PHASE 36 - SEVERING TIES
-------------------------------------
"Such a good boy, showing up for me." Avent sneered.
Ryuji just grumbled, but sped up to meet his opponent.
"Hey," Elena called over. "Do you want help with him?"
"No, go ahead. If he's here so will the rest of his team."
"Gotcha. Good luck."
The Deus broke away as Elena moved towards her allies.
"You and that girl shouldn't be here."
The Freya shot its beam cannon as it raced toward the Nergal.
"What the hell is your problem?" Ryuji dodged the shot, equipping one beam rifle for his machine.
"My problem?" Avent bellowed as he blazed past. "My problem is Newtypes like you. You're all walking garbage to me. Every. Last. One. Of. You."
The air was ignited with a spray from the Nergal's weapon.
Turning away, Avent hid his machine behind its shield before returning fire.
As his machine dropped to avoid the attack, Ryuji wondered to himself. He didn't know why the thought hadn't occurred to him prior, but there was only one way this could end. The only way this figurative mark of death would end when one of them was gone for good.
"It wasn't my choice." Ryuji said firmly as he held his position while the Freya screamed past. "I never asked for this!"
"That doesn't make a difference, boy! Some people are born with desires to murder, to cannibalize their own, to rape...it's still wrong! Haven't you read what atrocities have been perpetrated by Newtypes?"
The words dug into Ryuji's skin.
"So they're different from the horrible things done by normal people?" The Nergal gave chase, firing at the Freya. "You know, like torture and murder others because of race issues? Yeah, that's really different."
"Quit dodging the subject!" Avent snapped. "The primary instigation of this war is attributed to
Newtypes!"
"People don't fully understand what that even means!"
"It doesn't matter! We know enough to see what trouble a Newtype is. You, a product of my own training, and Japanese by birth, you've still managed to turn on your own."
"How did you ever become so twisted?"
Avent was rushing in, the Freya's hammer lunging forward.
The brutal impact sent the Nergal on a ground ward course.
"Because, even a child knows evil when it shows itself."
---------------------------
The small screen displayed the positions of their mobile suits and of the enemy's.
"What kind of pattern are they using?" Martin asked himself. "It doesn't even look like the base is the target."
He growled.
"They're going only after the mobile suits. Okay...that doesn't make sense."
----------------------------
The wave of energy sped through the place Wade's Scorpio had just been.
He whistled, eyeing the Aurora.
"Close one."
"That one seems to be a really good unit." Jana commented.
The grimace in his reply was very audible.
"I can tell."
Another wave left no time for pause.
"This is so stupid." Jana hissed, now the one left to avoid a hit.
Inside the Aurora, Nicoletta sat cool and calm. They would continue to scramble and then, eventually, they would succumb.
-----------------------------
Alice and Smith's Scorpios pulled up next to Alban's.
"Why are you out here, man?" Smith wondered.
Alban's eyes shifted. He was intently looking for something and it showed by the position of his mobile suit.
"I've noticed the flying type and heavy weapons mobile suits...besides the handful of Zeuses in the mix."
"You're right." Smith agreed. "Think they stayed home?"
"Don't I wish." He continued his search. "There was that other artillery one, but I'm mostly concerned about that machine I can't see."
There was a silence as it dawned on Smith what mobile suit Alban was talking about.
"Oh, yeah." He said quietly. Internally, he damned the thing, remembering what it had done to a good friend.
"You don't sound too happy." Alban commented.
"Let's just say these guys have caused us and Elena some major hassles."
Alban replied, but with uneasiness.
"I see."
A second later, he bellowed a firm, "Move!"
How Alban knew, they couldn't say. What they were sure of was how none took a hit by a shot from the Nephthys.
"That just now popped up within range!" Alice exclaimed.
Alban was already moving toward the enemy.
"Obviously, that wasn't good enough."
As Jin sat in the cockpit, he checked over the instrument panel to confirm settings.
"How did they notice me before?" He muttered.
"You were probably within range." Sky said flatly. "If you want, I can sweep in and take care of them."
A pause hung there for a moment while he considered.
"No, it's just three Scorpio's. I'll get a warm up before my real target gets here."
"Whatever."
-------------------------------
The abbreviated beep told Elena someone was trying to contact her.
"Hey." She greeted.
"How is out there?" Veronika asked. "I just got to the bridge and thought you could give us a better picture from above."
"Yeah, Ryuji took on that one flying mobile suit or armor--whatever it is-- and I'm looking to see who needs a hand."
"What can you tell me about their movement?"
There was a long pause as Elena assessed the fighting.
"Maybe it's just my POV, but it sure as hell looks like these guys are just picking a fight with our mobile suits. I'd bet they could blow through if they wanted, but--"
"So, it looks like they're going after mobile suits?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"I'd love to know that myself. The Augustine can't launch right now, so hopefully no battleships come into play."
"You're not the only one hoping."
--------------------------------
A glint of light attracted Nicoletta's curiosity.
She kept her focus, but brought up a smaller image of the object onscreen.
"I wondered where that one was."
"Need some help?" Elena called to Wade and Jana.
"Well, if you don't have anything better to do..." Jana mockingly grumbled. "...would be nice."
What Nicoletta had hoped for…exactly.
The Deus was descending toward her.
"Hey, Suzaku, if you want a shot at the silver mobile suit, move to my location."
"Really?" Jin returned, darkly ecstatic.
"Hurry, because I aim to take this one down today."
"Not if I have anything to do with it."
She'd let him have a chance if he got there.
If.
The Aurora twisted out of the Deus beam saber slash.
Nicoletta was changing over to the repeater.
Elena cocked her head to one side.
"Yeah, I remember you."
Punishing fire from the Aurora further embellished the memory.
She could also tell that the pilot was still as good as she could recall.
The Deus lifted an arm out with the palm open.
A smirk grew on Elena's face, but her piercing eyes would tell the enemy she was determined to beat.
"Let's go."
----------------------------------
The Nephthys rained a hail of missiles and fire over its three targets.
The ground belched up around them, clouding their vision.
When the dust settled, the single enemy was gone.
"Hey, where'd he go?" Alice asked, looking around to try for a glimpse of the enemy mobile suit.
"It just split." Smith looked at a screen. "Not too far away, yet...think we should go after him?"
"I don't know." Alban pondered.
"What?"
"Why did that guy just pull out like that?"
"Hell, I don't know. Do you want to chase him or not?"
"We need to follow him. C'mon!" Alice figuratively put a foot down. "He just walked off like we're not important."
----------------------------------
Ryuji violently struggled to stop his machine from driving into the ground, but his limited time was rapidly fading.
Avent dropped the Freya after the Nergal.
The beam pistols were out. Though the range wasn't ideal, even a decent spray would at the very least incapacitate Ryuji's mobile suit.
Even so, he let the computer lock on to the falling machine.
"Now, I can be done with you."
Above him, even through the vibrations, Ryuji could make out the Freya aiming right at him.
Another unneeded problem at the moment.
Still, the idea came to him.
The beam rifles at the Nergal's hips aimed out and up at the Freya.
"Damn!"
Avent curtailed his descent to avoid being shot, and then he was mildly surprised by the quick recovery and resurgence Ryuji showed.
"He got a second wind." Avent muttered in disgust.
A couple beam shots streaked up from the ground.
"--The hell?" He turned an angry eye to the Scorpio on the ground. "You need to stay out of this."
The Freya extended one arm toward the mobile suit.
Before he could fire, the machine became two pieces and toppled over.
"I'm sorry, sir." Sky apologized. "This one must've strayed from the base. It wasn't with the others."
"No, you did exactly what you should have with your machine." Avent begrudgingly commended.
"Do you need assistance, Lieutenant?"
"I'll be fine." He hissed. "However, there's a large concentration around Giovanni's position, including that silver mobile suit."
"Understood."
"Wait!" Ryuji pleaded with a threatening undertone. "She's important to me. Stay. Out. Of. It."
There was a smug chuckle.
"I think you've forgotten something," Avent informed, "we're no longer on the same side, so I can't fathom why you would even try to plead your case!"
Slowly, the Nergal floated nearer to the Freya.
"Unlike you, I actually do care about people, especially those I've worked with."
"Fantastic." It was clear Avent was rather bored with what Ryuji had to say. "That's just fantastic, though you should know that I care about people, too. Unfortunately for you, you're not on that short list. Nor is that Elena girl."
There was a silence, but Avent could make out the inaudible gasp.
"Oh, I've known about her for awhile." He casually explained. "I do hope she's not that important.
Either way, I don't see a future with Newtypes. They're an infection in the Federation, and every instance we've had within the Union has always been an act of terrorism. It's in the best interest of everyone if Newtypes simply just disappeared!"
He made sure Ryuji could hear his order to Sky. "Go ahead and take care of that silver mobile suit."
The hair on the back of his neck was on end and Ryuji knew words were pointless now. Whatever hope he had for a peaceful end had to be thrown aside.
The Nergal barreled toward the Freya, beam saber ready.
"You won't touch her!" He yelled.
"Or you'll do what?" Avent sneered at Ryuji. "It's obvious you're not up to the same level as I am." He casually moved the Freya aside and watched the Nergal shoot past.
"Check your shoulder." Ryuji told him with a soft, yet very invigorated tone.
Avent was sure of himself; then he saw it on his machine's right shoulder. There was a visible nick in it.
The Nergal slowly turned around, and it's eyes flashed.
"Avent Marquis!" He bellowed. "You won't touch her!"
Both beam rifles flipped out and sent a volley of fire at the Freya.
Surprised at the furor of his former subordinate, Avent hastily moved the shield into place.
If it weren't for that move, he knew he would have been moving to the afterlife. He didn't know what had suddenly come over Ryuji, but whatever it was, he now had a vary dangerous opponent.
He lowered the shield enough for the Freya's eyes to peek over the top.
A large, incoming beam blast forced him to jerk out of the way.
Inside the Nergal's cockpit, Ryuji sat breathing deeply, focusing on the Freya. He could see Avent in front of him. It was clear he didn't know what was happening, but it was disturbing to him.
-----------------------------------------
The Deus twirled in the air.
Another burst of shots sprayed up, but were blocked by the mobile suit's wings.
It was similar to the game Elena had to play against that machine before.
She moved again, looking for a chance to finally fire back.
So far, it was a stalemate between the two machines.
While true the Deus gave her a more even chance, that didn't nix the prowess of the enemy pilot.
The one hand it poked out finally sent shots down toward her opponent.
Nothing connected on the target, forcing the ground to vomit up chunks of the earth.
She felt some hesitation to rushing in for a kill, but the she knew better than to be careless here.
Below, Jana trained her mobile suit's beam rifle on the Aurora.
"I'll take the shot."
She focused where the reticule bounced around and started to settle into place.
It locked, and her finger moved to fire, but she hesitated.
She sensed something coming.
Elena's attention was diverted; something else was coming, but where was it?
In her moment of distraction, she slowed the Deus down.
It was enough for a shot to connect, jolting her back to the battle.
"What now?" She griped.
"Did you sense it, too?" Jana asked her.
"Yes, and it," Elena gritted her teeth as she barely avoided another hit, "was really bad timing."
Wade saw another shot connect with the Deus.
"If you have a shot, take it now!" He ordered to Jana.
"Watch my back. We're sensing something coming."
"Are you sure? I don't see anything."
"Trust me, sir. They're coming, and it's getting stronger."
His machine turned to stand guard.
In the distance he could make out glints of light, and they were confirmed by the sensors when he checked.
"Another enemy headed here?"
Jin finally noticed the Scorpio with his own eyes.
"I'll have to make this quick if I want a shot at that silver mobile suit." He said to himself.
The Nephthys took aim with its rail gun, firing away.
"Incoming!"
Wade maneuvered to avoid taking a hit, but reacted too slowly. He managed to have the shield up in time, but it was in mid-stride and caused his Scorpio to shudder.
Just as he had steadied his machine, he had to brace for several missiles from above.
"You made it." Nicoletta noticed Jin had arrived.
"I can't let you take all the glory." He smirked. "I owe her a nice beating."
"Come closer and have at it."
Elena felt the fire die down, allowing her to evaluate her situation.
The Aurora had turned away, charging Jana's Scorpio.
"I don't think so!"
The Deus dove after the Aurora.
"Hey, now!" Jin called out. "I've got a bone to pick with you!"
A missile fired from the Nephthys punctuated his challenge.
As Elena twirled the Deus out of the way, Jin took aim with the beam rifle.
The blast dissipated across the wings.
She connected his voice with previous encounters. Every time she'd run into him, he'd been defeated.
"How is he still alive when he fights like crap?" She wondered, exasperated.
Missiles launched from the Nephthys.
Both of the Deus arms flew forward, palms open, firing away almost instantly.
Jin watched the missiles explode and throw out smoke in the air.
He aimed the rail gun and beam rifle at the smoky cloud, precautious of his enemy.
"This time for sure."
His eyes narrowed as the cloud dissipated.
Though the Deus had descended, he still could shoot it down.
And he did.
An almost constant stream of light blazed through the sky.
Elena pressed on.
Though she felt the tremors from impact, she knew they dissipated across the Deus's wings.
"Elena, I'm going to kill you!" Jin howled.
The words concerned her, but she didn't have time to think.
She didn't have time to worry about who said them.
Both Wade and Jana combined couldn't last long against the Aurora, and she couldn't waste time fooling around with this one.
The Deus eyes glowed.
The heatrod unfurled as she closed in on the Nephthys.
Now, she could see beyond the metal giants on the battlefield; she could see the people within.
"Die-die-die-die"
"I'm reacting too slowly to--"
Jin shuddered.
Almost instantly, he caught a glimpse of the Nephthys beam rifle and attached hand go flying.
"Damn it!"
He turned to aim the rail gun, but noticed it too was missing.
"I don't know what the hell your problem with me is, but I'm through with this!" Elena declared.
Just as she prepared to dive for the final blow, she felt something else.
She looked around hurriedly.
She bit her bottom lip.
Where was it?
She homed in on the blond girl creeping up toward Jana.
The mobile suit wasn't showing up on the Deus sensors.
What was it?
Now, she remembered.
The stealth mobile suit.
"Just a little closer."
Her memory was jostled.
There was no time to hesitate.
Jin had been cowering, waiting for death only to see the apparent delivery dart away.
The Lilith was almost in position to strike and Elena wasn't close enough to make a good shot.
"Jana!" Elena commanded. "Move left! Now!"
"Wha-?"
"Just do it!"
Sky looked at the silver streak incoming.
Surely it didn't see her.
Of course not, the stealth system was in working order.
But, why was her target Scorpio moving away?
She wouldn't let it escape.
The Deus wasn't close enough for close-quarters combat, but Elena knew she was close enough to
make a lethal shot.
The hand aimed outward, the center of its palm began to glow.
Sky looked upwards as a glow of light grew stronger.
The Lilith fell sideways, one knee shot out.
She couldn't stop it. She couldn't stop anything.
Jana was startled as an explosion erupted off to her side.
"What was that?"
Nicoletta knew what it was.
"Lieutenant!" She called through the comm to Avent. "Lieutenant, we have a problem."
-----------------------------------------
End Phase 36
-----------------------------------------
Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (Complete 12/12/11)
-
tehprognoob
- Posts: 724
- Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:17 pm
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (New Phase 2/1/10)
plenty to read (And enjoy to an extent), I gotta say. Seems that Elena's finally catching up to the Newtype's full abilities. The grammar's not a plus, though. It is reads as it's and the possessive form for it is its; no apostrophe. I've noticed this in earlier chapters. The formatting seems poem-ish. Was that intentional or just happened?
PS: "Huff...Huff..." Took so long to read through lol.
EDIT: 60 posts! =D
PS: "Huff...Huff..." Took so long to read through lol.
EDIT: 60 posts! =D
Faithful soldier of the Hatsune Miku Scout Force
AVATAR: Zeig Soryu!
AVATAR: Zeig Soryu!
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (New Phase 2/1/10)
I'm using breaks as a way to do the drama.
I do try to run it through a spell checker, although it's certainly no magic cure.
I suppose I might be able to get my wife to read it again to help catch bugs, but as of now, she's preoccupied with the Twilight book series and thinks I'm starting to look like Edward.
I have the basic structure set to finish off this work at the traditional 50 installments and 37 is in the works.
I do try to run it through a spell checker, although it's certainly no magic cure.
I suppose I might be able to get my wife to read it again to help catch bugs, but as of now, she's preoccupied with the Twilight book series and thinks I'm starting to look like Edward.
I have the basic structure set to finish off this work at the traditional 50 installments and 37 is in the works.
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (New Phase 2/1/10)
PHASE 37 - REALIZATION
------------------------------
"What is it?" Avent replied.
"I believe the tide has turned against us." Nicoletta replied.
He squeezed off a couple of shots at the Nergal.
His teeth gritted as if to again curse its pilot.
"Hold on. I sent the girl your way."
"Well, that is the problem. The silver mobile suit just destroyed it, and Suzaku will probably be next. It seems he's taken some damage."
Avent exhaled.
"Even with new equipment, he can't hold up."
"That's your call, but either way, I have three more mobile suits coming up on me, and he's dead weight. I would suggest a retreat if you don't feel like dying today."
Shots streaked by the Freya--dangerously close, and Avent was feeling the heat. He'd awoken a monster in Ryuji Kai, and the rest of his team was at a disadvantage.
His face soured as he punched a button.
A flare fired from his mobile suit.
"You just proved why I can't let you live!" He growled, turning his mobile suit to leave.
He was seething, but he swore to himself the next time they met, Ryuji would not survive.
Nicoletta saw it.
"Suzaku, fall back."
All too grateful to be alive, Jin scurried to retreat like a dog with its tail between its legs.
"What the hell just happened?" He asked, dazed.
"Things turned against us."
She laid down a heavy stream of fire, backing away.
"Alright, fall back!" Wade called. "Looks like we're done here."
"I guess we missed the party." Smith said.
The three Scorpios arrived to two fleeing mobile suits and smoldering remains of a third.
"Yeah, it surprised us when it exploded, because frankly, neither of us saw it." Wade replied.
Smith almost left, but then stopped.
"Wait, wasn't that--"
"It was the stealth one." Elena confirmed. "I'm glad I noticed it in time."
"Hey, thanks." Smith said solemnly. "That's some closure for us three."
"Sure thing."
"So, it's over?" Ryuji asked.
"Luckily for us." Wade replied.
"What happened with you guys?"
"Oh, it looks like Elena took out one of their mobile suits and damaged another."
"Really?" There was some excitement in Ryuji's voice. "Which ones?"
"Looks like that stealth unit bit the dust and one of the heavy hitters took some damage."
"Sky...Jin?" He whispered to himself. It was a guess, but he knew he was right.
The thought pierced his heart.
"What was that? I didn't catch what you just said."
"Oh, it was nothing." He forced his voice to sound nonchalant. "I'll see you back at the base."
--------------------------
Elena exited the Deus and descended by lift.
"So, now that you've gotten married and vanquished the enemy, now what are you going to do?" Alice smiled.
"I dunno," Elena pulled off her helmet, "probably hide with my hubby."
"...and he doesn't appear to be around." Alice said with a slight disappointment.
"Well, his mobile suit's back and nobody told me about anything amiss, so I imagine he's okay. He was closer to the ship than the rest of us."
"True, but I would've thought he'd have to stick around for a check or something, you know?"
Elena shrugged.
"Must've not been much to say. I guess we haven't been too hard on them yet, because I get done pretty fast myself."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I mean, the Engel was a nice improvement over how the Zeus's were, but this is really nice.
Anyway, I'm gonna finish checking out and hose off."
---------------------------
"Hmph. That was interesting." Martin commented.
"Interesting...yes, quite so." Veronika said slowly. "I'm reserving judgment until Wade fills me in, but if the theory we have is correct..." She trailed off, then shook her head. "It still doesn't make sense."
"Would it be any comfort to know we downed one of their mobile suits?"
Veronika looked at him with a half-hearted grin.
"I suppose it's at least worth a consolation prize."
-------------------------------
Chancellor-Class Rhine
-------------------------------
Avent tore off his helmet in disgust as the lift descended to the hangar floor.
"That little bastard." He seethed.
At the bottom, Nicoletta and Jin awaited.
"What are your orders?" She asked.
Begrudgingly, Avent saluted and then replied.
"Do your follow ups and then you're dismissed."
Another piece was missing here.
Though he'd never cared for her, Jin sensed that this team was drastically different. First,
Ryuji, and now Sky.
He watched Avent exit the hangar, still clearly upset and angered by the events of the previous battle.
"Suzaku!" Nicoletta called. "You're not done yet. Stop daydreaming and get on with it."
His head snapped toward her.
"Ma'am!"
-------------------------------
There was a knock at Otto's door.
"Come in."
It opened and Avent stepped inside.
He saluted.
There was a burning fury in the lieutenant's eyes.
Though Otto knew the outcome, it would have been easy to see by Avent's expression.
"So, care to explain the situation?" the captain inquired.
"We lost." Avent said tersely.
"I know." He stepped out from behind his desk. "While my superiors have approved of your attempt, I will reiterate my aversion to it. I think your plan was ill conceived and poorly executed. Wars are won and obviously lost with rash moves like this. Frankly, I'm disappointed with your attack, especially from someone of your caliber."
Otto now looked Avent straight in the eyes.
"I'm beginning to believe this has gone beyond duty and into a personal level. Over the short period of time you trained Ryuji Kai, there was no record you or Lieutenant Giovanni gave in regards to any negative behavior. I appreciate the fact of what he has seen and the factor of his Newtype status in light of policy."
"However, Ryuji Kai is not the sole enemy of the Union. Why he's with the Federation, I don't know, but that is our enemy. Additionally, General Kyoji sent a personal response to us stating he's looking into the situation."
Avent's face twitched.
Otto continued.
"Needless to say, Ryuji Kai is not a subject we will be pursuing any further at this time. I would appreciate it if you would take some time to cool off and get a clear head. You are the leader of the mobile suit team on this ship and I expect that you maintain the professionalism and leadership that comes with the responsibility."
There was much Avent wanted to say, but he forced himself to refrain.
"I understand, Captain."
------------------------------------
Saratov
------------------------------------
Elena had pulled her hair back to tie it back with an elastic band.
It was then that Alice and Jana entered the shower room.
She finished wrapping the band before checking her watch.
"Did you guys just get done?"
"Yeah." Jana confirmed. "Nice work by the way. You saved my life for sure."
"Eh, no problem."
She reached into her toiletries bag to retrieve something.
Alice's head turned when she heard a spritz.
"Hey, hey. Am I seeing this right?"
Elena stopped with the perfume bottle in her hand before developing a sheepish grin.
"Oh, well, yeah, you are. I picked it up when we were out." Then she added. "As you can probably tell, it doesn't smell like a wet dog."
Alice laughed but Jana didn't pick up the reference.
"Huh?"
"I'll tell you later." Alice chuckled. "Anyway, it smells nice." She complimented.
Elena closed her bag and picked it up to leave.
"Thanks."
------------------------------------
It was a surprise to find the quarters dark, save for a glow toward the head of the bed.
"Watcha doing?" Elena asked knowingly.
"Reading."
By the wearied tone of his voice, she could tell something wasn't right.
"Not that it matters...I can't concentrate anyway."
He turned the book, pages down, and set it in his lap.
A sigh of frustration escaped.
"Mind telling me what went on?" Elena said, reclining beside him.
There was a deep breath, and then he slowly began.
"You know...those people we fought against? I used to be with them."
Elena nodded to indicate she knew.
"The head of the mobile suit team is Avent Marquis." He continued. "I know I've told you how he's a bit of, a, uh, jerk. When I fought him, I found out what level he's gone to with that."
"What do you mean?"
"He hates Newtypes, you know, nothing abnormal for someone within the Union, but he's beyond just that. Something's changed...for the worst. I mean for a moment, I knew exactly the depth of his hate. I literally saw it in him."
He heard Elena roll toward him.
She looked at him intently.
"You got that deep with the psi-res frame?"
"Not that I wanted to see that, but I did. It's a lot different than Jin. At least he's got a reason to hate a Newtype. Avent's seems to be more like a racial hatred instead of anger. I know Jin's probably misguided, but--"
He stopped.
She was rubbing his arm in support.
"So, was it what you expected? You know, in terms of taking on your old team?"
"Truthfully, I didn't think I'd ever be put in a situation where I'd be up against them...or have to see one of them die."
Elena's hand halted and she frowned.
"You're talking about that stealth one, aren't you."
"It would be nice if I weren't." Ryuji said forlornly.
"I had to."
"I know. I wish it didn't have to happen. I don't know much about her family, but I guess she's an only child."
At first, Elena felt jealously spring up.
What about this 'her'?
But she relented.
"Did that bother you?" Ryuji asked, almost as if knowing her thoughts.
