Resist

The Neo Sapiens engaged the outnumbered EFSF with intense fury; the battle was nothing but attrition as the Exo-Carriers, Exo cruisers fought to hold their own in battle against the larger Neo fleet and the remnants of the Luna II fleet limped from the combat area. But the Neo Sapiens fielded their E-frame squadrons and Mobile Suits in greater numbers that they were overwhelming the EFSF.

One of the few E-frames that survived from the Luna II fleet's E-frame complement a #BD-100b (a variant model equipped with a Vulcan cannon) piloted by Lt. Alice Noretti of Gamma flight who engaged a Neo High Speed Inceptor E-frame; using her Frame's grapping hook to prevent her target from launching missiles. Locking on she fired until she nearly knocked over by a MS-06 Zaku speeding for the Tornado.

Two Warrior class Neo Sapien cruisers traded fired with the Constellation class Exo cruiser Tornado and the Resolute class Exo carrier Archangel. Several Zakus broke through the anti-aircraft fire of the Exo-Cruiser Tornado. With only their machine guns one targeted the bridge and the other three took out its engines. Swarming all over the cruiser, it became too much the ship exploded.

"Tornado has been destroyed," Marcus exclaimed from his chair on the Resolute's bridge. "All ships assume defensive formation! Main batteries close support field of fire!" Marcus was barking out orders as the fleet tried to rally on the Resolute.

Captain Murrue Ramius drove her fingernails into the arms of her command chair to keep from flying out of it as the Archangel shook from the shockwaves of Tornado's destruction. "Damage!"

"We're taking damage, Captain, multiple decks. Damage control teams are responding. The Neos are swarming all over us!" Reported Commander Mu La Flaga, the ship's XO.

Wiping her brow with the sleeve of her jacket, she frowned at the turn this battle was taking. Marcus left most of the support ships behind, the Luna II fleet fell back after taking heavy losses to a single red mobile suit. Now to add his stupidity he ordered only very few E-frames and fighters for support. "Hayse, what E-frame and fighters squadrons are ready for launch!"

Turning to her computer, the Archangel's tactical and flight control officer Lt. Misa Hayse looked through at the squadron launch status. "We have E-frame squads: Wardog and Galm. Saberfish squadron Skull is prepped and ready."

"Launch 'em! To hell with Marcus!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Hayse turned to her station and opened the comm. system to the hanger deck. "Wardog, Galm and Skulls squadrons scramble immediately, protect the Archangel! Wardog, Galm and Skull squadrons scramble!"

Inside the hanger, the main hanger doors open as Skull squadron fired up their engines, the lead fighter was Commander Roy Focker. "Okay people, traffic is going to be very heavy, so watch out for your wingman. Hikaru, stay on my wing."

"Roger sempei!"

In another hanger bay, five Falcon Aerial Attack E-frames were standing-by for launch; they were known as five wings of the Archangel, the Wardog squadron. Launching out of the hanger, Wardog met up with a wall of heavy fire from the Neo Sapiens. "Aw crap! These bastards are throwing everything at us, kid!" Chopper exclaimed.

"Blaze, engaging! Watch out for the enemy Mobile Suits, frames and fighters!"

"Edge, engaging!"

"Archer, engaging!"

"Swordsman, engaging!"

"Time to go to work. Chopper, engaging!"

Alarms blared as the Exo-Carrier Dominion violently rocked from direct hits all over the ship. "What happen to our CIWS'?" Demanded the Dominion's first officer, Natarle Badgiruel. She straightened her officer's hat being knocked a skewed.

"Enemy Frames and Mobile Suits are swarming all over us; the CIWS' are overwhelmed. Shall we launch E-frames and fighters, Commander?"

"No," Natarle shot back, "we haven't received orders from the flagship and Captain Furlong refuses to launch any fighters or E-frames. Load the helldart missiles into forward and sides launchers full spread at enemy fighters and frames. Ready the forward Mega Particle cannons to take out the Elysium class destroyers in front of us!"

"Ready to shoot, Commander!"

"FIRE!" Roared Natarle. Space around the Dominion lit up as the Exo-carrier launched it missiles and fired it Mega Particle Cannons. Burst of lights surrounded the Dominion as Zakus and E-frame blew up and the two destroyers spun of control taking heavy damage.

