Few comprehend the scale of the devastation brought by the Falson Coalition's desire for the retribution of Ewan Falson. Born from a desire to see a fair economy be achieved was this one man moved to speak his voice for the many who were oppressed. By the hand of one however was this man's mighty protest silenced. The years that came to follow created an animosity from the colonies before it came to form the broken promise the Earth had feared. Eleven years have passed since the formation of this Coalition and its desire for vengeance. Even today it has not been sated.

Episode 27: Lifetimes of Servitude

Once the forces had been gathered to their rallying point away from the L4 colony Demetrios was able to ponder his next move in hoping to thwart the Gundams in their escape. He was given a damage report of his fleet from one of his operators, "Our forces have regrouped Admiral. From our estimates we seem to have lost approximately 40% of our mobile suit forces and 25% of our battleship forces have been destroyed."

Not bothering to grieve on the losses he had made in the previous battle the Admiral stayed focused on his mission when he asked, "Are we nearing a satellite for communications?"

"Yes sir. We can patch in to Earth at your request."

Another one of the operators adjusted the requested channel Demetrios had requested, "We have communications with the President."

Demetrios began to speak to the holographic Nathaniel Falson, "Mr. President. This is Admiral Demetrios Kontoyannis speaking. We are now able to confirm that the Earth Sphere Gundams are on their way back to Earth. We have image feed prepared." He presented a series of images taken from the battlefield of the Gundams at their worst dealing damage to the Coalition fleet that even some of the worst catastrophes of the eleven-year war hadn't been able to muster.

Nathaniel looked over the actions of the previous battle able to confirm, "It would seem that President Kecker was not trying to buy time after all. At least now we know to expect their arrival."

Demetrios promised, "We will be able to continue the pursuit once we have received reinforcements sir. We will have to pursue them wherever their next destination is."

"Are you capable of determining their next destination? I won't allow our forces to be sent on a chase to find nothing."

"From what we have been able to calculate Mr. President the Solaris is making its way towards Luna base."

"If it is their next destination then I shall permit you to rally a fleet capable of infiltrating their defenses."

"Thank you, Mr. President. I will see that the Gundams are stopped before they can reach Earth."

"Ensure that you are capable of meeting this promise Admiral. We do not have any further room for error." With that final message the hologram of the president faded and gave Demetrios the authority he wanted. He now had the chance to rally a larger fleet to his command and soon towards a greater goal of taking back the Earth moon they had lost so long ago. It would perhaps be a matter of time before it was ready but the Gundams would be given a harder assault than they would hope for.

When the launch managed to begin and the mobile suits were loaded, Zachariah was able to look at what they had achieved when leaving the L4 colony commenting, "Looks like we managed to make another desperate escape. Don't know how we keep pushing our luck this way but it's better than dying out there."

Keijo agreed with the sentiment, "Sure is. Not to mention we're pulling off things that would normally take multiple squadrons to achieve with the Gundams here."

Roy reminded them of the damage done, "Their pilots may be the best suited for them but it's still kind of harrowing to know that they can't avoid every shot."

Mercurio had joined them with a brief sigh, "Yeah. I hope that we're able to make necessary repairs once we reach Luna. We might be caught off guard next time."

Roy found Mercurio's idea surprising. "Really? So we just got out of that blaze and you're already thinking about throwing yourself into the next one? You starting to like this?"

Mercurio shook his head when he told Roy, "Well I'm pretty much just expecting the worst out of the next stop. Even with all of the forces we took out we probably won't be able to lose the Coalitions pursuit."

Keijo knew that Mercurio was right about the pursuit when he thanked, "And I was thinking that another round of cheers was in order for our achievement. Thanks for bringing us back down to reality."

Roy reminded them, "I'm sorry to disappoint but we do still have a dire situation on Earth we need to correct. We might be able to say we won the war if we manage to change things around."

Zachariah could only add, "Bigger scale things are a chore to work out. I guess there's a reason we're the grunts of our faction."

The idea was unfortunate, but it seemed that if anyone was capable of capable of ending the war they wouldn't be on the front lines fighting. It probably said something about Mercurios character but at the same time made him consider just how much of a difference he did make. We might be able to face the Coalition on Earth. If we return now though, just how will we be greeted?

When the confirmation of the Gundams had reached his ears, Nathaniel had begun to prepare for another meeting with the captured Parliament of the Earth Sphere. It had been about one week since they invaded the ESUN capital and the Parliament members were already starting to show signs of wear from their sentence. He stood in place of Franz at his podium when he addressed to the members, "If we are to discover just how to prevent another war of this scale then we must be able to determine the root cause of what brought us here in the first place."

It wasn't surprising to hear one of the Parliament members speak out, "You only now believe this to be the solution Mr. Falson?"

He took control of the situation when he answered, "Our past was the product of an unfortunate collision of two differing ideas of who to solve a key issue. The Xhosa Administration had some interest in seeing the Coalition brought to peace talks but was forced into a defensive initiative. If I heard correctly it was also a matter of days ago when this Parliament and President Kecker only then decided that peace talks should be considered an option. Of course I do not place all of the blame squarely on the Earth Sphere. The fact does remain that... the Coalitions late President was driven more by a sense of righteousness rather than a peaceful solution."

Another one of the Parliament members asked, "What was the late President attempting to accomplish? Is war the only industry the Coalition she formed the only option to a growing economy?"