"Well, I guess I did get a little defensive." She admitted.
"I could kinda tell by the face you made for a split second. I mean, if you want to know, ask. For me, I think I'll be fine, but you have to understand what serving in the military meant for me."
"I thought you said something about it being the place you stayed with the longest as far as you could remember."
"That's right." He turned to face her.
"Look, I know you had to do it. It's hard for me, you know, because she and Jin were the closest thing to a family I've ever had until now. The solider inside tells me it was necessary. The civilian side just asks why. I know you understand what it's like to loose someone in your family, but I wish this situation wasn't so warped!"
Then he stopped talking.
Neither could think of what to say.
Elena wasn't sure how long it was before she could formulate something to say.
"So, how do we get out of this life?"
"That's a great question."
There was a hint of a chuckle in his voice.
"If we could find somewhere to go to get away from the fighting. Too bad it's the only job I've ever known."
She crossed her legs, lazily swinging the top one.
"Can't say I'm much better off."
"You know, it would've been strange if you had signed up for the Union."
"Really...but, I guess it all worked out in the end."
Ryuji turned his head.
"Well, so far. I don't know what to do right now, but I guess we don't have a clear direction for somewhere else. So, we go with what we've known?"
"For now..."
"Yeah, for now."
----------------------------------------
Shanghai
----------------------------------------
Anders looked out at the birdfeeder. He nodded with the cell phone against his ear.
"Well, I understand the last two Prometheus satellites are being launched into orbit next week."
He listened some more to the other end.
"I understand, but the receptor points should be already finished...No, I wasn't told about them being behind schedule...I have no record about that notification...yes, please resend it. Thank you."
His thumb pressed a key and the call ended.
"What a way to start the day."
He placed his hands on his hips and frowned.
"It looks like I need to talk with the project mangers." He sighed.
The doorbell rang. It was quickly followed by the some voices as the butler opened the door.
A moment later he appeared.
"Mr. Cavalier," he announced, "you have two gentlemen at the door calling for you. They are from the military."
"I'll be there in a minute. Just go ahead and seat them."
"Sir, they said it's not a business matter. I think you need to come immediately."
Anders navigated his way to the front door to see two Union officers in the foyer.
"Mr. Anders Cavalier?" One asked.
"I am."
"I'm Colonel Liu Xian and this is Lieutenant Corbin Giri." He introduced. "Are you the parent of a Sky Cavalier?"
"Yes, I am. Why?"
"Sir, I regret to inform you that the unit your daughter was with was engaged in combat against Federation forces yesterday. During the battle, her mobile suit was destroyed by an enemy mobile suit. On the behalf of the Trans-Pacific Union, I offer my and the Union's condolences for your loss.”
After they left, Anders stood, staring at the closed door.
"Victor," he said softly, "please bring me a drink. After that, call work and tell them I won't be in."
---------------------------------
Munich
---------------------------------
The barkeeper heaved the last chair upside down and set it on the table.
He turned back toward the bar. It had been a slow night, so few glasses remained to be cleaned.
Just as he stepped behind the bar, he heard a knock at the door.
"Can't they read?" He grumbled walking toward the entrance. "We're closed, just like every other bar in the city!" He told the person halfway across, waving them to leave.
A second, stronger knock came as he whipped around back toward the bar.
This time, he walked all the way to the front.
"Hey, buddy, we're closed."
He exaggerated his mouth and pointed at the hours on the door and then to the business sign.
The woman raised her arm, leveling a pistol at the waist.
"Federation military, open the door."
The barkeeper understood. He was too close to run and have a reasonable chance of avoiding being shot.
With his eyes on the weapon, he slipped a hand into his pocket fish out the key.
"You're mighty calm for the situation."
The armed woman observed.
"I am Major Singer of the European Federation. I need to ask you some questions."
"Sure, why not." The barkeeper grumbled. "Like I have anywhere to go."
"That's good, because you need to come with me."
---------------------------------
Unknown
---------------------------------
Julia observed the barkeepers interrogation from behind the darkened pane.
"All that work has finally paid off." She said over the phone. "We've been able to trace some information back to Munich and we brought in a person of extreme interest."
Pagan was on the other end.
"Tell me what you know so far."
"First, his name is Lars Reinhold. We're working to positively confirm, but based on what we know, he's part of that Resistance something or other terrorist group."
"So they are still operating," he pondered, "even after that beating they took at Helsinki?"
"Apparently so. We've finally gotten this guy to crack. I think we were lucky to catch him. He wasn't carrying any cyanide like some of the ones we've run across."
"It's more as if they're still sloppy in certain areas. All the better for us, I suppose."
She paused for a moment as the man's screams made it hard to hear Pagan.
"Pardon that, Mr. Reinhold needed some encouragement in loosening his tongue."
"No bother. We need this to keep up with them. If anything has been learned, they are quite resilient, much like the hydra."
"Yes, you're right about that."
"In any case, you've been doing some excellent leg work. I think this should go a long way to put to rest some unfortunate circumstances you've had."
------------------------------
The call had ended, and Pagan rocked back in the chair.
"So much like a hydra. Every time they've been beaten back, but still multiply their ranks." He mused.
A humored smile drew on his lips.
"Oh, humanity, you greatly amuse me."
-------------------------------
Near Moscow
-------------------------------
Uriah stood back away from the tank of fluid. It began to drain as several workers gathered around it. Several minutes passed before the door slid open with a short, slight hiss.
He saw two arms flop up as they stood the tank's subject on their feet.
He moved in.
"You're awake, finally?" He asked.
Shilah's head lifted and her eyes rolled up toward him.
She coughed violently as to make her body quake from the force.
"Sorry, but, yeah, I'll be ready to go soon."
"That's good. I hope they've fixed your old...programming." He started walking away. "We don't need any dead weight like Felix. Our lord has said we've moved beyond the simple task of martyrdom and we will soon prepare the world for his dominion."
--------------------------------
Saratov
--------------------------------
Wade knocked at the door.
"Come in." Veronika invited.
He stepped into her quarters and saluted.
"You wanted to speak with me, ma'am?"
"Correct, major." She tilted her monitor to an angle he could see. "There's a few details being worked out, but this should be a good overview of the upcoming mission."
He studied it before speaking.
"It looks like we have better intelligence this time, but it's still a gutsy move."
"Of course it is. I can't speak for other leaders with us, but I plan on offering an exit well
before we move into position."
"They don't look kindly on soldiers going rogue."
She smiled morbidly.
"No, but at least the military courts will be booked for a long time."
"That's a lot of recruiting, isn't it?"
"Let's just say there's been a lot of dissent within the ranks and in public opinion. The bad news
is that this could severely impact the war on the front lines."
"At the same time, if all this info you've told me is correct, we're dead going a long with the
rest of the Federation."
"Yes...this may be criminal, but if you look at the big picture, the current path is destruction
at any cost."
"Basically, if we don't act, we, as in the Federation, are done for?"
"Precisely. It's more criminal to sit and do nothing."
----------------------------------
End Phase 37
----------------------------------
------------------------------
"What is it?" Avent replied.
"I believe the tide has turned against us." Nicoletta replied.
He squeezed off a couple of shots at the Nergal.
His teeth gritted as if to again curse its pilot.
"Hold on. I sent the girl your way."
"Well, that is the problem. The silver mobile suit just destroyed it, and Suzaku will probably be next. It seems he's taken some damage."
Avent exhaled.
"Even with new equipment, he can't hold up."
"That's your call, but either way, I have three more mobile suits coming up on me, and he's dead weight. I would suggest a retreat if you don't feel like dying today."
Shots streaked by the Freya--dangerously close, and Avent was feeling the heat. He'd awoken a monster in Ryuji Kai, and the rest of his team was at a disadvantage.
His face soured as he punched a button.
A flare fired from his mobile suit.
"You just proved why I can't let you live!" He growled, turning his mobile suit to leave.
He was seething, but he swore to himself the next time they met, Ryuji would not survive.
Nicoletta saw it.
"Suzaku, fall back."
All too grateful to be alive, Jin scurried to retreat like a dog with its tail between its legs.
"What the hell just happened?" He asked, dazed.
"Things turned against us."
She laid down a heavy stream of fire, backing away.
"Alright, fall back!" Wade called. "Looks like we're done here."
"I guess we missed the party." Smith said.
The three Scorpios arrived to two fleeing mobile suits and smoldering remains of a third.
"Yeah, it surprised us when it exploded, because frankly, neither of us saw it." Wade replied.
Smith almost left, but then stopped.
"Wait, wasn't that--"
"It was the stealth one." Elena confirmed. "I'm glad I noticed it in time."
"Hey, thanks." Smith said solemnly. "That's some closure for us three."
"Sure thing."
"So, it's over?" Ryuji asked.
"Luckily for us." Wade replied.
"What happened with you guys?"
"Oh, it looks like Elena took out one of their mobile suits and damaged another."
"Really?" There was some excitement in Ryuji's voice. "Which ones?"
"Looks like that stealth unit bit the dust and one of the heavy hitters took some damage."
"Sky...Jin?" He whispered to himself. It was a guess, but he knew he was right.
The thought pierced his heart.
"What was that? I didn't catch what you just said."
"Oh, it was nothing." He forced his voice to sound nonchalant. "I'll see you back at the base."
--------------------------
Elena exited the Deus and descended by lift.
"So, now that you've gotten married and vanquished the enemy, now what are you going to do?" Alice smiled.
"I dunno," Elena pulled off her helmet, "probably hide with my hubby."
"...and he doesn't appear to be around." Alice said with a slight disappointment.
"Well, his mobile suit's back and nobody told me about anything amiss, so I imagine he's okay. He was closer to the ship than the rest of us."
"True, but I would've thought he'd have to stick around for a check or something, you know?"
Elena shrugged.
"Must've not been much to say. I guess we haven't been too hard on them yet, because I get done pretty fast myself."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I mean, the Engel was a nice improvement over how the Zeus's were, but this is really nice.
Anyway, I'm gonna finish checking out and hose off."
---------------------------
"Hmph. That was interesting." Martin commented.
"Interesting...yes, quite so." Veronika said slowly. "I'm reserving judgment until Wade fills me in, but if the theory we have is correct..." She trailed off, then shook her head. "It still doesn't make sense."
"Would it be any comfort to know we downed one of their mobile suits?"
Veronika looked at him with a half-hearted grin.
"I suppose it's at least worth a consolation prize."
-------------------------------
Chancellor-Class Rhine
-------------------------------
Avent tore off his helmet in disgust as the lift descended to the hangar floor.
"That little bastard." He seethed.
At the bottom, Nicoletta and Jin awaited.
"What are your orders?" She asked.
Begrudgingly, Avent saluted and then replied.
"Do your follow ups and then you're dismissed."
Another piece was missing here.
Though he'd never cared for her, Jin sensed that this team was drastically different. First,
Ryuji, and now Sky.
He watched Avent exit the hangar, still clearly upset and angered by the events of the previous battle.
"Suzaku!" Nicoletta called. "You're not done yet. Stop daydreaming and get on with it."
His head snapped toward her.
"Ma'am!"
-------------------------------
There was a knock at Otto's door.
"Come in."
It opened and Avent stepped inside.
He saluted.
There was a burning fury in the lieutenant's eyes.
Though Otto knew the outcome, it would have been easy to see by Avent's expression.
"So, care to explain the situation?" the captain inquired.
"We lost." Avent said tersely.
"I know." He stepped out from behind his desk. "While my superiors have approved of your attempt, I will reiterate my aversion to it. I think your plan was ill conceived and poorly executed. Wars are won and obviously lost with rash moves like this. Frankly, I'm disappointed with your attack, especially from someone of your caliber."
Otto now looked Avent straight in the eyes.
"I'm beginning to believe this has gone beyond duty and into a personal level. Over the short period of time you trained Ryuji Kai, there was no record you or Lieutenant Giovanni gave in regards to any negative behavior. I appreciate the fact of what he has seen and the factor of his Newtype status in light of policy."
"However, Ryuji Kai is not the sole enemy of the Union. Why he's with the Federation, I don't know, but that is our enemy. Additionally, General Kyoji sent a personal response to us stating he's looking into the situation."
Avent's face twitched.
Otto continued.
"Needless to say, Ryuji Kai is not a subject we will be pursuing any further at this time. I would appreciate it if you would take some time to cool off and get a clear head. You are the leader of the mobile suit team on this ship and I expect that you maintain the professionalism and leadership that comes with the responsibility."
There was much Avent wanted to say, but he forced himself to refrain.
"I understand, Captain."
------------------------------------
Saratov
------------------------------------
Elena had pulled her hair back to tie it back with an elastic band.
It was then that Alice and Jana entered the shower room.
She finished wrapping the band before checking her watch.
"Did you guys just get done?"
"Yeah." Jana confirmed. "Nice work by the way. You saved my life for sure."
"Eh, no problem."
She reached into her toiletries bag to retrieve something.
Alice's head turned when she heard a spritz.
"Hey, hey. Am I seeing this right?"
Elena stopped with the perfume bottle in her hand before developing a sheepish grin.
"Oh, well, yeah, you are. I picked it up when we were out." Then she added. "As you can probably tell, it doesn't smell like a wet dog."
Alice laughed but Jana didn't pick up the reference.
"Huh?"
"I'll tell you later." Alice chuckled. "Anyway, it smells nice." She complimented.
Elena closed her bag and picked it up to leave.
"Thanks."
------------------------------------
It was a surprise to find the quarters dark, save for a glow toward the head of the bed.
"Watcha doing?" Elena asked knowingly.
"Reading."
By the wearied tone of his voice, she could tell something wasn't right.
"Not that it matters...I can't concentrate anyway."
He turned the book, pages down, and set it in his lap.
A sigh of frustration escaped.
"Mind telling me what went on?" Elena said, reclining beside him.
There was a deep breath, and then he slowly began.
"You know...those people we fought against? I used to be with them."
Elena nodded to indicate she knew.
"The head of the mobile suit team is Avent Marquis." He continued. "I know I've told you how he's a bit of, a, uh, jerk. When I fought him, I found out what level he's gone to with that."
"What do you mean?"
"He hates Newtypes, you know, nothing abnormal for someone within the Union, but he's beyond just that. Something's changed...for the worst. I mean for a moment, I knew exactly the depth of his hate. I literally saw it in him."
He heard Elena roll toward him.
She looked at him intently.
"You got that deep with the psi-res frame?"
"Not that I wanted to see that, but I did. It's a lot different than Jin. At least he's got a reason to hate a Newtype. Avent's seems to be more like a racial hatred instead of anger. I know Jin's probably misguided, but--"
He stopped.
She was rubbing his arm in support.
"So, was it what you expected? You know, in terms of taking on your old team?"
"Truthfully, I didn't think I'd ever be put in a situation where I'd be up against them...or have to see one of them die."
Elena's hand halted and she frowned.
"You're talking about that stealth one, aren't you."
"It would be nice if I weren't." Ryuji said forlornly.
"I had to."
"I know. I wish it didn't have to happen. I don't know much about her family, but I guess she's an only child."
At first, Elena felt jealously spring up.
What about this 'her'?
But she relented.
"Did that bother you?" Ryuji asked, almost as if knowing her thoughts.
"Well, I guess I did get a little defensive." She admitted.
"I could kinda tell by the face you made for a split second. I mean, if you want to know, ask. For me, I think I'll be fine, but you have to understand what serving in the military meant for me."
"I thought you said something about it being the place you stayed with the longest as far as you could remember."
"That's right." He turned to face her.
"Look, I know you had to do it. It's hard for me, you know, because she and Jin were the closest thing to a family I've ever had until now. The solider inside tells me it was necessary. The civilian side just asks why. I know you understand what it's like to loose someone in your family, but I wish this situation wasn't so warped!"
Then he stopped talking.
Neither could think of what to say.
Elena wasn't sure how long it was before she could formulate something to say.
"So, how do we get out of this life?"
"That's a great question."
There was a hint of a chuckle in his voice.
"If we could find somewhere to go to get away from the fighting. Too bad it's the only job I've ever known."
She crossed her legs, lazily swinging the top one.
"Can't say I'm much better off."
"You know, it would've been strange if you had signed up for the Union."
"Really...but, I guess it all worked out in the end."
Ryuji turned his head.
"Well, so far. I don't know what to do right now, but I guess we don't have a clear direction for somewhere else. So, we go with what we've known?"
"For now..."
"Yeah, for now."
----------------------------------------
Shanghai
----------------------------------------
Anders looked out at the birdfeeder. He nodded with the cell phone against his ear.
"Well, I understand the last two Prometheus satellites are being launched into orbit next week."
He listened some more to the other end.
"I understand, but the receptor points should be already finished...No, I wasn't told about them being behind schedule...I have no record about that notification...yes, please resend it. Thank you."
His thumb pressed a key and the call ended.
"What a way to start the day."
He placed his hands on his hips and frowned.
"It looks like I need to talk with the project mangers." He sighed.
The doorbell rang. It was quickly followed by the some voices as the butler opened the door.
A moment later he appeared.
"Mr. Cavalier," he announced, "you have two gentlemen at the door calling for you. They are from the military."
"I'll be there in a minute. Just go ahead and seat them."
"Sir, they said it's not a business matter. I think you need to come immediately."
Anders navigated his way to the front door to see two Union officers in the foyer.
"Mr. Anders Cavalier?" One asked.
"I am."
"I'm Colonel Liu Xian and this is Lieutenant Corbin Giri." He introduced. "Are you the parent of a Sky Cavalier?"
"Yes, I am. Why?"
"Sir, I regret to inform you that the unit your daughter was with was engaged in combat against Federation forces yesterday. During the battle, her mobile suit was destroyed by an enemy mobile suit. On the behalf of the Trans-Pacific Union, I offer my and the Union's condolences for your loss.”
After they left, Anders stood, staring at the closed door.
"Victor," he said softly, "please bring me a drink. After that, call work and tell them I won't be in."
---------------------------------
Munich
---------------------------------
The barkeeper heaved the last chair upside down and set it on the table.
He turned back toward the bar. It had been a slow night, so few glasses remained to be cleaned.
Just as he stepped behind the bar, he heard a knock at the door.
"Can't they read?" He grumbled walking toward the entrance. "We're closed, just like every other bar in the city!" He told the person halfway across, waving them to leave.
A second, stronger knock came as he whipped around back toward the bar.
This time, he walked all the way to the front.
"Hey, buddy, we're closed."
He exaggerated his mouth and pointed at the hours on the door and then to the business sign.
The woman raised her arm, leveling a pistol at the waist.
"Federation military, open the door."
The barkeeper understood. He was too close to run and have a reasonable chance of avoiding being shot.
With his eyes on the weapon, he slipped a hand into his pocket fish out the key.
"You're mighty calm for the situation."
The armed woman observed.
"I am Major Singer of the European Federation. I need to ask you some questions."
"Sure, why not." The barkeeper grumbled. "Like I have anywhere to go."
"That's good, because you need to come with me."
---------------------------------
Unknown
---------------------------------
Julia observed the barkeepers interrogation from behind the darkened pane.
"All that work has finally paid off." She said over the phone. "We've been able to trace some information back to Munich and we brought in a person of extreme interest."
Pagan was on the other end.
"Tell me what you know so far."
"First, his name is Lars Reinhold. We're working to positively confirm, but based on what we know, he's part of that Resistance something or other terrorist group."
"So they are still operating," he pondered, "even after that beating they took at Helsinki?"
"Apparently so. We've finally gotten this guy to crack. I think we were lucky to catch him. He wasn't carrying any cyanide like some of the ones we've run across."
"It's more as if they're still sloppy in certain areas. All the better for us, I suppose."
She paused for a moment as the man's screams made it hard to hear Pagan.
"Pardon that, Mr. Reinhold needed some encouragement in loosening his tongue."
"No bother. We need this to keep up with them. If anything has been learned, they are quite resilient, much like the hydra."
"Yes, you're right about that."
"In any case, you've been doing some excellent leg work. I think this should go a long way to put to rest some unfortunate circumstances you've had."
------------------------------
The call had ended, and Pagan rocked back in the chair.
"So much like a hydra. Every time they've been beaten back, but still multiply their ranks." He mused.
A humored smile drew on his lips.
"Oh, humanity, you greatly amuse me."
-------------------------------
Near Moscow
-------------------------------
Uriah stood back away from the tank of fluid. It began to drain as several workers gathered around it. Several minutes passed before the door slid open with a short, slight hiss.
He saw two arms flop up as they stood the tank's subject on their feet.
He moved in.
"You're awake, finally?" He asked.
Shilah's head lifted and her eyes rolled up toward him.
She coughed violently as to make her body quake from the force.
"Sorry, but, yeah, I'll be ready to go soon."
"That's good. I hope they've fixed your old...programming." He started walking away. "We don't need any dead weight like Felix. Our lord has said we've moved beyond the simple task of martyrdom and we will soon prepare the world for his dominion."
--------------------------------
Saratov
--------------------------------
Wade knocked at the door.
"Come in." Veronika invited.
He stepped into her quarters and saluted.
"You wanted to speak with me, ma'am?"
"Correct, major." She tilted her monitor to an angle he could see. "There's a few details being worked out, but this should be a good overview of the upcoming mission."
He studied it before speaking.
"It looks like we have better intelligence this time, but it's still a gutsy move."
"Of course it is. I can't speak for other leaders with us, but I plan on offering an exit well
before we move into position."
"They don't look kindly on soldiers going rogue."
She smiled morbidly.
"No, but at least the military courts will be booked for a long time."
"That's a lot of recruiting, isn't it?"
"Let's just say there's been a lot of dissent within the ranks and in public opinion. The bad news
is that this could severely impact the war on the front lines."
"At the same time, if all this info you've told me is correct, we're dead going a long with the
rest of the Federation."
"Yes...this may be criminal, but if you look at the big picture, the current path is destruction
at any cost."
"Basically, if we don't act, we, as in the Federation, are done for?"
"Precisely. It's more criminal to sit and do nothing."
----------------------------------
End Phase 37
----------------------------------
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (New Phase 4/21/10)
PHASE 38 - AGAIN, AN INSURRECTION
-------------------------------------------
Elena lay in bed. She was beginning to feel the tug to drift into sleep. At her hands, the blanket slid further up, over her bare shoulders. She blinked, then again, and again. Progressively, each time was longer than the previous and then she joined Ryuji in slumber.
-------------------------------------------
The first thing she could tell within her dreams was a tombstone in the distance. With nothing interesting in sight, she walked toward it. As she drew closer, she could make out a name.
ROSA FAUST
SEPTEMBER 8, 0072 - MARCH 21, 0107
LOVING WIFE AND MOTHER
In her tracks, she stopped.
What was her mothers grave doing solo? Elena knew the cemetery she was in had other markers littering the ground.
She kneeled, unsure as to why. To have a closer look, perhaps?
As she did, she began sensing someone behind her. Out here, where she assumed she was alone, she was not.
She turned her head.
A woman stood, though it was further away than Elena thought the person should be.
She stood, turned and began walking toward this woman.
The closer she came, the more detailed the woman became.
"What do you want?" Elena called from a safe distance.
The woman's face revealed despair.
"Is that any way to talk to me? I thought my own child would recognize me."
Elena felt her face turn to shock, and she noticed her legs propelled her forward.
She stopped within arms reach of this woman and slowly, deliberately investigating her features.
"Now, dear, you can believe it really is me."
Elena's eyes slowly rose to look at this woman.
Her mouth was open, yet she struggled to speak the single word identifying the other person.
"Mom!"
"Of course."
"But--but, you're--dead. I saw it when I was 9," Elena stammered, "almost 10! I thought I'd finally resolved this." She sank to the ground, overwhelmed.
She looked at the ground, trying to compose herself. Her mother had been dead for over ten years now. Yet, this woman was as real as it could be.
"There, there."
Rosa had crouched as well, and reach out a hand to pat Elena's shoulder.
There was a soft chuckle.
"You've always been the strong one, fighting every step of the way." Her arms now wrapped around
Elena. "You never cried at my funeral. It's not healthy to keep that up."
With that, Elena's arms darted out, grasping her mother and holding on intently to support her.
The muffled sniffles and wails continued for a long time, all the while, Rosa continued to hold her, stroking her head, holding this girl's face to her shoulder.
"But," Rosa finally said softly, "that internal strength seems to have been what's kept you going."
Elena looked up.
"You're strong, bull-headed sometimes, but that's what has led you to this point in your life.
That internal drive to defy...it’s part of you, Elena. You're changing into a woman, but that isn't going to dull you. Your focus changes, but not who you are."
She stood.
"There are things built into you that won't change. Don't reject change because of your fears.
See, in the end, you are still Elena. You've only started to experience what can happen when you set aside fear and doubt."
Elena now rose up after wiping her eyes.
