Patriot's Foreword: I hope everyone loves the story so far, cause now we finally leave Heliopolis, and we see one of the rules of how ISAF declares war. The Morningstar is still hanging back, helpless to protect the colony, but then a message comes in from ISAF Command Headquarters. What is the message? And why is Cpt. Hohenheim so shocked at the communique she recieved? Kyle, Arleen, their Gundams, along with the Princess of Orb, Cagalli Yula Athha have made it back to the ship, unaware that two people who are dear to the two of them are on opposite sides at the moment. Also I will introducing two more surface warships for ISAF, and you history buffs will recognize them. Also in this chapter I'm introducing a new Gundam. Now Nation of the Ice: Revisioned: PHASE-03 Backdraft.
"A country cannot simultaneously prepare and prevent war" - Albert Einstein
PHASE-03
Backdraft & Collapsing land Part 1
The Archangel soared through the smoke after using it's Lohengrin Positron Cannons to blast through the debris trapping it. Everyone on the ground and in the mobile weapons were stunned and awed by it's appearance. Rau, on the other hand, was incredibly pissed off in the head.
"Not the new warship. The team failed to destroy it." Rau said calmly, though on the inside he was raging.
"Look it's the Archangel!" Murrue said with relief and awe as the Archangel flew above them. Mu La Flaga was surprised to see a warship of all things inside a neutral colony.
'A warship? Within the colony?' he thought as he stared at the white ship.
On the Bridge of the Archangel, the surviving crew members manned their stations, as Natarle requested status reports. It was then that Petty Officers 2nd Class Jackie Tonomura and Dalida Lolaha Chandra II reported in.
"Morgenroete is destroyed, Ma'am!" Chandra informed the Ensign. "The Strike has been activated..no! It's in combat!" Tonomura reported when he saw the Strike on his screen. The tough female officer had only one thought to all this and she said out loud.
"Oh, great" It was then that Rau's CGUE changed targets from the Strike to the Archangel.
Back on the ground Todd Elric couldn't help but be amazed at how the Earth Alliance Forces built such a magnificent ship. He had to give Halberton credit, he sure knows how to think of such powerful mobile suits like the G-Weapons and the ship he was looking at right now.
'Well now! That's an impressive sight! Uh-oh, it looks like our friend Rau is gunning for it,' he thought as he saw Rau's CGUE go in for an attack run, while the ship fired back with it's Igelstellungs, and, to his irritation the Sledgehammer and Korinthos missiles, as some of them impacted a support cable. It was then he heard the Strike get up the Launcher Pack attached. 'Well it's about ti..WAIT A MINUTE! WHAT'S HE DOING!' his eyes were as wide as saucers as he saw the Strike heft the Agni Cannon. Murrue saw it too and she tried to warn Kira about it.
"No! Wait! That's too..!" her warning came too late as the Agni fired a blue and orange energy beam at the CGUE, taking out it's arm and assault rifle, but the beam did'nt stop as it hit the colony wall leaving a large hole just big enough for Rau's CGUE to escape. Inside the cockpit, Rau was suprised and shocked at the power of the Strike's Agni. "How's that possible? A mobile suit with that much firepower."
Todd was doing everything to control his temper, as he cussed every word in his ancestral German Heritage. "Scheisse! Nice one kid! REAL nice!"
On the Archangel though the bridge crew was shocked at the power of the Strike. Natarle breathed a sigh that at least the ZAFT MS has left, as she gave her orders. "Put us down. All hands prepare yourselves for gravity."
The ship landed in a nearby park as the Moebius Zeros and the damaged Vertigo landed on top of the Archangel, the Patriots landed in the starboard 'leg' hatch, while the Strike landed in the portside one. The Strike offloaded Murrue and the Students, just as Natarle and the surviving crewmembers came up to her.
"Lt. Ramius! Glad to see you're alright! When Morgenroete went up we assumed the worst!" she saluted her as Murrue returned it.
"Likewise, I'm happy you protected the Archangel" just as she said that the hatch to the Strike opened and everyone got a look at the Strike's pilot, and to say a lot of them were suprised.
