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 10

By:  Diane Maher



          "Prime Minister Wong!" exclaimed Master.  "What are you doing here?"

          "I have business with the Neo-Austrian President," replied Wong.

          Behind Wong, Claus gave Master a hand signal indicating that he needed to speak to him.  "I see.  I have other matters to attend to," said Master.  He inclined his head and left the room.

          Wong opened a panel on his floating chair and removed a small briefcase.

          "Everything you need is inside.  I have also given you a place in Neo-Hong Kong where you may conduct your operation in secret.  The location is in the briefcase.  I hope you get what you planned for, Claus," said Wong.

          "I will.  Thanks to you and Master Asia," said Claus.  "Revenge will be mine."

          Wong left the room.  Master entered a few minutes later.  "What else do you need?"

          Claus said, "I will need your help in training this fighter."

          "WHAT?!?!" demanded Master.  "You don't just train someone in four weeks! That's all we have until the finals in Neo Hong Kong!"

          Claus smiled evilly.  "He is a gundam fighter.  All we need is for him to be able to utilize this gundam's abilities to their fullest."  He handed Master several pieces of paper.  "I believe that my request is within your ability to achieve in two weeks' time."

          Master glared angrily at Claus and crushed the paper in his fist.  "You're a fool! Why do you want me to train this man?"

          "That's of no consequence to you, Master," replied Claus.  "Just do it.  Those papers which you just crushed detail what this gundam is capable of."

          Master spread the crumpled pages, read the information, then looked at the prisoner and nodded.  "I'll do it."



          None of them noticed the man cloaked in the shadows of the rafters above.  Schwarz couldn't figure out what was going on.  Why did Claus want revenge? The man was already the President of Neo-Austria.  With narrowed eyes, Schwarz suspected he already knew who the target for Claus' vengeance was.  Karla was a sitting duck if Claus knew where she was currently located.  She might already be in trouble.  If that was the case, then so was Niklas.

          What gundam are they talking about? Who is the man strapped to the table? mused Schwarz.  By their comments, he is a gundam fighter, but from where? He would have to check that out when he returned to the Guiana Highlands.

          The part of him that was Schwarz Bruder was already considering a plan to keep an eye on Claus.  If he so much as lays a hand on either Karla or Niklas, he will pay for any injuries he causes to them! On the other hand, the part of his mind that was Kyoji, tried to suppress these thoughts and instead turned his mind towards how to assist Domon achieve the completion of his training sooner.  As much as he didn't want to, Schwarz knew he had to abandon Claus for the moment.



          While Karla and Niklas were enroute to the Guiana Highlands in the Neo-Austria transport, Claus contacted them.  Karla went to the communications room to take the call.  As Karla sat in front of the computer, she wondered what Claus wanted.

          His face appeared on the screen and he said, "Upon your arrival in the Guiana Highlands, I want you to find the Neo-Japan fighter and any other fighters who are there.  Then, contact me with a report.  In the meantime, remember, you are fighting for our nation."

          Karla's eyes narrowed suspiciously, but she acknowledged his request with a brief nod.  "All right, I'll contact you as you ask."

          "Good.  I'm returning to the colony.  Contact me there," said Claus.  He then hung up.

          Our nation? thought Karla angrily.  No, Claus.  It is your nation, not mine!

          Niklas came into the room.  "What did that fool want?"

          Karla giggled.  "That fool, as you so aptly describe him, wants me to contact him after we determine who else is in the Guiana Highlands when we arrive."

          "Why?" asked Niklas.

          Karla snorted.  "Who knows? I'm going there to train so I can perform my ultimate technique."

          "Can't you already do it?" asked Niklas.

          "No, it requires a certain mindset that I've not been able to master.  I know the details and mechanics of the technique, but without the extreme focus of the mind that it demands, the technique won't help me in a fight."

          "Let me know if I can help you in any way," said Niklas.



