Even as victors are selected, there are many who chose not to submit to their greatest falls. Just as there are those who attempt to avoid being subject to the consequences of their actions, there are those who are more than eager to reap what they have sown. Where many see an ending, the strongest see their defeat as a reason to struggle for the cause that is most important to them. Such has been the nature of humans since the dawn of war. It is for those who live to witness history that such defiance is judged. The year is After Colony 225. This principle remains unshaken.

Episode 39: Two Loyalties

Norma looked out the windows to see the debris floating near the Coalition flagship but knew that it was the wreckage of only one shuttle. "The shots have been made Admiral. We've only been able to confirm one hit."

"Insufficient..." Norma cursed when she heard the results. She quickly ordered, "Send out a survey team and find out what has been destroyed. And patch me through to the President. I must speak to him as part of a significant emergency."

She was met with the hologram of President Falson again when she began to give her report. "Admiral Miles. Has the attack come to pass?"

"Yes Mr. President. Regrettably we were only able to shoot down one. I feel unless we are able to confirm their status out here that there is a safe chance the Gundams have arrived on Earth."

The President didn't show any sign of visible concern when this news was brought before him but the Admiral knew that he was seriously considering this situation as a problem. "Unfortunate but it must be met with the same determination we have used to take the planet."

"Shall we provide assistance sir?"

"Await further orders. We have prepared an operation for this situation that will now prove important. Send the estimated coordinates of the crash and begin."

"Yes sir." With the coordinates sent the operation was soon to begin. Hopefully the joint attack of both Coalition and Earth Sphere mobile suits would be enough to take down the Gundams. This was what Norma was hoping for from her end that Nathaniel's plans had much more flexibility.

Needless to say, the descent down to Earth's surface was much more intense than that of the descent made on Mars. Mercurio at least saw the end in sight and would be able to use the Uriel to make his way down while the other pilots held onto his Gundam for dear life. The drop continued to plummet while the mobile suits made the quick propulsion in hopes of softening the fall. It was a matter of time before the descent was finished and the Gundams stood alongside what Sol Thero units and Ursa units had survived the fall.

Mercurio checked the hands on his Gundam while contacting Keijo's helmet. "Did everyone manage to hang on?"

Keijo could be heard answering in audible gasps when he answered Mercurio. "Yeah... That's everybody... Glad you... aren't feeling... any vertigo..."

"Must be a big difference from holding on out there." He realized. The descent was intense but at the same time the payoff was more than enough for Mercurio to finally feel his native gravity again. He did hope that his fighting ability wouldn't be affected by the return, he had already been in space for what felt like forever.

He was quick to contact Donna once he received the report. "Donna, are you still intact? Has the crew been able to make its way down?"

Being the heaviest Gundam out of the three, the Sandesgeist's fall was the fastest with Suchart's Ursa holding on. Donna detached the vernier used in space to lighten the mobile suit and quickly activated the leg thrusters to soften the fall. When she landed, the fall's strength was great that the airbags replaced the monitors in the cockpit. Thanks to them, Ermes's injury was prevented he crashed into Donna in the process. She had enough of the guest in her Gundam and opened the cockpit's hatch. "Out!" She said in a commanding tone.

Ermes realized that he was on her like a chair. "Okay, I'm getting out." He replied calmly. He got out of the cockpit and his feet touched the sizzling armor of the Gundam, forcing him to get off to the slightly cooler sand. He saw the Sandesgeist in the middle of a crater of sand made from the impact.

Donna received a call from Mercurio. "I'm fine." She replied. "Your cousin was a guest in my Gundam."
Suchart also responded. "Suchart here. I'm fine."

Donna got out to see the surroundings. She removed her helmet to have a proper view of the landscape. It was a desert so it was possible that they could've been blown off-course to North Africa, the Middle East or as far as Gobi. Whichever way meant that they will have to go to Europe on foot. She jumped off to the ground and wore her keffiyeh over her head.

Dana looked around to see the other mobile suits making their way down to the desert surface thankful that it was at least night time seeing the time they were landing. "Well. That's another great landing." She contacted Gawel through her helmet asking, "Majewski, can you confirm that at least most of our personnel made it off?"

Gawel shook himself to his senses as he answered, "Y-Yes... Yes... Sir..."

Dana assured him in her usual shrug, "The adrenaline will pass pretty soon."

Another one of the pilots found herself on her feet again when she asked, "Ugh... That's great and... all that sir... But really we need to hear it from somebody. Just where in the hell are we anyway?"

"This sure isn't the Mediterranean but we're lucky we didn't hit near any civilian settling."

"Lucks with them isn't it?"

Gawel got to a quick search on his pad, "I'll find out real quick..." It was a little while when he finally managed to determine their location. "Well we could have missed the target further but at least we might be able to get to Brussels through safe borders." He finally managed to determine with his answer, "From what I've determined... Well that's the rough start on our new adventure. We've landed smack in the middle of the Sahara Desert just outside of the city of Bilma. Hope some of you got some canteens full because we'll need them when the heat comes around."

Till Lindemann, now reinvigorated devised a plan to stall a complete victory for the Coalition. He continued with the instructor to Tripoli for his plan. Instructor W kept a close eye on what he will do.

"So Lord Lindemann, can you tell me your plan?" He asked.

"I will continue the war from Tripoli." The Lord explained. "I will rally the Earth Sphere forces to continue fighting."

"Will they take your declaration seriously?" The Instructor asked.

"I helped create one of the Gundams." He pointed. "I'm wanted for funding the war."

The Instructor didn't like the idea but if they are going to have a chance, this action will help stall a complete victory. "I guess we can't run forever then." He concluded.

