A/N:(I know the following is a lot, but please bear with me!)
Hello and welcome my many new readers! I take it I've picked up a few of you from the Spacebattles forum given that I am doing a Let's Play of Gihren's Greed there. I hope I can take this moment to give everyone a larger Author's Note than usual that I've been meaning to get around to, but have kept forgetting in one way or another!
(For those of you who are just readers here, you can find on the Spacebattles forum a Let's Play that you're free to interact with! I put up votes for people to participate in and determine how we'll do things, so it's a fun extra activity that also comes with some story drabbles about what happens in-game, which I intend to also start posting here.)
Interesting note: the Let's Play I am doing and this story aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, depending on how this one goes. I won't spoil if they do align, but I put a couple of jokes in the drabbles along those lines (namely, Jamaican's humiliation on television was mentioned). After all, Gihren's Greed shows that basically the Titans and AEUG will rise no matter what, just the circumstances are different. As I've previously mentioned, Kinue is kind of a hinting at that: as she is in this story right now she'd join the AEUG in a heartbeat, since she espouses its ideology. Just a thought for you all!
I also have a poll on my profile here on Fanfiction that is about what characters you want to see in future POV chapters like Degwin's previously. Go vote if there is anyone in particular you want to see!
As a final meta-note, I do hope to hear from you all at the end of the chapter in the reviews below! Given that we have had a sharp increase in readership, it would be very saddening for me if I don't hear from you all with all your beautiful thoughts. After all, a lot goes on in this story and I haven't heard all that much from readers, and I'd definitely like to be able to go to my former players and go like "Hey guys, a bunch of people read our stuff and thought X". Please help me by supporting the story, and help me bring them something to chew on!
Thanks for reading this large note, and I hope you enjoy the end to this first arc!
After meeting with Urabe at the base Amir entered the Zanzibar and looked around for both Ensign Hepner and the newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel Schmitzer. The Colonel was not on the bridge as Amir had thought he would be, and given that Kycilia and M'Quve were discussing something in lowered voices he did not want to stay around and risk endangering himself to Kycilia's wrath once again.
While searching further he tried and did manage to find them in Ensign Hepner's room. Schmitzer was comforting the young woman while she sobbed into his shoulder, giving the appearance of a father and distraught daughter. Schmitzer noticed Amir open the door while Hepner did not, but the man did not say anything. A long silence befall the room as Schmitzer silently consoled Hepner.
After waiting a few moments Amir decided to speak.
"I apologize, I don't mean to interrupt but I wanted to check in with both of you actually," Amir said, "It's been an eventful day and I hope both of you are alright," He turned to the Lieutenant. "Sir if you don't mind I would like to speak with you when you are available."
"I was wondering if you were just going to stand there forever," Hepner quipped while rubbing her eyes and sitting up.
Schmitzer turned back to Amir with a grin, "I think I can speak with you now if you need to. I will meet you at your quarters soon, okay?"
Amir smiled softly and replied.
"I'll be in my quarters when you are ready Sir," He nodded to both of them and exited the room. He began to walk toward his quarters, taking a more roundabout way than usual to give himself time to think. His thoughts returned to the conversation he and Emmerich had with Captain Urabe earlier.
The Royal Guard…It would certainly be a grand opportunity. Urabe seems like a good man, and I believe I can trust him after our ordeals today. He paused for a moment when he reached the Zanzibar's hanger. And there is the problem of my mobile suit... He scowled. Or rather what's left of it.
He turned sharply and balled his hands into fists, filled once more with rage. Amir began to walk slowly toward his quarters once more. That pilot. Who was that pilot that so effortlessly tossed me aside and escaped with that mobile suit? A Black Tri-Stars mobile suit, I had no idea they were THAT superior to my own... Well, when I am able to get a new mobile suit, I'll redeem myself.