          Karla and Niklas had arrived in the Guiana Highlands late the previous night.  As they approached, Karla scanned the area with the ship's external cameras in night vision mode.  The computer identified gundams from Neo-Japan, Neo-America, Neo-Russia, Neo-China and Neo-France.  She spent most of the first day in meditation and spent the evening with Niklas.  At the start of the gundam fight, she would have thought it bad to have a relationship, but now, so much had happened to her since then.  One thing she was certain of, being close to Niklas felt right to her.

          Looking at her watch, Karla saw that it was almost daybreak.  She returned to the communications room.  Turning on the computer, she called Claus.  A moment later, a sleepy Claus answered.

          "What? Who? Oh, Karla.  It's you," said Claus.  A woman's bare arms slid around his neck.

          Karla turned away from the screen, disgusted.  "Don't let me disturb you while you wreck another woman's life!"

          "Huh? What d'ya mean?" asked Claus sleepily.

          "You know exactly what I mean, you bastard!" Karla retorted.

          Claus rubbed the sleep from his eyes.  "What do you want to talk to me for, Karla? Can't you see I'm in the middle of dictation?"

          "Dictation, my ass!" spat Karla.  "You wanted a report on which gundam fighters are in the Guiana Highlands."

          "Oh, that! Call back again in an hour and my secretary here will take down the information," replied Claus.

          Karla's tone was harsh.  "You'll take the information now.  I won't call you back."

          Claus sighed.  "If you insist, go ahead."

          Karla frowned as she said, "Our computer identified gundams from Neo-Japan, Neo-America, Neo-Russia, Neo-China and Neo-France."

          "Is that all?" asked Claus.

          "Yes," replied Karla.  She wasn't about to reveal the presence of Neo-Germany's gundam here.

          "Danke, my former love," whispered Claus; his expression was one of sudden pleasure.  A moment later, the screen went blank.

          Karla narrowed her eyes in anger as she stood and pulled on her black cloak.  As she headed for the door, she picked up her katana.  She felt the urge to destroy something.

          Karla stormed outside the transport and slammed the door closed behind her.  She clenched her fists, closed her eyes and screamed to vent her frustration.  When she was calm once more, she sensed someone nearby.  She turned around and looked, but found no one in the immediate area.

          Karla slowly drew her katana from its sheath across her back.  With no hesitation, she charged toward the forest.  Her blade bit through several trees before she stopped.  There was still a presence here.

          Her mind focused for an instant before she asked, "Who's there?"

          A tall man with blue and pink hair strode into the clearing.  "Are you all right? I thought I heard a woman scream in this area."

          "I'm fine.  I was..." Karla paused.  "Frustrated and angry, so I screamed to vent my emotions.  I feel better now."

          Chibodee asked, "So, who the heck are you, some kind of ninja? For your information, Halloween is past."

          "I am."  She turned and walked back to where her gundam stood and Chibodee followed.

          "What?" asked Chibodee as he touched the surface of the machine, ignoring her reply.  "This is a cool-looking gundam, though mine is better.  Where's the pilot?"

          Karla's eyes narrowed.  "Don't patronize me, Chibodee Crockett of Neo-America! I am the pilot of the Midnight Gundam you are so blatantly criticizing!"

          The sun slowly rose over the horizon as he stopped looking at the gundam and turned to face her.  "I'll have to fight you then.  It's not often you see a female gundam pilot.  What nation do you represent? Come to think of it, what's your name?"

          Karla put her hands on her hips.  "I represent Neo-Austria.  My name is Karla Geist."

          When the sunlight crept into the clearing, Karla watched as Chibodee saw her in the light for the first time.  He came over to her, winked and said, "Hey, you've got a gorgeous figure, maybe we should postpone that fight.  But why do you wear a mask?"

          "I wear it for personal reasons," commented Karla as she turned and walked toward the transport, ignoring the pass he made at her.

          "Are you some kind of coward?" demanded Chibodee as she walked away.