"I will announce my declaration of war later." He said. "I will try to gather much forces I can before then.

Hyrum was taken by the Coalition guards and to General Blare like he had commanded them. He didn't offer any resistance when he showed himself out with the others. "Alright alright... I'm going."

Eventually he was in the same room as General Blare but he found that he was the only one speaking to him now. "I'm not exactly familiar with the people around here but I take it you're the General in charge?"

When Hyrum entered Edward's meeting room, Edward saw the guards exit and had a chance to speak to Hyrum alone. He began to give the secret plan in a quiet voice. "Greetings Lieutenant. I am General Edward Blare. I must tell you that this information will be critical to your end."

He checked the door to see no one was observing and continued with the explanation. "President Falson is not planning to spare anyone. He hopes to drag out these trials for as long as possible before the has the right time frame to kill all of you."

He knew the first concern of the Earth Sphere pilot when he emphasized his point. "Regardless of what you may think this is a concern of mine. I understand there are good men and women here who seek to find peace. But if Nathaniel has his way neither of us will win."

He slipped a key-card to Hyrum explaining the final point. "I can give you access to the weapons storage. But you must keep it safe. You must also wait until the right moment has come. The soldiers will have to be reorganized to ensure that a safe path can be made for the Parliament and it will take time."

Hyrum accepted the key-card but was weary to ask, "With all due respect, what are you supposed to be getting out of this?"

Edward smiled when he answered, "My motivation... I have a chance to see justice is done with President Falson. I will stop this war from escalating any further."

Hyrum had a problem as he tried to comprehend how convoluted Edward's plan made itself sound. Here he was with the offer to give the remaining Earth Sphere forces a chance to stage their uprising from within because of the action of a defiant general who had demonstrated complete loyalty to the Coalition President up to this point. He was however capable of recognizing a wrinkle in this offer. "I don't know if you're familiar with General Vasquez, but he told my superior that he wanted to see someone within the city upstage the president as well. He said he wanted to do the exact same thing you're offering but here you just seem to be selling me another piece of shit and polish it up a little to make it look pretty."

Edward nodded when he told Hyrum, "When General Vasquez referred to such men, he referred to me and my men. Everyone you have faced up to this point has been under the servitude of President Falson. We cannot have them all defeated in one battle that may destroy us all. We must be prepared to strike them from within and deny them the grasp of victory. This imprisonment you are now enduring should better be seen as an opportunity. Soon the remainder of the Coalitions forces shall all be gathered into this one city on Earth and we will be able to break their spirits with on mighty blow."

Hyrum began to feel temptation grow at the offer when he heard what Edward was offering. He came to realize, "Even if we don't defeat everyone, we can still kidnap the president. The Coalition itself would be in chaos and we could fight back against the colonies." Edward allowed Hyrum to process the opportunity before he heard him ask, "Why to me though? My general would have preferred to have this sort of chance to speak with you."

Edward told him, "He is too obvious of a choice and could find himself tried by the courts very soon. We cannot afford him to be selected as of now. It must fall to you now boy. You must bring this to him and see that he is able to offer as much support as he can offer."

Hyrum held onto the keycard when he told him, "If this is a trap of some kind, I'll make sure that no one else is able to fall for your schemes."

Edward scoffed at the concern when he told him, "As a sign of my good gesture, I will have one of my guards escort you to the weapons room. It would in fact be a chance for you to bring proof to your superiors about the advantage you now hold." He made his way to the door as he saw Jens outside before instructing him, "Take the lieutenant to the armory. Allow him to take anything that does not raise suspicion."

Jens asked, "We'll be able to get in without access sir?"

Hyrum held up the keycard when he told them, "If anyone gets tried, it's only my ass that's on the chopping block."

Jens nodded when he accepted, "We'll be right back sir."

Edward nodded as he shut the door and made his way back to his desk to find a connection waiting for his acceptance. Upon activation he saw a holographic projection of Rayen as Edward greeted, "The plan is proceeding as we had hoped. Their support is reluctant but given the circumstances it is more than we could have hoped for."

Rayen's projection agreed, "It is fortunate to see this plan in motion. I suggest that you take in more men from the brigade while you still can however. We may not be able to draw from them for much longer."

Edward asked, "Are we preparing a mass execution of them?"

Rayen confirmed, "It may as well be. Just a short while ago we have received word of a shuttle crashing inside the Sahara. Nathaniel's intention to have our prisoners face the Gundams may soon be at hand."

Edward smiled as he was pleased with the news and observed, "We are weighing away at each situation with efficiency. We shall have them all removed before the remainder of our opponents meet their end." He remembered another part of his plan when he warned, "There will still be those who intend to question everything we begin to build. There are still those out on the German countryside who are providing a stable resistance. If the president acts properly he may send General Celler to handle the problem. He will expect to hear progress on the accountant of how General Ulbricht has been kept from staging his resistance."

Rayen confirmed the point when he told Edward, "If we are fortunate then we will not even have them as a concern that stands in our way. Right now you need only to concern yourself with keeping our growing allies from not acting within rhythm of our intentions."

Edward agreed, "This will require both of our efforts then. Make this less of a challenge than it needs to be for both of us."

Rayen's hologram nodded as it parted with, "You will be pleased to see this achieved Edward." Edward leaned in his chair as he understood the situation he now had. Even with the obstacles that lay in his way before, he could see the demise of his opponents at hand when he told himself, "No grasp for greatness has ever been made possible without others making for their own. Only those who prepare with the best weapon will be able to claim victory." He rose from his chair when he told himself, "Among the figures with such similar aspirations, I will have all of humanity recognize my achievements."

