GunDread SEED The Second Stage
Disclaimer: I do not own either VanDread or Gundam SEED, if I did, then I wouldn't bother with making this story.
Chapter 5
Part 6B
Infinite Possibilities
( ): Thoughts
--
In the Hanger of the Harvest Mother-ship…
The sample of Kyo's blood was now being set into special cryo-suspension to ensure it's safety while it would be escorted back to the home-world. However the shuttle that transported it would not be powerful enough to reach the planet Earth. So they needed a new and far more efficient transport system.
The ship that was in the Hanger looked like a sleek fighter-transport similar to an old style SR-71 Black-Bird but looked far sleeker…and deadlier than the original. It bristled with a few defensive weapons buy it's primary function was rapid transport.
It's escorts were modified Cube Fighters, which were made to move faster, be more maneuverable, and have better armor. The Harvesters realized after the transformation of the Freedom Gundam to it's current form, was that in order to maintain a strong edge with the Nirvana's pirate forces, they also had to make changes. The Cube Fighters were sleeker than before, and were better armored, without losing the need to be fast and responsive. The Seed Ships were also updated to move faster than before and were better armored to have a stronger survival rate.
As the small fleet began to launch, the rest of the fleet were now minutes from getting into position.
--
The activity in the Nirvana reached an all time high now. Vanguards were being stationed by Aleck in his GUiAZ unit as they were to form as perimeter defense for the Nirvana, while the other Vanguard pilots were now in the simulator units, all of which were now hacked into piloting the numbers of the converted Ogres and Desert Fangs that Kyo was able to control using that virus/OS he and the others had made. The trick was very simple, when the Vanguard trainees were using one Desert Fang or an Ogre, the other units would be piloted by normal AI systems, acting as attack and support units. Should the pilot lose the unit she was using, then she could switch to another unit that she could control, allowing her to take command of the unit instantly, overriding the AI systems and going to manual mode, this also applied with the Sky Strikers and the Dread pilots who would be using the Dread training simulators to pilot their own forces. The transmitter installed by Parfet and the Engineering crew in all the units, including the Sky Strikers had been designed to work in the EM fields and allow for a closer and more effective use of all the units.
Kyo nodded as the last of the combat rosters were now assigned while he checked them in his data-pad. As he got into his uniform, he began to run the combat scenarios in his mind, and also decided that if the new Dominions had newer weapons in their inventory, then he would have to change the combat tactics of the Crusader Squadron once he got the chance, plus both he and Meia will need new maneuvers and tactics for her Dread teams. Plus he decided to at least disable one Dominion Gundam in order to learn exactly WHAT made the Earth Gundams tick, since it was time to train his Vanguard pilots and the Dread pilots…on how to kill a Gundam.
As he walked towards the Hanger he spotted Bart making his way into the Bridge. He decided to talk to the bald navigator and see how he was taking the situation, plus he DID owe Bart something anyway.
"Hey Bart!"
The former blonde haired navigator heard his name and ran to Kyo. "Hey Kyo! I want to wish you luck on the mission, don't worry about the ship and the others, I'll do my best to protect them!"
Kyo nodded. "I know you will, but before you go, I want to say thanks."
This puzzled Bart as he looked back at Kyo, he was surprised that the formidable Gundam pilot was thanking him. "Thanks for what?"
"For suggesting that alliance all those months ago. You really made the right choice when you told Magno that we'd be better off working as a team than being at odds."
"It was nothing. To tell you…" Bart gave a slump in his shoulders to emphasis something. "To tell you the truth, I only did it to try and save my skin and Duero's. I thought that after that fight we'd be on our own, or worse. I guess I never realized that idea I did to save my own cowardly hide would now be the only thing that keeps our worlds from being turned into grave-yards and all our people into parts."
"Yeah, I know, and you did the right thing. Now the reason I want to thank is not just that."
"Oh?"
"You know, long before I ever came to Talark, I was pretty much just wandering around the cosmos, finding where I belonged, and trying to survive, basically I had no where else to go. I didn't have any idea what I would or should be doing, and even if I helped a lot people in my travels, I still didn't have much to go on, no direction and maybe…no future. But that changed when I got to your world, and snuck into the Ikazuchi and got sent to where we are now, and when you proposed to the Captain we men and women work together, I guess I found something that made me change my mind and focus all my skills on. In time I found something to do that was worthwhile, I have a place to call home, people to call family and friends, and maybe…I can find my past and start a whole new chapter in my life."
Kyo then shook Bart's hand and gave the Talark youth a firm grip on the hand with an expression of gratitude. "I thank you Bart, and I can say this for a fact, you will be a great man one day. And I'll be very proud to call you a friend, so no matter what people may say about you, and no matter what will happen, you're a man any, and I mean any, father would be proud to call his son."
Bart felt honored with such praise coming from a guy like Kyo. He was rather jealous of Kyo in the past, with all of Kyo's skills, experience, abilities, and reputation, but he learned that he was a good man and a great friend. And to hear praise like that coming from him made him proud to have met him. He gave back the same firm grip as he had been getting stronger since he began the journey.
"Don't worry, I won't disappoint you! I'm going to show the Harvesters what kind of a man Bart Garsus of Talark is made off! Good Luck Kyo and give those Harvesters a real thrashing!"
"Don't worry, when I'm done, they won't know what hit them!"
Both men gave the acknowledgment of warriors with a good old fashion shout of combat readiness, and Bart the coward was no more and out came Bart the warrior. Both men knew that now was the time. Bart ran to begin full prep of the Nirvana's weaponry, and Kyo now on the move to rally his teams and fulfill a mission.
--
Barnette got into her pilot uniform and grabbed her helmet. Parfet had a spare uniform modeled after Kyo's survival/combat/utility pilot uniform, and although she didn't quite like the some of the lack of aesthetics, she was content that it gave adequate protection for her. She thought about a lot of things as she made her way to the Hanger, one of which was her conversation with Kyo nearly a week before. She thought about it and what her decision would mean for her. She realized there was plenty of time for her to make her move and learn more about men, namely Max. And that was when she decided to tell Kyo something of great importance.
As she walked back to the Hanger and saw Duero getting into his own uniform and Max was beside his elder sibling also suiting up…she knew that she had even greater reason to tell Kyo what she had decided to do once they got back home.
Once she was able to get Kyo to see her, she called his attention. "Kyo, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Kyo turned and faced Barnette. "Yeah, what's it about?"
"Do you recall that conversation we had with the others before we came here?"
Kyo thought back on the previous conversations and recalled the one they had about warning the worlds of both Megele and Talark. "Yeah I do."
"Do you recall what I said when you talked about making the move to convince men and women to work together and when you asked me if one of the crew would speak to my home-world about joining forces with the men?"
Flashback…
Kyo: "The reason that it got to this point is that foolish argument that happened over one hundred years ago. I'm not all that sure about the history of Megele and Talark, but if at some point, both sides should have made up and dropped their pride, the new generations that would precede them wouldn't be in this kind of a mess. They are now stuck in the belief that their side is right, they won't even try to find the truth that there is more out there than what they see and believe. Both don't even try to make some form of communication with each other, that they forgot that they are both parts of the human race. Now they are willing to institute extreme measures to win a war that is totally useless, all on the basis of gender. Somebody HAS to stop it and try to bring them together so there's a chance for peace between genders."
Barnette: "Kyo, I know that it's the truth, but you can't expect both sides to just kiss and make up. We were able to do that on the Nirvana, only because we were out here and on our own, and we had to do it to survive. What you're asking the people of my home, Dita, Jura's and all those in the Nirvana to just drop everything and start from scratch! It's not that simple, you know that don't you? I don't think the men in Talark or their government would agree to that idea either!"
Kyo: "I can't argue with that Barnette, and you are right, I know that me asking an entire civilization to change their way of thinking is near to impossible. But we HAVE to try, we need to break this wall between your world and that of Duero, Bart, Max, and Aleck. If we don't, then who will stand against the Harvesters when they strike? You know it yourself that when men and women work together, then nothing in this world is not impossible."
Barnette: "I know that, and I really do. But I doubt you, Duero, Max, Bart, or Aleck can just go to Megele and present that idea. Knowing my planet's military methods they'd kill you or any of these men before any of you can set even one hair on Megele."
Kyo: "And if the person, that presented the idea of men and women working together on Megele WASN'T a man, what then?"
Kyo: "What if the one who would present the idea was one of the crew on the Nirvana, what then?"
