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 11
By: Diane Maher
It was late as Karla stood outside next to the Neo-Japan gundam and contemplated the chain of events which had led her here. First, she had suffered her father's wrath over her relationship with Claus. When she was arrested by the Neo-Austrians, her father allowed them to do what they wanted as long as his political image was still clean.
Participating in the Gundam fight as the representative of Neo-Austria had been Karla's only way out of a sentence of life in prison. Her first mechanic was sent to spy on her by the Neo-Austrian government. Then she was assigned a new mechanic, Niklas Bruder, who turned out to be the son of Schwarz Bruder, fighter for Neo-Germany.
Karla remembered how she initially was attracted to Schwarz. She stopped pursuing him once she learned he had a mission to accomplish. Meeting the enigmatic Schwarz Bruder was the real reason she had pursued the path she was on now and why she fought against the fighters of the Shuffle Alliance. They were more inexperienced than any of them would admit and Schwarz realized this.
Now, Karla found herself strongly attracted to Niklas. More recently, Karla discovered that Claus betrayed her and was now the President of Neo-Austria. Then the tragic turn of events when Niklas was infected with DG cells. She believed that she was the one who was to have been infected. It was still a mystery as to who wanted her infected with DG cells. Her instincts told her it was Claus. He would do anything to have power over her. It made her sick to even think about Claus. On the other hand, there was Niklas. Rain Mikamura was doing what she could for Niklas and Karla appreciated that. She sighed and the wind blew across the water, bringing a breath of fresh, cool air to the campsite.
It's so quiet and peaceful here, thought Karla. She closed her eyes and allowed her mind to reach out to the surroundings.
Something or someone walked up behind her and disturbed the peace. Without turning around, Karla said, "Hello Schwarz."
"Hello Karla. How is Niklas doing?" Schwarz asked.
"Rain is treating him now. I came out here so I wouldn't disturb her," Karla replied. "I realize that it was necessary to move Niklas here as Rain has the instruments and medicines she needs to treat him."
"I see," Schwarz said. He then went inside to see his son and Karla stood and followed.
As Karla watched Niklas being treated, she realized how she's been living this past year as though time was standing still. It was like the specter of Claus was holding her back. Or was that just her excuse? When she fought Chibodee and her gundam's super mode activated, she felt more like her old self before she had met Claus.
You have allowed time to stop since the incident with Claus. To get your life back, you must go on, time must continue! Don't you think you've wasted enough time on Claus? You can't love Niklas if you worry about Claus forever! Karla turned around and went back outside.
When Schwarz came back outside, Karla commented, "I felt at peace during my battle with Chibodee. I think that's how I was able to activate my gundam's super mode."
Schwarz came to stand next to her. "As you know, a serene state of mind is a clear heart without ill feelings or a guilty conscience. Only then can your skills improve."
Karla looked at him. "You're right. Niklas has helped me so much in the short time that I've known him and I feel like it's my fault that he was infected with the DG cells."
"Your guilt is holding you back now. I don't believe it's your fault that Niklas was infected. Remember, I was with you then," said Schwarz. "Neither of us saw the attack coming."
Karla nodded. "I am going back inside to see Niklas."
They both walked inside and stood at the bed where Niklas lay asleep on his stomach.
"Niklas," Karla whispered. She gently touched his shoulder.
"Karla, stay with Niklas and keep me informed of his condition," Schwarz whispered.
"Where are you going?" Karla asked.
"To see how Domon is doing in his training," Schwarz replied.
Behind them, the computer beeped as a call came through. Karla and Schwarz paused as Rain answered it.
"Hello?" Rain answered.
The voice they heard was of Raymond, the butler of the Neo-France fighter, George de Sand. Raymond sounded nervous. "Forgive me if I interrupted anything. I am..." His voice fell to a whisper, "I am very concerned about Master George."
"But why?" Rain inquired.
"I cannot say, but we will be arriving in the Guiana Highlands in the next few hours or so. Will you come and examine him?"
Rain replied, "Of course. If you contact me with your coordinates after you arrive, I can just show up by accident."
"Merci, Mademoiselle," Raymond said.
