Author Notes
1. When comparing the difference between shuttle and dropship in terms of size, the shuttles used are somewhat larger than the size of certain medical helicopters. A dropship would be roughly the size of Argo's pirate ship which was used in transporting the Gundam's for the final battle in space. I use this for clarifying certain errors in the size relation.
2. I'm tired of holding out this long, so here it is. I've tried to make as much change as possible, but I know that there are going to be a lot more needed once this is released, so… (Puts flame suit on) I'm ready if you want to.
Chapter 5: The Tesla Invasion. Allenby's Disastrous Escape
Climbing out of the hospital window, and with the help of some fire escape scaffolding, Onyx Nightshade carefully got out of his room and stumbled down the stairs toward the streets. Of course, he wonders if he underestimated the extent of his injuries, as though he was able to descend to the streets below, each step he made caused his whole body to ache.
As Onyx arrived down to the alleyway, an unmarked van drives up to him. Making the last decent down the ladder, a team of medics went up and assist the man. Once safely on the ground, they secured him to a stretcher and placed him in the van. The van quickly leaves the area and heads back to the main thoroughfare.
Inside the van, the medics take their positions on the front. Considering that it was as large as a full size pickup van, the three medics that were along did not have a lot of room to cover, so while there was a guy on the front, the remaining two had to deal with cramped positions. "So… you got my S.O.S. message." Onyx replied to the driver. "I almost thought that you were not going to come."
"Maybe, but I'm not the guy to leave an injured P.O.W behind."
"P.O.W? I was in a civilian hospital."
"Perhaps, but I don't think your superiors would classify it as that." The driver turned around revealing a slender man, showing a dark yellow vest, and sporting a slight Russian accent. "Topior?" replied Onyx.
"Oliver?" Topior replied. "Or should I say… Onyx?"
"Not since I joined "Shattered Crystal's' elite."
"Noted." One of the medics' hands Onyx a tape. "It's from the leader. She has some new information on our current status." Onyx places the tape on the screen as the medics adjust his viewing position to see the screen on his left. Onyx places a set of secure headphones on so that the remaining members do not here the exclusive information directed to him.
The screen, though appearing fuzzy, showed a woman who has seen some age in the past years. If you would look carefully at her, you could see some evidence of facial surgery done. However, it is hard to tell because her entire face was mostly covered in a black shadow, making detailed aspects invisible to the unaided eye. "Special Agent Onyx, if you are seeing this, then I can assume that you are safe and unharmed."
Onyx can say that he is safe, though the unharmed part is something that he would stretch.
"It has been a few weeks since we've engaged our invasion plans to lure out Ms. Allenby. No doubt, you have come in contact with our primary target in the assault on the military base. Though it was a failure that you were unable to destroy the target, we have learned a lot from your battle, and we were able to analyze a lot of data from the fight itself. We commend you for this information."
"Here is what we have been able to pick up so far. The entire fight, which lasted an estimated six minutes, was fought using the prototype "energy blade" armament. These attachments were designed to engage and slice open the hull of any mech due to its intense temperature, including that of Gundamian Allow. Attached as an accessory were two grappling hooks, specifically designed for ensnarement of a mech."
"As the fight began, you had the advantage over the target, and from the initial looks of it, it appeared as if you were going to succeed in your operation. However, as soon as Allenby began her offense attack, she exhibited signs of her Berserker system being engaged. However, our analysis confirmed that there was no trace of any activation of the system, nor was there a trace of the system to being with."
"Further investigation concluded that the power exhibited in that fight originated at a source within the fighter herself. However, in order for us to conclude this, we must now capture the target for analysis and/or extermination."
"You are hereby asked to stay with our medical officers as they recover you to full strength. Once this is established, you shall lead another invasion from within the colony, close to the target's current residence. Topior shall act as your partner, though he has not been informed of this operation and will be so once you have recovered."
"As before, we commend you on your operation, and we are glad that you were recovered, but know that you did fail in your objective in defeating the target, and know that we have not overlooked this event." The tape ended as Onyx collapsed on the stretcher, passing out as the van headed towards its unmarked destination.
A week has passed since the meeting with Amy, and as morning came to the colony, Allenby awoke to the sound of shattered windows. As she awakens, she stumbled toward the broken window to see who did it. Walking into the room, she sees a brick. Attached to it was a letter wrapped around the sides. Allenby took the letter out and opened it.
