It started about two days ago for OMNI Enforcer Lieutenant Paul Lyons, and Captain Jason Hiyan when they received word to report to the HQ of the Special Operations Units. The two men had just gotten back from subduing rebels, former members of ORB and ZAFT Radicals, who had made a base on the moon. The orders to come back to base came unexpectedly and without warning as they were supposed to be on shore leave for a couple of days after this mission was completed. Regardless the crew made their way back to base.

"Do you have any clue what is going on?" Paul asked Captain Jason who was wearing a fine gray and black uniform that was standard issue for most officers on it were two narrow yellow bands, and two blue tabs to identify him as a high ranking captain in the navy. Paul was also wearing one, the difference being that it had one narrow yellow band, two blue tabs showing that he was a lieutenant. it was rare for a man as young as Paul to be a Lieutenant in the army, But Paul was not just an ordinary soldier. He was the pilot of a Gundam. Though Paul's past remains classified for that very reason he himself carried himself just as well as most of the other twenty and thirty year olds around him. Paul and Jason walked down the sparkling clean hallway it was the middle of the day. Various staff and soldiers walked by and some saluted others went about their own business. The rebels on the moon were crushed without much effort thanks to the Raigo Gundam's amazing versatility in combat, Paul's natural talent and the skills of the pilots in the Daggers who fought in the battle were also great contributions. ZAFT was nowhere near as strong as they had been in previous years. It's own people didn't want to continue fighting for their cause now that Earth was more lenient towards coordinators with the hatred being condemned by the general masses. In all honesty the crew agreed that it was pathetic how easy their mission was and Paul Lyons himself found it rather more of annoyance than some plot to overthrow the government. Why would someone want to do it anyway? Was it that hard to live with an honest career? It (pirates, rebellions, ZAFT uprisings) hardly ever succeeded and when it did it nearly always crumbled in on itself. Even ZAFT was little more than an annoyance at this point with the gundams, they had captured back in London but they had not gotten Strike due to the fact that a man was responsible for gunning it down. He figured it was just a mindset of people and or their own personal choices however it was foolish of them to try anything in the first place. After the Four Month War which culminated in a ceasefire of ZAFT and OMNI Enforcer forces however it was an unsettling peace that woke up nastily in the Fractured Earth War which was solved when OMNI Rebels were defeated by Gundams Forbidden, and Duel.

Regardless Jason Hiyan was deep in thought so he missed the question. Jason was like this at times stern and brutal but also a thinker and was surprisingly clever. Which Paul respected of him for however, Jason was a veteran of the wars before and after the Four Month war with a lot of experience under his belt. There were rumors of how he fought and where he fought but in the end it was all classified and hidden by Jason's own request. There were rumors here and there about him being a former high ace pilot having received a record of kills in the hundreds some say it was 189+ kills and many battles. However even Jason balked at the number saying that there was no possible way he could have gunned down nearly 190 people. Others say Jason was originally supposed to be a gundam pilot but was reassigned after he punched a commanding officer, which is the most likely false from what Paul knew of the man, and many other rumors were sparkling around the Sundown and the base they called home . However it also annoyed Lyons greatly because whenever he thought about Jason's past it normally didn't go anywhere because even knowing the man for whom he was he never actually knew the man behind the man so to speak. Jason tended to block everything else out regarding it and he didn't tell anyone about it including his friends and officers. Captain Jason Hiyan also had a tendency to ignore things when in thought like he was now.