"Why are you so nervous?" Rain asked.
"Master George doesn't know I'm speaking with you," Raymond replied.
"But, shouldn't he know?" Rain asked.
"He's too proud to admit there's something wrong with him. His pride as a knight will not allow him to ask for help, even when he needs it," Raymond replied. "I must go." He hung up.
Karla and Schwarz heard all of this, but kept their eyes on Niklas. Rain hung up and came over to them.
"Niklas should sleep for a while. He'll be safe here," Rain said.
Karla looked at Schwarz who nodded. He said, "I'll be back later." Schwarz left and Karla sat in a chair across the room. Karla closed her eyes and dozed off.
The vibration from the door opening woke her. Someone had entered the room.
"Who is this man, Rain?" the newcomer asked. Karla watched from the shadowed corner as the brash youth wearing the red headband and cape stalked across the room.
"He's Niklas Bruder, the mechanic for the Neo-Austria fighter, Domon. He was suddenly taken ill and Schwarz came and asked me to see if I could help," replied Rain from the next room. "I brought him here because I have what I need to treat him here."
"Oh. How long will he be here?" Domon asked.
"I think he will be well enough to travel in a couple of days," replied Rain.
"K-Kar-la?" whispered Niklas as he moved to get out of bed.
Rain entered the room then and saw Niklas trying to get out of bed. She crossed the room and said, "Don't move, you're ill!"
Domon looked over and saw Niklas' back as the blanket which had covered him slid down to his waist. "You're infected with DG cells!" Domon exclaimed as he yanked off the blanket. Karla was silent as she watched Domon, though she was ready to act if he threatened Niklas.
"I must..." Niklas mumbled.
"You must stay still!" ordered Rain.
"How did you get infected with DG cells?" Domon demanded.
"Domon!" Rain exclaimed. "Leave him alone, he's ill!"
Domon ignored Rain and turned his attention back to Niklas. "I want to know how you came to be exposed to DG cells!"
He went to turn Niklas over when someone grabbed his hand. "What the...?!" exclaimed Domon.
"Don't you dare touch him!" a female voice ordered.
Domon pulled back his hand and saw the masked woman standing next to him. "Who are you?" he demanded.
"I am Karla Geist, the Neo-Austria fighter. This man is my mechanic and my friend," Karla replied.
"I must know how he came into contact with the Dark Gundam!" Domon said emphatically.
Karla's gaze turned to Niklas. Her tone was flat when she replied, "He didn't. Niklas was shot with a dart that either contained or was contaminated by DG cells."
"You sound so cold and emotionless, like you don't care about this man," said Domon.
The next thing Domon knew was that he was flat on his back with a sore jaw and the tip of a katana pointed at his throat. "How dare you!" Karla whispered hoarsely. "I care about this man more than you care about Rain!"
Domon's jaw dropped in surprise. He quickly recovered his wits and said, "Stay back, Rain."
"It's your move, Domon Kasshu," Karla said.
"It's none of your business how I feel!" Domon shouted. "You have no idea what I went through or why I'm fighting in the Gundam fight!"
"No, I don't. And you have no idea why I'm fighting in the Gundam fight either!"
"If you two are going to fight, then take it outside. Niklas needs to rest and won't get any if you're in here shouting at each other," Rain said.
Karla looked at Domon's eyes and saw the pain of guilt which she had seen so often in her own eyes when she thought of her situation. Domon's eyes widened and he backed down for some reason.
"Rain, I have made arrangements to check Niklas into a hospital upon our arrival in Neo-Hong Kong. We're to leave tomorrow night," said Karla. "Can he remain here until then?"
"Yes," Rain replied.
"Thank you," said Karla. She turned and left. Once outside, she vanished into the trees.
Domon left the transport and headed into the forest. Karla watched as Rain then came out and climbed aboard her motorcycle. Karla followed Rain as she drove through the forest. As the Japanese doctor slowed, the sounds of battle could be heard through the trees. As Karla paused, she looked around and saw Neo-France's Gundam Rose dueling with a smaller mobile suit.