Hello Dreamer…
Times a wasting for your soul…
Nice Soul… A Crystal of purity…
Infinite Wisdom… hidden in your eyes….
Enjoy it while it lasts…
The beam… the gun… your heart!
As soon as she looked up again, a purple beam was shot from outside. It came in complete contact with her as she felt her entire life force being ejected from her body.
Allenby, in shock, awakens back in her bed, still alive and breathing. Checking around her, she recalls no hearing of breaking windows, nor was there any trace of vandalism. The only thing she heard was the profuse ringing of a nearby phone. Allenby quickly answers it. "Allenby, this is Dr. Holman."
"Yeah?" She replied, being very unenthusiastic to hear his voice.
"We need you back at the base."
"What for?"
"We need to talk about the project, urgently."
"…all right." She got up and, without a moment to rest, left her home to the base.
Upon her arrival, Allenby was once again whisked away to the interrogation room, where she was being debriefed on the progress of what happened. To Allenby, though, it seemed like it was more of a tribunal, and she was on trial. "Ms. Allenby Beardsley, we of the military council has evaluated your current progress and, as of the advice of Dr. Holman, we… are a bit disappointed…"
"What?" Allenby replied. "I want to know why."
"Dr. Holman, would you explain?"
"Yes." Dr. Holman arose from his position and approached the podium. "I have been recoding her battle data ever since the initial attack on the base and well… it appears that her training has been very lax as of late. I would like to show the council the following data I have recorded on Ms. Allenby." Dr. Holman places a small disk into the podium. Projected on a large screen were the data recordings of the Gundam Fight Finals, complete with video footage on each fight, including the one with Domon Kasshu.
"As you can see, Allenby's overall quickness and strength have increased tremendously in the fights while it was in session. However, after the fight with Domon, I've noticed a small decrease in performance. This is due, in part, to her reluctantly to use the system. As a result, it seemed that her overall abilities have weakened without the use of the Berserker System. I can only conclude that this is also affecting her fighting skills."
"Hold on!" Allenby replied. "Are you telling me that I am becoming weaker without the use of that System?"
"Yes. In the recent attack of the military base, I have noticed a lot of problems in her potential combat data. It is true that the Berserker system was not installed at the time of attack, and she was able to fight successfully with out it. However, the problem that we are here to address is that Allenby did not perform at her peak potential. Had it been installed from the start, we would have saved a lot more through its activation."
"But isn't it considered dangerous to activate it while there are people around?" Gabriel replied, defending Allenby's position to not use the system.
"No, Gabriel. In fact, we have upgraded the system so that we can fire a "kill switch" should a situation happen."
The head General spoke. "Well, what about the events of this scene?" The General switched the screen to the moment of Allenby's attack on Onyx. "I would like to know what your explanation on this is."
"I see… well, that can only be an after effect of the withdrawal from the System."
"Explain."
"You see, as her combat abilities decrease, she would fight with a greater intensity to make up for the loss. However, although this intensity will increase exponentially, her overall fighting skills will reach a plateau. Eventually, she would become reckless and, since she is not taping into her full potential, achieve nothing."
"So
you are saying that without the system, she will not fight to her full
potential?"
"Yes, and I believe it is
in the best interest that you place her under my complete care so that we can
place her to her maximum potential."
"Hold on!" An outraged Allenby spoke out to the tribunal. "General, this person is just plain wrong! You don't realize how much it hurts to use that system. Every time I get in there, I feel as if I am driven by some…"
"Allenby, you response is completely uncalled for. Calm yourself, immediately."
"This is exactly what I am talking about, General."
"What are you talking about?"
"I guess you have not heard, but after the fight with Domon in the finals, I felt something inside of me awaken. This "thing" made me realized that I have the power within me to fight. From then on, I felt that the Berserker System was useless. I'm going to tell you right now that I don't need it anymore! That thing is nothing more than…"
"Ms. Allenby. I am appalled." replied an upset Dr. Holman. "You have been using that system as a child and we have found nothing wrong with it. In fact, I checked all those times you did not use the system, and you were considerably weaker than you should have been."
"Weaker?! Look, how can I have more power when I have no idea how to control it? Explain that!'
