Chapter 2: Towards the Rock

Commander Anthony Curran drifted down from the cockpit of his Geara Doga to the gantry where his wingman was standing. As the two pilots exited the hanger Anthony observed the younger man's movements. The most notable thing to Anthony was the assertiveness of the pilot's body posture, the younger pilot was obviously proud of his success today.

'You performed well today.' said Anthony, 'You're fast becoming an excellent pilot.'

'Thank you sir,' replied Edward Carson, 'I'm honoured that you would take note of my abilities.'

'How could I miss them?' said Anthony with a hint of laughter in his voice. 'You dispatched that Jegan with great skill.'

'Thank you sir.' replied Edward, 'But sir, I have one question.'

'And that is?' asked Anthony.

'Well sir I was wondering why you seemed to have so much trouble with that Jegan today.'

'Yes he was a tough one.' mused Anthony. 'That pilot and I go back a long way. He and I were fighting each other when you were still at school. You should be careful if you ever have to fight him.'

'I'm not scared! I could take him!' said Edward defiantly.

'Many young pilots, just like you, have said that,' said Anthony his tone suddenly going dark. 'I've had to send a lot of letters home to families who've lost their sons to that man. I would hate to send another.'

Leaving the now brooding Edward in the pilots changing rooms Anthony made his way to the captains briefing room. The captain of the Lutzow was, in Anthony's opinion, an idiot. Not just because of the way the pre- battle barrage was fired way too early but also because he was man who was full of himself and incredibly arrogant. Even worse he was a liar, and Anthony didn't like liars. Anthony had been forced to endure the captain's dinner parties, where the captain made up fanciful stories of his alleged bravery during the One Year War.

When he entered the briefing room Anthony nodded to each of the officers, but ignored the captain. This briefing room wasn't the sort you'd expect to find on a warship, it was lavishly decorated with all the trappings of late 19th Century Europe. This room was yet another reason Anthony didn't like the captain; it served no purpose other than to satisfy the captain's obsession with the 19th Century.

The Captain's name was Ross Atherton; he was a short man who lacked any really definable features. The kind of person who if you passed in the street you wouldn't think twice about.

'Well gentlemen,' started Captain Atherton. 'After these last few days events we must consider our next course of action. Our main force has been scattered and by all accounts our leader is missing or possibly worse. Now my suggestion is for use to return to Sweetwater and await the rest of the fleets return.'

'Are you really so stupid Captain?' asked Anthony from the back of the room where he had his arms crossed. 'Do you really think we'll be able to just waltz back to Sweetwater? We all know how the Federation works they'll have already seized Sweetwater and going back there will end our little rebellion.'

'Then what do you suggest Commander?' asked Atherton who had venom in his voice and was clearly angered by Anthony's outburst.

'It's simple Captain. We must gather as much of our forces as possible while acquiring a base to act as a command centre.' said Anthony.

'And how do you intend to accomplish that?'

'Well to begin with we must understand our enemy. The Federation won't risk sending out the Colony Garrisons for fear of outright rebellion. So we only have to deal with their forces already in the field.' said Anthony. 'Currently they'll comprise of Londo Bell and any surviving forces from Luna 2. In its current state Londo Bell is not a problem, they've lost all their best pilots to the Battle of Axis. The Luna 2 fleet will similarly be shattered and of no really threat.'

'They not sound much of a threat Commander.' spat Atherton.

'Of course they don't, that's because they aren't.' replied Anthony. 'However we all know full well that the Federation has a knack of recovering quickly after they've been bloodied. We shall not have a long time before they are able to run us down easily.'

'So what is it you recommend?'

'We will go to the true home of Neo Zeon.' declared Anthony, 'and no I do not mean the shattered remnants of Axis. I mean Moussa and Core 3. The Federation will never think to search for us there.'

The great space dock ship La Vie En Rose II hid within a field of dummy asteroids not far from Luna. While she was named after her sister ship, which was sunk during the First Neo Zeon War, the La Vie En Rose II had numerous improvements built into her.

Through the dummy asteroid field the Sussex limped, as the two ships closed in on each other the La Vie En Rose's scaffold descended to secure the stricken vessel in place.

