War is a conflict that has been the constant companion of humanity since the beginning of its existence. For every attempt to suppress this facet, it returns to claim many more for how long it has been held back. Conflict however is never a simple summary. Underneath every act of brutality is an act of deception and underneath every deception is a mask of the true intentions of justifying the slaughter of others. What those who bear witness to such deception and how they will accept it will inevitably escalate violently. Such is the scenario proposed in After Colony 225.
Episode 67: Defiance Against Futility
Making their way to the nearest hangar building, the Lindemann brothers found themselves relieved to see that the struggle for the capital hadn't taken its hold as seriously as the rest of the battle. Keijo was able to see a Wing Carrier on standby while a few Coalition soldiers stood on guard. He hid himself corner and found his way to the desperate gathering of his fellow soldiers before whispering, "They don't want anyone out of here alright. I don't think that they're expecting much other than the lucky politician to slip by."
Flake told him, "Get ready to go in guns blazing, but get us to that computer stand and don't even try to scratch it. We're going to need it if this plan is going to work."
Keijo agreed to the request, "Everyone take cover. This needs to be decisive and fast."
Campbell and Christian made their way towards him before Christian agreed, "Let's charge in and get them then."
Turning around, Campbell and Christian ran ahead as they fired their guns at the two nearest Coalition soldier before the remainder were altered the presence of the soldiers. The two made their way to the nearby crates for cover while the company of Earth Sphere soldiers fired on the guarding Coalition soldiers from what cover they were able to rush towards before a firefight began.
Christoph kept Richard supported as the two brothers fired towards the guards when Richard asked, "How much of a hold is this even supposed to be?"
Christoph told him, "They're more concerned about the Parliament. We should just be thankful that there's so few here."
The firing ceased from the opposite area of the Earth Sphere soldiers as they found themselves clear to make their way to the Wing Carrier. Campbell and Christian led Flake through the hangar bay when Campbell asked, "This thing looks unscuffed enough for you?"
Flake made his way to the computer when he plugged in a datalink and told them, "As close as it can get. Someone grab one of those transponders and hook it up to this."
Campbell searched around the area when he asked, "Little more specific if you could?"
Flake told him, "Disassemble one form the cockpit in the carrier. You can do that right?'
Christian confirmed, "confirmed, "Should only take a short while."
The two made their way over to the carrier while Keijo and the rest gathered around Flakes area to keep watch over him and any potential danger. Keijo asked, "So we got this thing secured, do we have some kind of greater plan to pull off now?"
Flake opened a file section before he found the data packages he had been searching for and answered, "Yeah. One of the biggest suicide flights we've ever seen thought out. Its been only a week or so since the Nornir Walkure was officially completed so that gave me a little time to learn a little about how it stays together. Then I was wondering how to break it all down again especially after how powerful its Helfire Cannon would be at this point."
Richard asked, "You get an all-powerful Gundam and you wonder about the worst scenario? Never took you as the kind afraid of losing something that could tear apart entire armies."
Flake agreed, "Dad was always all about making sure the strongest weapon he could build would be achieved. Hell, from what I understand, we lost to the Coalition because he created a weapon that was too powerful only for it to end up in the enemy's hands."
One of the Earth Sphere soldiers confirmed, "That's the simplified version alright."
Flake continued, "So should the situation have to present itself a second time, I decided that we would need an emergency override program to deal with it. Hence why we have this program here ready to force the Nornir Walkure to separate on our command. At least should we really need to pull this off."
Christoph pointed out, "We have something then. But we should try and take back the Nornir if we managed to get in range. It's the only way we'll be able to take down the Coalition at this point without having massive casualties."
Flake told him, "It was a fun ride being on that thing Christoph, but if we don't use the right methods we won't even be able to call this mission worth attempting. We get in range, enough of them will have a chance to take it back but we have to be ready to destroy it if necessary."
He heard Christian exit the carrier with the transponder system and asked, "I though Richard would be asking this question by now, but do you know it's possible that neither of these plans might work out right?"
Flake opened another file when he revealed a schematic of the Nornir Walkure and answered, "If things get that serious then we go with plan C. Disassemble it with our bare hands in motion."
Nasir asked, "So I take it there is no way we can head into this plan with anything to be optimistic about? We either take that thing back at the risk of our lives or we try to weaken it enough so that we let the Sol Theros do the rest of the work."
Christoph confirmed, "That's what we need a ready team for. We leave that thing where it is and we'll have to wait for its pilots to leave it before Edwards men all make it even harder to steal. Our big mission is to make sure that we stop the Nornir from being a threat to us. This is going to be our best window to pull that off."
