Even as victors are selected, there are many who chose not to submit to their greatest falls. Just as there are those who attempt to avoid being subject to the consequences of their actions, there are those who are more than eager to reap what they have sown. Where many see an ending, the strongest see their defeat as a reason to struggle for the cause that is most important to them. Such has been the nature of humans since the dawn of war. It is for those who live to witness history that such defiance is judged. The year is After Colony 225. This principle remains unshaken.

Episode 46: Eruption of a Shattered Victory

Hours passed as the border along Belgium and France had been filled with the alarm and rallying to corner the last remaining force of Earth Sphere resistance that threatened the Coalition's hold. There was very little that any of the three brothers of the Nornir Triumvirate was able to see to confirm this level of preparation the Coalition had to face them in a final confrontation but each one of them could only feel the weight of failing resistance falling on their shoulders.

"Our situation just can't get any better for us can it?" Richard asked as he looked over the radar of the nearby area.

Christian told him, "Our situation was never going to be easy. When everyone is either dead or just lying down to surrender we aren't going to get a whole lot in the way of support."

Christoph was heavy with the concern that he was reminded when he told them, "I wish we had some way to prepare for this but who doesn't when we're constantly on the run like this?"

He heard a pound on one of the walls before hearing a muffled, "Anybody there?"

Richard answered, "What we let in?"

A brief pause came before the panel came unscrewed and was pushed to the side when Fredric popped his head out and greeted, "Nobody you didn't want on board before. It's pretty nice being in such a tight squeeze compared to outside."

Elna pointed out, "Well be feeling that way until we get ready to fire the cannon on the Testudo. Now that's the question we need to ask you guys. Which head is going to be stable once this thing separates?"

Christoph answered, "I guess the head of the Clotho will have the bigger shoulders and not have to pop out either. Does that help at all?"

Daisuke answered, "Yeah. It just means that we get to be the extra weight you have to worry about Christoph. No pressure, just something you should know."

Christoph told him, "You guys aren't extra weight. You're all important to our cause once we need as much help as we can get."

Elna told him, "Wish it was that easy to feel. But being stuck inside a giant behemoth doesn't exactly give us a feeling of being able to fight back. Being forced into spectator made a lot tougher than you want to think."

Richard told her, "After losing virtually all of what could have been considered our support forces, it can get equally hard for anybody to accept the idea of any more losses. Consider it as your opportunity to just wait and fight another day."

Fredric agreed, "We've had to endure a lot since we left the brigade. And here we were hoping that having a Gundam like this would be enough to defeat the Coalition."

The warning lights disappeared as the main computer screen for the Gundam pilots when Christian observed, "We're coming in to the area near Namur. We're getting some serious warning for enemy contact."

Everyone focused the screens as they checked to see the threat that was waiting for them before the presence was registered as being a massive weapon that stood prepared for its next order. It didn't take long but only a second for Christoph to confirm, "It's the Testudo. Right there standing and ready for firing."

Everyone held on to their respective area as they prepared for enemy contact when Christoph told Richard, "Get ready to make a jump. We'll have to hope the computer is ready to fire the cannon once we get in range."

Daisuke waited for the moment of contact when he reminded himself, "One squad can damage that thing, we have a chance."

The Nornir continued its charge while the sight of the Testudo came closer to view with its lower body turrets prepared to fire at the incoming threat. Richard warned everyone, "We're getting dangerously in range here."

Christian told him, "This will be for something. Just keep going."

Only a few seconds passed before the approach caused the lower turrets to take aim at the Nornir an barrage it with a volley of beam fire towards its location. Christoph kept a hold of his controls when he told Richard, "Have that jump ready."

Richard confirmed, "We're ready to make that attack."

The Nornir bent its legs before its jets powered off the ground and leveled its body with the main hull of the Testudo before ascending higher into the air. Christoph was prepared to deliver the decisive attack but the opportunity never came for him. Christian asked, "What's the hold up? Shoot already!"

Christoph scrambled through his computer controls when he found the option to override the activation of the Helfire Cannon and found that it was not possible to change anything. He saw the reason flash in front of him when he answered, "The cooling units have been damaged! Security won't let us override!"

Another volley of beam fire shot towards the Nornir while its arms took the blow and realigned its fists in front before firing its volley of missiles towards the hull of the Testudo. Christian was struck with an alarmed sense of urgency when he heard the answer and told everyone, "We have to press on! We can't just deal this much and run!"

The missiles exploded from another volley of beam fire as the Nornir was forced on the defensive. Christoph said, "We can't take another attack you idiot!" The armor warnings were as loud as before when the computer showed heavy damage taken to both arms during its defense.

Daisuke agreed, "You want this to be for something other than a suicide? We need more than just another charge then!"

Richard turned the legs of the Nornir as the remaining resistance made its dash away from the range of the Testudo and headed south away from the Testudo while Christian cursed, "God damn it! What the hell did we come all this way for?!"

Christoph answered, "We know where the Testudo is. If we keep headed that way and at our repairs, we have a chance at destroying that thing."

Elna reminded everyone, "I hate to bear the bad news, but at this rate it might not even matter. Pretty important to remember, but the president's execution is on its way."

Everyone inside the Nornir became silent at the reminder. Franz Kecker was about to meet his end and there seemed to be not other opportunity for him to have an escape. Christoph held back every concern he had as he forced himself to offer the only answer he had. "We need to hurry. The president can't afford to wait.


The night hours had come over the capital of Brussels but there was only a select number who used this time of the day for slumber. Hyrum was one of the few still awake as he left the armory and kept his suit tucked in while avoiding the sight of any Coalition guards on duty. He couldn't bring himself to be sure of who was under Edward and who was loyal to the Coalition. This warning he had was important as he saw two Coalition guards making their patrol to look over the sleeping members of the Earth parliament while his way forward had no undetectable way forward.

He then heard a familiar voice ask, "Hey, you guys heard that your shifts have finished right?"

One of the Coalition guards answered, "I haven't heard that. When was this idea cleared?"

