Chapter 36
RedRat8- Well I never thought of Newtype abilities being able to develop like that and holy crud you might you on to something. If it works like that, I think Amuro's unique ability is able to awaken or at least bring out the morality everyone has in themselves, like during that whole Axis shock event. During his older years, he had faith in humanity and their ability to move past their history of fighting and destroying. Naïve, but respectable. Perhaps something like that could work?
RoyalTwinFangs- It'll probably happen during the fight with Char again or that Newtype Challia Bull. And it'll be more of secret dealings, not a coup. He still loves his Side.
R reyes- He might suspect Amuro is the pilot, but he won't make that connection just yet. Chan will probably be worried, I mean, this is the guy that doesn't have a problem with taking down ships by himself. She'll be worried for the entire crew, especially now that Char has is Newtype powers awakened.
Moonreaper666-While I admire your ability to think these things, I have it under control.
Side 6
Some road
Both Amuro and Chan couldn't believe it. Right in their eyes was the Red Comet, one of Zeon's best aces as well as the one that had slain many Federation soldiers during the war. The one that also had been after the White Base during their initial voyage. The one that had been in command of the assault of Side 7. The one that faced Amuro multiple times and survived where others have fallen. And also, the one that was the closet in managing to kill him and Vega without any help from no one. Char Aznable and he was smiling at them both like they were close friends.
"There's no need to be afraid." Said Char as he got out of his car and went up to their jeep. "We're in neutral territory, there's no need to worry about me killing you." Despite the kind tone that he had, Char could sense their fear, not that he could blame them. He was the Red Comet, after all. His looks were well documented due to Zeon propaganda. It was only after a while, maybe five minutes, that the blue-haired Federation girl spoke.
"Still, it's quite frightening to see the Red Comet face to face." Said the girl, trying to clear the fear in her voice, to no avail. Char just nodded at that before going over to their problem.
"Hmm…we'll need to tow it. You two need to get out. Don't want you to be hurt from this." Said Char as he went back to his car to get some strong rope. After getting it, he went back to the jeep, looking at the brown-haired boy. "Listen, I need your help in removing your jeep from the ditch. Is that fine?"
Shaking his head, Amuro looked at Char and gulped, trying to get his nerves back.
"Of course. Anything to get the jeep out." Said Amuro as he went over to Char. "What do you have in mind, sir?" Sensing the fear and nervousness from the young teen, Char placed a comforting hand on his left shoulder.
"You need to calm yourself, boy." Said Char, trying to be as friendly as possible. "If you can't stay calm, then we're never going to get your jeep out of the ditch. I know its fear-inducing to see an enemy ace pilot so close, but please try to calm yourself." Gulping, Amuro did what he was told and asked Char what he needed to do. Satisfied that Amuro was sufficiently calm, Char instructed him to help tie the rope to the rear bumper of the jeep and to take the wheel once they were done tying up both ends of the rope.
As they were doing this, Chan looked at the woman that had been with Char when he found them. Unlike Char, she didn't wear a uniform and instead wore a loose yellow dress. Her green eyes were observing both Amuro and Char with interest.
Feeling a bit bold, Chan went over to the girl and spoke with her.
"Hello." Said Chan, a bit fearful with what she was doing. Upon hearing that, the girl looked at Chan and smiled at her.
"Hello, there." Said the girl. "I'm Lalah Sune, what's your name?"
"Chan. Chan Agi." Said Chan as she looked at the girl. For some strange reason, she was feeling something…she can't really say off, but there was this aura around the girl that was soothing and peaceful. Like she was able to remove one's stress just by being near them.
She never felt something like this ever. Not going to pry in fear of being called out, Chan engaged small talk with the girl.
"I take it you're a friend with the red comet." Said Chan, causing the girl to nod.
"Yes, the captain was the one that took me in from a cruel man back on Earth." Said Lalah. "Everything I'm witnessing. Everything I own is thanks to the captain. I owe him my life." Blinking in surprise at the girl's devotion to Char, Chan was about to ask her more about Char when the two men told Chan to back away.