Cinzia agreed to the plan, "There's worse ways for us to have a final mission right? At least we're pulling off what we were meant to be."
Flake hooked up the transponder to the datalink of the computer when he told everyone, "We have three ways to pull it off, we're due for some success."
Keijo pointed out, "I don't know if you noticed but one of the actual Nornir pilots isn't exactly in proper condition for a mission of this magnitude."
Christoph remembered the status that Richard had when he told everyone, "We'll have two groups of four prepared to make the infiltration. Which of the first two options is more likely to succeed Flake?"
Flake answered, "Gun to my head, I'd say meeting the Nornir in the air is out best shot. We still have two ways to disassemble the Nornir from a distance, it's only a difference of being seen on the ground and getting immediately crushed versus at least having the cover of being able to approach as support."
Elna reminded everyone, "And every minute we keep planning we have less of a chance of this plan working."
Flake unhooked the datalink when he told everyone, "Well it's time for us to see which one actually works. If you guys haven't piloted the Nornir Gundams before, it's actually not that different from the usual mobile suits. Think of it like being stuck together as a squad and you should have an okay time out there."
Christoph added, "Speaking of which, let's get one of the truck transponders ready to accompany one of these trucks here."
Flake allowed Christian and Campbell to take the carrier transponder back on board and waited for the next opportunity to prepare the plan. He told his fellow soldiers, "It's good to see that we can all remain ready for another mission when we only begin to see what this layer of hell is going to look like. We want to make sure that this isn't a pointless mission right? You have the right men picked for who's going out there right Christoph?"
Christoph answered, "We should all be the right choice to head out for a mission like this, but only some of us are going to make it there. Now to see if we really do measure up to being worthy soldiers."
The struggle between the Earth Sphere soldiers and the last of the Coalition soldiers continued to build as the mobile suits gradually stood up and began a duel with one another. Several explosions erupted as one after another met its end at the hands of destruction. In the distance from the city however, there were only a few explosions to be seen as one massive Gundam unleashed a mighty volume of missiles and a powerful energy blast in its effort to destroy the escaping Sol Theros. Even as one conflict after another was contained, there was no sign of the battle coming to an end.
This was the sight that another squad of Sol Theros observing the chaos were able to determine. The leading unit looked at the devastation and determined, 'Conflict acknowledged. Begin purge of all witnesses.' The squadron of Sol Theros raised their weapons they prepared for a charge towards the city that showed no signs of being saved from anything.
The Wing Carrier was loaded with the four soldiers who were prepared to make the approach towards the battleground of the Nornir and the Sol Theros while the shield was loaded to its underside. Campbell sat next to the pilot who had been chosen for the mission when he heard the leader ask, "Is this thing loading in properly?"
Campbell checked the status on the carrier dashboard when he answered, "This thing has been loaded and is ready for delivery. All we need is to prepare for takeoff."
Christian and Nasir listened to the progress from behind before they heard, "You are clear to go. We just need the clearance to leave behind you."
The carrier pilot confirmed, "Roger that, we're about to begin liftoff. Clear the way and just try to keep up behind us."
The truck holding the shield moved away from the front of the carrier as the announcement from Christian encouraged, "Alright we're finally about to get started. Let's move out before we get noticed boys." The doors to the hangar slowly opened and everyone was given a view of the battle still raging outside. Nasir checked both sides of the carrier when he told his fellow soldiers, "We're clear. Let's just make this count already."
The carrier pilot confirmed, "Beginning takeoff procedures."
The carrier prepared its jets as it lifted off the ground and began its flight forward while staying high above the ground where the ground firefights took place. Christoph watched the carrier take off and told Keijo, "Alright, we just follow them and we see how things go from here."
Keijo turned on the truck when he encouraged, "Hold on and get ready for a bumpy ride."
The truck followed behind the carrier as the remaining soldiers watched their greatest hope of saving the Earth Sphere cause charge towards the location of the Nornir's battlefield. Flake looked over the radar system when he tried to watch the progression of the two vehicles and heard Elna ask, "So how long is it before we head out if they're successful?"
Flake told her, "When we see the Nornir preparing to make its way over here. Either that or we see it blow up from the same attack of the Sol Theros."
One of the Earth Sphere soldiers asked, "How serious are we supposed to be taking that scenario? We can't seriously want to lose one of our weapons at this point."
Flake answered, "Whatever happens, it's better than letting that Coalition prick have a chance to wreak his havoc. Believe me, I'm worried about dads disapproval more than anything, but I think he'd be more pissed to see another weapon in enemy hands."