The other voice answered, "When we just got the new volunteers to help us hold this area. But really do you guys want to be left sleepy by the time the trial begins tomorrow?"

The questioning guard agreed, "Yeah I guess not. How long do we got before we're called back here?"

The guard next to him asked, "And if we're being replaced, where's your partner?"

The new voice answered, "It will be another three hours roughly before we have to take account again and my guy has a little way to go before he gets here."

The second standing guard accepted, "Hey why should we look this opportunity down right?"

His partner agreed, "Not even any of the soldiers are snapping up to resist. Enjoy the view for us, will you?"

The familiar voice agreed, "Gladly."

Hyrum remained in the shadows as he brought a gun to the ready when he prepared for the incoming guards. As they left their area however, Hyrum saw them instead walking to his right while the new guard was standing at attention. He prepared to sneak in for a kill as he crept forward before feeling a hand grab hold of his shoulder. Hyrum prepared to turn his gun on the man who grabbed his attention before having his hand forced to the wall and told him in a whisper, "Hey, we're on your side. Get to the floor and nobody will notice you."

Before Hyrum could say anything, he heard the guard come from behind and confirm, "We're all waiting for the trial now. You guys just need to pull your weight and defend against Nathan's guys when they get swapped out."

Hyrum turned to see it was Julian he was speaking to when he asked, "Are you sure about that? What are we supposed to be doing down here? Just holding our own while Nathaniel is taken into custody?"

Julian told the guard holding Hyrum, "Jens, you know what the situation with General Blare and the rest of the Coalition is right?"

Jens confirmed, "Yeah. We take down Nathaniel and there's no one left to prepare for other than the colonial representatives."

Hyrum asked, "The representatives of the colonies? There's a summit going on with them?"

Julian confirmed, "Were pulling our weight to make sure that the Earth does not become some prize to be cut into pieces. That's why you're accepting our support in the first place. We want the Earth to remain a united planet just like you guy."

Hyrum was uneasy with the answer when he remembered what Edward told him when he was reminded of such intentions. Even with such a problem he could only ask, "And what's supposed to happen to us if you get the colonial leaders to be taken down?"

Julian answered, "The executions stop and if all goes well you might have your old positions again. That's enough to hope for, right?"

Hyrum found himself at a hard decision before deciding, "This better be worth it for more than just survival."

Jens told him, "It will be. Now get down there quick."

Hyrum was let go as he was brought to the floor where the rest of the parliament was kept watch. Julian checked the area down the hall Hyrum had come from when he told Jens, "Alright, looks like he's gotten everyone to be supplied. The general is waiting for us."

Jens asked, "Everybody looking is on our side right?"

Julian confirmed, "Right now. We need to get back here before we get caught by those guys we shooed away."

The two made their way down the hall as they turned right before finding the doorway they had been searching for. Julian knocked a few times before the occupant opened the door to reveal Edward asking, "Everything is prepared?"

Jens and Julian walked in with a salute when Jens answered, "It's been done. They're all waiting for the chance to kill Nathan's men."

Julian added, "A little more excited to see their guys be spared, seems like they are wiling to bite whatever bait we set for them with how hard things have gotten."

Edward agreed, "That is what the loyal hope to see made possible. Truly, given the situation we are now facing, few would ever comprehend the idea that we would be able to alarm the city right from under the nose of men so desperate for finding someone loyal."

Jens told him, "Sounds like we're working with someone who can't handle just a little more chaos. Hard to believe that we've been fighting under a president who had such desperation to the point of being a puppet of the colonies."

Edward agreed, "That error will soon be corrected. You both know what to do now. Once your shifts have ended, prepare to take the president captive. Wait behind them before the first shot is fired and kill every guard who attempts to impede our progress."

Jens and Julian gave a salute, "We'll be waiting sir."

They both left the room while Edward was left to wait in his small bedroom for the moment he had been waiting to finally achieve. "Soon my greatest accomplishment will be realized. This day forward, I will be more than just another man. I will be a leader that few will ever be able to stand against."


The beaten and battered Nornir Triumvirate continued its way from the city of Namur while searching for the first location it could establish as a stable area. Christian was the one who cursed, "This is a stupid waste of time. I can't believe we just let ourselves get beaten into submission like this."

Christoph told him, "We're only wasting an opportunity if we don't return to take that thing down successfully. We just have to make sure we don't have anything holding us back."

Christian corrected, "You're assuming they're going to let us attack that thing easily a second time. They're going to have even more guys waiting for us when we get back. Even better the president will be dead by then. You really think this is going to give us another chance? Is this really what everyone who's led us died to see achieved?"

Richard answered, "They didn't die just so we could have the chance to blow ourselves up to take a few extra down with us. That's what we've been given this opportunity for."

Before there was any other discussion, the sight of enemy signatures began to flash on the main radar screen. Christoph was about to treat it as just one more threat, but the number of warnings that appeared began to fill the radar at an alarming rate. Daisuke caught sight of the radar when he asked, "What is that? What are we facing?"

Richard was the one to answer, "The welcoming committee."

The multitude of Leo IIIs that waited for them fired in the direction of the Nornir while Christoph raised his shield up to prepare the combined Gundam to make its dash through the enemy numbers. As the charge began, the three brothers got to work to move around the barrage of beam fire while the bullet and missiles that came their way left explosions and craters in their collision. The six occupants other Nornir held onto what they could hold when Christoph told Christian, "Fire all missiles!"

Christian took hold of his controls before agreeing, "Smartest idea today!" The Nornir continued its charge towards the incoming frontline of Leo IIIs before sending every missile it had left in its fists towards the targets. Christoph's hopes to get through without any problems were shot down when he only saw the number of Coalition signatures begin to grow before his eyes. The missiles continued their path as they soared through the air and towards the front lines.

A series of explosions formed as Christoph guided his fellow pilots, "Charge through the explosions! They won't catch us that way!"

Richard saw the obstacle of what was in front of him when he asked, "Cant we just avoid them? We're just pressing through too much now!"

Christoph answered, "They won't track us. We need to continue and unload everything we have left on them!"

