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 68: Soldier of a Generation
Even after the recent hardship of losing many of their men and the loss of the complete Nornir Walkure, Flake and Richard were left amazed by the amount of conflict that was still under way. Despite the continued destruction, the sight of the field they had just cleared was one encouraging sign that a difference was being made. Richard asked, "Is there no way at all that we'll be able to contact the others? We seriously need them back at our side now."
Daisuke answered, "We've been begging to find some way we could get more men as well. Hate to break the news but I think Flake was the last link we had to being able to talk to them."
The two turned to Flake who fiddled with his radio signal and tried to establish contact with the men who began their mission. He called out, "Is anyone there? Christoph? Christian? Can you guys hear me?" After receiving nothing but a totally blank signal, Flake slammed his fist against the nearest wall and cursed, "We have nothing guys. We can't establish contact with anyone."
Fredric told him, "Right now the best shot we have is to help everyone who is alive. I can't imagine what it's like to lose your brothers, but we aren't doing anyone any good just standing around here."
Flake told him, "I get it already. What I want to know is just how much shittier our situation got. At this rate there's going to be nothing left of this city but one giant display of rubble."
Robbie told him, "It looks like most of the hangar bays have already been taken. At this point we'll have to have some really big miracle to be able to stop the battle outside. Or inside as it's growing to be."
Cinzia warned, "We've got company ahead of us. Looks like Coalition."
Daisuke gestured to the left when he told everyone, "Cover now." The Earth Sphere soldiers scrambled for cover in the alleyways near them as they looked ahead to find Coalition soldiers making their way through the streets.
Robbie asked, "This is the way to the capital building right?"
Flake confirmed, "Looks like they're headed that way. There's actually several thousand Coalition soldier in here and I bet they're having the time of their lives right now."
Just as they were prepared for another endurance, Robbie looked behind him as he saw a sight that partially answered his concerns. The Clotho Gundam made its way up to the edge of the city as it lay the upper half of the Lachesis on the ground. Cinzia told the men near her, "It looks like we at least got a little success."
Richard agreed, "It does. Seriously though, what the hell did they do to my Gundam? It's in worse shape than me and that says something."
Daisuke gestured from across the other alley when Elna recognized the warning and told everyone near her, "Be quiet. The Coalition guys are headed this way."
The Earth Sphere soldiers took cover as they waited for the opportunity to get past the passing Coalition soldiers. They were all able to hear the footsteps making their way towards the area as they had just past. Before they could prepare for another immediate plan however, something happened that none of them expected. The Clotho Gundam's assault rifle weapon fired on the streets and resulted in a streak of destruction that made its way across to the men making their way towards the Gundam.
There was a sudden burst of panic as the Earth Sphere soldiers leapt and tried to defend themselves. Daisuke saw a Coalition soldier run into his alley before quickly shooting him and keeping himself on guard for whoever tried to find their way in next. After only a few seconds the gunfire stopped and Flake popped his head out to see the Clotho Gundam with its assault rifle in both hands before the cockpit opened and he saw one man that he had been hoping to see. "Christoph?"
Instead of an answer he saw him leap down the leg of the Gundam and on top of the chest of the Lachesis. Flake ran towards the location while the others made their way across the devastated road desperate to see the results of their plan. Christoph helped the other three occupants of the Gundam out of the cockpit when Flake called out, "Hey, did you guys make it out scot free?"
Christoph looked down to see his brother and answered, "I wish we could have. WE were barely able to pull this off. Now you have to help these three and make sure they assist in taking back this city."
The cockpit of the Lachesis opened before Keijo and the other two Earth Sphere soldiers exited. Flake was initially pleased to see more survivors than he expected but became disappointed as soon as he realized just who made it out. He asked, "Christian. Where's Christian?"
Christoph had a visible look of regret as he turned to the field where he came from. He managed to offer an answer when he told him, "He did his duty. It's because of him that we were all able to make it here. And I don't plan on letting his sacrifice be for nothing."
Christoph began to make his way back up the Clotho before Flake asked, "And how do you plan to honor him? How are you supposed to pull this off now?"
Christoph turned to tell him, "Everyone who ever found under the command of Edward Blare is going to wish they never sided with him. And I'm going to destroy the Sol Theros. By hand if I have to."
Flake pointed to behind Christoph when he warned, "I'm sorry to stop you there but clearly this thing has been damaged to the point of where we can't contact you. At least let us be able to have another signal of some kind."