Amir reached his quarters and entered, sitting and thinking about the options Lady Kycilia granted them. After a while there was a knock on the door. Amir stood and answered the door and found Lt. Schmitzer standing on the other side.
Having long since left his wheelchair behind, Schmitzer had a look of constant pain as he smiled at Amir through the doorway.
"Mind if I come in, Lieutenant?"
Amir returned the smile and stepped aside.
"Of course, not at all," he said, gesturing with his arm into the room. The Lt. Colonel walked in, and Amir pulled up two chairs for them to sit on, "She's certainly gone through a lot today..." Amir paused, adding, "We all have."
Hepner had nearly been killed, and in fact had been quite fortunate to have survived the massacre unlike so many other pilots. She had seen her allies die before her eyes, powerless to save them once her suit was disabled from the assaulting mobile suit. It was a repeat of the experience on M'Quve's Musai when she saw the carnage of war firsthand.
The Lt. Colonel nodded gloomily, "I have heard the reports. I have been mainly here on the Zanzibar, but word has gotten around and the gunfire has not gone unnoticed. You hear about the Black Tri Stars? A real shame, even if they were insubordinate buffoons."
"All I know about the Tri Stars is they let one of their mobile suits get stolen," Amir said with a hint of anger in his voice, bitter over the recent battle, "What can you tell me beyond that? I've been trying to solve a murder-mystery most of the day, and the next thing I know there's a rogue mobile suit I had to go try and stop."
Schmitzer sighed and tried to make himself comfortable in his seat, "While they were escorting Revil, the General managed to escape. Before they could do much about it the three men were allegedly shot by the man who would later take one of their suits. Their leader, Gaia, limped over to an unattended suit but he and it were blown away by the hijacker."
"Well I can't say I'll miss them," Amir said with a frown after a few moments of silence, "Do you know anything about the hijacker? Does anyone know who it was?"
Schmitzer sighed again and stretched his aching back, "No word here. You might be able to find out from some of the Royal Guard, that is if they even can get anything from the Federation. I hear they are being a bit of a roadblock, what with the murder investigation of that reporter and all."
"The Federation has been less than helpful today... Emmerich and I spoke with Captain Urabe briefly after everything settled down. He didn't seem to know the identity of the pilot either... We also ended up speaking with Lady Kycilia," Amir added, as an afterthought, "Needless to say she was not pleased with how events unfolded today."
"Captain Urabe, the tall, lanky kid from the Royal Guard?" Schmitzer laughed as he remembered the name, "I must have been a good teacher if many of my pupils are higher ranked than me, or at least were until my promotion. He's a bit eccentric if I remember correctly, thinks meal rations are a fine cuisine, but about as loyal as soldiers get. Smart too, very perceptive."
The Lt. Colonel cleared his throat once he realized he was straying from the real topic, "Well, if the Federation wanted to work with us we would not be fighting them in the first place. It is a shame we cannot find the identity of either the murderer or the rogue pilot. It is a shame that another civilian has had to die on top of the millions that already have."
He grimaced at the thought of an angry Kycilia, "What could you have possibly done to anger Lady Kycilia?"
"She was angry we went after the rogue mobile suit instead of going after Revil. Of course, Emmerich and I had no idea that Revil had even escaped. The lanky Captain took the blame for us, as he kind of ordered us after the mobile suit," He turned to look at Schmitzer, "I have a lot of respect for him, especially after that. But I digress. Lady Kycilia mentioned how our current force is being disbanded, understandably. She mentioned a couple of options to Emmerich and me, among them she mentioned Midnight Fenrir. Would you mind telling me more about it Sir?"
"Ahhh, yes. I just spoke to Lady Kycilia on the matter and she approved the new unit. It will be focused on specialized missions that supplement the main fighting force. Black-ops styled raids that emphasize intelligent use of terrain and equipment. Chances are, given how it is under Lady Kycilia's forces solely, that we will not have access to the most equipment, so what we are given needs to be used carefully and effectively."