Before chaos was to arise in the room, the head General ordered a halt to the proceedings. "After looking at the possibilities, and of Allenby's testimony, it appears that we cannot decide on whether this is a good idea to proceed. Therefore, we shall hold off on this discussion until we can come to a unified conclusion. Dismissed."
Elsewhere on Stockholm 2, inside an abandoned building, an intrigued Topior evaluates the condition of Onyx, whose body is currently strapped inside a large cylinder chamber filled with a yellow liquid. The only thing that was on Onyx, other than his inner clothing, is a breathing mask designed to communicate with everyone outside. At this point, his rate of healing has been increased exponentially, so he has regained some movement of his legs. "Topior, whatever this stuff is, it's making me feel so much better."
"It's a special liquid system I've been working on for a while. It basically boosts your recover time to days instead of weeks. I think it was part of that instant healing device that was administered following your defeat."
"Good point." He said, looking at his injection scar in his right arm where the vaccine was administered "So since I was here for about a week, I should be able to move normally again. Is that right?"
"Not really. Though you will be able to walk and move, once I get your body out of the goo, the rest of your body will have to recover normally."
"So what exactly is healed then?"
"Your bones, basically. The tendons and everything else will follow in time."
As Topior looks on at Onyx's condition, a transmission is being received at his terminal. Topior received the call. "…ok…" He turned to Onyx. "Onyx, it is the leader. She wants to talk to you."
"Might as well. I'm not doing anything except being inside this liquid goo." Topior transferred the call to Onyx, where he can hear the leader's voice through his breathing mask. "Onyx Nightshade, I have assumed that you are nearly recovered, correct?"
"Probably, but not entirely."
"I hope you are in time, because we are preparing for another invasion attempt tomorrow. This time, you and Topior will be teaming up for this mission. I'll explain you the mission objectives as follows…"
"Our objective now is to capture Allenby at all costs, so this means that we'll be using every resource that we have in order to obtain her. The force will be divided into two teams. You and Topior will be on the first team, with Topior handling the controls of his Tesla Tank."
"Topior has one?!" Onyx said, surprised. "I though he was kidding."
"So did I, but I guess we were wrong when he first showed it to us."
"So I guess I'll be sitting in the passenger seat with this one."
"Yes. You're too weak to pilot your mech, so you will act as the Tesla team's navigator and lead the tank force into the base, whereas our secondary force will infiltrate the base and take Allenby."
"Question, if by some chance she does escape…"
"…a third force will be waiting at her residence and capture her there. We've been very through in this operation, and we are not going to lose this opportunity to capture her."
"…and the people who will lead these units?"
The leader made no reply.
"…I see."
"It's not that we don't want to, but you have to realize the circumstance that you are in. Fail this mission, and I'm afraid that you will not have a future with us." The receiver hanged up.
As Gabriel and Allenby spoke outside the halls, the two were in utter distress: Gabriel, because of Dr. Holman's brash method of attack, and Allenby, because she did not want to go back into using the system period. "Allenby, I cannot believe that he would do this. What is this person trying to achieve anyway?"
"Gabriel, I… I just can't believe this either. I mean, it's hard enough I have to go through with this tribunal, but… why this? Why does he want to use that… thing so badly?"
"I don't even know either, Allenby. It isn't even his creation from the start. Dr. Behlimua was the one who though up of the system and requested it to be installed on the Gundam, but even he knew of the physical limits of it. He even respected you as a fighter, I might add."
"I can see how he would. Dr. Holman just treats me like some guinea pig. At least Dr. Behlimua gave me a bit of respect."
"I can agree to that much."
As the two talked, a dark man proceeded to walk down the hallway. His skin, nearly devoid of any light pigmentation, created an interesting contrast to the two fair skinned persons. He made his approach to Gabriel with some informative news. "Are you Gabriel Renberg?"
"Yes."
"Well, I'm Captain Christopher Volkmann, former head of the 31st mobile suit division, 2nd division. I and my team have been assigned as new members of your mobile suit squad."
A surprised Gabriel wanted to know the reason. "Mobile Suit Squad? Captain Volkmann, I would like to know the reasons for this. I am merely the designer and co-head technician for the Nobel Gundam. I don't think I have the qualifications to lead a squad."
