Chapter 2: The Knights of Evolution
The shuttle calmly splashed down at Senjo port in Japan. This was the first moment since the attack on their orbital home did they have a chance to relax. However nerves will still shattered among the group and Kira's were near their breaking point.
"We're about five miles off the cost of the city. More than likely someone saw us touch down."
"Dezas maybe?"
"Hopefully."
Elain and Thomas sat conversing with each other while Jones made a makeshift sling for Garis's arm with whatever he found in the shuttle's medical kit. Suddenly Kira shot up from the floor and looked out toward where the city's coastline would be. The others all looked out as well. Something was coming.
"A Boat."
"Dezas?"
"It could be the Earth Alliance."
"Or Z.A.F.T..."
Kira stood up while the others debated what was coming their way. He moved toward the shuttle hatch and opened it just as the boat arrived. On the boat's hull was the emblem of Dezas, a lightning bolt within a light blue circle, and standing on the boat was a woman with long flowing blond hair. "Hello there! We couldn't help but notice your shuttle landing in the middle of the water so we decided to find out what's going on!"
The woman extended her hand and Kira accepted. She pulled Kira on the boat and properly introduced herself.
"My name is Karen. What's yours young man?"
"Zamura, Kira..."
The two shook hands and Karen gave a big smile.
"I guess you're the leader of this party hmm?"
"Leader?"
Kira looked back to see four faces peering through the shuttle hatch at him.
"I, guess..."
"Well then commander! What brings you to Earth?"
"Commander...?"
Kira became lost in thought before quickly snapping back to his senses.
"We came here looking for Dezas... We... We want to enlist!"
"Enlist? You young ones want to join Dezas? Dezas isn't an organization for everyone you know. There are certain rules and regulations. As well as specifics and requirements..."
"Orbital station Augusta!"
Karen stopped suddenly and looked down at Kira who was looking down at the boat deck.
"Our home... they... they took our home. We want it back! Our friends are still up there! And Tia..."
Karen put her hands on Kira's shoulders.
"They attacked Augusta? Who are they?"
"Z.A.F.T..."
Karen turned around and looked out to the sea. She then turned back to face Kira.
"Since you came from Augusta, that means you all are..."
All five faces looked at Karen and she became overcome by the spirit deep within them.
"Alright, we have to get you all ready."
"Ready? For what?"
"For combat of course. Dezas soldiers are the best of the best. We can't send inexperience soldiers out into the battlefield."
The four others boarded the boat and began their trip to Senjo port.
"As you may have known, Dezas is the organization devoted to the peace and preservation of the human evolution, which would be you guys. The Earth Alliance created Dezas when your existence was confirmed and Dezas has now since become its own military power completely separated from our Earth Alliance allies."
Karen's history lesson on the foundation of Dezas proved to be a good distraction from the elevator ride which seemed to be taking forever. The group had been standing in an elevator going down at a rapid pace for the past minute and to them it seemed like it wasn't stopping anytime soon. "This shaft will lead to the bottom level of Senjo base, the command center. From there we will formally initiate you and begin your training. I'm sure you'll feel right at home here."
The elevator pinged to a stop and opened its doors to reveal a bustling complex filled with monitors, controls and workers stationed at each one of them. The group exited the elevator and was lead down a flight of stairs into a conference room. The five took a seat while Karen went to the front of the room and activated a display screen showing footage of the attack on Heaven's Base.
"Heaven's Base. This was the Earth Alliance's strongest Earth based stronghold, however it seems Z.A.F.T picked up some new tricks in their travels."
The screen began to show clips of one of Z.A.F.T's Mobile Suits destroying one Mobile Suit after another and also defeating a giant black Mobile Suit.
"Those huge black Mobile Suits were our gift to the Earth Alliance. The GFAS-X1 Destroy G.U.N.D.A.M was developed here at Senjo base for use by people like you. However seeing as the Extended are the only qualified pilots the Earth Alliance has for this machine its capabilities were never fully reached. We requested to decommission the suit after the test suit in Europe was destroyed by the Freedom but the Earth Alliance requested five more units. So, we pulled the money and resources from somewhere to build five more and that's what happened to them."
