Act 3: The Eve of Odessa
October 27th, UC 0079
EF Mobile Suit Training Base #365
Belem, Brazil, South America
10:35 A.M.
Training Base #365 was very rugged and wrecked on the outside due to possible physical damage from the environmental hazards spreading. From the tropical areas of the South American region, it was of surprise that there were not even a hint of trees shading the base anywhere in the vicinity. Not even for miles. Instead, the unlucky guards who have been positioned outside for guard duty for either discipline or lack of volunteers, nearly fell victim to their most formidable foe. . The heat. Deforestation emerged it's ugly head back in the Old Timeline from human abuse, cutting down the trees to make their own supplies, and Belem was no exception. To the rear of the base, resided a narrow strip of manmade land to the shores of eastern South America. The bay near the base was naturally used as a harbor, bringing in ships and out. It was natural for the harbor to be congested day after day, considering the main base of the Federation, Jaburo, was deep within the Amazon, but in Brazil regardless.
Along side of the Supply Corps going in and out through the Training Base, no doubt considering it a pit stop for sorts, it also held the seeds of the Federation's victory. The Federation was well on it's way on developing Mobile Suit technology that would rival, and maybe surpass the Zeon Zaku II. It was luck on the Federation's side that the Zaku II didn't progress for the next few months, and they considered themselves lucky again due to the fact that they could keep up with the war by using only Type 61 Tanks for the past few months.
Speaking of Mobile Suits, it was considered that one was raised in a cave or under a rock if any soldier, long time joiner or not, did not know about the infamous "White Devil". "Gundam", was among the first mobile suits that the Federation ever produced, and just by judging from it's specs, it was a monster. The trainees of the base knew Gundam well, and the base it was stored on. White Base. The entire White Base crew were treated as deities within the Federation, but mostly they looked after Gundam. A mobile suit that was armed with a beam rifle, normally used on battleships. It was a pinnacle of mobile suit technology, considering the batteries to use beam weapons would rival at the size of a mobile suit's torso. Every once in awhile, the trainees were shown movies of the Gundam in action, as it tore through impossible odds of up to 30 Zakus, as it's trademark beam rifle destroyed every Zaku in one hit. A pilot like that, simply could not have been human.
"Okay. . You've practically won the pouch. . All you need to do is hit this one, and you win." One voice mentioned. In the lobby, two trainee pilots were playing a game. Not like poker or anything of the sort of trivial gambling, but a very dangerous game that parents would actually proscribe their kids to not endure in. A young, black haired pilot had a butcher knife in his left hand (The hand he wasn't accustomed to), and a pouch of money in his right hand. The game was simple: Two players hand over their money for bets. They take a knife in their hand, opposite from the one who wrote with, and you stab your hand as hard as you can. If you hit the money, you win the round and you pass it to the other player until he or she misses, maims his or her hand, and you win the money. But once somebody has missed, the turn passes to another player for one more strike. If the last player misses the strike, the game starts over and nobody gets the money.
The other pilot seemed to be practicing trials on how he should stab the pouch. He needed to get this accurate, or else he could forget about piloting mobile suits for awhile. Many other people were taken down from piloting because of maimed hands just due to this game. However, it was fairly popular around Base #365 as a fad to relieve the bondage of boredom.
"Hurry up! The Sergeant Major will beat our asses if he sees us doing this. ." The pilot exclaimed, as the other simply bided his time in his motive of concentration. The other pilot ignored the first altogether, as he seemed to have gotten his strike procedure correct. As soon as his hand was up in the air, rifting to claim his victory, a loud male, booming voice roared in the background, which threw his concentration off completely.
"Hakiteki and Rail!" At the entry of the booming voice in the distance, the pilot's knife struck right between his fingernails. He growled in disgust of the current disposition, but regardless, he considered himself lucky that the strike didn't take off his entire finger. The pilot across from him laughed as he gathered his money back up. However, the pilot who was gathering the money got a swift blow to the gut. And so did Haikteki. .
"I told you. . I told you the consequences of playing that damned game. ." The Sergeant seemed to relieve the frustration of being directly disobeyed by kicking the two pilots each in the gut. Every once in awhile, another pilot passed by, and scurried off before the Sergeant got a good look at them. He'd perform his "discipline ceremony" on them too.
"Ay, it was just a scratch. I don't think we're capable of injuring ourselves here. We're just that good." Ensign Rail's disposition was calm, and smooth. His view on life was also something to be desired. Rail had dark blue hair that spiked outward slightly at it's edges. He did not care much about his natural appearance, as his uniform was sloppily presented, given the numerous un-tucked edges at the fault of the care-free pilot. His emerald eyes just glazed forward in a lazy motion, once more pointing to his carelessness.
"And I just found a grave man.." Stone said aside to himself, no doubt about Ensign Rail's actions. Stone glanced to the side to the other pilot beside Rail, who kept silent ever since the Sergeant stormed in on the game taking the risk of injury to it's fullest, mainly that to people foolish enough to get addicted. Stone stood upright, and presented another being that was lurking behind in in a shy manner.
