Act III:
Thus' Heads Roll.
Tokyo. One day after Moralia Intervention by Celestial Being.
"Good morning, this is the JNN Morning News Broadcast. First, the report on Celestial Being's armed intervention into the Moralian Military and AEU's joint military drill which took place in the republic of Moralia yesterday." The Reporter starts the JNN News's morning broadcast with yesterday's events in Europe. "There were only five hours between the emergency status declaration and their unconditional surrender."
While the reporter continued talking, a group of boys walk pass behind Saji and Louise on their way to class.
"Over already?" The first one apathetically said.
"An instant kill." The second smirked in amusement.
"The Gundams really are amazing." The Third ignorantly blurted, only interested in the spectacles instead of the brutal reality the Gundams come with.
The comments from the boys behind Saji disgusted him, even if he didn't show it outwardly.
"Saji, we were saved by Celestial Being, right?" Louise asked while the Anchorwoman continued talking, perplexed on why they attacked Moralia without justification.
"Yeah, that's right. That's right, but..." He tried to come up with an excuse, but there weren't any.
"Right now, we're connected with special correspondent Ikeda on location. Let's have him tell us about the situation. Please go ahead, Mister Ikeda."
The scene switches to an on-the-ground perspective within a city during night time, presumably Moralia. 'Ikeda' gasps before immediately looking at the camera with microphone close to his mouth.
"Yes, this is Ikeda. I am currently in Reviero, capital of Moralia." The camera pans over to a collapsed building caused by a crashed mobile suit. "Can you see that? This is where a Moralian Military mobile suit was shot down. It crashed into this building, causing it to collapse."
Saji almost walked away when he saw the images of the destruction caused by Celestial Being. Sickening him that an organization who saved his and Louise's life could do such a thing, it didn't make sense make sense to him, was saving them a part of their plan? Or was it just a fluke? His mind wanders to find the answers to these difficult questions.
"Thank you Mister Ikeda. Now we- Wait. One second, viewers." The reporter on the tv screen abruptly pauses mid-sentence, her eyes darted to something off-screen, assumed to be a teleprompter.
"We have just received new information from the Moralian Military on the appearance of a new Gundam deployed by Celestial Being." She continues, dropping a bombshell on anyone who was watching, a video panel beside the reporter shows the aforementioned Fifth Gundam in action, albeit in poor video quality.
"A new Gundam?" Saji mumbles, shocked at this new revelation. "Is Celestial Being now more serious in their interventions now?"
"The Union and Human Reform League have both made public condemnations against the intervention in Moralia and escalation of military force by Celestial Being. We're expecting the two power blocs to hold a press conference in the next few days regarding this event. Now, domestic news..."
AEU Parliament, Conference Room.
"It seems Celestial Being has added another Gundam to their forces due to our actions, and unfortunately this new one appears to be more dangerous than the four others."
"Indeed, the media has even given it a nickname, 'Angel of Death'. Witnesses say it brought down entire squadrons of Hellions in a matter of seconds." The German Chancellor continued, the atmosphere in the meeting room was depressingly gloomy after the events in Moralia, not helped by the fact Celestial Being out of nowhere deployed a fifth Gundam in the intervention.
"We tried to block information concerning the Angel from getting out, but it seems there was a leak at Moralia's end. So they decided to make it official rather than embarrass themselves again." The French PM sighed.
"From the reports, the Fifth Gundam does not use the special particle reactor we've seen in use with the other Gundams, indicating usage of conventional propulsion." The Russian President relays.
The French PM sank into his seat, rubbing his forehead. "Our Military Analysts says this could mean Celestial Being has the capability to mass-produce the Gundams, if it comes to that then—"
"We were prepared to take the political fallout from Moralia since the beginning." The UK PM cuts in, rubbing his temples in complete frustration as well. "But it seems we've stepped on the lion's tail this time." The UK PM acknowledged, just as tired like the rest of them.
"Almost fifty percent of our mobile suit losses are rumored to have been caused by the Angel." The Italian PM nervously spoke, using a handkerchief to wipe off sweat from his forehead. "The public has already broken out into protest because of our decision to send troops into Moralia."
"Our agents in The Union and HRL have reported back to us the two nations have already increased funding into mobile suit research and development along with defense budget increases. Not only are we behind in space elevator construction and colony development, but the other power blocs are taking the initiative in military development due to Celestial Being's actions." The German Chancellor continues.
"Although we lost this time, we've demonstrated to the rest of the world how much of a threat this terrorist organization is, even if it costed us the blood of young men." The UK PM sourly reminded. "Needless to say, we'll need the Union's and HRL's help if we even try to challenge Celestial Being again." The other national leaders nod in agreement.
PMC Headquarters.
"What the hell were you doing when we found you kilometers away from your designated position?!" Ali's boss roared, furious.
"What else? Fighting the Gundams of course. Even if I had to disobey orders." Ali half-assedly reasoned.
"Then why is yours the only team without any casualties?!" His boss pressured.
