Disclaimer: None of us own Gundam SEED. Goddamn Sunrise…

"Talking"

'Thinking'

"Radio"

Prologue

Lunar Academy, Copernicus City, Moon, Kira: Age 12

It was a rather quiet day in Lunar Academy for one Kira Yamato as she walked through the courtyard aimlessly, her thoughts on her recently departed friend Athrun Zala who had returned to the PLANTs due to the rising tensions between ZAFT and the Earth Alliance.

Standing at a modest 4'6" with her wavy chocolate brown hair falling to her shoulders, framing her heart-shaped face with two amethyst colored eyes, which was shown reflecting deep thought and mild concern for her blue-haired friend.

"Birdy!" Chirped the green/yellow robotic bird her friend had constructed and gave to her as a parting gift, aptly named Birdy, as it circled around above her, making her giggle and smile fondly at the bird.

A commotion ahead of her called her attention back down to the ground as she spotted a somewhat large crowd of the older students gathered around a presentation of some kind shouting and cheering with 'oohs' and 'ahhs' echoing through them.

Growing curious, Kira moved in closer, using her smaller frame to slip through the crowd until she could see what was catching their attention, it was a Mobile Suit simulator with an Agent with light blue hair of Terminal watching over it, his dark green uniform with black shoulders and pants sticking out in the crowd, covering his lean frame, the crossed swords over the asterisk sticking out like a sore thumb on the sleeves for the t-shirted uniform he was wearing.

"That was a nice try!" The Agent informed the student who climbed out of the simulator, an excited smile on his face. "You should attend the classes we will be holding next year, with practice you'd easily be able to make it onto an Assault Team."

The student nodded, his eyes shining hopefully, before running over to join his friends, chatting excitedly.

"Would anyone else like to give it a try?" The Agent asked as his, bluish-green eyes scanning the crowd for eager volunteers, his eyes landing on the curious and expectant Kira. "How about you young miss," he asked, pointing directly at Kira. "Would you like to give it a try?"

"Ah, yes please," Kira said, a beaming smile on her face as she stepped forward and climbed into the cockpit, allowing the Agent to strap her into the seat, adjusting them for her smaller frame and outlined the controls for her, allowing her to test them out a but.

"What's your name young miss?" The Agent asked, a smile on his face as he prepped the simulated combat mission.

"Kira Yamato," Kira answered with a nod, making the Agent smile wider.

"Here is your Mission, Miss Yamato," he said, his voice becoming professional. "You are entering into a combat zone between two warring factions, both of whom have access to mobile weaponry that is slightly superior to your own," he said, reading off the randomly generated mission specs. "Your mission is to protect the fleeing civilians from harm, do you understand?"

"Yes," Kira said as she focused on the screens before her, outlining the generated map and troop deployments, as well as marking the non-combatants she had to protect along with the countdown timer for the evacuation. "I am ready."

"Very well then, Miss Yamato, you are clear for launch," he informed as the simulator closed and the screens flashed, showing her the view of the battlefield.

Outside of the simulator the Agent watched as Kira moved her unit around, getting a feel for the environment as she positioned herself between the civilians and the growing battle.

There was a few tense seconds of silence as the battle raged between the two sides, before finally, she struck, moving her unit, based off of the basic Patriot outfit, and intercepting a pair of battling mobile suits, drawing her heat saber she quickly bisected them before they could endanger the non-combatants, turning quickly she raised up her rifle and fired upon another unit that attempted to take her from behind.

Jaws dropped as the students watched a twelve year old tear through numerous units, never straying far from the non-combatants and always prioritizing their protection, even sacrificing an arm of her unit for them until the timer hit zero and she successfully disengaged from battle. retreating to the identified waypoint.

