Mobile Suit Gundam SEED/Kidou Senshi Gundam SEED: Rebellion
By: Ominae
Rating: T
NOTE:
Concept of the Gundam SEED series are under the copyright of Mitsuo Fukuda, Bandai and Sunrise. Cameo appearances of characters from Mobile Suit Gundam: Lost War Chronicles are under the copyright of Bandai Games, Masato Natsumoto and Tomohiro Chiba. Cameo appearance of Sophia DiFalco and other elements of Birds of a Feather are a courtesy from Solid Shark. All other characters and technology (weapons, vehicles) are under my jurisdiction, with some exceptions.
Summary:
With the OMNI contingent in Malaysia preparing for an eventual confrontation with EURM forces, mercenaries from various countries are slowly arriving at the Equatorial Union, still under civil war. Meanwhile, Sven Cal Bayan and his Phantom Pain comrades are being prepped up to be mobilized to join with loyalist Equatorial Union military forces and prevent the EURM from overthrowing the country's pro-OMNI president. Can the EURM make progress against their leaders, even with the added presence of an OMNI contingent? Can the upcoming mercenary volunteers assist the EURM in achieving their objectives? Stay tune to this chapter to find out.
Chapter 9: The Mercenaries, Part 1
Living Room, Andrew Waltfeld's Residence, Somewhere in the Orb Union
Now watching TV at Andy's house since he was away, Murrue stayed in the living room for updates with Kira and Lacus.
"This is Yuki Omura reporting live from EUA Pasir Ris for Yuki 360. Day 6 is about to start here in the current civil war in the Equatorial Union as reports from local media have stated the arrival of some mercenary volunteers in the EURM-held Luzon Island in the Philippines, due to arrive at the EUAF Clark base in a matter of hours. I've just received confirmation that more volunteers are on the way in the next day. Of course, this recent news revelation has Presidents Chua and Copeland worried on whether the Equatorial Union government can quash the rebellion as more and more people have expressed their support to the rebel forces."
"That sure is a big change in the civil war." Kira noted, eyeing the TV screen. Lacus was beside him, holding his hand.
"I must admit," Murrue sighed. "Rick sure is making progress with his propaganda speeches. I can't help, but worry about him."
"That is true." admitted Lacus. "From what Kira had told me yesterday, he's using the situation in the civil war and the OMNI occupation of Orb to make their case."
Two knocks were heard at the door.
"I'll get it." Murrue stood up from the sofa, leaving the two teenagers alone. When she got to the door, she was a bit shocked to see who it was.
"Flay Allster?" murmured Murrue.
"Hello, Ms. Ramius." greeted Flay. Wearing her pink dress from her Heliopolis days, she shuffled her feet on the ground.
"Do you want to come in?" Flay nodded, entering Andrew's house. Murrue gently shut the door and told Kira and Lacus about Flay's presence.
"Flay..." trailed Kira, not finding the right words to say to the redhead.
"It's okay, Kira." Flay bit her lip. "I already forgave you for what happened during the Heliopolis attack. So you don't need to blame yourself."
"Thank you." Kira nodded, swallowing his saliva.
"Is it about him?" Flay took a seat on the sofa chair after Murrue went back to her own seat.
"Yes." answered the former OMNI officer. "But why are you here? Aren't you suppose to be back in the dorms?" It was not a surprise; Flay decided to resume her studies in Orb after the end of the Second Bloody Valentine War. Though that most of her relatives were based in the Atlantic Federation, some of her family's friends were glad enough to help the young girl get back to college life and enrolled at the University of Onogoro, under its political science course.
"I don't have classes. All my teachers are sick or have had their class time cut short." answered the girl.
"Hello Flay." smiled Lacus. "I hope you're doing well."
"I'm fine." Flay forced a smile. Even though she had some problems with Lacus, she was amazed that Lacus wanted to be friends with her. After the end of the war, Flay took some time to reflect while enrolling at the University of Onogoro and realized that making friends with her was not bad at all.
"Don't force yourself." Flay noted that Lacus was able to notice about the girl's smile.
"Sorry." murmured Flay, paying attention to the news. "I just, I just can't believe that we're friends and yet, I still can't forgive myself for the way I treated you."
"I understand." assured Lacus, looking at her. "You still can't get over the time you used me to get ZAFT forces to stop attacking the ship I was on. I already forgave you for that."
"Thank you." Flay then have a genuine smile on her face, which was returned by Lacus who did the same as well.
Kira looked at the two and smiled himself; one had been his former first love and the other his current love. He was glad that it was over.
