I suck at writing action scenes.
Act II:
Hymn of Conflict.
The past few weeks had been an interesting one for the Machine, the events shown in the television series played out accordingly as anticipated, with no deviations from it being recorded as of yet.
The first major event in this game of interventionist brinkmanship since Ceylon was Taribia, an alternate unified nation-state between the countries Venezuela and Guyana. Its Prime Minister thought it was a good idea to declare independence from the Union and denounce the United States, using Celestial Being as a guarantee of defense so the Union won't intervene to prevent Taribia's breakaway from the U.S.-dominated alliance, thus compromising the distribution of solar energy since the nation was close to the Union's orbital elevator located in South America.
Celestial Being made a move due to this, as expected. But instead of attacking the Union, they attacked Taribia, concluding the rogue nation was the one who's inciting conflict due to its brash policy of hardline secession. Because of this, the Taribian Government immediately withdrew its declaration, after the U.S. President agreed to protect them from the terrorists, resulting in the would-be enemies to fight Celestial Being.
The end result of this fiasco-turned-political triumph was that Taribia now had closer ties with the Union in return for more economic aid and military support. While the Union demonstrated its commitment to protect its member states even if just moments ago they were about to kill them. A rather bizarre ending in a classical story of David versus Goliath.
Then there was the incident with Soma Pieres from 1 week ago. A super soldier of the Human Reform League, who accidentally destroyed a commercial block connected to the Geostationary Orbital Station because of an interference in her quantum brainwaves during the testing of the HRL's new MSJ-06II-SP Tieren Taozi, if it weren't for the timely intervention of GN-002 and GN-003. Then it would've been the greatest space disaster in human history, possibly destroying the HRL's reputation forever.
With the arrival of Princess Marina Ismail of Azadistan to France to seek aid in developing solar generation for her country, the Machine is already expecting Celestial Being to make a move within the next few days. As such, it has re-evaluated its standing during Season 1 of Gundam 00.
Ever the supremacist in battlefield superiority, 102-A looks forward to test itself in combat, despite the thorough test trials to prove its worthiness, it hasn't even fired a single shot from its arsenal since the day it arrived here, but this would all change, for better or worse. As there is a target of interest it wishes to exploit.
The small nation known as the Republic of Moralia, an alternate version of the Principality of Monaco from its old world. Presented a perfect opportunity to test its combat systems, being a future target for Celestial Being's intervention, the GN Gundams would provide the perfect distraction while it covertly kills any unlucky AEU or Moralian units who come across its targeting rangefinder.
= [ Commencing Atmospheric Re-entry procedures. ] =
Whatever the case, it will need to be more thorough to prevent information leaks, though images of itself captured by anyone is sometimes unavoidable, even if capable of being discredited or deleted from the internet if uploaded.
South African Region. Mineral Resource Mining Site.
"This Celestial what's-its-name is terrible." Lamented Ali al-Saachez, Freedom fighter turned Mercenary. Observing the wreckage of mobile workers inside the mining pit.
"If we don't collect these rocks here, this country's economy will go to guess how many countries and industries will be affected by that? I guess they don't care what happens to us on the bottom as long as they can stop war."
"Captain!" A subordinate of Saachez approaches him holding a phone in his hand. "We have a call from PMC Trust." He said, stretching out his hand with the phone for Saachez to take.
Saachez takes the phone and puts it up to his ear. "Ali al-Saachez here. Hey, what's the big idea sending us all the way out here, and then cancelling? Mercenaries make their living by fighting! At this rate, Moralia's gonna collapse!" He lambasted the person on the other side.
Saachez went silent when the person on the other end spoke, greatly intriguing the ex-terrorist Merc. "All right. We'll return to Headquarters." Saachez responds, terminating the call afterwards.
"Is something wrong?" Saachez's XO asks, concerned about what info had been told to his Captain from the Trust.
Saachez chuckled before turning, "Those hot shots at the AEU finally decided to get off their fat butts and do something."
AEU Parliament.
"Are you planning on sending the military to Moralia no matter what?"
"At the European Summit the other day, it was confirmed that Moralia's PMCs are necessary for our space development projects." The German Chancellor justified.
"No matter how dire its financial situation if we keep supporting Moralia, Celestial Being will.." The Italian PM tried to protest.
"That's why we must send in the military." The Chancellor re-affirmed her position to her Italian counterpart.
"However, if we send our country's soldiers to fight on foreign soil there'll be a public backlash against us." The Italian PM rather said gloomily, knowing if this blows up in their faces the consequence will be severe.
"Let's not worry about what happened over three centuries ago. We're trying to do what's best for the AEU of today." The German continued.
"We should leave Colony development to the Union and Human Reform League. They're relying on our financial power to keep going, after all." The French PM boasted.
"That may work for countries like yours that possess great wealth, but it's not as simple for our nation." Disagreed The Russian President.