The carrier made its flight high above the field as it strafed over the occasional wayward shot that came its way. Campbell in the meantime was offering a transmission to the Coalition forces below, "Attention all forces, we are providing support to the Nornir. Repeat we are offering support to the Nornir."
The shots from beneath were not as intense as they were before but Christian remained dedicated to learning what sort of drop point he would have. Nasir asked, "At this rate do we even have that much cover?'
Campbell told him, "Most of the Coalition seems to be more interested watching the capital rather than shooting down another target. Right now things are looking a little more in favor of them so it might not be much of a challenge to get through. Hope we can say the same about Christoph and the others."
The truck that made its way out of the hangar traversed the field as it deflected a series of gunshots after another from cutting off the nearest attacks. Christoph and two Earth Sphere soldiers poked out the windows when they fired on every nearby Coalition soldier that came into view but were forced to brace themselves for protection.
Keijo weaved around a grenade blast that came towards him. Christoph ducked beneath his window as he protected himself from another few gunshots and tried to keep himself braced as another explosion tried to rock the truck off course. Keijo turned towards the gate when he warned, "Hang on, we're about to crash through!"
The shut gate was broken down as the truck continued through and the gunshots that the occupants had to worry about died down. Christoph looked outside as he saw the absence of any attackers and encouraged, "Well it looks like we're on our way there. We have a short break now boys. Try to keep yourself composed for what's next."
One of the Earth Sphere soldiers asked, "Are those Sol Thero things really as big of a menace as the reports say they are?"
Christian answered, "They're worse. Don't' expect to see an easy infiltration."
For how intense the field within the inner walls of Quebec City had become, much of the outside had been engulfed in conflict with the exception of one area. Campbell and Christian were able to see the destruction form down below as the Nornir Walkure tried to use its Helfire Cannon towards a Sol Thero before penetrating its shield and reducing it to ashes. The remainder of the squadron however weaved and fired towards the massive Gundam before it leapt into the air and fired a volley of missiles towards the nearby Sol Thero units.
The display of cation even from a distance was one that caught the attention of the onlookers, but Nasir was able to was able to remind the occupants, "So how much further until we get in range of contact?"
Campbell answered, "Looks like another few hundred meters. We haven't been shot down yet."
A Sol Thero made its way around the back of the Nornir Walkure before firing a volley of missiles its direction and sent a volley of gunfire in its direction. It moved away from meeting contact with the Gundam but turned around to see the carrier flying towards it. The carrier pilot observed, "Shit! We've been spotted by that one!"
Campbell told him, "Get that transponder started! We need to have some kind of success!"
The two activated the radio as they tried to establish contact with the Nornir Walkure before the Sol Thero took aim at the carrier and fired its gatling guns towards the airborne target.
Campbell shouted, "Get evasive! Drop! Drop!" The carrier stalled and made a sharp drop as it avoided the shots come its direction. The Sol Thero was punched in the back as the Nornir Walkure fired its machine gun pistol and forced it on its chest to the ground. Standing on top of its defeated opponent with one foot of the Nornir Walkure pilots contacted the carrier, "What brings you guys out here risking your lives?"
Campbell took hold of the radio when he answered, "We're here to deliver a chance for you to beat these things. We're sending the shield down there now."
Another one of the Nornir pilots thanked, "We'll keep you guys covered. Drop that shield and get back to the General's assistance."
Campbell agreed, "We've been hoping to. Now if you don't mind we need to stay on the line to make sure that we are able to drop near your location."
The Nornir punched a Sol Thero's head off before the responding pilot told Campbell, "We aren't going anywhere. This is just a distraction."
Campbell agreed, "We are trying to do that. We just need to stay on the line is all."
The pilot denied, "Unless you have something important, quit trying to distract us already."
The signal shut off and Campbell cursed, "Shit! Not as easy as we thought!" The pilot next to him asked, "Is the disengage command not getting through to that thing?"
Christian told him, "Flake said we had to maintain contact and I don't see that thing breaking apart."
Nasir suggested, "Looks like the guys on the ground are our best bet now. Let's drop the shield and get us out of here."
The Nornir continued its attacks as the incoming Sol Thero units as it defeated the mobile dolls through the use of sheer power. While it waited for its shield to arrive however, one of the Sol Theros saw the chance to take down one target as it took aim and fired towards the carrier. There was no opportunity for the carrier to dodge as it took several shots to its underside and trailed smoke from behind.
