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 76: Shining Through
Donna sliced away at every nearby mobile doll that made its way towards her while she found herself relieved that the battle was as manageable as it was with the virus disrupting the mobile dolls. She found herself off guard however when she felt a mighty explosion from behind rock her forward and made a quick turn around to see Tano's Anaconda having recently destroyed a target. She sliced away at the first mobile doll that flew under her when she told Tano, "Thanks for the assistance."
Tano drew out his beam saber with his Anaconda's free hand and made several frantic slices at every incoming enemy when he told her, "Thank me by not meeting Dafina's fate. We still have a war to win out here."
Donna recognized Tano's dedication when she continued her attack but found herself unable to be taken away from varying sights in the distance. She saw the Artemis, Golem, and Uriel working to defeat the Sol Theros that continue their assault but being driven away from one another as they tried to push a path towards the Sol Invictus. She sliced away at another mobile doll before asking Tano, "Do you have any confirmation of where the giant red one is?"
Tano lured several Sol Theros away from the Vengeance when he answered, "It's out there somewhere. I can't see anything indicating it's out here right now… wait!"
Before Tano could tell Donna to do anything else, the mighty red mobile doll made its way towards the Vengeance while many Sol Theros flew out of its way to make room for it. Seeing the Sol Atlas make its way towards them, Donna prepared her scythes as she made a pair of mighty swings towards the arms only to see them blocked. The Atlas then fired a mighty beam of light square into the cockpit of the Sandesgeist. Donna saw the incoming attack in time with the Zero System and raised her shield to protect herself from being destroyed, but was forced a great deal away from the mobile doll and was left forced to recover her footing.
Donna lowered her shield when she saw the mobile doll making its way over her location and charging towards the Vengeance. She motioned her Gundam at full speed in a desperate attempt to catch up when she warned, "Tano! We can't let it come any closer!"
Tano launched his claw arm towards the head of a nearby Sol Thero when he heard the warning and saw the mighty red mobile doll making its way towards him. He stood defiant as he prepared to make a mighty lunge towards the target before seeing a beam of light fire its way towards him. He flew away from it but noticed several Leo IIIs erupt in the distance while he tried to maintain his sight from being blinded by the brightness of the attack.
Recognizing how difficult the fight was becoming for Tano, Donna tried to gather some reinforcements towards the location when she announced, "Everyone! The Vengeance is going to be in great trouble if we don't assist!"
Dana retrieved her shield back before transforming it back into a buster sword and told her, "Hang on! I'll try and start to draw them out!"
The Uriel charged in the direction towards the Vengeance, but found itself cut off when more Sol Theros began to interfere with its progression towards the area. Tano gave several slices of his beam saber before launching his claw towards the Sol Atlas. Even upon connection, the Atlas was able to give a mighty thrust of its arm downwards to throw Tano off balance and down below.
Dana saw how desperate the situation was progressing when she tried to slice away at every Sol Thero that came close before contacting the Artemis, "Yuy! We're about to lose our edge if we don't help the others!"
Mercurio prepared his buster rifle when he saw the mobile dolls in the distance throwing the Sandesgeist and the Anaconda off guard in their defense. Most important to him however, was the sight of the Sol Atlas preparing a volley of attacks of pure light whenever it was able to find the opportunity. The red mobile doll continued its attacks, but Mercurio found the opening he needed when he warned, "I've got a clearing! Avoid the big one!"
Donna heard this as she continued her downward flight to reach out to Tano and told him, "Please do what you can to destroy it!"
Moving away from any possible interference, Mercurio took aim with his buster rifle and fired in the direction of the Atlas. While the red mobile doll continued to fire in every direction towards the Vengeance and its other targets, it was thrown off balance as it was forced forward in a desperate attempt to defend itself from the mighty burst that came towards it.
Tano looked up to see the attack when he commented, "We continue at this rate, we should be able to make it."
Donna agreed, "As long as we give it our all, we'll be able to."
While both pilots felt secure in the Sol Atlas being forced back on the defensive from the mighty blast, there was one thing that they did not anticipate. The Sol Atlas continued its defense before several Sol Theros deployed their planet defensors in an effort to shield against the blast and offer the Sol Atlas a chance to escape from its fate.
Tano saw this evasion before warning Donna, "It's breaking free! We have to pursue!"
Donna followed Tano behind while contacting Mercurio, "That thing is breaking free! We need immediate assistance and it needs to be destroyed!"
While neither her nor Tano could see him in the series of explosions in the distance, Donna did hear Mercurio tell her, "Try to hold them off!"
Donna could tell that Mercurio was having difficulty getting to the space where the Vengeance was but forced herself and Tano to continue their way towards the enemy units that attempted to destroy any of them. She heard Tano offer, "The ones that managed the defense! Take them out!"
Donna tried to do what she could to follow Tano's advice only to discover how difficult it was becoming. She gave one series of slices towards the Sol Theros after another before noticing the Sol Atlas fired several beams in every direction to destroy a multitude of OZ mobile suits. As the destruction brought by the mobile doll continued, Donna saw the Vengeance could no longer hope to defend itself as it was left vulnerable to a series of incoming attacks by the Sol Theros.
Donna changed her frequency to the Vengeance when she tried to warn, "Admiral Begum! The situation is becoming too critical! You must get out of there now!"
Rhys was on the other line when he told her, "Don't concern yourself with our status colonel! We have to push you and the others as close to the station as possible!"
Donna sliced at another Sol Thero and flew away from an explosion when she told him, "Not at all possible costs! Get out of there now!"
Rhys denied the command when he told her, "With how far we are coming, I'm afraid that I cannot accept that demand."
The denial left Donna with no one to argue with as Rhys shut off his screen and realized that she was facing something dire when the destruction was at hand. She contacted Tano, "We have to pull them out of here!"
Tano denied the request, "We can't fall back now!"
Hoping that she would be able to find some way to disrupt the potential slaughter, Donna contacted Oleg when she asked, "Can you get here at all? The Vengeance is under attack!"
There was a series of explosions on the other end of the line when Oleg answered, "I'm trying to get there, I don't know how many of these thing are going to hold us back!"
Donna tried to evade every shot that came her way when she realized how Oleg was pinned down but managed to remain on an effective defense when she tried to prevent any Sol Theros from advancing. The Anaconda continued to keep itself busy as Tano sliced away at every Sol Thero that came in close while it launched its claw towards another Sol Thero. Realizing that she didn't have his attention, Donna realized that she was on her own in the concern for the life of Rhys Begum. She sliced and kicked at every enemy unit that came her way while making her way up to the Sol Atlas and prepared another pair of slices in hopes of seeing it be damaged.
A sense of defeat fell over Donna when she saw the Sol Atlas back away from the slices and in the distance away from the other Gundams. Much to her dismay, Donna saw the Sol Atlas fly back and prepare both of its arms when she told Tano, "Tano! Stop that thing!"
Tano launched his claw towards the Sol Atlas but found the attack came too late as the Sol Atlas backed away and fired its mighty beam of light from both hands towards the Vengeance. The destruction came in an instant when the mighty beam of light soared across the space and overheated the Vengeance into a massive explosion that forced everything away from it. Donna felt herself rocked back by what had just happened, but saw the warnings from Zero System warn her about what would lead to her taking further damage if she didn't act fast enough.
