Author's Note: This fits nowhere in the Gundam SEED universe, I just want that noted upfront. As I recall, they don't really speak of Mars that much so I'm kinda taking things into my own hands. I do have another chapter's worth of the story on my computer but I'd like some feedback before I post it. At the moment I don't plan on bringing in any other characters then Yzak, Dearka, possibly their parents. I may reference others but I kinda wanted to keep the cast small for this. As always I don't own Gundam SEED or any of its characters, but the original characters, places, and plotline are mine. Please ask before reposting or using any of this material.
"Well gentlemen, welcome to Mars." She waved her arm, gesturing toward the hissing airlock. The groups' footsteps on the grating sounded out down the empty hallway as a hollow echo, then rang out like gunfire as they crossed the threshold of the hangar and out onto the tile floor. "This was the first outpost built, codename Cluster 1, known us natives as Dakar. She originally had about three hundred inhabitants, mostly our scientists and their families, now she has a population of nearly ten thousand."
"Ten-thousand? How do you hide these people?"
"Not only does the Dome allow for our survival it also shields us from anyone who looks our way." She pressed a button on the wall and turned back to them, waiting for the elevator. "As you saw on the monitors during our descent Dakar is not the only city on Mars, Cluster 2, Esfahan, and Cluster 4, Ulaid, also boast a population over three thousand. But there are other smaller research facilities in the Outback that have turned into towns, though nothing is as big or elaborate as Dakar."
"What happened to Cluster 3?"
"Cluster 3, Leptis Magna or more commonly known as the North Pole Complex, has been experiencing a decline in the population, we think it is somewhat due to the new shuttle route here in Dakar, and partly due to its location. The only way to get to the North Pole is by one of the underground train lines that we've built. Granted we met some fierce rock while we were blasting and since we didn't want to draw attention… well lets just say it's a bumpy ride and it's cold when you get there. Not exactly prime real estate." The elevator arrived on the platform with a 'ding'. "All aboard." The three ushered themselves onto the service elevator. "Street level if you please Sayla."
"Processing…. Voiceprint recognized, welcome back to Mars Captain Bajeena. Have you brought any foreign items to Dakar?" came an obviously automated but soothing woman's voice over the intercom. Sayla was acronym for the military's private computer; the city of Dakar had one as well-- Norman.
"No Sayla, myself and my charges aren't carrying any bags, everything was checked. We declare our weapons, that's all."
"Notifying customs, please wait." The doors slid shut.
The back section of the elevator was made of a heavy grade plastic. Currently the only thing to be seen out the window was the black housing the elevator was in, Dearka leaned against the plastic and tried to look down. Their were clamps in place on the elevator, holding it in place, as if the cable it was on wouldn't do the trick. It was mildly unsettling.
"Captain Bajeena?" A male voice crackled over the intercom.
"I am. I don't have visual."
"Sorry ma'am, visual communications are down. Parts will be in from HQ in less then a week."
"Understood."
"Sayla tells me you have a weapon?"
"Yes, I'm carrying a Walther P-99 and a SIG-P226. Both are loaded but the safety is on. I'm also carrying an extra clip for both pieces." Yzak stared at her for a moment. One weapon he could see, she was wearing a leg holster, but the other must have been concealed.
"Are those the same ones you declared on the fifteenth?"
"The same."
"Roger that. And as for Commander uh, Joule? Did I say that right?"
"Yes, I'm carrying a Beretta 92G Elite II, safety's on but the clip is full. I have one extra clip on my belt."
"Captain Bajeena can you verify?" The platinum haired youth looked over in confusion.
"Take the clip out and show me the safety." She explained. "You too Dearka." Both Zaft soldiers produced their respective weapons and proved that although they could be dangerous, that at the moment they were safe. "Customs, I can verify."
"Roger Captain. Elsman, I'll still need the make of your weapon."
"I have two Beretta 92F's, both loaded but not ready to fire, two replacement clips."
"Roger. Have both Zaft officers graduated the Academy or undergone firearm safety or marksman training?" She looked over, they both nodded.
"Roger that customs."
"Do both of the Zaft officers agree to comply with MDF firearm regulations, Dakar firearm regulations, and understand that in the event of an incident if they agree to will be treated as though they were an MDF officer, therefore voiding their immunity as soldiers of another nation and will be punished as though they were one of our own?"
"Joule agrees to comply."
"So does Elsman."
"Roger that. You have cleared customs, enjoy Dakar Captain, I'm turning you back over to Sayla."
"Thank you customs."
"Good news Captain. The results of your Med Test are back, all of you pass, and therefore your authorization has been approved. The elevator will now begin moving, please take a seat as the descent to street level will be non-stop and you could loose your balance due to the velocity. Enjoy your visit to Dakar. Is their anything else I can do for you today Captain?"
"Sayla I'd like you to send my mobile Atom Parvia's number."
"One moment while I access Norman's network."
The elevator lurched, the clamps were released, and the box started falling. Dearka stumbled and quickly took a seat, as did Yzak and their escort. They were descending faster then he'd ever seen an elevator go. The digital readout that proclaimed what floor they were on was having a hard time keeping up.
"Is this normal?" Dearka asked as he looked back out the plastic of the elevator, hoping to see something other then black interior.
"Perfectly." Their escort replied, whipping out a mobile phone from a pocket and switching it on. "You can see some of Dakar when we hit the sixtieth floor."
"Oh." He glanced up to the red numbers at the top of elevator; it said one hundred and fifty.
Yzak leaned back and sighed, even at the rate that they were descending they would be in the elevator for a few minutes. He was exhausted; the little sleep that he'd gotten on their trip from the PLANTS wasn't enough. He shut his eyes and tried to relax, how had he ended up on Mars anyhow?