Zone Of The Enders: Joint Exercise
Ep. 1: Encounter
In the simulation room, Leo is focused on eliminating unmanned enemy units. He did exceptionally well in his recent successes. However, he was then reported to the bridge of the spaceship Atlantis. Putting his simulation on "pause" and making his way towards the bridge.
Upon arrival, Leo said, "Why was I brought here?", seeing both the ship's captain and UNSF sub-commander Elena Weinberg and his mentor and superior officer Rock Thunderheart. The former stated, "We had to. We know you full well that you wouldn't like this." Leo guessed it was about the "Joint Exercise" that was mentioned prior. "Is this about the "Joint Exercise" I heard about?"
Rock elaborated, "Yes. But, this joint exercise includes ex-BAHRAM orbital frame runners. They were originally part of a splinter group responsible for the attempt to bring down the orbital elevator last year. They later went into hiding on Earth soon after that, but they were found and persuaded to be a part of the exercise."
But Leo was skeptical. He questioned their commitment by saying, "How do you know they won't ambush us?" Rock adds, "The group that found the ex-runners after the elevator incident are from an independent private company, unaffiliated with BAHRAM nor the Space Force. The group, calling itself "LOCK", did say that this would be a good chance to reunite relations between the Space Force and BAHRAM. I understand your anger and that you still hold a grudge against BAHRAM for what they did on your home colony, but you don't need to take it out on the former members, who had nothing to do with Antilia." Elena also adds, "Look. All we're asking is would you be willing to take part in this exercise? We cannot force you, but you could at least try to think about it. It's your call Leo."
Leo, still cautious, returns to his quarters where he sees Celvice sitting on his unmade bed. He says, "Celvice." She gets up and apologizes to Leo, "Leo! I didn't mean to intrude-" Leo cuts her off, reassuring her that it's no big deal, "Nono. It's okay. I'm actually happy you're here." Leo sits down on the bed with Celvice following soon after. She then says to Leo, "I heard you're going to take part in this Joint Exercise program." Leo sighs before saying, "If it were my way, I would've said "no". I mean, you saw what happened back on Antilia. BAHRAM destroyed our home, I lost my friends, you were shot, I would never forgive BAHRAM for this!" Celvice puts her hand on Leo's left hand and tells him this, "What happens in the past, stays in the past." Additionally, she says, "You got to focus on the present and the future. I know you've made some mistakes in the past, but now you have a chance to correct them. Who knows, this joint exercise would even make things better for both sides. But Leo, I will always stand by you no matter what decision you make."
"I understand Celvice." Said Leo, "Even with my grudge, I still don't like this. If what you said is true, then maybe this could work. Should things go bad, I always have Vic Viper to protect you all." Both Leo and Celvice lightly chuckle.
At the bridge, Leo says, "I'm in. It took a while for me to think it over, but I'm confident with my choice. And besides, we have the Vic Vipers." Rock laughs in amusement before replying, "That's the spirit kid!"
After arriving on Mars' atmosphere, the Atlantis heads to its destination: the former BAHRAM facility Nokutesu. The ship lands within the facility's large hangar where the LOCK official, Avery "Lockman" Ludens, awaits their appearance. Leo, Celvice, Elena, Rock, and LEV pilot Taper, who is part of the escort unit, disembark to meet the official.
Lockman, grateful of them coming, says, "Thank you for receiving our request. I am LOCK commander Avery Ludens, but everyone calls me "Lockman"." Elena replies, "It's an honor to meet "the man who strengthens bonds". I am the Captain of the Atlantis, Elena Weinberg." Lockman adds, "Knowing the Space Force, you'd assume that we would be playing tricks on you. Rest assured, that won't happen today."
Leo whispers to Rock, "The Man who Strengthens Bonds"?". Rock whispers back, "He is well known for his strong devotion to forming networks and collaborations."
Lockman sees Leo within the group and says, "And I see you've brought Leo Stenbuck with you. A former runner of Jehuty, now a current runner of the V2 hybrid. It's a pleasure to meet you, young man." He says, as he approaches Leo and extends his hand to him.