Barnette: "You're nuts! We happen to be pirates, and we're not even liked on our own planet. They'd throw us in jail than even listen to us. And that's just in the pretext that we're renegades from their life-style. The woman who even tries to suggest that men and women should work together is more than crazy, she's practically going to the execution block like a lamb to the slaughter!!"
Barnette: "I'm not going to start another mess or mutiny Jura. I just want to say that it's not going to be that simple. Things aren't that simple anymore. Kyo, I'm already trying to tolerate you men on the Nirvana, and you all did many things that deserve credit, and you and I are already no longer enemies. But to ask one of my crew-mates to risk her life in Megele to try and teach them something that they will consider heresy the very second they hear of it is indeed suicidal. I just don't like the idea, the whole thing started out as necessity and it became important in the Nirvana, but only on the Nirvana, as it's NOT going to be easy to teach on Megele or in Talark for that matter, and that's that."
End of Flashback…
"I do, and don't worry about that, maybe we can find a way to convince the men on Talark and the women on your world to come to terms with the situation without having anybody harmed."
Barnette shook her head, her decision was already made. "There will be someone from the crew who can do that."
Kyo was curious at first, but when he got the ulterior meaning of what Barnette was saying, he was shocked into silence. In a moment he began to speak.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
Barnette merely nodded.
"No way, are you absolutely sure you want to do that?"
"Yes, you were right about the need for someone of the crew to speak to the leaders or even to Grandma for the need to have an alliance with the men. And I'm ready to do that."
"Even if it means…?"
"I'll be considered a traitor on my own world, exiled and spat upon, and be hunted on sight?" Barnette asked as she cradled her helmet. "Then the answer is yes. I'm not going to deny anymore how important it is for all humanity to stand united against the Harvesters. I want this to work, ever since my days here on this world, I've come to understand and support the need for men and women to work together. I nearly died if it hadn't been for Max, Duero, and Aleck, men I had been born to despise and hate since I was a little girl. But I'm not a little girl anymore, and I want this to work. And maybe…just maybe, it can be something more." She said as they both saw the two brothers walking towards them, Duero was speaking to Parfet who apparently found them while Barnette was speaking to Kyo.
Barnette saw the trust and growing affection between Duero and Parfet, despite the fact that Duero wasn't still used to such. But she saw how much Parfet was getting closer to Duero. Her gaze went to Max, the man that changed her life and views of men, and when he gazed back at her, she couldn't help but feel her cheeks heat at his gaze.
Kyo could see it and couldn't help but smile. "I guess if you really want to do this, then I wish you the best. But for now, both you and Max had better survive this battle, so you can do what you can to help save your respective worlds."
Barnette nodded with thanks and joined Duero, Max, and Parfet as the four of them made their way to the Hanger where the Templar, Morpheous, and the SwitchBlade Gundams were being stored.
As they arrived, Duero said his farewells to Parfet and promising the head engineer to return back safe while Max and Barnette said their own farewells and promising each other to return safely back to the ship. Kyo looked at them and gave his own prayer for everyone to make it back home safely, his thoughts went to all the people on the Nirvana…Jura, with all her beauty and now growing affections, Dita, with her innocent nature and charming smile, Meia with her calmness and inner strength, Gascogne, who was like a sister to him, Paiway, who was like a baby sister to him, and to all who have become facets of his life.
Once he was done, he climbed the ramp and took the cable to his Gundam's cockpit. While there he decided to at least speak to all the people involved.
The Nirvana…
"Captain, we have a call coming from Kyo." Belvedere said to Magno as the crew got ready.
Magno accepted the call and in the view-screen appeared the Gundam pilot. "What is it Kyo?"
"Permission to speak to the crew, Captain?"
Magno nodded as Kyo looked as if he had some words to say. "BC, tell the crew that Kyo wants to have a word with all of them."
Buzam nodded and called the attention of all the crew as they listened to Kyo.
(This will be a long speech, but I hope you readers can take it…Here it goes.)
Kyo took in a deep breath to calm his nerves, and began to speak to the crew as they all were ready.
"I want to say that we all started this whole journey with a lot of differences. I was just a guy drifting with not much of a place to call my home, nobody I knew was waiting for me, and I had no reason to fight with all that I was. I fought to survive only, no real reason, except finding anything that can tell me where I was from."
"You also had your own reasons, reasons why you all chose to be pirates, and why you live your lives the way you do. Bart, Duero, Max, and Aleck have their own reasons to become soldiers of their world. They made their own choices, though some were forced to them by circumstances and chance. But despite all that we all have our own reasons and direction."
The crew listened attentively as this was the first time Kyo would give a speech, apart from the one he gave when he had died the first time.
"For all of you ladies, you were always taught that men were the enemy, that we were inferior and not equal to women. Even when you became pirates, those were your beliefs for most of your lives, and that guided you all this way, until you attacked the Ikazuchi."
The women were silent as they listened, recalling the event that brought them all to this point, and to meet men for the first time and how hard it was let go of those teachings. The Dread pilots stood near the simulators, just like the girls in Kyo's Crusader Squadron.
"For you guys from Talark, you were taught for all of your lives that women were monsters, creatures who know no pity or mercy and deserved neither. You have never met women, but the hatred that was ingrained into you always spoke that. Until you were on the Ikazuchi and when the women attacked it."
Duero, Max, Aleck, and Bart listened as they also recalled the classes they were in about women and why they were the enemy. They recalled all their separate experiences before and since.
"I only came to Talark to get supplies and move on with me own search. I had no desire to join the war between your worlds and ideals. Since I had been fighting for so long, and for many reasons, I thought nothing different with the war between your sides. That was the way I saw things…until I snuck on the Ikazuchi."
Kyo stopped as he recalled that event. Then when he was done reminiscing, he continued to speak
"None of us knew that this would bring us all together, whether we wanted it or not. We found ourselves together, stuck on the other side of the galaxy, trying to go back home, and trying to get along, while dealing with the Harvesters attacking us every chance they could get. Our different ideals and perceptions always clashed, and even when we agreed to work together to get home, we still had so much doubts and suspicions. I won't say what changed it since we all knew what happened."
The crew recalled what it took for them all to look past their planet's teachings, and even if was already many months ago, it still brought them some shame to recall.
"But now we learned that they want to destroy all human life because they say we have no right to deny them their own right to exist. We now fight not just to get back home, but to fight for the very future that the Harvesters wish to take from us, now we are fighting as a team. And we have to, since the Harvesters think that we no longer have the right to make our own destiny. We all started as different people with different ideals, and what was once an alliance of convenience is now the only thing standing between the survival of all humanity and it's extinction. Now we are allies ready to defend all that we care about and we are a living example of the power of men and women working together as humans, and that is worth fighting for."
They all recalled what they learned from each other, and how much they had gained and how far they all had gone together. The thought of returning to how they treated each other was no longer something they wanted.
"I want to say that it has been an honor for all of us fighting side by side, and I thank you all since you have become very close to me. I am ready to fight beside all of you, until the very end, and I will never stop until we win this war. Thank you and good luck to you all on this mission."
Kyo said as he signed off, but as he got on his helmet's visor, he began receiving many messages and communiqués from nearly all members of the crew, all of them saying thank you. In that moment all the girls who were chasing him came into his display monitor and replied.
"Thank you Kyo and good luck!"
With the exception of Dita who said. "Thank you and good luck Mr. Alien!"
All the crew were listening in on that one and all had a sweat-drop on the side of their heads.
(I think I can still fix the speech, but tell me what you think about it when you all get the chance.)
Kyo merely smiled back as the crew got ready…
Barnette completed her systems checks and locked in her visor, while saying good luck with a smile to Max, who did the same as he placed in his own visor.
Duero nodded and promised Parfet he'd return as he spoke to the chief engineer as he locked in his visor.
The girls under Aleck's command wished each other well, while Aleck spoke to Gascogne promising another game of cards when this mission was over.
Bart made a promise to the crew and to both Ezra and Lacus that eh would get them all to safety as he warmed up the Nirvana.
Out of the Nirvana came the numbers of Ogres, Desert Fangs, Sky Strikers, and Vanguards. The whole might of the pirates was unleashed, and in the lead were none other than the Gundams.
The Morpheous was now decked in it's Galahad Form Pack, while the Templar and the SwitchBlade flew side by side. In the lead was Kyo in his Infinite-Freedom Gundam, and when they were clear, the forces divided into their respective teams.
It was show time!