The footage played again covering all five unit's destruction.
"This base currently has one Destroy but we don't plan on using it other than base defense. We have been working on some new projects and you guys will be their pilots."
"So does this mean..."
"Yes, you are all officially Dezas pilots. You five came in a group so you all will be a team. We'll make Kira your team leader."
Kira looked around lost as usual. The group peered at him with happy and expecting faces, as well as Karen.
"He got us off the station in one piece, so he should be able to get us all back home in one piece too!"
"Speak for yourself Thomas. One of my pieces is broken."
The group laughed at Garis's remark but Kira still could never break into even a smile ever since the incident.
"You five are free to roam the facility. I recommend you find your way to the hanger on the sixth level and the crew quarters on level eight."
"What level are we on now ma'am?" asked Elain.
"This is the fifteenth level, command center. Due to the construction of the Destroy units levels one, two, and three have been cleared out to form a bay for it. You can take a look at the Destroy if you wish, it really is something to behold. You are all dismissed now but I want each of you on the sixth level hanger B in three hours. Young man in the sling, you should report to medical level ten to get your arm properly looked at."
"Yes ma'am."
"By the way... Besides Kira I haven't learned all your names yet.
"I'm Elain ma'am. Elain Hills."
"Thomas Reiling."
"Garis Nor"
"Karim Jones"
"Well then I'm pleased to meet you all! As for me, my name is Karen Galburn, leader of Senjo base and Commander-in-Chief of the Dezas forces."
Kira sprung up shocked "Commander-in-Chief? Then you're...!"
Karen laughed loudly. "I'm nothing more than a simple little natural in the eyes of you Knights of Evolution."
"Knights of Evolution...?"
"Heh, nice name eh Kira?"
Kira looked over at Garis who was smiling then back at Karen who also wore the same smile.
"I guess..."
"Then it's settled! Remember everyone, three hours. Dismissed!"
The group stood and acknowledged ma'am all at once. They then left the room all on their own separate journey. Kira was the last to leave, always with more than what there should be on his mind.
"Knights of Evolution..."
Kira's travels through Senjo base eventually ended up in him visiting the crew quarters on level eight. To his expectance there were many rooms filled with beds and lockers but that all changed when he happened to stumble upon one room. Inside sat many capsule shaped beds all lined up one after the other. In the front of the room sat a control panel.
"What is all this...?" Kira had wondered to himself as he proceeded further into the room.
At that moment a young woman entered the room and began tapping on the panel. Two others soon entered and walked past Kira as if he wasn't there. The two laid down in open capsules and the screen closed on them as they near instantly fell asleep. The woman who entered before was just about to leave if it weren't for Kira stopping her.
"Wait, Miss! What is all this?"
"What is all this? Oh! You must be one of the new people Karen picked up." "Yes, but please. What's going on here? Why is this room so different from the others?"
"Well you won't have to worry about it. You're not an Extended." "Extended?"
The woman prompted Kira to gaze out at the room as she begun her explanation.
"The Mobile Weapons we develop here at Senjo base are for the primary use of people like you. Though our main goal is your preservation, so when your existence was confirmed by the Earth Alliance the Evolution Project was set into motion."
"Evolution Project?"
"Yes, the Evolution Project's main goal was to create people like you. Artificials you can call them. However a true Artificial has yet to be created. There's just a factor within you all that can't be duplicated. Instead the Alliance created them, the Extended. The Extended are failed Artificials." "Failed projects... but testing and cloning just to create one of us... what happens to the subjects that failed to even become Extended?"
"Hmm? They die. Or are disposed of."
Kira stood shocked at what he heard. For a long time now he believed the Earth Alliance was on the right path to the world but after hearing that they tested and destroyed children without hesitation, it made Kira shout out his feelings.
"How? How can they do such a thing? Is that what the Earth Alliance really is? A bunch of murderers?"
"Now now calm down. I know that this isn't the best way. But other than yourselves this is the only way."
