Phase 5: Sword of Destruction
-Within the Vanaheimr Fortress-
Poke and Fate's units rush at full to the reactor, expertly priming and setting the special explosives onto the reactor at several distinct stress points as analyzed by their onboard computers. They set the charges to blow at their signal so allowing them a chance to escape the fortress while Vanir was busy putting out fires within.
Poke: Quick set the charges, we'll leave immediately.
Fate: Roger Sir.
-Sets 8 charges around the reactor-
Fate: I guess that's it Sir, let's go.
Poke: Watch out!
-The same restraining beams as before were shot towards them, Poke used the VARIT saber to slice thru the beams, resulting in VARIT changing to a bright yellow color-
Poke: Luckily I analyzed the beams the previous time, my sabers may cut thru them now. Come on Fate, we're escaping.
-The two units dash out quickly and as they cleared the reactor room, they sent the detonation signal and rushed out of the fortress at full throttle-
Poke: Seems that only powered down the base and not destroyed it.
Fate: Commander, I've established contact with the Legacy, they're coming to retrieve us in 30 minutes.
Poke: Let's not sit around unprotected, they may send units after us soon.
Fate: Both our units are relatively low on energy. My unit has only 25 percent of energy,
Poke: My unit has only 40 percent, it's not enough to reach the Legacy. We'll use our remaining energy to fight off the enemies and defend this position until the Legacy arrives.
Fate: Yes Sir, but I don't have any weapons.
-Hands over a rifle and extendable sword-
Poke: Use these.
Fate: Thank you Sir.
Poke: None needed.
-On board the Legacy, Mess Hall-
Rein: Commander Xin, there's been a transmission from the Vanaheimr vicinity, it came from my sister's, I mean the Captain's Unit.
Xin: Are you sure!? They're gonna need backup, leave now! (Stuffs the remains of his lunch into his mouth and calls the bridge) Asura launch, destination Vanaheimr fortress, full speed ahead.
Asura: Roger Sir.
-Xin rushes to the bridge-
Xin: Asura, issue a condition red alert, all pilots to sortie, thrusters at max, Jotun class craft to follow at full, let's go rescue the Commander and Captain.
Asura: Condition Red, all hands to stations, speed at full, Jotun class to follow. Priority mission is to retrieve the Commander and Captain's unit.
Xin: I'm going to sortie, Asura take care of the bridge.
Asura: Yes Sir.
-In space, near Vanaheimr fortress-
Poke: Fate, they're coming.
Fate: Roger, registering 60units, 10 terrorize type, rest are CGUE type units.
Poke: (Grins) Piece of cake. Let's rush them!
Poke dashes into the fray with the 2 VARIT sabers in hand, glowing sliver that allows it to penetrate phrase shift armor, while Fate picks off units that were missed by Poke. They managed to keep the incoming enemy units at bay while concentrating on a minor retreat. When about fifteen units were down, the remaining units stepped down and a gold command type TER – X666 TERRORIZE unit appeared.
Vanir: So I see, you've managed to escape my fortress comrade.
Poke: No thanks to you. Mostly your numbskull subordinates.
Vanir: Shall we have a little 1 on 1 battle comrade, you seem relatively skilled enough to give me some minor entertainment.
Poke: How bout I wipe the floor with you.
Vanir: There is no floor comrade, just the blankness of space.
Poke: Well I agree, but I'm the one who's gonna throw you into a void.
Vanir: Fine, all unit stay back.
Poke: Fate you too.
Fate: (thru a private line) But Commander, our power levels are severely low.
Poke: Don't worry, it'll all work out. Let's get this on with general.
Without a reply, Vanir dashes forward for an attack, Poke was literally caught off guard, but parried the blow with his VARIT, but Vanir had another weapon, his 8 barrel beam gun swiftly took aim and fired, but Poke ejected his pack immediately and used the repulsion force to get clear of the beam gun. Poke made a dash for the beam cannon and laid waste to it by slicing it into many pieces with his VARIT, but at the slash of the general's beam saber, it cost his unit's right arm.
