Expectations of peace soar to their greatest heights with the formation of the Earth Sphere United Nations. The year is After Colony 225. The dissolution of mobile suits and militaries from the human race has allowed veterans and civilians alike to a progressive new era for humanity. Grudges however are far more powerful than what many realize. Former members of the Romefeller Foundation have taken to the stars to act against the ESUN's pacifism policies. The horrors of war have revisited the Earth for a new generation of humanity in the form of the vengeful Falson Coalition. 11 years have passed since the conflict began. The ESUN's hope lies in the form of its own mobile suit project. Operation Rising Himalayas. The revival of GUNDAM.
Episode 12: Unlatch the Keys
Twelve hours had passed since the resistance and Earth Sphere pilots had come into contact with one another on Mars. The planet's equivalent of night time had come when the sun came down to give way to bring way to the near universal human period of slumber. For the ongoing conflict on the sieged planet however, things were very different.
One of the Clanker mobile suits watched the sky darken while its pilot reported, "Nantakarn here. It's all dark now."
The voice of Elias Rumfoord sounded on his line, "Good work Private. We'll be moving out soon."
The soldiers of the Martian Resistance popped from behind the rocks of the low edge of the mountain. All were clad in their space suits while weapons hung from their belts and shoulders. Elias stood in front adjusting his view with the inner camera of his helmet while keeping his right hand up to signal against anyone behind him from moving. After making his final check of the dome, the Colonel ordered, "Good to see everyone is here. Infiltration team, form up and prepare to move out. Houston, the long-range division is on standby waiting your commands."
As the men and women selected for the infiltration stepped forward, Alberto reminded, "Alright, know that this mission is going to be a first-class sneak in with our numbers. We'll have a patrol to get past and a holed up civilian population we can't risk harming. If we're lucky we won't have to do that much sneaking. You've probably heard this several times, but that just goes to show that you are in fact on the front lines of this war and at its most critical points. We cannot fail this one and we have to be swift. Follow your division and stay low. Let's move!"
With that the team agreed with a chorus of, "Yes sir!"
As the team made their way past the stones in their way they noticed the first Coalition patrol was on its way towards their position. Elias kept his right hand up when he warned, "Stay down. The patrol is on its way."
The infiltration team hid behind its cover as headlights came to pass by their location while keeping watch of what the enemy units might see. Sally was among the infiltration when she contacted the Artemis ordering, "Captain, this is leader 2 requesting status update on long range team."
A brief second passed before Dana's voice reported, "The team is now in position. We have a read on your location and we are waiting for your signal."
"Good work." The Lt. Colonel switched channels to another mobile suit and asked, "Are the explosives in place?"
The channel received a response, "Had them placed sir."
Gawel overheard the mention and asked, "Is that how we're breaking in?"
Sally explained, "Not with these. If the enemy begins to think we're attempting the break in, we'll have to use these explosives to see that it distracts them from our team's position."
Dana went over the reminder of what their explosives were planted for and saw the coordinates listed on her database. Several patches of ground within the cliffs showed a very quick cover job to keep the contents of the hole hidden. Her most immediate concern at the moment however was watching the infiltration team remaining behind cover waiting for the patrol to complete.
Dana's Artemis was knelt behind a rock formation while observing the passing lights down below. It took a few seconds before Dana recognized the Scorpio units progressing across the outside of the dome. She contacted Sally on the other line, "We've got them in our sights sir. It doesn't look like they have found you yet."
"Keep watching them. Don't fire unless they deviate from their path."
"Affirmative. Remaining dark." The short conversation gave Dana the time she needed to continue lying in wait for the enemy to make its move.
As soon as the patrol began to pass the view of the resistance squad's field of vision, Dana ordered, "They're making their pass. Steady aim."
The night atmosphere was reflected into the city ceiling, but the Coalition military was as busy as it was in the day. As the first patrol finished and the quadrants around the city had been searched, Aleksei requested, "All patrols report."
Four different Captains reported with different answers.
"Reporting. The enemy is nowhere to be seen."
"Quadrant 2 report. No hostiles detected."
"Enemy isn't here sir."
"Nothing to report sir."
One of the operators saw green across the radar and agreed, "Enemy activity is currently absent General."
Another one agreed, "Either they are waiting for another opportune moment or the enemy has abandoned this location."
Aleksei shook his head at the idea ordering, "I won't assume anything. Renew the patrol pattern and keep searching."
"Understood sir."
With the General's order given, the patrol took a U-turn to return to their original position in a continued search for enemy units. One of the Scorpio pilots made a sweeping look of his area when he reported, "Not a sign of any of them out there. And they were putting up such a big deal earlier in the day."
The Captain in the Scorpio Major was quick to remind, "We know they aren't sleeping either. They're just waiting for an opportune moment to advance."
Another one of the pilots watched the edge of the mountains when he agreed, "If only we had the intel. Are we even supposed to notice them back here or tell if they haven't already gone past us?"
The Captain remained stalwart when he ordered, "Our mission is to make sure that doesn't happen. We have some extra ground to cover with the loss of our squads today, but we can't let their losses be the reason for the enemy succeeding."
Elias watched the Coalition patrol as it completed its U-turn to begin another sweep of searching for the enemy. The entry way to the city dome was so close he put a strain on himself to avoid ordering the chance to move out too soon. He ordered to his men, "The enemy's preparing another pass. Wait for them to move."
Mercurio kept himself hidden as he watched the Scorpio mobile suits moving towards the foot of their mountain. He established contact with Elias when he reported, "Sir, it looks like we have to hope they don't move in too close to us."
Donna listened to Mercurio's observation when she turned her attention to some of the soldiers behind her. "It seems like everyone is getting jittery. If we wait any longer, we might risk exposing ourselves."
The Colonel remained in front when he ordered, "Stay down. They're almost out of range." The soldiers remained still in their cover for a long minute before the Scorpio units had turned away from the left side of their patrol of the dome. Elias kept his voice low when he contacted the soldiers behind him, "Now go. Move."
