Chapter 4
"I caught wind of your rescue attempt after I was reassigned. I was already relatively close to the position of this base, so I was able to get there before you did.
"I waited for a soldier to come through the basement. He was dressed in civilian clothes, but I knew he was one of them. I quickly over came him and took everything, his gun, his I.D. and his military I.D.
"With all that I returned to this motel, where I had all my supplies. I was able to put my picture over his on his I.D.s. With that I simply entered the base.
"After stealing a uniform I headed for the surveillance room too assist you there. I managed to keep your presence secret for a while. Finally the others caught on though. After taking out the servalence crew I made my way to the containment ward.
"When I was still in the servalence room though, I found something of much importance. I don't know how they did this but some how they managed to build and salvage over two-hundred mobile suits."
"Two-hundred suits." I mumbled, shocked. "That's enough to conquer the defenseless earth."
"I'm afraid it gets worst." Noin says, "I over heard Javier talking with his general. This isn't their only underground base."
"What!?" Wu Fei says.
"It's true, they have been planning this for years, building trust with the earth high-archy, and building massive bases in the shadow of the government. They have bases under the ten most populous cities;" She closes her eyes to help remember the names of the cities, "Tokyo, Japan; New York, America; Seoul, South Korea; Mexico City, Mexico; Sao Paulo, Argentina; Bombay, India; Osaka, Japan; Los Angeles, America; Cairo, Egypt; and Manila in The Philippines. These will be the first places they will attack, I believe in three days."
"They are trying to obliterate the Earth's population." Zechs remarks.
"Why did they let us in on this? They had to of known that we wouldn't have agreed. What is the point of risking an information leak?"
Wu Fei makes a good point. I have already thought about this though, "They don't have any opposition." I answer.
"Quatre?" Noin prompts me to elaborate.
"They don't need my money and they have more then enough force right? The only reason for their abduction of Noin, and us, that I can think of is that they want more of a challenge."
"We have three days right?" Wu Fei asks, "How fast can we plan an attack?"
"We can't do this on our own." Zechs reminds.
I nod, taking the leadership role automatically, "Right, I'll contact the other Gundam Pilots. Wu Fei take care of getting some preventers, the ones we can trust like Sally. Zechs try to get a hold of Howard, see if he has anything we can use." Zechs and Wu Fei acknowledge their tasks at hand.
"Quatre, what can I do?"
I turn to Noin. Her spirit is amazing, "You get some rest. You aren't any help to us exhausted like this."
"But-"
"Shhh. No buts, fight me tomorrow when you have your strength back."
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I hang up Noin and my room's phone. I've just gotten off the phone with Trowa. Along with Duo and Heero they are coming to Osaka tomorrow morning. I saddens me to see us all getting together again for a fight. Sure I can't wait to see them again, but not under these circumstances.
I stretch my weary muscles and look at my watch. It's around one in the morning. Noin is still sleeping silently. I stand from the creaky, old chair and go over to the bed. I can finally go to sleep. I lie down next to my precious angle, and hold her close.
I don't hold her just because there is only one blanket, and it's a chilly night, or because there isn't any room to stretch out, but because I want to be near her. The other reasons don't even register as lidgetament excuses in my fatigued mind.
I quickly fall asleep by her side, hugging her comforting form close to me.
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Zechs comes into our room. In my exhaustion I forgot to look our door. He's about to tell me what he has found out with Howard. His mouth quickly closes when he sees us. He can't help but smile.
He leans up against the doorframe and watches us for a few minutes. He's happy to see her with someone who loves her as much as he does.
Noin is like a sister to Zechs, as he is like a brother to her. They grew up in military academies together, helping each other through the hard times, and countless battles. Because of this they are extremely close. Close enough for everyone to assume that they were dating. Even they have to admit that their chemistry is amazing, something special.
