I hope you guys like this. :)
Edit: 05/20/19: Edited some stuffs.
They returned to the ship on the turn of twilight after a long day of roaming around the base like checking out the base and it's MS loadout, and watching the sunset. Beautiful as the ocean view may have been, he felt sad knowing it was due to a colony drop.
He plopped on his bed after a long bath. He was not tired, but it just took a lot of him. His eyes slowly closed, and he let himself fall into Morhpeus' realm.
Why did you come too late!
Beam swords clashed, and his heart raced like thunder.
A loud screeching scream tore open his consciousness and found himself afloat.
Amuro could see a swan floating and flapping its wings on the far side of the white expanse. The being raised its head and he could feel its presence as it soared closer to him. He could hear its call, an incomprehensible, yet easily understandable words were what she cried. Her words laced with regret and compassion that felt dug deep into his soul. He walked, or rather float, yet he found that he could not move.
He was helpless in this weird world that he found himself in waiting for the giant being to come to him. Looking at his hands, or rather a lack of it, he had to stifle a scream threatening out of his throat. When it became too much, he let it out only to hear nothing come from him.
The closer the swan got the closer he found it hard to breathe. Amuro wanted to get away from it.
He closed his eyes, yet he could still see everything. "Get away from me!" he wanted to say but still silence held sway over him.
The being got large as it got closer and closer and continued to glow brighter each second it closes the gap.
Upon reaching him, he had screamed as his heart sunk deeper into his soul. The weight too much for him to handle. His futile screaming continued and he could feel himself sinking and the vast white space slowly turned dark.
Loud screech thundered throughout the expanse.
He bolted awake screaming and his chest rising and falling fast with his lungs out of air. Wiping the sweat off his face, he glanced to his left at the clock and saw that he fell asleep for about two hours. Looking at the ceiling and forgetting—and failing— about his dream. Grabbing his prescribed medicine, he drank it without hesitation. He rarely drank the prescribe medicine —much to Sayla's annoyance— because he doesn't like the strange effect it has on him. When he does take it, it's during times like he was facing now.
His robot partner bounding to him was the only thing that broke the solemn silence of his quarters. "Amuro tired, Amuro tired." Haro jumped next to him.
"A bad dream, Haro." He smiled at the little toy and bounced it on his palm. Laying on the bed he continuously repeated his actions.
After minutes of playing with the robot and was sure he was not breathless, he sat. He found himself smiling a little at the little robot and patted its head. He remembered when he presented Haro to a toy company on the suggestion of Sayla two years ago to make it a multipurpose toy for people of all ages.
He remembered when he showed it to Frau Bow. Just like his dad, she liked it and was proud of what he did. He couldn't help but smile at the remembrance and wondered how she was doing with Mirai now.
"Okay now, Amuro? Okay now?"
"I'm fine now, Haro. Just a little breathless." Truthfully, Amuro just didn't want to sleep. Even just a brief nap, he couldn't unless he was tired.
Sitting on the bed, he turned to the right as and grabbed a tool as he opened the round robot. Amuro worked in silence as he worked in to inspect any kinks he may have missed on Haro. For hours, Amuro worked in silence and appreciated the peace of mind given by his time alone for it reminded him of his time on Side 7. Back when times were simple, and all he had to worry about was eat, bath, school, and whether Frau would scold him for the umpteenth time in a week for neglecting his health.
He found himself smiling and his eyes somehow got teary at the thought.
That reminded him, he wondered how were the others doing. Frau decided to finish her schooling with Mirai as her guardian along with the three kids from the White Base. Kai, Hayato, and Captain Bright, he didn't know what they were up to now, but he hoped that they were doing okay.
He winced when his thoughts went to Sayla. Chris, he could understand since she enlisted on her own will. But just like him, Sayla was forced to fight for her life when Side 7 was attacked by Zeon. After the war, she had the chance to get out of the military because unlike him she had her own life waiting; which was to finish her medical studies. She had dreams.
He didn't get out because what was waiting for him outside? His mother hated his guts and it was evident in their bitter goodbyes. The only person waiting for him was his father despite his insanity. He couldn't get over what happened to his dad. Why did it have to happen to him?
His father's recovery from his delusion was questionable at best making his chest stir and rolled uncomfortably every time he visited him. His relationship with his dad may have been shaky, but he didn't doubt his dad's love for him was real and his only hope was that he recovered even if a little of his sanity. He wanted to do anything for him that of all things, he of all people, did the thing he had forgotten since then: praying just like his mother taught him when he was a boy.
"Amuro," Sayla called from the door. "Are you awake?"