"The only way? How can you expect me to believe that?"
"Simple. Those Coordinators. They do this sort of thing as well. To make their children, their population. In a sense the Earth Alliance is fighting a race of Extended. But the Coordinators have more control over the gene manipulation. They can create unflawed Extended or in this case what we call those types of people, Coordinators."
Kira was torn again. Everything he's heard, and has heard up to this point. It all came together in his mind as one thing.
"These people... they're trying to advance the human evolution..."
"Exactly. That's why the Extended exist. To protect the true path to evolution. To protect you. One day, these Extended and all the Extended here in this base, as well those used by the Earth Alliance, they will slowly evolve into Artificials. Knowing this the Earth Alliance ceases to try and further the Evolution Project at the Extended. They're not trying to rush evolution. Not like the Coordinators are."
Kira looked around again. His thoughts focusing on his true enemy. More than just Z.A.F.T but anyone who tries to rush evolution. The Coordinators.
"What's our current status with the Earth Alliance ma'am?"
"Currently we're nothing but old friends. We do help them in times of need but our goals are different. There will be a time when we may end up fighting each other. I fear however that since most of the Earth Alliance has joined up with Dullindal that time may come soon..."
"And what's with those capsules?"
"Those capsules are recharge stations you could say. The Extended are like a battery. They can be used for just so long before they need to recharge. If not taken properly cared for an Extended could die within a matter of days. An unfortunate side effect of failure. Don't be mislead though, even though they may have been created and altered they're still human. Treat them like humans as you would want others to treat you."
The woman left the room leaving Kira to wonder in thought. He slowly walked over to the two who entered the capsules and gazed upon them sleeping. One was a teenage boy with brown hair wearing casual cloths and light green spring jacket. He seemed to be thinking of something pleasant noticing the smile on his face. The other was a young woman around nineteen years, the same age as Kira and his friends. She had long black hair that stretched all the way down her back and was wearing the black Dezas pilot uniform. What Kira noticed about her was she was crying. Kira felt that she had lost friends of her own, and she was remembering them at this moment.
"Treat you like I want them to treat me. Heh, there's no need for any special treatment, we're all the same. We're all friends. Starting today, I'm your new friend too."
Kira watched as the young woman's tears began to dry and a slight smile appeared on her face.
"My name is Kira. Zamura, Kira. It's nice to meet you two."
Two voices then flashed through his head. A male and female voice. They were names. Derrick Brown. Yuki Nanaka.
"I hope we'll get along well, Derrick... Yuki..."
Three hours had past since the group had first arrived. The five gathered in sixth level hanger B as Karen had ordered and began to slowly look around the large metal cavern. Alien Mobile Suits lined the walls of the hanger as well as on the stands.
"They're not like the Windams or Daggers the Earth Alliance uses. They don't even resemble them..." Garis made notable mention as he peered around the room.
"Ah good right on time! You all are already making good points with me!"
Karen came down from the top level of the hanger on a lift and walked over to great the group.
"Welcome. As you know these units as well the rest of the Mobile Weapons made here are for specific use for you. Their designs differ greatly than what the Earth Alliance uses and that's because you're able to handle the tremendous forces that goes into the suit's performance."
Karen began to direct everyone's attention as she covered the different Mobile Suits throughout the hanger.
"To your left here is the DXM-007 Rock Asshimar."
She pointed to a large bulky Mobile Suit with a black frame and blue armor platings. The Mobile Suit had an oddly shaped rounded head but in the middle of it sported a mono eye sensor that looks up, left, and right. "Despite the Rock Asshimar's huge bulky appearance its actually one of the most maneuverable Mobile Suits here. It has the ability to transform to a Mobile Armor variant thanks to the Moveable Frame technology, which allows the Mobile Suit to bend and twist easily. Within its Mobile Armor variant the Rock Asshimar can sustain atmospheric flight. Unfortunately we haven't gotten it to work properly in a zero-G environment so it's primarily used for Earth and interior colony based missions. Next over here we have DXM-006 Bee Gabthley."
