Mobile Suit Gundam: Blood is freedoms stain
Chapter 4
The blood lust jerks our legs to march,
Fife and drum, fife and drum
Our eyes are fixed and fearless
Searching for the war
Our statesmen deal in blood and lies
100 million stifled cries, 100 million wasted lives
already gone before
(March ör Die, by Motörhead)
-
Secret detention centre 'Höfn'
Iceland
Shortly after the terrorist attack, known as Stardust, the prison fell under the juristiction of a new Federate organisation. The guards changed and new men in their black and red uniforms took over. But the treatment of inmates and their conduct remains the same as the old Federate guards.
They call themselves Titans now.
The more things change, the more they stay the same…-
Konpeitoh Island, asteroid fortress
Side 1, Lagrange point 5
UC 0085.07.20
During the One Year War this was known as Solomon, homebase of the Space Attack Force, fortress of the old Principality of Zeon. Today the asteroid is under Federate control and it's the main base for the EFSF. After the Delaz incident it has also become the headquarters of the newly formed anti-terrorist force, the Titans. This fortress is riddled with military installations, production lines, factories and construction docks. Altough it is strategically located in controlled space, the Titans have opted for their own base of operations in space. The plans are ready and construction of their colony HQ will start in less than two months from now.
In one of the offices within the Titans High Command building sits a female officer, going through her paperwork. Behind her the symbol of the Titans hangs majestically on the wall, the triangular shaped eagle with a star in the middle. The blinds are rolled halfway down the window to keep out the bright artificial shine. Metalic file cabinets and a massive fern in the corner are the only things that fill up her office, revealing a lot about her character. The copperish nameplate on the desk reveals her title and name, Lieutenant Minke Koshoro.
She looks up towards the clock above the glass door, 2.54 PM. Almost time for the briefing she ponders and stops what she was doing to pull out a file from the top drawer. A service record of the Titan she is about to brief. Her fingers play involuntary with the paper containing a photo and text.
The usual boring stuff;
Age: 16
Height: 167 cm
Hair: ginger
Minke then turned her attention towards the picture, examining the young face with surprisingly angry eyes and determined lines around her mouth. Beyond that it is the portret of a very attractive girl.
Finally some useful information: '…Born UC 0069. Mother's name Mina Rahl, father unknown… Moved to Earth just before the One Year War. Taking up residence in Nebraska, North American continent. Sent to the EFF academy at Nijmegen in '81… Mother died during Operation Stardust, as a result of the colony drop. Joined the Titans with the first wave of volunteers. Detached on the Counter Infiltration Cells as a field operative. Succesful in multiple sting operations, resulting in numerous arrests. Recently promoted to Ensign. Is to be reassigned after the resignation of Lt. Waters, commander of the 14th CIC team.'
On the stroke of three a knock on the door is heared and the person enters. A female Titan enters the room and stands in attention. She clacks the heels of her jackboots together and salutes.
"Ensign Ivy Rahl, reporting as ordered Ma'am."
Minke Koshoro looks up from the file and makes a feeble attempt at a salute. "Please, sit down" and waves to the chair in front of her desk, fixing her eyes on the Ensign for a split second.
Black jackboots, white pants and a leather overcoat over the Titans vest. Her ginger hair tied in a tight knot, a serious look on her face. Not the kind of appearance you'd expect from a sixteen year old girl. She must have suffered greatly in the past, almost hiding her womanhood. As being a Titan full time could ease the pain. She might look young but this girl is hardened and matured by the many rough experiences, appearing much older and wiser.
"Nice work on that smuggling ring on Side 4"
"Thank you Ma'am" Ivy answers somewhat surprised, she was expecting a formal greeting first before starting with business. She too was examining her new superior.
"You have a higher ratio than any other Cell. To what do you contribute your many successes?"
"My age Ma'am. Not many Zeon remnants or other scum would believe that I am an undercover agent." Ensign Rahl proclaims with adequate confidence in the tone of her voice.
The little Q & A is disturbed when third person enters the office. Not bothering to knock, this Titan just walks up to the desk and places himself next to Ivy on the last empty chair. His elbow leans nonchalant on the edge of his commanders bureau in a most provoking manner, a wide grin on his content face.
Not very surprised by his entrance Lt. Koshoro pushes his elbow of her desk, giving a dry remark "Kind of you to join us at last, Tollenaere."
"No prob Ma'am" he replies amused by his superior's attitude while changing his seated position to more comfortably backwards hanging. His eyes solely focused on the Ensign next to him, already mentally picturing her in a bikini on some exotic beach. The prospect of him being there too seemed much to his liking.