So Paul asked again slightly more louder and more sternly and then Captain Jason shook his head getting of his thoughts for the moment. He still was in his considering something as he looked down at his fellow colleague and sighed. Paul was always so impatient with things and it tired him to no end. The boy was a natural pilot without any doubt but in the end he was still a young man. Jason felt responsible for the guy and knew he was quite old for his age of twenty but that did not stop him from disliking the kid’s attitude at times. However after so many missions together and after meeting Miss Lacus, who he thought would even out Paul's darker attitude, he had learned to accept him for who he was. The two men had an older brother-younger brother relationship and he would hate to see Paul come into harm’s way even if Paul felt otherwise at times and insisted he got into danger. When Jason made a call that angered Paul for whatever reason he obeyed it but did so grudgingly which was rare as both of them got along notoriously well. "Yes...yes I'm sorry for being lost in thought. I was just trying to figure out what this mission is going to be and nothing came up in memory in terms of conflicts. So I would have to say no I don't, but it may have to do with the resurgence of ZAFT forces in the colonies. There also might be something down here on Earth that might need our attention." Jason said but it was more or less a mumble. Paul nodded agree with Jason's train of thought. Unless space had gotten riled up again in the time Paul and the crew left it meant Earth was the main target. Paul and Jason arrived at the meeting room at the end of the hallway and Paul opened it using a control pannel. As they walked in it was General Patrick Patton, Grand Commander of the EA (Earth Alliance) and OMNI Enforcer forces on the planet, who greeted them. He was wearing his full admiral suit and no one else was present in the room besides him. Strange indeed but not out of the norm for Patton whom generally kept to himself and was known for having private talks with people on a more person to person basis. Patton said it helped him pick out spies.

Confused Paul wondered what could bring such a high ranking official out to greet them however. After all the group had done nothing worth noting as of late to warrant the need for him to come to them so to speak. Their last missions were mundane rebels crushing runs and tracking down George Kyleson with no luck. He was suspicious now and curious of what this mission really was. Jason on the other hand saluted and greeted the man in the way officers normally did. Paul followed in suit to Jason and apologized for not doing so earlier. As they sat down General Patrick told them about a recent signal that was being reported by various captains and forces in the region. The nearest squadron had also vanished in an attempt to find out what it was. The commanders and generals believed that it was ZAFT forces making some sort of space station and there were also reports of odd signals going around that were heavy in static and could not be interpreted. Jason breathed in heavily as Paul looked at the screen intently memorizing the details as quick as he could.

"I see. So you want us to go and investigate this and report back to you on whatever we find correct? I will accept the mission." Paul said as he stood up and looked at the screen. Jason himself could only stare, brows furrowed, trying to get this whole thing in his head. There were also reports coming in from other captains of odd mobile suits signals in the area of unusual design and varying strength and numbers. It seemed ZAFT was at its job again and making more units despite the agreement made at the end of the Four Month War which made a certain ceasefire between the Earth Alliance and the ZAFT Colonial Forces.

"Will we be receiving reinforcements and will our suits be repaired? We just got back from a mission and our crew is tired. I will need fresh units and parts along with food, fuel, and munitions to cover the entire field General Patrick sir." Jason said formally but he knew Patrick did not get to be a general by dealing with political crap so he assumed that Patrick had indeed done so already. It was confirmed as the General informed him of the stolen ZAFT GINNs being all pulled out and replaced by the new modeled Slaughter Daggers designed after the Strike Gundam that was captured by ZAFT during the battle of London. They were also told of the ORB Union that was formed a year ago had finally made a deal with them. The Union had given them a handful of special units that were then mass produced in the short amount of time the Sundown had been gone and fighting at the moon. The Murasame was a special unit and had its own designated units and pilots. Indeed the general had thought of everything these were improvements over the GINNs but Jason requested that they leave a few on-board as auxiliaries just in case. Patrick was confused since the Sundown, an Arch-Angel Class ship that was made specifically for Jason's usage as a command ship, to which the General told them he would do what he could. He finished up by saying they would be receiving plenty of extra crew. Alpha Team led by Grant Nimitz a talented new cadet officer who had formerly served with Paul Lyons, Beta Team which would be staying with them, Omega Team which was Paul's personal team, and SIGMA team whom piloted the Murasame units sent by ORB. Paul thanked Patton and left with Jason after saluting the man.