"Satoru and Senra, this is Amelia Keen of the EFF Space Fleet. She's been piloting jets for God knows how long, and has recently been transferred over to a mobile suit team. She's one of the many mobile suit commanders that have visited this base of sissies. ." Stone still couldn't help to hide an insult in any of his lines, even with female company.
"H-Hello. ." Satoru stood up along with Senra, both of them attempting to regain their regular breathing. This Amelia seemed to have taken their beatings as jokes so far. Satoru hasn't changed too much drastically. He still had short black hair and blue eyes, but he was a bit older than several months ago when the war started. He could have faked for 18, and he did so, considering he was really 17, but who knew that anyway? His home colony was gone in the Zeon skirmish that was still fresh in the minds of soldiers and civilians alike. People like him, the unfortunate souls who happened to find themselves in the military in that condition were called "Orphan Boys".
"Hello miss. . Make sure to watch your step around here. The pilots are pretty. . Eager." Senra said in a joking manner. Stone buried his face within his hand, as it was Senra's own plan for the woman to either get the joke or to not understand it at all. There were still surprises with the people today. Unlike Satoru, Senra didn't feel at all nervous around the woman.
"Hm. A joker. . Well, they have the money, and the city isn't too far from here. ." Amelia on the other hand, seemed to be a goddess. She had long red hair that went to her waist. She was among one of the woman who would make you wonder how she could fit all the hair into a confined space such as within her helmet. Her form was sleek, and contained a very good figure. Her brown eyes darted from place to place, studying all of the occupants around among many other of the commanders she knew. Satoru and Senra, with their minds still just fresh out of the clutches of high school, knew that if Amelia were to walk any bit further in the base, she'd be the next "Pin-Up Doll" of the base.
"Wait. . Were are we going?" Satoru asked.
"Didn't you pay attention to Federation movements through Earth?" Upon Stone's reply, the two pilots shook their head, as Stone just sighed in response. . . "I'm talking about the planned Odessa Day."
"Wait. . Oh. ." Satoru's memory was coming back to him. . Odessa was the most talked about thing. . Or one of them. Satoru folded his arms across his torso, as he tried to recall all sorts of memory about the matter. "You mean that strike in Europe on Zeon's mining facility?"
"Yeah. ."
"So. . What does that have to do with us trainees? We haven't gotten any word that we can actually use Mobile Suits yet."
"Would you give me a minute to explain before you bombard me with these stupid questions?" Stone's voice was stiff, and Satoru just backed down from his quest for knowledge, or to fill the thirst of curiosity. Silence ensured, and the Sergeant began to explain once more. "Thank you. . As I was saying before I was interrupted by you damn girl-" And now, Amelia spoke. Possible to antagonize Stone further.
"Sergeant Major, why do you have to call them girls? Are you saying that woman cannot do as much as men in the military, especially the front lines?" Her voice continued to sound out in a seductive manner, and that probably wasn't even intentional in her tone of slight hostility. Stone just started to chuckle for a moment. After all, wasn't the woman of higher rank than he was?
"Ha, ha, ha. Don't get worked up ma'am. You'll certainly go easier on the boys than I do, and we don't lie on our backs to gain ranks. ." Stone broke out in laughter. From that comment, Amelia just kept quiet, trying to let go of her anger just from that comment. Stone raised his hand up in a jesting manner. "Hey, don't take it seriously, I'm just playing around. As you can see, we don't get too much time off."
"As I was saying," Stone cleared his throat. "A majority of the pilots here will be transferred into Europe for further briefing. Others will be sent to Jaburo for further testing."
"Normally, I would refuse. . But I really hate this base. And the jocks around don't help it one bit." Satoru said. The jocks who he was referring to were just the normal bullies of the base. After all, most of the base inhabitants were former high-school students or just graduated months ago.
"Yeah. . We didn't join the Federation for guard duty. ." Senra also joined in on the argument.
"Shut. Up." The seriousness in Stone's voice was enough to dwindle their chances of ever getting out of the base. Although it seemed kind of odd that a duo of rookies who've never touched a mobile suit outside of a simulator would be eager to rush to the frontlines for one of the most dangerous Zeon attacks in the war aside of space assaults. .
"I've almost beaten the RX-78-2 Gundam in the simulator, and Senra nearly has also. . What different is the simulator from real battle?" Satoru asked.
"A lot. . Just because you almost defeated Gundam in the simulator, does that mean you could do it in real life?"
"Well. . ."
"Exactly. . That's why I asked command to not let the pilots train in simulators. It diminishes one's sense of reality. It's that kind of stuff that makes the pilots spoiled, then they get killed in combat for taking too many risks. Not to mention, if we gave you pilots the updated records on Gundam, you'll never get out of this base."
"But-" Satoru was abruptly cut off in mid sentence by a hard punch in the gut by the Sergeant Major. He descended to the ground, holding his abdomen area in pain, as the pain just spread throughout his body, overwhelming his mind. He wanted to cry, but that would just make the Sergeant beat up on his some more. So the boy was forced to suck it in, and attempt to overwhelm the excessive force on his own. Amelia just looked in disapproval for such excessive force, but maybe Sergeant was right. Females had too much of a gentle disposition to be effective in the front lines. Satoru kneeled down, as his loss of air nearly phased him through the void of unconsciousness.
