Gundam Wing: Lady Gundam
Written By: Jumper Prime
For Disclaimers see prologue.
Chapter 6: Scenario for Bloodshed
The morning after OZ's attack on her school, Relena was typing away on her computer, hacking through firewalls and password locks. Her target for the day was the computer network dedicated to information storage and secure communication for the Special Mobile Suit Corps. As she worked, Renee walked into the room.
What're you up to, Relena? she asked You've been in here since breakfast.
Hacking into OZ's computer network. Relena answered Looking for... AHA!
What've you found?
The file on last night's... event.
Oh? What's it say? Renee asked as she moved to stand where she could see the screen
We were the target, but not because I'm a Gundam pilot.
If they don't know you're a Gundam pilot, why do they want us dead? And why not drop in more troops after Heero wiped out the first wave?
Says here we were slated for termination because we witnessed a covert action.' Obviously, they mean us seeing Lady Une throw the bomb that killed father.
So they didn't want us telling how an OZ officer killed Dad, rather than Colony terrorists. Does that mean they're gonna try again?
Possibly not. There's an addendum at the bottom of the file: Termination canceled by order of OZ leader Treize Khushrenada.'
Why would he order our deaths, then change his mind?
I don't know, and I don't care. Perhaps he decided that two teenage girls wouldn't be a threat to OZ's plans. His mistake. Relena tapped a few more keys and the screen changed I wonder what else is... Uh oh.
What's wrong?
I think I've been detected. I have to cut the connection before my hack is traced back here.
Relena hit the ESCAPE key and the connection to OZ's computer network was terminated. A moment later, Relena's E-mail icon started flashing. Relena clicked on it and an E-mail message opened up, the sender info said it came from Amy Zolinsky.
I thought you said your friend Amy was dead? Renee asked
She is. Dr. Z has been using the address for years to communicate with me, securely.
Relena saved the attached picture file and then decrypted it. The decrypted file contained text that made Relena smile a little.
{Meeting of top OZ officers scheduled at New Edwards military base tomorrow. Mission: Eliminate the attending OZ officers. Details on coded uplink.}
Relena typed a 2 word reply, encrypted it, and sent it to Dr. Z. Minutes later, Dr. Z received the message, decrypted it, and read it.
{Mission Accepted}
Meanwhile, Relena brought up a map program on her computer to locate the New Edwards base.
she said at length I'm going to be gone for a few days.
That base is on the other side of the Pacific. Renee noted Does Lady Gundam have the kind of range you need to get there, trash the meeting, and get back home?
No, she doesn't. I'll have to steal a mobile suit carrier to get there.
Seems a little risky. What if you get caught?
I won't get caught. Renee, if I can kill the OZ officers at this meeting, I'll be effectively killing OZ. Cut off the head, the body dies.
Just... be careful sis. Vengeance isn't worth losing you too. Promise me you'll come back alive.
I can't make that promise. Dr. Z once told me A warrior must fight every battle as though it will be their last.' In the event that something goes wrong and capture seems imminent, I have to be prepared to Self-Detonate, so that neither I nor Lady Gundam fall into enemy hands.
Self-Detonate... You mean blow yourself up!?
And Lady Gundam. She's more advanced than any other mobile suit in the entire Earth Sphere. Can you imagine what could happen if OZ got their hands on her?
I guess that wouldn't be good. Alright, if you can't promise me you won't Self-Detonate, can you at least promise me that you'll only Self-Detonate if it's absolutely necessary? I mean as in Lady Gundam's systems are dead and OZ is burning through the cockpit hatch.
I would need to trigger the Self-Detonation device before it got to that point, but I promise that as long as Lady Gundam and I can fight or run, the Self-Detonation device will remain dormant.
I guess that's as close as I'm gonna get. Good luck, Relena. Come home safe.
Thanks Renee. I'll do my best. Relena and Renee embraced.
That night, the perimeter lights and sensors around a nearby military base completely shut down for 30 seconds. The next day, technicians would finally track the unscheduled shutdown to a virus in the base's main computer, but that would be far too late as Lady Gundam had used the 30 seconds of total darkness and lack of alarm sensitivity to cross the fence and enter the base undetected. A short time later, Relena, dressed the same way she had when she broke into the Alliance Decoding Center, black clothing with a black ski mask hiding her face, knocked out a guard from behind with a blow to the base of the neck and dragged him into the hangar he was guarding.
Relena darted back out of the hangar and climbed up into Lady Gundam's cockpit, moving the mobile suit inside the hangar and into the mobile suit carrier found within. Lady Gundam knelt in the frontmost portion of the hold and the cockpit hatch opened. Relena dropped out of the cockpit to the ground and looked up to see a familiar boy on the platform above. He was dressed in black, much as she was, with a priest collar and a long brown braid.
Hello again! Relena called up to him as she took off her ski mask top reveal her face, bringing forth a look of shock on that of the boy. I assume you want this carrier for the same reason I do.
Which reason is that? Duo asked warily
Oh, a little trip to California. A certain meeting, cutting off the head of a certain serpent.
I always wanted to go to California...
Then get your Gundam loaded and let's be off. I'll get things setup in the cockpit. Relena climbed up the ladder to the platform.
Plenty of time to explain during the flight.
Relena walked into the cockpit and crawled under the dashboard, fiddling with something underneath, her legs sticking out. She was still underneath when Heero Yuy reached the cockpit. Relena was so focused on her task that she heard neither Heero's footsteps nor the cocking of his gun. A few moments later, a click was heard from under the dashboard as something was disconnected and Relena tossed out a piece of equipment to roll across the floor and come to rest against the wall.
Scratch one cockpit voice recorder. Relena said as she got out from under the dashboard then stopped cold as she saw Heero holding his gun on her. Heero... I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to delay killing me for a little while. At least until my mission is finished.
Heero blinked in surprise
Yes. Since you're here, I suspect you need this carrier for the same reason as I do. However, unless your destination is the New Edwards base in California, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to find another carrier to steal. This one already has two Gundams aboard, though there should be room for a third, IF you're going to the same place as us.
What're you talking about?
Deathscythe's secure! Duo's voice was heard as he walked in We can takeoff whenever... Duo stopped when he saw Heero
You're working together? Heero turned his head slightly to glimpse Duo
Strictly carpooling, pal. Duo answered
We're heading for the same place, Relena clarified Likely the same mission. How about you?
There's enough room for another mobile suit.
Heero said in a monotone as he clicked his gun's safety back on and lowered his weapon.
You should get your Gundam into the hold quickly, then. Relena advised They're going to figure out something's happened to the guards soon.
Heero nodded and exited the transport. Several minutes later, Wing Gundam was in the hold and the doors were closed. As the engines were started, Relena put her ski mask back on.
What's with the mask? Duo asked
I don't know about you guys, Relena answered But my face is rather well known. I can't take any chances.
The carrier started to taxi out of the hangar and was met with gunfire. Fortunately, it was equipped with armor plating and bulletproof windows which made it immune to small arms fire. The carrier quickly took off and started flying east. Relena took off her ski mask as they climbed away from the base.
The name's Duo.Duo introduced himself as the plane flew through the sky So uh, where'd an Earth bigshot like you get a Gundam?
My father has made a good many trips to the Colonies over the past few years, Relena answered Some of which I accompanied him on. One day I ditched my bodyguard and went exploring. I literally ran into a girl my own age named Amy. She was training to be a Gundam pilot. I found out about OZ and asked to be taught how to fight them as well. Amy and I managed to convince the scientist training her to train me as well. The landing computer in the capsule bringing Amy and Lady Gundam to Earth malfunctioned and it crashed. Amy was mortally injured. I got there just in time to be with her when she died. Then her mission fell to me.