"That is for our superiors to decide. You, personally, do not have the qualifications to lead a mobile suit force… on the battlefield. Ms. Allenby has that right." He turns to Allenby. "I realize that this is very premature, seeing as you are still pending a decision on if you will be in control of Dr. Holman or Mr. Renberg here. However the case may be, you are hereby given the command to lead a small squad of MS suits in battle."
"Captain Volkmann," replied Allenby, in an informal manner, "I… don't get what's going on. Are you saying that I have been promoted?"
"Well, you see, normally a Gundam Fighter is usually assigned and trained for one-on-one combat during the Gundam Fights. However, the council feels that because you have been in a few tag battles, and you have plenty of battle experience behind you, they think you are ready for a much bigger job."
"So, are you saying that Gabriel and I are… going to be in this team?"
"For you, definitely. For Gabriel, I'm afraid that remains to be seen. If the decision is made to give Dr. Holman control, then he will be leading the team from the ground."
And I guess that means I'll be at the mercy of the Berserker System. Allenby said mentally.
"Anyway, I guess you would like to meet up with the members of my squad. They are waiting for you on the hangar." Allenby and Gabriel decided to do so out of boredom and interest.
As the two walked on to the hangar and saw Volkman's mobile suits, Allenby gave a strange look to Gabe. "Gabriel, did you have any part in their design?"
"No I did not, and I swear."
"The mobile suits are a bit weird." replied Captain Volkmann. "But I think they serve our purpose." The first mobile suit, positioned near the hangar door, was built in the style of a European Valkyrie, complete with the horned helmet and glorified stature that symbolizes the mythic figure. "This Valkyrie model is the fastest of all the three exclusive mechs. The cockpit is still a standard MS cockpit, but the feet pedals are replaced with this new image reflection system."
"Can you explain this to me in Swedish?" said Allenby, who did not understand what Volkman was saying.
"While you sit, the computer analyses you movements in the cockpit, so when you move your foot, the MS responds with a movement. It's confusing at first, but it's something we are working with to allow normal MS soldiers to feel the movements of the Gundam Fighters, without having to deal with the whole MTS fitting.
The second mobile suit, positioned in the middle, was not entirely different from the standard mobile suits of Neo-Sweden. Except for the mythic fighting rod attached in its back and accented icicles in his shoulders and legs, it looked just like any other mobile suit. "That mobile suit is designed for fighting in cold regions, and it is capable of shielding itself with its terrain with its reflective armor."
"Another prototype system?"
"Yes. This system was in the works for quite a while. We were hoping to place it in full service for recon and stealth missions, but part of the technology was stolen halfway during development." Allenby though back to the conversation with Amy, thinking about Erin and her Gundam design.
The final mobile suit, positioned to the right of the other two, is covered with aspects of a strength-inducing coating with the arms and legs. To Allenby, there was nothing particular different with it. "There doesn't seem to be much difference with this MS."
"That is true. The only difference with this MS is that those red areas within the arms and legs increase the overall strength of the MS. Other than that, I have not received any more information on this MS. Seems that they are not ready to announce what it is going to do yet."
"So have you named these things?" Gabriel said.
A strange look came to Volkman. "Uh, Gabriel, these are mobile suits, not Gundams. There is no mobile trace system on these things."
"…I know. Force of habit, I guess."
The intercom system was engaged shortly thereafter. "Attention, would Miss Allenby and Mr. Gabriel please report to the interrogation room? Thank you."
"I guess they are about to make their decision." said Volkman. "Well, it was nice to see you Ms. Beardsley. The same goes for you Mr. Renberg."
"Thank you. I hope I'll be able to work for you soon."
"The same goes for me too, because, between you and me, I like you better than that Dr. Holman. The other doctor seems like he doesn't care about whom we are."
"The feeling is very mutual." said the departing Allenby
As the convoy ships are preparing for takeoff, Topior and Onyx are seated comfortably in Topior's own Tesla Tank, hidden deep inside the convoy. When Onyx first saw the designs for the tank, he'd never think that it would be possible to have a spacious cockpit in the front. When he was properly seated inside the co-pilots seat along with Topior, he understood it. On his side were numerous controls on power strength, communications, and targeting systems. Topior's side had the same amenities, though his side was more focused on controlling the tank rather than firing it. "Topior, I'm going to be honest on this. These have got to be one of the roomiest seats I've ever seen. Even my cockpit is not that big."
"I did kind of design it that way. The thing is that the front of the tank is where we have all the seating and controls, so I made accommodations to give enough space to pilot the controls, not to mention there is a lot of protection on your side."
