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 12: Backlashes (Part 1)
June 18th 3818 AD; 9:30 am (0930 hours)
This was bad for the Nirvana Pirates and their two Terrain Prime allies because the welcome home they were expecting or half expecting was not what was in mind as this could derail the fight against the Harvesters greatly.
"The Tarak fleet has locked on to the Nirvana," Amorone said nervously.
"Confirmed, the Mejere fleet is behind the Tarak fleet as well," Belvedere said seconds later.
"Please don't shoot us, please don't shoot us please!?" Bart shouted.
It was shocking to the entire crew except for Brian and Arthur who had a long suspicion that Buzam or "BC" was more that what she seemed. Knowing that they would have to surrender because otherwise they could be destroyed and key personal could be lost.
"Both fleets are in position to attack," Belvedere said.
Misty spoke up, "What? Why would they attack us? Do they think we're the enemy?"
"We're receiving a transmission text from the Tarak fleet which says clearly that the female pirates are to surrender completely and unconditionally, hand over any tech from Terrain Prime, and to hand over Terrain Prime pilots Arthur Hanson and Brian De Gras for crimes against the Tarak Empire." Belvedere said while telling everyone of the message from Tarak.
"What? They can't talk to us directly?" Misty asked in confusion.
"On Tarak, they believe that if you speak to women, your vocal cords, ears, and brain will blow up," Pyoro said as he hovered near Misty.
Before Misty could grumble about how stupid and full of bullshit Tarak's views of women were, Ezra interrupted by speaking in a tone that was both calm and afraid to everyone present.
"We're receiving a message from the Mejere fleet as well. It says that if you follow Tarak's demands, we'll come and collect your crew and passengers."
"Also, it says here that if the Terrain Prime pilots Arthur Hanson or Brian De Gras are on board, they will be shot and killed on sight. Any Gundams on the ship are to be handed over to Mejere if Tarak won't take any of them." Belvedere said while finishing the Mejere message.
"Well, if they think they can take us they're dead wrong for I would rather die than surrender or be captured..." Arthur said in cold furry as he looked at the two fleets.
Brian then spoke, "By the way everyone, it was taught to us by our mentors who designed our Gundams. The key thing was you're not to be captured alive and surrender was never an option. Finally, retreating for no reason was taught to us be cowardice."
Within seconds, both Terrain Prime pilots bolted down to the Hanger bay after Magno told the crew to stand down in order to ensure that the mobile suits wouldn't fall into either Mejere or Tarak's hands.
Eventually, both Dread/Gundam pilots caught up to the two pilots and Meia asked, "What are you two doing?"
"Ensuring that the Gundams don't fall into either Mejere or Tarak's hands," replied Brian.
Down in the Men's quarters or Prison block, Hibiki and Duero could only just stand in frustration as they were told to stand down. Buzam now known as Tenmei Uragasumi sat in the prison cell while the two other men were trying to figure out what to do next.
"To not fight is the hardest thing to do, but it's all we can do," grumble Hibiki.
"And how do you think Tarak will react to all of this including the Harvesters?" asked Duero to Tenmei
Tenmei looked at the men and spoke, "That depends on if the women live or die on how the captain handles the matters regarding the Harvesters. Our two Terrain Prime allies are also a great concern, but it appears they knew about who I really was for a good amount of time."
"So in other words the Harvesters are our only trump card?" asked Duero.
"No Duero not quite, there is one more card in our hands along with another card, also could you hand Arthur this data card?" asked Tenmei
Duero was surprised which he asked, "Why are you doing this?"
"Because, it was bad enough that Mejere got their hands on the Gundam tech from Terrain Prime among other things, think of this as my way of regaining their trust. Plus, I'm pretty sure that Meia and Jura will find a way to save Arthur and Brian from death. I just hope that the Gundams don't fall into either Tarak or Mejere's hands," said Tenmei.