Nathaniel gave his most sympathetic speech to date when he explained, "No. All of you may be familiar with the assassination of Ewan Falson. Instead of seeking a possible peaceful solution along with bringing those responsible to justice his wife was instead convinced of a greater plot from those in power to see the Earth Sphere back to what it was decades ago. Regrettably it would seem that is not so far from the truth. But I will be able to prevent what those who attempted this plan to play out. I will offer anyone here the opportunity to confess to their crime of seeing President Kecker being their chosen leader. Know that down the line I will see anyone who attempts to avoid this system will be tried as a war criminal." He came back to his force as a leader when he demanded one final thing from his audience, "As promised however I shall see to it that war is prevented from erupting once again on such a scale. We shall utilize a collective effort to see that no one is forced to pay the prices of war not just in our generation or the next but for the remaining ones we have as a species. It is with this ambition in mind that we must make two specific goals towards undoing our mistakes. We must hold the politicians responsible for leading the Earth Sphere to its path of domination and make an example of them. The clear and present danger however is from what is now on its way here to Earth. It will threaten to undo any progress that we may make towards peace. I ask you now to follow my follow this final sentiment. See that the Gundams are destroyed once and for all."

There was a reasonable uproar from the Parliamentary members as they heard out the Coalition President's demand to see that the Gundams be destroyed. They had been designed for the purpose of turning the war in favor of the Earth Sphere but were now supposed to be the targets would ensure what Nathaniel called peace.

Malcolm was the first to announce to the President, "Mr. Falson I find the situation most regrettable and the ones responsible should in fact pay for allowing this conflict to spiral out of hand for as long as it did. However there is nothing to be gained just by destroying these machines or devoting our resources to search for them."

One of the Representatives across the room gave a sudden uproar of protest, "We must follow through with the President's claim! If they arrive on Earth without a central chain of command to follow they may as well use their own judgment when they arrive on Earth!"

Zlata accused the man, "You claim to believe that our fighting men and women are capable of seeing our command as being lesser than their own personal beliefs of what we as a Government body must stand for?"

Nathaiel snapped at the accusation, "The two are integrated in times such as these! And with all of that power at their fingers they will easily believe that they are engaged in a fight against the world!"

Even the First Priority member Evangeline voiced outrage at the idea, "My husband is out there and we don't know where he might be! He is however not a madman who believes that he can claim the Earth Sphere for himself if he were to liberate us today!"

"Representatives please calm yourselves." Franz entered the conversation. He stood on the left end of his old podium with this as his only option of observing the Representatives. He turned to Nathaniel telling him, "We may be willing to follow with your demands Mr. Falson. However we will need the proper time to discover their whereabouts and we may need to find out where they will be headed." He added one key question hoping to see the President present and answer to his advantage. "And if they are to make their way down to Earth it may be our only option of pursuing them. Another issue however is about our status in this post war scenario. How are we to assist you if we are to surrender our arms after falling to the Coalition?"

The military division led by General Alphonse de Lombard was able to hear the recent news on the update from the President as they heard what Nathaniel Falson wanted out of his victory. Unfortunately the only ones allowed to hear it firsthand were the highest members in the chain of command. It left many of the soldiers and pilots anxious until the General made his way to the camping field the division had made for itself. One of the pilots was the first to ask his superior informally, "Have we at least go anything on the situation in Brussels?"

Alphonse did not consider this a time for formalities and he was able to let this much slide. The men were too uptight and worried about how vengeful the Falson leadership would be for the success of their war. He steeled himself to be prepared for the news when he answered, "Thankfully it seems that the top officials are allowing some news to spread through the higher up ranks to those such as myself. I think it's best that I be the one to give everyone the news. From what we have heard President Falson has only brought forward two requirements. The first is finding the Representatives who were apparently responsible for starting this war in the first place."

A loud commotion erupted from the soldiers on the idea with Campbell voicing his displeasure, "Bullshit! They're the ones who invaded!"

Hyrum found himself agreeing with the sentiment when he asked, "How can they expect us to pay for it when they were the ones who invaded?"

Alphonse wasn't as passionate about the dissent when he tried to explain the reasoning behind the Coalition leadership. "It seems that President Falson believes that we have some who believed that the Earth Sphere was on its way to returning to its old ways."

Hyrum brought another question to Alphonse's attention, "Even if we were the ones who did it they would be out of power by now wouldn't they?"

"That should be the case. However it seems that Nathaniel isn't pleased with only letting those individuals wander free and possibly find the correct steps towards another war of this scale."

Another one of the soldiers spoke up from the crowd when he pointed out the obvious flaw, "If it's his goal to stop another war maybe he should have done that when he succeeded the last President! He had three years to get it out of the way, it doesn't take that long!"

Alphonse didn't have any further answers on the political stage when he continued his report, "Politics seems to proceed differently than we might hope it to. However the other requirement may be the most harrowing of them both."

Campbell swallowed at what possible conditions could be made from the Coalition when he brought out his question, "Really? How does it get worse?"

Alphonse turned to him when he gave an uwavered answer, "We are to pursue the Gundams should they arrive on Earth."

There was a dead silence among the soldiers of the camp until one of the pilots shook her head in despair, "It's official. The Coalition wants us all dead."

Campbell asked her, "You don't think only three Gundams are able to put up a decent fight against the Earth Sphere and the Coalition combined are ya?"

Hyrum pointed out the obvious answer, "Five were able to. And our tech isn't that much better from those days."

Campbell fell down on his knees when he cursed, "It isn't. And we had every right to hope that it wouldn't in the case of war."

