War of the Seven Kings (Super Robot Wars with Code Geass, Muv Luv Alternative and more)

[wahrifson]

Hard to say on how advance Ryuvia tech is compared to Heroic Age (they have some crazy tech that can mess with time, and destroy distances measured in light years and more), but I should note my knowledge on the series is limited as I just got into it recently. But I suppose it boils down to specifics on who is more advance in what fields speifically as one enemy Ryder the group will have has some insane army that took the combine firepower of two fleets, (focused fire with kinetic and beam/laser weapons) bombarding it, but it only destroyed its limbs and left it barely functioning and not destroyed. (Thankfully this is only limited to select units).



Indeed and unless Britannia gets some serious allies they might be in trouble.

Click to shrink...

Heroic Tribe can manipulate time, Destroy Dimension, Destroy Planet and Create door to another world outside Heroic Age Verse
Hell even with those strength they are powerless facing Golden Tribe so we can imagine how powerful Golden Tribe
I can said that Golden Tribe basically Race of God that can create universe

Indeed and unless Britannia gets some serious allies they might be in trouble.

Click to shrink...

Indeed i hate how arrogant Brittannia that their citizens even thinking can do anything in Earth
They need to be humbled[/QUOTE]

 

[StrifeHavoc]

A/N: Special thanks to Jameyofthemegacosmos, Icysnowsage, Gundam consultant and designer Redrat8, Seerking for contributing ideas and Darklord331, but a HUGE thanks to both Silkdreamweaver (chief beta reader and editor) and Greatkingrat88 for his contributions.

The beta work for this chapter is completed at last despite some delays, so up it goes.

---

Chapter 18

Break the World​

It had been two hours following the aftermath of the battle, but thankfully the pilots under Lelouch and the Minerva had survived both the nuclear explosions and the hail storm of debris. Thankfully Alec's exchange with Cagalli and Captain Gladys allowed Lelouch and his squad to get clear of the explosions themselves. Luckily, Yui with Shinn and Luna were safe due to being far enough away.

The rest of the machines under Lelouch's command were at the biggest risk, but thanks to their training and the capabilities of the machines they managed to pull through..

The Minerva was lightly damaged in the storm of debris. Some of their thrusters had been hit and a few smaller weapons were put out of commission. Its missiles and other weapons had managed to shoot down the larger pieces.

In the aftermath of these events, the Minerva, having lost their quarry, called off the pursuit to focus on conducting necessary repairs before returning to Armory One. In the meantime, the Vortigern, alongside Mr. Amalfi's transport ship, remained near the Minerva as a meeting aboard the ship was about to take place.

Traveling by a small shuttle, Maya was accompanied by Yuri, his bodyguard, Lelouch and Yui. The shuttle landed inside the Minerva's hanger and the group disembarked to meet the ship's captain, Talia, along with the leader of the PLANTs, Gilbert Durandal, Cagalli and her bodyguard.

Cagalli's bodyguard was of similar age with blue hair, green eyes, and wore a black and white jacket, black pants and a green turtleneck underneath.

"Welcome Major Tsukuyomi," Gilbert Durandal greeted, offering his hand. "Allow me to properly introduce myself, I am Gilbert Durandal the Supreme Chairman of PLANT's Supreme Council."

"Thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you as well, allow me to introduce the leaders of our TSF squadron, Captain Lelouch Lamperouge and Captain Yui Takamura," Maya responded, shaking Durandal's hand before gesturing to Lelouch and Yui as she introduced them.

Lelouch and Yui in turn saluted Durandal who nodded in acknowledgment.

"This is Captain Talia Gladys of the Minvera." Durandal gestured to Talia with one hand before moving into the next person. "This is Chief Representative Cagalli Yula Athha of the Orb Union and this is her bodyguard Athrun Zala."

Lelouch glanced at Cagalli, the blonde haired woman was about two years older than he was, but when compared to Durandal, who appeared confident and assured in himself. Cagalli seemed dignified, but something in her eyes showed that she lacked the same confidence.

"Chairman Durandal sir," Yuri said with a slightly regretful yet resolute look in his eye. "I must apologize for my actions and I would like it to be known that any fault lies with me."

"Yes, I am curious why a man of your reputation and a former member of the Supreme Council was doing in the Debris Belt with people clearly not from around here," Gilbert said, but his expression was more of curiosity than anything. "Your intervention saved this ship including myself however."

"Yes sir. As hard as this might be to believe, sir, they aren't from our Earth, they come from a different world."

"Their machines are unlike anything we've seen. I can safely say ZAFT never produced such machines," Durandal admitted. "Why don't we take this conversation somewhere more appropriate. I feel that there is much to talk about."

---

Elsewhere aboard the Minerva, Shinn and Lunamaria were in the lounge of the ship. Luna sat on a sofa with a canned, soft drink in one hand with a sour expression upon her face.

"Are you alright sis," Meyrin, Luna's younger sister, asked.

Lunamaria sighed, "I'm alive, but damn it; we couldn't even nail one of them. We even lost Shawn and Dale."

"I know. We walked right into ambush," Meyrin said, feeling tense. "Yet those unknown machines managed to beat back those Earth Alliance mobile suits and take down the other ship."

"One of them saved me and Shinn after we were taken hostage," Luna said as her sour expression grew. "I don't know how I'm going to face Shawn and Dale's families back at the PLANTs."

Shinn's gaze was downcast. Shawn and Dale were friends with them since the academy. They introduced them to their parents during graduation, who even celebrated them being assigned to the Minerva together. If they ran into their parents on the PLANTs, how could they face them?

Maybe, I can even the score. That might help, Shinn thought, feeling a pang of guilt.

He had been hailed among the best of his class, but it felt like hollow praise. Shinn couldn't even stop the stolen prototypes nor keep Shawn and Dale alive. He barely kept Luna safe during that battle. All the while he was at a disadvantage due to the Blast Silhouette not being suited for facing two Gundams at once.

Damn it. We should've expected an ambush. I should've expected one, Shinn thought as his grip tightened around in his drink.

Luna looked up at her sister, regretting that she had steered the conversation into a depressing direction. Between the sisters, Meyrin was the most intelligent between them, having excelled in multitasking and computers, but was nervous and shy when dealing with people she didn't know. Luna was chatty and more outgoing, and chose to become an elite mobile suit pilot instead.

Feeling responsible for the depressing turn, Luna changed the subject of the conversation as an idea came to mind.

"Uh, that machine that intervened to help us, it didn't move like a normal mobile suit. Its movements were… I don't know how to say it, more human-like?"

"Yeah. It was fast too," Shinn agreed, partially glad for the change of subject. The loss of Shawn and Dale caused him to recall a similar tragedy that happened during the last war.

---

Around the same time, Maya had finished explaining everything to those gathered in an officer's cabin. Athrun, Talia, Durandal and Cagalli listened quietly, but their thoughts were clear to read on their faces. Lelouch, observing them, wouldn't blame them if they had a hard time believing any of it. Yet their expressions suggested they were taking it well, or so he hoped.

What helped their case was Maya using her holo on her wrist to display holographic images of the BETA, and battles against them. The technology displayed thus far had also been helpful in making their case.

When it was over, emotions and reactions began rolling in, with Durandal expressing his surprise. He was first to voice his reaction.

"This is…quite a lot to take in," Durandal acknowledged regaining his composure.

"I don't blame you," Maya conceded. "We weren't prepared for something like this to happen. We had no intention of being caught up in the affairs of other worlds as we have our own problems to contend with as I am sure you understand."

"Of course. If you don't mind me asking; what was your purpose for coming?"

"It was to gain the material and means for producing Mirage Colloid gas, which I would provide as part of a bargain with Miss Claude Triello," Yuri Amalfi replied, explaining, "She approached me, willing to do something no one else could do. In exchange I was to provide assistance to the Empire of Japan, namely in the creation of its Gundam machines as part of a collaboration. I provided technical assistance in adapting our technology into their designs. I was also involved in the creation of the Sadamitsu and I had a hand in the weapon systems used by both the Kintoki and the Izanami. The latter I am sure some have noticed has similarities to the ZGMF-X10A Freedom for those familiar with the machine."