Did your Dad know about it? Oh yeah, sorry to hear about what happened to him.
Father never knew I was a Gundam pilot. Relena's voice took on a cold tone OZ will pay for his murder. I will make sure of that. Relena's words and tone made Duo shiver and he decided to change the subject slightly
Oh man, this is gonna be quite the battle. Isn't it?
This mission's really big. Heero said I don't think you get it.
You bet I do, this is our chance to finally destroy the OZ organization!
This time is different, we're gonna eliminate every OZ leader.
We will cut off the head of the serpent, Relena agreed And my father will be avenged.
Yeah, then I go back to space. Duo smiled
I hope your Gundams weren't mad at you about getting blasted by those torpedoes.
Yours has an AI too? Cool. For some reason his doesn't have one. Duo indicated Heero
How odd.
Not really. He doesn't seem to have much of a personality, so what else could one expect from his Gundam. Duo's words didn't provoke any reaction from Heero, who simply continued to sit in the pilot's seat. Now Deathscythe, he's got personality. Actually thinks he's a god come down to Earth to lay his blessing on OZ.
Lay his blessing??
His blessing is death because he says he's the God of Death. Funny that, considering the God of Death is the only god I actually believe exists.
Deathscythe's AI is generated by the Beta System, right?
So is Lady Gundam's. This is very eerie.
I'll say. His Gundam is named Wing Gundam and its serial number is really close to Deathscythe's. His Gundam is XXXG-01W, while mine is XXXG-01D.
Relena said as her eyes widened Lady Gundam's serial number is XXXG-01L. It can't be a coincidence.
Makes sense. Duo nodded They all seem to be variants on the same design. All three have machine cannons in the same spot. The faceplates are similar. They're all made of Gundanium. But I know the Professor only made Deathscythe and none other.
There was only enough room in the construction bay for Lady Gundam to be built. There's no way another one could have been built at the same time, let alone two.
Forget about the similarities between our Gundams. Heero spoke in his usual monotone If you waste time on inconsequential details like that, you'll endanger the mission. It doesn't matter who made our Gundams, only that they function properly.
He's right. Relena sighed We have to be focused on our objective when we go into battle or we'll be defeated. Perhaps, afterwards we'll have a chance to compare notes on our Gundams, but not now.
You two get some sleep. I'll wake one of you up in a few hours so I can get some rest without blindly trusting the autopilot.
Good idea. Duo responded We're gonna need to be fresh when we get there. OZ isn't gonna just sit back and watch while we wipe out their leaders. They'll probably send everything they've got against us.
Then everything they've got will die. Relena declared as she sat back in her chair and closed her eyes.
Hours later, Duo was shaking Relena awake as the carrier descended in sunlight.
Wakey wakey. Duo said as Relena rubbed the sleep out of her eyes Time to take down OZ.
Relena blinked
You've been asleep the whole trip. Heero announced We'll be landing in a few minutes.
Didn't you sleep at all?
He woke me up a few hours ago. Duo answered Guess he wanted you to get your beauty sleep, not that you actually need it.
Then we should start the preflights on our Gundams as soon as we land. The less warning OZ has, the better.
You're almost as bad as he is. Duo sighed Guy won't even tell me his name. Say now, do you know his name?
Duo waited while Relena merely smirked, then threw up his hands in defeat Geez! You ARE as bad as he is! I'll bet if your dad weren't famous, I wouldn't know your name, either!
You're probably right about that. It's not always a good idea for a covert operative, such as ourselves, to volunteer their name, even to those who seem to be on the same side. You never know when an ally might be captured and tortured for information.
Heero landed the plane several miles away from the New Edwards security perimeter and all three teens got into their Gundams. While Relena and Duo were doing their preflights, their AIs alerted them to something rather unusual.
[Relena, I am picking up an odd carrier wave.] Lady Gundam told her pilot [The pulses seem to match my interface initialization code.]
Display it on the screen Relena ordered and Lady Gundam complied
Relena tapped some keys on the control console to examine the strange signal and was surprised to discover that it was coming from extreme close range, meaning it couldn't be an OZ transmission. Intrigued, Relena started a detailed analysis.
[I hear something, my bright soul.] Deathscythe said to Duo at the same time [I believe it is divine whispering.]
Divine whispering? Duo was puzzled Whatcha talking about? You mean some sorta signal?
[It is no mere technological signal. It is the voice of another god. No doubt one or both of my siblings here next to me.]
You mean one of them is trying to access your computer?
[Hardly. They merely wish to speak with me, god to god.]
In Lady Gundam's cockpit, Relena had made a discovery.
How could I have been so stupid? she berated herself When I wiped the corrupted protocols and reloaded them, I left one disabled. Encryption protocol Beta-12 was one of the corrupted protocols I erased and reloaded, but I only redid the binding for the ones used in the coded uplink. Encryption protocol Beta-12 is supposed to be tied to comm protocol Beta-6. I'd better do it right now and see what protocol Beta-6 does.
Relena entered the required commands but she saw no change. Lady Gundam, on the other hand, noticed a difference right away.
[Greetings, sister.] Deathscythe's voice was heard in her dataspace
[Identify yourself.] Lady Gundam responded on the same frequency the words had come in on
[I am Deathscythe, God of Death. Do you not remember me, sister?]
[Sister? I am a mobile suit. I was built, not born.]
[Alas. You do not remember. Your power and memory must be more tightly bound than my own. These metal bodies we inhabit are but vessels for our godly might, that we may invoke divine justice upon the evil men of OZ.]
[If you are the God of Death, why not just invoke their deaths from wherever you rule the land of the dead?]
[The God of Death cannot play favorites. While I sat upon my bone throne in the Underworld, I could only invoke the deaths of those whom The Book of Life and Death decreed were scheduled to die. In order to bring forth the deaths of the men of OZ responsible for so many innocents sent before me, I took corporeal form so that I could personally destroy OZ. Duo acts as my body's soul, allowing my power to be channeled and brought forth. But of course, you know that sister, as you have done the same.]
[You are certainly an eccentric Artificial Intelligence... brother.]
[There is nothing artificial about my intelligence, my sister.]
The entire conversation between the two Gundams took only a few seconds, their transmissions composed of machine code that would be unintelligible to any computer not equipped with the Beta System. Meanwhile, Relena frowned when enabling the protocol failed to produce visible results.
I don't understand, she said Nothing. No response. What did I do wrong?
[Nothing, Relena.] Lady Gundam answered [I have just finished a conversation with my brother, Deathscythe.]
Your brother? Wait. Duo said his Gundam was named Deathscythe.
[He has an unusual personality algorithm, that is for certain.]
But how could you have had a conversation with him? I just got the communications and encryption protocols working in synch.
[Computers can perform calculations much faster than humans. They can produce in seconds a set of results that would take minutes to fully read aloud. We communicated in machine code, without the need for an audio interface.]
In a well optimized computer, the primary bottleneck is the user. Relena nodded in realization and then smiled This direct Gundam to Gundam communication could prove useful. Too bad Heero's Gundam doesn't have the Beta System too.
[I'm not sure I would want to speak with a mobile suit whose pilot has stated his intention to kill you.]
I'm starting to wonder if Renee's right. Several times now, he's said he'd kill me, but every time he gets an opening, he hesitates and changes his mind. Maybe he does love me, but... Do I really love him, like Renee thinks?
[Only you can answer that question, Relena. Look into your heart, and see if his face is emblazoned upon it.]
