A/N: I live again! This is a remake of my first story, "The Unknown Pilot". That story will be deleted once I'm done with this chapter. If you think otherwise, contact me and let me know if you're interested in finishing where I left off. If you see any references to 'Birds of a Feather', Flight of the Eagle or 'Song of the Storm Wolf', I would like to apologize in advance. The authors who made those stories were my inspiration. I am merely borrowing Storm Wolf's intro. Anyway, enjoy the story.
Disclaimer: I don't anything except for the stuff that I alone make. Got that? Good. If you are not a fan of Flay Allster, then this story ain't for you.
Rise of the Dragon
by demonhelper007
Chapter 1: Demise of the Flight
They were the best that the Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty had to offer. The twelve man and woman team were officially designated as a team by their CO's last name, but it was rarely used. They went by a far greater nickname, one that would inspire their allies to do better and strike fear into the hearts of their enemies...the Gray Dragons. Whenever they fought, they did it with overwhelming strength and speed, like the mythical beast they were named after.
Their leader was a highly decorated ZAFT veteran, who was with it since its founding. Although he was born in Jackson, MI as a citizen of the Atlantic Federation, he was very dedicated to his adoptive homeland. He fought in the failed blockade in C.E. 69, at Junius Seven, and at the Battle of Yggdrasil under the command of Rau Le Creuset. He was awarded the Order of the Nebula, and the title of "Ultimate Ace" for his part in the First Battle of Jachin Due, and it was there he made his team.
Edward Church, the Gray Dragon of Jachin Due. At first glance, he seem to be your plain, but athletically built 18 year old, 5'4", with short spikey black hair and five o'clock shade. But when you look into his deep blue eyes, you see a man who has seen far more things than a man his age would've seen. His eyes were that of a battle-hardened, seasoned combat veteran, one who has seen many battles, perhaps far too many. Many people on both sides said that he and his team were undefeatable. Then the Battle of Endymion happened and everything went south.
June 2nd, C.E. 70, Endymion Crater, Earth Alliance Supply Base 2030 hrs.
'Goddamn it! I am so killing Le Creuset after this mess!', Was the thought of Edward Church as maneuvered his gray and black CGUE into maximum speed, using his sword and minigun combo to tear a couple of Zeros into pieces. 'We're gaining the advantage, but at this point, both sides will be dead if the fighting doesn't end.'
"Dragon Lead, this is Dragon Seven. I'm under attack. Requesting some backu- AAARRRGGHHH!" The frantic message got cut off into static as Edward watched the blip representing Dragon Four, John Cutter disappear.
"Shit, they got Cutter as well. Six, this is Lead. What got him, Leena?"
"It was a damn Zero, Boss. He didn't stand a chance.", Came the voice of Leena Halsey, Dragon Six and Edward's XO.
"That's three people we've lost. It's time to get serious.", shouted Edward. He then followed up with a loud roar. The hunting roar of a gray dragon was not a normal sound to be heard on the battlefield. Though there were some that knew what it meant, and who was on the battlefield. In fact, one of them them came through on his radio.
"Alright, Gray Dragon. It's time to settle this once and for all."
I should say the same to you, Mu La Flaga. But you are right. Only one of us shall stand, and the other shall fall."
Edward boosted his CGUE to full speed, becoming a black and gray blur towards the Zero as it deployed its wired gunbarrels. He shot forward, slicing off the wire of one and blowing a second one away, while he dodged the fire from the linear cannon and the remaining gunbarrels. While it may be true that the CGUE is more maneuverable than the Zero, he knew that Mu La Flaga wasn't called the best mobile armor pilot for nothing. Mu was one of the few who knew how use the Zero to its true potential, using every trick he knew to keep the Gray Dragon on his toes.
Both men were engaged in a duel to the death, determined to end the other person right now. but fate had other plans for them, as Edward heard hie radio crackle to life.
"Lead, this is Six. Radiation levels in the base are spiking higher and higher by the second."
Oh, fuck! They wouldn't... Fuck it! All Dragons, abort and get out of here, on the double! Same goes for you, La Flaga! If you value your own hide, I suggest you hightail it out of here now!
He ignored his rival and pushed the engines to the max, putting as much distance as he can while switching to his team's frequency.
"Dragons, report."
"Sorry, Boss. But we're pinned down near the base. We're not gonna make it!", cried Leena
Don't you say that to me, Leena. Remember the oath we made when I formed this team? Either we all make it home, or we don't at all!", roared Edward over the speaker.
"We also said that even if one of us suvives, we would live on in that person. We want you to be that person. Goodbye, Boss.
And with those final words, the Cyclops system activated, and the entire base exploded in a flash of white light. Mobile suits and mobile armors alike melted away like ice cubes in a fire, among the machines destroyed were eight grayish black GINNs, with the white silhouette of a chinese dragon on it. Edward could only watch and listen as his entire team died and heard their screams. He let out a final cry of anguish before the white light consumed him and all went black.
January 25, C.E. 71, Orb Space Colony Heliopolis, 0530 hrs.
Edward gasped as he sat up in his bed, sweating profusely, and it took some time for him calm his breathing.
'Dammit, not that nightmare again. Why can't my heart forget that part of my past? Take it easy, soldier. Your war is over.', though Edward as he got up and walked over to refridgerator and pulled out a bottle of herbal tea to help calm his nerves further.
He then went back to his bed and looked at the small desk beside it. On top of it stood three photos, surrounded by a glossy wooden frame. The first was the family celebration after he was awarded the Order of the Nebula with his family. The second was a picture of him and his entire team, which he knew there was another survivor besides him, and a certain green haired man in a ZAFT redcoat. The last one was a certificate that went with the Order medallion, along with the title of 'Ultimate Ace'.
He then grinned to himself. 'I better get over to school before Old Man Kato blows a gasket, even if it's my last day here. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm gonna miss this place. But if Patrick finds out that I am alive and well, then everything will go to hell." He then started to get dressed, putting on a brown t-shirt with a dragon's motif and a pair of woodland cargo pants. He also strapped a set of throwing knives against his chest, which he covered by wearing a woodland camo jacket over his shirt.
He also retrieved his gun belt, and withdrew his gun. People who are familiar with old guns or are a gun nut would recognize it as a Colt M1911 semi-automatic pistol. On the belt was also a leather knife sheath, with a K-Bar as his means of close ranged combat. Last but not least, he took a long, Chinese styled Jian, with a dragon's head as the guard of the sword. Finally, he took the Order medallion, and placed it around his neck, hiding it beneath his shirt.
He packed whatever things that he needed, a few items of clothing, the photos, which held a very special meaning to him, and finally the sword as well, stuffing them into a light brown duffel bag. He then went out and locked the apartment, gave the keys to the landlord, and started walking towards Morgenroete, the place where he worked, blissfully unaware that certain events that will unfold will return the Dragon to the hunt once more.
To Be Continued...