This Titan, a disgrace to the uniform Ivy thought to herself. Sleeves rolled up and his pilot jacket zipped halfopen, showing his white shirt and a green pendant. Yet on his left arm hangs the Titans patch while on the other arm hangs another unoffical marking, a yellow shield with a black lion. A pair of sunglasses hangs out of his left breast pocket. His crew cut waxed backwards and still an arrogant grin with a provoking look in his eyes. Womanizer, how can… dare he be a Titan? He sullies the majestic image of our elite taskforce, a Lieutenant junior grade on top of it…
"Now we are complete, the briefing can begin." The Lieutenant continues" I am Lt. Minke Koshoro, CO of the 17th CIC team. The Lt. j.g. on your left is Boudewijn Tollenaere"
As he sticks his hand out for a handshake Tollenaere adds "Though everybody calls me Wayne"
Disgusted by his appearance Ivy rejects the need to acknowledge the handshake and just bows her head a little "Pleased to meet you, Lt. Tollenaere."
Wayne's hand cramps a little together before he pulls his arm back. His charmes didn't achieve anything good, quite the opposite. It seems like it's going to be a bit tougher to make his exotic beach fantasy come true.
"Can I continue Wayne?" Minke asks slightly agitated. Without waiting for any answer she goes on "You will take the place of our dearly departed comrade, after that nasty scew up near Side 6. You come highly recommended, and Captain Ohm did request you personally for this mission. Even His Exellency Jamitov is impressed by your achievements, I quite frankly too."
"Thank you Ma'am, I won't let the Titans down"
"Excellent" Minke replies pleased. She pulls out a file from her desk and opens it to reveal some documents, maps, building blueprints and a bunch of photographs. The first photo is one of a big complex, some sort of base.
"This is a black ops, meaning that the Earth Federation doesn't know anything about this. The Titans will deny everything in case of capture. Understood?"
Both nod agreeingly.
"Observe. A detention centre for Zeon POWs, codenamed 'Höfn', under Titan control. Officially this base does not exist, the place isn't even marked on any maps of the area. The prisoners here are all MIA since '79 with the exception of a handful rebels from Delaz Fleet."
Delaz Fleet
Those words bring back horrid memories. Memories which haunt Ivy for the last two years. Memories who made her what she is today. Aguille Delaz made her become a Titan. She became a Titan so she could pursue a natural justice above the Federate laws. Revenge for her mother's death is an emotional response but not a valid motive. This is far beyond vengeance! This is Punishment.
Lt. Koshoro pulls out another three photos, pictures of three inmates. "These are the targets you have to 'liberate'. They will serve our goal perfectly."
Ivy takes a closer look at the three persons, memorising the faces well.
"Any particular interest for these Zeeks?" asks Tollenaere. "Look like a bunch of randoms to me"
"You're right on that one, I suppose. Two lousy MS pilots and one high ranking officer, not a single jarhead. So they won't be much of a problem to subdue, should they find out who you really are." Minke answers, mostly guessing why these persons were picked herself. "All I know is that Captain Ohm handpicked these guys."
"What's the insertion?" Ivy Rahl asks.
Lieutenant Koshoro had to smile "You're going to love your undercover identities, let alone the method of helping them escape" She takes some shematics and starts to lay out the basic plan. Drawing movement, routes and special points on the ground plans. Every miniscule detail is looked at.
The hours pass by and the briefing finally come to a stop. After saluting Wayne leaves the office almost instantenious to begin the preparations. Ivy too makes her way towards the door when she is halted by Minke.
"Ensign wait."
"Ma'am?"
Minke moved in front of her desk standing before Ivy and taps her on the shoulder. "Look, don't let Lt. Tollenaere's looks fool you, he really is one hell of an operative. He's just headstrong and his opinions on justice aren't always in accordance with those of the courts. Give him a chance and your trust, he's the best guy to cover your back in the field."
Ivy Rahl had to swallow from this rather remarkable news, perhaps she's been too quick to judge. "Yes Ma'am, I will try."
"One last thing, Captain Ohm mentioned that this operation will also test your loyalty."
She clacks her jackboots and salutes once more. "I have given my complete loyalty to the Titans and will continue to do so." Ivy turns around on her heel and marches out of the doorway.
Outside she walks through the corridors, takes a tube lift to the ground floor entering the grand lobby. The area is filled with people, mostly Titans, few civilians and some EFF soldiers trying to apply. In the tangle of people scurrying around Ivy manages to slip through and reach the glass doors. Here she's halted by someone who pulls her shoulder. First focusing on the hand she sees a leather bike glove, seeing further Ivy recognizes the Titan from her new unit, Tollenaere.
