Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam
A surprise update, with the first chapter of the new 'Zeta Gundam' arc.
Gundam Rise Purpose
Chapter 17: Titans are power
Two months have passed since the incident at the Build colony, since the deployment of the Sensou-79(G) GM across multiple battlefronts. This included Northern Africa, the desert dawn had evolved into a full grown political movement. With the endorsement of their former Archangel ally Flay Alster, director of Sensou, they began forming a legitimate government and declared their independence from the Alliance. GMs patrolled the desert borders of the region, protecting, and awaiting the inevitable Alliance military strikes that would come. Likewise in the newly declared United States of South America, former EA pilot Edward Harrelson would be joined by a contingent of Sensou-GMs.
Flay's intention with aiding in these independence movements, was to establish Sensou's worth. By proving itself as not just a simple mercenary company, but a reliable peacekeeping and relief aid organisation, it could assume the role that Gekido had always intended of it. Assisting natives in the formation of new and independent governments, and doing it in a way that was more effective than previous super power interventions, would establish that Sensou was the ideal organisation to protect peace and prevent war on the scale of the bloody Valentine tragedy.
The end of the war, left the Alliance military weakened, as well as the flood of people who deserted, or didn't reapply after their tours ended. People within the military, veterans prior to the raw and raw recruits in the midst of it, had grown disillusioned after Muruta Azrael's attempts to create a second bloody valentine tragedy. To fill the gaps in their power, the Alliance began recruiting private militaries. The Romefellar Foundation, the Human Reform League, as well as branches of the Alliance military, such as the Titans and Gjallahorn. They all went to the forefront of the string of conflicts that began after the war. It wasn't uncommon to see Leos from OZ or Graze's from Gjallahorn clashing with Sensou-GMs or Raystas.
In South America, Edward clashed with forces sent by the Titans. They were typically black/navy blue coloured Strike Daggers. But there were more advanced machines, such as the Hizack or Murasai. The Mono-eye typed mobile suits though were no match for the Sword Calamity. Ed moved his sword through the machines, ripping them apart. The Calamity was the trump card of the movement. Alongside Barry Ho, the God of Fist, Edward would decimate the forces sent to bring South America to heel. Assisted by Sensou on the front lines and on the streets, the movement was proving to be a success. At least in terms of what was achieved on the long term basis. Logistically, and personally, much was lost.
But Earth was just one battlefield in the struggle between Sensou and the Titans. Flay sat in the passenger liner, a shuttle on its way to the Side colonies. They were a series of colonies built in a region of space, that had long struggled between independence from the Alliance and appeasement for them. Often it changed dependent on the leader, but the Side colonies had no clear leader anymore. It was currently under occupation by the Earth Alliance Titan force. Flay could already see the struggle people in the Side colonies faced, people were squashed together on the shuttle, Flay could only imagine what it was like for the people in the cargo hold. She looked out of her window and saw the new Alexandria class, the ships that carried the Titan forces.
"They already deployed the new model?" she asked her bodyguard.
Then she remembered who was guarding her for the trip. The scarred, mute, red haired Sensou pilot and hunter Casvall. He simply nodded his head, causing Flay to turn away in embarrassment. Casvall was one of the only people available to accompany her to the Side colonies, and he was the only pilot familiar with the region. Flay was pretty sure that even if the man didn't have scarred vocal chords, he still wouldn't talk about his time there.
"Jachin Due still feels so fresh, we have a limited production of GMs, yet the EA has already deployed a fleet of new battleships, complete with new machines. It's as if they're putting all their economic resources into making sure the Titans succeed," Flay explained.
Casvall made a few hand signs, which Flay racked her brain to remember. She had become better at sign language than Cagalli and Kira, but still had a ways to go. Casvall removed his phone from his pocket and typed out a message.
"Private funding!"
"That's right, Azrael was a business mogul, so it is safe to say that there would be other business owners pulling the strings in the EA," Flay said and Casvall nodded his head.
When the shuttle docked with Side 1's 30th colony, Flay and Casvall collected their bags and went to the check in area. A small entourage of Earth Alliance officers was waiting for her. The oldest amongst them was a blonde haired man with a beard across his sides and chin. He had the same bearing Flay recognised from Halberton, straight posture, disciplined but kind gaze.