Meanwhile in the Hanger bay just a few minutes before the Mejere forces would board the Nirvana, Arthur and Brian were working faster than Hermes to prevent the Archangel Fujin, the Saber Vulcan, the Pan, the Eros, the Silver Eagle, the Venus, the Ikazuchi, and the Roswell Gundams from falling into the wrong hands.
"And done," said Brian finishing his and Arthur's work.
Upon finishing, the eight Gundams walked away from their cradles and then blew open the Hanger bay doors which closed automatically after the units had left. Upon hearing the announcement that the Mejere forces were going to board soon, Jura after arriving in the Hanger bay with Meia hatched an idea and told Arthur and Brian to come with her which they did.
Along the way, they ran into Duero who handed Arthur a data card which he then left before Arthur could ask. Jura then led Arthur and Brian towards her room with Meia following them. Upon entering her room, Meia was told the plan which Jura asked her to tell the rest of the crew if she could. The plan was bizarre and crazy; have Brian and Arthur put on women's clothing and makeup in order to hide them.
"I'm not sure it will work, but if it does Jura then I'll say this has got to be your craziest idea ever," said Meia before she left.
"Now, Arthur and I will now know what it felt like for Thor in Old Norse Mythology," said Brian.
"You mean when Thor's hammer got stolen and he had to dress in drag in order to get back?" asked Arthur.
With Jura saying yes seconds later, she went to work right away just as Julian and Ophelia came by along with the squad leaders of the Starfire Vanguard Squadron who saw this and after being told about the bizarre plan, they didn't hesitate to help out and within just under a minute both males were completely dressed up which neither male were happy about, but had to be done to avoid both from dying.
Soon after that, the word spread that the Mejere military had attached boarding craft to the ship and the Starfire squad leaders went in one direction to distract them while Jura, Arthur, and Brian went in another direction. Meanwhile, the Mejere military had begun to board the ship and were about to starting just as Meia arrived in the area. Ironically, they sported the same outfits the Nirvana Pirates used on their raid on the Ikazuchi except they were uniformed in gray and dark green and worn by real Mejere military personal.
"Women are monsters as the propaganda would say," muttered Paiway quietly.
No sooner did Paiway talk that the Mejere military began to round up the women with one of the forces pointing her laser staff/rifle at Paiway. When Meia objected to the treatment of the twelve year-old, she found herself being forced to the ground and being cuffed.
"All forces, if you see the savage monster known as the Wolf Angel or his partner the Space Dragon, kill them on site," said one of the Mejere military squad leaders.
One of her subordinates walked up to her and spoke, "Ma'am, just before we boarded, a group of Vanguards mostly likely the Gundams launched from the ship, but the strange thing was there were no life signs on any one of them."
"It doesn't matter; we'll go after them Sue and I Sergeant Elena Ride will ensure that. And if my sister is here, I want to interrogate her and find out where these two savage males and their traitor female are hiding so I can personally kill them," replied the Mejere woman known as Elena Ride.
"Yes ma'am," replied the subordinate now known as Sue Grimm.
As Meia was being hauled to her feet and being forced off the Nirvana, she hoped Jura's crazy plan would work as Mejere was out for blood. She made a silent prayer that her love Brian would live.
All across the ship, one by one and group by group, the Mejere women were rounded up including Elena's sister Julian who surrendered without a fight, but Elena was told that the two men had committed suicide rather than be captured and that Bella was no longer on the ship because she left a few months back.
Meanwhile, Dita was preparing a couple of box lunches for the men including Tenmei/Buzam despite the revelation. Just then, Parfet came in with a backpack and was puzzled to why Dita was doing this while the ship was being boarded and the crew being captured.
"Dita, what are you doing? There is no time for what you're doing," said Parfet.
"Yeah, I'll be there in a second Parfet," replied Dita.
Parfet then noticed something on the table and took a closer look which to her surprise were six boxed lunches being prepared and asked, "Dita, what are these?"