Paul and Jason than said goodbye to the general and sent messages to the officers and staff of the Sundown before going to where the Slaughter Daggers being stored and moved to the ship. The Murasame units were also being brought onboard. The Paul looked at them as they were brought aboard the ship. He was thinking why such a huge military force was being made to combat a bunch of ZAFT lackeys and fools. He swore he caught a glimpse of an odd looking mobile suit being stored in a giant crate and brung aboard but he was not sure maybe it was just some sort of prototype Murasame unit. Regardless he looked around and saw a group of pilots in dark green jump suits walk up to Jason and introduced themselves as SIGMA squad and were being transferred to his command. Jason saluted them and told them where to go and who to report to before they returned the salute and went aboard the ship.
=========================

However he heard a familiar female voice calling out to him and knew a who it was by Jason's grin. A pink haro unit was also with her Lacus Clyne, daughter of the former Chairman of the PLANT Siegel Clyne (who had sided with the EA during the Four Months War). Lacus herself was an occasional singer whom supported communities ravanged by war or whatever misfortunes fell upon them. Lacus ran up to him and hugged him tightly and pulled him close. Paul smiled and chuckled as he hugged her back tightly. He figured that she'd arrive soon after all even though he was a soldier and she a peace loving girl who was two years younger than him, they had a strong relationship due to their own senses of morality. Lacus hated war but understood that Paul was doing what he was doing for his family and the people of Earth. It was a necessity of the times to have soldiers like Paul and Jason. It was needed in order to make the universe a safer place for naturals and coordinators alike. Paul however inside was a soldier, a person brought up with the expectations that he thrived in battle, He was indeed full of hate and bitterness inside but that was a side he kept hidden very well and it was only brought out when certain individuals were around. This side of Paul Lyons was a side of him Paul hoped he never would need to show Lacus. He keeps his emotions away hidden and he was a killer, a glorified killer in the eyes of his superiors and government, but he was a killer none the less. She cared for him deeply regardless and when she could be she was an outlet for the young man. "I was hoping you weren't hurt and I'm glad you and Jason both returned safely. I told you stop fighting these wars they are wrong! Self defense is one thing but...I know that you know nothing else but fighting and I know that the people you hunt are normally pirates... but... but still I'm sure you can do anything you put your mind to. In fact I know you can! I worry about you when you go off and fight! Despite the fact that you insist on doing this job you've had for so long and defending the weak and those unable to defend themselves but still you ever think what I'd do if you died out there. It is selfish but it's how I feel. You are my soldier and I won't let you just throw away your life like that." Lacus in quiet pride making her worry for her future husband clear said as Haro looked up at them both saying its name over and over again and then Captain Hiyan walked off hiding a smile and muffling a chuckle he'd let them be alone for a few moments. It would be good for Paul to do in the end. Lacus was a beautiful, kind, and sincerely caring young woman. He smiled at the fact that she was with Paul who he had seen ruthlessly cut down the enemy soldiers in his Force Impulse days before hand.

"I told you Lacus I can't stop fighting like you said I know nothing else. There are very few people with my skills and I made a promise to my father to keep Earth safe...to keep you safe. I have to go to war Lacus if I don't who will protect those weaker or unable to protect themselves? If I don't who will? And don't say someone else will because you know that is not true. We, as humans, can't possibly stop fighting. I aim to change that or at the very least do something; so that others won't be crushed and that we can finally understand each other as hopelessly idealistic as that sounds." Paul said letting his gentle side sink out of him. However it was still bluntly honest of course he would never lie to Lacus but at this point in time he was still tired and he had to go back into the ship into space and fight again. It never seemed to end but he was glad she was here to help. But despite this he said it was a kind loving passion and let it show that he believed in what he said.

It was a rare moment for the man as he was normally stern and cold around most people whom weren't from his usual routine. He was also sarcastic and cruel at times but when he was with his family and friends he let that go for a moment. Paul almost always slipped off his mask to show the boy lost and killed at adolescent by circumstances beyond his control and the man who was born of those circumstances in return. Lacus meant a lot to him she was kind and caring where he was a brutal killer when in the cockpit. Even then Paul sometimes let things go and he took risks. It was the best he could do even as pitiful as it sounded. Lacus...she gave him the confidence he needed to move on with his life otherwise he'd be much worse off than he is now and ever since George fought him in the Aegis, a gundam that was a part of his Father's G project. he did not know what to think anymore. Lacus gave him the love he needed even though it was a very thin line that would shatter it like glass if the truth of the matter reared it's ugly head. Love...romance....trust....what were those concepts to a man like Paul. Paul depended on many things and his family was one of them even his guilt ridden father who had rejected the military and went into living alone until Lacus's father convinced him to move in with Paul and Lacus.