Despite the loss of several support ships, the Neo Sapien fleet continued it relentless assault on the EFSF. Several Warrior class cruisers concentrated fire on the Nebula class Exo-frigate Borealis. "Borealis to Resolute! Main batteries destroyed! We're taking heavy fire!" The Captain of the Borealis reported into the flagship.

"All ships rally on Borealis! Provide cover and fire!" Marcus ordered as the Resolute positioned itself between the Neo fleet and the Borealis.

Onboard the Olympus Mons, Admiral Typhonus reported to Phaeton in his throne room still encased in his E-frame. "Hits reported in our delta and omega sections, Governor Phaeton. But damage is minimal."

"Good, press the attack. When the Exo-Carriers are destroyed," Phaeton gave a maniacal smile at the present thought, "We've have won the war!"

Pressing their attack Neo Sapien E-frames, Zakus and Y-Wing swarmed all over the Resolute and the crippled Borealis. Inside the brig, JT stumbled trying to stay on his feet rushing to the bars of his cell. "I need to get to my E-frame!"

"You're still under arrest, Lt. Marsh!"

JT's eyes widened hearing the guard, didn't he know there was a war waging and the fleet was getting pounded? Marcus you moron! JT thought to himself. "Are you nuts! For me to sit here while we get slaughtered?"

Suddenly he saw Torres slamming her fist into the guard jaw, knocking him completely cold. "Heh, fucker's got a glass jaw!" She remarked as the rest of squad showed up with JT's equipment and gear.

"Have you guys gone crazy as well?"

"Would you rather sit in your cell and have your ass shot off?" Nara shot back.

"But now you're all mutineers."

The thought made his squad smile, even Torres who was very by-the-book, but she had greater respect for Marsh than for Marcus. Willing to risk not only their careers but their own lives to bust Marsh out of jail. Bronski gave off a loud belch, "That's his problem and this asshole can arrest when he wakes up! But first we gotta save his hide!"

"All right, you worthless renegades, let's mount up. Come on."

Acting as a shield for the Borealis, the Resolute took the full brunt of the Neo Sapien onslaught. Damage control teams and fire suppressors were overwhelmed with the incoming damage. Noretti flew her damaged E-frame into the one of the Resolute's hanger decks. She came in hard and crashed, her E-frame was soon engulfed in flames but she managed to escape with only secondary burns and perhaps some broken bones.

A missile from an E-frame struck the bridge dome of the Resolute; the shock wave rocked the entire bridge section even knocking Captain Marcus to the floor. Meanwhile Able Squad prepped their E-frames for flight in the main hanger deck.

Crippled and nearly defenseless, the Borealis continued to fend off E-frames, Mobile Suits and fighters with CIWS and missiles. It did little as three Zakus armed with bazookas fired off several rounds into the hull breaches near the Borealis' engineering section; the Borealis was engulfed in a massive ball of fire as it exploded.

"Captain, we lost the Borealis!" The Resolute's tactical officer reported.

"No." Marcus mumbled in shock at the destruction of not only the Borealis, the Tornado and more than half of the Luna II fleet, 5 of those to just a single red Mobile Suit. "Our Exo-carriers can't be beaten. They're most powerful craft in the solar system."

"Captain, there are just too many Neo ships! What are your orders?"

Marcus was panicking he had no clue. Fight? Retreat? He was at a loss.

Inside the hanger deck the doors opened as Able Squad readied for launch. "Okay, pilots! Follow me and hold formation!"

"Sir! The main hanger doors are open!" The tactical officer reported as she glanced at a display confirming the doors opening.

"Were they hit?"

"No, sir. They were opened from the hanger deck."

Able Squad launched from the hanger into the heat of battle. "Able Squad leader to the Resolute. Do you copy?"

"Marsh! You're supposed to be under arrest!" Marcus yelled over JT's comline. "You are in violation of that arrest. Get your ass back to the ship immediately." As Marcus was yelling with Marsh, Admiral Winfield was being wheeled into the bridge in a wheelchair a Neo Sapien nurse.

"Sorry, Captain no can do. I…we are a little busy!" Marsh replied as Able Squad remained in formation engaging a squad of #AA-569 Amphibious Assault Mobile Armors."To the Resolute. Suggest you launch all remaining E-frames."

"Don't give me lessons in tactics, you little bastard!"

"Captain Marcus!" A voice next him yelled as Marcus was arguing with Marsh.

"Sir," He stammered in surprised seeing his senior officer back on the bridge.

"Where is the rest of your fleet, Captain?" Winfield demanded.