"Hey guys." Murrue directed their attention towards the television. "Better look at this."
"What is it?" asked Kira.
"They announced that the documentary on your cousin will be shown tonight." Kira snapped his finger, remembering that it was the day that they would show it.
"Oh yeah." said Kira. "The announcement back then a few days ago."
Lounge, EUAF Clark Air Base, Angeles, Pampanga, Philippines, Equatorial Union
Inside the lounging area of the EURM-held EUAF Clark Air Base, various personalities were lounging in a designated waiting area for volunteers who were planning to head to the Equatorial Union and fight for the EURM forces.
"I'm so bored." groaned Sophia, seated on one of the many couches with Andrew, Athrun, Cagalli and the others who arrived from Orb.
"I know how it feels." Edward looked around at the crowd, Natural and Coordinator, waiting for their next flight out of Clark. "Reminds me of being sent to the principal's office for being late."
"Heh." Barry simply grinned at the former OMNI ace pilot.
"By the way," asked Athrun, wearing his red shades as part of his Alex Dino legend. "Does anyone know on the mobile suit that the volunteers would use?"
"If I remember right," Jean was quick enough to answer his question. "most of us are either bringing own mobile suits by either covert or overt means. The other way is that the EURM would provide the mobile suits for us."
"That would be logical enough." said Kisaka, donning his Desert Dawn disguise with his red bandanna and messy hair.
"Kisaka..." Cagalli stared at her bodyguard. "do you have to look like that?" She was referring to his disguise.
"Please forgive me." Kisaka apologized. "But my bandanna and my long hair are necessary as part of my disguise so as no one would recognize me.
"Never mind." Cagalli huffed, drinking a can of Royal True Orange soda from the nearby vending machine after getting Jean to help her a while ago.
"It looks like that the volunteers are more than just us." commented Sai, pushing his glasses up by pushing its bridge. "Look. Most of them are either ZAFT or ex-ZAFT personnel."
"You're right." said Martin. "I notice some of them were my comrades from my military academy days. I met some of them after they enlisted at the local recruitment stations." He then turned to whisper to Andrew. "Are they here to be mercenary volunteers too?"
"I guess so." The ex-ZAFT officer stared at them with his right eye as his left eye was permanently damaged during his skirmish with Kira back before the war ended. "I even caught a glance of Arthur with the ZAFT crowd."
"You mean Arthur Trine?" murmured Martin, not believing what he was hearing. "He's with Talia Gladys, supposed captain of the upcoming Minerva class ship Minerva."
"I see." Andrew grinned on hearing the new information. "I just can't wait to see how Ms. Gladys and Mr. Trine would do as mercenary volunteers."
Dearka, seated beside Miriallia, wondered if his old comrades would spot him since he was only in Orb for a few months vacation after visiting the survivors a few times.
Hope Yzak doesn't spot me until later.
"Arthur." Talia called out to the British officer, wearing only a tennis shirt and brown pants, who had just exited the men's washroom. She had been bored with waiting for their shuttle to be finished since all aircraft chartering the volunteers were asked to leave in order for the plans to be serviced.
"Yes, Ms. Gladys?" asked Arthur, who took a seat on the couch beside her.
"Anything happening so far?" asked the ZAFT commander. "I mean, it's only been an hour so far and I was wondering if you have anything that could be related to the number of volunteers arriving from the various Earth nations."
"Nothing yet." answered Arthur. "But I do know that none so far are from the Earth Alliance."
"They're probably going to work for the loyalist forces." replied Talia. Arthur observed that she wore only a yellow blouse and blue jeans. "Although I did hear rumors that one of the supposed volunteers is currently working for the DSSD after serving a stint with OMNI."
"Do you think that would be a threat to ZAFT and ex-ZAFT personnel who were going to serve as mercenary volunteers?"
"I don't think so, Arthur." Talia shook her hand. "I just don't think so."
"Hey, Heine." said Riika, wearing her normal glasses with a red blouse and jeans.
"Yes?" asked the FAITH operative, blending with the other ZAFT and ex-ZAFT personnel in civilian clothes. He wore a black shirt and jeans.
"Did you spot anyone familiar from the crowd?" asked the blind ZAFT Red.
"Come to think of it," Heine thought about the girl's question. "I thought I saw some students from the academy. Not to mention Shiho and Yzak."
"You mean Shiho Hahnenfuss?" Heine quickly nodded at her. "Wow. If she's here, then Commander Joule must be here too."
"You better not call him that when he's around for now." The German FAITH agent grinned at her. "He still needs some time to get used to it."