          Karla glanced back over her shoulder.  "I'm no coward."

          "So what are you doing here?" asked Chibodee.

          "I'm here to train and fight to see how much I've improved," replied Karla.

          "Humph! Why am I wasting my time with a female fighter?" Chibodee asked himself.

          Beneath her mask, Karla smiled.  "It sure took you long enough to get past your male posturing!"

          Chibodee growled.  "That has nothing to do with it!"

          Karla laughed as she snapped her fingers and Midnight Gundam came alive.  She jumped up to the cockpit, entered and the door closed.  She removed her cloak, dropped her katana, shed her clothes, and activated the mobile trace system.  The rings began their downward journey.  As they passed her head and neck, a skintight suit was formed around her body.

          This was the part she disliked.  Karla felt the cool air on her skin as the rings continued their downward descent, as well as the pressure being exerted by the high-tech substance, until her body was covered with her black mobile trace suit.  With her black mask, she looked like a shadow inside the dark cockpit until the monitors around her came to life.  The system confirmed its readiness for battle.  She flexed her wrists, arms and legs.

          Gundam Maxter arrived a moment later.  "Ready!" Chibodee called.

          "Go!" Karla shouted.



          Schwarz watched from atop his gundam's shoulder as Midnight Gundam and Gundam Maxter began their battle.  He made no move to interfere when it appeared that Gundam Maxter was going to win.  Then Midnight Gundam started glowing.

          He folded his arms across his chest and closed his eyes for a moment.  "Humph! So, you've managed to activate your super mode, Karla.  Let's see if you can use its power."

          When Schwarz opened his eyes again, he found that Gundam Maxter wasn't letting up; also, Chibodee's punching attack was much more powerful than the last time he'd seen it in New York City.  He watched as Midnight Gundam's sword lengthened to twice its original size.



          "Is this the best you can do against me, Karla Geist of Neo-Austria?" Chibodee mocked.

          "No!!" shouted Karla.  Midnight Gundam's eyes flashed green in response to Karla's surge of emotion.

          She charged towards Chibodee and her super mode activated.  Chibodee raised his arm to block Karla's attack.  She brought her midnight sword to bear on him and noticed that it was twice as long as before.  Gundam Maxter blocked her sword attack, but Karla followed through with a punch.

          As Karla was about to punch him, her right arm became intangible until she connected with his jaw.  This happened despite Chibodee's attempt to block her punch.  Her fist connected with his head and Gundam Maxter fell backwards to the ground and slid into a nearby lake.

          "What the?" Chibodee asked, stunned.  He rubbed his face where she'd made contact.

          Midnight Gundam stood motionless.  Inside its cockpit, Karla was staring at her right hand.  How did I do that? she thought.

          "That was an interesting attack; I've never seen anything like it."  Chibodee was breathing hard from exertion and assumed her lack of movement was for the same reason.  "However, it seems we're both exhausted now.  I suggest a draw," said Chibodee as Gundam Maxter slowly sat up.

          "Um, yes.  A draw," replied Karla slowly.  She was still surprised at what she had been able to do.  Karla focused on Chibodee once more.  "Until the next time, Neo-America."

          Karla opened her gundam's cockpit and walked out.  Looking down, she saw the all-female crew of the Neo-America gundam with Chibodee.  She jumped down, clothes and katana in hand and headed for her transport.

          I wonder if it has anything to do with being honest with myself? I've mastered most of the principles of the Blitzkrieg Valkyrie, but this particular one has always been out of reach - until now.  Still, I don't know how to control this part of the technique.



          Later that evening, Karla went outside to clear her mind.  She walked to a nearby clearing and sensed someone there.  Focusing her senses for a moment, she said, "Hello, Schwarz."

          "What did you do that your arm and fist went right through Chibodee's block?" asked Schwarz as he entered the clearing.

          Karla shrugged.  "I'm not really sure.  Whatever it was, happened after he mocked me about not being able to do any better than I had up to that point of the fight."

