Dana saw the Artemis loaded into the bay of the Wing 1 when she found Mercurio prepared to make his way to the entryway. She made her way down when she asked, “Yuy, I think you remember that message we got from Architect I right?”
Mercurio turned around to answer, “Yeah, it’s been a while since we brought it up.”
“Here’s the thing, after what we faced in Amsterdam I think it might be a good idea to find out what he has to say.”
“You think his message has something?”
“He couldn’t have accidentally sent one to you knowing what I was piloting.”
“I guess I could.” As Dana and Mercurio made their way to the Artemis, neither of them were prepared for what they were about to see.

Malcolm was at the head of the leading carrier where the Parliament was gathered while he waited for the liftoff to commence. His gaze was interrupted when Devine entered, “Mr. President, we’ve received a status update the equipment and mobile suits have been gathered.”
“Good work. Be sure to issue the quarantine warning on the city for now.”
“Right away sir.” Devine walked to one of the nearby panels when he followed his order.
As soon as Malcolm saw the leaders outside were prepared for the liftoff he activated his computer terminal to contact the remaining military personnel. “Attention military leaders of the Earth Sphere United Nations. The Second Carthage Protocol is now in effect. Our capital has become too much of a target with the Sol Theros and insistent members of the Coalition determined to destroy us. We will however have the chance to prevent ourselves from enduring another siege when we regroup in Quebec City. The Coalition is currently situated in the Americas, but the defenses of our city will be capable of holding their own against any attacks. It is my hope that we will be able to hold our own here until Kecker’s intentions have been made clear and brought to a halt. This may not end the war, but it will hopefully bring us a step closer to discovering what we were lured into executing. The organization for Earth Sphere and OZ forces is available for all leaders to assign their men. Prepare to leave shortly, we must permit our main forces to prepare for their mission as soon as possible.” When he was finished he turned to Devine asking, “Have our forces been organized according to assignment?”
“Yes sir. The Gundams have been loaded to the head of the fleet and Major Yuy has escorted the Representatives to their transport. Berlin Central Command now confirms that Second Carthage is in effect. They will be able to operate efficiently while we are away and have been informed to make contact with any Coalition forces under the same conditions according to the terms of friendly engagement.”
“It is truly regrettable that our capital must fall this way. It will be better we survive to the end so that our people have someone to look up to.”
“One day the people will be able to rebuild their lives. We must only begin with defending them and what forces we have.”

Edward had some time to himself when he entered his personal room on the carrier before two of his guards entered. He commanded without greeting, “So it has been decided that Quebec is our next destination after all. Once we arrive leave all activity with the Coalition to me. I want none of you to contact them regardless of our situation.”
One of them brought out the first concern asking, “With all due respect sir, are you certain you haven’t thrown in your cause to the Earth Sphere?”
Edward gave a brisk of his hand when he denied, “You may dismiss any such concern. I am only doing what I may find possible in order to survive for now. These failures we have endured only serve to relieve this planet of the incompetent.”
“And this trip to Quebec is set to further that strategy?” The other guard asked.
Edward turned in his chair to face the table when he answered, “With any luck the Sol Theros will be present in the Americas as well. Otherwise our forces in New Brunswick will see them destroyed. Only then I will have the grounds of calling myself a true General and Coalition leader.”
“I see. The strategy depends on letting the Gundams into space while we find our way to the enemy capital. Once they leave we won’t have to worry about anything but our Earth Sphere captors. The Sol Theros would probably still be a problem if they’ve landed.”
As Edward considered his answer his face became melancholic when he remembered the proper quote for this situation. “It will be seen today that we permit the deer into security whilst I the wolf lie in wait for the proper moment.” He returned to his thoughts of planning when he turned to face them demanding, “Of course I should assume if any of you have loyalty to the Coalition you will not let anyone know of this plan other than ourselves.”
They both saluted when they answered, “Yes sir. The new President will approve of this takeover.”
Edward was pleased with himself when he saw his plan unfolding. “Provided that we see this strategy proceeds as planned. Once it does however then we will have what remains of Earth civilization in my hands.”

Relena saw the other representatives continued to wait for takeoff when she looked for her husband. Heero was at the head of the cockpit area where the President was when she asked him, “Heero. Can you please find the one where our son is?”
“He’s on Wing 1 with the others. Their forces will be dropping once we pass over St. Johns.” He answered seeming to already know.
Despite everything she knew about the procedure Relena pleaded, “Please. Give me a chance to speak with him before he goes.”
“No.” Heero answered. With everything that happened Relena didn’t want to make such a request an issue but found it wasn’t necessary. He placed a hand on her shoulder when he finished, “We’ll contact him together.”