Christoph turned to recognize Flake handing him his radio. Christoph placed it on his shoulder when he told Flake, "If I need support I'll let you know. You guys are going to stay focused on saving the Parliament. Dad is not going to ask for anything less." He turned around as he made his climb up the leg of the Clotho while Flake backed away as he watched his brother prepare to make another charge towards the Coalition's hold over the capital. Elna helped Richard over to Flake's location before Richard asked, "He have a lot to say? He got everybody back at least?"
Flake found it difficult to face his brother and kept looking where the Clotho stood as he told him, "He has a mission that he needs to carry out just like we do. I think he wants to keep us from having to pay any more of a price than we had to."
He heard Fredric make his way up to him when he asked, "You don't mean to say that he has more of a role than we do, do ya?"
Richard answered for Flake when he commented, "That's what I'm afraid of. That he he's taking this as more of a responsibility."
There were select few times where there were thoughts that the colonies would be able to have their own period of freedom. Every instance where it seemed freedom was a possibility had been dashed by the might of the Earth Alliance in its desire to maintain its hold over the human race. One such time was true in After Colony 182 where the recent fall of the Sanc Kingdom capital and the interventions across the world was able to remind how little influence the colonies had over them.
In spite of how difficult the struggle for independence was and how terrifying the Earth Alliance was, life on the colonies was still manageable for many in the wealthier sectors of their residences. This was the case for those who lived on L2V08744 as they sough to have their own freedom from the harsh realities that continued to mount on their shoulders after many years. For them the moment of their entertainment came from viewing a dramatization of a historic moment on Earth, a high school play titled "Wolfe's Hunt" taking place that night.
For one young man in particular he was able to live his greatest fantasy that he imagined would one day be his. The chance to portray the Quebec General James Wolf, one where he began as a mere strategist and soldier from the moment of his enlistment all the way until his staged death. The young actor now had his head lain in the lap of one of his fellow soldiers as he declared one of the final lines he was tasked to delivered. Emulating the struggling of uttering his final words he spoke, "Send Colonel River to cut off their retreat from the bridge. Now God be praise I die contented…"
As he offered his dramatic death scene and quickly walked off stage when the curtains came down, he only cared to see the final scene play out as a sign for him to wait before he could step outside and bask in the praise the audience offered him and the rest of the cast. The moment came as he bowed behind the director and the crew who made the production possible.
After the few minutes of praise, Edward walked backstage where he was greeted, "An excellent performance Edward. You have demonstrated quite an affection for the character and quite well for a first performance."
Edward remove his British uniform jacket when he thanked, "I am very happy to hear that Barra. You did okay yourself out there. I actually kind of wish this thing were real."
Barra laughed lightly when he told Edward, "Now I know you got into that role and all but you don't have to give the impression that you want to kill me or anything."
The director came up to them when he congratulated, "We've got one night down in a grand sweep. Now we've got four more nights to go. We're in the big stretch, I don't want to see one bit of fatigue out there."
Edward wiped the makeup off his face when he told him, "I don't plan on slacking. Just give me the audience and I'll give them the performance they deserve."
Changing into his casual clothes, Edward walked outside as he made his way to the parking lot where his car was located. Barra was still behind him when he asked, "So you really think that you didn't give just some one in a lifetime performance out there Ed?"
Edward stopped as he looked up at the simulated night sky of the colony when he told Barra, "I want that performance to be the first of many, but I'm not interested in staying on the stage. If I wanted to do that I could join those glorified gypsies on L3. I'm not even going to be much of a noteworthy person if I try to make this my career. There's something out there that offers me more than just that kind of life. In the next two years, I'm going to take that opportunity."
Barra paused before he realized what Edward was referring to. As only a recent acquaintance however he didn't have an idea of what his ideals were. At least ones that he felt strongly enough to fight for. "I didn't know you had those kinds of plans. You think it's a matter of time before the colonies gain their independence? I hear a lot of people talking about how that day is getting closer every day."
Edward laugh, "You'll have to tell those people how wrong they are. You've seen what just happened in the Sanc Kingdom, and more people are paying the price for it. Not even a chance Barra, ever since Heero Yuy's death this has just been one long list of failures and the colonies just keep trying because they have the people to spare. That's why I'm going to be going to the winning team. It's the closest thing to making myself a true part of nobility I'll eve get."
Barra had a face of shock when he heard the answer and told Edward, "You'll be able to live with yourself enlisting with the Earth Alliance? Even after all they did? You have to be joking, you can't see the people of the colonies as that unimportant to you."
