Vandread GA: The Second Stage
Disclaimer: I don't own Vandread or anything that references other anime, manga, movies, video games, and comics; they all belong to their respective owners and creators including Gonzo. I do own the things I created; enough said.
Chapter 4: Brawls and Negotiations (Part 1)
February 1st, 3818 AD; 10:30 am (1030 hours)
The crew of the Nirvana was currently orbiting near a Mission space station and quite frankly; it looked like a freaking dump. Currently Magno, Buzam, Gascogne, and Arthur were viewing the images of the mission station.
"The following images were taken by our long-range sensors and a few of our scouting parties. It appears to be a Mission captain." Buzam said while showing the space station to her crew mates.
"Not to mention its code name is Delta 6 and by a miracle is still functioning as far as we know about it." Arthur said while looking at it.
Magno thought about the information for a bit before speaking, "So all of you are saying that this place is a great spot for replenishing our supplies and munitions along with gaining more information? Though there is a possibility they won't welcome us openly or with open arms."
"There is also captain the possibility that this could be a lair of the Harvesters or another type of enemy." Gascogne said while fiddling with her metal rod in her left hand.
Buzam spoke up to stop the debate, "If we continue to argue about the various possibilities of this Mission, there will be no end to this debate which is why I'm taking command of this operation and I urgently request your approval captain."
"Same here, I'm going with you as well and if it permits, Bella and Brian will want to come as well." Arthur said seconds after Buzam spoke.
"Before we decided on who goes and who stays, we should at least talk to those in that mission." Magno said before they all left the area.
Everyone agreed and left for the bridge which a few moments later, they contacted a very muscular man that was bald, had gray eyes, and had the look of someone who would stab you in the back the moment you let your guard down.
"What is this? Someone is still using that very old Colonization-era communications line? And better yet, what kind of ass backwards place did you folks come from anyway?"
"Just who does that man think he is?" Amorone asked annoyed as hell.
"What a big, annoying jerk!" Belvedere shouted at the guy's attitude.
Buzam then spoke up carefully, "Most of us come from Mejere while a few others come from other worlds. We've been on a very long journey and we need to rest along with replenishing our supplies which is why we're asking your permission to dock."
The man on the other line looked at them like they just asked a stupid-ass question and responded though he laughed at first before he replied.
"You want us to give you some of our stuff? Hate to break it to you lady, but we're short ourselves so piss off!"
Buzam noticed the image faded a bit and tired another trick and spoke once again, "Excuse me, but we have a good number of highly-trained engineers on board our ship that could help with repairing your station."
The man then looked towards his left as if to talk to someone before returning to talking to Buzam while looking at her with a dirty look.
"Very well then, but the rule around Delta 6 is eaten or be eaten. If you're willing to take that risk, then you can come aboard to do whatever you want to do."
"Alright then, we'd like to thank you for letting us on and FWI, we know our manners and the risks of coming on board." Buzam said.
The line to the station was cut and Arthur spoke up, "That guy looks to me like he hasn't showered in a year and the Starfires will escort you and the boarding team should anything get harry though it might not happen still, better than picking our chances."
"Nice talk commander." Bart said.
Buzam then contacted Bart, "Bart get ready to dock the Nirvana to the mission station which I trust that you've been practicing our most fateful navigator?"
"Of…of…of course commander and I'll do so perfectly!" Bart said nervously.
The Nirvana then began to head to the Mission station to dock with it which prompted Arthur to contact Bella and telling her to head out so Bart didn't damage the station or the Nirvana which she agreed to due to her being in the Self-Defense Navy.
A few minutes later, a shuttle from the Nirvana was going to go ahead to the Mission and there were a few who were packing a little bit of heat like Barnette with her gun collection which baffled Jura and a few others as well.
"Barnette, what are you doing with those guns? Are really going to be bringing all of that firepower? Is that what we call overkill?" Jura asked.
Barnette chuckled a bit nervously before turning her head to face Jura before she then found the courage to speak to her blonde friend.
"What are you talking about? It'll be the first time in a long time that we could be for some hand-to-hand combat!"
Just then, Buzam arrived along with the Starfires and their leaders Arthur, Brian, and Bella while both Parfet and Jura just looked at Barnette with confusion at Barnette's gun-happy attitude.