The Lieutenant Colonel smiled at his former subordinate, "It would be great to have you both join, but do not feel obligated to join on my behalf."
Amir smiled back, "Thank you Sir, I appreciate the offer. I believe Emmerich and I are planning on sticking together, so we're going to figure out exactly what we want to do after we have heard more about all of our options. A rather large concern of mine at the moment is obtaining a new mobile suit, mine was... rather damaged after our encounter with the rogue suit," Amir said as his smile faded into a frown, complimented by his furrowed brow.
"It happens to the best of us. Word is that even Ramba Ral was humiliated out there today when The Red Comet moved out of the way and the attack hit Ral instead. You know about when I got shot down myself. We just have to learn to accept our losses, learn from them, and move on. That is how we humans progress after all."
He stands up from his chair and stretches again, an audible crack coming from his back, "I think I will go speak with Lady Kycilia. When you've made your decision with Emmerich let me know, okay?"
Amir stood with the Lt. Colonel, "Absolutely, we will definitely let you know Sir. And thank you again for your offer, it means a lot to me," He said with his soft smile.
The lieutenant colonel thanked Amir and departed, leaving Amir to his own devices.
Amir closed the door and paused to think back over what the Lt. Colonel had said. It is certainly a great opportunity as well. And Schmitzer is a great man. It would be nice to continue serving with him. It was at that moment he thought back to Ensign Hepner, and decided he was going to go in search of her, both to follow up with how she was doing after the day's ordeals, and to ask if she had heard the news about the fate of the team.
Amir turned and left his quarters, making his way to the Ensign's.
Upon reaching the Ensign's room, Amir finds that she is leaving it at that same moment.
"Can I help you?" Hepner meekly asked, her eyes barely meeting Amir's.
"Ensign, are you going somewhere? I came to see how you were doing, but I don't mean to interrupt." Amir said in response.
She shook her head and gave a small smile, "No, not really."
"Okay. I wanted to apologize for earlier, I didn't mean to intrude. I just finished speaking with the Lt. Colonel and I was wondering how you were doing. It's been quite a day for all of us," he said as he leaned against the hallway wall.
She nodded but made no other movement, "It's okay. I'm fine," she took notice of how he was not in his normal pilot uniform and grimaced, "So, how is your mobile suit? I hear you and Lieutenant Emmerich were in a battle with a stolen Zaku."
Amir frowned. "It's almost completely destroyed. It's lying in pieces somewhere out there," he points with his thumb over his shoulder, "The pilot was very skilled. I underestimated both the pilot and the mobile suit..." Amir let his voice trail off.
"Emmerich did alright. His is still standing at least," he paused and stared off at the end of the hallway for a moment, "We are both lucky to be alive. The pilot spared us to make his escape instead."
"He shot the replacement pilots you guys had," Hepner bit her lip as she remembered the events, "I didn't even know what was happening, everyone just…they…It was even worse than when our Musai was assaulted by those Salamis class cruisers. Even Lieutenant Ral was defeated."
"Emmerich and I were in the conference at the center of the facility when everything happened... We only heard as a soldier covered in blood ran in and told us," Amir tried to look Hepner in the eye, "I can only image the chaos."
Hepner turned back towards her room, "I don't envy you guys that much who go out there and fight in the front. I'm glad I'm staying on as Lieutenant Colonel Schmitzer's operator and am only a backup pilot to his new team."
"Ahh I was going to ask you about that," Amir said with a smile, "The Lt. Colonel offered Emmerich and I to be part of his group. We're still not sure about what we want to do."
"What are your options?"