Christian agreed, "We are not letting these sons of bitches get off on us scot-free!"

The mass of Leo III units that waited for the Nornir began to disperse when the volley of missiles continued to ignite one explosion after another while the damaged Gundam was given a fiery path of escape from the attack. The advance continued as the brothers felt some amount of satisfaction for being such a struggle but found their fortune would soon be limited. Christoph saw the number of Coalition mobile suits in front of them as they were given a clearing from the explosion but saw that the missiles were no longer shooting from the Urth fists. For the first time in a long time, Christoph saw a look of concern as he prepared his fists for close range combat. Christoph asked, "What's wrong?"

Christian answered, "Out of ammo. We need to take a different approach."

Before anyone could suggest anything, a united attack of gunfire shot towards the Nornir while its expanded shields did everything they could to avoid taking any more damage. Richard took initiative when he made the legs charge for a jump and made the Nornir leap into the air. Christoph in the meantime used the window to draw out the two machine gun pistols from the legs and shot towards the ground in an effort to clear a path through the brigade. Although several explosions had been ignited, not enough occurred to allow for the Nornir to have a clear escape route. The Nornir landed in the center of a gathering of Leo IIIs before they all open fired on its location where it began to make another dash forward. Daisuke tried to comprehend the action when he asked, "What the hell are we doing? What are we achieving by facing them head on?"

Christoph assisted Christian as best he could to take down every Leo III in their way while making a path for the jets of the Nornir to follow. He answered, "We have to get out of here. We have to take down as many of them as possible. We have to make our efforts mean something!"

The Nornir continued to fire every Leo III that was in its crosshairs while taking one shot after another. The amount of damage that the Gundam continued to take began to flash on screen while alarms sounded through the cockpit. Richard asked, "Are we seriously unable to just get around them?"

Christoph answered, "Yeah. There's too many of them to make a way around." He checked his radar as he saw the enemy signature continue to build and encircle the small clearing the Nornir was now occupying. The fact that he was now surrounded was not the thing he had become concerned about however. A second after he registered the area, a mighty explosion of the shellfire came from their right side as the Gundam was sent flying towards the crowd of Leo IIIs and made a roll across the ground while more gunfire came in its direction. The occupants of the Gundam began to experience vertigo as the three pilots rushed to bring the Gundam back on its feet. Another volley of gun fire came their direction as they heard the sound of a few metal plates outside screech off the Gundam armor. Christoph realized how much danger he was in now as he continued to push through the ranks of mobile suits and heard Fredric tell him, "We are not going to last another volley of attacks out there!"

Christian fired his machine pistols every target he could keep track of when he added, "You said this would all be for nothing if we died out here. Well what's the plan now?"

Richard pressed the legs of the Nornir forward when he cursed, "Having to take all this punishment is a lot more than anyone could ask for!"

Christoph snapped, "We are not going to fall!" The Nornir pressed forward and the gauntlet of enemy mobile suits continued to build. A small amount of hope began to build as he saw the numbers of Leo III units falter as he came closer to the rear of the Coalition ranks. He reached forward when he told Richard, "Get ready to leap! We need to get the hell out of here!"

The Nornir charged through the nearby fire as it dodged and took shots before making a leap into the air and dashing through the area as it sought an area away from the occupation of Coalition forces. Things did not become totally clam for the Gundam occupants however as a shell shot towards them. Christian saw the shot before taking aim and firing as soon as he took the opportunity. Another mighty explosion reached the Gundam away from the area as it flew further across the ground landed with a crashing roll.

Richard prepared the legs when he agreed, "I am not here to take this lying down!"

The Nornir rolled forward before its feet made contact and made a mighty jump into the air as it prepared to continue its escape. The situation did not ease for the Gundam however as it was highly by another explosion from behind Christoph saw the alarm busted on his main computer to recognize how close to being destroyed the Gundam was. As the Nornir continued south there eventually came a period where no one heard any explosions rock their area.

Christoph was brought to a pant when he recognized how close the situation was. He could hear his brothers in the same situation as they tried to regain their composure from the recent escape. The long pause that came form the exhaustion of the escape was broken when Elna spoke, "Everybody… We're all alive. We made it through."

Daisuke agreed, "Holy shit. I actually have something to confirm that is true."

Richard looked at the main computer when he agreed, "There doesn't seem to be any sign of the enemy closing in on us. I don't think they expect us to handle going back that way."

Christian confirmed, "They don't. It's a pretty shitty way to look to look at this, but we seriously just managed to survive for the sake of surviving."

Christoph corrected, "No. We made a dent. We managed to hit them in a way that was beyond what we should have accomplished. Right now, we just need to keep heading south and we can return to have a real chance against them."

Richard asked, "In what way? Even if we continue to fight on past together, we almost go nothing at this point."

Christoph told him, "That's what we need to get to the other Gundams for. We need to be ready to fight on their side."

Richard considered, "Fighting on their side. That's a really tall order to have for right now."

Christoph agreed, "And that's the only thing we have to for pushing us forward at this moment."


Tano saw the shuttle carrying the Colony representatives from the hangar. Behind him, the Anaconda was being loaded into his shuttle by the crew of the ship for the last repair was done. "I'll prove my worth." He muttered to himself before he was informed that the shuttle was ready.

The summit was soon to take place while the leaders of the colonies awaited their descent to Earth. The major shuttles escorting the lead representatives of each side were soon to arrive and with them the hope of ending the war. John Windham, Representative of L2 began talks with his fellow representatives on the matter. "It would seem we were right to pledge our support to the Coalition. Once we have arrived the talks will soon begin on how the Earth Sphere shall be divided. After these next few days those Earthborn will wish they had never considered a united government."

Ian Estes of L1 agreed with the notion, "This is only the minimum bounty we should be given. We now had to face the Earth Sphere twice to maintain our sovereignty. This one being even more costly than the previous war."

Felix Bryant of L3 was hopeful for the meeting with Nathaniel Falson when he pointed out, "Yes, President Falson will have our full support to make these divisions possible. We may be seeing the future of the main governing system very soon."

