RED BANNER-CHAPTER 4

RED BANNER-CHAPTER 4

By Red Star

WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.S.A

The morning light shimmered off of the Oval Office's desk as Mathew Dawson flipped quietly through a report prepared by the Federal Security Service (FSS), America's top intelligence and policing organization. Dawson was Chairman of the People's Socialist Party of America, and also held the title of President of the United Socialist States of America. The Commanders of the Revolutionary Army, Navy, and Air Force waited patiently for him to speak. Dawson, a long-believing Communist, installed himself as President of the new socialist republic. Interestingly, this did not please the Soviet generals too greatly. Romanov had chosen another man to lead a puppet American government, but Malinsky preferred challenges to his vast intellect, so the often roguish Dawson was put in.

"So," he began, "There were other Chronospheres…"

"Yes, Mr. President," said Army General Stone, "The one we found has been deactivated for some time now, and its teleportation orb has been sabotaged so as to make pursuit impossible. However, we have managed to recover their transport data."

Dawson looked up and peered at his generals through his glasses. "And their current location?"

Stone replied, "That's just it, sir; the computer of a Chronosphere must be programmed with the latitude and longitude of the area to which you want to go. And the computer says…" the general looked uncomfortable.

"Well?" asked Dawson.

"…The computer says they went to Maine. But we've had an entire division sweep through it; not an Allied footprint around."

Dawson was silent. Then he sighed and gathered his papers.

"I'll talk with President Malinsky at the World Socialist Alliance meeting in a few days. We'll see how he thinks of it."

GUNDAM WORLD

The buzzing phone awoke Relena Peacecraft from her sleep. Rolling over while simultaneously groaning, she picked it up and grumbled a greeting into the speaker.

"Relena," it was her brother Milliardo, "I thought you should hear about this,"

She yawned and propped herself up on a pillow. "What is it, brother?"

"Some policemen responded to a complaint in a Swiss village a few hours ago. Some loud noises near a private villa. When they investigated, they found some guy in a strange uniform attaching some sort of explosive to a strange, giant machine. They stopped him and…" a sniffing sound came from Relena's right. Milliardo stopped. "Relena, what was that?"

She gulped and thought quickly. "Er…it's just the sheets, Milliardo."

"…All right…Anyway, he was just brought to headquarters and we're examining his machine."

"Thank you, Milliardo. Good night."

She put down the phone and then snuggled back up to Heero's sleeping form, nestling her head into his neck.

OLD WORLD, MOSCOW, U.S.S.R.

General Secretary Alexander Malinsky was stretched out on one of his office's couches, dreaming away as he rested from a Central Committee meeting. He was twitching every so often and murmuring something.

He was in New York again. The Statue of Liberty, blasted down from it's pedestal, still had one eye above water with which it could watch the Red Army helplessly. Smoking, ruined buildings, many in flames, surrounded him as he peered over at the enemy position. His Rhino Tanks were only a few blocks away, ready to go in at his command. But, the cold fact was that they were outnumbered by the enemy's Grizzly Tanks. Of course, he could note with optimism the presence of fuel drums near the base; of course he could in the same breath note with pessimism that the drums were too far out of a rifle's bullet. He turned around and explained the situation to his small accompanying squad, consisting of a Psy-trooper, two Conscripts, a Tesla trooper, and a Crazy Ivan.

"Nadia," he said, motioning for the Psychic to approach.

"Yes, Comrade Corps Commander?" she asked.

"I want you to get me a GI. Maybe Ivan could strap some dynamite on one and…"

"That will not be necessary, Comrade Corps Commander,"

Malinsky turned to face a grinning Crazy Ivan. The explosives freak grinned happily at his general.

"Really? Why?"

Still smiling, Ivan declared "I found a nice place to put some bombs on!"

"Where? How close?"

Ivan gestured in the direction of the base's opening. Malinsky quickly scanned the area and saw two pillboxes, some GI's sitting in among their little fortresses, and a little girl in a dirty t-shirt and shorts, clutching a stuffed monkey walking toward the base.

"Where? Those pillboxes? I don't…oh, God. You didn't!"

Ivan grinned happily and pulled out a red lollipop. "I told her she could have this if she wore some stuff and went over to those barrels over there." He cackled in joy. The other troops looked at him, slightly amused, but mostly horrified.

Malinsky was most shocked of all. He whipped to Nadia.

"GET THAT GIRL BACK HERE!! SOMEONE GET ME AN ENGINEER AND A DOCTOR ASAP!!!!"

"Well, hi there, little lady. What are you doing here?"

Malinsky turned to see a GI pick up the girl as another approached them.

"Poor kid. Damned Soviets must've bombed her house. Let's bring her in."

Malinsky turned and hissed at Nadia "Get her back here, qui…"

The explosion cut him off. American shouts of astonishment and fear filled the air. The smell of burning gas stung his nostrils.

He turned toward the base, where most of the tanks had been blown away. Crazy Ivan tore the clear plastic off of his lollipop and began sucking on it, while snorts of laughter escaped his mouth, sputtering juice on his lips.

"Good Lord! Comrade Corps Commander, have you ever seen anything like that? I've been through three battles but never…"

While Crazy Ivan rambled on, something fell in front of Malinsky's feet. Charred, with small candle-sized flames flickering on it's ears and tails, the little girl's stuffed monkey stared up at General Alexander Malinsky with it's one black button that served as an eye.

"…And the flames were amazing. I think my belt buckle melted, heh-heh. What do you…?"

Crazy Ivan couldn't even finish his question before Malinsky shot him in the face, sending the lollipop spinning into a nearby pile of rubble. As the maniac's smashed and bloodied head fell onto the pavement, the General turned on his subordinates, who now stared at him in silent bewilderment and terror.

"Get back to base," he hissed, "and if you know what's good for you, you will never mention this ever again. Understand?"

They nodded in agreement and marched-actually, jogged-away from their commander.

Malinsky looked down at the stuffed animal, and picked it up. A tear emerged from his eye as he extinguished the tiny fires.

Well now, no sense in wasting a good opening, was there?

He raised a radio to his lips and gave an order.

"This is Red Alpha; 5th Tank Battalion will advance on Allied Base. All forces on standby. Over."