Wu Fei leaves his room and walks over to ours. He sees Zechs in the doorway, "Why are-"
Zechs put his finger to his lips, motioning to Wu Fei to be quiet. When Wu Fei has reached the door Zechs points over to Noin and I. A smile cracks Wu Fei's face of stone. "It looks like someone forgot that we were suppose to meet."
"Perhaps it's for the best. We can develop a plan in the morning, we will be rested and more able to think then anyway."
"Six am?"
Zechs bids him farewell. They go their separate ways to their rooms on either side of ours.
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We are to meet everyone in an abandoned warehouse a few blocks from the motel. We would have gone a head and met back at the motel, but the innkeeper is already suspicious of us as it is. Three men in tattered military uniforms and a sleeping, injured woman would rouse the suspicious of anyone.
We are still the only ones in the run down storage area. Slivers of light from the ventilation unit give us the only light we have. The whole place is bathed in the dark bluish-gray of disrupted morning.
A few boxes, left by whoever last rented the space where dragged over by us men. They now serve as a chair for Noin. It's just like her to put up a fight, to say that she is fine, and can stand. She finally gives in, and agrees to sit, while we stand in waiting.
"You people always pick the strangest places to hold meetings." Duo's voice echoes through the cavernous building. He emerges from the depths of the shadows.
"Duo, you made it." I say happily.
"I wouldn't miss this for the world." He takes a good look at all of us, seeing who all's here. He nods a Wu Fei, "Good to see you Wu Fei."
"Likewise Maxwell."
It's amazing how well those two get along, when they are working towards the same goal. They've also changed quite a bit. All that time as Sally's partner definitely softened Wu Fei's sharp distamener. Duo's also has had time to mature. There will probably be only one good fight between the two before this is over.
Shortly after Duo's arrival Heero and Trowa come. We are still waiting for the three preventers that Wu Fei has contacted.
The three come together. There is Une and Sally present. I recognize the others as well, he is the man from the meeting.
"Noin, I'm so glad to see that you are alright." Sally says on arrival.
"With out my boys I wouldn't be here right now." She winks at me.
"What happened to your leg?" Sally is down on her knees, examining her bandaged wound.
"It's nothing, just a little shot wound." Noin reassures.
"You need to get to a doctor."
"That's why it's good to have a friend who's one."
"You can look at it later, right now we need to talk." Zechs interrupts.
The male preventer looks out of place in this circle of friends. He knows this as well. This is obvious. Une takes care of the awkwardness.
"For those you don't know him, this is Major David Florentine, ace mobile suit pilot, and, all, and all an excellent soldier. David, these are the Gundam Pilots." Une introduces us all.
David nods sternly at each of us as Une says our names. He seems to be unfazed by our presence. I didn't expect him to give us a warm welcome. He's a harden soldier, and there are more important matters on hand.
Zechs tell me to tell everyone what we know after the introductions. I go into the tale of the bases, and the mobile suites, and about their plan to wipe out the population.
"How are we going to stop something on this scale?" Sally asks.
"There are ten of us, and ten bases. We each need to take out a base." Wu Fei replies.
"We will need some mobiles. Any ideas there?" Duo says.
"I contacted Howard. He doesn't have anything, but he recommended someone who does."
"Did you contact him?" Une asks.
"Yes, he has two Tauruses, three Leos, two with advanced mobile options, and four serpents. They are going to cost us though."
"That leaves us short one mobile suit." Trowa says.
"We have two more then we need."
Everyone looks at Heero, who is leaning up against a wall. "What are you saying?" David asks.
"Zero was never destroyed." Heero looks at Zechs, "Neither were Taurus or Tallgeese."
"Zechs is this true?" Une asks.
"Tallgeese and Taurus are hidden in a cave in western China. I'll go retrieve them while you get the other suits. The man's name is Renferd Spencen. You can find him over in the former UK."
"Should I go with you?" Noin asks.
"No stay with Sally so that she can help you. I can handle the suits."
"We can't just meet back here." Une makes a very good point.