--
(I decided to add a song into this story, and it is also from Gundam SEED, here's a clue, it has something to do with the situation the Nirvana is in.)
(As the lead attackers from the Nirvana stream towards their targets at high speed. We see a split scene for each team, with each leader of the teams all gearing up and we end with Kyo as he reaches his objective. And in the back-ground out comes the music)
(Italic for music, the verse in the bottom are the English translation)
dare mo mina samayoi nagara kotae wo sagashite
Everyone, while wandering, is looking for an answer
As Kyo's team reaches the target they are greeted by hordes of enemy units, Ogres, Desert Fangs, and Sky Strikers on both sides now arm up, weapons at the ready. Kyo then takes out his beam rifle, splits it and fires the very first shot, turning a few Sky Strikers into blasted metallic skeletons that fell to the surface. In that instant the whole sky was filled with explosions, missile trails, and the sounds of gatling gun-fire as the Sky Striker forces on the side of the pirates, and that of the AI forces slammed and began the ageless fight in the atmosphere of the planet.
On the ground, the Desert Fangs of the pirates traded beam bolts with the AI controlled Desert Fangs, the ground was treated to the explosive power of each side as craters and exploding geysers of sand appeared everywhere. And those that came into close contact used the beam sabers built into them, Unit after unit blasted at each other in any distance and there were may that wound up as blasted hunks. Others were dissected by the beam blades as the Desert Fangs struck at each other like predatory cats in a free for all blood brawl. The Ogres began raining missile, bullet, cannon and artillery fire all over the sides, some were losing arms and heads. Those Ogres that came into contact at point-blank range fought like gladiators in hand to hand combat.
futari naraba jikan sae mo shihai dekiru to omotteta ano koro
If we were together, even time could be under our control, or so I thought back then
The scene was the same as Duero's team arrived and fought with their own enemies. The Morpheous while it was air-borne dodged incoming missile fire and took out it's anti-ship sword and sliced apart several enemy Sky Strikers of their wings, making the fighters crash like fallen birds into the ground. The Talark Gundam pilot/medic then used his Mobile Suit's arsenals to eliminate as many targets as he could, while still guiding his forces.
The Sky Strikers were going on full tilt as the Dread pilots began to dog-fight in the atmosphere. With all their experience to bring into the mess, the Megele pilots were bringing this fight out like ballet dancers in a play.
On the ground the Desert Fangs on either side blasted each other and dodged each other as they began to attack. Since many of the Desert Fangs were members of Kyo's Crusader Squadron they were able to adapt quickly to their new units, thanks to Kyo's training. The Ogres were going all out as the ground was filled by cannon shells- bullets, beam bolts and missiles.
Duero guided his Gundam towards the object while lending as much support to his team as possible. He fired his Gundam Blood Kiss' Beam Glaive at several enemy units. The triple bladed disc slashed apart several Desert Fangs, amputated an enemy Ogre unit, and when it went back to it's owner, the weapon killed several enemy Sky Strikers by slicing off their cock-pits, and the weapon then returned to it's owner and retracted it's beam edge emitters. Duero then re-holstered the glaive and took out his beam rifle, he then rocketed to the ground and began to lead the ground forces, he then jammed one his sonic resonance short swords into the body of an Ogre, and diagonally lifted the blade, slicing the unit and the Gundam moved on and blasted another Desert Fang that tried to blind-side it.
tsuki hi wa nagare sora no ima mo kawaru you ni surechigatteta kokoro
Instead time flows on, even the colors of the sky have changed, and our hearts passed right on by each other
Barnette and Max were having a ball in their respective Gundams while they lead their forces. Although Barnette was paired with Max, she still did her best to coordinate her Team of Sky Strikers. The Megele pilot had her Gundam in Mobile Armor mode and was having a field day dodging the incoming fire from her enemies and blasting as many as she could, she still remained careful not to get over-confident. But her worries were not large as Max flew beside her, providing protection with his Templar Gundam's shield. He also responded by blasting more Sky Strikers with his Gundam's beam rifle and the head installed CIWS guns, reducing many enemy fighters into scrap. The Talark youth then took out his Gundam's plasma and rail-gun weapons and blasted and incoming barrage of missiles meant to impact on Barnette, the ensuring explosions colored the sky as both Gundams went on to engage both ground and air threats, while their teams provided support.
Sara and Mai's respective teams began their full assault on their own target. The two were piloting a Desert Fang, and an Ogre respectively, while the rest of their respective teams launched a full scale attack on their target. They were now heavily engaged with their enemies and began to fight with all they had. As much as possible, they had to make their enemies believe that the Lancer Platform that they were heading for WAS the one they wanted.
megurikuru kisetsu no naka de
ano toki ga tomareba
ii no ni
In the never-ending course of the seasons,
wouldn't it be nice if we could freeze time at that one moment?
The Nirvana, protected by spare Desert Fangs, Ogres, and the Vanguards went on full cruise mode. As the pirate ship arrived on the outer reaches of the planet's inner oceans, the ship cruised over the water's surface, unleashing waves of water and massive amounts of water that created a massive number of massive or small sized rainbows, and those colors were reflected by the ship's plating.
futari mata samayoi nagara
kono sora wo kanata ni
ai wo sagashite
The two of us, while still wandering,
are searching for love in the far corners of the darkness
(As the music begins to speed up, we spot the pirates deep in the fight on all fronts, and Kyo as well as a pair of particular units close in on the young Ultimate Coordinator, his Gundam, and his team of pilots.)
Kyo turned and spotted the incoming Dominion units, and had to dodge as the Earth Gundams fired their full arsenals at him. Several of his team-members were shot down, but managed to impact on the Dominion units' armor, though they didn't damage it. Kyo had rely on dodging since his Gundam no longer had it's combat shield, but the massive maneuverability and speed gained from the evolution more than made up for it. He then took out his beam sabers and with amazing skill, blocked several beam bolts aiming at him. The Dominion Gundam that was in front launched itself on full power, armed with it's beam saber and with it's shield's beam edge emitters online, intent on turning the Nirvana Gundam into scrap.
Kyo didn't flinch as he readied his own beam sabers.
Max and Barnette moved in unison, evading a barrage of beam fire as the Dominion Gundams assigned to their target area appeared and fought back. One engaged the two, while another took on the other forces of the Nirvana. The two Gundam pilots realized that this was going to be a tough challenge as this was the first time they would be fighting a Gundam which had some or a large portion of the moves Kyo used in his own battles.
Duero spotted his own Dominion Gundam opponent as the Earth built Gundam in question began engaging the Nirvana forces. The Talark physician was thankful all of their current forces didn't have human pilots, as the Gundam tore apart several Desert Fangs with it's beam saber easily. He then got into contact with the units under his command and ordered their pilots to concentrate their attacks on two fronts, one on their target, while the others along with him silenced the Dominion.
Sara and Mai saw the incoming Dominion in their own area as the Gundam deflected several attacks from their teams with it's shield and returned fire with it's own beam weaponry. The two women ordered their teams to separate and engage their enemy while the ones not attacking the Gundam of Earth would focus on their current mission. The Elsman girl and the descendant of the Miazaki family took a deep breath….since despite the fact they were not in the cock-pits themselves of the Desert Fang and Ogre the individually piloted, the fact that they would be facing their first Gundam opponent wasn't lost to them.
--
In the Nirvana, the crew all watched breathlessly as they saw the respective scenes from the respective teams. Parfet wasted no time, though she was very worried in the fact that Duero was facing one of the dreaded Dominion units, she focused on finally hacking the Ai database and coming with the over-ride code to take over the systems of the Lancer Platform they intended to steal.
She knew that the four members of their crew MUST win for their mission to succeed, and the thought of watching Duero die fighting made her blood cold as ice.
(NO! I won't think that!! Duero…please be careful!!)
--
Duero calmed himself as he faced the Gundam, recalling all of his training, he went on the offensive, as he was escorted by the rest of his team.
--
ima no kimi ni utsuru sora wa donna iro nara kikikaesenai nara
What color is the sky right now where you are? As it is I can't ask again
Kyo went on the offensive, but he ordered his team to maintain their attack and keep the enemy totally occupied and launch a full strike against the base they were attacking. The attack was working as Kyo could detect even more forces from the AI army approaching his team. Since he was no longer a target to capture and also the prime target of the Harvester forces, the enemy would hit him first. He wasn't disappointed as the Dominions focused on him.