Jeez. . Satoru just doesn't know when to quit sometimes. . And that's a pretty ironic statement coming from Senra.
"I told you, don't back talk to me. Besides, I was going to tell you that you are going to go with the Odessa Forces in 3 days, so that means you didn't have to get that punch in the stomach, but you did anyway. You're free for the rest of the day. ." Stone said as he turned away from the trio of soldiers.
"Great. . ." Satoru groaned, attempting to lift himself off of the ground. He was having a lot more struggle with regaining his breathing than anybody his age and build. The reason this was so, was because the G3 inhalation damaged his lungs, and no medical treatment for such was issued yet. The doctors told him that when the war is over, treatment could be allowed, and it wasn't that serious since he wasn't a ground soldier, but a mobile suit would serve as his "body". However, he still managed to get through Stone's "ceremonies", so that was determination at it's finest.
"And don't let anybody touch that woman, or it'll be your asses for display." Stone walked off, grinning as he did. His vision to the woman has already been shattered into a million pieces, but Stone considered to himself, perhaps that was the thing the woman needed to become a perfect commander. Or rather that was his vision on it.
"I guess I can be with you, and follow orders at the same time. What a bargain, don't you say?" Senra said, obviously trying to flirt with the woman.
Already, he's trying to get in the woman's pants. . Satoru thought that to himself.
"No. . No thanks. I think I can manage on my own. ." Amelia said, obviously shooting down Senra's attempt.
"Are you sure? Do you want to be surrounded by 3 guys even worse than Sergeant Stone back there?" Senra said. Amelia considered it. There, she was one of the only few women in the Base. The base had a majority of males in it. The few females were either already "taken", or they were "free". Amelia considered it to be a rugged system, but that was life in a base like this one. She considered Senra's thought once more. Then she came up with a decision. .
"Fine. . I'll go with you. Unless you're going to pull something. ."
"No! No! I won't do anything of the sort. Isn't that right Satoru?" Senra said, as his head cocked over to his other companion. Satoru's arms remained folded across his chest, and he shook his head in reply.
"Count me out. ." The boy said in weak reply.
"What? Why not?"
"I'm going to the medic. . Stone might have broken something. ." And that was his excuse to get out of it, and the fact was, Senra knew it was probably true.
"You sissy! What if the jocks try and jump me?"
"I wouldn't be much of a help anyway. I'm pretty frail anyway. . It's just by luck I didn't die the first time Stone beat me up. ."
"Ha. That injury. Aren't you one of the sur-"
"I don't want to talk about it. I'll meet you up at lunch time." Satoru walked into the opposite direction, clutching his gut pretty hard. No man could have ever endured 2 hits by Stone, let alone 3. Satoru thought about transferring to another base, many, many times. But the way that the other Federal Officers put it is that Stone is actually more lenient than other Sergeant Majors in the same position. Satoru chuckled to himself when he thought about that one. It was a long and hard road to him, but he just held on for the day that he would be able to pilot a mobile suit. And get Zeon back for what they did to him. . .
"What's his problem?" Amelia asked in an innocent manner. She looked to Satoru who was slowly walking off to a corridor that was foreign to her in the newly presented base.
"Didn't you see it? Sergeant Stone hit him pretty hard." Senra said in reply, and Amelia just shook her head.
"No, not that. I mean that "I don't want to talk about it" line." Amelia said. Senra just looked to the side, deciding not to explain the situation that Satoru pretty much vaguely explained to him a while ago.
"Eh. . I'll tell you later. . Or eventually." Amelia sighed, and the matter between the two was dropped completely.
"But isn't he in my unit now? I thought it was customary to get to know the pilots." Amelia asked, and that was yet another opportunity for Senra's jokes.
"Do you want to get to know me?" Senra smiled, attempting to be cute for Amelia. . But once more, the woman shot down his flirtatious ways.
". . . One pilot at a time, Ensign Rail. My God, do all of you pilots around here have that one thing on their minds?"
"Not really. ." Senra said quickly, automatically contradicting himself.
"That boy. . His name is Satoru right? And you're Senra?"
"Yeah. . Aren't you going to call me by my rank again like a high-ranking military officer should?"
"No. . There's no need."
"You know. . You're pretty lenient."
"Is it because. . I'm a woman?" Amelia said quietly. .
****
Zeon Southern Boarder Guard
Caucasus Mountains, Russia
1:22 P.M.
The Caucasus had a very harsh climate, tumbling down to the lowest possibilities, even surpassing sub-zero temperatures. The colony drop on Earth several months ago did not help the situation as Earth's climate was drastically changed. There were reports of snow in the middle of summer in some parts of the world. The Caucasus didn't change too drastically, except getting even more colder by the day. The Southern Boarder Guard's sole purpose was to prevent Federal Forces from scouting over Odessa. With the infamous White Base now in European Airspace, and the intensity of Federation forces on the western cost, an attack was most definitely planned.