As the cockpit opened up the Agent was looking down at Kira with a quizzical expression on his face. "Miss Yamato, I have never seen a greenhorn successfully complete a simulated mission on their first try," he informed, looking back to the score that his screen displayed, showing extremely high marks across the board. "Hell, there wasn't even a single non-combatant death." He looked back at her. "If you ever want to join Terminal kid, hell, even going as a solo Merc, you'd make a killing..." he shook his head with a ruthful chuckle. "My name is Samuel Johansson, should you ever want to join Terminal, look me up. Hell, even if you want to become a solo pilot, come see me. I'll get you set up!"

Kira gave him a wondering look. "Why?" she asked, curious. "Why would you help me like that?"

Samuel gave her a long look, his expression serious. "Talent like yours cannot be ignored," he informed. "It is best that you come into it on your own terms, rather than someone else's, and even if you chose not to join Terminal, I can tell, I would not regret aiding you realize your potential, should you wish it, come see me in a few years, I think you should finish schooling here first, before you choose to become a Merc. Better to broaden your horizons."

Kira nodded as she climbed out of the simulator and walked away, throwing a look over her shoulder, the curiosity within her burning brightly as she remembered how natural it felt to be in the cockpit. 'A Mercenary… huh?' she thought to herself as Birdy landed on her shoulder. 'That just may be an interesting line of work...'

Later that day

Terminal Base near Copernicus

A young man at the age of eighteen sat in the lounge of the local Terminal Base, resting after a day of training. He had dark brown hair done in a buzzcut, a developing moustache the same color as his hair, amethyst eyes, asian skin, and an athletic build.

He'd been talked into joining Terminal by a friend of his, but he had to say that he was not regretting his choice, especially with the Mobile Suits they had. ZAFT had MS, too, but Terminal's just seemed to be so much better… and with the increasing tensions between Earth and the PLANTs, he honestly believed that Terminal were the only ones who had the right frame of mind.

He looked up as the door opened, and a familiar face walked in. "Hey there, Johansson!" he called out. "How did your day go?"

"Ah, Takeshi," Samuel said, a small grin spreading on his face. "Just the recruit I was looking for, tell me, are you related by any chance to a student of Lunar Academy by the name of Kira Yamato?"

"Kira?" Takeshi Yamato asked, confusion showing on his face. "Yeah, she's my Imouto. Why?"

"Ah, it seems to run in the family then, the talent of a pilot," Samuel said, his grin sharpening. "She ran through the simulator, your Imouto, and got a damned near perfect score, too, on her first try."

Takeshi blinked. His twelve year old little sister nearly aced a simulator run on her first try? "You have got to be kidding me," he said. "She's only twelve! How the heck could she ace it on her first try?"

Samuel shrugged. "Not a clue, but..." he admitted before trailing off, his grin becoming almost predatorial. "I think I will be getting a visit from her in a couple years, a new legend will be born soon after."

Takeshi sighed. "I hope you're wrong about that," he said. "Part of why I signed up was to protect her if war broke out - not have her doing the protecting."

Samuel shook his head. "No, she won't need a protector, that one," he informed seriously. "No, she will be the one who will be a protector, I could feel it in my very bones when I looked at her, mark my words, before she turns sixteen, that Imouto of yours, every soldier will know her name."

"Well, I'll take your word for it," Takeshi remarked with another sigh. He wondered just what was in store for the world, and what role he and his sister would play...

Two Years Later, Copernicus City Market District, Cafe Luna

Kira sighed as she waited at a rather popular cafe in the market district of Copernicus, waiting for the person she was meeting to show up. She had grown in the last two years, shooting up to a 5'3" with a good bit of muscle put on as well as some more… womanly development, a noticeable swell that her black tank-top did little to hide, her woodland camo capris pants doing little to hide the curve of her hips and were tucked into a pair of military looking combat boots. On her waist was a basic Beretta M9 pistol in its holster along with a decently sized trench knife, her hair now falling to her mid back in a simple ponytail.

