Episode 17: A Bloody History
The mysterious discovery and disappearance of an Edenite found in Antarctica leads to his reappearance in North Am. But this Edenite is far different than any other, a brutal, violent warrior unlike anything seen in ages. Aelan Marcus tries to unravel the shrouds of mercy surrounding this alien being, hoping that he can find an answer before the berserker strikes again…
St. John Paul's Memorial Hospital…
Kiron smiled as all the lights on the monitoring console finally turned green. He looked over at Heero, who STILL was standing in that same position that he had been ten hours before, glaring at Kiron like a hawk. For a brief moment, Kiron wondered if Heero ever slept. Even Kiron had taken a short nap during the recovery process.
"She's finished." Kiron stated. Even though Kiron knew that Heero must have heard him, the Wing Zero pilot made no indication that he had. He merely continued to stare almost murderously at Kiron. Finally giving up, Kiron turned back to the console, and began to drain the stasis tube.
Once all the thin gel substance slid back into its containers on the side of the stasis tube to be sterilized, Kiron opened the tube, and pulled the foreign minister out, laying her on a bed nearby.
After a few moments, Relena began to stir, and Heero finally turned his attention away from Kiron. In less than a cat's heartbeat, Heero was at her side, taking her hand slightly, and gently calling out to her.
Relena felt the haze of pain and blackness slowly drop away. After a few moments, she could distinguish between bright and dark blobs. As the picture became steadily clearer, her sense of hearing began to recover, and she heard HIS voice calling to her. She wasn't sure if she had ever heard a more blessed sound. After that, she felt his hand grabbing hers, and she instinctively tightened her grip.
Relena eventually realized that the reason she was only seeing a blob of light was because she still had her eyes closed. Finally opening them, she was initially stunned by a bright surge of light from the lamp above her. Her eyes adjusted to the sudden contrast, and she was able to look at her surroundings.
She saw Heero's face, looking down at her with a mix of worry and relief. Over his shoulder, another face emerged into view, and she screamed.
Heero and Kiron pulled away slightly as Relena panicked, screaming at the top of her lungs. This sound drew the attention of the rest of the assembly, who must have been waiting just outside the room.
Kiron frowned wryly, then admitted, "I should have figured upon a reaction like that."
Aelan nodded, and replied, "Yes, you should have."
Meanwhile, Heero was trying to calm Relena down. "Relena, relax… He's not here to harm anyone. As a matter of fact, without Kiron, you might not have been alive right now."
As Heero continued to console Relena, Kiron then approached Aelan. "I do have a few things to discuss with you. Between the two of us, I think we can take the available clues and figure out why Ventrali came here, and just who that Edenite that attacked Relena is."
"I suppose, but first I want to talk to Heero." Aelan answered. He knelt beside the pilot in question, who still seemed to be totally engrossed with Relena, albeit not surprisingly. Leaning close to his ear, Aelan whispered, "Is there anyplace that she can go to recover from this ordeal? I think she could use a few days rest."
Heero didn't look at Aelan, but replied, "Yeah."
Aelan smiled, then added, "Why don't you join her? You haven't had a good days relaxation yourself for a while."
"Thank you."
Mexican Highlands…
Amore Doran stared down at the coordinates that Aelan had inputted into the Fold Generator one more time. She glanced at Kiron warily slightly suspicious that something was amiss. Since he had arrived, he had not said a word, and was intentionally avoiding eye contact.
"Advisor Marcus, you are aware that these coordinates are in deep space." She asked.
Aelan smirked, and said as if nothing was at all strange, "Yes, I know."
Amore pursed her lips. When Aelan was concerned, she could never be totally sure whether he was simply ignorant, or knew something she didn't. Since Aelan was prone to both at times, she decided to add, "Well, I'm not sure if such a jump is wise."
"Are you noticing a relay connection, Amore?" Aelan asked. He seemed somewhat amused.
Amore glanced down at the console again, and nodded. There was indeed a direct relay connection, rather than a remote connection that would be generated by a deep space relay point. Whatever was on the other end had its own Fold Generator.
"Are you sure you trust this man, Advisor?"
Aelan looked at Kiron, then at Amore. "Not at all. But I have to discover what Ventrali is doing here, and how he is connected to the mysterious Edenite that nearly killed Relena."
"What do you hope to find there?"