"Really?"
"Anyway, we have our second unit ready to take the base over. All you need to do is help me target and fire, and we should have Allenby in our hands."
"Of course, this means a lot to me. Unlike you, I don't have a second chance to redeem myself."
"We here of the council have looked over the two sides, and we have evaluated everything that has been presented to us. Ms. Allenby, we have seen your efforts within the fight and we admire your persistence to use your own natural abilities. However, considering that the system enhances your natural fighting styles, I believe that you are more suited with dealing with the fight with the assistance of Dr. Holman. Therefore, the decision is as follows. The Berserker Project is to be handed down to Dr. Holman, along with any other assignments given so forth."
Ms. Allenby could not believe the response. "General, I am in utter shock. This is absolutely the worse decision that you could have ever made. Don't you even care about the soldiers?"
"Ms. Allenby, either calm yourself or I'll have you court-martialed in contempt."
Before Allenby could say another word, the alarm system was engaged. "Attention all forces, the base is under attack! All forces to your assigned sectors, immediately!"
"General, you have to send me out to fight!"
"Ms. Allenby, we know that you are their primary objective. I'm sorry, but we cannot allow you to escape the base."
"Listen to her, General." Gabe replied. "If she is still here, they won't stop until she's in their hands."
"Mr. Gabriel, you have no right to assess the situation." said Dr. Holman. "Might I add that you no longer have any authority to the project?"
"Is that what you think she is; just a project?"
As the battle escaladed outside the meeting room, the lights began to flicker with the lack of electricity flowing around the base. "This is crazy, Gabriel. Ms. Allenby, you are to come with me to the shelter."
"You think that I'm going to do that while there is a fight going on?! General, I am telling you this right now. Get me on the battlefield!"
"I'm sorry Miss Allenby, but to us, you are our most powerful weapon, and we cannot allow the enemy to get a hand on that."
A sudden shock was felt toward Allenby. "…General… what are you saying?"
"Allenby, I'm amazed that you have not realized this by now. The only reason that we created you was to fight for the glory of Neo-Sweden. We have spent lots of research in creating the perfect fighter. At first, we were a bit reluctant to choose someone special for this project, but after looking over the files on you, and your inert potential, we knew that this person would suit us well. "
The General sighed as he continued. "I don't think you realize the situation. Like all of the fighters, each person competes in his or her nation for the distinguished honor to represent their nation. However, we have a different agenda. We do it because we would like to get that honor for once. We, the head generals of the Neo-Swedish army have always been determined to rule over the nation, not the president or the government, but ourselves, because we want to control this world for our interests, and so long as we have the 'weapon' that is Allenby Beardsley, we shall do it!"
"And once I become useless…"
The General remained silent. Allenby had heard all that she wanted to here.
"…Gabriel. Let's go."
"Allenby, what are you doing?" The General replied
"…giving myself to the enemy."
"Are you crazy? If you walk out, you'll be betraying this entire nation. Everyone will consider you as a deserter of the Swedish Army."
"I never was a part of your army! If you want me to stay, then stop the project."
"We cannot do that. Our decision is final!"
"Then here is my resignation..." With that action, the lights in the interrogation room finally gave out.
As Allenby rushed out to the hangar, she reflected on what was happening at this moment. The members of the council have decided to continue the Berserker Project under the hands of Dr. Holman, whom she was not in good terms with. The General Council, who makes the final decision on projects such as the Berserker System, have approved the continuation of it, and have regarded Allenby as their weapon in controlling the entire nation. By disregarding her as a human being and labeling her as a weapon, they are virtually taking whatever humanity she had. So by this act of defiance, she has made the decision to revolt and escape the base once and for all.
Behind her, Gabriel ran up following the path she took to the hangar. He tried to speak to her, but she lashed out at him instead. "Gabriel, I've had it! I'm sick of hearing these things about me being a weapon! I know I'm the fighter for Neo-Sweden, but this is going way too far!"
"Ms. Allenby, if it is any consolidation, I knew nothing about this! You think I was happy to see them treat you like that? God!"
"All I know is that I'm not welcomed anymore. If they want me, then they are going to have to take me by force. I'm taking the Nobel Gundam, and getting the hell out of here!"
"Allenby!"