The Southern Board Guard's "residence" only concluded to a few tents with thick layers. The grounds on the tents were tightly put, even though the winds were not as strong considering a majority of the guards were placed on the base, and mid levels of the mountain range. Among one of the cliffs, there was a defense unit installed: 2 turrets, and 3 missile packs. That was only for a starter if an attack was issued. The other, where the 3 Zaku units, and 1 dark unit that was adjusted to the colors of the environment. The Gouf. When Zeon soldiers thought Gouf, they thought Ramba Ral, a veteran who ended up losing his life after tailing the White Base for so long. The Gouf would be blue, but in this kind of environment, that would give away it's location really quick, even by air forces. The last addition, was a Gaw attack carrier. The Gaw was rigid on it's side, and the metal seemed to be worn. The Gaw also had a layer of moss frozen onto it, as it seen a lot of action, but hasn't been used for months.
"You've heard about the Trojan Horse?" One soldier asked another, beginning a chain of gossip. The environment surrounding them was claustrophobic, considering both of them were sitting in a small tent with a heavy blanket sheeting the cold soil.
"Yeah. . I hear that thing's an omen. . Commander Char, Captain Garma, or even the "Blue Star" Ramba Ral couldn't take that White Devil down. ." The second soldier said. Both of them were dressed in heavy coats, and their hoods almost completely obscured their faces, thus making their voices slightly muffled.
"I hear some other aces are gearing up to fight them."
"Who?"
"The Black Trinary."[1]
"Oh. . Those guys. Well, I guess teamwork can beat the Trojan Horse."
"Yeah. . You saw how they managed to trap that Federation General?"
"Some say that they're psychics too. ." Another man entered the tent. He appeared to be of a high rank, and the duo who were conversing among themselves stood up firm, and gave them a salute
"Good morning General Jackson, sir!" The two soldiers said simultaneously, breaking into a formal salute. Jackson just raised his hand in a sluggish motion, that was slightly held back by the thick coat he was wearing.
"At ease men. ." Jackson said in a sultry manner. The two men ceased their salute, and sat back down. Jackson seemed to pace a way in the confined space within the tent. He saw machinery scattered around, bags, books among other things. He shoved a bag full of ammunition aside with his foot, and looked at the two men sternly. Back when the year started, Jackson did not get any sort of punishment by his superiors by the early attack on Guru 10. In fact, Gihren was more pleased than disgusted. Please at how frantic the Federation was at that time. Jackson seemed a bit more aged before, especially when the form of fatigue symbolized across his face. He was dressed in a heavy jacket, and a cap with the Zeon sign on it. He was smoking a cigar, and he smothered the smoking end on the lining of the tent, trying to stray out his response.
"We'll be moving from the Southern Boarder Guard to Odessa."
"Sir, shouldn't we stay here and try to cover any Feddies approaching from the rear?" The first soldier asked.
"No. . Apparently, some people want Odessa pretty badly, and their pulling their resources for an attack." Jackson said, sighing at the distress of the situation.
"We've practically already mined all the minerals from Earth to make mobile suits, right General? So why should Odessa be of a concern?" The second soldier asked.
"Well. . If they do take Odessa, they could find the military strength necessary to force us off Earth. That wouldn't be good." Jackson replied.
"They don't even have mobile suits yet. ."
"Gundam might hit mass production. . Anyway, as I was saying, announce to all vital crews that we'll be leaving for Odessa as soon as possible. Pack up all ammunition and weapons, we'll use the Gaw." Jackson said. . The word "Gundam" brought some sort of fear down the hardened General's spine. In fact, there was no man, no reasonable man within the military that did not fear the awesome power of the Gundam. It was like the devil, manifestation in it's purest form. From the results the General heard, the Gundam's power was truly frightening. .
"That old relic?" The first pilot said, speaking of the old Gaw carrier.
"Yes. . That's our only chance of launching. Dismissed." The two soldiers sat around baffled. . Possibly to the sudden change of plans. However, on the bright side, it was a good shot to get out of the cold weather of the Caucasus. Jackson departed from the tent, just to feel the harsh wind blow right up against his cheek. He had already informed all of the soldiers except one tent of the departure, and already they were hard at work, attempting to ensure emergency repairs to the Gaw. Now. . I didn't go totally wrong in training them.
Jackson witnessed the Gaw's engines firing up with a crimson glow. It tore through the cold air, and the gas could be visible like waves in water. After awhile and to Jackson's discontempt, one of the Gaw's engines hit a failure, spurting a few flames before dying off completely. Before he knew it, a team of workers scurried to the engine that failed, and proscribed whatever it took to fix the old carrier. Jackson continued on his way to the last tent he had to go to on the way. He unzipped the tent, and poked his head in.
"Yes sir?" Apollo seemed to have aged himself too. His postier was that of a man in his mid twenties now, and he was dressed in the heavy clothing all of the soldiers on the Southern Guard were required to wear. Apollo didn't seem to have been doing anything, but as Jackson predicted, he either sensed him coming, or heard his footsteps through the light layer of snow on the rock covered surface.)
"We're attempting to repair the Gaw so we can go to Odessa." As usual, Apollo took the announcement on a lighter note.
"Orders are orders I suppose."