All of the Starfire squadrons were armed with the guns that were acquired from Rabat's ship which included the AK-87, AR-19, M5A Carbine, Type 70 AKM, and M16X assault rifles along with a few choice pistols including a few energy pistols.
"I trust that all who are coming are here and present who will be part of the forward team that'll go to the Mission. Oh and Barnette, we're going to avoid fights as much as possible." Buzam said sternly.
"Aww, I was going to bring my guns with expecting a fire-fight." Barnette said with a frown.
Just then Hibiki spoke, "Hey, I'm coming along too!"
Hibiki then popped out of the floor like a gopher and pulled himself up near the shuttle in a spoke in a confident tone to his teammates.
"I'm used to dealing with rough guys so leave it up to me and the negotiations will go smoothly."
"Oh please, that kid's mouth runs faster than his Vanguard." Brian said sternly.
As Hibiki ordered his Vanguard onto the Nirvana's shuttle, Pyoro floated next to Brian and agreed with him on the note that he didn't have a note of persuasiveness in him despite undergoing training by the him and Bella and Arthur. Just then Dita called in and had a request.
"Hey, you guys will need escorts right? Dita nominates herself!" Dita said.
Arthur chuckled a bit before he responded, "Okay Dita, but once we get to the mission, don't do anything….stupid….please. I'll be out there right away Dita along with Bella, Brian, and the Alpha, Gamma, and Zeta Starfire Vanguard teams."
"Nominate? Dita is already out there." Gascogne said.
"Let the kid have her fun and besides, it'll be less trouble than leave people like her behind." Buzam said.
Just then Gascogne, Pyoro, and Hibiki agreed on that note just as the three Terrain Prime Gundam pilots launched along with their chosen Vanguard escorts.
Everyone was a bit confused before they all resuming with the preparations on hand. The Nirvana's shuttle then launched a few hours later with the Vanguards, the Gundams, and Dita's Dread escorting it which seemed a bit overkill, but better than picking chances with a group of strangers.
Inside the shuttle Barnette spoke, "Proceeding with the docking sequence carefully everyone."
"Okay then, Barnette you have the green light." Gascogne said while standing near her.
The Nirvana's shuttle deployed a guiding laser wire so it would dock properly while the three Gundams and their Vanguards went to separate docking areas along with Dita.
"All right, approaching designated gate K-02. Dita, you head to gate M-05, Arthur; you and your team head to gate D-03, Bella; you and your team head to gate L-04, and Brian; you and your team head to gate A-01." Barnette said.
Everyone nodded and replied, "Roger that."
All teams docked with the Mission while several people of the Mission watched and after the docked, Arthur had his team along with Brian and Bella's teams including themselves activate their security systems to prevent any wise guys or gals from trying to steal their mobile suits.
After covering their ranks, names, and insignias using black duck tape, the three Gundam-lead Vanguard teams left their units and met up with Jura, Buzam, Gascogne, and Barnette using various non-sealed off corridors that had no people around though they had to be careful due to the condition of the station.
After they got to the main door, Barnette flipped the safety off of her Glock 19 gun while Buzam waited for a few moments before opening the door. Barnette was the first in and to her surprise while holding her gun; she was facing a few groups of men and women looking at her with an almost hostile look.
Barnette spoke as she made her way down the stairs and held her gun, "Stay back! Or I'll shoot!"
As they entered, Gascogne couldn't help, but comment on how much of a dump the station was and a few others share the same thought.
Arthur and his fellow Gundam pilots on the other hand for them reminded them of the slums on Terrain Prime which despite the various laws trying to ensure equal wealth and opportunities for everyone, pockets of poverty still existed.
"Geez, this place really needs to be fixed up or it'll be unlivable." Parfet said as she walked.
"No kidding comrade as this reminds me of certain parts of Terrain Prime that are very ghetto or in da-Hood as one comrade we know Chris Lane grew up in one and got out via scholarship chance as his growing up wasn't great." Brian said near her.
"Huh?"
