Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam 00.

NOTES:

Before I begin, I'll clear things up about the characters that have appeared in this fanfic. Rudolf Schreiber is not an OC: he's one of the canon characters from the Gundam 00 movie. There will be more characters from the Gundam 00 movie that will have their background stories explained.

In addition, mobile suits that have appeared in the side stories will also make an appearance here, namely the Union Blast, the variations of the Enact, Tierens, Anfs and the Gundam Rasiel was even mentioned. However, it's hard to make a genuine GN Drive though.


Stage Two: Arising Curtain

FEBRUARY 28, AD 2306
UNION TERRITORY
BELL FACTORY
TORONTO, ONTARIO

Since the disastrous showing of its prototype unit, the Union Blast, Bell Factory has struggled to keep up with its financial crisis. Many of its employees have been laid off, and the company has found it difficult to display its inferior product to even non-aligned nations that are seeking to replace their older models. Yet in the midst of Bell Factory's difficulties, there were several investors that are willing to buy out the company's shares.

Two people approached the doors to Bell Company's corporate office with suitcases on their hands. One of the men approaching the entrance had a distinct elite-like aura in his expression that is matched by the bright colors he chose for his suit. The shorter man was rather different, for his green hair and white clothing gave the impression that he must be a servant of the taller man. Once the two men were escorted into the CEO's office, the CEO had gotten off the phone.

"Yes, I'll talk to you later." the CEO of Bell Factory turned to the two men present. "Ah, you two must be the investors that I've talked to earlier."

"Alejandro Corner at your service, and my assistant here is Ribbons Almark." The red suited man shook hands with the CEO. "And you must be Michael Jennings, the CEO of Bell Factory."

"Of course. You are both here to give me a proposal. Let me hear it." The brown haired man gestured for his assistant to close the door.

Ribbons began to explain. "We are here to invest in your company. As you know, Bell Factory has produced a mobile suit that has performed decently, even if it is inferior while it is in mobile suit mode. If you accept our $200,000,000 offer, we can acquire 30% of Bell Factory's shares."

Jennings sighed. "You two are not the only ones that are after this company. Many others have come with similar offers, but they are either tied to shady organizations or other nations. I am not willing to risk the future of Bell Factory for something that I'll be in trouble with the CIA later on."

"Rest assured that we are not connected to any group at all." Alejandro opened the suitcase containing untold sums of money, all of them in what appeared to be a shade of green gray bill and the insignia of the Union on it. Ribbons did the same. "I was once a Realdo pilot during my military service in the Union military. Perhaps I could give my input on why the Blast performed rather poorly in its mobile suit mode."

Alejandro picked up the picture of what appeared to be a heavily modified Realdo, but with a set of different colors. "Unbelievable. What happened to the Blast?"

"It lost to the proto-Flag in a performance test. Rumor has it that Sleg Sletcher committed suicide, but we don't know the details. The Blast was decommissioned, but thanks to your investment, we might get some new customers for it," Jennings replied back. A minute later, one female assistant showed up as Ribbons closed the suitcase. "This lady here will show you two the location of the Union Blast."

"Thank you." Alejandro and Ribbons followed the female assistant out of Jennings's room and out of the building.

The hangar beside Bell Factory's corporate office was rather impressive, even if there was no production going on. Inside the hangar was the machine exactly depicted in the photo Alejandro picked up. The Union Blast looked new, even if some of its parts were already taken down, and its rifle was still in its hands.

"So that is the Union Blast. I can see why it doesn't perform well when it's in mobile suit mode." Alejandro gave Ribbons' suitcase with the same amount of money inside. "Give this to Mr. Jennings as sign of proof that we would like to also purchase the Union Blast as well."

"Very well, sir." the assistant grabbed the suitcase and left.

Ribbons gazed at the Union Blast and frowned. "What will you do to this machine, Sir Alejandro? As far as I'm concerned, no nation in the entire world would be interested in such an inferior product."