          "If that technique is what I think it is, you must be able to not only have a focused mind, but you must be completely honest with yourself," said Schwarz.

          No wonder I couldn't do that technique! thought Karla.  I've denied who I really am and how I really feel since the start of the gundam fight.

          "That was a good fight.  I see that you have progressed a great deal with your training since I last saw you.  I'm sure that Niklas has a lot to do with it."

          Niklas walked out of the transport and headed towards them.  "Karla?" he called.  As he approached the edge of the forest, he collapsed.

          Karla's eyes grew wide at the sudden sound behind her.  Schwarz noticed this and asked, "What's wrong?"

          Karla turned and ran to the edge of the forest.  She cried out, "Oh, no! Schwarz, come quick!"

          "What happened?" demanded Schwarz.  He inhaled sharply when he saw Niklas face down on the ground.

          "I don't know!" replied Karla.  "Should we move him?"

          Schwarz ran his hand over Niklas' back and found a dart that he removed and slid into his coat pocket.  "Yes, I think we should.  It's not safe here.  It looks like someone shot him and if we stay here, we could be next!"

          Schwarz carefully picked up Niklas' body and they headed back to the Neo-Austria transport.  As Karla entered, Schwarz carefully took Niklas to the bedroom, lay him face down on the bed and said, "Stay here with Niklas.  I'm going to the Neo-Japan camp and get Rain.  She's a doctor and can help him."

          Karla nodded and increased the amount of light in the room.  Niklas was breathing evenly, but seemed to be shivering.  She carefully covered Niklas with a blanket until Schwarz returned with this person called Rain.

          "What…happened, Karla?" whispered Niklas a few minutes later.

          "I don't know.  You were coming to get me and then you fell," replied Karla.  "Stay still.  Schwarz has gone to get help."

          Schwarz returned with a thin, reddish-brown haired woman a few minutes later.  She quickly crossed the room and started examining Niklas.  Then, she pulled out a medical scanner, turned it on and slowly ran it over Niklas' body.

          "Well?" asked Karla, anxious.

          Rain looked at the readings and said, "Schwarz, the scanner indicates something on his back."  She then lifted Niklas' shirt.

          Karla inhaled sharply, "What is that gray patch on his back?"

          At the same instant, Schwarz thought, No! It can't be! Niklas is infected with DG cells?!

          Karla watched as Rain administered something to Niklas.  "What's that?"

          "Just something to ease his pain and allow him to sleep," replied Rain.

          After Rain injected Niklas, Karla sat on the other side of the bed.  Looking down at Niklas, Karla realized how much she really cared about him.  She reached out, touched his skin and found it to be very warm.

          "Rain, should Niklas be as warm as he is?" asked Karla.  "After all, he was shivering before you arrived."

          "I think his body is trying to ward off the..." Rain began and then cut herself off.

          "The what?" asked Karla, having heard Rain's slip of the tongue.  Her concern was evident in her eyes and her voice as she turned to face Rain.

          "Uh...the compound he was injected with," Rain replied quietly before glancing nervously at Schwarz.

          Karla's eyes narrowed as she suspected that Rain was keeping something from her.  She leaned close to Rain.  "Do you know what Niklas was injected with? If you do, I suggest you tell me now.  I don't want him to die because of me!"

          "I...I can't.  I'm not sure," Rain stuttered.

          Karla was furious.  "TELL ME!!!"

          Schwarz placed his white gloved hand on Karla's shoulder.  "Relax Karla.  Right now, there's nothing you can do for Niklas."

          Karla whirled to face Schwarz.  "What?" she whispered hoarsely.

          "Niklas has been infected with DG cells," whispered Schwarz.  "I can't do anything for him either, except make him comfortable and allow Rain to do what she can for him."

          "But..." Karla said.

          Rain said, "I'm sorry Karla.  Schwarz is right.  What we need to do is get this man to a hospital so he can be properly treated."