"I hope you weren't waiting too long, little miss," announced a familiar voice, her eyes flicked over to Samuel as he approached her table and sat down, his eyes taking her in. "Although, little may not be too accurate anymore, Takeshi was right, you definitely look like a professional now, a far cry from two years ago."

Kira smirked in response, her body at ease. "Of course, I am not making this decision on a whim and doing it half-assedly," she informed. "How is Take-nii doing anyways, haven't seen him for a while now."

"He's doing well," Samuel replied. "He looks to be becoming one of Terminal's best Combat Agents, and the higher-ups are thinking of ordering a custom Mobile Suit for him, because it seems that even a customized Mass-Production Unit just can't keep up with his reaction times."

Kira smirked at his statement. "Take-nii has always been pushing his limits like that," she informed, a fond smile on her face, before giggling. "Especially once he found out the career I wanted to follow."

Samuel chuckled. "He told me part of the reason he joined up was to protect you should war break out," he said. "But when I first saw you go through that sim, I knew you were going to be the one doing the protecting, as opposed to being the protected. So, are you wanting to join Terminal like he did, or go solo?"

"I'll be going solo," she informed seriously. "No offense, but I don't want to make my career in my brother's shadow, you said you would help get me started?"

Samuel nodded. "That I did," he informed as he pushed a file over to her. "Purchased a decent sized ship for you, and got you a basic Patriot to get you started, even put in a couple of contact names and info to give you a little boost to your connections."

Kira accepted the document and looked it over quickly, deeds to a Vessel, a decommissioned Terminal Valiant-class ship, that Samuel had recommissioned for her use.

"A bit large for one person," she said with a raised eyebrow.

"Maybe, but you never know what the future may bring," Samuel said. "Plus, any cargo ships that would be smaller wouldn't have a Mobile Suit Catapult."

Kira nodded her understanding as she looked at Samuel. "Thank you for your help," she said gratefully. "I hope I can repay this sometime."

Samuel shrugged. "I may end up enlisting you for one of my missions with Terminal," he informed blunty. "But… we will see."

Kira nodded as she picked up the file and stood. "Well, I'd best get everything ready," she informed. "How soon will the ship arrive?"

"In a couple of days," Samuel replied. "I wish you the best of luck… then again, part of me doesn't think you'll need it."

Kira smirked as she turned. "I didn't spend the last two years fantasizing," she informed. "I spent them training."

"Gotcha," Samuel said with a nod. "I look forward to hearing stories about you and your exploits."

Kira nodded before walking away, her mind already whirling with plans and ideas.

Earth, London, Ontario Canada

A young man with shortly cut brown hair, lying in a bed sighed in a depressed manner as his deep green eyes opened, rolling over on his bed he looked at the clock that flashed the time of 0600 at him, making him sigh again before he sat up, pushing his covers back, revealing his toned body that looked much like a soldier's, although the scruff that occupied his chin spoke otherwise.

Climbing out of bed he made his way over to his dresser and changed into a pair of blue jeans, a white undershirt and a dark blue button up t-shirt that he left unbuttoned before leaving his room. passing a room he paused and opened the door slightly, spotting a young girl, fast asleep under her covers, her red hair peeking out. Smiling softly he quietly closed the door before resuming his trek and headed down the stairs and into a kitchen where a middle aged, red haired woman busied herself with pot of coffee.

"Morning, Mom," the man greeted softly a slight Irish accent in his voice, catching the woman's attention, she turned, her green eyes sparkling as she smiled at her son.

"Up early again, Ryu?" Gail Hisanaga, a woman of Irish descent, asked, her accent, unlike her son's, was thick. "Here, a fresh cuppa coffee."

Ryu smiled slightly as he accepted the cup of coffee his mother poured for him. "Thanks, mom," he said as he took a seat, his mother taking one across from him with her own cup. "And... sorry for not really doing anything this last week."

"I understand, Ryu," she informed, placing a comforting hand over his. "A hard thin' it is, to be booted from the Military because of how ye were born."