"How about the North Pole. We won't have to worry about being seen and we can get to all target points swiftest from there." Sally suggests.
"That's perfect." Zechs straightens from his leaning position against the wall, "Heero what do you think?"
"I will go retrieve Zero. I can be at the pole in five hours."
"Sounds like a plan. Let's get going." I kneel and scoop up Noin. She is starting to get used to the carrying idea. She fits comfortably in my arms. I carry her out with ease with the others.
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Sally comes back from the back of the plane we rented to take us to Wales. The second she comes through the door I stand and walk over to her.
"How is she?"
"Doing pretty well considering the injury."
"How bad is it?" She is dancing around it, this is clear. This isn't helping me to feel any better.
"The bullet pasted through the bone, shattering it. I did all I can, she is going to have to go to a hospital to have it reconstructed."
"We can drop her off at a hospital when we land."
"I'm sorry to say this." She starts, then tries again to say what is on her mind, "I know that this goes against everything I have ever learned or seen as a medical officer, but Quatre, we need her now, to fight."
"I know, I know, but the foot peddles. How will she." I look down.
Her puts her hand on my shoulder to comfort me, "She can handle it, we both know that."
"It will be hard." I say the obvious. We are both silent. I choose this to be the end of the conversation. I walk past Sally to the back of the plane, where Noin is resting.
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"General Juniper I take it you have an update for me." Javier says from his chair. He has just left the medical ward a little over an hour ago. The doctor on hand only let him go because he forced her to.
The general salutes, "Sir the other bases have been informed. We are prepared to attack at 0'six-hundred hours Eastern Asia time tomorrow."
Javier leans back in his chair. He can already taste victory, "Perfect."
"Sir, permission to speak freely."
"Granted."
"Sir, it's just the Gundam Pilots, are you sure it was wise to leave them be?"
Javier sits up, he winces slightly from the pain the sudden change in posture has caused. He folds his hands, resting them on the desk, "Do you not trust my strategy Juniper?"
"No sir, it's not that."
"Then what? Do you think we don't have the strength?"
"Not at all."
"General, do you believe that a few weaponless kids can stop us?" He continues before he can respond. Javier's voice begins to rise, like a preacher coming do the forte of his sermon, "That a handful of punks can bring down an operation four years in the making? That the very presence of these quote-unquote perfect soldiers can bring down our empire of invincibility?" His voice peaks on the work invincibility, accenting his faith.
"I just don't think it's wise to under estimate these pilots." Juniper relies quickly, he isn't going to let his superior get the best of him.
"If underestimating is having unquestionable faith in your self, then I don't see anything wrong with it. Do you General Juniper?"
"Not when said that way sir."
"Very well then, continue with plans. And I don't want one more word about those damned pilots."
"Yes sir." Juniper salutes, and leaves the room. His anger for his naive superior, secretly seething within every inch of his very soul.
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There use to be an alliance base at the North Pole. During OZ's cue de ta the base was substantially damaged. It was still shelter though.
The center of the base is the warmest. We managed to get the lights to work; the heaters were too far-gone though. We found some emergency space heaters that made the frigid cold a more comfortable temperature.
We dive head on into the task of dividing the ten cities among us. It turns out to be a more complicated task then I expected. The main problem is the people with in the cities.
I try to reason with the others, trying to convince them of its importance, "The suits that specialize in distance combat should get the less populous cities."
"Why should it mater? The bases are underground." Sally says.
"We have to remember the people, and take into account, that the battle may spread above ground." Une supports me.
"I don't see why it matters with the type of suit. Let's just all pick a city." Duo says, "I call NYC."
"Shut up Maxwell, this is important." Wu Fei snaps.
"Excuse me for trying to simplify it all!" Duo yells back, across the table to Wu Fei.
"Both of you stop it!" David intervenes.
"Perhaps Duo is right., lets not worry about who gets what city. The more important thing is that we save them." Noin says. I look over to her, disappointed that she doesn't agree with me, even though the point she makes has credit.