"Is your nation that desperate to sell weaponry that you make?" the French PM questioned his Russian counterpart.
"Moving into space is just not possible without a strengthening of our military. If we give up control of space to the Union or Human Reform League, the final frontier will be lost to us." The Russian justified his opinion.
"Exactly. We cannot fall any further behind in the space development race. Military forces will be deployed to Moralia, but only by countries who agree to do so." The UK PM said.
"If that's the case.." His French counterpart rather begrudgingly agreed.
"However, this action must be officially approved by all of the AEU member states." The Englishman continued. "We will be the white knight that saves Moralia."
On Ptolemaois.
"GN Drive linkage satisfactory. GN particle charge status, currently at seventy-five percent. Dispersal status, stabilized at forty percent. No unknowns in field of vision." Feld said, checking for any anomalies in the ship's day-to-day operations.
"You know it's been over a week." Christina said.
"What?" Lasse asked what she was referring to while he busied himself with the control panel.
"I mean Allelujah! What's so wrong about saving people?"
In the brig room of the Ptolemaois, used to store prisoners or unruly crew members. Allelujah Haptism is currently carrying out his sentence for saving over a hundred innocents, a rather draconian consequence for preventing the worst space disaster in history.
The door to the padded cell opens, revealing Tieria Erde to be the one who opened it.
"Hi." Allelujah awkwardly said to the purple hair. "Is my sentence up?"
"From the sounds of it, you don't feel sorry about your actions, do you?" Tieria enters the room as he said so.
"I guess you're right." The green-hair boy admitted.
"Allelujah Haptism. You're not worthy of being a Gundam Meister. Tieria bluntly stated.
"You plan on pulling me off of Kyrios?" Allelujah asked, already knowing what was to be expected due to his actions.
"That's right. Or so I would love to say, but we can't afford to do that now."
"We will be requiring your abilities again." Sumeragi enters the scene, standing beneath the doorway.
"Miss Sumeragi." Allelujah said.
"We have information indicating the president of Moralian Republic is having secret meetings with the foreign ministers of the major AEU nations."
"Moralia?" Allelujah stood up before continuing. "It's the PMCs, right?"
"We can consider this to be a direct challenge against us."
"It will be a hard mission. We'll be descending onto the surface to provide backup for the other Gundam Meisters. Allelujah, you are hereby released from confinement. Both of you are going, so prepare for an immediate launch."
"Roger." Allelujah/Tieria responded.
Human Reform League. Low Orbital Station. Super-Human Institute Labs Field Office.
"We conducted a thorough physical examination of the Second Lieutenant. But have found no problems. The numbers show her brain's synaptic nerve impulses and Glial cells are at a normal level." Reported the Scientist to Colonel Smirmov, Soma Pieres lying on an operating table in-between them.
"Then why did the Second Lieutenant react so unexpectedly?" Smirmov asked.
"We analyzed Taozi's mission recorder and detected abnormalities in her quantum brain waves. Ordinarily, this should be impossible. It's possible she was affected by an external influence." The Scientist reported his findings to the Colonel.
"External?"
"If that's the case then this individual would have to be someone like her who had their Glial cells enhanced and also uses quantum brainwaves.
"Are you saying another of her kind was out there?" The Colonel asked, trying to understand it through layman's terms.
"I'm simply suggesting a possibility."
"How do we deal with this?" Smirmov questioned, waiting for a solution given to him by the egg-head.
"We've made changes to her suit to block quantum brainwaves. This won't happen again.
"Is it that important to you to have her out on the battlefield?" The Russian asked, rather disgusted that they want the Second Lieutenant to be back on the field as soon as possible.
"If this organization called Celestial Being had never appeared on the scene, our research here would never come to light." The Scientist confessed.
"It always leads back to that group." The Wild bear squinted his eyes a little.
AEU territory, Paris. French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Technical assistance for solar power generation?" The Foreign Minister asked. Looking directly at the Princess of Azadistan, Marina Ismail sitting opposite of him.
"We would like to request your assistance with that" She replied with a hint of nervousness.
"Hmm.." The French Foreign Minister pauses before continuing. "I wish our nation could help you with this, however your country is very unstable right now. Without a guarantee our technicians would be safe we won't get consent of the assembly. Besides, the AEU's elevator isn't fully operational. I don't know if we have the technicians to send elsewhere."
"How unfortunate." She replied, saddened by the indirect refusal of sending Technicians to help her country.
"I will make every effort to ensure food aid to Azadistan continues." The Foreign Minister stands up, signaling the end of their meeting. Marina stands up as well after him. Opening her mouth to say "Thank you".
After the meeting, the Foreign Minister looks out the window to see off the princess's departure, observing Marina entering the vehicle, he begins talking to himself. "A young princess taking part in the unfamiliar world of foreign policy to protect his country. I do feel sorry for her, but we can't afford charity. I guess it's all up to Moralia." He says dishearteningly, walking away from the window to contend with other duties as Minister.