John heard his pilot announce his incoming flight destination at those words. "Now approaching provisionary fleet. Next destination: Orleans landing site for General Kung's forces." Derek looked outside to see the Executor Rising dispatching shuttles to escort mobile suits and the Anaconda to prepare for their own drop.

"So Admiral Miles has her own forces to spare for this drop?" Felix wondered as he pointed out the descent.

John confirmed the ambition, "Quite a valuable one for our side in fact. We shall see just who is fortunate enough to pilot one of the last Gundams soon enough I imagine."


The meeting was about to come and the representatives were marched towards the meeting hall where Franz Kecker's trial would soon take place. Heero was prepared to begin his preparations with the pistol he was given before Relena stood next to him. "Heero. Do you truly feel the need to take up this burden? This is likely going to cause so many to die... And I'm worried you might be among them..." Her despair could be heard in this concern.

There was only one sentence Heero needed for a situation such as this. "I will protect you if the world goes crazy; I will support you when your strength isn't enough." It was everything Heero felt in that moment when he promised to fulfill this vow he made to her years ago.

Relena was at a loss when she heard these words. It was time for them to remember why their union was so important. "And I shall remain by your side." The exchange was over and the two began to make their way to the trial. The next few moments would determine the strength of their union and that of the Earth Sphere itself. Once the trial was about to begin the first shots of the Earth Sphere rising from its occupation would be fired.

Franz was situated in the trial booth to await his sentence with the Coalition media observing the final moments of this leader. Nathaniel stood before the joint trial when he began the charges. "I bring before you today people of Earth the former President of the Earth Sphere United Nations. Mr. Franz Kecker is now to be tried for his actions in instigating a war with our species. Now that we are within proper reason to do so, I shall reveal everything that President Kecker has hoped to accomplish."

He took the first sheet of evidence and displayed it for the screen behind him. "Before this war even began a period of thirteen years ago, funding from President Jeffery was traced to have been dedicated to Mars under the guise as development research for the terraformation. It was wi-" The trial was interrupted when a gunshot was fired. It was mere seconds later that Representatives and guards on both sides had been broiled within the chaos. Rayen, Edward, and Hui rushed to their President's side when the situation began.

Nathaniel was ducking among the shots when he tried to determine the damage being done. "What has happened? Are we containing the situation?"

Hui was in as much of a panic when he warned, "It doesn't appear so Mr. President! The Earth Sphere guards have weapons and we were caught unaware!"

Edward and several other soldiers went to the President's side and Edward gave the order, "Quickly! Move the President to safety! We must get out of here!"

Hui stayed next to the president's side when he ordered, "Send in reinforcements to bring order back to this area! Show no mercy to anyone who dares to raise a weapon against us!"

Heero and the others saw the Coalition being defeated by the sudden attack. Heero observed the casualties around him and saw the Coalition guards were falling over but there were some representatives caught in the crossfire as they tried to get to safety. He focused with the mission at hand when he announced their success. "It's working! We're able to push them back!"

Malcolm saw the representatives making their way to the outer edges of the hall when he saw Relena and the others prepared to lead the parliament away from the gunfire. He shouted above the shots, "Everyone follow us! We will get you to safety!"

Heero was now leading the uprising among the Earth Sphere and began to see some resistance from the Coalition's part when they sent in more troops. He remembered their primary goal however when the Generals made their way to secure Franz. "Get the President to safety! Don't let the enemy take him out of here!"

The Coalition guards had the President trapped while one of them even seemed to consider killing him out of fear. One of the guards fired on the guard from afar seeing another kill when he turned to Heero on the situation. "Major! The Coalition has the President!"

"Get to him!" In just a few moments though the guards had made their way around Franz to protect their important hostage. The situation developed worse when the representatives were forced into the corners from further gunfire. Heero ordered to the guards who were still standing, "Protect the representatives! Don't let any of them get past us!"

The Coalition guards made their way out of the building with Franz following them. Regardless of what freedom the Earth Sphere resistance might have their leader was still captive. Edward followed closely as an explosion erupted outside of the building. "We have the President sir!"

Nathaniel ordered his troops to him, "We must get out of here! Alert the occupational forces for assistance! We must set the Parliamentary Building on lock down!"

Hui stayed behind when he tried to see the remaining Coalition guards make their stand against the resistance. Things were only now about to get worse at this rate, but he did not let it be known when he answered the call. "We shall see it done Mr. President."

Rayen followed Edward behind the President and his men when he noted, "We have Mr. Falson where we need him."

Edward was pleased to see the "Exactly. Prepare our forces and we shall have him where we want him."

Hyrum knew his position and made the first shots on the Coalition when the escape had begun. It was when he threw a grenade he noticed the Coalition trying to find their way out. "Major! We've got the enemy out of here!" "They're trying to get reinforcements!"

Heero led the troops on the defense of the Parliamentary Building when the reinforcements began to slowly appear from the sides and forced them into the entry hall. "Find them! Don't let any of them get to the enemy!"

Malcolm was leading the representatives when he heard one of the soldiers announce, "This is the weapons room! Grab what you can and defend yourself!"

Among the fire fight Heero was reported, "Major. We have President Kecker in our sights. If we move out we might be able to secure him."

"Send a squad out and bring him to an extraction point. Don't let the enemy take him out of here."

Nathaniel gazed on the damages to the Parliamentary Building and knew that he had to take the situation back into his hand. He turned to the three Generals at his side when he issued them orders. "We have been forced out, but it should be possible to take back the building once we have received the reinforcements."

Edward gave the warning that the President least expected to hear in this moment of strategizing. "Mr. President, from what my colleagues can determine it is most likely that the Earth Sphere prisoners will make an attempt to escape now that they are within means of finding a way out."

As his reputation preceded him, Nathaniel acted like a fellow General in an effort to find the best possible strategy. "You believe they will risk their safety in this situation? Our most likely scenario will be to see them surrender once they see the odds have been stacked against them. Besides, we have President Kecker in our custody, we shall be able to warn them to surrender or see him executed."