"I agree." Heero says. Several others do as well.
"What about the people in the cities? Suits like serpents have a greater chance of killing civilians then, say, a Leo would." I say.
"Some casualties can't be avoided."
"Trowa's right. There is no way to evacuate the cities, so we will just have to face the fact that some people will die." Duo says.
I sigh. I've been beaten. I can't argue with the truth, no mater how harsh it may be, "Alright, as long as Noin is at the closest city to me."
"Quatre I don't need to be baby sat."
"You're injured, I don't want to take any chances."
"Don't you think I can handle it?"
"Of course I do, I just want to be safe."
"I know what you are saying, and I don't need your help."
This is starting to turn into more of a fight then a discussion. I glance around at the others, embarrassed that they have to see this. "Can we please continue this some other time?"
"No, I want to talk about this now."
"Noin you aren't being reasonable."
"I'm not being reasonable? Listen to you, you're treating me like a child."
"I'm trying to look out for you, not insult you."
"To late!" She gets up onto the crutches, taken from the medical ward, and hops away.
"Please, don't do this." I stand, and start after her.
"Just leave me alone." She leaves the room.
I run over to the door. Instead of opening it though, I turn around and face the others, "I'm sorry about this, continue with out us," My tone changes to a more serious one, so I can stress my words importance, "and put her near me!" I leave the room, the automatic door closes behind me.
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Tokyo; the most populous city on the Earth, looks so quiet in the pre-dawn hours. I watch over the sleepy city from my cover. I watch the headlights of cars trudge slowly along, carrying the early risers to their work, and the late night partiers to their homes.
Some of the others aren't even in position yet. It will take David another hour to reach his destination. He received the city of Sao Paulo in Argentina, by far, the furthest city from the pole.
As I watch the city awake an extremely large number runs through my head. Eight Million, one hundred sixty-three thousand, five hundred seventy- three, the number of people who call Tokyo Japan home. Eight million, one hundred sixty-three thousand, five hundred seventy-three people who live unknowingly in the path of a monster, a monster who lies dormant under their feet, crouching in anticipation, awaiting the moment of attack. Hopefully, though, that moment will never be seen. At six thirty Eastern Asian time, I plan on that.
Why me? Why have I received the most populous city? I release that I am the reason. Luckily, or unluckily for that mater, for me they abided to my request of Noin being near me. Just my luck that Osaka, Japan, the seventh most populous city in the world, is only 515 kilometers away.
I activate my radio, "Noin respond to line 116."
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Duo connects lines with Zechs, "Hey Zechs, think they'll make it? Noin and Quatre I mean."
"Of coarse they will. Why are you asking?"
"Well, you saw them last night."
"They were both at fault for that. You know what it's like to be injured. All you want to do is help, the last thing you want is to be told that you can't. Noin shouldn't have snapped, and Quatre should have been more sensitive."
"Good point. I don't know, I haven't seen them together many times, I guess I just caught them at a bad time. You know, they both have such strong personalities, that might be why I asked."
"You know Duo, in two an a half years I have only seen them fight twice."
Duo whistles in amazement, "That's a pretty amazing track record. Forget I even asked."
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"Yes Quatre?" I hear Noin's voice through the speaker in my cockpit.
"Hi there, bored yet?"
"Yes, I hate the waiting."
"How can something be so suspenseful and yet be this dull?"
"My thoughts exactly."
We continue to talk; soon the minutes are flying by. The sun begins to rise on the horizon I believe a half-hour in to our conversation. The sight gives me chills. The rising sun is bathed in a ghastly blood red.
"Red sky in morning sailors' take warning. Red sky in night sailors' delight." I recite out loud to myself.
"What was that?" Noin asked of my sudden comment.
"It's nothing." It's not nothing though. Only moments later, when the clock strikes six, only a half-hour before out joint surprise attack, an explosion erupts from near the center of the city.