Kiron finally spoke, but his voice seemed to be pained. "Answers, my dear Doran. Answers."
Deep Space, 17.5 light years from Eden…
The pair of Edenites emerged into the small, self-contained base that had hidden itself well in a large asteroid cluster orbiting the decayed remnants of what must have been a rather large star. Artificial light from the panels above nearly overpowered the light of the tiny brown dwarf, making it hard to see even from their relative close distance.
"This base Ventrali and I built 15 years ago, when we first made the discovery that set my plans into motion. Perhaps I should explain a little bit more into what motivated my ambitions before we begin to delve into the files." Kiron stated as they proceeded to the the main chamber.
Aelan nodded, and said, "Yes, that might be enlightening."
"Remember what the Tenant Council taught every Edenite? That when the New Age of Eden began, the early Tenant Council eliminated the warring clans, and also eliminated all the records of the great wars?"
Aelan remembered very well, "Yes, of course I remember that."
"It wasn't entirely true. The Tenant Council never found all the records of the galactic conflicts. The discovery I mentioned earlier was the records of a General Calnus, the General of the Carean Clan."
"And I take it these records are now located on this base." Aelan surmised.
"Correct." Kiron replied as they entered the main chamber. Kiron then accessed the main computer, and the main viewscreens flared with text and diagrams.
Aelan analyzed the data as they streamed forth then commented, "This appears to be a biological unit, something that the ancient Edenites used. I see… our ancestors used this device to control the body chemistry of the soldier it had been implanted into."
"The unit was inserted next to the pituitary gland of the recipient. It enabled the body to produce all sorts of hormones like adrenaline, causing the implanted soldier to gain absolutely abnormal capabilities like the strength to lift tanks, or the speed of the fastest land animals." Kiron added, "However, the unit had a terrible side effect. The hormones that it produced also caused the recipient to emerge into an almost berserker rage. Only the most controlled soldiers were able to use it, and even they had problems."
All of a sudden, Kiron dropped his head, and took a small datapad from the top of the console. "I think I should give you this. I suggest you read it before we continue." As Aelan took the datapad, Kiron warned, "A lot of what you are about to read might seem unbelievable, but let me assure you that it is all true."
Aelan walked over to the other side of the chamber, and leaning against the wall, activated the datapad, putting one hand on his chin as the other held the pad so he could read…
Data Record, Kiron Gorrs:
No one outside my circle had ever realized the true intent of Project Eternal, and by the time anyone decides to investigate the strange occurrences that led to its termination, any evidence will be long gone.
The attempt to revive the dead Edenite, and with it, the intent to control it using the same technology that the ancient clans used to create their overpowering soldiers, was a dismal failure. We suffered the same critical flaw that they had all those ages ago.
Despite Yeara's and Ventrali's best efforts to control the surge of hormones that gave the ancient Edenites their incredible powers, the cyborg that was to symbolize my new empire went berserk. Had it not been for Aelan, of all people, I might not have an Eden to rule.
Still, my brother's failure was at great cost. Yeara Marcus, one of my staunchest supporters, has died. My brother, Ventrali, will not get another chance to make the same mistake. As of now, I decided to no longer pursue the technology of the ancient ones. A new plan has literally risen to my attention. I have discovered a race which could hold the key to my new dominion:
Earth.
"Aelan?" Kiron asked as the North Am advisor finished the record that Kiron had given him.
Aelan rubbed his chin thoughtfully, and said, "I see why you wanted me to read this."
Kiron said, "I know what you are going to say next. 'Do you honestly expect me to believe that my wife was involved in this'?"
Aelan shook his head, and answered, "My wife was an incredibly intelligent woman. There was no way she could be so close to a project without realizing the truth behind what was going on. I just find it implausible that she was as twisted in her desires as you and your brother are."
Kiron smiled, and answered, "She wasn't. She honestly thought that she was doing this for the greater good of Eden. She pictured a paradise with the cyborg soldiers serving as an impenetrable line of defense. I know you blame yourself for her death. You shouldn't. She knew exactly what she was getting into, she had only herself to hold accountable."
Kiron then shook himself out of his reverie, and said, "Anyway, that wasn't why I called you. Come over here." As Aelan complied, Kiron tapped a few buttons on the console, and asked, "Is this the man who attacked you and Relena?"