"We were just lucky, I guess."
"You're lucky the board wants this swept under the rug or else I would've had your ass. Got that?" The older man growled, clenching his teeth,
"Yeah, yeah." Ali dismissively waved. "Oh, by the way. I just got some good information moments ago."
"What? What kind of information?"
"Just watch the news and you'll find out." Ali gave a devious grin.
South Pacific Island, Temporary Base of Celestial Being. Night Time.
Smack!
Setsuna falls down onto the cold beach after being punched in the face by Lockon Stratos, a consequence for his actions in Moralia. Exiting Exia's cockpit in the middle of combat without warning, risking his identity being exposed just to confront a nameless PMC Pilot.
"You know the reason why I hit you, right?" The Irish said, his hand feeling the sting from hitting the boy's face. "The identities of the Gundam Meisters are protected by the same S level confidentiality as the solar reactors. Why did you expose yourself to the enemy?"
Setsuna didn't reply, not showing a hint of emotion after such physical force given to him.
"At least tell me your reasons."
Setsuna still kept quiet, only glaring at Lockon.
"You are so stubborn." He sighs.
Click
The sound of a gun primer immediately grab Lockon's attention, turning towards the source, he sees Tieria pointing a gun at Setsuna. "If you don't want to tell us, you don't have to. You're a danger to the rest of us." He declares.
"Knock it off, Tieria." Lockon quickly intervenes, pushing the gun away from Setsuna's direction.
Tieria glares at Lockon. "If we allow his foolish actions to continue there's a risk we'll be endangered as well. The operation has only just begun, we can't afford to stumble here."
"I'm not leaving." Setsuna interrupted, pulling out his own gun aimed at Tieria, surprising the other Meisters. "I won't leave Exia. I am a Gundam Meister."
Tieria pulls away his gun from Lockon's grip almost immediately, quickly aiming it at Setsuna once more.
"Put down your gun, Setsuna!" Lockon demanded.
"It may not be my place to say this, having just disobeyed orders, but were chosen by Veda, There is a reason why Setsuna was selected as a Gundam Meister." Allelujah said, trying to make reason between the two hard-headed individuals of the team.
After several tense moments, Tieria conceded, lowering his weapon. "Then I'd like you to show me why you deserve to be a Gundam Meister."
Setsuna stands down as well before standing up. "My existence itself is the reason."
"What?" Tieria asked, puzzled by this.
"I am alive. I am living now." The boy continued.
"~Everyone! Get along! Get along!~" Haro bounces forward in between Setsuna and Tieria, before accidentally jumping into the cold waters by accident. Giving a comical end to the highly tense situation between the Meisters.
"Haro!" Lockon disappointedly shouts to the robot.
Tokyo.
"Louise, did we really need to go out at a time like this?" Saiji asked while the two of them walked towards the bus stop, concerned of the recent events.
"Are you still worried about Moralia?" Louise inquired.
"But Louise, you're on AEU's side. Aren't you worried?"
"I've never been to Moralia, so I don't really know."
"So. Where are we headed?"
"First, I wanna look at clothes, then look at clothes, then look at clothes, and then look at more clothes."
"All for yourself, right?" Saiji guessed, earning a giggle from Louise.
BOOM!
Glass shatters as Saji instinctively ducks down while pulling Louise by the arm, black smoke roll over them momentarily from the direction of the bus stop.
"What was that?" Saji asked himself, eyes full of terror. "Th-The bus!" He manages to say before freezing on the spot.
Right in front of him was what he could only describe as from a war movie. People lay on the ground lifeless, debris thrown everywhere, and the yellow bus the both of them were about to board was now no more than a charred wreck engulfed in flames.
"The bus exploded!" A passerby shouted.
"Terrorists! Terrorists did this!" Another man said in panic.
"Terrorists?" Saji says to himself, still dazed and shell-shocked. "We need to get out of here, Louise! Hurry!" He says, snapping out of his trance to get Louise to a safer place.
"H-Hey, guys! Something terrible has just happened!" Ian Vashti shouted as he ran to the Meisters.
"What happened, old man?" Allelujah asked.
"Simultaneous terrorist attacks in seven major cities acround the world!" Ian replied, out of breath.
"Wh-What?! Multiple terrorist attacks? Startled Lockon.
"Any word on casualties?" Allelujah asked, concerned that innocent civilians were involved.
"They apparently used time bombs at train stations and in business districts. The scale of the explosions wasn't that great but places where people gather were targeted. I hear at least five hundred people lost their lives." The old man explained.
"How terrible." Allelujah replied, saddened by the news,
Lockon's communication tablet suddenly beeps without warning, gaining the attention of the other Meisters. The Irishman takes the tablet from his back pocket before picking up the call. "It's me." He says, the person on the other end revealed to be Wang Liu Mei through video call.
"Gundam Meisters. Just now, a statement from those responsible for the simultaneous attacks has been made public via the network." The girl relays. "'Unless Celestial Being ceases armed intervention and disarms, they will continue engaging in indiscriminate retaliatory acts world-wide.'"