"They're 12 hours behind us, Admiral. They….were too slow to keep up and Wakkein cowardly withdrew the Luna II fleet after being attacked by a mobile suit."

"Shut up!" Winfield ordered, not much in mood to hear Marcus excuses. "You cost us half our firepower! Now we'll have to get out this the best we can. Launch all our remaining E-frames!" Winfield requested, but he turned to see Marcus still standing there like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming truck. "NOW CAPTAIN!"

"Flagship to all Exo-carriers: launch all E-frames."

E-frames were launched from the Enterprise, Excelsior, Yorktown and the Dominion joining Able Squad along with Wardog and Galm Squads launched from the Archangel. The E-frames engaged the Neo Sapien E-frames but this was also another engagement against Mobile Suits and it was turning that the Zeon designed Zaku was proving itself superior against E-frames of the Federal Forces. "Able Squad leader to the Resolute!"

"This is Resolute, come in Marsh!" A familiar but welcoming voice came over JT's comline.

"Admiral Winfield, I hear you were 'half-dead', sir!"

"And I heard you were the brig. All right, what's going on out there, Lt?" Winfield asked as he sat at his station steepled his fingers completely calm in the heat of battle. Marcus stood next to him.

"We're getting beat up pretty good, Admiral. But if you'll give me half the E-frames, I think I can spring your carriers loose."

"Admiral!" Marcus tried to object to Marsh suggestion.

"Quiet, Captain!" Winfield barked at Marcus, he will deal with Marcus at a later time. Right now it was paramount to save the fleet. "Lt. the E-frames are yours."

"This is Able Squad leader. Baker, Charlie, Wardog reform on me. All other E-frames return to carriers." JT ordered, the squads formed around Able Squad. "Target the Neo Sapien flagship! Divert their fire from our carriers!" It was not only an unorthodox plan but it bordered on suicide and JT knew it, but they were out of options to free the carriers. The E-frames charged for the Olympus Mons. The flagship was laying down heavy anti-aircraft fire but multiple Zakus and E-frame rallied in support. "Concentrate fire on the bridge! We'll make Phaeton wish he'd never left Mars!"

"The Terrans are becoming desperate. They know we've won. Take no prisoners. Destroy them all!" Phaeton ordered. Suddenly the bridge of his own flagship began to rock violently from shockwaves, Phaeton remained upright but he was no less surprised. "What's happening?"

"Terran E-frames on a collision course with the bridge." Typhonus reported.

"Edge, Fox 2!" Edge yelled launching two missiles at the Olympus Mons' bridge. While several more attacked at close range inflicting even more damage.

"Such an attack has no logic. It is suicide." Phaeton mused, why the Terrans would risk such an action at the cost of their very lives. "All E-frames and Mobile Suits intercept attacking E-frames!"

The EFSF E-frames were being decimated by the Zakus and the batteries of the Olympus Mons, while others broke contact and ran pass the flagship for Earth. From the bridge of the Resolute, Marcus and Winfield watch as the E-frames were being picked off like flies. "What the hell is that idiot Marsh doing? They'll all be killed!"

"He's giving us a chance to save ourselves and the Earth Federation. All Exo-Carriers and Magellan class battleships retreat, at full speed." Winfield ordered before opening another channel to JT. "Lt. Marsh, what you and your pilots have done won't be forgotten. Someday we'll come back with the fleet and liberate the Federation."

Able Squad, Wardog and the remains of Charlie and Baker Squads broke contact and headed for Earth. "Able Squad leader to all E-frames. Our carriers are retreating! Let's get out here, proceed to Earth and try to make for either Jaburo or any other Federal Forces' position."

Olympus Mons along with multiple support ships limped back to Mars for repairs. While Maintenance E-frames and MS-06W Zaku Workers tended to the Neo Sapien fleet, High Speed E-frames ran security for the yard facility. "Our victory is not secure while the Exo-Fleet still exists. General Shiva, I want you to speed up occupation of the Earth Federation. Put the Terrans to work for us." Phaeton ordered to a transmission of his occupation General from the bridge of the Olympus Mons

"It shall be done, Governor Phaeton. The Mayor has informed me that Chicago is being renamed in your honor." Shiva told Phaeton from the mayor's office one of the few buildings still standing in Chicago. He found the gesture….'amusing.' "The Terrans will soon learn who is master and who is slave. Occupation forces are ready moving in and securing strategic points in the North America region.

"I leave everything in your capable hands." Phaeton replied signing off.

