"You can't let this happen Yuan! If we use this weapon we'll be no different than Krane is using his own! This would be an endless circle and no one will!-"
"Lacus! I can't do anything about it. I have to follow orders" Yuan replied in a defiant tone. "I understand where you are coming from but this is my job, no. Obligation to follow the orders of the higher ups!".
Lacus was beaten down in the argument. But she knew that with all of Kira's effort in making the Angels not take this path would be in vain. And to know Kira would disapprove of it, only made her more keen to prevent this.
"Do what you must Yuan. But know that slaughtering men with a weapon of equal power won't bring true peace". Lacus then walked out of the operations room, leaving Yuan to his thoughts on her words.
'Nothing is simple any more my lady...please forgive me'.
Lacus continued down the main corridor to the lifts where Mayu stepped out, seeing the infuriated woman.
"Miss Lacus? What's the matter? Who-"
"I'm sorry Mayu. But I can't stay in that room with plans to fire the Angel's own superweapon onto ZAFT. I do condemn them using theirs but it doesn't justify us using one as well. It is just going to be a repeat of the First Valentine War".
Mayu looked at the woman and wondered on how to help her. She couldn't force the Angels to not use the superweapon but she could help prevent a loss of life. "Miss Lacus, do you know how to pilot a Mobile Suit?"
Lacus was taken aback from the question. "Um, no. I never intended to pilot and fight but...Kira did teach me some of the controls".
"Then we better get going my lady!"
Operation: Heaven's Sword
Kira and Canard blasted four ZAKU Knights away as they darted past the scrap metal remains. They sliced and shot down any ZAKU that approached the pair. The main objective at hand was the destruction of Krane's superweapon. If that remained on the battlefield the enemy would have a massive advantage, and the destruction of Haven itself. Two ZAKU units made a dash in front of Canard, enraging the dark haired pilot.
"Get the hell out of my way!" he screamed as he swung his whip and sliced the two units in half. Emerging from the explosion, both Canard and Kira came across numerous Mobile Suits standing in their way. Canard decided to make the decision to destroy that weapon in one shot. "Kira, you better destroy that weapon no matter what. Get going, I'll handle their numbers!"
Kira looked to the Purifier in disbelief. "How are you going to handle all their-"
The Purifier unloaded the two heavy 'Purity' beam bazookas that were holstered on the machines' shoulders. 'Predator' heavy machine-gun in one hand and 'Uriel' heavy particle cannon on the left arm. DRAGOON pods surrounded the master and ready to unleash against the ZAFT defence troops.
"You need to make sure that Krane doesn't end the dreams of humanity! Now get going!" he cried as he opened the first barrage onto the ZAFT defence line.
Exploding metal bodies scattered as the Judgement entered the dust and flame with poor visibility, but relied on his Newtype senses to search out the enemy units that evaded Canard's attacks. Kira drew his machine's katana sword and sensed two ZAKU units blocked his way, where he gave a quick horizontal slice right in front of them, then proceeded to the enemy superweapon.
As he emerged Kira was confronted with the remainder of the ZAKU units, the brought up the beam rifles. Acting fast the Judgement released all the 'Sammeal' pods and
proceeded to rip the closest units with beam coating before moving onto their small cannons to gun down the furtherest. Leaving the pods to deal with the numbers, Kira headed towards the ZAFT weapon with little resistance remaining. A quick sharp impulse gave the warning to evade from the right, where boasting over a heavy beam attack, Kira saw the ZAFT Gundam Despero. Kira glared at the unit as the large machine then threw itself towards the Judgement, drawing a large beam katana from it's collar-like shoulder armour, smashing the Goliath-type sword onto the Judgement's own beam katana.
"My my little brother. Do you feel the pressure?" taunted the pilot from this new Gundam unit.
"Krane?!" the brunette gasped as he slid the Angel's sword away and backed off. "So you finally entered the fray".
"Of course!" laughed the ZAFT leader. "I wanted a rematch with you! To finally determine who between us would lead humanity on it's true path!"
The Despero launched it's eight DRAGOON pods where smaller eight 'Scorpio' pods that dashed towards the Judgement, throwing net after net of green death. Three pods darted either side of the Judgement and blasted at the Angel Gundam's beam shields. Holding that position two other pods flew in and unloaded a barrage of the green beams at the front of the Judgement. Drawing the other beam katana, Kira battled the attacks away whilst holding the beam shields up. Taking it's chance the Despero appeared underneath the Judgement and slashed upward, but the Gundam backflipped away with it's 'Rashnu' cannons pointed down at the Despero, then fired a short half-powered blast that the Despero used it's Creation and forearm beam shields to block the blast. Despite shielding against the attack, the ZAFT unit was blown away from the Judgement, with Krane grinning as he steadied the unit, looking back at the Judgement with sinister pleasure.
"You've gotten better since then! Haven't you Kira?!"
Kira blasted towards the Despero with the katanas out wide before slashing out at the Despero then again and again rapidly slashing at the Despero, with it defending against the attacks with his own katana. Kira continued to play on the continued pressure where Krane started to feel the effect. Defending against two with one sword was too much, where the Despero recalled the pods back and fired at the Judgement where is suddenly disappeared.
"Playing your disappearing act now Kira?"
"You're not one to talk Krane when it comes to tricks" Kira countered behind the Despero with his double beam rifles.
Krane sensed Kira was behind him with his senses tingling at him of Kira's attack. Bringing up the Creation shield again he blocked the four beam strikes from behind then spun round with the Despero's large beam pistol and blasted at the Judgement, but the slick Gundam side rolled away, returning fire where the ZAFT unit manoeuvred away with a somersault.
"Looks like it's going to be a long battle little brother!"
"So it is".
Both machines brought their DRAGOON pods to them and unleashed multiple beam barrages at each other, where sometimes beams clashed and exploded. Friendly and hostile Mobile Suits decided to keep their distance from the two Gundams battling it out, to prevent being caught in the cross-fire of their god-like abilities.
The battle between the True Destiny and Berserker intensified as both machines used their Wings Of Light system and anti-ship swords to battle it out between them. Stella could only watch the two machines were too fast to target the Berserker and to avoid hitting the Destiny. Despite keeping up with the two she couldn't afford to make a second delay and hit Shinn.