A face appeared on the viewscreen, and it was undeniable. "Yes." Aelan answered, "That is definitely the man."
Kiron looked down in dismay, and mutted, "This is not good, not good at all…"
"Why? Had be been infused with one of those units?" Aelan remembered how that Edenite had been in cryo-stasis. Had he been in cryo-stasis that long? "Is he from the Carean Clan?"
Kiron then stared at Aelan grimly. "You could say that, on both counts. That man… he's General Calnus."
Offices of the Advisor, North Am…
Alarms blared from the hangars underneath the offices, and four Gundam pilots came charging down the steps, hurriedly rushing to where Admiral Noin and Hilde were waiting.
"What's the…" Duo began, then saw the sensor readout, "BY GOD! WHAT IN HELL IS THAT!"
"It's an unidentified mobile suit." Noin answered.
"That's ONE mobile suit?" Wufei questioned, "For it to be one suit, it would have to be absolutely mammoth."
"I know it's enormous, but it is definitely one mobile suit." Noin stated, "It is heading right this way."
At that moment, the tech officer operating the sensor array said, "We are receiving a transmission from the unidentified suit."
When the voice boomed over the comm, Duo recognized it immediately. It was the Edenite that had attacked Aelan, and damn near killed Relena.
"I am Calnus of the Juggernaut. I demand for you to turn over Aelan Marcus. You shall comply, or you shall die." The Edenite from the Shopping District demanded.
Noin then responded to the summons, saying, "I am Admiral Lucrezia Noin of the North Am Elite Unit. Advisor Aelan is not here at the moment. If you wish to discuss what you want, I'm sure we can…"
"THERE WILL BE NO DISCUSSION!" Calnus screamed, "If you do not give me Aelan Marcus, you all will die!" From there, the transmission was ended.
Noin looked at the Gundam pilots, and said blandly, "I guess our hands are tied."
Quatre looked over at Sandrock, which had been gracefully given a spot in the hangars. "This Calnus has already shown the desire to kill if it attains what he wants. We have to assume that he is a threat."
"I guess that settles it then." Trowa finished, "We must do whatever we can to eliminate this menace. I will not allow anyone to be bullied by this monster."
The Gundam pilots quickly started to scramble their suits, and Noin was equally quick to prep Cygnus. As Hilde prepared to follow, Noin called down, "Hilde, I need you to stay here, and inform him of what's happening."
"But…" Hilde began to protest.
"Hilde, I know that you want to prove yourself, but the best way to do that is by following orders." Noin said, "Besides, we might need you later. I have a terrible feeling that this won't be our last run-in with Calnus."
The pilots launched from the hangars, and proceeded at top speed to where Juggernaut was approaching with equally impressive haste. They met just outside New Richmond, where Calnus once again demanded, "Where is Aelan?"
"He's not here." Noin answered, "I already told you that. Why do you want him anyway?"
"Aelan will take me to Eden."
Duo then screamed out, "Are you dense! Eden is locked out. No one can get there!"
"I WILL GO TO EDEN! AND AELAN WILL TAKE ME THERE!" Calnus hollered, "OR YOU WILL ALL DIE!"
As the battle began, the North Am pilots quickly learned that while Juggernaut was about five times larger than the average mobile suit, it was no less agile. The battle raged on for ten minutes before anyone landed a single hit, a brutal swipe with Deathscythe's twin thermal blade. It seemed to glance off the suit with minimal damage.
"Of course it would have to be reinforced with Durium armoring…" Duo moaned, just recovering in time to avoid a massive swipe with Juggernaut's left arm that could have ripped apart a small mountain.
The battle continued to rage, but it appeared that the Gundams were starting to gain the upper hand. Their numbers started to take their toll, and the hits started to land, and also started to dent the thick plating of Juggernaut. However, each blow seemed to have little effect on the pilot inside.
Finally, an intense combo of attacks from all the North Am suits sent Juggernaut crashing to the ground. After three seconds of immobility, Juggernaut stood up like nothing had even happened.
"What does it take to bring this guy down?" Duo screamed in disbelief.
"The entire cockpit of that thing should be a pool of blood." Wufei commented, "We hit that thing with everything we had."
Calnus started to laugh, and said, "That was interesting. I have discovered that you have no capability of stopping me. Now, feel the fury of JUGGERNAUT!"