Japan, Tokyo Apartment Block.
Saji Crossroad, a kind-hearted and naive goofball. Is holding a plastic container of food in his hands, intending to give it to the mysterious Middle-Eastern neighbor living next door to him. A kid by the name of Setsuna F. Seiei. Whom he never sees often, nor does he ever see his parents come by to visit him like Louise's mother, truly an enigma on his own.
Ringing the doorbell to his apartment, he waits patiently for someone to open it. The door opens a few seconds later and comes out Setsuna from inside, his expression the same unamused dull.
"Good timing. My sister made too much stewed chicken for supper. I wondered if you'd like some." Offered Saiji.
"I'm on my way out." Setsuna said, closing the door behind him.
"Ah, is that so?" Saiji retorted, the Middle Eastern boy walking away from him towards the elevator before suddenly stopping. Raising his head a little, and opening his mouth. "That was a close call."
"Huh?" said Saiji in confusion, before remembering what Setsuna was referring to. "Oh, at the station. Really. I never imagined that we'd be saved by Celestial Being."
"Me neither." Setsuna bluntly stated, before continuing towards the elevator.
"Huh?" Was all that Saiji could reply with, not getting a chance to ask what Setsuna meant as the Arab had already entered the elevator. The doors closing in-between the two of them, descending down towards the first floor.
"The Moralian Republic." Feldt began. "Founded twenty-three years ago in two-two-eighty-four, it is a small country situated in Southern Europe. The population is relatively low at one hundred-eighty-thousand people, but over three million foreign workers live within the country's borders. PMCs account for twenty percent of the four thousand private companies. These Private Military Companies deal with mercenary deployments, the training of soldiers, weapons transport and development, and logistical support, all based on a business model for profit."
"You work too much, Feldt" Sumeragi smirked, feeling humbled for her subordinate's hardwork in intelligence gathering.
"Just doing my duty." The pink-haired girl coldly replied.
Sumeragi, Christina, and Feldt sat inside a room in the orbital train taking them down to the surface, planning to direct the Moralia interventions from Wang Liu Mei's Villa.
"Miss Sumeragi, Moralia is a country that developed by inviting in the PMCs and treating them favorably, right? Then why has it never been a target for our attacks until now?" Christina asked curiously.
"If wars around the world diminish, then their business wouldn't survive." Sumeragi glances out the window, "It would've been nice if they ended up self-destructing on their own"
"It appears that Moralia will take a defensive stance against Celestial Being." Graham says to Billy, taking a cup of coffee from the automated dispenser.
"The AEU has decided to back them up. In order to complete their solar power generation system and move onto colony development, the manpower and technology of the Private Military Companies are crucial. " Billy continues. "Moralia on the other hand, wishes to rebuild its shrinking economy. Even if their country becomes a battlefield, they'll still need the backup from the AEU."
"And I'll bet they're looking for the chance to get their hands on one, if all does well. A Gundam." Billy gave a dramatic flair when it came to the Gundam, getting a breathless chuckle from Graham.
"Then, we'll just have to hand this one over to the so-called ace of the AEU." Graham mockingly said. While somewhere in the world, an overconfident red hair proudly boasts challenging the Gundams on top of his Commander-Type Enact, even after being utterly humiliated in his first encounter with the group.
"Moralia and the AEU are conducting a joint military drill?" Asked Wang Liu Mei to his brother, enjoying a nice cup of tea beside the Villa's pool.
"It's on the scale of a full regiment." Hong Long replies, "Also, an alliance of Moralia's private military companies, PMC Trust is also taking part in this exercise. Adding all the mobile suits together, they're estimated to have over one hundred-thirty units."
The Chinese girl puts down her teacup, stands up, and looks out across the horizon of endless ocean. " A maximum-scale mission. The world will have no choice but to take a closer look at Celestial Being."
The Machine had hid itself inside a small valley surrounded by the mountainous terrain of Southern France after descending from the atmosphere unnoticed during night-time, supplemented by the transmission of false data to E-Sensors during its descent.
It watches closely through satellite of the arrival of GN units from Ptolemaois rendezvousing with GN-001 and GN-002 on a small deserted island in the South Pacific identified as [ Temp. CB Frontline Base -]. It continues to bid its time until the Moralia conflict begins.
So far, everything is proceeding as planned, now it was a question of when, not if, Celestial Being would intervene in the Joint AEU-Moralia Exercise. With the human internet already full of activity concerning issues relating to the AEU-Moralia Military Exercise, its no wonder everyone had to take a closer look at Celestial Being, the fools.
Moralia and the AEU's forces will be massacred without a doubt. The Gundams possessed the superior technology and firepower, what made them less effective however were their pilots.
