Chapter 18
Thank you all for your suggestions, I'll see which one I'll do if I don't figure out a name for myself.
Kai
Kai Shiden was awaiting in his room along with Erika and Hepner. The three were awaiting the information regarding the serial number of the Zaku that attacked the capital building. It was important to Kai that he knew the serial number of the Zaku that attacked because if it was the same as the one that Char Aznable used during the One Year War, then the Federation was involved with the attack on the capital building. And he knew who was involved. After all, what organization benefitted from all this other than the Titans?
He did his homework and knew that the Titans were in fierce competition with both Londo Bell and E.C.O.A.S. for funding. Being the new kid in tow, they only got a small share of what the other two organizations received from the Earth Federation Council. And that would not sit well with the people in charge of the Titans if Kai's intel on them was right on the money. And what quicker way would there be to get more money for them other than to make them seem more competent than the other two organizations. And how else to achieve that objective than to make it seem both are incapable of dealing with the origin of their foundation in the first place?
It's no secret that a sizable portion of both organizations are placed in Side 3 to ensure that everything from that group of colonies is kept under control. That it won't create another Principality of Zeon or something similar to them. And if they can't do it. If the situation in Side 3 gets so out of control that both the special forces groups and the regular military can't contain the situation, what will people think of both Londo Bell and E.C.O.A.S. after that? Even more so when some new organization did their job but better? Politics. What Kai wouldn't give for them to be no longer necessary in life.
But going back to the topic at hand, Kai wondered what he'll do if his hunch was correct. If the Titans were behind this, who would be in support of his theory that the Titans were behind what happened at the capitol building? Kowen was an obvious person to go for and so is Lombard, but without sufficient evidence, they can't do anything against the Titans, let alone conduct an investigation on them. That meant he had to do some digging himself if he wanted to expose the Titans or whoever was actually behind all this. Otherwise, things will end badly for Side 3 because if things destabilize further, the Earth Federation council may send the Titans in and he was sure they'll be an organization that Side 3 doesn't want to have to govern them.
As he thought about this further, he heard the door to his apartment open, revealing Merc coming with a document.
"You got the information we need, Merc?" Asked Kai as he looked at Merc, who simply nodded.
"Yeah, I did." Said Merc as he gave the document to Kai. "It took a while, but we got the serial number. Your suspicions were right Kai. That Zaku that attacked the capitol building was the same Zaku that the Red Comet used in the One Year War. And I don't mean a Zaku he borrowed or used when his regular suit was unavailable. No, I mean the one that he used during the Battle of Loum and the one he used during his chase of the White Base. That one." Upon hearing all that, both Hepner and Erika were shocked to hear that. The reason was that Char's old Zaku II, after being taken away from the Red Comet after his failure of protecting Garma Zabi during the One Year War, was confiscated by the Earth Federation and stored somewhere that no one can ever find it. At least, that was what they were told what happened to it along with other infamous mobile suits that belonged to ace Zeon pilots. The ones that weren't destroyed, of course.
"So, that means that the Earth Federation is behind all this?" Asked Hepner, confused. "Why would they do that?"
"Simple." Said Erika, coming to the same conclusion as Kai. "There's a group within the Earth Federation that gets something out of making the Earth Federation forces stationed here incompetent and make Side 3 look like it's more trouble than it's worth. And who do you think would like that?" Hepner widened her eyes at that before speaking up.
"The Titans." Said Hepner, causing both Kai and Erika to nod.
"They gain much if they put a stop to a surge of terrorist attacks in Side 3 when the regular military and other special forces were unable to do so." Said Erika. "And if they get rid of some of their main detractors, like Kowen, then all the better for them."
"Yeah." Said Kai before looking at Merc. "You said that it took a while to get the serial number of that Zaku. How come?"
"Well, simply put, someone tried to erase that data along with everything else relating to the Zaku." Explained Merc. "The pilot of the suit was erasing data the moment that thing went down, I imagine. By the time we stopped him, we lost nearly all the data from that Zaku's black box and any other data from its computers. We were lucky to get the serial number at all."