The Destiny landed it's anti-ship sword onto the Berserker's where the Angel Gundam planted a kick onto the ZAFT unit's head, where the ZAFT unit threw it's own kick up to throw the Destiny up. The two swiped at each other with their swords, but missed each other as they both had to pull away from each other's attack. Shinn drew his surviving beam boomerang and tossed it to the Berserker where the pilot instantly released his own beam boomerang from the leg armour. The two weapons collided and was blown back to their masters. Shane drew his other beam boomerang and charged towards Shinn who blocked one boomerang with his own then used the 'Micah' palm cannon to stop the other. The concentration of energy forced the small device to explode, where the Destiny flipped out the shield's hidden sword and slashed at the Berserker but Shane backed away.
"I don't understand to why you would support Kira when his ideals will never come true! You'll be living in a dream world if you continue to back that idiot!"
"Say whatever you want! I don't have to listen to somebody who preaches to a madman like Krane!"
"Don't you fucking dare insult Krane!"
Shane drove the Berserker towards the Destiny drawing his other beam boomerang and threw both towards the Angel Gundam. Then as the Destiny deflected the attacks away the Berserker came face to face, and grabbed the wrist of the Destiny's left arm and activated the palm cannon, shattering the arm to debris before Shinn kicked the Berserker away. Shinn realised that he was now limited in combat effectiveness with only one arm available. But it didn't stop him from fighting back, as he used the Wings of Light to tackle the Berserker closer towards the ZAFT superweapon.
"Shinn! Wait! You're going into the enemy defence-line!" Stella cried as she chased the Destiny. Stella was forced to evade from two green beam shots from ZAFT Knights, which she returned fire with her dual beam rifles. "Get out of my way!" she screamed as she changed into MA mode and flew past the two enemy units, slicing them with the 'Griffon' beam blades. Stella then boasted towards the Destiny and Berserker that now were battling it out near the superweapon.
"What do you mean they have fired their superweapon already!?" Cagalli shouted back to the Angel soldier through the radio. "We destroyed that relay station! How can they have charged it already?"
The Orb pilot groaned from Cagalli's furious tone as he didn't want to be the one to inform her of the situation. "I just received word from Arcadia ma'am. It seems that ZAFT had managed to gain enough energy to use before we were successful int destroying he relay station".
"Dammit we were too slow!"
"Don't beat yourself up about it Cagalli" came Zachary's reply. "We managed to slow down the recharge process now. But what is the situation at Haven now?"
"Haven is still intact but the Angels are taking a beating. What is your plan of action ma'am?"
Cagalli started to look over the situation. The relay station they just destroyed had no Mobile Suits or ships defending it, meaning that ZAFT weren't all that concerned if they destroyed them as long as they can still recharge and fire again. It would take soon time to head to the next relay station, which would allow the weapon to maybe fire again before they reach the relay station. She decided that what they needed to do now is head back to Haven and support the troops there.
"We're heading back to Haven! We need to push back the enemy and destroy the ZAFT superweapon before they wipe out the Angels!"
"Is that a good idea ma'am? Our mission from Angel HQ was to-"
"The lady has spoken!" Zachary announced. "All forces we're going back to Haven! It's time we showed ZAFT that the Angels aren't going to stand alone in their wake!"
Cheers from all the Orb soldiers echoed, where the Orb ships about-turned and MS units blasted ahead of them to regroup the Angels. Cagalli looked at the freelance Junk Guild also mercenary's Mobile Suit, noticing that it resembled a Astray type Mobile Suit.
"Zachary...where did you find that Astray unit?"
Astray units unlike ZAFT's or OMNI units were not sold commercially to the weapons market. As Orb held a neutral stance to war they prevented their units to be sold to terrorists or either sides of the conflicts.
Zachary laughed loud to Cagalli's observation. "So you noticed the resemblance finally?"
"Finally? The machine hardly looks like a Astray any more!"
Zachary laughed hard to her reply. "I agree. It's not much left of a Astray, but it was when a found it about to be scrapped after the Battle of Orb in the first Bloody Valentine war. I took it and used various scrapped weapons to modify the machine to my specifications".
"You do realise you stole military hardware from my country?".
"Oh come on! It would have been scrapped into razor blades!"
Upon leaving Luna to deal with Heine, Rey was left to take on the two new comers to the battlefield. Both happened to be Gundam type Mobile Suits which seemed like they were personally after him for some reason. Rey discovered this as they worked as a team against him, in some sort of synchronised attack. One Gundam was super fast in the copied Aegis Mobile Armour mode and tired to clamp itself onto the Deliverance, but the swift Fallen Gundam moved away from it's attack, but was troubled with the other Gundam that was no where to be seen but was taking long range shots from the dark veil it was hiding in. It quickly occurred to that it was using a Mirage Colloid stealth system, in truth Rey disliked that system but in war like the one in now had no limits or rules. Rey then concentrated on the battle as he didn't have time to dwell on his ethics on war.
The Mobile Armour made sharp u-turn, heading back to the Deliverance with it's wide open, exposing the multi-phase cannon like the belly of a beast and fired. The Deliverance rolled away from the attack then ducked from the other Gundam's horizontal attack from it's beam sabre. He tried to counter with his own beam sabre but the enemy withdrawn to pull out it's beam rifle and fire on Rey. The attack made contact on the Deliverance's beam shield but it didn't stop the other Gundam from plummeting itself into Rey, holding onto him in something like a nutcracker as the limbs of the machine tightened on the Deliverance.
"You should have had the extra help Za Burrel!" laughed the pilot holding him. "You can't beat the Bonaparte twins, because no one has!"
"There is always a first!" snapped Rey . And in that instant, he released two of his Sammeal pods and blasted the two limbs off, freeing himself from the enemy grip.
"You little bastard! How dare you damage my Cronos Arrow!"
Rey took little care of the ZAFT pilot's outburst and fired on him with the rapid-fire beam rifle. The machine flew away from the spew of the green attack only to be confronted by the rest of the Deliverance's DRAGOON weapons. With the Cronos now distracted, Rey focused the rifle to the other enemy Gundam that hovered patiently for Rey's attention, before blending into the darkness with the stealth system.