Ryu nodded, a depressed sigh escaping his lips. "Very hard," he agreed softly. "I just hope Mu won't be getting anymore flak for supporting me."

Gail gave her son an understanding and proud smile as she patted his hand before pulling it away. "Ye father may not have had enough clout from stoppin' those Blue Cosmos bastard from givin' ye the boot," she informed. "But he does have enough pull from stopping a good soldier from gettin' it because of a friendship."

Ryu nodded, a wry smile on his face. "Me getting the boot has done more for me and dad's relationship than seventeen years of life ever did."

Gail let out a soft sigh, a smile on her face. "A proud man, ye father is," she informed. "Yes, he had ye born as a Coordinator to continue his family legacy, but... ye still are his son, and you gave it ye best, he could not have asked for more from ye, I think... he just didn't understand ye's ideology."

Ryu grew despondent as he sagged in his seat. "Hell of a way to have been proven wrong, huh?" he asked bitterly. "I guess no one really does want peace between Coordinators and Naturals."

"Now that ain't true and ye know it," Gail informed, her voice hard. "Don't ye go trampling over ye's beliefs, I did not raise a coward for a son, ye understand?"

Ryu chuckled, a bit more light hearted than earlier. "Yeah, I understand, mom," he informed, shaking his head with a grin. "Do you have any fixing that needs to be done? I'm getting a bit restless from being cooped up in my room all day for the last week."

Gail smiled and nodded, happy to see her son recover a bit. "Of course," she informed. "This old house always needs work done."

Ryu grinned and stood, ready to get to work.

Later that day

"I'm home," Announced one Ryuzaki Hisanaga as he walked into his home, his uniform slightly ruffled, bags under his dark brown eyes, the only thing keeping his brown hair orderly was the fact that it was cut short.

"Welcome home dear," Gail said as she walked into the entryway. "Why don't you go into the living room and have a seat, dinner will ready soon."

Ryuzaki gave his wife of 25 years a tired, but happy smile and nodded before setting his things away and handing up his uniform coat and headed into the living room where his eldest son Ryu was playing a racing video game with his fifteen year old son, Jinn, who seemed to take more his after father with brown hair and eyes and more asian features than his brother. Nearby his 13 year old daughter, and the youngest sibling, Jade, who took after her mother with red hair, green eyes and european features cheered her eldest brother on.

"Hey Ryu-nii! Stop cheating!" Jinn shouted to his brother as Ryu used his car to run his brother off the track, making the elder son laugh merrily, a look of content on his face that the father had not seen in a long while.

'Not since before I forced him into the Academy...' he realized, a pang of regret filling him.

Taking a seat, he let out a soft sigh of contentment as he eased himself into the comfortable chair, making Ryu smirk over at him. "Bones protesting too much, old man?" he asked teasingly.

"Not enough to keep me from teaching you a lesson, Ryu," Ryuzaki countered, even as he settled deeper into the chair. "I'm beginning to think I shouldn't have held you back during the court martial farce Blue Cosmos put you through, Azrael is really starting to annoy me."

Ryu let out a small chuckle as the game finished, before passing the controller to Jade, who eagerly took it. "I take it he's making another push towards nukes?" he asked softly once he took a seat next to his father, who nodded.

"Me and Halberton were able to head it off, but..." Ryuzaki whispered softly. "I'm going to be keeping a close eye on Blue Cosmos."

Ryu nodded slowly. "I'm going to be leaving soon," he informed his father. "A friend of mine in the Junk Guild got me a good deal on a salvaged GiNN and agreed on helping me fix it up and arming it."

"What will you be doing? Joining them? Or Terminal?" Ryuzaki asked. "The Agent who visited you the other day seemed to think highly of your skills."

"I'll be working as a Solo Merc," Ryu answered, his eyes growing distant. "For a while at least, I think I just need to figure out a few things before I dedicate myself to something, and... I also want to help protect the small villages that armies tend to forget."

