Vandread GA: The Second Stage
Disclaimer: I don't own Vandread 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 6: Nightmare like no other (Part 2)
April 30th 3818 AD; 2:30 pm (1430 hours)
On the bridge, Bart asked Magno one question that was making him nervous, "How much longer do we have to keep running?"
"Until we can come up with a more effective battle plan and besides, isn't running your best move?" replied Magno.
"Oh yeah, okay then sorry captain," replied Bart.
Back in the Medical bay, Barnette glared at both Gascogne and Arthur who was now standing to her left looking at her which Barnette the spoke up, "Gascogne why did you refuse that delivery?"
"Like Arthur said or Squadron Leader Hanson said before and I'll repeat it, you would've wasted your life for nothing." Gascogne said calmly.
"But we can't fight unless we fig-" Barnette didn't finish when Brian cut her off by punching a wall then glaring at her before he spoke after walking over to her.
"Barnette keep your big, bitchy, and fucking arrogant mouth shut and listen to what were trying to say to you. The plan was working until those copy Gundreads, Gundams, Vanswords, and that damm copy of the Nirvana showed up along with Jura being critically injured so we had to fall back or Jura could've died had we not fallen back along with potentially more of us as well,"
"He's right because after those new machines showed up, our plan had failed completely so had no choice, but to pull back and to pull you back because it is part of the stagehand's job to pull back an actor or actress when he or she has forgotten their lines. The same could be applied to the military or self-defense forces, but it applies to enlisted and officer forces." Gascogne said seconds later.
"How could you say that Gasco?" Barnette asked.
"Because one, she has a higher authority to pull you back along with Meia, Buzam, and Magno along with myself to a certain degree and two, you would've been killed in less than five minutes. It's the job of the higher ranked officials to remind their subordinates what their orders are and to keep discipline enforced throughout the squad, platoon, or company. Besides, you were pulling what many call a Leroy Jenkins charge which is frowned up greatly as it is a one way ticket to death." Arthur said while standing nearby.
"Arthur's correct on that matter as well because being emotional can compromise your judgment in battle." Gascogne said.
Hibiki dared to open big trap and spoke; "Easy for you, Arthur, and Brian to all say if all you do is watch the action from far back like those higher ranking officers we met including those two tratiors as well."
"Mr. Alien..." Dita said with concern.
Arthur and Brian were giving Hibiki glares clearly losing their patience with him not to mention insulting the late XO of the TPSDNS Seraphim Kyo St. James, which he didn't pay attention either one of them or the later Navy officer's memory as he continued to speak on. Gascogne on the other hand glared at Hibiki as he continued to risk getting his ass kicked.
"People like you and those higher ups we saw never understand the feelings of someone on the front lines. Someone who always seems to have either a smirk on or never shows emotions never understands. Not to mention shooting off cynicism of the failures of others as it was expected can never truly understand the feelings of those trying very hard to survive!" Hibiki shouted.
Gascogne merely glared on as Hibiki finished his insult to her, "You can never truly understand the pain of others!"
The head munitions supplier of the Nirvana glared at Hibiki for a few short moments before she closed her eyes briefly and spoke, "How very pitiful really. If shooting off excuses or lies will do something…if it'll help us survive and live, then by all means give all of the excuses you desire."
Gascogne then walked over to Hibiki and glared him while she spoke, "If want to complain, bitch, yell, and moan please do it after you have died in the afterlife, but I have no desire to do that boy! I'm going to make an effort to stay focused and survive for the sake of everyone here!"
After looking at everyone, Gascogne then left the tension-filled Medical bay while Duero asked Hibiki to show him his wounded arm as it was bleeding which indicated it got worse.
"Hibiki, your arm please.." Duero said sternly while he sat nearby.
"Yeah, yeah..." Hibiki said.
Misty looked down the corridor Gascogne went down and asked, "Is she going to be okay? I mean, should we leave her like that?"