"That's exactly why we should be willing to enlist for them Barra. What? Are you part of some underground resistance that plans to subvert everything that is the way it is? Being one of the most well off in one of these colonies is about the equivalent of being dirt poor on Earth. I'm actually going to get somewhere with my life."
Barra found that he didn't have anything to argue against him with when Edward told him that. The struggle of the colonies was a long and excruciating one. It was a time where it required the creation of a miracle for them to one day see independence. Many of the higher classes doubted there would even be a chance where they would be victorious. "I'm sorry you feel that way Ed. I don't blame you for trying to find a better life for yourself. I just think there are better choices you could make if you wanted to leave this place."
Edward turned to Barra when he told him, "I don't even want to try and find a way out of here to live a simple life. That sort of shit is for weak peasants who don't want to achieve anything. What makes you think I want to join the Earth Alliance for?"
Barra told him, "I guess you would like to be able to get into the Romefeller Foundation if you had the chance. You got any idea how hard it is to get in even if you're part of the nobility on Earth? The best your pops could do is probably write a letter of recommendation that gets lost in the paperwork because look at you, a colonist."
Edward had an undeterred manner about him when he told Barra, "My dad had to work his ass off to get to where he is now and the only reason he can't have this opportunity is because of his age. Me, I plan on actually living a life that's actually worth something. I'm getting out of these colonies and giving myself a struggle that's worth something. Even more than the one that he lived."
When Barra thought back to that one night over 40 years ago, he was able to recognize just how much of a dedication Edward made when he planned to sign up. He couldn't find any other period where he and Edward had a remarkable exchange but was able to remember seeing him among the crowd as part of the audience for his graduation "That was the last time I was ever able to see you in the flesh. We never had the same ambitions and we neve had the same vision. All we had was our way of making sense out of the chaotic world we continue to live in."
Barra prepared his pistol as he made his way down the stairs and turned around to a corner where he heard footsteps making their way up. As soon as they became louder, Barra turned to see a handful of Coalition soldiers and quickly shot them in the head before they recognized his presence.
As he watched the soldiers fall over dead on the steps, Barra continued his way down as he told himself, "It was a mistake for me to believe that you would ever change the way you saw the world Edward. But I would never stoop so low as to preying off the innocent. Even you were at one time. What separates me from you is my intention to see others than myself prosper. No one man is so precious that they deserve to preserve himself over another. You will be offered a reminder of how miniscule your life truly is when I find you."
One of the few times before the arrival of the Gundams were able to signify the true beginnings of the colonies rise was the day after four years when Edwards enlistment into the Earth Alliance. It was a day that he hoped to revel in as he led his few men through the frontlines and towards the only remaining conflict zone where the Maxwell Church still stood. Even with his current rank as Lieutenant he led the charge as though the entire Alliance military was behind him. He took cover behind a stone wall as he fired towards the few Alliance soldiers who sought to claim their final stand.
Before Edward did anything he felt some of his men run up to him and take cover and then heard his superior officer make his way up to his location, "Blare, don't you think you've gone far enough? They're about to all be subjugated. We have a chance to demand their surrender. Stay back here and we'll have it called in."
Edward kept his gaze ahead when he told his Captain, "With all du respect sir, I don't see that as our best option." Springing out of the cover, Edward drew his assault rifle and fired a spray of bullets where the resistance soldiers hold to make a desperate final attack. Edwards stepped into the open as he kept his eyes open for his opposing soldiers. He told his men, "We are only one attack short of claiming the day! Charge!"
His captain remined behind cover when he ordered, "Lieutenant! Get back here! That's an order!"
Edward ignored his Captain as he ran forward with his rifle blazing and watched the remaining soldiers of the resistance fall one after another. He kicked the door of the church open as he looked around to hear one man struggling with his bullet wound before Edward turned to shoot him. Everyone in the church was no longer able to stand in front of Edwards victory before he prepared to leave the crumbling flames that built over the course of the siege. As he looked ahead he saw one witness he didn't anticipate, a nun was trying to carry a baby across the floor to some sort of safety. Edward chuckled as he walked up to her and asked, "So you are the one housing these dissenters. How unfortunate that you could not chose your side properly."
Sister Helen raised a hand as she stayed next to Father Maxwell's bleeding body and pleaded, "Please. We had nothing to do with anyone. Our only intention is to tend to the injured whoever it may be."
Edward prepared his pistol when he told her, "That is your grave mistake Sister. Be disassociated all you want, you do not stand with as a committed ally." Helen attempted another plea, "In this house of the Lord, we must be willing to let our better nature prevail."
