Call to Arms
Rated: PG-13, fore violence and mild language.
Prologue
UC 0079, December 31st.
The final defense line was all that we had left that we could call our own. The will too fight had been beaten out of them like Girhen Zabi's speeches. During the days leading to the battle, each pilot had his own "things too do," some married, and some deserted. The 123rd Monoeyes, one of the last Zaku F2 units too be dispatched too a front-line on the verge of collapse, had been stationed at A Baoa Qu for sometime now. Leaving behind their family's, these pilots risked it all too defend their homes from the Federation invaders.
Stepping into the Zaku's cockpit, Ensign Harper kept a sharp memory of his sweetheart at home. He though of the wonderful things they could do together once this war had ended. In his left hand, he gripped a golden cross tightly, keeping the priest's words in his head all this time. Turning his head slowly, he looked across the Musai's mobilesuit deck. The red mobilesuit deck was stocked with weaponry and four mobilesuits. A Zaku Fz, a Gelgoog A and 2 Zaku F2s. Harper was on the right side of the deck, his Zaku was on the upper most part as the alarm begun to blair. He quickly climbed inside, the green jumpsuit pressed against the leather chair of the Zaku. He couldn't help but to smile as the "pre-battle jitters," set in. He raised his hands upwards, bringing down the seat belts, then locking them as he was ready too close the hatch. He saw the hanger doors open with his own two eyes as the cockpit hatch closed, his hands danced across the control's of the Zaku, bringing it to life. The constant clicking and pressing as the Zaku begun to rev up preparing to launch. The red monoeye of the Zaku appeared. "All personnel clear the deck, All personnel clear the deck," the people floating around the bay towards to hatches and airlocks, the cage retraced as the catapults extended out into space. The traffic controller looked towards Harper's Zaku. The glow rods in his hands as his face was hidden under the mask. Harper gripped the controls as the countdown for his launch proceeded. "3.....2.....1.....LAUNCH!" His mobilesuit was shot forward at great speed, as the traffic controller pointed towards open space. Harper was launched into space, gripping the controls Harper managed to maintain the Zaku and upright himself. The Zaku's monoeye scanned the area, already the beat had quickened. Turning around too take one last look at the carrier, Harper set off into battle.
Dispatched towards a war-zone, Harper and comrades kept a sharp observation out for Feddies. Only armed with a 120 mm mmp-78 and a knuckleshield. Harper was one of a massive swarm of Zakus, Rick-Doms and Gelgoogs. As they moved away from A Baoa Qu, massive explosions discharged around them, already being struck by stardust. Inside of the mobilesuits cockpit, he gripped the controls, keeping his eyes deadlocked on the enemy before him. Behind him, Several Musais of various types and 4 Gwazine class with a few Zanzibar. Before him, lied a powerful enemy, Salamus and Megallan class warships, pink blasts of Minovsky particles begun to sore by, on the radio Giren Zabi's speech echoed through the pilot's heads. Looking through the helmet he saw a GM heading for him, he moved his hand back, banking in a 90 degree angel as a Zaku exploded on his left knocking him off his balance. The fear running through his body as he righted himself, the GM stalking him as 90 mm shells sped by, one bouncing off the shoulder shield leaving a black dent. He obtained true power, thinking of those in need he charged forward. Harper used the knuckleshield, as he charged forward he raised the left arm, he used the size of the machine-gun to pushed the GM's shield out of the way. He struck, without warning the GM's head shattered putting the GM into a 180 degree spin as Harper fired the 120 mm machine-gun, the GM, now being struck by several shell begun to implode. The monoeye slid on it's track inside of the Zaku's head. The red eye, moved upwards, spying the battle. He relaxed, his pulse quickening as he pulled the controls towards him. Pressing the peddles downward, the Zaku darted upwards, avoiding gunfire and mobilesuits. Harper looked around, could this be what war was really like? Not on those posters he saw in Zum City. "Shit, I never expected to be in something like this!"