"Yes?" She asks trying to give it a genuine sound of interest to it.
"Look, I want to apologize for my behaviour just now." Wayne's really excusing himself, but not on the most believable way. He can't stop smiling and his right arm is behind his head. "Just trying to tick the CO off. I can get everybody pissed except her. So I made a game of it."
"I'm sure you're a real nice guy" Ivy's trying to leave by just agreeing with him.
Wayne keeps going on for he knows she doesn't believe him. And he will say all and do all just to prove it. "I AM a nice guy. Don't believe me?" he asks seriously to Ivy, only to be answered with a firm doubting look.
"I'm a nice guy, right fellow Titans?" Wayne yells through the lobby. Not a single person turns his head, most of them just trying to avoid the scene. Seeing how that failed he tries a new manner and pulls the first unfortunate person to walk past towards him. "Hey buddy, Ain't I a nice guy? The Ensign here doesn't seem to think so."
"Ow.. O yeah sure, mate" he answers startled and breaks away soon after it, resuming his path at quicker pace.
Damn, I'm starting to look stupid. Again… He thinks to himself as he keeps looking for someone to help him in his claim. Until he finally sees a familiar face in the black and red crowd. "Mansor, you black dog! Come here and tell the young lady what a great guy I am."
Out of the mass a Titan comes closer, warning Ivy in a humorous style "Watch out for this one. He's just a crazy Belgian. Har har har."
"How many times do I gotta tell you Mansor? It's crazy Fleming!"
Mansor was obviously amused. "Hey crazy Fleming, your girlfriend took off already" he points to the empty space next to Wayne in front of the doors, before Mansor melds back into the masses.
He jumps through the doors and hastily runs down the massive marble stairs hoping to catch up. My lucky day. On the parking lot in front of headquarters Ivy futily tries to start her little elecar. Pushing the pedals, turning the ignition and beating up the dashboard; all in vain. Cursing herself she doesn't know anything of cars.
"Sound like one of your sparkplugs"
Ivy looks surprised to find Wayne leaning up against the car door. He takes off his motor gloves and points to the dashboard "Pop the hood, I'll take a look."
She quickly complies and releases the lock of the hood. Wayne dives behind it and starts to tinker with the engine. Ivy Rahl does feel worried if the car is in the hands of a capable mechanic or those of a showoff.
"You sure what you're doing there, Lt. Tollenaere?"
Not looking up from the engine he corrects her amused "Please, is it so hard to call me Wayne?"
"O…Ok……Wayne" she stammers.
"That wasn't so bad, was it?" He sticks his head round to face her and sticks up a piece of the engine in his right hand "Sparkplug, just as I said. It has to be replaced."
"So I'm stranded here?"
Wayne rubs his forehead before he realizes that his hand is covered in grease. "Not necessarely. I can give you a ride if you want?"
"I guess I don't have a choice" she replies somewhat defeated.
A bit further lies the parking lot for motorcycles, all manufactured by the Elecar Company. All but one.
"See, that's what you get with that EC crap. An electric battery on wheels, can't even get decent speed with it. What's 70 Km/h, I ask you?"
Wayne preaches as if he is starting a crusade against the monopoly of EC and against the general use of electric vehicles within the colonies and asteroids.
"Now that's what I'm talking about! My pride and joy."
He points towards a motorcycle standing out among the other elebikes. A machine you could normally only see in a museum or a historybook. This polluting, gasoline fueled, speed demon seems to be one of few relics from the pre-UC Era. Only a small part is altered on the engine, Ivy notices the warning on it; WARNING - Minovsky Powered, the same kind of warning stickers found on space cruisers engines.
"Is that monster riding on a fusion reactor?" She asks in disbelief coated in fear. That bike could blow a hole through the asteroids exterior when damaged. Her question recieves only laughter.
"Relax, that's just to keep nosy people away. I use a synthesized fuel resembling gasoline, only cleaner and I get more kilometres per litre. Pricy stuff though." Wayne explains as he takes place on the bike, checking his machine before starting it. The roar of the engine is a sound quite different from the soft hum of Ivy's elecar. Gray smoke escapes the dual exhausts. "Purs like a kitten" Wayne commentates on the thumping sounds, which made Ivy more uneasy.
He puts on his sunglasses and hints Ivy to her spot behind him "Hop on and hold on tight."
"Shouldn't we be wearing helmets?" she asks concerned, never having ridden a motorcycle before.
"Trust me, I know what I'm doing…"
Having that said he steps on the gas and the engine rages up. The wheels squeak loudly when grated over the asfalt, leaving S-shaped tiretracks behind. Nearby pedestrians jump out of the way from the reckless biker.