Once Phaeton signed off, Mayor Reed approached Shiva. Personally, he found Reed to be an obsequious, obnoxious and self-serving Terran. Not worth his time but his contempt. "General Shiva. Humans can be stubborn. You need help organizing them. And as Mayor of Chicago….I mean Phaeton City, I can find some cooperative humans to help you keep the others in line. Of course they'll want 'special privileges.'" The last he emphasize with a wink of his eye.

Crossing his arms over his large chest, Shiva wasn't visibly disgusted, but he remembered reading terms he came across such as quisling and Judas. People who were willing to sell out and betray their own people to save their skins either for lofty positions, money or sexual pleasures or a combination of all three, or a form of self sacrifice to protect loved ones. "I would have expected nothing less. You may tell them find the Neo Sapiens generous to their friends."

18km outside of Phaeton City (formerly known as Chicago; Able Squad hid out in some farm country. They were in Neo Sapien territory, but JT didn't know if it was rear area or near the frontlines since there little activity. Right now he approached Maggie who was working Marsala and Nara's Mobile Armor. The Right leg took some damage in the recent engagement. "Can it be fixed, Maggie?"

"What with? Pitch forks and bailing wire?" Maggie sarcastically shot back, giving up on the repairs for now. Her skills to improvise were considerable but with basics in farm equipment; she found it to be a stretch.

"We'll have to conceal them in the barn."

Maggie's Mobile Suit and Marsala's Mobile Armor were the first to enter followed by the E-frames of Marsh, Torres DeLeon and Bronski. Nara and Bronski helped Takagi cover his fighter with a large tarp. "That's everything Lt." Torres remarked as she lit a cigarette, "What next?"

"Stay where you are! Don't reach for your weapons!" A voice boomed over a loud speaker from above. A Neo E-frame touched down. The hatch opened revealing the pilot was human. "So this is the best the Federal Forces has to offer?"

Relief came to JT seeing a human instead of a Neo. "Man am I glad to see you. So where'd you get that Neo E-frame?"

"A used E-frame lot." The resistance fighter bitterly shot back drawing a hand gun on JT and the Squad. "We took it, that's where, with no help from you. While you 'heroes' were up there flying around, we were getting slaughtered. You were supposed to protect us!"

The venomous words of the resistance fighter clearly got under both Bronski's and Torres' skin to point a fight would have broken out.

"Hold on. Phaeton tricked us, like he did everybody else. We lost half the fleet and a lot of good pilots today."

"Yeah? Well we've lost our planet!" The resistance fighter kept his hand gun pointed at JT as a ground-car pulled with several more resistance. Taken prisoner by the resistance the squad was transported within Phaeton City and into the sewers to their base operation.

In the command center, Napier watched Ms. Goebbels, otherwise known as his ex-wife Amanda Connors, delivering a report from the Mayor's office about the mandatory registration for all humans with Neo Sapien occupation administration to restore order to the city. "Amanda, you stupid bitch! I knew you'd sell out, but I didn't know this bad! You and that stupid fuck of a Mayor!" Napier grumbled at the Mayor declaring those who fail or resist registering will be declared enemies of the state. Sick of it, Napier turned off the monitor. "The Sapes are here to help us? What a freakin' crock!"

"Napier!" Tanaka called out as Able Squad was lead down the stairs into the command area covered by several armed resistance fighters. "We brought the mighty Federal Forces. All those who bothered to show up!"

"I don't know who you are, but called off your people. We're your side!" Marsha angrily ordered.

"The name's Napier!" The resistance fighter shot. "And you don't give orders!"

"Listen here Napier…" Marsh was stopped by Marsala

"JT, perhaps a little diplomacy will work."

"Yeah, I can see what you Sapes mean by diplomacy. You lie through your teeth and take what you want. And just for a few laughs you either slit our throats or stab us in the back! I'd sooner trust a fuckin' Zeon!"

Hearing this got Nara's blood boiling at Napier's venomous attack on Marsala; he shouldn't be blamed for what Phaeton and other Neo Sapiens are doing. "Hold on, Marsala risked his life, fought against his own people for us and the Earth Federation!"

"So," Napier mocked unsympathetically to Nara's defense, "what's a few Sapes more or less. They'll just cook up a new batch in there test tubes."

"You don't understand!" Nara angrily cried clenching her fists.

"You don't know what the hell you're talkin' about so watch your mouth!"