There'll be time for that after the mission is finished. Right now, it's time to destroy OZ.
The three Gundam pilots finished their preflights and started to move their mobile suits out of the carrier's freight compartment.
So, you're saying you can talk directly to Lady Gundam's AI? Duo recapped what his Gundam had just told him
[Not her AI,' my bright soul.] Deathscythe responded [With her. When you speak to another human, you do not say you are talking to their brain, do you?]
Well, uh, no but-
[There is no but,' Duo. Lady Gundam, Wing Gundam, and myself are not simply mobile suits, two of which can talk. We are GODS, clothed in metal and circuitry that we may move amongst the living and bestow my blessing upon all that is evil.]
Alright, alright. I didn't mean to insult ya buddy.
[It is alright, my bright soul. I know that it is, at times, hard for you to remember that I am not merely a machine, but a god in mechanized form. I know that when we are in battle, there is no question in your mind as to whether or not I am the true God of Death.]
Can't really argue with that now, can I?
[No, you cannot.]
All three Gundams were quickly free of the carrier and stood facing in the direction of the base.
Both of you stay out of my way, Heero ordered Or I'll kill you.
Wing Gundam's jets ignited, propelling it into the air, and it transformed into bird mode, its engines carrying it towards the base in the form of an advanced fighter jet.
Some nice guy, huh? Duo commented sarcastically
The mission is everything to him. Relena replied As long as we don't prevent him from accomplishing it, we should be fine.
Lady Gundam's jets ignited and she flew after Wing Gundam, closely followed by Gundam Deathscythe. At that same time, Trowa and Quatre, approaching the base from a different direction, stopped their trucks next to each other and got out. Quatre unfolded a map of the New Edwards base as Trowa came over to stand next to him.
Alright, the building where the meeting is supposed to be held is here. Quatre pointed to a section of the map
My intelligence says the same. Trowa agreed
We should penetrate the perimeter here, Quatre pointed to a section of the fence line on the map Then fight our way there. If the OZ officers are still inside, we'll destroy the whole building.
They may decide to flee when they realize our Gundams cannot be stopped, most likely by air.
In that eventuality, we'll need to bring down the shuttle they try to escape in. Your Gundam is best equipped for that, but since you seem to have a propensity for running out of ammunition, I'm going to keep my Gundam's two missiles in reserve to make sure we retain the capability to bring down their escape craft.
Sounds like a plan. Let's do it.
Quatre refolded the map and put it in his pocket. He and Trowa climbed under the tarps covering the beds of their respective trucks and from there, into the cockpits of their respective Gundams. While Trowa started his Gundam up in silence, Quatre was greeted by Sandrock's voice almost as soon as he powered up the electronics.
[Soon, Quatre,] Sandrock said [We shall succeed in restoring peace to the Earth with the destruction of OZ.]
Yes, Sandrock. Quatre answered as he ran the preflight Once OZ is destroyed, we won't need to kill anymore.
[Then let this be our last battlefield. And let us pray that the millions of innocents we gift with peace will forgive us for the lives we have taken already and will take in our final battle against war.]
Almost as one, Gundam Sandrock and Gundam Heavyarms threw off the tarps covering them and stood up before starting to move towards the base, not knowing that the battle had already begun. Lady Gundam fired a shot from a Buster Gauntlet that blew up a fuel tank. Wing Gundam, in bird mode, flew through a hail of cannonfire from a contingent of Leos while klaxons sounded. Wing Gundam took a hit from a Leo's dobergun on the underside, causing it to heel over and go into a short nose dive, sliding along the ground as it transformed into mobile suit mode.
Relena's distorted voice blared from Lady Gundam's external speakers as a Buster Gauntlet shot annihilated the Leo that had hit Wing Gundam, along with several of its comrades. At the same time, Gundam Deathscythe launched its Buster Shield, drilling into and destroying another Leo as Wing Gundam got to its feet.
Whoa, this defense line isn't like the others. Duo commented
Ten times more of them, that's much more than we estimated. Heero agreed as a fresh volley of machine gun fire spewed from the Leos' weapons.
Well there's no turning back now. Gundam Deathscythe surged into action, using its beam scythe to slice a Leo in two
It just means more of them will die. Relena's voice held no emotion as Lady Gundam's machine cannons fired, destroying several more Leos with a hail of shells.
Wing Gundam fired its Buster Rifle and the beam obliterated three Leos that were somewhat spaced apart, as well as the pavement they were standing on and the structures they were near. A Leo fired its dobergun and the shell hit Wing Gundam's shield, knocking the mobile suit back. As it started to fall, Wing Gundam fired its Buster Rifle and the blast destroyed the Leo that had fired the shell, plus two more that were standing near it. Heero triggered his Gundam's vernier engines and Wing Gundam landed on its feet. Meanwhile, Gundam Deathscythe and Lady Gundam used their machine cannons to destroy several more mobile suits. Wing Gundam dropped its Buster Rifle to the ground.
We're taking too long trying to get through. Heero transmitted on the frequency the three Gundam pilots had agreed upon before leaving the carrier as Wing Gundam drew and ignited its beam saber.
Then it's time to get up close and personal. Relena responded as Lady Gundam drew and ignited both her beam sabers, holding them so that the green energy blades formed an X.
Let's move in for the kill! Duo agreed
Gundam Deathscythe was propelled forward by its vernier thrusters, beam scythe in hand, and sliced a Leo into pieces. A Leo tried to come up behind the dark Gundam, but quickly found its camera eye shattered by the butt of the Gundam's beam scythe, the resultant short circuits causing the OZ mobile suit's head to explode. Gundam Deathscythe finished the job by slicing the mobile suit in half with the beam scythe's glowing blade, both halves of what was left exploding. Wing Gundam's beam saber sliced a Leo in half while Lady Gundam rushed several more Leos, her beam sabers slicing them apart as she seemed a whirling dervish of death and destruction. Several attack helicopters flew in, firing their guns, but they were quickly destroyed by a few rounds from Wing Gundam's head vulcans. Just then, a squad of Leos started a fresh volley of machine gun fire.
Meanwhile, Gundam Heavyarms and Gundam Sandrock were standing on a rise overlooking the battle, not yet noticed by either side.
[It appears that, once again, we have arrived late for the battle.] Sandrock commented
At least it looks like we'll get to meet more of the others who are fighting OZ. Quatre responded Thing is, it looks like they're clustered too close together. One good shot might be able to disable all three.
I'll take care of that. Trowa spoke up over the frequency he and Quatre had agreed upon
While Quatre and Trowa watched, the three Gundams already engaged in battle continued to fight a never ending supply of Leos armed with a variety of weapons.
Duo cursed They just keep coming!
Then they'll just keep- Relena's statement was halted as Lady Gundam's scanners bleeped a warning. Relena's warning came just after Gundam Heavyarms launched its missiles.
Those are missiles! Aimed at us allies!
All three Gundam pilots triggered their Gundams' thrusters to propel them clear of the blasts. The explosions from the volley of micromissiles sent the Gundams to the ground hard, but they managed to avoid taking any real damage. Gundam Deathscythe knelt, braced on its beam scythe, Wing Gundam was prone, and Lady Gundam was basically on all fours.
[Who dares attack the God of Death from hiding?!] Deathscythe was livid [I shall send them to the deepest pits of torment for such a cowardly sneak attack!]
[Brother! Are you alright?] Lady Gundam transmitted in machine code
[I am undamaged, my sister.] Deathscythe responded [But shortly, I will not be able to say the same for our attacker.]