The selection process of the Ptolemaois team in particular was akin to 'spin-the-wheel', or 'who's more tragic?', and 'I know! Lets add a gender-neutral clone/living terminal/Spacenoid to the team who's personality is the equivalent to a brick but don't tell anyone!'. Making the Gundams much less threatening as opponents due to the mental or health issues of the pilots and the lack of training they've been given from what it could determine from the television show. Truly, VEDA was infected with human stupidity if it chooses Mobile Suit pilots on such an illogical and random basis.
Because of this self-handicap by Celestial Being, it might be a good idea to adopt less-efficient tactics so they would be caught off-guard if the Machine switches to a new tactic battleplan.
= [ Tracking GN-003 and GN-005 descending from atmosphere. ] =
Union Territory. A Certain Hotel.
Inside the hotel's cocktail lounge where guests from all over come to chat and relax, Sumeragi sat alone at the bar table, in front of her was red wine poured into a martini glass. Beside it a small device broadcasting to her television news on the upcoming AEU military drill.
"It's twelve noon. On JNN News Today, a special report on the military exercise taking place in the Moralian Republic conducted jointly with the AEU forces, codenamed 'Operation Dawn'. Over a hundred mobile suits from all involved forces were brought for the exercise but what need is there to perform such a large scale military exercise at this time..." The voice of the reporter fades into the background, Sumeragi enjoying herself the glass of wine while she waited someone.
"Does this interest you?" A male voice asked Sumeragi midway in her drink. 'Ah, that must be him' She thought. Glancing over her shoulder he sees a man dressed in a white suit, black shirt, and purple necktie smiling at her, his most distinctive feature were a pair of wireframe glasses.
"Hi." He greeted. Sumeragi discreetly turns off the device when he came to sit beside her.
"Welcome." The bartender greeted the man.
"Um, an Une Puree." He requested.
"Right away, sir." The bartender nodded.
"How do you interpret Moralia's recent actions?" The man asked after a brief moment of silence, Sumeragi knowing him by the name of Billy katagirl, Researcher at MSWAD, an enemy of Celestial Being, and unwilling informant of Union secrets. But also a fellow graduate and long time friend. She had invited him to meet up with her at this hotel's cocktail lounge.
"Let's not talk about that. We haven't seen each other in a while." Sumeragi dissuading him from talking about politics right from the get-go.
"Since graduate school. How many years has it been?" Billy reminisced.
Sumeragi sighed. "Don't bring that up. My age will become obvious."
Billy gave a breathless chuckle. "I already know your age."
"Your drink, sir." The bartender bowed as he set the drink Billy ordered on the table, leaving the two of them afterwards.
"When a woman's real age is mentioned, she loses some of her youth." Sumeragi reminded Billy, lightly rubbing the edges of the wine glass with her index finger.
"And do you have the data to support this theory?" Billy said, after taking a gulp from his own exotic drink. Sumeragi giggled at his reply. "You haven't changed, Billy"
Billy glanced over to her, "I'm glad you invited me."
[Insert cutaway of Christina and Feldt buying too much clothing.]
"Anti-Gundam Task Force? What kinda name is that?" Sumeragi getting a kick out of the generic, unimaginative name. "It was just formed recently and doesn't have an official name yet" Billy replied.
"And you're assigned to this task force?"
"Not just me. Believe it or not, the technical chief is Professor Ralph Elfman."
"The Professor?" Sumeragi raised a brow.
"The professor has already caught on to the concept behind the particles that are emitted by the Gundams."
"Hmm..that sounds interesting. What kind of particle is it?" The woman's eyes narrowed, the conversation had become intriguing.
"Well, I keep asking him, but he won't answer me."
"Is that so? That's a shame."
"Never mind that, what are you doing now?"
"Well, a number of things." She replied.
"About that time.."
"I've forgotten about it." Sumeragi closed her eyes, lying to herself so she wouldn't have to open that painful wound in her memories.
"I see." Billy said, clasping Sumeragi's hand with his own "That's fine. I'm just glad we met again."
"Yeah." Sumeragi responded.
[Insert another cutaway of Christina with Feldt trying on some dresses, the pink-haired girl already asking for the sweet embrace of sleep or even death to whisk her away from Christina's unhealthy addiction with clothing/shopping.]
"As we predicted, we were only able to get food support." Shirin says through the small tablet held by Marina
"Don't say it like it's a foregone conclusion. We need to obtain technical support somehow." Marina said, trying to get their hopes up.
"I'm sure you know from the news reports, Moralia is headed for a confrontation with Celestial Being. If the war situation is likely to continue, I'll have you return here."
"Even here, Celestial Being..." Marina says in disbelief.
PMC Weapons Hangar.
"A joint exercise? I never thought the AEU would take part." Saachez says to a Supervisor of the company accompanying him.
"it's the fruit of diplomatic effort. We can't always be getting the short end of the stick. We need the AEU to put in some effort as well." The Supervisor replied.
