Mobile Suit Gundam: Raging Flames

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Chapter 3

Pain of Death

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UC 0125, 7 Days After Star Rage Disaster

Mobile Suit Pilot Training Center

Luna 1

"General Mihail, the assigned pilots for Project: GUNDAM have arrived." A young ensign said. His name was Ensign Cora. His family had always been in the military, and were all killed on relatively peaceful posts after many years of combat. In order to avoid this curse, he decided to join the Controller Corp. instead of a combat division. He was tall, with long, blond hair and a scar over his left eye. This was given to him when a transport ship crashed into the Control Area a few years ago. A piece of glass gashed that area so hard that his vision through his left eye had been halved.

"Roger that, ensign. Any problems?" asked General Mihail. He was tall and muscular, with a very gruff demeanor and red, short hair.

"Yes, sir, in fact, there was one. Colonel Jacob Akura did not turn up for departure. When they sent out a search party, they found him shot dead in the forest." Ensign Cora replied.

"We'll have to make do with Private Steuben for now." Said the general.

"Roger that." Replied Cora calmly.

Meanwhile, at the port sector, the passengers were disembarking from their transport. Although there was one missing, the pilots still filled most of the briefing square of the M.S.P.T.C.

"You have all been selected for the first large-scale militarization in this nation's history. There's a lot of credibility resting on your shoulders, so train hard. You are expected to maintain all ceremonial procedures that you were taught since before your assignment to your previous divisions. You will train in theoretical Mobile Suit operation, configuration, maintenance, program manipulation, and combat. You are expected to complete all sections as per the manuals. All sections will be graded, and you are expected to score 80 efficiency. You will now be assigned your quarters at this moment." A briefing officer said. He wore a black uniform, with a green hat on his head. His build was tall, but he was very skinny.

"Yes, sir." The pilot-candidates chorused.

UC 0125

Side 7 Militia Headquarters

Side 7

Arkala was at the foot of Hunter Gundam, which loomed over him. It's black, metallic frame was covered by blue armor, with a chest plate shaped like a five-pointed star. The head was masked by a steel plate, which was covered by a brown helmet. On the helmet, two large H-22 Auto Cannons were mounted, and were framed by a gold V. At it's foot was the Gundam's rifle, a large, grey one with what looked like a sniper scope on top.

"Colonel." A soldier with slicked-down hair and a beard said.

"Yes, soldier?" Arkala asked.

"Here are your orders." The soldier said, handing Arkala a manila envelope with "Secret" printed on the front.

"Thank you." Arkala replied, saluting. He sat on a bench that technicians normally used to keep their tools, opening the envelope and reading the pamphlet of orders. Everyone once and a while, he nodded silently, indicating his understanding.

Upon ending his reading, Arkala got up and walked to the officer in charge of the launch deck.

"Sir, Colonel Arkala reporting for a launch request on Path 1. This is a 'Secret' operation. No one is to know about the launch. Do not record it." Arkala said, when he reached the officer.

"Order packet?" the officer asked, and Arkala handed the pamphlet to the launch desk officer. "Everything seems to be in order." He said after a few moments. "You are cleared for a 'Secret' launch on Path 1."

"Thank you, sir." Arkala said, saluting, and proceeded to the Ladder, which would place him inside the cockpit of Hunter Gundam.

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UC 0125

Mobile Suit Pilot Training Center

Luna 1

After three weeks in training, Private Brian Steuben was finally starting to get the hang of piloting his assigned Gundam, and had advanced up to Beam Rifle Training. Every six days, they won't out on a patrol, in which the trainees practiced weapons training against Dumpsters, which were garbage cubicles that had been launched into space.

Now, Brian was in a maneuvering drill with his assigned squad. He had to find a way to take out a ship, which was represented by a Dumpster, that was defended by three Gundams.

"Akari, do you have a shot?" Brian asked into his headpiece, the first word that they had spoken since the drill started.

"Negative, Brian. They're playing it smart, surrounding the target with energy shields. I'm waiting for a break." Akari answered. Her full name was Kagari Akari, a first-generation Newtype who had been born into a very anti-Newtype family. When they found out about her abilities, they threw her into the street, where she had met Brian.

"Roger that, Akari. Be careful. I'll see if I can clear an opening." Brian responded.

"I understand. Let's wait until the rest of our squad get here."

"Roger that."

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UC 0125

Side 7 Militia Headquarters

Side 7

"Colonel Arkala, blasting off on Path 1." Arkala said, inside the cockpit of the Hunter Gundam. He hit a few buttons on his control board, and huge, airplane-like wings opened from holes in the back of the Gundam. Then, the rockets ignited, and the huge Gundam flew off into space.

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A/N: Sorry for the delay, but I had serious writer's block.