"We spoke with Lady Kycilia earlier and she told us we had four options: We could join the regular military, no glory, no special treatment, just trenches and barking superiors," he said sardonically, "We could also join the Royal Guard. Emmerich and I spoke to Captain Urabe earlier, and he would be happy to have us as part of his team protecting Captain Garma. We could also join Lt. Colonel Schmitzer for his team, Midnight Fenrir. Finally we could become a part of Research and Development. That one I'm not particularly interested in, but the Royal Guard or Midnight Fenrir I think are our best options. Of course those are the two I know the most about," he smiled as he finished his last sentence, "Emmerich and I are planning to stick together I think... so we have to talk and figure out what we want to."
Hepner nodded, her face possessing a happy glow in Amir's mind, "I will be working with Schmitzer, but from what I've heard he will be working under Garma when we return to Earth on less than friendly terms. Being able to join the Royal Guard is quite possibly the best thing you two could do for your careers though. Just joining gets you a promotion. You'd be Lt. Colonels yourselves the moment you join."
"That's true. Although I'm much more interested in a new and improved mobile suit."
"New and improved? What's there that is better than a Zaku-II like what Emmerich has?"
"I've been told they improve the functionality of the suits. They are slightly more agile and powerful... I don't know much about the specifics but that's what I've been told."
"I wonder if there will be any more suits developed as the war goes on. You guys would probably get them if they do make more, I'd think. Serving the Zabis directly has that effect."
"We'll see... Hopefully this won't go on too much longer..." Thoughts flashed back to the events earlier, the bloodied soldier running into the conference, the scene outside during the chaos, and the fight with the rogue suit. Amir clenched his fists tightly, "But now the Federation has one of our best mobile suits."
Hepner shrugged at the mention of the mobile suit, "It's not as if they know the first thing about how they work on a mechanical level. It'll be months before they can even begin looking into that kind of technology, and we'll have won by then, right? There is no need to worry about that."
"We can only hope..."
Hepner took a step back into her room, "Well, thank you for coming by to check on me, but I don't want to waste anymore of your time. You should probably be out doing something productive before we leave, am I right?"
Amir shrugged his shoulders. "I'll find something to do," he turned around to walk away, before pausing. He turned his head back slightly, "I'm glad you're okay," he smiled briefly, turned, and started heading in the direction of his quarters.
During the same frame of time as Amir's meeting with Schmitzer and Hepner, Emmrich was off on his own quest for knowledge. In the Conference room he found out that things had died down, and there were barely any officials left. However, he recognized Ginias Sahalin who was drinking wine with a bored expression by one table with his sister Aina and retainer Norris. The Federation officials in the room did not appear amiable, and likely would not react well to him approaching them, so Emmerich steered clear of them.
In the corner of the room you notice the mercenary Yonem Kirks, along with what appear to be three young children. One is a crying toddler while the other two are young boys that appear about four or five. Their father was not in sight, and was likely elsewhere in the facility, leaving the poor mercenary to handle the children alone. Emmerich felt pity for him, but did not want to become involved in more of Mahdi's business than he had to.
With the Sahalins appearing unoccupied, Emmerich tested his luck with the trio, hoping they would be able to provide an account of what transpired. Following a standard valediction and retelling of the breakdown of talks, Emmerich pressed the Sahalin nobleman for info.
"...then I guess any hopes of rekindling these talks are nonexistent. Have the rest of our officials returned to their ships? Any reason you three remain here?
Ginias greeted Emmerich with a smile and an outstretched glass of wine, "No, I am afraid not. We'll have a long and bloody war in front of us it seems," he took a sip from his glass, "As for the officials, I suppose so. They didn't care to inform us about what they are doing. We came here under our own power, so we have no need to worry about them leaving without us."
Emmerich searched for an avenue of conversation. Knowing little about the two others at the table, he continued with the Sahalin Nobleman, "I'm sure a man such as yourself could be invaluable to our cause going forward. Do you think you'll continue your involvement with the Zeon military after all this?" He gestures around the mostly vacant room.
Ginias gave a laugh befitting of a nobleman, "Why of course. My family is closely tied with Zeon and its history, and I would be remiss if I did not join in assisting the creation of the new world we are bringing forth."