"Ah, but we're not just looking for any nation interested in this machine, Ribbons." Alejandro smirked. "Celestial Being would also benefit greatly from using this prototype too, even if they may have to develop something to help propel it."


HUMAN REFORM LEAGUE TERRITORY
MOSCOW, RUSSIAN FEDERATION
MARCH OF AD 2306

Nothing scares a visitor as the majestic Kremlin, with its red walls and its sentry guards. Ever since the conflict that became known as World War Three, or the First Solar War, broke out two hundred and ninety one years ago over what appeared to be a major political crisis in Ukraine, the world has entered a dangerous new phase where open hostility and aggression is now widely encouraged. Within those years, several more Solar Wars were fought over energy supplies and dwindling oil supplies that made it too priceless to be sold on the world market. The oil shortage crisis eventually led to the creation of the three solar elevators that dotted the Earth in what was to become humanity's race to the final frontier.

Never in the ancient history of the Russian nation have Oleg Mikhailovich Milyukov have witnessed Russia's prosperity within the Human Reform League, of which several of its officers that came from this very sacred soil had served for the HRL military, among them the legendary Wild Bear of Russia, Sergei Smirnov. Milyukov himself on the other hand, was an ageing man with only a few years left in him before it is time for him to pass away and to select a successor. Right now, the President of the Russian Federation sat inside an office he held for eighteen years that also served as his personal residence, the Russian White House.

"Never in three hundred years have we managed to survive this far without losing more people in the process," a gaunt looking man with grey hair mused. Two female secretaries arrived to hand him the folders he requested earlier while an HRL officer arrived and saluted. "Report."

"Da, Tovarisch President," the HRL officer spoke back in Russian. "Colonel Smirnov is holding out in Novi Sad while our Serbian allies are being pummeled by the AEU invasion force that entered their territory." He pointed at a map that was attached to the folder. "AEU positions have been established in Srbobran and Ruma, while another AEU army is poised to strike against our southern garrison led by Colonel Pang in Surdulica, Pirot and Vranje. Other than that, the other AEU forces are not moving in Hungary or Romania due to their fear that we might strike them from Bessarabia."

Milyukov nodded. "What of Montenegro and Macedonia?"

"Sir, with your permission, we can launch a counter-attack against the AEU in those regions. Unfortunately, we have an AEU garrison stationed in Albania and Greece to worry about, and the Bulgarians are also itching to fight." The HRL officer was suddenly interrupted by another officer who entered the President's room. "What is it?"

The second HRL officer saluted. "Tovarisch President, an encrypted message has arrived here from the capital."

"Khorosho. Both of you can go now." Milyukov nodded to the two HRL officers who saluted and left the room. He then inserted a small triangular stick into the computer and sure enough, a message that was jumbled appeared. In addition, the screen also opened up to reveal a young Asian man in his forties on another window. "Chancellor Zhao, it's good to see you again."

"President Milyukov. I am calling you because we'll need Colonel Smirnov's help soon. We've got an insurgency breaking out in both Ceylon and the Philippines." The Chancellor of the HRL spoke first. He uploaded a picture of what appeared to be a military base that is surrounded by a jungle. "It's kinda sad, but the AEU really intends to fight us to the bitter end."

Milyukov sighed. "Tell me about it. Every terrorist that attacks us has a Hellion variant, and even rebels that we're fighting against managed to secure Realdos and Hellions too."

"That is exactly why we need to wrap up the Balkan Front and recall Colonel Smirnov at once. Also, we cannot afford to lose our most valuable military base in the entire Human Reform League," Zhao replied back sternly. "Over and out."

Outside the Kremlin, a brown haired HRL officer watched as the sentry guards continued to march until two new arrivals approached them and changed shifts. One soldier saluted to him while two more soldiers did the same. In the distance, several T-90 battle tanks rode across the street, accompanied by what appeared to be a heavily modified infantry fighting vehicle. In total, there were four IFVs that accompanied the battle tanks. Kim stood up from his seat as one of the IFVs approached him. He saluted to a tank crew who exited from the IFV.