He clinched his teeth together as he turned head had to a GM moving away from the fighting. He moved after the mobilesuit, not stopping, the will too fight dominated him as he engaged a target lock. He opened fire right before he was fully aimed, empty shell casings escaped the barrel, the iron drum begun to empty. Yellow traces sped through the thick fur ball of war. Striking the GM in the lower skirt armor, the shells begun to take its toll, each second ripping through the mobilesuit. The pilot screamed as the GM exploded. Debris settling in as the GM was reduced to stardust. "All mobilesuits of the Musai "Tisch," return to defend carrier. I repeated, return to defend carrier." Harper turned his head towards the Musai he launched from, he saw several Gelgoogs and Rick-Doms move too defend the carrier. He turned away, just as he was getting the hang of such war. It was fun for him, the thrill of it all. He moved the control rods upwards, he increased the speed, moving through the battle. He turned around quickly, the Zaku's legs hung open as he raised the machine-gun to fire several shells onto a Ball lining up the "Tisch." "This is Ensign Harper, someone cover my ass before some Feddie picks me off!" A Zaku F2 with a 90 mm mmp-80 with it's right arm missing, moved in from behind the Zaku F2 of Ensign Harper. It turns out, his close friend, Chief Petty Officer Matthew Sullivan, came to his rescue. "Hey Thomas, I though you could cover your own ass!" Thomas fired his machine-gun towards a cluster of GMs. "Yeah I though you would say that too me. Lets just make it out of here alive."
Matt turned away from the Zaku, quickly maneuvering away from the Musai, it's 9 main cannons opened fire upon a Salamus, the yellow discharged glowed in Thomas's cockpit. Mesmerizing, it was. Yet it kept him alert. Behind him, a Gelgoog exploded from a bazooka shell. "Damn, these bastards are surly trying to kill me." He said, as Matt's Zaku turned and banked left, machine-gun shells discharging from the mobilesuit's machine-gun. Impacting the head of a GM, shattering the camera instantly. "You should watch your back, instead of running your mouth!" He said as he turned back too the fighting. "I suppose I should," he replied, the Zaku's right leg exploded, a shotgun shell destroyed the leg, knocking off the balancer of Thomas's Zaku. He couldn't fight much longer, he would die if he fought on. "Shit! Damn Feddies are trying to get their point across. Matt, cover me!" He turned to look towards his friend, fighting as he moved backwards, shells streaking past him. "Just get your ass back into the ship!" Matt replied, he shook the machine-gun emptying the expired clip, reloading a fresh one and resuming firing at random targets. Thomas moved the controls, making his way towards the Musai. Switching the mobilesuit's autopilot on, he watched as his mobilesuit landed, inside of the hanger. With the mobilesuit's right leg gone, he had to recenter the balencer. The mobilesuit's left leg touched the steel floor then kicked up, the head smashing against the ceiling and the monoeye shattering with much of the head. The mobilesuit spun lazily and hit the left wall. He shook violently in the cockpit as his mobilesuit stopped. Much of the force had been absorbed by the Zaku's shoulder shield, it only scratched the steel hanger but the shoulder and much of the arm was crumpled into the chest, how Thomas survived it was unknown. The cockpit hatch opened, droplets of blood floating out into zero gravity. Without much delay, he kicked off the Zaku towards an airlock as mechanics rushed over too the crippled Zaku.
Thomas kept to himself as he floated the halls of the Musai, he unclipped his helmet and held it tightly in his hands. He moved onto the bridge, the crew looking at him for a moment, then quickly brushing him off. He looked out onto the battle, second later the Colony of Mahal released a massive white light, the crew covered their eyes as most of the Zeon fleet was engulfed with the light and melted. A few seconds later in dissipated. "What the hell was that!" was the first thing to come into his mind. "The Solar Ray has wiped out much of the Federation fleet, but we have lost most of ours!" A crewmen yelled. His first reaction was, that of a happy feeling, but the thought of millions of comrades dyeing kept haunting him. One of the officer's turned towards the Captain. "Commandant Girhen has been killed in action!" Captain Graddel's face was struck with pure shock. "Sir another massage! Admiral Delaz has ordered our fleet too retreat from A Baoa Qu!" Thomas had to regain his footing he grasped Graddel's left arm. "No, we can't pull back if we do...many of our comrades will die!" Graddel stood up, his space suit begun to rub with Thomas. He was weak as he stood and looked towards the Gwaden move out of the area. "Recall our mobilesuits, and fallow Admiral Delaz's fleet! He looked down to Thomas, a tear coming from his left eye as his glossy black hair shined under the light being amplified by the space helmet. He pushed Thomas away.
Moments later...the fleet had left A Baoa Qu in defeat.... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory "Call to Arms!"
Chapter 1 "The young burning within us!"