"I see." Said Kai with a frown. "So, there's nothing that we can use to expose the Titans?"
"Well, I didn't say that." Said Merc, surprising everyone. "There's a few bits and pieces that we can use that may help you out."
"What is it?" Asked Hepner as she looked at Merc. She wanted to get back at the Titans for trying to frame her people. A sentiment that was shared by Erika.
"There's a location that we managed to salvage from the Zaku." Said Merc. "There are some corrupted bits, sure, but we have a general location that we can look into. Lombard and Kowen know about it and are sending an E.C.O.A.S. team to figure out what's going on."
"They did without telling us?" Asked Hepner incredulously. The Titans were responsible for killing dozens of Side 3's politicians and they didn't tell them.
"They didn't want to alert the killers." Explained Merc. "They want to gain the upper hand on them before they can destroy everything of worth in that location we pulled from the Zaku."
"You mean they don't know that the Titans are involved?" Asked Kai, causing Merc to shake his head.
"They didn't exactly have the time to speculate." Said Merc. "Their hands are full in the riots happening right now and dealing with the clusterfuck they have at the moment and finding out who is responsible for all this." Upon hearing that, Kai sighed before nodding his head in understanding.
"Any idea on what they want for me?" Asked Kai. "I'm guessing I'm still doing what I'm assigned to do, huh?"
"Correct." Said Merc. "E.C.O.A.S. and Londo Bell will handle figuring out who is responsible for all this for now once a team from either organization is available. You are to head back to the capitol building and report all that is happening right now. Other reporters were prevented from around the premises since the attack, but that hasn't stopped vultures from causing uproar and false speculation for views."
"Of course." Said Kai upon hearing that. Why wasn't he remotely surprised that other news anchors and channels were doing whatever they can to turn a profit from this tragedy. He can see the headlines now. Federation admiral is incompetent. Side 3 is costing more than it's worth. Londo Bell and E.C.O.A.S. have grown complacent to name a few. "When am I leaving?"
"Tomorrow morning." Said Merc. "Kowen and Lombard want you to rest for the rest of the day. You must be exhausted from today's events. And before you argue with me, Kowen told me to tell you that this is an order from him. Sorry." With that, Merc left Kai's room, leaving Kai and the two girls alone. Once they were sure Merc was gone, Hepner spoke up.
"We can't just sit around and do nothing." Said Hepner as she got up, looking at both Erika and Kai. "There are people out there that are trying to do false-flag attacks on our people, trying to make us look like the bad guys again. And you guys are just going to let them get away with it?"
"We're not letting them get away with it." Said Kai, looking at Hepner. "We're just letting the professionals handle it. E.C.O.A.S. is more than capable of handling stuff like this. If there's evidence that the Titans are behind this, they'll find it better than me or you." Hepner just glared at Kai at that, not believing this behavior coming from him.
"But what if they don't?" Asked Hepner. "What if the Titans thought ahead and have already destroyed all the evidence of their involvement before they get there?"
"Then how are we going to make a difference if they did that?" Demanded Erika, annoyed with this conversation. "If they were smart, they'll destroy the evidence the moment the attack on the Capital ended. So, there's literally nothing that we can do."
"Not with that attitude!" Yelled Hepner, angry at both Kai and Erika for just following Kowen's orders without protest. "If there's one thing that I approve of during my time in the Principality of Zeon military, it was what I was taught during my time in the Midnight Fenrir. To never give up in the face of injustice and to keep fighting, no matter the odds."
"That's not the right attitude for this situation and you know it!" Yelled Erika, angry now. "So stop acting like a child and just follow orders!" The two girls glared at each other and were about to go at it when Kai got between them and yelled.
"Enough!" Yelled Kai. "You're both acting like children! Like seriously, you're both in the military so act like it!" Once both girls calmed down enough to listen, Kai continued to speak. "You're both right. It's our duty as both soldiers and reporters to fight injustices in the world, no matter where it comes from. But fighting doesn't just have to be with guns and espionage. After all, I'm living proof of that, right?" Hepner, knowing that he was right, but still disagreeing with his lack of willingness to fight back, spoke up.