"Where's Lieutenant Maes?"
"Somewhere. . Probably with somebody. ." Apollo's unusually harsh tone had Jackson immediately wondering.
"Perhaps. . You two broke up already?"
"We were never together. ." Apollo replied. His harsh tone was now directed towards Jackson.
"Hah. Are you still mad at me for demoting you in the Battle of Canavel? You deserved it. You were overly reckless that mission and nearly killed us all." Jackson said, Apollo just sneered.
"You're still alive aren't you?"
"I am. . But most of our Battalion is gone. Look, I'm not in the mood to put up with your bull****, Apollo. You are to load your Zaku into the cargo hold of the Zaku, and that's all, okay? " It was a tense edge for Jackson, and Apollo it seemed.
"Whatever. ." Apollo replied, gathering his equipment. Jackson was about to take his leave, until he muttered something under his breath.
"Just because you can't keep a relationship, doesn't mean you have to take it out on me."
"Maybe you deserved it."
****
"There's no problem or broken bones. The pain will probably go away if you sleep on it." Said a brunette that was dressed in all white, with a hat on top of her head. The hat was clearly inscribed with a red cross, thus signifying her occupation as a nurse. Satoru was on top of the structure that doctors usually had their patients upon with his shirt rolled up.
"Thank you." Satoru rolled his white t-shirt back on before putting on the Federation vest that the trainees were supposed to wear. The medic, wasn't too attractive as she was old, but regardless, that wasn't a worry on Satoru's mind. He was bent to do exactly what the medic said; sleep on it. Maybe then the pain will go away if he doesn't feel it within his sleep as well. Satoru stepped out of the medic room as he disembarked on a trek through the hallway. He skipped lunch because he wasn't hungry. Or that's what he's been telling himself over and over again. The truth was because he thought that Senra and Amelia should get acquainted. He didn't care much about meetings, considering all he cared about was taking Zeon on by himself. Then Stone's statement played through his head. Or rather, tore through his current stream of thoughts.
"Just because you almost defeated Gundam in the simulator, does that mean you could do it in real life?
Exactly. . That's why I asked command to not let the pilots train in simulators. It diminishes one's sense of reality. It's that kind of stuff that makes the pilots spoiled, then they get killed in combat for taking too many risks."
I would be a danger to anybody around me, Satoru thought to himself. He was remembering something that happened many months ago. . The incident that forced him into the Federation to begin with. . However, he didn't want to accept it. Not at this time, he just wanted to forget.
So what if I'm different that everybody else. . That doesn't mean I'm invalid. . I'm sure that incident will not happen again. . Along Satoru's trek, he wasn't watching where he was going, and he ended up bumping into something that was large, and warm. He looked upwards, and he saw a trio of overly muscular men, who was much taller than he was. . These were assuredly one of the pilot jocks that he knew. They strive to bulling the less unfortunate trainees of the base, and by "unfortunate", it means "better".
"Hey, hey. It's the little weasel. ." Said the smallest man, who was still a titan compared to Satoru.
"Go away Flocker. . I don't feel like messing with you right now." Satoru said this to the tallest, most muscular man. Satoru tried to get past, but the other two took the sides of the bigger jock, Flocker. He could run the other way, but what's the use. They would chase him down and beat him up. Although a beating was inevitable at this point, as Flocker seemed to be in a bad mood. So Satoru had his time by instigating it in a mockingly manner. "What's wrong Flocker? You usually don't pick on me until after dinner where the Sergeant Major is out. Why are you here now?"
"Just working out my own frustration. . Matters that don't concern you." Flocker said, mashing his knuckles. Flocker was an extremely muscular man with short blonde hair, wearing the usual garb. Some would say he was the definition of hardened military drill-sergeants. He joined the military some time after high school, and was an invaluable asset to ground combat. The factor that needed work was his attitude, as even in the base, he still bullied the other, smaller pilots. Naturally, this caused trouble with Stone because threatening pilots was supposed to be his job.
"What now?" Satoru asked, attempting to get out of the fight.
"None of your business. . Besides some broad turning me down among other things, I need my punching bag to bring down my temper." Flocker said.
"Oh really? Well Flocker, you have your reputation to lose if you fight me, I-"
"I don't, I could win and beat you". Is that what you were going to say?"
"Er. . Well. ." Satoru took this opportunity to run straight in the opposite direction. However, for what seemed just like a few nanoseconds, he was already caught. One of the boys got him by the collar and end of his vest that he didn't button up. They pulled Satoru back by it, and Flocker slammed his fist into the backside of Satoru's head. In response, the boy fell forward, nearly collapsing on the ground. However, he wouldn't have gone down that easily, as he tried to fight back against Flocker, but every punch he made, didn't do much.
"You know, this is just like school. . Except I don't get suspensions. . And you know what's funny about me picking on a guy like you?" Satoru's streamline of attacks were put to a painstaking halt as Flocker's massive leg collided with his abdomen. This forced all of the salvia in Satoru's mouth outwards along with all the air he was breathing. The impact of the kick was even worse than Stone's punches. Satoru crept on the ground, trying to accumulate enough needed oxygen to provide himself the energy to sprint off once more without the hindrance of the lingering kick. "You're just a worthless little orphan with no family, and not one person will mourn your death. Weaklings like you don't even belong in the military. ."