Rayen entered the conversation when he reminded him, "They know he is executed either in the streets or within a stable Mr. President. This is their stand and they hope to see the world rally behind them among their defiance."

Hui was the quietest of the three when he later offered, "I shall see the President is secure. We will not give the enemy a chance to see glory in their rebellion."

Nathaniel could feel the desperation for his siege growing by the minute hoping to see one final word of advice from his General. "Then what do you suggest we do now?"

It was in this situation Edward was able to lure the President into his ambition. "I'm afraid that in this situation we only have one solution." Edward pressed his superior on the question. "Mr. President. Where is the ammunition for the Testudo?"

"The ammunition..." Nathaniel immediately knew what Edward was talking about and began to shoot down the argument. "I will not permit the Testudo's power to be used to its full potential on this day. The colonial representatives are scheduled to arrive."

"Once the prisoners have escaped however we will be able to destroy them with one blast and the Parliament will no longer be an issue."

"Your idea is too extreme General. We will destroy the enemy with only minimal casualties."

"It is your decision Mr. President and I shall respect it."

"Continue to provide support and we shall force the enemy out of the building."

As Edward and the President agreed to the final strategy Hui was open with his concern to Rayen. "Things appear to be rather heated between them. Is it likely the situation has begun to cloud their judgment?"

"Most likely. This uprising was not supposed to happen. It will end when the Leo IIIs arrive however and they will be able to intimidate the opposition into submission."

"And will Tsubarov be able to demonstrate his worth again?"

"He will not be needed for now but there will come another time in the future."

Hyrum saw the order Heero was giving and took the initiative once he had a number of Earth Sphere soldiers ready to follow him. "Prepare to move out! The President is being held by the enemy out in one of the nearby buildings!"

One of the soldiers pointed towards the nearest building they saw the Coalition leaders rushing to. "We've got a fix on their location Lieutenant!"

"Move! Let's get out there!"

A short fire fight had erupted when the Earth Sphere soldiers found their way in. They made sure to keep clear of firing on Franz when the goal was met. Hyrum rushed over to his leader hoping to see him secured. "Mr. President. Are you safe sir?"

One of the soldiers looked outside from the gathering reinforcements the Coalition was gathering. "Lieutenant, it looks like we've got a problem."

Hyrum noticed the problem the moment he looked outside. "Great. The reinforcements are here."

One of the soldiers asked, "How are we supposed to get back in there with the Building surrounded?"

Another one pointed out, "It's probably better we don't. We've got the President in a secure spot at least."

Another one asked, "Do we even tell the Major that we're out here sir?"

Hyrum prepared his rifle with ammunition when he warned, "We'll give away our position. We have to stay down and keep the President from getting back into enemy hands."

The situation was quite a rush for Franz when he found himself on the trial stand all the way to here. Using the loyalty of my men has worked too well. This should not have been a detriment to my plans. I will need to escape as soon as possible. He heard Hyrum's question when he answered, "All things considered I am quite well Lieutenant. I would hope that we are about to find a way out. We may be able to find an escape to Luna if we make our way to Amsterdam."

One of the soldiers was right to ask, "Wouldn't the Coalition be waiting for us out there?"

"Not in a territory as insignificant as this. If we gather the representatives however we will be able to regroup and prepare to take back our Earth." He followed this up with more of his personal evaluation, We have the Solaris already. The Gundams will now be our main sword against the Coalition from this point on.

Hyrum and the others had made their way into the building expecting the Coalition to begin its search for them. When Hyrum saw one of the soldiers making his way back to him he reported, "Lieutenant, it looks like something we didn't anticipate has happened. The Coalition is fighting against itself. There's four brigades out there basically slaughtering one another out there."

The news was too good to be true for Hyrum to even consider and it showed in his tone when he asked, "Seriously? I thought Nathaniel had the Coalition get its act together."

Another one of the soldiers shook his head he pointed out, "Looks like they didn't. We might be able to take advantage of the situation at least."

"If we move now we'll be able to dodge a few bullets from both sides then?"

Hyrum agreed with the evaluation when he briefed, "That's our mission. We'll have to get out of here and hope that the others are ready for a rush out of here." He turned to President Kecker hoping to hear some good news on his condition. "Mr. President. Are you okay? We need to get out of here as soon as we can. Major Yuy is probably going to be our only hope of getting out of this city."

Franz took heart to the Lieutenant's promise when he ducked for cover from some wayward fire. It didn't seem the enemy had found them, but Franz knew that staying in staying in one place would only put them in further danger. "Ensure that you can act upon those words Lieutenant. Our most critical action is that we find a way out of this city first." He intended it as a command, but anyone could tell it was meant to be a warning as well.

Hyrum knew the idea was plausible seeing the President had an idea of where to hide next. "Good to know we've got somewhere to run. We'll win this war if we're persistent enough."

The gunfire had died down for the moment while the Earth Sphere soldiers prepared their weapons and helped arm a number of representatives as well. The first report came from one of the soldiers reporting to Heero, "They're out Major. We should be able to claim the Building for our territory at the moment."

"We won't be out of the blue until we've driven the Coalition out of the city."

"How do we pull that off? Wouldn't it be easier just to get out of here and regroup our forces?"

"We probably won't have the option if the reinforcements continue to make their way around us. The President hasn't been secured either and we need to get him out of here." The realism was there for Heero to explain while he had to

One of the soldiers from across the hall announced a finding in the evidence, "Major, I'm looking over this slide and it looks like the Coalition has found some convincing stuff to argue against the President."

Heero slowly made his way to the podium to see what the slide contained. The Coalition was likely preparing to have their way out sealed considering how many soldiers and even mobile suits were slowly making their way in. "What do they have?"

When the soldiers looked over the evidence still in the screen projector, there was only a few key details that could be found at the moment. "According to this there's supposed to be plans for some kind of super weapon. It looks like it began with the construction of the Solaris years ago under President Jeffery. Doesn't say if he was the one who approved it or not though."

Zlata managed to overhear the conversation and it brought out her worst concern. "How is that so? I recall this project, it was meant to be a discovery in long range solar energy for greater convenience in assisting Martian progress."