UC 0083 September 23rd
Awoken in the middle of the night, Thomas looked around the dark dormitory. The year was 0083, September 23rd. This happened to be the day of test flights of the Dra-Cs, the new mobilesuits of the Delaz Fleet. Inside of the dark room, 5 other people lay sleeping soundly like babies. The Garden of Thorns was a decent place to live, but it wasn't what Thomas wanted. "Why oh why did I stay with the Delaz Fleet," he muttered as he pulled the sheets away from him. Dressed in only a pair of boxer shorts and muscle shirt, Tom moved towards the small locker he called his own. He picked out the polished pair of brown boots, a decent pair of black sox, and a green Lieutenant JG's uniform. He fixed his uniform, he wanted to keep himself in Admiral Delaz's favor. The zipping of his uniform was enough to wake up his friend Matt. Matt was half asleep, he looked like a drunken madman without his glasses on. Keeping his arms under the pillow, he squinted at Thomas as he was just closing his locker, pictures of Zakus and his house with his girlfriend blowing him a kiss. Matt turned over on his back, now becoming awake. "Its 5:00am, we wont be on the Peer Gynt for atleast another 3 hours," he muttered, trying to remember what they were going to eat from breakfast. Thomas turned towards the door about to walk out the door he turned his head looking at Matt. "Matt, I had that nightmare again. The dishonor we endured these 3 years. Eating food and working while the Federation marches around Solomon and Zum city. I feel so betrayed that our government gave up so easily. I will be circulating around, looking for some time too kill." He opened the door to the blinding light of the corridor. Matt covered his eyes as the iron door closed behind Thomas. Matt turned his head and buried it inside of the pillow. "I still don't know why I'm still his wingman," he drifted back into a light slumber.
Thomas inserted both his hands in his pockets, his mellow green eyes locked onto the floor as he walked down the long silvery corridor. His wavy red hair messy, he never bothered to do anything with it as he continued too walk. His breathing was slow, he maintained a slow pace as he walked. In his mind, memories of his past continued to linger as if a ghost haunted him. He lingered too the colony section of the Garden of Thorns. He looked up, the massive cylinder windows gave a magnificent view of space. He saw debris of Side 5, he also saw the Peer Gynt, latched too the side of the cylinder. In a few hours, he would be on that ship in alittle under an hour. In his mind, he could invasion himself inside of a new mobilesuit. Thomas turned away from the view of the outside world. Three years had made him cold and barren, he felt as if all emotions had been stripped and thrown away like a soda can. He moved back down the corridor. He saw a few people move through the corridor, but didn't talk with them. He had emotional issues, those of a beaten down dog. This disgrace of defeat had gotten too him. He turned away and walked towards the cafeteria.
Walking alone, Thomas noticed the faint noise of opera music. He entered the large silvery cafeteria, looking around he noticed the cook dancing around behind the counter. "Excuse me," Thomas said as the cook stopped dancing and begun too look at Thomas. "I was hoping you have some coffee ready," Thomas said as he started to close the gap between them."I got coffee, but its for the Admiral. You know when we serve breakfast," the cook said as he turned and placed a metallic thermos on a golden tray. He turned around and heard footsteps. A somewhat tall man walked towards him, dressed in an Ensign uniform, the man appeared too be a pilot. "I guess I'm not the only pilot up this early," Thomas said as the man stopped and saluted him. "What might you being up this early?" The man said, as Thomas tuned away and sat down, motioning too the man too sit next too him. "I was a Zaku F2 pilot during the war, it got it's ass blown to pieces and I tried to land it, but well you get the thing, in the end I was the only thing left. I'm getting a new mobilesuit today," the tall man said as he pulled out a chair and sat in the somewhat large cafeteria. "What's your name?" Thomas asked as he waited for a reply for the tall man. "Names Luis Miller, friends call me Louie, what might your name be Lieutenant?" Luis said, he tapped his fingers against the table, he had a tan complexion, his family must have been Spanish. His hair was brown, wavy. His eyes, emerald stared down Thomas. "My name is Thomas J. Harper,"Thomas said, as he turned too the cook and eyed him. "So Luis, what mobilesuit squadron are you apart of," Thomas turned back to Luis, keeping his eye's on his. "They only call it "blue squadron", that's what I have been told," Luis said as he looked at his watch. "We have about 15, 20 minutes before they serve coffee. So, are you the squadron leader," he said, turning his head away from the watch to Thomas. "I might, I don't think so, why would they give me command when my war record is not so good," he turned his head looking at the large picture of Commandant Girhen Zabi. Luis say the Lieutenant's frustration and extended an arm and patted him on the back, "I got my ass kicked all over at A Baoa Qu, hit by a hyper bazooka in the right leg and barely made it out alive."Thomas looked up, insomnia is a cruel mistress. "Thank you, I needed that moral booster." The cook walked to their table with two iron cups and a thermos. "Wakey wakey, the coffee is on gentlemen," the cook poured the coffee into their cups putting a small side of milk down with a dash of sugar. They gave him their thanks and begun to drink their coffee. By that time people had begun walking in for morning coffee and breakfast. Thomas and Luis would continue talking about their lives.