Alphonse knew the despair only continued to mount with the news but was only able to concern himself, "The worst-case scenario will certainly be if the Gundams do leave our chain of command. I only wonder how our leaders will be capable of handling these upcoming days."

Nathaniel heard out the concern from the President and now had the opportunity to give his next demand, "I should expect of course that you will be able to accept these terms Representatives. This is a joint effort that must be reached in order for us to achieve a peaceful tomorrow. As part of the effort to see the Gundams be removed from existence, I shall now request that President Franz Kecker now surrender his position as Commander in Chief of the Earth Sphere United Nations Forces to me." The next answer from President Kecker was something to bear intrigue.

Franz wondered to himself, Would anyone be willing to sacrifice the position as Commander in Chief now? How stubborn would he be in this position?

Before Franz could attempt to answer the question Nathaniel brought him the Parliament had begun to stage another uncontrolled uproar at the idea.

"Surrender that kind of power?!"

"Mr. President don't agree to this!"

"Do you want him to have a reason to destroy us further?!"

The discussion continued as though they were still in the war planning stages of the conflict. Heero among them only observed next to Relena of what the politicians were trying to accomplish or to avert. With the growing number of Coalition soldiers and the enclosed space the debate had become more troublesome to handle with each passing day.

The Instructor kept moving from location to location after he got off on Calais. Lord Lindemann remained silent, dejected with defeat while being guided around in the wheelchair. All of his rage was squandered with his rant on the Falson family he had for days on the boat, running out at the last day. The Instructor kept himself updated with the news from Brussels with newspapers and news channels, becoming more and more concerned with the Coalition's victory. He brought out his mobile phone to contact Heero directly on what's happening in the occupied capital.

"Heero, it's me." He said on the phone. "I received the grim news from Brussels. What are you planning to do?"

When Heero felt his personal phone vibrate he knew it was from someone important. He left the Parliament floor, "Excuse me."

He made his way through the crowd to one of the nearby hallways where there weren't so many guards to overhear what he had to report. He heard Instructor W request for him and responded, "Speaking." One he heard the sentiments he had to explain just how he would handle it. Sadly he was not able to uncaringly wipe out the Coalition occupation like he did in his prime years. He hesitated before he answered, "… The Coalition President is planning to hold a trial to see who is to be determined guilty for starting the war. Apparently he does believe in the cause for war that Hermine Falson followed."

He felt another weight drop in his stomach when he gave the second condition. "The Coalition President also wants to claim President Keckers position as Commander in Chief of the Earth Sphere forces. Nathaniel doesn't even want the Gundams to be captured now. He wants them to be destroyed." Heero answered this with his best attempt to remain indifferent to the condition. It had been a matter of weeks ago before he learned of his son piloting a Gundam. It affected him in a way that blatantly displayed his humanity for such a situation but was a struggle to place on the same level of those who were in the same spot.

The news Instructor W heard was as much as he feared. The thoughts on war criminals were on the developers of the Gundams and their financial supporters, pointing to himself and the Lord. "I'm on the run with one of the Gundam's benefactors, Lord Lindemann."

Heero still had to answer the question on his action though when he brought himself out of the concern. "If I can do anything to voice for the innocence of the Parliament I will do everything I can to assist them... Even then I don't think this will end without anyone paying Nathaniel's price."

He talked. "I will be leaving Europe to avoid capture. Good luck with the trials." He hung up the phone, now knowing that the situation was bleak in Brussels and to let Heero return to the parliament quickly. He pushed the wheel chair to a bus terminal, where he started to look for a bus to take them South. From what he estimated with the map, he will have to take the route to Reims, Dijon, Lyon then Marseille. He bought two one-way tickets to Reims to begin their journey to the South of France.

Franz stood before the Representatives announcing, "My fellow Representatives please show restraint." It was only a few seconds before the Representatives stopped talking and listened to their leader. "I recognize the concern is great, but it is something we must address if we are to see the Coalition show us any mercy." He gave this reminder before he gave his answer to the Coalition President. "Mr. President I see your plan to pursue the Gundams in hopes of destroying them. However I must decline the proposition. The military will only agree to such a demand when there is a direct threat that may threaten us all. Until the Gundams have been proven to be a direct threat to our existence then I must regretfully decline to surrender my power as Commander in Chief for now. I do not intend to do so out of hope for maintaining my power but simply because the military will not agree to such a demand." The response from the crowd was silent this time as they wondered just how Nathaniel would respond. They had been complacent in following the demands of the Coalition up to this point but it was concerning just what the next outcome would be.

Nathaniel found the answer to be rather surprising to say the least. He did not expect Franz would be reluctant on surrendering his power. On the same note it shouldn't have been quite so easy either. He maintained his calm when he used his answer against him. "I shall respect your judgment Mr. Kecker. I will let it be known here today however that any damage that is to be done by the hands of the Gundams will be on the shoulders of you and your administration." The idea would only serve to sully the reputation of his enemy further. He turned to his first condition for peace when he ordered his men, "I shall now require full cooperation from all Representatives. Once the investigation begins we will take all suspect members to be brought to justice. All Representatives shall now be divided into proportioned sections of the building. Updates on the status of the investigation shall be reported regularly."
The soldiers in the building were led by one of the superiors, "All Representatives follow our lead."

