Pheonix Rising
Pheonix Rising
by Ratha

Prologue: The Pheonix Project

Memories never die, they only fade until you need them most. They can't be suppressed forever, they come back to haunt you at the most inopportune times. They have a life of their own, and they refuse to let your humanity be destroyed. You can never lose them, for they are always there, sleeping in the back of your mind for all time. And they are waiting to destroy the cold-blooded killers known as gundam pilots...

Five young men lost their humanity for the cause of peace and freedom. The price seemed right for the end result, but Fate has other plans for them. Events have been set in motion that will have startling and dramatic results on the lives of these five gundam pilots. Watch as these events unfold and the hardened warriors are replaced by human beings...
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Two years before Operation: METEOR...

Treize Khushrenada and Zechs Marquise stood in the observation room of Lab 476-B, watching the OZ scientists work diligently on the latest secret weapon.

"With this 'super-soldier', OZ will be triumphant in every battle," Treize said with a vague smile. "Imagine- a soldier that can predict their enemy's every move, every thought, actually being able to read an enemy's mind and instantly counterattack the enemy's every plan."

"It sounds like a sound plan, Lord Treize," Zechs replied. "But are you sure it will prevent the colonies from rebelling?"

"I doubt it. The Pheonix Project won't be ready for another year. By then, we'll have the Pheonix suit prototype ready for testing as well."

"The most powerful telepath in the universe," Zechs mused. "And OZ has that power at its disposal. The colonies won't have a chance."

"Indeed. The Pheonix Project will be ready long before the rumored Operation: Meteor. If it is successful, you will be in charge of the Pheonix, Liuetenant Zechs."

"You honor me, Lord Treize."
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Operation: METEOR...

"Now try again, Pheonix," Zechs sighed, massaging his temples in exasperation. "Try to sense the enemies."

The young woman shook her head. "I can't, Liuetenant. The Leo pilots have natural mind sheilds. It's like hitting a brick wall at sixty miles an hour. I'm sorry, Liuetenant." She bowed her head dejectedly.

He sighed again. "Try something else, then. Can you control a Leo suit with your powers?"

She didn't respond. Instead, her eyes glowed an unnatural blue-green and a nearby Leo suit slowly began to move. A thin sheen of sweat covered her skin as she concentrated on moving the Leo suit. Gradually, the mobile suit's movements became less jerky and more fluid. Abruptly, she vanished right before Zechs' eyes. He blinked in shock, then looked up at the MS.

"Pheonix?" he called warily.

"Present," her voice said over the MS' comm-system. "Sugoi! I didn't know I could teleport! I-" She abruptly reappeared in front of Zechs, frowning darkly. "I sense a real enemy. About two hundred kliks south, ETA thirty minutes."

"Oh? What enemy?"

Her eyes glowed again. "Gundam pilots. Operation: METEOR has begun."