"I'm up, I'm up," he changed his shirt quickly and opened the door. Sayla peered at his dimly lit quarters and shook his head in amusement but otherwise said nothing about her actions. He knew she was silently commenting about the state of his temporary quarters"What do you need? If it's about the Gundams, I've checked the units and those two didn't tamper with it."
She shook her head. "Are you okay? You're looking pale and sweaty."
Forcing a smile, but it felt more like a grimace, he replied, "yeah. Just forgot to turn on the AC. Also from lack of sleep. You know how it goes." He shrugged it off as if it was nothing, but both of them knew better. "Are we being called by the Captain?"
"No, Chris and I just wanted to invite you to dinner. You can't always stay in your room, you know. What would Frau Bow say when she sees you still like this?"
Knowing his childhood friend, she'd fuss over him like a mother hen and scold him for being so reclusive. Meet new friends, Amuro, a voice just like Frau said to him, or reprimanding him the way she used to.
Relenting to her request, he sighed. "Fine. Just let me change my clothes in a minute."
Chris, already in a table, waved at them when they arrived there and with their food on the table. "Amuro, you look pale. You should really eat and go out in the sun a lot," she chastised while waving the spoon with her eyebrows furrowed.
He chuckled. "I am. I teach the cadets out in the field when needed, plus I patrol the base as ordered so I do get enough exposure."
"Yes, you do," was her amused response. "But, still, I'm thinking that's not enough. You still look white as a vampire."
He knew that. He knew that some nights when terror grips his heart and mind, sleep would elude him for many nights. No, it was not only him that knew that. Sayla and Chris knew too for a long time since after the war. He went to the mandated therapy —courtesy of Admiral Revil— but he wasn't sure it worked because the dream, that moment, still persisted despite everything he did.
Heaving and shrugged, "I know. I'm doing the best I can yet…"
"Don't worry," Sayla said taking his hands into hers. "Just take it slow."
His heart fluttered at the gesture of the blonde and he had to look away as his cheeks heat up. He sighed and silently agreed as he ate whilst the two talked. In the middle of their conversation, the ship rocked, and he held on to the table to prevent himself from falling sideways.
The people chatter in worry and ran out of the mess hall. Most likely to their battle stations.
"What was that!" Chris turned to him and Sayla. Without words said, the three of them ran towards the hangar.
Amuro felt his senses shake from the numerous screech that reached his senses. The fear, anger, and shock all coalesced into one big pile of emotional collage that had no form. Still, he had to move forward and not let it take him like a raging wave.
"All crew to your battle stations, this is not a drill. All crew to your battle stations, I repeat this is not a drill."
Everyone ran left and right ran fast as they could without pushing each other. With the hall full of the running crew, they had to endure the shaking for minutes as they went quickly despite the situation.
Upon reaching the hangar, they wasted no time and got on their respective units. The crew ran about and he had to avoid hitting them in their rush to their Mobile Suits. Seeing the familiar tall figure of Mora Boscht he called her.
"Mora!" he called at the woman running and heading somewhere on the ship. "What's going on." She turned in his general direction, but Before the large woman could reply, their world trembled again making him rush towards the Netix.
"Bridge, what's going on!"
The comm officer with contained panic in his eyes quickly replied, "Zeon Forces have stolen Unit 02 and are attacking the base!"
His body went cold on the mention of the second unit being stolen. Looks like Admiral Revil's fears were not unwarranted after all! He only could imagine what Zeon would do with a powerful nuclear-equipped unit such as the Physalis. Of all the times they had to strike, it had to be when they were at the weakest. Such was their fortune, he thought.
No! They had been through so much already! One war was already enough! "Any pursuers." He pursed his lips and hoped that at least someone tried to stop it from falling in Zeon hands.
"A test pilot took Unit 01 to try and stop Unit 02." He acknowledged that with a brief nod. That was good. Hopefully, Unit 01 will buy enough time for us to catch it.
"What about enemies," Chris asked.
"Squad of Doms."
He clicked his tongue. That was not good. It's a blitzkrieg attack used as a distraction most likely to let the thief get away with their prize.
"I'll see if I can stop Unit 02," Amuro stated to his two companions.
"I'll assist in intercepting enemy MS," Sayla said.
"I'll cover the HQ," Chris said. "Be careful guys."
When the hangar MS hatch opened, all they saw was fire and explosion that would quickly swallow the base quickly if they don't stop the attack. The three of them —with haste— went quickly into action.
Determination filling him, he nodded and said, "Okay!" He and Sayla replied at the same time. The Pixie went to where the fight was thickest. The part where the light of gunfire lit the dark yet scorching base. He could see fast moving MS fighting against a group of GM's.