The first fired it's beam rifle and then it's head guns, spraying beam and projectile fire at Kyo. He quickly dodged the beam bolts and took the bullets, but knew that no wasn't the time to play around. Once he got clear, he closed in and swiped his beam sabers, but both attacks were blocked by the Dominion's shield and it's hastily released beam saber. The two locked on for a second and the two separated, Kyo dodged an incoming stab from behind him by the other Gundam, he then flipped the Infinite-Freedom upside-down and fired several salvos of bullet fire right into the face of the Dominion when it tried to hit him.
The Gundam reeled back, but blocked the rest with it's shield, and it's partner came from behind it and struck with it's beam saber, making Kyo rocket back, it then activated the beam edges of it's shield and tossed it like a Frisbee at Kyo. The Nirvana's Gundam dodged it, but barely as the beam edge nearly sliced off some of the feathers on the upper left wing of the Gundam.
(Hmm…they're using those new beam edged shields like boomerangs. This is not good.)
Max and Barnette also found that fact out as they watched the Dominion Gundam they were fighting reel back it's own shield. They were able to hit it, while keeping a good offensive barrage on it when it suddenly reeled back it's left arm and they saw the beam edges ignite. Barnette was able to evade the surprise shot and switched back to the SwitchBlade's Mobile Suit mode, and Max was able to block the attack with his own shield, which by now sported a hot welt on it when the beam edge hit it.
The other Dominion was also doing the same thing, but was able to slice the legs of two Desert Fangs, and slice in the middle an Ogre unit. This made the girls move back their units a bit to avoid being slashed by the deadly shield.
Duero was able to dodge the incoming attack without being hit, but the shield sliced into a Desert Fang all the way into the middle. The physician was able to dodge reflexively, thanks to his years of combat training, thus he avoided the weapon. He watched as the Gundam reeled back it's shield as the Desert Fang it hit blew up immediately. The medic knew what could have happened since the beam edge nearly aimed to his cockpit.
(That was close! I'd have to keep to the offensive, or else that shield will hit me when I least expect it!)
Several other Nirvana units tasted the edge of the shield from the other Dominion that was facing them. Three Ogres were decapitated, and two Desert Fangs had their beam cannons sliced off.
Sara and Mai saw the same thing, but they were not that lucky. One of the beam cannons mounted on the back of Sara's Desert Fang was sliced off by the beam edged shield, and one of the arms of Mai's Ogre unit was also slashed off by the shield, and not before impaling itself into the chest of one of the Ogres behind the two. Had one of their crew been in the Ogre, she could have been sliced and cauterized by the weapon. They were able to maintain an edge on the Dominion when it suddenly fired the shield at them. They were lucky they weren't in the cock-pits of their respective units or else they would have been killed, they watched in trepidation as the Dominion Gundam reeled back it's shield and the Ogre behind that took the beam edge full in the chest exploded.
--
taisetsu na koto wasurete shimatte iku you de sukoshi tomadou kokoro
As I continue to forget the important things in life, my heart becomes a little confused
Kyo dodged another attack from the Dominion units and then realized that there were two weakness of the beam edged shield. The first was it was gone, that left the Gundam of Earth very vulnerable to retaliation. And the next weakness was that the shield was only able to be reeled back thanks to a special cable. That's why these Dominions worked in a pair. One would toss it's shield, and the other protected it with it's own shield. He then decided to do things just right, as the rest of his team kept the other forces off of him.
The Dominion in front of him once more attacked with it's beam saber, Kyo blocked it and spotted the second getting ready to release it's shield to slash him from behind., he waited and when he spotted the second Dominion release it's shield. He deactivated the Infinite-Freedom's thrusters and plummeted downwards, dragging the Dominion Gundam attacking him a full drop down. The Dominion couldn't recover itself and had the beam edge of it's companion's boomerang shield into the side of it's left thigh. Once the shield was embedded, Kyo wasted little time and used his Gundam's energy dart launchers. The energy spikes tore into the left forearm of the second Dominion, and exploded, ripping the arm to pieces. He then charged as the Gundam he just attacked, and rocketed I-Freedom to full speed. The I-Freedom slammed into the second Dominion Gundam before the Earth Gundam could fight back, and by using his Gundam's deadly speed, he sliced off the beam saber from the hilt right out of the hand of the Gundam.
He also spotted the other Dominion ready it's own shield for a toss at him though it had already lost it's left leg due to the explosion caused by it's companion's still embedded beam edged shield, he waited and with a quick adjustment of the thrusters and some combat moves, he made his Gundam grab the still extended forearm of the Dominion and then yanked with full power, bringing the Gundam of Earth…right into the path of the thrown shield. The Dominion that Kyo grabbed and dragged into position got the beam edge of it's companion's shield right in the chest. Just before the Dominion that was impaled by the shield was about to explode, it fired it's plasma cannons right at Kyo, unleashing the rest of it's arsenal, intent of doing as much damage on the bane of the Harvester forces.
The beams impacted on Kyo's Gundam, and were deflected by the P. Phase Shift Armor of the Paeksis-enhanced Gundam, but this allowed the other Dominion to attack it, along with the rest of the AI forces.
Kyo spotted that and decided that now was the right time to unleash all the big guns. He quickly ordered the rest of his team to fall back and meet up with the rest. They naturally protested, but he quickly told them of what he had to do, and when they recalled what they had seen in the battle footage, they moved out. The AI forces rallied behind the still functional Dominion to take out Kyo.
But that was when they got the shock-treatment of their now short lives…
Kyo activated his Gundam's HiMAT system and locked on all available targets, and there were a LOT of targets since the AI entity had sent a massive number of reserves into the fight to kill him literally flooding both the ground and sky with it's reserve forces, meaning that his team would have been overwhelmed had they stayed with him, but this gave him the chance he wanted in the first place. Once he locked in all the available targets…
The feathers on the I-Freedom's wings detached from the wings and then surrounded the Gundam like a forest of flying beam cannons. The feathers then glowed with great power as amounts of energy began to amass. In less than three seconds, the beams launched out like water from dams…turning the sky into a kaleidoscope of bright explosions, heated metal, and bright colors as the beams from the feathers, along with Kyo's own beam arsenal streaked all over the place. The surviving Dominion was torn apart as the beams slammed into it, shredding past it's own Phase Shift Armor and tearing out every inch of the Gundam. Enemy Sky Strikers were blown to bits as they attempted to escape, but they failed. The ground forces of Desert Fangs and Ogres were torn apart as the shower of beam fire was followed by another suppressing barrage.
In that instant, the fight was over, and the Nirvana Gundam stood triumphant, or in this case, flying triumphant as it's feathers returned to it and were now back to being part of it's thruster systems. Kyo wasted little time as he contacted the rest of the pirates on how to kill their respective Dominion opponents.
--
"Captain, we've received some new combat data from Kyo, he defeated those new Dominions!"
The crew of the Nirvana cheered. But both BC and Magno shook their heads. "As much as that would a great thing, we still have to get out of this trap! Have all the team leaders get the information!" Both Captain and Sub-Commander then began to download all the needed information.
Minutes later, the rest of the pirate forces gained the tactical data and began to fight back. Although Kyo had won his bout, many of the Nirvana's converted units fell before their Dominion opponents, only Max, Duero, and Barnette were able to hold their own with their Dominion opponents. But with the new combat data, it was now their turn to fight back!
The pirates in Barnette and Max's team got the data and directed their units to fight back. Several Desert Fangs began to bombard the enemy Gundam with their beam cannons, this lessened the chance of it launching it's shield. The Ogres then fired several shells, this forced the Earth Gundam to move back slowly, it's shield still at the front. That was when the Sky Strikers came into play. They flew in and in moments closed in and launched their rounds at the Gundam, and although the Gundam's Phase Shift Armor protected it, it couldn't block all the attacks at once. It fired it's beam arsenals at the pirates and directed it's surviving forces to attack, but as it began to fight back, several Desert Fangs on the pirate's side slashed it's shield with their beam sabers. The shield held, but when the Dominion tried to block another attack, it was hit from behind by a Sky Striker in a suicide dive when it tried to jet back into the air. The explosion bought the pirates enough time to attack with another Desert Fang, and this one's beam saber slashed deeply into the torso, since the Phase Shift Armor was strained. The Gundam used it's beam saber to slice off the head of it's attacker, but got blasted in the face by another Desert Fang's beam cannons. Causing it to lose it's head…literally. The Gundam reeled as it was dog-piled by the pirates' forces and in that moment, it blew up as if couldn't handle being blasted and slashed. In that instant, the pirates had slain their first Gundam in combat.
