Chapter 10
Kai Shiden
Kai was staying silent as he looked at Erika, who was making a point on not looking at him by looking at anywhere else. She's been doing it ever since they've last talked to each other, obviously still pissed about before. And it left him rather intrigued on her.
On one hand, she was adamant about not allowing him to review her in fear of her loved ones being targeted by those that don't look kindly to those that helped those that help the Earth Federation in any shape or way. But on the other hand, she was risking her life, killing her fellow countrymen he may add, just to protect him, a known Earth Federation war hero, so he can do his job to make a better future for her people. It was sort of like the situation with Miharu, where she did some risky things in order to do what she needed to do to both protect her loved ones as well as do what she needed to ensure that she can provide for him, except Erika took it a bit further by doing it publicly and doing things that benefit not just her and her loved ones, but also her entire Side as well. That was something Kai found admirable.
Still, though, it would make his job much easier if she cooperated. Since she was most definitely not part of the Principality of Zeon during the One Year War, no one in their right mind would think that she deserved any of the hate that most people held for the majority of Side 3's people. Plus, with her backstory of being forced to do everything she can to keep her sister and herself fed and clothed, will get people to see the errors in their ways as they'll see that their hateful ways were making it difficult for a young girl like Erika to do such things when are economically bad for Side 3, which will hopefully lead to people wanting to lessen the reparational responsibilities of Side 3. Perhaps even absolve them entirely. If only Erika would be more cooperative. But then again, he can't blame her for wanting to not help him that much.
He didn't have that many people to worry about. No one that can't handle themselves at least. One of the debatable perks of being a loner.
For now, he'll respect her decision, there's plenty of people that he can interview that can achieve similar results. Though if push comes to shove, then he may need to force her to do it, not something he would like to do.
But moving on, Kai would be lying if he said he wasn't a little nervous about where he was going. He and his entire crew were going to one of the red zones, where Side 3 citizens were the most fanatical of Side 3's people towards the old Principality of Zeon ways, and thus would be the most hostile towards him and his crew, regardless of what he was trying to do for them.
Crick had looked up what exactly they can expect from the red zones and nothing that the AI spoke about really made Kai eager to go to any of them. Casualties, though nothing to be of real concern to the higherups in the military, were the highest seen since the One Year War. Soldiers were regularly shot at during patrols of these regions and firefights broke out frequently between Federation soldiers, both machine and human, and Principality of Zeon loyalists. Crick even said that Side 3 citizens, known for their support of the new regime and the Earth Federation, in these zones go missing. Even those that said only a passing remark of positivity for the Earth Federation, much to Kai's shock. That meant he had to be careful and on constant guard along with his escort. Otherwise, he may find himself being stabbed or shot at in this red zone.
Closing his eyes, Kai decided to get some sleep as there wasn't anything for him to do and he had a feeling he may need it for what was coming up ahead.
Meanwhile
Erika
When it was clear to Erika that Kai was going to sleep, she waited until he was fully asleep before looking at him.
He had some nerve to ask her to go beyond what her duties entailed for her to do. It infuriated her, but at the same time, she couldn't help but understand his wants and arguments for her to help him beyond just being a bodyguard.
Her sob story was something that can things a lot easier for him and her people, she understood that, but she couldn't let anything happen to Monica, her sole surviving family member.
Monica already had enough of a hard life as it was, not knowing anyone else but herself in their family, and being raised in a time where everyone hated her nation, which would extend to her as well. She didn't want her to be harassed by fellow Side 3 citizens, the unreasonable ones that is, for being the sister of some Federation collaborator.
Things were bad enough in Side 3 for them, she didn't want more things to be piled on for Monica. She was living a good life so far, away from all this violence, but that might change if she decided to do an interview with Kai Shiden. They lived in one of the green zones in the capital, but that didn't mean there weren't any crazies living amongst them. She got some heated glares from old men and women that fought in the One Year War and even some from of the new generation of Side 3 people for her work with the new Republic of Zeon, which many of them saw as a puppet state for the Earth Federation, but that was the extent of the aggression for which she was grateful for. That won't be the same if she was interviewed by Kai Shiden, a war hero of the Earth Federation.
She already knew that she's bound to get more heated stares from people for guarding such a credited war hero during the One Year War, but she'll get even more than that when people see she was actively helping out the Earth Federation beyond just being a bodyguard.
She could imagine it now. All the hate. All the threats to her life and Monica. She didn't want all that for them, especially Monica. A child should not live instantly hated by those around her. Worse, she feared that people will kill them over this. People, she knew from experience, were idiotic and prone to stupid things when drunk or emotional. And there was a lot of both of that happening right now with how awful life is at Side 3 currently, both economically and how the other sections of humanity treat them. Yeah, she rather avoid having to face all that.