"I have to say I appreciate your sense of duty. Do you plan on remaining involved in the political side of this conflict? Forgive me, but you don't strike me as one who cares for this sort of thing. You seem as though you want to get as far away from this place as possible," Emmerich said with a hearty smile, "If I recall, you mentioned some sort of research position you're involved in? I take it that's more your calling."
Ginias finished his glass and handed it back to the man in custom blue uniform behind him, "My funding and research comes from Lord Gihren himself, so coming to these little excursions is a fine way of keeping connected. Why? Do you have an interest in research?"
Emmerich's eyes brightened at the question, "Actually, I do. I've always been fascinated by the engineering behind all the hardware and technology people take for granted. Heck, I've spent my entire life on a colony. I can still barely believe we're capable of such amazing feats of engineering! I guess the military and mobile suit program are just progressions of that fascination…" he realizes he was beginning to get off track, and so his voice trailed, "So, yes." Emmerich chuckled, "I guess you can say I have an interest in research."
The nobleman smirked at Emmrich in a smug fashion, "Oh really? I thought such an interest as being beyond a pilot, even one of your reputation. Still, I could always use another pilot since I do not have complete domain over my sister," he turned to Aina, who grew a sheepish grin, "My projects are not really common fare though. If you're really interested in research, have your boss be in contact with my secretary."
Emmerich was taken aback, "Wow. That's quite an offer! Thank you, sir."
Emmerich shook Ginias's hand and nodded politely at the others present, "It might take some convincing with Lieutenant Hiyento, but that's a tremendous opportunity. Hopefully, we'll see each other again before long."
After his farewell, Emmerich decided to begin working his way back towards the Zanzibar. Perhaps he and Amir would be able to get some answers from that reporter...
Emmerich burst through the door into his quarters upon his return, his mood noticeably improved from how it had been after the battle. He notices Amir.
"You'll never guess who just offered us a position! Actually, you might...Take a guess. It rhymes with...uhhhh...'Lasalin?'" His pitch rises as he attempted to sound out the word he clearly made up on the spot.
Amir raised his gaze from the book he had taken to reading while he was waiting for Emmerich to return, "...Stalin?" He said hesitantly after a moment's pause, "I'm not sure that's someone we should consider a position from," He said with a sly smirk as he returned his gaze to the text.
As he walked towards his bed Emmerich put on his best, yet still horrible, Russian accent.
"Yes, Comrade. Pack your things. We leave tonight," He half sat, half fell onto his mattress with an unsettlingly loud 'thud.'
"But really, that Sahalin guy from the conference just offered us a position in his R&D program. Think of all the cutting edge tech we'd get to play around with!" Emmerich's gaze drifted towards the ceiling as he put on a stupid grin, "Prototype mobile suits. oooooooh. aaaaaaaah."
Amir didn't look up from his book as he spoke, "That's awfully kind of him. Did he give you any specifics?"
"Not much. I think he works alongside his sister. He has an odd sense of humor, but I like him!" Emmerich threw a nearby cloth at Amir, attempting to break his concentration, "How about you, you manage to locate Hepner? How's she doing?"
Amir looked up from his book with smirk, throwing the towel on the ground and closing his book as he replied, "I managed to find both Hepner and Schmitzer."
Amir continued to tell Emmerich about the conversation he had with Schmitzer, about the Black Tri-Stars and Midnight Fenrir. He also mentioned how he spoke with Hepner, and her plans for continuing on with the Lt. Colonel.
"Wow. Decisions decisions. We should get our asses kicked more often! Look how many doors it opens!"
Emmerich lowered his voice to a more genuine tone, "Before we consider any of those, we still have the matter of our reporter friend. I'm anxious to hear what actually happened to her. Shall we see if we can talk with her?"
Amir placed the book onto the desk and stood up, his voice as cold as the Arctic's air, "Let's go."