"Shiho." Yzak called out for his colleague while he straightened the sleeves of his business shirt, staring at the crowds of people who were inside the lounge after walking back and forth. "Stop walking. It irritates me."
"Sorry." apologized Shiho, fixing her tennis shirt. "But there's really nothing much to do around here."
"Been bored already?"
Yzak trailed his ears to find out who was speaking to him. When he did, he didn't like the visitor's appearance for one bit.
"Mikhail Coast." sneered Yzak, gritting his teeth.
"I'm surprised tha you know me." grinned the gray-haired man.
"Why shouldn't we?" answered Shiho, glaring at him. "A lot of people from OMNI and ZAFT are really scared to work and fight against with you."
"Must be my scary personality." insisted Mikhail, defending his reputation and name while having a smile. Somehow, Yzak and Shiho didn't like it one bit.
"This ain't funny, Coast!" Yzak said, nearly shouting, which would have brought unnecessary attention to him. Luckily, most of the people inside the lounge were either too busy or too ignorant to notice the shouting.
"So here we are." murmured Canard, noticing that most of the people inside the designated lounge were either from the PLANTs and from Orb. Only a few were from the other neutral and pro-ZAFT nations.
"You're right about that, Canard." said Lowe, scratching his head under his blue bandanna. "Hey 8, what you think are the chances that we'll see a mercenary volunteer from OMNI?"
"The chances of seeing someone from OMNI are nil. As you may recall, OMNI has declared their support to the loyalist government."
"Guess that answers your question, Lowe." said Kisato, seeing 8's reply on the computer screen.
"But that won't stop someone from OMNI who thinks that the EURM have a right cause." suggested Kazahana, beside her mother Loretta, who smiled at her daughter.
"She's right." Liam agreed with Kazahana's assessment of their current situation.
"Excuse me, folks."
Everyone turned their attention to a man with patches of black, blue and yellow hair. He wore his red jacket and had his motorbike goggles hanging on his neck. His green tank top shirt and suspenders was seen from his partialy unzipped jacket with blue pants and red boots.
"Well, it looks like Jess the Rabble's here to join our party." grinned Reed. Elijah too grinned at the freelance journalist.
"Whatever." scoffed Jess, pretending that he didn't hear Reed's comments.
"Why are you here?" asked Loretta, a bit curious. "Are you here on assignment?"
"Yup." replied Jess. "A man named Matias Aducarf told me to come to the Equatorial Union and report on the civil war from the perspective of the rebel forces."
"Nice to see you again." Gai offered his hand out to shake with him. "And again, I apologize for detaining you back in GENESIS Alpha a few weeks ago."
"No offense, Gai." insisted Jess, shaking hands with the ex-Combat Coordinator soldier. "I guess I better find a way to control myself since I don't think carefully when I'm in a potentially dangerous situation."
"Hey Jess." greeted Lowe. "Are you here to cover the events here?"
"Yep." grinned the reporter. "I'm glad to see you too, Lowe. But I thought you're heading off to Mars."
"Maybe when the civil war here's over." replied Lowe. "Besides, this is something that I personally want to do since I heard rumors that Blue Cosmos operatives were sighted in the country."
"Sounds like a noble thing to do, Lowe." He and Lowe gave each other high fives.
"How long are you going to be here, Jess?" Kazahana asked the reporter.
"I have to leave before the end of October." answered Jess. "I have to cover the events in South America."
"If I'm right," suggested Yoon. "that would be the South American War of Independence against OMNI forces stationed there."
"Is Matias hiring you for that too?" questioned Prayer, standing beside Lowe.
"That's right." Jess nodded. "Heard a man named Kaite Madigan's suppose to be with me, but I don't know if he's here or what."
"Kaite Madigan?" Canard went into deep thought after hearing the name."Where have I heard that name before?"
"Nice crowd huh, Edmund?" grinned the blonde mercenary, flicking his ponytail behind him while checking his business shirt and necktie.
"You know, Kaite." Edmund eyed Kaite carefully. "For a supposed freelancer like you, I keep wondering if you bought that shirt and necktie of yours by simply accepting contracts."
"That I do, my good man." grinned Kaite. Edmund frowned at him. "But right now, I have another side mission coming up."
Edmund raised an eyebrow, "And that is?"
"To South America." Kaite snapped his fingers. "I have to bodyguard someone aside from a reporter named Bernadette Leroux. Think his name was Jess Rabble."
"Rabble, eh?" asked Edmund, seeing Kaite nod at him in reply.
"What do you make of all this?"