Ryuzaki nodded slowly. "I understand," he said softly. "After dinner let's go out for a bit, talk in private."

Ryu nodded his agreement, his gaze returning back to the TV where Jade finished the race scant seconds before Jinn. "Sure."

After Dinner, McFlaggens Pub

Ryu stared at his father with an incredulous look as they walked into a bar before letting out a ruthful chuckle and joined his father at one of the patio stools. "Wonder what mom would say if she found out about you taking me out for drinks?" he asked musingly as his father put in an order for two of the local beer.

"Oh, about the same thing if she found out about you smoking," he informed, looking pointedly at the pack that Ryu pulled out, making the younger-than-he-looked teen chuckle as he lit a cigarette. "So… you really are planning on becoming a merc, huh? Though why not Terminal, they do the same thing you are planning, and you would have more resources at hand."

Ryu nodded. "I know, but… something about it, I can't bring myself to completely trust them," he informed. "I can't explain why, but… I just can't."

Ryuzaki nodded as the beers were set before them, he took a sip of his as he considered his words. "I may be able to slip you some resources and information here and there," he informed quietly. "Just… stay safe, won't you, Son?"

Ryu let a small smile cross his face as he took a long pull from his beer. "Of course, Dad," he agreed, nodding. "I will."

And so, the night passed as father and son shared a drink.

Debris Belt, Terminal Base New Platea

Takeshi walked into the hangar of New Platea, wearing a dark-blue version of the Terminal Uniform, and watched as the techs swarmed over his custom Patriot.

It looked pretty much the same as a regular Patriot, only it had been painted dark blue, with a black torso and trim, and it had a thruster pack on the back, along with a shortsword and longsword set on its hips.

Takeshi had used this particular Patriot for the past two years, ever since he signed up with Terminal. But now, it looked like he was going to need a custom machine. He'd been pushing himself to the limits ever since he learned of Kira's talent, part of him not wanting his little sister to show him up, and he'd pushed himself far enough that he was outstripping the reaction times of even his custom Patriot, to say nothing of the standard Patriots. If they didn't make him a new machine soon, the strain he'd continue to put on his Patriot might cause it to come apart.

"Combat Trainee Yamato," a powerful voice called out through the hanger, coming from a powerfully built red-headed man with dark brown eyes wearing the Terminal Uniform with the insignia for captain on his shoulders. "Are you here?"

"Here, sir!" Takeshi replied, turning to face the man and saluting.

The man looked him over before nodding. "I am Captain Haverstead," he informed. "By the order of our benefactors, after a careful review of your performance testing and mission review, you have been cleared for a custom-built mobile suit, you are to report to Aeolia Schenberg in the R&D Base Discovery within one week, is that clear?"

"Understood, Captain!" Takeshi replied. "I'll head out immediately. Is there a shuttle available I can use?"

Haverstead nodded in confirmation. "Yes, and there is one more matter," he informed as he held out a small case, like one would use to hold a necklace. "The Benefactors have also approved your promotion to Agent, congratulations, Agent Yamato."

Takeshi smiled as he took the case, opening it to reveal the insignia of a Combat Agent. "Thank you, sir!" Takeshi replied with another salute.

Haverstead returned the salute. "Carry on, Agent," he ordered before moving off to continue his duties.

Takeshi stood there for a couple of moments, gazing at the insignia within the case, before removing the insignia from the case and pinning it to his uniform. He then headed to the Shuttle Hangar.

He had a meeting to get to.

Earth, Washington, D.C, Allster Manor

"I cannot believe this!" A man roared inside of his office, his dark eyes glaring at the person before him. "How could you disgrace me like that by supporting that… monster that the fool Ryuzaki created in front of our guests like that!"