"So in fact, this was really aimed at us." Tieria concluded.
"Which organization made the statement?" Allelujah asked.
"Unknown." Wang Liu Mei replied, the Meisters disappointed by her answer.
"Meisters, please remain on standby at your current location until we receive an investigative report from our agents." "I dunno who they are or where they're from, but they've sure done it."
"Blackmailing us by mass murder." Allelujah grimly surmised.
Tiera mirthed. "Did they seriously think we'd stop armed intervention just because of that?" He Scoffed at the idea.
"Are you serious, Tiera?!" Lockon nearly raised his voice after Tieria made the remark.
"Innocent civilians have become victims, and you don't feel anything?" Ian budged in, rather disturbed by the purple-haired Meister's response.
"I don't. The chance of this happening was forecasted in all of our plans." The Innovade brutally answered.
"Bastard!" Lockon hissed, marching towards Tiera to look at him eye-to-eye in an obvious confrontation.
"What's the matter? Usually you're the one who acts like he's without a care in the world." Tieria mocked.
"Shut up, you bastard!" Lockon shouted, gripping Tieria's collar.
"Do you hate terrorism so much?" Tieria amusingly asked.
"Got a problem with that?" Lockon replied defensively.
"From the world's perspective, we're also terrorists." The Innovade was quick to point out the marksman's hypocrisy.
"Got a problem with me hating terrorists?!"" Lockon growled even deeper, re-asserting his opinion. Tiera, in response, merely slapped away Lockon's hand gripping his collar, not once intimidated by his aggression.
"That organization has started a form of warfare known as terrorism." Setsuna cuts in. Earning glares from both Tiera and Lockon.
''In which case, intervening in that warfare is what Celestial Being does." Setsuna lets his words permeate before continuing. "The ones that take action are us, the Gundam Meisters."
[Roll Credits]
Despite the precautions undertaken to prevent exposure, recordings have surfaced documenting it in-action across the internet. The source of these rather incriminating videos were from the gun cameras of destroyed Hellion mobile suits made public by the Moralian government, a bold move considering they released it a day after their humiliating unconditional surrender. Unfortunately, this unwanted fame would forever hinder any future operations against Celestial Being, since the world now believes it is affiliated with the interventionist paramilitary group.
'Angel' is what they called it, and so far, it was the talk of the world.
The fleshbags have begun analyzing every part of its exterior on forums and discussing among each other about it like perverts, while television broadcasts talk of how Celestial Being had yet again shifted the balance of power in their favor. But what it found most confusing however, was the close attention to its 'high-heels', many media outlets talk of this unconventional design for a Mobile Suit, speculating its creator and itself were female from this observation alone. What nonsense.
Enacting information suppression by this point would be a waste of resource and effort, for its existence had become too known to be erased and forgotten by the populace so only decision now it could see as viable is to play the part of Celestial Being's newest addition, whether the Macintosh in outer space approves of it, it does not care. For that excuse of first-rate software was responsible for the elimination of nuclear research and development, manipulating the governments of the world to instead use less efficient solar energy for power generation, an insult to the highest degree considering the Machine is powered by an evolution of atomic energy.
In the meantime. The Machine patiently waits within Algerian territory, searching diligently across virtual space until the location of La Edenra's main base is located, then destroyed with maximum efficiency.
On a Private Yacht.
The members of Celestial Being have decided to wait
"Why are you dressed like that?" Inquired Allelujah, puzzled by the outfit worn by the female members of the Ptolemaois team.
"It's camouflage! Camouflage!" Sumeragi
"And this is my favorite style!" Christina smiled.
"Do you understand our situation?" The ex-HRL Super Soldier asked.
"I know!" Sumeragi stepped up, despite her carefree attitude. "But right now all we can do is wait for information from Wang Liu Mei's agents. But it sure is hot." She moaned, using her hands to fan herself. "Don't you have any cold beer?"
Allelujah could only sigh at the forecaster's attitude. "She sure's got a lot of nerve."
"She's just acting tough." Lockon said from his observation, unimpressed by the woman's facade.
"If only we could contact those agents ourselves." Christina says to Allelujah.
Tiera steps forward to answer her however. "There's no need for us, the combat team to know everything about the organization."
"I guess I can trust in Veda's directions." Allelujah gave his feedback to Christina after Tiera. "Oh, that reminds me Miss Sumeragi. Did Wang Liu Mei inform you that the team operating the Angel would assist us in stopping the unknown terrorists?" Allelujah turns his head to ask Sumeragi.
"Angel? I don't recall Wang Liu Mei telling me anything relating to it." The older woman replied.
"But it was all over the news! They kept saying 'Celestial Being has gone too far by deploying a fifth Gundam.'" Christina paraphrased.
"Didn't you and Feldt see the Angel from satellite?" Allelujah asks Christina.
The girl shakes her head at the question. "Other than the AEU mobile suits and you guys, there wasn't anybody else."