So Yui's father and Cumpa Rusita weren't the only ones with a hand in their development, Lelouch thought. Which made sense considering the different technologies used. Those familiar with it would best understand how to apply them to the new machines best, bypassing lengthy trial and error experiments and such.

"You are aware that what you are admitting, despite your intentions, are very serious crimes Mr. Amalfi," Talia pointed out.

"I am aware and I am willing to face whatever punishment my crimes would bring. Much of what I did was motivated by the danger the BETA could pose to PLANTs should they ever come, or any other similar alien threats," Yuri admitted. "I have a collection of information on the BETA including records and details of battles against them, which I used to aid me in developing the new machines for the Empire of Japan."

"I assume this is also atonement for your hand in developing the N-Jammer Canceller technology?" Durandal deduced, earning a confirming nod from Yuri who looked regretful at the mention.

I didn't know he developed the N-Jammer Canceller, Yui Bloody Valentine war she read about had took a much bloodier turn with its creation, not just leading to the creation of the GENESIS superweapon, but allowing the Atlantic Federation to use nuclear weapons again, bringing humanity to the brink of self-annihilation.

"And you mentioned something else earlier, something personal?" Durandal inquired.

"My son Nicol's death, undone," Yuri repiled, stunning everyone in the room.

"What," Cagalli exclaimed, while Athrun was speechless.

Yui, Maya and Lelouch were not. They knew exactly it was possible, it was just a question of how.

"I feel I should probably intervene here to explain." Claude's voice echoed in the room.

A tear in the air appeared, followed by Claude's hands appearing to widen the tear, allowing her to enter the room. Once she was through, the tear remained open as Claude dusted herself off with one hand.

"Sorry for the dramatic entrance, but I thought it was necessary to drive it home. He had some divine intervention literally," Claude explained.

"Who, what are you?" Cagalli asked, being among the first to regain her composure.

"My name is Claude," she introduced herself. "Resident master of time and the most beautiful woman to have ever been."

Lelouch kept quiet, but internally he was rolling his eyes at her.

"Now to explain; faking his death so he could survive was no easy task."

"Why would that be necessary, if he survived-" Athrun began, but Claude cut him off.

"It would've caused a reality destroying paradox altering what is a zero-point moment in time, in which events like the destruction of Junius Seven are events that happen across all timelines that cannot be altered due to the event's importance to the timeline. The death of Nicol Amalfi is one such event sadly for the poor kid."

"Why?!" Athrun demanded, troubled that Nicol was fated to die.

"Think about all that happened following his death and what it led to?" Claude pointed out. "I mean after you and Kira fought to the death, you got picked up by Cagalli and both had a much needed heart to heart that began making you into a better person. For Kira if he hadn't been found by a Junk Guild mechanic and Reverend Malchio, who was then delivered to Lacus Clyne, then he wouldn't have been given the Freedom which was used to save his friends. Not to sound insensitive, but many events and the Second Battle of Jachin Due would've likely ended with all life on Earth destroyed by GENESIS."

"If that is true, then how did Mr. Amalfi survive a death that was fated for him?" Gilbert asked.

"Not easy, let me tell you," Claude said with a sigh. "The tricky part was getting him out of the Blitz before it exploded. It was easy enough to transmit what was to be his final words, during that time I opened a tear like the one I came in. I barely got him through the tear and left behind a stand-in to ensure the death was convincing for any recovery teams."

"Unfortunately, the explosion from the Blitz followed through the tear," Yuri began. "Nicol lived, but the blast left him in a coma. Right now Nicol is at our home at Maius Four. It's expected he'll finally wake up soon. I'll accept whatever punishment I must face for my crimes."

"You have committed a serious crime by offering restricted military technology to an unknown party," Talia acknowledged.

"However," Durandal began. "On the other hand, you may have just led us to a moment in our history that is likely to be on par when George Glenn discovered Evidence-01."

"That's true," Cagalli admitted, aware of the implications of the fact they were conversing with humans from outside their solar system. "I can't even begin to imagine how the world might react."

"I agree, but that doesn't mean we'll be overlooking what you did of course. It just means we can give you an alternative punishment," Durandal pointed out.

"I understand," Yuri replied.

"I still have some questions for Miss Claude," Talia began as she turned to the pink-haired woman.

"Sorry that's all the time we have. Bye," Claude said, leaving through the tear before anyone could stop her.

"I suppose we can try to answer what we know about Claude," Maya offered, having expected this.

Lelouch and Yui sighed, realizing this would be a long discussion.

---

Around the same time, aboard the Vortigern, the pilots were talking. In the men's ready room for pilots, Leon, Yuuya and Vincent were having a discussion.

To pass the time the three men were continuing their earlier discussion, now having seen the women they discussed, fight.

"Geez. That Chinese girl is vicious. Just as the rumors claimed."

"Does this mean you are going to try and go for her?" Yuuya asked, reading a magazine he had found.

"Nah. I think she might be too much for me. Types like her are the kind where you have to be on their level or can beat them in a fight," Vincent said, slightly disappointed.

"Right. Are you sure about that? If you really want her then just try it. Don't try to fish for encouragement to do so from us," Yuuya replied, while Leon, reading his own magazine, gave a nod of agreement.

Vincent sighed, deciding to drop the subject and switch to something else.

"Ok, well… How about those machines they fought? They seem kinda clunky compared to our TSFs," Vincent said, recalling the previous battle.

"I'm sure anything we got could take it down in a straight up fight," Yuuya replied confidently.

"I agree," Leon replied, flipping a page.

Meanwhile in the female pilot's waiting room, Yuzuka, Asagi, Haruka and Mistuki were playing a game of cards to pass the time while awaiting new orders. A game the majority were frustratingly losing to Mistuki.

"Now, now, no sour faces. Besides we're not betting money or anything," Mitsuki said grinning, while most of the others were depressed by their losing streak.

"I wish we had something else to do," Asagi grumbled.

"I don't think anyone expected to be entering our very first space battle this soon," Haruka said, glad to steer the conversation away from the losing streak.

"Seriously, those mobile suits we fought were barely a challenge though," Mitsuki said, less than impressed with the Dagger mobile suits they fought.

"I know! It felt like we were running circles around them," Asagi agreed as she began shuffling the cards for a new round.

"Well… does anyone have someone back home they are interested in?" Haruka asked suddenly, causing Mitsuki to eye her suspiciously.

"As in a boyfriend?" Asagi inquired for clarification, which Haruka nodded. "I don't have anyone, but I am sure someone on this ship could be interesting enough."

"Not a lot of options though," Mitsuki noted as she accepted the new hand from Asagi.

"True. Most of the guys are married and those who aren't are questionable at best," Haruka commented. Somewhere on the ship. Vincent sneezed.

"Wasn't there someone you had an eye on back home Haruka?" Mitsuki asked. Haruka seemed uncertain.

"There was, but now…I'm not sure?" Haruka admitted as her cheeks turned red.

"Oh! So someone else has been stealing your heart then?" Mitsuki asked, smirking.

"I'm not sure, but he is interesting," Haruka replied, thinking of Lelouch.

Unknown to everyone, Yuzuka was internally panicking. She had an idea as to who Haruka was referring to. Having Yui as a rival for Lelouch was bad enough, but the fact others had their eyes on him was making things worse for her.

---

Around the same time Circe was in her cabin looking over data from the most recent battle. The cameras on the Minamoto had done an excellent job capturing a lot of data to use. Circe was using the data to work out training plans for Yuuya, Leon and Sharon to help them improve as pilots in space.

Leon and Sharon haven't been much of an issue, but Yuuya still has a big chip on his 't help that he and Leon are prone to butting heads, Circe thought as she recalled the times she supervised their training on the simulators.

"I wonder if Claude knew what kind of guy Yuuya was. Is that why I'm here?" Circe mused out loud before taking a slip of coffee.

Lelouch and his squad would've been more interesting to train. Probably less stressful, Circe thought, almost envious of Marimo. She might be better for dealing with a tough case like Yuuya, but the more I think about it, the more it would've ended with Yuuya getting the shit kicked out of him if her reputation is anything to go by.

"Maybe I should try to join the next battle so I can get a better feel for these Minamoto TSFs," Circe said, thinking out loud.

I wouldn't mind seeing Lelouch in action in person rather than the ship. He has proven capable so far, Circe thought, recalling everything Claude had told her about him. This included how in his original timeline he would become an Emperor and conquer the whole world when he was only eighteen years old. Then arrange his own assassination to bring the conflict to an end and change the status quo for the better.

