Dr. Saotome: "Shinn! Wake up! Wake up RIGHT NOW!"

Shinn: "Doc!? What's going...?"

Dr. Saotome: "No time! Get into your AC! I'll brief you along the way! I've already input the coordinates into the nav! Now hurry!"

* * * *

Shinn: "How long has it been since Walter lost contact?"

Dr. Saotome: "Still less than an hour. By the time I woke you it was about two minutes."

Shinn: "And since we're so close to the source of all this, you figured that Arquebus may have decided to finally play dirty."

Dr. Saotome: "Walter, that fool. Not only did he send Kira in early, he neglected to mention that shortly before the mission, Kira and V.IV Rusty of the Vespers were set up by Arquebus! Arquebus wanted them both dead. Kira won, no surprises. But now that this contact loss occurred... Dammit! You and Kira should have rendezvoused there!"

Shinn: "Relax, doc! I'm worried too, but I'm sure Kira will be fine for a while by himself even if something did happen. I'll find him and back him up. Entering the tunnels... UWAAA!? What was...?"

Dr. Saotome: "Mealworms...huge now, thanks to feeding on Coral. Never mind them and pay attention! The place you're heading to is Institute City. A massive city built by the Rubicon Research Institute to collect, study and control the Coral. That's what Walter, Carla, me and the rest of our friends have been looking for. Along with the Coral that's unmistakably there!"

Shinn: "Is it a good idea for you to start coming clean now, doc?"

Dr. Saotome: "Shinn, I know what's down there, but I don't know WHO is down there. I'm trying to prepare you. Dammit, why did Walter start the mission early!? You're coming up on the merged pathway. The place where you were supposed to rendezvous with Kira is up ahead. Listen, the Institute is going to be heavily defended by all the machines that are still around today. That's their programming."

Shinn: "Sorry to interrupt your story doc. But it looks like I'm being followed."

Dr. Saotome: "What the hell!? It's AC STEEL HAZE! I thought he retreated!"

V.IV Rusty: "Huh!? Who are...No, I know who you are. That AC configuration mimicking the Destiny Gundam... You must be J.. Or should I say Shinn Asuka?"

Shinn: "And you must be Kira's 'buddy'. Let's skip the introductions. What is your goal now? Depending on your answer, I may have to trash your AC a bit."

V.IV Rusty: "I really have the worst luck, huh. Just when I was thankful that the crew managed to repair STEEL HAZE in record time, I have to face Kira's friend."

Shinn: "I'm fully aware that you fought Kira and he sent you to the cleaners. But I'm also just as aware that Arquebus played you both for fools. What do you say? Will you let bygones be bygones as we fight side by side to save Kira? Or shall we continue where he left off?

V. IV Rusty: "I'm not underestimating you, kid. But I have to stop Kira. Please move aside...or be moved!"

Shinn: "I think I finally understand some of the stories Kira told me. How he felt when he fought people against whom he had no grudge. Let's do this!"

* * * *

V.IV Rusty: "Ugh! As expected of a Gundamstyled AC... No, this intensity is all you, kid..."

Shinn: "Don't call me 'kid'. There's barely a couple of years difference between Kira's age and mine. And I'll remind you: I am the person who once defeated the real Freedom with him in it. I'd appreciate it if you didn't take me lightly, Rusty."

V.IV Rusty: "And yet why do I feel you're the one going easy on me?"

Shinn: "Because, we don't have to fight! You are fighting for the Liberation Front. For the sake of Rubicon. Do you think Kira doesn't get where you're coming from!? He just wants to get off this planet! That doesn't mean he wishes harm upon your people!"

V.IV Rusty: "He doesn't. But actions tend to have unforeseen consequences."

Dr. Saotome: "Shinn! Another AC incoming! It's AC TSUBASA!"

Middle Flatwell: "Rusty! Wait! Kira and Shinn. Both of them are not mere hounds! You don't understand the potential they have. Even this young boy. They can help us! And they need us too!"

V.IV: "Oh I see it, Uncle. But potential and danger are birds of a feather."

Shinn: "Old man Flathead... Would you mind putting a leash on this hound?"

Middle Flatwell: "I suppose I'll excuse your disrespect towards elders seeing as we were the ones who attacked first. It's too late for regrets. But let me say 'sorry'... before we end this."

Shinn: "Heh. Sure. Alleyoop!"

V.IV Rusty: "What...!?"

Shinn: "YOU ARE FORGIVEN!"

V.IV Rusty: "ARRRGHHH!"

Middle Flatwell: "Rusty! Respond!"

V.IV Rusty: "As expected of Kira Yamato's friends. You're just as impressive as him. But this isn't over yet!"

Dr. Saotome: "AC STEEL HAZE is retreating."

Middle Flatwell: "Rusty made it... Good..."

Shinn: "I hope you have ejection seats, 'Uncle'. Bye bye!... AC TSUBASA, down."

Dr. Saotome: "Good work, Shinn. A supply sherpa is on the way. Rest up. I'm on the way!"