"You mean marrying Ryuji?"
"Yes. Do you still have that tenacity? Of course, and that's a strength."
She turned to leave.
"You're a woman now, Elena, and that doesn't mean you become weak or shy away. Do you understand?"
Elena nodded firmly.
--------------------------
Elena came to from some shaking by Ryuji.
"Hey, are you alright?" He asked, seeing her eyes open.
"Uh, I dunno. I just had a really weird dream..." she sat up, holding onto the covers, "...with my mom."
"You look shaken." Ryuji looked closer.
"What is it?"
"It's strange, but it kinda looks like you've been crying."
She put her face into her knees, sighing.
Ryuji wrapped one arm around her back.
"Do you want anything; some water or something?"
"Uh, yeah, sure...water, please."
She stayed as she was.
The creek of the bed was followed by some rustling of clothes that she could tell was Ryuji quickly dressing.
"I'll be back in a minute."
As promised, he hastily returned, cup in hand. He handed it to her before making himself comfortable for bed.
"So, what happened?"
Elena rubbed her eyes with one hand and held the glass with the other.
"Have you ever dreamed..." she started to lose her train of thought and started over. "Have you ever dreamed something that was so real? Like, it was a memory of life?"
Ryuji wasn't sure he had, but then this question was probably rhetorical.
"Well, I had a conversation with my mom."
He tilted his head back, as if to examine her face.
"She's been dead how long?"
"Yeah, well...that's the funny thing: questions I've had, without them being given a proper answer, were answered."
"In a dream?"
"In a dream."
She took another sip of water.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Until your mumbling and moving woke me up."
"Good. I don't know how long I'm about to blabber about this."
"I don't have anywhere I have to go."
-----------------------------
"I wish you luck, Captain Becker." Zaskarov said, saluting Veronika.
"Thank you, sir." She replied back at the captain's chair arm console screen. "Hopefully, this will have a impact on Federation."
"I'm sure it will. There will have to be an inquiry with this large of an attack from within."
"At the very least, though I suppose treason charges is a strong probability."
"It's too late to consider that."
"Of course. It's just one of the risks we took, Graf especially."
"A bold man. Again, much luck to you."
The Augustine's engines roared to life as the canopy of the hangar opened above it.
"Augustine, launch!"
-----------------------------
Zaskarov watched outside until the ship disappeared from sight.
-----------------------------
Elena sluggishly walked up toward the line in the mess hall and grabbed a tray.
"Up at the crack of noon!"
Smith cracked a grin and waved.
"What can I say? I didn't sleep too well last night."
"Oh?"
"Strange dream, and then I kinda laid there forever, dozing off and on. Ryuji told me to go on ahead." She smiled apologetically. "I think he didn't sleep well after we talked about it."
"What kinda dream would do that to two people?"
Her tray slid along and a cup of coffee was placed on it.
"My mom talking to me."
Smith's eyebrows furrowed, and Elena sensed it, despite her back turned toward him.
"Yeah, it was really weird talking with someone I saw die before my eyes."
By now, Alice had come around with a tray for her and Smith.
"Oh, wow. I never knew."
In a few more minutes Elena came around to sit with her two comrades.
"Look," she set the tray down, "don't be sorry. It happened a long time ago. It's more the content that's bizarre."
"You should see a dream analyst." Alice twirled a fork. "Totally worth it. You might have some underlying issues you haven't resolved and maybe it's cropping up now."
Elena didn't think this to be the case, but didn't say anything.
----------------------------
Helsinki
----------------------------
Pagan walked down a hall behind the guard.
It had been some time since he last walked through the Federation headquarters. It was a familiar place, and he easily could tell his escort would slow down before he did so.
He stepped into the room.
"How long has it been?" Leonidas asked.
"Quite a number of months, chairman."
"War has that unfortunate side effect, doesn't it?"
The question was unanswered, so he continued. "I know you haven't been to the front lines, but I wanted your input on how to end the deadlock between our forces and the Union?"
"Out of the air, we could target some major cities....of course, those cities don't exactly correspond with military targets."
"So, you're saying a place like Beijing or Seoul, or Hong Kong are better?"
"Actually, if rumors are to be believed, Shanghai." Pagan replied frankly.
"Remind me, Commander, what makes that city so special?"
"I know it's the headquarters of Izanagi Mobile Design, a principle mobile suit company. They were behind the Zeus development."
Leonidas frowned.
Pagan could tell he was recalling the Federation's abysmal Orion mobile suit.
"However, what I'm hearing is that it is also the site where much of their prototype work happens."
He reached into a pocket and pulled out some photographs.
"I don't know if you've seen these yet," he casually said, tossing the images onto the chairman's desk, "but these are clearly not Zeuses."
Leonidas studied the mobile suits in the pictures.
"No, most certainly not." He leaned closer. "In fact, they seem to have some design similarities to some of our prototypes."
He sat far back into his chair, saying nothing for a long while, but finally spoke.
"You know what this means, don't you?"
"That we have a leak? Oh, yes, I know. Which is why I needed to let you know."
"So, what's been done so far?"
"We've been following the Resistance, and are positive, based on the information we've pieced together that there is a definite involvement by Federation personnel. We haven't traced a leak to any particular person, yet."
Pagan looked directly at Leonidas.
"However, it is quite interesting how these two facts coincide with each other."
Leonidas nodded. The point had been made, and he needed nothing more to say.
-------------------------------------
Outside Aseri, Estonia
-------------------------------------
The fog had long since gathered around the Augustine. Thick, gray and heavy, the ever present cloud forced the to move at a speed slower than Veronika would have chosen.
"I hope this isn't what we have to plow through all the way there." Martin commented, breaking the silence.
"It would be nice if it would clear up soon." She glanced down at her console screen. "We're coming close to the rendezvous point, and it would be helpful to see them with our eyes."
"Ma'am?"
A call from one of the bridge crew.
"Yes?"
"We're picking up three ships: one Leonard-class and two Hammer-class." Cara replied.
"Have they identified themselves?"
"No," Cara watched her screen, waiting for a conclusion. "However, they should show up--alright, the Leonard-class is the Victory and the other two are the Volta and Edison."
"Good, that means Graf is here."
As the announcement filled the Augustine, most of the crew was glad and it could be seen in their work. At least it seemed that way from the ship's hangar.
"How did we get dragged into this a second time?" Smith wondered.
Wade lifted his head from the clipboard.
"I didn't know you were part of the first assault. I thought you weren't part of us back then."
"I wasn't," Smith sighed, "but, I did get to dress up for a party before those fireworks began."
The raised eyebrow, forced Smith to clarify.
"Before this, I was part of the Centurion Guard on a job. We were hired in to help you guys."
"I can see why. That was around the time I just joined up, so I wasn't in that attack, but I remember it didn't go so well."
"That's a generous way of putting it."
Wade continued to sift through the paperwork before him.
"What about those two lady friends of yours?"
"Yeah. Both were there for the show."
"That Ryuji guy?"
"No. He's never been involved with my previous employer. I never met him until recently, but if you want more details, ask Elena." He glanced over at the Deus. "He really went with a firecracker."
--------------------------------------
Unknown
--------------------------------------
Julia approached the cell door.
The guards stepped aside, save for the one who unlocked it.
"My superior has told me how much your information has helped him." She told the barkeeper. It was hard to tell from his bruised and swollen face, but it didn't take much to surmise joy was not the expression he displayed.
"I'm going to give you a gift," she said as she placed a hand in her pocket. She pulled it out to produce a pistol. She started to place it on a small shelf beside the entrance.
"Go to hell." He grumbled, spitting at her for emphasis.
She extended her arm, aiming the gun. "I was told to give you the offer of dying alone. In any case," she said coolly, "you're not allowed to leave alive."
"Figures." He glared at her. "I thought I'd be a corpse when you showed up. Anyway, like I said, go to hell."
A flash of light coupled with a dull thud emanated from the cell. Then, Julia emerged.
"Have this cleaned up." She ordered.
---------------------------------------
Near Helsinki
---------------------------------------
Leonard-class Victory
------------------------
The door to the bridge opened and Graf entered. Captain Logan looked over his shoulder at him.
"All units are in position." He reported, as he returned to what he had been doing. "Whenever you're ready, so are we."
"What finer time to be in the company of loyal men? Am I right, John?" Graf mused, walking up beside the captain's chair.
"Do we have an open line to all ships?" The captain asked the communication officer.
"Yes, sir."
The captain nodded the affirmative to Graf.
Graf cleared his throat and then addressed his army.
"Thank you to all the members of the Peoples Resistance of Deutschland. I wish all of you luck in what we're about to do." He took a deep breath. "Now, begin the operation!"
-----------------------------------------
Reformer-class Augustine
-----------------------------------------
"Alright, people, let's get going." Wade began signaling his team to move toward the catapult.
"Give Helsinki a nice, warm hello."
The signal to launch appeared before him.
"Frazer team, launching!"
"Hey, Elena?" Alice asked over the comm.
"What's up?"
"You ready for this?"
"It looks like we have a lot more support this time. I'm not anymore worried over this than any other mission."
"Awesome. I guess I'll see you back here at, uh, whenever this thing gets done with."
------------------------------------------
Leonard-class Victory
------------------------------------------
Graf watched the sky fill with mobile suits.
"It looks like the first wave is about done." He looked at his watch. "A few minutes ahead of schedule."
-------------------------------------------
EF Headquarters
-------------------------------------------
Although Pagan wasn't officially in command, he still kept himself involved with the security. This wasn't a vacation, even though he hadn't been assigned a particular duty.
The operations center was busy, as it was the other times he'd been there. No rest, not when monitoring the safety of the Federation's leaders.
Pagan stood firm and unmoving from his place. Each one of the personnel worked, unsure if he cast an eye their way. No one was sure what he saw beneath that mask.
"Commander?"
One of the men called up to Pagan.
"What is it?"
"There are a large number of Scorpios and several battleships that have popped up within range. I wasn't aware of any incoming forces."
"What class?" Pagan inquired.
"Three, sir: several Hammer- and Leonard-class units, and one...one Reformer-class? I've never seen one of those befo-"
"Start level-one emergency status!"
"Sir?"
"There's been rumors of an attack, and no military units were set to come near Helsinki for another week, according to schedule." Pagan rubbed his chin. "That has to be them. We need to deploy all available forces immediately."
------------------------------------------
Edvard Casper looked witheringly over the top of the papers.
"That means we'll need to trim the travel budget another ten percent."
"Which is necessary to do." Ruslan Nata calmly explained. "It helps in a couple of areas: first, the cost, and second we're not as easy pickings if the Union wants to shoot us down."
"No doubt." Tarja Anderson sided with Ruslan. "I don't know how many recall this, but Cai
Deshang's predecessor's plan was shot down. The same thing could happen to us."
Another budget session had merely started and the council had started to wrestle.
Leonidas debated stepping in, but one of the black suited men from outside stepped in and made his way straight to the leader.
He stooped down to whisper in Leonidas ear.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but we have a situation where we need to move the council to a safe location."
"What about?"
"We believe this building is under an impending attack from a rogue group. Please, come with us immediately."
Leonidas nodded, and then spoke.
"Council members, it has just come to my attention that we need to adjourn this meeting and move...for our safety."
---------------------------------------
The side of Pagan's mouth turned into a small grin. If this was the Resistance, he could tell they were much more prepared than last time. He had to stop himself from allowing the grin to grow.
That presence had formed and was slowly growing stronger.
She'd come. He could not mistake this particular sensation.
"Ah, the little goddess."
----------------------------------------
Elena's brow furrowed.
"I hope I'm wrong." She muttered.
"Huh?" Ryuji asked. "Did you say something?"
"Don't you sense that?"
"I sense something, but we're in Federation territory, I'm sure this is just another Newtype."
"This far out?"
"What are you saying?"
"I don't know...I have some suspicions."
"Or maybe you're just nervous. You told me things didn't go so well last time you were here."
----------------------------------------
Uriah sat waiting in his Wraith's cockpit.
He stretched his arms and cracked knuckles as he checked one small screen.
"As a dog returns to its vomit."
----------------------------------------
End Phase 38
----------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
Elena lay in bed. She was beginning to feel the tug to drift into sleep. At her hands, the blanket slid further up, over her bare shoulders. She blinked, then again, and again. Progressively, each time was longer than the previous and then she joined Ryuji in slumber.
-------------------------------------------
The first thing she could tell within her dreams was a tombstone in the distance. With nothing interesting in sight, she walked toward it. As she drew closer, she could make out a name.
ROSA FAUST
SEPTEMBER 8, 0072 - MARCH 21, 0107
LOVING WIFE AND MOTHER
In her tracks, she stopped.
What was her mothers grave doing solo? Elena knew the cemetery she was in had other markers littering the ground.
She kneeled, unsure as to why. To have a closer look, perhaps?
As she did, she began sensing someone behind her. Out here, where she assumed she was alone, she was not.
She turned her head.
A woman stood, though it was further away than Elena thought the person should be.
She stood, turned and began walking toward this woman.
The closer she came, the more detailed the woman became.
"What do you want?" Elena called from a safe distance.
The woman's face revealed despair.
"Is that any way to talk to me? I thought my own child would recognize me."
Elena felt her face turn to shock, and she noticed her legs propelled her forward.
She stopped within arms reach of this woman and slowly, deliberately investigating her features.
"Now, dear, you can believe it really is me."
Elena's eyes slowly rose to look at this woman.
Her mouth was open, yet she struggled to speak the single word identifying the other person.
"Mom!"
"Of course."
"But--but, you're--dead. I saw it when I was 9," Elena stammered, "almost 10! I thought I'd finally resolved this." She sank to the ground, overwhelmed.
She looked at the ground, trying to compose herself. Her mother had been dead for over ten years now. Yet, this woman was as real as it could be.
"There, there."
Rosa had crouched as well, and reach out a hand to pat Elena's shoulder.
There was a soft chuckle.
"You've always been the strong one, fighting every step of the way." Her arms now wrapped around
Elena. "You never cried at my funeral. It's not healthy to keep that up."
With that, Elena's arms darted out, grasping her mother and holding on intently to support her.
The muffled sniffles and wails continued for a long time, all the while, Rosa continued to hold her, stroking her head, holding this girl's face to her shoulder.
"But," Rosa finally said softly, "that internal strength seems to have been what's kept you going."
Elena looked up.
"You're strong, bull-headed sometimes, but that's what has led you to this point in your life.
That internal drive to defy...it’s part of you, Elena. You're changing into a woman, but that isn't going to dull you. Your focus changes, but not who you are."
She stood.
"There are things built into you that won't change. Don't reject change because of your fears.
See, in the end, you are still Elena. You've only started to experience what can happen when you set aside fear and doubt."
Elena now rose up after wiping her eyes.
"You mean marrying Ryuji?"
"Yes. Do you still have that tenacity? Of course, and that's a strength."
She turned to leave.
"You're a woman now, Elena, and that doesn't mean you become weak or shy away. Do you understand?"
Elena nodded firmly.
--------------------------
Elena came to from some shaking by Ryuji.
"Hey, are you alright?" He asked, seeing her eyes open.
"Uh, I dunno. I just had a really weird dream..." she sat up, holding onto the covers, "...with my mom."
"You look shaken." Ryuji looked closer.
"What is it?"
"It's strange, but it kinda looks like you've been crying."
She put her face into her knees, sighing.
Ryuji wrapped one arm around her back.
"Do you want anything; some water or something?"
"Uh, yeah, sure...water, please."
She stayed as she was.
The creek of the bed was followed by some rustling of clothes that she could tell was Ryuji quickly dressing.
"I'll be back in a minute."
As promised, he hastily returned, cup in hand. He handed it to her before making himself comfortable for bed.
"So, what happened?"
Elena rubbed her eyes with one hand and held the glass with the other.
"Have you ever dreamed..." she started to lose her train of thought and started over. "Have you ever dreamed something that was so real? Like, it was a memory of life?"
Ryuji wasn't sure he had, but then this question was probably rhetorical.
"Well, I had a conversation with my mom."
He tilted his head back, as if to examine her face.
"She's been dead how long?"
"Yeah, well...that's the funny thing: questions I've had, without them being given a proper answer, were answered."
"In a dream?"
"In a dream."
She took another sip of water.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Until your mumbling and moving woke me up."
"Good. I don't know how long I'm about to blabber about this."
"I don't have anywhere I have to go."
-----------------------------
"I wish you luck, Captain Becker." Zaskarov said, saluting Veronika.
"Thank you, sir." She replied back at the captain's chair arm console screen. "Hopefully, this will have a impact on Federation."
"I'm sure it will. There will have to be an inquiry with this large of an attack from within."
"At the very least, though I suppose treason charges is a strong probability."
"It's too late to consider that."
"Of course. It's just one of the risks we took, Graf especially."
"A bold man. Again, much luck to you."
The Augustine's engines roared to life as the canopy of the hangar opened above it.
"Augustine, launch!"
-----------------------------
Zaskarov watched outside until the ship disappeared from sight.
-----------------------------
Elena sluggishly walked up toward the line in the mess hall and grabbed a tray.
"Up at the crack of noon!"
Smith cracked a grin and waved.
"What can I say? I didn't sleep too well last night."
"Oh?"
"Strange dream, and then I kinda laid there forever, dozing off and on. Ryuji told me to go on ahead." She smiled apologetically. "I think he didn't sleep well after we talked about it."
"What kinda dream would do that to two people?"
Her tray slid along and a cup of coffee was placed on it.
"My mom talking to me."
Smith's eyebrows furrowed, and Elena sensed it, despite her back turned toward him.
"Yeah, it was really weird talking with someone I saw die before my eyes."
By now, Alice had come around with a tray for her and Smith.
"Oh, wow. I never knew."
In a few more minutes Elena came around to sit with her two comrades.
"Look," she set the tray down, "don't be sorry. It happened a long time ago. It's more the content that's bizarre."
"You should see a dream analyst." Alice twirled a fork. "Totally worth it. You might have some underlying issues you haven't resolved and maybe it's cropping up now."
Elena didn't think this to be the case, but didn't say anything.
----------------------------
Helsinki
----------------------------
Pagan walked down a hall behind the guard.
It had been some time since he last walked through the Federation headquarters. It was a familiar place, and he easily could tell his escort would slow down before he did so.
He stepped into the room.
"How long has it been?" Leonidas asked.
"Quite a number of months, chairman."
"War has that unfortunate side effect, doesn't it?"
The question was unanswered, so he continued. "I know you haven't been to the front lines, but I wanted your input on how to end the deadlock between our forces and the Union?"
"Out of the air, we could target some major cities....of course, those cities don't exactly correspond with military targets."
"So, you're saying a place like Beijing or Seoul, or Hong Kong are better?"
"Actually, if rumors are to be believed, Shanghai." Pagan replied frankly.
"Remind me, Commander, what makes that city so special?"
"I know it's the headquarters of Izanagi Mobile Design, a principle mobile suit company. They were behind the Zeus development."
Leonidas frowned.
Pagan could tell he was recalling the Federation's abysmal Orion mobile suit.
"However, what I'm hearing is that it is also the site where much of their prototype work happens."
He reached into a pocket and pulled out some photographs.
"I don't know if you've seen these yet," he casually said, tossing the images onto the chairman's desk, "but these are clearly not Zeuses."
Leonidas studied the mobile suits in the pictures.
"No, most certainly not." He leaned closer. "In fact, they seem to have some design similarities to some of our prototypes."
He sat far back into his chair, saying nothing for a long while, but finally spoke.
"You know what this means, don't you?"
"That we have a leak? Oh, yes, I know. Which is why I needed to let you know."
"So, what's been done so far?"
"We've been following the Resistance, and are positive, based on the information we've pieced together that there is a definite involvement by Federation personnel. We haven't traced a leak to any particular person, yet."
Pagan looked directly at Leonidas.
"However, it is quite interesting how these two facts coincide with each other."
Leonidas nodded. The point had been made, and he needed nothing more to say.
-------------------------------------
Outside Aseri, Estonia
-------------------------------------
The fog had long since gathered around the Augustine. Thick, gray and heavy, the ever present cloud forced the to move at a speed slower than Veronika would have chosen.
"I hope this isn't what we have to plow through all the way there." Martin commented, breaking the silence.
"It would be nice if it would clear up soon." She glanced down at her console screen. "We're coming close to the rendezvous point, and it would be helpful to see them with our eyes."
"Ma'am?"
A call from one of the bridge crew.
"Yes?"
"We're picking up three ships: one Leonard-class and two Hammer-class." Cara replied.
"Have they identified themselves?"
"No," Cara watched her screen, waiting for a conclusion. "However, they should show up--alright, the Leonard-class is the Victory and the other two are the Volta and Edison."
"Good, that means Graf is here."
As the announcement filled the Augustine, most of the crew was glad and it could be seen in their work. At least it seemed that way from the ship's hangar.
"How did we get dragged into this a second time?" Smith wondered.
Wade lifted his head from the clipboard.
"I didn't know you were part of the first assault. I thought you weren't part of us back then."
"I wasn't," Smith sighed, "but, I did get to dress up for a party before those fireworks began."
The raised eyebrow, forced Smith to clarify.
"Before this, I was part of the Centurion Guard on a job. We were hired in to help you guys."
"I can see why. That was around the time I just joined up, so I wasn't in that attack, but I remember it didn't go so well."
"That's a generous way of putting it."
Wade continued to sift through the paperwork before him.
"What about those two lady friends of yours?"
"Yeah. Both were there for the show."
"That Ryuji guy?"
"No. He's never been involved with my previous employer. I never met him until recently, but if you want more details, ask Elena." He glanced over at the Deus. "He really went with a firecracker."
--------------------------------------
Unknown
--------------------------------------
Julia approached the cell door.
The guards stepped aside, save for the one who unlocked it.
"My superior has told me how much your information has helped him." She told the barkeeper. It was hard to tell from his bruised and swollen face, but it didn't take much to surmise joy was not the expression he displayed.
"I'm going to give you a gift," she said as she placed a hand in her pocket. She pulled it out to produce a pistol. She started to place it on a small shelf beside the entrance.
"Go to hell." He grumbled, spitting at her for emphasis.
She extended her arm, aiming the gun. "I was told to give you the offer of dying alone. In any case," she said coolly, "you're not allowed to leave alive."
"Figures." He glared at her. "I thought I'd be a corpse when you showed up. Anyway, like I said, go to hell."
A flash of light coupled with a dull thud emanated from the cell. Then, Julia emerged.
"Have this cleaned up." She ordered.
---------------------------------------
Near Helsinki
---------------------------------------
Leonard-class Victory
------------------------
The door to the bridge opened and Graf entered. Captain Logan looked over his shoulder at him.
"All units are in position." He reported, as he returned to what he had been doing. "Whenever you're ready, so are we."
"What finer time to be in the company of loyal men? Am I right, John?" Graf mused, walking up beside the captain's chair.
"Do we have an open line to all ships?" The captain asked the communication officer.
"Yes, sir."
The captain nodded the affirmative to Graf.
Graf cleared his throat and then addressed his army.
"Thank you to all the members of the Peoples Resistance of Deutschland. I wish all of you luck in what we're about to do." He took a deep breath. "Now, begin the operation!"
-----------------------------------------
Reformer-class Augustine
-----------------------------------------
"Alright, people, let's get going." Wade began signaling his team to move toward the catapult.
"Give Helsinki a nice, warm hello."
The signal to launch appeared before him.
"Frazer team, launching!"
"Hey, Elena?" Alice asked over the comm.
"What's up?"
"You ready for this?"
"It looks like we have a lot more support this time. I'm not anymore worried over this than any other mission."
"Awesome. I guess I'll see you back here at, uh, whenever this thing gets done with."
------------------------------------------
Leonard-class Victory
------------------------------------------
Graf watched the sky fill with mobile suits.
"It looks like the first wave is about done." He looked at his watch. "A few minutes ahead of schedule."
-------------------------------------------
EF Headquarters
-------------------------------------------
Although Pagan wasn't officially in command, he still kept himself involved with the security. This wasn't a vacation, even though he hadn't been assigned a particular duty.
The operations center was busy, as it was the other times he'd been there. No rest, not when monitoring the safety of the Federation's leaders.
Pagan stood firm and unmoving from his place. Each one of the personnel worked, unsure if he cast an eye their way. No one was sure what he saw beneath that mask.
"Commander?"
One of the men called up to Pagan.
"What is it?"
"There are a large number of Scorpios and several battleships that have popped up within range. I wasn't aware of any incoming forces."
"What class?" Pagan inquired.
"Three, sir: several Hammer- and Leonard-class units, and one...one Reformer-class? I've never seen one of those befo-"
"Start level-one emergency status!"
"Sir?"
"There's been rumors of an attack, and no military units were set to come near Helsinki for another week, according to schedule." Pagan rubbed his chin. "That has to be them. We need to deploy all available forces immediately."