"But that still doesn't justify not doing anything." Said Hepner. "We have the location. We can get there quicker than E.C.O.A.S. or Londo Bell at the moment. And the Titans or whoever they hired to do this won't expect the Federation to send just three people to deal with them. We can do it!" Kai just sighed at that. Much as he wanted to, he really did, he couldn't. It was just too risky.
"We can't, Hepner." Said Kai as he turned toward her with a stern look. "We'll just get in the way of the investigation. I doubt either of you is trained in covert operations. Something we'll need if we want to avoid being detected by the Titans if they are at that location. Even if we are, we're no match for special forces. Big and strong special forces. It's best to just let the professionals handle this. Alright? No need to cause problems for the Earth Federation. God knows that they don't need any more right now." Hepner was about to continue the argument when Erika stepped in again.
"He's right, Hepner." Said Erika, glaring at her fellow redhead. "We need to follow these sets of orders and not cause any trouble. We're just going to make things more complicated if we get involved. Let the professional soldiers handle this." With that, the conversation was over and Erika took Hepner away, leaving Kai alone. Sighing in frustration, Kai thought if he was making the right decision.
Hepner was right. If they were quick and careful, they could potentially find some valuable information against the Titans as they wouldn't have as much time to destroy crucial evidence against them. They could potentially stop whatever the Titans were planning in one fell swoop. That would sound like something that would happen in an ideal world.
He chuckled as he imagined what would happen if that all occurred. The Titans would be dissolved. The people of the Earth Sphere will realize Side 3 is a productive member of the Earth Federation again. The bigotry against Spacenoids will be dissolved and everyone will live happily ever after. What he wouldn't give to live in such a world.
He sighed again as he knew that he didn't live in such a perfect world and that he had to use what he has right now. And right now, he has to focus on what was actually achievable and realistic to achieve.
Sighing for the 3rd time, Kai went to go get a soda to help chug him through the process of ideas for his next article and what he wants to say tomorrow.
Meanwhile
Hepner
"I can't believe those two." Thought Hepner as she walked down towards her quarters. Erika, after taking Hepner away from Kai, departed to her own quarters. But not before telling Hepner to just drop the case and let actual professional soldiers handle the covert operations. She may have been Special Forces in the past, but she lacked any real training in covert operations, being a Mobile Suit pilot. Offended, Hepner tried to defend herself, but Erika was already gone, leaving Hepner alone. Frustrated and flustered at her fellow militia soldier, Hepner nonetheless went to her own quarters. All the while venting her frustrations at the situation.
It's not like she doesn't understand Kai's and Erika's point of view about this whole situation, she does. What she doesn't like is that, by the time the professional soldiers can do anything, the people responsible will have covered their tracks and they get away with killing so many good people, including Bakharov. And then they can repeat the same action with more innocent and good people.
It reminded Hepner of both the One Year War and the years preluding it. How innocents were constantly getting killed or trampled over by the strong. Both by the old Principality of Zeon and the Earth Federation.
She hated the fact that her situation reminded her of those times. That she couldn't do anything to make a difference in the war. Especially when she was transferred to a P.O.W. camp in Federation territory and she received news of continuous Federation victories against Zeon, both on Earth and in space since Odessa Day. The news enraged her, but at herself.
She was a special forces soldier, trained and made to do things that help turn the tide of wars. And yet she did nothing of real note. It angered her greatly. And now it was happening again, only this time she was ordered to not do anything and instead rely on others to do the work that she used to do in the Principality of Zeon.
She knew what she was thinking was childish, but she couldn't help it. She was about to think about it further when she heard a voice calling out to her.
"Hepner!" Yelled out Merc as he made his way towards the Side 3 native. Smiling at the AI, Hepner stayed still while Merc made his way toward her. "So, how did things go while I was gone? Is Kai going to follow orders?" Hepner sighed at that before speaking up.
"Yeah, he is. So is Erika." Said Hepner with a hint of disapproval and disappointment. Merc stayed silent for a moment before speaking.