Obviously now that means becoming Emperor and a symbol of hatred for the world won't be needed, so I want to see what he'll do instead, Claude's words echoed in Circe's mind.

What would someone who could pull off world conquest do? Especially now that he wasn't bound by the original course fate had for him.

---

Back on the Minerva, Maya had finished explaining everything she knew about Claude to Captain Gladys, Durandal, Cagalli and Athrun. Durandal seemed to take it the best, but everyone, understandably, was uncomfortable with someone like Claude having the power to manipulate reality the way she can.

Cagalli took it the worst and was more expressive about it.

"How can someone have that much power?!"

"We're not happy about it, but considering the state of affairs our world is in, we don't have much choice." Maya replied calmly, to Cagalli's outburst. "What she offered in exchange was too much for us to ignore."

"Understandable given how dangerous these aliens have been and the staggering number of lives they've claimed," Durandal replied. "Yet I do share Representative Athha's shock about arranging for a large-scale war in the fashion of a contest. It's clear she has ulterior motives for doing so."

Lelouch agreed, but he still lacked any inkling as to what it could be.

"Considering what she is capable of, there isn't much we can do about her," Maya admitted.

"Just as frustrating as that sounds, I'm sure," Talia added.

"What about those machines you use? Do they use nuclear power?" Cagalli asked.

"Most of them use a special solar capacitor that allows our machines to operate for days, up to a week at least. However, the machines used by say Captain Takamura and Lamperouge use more unique power sources. Their machines use what is essentially a miniaturized black hole as a power source," Maya explained, causing everyone to pause in surprise.

Lelouch watched in amusement.

"I…I think I need a break. Forgive me," Cagalli said, holding her forehead.

"Perhaps we should end it here for now, since I am sure you'll need to inform your government of what has happened with that rogue admiral," Durandal offered, providing an out for Cagalli who was at her limit. "In turn I would like to ask if you'll share any useful details you may have uncovered since there is a link between those who raided Armory One and the admiral who attacked us."

"Of course," Cagalli replied, but Lelouch seemed doubtful of how fruitful that investigation would be.

Considering an admiral of your own nation tried to kill you, this assassination plot must involve those even higher in power, Lelouch thought, considering the resources involved.

"When time better permits I would like to speak to you young man," Durandal requested, looking towards Lelouch.

"Of course," Lelouch agreed.

"Mr. Amalfi, I would like a copy of all details about your dealings with Claude in the meantime," Durandal asked Yuri who had been quiet.

"I understand."

"We'll stay nearby until the Minerva is able to make it to a safe port. Consider it a gesture in good faith," Maya offered.

"Thank you. Once we can contact the homeland we can discuss all this further," Durandal said with a smile.

Already looking to make the most of the situation. I'm not shocked since an opportunity like this doesn't come easily for anyone, Lelouch thought. Durnadal gave off a similar vibe to his brother Schenizel, but he couldn't put his finger on how exactly.

---

The work crews toiled throughout the night conducting the necessary repairs before the Minerva could begin heading for the PLANT homeland while arranging for another ship to take Cagalli and Athrun back to the Orb Union.

Then things took a sudden change.

"We've been told that Junuis Seven is moving," Maya announced in a meeting with Lelouch, Yui, Sayoko and Circe in a conference room. On a video monitor was Durandal, Captain Gladys and Cagalli. "Captain Gladys informed me that starting a few hours ago the remains of Junius Seven had begun moving. We have verified these reports following the first report that came from an observation base near the Debris Belt that monitors Junuis Seven. The report was initially met with skepticism, but quick follow-up investigations confirmed it."

"As in the remains of the PLANT colony destroyed during the Bloody Valentine, that colony?" Yui asked, earning a nod from Durandal.

"Yes, after the destruction of Junius Seven, the remains drifted into the Debris Belt, where they should've been in a stable orbit for hundreds of years," Durandal explained. "However, reports have confirmed the remains have begun moving and they are now on a dangerous course to impact the Earth in a matter of hours."

"How the remains of Junuis Seven began moving, we don't know. Headquarters have mobilized the Joule Team, providing them with Meteor Breakers to shatter the remains before they enter the atmosphere," Talia reported.

"Given the Minerva's proximity to Junuis Seven, I have asked this ship and its mobile suits to support the Joule Team. That being said, I would like to request your assistance," Durandal asked Maya and Lelouch. "I know you may not have any obligation to assist, however given the enormity of the situation."

"It's fine. It would be shameful if we ignored the situation Chairman, considering the damage something that large would cause upon impacting the Earth," Maya said, accepting his request.

"Thank you. I am grateful for your assistance," Durandal said, before noticing Lelouch's expression. "It seems something is on your mind, Captain Lamperouge. Do you disagree?"

"No sir, I don't. I was thinking about how something as large as Junuis Seven could be moving if its orbit was stable. I am doubtful a meteor could've hit it with sufficient force to move it, ignoring the density of the Debris Belt. The likelihood of this being natural is astronomical so I would like to act on the possibility that this could've been an intentional act."

"Who would even consider doing that?" Cagalli asked.

"I could think of a few groups, but I don't want to point the finger at anyone. I know there was a faction of Coordinators that were open to committing genocide against Naturals, so they could be culprit assuming they have the resources. They are also not the only extremist group open to doing so. If this is intentional, we can expect them to be waiting at Junius Seven ready to stop any attempt to prevent its impact with Earth." Lelouch shared his logic on the matter. "I would like to ask if my squad can join the operation armed, in case my suspicions prove to be right."

Cagalli and Talia had no response, but Durandal spoke for them.

"Your concerns are not unreasonable, although I would like to believe otherwise. I see no reason to say no to your request. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to have the Minvera and her mobile suits do the same as a precaution."

"Of course Chairman," Talia replied.

"Captain Lelouch, maybe it wouldn't hurt if you could visit the Minerva and confer with Captain Gladys in person for further collaboration," Durandal suggested.

"Understood. We still have time before we reach Junuis Seven, I'll bring Lieutenant Steinhoff and Lieutenant Haruko with me. Captain Takamura, I'll leave you to coordinate our preparations with Lietutiant Komaki," Lelouch assigned.

"Of course, we'll take care of it."

"Head on over. I'll make sure this ship is ready for battle as a precaution. I do share your concerns, so I'll ask the bridge to expand our sensor sweeps," Maya offered, approving of the plan.

---

Sometime later aboard the Minerva, inside the ship's lounge various members of the crew were chatting about Junius Seven, all of them trying to figure out how something so massive could have begun moving. The pilots and members of the engineering were in the lounge, along with one member of the bridge crew.

"So, what do you think?" Vino Dupre, one of the engineers with red and brown hair, asked before taking a slip from his soft drink.

"Maybe a meteorite struck it. No one seems to be sure that it wasn't. Kinda hard to imagine something could hit it that could cause it to move without destroying it in the impact," pondered Yolan Kent, a black haired young man and Vino's best friend.

"Is it true that Junuis Seven is going to hit the Earth?" Shinn inquired, his own soft drink in his hand.

"Yeah, that's what Bart told me," Meyrin replied.

"First the raid on Armory One. Now before that could be settled, this happens?! I mean what is going on," Lunamaria complained while sitting on one of the sofas with her own drink in hand. "Well if Junuis Seven is moving, what are we supposed to do about it?"

No one had an answer, but a blonde haired, young man, wearing a red uniform spoke up.

"Just break it up," Rey Za Burrel answered, causing all eyes to fall on him.

"And how would we do that?" Vino remarked as Junuis Seven was virtually a landmass in space.

"Listen, it's impossible to restore its orbit to keep it from striking Earth, so the only option is to break it up using Meteor Breakers," Rey replied.

"But that thing is huge. Even if you manage to break it in half, that is still a mass five or six kilometers in diameter," Yolan argued.

"Yeah, that won't be enough," Vino added.

"What about all of the victims? I heard the bodies of those who died are still within Junius Seven," Meyrin said sadly.

"If Junuis Seven hits, then Earth will be annihilated. Nothing will be left, neither living or dead," Rey countered.

"There won't be an Earth left," Vino said, as the gravity of the situation set in.