Vanir: Ah comrade, it seems we are equally matched, but I now have the upper hand.
Poke: Don't be too sure. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve.
Poke activated his holographic multi-imaging projection system to create many copies of himself. They ran at high speeds to confuse the general which was the real mobile suit. The six images attacked him at once, but the swift movement of the general sliced thru them instantly and without hesitation.
Vanir: What!? How could all of them be images, where's the real one?
Poke: Down here general! (Rushes up at full speed, slicing the general's unit in half)
Vanir: Impossible! Defeated by a failed coor… (Died before he could complete his sentence, while his unit explodes in a ball of red light)
Poke: Well I guess that's my victory. (Starts a broadcast over all channels) I have defeated your general, surrender at once and we'll spare your lives. (Immediately the remaining units retreated into the fortress)
As Poke's unit ran out of power and powered down into a teal gray color, the Legacy arrived. Kana and Xin units' immediately launched and retrieved the deathbringer unit while Fate landed her unit on the Legacy. The two of them were immediately brought to the sick bay, where Poke had to have his bandages changed while Fate was asked to rest, they were denied visitors but an order was given out to storm the Vanaheimr fortress. Rein purposely tied the bandages extra tight on Poke's arm because she was mad at him for getting her sister in trouble.
Poke: Ow ow, not so tight.
Rein: You deserve it Commander, getting my sister in so much trouble.
Poke: It's not my fault. (Looks to Fate for a little assistance)
Fate: Yea Rein, go easy on the Commander, he did get us out alive after all.
Rein: Awww… Sis why do you always take the Commander's side. (Pouts) Could it be, your have done this and that!?
Fate: NO!
Rein: Commander, why don't you share it with me eh?
-Poke grabs his pillow and stuffs it over his head-
Fate: Hey! A little help here would be nice, pinches his arm.
Poke: OW!!!! Watch the arm. (Rolls around in pain)
Rein: Who would have thought, the Commander was so pain conscious.
Fate: Well Rein, let's give the Commander some rest first, you can bug him later.
Rein: Why don't you stay and accompany him sis?
Fate: (Blushes) Well why not?
Rein: Don't try any naughty business while I'm gone sis.
-Fate throws a pillow at her, Rein evades-
Poke: I'm starving… Haven't had anything decent to eat… (Stomach growls)
Fate: (Giggles) Your stomach sure is important eh Commander.
Poke: Fate, its Poke and not Commander when we're alone. Let's head to the mess hall to eat.
Fate: (Blushes) Yes Po-ke.
-She helps Poke out of bed and let him lean on her all the way to the mess hall-
Poke: Yummy. It's chow time!
Fate: What shall you have today Commander?
Poke: I want a yummy steak with black pepper sauce, a side order of fries, mashed potatoes, fried rice and a bottle of water.
Fate: Can you really eat that much Commander?
Poke: YES! FOOD!
-Stares at the small build Commander-
Poke: Yes I can eat…
Fate: Sure sure. (Gets food for Poke)
Poke: This food is so good. (Mumbles with food in his mouth)
Fate: Well, don't talk with your mouth full Poke. (Slowly eats her rice and chicken)
Poke: (Stares at Fate) Eh!? You called me Poke. (Stunned)
Fate: Eh! Sorry Sir. (Blushes)
Poke: No no. It's alright. I rather you call me that.
Fate: Yes Poke.
-Xin then comes in-
Xin: Yoz bro.
Poke: Yoz, how was the recon?
Xin: They've lost their fighting spirit and surrendered, no casualty on our side, but apparently their commanders have all fled in their units and 3 C.thrust class signals were detected for a moment, whether picking them up or escaping with them, we have no way to tell.
Poke: I see… How many units were recovered?
Xin: Easily 150 units, to think that so many people have joined the TERRA force. But that base is ours now.