Dana was at the cockpit with Gawel and Zachariah as they prepared the engines and programmed the autopilot. She looked at the schematics for the new buster rifle on the Artemis she displayed earlier while asking, “How soon do you think it can be done?”
Gawel was the first to answer, “If we ask real nicely at St. Johns we might have the materials necessary. After that construction won’t be much of an issue but test firing at this point is pretty much a no go. You’ll have another field test to do it looks like.”
Dana accepted this situation, “Good enough. If anything we won’t just be throwing sticks and stones at the Sol Invictus.”
Zachariah entered the conversation when he asked, “Seriosuly the way we keep finding tech along these lines is just crazy. You’re still not willing to tell us who gave you this?”
Dana shook her head explaining, “Yeah. It’s a pretty touchy subject right now.”
Zachariah turned to the schematics again when he accepted, “If you say so sir.” He saw the communications panel light up when he responded into the microphone, “This is Wing 1 reporting.”

Nasir strapped himself to his seat when he looked outside at the capital observing, “Well this is it. If we’re lucky at all this might be our last mission.”
Mercurio answered in a slightly downcast tone, “It has been for many of our men. I don’t want to see any more of us die but if we might have to take that risk again.”
Keijo was next to him when he asked, “Feeling okay Mercurio? Sound like something has you down.”
Mercurio leaned back slightly while he looked as if he was trying to solve a difficult puzzle. “I guess some revelations are just a bit much to take in before they can be explained. Sorry.”
Cinzia seemed to overhear the problem when she offered, “We’ve all had some of those. Maybe tell us when you feel ready then?”
Mercurio nodded when he promised, “Sure. I can do that. Not sure if I can say when though.”
Dana made her way to the holding area for the pilots when she notified, “Hey Yuy.” Mercurio stood up to see Dana was holding a small hologram projector when she continued, “You got a private call from one of the carriers. The back room can give you the silence you might need.”
Mercurio accepted it when he confirmed, “Thanks sir.” He wasn’t sure what the privacy would be needed for but he decided it might be a good time.
It was only a moment before he found out why he was offered the chance. He saw a hologram of his mother, father, and two sisters Helena and Selena to greet him. Relena was the first to introduce, “Mercurio. Having a chance to see you again was such a relief. It’s so regrettable it had to be so short.”
Mercurio smiled when he agreed, “Thanks mom. I never thought I’d have to help save you myself but you’re safe now.”
Selena showed her enthusiasm for the moment when she reminded him, “Yeah you had to help dad when mom was at gunpoint. This is probably the closest thing to one of their old days we got to hear.”
Helena grabbed her arm when she reminded, “Selena, mom and dad were having a moment with Mercurio. Besides you forget dad got shot so it’s not glorious.”
As if to break away Relena’s control of the message Heero separated the twins with his good arm when he said, “Girls, I’d do it again if I had to. It’s not anything that goes against my duty.”
Mercurio responded to the answer, “I heard one time you wouldn’t even consider doing that.”
Heero sighed when he agreed, “A lot happens even in just a few years Mercurio. I never even thought I would have to be out there again.”
“I’d say you did the best you could considering everything.” Mercurio reminded.
Heero kept his injured arm in a safe position when he agreed, “I guess I did.” 
Selena was quick to point out, “Yeah you did. Don’t be modest about it.”
“Don’t interrupt them.” Helena prompted.
Heero cut them both off when he said, “So your mother wanted to make this call. I think I’ll let her speak now.”
Relena came forth with her question, “Mercurio. Do you know how long this mission will be?”
Mercurio thought briefly before answering, “I’ll be gone another six weeks if the calculations are right. It’s going to be a while before anyone finds out who’s coming back alive.”
Heero reminded, “Whatever happens out there, just remember everything I told you.”
Relena was next to point out, “And remember who you have to return to.”
Mercurio gazed into their projections when he promised, “I’ll make sure to. I’ve lost a lot of friends on my way through here but I’ll bring as many of them back as I can. We’ll all get the chance to return to Earth.”
Relena didn’t give her next command with the motherly concern Mercurio expected but saw her with the face of a mother who fully accepted her son being sent to war. “If this is the case it will be another long while before we see you again. Mercurio, when you return please come to the city. Even if it’s just for another few moments I want us all together again.”
Mercurio gave a simple few words that anyone would wish to hear in this moment, “I promise I’ll be back.”
Relena lifted her hand in parting, “Goodbye Mercurio. My son.”
Heero parted, “Good luck out there. Make us all proud.”
Selena added, “Remember us when we’re out there.”
Helena promised, “We’ll make sure everyone hears about you up there.”
Mercurio ended the call when he offered, “Goodbye. I love you guys.” The hologram disappeared while Mercurio made his way back to his seat. Moments passed before the carriers one by one made their way off the ground and towards the west where the new capital would await them.