The Sandesgeist sliced and spun away at every opportunity it was instructed to follow with the Sol Theros still attempting to deal damage to her. This continued before Donna felt something from behind grab her and begin to pull her away from the projected course she was expected to follow before hearing Tano ask, "You can still fight can you?"
Donna collected herself when she tried to accept what she had just lost. The Vengeance was indeed a key part of the strategy to attack the Sol Invictus, but the lives of those who had been lost could not be mourned in a time where there was no luxury. She shook herself to her senses when she answered, "I can manage. We still came this far."
Tano released Donna from his hold when he told her, "That is why neither of us can afford to die right now. We have too many great men to honor."
Donna met her back with Tano's when she began to help him defend himself from the incoming attacks and agreed, "Those who have been lost… The sacrifices are continuing to build. We cannot allow for them to continue building."
Tano launched forward with his beam saber in hand when he sliced a Sol Thero down the middle when he told her, "We need to get to the others. We won't be able to continue on our own."
One of the operators heard the unfortunate results when he relayed, "It looks like far range combat from here isn't an option. The mobile doll has the armor capable of taking those shots."
Norma was determined with her hopes against the Sol Thero forces when she decided, "In that case we must prepare for close range combat. It must be the only way to affect it at all."
One of the operators heard this and relayed the order, "Prepare all close-range weaponry. The red mobile doll is the target."
The Artemis flew through more of the Sol Theros closing in on it while it was in the middle of transforming to its normal mode. It prepared its buster rifle when Mercurio warned, "Front squadrons. Avoid the upcoming fire." The Artemis took aim and with the help of Zero System managed to find the right path the Sol Thero units would not be able to avoid. Right below the Sol Atlas a line of Sol Thero units on the defensive were destroyed by the Artemis's weapon. "That should give us an opening." Mercurio promised.
He heard Zachariah remind him of the fleet's problem, "Yuy, we've got the red mobile doll headed our way."
The Sol Atlas had its hands opened and was gathering energy with its targets determined. The Golem fired a volley of missiles in the direction of more enemy units when Oleg warned, "It's trying to fire the beams again! We have to stop it somehow!"
The Artemis moved in and found the course the shots would make and Mercurio set the buster rifle to full power. "Stand back!" He warned. In an instant the Artemis prepared its buster rifle and found the open spot the Sol Atlas had left. In anticipation the red mobile suit saw this action and used its free hand to prepare an energy shield to block the shot but found it was prepared on the wrong side. "Looks like it can't anticipate me to go against the Zero System from time to time." Mercurio confirmed to himself. The two beams collided when Mercurio announced, "Move in! Its guard is down!"
"I'll be sure to clear the way!" The Uriel prepared its sword into shield mode again with a final throw. The action managed to be too much for the Sol Atlas to prepare for when it was unable to turn attention towards the weapon. In the next moment its left arm was dislodge and forced the red mobile doll to defend itself with its remaining arm weapon. After a few shots it flew back and began to make way for the enclosing Sol Invictus. "We got one arm down. Looks like it's trying to retreat."
The Artemis lifted its buster rifle when Mercurio requested, "Probably to charge for another shot. I need a reload."
The Golem retrieved the weapon before Oleg requested to one of the nearby mobile suit pilots, "You heard him. Get this thing reloaded."
"On it sir!"
The crew of the Executor Rising allowed themselves to view the sight outside before Norma requested, "Damage report?"
One of the operators reported, "None to speak of sir. It looks like the Artemis managed to stop that blast from getting to us in time."
Norma turned to the strategists asking, "How are our forces with the Sol Thero units?"
One of them oversaw the field when he answered, "We still haven't been able to get past them sir. Our forces are already about 40% destroyed and we can't get an opening to the station's entry point."
Norma turned to the view outside when she ordered, "Focus our fire on those mobile dolls don't let any more casualties occur than we need to permit."
When this order was given the attacks on the Sol Invicuts subsided and the Sol Thero units were forced into a defensive maneuver to avoid being destroyed. The help of the Zero System however managed to be enough to provide the precise moments when to defend against them and retaliate when possible.
One of the strategists shook his head when he reported, "Damn. Doesn't look like we can get a decent hit. The Sol Atlas is still in the way and they're able to meet with our shots."
Norma didn't let her final offer be wasted when she ordered, "Don't let up on the fire. We can't let a single shot be wasted."
One of the operators reported from behind her, "Admiral, we're getting a request for a reload for the Artemis Buster Rifle."
Another one sounded worried about the request when he asked, "Do we even have any energy carts left?"
Norma addressed the concern when she ordered, "If we don't then give them one of the artillery ammunition batteries."
One of the operators voiced his objection, "If we do that then we'll be opening one of our sides to an attack!"
Norma faced him when she corrected, "We won't do any better if we keep it to ourselves and continue failing to reduce the Sol Thero numbers." She said this before turning to one of the operators reminding, "Proceed."
"Yes Admiral. Attention docking deck, you are clear for buster rifle reload."
Several minutes had passed when the two colliding forces continued to dwindle but the intensity of the battle refused to go with it. The Sol Thero units were having a desperate final struggle and many believed it was due to the absence of the red mobile doll. Regardless of their luck the battle continued while Mercurio was forced to use his beam saber on any enemy unit that came close.
"Yuy!" The Golem handed the Artemis the buster rifle it had been waiting for when Oleg asked, "I think you ordered for this to be reloaded right?"
The Artemis grabbed hold of its weapon and Mercurio confirmed, "That's it. I can move in now."
One of the nearby Leo III mobile suits observed the situation from far off when its pilot asked, "Where's the mobile doll headed now?"
The Artemis had transformed into its bird mode when Mercurio answered, "It's probably headed in the station to recharge. I'll have to head in and face it myself."
Oleg tried to get one final promise from him when he requested, "Don't make this a suicide run!"
The Uriel was finishing off one of the Sol Thero units with its shield when Dana turned to notice the bird mode Gundam and the target red mobile suit making its way towards the Invictus cannon. "Where does the Artemis think it's headed?"
Oleg was quick to answer, "Yuy thinks he can take it out on his own. We're about to find out if he has the guts to pull it off." The two grand pieces of technology and human development made their way into what was now the fully developed chasm the Sol Invictus had made itself. The fires of the hallway reached them both as the forces outside were forced to wonder if the superweapon was about to fire.
The OZ Forces have focused on weakening the field created by the planet defensors to allow them to be shot down. Donna ordered them to retain their mobility to avoid counters. Although they had advantages in numbers they were slowly dwindling. The weakened Sol Theros were taken by the Aquarius, Sandesgeist or the Anaconda.
The counter from the Sol Atlas was also aimed at the Sandesgeist. Stuart noticed the mega particle cannon heading at his leader. "Colonel!" He warned as he tackled the Gundam away to take the shot.
Donna was only able to notice the shot only after the one brave enough to save her was vaporized in her place.
The counter was also hard to Suchart, trying to avoid all the shots. He was eventually hit in the reactor. "Oh shi-!" Before he can finish the Mobile Suit exploded.