Saachez chuckled. "No kidding."
The lights in the hangar flicker on. Focusing on a large, blue AEU mobile suit in flight mode. "I want you to use this machine."
"A new AEU model?" Saachez asks.
"It was a development test machine, but our company's engineers tuned it up." The Supervisor specified the Enact model's history.
"You want me to beat a Gundam with this?" The Arab Merc questioned.
"Capture one." The Supervisor re-iterates, getting a chuckle from Saachez. "Easier said than done." The Arab replied.
"We're prepared to pay enough that you can live comfortably for the rest of your life." The Supervisor said, a big reward for someone like the Arab.
Saachez whistled at the offer. "That's very enticing." He said, walking up to the machine and touching it with his hand. Already grinning, as he knew what was his answer to him.
Moralia. Villa of Wang Liu Mei.
A red sedan rolls up to the residence owned by Celestial Being's main financier, Wang Liu Mei, its windows blacked out. Hong Long, big brother and servant of his sister, opens the door for the occupants inside, revealed to be three crew members of Ptloemaois.
"I've been waiting for you." Wang greeted as Sumeragi stepped out of the vehicle, the older woman wearing sunglasses.
"Here we are." Sumeragi replied, her group walking up to the Chinese girl. "Then let me show you the way." Wang offered.
Entering the house, they make their way to the living room where deactivated control panels awaited them. Christina insertx a large USB stick into one of the ports, activating the control panels, both her and Feldt immediately get to work to oversee the intervention operation.
"Impressive. Wang Liu Mei. This is all excellent." Sumeragi compliments, standing beside Wang with Hong just behind them.
"Thank you." The Chinese girl takes the compliment to heart.
A tactical screen showing Moralia pointing to the location of enemy troops flashes on, Hong briefs them on the situation. "This shows how the Moralian and AEU forces are deployed."
"And the PMC Trust as well. And in real-time." Sumeragi continues Hong's explanation.
"When did you find the time to hack into it?" Feldt asked Christina, the team's expert hacker.
"Before breakfast." The brown hair winked at her fellow controller, Feldt noticing a satisfied smirk on Christina's face.
"Mission will begin at zero hundred hours as planned. Our targets are everything hostile towards us." Sumeragi ordered.
"Roger." Feldt/Christina said in unison.
= [ Now entering Republic of Moralia Airspace. ACS Field Status: Normal. ] =
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= [ Switching to Combat Mode. Analyzing Systems for Anomalies. ] =
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= [ No Anomalies Found. ] =
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= [ Weapon Systems: Active ] =
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= [ Drone 1: Ready for Deployment. ] =
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= [ Drone 2: Ready for Deployment. ] =
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= [ All Systems Green. Ready For Combat. ] =
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= [ Objective: Destroy Targets along pre-determined path trajectory. ] =
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= [ Begin Operation. ] =
MSWAD Base.
"Is that right? You met with Kujo? How was she?" Elfman asks after putting down a book that could give the old m.
"Looking great." Billy replies.
"Did you discuss the incident?" Elfman questions.
"She said she'd forgotten about it." Billy answered.
"I see," Elfman said, although a bit curious, he knew it was a sensitive topic, especially to 'Kujo'.
"Kujo? Are they talking about what happened with that combat forecaster?" Graham asked in his head.
"We have a visual from the scene. I'm bringing it up on the monitor." An operator relays to the others in the room, activating a hovering screen which showed the locations of the Gundam through satellite.
"What is that equipment?" Mason asked, seeing the strange weapons carried by the Gundams.
"They're not in our data." Daryl points out, holding a piece of paper in his hands.
"Celestial Being is serious this time." Graham glared, full attention given to the screen in front of him.
Moralian airspace. Eve of Intervention.
"Visual confirmation of Gundams. Point A-Four-Seven-Five-Six." A PMC Hellion Reconnaissance pilot relays back to base. Spotting four silhouettes flying from the horizon, their direction was into inner Moralia.
"It seems the enemy has spotted us." Lockon commented. Looking at his radar screen to find a single hostile within their sight. "All machines, act accordingly to the mission plan. Keep the coded lines open at all times. Expect revisions to the plan from Miss Sumeragi."
"Roger." Tiera/Setsuna/Allelujah replied.
"Moralia's just declared a state of emergency!" an Anchorman shouted in the JNN Head office, a friend of Kinue Crossroad.
"An emergency report! Prepare the graphics. Hurry with the Breaking News Update!" His boss shouted to the man beside him, standing up with arms propping his body against the table. "Yes, sir!" The employee replied.
"So, they made their move!" The Boss exclaimed.
Immediately they swung into action, already broadcasting an emergency news report to millions of screens across the globe.
