Author's note: Others own the rights to the G-Gundam characters. All other characters are my creations. Please do not use them without my permission.
Shadow Life – Part 9
By: Diane Maher
Late that night, the Neo-Austrian team arrived in the Guiana Highlands. In the cockpit of their transport, Karla began tracing the signal from her tracer inside Shadow Gundam. She gave the coordinates to Niklas and he landed in a clearing adjacent to the one where Shadow Gundam stood.
After landing, Karla went outside. She breathed in the clean air and looked up at the stars. It was an incredible view of the night sky.
"You can come out Schwarz," said Karla.
Schwarz came into the clearing and stood next to her. "I see things have improved for you, Karla. You were able to sense my presence."
"Yes," said Karla as she turned to face him. "I have regained much of my mental focus thanks to you and Niklas."
"Glad to hear that we were able to help," Schwarz said.
Changing the subject, Karla said, "Schwarz, George de Sand challenged me to another match. I didn't experience the same terrible fear of him that I felt after my recovery from the first match with him."
"Did anything happen to him during the fight?" asked Schwarz. "What I mean is did he lose his head like before?"
"No, as far as I can tell, he didn't," replied Karla. "I was able to soundly defeat him. His defeat humiliated him enough that it was easy for me to convince him to come here to fight against Domon."
Schwarz commented, "After the Shuffle Alliance was freed from the influence of the DG cells by their predecessors sacrifice and from Master Asia's control by Domon, I realized by their attitudes that they needed to be made to understand how weakened they were after that experience. This is why I asked you to help me get them to come here, so they could fight each other and, if necessary, us, to train themselves for the ultimate fight against the Dark Gundam."
"I understand," said Karla. "I was surprised when I didn't feel the fear. I am grateful, though. I suppose that the ultimate test is actually to be around George de Sand for any length of time. If I can, I'll know that I'm over my fear of him."
"The other problem you face from him is whatever is haunting him. I believe that George's experience with the DG cells opened an old wound deep within him and that, along with the Dark Gundam, is what George is fighting. I have watched him as he works out and heard his nightmarish screams coming from his tent at night. The next morning, when I saw him, he looked like he never slept at all."
"Hmmm…I can see why George's behavior is unusual. However, I shouldn't be afraid of George now that I know more about the situation," said Karla.
"Let the Shuffles settle down and fight each other for the moment," said Schwarz. "I suggest that later, after I check on Domon, you and I do some sparring."
Karla's expression relaxed and she acknowledged, "I'd like that. Like them, I also need to fight a stronger opponent. I'll rest until then." She changed the subject again, "By the way, the new President of Neo-Austria wants me to find and challenge Domon Kasshu."
"New President?" asked Schwarz. "What happened to the old one?"
"The news services say that he committed suicide. I think that he was murdered. My ex-boyfriend Claus Stromberg is the new President of Neo-Austria," replied Karla with a frown.
"What?! He's the man who kidnapped me!" Schwarz said angrily.
"I despise Claus for what he and the Neo-Austrian government have done to make my life hell, but I am also stuck taking orders from him," replied Karla. "When I spoke to Claus earlier, I sensed something wasn't right."
"What did you sense?" asked Schwarz.
Karla shrugged. "I think he's up to something and it's evil whatever it is."
"I understand that feeling. I sense evil too; though I believe what I am sensing is the Dark Gundam," commented Schwarz.
"Hmmm...How is Domon Kasshu's training going?" asked Karla.
"He is training himself, though as usual, it seems to be all physical; he just doesn't understand the mental aspect to what he is trying to achieve," replied Schwarz.
Karla turned away and rubbed her arms as though she was cold. "And what is he trying to understand?"
"He's trying to master the ability to use his gundam's super mode at will," replied Schwarz.
"I see," said Karla.
"Do you feel that you still need a lot of help with your training?" asked Schwarz.
Karla sighed. "I haven't asked my sword yet." With that, she charged toward a tree that was as wide as Schwarz. She drew her katana and swung it at the tree. The blade glinted in the moonlight as it swiftly sliced through the tree.
Schwarz came over, looked at the tree stump, the katana and Karla's eyes as she turned to face him. He saw the confidence there and knew that she had made far better progress on her own than Domon could ever hope to."
"I think you've found your answer," said Schwarz.
"I haven't been able to do that since before the gundam fight started. I shall continue training whilst I am here," responded Karla. "There is a technique or two that I would like you to help me with, but that can wait until you feel Domon is improving himself."
"Good. I'll come back then. In the meantime, keep talking to Niklas as you have been, he is the key for you. Good bye for now, Karla. I'll see you later."
"Good bye, Schwarz," whispered Karla as he turned and disappeared into the dark forest. She turned and went back inside the transport ship where Niklas was waiting.
"What did he say?" asked Niklas.
Karla paused in the hall and said, "We talked about various things."