Edward smirked as he told her, "I intend to." Before he could shoot her, another gun shot came from one of the nearby windows and knocked him to the floor on his right side. Helen tried to run away from him as she believed him to be injured but was unfortunate as she was once again the target of Edwards pistol. He fired with enough focus that he was able to see Helen fall on her face even as she struggled to keep running forward.
Rolling onto his back, Edward reached out his pistol and took aim at Father Maxwell's body and fired into his exposed body. Edward found himself with the satisfaction of having killed both holy leaders before a support beam came falling down on top of him. Much of what happened in between was a complete blank while Edward found himself unable to process where he was.
When Edward did wake up, he found himself in the comfort of a hospital bed next to several Alliance soldiers that suffered similar injuries to him. One of the doctors announced, "This one's awake. It looks like he'll be able to return to serve after all."
Another man told him, "I'll see if he is ready for it or not." Edward received his answer on who the man was as soon as he saw a man in uniform meet him at his left side and greet, "Lieutenant Edward Blare with the 16th voluntary colonial forces. You can hear me?"
Edward turned to face the man when he answered, "I am alive. I'm only waiting here now before I am fit for duty again."
The man agreed, "An encouraging attitude to maintain. Particularly after a rather sterling example you just set yesterday. The recent reports about the colonial rebels have been quite encouraging. Having been successfully contained after a less than fully prepared rebellion against Alliance rule, the recent tragedy has resulted in 245 casualties from their numbers. If reports are to be measured as accurate, you alone contributed to 47 of them."
Edward confirmed, "I did lose count. Although I am not certain that I would agree with the clergy among those worth counting."
The man nodded, "We know that you were the only one who could have been responsible. Their recent deaths are already proving to be one that will cause a fair deal of distress to the colonial population. It will take us a while before we can convince everyone that Father Maxwell and Sister Helen were orchestrators of this recent devastation. And I am afraid that with you as their killer still alive, the people are going to demand that some sort of justice is done."
Edward shifted slightly in his bed when he protested, "I did what I was supposed to. It was for the good of the mission that those remaining resistance members were all to meet their end. Even if they could claim innocence, they were still involved with housing the resistance and they needed to be offered judgement for it."
The man nodded, "I'm afraid that only a few will be able to see your point of view in this matter. Which is the motion that I'm afraid brings you good news and a bearing of misfortune to you."
Edward wasn't angered by the announcement of bad news for his career, but was prepared to respond to what the result would be. The man took out a form when he began, "You have the great fortune to have been recognized by a few in the Earth Alliance higher ranks. Your service over the last four years has been a very promising one that they want to see flourish and become even more exemplary of our leadership. Hence why you have been selected specially for the opportunity to enlist in the transfer and into the ranks on Earth as part of the military for the Romefeller Foundation."
Edward was intrigued to hear the news. Four years since his service began and hew was now being offered his ambition right in front of him. He would have leapt up and demanded the transfer right away but remembered how there was another side to the report. He asked, "I believe you said there was something else to this report. What's supposed to be the bad news here?"
The man read off of his clipboard, "For disobeying direct orders, encouraging death of civilians, destruction of public property, the voluntary forces have seen to it that you are to be discharged without any transferable achievements. Make this transfer now and I'm afraid that none of your ranks and privileges will carry over to this new position. You will be a first enlisting recruit once again. Potentially even lower."
Edward saw the trade off that he would have to endure with the offer being granted to him. He had the chance to achieve the ambition of his youth but even then would still find himself back at the bottom. "Choosing to remain here would make me little more than a dishonored veteran with nothing ahead of him. Even without my current shame however, there are few who would ever deny the opportunity to lead a new life on Earth. Let me sign and I'll prove what I am capable of."
The man presented the form with a pleased look and offered, "If you feel this is the best choice, we will be ready to receive you as soon as you have received clearance from the officials that you are about to stand on your own again. You have certainly taken hold of a grand privilege among men. Few who begin at the colonies are presented with the chance to become a member of the Earth forces. Now what you do with it, that will be the most interesting thing to see unfold."
Edward was confident in the decision he made as he told him, "When the opportunity presents itself, I will become one of the greatest leaders you built from the ground up."
This day was one where Edward had been given the opportunity to become the man he believed himself to be. A leader among men, and one who would inspire those around him to perform every deed that he wanted to see accomplished. One who like now was able to see his enemies in front of him fall to the ground at his feet as he made a push further towards his goal of reaching further within the heart of the Parliamentary Building.
He was reminded of how far he had come when he heard a Jason warn, "General! The enemy is moving further into our area!"