With all of that said, they all moved towards their objectives. He swallowed hard seeing the peaceful state of the base now a wreck. Many Federation Mobile Suits littered the pavement with its debris and parts. The thought of the dead piling up if they don't stop the attack, motivated him to stop the Zeons.
His eyes widened when a wave of missile dropped on them and he had to return to the ship for cover and still raised his shield in defense. As if it wasn't enough, the damage brought to the base doubles as everywhere it was lit giving an apocalyptic ambiance. Gripping the control stick tightly, he breathed heavily and closed his eyes.
Contacting the other two, static was all he had and he no doubtedly knew that the ship was releasing Minovsky Particles.
Images of his fight for survival flashed through his mind, but he stamped it all down and breathed heavily to calm himself. Finally, stopping his trembling hand, he commed the ship.
"Bridge," he contacted them putting all urgency in his voice and the shaky image of the CIC Officer shown. "Where's the Physalis."
"The Hangars near the silos 11 o'clock of the ship. Unit 01 is currently holding it off. Hurry, Lieutenant!"
Pushing the thrusters, he jumped to where one GM fought against a Dom. It was a losing fight as the two units surrounded it. Not a moment later, a heat saber cut it in half right where the cockpit was. He flinched and clamped down at the anger and regret that came from the GM pilot. Ignoring the glee and satisfaction the two enemy pilot had, he calmed —or rather did his best— so as to stay focused.
He landed near the control towers and would've jumped again had it not for the two Doms going towards him in high speeds. He rolled aside as the rocket fired exploded behind him sending him stumbling forward from the force. Then raising his shield, he was pushed back by the impact of the rocket.
The first Dom rushed towards him heat sabers already drawn.
Pressing a button, the wrist weapons opened, he fired. His opponent turned right and spun dodging the beam, but he fired again and grazed its left arm. Amuro followed it with a dash towards it. He stiffened when his senses rang loud, and he just knew it was too late to evade so he spun and raised his shield in time to get hit. Once again his unit was pushed back by the impact, but he still fired back on the Dom he first targeted with the wrist beam gun. The Dom sidestepped expertly making the pilot miss by a wide margin and then went to slid behind the building. Not if he could help it, focusing for a second, he fired, and his shot grazed its leg thruster.
Muttering a silent apology to the other pilots, he turned and jumped to where the two units were last seen. He had worse things to worry about than the two Doms and so he flew once more.
He landed behind Unit 02 having a stare down with its brother unit. Upon sensing him, the enemy moved left and away from them where he could now see the two of them.
Opening a channel, he contacted the Zephyranthes. "Unit 01," he said, "are you alright."
"Lieutenant Ray!" he was shocked to hear the pilot of the unit was the one he met earlier, Ensign Kou Uraki. Relief filled the man's voice and his fear towards whoever the pilot of Unit 02 was, was alleviated.
"Another young officer in a Gundam? Is the Federation so desperate they enlist young men in high ranks and pilot these never-ending monstrosities," a man— whose voice indicated he was older than him by many years— said with derisive condescension. "I hope your Gundam isn't just for show, young man."
"Who are you. Why are you doing this?" he nearly growled. "Do you people really want another war!?" Zeon already lost! Can't these people accept that fact and move on? How many more people and bloodshed must be spilled until they are satisfied? How many more had to be killed for their ideology?
"I am Anavel Gato, the Nightmare of Solomon, and I claim this unit for the Glory of Zeon!" Where did he hear that name? It seemed familiar. Shaking his head, now was not the time for thinking. He heard the man say, "I will bring glory to the name of Zeon once more! What's your name, Gundam pilot."
He remained silent and wary of the man in the cockpit of the Physalis for he felt a strong presence in it. The presence felt so heavy that he found it hard to focus along with the Ensign's shock voice saying; "Anavel Gato? The Ace Pilot under Dozle?" he stuttered to say.
"I see courtesy is absent in the Federation ranks," Gato sneered when he didn't answer.
Swallowing hard, he controlled himself and ignoring the strong presence the man had. "I am Lieutenant Amuro Ray."
"Amuro Ray," he could hear the man whisper in subdued shock. "The White Devil. I see. You're young for an ace pilot, yet skilled to kill many of my comrades. Still, God must be smiling down on me for giving the chance to avenge my lost comrades! Finally, a worthy adversary for me to end!" Gato said, and he had to think for a second if that was respect in the Gundam thief's voice.