Hibiki then opened his trap once more and spoke, "Please! Just leave that heartless bitch! She'll never understand the pain that others feel along with those other officers we met a few weeks ago including that woman Arthur calls his sister!"
"That's it Hibiki! I vowed never to hit you again, but you leave me no choice, but to do so and remind you of what happens when you forget your training!" Arthur shouted mentally.
Before Arthur could even move, Meia walked over to Hibiki, glared at him while he spoke, and slapped Hibiki for him and Brian surprising him as he was going to do that himself.
"On second thought, that works too I guess...thanks Meia I guess?" Arthur said to himself quietly.
"Why the hell did you do that!" Hibiki shouted.
Meia merely glared as she spoke, "For your information you idiotic dumbass, Gascogne perfectly understands pain better than anyone else around here. What it is like to lose someone close to you and who you've known for years."
Back outside, the Harvester forces continued to chase the Nirvana eventually forming copies of not only the Vandreads, but also all of the Gundreads as well. A few of them sped ahead to cut off the Nirvana.
"The enemy is cutting in front of the Nirvana's path to cut us off!" Belvedere shouted.
Bart saw the enemy forces cutting in front of the Nirvana and spoke, "Wha, what kind of speed is that?! They have cut us off and were now surrounded!"
The copies of Vandread Dita, the Fujin Gundam, and Gundread Dita A Mode then fired at the Nirvana stopping it from fleeing any further at all and sending a clear message: Fight us or die.
"The enemy forces are entering attack formation around the Nirvana!" Amorone. shouted.
Observing the enemy forces and the reports, Magno grimly spoke, "I guess our little chase ends here."
On the other hand, Gascogne came to her room and after standing at the doorway, she then walked towards a jewelry box and took out the metal rod she nibbled on which after bending it in her fist, it formed a key which memories came back like a flood.
Gascogne recalled the memories of her late sister Sakura Rheingau from good moments like her sister showing her how to create the key like how Gascogne herself now knows to bad ones like an argument between them while they were in the Mejere military long before the Terrain Prime-Mejere War.
As she stood where she was at, a few tears came down her face showing that she isn't always calm and collected as many think she does as she muttered her sisters name quietly to no one, but herself.
Back in the Medical bay on the other hand, Meia explained those very same memories into a story of Gascogne before she joined the pirates which both Arthur and Brian felt sympathetic with her.
"No wonder she felt a bit uncomfortable around the self-defense forces when we were at the Halo station or colony/outpost..." Brian said.
Arthur nodded as Meia reached the part of the tale about how Gascogne's sister died which she gave her life to save a young girl when a colony in Mejere space got seriously damaged resulting in a evacuation which resulted in Gascogne leaving the Mejere Navy after that tragedy. A few months later, the Mejere pirates were formed and Gascogne joined not too long after it's founding.
At the same time, the now Lieutenant Commander Isabella Malone recalled some of the steps that got her into the Self-Defense Navy after Gascogne shared her story to her and her sister Ashley.
Flashback (#1)
A young 9-year old Bella was standing on a hilltop on the surface of Terrain Prime watching an Indigo Cardinal fly away after she caught it without hurting it, but was forced to let it go.
"Big sister, why couldn't we take him home with us?" Bella asked.
Ashley around 18 got to her eye level and spoke, "Because it isn't right for us to take some creature from its home without thinking or without proper preparation. How would you feel if someone took you from your home against your will?"
"Bad and upset..." Bella said.
"That's correct and let's go home little sister. You will learn how to be a mature person and be able to make smart decisions," said Ashley.
Flashback (#2)
A now 17-year old Bella was auguring with Ashley now a Lieutenant Ashley Malone about her wanting to join the Self-Defense forces in her room as the former was sitting on her bed while her sister stood near her.
"No means No! I will not let my younger sister put herself in harms way! It was hard enough on mom when I joined and she doesn't need another breakdown and a lecture by dad!" Ashley shouted.
Bella defiant replied, "Then what am I supposed to do then? Collect scraps for the war? Buy war bonds? I want to help our home in way I can do something that is bigger than me!