It suddenly took off with such speed that seemed impossible for a suit of its size, connecting with a brutal hit that knocked Sandrock Kai right out of the sky. It collided with the ground, sparks flying from the Gundam.
"QUATRE!" Noin shouted, but only received a pained moan as a reply. At least he was still alive… for now. Juggernaut once again moved to the attack, engaging Heavyarms. Deathscythe and Altron joined in the fight, but Noin watched as the three were removed from combat with ease.
She was so stunned by the power behind the attacks of Juggernaut that by the time she reacted to the massive mobile suit engaging Cygnus, it was far too late. However, Noin suffered a far different fate. When the enemy suit touched Cygnus, an immense neural shock rushed through the golden suit. Upon reaching the cockpit, it served to instantly render Noin unconscious with little pain.
Duo looked up helplessly as another one of his friends was at the mercy of that Edenite monster. "Damn you! Let her go!"
The Edenite paid him no attention. He turned back to the advisor offices, and broadcasting back to the offices, announced, "AELAN MARCUS! IF YOU WISH FOR THIS WOMAN TO LIVE, YOU'LL GIVE IN!"
Duo watched as Juggernaut pulled back as if to strike a killing blow to Noin, but he also watched as time passed with no response to Calnus's call, and no action from Juggernaut.
"I'm serious!" Calnus yelled, but he was sounding increasingly uncertain, "I'll kill her!"
Then it all clicked in Duo's head. He remembered the attack on the Shopping District, and how Calnus had reacted to striking Relena. He had totally freaked out, and ran off like he had committed some carnal sin.
"Calnus won't intentionally hurt a girl!" Duo exclaimed, "Lucky Noin."
Finally, it appeared that Calnus was doing to do something. Slinging Cygnus over his shoulder, Calnus shouted one last time, "When you decide you wish to give up, you can have your little woman back! I will inform you of where to find me!" From there, Juggernaut took off again, racing out over the ocean to parts unknown.
Hilde had managed to get in contact with someone, but not Aelan. As she continued to converse, Heero was quickly on his way back to New Richmond.
"And you say that this monster just left?" Heero asked coldly.
"Yes. He took Admiral Noin with him. Are you sure you don't know where Advisor Aelan is?" Hilde was almost shocked by Heero's reaction. He had always been a little cold, but Heero now seemed like he was ready to rip Calnus into pieces with nothing up his bare hands.
"Not a clue. I left with Relena before he left with Kiron, and he told me nothing of his plans. I am not far away now, and we will continue this conversation when I arrive."
"Roger." Hilde confirmed, and killed the conversation. "Where could you be, Aelan?" At that moment, she guessed, "Maybe that girl Amore had contacted him…"
Connecting with the Fold Generator in Mexico, Amore voice came over the comm. "Who is this and what do you want?"
"You sure aren't gonna win any points with your manners, Miss Doran. No wonder you've never been able to get a man." Hilde chuckled.
Amore seemed to recognize the voice instantly, "What is it, Hilde? I'm waiting for Aelan to tell me that he wants to come back."
"You know where Aelan is? Can you connect me with him?" Hilde nearly wailed, "It's REEEEEEEEEEEEEALY important."
Amore seemed confused, but complied nonetheless, "Very well… I'll try. There might be some lag even through the Fold Generator, though. His coordinates are very far away."
There was silence for about three seconds, then Aelan's voice came over the comm, "Hilde, Amore says its important. What's happening?"
"Some freak named Calnus attacked North Am in some gigantic mobile suit! He's kidnapped Noin and is demanding that if you want to see her again, you'll give up."
After another brief silence, she heard something from Aelan that sounded like a curse to every god in existence. Finally, he replied directly to Hilde, "I'm on my way as soon as possible. Find Heero and have him meet me in North Am."
"Already did. I thought that he might know where you are. He's heading this way as we speak."
After another silence, Aelan sighed in relief, then ordered finally, "Good. Prep your suit while you're at it. We might need every bit of firepower we can get our hands on."
Next Time…
Aelan quickly devises a plan to rescue Noin from Calnus. Hilde is given an important role in the mission, as Heero and Aelan are required to battle Calnus and his immense suit Juggernaut. Meanwhile, Noin realizes just how far Ventrali has gone to fulfill his purposes.
Coming in Episode 18: Heero's Desire for Revenge