Ermes was the closest person to witness the destruction. "This war's toll is too brutal now." He thought. He saw how the Artemis and the Sol Atlas were moving toward the Sol Invictus to continue their battle. "Mercurio! Are you able to find the weakness to the Sol Invictus?" He asked. "I will send a bomb there to cripple it at least."
Donna tried to find the Sol Atlas in the battlefield, only to be elsewhere. "Ermes, where did the red mobile doll go?" She asked him.
"Close to the Sol Invictus now." He told her. "Mercurio's there as well."
Mercurio being there gave her another reason to go. "I'll go there to give support!" She announced. "Can you take command while I'm gone?"
Ermes would chide her for leaving her post but he didn't bother. "Sure." He replied.
With his agreeing to take over, Donna boosted to the laser to give help in the fight. She was worried that she wouldn't arrive in time to help.
The recent destruction of the Vengeance battleship left a mighty blaze in the space before the Sol Invictus. In spite of the damage that had been done to the Sol Thero numbers, the remnant of the Coalition forces were still struggling to come any closer towards the station. In particular, there were only a few signals that showed any signs of struggling to get to their target as the station was prepared to offer its next shot.
While Franz continued to watch with fascination, he heard Amandala ask, "Do you see this as an unfortunate folly, or as the beginning of something greater for them?"
Franz sat back when he answered, "This marks a demonstration for what the human race can be. When it sees a cause greater than itself, there will be those who will rise above what everyone arounds them declares them possible of achieving. Whatever they were declared capable of, these ones were among the few who were capable of that rise."
"As incapable as the rest might have been, we have the opportunity to see others offer this demonstration, and yet they were capable of so little. Yet it may also be possible that they will attempt to replicate such a tactic again with how much further they have come."
"As demonstrated by the power of the mobile dolls, there is little that can stand against them. Seeing this happen once will be more than enough to be prepared for it even if they should all move at once."
"Seeing every able soldier here today offer themselves to potentially meet their end is a sight that can incite fear into the hearts of many just as it can also inspire courage into others. This may be something that the human race will never be able to fully turn away from."
"So long as there is an era of strife, there will not only be those who declare their cause as greater than themselves, there will be those who will sacrifice themselves for what they believe in. It is now important that we see that this is the beginning of the falter of this force. That they are to be denied any opportunity to stop us."
Amandala smiled when he reflected on what Franz held important for the future of this day when he told him, "We do have the remainder of humanity to offer judgement upon don't we?"
Franz continued to look over the battlefield map when he asked, "Has the charging for the station been completed yet?"
Designer N looked up from his own panel when he offered his answer to the request and assured both Franz and Amandala, "We will be able to begin the transformation quite soon. Once we have activated, we will have the opportunity to demonstrate how much further the human race has to go before it is worthy of a peaceful existence."
When Mercurio heard the bomb was prepared he searched the scope of the Sol Invictus hoping to find the weakness that might be enough to damage it. After a brief search he answered, "The red mobile doll is trying to block down the barrel of the station. Its weak point should be somewhere down there." He saw the Aquarius make its way towards him when he prepared the remains of the Tallgeese for the way in. The Artemis changed to bird mode and flew towards Ermes's location when he confirmed, "Taking it in now." The Tallgeese's remains were following behind the Artemis as it began to speed its way towards the Sol Atlas.
The Golem followed behind while Oleg promised, "Don't worry this thing will be easy to deliver once we have the enemies out of the way."
Mercurio tuned to his channel when he offered, "Thanks. Just make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the enemy units trying to take us out. If this blows too early we won't be able to destroy the station."
The two Gundams made their way further into the enemy lines when Oleg agreed, "Easy enough." As if on cue a squadron of Sol Thero units made their way to the front with their gunfire in an attempt to hit the leading Artemis. The Golem fired a volley of missiles as the planet defensors went down and Oleg reminded, "Like I said. It's not going to be easy for you bolt heads!" The Golem fired its gatling gunfire when they were fully exposed and left a trail of wreckage for the Artemis to pass. The progress towards the end was further in sight until Oleg saw more Sol Theros attempting to gang up on him.
Mercurio saw the Golem being stopped from progressing when he asked, "Are you okay Tsubarov? Can you handle things from there?"
The Golem continued to fire its missiles when Oleg encouraged him, "I'll hold them off here. You just worry about getting that bomb of yours into the station."
Mercurio prepared the jets towards the Invictus's entrance when he ordered, "Hold them off and see what support you can get." He saw the mobile suit forces doing everything to end the carnage but kept his gaze forward when he promised, "It's up to them to make sure we can still make our way towards that station. Every price we pay will only bring us closer." He kept this determination within his mind when he tried to focus on the mission at hand.
The situation had become direr when the red mobile doll prepared to utilize its beam arm again and Mercurio could see this one would be enough to wipe out what remained of the fleet. The Zero System warning only offered escape maneuvers but not a way to stop it. It was in this moment he hoped for Dafina's final sacrifice to be worthwhile.
The Artemis made its dash towards the red mobile doll before making a quick upward movement to dislodge the mobile suit from behind it. Within the remains of the cockpit the systems were activated to utilize the self-destruct mechanism before a mighty explosion blasted forth between the Artemis and Sol Atlas. While the two machines avoided the explosion it managed to be enough to reach the edges of the Sol Invictus's entrance cracking several areas of the Invictus cannon.
The explosion subsided after a few seconds but the rest of the station was still intact and was preparing its fires within. The Sol Atlas from the front was no longer red but a mechanic gray that showed its interior with most of its armor plating removed. With its current position compromised it made its way further into the burning halls the Invictus had formed. Mercurio gave a final warning when he contacted the other forces, "The red mobile doll is still active. It's heading its way down the station." Without any consideration the Artemis primed its jets and flew towards the remains of the Sol Invictus prepared for a final encounter.
The Artemis found several Sol Theros in its way but saw a familiar shield spin its way through their blindsides. The Uriel prepared its Testudo cannon and fired while Dana contacted Mercurio, "You take care of that little girl Yuy. We've been through too much together to both get fried."
Mercurio continued his path through the wreckage while he answered, "No problem Captain. I have to make the final run into the station though. I don't think assistance will be possible."
Dana recognized the heat signatures building within the charging weapon when she checked the readings on her nearby panel, "That stymphallic armor is proving to be something really invaluable. Just don't let it go to waste."
"I'll be sure it doesn't Captain. Just be sure to prevent any of the enemy from killing more of our guys out there."
The Uriel turned to face the escaping enemy when Dana asked, "Orders aren't really on this field right now are they?" The Uriel swept down and made another attack on the nearest Sol Thero unit. The way was clear for now but the enemy continued to build on its efforts to reaching the fleet. "At least when it's a matter of human survival!" Dana answered herself when she threw the disc shaped shield towards the Sol Thero units before her.
Donna tried to catch up to Mercurio but the duel was moving everywhere, making it confusing on where they went. At the same time the Tallgeese on self-destruct was launched as an improvised bomb and to avoid the blast she was forced to leave the station.
The explosion created by the Tallgeese was seen by Ermes. "You can rest now sis." He thought.
