After the Artemis Encounter

[Sakurai Honoka]

She smiled and said,"Thank you it is truly an honor to serve with you and the rest of the Minerva crew. This will be my first assignment and I am glad it is Yamato Taicho.

[Lacus Clyne]

The chairwoman directed Sakurai to go to the same room where Kira was waiting. She told her that she has something for them to do as well. She then led Shinya into a passage way which connected to a hanger. In front of them was the mobile suit that the Creuset Faction did not steal. "This is X26S codename Epyon. I am assigning this mobile suit to you. Your job is to go to Orb and see if Cagalli has any new information. I must go now, but I wish you the best of luck. If you encounter any problems along the way please do what is necessary," she said. Before leaving she smiled and left the room.

[Akitsuki Yamato]

Shinya saluted Chairwoman Lacus Clyne before going to the pilots' locker room to change into his mobile suit pilot uniform. Shinya boarded Epyon. He turned on the O.S. and began configuring the computer. Once everything was set the cables were detached and the phase shift activated.

"Shinya Tanaka, Epyon, Ikimasu" shouted as Epyon took off and left Aprilius City.



Once Shinya left PLANTs he transformed his mobile suit into its mobile armor and headed towards Orb.

[Kira Yamato]

Kira waited in the other room for Lacus to returned. He then saw a young girl in a ZAFT uniform. "Hello, how are you? I'm Kira Yamato," he said with a smile.

[Sakurai Honoka]

Sakurai froze for a bit. All she saw was a "white coat" before even saying anything. She regain her composure. She rendered the ZAFT salute to Kira and said,"Please to meet you. I am Sakurai Honoka."

[Kira Yamato]

Kira smiled at Sakurai. "Please do not be startled. So you are going to be with us on the Minerva. It will be nice working with you." he said as Sakurai entered the room.

[Lacus Clyne]

Lacus Clyne entered the room and smiled at Kira and Sakurai. "I see the two of you have met. I have sent Shinya on his way to Orb. Now, let's discuss on the new crew of the Minerva before I will send both to Orb to meet up with Shinya.

[Sakurai Honoka]

Sakurai felt out of place because she just recently graduated and this was her first assignment. She remained quiet while Kira and Lacus spoke to each other.

[Kira Yamato]

Kira looked at Lacus with a puzzled look. "Crew of the Minerva? I thought this was it," he said. He then looked at Sakurai. "Please don't feel left out. You are part of the crew so if you want to say something, please speak," he said as he smiled at her.

[Lacus Clyne]

Lacus smiled," I am getting the Minerva ready and I forgot to introduce the CIC of the Minerva. I know this is something I do not wish to happend, but we may have to consider the possibility of another."

[Sakura Hatashi]

Sakura stepped in with her green ZAFT uniform and saluted the ZAFT salute to Lacus and Kira. "Please to meet to you, I have met you before Taicho," she said.

[Kira Yamato]

Kira looked at Sakura. "Yes, we've met before in Armory One. Weren't you the engineer there?" he asked the newly appoint CIC of the Minerva.

[Lacus Clyne]

Chairwoman Lacus Clyne smiled and noted that Sakura is good engineering, but also specializes in communication. "She has many talents," Lacus added.

[Sakurai Honoka]

Sakurai is amazed at how skilled Sakura was. After standing quiet for awhile she approached Sakura. "Hello Sakura, My name is Sakurai Honoka. I will be one of the pilots onboard the Minerva. It's nice meeting," you said.

[Sakura Hatashi]

Sakura looked at Sakurai and returned a smile. "No, it's my pleasure to serve on board a ship with pilots like you, Shinya, and Yamato-taicho. I will do my best to help you all as much as I can," she replied.