"How awful," Meyrin remarked.

"That's right," Yolan replied as a silence fell over the room. "Oh well. If it was meant to be, it was meant to be. I mean it's currently out of our hands, but look on the bright side; this will take care of a lot of hassles for us and everything will be better at PLANTs."

Unknown to Yolan, someone out in the hallway had overheard, causing her emotions to flare up.

"How dare you say that," Cagalli snapped as she entered the lounge.

Some of the pilots saluted her, due to her being the Chief Representative of Orb. Others did not, but that didn't stop her lecture.

"Things will be better. It's meant to be! How could you even be ok with that? Do you understand what will happen to the Earth and everyone on it? Do you all even realize how many people could die? Is this what people from ZAFT actually think?"

No one had a reply, so Cagalli continued.

"We all suffered through that terrible war. I thought things were changing under Chairman Durandal, but I guess I was mistaken."

"I'm sorry," Yolan apologized, under Cagalli's angry gaze.

"That's enough Cagalli," Athrun said, trying to calm her down.

"Yolan was just trying to lighten up the mood," Shinn defended with an angry scowl on his face. "I think you are out of line. Just coming in here and lecturing us; or did you forget this was a ZAFT ship, not an Orb one?"

"How dare you," Cagalli snapped, her temper flaring.

"Cagalli, please control yourself," Athrun pleaded, trying to rein in Cagalli, aware that her emotions were getting the best of her.

"Shinn, be mindful of what you said," Rey cautioned.

"Why," Shinn asked before mockingly answering his own question. "Oh right, she's the Chief Representative of Orb, right?"

"You!," Cagalli was about to lash out, but Athrun intervened.

"You seem to have some grudge against the Orb Union, may I ask why?" Athrun asked, but Shinn didn't answer. "I thought you used to live there? If you are looking for some trivial excuse to drag the representative into an irrelevant fight I won't stand for it."

"Trivial," Shinn's own anger flared now. "I won't let anyone call it trivial, and you're wrong about it being irrelevant. I lost my entire family because of the Athhas, they believed in the nation and its ideals, but all it did was get them all killed at Onogoro!"

Cagalli, stunned by Shinn's admittance, was taken aback when Shinn looked at her, his red eyes seething in anger.

"You talked about upholding justice. Did you even think about how many people, innocent civilians, would be caught in the crossfire? Would die to follow your values to the bitter end?" Shinn said as his hand crushed the can he held. "I'll never believe any of your self-serving lies again!"

Cagalli was too stunned to retort.

"I wish people who didn't understand stuff wouldn't talk about things as if they did," Shinn commented. Before he could walk away, Cagalli slugged him in the face, knocking a stunned Shinn to the floor.

"Cagalli!" Athrun cried, trying to calm her down, but it was too little too late.

She grabbed a stunned Shinn by the collar.

"Don't act like you were the only one who lost family. My father died on that day too. Even before Orb was invaded, I fought alongside resistance fighters in Africa against ZAFT. I watched the friends I made among them die. I fought at the Battle of Jachin Due where three of my best friends died, so don't you dare imply I know nothing of loss."

Initially shocked from the blow to the face, Shinn growled and broke free of Cagalli's grip. He backed away with Athrun getting between them, trying to keep things from getting worse. Luckily, Shinn promptly left the room, passing by Lelouch on the way out and his two pilots.

"I was hoping to talk to the pilot of the Impulse, but it seems I'll have to make due with the rest of you," Lelouch said with a sigh.

Yolan's joke was in bad taste, but it seems the animosity between both groups still runs very deep, Lelouch thought. He noticed the disapproving looks Haruko and Circe shared.

"We're the pilots of the ZAKUs," Luna said, deciding a change of subject was badly needed.

"Why are you here?" Rey inquired.

"To talk strategy," Lelouch answered. "I have reason to believe Junuis Seven's sudden movement was intentionally caused, so Captain Gladys and I have agreed for our pilots to collaborate in case we run into trouble."

This caused everyone, but Athrun and Cagalli, to look at him in surprise.

"You really think an ambush is waiting for us at Junius Seven," Luna asked, which Lelouch nodded in confirmation.

"Yes, because whoever wants Junius Seven to hit the Earth has to know how quickly the PLANTs would respond," Lelouch said. Although the Earth Alliance would have responded, their forces were stationed at the moon so they wouldn't be able to intercept in time.

The Orb Union wasn't in a position to help either, as far as he knew.

"The goal will be to eliminate all hostiles while protecting the mobile suits with Meteor Breakers," Lelouch explained, using the holo Claude had given him to display a holographic display of Junius Seven. "The plan is to plant several Meteor Breakers throughout the colony's remains to break it up into small enough pieces they can burn up in the atmosphere. If an enemy force is found, we need to eliminate them quickly."

"So we have a time limit to use the Meteor Breakers on Junius Seven," Rey deduced, recognizing the enemy at Junius Seven wouldn't be the biggest threat, time was.

"Exactly," Lelouch agreed, glad Rey was quick on the uptake. "One round of meteor breakers won't be enough to break up Junuis Seven completely. Such fragments will still be a danger to the Earth, so the goal will be to break up Junuis Seven until the fragments are small enough to burn up in the atmosphere or that we could destroy ourselves with the Minerva and the Vortigern weapons."

"Making a collaboration all the more important to wipe out the enemy as fast as possible?" Rey asked.

"That's right. I was hoping to chat with Shinn to get an idea of how they battle so I can know how to best provide support in the battle ahead, if we do run into an ambush."

"Actually I think you're right. We're going to face an ambush." Meyrin agreed with Lelouch's assessment of the situation.

Another advantage we have is that we won't be the first on the scene, Lelouch thought pragmatically.

---

A few hours later, approaching Junuis Seven from a distance, was a pair of Nazca-class ships, the Voltaire and Rousseau. They were preparing to launch mobile suits to the colony's remains to begin planting the Meteor Breakers. The only change to their initial plan would be that their mobile suits would be armed with a few spares acting as makeshift security, having been in contact with Chairman Durandal.

"Look at that thing. It's huge," commented a young man with short brown hair and bronze skin with purple eyes, who was dressed in a green and white uniform.

"Of course it is," his superior replied, irritated.

He was dressed in a white and black uniform, had short silver hair and blue eyes and stood with his arms crossed over his chest as he stood on the bridge of the Voltaire alongside his subordinate and friend.

"We live on such a colony, remember," Yzak Joule said.

"I'm just commenting aloud. I know how important this mission is," Deraka Elsman replied, sometimes wondering if his best friend could light up a little even in a serious situation like this.

"Listen!" Yzak ordered as Deraka made his way to the elevator behind them. "We don't have a lot of time, the Minerva will be here soon. Work effectively, and watch out for any trouble. I'll join you if there is a problem."

"Roger," Deraka saluted as the elevator's doors closed, on his way to the mobile suit deck to join the others.

Within minutes the first mobile suits from the two ZAFT ships launched. Most of them were GuAIZ mobile suits, but Deraka piloted a black ZAKU Warrior with Gunner Wizard Pack equipped. ZAKU followed behind while some GuAIZ mobile suits were armed with beam rifles, the rest were carrying the first of the Meteor Breakers they had brought.

Tensions were high, since the pilots were told to expect a possible ambush. The idea of Junuis Seven being made to collide with the Earth was more believable than a random meteorite hitting it, given the density of the debris field it would need to pass through. Some wondered why no one would consider the possibility of the disaster being an intentional one. Maybe no one wanted to admit that there were other Coordinators with a mindset similar to those of Blue Cosmos.

The first group had planted the first Meteor Breaker and were in the process of activating it when the first shots were fired.

Hiding among the ruined buildings and artificial mountains of the colony's ruins, black and purple mobile suits armed with beam rifles, shields, and katanas. More than a dozen GINN High Maneuver Type II units emerged from other hiding places to attack Deraka and the other pilots, if they hadn't come armed their casualties could've been higher, because they could fight back and defend themselves.

"What the hell," Deraka cried on the open line when he saw the explosion of the first group in the distance.

An enemy GINN took a shot at Deraka, but he evaded before retaliating with the beam cannon of his mobile suit. Unfortunately his enemy evaded it. Two more were upon him and his group of GuAIZ mobile suits installing their Meteor Breaker. Deraka put himself in the path of their attack, catching their beam rifle shots with his ZAKU's shoulder shield before counterattacking with another shot from his beam cannon.