Edward did not allow himself to forget where he was as he took aim in front and fired on an Earth Sphere soldier. As soon as his enemy fell, three more popped out from around a corner as they fired in his direction while he took cover for a chance to reload his pistol. He turned to Jason when he reminded him, "We have taken our security for granted for too long. Fortunately we are in a position that is most beneficial to us."
Jason looked ahead when he confirmed, "Indeed our best options at victory lie within. If we are going to subjugate the Earth Sphere, now is the time."
Taking the suggestion, Edward brought himself from the corner and ordered, "Gather all men that can enter! I must have parliament now!"
Preparing to lead the charge, Edward drew his pistol and aimed at every soldier in an Earth Sphere uniform and fired with precision to see them fall over dead. With an air of confidence about him, Edward marched forward and kept his eyes open for further resistance to his advance, only to see it was quickly addressed. Even more soldiers opposing him made their way to him as they fired in his direction and forced him and many of his men back to the corner they had used as cover where another firefight had begun.
Edward looked across the crossfire when he asked, "What is it that is keeping us from advancing? This is a corridor! Overwhelm them now!"
One of the soldiers next to him reported, "We're moving forward sir. Unfortunately we only seem to have numbers right now as our advantage."
Edward turned to him when he ordered, "I can recognize that! We are on the precipice of victory and we must seize it now! We will not allow today to be our defeat! Build our path to victory with a road of corpses if we have to!"
Edward turned his attention back to the firefight as he assisted his men at every opportunity. It didn't take long before the corridor that he had struggled to advance through become a display of fallen soldiers in an increasingly devastated structure. The soldier who questioned Edward earlier made his way to Jason when he asked, "How the hell does he expect that we are supposed to win just by throwing ourselves down there?"
Jason prepared himself for another chance to fire when he answered, "Because he knows what the alternative is. He knows what choosing to fail today is going to offer us."
The soldier was still visibly shaken when he was given the scenario and he pointed out, "I want to know who he's trying to prove himself to when he thinks running headfirst is supposed to achieve. He's expecting that he's supposed to come out alive."
Edward turned when he snapped and told him, "Such questions are not your concern when this hour is ours to seize! Continue to press forward when we are so close!" Rushing out of the corner he used as safety, Edward rushed again and fired on every soldier who hoped to see him die. His attack was not perfect however as he felt himself shot in the hip while another bullet shot past his ear and caused him to struggle to move forward.
Before long he saw some of his men rush their way up to him and begin to fulfill his order, they ran ahead and caused more of the Earth Sphere military to fall at the feet of their leader. Edward grunted as he bore the pain that he was dealt but continued to march forward as he checked the corridor around him when he saw nothing left to oppose him.
Edward heard Jason ask, "General, can you still stand?"
Edward turned to him when he answered, "I will continue to do so as long as I do no stand victorious. We have nothing else to hold us back now, advance!"
At this order, Edward saw his men rush forward past him and find the first set of stairs they hoped would lead the way to the parliament and their victory. Just as soon as they made their way in however, another firefight had erupted as Earth Sphere soldiers fired through the door and towards them. The long and difficult fight was continuing to draw out as it became clear how ready to die the Earth Sphere military was. For Edward, it was only another obstacle that prevented him from advancing as he prepared to walk across another road of corpses.
As the firefight to the interior of the stairway continued its slow progression, Edward saw more of his men rushing up to him and prepared to assist him in making their way up. He heard Jason order, "Form a perimeter around the General! Keep him from being flanked!"
Once the order was given, Edward saw the reasoning behind the defense. He grunted through the pain he still had when he evaluated, "If the Earth Sphere was this prepared, there has to be more of them. Prepared to gather upon our location even. This strike to the heart must be one that can only be achieved if they recognize what they have to lose."
As Edward continued his contemplation of his situation, he heard several gunshots not coming from the stairway but from the hallways that surrounded him. While the bulk of his men had come form one end of the halls, he saw another about to leave him vulnerable. He ordered, "Cover this whole first floor! Do not allow ourselves to be overrun!"
As he gave the order for his men to disperse, the multitude of men behind him parted before was given an idea of just how many were dead as they made their way through the building. While the halls were cleared of being crowded, there was still a reminder of just how difficult the battle continued to be. The road of corpses that he left in his wake was becoming more and more evident as they continued to fight for him and his intention to see the Earth become his.