"Might want to move away, Miss Agi." Said Char as he got in his car. "You don't want mud in your uniform." Seeing that both Char and Amuro were in the driver's seat, Chan quickly gave them sufficient enough space that mud won't get in her uniform. After she was clear, both Char and Amuro started their cars and immediately went into action with Char's car going forward while Amuro's jeep was going backwards.
With the power of both vehicles, Amuro's jeep was able to get out of the ditch. Once it was fully out and on the road in the right direction, Amuro stepped out.
Sighing in relief, Amuro looked over to Char, who also got out and was walking toward him. Keeping his fear down, Amuro stood in attention as Char stood a few feet from him, towering over him by some inches.
"Thank you for your assistance, sir." Said Amuro as Char began to remove the rope from Amuro's jeep. Looking over at Amuro, Char smiled.
"No need to thank me. After all, we're still enemies." Said Char as he went over to Amuro, putting his hand on Amuro's shoulder. "There's also the fact that I might be the one that take you and your ship out." He then smirked and looked at Amuro. "Your ship is the Trojan Horse, right?" Widening his eyes in shock, Amuro gapped at Char as he tightened his grip on Amuro's shoulder.
"If it is, give a warning to the pilot of the Gundam. They better give it their all because if they don't, then I'm going to destroy them, and their ship. That includes your girlfriend, boy." Said Char. "It'd be a shame for such a pretty face to die in a ship explosion. Especially so young." Hearing that, Amuro grabbed Char's arm and glared at him.
"You better not threaten her. I'm warning you." Said Amuro, rage taking over. Sensing that, Char smiled.
"That's good." Said Char in approval. "Get angry over your loved one's being threatened. Use that righteous anger to help you in the battles to come. But don't let it consume you otherwise it'll become a crutch." Char then let go of Amuro's shoulder. After a minute, Amuro let go, still a bit angry at what Char did.
"My apologies for threatening your girlfriend, Mr…" Char attempted to say, but couldn't because he didn't know Amuro's name. Seeing this as a chance to intervene before Amuro did anything rash, Chan went over and put a comforting hand on Amuro's right arm.
"He's Amuro Ray. And I'm Chan Agi." Said Chan, still a bit frightful of Char.
"Well, Amuro, like I said I apologize for threatening your girlfriend." Said Char. "It was wrong for me to do so. But rest assured, if we meet on the battlefield, I will be your end, unless your Gundam can win against me." With that, Char got on his car and left, leaving the two Federation soldiers alone.
Once they were gone, Chan sighed and looked over at Amuro.
"You okay?" Asked Chan, worried for Amuro as she felt the tension on his arm. Sighing, Amuro looked over at Chan.
"Still a bit angry, but it'll go away in time." Said Amuro. "Look Chan, I'm sorry, but can we find somewhere to relax. Like a park. I think I need it." Chan, also needed somewhere to relax, nodded in agreement.
"Let's find a peaceful park. We both need someplace with a calming effect." Said Chan as they both got in the jeep and went to find someplace to relax and forget what just happened to them.
An hour later
Bright
"So that's the first draft?" Asked Bright as he looked at the papers that Paraya was holding.
"Yes." Said Kowen as Paraya went over the papers, studying them with care. "I only got the most important parts, but it states that Side 6 will only give war material to the Federation as well as allowing us to use Side 6 as a base of operations for the war. They are not sending their men and women to their deaths in any operations that don't threaten Side 6 security."
"More than what the government thought Side 6 would give." Said Paraya as he finished reading the draft. "But honestly, they didn't think they would side with us. This is a huge boon to the Federation. If we convinced Side 6 to join us, we might be able to convince the other Sides to rejoin the Federation."
"Not so fast, ambassador." Said Kowen, raising his hand. "Just because they're siding with us in a war, doesn't mean they're eager to rejoin the Federation. I know for a fact that Side 6 enjoys the independence they have and that it'll take a lot of convincing and changes from the Federation for them to rejoin the Federation as a province."