Amuro then recoiled from the amount of determined hatred and anger this man had. The man's very presence had him shaking. It's as if he was a prey staring down at a wolf. What is this pressure? He had felt a similar presence like this before during the Siege of Solomon, specifically the one who piloted the Mobile Armor. And the name, he was sure he heard it in passing before were pilots who talked about the name said it so in fear and respect.
He reeled back for a second when the large Gundam dashed towards him melee weapon ready. Before Gato could reach him he had drawn his own beam saber. The weight of the Physalis pushed him back and he had to counteract it with his own Gundam's thrusters.
Quickly, the Physalis drew back the sword and swiped horizontally. Amuro's senses went on overload and he blocked it with his shield deflecting it back. He thrusts at his opponent's cockpit but the Nightmare of Solomon redirected his strike deftly by arching his saber hand down. He was struck in shock when the Physalis circled him faster than he expected, but his shock was quickly quelled as he turned and their blades clash once more as he turned to meet him.
The large shield flew towards him and he knew he could not stop it, so he jumped back. Alas, the Nightmare of Solomon was unrelenting as he pushed forward —blade ready to pierce. They dueled with each strike precise than the other.
As he and Gato exchanged blows, circling and testing each other's defense he found himself imagining fighting Char all over again. Calling the ensign many times, his heavy breathing was all Amuro got. That is until Unit 01, with a scream of Gato's name from Kou, struck behind Unit 02.
At the same time, he swung his saber at Gato. With swift movements, Gato caught his beam saber and the Physalis' large shield got the brunt of Kou's attack which he then proceeded to smash the ensign away with said shield. The other unit's rough landing gave a loud thud even in the midst of the chaos.
"Don't get in my way rookie."
Amuro jumped back when the shield went towards him this time.
Kou stuttered, but it turned to anger quickly. "Rookie." The Zephyranthes stood on shaky legs and ran towards their enemy.
Amuro threw the Netix's shield at the stolen Gundam only for it to be sliced in half. That was all he needed to point his wrist beam guns. Before Amuro could fire his beam weapons, he swiftly jumped aside when the large shield was all he saw as Gato went straight for him ignoring the Ensign. Gato hit nothing but air as he moved left and ducked. Again, the shield was rammed towards him but he avoided it as he rolled.
Thrusting his melee weapon while kneeling, Gato swiped Amuro's weapon away and rapidly in his turn to counter Kou who took the opportunity to attack.
"Uraki," he called. "Get away!" Drawing another saber, he then opened fire with the beam guns. "He's too dangerous to take on alone."
As expected, Gato dodged the beam easily —despite his bulky unit— and hit the hangar doors nearly grazing Unit 01.
"I can take him."
For a brief moment, Amuro remembered his first fight with Char. He didn't bother arguing with his ally knowing it'd take time and dashed forward Unit 02 while Gato was distracted by Kou.
"You defeat me? Who do you think you are!" As if to prove a point, Unit 02 easily avoided the strike of the first unit by sidestepping and brought his sword down for a final strike. It would've happened had he not met the man's blade with his own and counterattacked with a thrust using the other saber causing Gato to jumped back to avoid it.
"As expected of the White Devil! But still not enough!" The Nightmare of Solomon harrumphed. "I wonder how The Red Comet lost to you. Learn from him before facing me again rookie."
The Physalis turned and immediately he and Kou were on the move. "I will avenge my comrades soon, White Devil." The hate rolled off the man in waves pointed at him once more made it hard for him to breathe that his hair stood in chill.
Amuro shot him once again, but Gato was fast to react in which he raised his shield and the beam dissipated with no problem. The thrusts of Physalis activated as Gato jumped above them and disappeared swiftly.
"Gato!" Ensign Kou screamed, and his unit's thrust lit in preparation to follow.
"Ensign!" he called, quickly turning to follow the unit too. The sensors beeped, "missiles!" he shouted as many missiles were detected. Grabbing the Zephyranthes, he dragged it under the hangar's cover.
The ground and the building they were in trembled. He gripped his controls tightly and as the onslaught continued. He winced at the numerous sensations that hit him, it's like candle lights were snuffed out. He had to hold his head and could only grit his teeth as voices screamed in pain.
"Lieutenant!" A distant voice called. Slowly, the voice got louder until it reached his ears. "Lieutenant! Are you okay?"
He gasped as he got ahold of himself. "What happened."
"Gato…," he struggled to say with his heavy breaths. "He escaped."
He can only imagine the disappointment of Captain Synapse and Admiral Revil. He was already expecting reprimand from his COs for letting the Zeon pilot go. More than that, how and where were they going to use the nuclear bazooka.
Before any more words could be said, the Albion's anti-air guns fired on the sky. Even though it was dark, he could see the smoky trail of the missiles heading down on them for an explosive collision. Some of the missiles lit up the sky like a New Year's firework as it was hit by the anti-air guns.