As he looked across the vast number of dead bodies, there was one face in particular Edward was able to identify. He immediately recognized the man as the one who had questioned his orders from earlier. Edward "Men such as this one are truly beneath me. Ones who were never meant to comprehend what brings them to greatness. Just as it is clear that they do not have the strength to fight for what they believe in, they are also among those who have no faith in what they follow."
The battles across all grounds of Quebec City continued to erupt through what felt to be the longest hours that many had ever endured. For many of those who had continued to carry on the fight, there seemed to be a battle that would never end. This was the sight that reminded Christoph of the difficulties that were still weighing down on him and his fellow men. More importantly, the reminder of what responsibility he had to fulfill.
Across the other side of the city, he saw explosions and flames lighting the line of the city as it threatened to engulf all who were still alive. Much of it, Christoph could imagine was done because of Edward's men struggling to subjugate the remainder of Earth to their will. For him it was clear what his responsibility was. "As the last Gundam pilot on Earth… It's time to remind everyone what it was built for…"
Before he began to make his way to the growing conflict that was seen in the city, he heard something on his radio try to contact him. It was only a short while before he heard a familiar voice ask, "Christoph? Please tell me you are out there! Christoph!"
He recognized the voice of Lake in his desperate hope to hear him again. Hoping to put his brother's mind at ease, Christoph answered the hail, "I read you. Listen, you have to make it to the parliament. They need your support now."
Flake shot down the order, "And we need you back here! Everyone's seen the state of the Clotho, you're not going to take another hit!"
Christoph turned to his nearest computer screens to see what his current status was. His armor was indeed reaching critical levels and he had limited ammunition remaining. Even with these warning signs in front of him, he told Flake, "I'm sorry to say that you guys aren't much better off. But at least we can save the parliament if you head in. Meanwhile, I have to make sure that no other Coalition soldier gets into this city."
Flake's anger grew more than before when he cursed, "Snap out of it you piece of shit! We need something to still be standing! Get your ass over here now!"
"Flake, you know that father wouldn't ask for anything less."
"Well dad can go to hell this time! Come on, we don't need any more heroes!"
"There's still Sol Theros on the other side. I'm sure the others are going to need your help as well."
Before Flake could say anything else, Christoph shut off his radio as he turned to the nearest area waiting for him. It was the sight where one squad of Sol Theros had been destroyed, but was now a safe area for Edwards men to prepare for another offensive. "If they're left alone, they'll be able to flank everybody… Well… unless I let them."
With a charge forward, the Clotho Gundam made its way around the outer areas of Quebec City and fired its assault rifle into the distance where multitudes of Ursa mobile suits fired upon the city. The source of the flames began to die down as the Clotho caused one Ursa to erupt after another in its pursuit to destroy every threat that remained. For a short while, the Clotho Gundam was able to remind all who looked on what sort of power it had.
The moments where it remained unchallenged however were upended as soon as its enemies began to gather around for support. Before long, concentrated volleys of fire began to make their way towards the Clotho as it was forced to swerve and dodge every threat to its stability. It was only another while before the Clotho was pushed further back in a desperate hope for survival.
Christoph looked over the current status of his Gundam when he was thankful he didn't take a hit yet, but noticed that his jets were beginning to overheat while the enemy began to make its way towards him. The threat of making contact with the enemy was only continuing to grow as he tried to take every opportunity he had to pick off the enemy from a distance with his assault rifle. With every shot the Clotho offered however, it was becoming more clear that there was something for Christoph to fear when it came to the slowly depleting ammunition.
Christoph watched several of the Ursa units in the distance explode from his attacks while continuing to defend himself from the . But then a harsh reminder came over him when he felt his Gundam take the first hit from the enemy fire. He grunted as he recognized how much damage his Gundam was taking and prayed, "Father… Even if things were different… I would still want to hear your approval… Please let this be enough… If only for Christian…"
With the entire career Edward had as he became part of the Romefeller Foundation, the promise that lay before him was one that few would have ever been able to deny. Much to his disappointment and only a few others however, his opportunity to become a leader never presented itself. Things did indeed happen on Earth but Edward was never able to feel the rush of achieving something great like he did on his home colony.
Through his career he managed to achieve the rank of becoming little more than a mobile suit pilot who only had a little combat experience. His brush with death against the Epyon in the Sanc Kingdom seemed to be a promising step towards his career escalating further but ultimately came too late for his chance to obtain any advancements in his position within Romefeller. It was in this battle that he was able to see firsthand what the true power of the Gundams were capable of. He suffered the great humiliation of fighting a young boy who had yet to truly experience life, and yet he was utterly defeated and powerless to do anything against him.
