Episode 25: Sins of the Father
As the mysterious events in the Canadian Territories drifts farther down the river of time, the concern to discover its source also died away. The investigation drew to a close, and the United Earth once again focused its attention on itself.
However, there were a select few who kept their eyes to the heavens; waiting and planning for when whatever, or whoever, was out there to play their hand…
Capitol Center, Eden
Talor Marcus looked at the recent report from the various regional tenants. Much to Talor's approval, the people of Eden chose to continue the style of government of the last era, rather than revert to their primitive, war-like ways of ages past. Granted, there were some adjustments, but nonetheless a promising start.
However, Talor's allies didn't seem to see it quite that way.
We are concerned that the Edenites are building a military force.
"That is not a concern. The units they are building is insignificant, barely enough for defensive purposes. I am keeping close tabs on what is being built and how. Besides, there are not many civilizations advanced enough, or even inclined enough to attack Eden."
There is one.
"Earth is not really a threat to Eden. They have no reason to attack Eden, nor would Eden have any reason to attack them."
Perhaps, but Earth is a loose cannon that must also be contained.
"Aelan is quite involved with the development of Earth. It is highly unlikely that they would become a threat on his watch."
Despite the amount of pride you might have for your son, he is not fully one of us, nor does he understand what is necessary for proper action. He is also an Edenite by blood.
"I prefer to think that he has the best qualities of both races…"
Regardless of what you think, we must proceed. We trust that Ventrali and Kiron have been… neutralized? His ambitions could have been a bit of a problem…
"Yes, but it got a little shaky there… Ventrali broke my control, and nearly spewed everything. I had to take more drastic measures." Actually, Talor wasn't sure if Ventrali was successful in eliminating Kiron, but he trusted Aelan to keep Kiron in check even if Kiron was still in the realm of the living.
It doesn't matter, for all intents and purposes. By the time that this is all discovered, it will be too late. However, it also means that we must proceed now.
"That's another issue. Are you sure that we need to take such drastic actions so quickly? We still aren't fully sure how this will play out."
Despite your optimism, we do not share the idea that Edenites and weapons of mass destruction can be a profitable mix.
"We use a formidable defensive armament without problem." Talor noted.
We are not Edenites. Given the option, they would revert to their ancient barbaric ways.
"You haven't studied Eden for 46 Edenite years like I have. They are INDEED a changed race. I GAVE them the option, and they CHOSE to remain the way things were."
For how long? How long would it be before the lusts of war would take hold again? Old habits die hard. We can no longer risk Eden becoming a threat to the galaxy once again. Also, thanks to your son, Earth has become an issue we cannot ignore. That loose cannon must also be removed.
"Very well… if that is the desire of the conclave… are you sure this will work?"
Earth will be too preoccupied fighting a war with Eden to see it coming, and no matter how formidable the Edenite intelligence is, they will not be able to break your control, especially since you are at such a close proximity, before it is FAR too late.
Talor finally conceeded to the desire of his superiors. However, the plan would be initiated on HIS terms. Hopefully, he could have one more meeting with his son before it all ended to sort everything out…
Offices of the Advisor, New Richmond
Noin couldn't help but think that many of the members of the Elite Unit were avoiding her. Quatre jumped back as she had entered the room, and Duo had turned away from her suddenly. Wufei scowled at her, and it all finally clicked.
"All right!" She hissed, "Miliardo had it coming! You guys have nothing to fear unless you continue this little game!"
She stormed past the rest of the side offices, and knocked on Aelan's door.
"Who is it?" Aelan asked almost sweetly.
"Your Chief Admiral, oh magnificent leader." Noin shot back, voice dripping sarcasm.
"Wait just one moment…" She heard the sounds of rustling inside the office for a brief moment, then Aelan opened the door from the other side. Noin didn't notice anything amiss, but obviously the five pilots in the other room did, for they started howling in uncontrollable laughter, even Heero and Trowa.
Noin glanced back, and watched Trowa fall out of his chair, shaking in mirth. Something must be DAMN funny to have rattled the Heavyarms pilot like that. Quatre started pointing at Aelan, but was unable to say anything, his frame racked with peals of laughter.
Noin turned again, her eyes following the line Quatre's arm created, and saw exactly what the pilots thought was so funny…
Aelan had gone and placed an athletic cup over his suit pants. With a broad smile, he said, "Occupational hazard."
Noin frowned disapprovingly, her hands on her hips in an exasperated gesture. "Do not encourage the children, Aelan." From behind her, the pilots suddenly quieted, taken aback by the quick shot to their maturity.