The chaos aboard the carrier began to grow as the pilot pushed the controls to send the carrier towards the Nornir Walkure and Nasir said, "We are not going to make it that much further! This thing is dead meat!"
Campbell agreed, "We don't' have shit now! Let's jump already!"
Christian saw the view of the cockpit window make its way closer to the ground of the Nornir Walkure when he told them, "We have to keep headed towards that thing! We need to at least get on there!"
He reached to the controls while the pilot jumped out of the seat and said, "You do that! We're out of this shit!"
Before any of the passengers could prepare to make a jump, the Nornir made a grab from beneath with its hand as it stopped the carrier from crashing. Christian saw the opportunity as he leapt onto the arm of the Gundam where he saw it preparing to pull the shield out from underneath. Before he could tell anyone to follow him, another series of shots came from behind as they made contact with the carrier and offered a mighty explosion in the hands of the Gundam.
Christian was blown back as he reached his hands out to take hold of the first grip he could find to keep himself from being blow off. He called out, "Hey! Where are you guys?" Before he could wait for an answer, he took hold of the nearest grip as he was forced to climb and make his way up the structure of the mighty Gundam.
Christian forced himself through the wind trying to blow him off while the attack continued to build and recognized the Gundam being forced on the offensive. He turned to his left when to see the nearest Sol Thero take aim at the arm he was scaling but felt it stretched out as it fired a volley of missiles towards the target. He was close to the shoulder area before he felt the arm rocked by a mighty punch that collided with the nearest Sol Thero and felt the flames of another explosion work its way towards him.
With one final push upward, Christian climbed around the neck of the Nornir Walkure while reaching for the hatch where his fellow soldiers made their previous holding area in the trip to Brussels. He opened it and slid his way down as he was forced forward feeling a mighty explosion rock the Gundam forward. Christian fell face first into a series of pipes but forced himself onto his back as he looked around to find the next way through the inner crevices he could wander through.
Looking around for his first chance to take action, Christian found the walkie talkie on his belt as he turned it on and prepared to talk into it. He contacted Flake's signal, "Flake, I'm in! Think you can help me find my way through this thing?"
Flake answered, "Christian! You managed to get in there? What the hell happened to the others?"
Christian looked around when he answered, "Probably dead. I need to continue the mission on my own now."
Flake paused when he heard that and answered, "It looks like forcing that thing to separate is our only choice now. Just follow my directions and you'll be at the combiner operational holding area."
Christian told him, "I need to see those backstabbers dead! Let me find a way towards the cockpit!"
Flake answered, "Try and think just a little Christian! Even if you were able to take them out all at once, you won't be able to pilot it yourself! And what way of killing them all off do you think you'll be able to pull off exactly? You'll be in a tight spot without any cover if you shoot them and if you use a grenade you'll damage the controls beyond repair! Even if you wait for the others to meet with you the rest of the Sol Theros will all be destroyed at this rate and then we'll-"
Christian cut him off, "We wait for them to arrive and then we'll be able to take this thing back. Flake, we'll be able to keep this thing as our own after all. After this is just us against the rest of the Coalition army."
Flake paused before he answered, "Shit it might actually be enough. You stay in there until somebody gets in there with you. I did not think this plan could be convoluted enough that it would allow you to be the rational one."
Christian kept his view of the hatch from outside when he agreed, "I can have some moments right?"
Flake congratulated, "Yeah, don't get too proud. We can call it a success if we're alive after all this. Now stay put there and see if anyone is ready to help you out in there."
As soon as Christian heard the signal on his walkie talkie shut off, he leaned back and told himself, "Yeah, now we get to see if being rational is what's going to be what gives us an actual victory."
Christoph's truck made its way closer to the foot of the Nornir Walkure and found himself fortunate that they had not yet been seen. The closer he came towards the might Gundam however, the more alert to his location it seemed to become. He saw the mighty Gundam walk towards him when he told Keijo, "I think we're about to engage in our finest hour here."
Keijo saw the feet walking towards him when he told the other soldiers in the back, "Get ready to move. We have some serious scaling to do."
The truck continued its way towards the foot of the Gundam before the four soldiers rolled out of their respective doors and stood waiting for their chance to move. The truck continued its drive toward the Gundam before the foot laned on top of it and crushed it into a mighty explosion that tried to force Christoph and the others back. Christoph stood defiant to the force when he told his fellow soldiers, "Go! Move!"
The four ran towards the flames as they ran up the leg and began to scale their way up. Every man made their way up as they found themselves almost at the knees and resisted against the blowing winds as the Nornir moved and attacked every Sol Thero coming in range. Keijo asked 'Maybe we will see these things destroyed. We're not looking at a safe way up though."