"I caught wind of your rescue attempt after I was reassigned. I was already relatively close to the position of this base, so I was able to get there before you did.
"I waited for a soldier to come through the basement. He was dressed in civilian clothes, but I knew he was one of them. I quickly over came him and took everything, his gun, his I.D. and his military I.D.
"With all that I returned to this motel, where I had all my supplies. I was able to put my picture over his on his I.D.s. With that I simply entered the base.
"After stealing a uniform I headed for the surveillance room too assist you there. I managed to keep your presence secret for a while. Finally the others caught on though. After taking out the servalence crew I made my way to the containment ward.
"When I was still in the servalence room though, I found something of much importance. I don't know how they did this but some how they managed to build and salvage over two-hundred mobile suits."
"Two-hundred suits." I mumbled, shocked. "That's enough to conquer the defenseless earth."
"I'm afraid it gets worst." Noin says, "I over heard Javier talking with his general. This isn't their only underground base."
"What!?" Wu Fei says.
"It's true, they have been planning this for years, building trust with the earth high-archy, and building massive bases in the shadow of the government. They have bases under the ten most populous cities;" She closes her eyes to help remember the names of the cities, "Tokyo, Japan; New York, America; Seoul, South Korea; Mexico City, Mexico; Sao Paulo, Argentina; Bombay, India; Osaka, Japan; Los Angeles, America; Cairo, Egypt; and Manila in The Philippines. These will be the first places they will attack, I believe in three days."
"They are trying to obliterate the Earth's population." Zechs remarks.
"Why did they let us in on this? They had to of known that we wouldn't have agreed. What is the point of risking an information leak?"
Wu Fei makes a good point. I have already thought about this though, "They don't have any opposition." I answer.
"Quatre?" Noin prompts me to elaborate.
"They don't need my money and they have more then enough force right? The only reason for their abduction of Noin, and us, that I can think of is that they want more of a challenge."
"We have three days right?" Wu Fei asks, "How fast can we plan an attack?"
"We can't do this on our own." Zechs reminds.
I nod, taking the leadership role automatically, "Right, I'll contact the other Gundam Pilots. Wu Fei take care of getting some preventers, the ones we can trust like Sally. Zechs try to get a hold of Howard, see if he has anything we can use." Zechs and Wu Fei acknowledge their tasks at hand.
"Quatre, what can I do?"
I turn to Noin. Her spirit is amazing, "You get some rest. You aren't any help to us exhausted like this."
"But-"
"Shhh. No buts, fight me tomorrow when you have your strength back."
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I hang up Noin and my room's phone. I've just gotten off the phone with Trowa. Along with Duo and Heero they are coming to Osaka tomorrow morning. I saddens me to see us all getting together again for a fight. Sure I can't wait to see them again, but not under these circumstances.
I stretch my weary muscles and look at my watch. It's around one in the morning. Noin is still sleeping silently. I stand from the creaky, old chair and go over to the bed. I can finally go to sleep. I lie down next to my precious angle, and hold her close.
I don't hold her just because there is only one blanket, and it's a chilly night, or because there isn't any room to stretch out, but because I want to be near her. The other reasons don't even register as lidgetament excuses in my fatigued mind.
I quickly fall asleep by her side, hugging her comforting form close to me.
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Zechs comes into our room. In my exhaustion I forgot to look our door. He's about to tell me what he has found out with Howard. His mouth quickly closes when he sees us. He can't help but smile.
He leans up against the doorframe and watches us for a few minutes. He's happy to see her with someone who loves her as much as he does.
Noin is like a sister to Zechs, as he is like a brother to her. They grew up in military academies together, helping each other through the hard times, and countless battles. Because of this they are extremely close. Close enough for everyone to assume that they were dating. Even they have to admit that their chemistry is amazing, something special.