(Don't think that they can kill Gundams as of yet. They are piloting the units they have through simulators, and therefore don't sacrifice their lives. And they know it.)
As Barnette and Max got the combat data, they came up with their own stratagems. Max fired his Gundam's beam arsenals and Barnette quickly switched to her Gundam's Mobile Armor mode. The SwitchBlade was now in Mobile Armor mode and the Megele girl did a move that would have been considered suicidal by most standards, including that of her planet's pilots. When the Dominion Gundam that they fought with launched it's shield at Max's Templar in retaliation once the Talark teen halted his barrage, she accelerated at full speed and with the right wing of her Gundam…
Slashed the elbow joint of the Dominion!
Thanks to her Gundam's Polaris Phase Shift Armor, the Gundam suffered little damage from the move, but the damage to the Dominion was significant since it's Phase Shift Armor wasn't always effective as protection at the joints. Coolant flowed out like blood and power cables sparked like severed blood vessels, and the frame parts were like protruding bones as the Dominion tried to recover, but before the Earth Gundam could fight back, the Templar closed the gap and with it's beam saber decapitated the enemy unit once it ducked the shield thrown at it. And to add more damage, Barnette in her SwitchBlade Gundam, which was now in Mobile Suit mode, slammed it's own beam saber right in the back of the Dominion. The Dominion exploded in mid-air as both pilots went back to fighting with their remaining foes. When the Dominions arrived, the tide was in favor of the AI forces, but now, despite their losses, the tide was now in favor of the pirates.
mekurumeku ginga no naka de
sono kokoro takuri
yosetemu
Within our dazzling galaxy,
your heart is drawing in and approaching me
Duero gained the data as he slashed down more enemy units with his Gundam's anti-ship sword, three Ogres lay before him like slain units as the Talark teen faced off with his Gundam opponent, which was also fighting off several pirate units. The doctor also knew that if this was still happening, their forces would not be enough to stem the tide and counterattack. He then took out his Gundam's Blood Kiss Glaive, and when the beam blade emitters were released, and ignited, he tossed the weapon right at his opponent. The Dominion blocked with the shield, and jetted back to block the Morpheous' Zwei-hander anti-ship sword. It got a surprise when the Morpheous moved aside and switched to a different weapon.
Despite the sheer damage power of the anti-ship sword in this range, it could be blocked easily, and Duero knew that for a fact and activated the beam katars of his Gundam. The beam emitters were retracted and separated on the fore-arms like a reverse scissor, and when activated the weapon would combine to form into a blade in the upper section of the hand, and then once that was done, the emitters would create the blade. The Morpheous then went on the offensive and began to punch at the Dominion, and since the Dominion was caught by surprise, it received several deep punctures to it's chest and torso. As it tried to jet away. Duero retracted his Gundam's right beam katar and caught his beam glaive, and without pause, slashed the chest of the Dominion Gundam with it, this tore into Dominion and made it stagger back, allowing Duero to use his sonic resonance swords and jammed both weapons right in the chest of his target, and with a pull, jammed one sword right on the head. The damage was very extensive and the Dominion just blew apart, and thanks to it's still functional Polaris Phase Shift Armor, the Morpheous was unharmed. The Talark teen knew better than to wallow in self-congratulations, and went to assist his team, as their losses had been dire.
The second Dominion was able to inflict serious damage to the pirate forces, as the numbers of burning hulks attested to it's power. But it then was hit from behind by the Morpheous when it rammed it's own shield on the Gundam's back. The pirates rallied and struck back as they worked in unison to take out their opponent. Duero then took out one of his Gundam's sonic short swords, and with a quick toss, the weapon was able to pierce through the shoulder of the Gundam of Earth, and this made it difficult for the Gundam to fight back using it's beam shield as a boomerang. The pirates leaped at this chance and several Desert Fangs slashed at the Dominion with their beam sabers. It managed to jet into the air, but Duero was nearby and slammed his anti-ship sword on the shield when the Dominion tried to block it. But the damage that had been done before, became even stronger as the arm broke and exploded…leaving the Dominion with only one arm. The Ogres blasted at it with all their concerted fire-power and with the support of the Sky Strikers, they were finally able to defeat their target.
Sara and Mai made their own attacks on their opponent, but both now piloted Desert Fangs as Mai's Ogre was totaled previously by the Dominion they were facing. The two then began to attack, Sara bombarded the Dominion with her unit's beam cannons, as Mai began to attack with her unit's beam sabers. She dodged when the Dominion fired it's beam weapons, but Sara took that chance and fired yet again and then charged, working in tandem with each other as they closed the gap. The Dominion blocked the incoming attack from Sara, and then the other from Mai, but they never let up in their combined assault and fired their cannons at point blank range at the Dominion, even if it had it's shield in front. The damage however was massive on the Dominion as it's shield was overheated to the point that it would explode, forcing Sara and Mai's Gundam opponent to jettison the ruined shield or risk it exploding and ripping off it's shield arm.
The two pressed their attack, but they also paid a high price. Their beam cannons had over-heated and exploded as well, severely damaging their Desert Fang units and hindering them from attacking effectively, so they had no choice but to get as close as possible and when they did, the used their still functioning beam sabers, and when they hit the Dominion, slicing their weapons into the abdomen, they activated the detonation system of their units. They switched to another pair of units, Sara taking over an Ogre, and Mai in a Desert Fang. Their previous units had already detonated, and this caused the Gundam to detonate as well.
The two girls went back into the fight as their team engaged their last Dominion opponent who had totally overpowered the pirates, many of the units under Sara and Mai's cooperative command were destroyed and littered the battle-field. The girls rallied their team-mates and with similar moves they were able to defeat their opponent.
Despite the numbers of losses they had gained, the pirates had succeeded in depleting the strength of the AI forces, and launched their own attacks on their respective targets. Kyo's team broke apart to aid the rest of the teams as their numbers were the only ones that were not severely depleted by the arrival of the Dominion units.
Duero guided his team, who cheered at arrival of reinforcements and pushed back the surviving AI units, as Barnette and Max arrived with their surviving forces. The Talark teen used his Gundam's weaponry to destroy whatever units the AI forces had left to guard the dishes, in moments, the giant transmitter towers were now burning. Max and Barnette had already destroyed their target and were happy to see that Duero were still alive.
Sara and Mai guided their teams to hit the Lancer Platform, causing the surviving AI units to fight even harder to prevent them from taking the platform, but knew that they did their best and now decided to retreat, they knew that the teams had to assemble and strike out the power stations so as to disable their enemy and halt the activation of the Armageddon Protocol.
Kyo nodded as he got calls from Barnette, Duero, Max, and from the others that they had completed their work, and it now was time to destroy the power-stations that would keep the AI forces operational and halt the Armageddon Protocol to be activated. He diverted some of his team-members to rendezvous with the Nirvana to give the ship more protection as they made their way to their real target.
--
Had the AI leader been human it would have given a howl of unadulterated frustration. Many of it's forces were badly depleted, and it would be possible for the Nirvana and it's crew to escape from the trap, and it would take far too long for the Harvester forces to assemble, as the suns the planet orbited began unleashing massive solar flares into space, causing some powerful spikes of energy to jam the systems of the fleet. It was also apparent to it that two of the powerful attacks from it's foes were ruses, to make it deplete a considerable amount of it's combat reserves. The shield around the planet had been depleted due to power loss as the satellites were no longer functioning, giving the Nirvana a perfect window of escape.
It made several calculations and realized that the Nirvana was making it's way to another Lancer Platform…but that platform had considerable defenses. However, considering the massive fire-power possessed by the pirates, the Lancer could be captured, so it had no choice.
/Code Alpha 10-809-900. Activation for the Armageddon Protocol…is authorized.\\
Underground, massive energy emitters began to glow with power, and in a few minutes, they begin to emit powerful waves of pure tectonic energy. This was merely a test run, but it's effects were being felt, and it was a prelude to the true power of the AI forces. The AI leader then sent a communiqué to the rest of it's forces to make a full march to where the Nirvana would be heading.
--
"Captain! I'm picking up several seismic tremors coming from different parts of the planet! That must mean that the AI has activated it's secret weapon!" Bart said as he ran the scanners of the Nirvana on the area around them.
Magno wasted little time and contacted the leaders of their assault wings.