"Miss Alster," the man said.
"You must be our welcoming committee, sorry to get dumped on you like this," Flay said, recognising that her presence on the colony was due to a favour she cashed in from one of her father's colleagues.
"That's quite all right dear, there are worse assignments to be handed down, Blex Forer, Rear Admiral with the third fleet!"
"You're an admiral, wouldn't that make you one of the highest ranking officers in the colonies? Why would you be given escort duty?" Flay asked.
"Much of my authority is useless when my forces have been taken by the Titans, Supreme Commander Jamitov Hymen has complete authority in regards to defence of the Side colonies, come, we have a hotel ready for you," Blex explained, motioning for Flay to follow him.
They began walking forward, a passerby bumped into Flay, rushing through her as if she wasn't there.
"Rude," she muttered.
The youth adjusted his cap, smirking underneath it. Gekido had dyed his hair black and was wearing a green jacket. He had been living in the Side colonies since the incident at the Build colony. His work included some maintenance on the outer frames of some of the colonies and a side job. Mercenary work was still his thing, he took test pilot duties and escorting. In the first month he'd used a Bugu provided for him by the Sides, but after saving some money he bought an old Union flag, painting the machine grey and black, he also replaced the linear rifle with a gun blade. Slipping his pad out of his coat pocket, he finalised some deliveries to his workshop and checked his inbox.
"Request: Patrol
"Mr Nobuyuki,
"You have come highly recommended by the Arien royal guard, so I wish to formally request your assistance in patrolling our western perimeter. Ordinarily it would be a 'do-nothing' mission assigned to inexperienced or fresh from academy pilots. But there have been rumours of pirates as of late, and I like to be cautious.
"If all goes well you'll have an easy job with no hassle. If it doesn't, then you will have my gratitude for any pilots you can keep alive."
"Sincerely Garma Zabi"
'Zabi huh,' Gekido thought, stroking his chin.
Going through into the tram area, he removed his ID badge.
"Recognised, Nobuyuki Honda!"
He'd been Nobuyuki Honda since really settling into the Side colonies, getting a small apartment and workshop in Side 9. The cover was that he was former Union, hence his expertise with transformable mobile suits. So far he'd kept to himself, but didn't do anything to catch attention.
"Kamille, don't tell me you forgot your pass again," he heard over his shoulder.
He looked towards a black haired girl in white and red clothes. Her apparent boyfriend was a blue haired youth in a blue jumpsuit. He was biting his thumb as he searched his back.
"I know I put it in here somewhere," he said.
"Kamille huh, who names a boy Kamille," Gekido muttered. 'In fact, who names their daughter Michael...looking at you Star Trek Discovery, otherwise known as STD, ah Netflix, the best thing to do to waste time.'
As Gekido casually waited for the line ahead of him to fill, Kamille began to rush towards him. He jumped over the barrier and pulled his fist back.
'STD, how the heck did that get two seasons and Picard only got one? Even the Kelvin verse version of the Next Generation was better, Tom Hardy as Picard, makes sense I suppose, but nothing beats the original.'
Kamille threw his fist forward, towards the back of Gekido's head.
'What to watch tonight, One Punch Man or My Hero Academia?' he wondered.
Suddenly, Kamille was knocked back, a fist having collided with his nose. He was thrown onto the floor, knocked unconscious.
'One Punch Man it is then,' Gekido decided, lowering his fist.
Bask Om pushed his cigarette into the ash tray, huffing as he watched the spacenoids walking the streets below him. The officer's balcony overlooked the streets. To tourists it was to show a link between the Alliance military and the Zeon republic's own forces, but no Zeon soldiers would come into the bar, and Bask could see more from his balcony than the people below him could. He, like many of the Titan officers, saw himself as above all those whom resided in space, and those whom weren't part of the chosen elite. A smirk crossed his mouth, seeing the result of his elite status, an alliance soldier with a black eye.
'Titans are power, I am power,' he thought, raising his glass and tilting the contents down his throat.