Franz oversaw the damage report flashing on the battle map when the programming warned, 'Warning. Panel damage reaching 14%.'
Amandala emphasized the danger that was coming when he told Franz, "It would seem that we are dealing with more than insects now."
Franz attempted to dismiss the damage that had been done when he told him, "It should still be enough. Even then this fleet will not be the one to destroy the station." He saw two signatures making their way through the interior of the panel halls when he observed the Sol Atlas trying to stage off against another. "And just how much more of an issue will the will of their Gundams be?" He wondered.
Before Franz considered any further about the dilemma, Designer N came up to the deck when he warned, "If we are intending to fire the cannon again, we may not be able to maintain a successful structure."
Franz dismissed the warning offered to him when he told him, "We have a mission to fulfill. Even if it is only once more, it is the only path to enlightenment the human race will be able to see."
Amandala told him, "This may be an opportunity however. A chance ot discover just what one pilot might be able to serve."
Franz looked to Amandala for a short few seconds before deciding, "It will be something only we will have the opportunity to bear witness to indeed."
The Artemis made its way towards the encircling flames and saw the red mobile doll prepared to make its way in. The readings on the bird mode Gundam recognized the intense heat signatures building but the stymphallic armor was for the moment able to handle them when Mercurio did a systems check. He only had the final mobile doll to worry about for his encounter. The red mobile doll turned to face the incoming Gundam and prepared a beam from its remaining arm. The Artemis transformed with a beam saber in hand and met with the Sol Atlas's strike. A duel had begun as the two flew within the limits of the flames while attempting to slice one another.
Mercurio kept focus on the Zero System patterns when he turned to his communication channel for the Sol Invictus. "Attention all station personnel. Evacuate the station immediately." He didn't hear anyone on the channel for a while before he tried again, "Is anyone picking up this signal?"
"There is no one to evacuate here. This station is under my command alone." Franz answered to the pilot's hails.
"Franz…" Mercurio saw the face of Franz Kecker appear on his channel and accused, "You caused all of this. What reason did you have to force the Falsons into this war?"
"This war is all done for the good of humanity. The destruction you have seen before you is only the beginning. This war shall end today and it will at last give all of humanity a reason to fear the true face of travesties." The Sol Atlas took an opening to the Artemis and only managed to miss from a small edge but managed to slice at the left side of the armor.
The Artemis flung its beam saber to meet contact with the Sol Atlas beam when Mercurio confirmed from Franz's reasoning, "You believe the human race has yet to learn from its past actions. Despite that you didn't have any major supporters. That's why you have mobile doll technology."
Franz was no less deterred when he answered, "It is because there are too few humans in existence who are willing to do what is right. They cannot see that destruction of this scale is necessary to begin the progress towards a united humanity. It is only greater destruction that leads all into a more perfect unity."
The Sol Atlas prepared its strikes when the Artemis began to circle around behind it. The beam was growing in power and was more difficult for the Artemis to block with its comparably smaller beam saber.
Despite these odds Mercurio was able to accuse his former leader, "And you take it upon yourself to be that cause of the greater destruction. You've already caused more pain than anyone in human history with this weapon. Your place in Hell has already been sealed!"
Franz didn't show any regret in his voice when he agreed, "I am well aware of this. But it is my place in Hell that will grant the greater scope of the human race a chance towards redemption. Even without me another war would soon erupt. Perhaps it may erupt despite my effort. It is only my responsibility to achieve what the previous generations who promised such devastation have failed to realize. For they are the only ones who saw what such death of this scale would achieve for our race."
The Sol Atlas moved away from the dueling area with the Artemis and the Zero System was able to determine the next area of attack. The Sol Atlas prepared a beam from its ultimate attack while the Artemis was able to project the next hit. Even if it missed him the fleet outside would be next to be destroyed. The beam shot forth from the empty arm of the Sol Atlas leaving the Artemis a precious few seconds before it could be stopped.
The Artemis prepared his beam saber when he dashed forward into the quickly moving swipe up when he promised, "No more!" With a final slice the beam melted away at the Artemis's armor on its right side but still lost connection with its original area. The beam was active for only a few seconds more when the arm separated and sliced into a small portion of the Invictus's halls. The taller mobile doll was defenseless now but began its attempts to ram into the Artemis with its body. Mercurio found contact with Franz again when he warned, "You are a lost cause. You actually believe the human race must be disciplined this way. Your faith in this beginning has only brought about forces that you did not account for… Those with the will to accomplish what must be done to defend humanity!"
Franz had by now become familiar with the status of the Sol Atlas when his voice was more frustrated but stating, "You have such hopeful insights to the progress of the human race don't you child? You truly expect the strength of humanity as it is now to succeed beyond a power it cannot yet fathom?"
The Artemis took its beam saber and thrust it into the Sol Atlas when it began to make another charge. With this final motion the Artemis pushed it forward to meet with the inner areas of the Sol Invictus. The damage around the station began to accumulate when the lower areas where struggling to stay intact but the Artemis began to speed its way away from the area of destruction. At the advice of the Zero System the Artemis used the procedures necessary to dislodge the stymphallic armor that remained attached from the previous duel. The systems warnings showed that it would only be able to handle the extreme temperatures for another few minutes but Mercurio saw the escape route he needed to make.
Mercurio gave a choice few final answered when it transformed back into bird mode.
"This day will mark the end of such destruction. The power you demonstrated us today is only another challenge for the human race to overcome. Like any challenge it is only faced by the determination of those who wield it. As it is, today's human generation is far greater than what you give it credit for." The Artemis flew towards the edge of the station when it avoided the building flames. "It shines bright through the hard times." The Artemis transformed into its bipedal mode with a buster rifle in hands facing Franz's command station. "It burns its way through the conflicts and deaths it sees." The Artemis took aim with its programming and found the area deep within. "It's strong enough..." Mercurio waited before he had the location fully within his sights and gave the final promise to Franz, "To shine through an eclipse!" With that final statement the Artemis prepared its buster rifle to full power and fired within the depths of the Sol Invictus. The beam made its way above Franz's command station but the power reactors behind him were exploding for him to hear.
"This can't be!" Franz gave his final proclamation when he saw the destruction in progress.
The programming screen gave a futile warning when it displayed, 'Warning. Extreme damage to all systems critical. Evacuation is recommended.' It gave these warnings before a beam of light flashed its way through and destroyed everything within its area.
Amandala felt himself rocked back when he told Franz, "This is it… It's over…"
An area of his command center erupted when there was nothing but the engulfing flames and vacuum of space waiting for his body. Franz pressed himself against the nearest wall when he listened to the remaining explosions when he observed, "So I see... The strength of a united humanity... is truly beyond something... even of this scale..." He lay back when he assured himself, "Now at least... I die knowing my mission... has fulfilled its purpose..." At those last words the Sol Invictus command center erupted in a mighty explosion that was dwarfed by the destruction of the entire station.
The explosion eventually subsided after a few seconds and Norma was trying to maintain her shock at the sudden explosion that had become a second star above Venus. She viewed the two strategists overlooking the sight before them with their mouths agape at the sudden destruction. "They… They pulled it off…" Norma commented to herself.