"Colonel Kim, sir. Tovarisch President expects you to come to his office immediately," the IFV crew member told him. Kim nodded and climbed inside.

"Just what are those tanks doing in the middle of the road?" Kim asked the rest of the IFV crew. An IFV driver responded.

"They're being deployed to Serbia, Colonel. Apparently our military has authorized the sales of our last remaining T-90 battle tanks in favor of the Armata multi-purpose tank. At the same time, our new Tierens are being rolled out of the factory as we speak."

Kim chuckled. "We're just as bad as the AEU in terms of selling weapons to any tinpot nation, but in this case that so-called 'tinpot nation' happens to be one of our oldest and most reliable ally left in Europe."

"Yes, sir." The IFV arrived outside the Russian Bely Dom as Kim exited from the IFV he rode on. He saluted to two sentries who stood guard in front of the entrance as three junior officers escorted him towards the President's office.

"Colonel Kim reporting for duty, Gospodin President."

Milyukov gave him a small nod and made a gesture for him to sit down. "I summoned you here for a mission though, but rest assure that Chancellor Zhao has authorized this mission and I am only carrying out his orders."

"Of course, sir. What kind of mission is it?" Milyukov handed him a folder. Kim opened it and his eyes grew wide. "A counter-insurgency mission in the Philippines, sir?"

"Yes. As you know, pro-Union rebels operating in the Luzon and Mindanao region have engaged in small scale skirmishes for a long time despite our heavy security presence in the region. Three weeks before the AEU attacked our garrison in Serbia, the pro-Union forces staged a raid on our most important naval base in Subic Bay. Fifty HRL soldiers were killed in the attack, and rebel losses were numerous. I am also assigning to you two soldiers." Milyukov heard a knock on the door. "Come in."

An older looking woman in her thirties entered the room, followed by a young boy in his preteens. Kim was rather shocked at the appearance of the young boy, especially dressed in a kid-sized HRL uniform. Both of them saluted to Kim, which he returned but his expression did not change at all. In fact, he gazed the boy first, then at the older woman before he started to speak.

"I'm Colonel Kim and I'll be your commanding officer for this mission that we're about to undertake. May I please know your identities?" he began. The older woman spoke first.

"Lieutenant Delphine Bedelia, sir!"

"Ensign Leonard Fiennes, sir!"

"How old are you, Ensign Fiennes?" Kim asked the boy.

"Twelve years old, sir. I came from the Super Soldier Institute, which explains my service with the HRL," Leonard spoke back.

Kim sighed. "Super Soldier Institute? Why do I get the feeling that we may suffer from political fallout as a result of this project?"

"We're ready, sir. Just tell us what we're supposed to do," Delphine said. Kim pressed a button as a holographic map of the Philippines appeared on the screen.

"Your records say that you and Ensign Fiennes both come from this country, right?" Kim asked them. They nodded. "There are groups of pro-Union rebels who are fighting an insurgency in the country since the Fourth Solar War that took place in the 2240s, and since then, our casualties are growing sporadically. In addition, your knowledge of the country should come in handy since the Philippines is one of the most important regions in the Human Reform League. Our presence there is the only thing that stops the Union from blockading our nation, since both Japan and Australia are under their control."

Delphine nodded, but frowned as she pointed at the map. "Cebu City is where I'm from, and Fiennes is from Manila. What do you want us to do though?"

"Infiltrate any pro-Union faction you find in the Visayas or Luzon region and get to know them. Basically, you two will work as intelligence agents." Kim handed them new folders. "In addition, there is something that should interest the both of you."

"What would that be?" Leonard asked curiously.

"One of the Union's top mobile suit factory has gone bankrupt, but they suddenly got some financial assistance from a UN diplomat. Apparently he was interested in purchasing one of the prototype units that was supposed to replace the Realdo, but the Flag was chosen instead. Chances are, this thing called the Union Blast may be produced with his help." Kim opened up a photo of the Union Blast. "If we can secure at least one of those units, we can develop a countermeasure towards the Hellions and Realdos."

