I, Shinji Shinigami, do not own any of the Gundam Series. Yet, every character in this story that was invented by me, so suing me is futile. Nothing else needs to be said.
MyWay: Hey, as Co-Author, ain't I worth being mentioned?
Shinji: You? Who would want to know about you? Who needs you anyway?
MyWay: YOU need me, I am your Co-Author! And all those readers love me, not you.
Shinji: In your wildest dreams…
Gundam Death
To every common human earth's recourses must seem endless, but they are not. Sooner or later, those recourses will run out. Even though mankind has the ability to prevent it, they won't do it. It lies in mankind's nature that bad things have to happen first before they react. Sometimes, a reaction comes too late.
The thing, which happened here, was the beginning of the World War III.
It's not known who started the War, but that is not important anyway. More important is the fact that after the 19.02.2010, the world was painted in blood and death was the cruel reality of the every day life.
It did not take a year to destroy almost everything mankind had built up so far. Millions and millions of people died senseless in the storms of fire.
"I don't know with which weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones!", Albert Einstein once said.
Well, his theory is close to the reality. Mankind had to begin from Zero. Not that only areas and lives were destroyed; whole civilizations and technologies were lost.
But, even such a bad thing as this mass destruction has its good sides: Peace!
As unbelievable as it sounds, but mankind seemed to have learned out of their mistakes.
And in times of peace, if people are in need, everyone works together. If all work together, you can restore most of the lost things in just a century. And soon after the lost technology standard was reached, completely new technologies were gained.
New technologies, like fuel produced by genetic optimized plants, yet experimental long range subspace communication or a neuro-link steering unit. And a result of new technologies was the MS, the Mobile Suit. With these All-round working units, it was possible to make most of the works on planet easier and they where the foundation for building colonies in outer-space for resource-gaining.
So it comes that, in the second century after War (AW), the first colony in outer space was established, Eden. Most parts of the colony were made out of junk which remained from the War, in memory not to forget the horrible past.
Recourses were mined in space; new colonies were established and so on.
This should be the circle for the next two centuries; a circle of peace and expansion.
In the Year 432 AW there were no resources left on earth and the people from this planet was dependent on the resources from the colonies.
The recently elected leader of the colonies, Jack Dainer, suddenly stopped the resource deliveries to earth. He argues that the citizens from earth are living in God's paradise, while the people from colonies have to work for them.
"Why do we have to give those pigs our hard work? Have they earned it? NO! If they want these resources, then they should come up here and work for them!" Jack Dainer said over a public broadcast.
He got most of the colonies citizens on his side by using such propaganda, but some of the earth-near colonies couldn't understand his reasons and became neutral or were completely on earth's side to protect the continue of peace.
The colonies on Dainer's side called them self the Sengoku, the fighting provinces (S.G. in short)
Earth had many resources on stock, but they were not unlimited, and people knew it. So they tried to "work" for their resources, but they could only reach the earth-near colonies, the shuttles on the way to the S.G. colonies were disabled.
The resources mined on the Earth Alliance (short E.A.) colonies weren't enough for all people on earth and colonies, so they used the remaining resources to arm themselves to gain the resources, if necessary by force, because the survival of earth's citizens was depending on it.
And so did the S.G. Colonies.
A neuter arming race came up for the next 20 years with lots of skirmishes and thousands of casualties, most died in the fight against hunger. But it was not an open war, till now.
Because the situation on earth was not longer acceptable, and the fact E.A. heard about a new weapon from S.G., the so called Neuro-Link-jammer through their spies, the earth alliance declared War. Both sides promised the other, that they will use every invention made over the past 20 years. And this was about 10 months ago.
And this is the point were the real story takes in.
Chapter one, Crusader
Now we are looking at the earth-nearest colony, Gaia.
At this time the 101st and 52nd Mobile Suit divisions were stationed there, for defense purposes and rookie training. This Station was far away from the hostile borders, but because of the high tech fuel refinery there, people feared sudden attacks.