Zachariah and Gawel overlooked the battlefield and saw the Sol Thero units that managed to survive the explosion didn't continue in their now worthless battle but didn't deactivate either. "Hey, those things… They aren't doing anything…"
Zachariah tried to snap him to his senses when he asked, "That's the first thing you noticed? The Invictus just blew up into am million pieces already!"
Gawel briefly considered what had just happened when he agreed, "Shit you're right! These things don't have programming beyond failing an objective!"
Oleg's voice sounded when he tried to figure out the aftermath of the entry, "Hey have any of you guys heard from Yuy? He had to have pulled off that stunt of his right?"
The destruction of the Sol Invictus was seen by the surviving pilots. "Sol Invictus is destroyed!" Tano exclaimed.
"But where's Mercurio?" Donna pointed out.
Tano realized what was at hand when he commented, "He brought himself into the heart of the enemy prepared for the worst. I don't know what might be surviving out there."
Gawel tuned his channel to contact the Artemis, "Contacting the Artemis. Contacting the Artemis. Mercurio do you read us?" There was nothing but static for a short while before Gawel tried again with a brief face of horror, "Hey Yuy. Do you read us?"
In that next moment Mercurio's voice sounded through the channel answering, "This is the XXXG-02SG Stymphallic Artemis Zero. Reporting target objective destroyed. Mission accomplished." The Artemis had entered bird mode again and made its way from the destruction of the Invictus in time to be mostly intact. It no longer had the armor but now had a faint red glow from the heat it had absorbed within the halls. It had become a phoenix standing out from the blackness of space behind it.
"Hell yeah!" Gawel cheered.
"Well god damn!" Zachariah gave his observation.
Dana saw the sight they were praising when she added, "That's what I call taking care of my baby."
Oleg agreed when he observed, "It's a regular miracle out there isn't it? And here this whole thing was supposed to be a lost cause."
The sniper leader contacted Cao when he asked, "So Private. Did you get a good view of the explosion out there?"
Cao confirmed her observation when she answered, "I didn't need both eyes to be able to tell we pulled it off. It seems we managed to pull off this final assault in the end after all."
The crew of the Executor Rising had varying levels of cheers when the mobile suit forces made their way back when while one of the strategists tried to report with a leveled head, "Admiral sir… It's been done… We've pulled off the mission."
The other evaluated the forces, "Not many survivors. 78 of our mobile suits are still out there but at least we'll have the ships to accommodate them."
Norma nodded when she told everyone, "We knew there would be insurmountable sacrifices on this day. What matters is that we had the will to undo what the forces of destruction were promising to bring. These men and women who gave their lives today have earned their place in human history as those who chose to defy the voice of madness and bring the human race a future." She gave an order to the lower crew of the ship when she contacted them through her panel, "Bring all of the pilots in. Give them as warm a reception as possible. They've done everything to earn it."
Zachariah was shaking his head when he entered the pressurized waiting room connected to the hangar when he told everyone aloud, "God damn, god damn. I never thought a day like this was possible."
Dana turned to them when she ordered, "We've got a hero to welcome out there. Let's make sure he gets pampered as much as possible."
Oleg tried to remind them of the team effort when he commented, "Hey it's not like this was a solo mission you know."
Dana confirmed the concern when she pointed out, "Of course. But you know who's going to get all the praise for being able to pull off that explosion right?"
Oleg showed a sign of content from the idea when he simply shrugged, "Good point."
Gawel made his way between Zachariah and Dana when he suggested, "Let's just hope for a trip home after this. I swear some of us have probably earned a retirement after this."
Zachariah agreed with the idea when he added, "And for those who didn't at least they can rest easy knowing the mission has been accomplished."
The Artemis had cooled down significantly when it made its way into the hangar bay of the Executor Rising while Mercurio made his way down to the waiting room where the other surviving pilots were waiting for him. His mind flashed to all of the things that had happened within the scope of just a few hours when he expressed his regret. "The sacrifices were so huge out there. At least now they can know it was part of something that was worth preserving." He promised himself when he made his way for the entrance to the pressurization chamber.
Ermes fond her observing the explosion. "I'm very sorry Donna, I wish I could have done more to see the Vengeance make it back safely." Ermes informed her through the channel. "I heard how they fought to the end."
The happiness that Donna felt from seeing Mercurio come out alive fell when she remembered those who had given their lives to see this moment possible. "Many of us had a larger chance of surviving compared to them with the Gundam. But it was because of this power that we had the opportunity to make this moment something we could see."
As soon as Mercurio made his way into the de-pressurization chamber he found the surviving pilots waiting for his arrival. Among the cheers he saw Donna rush up to him for an embrace.
The moment Donna returned to the Executor Rising, she entered the depressurisation chamber before entering the locker room.
Quatre was waiting for her outside when he greeted her in her more casual clothing. "I got the news also. Sorry for your loss." He offered.
Donna noticed the Instructor's voice. "I wanted someone to come back to meet father. Unfortunately I might be the only one left for him to meet with. But now OZ can die fulfilling the fate that he wanted to see. Seeing the betterment of the human race one last time."
"Mercurio's back." Quatre pointed out to his student just when he entered the room.
Donna gave a hug to Mercurio and feeling the embrace she was happy to find him real. She was initially worried with how Ermes would react but saw him laugh when he waved a hand to offer his approval.
Donna returned to Mercurio. "You survived..." She said to him.
At her observation he agreed, "I did have a promise to live up to."
She was also reminded of how he kissed her before and decided to give him a light slap. "Also never kiss without consent again." She told him before this time pulling him in for a kiss.
Tano thought about what is going to do now. "I'll resign from the Coalition military." He thought. "My work is done, but is there anywhere else I can go?"
Ermes had in mind about how he is now forced to take Dafina's role as well. "I'll have to tell dad." He pondered with reluctance. "I just hope I can do as well as how sis was meant to..."
With their mission complete Donna wondered about what everyone will do. "Ermes, you're returning to Mars right?" She asked him.
"Have to." He verified. "Also have to take sis home." It also reminded all of them that the victory's price to heavy.
Donna pilot went to Quatre next. "Instructor, will you be returning to the Colonies?" She questioned.
Quatre thought about it. "I'll be organizing reparations from there." He replied. "I wasn't also able to attend to Katherine for a long time so I'll go see her as well."
"I do hope that I will have the opportunity to see you again. Unfortunately I know where I have to return to now. It's a place that demands my presence now."
"That's wonderful to hear. That you are now looking forward to returning home on Earth."
Donna smiled when she reflected on everything that had changed who she was as a person through the whole series of ordeals she had gone through. She was able to confirm to herself that she was not an anchor that weighed others down, there were many who needed her to be the support that she would offer. Especially towards one man in particular she had found herself taken with. "I've discovered something about myself through all of this. I'm of the Earth after all. There are people who value me. I've had the opportunity to make something of myself in the end after all."
Quatre remembered everything that went through his career as a pilot and felt himself proud of her revelation. Donna had taken hold of the conflict that weighed down on so many and claimed their lives, but she had in the end chosen to be something that she never believed she was before. "Understanding yourself is something that is always worth discovering in the end. It's unfortunate that so many others didn't have the same opportunity, but seeing you have the opportunity was something that I'm sure your father will be proud to see."