As Niklas looked at her, something inside Karla snapped then and she turned and ran to her bedroom. As she entered, she pulled off her mask and dropped it on the table. Niklas came in after her and she felt his arms encircle her in a gentle embrace.
"No!" Karla cried out as she shook off his hands.
Niklas paused before he asked, "What?"
"I shouldn't..." began Karla softly.
"Shouldn't what?" asked Niklas, perplexed.
"I shouldn't allow myself to feel...to have...romantic feelings for you...or...anyone." Karla sniffled as she continued, "Not until after the gundam fight is over."
Niklas saw Karla's body shaking with the force of her emotions. He gently reached out, turned her to face him and she put her head into his shoulder and wept. He lightly stroked her hair and her back to reassure her of his presence.
When Karla regained her composure, she looked into Niklas' dark eyes. At first, she was unsure of allowing him to touch her, but then realized that Niklas meant her no harm and she didn't pull away. Karla relaxed and found that she felt safe in his arms.
Niklas leaned close to Karla and his lips touched hers in a tender kiss that said more to her than mere words ever could. Something deep within her soul opened and she suddenly understood Schwarz's last words to her before he left. Niklas is the key to her future as a fighter and as a woman.
* * * * * * *
In Neo-Austria, Claus left to begin his trip to Geneva. He had plenty of men to guard him and his precious cargo. The next day, Claus and his entourage arrived safely in Geneva. They headed for the vacant Swiss team's base. He would meet the mysterious caller soon and start his plans in motion. Karla would pay for her defiance of him. Once the mechanic - who was his agent - had been dismissed from his post watching Karla and reporting on her every action, Claus had not been able to ingratiate himself with the new mechanic. Niklas Bruder refused to accept bribes of any sort. Claus was beginning to regret allowing his predecessor to give Karla a new mechanic, especially one from Neo-Germany.
Claus wondered if Niklas was related to Schwarz. When he arrived at his destination, he went to a terminal, entered a code for the intelligence service and typed in an inquiry. A few minutes later, the information he requested appeared on the screen. He pressed a button to get a printout. It pays to be President! he thought smugly.
After closing down the computer, he examined the printout. As he read the information, he realized how little was known about this man Niklas. There was no reference to his family; only his mechanical skills with a gundam were listed. What is it about people with the last name of Bruder? Didn't they exist in the computers? thought Claus angrily.
Claus dropped the papers on the table and then slammed his palms on them. Pressing a button, a screen activated. He pressed a series of buttons and a map of Earth came up on the large screen on the wall of this office. A moment later, a light began flashing in the Guiana Highlands of South America. His eyes narrowed as he made a call on his secure personal line.
When the man on the other end answered, Claus said, "The target is in the Guiana Highlands. You have the material and you know what to do."
"Yes sir," the man said.
"Remember, you only have enough for one shot. Get that gundam fighter at all costs. You will report to me immediately when you have completed the job."
"Yes sir," the man responded.
Claus was satisfied and cut communications. An evil grin came over his face.
* * * * * * *
Somewhere in the Swiss Alps, the gundam fighter representing Neo-Switzerland and his crew had just finished setting up camp for the night.
A mysterious black gundam appeared out of nowhere. A voice called, "I challenge you to a gundam fight match!"
The fighter looked up. "I accept your challenge!"
Inside his cockpit, Master Asia smiled evilly. He held nothing back and within five minutes, the battle was over and the Swiss man was unconscious. The lone mechanic who served as the crew for Neo-Switzerland hastily ran inside their transport to send off a message to his nation pleading for assistance.
Master suspected that the man would do something like that and using his belt like a whip, sliced open the transport like a can of sardines. Several men dressed in black came out of the forest, entered the wrecked transport, and removed the mechanic's body. Whether the man had gotten a signal off was of no concern to him.
Master Gundam's thrusters fired, it took off and headed for Geneva carrying the Neo-Swiss gundam. Within the hour, Master Asia arrived at the Neo-Swiss base where he found Claus waiting for him.
Master laid the other gundam on the hangar floor, tore open its cockpit and then some of Claus' men climbed inside and removed the unconscious pilot.
"Bring him and follow me!" ordered Claus.
He headed inside the base's medical wing and went into a room where there was a table with straps in the center.
"Secure him to the table," said Claus.
Once the man was secured, Claus took a box from the refrigerator, opened it and pulled a syringe from it.
He tilted the syringe toward the ceiling and carefully squeezed the plunger to remove the excess air from it. Claus heard the sound of ripping fabric and a moment later, injected the man with the contents of the syringe.
"Master, how long until the final battle?" asked Claus.
"There's still a month left. What did you inject him with?" asked Master in reply.
"This is a sedative. He is to be transported to Neo-Hong Kong. I'll keep him in protective custody until then," replied Claus.
"Then why did you need him captured so soon?" asked Master.
From the shadows was heard soft, menacing laughter. "So many questions, Master!"
"Who's there?" demanded Master.
The man who came out from the shadows was none other than Prime Minister Wong of Neo-Hong Kong.