"If the Moralian Republic has declared a state of emergency, that would mean Celestial Being has commenced an armed intervention and combat has begun. The question here is, since they're part of the exercise what will the AEU do in response?" The News Anchorman discussed with his colleague in front of the camera.
"A war? Are they showing any Gundams?" A boy with his girlfriend rather ignorantly commented behind Saji and Louise, rather ignorant of the real state of affairs.
"Why do this?" Saji asked himself, confused why Celestial Being had double-standards after saving their lives.
"Huh?" Louise turned to Saji, confused at his question.
The boy's eyes already squinting, "This is wrong Louise. Celestial Being rescued us but now they're starting a war themselves. Doing that isn't gonna change the world. it'll just create more hate. They'll just plunge the world into chaos."
"Ribbons. I can practically hear them. All the evil intents throughout the world." Alejandro Corner said, holding a glass of cold whiskey in his hand, looking out from his apartment balcony.
"Enemy air squadron found in E-Three-Two-Two. Just like Miss Sumeragi's forecast said." Allelujah said, pressing the trigger on the control stick. Kyrios's beam submachine gun let loose a burst of purple-colored bolts of energy towards the targets, the enemy AEU mobile suits banking away to escape his barrage. Kyrios launches its vertical-launch missiles after both sides passed each other, ensuring the AEU pilots didn't have any room to escape their impending deaths.
"W-What? I can't dodge this!" An AEU Pilot screamed, followed by the sky exploding in grandiose fashion from the wake of Kyrios's missile attack.
"Enemy formation destroyed. Kyrios, no change in mission plan." Feldt relayed to Allelujah, the main support officer for the Gundams alongside Christina.
"Roger. Continuing intervention."
"Dynames and Virtue are switching to armed intervention in area D-Eight-Eight-Three." Christina relayed.
= [ Deactivating ACS Field. Initiate Combat Maneuvers. ] =
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= [ Enemy Air Formation sighted. Consisting of 9x AEU-05/05 AEU Hellion Perpetuum. Deploying P-1KZ Beam Sniper Rifle. ] =
The Machine pulls out a sniper rifle with a folded barrel from its rear-waist, the weapon unfolds itself when the Machine brought it up to its chest. It brakes mid-air before making a hard-landing, buckling the ground as result. The Machine raises the rifle, pointing it at the direction of the AEU mobile suits.
= [ Commencing target Acquisition. Target Range: 5000. Altitude: 3000. Adjusting for particle dispersion in-atmosphere. ] =
Using the massive gun camera mounted on its forehead protected by thick red-tinted armored glass, the Machine quickly locks-on to all the identified targets.
= [ Activating AEWCS Jamming. Commencing attack. ] =
The Machine's eyes glimmered. A crimson beam of energy exits the weapon's barrel.
"Enemy sighted! It's a Gundam! Contact HQ—"
A Hellion goes down after being penetrated by pure red energy. Then another, and another. Before finally, the 4th one reacted. "Shit!" The pilot screamed, exploding mid-air just as he tried to perform a hard turn in his mobile suit. The remaining Hellions immediately enter evasive maneuvers, desperately trying to avoid the crimson flashes from the horizon which were targeting them.
"I can't contact HQ! What the hell?! That Gundam isn't emit—" Another Hellion exploded.
"Shit! Shit! Shit! Shi—" Followed by another unfortunate Hellion Pilot who was next to the last one.
Already, 6 Hellions have been shot down, making the Machine an Ace in less than a minute. It intends to shoot down the rest, before—
= [ Projectile Incoming. Evade. ] =
Its AEWCS reacted accordingly, the Machine dodges the shots using the vernier thrusters mounted on its Striker Pack, barely avoiding several incoming 120mm railgun shells fired from PMC Hellion ground types emerging from atop the surrounding hillsides, the enemies charging towards the Machine while firing their Linear rifles.
= [ Switching Target Priority. New Target: 8x AEU-05G AEU Hellion Ground Types. ] =
The Machine lets loose a salvo as it jumps through the air, taking out 3 ground types in quick succession. Blue bolts from the Hellions miss the Gundam's body by less than centimeters, the Europeans struggle to hit the Machine even once.
= [ Deploying Left-Leg M11 Beam Pistol. ] =
Pulling out one of its pistols, the Machine dispatches 3 other Hellions closest to its position. The 2 remaining ones taken out by the P-1KZ through hip-firing, now surrounded by a scene of carnage. It moves on to find more targets, leaving the scrapped Hellions to their fates. Once more holstering its pistol inside the left leg.
Was this the best they can do? How pathetic.
= [ Continuing Operation. ] =
"Kyrios has dealt with enemy aerial forces, moving on to Phase Two." Christina relayed.
"Alter Dynames' mission plan to C5." Sumeragi ordered.
"Roger." Feldt replied.
"So this is the power of the Gundam Meisters." Wang said in awe.
"We've only just begun." Proudly boasted Sumeragi. "What's Exia's status?"