Inside the room Nathaniel had taken residence he was face to face with Agent Zelma. He brought his plan in front when he told her, "You are able to confirm that the Gundams have indeed returned to Earth?"

Zelma handed Nathaniel the satellite photos when she told him, "I didn't anticipate Admiral Miles would have provided false information Mr. President."

Nathaniel shook his head when he told her, "You may not have been paying heed to some recent developments agent…" He looked over the photos to see the three Gundams of the Earth Sphere make their escape from the crashing point when he confirmed, "But it would seem that our troubles have indeed come full circle now." He placed the photos on his desk when he told her, "With this in mind we will now have to prepare ourselves. We've been offered a greater period of ease far longer than we could have realistically hoped for. Whatever it is Franz wanted to achieve he will now be forced to see his actions be realized. If we are to use this situation to our advantage, we must use it now to unite the world against them."

Zelma countered, "I don't believe that seeking the support these Gundams will require is going to be to our advantage sir. We risk allowing a united front to form against us regardless of how far away they might be."

Nathaniel corrected, "They will not be such a threat once we have sent them to stand against the enemy agent. We are going to offer these men the ultimatum of either seeing the Gundams destroyed or seeing the entirety of the parliament meet the fate of the fallen."

Zelma immediately questioned the plan when she pointed out, "Your plan to see them meet this end is one built on a fragile intention Mr. President. You cannot expect the remaining armies to be ready to destroy the Gundams even if they have such a warning. There are too many opportunities for them to exploit regrouping here to over throw the hold over the capital."

Nathaniel gave another elaboration, "I intend ot do something that will unite the whole of humanity in an instant agent. And that mission will fall on you and a handful of others to accomplish. You and a specially assigned squad will record the actions of General Carmine and General de Lombard and affirm that the destruction of the Gundams is at hand. What is important agent is that you see what this will accomplish. Should the Gundams be destroyed we will rid ourselves of the one obstacle that threatens our existence. If the Gundams do destroy our captives, then we are simply left with far fewer enemies to handle and we shall be able to unite the whole of humanity against their perceived act of treason. Right now I want you to perceive this as a true way forward for all of us agent. This war can only end once enough have been shown to the world that not only the right number of opponents have been destroyed, but that the right ones have met their intended fate."

Zelma realized how solidified Nathaniel was in his position before trying to appeal to him again, "Is this truly the proper way we should go forward Mr. President? Is this something that the men and women you have sought to offer justice to would approve of?"

Nathaniel stood from in his decision when he told Zelma, "We have passed the point of attempting decency with anyone. Right now, the only thing that will not offer the fallen any peace is to see that we are no danger fighting among one another. All of this is a tragedy that is to occur now, or we shall be able to give way to a far greater one for generations to come."

Nathaniel made his way to his chair when he told Zelma, "I didn't anticipate that you would attempt to be a war consultant as well as a gun for hire agent. I am afraid that I cannot use anything you have to warn me with as a sign that there is any alternative. As of right now I want to see you under General Vasquez prepared to broadcast the results of what happens in the Sahara. I must apologize if I have offended my better nature you might have had about this scenario agent, but I had always believed that hired soldiers such as yourself would never question the nature of any mission they were assigned."

Zelma paused before accepting, "I should apologize as well sir. If I did hope to change anything, I should not have attempted to convince you against how you want to proceed. I will report to General Vasquez right away."

Zelma gave a salute as she left the room and made her way to the descending staircase where the Earth Sphere forces would be waiting for her. As she made her way to the last step, she heard Barra ask, "Has the plan been put in motion then?"

Zelma looked to the front doors waiting for her when she confirmed, "More people are about to meet in another battlefield. I'm afraid you were also right about the president. He is now placing the entire parliament on the line in favor of the men outside. I have to ask how it is we are able to determine that a greater quantity of life is more valuable than another."

Barra told her, "There is simply a complete indifference to the fact of soldiers who send themselves to meet on the battlefield. Many would rather see those who are trained to fight to the death simply live to such a duty. The death of leaders who dedicate themselves to seeing such days be orchestrated are seen as far greater tragedies than even the mightiest battles. If we have any hope of seeing the Earth brought under a more moderate rule, we must ensure that as many are allowed to have some form of influence as possible. The unfortunate price is that the victor will still be capable of determining who the final ones left alive shall be."

Zelma was reluctant when she reflected on the meaning behind Barra's answer. She finally accepted, "Right now we are forced to trade one tragedy for another. One mass of deaths for another. If we are capable of making any progress against something of the likes of General de Lombard's advance this may very well be our greatest hope of one day seeing an end. You will remain behind to discover if anything of potential disaster will occur?"

Barra agreed, "I cannot allow Edward to be completely free of his concerns. I will have to ensure that there are no other men with ambitions as Bertram Stephens apparently had."

They both saw Rayen enter as he told Zelma, "It is now time for us to begin agent. The Earth Sphere prisoners have been gathered and now need your observation. I have also personally assigned a squadron to fulfill the president's mission."

Zelma accepted the call when she left Barra's side and made her way to the front doors. As the front doors were shut by the nearby guards, they both heard someone other than themselves against the Parliamentary Building. Zelma turned to ask, "What is the cause of that?"

Rayen dismissed the concern, "It is nothing that we need to concern ourselves with. Our guards will keep things under control."

Before there was another word, the doors swung open as they saw Evangeline de Lombard throw herself at the ground and scooped by both guards. Evangeline shouted, "Please! Let me see the general! This cannot happen!"

Both Rayen and Zelma looked to see her struggle when Rayen raised a hand to offer, "Allow her to see the general. There is no consequence now."