They won't stop it all!
He knelt and crossed the Netix's hands across its chest in preparation for the inevitable blasts that were sure to follow.
Just as he expected the ground rocked once again and the force on the missiles left him shaking on his seat and his MS' alarms blared loud in alert. He could hear Uraki say something, but he couldn't make it out amidst all of the chaos.
He winced because as quick the attack came, it left swiftly and the silence came back to the base. It was quick, but he felt it. Fears and pain everywhere coalesced into a single being that he had to put a wall between the outside world and himself lest he feels the cries of many.
Narrowing his eyes and fist shaking, all he could see was the destruction of the base lit up the by fires of the remains of Mobile suits or whatever was left of the buildings. As if it couldn't get any worse, the cries of many echoed on his mind like a wave on a stormy shore despite his efforts to keep them out!
With gritted teeth, he contacted the Albion with deep breaths. "Captain, Anavel Gato got away."
The Captain's eyes darkened, "I see. I've ordered two squadrons available to pursue the Zeons. The first squadron is already pursuing them as we speak. I want you to join the Ensign on the second group. The other two Gundams will to catch up once we've secured the perimeter."
"Understood," he nodded. "You got that Ensign Uraki?" He got no response from the Ensign. "Ensign, respond."
"Yes, sir."
They didn't have to wait because a mish mashed squad of three Mobile suits—the GM Powered, a GM Type C the with orange chest equipped with a prototype backpack—, a GM Type C, and a white Zaku II F2 drawn closer to them. He had to squint just to identify the MS because the fire and smoke dancing in a chaotic manner hid everything from plain sight and made it hard for him to physically identify them in this dark.
"This is Lt. Burning, Dick, and Keith," a grizzled commanding voice introduced themselves when they got near pointing to the Type C, Powered GM, and lastly the Zaku.
"Lieutenant Ray," the leader of the squad, —even if the communications were fizzling due to Minovsky particles— was a dark-skinned middle-aged man wearing a red helmet greeted. "Ensign Uraki, the enemy's retreated. We're going following the first team's trail after Gato to recover Unit 02."
"C'mon. If we speed it up, we could catch up with the first group." The older man ordered. "I'm taking command. This is Burning, we're going after them!"
"We're gonna earn those paychecks and get back at those Zeon!" the GM Powered pilot, who was a fair-skinned man, said with passion and controlled anger lacing his voice. He may appear as calm, but it was his eyes and soul that held the storm.
He was of the same sentiment as the man was. Zeon would have to be stopped.
Both Kou and him were given Bullpup machine and he picked up a GM Type C Shield nearby. He muttered silent apologies to the one who held it before picking the weapons.
"Can you believe it, Kou. We've survived our first fight." Kou's friend's voice trembled as he said this while chuckling. "Now we're retrieving a Gundam from an Ace pilot? I can't believe it." Keith's fear stuck with him and even with his complaint, he felt the man not succumbed to his base emotion.
A low mumble was all Kou said in return.
Amuro couldn't look at the base directly. If he did, who knows what sort of imagery his broken mind might give him. The destroyed town of their colony on Side 7? All the Friends he lost during the war? It was enough to feel the agony that lingered on the air, he didn't need the destruction left by Zeon. Try as he might to block all stimuli outside, the pain lingered in the air and everyone still hurting had their presence invade his mind with incomprehensible and wordless agony that left him gritting his teeth.
The Albion contacting them thankfully broke him out of his imagining. "Burning Team, a Zeon recovery ship has been identified at four o'clock. Sending location now."
So, their target is not Jaburo or any base on Earth if they're planning to escape to space. So, what are they planning with Unit 02? There must be more to this theft because he didn't think Zeon remnants wouldn't want to risk the ire of the Federation and search for them much more thoroughly this time.
"What about the first team?" was Lt. Burning asked.
"No response yet."
"Shit," Lt. Allen clicked his teeth. "Gato must've got them."
"Don't finish that thought yet Allen." The older man said firmly. "Minovsky particles are messing with our comm, it's likely they are far away to be contacted."
With that they set on their way to were the estimated location of the recovery ship. They traveled fast in an arrowhead formation with Lt. Burning taking the lead. He and Keith were on the right side while Uraki and Allen covered the left flank.
"Why do you think they stole the nuke?" Keith asked.
He listened in to the others while keeping an eye on the surrounding. He wouldn't mind exploring this part of Australia for it seemed beautiful, but their —or was it his?— fortune was never that good to afford a vacation. The situation now could be an example of what his luck where instead of just a simple escort mission, it turned to retrieval.
