Phase 6: Prelude to Invasion - Cause for the Just

"You ordered training sessions?"

"Of course. The other two pilots need to get to grips with their Gundams."

"But... With armed weapons!"

"To make it more realistic. It will force them to think on their feet."

"So, you have training today?" asked Akira, after breakfast in the mess hall.

"Yep. I heard it'll be live-fire. Dunno who I'll going up against though. You wanna come watch?" replied Lily.

"Ummm... Actually, I was thinking of going over the Providence's combat data and tweaking the OS..."

"Oh, come on! You afraid I might show you up?" she teased.

"Uh..."

"Come on! I'll be late!" she exclaimed, grabbing by the arm and dragging him towards the waiting aerail transport.
Not a misspelling, Aerail here refers to a maglev + aircushion system

The training arena was a flat plain in the middle of the Guardia Plantes sector, bordered by tall buttes that towered into the sky. Even here, the terraforming efforts were starting to take effect. Greenery was plentiful, several modified deer grazed, and birds flew, twittering into the sky.

"We spent all that time making Mars a little more hospitable, and now here they come to take it away again. I won't stand for it!" Akira burst out.

"I know. That's why I enlisted," said Lily, as the transport came to a halt.

"We have no choice."

"Go on, now. They're expecting you."

Akira stepped into the observation tower's highest viewing platform. Heads swiveled.

"Ah, there he is! The hero of the moment," said a obese overdecorated General as Akira saluted the roomful of top brass.

"Come, come, have a seat. Your hard work saved the day for all of us," said a balding man, signalling Akira to a plush chair.

"Errr..."

"There's no need to be shy. Sit here. That's an order," said the balding man, smiling.

Akira complied.

"The show's about to start."

Two hours had passed. Akira was starting to get bored with the repetive exercises and wargaming that the training entailed. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and yawned a little.

"It seems our hero is getting tired of this," observed the fat General.

"Well then, he won't have long to wait. Bring them out and have them begin."

An aide scurried to a command console, inputting a combination of orders.

Before long, those still on the training field began to clear out, marching back into the bunkers and hangars scattered around the perimeter.

"This is should be good..." said the balding man.

Akira, puzzled, looked out over the field.

Two large hatches on opposite sides of the field lifted up and backwards, and out flew Justice and Freedom from each.

Both Gundams landed facing each other across the field.

"Let the duel begin!"

----To be continued----