When he lowered his glass, he caught sight of a brown haired man. The man was wearing a Gjallahorn variant of the Earth forces uniform, and not even the blue or white version, but the grey, the kind that belonged to common grunts. He walked through the lounge though as if marching through barracks, his eyes set on Bask. The young man was holding a data pad.
"Sir," he saluted, offering the pad to Bask. "A report concerning the delivery of the Hazel."
"Send that to Staff officer Jamaican and don't bother me with such trivial reports again," Bask said.
"Forgive me sir, it won't happen again," the young soldier bowed. "He requests your presence Om, don't you dare delay him!"
Bask froze, the young man's eyes had changed, becoming more fierce. Just like his tone of voice, though a common soldier, he was now commanding Bask. The usually calm and collected Bask, the usually confident officer, the elite titan was now fearful.
"Have a nice day sir," the young man returned to his neutral posture and walked away.
Removing his goggles, Bask nervously wiped the mist from it. His hand was shaking, there were few things Bask regretted in his life. In fact there was only one thing, getting involved with a certain man, with very dangerous ideas. Still, when it came to duty and self preservation, Bask cared only for his own life.
'The meeting with the bitch from Sensou will be delayed anyway,' he shrugged, he could afford to keep Jamitov waiting.
Not his other employer though, never his other employer.
Gekido had the show blaring at full volume, working on his cybernetic eye. With the specifically crafted tools, he adjusted the circuitry until it was just right. Then he sprayed the synthetic paint over it, making the plastic machine look like a real eyeball. Using his index finger and thumb, he spread open his socket and then connected his eye to the nerves. There was an itchy feeling in that area that lasted a few minutes. During that time, Gekido kept his natural eye closed and focused on adjusting to the repaired prosthetic. As he moved onto his blue prints, his phone began to ran. Switching it to head set configuration, he continued making adjustments to the proposed replacement for his Flag.
"Talk," he said.
"Akechi-san is that you? Yo, this is Minato Sekai, you contacted me about parts," a young, teenage mechanic spoke over the phone.
"I gave you a list, any problems?" he asked.
"Oh I can get the parts, I just had some inquiries, what with the Junius Seven treaty and Sensou being given some authority by the UN, it's been difficult for me to get stock and heck I'm not even an official mercenary. What you've requested is flagged as a weapon that could be reactivated," Minato explained.
"I could go to Maoh, or Kousaka exports," Gekido said, smirking as he heard the boy growl.
"No way, I can get the parts, and I need the money, lately things have been challenging you know, what with the Titans and A-Laws. Hell, at least Sensou is friendly about their intrusions into your business."
"I understand, how about this, you try to keep this on the down low, I'll throw in a little extra and we could do business in future," Gekido suggested.
"Sure thing, all right, I'll get back to you on a delivery date, see you," Minato said before shutting down the line.
Gekido pulled the ear piece off, folding it back into phone configuration. Toshinori Akechi was just another alias he used for business purposes. Purchasing replacement parts, getting work, or a name to put on a hotel registration form. He typed out a new number and put the phone to his ear.
"Hey, can we meet up? I hope I'm not interrupting your tour but I could use some advice, I'll be willing to pay...thanks, Side 3 huh...no don't worry, I've got business there anyway...you have a good day too," Gekido put the phone down, finished the addition to his blue print and then walked to the door, checking his watch as he did.
He raised his finger as the minute hand came up to a number. The he opened the door, and as he expected.
"Pizza's here," the boy at the door said.
"Right on time as always Van, I assume the idiot just gave it to you right?" Gekido asked.
"He knows I'm just going to end up in here Nobuyuki," the red haired youth smiled.
Van Asiliaino was an Earth Alliance cadet that Gekido befriended, partly because he wanted a link to the Titans training regime in the Side colony, and he liked Van. He was a relatively decent pilot and didn't have the issues the other Gundam pilots had. Coming into the apartment, Van put his sleeveless black jacket on the hook and set the pizza and beers down.
"How are things going at the academy?" Gekido asked.
"Good, very good, my instructor told me that Keraunos squad will be getting their own variant GMs, a gift from Sensou," Van said.