"Or you'll do what?" Napier challenged, Marsh was not in the position to make demands.

"This arguing is counterproductive…" Marsala offered a calmer approach to the situation. This is what Phaeton wanted Terrans divided and arguing amongst themselves. The treaty with the Zeons to prevent them from entering the war, the Earth Federation on the verge collapsed, the space colonies separated. Humanity was looking at twilight if they don't unite against the Neo Sapiens.

"Marsala's right, if we don't work, we will never liberate the Earth Federation."

"BULLSHIT! The Federal Forces had its chance! You blew it!" Napier yelled pointing an accusing finger at Marsh. Then he calmed down. "From now, we rely on ourselves. Consider yourselves under arrest until we figure out what to do with you." Napier walked off with several resistance fighters.

"They don't know what they'll be getting themselves into."

"They will learn. They'll be back."

Several fighters marched past the squad as Torres searched her pockets only finding her cigarette lighter and empty pack of cigarettes. "Hey, any of you got a cigarette?" she asked the resistance members.

One reached into his pocket and took out a pack and tossed it to Torres. "Keep the pack."

Looking inside, it was half full. Thank god, she said to herself as she stuck one in her mouth, lit it and placed the rest in her pocket. Walking off into one of the side tunnels, she sat down on the ground, stretched her legs out and smoked; she wished she had cold beer right now to go with her cigarette. "Fuck, I wish I had a beer regardless of the cigarette."

"Or something stronger?"

"Weston?" She recognized as the tech specialist sat down next to her.

"Relaxed yet?"

"I have to be drunk for several days first. Goddamn it! We got fucked in every possible way! First those fuckin' pirates, then fuckin' Sapes, that mother fucker Marcus and you can throw in the fuckin' Zeeks and the dumbasses at Jaburo while we're at it."

"I hope you're not painting all Zeons with the same brush, Rita?"

"Why? They're all kissing the asses of the fuckin' Zabi family."

"Not all."

"Oh? What makes you so damn sure?"

"My family left Zeon during the coup and the rise of the Zabi family. My parents were loyal to Zeon Daikun; they didn't like Girhen turning the republic into a dictatorship, claiming somehow those who lived in the colonies were superior to those on earth. My parents didn't have much love for the Earth Federation, but they decided the lesser of two evils."

"So what did your parents do?" Torres asked tossing away her spent cigarette.

"My dad was one of the original designers of was known as MS-01 it was meant to be used in construction, later it would become the Zaku were fighting now. My mom is a material specialist and metallurgist"

"You knew!" Torres asked in a surprised tone

"Yes and no." Maggie shrugged, "I hacked into my dad's computer when I was 14. Came across the specs for the MS-01; when I saw the Zaku in combat, I put 2 and 2 together."

"This is all really fascinating…." Torres sarcastically grumbled as she closed her eyes.

"Care to talk about your personal life, then?"

"Fuck no! There's nothing to talk about since Iffish crashed to the earth. And it's something I rather not talk about."

Able Squad remained at the resistance's headquarters under armed guard as they watched Amanda Conner's broadcast from the Chicago Board of Trade building. Marsh being a student of history, remembered reading about individuals like: Axis Sally, Lord Haw-Haw and Tokyo Rose. People, whose purpose was to drive the morale down of the opposing side, break their spirits and keeping them from resisting. "Large, enthusiastic crowds have turned out for the first day of mandatory civil registration."

"Enthusiastic?" Torres scoffed as she blew a cloud of smoke from her mouth and nostrils, "More like a fuckin' gun to the head!"

"I wonder what's happening on Venus." Nara wondered, wondering if the same on Earth or worse.

"Registration! Bullshit!" Bronski laughed, "Any moron can see they're on their way to a concentration camp!"

"Phaeton must subjugate the planet, quickly and brutally, and publicly. As long as human believe they can resist, they will." Marsala said

During the broadcast the first volunteer was strapped into a chair as a mechanical arm lowered down to the woman's upper left arm. The arm shot the tracking device into the arm. The squad watched as the implantation apparatus was destroyed by gunfire. "REGISTRATION IS OVER! IN THE NAME OF PEOPLE OF THE EARTH FEDERATION!"

"Sean?" Amanda recognized.

"DEATH TO ALL COLLABORATORS!" Taking his rifle, he aimed for Amanda, ex-wife or not, being a self centered, vindictive, metaphorically castrating bitch was one thing but working for the Sapes death was the only just punishment. But a guard threw a knife at Napier. The knife imbedded itself into his upper armed throwing his shot at Amanda and destroying her camera.