"Oh, these are for Mr. Doctor, Mr. Pilot, Mr. Alien, Mr. Dragon Alien, and Mr. Angel Alien in case they get hunger and don't have to eat that yucky alien food. I even prepared one for the sub-commander as well," replied Dita to Parfet's question.
"Sheesh, Dita do you have any idea what is going on here?" asked Parfet annoyed.
Dita just merely looked at Parfet as she continued packing the remaining meals. While this was going on, the rest of the Nirvana female pirates were rounded up while a few pockets were still left including Dita and Parfat. The Mejere military eventually arrived on the bridge of the Nirvana to capture the bridge crew including Magno.
"Well, this is a pleasant welcome. I guess will have to accept your invitation then," grumbled Magno.
After the bridge crew was rounded up, in another section of the ship, Dita had finally finished the package meals much to Parfet's impatience.
"There, it's done Parfet," said a happy Dita.
"Then let's go already," replied an anxious Parfet.
Dita and Parfet didn't make far as soon as the door opened, a group of Mejere forces were there to greet them and one of them swatted one of the lunch meals out of Dita's hands and stopped on it. Dita and Parfet were then handcuffed just a few seconds later.
Deep in another section of the ship which was the Reactor room which had an overhead walkway that over looked the Paksis reactor Duero, Bart, Pyoro, and Hibiki hid out while the Mejere forces collected the females from the Nirvana. This place was acting as a temporary hide out for the men from the women. Stopping on one part of the walkway in the reactor room, Duero looked at the reactor before returning his gaze to Hibiki, Bart, and Pyoro before looking at the reactor again.
"Quite the incredible encounters we have had. Hibiki meet Dita on this ship in this area, we all first met on this very ship, we learned the truth about men and women, we took part in the Terrain Prime-Mejere War, we fought against two stolen Gundams along with their escorts, and finally the truth behind various unknown worlds," said Duero.
"Hey now, what are you planning? It bugs me that the typically loud ones are being oddly quiet" said Hibiki.
Turning to face Hibiki, Duero looked at Hibiki before he spoke, "Don't worry about it Hibiki. Bart's always been like this since what happened with the Vice-commander, Bella leaving to return to Terrain Prime, him realizing he actually is in love with her just now, and Pyoro being unhappy about leaving baby Miranda that's all."
"Hey now, I'm from the first generation right?" asked Hibiki.
Bart agreed and spoke, "Not to mention that Arthur's great grandfather Jonathan James Hanson was none other than Instructor Professor JJ who designed the Fujin Gundam and developed a key number of other things including Super Warrior Program."
"Yep, both of those are correct Hibiki and Bart," replied Duero.
"Then leave all to me my comrades! I'll do something about this whole situation," said Hibiki in a cocky tone.
Duero nodded and spoke, "That's very interesting Hibiki. That's the most peaceful solution we got right now."
"Yep, I'll go talk to grandpa first, and then I'll give those seven old men-" Hibiki didn't finish because he felt something pinch him.
Turning around, he found Duero holding a medical syringe that when it fully hit Hibiki, it was a sedition drug which made Hibiki groggy and after wobbling like a top for a few seconds, he fell over the railing and into the Paksis reactor.
"It, it, swallowed him!?" asked Bart.
"Paksis is keeping him safe," replied Pyoro.
Duero agreed with Pyoro and spoke, "Hibiki is a man who shouldn't be here yet, he appeared as if fate meant it. Therefore, he shall become our primary trump card for us."
"Who is the other?" asked both Pyoro and Bart.
"Arthur and his comrades," replied Duero.
"How'd you come up with something like that Duero?" asked Bart.
Duero looked at navigator and spoke, "You can thank the Vice-commander Bart and I'm betting Jura and the rest of the women have a plan to keep Arthur and Brian alive as well."
"Don't remind me of that nasty surprise please," replied Bart as he fainted.
"What should Pyoro do Duero?" asked Pyoro.
"Simple, play dead like a real dog or pretend to be deactivated," replied both Duero and Bart.