Allenby did
not give him a moment to explain. "If you want to come with me, fine, but
you're not the one they want."
"It doesn't matter anyway. I
was already ready to leave once the decision came through. But right now, the
only safe place you have to hide is Earth. I can get out fine, but…"
"Gabriel…" Allenby respected Gabriel for all that he did, and because he treated her like a human being, she had to tell him about "Moon Rabbit." "I have a few friends who I know that may be able to help you. Remember when I got abducted at Domon's Wedding?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, they helped me out in my recovery. When we get out of this, I'll make sure they find you." She got to the elevator as she lifted it to the cockpit of the Gundam.
"Wait a
minute, who are they called?"
"They are called 'The Ghost of
the Moon Rabbit.' One way or another, they are going to help us... Now get
going!"
"All right! Good luck!"
Allenby heard his final goodbye as she closed the cockpit and engaged the Mobile Trace System. Gabriel, on the other hand, got a hold of the nearest vehicle and escaped toward the nearest exit…
With the Mobile Trace System fully online and Allenby in full control of the Gundam, the roof of the hangar gets blasted out of the sky with the impact of the electric shock of the Tesla Tank. "Shit! What the hell is going on out there?" As the explosion beings to clear up, she notices the chaos unfold, as multiple Tesla Tanks are firing their shots anywhere and everywhere in the base. As Allenby makes her first sight at the tanks, she feels a sense of worry in her. "…those are…"
Back at the main tank brigade, Onyx's radar makes the first confirmation of the Gundam. "Nobel Gundam at 3 o' clock high; fire at will!" All the tanks rotated their guns toward Allenby and, in a continuous volley, fired their guns with a sequenced barrage that lit up the sky as if they were fireworks.
Allenby made her escape as followed. Quickly making the charge toward the hangar door, she tries to escape the impact of the blast. However, her reaction time was too slow, as one of the stray bolts hits her left shoulder. The MTS responded by giving a shock to that area of Allenby's actual shoulder, forcing her to stagger as she ran against the bolts of lighting. Turning around, she fires her Vulcan cannons, knocking out a few tanks from her fire as she falls down towards an empty storage building. Standing back up from the fall, she continues her pursuit out of the base, using the buildings as cover.
Targeting the running Gundam, Onyx quickly makes a lock on Allenby. "You are not going to get out of here this time. Topior, get as close to that Gundam as you can."
"You sure are desperate." said Topior, commenting on his excited state of mind.
"Well, you are not the one who is walking on thin ice here." Onyx added as he turned the main cannon around.
As Allenby charges in towards another wave of tanks, she quickly jumps up to the sky and, with her energy hoop, fires it directly toward them. The beam slices through the middle of the brigade with Allenby directly behind it. "No way am I dealing with these tanks!" She said as she ended her attack. "I don't care if you do want me! I just want to get the hell out of this!"
In mere seconds, a com channel is directly opened to her. It was none other than Onyx Nightshade. "I will not let you have that chance, Allenby!"
"Onyx, what the…?"
"Are you so surprised to see me well? Good, because you don't how much I want to kick you ass!" Immediately, Onyx fires the lighting bolt directly towards Allenby's head, hoping for a direct hit and destroying it quickly. He missed as she jumped out of the way seconds before. "How the hell did you escape?!" Allenby yelled to him.
"Shattered Crystal is known for these things, Allenby. No matter how many times you'll try to hide, we will find you, and we will not fail. Give up now and maybe…"
"No way! You are just as worse as the generals who want to use me!" Standing back up from the fall, she quickly arrives at the outer boundaries of the base. Along the wall, some of the automated turrets have malfunctioned from the continuous tank barrage. With their guidance systems shorted out due to the lighting bolts, they were firing at both Allenby and any other mechanical assault vehicle, Neo-Sweden or otherwise. Streaming down the wall as fast as possible, she quickly finds an opening and launches herself out of the base and into the main highway.
"Crap, she is out of our area." Onyx yelled out. "Should we pursue her, Onyx?"
"Of course, and if I know where she is going, she'll have a big surprise waiting for her." And as such, the main tank force leaves the base and begins their pursuit on Allenby.