"We will do our best, sir," Delphine said. She and Leonard saluted and exited from the room.


CELESTIAL BEING RESOURCE SATELLITE
KRUNG THEP
AD 2306

Sumeragi was busy reading an encrypted file sent to her from one of the observers as Tieria and Allelujah were chatting about their respective mobile suits. Hixar stood beside Setsuna, hoping to start a conversation with him while Lockon listened to his IPod. As she clicked something on the computer, she saw the picture of the Union Blast, followed by an article about Bell Factory's new investment.

"Alejandro Corner has taken responsibility for saving Bell Factory's financial distress with his investment of $200,000,000 towards the development of a prototype unit that was supposed to be decommissioned after it lost to the Union Flag during a competition to see which unit will succeed the Realdo as the mainstay mobile suit of the Union," Sumeragi read the article. She also saw the picture of Alejandro shaking hands with CEO Jennings while Ribbons Almark stood at the sides. A minute later, Setsuna and Lockon joined her inside the conference room. "Hello, you two."

"Ms. Sumeragi, do you have a mission for us?" Lockon asked curiously. She shook her head, but smiled.

"It appears that the observers have given us a fine gift, even if we may not be able to make it on our own," Sumeragi replied back. She showed them the picture of the Union Blast. "This is a Union Blast, one of the prototypes that competed against the other prototype, the Union Flag. The Flag won the competition to succeed the Blast, forcing Bell Factory to decommission this unit, and subsequently they began to lose money. Two months ago, Alejandro Corner bought 30% of Bell Factory's shares and also purchased the Blast. Likewise, his assistant Ribbons Almark suggested that we take charge of this unit."

Setsuna frowned. "But we already have the Gundams though. Wouldn't a prototype non-GN based Gundam be more of a liability?"

"That is what I thought, but in case we needed to launch an armed intervention without having to resort to our Gundams, the Union Blast is all we need. Of course, there is still the issue of Hixar's final unit because the 0 Gundam's GN Drive has been used by Fereshte." Sumeragi led them out of the room. Across from the hangar, two people stood and watched as a GN Drive was being attached to an older looking Dunam. "Chall Acustica?"

"Sumeragi Lee Noriega." the two women shook hands, but Sumeragi looked at the young man standing beside Chall. "I trust that you've seen Fon Spaak?"

"Yes, and I know the purpose of that explosive necklace," Sumeragi replied back. "I'm not surprised that you don't support Celestial Being's goals and yet VEDA recommended you for our organization.

The crazy looking man called Fon Spaak grinned maliciously. "Sure I don't support the old man's goals but the idea of changing the world through the power of the Gundam..." His expression changed once again. "Is something I really am appealed by."

"You and Allelujah Haptism have something in common," Tieria started to talk as soon as he floated towards them. "Your crazy demeanor."

"Hehehehe." Fon laughed. "Crazy as it sounds, I am just plain excited."

"Then why are you even here? It would have made sense for VEDA to give the 0 Gundam's GN Drive to Hixar Fermi since he was chosen as the fifth Gundam Meister that will eventually join us," Sumeragi told Chall. Hixar arrived a minute later and looked at Fon and Chall. "You're not disappointed that we're taking a second generation Gundam Meister, are you?"

Chall shrugged. "Not at all. In fact, having Hixar as part of the main branch will definitely help him get over Grave's death."

Sumeragi frowned. "Ah yes. Grave Violento was suddenly killed but VEDA forbade me from investigating the cause of his death."

"Just like how VEDA was suddenly hacked in order to allow one Meister to join us who was too young," Hixar himself spoke up. While everyone was shocked at how Hixar spoke his opinion so openly. He looked at Setsuna and nodded. "Ms. Sumeragi, you recall how Setsuna joined Celestial Being, right?"