Elena considered the possible scenarios when she decided, "It does play with the idea however. Why would the President order our greatest hopes of taking back the Earth to find this thing? There must have been some other agenda at work."

Zlata requested details on the evidence, "This... The Solaris does seem to have a number of features that are worth our concern. Is there any further information regarding this case however?"

The soldier overlooking the slide took the paper out only to find that there wasn't anything else underneath. "All we had was this slide. We might have seen more if the trial hadn't stopped."

"And at any other moment the President might have been taken away from our range of help." Heero reminded him.

One of the soldiers tried to find out what was happening quickly asking, "So do you think this is a forgery Major? Do you think the Coalition might have used the previous executions as a cover-up to make this document possible?"

Heero didn't allow himself to be distracted when he answered, "I'll believe it when I see it. I'm going to find out from the President himself once we make our stand."

Another one of the Earth Sphere soldiers tried to understand the plan when he asked, "Realistically we should try to find a way out of here once we find the President shouldn't we?"

"We will. The President comes first however." He answered dedicated to his goal.

As Rayen overlooked the progress of overtaking the Parliamentary Building he reported to his President on the achievement. "General Kung's forces have the building surrounded Mr. President. By our estimates the new occupational forces should keep this city from descending into chaos."

The three leading men were secure in one of the nearby buildings to provide cover against the Earth Sphere's possible retaliation. The President didn't show any concern when he pointed out the first concern regarding the infiltration. "Our concern should be that we locate President Kecker and soon. As long as he lives the Earth Sphere will have the determination to continue fighting."

Edward hoped to see if Nathaniel would take the fall for his mistake one last time. He needed to have as least possible link to the Coalition President's murder as possible and it had to be through an indirect mistake. "Indeed things could possibly progress worse if they were to escape. It seems we may have no other choice than to engage them in a final push through the main building."

"There is another way General." Nathaniel disappointed Edward when he began to discuss the possible strategy. "They only resist our occupation because they do not know of the Earth Sphere President's hidden agenda. If we even simply provide them with the charges we can prevent any further conflict. We must have a way to prevent any more life from needlessly being lost."

Edward was not surprised but still had an edge of warning when he tried to remind Nathaniel, "But Mr. President how do we reason with them if they are so determined to take back their leader as you said?"

Nathaniel dismissed the suggestion when he tried to emphasize his intention to end the growing confclit, "They cannot ignore hearing the charges so long as there is one person to hear the truth come out about Kecker's administration."

Edward snapped in this moment and saw Rayen was not about to protest to his next action. "You have wasted my last ounce of patience Mr. President." In the next few moments Edward drew his pistol while grabbing Nathaniel by the collar and pressing the barrel under the president's chin.

"What?! General Blare!" Nathaniel could only proclaim out of sheer surprise.

Edward grinned as he saw Nathaniel tremble at the sight of the gun beneath him. "Indeed Nathan. Truly unfortunate Strategist Stephens could not help you isn't it?"

Out of desperation Nathaniel tried to order, "General Vasquez! Stop him!"

Rayen made his move to agree with the uprising when he answered, "I must apologize Mr. President. But your resolution is as flawed as any idealist has ever brought forth."

"Traitors. I believed in I had your full support…" Nathaniel could only curse as their true intentions were revealed.

"Perhaps I can offer you this Nathan. I shall see this fine city is spared and possibly even your attempt at peace if you only fulfill one demand. I must know where the Testudo's main cannon ammunition is."

In the matter of a few seconds Nathaniel had agreed to offer an answer. "… I am not the one with the location. Only General Kung knows."

Confused at the answer Edward demanded to hear an answer. "What? How were you not informed?"

"I was informed of the Testudo's disarmament. Stephens only transmitted the coordinates to General Kung when he was arriving on Earth because I was already too crucial of a target for the enemy."

He didn't bother seeing what Rayen had to evaluate on this matter when he concluded, "Clever… I shall retrieve the answer from him then."

"In a nonviolent way I would assume? If you wish for a simpler pass of words simply tell him, The Fortress Shatters."

Edward could tell there was honesty behind the captured President's words when he heard this. If Edward was going to have his next action be swift, it had to be with the best possible efficiency. "Noble you wish to see your legacy intact Nathan. I may consider it done."

"I must be present with the General for this exchange to work. I must see him alive." With that final detail Nathaniel had saved his life if only for a moment.

Rayen spoke for Edward this time when he warned, "You do have one faithful general. You will at least have another hour or so to contemplate your place in the afterlife." He opened one of the nearby doors to meet with two of the soldiers outside telling them, "The uprising has begun. For now the President must be escorted in our meeting with General Kung."

The men obeyed the command when they went to the President's side and began to escort him outside. Rayen tried to see the logic in Edward's ambition when he asked his first question, "You're certain we should do this Edward?"

"We could sacrifice a brigade and take out General Kung, but where would that leave our remaining forces? More so the occupational forces will be quite confused to see a small civil war erupt in the Earth Sphere capital."

With everything Rayen had to consider he only had enough time to regret what hadn't been accomplished. "If we had moved sooner this may not have been an issue."

"We can only make up for our mistakes now. Have your men seize the President and prepare to meet with General Kung."

"Right away."

When the two generals and the President escorted Nathaniel to General Kung the General greeted, "General Blare. You have arrived with the President I take it? What is our next course of action?"

Without any hesitation of what the General might have done Edward only answered, "The Fortress Shatters." while gesturing to the President with the other soldiers.

Hui took a step back and only answered back, "I see… Please wait here." He quickly made his way towards a safe range of his men while ordering, "Focus fire on the men holding the President!" It was a short matter of time before the two sides had begun their own battle with one another.

Edward ran for cover while his men protected him from the gunfire. He tried to understand the situation when he asked Rayen, "They are firing on us?!"

Rayen confirmed the worry, "It seems we are about to have a small civil war after all Edward."

"The President! Is he dead?"

Rayen quickly contacted one of the nearby guards with his radio demanding, "Guard squad! Report your status!"