------------------------------------------
Edvard Casper looked witheringly over the top of the papers.
"That means we'll need to trim the travel budget another ten percent."
"Which is necessary to do." Ruslan Nata calmly explained. "It helps in a couple of areas: first, the cost, and second we're not as easy pickings if the Union wants to shoot us down."
"No doubt." Tarja Anderson sided with Ruslan. "I don't know how many recall this, but Cai
Deshang's predecessor's plan was shot down. The same thing could happen to us."
Another budget session had merely started and the council had started to wrestle.
Leonidas debated stepping in, but one of the black suited men from outside stepped in and made his way straight to the leader.
He stooped down to whisper in Leonidas ear.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but we have a situation where we need to move the council to a safe location."
"What about?"
"We believe this building is under an impending attack from a rogue group. Please, come with us immediately."
Leonidas nodded, and then spoke.
"Council members, it has just come to my attention that we need to adjourn this meeting and move...for our safety."
---------------------------------------
The side of Pagan's mouth turned into a small grin. If this was the Resistance, he could tell they were much more prepared than last time. He had to stop himself from allowing the grin to grow.
That presence had formed and was slowly growing stronger.
She'd come. He could not mistake this particular sensation.
"Ah, the little goddess."
----------------------------------------
Elena's brow furrowed.
"I hope I'm wrong." She muttered.
"Huh?" Ryuji asked. "Did you say something?"
"Don't you sense that?"
"I sense something, but we're in Federation territory, I'm sure this is just another Newtype."
"This far out?"
"What are you saying?"
"I don't know...I have some suspicions."
"Or maybe you're just nervous. You told me things didn't go so well last time you were here."
----------------------------------------
Uriah sat waiting in his Wraith's cockpit.
He stretched his arms and cracked knuckles as he checked one small screen.
"As a dog returns to its vomit."
----------------------------------------
End Phase 38
----------------------------------------
-
tehprognoob
- Posts: 724
- Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:17 pm
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (New Phase 4/21/10)
Finally! I was beginning to think you'd given up. 
That last part with Elena talking to her long-dead mother, at whose funeral she refused to cry and later went on living independently, fighting her way through life seriously reminds me of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Specifically, Asuka. Nice work.
That last part with Elena talking to her long-dead mother, at whose funeral she refused to cry and later went on living independently, fighting her way through life seriously reminds me of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Specifically, Asuka. Nice work.
Faithful soldier of the Hatsune Miku Scout Force
AVATAR: Zeig Soryu!
AVATAR: Zeig Soryu!
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (New Phase 4/21/10)
Thanks!
I felt that there needed to be some closure as Elena has some underlying psychological issues that do relate to her character. Another thing was to employ the "I'm-a-Newtype-therefore-I-see-dead-people", so I did toy with bringing Lee or Hawk into it, but that idea didn't quite seem to fit for the direction I want to take Elena. The deceased members from the Augustus might come into the equation if it works out.
I have the premise for the final few legs of this tale, and I'm excited about the developments that I'm planning. I have the general overview, but as of now, I've just started Phase 39, so the details aren't there. I've planted some stuff that will be relevant in the remaining Phases. At my current rate, I would guess that I'll finish this in about another year.
I felt that there needed to be some closure as Elena has some underlying psychological issues that do relate to her character. Another thing was to employ the "I'm-a-Newtype-therefore-I-see-dead-people", so I did toy with bringing Lee or Hawk into it, but that idea didn't quite seem to fit for the direction I want to take Elena. The deceased members from the Augustus might come into the equation if it works out.
I have the premise for the final few legs of this tale, and I'm excited about the developments that I'm planning. I have the general overview, but as of now, I've just started Phase 39, so the details aren't there. I've planted some stuff that will be relevant in the remaining Phases. At my current rate, I would guess that I'll finish this in about another year.
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (New Phase 4/21/10)
Posted new OP & ED, added a few things.
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (New Phase 4/21/10)
Update: still working on Phase 29, but there's been some stuff in my personal life that have been more of an immediate concern, not to mention some douche decided to try and break into my house so I have an unwanted home project to deal with.
But, it's closer to completion than before.
But, it's closer to completion than before.
Phase 39
PHASE 39 - ANGELS OF DAMNATION
--------------------------------------
F.E. 115.05.10
--------------------------------------
"Are there any Wraiths ready?" Pagan posed to Julia.
"We have some that were set aside for that test project you told me were set aside and weren't taken for the delivery."
"I see."
"Were you thinking of taking one out? I could see if there are any that might be ready."
He waved off the offer. "Don't bother; I was simply curious."
"Did you hear about the results?"
"I heard what happened to Union Chairman Martin, if that's what you mean."
Pagan said nothing, but looked deep into her eyes. Then he turned away.
"You know, I'm glad to have someone who's willing to work with me."
Her response was solemn and committed. "I couldn't pass an offer to restore my honor, so I do thank you for this opportunity, commander."
"Major, you have the gift of perception regarding the end result. I'm more than happy to offer a hand to a honorable person." He turned his head back toward her. "I don't know what you believe, but I'm sure god would smile upon you."
--------------------------------------
F.E. 116
--------------------------------------
Aboard the Victory, Graf stood. The Resistance mobile suits had landed and started the attack. No doubt, the council was being evacuated.
"Edison, status?"
"The ship is in position, Mr. Heizer. We'll move to intercept once they attempt to escape."
--------------------------------------
Several shots punctured a Federation Scorpio.
"Yeah, this is much better than last time." Smith commented, watching the machine topple over.
The Deus's heat rod tore into a Scorpio.
"It better. I don't feel like cracking my head again." Elena said.
Her machine's wings flipped up to deflect an attack. "Uh, no, I don't think so!" The heat rod flailed at the new enemy, ripping an arm off and forcing it to stumble back. She fired the CIWS to finish it.
"But, so far, this is going great."
"Hello, sunshine!" Jana fired a beam straight through a Scorpio's torso. Another charged with a beam saber, so she backpedal as she aimed. It wasn't fast enough to escape, but it was enough to let her fend off the strike with her shield. The machines struggled in combat. Jana's fished around with the tip of the beam rifle for a vulnerable spot.
Two flashes later, and she pushed the enemy down.
Alice's Scorpio dodged a thrusting beam saber at her machine's head.
"Close." She breathed swinging her mobile suit's own. A strong light ignited as the beams clashed.
"Come on! We're on the same side." The pilot called to her.
"If we are," Alice swung again, "that's news to me."
The pilot reacted in surprise.
"What the hell!"
Going for the brief opening, Alice explained. "Oh, I'm not in the Federation. I do this 'for hire'."
The mobile suit rumbled and smoked as it collapsed.
An explosion behind her thrust her back into battle.
"You awake?" Ryuji asked, hovering above.
She noticed the extended beam rifle from the Nergal's hand.
"Ah, I relished in victory too long. Thanks, Ryuji."
"No problem."
--------------------------------------
The subtle panic had been in full swing for at least the past fifteen minutes.
Pagan continued to stand, unwavering.
"Two more units down in the south zone."
"We just lost five, no, wait seven in the central zone."
"Only ten mobile suits left in the north zone!"
The calls of the soldiers in this command center were clearly agitated, and the increasingly hostile odds weren't alleviating any of it.
"How soon until the council is safely evacuated?" Pagan calmly inquired.
"The first false convoy is leaving now, and all members are in the vehicles."
"Good." He saw the time and added, "That's a remarkable time. We'll evacuate as soon as they're on the way."
The Federation mobile suits continued to diminish, but he didn't need to wait much longer.
-----------------------------------
The Federation Scorpio exploded before Alban's machine.
"Well, that's that."
He looked around for another target, but didn't see any nearby.
"You're right. We're ready to storm the gates." Wade said. "I've sent the rest on ahead."
"So, come along?"
"If you wouldn't mind."
Alban started to move forward, but hesitated.
"Wait."
"For what?"
"I have this overbearing feeling all of a sudden. Like something's coming...maybe it's just me.
I'm coming along."
"Okay." Wade returned. "You're sure? I know Elena and Ryuji have tensed up before."
"If they're sensing something..." He trailed off. "You know what? See if they notice anything."
"Give me a sec."
"Elena, Ryuji?" Wade's voice filled the cockpits of the Deus and Nergal. "Are you guys getting that sensation you've gotten before?"
"Yeah, and it's been pretty mild." Elena responded.
"Hmm..."
"...But, it's just starting to become stronger." There was a hesitation in her voice. Looking at the Federation headquarters seemed to revive the latent memory of what had occured the last time.
"Alban's mentioned sensing something."
There wasn't time to dwell on it.
"All units we have an incoming group of unknown mobile suits!" Martin's voice now came through.
"Prepare to engage!"
After giving orders, he turned to Veronika. "I'm sorry, Captain. I got carried away."
"No, that's fine. My instincts tell me not to trust these new machines. It seems all four of our Newtype pilots have confirmed sensing others..." She shook her head, concerned. "Plus, we can't confirm who pilots these new ones, and the flight pattern looks to be one of aggression."
--------------------------------------
"The convoy with the council members has moved out." The report came to Pagan.
"Good, we'll hold for a few more minutes for them to get on their way."
Almost instantly, another soldier spoke.
"Sir, we just picked up some new mobile suits!"
"How many?"
"It looks like about forty to fifty, but we don't have any registration on these."
"So, you don't know what they are?"
"No, sir."
Pagan thought for a moment.
"Alright then, everyone evacuate!"
Immediately, the soldiers in the room began to leave.
"Aren't you coming with us, commander?" One asked as he passed.
"Right now, it's my duty to ensure the men get out alive."
The soldier said nothing, but saluted before rushing along.
Footsteps eventually faded away while Pagan stood, one hand in his pocket, watching the main display. The Augustine flashed across.
"Unfortunately, little goddess, I won't come out to play this time. I still must attend to the preparations for the world to come."
--------------------------------------
"Oh, hell." Smith grumbled as the Wraith swarm closed in. "It's like--"
"Like deja vu?" Elena finished. "Freakin' dandy..." There were a pile of questions she had, but the answers would need to wait.
Wade began directing as he could, flagging his team with one of his Scorpio's hands.
"Form a defense line beside me!
As the Augustine's mobile suits convened, it was clear the new force was nowhere near friendly.
Beams started to rain down over the Resistance's mobile suits. Smoke and dust flew into the air from the volume of shots from the new enemy.
Ryuji's teeth ground together. The presence was almost unbearable, something he hadn't experienced like this.
"Gah!"
"What's wrong?" Elena heard him.
"This pressure..." He had closed one eye and was squinting with the other. Wade could see the Nergal slow down.
It hit Elena next, building and growing in her head. At first, it felt like one large mass inside, but as it continued, she began to notice the individual presence of various people. Not that it made things easier, but now, she knew why they felt such force.
As she pushed herself to focus, she couldn't help but notice the wings of the seraphic shroud acting to defend the Deus. She could almost feel how they would react to incoming fire.
Instinctively, she moved her machine upwards to meet the enemy.
"Elena! What are you doing?" Wade called out, surprised she was breaking the impromptu formation.
She could hear him, but it was faint.
The swarm of Wraiths had some sort of draw to her. She began to see the pilots within the machines and felt comfortable.
Wait.
This was the enemy, why wasn't she acting as they were?
"What's she doing?" Smith was also perplexed. "She's not doing anything."
"She's just floating there!" Alban was concerned.
Several Resistance Scorpios exploded around the Augustine's mobile suit team.
"This is a hell of a time to be spacing out." Wade said under his breath. "Follow my lead, guys!"
With that, he fired up at a Wraith.
Uriah cackled as the target mobile suits struggled to adjust to their unexpected attack. "This is the moment when we martyrs show the angels we have become...yes, Uriah!" He swooped in, pelting a concentration of Scorpios.
A demented grin crossed his face as lights from explosions filled the air and terrified screams broadcast around him.
Beams rained down upon Smith's shield. He peeked out and followed the Wraith that had just flown over him. His brow furrowed. Something was vaguely, hauntingly familiar about these mobile suits.
"Something stinks." He muttered taking shots at the fleeting enemy.
"What?" Wade's voice came over the comm.
"I don't know..." Smith replied, "It's like I've seen these things before."
"Can you identify those mobile suits?" Veronika asked.
"No, ma'am, they're not showing in our database." Replied a crewmember.
As she had already suspected.
She put a loose fist up to her mouth as she thought. It was too deep in Federation territory to be
a Union machine and the Scorpio was the most advance production mobile suit currently available.
"Ma'am!" Another crewmember called for her attention. "There's something odd happening with the Deus."
"Explain."
"The reading for its psi-res frame are about ten times the response we've had before."
"So, what does that mean?"
"I don't know for sure, but it seems to just be hovering in place!"
"What? Can you reach Elena?"
"No response, ma'am!"
A Wraith blasted by at full thrust. "We'll worry about that later, we need to defend against these new mobile suits!"
The pain in her head had vanished, and Elena felt as if she were floating in a pool of water. She felt naked and curled up as to cover herself. She could see the pilots inside the swarming Wraiths. Where was she? This was new though it felt like a natural step in some strange way.
It was then that Uriah took notice.
"Who is that?" He wondered and diverted his machine toward the Deus. The sheer power emanating from the mobile suit's pilot eclipsed those he led. "You're not one of us?" It was half questioning, half stating the appearance of this unknown.
Now, Ryuji broke from the pain. It was a different world now. The enemy mobile suits didn't seem so threatening anymore, even though he knew they weren't friendly. He looked around. One pilot had broken away and was nearing Elena. He studied the closing gap until a chill raced down his spine.
It was that instant that he remembered the machine.
"Australia."
Uriah stopped. "What?"
"You're just like the one in Australia!" Ryuji's eyes narrowed.
"Like in Australia?" Uriah queried in an amused tone. "Oh, I was in Australia...so, you're that one I sensed? Interesting." The Wraith turned toward Ryuji. "Then I see it wasn't my imagination!"
The Wraith seemed to leap furiously at the Nergal, drawing a beam saber.
"This time, I won't have the limitations I had before."
The beam stopped against the Nergal's shield.
"And that's where you're wrong!" Ryuji told him, revealing a beam saber as well.
The lighted blades threw a blinding illumination.
Elena watched awhile longer. In her mind, she knew the gravity of the situation, but her instincts to move weren't there. But, the screaming was growing; it was something she hadn't noticed at first until it became loud enough that she was sure it wasn't a fluke. She forced the Deus into action.
"What is this?" She wondered, ratcheting herself up to fight.
"Looks like Elena's moving around again." Jana informed Wade.
"Good. We need all the--" A Wraith screamed overhead firing away, interrupting his response.
"What's up with these machines? They're just hopping over us and going for others." He wondered why his team hadn't lost a single unit thus far despite being in the direct line of fire so many times in the short duration of this particular battle.
"Who do these guys work for?" Jana asked as she watched for a good shot or to evade an attack.
"I wish I knew."
Aboard the Victory, Graf was tense despite giving few signs of this.
"The Volta has lost all its mobile suits! It's falling back." Another reminder that this attack
had somehow ended up with the Resistance on the defensive. The only way the battleships could attack would likely cost them even more by hitting their own mobile suits. More importantly, no sort of identification was available for these malicious mobile suits.
"Why are you here?" Ryuji growled, circling around.
"I simply act on the will of god." Uriah dutifully told him. "I shouldn't have to battle with you.
My lord told me that I shouldn't need to fight the like of you...or her." An evil glint was in his teeth.
"Then why did you attack me before?"
"What did I just tell you? I act on the will of god."
Ryuji wished that he didn't have to relive the musings of a cult follower. "You...act...to murder people. What god do you...?"
He stopped. He needed to compose his thoughts.
"Ryuji, what's going on?" Elena was concerned.
"I don't know. I just don't know."
A chuckle from Uriah broke into the beginnings of a conversation.
"You both don't get it; of course not, you're not aware of what you really are."
The Deus drifted toward the Wraith.
"Okay, I've heard this crap before." Elena sighed with annoyance. "I get it. We're Newtypes.
Welcome to a year ago."
More chuckling.
"Oh, that's not the full extent. Oh, yes...Uriah."
Both of the Nergal’s beam rifles swiveled up, aiming to the Wraith. "Then what is it? How far does it go?"
"Ah, that's well beyond what I've been given." Uriah replied coyly. "My lord has only given me so much to tell you."
Ryuji was unsure if this was a matter of being toyed with or that the pilot genuinely didn't know.
He switched to a private comm channel.
"Elena?"
"Yeah?"
"Get behind me. Now."
"What? I should be in front."
"No. This is my fight. I don't want to make someone else do this for me, especially my only family."
Uriah watched the Deus drift away and behind the Nergal.
"I see how it is. Are you trying to protect the little goddess I've heard about?"
A shiver bolted down both Elena and Ryuji’s spine. Uriah continued. "Yeah, I heard about that one. She's grown quite powerful...so I'm told."
"What we are," Ryuji said, "is what we are, and I'll fight for us."
Elena heard herself gasp. "Ryuji!"
The ominous laughter from Uriah went on uncomfortably long.
"Of course...you still don't get it. I was told you might not, but that's fine. Whether you do or don't isn't my business."
Ryuji thought about the destruction that had happened.
"That's what this all was? A test?"
"Look, I was just told to follow these orders of god. Have what you will." The Wraith began to drift away. "That's all."
The Nergal's thrusters ignited and Ryuji took chase.
"Oh, no you don't! I want answers from you!"
"And I don't have them!" Uriah called out. "Don't worry, because I will assure you that my lord won't leave any questions when he answers."
On the Victory, Captain Logan turned to Graf.
"It looks like they're leaving."
"I see." Graf replied, watching the Wraiths pull back. "How are our forces?"
"Roughly forty-seven percent. Do you wish to resume with the original plan?"
There was no response as Graf narrowed his eyes at the last of the Wraiths.
He finally spoke.
"No, John. With this large of a hit, whatever Federation forces have been scrambled will be coming up shortly from the estimates we have. I'm sure the officials are long gone by now as well." He sighed. "What worries me the most are those mobile suits that just popped up. The other two factors we can work with, but I don't know about the third. Send out to all ships to gather their remaining forces and rendezvous at the safe house." He started to walk toward the bridge's exit. "In the meantime, we need to alert the rest of our forces to at least postpone any attacks we've planned...we can't operate with this unknown."
As he left he heard Captain Logan call back the Victory's mobile suits.
Once again, the attack had ended in failure. That in itself was bad enough, but those mobile suits had seemingly come from nowhere with no allegiance to a particular group. The Resistance had almost tasted a complete victory only to have that wretched from its hand.
---------------------------
Shanghai
---------------------------
Most of the cars and limousines had pulled away and left the cemetery, but Anders continued to stand there. He watched men carry the casket along to mausoleum. Sky's death was all the more painful because he knew that box was empty. There wasn't even a body to visit.
A car door closed in the background and he assumed it was another of the dwindling vehicles readying to leave. Soon, he realized he wasn't alone.
"I'm sorry for your loss, my friend." Cai Deshang had come. "I didn't want to turn the focus on me, so that's why I chose to come later."
Anders nodded.
The two men stood silently for a time before Anders spoke. It was soft and hesitant.
"I suppose there is a...sense of irony?" He tried to laugh, but fell short of the execution. "Even after she joined, I didn't really expect this to happen. It was always for other people."
" 'Memento mori'." Cai breathed.
"Indeed." Anders finally broke from staring where he had for the better part of an hour to look around. "Everybody has to be reminded of that." There was a hint of bitterness. "I don't know if I can continue to produce these machines without and end goal."
Cai looked at him and he continued.
"There must be some way to save others from this pain. I think for everybody, it would be best to find a way to put an end to this war."
"I agree."
--------------------------------
End Phase 39
--------------------------------
--------------------------------------
F.E. 115.05.10
--------------------------------------
"Are there any Wraiths ready?" Pagan posed to Julia.
"We have some that were set aside for that test project you told me were set aside and weren't taken for the delivery."
"I see."
"Were you thinking of taking one out? I could see if there are any that might be ready."
He waved off the offer. "Don't bother; I was simply curious."
"Did you hear about the results?"
"I heard what happened to Union Chairman Martin, if that's what you mean."
Pagan said nothing, but looked deep into her eyes. Then he turned away.
"You know, I'm glad to have someone who's willing to work with me."
Her response was solemn and committed. "I couldn't pass an offer to restore my honor, so I do thank you for this opportunity, commander."
"Major, you have the gift of perception regarding the end result. I'm more than happy to offer a hand to a honorable person." He turned his head back toward her. "I don't know what you believe, but I'm sure god would smile upon you."
--------------------------------------
F.E. 116
--------------------------------------
Aboard the Victory, Graf stood. The Resistance mobile suits had landed and started the attack. No doubt, the council was being evacuated.
"Edison, status?"
"The ship is in position, Mr. Heizer. We'll move to intercept once they attempt to escape."
--------------------------------------
Several shots punctured a Federation Scorpio.
"Yeah, this is much better than last time." Smith commented, watching the machine topple over.
The Deus's heat rod tore into a Scorpio.
"It better. I don't feel like cracking my head again." Elena said.
Her machine's wings flipped up to deflect an attack. "Uh, no, I don't think so!" The heat rod flailed at the new enemy, ripping an arm off and forcing it to stumble back. She fired the CIWS to finish it.
"But, so far, this is going great."
"Hello, sunshine!" Jana fired a beam straight through a Scorpio's torso. Another charged with a beam saber, so she backpedal as she aimed. It wasn't fast enough to escape, but it was enough to let her fend off the strike with her shield. The machines struggled in combat. Jana's fished around with the tip of the beam rifle for a vulnerable spot.
Two flashes later, and she pushed the enemy down.
Alice's Scorpio dodged a thrusting beam saber at her machine's head.
"Close." She breathed swinging her mobile suit's own. A strong light ignited as the beams clashed.
"Come on! We're on the same side." The pilot called to her.
"If we are," Alice swung again, "that's news to me."
The pilot reacted in surprise.
"What the hell!"
Going for the brief opening, Alice explained. "Oh, I'm not in the Federation. I do this 'for hire'."
The mobile suit rumbled and smoked as it collapsed.
An explosion behind her thrust her back into battle.
"You awake?" Ryuji asked, hovering above.
She noticed the extended beam rifle from the Nergal's hand.
"Ah, I relished in victory too long. Thanks, Ryuji."
"No problem."
--------------------------------------
The subtle panic had been in full swing for at least the past fifteen minutes.
Pagan continued to stand, unwavering.
"Two more units down in the south zone."
"We just lost five, no, wait seven in the central zone."
"Only ten mobile suits left in the north zone!"
The calls of the soldiers in this command center were clearly agitated, and the increasingly hostile odds weren't alleviating any of it.
"How soon until the council is safely evacuated?" Pagan calmly inquired.
"The first false convoy is leaving now, and all members are in the vehicles."
"Good." He saw the time and added, "That's a remarkable time. We'll evacuate as soon as they're on the way."
The Federation mobile suits continued to diminish, but he didn't need to wait much longer.
-----------------------------------
The Federation Scorpio exploded before Alban's machine.
"Well, that's that."
He looked around for another target, but didn't see any nearby.
"You're right. We're ready to storm the gates." Wade said. "I've sent the rest on ahead."
"So, come along?"
"If you wouldn't mind."
Alban started to move forward, but hesitated.
"Wait."
"For what?"
"I have this overbearing feeling all of a sudden. Like something's coming...maybe it's just me.
I'm coming along."
"Okay." Wade returned. "You're sure? I know Elena and Ryuji have tensed up before."
"If they're sensing something..." He trailed off. "You know what? See if they notice anything."
"Give me a sec."
"Elena, Ryuji?" Wade's voice filled the cockpits of the Deus and Nergal. "Are you guys getting that sensation you've gotten before?"
"Yeah, and it's been pretty mild." Elena responded.
"Hmm..."
"...But, it's just starting to become stronger." There was a hesitation in her voice. Looking at the Federation headquarters seemed to revive the latent memory of what had occured the last time.
"Alban's mentioned sensing something."
There wasn't time to dwell on it.
"All units we have an incoming group of unknown mobile suits!" Martin's voice now came through.
"Prepare to engage!"
After giving orders, he turned to Veronika. "I'm sorry, Captain. I got carried away."
"No, that's fine. My instincts tell me not to trust these new machines. It seems all four of our Newtype pilots have confirmed sensing others..." She shook her head, concerned. "Plus, we can't confirm who pilots these new ones, and the flight pattern looks to be one of aggression."
--------------------------------------
"The convoy with the council members has moved out." The report came to Pagan.
"Good, we'll hold for a few more minutes for them to get on their way."
Almost instantly, another soldier spoke.
"Sir, we just picked up some new mobile suits!"
"How many?"