Soon the motorcycle leaves the military district behind at dazzling speed, zig-zagging between vehicles on the main road. The view begins to fade out into one passing blur to Ivy. Making a sharp left at the shipyards entrance and racing through the research district. Stopping on a MS-sized loading lift, which slowly goes to the lower levels of Konpeitoh. Everything's made to the size of mobile suits, making Wayne and Ivy look like ants cruising between the stored RGM-79Q GM Quel's. Lt. Tollenaere slows down when they pass the MS testing area.
"Look at that, next-generation mobile suits." Wayne enthousiastically responds on viewing the YRMS-106 Hizack Pre-Production Type. Lucky TTT bastards.
Ivy remains still and uninterested. This crossbreed of Federate and Zeek research makes her feel sick. The mono-eye looking lifelessly into the distance. Even though she was young she remembers the One Year War when its predecessor sweeped over North America, bringing carnage and despair in its wake. Finally she urges Wayne to ride on.
After a short fifteen minutes they enter the living quarters of the asteroids inhabitants. He comes to a halt in front of appartement block CZ-3, Ivy's home. She was anxious to get off, as the Ensign jumped off the seat before the bike came to a full stop. Wayne parks his motorcycle, removes his shades and joins Ivy in front of the block.
"You drive like a madman" she sighes relieved, happy for a safe and sound arrival at her appartment.
"I get that a lot" he smiles.
"Look, I-eh… I was wondering…" Wayne tries to ask her "You want to get something to drink, I mean we just passed a place around the corner and-eh…"
Ivy Rahl is quite surprised and reacts amused "Oh my, Lt. Tollenaere. Are you asking me out?"
Wayne denies, hoping not to be embarrassed or turned down. "Nothing of the sort! It's just… We don't know eachother. And if we are to go undercover together, then we need to be able to make it look like we really know one another for a long time."
"So we have a couple days to become best friends?"
"Yeah, so what do you say?" Wayne asks.
"Okay good, but the bike stays here" she warns.
Wayne Tollenaere presents his arm and replies "No bike"
So what's a Fleming anyway?"
She grabs hold of his arm and walks along towards the Lunar Coffee house around the corner, in a small area designed for rest and relaxation after hours. It houses the finest coffee of the earth sphere, produced from moon-grown beans.
-
Damman, Alexandria class cruiser
Earth orbit
UC 0085.07.22
Usually an Alexandria class can carry up to twelve mobile suits, but this one has been restocked for this black op. Only one GM Quel remains, the others made room for a Komusai II. Another odd duck on the Damman is the antiquated prototype MS-17 Galbady alfa, captured when the EFSF conquered the asteroid Pezun back in '79. Stocked at the back of the MS deck is a pile of scrap, spare parts and remains of destroyed Quel's. All is a part of the operation that's about to begin.
Ivy Rahl, now in civilian clothing, makes the final prep details in the cockpit of the Komusai II and tests the engines by firing them up with a small burst. Further on the MS deck stands the Galbady with open hatch, Wayne sits in the chair trying to master the MS operating system. On his monitor a close up is visible of the shuttle, keeping an eye on Ivy. Crazy kid…
"To hell with all of you, Black Dogs!" he yells through the speakers of his mobile suit. Much to the amazement of mechanics and other personnel present on the MS deck. Some even think that he's about to desert.
"And do I sound like a Zeek or what?" he laughs over the speakers again.
"Knock it off Tollenaere!" the Chief Mechanic scolds, the visor of his normal suit dampens by the yelling. "We're about to open the airlock, so get your hatch closed!"
The captain of the Damman gives the order and the doors open up the MS deck. The wreckage in the back gets sucked into the void by the vacumous space, making it look like combat just happened in this area.
Komusai II, you are cleared for launch.
Ivy acknowledges, firing up the engines and launches into space. Slowly on course for re-entry, keeping the cargo door on the rear of the shuttle open.
Galbady alfa, green light… And Wayne, don't screw up this time.
He takes off following the Komusai II from a safe distance. Meanwhile the Damman starts signaling in morse code the commencement of the operation. It's showtime and both parties start their fake encounter. Firstly the captain starts announcing over open channels, hearable to every ship in the vicinity.
"""This is Titans … ship Damman. We are in pursuit … Zeon Remnant, they've alrea… destroyed two of our mobile suits…"""
"""Death to th… Black Dogs! …Axis Prevails!"""