"We can't give up the Earth without a fight, join the resistance! We're fighting for you, join us!"

The humans looked to each other; most of them were defeated and scared, wondering if they should fight or if they capitulate with the Neo Sapiens they would be spared from death. They were scared because the Neo Sapiens were better armed and the broadcasts shown of the gassing and drop of Iffish and other resistance cells being crushed caused them to think otherwise. All debate ended as a Neo E-Frame came crashing through the wall. With disregard to bystanders, resistance or loyalist, the Neo Sapien began opening fire without discrimination. "Get everyone out of here!" Napier ordered as he and several resistance fighters return fire with small arms.

The E-frame continued firing at Napier and the resistance as the dove over the stairs on the floor. One was shot in the leg and fell to the ground while Tanaka and another female fighter tried to rescue him, the Neo unleashed a rocket from the frame's left arm. The rocket exploded at their feet sending Tanaka flying into a wall.

"Fall back, move it!"

"We got to help them!" Tanaka pleaded as Jinx and Eve carried him out.

"It's too late for them!"

"We've lost two good men and what did we accomplish?" Napier wondered to Marsh while Marsala and Maggie performed first aid on Tanaka, Nara offered canteens of water to Jinx and Eve. "People are too afraid. Maybe the human doesn't deserve to survive." Napier wondered how can they fight the Neo Sapiens if the population doesn't rise up and fight for their freedom.

"They won't fight not if they think they can't win. They got to have some hope!"

"Hope," Napier sighed throwing up his hands, "is one thing I fresh out of."

"Napier, I've got a plan. We'll show the people the resistance can win and at the same time link up with the Federal Forces."

Seeing no other alternative in sight, all Napier could do was hear Marsh's plan.

Several days later at New Soldier Field, Phaeton's transport approached the stadium amid the flood of searchlights. The transport landed in the middle of the field, Neo Sapiens chanting his name as he exited the transport raising his arms in triumph. There were humans who were present looked on in fear of the Neo Sapien leader. Phaeton's presence was being broadcasted all over earth, even at Jaburo which being viewed by both Admiral Kowan and General Revil. The Neos transmitted this to Venus where Venusians were being herded by armed Neo Sapiens to large monitors. Even on Side 3 where the Zeons were watching. Degwin wondered what has this treaty brought his people. A false sense of security.

Phaeton, with Shiva, Liva and Typhonus, approached the dais emblazed with the emblem of the Neo Sapiens to make his victory speech.

Inside the corridors, Marsala lifted a hatch from the floor, watching a guard approaching a wall monitor, in awe of his leader. Sneaking up behind him, Marsala gave him a quick and hard chop to back on the guard's neck, knocking him out.

While Marsala stripped the guard of his uniform, Napier reached down and took the handgun. "The weapon, it would complete my disguise."

"Listen, Marsh may trust you, but you're still just another Sape to me. I'll keep the gun. You just get us into the broadcast center." Napier said, still not trusting Marsala as a member of the Federal Forces but even more because he was a Neo. "Now get that uniform on!" He ordered while Jinx and Tanaka lifted themselves out of the access hatch.

Approaching the dais, Phaeton's senior commanders saluted him while Mayor Reed came up to Phaeton. "This is an important day for Chicago…" He said with a chuckle before correcting himself, "now Phaeton city."

"Indeed." Phaeton answered as they shook hands.

Raising his hands he silenced the chanting by his soldiers and went into his speech. "Neo Sapiens! By right of conquest the Earth Federation is ours! The superiority of the Neo Sapien race has triumphed! Those who opposed us have been crushed. Terrans who accept the Neo Sapien Peace will be tolerated in the new world order." As Phaeton spoke of those Terrans, who were the Neo Sapien equivalent of the Vichy French government of World War II, saluted him. "Those who refuse and resist will be eliminated."

Marsala approached the door to the broadcast center; he placed his hand over the buzzer. A small panel opened revealing a Neo Sapien guard looking towards Marsala. "I have my orders to report to the broadcast center." He said holding a data disc in his hand.

Buzzing him in the door slid open and Marsala rushed him slamming his fist into his face. Napier and the two other resistance fighters followed him in with their weapons drawn. "Don't any of you bastards move!" Napier threatened keeping his assault rifle trained on the remaining Neo Sapiens. One wasn't impressed by Napier threat and reached for the alarm. Napier switched his rifle to full auto and fired at the Neo's arm, chest and head. "Now, I warned you! I won't say it again!" Napier said as the guard came to and reached for his weapon.