Allen scoffed, "because the Zeons are sore losers and can't accept they lost."
"But why," Amuro asked as his mind thought deeply about it. "Why did they steal the Physalis if they wanted nuke? I doubt they lack the resources to make it."
Lt. Allen scoffed, and he could imagine the man rolling his eyes, as he then replied, "isn't it obvious? They want to bomb Jaburo or any Federation major base to eat our own medicine. They could also take it back to where Kycilia is hiding now and take it apart before they attack."
"But," he uttered to himself. Lt. Allen was right, it was to strike something or bring it back to be studied. If they're using it somewhere, then wouldn't that be too obvious since they knew that Jaburo is too tightly defended. Before they could even approach the base, they'd be shot down by multitudes of MS along with its anti-air defense. He would put his money on them stealing it to reverse engineer a black project MS, but it seemed unlikely to him. "It's too obvious. Zeon knows they don't have many resources to attack Jaburo. Even if they send Unit 02, they'll still be hard-pressed to assault it."
"Plus, in terms of technology, the Physalis is not much of advancement in Mobile suit standpoint. We don't lose much of its theft aside from the threat of nuke and they don't get that much of Unit 02 to advance their MS." He added.
In terms of technology, Physalis is standard but with few new innovations like its anti-radiation, flexible thrusters, joint magnetic coating, Lunar Titanium alloy, and few more but he doubted that Zeon would get a lot out of it with the Federation still catching up on some Zeon MS technology. Even now a Gelgoog could outmatch a GM Type C and some of its variation. So, they had to use the bomb somewhere, and the question is where.
Could it be possible that they'll try revealing it to the colonies to rile the citizens there and gather more support?
Lt. Burning hummed in thought or in possible agreement. No one else replied to his statement for he knew no one had the answer until events unfolded itself.
"Lieutenant Ray," he recognized Keith's voice.
"Amuro is fine," he corrected. He didn't think he would get used to people calling him with his rank on the three years he was being the Squad commander of the 08th Team on Cheyenne. He always insisted on being called his name which the oldest member of his squad gladly followed.
"Lieu —Amuro, sir," Keith said correcting himself. "Were you scared when you fought Gato?"
Despite the severity of the situation, he gave out a hearty chuckle. "I was." Or rather still is. He closed his eyes in deep thought. Sometime during the One Year War, he just got used to it —to the fear of dying in battle. Whether that was a good thing or not he still did not know. "The fear never really leaves but I just..." He wasn't sure how to say it that it'd be understood quickly. "I just got used to it." Shrugging a little, he continued, "maybe somewhere along the way I've had enough of fear and just faced it knowing it was useless to be frozen in shock and just do your best to live until the next battle."
He was not afraid to admit that his heart raced every time he's sortied into the battle.
"He's right." Lt. Allen seconded somewhat somber. "What matters is you face and overcome that fear."
Amuro didn't doubt that these two faced greater challenges than him, because based on their ages they might have been ground soldiers or fighter pilots during the war before the production of the GM. He wondered what it would be like to know they were outclassed in every way with no Mobile suits like the Gundam or even the GM to back them up. It wasn't the same with the Core Fighter and the White Base since they know they can fight MS with their three units.
"Remember that Uraki and Keith," the CO of the team stated. "The feeling of fear is what sets training and the real combat apart. It's normal to feel fear in combat, but don't let it control you."
How many times had he been forced to force his own fear in battle during the war? Honestly, he lost count and wouldn't want to know how many times. He didn't want to get used to battling that he felt nothing out of it.
It was Uraki and Keith's first time experiencing the battlefield? He guessed he shouldn't be shocked because the two did look like they were older than him by a year. They would've enlisted after the war unlike him, Sayla, Kai, and Hayato who were forcefully enlisted.
"So, Amuro," the Powered GM's pilot called. "How did it feel piloting the Gundam and fighting The Red Comet throughout the war, no less."
"You wanna know how the "White Devil" came to be?" He asked and a series of agreements came from his new comrades.
He had to chuckle because it was one of the first questions his squad had asked when they knew he was the "White Devil." And one that he answered far too many times for his liking. He did his best to survive. That's it. He did nothing significant because there were lots of Ace Pilots better than him, and they piloted a simpler MS like the GM, so he wondered why some people kept being enamored by him.
Just to break the silence, he relented and told his experience. "It was by chance that I stumbled to the Gundam," he admitted feeling himself yearning for the simple life. So, as they chased the Gato's runaway group fast as they can, along the way he told them bits and pieces of what happened; like how he piloted the Gundam to being conscripted to a Federation pilot.