"Ah, really? How come? Thought my buddy would go and disobey orders to go and be the hero that Side 3 needs." Said Merc, causing Hepner to sigh.
"He thinks that it's better for the professionals to handle things over him. His reasoning is that they're better trained for this kind of thing." Explained Hepner, causing Merc to tilt his head.
"That doesn't sound like my old buddy. Guess time as a reporter really mellowed him out, huh?" Said Merc, causing Hepner to nod in reluctant agreement.
"I get where he's getting at, don't get me wrong, but this is a time-critical mission." Said Hepner. "Maybe this is my old training with the Midnight Fenrir, but a true soldier would act on his or her instincts, and right now my instincts are telling me to go and fight for my country. And the best way to do right now is to go to that location and find whatever I can about what the Titans are up to and see if I can't find evidence incriminating them to the attack on the capital." Merc stayed silent at this, processing what he just heard, before speaking up.
"Well, I might get in trouble for this, but," Merc then brought out a hard drive from his person and handed it to Hepner, surprising her. "That drive contains the location that you want. If you really want to expose the Titans as you say, then here. Just don't say anything to anyone where you got this. I don't want to be dismantled like this." Hepner, upon hearing all that, took the drive before smiling gratefully at Merc.
"Thanks, Merc." Said Hepner before giving the AI a hug, surprising him. "You're the best. I promise I'll keep this a secret. Wouldn't want you to get dismantled. We could use more AIs like you."
"I guess." Said Merc as Hepner let go and walked away, content. Once she was out of sight, Merc's optics glowed brighter than usual.
Meanwhile
Lombard
"Did you tell Kai everything?" Asked Lombard as he faced Merc, who nodded.
"Hell yeah, I did." Said Merc with an amount of smugness that Lombard found inappropriate for a military AI. "Guy's going to follow orders and be at the capital building tomorrow along with his girls. Kind of surprised that he obeyed so quickly. Guess time as a reporter helped restrain his base instincts, huh?"
"Experience does that to you, Merc." Said Lombard as he looked at Merc, who just shrugged. "What about Erika and Hepner? Have they given you any trouble?"
"Just Hepner. Thought it would be Erika, but no. It was Hepner. Guess her time in the Midnight Fenrir is still in her blood. Or something like that." Said Merc. Lombard wasn't really surprised to hear which one gave in and the other didn't. Erika had a sister named Monica that was only three years old and she was her only family member left. She refused to do anything risky that will cost her little sister her last family member and be put in an orphanage, where their reputation wasn't the best at the moment. Hepner was special forces back during the One Year War. And was Midnight Fenrir to boot. From what he heard, those members of the Midnight Fenrir were some of the most loyal and stubborn members of the old Principality of Zeon military. Even though they were all on Earth for the latter half of the war, they still fought against the Federation despite it being pointless to do so, forcing the Earth Federation to either kill them or face casualties. By the time the war ended, many members of the Zeon special forces group were killed, the remaining survivors either absorbed back into the Republic of Zeon militia or became Zeon Remnant soldiers.
Sighing, Lombard gave Merc new orders.
"Keep an eye on Hepner, Merc. I don't doubt her loyalties to her side, but sometimes too much loyalty can be a liability." Said Lombard to Merc, causing the AI to nod.
"Got it." Said Merc. "Is there anything else you want to tell me, sir?"
"There is." Said Lombard. "Kowen is going to have an emergency meeting for all major Earth Federation officers in Side 3. It'll be here in the garrison in the capital colony. Though standard protocol has it be in the most secure location, which is currently the 4th fleet command ship, Kowen believes that is something the attackers wish for us to do." That surprised Merc a bit.
"So you think the Titans or someone else in the Federation is behind this?" Asked Merc. He thought it was just a theory from Kai, but if Kowen and Lombard believe that Titans are responsible. Lombard blinked a bit at that before speaking up.