Unfortunately it was easy for the enemy to evade, but it at least forced them to keep their distance. They focused their attacks on the Meteor Breaker and the mobile suits preparing it.

Shit, they are trying to keep me pinned down, Deraka thought. He couldn't pursue the enemy, not without leaving the Meteor Breaker and its crew defenseless. It seemed the enemy was taking shots at the GuAIZ squad Deraka was protecting, hoping that in his effort to protect them, an opening would appear they could exploit.

"Shit. These guys aren't amateurs. They're freaking experts," Deraka said, gritting his teeth, knowing that the other pilots of their group won't stand a chance.

Suddenly a beam rifle shot down one of the enemy GINNs before a swarm of micro-missiles overwhelmed a second one. A green ZAKU Warrior with a Blaze pack configuration, a backpack with extra thrusters and micro-missile launchers, appeared with a flower-like emblem on the left shoulder.

"Deraka, are you alright," a female voice called out.

"Thanks for the back up Shiho," Deraka said as one of the screens in his cockpit displayed a young woman his age with purple eyes.

"Don't mention it," Shiho said, glad she could be of assistance. "The commander will be joining the battle soon. My group has finished planting the first Meteor Breaker."

"Same here," Deraka announced, looking back to see the Meteor Breaker he had been protecting was drilling into the depths of Junius Seven. "Alright, let's form up. Time to give these GINNs some payback. No matter what, we have to protect the Meteor Breakers."

"Sir!" The GuAIZ pilots replied as they joined Shiho and Deraka.

They found a group of enemy GINNs pursuing another group of GuAIZ carrying a Meteor Breaker. Deraka fired his cannon, vaporizing the torso of an enemy GINN from behind. The other two GINNs tried to scatter, but Shiho quickly closed the distance, drawing her ZAKU's beam tomahawk to cut one of the enemy machines in half across the waist.

The other three GuAIZ mobile suits ganged up on the last GINN, shooting off its arms with their beam weapons Despite the damage it charged the GuAIZs.

"All of you get back NOW!" Deraka shouted in alarm. Two of them moved away, but one didn't move fast enough and was caught by the GINN.

Wrapping its legs around the GuAIZ, the enemy machine self-destructed taking the GuAIZ with it.

"Shit! I knew it. Shiho, has there been any sign of a mothership?"

"None. Clearly these GINNs are intent on seeing Junius Seven fall," Shiho said, coming to the same conclusion as Deraka.

"All the more reason to eliminate these guys as fast as possible. We better pass the word along too."

"Roger," Shiho confirmed. She and Deraka, along with the two remaining GuAIZs moved on, seeking more of the enemy GINNs.

---

Approaching Junuis Seven were the Minerva and the Vortigern. Their sensors were already picking up signals of a battle in progress, which, unfortunately, confirmed Lelouch's concerns. Thankfully their pilots were already in their machines on stand-by as they approached.

"I guess the commander called it," Mitsuki remarked from her cockpit.

"Given the evidence, it was the most likely outcome," Haruka added from her own.

Given the stakes I wouldn't have minded being wrong, Lelouch thought, knowing they needed to act fast.

"Alright, remember the plan; eliminate all hostiles and protect the Meteor Breakers. We will be providing support to the Minerva's mobile suits," Lelouch explained as he and Yui's mobile suits were prepared for launch. "Lieutenants Cryska Barchenowa and Martica Barchenowa; I want you two to protect our allies with Meteor Breakers and dispatch any enemy units that get near."

"Understood," Martica and Cryska replied.

"Lieutenants Bremer and Kashiwagi will work with the Impulse Gundam to provide direct support," Lelouch commanded. "Lieutenants Suzumiya, Sendou and Hayase will accompany me and Captain Takamura."

"Roger," Haruka, Yuzuka, Mitsuki said while Yui was quiet.

"The rest of you have your orders, but remember, time is our greatest enemy here. We must eliminate the hostiles as quickly as possible so the demolition work can proceed without further interference," Lelouch said before ending, "I am expecting you to perform at your best today, move out."

"Sir!" The other pilots said in unison.

One by one the machines from the Vortigern alongside those from the Minerva launched into battle. The machines launched hurried to Junuis Seven to deal with the hostile force as swiftly as possible.

Around the same time, another ship had arrived on the scene, the Girty Lue, followed by Neo's Exus. They were there to conduct an investigation of Junius Seven since they had no other mobile suits that were combat worthy as the stolen Gundams still needed repairs.

This is an opportunity for me to acquire some additional data on those new machines from our unknown third party, Neo thought. He suspected the new ZAFT ship and their ally would arrive at Junius Seven once word of its impending collision with Earth was known. He expected their ally to show, but the Minvera coming was questionable due to the damage it had sustained.

"Ian, make sure you keep the ship a safe distance away. I'll carry out the mission on my own, but have Sting on standby just in case," Neo said over private communications with his ship.

"Understood sir."

The battle means this wasn't some act of god. Now to see puppeting the scene, Neo thought, heading for Junuis Seven.

---

Yzak joined the battle in his blue ZAKU Phantom, equipped with the Slash wizard pack, adding a pair of beam gatling guns mounted over the shoulders and a beam ax built into a beam gatling guns of his machine shredded an enemy GINN before he used his beam ax to cleave another in half that attempted to charge him in close quarters.

"Continue the demolition. If we stop then we'll be playing into their hands," Yzak commanded, covering another group of GuAIZ mobile suits as they planted another Meteor Breaker on Junius Seven.

"Damn it. How many of these guys are there?!" Deraka complained on the open communication channel.

"Setting up Junuis Seven to fall is a task beyond what a small group of mobile suits can do alone," Shiho pointed out, downing another GINN with her beam rifle. "But, how didn't anyone notice?"

Yzak's eyes narrowed. He had a good feeling as to why no one noticed and how these terrorists were able to advance their plans as far as they have.

Lelouch shared a similar thought, having suspected it when he heard about Junuis Seven's sudden collision course towards the Earth.

If what I've seen on the files Claude provided are right, well known members of the remnants of ZAFT's radical faction were arrested and detained. With that in mind, it's not surprising that many of their supporters among the rank-and-file soldiers and those outside of the military managed to avoid the authorities, Lelouch thought. What was left of the radical faction within the PLANTs and ZAFT were the only ones Lelouch believed would be willing to go as far as dropping Junius Seven on Earth and wiping out every human on it all in the name of revenge.

Lelouch didn't voice his suspicions, yet. He did not want to cause any disagreements that could impede the disaster relief efforts.

I am sure many of those involved are those who lost loved ones during The Bloody Valentine, Lelouch thought, sympathetically. However, I can never condone something this horrific for the sake of vengeance.

"Engage the enemy," Lelouch commanded as he and Yui moved in. Izumi was among the first to engage the GINNs, a look of anger on her face.

"Why would humans want to destroy their own planet? It's insane!" Izumi declared before shouting, "FLY MY FANGS!"

The dagger-shaped remote weapons launched from the Tsuna, causing the unfortunate enemy GINN in Izumi's sights to begin evasive maneuvers until a shot from Izumi's beam gun hit the cockpit, causing the machine to explode. The Fangs soon found a new target. An enemy GINN was attempting to shoot down a group of GuAIZ mobile suits trying to plant another Meteor Breaker. Izumi attacked from behind. One fang shot it in the back, causing it to explode.

Cu joined the battle, engaging a GINN in close quarters combat. Dodging their beam rifle shots, the GINN tossed away its beam rifle and drew its sword. Cu grinned savagely. She dodged the GINN's attacks, before following up with a sword strike that cleaved it in two.

Two more GINNs tried to double team Cu, but they were stopped by the intervention of Tsukiko and Circe. They attacked with their beam rifles while Cu fought the first one until she beheaded it as Circe shot down the second.

The Impulse Gundam, piloted by Shinn, was equipped with the Force Silhouette, granting it a backpack with wings allowing for atmospheric flight and improved mobility, two beam sabers along with its standard shield and rifle. Luna was piloting her ZAKU with its Gunner armament and Rey was piloting his white ZAKU Phantom equipped with the Blaze Wizard pack. Athrun joined, having obtained special permission from Chairman Durandal to assist them, piloting a ZAKU Warrior equipped with the Blaze pack.