This Mobile Suit sporting Dezas's traditional colors of blue and black was the smallest Mobile Suit in the hanger. Next to the Mobile Suit there was a large rifle about as tall if not taller than the Mobile Suit itself. One of its more visible features was two pivoting cannons, one on each soldier. "The Bee Gabthley is a small maneuverable Mobile Suit capable of atmospheric flight in its Mobile Armor variant. Its small design, thanks to the help of the Fergion Colony base's engineers, helps evade enemy fire easier being it less of a target. Its Fedayeen rifle and pivoting shoulder cannons also allow it to match some of the more powerful Mobile Suit's firepower. This Mobile Suit has also been tested in Zero-G environments and is more of the common choice among pilots whether it be space or on land. Over here is one of our own new models the DXM-009 Byalant."
This Mobile Suit had a more light blue color to it than the favored dark blue. Its platings however were traditionally black. The Mobile Suit itself had giant shoulders and incredibly lanky arms. It also sported giant thrusters on its back.
"The mobility of this Mobile Suit is greater than the Asshimar even though it has no Mobile Armor variant. It can sustain atmospheric flight on its own power and can also retaliate. It's the first actual flying Mobile Suit that can stay in the air on its own power rather than the help of extra attachments. Despite this however its weaponry options are quite limited only to a pair of beam cannons in its hands and a beam saber. Next we have one of the more favorite models among the pilots. The DXM-008 Float Messala."
This Mobile Suit, garbed in a dark purple and black color scheme seemed even larger than the Asshimar. It looked somewhat frightening staring straight at it, and its most noticeable feature was a pair of mega beam cannons on its back.
"This Mobile Suit was made at the Fergion Colony base. It was built with gravity in mind and has a transformable Mobile Armor variant for atmospheric flight. What's unique about this large Mobile Suit is that it can operate within Earth's gravity well!"
The group gasped at the thought of a Mobile Suit being able to enter and exit the gravity well at will.
"How's that possible? Are you saying this Mobile Suit can defy gravity?" "No, not really. The Mobile Suit still becomes drawn to the force of gravity however it was made and tested in harsher gravity environments thanks to the Fergion Colony labs. It can remain in the Earth's gravity well for an extended period of time before finally being pulled in. We estimate that a gravitational force equal to that of Jupiter's will have a "normal" effect on the Mobile Suit."
The crew gave out another gasp then Elain immediately raised her hand calling the Float Messala for her own. Off to the corner a Mobile Suit's skeleton was shown. The skeleton had a rather oddly shaped cone head. "That's another new model we're currently constructing. We'll have more details on it when it's completed. Well there you have it, pick a unit and we'll start your training courses immediately."
"Umm, Ma'am... What about that one?"
Kira pointed off to the far corner in the direction of a Mobile Suit shrouded by shadows.
"Oh... that one..."
Karen walked over to that corner and the group followed. Once there a large light green Mobile Suit with dark blue platings stood facing out toward the other hanger wall. This noticeably large Mobile Suit sported a pair of long thrusters attached to its arms. On the opposite end of these long thrusters was a single beam cannon. When looking at it directly those thrusters seemed to form a long shield for the Mobile Suit if need be or what seemed to be some sort of wing.
"This is NDX-000 Gaplant Zero... It's the fastest and most maneuverable Mobile Weapon ever created by the Dezas organization. It outclasses even the G.U.N.D.A.M model Mobile Suits in terms of speed and maneuverability. Its armaments consists of two beam cannons each on the tip of the active thrusters coming from its arms and two beam sabers stored in its waist. This Mobile Suit was solely intended for space combat but it also proved extremely well it atmospheric combat. This Mobile Suit can transform into a speedy Mobile Armor variant for atmospheric flight and thanks to the pivoting active thrusters on its arms, it is able to move up or down without changing the direction of the nose..."
Kira stood amazed by the description Karen just went over of this Mobile Suit.
"Wow, such a great Mobile Suit why isn't this one the favorite instead of the Messala?"
"Because no one can pilot it..."
"Eh...?"