Up above the Neo-Sweden colony, an unmarked dropship approach the war zone preparing for a drop-off approach. "All right. You know our objective. We are to assist Allenby in transporting her Gundam to Earth. Amy and Silvia will retrieve her belongings while we guide her to the extraction point. Understand that right now, she is already under attack by forces of "Shattered Crystal" so be on your guard. Also, her own nation may use the Berserker System in an attempt to control her. If that is the case, destroy her head immediately to subdue the Gundam, understand?"
"Kamen, we are completely in you command."
"All right. We go in 3… 2… 1… now!"
As the command was given, three mobile suits descend from airspace to the colony floor below.
Running down the main highway as fast as she can, she quickly makes it to Stockholm 2, and managed to avoid all of the oncoming cars and buildings in the process. Navigating in and out of the buildings, she proceeds to avoid the onslaught of lighting as the tanks fire their shots in between the buildings. Allenby, still having his comlink to Onyx, speaks to him further. "What is it with you Onyx? What is your obsession with capturing me?"
"You know damn well my reasons for capturing you? The fact that you almost killed me in battle is good enough."
"It was you who attacked me. And how the hell did you escaped from the hospital? You still haven't answered me that!"
"I believe I can explain that." Another screen appeared in front of Allenby, this time showing the face of Topior. "I am known as the Topaz Gemstone member, Topior Tikhonov."
"So you are one of the members of "Shattered Crystal's" elite." Allenby replied. "What do you do anyway?"
"Other than drive this huge tank and use my intelligence to get Onyx here to full health…"
"Topior, get to the point!" Onyx yelled.
"Onyx, do I need to remind you who is in control here? I think it was me." He turned to Allenby. "Nothing personal, but my employer told me to capture you dead or alive, and that is what I'm about to do."
"Employer?" Allenby wondered in the chaos. "Then that means you are not…"
"Forget what Topior here said! You are mine no matter what." As Allenby slipped to the outer edge of the city, Onyx makes a complete lock on her Gundam and fires. Allenby, noticing the shot fire at that moment, was in the direct path of the bolt. Trying to avoid the shot, she gets pushed over at the very last second, just missing it by mere inches. Rising back up, she is surprise to see three identical black mobile suits lying beside her. The center one spoke to her. "Allenby, this is Kamen. We've come to extract you from the colony."
"Kamen? But how did you…"
"There's no time. We have to get to the extraction point now!" Quickly, he took Allenby's hand as he engaged his rockets, lifting Allenby airborne. The assisted lift was enough for her to active her boosters and keep up with Kamen's pace. "Andrew, Kyle? Keep behind us. We need some cover on our back as we head to the extraction point."
"You got it." The two mechs quickly turned around and fired off their rifles, holding off the troops as they advanced further.
At the center of the brigade, Onyx was losing his patience in the fight. "Topior?! They've gotten airborne!"
"Relax already! The entire colony is probably now on lockdown. In about five minutes, we are going to have the whole armada converging on them."
"Yea, but we have to capture her before this happens…"
"We shall comrade. We shall." The remaining tanks, still locked on the airborne Allenby, changed their directions as they continued their pursuit on Allenby.
As Gabriel arrives at the home of Allenby, having made it out of the base still intact and hoping to salvage whatever he can find, he encounters two women quickly escaping the house with most of her belongings and her clothing to a nearby shuttle. "Oh, no you don't!" Charging with his fists, he confronts the two and rips one of the packages from the women. "What the hell are you doing?" He replied angrily.
"Who the hell are you?" replied Silvia, who was none too please with his manner of attack.
"The name is Gabriel Renberg, head designer of the Nobel Gundam and friend of that person whose house you just broke into."
"Nobel Gundam?!" Amy quickly takes
out her gun in a flash. "Stay back! We know you want her back, and we cannot
allow that!"
"To hell I won't. I'm not with
the military anymore. I'm here to make sure that whoever wants to get Allenby
gets nothing, and that includes you two."
"Look, we are not directly related with Allenby, but we want to protect her as well. 'The Ghost of the Moon Rabbit' wants to protect her as much as you do, and…"
"'Ghost of the Moon Rabbit?!" Gabriel replied in shock. "Allenby told me about you guys. You have to tell me what is going on…"
Amy still
held her gun at him. "…if you know us, then we are taking you in."
"Amy?"
"Look, he could be working for the enemy, and we cannot allow him to escape alive and tell our secrets. We have to do it."