Zelma and Rayen watched Evangeline make her way down the steps without any concern for anyone who would have shot her. She brought her face into contact with the wired fence when she called, "Alphonse! Where are you?"

Alphonse stepped out of the crowd of gathered soldiers when he saw Evangeline waiting for him. He walked up to the fence when he greeted, "Evangeline. I am happy to see that you are still alive."

Evangeline asked, "How can you offer that attitude? You're being sent away! How can you remain calm like this?"

Alphonse asked, "You have heard everything then. I am sorry that I have to leave your side so soon Evangeline. But I must do this for the good of the parliament. I cannot even look to this mission with any sense of pride as it is already. Me and the men of many others are being called to destroy our fellow soldiers. What is worse is that we are doing so in a scenario that I cannot perceive as being honorable. There are only two choices that I must make now. I allow you and the whole of the parliament to fall or I fail my duty as a soldier."

Evangeline remained distraught by the answer when she told him, "There is no other scenario in which I would permit to see you still alive Alphonse… All of us know that you face the Gundams… You will not stand a chance if they don't surrender."

Alphonse explained, "We both know and understood what our respective lines of work would bring us. We both recognize what we risked facing. This is simply what we are now being asked to face. I asked you and everyone to endure far more than I would have asked my best men to endure. I ask you now to endure that form of punishment we must all accept. The time has come for us to accept that we have reaped."

Rayen appeared behind Evangeline when he told them, "Our forces are ready to begin the escort. We have a long way to go. I suggest you have yourself ready general." He turned to Zelma when he told her, "Please return the representative to the gathering area. Place her somewhere where she cannot hear any of the developments."

Rayen watched the Ursa units brought into the city by the truck road when he waited for the opportunity to begin the escort. He would soon see the combined numbers of the Earth Sphere's military forces making their literal walk to an execution. He smirked while Zelma took Evangeline away and told himself, "The remaining resistance to a united Earth has only begun to be made more of a possibility."

The Tallgeese Authority saw the land vehicles carrying the Earth Sphere mobile suits towards the entrance of the Sahara Desert. The landing was fortunate to be out here in such a barren area but their fate would not be any less harsh. Both General Mauro Carmine and Alphonse de Lombard were sent to lead in this battle. The fate of the Parliament was supposed to lie on their shoulders but Zelma among many knew that they didn't have a chance.

Mauro observed the ever-spanning desert he was being sent out to die within. "If only the President hadn't sent the Gundams to space so soon... We might have had a chance..." He offered as his final regret. He maintained his composure as a General when he gave an order to his men below. "All units make last minute adjustments. We must be in optimal condition once we engage with the enemy."

If only I was able to warn them... It's enough of a problem the Gundams have a different frequency but those Generals actually believe it's up to them to save the Parliament. The Coalition will easily see a ploy if the Gundams lay down their arms in defiance... Nathaniel considered much before he set up this operation. She couldn't lament on the idea anymore and was forced to update on the status of the operation. "We are headed to the location Mr. President. The Gundams will be intercepted."

The President contacted Agent Zelma on the other end of her screen ordering her next objective. "Excellent work Agent. Ensure that they reach the point of engagement and then proceed to survey the area. Let our teams do the rest of the work and this mission should go well."

The Parliamentary Building was still occupied when the deal had taken place. Franz Kecker was still imprisoned, and the Parliament was at his mercy. Soon enough however the world would not simply be under his will but would be rallying to him as their greatest hope.

It was something that had to be observed by General Vasquez when he tried to learn from the plans that were devised. "Do you believe this plan will work sir? It's likely the Gundams could surrender to the regiments once they have arrived."

Nathaniel showed obvious dismissal of the concern when he was asked to answer this question. "It will make their job that much easier then. Their orders have been specific to see the Gundams destroyed."

"They may accept the surrender however to avoid the conflict."

"Even if they do what then? If they are so dedicated to saving the Parliament then they will see that one side is victorious against the other. We are the ones holding them hostage."

Rayen saw the logic of this plan knowing that if the Gundams faced the Earth Sphere forces then their plans would go accordingly. Even if they didn't, Nathaniel could still claim victory by killing off the remainder of the Earth Sphere Parliament. Then the unity they had promised three decades ago would be shattered under the will of the colonies. "Perhaps it is so. Hopefully this conflict will play out as we hope." Rayen conceded.

Mercurio was relieved to see Donna was still okay. Apparently Ermes wasn't the only thing on her mind when it ended. "Well it looks like the worst is over. Regardless of our location we'll have to travel on foot from here." He heard their location just a little while later when Dana began to announce their location. Not only in the Sahara but dangerously within enemy territory. "General Alphonse de Lombard made his campaign across the populated areas of North Africa a top priority to prevent the Coalition from attack the capital from beneath." He remembered from the short period when the Earth Sphere seemed to have a chance.

Keijo seemed to overhear the observation when he agreed, "Yeah. Unfortunately the Earth Sphere forces were too stretched out by the time that was accomplished. And then Nathaniel came to power... This place doesn't look like it's been in any battlefields before though." When he pointed out to the barren wasteland they were situated in.

Mercurio remembered he needed to hear from his superiors on what orders they would have. "Captain, have Major Capon and Colonel Rumfoord been located anywhere?"

Dana knew that another long trip was in store for them. The war wasn't going to wait for anyone and once it was morning the heat would add to their worries. "Well this will be a big detour. Estimated time to arrival at this rate?"

Gawel began to calculate the distance and had an idea of how long the trip would probably be. "Seeing we're about twenty-four hundred miles from Belgium we should be able to reach that place if we continue to travel at a continuous sixty miles an hour for the next forty hours." Factoring surprise attacks and stops out of the equation of course. Dana knew it was not going to go over popular with anyone but it was either that or skip the mission entirely and find the quickest way to Nigeria.