Brian sighed and spoke, "His father took off on him when he was just two years old and his mom became an alcoholic before she died a few years later in a drunk driving crash that caused him to be placed in foster care before he was adopted by other members of the Lane family. When he learned of his dad on the other hand dying in a shoot out with a street gang he ran afoul with recently shortly before the mission that we call the Ikazuchi Incident, he said good damm riddance. He sees us fellow Gundam pilots as his brothers and sisters he never had."
"So, what kind of man was his dad?" Jura asked.
"A very selfish, arrogant, egotistical, no good, back stabbing con who sold fake medicines and contraband alcohol and drugs to make a living who saw his son as a means to an end; basically a Snake Oil salesman. Thankfully, he's doing well and I hope he can find happiness in place outside of war as Lockheed once told us." Brian said.
Dita tried to take a picture of the place, but was stopped by Hibiki whom he told her not to do that though Pyoro teased him about him being love with Dita which earned the Navi-robot a shut up from Hibiki.
Moments later, the group arrived at a part of the Mission where the bald mysterious man waited for them though he didn't approve of the large escort they had, but dismissed it quickly.
The bald man had a large build, wore a black shirt with what appeared to be grenade pouches slung on either side of his torso, had a series of items slung around his waist, sported fingerless gloves, gray pants and boots, and carried the demeanor of a body builder or bouncer along with that of a bear as well before he spoke to the group.
"This way please…."
While following him, the group got rude and unwanted sexual harassment calls made to them from various men that saw the group walking past them.
"Hey there sexy lady!"
"Wanna grab a drink later?"
"I can't get enough of that ass!"
Their comments then died as a shot was heard and when everyone looked, it was from Brian using a blank round in his pistol who made the message clear as crystal; any bad things done or said to them wouldn't be tolerated.
Arthur then reprimanded Brian for nearly causing a fight by speaking to him, "Brian, I recommend you don't do that again because we're not here to start a fight and cause this station to fall apart."
Brian nodded and the walk continued which the comments started up again and while Gascogne ignored it along with Buzam, Jura was taking in all of the false flattery greatly for some reason.
Then suddenly for some reason, Arthur which he didn't know why grabbed Jura's left hand, glared at the men cat-calling Jura, brought her close to a passionate kiss on the lips, parted from the kiss a few seconds later, and then impulsively saying to them to shut up.
This made the people assume that the two were a couple which while Jura was blushing brightly at the sudden kiss. Arthur was a bit embarrassed while Brian and his Vanguard team held their M16X assault rifles in a relaxed, but deadly manner along with Bella and her group to stop the comments which were hurting a few like Parfet.
Hibiki and Dita on the other hand came across a young girl who stuck her tongue out at Hibiki much to his irritation while Dita being the young, cheerful woman at heart was amused a bit while Hibiki not so much which earned him peanut gallery comment from Pyoro.
"I'm starting question if you're a person or not-pyoro." Pyoro said.
"Shut it." Hibiki said.
Back on the Nirvana in the Medical bay, Duero was looking at the problems that the mission had while Paiway, Misty, and Meia either sat or stood nearby as the Tarak doctor worked.
"Well now, there does not seem to be any reason or need to worry because we haven't found anything suspicious outside of Human biological readings." Duero said.
"How are the weapons and defense systems holding up? Because I would like to know who or what they are." Meia said.
"Same here, I'm curious about those people on that station myself." Duero said while rubbing his chin.
Meia then spoke up, "In that sense, should we try a spectral analysis of that station?"
Paiway nearby wrote in her book while speaking in a low voice, "They seem somewhat difficult to approach and talk to, but I'll check it anyway!"
"Do you have any friends despite your little thing you do to others?" Misty asked.
"Shut up and could you mind your own business please?" Paiway said.
Meanwhile on the other hand, the Nirvana team inside the Mission found themselves in some sort of arena. The lights all of a sudden turned on which caused the three Terrain Prime Gundam pilots to tense up due the lights on them and the crowds yelling at them.
"Who's in charge around here? I wish to speak to your leader!" Buzam said.
A female voice got the group's attention, "Well now…you seem to be rather motley, odd spunky guests. Looks to me like all of you especially your leader will be worth having some fun."
The female sitting high above the group overlooking the arena had a figure that would make some men go nuts, wore a red skin-tight outfit, had long purple hair, and light purple-pink eyes to boot. She also had a white sheet on her acting like a cape while sitting on some type of semi-fancy chair.