"I know, but still. It's a step in the right direction." Said Paraya as he looked at the papers again. Looking at Paraya in suspicion, Bright spoke.
"Forgive me, ambassador, but you don't seem the typical Federation politician. Why is that?" Asked Bright. Kowen gave Bright a scolding look for that question, but Paraya chuckled a bit.
"Yes, about that." Said Paraya. "That's actually the reason I was sent here. Because I have these views. Well that and I'm new." He then took off his hat and spoke.
"I may be born on Earth and stayed on it, but I've never really seen the difference between Earthnoids and Spacenoids. They're human just like us. To me, there is no difference between Earthnoids and Spacenoids, aside from economics and their living conditions. Both being poor excuses for segregation between the two. So, when I get into a high enough position in the government, I'll try to patch up the differences between the two subgroups. An unpopular thing to do, but something I'm willing to do." Explained Paraya.
"You'll be hounded on by the more traditional politicians, ambassador." Said Bright, a bit worried for Paraya's wellbeing. Though he gulped heavily at the thoughts of what some politicians will do to him for his ideals, he still smiled at Bright, albeit a weak one.
"Well fortune favors the bold, right?" Said Paraya. "Besides, I'll be safe with your support, right admiral?"
"Revil, Tianem, and myself will do our best to support your endeavors, Mr. Paraya." Said Kowen, looking at Paraya. "For now, though, I'll need to send a message to high command and the council. To tell them the good news." He then looked at Bright. "You're dismissed, lieutenant. Take some R&R. We'll still be staying here for a couple of days." Bright then saluted, thanking Kowen, before leaving, eager to get back to his crew.
Zeon embassy
"So, Side 6 has joined the Federation. How distasteful." Said Kycilia as she looked at Grato from Granada.
"Yes, lady Kycilia." Said Grato. "I'm sorry for my failures. We tried our best, but it seems that the majority of the Side 6 council is too assured of Federation victory."
"*Scoffs* Then they'll regret doing so when Zeon wins this war." Said Kycilia before a thought popped up in her mind. "Wait. You said that a few councilors refused to side with the Federation, correct?"
"Yes, my lady." Said Grato. "Councilor Edwards leads the group of councilors that refuse to ally with the Federation. His party believes that a Federation victory will see the loss of Side 6's independence and misery under their rule. He's quite vocal in his opinions."
"Hmm…" Said Kycilia as she pondered on this information. "Then perhaps we can salvage something from this, after all. Contact councilor Edwards tell him that I wish to speak with him directly." Grato blinked in surprise at that.
"You think that he would ally with us, lady Kycilia? Even against the majority of Side 6?" Kycilia simply smirked.
"If what you say about councilor Edward and his group is true, ambassador, I have full confidence that we can persuade them to join us secretly. One way or another." Said Kycilia, already thinking of ways to persuade councilor Edwards.
Sayla
"So calm. So peaceful." Thought Sayla as she looked over the beauty of Side 6. After settling in the hotel that the Side 6 government gave to the Federation envoy, Sayla went to a park to think on Char Aznable and the war. "And now it'll all be in danger because of this war. Of the Zabis and the Federations want for war." Sayla sighed as she thought of Char. There was no doubt in her mind. Char was her brother. There was no possible way of denying it. The evidence was just too strong right now. There was no way the good boy she meet on the Texas colony would become so cruel in just a year.
"I need to see Char. I need to talk to him." Thought Sayla as she closed her eyes, tearing up on how her brother became so cruel. "I need to talk him out of his vengeance. Before he losses himself." As Sayla thought of these things, she heard a familiar voice.
"It's so beautiful here in Side 6." Said Chan as she walked with Amuro to a nearby bench that oversaw the clear pond, complete with imported ducks.
"I have to admit. It really is." Said Amuro as he watched a duck tending to its ducklings. Seeing the clear water and innocent tending of the duck made Amuro forget his encounter with Char. Looking back at Chan, he smiled as she took in the view, closing her eyes and inhaling the air of Side 6. She looked so angelic with such an expression on her face. Feeling bold, he placed a left hand on her right, something that caused Chan to open her eyes and smirk at Amuro.