The chaos of the gunfire was heard over the guard's report, "Our target has escaped sir! We've got snipers and other forces camping what's left of our forces!"

Edward groaned out of frustration from the situation when he cursed, "I've' been outwitted for the last time! Now this aggression shall be rewarded in full!"

When the gunfire began among the two sides Heero and a few others looked outside the Parliamentary Building to see the destruction unfolding. "What's going on out there?"

"It looks like the Coalition forces are... Fighting each other?"

"Is this the upheaval all over again?"

"It's possible. We need to use this moment to our advantage."

"But they might spot us."

"And one side might find Lieutenant Bernett along with the President."

"We do have our duty to follow. We're behind you all the way Major."

"Let's move. Once we get the President here we have to get out of here."


Dana led everyone out of the house when the coast was clear. The Coalition soldiers were on patrol but probably didn't see any of the Earth Sphere soldiers in the area. She turned around to her soldiers, "Stick close. We'll be out of the woods before it's over." At the first moment where she thought she had time alone she managed to contact Gawel on her radio. "Are we clear now Majewski? We're getting out of here before the enemy finds us."

The voice on the other line took a few seconds before responding to the question. "Nothing on this end Captain. You should be clean from this way out."

Instructor W was prepared when the patrols arrived at the house.

"You! Open the house!"

The Instructor knew they were talking to him. He had ideas up his sleeves to stall them. "Yes, I'll open it now." He replied. He unlocked the door with a key and allowed them to enter. By that time, everyone including Lord Lindemann disappeared and only average household objects were found. The officer had to see the second floor to conclude the search.

"Now the second floor."

The Instructor opened the door to the second floor to let the officer and his men in. While inspecting he attacked the solider unarmed, knocking them unconscious to stop chasing the Gundam pilots for a few hours and took a pistol from the officer. He left the house to find his own way out.

Dana looked one final time outside before she ordered to the men following her, "We've got the clearing. Let's move it." It was a matter of time before the Earth Sphere soldiers found their way out of the city, but the Coalition soldiers didn't have a chance to catch them or wonder about their presence in the city. Dana saw the soldiers catching their breath from the run while the Lord and Instructor managed to maintain their composure as well.

Dana was the first to greet their accomplices, "Hey Majewski. Mission accomplished, we have the crazy kook and a pall of his."

"Expected this much from the search. Didn't think it would be this clean though."

Pleased to show the "Yeah, that part we didn't really plan on."

Gawel sounded rather pleased to see the lack of bloodshed this time when he asked, "No casualties is a bit of an improvement. I take it these guys are our new accomplices?"

"That's them alright. Lord Till Lindemann and Instructor W."

Maurycy entered hoping to hear the grand plan when he spoke his turn. "So what are we here to agree to anyway? Does his highness expect some kind of subservience to his will?"

"Haven't heard anything about his own personal plans but it sounds like he's going to give us at least some key critical armed support from other OZ outposts."

Nasir was the first to show some sign of opposition when he tried to understand what had happened. "So now we've just accepted membership of OZ?"

She turned to Nasir reminding him, "Your choice to stick with this unit. Right now they're our best shot at giving the Coalition forces a good reminder who owns this planet."

"If he does get out of hand though we can probably handle another force as small as his."

Getting back on subject with their escape Dana announced to her group, "Well if we're going to get through the quick way to Brussels then we'll be taking a bit of a sea tour across the Mediterranean like we planned originally. Difference is that we'll have to do it completely under Earth Sphere awareness hoping we don't get attacked."

Jasenka heard the idea but was rightfully worried when she asked, "Good idea and everything but how do we get across in the first place?"

This was when Dana laid out her plan for getting to the port in the city. "Everyone form up. This is going to take perfect coordination." When the Gundam pilots and the remaining pilots found their way towards their leader they were ready to hear out the plan. "If we move in now we should be able to take out what Coalition forces are prepared for our arrival." Dana turned to Mercurio ordering, "Yuy, you stick with Lindemann in case the Coalition decides to get up close and personal with mobile suits. I'll take out the comms so they can't report our location." The critical point of her plan was emphasized with the final action, "Once we're at the docks we can seize one of the cruisers and begin a cramped voyage to the other side of the sea." To signal the conclusion she encouraged, "This is the final stretch before we have to save the day people. Let's not screw this up!"

"If we accomplish crossing the Mediterranean, that will reduce the time to return to Brussels." Instructor W agreed to the Captain's plan. "I'll help with the capture of a cruiser."

Ermes listened to the plan carefully. "Infiltration and sabotage is my specialty." He volunteered.

With Ermes joining infiltration, Donna pointed at the empty Ursa he will be leaving. "We'll still need as much firepower to keep the Coalition busy right?" She asked.

Mercurio saluted to the order when he agreed, "I'll provide my best support Captain. I'll try to make sure the action doesn't get too close to the city."

Keijo reminded Mercurio of the key problem with such a promise, "Our goal is to make sure Ermes and the Instructor find their way towards the docks safely and get us a way across the sea. If anyone runs into any ground attack forces they'll both need some help getting to their location."

Mercurio was forced to agree when he answered, "Two men can't take on the entire occupational forces. However we can't use this reasoning to justify the destruction of the city."

Roy tried not to think about the idea but was still reminded of their situation. "We've got enough bad karma already."

Mercurio saw the others preparing their mobile suits when he moved to encourage, "Prepare to move out. The enemy is about to start looking for us." It was a matter of time before the Earth Sphere mobile suits were operational and the Uriel prepared its buster sword for combat.

Dirk's concern could be heard in his concern when he offered his report. "There aren't any Leo III mobile suits out there from the looks of it. They probably don't expect us to pull off anything like this. Hope the Captain is ready to make due on her deal. We've got some real big ideas to pull off here."

Mercurio checked the radar system finding Dirk's report to be accurate while there weren't any signs of Scorpio units at the moment. "They're not showing up yet. It looks like they're still going through patrols."

"Just watch. The enemy is going to have something to dish out once the Captain makes her shot." Roy warned.

