Chapter 19
Moonreaper666- Ah. Moonreaper, it's so nice to hear you again. For real. Though I'm still wondering why you keep reviewing my stories over updating your own. You have fans waiting for your Gundam story to be updated. Eh, whatever the reason, it's good to hear from you again, even if you keep insulting me.
RedRat8- Eh, we'll see. Anyway, this is probably one of the last chapters for this fic as I'm planning on moving on to Zeta next. Hopefully the first chapter of that story is uploaded this year.
Kai
Kai was fast asleep when he was rapidly shaken by some powerful arms, waking him up.
"What the hell!?" Yelled Kai as he opened his eyes to see Merc shaking him. Slapping one of the AI's hands away, Kai spoke up. "What's going on that made you go and wake me up at three in the morning!?" Merc just spoke up, completely serious.
"Kai, Hepner is gone!" Yelled Merc. "She took a jeep and headed off to that location I told you of!" That instantly got Kai wide awake when he heard what Hepner did.
"What!?" Yelled Kai as he raise straight up from his bed. "What do you mean!?" Merc just repeated what he said. While he was doing so, Kai went to his wardrobe and changed clothes rapidly. Once he was fitted into some decent clothing, Kai and Merc left the room.
"Lombard is waiting for you in his office." Said Merc. "We thought it was only right that you knew because Hepner was assigned to protect you along with Erika. Speaking of Erika, she's already in Lombard's office right now." As Merc spoke, Kai thought of Hepner and wondered what the hell she was thinking doing this. The possibilities of her actions being a disaster for all of them were too many for Kai to think of and he worried greatly about what will happen to her now. He prayed that she was alright and that they can save her from whatever horrors that the Titans are planning on doing with Side 3 as well as the entire 4th fleet. If they don't, he shuddered one what will happen to the entire Earth Sphere.
Soon, both Merc and Kai were entering Lombard's office. When they entered, they saw Erika and Lombard speaking to each other, though it looked more like Erika was yelling at Lombard than conversing with him.
"How in the hell did we let this happen?!" Yelled Erika as she looked at Lombard with a look of disgust. "How could your soldiers let a Side 3 militia soldier, a young woman no less, take a Federation issue jeep and then just let her leave the base without proper authorization from you!?" Erika slammed the palms of her hands at Lombard's desk for extra emphasis. Lombard just remained calm before explaining the whole situation.
"Hepner had special privileges given to her as a result of her assignment to guard Mr. Shiden against threats. That includes that privilege to enter and leave the base so long as she was her identification papers on her." Said Lombard. "Hepner has also been a reliable soldier that has frequently come to the aid of the Federation when we required it from her. She is one of our liaisons between the Earth Federation forces and those of the Republic of Zeon and an effective one on that. So, it stands to reason why the guards let her go without my permission." Erika didn't like that answer and was about to retort when Kai spoke up,
"Uh, sorry to interrupt your little one-sided shouting match, but can we get to the situation at hand?" Asked Kai as he made his way toward the two. "I mean we have a missing jeep and a missing girl. Can we focus on those rather than assigning blame to someone whose already safe and sound? C'mon, we're not children." Erika sighed at that before nodding her head.
"You're right." Said Erika before sitting down. "Though we'll continue this later." Lombard just nodded at that before addressing the two young adults.
"As you both know, your cohort left several hours ago. We believe that she left for the location that we discerned from the Zaku that attacked the capitol building. Because of this, we're forced to send in several squads of regular soldiers to assist her in determining who is ultimately responsible for the attack on the capital. If it's indeed the Titans as some of us believe them, then this is something that you must report immediately. The Titans are slowly gaining more and more support from throughout the Earth Sphere. Though the growth is slow, I know for a fact that the Titans are becoming more and more popular with the soldiery and the Earth Federation council. If they are indeed involved in this whole situation, this may be the very thing that we need to stop them before they grow too big." Both Kai and Erika nodded at that before Kai spoke up.
"Are we going to help out in bringing Hepner back?" Asked Kai. Lombard just nodded.
"If you two wish to do so, I won't stop you and you can take one of the jeeps. However, be warned, that if the Titans are involved, you'll probably be in a fight for your lives. I know for a fact that the Titans have access to mobile platform units with rumors suggesting they have some of the next generations as well. So be careful. I'll have Merc go with you to provide support and security along with a few other AIs." Kai and Erika nodded at that before asking permission to leave. When Lombard gave them permission, they left with Merc in tow. As they walked, Erika spoke up.