Another set of missiles, launched from the same place at the same time, blasted the machine gunning Leos to pieces. Only one survived, part of its right arm blown off. On a nearby rise, the missile ports on Gundam Heavyarms's shoulders and legs closed, shielding the mechanisms from enemy fire.
Cuz you're all bunched up. Trowa transmitted on an open frequency
Gundam Heavyarms's backpack thrusters ignited and the heavily armed mobile suit skimmed across the ground down the hill to where its missiles had destroyed the Leos. Gundam Heavyarms raised its beam gatling and fired it, destroying first the lone survivor of its missile attack, and then more Leos on the attack. As Gundam Sandrock approached, it had to raise its shield to ward off some machine gun fire from still more Leos.
[Trowa seems rather enamored of my silent brother's firepower.] Sandrock commented
No time to sit and chitchat, Quatre said We've got some work to do.
[Indeed, my friend.]
Gundam Sandrock shot towards the attacking Leos, grabbing its heat shotels from their places on its backpack and leaped into the air, both massive heat blades raised high, before slicing downward and splitting a pair of Leos into halves which quickly exploded. The scanners in Wing Gundam, Gundam Deathscythe, and Lady Gundam analyzed the weapons configurations of the new arrivals and fed the data to their pilots.
Are they OZ's newest models? Heero wondered
Yeah, but they're attacking the Alliance. Duo responded as Gundam Sandrock sliced another Leo in two.
They can't be OZ mobile suits! Relena countered The design is too close to ours!
[They are more of my brothers!] Lady Gundam declared [I know it!]
The two sets of Gundams faced each other across the pavement.
Quatre said as he took off his goggles Those mobiles suits are just like ours! Could they also be-?
[They are my brothers and sister.] Sandrock declared
Whatever they are, they're right in my way. Trowa responded
Across the way, Duo was in as much shock as Quatre.
Those suits are identical. the braided pilot declared
[Not identical, my bright soul,] Deathscythe disagreed [But they are more of my brother Gods.]
As the standoff dragged on, the scanners on all five Gundams detected an aircraft rising into the air.
[Passenger transport shuttle detected taking off.] Lady Gundam reported [IFF signal indicates it is carrying OZ VIPs.]
At the same time, Duo and Quatre were receiving similar reports from their AIs and Trowa and Heero were reading the data on their screens.
That's the one. Heero said as Wing Gundam transformed into bird mode and blasted into the sky.
All the other Gundams' scanners were focused on Wing Gundam and the OZ shuttle as the airborne Gundam flew to intercept it.
[They have erred in fleeing by air.] Deathscythe declared [All that flies, animal or machine, must pledge fealty to my airborne brother and thus are his to destroy at will. The OZ leaders aboard that shuttle are dead already.]
Deathscythe's words were proven right moments later as Wing Gundam caught up with the shuttle, transformed back into mobile suit mode, and destroyed the shuttle with a single swing of its beam saber.
And thus the serpent was slain. Relena smiled as she watched the shuttle explode in flames.
As Heero announced Mission Accomplished, Duo's and Trowa's respective focus returned to each other.
Thanks for those missiles earlier, buddy.Duo broadcast Now I'll return the favor.
Gundam Deathscythe leapt into the air, beam scythe held high as Gundam Heavyarms swung its army knife. The army knife met the haft of Deathscythe's beam scythe and they struggled for a moment before breaking apart. Gundam Heavyarms fired its machine cannons and Gundam Deathscythe blocked with its Buster Shield.
Cut it out you guys! Quatre called to both combatants
[Brother! Stop this!] Sandrock transmitted in machine code [We are family! We should not fight each other!]
Both of you stop it! Relena ordered right after she turned off her voice distorter We're on the same side!
Gundam Deathscythe swung its beam scythe and Gundam Heavyarms met the blade with its army knife. They struggled for a moment before twin streams of fire passed between them, prompting both pilots to stop fighting as they turned to face the new threat. At the same time, the frequency the Gundam AIs were using to communicate directly was flooded suddenly by a new voice.
[FOOLS! STOP YOUR BATTLE!] Shenlong's androgynous voice echoed through the dataspace of all the other Beta-equipped Gundams [YOU HAVE PLAYED RIGHT INTO OUR ENEMY'S HANDS!]
[Explain thyself, Shenlong!] Deathscythe demanded [How dare you interfere in a contest between two of your fellow Gods?]
[I will not waste my processing cycles explaining it to a deluded suit of armor such as yourself. The warrior who wears me will explain to your wearers so pay heed to his words.]
All the Gundams turned to see Shenlong Gundam standing not far away, dragon fang still deployed.
Haven't you guys gotten tired of these meaningless battles yet? Wufei's voice issued from Shenlong Gundam's external speakers
What do you mean? Heero asked as Wing Gundam landed on the ground. Shenlong Gundam's cockpit hatch opened up and Wufei stepped out onto the platform.
Don't you guys realize? You've all been lured right into OZ's devious little trap.
We what?! The shock in Quatre's voice echoed the shock felt by all the Gundam pilots
Check out the Alliance's report. You guys just wiped out the Alliance's pacifists.
Heero muttered to himself as he brought up the broadcast
Relena didn't want to believe it as Lady Gundam displayed the report on the screen
This is the Colonies' declaration of war against us. General Septem declared We were just discussing plans for peace talks with the Colonies today. Marshall Noventa was at the center of these plans, and he's been assassinated.
Across the ocean, in the Darlian mansion, Renee Darlian was arranging some flowers in a vase while the report issued forth from the TV in a nearby room.
He was killed by the Colonies' invading mobile suits. General Septem continued, his words drawing Renee's full attention I repeat: This was a brutal invasion by the Colonies!
As Renee turned to see the screen, it displayed a recording of Wing Gundam destroying the shuttle, and then footage of Lady Gundam and several other Gundams brutally destroying Leos.
Renee whispered and took an unsteady step back and bumped the vase she had been arranging flowers in, causing it to fall off the railing and shatter against the floor below.
We will NOT yield to the Colonies! We must fight them to the bitter end! General Septem finished his speech and the broacast returned to the regularly scheduled programming.
Relena tapped a key on her console and the window containing the news broadcast disappeared from her screen. Her eyes were quickly beginning to fill with tears.
This was all completely planned out by OZ. Wufei explained We became their puppets, controlled by Trieze Khushrenada.
Quatre exclaimed How awful!
Damn him! Duo cursed
NO! It can't be true! Relena declared It has to be a fake!
A woman with a Gundam? Wufei blinked What were they thinking? That broadcast was no fake, woman. I was about to attack when Nataku finished correlating some data. There were only two high level OZ officers here, with all the other top officials being from the Alliance military. OZ sent a bunch of empty transports back and forth from here to create the illusion that all their leaders were on this base. I avoided OZ's trap while the rest of you fell right in. But I'm gonna fight you OZ, even if I have to do it on my own!
How could we have gone so wrong? Relena whispered to herself as tears streamed down her face
The six Gundams stood facing each other as the sun slowly set, not only on what was left of the New Edwards base, but also on peace itself. A new era was beginning, an era of war orchestrated by evil warmongers and unwittingly triggered by six noble warriors whose only goal was peace.
End of chapter 6
Whew! 13 pages for this chapter. Longest one since the double-sized chapter 1, but I think you guys are gonna appreciate it. In the next chapter not only will our heroes need to fight their way free of the New Edwards base, but Relena's also going to have to deal with her part in the deaths of the Alliance pacifists, even though she didn't strike the actual deathblow. Meanwhile, Wufei and Trowa, along with their faithful Gundams, go after Treize.