"They seem to be giving a lot away," Gekido muttered, not quite approving of Flay's generosity.
"Sensou's always put its hands into the pockets of other groups, I heard that during the last war they got involved a lot in our mobile suit development project, taking as much for their own private military force as they gave to us. I suppose the new director is using good will to make up for it," Van explained.
"And garner some favours whilst she's at it," Gekido said.
He opened the pizza box, a barbecue meat feast. It was like ecstasy to his nostrils.
"Oh is this when you finally learn that King is a..."
Gekido narrowed his eyes slightly when the door bell rang again, interrupting Van. The red haired boy got on the coach and continued watching the anime. Gekido kept one hand in his cargo pocket, it concealed a knife. He gripped the handle of the door carefully, before swinging it open. His expression became fierce.
"This was supposed to be guy's night," he said.
"Not my fault you two aren't dating anyone," the visitor retorted.
He was a green haired, yellow eyed youth in a Zeon uniform. Next to him was a blonde haired girl with a green hair band, she also wore a Zeon uniform.
"You two just get off duty?" Gekido asked.
"Something like that, hey Van," the boy said.
"Hey Zero, Leila, how are things at the Flannigan institute?" Van asked.
"I think it might get shut down," Leila said.
"Not if that bastard Gihren gets his way," Zero huffed.
Leila Raymond and Zero Murasame were both subjects of the Flannigan institute, students on paper, ill spoken of artificial New types off the books. They were some of the fortunate ones, Gekido had looked into Zeon and the Earth Alliance's research into the Newtype theory, he didn't like either groups treatment of their people. Zero and Leila both had personalities, and their own opinions. It was Gekido's belief that if they didn't like where Zeon went, they wouldn't follow. Similarly he felt the same with Van. Another reason why he had befriended them all.
"Oh One Punch man, come on Nobuyuki, I told you My Hero Academia is what you want to watch," Zero said.
"Oh I've heard good things, I'm saving it for after I've finished One Punch Man," Gekido said.
"I'll tell you One Punch Man might be great for senseless entertainment, but MHA is where it is at, it has emotion and action, no fillers like Naruto or Bleach, and the writing's better than Dragonball," Leila explained.
"Hey, DB had its flaws, but Z will always remain one of the greatest anime series of all time," Gekido muttered.
He smiled opening a beer and taking a piece of pizza. As important as his search for answers was, he also needed to learn to live, to enjoy little moments like this with the people he had become friends with.
'There has to be more to my life than fighting and killing, doesn't there? Lacus?'
Armed conflicts had circulated across certain colonies. Corporations had lost control of employees, even Alliance government sponsored colonies had been overthrown by citizens consumed by the new cult like belief of spacenoid superiority and the independence such a national identity demanded. In the space around a mining colony, block like Recksnow's engaged Earth Alliance forces in battle. Beams from the rifle on the Recksnow's shoulders slammed into Strike Daggers. And the Strike Daggers shot back. A Strike Dagger with a sword pack on its back fired its grapple hook, latching onto a Recksnow. It threw the mobile suit into a nearby ally and then threw its beam boomerang, slicing through both machines. A repurposed maintenance Recten flew at the Strike Dagger, trapping its arms with its hip mounted claw. The Recten moved its welding torch, tracing it across the Strike Dagger's visor. But the Strike Dagger fired its Vulcan's, breaking apart the Recten's big arm. It was then that a Moebius hit the Recten with a missile. Missiles slammed down onto the field and both Earth Alliance forces and the mining army looked up.
"Aim the main beam cannons at the mining facilities port, launch mobile suit forces to relieve the regular forces," the Titans captain said, sitting on the bridge of the Alexandria class vessel.
The Alexandria class ship opened its launch catapults. Black Strike Daggers began to launch out of the ship. Green Hizacks soon followed, led by a red Marasai. Inside the mobile suit, Kacricon Cacooler stroked the picture of his beloved Amelia, before turning his rifle on the outmatched mining forces. Screams echoed through the radio, the pilot of the Moebius and Sword Strike Dagger respectively narrowed their eyes and snarled in disgust.