The end of the Eve Wars was only the beginning as he saw his desire to become a great military leader fade completely with the human race's agreement to demilitarize its entire military force. Fortunately for him he was able to accumulate a healthy savings for his entire military career to live off of but knew that it would not last very long if he did not find a new line of work. It was not the first thing on his mind however as he reflected on his previous excursions and achievements while looking into what remained of a pool of whiskey in his glass.
In After Colony 202, Edward was now 36 and had almost spent half his life dedicated to the lifestyle of the military. "I made a select few brushes with greatness and I was not strong enough to rest any opportunity I had from my superiors to become the man I thought I could become." He told the bartender as he reflected on his life's sort to that point. The bar was mostly empty with only a group of men in a game of poker on a table behind Edward.
The bartender commented, "Most who come back from a war are more trying to forget the horrors they faced. You are quite the special case I have to say."
Edward agreed, "Aren't I? Bring me another."
Edward finished his glass as he set it down on the counter. The bartender began to fulfill Edward's request as he saw an older man walk in and sit next to Edward. The man set his money down and ordered, "Bring me a Becherovka."
The bartender finished Edwards order and agreed, "Coming right up."
The man next to Edward saw the bartender find the order form his stock before greeting, "I never imagined you would search for an alternative from reality here as your first choice. I didn't think I raise you to seek refuge when you faced a hard time. Had your mother not left us I assume you would be dead by now."
Edward turned to recognize his father sitting net to him. Callum Blare was early into his seventies as seen by his wrinkled and gradually whitening facial hair along with his balding head. Unlike his son's casual clothes, he wore a suit fit for nobility in the colonies in the form of a black suit. Edward turned his attention back to his drink when he told his father, "I believe you taught me that there are few places to call refuge than a place where everyone can learn about another's shortcomings and not offer any sort of sympathy of any kind."
Callum saw the bartender arrive to fulfill his order when he poured the Bechkerovka into a glass before he told him, "That's a fair reason to defend your pride as I would imagine. Of course I would expect you to be something better than a maintenance worker in a hanger bay for a shuttle arrival. We both encouraged ourselves to be even greater than the filth from where we crawled out. We are simply both men who thrive off the misfortunes of others aren't we?"
Callum took a drink of his Becherovka while Edward answered, "That is a simplified way to see things isn't it? I fancy myself a warrior for so long and then I have so little a chance to live it. And that era is lost because of five young boys who had yet to grasp adulthood were capable of changing the course of humanity's destiny?'
Callum allowed Edward his chance to drink when he told him, "And yet it is because of them that the Earth was allowed to be spared of an ice age that would have killed billions and cut us off from natural resources for hundreds of years. There is a bit of nuance to every bit of misfortune to what happens to us as you might have seen."
Edward agreed, "Indeed there may not be an end to nobility and yet anyone would look at me with a sense of anything but."
Callum confirmed, "I knew you would be ready for such a day since you were very young boy. The classic story of one coming home drunk one night to a wife who was too attached for her own good was one that I had the fortune of living. Yet unlike the usual, instead of anything that might have been the most believable outcome, you came right next to me as I forced her to the ground and offered to beat her alongside me. That day onwards proved that you would one day become a man who believed in making himself something that could not be reckoned with."
Edward looked into his drink when he told his father, "That day was one that I knew would grant me a path that few would ever dare to venture. The fact is I did everything in hopes of obtaining your approval when I was at an age where I did not understand what sort of affliction you placed upon yourself."
Callum grinned when he remembered that day and corrected, "Perhaps you might have had such aspirations at one point. I am sure that even back then you were not so naïve to believe that attempting to stop me would have been successful. It is your ability to recognize what sort of opportunities you have that I came to respect."
Edward sighed when he reminded, And yet now I endure everything short of what might be karmic retribution by boys younger than I was when I had hopes and dreams to be half of what they were. One of them has even erected a new church in place of the one that me and my men destroyed years ago. I could only gain some semblance of reprieve if I were to head out to that man right now and strangle him with my own hands. Allow him and the others to meet the death they rightfully deserve."
Callum responded, "A worthwhile thought. Although obtaining a form of revenge is rarely a step towards being able to forge yours life going forward. If you have some ulterior motive to this idea then I could understand, but living off of bloodlust is only going to get you so far."
Edward finished his glass of whiskey before telling his father, "If I had some way of heading back down to Earth then maybe I could consider it. The death of Ewan Falson is enough to ensure that there is going to be a truly remarkable bloodbath in the future if history has taught us anything. Yet there are few former members of OZ who are able to make a new living for themselves as it is. Fewer still are able to look to find some form of military career that will allow them to have some form of leadership."