Christoph told him, "We never had a chance at one. Let's at least try and not make our plan be for nothing."
Flake heard one of the doors near him open when he realized what was about to happen. Gunshots erupted as more Coalition soldiers came running in and fired on their enemies. He was dragged by one of his fellow Earth Sphere soldiers as they scrambled to cover and he saw Elna giving Richard the support he needed. He endured the gunfire roaring over his head and the shouts of death coming his way before he asked, "Did we just let them through that easily?'
Elna saw a soldier fall over next to her before she answered, "This wasn't really supposed to be our final area of defense. We're still in the middle of this giant battle."
Richard leaned on the crate as he fired overhead but coiled as soon as he felt a shot land near his hand. He told the others, "The most we can do now is pray. Right now I have a feeling we aren't going to be seeing much more action."
Before Elna could respond, she heard another change of fire happen from a distance and the gunfire died down as soon as it came. She peaked over head when she saw Earth Sphere soldiers taking the Coalition ones by surprise. Elna saw some of her friends make their way towards her before she was able to meet with Daisuke and Fredric again. She told them, "About time you guys got here. We've been trying to take this into our hands for a while."
Robbie came up to them and asked, "Were you guys trying to do anything about that carrier from earlier?"
Flake answered, "We sent some of our guys out there to try and deal with the Nornir. Right now we have next to no idea of the success, especially after the damage we just took."
Daisuke told them, "Right now what we're looking for are soldiers. We need to take out the Coalition before they get any closer to the Parliament. Can you guys still stand and fight?"
One of the soldiers answered, "We've been doing just that. Unfortunately we do have inured with us who need to be accounted for."
Daisuke accepted the report, "More numbers is better. Let's move out."
The hangar was abandoned as the firefighting continued to take the city and the newly recruited soldiers made their way to assist.
The climb up the Nornir Walkure was complete as Christoph lead the others to the open hatch of the Gundams back. As soon as he dropped down he saw Christian there to greet him as he asked, "You're the only one who got out alive Christian?"
Christian confirmed, "Yeah. Sorry I couldn't do much for the others but that's how serious they got us."
Keijo told them, "We just have to make sure that they didn't die for nothing. Are we going to disassemble this thing now?"
Christian told him, "We're in an opportunity where we can take this thing back. We just need to take the pilots by surprise and we'll have our Gundam back."
Christoph agreed, "Let's just try and not screw this up. We've got a lot riding on us in here." He turned to Keijo when he told him and the others, "You three head down the left and make a slight descent down. After that you stick with the corridors and be ready to shoot the pilots first chance you get."
One of the soldiers agreed, "We'll have this thing back in our hands soon enough."
Keijo nodded as the others followed him down the left corridor and Christian encouraged, "We've waited long enough, let's get these morons already."
Christoph drew his pistol when he agreed, "Now or never."
The two brothers squeezed down the corridor of the Gundam as they searched for the first opportunity to shoot the four pilots who took their rightful weapon. The first chance to descend further into the Gundam presented itself as a small plate slid down and offered another corridor further into the chest of the Gundam.
Both brothers turned left as they took the chance to gaze into the corridor and saw their targets in the distance cockpit area. Christoph prepared his gun when he told Christian, "No time to gloat. We flank them and then we dive in."
Christian agreed, "Lead the way."
The two brothers slid further into the Gundam before they heard one of the pilots report, "We only got a few of them left. We finish here and then we shove our guns back into the hands of the Earth Sphere."
Taking aim with his pistol, Christoph found the back of Julian's head in his sight before he fired. Julian's blood splatted onto the controls when Celso exclaimed, "Julian?! The hell?!"
Before he could wonder any further he realized the intruders who had made their way in as bullets flew towards him from both sides and forced him to jump out of his seat and towards Jens's when he fired back and ordered, "We have one option! Separate!"
Susanne heard the order as she prepared for her ejection when she told him, "Not without you guys!"
Jens leapt his way up to Susanne's seat but Celso took several shots to the back as he lumped over the controls of Susanne's unit. He told her, "Both of you get out!" He forced his hand to execute the separation command and the Verdandi Gundam separated from its formation.
"Shit!" Christian cursed as he recognized the last two pilots made their escape. He had little time to remorse the loss however as he recognized the three seats empty with only a pair of corpses to clear. Keijo and the two soldiers took the lower cockpit as they moved Julian's body out of the way and asked, "We can still use most of this thing right?"