"Hiding in the shadows. A long time ago that was considered cowardice" Rey muttered, before three beam cannon shots came to the left where he boosted up to evade then sprayed energy into the attacks direction. The sudden pulse of warning from behind Rey made him swing back and fire in the direction, hitting something then another. 'It was too small to be the Gundam...which means it has DRAGOON weapons as well?'
It wasn't long until Rey's theory was correct as attacks came from multiple directions. Swaying from the attacks Rey knew he couldn't escape from them forever, so he decided to concentrate on the Gundam itself. But Rey was now struggling to keep his own DRAGOON weapons focused on the other machine, whilst he dealt with the stealth type. He needed to locate the cloaked unit before the other Gundam returns to back-up it's ally. Looking round Rey guessed from the amount of beams that were fired each time that there were about maybe five to nine DRAGOON weapons left. It wasn't a great estimate for weapons like these, but at least the blonde could counter knowing the number of pods operational. Rey broke into SEED mode and searched the battlefield for the presence of the enemy Gundam pilot. Pinpointing his location, Rey spun round and charged at the enemy with a beam javelin.
"He sensed my presence!" the pilot gasped.
The stealth unit drew the long-range beam cannon and fired at the white Gundam. But it easily evaded, where the twin decided to use the DRAGOON pods to squeeze Rey into a bottleneck for the beam cannon to make a direct hit. And just that, the DRAGOON pods forced the Deliverance into a tight gap as it continued it's charge. The stealth type opened fire with the heavy powered beam hitting the beam shield of the Deliverance, but not deterred its speed to the ZAFT Gundam. What the ZAFT pilot couldn't see from behind the bright light was the Deliverance brandishing it's javelin above the head, then threw it just above the beam attack, gradually arcing into the hand held beam cannon itself. The ZAFT pilot couldn't see it until it was too late, the javelin landed just above the end of the barrel of the weapon, and exploded along into the Gundam's hands.
"Bastard!"
But the enemy had no time to wallow in anger as the Deliverance approached with another beam sabre. Drawing it's beam boomerangs, it threw it towards the Deliverance. But the 'Ramiel' cannon pair on the Deliverance's shoulders took care of them, leaving the enemy to draw it's anti-armour kunai knives to block the beam sabre that would of ripped through from above.
"I-I'm not going down that easily! Me and this Death took down more important people than you!"
"Is that so?" growled Rey venomously.
The Death's DRAGOON pods came to it's rescue, forcing Rey to back away. "I got you now!" cried the pilot as three retractable extensional arrestors came from it's shield and embedded into the Deliverance's own. The stealth Gundam then slung it's huge beam rifle, to which Rey guessed was used as a sniper rifle, and fired. Rey's shield emitter was damaged from the arrestors, so he ducked low to sacrifice one of his his 'Ramiel' cannons, then went to use the other, but the enemy DRAGOON pods shot that to pieces as well.
"HA! You're out of those heavy cannons you rely on Za Burrel!"
"Really?" Rey asked confidently, where a red beam came from the hip of the Deliverance and took off the arm and beam rifle. "Now, you're MINE!" screamed Rey as he used his machine's full strength and pulled on the arrestors cables and dashed forward, escaping the Death's DRAGOON attacks and flung the beam sabre out to slice the ZAFT Gundam in half as the Delivernace flew past it.
The other twin heard the explosion and turned, but discovered it wasn't Rey, but his brother was struck down. "J-JAAAKKKEEEE! You bastard! I'll fucking kill you for that!" the twin screamed as it charged towards the Deliverance recklessly.
"Come on then. Let's see if you can put up more of a fight than he did" Rey toyed as he readied himself.
"FUCK YOU!"
Kira teleported again from a trap set up from the Despero's DRAGOON pods and fired a short blast at them with his dual 'Rashnu' cannons, all but two escaped the counter-attack and returned surrounding their master. Kira aimed his dual beam rifles and fired at the Gundam where it raised it's shield, blocking the attack and then charged in with it still up. Kira used the cannons again in a short blast which forced the Despero to stop and rise all shields to block the attack. Upon lowering his guard, he saw the Judgement right in front of him with his sword and slashed at the beam shield, then quickly followed up with a quick draw attack with the other katana.
Krane had to back off. Despite Kira always using a mid-long range Gundam, he was extremely dangerous at close range with his sabres or swords. Krane was no pushover at close combat either but with only one sword in hand, he couldn't counter all attacks from the two swords or to make a counter.
The Despero's pods moved out and surrounded the Judgement, blasting him to kill but it only forced Kira away as he dodged and rolled away from each volley thrown at him. Sheathing the swords, Kira pulled out his rifles and started to fire back at the pods. A flash in the brunette's mind forced him to somersault away from Despero's hand-held heavy beam cannon. Then flew in to slash at the Judgement with his long katana, but missed as the Judgement rolled to the left, dodging the beam attack from the Despero's weapon pod at the same time. Then Krane was surprised to see two Sammeal pods waiting in front of him, where he tilted the upper body back and used his thrusters to zig-zag from more pods that attacked from above.
From a observational perspective, the two Titans could not lay a serious blow to one another. It looked even where it would take wits and luck to turn the battle to their side. Both seasoned pilots knew this and also knew that it would take some time till that opportunity to arise for it.
Athrun swerved the Innocence to avoid the Blitzkrieg's rapid beam cannon fire and returned fire with the 'Colopatiron' sword's beam cannon, where the stealth-type Mobile Suit blocked and evaded at the two beam shots. The black Gundam then extended a beam sabre out of the tactical shield and charged towards Athrun where sabre met sword then the two back off to clash again and again, exchanging fire to one another.
"Come here Athrun!" yelled the Nicol clone as he closed the gap using his shield to charge in again. The Blitzkrieg's shield extended a beam sabre, trying to thrust it through the Innocence's beam shield.
The Angel Gundam preformed a back-flip that kicked away the weapon with it's foot mounted beam sabre, with the rifle mounted sword fired into the Blitzkrieg's shield.