"Would somebody mind telling me whats going on here? He just a kid! Just learned how to shave and HE was the one piloting that thing?" said the Chief mechanic Kojiro Murdoch as he asked no one in particular.
"Well Lt. ?" Asked the Ensign, but before Murrue could answer a voice caught their attention. "Well now! This is a suprise" said Mu La Flaga as he, Ryu & Cornelia came toward them in their purple and blue flightsuits respectively.
"Indeed" said Cornelia as she stopped and smiled at her friend, who had a suprised look on her face, "Hello, Murrue! I take it that you've been well. Or so I thought" she greeted as she saw the bullet hole in Murrue's shoulder. Murrue could only sigh at her old friend's antics. Mu cleared his throat so he could get the attention of everyone present. "Getting back on track here. We wish permission to come aboard. Where's the Captain?"
"The Captain and all the senior officers all perished when the bombs exploded near the booth where he was welcoming the pilots of the G-Weapons." Natarle's report shocked Murrue.
"You mean the Captain is...No it can't be" she said in a low voice. Natarle nodded in confirmation.
"Aw man. What a disaster," Mu said solemnly.
"With all the Senior Staff killed, that means that Lt. Ramius is in charge," Natarle informed.
With a sigh Mu looked at the chestnut haired woman, "Okay, can you please give me permission to come aboard Liuetenant? The ship me and my companion here were on was engaged by the enemy and downed."
"O-Of course, permission granted," She responded after getting over her shock. Mu then looked over at the feet of the Strike and saw the civilian students, including Kira, with the ISAF troops who are giving wary glances at the EA personell.
"Who's the kid and the ISAF guys?" he asked Murrue.
"The boy is a civilian student who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I brought him aboard the G-Weapon, least he be killed." She then turned her gaze toward Todd who had his prosthetic hand on Kira's shoulder. "The ISAF officer next to him is Cpt. Todd Elric of the ISAF 2nd Special Division."
"Is that so?" Mu said with a raised eyebrow.
"The boy also reprogrammed the original OS in the middle of the fight, and managed to fight off a GINN." That brought up gasps from the EA pilots, Archangel crew, and the HCM pilots who just got there three minutes ago. Natarle was the first to recover.
"What! He took on a GINN!"
Mu then began to walk forward toward Kira when he noticed the ISAF troops began to tense. "It's okay. I'm just curious about something that's all,"
Todd knew where this was going, "Oh, your curiousity would'nt happen to be that you think he's a Coordinator, right?" that brought another batch of shocked looks from the crowd around them. Mu just looked at him expressionlessly, though on the inside he was shocked as well.
"Uh, yeah, that would be it. So kid, are you a Coordinator?"
Kira hesitated for a moment, knowing the EA's attitude towards Coordinators, and they were'nt too friendly. Finally after a 10 second period he gave his answer.
"Yes," That caused the EA soldiers to raise their rifles, and in response, the ISAF soldiers and the HCM raised their own weapons. Todd gave a irritable sigh at this, as he had to diffuse the situation before it got completely out of control. 'How can things get any worse?' Was his thought on the whole day so far.
Outside Helipolis
Morningstar Bridge
Trisha sat in her seat with her left arm in her lap and her right thumb and index finger rubbing her temples at the headache she had coming on. The ISAF council told her to not engage the ZAFT forces since ISAF did'nt do anything to keep them out of Neutral territory, and are willing to take the blame. On the day of the Falklands Decleration ISAF set up a Amendment for any nation that had any hostile intention towards them. This was known as the Three Strike Amendment.
1st Strike: You get a warning shot.
2nd Strike: You get retaliated.
And finally the 3rd Strike: Declaration of War...
So far during the course of the war the EA had one Strike with ISAF due to the New Years Eve Fiasco, while ISAF, because the Amendment also applies to them, have one strike with the EA due to their intervention in the Bloody Valentine. Now, with the current situation, the EA now has two strikes with the using of using their territory to build their G-Weapons, while the retaliation for this infraction is the intelligence leak to the ZAFT Forces and losing FOUR of their new toys, while ISAF has one Strike with ZAFT for allowing this current incident to happen while they are even in strikes with ZAFT for attacking Heliopolis and the warning shot, the damaged GINNs. So, in theory, the score was even.