"Feeling bold?" Asked Chan as she looked at Amuro with a smile. "Well, want to take it a step further?" She asked before leaning close to Amuro, who blushed. Gathering his wit, Amuro coughed a bit before kissing Chan on the lips, something that she loved. Wanting more she leaned close and deepened the kiss.
As they kissed, they were oblivious to the fact that Sayla was watching them, smiling. Touched at some of her friends finding love, Sayla placed a hand on her chest.
"That's adorable." Said Sayla with a smile. "I hope for the best for the two." Though a part of her was telling her to inform this to Bright, as relationships between crewmembers were frowned upon in the Federation military as it might have caused people to place certain team members above others, which may lead to complications in missions or even death, she couldn't bring herself to do it. They both lost so much in this war, Sayla refused to add more into that growing list. Even though the risk was great, Sayla was confident in Amuro's ability to keep a level head in the battlefield.
Thinking she was intruding, Sayla was about to leave when Chan spoke.
"Did that help with easing the tension you had with meeting Char face to face?" Asked Chan as they finished their kiss. Amuro nodded.
"Yeah it did." Said Amuro before frowning, remembering what Char said. "But I don't get it. Why did Char give me that advice? I'm an enemy soldier, part of the crew that stained his reputation. And though he doesn't know it, I'm also the pilot that had a personal stance in staining his reputation as an ace pilot. Why would he give advice to a member of the crew that ruined his status as the Red Comet?" Upon hearing Char being thrown, Sayla stopped and widened her eyes in shock.
"*Sighs* Well, even though he killed a lot of our people, he's still a human with morals." Said Chan. "He might have taken sympathy with how young you were and wanted to give you some advice that might give you a chance to live longer. Though considering that he might be going to target us again in the near future, that might be disproven." Amuro nodded as he thought of Char and how he should fight him.
"We're going to need to think of good strategies when Char is coming out to fight us." Said Amuro. "With what he pulled off at Jaburo, I'm going to need to get better really quick and work together tightly with everyone else if we're going to get out of this war alive." Chan nodded.
"I heard what happened. What Char did. You don't think that…he's a Newtype, do you?" Asked Chan. When she heard how Char managed to give Amuro and Vega a run for their money dodging their attacks with ease, she couldn't believe it. It was almost like he could predict their every move.
Such a feat was impossible unless…Char was one of those Newtypes that had been proposed by Zeon Zum Deikun. If he truly was one of those enhanced humans, she shuddered to wonder if Zeon had more in their belt.
"I don't know." Said Amuro, a bit uncertain. "But if he is, I hope these Newtypes aren't as powerful as some of the stories I've heard make them out to be. Because this war would get even more bloody if even half of that stuff is true." Chan nodded at that.
"Just be careful when facing Char, Amuro." Said Chan, looking at him in concern. "Promise me that you'll only fight him with support from the others. I got the feeling you'll need it." Amuro nodded at that, also agreeing with Chan at that.
"I got the feeling that's the only way we can win, Chan." Said Amuro, shuddering at facing Char alone again, not without some effective way to go up against him. The two looked at the pond before them, wondering what the future will bring, when Sayla came up before them.
"Um, guys? Pardon me, but you were talking about Char." Said Sayla, surprising the two. Looking at her, the two sighed out in relief.
"God, Sayla. You nearly gave me a heart attack." Said Amuro as he looked at Sayla, surprise she was here.
"Why are you out here?" Asked Chan, curious why Sayla was out in a park. Sayla just smiled.
"I didn't want to stay in a hotel room, so I went outside to look at this beautiful pond." Said Sayla before turning a bit serious. "While I was walking, I happen to overhear you guys talking about Char. Is he here? Did he do anything to you guys?" Upon hearing that, Chan and Amuro looked at each other. Nodding, they spoke about their encounter with Char.