The captain of the sniper squadron observed the wreckage outside when he commented, "Well none of us exactly won a war out there. But it seems like we'll at least have homes to return to."
Cao was alongside him when she agreed, "I'm just happy that we'll finally get to return to Earth. Now the pain can finally end."
"So you have an idea of where you're headed Private?"
Cao nodded when she answered, "I will have things to answer for. But it will give me a chance to search for peace when I arrive. There is a temple in my home of Vietnam that will do everything it can to offer soldiers like us a chance to move on to peaceful lives."
Oleg heard the offer but turned it down, "Sounds great and all. But I have a family to return to. With any luck I'll be able to return and I won't have to kill any more people for their survival."
Cao accepted this when she elaborated, "If it is a time that will bring you a chance to find peace I hope for all the best for you Private."
Oleg turned around when he reminded her, "Same to you. Make sure Tano gets a chance to follow you, he might need it more than any of us." Cao was curious at the request but kept the thoughts to herself when Oleg had a smile for the request.
One of the operators overheard the status of the crew below when she commented, "It seems to be going all great for our guys down there sir. We've got some talk of resignations though."
Norma didn't show any sign of regret to the idea when she agreed, "We may as well accept them. The Coalition is no more and it's going to be our duty to make sure this new world of ours is ready to move forward." Norma prepared her next two orders when she commanded, "Send a relay to Earth. Tell them that our mission has been accomplished and we will be returning to orbit." She turned to the nearest operator for her next order, "Prepare a course for Earth. We'll give everyone the means of transportation they need to prepare for their journey home."
The flight operator mapped a course from their location and found the next available route to Earth when he confirmed, "Roger Admiral. Preparing course." The fleet made its adjustments and found the location of Earth within their next three week voyage to the home planet. The preparations were quickly made and the surviving men and women of the station battle were on their way home.
The three-week jump passed and what remained of the Coalition fleet had returned to the area above Earth it had begun its journey. Norma turned to her Vice Admiral when she ordered, "You'll have to escort our men who wish to return to Mars."
"The Earth Sphere Parliament will have to negotiate terms with you I take it?"
Norma nodded when she confirmed, "If they are correct I'm now the highest ranking official to represent the Coalition. It's time for us to put away these days of conflict and hope we can say we've redeemed ourselves somehow."
Her Vice Admiral saluted to the command when he parted, "The Foresight will be ready to make the jump once refuelling is complete sir. We hope to see you lead our men again one day."
Norma saluted back, "Maybe in the aftermath of what happens from these resolutions. I shall await the day it can happen." "All destinations have been set. Prepare to your stations aboard the Foresight in a jump to Mars."
Within the bays of the departing ships Mercurio saw Ermes preparing to ship off with his cousin's body as they prepared for their trip to Mars. He embraced him in a farewell for this moment, "It's been good to know you Ermes. I hope one day we might be able to meet again under more peaceful circumstances."
Dana saw the parting and commented to the others, "One day we all might meet together for another reason. But it sounds like this is the point where we're about to hang up our guns and try embracing a normal life."
Ermes agreed. "Yeah, adjusting to a normal life will never be easy. I'll be working for the Martian government when I return."
Donna asked, "Will you be coming back?"
"Because I'm an ambassador I think I'll eventually return." He assured her.
"What are you going to do with the Aquarius?"
Ermes thought about the question before telling her, "I'll take it back to Mars. It's my dad's old friend anyway."
Donna gave Ermes a final embrace when she told him, "I just want you to know that I still love you as well."
Ermes gave a brief return of the embrace when he parted from her and with those returning to Earth. He got what he had in the shuttle and took a seat. He had one last look at Donna from the window. "I'll return someday." He promised.
The two cousins parted when Ermes made his way aboard the Foresight and with a hopeful final note when Ermes gave his promise to them. "If I meet Uncle Milliardo one day, hopefully it will be with understanding for what we both wanted to achieve." He promised himself as he saw Ermes leave.
Dana overheard the number of partings taking place in the docking bay and commented, "We'll all be planetside pretty soon. It's at least a little reassuring to think that Ermes will be able to give his sis a proper burial on her planet."
Oleg agreed to their fortune, "The colonies are going to be another thing entirely of course. Some of them will have explaining to do and some of them will need a lot of recovery before they have a chance to live a normal life."
Dana turned to the others when she asked, "We'll have to live for the sake of the fallen now. Is there anyone you guys are looking forward to seeing?"
Gawel shrugged the idea when he agreed, "I think I worked out a few decades of my lifespan but if it was able to end this war at least I can call myself a hero among others."
Mercurio answered her question as well when he held Donna's hand, "Yeah. I think I've accomplished my mission for this war. I think my mother will be pleased to see me return. Of course I'll have to also ask for the blessing of Lord Lindemann."
Donna gave a smile when she remembered what she was going to have to hope for as well while returning the hold Mercurio had on her hand. For the first time in what felt like a long time, being offered the chance to appreciate just how human she truly was.
The Executor Rising descended to the area near Quebec City and the civilian population awaited them with great enthusiasm. Malcolm looked outside and saw the Coalition battleship outside the city walls and knew the mission's success had been confirmed. He turned to the Parliament announcing, "I believe we have now seen Admiral Miles live up to her promise. The Sol Invictus has been destroyed." At this news the parliament began to make their way outside when they saw the troops making their return home.
Relena was the silent one among them when she sent her hope out to the arriving crew, "Mercurio..."
The troops of the Executor Rising made their way to the podium where Relena gave her promise to humanity of the Sol Invictus's destruction. It was on this spot where Norma Miles felt the responsibility of her people and prepared to use it for the final act of ceasefire. She signed the parchment presented by Malcolm and announced to the crowd, "It is now official. Let it be known to the entire scope of the human race that the war between the Falson Coalition and the Earth Sphere United Nations has finally after an 11 year war come to an end. We were all of us misguided to varying levels but we hope now to learn from these mistakes. We have permitted the blind loyalty of our causes to lose sight of what has long permitted humankind to separate itself from any other species. I hope now that with the assistance of what we build going forward we will regain focus of that vision."
Oleg and Dana watched the speech while the other Rogue Wing were behind them. Zachariah was next to Nasir when he observed, "It sounds like we don't have much worry for another war to break out. You think?"
Dana agreed, "If she wanted a takeover she would have the perfect opportunity. Looks like not everyone in the military wants to grab for power."
Nasir was lightly melancholic when he agreed, "Yeah. I guess all conflicts do eventually come to an end. We might have actually found the end to this crazy ride after all."
Among the remaining Coalition soldiers who viewed their former superior's speech they gave a solemn salute as they took her words to heart. Cao was next to Tano when she asked, "Lieutenant. From what I heard you haven't had anywhere else to go now that the war is over. Would you at least consider following me to my home country?"
Tano noticed Cao's offer to accompany her. "I guess I can." He replied. "I got nowhere to go anyway." He thought that living a year as a Buddhist monk won't do much harm.
The first thing that Donna had hoped ot return to was the sight of her father hoping to see him anxious to enter his embrace even with Mercurio now at her side at the Lindemann residence. Something that she did not anticipate however was having the opportunity to see two of her brothers at the parliament building. Flake and Richard grinned when they saw her while Donna offered a smile in response to the fact that she had someone to return to.