Matt would shortly join the two in a before long they were all talking like brothers. "I suppose you guys have heard the news," Matt said as he took a sip of coffee adjusting his glasses. "We all know, we're testing a new model mobilesuit today," Thomas said as he looked to Luis. "Matt, I would like to introduce my new friend and squadron member Luis Miller," Luis shook Matt's hand, Matt was amazed by how tall Luis was. Thomas looked to his watch, "Gentlemen, its time we make our way to the Peer Gynt," he said, standing up looking over at the countless numbers of men about to eat breakfast. Thomas, Luis, and Matt, stepped out of the booth in the middle of the room and walked out towards the lift.
Looking around the intersection they walked forward. Moving forward, the three stopped infront of an iron door with two guard with STGW . 44 assault rifles. The door slowly opened, the three stepping inside too an airlock, with a Musai connected to the end. A Captain sat at a bench and looked at them, it appeared to be Captain Graddle. He was still looking the same, except Thomas noticed something different about him. His hair had a few streaks of gear, and the not to popular rincle. The three men, noticing the Captain's rank saluted at once. The Captain looked into Thomas's young eye's. "At ease gentelmen," Graddle smiled, he had loved to see fresh expressions on people he just met. The three eased up for a moment and looked at the Musai, Thomas turned to look at Graddle while the Luis and Matt looked out into space. "Captain sir, may I speak freely?" Thomas looked at the man, waiting for a reply a bead of sweat rolled down his face. "Yes, Lieutenant you may." Graddle turned his full attention to what Thomas had to say. Thomas shifted position from a hunch over to a standing stright and tall. "Sir, I'm certinly not fit enough to pilot a new model. I should be piloting Zaku 1s." Matt and Luis stopped for a moment and looked at Thomas. Graddle was shocked for a moment then grinned. "Lieutenant, it isn't piloting that counts. Your mobilesuit was lost at A Baoa Qu, we in a sense rebuilt it. It was infact your unit and you should be one of its pilots. Besides, the simulators in the recreation area are how we test pilots. Thomas shifted again, and remembered for a month of a simulator of a blue mobilesuit and it hit him. "Oh I see sir, I apologize." Graddle stood stright and looked at the Musai. "Well, I assume its time for are arrivle." The four men moved towards the airlock, Graddle in front fallowed by Matt, Luis and Thomas brought up the rear.
Without wasting much time, the four moved throughout the ship, towards the mobilesuit bay they entered. Admiral Delaz and Anival Gato stood infront of 2 blue mobilesuits looking at the three pilots. They snapped to attention, looking at Admiral Delaz the quickly saluted. "Sir," the three said sharply as Admiral Delaz nodded, they eased their shoulders looking towards the blue mobilesuits. Admiral Delaz walked towards the blue mobilesuits smiling, he turned and spoke. "Gentlemen, I present the fruit of our base. The Dra-C, from what I'm told it is extremely fast and well balanced. Each of you have been selected because your Zakus or Gelgoogs or Gattle space fighters, have been built into a Dra-C. Use it well, and remember the sword gets its power from those who weild it firmly." He walked away being followed by Gato, they most likely headed for the bridge. A technical officer walked towards the 3, dressed in a white lab coat with glasses, the dark haired officer held a clip board in his hand. "The Dra-C is a mobilesuit built from Zaku F2 and Gattle space fighter parts, only armed with a 40 mm Vulcan gun and a beamsaber, the Dra-C is fast and armed decently. The only problem is it has very little armor so one hit and your done for. You will now be assigned to Dra- Cs. Thomas Harper, Unit 1. Matthew Sullivan, Unit 2. Luis Miller, Unit 3. Jonathan Lathin, Unit 4." The side door in the launch bay opened up, a 5 foot tall man floated through the bay, the young face was a man who must have been green in combat. "I'm here!" He said as the three other pilots looked at him rather funnily. The technical officer walked towards the door to the mobilesuit pilot house after staring at Jonathan. "Right....I suggest you each bring along an overnight bag, we are escorting Commander Gato to earth." Jonathan looked towards Thomas, "I suppose this is the time we prepare for departure?" He said, looking towards the Dra-C.
The others nodded towards Thomas, they looked to him as their squadron leader. Shortly a time later two Musais departed from the Garden of Thorns with four Dra-C mobilesuits.