Lockon answered instead. "Yes, I do remember. He was just too young, but if he was recommended by VEDA, then that is fine with me."

"Getting back to the task at hand," Chall interrupted them. "I do believe that we could simply recycle the Rasiel and build a new Gundam from it. After all, you'll need a unit that can be versatile."

"There's no need, Chall," Hixar told her. Everyone gasped. "I'll stick to the Rasiel. Just attach a GN Particle tank that is large enough for the Rasiel."

"Of course, Hixar." Chall hugged him as tears flew from her eyes. "I'm so glad to see you alive again."


NOVI SAD, SERBIA
APRIL of AD 2306

By now, Sergei Smirnov and his subordinates continued to fight the advancing AEU forces while making their stand in Novi Sad while the newer Tierens and older Fantons began to flood the city streets. The Hellions continued to bomb strategic targets while AEU infantry soldiers were machine gunned by both HRL troops and regular Serbian Army soldiers. Novi Sad looked terrible from the sky: buildings that haven't been bombed to the ground were damaged with bullet holes while certain sections of the streets had bomb craters on them. A railroad track that connected Novi Sad to the rest of Serbia was being strafed by incoming AEU Hellions flying from their Hungarian airfields.

"Colonel Smirnov, we've received reports that the AEU has launched an attack from their bases in Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria," one of the HRL pilots told Sergei as soon as he landed in the Novi Sad military base so his Tieren could be resupplied. "Here are the targets." He handed him a map marked with the X on the locations where the AEU are most likely to attack.

"Just as I predicted, they'll target Vranje since it's close to the Macedonian border. Can you get me Colonel Pang Hercules, please?" Sergei followed the subordinate into the military base as three HRL soldiers saluted, followed by a man with a beret on his head and a gaunt-looking expression on his face. The gaunt looking man however, wore his regular Serbian Army fatigues. "Colonel Pang?"

"Is that you, Colonel Smirnov?" A bearded man spoke as he appeared on the screen. "Our troops are stuck in Vranje and we need reinforcements."

Sergei sighed. "Same here. Novi Sad is being pounded by AEU forces from Croatia, Hungary and Romania. We're still holding out."

"I see." Pang turned to the gaunt looking man. "What's your name?"

The man saluted. "Major Novak Dukic, 3rd Serbian Army Division, Colonel Pang."

"Of course, your men are still holding out against the AEU. What brought this attack in the first place?" Pang asked Sergei while Novak the gaunt looking man exited from the room where Sergei is holding his conversation.

"One thing in mind: overthrowing a dictator who refused to bow down to their political agenda." Sergei looked back. "So, anything for me?"

"As a matter of fact, there is," Pang answered back. "The HRL Chancellor has decided to send covert aid to the Serbs who are fighting the AEU, and to an extent, they're sending supplies to our garrison."

"OK. I have to get back to the front," Sergei told him. He shot off the comm and ran back towards the Tieren he piloted before. This time, the anti-aircraft pack was attached to the Tieren, along with several missile pods and a smoothbore gun. Once Sergei took off in his Tieren, he aimed the anti-air guns at an approaching Hellion and destroyed it. "There's too many of these guys."

"What do you suggest, sir?" another Tieren pilot asked before the Hellion stabbed him in the chest, causing an explosion.

The Fantons rushed to accompany Sergei's Tieren towards the entrenched position, only to find AEU soldiers and Hellions have already taken the position. Sergei aimed his smoothbore gun at a nearest Hellion Initium, but was only able to damage its arms before the pilot ejected from the damaged machine. Ten additional Tierens came in twenty minutes later to help Sergei and his comrades, accompanied by Fantons in Serbian Army gray colors.

Three hours later, the Tierens began their advance from Novi Sad while moving alongside the Danube River. Sergei by this time had changed from his custom colored Tieren Ground Type into a Tieren High Mobility Type, followed by thirty Armata Russian tanks and twenty Serbian T-90 battle tanks. Inside the cockpit, Sergei looked at the map of the Balkans as he marked the spot with a black felt pen to indicate where they'll attack next.