Aelan removed the distasteful article, and motioned for Noin to enter. She did so, and Aelan closed the door, blocking out the various sounds from the offices behind it.
Noin took a seat across the large desk from Aelan, and asked, "How did it go with the Lady?"
"As well as I suppose it could have. I think she desires something more than I'm willing to give, though…" He said thoughtfully, "Although I did open up a little bit. I told her about why I left Eden."
Noin nodded, it had taken a bit of pressing the issue, but Aelan had told her all about it as well a few months before. "Well, that's good. The more you talk about what happened, the better off you'll feel."
Noin almost couldn't believe that the young man Aelan had told her about and the man who sat across from her was the same person. She was so engrossed in comparing how much he had changed that she almost didn't hear Aelan say, "Miliardo's new unit is almost completed."
"Oh, yes… the fourth Tallgeese." Noin had somewhat expected that Miliardo would choose to base his new suit on the original model. Miliardo claimed that he never grew attached to a machine, but she had seen enough of the Gundam Pilots, and knew that they were VERY similar to Miliardo in so many ways, that she could tell he was lying.
"When will it be fully operational?" Noin asked. She was curious to know when he would be able to begin training with the rest of the unit. The idea of matching up with Miliardo again enticed her. Only this time, she wouldn't hold back for his sake…
"It's simply a matter of tuning the suit to what Miliardo likes. Supposedly he's going through that procedure now." Aelan answered. Then there was a slight rap on the door leading to the side offices.
Aelan bid the waiting person to enter, and Trowa silently stepped in, his face emotionless, as if he hadn't been doubled over just moments before. He walked up to Noin, and asked politely, "Can I see your arm?"
Confused, Noin complied, but couldn't help but ask why.
Trowa pulled out a small measuring tape, and pulled Noin's arm to its full length. "I just need to take a quick measurement." Trowa replied, and promptly did so.
This really didn't answer anything, so Noin amended, "For what purpose are you measuring my arm?"
Trowa pulled the tape away, and looked closely at the measurement he had made. Without even cracking a grin, he said, "I am merely judging safe operating distance." Without any further statement, Trowa left the room, leaving a chucking Aelan, and a fuming Noin.
"Are they ever going to let it drop?" Noin hissed.
Still chuckling, Aelan replied, "From what I understand dealing with the blow you delivered to poor Miliardo, I think the same question could be asked of you."
For a brief moment, Aelan's play on words passed Noin, and when it finally sank in, she smirked, "You don't understand just how good that felt, though."
"For you, maybe."
Another rap on the door interrupted their conversation, but this time it was from the main reception area. Aelan's secretary entered the office, and said in that perpetually sweet fashion, "I have an urgent memo from the Unified Nation Central Government."
"All right." Aelan said, and reached for the note.
The secretary stepped back, and said, "It's for Chief Admiral Noin, sir."
Aelan pulled back like he had been stung. "I apologize. Far be it for me to interfere with military business."
Noin took the memo with a smile, and motioned that it was acceptable for the secretary to leave. She did so, as the admiral scanned the material. "That's odd…" Noin remarked, and then looked up at Aelan, "Several of the relay units for the Fold Generator have been destroyed."
"How so?" Aelan asked, but quickly realized that if Noin had received the memo, that there were suspicions of military action.
"Sensors indicate that before each relay point was destroyed, several small Durium based objects were detected approaching each scene."
Aelan sat a little straighter. There were only two civilizations that Aelan knew of that knew the techniques to forge Durium in any fashion, and one of those civilizations had a VERY limited supply. While he couldn't rule out an attack from a rebel group from Earth, the likelihood rested in the other…
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Noin asked, somewhat uncertainly.
"Yes, I believe so, but why would Eden attack Earth's Fold relay system?"
"I think that we should investigate this matter personally." Noin replied, "I'll inform the Central about this. Can you assemble the Elite Unit?"
"I will do that." Aelan answered. When Noin left, Aelan got on the comm, and contacted Miliardo Peacecraft. "How's it all progressing, Miliardo?"
The elder Peacecraft quickly replied, "I am impressed, Advisor. You have outdone yourself."
"Do you think that everything is to your liking?"
"I suppose. Why?"
Aelan smirked slightly, and replied, "Because it looks like you are about to take part in your first mission with the North Am Elite Unit."
Next time…
The North Am Elite Unit arrives in deep space, and begins patrol of the outer fringes of the Relay System. As they had feared, it is indeed the Edenites who are attacking the relay satellites. Aelan arrives quickly to help in the defense, and after the battle, is contacted by his father Talor Marcus, who has also quickly emerged on the scene.
Coming in Episode 26: Rendezvous in Deep Space