"We're not going to jump to conclusions, but it wouldn't surprise me if they're involved." Said Lombard, already knowing the reasoning behind suspecting the Titans. Kowen theorized it and gave Lombard the reasoning for it and, upon hearing it all, Lombard agreed. He didn't know much about Jamitov, but he knew enough to know he would pull a stunt like this in order to advance his own goals. "If they are involved, however, then you must protect Kai with your life. He will never support the Titans ever and no doubt the Titans know this as well. They'll likely seek to silence him, or worse, find a way to use him to support their cause. And I have no doubt you know how they'll achieve the latter." Merc just nodded, knowing how they'll be able to do so.
"I'll protect my buddy with my life, sir." Said Merc, causing Lombard to nod before dismissing him. Merc gave a salute before leaving Lombard's office. Heading toward the recharge station in order to fully charge his mobile platform for tomorrow, Merc wondered how Hepner, Erika, and Kai are doing since he saw them.
As he was thinking this, he soon noticed a military jeep stopping at one of the checkpoints that allowed entry and departure of the garrison. From the looks of it, the jeep was trying to depart from the garrison. Curious as there weren't any scheduled patrols at the moment, Merc adjusted the magnification of his optics in order to see what was going on. To his surprise, he spotted Hepner driving the jeep and no one else was around her. Wondering what was going on as Hepner departed from the garrison, Merc radioed Lombard.
"Uh, sir. I think we have a problem." Said Merc as he spotted the jeep that Hepner was driving going faster than before.
Meanwhile
"Disappointing that Kai Shiden will not be arriving here, but the former member of the Midnight Fenrir will be sufficient enough to complete the task." Said a voice as it spoke on a military communicator. "I'll ready the trap. Meanwhile, you will depart from the garrison. Your continued presence there will only compromise the plan should the real one or anyone intelligent enough see you." With that, the call ended and the owner of the voice began readying a trap for Hepner.
Later
"Okay, here's the location." Thought Hepner as she stopped the military jeep, parked it somewhere secure, and looked at the abandoned warehouse in one of the red zones.
According to the hard drive given to her from Merc, this is where the vehicles that had transported the Zaku and those terrorists had departed from before attacking the capital. Making sure that she wasn't spotted by anyone, Hepner checked her pistol before embarking on her mission.
Remembering her training with the older members of the Midnight Fenrir, who wanted her to surpass them one day when they retired, Hepner stealthily moved towards the abandoned warehouse while also keeping an eye out for any hidden enemies or traps as she made her approach. Finding none and certain that no one can hear her, Hepner quickened her steps and pressed herself firmly against the wall of the warehouse before proceeding to the entranceway. Seeing the entranceway was open, but only a little bit, Hepner bit her lip a bit before venturing inside. Carefully getting inside without making a noise, she brought out a flashlight when she saw that it was pitch black. Upon doing so, she widened her eyes in shock.
Contained, from what she could find, was another Zaku mobile suit. Not just any Zaku mobile suit, but a Zaku I. Battered and shows clear signs of lack of proper maintenance, but still functional. Along with the Zaku was an old launcher that she couldn't properly see without getting closer. Thus, she went closer. Upon doing so, however, she realized what the launcher was, and her eyes widened in horror. What she saw was a G-3 nerve gas launcher. The same type of launcher was used in the early years of the One Year War to kill off entire space colony populations if the need ever arose to do it quickly. And to further escalate her horror, the launcher was loaded up with, what she could only assume, was G-3 nerve gas.
Horrified beyond belief at seeing such a launcher again beyond a museum, Hepner was unable to notice the sounds of heavy metal approaching her before she felt a metal hand grabbing her by the neck and another arm hooked itself around her throat and placed her into a blood choke. Panicking, Hepner tried to free herself, but the metal hands refused to budge. They were simply too strong for her to break free off. Soon, she lost consciousness and she was gently placed on the ground, but not out of pity or concern. Rather it was done because the attacker saw no point in damaging her further. She was, after all, needed alive to conduct the next stages of its plans. Soon the lights came on in the warehouse, revealing the attack to be a GM platform unit, but with a design that was unlike the typical mass-produced model, being more slimmer and less bulky than the other designs. Red optics glaring down at the unconscious girl before it, the machine picked up Hepner and began carrying her to a chair.