On the Sussex's bridge James couldn't hold back his feelings for the bigger ship. 'That is one ugly boat.'

'I think she's looking great right now.' replied Alexander 'Especially considering how much we need her. We're lucky there are even considering helping us out. It's not like the old days when we could go hook up with her whenever we wanted.'

'So who's commanding it?' asked James.

'From my understanding it's Catherine Williamson,' replied Alexander sheepishly. He watched realisation dawn on James' face before starting to laugh.

'No wonder.' said James with mock scorn. 'Who else would come and bail us out.'

'I can't think of anyone else with the spare parts we need.' said Kyle as he propelled himself onto the bridge. 'Do try to behave yourself when we dock James.'

'Whatever you say sir.' said James as he made his way to leave the bridge.

After the docking was complete a swarm of engineers and technicians from the La Vie En Rose II engulfed the Sussex as they surveyed the damage and calculated how long it would take to repair it all.

The Sussex's three pilots had little do since their mobile suits had been taken in for repair so they took advantage of the La Vie En Rose II's gravity block and suitably spacious canteen.

'The food here is pretty good isn't it?' said Michael Sutherns taking a bite out of the burger he ordered.

'Better than most ship's we've served on' commented Jason. 'I'm telling you, half the time we've been out in space the cook has always been a crappy one.'

The doors to the canteen opened and in walked a woman wearing the blue uniform of an Anaheim Electronics ship captain.

'Sitting down on the job again James? You'll get into trouble for doing that.' She declared as she walked towards the table where the three pilots were sitting. 'Hello Jason, I see you are keeping well.'

'As well as can be expected when you keep him as company,' said Jason as he jerked a thumb at James. 'You look well Catherine.'

'What have I done to deserve this level of abuse?' asked James indignantly.

'Being an arse for years on end.' replied Catherine Williamson as she used a free hand to gently hit James around the back of his head. 'I here you're squaring up against Anthony again, how many times does this make it?'

'I lost count long ago.' replied James. He ran his hands through his hair. 'I'm getting old; I don't know how much longer I can keep this up.'

'Maybe I have something that'll be able to help you.' said Catherine carefully. 'We're carrying a test unit that you might be interested in.'

'Oh what is it?' James sat up straighter in his chair as his interest was caught. 'Not another full armour Gundam is it?'

'Nothing so grand.' she replied. 'It's a powerful prototype Jegan Sniper unit, the RGM-89L Jegan-L.'

'I like the sound of it already.' James practically jumped out if his chair with excitement. 'Where is it?'

Catherine had to suppress a laugh. 'You're just a big kid at heart aren't you?'

Anthony fell into the chair in the corner of his small cabin on the Lutzow, he was tired not just from the days battle but from his very life style. Even the few years between the end of the First Neo Zeon War and the start of Char Aznable's Neo Zeon offensive hadn't been all that peaceful, most of that time was spent preparing of the Axis drop operation. Anthony really believed that he hadn't really rested since before the One Year War. At one time long ago he used to believe in all the rhetoric around the future of spacenoids, now he didn't believe in anything other than the desire to finish everything.

'Commander we're approaching Moussa.' said a bridge officer over the communication channel from the bridge.

'Very well.' managed Anthony quietly. 'I'll be along momentarily.'

The monitor died and Anthony slowly dragged himself out of the chair. He rubbed his face gently trying to get some life back into himself.

Anthony wasn't your normal Neo Zeon solider, unlike most of Char's followers Anthony was from the devastated Side 5 and not Side 3. He'd fought during the One Year War his piloting skills had only had let him achieve the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade but it didn't take long for one of the upper echelons noticed him. The idea of a solider not from Side 3 and doing well for the Principality was seen as a propaganda gold mine. Anthony was quickly promoted as far as Commander, but he had little real power it wasn't until the later stages of the war that he was able to get back on top the frontlines and into the fighting again. Then of course he ran into James again. That had been an interesting day.

Anthony exited his cabin and made his way to the bridge of the Lutzow. When he reached the bridge he could see the asteroid Moussa off in the distance, it was still lodged into the side of the Core 3 colony cylinder.