Upon reaching the medical room of the Zanzibar, Emmerich and Amir were surprised to see that it was mostly vacant despite the warzone that had existed within the previous hours. However, there was a single patient in the area with doctors running tests by them. Two guards stood by the entrance and allowed the two pilots to enter after first recognizing them as having permission to see the patient.
Resting on a medical table, the reporter saved by the duo earlier had her eyes closed. She was breathing slowly as the two entered, though her eyes flickered at their noise. After a moment of situating herself, Ms. Crossroad looked up and gave a painful grin to the two pilots.
"I hear I have you to thank for being alive," she spoke weakly.
Emmerich put on a warm smile, "Nahhh. You can thank the surgeons for being alive. We're just the grunts who found you," he leaned on an adjacent bed, "I don't remember if we ever formally introduced ourselves during our last encounter," he brings his hand to his face as if conferring a secret, "Thanks for not tearing us up on the evening news by the way."
The Lieutenant continues, "I'm Lieutenant Emmerich and this here is Lieutenant Hiyento. We've been running around all day trying to figure out who did this to you."
The reporter covered her mouth for a moment and coughed in a wretched fashion. Her face was paler than the pilots remembered it being, and despite being alive they could tell she was not in the best of shape. They had really saved her in just the nick of time.
"Still, I'm not sure I would be alive now if you two had not found me," she returned to smiling while pulling her hand away from her face, "It is a pleasure to meet you both. I am Kinue Crossroad, a reporter for JNN. Or…well, former reporter that is"
The smile vanished, "I guess that's how this all started. The Federation pressured JNN to be more supportive of them and their narrative, and so my job was sacrificed to the political correctness gods. So my reporting days are over…"
"I wouldn't be so sure. Once you're back on your feet, I'm sure any news organization would love to have you...should you want to go back, of course. That would command some serious respect. I can see it now," Emmerich made a grand gesture with his hands, "Kinue Crossroad. Laughing in the face of danger! Stopping at nothing to bring you the truth!"
As Kinue grinned to his humor, the Lieutenant reigned himself back in, "In all seriousness, we're both extremely relieved you're okay. The worst is behind you…" he paused when the obvious reason he was there came to mind, "I hate to be so upfront, but the person who did this to you is still on the loose. Is there anything you could tell us about what happened to you? Something that could help us find the person responsible."
Kinue averted her eyes to the ground, "I couldn't go back to JNN if I wanted, and my name is probably blacklisted by the Federation. After I argued on behalf of ending the war and ceding Side 3 to Zeon I lost my position, even if my position resonated with a large population. Because of that, I wasn't able to get in to the actual peace conference, despite having been waved through the first gate due to recognition, so I approached a Federation soldier hoping to at least ask them about the peace summit…"
Her shoulders slumped and she looked up to meet Emmerich and Amir's eyes.
"I must apologize, but I'm having trouble remembering what happened, or even what the soldier looked like…that was it as far as I can remember. Whoever it was must have done it, since that's when my memory goes fuzzy."
"So you remember this person being dressed in Federation uniform? Can you recall if this person was alone?"
She nodded, "Yes, I'm sure of that much. At least when I spoke to him. Since I can't remember past that point, I can't say if there was anyone else there afterwards."
Emmerich's smile was gone, humor drained from him at what she was saying. He looked intently at the reporter, "You say you approached this person to ask about the conference. Can you recall any of the conversation? Even if it was completely mundane or ordinary."
Kinue sighed and shook her head, "No, I don't. I wish I did, but that is all I remember. I can't even recall either of you actually finding me, so I have no idea how long I was awake or how much my injuries are affecting me. I got a bullet for my troubles, as well as head trauma and extreme blood loss…"
The Lieutenant's smile returned in an attempt to console her, "That's quite alright, Ms. Crossroad. You've been extremely helpful," Emmerich hesitated for a moment as he reached into a pocket, producing the wallet he found earlier. He offered it to her while continuing his cheerful smile, "We found this as we were looking around. Take care, Ms. Crossroad. Good luck to you."