Bertram waited for the first development that he would hear as he watched outside the window of the Testudo. He stood with the same look that Edward had when he saw the city of Brussels coming ever closer within range of the Coalition fortress. "The only flaw was that you had faith in me making this dream of yours a reality. As of today, however, I shall be the only witness to what the flow of history is to offer me." He had another pause as he looked to the men behind him working on the Testudo controls when he added, "Faith in other men. Now that is what was truly your undoing wasn't it? It is because you chose to believe in my dedication to your desires that you failed and yet it was because of that promise I made that I was able to achieve this day. Such a pit of snakes that the trust of human bonds can be. Now I ask you Edward, who in that pit did you try to ally with to prevent you from being swallowed?"

Before he could reflect on the situation any further, he heard one of the operators announce, "Sir, Private Tripi has been sent to the interrogation room as you requested."

Bertram turned away from the window view when he ordered, "Keep me informed of any activity that develops should the enemy attempt anything."

"Yes sir."

Bertram left the main room of operations as he followed behind one of the guards who marched ahead of him. It was only a short while before he entered a room with only a table, two chairs, and Celso waiting with his fingers folded. He broke his still pose when he gave a salute, "Strategist Stephens. Nice to see that you found me worth your time. How is the General? Is he busying himself with a view of the enemy for right now?"

Bertram shook his head when he answered, "It's something that I'm afraid is not as ideal private. We have only now discovered the unfortunate truth that General Blare was not working in the best interest of the Coalition goals."

Celso gave a face of concern when he asked, "Is that so? My, how regrettable. I had believed that he was a more noble man than what would cause him to get in this sort of trouble."'

Bertram nodded, "Indeed It certainly is a regrettable scenario when the man who has to weed out the traitors of the Coalition was in the fact the very man who believed he could achieve what his adversaries could not. However there are at least a few stones that must be turned in this discovery. Truly if Edward were able to bring about the case where he would bring himself into power, he will require the support of his fellow men in order to have his seat secured."

Celso opened his hand when he offered, "I did not imagine that he would deviate to the point killing the President. You must also be able to remember that the orders of a General is to follow the commands of his president who is already a man of the people. The people of the colonies have spoken that they desire justice to be done in that it will prevent the Earth Sphere from becoming a threat to all of humanity."

Bertram walked up to the table where he placed both of his hands and started at Celso with an intent stare. "As you should also remember private, that there are contingencies who believe a united Earth while risky will provide a state of unity that can be pinned on. At least that is one of a few differing beliefs that permeates through the minds of the colonists. No matter their reasoning, there is only one question I have for you private. Are you one of the sympathizers for General Blare's cause?"

Celso brought his hands across his chest when he answered, "You have only got me guilty for being a loyal soldier to his superior Mr. Stephens. I've had no part in trying to make him supreme ruler of Earth."

Bertram lifted himself from the table when he walked over to the nearest guard to claim a file. He dropped it in front of Celso when he opened it asking, "Is that truly the case private? Because I do not imagine that the General would select you as part of his personal guard only because you have managed to be a survivor for these many sorties. What sort of assurance can you offer me to confirm that you are innocent of the General's true ambition?"

Celso answered without a shake in his voice, "I can provide you that assurance by offering the words of the General when we were discussing the future of the Coalition all the years back to the siege of L4. If those aren't enough, the at least you could accept that there were certain actions that he performed to make it seem he had the cause as his foremost concern."

Bertram sat himself across from Celso when he offered, "Very well private. Give us an account of what happened at L4 that you believe grants immunity."

Celso nodded when he began, "Very well. It happened at X-12777. The stage of the siege is which the Earth Sphere made an attempt to take their palace in space back in 219."

The colony that was once under the firm control of the Coalition had fallen into anarchy as battleships from both Earth Sphere and Coalition origin stage their battle. What smaller battles that the battleships couldn't manage were held between the Earth Sphere's last remaining Leo units and the desperate Coalition Leo II units. Celso was able to watch the battle outside from the hallway window while he held onto his assault rifle for dear life. Even with the Coalition and Earth Sphere in conflict, the battle outside wasn't as simple as many soldiers would have preferred it.

"Now of all times they had to have a third faction show up?" Celso wandered through the halls as he left the sight of the battle behind to enter another hallway. He could hear a few rounds of gunfire resonate through the halls as he hugged against the wall and checked for a way out. At the moment he was alone and unprotected with only a four-way hall intersection in front of him. The situation wasn't any more assuring when he heard gun fire sound its way through the halls again before offering an unsettling pause. He shined a flashlight down the left hallway when he checked to see who was still alive but saw only the bodies of a few fellow soldiers with their blood on the walls. He looked down the opposite hall to see enemy casualties in the same state but were almost off guard when he heard someone nearby ask, "Who's there?"

Celso grabbed a hold of one of his grenades when he answered, "12th company. Assigned to these lower halls."

"You're with the insert company? More of your men are still out there, only now assisting Byrant's forces."

Celso let go of his grenade when he turned to see a reassuring sight. Right now he did not have to concern himself with enemy soldiers, but instead a superior who found his way to him. "Lieutenant Colonel. Certainly a relief to see you down here. I have to wonder just what's going on upside."

Edward loaded a clip into his rifle when he answered, "We were caught off guard by the Earth Sphere sympathizers. Most of us have been killed with the exception of one and the men who made their way in here."

"The Colonel among the guys here?"

"Unfortunately he didn't make it."

"Damn. I don't think it's going to get any easier sir. The insertion team hasn't really got many survivors."

Edward reached to grab Celso's communication unit when he told them, "We can still have a successful mission. It will be up to Byrant to utilize the damage to his advantage." Celso waited for Edward to begin the transmission when he heard him order, "This is the infiltration team. All enemy support at the lower colonial defenses are now exposed. You are now clear to open fire."