Just then the front door opened and both sisters ran to greet their parents Russell and Sandra Malone. They then told Ashley after thinking and discussing, they let Bella join, but on the condition she join the Self-Defense Navy.
Flashback (#3)
A now uniformed Bella stood with her future teammates Arthur, Brian, Harold, Steve, and Lilo as the ceremony for the commissioning of the the two special forces squads the Solar Eagles and Lunar Knights squads was wrapping up.
She looked into the stands and saw her parents and her sister. As soon as the ceremony ended, she meets up with her sister as moments later, the two were looking outwards to the capital of Terrain Prime; Neo Gaia.
"I've been assigned to the same ship as you the TPSDNS Solaris, yeah..." Bella said.
"You're pretty much like a Navy SEAL, so don't let it get to your head okay?" Ashley said sternly.
She nodded as the two sisters left to rejoin the others in the party...
Back in the present day, she remembered her training under the aegis of her mentor Nurse Professor Sue. She was an old lady, but was involved in the design of the Fujin Gundam and designed her own Gundam: the Calypso Gundam. She was hurt by her mentor's death, but knew that she'd be avenged one day and knew that she was to give her enemy a chance to redeem themselves before thinking about killing that opponent.
Her train of thoughts was interrupted by the sounds of battle as she went to face the Harvesters with her fellow mobile suit pilots while back on the Nirvana, Meia finished up her tale of Gascogne.
"So Hibiki, Gascogne know more about pain and loss along with Brian here. Our struggle here is just, but a path she's already gone down and I'll say this as well, Brian here has gone done the same one as well." Meia said.
Brian nodded as well just as Hibiki opened his trap once more, "Alright, I'll apologize as well."
"This time it has to be more sincere and serious or you'll be getting your ass kicked." Brian said.
Arthur just merely nodded and after shutting both Hibiki and Barnette for a bit by glaring at them to keep a sense of respect and reflection along with Meia wrapping up her tale of Gascogne's back story, Arthur walked over to Duero and pulled off his sleeve on his left arm of his pilot uniform.
"What is it you're trying to do?" Duero asked.
"Giving blood to help Jura because my blood type is a type O as well..." Arthur said.
"Okay then you know what needs to be done and you do realize the risks right?" Duero asked with a bit of concern.
Arthur looked at Duero and replied, "I know that Doc, but what matters more is saving her life."
Barnette was surprised that Arthur was doing this for Jura, but ignored it as Arthur wiling gave some of his blood for a noble reason though Misty thought it was actually out of love. Like Magno, she thought the relationship was just on hold for now for Jura and Arthur.
After Arthur gave some of his blood to save Jura, he then walked away ignoring everyone to check on the Dreads and Vanguards which Hibiki accused Arthur of being like Gascogne.
Arthur having had enough of Hibiki's arrogance and lack of empathy, walked up to Hibiki and to everyone's surprise, he slapped him on both checks and pinned him to the wall of the Medical bay glaring at him very harshly.
"If there is anyone here who doesn't understand love and loss here, it is you! Do you have any idea how it feels to watch one of your country's military officers die right in front of you and not being able to help? Or better yet, someone who took care of your sibling when you were gone all of a sudden betrays your home for to save it in a matter you don't like along with another one leaving thinking it's beyond saving? I once taught you that you must keep your emotions in check and stop believing that there are those higher above don't care. Even Kyo St. James cared for every last marine and sailor under his command before his death something you fail to understand. In history, there were leaders who led from the front like William Wallace for example. If you can't keep your damm emotions in check along with that damm ego and master the basic principles of warfare, then I'll ban you from fighting next time unless I say so. Also, don't talk back to those higher above you and treat others with respect Private Tokai that's an order..." Arthur said sternly.
Arthur then let go of Hibiki allowing him to soak in what his commanding officer said to him while Dita and Misty got out of the way of an enraged Arthur as he left the Medical bay. If the anger storm was over, it gave off one final punch with Brian glaring at Barnette and speaking that made her tremble before him.