Next Chapter: Escort to glory.
Prologue
UC 0079, December 31st.
The final defense line was all that we had left that we could call our own. The will too fight had been beaten out of them like Girhen Zabi's speeches. During the days leading to the battle, each pilot had his own "things too do," some married, and some deserted. The 123rd Monoeyes, one of the last Zaku F2 units too be dispatched too a front-line on the verge of collapse, had been stationed at A Baoa Qu for sometime now. Leaving behind their family's, these pilots risked it all too defend their homes from the Federation invaders.
Stepping into the Zaku's cockpit, Ensign Harper kept a sharp memory of his sweetheart at home. He though of the wonderful things they could do together once this war had ended. In his left hand, he gripped a golden cross tightly, keeping the priest's words in his head all this time. Turning his head slowly, he looked across the Musai's mobilesuit deck. The red mobilesuit deck was stocked with weaponry and four mobilesuits. A Zaku Fz, a Gelgoog A and 2 Zaku F2s. Harper was on the right side of the deck, his Zaku was on the upper most part as the alarm begun to blair. He quickly climbed inside, the green jumpsuit pressed against the leather chair of the Zaku. He couldn't help but to smile as the "pre-battle jitters," set in. He raised his hands upwards, bringing down the seat belts, then locking them as he was ready too close the hatch. He saw the hanger doors open with his own two eyes as the cockpit hatch closed, his hands danced across the control's of the Zaku, bringing it to life. The constant clicking and pressing as the Zaku begun to rev up preparing to launch. The red monoeye of the Zaku appeared. "All personnel clear the deck, All personnel clear the deck," the people floating around the bay towards to hatches and airlocks, the cage retraced as the catapults extended out into space. The traffic controller looked towards Harper's Zaku. The glow rods in his hands as his face was hidden under the mask. Harper gripped the controls as the countdown for his launch proceeded. "3.....2.....1.....LAUNCH!" His mobilesuit was shot forward at great speed, as the traffic controller pointed towards open space. Harper was launched into space, gripping the controls Harper managed to maintain the Zaku and upright himself. The Zaku's monoeye scanned the area, already the beat had quickened. Turning around too take one last look at the carrier, Harper set off into battle.
Dispatched towards a war-zone, Harper and comrades kept a sharp observation out for Feddies. Only armed with a 120 mm mmp-78 and a knuckleshield. Harper was one of a massive swarm of Zakus, Rick-Doms and Gelgoogs. As they moved away from A Baoa Qu, massive explosions discharged around them, already being struck by stardust. Inside of the mobilesuits cockpit, he gripped the controls, keeping his eyes deadlocked on the enemy before him. Behind him, Several Musais of various types and 4 Gwazine class with a few Zanzibar. Before him, lied a powerful enemy, Salamus and Megallan class warships, pink blasts of Minovsky particles begun to sore by, on the radio Giren Zabi's speech echoed through the pilot's heads. Looking through the helmet he saw a GM heading for him, he moved his hand back, banking in a 90 degree angel as a Zaku exploded on his left knocking him off his balance. The fear running through his body as he righted himself, the GM stalking him as 90 mm shells sped by, one bouncing off the shoulder shield leaving a black dent. He obtained true power, thinking of those in need he charged forward. Harper used the knuckleshield, as he charged forward he raised the left arm, he used the size of the machine-gun to pushed the GM's shield out of the way. He struck, without warning the GM's head shattered putting the GM into a 180 degree spin as Harper fired the 120 mm machine-gun, the GM, now being struck by several shell begun to implode. The monoeye slid on it's track inside of the Zaku's head. The red eye, moved upwards, spying the battle. He relaxed, his pulse quickening as he pulled the controls towards him. Pressing the peddles downward, the Zaku darted upwards, avoiding gunfire and mobilesuits. Harper looked around, could this be what war was really like? Not on those posters he saw in Zum City. "Shit, I never expected to be in something like this!"