A voice on the other line asked, "Lieutenant Colonel? Won't you and your men be caught in the fire?"

Edward dismissed the concern, "We may not have another chance. This insurgency must be suppressed no matter what we must endure."

There was a pause before the confirmation, "May God be with you Colonel."

Celso realized the situation when he observed, "We've got front row seats to some serious fireworks I take it?"

Edward confirmed, "Regretfully it will be so private. This will be for the betterment of the Coalition's cause." Before either of them could exchange words further, the colony was rocked by an explosion. Celso grabbed hold of Edward's arm as he rushed his superior through the halls. Celso took one hall down the right before taking a dash down the next intersection. Celso checked the sounds of the explosions becoming louder before checking ahead to see the Coalition soldiers Edward's company was part of.

He noticed all of them were locked in a gunfight with the colony soldiers up ahead when he warned, "Move it! We're being breached!" The men heard the warning as they charged forward into the opposing gunfire. Both sides saw how serious the situation was when the walls behind erupted in flame before exposing everyone in the colony halls to the vacuum of space. There was no further fighting when everyone inside made a struggle only to reach the exit that was nearby.

"As you might be able to tell strategist, the call wasn't a total loss for our forces considering the outcome and how at least both me and the general were able to make the scape."

Bertram checked the folder when he agreed, "Blare's call. He was fortunate that the ships utilized missiles or the situation would have been very different."

"Of course strategist. The general was not only knowledge able but he also recognized that he had to place something greater than himself in front of this supposed ambition of his."

Bertram wasn't moved when he told him, "Performing an act of selflessness does not mark the character of a man. Simply being a significant part in ending the uprising that Donald Pastorino instigated does not allow us to look into his inner thinking."

Celso asked, "Well if that's what you were looking for strategist, then why don't you just ask the general what made him finally snap?"

"You recognize the situation too well private. You should be asking yourself just how loyal to the general's ambition you are."

"Well that I've answered. I am not planning a sabotage of the Testudo in any way. Shall I continue my duties then?"

"You may be reprieved once you confirm the name of one candidate we'll move on to. Does the name of Susanne Isaacs mean anything to you?"

Celso paused before he asked, "Will saying that I am be enough to get me out of this miniature court martial? "

"We already have her private. If it is true, then that confirms what we have been able to discover." Bertram gestured for Celso to stand up when one of the guards opened the door to the interrogation room to reveal a woman around Celso's age. Bertram ordered, "You are to wait outside until you have been given the decision about what position you will soon fill."

Celso shrugged when he accepted, "I'll count my blessings strategist. Ms. Issacs, good luck in here." Celso walked out the door while Susanne was led to the chair Celso was sitting in earlier.

She sat without hesitation when she greeted, "Mr. Strategist. I have done nothing but follow on the orders of my superiors since we arrived."

Bertram removed the folder from the table when he told her, "Indeed Private Isaacs. As such you have offered nothing but the finest operations aboard the Testudo and offered significant security. There is a period where we must question what it is that will place some fighting men and women as the most important on the field. Something that you and Private Tripi both share in common."

"The most we have ever had in common was assisting one another on the battlefield from time to time sir."

"One key area among them being on L3 during Pastorino's uprising."

Susanne paused when she heard the point and remembered, "So that is what you and Tripi were discussing. You wanted to allow us to reminisce of the old days when it didn't seem like the general would stab us all in the back."

Bertram moved closer to the table when he answered, "More importantly why it is that you would chose to be so close to the general but neglect to report on his plan. I am still hopeful that you are not among those traitorous ranks."

Susanne remained as rigid as she had before when she answered, "My word is as good as Privat Tripi's sir. I am only another soldier who remains to the Coalition's cause."

"Not too regular that you would be among those to receive a special request from the General." Bertram shifted through the folder when he explained, "You and three others were selected by the General to accompany you in this descent. There must be some special association that had before to earn such a privilege."

Susanne didn't deny the claim when she answered, "The reason behind my selection may have been grounded in the fact that I was w2illing to be such a loyal soldier at his side every time we were in the field."

Bertram nodded when he confirmed, "This is what I need to see confirmed private. What was the day that made you stand loyal to the general?'

Susanne relaxed her gaze when she answered, "It was back in 219 during the uprising. We were able to breach through the lower half of the colony, but we were more concerned about what was waiting there for us."

The colony of X-12777 was under the first stages of being sieged as the missiles hit its underside. Susanne could only see the debris fall from the attacked colony but knew they were offering the path to an even greater number of casualties. At the moment she was only concerned with her situation in the cockpit of her Leo II. She held onto the grips in her cockpit when she grit her teeth cursing, "Come on… We have to launch now…"

Only a few seconds passed before she heard her captain announce, "We're ready to breach. All units prepare for launching procedures."

Susanne was among the squadron who answered, "We're prepared sir." At that announcement, the eight Leo II mobile suits launched out of the hangar bay of the battleship towards the damaged part of the colony. The battleships were continuing their engagement with one another while the mobiles suits fired several shots that breezed past her position. The vertigo and rapidly approaching target was enough to make Susanne's trigger finger twitch as though an enemy unit was in sight.

Susanne watched her interface close in on the location of the colony as the number of meters went down at a rapid pace. Even as fast as the numbers continued to decrease, she felt the wayward shots fly past her and increase the sense of urgency in being able to reach her final target. The fears became even more real as she saw her radar indicate a shot make contact with one of her squad mates and result in an explosion a little way away from her. She didn't let herself be dissuade however as she kept her focus on the colony in front of her and dodged the oncoming debris to continue her way towards her destination.