There was a rock of fire as the warning systems indicated the Verdandi making its attack on them from behind. Christian and Christoph took their former seats as Christoph told them, "We need to focus on the enemies now."
Susanne in the meantime charged with the Verdandi as she fired her weapons on the remains of the Nornir when she exclaimed, "You'll pay for not thinking to stay down!"
The Sol Theros took advantage of the chaos among the separated Gundams as they fired their volley of gatling fire at both targets while matching their projected weaves and dodges. Every shot they gave landed on both targets. The Verdandi had its wings shot clear off and both arms fell to the ground before the Sol Theros made their way over to the separated Gundam and fired a volley of missiles at the ground. A mighty explosion erupted from the Verdandi while the Nornir Triumvirate was able to use the destruction to establish some cover form the three Sol Theros and defend itself against the gun fire as it blocked with its arms.
Keijo and the other two soldiers gave themselves the space they needed when he told him, "I'm planning to help out however I can. Don't count us out."
Christoph agreed, "Just be ready. We have a really sharp turn to make." He reached into the hole where the Helfire Cannon handle was kept before pulling it out, turning it, and pushing it back in.
As soon as the Sol Thero saw one target Gundam destroyed, the turned their attention to the Nornir Triumvirate opening its chest cannon and bring a mighty beam of energy towards them. One of the Sol Theros used its planet defensors to absorb the blast but saw its defense overwhelmed as soon as it tired to being a move around the attack. In the next instant it was taken into the beam and exploded. The other two units saw the destruction and strafed in opposite directions as the beam proceed to the right to follow the escaping mobile doll. The spared Sol Thero took the opportunity to attack the Nornir as it fired its missiles and gatling fun fire towards the back.
Every shot that landed and forced the Nornir Triumvirate to be pushed forward while it struggled to maintain its balance. It continued to fire its Helfire Cannon towards the strafing Sol Thero as it made a mighty turn again before coming into contact with the mobile doll. It managed to land on the field deployed by the planet defensors but shot them down and began to make contact with the right side of the Sol Thero's body frame. Before the attack could claim another destruction however, the dreaded moment of being overheated had taken over the Nornir.
The Helfire attack was dying down as soon as the three Gundams began the separation process. Christoph shouted, "Prepare to move now!"
The cockpit was cut into threes as the five saboteurs freed the Nornir Triumvirate to separate again. The Clotho, Urth, and Lachesis Gundams all separated from one another while the two remaining Sol Theros prepared to engage battle with their new opponents. The Lachesis turned to see the Clotho and Urth charge in an effort to confront the mobile dolls while Keijo asked, "You guys can seriously take them on?"
Christoph told him, "We need some survivors out here. This is just a hitch is all."
Christoph took aim as the defenseless Sol Thero with his assault rifle but as soon as he fired saw its remaining partner block in defense before charging its gatling guns at the small limbs of the Clotho. Enduring the volley of hits, Christoph found he wa greater disadvantage than the thought. He forced the Clotho to back away with firing his rifle and Vulcan guns at the shielded target but found that he wasn't getting any closer to tearing through the shield.
Before he made contact he saw the Urth charge into the right side of the Sol Thero with the defenseless one renew its attack and fired on the Clotho. Christoph thought his end was at hand but saw a shot from the left side of the Sol Thero. The compromised chest caused the shots to land and brought about an explosion to signal its defeat.
Christoph forced the Clotho back when he saw the Lachesis with one of its machine gun pistols drawn out after having shot the vulnerable Sol Thero. Before Christoph could say anything he saw the Sol Thero on the ground wrestling with the Urth's fire missiles and towards both Gundams it selected as targets. The legs of the Lachesis broke under the weight of the body as two missiles made contact with them and the Clotho was forced to endure almost more than it was built for.
Christoph didn't let the damage stop him however as he forced the Clotho forward and rushed to help the Lachesis remains off the ground. Turning to see the Urth and final Sol Thero struggling on the ground, Christoph raised one hand with an assault rifle ready to fire on the Sol Thero target but saw the Urth was tossed overhead head first into the ground in front of him and offered no window for Christoph to fire.
Christoph tried to contact, "Christian get out of there!"
He couldn't hear anything Christian might have said as he saw one of the Urth arms raise and fire a volley of missiles into the field the Sol Thero brought up. The resulting explosion forced both mobile suits back while a cloud of smoke became the only visible target Christoph had to fire on. He made a sweeping fire with his assault rifle before contacting Christian, "We've don all we could! You're banged up enough as it is!"