Leo initially refuses to shake his hand, still being cautious, prompting Lockman to say, "Come on. Don't be shy." Leo soon shakes his hand after that and says, "The feeling's mutual."
"I'm glad now that we have found another "equal" Said Lockman. Leo questions, "Equal?", which Lockman later instructed the pilots to come out. "Alright you two. Come on out!" Said Lockman, as a large door opens shows two silhouetted pilots and two other soldiers with them. As they pass through the door, the light shines on them, revealing themselves. One runner is a white-haired teenage girl and another is a black-haired boy with a tan. Seeing their poised, angry looks, Leo clutches his fist in anger, resulting in Rock telling him to "cool it kid". Lockman introduces the two runners as they approach, "This is Rebecca Hunter. With her, a fellow runner simply named "Axel". I brought these two here after the elevator incident on Earth. Taking refuge on an island in the Atlantic. They never made contact with BAHRAM and were assumed dead. Luckily, we found them alive, and, quite frankly, they can still fight. In addition, we took them in and erased their records so that they can have their clean slate. Rebecca has elected to pilot alongside Leo in this joint exercise."
"So you've cleared their records?" Says Elena, "Justified, since you're a neutral company."
Both Leo and Rebecca didn't say a word to each other. But at the same time, have not stopped staring at each other. While Leo is haunted by her gaze, Rebecca is confused by his disturbed look on his face.
"Hey! How long are you gonna keep staring at her you creep?!" Shouted Axel, who is disturbed by their staring.
"I'm sorry. Is every BAHRAM pilot a walking time bomb like you?" Leo responded.
"Still think we're with BAHRAM?!"
"Enough Axel!" Shouted Lockman. "Moving on. This Joint Exercise is a simulated duel between the two pilots and their frames. Thanks to the V2 data which was sent from the Atlantis prior, we've decided to even the odds to Rebecca's two orbital frames: Alterneith and Selkis. We modified them both so that the Selkis would be designed to act as an automated support system to the AlterNeith. Regardless of whoever wins, it's all for the sake of receiving data in hoping that the two fated enemies would become allies. I am willing to take a chance on this, but the real question is, are you, Leo Stenbuck, also willing to make that decision and proceed with the simulation?"
Leo turns to the others. "I'm starting to have a bad feeling about this. I'm not sure that I could-" Rock cuts him off, "Leo, don't worry. There's nothing wrong so far. Look on the bright side, you have the Vic Viper. I'd go out there in your place myself, but it wouldn't feel right when it comes to you "equals"."
"What's with the "Equals"?"
"Look at her. You're both at the same age and are frame runners in fact. This is a perfect opportunity for you to show your skills!"
"But.."
"Leo." Said Celvice, "I know that you can do this."
On the other side, Axel confides with Rebecca, "You sure you want to go through with this?"
"I have to," Rebecca adds. "I've lost too many times. I won't lose again."
After a brief pause, Leo takes a deep breath before saying "Alright. Let's do this."
"The kid's ready Lockman!" Rock shouted.
"Then so will be. Commence the simulation duel!"
"I won't lose to you." Said Rebecca.
"Neither will I!" Replied Leo.
The runners get in their frames and take off in flight mode, heading straight into the training area. While the rest head to the control room as they look at the monitors provided by the unmanned Mosquito frames.
"I'm sure that Rebecca would win. No one could match Selkis' firepower." Axel proclaims.
"The Selkis may have the power, but V2 has the speed." Elena said, confident in the hybrid technology.
Lockman, overhearing the conversation, adds, "Indeed. Now, let's see if the speedy and nimble Vic Viper can stand up to the raw might of the Super Selkis!"
"Vic Viper, Super Selkis, stay on-course to target destination and await further instructions." The radio controller said.
"Acknowledged."
The Vic Viper's computer activates. -INCOMING ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION FEED-
The monitor shows Rebecca. "This is on a secure channel so that no one but us can listen."