At the 1000-meter mark she heard her captain order, "All units open fire!"

Relieved to hear the order, Susanne agreed, "Firing!" Susanne pulled on her trigger as she watched the shot from her assault rifle make its way towards the exposed colony. Without any further resistance she saw a way into the earth-like atmosphere waiting for her. She pressed further and further through until there was the feeling of a landing on the feet of her Leo unit.

Checking next to the units she saw most of her entire had made it in before she heard her captain order, "Good work. Prepare to follow the mission boys and girls. The exciting part is about to come up."

Susanne checked her surroundings as she saw a small gathering of Coalition soldiers beneath her when she reported, "The insertion team seems to have made it out captain."

The captain accepted, "That's great to hear. They probably taken on casualties so make sure they have a defensive area."

Susanne moved towards the gathered soldiers when she accepted, "I'll maintain their cover sir."

Before she could hear any additional orders, she heard her captain proclaim, "Shit! We've got company!" Susanne looked to her captain's position when she saw something she didn't expect the Earth Sphere to have.

A squadron of Leo II units made their way towards her location but was firing on her fellow pilots. "They were waiting for this?" Susanne asked herself when she prepared her assault rifle for the incoming charge. Two of her supporting pilots went up in an explosion while she moved back towards the forest area for whatever she could gain for cover. Standing behind a nearby tree she fired on one of the charging mobile suits to see it explode on contact. She quickly activated her comms unit when she asked, "Captain! Do you have any strategy for us to follow?"

Her captain answered through static, "Isaacs! Maintain your position and pick them off! We have to get to Pastorino above all else!"

Susanne grunted as she checked her ammunition and felt a few shots fly pasts her cover and threaten to come closer within range. She confirmed, "We're remaining where we are captain! What do we do about the insertion team?"

The captain received a hit on his side but managed to answer, "They have to handle themselves! We can't move another inch unless we get some kind of support!"

Susanne prepared her rifle as she held it in both hands of her mobile suit when she told him, "Our goal right now is to get Pastorino cornered! We can't wait for some support that we aren't getting!"

The captain kept to his cover when he asked, "You're heading out there on your own Isaacs? You're going to get yourself killed out there!"

Susanne took aim towards a few targets when she answered, "We're here to accomplish a mission sir. Not to take the safest way in." Her Leo II charged away from the tree as she fired on the nearest mobile suit. To her approval the Leo II was destroyed but she saw a multitude of shots fly her way as she pressed her mobile suit to the ground for minimal cover.

She tackled close to a building on the city edge where she was able to find cover as she prepared her rifle and waited for the next opportunity to attack from cover. One shot flew past her view on her right before turning to prepare for her next attack. Moving her Leo II outside of cover, Susanne fired her rifle as fast as her trigger allowed but was caught off guard by a charging mobile suit. She managed to hit it in the cockpit but the explosion that came after came with such force that it damaged her rifle and forced it flying from her hands. The danger didn't end however when she saw another flurry of shots fly towards her and force her on her back. Susanne made a roll to her right as she took cover and prepared to draw her beam sword.

Before it continued however, she received a transmission that wasn't from her squadron. She activated the signal when she heard a voice on the line congratulate, "Great job on that charge, now we just need to get ready to take down the rest."

Before Susanne could finish her story, Bertram asked, "So was this the day where you first met Private Kuester?"

Susanne confirmed the question when she answered, "This was the first sortie that both he and I worked together on, but I am not completely sold on what his involvement has to do with my report."

Bertram told her, "As I am uncertain what it is that makes you believe that you are still able to withhold information from me private. For being among the specially listed soldiers for the descent in the Testudo, I would believe that you were briefed on what to do under circumstances such as this one. If you have no intention of risking Private Kuester's place as a soldier, then you will confirm your plan for this situation now."

Susanne wasn't moved when she simply answered, "With all due respect sir this is a rather piss poor example of an interrogation. I think it should be enough for me to simply say that I had no involvement in this supposed example of the general plotting to turn the Testudo against us. The only option you have left is to follow up with torture, but I will let you know that you'd be wasting time. I have no knowledge of what the general wants or why he assigned me here."

Bertram turned to the door in the room when he added, "And the same would apply to the specially assigned ones who brought you here from what I am to understand. Most unfortunate but I require results private. If you truly have anything to hide, then waiting in the halls for your friends should not be an issue."

Susanne stood up from her chair as a guard came to approach her while she accepted, "If that is what you wish strategist, I will follow through." Susanne walked out of the room at gunpoint before her presence was replaced by another soldier.

Bertram waved his entry as he greeted, "Private Jens Kuester. Your cooperation is appreciated."

Jens walked to the area where Susanne sat when he returned, "Wish this wasn't under some threatening circumstance sir, I didn't have any intention of going against you or anyone on the Testudo."

Bertram watched him sit when he told Jens, "Unfortunately the evidence only builds a case in which you may have difficulty explaining private. Should this ignorance you display be genuine, I would hope you remember what the most severe consequences shall be."

Jens demonstrated his acceptance of the situation when he simply answered, "I'm here to comply with my superiors. If that also says it's true, then I have to answer what makes it all so special that we'd receive a request from the general right?"

Bertram nodded when he added, "Private Isaacs informed me that the two of you first met during Pastorino's uprising six years ago. Apparently you were capable of upending Leo II units with your own resources. The reports do match your account for what happened that day but so far we do not have any meaningful information on what you came to see the general become."