She took the photo, looking at it pensively it before looking back up to the Lieutenants, "Before you go, can you tell me if what they said about Revil is true? Did Revil really escape?"
Emmerich sighed, "It appears so. To be honest, we don't really know much more than you. That part of the reason we're trying to get to the bottom of this. For all we know, these two events could be connected."
Despite some obvious discomfort, Kinue rose herself on the bed to be sitting completely upright. The sheet she had over her fell down to reveal that her clothes had been replaced with a medical garb that covered her wounds entirely, though the two pilots could see that she also had on some spare Zeon clothing to supplement it.
"If Revil escaped, then this war is going to continue," she coughed before she could cover her mouth, though no blood came out, "More people are going to die."
Emmerich nodded, the comment needing no verbal affirmation, "What makes this so upsetting is that many of us, myself included, believed this conference would broker an agreement between us and the Federation," he ran his hand through his hair, exasperated, "I guess some things really are too good to be true."
Disheartened by the news, the reporter sinks back on the bed. She stayed silent and only nodded, her averted eyes and silence making it seem as if she is thinking.
"We'll let you get back to your rest, Ms. Crossroad. Thanks again for your time," Emmerich gestured to Amir and the two begin to exit the sick bay.
The reporter gave a quiet farewell as they left, still trapped by whatever was on her mind. Things would be wrapping up soon at the Antarctic Conference, so both pilots thought that reporting to their superior officer would be the most prudent thing to do now that they had no other tasks at hand.
The two made a quick stop at the mess hall to grab a meal and discuss the options presented by Lady Kycilia. Afterwards, they proceeded without delay to the bridge to report to their superior.
On the bridge the pilot duo found M'Quve speaking with Lady Kycilia in a hushed tone, like how Amir had found them before. Upon the entrance of the pilots, their superior officers turned to see them.
M'Quve was the one to address them, "I was just going to look for you two, or rather have someone do so for me. Have you made your decision as to where you want to be relocated?"
Emmerich cleared his throat, "We have, Lt. Commander. Lieutenant Hiyento and I have decided serving in the 4th Royal Guard Unit under Captain Urabe would be our preferred course of action."
M'Quve let out a small sigh, "Very well. I suppose passing you two off to a member of the family is not the worst course of action," he turns back to Lady Kycilia, "Do you have any objection to these two serving your brother?"
Kycilia gave a negative shake of her head, "Despite today's performance there really are few better choices. They'll require some secondary training, but we have time before we can even begin the Earth invasion that Garma has been placed in charge of now."
M'Quve turned back to face Emmerich and Hiyento, "Very well then. I will handle the paperwork when we are done here. It has been a pleasure serving with you, gentlemen."
"Thank you Sir, Lady Kycilia," Amir said saluting and making eye contact with each of the officials, "I am glad we were able to serve you well."
Before any of the four in the room say or do anything else, the room's door opened once again and someone stepped in behind the pilots. Everyone's attention turned to the new arrival, and to everyone's surprise it was the recently awoken reporter. Kinue was leaning on a crutch and breathing a bit heavily, but she gave a small salute as she stood there in the Zeon uniform used to replace her bloodied shirt.
Kycilia narowed her eyes at the new arrival, "Who gave you permission to both leave the medical wing and to enter my bridge?"
Kinue smiled weakly back at her, still holding her salute, "I left when the doctors weren't looking, and the guards didn't know I wasn't supposed to leave. No-one's posted at the bridge's door, as I assume those guards are the ones by the medical wing now."
Both M'Quve and Kycilia showed signs of exasperation at how incompetent their forces had just proved at their duties. Kinue, meanwhile, tried raising to her full height despite the crutch that obviously was not fitted for her.