Wu Fei leaves his room and walks over to ours. He sees Zechs in the doorway, "Why are-"
Zechs put his finger to his lips, motioning to Wu Fei to be quiet. When Wu Fei has reached the door Zechs points over to Noin and I. A smile cracks Wu Fei's face of stone. "It looks like someone forgot that we were suppose to meet."
"Perhaps it's for the best. We can develop a plan in the morning, we will be rested and more able to think then anyway."
"Six am?"
Zechs bids him farewell. They go their separate ways to their rooms on either side of ours.
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We are to meet everyone in an abandoned warehouse a few blocks from the motel. We would have gone a head and met back at the motel, but the innkeeper is already suspicious of us as it is. Three men in tattered military uniforms and a sleeping, injured woman would rouse the suspicious of anyone.
We are still the only ones in the run down storage area. Slivers of light from the ventilation unit give us the only light we have. The whole place is bathed in the dark bluish-gray of disrupted morning.
A few boxes, left by whoever last rented the space where dragged over by us men. They now serve as a chair for Noin. It's just like her to put up a fight, to say that she is fine, and can stand. She finally gives in, and agrees to sit, while we stand in waiting.
"You people always pick the strangest places to hold meetings." Duo's voice echoes through the cavernous building. He emerges from the depths of the shadows.
"Duo, you made it." I say happily.
"I wouldn't miss this for the world." He takes a good look at all of us, seeing who all's here. He nods a Wu Fei, "Good to see you Wu Fei."
"Likewise Maxwell."
It's amazing how well those two get along, when they are working towards the same goal. They've also changed quite a bit. All that time as Sally's partner definitely softened Wu Fei's sharp distamener. Duo's also has had time to mature. There will probably be only one good fight between the two before this is over.
Shortly after Duo's arrival Heero and Trowa come. We are still waiting for the three preventers that Wu Fei has contacted.
The three come together. There is Une and Sally present. I recognize the others as well, he is the man from the meeting.
"Noin, I'm so glad to see that you are alright." Sally says on arrival.
"With out my boys I wouldn't be here right now." She winks at me.
"What happened to your leg?" Sally is down on her knees, examining her bandaged wound.
"It's nothing, just a little shot wound." Noin reassures.
"You need to get to a doctor."
"That's why it's good to have a friend who's one."
"You can look at it later, right now we need to talk." Zechs interrupts.
The male preventer looks out of place in this circle of friends. He knows this as well. This is obvious. Une takes care of the awkwardness.
"For those you don't know him, this is Major David Florentine, ace mobile suit pilot, and, all, and all an excellent soldier. David, these are the Gundam Pilots." Une introduces us all.
David nods sternly at each of us as Une says our names. He seems to be unfazed by our presence. I didn't expect him to give us a warm welcome. He's a harden soldier, and there are more important matters on hand.
Zechs tell me to tell everyone what we know after the introductions. I go into the tale of the bases, and the mobile suites, and about their plan to wipe out the population.
"How are we going to stop something on this scale?" Sally asks.
"There are ten of us, and ten bases. We each need to take out a base." Wu Fei replies.
"We will need some mobiles. Any ideas there?" Duo says.
"I contacted Howard. He doesn't have anything, but he recommended someone who does."
"Did you contact him?" Une asks.
"Yes, he has two Tauruses, three Leos, two with advanced mobile options, and four serpents. They are going to cost us though."
"That leaves us short one mobile suit." Trowa says.
"We have two more then we need."
Everyone looks at Heero, who is leaning up against a wall. "What are you saying?" David asks.
"Zero was never destroyed." Heero looks at Zechs, "Neither were Taurus or Tallgeese."
"Zechs is this true?" Une asks.
"Tallgeese and Taurus are hidden in a cave in western China. I'll go retrieve them while you get the other suits. The man's name is Renferd Spencen. You can find him over in the former UK."
"Should I go with you?" Noin asks.
"No stay with Sally so that she can help you. I can handle the suits."
"We can't just meet back here." Une makes a very good point.