"Yeah, he's here. No doubt as security for the Zeon ambassadors here." Said Amuro. "We encountered him on the road when our jeep got stuck in a ditch." Blushing a bit at that incident, Amuro continued. "He helped pull us out and, strangely enough, gave me some advice on using my anger to help me in my battles, but not to let it become a crutch. No idea why though." Sayla blinked at that, surprised to hear that Char, or Casval, gave an enemy soldier advice. That caused a bit of hope to flare. Perhaps Casval was still the good person that she remembered. Blinking back tears, she asked something else.
"Do you know what's he's doing?" Asked Sayla.
"Well…" Started Amuro, wondering if he should tell Sayla about the girl Char was with and that strange aura he felt while around the girl and Char. Chan told him about that the aura seemed to emit from the girl, strangely enough. Finding it wouldn't hurt, Amuro told her. "He was with this girl. Dark skin with emerald green eyes. She didn't look military, but she had this…aura around her. I don't know what it was, but whenever I looked at her, I felt calm, even with Char around." Chan nodded, adding her own experience to the mix.
"While it wasn't enough to completely nullify the fear of being around the Red Comet, it was enough to cause us to stay calm enough to help Char with getting out jeep out of the ditch." She then frowned. "You don't think she's those Newtypes, do you?" Sayla frowned at that. Truth be told, she didn't dabble much on the Newtype theory, despite it being made by her father. She didn't know much of the theorized abilities of these enhanced humans, aside from the most common, which was enhanced reflexes and mind reading. She didn't know anything of them being capable of sending a calming aura.
"I don't know." Said Sayla, truthfully. "Maybe she is. Maybe she wasn't. If she is, I don't think she'll be a threat. Right?" Both Chan and Amuro shook their heads.
"No, she doesn't seem the type to even hurt a fly." Said Chan, remembering the girl, Lalah. "The girl, Lalah Sune. She's probably just a friend of Char. Or something." Sayla hummed at that, curious of this girl and Char more. Deciding she needed to confront Char before he disappeared again, Sayla went bold.
"Do you two know where they went?" Asked Sayla, completely serious. The two blinked in surprise at that and looked at Sayla like she grew a second head.
"Why would you want that, Sayla?" Asked Amuro, stunned to hear that. Sayla just sighed.
"Please, I…need to know." Said Sayla with a pleading tone. "Its important." Amuro was about to replay but then he saw Sayla's eyes. The begging in them. Closing his mouth, he looked at Chan, who just sighed and nodded.
"…If I had to guess, the Zeon embassy." Said Amuro. "It got everything one needs to stay long term in Side 6." Chan nodded at that, having known from what her sister told her about the embassy. "If he's going anywhere, its probably there." Sayla nodded gratefully at Amuro.
"Thank you." Said Sayla with a small smile. "Don't worry about me. I just wanted to know where the Red Comet was so I can avoid him." Even when she said it, Sayla knew the two didn't believe her, based on their faces. She was about to reassure them when the heard loud and obnoxious voice.
"Well, damn. Little kid gets around, doesn't he?" Asked Monsha as he walked towards the three teens with Burning and Sleggar in tow.
"Monsha. Please." Said Burning as he shook his head at his teammate's antics. Sleggar just laughed as he sat next to Amuro.
"Relax, lieutenant. If he makes them uncomfortable, Bright will slap some sense into him." Said Sleggar, chuckling at the thought of Bright going on a slapping spree again. As Monsha winced at that, Sleggar looked at Amuro. "You're the infamous Gundam pilot, aren't you? The name is lieutenant Sleggar, I was assigned to the White Base for your second Core Booster." Amuro blinked at that.
"We got a second core booster?" Asked Amuro, looking at Chan, who smiled cheekily.
"I forgot to mention that." Said Chan as she rubbed her cheek. "White Base got another Core Booster along with the 2nd Guncannon."
"That's right and I'm assigned to it." Said Sleggar. "But I'm also assigned as a back up mobile suit pilot in case one of you get incapacitated or if the Core booster is badly damaged." He then extended out his hand. "So, you got another guy covering your back. That alright with you, kid?" Amuro looked at the hand, then at Sleggar, then at Chan, who motioned him to take the hand. Gulping, Amuro grabbed the hand and shook it.