"The Mobile Suit wasn't meant for mere humans to pilot unfortunately... The G-Forces people endure while in the cockpit of this Mobile Suit are tremendous. In all the recorded tests of this Mobile Suit, in both space and atmospheric flight, the Extended piloting it would fall unconscious, sustain red outs, and for one unfortunate pilot... death from the tremendous G-forces."
"Someone died using this Mobile Suit...?"
"Yes... since that incident the Mobile Suit has been decommissioned. This is the only one of its kind."
"I want this one."
"What?"
Karen looked at Kira shocked as well as the others.
"Kira are you crazy? Didn't you hear her? Someone died using this Mobile Suit! Died!"
"I heard her Garis..."
"Kira don't be such a fool! I won't let you pilot this death machine!"
"It's alright Elain..."
"What's "alright" about it Kira? What makes you confident you can actually pilot this thing?"
"Because I need to pilot it."
Karen looked down at him asking for an explanation why he "needed" to pilot it.
"When I was watching the report on Heaven's Base and the clips you showed us... There was that one Z.A.F.T Mobile Suit. That blue and white Mobile Suit with the red wings... It was destroying everything. It even destroyed a number of the Destroy units. If that's the Mobile Suit that's going to stop me from rescuing Tia, than I need a Mobile Suit powerful enough to beat it!"
The others looked at Kira shocked. He was willing to risk his life to protect Tia. He was willing to go that much further, for someone other than himself. Even Karen was able to sense it. Before she could say anything however two pilots entered the hanger wearing the black Dezas normal suits. "Oh, Kira. These two requested to be apart of your team."
Kira turned to see the two Extended he had met in the crew quarters before.
"Oh! Derrick! Yuki!"
"Hello, Kira." Said Yuki softly with Derrick nodding his head.
Elain then came forward asking if Kira knew these two.
"Yes I met them before, we introduced ourselves before I left to come here. If you two want to join up with us I'll be more than happy to allow it!"
The two smiled and then replied in a militaristic manner.
"Chief Piety Officer Yuki Nanaka, reporting!"
"Ensign Derrick Brown, reporting!"
"Chief Piety Officer... Ensign... How can I command someone whose ranks are so much higher than mine...?"
"We know you'll be able to lead us well, that's why we didn't even bring up our ranks back at the room."
"I guess..."
Karen turned back around looking at the Gaplant and couldn't help think to herself if Kira could really handle the machine. All of a sudden Karen got a call on her communicator. She answered swiftly and listened to the details before turning it off and swinging back around to the group.
"It seems you'll have to skip your training exercises. The battle at Onogoro Island has just started. I'm deploying you five to assist in the capture of Lord Djibril of Blue Cosmos."
"Wait, what? Deployment?"
"Relax Kira. Yuki and Derrick will give you a crash course in piloting. The rest of you should then be able to pick it up on your own. Quickly pick a Mobile Suit and rendezvous with the Albatross already en route to Onogoro Island. Hopefully you get there before anything serious happens... Launch immediately!"
"Yes Ma'am!"
The group rushed over to the Mobile Suits of their choice. Garis, seeing as he has a broken arm stayed behind to monitor the situation from Senjo base. Kira quickly boarded the Gaplant Zero and proceeded to activate the machine. Elain rushed over to the Messala while Thomas and Jones rushed to a pair of Bee Gabthleys that were next to each other. Yuki grabbed another Float Messala while Derrick ran over to the Asshimar. Thomas and Jones were the first to launch with their units. To Kira's surprise they took off at an alarming rate.
"That was... fast... and that's not even the fastest here..."
The two Messalas then went next, each thundering by and heading up the launch ramp.
"Are you ready Kira?"
"Uh, yea, yes! I'm ready Derrick!"
"Alright, listen to how it's done! Derrick Brown, Rock Asshimar! Launching!"
The Asshimar bolted out of the hanger at a speed that had even Kira dazed.
"Something so big is that fast? But no, I'm faster. I'm the one who will save Tia! Kira Zamura, Gaplant Zero! Launching!"