"I hope that Hepner is alive and well." Said Erika, her tone full of anger. "If only so that I can hurt her myself for being such an idiot. For all we know, this was a trap set up by the Titans so they can do whatever the fuck they want and have a scapegoat around to take the fall for them. Didn't she realize that?"
"She was probably frustrated with how we were letting the Titans get away with the attack on the capitol. It made her reckless and unable to think straight." Said Kai, defending his friend. Although Kai was disappointed in Hepner for her recklessness, he could understand why she did it. "Wouldn't you be frustrated if someone kidnaped your sister and the Earth Federation just told you to wait a whole day before they did anything to save her?" Erika glared at Kai for bringing up her sister. She did, however, answer him.
"I would obey the orders of the Earth Federation as I know that they would be the best equipped and trained to save my sister." Said Erika with confidence. She was then enraged and confused about Kai laughing.
"Yeah, that's what a lot of people say before they confront the situation that they're confident on what they'll do." Said Kai as he looked at Erika with pity. "Believe me, Erika, you wouldn't be so confident when you actually have to face the situation when your baby sister is kidnaped, and you're told to wait. I've seen lots of people say similar things to what you just said to me and boy did they not react the way they claimed. You'll see when your sister is kidnaped and you're told to wait." Before Erika could say anything, Merc interrupted them.
"C'mon enough yammering. We got a friend to save, remember?" Said Merc as he butted into the conversation. "The sooner we save Hepner, the sooner we can scold her for pulling off such a stupid move in the first place." The two agreed on that and began to move quickly to save their associate. As she walked, however, Erika thought about what Kai said to her and wondered if what he said had any merit at all.
Meanwhile
Hepner
Hepner groaned as she woke up groggily. She tried to place a hand on her head to help deal with the headache she was feeling but found that she couldn't. As she stirred slowly awake, she realized the situation she was in. She was tied up in a chair with her hands tied up behind her back, held together by plastic cuffs. As she tried to free herself, she heard a metallic voice, indicating an Artificial Intelligence.
"There is no point in trying to escape. You'll only just die tired." Said the voice as an all-black GM mobile platform came towards Hepner's point of view. When she saw it, she widened her eyes at it as it was a different design compared to the standard GM Trooper, being less bulky and shorter than the others. Upon seeing her surprise, the AI replied. "GM Quel. The next generation of both Mobile Platform and Mobile suit. At least for the Titans. The only reason I'm telling you this is because you'll be dead in a few minutes and I have the desire to talk." Standing in front of Hepner, the AI continued speaking. "My serial number is AI-482133, but my superiors gave me the destination, Miasma. Why they did so, is something that you'll learn soon." Upon hearing that, Hepner narrowed her eyes.
"What the hell do you mean by that?" Asked Hepner, hiding her fear from the machine. Miasma just stayed silent before looking at the Zaku I near them, several other GM Quels around it destroying or burning pieces of equipment or paper that Miasma informed beforehand to destroy.
"As you spotted before I rendered you unconscious, there is a Zaku I unit in this warehouse along with a G-3 gas launcher." Said Miasma. "As you, no doubt know, G-3 gas is one of the premier reasons why the One Year War was so destructive. While the mass of the Earth Sphere, specifically those that have a following on the internet, will make you believe it's the colony drops and the Mobile Suit, it's a statistically proven fact that G-3 gas is the one that caused the most civilian casualties in the One Year War. And it was developed by the Principality of Zeon. A government that propagated the idea that they were fighting for independence. A lie to hide the real intentions of those in charge. After all, would a government that truly wanted independence to create a weapon as effective and genocidal as the G-3 gas?" Hepner just stayed silent as she remembered the aftereffect of how she first reacted to the usage of G-3 Gas. How Schmitzer, her former C.O., comforted her regarding its usage. Seeing Hepner wasn't responding, Miasma continued.
"Regardless of your thoughts on it, I think it would be poetic justice if G-3 gas was utilized in Side 3." Said Miasma, causing Hepner to look at him swiftly with widened eyes. "As a sort of vengeance and payback for all those affected by the gas."