Christina replied to Sumeragi's question, "Engaging enemy squadrons at T-Five-Five-Four, according to plan."
Exia charges forward, GN blades equipped. Slicing a PMC unit in half upwards, getting retaliation from a pair of other Hellions firing their linear rifles, Exia performs a summersault to avoid the barrage of bolts coming right at it, dropping down then slicing the offending Hellions.
Taking care a Hellion holding a knife, four more units charge towards the Gundam from all directions. Acting quickly, Setsuna deploys two beam sabers and using them as throwing knifes. Taking out two of the Hellions in front of it before turning around to slice the ones attacking from behind, their bodies briefly flew up into the air before crashing down to earth a few meters behind their legs.
"Exia, Phase One complete. Moving onto Phase Two—" An alarm suddenly sounded in the cockpit, telling Setsuna an enemy bandit was closing in hard and fast.
Moralian Military HQ.
"Communications with third air corps have been severed."
"No response from the PMC Thirty-Second Transport!"
"They're disrupting our communication lines! We don't know what's going on!"
The Operators continue to relay their reports, just as helpless to the situation as the frontline soldiers.
"What are our mobile suit losses?" The Commander asked his Adjutant.
"Enormous, sir. Just from what's been reported. Fifty-eight units have been destroyed, thirty damaged, and twenty-three AEU units have been destroyed as well." He reports.
"W-We lost more than two-thirds of our forces in less than two hours?"
"That's not all sir. Reports are coming in that Celestial Being have deployed a fifth Gundam, its yet to be confirmed however." The Adjutant begrudgingly said.
"What?!" The Commander replied, shocked at the possibility that Celestial Being had possession of more than four Gundams.
"Commander!" A Messenger ran up to the CO. "The PMC Trust have sent word suggesting we fall back immediately!"
"Are they serious?! Where do they think we can escape to?" He rebuffed.
AEU British Foreign Office.
"Out of all the plans we considered, this is the worst case scenario." The UK PM says, before joining a virtual meeting room between him, the German Chancellor, and Russian President.
"Everything ready?" He asked.
"As planned, we've formed a team to provide construction 'll be there before any other countries." The German Chancellor replied.
"I've attached informal consents from other nations for economical support. It looks like we'll be able to take in Moralia." The Russian President replied.
The UK PM silently nodded for their work. "Let us give a silent prayer for the sake of our valiant soldiers."
"M-Monster!" The last Hellion Pilot shouted, all around him his comrades had been shot to pieces, the rising smoke marking their graves. He too would join them in oblivion as a bolt of red penetrates his Hellion's torso, the mobile suit's reactor exploding in the resulting aftermath, killing him.
= [ AEU-05G AEU Hellion Ground Type Destroyed: 20. AEU-05/05 AEU Hellion Perpetuum Destroyed: 19. ] =
After taking out another batch of enemies, the Machine had noticed it has drifted close to the area where the confrontation between Setsuna F. Seiei and Ali al-Saachez would occur, predicting that directly confronting the GN units will compromise its ability to challenge them by surprise in future encounters, it would be better to withdraw than to risk further exposure. There is also the possibility that Celestial Being's command-n-control personnel might've already seen it on satellite even after false data had been transmitted to hide its position.
The combat data it had gathered during its battles with the Hellions was disappointing to say the least, most of them were quickly destroyed or immobilized with the P-1KZ set at low power output. The Hellions could only e considered on-par with 2nd Generation models from its own Military.
The pilots who used them may had the training, but their equipment was no better than useless cannon fodder by the Machine's standards. This meant only the Gundams presented the only real credible threat until Fallen Angel, unless the GNX units in Season 2 are as threatening as how the television show portrayed them to be.
= [ Commencing Withdrawal Sequence. Searching for optimal escape route. ] =
"Captain! You're safe!" A subordinate of Ali cried out in relief. All of them had been hiding inside a canyon since the battle began.
"Yeah, somehow." Ali said, taking off his helmet. "But I let my bonus get away."
"Now, that was well done, Captain. You fought on par with that monster of a mobile suit!"
"You were right when you ordered us to hide, sir!"
"Money only matters if you're alive." Ali replied.
However, Ali couldn't brush off the feeling that he knew the pilot of the Sword Gundam who idiotically exited the cockpit in the middle of combat. Not helped by the fact the combat style the Gundam used was oddly similar to his. His train of thought would be cut short however when one of his men spotted something from his position on the lip of the canyon coming closer towards them.
"C-Captain! A Gundam is heading our way!" He shouts.
"What?!" Ali says in shock. Does that kid want a rematch? This'll be interesting then. His expression turns from surprise to glee. "Attention! We'll be cut down if we try to retreat, our only hope is to fight the Gundam! prepare yourselves!" He barks to his men.
"Yes sir!" They all shout in unison.