The resistance team broke out of their cover to make a rush for the dome. Mercurio made several leaps towards the dome when he told himself, "This gravity is tough to remember."
Roy broke the channel silence when he contacted Elias, "Colonel! Do we really not have any other way in? We haven't been out here for a few seconds and we're already exposed in the open!"
"Just keep going! We can still make it if we hurry!" Elias answered to the concern.
The remainder of the run was a brisk dash when Donna observed how much the gravity of Mars tested the running ability of her and her fellow soldiers. "If we continue these leaps, we should be able to make it before the patrol finds us."
One of the Martian resistance pilots agreed, "That's what the Colonel's pushing us for. We can't let our progress be for nothing."
The leaps across the Martian terrain continued until the soldiers made one final leap to reach their destination without being spotted. The team of resistance soldiers slammed their backs to the wall of the dome as Alberto reported, "In position." He took notice to spot the door near him along with a single panel. "Seems like this is the emergency entrance the Colonel was talking about." He observed.
Elias and the remaining pilots made a rush to Alberto's position when he ordered, "Good work. We're almost in now. Call our insider and find those override codes."
One of the resistance soldiers agreed, "Yes sir." The soldier made a swift scoop for a small device before he attached a wire to his helmet before attaching another one to the panel. The soldier adjusted two dials to clear through the static in his helmet before he asked, "Pit-Co-In. Report. Report. Are we within parameters to bypass?"
A voice on the other side confirmed, "Com-Out. The codes reset every five minutes. I'll have you in quick."
The soldier changed his frequency when he reported, "He's working on it Colonel. We have our way in."
Elias ordered, "Make sure we do. We'll only have a few tries before the patrol makes it back." The situation had to be resolved quickly. They couldn't risk being caught outside or they would lose their cover and the rescue would be much more complicated.
Sally took a look around the corner from the entrance and noticed that the patrol was taking its time to do a full inspection of its area. Just as the patrol reached its destination point it turned around in unison to begin another sweep of the dome area. She ordered, "Get Blaylock working faster on that inscription. The patrol looks like it's on its way back."
Gawel was next to the working soldier when he asked, "This is the fastest we can work right?"
The soldier continued to wait on his end when he answered, "This process is about as complicated as Blaylock said it'd be."
Zachariah turned to notice the cause of Sally's concern when he asked, "This is about as close to a breach entrance as we get I take it?"
Sally nodded in confirmation, "Unless you want the security on us."
The soldier in contact with their insider reported, "We're entering the next update... Beginning decoding now."
Elias hurried him as he ordered, "Finally. Start working on that code now." The five-minute period began and it had to be done quickly before their discovery.
A long minute passed before Blaylock contacted, "Com-Out. We are receiving the code. Enter in this sequence."
The soldier on the other end put his hand on the panel as he requested, "Receiving. Give us that code."
"4...1...9...1...6...3...5...8...2...3." The numbers were entered by digit and at the same time the entrance began to open for the resistance squad. Blaylock confirmed, "That did it. The airlock is now in progress. You should be able to get in pretty soon."
Alberto checked around Sally's corner when he saw the patrol unit closer than before. "This thing better work fast. We're pretty close to being discovered." At that observation the door opened.
Elias rushed forward when he gave the order, "Now's our chance! Move!" No one stood behind as the soldiers rushed into the open doorway. Mercurio and Donna watched the patrol making its way forward before being the last ones to rush through as the door shut again.
As soon as the airlock lights turned on, Mercurio asked, "Is everybody in?"
Alberto made a quick sweep of the area before he confirmed, "That's everyone."
Mercurio allowed himself a sigh when he observed, "We managed to get out of that one. Hope the patrol didn't notice us."
The Colonel ordered, "At least we're in now. Ditch the suits and move out with your division. We'll meet at the nearest center to advance our plan forward."
The squad agreed in uniform, "Moving out sir."
The Scorpio patrol had come around to its other end to make a turn but just out of luck missed their enemy entering the dome side entrance. The empty sight of the quadrant left one of the pilots to observe, "Still no sighting of the enemy sir."
The Scorpio Captain observed the ground beneath when he tried to search for possible indications of enemy slips. The most his computer cameras managed to pick up was small patches in the dirrt. "Yeah. Didn't think this was supposed to be in the plan. I need to see just how lucky they really are." He switched his channel to request, "Attention Command. Has there been any emergency entries in this quadrant sometime today?"
One of the operatives on the other end did a quick check on the daily activities when he reported, "Confirmed squad leader. Several hours ago, there was a scavenging team bringing metals to the mobile suit factory."
The squad captain agreed, "Makes sense. I'll keep looking for anything that stands out."
The operations room was checking the feed from the four quadrant entrances of the city dome finding nothing worth reporting on. It appeared to be another normal day on the barren planet. One of the operatives said, "We're picking up nothing as usual. The resistance might be hiding up in the mountain trying to replenish themselves for another assault."
Aleksei overheard the observation when he agreed, "There is that possibility. There is only one way to be certain however." Aleksei contacted one of the channels, "Quadrant 1. Send live video feed."
"Sending sir." The operating room was given a live feed of the Martian desert at night while the outside patrol continued to wait for an enemy sighting.
Aleksei had contacted Blaylock's position he requested, "Quadrant 2. Is your perimeter clear? Requesting live video feed."
Blaylock watched the squads making their final adjustments before they were ready to blend in with the city life but heard the order from General Fedorov requesting the live feed. As soon as he observed the resistance making their way in when he wondered, "How much of a problem is this going to be? Waiting too long is either not going to have me looking much better to the General or I might have my cover blown." He waited another ten secodns before saw the last members of the resistance make their way into the dome. Right when the last one entered the door Blaylock followed the order, "Roger that command. Sending live feed."