Then, Karla watched as George's gundam fell awkwardly to the ground and his saber slashed through the empty air in front of him as the smaller mobile suit tried to help him. A cold chill went down her spine. It was happening again. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the scene in front of her. Karla felt herself trembling. She breathed deeply several times, and began a silent litany to help her regain control of her emotions. A few minutes later, the smaller mobile suit managed to calm down George de Sand. An older man escorted George to the tent that was erected nearby. Karla breathed easier.
"Consider yourself fortunate that I'm the only one who can hear you, Karla," a masculine voice said from below.
She looked down and found Schwarz standing there. She jumped down next to him and asked, "Why are you here?"
"Domon was at his campsite and for the moment, I'm leaving him alone. He can't get what he needs to complete his training on his own and he's too stubborn to listen to me. Come."
"What?" Karla asked, confused.
"It's your turn," Schwarz replied.
Karla went with Schwarz as the sun was at its peak for the day. They went into a cave. Karla sat across from Schwarz and they began their meditation. When they finished, they stood and for an instant there was silence in the cave. Karla vanished and attacked Schwarz. She held a kusari-gama in her hand and her sword was sheathed for the moment. He blocked her attack easily.
"Until you can hit me the first time, you haven't obtained your goal," Schwarz said. "You do not need your weapons."
Karla nodded and put away her weapons. She then continued attacking Schwarz. Each session lasted half an hour, and there was little time for her to rest. When she did rest, she used every technique she knew to relax herself. After a particularly rough session in which she almost hit Schwarz on the first try, Karla closed her eyes to relax. She relaxed so much that her mind seemed to be elsewhere. She was back in the Neo-Japan transport.
Looking down from above, Karla watched Niklas as he pushed himself up and removed the blanket covering him. The gray patch now covered most of his back and was now moving down his arms and legs. Rain came in and managed to get him to lie down again. She kept giving him a sedative to keep him asleep. Karla didn't like the look of what she saw. Niklas needed her to get him to a hospital, and soon. She had to finish her training now!
Schwarz charged Karla as she sat with her eyes closed in her meditative state. As he swung to hit her, Karla's left arm blocked his attack. Her right arm came up so swiftly that it was nearly invisible to him and she hit Schwarz with her first attack.
He backed away, stunned for a moment. Karla vanished in front of his eyes and tripped him up from behind. When Schwarz looked up, her katana was out and pointed at his throat. There was an unmistakable aura of confidence around her.
"I believe that you have found what you were missing, Karla," Schwarz said.
Karla sheathed her katana and replied, "Good. Danke, Schwarz."
"Can you do what you need to do?" Schwarz asked.
"Yes," Karla replied. She turned and left the cave.
Karla saw that the sun was now setting. She returned to the Neo-France campsite near the lake. Rain's motorcycle was parked near the tent. Karla swiftly made her way to the portion of the tent which was in shadow. She made sure that she was unobserved and listened as George, Raymond and Rain spoke as they consumed their dinner.
After Rain took off unexpectedly, Raymond soon left of his own accord. Karla followed the butler. She was surprised when he led her to the Neo-Japan camp. She continued her surveillance of the man from Neo-France. She listened while he explained to Domon and Rain what had happened to George. It would be interesting to see Domon's reaction and how he dealt with it. Karla assumed that Domon would confront George.
The next morning, Karla watched from the trees as George de Sand fought against Mirabeau. Then, at the end of the battle, she saw the light coming from George and wondered what it was. As she remained hidden in the trees, watching the aftermath, she noticed someone approach. A moment later, Schwarz was beneath her.
"Humph! Well, I see things are back to normal with them," commented Schwarz.
"I see that you are still guiding them," Karla observed.
Schwarz looked up. "Yes. I thought you were leaving."
"I have one more thing I must do before Niklas and I leave for Neo-Hong Kong," Karla replied. "I think that now would be a good time to see to it."
"I see. I must get back to seeing what Domon is doing with his training," Schwarz said.
There was an urgent edge to Schwarz's comment that Karla hadn't detected previously. She wondered what was going on.
After everyone else but his butler left the area, Karla entered the Neo-France camp. She saw George relaxing and sipping a cup of tea.