Christian checked his ammunition only to recognize he had run out of missiles from his arms and decided there was only on final option for him. He told Christoph, "Having one of these things still standing is too many and you know it. Like hell I'm going to let anyone else have to suffer like the others did." He saw a beam sword erupt from the smoke as it sliced its way towards him. He raised the hands of the Urth to make a mighty punch towards the beam saber but found his fist making contact with the gatling gun arm as it flew off and crashed to the arm.
The Sol Thero made a roundabout slice as it attempted to slice the Urth across the chest before it rolled forward and turned around to prepare for another attack. With the mobile dolls back exposed, Christoph fired his assault rifle only to see the shots off target and only to the right of the Urth. Christoph saw the Sol Thero appear from behind the Urth before he warned, "Christian! We need to move!"
Christian turned the Urth around to see the Sol Thero in time before seeing the beam sword thrust its way into the main reactor of his Gundam. Christian was quickly able to recognize his situation as he saw his demise was imminent. He told the Sol Thero through gritting teeth, "I won't let you have the satisfaction!"
Christian thrust himself forward as he embraced his arms around the body of the Sol Thero in a crushing embrace. Christian prepared for his final moments as he forced himself to endure the growing heat from the coming explosion. In his final moments of taking hold of his enemy, Christians final action was to shout at the top of his lungs when he took the Sol Thero down with him.
Christoph was only able to watch in horror as he saw what he never wanted to see happen unfold in front of him. Both the Sol Thero and the Urth were completely destroyed and only one valuable pilot had been lost in the process. "Christian…" Christoph managed to mutter as he viewed the site of his lost brother.
He heard Keijo contact him, "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything."
Christoph suppressed his grief as he placed a fist on his right chair arm and shut his eyes before he answered, "You did more than you could have. Anything more would have been a miracle." He changed his frequency to make contact with the radio Flake had when he contacted, "We've pulled off everything we could. Do you read?"
Christoph realized the signal was blank as soon as he tired to contact him. The lack of a response left him to fear the worst was about to hit him over the head many times over while the fear overtook him. He kept his composure however when he told Keijo, "We're heading back to base. Get ready to keep fighting."
Keijo agreed, "We know this was what would happen when we made our way out here. Now we're only starting to pay back what these bastards did to us."
Christoph turned towards the capital still under siege when he agreed, "The least I can do now is make sure that they pay for every life they were ballsy enough to take."
Edward did not expect the final capital city of the Earth to go down without the greatest fight it could muster. His view of the outside area of the city being in flames and the struggles that everyone made in an attempt to be the last one standing to be nothing short of what he believed his rise to power would look like. "The final cries of resistance are always the most compelling when a victor has been given his chance to be there to enjoy it." He told himself.
The sights of his men defending him from the advancing Earth Sphere soldiers only added to the landscape before he took out his own pistol and fired into the head of an Earth Sphere soldier in the distance from his established perimeter. His focus on the defense was brought to a pause when he heard Jason walk up to him and report, "General. I'm afraid there has been a setback in our plans."
Edward turned to ask, "What is it Colonel?"
Jason answered, "The Sol Theros advancing from the other side have all been wiped out. Unfortunately it would seem l most of the Gundams have been as well."
Edward's face tensed with anger at the reveal when he asked, "Which ones among them are still standing?"
Jason shook before answering, "One of them General. It should be headed back this way soon."
Edward groaned before raising his pistol and firing three times right past Jason's left ear. With the concern for his life quickly rushing through him, Jason turned to see three Earth Sphere soldiers fallen over dead from the shots.
Edward told him, "It would seem that the Earth Sphere is now our only option for having the remaining Sol Theros destroyed. Have your men ready to route the survivors to the northwest area. Ideally we will only have to take down the remaining weakest forces once this ends."
Jason offered a salute when he agreed, "Right away General." He ran to a safe area of cover behind the walls of the Parliamentary Building before Edward recognized the duty he had on hand. He fired over the head of his men towards another pair of incoming Earth Sphere soldiers.
As he assisted his men in the defense, Edward determined to himself, "Only one Gundam still standing? What is it that forced them to separate? They knew of the power the combined Gundam was capable of. No, something as gone very wrong in this portion of the plan." He made his way to a nearby radio where he was able to deliver orders to his mobile suit forces from a distance. He ordered to the selected mobile suits, "All units, engage the lone Gundam. It stands with the enemy and must be destroyed. All units are to execute this order now."