"How about the North Pole. We won't have to worry about being seen and we can get to all target points swiftest from there." Sally suggests.
"That's perfect." Zechs straightens from his leaning position against the wall, "Heero what do you think?"
"I will go retrieve Zero. I can be at the pole in five hours."
"Sounds like a plan. Let's get going." I kneel and scoop up Noin. She is starting to get used to the carrying idea. She fits comfortably in my arms. I carry her out with ease with the others.
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Sally comes back from the back of the plane we rented to take us to Wales. The second she comes through the door I stand and walk over to her.
"How is she?"
"Doing pretty well considering the injury."
"How bad is it?" She is dancing around it, this is clear. This isn't helping me to feel any better.
"The bullet pasted through the bone, shattering it. I did all I can, she is going to have to go to a hospital to have it reconstructed."
"We can drop her off at a hospital when we land."
"I'm sorry to say this." She starts, then tries again to say what is on her mind, "I know that this goes against everything I have ever learned or seen as a medical officer, but Quatre, we need her now, to fight."
"I know, I know, but the foot peddles. How will she." I look down.
Her puts her hand on my shoulder to comfort me, "She can handle it, we both know that."
"It will be hard." I say the obvious. We are both silent. I choose this to be the end of the conversation. I walk past Sally to the back of the plane, where Noin is resting.
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"General Juniper I take it you have an update for me." Javier says from his chair. He has just left the medical ward a little over an hour ago. The doctor on hand only let him go because he forced her to.
The general salutes, "Sir the other bases have been informed. We are prepared to attack at 0'six-hundred hours Eastern Asia time tomorrow."
Javier leans back in his chair. He can already taste victory, "Perfect."
"Sir, permission to speak freely."
"Granted."
"Sir, it's just the Gundam Pilots, are you sure it was wise to leave them be?"
Javier sits up, he winces slightly from the pain the sudden change in posture has caused. He folds his hands, resting them on the desk, "Do you not trust my strategy Juniper?"
"No sir, it's not that."
"Then what? Do you think we don't have the strength?"
"Not at all."
"General, do you believe that a few weaponless kids can stop us?" He continues before he can respond. Javier's voice begins to rise, like a preacher coming do the forte of his sermon, "That a handful of punks can bring down an operation four years in the making? That the very presence of these quote-unquote perfect soldiers can bring down our empire of invincibility?" His voice peaks on the work invincibility, accenting his faith.
"I just don't think it's wise to under estimate these pilots." Juniper relies quickly, he isn't going to let his superior get the best of him.
"If underestimating is having unquestionable faith in your self, then I don't see anything wrong with it. Do you General Juniper?"
"Not when said that way sir."
"Very well then, continue with plans. And I don't want one more word about those damned pilots."
"Yes sir." Juniper salutes, and leaves the room. His anger for his naive superior, secretly seething within every inch of his very soul.
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There use to be an alliance base at the North Pole. During OZ's cue de ta the base was substantially damaged. It was still shelter though.
The center of the base is the warmest. We managed to get the lights to work; the heaters were too far-gone though. We found some emergency space heaters that made the frigid cold a more comfortable temperature.
We dive head on into the task of dividing the ten cities among us. It turns out to be a more complicated task then I expected. The main problem is the people with in the cities.
I try to reason with the others, trying to convince them of its importance, "The suits that specialize in distance combat should get the less populous cities."
"Why should it mater? The bases are underground." Sally says.
"We have to remember the people, and take into account, that the battle may spread above ground." Une supports me.
"I don't see why it matters with the type of suit. Let's just all pick a city." Duo says, "I call NYC."
"Shut up Maxwell, this is important." Wu Fei snaps.
"Excuse me for trying to simplify it all!" Duo yells back, across the table to Wu Fei.
"Both of you stop it!" David intervenes.
"Perhaps Duo is right., lets not worry about who gets what city. The more important thing is that we save them." Noin says. I look over to her, disappointed that she doesn't agree with me, even though the point she makes has credit.