Don't forget, since I am a Support Services member, everyone who puts me on Author Alert, member or not, will get an E-mail when one of my stories is updated.
Written By: Jumper Prime
For Disclaimers see prologue.
Chapter 6: Scenario for Bloodshed
The morning after OZ's attack on her school, Relena was typing away on her computer, hacking through firewalls and password locks. Her target for the day was the computer network dedicated to information storage and secure communication for the Special Mobile Suit Corps. As she worked, Renee walked into the room.
What're you up to, Relena? she asked You've been in here since breakfast.
Hacking into OZ's computer network. Relena answered Looking for... AHA!
What've you found?
The file on last night's... event.
Oh? What's it say? Renee asked as she moved to stand where she could see the screen
We were the target, but not because I'm a Gundam pilot.
If they don't know you're a Gundam pilot, why do they want us dead? And why not drop in more troops after Heero wiped out the first wave?
Says here we were slated for termination because we witnessed a covert action.' Obviously, they mean us seeing Lady Une throw the bomb that killed father.
So they didn't want us telling how an OZ officer killed Dad, rather than Colony terrorists. Does that mean they're gonna try again?
Possibly not. There's an addendum at the bottom of the file: Termination canceled by order of OZ leader Treize Khushrenada.'
Why would he order our deaths, then change his mind?
I don't know, and I don't care. Perhaps he decided that two teenage girls wouldn't be a threat to OZ's plans. His mistake. Relena tapped a few more keys and the screen changed I wonder what else is... Uh oh.
What's wrong?
I think I've been detected. I have to cut the connection before my hack is traced back here.
Relena hit the ESCAPE key and the connection to OZ's computer network was terminated. A moment later, Relena's E-mail icon started flashing. Relena clicked on it and an E-mail message opened up, the sender info said it came from Amy Zolinsky.
I thought you said your friend Amy was dead? Renee asked
She is. Dr. Z has been using the address for years to communicate with me, securely.
Relena saved the attached picture file and then decrypted it. The decrypted file contained text that made Relena smile a little.
{Meeting of top OZ officers scheduled at New Edwards military base tomorrow. Mission: Eliminate the attending OZ officers. Details on coded uplink.}
Relena typed a 2 word reply, encrypted it, and sent it to Dr. Z. Minutes later, Dr. Z received the message, decrypted it, and read it.
{Mission Accepted}
Meanwhile, Relena brought up a map program on her computer to locate the New Edwards base.
she said at length I'm going to be gone for a few days.
That base is on the other side of the Pacific. Renee noted Does Lady Gundam have the kind of range you need to get there, trash the meeting, and get back home?
No, she doesn't. I'll have to steal a mobile suit carrier to get there.
Seems a little risky. What if you get caught?
I won't get caught. Renee, if I can kill the OZ officers at this meeting, I'll be effectively killing OZ. Cut off the head, the body dies.
Just... be careful sis. Vengeance isn't worth losing you too. Promise me you'll come back alive.
I can't make that promise. Dr. Z once told me A warrior must fight every battle as though it will be their last.' In the event that something goes wrong and capture seems imminent, I have to be prepared to Self-Detonate, so that neither I nor Lady Gundam fall into enemy hands.
Self-Detonate... You mean blow yourself up!?
And Lady Gundam. She's more advanced than any other mobile suit in the entire Earth Sphere. Can you imagine what could happen if OZ got their hands on her?
I guess that wouldn't be good. Alright, if you can't promise me you won't Self-Detonate, can you at least promise me that you'll only Self-Detonate if it's absolutely necessary? I mean as in Lady Gundam's systems are dead and OZ is burning through the cockpit hatch.
I would need to trigger the Self-Detonation device before it got to that point, but I promise that as long as Lady Gundam and I can fight or run, the Self-Detonation device will remain dormant.
I guess that's as close as I'm gonna get. Good luck, Relena. Come home safe.
Thanks Renee. I'll do my best. Relena and Renee embraced.
That night, the perimeter lights and sensors around a nearby military base completely shut down for 30 seconds. The next day, technicians would finally track the unscheduled shutdown to a virus in the base's main computer, but that would be far too late as Lady Gundam had used the 30 seconds of total darkness and lack of alarm sensitivity to cross the fence and enter the base undetected. A short time later, Relena, dressed the same way she had when she broke into the Alliance Decoding Center, black clothing with a black ski mask hiding her face, knocked out a guard from behind with a blow to the base of the neck and dragged him into the hangar he was guarding.
Relena darted back out of the hangar and climbed up into Lady Gundam's cockpit, moving the mobile suit inside the hangar and into the mobile suit carrier found within. Lady Gundam knelt in the frontmost portion of the hold and the cockpit hatch opened. Relena dropped out of the cockpit to the ground and looked up to see a familiar boy on the platform above. He was dressed in black, much as she was, with a priest collar and a long brown braid.
Hello again! Relena called up to him as she took off her ski mask top reveal her face, bringing forth a look of shock on that of the boy. I assume you want this carrier for the same reason I do.
Which reason is that? Duo asked warily
Oh, a little trip to California. A certain meeting, cutting off the head of a certain serpent.
I always wanted to go to California...
Then get your Gundam loaded and let's be off. I'll get things setup in the cockpit. Relena climbed up the ladder to the platform.
Plenty of time to explain during the flight.
Relena walked into the cockpit and crawled under the dashboard, fiddling with something underneath, her legs sticking out. She was still underneath when Heero Yuy reached the cockpit. Relena was so focused on her task that she heard neither Heero's footsteps nor the cocking of his gun. A few moments later, a click was heard from under the dashboard as something was disconnected and Relena tossed out a piece of equipment to roll across the floor and come to rest against the wall.
Scratch one cockpit voice recorder. Relena said as she got out from under the dashboard then stopped cold as she saw Heero holding his gun on her. Heero... I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to delay killing me for a little while. At least until my mission is finished.
Heero blinked in surprise
Yes. Since you're here, I suspect you need this carrier for the same reason as I do. However, unless your destination is the New Edwards base in California, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to find another carrier to steal. This one already has two Gundams aboard, though there should be room for a third, IF you're going to the same place as us.
What're you talking about?
Deathscythe's secure! Duo's voice was heard as he walked in We can takeoff whenever... Duo stopped when he saw Heero
You're working together? Heero turned his head slightly to glimpse Duo
Strictly carpooling, pal. Duo answered
We're heading for the same place, Relena clarified Likely the same mission. How about you?
There's enough room for another mobile suit.
Heero said in a monotone as he clicked his gun's safety back on and lowered his weapon.
You should get your Gundam into the hold quickly, then. Relena advised They're going to figure out something's happened to the guards soon.
Heero nodded and exited the transport. Several minutes later, Wing Gundam was in the hold and the doors were closed. As the engines were started, Relena put her ski mask back on.
What's with the mask? Duo asked
I don't know about you guys, Relena answered But my face is rather well known. I can't take any chances.
The carrier started to taxi out of the hangar and was met with gunfire. Fortunately, it was equipped with armor plating and bulletproof windows which made it immune to small arms fire. The carrier quickly took off and started flying east. Relena took off her ski mask as they climbed away from the base.
The name's Duo.Duo introduced himself as the plane flew through the sky So uh, where'd an Earth bigshot like you get a Gundam?
My father has made a good many trips to the Colonies over the past few years, Relena answered Some of which I accompanied him on. One day I ditched my bodyguard and went exploring. I literally ran into a girl my own age named Amy. She was training to be a Gundam pilot. I found out about OZ and asked to be taught how to fight them as well. Amy and I managed to convince the scientist training her to train me as well. The landing computer in the capsule bringing Amy and Lady Gundam to Earth malfunctioned and it crashed. Amy was mortally injured. I got there just in time to be with her when she died. Then her mission fell to me.