Athrun wanted to focus on completing the demolition work, but he knew as long as the enemy GINNs remained active they risked complete failure if even one of the Meteor breakers was destroyed.

As the battle raged through, Meteor Breakers were being successfully implanted into the falling colony. Enough of them had been detonated so far that Junius Seven began splitting in half. It still wasn't enough as one half continued falling towards Earth, remaining a serious threat.

Watching as these events unfolded, the unknown ringleader behind the incident realized they were losing the battle as the Minerva and the new third party's arrival was putting them on the defensive. With more successful Meteor Breaker detonations his plans were falling to ruin.

Gritting his teeth, he brought up a remote control he had in his cockpit and keyed in a code before the word "Activate" appeared on the screen.

"Destroy everyone who would intervene in dropping our great tombstone on Earth. Mebahiah!"

Upon pushing the button, an asteroid floating above Junuis Seven was split open by a powerful beam cannon from something lurking within it. The destructive display attracted everyone's attention as the asteroid shattered. Unfortunately, in the process, the beam consumed a group of GuAIZ mobile suits carrying a meteor breaker and nearly hit one of the Nazca class ships.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" Deraka shouted.

"There is something coming out of that asteroid," Yui remarked after defeating a GINN.

Luna took aim, firing her beam cannon into the dust cloud before the hostile within could be revealed.

To her shock the shot was defused upon whatever she had hit. The dust cleared and revealed something unusual. A kind of machine attached to a large ship-like component. It was mostly orange and dark gray in color. The compartment behind it was unleashing drone-like machines with three drill-like limbs. Two acted as arms and presumably defensive weapons, while wires floated around it, likely for stability. Soon more than a dozen appeared surrounding the strange machine as Gato's GINN near it.

The strange drill-equipped drones hurried towards the GuAIZ and the Minamoto Units. The ZAFT mobile suits opened fire with their beam rifles, destroying many of the drones, but more kept coming.

Sato was pleased that they could prevent things from collapsing, but suddenly the mobile armor's tentacles attacked his machine, tearing it apart. This was followed up by more drones attacking the remaining GINNs.

That thing on its back is producing them, Lelouch noticed. He observed the strange machine send out tentacle-like appendages to grab nearby asteroid fragments and remains of nearby mobile suits. It placed them into an opening on top of the back unit, likely to be recycled as resources to produce more drones.

Luckily the drones lacked the main machine's durability against beam weapons, so they were easy enough to destroy. Yet, Lelouch knew if their numbers continued to increase the drones would eventually overwhelm them.

Lelouch noticed something else and it gave him an idea.

There is no proof this will work, but if it does…

The Izanami Gundam's rail cannons fired, hitting the mobile armor and inflicting damage.

As I suspected. In exchange for having armor effective against beam weaponry, it's vulnerable to kinetic weapons, especially high caliber ones, Lelouch thought when he had a second idea come to mind. Now come and get me!

Lelouch fired the rail cannons as soon as they were ready, but this time the drones threw themselves into the line of fire. As Lelouch wanted, it was preparing to fire its primary weapon.

He couldn't help but think that this was a stupid idea, but…

The mobile armor fired its weapon. Lelouch was chased by the energy beam as it cleaved into Junuis Seven. From the bridge of the Minvera, Captain Gladys, Durandal, and Cagalli noticed something.

"That beam is cutting through Junuis Seven. It's splitting it in half," Cagalli said, observing as the half of Junius Seven still falling towards Earth was broken again in two.

"Of course," Durandal said in understanding. "He saw how powerful its beam weapon was, so he decided to take advantage of it. Furthermore, I suspect like he does, that the machine isn't being piloted. It must be some kind of autonomous weapon."

"Yes, otherwise it would have halted its own attack instead of helping break up Junuis Seven," Talia agreed.

"Who gave those terrorists such a weapon in the first place?"

"That Princess, is a good question," Durandal wondered aloud.

---

Meanwhile as the mobile armor continued its attempts to shoot down Lelouch, Dearka and Lunamaria took aim with their mobile suit beam cannons and shot at the mobile armor's drone production unit. They specifically aimed for the points where the newly made drones are launched from.

Their shots struck home and a chain of internal explosions tore apart the enormous back unit of the Mobile Armor.

Excellent. My plan worked, Lelouch thought, smiling triumphantly.

It should've been easy with them left to mop up any remaining drones and GINNs, but the mobile armor jettisoned itself from its critically damaged rear unit before it was engulfed in the explosion. Now it was moving much faster and more agile.

Yui intervened, parrying one of the tentacles before deflecting another with the Izanagi's Gerbera Straight and Tiger Pierce swords. Yzak was moving to support her, but was intercepted by enemy GINNs,

Despite their secret weapon turning on them, the remaining enemy GINNs continued to fight to the death, proving they would halt all attempts to stop Junuis Seven no matter what.

This rouge mobile armor and its remaining drones continued to add complications with ZAFT and Lelouch's forces tied up fighting the GINNs.

At least there was a silver lining in that the GINNs and drones were very manageable.

Cui cleaved a GINN in two after parrying its blade, before using her Minamoto's shield to block an incoming beam shot from another pair of GINNs making an attack run on her and a group of GuAIZ R mobile suits she was covering, who were moving another Meteor Breaker into position.

"Come on," Cui cried, a vicious smile on her face.

Suddenly a long range sniper rifle took them out.

"I got this group covered," Stella announced, having been using a floating island of debris as a sniper nest. As Stella scanned the battlefield, she found a group of three GINNs about to ambush another Meteor Breaker group. As she took aim, the three GINNs were attacked.

Mitsuki ambushed them, shredding the first GINN with a hailstorm of rifle fire from both Butterfly Busters and a sub-arm using a Beam Smart Gun in rapid fire mode. Its arms and legs came off before the torso was turned into Swiss chess before exploding. The two remaining GINN attacked. Mistuki merely grinned as the Butterfly Busters switched to saber mode allowing her to parry their attacks with dual beam sabers.

She kicked one GINN when it overextended itself in trying to cut her in half and the other GINN rushed her. Catching both of Mitsuki's blades with its katana and shield, but in the heat of battle the GINN forgot the sub-arms of the Minamoto TSFs. Another one, wielding a beam saber, stabbed the GINN through the left side of its torso.

Mistuki pulled back before it exploded, ready to deal with the last GINN, when, suddenly, it exploded.

"Huh!?"

Haruka had shot it down, hitting it from behind.

"I had that one," Mistuki protested.

"Come on. You don't have time to play with the enemy. There are other groups that need help."

"I wasn't playing," Mitsuki pouted as she and Haruka moved on to seek more of the enemy to eliminate.

She hasn't changed much. I suppose her habit of stealing kills from her teammates is the same too, Haruka thought, sighing internally.

Elsewhere Izumi joined Yui in fighting the mobile armor. With Yui distracting it, Izumi managed to slice off one of its winged-like arms, but it kept fighting on. Lelouch conducted hit and run attacks with his rail cannons to help create openings. Izumi and Yui had engaged the Coupling System between themselves to keep up with the mobile armor's attacks.

"This is taking too long," Lelouch muttered to himself, glancing at the altitude being monitored in his cockpit. The distance between them and the planet's atmosphere was quickly decreasing.

They had done a good job breaking up Junuis Seven, as another Meteor Breaker detonated. There were still some large pieces that could be a danger, but the smaller fragments should burn up in the atmosphere.

We need to defeat that thing now and finish the demolition, Lelouch trying to formulate a plan.

"Captain, can I help?" Haruko arrived armed with two MA-M92 Zankitou swords she had taken from fallen GINNs.

"We need to take that thing out now," Lelouch stated before deciding, "Connect to Haruko."

"Acception," Haruko replied without hesitation.

The Coupling System activated as the Izanami Gundam transformed into Destroyer Mode while the Minamoto eyes began glowing red as their minds became coupled as one. With a plan in mind the two wordlessly moved to assist Izumi and Yui.

Meanwhile, Izumi had been trying to get in closer for another attack, but its three tentacles were fast. Predicting when and how they would attack made closing the distance risky. Yui wasn't faring much better. With both machines in Destroyer Mode the mobile armor was on the defensive, keeping them from getting too close while still utilizing its dwindling number of drones of which only less than a dozen remained.