And so, the well known ceremony began. A public beating by Flocker and his two cronies. It seemed like eons before they slightly let up on beating Satoru to a near death state. Then they just started kicking him on the ground endlessly. After awhile, the heavily beaten boy was lifted up, and slammed into a wall with excessive force. His bones ached from the beating, but he considered something on the good side; at least the medic was down the hall.
"Don't worry. . After I become a pilot, you won't be beaten up this badly anymore. ."
"Do what you want. . If that'll make you feel any better." Satoru's attitude still surfaced, even after being beaten to a near death state. However, that one comment granted Satoru an extra hard leg in his gut. After being thrown off the ground, Flocker saw something he shouldn't have, but could have blackmailed. Satoru shedding a tear. . .
"O-o-o-o-h. . The little boy is crying. Lets really give him something to cry about." Flocker kicked Satoru in the face, hard. It could be considered a silent "victory" when footsteps were heard down the hall. Not one of the occupants could hear it, because Flocker was too busy grinding his heel into Satoru's head, and then slammed his boot into his face. The force rocked Satoru back onto the wall, as his face was border lining crimson. However, the laughter ceased when Satoru stood up, breathing heavily. His motions were sluggish, and his hand caught his head. His breathing was deep, and then Satoru looked up to Flocker.
"What the hell?" Flocker said to himself. Satoru was breathing heavily, as there was some odd gaze in his eyes. . He was about to take a step forward, and Flocker was about to try his attack once more. Satoru started to laugh when an outside force stepped into the equation. .
What the hell? Thank God I'm in time before **** really starts to go down! Sergeant Major Leon Stone. . Satoru could hear scattered expressions. Along the line of Flocker saying "Well he started it!" and Stone mentioning hundreds of variations of "Are you messed up in the head or something? You're a pathetic excuse for a human being". However, there was something that Satoru heard that made him overly happy. He has been picked on ever since he'd been stationed at the base. He never liked Stone, and he certainly never liked the jocks. Even though Flocker and his cronies were the only jocks who ever gave him the time of day, let alone one of these infamous "ceremonies".
The fixation all started when Satoru talked to a girl named Alice. Satoru really just asked her what time it was, and Flocker blew it to a whole different level. He warned him to not try anything on his girl, so Satoru complied. He didn't touch Alice. However, just to undermine Flocker's authority, Alice started to flirt with him. After awhile, Flocker caught Alice kissing Satoru and that was the very first time he preformed the usual beating. And the first time Stone had to use excessive violence to keep his students in line. Something that Stone's usually accustomed to months after it first happened. Other than that, Flocker dubbed Satoru as his "punching-bag", and beat on him whether if it was piloting better than he did in a simulator, scoring higher on a test, getting some form of approval from his superiors, or if he just crossed the same hallway as he did. At last, all of that would be over, even though it was just mere days before he was transferred to the battlefield for the first time, this assured him that Flocker had no chances of surpassing him.
"You three, pack your bags. Get the hell out of my sight." But on second thought. . Satoru didn't seem like justice was in order. In fact, he started to feel kind of bad for Flocker, and the cronies whom the only people who knew their name was other jocks or Stone. Now, they had no hope of becoming the pilots they wanted to be. Just because Satoru didn't fight back. Or was it the fact that Satoru wanted to instigate Flocker to get him kicked out either way, to prolong the fight until somebody came along. But something that Satoru thought was, why would he try now? Right when he was about to leave to another part of the world? Satisfaction? Or maybe it wasn't even intentional.
"No, no sir. . I won't beat him up again, just please let me go back to my room." Flocker tried to bargain with Stone, and his cronies just watched.
"I don't care. . You're out of here. Besides, you didn't have any potential anyway. I just kept you because I hoped I could discipline you instead of sending you out. Didn't it seem odd that you didn't receive a commander? You weren't going into battle in the first place. ." Stone said. From this, Flocker remained silent. He already knew where this conversation was leading. "Just because you think you're all that, doesn't mean you really are. Join another base, I don't give a damn. Just get the **** out of my base, and my sight."
Flocker and his cronies said nothing. They gave Satoru a dangerous glare, right when they caught him smiling on the ground. If Stone wouldn't have taken him down there, he would have gone to beat the smirk right out of the boy's face. However, his feelings prevented him to do so. His spirits were smashed, so there wasn't much left. Stone didn't even care how they got out of the base's enrollment, just as long as they did so. Flocker turned, and walked the opposite direction. The remainder of his spirits would have been stomped on with an iron boot from Stone's next line.
"You bastards. . Walk faster!" Stone yelled into the distance, and that was the last thing anybody would have seen of Flocker. As soon as he was sure that the jocks were out of his sight, Stone turned towards Satoru, who hadn't made an effort to get up. "Now. . For the boy. ."
Stone approached Satoru, as he picked up the boy with Satoru's arm slung over Stone's shoulder, dragging him the way to the medical room. Satoru's smirk disappeared, and Stone spoke.