"Lady Kycilia, I request that you take me with you. I won't stop reporting despite what happened. I can't if I am to honor my father, who the Federation locked away for reporting their crimes. I have to see how things go now that the war is going to continue."
Kycilia's purple mask hides whatever expression her mouth is in, leaving her scrutinizing eyes to tell what she is thinking, "Yes, I had heard about your father…I have been doing my research on you Ms. Crossroad. It is respectable that you wish to carry on your father's goals, much as a daughter ought to," Kycilia's cold look lessened, "Your name had sounded familiar when it was popularized recently in Zeon. Apparently our people are appreciating your ability to both convey their side of the story while also calling the Federation out on their lies."
Kinue appeared surprised by the news of her recent idol status in Zeon while Kycilia continued with a more relaxed expression, "You have been working for that Japanese network JNN for the past seven years to support your brother Saji, who you were left to take care of after your father was imprisoned wrongfully until his untimely death. You place the truth and your family above all else," Kycilia's expression shifts to a more critical one, "How can I trust someone who still has family on Earth? Your brother could easily be used as a tool against you should you come with us."
Kinue pauses to think before lifting an arm up to salute again, "You have my word that I will not leak information. I am not exactly on good terms with the Federation as it is, and what could I gain with giving them information they wouldn't believe? I am not so important that they would rely on using my brother against me, but I do have some value I would like to believe."
Kycilia nodded once to that, "Very well. If I am to permit you to accompany us, what can you bring of use to us? And what is this about not being on good terms with the Federation?"
"A Federation soldier tried killing me today, leaving me to die...Your men saved my life, and so I owe you all what I can give. I am a reporter, and I can see to it that your stories are recorded and known," Kinue glanced over to the pilots before continuing, "I also know how to gather information that you might need. However, I understand if you do not wish to trust me given my background."
Kycilia glances at Emmerich and Hiyento as well, "And what do you two think? Her life is owed to you after all. What opinions do you have on the matter?"
Amir saluted his superior before speaking in an objective manner, "My Lady when she first approached us at Side 3 I did not trust her, especially considering she was from Earth. However upon seeing her report I was pleasantly surprised. She shared the truth about the oppressive Federation and stood her ground against an aggressive Federation soldier. She seems like a women of her word who is looking to report the truth. It is my opinion that she could be a valuable asset to Zeon, and I believe it is worth the risk."
Kycilia accepts the report with another nod, looking back to Kinue, "Very well then. I will have you transferred under Garma's Earth Force as that is where the war will be taking place. See to it that you continue speaking as you had before, speaking critically, but do know that if you cross me you won't be found except to serve as an example. I expect you to prove yourself and to not hinder our work. Is that clear?"
Kinue saluted her again, fighting back a pained expression from the movement, "Thank you, my lady. I promise I will do my best."
Kycilia looked between the pilots and Ms. Crossroad, "Very well. You three are dismissed. We will be moving out soon, so escort Ms. Kinue to the medical wing."
Because of Revil's speech, the Antarctic Treaty ended with the Federation's morale bolstered, and so the Earth Federation began preparing itself for war once again. It would be months before Zeon would be able to muster its forces to truly invade, and when it did it would be under the leadership of Garma Zabi. While he started his campaign on Earth's surface, Amir and Emmerich went to Side 3 to prepare for their coming duties.
With direct contact with a Zabi on a daily basis, the two men were sure their fortune was up: little did they know that tragedy too was on the horizon, and that their brush with death that day would not be the last.
A/N: For any and all wondering, yes, this means that they are on a path to fight Amuro Ray in the Gundam come many months from this point. Many things will happen in the meantime though…the interesting thing about being in charge of royalty's security is that if you ever mess up at all you can kind of…change things.
Thank you all for reading, and I hope very much to hear from you in the reviews below! Also don't forget about the poll! In addition to whatever other thoughts you have, perhaps there will be a special prize for anyone who can guess where our campaign took its turn from here!