A/N: Hey ya'll, so I've finally reuploaded my Gundam Roots story! There's not much that I really changed in this chapter, but still...just...yeah...reviews appreciated! I am taking free and creative liberty with the background stories of all these members based on what the show and movie had to give...so yeah...okay...bye...
The Crew
3 years before season 1
The plan Aeolia Schenberg created 200 years ago was nearly ready to be set in motion. The organization, Celestial Being, had finished constructing the 4 machines that would change the world; Gundams. And now that the mother ship, the Ptolemaios, was ready, the dream of Aeolia was soon to become reality.
Everyone in Lagrange 3 was buzzing with excitement, for today Veda would announce who would be the lucky few to operate in the Ptolemy. Once the crowd was gathered in the assembly hall, the recruiting began.
As a recording of Aeolia appeared on the giant monitor, a hush spread through the crowd.
"I would like to begin by thanking all of you for your hard work," the video began, "the fact that this is being viewed means that the creation of my Gundams and of the Ptolemaios is, in fact, possible and complete. Now the time has come for me, for Veda, to appoint the crew members for Ptolemy. I trust that you will all follow the judgment of Veda and press on in the pursuit of eradicating war. Let us change this world, together."
The recording ended and giant orange letters, spelling out V-E-D-A, occupied the screen. A synthetic female voice picked up where Aeolia left off.
"Now commencing with recruiting. For chief mechanic, Veda has selected Ian Vashti." A picture ensued of an older man, and cheers of congratulations rang throughout the room.
"Ian Vashti," the voice continued, "Please report to the platform." The man, Ian, strode through the crowd, receiving praises with a half-hearted smile. Taking his place on the platform, the voice carried on.
"For helmsman, Lichtendal Tsery. Lichtendal Tsery, please report to the platform." The young man stood beaming next to Ian.
"For gunner and backup helmsman, Lasse Aeon..." Now the team had some muscle.
"For head physician, Dr. Moreno…."
"For combat operator, Christina Sierra." A squeal was heard among the mass. "Christina Sierra, please report to the platform." A bubbly brunette skipped onto the platform, all smiles.
"For combat operator, Feldt Grace." A hush fell over the room. "Feldt Grace, please report to the platform." Whispers erupted around the room as the pink haired girl slowly poked her way through the crowd.
'Are they serious?'
'But she's just a kid!'
"Did Veda really choose her?'
'This is some sort of mistake, right?'
"Enough!" Everyone quieted at Ian's raspy command. The twelve-year old girl quietly took her place next to Christina as Ian continued, "if she was called, then Veda chose her. And Veda doesn't make mistakes. Got it?" He took the following silence as a yes. "Good." he said, almost to himself, sending Feldt a wink.
"As tactical forecaster, Sumeragi Lee Noriega. Sumeragi Lee Noriega, please report to the platform." Lastly, a woman in her mid-twenties stepped up, completing the core of Celestial Being. The hall rang out in applause. They were to leave Lagrange 3 in two days time.
The new crew for the Ptolemy met the next day for formal introductions and to prepare for departure the next day. Once everyone was present, Sumeragi decided to take charge and stood up.
"I'd like to express, first and foremost, what a privilege it is for us to be here together. The fact that you are standing here means that Veda has recognized your abilities to further Aeolia's vision of world peace. As you heard yesterday, my codename is Sumeragi Lee Noriega. As tactical forecaster, it will be up to me to design the mission plans that Celestial Being will execute in the near future. For that, I will need everybody's trust and support in my decisions."
When Sumeragi had first began her little speech, she had to admit to feeling a slight bit silly. But, judging by the groups reaction, she must have ended in complete confidence. Smiling now, she continued.
"I think we need to start off by getting to know each other a bit better. We'll go in a circle. Everyone will introduce themselves, along with their age and area of expertise. So, let's begin!"
Everyone looked around, slightly hesitant, before someone finally jumped up.