"Well another gun pointing at the Zeons is good for me, I guess." Said Amuro as he shook Sleggar's hand. "But, can you quit with the kid stuff? It makes me feel…inadequate." Upon hearing that, Sleggar laughed, but kind-heartedly.
"But you got some of the most impressive kills in the entire Federation military!? And calling you kid makes you inadequate?" Asked Sleggar while shaking his head. He then placed a comforting hand on Amuro's shoulder. "Well, if that's what you want. I'll try. Might let it slip every now and then, though." Amuro nodded at that before looking at Burning, who was preventing Monsha from laughing, having anticipated Monsha laughing at Amuro's request.
Sighing happily, Amuro was about to ask Sleggar what else he was good at when Chan spoke up.
"Where's Sayla?" Asked Chan, looking around for the blond.
Two hours later
Zeon Embassy
"I'm sorry for taking you away from your home Lalah, but I need your help in the coming fights." Said Char as the two settled down in a room within the embassy. They'll be staying for about two weeks unless emergency orders came.
"Its okay." Said Lalah as she sat on her bed. "I just hope my first battle will not be so chaotic as I've been hearing that battles can be at their worst." Char then placed a hand on Lalah's left shoulder.
"Don't worry, I'll make your first battle an easy one." Said Char, softly. "And if you get scared in doing it, I'll be there by your side, protecting you." Lalah smiled at Char.
"That'll be grand, captain." Said Lalah. "And I'll protect you with all my might as well." Char just smiled.
"I know, Lalah." Said Char. "I know you will." He then let go of Lalah's shoulder and sat on his bed, thinking of the Gundam and its pilot.
Even if it costs a battle, a decisive battle even, he will kill that pilot. It wasn't just a matter of honor at this point, he felt like he needed to destroy him. Destroy him before he could destroy him and his father's dream.
It felt ridiculous, but he sensed that, the pilot will become the key to destroying Zeon along with the Gundam.
Looking at his hand, he wondered why this is when he suddenly received a knock on his door.
"Captain Char, there's someone that wants to see you." Said a Zeon guard as he spoke through the door.
"Is it ambassador Grato?" Asked Char as he got up to answer the door, opening it.
"No sir." Said the Zeon soldier, looking at the Red Comet. "Its some sort of girl from the Federation. She's demanding to see you. We tried to dissuade her, but she's demanding to see you, saying that its important to you." Char raised an eyebrow behind his mask.
"Really now?" Asked Char, curiosity piqued. "What does this girl look like?" His answer shocked him to the core.
"Short blond hair and blue eyes." Said the soldier as he continued to list off the girl's description. As the soldier did, Char couldn't help but think it was his sister. Once the soldier finished, Char looked at the man.
"Thank you. I'll see to it." Said Char, surprising the soldier. "I'm generally interested in what this girl has to say. Lead me to her." The soldier saluted and escorted Char to the lobby, where the Federation girl was waiting.
After a short elevator ride, the two arrived at the lobby, where the Federation girl was guarded by two other soldiers. Upon seeing her, Char had to stop himself from gasping. It was the same girl that he had meet on Side 7, the one that looked like an older version of his sister, Artesia.
Closer inspection of the girl and his Newtype powers, however, confirmed what he thought. This was Artesia, all grown up.
Recovering quickly, Char walked toward the girl and starred her down. To his surprise, she wasn't intimidated at all, only staring back with a stoic expression on her face. After a minute of the stare down, Char spoke.
"You wished to see me, girl?" Asked Char, doing a good job in preventing the emotions that were bubbling inside him from spilling over. Artesia just narrowed her eyes.
"Yes I do." Said Artesia before going walking over to Char and whispering in his ear. "Casval."
Upon hearing that name, any doubt that this was Artesia was gone. The only one that knew he was Casval Deikun, that was alive anyway, was Artesia, his sister. Exhaling, Char looked at Artesia.