"I haven't got plans on leaving our leaders out there to die. But this is going to be a tough trip
It was when she heard Mercurio's question that Dana was reminded of what had happened to their previous superiors. The news would not go well with everyone loyal to them. It was even more of an issue when she was basically the highest ranking official of the group and by default now the leader. She reluctantly took this to heart and announced on the channels, "... Everyone. This is not good news but... The Colonel didn't make it. And Captain Capon was on his shuttle..."

Donna heard the announcement that she was in the Sahara when she was putting her pilot suit inside a compartment inside the cockpit. "Great." She thought. "At least it isn't Gobi." She contacted her only surviving superior, "So are we going to circle the Mediterranean to get there, Captain? I believe we are in a fortunate environment. If there is going to be combat, the Sandesgeist woud excel in the desert terrain and require the least maintenance."

Dana tried to maintain an air of leadership when she heard the question. Now wasn't the time to break down and wish something could be done about the men they lost. She now had a few dozen people to see make their way through the Sahara and hope that they would be able to find friendly settlement before the Coalition found them. This deep into enemy territory and they would have to find a way out of the country and towards saving Brussels. She answered Donna's observation when she had the question. "That will take too long. We'll head to Algeria and see if we can get transport to France. If we hold up until then we might be able to make it to Brussels if we remain undetected."

Ermes was taking the adjustment to Earth the hardest. Everything, such as the heat and light on the Martian domes were artificial. He had to take off his jacket to stop feeling like a baked potato with the desert heat boiling him. "This is something I will never get used to." He remarked calmly.

Several hours passed before the morning hit and the desert was ruthless as ever with the heat. Even with what cooling systems the mobile suits had they weren't enough to ward off the heat. The crew had to ride behind the neck areas of Sol Thero units and Ursas to try and find shade only to find that the black finish absorbed the heat even more than the "How much longer before we get there?"

Dana looked over the route they were following and was able to guess just how long. "If we're lucky enough it'll be another thirty-six hours at least."

Nasir was fortunate enough to overlook the area when he wondered, "God damn it all to hell... How does anybody even think to call this a country?"

"Might be the idea." One of the pilots pointed out. "This place is probably just that perfect for such a surprise attack."

The sight of the Sahara desert managed to be such a discouraging sight that even the lifelessness of Mount That was a welcome sight that raised their spirits if only a little.

As the defeated mobile suits continued their way across the desert, General Carmine saw his brigades of mobile suits march across the dried ground of the desert once they neared the estimated area of engagement. He waited in his vehicle while reporting a final time to Agent Zelma. "We are now approaching the nearest engagement point. The targets are making their way towards Mount Tahat."

"Continue to advance. We shall see the engagement." Zelma knew that her mission was complete and she now had to wait for the battle to end. If anything, she might be able to issue a warning once the enemies were killed.

Keijo looked around the scorching endlessness of the Sahara around him and hoped the same thing as any other pilot waiting for safety. "I hope this doesn't go for too much longer."

Mercurio agreed hoping to see some solution. "At least we're in friendly territory now. Does Tamanrasset have any sort of communications?"

Keijo shook his head. "Not likely."

As the mobile suits made their way towards Mount Tahat, Dana began to feel the heat just like everyone following her. What came to be an initial relief for her was when in the distance from her monitor she saw what seemed to be a sizable brigade of Earth Sphere mobile suits. "Best news you'll hear in a while people! Looks like we've found the support we've been hoping for!"

Gawel was among those hoping for a welcome return when he jumped down from the Artemis. "Man, now all we need is a parade and we'll have the welcome back we've been overdue."
Dana brought her communication frequency to that of the Earth Sphere greeting, "Attention Earth Sphere brigade. This is the Artemis. Requesting confirmation."

Once they engaged the forces General Carmine sent a communication to Dana. "This is General Mauro Carmine with the Earth Sphere United Nations. All Gundams are now declared enemies of the United Earth."

Alphonse only had one confirmation when he responded Dana's hail. "Artemis... This is General Alphonse de Lombard. I'm afraid that what General Carmine has announced is true... I regret that things had to come to this." The chaos began when the brigades fired on Dana's forces. Another battle was soon to begin for the first on within the Earth Sphere forces.

As soon as the pilots from Luna heard the announcement from Mauro, Pascal asked, "This isn't how we've changed greeting protocol is it?"

Suchart told him, told him, "I haven't heard of this. Hey, for all we know this is probably a very elaborate joke." To everyone's dismay, the action that came next was not a joke.

The attack was a surprise on the Earth Sphere Gundams like the Coalition strategy had expected. Now they were all brought into this situation. Either fight against their own or surrender and be destroyed. Either way would prove to their advantage.

One of the cameramen in an Ursa unit announced to the President, "We have the feed coming sir. The footage will be secure once it has transmitted."

Nathaniel observed the footage of the battle underway and pressed firm with the established plan. "Stand your ground until the battle has ended."

"Yes sir." The cameraman pointed out, "The foot soldiers seem to be making a run for it."

Another one of his friends reminded him, "Keep focusing on the mobile suits. They are the ones who need to be destroyed."

If there was anyone caught off guard by the attack from their own forces it showed in how many of the mobile suits were forced on the defensive when the Ursa units and mobile artillery began to fire on the forces. Dana found her day going from bad to even worse when General Alphonse answered her with this threat. The choice was now in their hands. Either fight for their survival or prepare to be destroyed. Letting either situation happen would be a detriment to the Earth Sphere forces. "All units assume defensive positions!"