The only thing that took people's fear was the fact that some of E.A.'s best soldiers were guarding them. For further security, the Zeus, a modern cruiser and one of the three battleships that actually witnessed a real combat and got through it, is always somewhere around.
While most of the soldiers are using their spare time for own goods, some were watching an amazing MS training fight in the Pilot academy, which lies in sector F of the colony.
One fighter was Major Spartakus Shirow, or simply Sparks for short.
His opponent was Lieutenant Shinichi Hago, best fighter of the 101st.
They fought only with training sticks, to prevent them from killing each other. But after half an hour something unbelievable happened. Both MS ran towards each other and lunged out for each others sword arm. This fact was not that special, but both were striking with such precision, that both swords arms fell to the ground; leaving all rookies' jaws down.
Nothing happened for 20 seconds, but then the audience woke up from their rigor and applauded. Both pilots changed and sat into the Cantina, talking about their fight.
"I am impressed… the rumors about you are true." Sparks said with respect in his voice.
"Rumors about me? What kind for rumors?" Shinichi asked a little confused.
"It's said that a 17 Years old Lieutenant from the 101st Mobile Suit division is one of the best pilots in E.A.'s forces. I found out first hand."
"If all soldiers would train harder, this would be normality. You've proofed it. You are a living legend. It was a great honor to have a train fight with you, Sir."
"I am flattered. But training is not the reason why I'm here."
"You and your troops from the 52nd are here to guard the Colony, right?"
"Not just that. Would you please follow me into my office, there we can talk in a more private atmosphere."
"Of course, Sir!"
Both walked around the academy, and while there were walking, the Major was chatting a bit.
"Ever heard of someone called Doctor Seisenberg?" he asked in a serious voice.
"I've heard he's a scientist, who is researching a counter measure against S.G.'s Neuro-Link Jammer. I haven't heard further more yet."
"Right. Like you know, our Mobile Suits are working with Neuro-Link. It's not possible for a Pilot to use the full spectrum of human movement just with two joysticks and pedals. So we are using a neural-link to steer the MS with our mind, with our thoughts. The Joysticks and pedals are just for thruster and weapon control. But the Neuro-link jammer disturbs the invisible connection to your suit and you can't control it anymore. If this happens you are an easy target. Because this guy's from S.G. have something in their Suits, which prevents them from that jammer. You can't move, but they can, unfair play." He said those last words with a real despise.
Entering Shirow's office, he shut the door closed.
"Now we can talk freely. We found out what Dr. Seisenberg has researched."
"He's supposed to report to HQ I assume… wait, HAS researched?" Shinichi asked with a frown.
"Yes, he got killed recently."
"How is that possible? I thought he was researching on a mobile high security Laboratory?"
"He was, but those bastards from S.G. found it somehow and destroyed it, but luckily they didn't find the Suits."
"Suits? I thought he researched a way to prevent the jamming effect."
"Well, yes and no. Actually we don't know how long he was researching on these suits, but we know that they are somehow… special."
"Special? In how far are they special?"
"We don't know the details. You have to know that the doc never told a person about what he was working on. All he did, he saved digital on a Computer. All assistants died along with the doc, and the computer got destroyed, like the rest of the ship. But we were able to retrieve some of the Hard Disks, beside the suits."
"Great, isn't there a user manual on them?" Shinichi asked with some sarcasm.
"First, all the files on the HD are ciphered and if we don't use the original code, everything will be overwritten automatically. Second, we actually don't have the HD anymore. We had to hand it out to intelligence. Don't know what these guys wanna do about it. I can't imagine they would be able to hack the HD." Sparks said and shrugged.
"This Seisenberg must have worked on something big… But, I really doubt you tell me all this just because of fun, there has to be a reason for it, am I right Major?" The young Lieutenant asked with a smirk.
Sparks had to smile. "Not only a good fighter, but also capable to use his head. We have two machines, from which we know in fact, nothing. We need to find out more about them, we need to test them. And this is the point were we both came in."