"I agree." Heero says. Several others do as well.
"What about the people in the cities? Suits like serpents have a greater chance of killing civilians then, say, a Leo would." I say.
"Some casualties can't be avoided."
"Trowa's right. There is no way to evacuate the cities, so we will just have to face the fact that some people will die." Duo says.
I sigh. I've been beaten. I can't argue with the truth, no mater how harsh it may be, "Alright, as long as Noin is at the closest city to me."
"Quatre I don't need to be baby sat."
"You're injured, I don't want to take any chances."
"Don't you think I can handle it?"
"Of course I do, I just want to be safe."
"I know what you are saying, and I don't need your help."
This is starting to turn into more of a fight then a discussion. I glance around at the others, embarrassed that they have to see this. "Can we please continue this some other time?"
"No, I want to talk about this now."
"Noin you aren't being reasonable."
"I'm not being reasonable? Listen to you, you're treating me like a child."
"I'm trying to look out for you, not insult you."
"To late!" She gets up onto the crutches, taken from the medical ward, and hops away.
"Please, don't do this." I stand, and start after her.
"Just leave me alone." She leaves the room.
I run over to the door. Instead of opening it though, I turn around and face the others, "I'm sorry about this, continue with out us," My tone changes to a more serious one, so I can stress my words importance, "and put her near me!" I leave the room, the automatic door closes behind me.
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Tokyo; the most populous city on the Earth, looks so quiet in the pre-dawn hours. I watch over the sleepy city from my cover. I watch the headlights of cars trudge slowly along, carrying the early risers to their work, and the late night partiers to their homes.
Some of the others aren't even in position yet. It will take David another hour to reach his destination. He received the city of Sao Paulo in Argentina, by far, the furthest city from the pole.
As I watch the city awake an extremely large number runs through my head. Eight Million, one hundred sixty-three thousand, five hundred seventy- three, the number of people who call Tokyo Japan home. Eight million, one hundred sixty-three thousand, five hundred seventy-three people who live unknowingly in the path of a monster, a monster who lies dormant under their feet, crouching in anticipation, awaiting the moment of attack. Hopefully, though, that moment will never be seen. At six thirty Eastern Asian time, I plan on that.
Why me? Why have I received the most populous city? I release that I am the reason. Luckily, or unluckily for that mater, for me they abided to my request of Noin being near me. Just my luck that Osaka, Japan, the seventh most populous city in the world, is only 515 kilometers away.
I activate my radio, "Noin respond to line 116."
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Duo connects lines with Zechs, "Hey Zechs, think they'll make it? Noin and Quatre I mean."
"Of coarse they will. Why are you asking?"
"Well, you saw them last night."
"They were both at fault for that. You know what it's like to be injured. All you want to do is help, the last thing you want is to be told that you can't. Noin shouldn't have snapped, and Quatre should have been more sensitive."
"Good point. I don't know, I haven't seen them together many times, I guess I just caught them at a bad time. You know, they both have such strong personalities, that might be why I asked."
"You know Duo, in two an a half years I have only seen them fight twice."
Duo whistles in amazement, "That's a pretty amazing track record. Forget I even asked."
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"Yes Quatre?" I hear Noin's voice through the speaker in my cockpit.
"Hi there, bored yet?"
"Yes, I hate the waiting."
"How can something be so suspenseful and yet be this dull?"
"My thoughts exactly."
We continue to talk; soon the minutes are flying by. The sun begins to rise on the horizon I believe a half-hour in to our conversation. The sight gives me chills. The rising sun is bathed in a ghastly blood red.
"Red sky in morning sailors' take warning. Red sky in night sailors' delight." I recite out loud to myself.
"What was that?" Noin asked of my sudden comment.
"It's nothing." It's not nothing though. Only moments later, when the clock strikes six, only a half-hour before out joint surprise attack, an explosion erupts from near the center of the city.