A small group consisting of two men and one woman wore civilian clothes while blending in with the crowd of ZAFT and former ZAFT personnel who had volunteered to fight for the EURM. Each of them had distinctive features to tell them apart from the others. The woman had a black eyepatch over her left eye with orange hair. The two men also had their own distinctive features as one of them had a goatee and another had eyeglasses on.
"Say Hilda." asked the man with a goatee. "What do you think about the situation?"
"I'm not sure, Herbert." replied Hilda, speaking to Herbert von Reinhardt. "A lot of people have really expressed their interests to volunteer."
"Don't know, but it kinda reminds me of the last war." said Mars Simeon, adjusting his glasses on his nose by pushing the bridge up.
"This is different." reprimanded the eyepatched woman. "Unlike the last war, this is a civil war against loyalist and renegade forces."
"Does remind me of the 1st EDSA Revolution in the Philippines back in 1989, except this civil war's going to be done with mercenary assistance."
"Yep." grinned Herbert. "Big Boss would surely envy us."
"So..." Hilda began to trial off a bit. "If I'm right, that war in that Metal Gear 2 game was called War of the Mercenaries, right?"
Herbert and Mars nodded, answering her question.
"Thought so." Hilda grinned. "I've played that game before."
Away from the main group of current and former ZAFT soldiers and technicians, a group of teenagers with civilian clothing are seen a few feet away from Talia, Hilda, Yzak and the other ZAFT personnel. The teenagers were believed to be staying away from them so as to avoid being detected since no one thought that ZAFT Military Academy would try to get involved in an ongoing civil war as freelance volunteers.
"You think they've seen us?" asked Lunamaria, hiding her face with a plain blue ballcap on her head. In addition, she had a blue blouse and jeans.
"Don't know." shrugged Shinn. Wearing a black toque, white shirt and brown pants, he too was trying to blend in the rest of the volunteers. "I did recall seeing Youlant and the other technicians back there."
"You mean they're here to fight as well?" Meyrin was standing a bit beside her sister. She too wore the same clothes as her big sister, except that she had a black ballcap that had the seal of ZAFT with a red blouse instead of blue.
Rey offered to answer the young girl's concerns. "Possibly as non-combat mercenaries. I did recall that some who volunteered from the ranks of ZAFT were told that they were volunteering for non-combat positions, mostly as maintenance people." The blonde man had a red ballcap, a white shirt like Shinn's and light brown pants.
"That figures." Shinn said, understanding what Rey had said.
"I hope so." murmured Lunamaria.
"You know." whispered Rey. "This reminds of that video game made by Hideo Kojima where a war was fought with mercenaries."
"I think I heard of that." Meyrin said, knowing what Rey was talking about. "I heard that was for the MSX2 computer and it came out in the Playstation 2 as a bundle in the Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistence game."
"You mean Metal Gear 2?" asked Shinn. Rey nodded at him. "I played that game before on my cellphone and it was cool. Although it was years ago..."
"All we need now is someone who we can call Big Boss." murmured Rey, scratching the back of his head. Shinn just looked at the blonde teen, confused.
Sahib Ashman, wearing a ballcap to conceal his identity with his vest, green military pants and black boots, waited for Conil to return from the base's cafeteria as she was a bit hungry from the ferry trip to India before boarding a plane to Australia and moving to a transit flight to EUAF Clark.
I never expected this turnout of Natural and Coordinator volunteers to be so high. If I'm right, and I hope I'm right, most of them are from the PLANTs, various neutral nations and ex-OMNI personnel. Nobody currently in the Earth Forces would try and go to be mercenary volunteers for the EURM.
"Hey Sahib."
Startled by the voice, the bearded man faced Conil. She wore a shirt and jeans on with her hair made in a ponytail.
"Oh," began Sahib, noticing that his companion was back. "you're back already."
"Yes." frowned Conil. "I just ate. And I was about to bring you some food when I decided to check on you and I see you dozing off."
"Sorry abou that." Sahib said, scratching his neck. "I was trying to remember something."
"Remember something?" Conil didn't understand what he meant by that.
"Never mind." Sahib waved off what he said. "It's not important anyway."
A man with Japanese features was minding his own business seated down on an empty sofa chair on the EUAF Clark's spacious lounge provided for them while their planes were being serviced for another flight to Singapore.
"Excellent." grinned the man, watching the technicians outside begin making their final preparations to check on the shuttle used to bring ZAFT personnel and former ZAFT members into the Philippines. He heard rumors that rebel F-7D Spearheads would escort them to Changi Airport as the last stop since the government has firm control on most of its waters in the island areas of Southeast Asia.