"I'm asking again, are you the leader around here?" Buzam asked.
The female figure just looked on and spoke, "Heh, I'm hardly anything quite so grand, but yes I am the leader around here. However, there isn't anyone on this station who hasn't had the guts to oppose me right Patch?"
Regaining his composure, the man now known as Patch turned to face her and spoke, "Why yes! Of course not because anyone who'd dare challenge you Liz wouldn't be alive for long!"
The crowd around the Nirvana team kept chanting at them when Liz spoke, "So Patch, who might these folks be especially those armed with some guns?"
Arthur stepped forward and spoke, "Most of us are from the planet Mejere while short round behind me is from the planet Tarak. And my two friends and I are from…Terrain Prime."
Liz raised an eyebrow as she spoke, "So, all of you are guests from beyond the magnetic storm and the super magnetic storm huh? Very interesting, which tells why none of you folks knows how to hold your tongue."
"Magnetic Storm and the Super Magnetic Storm?" Parfet asked.
"It appears that none of these folks know who any of us are including our Terrain Prime friends. It doesn't surprise me that they're talking to us like this." Gascogne said.
Buzam then spoke to Liz, "We request not much, but only rest and replenishment of our supplies. In return, we can provide you with technological assistance as well."
Liz just snorted at the request and replied, "We don't require any of that. The only thing we're lacking is a bit of good entertainment."
"I don't understand what you're trying to get across." Buzam said.
"I believe what that arrogant lady is trying to say is that if you want to talk, you'll have to fight me first if you can beat me." Arthur said to Buzam.
Liz spoke again confirming Arthur's theory, "The only rule around here is that if you want something, you fight for it. Also, could I see the faces of the three of those supposed guests from this so-called Terrain Prime?"
After nodding to Buzam who gave them permission, they reluctantly did as Liz asked because they were told when they became Gundam pilots that unless they were facing non-hostiles or allies; they would never show their faces unless they were ordered to.
Back on the Nirvana, Ezra heard the possible fight that would break out and the fact that Liz made Arthur, Brian, and Bella discard their disguises worried her.
"Captain, what should we do?" Ezra said with concern.
"Relax Ezra, there is no need to worry because we have to let BC vent every now and then." Magno said.
"Um, okay captain." Ezra said.
Back on the mission, a fight was about to break out and the three Terrain Prime Gundam pilots were now helmetless and removed the black duck tape covering their names, rank, squadron, and home country.
Liz was a bit surprised to see a group of college-aged kids like this plus the aurora they presented was that of well trained pilots along with their escorts who emulated a similar aurora, but the Terrain Prime ones had eyes of spec ops forces instead of regular people.
The leader of Delta 6 pushed those thoughts aside and spoke, "How about a five on five fight? If you win, we'll give you some of our supplies."
"Sounds good! I'll take you all on! Who's first?" Hibiki shouted.
"Hibiki! Put that ego away now! You barely held your own against Rabat and I will not let your mouth get you in trouble and your ass kicked because you still have a long way to go before you're truly ready. Besides, these people look like they're the ones who would use dirty tricks to win and you don't know who they really are so, shut it Hibiki." Arthur said sternly.
Buzam agreed to what Arthur said and spoke to Liz, "We don't need no handicap or anything else, just a one on one fight between the leaders. Logically, you would be my opponent am I right?"
Liz stood up which concerned Patch and spoke, "Very well then, what weapon will you choose? Anything aside from guns is fine"
"No need to worry because I got my own weapon." Buzam said while pulling out a whip.
"Whoa, I can't believe she's got something like that on her." Hibiki said.
"It suits her perfectly that it's scary-pyoro." Pyoro said a second later.
Gascogne just laughed and spoke, "Well now, it's been a while since BC's used that thing."
"Why do I get the feeling that she's used it before based on what Gascogne just said."Bella said to herself quietly.
Buzam after uncoiling the whip then spoke, "So, when's the gong going to sound may I wonder?"
This seemed to irritate Liz as a mechanism brought her "Throne" down to the arena as everyone except Buzam cleared the arena to speak.
"Do you have any idea what I hate the most? It's people like you who fail to see their place!" Liz shouted.