"Kyo! The AI has activated the seismic weapon, you have to hurry and take out the power plants!"
--
"Understood!"
Kyo then got into contact with the others and issued his orders. "All units! Assault the power plants and destroy them all, I'll leave that up to both you and Mai Sara! Barnette, Max, Duero, it's time to pull back!"
"Don't worry Commander! We'll deal with the power plants!" Sara said in her communiqué while she and the others were in the simulators and directed their units to attack the power plants and get past their defenders.
The I-Freedom, SwitchBlade, and the Morpheous Gundams began to make their retreat as the rest of the remote-controlled pirate units bombarded the power stations. Since all teams were melded into a single attack force, their numbers were now greater than before…. But they still had to be careful as they had to destroy as many power plants as they could and eliminate the enemy at the same time.
futari tada hoshi wo miagete
ano toki no sora no
iro wo kasaneteru
The two of us are just looking up at the stars,
and in this moment, the colors of the sky are all blending together
As the battle raged behind them, the four Gundam pilots raced over the sands, marks on their Gundams showed their battles, and they were lucky to have made it out alive. But they however kept close in combat formation, Kyo was in the lead, Duero taking the middle, Barnette on the left with her Gundam in Mobile Armor mode, and Max on right, with his still functional shield protecting him.
--
As the Nirvana came to it's target Lancer Platform, it was greeted by several platoons of enemy units. The crew watched as their teams began to fight back, namely their covering teams of Sky Strikers. They got word from Kyo about reinforcements on the way and when they arrived it was time for them to take the Lancer Platform, the surviving forces from the various teams were now mixing with the rest of the pirate teams. In a few minutes, the AI forces that guarded the Lancer Platform, and their defensive installations clashed.
"All right! Now we need to hustle ladies. Keep in formation and support one another, don't get careless and waste your shots, make them count."
Aleck said as he guided his GUiAZ unit along with the other units as they came into close contact with their target Lancer Platform. The pirates who were still piloting the remote controlled units, such as the Sky Strikers provided support fire, while the rest followed Aleck and his Mobile Suit as the battle-hardened veteran guided his team to take and secure the Lancer Platform.
The girls watched as Aleck began to systematically take apart several of his foes. One Desert Fang was slashed in mid air by the man with his Mobile Suit's sword when it tried to slash the head off. And an Ogre got several direct blasts in the chest, and exploding from the fire-power of the GUiAZ unit's own assault rifle. They had to admit that he was a tough pilot, as he didn't stop and press the attack. The elder male then directed the other pirates, who were in their Vanguards to lay down suppression fire to the rest of the team as they attacked the defensive installations near the AI platform. Once they were able to push back the enemy, and secure the Platform the Nirvana dispatched Parfait's engineering team with a full escort to the control station. Aleck got out of his Mobile Suit, slung his Long-sword assault rifle on his shoulder and went with the team, which also included Gascogne and some of the Register personnel.
It didn't take long for the crew to make it to the control centre of the Lancer Platform. Once they were there, Parfet went o work as she and her crew began to hack and take control of the Lancer Platform. They then installed one of Parfait's latest tools, a device similar to the remote controls they installed in the Desert Fangs, Ogres, and Sky Strikers. But this one was designed to allow the Nirvana bridge crew to take command of the Lancer Platform's functions while being in the command bridge off the ship, plus the device allowed them to send power from the Nirvana's Paeksis so that would allow the Platform to still function even if the teams attacking the power stations succeeded, the Platform would still be online.
"Almost there…got it!" Parfet cheered as she and her crew were able to install the device.
"Good, now we get out of here and back to the ship!" Aleck said as he and Gascogne, who was armed with a rifle, and the rest of the security team began to move and secure their escape route. They knew that even if they had been able to capture the Lancer Platform, there was no telling how many AI units would make their way here.
Minutes later…in crisp military fashion, the crew were back in the Nirvana while the Vanguard pilots got out of their Vanguards and waited for word. And they didn't have to wait long as the PA came with the announcement.
"Sara and Mai's teams have destroyed the power plants! The shield is gone!" Belvedere and Amarone replied as they scanned the report and the shield above their current location.
--
The success of the Nirvana strike teams was evident as the seismic tremors halted and stopped, but that didn't mean that it was over. The AI entity began to activate the back-up power supply of the seismic generator network. It would take a maximum of three hours, but it would take the Lancer Platform three and a half hours to make the pathway to allow the Nirvana the chance to escape.
The rest of it's forces were now on the way. Even if the forces suffered considerable losses, they still had the numbers to equalize.
All over the bases, which now ran on back-up power, all the units under the command of the AI entity were now being unleashed…
And that meant…ALL of them!
As Kyo and the others flew high above a base, they spotted the full mobilization of all the AI's main attack units, and everything they could muster.
"Okay, this is going to be bad." Kyo did a calculation and determined that this force was not as numerically superior to the forces the teams fought, but their numbers were just as high. And from what he could tell, they needed more time as the full might of the AI forces were being unleashed, and they were not just Desert Fangs, Ogres, or Sky Strikers anymore, they now included all the medical droids, the combat models, and those heavy duty ones. Those droids were now being hustled into combat transports, and Kyo didn't need a wide imagination as to what could happen if those units got into the Nirvana.
"We've got to high tail it back to the Nirvana!"
--
"Captain! We have three hours and a half to go before the Lancer Platform can send us back to space!" Parfet reported as she began to transfer power from the Paeksis to the Lancer Platform's power matrix.
Magno nodded as she realized that the time-frame would make it possible for them to be late by thirty minutes since according to Kyo, they needed three hours before the Armageddon Protocol can be reactivated. She then gave the decision for a VERY desperate gamble.
"Parfet, I want you and the Engineering crew to get as much power as you can spare to make the Lancer Platform move faster. BC, have the crew regulate the power output so we can make sure that there's enough power to keep both the Nirvana active and the rest of the systems!"
"Roger!" BC wasted little time as she took command of Ezra's console, as the young mother moved aside and sat near the Captain with the floating cradle which had Lacus in it sleeping. This was a delicate procedure as they had to make sure they fed enough power to the Lancer Platform's power matrix while making sure to have enough power to keep the Nirvana functional. They had to hurry as the enemy fleet might still be getting in position.
"Get into contact with Kyo and the others!"
In minutes Kyo and the other pilots appeared on the view-screens. "We need your help Kyo, we're trying to get as much power as we can so we launch quickly!"
"Understood, but we're going to have to make it even faster, we've got some serious company…look." Kyo then showed the images of the mounted forces heading in their direction.
Magno and the crew of the Nirvana were in shock, but they knew that they still had time to mount a defense of the ship and the Platform. Kyo confirmed this as he continued.
"The others will form point defense, while Bart and I will deal with them. I'll hit them first and Bart will follow with the Nirvana's main guns. We'll have to make Bart's damage the greatest and I'll slow them down, and if needed I'll finish them off. I'll catch up with the rest of you while I cover the Nirvana's retreat once you are all out of the area."
Barnette came into the communiqué and shook her head. "No way Kyo! You can't handle all that by yourself, we'll stay with you and we'll all go together."
Duero and Max nodded in agreement, they had no intention of leaving Kyo behind.
Kyo knew their intentions and spoke to them quickly. "I know, but this is our only option. None of your Gundams have the power needed to escape the planetary gravity here, and the only way you can do that is using the Lancer Platform, but there won't be enough power to do that once the Nirvana takes off. Plus if you reach space, you'll need to defend the Nirvana at once. The time is not enough for our teams to assemble and fight properly once they are in space. Only my Gundam can reach space on it's own power…so you'll have to trust me on this one, this is the only chance we have."
The others knew that was true. Out of all the machines in their arsenal, only Kyo's Gundam had the power to leave a planet's atmosphere due to it's fused nuclear/Paeksis reactor, this was true in the mission they had done all those months ago on the desert world similar to this one, only Kyo's Gundam, in it's original form could escape without aid from outside sources, and considering the over-hauled power and performance of the I-Freedom Gundam, it was more capable than any machine in this department.
Dita, Meia, Jura, and the other girls arrived in the bridge after they left the simulators. The three Dread pilots had been part of the assault forces and sadly were unable to use their own SEED modes since they were in IN' the cockpits to totally manipulate the controls. They looked on in worry and it didn't take long for them to try and come forward. Kyo however saw them and smiled.