"Listen Barnette, we didn't give you the Eos Gundam just to act like a big shot pilot nor did we give it to you so you could waste it. You don't own that damm thing, Terrain Prime owns it! We will win and next time around for Jura's sake that you don't die in battle because if you die with an illogical state-of-mind, it'll be your own damm fault..." Brian said.
"He is correct on that matter..." Duero said.
Barnette gave a chase while Brian stayed behind to make sure Hibiki shut up and was able to catch up to Arthur in an effort to ask him why he pulled her back which he was ignoring her much to her annoyance.
"Arthur! Can we talk about this for one second please!?" Barnette shouted.
After stopping him at the elevator which made him face her she then spoke again, "I want to know why you initiated the override on my Gundam? You were holding me back along with Gasco from what I wanted to do out there for Jura!"
Arthur merely glared at her before he spoke, "One, don't ever touch me like that ever again. Two, don't ever touch me again unless it's serious. Now listen, you have no damm clue of who I am or where I come from. I will not tell you my life story not that you'll care anyway. I very well damm don't need your stubbornness and arrogance or even your empathy and admiration Barnette. All need right now is for everyone to stay focused and positive along with you not sticking your head in your ass along with your fighting skills, your compliance, and your understanding. If none of those can be found, then Magno can have you confined to the Brig or Stockades for the duration of the voyage. Am I clear maggot?"
Just as the elevator arrived that Arthur called earlier, Barnette spoke again, "Yes sir."
"Good and try that stunt again, I won't hesitate to tell Magno about reassigning a different pilot to the Eos Gundam..." Arthur said sternly.
Arthur then left, got onto the elevator, and proceeded to head to the Hanger bay to check on the stasis on the machines. As he rode in the elevator car, Arthur was frustrated as hell. For one thing it was dealing with Hibiki and Barnette's egos and the other was ensuring that order was maintained.
The story of Gascogne and her sister Sakura reminded him of the relationship a bit of Bella and her older sister Ashley though so far, neither one was dead and they still had a good bond though the wars were putting that on a serous strain.
Back in the Medical bay, Meia received a call from Buzam and answered it, "Meia here, what is it?"
"It's the enemy! They've cut us off and we have been surrounded. There is nowhere to run now..." Buzam said grimly.
"All the pilots with the exception of Arthur are here." Meia said.
Buzam got concerned and spoke about the current situation clearly, "Meia with all due respect, fighting blindly is useless. Not to mention we need a plan if we're going to win."
"Don't worry I got a plan and can you get Arthur back to the Medical bay?" Hibiki said a second later.
Inside the Hanger bay, Arthur looked at the units being repaired when his gaze drifted to Jura's unit the Venus Gundam or otherwise designated XXNX-XB04 Venus Gundam. It obviously took pages from Brian's old unit the XXVX-Z7XV Vulcan Gundam and the XXVX-Z4XO Odin Gundam. The ability to transform between Dread and Gundam he assumed was due to the Paksis.
For now, his full report on Jura's unit and the other three units the XXNX-XB03 Silver Eagle Gundam, the XXNX-XB02 Roswell Gundam or Dita's unit, and the XXNX-XB01 Ikazuchi Gundam or Hibiki's unit would have to wait as Buzam requested his presence in the Medical Bay. Upon entering, he saw everyone was a bit calmed down which was good and Brian motioned him over because Hibiki had an idea.
"I've thought of something while listening to the story of Gascogne." Hibiki said.
"What is it then Private Tokai?" Arthur asked.
Down in the Engineering bay, the Paksis reactor was acting strange and one of Parfet's fellow engineers spoke up in concern, "Parfet, the Paksis is…."
"Yeah I know that, but…there is something that is very certain for now…" Parfet replied very calmly.
"What is that Parfet?" The engineer near Parfet asked.
"The color red indicates that there is another Paksis that the Harvesters are using and that ours is afraid of that red Paksis..." Parfet replied with fear in her voice.