"What do you want?" Asked Leo.
"Just wanted to ask some questions to the runner of Jehuty. I'm sorry, FORMER runner of Jehuty!"
"Like what?"
"Like finding Jehuty during the Antilia Raid?"
He sighs before saying, "I don't know, Some shit happened and I got lost. Then the next thing you know, you've landed in the cockpit of an orbital frame."
"So you just happen to fall in the cockpit?"
"Yes. Why are you asking me this? Not to mention you've kept staring at me earlier?"
"For your information, I was puzzled and disgusted how an ordinary civilian had got his hands on one of the most powerful orbital frames ever built, decimated our invasion forces, and took the life of an elite BAHRAM runner!"
"I had no choice! Everything was in chaos back then! Yes. I did pilot Jehuty. I was no soldier at the time. I was focused on saving the lives of innocents at the same time trying to deliver Jehuty to the Space Force! I never wanted to get involved in any of this. But it's because of colony raid that I had to take matters into my own hands!"
"And so you joined the Space Force to stop BAHRAM permanently?" She laughs at the sheer stupidity of his reasoning. "Is that what you think? You think you can stop BAHRAM all by yourself?"
"I never said I was a one-man army!"
"But you were a one-man army when you destroyed BAHRAM's unmanned frames back in the colony. You could've continued to pilot Jehuty after the raid was over. So the real question remains: Why did you stop piloting Jehuty after the raid?"
Leo remembers a flashback of ADA and Jehuty shutting down after telling him the frame's true purpose to self-destruct on Aumaan
"That's none of your business!"
"Is it because it has something to do with the Aumaan Project?"
"How did you-"
"I heard Colonel Nohman mentioned the project's codename "Aumaan". It's classified, however, so I don't know the details."
"Alright. That's enough about me. I've answered your questions. Now it's your turn. You defected from BAHRAM after the elevator incident, but what I don't know is why?"
"That's not your business! And how did you know about the incident?"
"Does the name James Links mean something to you?"
Rebecca has her own flashbacks about James Links.
"Maybe. Maybe not- Look! It's not it's shocking or anything!"
"You want a shock? You will be shocked when I say this: I'm an Ender, just like you!"
The very words caused her to gasp in shock! Their conversation is stopped by the Radio Controller.
"Arrived at the training area. Get to your starting positions."
"The time for chit-chat is over!" Said Lockman. "Let the duel commence!"
The countdown starts as the Super Selkis and Vic Viper face each other from opposite sides of the training area.
5
4
3
2
1
"Fight!"
Both frames charge at each other, but Rebecca was surprised by the Vic Viper's tremendous speed as it zooms past her.
"It's fast!"
"Surprised?"
The Vic Viper changes into Jet mode as the Super Selkis gives chase.
"Come back here!"
The Super Selkis was not designed for high speeds due to its heavy armor. But it would seem it was able to keep up with the V2, due to its fast booster acceleration.
"She can still keep up!"
-WARNING- -LOCK-ON DETECTED-
"Try to dodge this!"
Rebecca unleashes a barrage of missiles at the V2. Approximately around 60 missiles fired as if intent to kill him.
In the control room, Rock is surprised by the insane amount of missiles.
"What?! That many missiles?"
"Talk about overkill!" Taper adds.
"You underestimate Vic Viper."
-SPEED UP-
The Vic Viper increases its speed and outruns the missiles before making an Immelmann turn towards the dueling frame.
"Return fire."
He fires laser shots at the Super Selkis, but the latter frame received only minimal damage.
"Ha! Is that the best you've got!"
"Please. I was warming up! I have plenty of options!"
-OPTION-
The computer voice said as the Vic Viper utilizes the vector trap to deploy 4 autonomous target-seeking orbs that follow the frame.
"What the? I don't believe this! He deployed some floating orbs around him! What are you trying to pull?"
-MISSILE-
"Just a little thing I like to call "returning the favor"!"