"Don't worry…I'll be right behind you all."
taisetsu na koto wasurete shimawanai de itai
kegare wo shiranu kokoro
Don't let yourself forget the important things in life
A heart that knows no impurity
The crew nodded in unison and went to work, they knew that this was their only chance to escape. The Nirvana flew into position as the lancer Platform came to life. The three other Gundams got near the Nirvana ahead of Kyo and his Gundam to form a defensive perimeter and get into the pirate ship once it reached space and quickly launch to ensure that it would still have protection.
Kyo got into contact with Bart, and then gave him the needed data and the plans for their combined defense of the ship. He would serve as the outer attack ring, and once he did as much damage as he could, the navigator would provide the rest of the barrage. Bart told him that he might not have enough power to hit all the targets. But Kyo assured him that the power of the Nirvana's guns was enough, even though they were not at full capacity.
As the timer passed, it didn't take long for the first wave to appear on the sensors of the bridge crew of the Nirvana. The crew was busy routing and regulating power, leaving the defense up to their navigator Bart, Kyo, and the rest of the ground forces. Sara and Mai were still in command of their forces but had a considerable distance to cross before they can come to the aid of the ship. Kyo however had other ideas.
"Sara, Mai, I want you and the rest of your forces to strike at the enemy once Bart's barrage hits after mine, once you do, have ALL the units go on full auto-pilot and they will take care of the rest."
"Roger!"
--
As the AI units came ever closer, their formations became apparent. The combat transports would be escorted by the Sky Strikers and when they were close, they would deploy inside the Lancer Platform, and destroy all the equipment to prevent the pirates from using the platform for their escape, and would board the Nirvana and exterminate the pirates inside the ship. The others would destroy every trace of the Nirvana and it's crew.
Kyo then waited since it would be another thirty minutes before they were in adequate firing range, while Sara and Mai's teams would take and hour to reach the incoming waves of enemy units. As the time began to count down, he waited…
--
The AI waited as the count-down for the reactivation of the Armageddon Protocol was now only two hours away. It then gave the order for a full charge on the captured Lancer Platform and the Nirvana for the waves of units it was able to assemble.
The AI forces picked up speed and they now used up larger quantities of power to reach their target. If it was going to fall, it would do it's duty…and that was to fight for it's masters, the Harvesters
--
Kyo activated his Gundam's full arsenal including his new feather beam cannons, and then gave Duero a call.
"Duero, use you Gundam's remaining defensive systems on my mark in front of me and the rest of the team."
Duero nodded and began accessing the OS and checked the Galahad Form Pack's remaining equipment. The HALO' defensive emitters was designed for one function, and that was to create a special defensive energy field that had the ability to scramble the tracking systems of missiles and could deflect beam weaponry by a small but effective margin. The HALO emitters would be deployed like shields all over the place and could defend blind spots for both the Morpheous and the allies of the Gundam's pilot if the emitters were given those commands by the pilot.
Once the data was compiled, the emitters flew away and divided into two groups, one to defend the Morpheous, SwitchBlade, and Templar Gundams, and the other would defend the I-Freedom.
And in a moment…
"The first wave is in sight!" Bart said as he spotted the incoming mass of targets. Kyo spotted them too and began tracking their progress using the calculations from his OS.
"Wait for it Bart…"
.
The two men watched as their foes came ever closer, even the normally slower Ogres were giving all they got to reach their target, the Sky Strikers were flying overhead, along with the troop transports. The Desert Fangs were in the lead as they began to fire their beam cannons to at least damage the foes of their masters despite the lack of proper range and effectiveness to damage them completely.
"Sara, Mai…are you in range?"
"Give us another twenty minutes…"
"We don't have that kind of time! Move with all you've got, even if you have to deplete all the reserves of power you have!"
"On it!"
Kyo looked back as his HiMAT system locked on the various targets. The ridge that they were coming over looked as if a black wave was coming right at them. He checked in with the others and got a report that they were nearly ready. The gamble was paying off as the timer for the activation of the Lancer Platform was decreased and they were almost complete with their calculations and coordinates. The cannons were primed and Bart was ready to fire. Bart could only fire once so as to ensure he didn't eat too much power from the Nirvana. So this would be a one shot deal for the navigator.
On three Bart, we give them a real blast!"
"Got it! Guns are nearly at full power!"
The wave came closer and closer, and their weapons fire began to pick up the pace.
"One…"
Missiles from both Sky Strikers and Ogres began to fill the sky. Some slammed into Nirvana's shields, which held although it was at half effectiveness. The shields held but some got through and hit the Nirvana. The plating held and the crew were already gearing up for the trip into space. Magno and BC waited as they watched the count-down, along with the others.
"Two…"
Bart grimaced a bit from the impacts on the ship but held his position, the bombardment began to grow as scratches appeared on his arms, one on his face, and several cuts on his body began to appear, and they were already bleeding slightly. The navigator however focused on his task, compared to his rather unceremonious and very painful landing on this planet, the wounds he had now were nothing but tiny scratches.
The wave of units finally appeared and they now flooded the valley where the Lancer Platform was located. The units continued their barrage and didn't stop for anything.
Kyo looked as the missiles that were aimed had him were scrambled by the HALO emitters and the beams all streaked beside him, he checked his OS and the map of the combat zone he outlined…now it was time!
"THREE! FULL BLAST BART!"
The I-Freedom took out the dual beam rifle, split it into it's two halves and unleashed it's plasma and rail-gun cannons. The feathers that were once pure crystal became metallic and flew away from the Gundam's wings and then aimed right at the enemy, and points of power glowed in front of the barrels.
"GOT IT!"
The areas of the Nirvana where it's guns were stored opened up and the cannons glowed with power as whatever energy from the Paeksis could be spared was relayed to them, in the Navigation Well, Bart's own HiMAT system locked on and gave him the go signal to open fire.
In that very moment both Gundam and pirate vessel unleashed a barrage of beam fire that literally lit up the sky with energy lances! The beams slammed right into the enemy wave, and tore through their foes like hot knives through butter along with unleashing huge geysers of sand and molten metal. Desert Fangs were blown apart, Ogres were shredded, and Sky Strikers exploded and fell like birds shot by hunters. The troop transports were not lucky as they were blown apart and sent spiralling down, out from their still burning wrecks came the parts of enemy droids, totally blown apart.
The first wave was totally devastated and the second wave was also hit hard. Many of them couldn't dodge in time as the sheer number of units allowed for some VERY impressive explosions! Shrapnel from exploding units shredded through allies and the area was literally turned into a burning wasteland as hulks of all AI units were decorating the place with their ruined forms. The beams still tore through the next wave, but the intensity was lost as the front was devastated but the gaps were filled by units that survived. The survivors banded and continued the attack.
Kyo then got word from Sara and Mai.
"We're all ready here, quite the light-show Commander!"
"No time to admire it! Take out as many as you can, and switch to auto-pilot!"
The girls nodded along with the rest of their teams as they switched their forces to go on auto-pilot and log out of their connections to the units they commanded on this mission. The units the pirates had stolen now rushed into the fight while the AI units were still disorganized by the beam barrage from both the Infinite Freedom and the Nirvana. The result was an instant melee free for all. Ogres on both sides fired all their ordinance before going hand to hand. Desert Fangs exhausted the charges in their beam cannons and went for their beam sabers once they came to close combat. The Sky Strikers then fired all their missiles and went into dog-fighter mode.
The pirates cheered as they all gathered their forces to escape as the Nirvana's bridge crew gave a cry of triumph as the Lancer Platform now activated and in the hour that the battle…hopefully the last battle on this world, was over and the ship was now flying up towards the atmosphere and into deep space.
It was at this moment that the seismic tremors began.
megurikuru kisetsu no naka de
kono hoshi ga kiesaru
toki ni wa
kokoro goto zero ni modoshite
shounen no hitomi de
mitsumete
In the never-ending course of the seasons,
an hour will come when this planet will vanish into nothing
and all the things in my heart will be restored to zero
as I stare on with only the eyes of a boy
The pirates saw that these earth-quakes were just like world ender types as the sand dunes were shaken apart. Earth jutted out like spears everywhere and tore apart the enemy and ally units that were in the field. The seas they passed boiled and became like acid, and the sounds of the still existing native creatures of the world were like lamenting songs for their dying planet. Geysers of lava exploded all over the place and the entire world was dying in front of them.