While the two men and the Navi-robot headed to the men's quarters/prison block carefully, down in the Register in another part of the Nirvana, Barnette was busy with locking down various systems to prevent either Tarak or Mejere from accessing the Nirvana.
The door opened and when Barnette looked up, her mouth just practically fell to the floor along with her eyes just widening in shock before she asked while she continued to work. Standing on Jura's left was Arthur in drag while Brian was standing to Jura's right also in drag.
"What is the meaning of this?" asked a baffled Barnette.
Arthur was wearing a long-harried Pink wig, a red long-sleeved shirt with stuffed bra, high heels, blue leisure pants that were stuffed to make his waist match his length of his shoulders, makeup on his face including his eyelids, lipstick on his lips, wore green scarf to conceal his Adam's apple, fake eyelashes, and sported gloves that both were gray colored.
Brian on the other hand was also wearing a long-harried wig though it was a teal blue wig, a black long-sleeved shirt also like Arthur with stuffed bra, white high heels, charcoal gray leisure pants that were too like Arthur stuffed to match the length of his shoulders, a blue scarf to conceal his Adam's apple, sported makeup on his face including his eyelids, had fake eyelashes, and sported black gloves.
This baffled Barnette a bit, but she couldn't help, but laugh at the sight as she worked because on Mejere this would be seen as bizarre and weird. She also noticed something Jura had under her left arm.
"Jura, what's that book doing under your left arm?" asked Barnette.
"Oh, just a little something I thought would come in handy," replied Jura.
"No, I mean the little thing in the book Jura," said Barnette.
Jura in front of Barnette blushed a shade of red and knew what Barnette was talking about. The thing inside the book about the reproduction between men and women was a copy of the nude drawing of herself that Arthur did for her wearing only a heart-shaped pink necklace and a copy of a nude drawing of Arthur himself.
Arthur on the other hand couldn't help, but be a bit embarrassed at what he did. Thankfully Jura had hidden the real drawings away so they wouldn't be destroyed.
It was then that Arthur asked Jura something, "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Yes it is…" said Jura.
Barnette just shook her head while she smiled as she finished locking down the Register before the Mejere military got to where they were at. Seconds later she finished her work with the final touch being a security lock just as the Mejere military entered the room which all four surrendered peacefully.
Moments later, the Mejere military left the Nirvana with all of the females including Misty and unknown to the Mejere forces, Arthur and Brian as well. As soon as the Mejere military left, the Tarak forces moved in.
It wasn't long before the Tarak forces reached the men's quarters/prison block and "freed" the men there. Pyoro lay nearby deactivated to avoid being captured near the cells.
"I'm freed," said Bart in a fake happy tone.
"Did the women eat your livers?" asked one of the Tarak men.
"No, if they did choose to that, we would've been dead," said Duero.
Just then, Tenmei walked out of his cell and all of the Tarak men except for Duero and Bart saluted with crisp precision and acknowledged his presence.
"Sir, I hope your mission went well sir!" said another Tarak male.
After getting the cuffs off of Tenmei, the same Tarak male who got the cuffs off of Tenmei spoke again, "The Prime Minister is waiting for you. I hope you were able to get a great deal of information."
"Yes, but unfortunately the data on Terrain Prime was stolen by the women…and then destroyed…" Tenmei said.
"It is unfortunate along with the fact that Lord Grand Pa has ordered a cease-fire with Terrain Prime after losing a good number of men and resources, but we at least now can attack Mejere now that they're weakened now." replied his friend who walked near them.
As the group walked away, one of the men kicked the unconscious form of Pyoro lying on the floor of the cell block. Moments later after everyone left, Pyoro woke up and spoke in a bitter voice.
"That was Bart wasn't it?"
After the men were escorted off of the Nirvana, the ship was then towed towards Tarak by two Tarak ships with the entire fleet escorting it along with perhaps a few dozen improved Tarak Vanguards as well. In a nearby ship, Duero and Bart could only watch as the Nirvana was being towed away and was getting smaller with each passing second.