"You know as good as I do that you being in a fight would be hazardous. ."
"For whom?" Satoru asked. Back at the fight, something took over his mind when his temper skyrocketed. . And Satoru knew why. . And so did Stone.
"Hazardous for Flocker. ."
****
"That's sad. . He got kicked out. . And Stone said all that stuff." Amelia said, who was in the medic room. While the nurse was giving all the measures that Satoru needed, this was Amelia's chance to start a conversation with him.
"Yes."
"Did he seem saddened any?"
"Yep."
"Do you really care about it?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean? I mean, he got kicked out from a place he called a home, plus the Sergeant treated him like dirt."
"I don't care what happens to that guy. He can rot in hell for all I care. I had to put up with over 5 months of beatings everyday from that guy just because "I was there". Is that really a kind person to you?" Satoru demanded. Amelia was just silent, as Satoru looked down to the floor and began to speak again. "But yet. . I still have sympathy for him. At least as a human being." Satoru looked out of the window, at the sky that was stained with the silence of night. Time passes fast when you're injured.
"I'm. . I'm sorry."
"No. . It's not your fault, you just asked. I'm just saying that if it were me who beat him to a bloody pulp, I would be considered the bad guy. When this guy does so, people feel sorry for him. . But yet, the guy who got tortured has to feel sorry for the slave-driver as well. ." Bad analogy, but Amelia got Satoru's point.
"I agree with Satoru. On the first part that is. . Flocker and his band were nothing but trouble from the beginning. They would be awful examples to other soldiers, and he probably wouldn't have lasted anyway."
"I suppose. ." The silence resumed as soon as the female medic finished her work. She eyed Amelia curiously, wondering to herself why would a woman be in the mobile suit corps. . She medic forgot about that as she issued Satoru's condition.
"Well. . Some of your right ribs are broken, and your left leg is sprained." The nurse said. For some reason, Satoru was relived.
"Well, that's all I guess. How long will it take?"
"Well. . With the treatments, I'd say around a week to a month. The sprain will take at least a week to two weeks."
"I see. . . Well, at least my arms aren't broken, so I can still pilot a mobile suit."
"I'm not so sure. ."
"Why do you say that?"
"Sergeant Stone said that you are relieved of all duty from live mobile suit training." And there, was the cheap blow. The blow that Satoru ensured on Flocker, that came back and hit him in the face. Amelia and mostly Senra were occupied in silence, but Satoru lost something that that one line.
"W-why?" Satoru asked, but then, the boy was silent. . "I know exactly why. ."
"All I know is that you'll be kept here until the war is over. Then you might be able to pilot a mobile suit. Maybe." The medic said.
There it was. His victory, shattered along with his hopes of being a pilot. Being a pilot was more than anything he's ever dreamed off. And that bastard Stone just takes it all away, even when he was a few days from departure. He would be replaced in Odessa. His chances of becoming a good pilot were thrown into the dead wind. Flocker's victory had ensured after all. . .
****
Two days later. .
News of the intercession with Flocker spread around the entire base like a plague of locusts preying their town of victims. Satoru was called many things after that day. Most of the lower class of the trainees considered him a legend for letting the big jock get himself expelled from the base. Most of the other jocks considered him a coward, but wasn't going to try jumping the boy over it, since the jocks could care less at this point, granted if they even knew who Satoru was. There were several things spread among the "social system" of the base, like some rumors that could be flanked as unrealistic already, like Satoru killed Flocker and hid the body. That one was probably suspense of the mood of mystery.
This though, was the eve of the day when the trainees would be leaving. From all hours of the night, the base was filled with commotion, as Medea-class transports littered the heliport, transporting their massive crates as a refill of rations, food, and other things. Nothing much happened on that night, and the day passed quickly. The pilots who were fortunate enough to get away from the accursed base celebrated in a slight party in the morning in the lobby. There were people who were drunk, and some who were just sober during it. Sergeant Stone did nothing to prevent this, as to his preference, it's another band of losers he doesn't have to father.
To those who didn't. . well, the ones who wasn't concerned about the war found this a blessing, since now, they could return to their families and make up lies about them being avowed war heroes. To those who tried their best to validate their existence to the world, seemed to find their life almost meaningless at this point. There was a rumor of a case of suicide within the base because he didn't get chosen to go into battle. A name wasn't released, but there is enough evidence to prove that this actually did happen. Satoru on one hand, also felt that his life would end up like many other people who failed. . Like Flocker.
"It's not that bad. . Stone said that if you're on good behavior, he might let you go." Senra said, fully dressed in his piloting uniform. However, some things wouldn't change, as he appeared pretty sloppy. It was in the morning, and Satoru was still slightly dressed, and still depressed.
"You don't understand Senra. . I've worked hard all these months, for nothing."
"Well, isn't this your home?"