"Is that it Athrun? Is that best you can do!?"
"Who the hell are you!?" screamed Athrun drawing a beam javelin and countered the Blitzkrieg's own draw beam sabre. "You're no way in hell Nicol! You're nothing like him! So who the hell are you really!?"
The black Gundam then backed off then blended into the dark space around them.
'He activated the stealth system!? Where is he?' Athrun questioned as he looked around to see where the enemy went, or where he was going to show himself. A flash from behind made Athrun to turn round to heavy beam attacks. In that split second Athrun shielded from them before sensing danger from his right and back-flipped away from two ranged attacks. Then two more warnings came from his left and behind. Swerving from the left and then blocking with his shield from behind, Athrun was sensing multiple attacks from all sides. 'What the hell is going on?'
Suddenly a flash of red light zipped away and around the surrounded sneak attack. Nicol looked round to see that the Innocence was moving at ridiculous speeds from the attacks he was relaying. 'Did he activate his DIVINE system?'
Once Athrun got some distance he stopped and looked around to see where and what was attacking him. Turning off the transmit side of the channel he was using, Athrun pondered aloud. "Why can't I see what is attacking me? I am having the sensation of what is trying to attack, but no sighting of the originality". Athrun's pondering was cut short as he had to evade two large beams where Athrun looked around and couldn't see where. "This is insane" he muttered growing irritated. More alerts came from the left and right, where using the DIDVINE system he jetted away. It then occurred to Athrun what was actually attacking him. "Mirage Colloid Stealth-type DRAGOON pods" he gasped.
As he came to that conclusion he was fired upon with a barrage from all sides. Putting the DIVINE system on full activation the suit was covered in particle cloak where all beam attacks nullified upon inches of the Gundam. Nicol stared with frustration. He specialised in the Blitzkrieg in stealth, long ranged gorilla warfare-type attacks. And what this Angel suit specialised in was speed and close-quarters combat. He knew of his chances shooting down the Innocence with it's particle armour activated was next to none, but from what information he got about it was that it only lasts a few minutes. Seeing that his only chance would be after the armour faded.
"ATHRUN!"
Both pilots snapped their view to the silver armoured Gundam coming towards them. "C-Cagalli? What are you doing here!?"
"To back you up you idiot!" she screamed back.
"NO! Get back! The enemy is using a stealth system!"
Cagalli stopped the Tsuki from going any further, but after a quick decision she charged in where three invisible attacks forced her to back away. With a few more making her back further away from the battle. Cagalli knew that the pilot didn't want her to interfere, but she however wanted to be by Athrun's side. He would need her help the most in this battle. With the increasing stress and anger, the blonde woman slipped into SEED mode and charged in, dodging each attack with quick turns until she was positioned back to back with Athrun.
"I told you to stay back Cagalli!"
"And I told you, I am here to back you up!" she shouted back. "No one is going to touch my idiot!" she proclaimed proudly whilst smiling.
Athrun watched her smile with defiant stance on his screen, where he sighed and smirked. "You'll never change". The Blitzkrieg launched a barrage of attacks where both machines separated and dashed off against the waves of deadly green death. "It is that reason why Shinn teases me about you wearing the pants in this relationship!". The Innocence charged into the direction of the multiple beam attacks, with the particle armour the attacks faded near contact as the red machine sheathed the 'Colopatiron' sword. Athrun made the Innocence grab onto the wings of the sub-flight and extended them out, before swinging them in a slashing motion with extremely long heavy beam sabres catching two of the invisible pods.
Nicol gasped in horror to the rare weapon the Innocence possessed. 'What was that? This machine carries a METEOR weapon system!?'. But as it seemed Athrun had the advantage, the defensive anti-weapon armour dispersed. Nicol saw his chance to claim victory here and now. Regrouping the pods to move in against the Innocence, it's pilot realised the enemy's next attack and tired to counter-attack. Nicol however got himself into position where he predicted Athrun would escape to from his formulated attack plan. As he forced Athrun to back away he flipped over the dual beam sniper cannons over his shoulders and waited.
Athrun just swayed to the left where he sensed someone above him, with the aura not being Cagalli's he knew it was Nicol, but as he was about to attack with his sword, two spare pods came and crashed into the blade, exploding right in the Innocence's face. Being smoke screened, he didn't see the Blitzkrieg de-cloaking it's stealth to fire the more power hungry cannons at point blank range.
"You're dead!" screamed Nicol pulling the trigger, with the heavy cannon blasting into the smoke.
But instead two intensified beams were returned to the Blitzkrieg, where Nicol was forced to back off to see the Innocence surrounded by the Tsuki's weapon pods. The crimson machine then dashed forward with the Tsuki following.
"Two against one Athrun? That's a little handicap is it not?" Nicol growled cloaking the Blitzkrieg again.
"And you using a stealth system is fair?" snapped back Athrun as he swung the huge beam sabre, taking out two of the Blitzkrieg's DRAGOON pods.
Nicol now saw the situation had been flipped on Athrun's favour. With the battle now against him, he needed to use something to turn the tide back to his favour. And there was one that he simply overlooked as he grinned upon the realisation. Stealthy moving around the battle, Nicol used his remaining DRAGOON to distract the pair as he moved into position.
"Having your dear Cagalli to support you in this battle is romantic. But it is also an Achilles heel!"
Athrun spun the Innocence round to the Tsuki to watch the Blitzkrieg's beam claw pierce through the lower torso and left side of the chest. "Let her go!" screamed the blue haired.
"No chance! Throw those huge guns away and the sword!"
Cagalli gripped and shook the controls in frustration. In the position her Mobile Suit was in, a simple shove or nudge could cause the Blitzkrieg's beam claw to tear through Cagalli's cockpit. And to make matters worse was that the Tsuki's power was failing, leaving Cagalli no chance of a counter-attack. However there was one attack that could make all the difference.
"ATHRUN! Don't you dare throw that sword away! Come at us with it!" Cagalli screamed typing away at her computer keyboard.
"Are you mad!?" Athrun protested. "You do realise that-"
"Just shut up and trust me!" Cagalli shot back. "You do trust your fiancée right?"