Magno didn't waste time and neither did BC, they gave full orders to everyone to brace for a hard takeout and ordered Bart to route all power to thrusters and shields. The navigator nodded and made his move, still ignoring the pain as the heat from below was threatening to singe his skin. The rest of the crew including Bart, Max, Aleck, and Barnette were still in their units, ready to deploy the very second they were in space to defend the Nirvana, to the death if it came to that. The Nirvana rocketed out the area as they were surrounded by the field of the Lancer Platform. They moved as fast as possible so as to get the maximum altitude needed to escape.
Kyo wasted no time as he jetted out of the area, following the Nirvana as massive fragments of the desert world rocketed upwards like fiery missiles. The Lancer Platform began to lose power and in a few minutes, the power faded and the systems of the Lancer Platform was destroyed along with the facility. However the Nirvana was already at the desired altitude and in moments ignited to full power all it's thrusters.
--
Out in space…
The Harvester Fleets were caught off guard when the planet began to explode and break apart. They had been able to complete the formation when they suddenly detected the fall of the planetary shield. The planetary explosion that followed nearly three hours later sent massive waves of pure kinetic energy and this sent massive numbers of Cube Fighters slamming either into each other, the massive asteroids all over the planet, or to their Seed Ships. The kinetic energy launched massive numbers of asteroids at the Harvester Battle-ships, both were able to shield themselves, but the immense waves of power were followed by far more massive chunks of the planet.
Bart decided that since the Nirvana was now underway, he would have to do some serious maneuvering while keeping the ship from being torn apart from the kinetic wave of destructive energy and dodging the incoming chunks of the destroyed planet..
Kyo knew that this was going to be one heck of a dodging game.
The Harvester units in front of the escaping pirate ship and Gundam couldn't even respond as they were caught off guard and were sent flying away by the kinetic blast.
If the universe had eyes and ears, it would have recoiled in fear at the massive destruction on such a scale as a planet was literally shook to pieces. And it would have held it's breath as the combined Harvester Fleet was covered in the debris and massive plasma storms that followed, and the Nirvana and the Infinite Freedom Gundam being covered in massive clouds of dust and super-heated gas.
In what was once a desert world was nothing now but debris and a massive cloud of dust and debris. Nothing was happening, and nothing moved.
--
In that moment however, a shape came out from the other side of the cloud of dust and debris.
It was…the Nirvana!
Despite some burns on the ship in various areas, the ship was still intact, and inside were massive cheers as the crew celebrated their escape. Bart was also cheering as he was able to evade the barrage with very serious wounds. Magno and BC smiled as they heard that all of the crew were alive and safe.
Barnette and Max who were out of their respective Gundams hugged one another, and Duero who was also out of his Gundam was suddenly tackled by Parfet who cried out in utter joy and relief that he was safe, holding him like a vice regardless of the fact that he was asking her politely that he needed some air in his lungs.
Ezra held Lacus's hand while the baby was still in her cradle, but she had happy tears on her face that now she and all her friends would make it back home. Belvedere, Amarone, and Celtic were cheering everyone and smiling radiantly.
Gascogne smirked as her girls in the Register cheered their good fortune.
Sara and Mai celebrated with cheers along side their fellow Crusader pilots who also shared hugs and cheers with the Dread pilots. The Engineering crew congratulated each other on a great job done.
Dita, Jura, and Meia gave each other smiles as they had won this hard struggle with everyone safe and alive. Misty gave a sigh of relief as she looked at the radar and reported no sign of pursuers.
It was then that everyone on the Nirvana cheered even more as a familiar sight was before them…
With it's wings and crystal feathers glowing brightly was the Infinite-Freedom Gundam as it flew around them like a guardian angel and in their view-screens was Kyo who was smiling all the while, he looked exhausted but was happy. The medical scan done by Buzam made them all relieved, as Kyo had no serious injuries.
"Now that we're done with this mission, what say we go back to our journey?" Kyo asked them all.
The crew all responded with a hearty cheer. "Roger!" While in the back-ground Magno and Buzam smiled.
"This guy will never cease to amaze, will he BC?" Magno asked her second in command.
Buzam smiled. "No, and who knows what else we will see?"
Magno nodded as she looked in the veil of stars and cosmic bodies. This made her recall the scene she saw many times when she was still with her family. She then looked at all the crew of the ship who were her family. I'm happy to be alive, and with all of them, here and now.
"That is what makes the future all the brighter BC, now let's go home!"
futari mata ano yume no hate
arukidasu tsunaida
te wo hanasazu ni
But for now we're together again, and toward the end of that dream
we start walking, hand in hand, never letting go
(End of song)
--
In the Medical Bay… not a day after the escape
"Ow! Okay…that's good Paiway, you did real good!"
Bart said as he thanked the young nurse as she carefully bound his burns with some clean sterile gauze after applying some soothing medication. Bart was lucky he had taken some time to learn how to maneuver the Nirvana and avoided too many serious injuries.
"Thanks, you bald dope!" Paiway said with a teasing tone as she finished patching up the navigator.
"Hey! Stop calling me that!"
Bart replied back as he faced the nurse. He however didn't get mad, he had gotten used to being teased and let it slide. Duero and Max were there and were happy for the girl's progress, it wasn't all that high, but Paiway was becoming better as a medical specialist.
In that moment two certain girls came into the medical lab.
"Hi Duero!"
"Hi Max!"
Both men turned to find Parfet and Barnette, who walked into the rooms with smiles on their faces, and with some curiosity, the men noticed they had some pink in their cheeks.
"Anything wrong?"
Both men asked when the girls walked up to them and whispered in their ears. The men looked back at the girls and were puzzled.
(What's a lunch date?)
Both men thought, but before they could ask the two girls grabbed them and without further ado, took them out of the medical bay. Bart and Paiway poked their heads out of the medical bay and looked at each other with puzzled expressions, but Paiway had her signature smirk when she looked at the retreating couples and then took out her frog puppet and her note-book, and pen, along with her trusty camera.
"Oh! More new developments, I can't miss this! Pai-Check!"
Bart could help but smirk as he put back on his uniform. "Well, back to the old routine." He then held his newest possession which was the doll and made his way to the cafeteria.
--
In the Bio Park…
Kyo was there taking a deep breath, he had been able to get a good day's rest after their escape, and he was happy as several individuals had began to tire him out.
(Wager a guess who those people are.)
He then thought about what would the Harvesters do. After this, it would infuriate the leaders of the Harvest even more now that they had been defeated and they had escaped. Kyo didn't know what would be waiting for them as they made their journey back to Megele and Talark, but he wasn't going to give up and despair.
As he moved away after a minute of introspective thinking, he made his way back to the ship. He wanted to meet with his friends and make his plans for the future, though he wondered when he would get his memories back, and most of all.
What would the Harvesters do this time?
--
Kyo was going to wish he didn't ask…
At the world of the Harvesters, the news of the Nirvana's escape infuriated the Council and the angry cries filled the Council chambers. However in another part of the head-quarters of the Harvesters…somebody else was not as angry.
(Hmm…the escort fleet was able to escape in time, and now are with the fleet. This is good, the sample is still intact. All that has to be done, is to make some changes and the Nirvana will be seriously dealt with.)
The Harvester Leader looked in his console with a smile, though they had lost almost two fleets and had lost one battle-cruiser. He knew that it wasn't a total loss in the part of his forces. Now all he had to do was placate his followers, he took some time to ponder on the possibilities he would have with that sample, and what data he had gained since the battle on the surface of that planet.
--
Deep in space…
Another ship made it's way through the sea of stars and planets. But it's destination was not Megele and Talark, but Earth. It was one of the Earth battle-cruisers that was trying to seal the planet and kill the Nirvana. It was badly damaged but still functional. It now was on escort duty since even in such a state, it was still a deadly weapon. It shielded a certain escort fleet and took most of the damage and had lost most if not all of it's own escort forces, but many of it's own weapons were still functional.
After all, the cargo of the small force it was escorting was worth it's weight in a whole planetary quota of organs, and in this case, the loss of another battle fleet. But that wasn't the only gift it was escorting back to it's masters.
Deep in the bowels of the damaged but still functional ship were three robotic forms. All of them were still not lost in the fighting, but although they didn't have a chance to face the Nirvana and it's Gundams, there was always next time.
The Hell-Fire, Devastator, and the Wyvern Gundams were still inactive, but when they would be finally completed…
Woe to all that would face them!!
--
To be continued…
--
See you at the next Chapter as we see the rest of the adventures of the Nirvana crew…and what will happen between Kyo and the girls? Well…you'll have to wait and see now won't you?