He clinched his teeth together as he turned head had to a GM moving away from the fighting. He moved after the mobilesuit, not stopping, the will too fight dominated him as he engaged a target lock. He opened fire right before he was fully aimed, empty shell casings escaped the barrel, the iron drum begun to empty. Yellow traces sped through the thick fur ball of war. Striking the GM in the lower skirt armor, the shells begun to take its toll, each second ripping through the mobilesuit. The pilot screamed as the GM exploded. Debris settling in as the GM was reduced to stardust. "All mobilesuits of the Musai "Tisch," return to defend carrier. I repeated, return to defend carrier." Harper turned his head towards the Musai he launched from, he saw several Gelgoogs and Rick-Doms move too defend the carrier. He turned away, just as he was getting the hang of such war. It was fun for him, the thrill of it all. He moved the control rods upwards, he increased the speed, moving through the battle. He turned around quickly, the Zaku's legs hung open as he raised the machine-gun to fire several shells onto a Ball lining up the "Tisch." "This is Ensign Harper, someone cover my ass before some Feddie picks me off!" A Zaku F2 with a 90 mm mmp-80 with it's right arm missing, moved in from behind the Zaku F2 of Ensign Harper. It turns out, his close friend, Chief Petty Officer Matthew Sullivan, came to his rescue. "Hey Thomas, I though you could cover your own ass!" Thomas fired his machine-gun towards a cluster of GMs. "Yeah I though you would say that too me. Lets just make it out of here alive."
Matt turned away from the Zaku, quickly maneuvering away from the Musai, it's 9 main cannons opened fire upon a Salamus, the yellow discharged glowed in Thomas's cockpit. Mesmerizing, it was. Yet it kept him alert. Behind him, a Gelgoog exploded from a bazooka shell. "Damn, these bastards are surly trying to kill me." He said, as Matt's Zaku turned and banked left, machine-gun shells discharging from the mobilesuit's machine-gun. Impacting the head of a GM, shattering the camera instantly. "You should watch your back, instead of running your mouth!" He said as he turned back too the fighting. "I suppose I should," he replied, the Zaku's right leg exploded, a shotgun shell destroyed the leg, knocking off the balancer of Thomas's Zaku. He couldn't fight much longer, he would die if he fought on. "Shit! Damn Feddies are trying to get their point across. Matt, cover me!" He turned to look towards his friend, fighting as he moved backwards, shells streaking past him. "Just get your ass back into the ship!" Matt replied, he shook the machine-gun emptying the expired clip, reloading a fresh one and resuming firing at random targets. Thomas moved the controls, making his way towards the Musai. Switching the mobilesuit's autopilot on, he watched as his mobilesuit landed, inside of the hanger. With the mobilesuit's right leg gone, he had to recenter the balencer. The mobilesuit's left leg touched the steel floor then kicked up, the head smashing against the ceiling and the monoeye shattering with much of the head. The mobilesuit spun lazily and hit the left wall. He shook violently in the cockpit as his mobilesuit stopped. Much of the force had been absorbed by the Zaku's shoulder shield, it only scratched the steel hanger but the shoulder and much of the arm was crumpled into the chest, how Thomas survived it was unknown. The cockpit hatch opened, droplets of blood floating out into zero gravity. Without much delay, he kicked off the Zaku towards an airlock as mechanics rushed over too the crippled Zaku.
Thomas kept to himself as he floated the halls of the Musai, he unclipped his helmet and held it tightly in his hands. He moved onto the bridge, the crew looking at him for a moment, then quickly brushing him off. He looked out onto the battle, second later the Colony of Mahal released a massive white light, the crew covered their eyes as most of the Zeon fleet was engulfed with the light and melted. A few seconds later in dissipated. "What the hell was that!" was the first thing to come into his mind. "The Solar Ray has wiped out much of the Federation fleet, but we have lost most of ours!" A crewmen yelled. His first reaction was, that of a happy feeling, but the thought of millions of comrades dyeing kept haunting him. One of the officer's turned towards the Captain. "Commandant Girhen has been killed in action!" Captain Graddel's face was struck with pure shock. "Sir another massage! Admiral Delaz has ordered our fleet too retreat from A Baoa Qu!" Thomas had to regain his footing he grasped Graddel's left arm. "No, we can't pull back if we do...many of our comrades will die!" Graddel stood up, his space suit begun to rub with Thomas. He was weak as he stood and looked towards the Gwaden move out of the area. "Recall our mobilesuits, and fallow Admiral Delaz's fleet! He looked down to Thomas, a tear coming from his left eye as his glossy black hair shined under the light being amplified by the space helmet. He pushed Thomas away.
Moments later...the fleet had left A Baoa Qu in defeat.... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory "Call to Arms!"
Chapter 1 "The young burning within us!"