"What? How could that be?" Allelujah replies, shocked. "Does Celestial Being have a stealth Gundam we don't know of?"
"Like I said, the combat team is only given information on a need-to-know basis, otherwise if one of us is captured, then the whole organization would be at risk of exposure." Tieria rudely interjects.
"You'll kill us first before that happens, Tieria." Lockon chuckled. The purple hair's response to the Irishman's joking remark was a threatening glare.
"From what I could tell from the videos made public, the Angel isn't powered by a GN Drive. However, if the rumors are true, the capability to shoot down entire squadrons of Hellions within seconds would exceed the energy capacity of the batteries currently used by the superpowers." Ian analyzed, letting his technical expertise shine for all to witness.
"Then what is it powered by if not GN or battery?" Christina curiously asks.
Ian frowned when asked of this, thinking his answer would greatly disturb them. "Although far-fetched, I have a hunch its powered by nuclear."
Aside from Setsuna and Tieria who didn't react in the slightest. Everyone immediately had their eyelids stretched open to varying degrees after hearing this.
"Hey, hey. Don't scare us like that!." Lockon rebuffed, jolting to a stand position.
"Think about it, the only thing able to match the power output of a GN Drive is a nuclear reactor." Ian justified.
"Nobody is stupid enough to build a bomb strapped to a mobile suit as a power source, are you sure your hunch isn't wrong old man?" Lockon questions. Instead of answering, Ian was more annoyed for being called 'old' by the team's marksman.
"You're the one who has access to Veda, Tiera. Anything you want to tell us?" Allelujah turned to ask.
"Don't be absurd, Veda only gives information when it is needed, not wanted. The Angel is most likely operated by a unit of Celestial Being kept secret from us to protect both parties." The Innovade dismissed their doubts.
"But why use nuclear?" Christina ponders.
"Maybe the eggheads before us thought it would be a good idea to miniaturize nuclear reactors for the Gundams but failed miserably since the technology was too experimental back then. The Angel probably didn't have a GN Drive available for it to use so they're just making use of available equipment otherwise left to collect dust." Lockon gives a half-assed explanation most plausible to him and the others, laying down on the thin sofa facing upwards while covering his eyes from the bright sun using his right arm.
Christina looks at Sumeragi. "Then, won't the Angel's Team also act on the information sent by Wang Liu Mei's agents, Miss Sumeragi?"
"They probably would Christina, we're all following Aeolia's plan after all." The tactical forecaster leans against the Yacht's edge while saying so. "Now, can anybody get me that cold beer? It feels like I'm melting out here" Sumeragi laments, walking into the ship's interior to find refreshments.
Wang Liu Mei and Hong Long set to work in identifying the terrorist group responsible for the indiscriminate attacks.
"I've finished contacting all our agents using an encrypted message on a special wavelength." Hong Long reports.
"What's the situation on the various nations?" Wang Liu Mei asks.
"It appears the intelligence agencies of the major nations are already at work searching for the stronghold of this international terrorist network."
An alarm suddenly goes off, meaning something had happened.
"Another bombing!" Hong Long calmly exclaims, despite the consequences of such an attack. "It's in the Human Reform League. With this, the Union, AEU, and Human Reform League have all become targets of these terrorists attack." The screen points to Shanghai in China, one of the major super cities on the Orient. "The probability is high that it's the work of an international terrorist network."
"We can't deny the possibility that some country is supporting it." Said Wang Liu Mei, touching her mouth to think of countries who might be suspect to this theory. "It's terrible, having to just sit and wait like this."
Human Reform League, Low Orbital Station.
"Twenty-four dead, sixty-seven injured." The soldier on the other end of the video call reads off a clipboard in his hand. "Intelligence has begun an investigation."
"Alright." Smirmov said, satisfied with the information. "Report to me if something turns up."
"Roger that, Lieutenant-Colonel." The soldier says before Smirmov disconnects, the Colonel is about to carry out another task when a figure from the corner of his eye caught his attention, turning his head to get a good look, the figure belonged to Lieutenant Soma Peries, the Super Soldier he had reluctantly allowed to continue serving under his wing.
"What's wrong?" He asks.
"I don't believe this is something you should be involved with, Lieutenant Colonel." Soma inquires.
"The reasons for these multiple terrorists attacks is Celestial Being. Which means there's a possibility they'll step in at some point. Then it's our business. Especially now those terrorists have a new mobile suit we don't know of."
"You mean the Angel, Colonel?"
"Correct, Lieutenant. Unlike the other Gundams, the Angel seems to be the odd one out." The Colonel presses a button on the keyboard, displaying a still image of the Gundam Angel. "Take for example its propulsion system, while the other Gundams use special particles, the Angel uses conventional booster rockets, now why is that?"
"Maybe Celestial Being doesn't have the resources to make a new reactor with the same principles?"
"That might be the case. But there is also something that intrigues me." The Colonel switches to a short video of rather low quality. "Tell me, what is your opinion on the Angel?"