Buzam smirked and spoke, "Humph, I'll return those words right back at you."
"You little bitch! I'll tear you apart!" Liz shouted as she charged forward activating an energy sword.
"Please, your ego will get your ass kicked by Buzam dumbass!" Brian shouted.
A good majority of people chuckled at Brian's smart-ass remark as the match was about to get underway while Arthur noticed that Patch moved away and was heading for another part of the arena.
"Better keep an eye on that guy because something tells me that this lady wins by cheating like Sebulba from Star Wars."Arthur said to himself.
Back on the Nirvana in the Medical bay, more observations of the Mission and Duero reported his findings to Meia near him while she sat near him.
"Just by looking at the exterior alone, I have found a huge number of apparent flaws in the defense systems of that installation." Duero said.
Meia nodded and spoke, "There are also a lot of holes or blanks in their radar and sensor systems as well which could mean something."
"It's hard to believe that the people there are here by choice alone. They could be refugees from something." Duero said calmly.
Meia noticed something and pointed it out which after Duero zoomed in he spoke again, "Around certain parts near the center appears to be fairly recent damage like it just happened like a few days ago."
"And that would mean that…the people here are fighting something am I not right?" Misty said.
Just then Paiway noticed something approaching the station and spoke up while pointing at the unknown object, "What is that unknown thing?"
While Duero, Misty, and Meia were trying to figure out what was approaching the station back inside Buzam was clearly making a fool of Liz. Liz tried a slash attack, but Buzam avoided it with little trouble. Liz tried using three knifes which Buzam caught them with her whip and sent them back making Liz avoid them.
"Now that's incredible." Hibiki said while watching.
"Sub-Commander, you're so fantastic!" Dita shouted.
Liz again tried the throwing knife move, which Buzam knocked them aside though on grazed her, which she shrugged off and looked at her opponent with a calm, confident aurora.
"You amuse me." Liz said.
"If you desire that so much, do you want me to go a wee bit easier on you ma'am?" Buzam asked cheekily.
Liz got irritated at the remark and shouted, "Don't underestimate me!"
Buzam merely sidestepped the attempted charge and stab by using her whip, grabbing Liz by her right ankle, and tripped her knocking her on her ass. Buzam kept Liz down before she went in for a final strike when suddenly; a massive steel wall appeared and knocked Buzam down.
The Nirvana group turned and saw that Liz cheated by having Patch activate a hidden panel near a group of people to give her an advantage.
This made the group mad, but not so as much as the Gundam pilots themselves because that was a form of dirty cheating and weakness.
"Hey! That's cheating and playing dirty!" Hibiki shouted at Patch.
After seeing the low, underhanded trick that Liz pulled on Buzam with Patch's help, Arthur looked at Jura and then everyone in his group and spoke one thing to them after crackling his knuckles a bit.
"I got this."
Next thing anybody knew was that Arthur then put on his pilot suit helmet, ran towards the open part of the arena while his teammates pointed their guns at the crowd to stop them, came into the arena, and then after dodging a slash, delivered a right hook punch to Liz sending her flying back a bit before she landed on her back.
The crowd booed antics, but Arthur didn't pay one bit of attention to them as he saw Liz get up clearly pissed at Arthur's stunt before Arthur looked at her before looking at Buzam to let her know that he'll take care of this cheater.
"You know, that little trick you just pulled would've gotten you disqualified and Buzam would've won the match by default. Also, that right there is a manifestation of weakness in both your leadership and fighting style bitch by using that type of help. A true warrior uses their own talents and not with that crap like yours." Arthur said while looking at Liz.
Liz clearly pissed ran at Arthur intending to shut him up with a stab with her energy sword which Arthur clearly saw coming and side stepped it easily before using his right hand to grab Liz's right wrist and twisting it to the point Liz dropped it.
Arthur then followed it up with a side kick sending Liz back which she tried to punch Arthur, but he caught her free hand with his left hand before letting her go by letting her spin which Liz landed on her stomach before she got up and glared at the Terrain Prime Gundam pilot.
"So, shall we begin or are you out of dirty tricks lady?" Arthur said.