As soon as Blaylock brought his live feed to the monitors of the command center one of the operatives was able to confirm, "Receiving feed from all four quadrants sir."
Aleksei looked over the entrances and the field of all four quadrants and was able to conclude, "Nothing. The enemy may have recognized their situation. Begin shifting patrol with secondary units."
"Understood sir." The operative relayed the order through his panel, "Attention primary patrol units. Your schedule has concluded. Return to base and permit the next patrol to begin."
"We read you base. We're heading to the hangar." With the order given, the Scorpio units of the Coalition left their positions to begin a course for the nearest hangar.
While the mobile suit pilots would go through the process of changing their shifts for new pilots and guards, the inside of the city would be less defended. "Sounds like my job here is finished." Blaylock said in relief. He walked out of his office while he left the Martian resistance soldiers continue their work of finding their way into the city.
As soon as everyone was out of the airlock and in the final room before entering the civilian zone, the suits were left in place until they were to be used again. Donna was one of the last to take off her attire before finding the spot where the suits were dropped and placing it on top of the pile. Most of the squads were now in their casual clothing consisting of cargo pants and a t-shirt. "You think we're decent enough to blend with the rest of the city?"
"It's not like they're going to recognize enemy soldiers they haven't seen." Zachariah commented.
Sally ordered to the squads, "We have to make our way out of here. Keep your weapons concealed and don't do anything to attract attention from civilians."
One of the soldiers asked, "Understood sir. Where should we meet up?"
Sally took out a holographic map of the city and pointed to one of the sidewalk corners, "Move out individually and meet at the city block around here. Once we get there we'll be right next to the target location and we can begin the next phase to get the science team out of there. If you encounter any Coalition soldiers on your way there do not engage." Their target building was a prison building located a mile away from their entrance. This was one area that the military had demanded soldiers be ready to handle in case their allies had been taken by the enemy.
Donna had the look at the map showing the meeting point. She noted where she had to go. "Okay. Should be easy enough."
Gawel suggested, "Understood sir. That place looks like it sticks out enough to recognize."
One of the pilots added to Gawel's comment, "And we won't miss it. Let's move."
After receiving their directions Mercurio agreed, "Understood. Moving out." The squads moved out in several different directions across the city with the intention of seeming like everyday civilians.
Since it was late in the night the city was not very busy except with the usual nighttime activities. There was one thing he knew he had to be weary of when making his way to the prison building and that was to keep watch for the arrival of Coalition soldiers. He saw some headed his way but Roy and another pilot were a distance away from him as well and probably closer to the patrol. "Come on guys... Don't compromise us..."
Roy looked over his shoulder to notice a few Coalition soldiers were headed their way and asked, "The Coalition's patrolling out here too. I take it we aren't safe anywhere?"
The pilot with him said, "If the Coalition wasn't everywhere this war would have been a lot easier to go through. Keep the chatter to a minimum."
Roy nodded quickly, "Alright, alright."
Sally looked ahead of the route before them and ordered her squad, "It's not that long of a sprint. We only need to stay out of sight."
Gawel was amazed at how much of an effort it was to keep up even within the alleyways and factors the planet had for them. He asked another pilot, "Damn it. How is the Lt. Colonel of all people able to stay this far ahead of us even at her age?"
His accomplice told him, "When you have nothing else to do in one place fighting the enemy training is pretty much the only thing she can keep up with."
They suddenly stopped in front of another building and waited for her next order. They heard her say, "We're almost there. Stay low and wait for rendezvous."
Gawel peeked out the opposite direction of the Lieutenant Colonel when he warned, "Colonel, I think Lindemann is on her way here."
Sally turned to him when she saw Donna a long distance away from their position and still seemed to be wandering. "Looks her alright. Let's wait for her to meet up with us."
Donna walked down the main street past a few unsuspecting people while avoiding any possible conversation. hoping to find a map with directions. "Coast looks to be clear. Now just to find my way to the destination." Donna searched one of the nearby benches when she managed to find a city map. It was vandalized with the words 'Mars is Home' but she managed to figure out where she was after looking at the map closely viewing past the graffiti.
"Pass please."
Donna was caught off guard when she heard those words and turned to notice two soldiers waiting for her response. "I forgot it at home..." She answered rushing for a response.
The soldier raised an eyebrow of suspicion. "Again?" He asked.
"I forgot it at home..." She replied again.
The soldier sighed. "Ma'am, at your age, you should already know to have your pass with you for inspections." He said.
"I'm sorry." She answered back.
"We'll have to escort you back to base to identify you. Once we find out who you are, we will notify your family, employer or friend to bail you out." The soldier spoke as he wrote a note. He passed it a younger soldier, obviously a junior. "Otto, kindly take her to headquarters to question her."
A youthful soldier heard his superior's order. "Yes sir." He responded to the order. He immediately got his handcuffs to cuff Donna up. Donna only cooperated when she felt the cuffs clasp around her wrists before she was gestured by the young man to follow.
After there were no more soldiers on sight, the soldier grabbed the key for the handcuff. Donna thought it was strange because the headquarters were still far away. Once she was uncuffed, she turned to the soldier.
"You're free to go." He said with a smile. "I'll tell him that you've been given to someone else." He walked away to a coffee shop.
"What the hell was going on back there?" Gawel asked as he watched Donna walk away with the Coalition soldiers not noticing.
One of the pilots following him commented, "She must have lucked out or offered a favor to that one."
Sally stepped away from her corner when she saw the streets clear, "Just let her come to us now. We don't' have to worry about her wellbeing."
The shift change had begun to take effect for the military installation of Mons Ridge and Blaylock remembered what came after the mobile suit shift. He tucked the security codes and procedures under his arm slowly walking to the nearest exit. He was stopped by a Coalition officer when he saluted, "Evening. Can I help you?"
The officer saluted back to Blaylock greeting, "Yes. The General wishes to speak with you. Please follow me."