Gawel and the other ground soldiers who didn't have a Ursa mobile suit to spare were forced to head towards the foot of Mount Tahat when the fighting began. Gawel saw the Gundams on the defensive understanding that they probably didn't want to kill any of their own. The Sol Thero units were another mystery entirely though when they just stood in place not doing anything. "Why the hell are those Sol Thero units not defending themselves?!" The realization came when he considered their mobile doll status. "Aw of course! They're not programmed to engage in friendly fire!"

Trenton saw the logic behind Gawel's reasoning commenting on their gradual destruction. "Loyal soldiers down to the last right?!"

Nasir saw the nearest crevasse and knew it had to be their only hope for safety. "Get a move on! You want to get crushed by those guys?!"

While the ground soldiers scattered the Artemis had engaged its sniper shield hoping to see the firing end. Several Ursa mobile suits were showing signs of destruction while the Sol Thero units allowed themselves to be destroyed by their own forces. "General! What's going on here?! We're here to take back the Earth Sphere from the Coalition!"

Alphonse only responded in the same grim introduction he had on their arrival. "It's too late for us to do so Captain. We must be the ones to destroy the Gundams if you will not surrender them."

Mercurio's Gundam had changed its buster sword into shield mode once the first shots were fired towards his location. He thought at first that there was enemy fire or that General Carmine was trying to fool someone. Neither turned out to be the case when he saw that the fire was on his fellow forces when the ground forces made their escape and the Ursa units began to fall to the ground from the attack. He tried to contact the leading forces himself, "How can you do this?! We aren't trying to betray anyone!"

Mauro only offered him the explanation that President Falson had offered. "The Coalition has offered a choice. Either our lives or the lives of the Parliament. We leave the final choice to you." The communications were cut off and Mercurio was forced to make his decision at this point.

"No..." He expressed his regret. He couldn't imagine being forced to choose between his own life and the others against the generals sent to kill him. He was taught to prepare for dying in the name of his nation but the situation before him was too much.

Nasir saw more of the Earth Sphere soldiers gather around him when he saw the Sol Thero units stand in front and defend the Gundams from their destruction. Each on after another began to fall to the ground as they took the damage but did nothing to retaliate. Nasir asked, "What the hell are they doing? We're trying to get out of here alive!"

He heard one of the Luna soldiers tell him, "We don't even have much to go off of right now! These guys were supposed to be ready to take down everything that stood in their way, but our own guys weren't on the list of people we were supposed to be ready for!"

Nasir grit his teeth at the explosion that erupted from nearby. He could easily recognize that no one was safe. Ermes was among those who agreed, "We don't have anywhere to retreat. If we try that, the brigade will continue to pursue us, and we'll still be forced to make a choice."

Nasir asked, "That is a good question. We choose from either bending over and getting killed or slaughter all of them and draw out our sentence. Who's supposed to get an easy choice out of this glorified cluster?"

Ermes offered his input, "Only those who have the stronger desire to live. It is unfortunate that we have to discover this among potential allies."

"Help! I'm down! I can't move this thing for shit!" He heard Zachariah nearby in one of the few Ursa units that remained moving when he found another few Ursa units that were obviously the enemy in this case.

"Maddox!" Mercurio activated Zero System to save him and he prepared to make a choice that would follow him for the rest of his life.

"No! They took down my camera!" Came Suchart's voice. His Ursa's main camera was destroyed by a gunshot from the enemy Ursas.

"Get back!" With that choice Mercurio had destroyed the Earth Sphere units about to kill one of his squad mates.

"Yuy!" Before she could order the Uriel to stand down it was too late. The Uriel had cut down the Ursa unit threatening to destroy Zachariah's mobile suit but at that cost their chances of being recognized by these Earth Sphere units as friendly forces.

Time seemed to slow down to a crawl as Mercurio watched his first kill on Earth after his return fall to the ground. In that moment of decision, there was an even more concentrated effort from his enemies as they fired on his location. Mercurio raised the Uriel's shield as he protected himself from the shots and asked himself, "Why? What have I done? Is this really the right choice?"

He brought his shield up as he charged and made a sweep at the legs of the Ursa units firing on him. Mercurio felt himself conflicted by the question as he made one attack after another at the legs of the attacking Ursa units while asking himself, "What have I become?!"

To his small relief he saw the mobile suits fall at their attack and not explode upon contact. The greater enemy he had to face was the calculations of Zero System in every step he made. Each motion he was given as a chance to dodge an attack, he was given a chance to find an opportunity to kill each Ursa he passed. The blood of his fellow men was about to on his hands as he saw every opportunity to see their deaths.

"... We have to engage them. All Gundams prepare to advance to the front and treat them as enemies." With that in mind Dana began to unleash the power of her buster rifle towards the brigade of Earth Sphere mobile suits. Now the interception was about to end. As predicted these men would not survive attempting to stand against the Gundams.

As Dana's order came through, Donna responded to the order, "Roger. Donna Lindemann, Gundam Sandesgeist engaging the enemy." She drew a shotel from the back and lunged at a Ursa, piercing below the cockpit with an explosion resulting. She continued to another Ursa and swiped through its torso, pushing the defeated Mobile Suit away from the blade after it's hit.

Ermes was among those that retreated to Mount Tahat for he didn't have a Mobile Suit. He had a look at the battle with the Gundams retaliating. "Dad wouldn't be pleased with the state of Earth." He muttered grimly.

The worst came when Mercurio heard Dana and her order to engage the enemy mobile suits and made the order to engage the enemy with the intention to treat them as enemies. Even Donna tried to remain dedicated to the idea when she gave a simple confirmation of the order as her answer left him shaken at the battle's progression. He slammed the buster rifle of the Artemis downwards with his shield while his Uriel took several shots to the back and forced him to the ground. The Artemis stepped over him when Dan asked, "What do you think you're trying to accomplish Yuy?"