"Well, then let's go somewhere private." Said Char before looking at the soldiers before them. "You may go. I'd like to be alone with this girl." That caused the guards to look at him in surprise.
"Are you sure, sir?" Asked one of the guards.
"I'm positive. She can't hurt me." Said Char with confidence, looking at his sister with a smirk. Sayla just narrowed her eyes at Char, who laughed it off. "Follow me." With that, Char escorted Sayla to a small café that was reserved for high-ranking officers, such as himself. Leading her to a quiet and obscure part of the café, Char looked at his sister with a neutral expression.
"What are you doing here, Artesia?" Demanded Char. Artesia narrowed her eyes at Char again.
"My name is Sayla Mass, Char Aznable." Said Sayla. "Artesia Deikun died the moment her brother had abandoned her on Side 5." Char's mouth twitched at that.
"I see." Said Char. "So you abandoned your true name and family for that the Mass family."
"Teabolo Mass was more of a father to us than our father ever was." Said Sayla. "You should know that, Casval. He treated you like his own son, despite the risk it posed to him by taking us in." Char looked around them, checking to see if anyone was listening before speaking.
"I respect Teabolo, Artesia." Said Char with genuine respect. "I truly did, but he wasn't our father. He was merely a…pawn to help hide us until the time was right for our vengeance." Upon hearing that, Sayla glared at her brother.
"How could you say that to him, Casval." Whispered Sayla. "He took you in, raised you. Risked his family and life for us. And you treat him like a…disposable pawn!?" Char just stayed silent as Sayla continued to let out her frustration. "And for what? For vengeance against the Zabis!? You don't even know for certain if they truly were responsible for our Deikun's death. You only have the words of Jimba Ral and proof."
"Then why did our father's supporters mysteriously disappear?" Asked Char. "Why did the Ral family went into disgrace once the Zabi family took command? Its all too much for it all to be a coincidence, Sayla. I'm positive they had a hand in our father's death. I'm sure of it. And I'm going to make them pay." Sayla just bit her lip and shook her head.
"And what if you're wrong? You just killed an entire family for nothing but your selfish revenge." Said Sayla before clenching her fists. "Is that why you had the real Char die in your place? So, you can infiltrate their ranks and kill them one by one without any of them suspecting you?" Char just nodded.
"It was a means to an end, Artesia. He was just in the wrong place in the wrong time." Hearing her brother say it so callously caused Sayla to snap and slap him, something that Char took. Looking back at his sister, he could see the outrage on her face as well as the sadness and sorrow as tears fell down her cheeks.
"What happened Casval?" Asked Sayla, tone filled with anger and hatred, but also sorrow. "What happened to the big brother that used to care for me so much."
Char could do a lot of things. Betray a good friend just to get back at the man that killed his father. Sacrifice good men for the sake of the mission. And kill an innocent boy to advance his goals of vengeance. But this. Seeing his little sister tearing up, ashamed of his actions, hurt him more than anything else that he felt in his life. Even more when he learned that his mother died, all alone and unloved.
Closing his eyes behind his mask, Char spoke.
"He died the moment his mother died, Artesia." Said Char. "She died, so unloved, in the Deikun estate. And it was all because of the Zabis. I…need to do this Sayla. That family can't get away with what they did to us. Can't get away with starting this war for their own gains. Its…its something that I have to do. Please understand." Sayla just shook her head at that.
"You don't have to do this!" Yelled Sayla, uncaring about being quiet. "Stop this insane plot, Casval. And…come back to me." The anger was now gone and replaced fully by sorrow. "I just want my big brother back." Hearing the crack in her voice caused Char to tear up. Grateful for his mask, Char got up and yelled for some soldiers to come. Once they did, he looked at them.
"Please escort her out of the premise." Said Char. "Gently please. We're not animals. No matter what Federation propaganda proclaims us to be." The soldiers nodded and gently lifted Sayla off the chair and escorted her away from Char. They only get as far as two feet before Sayla shrugged them off.