"What!? Why?" Yelled Hepner, horrified at what he just said. "What would the Titans gain by doing this!?"
"The Titan founder, Jamitov Hymen, has been slowly gaining support from the Earth Sphere, but it's insufficient enough to conduct the changes that Jamitov wishes to do in his lifetime. Therefore, he ordered an operation to make people see that the Titans are superior to Londo Bell and E.C.O.A.S. while also discrediting or killing one of the Titans' biggest detractors. Admiral Kowen." Explained Miasma. "Initially the idea was to artificially create chaos in Side 3, funding known Principality of Zeon sympathizers and diehard. Creating false attacks of our own. Sabotage facilities dedicated to water, food, and air recycling. I will even I had thought of spreading false information about Earth Federation intentions in the Red Zones throughout Side 3, to enrage the populace of these sectors. However, then I saw what Mr. Shiden was doing and a thought occurred to me. Instead of doing all this, why not use him as a way to advance my own objective while undermining his. Hence the attack on the capitol." Upon hearing that, Hepner widened her eyes even further.
"You mean that attack was just a trap to get Kai here!?" Yelled Hepner, realizing that Erika and Kai were right. Shame filled her as she realized this.
"Yes and no." Clarified Miasma. "The attack had two objectives. One was the goal you just spoke and the other was the deaths of many of those loyal to the Earth Federation as well as to weaken the Republic of Zeon. For without many of those people, the government will destabilize, which will lead to riots and the like, accomplishing my purpose for being here. Discrediting the 4th fleet and the other two special forces group and making the Titans look more appealing to the masses in the Earth Sphere. So, regardless of if Mr. Shiden actually came here, I accomplished my goals. However, you coming here modifies my plans a bit. It won't be as effective as Mr. Shiden being here, but it'll still be effective all the same."
"What the hell do you mean by that?" Asked Hepner. Rather than answer her, Miasma had another GM Quel arrive with a computer. The GM Quel turned it on, which caused it to immediately show a video of Hepner, to her shock, moving a cart full of canisters labeled G-3 gas near the Zaku I. The video then ended as she climbed on the Zaku I and went to its open cockpit.
"Amazing how advanced video-making technology can be when an artificial intelligence is operating it." Said Miasma, causing Hepner to look at him. "This video will be delivered to various news companies throughout the Earth Sphere. It will be delivered, however, when the entirety of Side 3 is obliterated along with the 4th Earth Federation space forces fleet." Upon hearing that, Hepner looked at the AI in shock.
"What!?" Yelled Hepner. Before she could continue, Miasma spoke.
"Do you really believe those canisters don't carry G-3 gas? You'd be amazed how much of it remained within the old Principality of Zeon military bases along with nuclear weaponry." Said Miasma. "The canisters along with a few dozen more have already been sent to the colonies of Side 3. In addition, confiscated nuclear weapons have been loaded onto various civilian and military shuttles, all of which are piloted by artificial intelligence, and will launch simultaneously in various spaceports in Side 3. By noon tomorrow, they will converge on key locations that will ensure the complete and total annihilation of the 4th fleet along with Admiral Kowen and Commodore Lombard. At the same time, the G-3 gas will be placed in all of the colonies and everyone not within a spacesuit at the time will die. I estimate that the total number of survivors from either event will not be optimal. Perfect for what the Titans desire." Once Miasma was done, Hepner couldn't help but be horrified at what the AI just said to her. Were the Titans really that depraved and desired a return to the old Earth Federation that they're willing to kill off an entire fleet and an entire Side to do so, even if it was one that caused so much death and destruction to humanity? Before Hepner could even speak, Miasma brought out a pistol that looked like it was specifically made for Mobile Platforms from inside his left thigh before aiming and shooting Hepner in the head, killing her.
"And before you give me the classic retort of humans, no you won't stop us. I made certain of that." Said Miasma before placing his firearm back inside his thigh. "After all, what some humans fail to understand, you must sometimes give your enemy some form of victory in order to achieve one's own long-term success." With that Miasma ordered his men. "Scrap the Zaku. Destroy all evidence that incriminates the Titans in this operation, but leave just enough evidence here that reveals the plans against both Side 3 and the 4th fleet. I am quite curious about who will be saved and how many will be saved in the end." With that Miasma departed in order to report to Jamitov at a safe distance.