"It looks like about forty to fifty, but we don't have any registration on these."
"So, you don't know what they are?"
"No, sir."
Pagan thought for a moment.
"Alright then, everyone evacuate!"
Immediately, the soldiers in the room began to leave.
"Aren't you coming with us, commander?" One asked as he passed.
"Right now, it's my duty to ensure the men get out alive."
The soldier said nothing, but saluted before rushing along.
Footsteps eventually faded away while Pagan stood, one hand in his pocket, watching the main display. The Augustine flashed across.
"Unfortunately, little goddess, I won't come out to play this time. I still must attend to the preparations for the world to come."
--------------------------------------
"Oh, hell." Smith grumbled as the Wraith swarm closed in. "It's like--"
"Like deja vu?" Elena finished. "Freakin' dandy..." There were a pile of questions she had, but the answers would need to wait.
Wade began directing as he could, flagging his team with one of his Scorpio's hands.
"Form a defense line beside me!
As the Augustine's mobile suits convened, it was clear the new force was nowhere near friendly.
Beams started to rain down over the Resistance's mobile suits. Smoke and dust flew into the air from the volume of shots from the new enemy.
Ryuji's teeth ground together. The presence was almost unbearable, something he hadn't experienced like this.
"Gah!"
"What's wrong?" Elena heard him.
"This pressure..." He had closed one eye and was squinting with the other. Wade could see the Nergal slow down.
It hit Elena next, building and growing in her head. At first, it felt like one large mass inside, but as it continued, she began to notice the individual presence of various people. Not that it made things easier, but now, she knew why they felt such force.
As she pushed herself to focus, she couldn't help but notice the wings of the seraphic shroud acting to defend the Deus. She could almost feel how they would react to incoming fire.
Instinctively, she moved her machine upwards to meet the enemy.
"Elena! What are you doing?" Wade called out, surprised she was breaking the impromptu formation.
She could hear him, but it was faint.
The swarm of Wraiths had some sort of draw to her. She began to see the pilots within the machines and felt comfortable.
Wait.
This was the enemy, why wasn't she acting as they were?
"What's she doing?" Smith was also perplexed. "She's not doing anything."
"She's just floating there!" Alban was concerned.
Several Resistance Scorpios exploded around the Augustine's mobile suit team.
"This is a hell of a time to be spacing out." Wade said under his breath. "Follow my lead, guys!"
With that, he fired up at a Wraith.
Uriah cackled as the target mobile suits struggled to adjust to their unexpected attack. "This is the moment when we martyrs show the angels we have become...yes, Uriah!" He swooped in, pelting a concentration of Scorpios.
A demented grin crossed his face as lights from explosions filled the air and terrified screams broadcast around him.
Beams rained down upon Smith's shield. He peeked out and followed the Wraith that had just flown over him. His brow furrowed. Something was vaguely, hauntingly familiar about these mobile suits.
"Something stinks." He muttered taking shots at the fleeting enemy.
"What?" Wade's voice came over the comm.
"I don't know..." Smith replied, "It's like I've seen these things before."
"Can you identify those mobile suits?" Veronika asked.
"No, ma'am, they're not showing in our database." Replied a crewmember.
As she had already suspected.
She put a loose fist up to her mouth as she thought. It was too deep in Federation territory to be
a Union machine and the Scorpio was the most advance production mobile suit currently available.
"Ma'am!" Another crewmember called for her attention. "There's something odd happening with the Deus."
"Explain."
"The reading for its psi-res frame are about ten times the response we've had before."
"So, what does that mean?"
"I don't know for sure, but it seems to just be hovering in place!"
"What? Can you reach Elena?"
"No response, ma'am!"
A Wraith blasted by at full thrust. "We'll worry about that later, we need to defend against these new mobile suits!"
The pain in her head had vanished, and Elena felt as if she were floating in a pool of water. She felt naked and curled up as to cover herself. She could see the pilots inside the swarming Wraiths. Where was she? This was new though it felt like a natural step in some strange way.
It was then that Uriah took notice.
"Who is that?" He wondered and diverted his machine toward the Deus. The sheer power emanating from the mobile suit's pilot eclipsed those he led. "You're not one of us?" It was half questioning, half stating the appearance of this unknown.
Now, Ryuji broke from the pain. It was a different world now. The enemy mobile suits didn't seem so threatening anymore, even though he knew they weren't friendly. He looked around. One pilot had broken away and was nearing Elena. He studied the closing gap until a chill raced down his spine.
It was that instant that he remembered the machine.
"Australia."
Uriah stopped. "What?"
"You're just like the one in Australia!" Ryuji's eyes narrowed.
"Like in Australia?" Uriah queried in an amused tone. "Oh, I was in Australia...so, you're that one I sensed? Interesting." The Wraith turned toward Ryuji. "Then I see it wasn't my imagination!"
The Wraith seemed to leap furiously at the Nergal, drawing a beam saber.
"This time, I won't have the limitations I had before."
The beam stopped against the Nergal's shield.
"And that's where you're wrong!" Ryuji told him, revealing a beam saber as well.
The lighted blades threw a blinding illumination.
Elena watched awhile longer. In her mind, she knew the gravity of the situation, but her instincts to move weren't there. But, the screaming was growing; it was something she hadn't noticed at first until it became loud enough that she was sure it wasn't a fluke. She forced the Deus into action.
"What is this?" She wondered, ratcheting herself up to fight.
"Looks like Elena's moving around again." Jana informed Wade.
"Good. We need all the--" A Wraith screamed overhead firing away, interrupting his response.
"What's up with these machines? They're just hopping over us and going for others." He wondered why his team hadn't lost a single unit thus far despite being in the direct line of fire so many times in the short duration of this particular battle.
"Who do these guys work for?" Jana asked as she watched for a good shot or to evade an attack.
"I wish I knew."
Aboard the Victory, Graf was tense despite giving few signs of this.
"The Volta has lost all its mobile suits! It's falling back." Another reminder that this attack
had somehow ended up with the Resistance on the defensive. The only way the battleships could attack would likely cost them even more by hitting their own mobile suits. More importantly, no sort of identification was available for these malicious mobile suits.
"Why are you here?" Ryuji growled, circling around.
"I simply act on the will of god." Uriah dutifully told him. "I shouldn't have to battle with you.
My lord told me that I shouldn't need to fight the like of you...or her." An evil glint was in his teeth.
"Then why did you attack me before?"
"What did I just tell you? I act on the will of god."
Ryuji wished that he didn't have to relive the musings of a cult follower. "You...act...to murder people. What god do you...?"
He stopped. He needed to compose his thoughts.
"Ryuji, what's going on?" Elena was concerned.
"I don't know. I just don't know."
A chuckle from Uriah broke into the beginnings of a conversation.
"You both don't get it; of course not, you're not aware of what you really are."
The Deus drifted toward the Wraith.
"Okay, I've heard this crap before." Elena sighed with annoyance. "I get it. We're Newtypes.
Welcome to a year ago."
More chuckling.
"Oh, that's not the full extent. Oh, yes...Uriah."
Both of the Nergal’s beam rifles swiveled up, aiming to the Wraith. "Then what is it? How far does it go?"
"Ah, that's well beyond what I've been given." Uriah replied coyly. "My lord has only given me so much to tell you."
Ryuji was unsure if this was a matter of being toyed with or that the pilot genuinely didn't know.
He switched to a private comm channel.
"Elena?"
"Yeah?"
"Get behind me. Now."
"What? I should be in front."
"No. This is my fight. I don't want to make someone else do this for me, especially my only family."
Uriah watched the Deus drift away and behind the Nergal.
"I see how it is. Are you trying to protect the little goddess I've heard about?"
A shiver bolted down both Elena and Ryuji’s spine. Uriah continued. "Yeah, I heard about that one. She's grown quite powerful...so I'm told."
"What we are," Ryuji said, "is what we are, and I'll fight for us."
Elena heard herself gasp. "Ryuji!"
The ominous laughter from Uriah went on uncomfortably long.
"Of course...you still don't get it. I was told you might not, but that's fine. Whether you do or don't isn't my business."
Ryuji thought about the destruction that had happened.
"That's what this all was? A test?"
"Look, I was just told to follow these orders of god. Have what you will." The Wraith began to drift away. "That's all."
The Nergal's thrusters ignited and Ryuji took chase.
"Oh, no you don't! I want answers from you!"
"And I don't have them!" Uriah called out. "Don't worry, because I will assure you that my lord won't leave any questions when he answers."
On the Victory, Captain Logan turned to Graf.
"It looks like they're leaving."
"I see." Graf replied, watching the Wraiths pull back. "How are our forces?"
"Roughly forty-seven percent. Do you wish to resume with the original plan?"
There was no response as Graf narrowed his eyes at the last of the Wraiths.
He finally spoke.
"No, John. With this large of a hit, whatever Federation forces have been scrambled will be coming up shortly from the estimates we have. I'm sure the officials are long gone by now as well." He sighed. "What worries me the most are those mobile suits that just popped up. The other two factors we can work with, but I don't know about the third. Send out to all ships to gather their remaining forces and rendezvous at the safe house." He started to walk toward the bridge's exit. "In the meantime, we need to alert the rest of our forces to at least postpone any attacks we've planned...we can't operate with this unknown."
As he left he heard Captain Logan call back the Victory's mobile suits.
Once again, the attack had ended in failure. That in itself was bad enough, but those mobile suits had seemingly come from nowhere with no allegiance to a particular group. The Resistance had almost tasted a complete victory only to have that wretched from its hand.
---------------------------
Shanghai
---------------------------
Most of the cars and limousines had pulled away and left the cemetery, but Anders continued to stand there. He watched men carry the casket along to mausoleum. Sky's death was all the more painful because he knew that box was empty. There wasn't even a body to visit.
A car door closed in the background and he assumed it was another of the dwindling vehicles readying to leave. Soon, he realized he wasn't alone.
"I'm sorry for your loss, my friend." Cai Deshang had come. "I didn't want to turn the focus on me, so that's why I chose to come later."
Anders nodded.
The two men stood silently for a time before Anders spoke. It was soft and hesitant.
"I suppose there is a...sense of irony?" He tried to laugh, but fell short of the execution. "Even after she joined, I didn't really expect this to happen. It was always for other people."
" 'Memento mori'." Cai breathed.
"Indeed." Anders finally broke from staring where he had for the better part of an hour to look around. "Everybody has to be reminded of that." There was a hint of bitterness. "I don't know if I can continue to produce these machines without and end goal."
Cai looked at him and he continued.
"There must be some way to save others from this pain. I think for everybody, it would be best to find a way to put an end to this war."
"I agree."
--------------------------------
End Phase 39
--------------------------------
-
tehprognoob
- Posts: 724
- Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:17 pm
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (Phase 39 6/15/10)
The Wraiths had funnels/remote bits, right?
So why didn't they deploy them in a wholesale slaughter barrage, or was there too many Wraiths to use them safely without hitting their own?
So why didn't they deploy them in a wholesale slaughter barrage, or was there too many Wraiths to use them safely without hitting their own?
Faithful soldier of the Hatsune Miku Scout Force
AVATAR: Zeig Soryu!
AVATAR: Zeig Soryu!
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (Phase 39 6/15/10)
Wraiths don't have that feature, the Spectre did, however, and since the Spectre factory was destroyed, there's only one left. Not all Newtypes, at least in the FE setting, are able to use bits. Jana and Alban are Newtypes, but they can't actively keep the psi-res frame feature going with the Deus or Nergal.tehprognoob wrote:The Wraiths had funnels/remote bits, right?
So why didn't they deploy them in a wholesale slaughter barrage, or was there too many Wraiths to use them safely without hitting their own?
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (Phase 39 6/15/10)
PHASE 40 - UNITED SOULS
---------------------------------
Asgard Colony
---------------------------------
General Kyoji drifted along a corridor, flanked by two soldiers. Today was an important day for the Union. After months upon months of preparation and some delays, it was time to enjoy the payoff.
The three people slowed down as they approached a guarded door. Kyoji pulled out his ID card from a breast pocket flashing it at the sentries. He exchanged brief salutes as they greeted him.
"This way, General Kyoji."
As he entered the operations room, the commanding officer turned, acknowledging him. "Sir, I'm glad to see you've arrived." He saluted. "Lieutenant Major Minh Ngo, awaiting your orders."
Kyoji made his way over to the officers command position.
"I wish this could've happened sooner, but, war always poses challenges one can't plan for."
"Well, anything to avert the energy problems as of late."
"Yes."
Despite the Union's aggressive jump into this war, the toll on resources had already started to take it's toll. The involved countries were being forced to deal with supplying the military with food and energy that had hit the civilians. It was mild at first, but had become increasingly more stringent. It was hard to say how the Federation was doing, but a large army couldn't stand indefinitely against a strong enemy and dwindling resources. Mobile suits that didn't move were junk and easy pickings for the Federation. Hopefully, this would be the start of something new.
"Prometheus satellite number one should be at the transmission location in about two minutes," Minh
Ngo looked at his watch, "and six seconds."
"Very well, then; please go and transmit when the satellite is in the proper location."
--------------------------------
Shanghai
--------------------------------
While one might have expected Anders to be at the edge of his seat, it was to the contrary. He knew full well that things would go as planned with the Prometheus transmission and had no reason to become exited. Right now, it was just having the Union military heads witness the energy delivery system in place.
"You don't seem happy." An air force brass commented.
"Oh, I am. The acquisition of Nova ISS from a few years ago has paid for itself rather well."
Anders explained. "I'm simply thinking about the next phase in microwave energy transfer."
The other man chuckled heartily.
"One of those types!"
"Yes..." he noticed the countdown was nearing zero, "sir, I believe you're about to see the culmination."
-------------------------------
Asgard Colony
-------------------------------
"Transmission has commenced!" One of the stations reported and followed with a pregnant pause.
"Transmission has linked to reception point location."
A proper cheer broke out throughout the room.
The general and lieutenant major gave each other a firm handshake.
"A proud moment, no, General?" Ngo said.
"Absolutely...this should go quite a long ways to prevent the Union from some of the troubles that collapsed much of North America."
"Indeed."
-------------------------------
A crowd had gathered in the break room.
Saul stood toward the back, listening to the voices of tempered excitement.
"So, they still intend to stick it out?" Marion had weaved his way to the back.
"I guess so."
"Great."
"At least we're not in the thick of battle up here at the moment."
Marion was quiet.
Saul spoke after having his fill of slightly uncomfortable air.
"I hope this means that people on life support systems don't have to die from a power loss."
"What?" Marion looked at him, eyebrows furrowed.
"One of the letters from home said our neighbor's youngest boy was in an accident an put on a breathing machine and some other devices to keep him alive. But, since the war started, the times without power have grown longer and longer. My girlfriend told me that the power was off for hours in a 250-kilometer radius, so they had nowhere to plug the machines and the boy died. Even some of the wounded soldiers have met the same end because of no power."
"I see." Marion bowed his head reverently.
"This has always been a theory," Saul explained. "I mean the microwave energy, but never actually used at this scale."
"Why did it take so long?"
"Probably getting things to work correctly and safely. I imagine that wherever the microwaves are collected will probably be set as restricted airspace."
Marion sighed. "There's always a dark side to everything."
-------------------------------
Iceland
-------------------------------
The locker squeaked briefly as it opened.
Ryuji took a shirt off a hanger and pulled it over his head.
"Hey, since you're over there, toss me my stuff too." Elena requested.
"Sure," he balanced on one foot as he put his other leg into his pants, "just a sec." After fastening the button, his hands were free to acquire her clothes. As he sorted through the meager wardrobe, something on Elena's side fell out and he crouched to pick it up.
"What's this?" He held up the two pieces.
"That would be my bikini." She explained and watched him perk up. "I needed a swimsuit because my previous one-"
"Yeah." He realized that she was talking about the Augustus, and moved the conversation along.
"But, when did you get it?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"Now, Ryuji, come on...Saratov, wedding, shopping?"
"Right." He rubbed his eyes. "I got it. It must be that my brain isn't up with the rest of me yet."
"Then let's go eat." She beckoned with one hand. "Clothes, please."
-------------------------------
Wade waited while the room emptied of captains and squad leaders.
Finally, just him, Veronika and Graf were left.
"Something on your mind, Mr. Frazer?" Graf asked.
"Well, like you, I have a long list of things that I am concerned over, but they're not all relevant to the situation at hand."
Graf nodded him on to continue.
"I think a big problem right now is people are becoming restless. There's not much to do, and until we have reason to move, it seems we'll be sitting here for awhile."
"So," Veronika followed, "you're requesting something of a shore leave?"
"If that's alright with you, I think it would be good for people to get out a bit. What can be done is getting monotonous, and without something to do, these people are going to go stir crazy.
It's not like we can have them do flight tests with the Scorpio's here and not give away our position."
Veronika looked at Graf.
"This would be your call."
"Indeed. I hope to see the pilots familiarized with the Sky Cutter capabilities ASAP, we shouldn't hold them here forever. We'll need to make arrangements to ensure we aren't detected, but otherwise, I don't see why not. I know we've been here roughly a month, and I can't neglect our most valuable assets." He looked at Wade and Veronika. "I will allow it. Captain Becker, I'll leave the rotation up to you and Captain Logan."
"Consider it done."
-------------------------------
Beijing
-------------------------------
Cai looked at the computer screen as General Kyoji made himself comfortable nearby.
"I hate to make you travel so much, but I'm glad you were able to come report in person."
"No bother, chairman; I think it's very important to have this system in place."
The chair Cai sat on turned toward the general.
"Give me your assessment."
"This does everything we need in terms of energy supply and future expansion." Kyoji explained.
"At this stage, our biggest enemy is adapting transportation to use the microwave energy, but the main system is in place."
Cai nodded.
"Naturally. It's only a matter of time before the people might begin becoming restless because of power shortages. We can't fight both the war on the front lines and one with the people in the
Union."
"It solves one problem."
"Yes, but we need to focus on ending the war, not simply perpetuating it." Cai rested his chin atop one hand. "I would like to finish it as soon as possible."
"I think more and more are beginning to feel this way. We are starting to pick out some key targets for a possible operation at the request of the council."
"That's good. There needs to be an end before we exhaust ourselves. I pushed for this. I pushed for this war because it was the only step left." Cai said morbidly. "I don't want to hand this to the person that follows me. I want this to end well before my term does."
As General Kyoji left the Union council building, he smiled.
"This war will certainly come to an end."
---------------------------------
Iceland
---------------------------------
Ryuji stepped out the door. Elena followed, pulling back her hair and tying it there with a band.
"It's been awhile since I've seen any shore leave." He commented, then noticed her cuddling with one of his arms.
"You know," she said, clearly happy, "this is a first for us."
He looked back at her. "What is?"
"A date!"
It was true. Though they'd been together for a year, the fact of the matter was he'd never taken her out. Not as though the circumstances had given him an actual chance, but it was a bit surprising to him that this hadn't occurred in their relationship as of yet.
He smiled warmly at her.
"You're right. I suppose it's strange we're married and now just going out."
"That's okay. I love you."
He started to lead on.
"Good. I love you too, Elena."
As they left the shuttle, someone called from behind them.
"Hey, where are you going?"
They stopped and turned their heads to look.
Smith and Alice approached, hand in hand.
"You have any idea where you two are going?" Alice inquired.
"Not yet." Ryuji replied. "I think we're going to walk around a bit, check things out and go from there."
"No idea, huh?"
"Well..." Ryuji explained, “that’s why we're going to walk around."
"Okay." Smith started to direct with his hands. "It's about five blocks from here, but there's some nice, but cheap restaurants."
Ryuji looked at Elena, who nodded to give approval to the idea.
"Sounds good. Thanks."
"Always happy to pass along some good information, so have fun." Smith did a brief wave of his hand as Ryuji and Elena walked away.
-----------------------------------
Jana left the Augustine's fitness center. Her small towel was becoming damp, but she patted her forehead and neck as she walked down the hall. As she approached her quarters, Cara, Alban and a few others walked by.
"Are you going out soon?" Cara asked.
"Huh?"
"Didn't they tell you? We're allowed shore leave, so, if you want to come, I'll at least wait for you."
Jana looked away. "No, thanks. Not right now, I have some stuff to catch up on."
"Like what?"
"I need to write some letters...to my son."
-------------------------------------
Ryuji and Elena exited the drug store and she shoved their purchase into her purse.
"That was awkward, even though we're married, this is kinda embarrassing to buy." She said sheepishly.
Though he wasn't sweating, Ryuji brushed his fingers along his forehead as if wiping some away.
"Yeah, it's...uh, good, uh, prevention...yeah." They moved forward as he took her hand with his.
"I mean, we do need to keep this sorta thing stocked."
"Probably should do another pickup in a day or so to make sure we don't run out."
Elena had started to blush.
He glanced over at her. "So, maybe we should go eat?"
"Yeah, that would be a good idea." She was glad to move away from the uncomfortable subject.
"Someplace warm too."
"You're cold?"
"Kinda. Well this is cold to me...considering where I grew up."
He rubbed his chin with his free hand. "Okay, I think I know where we can go." He gripped her hand tighter, stepping forward. "Let's go." He dashed off, startling her.
"Ryuji!" She playfully scolded.
The bite almost made it into Alice mouth when she saw two familiar people dash by.
"My, he's certainly taking her for a ride." She almost laughed seeing Elena pulled along behind
Ryuji.
Smith set his glass down after taking a drink. "That's good for her."
Alice went back to eating and then noticed a dopey grin on his face. "What?"
He turned his eyes back to her and explained. "I wasn't sure how Ryuji would handle Elena..."
"...but, he's doing alright, don't you think?"
"Yeah, and it's really fun to watch."
Elena couldn't tell where she was being pulled. Ryuji's spontaneous dash had caused her to not worry about where they were going. It didn't matter right now.
He finally began to slow down, eventually coming to a stop.
"Well," he said breathing deeply several times, "I think this looks good."
She gave the establishment before them a once over while adjusting her skirt. "Then why don't we go in?"
Once they were seated, Elena had to comment at the place.
"You know, this feels familiar. Not that I've been right here, but it's like somewhere I've been before."
"I thought you might think so." He fixed his tie. "It had the feel of that mansion we were in."
Her eyes grew in excitement as she realized why it was so familiar.
"That's it!"
-----------------------------------
Early F.E. 116
-----------------------------------
The stars peppered the black blanket of night sky. Elena walked through the French doors into the upstairs gazebo. She hoped for a breeze, but it wouldn't come. The reinforced glass wouldn't break, and she knew it wasn't worth the effort or time to try and throw the furniture.
As she neared the invisible wall in her luxurious prison, a reflection of herself appeared, giving a visual boundary to the hidden. She looked at herself, studying her body and the black dress she wore. Her eyes descended slowly, examining the faint image of herself. She looked at her shoulders, remembering the bullet that was responsible for taking the fight out of her. It didn't appear on the pseudo mirror, but she could see the slight scarring in her peripheral vision.
Back to the dress, she realized she wasn't a girl. That had come and went. Now, she saw herself to be a woman. She didn't have a reason to wear it, but she thought it looked good to try on and didn't take it off. A hand went up as if to tug on an earring. She got them pierced when she was five, but could not remember the last time they held anything.
Ryuji entered the gazebo. Initially he was unaware of Elena's presence, but then noticed her at the other end. Since he just had on socks, he purposely made his footsteps give off a thud when he walked.
She stopped admiring herself, giving her attention to him as he approached.
"I wondered where you went." He said, looking at her. "What were you up to?"
She looked outside briefly and then back at him with the start of a smile. "Pretending I own the place."
"You do look the part."
She looked at the physical distance between them. "You're not my servant."
"I know, but there's some coffee ready."
Though Ryuji had done so before, Elena was still unaccustomed to having someone serve her any sort of food on any sort of regular basis.
The cup gently slid over to her while the hot liquid filled a second cup.
"I suppose we could eat out here too." He commented.
The carafe made a slight thump as he set it on the table.
"Do you ever think we'll leave this place?" He asked. It wasn't directed at anyone as much as it was a rhetorical inquiry to the pair's status.
"Someday..." Elena looked to the stars again. "Someday, I hope we can leave."
"Where would you go?"
Elena sipped the coffee. "I suppose back to Oahu. It's home and family, so it's at least a base."
Ryuji looked down at his cup to see the slight ripples in the liquid distort his own reflection.
He had nowhere to go.
"I'm not sure where I'd go. I think returning to Japan would be dangerous. Plus, I have no family there." He held the cup handle with one hand and rested his chin on the other. "Truthfully, I have no family anywhere but here."
Elena turned her head to look at him.
"I don't know if this is so far out, Elena, but the only family I have...is you."
Elena had to hold the cup to prevent it from slipping out of her hands. What for sure was he saying?
"But," Ryuji spoke. "I don't know what happens if we ever leave."