Athrun folded back the METEOR weapons then drawn the 'Colopatiron' sword, with the intense beam particles coating the steel, Athrun pointed the weapon towards the Tsuki. "It's one of the main pledges to a married couple. So I guess I have no choice, but to trust you!" he cried as the Innocence charged forward.
"W-what!? Are you mad!? You would sacrifice your love to kill me!?" Nicol snapped as the Innocence came close.
Suddenly a beam attack struck the arm of the Blitzkrieg, severing the claw from it's master. "DO IT ATHRUN!" Cagalli screamed as she used the remaining power in the suit to move away for the sword to fly past and strike the Blitzkrieg's cockpit.
"H...how?" gargled the clone as the sword took his entire lower body. "How could...you kill me? I'm...your-"
"That's why your wrong" Athrun stated firmly. "You're not Nicol. The Nicol I know would never use cheap tactics as hostages. You're just a cheap shadow of him, a mere FAKE!". The sword was then throw upwards almost splitting the Blitzkrieg in half. Before it exploded, covering the Innocence in the Blitzkrieg's debris.
When things settled, Cagalli looked to the Innocence, feeling worried for Athrun inside. "Athrun? Are you all right?"
Athrun however felt relief overcome him, knowing that this clone, this fake was gone and the memory of his old friend was kept as should be. He looked round to the Tsuki, barely able to move with the beam claw now gone, Athrun sighed as he drifted his unit to it. "Am I all right? What about you? Your Tsuki seems to be more worse for wear. Not to mention that was a stupid stunt".
"It might have been. But in the end we defeated him".
Athrun sighed. "Just please don't get taken hostage again".
Cagalli gave a narrow expression through the HUD. "It's not like I always intend to".
Placing the sniper rifle away and drawing the dual beam pistols, Luna engaged in rapid shots against the enemy Gundam. Heine retaliated with his quad beam cannon shield, where both machines shielded and swerved from each others attacks.
Luna's blood boiled as she just couldn't get a hit on the ZAFT unit despite attacking the enemy in long to short ranges. Heine seemed to just get the upper hand of her, reapplying the pressure, and putting Luna on the defensive.
The black and red ZAFT Gundam fired it's heavy beam cannon into the Defiance's beam shield throwing it back, with Heine following up with the machine's beam rifle, making Luna zig-zag around the attacks. She returned fire but the ZAFT unit seemed more manoeuvrable, dodging each of her pistol shots.
Luna could then hear Heine's annoying high-pitched laugh through the radio, making grit her teeth as the ZAFT Gundam dove in, smashing it's sabre into her shields. "Is this the best you can do against my Guivre, Luna!? I don't see why we even bothered trying to keep you in ZAFT's fold when your absolutely useless! It seems you were only useful to get Rey into the battlefield!"
"Screw you Heine!" screamed the young mother as the Defiance kicked the Gundam away then threw a timed mine.
Heine flipped the unit back then pointed the rifle but had a magnetic mine attach to the end of the barrel. Realising what it was, he released the weapon and let it explode, fuelling his anger of Luna getting the one up on him this time. He swung his shield to the Angel unit and unleashed a hailstorm upon Luna who released her six DRAGOON pods, and forced Heine to retreat for Luna to gain some distance to use her sniper rifle. Using a quick draw shot she caught the left leg then took another two shots but missed. The Gundam suddenly transformed into a plane like form, taking a shape of a dragon and jetted off towards the Defiance. Two 'Griffon' beam blades appeared on the wings as the machine got closer, leaving Luna to realise he was going to ram her with them.
Raising her shield she blocked the attack but was being tackled from her weapon pods, making her exposed to any ranged attack. Which happened to be the case as the ZAFT machine called the Guivre, opened up the beam cannon on it's back into the left arm of the Defiance. The Fallen Mobile Suit placed a shot into the beam cannon, then kicked the machine away. Luckily Luna's DRAGOON weapons caught up and opened fire at the Guivre, making Heine back away.
"You damn bitch! Just die already!" screamed the redhead pilot opening fire with the multi-phase and quad beam cannons. The barrage struck three of Luna's DRAGOON pods and her unit's right leg and sniper rifle, with the explosions throwing her off balance. "After I kill you, I'm going to make your precious daughter suffer as my little bitch when she comes of age!" he shrieked as he charged in again with the Guivre transforming into it's Mobile Armour mode. The Guivre activated its 'Griffon' beam blades, planning to wing attack the Defiance. "TIME TO DIE!"
As the Guivre neared the Defiance, Luna drew her beam sabre and shoulder barged the head of the dragon, beam sabre thrusted through the left shoulder and out the lower back. The Gundam suddenly stopped functioning as it's powerplant was destroyed. The Defiance drifted back and pulled out it's beam pistol, pointing at the cockpit of the Guivre.
"Time to die, you fucking sicko" Luna muttered venomously, before pulling the trigger.
"N-no!" Heine was able to scream before he was completely vaporised.
Luna exhaled heavily and rested back in her pilot seat, feeling like a huge weight had been lifted from her. But she soon straightened herself as she knew in her Mobile Suit's state she was not at full or half combat effectiveness. In hindsight she would be a burden to anyone, her best course of action was to head back to HQ for repairs. Although she grew worried for Rey and the others.
Angel Force's Second Line of Defence
Zachary just gunned down another two ZAKU units that bocked his path, when he turned to sense another enemy ace was taken down. "Jeez, are these guys really the best Krane has to offer? They're dropping like flies for god's sake. If this keeps up I won't have anyone to gun down someone special myself". Suddenly Zachary noticed a white and red Avatar unit dashing from the third defence line. "Strange. A custom painted Avatar unit". He moved in front of it where it stopped near him, he gave a puzzled expression as the machine didn't seem to be piloted for war. "Nice colour scheme. You planning on scaring the enemy away with it?"
"Sorry! Now is not the time not for jokes! We have a serious problem!"
"What problem is that?"
"Do you know where Kira is?"
Zachary sighed and moved his Mobile Suit in the direction of where Kira was. "Somewhere up front in the middle of the battle. He's fighting Krane I presume from what reports I heard. Why? Is it something that he needs to be aware of?"
"Um..."