Mercurio grunted as he took one hit after another and struggled to stand. He answered his superior, "These men… don't deserve to die…"

Dana fired into the brigade when she asked, "The hell do you think I'm trying to do? I don't want to see you out there babying them!"

Mercurio raised the Uriel up to its feet when he contacted Donna, "Donna. Please don't kill them if you can help it."

The Uriel marched forward as it took one shot to its shield as easily as the next. Donna accepted, "I want to. This is difficult!" The Sandesgeist sliced as the legs of every foe who came next and endured the hits that made contact with her shield and armor.

Mercurio asked, "Can any of our guys still find a way out of this field?"

Dana answered, "Nantakarn's camera is out, he still should be functioning."

Mercurio threw the shield at the legs of the incoming brigade as a multitude of Ursa units fell on their faces. Every hope he had of sparing his fellow men was challenged as he heard several explosions in the distance and saw them caused by onlooking support units.

Mercurio followed the suggested patterns given by Zero System as he dodged every incoming shot and took aim at the unit firing to the brigade. His target noticed him however and moved backwards and continued to fire on every Ursa unit that had fallen down. The Uriel gave a mighty strike as Mercurio struck down the traitorous pilot and saw an explosion erupt in front of him.

His situation wasn't made any easier when he found Zero System warning him about the incoming shots he was about to endure. Mercurio made another dodge as he saw several Ursa units had formed a perimeter around the advance of the brigades. "Them. They all have to be Coalition."

Mercurio weaved his way through the incoming shots before firing his arm cannon on every Ursa unit that was outside the gathered two brigades. To his relief he saw more of the Ursa units turning around once they started to defy their hidden captors. He contacted Dana and Donna, "The Coalition is pushing them here! We can still help them!"

The hopes he had were quickly crushed as he saw something he didn't anticipate. A sweeping beam cannon had come from behind the two brigades and gave way to another sudden surge of destruction. Dana's Artemis came up from the brigade before firing her buster rifle and collide with the shot to prevent further damage. The effort worked against hem as the Ursa units they tried to protect returned their fire on the three Gundams.

The cameramen were able to receive the footage from afar when they saw the Ursa units being destroyed by the Gundams. Needless to say, the destruction was becoming more one-sided thanks to the Gundams deciding to act. "At last. Now the enemy has begun to fight among itself."

He heard one of his fellow pilots ask, "How long do you think it is before those guys get themselves buried under the scrap they're wearing?"

The cameraman answered, "Even with that kind of tech it'll be a short number of minutes before that happens."

When the forces of the Earth Sphere managed to slowly crumble away from the advance of the Gundams, Mercurio saw the leading command vehicle overseeing the battle. If anything it was probably where one of the Generals was. He was already feeling the strain of destroying his fellow Earth Sphere pilots. The betrayal was weighing down on him heavier than lifting his own mobile suit. He had one final desperate attempt to stop the fighting, it had to be enough to stop whatever the Coalition was attempting. "General Carmine! Please stop this! I don't want to have to kill anyone of my own insignia!" Mercurio shouted this command to his superior as if this was a horrible nightmare he would find himself escape.

A resigned voice on the other end only seemed to be ready for this fate as he explained the situation. "The only choice you'll have otherwise is to stand there and die private. The members of Parliament are in the hands of the Coalition and we can't do anything to stop it now."

Dana began to push the Artemis through the forces of mobile suits in her hopes of seeing another day to survive. While Mercurio was dealing with General Carmine, Dana found the vehicle that likely contained another one of the Generals. She only made a wild guess who she was talking to. "General Alphonse... How can you agree to such a thing?"

Alphonse heard the question and managed to answer her with what he had to endure. "It was the only way to save the Parliament Captain. I took a final attempt to save our leaders and I failed. I am now forced to accept this penalty or bear the burden of having destroyed our only hope for a United Earth. It is up to you to save our leaders Captain."

Dana began to feel the biggest pressure she ever felt in her life at that confession. She gripped the handles toughly and tried to find a way out of the execution. "How? You expect us to handle this sort of act without a problem? How are we supposed to handle killing our own soldiers?"

Alphonse only had one final word of advice for her. "It is your duty now Captain. If you feel you have the strength to save our Earth Sphere, if you feel that you will change anything... Please see our destruction."

Mercurio felt the realization strike him as though his mobile suit had been damaged when he heard what was at stake. "Now it's their lives or ours?"

Mauro was forced to elaborate on what choice Mercurio had for the next few moments. "I'm afraid so. This is what we have been sent to accomplish private. I know you've been conditioned to follow orders... But this is now the time for you to make a decision." Here the question that would change history was offered to the three who would bear the weight of a world. "Will you continue to fight the Coalition? Perhaps you and the others do have what it takes to save the Earth Sphere. But if you do then we must be the next to be destroyed. Otherwise leave the Gundams and we will tell President Falson that you and the others managed to escape.

The Ursa units were regrouping towards the Gundams as Mercurio hesitated in dealing the final blow towards the forces he was attacking. He was ready to face Coalition pilots but this situation forced him to adopt a new outlook on the people he was killing.