Moving to other sides or even Earth wasn't an option to her and Monica after doing it all wasn't an option either. They simply didn't have enough money to both get transport as well as start a new life somewhere. It was only through Lombard that they were staying afloat, which made Erika eternally grateful to the commodore. If only he could do some more for them.
Looking at Kai's sleeping form more intently, Erika couldn't help but feel both respect and annoyance with him. One for his cocky and immature attitude at times as well as asking her to be interviewed. And the other for his want to help her people as well as his morality when it came to reporting.
She read up on him a bit more before the ride and she was impressed. Always ensuring that what he publishes is the truth, no matter how pissed off people in the Federation will be if he publishes such truths. Always fair to all parties in his articles, even if he hated one of them. It was impressive. It reminded her of her father, Eric Yugo. A fair man that hated the regime of the Zabi family during the One Year War, but went and helped out Degwin Zabi when asked. A choice that led to his death.
Remembering her father, Erika let out a single tear as she remembered good times with him and her older sisters. She missed him. She missed them all. Crick noticed this and so did Slick, Tick, and Merc. It caused the four AIs to feel pity for her. It also made Merc make a note to talk to Kai about her. And whether or not it's a good idea to push her to be interviewed her not. Thinking on it for some time, Merc wondered how bad the red zone they're going will be. Probably bad.
One hour later
Checkpoint Jedes
"Welcome to checkpoint Jedes." Said a Federation officer with full combat gear along with a military ski mask as he greeted Kai Shiden and his security team as they departed from their APC. This was one of a handful of checkpoints before one entered one of the few red zones in the capital colony of Side 3. "We were told to expect you and to provide whatever assistance we can provide. We would have prepared more, but recent events have forced us to maintain high alertness."
Kai, as he overheard that, looked over the military checkpoint's current condition and atmosphere. And how it was so different from the atmosphere of the main garrison complex.
While the garrison acted and maintained the professionalism expected from a military base, there was still time for soldiers to fool around and joke around with each other. Have a hot meal with friends and play a game or two of cards with each other when they were off duty. Such things weren't found here.
Here soldiers were constantly on the alert and on the lookout for trouble. Some of the younger soldiers were jittery and constantly looking around themselves as if a terrorist will come out of nowhere and shoot them dead. There were even field tents containing wounded soldiers, who were groaning and moaning in pain as doctors and medics did their best to patch them up. The state of the outpost reminded Kai of the war and that wasn't exactly something he wanted to be reminded of.
"I can see." Said Kai as he looked around his surroundings. "I take it this red zone is causing trouble for you?"
"Trouble for both us and the Side 3 militia." Said the officer before explaining. "This damn zone has been causing troubles for us since the very beginning. From what our analysts can tell, most of the population in this location are die-hard supporters of Dozle Zabi. And so, when we came here, they resisted. At first, it was nothing that the Republic couldn't handle. A few protests here and there, but nothing really to write home about. But then they got violent. Apparently, they united under the banner of some radical some months ago and have been causing troubles for us since. They formed some terrorist cell called the Scions of Dozle and have been doing whatever they can to make life miserable for us." Upon hearing that, Kai narrowed his eyes.
"How have they been doing that?" Asked Kai, needing to know every little detail he can in order to write his next article.
"From simple muggings of soldiers and Earth Federation supporters to actual raids on this very station." Said the officer. "We've been hard at work dealing with them, but things are rather slow."
"What do you mean?" Asked Kai.
"*Sighs* Between not knowing who is and who isn't a member and the other duties we all have, things are going slow." Said the officer with a hint of frustration. "Requests have been made to Lombard and high command to give us more manpower, but so far they've been denied."
"That doesn't sound like Lombard and Kowen." Said Kai, surprised to hear this. He figured both men would have given this officer the support he needed to deal with these terrorists.
"It doesn't." Agreed the officer. "Officially the reason is that the forces here are more than sufficient to deal with such a small outfit. And while they are, I rather have more men here to take care of the terrorists quickly so I can deal with other duties. They won't even give us a Londo Bell or ECOAS team to help out. Bunch of bullshit this all is, but those are the reasons given. Came from the very top itself." Sighing again, the officer told Kai some things he needed to know. "If you're going out there to the city sections of this place, make sure there's a strong Federation presence nearby. That should deter the scions from attacking you. That being said, be careful around those in Federation uniforms. Those fucking scions have been taking Federation uniforms and using them against us. Lost a couple of friends to those bastards and even a combat AI patrol to them. Be careful. I don't want to be the one to report in that you died there." Kai nodded at that before getting back in the APC with his people. Once they were all in, the checkpoint guards allowed them entry to the next checkpoint, which was one of several they needed to get to before they entered the red zone.