This baffled the engineer near Parfet and she spoke, "Afraid? A machine showing fear?"
"It appears so..." Parfet said.
Meanwhile in another part of the ship, a quick planning session was finished and the pilots went out to their machines minus Jura due to her injuries. Within seconds, the Dreads, Vanguards, and the Gundams launched and headed for round two with the Harvesters.
"Let's go get those motherfuckers!" Hibiki shouted.
Meia didn't like the language, but ignored it as she spoke an order, "Don't mind the Cube Fighters, the main ship is our target."
"All Vanguards ignore all of the other enemies and focus your energies on the Harvester Battleship or Battlecarrier instead." Arthur said while giving orders to his and Brian's Vanguards.
The Harvester copy of the Nirvana fired at the Nirvana forces along with the other Harvester forces, but the team either ignored them by dodging or did quick strikes like what Barnette did with a group of improved Cube Fighters.
"Something that remains within! That is the key! Someone or a group of us taking that ship out from within by getting inside it and destroying it is our chance to win!" Hibiki shouted as he lead the assault.
Misty came on and spoke, "Hibiki, that's too crazy and insane!"
"But we won't have any idea until we try!" Hibiki shouted.
"But Hibiki, that's what I like about you..." Misty said in a flirtatious matter.
Hibiki mentally face palmed himself as he spoke, "What the hell is she thinking? Saying that type of bull crap at a time like this."
Despite that bit that greatly confused the Tarak youth greatly, Hibiki continued to fly towards the Harvester Battleship when Dita flew next to him and spoke as the battle raged on.
"Mr. Alien, you're here!"
"Wait up! Your turn will come in due time." Hibiki said.
Hibiki and Meia then together formed Vandread Meia which Meia asked Hibiki a question after the Vandread was formed, "Although I fully understand your plan, how can we expect to break through that tough, thick armor with our firepower?"
"We'll break through it! You should be more concerned with it is possible or not later!" Hibiki shouted.
Vandread Meia then sped off like a bullet tearing through several Seed Ships while the others covered them which included Barnette who spoke an order, "All units cover the intrusion group."
"She's right! All available units, let's give these two some cover!" Arthur shouted a second later.
After everyone said either "roger" or "yes sir", the Dreads unleashed a barrage of missiles while the Vanguards let loose with beam/plasma shots from their rifles along with the Archangel Fujin Gundam's twin "Valkyrie" cannons as well.
Just as Vandread Meia got close while Hibiki shouted for everyone to keep going, the Harvester copy of the Nirvana appeared right in front of Vandread Meia. The biggest thing however was that the Harvester copy of the Nirvana began to transform. When it was finished, it was a humanoid-mech straight out of hell which it then fired its beam cannon which was now its chest cannon at the Nirvana forces.
Dita got hit by the beam while everyone else was able to avoid it though barely which Barnette then spoke to her, "Dita! Hold yourself together because your part is coming up soon!
Dita nodded and got back into the swing of things just as Barnette unleashed a final set of missiles at the Harvester copy of the Nirvana which it then grabbed Barnette's Gundam and started to crush it.
"Dammit!" Barnette shouted.
"Barnette!" Dita shouted in concern nearby.
Arthur, Brian, Hibiki, and Meia saw this and tried to help her, but were held back by the barrage of hellfire unleashed by the Harvester copy of the Nirvana which Hibiki cursed at what was happening. Barnette tried to free herself using the laser guns that were installed on the Gundam from her Dread, but it seemed to only agitate the Harvester machine and it slowly began to crush her when a cluster of missiles freed her.
"Sorry about that, perhaps it was a bit too much for a stagehand to have done something like that?" Gascogne asked while flying in with the Dreki.
Just then, the Harvester copies of Vandread Jura, Gundread Meia C mode, and the Kratos Gundam all managed to stab the Dreki. That didn't stop Gascogne as she charged forward even as the Harvester copy of the Nirvana grabbed the Dreki heading straight for the Harvester Battleship.