UC 0083 September 23rd
Awoken in the middle of the night, Thomas looked around the dark dormitory. The year was 0083, September 23rd. This happened to be the day of test flights of the Dra-Cs, the new mobilesuits of the Delaz Fleet. Inside of the dark room, 5 other people lay sleeping soundly like babies. The Garden of Thorns was a decent place to live, but it wasn't what Thomas wanted. "Why oh why did I stay with the Delaz Fleet," he muttered as he pulled the sheets away from him. Dressed in only a pair of boxer shorts and muscle shirt, Tom moved towards the small locker he called his own. He picked out the polished pair of brown boots, a decent pair of black sox, and a green Lieutenant JG's uniform. He fixed his uniform, he wanted to keep himself in Admiral Delaz's favor. The zipping of his uniform was enough to wake up his friend Matt. Matt was half asleep, he looked like a drunken madman without his glasses on. Keeping his arms under the pillow, he squinted at Thomas as he was just closing his locker, pictures of Zakus and his house with his girlfriend blowing him a kiss. Matt turned over on his back, now becoming awake. "Its 5:00am, we wont be on the Peer Gynt for atleast another 3 hours," he muttered, trying to remember what they were going to eat from breakfast. Thomas turned towards the door about to walk out the door he turned his head looking at Matt. "Matt, I had that nightmare again. The dishonor we endured these 3 years. Eating food and working while the Federation marches around Solomon and Zum city. I feel so betrayed that our government gave up so easily. I will be circulating around, looking for some time too kill." He opened the door to the blinding light of the corridor. Matt covered his eyes as the iron door closed behind Thomas. Matt turned his head and buried it inside of the pillow. "I still don't know why I'm still his wingman," he drifted back into a light slumber.
Thomas inserted both his hands in his pockets, his mellow green eyes locked onto the floor as he walked down the long silvery corridor. His wavy red hair messy, he never bothered to do anything with it as he continued too walk. His breathing was slow, he maintained a slow pace as he walked. In his mind, memories of his past continued to linger as if a ghost haunted him. He lingered too the colony section of the Garden of Thorns. He looked up, the massive cylinder windows gave a magnificent view of space. He saw debris of Side 5, he also saw the Peer Gynt, latched too the side of the cylinder. In a few hours, he would be on that ship in alittle under an hour. In his mind, he could invasion himself inside of a new mobilesuit. Thomas turned away from the view of the outside world. Three years had made him cold and barren, he felt as if all emotions had been stripped and thrown away like a soda can. He moved back down the corridor. He saw a few people move through the corridor, but didn't talk with them. He had emotional issues, those of a beaten down dog. This disgrace of defeat had gotten too him. He turned away and walked towards the cafeteria.
Walking alone, Thomas noticed the faint noise of opera music. He entered the large silvery cafeteria, looking around he noticed the cook dancing around behind the counter. "Excuse me," Thomas said as the cook stopped dancing and begun too look at Thomas. "I was hoping you have some coffee ready," Thomas said as he started to close the gap between them."I got coffee, but its for the Admiral. You know when we serve breakfast," the cook said as he turned and placed a metallic thermos on a golden tray. He turned around and heard footsteps. A somewhat tall man walked towards him, dressed in an Ensign uniform, the man appeared too be a pilot. "I guess I'm not the only pilot up this early," Thomas said as the man stopped and saluted him. "What might you being up this early?" The man said, as Thomas tuned away and sat down, motioning too the man too sit next too him. "I was a Zaku F2 pilot during the war, it got it's ass blown to pieces and I tried to land it, but well you get the thing, in the end I was the only thing left. I'm getting a new mobilesuit today," the tall man said as he pulled out a chair and sat in the somewhat large cafeteria. "What's your name?" Thomas asked as he waited for a reply for the tall man. "Names Luis Miller, friends call me Louie, what might your name be Lieutenant?" Luis said, he tapped his fingers against the table, he had a tan complexion, his family must have been Spanish. His hair was brown, wavy. His eyes, emerald stared down Thomas. "My name is Thomas J. Harper,"Thomas said, as he turned too the cook and eyed him. "So Luis, what mobilesuit squadron are you apart of," Thomas turned back to Luis, keeping his eye's on his. "They only call it "blue squadron", that's what I have been told," Luis said as he looked at his watch. "We have about 15, 20 minutes before they serve coffee. So, are you the squadron leader," he said, turning his head away from the watch to Thomas. "I might, I don't think so, why would they give me command when my war record is not so good," he turned his head looking at the large picture of Commandant Girhen Zabi. Luis say the Lieutenant's frustration and extended an arm and patted him on the back, "I got my ass kicked all over at A Baoa Qu, hit by a hyper bazooka in the right leg and barely made it out alive."Thomas looked up, insomnia is a cruel mistress. "Thank you, I needed that moral booster." The cook walked to their table with two iron cups and a thermos. "Wakey wakey, the coffee is on gentlemen," the cook poured the coffee into their cups putting a small side of milk down with a dash of sugar. They gave him their thanks and begun to drink their coffee. By that time people had begun walking in for morning coffee and breakfast. Thomas and Luis would continue talking about their lives.