The room then was silent, but Elena finally replied.
"Yes."
Ryuji looked up. She had turned toward him. He could see subtle tremors stemming from her growing excitement.
"Yes, I'll be your family."
-------------------------------------
Elena and Ryuji walked slowly through the city streets. It was beginning to grow dark, and they decided to return to the ship.
"Are you glad we went out?" He asked.
"Of course!" She affirmed. "It's good that the weather was nice for us."
"If you wanted, we could stay out even longer. I don't think the sun will completely set right now."
She considered, but though it best to decline.
"Maybe another day; I've been in these shoes way too long."
"Then I'll carry you." He turned his back to her. "Get on."
As Ryuji trotted along, Elena couldn't help but feel a little strange being carried this way.
Still, at the same time, it was all right.
--------------------------------------
Olympus Colony
--------------------------------------
Dietz stepped off the lift and walked through several doors before he was in the hangar.
"Finally." He breathed with satisfaction. "This Gundam is done." He would make sure to thank everyone who worked on this project.
Before him stood a hulking mobile suit. "As you can see, sir, the RMX-G212 is done." The lead shift mechanic ran up and saluted. "They're getting ready to do some more test flights, but so far it's been doing great. We just don't have a Newtype to try and test the psi-res frame's capabilities."
"Excellent work, and make sure to tell your men that." Dietz continued to gaze at the mobile suit.
"So, we've finally completed the Thanatos."
--------------------------------------
End Phase 40
--------------------------------------
---------------------------------
Asgard Colony
---------------------------------
General Kyoji drifted along a corridor, flanked by two soldiers. Today was an important day for the Union. After months upon months of preparation and some delays, it was time to enjoy the payoff.
The three people slowed down as they approached a guarded door. Kyoji pulled out his ID card from a breast pocket flashing it at the sentries. He exchanged brief salutes as they greeted him.
"This way, General Kyoji."
As he entered the operations room, the commanding officer turned, acknowledging him. "Sir, I'm glad to see you've arrived." He saluted. "Lieutenant Major Minh Ngo, awaiting your orders."
Kyoji made his way over to the officers command position.
"I wish this could've happened sooner, but, war always poses challenges one can't plan for."
"Well, anything to avert the energy problems as of late."
"Yes."
Despite the Union's aggressive jump into this war, the toll on resources had already started to take it's toll. The involved countries were being forced to deal with supplying the military with food and energy that had hit the civilians. It was mild at first, but had become increasingly more stringent. It was hard to say how the Federation was doing, but a large army couldn't stand indefinitely against a strong enemy and dwindling resources. Mobile suits that didn't move were junk and easy pickings for the Federation. Hopefully, this would be the start of something new.
"Prometheus satellite number one should be at the transmission location in about two minutes," Minh
Ngo looked at his watch, "and six seconds."
"Very well, then; please go and transmit when the satellite is in the proper location."
--------------------------------
Shanghai
--------------------------------
While one might have expected Anders to be at the edge of his seat, it was to the contrary. He knew full well that things would go as planned with the Prometheus transmission and had no reason to become exited. Right now, it was just having the Union military heads witness the energy delivery system in place.
"You don't seem happy." An air force brass commented.
"Oh, I am. The acquisition of Nova ISS from a few years ago has paid for itself rather well."
Anders explained. "I'm simply thinking about the next phase in microwave energy transfer."
The other man chuckled heartily.
"One of those types!"
"Yes..." he noticed the countdown was nearing zero, "sir, I believe you're about to see the culmination."
-------------------------------
Asgard Colony
-------------------------------
"Transmission has commenced!" One of the stations reported and followed with a pregnant pause.
"Transmission has linked to reception point location."
A proper cheer broke out throughout the room.
The general and lieutenant major gave each other a firm handshake.
"A proud moment, no, General?" Ngo said.
"Absolutely...this should go quite a long ways to prevent the Union from some of the troubles that collapsed much of North America."
"Indeed."
-------------------------------
A crowd had gathered in the break room.
Saul stood toward the back, listening to the voices of tempered excitement.
"So, they still intend to stick it out?" Marion had weaved his way to the back.
"I guess so."
"Great."
"At least we're not in the thick of battle up here at the moment."
Marion was quiet.
Saul spoke after having his fill of slightly uncomfortable air.
"I hope this means that people on life support systems don't have to die from a power loss."
"What?" Marion looked at him, eyebrows furrowed.
"One of the letters from home said our neighbor's youngest boy was in an accident an put on a breathing machine and some other devices to keep him alive. But, since the war started, the times without power have grown longer and longer. My girlfriend told me that the power was off for hours in a 250-kilometer radius, so they had nowhere to plug the machines and the boy died. Even some of the wounded soldiers have met the same end because of no power."
"I see." Marion bowed his head reverently.
"This has always been a theory," Saul explained. "I mean the microwave energy, but never actually used at this scale."
"Why did it take so long?"
"Probably getting things to work correctly and safely. I imagine that wherever the microwaves are collected will probably be set as restricted airspace."
Marion sighed. "There's always a dark side to everything."
-------------------------------
Iceland
-------------------------------
The locker squeaked briefly as it opened.
Ryuji took a shirt off a hanger and pulled it over his head.
"Hey, since you're over there, toss me my stuff too." Elena requested.
"Sure," he balanced on one foot as he put his other leg into his pants, "just a sec." After fastening the button, his hands were free to acquire her clothes. As he sorted through the meager wardrobe, something on Elena's side fell out and he crouched to pick it up.
"What's this?" He held up the two pieces.
"That would be my bikini." She explained and watched him perk up. "I needed a swimsuit because my previous one-"
"Yeah." He realized that she was talking about the Augustus, and moved the conversation along.
"But, when did you get it?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"Now, Ryuji, come on...Saratov, wedding, shopping?"
"Right." He rubbed his eyes. "I got it. It must be that my brain isn't up with the rest of me yet."
"Then let's go eat." She beckoned with one hand. "Clothes, please."
-------------------------------
Wade waited while the room emptied of captains and squad leaders.
Finally, just him, Veronika and Graf were left.
"Something on your mind, Mr. Frazer?" Graf asked.
"Well, like you, I have a long list of things that I am concerned over, but they're not all relevant to the situation at hand."
Graf nodded him on to continue.
"I think a big problem right now is people are becoming restless. There's not much to do, and until we have reason to move, it seems we'll be sitting here for awhile."
"So," Veronika followed, "you're requesting something of a shore leave?"
"If that's alright with you, I think it would be good for people to get out a bit. What can be done is getting monotonous, and without something to do, these people are going to go stir crazy.
It's not like we can have them do flight tests with the Scorpio's here and not give away our position."
Veronika looked at Graf.
"This would be your call."
"Indeed. I hope to see the pilots familiarized with the Sky Cutter capabilities ASAP, we shouldn't hold them here forever. We'll need to make arrangements to ensure we aren't detected, but otherwise, I don't see why not. I know we've been here roughly a month, and I can't neglect our most valuable assets." He looked at Wade and Veronika. "I will allow it. Captain Becker, I'll leave the rotation up to you and Captain Logan."
"Consider it done."
-------------------------------
Beijing
-------------------------------
Cai looked at the computer screen as General Kyoji made himself comfortable nearby.
"I hate to make you travel so much, but I'm glad you were able to come report in person."
"No bother, chairman; I think it's very important to have this system in place."
The chair Cai sat on turned toward the general.
"Give me your assessment."
"This does everything we need in terms of energy supply and future expansion." Kyoji explained.
"At this stage, our biggest enemy is adapting transportation to use the microwave energy, but the main system is in place."
Cai nodded.
"Naturally. It's only a matter of time before the people might begin becoming restless because of power shortages. We can't fight both the war on the front lines and one with the people in the
Union."
"It solves one problem."
"Yes, but we need to focus on ending the war, not simply perpetuating it." Cai rested his chin atop one hand. "I would like to finish it as soon as possible."
"I think more and more are beginning to feel this way. We are starting to pick out some key targets for a possible operation at the request of the council."
"That's good. There needs to be an end before we exhaust ourselves. I pushed for this. I pushed for this war because it was the only step left." Cai said morbidly. "I don't want to hand this to the person that follows me. I want this to end well before my term does."
As General Kyoji left the Union council building, he smiled.
"This war will certainly come to an end."
---------------------------------
Iceland
---------------------------------
Ryuji stepped out the door. Elena followed, pulling back her hair and tying it there with a band.
"It's been awhile since I've seen any shore leave." He commented, then noticed her cuddling with one of his arms.
"You know," she said, clearly happy, "this is a first for us."
He looked back at her. "What is?"
"A date!"
It was true. Though they'd been together for a year, the fact of the matter was he'd never taken her out. Not as though the circumstances had given him an actual chance, but it was a bit surprising to him that this hadn't occurred in their relationship as of yet.
He smiled warmly at her.
"You're right. I suppose it's strange we're married and now just going out."
"That's okay. I love you."
He started to lead on.
"Good. I love you too, Elena."
As they left the shuttle, someone called from behind them.
"Hey, where are you going?"
They stopped and turned their heads to look.
Smith and Alice approached, hand in hand.
"You have any idea where you two are going?" Alice inquired.
"Not yet." Ryuji replied. "I think we're going to walk around a bit, check things out and go from there."
"No idea, huh?"
"Well..." Ryuji explained, “that’s why we're going to walk around."
"Okay." Smith started to direct with his hands. "It's about five blocks from here, but there's some nice, but cheap restaurants."
Ryuji looked at Elena, who nodded to give approval to the idea.
"Sounds good. Thanks."
"Always happy to pass along some good information, so have fun." Smith did a brief wave of his hand as Ryuji and Elena walked away.
-----------------------------------
Jana left the Augustine's fitness center. Her small towel was becoming damp, but she patted her forehead and neck as she walked down the hall. As she approached her quarters, Cara, Alban and a few others walked by.
"Are you going out soon?" Cara asked.
"Huh?"
"Didn't they tell you? We're allowed shore leave, so, if you want to come, I'll at least wait for you."
Jana looked away. "No, thanks. Not right now, I have some stuff to catch up on."
"Like what?"
"I need to write some letters...to my son."
-------------------------------------
Ryuji and Elena exited the drug store and she shoved their purchase into her purse.
"That was awkward, even though we're married, this is kinda embarrassing to buy." She said sheepishly.
Though he wasn't sweating, Ryuji brushed his fingers along his forehead as if wiping some away.
"Yeah, it's...uh, good, uh, prevention...yeah." They moved forward as he took her hand with his.
"I mean, we do need to keep this sorta thing stocked."
"Probably should do another pickup in a day or so to make sure we don't run out."
Elena had started to blush.
He glanced over at her. "So, maybe we should go eat?"
"Yeah, that would be a good idea." She was glad to move away from the uncomfortable subject.
"Someplace warm too."
"You're cold?"
"Kinda. Well this is cold to me...considering where I grew up."
He rubbed his chin with his free hand. "Okay, I think I know where we can go." He gripped her hand tighter, stepping forward. "Let's go." He dashed off, startling her.
"Ryuji!" She playfully scolded.
The bite almost made it into Alice mouth when she saw two familiar people dash by.
"My, he's certainly taking her for a ride." She almost laughed seeing Elena pulled along behind
Ryuji.
Smith set his glass down after taking a drink. "That's good for her."
Alice went back to eating and then noticed a dopey grin on his face. "What?"
He turned his eyes back to her and explained. "I wasn't sure how Ryuji would handle Elena..."
"...but, he's doing alright, don't you think?"
"Yeah, and it's really fun to watch."
Elena couldn't tell where she was being pulled. Ryuji's spontaneous dash had caused her to not worry about where they were going. It didn't matter right now.
He finally began to slow down, eventually coming to a stop.
"Well," he said breathing deeply several times, "I think this looks good."
She gave the establishment before them a once over while adjusting her skirt. "Then why don't we go in?"
Once they were seated, Elena had to comment at the place.
"You know, this feels familiar. Not that I've been right here, but it's like somewhere I've been before."
"I thought you might think so." He fixed his tie. "It had the feel of that mansion we were in."
Her eyes grew in excitement as she realized why it was so familiar.
"That's it!"
-----------------------------------
Early F.E. 116
-----------------------------------
The stars peppered the black blanket of night sky. Elena walked through the French doors into the upstairs gazebo. She hoped for a breeze, but it wouldn't come. The reinforced glass wouldn't break, and she knew it wasn't worth the effort or time to try and throw the furniture.
As she neared the invisible wall in her luxurious prison, a reflection of herself appeared, giving a visual boundary to the hidden. She looked at herself, studying her body and the black dress she wore. Her eyes descended slowly, examining the faint image of herself. She looked at her shoulders, remembering the bullet that was responsible for taking the fight out of her. It didn't appear on the pseudo mirror, but she could see the slight scarring in her peripheral vision.
Back to the dress, she realized she wasn't a girl. That had come and went. Now, she saw herself to be a woman. She didn't have a reason to wear it, but she thought it looked good to try on and didn't take it off. A hand went up as if to tug on an earring. She got them pierced when she was five, but could not remember the last time they held anything.
Ryuji entered the gazebo. Initially he was unaware of Elena's presence, but then noticed her at the other end. Since he just had on socks, he purposely made his footsteps give off a thud when he walked.
She stopped admiring herself, giving her attention to him as he approached.
"I wondered where you went." He said, looking at her. "What were you up to?"
She looked outside briefly and then back at him with the start of a smile. "Pretending I own the place."
"You do look the part."
She looked at the physical distance between them. "You're not my servant."
"I know, but there's some coffee ready."
Though Ryuji had done so before, Elena was still unaccustomed to having someone serve her any sort of food on any sort of regular basis.
The cup gently slid over to her while the hot liquid filled a second cup.
"I suppose we could eat out here too." He commented.
The carafe made a slight thump as he set it on the table.
"Do you ever think we'll leave this place?" He asked. It wasn't directed at anyone as much as it was a rhetorical inquiry to the pair's status.
"Someday..." Elena looked to the stars again. "Someday, I hope we can leave."
"Where would you go?"
Elena sipped the coffee. "I suppose back to Oahu. It's home and family, so it's at least a base."
Ryuji looked down at his cup to see the slight ripples in the liquid distort his own reflection.
He had nowhere to go.
"I'm not sure where I'd go. I think returning to Japan would be dangerous. Plus, I have no family there." He held the cup handle with one hand and rested his chin on the other. "Truthfully, I have no family anywhere but here."
Elena turned her head to look at him.
"I don't know if this is so far out, Elena, but the only family I have...is you."
Elena had to hold the cup to prevent it from slipping out of her hands. What for sure was he saying?
"But," Ryuji spoke. "I don't know what happens if we ever leave."
The room then was silent, but Elena finally replied.
"Yes."
Ryuji looked up. She had turned toward him. He could see subtle tremors stemming from her growing excitement.
"Yes, I'll be your family."
-------------------------------------
Elena and Ryuji walked slowly through the city streets. It was beginning to grow dark, and they decided to return to the ship.
"Are you glad we went out?" He asked.
"Of course!" She affirmed. "It's good that the weather was nice for us."
"If you wanted, we could stay out even longer. I don't think the sun will completely set right now."
She considered, but though it best to decline.
"Maybe another day; I've been in these shoes way too long."
"Then I'll carry you." He turned his back to her. "Get on."
As Ryuji trotted along, Elena couldn't help but feel a little strange being carried this way.
Still, at the same time, it was all right.
--------------------------------------
Olympus Colony
--------------------------------------
Dietz stepped off the lift and walked through several doors before he was in the hangar.
"Finally." He breathed with satisfaction. "This Gundam is done." He would make sure to thank everyone who worked on this project.
Before him stood a hulking mobile suit. "As you can see, sir, the RMX-G212 is done." The lead shift mechanic ran up and saluted. "They're getting ready to do some more test flights, but so far it's been doing great. We just don't have a Newtype to try and test the psi-res frame's capabilities."
"Excellent work, and make sure to tell your men that." Dietz continued to gaze at the mobile suit.
"So, we've finally completed the Thanatos."
--------------------------------------
End Phase 40
--------------------------------------
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (Phase 40 7/6/10)
Probably the last mecha additions:
Added:
RMX-D112 Satyr
RMX-G212 Thanatos
Added:
RMX-D112 Satyr
RMX-G212 Thanatos
-
tehprognoob
- Posts: 724
- Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:17 pm
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (Phase 40 7/6/10)
I'm losing track of all the stuff... :S
Faithful soldier of the Hatsune Miku Scout Force
AVATAR: Zeig Soryu!
AVATAR: Zeig Soryu!
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (Phase 40 7/6/10)
That's why I keep a file of the mecha and stuff, so at least I don't get confused.
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (Phase 40 7/6/10)
PHASE 41 - TO BEGIN ARMAGEDDON
-----------------------------------
The video link was connecting as Pagan made himself comfortable.
"It's been awhile." He commented as soon as the connection was running.
"Yes it has, lord." General Kyoji replied with reverence. "It looks like our needs from Prometheus should happen very soon. Cai Deshang wants to put an end to the war, and our esteemed contractor seems to be the final push needed to set this up."
"Then we're at the beginning of the end." Pagan mused. "I need to make a trip to Olympus to address and correct some matters. When I return, the cleansing will begin."
"I await your command."
Pagan made his way through the halls. He slowed down as he approached a room. One hand softly knocked at the door and then entered. There were no lights on, but he clearly felt the other person inside.
"My ascension is nigh." He told the occupant. There was an abbreviated creek as they stood from a chair.
"I am glad to be chosen for this, lord." The voice was female.
Pagan smiled. "That is because I know my angels. You, Shilah, are fortunate to transcend the chains of humanity."
------------------------------------
Iceland
------------------------------------
There was breathing, and lots of it.
For what felt to be an eternity, Elena and Ryuji just lay in bed, arms and legs intertwined as if they together were always one. Inevitably, they recovered and adjusted to a more comfortable situation to sleep.
"I guess it was good we got that little shopping done." Ryuji said between gradually slowing breaths. Elena's mouth was next to his ear and it didn't take much for her to reply an affirmative.
She rolled onto her side, pulling his arm around her as she did. Though their bodies were quite warm, she didn't care. This was something she realized she had wanted, but didn't know it until she fell in love with Ryuji. Still, there was some uncertainty about...life.
One of her hands rubbed his arm.
"Ryuji?"
"Yes?"
"How long do you want to live here like this?"
He had to think.
"I'm not really sure. The one thing that bothers me is going back into Union territory. Would it be safe for a trip to your dads?"
That was a good point.
"Well, nobody really seemed to care about Newtypes the last time I was there." her hand stopped.
"But, with the war, it's hard to say. Usually, the politics have been more disconnected, so we might be okay."
She rolled to her back. "My dad works for an international security company, and he's up high enough he could probably pull a few strings and get you inside. If we ran into a problem, we could relocate somewhere within the Federation."
"Would that be safe?"
"I guess we'd have to see. I suppose it would depend on how things turn out."
It wasn't lost to either of them that there could be a gamble no matter where they lived.
"We can't win." Ryuji casually observed.
"Not yet, but I don't think there's anything final right now."
Ryuji moved to hover over Elena.
"You are right on that."
Even in the dark room, she could still look into his eyes.
"After what's happened over the past year or so, I can't give up hope." She lifted a hand to his cheek. "I don't know what will happen, but I can still hope for the future."
She guided Ryuji's head down and he followed all the way to her mouth. The path was unknown, but as long as that was open, somehow, he knew they would be all right. For now, they could enjoy each other. As the kisses grew more intense, one hand went out in search of the box.
-----------------------------------
Helsinki
-----------------------------------
"I'm sorry I couldn't be there in person, but I have some business with the Olympus colony." Pagan explained to Leonidas over the video link.
"We're both busy men. With all you've done for the Federation, who am I to complain if you can't meet for trivial matters." Leonidas left no indication any sort of apology was needed. "It's thanks to you that this building and the entire council is alive."
"That was an honor, chairman. At any rate, I'll need to go soon because the Knox will be launching shortly."
"Godspeed, Commander."
-----------------------------------
Florence, Italy
-----------------------------------
Reformer-class Knox
-----------------------------------
Pagan cleaned the inside of his mask as he thought about the next stage of his operation.
"Oh, Dietz, you've become careless in your age." He smiled. "But, then, a human mind tends to go first."
As he replaced the mask, a page to his room came on the direct comm.
"Commander Czevik?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"Captain Galt would like to inform you the Knox is about to launch, so if you would come to the bridge, sir."
"I was just about to come that way, so I should be there momentarily."
"I'll pass that along."
The comm was then silent and he exited the room.
Captain Galt looked over his shoulder when he heard the bridge door open.
"We'll be launching as soon as they give us the all clear. They forgot about some minor maintenance today and it's taken longer than expected." The captain was calm, but it was clear he didn't care for the delay. "I'm sorry to have called you up here for no good reason."
"It's no bother."
Pagan took up a spare seat near the man.
"Now, it's not as if they suspect the real reason we're coming up there. This Resistance has been dealt a heavy blow thanks to some information from Major Singer and it's led to even better things. We've waited a long time for this break, this minor hesitation won't dull the inevitable victory."
The captain didn't reply, but checked the launch status.
---------------------------------
Olympus Colony
---------------------------------
Dietz had a lingering look at the Thanatos as he strolled through the mobile suit hangar.
"Something wrong, sir?" One of the officers with him asked.
The older man waved. "No." He chuckled slightly. "I guess I'm just a little sentimental now that this project is completed. Knowing that I'm handing it off must be like giving your daughter away,
I suppose."
The officer stroked his chin, seeming to fondly think of the proposed situation.
"I'll let you know what it feels like in a few years."
"And I would like to hear about it, as long as I'm still alive."
"You're not that old."
The Knox finally came to rest in the ship hangar.
"It's been quite awhile since I've been up here." Pagan mused as he stood.
Captain Galt looked out at the expansive area.
"That's too bad the Resistance has seeped in here and it's come to this."
"Don't pity them, my dear captain. After all, they only brought this down on themselves. The only shameful part is having to arrange an operation like this." As Pagan neared the exit, he finished with orders. "Make sure all the payloads are deployed and ready to go. We'll be leaving very soon after acquiring this wonderful new mobile suit."
The door closed and he proceeded on his way. Along his route, he stopped at a room, and knocked.
"It's time." He said to the inhabitant through the shut door.
"So, are these people those who create rumors of war?"
Shilah opened the door. She was dressed in Federation military attire.
"More than just rumors." She answered.
Pagan grinned softly. "That's the way all wars start."
They started walking.
"Are you ready to act as my sword?"
She bowed her head with reverence.
"Yes, I will give man what it desires."
Dietz could see Pagan walk down the ramp from the Knox. As usual, the masked man came without the fanfare of escorting personnel.
"It's been quite some time." The older of the two started when they met. They saluted, and then shook hands.
"Yes, it does seem so." Pagan replied. "I've been waiting to see your work once again."
"I thought you might." They began to stroll away from the Knox. "You could say we've saved the best for last."
"Well, you did mention this one had those special armaments."
"At your request. I still don't completely understand the technology myself, but that just might be age. Fortunately, some very bright ones do, so they can explain the details better than I."
After a distance, the two men entered the mobile suit hangar.
"This," Dietz presented, "is the RMX-G212."
Pagan gazed at the foreboding machine. "So, this is the Thanatos? It certainly seems to be prepared to carry out its namesake."
"Yes," Dietz agreed morbidly. "We designed it with the purpose of taking down a battleship.
Specifically, it should be able to destroy a Titan-class vessel."
Pagan rubbed his chin, gazing at the mobile suit.
"That's a rather impressive level of firepower for a single mobile suit, isn't it."
"You might have underestimated that."
"Oh?" The masked man's voice hinted at amusement.
"The firepower is about the equivalent of a small battalion, which really puts this into a class of it's own."
"So, a single unit battalion mobile suit...impressive may have been too modest of a compliment.
The ability to take down battleships is a considerable advantage."
"All the latest data we have on the Union models indicates they don't have any mobile weapon near the level of the Thanatos. Izanagi has had some interesting prototypes I've caught wind of, but it's still hard to believe we have something that's not just equal. It's beyond anything they currently have."
"You truly continue to amaze me, Commander Dietz."
"Thank you."
"I suppose I should see what this machine is capable of doing."
Dietz sighed.
"We haven't managed to get a Newtype pilot up here yet, so we haven't been able to test the psi-res frame on this one. It should work fine, as with the Deus and Nergal, but those pilots went with the Augustine."
"Oh, that's not a problem." Pagan said calmly. "I'll take it out myself."
----------------------------------------
Captain Galt listened to the status report the quartermaster was giving him.
"We sent out another six containers, which are going to the medical supply, so that leaves us with ten more that need to go out. We've triple checked those spec packages before the containers left, so they're ready to go."