Before breaking away by the disruptions made by the scattering Minovsky particles. Now it's time for Wayne to act his part as he performs an assault on the ship. The Galbady whips into action and blasts the dual barreled main gun on the right side of the MS deck. Shooting some more minor hits on the whole of the ship before crippling the Damman. As last the Titans send out their only Quell to fend off their 'foe'.
In the area the communication is picked up by the EFSF cruiser Saxon, a Magellan class, patroling a nearby sector in Earth orbit.
The comm-officer, a chief petty officer to be exact, reports;
"Captain, we're receiving a distress signal. It's identified as Damman… They're Titans, Sir."
"Let's hear it. On speakers!" Captain Vance orders. The captain was rather amused, finally the tables were turned. Titans in need of EFSF support instead vice versa. Smug bastards.
Much to the crews surprise they heared those dreaded words once more after two relatively safe years. These aren't just Remnant. No, they mentioned Axis, have they finally returned to the Earth sphere?
"My god, Axis… Can it really be?" Cpt. Vance mumbles.
"What are your orders, Skipper?" Lt. Commander Gersen asks, he being second in command.
"We go in and aid in whatever way we can." He speaks after a moment of contemplation. "We can't afford another Delaz incident. Not on MY watch!"
Vance stands up and walks towards the door. "Level two alert, until we arrive I shall retire to plan a strategy. XO has the comm."
"XO has the comm!"
Lt. Cmdr. Gersen acknowledges as standard operating procedure and orders to change course in the direction of the Titans vessel. Perhaps weird but he finds it appropriate to says it like this, he refers to the crew with the slang word 'Feddie'. Because everyone looks down on regular Earth Federate Space Forces, but today that's going to change if it depends on him and Captain Vance. He sways his arm in front of him and says in commanding tone:
"Course 4-3-9 by 5-6-6, let's show these Zeon and Titans how the Feddies do business!"
After some fancy moves and skirmishes Wayne returns, slightly damaged, to the Komusai and lands in the narrow cargo hold. Beginning their descent unto Earth and starting the second part of the operation.
-
Secret detention centre 'Höfn'
Iceland
Late afternoon
It's the end of spring and summer's setting in, altough nobody really knows the date they can sort of tell by the changing seasons. Today is the finale of rugby tournament, the team of cell block B versus cell block F, one of the few days the inmates look forward for. An excellent chance to raise some bets with the prospect of winning a bunch of cigarettes. Even Gruber has two packs riding on it.
Out by the end of the field near the fence stands Ken Layzner and Tony Perce watching the game from afar. Tony had just seated himself against the fence or already a patrolman with his guarddog stands behind him, nightstick raised and chewing some tobacco. The Titan warns "Two steps back from the fence, boy!"
Before Perce even dared to respond he sees the Alsation jumping up against the fence, foam on the mouth. Tumbling back two metres, he sighs "…Yes Sir, Titan Sir…"
The guard spits out a brownish slime before continuing his patrol around the compound. Soon when there's a safe distance Tony begins cursing the damn guard with his damn dog. "Up yours Black Dog! Calling me boy, will you?"
"Shut your wordhole Tony." Ken interrupts him.
"What's with you? Want a headbutt?" Tony yells to provoke him.
Ken Layzner laughs. "And you? You want to have a date with the ground? Because if you want I can arrange that."
Out of the distance a figure comes towards them, in this weather it looks like he's walking through a gasleak making it blurry. Closer he starts yelling angry, Gruber's voice reveals himself.
"Damn it, why did I have to bet on the skins? With sun like this they must all have sunstrokes, it's the only way how they can screw up like that!"
Perce asks for confirmation "So I take it you lost?"
"Of course I LOST!"
Ken's laughter silenced them both "Good for me I betted on the shirts."
Karl's eyes light up in rage and place his hands in a choking manner around Layzner's neck, scolding "You sonnuva, you don't even smoke!"
Our three friends are busy discussing the outcome of the game and the winnings. So busy they don't even see the black spot in the sky. It slowly grows bigger and bigger with the sun in its rear. The horns inside the detention centre start to shriek, the first and only warning for a incoming air raid.
Finally the Komusai II reveals itself to the prison facility when it skims over the compound. It passes and it takes a second before the sound of the engines catches up, like the jet fighters. Just outside the shuttle releases its cargo, making the Galbady land near the entrance gate. The mono-eye flashes briefly and scans the surroundings.
Axis Prevails!
The sentence is bellowed through the entire prison by the Galbady, seeming to be his battlecry, as it charges into action. Wayne pulls up his beamrifle and squeezes a shot at the command tower.
"HIT THE DECK…"
Gruber manages to yell when the beam speeds through the air. Only to be silenced by the Komusai dual gatling guns blazing away on the prison yard.
Then it goes black.