Matt would shortly join the two in a before long they were all talking like brothers. "I suppose you guys have heard the news," Matt said as he took a sip of coffee adjusting his glasses. "We all know, we're testing a new model mobilesuit today," Thomas said as he looked to Luis. "Matt, I would like to introduce my new friend and squadron member Luis Miller," Luis shook Matt's hand, Matt was amazed by how tall Luis was. Thomas looked to his watch, "Gentlemen, its time we make our way to the Peer Gynt," he said, standing up looking over at the countless numbers of men about to eat breakfast. Thomas, Luis, and Matt, stepped out of the booth in the middle of the room and walked out towards the lift.
Looking around the intersection they walked forward. Moving forward, the three stopped infront of an iron door with two guard with STGW . 44 assault rifles. The door slowly opened, the three stepping inside too an airlock, with a Musai connected to the end. A Captain sat at a bench and looked at them, it appeared to be Captain Graddle. He was still looking the same, except Thomas noticed something different about him. His hair had a few streaks of gear, and the not to popular rincle. The three men, noticing the Captain's rank saluted at once. The Captain looked into Thomas's young eye's. "At ease gentelmen," Graddle smiled, he had loved to see fresh expressions on people he just met. The three eased up for a moment and looked at the Musai, Thomas turned to look at Graddle while the Luis and Matt looked out into space. "Captain sir, may I speak freely?" Thomas looked at the man, waiting for a reply a bead of sweat rolled down his face. "Yes, Lieutenant you may." Graddle turned his full attention to what Thomas had to say. Thomas shifted position from a hunch over to a standing stright and tall. "Sir, I'm certinly not fit enough to pilot a new model. I should be piloting Zaku 1s." Matt and Luis stopped for a moment and looked at Thomas. Graddle was shocked for a moment then grinned. "Lieutenant, it isn't piloting that counts. Your mobilesuit was lost at A Baoa Qu, we in a sense rebuilt it. It was infact your unit and you should be one of its pilots. Besides, the simulators in the recreation area are how we test pilots. Thomas shifted again, and remembered for a month of a simulator of a blue mobilesuit and it hit him. "Oh I see sir, I apologize." Graddle stood stright and looked at the Musai. "Well, I assume its time for are arrivle." The four men moved towards the airlock, Graddle in front fallowed by Matt, Luis and Thomas brought up the rear.
Without wasting much time, the four moved throughout the ship, towards the mobilesuit bay they entered. Admiral Delaz and Anival Gato stood infront of 2 blue mobilesuits looking at the three pilots. They snapped to attention, looking at Admiral Delaz the quickly saluted. "Sir," the three said sharply as Admiral Delaz nodded, they eased their shoulders looking towards the blue mobilesuits. Admiral Delaz walked towards the blue mobilesuits smiling, he turned and spoke. "Gentlemen, I present the fruit of our base. The Dra-C, from what I'm told it is extremely fast and well balanced. Each of you have been selected because your Zakus or Gelgoogs or Gattle space fighters, have been built into a Dra-C. Use it well, and remember the sword gets its power from those who weild it firmly." He walked away being followed by Gato, they most likely headed for the bridge. A technical officer walked towards the 3, dressed in a white lab coat with glasses, the dark haired officer held a clip board in his hand. "The Dra-C is a mobilesuit built from Zaku F2 and Gattle space fighter parts, only armed with a 40 mm Vulcan gun and a beamsaber, the Dra-C is fast and armed decently. The only problem is it has very little armor so one hit and your done for. You will now be assigned to Dra- Cs. Thomas Harper, Unit 1. Matthew Sullivan, Unit 2. Luis Miller, Unit 3. Jonathan Lathin, Unit 4." The side door in the launch bay opened up, a 5 foot tall man floated through the bay, the young face was a man who must have been green in combat. "I'm here!" He said as the three other pilots looked at him rather funnily. The technical officer walked towards the door to the mobilesuit pilot house after staring at Jonathan. "Right....I suggest you each bring along an overnight bag, we are escorting Commander Gato to earth." Jonathan looked towards Thomas, "I suppose this is the time we prepare for departure?" He said, looking towards the Dra-C.
The others nodded towards Thomas, they looked to him as their squadron leader. Shortly a time later two Musais departed from the Garden of Thorns with four Dra-C mobilesuits.
Next Chapter: Escort to glory.