"Soldiers, our next target is Backa Palanka. That is a very important border town that the AEU has captured, and we need to get it back. From there, we'll be able to strike towards the AEU airfields in the region," Sergei announced to his subordinates. "We're just going to destroy the AEU airfields in Croatia and then we'll make our way towards our comrades in Vranje, for we'll also launch an invasion of Macedonia to make sure that those AEU thugs can't dislodge us from the Balkans. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!"

When the HRL forces arrived at the outskirts of Backa Palanka, the first thing they did was to launch an artillery barrage using obsolete Grad rocket launchers that came under Serbian Army service. A couple of Tieren Long-Range Cannon Types also arrived to provide the same kind of artillery barrage against the AEU Hellions that were now being surrounded on most sides. Four Hellions were destroyed in the initial attack while the Tieren Long Range Cannon types targeted the hangars that housed the Hellions.

Meanwhile, Rudolf's Hellion squadron continued to fire back against the incoming Tierens. He noticed the airfields that had craters on them and watched as another Hellion was shot down by a Tieren Anti-Aircraft Cannon Type with its missiles. Three AEU IFVs drove closer towards the Tierens with infantry soldiers engaging the newly arrived Serbian Army soldiers, accompanied by five of the twenty T-90 battle tanks.

"Sir, we've got orders to retreat back to Vukovar. AEU High Command has decided to stage an attack from Albania and Bulgaria instead," an AEU pilot told Rudolf. He sighed and nodded.

"All units, retreat! We've finished what we came here to do," he ordered. All of the AEU units spotted a retreat flare signal, causing them to move back. Yet the Tierens continued to follow them. "Damn it! Those bastards are not giving us a chance to pull back!"

The Tierens suddenly stopped firing and pulled back as well. Rudolf spotted several wounded soldiers being loaded into the medic trucks and drove off to the nearest infirmary or field hospital. Meanwhile, Sergei and his subordinates began to move away from Backa Palanka as they began to move southwards.


ONE YEAR LATER
UNKNOWN LOCATION
A.D. 2307

Ten black Hellions stood in front of the hangar with a set of boxes beside them as a couple of people made last minute checks on their mobile suits. One of the terrorists moved towards them with a grin on his face while three additional pilots climbed inside their Hellions. It was only a few hours before the AEU's newest model is set to be displayed to the rest of the world at the same time as the HRL's celebration of the anniversary of their orbital elevator's completion.

"Do you have the goods?" One terrorist asked his subordinates.

"Yes, Ken. We're all set," a female subordinate responded.

"Finally, we can crash the party hosted by those HRL bastards," another terrorist replied back. The leader gestured for all of the terrorists to climb inside their Hellions and took off, one by one.

Within the shadows of the abandoned building, a green haired individual walked slowly. Though he is similar to Ribbons in appearance, the only difference is that his hair is quite longer, and like Fon Spaak, he has an insane look on his face. This strange individual grinned maliciously as the last three Hellions took off.

"I gotta say, we couldn't pull off this kind of stunt if it wasn't for you, sir," the terrorist leader told him.

The malicious green haired individual cackled. "Of course. Anything to embarrass your potential rivals is good enough for me." He turned off the comm and laughed once again. "As long as you launch an attack, I will do anything to help Celestial Being's first debut. For my name is Beside Pain and I'm here to bring collective pain towards all of humanity!


So that ends the two previous arcs that is a set up for the main arc, which is the canon Season One.

Now that we have introduced two more side characters from the 00 side stories. They eventually join Celestial Being in the 00I story, and they're Delphine Bedelia and Leonard Fiennes.

Another character that I want to develop for this story is Andrei, Sergei's son. He only got enough screen time in Season Two and he died rather quickly in the Movie. So a little more detailed story of his life before he joined A-LAWS would become the second feature of this story.