"Then that puts us slightly ahead of schedule."
"Yes, sir."
"Good work."
Now, it was a matter of waiting on Pagan to finish his part of the operation.
----------------------------------------
Deutschland
----------------------------------------
Julia looked at the photographs that she had just received on her computer.
"I'm looking at them right now." She said to the person at the other end of the phone.
"This was pure luck. I'm sure those two were the ones that escaped the house."
"Yes, they do appear to be familiar. I'm having these sent to our lab for analysis for absolute proof, though I'm confident those are the two we're looking for."
After the call ended, she studied the pictures.
It had to be them.
"But, why Iceland?" She rubbed her forehead. "How did they get over---?"
She stopped when the connection hit her.
"The commander did tell me he saw the girl in Saratov with the crew of the Augustine, which was at the attack on Helsinki!"
It wasn't a great leap to guess it was highly probably the Resistance had been hiding there.
"Pure luck indeed." She needed to let Pagan know immediately.
---------------------------------------
Olympus Colony Group
---------------------------------------
Pagan sat down in the Thanatos's cockpit.
"There's nothing quite like German engineering." He said as he powered on the mobile suit.
"How is the system?" Dietz asked through the comm.
"I see no problems. It seems to be pretty similar to the Scorpio."
"Except for the monitoring of the bit system, it's essentially the same." Dietz informed him.
"Would you like to proceed to test the psi-res frame?"
"Of course."
Pagan switched the comm channel to a different frequency.
"Captain Galt?"
"Yes, commander, what are your orders?" The Knox's captain responded.
"Tell me, are all the packages delivered?"
"Yes, the receiving crew unloaded the last of them approximately fifteen minutes ago."
"And the Satyr?"
"Ready for launch."
"After I finish with this test, we'll begin."
Dietz spoke from the observation deck.
"Whenever you're ready."
Pagan said nothing, but began to concentrate. Almost instantly, he could recognize thoughts.
"He brought the psi-res frame up to this level already?" Pagan distinctively heard Dietz's surprised thoughts. Of course he did, this machine was working exactly as designed.
Pagan smiled broadly as he listened to the thoughts of everyone in the colony.
"So, is this the limit of a god?"
As rapidly as the Thanatos's psi-res frame had become fully active, so it did the reverse.
"No." Pagan said to himself, smiling even greater than he had been. "That's simply reaffirms that I am so!"
"Sir, are you alright?" The comm came though in the cockpit. "We weren't sure if we were hearing you."
"Oh, I'm quite alright. I'm satisfied with this psi-res frame, so I'm going to take this out."
"Wait, we need to-!"
The Thanatos broke free of the maintenance frame, and proceeded to stomp toward a hatch.
"Captain Galt, launch now! I'll rendezvous after the mission. Activate the packages as soon as you're away from the colony!"
"Commander Dietz, what's Commander Czevik doing?" Asked one of the many concerned officers in the observation deck. "He's aiming one of the Thanatos's weapons at the hatch!"
Stunned, Dietz forced his mind to think.
"I don't know what he's doing, but launch all the Scorpios we have!" He wasn't sure if that was enough, but his heart raced as he witnessed an ally turning on them.
"All of them, sir?"
"Yes! Every one we have!"
Before the order could be relayed, Pagan's voice came through on the comm.
"As I said, you've certainly outdone yourself, Dietz. Unfortunately, I neglected to say that it won't bring you any salvation."
"What do you mean?"
"Come, now, Dietz, I've know about your true allegiance for awhile. The Resistance?"
Dietz's eyes narrowed and his face turned to disgust.
"We knew someone high up was pulling the strings, I just had no idea you were involved."
As the Knox drifted away from the colony, one of the hatches disintegrated with a burst of light.
Pagan readied the Thanatos to launch out the newly created exit. The few unfortunate workers in the hanger were swept out into the void of space, but Pagan had other concerns.
"Truly, your Resistance is meaningless. In the end, it's simply another way man manifests it's deepest desire."
"What are you talking about!" Dietz demanded.
A single bit broke away from the Thanatos, drifting over to the observation deck. As it did, Pagan put in his final words to Dietz.
"Man has no value of it's own life, as summarized by this very machine that will do what it is named!"
With that, the bit fired several times, scorching the entire observation deck and everything inside.
The Thanatos burst away from the colony. Pagan could see Scorpios starting to launch.
"Even in death, man still desires to destroy."
A beam pierced through one that was getting relatively close. It was the Satyr.
"As you say, lord." Shilah said.
"Now you see why I can't save them?" Pagan asked.
"I do."
The two mobile suits sped away from the colony.
In their wake, the lights on the outside began to go out and one end. Slowly, the blackout rolled toward the opposite end of the colony.
"Commander," Captain Galt called, "the EMP's have been triggered. That should at least cripple most of the Scorpio's that did launch."
"Wonderful. We're returning now before the reactors go critical."
----------------------------------------
With the Thanatos and Satyr secured in their maintenance frames aboard the Knox, the pilots exited. When Pagan reached the bottom, one officer greeted him.
"Commander, sir!" The officer saluted. "There's an urgent message from Major Singer."
"I'll take it in my quarters."
----------------------------------------
Helsinki
----------------------------------------
Leonidas watched Pagan on the screen.
"Unfortunately, my suspicion of Resistance activity has spread even into the Olympus colony. While some poor souls were inevitably caught in the destruction from the reactor meltdowns inside, the data we've collected points toward a large concentration of Resistance members that were living in the facility."
The chairman's free hand balled into a fist.
"It had to come to that? There weren't any alternatives?"
"Had they not fought back as they did, we might have been able to settle the matter little to no bloodshed. I assure you, there will be a full report, but first, I'm going to deal with this Resistance. After all, they are becoming a problem we don't need, and I have some very good information on where a large group of them are hiding. There's reason to believe it was the same group that staged the more recent attack on Helsinki."
"I see." Leonidas replied in a solemn tone. "Why does this Resistance feel the need to interfere, especially when were already at war with the Union?"
"Some people seem to have an instinctual drive toward conflict, so perhaps that's the problem at hand. In any case, as difficult as it may seem to do this, I think that neglecting this problem simply cannot wait. If they're allowed to grow in strength, it's assured that Helsinki will be the target."
After the conversation had ended, Leonidas sighed heavily. He felt the weight of the troubles that had been, and still were, piling up on his plate.
"Can't man just work together?"
---------------------------------------
End Phase 41
---------------------------------------
-----------------------------------
The video link was connecting as Pagan made himself comfortable.
"It's been awhile." He commented as soon as the connection was running.
"Yes it has, lord." General Kyoji replied with reverence. "It looks like our needs from Prometheus should happen very soon. Cai Deshang wants to put an end to the war, and our esteemed contractor seems to be the final push needed to set this up."
"Then we're at the beginning of the end." Pagan mused. "I need to make a trip to Olympus to address and correct some matters. When I return, the cleansing will begin."
"I await your command."
Pagan made his way through the halls. He slowed down as he approached a room. One hand softly knocked at the door and then entered. There were no lights on, but he clearly felt the other person inside.
"My ascension is nigh." He told the occupant. There was an abbreviated creek as they stood from a chair.
"I am glad to be chosen for this, lord." The voice was female.
Pagan smiled. "That is because I know my angels. You, Shilah, are fortunate to transcend the chains of humanity."
------------------------------------
Iceland
------------------------------------
There was breathing, and lots of it.
For what felt to be an eternity, Elena and Ryuji just lay in bed, arms and legs intertwined as if they together were always one. Inevitably, they recovered and adjusted to a more comfortable situation to sleep.
"I guess it was good we got that little shopping done." Ryuji said between gradually slowing breaths. Elena's mouth was next to his ear and it didn't take much for her to reply an affirmative.
She rolled onto her side, pulling his arm around her as she did. Though their bodies were quite warm, she didn't care. This was something she realized she had wanted, but didn't know it until she fell in love with Ryuji. Still, there was some uncertainty about...life.
One of her hands rubbed his arm.
"Ryuji?"
"Yes?"
"How long do you want to live here like this?"
He had to think.
"I'm not really sure. The one thing that bothers me is going back into Union territory. Would it be safe for a trip to your dads?"
That was a good point.
"Well, nobody really seemed to care about Newtypes the last time I was there." her hand stopped.
"But, with the war, it's hard to say. Usually, the politics have been more disconnected, so we might be okay."
She rolled to her back. "My dad works for an international security company, and he's up high enough he could probably pull a few strings and get you inside. If we ran into a problem, we could relocate somewhere within the Federation."
"Would that be safe?"
"I guess we'd have to see. I suppose it would depend on how things turn out."
It wasn't lost to either of them that there could be a gamble no matter where they lived.
"We can't win." Ryuji casually observed.
"Not yet, but I don't think there's anything final right now."
Ryuji moved to hover over Elena.
"You are right on that."
Even in the dark room, she could still look into his eyes.
"After what's happened over the past year or so, I can't give up hope." She lifted a hand to his cheek. "I don't know what will happen, but I can still hope for the future."
She guided Ryuji's head down and he followed all the way to her mouth. The path was unknown, but as long as that was open, somehow, he knew they would be all right. For now, they could enjoy each other. As the kisses grew more intense, one hand went out in search of the box.
-----------------------------------
Helsinki
-----------------------------------
"I'm sorry I couldn't be there in person, but I have some business with the Olympus colony." Pagan explained to Leonidas over the video link.
"We're both busy men. With all you've done for the Federation, who am I to complain if you can't meet for trivial matters." Leonidas left no indication any sort of apology was needed. "It's thanks to you that this building and the entire council is alive."
"That was an honor, chairman. At any rate, I'll need to go soon because the Knox will be launching shortly."
"Godspeed, Commander."
-----------------------------------
Florence, Italy
-----------------------------------
Reformer-class Knox
-----------------------------------
Pagan cleaned the inside of his mask as he thought about the next stage of his operation.
"Oh, Dietz, you've become careless in your age." He smiled. "But, then, a human mind tends to go first."
As he replaced the mask, a page to his room came on the direct comm.
"Commander Czevik?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"Captain Galt would like to inform you the Knox is about to launch, so if you would come to the bridge, sir."
"I was just about to come that way, so I should be there momentarily."
"I'll pass that along."
The comm was then silent and he exited the room.
Captain Galt looked over his shoulder when he heard the bridge door open.
"We'll be launching as soon as they give us the all clear. They forgot about some minor maintenance today and it's taken longer than expected." The captain was calm, but it was clear he didn't care for the delay. "I'm sorry to have called you up here for no good reason."
"It's no bother."
Pagan took up a spare seat near the man.
"Now, it's not as if they suspect the real reason we're coming up there. This Resistance has been dealt a heavy blow thanks to some information from Major Singer and it's led to even better things. We've waited a long time for this break, this minor hesitation won't dull the inevitable victory."
The captain didn't reply, but checked the launch status.
---------------------------------
Olympus Colony
---------------------------------
Dietz had a lingering look at the Thanatos as he strolled through the mobile suit hangar.
"Something wrong, sir?" One of the officers with him asked.
The older man waved. "No." He chuckled slightly. "I guess I'm just a little sentimental now that this project is completed. Knowing that I'm handing it off must be like giving your daughter away,
I suppose."
The officer stroked his chin, seeming to fondly think of the proposed situation.
"I'll let you know what it feels like in a few years."
"And I would like to hear about it, as long as I'm still alive."
"You're not that old."
The Knox finally came to rest in the ship hangar.
"It's been quite awhile since I've been up here." Pagan mused as he stood.
Captain Galt looked out at the expansive area.
"That's too bad the Resistance has seeped in here and it's come to this."
"Don't pity them, my dear captain. After all, they only brought this down on themselves. The only shameful part is having to arrange an operation like this." As Pagan neared the exit, he finished with orders. "Make sure all the payloads are deployed and ready to go. We'll be leaving very soon after acquiring this wonderful new mobile suit."
The door closed and he proceeded on his way. Along his route, he stopped at a room, and knocked.
"It's time." He said to the inhabitant through the shut door.
"So, are these people those who create rumors of war?"
Shilah opened the door. She was dressed in Federation military attire.
"More than just rumors." She answered.
Pagan grinned softly. "That's the way all wars start."
They started walking.
"Are you ready to act as my sword?"
She bowed her head with reverence.
"Yes, I will give man what it desires."
Dietz could see Pagan walk down the ramp from the Knox. As usual, the masked man came without the fanfare of escorting personnel.
"It's been quite some time." The older of the two started when they met. They saluted, and then shook hands.
"Yes, it does seem so." Pagan replied. "I've been waiting to see your work once again."
"I thought you might." They began to stroll away from the Knox. "You could say we've saved the best for last."
"Well, you did mention this one had those special armaments."
"At your request. I still don't completely understand the technology myself, but that just might be age. Fortunately, some very bright ones do, so they can explain the details better than I."
After a distance, the two men entered the mobile suit hangar.
"This," Dietz presented, "is the RMX-G212."
Pagan gazed at the foreboding machine. "So, this is the Thanatos? It certainly seems to be prepared to carry out its namesake."
"Yes," Dietz agreed morbidly. "We designed it with the purpose of taking down a battleship.
Specifically, it should be able to destroy a Titan-class vessel."
Pagan rubbed his chin, gazing at the mobile suit.
"That's a rather impressive level of firepower for a single mobile suit, isn't it."
"You might have underestimated that."
"Oh?" The masked man's voice hinted at amusement.
"The firepower is about the equivalent of a small battalion, which really puts this into a class of it's own."
"So, a single unit battalion mobile suit...impressive may have been too modest of a compliment.
The ability to take down battleships is a considerable advantage."
"All the latest data we have on the Union models indicates they don't have any mobile weapon near the level of the Thanatos. Izanagi has had some interesting prototypes I've caught wind of, but it's still hard to believe we have something that's not just equal. It's beyond anything they currently have."
"You truly continue to amaze me, Commander Dietz."
"Thank you."
"I suppose I should see what this machine is capable of doing."
Dietz sighed.
"We haven't managed to get a Newtype pilot up here yet, so we haven't been able to test the psi-res frame on this one. It should work fine, as with the Deus and Nergal, but those pilots went with the Augustine."
"Oh, that's not a problem." Pagan said calmly. "I'll take it out myself."
----------------------------------------
Captain Galt listened to the status report the quartermaster was giving him.
"We sent out another six containers, which are going to the medical supply, so that leaves us with ten more that need to go out. We've triple checked those spec packages before the containers left, so they're ready to go."
"Then that puts us slightly ahead of schedule."
"Yes, sir."
"Good work."
Now, it was a matter of waiting on Pagan to finish his part of the operation.
----------------------------------------
Deutschland
----------------------------------------
Julia looked at the photographs that she had just received on her computer.
"I'm looking at them right now." She said to the person at the other end of the phone.
"This was pure luck. I'm sure those two were the ones that escaped the house."
"Yes, they do appear to be familiar. I'm having these sent to our lab for analysis for absolute proof, though I'm confident those are the two we're looking for."
After the call ended, she studied the pictures.
It had to be them.
"But, why Iceland?" She rubbed her forehead. "How did they get over---?"
She stopped when the connection hit her.
"The commander did tell me he saw the girl in Saratov with the crew of the Augustine, which was at the attack on Helsinki!"
It wasn't a great leap to guess it was highly probably the Resistance had been hiding there.
"Pure luck indeed." She needed to let Pagan know immediately.
---------------------------------------
Olympus Colony Group
---------------------------------------
Pagan sat down in the Thanatos's cockpit.
"There's nothing quite like German engineering." He said as he powered on the mobile suit.
"How is the system?" Dietz asked through the comm.
"I see no problems. It seems to be pretty similar to the Scorpio."
"Except for the monitoring of the bit system, it's essentially the same." Dietz informed him.
"Would you like to proceed to test the psi-res frame?"
"Of course."
Pagan switched the comm channel to a different frequency.
"Captain Galt?"
"Yes, commander, what are your orders?" The Knox's captain responded.
"Tell me, are all the packages delivered?"
"Yes, the receiving crew unloaded the last of them approximately fifteen minutes ago."
"And the Satyr?"
"Ready for launch."
"After I finish with this test, we'll begin."
Dietz spoke from the observation deck.
"Whenever you're ready."
Pagan said nothing, but began to concentrate. Almost instantly, he could recognize thoughts.
"He brought the psi-res frame up to this level already?" Pagan distinctively heard Dietz's surprised thoughts. Of course he did, this machine was working exactly as designed.
Pagan smiled broadly as he listened to the thoughts of everyone in the colony.
"So, is this the limit of a god?"
As rapidly as the Thanatos's psi-res frame had become fully active, so it did the reverse.
"No." Pagan said to himself, smiling even greater than he had been. "That's simply reaffirms that I am so!"
"Sir, are you alright?" The comm came though in the cockpit. "We weren't sure if we were hearing you."
"Oh, I'm quite alright. I'm satisfied with this psi-res frame, so I'm going to take this out."
"Wait, we need to-!"
The Thanatos broke free of the maintenance frame, and proceeded to stomp toward a hatch.
"Captain Galt, launch now! I'll rendezvous after the mission. Activate the packages as soon as you're away from the colony!"
"Commander Dietz, what's Commander Czevik doing?" Asked one of the many concerned officers in the observation deck. "He's aiming one of the Thanatos's weapons at the hatch!"
Stunned, Dietz forced his mind to think.
"I don't know what he's doing, but launch all the Scorpios we have!" He wasn't sure if that was enough, but his heart raced as he witnessed an ally turning on them.
"All of them, sir?"
"Yes! Every one we have!"
Before the order could be relayed, Pagan's voice came through on the comm.
"As I said, you've certainly outdone yourself, Dietz. Unfortunately, I neglected to say that it won't bring you any salvation."
"What do you mean?"
"Come, now, Dietz, I've know about your true allegiance for awhile. The Resistance?"
Dietz's eyes narrowed and his face turned to disgust.
"We knew someone high up was pulling the strings, I just had no idea you were involved."
As the Knox drifted away from the colony, one of the hatches disintegrated with a burst of light.
Pagan readied the Thanatos to launch out the newly created exit. The few unfortunate workers in the hanger were swept out into the void of space, but Pagan had other concerns.
"Truly, your Resistance is meaningless. In the end, it's simply another way man manifests it's deepest desire."
"What are you talking about!" Dietz demanded.
A single bit broke away from the Thanatos, drifting over to the observation deck. As it did, Pagan put in his final words to Dietz.
"Man has no value of it's own life, as summarized by this very machine that will do what it is named!"
With that, the bit fired several times, scorching the entire observation deck and everything inside.
The Thanatos burst away from the colony. Pagan could see Scorpios starting to launch.
"Even in death, man still desires to destroy."
A beam pierced through one that was getting relatively close. It was the Satyr.
"As you say, lord." Shilah said.
"Now you see why I can't save them?" Pagan asked.
"I do."
The two mobile suits sped away from the colony.
In their wake, the lights on the outside began to go out and one end. Slowly, the blackout rolled toward the opposite end of the colony.
"Commander," Captain Galt called, "the EMP's have been triggered. That should at least cripple most of the Scorpio's that did launch."
"Wonderful. We're returning now before the reactors go critical."
----------------------------------------
With the Thanatos and Satyr secured in their maintenance frames aboard the Knox, the pilots exited. When Pagan reached the bottom, one officer greeted him.
"Commander, sir!" The officer saluted. "There's an urgent message from Major Singer."
"I'll take it in my quarters."
----------------------------------------
Helsinki
----------------------------------------
Leonidas watched Pagan on the screen.
"Unfortunately, my suspicion of Resistance activity has spread even into the Olympus colony. While some poor souls were inevitably caught in the destruction from the reactor meltdowns inside, the data we've collected points toward a large concentration of Resistance members that were living in the facility."
The chairman's free hand balled into a fist.
"It had to come to that? There weren't any alternatives?"
"Had they not fought back as they did, we might have been able to settle the matter little to no bloodshed. I assure you, there will be a full report, but first, I'm going to deal with this Resistance. After all, they are becoming a problem we don't need, and I have some very good information on where a large group of them are hiding. There's reason to believe it was the same group that staged the more recent attack on Helsinki."
"I see." Leonidas replied in a solemn tone. "Why does this Resistance feel the need to interfere, especially when were already at war with the Union?"
"Some people seem to have an instinctual drive toward conflict, so perhaps that's the problem at hand. In any case, as difficult as it may seem to do this, I think that neglecting this problem simply cannot wait. If they're allowed to grow in strength, it's assured that Helsinki will be the target."
After the conversation had ended, Leonidas sighed heavily. He felt the weight of the troubles that had been, and still were, piling up on his plate.
"Can't man just work together?"
---------------------------------------
End Phase 41
---------------------------------------
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (Phase 41 8/3/10)
PHASE 42 - AMONG SIMPLE MEN
---------------------------------
In her bed, Alice, half-asleep rolled to one side. There was something she was going to get up to do, but she could remember what it was and she fell back to sleep.
The next time she opened her eyes, she saw the clock and sat up, alarmed.
"Oh, crap!"
She threw the sheets to the side as she leapt out of bed, and jumping into her clothes.
She raced out the door, still buttoning up her shirt.
"Elena's gonna kill me for being so late."
Skidding to a stop she burst through the door to the firing range. She looked around. Elena wasn't there.
"I'm not that late, am I?"
She sighed and turned around. She'd probably head over to Elena and Ryuji's room first.
As she was about to exit, the door opened with Elena on the other side.
"Sorry, I'm late." Elena apologized. "I didn't sleep so well."
Alice laughed, slightly nervous, but mostly relieved.
"That's alright, I overslept myself, but not because I tossed and turned. Did Ryuji, ah, keep you up?" She winked.
Elena recoiled slightly once she realized what had been hinted at and then shook her head.
"No, I just was really nauseous, and it's the second time this week."
"Really? That's too bad; do you think it was something you ate?"
"Maybe, I'm gonna watch what's on the menu and see if I spot anything that might make me feel ill." They started walking. "You haven't heard of any food poisoning have you?"
"Nope. The only people throwing up were the ones that had too much to drink out on the town."
Alice winked and then pointed at Elena as if she just received an epiphany. "Hey, I know! You're pregnant!"
Elena jolted, immediately denying any possibility.
"Whoa! No way, not with the measures we've taken."
"Oh." Alice casually shrugged. "Intuition has failed me, I see." She looked at the list of available firearms from a list outside the caged area before the doorway to the actual range.
"What do you wanna shoot?"
The pair laid their pistols down on the tray and called for their targets to be pulled up.
"I'm a bit rusty." Elena sighed. Her grouping was fairly wide. It wasn't terrible, but she knew she had much tighter control in the past.
"Well, I guess you didn't have the opportunity to practice."
Alice's group was very tight. For only a pistol, the entire clip had put a large hole through the head of the target.
"I haven't had much myself, either." She said, examining her shooting.
"Yeah, but don't you know how good that is?"
Alice nodded. "Did I mention I was classified as a sharpshooter. I was on a short-list of people they were ready to train as snipers, but what killed that was my aim from a mobile suit."
"Need both, huh?"
"Yup."
"I guess you could work on that part." Elena mused, studying her target. "You know, for whatever it's worth."
"Who's to say I haven't?" Alice grinned. "But, piloting a mobile suit has never been my crowning skill achievement. I'm sure you noticed."
Alice was fine with her flaws, but Elena didn't know how to respond.
"Well, I--"
"Combat style differs from one person to the next, and I'm fine with that. I figured you're pretty good at close-quarters stuff, if you follow your mobile suit fighting style."
Elena analyzed the comment before speaking.
"I suppose, but that could be perceived by the machine you happen to be using. I mean, you said you didn't do as well with shooting in a mobile suit."
"But that was the Zeus, one of the earliest that the Guard picked up. And I tested on that, only to find out later of that problem." Alice shrugged. "I've noticed the targeting system doesn't have those problems with the Scorpio series."
"I didn't know that. Maybe you're right...I dunno." Elena looked at her used target again.
"Something wrong?"
Elena chuckled, an air of morbidity with it. "I don't know why, but I'm wondering why I ended up in this line of work."
-------------------------------------------
Hong Kong
-------------------------------------------
Anders walked briskly through familiar corridors. He clutched the briefcase he carried with him.
What was inside, he felt, was the most important technological achievement his company, Izanagi Mobile Design had accomplished yet.
The two escorts stopped short of the doorway while he continued to and through it.
"Chairman, General Kyoji." He nodded at both Cai Deshang and General Kyoji as the door was closed by one of the guards outside the conference room.
"I apologize for the lack of pleasantries and banter, but I want to get to the point of my visit."
He indicated for them to sit down. As he unlocked his briefcase, he continued. "After Sky's death,
I had to take a look at why I was in this business. I can't simply ignore this war and leave the company--that's not right. I'm just as much a part of this as either of you, so I do feel responsible for trying to end the war."