"Gasco-san!" Dita shouted.
Without any hint of regret or hesitation, Gascogne drove the machine mass straight towards the massive Harvester ship, crashing into the side of it and the mass blew up. Everyone watched in horror as the explosion consumed everything including the Dreki and some assumed the worst: Gascogne was gone.
"Gasco-san..." Barnette muttered sadly.
For the crew of the Nirvana, if the Second Gundam Raid wasn't bad enough, this one was worse as Gascogne was possibly dead. The war against the Harvesters has hit home for the Nirvana and its allies. They would need a miracle if they were to win and save Humanity...
A/N: Another chapter of GunVandread the second stage is complete. The confrontation between Arthur and Barnette is a bit similar to the confrontation scene in Pacific Rim between Raleigh Becket and Marshal Stacker Pentecost.
Think Barnette as Raleigh Becket and Arthur as Stacker Pentecost. Now then the let the explanations commence…
The Jasso Gundam resembles the Heavyarms Gundam Kai; EW version except it has the torso, head, and backpack of the original TV version of Heavyarms Kai from Gundam Wing and the lower arms and hands are from the Gouf Custom from Gundam Seed Destiny. Its number is XXVX-Z3XJ Jasso Gundam for those who didn't see it.
The Diana Gundam or its name the XXVX-Z10D Diana Gundam resembles the Blitz Gundam from Gundam Seed, the Shadow or Spiegel Gundam from G Gundam, and bits of the Raider Gundam from Gundam Seed.
The Odin Gundam on the other hand resembles the Rising Gundam from G Gundam, bits of the Destiny Gundam from Gundam Seed Destiny, and the original Sandrock Gundam from Gundam Wing. Its official number designation is XXVX-Z4XO Odin Gundam.
The Kratos Gundam is a fusion between the Providence Gundam from near the end of Gundam Seed, the Infinite Justice Gundam from Gundam Seed Destiny, and has bits of the Strike Freedom Gundam (manly wings) and the Destiny Gundam (specifically the arms and hands) from Gundam Seed Destiny as well. It also has two rocket anchors similar to the mechs from Code Geass. Its number is the XXVX-Z1XK Kratos Gundam.
The Horus Gundam or XXVX-Z6XH Horus Gundam is a fusion between the Wing Gundam; EW version and the Wing Zero Gundam from Gundam Wing with bits of the original Wing Gundam thrown in.
The other details of the Gundams will be shown in the coming chapters okay so, don't worry. Next chapter is the Super Vandread, but we're going to be taking things up a notch and a love confession from a certain blonde pilot. Two Steps from Hell reference in this chapter if you can find it.
Oh and sorry about the language, but in war you'd end up swearing a bit though it is not always the case…
Also, I've seen what happens to the Alicorn Amulet and I'll give you a hint to what will happen to it….
Magic Battle (or Magical Duel)
After Rainbow Dash gave the dangerous amulet to Zacora, Arthur grabbed the box with his magic and went away from the town.
"What are you doing youth?" asked the Zebra.
"Destroying it so it'll never be used again because of how dangerous it is," replied Arthur as he walked away.
Just then, Princess Celestia arrived with the delegates from Saddle Arabia and was informed of what Arthur was trying to do and seconds later, joined him along with his wife to ensure the Alicorn Amulet could never be used again.
How it'll be destroyed I'll revel it in due time and also, a bit of family bits in the Equestria Chronicles…
Family Bonding (Family Appreciation Day)
Applebloom thought that Granny Smith coming could be the worse thing, she was wrong, as a certain cousin showed up along with Sweetie Bell's older brother.
"Wazzup! Everypony!" shouted Starfire and Styx of Darkness River band.
The young filly hoped Granny Smith's tale was a bit more enduring than her strange cousin along with Sweetie Bell's older brother.
R & R to tell me what you all think, but no flames for they shall be struck down…
Bye everyone and good day to all…