"Excuse me," Karla began, not knowing quite where to start.
George looked up, saw her and stood. "Mademoiselle, what are you doing here? Please, make yourself comfortable."
"I can only stay a minute. I need to know what that light coming from you today was and what it did to that man you fought," Karla replied as she sat.
George was taken aback by her reply. He said, "I removed the taint of the DG cells from him. The light came when I invoked my power as the Jack of Diamonds. Why do you want to know?"
"Because my mechanic and good friend Niklas has been infected with DG cells," Karla replied. "Can you please help him?"
George nodded. "I would be glad to help him. Where is he now?"
"He's at the Neo-Japan camp. Rain is doing what she can for him," replied Karla. "I was going to leave today and take him to a hospital for treatment."
George closed his eyes for a moment. "Perhaps you should still plan to do that even after I remove the DG cells from him."
Karla nodded. "Let's go."
Karla and George headed for the Neo-Japan camp. When they arrived, it was quiet and there was a campfire going in the center of the clearing. Karla looked at George who shrugged and went to knock on the door of the transport.
Rain answered the door. "Please, come in. Karla, I'm afraid that Niklas hasn't improved," Rain said.
"I see. Is he much worse?" asked Karla.
"He's stabilized because I've sedated him, but his condition is deteriorating rapidly," Rain replied. "George, what are you doing here?"
"Karla asked me to try and remove the DG cells from this man in the same manner as I did with Mirabeau," replied George.
Rain nodded and George went to stand next to the bed. Karla stood opposite George. She felt someone touch her. A quick glance showed it was Rain. Karla's brow furrowed beneath her mask. Rain moved back.
The crest on George's right hand glowed red. Karla watched as when George touched Niklas' back, the DG cells vanished. A wave of relief flooded through her and she smiled beneath her mask.
"Mademoiselle Rain, will you please check this man and make sure I got rid of all the DG cells?" George asked as his crest stopped glowing.
Rain replied, "Of course." She pulled out a scanner and scanned Niklas' body. When she was finished, she said, "He's fine and there are no DG cells in his body."
"Thank you, George de Sand of Neo-France. I cannot repay you for this deed," Karla said quietly.
"No thanks are necessary and you are not indebted to me. I was happy to do it; I have caused you more than enough pain in the recent past. The least I could do is help when you asked me," George replied.
Niklas opened his eyes and whispered, "Karla?"
Karla looked at Niklas. "I'm here, Niklas. You're okay."
"I know. I'm still pretty weak though," Niklas said.
"Karla, you should see to it that Niklas rests for a while before you leave. There are still a couple of weeks left before the finals in Neo-Hong Kong," Rain said.
"I will see to it that he rests," Karla said. "I will leave him here through the night so you can make sure he is healed, Rain. If you need me, I'll be outside meditating."
Rain nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow morning, Karla."
Karla turned to Niklas. "Guten nacht, mein Liebchen." Niklas smiled and closed his eyes to sleep.
When Karla went outside, she noticed that it was dark. She sat cross-legged on the ground, reached out with her senses. The waterfall was noisy, but she managed to tune it out. For the moment, both she and Niklas were safe and well. A while later, Karla sensed someone approaching and she knew it wasn't Schwarz. Her hands reached out and grabbed someone's arms.
When she opened her eyes, she found herself facing an Oriental youth. That didn't annoy her nearly as much as the fact that his fingers were curled beneath her mask.
"Who are you?" demanded Karla. "And why were you trying to remove my mask? Release it or experience serious pain."
The youth tried to pull off her mask. Karla pressed on a spot on each of his wrists. He yelled and released his grip from her mask.
"I'm Sai Saici of Neo-China. I thought you were someone else," Sai Saici said.
Karla replied, "I am Karla Geist, I represent Neo-Austria."
"What's the deal with you people wearing masks?" Sai Saici asked.
Karla replied, "That's none of your concern. Don't touch my mask again, Neo-China."
"Why are you here?" asked Sai Saici.
"Karla, Niklas is sleeping," Rain reported.
"To..." Karla paused as she sensed something nearby and whirled to face the forest. What's that? she thought.