As the Vic Viper fires missiles, the 4 options also fire missiles in conjunction, resulting in 4x more damage to the Super Selkis.
"AAAAAAHH!" Rebecca screams as a result of the impact.
Axel becomes fearful as he looks at the battle.
"I did not just see that!"
"Ha ha! Nice one Leo!" Cheered Rock.
"Dammit! Explain! How can you guys create something like this?"
"The Vic Viper was made with the latest technology we were perfecting. When Jehuty was brought to the Atlantis, we were able to acquire its data and implement it with our machines. That is to say, we used Jehuty as a reference for our new hybrid technology."
The smoke clears showing the Super Selkis still intact, but with slight damage around the craft.
"It's still standing. Switching to lasers."
-LASER-
Vic Viper circles back to face the rival craft as it fires a volley of laser blasts at the frame while turning.
"GGGHHHH! Taking damage!"
"I suggest you give up now! I don't want to embarrass you any further."
"And get rid of my pride? Not happening!"
"You asked for it."
Taking Rebecca by surprise, the Vic Viper and its options immediately switch over to ripple lasers.
"Rings?"
Super Selkis takes damage and temporarily blinds Rebecca for a split second, where the V2 pitches upwards. She becomes baffled as to the V2's sudden "disappearance".
"I lost sight of the Vic Viper! Where did it go?"
"Up here!"
V2 transforms into LEV mode.
"Impossible!"
With the vector trap, the V2 produces two extending protrusions around it's chest core for an Energy Blast. This form is almost akin to the Orbital Frame Isis/Dolores.
"This is the power of Vic Viper!"
An energy blast is fired, prompting the Super Selkis to deploy an energy barrier around the frame. Just as Rebecca gets her hopes up, the barrier ends up malfunctioning due to the blast's immense power, causing a chain reaction that heavily damages the Selkis craft.
"Selkis is down! Ejecting!"
The AlterNeith frame ejects from the Selkis as the former confronts the Vic Viper.
"I have you now!"
Before she could attack, the Metatron in the frame reacts in fear. Confused and scared, she becomes motionless as the Vic Viper closes in on her frame. The Metatron allowed her to see a spectral vision of a raging Leo coming towards her, adding more fear into her.
"Take this!"
Vic Viper unleashes a flurry of blade attacks on the frame before finishing it off with the gauntlet, sending the AlterNeith flying back. Rebecca screams in fear as the AlterNeith is stunned and tumbles downward. The Vic Viper victoriously hovers in mid-air.
"Match over. Vic Viper wins."
"Well. Looks like V2 is the winner." Lockman adds.
"Yes! You did Leo! HAHAHAHA!" Rock says in excitement.
"The duel's over. Head back to base."
"Commander Lockman sir. The AlterNeith doesn't seem to be responding." The radio controller says.
However, the hybrid frame looks at the falling frame. Inside the cockpit, with overlapping warning alarms, Rebecca panics, whimpers, and sobs in fear as flashbacks of her previous defeats come flooding back to her.
"Not again! It's just like last time! Not again. 'hic' Not again!"
Suddenly, the AlterNeith stops falling, only to reveal Vic Viper carrying the frame.
"Are you okay? We head back together."
Both frames head back to Nokutesu.
Upon arrival and completion of the duel...
"You did good kid!" Rock cheers as he slaps Leo from the back. "Almost as good as me."
"Couldn't have done it better than myself." Adds Taper.
As the Atlantis crew cheer for Leo, near the downed AlterNeith and the recovered Super Selkis, the cockpit opens.
Axel, concerned for his comrade, "Rebecca. Are you alright?" But in an instant, she jumps out of the cockpit and rushes out to charge at Leo. "Rebecca!" Axel chases after her and holds her to prevent her from attacking Leo.
"LET ME GO AXEL! I'LL TEAR HIM APART FOR SURE!"
"I saved your life back there! If I let you fall, you would've been more than injured!"
"I DON'T CARE! I WANT TO KNOW WHO THE HELL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING SUCH A MONSTROUS FRAME?!"