"I never expected a civilian to hold off Char Aznable," Burning commented mid-explanation.
"To be honest, it was the Gundam's abilities," was his blunt reply. Maybe sometime in the past he would've denied that truth, but he knew better now. It took facing many great pilots to make him realize that his skill was partly due to the Gundam. Without the Gundam, he doubted he would have the time to develop the piloting skills he had during the war until now. If he was piloting, say a GM, on Side 7, he doubted he would make it past those two Zaku's at all.
"True enough," Allen commented not missing the snark in his voice. "Still," he continued, "you can't deny that even with the Gundam's power, your skills were a factor to the defeat of some Zeon Ace Pilots."
He didn't get to finish the story because they arrived at the estimated location of the Komusai. A rocky place where spires as tall as their Mobile suits naturally spread throughout the view. Though he could noticed some parts of the land were flat. No doubt the part where the Komusai landed on to had to be flat and wide enough to land and later accelerate to escape the gravity.
In their search, the only light that guided them was from the generous luminous moon looming above. He bit his lip on their fortune, or rather their misfortune, as the darkness of the night gave their enemies the advantage of the shadows.
A perfect place to hide, he silently commented.
Lieutenant Burning broke the silence, "Uraki you're with me on the left flank. Keith, with Allen on the right. Amuro, in the middle. Understood?"
"Roger," he said.
"Got it," Lt. Allen replied.
Alone, Amuro went forward machinegun and shield ready. He was at a disadvantage against the Dom's mobility in a place like this where they could use hit and run tactics well. Mobility and thicker armor were things that Zeon still had in spades with their MS. Despite the improvements of GM's, it was still behind the speed of the Doms and Gelgoogs, their thicker armor also can take much more bullets than the Federation's MS can.
In the silence of the night, all he heard was the loud footsteps of the Gundam he piloted. Each step was like the sound of the gigantic fire breathing monster's footsteps of a film from the A.D. era he remembered watching when he was young. Godziro, if he recalled the name correctly.
He thought he might've seen a shadow moving from the left but he wasn't sure since it was so dim, so he just kept an eye on it. His eyes flitted everywhere, and his senses focused even on the little things.
"Report," their CO ordered.
"Nothing yet," he replied first.
Allen replied a second later, "negative," his response a little fuzzy.
"Roger. Give us a sign on contact, Burning out."
All he saw was the same as he continued his patrol. Still, he didn't let his guard down knowing the enemy may strike any second.
They searched the field but still, he found nothing and their radar was not helping with the search since it was still affected by the Minovsky particles reaching all the way here to a certain degree. He didn't think that they would just let their squad approach the Komusai without intercepting them. He was sure they were lurking, hidden in the shadows, somewhere on this sad yet eventful night.
"Lt. Burning," Allen called. "We have eyes on the Komusai."
Looking at the static radar, Keith and Allen were two hundred meters on the right. Lt. Burning and the ensign were circling the perimeter, now getting closer him by nearly half a hundred meters.
The older man hummed in approval. "Good. Fire when ready. Uraki and I will meet up with Amuro and strike the front."
He shivered when something was suddenly appeared and flicked off quickly on the distance. The radar was didn't help in determining exactly where. Fear and shock spiked that it made him turn. Just as quick its presence was, it was also swift in fading like a speck of dust. He looked east when he saw smoke suddenly appearing and darkening the sky. Just one look at it and he knew what happened.
Just as he was about to turn on that direction, the familiar beep of the sensor alerted him. His senses went all haywire made him turn to hear the blast of a bazooka firing. He saw the figure of a Dom heading for cover, but he had no time to counter for he raised his shield and took the attack head-on. His shield broke from the easily against the impact of the projectile.
The moment the Dom went out of its cover somewhere on his right, he struck first with his machine gun. The gun rattled as he fired in automatic mode. Sparks lit the unit's body, but it wasn't enough for it to go down. Before he could use the wrist guns, it dashed to hide once more.
Running ahead towards where he expected his opponent to come out, he met nothing but air.
The alarm blared again, and he was just as fast to turn in time upon hearing the Dom fire once more. Jumping to the side, the rocket flew past him and his enemy got out of his way before he could attempt to counter. The blast shook the earth beneath them, but he ignored that and swiftly rolled away as the Zeon pilot kept up with its swift melee strikes. It circled him like a predator finding its prey with the way its humming engines kept going around him.
"This is no GM! No GM!" he retaliated with his rifle seeing where his enemy would go next, but the pilot was good that he evaded the shots. Still, some of his shots hit the target often grazing the armor. He continued firing and now with his beam guns too. The Dom evaded his beams and bullet shots by zigzagging away from him and firing in return but he could see that his shots grazed the Mobile Suit.