As soon as the officer brought his attention to the meeting with the General, Blaylock agreed, "Ah yes. Please lead the way. And make this brief. I have a schedule to keep up with." The two men walked down the hallways to the entrance of the general's control room. "Did he specify what he wanted to see me for?"
"No. I think he will have an answer for you though when you meet with him. If you didn't do anything wrong, you shouldn't have anything to worry about." The officer answered.
The two men entered the control room to find the remaining operatives hard at work monitoring the state of the city. One of the operators continued watching his monitor of the outside quadrants reporting, "Sir, the second patrol team is making its way around we are still not hearing anything about enemy presence."
"Do we even have to worry about them trying to get in here? Our patrol units should be enough to push them out of here. We might even have a chance to see one of the SCABs in action." An operator next to him asked.
"General's orders and our best chance at making sure they don't get in here. Having the outside area of the dome be made a battlefield is going to put the civilian population in harms way."
"I don't think we'll have too much to worry about. Two attacks in one day and we managed to scurry them out of their base. More likely they're scavenging again."
"And when they're finished scavenging, they'll have another few rocks to throw at us. Maintain your duty men." Aleksei said as he ended the conversation.
"Ah. Yes sir." Both of the operatives continued their observation work at Aleksei's command while security officers continued to watch the city activities progressing through the day.
Blaylock reviewed everything from the conversation when he commented to himself, "Seems like they haven't caught any wind of what's going down in the law enforcement area. All it's going to take is just one slip and they might screw it up."
Aleksei turned his attention to his newer guests when he greeted Blaylock, "Good evening operative."
Blaylock greeted back, "Evening to you as well General."
"I should like to know, do you have anything you wish to report?"
Blaylock was brought at ease when he answered, "Why yes. I do have something worth reporting."
The infiltrating resistance members continued their way towards the prison building as the groups led by Elias and Alberto managed to pass by the Coalition patrols without being stopped. Mercurio searched their area and didn't find anything entering or nearing the prison complex. "It looks to be clear right now sir."
"Even then I think it's pretty clear that these gates are going to be the hard part of the mission. Let Colonel Rumfoord know we've made our position."
Mercurio checked behind him to find Elias following behind Alberto's group. When the two groups had met with one another Mercurio whispered to his superior, "Colonel, we're in position. Do we just wait for the others now?"
Elias nodded and answered in the same tone, "That's affirmative. The Lt. Colonel shouldn't be far from here now."
Mercurio was quick to replace his concern for the enemy's presence to focus on the plan his fellow infiltrators would follow to find their way into the prison complex. He confirmed, "Won't be a problem. Do we really have the equipment to get past something that fortified though?"
"Blaylock gave us the info we have now. We'll have to hope that it's enough to get us in."
"Understood sir."
Seeking clarity on the plan, Alberto warned, "We'll have a further idea of the plan once they get here correct? Some of the men might be getting a bit edgy with the odds we have against us now."
The Colonel gestured for them to remain quiet and answered, "We will. It's just a matter of time now. This situation isn't meant for ordinary soldiers and that's why we're here now." With that the conversation ended for the moment and the remaining soldiers were left to remain undercover until the last squad made its way.
How much more critical could this victory be? Mercurio wondered to himself. The feeling he had was a reminder of the decision he had to make years ago but had to keep remembering that regardless of where he was he couldn't hesitate or question. Just act on what feels right. That is how I press forward. Probably the most critical thing he had ever been taught from his father.
Sally and her team made its way towards Elias's location finally having a chance to check their surroundings. "Have we been followed?"
One of the pilots checked the groups flank when he reported, "Negative. I don't see anybody."
Donna slipped around to Sally's corner of the alleyway when she saluted before introducing, "I apologize for being late sir. I don't think there is any security following us."
Sally nodded offering a quick salute, "You're on the second Lindemann. But don't think for a second that we're safe."
Gawel checked around the corner of the alleyway when he warned, "If anything we've just painted the target signs on our backs and now we have to go in shooting back."
Sally made her way towards Elias's location and found him waiting for her. She reported, "We have arrived undetected sir. Awaiting your orders."
Gawel breathed a sigh of relief finally having a moment's peace and asked, "This is practically one impossible mission after another. Couldn't we have evacuated this place first and then just stormed this shell?"
Luwika was next to him when she answered, "And risk the civilian population into the crossfire? We wouldn't have enough time to help with the reconstruction."
Gawel scratched his head at the situation agreeing, "Well shit. Guess that's why I'm not working in high command."
Elias saluted his second in command as she reported her current status. "Good work Colonel. Good news is we're now in a safe position to begin the break in. We haven't been detected by the enemy so we should have the element of surprise on our side."
Alberto agreed to the evaluation when he offered, "All we'll need is your instructions and we'll make sure nobody screws up anything Colonel."
At the recommendation Elias ran through his plan, "Alright everyone, it's time to get started. Po and the others will set up the sniper team and start doing their part to make our way in clean. I'll have a team set up here to prepare defenses. Lindemann, if you think you can lead a team then both you and Yuy take point and follow my instructions on the frequency you're using. Follow by the letter and don't let the science team suffer casualties. Is everyone ready to move out?"
Mercurio wasn't about to argue with his position and agreed with the others who whispered, "Sir, yes sir."
Donna held back her light shakes when she agreed, "I think it will be easy enough sir."
The Colonel signaled his team to meet with him and ordered, "Best news I've heard in years. You all have your posts, now let's move."
As the teams divided into their designated positions, Alberto asked the Colonel, "You believe those two will be able to handle instructions like what they need to follow?"
Rumfoord answered, "They'll have to. We're just the strategists. Our best soldiers need to be able to handle guiding people out of harm's way."
Alberto scratched his head and commented, "Probably right. This mission is still getting me pretty tense."
"It's happening to all of us. Just stay back and we'll have enough firing support."