"To what?" asked Sai Saici.
"Quiet!!" Karla insisted.
A moment later, a gundam appeared out of nowhere and rushed towards them. Karla was transfixed by it for an instant.
"Who is it?" Rain asked as they could now see the markings on the gundam. "I don't recognize that gundam!"
Karla narrowed her eyes as she considered the new enemy. She snapped her fingers and called, "Rise, Midnight Gundam!"
"Get back inside, Rain!" Karla ordered.
"Who is that?" Sai Saici asked.
"Damn it, get out of here!" Karla swore.
The bullets spraying the ground were enough to get everyone moving. A quick glance over her shoulder showed that Midnight Gundam had arrived. She quickly entered the cockpit and activated the mobile trace system. The auto diagnostic showed the systems were fully operational.
"I don't know who you are, but I am here to fight Domon Kasshu," the man in the gundam said.
"I am Karla Geist, representing Neo-Austria. Who are you?"
"I represent Neo-Switzerland," the fighter replied.
"I see. Well you'll fight me instead Domon Kasshu," Karla replied. She charged toward him. At the last moment, she disappeared.
"What the hell?!" exclaimed the fighter. "She's nowhere to be found!"
"You're pathetic!" Karla observed. She hit him from behind and he fell to the ground.
The Swiss fighter managed to get his gundam on its hands and knees. Karla kicked the enemy gundam in its stomach. It flew through the air, and splashed in the lake.
"Leave here at once, you're not worth my time!" Karla exclaimed.
The Neo-Switzerland fighter said to Karla, "The Dark Army...is approaching."
"What do you mean?" Karla asked, mystified.
"AAHHH!!!" the Swiss fighter screamed in agony. An instant later, his gundam vanished.
Karla watched with interest as her opponent vanished. Something was familiar about his gundam. Karla returned to the Neo-Japan campsite and saw Rain talking to the Neo-China fighter. They waited below just as she arrived.
"Who was that?" Rain asked.
"The man claimed to be from Neo-Switzerland. He said that he was here to fight Domon Kasshu," Karla replied.
"It's not like this is his country," Sai Saici observed.
"Since when does it have to be?" Karla asked. "All of the Shuffle Alliance members are here and have fought each other or even non-combatants. I'm going back to my campsite and evaluate this new threat."
She returned to her campsite and removed her gundam's data card. Something was familiar about that gundam.
Karla jumped down from her gundam's cockpit. She entered her transport and went immediately to the communications room.
After turning on the computer, she typed in the words, "Neo-Switzerland." A picture of a man and his gundam appeared on the screen. It looked nothing like the one that had attacked her. Karla inserted her gundam's data card and pressed several buttons. She played back the footage from the battle, found a section where the image of the mystery gundam was head on and stopped the recording.
Karla started a program that would compare the mystery gundam to all known gundams, past or present.
The program ran through the database. Karla gasped in surprise when the results of the search were displayed several minutes later. The gundam shown was Midnight Gundam, mark one. Her own previous gundam!
"What is going on? Why does the fighter from Neo-Switzerland have my old gundam?" Karla asked herself. "What have you done, Claus?"
Karla went outside and stood beneath the stars. She felt that her training in the Guiana Highlands was now complete. "Only one day to go, now it's time for us to go to Neo-Hong Kong." She entered the transport and went to sleep.
The next afternoon, her peaceful reverie outside in the clearing was interrupted.
"Karla!" Niklas called. "Are you ready to leave?"
Karla turned and went back to the transport. "Yes, I am. Let's head for Neo Hong Kong."
The Neo-Austria transport lifted off and headed westward.
"How long does the trip take?" Karla asked.
"A couple of hours at top speed," Niklas replied.
"Are we going at top speed?" Karla asked.
"No, not necessarily," Niklas replied.
"Good, I'll be in the communications room," Karla said.
What the Neo-Switzerland fighter had said to her the day before had made her nervous. She only recalled hearing about the Dark Army from Schwarz before. The Swiss fighter seemed at odds with himself, as though he wasn't in control of his body. She was concerned as she tuned into the frequency of her bug inside of Shadow Gundam.