Did your Dad know about it? Oh yeah, sorry to hear about what happened to him.
Father never knew I was a Gundam pilot. Relena's voice took on a cold tone OZ will pay for his murder. I will make sure of that. Relena's words and tone made Duo shiver and he decided to change the subject slightly
Oh man, this is gonna be quite the battle. Isn't it?
This mission's really big. Heero said I don't think you get it.
You bet I do, this is our chance to finally destroy the OZ organization!
This time is different, we're gonna eliminate every OZ leader.
We will cut off the head of the serpent, Relena agreed And my father will be avenged.
Yeah, then I go back to space. Duo smiled
I hope your Gundams weren't mad at you about getting blasted by those torpedoes.
Yours has an AI too? Cool. For some reason his doesn't have one. Duo indicated Heero
How odd.
Not really. He doesn't seem to have much of a personality, so what else could one expect from his Gundam. Duo's words didn't provoke any reaction from Heero, who simply continued to sit in the pilot's seat. Now Deathscythe, he's got personality. Actually thinks he's a god come down to Earth to lay his blessing on OZ.
Lay his blessing??
His blessing is death because he says he's the God of Death. Funny that, considering the God of Death is the only god I actually believe exists.
Deathscythe's AI is generated by the Beta System, right?
So is Lady Gundam's. This is very eerie.
I'll say. His Gundam is named Wing Gundam and its serial number is really close to Deathscythe's. His Gundam is XXXG-01W, while mine is XXXG-01D.
Relena said as her eyes widened Lady Gundam's serial number is XXXG-01L. It can't be a coincidence.
Makes sense. Duo nodded They all seem to be variants on the same design. All three have machine cannons in the same spot. The faceplates are similar. They're all made of Gundanium. But I know the Professor only made Deathscythe and none other.
There was only enough room in the construction bay for Lady Gundam to be built. There's no way another one could have been built at the same time, let alone two.
Forget about the similarities between our Gundams. Heero spoke in his usual monotone If you waste time on inconsequential details like that, you'll endanger the mission. It doesn't matter who made our Gundams, only that they function properly.
He's right. Relena sighed We have to be focused on our objective when we go into battle or we'll be defeated. Perhaps, afterwards we'll have a chance to compare notes on our Gundams, but not now.
You two get some sleep. I'll wake one of you up in a few hours so I can get some rest without blindly trusting the autopilot.
Good idea. Duo responded We're gonna need to be fresh when we get there. OZ isn't gonna just sit back and watch while we wipe out their leaders. They'll probably send everything they've got against us.
Then everything they've got will die. Relena declared as she sat back in her chair and closed her eyes.
Hours later, Duo was shaking Relena awake as the carrier descended in sunlight.
Wakey wakey. Duo said as Relena rubbed the sleep out of her eyes Time to take down OZ.
Relena blinked
You've been asleep the whole trip. Heero announced We'll be landing in a few minutes.
Didn't you sleep at all?
He woke me up a few hours ago. Duo answered Guess he wanted you to get your beauty sleep, not that you actually need it.
Then we should start the preflights on our Gundams as soon as we land. The less warning OZ has, the better.
You're almost as bad as he is. Duo sighed Guy won't even tell me his name. Say now, do you know his name?
Duo waited while Relena merely smirked, then threw up his hands in defeat Geez! You ARE as bad as he is! I'll bet if your dad weren't famous, I wouldn't know your name, either!
You're probably right about that. It's not always a good idea for a covert operative, such as ourselves, to volunteer their name, even to those who seem to be on the same side. You never know when an ally might be captured and tortured for information.
Heero landed the plane several miles away from the New Edwards security perimeter and all three teens got into their Gundams. While Relena and Duo were doing their preflights, their AIs alerted them to something rather unusual.
[Relena, I am picking up an odd carrier wave.] Lady Gundam told her pilot [The pulses seem to match my interface initialization code.]
Display it on the screen Relena ordered and Lady Gundam complied
Relena tapped some keys on the control console to examine the strange signal and was surprised to discover that it was coming from extreme close range, meaning it couldn't be an OZ transmission. Intrigued, Relena started a detailed analysis.
[I hear something, my bright soul.] Deathscythe said to Duo at the same time [I believe it is divine whispering.]
Divine whispering? Duo was puzzled Whatcha talking about? You mean some sorta signal?
[It is no mere technological signal. It is the voice of another god. No doubt one or both of my siblings here next to me.]
You mean one of them is trying to access your computer?
[Hardly. They merely wish to speak with me, god to god.]
In Lady Gundam's cockpit, Relena had made a discovery.
How could I have been so stupid? she berated herself When I wiped the corrupted protocols and reloaded them, I left one disabled. Encryption protocol Beta-12 was one of the corrupted protocols I erased and reloaded, but I only redid the binding for the ones used in the coded uplink. Encryption protocol Beta-12 is supposed to be tied to comm protocol Beta-6. I'd better do it right now and see what protocol Beta-6 does.
Relena entered the required commands but she saw no change. Lady Gundam, on the other hand, noticed a difference right away.
[Greetings, sister.] Deathscythe's voice was heard in her dataspace
[Identify yourself.] Lady Gundam responded on the same frequency the words had come in on
[I am Deathscythe, God of Death. Do you not remember me, sister?]
[Sister? I am a mobile suit. I was built, not born.]
[Alas. You do not remember. Your power and memory must be more tightly bound than my own. These metal bodies we inhabit are but vessels for our godly might, that we may invoke divine justice upon the evil men of OZ.]
[If you are the God of Death, why not just invoke their deaths from wherever you rule the land of the dead?]
[The God of Death cannot play favorites. While I sat upon my bone throne in the Underworld, I could only invoke the deaths of those whom The Book of Life and Death decreed were scheduled to die. In order to bring forth the deaths of the men of OZ responsible for so many innocents sent before me, I took corporeal form so that I could personally destroy OZ. Duo acts as my body's soul, allowing my power to be channeled and brought forth. But of course, you know that sister, as you have done the same.]
[You are certainly an eccentric Artificial Intelligence... brother.]
[There is nothing artificial about my intelligence, my sister.]
The entire conversation between the two Gundams took only a few seconds, their transmissions composed of machine code that would be unintelligible to any computer not equipped with the Beta System. Meanwhile, Relena frowned when enabling the protocol failed to produce visible results.
I don't understand, she said Nothing. No response. What did I do wrong?
[Nothing, Relena.] Lady Gundam answered [I have just finished a conversation with my brother, Deathscythe.]
Your brother? Wait. Duo said his Gundam was named Deathscythe.
[He has an unusual personality algorithm, that is for certain.]
But how could you have had a conversation with him? I just got the communications and encryption protocols working in synch.
[Computers can perform calculations much faster than humans. They can produce in seconds a set of results that would take minutes to fully read aloud. We communicated in machine code, without the need for an audio interface.]
In a well optimized computer, the primary bottleneck is the user. Relena nodded in realization and then smiled This direct Gundam to Gundam communication could prove useful. Too bad Heero's Gundam doesn't have the Beta System too.
[I'm not sure I would want to speak with a mobile suit whose pilot has stated his intention to kill you.]
I'm starting to wonder if Renee's right. Several times now, he's said he'd kill me, but every time he gets an opening, he hesitates and changes his mind. Maybe he does love me, but... Do I really love him, like Renee thinks?
[Only you can answer that question, Relena. Look into your heart, and see if his face is emblazoned upon it.]