"Hey. You came flying into the battle looking for him. Don't chicken out now. What is it?"
"Are you aware of us having a super-weapon?"
Zachary looked dumbfounded by the question, but then returned a serious answer. "No. I believe our friend is opposed to the Angels having one right? That's why we haven't use one yet. But if your saying they do have one, and they are intending to use it soon. Then I have no better option but to escort you to the man. Honestly, he is not going to be happy".
"DIE!"
The Destiny smashed it's anti-ship sword against the Berserker's own blade, which from a spectator's point of view the two pilots an equal. Neither one had overpowered the other as they exchanged fire and swords. Shinn dashed back, firing the beam cannon from his shield armament to the Berserker's beam shield before swooping in again low to upper-cut the enemy Gundam, throwing Shane off balance to receive a roundhouse kick to the machine's head.
"I don't get you!" Shane screamed as he caught the Destiny's leg then severed it with the anti-ship sword. "Krane is trying to create a new world! A new world that Newtypes could live in! Your one yourself and yet you follow that fool Kira! Why? What is so special about him!?"
The Destiny dashed away before swerving round to charge straight back to the Berserker. "He doesn't intent to wipe out anyone who is not one or support his ideals! He is not monster unlike that bastard you serve!"
"Why you!"
The Destiny came close to the Berserker where the ZAFT Gundam slashed at an illusion. "What!? Behind me!?" gasped Shane as he sensed Shinn behind him. He tried to evade but failed to fully escape Shinn's parry, slicing off the left arm and wings of the unit. Shinn delivered another kick, then threw his anti-ship sword at the Berserker. Shane deflected the weapon with his remaining shield then fired at Shinn with the wrist mounted beam machine-gun, only to hit another illusion. "You bastard Shinn!"
The Destiny instantly retrieved the anti-ship sword and charged in again. The Berserker tried to counter with the beam cannons on the wings and missiles, but the Angel Gundam danced round each attack to come inches off the main body again, but taking the other set of wings from the Berserker. Shane tried to counter with his anti-ship sword but the Destiny backed off again, readied itself then begun it's next charge.
As Shinn was coming to the Gundam again he felt his head spin, then a migraine developed before the DIVINE system in the Destiny cut itself off. Shane saw his chance and unleashed the chest beam cannon. Shinn using what concentration left sluggishly moved the attack, with the remaining arm beaning sacrificed in the process.
"AHA HA HA HA HA HA! Now look at you! Pathetic! You have nothing to counter with any more! What can you do now Shinn?" laughed Shane hysterically. The Berserker toyed with the Destiny firing it's beam machine-gun around the crippled Gundam. "You have nothing to fight back with now!"
'Dammit...It can't end like this, it just can't. What he did to Stella, what he did in a whole...he must pay in blood!'
"Come on Shinn! What can you do? Surrender! And I'll make sure you'll live, if not through a nightmare!"
"Surrender? Heh heh. Thanks, but no thanks Shane. I would fucking die rather than be your little bitch of a plaything. You pathetic excuse of a human being".
"What?" Shane growled, grinding his teeth in Shinn's defiance.
"I mean come on. Where do you get off trying to be someone who you were cloned off? You're not me. You tried but failed. You knew that, but tried again and again. That's why you violated Stella! Isn't it you creep!"
Shane rage could not be contained as his growl manifested psychotic scream. "I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU! THEN I WILL BE SHINN!" shrieked the berserker pilot as he aimed and charged the chest cannon. "I WILL BE THE ONE EVERYONE KNOWS!"
The attack was then unleashed and headed for the Destiny, with Shinn little strength to react he watched the light approach. 'Mum...dad...I'm sorry I can't look after Mayu now...'
"SHINN!"
The raven haired pilot snapped to as the attack was stopped by a black Mobile Suit in front of him. The shape of unit made Shinn realise who it was. "S-Stella?"
"Don't die Shinn! Don't leave me alone! I don't want to be alone again!" she pleaded as the beam attack intensified. "I want you by my side, forever!". The attack ultimately destroyed the Gaia Fate's arm but protected the vulnerable Destiny nevertheless.
"Stella..."
"That bitch is here too!? Fine! I'll destroy you both at the same time!"
"Stella, grab the 'Excalibur' sword...we'll charge right at him together!"
Stella used the remaining arm of the Gaia and pulled the anti-ship sword, pointed at the Berserker and charged with the Destiny pressing against the Gaia, using it's Wings of Light to put more speed into the attack. Despite Shinn struggling, he willed his machine through the DIVINE system to move.
Shane watched the attack quickly come upon him, where he used his remaining thrusters to move away and back towards the ZAFT superweapon. "G-get away!" he screamed as he fired his beam cannons and machine-gun. It however didn't deter the advance, which Shane continued to back trace towards the mouth superweapon.
"This is it Stella! Let's take him down!"
"For good!" she cried in agreement before the DIVINE system in the Destiny kicked in, throwing them what looked instantly to the Berserker.
"I'm not going down!" Shane snarled defiantly as he tried to thrust his own anti-ship sword at the pair. But the Gaia lowered it's head to have the blade scrape over it's thrusters and left wing. The counter-attack did little to stop the Destiny's sword thrust itself into the Berserker's cockpit and through the deadly machine. Shane looked down to see his upper body sitting on top of the blade not covered by the beam technology. "N...no..." he whimpered. "I...cannot die..."
The charge was so fast that the three machines rushed past ZAKU defence units with them looking in awe as they flew into 'Thor's Hammer' right into the belly of beast, where Stella impaled the Berserker against the core energy reflector. The reflective panels shattered with the force of the impalement with the Gaia and Destiny drift back to fallen machine.
"Can...not...die..." choked Shane as blood rushed up his throat before his machine exploded, striking the energy that building up, causing a chain-reaction all around the inside of the tube like cannon.
"My thrusters are down" muttered Stella.
"My machine is far beyond it's limit" hissed Shinn.
"Shinn? You alright?" panicked the blonde.
"Me? I'm good" laughed Shinn. "We did it Stella, we took him down"
"But, it looks like we can't escape here" noted Stella with touch of sadness.