Calculations started inside its CPU to find the best escape plan as the area was still full of hostiles, both Celestial Being and AEU alike. Whatever its options would be, it'll need to find temporary refuge since standing in the open would just invite more trouble. Activating its Striker Pack, it hovers across the ground at high speeds to find a location suitable enough to take shelter. Luckily, just a few hundred meters away from the Machine's position, there's a small valley on the edge of the periphery. Unluckily, half a dozen PMC Hellions emerged out of it alongside a single Dark Blue Enact.
"Hey, hey, Gundam. You want a rematch? Wait, you're not the same one.. Whatever! Let's get on with it!" Came the voice of Ali al-Saachez from the Enact through loudspeaker, its luminescence facial pattern showing a menacing yellow left eye.
= [ Targets identified. AEU-09Y812 Enact Custom Marked as Gold. Individual - [Ali al-Saachez] - considered Non-Target. ] =
VX-102-A throttles upwards to gain an altitude advantage, all eyes look at it in anticipation. Its eyes glimmer red with rifle in-hand, pointed towards the enemies down below, ready to let loose the first shot.
= [ Engaging Hostiles. ] =
The Gundam Ali was looking at was different from the one he fought before. Its appearance reminded him of a Revenging Angel, on account of those red eyes and feather-like fins on its shoulders, he guessed it was using a booster pack attached to the rear torso due to the large red wings protruding out from the back.
On its left shoulder was the identification number '102-A' colored in white paint against a blue background. A production model? Variant? Or maybe those Celestial-Whatevers forgot to cover it. In any case, the most weirdest thing were those high heels it had for feet, must've been a woman who made it if the Gundam had feminine features along with an Angelic aura.
"Did the sword one chickened out and begged you to kill me? I'm honored, Gundam!" The Mercenary taunted.
Ali charges forward, firing his linear rifle at the new Gundam carrying an exotic-looking sniper rifle. The enemy dodges the rounds with ease, responding in kind with two red bolts which pass-by Ali in a split second. Two Hellions behind him receive the hit, exploding in quick succession.
"Tch, he's better than the kid." Ali curses, looking back at the Gundam's handiwork for a few seconds before turning his attention back to trying to defeat the monster. Since it had ranged weaponry, its weak in melee combat, he reasoned. Having a grasp of the plan he has in mind, Ali throttles the Enact's engine to the max in an attempt to close the distance between the two of them so the Gundam won't have time to react fast enough.
"Whatever! You're mine Gundam!" He shouted, switching his linear rifle into blade mode just meters away from it. The Gundam glares at the Enact as it dodges the blade's swing, backing off while taking out another two Hellions as it did so.
"What do we do Captain?! We've lost four guys already!" One of his underlings yelped.
"Keep your cool! Give me supporting fire!" Ali barked.
"R-Roger!" The Merc replied hesitantly, his resolve wavering.
"Oi, oi. Too scared to fight in melee are you? Gundam." Ali taunts, earning a swift retort in the form of losing his remaining allies. The last two Hellions getting shot down when they tried to flank the Gundam, their bodies smashing into the ground just like the ones before them. Making him even more irritated.
"I guess its just you and me Gundam." He clenched his teeth, pointing the blade at the clearly far-superior opponent.
Boom!
The Enact's head explodes comedically, the culprit none other than the Gundam, uninterested in the ex-terrorist's antics. Ali's mobile suit falls to the ground headless, landing with a large thump. After confirming most of the Enact's body remained intact, the Gundam flies off to continue its mission plan.
In the distance, where Moralia's Military HQ is located, a white flare could be seen slowly falling from the sky.
"Unconditional surrender signal confirmed." Feldt relayed.
"Well done, Sumeragi Lee Noriega." Wang congratulated.
"We had one outrageous incident though. Sumeragi sighed, looking back at Wang who was observing the battle.
"I know." Wang nodded in agreement "But it's a fact that the plan is proceeding along the lines of Veda's predictions."
"Personally I'd rather stray from those predictions." The older woman admitted.
"Huh?" Wang gave a curious look, tilting her head slightly at Sumeragi's reply. "Why's that?"
Sumeragi gave a short pause before opening her mouth. "We're withdrawing. Please take care of the equipment" The tactical forecaster not going into any specifics on what she said to the Chinese girl.
"Very well." Wang said.
Sumeragi abruptly stopped just as she was about to leave through the door. "Wang Liu Mei. Do you know how many people were sacrificed in this mission?" She turned her gaze towards the girl once again, her expression showing apathy yet full of regret.
"No." Wang replied.
"According to my forecast, at least five hundred." Sumeragi grimly stated. A heavy burden for her when people had to die in order for the world to become peaceful and united, their anger concentrated on the Gundams just as Aeolia had planned.
"But didn't you join Celestial Being knowing this?"
"I know that." Sumeragi blinked. "Yes, I know." She left without further discussion.