Yui and Izumi were both watching their altitude, because soon they were approaching the point where they risked getting caught in Earth's gravity.

Yui grit her teeth in annoyance as their efforts were being thwarted. There was still the threat of its beam cannon that they had to be worried about.

All we need is one nice opening, Yui thought, worried that the Coupling System would switch off soon.

Suddenly a Beam Magnum Shot came from behind, hitting the mobile armor. The impact was enough to stagger it, its armor diffusing the beam across its surface, destroying the remaining drones surrounding it. Lelouch followed up his attack with another barrage of the hip mounted rail cannons, hitting it in the face.

"What is he doing?" Izumi wondered.

"Wait, who is he Coupled with?" Yui asked, noticing the Inazami's Destroyer mode was active.

Their answer came as Haruko charged from above. With a battle cry she used both swords, striking the point between the main body and its remaining wing-like appendage, cutting it off. Izumi and Yui seized the moment, rushing the mobile armor.

Izumi beheaded it, before Yui finished the mobile armor off by bisecting it. The pair pulled back as it stopped moving.

"We've destroyed the enemy machine. Status?" Lelouch asked, contacting the Vortigern.

"The remaining GINNs are being mopped up and the last of the Meteor Breakers have been placed, but…some didn't detonate and now one large piece may enter the atmosphere."

"Sabotage?"

"It's possible. The Minvera intends to enter the atmosphere and fire its main weapon. We'll do the same to assist. We'll also try to destroy any other fragments that could pose a danger," Maya replied. "Once the last Meteor Breakers are in, all units are to return to the ship."

"Understood." Lelouch replied.

"Was it enough?" Yui asked.

"We've done all we can," Lelouch stated. They had done their best, but while some large fragments were still a danger, the worse case scenario had been averted.

Watching from afar, after having defeated some enemy GINNs, Shinn had watched Lelouch, Izumi, Haruko, and Yui take on the mobile armor and win, while Athrun along with his old friends had defeated the enemy units with no effort. The skills they all displayed were impressive.

I guess that's what it means to be battle hardened, Shinn thought.

Once the last of the Meteor Breakers were set, they activated, breaking up much of what remained of Junuis Seven, save for one large fragment.

It wouldn't wipe out life on Earth, but it could cause an impact that could wipe out a city if it fell in the wrong location.

Shinn and a few GuAIZ R covered the retreat of the mobile suits once their tasks were done, not wanting to fall prey to any more surprises.

However, Shinn noticed a familiar ZAKU trying to position a Meteor Breaker that wasn't firing, in an effort to get it to work.

"Hey, didn't you get the message?" Shinn called to Athrun as he approached.

"Yes I heard, so you can go back."

"But if you don't go back now you'll burn up in the atmosphere!" Shinn pointed out as the altitude meter in his cockpit flashed in warning.

"Even if both ships launch an external attack, it may not be enough. If I can just get this to dig, maybe the explosive ordinance within could still detonate," Athrun said as his ZAKU was struggling to position the Meteor Breaker just right.

Instead of arguing further Shinn moved to help him as the Impulse took hold of the Meteor Breaker opposite of the ZAKU.

"Why would someone like you be with the Orb Union?"

Shinn had heard about Athrun Zala. A renowned war hero who had defeated the seemingly invincible Strike of the Earth Alliance. Then later turned against his own father, former Supreme Chairman Patrick Zala when he intended to use the weapon GENESIS on Earth and wipe out all life on the planet. After the war he was discharged from ZAFT, moving to the Orb Union.

He could understand the stuff between Athrun and his father pushing him to leave, but why Orb? The very country that failed him. Cagalli's earlier outburst replayed in his mind.

Athrun didn't get a chance to answer.

A pair of beam rifle shots narrowly missed them. Four GINNs were launching an attack. They were hell bent on not allowing the pair to plant the last Meteor Breaker.

"These guys are insane!" Shinn exclaimed, blocking another beam shot with his shield.

No, they are determined to see Junius Seven fall. Any amount of damage they can cause is worth their lives, Athrun thought.

These were a brand new model of the high maneuver GINN. No doubt these were the men in charge of this operation..

Athrun felt disheartened that no matter which faction, there were plenty of men who refused to let vengeance go..

This all troubled Athrun greatly, but right now he had to face the enemy before him.

Shinn drew his beam saber to engage in melee as Athrun backed him up with supporting fire.. Shinn attacked when one of the GINNs had to block Athrun's shots. Shinn beheaded it, but to his surprise, the headless GINN tackled him before self-destructing.

Luckily the Impulse Gundam's phase shift armor managed to protect him, but the force knocked him back. Leaving Athrun to engage the last three on his own.

Even worse the remains of the GINN that had self-destructed hit the Meteor Breaker, activating as it burrowed into the ground.

There was no detonation.

Firing a few shots to force the GINNs to scatter, Athrun cast aside his rifle and drew his beam tomahawk. He parried the first GINN using his shoulder mounted shield following up with a kick, not wanting to risk being flanked by the other two. Athrun locked blades with the GINN, the two machines struggling trying to overpower the other. Activating the thrusters, Athrun surged forward ramming the GINN, giving him an opening to strike it down.

Athrun was immediately retaliated upon by the remaining two GINNs as one sliced off the ZAKU's arm holding the tomahawk. Defenseless, Athrun tried to pull away, but the second GINN was poised to deliver a killing blow.

Shinn shot the GINN in the back, then rushed to Athrun's aid, cutting off the GINN's arm holding its sword. The Impulse kicked it in the head before grabbing the hand of Athrun's ZAKU, fleeing from the scene.

Alarms had been sounding in their cockpits, warning them that Junuis Seven, the last large fragment, was entering the atmosphere as the rock began turning red hot.

As they fled, getting clear of the last fragment of Junius Seven, the last GINN was determined to take one of them with them, but after he grabbed one of the ZAKU's legs, Shinn cut its remaining arm off before kicking the GINN, this time with enough force to hit Junuis Seven, exploding upon impact triggering the Meteor Breaker, blasting a chunk away.

Athrun was diverting what power was left to the thrusters to escape Earth's gravity while Shinn struggled to pull them towards the Minvera, but the ZAKU's hand slipped from his grasp, and soon the Impulse was caught in Earth's gravity well, unable to escape.

---

Meanwhile the two ships were poised to attack, but were delayed when Shinn and Athrun didn't return. Maya, aboard the Vortigern had the crew using their sensors to try and locate the pair.

"Major, I've located them, they are bearing one thousand, mark beta," a crew member reported.

"Are they clear of Junuis Seven?"

"They are out of the line of fire."

"Contact the Minvera and pass along the information," Mata commanded. "All weapons prepare to fire."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Aboard the Minerva, Captain Gladys was hesitating, not wanting to risk killing Athrun and Shinn. Durandal had departed earlier, leaving for the Voltaire, but Cagalli remained aboard to await Athrun's return. Now she sat in uneasy silence, worried about his well being.

"Captain, we can't wait any longer. We won't be able to fire the cannon," Arthur warned as the Minerva could only fire its main gun for a small window during reentry.

"But we don't know where the ZAKU and Impulse are," Malik pointed out.

"Without their positions we could end up catching them in the crossfire," Chen Jian Yi warned from behind his station.

Captain Gladys was silent. her thoughts were broken by Meyrin who received an emergency transmission from the Vortigern. Acting fast, Meyrin used the information to confirm and display the whereabouts of the ZAKU and the Impulse on the main screen, magnifying the image.

"Captain I have the positions of the ZAKU and the Impulse, they are clear of Junuis Seven." Meyrin said, surprising everyone.

Cagalli was both relieved and horrified to see Athrun attempting to survive reentry using the ZAKU's shield, but its form was glowing red which was very concerning.

The worst part was there was nothing they could do for them. The Impulse Gundam's phase shift armor would enable it to survive reentry easily and with its Force Silhouette was capable of atmospheric flight.

They could only hope the ZAKU would somehow survive.

"Activate Tannhäuser," Talia commanded. "As we fire, try to move us closer to the Impulse and the ZAKU!"

"Yes ma'am," the helmsman replied.