'Goddamn politicians! What the hell do they know about conflict? They have'nt even been on the battlefield for Kami's sake!' this is what was going through her head.
"Uhh, Captain?"
"What is it, Siegler? I'm not in the best mood right now," she told her surbordinate in a tired but angry tone.
"Well, uh, Lt. Matsutani says that Lady Cagalli demands to see you..." he said, though with a bit of a nervous edge.
With a irritable sigh, Trisha Hohenheim, formerly of the Atlantic Federation, now commanding officer of ISAFs new warship, prepared for the worst thing a Military Officer could face. A very, VERY, angry daughter of the Lion of Orb.
"Alright, tell him to bring her to my office, might as well face her wrath sooner than later. Amanda, you have the bridge. I'll be back after I sort things out with Miss Cagalli," with she left the bridge to her office waiting for the inevitable.
'I feel way too old for my age,"
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Meanwhile in the MS Hanger
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Kyle sighed, things were about to get a little loud around the ship, "Okay I just got permission to take you to the Captain's office, Lady Athha. If you would please follow me,"
"Hold on Kyle, I'm coming along," Arleen called out to her boyfriend, as they made their way to the Captain's office. For all that Kyle and Arleen know it's gonna be a LONG discussion.
Back in Heliopolis
Things have simmered down a bit as Murrue got her men under control, while Todd got his under control. The tension in the air was still thick as the 2 groups moved about, preparing the Archangel to get underway, while the HMC crews went to their hanger to get their Patriots repaired. Kira and the other civilian students stayed on the Archangel to rest under the watchful eye of one Todd's most trusted. The rest of the ISAF troops were moving about in the remains of the Morgenroete Factory looking for anything salvageable. It was then that two of them, made a interesting discovery.
"Huh? What's this?," asked one Leonard Church as he was inspecting a partially opened door. He peeked in and noticed how huge the room was.
"Hey Church! What are you doing over there?" called one of his friends Lavernius Tucker.
"Tucker, get yer ass over here! I think I found something." he called back as Tucker made his way over to him. "Better make it two things."
"What is it?" he asked as Church proceeded to open the door which was blocked a little by debris.
"I don't know, but judging by the size of the room, there's bound to something worth our time in here," he replied as he gave one final shove on the stuck door and made their way inside. They took out their flashlights and started to investigate. Tucker spotted a lever for a light switch, went over to it and turned it on. When the lights came on and they can see clearer now, what they found in the room made their jaws hit the floor, eyes widen to the size of saucers, and their flashlights to clatter to the floor. Only one word passed through the minds of the two ISAF Privates, 'Shit'.
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Archangel, 3 minutes later
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The phone on the chair that Murrue sat in gave a beep that got her attention from the conservation with the other officers, which was about a certain group of teens and the ZAFT ships outside the colony. Since the hazard level was raised to nine, the shelters were on lock down and they can't put them in one. Also, there was a brief argument about Kira and the Strike and Natarle stating that he and the other students witnessed military secrets are to be held. Todd countered that ZAFT already figured about the G-weapons existed a long time ago, since the EA's security is a joke. Then there was the situation with the Strike, since the entire OS was rewritten and that no normal human, it has fallen to Kira to pilot, even though Natarle had second thoughts since Kira is a Coordinator. But she was outnumbered because Cornelia, Mu, Murrue and Todd all agreed that only him can pilot it. But they all knew he would be reluctant to pilot the machine again, so Todd decided to have a talk with him. Murrue answered the phone-shaped headset and talked to the person on the other side. And she was about to get a surprise.
"Yes?" 3...2...1..."What! What did you just say!"
The other officers turn their heads to Murrue as she listened to the speaker on the other end.
"Are you sure it's still there? You're positive? Alright, hold on, we'll be right there to... what? There's a dead body there too? A-Alright we'll be down there." With that she put the phone down and looked up at the others. "Everyone follow me, now. It appears a couple of your men found something we were meant to give you after we left Captain Elric, and something extra too."
Todd raised an eyebrow in confusion at that, "What do you mean by that?"
