14 Chapter 12

-Bridge, Delano-

The recon craft had managed to track the ships, aboard the ship, Lieutenant Commander Natsume Kisaragi couldn't help but frowned as it took a few hours of having difficult manoeuvres around the asteroid field for her to navigate her way through by visual sight alone. But the rewards were magnificent, tailing the Alliance patrol group without being tracked.

It was at this time that the recon ship managed to tap into the communications coming from the patrol group.

"How is the communication encryptions?"

"Poor as usual, they've been transmitting on the same frequency, looks like they're desperate to get a response, we've gotten enough evidence, they're expecting to rally with the Archangel, at locations designated." The cyber warfare operator stated bringing up the intelligence.

Natsume then smiled.

"Looks like our little adventure was right on the mark, contact the Versaillus, Raeford and Hauser, the prey is set on."

-Bridge, Versaillus-

It took a bit of time to get the fleet into position and organize a battle plan for their engagement with the Archangel, Le Creuset was quite happy with what he saw, the report indicated that there was a total of five ships, and plus the Archangel, his battle strategy was going to have to ensure that the Archangel wasn't able to escape quickly. But to achieve this meant that he'd have to think outside the box.

"How would we manage to encircle the Archangel and the Alliance patrol group before they can escape?"

"From the size and disposition, I'd say we should attack with an advanced group of two ships, the Gamow and Versaillus and then bring the Raeford and Hauser from a flanking position, it'd be the most effective strategy."

"It won't work, should the captain of that ship spot our flanking manoeuvre they'd immediately turn to punch a hole clean through our lines before we could completely encircle them. Even if we wiped out their patrol, it'd fall short if the Archangel got away."

"Keeping the ships close at within a set proximity without allowing an easy escape would be best, but that open area, makes such a strategy difficult."

"It's open space..." Le Creuset said while he looked at the display, it was then something clicked in his mind. "Open space..."

"Pardon sir?"The captain replied clearly confused at his remark.

"How many tow cables do we have?"

"Collectively, we have more than enough for towing all the ships, but they're not meant to tow more than a set classification." The captain stated.

"Don't worry about that, we only need them to hold together long enough." Le Creuset stated as he formulated a new plan.

-Conference Room, Archangel-

"Let's be seated. We have a great deal to talk about." Admiral Halberton motioned towards a table, which had already been set up with three chairs on one side and four on the other.

Ryu then took one of the seat, he then take off his helmet and released a sigh of relieved. Because, lookslike they're okay with the guns he was carry on.

"…so young" murmured Admiral Halberton, he then cleared his throat after he was sure everyone were taken their seats. "Well people, we'll start from the beginning. Regarding the ZAFT attack on Heliopolis…"

Murrue felt exhausted. Not physically, she like everyone else had been sitting for the past several hours, but mentally. Admiral Halberton had been very thorough in his debriefing, and she had had to rely on both Mu and Natarle to help her describe the harrowing journey they had been through since the destruction of Heliopolis. Zero had remained silent for the first half of the process, which was natural since he had not joined up with them until later on. However, she could tell that he was listening intently, noting every minor detail.

Murrue felt as if she had a great weight on her shoulders. As the senior officer, she'd had to take responsibility for the ship and everyone aboard it, and their actions reflected on her. The admiral, while a fair man, was also relentless, pushing for every scrap of information on their encounters with the ZAFT forces. Throughout the debriefing she could feel the pressure mounting, and was sure she'd buckle under it.

When they had reached the part where Kira had brought aboard the life-pod containing Lacus Clyne, One of Halberton's aides, the captain, started ranting about how useful Lacus would have been in the grander scheme as a bargaining tool with the PLANTs, and Murrue could feel her own stress getting closer to the breaking point. After a few minutes of talking, finally Admiral Halberton insist for Lacus Clyne to stay on Archangel and follow to the Alaska HQ for more details action needed. The Lieutenant seems didn't like it, clearly showing displeasure on his faces.

The three officers finally got around to questioning Zero, which took a considerable amount of pressure off of Murrue and her fellow crew members. She breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Nevertheless, she made sure not to let go of her eyes from him. After all, he bought two guns on him, never knew what kind of things he'll do.

Looking over at Zero, Murrue detected the faintest hint of a smile, but it passed quickly, and she was sure that she was the only one that had noticed. Once again he was all business, fielding the admiral's questions with cool efficiency, never revealing more than he had to. In fact, several times he refused to answer at all, instead opting for a stare down with the three men across the table. Murrue was impressed that he would not only attempt something so blatantly defiant, but could actually get away with it, as first the aides, and then even the battle-hardened Halberton, shrunk back slightly under his withering glare. Thus Zero was able to avoid revealing where he had come from, and managed to keep secret the incredibly sophisticated and dangerous technology behind the 'The Beast' Barbatos Ultima Rex.