As a projectile headed for him fast, he was prepared this time around and shot it down with the rifle. The ensuing explosion covered his field of vision with its blast, but he fired regardless of the condition with his left wrist beam gun while the other held the beam saber ready.
Amuro had no plan to be a stationary target and boosted right in the open field. The sensors blared in warning of the Dom coming from the smoke with its red heat saber in hand behind him. Beam saber ready, he blocked in time for the unit to slide past him with their melee weapons clashing for a second.
Turning, he saw the Dom fired, and Amuro dodged left, but he was expected to react that way as the Dom fired ahead of him. It was only thanks to his quick reflexes that he spun to the right avoiding it by a hair's breadth. Still, the shot made him tumble from its impact sending him to the ground.
Amuro grunted and felt himself go breathless when his unit rolled on the ground facing the Dom. Immediately standing, his eyes went wide for a second when the unit was already on before him. Rearing the now free hand, he hit its torso — exactly right where its cockpit was— making it go careening away from him whilst temporarily immobile.
I'm not done yet! He fired the beam wrist guns and pierced the cockpit. The unit exploded a second later lighting the vicinity of the battlefield in a bright-hued explosion.
"Go, Uraki! Stop it now!" Was the urgent command of Lt. Burning through gritted teeth. He didn't have time to wonder what the Lt wanted the Ensign to do as he moved towards perhaps where he knew the transport was.
Unit 01 flew and landed somewhere he couldn't because the rocks covered his sight. Swiftly, he rushed towards he thought the Komusai would be and hoped he didn't mix his directions.
The entire field lit up brighter this time and he could hear the roar of the transport ship's engines running. The light moved quickly causing Amuro to push his thrusters to its limit. He landed just to see the rear end of the ship, too far for his machinegun or beam weapons to reach. Despite knowing this, he fired his beam weapons in hopes that it would reach the escaping transport.
"Uraki!" he screamed even if no one heard him. He was their last chance of stopping its ascent now!
His body roared in defiance and his finger curled around the control stick tightly. We couldn't let Zeon start another war! Futile as it was, he leaped into the air in a bid to catch the ship. Please. Please. Please, let me catch up to it!
The unit groaned as it landed and flew in a constant rate and no matter how much power he put on the thrust alone, it was not sufficient for it was getting smaller and smaller.
Up ahead, something flashed but he couldn't see it clearly for the smoke obscured whatever it was the next second.
All his energy left him when the Komusai flew to the air and continued ascending. He shivered from the sudden coldness that wreathed his body as he could only watch helplessly of the Komusai's continuous rising that left a trail of smoke. The trail mocked him to no end as if to say, "try and catch us."
His fingers let go of the controls as it shook uncontrollably. He didn't know what to feel aside from the heavy feeling that settled on his chest. It stayed even as he continued breathing in hopes he would be free from its grasp.
We failed. His chest became heavy and his breath crawled to a snail's pace. He could only watch disappear into the night sky later fading into nothingness.
"Lieutenant," a faded voice called but all he could hear was his failure to help prevent its escape that drags his chest down. "Lieutenant!" He jerked straight to look at the Zephyranthes supporting Lt Burning's Type C GM that had mangled arms and looked like it fought against a rock. "Lt. Ray, are you okay."
"Uh," he cleared his throat. "Yeah, I'm fine," he all but muttered and making sure to keep his voice even.
"Come on," Lt. Burning —despite heaving in hidden discomfort that he detected— ordered leaving no room for discussion. "We need to report back to the ship."
"What about Allen, Lt. Burning," a somber Keith asked, or rather protested. "We can't leave him alone."
"Leave him for the recovery team," was all Burning said in that matter.
The older man didn't have to admit it openly but all around him he felt a mixture of something dark, fiery, defiant, withdrawn, yet still determined to remain standing.
"But—"
"Do you think he could've live from that attack?" he asked, interrupting the ensign midspeech.
Keith stuttered, but replied nonetheless, "no, sir."
"Do you want to see his remains."
He winced remembering Ryu's sacrifice. With his sacrifice, there was no body left to be buried. And even if there was, he wouldn't look at what became of their friend and comrade. No. If possible, he would always remember the man the way he always was when he was alive and not what he looked in his death.
"No," the man finally replied after a moment of silence.
With that, they set off back to the base. Unlike their way to chase Gato, no one talked. Silence filled the whole team with only the thrum of machinery joints and footsteps broke the peace as they go home defeated by the Nightmare of Solomon and one man down.
R & R. :)