Patch saw this whole mess and would've done another trick if he didn't have Bella run to him and put a pistol to his head along with Brian as well along with the Starfires aiming their guns once more at the crowds to prevent them from interfering and for crowd control.
Arthur then kicked Liz's energy sword away to prevent her from getting it and braced himself for another attack. Liz tried to throw a punch with her left arm, but Arthur dodged it before sending Liz away with a bicycle kick with his left leg.
"I can easily read you like a book." Arthur said.
Arthur then insulted Liz prompter her to try and again to hit Arthur with a kick, but Arthur caught her left leg, pulled her forward, and delivered a knockout punch to her gut while avoiding two punches delivered by Liz before he let lose a fury of punches that sent Liz down to the ground.
The people in the arena were stunned as no one had defeated Liz before like this because typically Liz had Patch help her win along with them, but this time it was different due to the fact that Liz had faced one of Terrain Prime's best pilots; the Wolf Angel.
Liz then got up tired out from the fight and upon seeing the fight was over and that she lost, Liz then told Arthur she surrendered just as a certain trader/traitor arrived.
Brian and Bella saw Rabat coming into the arena just as Arthur offered his hand to pull Liz up and upon seeing him; all three Gundam pilots went after him and Utan like a pack of hungry, vicious wolves.
Liz, Patch, and the rest of the residents of Delta 6 were confused as the three Gundam pilots went after the trader which the Nirvana team that came to the mission including Buzam were now looking at the three Gundam pilots unleashed once more which scared many including Dita.
Before any of them reached Rabat, the station started to shake and the stopped going after Rabat and went back to their fellow Nirvana crewmates to figure out what was going on.
"What's going on?" Brian asked.
Back on the Nirvana Belvedere had found the enemy and spoke, "Captain! It's the enemy! We've just picked them up just now and it's heading towards the Mission! And it's just entered the gravity field of the Mission
Magno nodded and gave Bart an order, "Bart, undock from the Mission! Hit all the enemies outside now! Also, make sure that you don't hit the Mission understand?"
"How am I supposed to do that captain?" Bart asked.
In the Medical bay on the Nirvana, Meia received the news and spoke quickly, "Roger that captain, Dread and Vanguard teams are moving out now."
Outside near the Mission, improved Cube Fighters released some sort of capsules that flew towards the station and attached themselves releasing some sort of goo-like forces. Back in the arena after a few apologies, Parfet noticed a huge number of enemy forces were converging on the arena.
"Oh no, guys there are a huge number of enemies that are heading towards us!" Parfet shouted.
Buzam turned and spoke, "What is the meaning of this?"
"You folks should have never come here including those pilots of yours." Liz said.
Rabat who was now tied up by the three Terrain Prime Gundam pilots and the Vanguard squads spoke up as he looked around the arena.
"They're refugees who have escaped the Harvesters. In other words, they're the handful who have fled the destruction of their homes and have come here on this remote Mission to try to rebuild after losing virtually almost everything they originally had. These bastards have been attacking us for sometime before I can remember."
"Some of us are the last residents of our worlds including Liz and I as far as I know, we're the only ones to escape our home plant's destruction as it was targeted for our livers." Patch said somberly.
Parfet spoke up to the Nirvana group, "Sub-Commander, those Harvester bastards are really cunning. They're coming straight for us!"
Both Arthur and Gascogne looked at Patch and asked him a question that was very important for the inhabitant's survival, as hell was about to descend on them.
"Where is the safest place for all of these people?"
Patch quickly spoke up, "Um, I guess the main control room in the central section of the Mission."
"Good, get every last person in there now! Brian, Bella, Hibiki, Dita to your machines now along with the Starfires! The rest of you let's get these people to safety." Arthur said.
"Roger that sir!" Hibiki said.
"I don't know if Hibiki can make it safely back to the shuttle-pyoro." Pyoro said.
The fight for Delta 6 had just begun….
A/N: Sorry, no sneak peeks this time, but things will get more interesting and the next chapter will deal with a certain polluted planet, but another Gundread combo is coming.
This chapter will be one of many that are split into multiple parts so it'll be easier on certain readers if that's okay.
Would you kindly Read and Review to tell me what you think and like before, no flames with the exception of constructive criticism okay.
Bye now!