After they had gotten all the way through the battle with the ZAFT task force and the arrival of the 8th fleet, there was silence for a moment. The admiral seemed to frown at Zero for a moment, and then, quite surprisingly, gave a wry smile. "You know," he said, "you're a real piece of work, young man. Still, considering the sheer dominance you and your mobile suit show in battle, I can't really blame you." Turning to his aides, he said, "I see no reason to continue questioning him."

The lieutenant, a man in his twenties with slick black hair and a rather smug demeanor, immediately objected. "But-but sir, with all due respect, we still know almost nothing about this guy or his mobile suit, only the battles he's fought in with us!"

"Pipe down, lieutenant," Admiral Halberton snarled. "Show some respect. Zero fought on behalf of the Archangel, and that's enough for me. So long as he continues to do so, I can live with not knowing his origins."

He turned to the others. "That being said, we're still not done here. We need to discuss our next move." Murrue and her comrades nodded. "Now, regarding the civilians from Heliopolis, the Orb government has asked us to release them. They claim that we're using them as human shields."

Murrue was stunned. "That's absurd! We took them aboard because they would have died otherwise."

Halberton sighed. "I know, I know. I suspect that they're being pressured by ZAFT. The fact that Orb was helping us develop our own mobile suits and a new battleship has created a very tense diplomatic situation for them. They're trying to save face this way. However, we cannot release them until we get closer to the Earth. Then we can launch a shuttle and take them to their homeland."

"This will take some time though," the admiral continued. "As I'm sure you are aware, the Archangel is much faster than any other ship in the Alliance fleet. However, it is our duty to escort you to where you can begin your descent to Alaska Headquarters, so you will have to stay with us, as will the Heliopolis refugees. This will probably take another twelve hours or so."

He sighed, and Murrue detected a hint of apprehension in his features. "Also, before we came aboard, I received word from our intelligence service; ZAFT is massing a fleet to intercept us as we speak. I'm not sure if we'll be able to get you to Earth before they reach us. In the meanwhile, I suggest you all get some rest. To be frank, you guys look bushed."

Murrue could certainly agree with that statement. However, before she and the others could get up, one of the aides, the captain this time, spoke. "Sir, aren't we forgetting the matter of the Coordinator child?"

Murrue stiffened with apprehension. What does he have in mind?

The admiral looked at the aide questioningly. "What about him? As a civilian, he too will be disembarking with his countrymen when the time comes."

"But sir," said the captain, "he's the only one who can pilot the Strike. We could use his abilities."

"I agree with Captain Hallsworth," chimed in Natarle.

'What! She was adamantly against Kira piloting the Strike back at Heliopolis' thought Murrue.

She looked over at her second-in-command, eyes narrowing. What is she thinking?

"Kira Yamato's abilities," Natarle continued, "are a valuable tool for the Alliance. We should make him stay with us!"

"Kira doesn't want to fight!" Murrue shouted, unable to take it anymore. The others looked at her, stunned at her outburst, except for Ryu, whose only reaction was a little smirked.

'Never thought I'm gonna miss popcorn this much' Ryu thought as he looked over at Murrue and Badgiruel, continue on watching the drama.

"Kira piloted the Strike only to protect his friends," she continued. "He wants nothing to do with this war, and I for one will not force him to continue fighting any longer than he has to. He's done more than enough for us as it is."

"Nevertheless," Natarle countered, "you cannot deny that he has been exposed to valuable military secrets. We cannot just let him walk away." Turning towards the admiral, she said, "We must keep him with us, by any means necessary. Perhaps if we were to keep one of his friends onboard…"

"You will not finish that sentence, Ensign Badgiruel!" Halberton said, his tone making it clear that there was no room for arguing. "Other members of the Alliance may allow such a scheme, but I will not. Kira Yamato will disembark along with the rest of the Heliopolis refugees. Is that clear?"

Natarle nodded. "Yes sir," she said, her tone meek and subdued.

Admiral Halberton turned towards his lieutenant, which have a folder. Motion him to giving it to Murrue, he waited while she open it.

Murrue was stunned when she saw the contents. There were three pieces of paper, each with La Flaga's, Natarle's, and her own name on them. Clipped to them were new rank insignia to be worn on their uniforms.

Admiral Halberton smiled. "Congratulations on your promotions, Lieutenant Badgiruel, Lieutenant Commander La Flaga, and Captain Ramius. You're all dismissed. Go get some rest. That's an order."

"Yes sir," said Murrue, La Flaga, and Natarle. Ryu merely shrugged his shoulder.

"You will stay, Zero."

Ryu could felt all eyes on him.