Poke: Yes to think. So on a lighter side, how bout some grub, food today is pretty good.
Xin: Nah, I'll pass, I've eaten already. Won't wanna disturb such a romantic atmosphere. (Smirks)
Poke: (Grins) Heh, I guess you should get going already eh.
Xin: Yea we gotta repair those mobile suits you 2 broke.
Poke: Eh? Broke? Not my fault. (Shrugs)
Xin: Tell that to Joyce, she was about to kill you for wrecking her precious machines.
Poke: Hmmm… on the other hand I think I'll be faking sick the next couple of days.
-All of them started bursting out in laughter-
Xin: Oh well I guess I gotta go, have a nice meal.
-Xin walks off-
Poke: I'm done.
Fate: Same here, shall we return to our cabins? (Wipes some black pepper sauce off Poke's uniform)
Poke: Thanks, let's get going.
The two returned to Poke's cabin and Fate went over to Rein's cabin to explain what had happened on board the Vanaheimr. She hesitated at what she should tell her sister and what she should not tell her. Keeping her in the dark was a rather un-sisterly thing to do.
-Fate knocks on the door-
Rein: Come in.
Fate: Hi sis.
Rein: Oh hi. Did you want something sis?
Fate: No I was just wondering how you were.
Rein: No sis, I'm fine, how bout you. Must have been an awful experience in the Vanaheimr fortress. Tell me more about it.
Fate: Well, it was Poke who got us out by sneaking C4 in his missing eye socket.
Rein: Ewww, that's disgusting, you must be like the only one who saw that.
Fate: I guess so.
Rein: You also got to be the dumbest person to ever like that one eyed insensitive loser.
Fate: How? How did you know!?
Rein: Eh! Sis don't cha know that Lindy is the gossip queen? News spreads like wildfire!
Fate: I never told her!?
Rein: No but it sure was obvious. You stutter around him, you blush when you leave his cabin, you… (Gets cut off)
Fate: But I'm sure it's a one sided relationship.
Rein: Nope I'm guessing the Commander loves ya too. So tell me.
Fate: Tell you what?
Rein: Did your really do "This and That" on the Vanaheimr?
Fate: NO!
Rein: Gosh! You gotta turn on your womanly charm sis, if not the Commander ain't gonna realize that you like him.
Fate: (Blushes) I'm gonna go get some rest, see ya later sis.
Rein: Did like the Commander care for you.
Fate: Yea… Well he did try to protect me…
-Runs out of Rein's cabin-
Rein: Silly girl…
-On board the Legacy, Poke's cabin-
Poke: So Joyce we need more supplies from ORB is it?
Joyce: Yes Sir, it's preferable that we return.
Poke: I see… Ok, prepare for decent into earth, we'll leave the Jotun class ships to raid the fortress.
Joyce: Also Sir, the DEATHBRINGER is combat ready already.
Poke: Ah, I see, that is good news. I think I shall move to the bridge to get ready for the descent.
Joyce: I'll return to the engine room.
-Joyce leaves for the engine room, while Poke puts on his Commander's uniform and goes to the bridge-
Poke: Ah Fate your on duty today eh.
Fate: Yes Poke, are we to launch soon?
Poke: Yea, we're descending to earth in 1 hour, Rein open a link to the Loki and Ymir.
Rein: Alright Sir, communication link established.
Poke: Ah Captains, the legacy needs to descend to earth to make a few repairs, both of your crafts will continue to investigate the Vanaheimr, while ZAFT forces will be there shortly to take in the TERRA members.
Yang Sheng: Yes Sir, but what do we do to these excessive mobile suits?
Poke: Hmmm… Hand them over to ZAFT, also hand over command of the fortress to them as well.
The Captains: Yes Sir! (Salutes)
Poke: Oh and one more thing, send the Gungnir and Luin as escort for the Legacy.
-Cuts off communication link-
Poke: Well, it's time to head home then.
Will the descent be what is expected? What will happen in ORB? Find out in Phase 6: The Descent.