Mercurio and his team remained in the alleyway with the others as they watched Elias and the sniper team make its way up the nearest building to find a secure sniping position. He eventually heard on his radio, "Are you still in position Yuy?"
Mercurio answered, "Yes sir, Colonel sir."
"Stay back and wait for our sniper team to clear a way. Once the coast is clear prepare to move out and wait for further instructions."
"Yes sir."
Donna watched the prison complex in front of her when she asked, "I take it we remain dark until the first strikes have been made?"
"Can't do much else." Mercurio confirmed.
As soon as the team made its way up with Elias in the lead, Sally gave the order to head of the sniper team, "Chen, you set up with the others and stay out of enemy sight. Survey the area so we have an idea of where to start."
"Yes sir." Within moments the team crawled towards the ledge of the rooftop building while staying hidden from the enemy. A short while passed as the scanners tried to determine the status of the base and their best shot at making an entrance.
After the scanning was complete, Sally requested, "Have we got confirmation on the security details for this complex?"
Gawel checked the holographic layout for the prison that was quickly assembled and answered, "Security cameras are still working. We should be able to get a clear entrance if we take out the left side cameras and have our people ready to rush in the front doors."
Chen summed up the situation, "So we're pretty much going to be starting out our own firefight at this point."
Gawel agreed, "Guess we are. If we don't then we won't have any other way to get in."
One of the snipers asked, "Even then we have reinforcements to worry about. So how do we start off on that?"
Sally tried to figure out this dilemma before remembering the antenna that was far across from them. She knew they were vulnerable to some degree seeing an inside invasion wasn't on anyone's mind. She concluded, "Their communications. If we keep them from being able to establish immediate contact they'll be forced to deal with us. Take out their router and then start working on those cameras. Once they're out we can try seeing that our team makes its way in."
Chen reminded them, "Assuming that their first answer is to find out what the problem is. After that we'll have to take out as much of the security team as possible and hope it doesn't alert any nearby Coalition forces."
Sally finally agreed, "Pretty much the only option we have to go off of. You have your target. The power router for the relay device is behind the panel. Keep a steady aim."
It was brief seconds before Chen found her target and began to use the training that she had to hit a small target such as the one she had now. It was a tense moment but one of the critical shots were made as soon as Chen pulled the trigger. The shot was successful and the router of the antenna came falling off.
Mercurio looked up and saw the damage that was being done. The damage was subtle but it would be the first step towards marching into the prison and securing the prisoners. He heard Alberto on his radio, "Yuy. We've taken out the communications. Sit tight and wait for the forward cameras to be fried. As soon as they are get in there on the double with your guns on silencers. Don't let the alarm signal and after that the rescue will be your top priority."
"Copy that sir." He turned to Donna's group when said, "Stay back, we just gotta wait until the cameras are out before it's safe to move." Both Mercurio and Donna remained steadfast waiting for the shots. Every soldier was trained for such a day, but the waiting that came with it was enough to make teeth grinding the only method of staying calm.
Seconds passed again before the next shots were made but when they went off they signaled the time for the ground team to move in and storm the building. As soon as Mercurio heard the shots he struggled to keep his shout quiet when he ordered, "Move. That's our signal." The ground team made its way towards the main door and was soon to begin the next part of the mission.
Donna moved in with Mercurio and his group as she prepared, "Perfect. All we need is to be ready for close combat now."
Roy was close behind when he added, "Just be sure to have your gun ready and their eyes open for the enemy. Now move."
As the security cameras were taken out, the guards inside received a warning from the management, "We're getting some kind of issue with the security feedback outside."
The lead Captain of the lower levels had a responsibility to make sure that his floor was kept safe and something as serious as this quickly grabbed his attention. "What's happening? Something disable them?"
"Completely. we're not getting any recording of what's happening at the front doors."
"Doesn't sound like a bug. We'll check it out." Switching off the panel he ordered into his announcer phone, "Detail, we've got something going wrong with the security feedback outside. Check it out and be ready for repairs if necessary." At that order about a dozen guards began to make their way outside and prepare for whatever was happening. They weren't able to leave the door when they were suddenly greeted with the wrath of the resistance.
The Captain was shocked at the sudden intrusion and ordered "What the hell?! Men! Evasive positions!" As soon as they heard him everyone ducked for whatever cover they could and began to fire at the resistance. The Captain sounded the alarm signaling the breach that the prison was now undergoing.
As soon as the gunfight began between the two sides, Sally made the great struggle to stay hidden that almost any soldier had to go through. They couldn't give away their position or risk being found out. Once the enemy was within range she ordered, "Begin firing. They've made contact." At that order Chen and the others began to fire at the enemy with their silenced sniper bullets finding their targets.
Gawel had a scan of the area and saw that the cover the enemy had was going to hold up fairly well. It would be a while until the fight was over and he knew it would take time that they did not have. He warned, "They've got some decent cover sir. Looks like they're willing to put up a fight."
Sally recognized the problem and ordered, "This is going to be a problem. We can't let this firefight keep going for too long. Snipers, keep firing at the enemy and don't hit any of our guys."
Chen agreed, "Got it Colonel." It was a few moments and shots before she reported, "I don't think we can hit any more of the enemy at this angle."
Gawel knew that the firefight had to continue commenting, "Then the people we have down there better be good enough to pick off the rest of the enemy."
Sally gave an order to Alberto, "Assuming they can we'll need to get the alarm offline. Capon, tell your men to kill the alarm the first chance they get."
Alberto agreed to Sally's request and contacted Mercurio through his radio, "Yuy, that alarm is going to alert the rest of the forces in this city if we don't kill it ASAP. Get through those guards and override their system."
Mercurio heard the order and knew that the firefight could not go on for much longer. He confirmed his order, "Understood sir." Switching off the device he gave an order, "Forward teams 2 and 4, flank the enemy from the nearby windows. Try to take out the enemy from the open areas."