"Look out!" Marsala shoved Napier out of the way. As he was pushed by the Neo Sapien, Napier went into a roll and shot the Neo Guard.

"Thanks, Marsala." Napier said; it was genuine appreciation to Marsala for saving his life.

"You are welcome, Mr. Napier." He reciprocated, before heading for the transmission console. "But there is much work to be done. And if we act promptly we can save lives on both sides."

"It'll take minutes to set up." Tanaka said as he took set at the console.

"Let's hope Marsh comes through when he supposed to."

Back at the deserted farm, Able Squad retrieved their E-frames, Mobile Suit, Mobile Armor and fighter; damaged or not, they were going into battle. Eve watched the squad take off for Phaeton City. "Good luck, JT Marsh." Was all that Eve could say.

Tanaka finished inputting the last set of commands into computer informing Napier they were ready to cut into Phaeton speech.

"Okay, let's do it!"

"I have chosen this city to be the capital of Neo Sapien Earth, heart of the Neo Sapien Empire. Once humanity understands my vision for the future, you will all come to love us." Phaeton said behind him a large monitor displaying the Neo Sapien emblem was replaced with the words: HUMANS RESIST

Neo Sapiens began giving out shouts of surprise at the message being displayed which was soon replaced by the image of a Terran. "Humans of the Earth Federation! Do not believe Neo Sapien lies! We are not defeated!" Much like Phaeton's speech, Napier pirated the transmission all over Earth, Venus, Mars and the Space Colonies.

In Europe, his speech was a morale booster to the Federal Forces who were maintaining a barely held stalemate with the Neo Sapiens. Cheers, the raising of weapons and the battle flag of EFF came from the soldiers of the Federal Forces giving them hope against the Neo Sapiens. "With the help of the Federal Forces, we will rid ourselves of the Neo Sapien tyrants!"

On Mars, Neo Sapiens were in utter shock of this Terran opposing Phaeton who was bringing order and logic to the solar system.

"Humans of the Earth Federation, unite! Win back your freedom and unite!"

During all this, Phaeton grabbed a guard ordering him to put a stop to all this. This was the last thing he wanted, Terrans opposing him, defying his rule and resisting. "Together we can defeat the Neo Sapien oppression! Never lose hope!" Napier continued as Phaeton grabbed the guard's rifle.

"You dare oppose me!" Phaeton demanded as he opened fire shooting out the monitor. "Find that human! Bring me his head!" Phaeton ordered Typhonus and Shiva.

Overhead, Able Squad opened fire on the field being more discriminating in their targets. Torres opened fire with her 20mm Bushmaster on the Neo Sapien loyal Terrans as they fled, to her death was only justifiable punishment for these bastards. Bronski, Nara and Takagi strafed on the fleeing Neo Sapiens. Bronski took the opportunity to get his sights on Phaeton. "Destroy those E-frames!" He demanded, "Shoot them down!"

Shiva and Typhonus almost literally carried Phaeton away; his death would not benefit the Neo Sapien order, he had to be evacuated. Bronski fired a missile only to destroy the dais. Touching down around Phaeton's shuttle, Able Squad abandoned their E-frames and drawn their side arms, as Marsala followed Napier and his two resistance fighters ran up to the squad. Armed Neo Sapiens returned fire.

"The E-frames are all yours, Napier!" Marsh remarked firing his hand gun.

"We'll put them to good use!"

"I know you will!"

"For now we'll fly escort for you until you guys get out of Chicago!

Able Squad either abandoned their E-frames to self-destruct or handed them over to Napier's cell to escape New Soldier field while stealing Phaeton's shuttle in exchange. Now they had to flee before more Neo Sapiens show up.

Back at New Soldier field, Phaeton looked at the situation with complete anger and rage as he surveyed the dead Neo Sapiens, not only was this was 2nd attempt at his life in this city but a Terran had the audacity to defy him and stir rebellion. From the corner of his eye, he saw Mayor Reed approaching him with a smug smile of relief on his. Disgust for him ran deep through Phaeton, Reed had no intention of keeping the Terrans in line unless it suited his self-serving needs. He called on his soldiers to take him from his sight. As he was dragged away Reed screamed out his innocence and his loyalty to the Neo Sapien order.