By now, he had plugged the video link cable to the laptop, pulling up his presentation.
"At first, I wasn't sure how to accomplish this." The specs of a Prometheus satellite appeared.
"Now, however, I believe there's a way to use preexisting resources." He circled one hand at the wrist as he took a slight respite.
"Around the middle of the 20th century of the AD calendar, nuclear power was first used as a weapon. Ironically, it was against the Japanese and led to a shortening of the war. From the research done on the incident, had they not carried it out, the casualties would have quickly ratcheted up on both sides."
"So, you want to employ a nuclear arsenal now?" Cai was skeptical. "I didn't think the ones still left were useful for much other than show."
Anders shook his head. "You misunderstood my point. The attack shortened the war and brought victory to the army that employed it. Unlike that attack, my option has a few additional benefits that nuclear warheads, especially those primitive devices lacked."
He pointed to an image of the Prometheus satellite.
"As you both know, we recently deployed the Prometheus system as a means of gathering solar energy to alleviate the crisis as well as shift into a new era. The current operational parameters use about nine-point-two percent of the total output. This was implemented as a safety feature and to lengthen the useable lifespan of each satellite. Even at this relatively low power, the microwave energy transmission is harmful if a bird or plane, for example, would cross over the reception point during said transmission. The design team cut out some of this by controlled pulses as another safety point."
Another image of the satellite now displayed.
"We believe if we increase the power output to at least seventy-five to eighty percent, the satellite would produce a transmission capable of decimating a large city. We haven't tested it a this time, but these values have been run through various calculation and strategy programs."
General Kyoji nodded.
"I see the point you're making. I know that the people are getting restless because of our stalemate with the Federation, and I believe it would be wise to at the very least seriously consider this."
Cai sat, rubbing his chin. He clearly wasn't as excited about this as the General was.
"That's a lot of power, and this idea might not sit well with the council. I will admit, the argument for this strategy is compelling."
"What sort of problems do you think may arise?" Anders asked.
"Back then, with the nuclear warheads, wasn't there a large fallout? I can see something like that being a major sticking point with several members."
Anders nodded.
"I'm glad you brought up that point. Unlike nuclear weapons, the microwave transmission doesn't have that sort of risk. The biggest risk might be running a charge of ninety-eight percent or higher, which runs the risk of damaging the satellite under repeated use, but outside of that, the actual long-term damage is much smaller."
The room stood silent while Anders let the options sink in.
------------------------------------------------
Iceland
------------------------------------------------
Veronika walked down the hall, flanked by Martin and Wade.
"It's been awhile since I've been down here." She commented as they approached the entrance to the Augustine's hangar.
"It's nothing much, but we figured you should come see the mobile suits with their upgrades." Wade told her. "If nothing else, it's a good excuse to walk around for a bit."
------------------------------------------------
High Orbit, Reformer-class Knox
------------------------------------------------
Pagan stepped onto the lift of the maintenance frame and rode it to the level of the Thanatos's cockpit. He looked over to see Shilah stepping into the Satyr.
"Those upgrades were certainly worth the while." He said to himself as he entered his mobile suit.
The ship's bridge was buzzing with activity. Captain Galt sat quietly, listening through the hive
of noise for any problems. Soon, they would be over Iceland for Pagan to begin an assault. He was cautious of Pagan's plan. Certainly the Satyr along with the newly acquired Thanatos were powerful, but the idea of using two mobile suits for an assault bothered him. At the least, he managed to get Pagan to agree to let the ship's Scorpio mobile suits be on standby.
-------------------------------------------------
Iceland
-------------------------------------------------
The mess hall was light on diners.
Ryuji bit into his sandwich, chewing the piece before checking what had just been said.
"So, you think we might move out soon?"
"I hope so." Alban said. "The only thing left is to actually test the Sky Cutter to make sure they're fine."
"Which there shouldn't be any problems, right?" Smith looked at the other two.
Alban stirred his soup.
"Nope. Just making sure people are familiar with the flight portion, but Graf and the captains all know this."
"Any idea where we might go?" Ryuji wondered.
"Somewhere secluded," Smith thought aloud, "so possibly England, France?"
"Sounds great." Alice interjected.
Smith lazily turned his head. "Oh, you're back." He said with his familiar sarcasm.
"Yeah, well, I need to make sure you're a good boy." She quipped.
"Good luck with that." Elena appeared with her tray.
"Don't worry, he will be." Alice looked fiendishly at Smith. "Or I'll really give it to him!"
-----------------------------------------------
It was currently the Victory's duty to be on watch, and Captain Logan stood on the bridge. He had sat long enough and needed to stretch as allowable.
"Captain?" One of the bridge crew had verbally signaled him.
"Yes."
"We just picked up a Reformer-class signal. It appears to be descending, so what are your orders?"
-----------------------------------------------
Pagan was monitoring the progress of the Knox.
"We should have just been detected now. Start scanning for any military signals; we need to talk to the Resistance."
"Talk?" Shilah questioned.
"Maybe that's not the proper term...perhaps I might best say this could classify more as 'last rites'."
-----------------------------------------------
Just as she prepared to bite into her meal, Elena stopped, mouth still ready for the bite that never came. That haunting sensation struck again, and her expression darkened. She slapped one hand on her forehead, irritated with the event.
"Not again." She grumbled.
Ryuji looked at her. "Yeah, I guess someone is showing up."
After a few seconds, she recognized the particular fluctuation in this sensation. She was sure, no, beyond that--it had to be Pagan.
With Ryuji trailing, she stormed toward the hangar.
"I don't know how he figured this out, but that guy is in the area."
Before Ryuji could respond, Pagan's voice resonated throughout the Augustine, as well as the other Resistance ships.
"Call it good fortune, luck, divine providence, yes, call it whatever you will--I have descended from heaven."
Elena wished as hard as she could that she was wrong about this. She wished this was a dream and that any second she'd wake up. But, it was all in vain, and Pagan's voice continued.
"I wish to commend you on your resolution. It would be nice if we could discuss your aversions, but given the actions taken by your little group, I don't see forgiveness in your future!"
---------------------------------------------
Veronika was already heading back to the bridge when she passed Elena and Ryuji coming from the opposite direction.
"Are you going to sortie?"
The pair skidded to a stop.
"As opposed to what?" Elena's expression showed she was fully prepared for battle. "We all know who's coming, and I don't think it's on friendly terms."
"I'll take that as a 'yes'." Veronika replied. "Just know that it will probably just be the both of you backing up the Victory."
"Yeah, I get that." Elena said, her tone slightly softened. "I'm sure Pagan's been tracking me, so
I'd like to get him off my back if at all possible."
-----------------------------------------------
Captain Galt was waiting, ready to execute the attack. Something should show up--Pagan was entirely confident that their target was here. Given the source, no matter the stigma attached, it would be good information.
"Captain, a Leonard-class has appeared along the coast!" A crewmember alerted. "According to the database, it's the FSS Victory."
"That's what we've been waiting for." The captain said and then began rattling off orders. "All hands, prepare for ship-to-ship combat. Notify the Commander of the situation and have all mobile suit pilots ready for launch!"
-----------------------------------------------
Elena took her helmet and shut the locker. She looked over at Ryuji. He was ready to go as well.
"Looks like we should be on even terms." He said.
"Yeah," Elena's determination was interrupted for the moment she gave a soft smile. "Hopefully, we can put a stop to this today."
He moved over to her and took her hand.
"That would be nice to get rid of one problem."
The way out opened before the two were close enough, and they were surprised.
Jana stood there, apparently surprised as well.
"I'm not interrupting am I?" She asked.
Ryuji shook his head. "No, we were about to launch."
"I see. I figured I might lend a hand."
"Don't the Scorpio pilots need real-time training with the new upgrades?" Elena was reserved at accepting Jana's support.
"Oh, they do." Jana disregarded the potential complication. "But I don't. I did test flights with the Nergal before they moved it to Olympus for the Newtype stuff. In otherwords, I think I can manage."
"Do you want us to wait?" Ryuji asked as she walked up to her locker.
"No, go on ahead." She said, opening the locker. "Plus, I'm about to change, and I doubt she'd care for you to see that."
--------------------------------------------
The Knox's catapult hurled the Thanatos out into the sky.
"Shilah, as soon as you launch follow me and attack the Leonard-class for now!" Pagan ordered.
"For now, try to avoid damaging the city."
"Understood."
Captain Logan grew even more suspicious the instant he heard what was coming.
"Sir, the Reformer-class just launched a single mobile suit!"
"One?" He imagined it was a lone Scorpio, and that made no sense against any battleship.
"What are they thinking? Visual, now!"
The image popped up on the screen at his command chair. He couldn't place the mobile suit. It's design resembled the Deus and Nergal, but that was as close of relationship he could establish.
"Target the mobile suit with anti-mobile suit missiles and fire at will!"
Pagan's teeth gleamed as a torrential volley of fire closed in on the Thanatos.
"This must be your admission of guilt." He commented, raising the dual-buster rifle.
It fired into the center of the attack, causing most missiles to explode prematurely. As the remaining ones drew closer, the Thanatos's bits separated from the mobile suit.
The sky lit up brighter with the explosions peppering it.
"Report!" Captain Logan ordered. He knew the result, but he wanted confirmation.
"All missiles were destroyed."
Once the bits had docked back with the Thanatos, Pagan rushed the Victory, dual-buster charging.
This battle was about to be finished.
The massive shot lanced cleanly through the Victory's bow, causing it to shutter violently.
Pagan could feel a burning fury appear.
"Ah, little goddess." He greeted, not even needing to turn toward the direction of the Deus.
"I wish you'd stop referring to me like that." Elena told him as she tried to determine the extent of his machine's firepower. "I also wish you'd leave me the hell alone!"
"Unfortunately, I can't do that." Pagan calmly explained. "I'm still trying to determine your power. It's sad that you're mixed in with the thorn that is the Resistance, but I suppose it might be more convenient this way."
"What's that supposed to mean? Why can't I simply live my life without you stalking me all over the world?"
By now, the Deus was in close proximity of the Thanatos.
Ryuji sat at a distance, ready to fire at the lone enemy mobile suit, but nagging instinct told him to watch out for something malicious.
Suddenly, he dodged, and then looked around for what he'd just avoided.
His eyes locked onto the Satyr.
"Two on two?"
The new enemy released its bits.
"Not for long!" Shilah declared.
-------------------------------------------
End Phase 42
-------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
In her bed, Alice, half-asleep rolled to one side. There was something she was going to get up to do, but she could remember what it was and she fell back to sleep.
The next time she opened her eyes, she saw the clock and sat up, alarmed.
"Oh, crap!"
She threw the sheets to the side as she leapt out of bed, and jumping into her clothes.
She raced out the door, still buttoning up her shirt.
"Elena's gonna kill me for being so late."
Skidding to a stop she burst through the door to the firing range. She looked around. Elena wasn't there.
"I'm not that late, am I?"
She sighed and turned around. She'd probably head over to Elena and Ryuji's room first.
As she was about to exit, the door opened with Elena on the other side.
"Sorry, I'm late." Elena apologized. "I didn't sleep so well."
Alice laughed, slightly nervous, but mostly relieved.
"That's alright, I overslept myself, but not because I tossed and turned. Did Ryuji, ah, keep you up?" She winked.
Elena recoiled slightly once she realized what had been hinted at and then shook her head.
"No, I just was really nauseous, and it's the second time this week."
"Really? That's too bad; do you think it was something you ate?"
"Maybe, I'm gonna watch what's on the menu and see if I spot anything that might make me feel ill." They started walking. "You haven't heard of any food poisoning have you?"
"Nope. The only people throwing up were the ones that had too much to drink out on the town."
Alice winked and then pointed at Elena as if she just received an epiphany. "Hey, I know! You're pregnant!"
Elena jolted, immediately denying any possibility.
"Whoa! No way, not with the measures we've taken."
"Oh." Alice casually shrugged. "Intuition has failed me, I see." She looked at the list of available firearms from a list outside the caged area before the doorway to the actual range.
"What do you wanna shoot?"
The pair laid their pistols down on the tray and called for their targets to be pulled up.
"I'm a bit rusty." Elena sighed. Her grouping was fairly wide. It wasn't terrible, but she knew she had much tighter control in the past.
"Well, I guess you didn't have the opportunity to practice."
Alice's group was very tight. For only a pistol, the entire clip had put a large hole through the head of the target.
"I haven't had much myself, either." She said, examining her shooting.
"Yeah, but don't you know how good that is?"
Alice nodded. "Did I mention I was classified as a sharpshooter. I was on a short-list of people they were ready to train as snipers, but what killed that was my aim from a mobile suit."
"Need both, huh?"
"Yup."
"I guess you could work on that part." Elena mused, studying her target. "You know, for whatever it's worth."
"Who's to say I haven't?" Alice grinned. "But, piloting a mobile suit has never been my crowning skill achievement. I'm sure you noticed."
Alice was fine with her flaws, but Elena didn't know how to respond.
"Well, I--"
"Combat style differs from one person to the next, and I'm fine with that. I figured you're pretty good at close-quarters stuff, if you follow your mobile suit fighting style."
Elena analyzed the comment before speaking.
"I suppose, but that could be perceived by the machine you happen to be using. I mean, you said you didn't do as well with shooting in a mobile suit."
"But that was the Zeus, one of the earliest that the Guard picked up. And I tested on that, only to find out later of that problem." Alice shrugged. "I've noticed the targeting system doesn't have those problems with the Scorpio series."
"I didn't know that. Maybe you're right...I dunno." Elena looked at her used target again.
"Something wrong?"
Elena chuckled, an air of morbidity with it. "I don't know why, but I'm wondering why I ended up in this line of work."
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Hong Kong
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Anders walked briskly through familiar corridors. He clutched the briefcase he carried with him.
What was inside, he felt, was the most important technological achievement his company, Izanagi Mobile Design had accomplished yet.
The two escorts stopped short of the doorway while he continued to and through it.
"Chairman, General Kyoji." He nodded at both Cai Deshang and General Kyoji as the door was closed by one of the guards outside the conference room.
"I apologize for the lack of pleasantries and banter, but I want to get to the point of my visit."
He indicated for them to sit down. As he unlocked his briefcase, he continued. "After Sky's death,
I had to take a look at why I was in this business. I can't simply ignore this war and leave the company--that's not right. I'm just as much a part of this as either of you, so I do feel responsible for trying to end the war."
By now, he had plugged the video link cable to the laptop, pulling up his presentation.
"At first, I wasn't sure how to accomplish this." The specs of a Prometheus satellite appeared.
"Now, however, I believe there's a way to use preexisting resources." He circled one hand at the wrist as he took a slight respite.
"Around the middle of the 20th century of the AD calendar, nuclear power was first used as a weapon. Ironically, it was against the Japanese and led to a shortening of the war. From the research done on the incident, had they not carried it out, the casualties would have quickly ratcheted up on both sides."
"So, you want to employ a nuclear arsenal now?" Cai was skeptical. "I didn't think the ones still left were useful for much other than show."
Anders shook his head. "You misunderstood my point. The attack shortened the war and brought victory to the army that employed it. Unlike that attack, my option has a few additional benefits that nuclear warheads, especially those primitive devices lacked."
He pointed to an image of the Prometheus satellite.
"As you both know, we recently deployed the Prometheus system as a means of gathering solar energy to alleviate the crisis as well as shift into a new era. The current operational parameters use about nine-point-two percent of the total output. This was implemented as a safety feature and to lengthen the useable lifespan of each satellite. Even at this relatively low power, the microwave energy transmission is harmful if a bird or plane, for example, would cross over the reception point during said transmission. The design team cut out some of this by controlled pulses as another safety point."
Another image of the satellite now displayed.
"We believe if we increase the power output to at least seventy-five to eighty percent, the satellite would produce a transmission capable of decimating a large city. We haven't tested it a this time, but these values have been run through various calculation and strategy programs."
General Kyoji nodded.
"I see the point you're making. I know that the people are getting restless because of our stalemate with the Federation, and I believe it would be wise to at the very least seriously consider this."
Cai sat, rubbing his chin. He clearly wasn't as excited about this as the General was.
"That's a lot of power, and this idea might not sit well with the council. I will admit, the argument for this strategy is compelling."
"What sort of problems do you think may arise?" Anders asked.
"Back then, with the nuclear warheads, wasn't there a large fallout? I can see something like that being a major sticking point with several members."
Anders nodded.
"I'm glad you brought up that point. Unlike nuclear weapons, the microwave transmission doesn't have that sort of risk. The biggest risk might be running a charge of ninety-eight percent or higher, which runs the risk of damaging the satellite under repeated use, but outside of that, the actual long-term damage is much smaller."
The room stood silent while Anders let the options sink in.
------------------------------------------------
Iceland
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Veronika walked down the hall, flanked by Martin and Wade.
"It's been awhile since I've been down here." She commented as they approached the entrance to the Augustine's hangar.
"It's nothing much, but we figured you should come see the mobile suits with their upgrades." Wade told her. "If nothing else, it's a good excuse to walk around for a bit."
------------------------------------------------
High Orbit, Reformer-class Knox
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Pagan stepped onto the lift of the maintenance frame and rode it to the level of the Thanatos's cockpit. He looked over to see Shilah stepping into the Satyr.
"Those upgrades were certainly worth the while." He said to himself as he entered his mobile suit.
The ship's bridge was buzzing with activity. Captain Galt sat quietly, listening through the hive
of noise for any problems. Soon, they would be over Iceland for Pagan to begin an assault. He was cautious of Pagan's plan. Certainly the Satyr along with the newly acquired Thanatos were powerful, but the idea of using two mobile suits for an assault bothered him. At the least, he managed to get Pagan to agree to let the ship's Scorpio mobile suits be on standby.
-------------------------------------------------
Iceland
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The mess hall was light on diners.
Ryuji bit into his sandwich, chewing the piece before checking what had just been said.
"So, you think we might move out soon?"
"I hope so." Alban said. "The only thing left is to actually test the Sky Cutter to make sure they're fine."
"Which there shouldn't be any problems, right?" Smith looked at the other two.
Alban stirred his soup.
"Nope. Just making sure people are familiar with the flight portion, but Graf and the captains all know this."
"Any idea where we might go?" Ryuji wondered.
"Somewhere secluded," Smith thought aloud, "so possibly England, France?"
"Sounds great." Alice interjected.
Smith lazily turned his head. "Oh, you're back." He said with his familiar sarcasm.
"Yeah, well, I need to make sure you're a good boy." She quipped.
"Good luck with that." Elena appeared with her tray.
"Don't worry, he will be." Alice looked fiendishly at Smith. "Or I'll really give it to him!"
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It was currently the Victory's duty to be on watch, and Captain Logan stood on the bridge. He had sat long enough and needed to stretch as allowable.
"Captain?" One of the bridge crew had verbally signaled him.
"Yes."
"We just picked up a Reformer-class signal. It appears to be descending, so what are your orders?"
-----------------------------------------------
Pagan was monitoring the progress of the Knox.
"We should have just been detected now. Start scanning for any military signals; we need to talk to the Resistance."
"Talk?" Shilah questioned.
"Maybe that's not the proper term...perhaps I might best say this could classify more as 'last rites'."
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Just as she prepared to bite into her meal, Elena stopped, mouth still ready for the bite that never came. That haunting sensation struck again, and her expression darkened. She slapped one hand on her forehead, irritated with the event.
"Not again." She grumbled.
Ryuji looked at her. "Yeah, I guess someone is showing up."
After a few seconds, she recognized the particular fluctuation in this sensation. She was sure, no, beyond that--it had to be Pagan.
With Ryuji trailing, she stormed toward the hangar.
"I don't know how he figured this out, but that guy is in the area."
Before Ryuji could respond, Pagan's voice resonated throughout the Augustine, as well as the other Resistance ships.
"Call it good fortune, luck, divine providence, yes, call it whatever you will--I have descended from heaven."
Elena wished as hard as she could that she was wrong about this. She wished this was a dream and that any second she'd wake up. But, it was all in vain, and Pagan's voice continued.
"I wish to commend you on your resolution. It would be nice if we could discuss your aversions, but given the actions taken by your little group, I don't see forgiveness in your future!"
---------------------------------------------
Veronika was already heading back to the bridge when she passed Elena and Ryuji coming from the opposite direction.
"Are you going to sortie?"
The pair skidded to a stop.
"As opposed to what?" Elena's expression showed she was fully prepared for battle. "We all know who's coming, and I don't think it's on friendly terms."
"I'll take that as a 'yes'." Veronika replied. "Just know that it will probably just be the both of you backing up the Victory."
"Yeah, I get that." Elena said, her tone slightly softened. "I'm sure Pagan's been tracking me, so
I'd like to get him off my back if at all possible."
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Captain Galt was waiting, ready to execute the attack. Something should show up--Pagan was entirely confident that their target was here. Given the source, no matter the stigma attached, it would be good information.
"Captain, a Leonard-class has appeared along the coast!" A crewmember alerted. "According to the database, it's the FSS Victory."
"That's what we've been waiting for." The captain said and then began rattling off orders. "All hands, prepare for ship-to-ship combat. Notify the Commander of the situation and have all mobile suit pilots ready for launch!"
-----------------------------------------------
Elena took her helmet and shut the locker. She looked over at Ryuji. He was ready to go as well.
"Looks like we should be on even terms." He said.
"Yeah," Elena's determination was interrupted for the moment she gave a soft smile. "Hopefully, we can put a stop to this today."
He moved over to her and took her hand.
"That would be nice to get rid of one problem."
The way out opened before the two were close enough, and they were surprised.
Jana stood there, apparently surprised as well.
"I'm not interrupting am I?" She asked.
Ryuji shook his head. "No, we were about to launch."
"I see. I figured I might lend a hand."
"Don't the Scorpio pilots need real-time training with the new upgrades?" Elena was reserved at accepting Jana's support.
"Oh, they do." Jana disregarded the potential complication. "But I don't. I did test flights with the Nergal before they moved it to Olympus for the Newtype stuff. In otherwords, I think I can manage."
"Do you want us to wait?" Ryuji asked as she walked up to her locker.
"No, go on ahead." She said, opening the locker. "Plus, I'm about to change, and I doubt she'd care for you to see that."
--------------------------------------------
The Knox's catapult hurled the Thanatos out into the sky.
"Shilah, as soon as you launch follow me and attack the Leonard-class for now!" Pagan ordered.
"For now, try to avoid damaging the city."
"Understood."
Captain Logan grew even more suspicious the instant he heard what was coming.
"Sir, the Reformer-class just launched a single mobile suit!"
"One?" He imagined it was a lone Scorpio, and that made no sense against any battleship.
"What are they thinking? Visual, now!"
The image popped up on the screen at his command chair. He couldn't place the mobile suit. It's design resembled the Deus and Nergal, but that was as close of relationship he could establish.
"Target the mobile suit with anti-mobile suit missiles and fire at will!"
Pagan's teeth gleamed as a torrential volley of fire closed in on the Thanatos.
"This must be your admission of guilt." He commented, raising the dual-buster rifle.
It fired into the center of the attack, causing most missiles to explode prematurely. As the remaining ones drew closer, the Thanatos's bits separated from the mobile suit.
The sky lit up brighter with the explosions peppering it.
"Report!" Captain Logan ordered. He knew the result, but he wanted confirmation.
"All missiles were destroyed."
Once the bits had docked back with the Thanatos, Pagan rushed the Victory, dual-buster charging.
This battle was about to be finished.
The massive shot lanced cleanly through the Victory's bow, causing it to shutter violently.
Pagan could feel a burning fury appear.
"Ah, little goddess." He greeted, not even needing to turn toward the direction of the Deus.
"I wish you'd stop referring to me like that." Elena told him as she tried to determine the extent of his machine's firepower. "I also wish you'd leave me the hell alone!"
"Unfortunately, I can't do that." Pagan calmly explained. "I'm still trying to determine your power. It's sad that you're mixed in with the thorn that is the Resistance, but I suppose it might be more convenient this way."
"What's that supposed to mean? Why can't I simply live my life without you stalking me all over the world?"
By now, the Deus was in close proximity of the Thanatos.
Ryuji sat at a distance, ready to fire at the lone enemy mobile suit, but nagging instinct told him to watch out for something malicious.
Suddenly, he dodged, and then looked around for what he'd just avoided.
His eyes locked onto the Satyr.
"Two on two?"
The new enemy released its bits.
"Not for long!" Shilah declared.
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End Phase 42
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Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (Phase 42 8/12/10)
Hey, after about three years, I finally updated the timeline to the current situation.
Re: Mobile Suit Gundam Deus (Phase 42 8/12/10)
Things are starting to wrap up, so if there's any major plot points that need to be addressed and don't seem to be getting there, give me a heads up.