The Vortigern fired its Linear Cannons. The Minvera joined, firing its Positron Blaster Cannon. Hitting its mark, each shot breaking a chunk off the large fragment.

The Minvera had managed seven shots, the final one shattering the final fragment, but the smaller ones got past, raining upon the Earth.

Of the fragments that fell, most impacted in the ocean. While this spared population centers from a direct impact, this left coastal cities and towns at risk from tsunamis.

Still things could've been far worse.

---

Fleeing the scene was Neo in his Exus, his mission complete.

"He's going to have a field day with this," Neo muttered to himself.

Approaching Junuis Seven was risky, but thanks to the debris, he was able to use it as cover to approach the colony.

With everyone being distracted by the rogue GINNs and the mobile armor, he went unnoticed. He did keep a safe distance, and got more than enough information.

Not only did Neo get sufficient evidence that ZAFT was indirectly responsible for Junuis Seven's near collision, he also collected more data on those unknown machines and their ship.

Yes, this would help make up for his previous losses.

---

Several minutes passed until the Minvera and the Vortigern could switch to atmospheric flight and make it through reentry.

Athrun had made it through as well, but his machine was in free fall. He had no means to slow down and his machine was disabled.

As if things weren't bad enough, his shield broke off sending him into a spiral.

"Ugh, without a booster, atmospheric flight is impossible," Athrun complained, trying to figure out a solution.

At this rate I'll hit the ocean, the impact alone will kill me, Athrun thought grimly.

"Athrun," Shinn's voice sounded through the cockpit. He was surprised that his Zaku could still receive a transmission. "Athrun do you copy?"

"Shinn, is that you!?"

"Stay where you are, I'll be right there."

"Stop, not even the Impulse has enough thrust to…"

Athrun was cut off as the Impulse grabbed hold of his damaged machine, slowing his descent.

Shinn's face appeared on a monitor, clearly annoyed.

"Why must you insist on telling me what can't be done?"

"Alright; what would you rather I tell you then?"

"Something like, help me you bastard!?"

Athrun smiled in amusement, "Would you prefer if I do that?"

Shinn could only shake his head, "No, that was just an example."

A moment later the pair saw a flare shoot through the clouds ahead of them. Following it back where it came from was the Minvera. Unable to contact them through the disruption caused by the falling fragments, they tried to signal them..

Lelouch, back on the Vortigern, watching through one of the monitors in the pilot's breakroom, noticed someone behind him.

"You knew this would happen didn't you? You expected that we would be caught up in it?"

Claude smiled mischievously.

"Maybe," Claude said innocently, as Lelouch glared daggers at the woman. "Oh don't look at me like that. It wasn't hard to know when and why Junuis Seven would be falling. It happens in every timeline for this world. The only difference this time around is that you did succeed in significantly reducing the number of casualties."

"If you knew why didn't you say something?"

"Because I didn't know exactly how things would play out. I can manipulate time and space, and observe other timelines so while I know all possibilities and outcomes, I won't know what will actually happen until it happens."

Lelouch's eyes narrowed, "So was something different about this?"

"Yes, that autonomous mobile armor you fought with all the drones. That was a first for this incident."

"Would you be willing to share anything about it?"

Claude considered this before saying, "What I can tell you is that the mobile armor wasn't made on this planet."

"How did those terrorists get their hands on it then? I assume they were unaware it was going to kill them too."

"That, I can't reveal yet as part of another bargain I've made. And besides, even if I did tell you, there isn't much you could have done with the information."

"How exactly?" Lelouch asked, trying to get anything useful out of her.

"Besides the seven kings, there is another group who were…let's just say, less than thrilled that I excluded them. For good reasons, I assure you. To keep them from causing trouble in this galaxy, some bargains had to be made, but of course they would find a way around it."

"By having someone not directly associated with them acting on their behalf. So they were the ones who provided the mobile armor?" he deduced.

"So far it was used in what was more or less combat testing."

"They intend to make more?" Lelouch questioned.

"Yup, but as you saw, besides their durability, that mobile armor has some issues. Don't worry they won't attack you directly, I won't allow it, but likely their main goal is to find out who the other Kings are."

"How long will your bargain keep them in check?" Lelouch asked, crossing his arms.

"Hopefully until you and others are capable of better contending with them."

---

A/N: Whew, the first huddle the group had to face as an "escalation" in difficulty they've faced.

For those wondering the mobile armor the Mebahiah comes from Mobile Suit Gundam IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS Urdr-Hunt mobile game. I had to rely on gameplay videos to figure out its weapons and capabilities.

And the other six kings and the BETA aren't the only dangerous party Lelouch has to worry about.

Those who've played the visual novel game Sunrider (which Sunrider Mask of Arcadius is free on Steam if anyone was curious) can take one easy guess as to the party Claude mention she works with, and they do have the means to reproduce the mobile armors from Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans, maybe even enhance them if they chose to or more.

Keep in mind while Claude did say she wouldn't allow for them to go after the kings directly, that doesn't mean everyone else is safe since Claude is the kind of goddess that doesn't want worship, instead she seeks entertainment, so keep that in mind.

On my Fanfiction.net profile page I began a "reader interest poll" on potential harem candidates for Lelouch because discussions to fill the last spots has stalled due to disagreements so the top twenty winners on the poll will be considered and rest cut from discussion. It won't decide the harem, but your vote could help break the discussion deadlock, but you are more than free to pitch why a certain character should join in a comment or a PM.

With that said, next chapter Lelouch and squad will get some shore leave before moving onto their intended destination, after they celebrate a squad member's birthday (when I made the story time to keep track of events I made sure to note the birthdays of the characters involved).

Thanks for reading and I am grateful for the feedback, both positive and constructive.

I just hope the next chapter, which is finished, that's its beta work will go a little quicker. Until then I'll see you guys next time.

 

[StrifeHavoc]

I thought I replied to this, but here we go.

Heroic Tribe can manipulate time, Destroy Dimension, Destroy Planet and Create door to another world outside Heroic Age Verse
Hell even with those strength they are powerless facing Golden Tribe so we can imagine how powerful Golden Tribe
I can said that Golden Tribe basically Race of God that can create universe

Click to shrink...

Well I don't know anything about the Golden Tribe so I can't comment, but I can say the ancient Ryuivans can do a few of those.

Indeed i hate how arrogant Brittannia that their citizens even thinking can do anything in Earth
They need to be humbled

Click to shrink...

[/QUOTE]

Oh yes they will be humbled big time unless an enemy of Lelouch bails them out.

 

[wahrifson]

I thought I replied to this, but here we go.



Well I don't know anything about the Golden Tribe so I can't comment, but I can say the ancient Ryuivans can do a few of those.

Click to shrink...

[/QUOTE]
Golden Tribe kind like of God
They are very scary i doubt Ryuvian can do anything towards them. Nodod Age with Bellcross reside in him can annihilate them. Well goodluck on your story. Shame Heroic Age do not add in this story.

Oh yes they will be humbled big time unless an enemy of Lelouch bails them out.

Click to shrink...

Good someone like Bradley, Kewell, and Ernst need check on reality. Luciano Bradley can be seen as representative of worst kind Britannia and human being.

 

[Jason Wu]

Lelouch the rizzler is never gonna stop umu. Glad to see this back

 

[StrifeHavoc]

Golden Tribe kind like of God
They are very scary i doubt Ryuvian can do anything towards them. Nodod Age with Bellcross reside in him can annihilate them. Well goodluck on your story. Shame Heroic Age do not add in this story.

Click to shrink...

Well it's more of a case I am not aware of Heroic Age enough to not just work them in, but ensure there is balancing, but it render Claude's prize pointless through which adds another issue.

Good someone like Bradley, Kewell, and Ernst need check on reality. Luciano Bradley can be seen as representative of worst kind Britannia and human being.

Click to shrink...

I agree and I had been hoping to have Lise Hohenstein be the one who destroys him, but she tragically may be too far "damaged" to join Lelouch's side, (she was considered for the harem too), but after much debate Lise as Bradley's killer was a no go, since I didn't want his end to be too quick.

Lelouch the rizzler is never gonna stop umu. Glad to see this back

Click to shrink...

The worst part is that he's not even trying lol.

 

[Sechs]

Autonomous self replicating MA, that is indead the the Mad Angels from IBO.