"Coordinators are not Monsters, Father!" screamed back a 17-year-old woman with dark red hair that cascaded down past her shoulders, amethyst eyes, and a slender build. "And Ryu Hisanaga has had a hard enough time thanks to the bigotry shown him by you and so many other officials in the government, not to mention the military!"

"He is an abomination that should have been executed, I cannot believe that my own daughter would be this… polluted," her father sneered. "Did I not raise you properly!"

"I refuse to believe that anyone is an abomination simply because of how they're born!" she shouted. "If there are Monsters in this world, it's people like you and your friend Azrael! Don't think I haven't overheard your conversations with him! I refuse to just sit here and be a 'good girl' while you scheme to commit Genocide!"

Her father growled angrily. "OUT!" he roared. "Out of this house, and out of this family! You are disowned!"

"Gladly," she snapped. "You are no longer my Father, George Allster." She stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind her.

"S… sister?" A voice asked fearfully, turning the teen spotted her younger sister, one Flay Allster hiding partially behind a corner in the hallway. "Are… are you really leaving?"

Linda, formerly an Allster, but deciding no longer to answer to that last name, smiled sorrowfully. "Yeah..." she said. "Sorry, kiddo, but I can't put up with his philosophies any more." Walking over to Flay, she ruffled her hair. "Just don't let his dogma corrupt you, all right, Flay? You won't have me to protect you from it anymore. Just remember, a person is still a person, regardless of how they're born."

Flay nodded her agreement. "W… will I see you again?" she asked hesitantly.

"I certainly hope so, but nothing is ever certain," Linda remarked. "I'll do my best to stay alive, and hopefully we'll meet again."

Flay nodded and watched her sister leave the house with only a duffle bag of clothing, worry for her elder sister building up within her as she committed her words to heart.

Once she was away from the house, Linda sighed. "Well, it's good that I'm out from under his thumb, but where do I go from here? No way I'm joining the Atlantic Federation after this, and I doubt Eurasia, the Republic of East Asia, or the PLANTs would take me in. Orb's an option, but I doubt I could afford a standard ferry..."

"In need of work, Miss Linda Allster?" A voice asked from behind her.

She spun around, but she didn't quite recognize the figure, looking average across the board with brown hair and eyes, being unable to tell what nationality he was neither from his accent nor his skin tone and he was wearing ordinary clothes. "It's just Linda - I refuse to identify myself with his name any longer. And who are you, and how do you know who I am?"

"The organization I work for has taken a great interest in you, Miss Linda," the man informed, a calm, almost serene smile on his face. "You scored quite highly on you aptitude tests that your former father had you take, we were hoping to recruit you."

"Who is it you work for?" Linda asked, part of her extremely cautious in case this was a trap from Blue Cosmos - she wouldn't put it past them - while another part was rather curious.

The man's smile turned into a smirk. "Tell me, you have heard of us, haven't you?" he asked, getting a confused look from her. "Terminal, that is."

Her eyes widened as realization set in. "The mercenary organization Terminal?" she asked.

"Yes, Miss Linda," he informed, his smirk still in place. "How about it? Would you like to join us? To join Terminal, and show your former father, that peace between Naturals and Coordinators is indeed more than a pipe dream?"

Linda thought about it for a few moments, before smiling. "I would," she said. "I'd definitely like a chance to stick it to him, and I think Terminal might be my best bet." She then gained a curious expression. "Out of curiosity, what job were you offering? You said something about the aptitude tests he gave me?"

"You have great potential as an operator on a mobile suit carrier ship," he informed. "Your aptitude test showed high degrees of awareness and your assessment ability is quite potent as well."

Linda nodded. "Sounds like a job I'd like," she said. "Where do I sign up?"

The Agent smirked as he gestured with his hand. "Just follow me," he informed. "I will escort you to a shuttle that is being prepped as we speak for a trip to our homebase New Platea."

"All right," Linda said, still rather cautious but very hopeful at the same time. "Lead the way."