"Follow me to Morgenroete and I'll show you," and with that they left the bridge to find out what Murrue meant.
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Meanwhile,
ZFS-Vesalius
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The ZAFT pilots who captured the other G-weapons were resting in the pilot's lounge, along with Shiho, as they watched a couple of GINNs be armed with D-type Weaponry, authorized by Rau Le Creuset himself, meant to be used against hardened fortresses and enemy warships and they are about to be used inside a space colony. And let's just say, they're having mixed feelings about it.
"What is Commander Le Creuset thinking? Is he trying to make ISAF our enemy?" Dearka no one in particular.
"All of this, just to get one prototype mobile suit?" Nicole questioned as he continued to watch the preparations.
"What do you think about all this Athrun?" Shiho asked Athrun who was quiet ever since they got back.
"I don't know," Athrun said in a calm tone, but inside he was conflicted, he couldn't stop thinking of what he saw back at the factory. 'Kira. Was that really you I saw? If so, then why?,'
"We don't have much to worry from ISAF right now," Yzak said with confidence. The others turned to him with confusion written all over their faces, "What? I read about the Falkland Deceleration and I know about the rules of engagement and they affect us and the Earth Forces as well. And I'm sure you guys heard about the Three Strike Amendment, right?"
They nodded.
"So the law is on our side for the time being as we only got one strike."
The others had to agree with that one. So far the score was: ISAF against EA, 1 strike, EA against ISAF 2 strikes, ISAF against ZAFT, 1 strike, ZAFT against ISAF, also 1 strike. So all in all ZAFT and ISAF are even in score while the EA is one strike away from going to war with ISAF. The ZAFT pilots could only hope they don't make two more strikes, because if they do, then the rest of the Earth will come upon them, and with Mobile suits.
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Morgenroete
Hanger
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"So Lt. Ramius, mind telling us what this is all about?" asked Todd as they entered the hanger where the two ISAF troopers reported to have found something. Murrue stopped and the others stopped as well.
"This," with that word the lights turned on, jaws dropped, eyes widen, for standing in front of them was mobile suit. But not just any Mobile Suit. A Gundam. It was colored a bright yellow except for the dull orange colored reactive type armor and the area around the v-shaped crest along with black cylinder like objects on the hips. Needless to say the rest were flabbergasted. Cornelia finally broke the silence with the number one question on everyone's mind.
"M-Murrue, what the hell is this!" Murrue could only chuckle at her friend's shocked look.
"This, Cornelia, is the GAT-X042 Backdraft. Honestly saying, it's the prototype for all the systems on the other G-weapons." she informed them, which brought a question from Todd.
"And you said your people were planning to give this to us?" Again Murrue came up with an answer.
"Actually Admiral Halberton wanted to give this to you for helping us with the project. Of course, I doubt Command will be too thrilled," Todd could only sigh at that, the Earth Forces High Command were nothing but a bunch of BC flunkies who think all Coordinators are evil. He just had one thought to all this, although sarcastically...
"What about the second thing that was found?" asked Todd.
"It seems there was a fight in this hangar," answered Murrue. "The dead body was a Blue Cosmos spy."
"Damn, he must've died quickly," observed Tucker. "Poor bastard wasn't shot. Looks like he was stabbed."
Natarle looked at the dead body and said, "This guy was practically run through with a sword. He died quick."
Todd closed his eyes and hoped that the rumors of a Natural swordsman joining ZAFT weren't true. But despite the rumor that was on his mind, he smiled as he looked at the Backdraft.
'Can't this day get any better?'