Donna nodded in agreement, "Alright, not a bad plan. Everyone open fire and give the right open support." The squads of soldiers continued to fire on the entrance of the prison complex with the night and sniping team as their advantage.
It was a few seconds later before the Coalition guards had been neutralized and the gunshots silenced. The soldiers of the resistance busted their way through the main doors to the damaged room where the Coalition guards lay. Zachariah made a quick evaluation, "That should be all of them here."
One of the other soldiers warned, "Quick, we need to kill the alarm." Donna rushed towards the nearest pile of bodies to find a keycard from who appeared to be the Captain of the guards and used it to swipe into the control panel as quickly as her hands allowed. It was moments later when the alarm silenced and the calm had returned to the entry hallway.
The gunfight in the lower levels of the prison had finished and the alarm was no longer warning anyone about the situation on the ground level. For almost anyone inside the building it was more confirmed as soon as the gunshots stopped. For the operators on the second floor of the building though, the main observer could not accept the idea that it was over. Unfortunately the cameras were taken out and prevented him from seeing what was happening. He established contact with the lower level, "Command this is prison observation detail, requesting your report." He patched the message through but found that there was no answer but the static of a malfunctioning relay. "Command, do you copy?" There was still static and the situation was more dire than he could believe. He had to hope that his superiors still had control of the prison when he warned, "Security detail, we are having com issues, what is your status downstairs?"
As the chief of security began to make his calls to the situation downstairs, the team realized their problem. Mercurio warned, "What do we do now? We'll have another fight on our hands if we can't lower the security."
Keijo brainstormed the only plausible idea out of the desperation, "Don't know, does anyone here sound like any of the guards we just took out?"
Roy stepped forward suggesting, "I think I might."
Mercurio knew that there was probably going to be further conflict, but it would be better than just ignoring the chief's hails. He agreed, "It's better than nothing. Quick get the security out of here. Once he's finished, we'll report to the Major and wait for further instructions."
Roy quickly grabbed the badge for the guard he thought he sounded like and agreed, "Alright, on it." He grabbed the microphone and reported to the chief somewhere upstairs, "This is Private... Vitale reporting. Situation is regulated, we've had a few armed rebels rushing in to shoot the place up. We'll begin cleanup immediately."
The lack of camera feed for what was happening below did blind the chief of security, but it wouldn't cast away any doubt on the report. The hope was crushed when a voice on the other line asked, "What's a private doing on the line?"
"Ah shit. This isn't reserved for typical grunts isn't it?" Roy cursed.
Before he could respond the voice on the other line requested, "Private our communications with other Coalition facilities are not functioning. If you can't get the tower fixed then please report to the nearest technician's post and get that thing up and working again. Now may I please report to the Captain?"
Roy found himself lost for an alternative when he answered the only way he could, "Grrr... Uh yes sir, on it right now." With that Roy fired his pistol into the computer panel to make sure that it could not be used again. He turned to his fellow soldiers when he warned, "I think we're going to have company once we get to the upper floors."
At the warning Mercurio signed onto his radio contacting, "Major."
Alberto on the other line confirmed, "Private."
"Gilliam is reporting we'll have more to deal with and the sniper team might not be able to help us."
"Can we at least locate where the science team is being held?"
It was the only chance that the team had after this situation so Mercurio asked, "Gilliam, is the prisoner chart still intact?"
Roy turned to another one of the panels that was still intact and answered, "Should be the easy part... Here. The third level is practically filled with "enemy collaborators"."
Mercurio reported the update, "It's possible the enemy collaborators on the third level may be where the science team is held."
"We'll give what supporting fire we can. Get the access codes and let's get them out of here."
"Got it sir." Mercurio switched off his radio and announced to everyone, "Once we have the code we split up and take the four corner stairways of this place.
"We'll have to be sure to take out any enemy guards we find if we want to keep them from reporting our location."
"Alright, not a problem." One soldier accepted.
"More fun for us it looks like." Zachariah said loading his pistol.
Roy checked the panel as it was updated. He listened to the transmission on his radio before reporting, "Alright, the automatic updates to the access codes should stop now. Just enter password UI44402 and we'll be able to open the cells."
Mercurio signaled to everyone waiting for the order, "We have the code, now let's move out."
Once he was finished typing, Gawel reported to his superiors, "They've got the code sir. Now it's all up to them at this point."
Chen questioned the situation, "How? Didn't we take out their communications?"
Elias elaborated the problem, "Just their communications from the outside. The complex has an internal Wi-Fi for situations such as these. They can't call for reinforcements but they'll be able to lock up the facility if they have to."
Sally understood the advantage the infiltration team now had but she recognized another problem, "If that's the case then how do we get them out if the enemy does a lock down?"
Gawel shook his head reminding them, "No clue. They're the ones who sign up for suicidal missions like these, I'm just tech support. It's up to them to get out now."
As the four teams made their way up the prison building, the chief of security finally had an idea of where to send the remaining defense personnel before something really bad happened. It was the time needed until more of his security cameras were shot and the feedback became nothing but static. "Damn it. Not again. How much of this facility needs to be taken out before the rebels are finished?" He cursed before announcing into the intercom, "Attention all security detail! This is chief of security! We have a major breach in the facility defenses! All personnel report to the third floor immediately!" At that order, the remaining personnel made their way to the third floor of the prison building and prepared for close range combat.
"You heard him, we have to get there!"
"The enemy is planning some kind of prison break? How much of a concentrated effort is this?"
"Probably a big one. They might have thrown a majority of their resources into this operation, let's hope killing them is enough to severely cripple their operations." As soon as the remaining personnel entered, they didn't see any enemies but knew that this was not a drill they were following. It was only a matter of time now before a gunfight like the one on the first floor was soon to erupt, but they would not be caught off guard.
Mercurio's team heard the warning upstairs and knew that their situation was going to be a problem. Gilliam warned, "The enemy knows we're here now. So what now?"
