I knew he wouldn't be
disappointed....
"Yokatta!" Garrod shouted in glee as he left my side and floated to
the newly repaired Double X. He began hugging at its faceplate and exclaimed;
"Now we can rescue Tifa!"
As my friend and his Gundam began to celebrate their sort-of reunion, my
thoughts drifted back on why the engineers prioritize DX's repairs above the
other units in the first placeā¦
****
A couple of days ago after Garrod regained consciousness; I was summoned by the
Commander to give my full report about our guest and his Gundam. After I
answered a couple of their questions, I found myself sitting in the middle of a
council of war.
"You must be insane!" Captain Kitsaragi shouted as the Commander laid
the plans before his aides. "Are you telling me we should ask that boy to
shoot down the Colony Laser using that Gundam?!"
"Yes. That's exactly what I had in mind." Commander said grimly.
"We really have no choice in the matter. Zaider's assassination failed, as
expected. And Intelligence informed us that the SRA is planning to make an
all-out siege at Satelicon. Given that our forces are badly decimated in the
last battle, I don't think we're up to this."
"There's the asteroid field. Even if the SRA are coming in with their most
advanced MS models, I don't think it's enough to wipe us off." One of his
aides pointed out.
"That's what worries me." The Commander said quietly. "We had a
very reliable natural barrier. I don't see Zaider as the type of person who'd
waste his men into this battle without a good reason. Unfortunately, our
Intelligence had been silent for these few days. We are expecting the
worse."
"And given by the information we obtained." A young man, Peter, I
remembered, one of the chosen tacticians of Satelicon. "They will reach
here for a couple of days."
"So that is why we have to push through this plan. Operation Daria must
NOT be carried out."
"But can we trust this kid?" Kitsaragi muttered.
"Of course!" I shouted, forgetting my place, for once. "I vouch
for him!"
"That Gundam is one of the most powerful weapons used during the war. That
and it's weapon. Some of the younger people had only heard tales of it's
notorious reputation. It's time we use it according to its original purpose."
Peter pointed out, before Kitsaragi bit my head off for my impertinence. I
guess this is the advantage of being the youngest and only girl in this little
rebellion; everyone treats me differently. Either as a long lost relative or
someone who really shouldn't get involve in this. Oftentimes I was infuriated
about it, because I never wanted any special treatment. But there are other times
I appreciate a lot for their concern. Ever since my parents died, Satelicon
became an extended family for me.
"I'm sure the Double X's Satellite Cannon will be more than enough to
destroy the Laser." He concluded.
"I've looked the plan myself." Captain Samuels told the stoic
Kitsaragi gently. "I see nothing wrong with it. The SRA's attack will be
our advantage. We will divert their attention while we let the Gundam carry its
mission for us."
"Then I ask for the pilot to be supervised." Kitsaragi began when the
Commander raised his hand and interrupted him. "I've already did. He's
under Lieutenant Cis' care." Before his aides, and even Peter,
objects...seeing where this is heading, he added. "The G-Falcon is the
fastest mode of transportation for the Gundam. The sooner they destroy the
target, the better. Since the SRA literally spent millions worth of resources
for the Laser's reconstruction, they wouldn't be wise enough to send their best
men here."
"I would call that underestimating the enemy." Kitsaragi muttered,
but we could see him conceding.
"No. I would say that time is at the essence." The Commander
corrected him. "Have them repair the Gundam as fast as they could. We will
have to pray that our informant's last message is accurate." He studied
his hands for a bit before he said. "That concludes today's meeting. We
should get ready."
As we all head outside the door, I overheard Peter said. "But sir, Paula
is still a child. She shouldn't handle such an important mission."
"She's not a child, Peter. She's a member of the Satelicon."
****
The Commander seemed to have a soft spot for girls, he told me in jest a few
years ago while I was still undergoing training to become a fighter pilot when
their last one was killed during a sortie. He said I reminded him of his own
grandchild whom he lost during the war. For me, he became the father I never
had.
But recently he'd become silent and brooding. It was apparent that things are
not going favorably for Satelicon. The SRA is still a strong military group,
despite our best attempts to destroy them. Any large offense from the enemy
could still be the end of us.
That is why the Laser Cannon must be destroyed. If the SRA's attention is
diverted then Satelicon may have a chance.
I try not to think if things have gone for the worst. Following Garrod, I
tapped at his shoulder and said lightly. "So, we got our part of the
bargain."
He nodded vigorously, "Of course! I'll help in anyway I can."
I grinned. "OK then. If you could...." My line of thought and
sentence was cut off when the base shook violently against an impact. Garrod
lost his footing and landed on me. But I was too distracted to notice that.
"Chih! They're too early!" I cursed.
Sirens and klaxons are blaring overhead. Our worst fears became a reality. We
are under attack.
"Alright, let's go!" Garrod began when I grabbed his wrist, abruptly
stopping him.
"And where the heck do you think you're going?!" I asked him.
"To the Gundam, of course." Garrod was surprised I even asked such an
obvious question.
"Without wearing a normal suit? Are you crazy? C'mon. I'll show you where
you can get one." I tugged at him again, and Garrod reluctantly followed
me. I know that we are needed at the front. But Garrod's survival is vital
here. Besides, Captains Samuels and Kitsaragi are already prepared for the
assault. Both in command of their respective battleships. They will provide
defense in the best of their abilities.
I try to fight against my dread and uncertainty as the two of us hurried along
the corridor.
It was now or never.