"Hello! My name is Christina Sierra, and I'm twenty years old…"
The following hours were filled with an endless need of things to be done before departure. Lichtendal, or Lichty as he preferred to be called, spent a majority of his time learning the controls of the ship. When Lasse wasn't hauling heavy supply crates, he was with Lichty just enough to know the minimal basics of piloting. Ian oversaw the loading of the Gundams into the Ptolemy's docking bay and, when that was done with, occupied himself by retouching his knowledge on the ship's inner workings. Dr. Moreno was busy stocking the shelves of the medical center.
Feldt took her time in the piloting bay, working her way to an expert level on the Ptolemy's computer. Christina and Sumeragi, on the other hand, had more important matters to attend to.
"What?! This is all the closet space we get?" Christina cried out as she looked upon her small room's closet in horror. The cold, gray space seemed to drain the vibrancy out of Christina, as she slumped on her bed in defeat. Sumeragi laughed from the doorway.
"Hey now, nobody said changing the world would be easy. Some sacrifices must be made." She lectured playfully, sitting next to the distraught girl.
"Just because we'll be in space," Christina muttered, "doesn't mean we don't have to keep up with the latest fashions."
Sumeragi shrugged and got up to leave. "Well, choose wisely on what you bring. You never know how long we might be up here. Bye now."
Even though she left laughing, Sumeragi realized the hard truth behind her words. It could be months, even years, before they set foot on Earth again. Looking into her own amount of storage space, she made a few calculations. At the max, her supply of alcohol could last 3 months. Three months. Guess we'll be landing in three month's time.
2 months later
"Alright, good job everybody! I think we're actually starting to work as a team." Sumeragi announced as the group finished their last round of training simulations. She didn't know if it was the grace of God, or if Veda was just that good, but everyone on board just meshed so perfectly.
Within the first week, everyone had completely opened up to each other and the variety of personalities acted like a symphony. The bright chimes of Christina, Lichty's kind flute, the deep drums of Lasse, and the solemn cello from Feldt; everyone in the pilot bay was an instrument, and Sumeragi was their conductor. The only thing missing was…
"Um, Miss Sumeragi, I know this question may be a bit silly…" Christina chimed one day after a simulation. The unofficial captain looked at her quizzically.
"Well, for a while now, a lot of us have been wondering…" Lichty continued, backing up his teammate.
"What is it? Come on, it can't be that silly. Lasse?" Sumeragi turned to the stoic man.
"Don't look at me, I didn't want to ask about it." He answered, but before they could snap at him, Feldt spoke up.
"We were wondering who the Gundam Meisters are, and when we'll be receiving them." Everyone started a bit, Feldt never being known for her talkative nature. She went back to monitoring her screen after that.
"The Gundam Meisters, ay? Well, to be honest, I'm just as curious as the rest of you. Maybe if we ask Veda…" Sumeragi's voice trailed off at the proposition, unsure of how to continue. Well, maybe that's what Veda has been waiting for. Our report on the stability of our current group. The fact that we're ready to receive our Meisters…
"Well, it's worth a shot." She announced suddenly, snapping everyone out of their reverie. "Feldt, tap us into Veda. We're gonna ask it here, and now." She ordered. Feldt nodded curtly and proceeded to type away rapidly on her keyboard.
"Access acquired." She reported as a holographic screen appeared in front of the group. A few seconds later, the word Veda materialized and the room fell quiet.
"Now what?" Christina whispered, to no one in particular.
"We ask our question." Sumeragi stated with confidence. "This is Sumeragi Lee Noriega, appointed tactical forecaster of Celestial Being. Permission to ask question."
The screen wavered for a bit, but then a synthetic female voice, same as the one the day they were recruited, answered. "Identity confirmed. Sumeragi Lee Noriega, permission granted."
Everyone let out a sigh of relief, not realizing they had even been holding their breath. They turned their attention to Miss Sumeragi.
"Question: when will we be expecting our Gundam Meisters to arrive?"
Veda paused for a bit before a picture and relating name took its place on the screen. "Be expecting him within the next week."
Sumeragi took a deep breath before reading the name aloud.
"Tieria Erde."