Mercurio understood the problem and explained, "We'll have to take out the enemy. Keep moving and fire once you see anyone who looks like personnel."
Zachariah agreed, "Good enough. We'll be ready."
It was a very short time before it could happen as Mercurio turned around one of the corners and saw several men in Coalition uniform searching for them. With their backs turned it was the perfect opportunity for a surprise attack. Mercurio ordered, "We have contact! Commence firing!"
In just a few moments after the firefight broke out, Mercurio's team took cover while picking off the security personnel that got close. The small battle within the prison intensified as gunfire erupted through the building the second time that night.
Roy slammed himself behind his corner of defense when he reloaded his gun asking, "These sons of bitches are acting like they're tough shit! How much longer before they go down?!"
Nantakarn was among Mercurio's group when he answered, "Just be glad they're prison guards and not the real deal."
One of the squads that separated from the others to cover the corners began to hear the firefight that Mercurio and his squad got themselves in. The leader ordered, "Come on! They're right there!"
The firefight kept Mercurio's group pinned down against the constant fire. He ordered his team, "Turn to the next corner! Flank the enemy and support squad 3!"
Once the plan was announced Mercurio's squad open fired with the combined efforts of the other squad. The attack was a sudden surprise that managed to catch the security guards off guard on both sides and were unable to handle holding their own against both sides. The backside attack was short lived before it subsided in this portion of the third floor.
The team leader of the supporting squad evaluated their options when he ordered, "We should send someone up to take out the security officer. It'll probably be enough to take out the alarm for a while."
One of his teammates asked, "Do you think there's anybody out there who doesn't know about our location at this point?"
The leader suggested, "It'll at least take out one more Coalition officer giving us problems. We don't need them to know about our location."
Another one the teammates volunteered, "Alright, I'll get up there and take him out. Yuy, the coast should be clear for now. Might be a good time to get the prisoners out of here."
"Thanks. We're about to get started." Mercurio gestured for his squad to follow while he contacted Alberto again for further. "Captain, the floor is now clear and we should be ready to get the science team out of here."
Alberto on the other line instructed, "Good work. Enter the code to those cells and get them out of there. If there's any able-body combat people in there who believe in our cause, let them loose as well."
"Alright, on it sir." Mecurio shut off his radio before ordering the other two team leaders, "Team 1 and 4, enter the codes to the cell rooms and let's meet down at the nearest garage. We're almost out of the woods, don't let up now."
"Easy."
"Right away." Donna agreed.
Reaching the nearest cell entry panel Mercurio entered the code and as soon as the door opened announced, "Everyone! We're with the Earth Sphere United Nations mobile suit division! We're here to get you out of here, please follow us!"
The chief of security found his position becoming much more problematic as he tried to find a way to bring order back to the prison building. Even a lightly guarded makeshift place like this should have been a challenge to take down for the enemy. "Damn it, damn it, damn it! These cameras are gonna take a month to repair!" He cursed as the cameras continued to be destroyed. Finally he was able to report one situation that would probably save his life when the team of Martian resistance soldiers were making their way towards his position. He gave a desperate announcement, "Security! We have three enemies making their way up to the top level! Requesting all available men to the security level!"
Before he could warn about the situation he found two security guards rush into his office. "Sir! The fight in there is getting more desperate!"
The other one rushed into the room before firing three more shots asking, "The top Coalition officials should have been reported by now that there's something wrong with detail! Why is no one headed for our assistance?!"
The main officer took out his own gun when he explained, "No comm links, we might as well be out dark for the main site right now!"
"Sir! The enemy is headed this way!"
There were nine security guards left to save the security level and knew that they had to do whatever possible to stop the enemy from taking out their final level of control. The leader explained, "Get ready to move. We'll take the enemy by surprise and they won't have a way out of here." The guards waited as the resistance made their way up and prepared to offer them the same level of pain that they had been dealt tonight.
The third team of resistance members made its way up the floors of the prison building while the leader proclaimed, "Here's the floor! Let's move, we have to take out that shit talker before he has anything else to say!"
It was a few moments before the announcer spoke, "Attention all security detail! Report to the main security office! I repeat! Report to the main security office!"
One of the resistance soldiers observed the announcement when he warned, "Too late. Looks like he knows we're after him."
The resistance team leader ordered, "Come on, we gotta take him out!"
It was only a few seconds after that they found the entrance to the security room and the leader at front kicked it open. He found the officer with a heavy face of concern while one of the martian team members commented, "Alright, this was actually pretty easy after all."
The assessment turned out to be wrong once the security personnel had begun to fire on them. One of the team members was shot in their arm before they stormed their way into the security room. "Both flanks! The enemy's on both flanks!"
The team leader agreed, "Pretty clear on that now! We're pretty much screwed over by now!" The firefight continued as they popped their heads out every now and again to fire at the enemy. No one was able to keep track of the body count but the length was wearing down on both sides.
One of the team members found himself getting nervous of the situation, "The enemy is moving forward! I don't know how much more of this we're gonna be able to take!"
Another one asked, "Can't we call for reinforcements?!"
The team leader shook his head, "The science team is our priority! We can't let the others get captured!"
Deciding that there was only one final resort to this position, he drew out a grenade and prepared to throw it to the enemy formation. It may have been an impossible situation, but he was going to take both sides with him now. "Down in front!"
The firefight on the top level had begun and the security guards were finally about to keep the resistance from having a presence on the higher levels. The chief of security may have been caught off guard but now he was about to be rescued by his fellow officers. He could tell when he heard someone outside order, "Keep moving in! We've almost got them finished!"
He was hoping the rebels would give up at this point but found that despite their injuries managed to keep fighting. He offered them a warning, "Y-You guys are serious?! You're up against regulars here! They'll have you all and you'll regret it!"