          "Um, Karla?" asked Schwarz.  "I don't suppose you recognize this?" He handed Karla an empty dart.

          Karla looked at the dart.  "No."  Something on it caught her eye.  She went over to a light and looked closely at it.  The colored stripes around the dart just above the needle were the same pattern as the Neo-Austrian flag.  "Oh no..."

          "What is it?" asked Rain and Schwarz in unison.

          "I..." Karla began then shook her head, turned and walked outside.

          "Please stay here with Niklas," said Schwarz.  Rain nodded.

          Karla walked outside and stared up at the starry night sky.  A brisk breeze blew her cloak forward.  Schwarz walked up and stood next to her.

          Schwarz looked at Karla.  "Who would do this and why choose Niklas?"

          Karla replied quietly, "I believe that I was the one meant to be infected.  Look at the colors of the stripes just above the needle.  They are the same as the Neo-Austrian flag."

          "So you think that Claus sent someone to infect you with DG cells? But why?" asked Schwarz.

          Karla shrugged.  "To try and ensure that I'll return to him? He's pathetic enough to use such tactics."

          "Humph! You can bet that he'll try something else against you," commented Schwarz.  "I saw the Neo-Austrian President while I was in Neo-Switzerland and there's more to his plan than infecting you with DG cells, I can assure you of that.  You must watch your back."

          "I shall," replied Karla.  What was Claus doing in Neo-Switzerland?



          It was the middle of the night when a solitary ship arrived at the President's residence in Neo-Austria.  A man left the ship and was escorted by two men on the President's security staff to where he was to meet with Claus.  The meeting room was located deep in the ground beneath the residence.  The two men searched the newcomer thoroughly with their x-ray machines and weapon detectors.  He was not armed.

          "The President is waiting for you.  Please follow us," one of the men said.

          They walked to a set of polished oak double doors.  The security man on guard outside the door, whispered into a communications device.  After the person on the other end replied, the man opened the door for the trio.

          They walked in and the visitor noticed the opulence of the place.  He wondered how much this cost the citizens of Neo-Austria.  By the time he stopped gawking at the furnishings, he arrived at the desk of the President.

          "Return to your posts, gentlemen," Claus said.

          The man watched as the two security guards walked to the far side of the desk and took up their posts on either side of Claus.

          "Your report?" asked Claus.

          "I infected the gundam fighter as you asked," the man said.

          "Good.  Then she wasn't too much of a problem?" asked Claus.

          As he realized his mistake, the man's eyes widened in shock.  "Uh, no sir, mister President, sir."

          There was something wrong, Claus could tell by the man's sudden change of tone.  "What did you do?" he demanded.  His fists clenched in anger.

          "I..." the man began nervously.  "I...uh...I..."

          "Come on man, spit it out!" shouted Claus.

          "I infected the man, not the woman," the man replied fearfully.

          Claus muttered a string of curses in German.  "I can't believe this!!! You infected the wrong person!" He slammed his palm on the desk.  "We only had enough for one shot! Verdammt!"

          "I'm sorry, mister President!" the man cried out, terrified.

          "Yes, you are sorry.  The sorriest excuse for a mercenary I've ever seen!" Claus nodded once to the security guard closest to the man.  The guard raised his gun and fired several shots into the man's chest.  The man slumped to the ground, dead.

          Claus smiled evilly.  "Remove him.  If anyone asks, he made an attempt on my life.  He tried to kill me with his bare hands.  See to it that the appropriate procedure is followed."

          "Yes, mister President," the security guard replied.  He radioed the security staff.  Soon the matter was taken care of and the office was empty once more save for the two security guards.

          Claus left and his two security guards followed him.  He frowned as he considered the Karla Geist matter.  He continued thinking about it as his chauffeur drove his car to the Presidential residence.  Once there, he could enjoy the night with his secretary.  I'm not through with you yet, Karla! If you make it to Hong Kong, I'll deal with you there! thought Claus.