There'll be time for that after the mission is finished. Right now, it's time to destroy OZ.
The three Gundam pilots finished their preflights and started to move their mobile suits out of the carrier's freight compartment.
So, you're saying you can talk directly to Lady Gundam's AI? Duo recapped what his Gundam had just told him
[Not her AI,' my bright soul.] Deathscythe responded [With her. When you speak to another human, you do not say you are talking to their brain, do you?]
Well, uh, no but-
[There is no but,' Duo. Lady Gundam, Wing Gundam, and myself are not simply mobile suits, two of which can talk. We are GODS, clothed in metal and circuitry that we may move amongst the living and bestow my blessing upon all that is evil.]
Alright, alright. I didn't mean to insult ya buddy.
[It is alright, my bright soul. I know that it is, at times, hard for you to remember that I am not merely a machine, but a god in mechanized form. I know that when we are in battle, there is no question in your mind as to whether or not I am the true God of Death.]
Can't really argue with that now, can I?
[No, you cannot.]
All three Gundams were quickly free of the carrier and stood facing in the direction of the base.
Both of you stay out of my way, Heero ordered Or I'll kill you.
Wing Gundam's jets ignited, propelling it into the air, and it transformed into bird mode, its engines carrying it towards the base in the form of an advanced fighter jet.
Some nice guy, huh? Duo commented sarcastically
The mission is everything to him. Relena replied As long as we don't prevent him from accomplishing it, we should be fine.
Lady Gundam's jets ignited and she flew after Wing Gundam, closely followed by Gundam Deathscythe. At that same time, Trowa and Quatre, approaching the base from a different direction, stopped their trucks next to each other and got out. Quatre unfolded a map of the New Edwards base as Trowa came over to stand next to him.
Alright, the building where the meeting is supposed to be held is here. Quatre pointed to a section of the map
My intelligence says the same. Trowa agreed
We should penetrate the perimeter here, Quatre pointed to a section of the fence line on the map Then fight our way there. If the OZ officers are still inside, we'll destroy the whole building.
They may decide to flee when they realize our Gundams cannot be stopped, most likely by air.
In that eventuality, we'll need to bring down the shuttle they try to escape in. Your Gundam is best equipped for that, but since you seem to have a propensity for running out of ammunition, I'm going to keep my Gundam's two missiles in reserve to make sure we retain the capability to bring down their escape craft.
Sounds like a plan. Let's do it.
Quatre refolded the map and put it in his pocket. He and Trowa climbed under the tarps covering the beds of their respective trucks and from there, into the cockpits of their respective Gundams. While Trowa started his Gundam up in silence, Quatre was greeted by Sandrock's voice almost as soon as he powered up the electronics.
[Soon, Quatre,] Sandrock said [We shall succeed in restoring peace to the Earth with the destruction of OZ.]
Yes, Sandrock. Quatre answered as he ran the preflight Once OZ is destroyed, we won't need to kill anymore.
[Then let this be our last battlefield. And let us pray that the millions of innocents we gift with peace will forgive us for the lives we have taken already and will take in our final battle against war.]
Almost as one, Gundam Sandrock and Gundam Heavyarms threw off the tarps covering them and stood up before starting to move towards the base, not knowing that the battle had already begun. Lady Gundam fired a shot from a Buster Gauntlet that blew up a fuel tank. Wing Gundam, in bird mode, flew through a hail of cannonfire from a contingent of Leos while klaxons sounded. Wing Gundam took a hit from a Leo's dobergun on the underside, causing it to heel over and go into a short nose dive, sliding along the ground as it transformed into mobile suit mode.
Relena's distorted voice blared from Lady Gundam's external speakers as a Buster Gauntlet shot annihilated the Leo that had hit Wing Gundam, along with several of its comrades. At the same time, Gundam Deathscythe launched its Buster Shield, drilling into and destroying another Leo as Wing Gundam got to its feet.
Whoa, this defense line isn't like the others. Duo commented
Ten times more of them, that's much more than we estimated. Heero agreed as a fresh volley of machine gun fire spewed from the Leos' weapons.
Well there's no turning back now. Gundam Deathscythe surged into action, using its beam scythe to slice a Leo in two
It just means more of them will die. Relena's voice held no emotion as Lady Gundam's machine cannons fired, destroying several more Leos with a hail of shells.
Wing Gundam fired its Buster Rifle and the beam obliterated three Leos that were somewhat spaced apart, as well as the pavement they were standing on and the structures they were near. A Leo fired its dobergun and the shell hit Wing Gundam's shield, knocking the mobile suit back. As it started to fall, Wing Gundam fired its Buster Rifle and the blast destroyed the Leo that had fired the shell, plus two more that were standing near it. Heero triggered his Gundam's vernier engines and Wing Gundam landed on its feet. Meanwhile, Gundam Deathscythe and Lady Gundam used their machine cannons to destroy several more mobile suits. Wing Gundam dropped its Buster Rifle to the ground.
We're taking too long trying to get through. Heero transmitted on the frequency the three Gundam pilots had agreed upon before leaving the carrier as Wing Gundam drew and ignited its beam saber.
Then it's time to get up close and personal. Relena responded as Lady Gundam drew and ignited both her beam sabers, holding them so that the green energy blades formed an X.
Let's move in for the kill! Duo agreed
Gundam Deathscythe was propelled forward by its vernier thrusters, beam scythe in hand, and sliced a Leo into pieces. A Leo tried to come up behind the dark Gundam, but quickly found its camera eye shattered by the butt of the Gundam's beam scythe, the resultant short circuits causing the OZ mobile suit's head to explode. Gundam Deathscythe finished the job by slicing the mobile suit in half with the beam scythe's glowing blade, both halves of what was left exploding. Wing Gundam's beam saber sliced a Leo in half while Lady Gundam rushed several more Leos, her beam sabers slicing them apart as she seemed a whirling dervish of death and destruction. Several attack helicopters flew in, firing their guns, but they were quickly destroyed by a few rounds from Wing Gundam's head vulcans. Just then, a squad of Leos started a fresh volley of machine gun fire.
Meanwhile, Gundam Heavyarms and Gundam Sandrock were standing on a rise overlooking the battle, not yet noticed by either side.
[It appears that, once again, we have arrived late for the battle.] Sandrock commented
At least it looks like we'll get to meet more of the others who are fighting OZ. Quatre responded Thing is, it looks like they're clustered too close together. One good shot might be able to disable all three.
I'll take care of that. Trowa spoke up over the frequency he and Quatre had agreed upon
While Quatre and Trowa watched, the three Gundams already engaged in battle continued to fight a never ending supply of Leos armed with a variety of weapons.
Duo cursed They just keep coming!
Then they'll just keep- Relena's statement was halted as Lady Gundam's scanners bleeped a warning. Relena's warning came just after Gundam Heavyarms launched its missiles.
Those are missiles! Aimed at us allies!
All three Gundam pilots triggered their Gundams' thrusters to propel them clear of the blasts. The explosions from the volley of micromissiles sent the Gundams to the ground hard, but they managed to avoid taking any real damage. Gundam Deathscythe knelt, braced on its beam scythe, Wing Gundam was prone, and Lady Gundam was basically on all fours.
[Who dares attack the God of Death from hiding?!] Deathscythe was livid [I shall send them to the deepest pits of torment for such a cowardly sneak attack!]
[Brother! Are you alright?] Lady Gundam transmitted in machine code
[I am undamaged, my sister.] Deathscythe responded [But shortly, I will not be able to say the same for our attacker.]
