Sp 1 – Overload
Note: This is a special chapter of Gundam – Code 00: the Second Advent. This is set in the past, before Celestial Being was revealed to the world. At that point, they were still in the shadows and preparing their Gundams.
A virtually identical chapter to another one of my fanfics (The Prelude), I am putting this chapter here to make life easier so that people would get some information as I put up Chapter 10 of the Second Advent.
My time in Celestial Being was met with ups and downs, just like the tides influenced by the Moon. Fate, however, was cruel to me from young, separating me from my family. For Nunnally's sake, I want to work this out. However, this time… it was another great tragedy in my early life.
Battle Hangar, Area 51
The hangar kept the Mobile Suits called Gundams currently developed by Celestial Being. During this time, the Gundams were only under research & development until they were allowed to openly engage in actual combat.
This was yet another exercise to test the capabilities of Gundam Plutone, which had the ability to disable other Gundams with its Trial System.
"Okay Zero, this exercise will be simple," Ian spoke through the speaker, "the Abulhool and Astraea will be some sparring. Meanwhile, you will charge up the GN Particle output slowly by a steady rate. Once it is at 100%, activate the Trial System."
"Yes, understood," Lelouch replied, and he looked at his partner… the Haro called Hanayo.
"Rudio and Marlene, you two may begin the mock fight," Ian declared.
Suddenly, both Gundams Abulhool and Astraea moved in for combat. At first, the Abulhool charged in to pierce into the Astraea. However, the Astraea easily avoided the attack and swung its GN Sword at the opponent. It managed to scratch the tip of the Abulhool's right wing, but the Fighter Gundam awkwardly kicked at the Astraea in return.
"While I find this Suit to be impressive, it sucks to be using this in close combat," Marlene remarked.
"GN Particles charging…" Lelouch declared, "Charging rate at 69% and counting."
Control Room, Area 51
"Just don't let this exercise break anything," Ian spoke.
"You can always repair them," Jeremiah remarked, coming into the control room where Ian was.
"Easy for you to …" Ian grunted.
However, Ian never finished his sentence… not after the holographic visage of C2 popped up next to him.
"People, this exercise is to test the maximum capabilities of the Trial System," C2 spoke, "hence, this exercise is ordered by Veda."
"At this point, the Trial System's not that important," Ian admitted, "I would look out more for creating a CQC option for a Fighter-type Gundam."
"That will come soon, but this exercise is still underway," C2 coldly spoke.
Battle Hangar, Area 51
At the battle platform, the two Mobile Suits were still neck to neck with each other. Despite the Abulhool's obvious disadvantage, it was holding out quite well and with minimal damage. However, anyone could tell that the Astraea had the upper hand – being a CQC type and all.
Meanwhile, Lelouch was staring intently at two things. One was the levelled fight of two Gundams, the other was the rising levels of the GN Particles of his own Suit. Soon, the increasing values stopped… at 100%.
"GN Particles fully charged," Lelouch announced, "engaging Trial System now."
The eyes of the Plutone glowed and its GN Drive began to radiate GN Particles out. At that point, the Astraea was about to pierce into the Abulhool with its GN Sword, until the MS arm started to cringe and held itself back.
"So it is working well so far," Jeremiah said.
The flow of GN Particles continued to increase, almost exponentially. The GN Particles even formed waves of energy that spread around the chamber like angelic wings, saturating with GN Particles.
"What's going on?" Ian exclaimed, frantically typing on the controls immediately.
"Hmm… this is… interesting data…" C2 remarked.
"This… this is…" Lelouch cried, as GN Particles began to leak inside the cockpit itself.
Both the Astraea and Abulhool were released from the Trial System and they approached the solitary Plutone, blocking the flood of energy with the Suits themselves.
"Lelouch, can you eject?" Rudio asked.
"I… I can't… this whole thing's jammed!" Lelouch answered.
"Then we will just have to get you myself," Rudio said.
"Rudio, are you mad?" Lelouch exclaimed, "This GN Particle… they will radiate us. We cannot survive direct fallout, not without serious injury at least."
"He's right… it's too dangerous…" Marlene agreed, "…too dangerous to go out there alone. Rudio, I'll go with you."
"Please don't do this!" Lelouch cried, "It was my fault…"
"And throwing yourself to the fire won't help us one bit," Rudio interjected, "we are coming for you!"
Lelouch would try to dissuade them, but both of them were already outside to rescue him.
Control Room, Area 51
Both Jeremiah and Ian grew frantic at the sudden malfunction of the Plutone, and hurriedly trying to salvage the situation they were in. However, C2 was still completely calm during all this.
"Core Fighter, activate…" she spoke calmly.
Battle Hangar, Area 51
"Core Fighter activated," Hanayo cried, "Core Fighter activated."
"Wait!" Lelouch exclaimed.
The chest region of the Plutone began to move on its own, and it reformed into an independent Core Fighter unit. The GN Drive was still intact in the Gundam. While the Core Fighter flew off to the other side of the Hangar, both Rudio and Marlene ended up bathed in the massive GN Particles.
Lelouch sped past the two dying Meisters, looking at both Rudio and Marlene. The two of them were groaning in agony, but still mouthed out something. From how it was, Lelouch understood their words and tears flooded his eyes.
"NO!" he cried.
Medical Bay, Area 51
Several hours had passed, and two bodies lied covered in cloth in the Medical Bay. Dr. Monroe looked at the two bodies and sighed, and then he turned towards Lelouch and the rest of Celestial Being.
"Rudio Resonance and Marlene Vlady are both dead," Monroe announced, "we should arrange for their burial."
"They can't… people around just keep dying…" Lelouch muttered.
"I see…" C2 coldly remarked, "We will require to find new Meisters and improve the GN Drives."
"You…" Lelouch yelled, turning at the holographic image, "Get out of my sight!"
"Hmm… Lelouch, you should keep your cool sometimes," C2 said, "a person dying is truly natural. At least they died for a cause."
"Shut up…" Lelouch said, "I am in charge here and the priority is to give them a proper burial."
"Yes, my Lord," Jeremiah agreed.
"One more thing… their child… Feldt, she must not know," Lelouch said, "I don't want her to be hurt, like I had."