"That's fine" came Shinn's reply. "Because I'll be with you in the afterlife"
"Shinn..." Stella smiled whilst trying to hold back the tears. They both opened their cockpits, and pushed off into each others arms.
"We'll be together forever, like you wanted" he whispered.
The two machines floated there together as the structure started to come down around them. They braced the fireball that would consume them both.
"You two are really hopeless, you know that?"
The couple sharply looked to the white and gold Judgement hovering next to them.
"K-Kira!? What the-"
"No time! Quick inside!" Kira cried as he opened the cockpit, where both kicked off the head of the Destiny then pushed off the Judgement's head into the cockpit below. "Hold on! You might feel a little sick!" Kira warned as the cockpit closed above them. Suddenly a massive pressure was felt in Stella's and Shinn's stomach as the view inside the superweapon changed to looking a few kilometres from it. "Everyone okay?"
"I feel a little sick..." noted Shinn.
"Sorry, but the jump does for the first timers".
"Kira, how did you know we were inside the superweapon?" Stella asked stomaching the sickening feeling.
"You serious?" Kira replied. "Everyone on the battlefield saw that massive light you two were producing. I saw that light enter the weapon. But when you didn't come out when explosions were erupting all around I had to come and see if you were alright".
"But what about Krane?" Shinn asked.
"He wasn't happy in the least when I disappeared completely. And I imagine he is more furious with the superweapon right now".
"Even more when he finds out Shane was inside that thing".
The Thor's Hammer continued to show chained explosions before the large weapon's reactor ultimately was consumed by the flame, emitting a blinding light in the dark space with debris being flung everywhere, big and small. Several debris smashed into the ships that were surrounding it, taking out a huge chunk of the enemy assault force.
"Kira!"
The Judgement turned to see the Zachary's Astray with a white and red Avatar Mobile Suit. "Is that you Mayu?" Shinn asked through the radio.
"Shinn? What are you doing inside the Judgement?" came the sister's reply.
"Long story".
"Yeah well you can tell it later!" interrupted Zachary. "Kira did you know of a superweapon within the Angels?"
The brunette looked puzzled by the question, but already assumed what Zachary was asking of him was true. "No. I didn't know. And I bet Rau was even keeping it from me".
Arcadia Operations Room
The entire ops room crew watched as the ZAFT superweapon exploded, giving raise a deafening cry of celebrations. Yuan watched the weapon break apart and destroy nearby ZAFT vessels, seeing various ZAFT troops to panic in the explosion. He then moved his gaze to the operator monitoring the Fallen's own superweapon. He wondered, if they would really use it now since the ZAFT monster was destroyed?
"Sir, we have a transmission from the Judgement!"
Yuan was looked to the comms operator and then nodded. "Patch it through to my PDA. It is possibly going to be a private matter".
The operator nodded, then made the connection link to Yuan's PDA.
"Hello Kira. I suppose this is the matter of the superweapon we kept from you, right?"
"Of course. Why was I not informed about it Yuan? Can I not be trusted?"
"That is not the case".
"Then explain to me why? And do you still intend of using it?"
Yuan could see himself in mere seconds getting an earful from Kira to what he was about to say. "The person who wanted to keep it from you was Rau. I don't know why, you have to ask him. And as for using the superweapon...I don't know. And that is the honest truth".
'You know my position Yuan, what is yours?'
Yuan looked round the operations room, remaining silent until making up his mind. "Trust me, I'll do what I have to do" Yuan stated before ending the connection.
"Sir, Command wants to talk to you".
"Got it, patch them through".
"What are you doing Lieutenant Commander? Why haven't we fired upon the ZAFT fleet?"
"Because there no longer seems a need to. The ZAFT superweapon is destroyed".
"That's not the point. Open fire on the ZAFT fleet!"
Yuan inhaled then exhaled heavily, preparing himself for his answer to the big wigs above. "No sir. This is my operations room, and by default I decide what's best. What would Admiral Le Creuset say if you-"
"Le Creuset is on the battlefield somewhere! His words is not final!"
"Sorry sir. He's my commanding officer, take it up with him". Yuan ended the link then turned sharply to the crew of the ops room. "Listen up! We're going to put a lock down on the Arcadia's superweapon right now!" roared Yuan, but got lost expressions from the team. "NOW!". Soon everyone got to work where Yuan walked over to the weapons desk. "Rewrite the authorisation codes and give them to me and me only".
ZAFT Super-carrier Class: Gwadan, Bridge
"W-what are we going to do!?"
"Get sections 6 and 8 to reform a defence line around the flagship!"
"But sir! The Angels have already begun a counter-attack in the hole of our lines! They're performing the pincer movement on the rest of our forces!"
Martin Dacosta watched the command team of the this giant carrier panic. It seemed that this unlikely event with the ZAFT weapon had actually made his job easier. He slowly started to walk away from the captain and his executive officer towards the back of the bridge. He pulled out and switched on his communicator as he faced the door to the bridge. "The snake's head has been cut. Let's finish this".
"What are you doing!? Get back to your post!" screamed the weapons officer as he approached.
Martin thought quickly and drew his pistol and placed it against the officer's forehead. "I will. After you relinquish yours to us".
Dacosta's action had caused the bridge team to bare their own against him, leaving him heavily outnumbered and out gunned. "You stupid prick" hissed the weapons officer. "You think you could take control of the whole ship by yourself!?"
"Not at all. I have friends to do that for me".
The bridge door was suddenly blown open with ZAFT soldiers pouring in wearing blue armbands, pointing their rifles at the bridge crew to which the immediate reaction was the crew dropping their pistols and holding their arms up in surrender.
Martin pulled out his communicator and contacted his superior. "Sir, we have the bridge".
"Good work Martin. Engine, operations, logistics and docking are all under our control. Let's send the message"
"Will do". Martin moved over to the CIC station, taking the comm headset and opened the channel to all frequencies. "Attention ZAFT fleet! The Gwadan has fallen. I say again, the Gwadan has fallen into our hands! We plea to our fellow comrades to cease this fight, and surrender!"
The Nightmare and the Redeemer pushed off one another from their beam javelins collided after hearing the communication from the Gwadan. Kale's eyes widened from what he heard, and infuriated him.
