Note: The following fanfic details the events that happened in the Grimaldi Front battle, which as far as I know is only a passing reference in Gundam SEED. Don't expect Gundams to make an appearance as this happened a few years before the events in Gundam SEED.
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters, events, places, or objects mentioned in this fic that belongs to the company who made Gundam SEED. If ever a character does not go by the name of Mu La Flaga and/or Rau Le Creuset, then that character would be my original creation. Ask permission before you use them please.
"words"
'thoughts'
"radio/intercom/comm line"
Cosmic Era, Year 70...
At the height of the war between the Naturals and Coordinators, the Coordinator aligned Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty or ZAFT began its lunar offensive campaign against the Earth Alliance Forces.
The objective of the ZAFT forces is to either capture or destroy the Ptolemaeus Lunar Base controlled by the Alliance forces. Although outnumbered and with the majority of the Earth Fleet present in this base, ZAFT commanders are confident in taking control of this important location.
A success in fulfilling this campaign would ensure the halt of Alliance invasions on the PLANTs as well as gaining a foothold for the earth offensive campaign, which is currently being revised with the failure of the Victoria campaign.
The operation began with the establishment of the ZAFT forces lunar base located at the Lorentz Crater, thus dividing the moon between the two opposing forces. The majority, and the most intense of the fighting, happens at the area called Grimaldi Front. Yet, with the intensity of the fighting, none of the soldiers, both ZAFT and Earth Alliance, were able to predict that the campaign would end within one month.
But it was within that one month that a few heroes and legends soared. Most noted was the one who would soon be called "Hawk of Endymion", the ace mobile armor pilot Mu La Flaga.
All Quiet In The Grimaldi Front
A Gundam SEED fanfic by Fatherz
Prologue
Amongst the barren, grey landscape of the lunar surface, a couple of mobile armors were patrolling the Lorentz crater area. Though both pilots don't expect much action on this side of the field, they both still kept a lookout for anything suspicious.
"This is Recon Team 3 reporting. No enemies in sight. Returning to base, over." radioed a mobile armor pilot over to his radio while patrolling an area near Lorentz crater.
"Roger that Recon Team 3." the CIC of the base replied.
As the reconnaissance-modified mobile armor was about to turn back, it's sensors detected two heat signatures quickly approaching their positions.
"Wait, I've got something on radar. Two objects are coming inbound. I'm trying to identify them." said the pilot's wingman when they suddenly appeared. The screen started showing the schematics of the object, which they soon found to be a pair of ZGMF-LLR704B GINN Long Range Recon Type.
"It's ZAFT! Base, this is Recon Team 3. We got two LRR GINNs entering our sector! Shit, I think we're spotted!" the first pilot said.
The GINNs opened fire as soon as they noticed the retreating mobile armors. Armed with precision sniper rifles, the GINNs quickly dispatched them with the first shot. The scouts were reduced to nothing more than scrap.
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At a nearby lunar outpost of Vasco da Gamma, located a few short miles from Lorentz, the sparse personnel within the base were able to intercept the last transmission of the reconnaisance team. A few were already scrambling over the transmission to determine what happened to the patrol.
"Commander, we lost communication with Recon Team 3. Their last transmission stated that two LRR GINNs were seen entering the Lorentz crater area." The CIC quickly reported this development to the commanding officer.
"Damn. So those Coordinators are already starting to invade the moon, eh?" whispered the Commander to himself, then said to rest of the staff. "All crews to level one battle stations. Contact the Ptolemaeus Base. Inform them that ZAFT is beginning its invasion. Also, request for reinforcements to be deployed as soon as possible."
"Commander Henry, are you sure that this is really an invasion? We wouldn't want to misinform the top brass do we?", asked the same communications officer .
"I'm well aware of that! I'm sure of this. It was only a matter of time before they made their move here, but I would never expect them to attack somewhere other than Ptolemaeus. Now relay that message!"
"Yes sir!", the officer replied and quickly began contacting the main base.
'Choosing Lorentz crater as the point of attack? What could those Coordinators be planning? Perhaps this is a diversion?', the commander contemplated as the base buzzed with activity.
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While the commanding officer of the small outpost was busy contemplating his options; another commander, who is just about ready to give his order to attack, surveyed his troops from within the Laurasia class battleship, 'Galvani'.
"All clear, sir. Scout Team 7 reported a few MA's patrolling, but they were already taken care of.", reported a ZAFT CIC to the commander beside him.
"Very well. Proceed with the operation." The blonde commander, donning a white face mask, finally authorized to the crew member, who began to relay the preset commands.
"Yes sir! All troops, prepare for lunar drop. Launch mobile suits to secure the landing zone." The CIC quickly dispatched to the rest of the fleet. The ship's crew were buzzing with activity. Communications officers transmitting messages throughout the fleet, technicians making final adjustments to mobile suits and other military hardware, and pilots already within their mobile suits launching from the ship's hanger. Everyone is well aware of their duties and the importance of this mission, so they worked like a well oiled machine.