"…All
right. Come with us, and then we'll talk." As he started to walk with them, a
sudden brush of the leaves was heard. "Hold it. Someone else is here!" Taking a
small glass ball out of her pocket, she attaches it to her gun and fires it
off. "Cover your eyes!" The glass casing explodes, emitting an intense
brightness that makes any shadow virtually useless. In the act, a woman
materializes from the brushes. "Fuck, it's an 'elite.'" Silvia throws out her
gun out and proceeds to fire off at her, yet she misses it as the figure
disappears to the shadows. "This area is not safe at all."
"Who was that?"
"You already know too much! We are getting out of here and you are coming with us too." Grabbing his hand, Amy quickly drags Gabriel to the shuttle and throws him inside. The two women quickly board the shuttle and drive off before anyone else could follow.
As the four quickly cross an approaching lake, the Tesla Tanks were becoming more and more precise in their targets, already hitting Kyle and Andrew twice. However, awaiting them at the other side of the lake was a drop-off ship that was waiting for only one mech: Allenby's.
"Allenby, get inside that shuttle. You'll be safe there as we await the rest of our team for extraction… Where are those two?"
As Topior and Onyx arrive at the border of the lake, victory
was about to be achieved. "Onyx, you got your wish. The girl is yours for the
taking."
"My
pleasure." Tweaking the controls and altering his trajectory, Onyx sets
the tank for maximum output and aims it towards the cockpit of Allenby. "There
is no hope this time, Allenby, so be a good girl and die!"
Just as the cannon became fully charged, a message was zoomed directly to Kamen. "Kamen, this is Amy. We are over the site and ready for extraction!"
"Forget that! Drop the payload now!"
"You sure?"
"Yes."
Above the tanks, a combination of low-yield explosives descended on them. The explosives detonate on contact, quickly knocking out the tanks completely, yet leaving them roughly intact.
As the payload finishes dropping, Slivia opens an immediate link with Allenby. "Get Nobel Gundam loaded on, Allenby. We don't have time to wait for you guys."
Climbing up the podium to the ship, Allenby quickly gets on and finds a spot to secure it. Seconds later, the shuttle glides onto the ship and finds a place to park beside Allenby. Once the two were secured in, the three pilots turn around and open their mobile suit cockpits. "The Self-destruct sequence has been engaged. We are out of here."
"We are already on it." The three pilots quickly board the ship as the doors to the dropship close. Seconds later, the dropship rises up from the ground and leaves the area very quickly. A few moments later, the mobile suits automatically overload their reactors, forcing an explosion that not only destroys any trace of them, but also throws a massive shockwave that wipes out whatever remaining active tanks were in the area.
Hours after the destruction of the tank brigade, Onyx awakens from his cockpit. Thinking that the entire battle was over and he was victorious, he wakes up and exits the tank, only to find a massive wreckage of tank parts and melting wires. "…Topior…" Searching for Topior over the intercom, he finds a tape recorder stashed above his seat. Playing the recording, he hears a message from the leader. "Oliver Nightshade. Due to your recent failure, we can no longer trust you in anymore of our operations! Considered yourself terminated from "Shattered Crystal!" With that, the tape recorder set itself on fire. Onyx quickly tossed it away from the tank. "…Allenby! This is not over!" He said as he dug himself from the wreckage and made it out of the area before the police arrived to his spot.
Back on the now destroyed military base, Dr. Holman addresses Captain Volkman in front of the tribunal. "I'm sorry if you had to be rushed into this type of situation, but there is an urgent matter that we have to address."
"I understand." Said the pilot.
"Your orders have now changed. Since I am now in charge of the Project, I am giving a direct order to your team. Effective immediately, you are to descend to the Earth and capture Allenby Beardsley, dead or alive. Do you understand?"
"…I understand "
"All right. I expect your team to be ready by tomorrow. Dismissed."
As Volkman left to prepare his team, Dr. Holman felt very concerned of the current scenario. "If Allenby finds out what her true power is, then all of the plans are ruined." He sighs. "…there is a very good reason that Dr. Behlimua created the Berserker System… and it was not because the Generals wanted to win the 13th Gundam Fight."
I apologize for the delay for those who were wondering but I had a lot of issues that occurred last semester which severely hampered my creative process. Like I said before, this is not my best work, so I do not mind constructive criticism. This story has been removed from hiatus at the moment, so I should be able to get working on this and my other tales soon.