"You mean we are the new pilots for these Suits?"
"Yes, we are ordered to be the test pilots of these MS. It was ordered from the highest authority."
"Just curious, but isn't that usually a 'voluntary' thing?" Shinichi asked playfully.
"Well, I was told to ask you first if you would do this job "voluntary", but on the other hand, they made clear I have to make sure you do it by all means... so, instead of arguing about this issue for long time, I spared some minutes of your life and simply skipped that "voluntary" part..."
Shinichi looked confused.
"Let's call it a 'voluntary order'..." Sparks said with a shrug.
"I see."
"We are going to be stationed on the Bahamut. So you better pack your stuff."
"Bahamut? Isn't that the new model of fast engage battleships?"
"Indeed, but first we are ordered to gain information about the suits here on Gaia. So, want to see your bride?" he asked with an offering gesture.
"I can't wait for the wedding night!" Shinichi said happily.
Both left the academy, and drove to a top secret area of sector F.
"So, here is the place were the two Gundams are stored"
"Gundams, Sir?"
"That's the name Doc Seisenberg gave those suits. Whatever he meant by that, he took it to the grave."
"Uh huh…"
"ID and permission please!" a guard said.
"I am Major Shirow from the 52nd and this is Lieutenant Hago from the 101st MS Division. Here our permission." He said and handed a paper to the guard.
"Seems okay, please go right through, Sir."
After a number of security levels a woman in a white coat awaited the two.
"Hello Major Spart…"
"Hey, just call me Sparks this is easier for both of us." The Major interrupted, shaking his head in bad mood.
"As you wish Major Sparks and hello Lieutenant Hago. I am informed about you two. I am Doctor Misaki Kusanagi, technical supervisor for the Gundam Project. You two are ready for the first test or should we get you checked by a medic?"
"Are we going to test them right away?"
"No but we have to adjust the OS to your mind and body first. So would you please follow me to your Gundam Major? One of our technicians will show you the way Lieutenant. Just wait a bit."
"I am following you everywhere, great beauty." Sparks said and grinned.
"Spare your flattery, Major, just follow me."
Both left and after ten minutes a technician in an orange overall came to Shinichi.
"Hey, are you Lieutenant hmm… Hago?"
"Yes that's me, and you are here to show me the Gundam, I presume."
"Oh, how do you get THIS Idea? Anyway, my name is Daisuke Taylor and I am one of doc Kusanagi's slave mechanics."
"Talk about dream job…"
"Just follow me." Taylor said with a not really pleased expression.
He did and the mechanic led him into a huge hangar, were it stood. A black Mobile Suit. A black beauty…
"Here is the Crusader, your new best friend."
"Cru …Crusader?" Shinichi said, barely able to speak. He was in love right away.
At first sight the Gundam remembered Shinichi of a knight, wearing plate armor. Some red runes and "veins" were carved into the black armor.
The thing that mostly let the Gundam look like a knight was its helmet, which actually looked like it was from Europe, late Dark Ages.
"Yeah, the Gundam Crusader, really amazing isn't it?"
"Indeed it is…." He said with a growing smile
"Ok if you are the statistic freak, here is the technical guidance for the Gundam." Taylor said and was reading from his terminal board.
"This Gundam carry's a huge crucifix on his back. It's almost so huge like the Gundam itself.
Its weapons are:
Two 70 mm gattlings mounted on his head
Two 101 mm gattlings mounted under/around his bracelets
A two handed laser claymore, mounted on his back/neck
The Crucifix is, if unused mounted on the back, like a bag pack and helps with thruster power… Say, do you listen at all?" The mech asked a little annoyed.
"Nope…" Shinichi said and kept on staring on his Gundam.
End of chapter one
MyWay: I am great.
Shinji: I am greater.
MyWay: I am the greatest!
Shinji: I am the author.
Silence
MyWay: Okay, one point for you…