Another set of missiles, launched from the same place at the same time, blasted the machine gunning Leos to pieces. Only one survived, part of its right arm blown off. On a nearby rise, the missile ports on Gundam Heavyarms's shoulders and legs closed, shielding the mechanisms from enemy fire.
Cuz you're all bunched up. Trowa transmitted on an open frequency
Gundam Heavyarms's backpack thrusters ignited and the heavily armed mobile suit skimmed across the ground down the hill to where its missiles had destroyed the Leos. Gundam Heavyarms raised its beam gatling and fired it, destroying first the lone survivor of its missile attack, and then more Leos on the attack. As Gundam Sandrock approached, it had to raise its shield to ward off some machine gun fire from still more Leos.
[Trowa seems rather enamored of my silent brother's firepower.] Sandrock commented
No time to sit and chitchat, Quatre said We've got some work to do.
[Indeed, my friend.]
Gundam Sandrock shot towards the attacking Leos, grabbing its heat shotels from their places on its backpack and leaped into the air, both massive heat blades raised high, before slicing downward and splitting a pair of Leos into halves which quickly exploded. The scanners in Wing Gundam, Gundam Deathscythe, and Lady Gundam analyzed the weapons configurations of the new arrivals and fed the data to their pilots.
Are they OZ's newest models? Heero wondered
Yeah, but they're attacking the Alliance. Duo responded as Gundam Sandrock sliced another Leo in two.
They can't be OZ mobile suits! Relena countered The design is too close to ours!
[They are more of my brothers!] Lady Gundam declared [I know it!]
The two sets of Gundams faced each other across the pavement.
Quatre said as he took off his goggles Those mobiles suits are just like ours! Could they also be-?
[They are my brothers and sister.] Sandrock declared
Whatever they are, they're right in my way. Trowa responded
Across the way, Duo was in as much shock as Quatre.
Those suits are identical. the braided pilot declared
[Not identical, my bright soul,] Deathscythe disagreed [But they are more of my brother Gods.]
As the standoff dragged on, the scanners on all five Gundams detected an aircraft rising into the air.
[Passenger transport shuttle detected taking off.] Lady Gundam reported [IFF signal indicates it is carrying OZ VIPs.]
At the same time, Duo and Quatre were receiving similar reports from their AIs and Trowa and Heero were reading the data on their screens.
That's the one. Heero said as Wing Gundam transformed into bird mode and blasted into the sky.
All the other Gundams' scanners were focused on Wing Gundam and the OZ shuttle as the airborne Gundam flew to intercept it.
[They have erred in fleeing by air.] Deathscythe declared [All that flies, animal or machine, must pledge fealty to my airborne brother and thus are his to destroy at will. The OZ leaders aboard that shuttle are dead already.]
Deathscythe's words were proven right moments later as Wing Gundam caught up with the shuttle, transformed back into mobile suit mode, and destroyed the shuttle with a single swing of its beam saber.
And thus the serpent was slain. Relena smiled as she watched the shuttle explode in flames.
As Heero announced Mission Accomplished, Duo's and Trowa's respective focus returned to each other.
Thanks for those missiles earlier, buddy.Duo broadcast Now I'll return the favor.
Gundam Deathscythe leapt into the air, beam scythe held high as Gundam Heavyarms swung its army knife. The army knife met the haft of Deathscythe's beam scythe and they struggled for a moment before breaking apart. Gundam Heavyarms fired its machine cannons and Gundam Deathscythe blocked with its Buster Shield.
Cut it out you guys! Quatre called to both combatants
[Brother! Stop this!] Sandrock transmitted in machine code [We are family! We should not fight each other!]
Both of you stop it! Relena ordered right after she turned off her voice distorter We're on the same side!
Gundam Deathscythe swung its beam scythe and Gundam Heavyarms met the blade with its army knife. They struggled for a moment before twin streams of fire passed between them, prompting both pilots to stop fighting as they turned to face the new threat. At the same time, the frequency the Gundam AIs were using to communicate directly was flooded suddenly by a new voice.
[FOOLS! STOP YOUR BATTLE!] Shenlong's androgynous voice echoed through the dataspace of all the other Beta-equipped Gundams [YOU HAVE PLAYED RIGHT INTO OUR ENEMY'S HANDS!]
[Explain thyself, Shenlong!] Deathscythe demanded [How dare you interfere in a contest between two of your fellow Gods?]
[I will not waste my processing cycles explaining it to a deluded suit of armor such as yourself. The warrior who wears me will explain to your wearers so pay heed to his words.]
All the Gundams turned to see Shenlong Gundam standing not far away, dragon fang still deployed.
Haven't you guys gotten tired of these meaningless battles yet? Wufei's voice issued from Shenlong Gundam's external speakers
What do you mean? Heero asked as Wing Gundam landed on the ground. Shenlong Gundam's cockpit hatch opened up and Wufei stepped out onto the platform.
Don't you guys realize? You've all been lured right into OZ's devious little trap.
We what?! The shock in Quatre's voice echoed the shock felt by all the Gundam pilots
Check out the Alliance's report. You guys just wiped out the Alliance's pacifists.
Heero muttered to himself as he brought up the broadcast
Relena didn't want to believe it as Lady Gundam displayed the report on the screen
This is the Colonies' declaration of war against us. General Septem declared We were just discussing plans for peace talks with the Colonies today. Marshall Noventa was at the center of these plans, and he's been assassinated.
Across the ocean, in the Darlian mansion, Renee Darlian was arranging some flowers in a vase while the report issued forth from the TV in a nearby room.
He was killed by the Colonies' invading mobile suits. General Septem continued, his words drawing Renee's full attention I repeat: This was a brutal invasion by the Colonies!
As Renee turned to see the screen, it displayed a recording of Wing Gundam destroying the shuttle, and then footage of Lady Gundam and several other Gundams brutally destroying Leos.
Renee whispered and took an unsteady step back and bumped the vase she had been arranging flowers in, causing it to fall off the railing and shatter against the floor below.
We will NOT yield to the Colonies! We must fight them to the bitter end! General Septem finished his speech and the broacast returned to the regularly scheduled programming.
Relena tapped a key on her console and the window containing the news broadcast disappeared from her screen. Her eyes were quickly beginning to fill with tears.
This was all completely planned out by OZ. Wufei explained We became their puppets, controlled by Trieze Khushrenada.
Quatre exclaimed How awful!
Damn him! Duo cursed
NO! It can't be true! Relena declared It has to be a fake!
A woman with a Gundam? Wufei blinked What were they thinking? That broadcast was no fake, woman. I was about to attack when Nataku finished correlating some data. There were only two high level OZ officers here, with all the other top officials being from the Alliance military. OZ sent a bunch of empty transports back and forth from here to create the illusion that all their leaders were on this base. I avoided OZ's trap while the rest of you fell right in. But I'm gonna fight you OZ, even if I have to do it on my own!
How could we have gone so wrong? Relena whispered to herself as tears streamed down her face
The six Gundams stood facing each other as the sun slowly set, not only on what was left of the New Edwards base, but also on peace itself. A new era was beginning, an era of war orchestrated by evil warmongers and unwittingly triggered by six noble warriors whose only goal was peace.
End of chapter 6
Whew! 13 pages for this chapter. Longest one since the double-sized chapter 1, but I think you guys are gonna appreciate it. In the next chapter not only will our heroes need to fight their way free of the New Edwards base, but Relena's also going to have to deal with her part in the deaths of the Alliance pacifists, even though she didn't strike the actual deathblow. Meanwhile, Wufei and Trowa, along with their faithful Gundams, go after Treize.
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