"I understand that Paul, I know you have your own battles to fight, but if I lose you...I...I don't know what I would do. I know about George, your friend from long ago who was with you up until a year ago. You may have forgotten but you told me about him when we first met and I know you've fought him before at least once. Maybe you can stop fighting and work things out with him! Please he is the closest thing to a brother you ever had surely he will listen to reason and to you!" She pleaded tempting Paul with sad eyes and her natural charismatic nature. She always knew that Paul Lyons's soft spot was his old friend whom he had nearly killed once before. However that soft spot was buried under many other emotions including a passionate flaming hatred that burned Paul's soul like a fire.

Paul got slightly angry at this but then was appalled at how he was about to react and calmed down. He loosened his tightening grip around her and sighed. He could never confront George again in civil terms unless he, George, truly wanted to make amends for their conflicts. However that was unlikely George was passionate man he (Paul) knew that he would have to fight him...and one of them would die otherwise the conflict would continue. However deep down in his heart Paul wished he could solve their problems and understood that it was a futile hope. The hatred was strong but...was the past stronger?

"Look Lacus...Please understand I need you to go home and keep things going there while I go on a mission. I should be back soon. You need to take care of my father and everyone else in the neighborhood. You are their friend and you are family to the whole community. I'm truly sorry but that's what will happen and I have no choice to go on the mission otherwise I'd be court marshaled understand? Please Lacus, I don't like it either but it's for the best at the moment. What if I lose you? What if I lose Jason as well who will be there for me then?" he said pulling away slowly from her reluctant to leave her side and then patted Lacus on the shoulder she kept his head down for a moment composing herself then looked up fiercely at him. "Promise me you'll come home and I'll leave now." Lacus said stubbornly she did not want him to go away on another month long mission on some war torn and bleak area again. It was too much to ask of him or any soldier to make such a promise however Paul did indeed promise her he would but it was rather unconvincing. Despite that she seemed satisfied enough and decided to leave and said good bye before picking up Haro and holding it in her arms. She did so and looked behind her back once As Paul walked up the ramp and entered the Sundown. The crew members did whatever they could to hurry up the launch and many outside where still getting ready. OMNI Enforcer was doing everything they could to prepare themselves for the flight. He also learned that there were extra medical supplies and ammo stored onto the ship's cargo bay. Paul was pleased about the progress the crew was making and was prepared for anything that may happen on the mission.

As he entered he saw the familiar and new faces and saluted those who did it to him, which was nearly everyone since he outranked the majority of them even at his age, and entered the bridge. Captain Jason was sitting in his chair and confirmed to Paul everything was green except they were waiting on some people and that they were launching soon as well. Paul nodded "Good the sooner we get there the better. We need but Jason grabbed Paul's shoulder gently. "Did she take it hard again? She is a stubborn girl that one. Don't keep ignoring her feelings." Jason said in the way a best friend would speak to another as Paul faced away from him. "It hurts I won't lie I'll make it up to her though. I'm going to go run checks on the Raigo before we go there. Thanks for the concern though." Paul said as he pulled away from him. As the ship lifted off all the crew could think about was the journey they were about to go on. Paul sat down modifying the GAT-FJ108 Raigo Gundam. Captain Jason left the control room to take a look his normal priorities and as the last of the creates were set aboard after come hindrance by the apparent ineptitude of the supply officers. The Murasames were being loaded and SIGMA squad was settling in, roughly, with the rest of the crew. A repair group also came aboard but Jason had the second commanding officer to clear them before they came in. As the last of the shipments where brought aboard the Sundown took off. Paul was in his room and he would remain there until the time came. The Gundam was already tuned into his specs but he was not sure how much he trusted this new ORB Union. The ship rumbled as it tumbled into orbit and went on its course.