"This dump? Ha! I don't even have a home to go to anymore. I'd be lucky if I had a relative alive, or. ." Satoru trailed off in his sentence. In Satoru's dorm, it was pretty dark. He shared the same room as Senra, which made it very vacant at this point. Near the electronic door, a black bag was stuffed to the brim with clothes and other possessions. Senra was wearing the Federation uniform he received the day before. Senra was sitting on a chair next to the bunk bed that they shared. Senra's eyes darted out of the window, as there was something of interest out there. There really wasn't, just a trio of sent off pilots who were celebrating, as a collaboration of friends. . Something that either of them could not share at this point.
"I'm sorry. . But if another incident like that happened here. ."
"Yeah. . I know. . After all, I owe you for my life in the first place. I'd probably be in the chamber right now." Satoru said.
"That's true. ."
"But I doubt that would have any effect on my piloting ability. Besides. . I still have a score to settle." A long period of silence ensured after that part. . Satoru, had never had any friends since the Guru 10 incident. Since then, he has had a vendetta against the Zeon, since he'd probably never see the people who destroyed his colony. . But, he wasn't sure how it happened, but since the month of February when he first joined, Senra was also the "Dumber" to the two who usually paralleled "Dumb and Dumber". Or perhaps it was the other way around. . Anyway, the two had a blast at the base. Sure, there were a few complications, but none were as big as this one before them. Satoru's response seemed to hint any vendetta at anyone at all at this point, given his impulsive nature. . "Senra. . Thanks."
"No problem, what are friends for?" The conversation went to a finish the moment that Amelia came in. She was dressed in her Federation uniform in black stockings. Her sleek figure was enough to attack any male soldier, and it did, as the few moments she was in the doorway, several passerby's had the dire urge to scope the woman out. People called Senra lucky to have a female commander who wasn't unnecessarily evil in heart just to prove a point or rely on multiple excuses, or just didn't flirt around with all the people of the base.
"Senra. .?" Amelia stepped into the dorm room, immediately bumping into a shelf due to the low visibility in the room. . "Turn on some of the lights," Amelia's rhetorical request was granted as Satoru reached over to the table, turning on the light that grimaced off of Amelia's face, showing some light streams of make-up among other face-care products. Her hair was tied up so it wouldn't be so loose, as the ponytail dropped slightly beneath her neck. "Satoru. . I didn't know that you were here. ."
"Eh. Don't worry about it. I won't be any trouble for you."
"Did you tried talking to him?"
"No. . What do you think? Of course I tried talking to him. ."
"Sorry. . I shouldn't have asked."
"Hey, don't take it out on her, she was just trying to be nice." But then again. . That was something Satoru hated about Senra. His tendency to suck up to the superiors, especially the female ones.
"I'm sorry. I'm just. ." Amelia broke Satoru's sentence.
"I know what you mean. Don't worry about it, I know everybody is like that every once in awhile."
"But not you. ."
"I wouldn't be so sure. ."
"I know I won't be so sure now."
"Anyway. . Senra, you know it's 10:30. The Medea that we're scheduled on is to depart in around 45 minutes."
"Okay. I guess we should go now. ." Senra turned off the light as Satoru attempted to go back to sleep. He heard Amelia say something, but it was inaudible. The electronic door slid open, and he heard footsteps go out, which must have been Amelia's. Senra was getting his book bag until something. . Something came across Satoru's mind.
"Senra!" Satoru called out to Senra, and both Senra and Amelia stopped in the doorway.
"Yeah?" Senra replied.
"What Medea are you going to be on?"
"Um. . Number 2, it's called Free Bird . Why do you ask?"
"No reason. Have fun in the military."
"I will, for your sake. ." Senra replied, and then the door slid shut as Satoru sat up in bed. He looked out of the window, and once again, saw the partying pilots out there, biding their time in the most obscure methods as possible. Satoru picked up the lamp that was available to him, and looked at it as he was studying something on it. Several thoughts betrayed themselves into the captivities of his mind. Mostly things that Sergeant Stone said to him over the months that he's been here. Training at his best, and the Sergeant still put him down. No matter how good he did. In fact, if you did well, that deserved even more verbal criticism. However. . Something occurred to Satoru. Some sort of prelude. . He may think I'm still unstable, but now. . I don't agree with him.
"Perhaps. . That is what he was trying to teach me. . Maybe that's why he said that. ." Satoru seemed to have some sort of new found hope, as he quickly got out of bed, and started to gather his belongings. He came across a pill case that said the medicinal prescription on it, but it said in bold letters "PW-SUPRESSOR". He was going to get on the ship, no matter what risk it took. . He would see his friend again, no matter what. And he would get the Zeon back, even if it costs him his life. After all, Zeon was the one military force that a person like him could not forgive. .
"If it wasn't for you, Zeon, I wouldn't even be in this mess. . I could be a normal kid, but instead," Satoru looked down to the PW-SUPRESSOR pill-case. "I'm just a freak. ."
To Be Continued.
****
Author's Notes
[1] Black Trinary - Okay. The Black Trinary (Or Black Tri-Starts for the dub version) where the 3-team Zeon pilots who used the Dom mobile suit in the Mobile Suit Gundam TV series, and is famous for their team effort technique, the "Jetstream Attack". They get an honorable mention because they have been in the One Year War since the early stages, and even captured a Federation General with the Jetstream Attack. Just with Zakus at that.