The agent bowed his head in agreement. "Forgive my manners, but I am Operative Jace Macintosh," he informed, introducing himself. "Please, I have a vehicle waiting for us."

"All right," Linda said, following Macintosh to his vehicle.

It looked like things were definitely looking up for her, now that she was out from under his thumb. She turned to look at the house one last time, thinking of her sister. 'Be safe, Flay,' she thought. 'Don't let his anti-Coordinator dogma affect you. We'll meet again someday… I promise.'

Terminal R&D Base, Discovery

A single balding man whose greying dark brown hair was receding leaving the top of his head bald. His brown eyes stared at the blueprints for the framework of a Mobile suit, a monocle over his right eye, he was wearing a rather basic dark grey suit under a white lab coat. His hands moved rapidly, holding a ruler and a pencil as he added to the blueprint.

A beep from his console caught his attention. "Aeolia here," he said as he pressed the intercom button. "What is it?"

"Director Schenberg?" came back the voice of his receptionist/assistant. "Agent Yamato is here for his meeting with you."

"Thank you, send him in please, Sasha," he said curtly as he released the button and cleared his desk a little.

The door opened soon afterwards as Takeshi strode in. "A pleasure to meet you, Director Schenberg," he said.

"Agent Yamato," Aeolia returned with a nod of his head. "I have looked over your performance reviews that the benefactors have sent me and I must say I am impressed, now, we were planning on constructing a custom built Patriot for you, but after taking a closer look over your performance reviews over the years, I have noticed a steady increase in your skills and abilities, as such, I believe that they will continue to do so, resulting in your situation now, as such, I believe that you need something more than a custom built Patriot, how would you like to be the pilot for a prototype that we are planning to construct?"

"A prototype?" Takeshi asked, before he smiled. "As long as it can keep up with me and is designed for High-Speed, Close-Range Combat, I'll be good."

Aeolia nodded as he turned to the blueprints. "We are still in its planning phase, so for the time being as it is constructed we have a Custom Built Patriot prepared for you," he informed. "Now… is there any other specifications you are looking for in your mobile suit?"

"Well, like I said, my preference is for close-ranged combat," Takeshi informed, "so it should have a variety of melee weapons. Ranged weapons… well, the Head Vulcans are kind of a given… Perhaps some throwing knives, or maybe boomerangs? And perhaps make a sword that can also function as a Gun..."

Aeolia nodded as he made some notes. "We could manage that," he informed. "Also, for the time being you are being assigned as a part of Discovery's guard force, so that you are on hand for the testing phase."

Takeshi nodded. "That makes sense," he remarked. "Well, I look forward to working with you, Director Schenberg."

"Same here, Agent," Aeolia replied. "Report to Agent Captain Aslin, he will have your orders."

"You've got it, Director," Takeshi replied before walking out of the office.

Aeolia's gaze lingered only for a second before returning back to the blueprints. "Now then, a high-speed close-quarters type..."

With Kira, In synchronous orbit above Copernicus City

Kira sighed contently as she plopped down in the helm of her new ship, linking her hands behind her head as she grinned. "Well, this is certainly a good ship..." she said to herself. "Good lockdown measures for when I'm away decent armaments for defense, I guess all it needs now is a name… hmm..."

She crossed her arms across her chest as she considered it. "Hmm, I think… the Mugen Kano, Infinite Possibilities," she declared to herself with a nod. "Yeah, that's perfect."

A beep from the console before her caught her attention. "Huh? What's this?" she whispered as she hit a few keys, bringing up a message, a grin spreading across her face as she read it. "And my first mission to boot, alright then."

She keyed the comms to the Control in Copernicus City. "Control, this is the Valiant-Class Mugen Kano, we are departing," she informed the control officer.

"Valiant-class Mugen Kano, this is control," came the response. "You are cleared for departure."

"Thanks, Control," Kira replied before closing the link. "Well, time for my first mission! Heading out!"

END PROLOGUE