Jens smirked when he asked, "And you never thought that maybe the fact is we only haven't heard about anything that he might have wanted to do with us?"

Bertram stood by his suspicion when he answered, "There is very little that Edward would specially request without any steps ahead. He was willing to believe that I would be at his side in securing his claim on Earth. There was his only flaw."

"Good for you strategist. Staying dedicated to a cause does force us to create a convincing façade."

"And even should your ignorance be true, it doesn't free you from the association that you must explain. I require now information on the time when you first saw the general in person."

"That is all you want to hear? Not about how I was able to help Isaacs take down all those Leo II units with just one harpoon?"

"Leave details such as those to reports and sharing war stories. You will offer me the details I am now requiring private."

Jens sat back in his chair when he answered, "Okay, a face to face meeting it is. So the colony was taken and we were able to take out the Earth Sphere mobile suits inside. All we had after that was a few hundred of their grunts to grind out."

The remains of destroyed Leo II units filled the atmosphere of the colony while Jens rushed to the nearest building where the Coalition soldiers had gathered. Among the soldiers he saw Celso and Susanne before he stood next to them and stood at attention. Against the crumbled remains of what was destroyed, Edward observed the state of his troops before he checked through a pair of binoculars to see what the enemy was up to. He saw only a lone building mostly undamaged but with the remaining Pastorino sympathizers entrenched in their last line of defense.

Edward returned his sight to the line of soldiers waiting for his orders when he told them, "We only have a short way to go now. Everyone who is prepared to liberate this colony from the Earth Sphere, we are tasked now with the last necessary charge. We are going to infiltrate their headquarters while they are scrambling to organize their ranks. Once they are without their leader, they will be without motivation to continue this conflict. Do you recognize your target that awaits us?"

Jens answered with his fellow soldiers, "We see it sir!"

Edward led the charge as he moved away from the cover of the building when he ordered, "Move out!" Jens grabbed hold of his harpoon as he rushed forward to the headquarters that would bring down the Earth Sphere.

Victory seemed to be within a short grasp away before Jens was reminded how persistent the enemy was. From the ground near the building the Coalition soldiers were headed for, another Leo II unit rose with black armor plating on its upper body and two Gatling guns for its right arm. Jens watched the mobile suit walk forward while he followed Edward's lead of backing away from the sight of the mobile suit. His voice shook when he asked, "Sir, that's not one of ours is it?"

Edward watched the mobile suit continue its advance when he ordered, "No. Everyone retreat to the nearest building!"

The gathered soldiers all made a rush for a nearby parking structure ash they saw the looming threat come closer to their location.

Susanne tried to remain calm when she warned, "That thing is going to find us all and all we have are peashooters to use on it."

Jens corrected her when he told her, "This is more than we need." When the gathered soldiers rushed to the slope leading to the third level, shots from a weapon far away tore through the building as the ceiling began to collapse. "Shit! Let's move out!" Jens turned as he and his fellow soldiers rushed for the nearest window. Not even bothering to help anyone behind him, Jens made a leap through the glass as the ceiling came to fall down on him. He was able to grab onto a railing for safety but felt fear briefly rush through him when the remains of the parking structure loomed its shadow over him."

"Private! Can you confirm any survivors?" Jens broke out of his fear of the building above him when he looked below to see Celso and Susanne holding on to the lower levels of the building along with most of the gathered soldiers. He then checked to his right when he saw Edward holding on for life when he confirmed, "It looks like we made it sir! We can still get out of here alive?"

"If we are fortunate!" Edward as id as he checked the remaining gap. He watched in suspense as he saw the customized Leo II make one step after another before it began to envelope the gap in a shadow. While Jens was left concerned about his fate, Edward told him, "Private! I will require your assistance!"

Jens kept both of his hands on the rail above him when he agreed, "If it can get us out of here, I'm all ears sir!"

Edward lifted himself above the rail when he climbed the wall of the building and ordered, "Give me an angle, I should be able to slide onto the mobile suit if the line can connect!"

Jens lifted himself up as he prepared his harpoon and warned, "I hope you can handle this quick sir. We need areal miracle now." Jens waited for the shadow to arrive on the right angle before he saw the Leo II unit stepping forward. Jens fired his harpoon as he watched the point of the spear latch itself to the cockpit area of the mobile suit.

Edward grabbed hold of the line made by the shot as he told Jens, "What we truly require right now is results. Just give me the proper amount of time I need private." With that assurance, Edward slid down the line on his hands and feet when he made his descent to the cockpit area of the mobile suit.

"I never thought he would be ballsy enough to try and take on a mobile suit by himself with his bare hands but there was a first time for everything. Just like that he was able to disable the thing after just a little tampering."

Before Jens could continue his story, Bertram observed, "Certainly one of the most noteworthy actions the general has performed in his service. You argue that his willingness to see to an operation's completion is what solidifies your belief that he is worthy of the position he earned?"

Jens answered, "It does mean that he has a dedication to his men and a willingness to achieve great things. Would a man who fights for so many years allow himself to have his own agenda?"

Bertram sighed before answering, "That certainly is the mentality of a soldier isn't it? You still however say that you have nothing that would indicate the general's true intention after all?'

"I would not have any way of knowing his real plans sir."

"And you say this with full confidence knowing full well what happens to those who do not comply with their superiors?"

"Yes sir."