-To be continued-
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Author's Notes: And that's it for today I'm putting this in two parts so if anybody got some helpful tips or wants to make a version of their own, I'm all ears. Until then enjoy the specs for the GAT-X042 Backdraft, and three surface vessels of the ISAF Self-Defense Navy! See you next time! Also, here is a poll for who will be the pilot of the Backdraft:
A. Ryu Kojima
B. Dean Van Garret
C. Cornelia Friedrich
Now onto my little inventions
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GAT-X042 Backdraft
Model Number#: GAT-X042
Codename: Backdraft
Manufacturer: Morgenroete
Operator: AFS Archangel
First Deployment: January 25th, C.E. 71
Accommodation: Pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: Height, 18.00 meters
Weight: 76.3 metric tonnes
Armor materials: Unknown
Powerplant: Ultra-compact energy battery, power output rating unknown
Equipment and Design features: Sensors, range unknown; Reactive Type Ceramic armor
Fixed armaments: 'Igelstellung' 75mm CIWS, fire linked, mounted in head; 2 x ES01 Beam saber mounted on hips, hand-carried in use; Shield, mounted on left arm; further upgrades from various parts of the Striker Packs mounted later.
Optional Fixed Armaments: Kogane Dynasty Type 4 Katana
Optional Armaments: M703 57mm Beam rifle, power rating unknown
Technical Data:
None available at the moment
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Now for the ships!
Ryuusei-class
Type: Capitol Battleship
Ships of the line: Ryuusei, Tora, Washi, Suisei, Hayabusa, Wakusei
Manufacturer: Cibola Shipyards, Antarctic Naval Arsenal
Operator: ISAF, Antarctic Fleet
First Deployment: Unknown
Dimensions: overall length, 260 meters
Weight: unknown
Propulsion: unknown
Fixed Armaments: 3 x 18.1" Mk. XIV triple gun turret; 2x 3 15" triple gun; 12 x 6" dual auto cannon; Many x 65mm dual CIWS; 12 x Anti-air missile pod
Technical Data:
Based on old blueprints of the infamous Yamato-class Battleships of World War 2, The Ryuusei-class is a ship worthy to be feared. It can take on anything the Earth Forces can throw at it and make it back to base with only a small dent in it. EA crews nick-name these ships as the Yamato Jr. due to similarities between the two ships. The only problem with the Ryuusei was there was only a dozen ships built, due to high budget costs.
Author's notes: Based on research of the super Battleship, IJN Yamato and it's sister ship the Musashi. I'm a big fan of Battleships, and I don't want ISAF to be known as pushovers
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Zweihander-class
Type: Escort Battleship
Ships of the line: Zweihander, Bar, Warheit, Muth, Tapfer, Mitgefuhl, Sabel
Manufacturer: Cibola Shipyards, Antarctic Naval Arsenal
Operator: ISAF, Antarctic Fleet
First deployment: Unknown
Dimensions: Overall length, 251 meters
weight: Unknown
Propulsion: Unknown
Fixed Armaments: 4 x 15" Dual cannon Turret; 12 x 5" dual auto cannon; 12 X Anti-air missile pod; Many x 65mm CIWS
Technical:
Looking for a good ship design for the role of Escort Battleship, the Antarctic Republic once turned to old blueprints. This time the one that caught their eye was the World War 2 legend, the Bismarck. Able to match any ship in the EA's arsenal, it proved to be a valuable asset, escorting Capone-class carriers and transports. The EA nick-name for this Battleship was Bismarck Jr.
Author's Notes: Based on research of the WW2 KMS-Bismarck
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And finally the last one!
Capone-Class
Unit type: Carrier ship
Ships of the line: Capone, James, Younger, Bonnie, Holiday, Dalton, Barrow, Parker, Miller, Chadwell, McCoy, Pitts, Jarette.
Manufacturer: Cibola Naval Shipyards, Antarctic Naval Arsenal
Operator: ISAF, Antarctic Naval Fleet
First deployment: unknown
Dimensions: Unknown
Fixed Armaments: many x 65mm CIWS ; 10 6 inch dual gun auto turret; 12 x three-tube anti-air missile launcher
Launch Catapults: 2
Technical Data: Designed to be the flagship of the standard ISAF Battle-group, the Capone-class delivers a impressive display of firepower and Antarctic ingenuity. Capable of operating as a command ship and as a launch pad for mobile suits and fighter aircraft, it well delivers on it's role.
Author's Notes: Based off of the Catamaran Mobile Suit Mothership from Gundam Wing. What? You think I will leave out the good ol' carrier? That's all for today, and I hope you all enjoyed this and I apologize for my tardiness. Thanks again! Sayonara!