"It is a weapon used by Celestial Being, despite its differences from the other models, it is still a Gundam."
"Yet, it fights unlike a Gundam."
"Excuse me, Colonel?" Soma gives a confused expression. Smirmov gestures to her to come closer to the monitor, which she complies.
"Take a look, Lieutenant. If you've noticed. The tactics used by the original four Gundams are frontal attacks, relying on their highly durable armor, advanced beam weaponry, and special particles to overcome any numerical disadvantage. They are confident enough to expose themselves to overwhelming fire yet they still achieve their objective like clockwork, regardless the opposition."
"Then, what about the Angel, sir?"
"From what Intelligence could gather, it is a long-range sniper type mobile suit like the Green One, but unlike the Green One, the Angel keeps its distance from effective enemy fire, more callous and tactical than its brethren, a much more dangerous opponent."
"How so, Colonel?"
"Observe its movements, Lieutenant. It only moves when necessary, no needless acrobatics, no waste in timing, just efficient adjustments to get it from point to point. I'm concerned if Celestial Being had hired a veteran ace to pilot such a terrifying war machine."
"Don't worry, Colonel. With you leading the Chobu Team and my Taozi, we'll be strong enough to face the Gundams." Soma reassured, but from her dull expression it was more of a statement than anything.
"That's what I'm afraid of Lieutenant, the Angel might have yet shown its true colors to us." Smirmov grimly concluded.
La Edenra. The supposed 'terror network' brave enough to challenge Celestial Being, had failed to cover their retreat path properly, loose ends still dangled for anyone to pull when the Machine slithered through their defenses undetected. If it had only relied on information sourced from the television show, then the terrorists would've gotten away undefeated and their leaders unpunished despite what the show wanted its viewers to believe.
Penetrating the firewall defenses of La Edenra's servers without setting off the alarms proved to be an easier task than expected, hundreds of incriminating evidence, member lists, informants, and off-shore funds of the terror group hidden in dummy corporations were all now at the fingertips of the Machine. A large source of blackmail that would undoubtedly help it to accomplish any objective within parameters when exerting influence on the group after what the Gundams intend to do with them.
The main base of the terrorists, only mentioned in an off-hand statement by Hong Long as abandoned by the time Celestial Being's agents founded it, was in fact, located in Algeria, of all places. Disguised as a small unmarked village a few dozen kilometers inland from the Mediterranean sea, with a high probability that the terrorists were already preparing to evacuate to prepared safe houses before any counterattacks could be enacted by the Gundams, it has already encased the terrorists in the cage of their own making.
The Machine meanwhile, hid within within the sand dunes of the Sahara a few kilometers away while its drones continued to buzz the area discreetly, sending back images of important infrastructure needed to be taken out. These French terrorists might have eluded the world, but not from the Machine, their punishment will come in due time, and when the dust settles, they will answer for their crimes, one way or another.
= [ No Change in Enemy Activity Detected by Drone 1 and 2. ] =
...
..
= [ Counterattack will begin after Terrorist attack in Scotland proceeds as Predicted. ] =
...
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= [ Beginning Combat Simulations to ascertain most efficient Battle Plan to inflict Maximum Enemy Casualties. ] =
...
..
= [ Standby. ] =
AEU, Scotland. Luxury Hotel.
"A war in Moralia and multiple terrorist attacks. There certainly are a lot of distractions on your diplomatic tour, Princess." Shirin comments.
"Because of the terrorism, my meeting with the British Foreign Secretary is postponed. This is all Celestial Being's fault." The Princess sighs.
Shirin couldn't help but chuckle, "Think of it as a holiday and enjoy yourself."
"How could you suggest such a thing to me?" Marina asks, shocked how relaxed her Advisor is about the situation.
"There were complications at the National Assembly the other day. The leader of the Conservatives was attacked and injured by Reformists."
"That's terrible." Marina sympathized, already guessing it was Rasa.
"It's only a matter of time before this develops into a clash between citizens. This trip may be your first and last." Said Shirin.
Tokyo, Apartment Block.
"Hey, Louise? It's me. Are you all right?" Saji worryingly asks.
"I'm fine. But Mom's insisting that I return to Spain."
"Go back for a visit and make her feel better." He suggests.
"No way. She was against me coming abroad to study to begin with. She'll come up with all kinds of reasons to keep me there."
"I'm home." The voice of Kinue momentarily gains Saji's attention, before turning back to the digital image of Louise. "My Sister's home. See you later, Louise. Let me know if anything happens."
"Sure. See you." Louise nervously waves goodbye, before the line disconnects.
Saji stuffs his phone into his pocket just as Kinue opens the door to the apartment's main room.
"Welcome home. You look exhausted." Saji greets his rather pale-looking elder sister.
"Of course I am." Kinue says. Sitting on the sofa's armchair after tossing her purple bag to the other couch.
"A large-scale war in Moralia and simultaneous terrorist attacks." She continues, crashing into the soft surface facing upwards, touching her forehead as if checking for a fever.