"I can walk myself." Said Sayla, furiously wiping away her tears, before walking away. As she walked, she took one last glance at Char, only to see him looking away from her, instead looking at a window. Twitching her eye in frustration, Sayla looked away and left Char alone, the soldiers following her.
Once he was certain that she was gone, Char took off his mask and rubbed his eyes to get rid of the tears.
"I promised myself I would never cry until the Zabis were all dead." Thought Char as he rubbed his eyes. "*Laughs* I'm so bad at keeping a promise."
Meanwhile
Two days later
"Are you willing to work with Zeon, councilor?" Asked Kycilia as she looked at councilor Edward via a long-range call from Side 6 to Granada. "Despite Side 6's official stance on siding with the Federation?"
"Yes, those fools, especially that Kimball, they can't see the Federation is a doomed state. That it's a failed state." Said Edward. "Reformations to the Federation are long gone. The only chance for humanity to advance more is to have a new government. One that doesn't promote this silly Spacenoids vs Earthnoid sentiment." Kycilia smiled at that.
"I will do what I can to rid such sentiments in the Principality once this was is over, councilor." Said Kycilia. "I can't do anything at the moment, however, the war forces me to focus all my efforts to winning it. But rest assured, I will do everything in my power to rid the system of this silly mentality that one group is superior to the other."
"That's all I ask, lady Kycilia. I'll try to provide raw material to Zeon, but it'll be difficult with the current stance with the Federation." Said Edward.
"Do what you can and inform us of anything relevant to the war effort." Said Kycilia. "I'll send some special agents to help you in achieving these tasks." Edward nodded before ending the call. Once he did, Kycilia couldn't help but smirk.
"Such a foolish man." Said Kycilia. "He'll do anything for change, even if it means betraying his own Side. Pathetic." She then brought up a map of known Federation movements. She frowned when she saw some were going toward areas around Solomon.
"It seems that the Federation is going for Solomon, but…they don't have the numbers to take it with what I'm seeing. The numbers are too small to capture Solomon, but are too large for a recon group. What are they planning?" Thought Kycilia as she tried to figure out what the Federation is planning.
Meanwhile
Federation fifth fleet
"Make sure the last shipment arrives as scheduled." Said admiral Tianem as he addressed his aide. "We need as many solar panels as we can gather in order to maximize our weapon's potential in a moment's notice." The aide nodded before leaving to fulfill Tianem's orders. Once he was gone, he looked at the comm officer for his flagship.
"What's the situation for our reinforcements?" Asked Tianem.
"Commodore Wakkein and his 88th assault attack group will arrive in five days. They'll be ready to attack in seven." Said the officer. Tianem nodded at that.
"Any other Federation fleets that can spare the manpower to help us?" Asked Tianem.
"The only one is admiral Kowen in Side 6." Said the officer. Tianem frowned. That was bad. Kowen was needed to negotiate with Side 6 and his fleet was needed as security in case the Zeons tried anything. But at the same time, he needed more ships and men. Biting his lip, he looked at the comm officer.
"Send a plea for help." Said Tianem. "Tell them to only send what they can spare. I don't want to endanger Side 6 with this operation." The office nodded before going over to relay his message to the fourth fleet. With that, Tianem looked outside, where his secret weapon was being made.
"We need to conduct this operation quick before the Zeons figure out what we're planning." Thought Tianem as he saw pieces of the weapon being put into place. As he was watching, the computer next to his personal chair lit up.
"Anything worrying admiral?" Asked the computer, lighting up more as it spoke each word.
"No, Paris." Said Tianem. "Not anything new, anyway." He then looked at the computer. "Can you make the shot without killing our own people?"
"If you only place ships piloted exclusively by artificial intelligences as according to the plan, then yes. They'll be able to escape the blast in time via the reentry capsules mounted on their ships. That being said, I recommend commencing the operation as soon as possible." Said Paris. Tianem nodded at that.
"Don't worry, it'll start soon." Said Tianem as he brought out a small pocket watch. "Hopefully before the enemy figures out our plan."