Bertram walked by the entrance of the room when he accepted, "I will offer you the opportunity to consider if this is everything you wish to say that you have to had to offer. As of right now I only have one more of your compatriots to interview."

Jens stood up when he accepted, "In that case, keep brushing up on your skills strategist. For all I know you might be missing something or searching for something that isn't there."

Jens was guided out of the room as another man was brought to the table. Bertram waited for him to sit before greeting, "Mr. Julian Roald. Certainly an intriguing deviation from the previous three candidates who have been interviewed. Of the four that the general has specifically requested to be sent here, one of them being an operator is a curious choice."

Julian agreed, "I'm not exactly the sort of person who would be best suited to try taking a bullet for the general am I?"

"It does not remove you from the questioning. Everyone prior has resisted the very notion of cooperating with our inquiries and I unfortunately have little faith that you will be any different."

"I'm sorry that you have so little faith in me strategist. Unfortunately I am at a loss as to what I can even do to gain your confidence."

"The action you can perform is to offer an idea of what it is that the general had planned when he assigned the four of you here. Out of the entire crew you and the three soldiers we have recently been in dialogue with are the ones he specifically called for without any requested of recommendations."

"I suppose Kieran was the exception. Regardless of the situation, it's fully possible that he just saw the right glint in our eyes that might have made us all ideal candidates to flow him on this greater mission the Coalition has been on for so long."

"You may be correct Mr. Roald. There is a unifying force at least that we can look at what the forces of Earth have committed, and we wish to prevent anything like it ever happening a second time. There must have been an event that would move the general to believe you were a worthy addition to his crew. Rather than continue in this roundabout conversation I believe it would be better if you were to recollect what earned you such a recommendation."

Julian sat back when he agreed, "We have different thoughts about how to handle the Earth Sphere now. What got me a recommendation? Well I guess it came from when I first gave him some crucial information in the Pastorino siege six years ago."

Bertram was curious when he pointed, "So it would seem that this crucial battle in his career was indeed important enough to keep the ones he knew best close to him. What I am to piece together now is that it would seem your four compatriots were conveniently all together to make this the first mission you had as a team."

"Oh there's no convenience in war sir. Only how fortunate we are to be the survivors."

"Perhaps that is your fortune but it would appear that he learned of your value based on some achievement. Was it for a call you made on your stationed battleship?"

"I did make it on the ship sir. For the skirmish itself thought I didn't have much say. This was something that the general himself got his hands dirty with. What he tells me was necessary in the internal victory of the colony that day."

With the struggle to take the colony intensified from within Julian kept watch of his monitor as he watched the main systems stay within the green ranges. Missiles and beam collisions continued to light up the hits from the attacking Earth Sphere forces when he felt himself rocked by the force of the combined attacks.

Against the roaring explosions that threatened to overtake the ears of everyone nearby, Julian heard his captain ask, "What is the current status of our hull?"

Julian gave a quick evaluation when he answered, "We still have a 53% hold of our shields sir. We can still maintain the current offensive without risking destruction."

The captain turned to command, "Maintain the offensive. Have all turrets focused on the mobile suits before we begin the advance."

The captain continued with his orchestration of the battle to leave Julian to his observation of the colony interior. A blinking red signal activated to warn Julian of an emergency contact. He placed his headphones on as he activated the signal when he heard the voice of Edward Blare announce, "We are down to just one enemy now! I require your assistance on this final obstacle!"

Julian opened his folders when he asked, "Alright sir, I'll do what I can to help. Who is it?"

"It's something very serious. A mobile doll"

Julian was taken aback when he heard this and asked, "Seriously? The enemy actually has mobile doll technology?"

There was a loud rip of metal before Edward answered, "And we must be able to take this in one piece. This is where I require your advice."

Julian opened a program when he asked, "Alright is that thing a Leo II unit?"

"There has been some tampering, but it may be the same as the ones we have."

"This should be the easy part. Just squeeze through the center area of the mobile suit and just make your way to the core."

Julian heard static growing on his end of the radio before he heard his captain ask, "What's going on? Do we have progress on any repairs?"

Julian answered, "Something else sir. We might be able to take out the enemy from within.;"

The captain grit his teeth when he asked, "Can it be done fast enough to force the enemy to surrender? If not then we need your attention elsewhere."

Before Julian could respond he heard Edward announce, "I'm in."

Julian turned his attention away from his captain when he answered, "No open the panel next to the power supply. Find the first wad of wires and get to the emergency bypass lever."

Julian couldn't hear any of his captain's orders as he waited for Edward to accomplish his mighty task. Before long he heard him ask, "Is that everything?"

Julian answered, "Now just shut off the power and you'll be safe."

Julian felt another explosion rock his ship when his captain ordered, "Continue to fire on those mobile suits! Don't let them in any closer!"

Julian waited to hear from Edward before he heard, "Excellent work. It is now deactivated. Inform your superior that we will have the remaining forces made to surrender soon enough."

Julian grinned at the words when he agreed, "I read you sir. We'll be sure to let the enemy know as well."

His captain was next to him when he asked, "What are we supposed to inform the enemy about? You know that you are not a proper rank to speak for this ship, let alone the fleet."

Julian turned in his seat to answer, "Better than that sir. The enemy is officially done. Our infiltration team has the enemy leader in a corner."

The captain was astonished by the fact when he realized, "They won't have a leader to follow. Those men will be renegades and have nowhere to be represented."

Julian nodded when he told him, "That's the best-case scenario. Either way we're not going to see if they put up much of a resistance for much longer."