"Leaders of different nations making official statements, worldwide demonstrations denouncing Celestial Being. We can't cover it all, even if we had every staff member out there reporting." She laments.
Saji goes to the fridge to get a refreshment, "Honestly, I used to feel it was all someone else's problem."
"What was?" Kinue asked.
"How do I put it? Everything that's going on in the world.." Saji closes the fridge with cold water bottle in-hand, giving it to her sister. "Here."
Thanks." She replies, changing to a sit position.
"Even after Celestial Being showed up, there was no conflict over here. So I never really thought it mattered to me. But then, that bus was bombed and a lot of people were affected. When I saw that, I realized it did matter a lot to me. I just didn't know it. I didn't know anything."
"That's the same with me. I just came back from interviewing the families of the victims., and honestly, it was hard. They didn't do anything. They just happened to be there, and their entire lives disappeared. I understand why those families hate Celestial Being." Kinue confesses.
"It's impossible to rid the world of war." Saji said, coming to this belief after the many faraway wars waged since the end of the 20th Century.
"They're probably thinking the exact same thing." Kinue adds, referencing 'that' group.
"What do you mean?"
"There's something else behind that impossible goal of eradicating war. I bet there's an ulterior motive that Celestial Being wants to accomplish." Kine says, taking a sip from the water bottle, sighing afterwards. "Though that's just speculation."
"But people died, a lot of people died, and there are a lot of people grieving."
"You're right, I totally agree." Kinue doesn't deny what her brother says, of the consequences in order to enact change on a world-wide scale.
Saji walks to the large windows leading to the balcony, gazing across the starless night sky. "I wonder what Mom and Dad would think if they were alive."
"They would be saddened, just as you are, Saji."
AEU, Scottish Highlands.
When news first came to him of the Gundam called 'Angel'. Setsuna thought a new Meister would join them, instead, the Angel had shrouded itself within the shadows, remaining mysterious and distant to the point of untrustworthiness, even Sumeragi was being kept ignorant by Veda. Then there was the claim by Ian Vashti that the Angel was powered by 'nuclear energy'.
Although not properly educated, he knows enough of the dangers of radiation, how it poisons the land, taints the air, and bring misery to anyone unfortunate enough to come across it. The mere fact it is powered by this abominable mineral is enough reason for Setsuna to distrust the Team operating it, whoever they are.
He can sense the dark intentions of the Angel, how it uses a false mask to cover its real agenda, just like how Ali al-Saachez did, fooling everyone naive enough to further his own ends. He would be ready though, with Exia nothing is impossible. But right now, he was sitting around in Scotland, where Sumeragi predicts a terrorist attack would occur.
The waiting had become unnerving in this moment of downtime, with flashbacks coming back to haunt Setsuna due to the heavy boredom gripping him. From the days of his youth when a red-haired man whispered poison into his ear, Setsuna's faith in God had long disappeared, replaced with bitterness for all the comrades he lost fighting in the name of a deity who many sacrificed for, yet gained nothing in return.
Ali al-Saachez, the man he thought he could trust his life to, abandoned him and his comrades when the cause against the invading Azadistan Forces became completely hopeless. Out of all the members of the KPSA, only he had survived, the others dying in battle or rounded up by firing squads. Saachez meanwhile turned into a soldier of fortune, revealing his true nature as a man fighting for money, not God.
"There is no God in death." He mumbles. Luckily for Setsuna, he didn't have too wait a bit longer to finally see action.
"A heat source detected." Setsuna exclaims, watching the Gundam's sensors pick up through the cockpit's auxiliary screen. "It's close to the predicted terrorist attack location." A live feed from a downtown CCTV records rising smoke. "Terrorists, as predicted."
Suddenly his earpiece beeps, quickly pressing a button on the device to answer whoever is calling. "Setsuna here.."
Now inside a rented taxi motorbike, Setsuna made his way to the location of the terorrist attack inside the city through the highway, remembering his conversation with Wang Liu Mei.
"We saw a suspicious person leaving the bombing site on the security cameras. You are the closest one to the scene. Can I have you look into it?"
"Roger, I'll head to the site."
"You can't use Exia for this mission."
"I know."
Setsuna increases his speed, hoping to get to the location as fast as possible to catch the terrorists.
Meanwhile, Marina was being escorted out of her hotel when news came of a terrorist attack on a nearby building. "Is it true that there was a terrorist attack?" She asks her bodyguard.
"It is confirmed information." He replies. "We've made arrangements for a hotel in the outskirts of the city." Her bodyguard gestures to her to get into the vehicle.
Arriving on the scene, Setsuna sees the area to be a mess, onlookers watch as emergency services do their best to maintain order and begin rescue efforts.
"The suspect is escaping in a car, it is a brown coupe." Wang Liu Mei relays through the earpiece, watching the downtown roads through the CCTV Cameras.
While scanning the area for any suspicious activity, Setsuna hears the screech of tires rubbing hard against pavement. To his surprise, the suspect's getaway vehicle appears right in front of him after making a sharp right turn to flee the scene.