Donna made her way up to Richard and Flake when she embraced them both in a hug happy to see each other once again. Flake laughed when he told her, "Donna I knew you were more than you tired to make us believe."
Donna parted from the embrace when she asked, "Christoph and Christian… Are they anywhere?"
Richard sighed when he told her, "Well it's a pretty long story. Honestly more interesting but complicated than my injury."
Flake interrupted, "We still have something important that we need to see from dad though."
Quatre asked, "Is something happening to Lord Lindemann?"
Richard explained, "I really think it's better that you see it."
Instead of Lord Lindemann waiting there was only a single letter on the desk in Lord Lindemann's room. Donna opened the letter to read.
To my children,
If you are reading this then I died but with my heart content. I was never able to see true peace in my life and now you can live it for me.
The concept of pacifism appealed to me once when I joined the Treize Faction and was forced to flee to what used to be the Sanc Kingdom. Then the Eve Wars came which I also fought against and I joined the Mariemeia rebellion. I met your mother after the rebellion.
Under my will, the youngest surviving child should inherit the noble title and role as the head of the Lindemann family along with my small industries.
Live the peace I was never able to,
Lord Till Lindemann
Donna was shedding tears while reading it. Although she lost much of her family, there was Mercurio with her.
The sudden revelation of Lord Lindemann's passing was every bit a surprise to Mercurio as it was to Richard and Flake. As she let her grief become known, Mercurio stood by her side and assured, "I promise this will be the last grievance you will have to pay."
Donna accepted Mercurio's embrace when she told him, "If there are going to be any good men in my life, I would certainly accept having you be among them."
Quatre thought about how everyone was forced into the war. He felt that he should give an apology for choosing her to become a pilot. "Donna, I'm sorry for making you a Gundam pilot if it was against what you wanted." He said apologetically.
"Actually I'm glad now." She replied. "I was able to help end the war and ended up having men chase after me."
Quatre gave a laugh. "That is true." He responded.
Flake pointed out, "So the youngest surviving child gets the ownership of the industries apparently. Donna I think we're going to see you sporting the business outfit pretty soon."
Donna gave a small sigh when she remembered what sort of life she would have ahead of her when she decided, "I suppose I'll be able to make something of it at least. For my first meeting however I think I have someone important that I need to meet with."
Mercurio picked up on the hint Donna offered when he accepted, "I'm sure they'll be as happy to see you as your brothers were."
Relena and Mercurio were outside one of the nearby balconies when they observed the bustling streets of the city when Relena congratulated, "You've done it Mercurio. You've done the greatest service any soldier could have offered. You've brought back a hope of peace so long gone."
Mercurio looked out to the skies before them when he asked, "I guess I have never thought it would happen. Do you think dad ever expected me to be a direct emulation of him?"
Relena grasped his hand when she assured him, "He always believed you were meant for greatness. That one day you'd show everyone you were his son. When that day came, you wouldn't need either of us to show you how." For the both of them the mention brought a flashback of Mercurio's youth. A young six-year-old Mercurio rushing across the front yard of his mansion to his father coming home. Heero lifted him in the air with a sweeping embrace as they entered the mansion. Mercurio ran to the edge of a nearby window before he saluted in the best way a child could. Both his mother and father saw his salute and recognized his honor. It was the plush Wing Zero Custom he had played with earlier in the day. The one that both his mother and father had won in the early days of their engagement. Already at this age a piece of family history.
"And you've shown it." Heero entered. "You were forced into a war we never thought would happen. We always wondered if you could live through it."
Mercurio turned to face his father when he smiled, "I guess I don't have to prove myself now do I?"
Heero reached out with his left hand while he kept his right holstered for safety. He patted his son on the shoulder when he answered, "You couldn't make me any more proud."
Mercurio turned to Relena when he asked, "You're okay with that right mom?"
Relena closed her eyes when she sighed answering, "The men in my family are just destined to follow a sense of duty it seems. I'm only happy it doesn't make us all miserable."
Mercurio agreed with her warning when he answered, "I may have to rely on that duty again one day. If war is to ever erupt again I don't want something of this scale to ever happen again."
"And I promise you'll have our support." Heero reminded him.
Helena entered her way to the balcony when she announced, "Mom, the photographer's here."
Mercurio was the first to ask, "The photographer?"
His other sister was clearly confident in his return when she answered, "We had to get ready for your return trip Mercurio. It's about time we had our new family portrait don't you think?"
Mercurio agreed to the request when he got ready, "I guess now's as good a time as ever." Mercurio stood to the left side of his father when the five prepared waited for their moment to be captured. Once the photo was taken Helena and Selena made their way to the crowd below to meet the survivors. Mercurio requested to his parents, "Mom, dad, there's someone I'd like to formally introduce."
Relena was curious when she asked, "You would?"
Mercurio guided them both when he began explaining, "You might have at least heard of her but probably not exactly met her face to face yet." He found the doorway Donna was waiting nearby when he introduced, "Over the course of this war I looked for support from others and from some it became stronger than others. I'd like to introduce you both to Donna Lindemann."
Donna overheard the entire Yuy family conversation from the door. She thought about the family she never had but quickly forgot it with a blush when Mercurio was going to introduce her. "H-hello Mr. and Mrs. Yuy." She introduced herself hastily.
Heero gave his hand in greeting when he introduced, "Donna. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Relena was the next to greet herself when she offered, "Mercurio has told us about what you've gone through. Please try to remember that if you ever need support we'll be here for you."
"I'd say that's a good start." When Relena turned to notice Heero's comment there was a slight giggle between them as they noticed a similar spark between the two that hadn't been seen years ago.
The words from the Yuy family reminded Donna that although her family had endured so much, there was now far more people that will support her than she ever thought possible. "Thank you." She replied in joy, recognizing the future she now looked to sharing with others.
Donna joined the family as they turned to outside the balcony as they watched the speech from various Parliament members offer their own contributions. For even a city that had endured as many hardships, the signs of an era without conflict were about to pass into humanity's next era. In that moment all were assured that this future was soon for them to experience.
Epilogue
For every time of war, there one day comes a period of peace. How long the peace endures is dependent on the generations of individuals who seek to keep that peace. The year is After Colony 226 and the events have come full circle...
Mercurio was in a locker room when he considered the status of the world by now. The Earth Sphere United Nations and Falson Coalition have dissolved. Together they formed a new governing body. The Sol Federation. The Rogue Wings are still here to keep us all in check in case anything bad happens, but they have the power to stop us if we let the Rogue Wings become what some fear they can be. Whoever Kecker and Goslin were working with, I know that their influence has at least been halted for now. The devastation they inflicted will not happen again. It is no longer a question of hoping, but knowing that we will be there to prevent the forces of destruction from rising again.
Dana was in a Rogue Wing leader's uniform when she overlooked the status of her report. By comparison at least, we've been thrown back into the good old days. It's all back to just plain old bickering leaders who want to have their turn at taking power where the vacuums are still located. Small fries such as them are going to see why the big decision makers of yesterday are the ones who determine where they go next.