"Um, Commander Le Creuset? With all due respect, isn't this attack a little too straight forward? We could be vulnerable to a counter attack." The commander's second-in-command, Vice Captain Ades, asked him with some concern. He was well aware that the man before him is an ace mobile suit pilot, but there were some doubts lingering in the man's mind.
"You don't have to worry about that. This area is the most isolated and least defended." the commander, now identified as Commander Le Creuset, replied calmly to him.
"But sir, intel reports that there is an Earth Alliance outpost near here. They might try to attack us while we're still establishing our base. Not to mention that they could have contacted the Ptolemaeus base." he reasoned to his superior.
Le Creuset merely gave a malevolent smirk. "You can consider that base destroyed by the time we've set a stronghold. I'll expect an enemy fleet to engage us, but we'll be prepared for them." he confidently addressed to him.
A device in Le Creuset's pocket began to beep, but he was the only one aware of it because of its limited range, which suited him just fine. No one needs to know of the function of said device, and its significance to this operation. "If you'll excuse me, I'll just be in my room. Take care of the rest of the operation for me." he said to his second-in-command.
"As you wish, sir." His second curtly saluted as Le Creuset left the bridge.
As Le Creuset was making his way along a hallway, he took out the device from his pocket. It is a simple looking electronic device no bigger than a watch, with two buttons located to the side and a very tiny bulb located in the opposite corner. It is currently blinking like an alarm klaxon and it is beeping in time with the light. For some reason, Le Creuset seems pleased with this.
'Everything is proceeding as planned.', the masked commander thought to himself.
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The minor outpost of Vasco da Gamma was a bit chaotic, what with the impending assault that the commander of the base expected. Though there is a high possibility that the information being relayed was inaccurate, most of the personnel preferred to err on the side of caution and were quick to high tail it out of the base. The incessant blaring of the alarms only further prompted their decision.
"Attention! All non-essential personnel must evacuate within the next hour. Bring only your necessary belongings and proceed to Shuttle Bay 3. This base will now enter combat with hostile forces. I repeat, all non-essential...", the speaker box quickly gave out its alert orders. Coupled with the blaring of alarm klaxons, the said personnel were quick to react to the impending attack.
Most of them consist of scientists, researchers, technicians, engineers, and even a few businessmen. The outpost itself is not an exclusive military installation, some areas dedicated to scientific pursuits or research which could only be done in space. Most of the areas, equipment, materiel, and personnel belong to the multitude of companies residing in Earth. The Earth Alliance forces required the support from a lot of different corporations to continue the ongoing war effort so the companies thought that it would be good to supervise the activities within the outpost to secure their profits.
So it is quite a simple task to pose as one of those non-military workers and infiltrate the base with sabotage being the purpose in mind.
Such are the thoughts running through the mind of one non-descript technician, who is currently heading for the shuttle bay in a manner most would have considered to be much too calm. However, since most of those people were too busy with themselves at that moment, they weren't able to make that observation.
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The mission is finally accomplished. None of the personnel were suspicious, or even aware of the infiltration to their base. Already many of them are scrambling to their stations for the imminent attack. All their efforts are futile, of course. If only they know what is in store for them. Oh well, too late for that now. His contact was already informed, so all that is left to do is to get out of the base unnoticed and watch the fireworks. Perhaps his contact would provide him with another mission? Time will tell.
To be continued...
Author's Notes: Well, you guys are probably wondering what the hell this is all about? Well, for starters you could think of this as a backstory. I'm basically trying to recreate a part of the history of Gundam SEED with what little information that I can get from the series and from other sources. Dang, it's actually tough to do. Not to mention that this story should not in anyway alter events which will happen in GS, meaning it should fit just right with the series. A simple analogy for this would be like making a piece of an unfinished puzzle. Originally, this was supposed to be a oneshot, but I changed my mind.
Feed back is very much appreciated. Give comments if I should continue this, improve it, or perhaps rewrite this story (I'm leaning more towards rewriting since a few SEED Destiny characters might provide a good plot, but I haven't watched it yet...). Flames will be accepted as well. If ever you have ideas or suggestions regarding the story, or perhaps more information, e-mail me, though I might not reply for a while or never at all so don't be offended (limited internet access and all that...).
'Give credit where credit is due' as they say. Historical information can be found at gundamofficial. Mobile suits, mobile armor, and ship info can be found at mahq.
-revision: Added new stuff. Changed flagship from 'Gamov' to 'Galvani'. Removed the (scenes) from before the chapter title.
12/23/2006-revision: Hopefully, the final revision. Added Commander Henry in the fic as the nameless... commander. Also removed those setting indicators and replaced them with narrations, which is hopefully better.