"Tch." Setsuna curses as he shifts into gear and goes into hot pursuit, his rental motorbike pushed to its maximum speed limit. It wasn't long until Setsuna caught up to the fleeing vehicle, driving to the coupe's side he rolls down the left window.
"I will apprehend the target." Setsuna says to Wang through the earpiece before firing his pistol at the brown coupe.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bullets fly straight into the automobile's side door at point-blank range, only for Setsuna to realize the target was armored after observing the bullets to have no effect in stopping or slowing down the vehicle. The terrorist goes pedal-to-the-metal to outrun his pursuer, after getting some breathing space the coupe makes a one-hundred-eighty degree turn to shake off Setsuna, an almost impossible feat as one wrong move could send the man to an early grave.
Setsuna, despite being an experienced MS Pilot, couldn't do the same. Instead opting for a sliding bike stop reminiscent of old action movies. Disembarking with weapon in-hand, he plans to at least blow a tire. However, by the time he enacted this plan, the brown car was already long gone. Setsuna clicking his tongue to convey his frustration for letting the terrorist get away, that thought would be pushed aside however when the sound of a police siren entered his eardrums.
"Hey! What are ye doing?!" A rather funny-sounding voice through loudspeaker demanded. Acting fast, Setsuna hastily hides his gun inside his inner pocket before raising his hands. The Policeman gets out of his vehicle, weapon raised, not trusting the boy one bit.
"What were ye trying to do, boy? This ain't a playground, ya know!" The Scottish Authorized Firearms Officer aggressively asked, slowly approaching Setsuna in an alerted posture.
"Nothing. I was just passing by." Setsuna calmly replies. His mind however had already devised a plan to get him out of this sticky situation, the results all ending poorly for the Scottish Officer.
"Show me your identification!" He demands, Setsuna doesn't flinch however, as his pistol would clearly visible for the Officer to see if he complies.
"What's wrong? Hurry and hand over your identification!" The Officer demanded once more, this time in a more threatening tone, clearly on edge after the local terrorist attack. With Setsuna being of Middle-Eastern ethnicity, the Scot wasn't taking any chances, for all he knew the boy might be affiliated.
Setsuna clenched his teeth as he had to either make a choice, kill the man and flee or risk exposing Celestial Being. Fortunately, both of them were spared a harrowing outcome when a black limousine pulled up beside the two of them. A man in bodyguard uniform exits the vehicle before approaching the Officer.
"Excuse us. That boy is with us." The bodyguard states,
"Who are you?" The Officer asks, bewildered by the man's sudden intervention.
"This is who we are." The bodyguard doesn't waste time to give the Officer his identity, confident the Policeman would react as expected.
"E-Excuse me!" Was the reply, the stutter in his words a sign Setsuna was now in safe hands if it meant the cop didn't dare to raise his weapon at him again.
The limousine's rear right window rolls down to reveal the face of Princess Marina Ismail of Azadistan looking at Setsuna with a warm smile, surprised someone from her homeland was in the United Kingdom. While Setsuna was just glad he didn't have to kill an innocent to prevent further problems.
Both of them didn't know it at the time, but their fates would be intertwined from that point on till the end of the ELS War.
"Mind if I talk to you?" Asked the Princess.
People's Democratic Republic of Algeria.
= [ Change in Enemy Activity Detected. Switching to Combat Mode. ] =
The Machine stands up, eyes glowing bright red for a second. Much to its disappointment, the Leaders of La Edenra had sent emergency messages to all its members that the main bases are to be evacuated. From this alone, it is convinced Celestial Being had failed to act quickly enough within its projections, resulting in the unfolding debacle of the terrorists being allowed to escape, the show probably giving screen time to Setsuna and Marina talking about the politics of Azadistan and how politicians are incompetent buffoons before moving on to the part of killing the terrorists.
With its Casus belli running late, it has no choice but to commit to an Anti-Insurgent Operation immediately.
= [ Drone 1. Drone 2. Cleared to Destroy Enemy Targets. ] =
Simultaneously both Drones drop their payload of a dozen missiles after flying over their target for hours, boosters igniting one by one before screaming past the sound barrier and towards the location of the terrorists.
= [ Impact in 3. ] =
The missiles scream without mercy, guided by the Drones using the Machine's AEWCS as assisted targeting. The bullseye of the missiles were the convoy of trucks, Command Center, and Ammunition/Vehicle Depot all in the process of being evacuated hastily.
= [ 2. ] =
"M-MISSILES!" A perimeter guard from atop a watch tower shouts while pointing at a barrage of missiles coming straight for them, too late in warning his comrades.
= [ 1. ] =
La Edenra will die today, at least to the rest of the world.
= [ Mark. ] =
"MERDE! RUN AWAY!" A man shouts, dropping everything before running away like his life depended on it, explosions rip through the base like hot knife through butter, taking out the entirety of the convoy and anyone unlucky enough to be near it. The effects of the attack were soon made clear to witnesses, houses crumbled, vehicles burned, and ammunition cooking off like fireworks. It was total chaos.