He wasn't able to offer any more warning when he saw the last resort of the resistance being used for this operation. Once the grenade went flying he could only curse, "AH SHIT!"
A second later someone shouted, "GRENADE!"
It was too late at all those times when the projectile exploded. There was a final blaze of fire within the building and it took everyone in the area. No one survived.
General Aleksei Fedorov observed the situation from afar with at the other end of the city once the prison building began to be set ablaze from the fighting. He could tell from the explosion, "Well, the enemy appears to have gone to extreme measures to see that they save their comrades."
One of his subordinates asked, "Should we move out now General?"
Checking the area around the prison building he shook his head and ordered, "Wait for them to move out. We'll see what they're hoping to accomplish once they get out of there."
Unsure about what the plan would entail he was asked, "A sound plan. But with all due respect, isn't it likely that they'll be trying to get out of this dome once they have their team together?"
"If they do it will be easy to keep them out. It's not wise to assume too far ahead for the enemy however. They could be up to something we won't expect."
"Very well General. We shall report to you once we have seen the prisoners move out."
As Mercurio led the science team to the lower levels of the building, he heard another contact from Alberto, "Yuy, what is the status on the prisoners?"
Just recovering his footing from the explosion Mercurio reported, "Sir, we have the entire science team with us now and they are following us to the lower grounds."
"Good timing. I get the feeling that the Coalition isn't going to ignore something this big. Get out of there now and take a convoy with the science team out of there."
"Understood Captain. Should we meet up somewhere?"
"Please let me Major."
Alberto allowed, "Colonel."
Mercurio heard the voice of Colonel Rumfoord when he was ordered, "Yuy, take the science team to the central monument. One of scientists can guide you there and you will have your next objective. We will meet you there."
Mercurio agreed to the order, "Confirmed Colonel. We're moving out." Turning to the remaining teams he ordered, "Alright, everyone take the keys and fit as many people as you can onto the convoy units. It's time for us to get out of here."
Keijo asked, "What about Team 4 though?"
Roy pointed to the smoking remains of a third-floor window when he reminded him, "I don't think it's safe to assume anyone got out of that."
Mercurio agreed reluctantly, "I'm afraid so. They knew what they were getting into. Let's move and don't let their sacrifice be for nothing."
Once Sally heard the Colonel give the instructions to Mercurio she ordered the sniper team, "You heard the Colonel, we need to get out of here and meet up with them!"
One of the snipers commented, "At the central monument? Don't get how they have an entire shuttle stuffed under that thing but it better be a convincing hiding spot!"
Chen was observing the convoy making its way towards the roads and managed to find out that they would not have to rush to meet at the monument reporting, "The convoy is on its way now sir! We might be able to meet up with them if we hurry!"
Sally looked at their current equipment and ratified her order, "Even better. Drop everything you can't immediately carry and let's get to those trucks!"
Gawel was not happy to leave behind a piece of technology he was fond of but worked used every bit of energy he had to prepare himself. He tried to furiously type at his laptop to erase the coding from their current operation while cursing, "Damn it! How is this supposed to be fitting in with my job description?!"
When no one else was left to move out of the area, Sally ordered the final technician, "Leave it Majewski! Our survival is the top priority now!"
Folding the laptop with a final flourish and rushing to meet up with the others, Gawel told her, "I'm going! I'm going! Shit she's almost as bad as the captain..."
As soon as Elias and the others were making their way towards the trucks, Keijo told his partner, "Yuy, the others are making their way towards our position!"
Mercurio registered this fact and ordered to the drivers of the other trucks, "Stop by for a sec. Let them on!" The three trucks stopped and the remaining portion of the Martian resistance had come back together again. Mercurio checked the streets and asked, "Is everyone with us?"
Zachariah took a search around and confirmed, "That's it. Let's get rolling now!"
Keijo was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief with this portion of the mission done and commented, "Well that didn't go quite as bad as it could have."
Mercurio agreed, "The losses are unfortunate, but we should hopefully be able to get more out of this than we lost."
Maddox was more enthusiastic about the victory asking, "Man there was at least 30 guards we went up against in there. How many do you think you got Mercurio?"
Mercurio tried to count in his head and ended up estimating, "Don't know, probably four or five."
Zachariah checked behind him when he congratulated, "Four or five? Not too bad for a first time off planet I guess."
Keijo reminded him, "This was our first close hand firefight period you have to remember."
Zachariah clenched his fists out of the excitement, "Yeah, at least it finished the mission and we managed cause some chaos out in this city out of it."
The convoy searching over the resistance making their way towards the central monument were still being monitored as they made their escape. Most of ther soldiers were fiarly confused when they heard the report. One of the general's advisors reported, "We are on their position now sir. From what we can tell they don't appear to be headed towards any of the city exits."
Aleksei questioned, "Can we determine where though?"
"Yes sir. They appear to be heading to the central portion. If they keep going that way they'll be completely out in the open." His advisor pointed this out with obvious confusion about why the enemy would go into such an open spot.
The General explained, "You would be surprised to know what the enemy knows about this city. In a very short time it will even be self-explanatory."
"If you say so sir. Shall we pursue?"
"Yes. But maintain a safe distance so they do not recognize us."
"Understood General." Aleksei's advisor opened a radio frequency to the nearby convoy vehicles ordering, "By order of General Federov, all units are to maintain a safe distance from the enemy until we have met them at their final location."
The order was given and the convoy began to make its way towards the central monument along with the rebels. It would now be a matter of time before they were brought under the heel of Aleksei's tactics. He accessed his radio and commanded, "Command. Once I give the signal, activate the perimeter defenses."
The command personnel on the other line confirmed, "Yes sir. We will be on standby waiting for your command."
The general gave a final approval, "Perfect. Prepare for a final victory. Soon the planet will be ours alone." The pieces were in play now. General Aleksei Fedorov never expected to have such luck on his side but he was now going to have the resistance trapped under this dome and forced to listen to his demands.