"ENOUGH!" Lockman shouts. "That's enough Rebecca. Don't take out your frustrations on Leo just because he won. Bad sportsmanship if you ask me. Besides, we've got all the data we need."
"Data?"
"This simulated duel was meant to analyze specific data that would've benefited the two sides. The Super Selkis specializes in firepower, but the Vic Viper makes it more than enough in terms of speed, agility, and deadly accuracy. This is why I'm proposing a partnership between the two of you."
Leo and Rebecca yell out "PARTNERSHIP?!" It even got Celvice a little bit flustered.
"Now that Rebecca and Axel are no longer part of BAHRAM, I'm proposing an alliance not only between the two pilots but between the Space Force's Atlantis and the BAHRAM defectors. With both technologies from both sides, we would become a new, game-changing force for good! I can see it now. Rebecca's huge arsenal and Leo's speed. Think about it, if you two worked together, you guys would be unstoppable!"
"He does have a point." Said Elena. "All it needs is a little bit of trust and teamwork from these two."
"What? No way! I am NOT teaming up with her!"
"And I am NOT teaming up with that jackass of a pilot!"
"Who are you calling a "jackass"?!
As both Leo and Rebecca argue, Rock playfully tells Celvice, "This seems like a good time for you to enter a competition with her if you know what I mean."
"What? WHAT?"
"I was just thinking the same thing Rock." Elena adds as she laughs.
The argument ends with Rebecca walking away groaning in anger. "I don't have any feeling for that guy!"
Axel follows her. "Rebecca come back!" He then turns towards Leo. "She'll be your partner Leo, so you better treat her right!" He then runs after her.
Puzzled, Leo asks, "What does he mean by that?" In which Celvice is even more flustered and embarrassed to say the words.
Meanwhile, in the hallway where Rebecca is drinking water from a nearby fountain, Axel asks her, "Are you willing to go through with this Rebecca? I mean, don't get me wrong, but he seems to be too good."
"Axel. I don't like this either. But if I was ordered to team up with him, then I must. I can't disobey a direct order." She prepares to walk away, but then stops and she oversees Leo and Celvice talking next to each other with smiles on their faces. "But... he saved my life." She adds while pacing her hand on her chest and lightly blushes. "Would he... be the one to free me?"
The former grabs her by the collar and slaps her face in a comical fashion. "OKAY! Getting him outta your mind right now! WAKE UP!" He then stops slapping her. "You're not seriously thinking about him are yo- Oh no! No way!"
"What?"
"You're starting to have feelings for him!"
She brushes off by saying, "No. Why would I have any feelings for him! E-Even if I do have them, it's none of your business! That reminds me."
She looks back at the two as they leave.
"I didn't get to thank him for saving me back there."
Could this be Rebecca's first feeling of love? Now that an alliance between the Space Force and former BAHRAM personnel has been made, this could be the start of a new relationship.
-END TRANSMISSION-
Author's Notes:
This fanfic answers the question: "What if Leo and Rebecca meet each other?" The Dolores i anime states that Rebecca is the same age as Leo. Roughly around 14-15.
Also, it is set in the year 2173. A year before the events of 2nd Runner. However, it is set in an alternate reality.
How I got the idea of "Super Selkis"? Well, Rebecca pilots the Alterneith, a mass-produced version of the Neith, and the Selkis, a large orbital frame originally piloted by Nohman. I envisioned the Selkis as an "Automated Support Unit" so that the Alterneith can link it with the frame. Both frames were damaged beyond repair during the elevator incident. Leading to their reverse-engineering and repairs into the Super Selkis.
The scene where the Vic Viper approaches the stunned Alterneith is a reference to Macross Plus where the VF-11 closes in on the YF-21 prototype.
Also, this fanfic is mostly to give Zone Of the Enders, and Rebecca Hunter justice.
Zone Of the Enders belongs to Konami, Kojima Productions, Sunrise, and Hideo Kojima.