There was still something gnawing at the back of his mind as if he was forgetting something. Then he twigged and spoke aloud. 'Have the Graudenz dock with Moussa and assess the capabilities of the two.'

'What do you intend we do Commander?' asked Captain Atherton.

'We're going to pick something up that I left behind a little while ago.' replied Anthony calmly. 'Something I think we'll find very useful. Set heading to Side 2.'

The last few days had passed slowly for Alexander Jellico. The Sussex had been repaired to a fair degree of readiness by the La Vie En Rose II but now they were just quietly staking out a large pile of debris within Side 2. James had insisted on it. Alexander could remember the battlefield well but he wasn't entirely sure if Anthony would actually show up, it seemed such a long shot. Not to mention to fact they were still a pilot down.

'Any word from the Side 2 garrison?' he asked his communications officer.

'None yet sir,' replied the officer. 'There last message said they would send a ship out to meet us but that was four hours ago.'

'Typical, they never do anything you want them to.' said Alexander bitterly.

'Captain! I'm detection two contacts approaching.' reported the radar operatior loudly. 'They are coming from two different directions!'

'Identify quickly!' barked Alexander

'One Salamis Kai and one Musaka!' declared the radar officer.

'Oh great looks like the party is really starting now.' said Alexander through gritted teeth.

James sat in the cockpit of his new Jegan-L. It was a nice machine though most the improvements over the standard Jegan were merely average, however it was in the armaments where the new machine really shined. Long range missile pods on the shoulders and a long beam assault rifle made it a powerful machine.

James had no doubt that Anthony would come back to Side 2 eventually. This had after all been where they last fought each other and was where Anthony had abandoned his old ship, the Mirandra. James was sure that Anthony would come back for it; they were both sentimental old fools.

'Are you two ready?' he asked over the squadron communication channel.

'Yes sir.' replied Jason. 'We've gotta get them back for Henry.'

'I'm ready sir.' said Mike Sutherns.

'Right our mission is to stop them reaching the Mirandra at any cost.' said James firmly.

'What's the Mirandra sir?' enquired Sutherns

'It's a green Neo Zeon Endra class cruiser.' replied James. 'She's smashed up against an asteroid in this region, you can't miss her. An allied Salamis Kai is heading into the area so we'll have some back up for this run I don't know what her compliment is but I reckon it'll be GM IIIs.'

James' Jegan-L moved onto the catapult and readied itself of launch. Shortly after it was flung into space and catapult reset for the next mobile suit.

Curran's four Geara Dogas sped towards the green bulk of the Mirandra. Two of them peeled off to come around the ship from above while the second pair went in below.

Anthony observed the battered hull of his old ship with wistful remembrance; she'd been a good and strong ship. Now he needed her again. What he was after was hidden within her hold, powerful relics of the past conflict. He watched as a team of normal suited engineers boarded the ship, their mission was to prepare the equipment for his arrival.

'Lieutenant Carson, get ready to board the Mirandra.' started Anthony but his train of thought was cut off by a wave of mega particles flashing before his Geara Doga. 'What the hell!'

'Feddie Jegans sir!' yelled Carson as he dodged another beam.

'Damnit Panther when did you get so smart!' screamed Anthony. He swung his Geara Doga round and sent it hurtling towards the approaching Jegans. 'You bastard you're not supposed to be here yet!'

James grinned as the yellow and black Geara Doga hurtled towards him. He urged his Jegan-L to go faster as he levelled the long beam assault rifle again. The rifle had exceptional range and an unusually high rate of fire for what was especially a sniper rifle James just hoped he'd be able to use in successfully at the close ranges he and Anthony usually fought at.

'Looks like I've managed to you off.' James said to the image of the Geara Doga on his monitor. 'I can read you too easily Anthony; you've got to try harder!'

Jason Raynor's beam rifle spat fire at the enemy Geara Dogas. He and Mike Sutherns had gone after the pair hovering above the Mirandra while James had elected to take on the lower pair by himself. Naturally Jason wasn't really happy with James' decision but there was little he could really do. Ever since the end of the First Neo Zeon war Jason had noticed that James was acting more erratically he was worried that James might do something they'd all regret.

