"Alright, Andraya, when we get outside just follow--" Duo's words were cut off by a sudden harsh alarm filling the air with sound. "Aw, DAMN!" the male pilot cried, slamming his fists on Deathscythe's control panel. Reluctantly, he set his Gundam back in its place along the wall, and lept back to the catwalk, seeing Andraya do the same. The Mission Alert alarm continued for another moment or two, then shut off, having fulfilled its job of alerting the pilots in the hangar to the new mission at hand.
Andraya and Duo silently walked back down the hallway until they reached the first room Andraya had entered in the hangar, the scientist's lab. They walked through the open door and took a seat around the table, joining the other pilots. Dr. J, the only scientist present, looked grave as he nodded to the newcomers.
"Now that everyone's here, I'll begin the briefing," the scientist said, shutting off the lights to the room and turning on a small projector, similar to the one Andraya had first seen Arcticblaze on. A picture of a large OZ base appeared on the blank wall behind the scientist.
"This is the OZ base in Hong Kong, second in command after the base in Tokyo, which makes it the base in charge of all OZ personnel on the planet at the moment," Dr. J paused to give a slightly stern look to Andraya. "There has been word that the base in Tokyo had been developing a new system for Mobile Suits, somewhat similar to the Zero system. We do not know the extents or the restrictions of this new system design, and thought it no matter after OZ Tokyo was destroyed. However," the scientist turned to face the group, clenching and unclenching is claw as he did so. "We now have gotten word from an undercover ally in OZ Hong Kong that they, too, are in possession of the plans for the new system, and so it still presents us with a rather large problem." He paused to project a new image on the wall. There were specs of an unfamiliar mobile suit and system, with the words "Lunar System" across the top. "The system has been codenamed by OZ as the 'Lunar System', due to its origin in the OZ Lunar Base. However, that is basically all we know of it. These specs are simply our own Zero system rearranged in a way that would not alter the function or the effect of the system in battle.
"You may be wondering why I called all 6 of you here, when finding information seems like a relatively textbook mission," the scientist continued, looking each of the pilots in the eye. "Since the recent mass destruction of OZ bases across the globe by both rebel groups and Gundams alike, I need the most personnel I can get in order to efficiently bypass security, infiltrate, obtain information, and escape safely. This mission is not as easy as it seems. Security has been severely enhanced since any of you infiltrated a base. Some of you may be captured, but that is simply something we will have to risk. Hence calling all of you here."
"What are our assignments?" Heero said flatly, wanting to get this new mission over and done with.
"The plan, as we have designed it, is to have four Gundams distract the mobile suits the base has at the ready, and possibly destroy some, hopefully most, of them. During this distraction, two pilots will act as OZ soldiers being transferred from another base, and be signed in quickly due to the attacking Gundam and upset at the base already. No questions will be asked.
"Once these two pilots have successfully infiltrated and become part of the base personnel, they will attempt to access the information needed in a legitimate manner, as if they needed it for a report. If they are denied the information, they will get it forcefully. If this is the case, the other 4 pilots will descend on the base and attack. However, this is only our last resort. We don't want to be found out if we don't have to be. If we can obtain this information without drawing attention to the Gundams, then we have a chance of possibly stealing the new system and the mobile suit it's in, which will seriously set back OZ if an erasing of all the plans accompanies it," Dr. J concluded. "Volunteers for positions?" he asked, turning the lights back on and shutting off the projector.
"I'll infiltrate," Andraya volunteered. "It was my forte back at OZ. Plus, I may not be seen as suspicious. My files are still in OZ's database."
"Very good," Dr. J said, typing on a laptop in front of him. "I need--"
"I'll infiltrate also," Duo said, a serious look occupying his usually happy-go-lucky features.
"Alright," Dr. J said, almost expecting the response. "That leaves Heero, Quatre, Trowa, and Wufei as the attack team. We will meet in the hangar tomorrow at 0800 hours. You're dismissed."
The pilots all nodded and got up to leave. "Andraya," Dr. J called after the bunch. The female pilot turned around and obeyed the scientist's gesture to come and speak with him privately. Duo lingered outside the door, curious as to what was going on.
"Andraya," the scientists said quietly, "I must warn you that there are rather…seedy characters in the Hong Kong base. Not to discriminate, but being that they have a notorious reputation for, well, not being too kind to females--"
"I can handle it, Dr. J. Thanks for the concern though," Andraya said, unfazed by the scientist's precaution.
"Are you sure? I can get another pilot--"
"Dr. J, I've seen the type, if not the actual people themselves. I can deal with that. I'm not just another weak woman soldier."
"I never said that. Just preparing you for your mission, 06."
"Thanks. 'Cya tomorrow. 0800!" She called cheerfully over her shoulder as she exited the room. She turned and walked down the hall to her dorm, shaking her head slightly as she did so. I still haven't proven my worth to them. I got the loyalty part down, but complete trust and faith is still lacking. She punched in the key combo to get into her quarters, and walked in. The door shut automatically behind her. Well, that's a thought for another day. Tomorrow I'll go on an easy mission and prove something to them, even if it's just my knack for stealth. She undressed, got into bed, and shut off the lights.
Yeah…tomorrow I'll prove myself to them.