"If I were a tactician, I would think of defending the Suez or Gibraltar more instead of a small city like Tripoli." Till said as he commented on the small Coalition forces. "There were a large number of Earth Sphere forces before heading Southwards stationed here." He stood up with the same aura everyone grudgingly tolerated when he told them, "I shall take point and assist in the field." He announced. "I was a pilot in my time."

Dana didn't offer any protest to Lord Lindemann's volunteering for the mission when she permitted, "If you can pull your own weight it's better than nothing." She turned to the rest of the squad with a leader's determination, "Everyone get to your stations and be ready for the first shot!"

"Right away Captain!" The Rogue Wings agreed in a chorus.

It was a few moments before Dana reached the Artemis and managed to find the familiar tower used for citywide communications. "Here goes nothing. Just have to make this shot count." In the next few moments she adjusted her buster rifle and its power levels to the appropriate settings for the target. She was sure it wouldn't result in any civilian casualties and fired with this fact in mind. It was only a short period later when the buster rifle made its way through the air and towards the communications tower. "Hah. Well would you look at that?" Dana congratulated herself when she saw the results. Sticking to the mission she ordered, "Everyone move forward. The enemy is right where we need them now."

Till heard the order and aimed a rocket launcher at one of the nearby mobile suit hangars to see much of it destroyed. While the hangar was in flames however, a few Leo IIIs managed to survive and make it out. Before they could counter-attack, the Lord shot them with the rocket launcher with the remaining shots.

Dana heard Jasenka on one line pointing out, "We're moving out Captain. Looks like they want to get to the base." The only hard part of the mission now seemed to be finding a way to stop the Coalition soldiers from reaching the base through the tight streets of the city.

Dana kept this in mind when she ordered, "Engage Vulcan cannons. Don't let any of the foot soldiers reach the main base."

The Ursa mobile suit units began to engage towards the city while taking aim with their weapons. The closest one quickly managed to take a few shots towards the city when Nasir reported his kills. "That should be a few dozen down!"

Dana looked down to see Ermes and Instructor W making their way into the city. Their best hope of getting out would be reached in just a matter of time if luck stayed on their side. If we're lucky this area is probably the spot on this side of the Mediterranean anyone gives a crap about. She stuck her objective reminding her units, "Keep ahead of our operatives! We need them to reach the docks!"

"So Instructor sir, I guess you've seen some action before?" Ermes asked as he ran.

"I did." Instructor W replied as he jumped over a barricade. "You seem to be the one too."

"I was a part-time spy, part-time saboteur on Mars." The Martian explained. "Now I'm part-time soldier, part-time ambassador."

"Well here's the plan." The Instructor presented. "I run to the controls with a rifle while you get a bigger stick out. We'll convince them to surrender the cruiser or you'll happily blow it up."

"Sounds good." Ermes noted. "You seem confident. You did that before?"

"Long time ago." Instructor W answered with a smile.

They finished talking when they found the naval base. Instructor W shot the padlock that locked the gate from trespassers and proceeded to split up and board in different directions.

"I've got a lock on them." Mercurio began to fire his vulcan cannons on the ground troops seeking cover. The destruction from his viewpoint wasn't great but it would probably intimidate him if he found his way down there. In just a few moments the rocket from Lord Lindemann's found its way towards the mobile suit hangar from a distance away. Mercurio knew he could have done so as well but the idea was not something he was willing to consider after all. "I guess I would hesitate. Hopefully those two can make their way down quickly."

The destruction was heavy considering the size of the city but at least the civilians didn't seem to be harmed in the process at the moment. The panic was spreading and quite expected when they managed to make their way into the streets.

It was a few moments until the Coalition soldiers began to be harder to distinguish from one another on the ground. Panic in the streets was probably going to make Ermes and Instructor W's infiltration easier and probably fulfill the mission.

The situation was emphasized when Maurycy tried to prepare for the situation. "Captain, it looks like those Coalition guys are trying to blend in with the crowd."

"We do anything about them?" Nasir asked after hearing this.

Dana only went with her personal feeling with the situation commanding, "Leave them be for now. They can't do any harm from down there anyway. We can't risk building a disdain with the populace."

Mercurio saw the enemy facility destroyed along with most of the enemy forces by now. "The enemy has been destroyed Captain. We are now prepared to move further into the city."

Patrick agreed to stop the destruction when he moved out, "Yeah, let's leave the rest of them here. We can do without any more bloodshed."

Zachariah had some obvious concern when he asked, "You don't think they'll be doing any harm to the local populace?"

Roy promised him back, "If anything the occupational forces are going to be having trouble keeping them contained."

"Probably not such a bad idea."

Keijo voiced some of his concern for the mission when he added, "Let's just hope that two guys are enough to take over one cruiser though."

Ermes found the entrance to the Mobile Suit hangar of the ship and entered stealthily. He knew he would have to seize a Mobile Suit fast enough to make sure Instructor W's 'aggressive' negotiation goes smoothly. He climbed up stairs to the floor for the Mobile Suit cockpits and spotted three Coalition pilots running to enter them to become reinforcements for the attack outside. Before a pilot could do so, Ermes attacked him and threw him to the floor. The Martian agent immediately took the remaining Mobile Suit and was immediately confronted by two Leo IIIs that noticed the third pilot is incapacitated. Ermes made short work of them with a beamsaber to first parry attacks and repost his own against them.

Instructor W fought through Coalition soldiers while he was on his way to the bridge. For soldiers he encountered he gave them non-fatal wounds for the only objective is to seize the cruiser and grabbed a rifle from a soldier he wounded. When he made it to the bridge, he immediately aimed his gun at the officer of the cruiser. "The surrender the cruiser!" He ordered. "I want everyone out of the cruiser!"

The captain noticed and laughed at what looked like an amateur attempt. "You think you can just convince me with just yoursel-" Before he can finish his sentence, there was a Leo III outside. His mocking smile turn to fear when the beam rifle was aimed at the bridge.

"If the cruiser is not abandoned, my associate will destroy the bridge and the engine of the ship so everyone dies." The Instructor continued.