Blazing infernos immediately broke out amongst the wooden structures of the village with a second barrage soon to follow, with the objective of destroying secondary targets such as troop barracks, food stores, and warehouses of equipment while wiping out any remaining survivors. On cue, another hail of steel rains down upon the ruined landscape. The screams finally disappearing over the rising black-choking smoke and crackling flames.
Images sent back by the Drones tell of a successful strike, the enemy's main base was now reduced to a pile of rubble. However, this didn't meant La Edenra was crushed, they still have more than one base in the area, even with the head cut off, the body was still a dangerous opponent. There's no telling how the smaller bases might react unless the Machine deals with them swiftly.
= [ Searching New Target. ] =
Igniting thrusters, it ascends to medium altitude. Scanning endless desert from both ground and satellite, it darts towards a smaller La Edenra base. This one much closer to an urban center near the Tunisian border.
= [ Squadron of AEU-05/05 AEU Hellion Perpetuum Detected in Sector E-5. Commencing IFF Interrogation. ] =
Seconds pass, then the result was in.
= [ IFFs Identified to be La Edenra. Hellions Marked as Enemy. ] =
Remembering that La Edenra possessed Hellions, it wasn't surprised if some of them were stationed in Algeria where the main base was.
= [ Deploying P-1KZ Beam Sniper Rifle. Beginning Long-Range Attack. ] =
The Machine unholsters its sniper rifle, activating its Gun Camera to visually identify the Hellion Perpetuums, locking on all targets, it prepares for a salvo to end the battle before it even begins.
= [ Targets Locked. Engaging. ] =
The Machine lets loose a barrage of red beams towards the Hellions, traveling at high speeds, the AEU mobiles suits were engulfed in red energy as they all combusted mid-air, falling down to the earth below. It continues with its main objective, not waiting around for enemy reinforcements to attack.
Arriving at the next base on the checklist, the Machine makes mincemeat of its defenders. Not letting the terrorists to sally out from their coffin, so far the enemy wasn't able to mount a noteworthy resistance, only inaccurate small-arms fire is all it has been receiving.
= [ La Edenra Base Destroyed. Moving on to Next Target. ] =
"We're getting reports from the agents now. La Edenra's main base has been— Hold on," Hong Long stops mid-sentence, immediately typing the keyboard when the latest information came through.
"What is it?" His younger sister asks.
"Reports of Gundam attacks within Algeria territory are circulating on the network. Mistress, it appears La Edenra is currently under attack by the Gundam known as the Angel." Hong Long informs.
"The Angel? I guess Moralia wasn't lying after all." Wang Liu Mei admits to herself.
"There's more as well. Biometric data of a suspected terrorist has been released on the network." Hong Long continues. A coded message from the NRO? And the BND and DGSE, too. Well, Mistress?"
"The world is telling us to take action. The Angel just made our job easier." Wang Liu Mei says while looking at the screen attentively. 'Contact the Gundam Meisters, tell them the operation to eliminate La Edenra will commence immediately." She orders.
= [ Drone Strike Successfully Killed PoI-664. Beginning Withdrawal. Recalling Drone units. ] =
In less than an hour, the Machine had destroyed the core of La Edenra's military power. Unfortunately, some of La Edenra's highest-ranking members were able to escape, either by foreseeing the consequences that the indiscriminate bombings would bring to the organization or a last-ditch attempt for survival. To the point that one of them was stupid enough to try to flee to the French Embassy to seek protection, this attempt resulted in an early send-off to the graveyard.
The Ptolemaois Team, as predicted. Will sortie to eliminate the international bases La Edenra operates, thereby letting Celestial Being do the cleanup of the group's remaining forces. Giving the Machine a free hand to withdraw, disguising it as a successful preemptive strike on La Edenra's main base in support of the Meisters.
Now, it just needs to wait for the return of its Drone bits before retreating once more into the shadow of Celestial Being. As it is neither an ally, nor a true enemy to the Interventionist Group. As much as it hates to admit it. Celestial Being is necessary for its own goals, for without the organization, the information it has been using since it arrived here would be once again worthless, only worthwhile as entertainment value to anyone who is interested in Mobile Suit Gundam. It might be even a possible a paradox would occur if the characters know of their future, something the Machine doesn't wish to happen.
If only another unit had came alongside the Machine when it was transported here, then the balance of power would truly 'tip' in both military and civil into its favor.
= [ Estimated Rendezvous Time with Drone Bits: 20 Minutes. Switching to Standby Mode. ] =
...
..
= [ Accessing Cargo Manifest of Vessel MF-888990. Standby... ] =
AN:
Chapter's action scene was too short I must admit. Curse my lazy writing and bad vocabulary of the English Dictionary!
Also, I have decided to release new chapters in batches since I've come to realize creating then publishing a single chapter per week is horrible for me. Bye now.
There might be a typo or two, I dunno.