It was inside an agricultural colony where a similar operation was carried out. Green Grazes floated off of the ground, patrolling the area alongside a Guntank. The mobile suits looked up, seeing a trio of Titan mobile armours, the Hambrabis.
"What the hell," the young pilot of one of the Grazes gasped.
"One of our own was injured during the riots, but the riotters haven't yet caused casualties, all they want is food for god's sake," the leader of the ground team, Crank Zent punched his screen in anger when the Titan officer simply cut him off.
His subordinate, Ein Dalton widened his eyes as he saw the Hambrabi's fire on the city. Inside the Guncannon, the older pilot inside it shook his head.
"This isn't order, it's just tyranny," he said.
In space yet another battle was fought. This time though it was a corporation using a mercenary company in an attempt to regain control of one of their facilities from pirate hands. Gilda mobile suits fired their wire guns, piercing the cockpits of Tekkadan Shidens. A Shiden kicked a Gilda in the chest, before shooting it several times. Two Gundam type mobile suits flew into the fray, the Barbatos 4th form and the Gusion Rebake. The Barbatos hit the Gildas with its mace, whilst the Gusion fired shots from its long rifle. Both machines stopped however when flares were sent out by the Isaribi. Orga Itsuka watched squadrons of Gabthleys and Gaplants fly into the enemy forces.
"Looks like our contract has been cancelled," he said.
The Shiden pilot squeezed his controls, hearing the screams over the radio.
"The Kamina mining facility, Abrau agricultural colony, the UC corporation satellite network, these incidents have continually conveyed the brutality of the Titan's methods, regular military forces already had resolutions at hand before the addition of the Titans escalated the conflicts," explained Alliance General Revil.
A veteran man, whom reminded Flay of a much older and wizened version of Halberton. His military uniform was the Khaki colour of the regular forces, not the higher class white uniforms other officers wore. The conference room had been separated into Titan, Anti-Titan and neutral sides. Revil stood as leader of the Titan's opposition with several officers in brown, white and blue uniforms. Noted Russian officer Sergei Smirnov stood in his blue uniform alongside his adopted daughter, a white haired girl that Flay had heard people call Soma. To her surprise Treize sat next to what was Revil's seat, clad in his full formal uniform. Next to Treize's aide Une was the youngest there, a purple haired boy in a uniform just as formal as Treize's.
"Garma Zabi, forth son of Degwin Zabi," Flay read from Casvall's pad.
"Furthermore, the Titans continual deployment of experimental units is as big a drain on the defence budget as the Junius treaty, for every one ship decommissioned because of the treaty, five more have been done so to make room for the production of the more expensive Alexandria classes and the experimental mobile suits, many of which will never get past limited production," Revil added.
Jamitov had more soldiers on his side than officers. The men and women behind him were in uniform, but the kind soldiers still serving on the battlefield would wear. Flay realised that these were the men and women probably behind these incidents. Bask Om's seat was unoccupied, and there was a purple haired man Flay did not recognise.
"Paptimus Scirocco," she read again. "Would have a chair in all camps if he could, not trustworthy."
Flay and Casvall sat in the 'neutral' camp with Blex and some others. There was an Orb representative, Flay knew from the clothing. She recognised one of the men was from ZAFT, being in the purple and black uniform. He was brown haired and brown eyed and sat next to someone Flay did recognise. Rustal Elion of Gjallarhorn, commander of the Arianrhod fleet, his white, gold and green coat was draped over the shoulders of his white and black uniform. His subordinate was a blonde haired girl.
"Our actions have been in keeping with the treaty, as are our mobile suit developments," Jamitov said.
"But you have continually invasively occupied Side colonies, regarding our citizens with suspicion, holding them without grounds," Garma said, standing up.
"You have also repeatedly disregarded the etiquette and laws of conflict and the treatment of prisoners," Treize remained seated.
"We were the victors of those conflicts," Jamitov scoffed at Treize's honour and waved aside Garma, "your people are afforded only the rights that the Alliance government provides."