Napier and his cell flew escort for Able Squad in the stolen shuttle. Torres sat at the pilot controls, in her mind she wonder what was their next move, the shuttle was only design for short range transport, so it couldn't make the long haul into space and reach the fleet. She could only think of three options: Find a Federation military unit, conduct guerrilla operations or join Napier's cell. Suddenly a transport plane appeared right in front of the shuttle. "What the fuck?!" She cursed then she recognized the plane. "That's a Federation transport! A Medea Transport."

"You in the shuttle and E-frames; do you copy?" A female voice spoke over the radio, "There's a squad of Neo E-frames coming from Northeast. Follow my transport to safety."

"Sounds like this Fed knows what she's doing." Napier quipped to no one in particular.

The shuttle and E-frames followed the transport for at least several hundred miles into the state of Kansas. The Transport landed in some deserted farm land. "Okay, you brought us this far out of our way; we need to get back to Chicago! The Sapes are probably looking for us!" Napier said tersely as he, his cell and Able Squad met with their rescuer.

"The Neos are concentrating their efforts in the North America region at New York and California. With the fall of California Base, they'll use it as a launch point for attacks on Jaburo." The Lt was inch shorter than Napier, which he was 6 ft so she was about 5'11" tall for her sex. She wore her reddish hair cut short with a moderate amount of hair gel. Nothing in the Federation regulations specifically stated that an officer had to wear their hair short; to the Lt. it was personal preference. Her hairstyle was one thing. Her almost transparent blue eyes, her lips, reddish hair and low, lustrous voice were another. For Napier feeling began to stir that were fighting his distrust of the Federation.

"You didn't say who you were Feddie or why you're here," Eve responded with more than just distrust in her voice.

"I know you believe the Federation has let you down, and I don't blame you. I am Lt. Matilda Ajan of the Federal Forces 28th Division Supply Corp and I'm a personal envoy of General Revil."

"General Revil? We must have pulled off one hell of a caper." Napier grinned that his cell attracted the attention of someone high up in the Federation military.

"My orders are to see Able Squad makes it to Jaburo and get them back into space. But also to provide some supplies to your resistance cell; it's the best we can do right now, the Federation is facing some tough times. And I'll have you know I've come this far by special request from General Revil, it has nothing to do with General HQ."

"So does the mean the Resistance will get supplies from the Federal Forces, Lt?" Marsh stepped in.

"We're working that, the Neo Sapien battle lines appear to be stretched way too thin in the North America region and possibly elsewhere. If we can use that to our advantage it's very likely. But nothing until then." Matilda answered. She turned to the members of the resistance and approached Napier. "Nevertheless, even when it seems there is no hope as you fight; remember there are people who won't abandon you."

"What?" Napier asked in surprised tone.

Approaching Napier, Matilda placed a hand on his shoulder. "We've monitored Phaeton's speech coming in and what you did, Sean Napier. You may not see any immediate direct results from your actions but you have given us hope. Good luck." She concluded giving a gentle squeeze before departing for her Transport with Able Squad in tow. But she did stop to give him one more glance out of the corner of eye.

Matilda departs but there was a lingering feeling in air, for Sean Napier he felt a certain attraction to the Federation supply officer, feelings and emotions began to stir that he thought were dead ever since his divorce and when the Earth fell to the Neo Sapiens but one thought remained in the back of his mind, he hoped to see Matilda again.

3 months has passed since the war started during that time the Neo Sapiens develop a system called the Gravitational Focus Shield or GRAF Shield on earth. If the system goes on-line could mean the end for the Federation.

Exo-Squad

Next episode: Target Earth

Who will survive?

Author's notes:

*Sempei: the Japanese word for upperclassman, or a mentor.

CIWS is an anti aircraft weapons system used in Gundam Seed; I don't if the acronym is used by then US military I will look up it at a later time.

Galm and Wardog are from the Ace Combat series

Skull Squadron, Misa Hayse, Roy Focker and Hikaru are tips of the hat to SDFMacross

#AA-569 mainly used by Shiva throughout the series I decided to re-designated it as a mobile armor considering it is too big to be an e-frame in the strictest sense of the word.

The idea of introducing Maggie's parents came in just very last minute of writing I decided to do an amalgamation of Amuro's father and Kamille Biden's parents. Also in an original draft of Gundam Rising, I was going to use Tem Ray (Amuro's father) but I will be making a change, since I'm having Maggie standing in for Amuro.