"How the fuck did some little shits take over the entire Gwadan!?"
"Simple really. We had people sneaking on board whilst the battle began, of course they couldn't how gotten on without a few inside men" Rau kindly informed his enemy, grinning as he knew it would get under the pilot's skin.
"Your dirty tricks never seem to end Rau!"
"Stop your whining Kale and come get your spanking"
"I'll bring you down once and for all!" Kale screamed as the Nightmare charged back towards the Redeemer.
Cecile spun round after evading multiple shots from the Redeemer's DRAGOON weapons, only to see the two Gundams charging into each other again. She grunted as she barely missed another attack, losing her concentration just for the moment. She focused to get away from the Redeemer's DRAGOON weapons to get back into the fight against her enemy, Rau. But it would take some time as Rau was doing a good job to balance out his attacks on her and Kale.
"Cecile, Kale, we're withdrawing"
Krane's voice alarmed Cecile, both suddenly and by his order. "What? Why?"
"We have lost the advantage. We'll pull out and regroup. That's an order".
Cecile growled angrily as she prepared to head back but Kale didn't seem to in the mood of following orders.
"Cecile head back. I'll be back as soon with Rau's head!"
Cecile however decided to close in to the battle between the Redeemer and Nightmare.
To Be Continued...
Ending Theme: Strength – Abingdon Boys School
A/N: The next chapter will finish the first battle, then begins the battle with LOGOS. We're getting closer to the end. Please rate in your review!
Next Phase – Phase 68: LOGOS' Last Stand
Mobile Suit Data
Name: ZGMF-X/L14A Guivre Manufacture: Originally Terminal/Meteor City Secret Research Teams Powerplant: Ultracompact hyper-dueterion nuclear reactor Operating system: Generation Unrestricted Network Dragonoid Assault Module First Deployed: Unknown, First sighted May 22nd C.E.76, Battle of Haven - Operation: Heaven's Sword Pilot: Heine Westenfluss Information: This Mobile Suite/Armour hybrid was originally designed by Terminal with aid from ZAFT however before it was completed it was sold off to Krane Yamato in exchange for the DOM Trooper data, Krane upgraded it to the point that Terminal hardly even recognised it after all the upgrades it had endured, the pilot is Dark Celestial Sleep Agent and Spy Heine Westenfluss who has been spying on Kira Yamato, the Minerva and Gilbert Durandal's top secret plans and allies, however once Krane arrives on Earth he shows loyalty to Krane and is willing to partially abandon commands given by Gilbert Durandal. Armaments: 4x MMI-GAU2 Beam CIWS (head mounted) 1x MA-M21 'Lupus R' High-energy Beam Rifle 2x MA-M02GR 'Super Lacerta R' Beam Sabre 2x RQM51G 'Super Bassel' Beam Boomerang 2x MGX-2230E 'Destroyer' High-energy Plasma Cannon (wing mounted) 1x MGX-2245C 'Super Callidus Kai' Multi-phase Beam Cannon (chest mounted) 2x MR-Q17X 'Griffon 2' Beam Blade (wing edge) 1x M191SE 'Super Draupnir' 4-Barrel beam Cannon with 'Eternal Reflection' Beam Shield Projector Name: ZGMF-L95IaA Death Manufacture: Meteor City Secret Research Teams Powerplant: Custom Celestial Engine Operating System: Giga United Nuclear Debilitating Assassination Module First Deployment: Unknown, First sighted May 22nd C.E.76, Battle of Haven - Operation: Heaven's Sword Pilot: Jake Bonaparte Information: The Gundam Unit piloted by Jake Bonaparte the twin to Zake Bonaparte and ZAFT ace. The machine is designed for covert operations including assassination, this is helped with it's Mirage Colloid system that is derived from the Blitzkrieg Gundam. It was planned for mass-production but the immense cost in manufacturing on a large scale was too much and not cost effective. Instead it was given to Zake to make the most of it's weapons and his abilities in Black ops missions. It was rumoured that it was responsible for killing high ranking Alliance and Angel officials on earth, but was never proven. Armaments: 1x Beam Sniper Rifle (stored on lower back) 1x 'Callidus' High-Energy Long-Range Beam Cannon 2x Composite Shield (equipped with 3x EEZ9J Retractable extensional arrestor) 4x Anti-Armour Kunai (stored in each limb) 2x RQM-60F 'Flash Edge 2' Beam Boomerang/sabre (located in upper legs) 8x Super Strike DRAGOON (2x Beam cannon, 2x Beam Spike (equipped with Mirage Colloid, stored like a kilt around the waist)) Mirage Colloid Stealth System Wireless Energy transfer System for DRAGOONs Name: ZGMF-L96MT Cronos Arrow Producers: Meteor City Secret Research Teams Powerplant: Custom Celestial Engine Operating System: Giga Unified Nuclear Dextral Armour Manoeuvre system First Deployment: Unknown, First sighted May 22nd C.E.76, Battle of Haven - Operation: Heaven's Sword Pilot: Zake Bonaparte Information: The fastest of Commander type Gundams where it is designed so that it is a fraction of the size of the ZGMF-X11A Regenerate and of the same design as the Aegis, it is piloted by Zake Bonaparte, one of ZAFT top aces. The Gundam was a combination design of both GAT-X303 Aegis and ZGMF-X13A Providence, which became a challenge to the research teams. The long difficulty then paid off when it was released for combat. Primarily used for fast heavy-support engagements, where it plays long-range reconnaissance with it's large radar dome attached to the back. The unit amazingly can transform into the same Mobile Armour body as the Aegis, making the unit smaller to hostiles but faster as well. Armaments: 2 x MA-M21 'Lupus 2' High-energy Beam Rifle (stored under Radar Dish) 1 x 'Super Scylla 2' Multi-phase Beam Cannon 4 x MA-XM435 beam claw (located in lower arm and legs) 5 x Strike DRAGOONs (2x GDU-X8 beam machine gun), stored on built on radar dish)) 4 x Energy Siphon Cable (one per arm and leg) 2 x 'Eternal Reflection' Beam Shield Projector (mounted on wrists) Wireless Energy transfer System for DRAGOONs