Callum smirked when he told his son, "The Earth is not likely to have you back boy. There may be an opportunity in this however. Hermine Falson herself is making a base of operations far away from Earth and offering many a chance to start over. Surely you must have heard that they are seeking volunteers who will do anything for their cause."
Edward confirmed, "Perhaps thy are a good choice. They may even be able to offer the first strike before a greater conflict one day boils over. With my current status however, they will only see me as a disgruntled veteran who is to be placed last in their priorities. They see me already as someone too old to be an idealistic mobile suit pilot and too broke to be a financial support to the cause."
Callum let out a light laugh when he realized his sons dilemma and asked, "So you made an attempt before eh? All these years in the military and you managed to afford yourself a place to live up here and have some kind of job afterwards. And here I Thought you were trying to squeeze as many pennies out of the share you gave me."
Edward corrected, "I did. I kept as much to myself because I knew that you were likely to use it all for finer drinks than you could fantasize. Everything I earned on Earth was all part of the reparations taken by the Earth in an attempt to rebuild all that was destroyed. Many former nobles of the Romefeller Foundation are fortunate now that they can find some place to live. There's very little for me to return to now."
Callum finished his drink as he took out his checkbook and began to write in it while he told Edward, "Now isn't that a blow to the pride right there? You do everything right and you're only rewarded with being kicked down further. Well, perhaps all that can be done now is that I offer you a chance to begin anew. This is only the responsibility of a father I have to bear, otherwise I can only hope you don't allow it to be your undoing. For me, I only have so little to live for now, what is the good in one carrying on the way I do?"
He handed Edward a check before his son viewed it with surprise. An amount that would grant him the right to be called a sponsor of the Falsons and their escape. He listened to his father add, "You are right to assume the sort of man that I still am. The only thing you are too old for now is being a fresh face among what scant few military ranks that remain. If I have an opportunity to be remembered as anything else now, it is that I allow for a true change to occur for the life of a man whose only crime is struggling to better himself. I know you can be a figure to be reckoned with. I only need to live long enough to see it."
Edward stood up with the check in hand and told his father, "It takes only one thing for me to have a chance at exercising my ambition once again and I am fortunate that I have you as one who agrees with my plans."
Callum nodded when he told Edward, "Don't try to get all emotional with me boy. Its not as though I have long to live anyway, I believe there is a ship to 3 Juno that will set out tomorrow. You can still have yourself registered if you show up before them. Now if you are going to be the sort of son that I expect you to be, I expect to one day hear word of you being ten times greater than the man you ever were with the Romefeller Foundation."
Edward pocketed the check as he told his father, "You will not be disappointed."
This was the last time that Edward Blare ever met his father and was the first day that had ever been vindicated as a soldier who had yet to serve his full career. He was able to serve for many years after up to the point where he was now. A General who stood strong and determined to lead his men towards victory. Especially if it meant every other man standing in his way would fall at his feet.
It was this reminder that was able to help him make his way through the rest of the ground battle in his desire to ascend the steps before him. Try as they might, the Earth Sphere military was still struggling to stand its own against Edward's men as they fell one after another before finally offering him a path where he could progress. Before him was the opportunity to ascend the steps that would lead him to the Earth Sphere parliament.
As he continued his advance, he told himself, "Father… There was once I time where I only strived to make you proud of me. But you showed me what it was to truly live to my greatest potential. You showed me that the only true path towards taking grasp of what life offered me was to take hold of what I had and use it to make me who I am now."
As Edward continued his ascent up the stairs, he heard Jason report, "General, the parliament is likely to hold itself where it usually is. Hang back and let us handle it the rest of the way."
Edward shot down the suggestion, "I will do no such thing. This great accomplishment we strived for today is one that must be achieved by example. It is not something I can accomplish by making others accomplish it for me."
Even with the bullet wound affecting his ability to walk, Edward marched forward and made his way up the stairs as he searched for the first opportunity he had to continue the battle. After a great deal of climbing however that he came across the floor that he recognized would be holding parliament for his to capture. After having been denied his final victory for so long, Edward could tell that he was soon to have what he knew could be his.
"The only thing that separates me from total victory now is a simple fear of what could resist my claim." Edward told himself as he shot his pistol past his men to kill an Earth Sphere soldier in the distance. He opened the door as he rushed forward with a cripple into the halls when he told his men, "With me! We charge forward and ride these cowards of their lives for daring not to surrender!"