It was in that moment however that Mercurio felt what the Gundam pilots of old felt. The determination that brought anyone to see their ambition realized. "... I didn't come all this way to fail..." The Uriel's buster sword burned with maximum heat as it was possible on Earth. It struck towards two of the Ursa units that came close towards the mid-section. "...I won't let this United Earth fall..." He engaged in shield mode again and threw the disc towards the ranks of Ursa units that made their way towards the edge of the battlefield. Ranks and scores of mobile suits exploded from the destruction and the final choice was literally before the Uriel's feet. The disc returned to Uriel's arm and quickly changed back to a buster sword. "... If I must choose... I will maintain the peace our past generations fought to create... I will not let their dedication be for nothing..." As though he had already been victorious from the battle the Uriel planted its sword into the vehicle Mauro was occupying.

When Dana found her fingers on the buster rifle she was now prepared to bring about the greatest destruction the battlefield would see. "Damn you General!" As the buster rifle made its way across the desert and towards the ranks she found the controlling vehicles becoming the next victim to the attack.

She heard one final hope from Alphonse as he contacted her. "Please Captain... Save my wife..."

Dana put the rifle away and prepared her beam saber to engage in the combat with the nearest unit. "General..." She vented her rage when she began to slice her way towards the enemy she had made. "You were supposed to be the one to do that!"

Before the explosion was sounded, Mercurio heard one final word from Mauro. "Thank you... Yuy..." The explosion erupted around the blade and Mercurio's betrayal had been complete. He had killed a superior of the Earth Sphere he fought for. It was in this moment he only began to recognize the tears he shed for the dead beneath him. Not for the ones killed by this surprise attack but by who he had to kill for his vision of a free Earth.

He tried to suppress his sorrow as he masked it as anger while wiping his face, "How... How can anyone forgive me?"

In a sealed room, Till was writing his plans on a large piece of paper. Instructor W saw how the Lord was putting things into careful consideration to prepare for war with the detailed writings.

"So will there be anyone that will join the cause?" The instructor asked, interested.

Till turned to him. "I know OZ veterans will join the cause." He explained. "We will have the advantage of their numbers at least."

"But we will remain outnumbered." W finished. "You will be having problems with resources."

Till thought through it. "Which is why we need to strike fast." He continued. "I will try to get the Gundams on our side also."

Instructor W's thought was on his student with the mention. "We don't know if they returned yet." He mentioned. He's confident that they'll return but it could be too late.

"Did you look at the concentration of soldiers in Tripoli yesterday and today?" He rhetorically questioned.

"It was as if they're preparing for a major operation. They won't be after simple remnants with those preparation."

What Till was saying was right when it was mentioned. There were fewer soldiers today than yesterday. "So you think they're back?" Instructor W asked. An enormous risk is being taken on whether the instruments to change the tide of war are available. He didn't know if he was the Gundams as merely pawn or if he trusted his daughter.

Both President Falson and General Vasquez were able to observe the streamed footage to their main monitor and see just what they would show the world. "Now we have them where we need them." Nathaniel observed as he saw the two brigades slowly burn to rubble.

Rayen saw the effectiveness of the plan when he observed just what they would be showing. "Yes Mr. President. No one will be able to point out any false nature of this footage. The Gundams shall once again be the enemy of humanity."

"Some of them appear to be hesitating. Only show the footage that shows them completely destroying the enemy forces."

"Of course, Mr. President."

He decided to meet with Franz Kecker again to emphasize the greater victory he had made. "Franz. I thought I might meet with you a final time before peace has been achieved among humanity at last." He began with thanking him, "I should thank you for pushing for such projects. This power is something the human race will tremble at the sight of just as they did decades ago." Finally elaborating on what his plan had for the Gundam menace. "What they have now is a nemesis. One that will drive them to unity and one that will force them into rallying to the cause of the Coalition once and for all."

Franz listened to the strategy Nathaniel had planned for this moment. The Gundams would become both the enemies of the Earth Sphere and the Coalition. This was Nathaniel's plan for peace all along as the Gundams were used against the Earth Sphere. He didn't have anything to say to Nathaniel until his last sentence when he revealed this deception. He only had one comment for such a plot. "I hope you have made your peace with God Nathan. You will need to beg for his forgiveness for such a treachery."

"Ever the hypocrite aren't you Franz?" He began to explain his thoughts when he heard what Nathaniel accused him of. "You claim I must beg for forgiveness and yet you have been the one to call humanity to arms in resisting the necessary changes. Word will get out on how you caused this war and no one will support your cause for a United Earth from this point on." Finally he had one final warning for him and for anyone who believed that the Earth Sphere's cause could be justified. "Once the Gundams have been destroyed they will unite the people against the idea of war... Your plans for reforming humanity will not progress any further. I will not allow you burn everything we as a race have come to accomplish." He showed that he knew what Franz had hidden. "I have read through the finer points of Operation Rising Himalayas. The Gundams. The Sol lineup. The Solaris. It will all line up into one final act and it will threaten to decimate humanity as we know it. I will prevent it with every ounce of my strength."

Franz saw into Nathaniel's accusation when he saw through his claims. "And all of this could have been avoided if you had presented this case before the Earth Sphere Nathan. There must be something behind your invasion that you would wish another war to erupt on Earth."

"You are able to see things quite well Franz. Yes. This Earth will not be permitted to rise again as the only force. I believed that you would have avoided this trap. But it seems to be my worst concern realized."
"We are prepared to air Mr. President."

"Send the media to the meeting hall. I shall begin showing them the footage immediately." Before he made his way to the hall, Nathaniel turned to his prisoner when he told him, "Perhaps soon we shall consider your trial once this has been made public Franz. Then you will have nothing to defend yourself with."

One of the cameramen observed the footage they had and knew that they had done their job in making the Gundams look like the enemy. "That's the footage we need. Let's get out of here."

"Yeah. Better them than us." Another one of the cameramen said. The remaining Ursa units made their way out when they found the opportunity to escape.