Since OMNI forces are in the region, it would be a good show to avenge our defeat back near the homeland. The man grinned further, excited to shed some blood.
Doesn't matter if I have to do my part as a mercenary or not. I'll just keep fighting until the Earth Forces concede defeat.
"Hey, Sato."
Staring at the face of the one who called him, the scarred man smirked at the man who had addressed him.
"It's you Gary."
"It's almost time, Sato." said Gary, ruffling his brown hair.. "We're about to leave for Singapore."
"Finally." Sato cracked his knuckles. "At last the time has come."
"Indeed, Sato." Gary said, agreeing with Sato's comments and had an evil smile on his face. "At last we will have our revenge."
Sato returned the gesture by evilly smiling at Gary.
"Excuse me! Can I have your attention please?"
An EURM trooper, apparently a regular in the Equatorial Union army, had his ST Kinetics SAR-24 rifle slinged on his shoulder while he had his ballistic helmet on. As standard to tell rebels from loyalist forces, he had his red armband on his left arm.
"Your transports are ready for another takeoff to Changi Airport. Please head back to your respective aircrafts at once."
At his words, all the waiting mercenary volunteers went back to their respective aircrafts to takeoff to Singapore, their final destination.
Living Room, Sahaku Mansion, Somewhere in the Orb Union
A woman in her middle '20s was sitting in her living room, reading the Orb Inquirer for the latest news regarding the civil war raging on in the Equatorial Union.
Interesting. Rick Chung is the symbol of the rebellion eh? Quite interesting. You know, Gold Frame has already been updated and I don't mind testing it on the loyalist forces.
"Four!" The woman snapped her fingers, waiting for someone to arrive.
"Yes, Miss Sahaku?" A man in his early '20s stood in attention with two more identical persons with the same face and emotionless appearance after being summoned. All were dressed in the standard Orb Army uniform.
"Help me prepare my things." commanded the heir of the Sahaku family. "I'm heading to Singapore in the Equatorial Union."
"Of course, Ms. Sahaku." Four and his other Socius clones bowed down to excuse themselves before leaving the room.
"Lady Sahaku." The butler had entered the room after letting the Socius clones leave. "I must insist! You're one of the remaining people left in the Sahaku family. There's no need for you to participate in the Equatorial Union civil war."
"Do not worry about me. I'm quite experienced in taking care of myself."
"But Lady Sahaku..." trailed the butler, insisting on his position.
"Please." smirked Mina in her couch. "Gold Frame has been upgraded already by the fine people of Morgenroete. That alone should be enough for me to survive."
Without anything else to say, the butler had decided to leave Mina alone in the living room, going back to his duties.
Besides. Mina gave an evil smile. It'd be a good chance to "repay" OMNI for what they've done for me and brother.
Somewhere in Mars
A blonde teen was on the streets of Mars, readings the Mars Standard regarding the conflict in the Equatorial Union.
Quite interesting. smirked Nahe Herschel, a 17-year old Coordinator living in Mars away from the fighting between OMNI and ZAFT forces. Despite this fact, some Coordinators living in the red planet have the urge to assist the PLANTs in defending them from OMNI forces. In fact, there were rumors that some Martians, both Coordinators and Naturals were either already in Earth or on their way to Earth.
"Ah, a payphone." Heading towards the phone booth, he lifted the receiver and dialed a series of numbers, waiting for the caller to answer.
"Hello."
"Hey, girly man!" grinned Nahe, waiting for the caller to respond.
"Dammit, Nahe!" shouted the caller. "Did you call me just to make fun of me?"
"Cool it, Agnes." chuckled Nahe. The blonde wasn't surprised since Agnes Brahe's first name was a girl's name, which would be typical of anyone to assume the person to be a female. So far, many had been tricked and have assumed Agnes to be a female, until the latter gets mad about it. "Listen. Got some news on the Standard that some of the people from Mars are heading to Earth and assist the EURM as mercenaries."
"Interesting, Nahe. Diego might love that part though."
"Don't think so, Agnes. Last time I checked, he's in the hospital after getting his leg in an accident."
"Oh right. So what now."
Nahe grinned while he read the Mars Standard again. "What say you and I head to Earth right now and assist the rebels?"
Chapter 9 END
PS - Thanks to Solid Shark for finding the MG2 reference. Another MG2 reference is here, aside from Big Boss. See if you guys can spot it. Also, have a Star Wars Episode 1: Phantom Menace reference in here too.