He fired the beam rifle again managing to score a scathing blow to one of the Geara Dogas causing it to tumble. He fired another two shots in quite succession causing the wounded Neo Zeon mobile suit to explode.

By now the four GM IIIs from the Salamis Kai cruiser Ardent had launched and were closing in on the melee. Although the GM IIIs were older than the Jegans they had more firepower at their disposal which helped to even out the differences in mobility.

Edward Carson also noted the arrival of the GM IIIs and decided to greet them. He kicked his Geara Doga into overdrive and thrust towards the intruders. As he closed his fired his beam machine gun at he lead GM. The yellow beam smashed through the GM III's titanium alloy shoulder armour. As the beam continued through it set off the missiles stored in the GM III's shoulder launcher. The secondary explosions sent the GM III careering out of control. The Geara Doga closed in and kicked the GM in its torso before firing its beam machinegun again and peppering the stricken GMs cockpit.

The other GMs broke formation to evade the rampant Neo Zeon ace. One GM swung around and fire off all its missiles at the Geara Doga. Carson deftly avoided the missiles and closed in brandishing his beam axe. He hacked off the GMs head before slashing its backpack he zoomed off away from the GM as it exploded.

James' Jegan and Anthony's Geara Doga span around each other trying to get an advantage. James fired the missiles built into his Jegan's shield and quickly followed up by first a quick burst of his long beam assault rifle. Anthony dodged the missiles but flew straight into the beam fire. The beams sliced off his mobile suit's right arm at the elbow. However he immediately recovered and wiped out his beam sword and took several short swipes at James' Jegan.

For his own part James back off trying to keep plenty of room between him and Anthonys damaged suit. Training the long beam assault rifles laser designator on the damaged suit he fired off three of his long missiles from the pods on his shoulder hardpoints.

All three of the missiles impacted with the Geara Doga. Anthony anticipated the danger and triggered his escape pod just in time. Cursing to himself Anthony attached a vernier pack to his normal suit and escaped the pod and headed to the Mirandra.

James knew than Anthony had survived the destruction of his Geara Doga but right now he knew he had something more important to do. Anthony's wingman was tearing through the GM IIIs and they had to be protected. He manoeuvred the Jegan around and jetted off towards the hostile Neo Zeon suit.

Carson's Geara Doga danced around the Salamis Kai class cruiser Ardent. The big ships weapons were throwing up a mighty hail of defensive fire but they failed to hit the agile mobile suit. The cruiser was however making it very difficult for Carson to get off a clean shot; he couldn't stay still long enough to aim properly.

Suddenly Carson felt the presence of an enemy approaching from behind him. He turned round just in time to see the Jegan off in the distance as it fired. The stream of mega particles smashed through Carson's beam machine gun and shredded the Geara Dogas torso. Carson swore as his mobile suit span out of control and half the monitors in his cockpit died.

Slowly Carson was able to regain control of the mobile suit. To his horror through the flashing, blinking static of his damaged monitors he could see the image of a GM III bearing down on him with its beam sabre drawn. Then just as abruptly as it appeared the GM III disappeared in a wash of yellow mega particles that enveloped the whole mobile suit.

The great beam carried on and smashed into the bow of the Ardent. The beam lanced through the missile storage bunkers and caused explosions deep within the warship that resulted in the Ardent's whole bow exploding. The force of the explosion caused the great warship to writhe off its even course.

James swung his Jegan-L around to see where the beam had come from. He desperately scanned the area before his vision fell on the Mirandra. 'No it can't be!' he gasped. Standing on the bow of the Mirandra was one of Neo Zeon's most fiendish mobile suits, it was a Doven Wolf with its beam rifle set to mega launcher mode.

The Doven Wolf aimed the mega launcher again and once it was full charged let loose another stream of mega particles. The stream raced through space and made contact with the command tower of the stricken Ardent. After that last attack the venerable cruiser hung dead in space as she was consumed by secondary explosions.

'Fall back!' yelled James to any allied unit that could hear him as he fired off a set of 'retreat' flares. 'We can't win this battle now!'