Deep in the Parliamentary Building, much of the Earth Sphere government remained locked behind the doors of the main meeting room while they could only listen to the distant gunshots of the soldiers making an attempt to rescue them. Hiram was among them when he observed, "We have allowed ourselves to be placed in a grave predicament. All of this because one man was allowed to live and achieve his inner workings."
Malcolm told him, "We were indeed handed a powder keg that has already been lit. Suffice to say the Coalitions unity was something that was weaker than we believed."
Another one of the representatives warned, "We may be able to reflect on our mistakes after this day, but we do not have the luxury to admit to them now. From what there is to infer it would seem Edward's men are forced on the defensive and only thing to find a way to slither their way up here."
Barra made his way to Malcolm when he told him, "There is only one way that we will be able to survive this defense now. We must determine if the General can be killed and allow us the opportunity to pray that at least some of his men will surrender."
Malcolm agreed, "That is what we're having to see resolved. As it is however, relying on this outcome is the least dependable tactic we have right now."
Barra told him, "Only if we do not attempt to take Edward by surprise. Does General Neustadt not have any other men to send?"
Malcolm answered, "From my understanding he has all of the Earth Sphere forces engaging with the ground forces."
Barra prepared his pistol when he told Malcolm, "In that case I will have to engage him myself. Please insist that everyone remain here."
Zlata asked, "What sort of surprise engagement are you trying when you are only one man? We cannot afford for anyone to go out there only to needlessly risk their lives for nothing."
Barra answered, "The only needless risk we have as of now is making the choice for all fighting men to do nothing. I had not chance to correct this mistake before, but I will not allow myself to allow my failure to grow so large that none of us will be able to correct it."
Malcolm told him, "In spite of what might have been a betrayal on your part Barra we are fortunate that you have only our best interests all along. Please return alive and be ready to assist in the defense."
Barra agreed, "I do not intend to die before my use has reached its end Mr. President. It is more important however that you remain alive to lead the people to a new ear where days such as these do not come to pass again." Barra opened the door and parted, "Be well and prepare for what the future may challenge you all with." He turned away before watching the doors shut and hearing the clicks of a lock reaffirm the safety of the room's occupants.
With little else to keep him from approaching the men on the level floors, Barra checked the windows of the building to outside where he saw soldiers on both sides engaged in a perimeter of firefights. The outer edges of the city showed a mirror of the defense as Ursas continued their attacks on one another while buildings were leveled by ones that tried to advance towards Barra's location. Everything was being done to determine who and what was left standing with Edwards men intent on seeing the end of his grand strategy to become the last remaining leader who would stand among the carnage.
The image left Barra with the comment, "It is truly amazing that you were able to find so many that believed in you ambition and your methods Edward. You may yet be a last of your kind as you stand against the status of all humanity with only the intention to be the strongest. Every word that you told me of your ambition is one that I am only able to deny that you have any grand opportunity to take hold of. It is today that we determine if you are indeed the last true war lord."
The destruction that took place outside the city of Quebec City had become one of a literal graveyard where limbs and debris of Sol Theros and Gundams lay on the ground. Flames were everywhere to be see and smoke clouded the vision of the ones fortunate enough to be alive to wander through the field. Nasir was the only one who was still able to call himself alive as he crawled with his left hand and leg towards the embattled capital. He groaned with pain as he was forced to drag his useless right limbs with him while avoiding the flames that came close to falling on him.
Looking around Nasir only found the legs of the Lachesis Gundam in the distance. He made an effort to lift himself up before falling onto the right side and receiving the pain of what felt like another thick object of metal falling onto him. He yelled in pain as he forced himself back on his chest and continued to travel through the debris.
Even recognizing how impossible the situation could have been, Nasir made his way over to a destroyed mobile suit limb and shouted in the distance, "Campbell! Anybody! Get over here!" As much as he was able to cry out for making himself known, Nasir could hear no one but only the occasional collapse of metal and the burning of the flames that lay claim over the dead. He felt himself weaken at every cry for help he gave and coughed out of sheer pain understanding how truly alone he was being left in this scorched field.
Nasir looked beyond one of the limbs as he found the first glimpse of hope that offered him some assurance for everything that his fellow soldiers had been able to accomplish. He could see the Clotho Gundam still standing and with none of the others to be seen. From everything that he was able to discern, the third plan had been chosen and it had been successful. In spite of everything that he had hoped to see done, the pain that lingered over him and the weight of the battle that had recently occurred was too great for him to feel any sense of accomplishment.
As he watched the seemingly unending destruction unfold in front of him, Nasir allowed himself to comment, "Holy God damn you Trenton… Guys… You are all missing out on one hell of a giant spectacle of a disaster."