Gawel entered her office when he presented a report, "We've got a full report on the activity on Luna sir. Secondary Representative Wright is now leading a splinter force of upper class citizens trying to get independence. Of course that is just the basic nutshell situation."
Dana looked up and smirked, "Sounds like an assignment. Better rally the others to get ready for their duty."
Oleg had returned to Lithuania when he was lifting his young nephew and greeting his family members with the reparations from the war. Not all of us are strong willed enough to continue fighting for a cause regardless of how worthwhile it is. We all have families we want to return to, some living and gone. But wherever we meet them again is worth the long struggle. It may not be contributing to the good fight, but there are many of us such as myself wish to simply reunite with what we have long hoped to see survive.
Cao was leading a meditation session on the temple grounds when she contemplated her thoughts with the others. And they are not wrong. All have earned a moment's peace, especially the misguided. Those who have lost the most while serving a righteous cause are those who deserve to be honored for what they have given. Even they however can understand that in their contributions to the ever turning cycle that they may be demanded great efforts they did not wish to revisit. But when they are asked of such things, me and others have shown that we will give what must be given to undo that injustice.
Zachariah, Nasir, Cinzia, Patrick and Keijo were observing the graves of the fallen multitudes when Zachariah gave thoughts different from prayers to the moment. Even after the most demanding wars in history it's possible for us to return with those we hold dearest to us. Even when such calamities strike that take away everything we wanted to protect, we have a duty to see their sacrifices were worth paying. If there is an afterlife the righteous meet again in, then at least we will be able to pass on with the knowledge we did something to truly move the human race forward.
Kieran looked over the Scottish sunset, attempting to paint the dusk seen from a Scottish port. He held his brush, to get the grasp of proportions before returning to brush golden hues into the canvas. Although I agree that war is a certainly unpleasant feeling, it ironically pushes us to improve. Mobile Suits are no exceptions with how the Golem was made around the last weeks of the war. Technology is first exploited by the military before it can go to civilians. I'm just happy that the war ended and my next works from now on are made of acrylics paints instead of Gundanium alloy.
Tano, in monk garments and a shaved head joined the chanting of sutras. I struggled to know what justice was all this time, ever since I was exposed to it at a young age. Is the one that topples corruption? Is it the one that determines the law? I found the answer last year. Justice has to be the one where a child can sleep undisturbed.
Quatre brought Katherine along to watch a circus performance. It was something he didn't watch for a decade or two. The clown of the troupe is someone he vividly remembers as an ally of old. We failed at maintaining the peace but the younger pilots have brought it back. Peace is fragile as glass but it can be rebuilt and refined to replace it if broken.
Ermes placed a bouquet of flowers at Dafina's grave. The terraformation of Mars will continue but with great delay. I didn't expect taking Dafina's job to be as easy since she was the most capable out of both of us. Mom and dad knew that she died for the cause but deep down they regretted how the war was brought on the both of us. My dad took a special interest at the Aquarius. Donna, I hope I can return to Earth one day.
Donna watched over the balcony of her residence. After the war she quit being a Gundam pilot to work with the assets left behind by her father. There was knock on the door with a young man entering. "Lady Lindemann, the prototype Trabant shuttle will be ready for testing next morning." He informed. "If the Trabant technology from the Gundam Sandesgeist works we will be able to change the norm of travel between Earth and Mars from weeks to less than a week!"
Donna gave a nod. "Thank you Sugita." She thanked her assistant. "You can go home now." She saw the man give a bow before leaving. With nobody else in her residence she had a solitary shower. I was a stranger to a fantasy called peace. I lived in a collapsing world. I was only there for a year. I returned to it last year. She donned red bath robes after she was done and made her way to the basement. There was the hopefully final resting place of her Sandesgeist. I lived in a twisted world for the next few years. My father was fuelled with vengeance while being a log for Kecker's furnace, neglecting me. I thought my fate would be like that until I marry someone richer. She walked back to her room after she finished, now decorated with new photographs in frames. There was the old wedding photograph of her parents, then the one taken at the Executor Rising where she had both Mercurio and her surviving brothers at her sides and another one between her and the former, taken after the Yuy family finished their photo. She was hesitant at first but Mercurio's sisters were too strong to argue against, especially when Selena was so insistant.
She had a look at them. I began to wake up thanks to Instructor W, or Quatre as he insists now. I also met Captain Dana, Dafina, Ermes and Mercurio on the way. They showed me that they also wanted peace. The Gundam became my blade to fight. She had a look at her OZ commander's uniform now kept in a glass case. I found out my father took mother's death as hard. He was desperate to cling onto the ideals he used to follow. I was able to bond with him and entrusted his hopes on us as he died peacefully. Donna looked at the stars from the balcony.
It looked clear as the peace she envisioned. After the war I passed on the idea of leadership. Fortunately, it is now in the hands of someone I can offer my full confidence in. You've shown me just how strong someone like you can be Dana. Mercurio is also part of them but he fights for the peace that truly represents freedom, not a one manipulated from the dark.
Also thank you for watching over me everyone...
Whatever their choice is in this new period, I'm just glad that we had something to return to. Whatever the mission will be, whatever comes next, I'll have to be ready for it. As will the human race be on mutual terms to reach that goal.
Mercurio entered the shuttle bay when he was prepared and saw Heero waiting for him. "Good to see you're prepared for the mission Captain."
"It's a pleasure to return to duty sir." As they both saluted Heero was the first to smile before his son did so in return in the sheer warmth of the moment built for them both. The eye contact broke after a while when Mercurio turned to his squad ordering, "Let's move out. We've got a colony to defend."
"Yes sir!" His squad agreed enthusiastically.
The OZ and USD shuttles made their way towards the edge of Luna where Wright's rebelling forces stood in waiting over the civilian population. Norma was at the head of the forces when she observed the positions of the enemy mobile suits when she was asked by a junior strategist, "This is one situation we will have to cooperate in. How long will it be before we have a conflict if we're in the right direction or not?"
Norma continued to observe the battle map when she answered, "I hope not for a long time. But that should be the first issue in the question of cooperation. And as long as we remain prepared for such a day we at least won't have to pay a sizeable price like we did with Lagrange 2."
One of the operators agreed with his superior, "Then we'll have to make sure that our work today goes with our best effort. Even if it takes a long time to accomplish."
Norma smiled when she observed the battle about to begin, "I wouldn't worry. We'll have a significant amount of assistance for this one."
Regardless of how much we may want peace we have to be willing to maintain it. Those of us who learned the hard way will not have to pay again. And those of us who understand that will now prepare to uphold it. Now... I can fly forward. I can take up these wings and remind myself...
"... I'm not alone!" With that flight call Mercurio's new Gundam flew forth from the shuttle with its buster rifle blazing in its bird mode. The first two squads of Wright mobile suits were wiped out with the shots and began to make a desperate defense as they moved in closer. It was to their unfortunate discovery that the bird mode was only one form before the Risen Wing entered its bipedal form. The Gundam that stood out among the other opposing mobile suits as the monument of mobile suit leadership. With the targets in sight, Mercurio saw the nearest target for his Gundam. He brought the buster rifle to full power, targeted those who chose to defy the new era of peace and fired...