"Not true," Flay spoke up, surprising some of the Titans and the people on her side. "The amendment of the Human Rights Act in CE 56 states that anyone, regardless of whether they were born on Earth or a colony is considered human thus protected under the Human Rights act. Though Treize's statement did not have this in mind, 'Treatment of the prisoners of war' clearly states that someone is considered a prisoner of war when they are captured during an open conflict between recognised national powers, the Titans have not yet been recognised as an Anti-terror organisation, taking of prisoners and their treatment still falls under the jurisdiction of the Alliance's Central Security Agency," she explained.
There were some disgruntled huffs and murmurs from the Titan's side. Jamitov was containing a glare, whilst Scirocco seemed as impressed as Treize and Rustal.
"Furthermore, the Deikun treaty acknowledged the republic of Zeon as a national power allied with the Atlantic Federation, but independently in control of their own laws and defence, so long as their forces adhere to the recruitment and production limits ordained in the treaty," Flay continued.
She sat down, turning her head when Rustal patted her shoulder.
"Impressive Chairwoman," he said.
"I had a good legal teacher," for all Flay had learnt about business from her father, she had learnt more about the law from Natarle, particularly everything related to military law.
"The Titans have been granted legal authority to act in the face of terrorist incidents, should the Side colonies produce a militaristic faction willing to enforce extreme ideologies, then it is the Titans who will act. Our stern approach may seem unpleasant to you, but when Spacenoids begin raising arms for more autonomy you'll be begging for our stern hands," Jamitov explained.
"If we do start demanding autonomy it will only be because we deserve it," Garma said, to the anger of the Titans side.
"Idealistic, a little self entitled, not an Iok!"
Flay looked at Casvall's note, hearing a chuckle from Rustal behind her. He must have read the letter and have been in on Casvall's joke.
"The Titans will continue to monitor the Side colonies, we have genuine Intel that dangerous chemical materials have been smuggled through customs," Jamitov said.
"Where is the proof of this?" Sergei asked.
"Show us proof Jamitov, we may concede then," Revil added.
Ultimately though, the meeting had no clear resolution. Flay though had shown many of the gathered military, political and corporate leaders that she was formidable in all the arenas. She had experienced just as much as Lacus and Cagalli, if not more. Casvall adjusted his sunglasses as Garma passed Flay, nodding to her in respect.
"Miss Alster, our minister of education told me of your donation of books to our school program, you have my thanks both for that and your words today," Garma stated, taking Flay's hand to kiss.
Though she turned it into a shake, something that Garma did not fight against.
"I was simply stating facts Mr Zabi, I understand you'll be hosting a ball at some point, if possible I would like to attend," Flay said.
"I have an invitation Chairwoman Alster," Scirocco said, walking into the conversation.
Casvall narrowed his eyes at the man, watching him carefully as he shook Flay's hand.
"I understand you are from Jupiter," Rustal's voice echoed behind them.
He stood in front of Paptimus with his arms crossed.
"It is surprising that a man from the colonies would support an Anti-colonial independence faction like the Titans," the man said.
"Not at all, support of the Titans can help the colonies," Scirocco said.
"I had heard you only recently arrived back in the Earth sphere," Garma stated. "How was the situation in the Jupiter colonies?" he asked.
"It is the authority and control that the Beowolf company provided Jupiter in the absence of the major political factions that inspired me to support the Titans, also..." Paptimus drifted off, looking over his shoulder at Casvall. "I wanted to find a mercenary whom saved my life during the Civil War there, unfortunately he died in the battle of Orb."
Casvall squeezed his hand into a fist, something that didn't go unnoticed by Flay.
"Mr Scirocco, perhaps we could discuss that invitation to the Zabi family manor you received, as well as your contributions to the Titan's mobile suit program," Flay said, hastily taking Scirocco by his arm.
Casvall followed, brushing past Garma as he walked. The young Zabi looked at Casvall's back curiously, looking briefly at Rustal who joined his side.
"Something wrong young lord Zabi?" he asked, half mockingly.
"That man, something seemed familiar about him," Garma said.
"Strange, I was about to say the same thing," Rustal smirked.
"Where were you?" Bask cursed, putting away his phone.
He'd have to explain everything to Jamitov later. Bask grit his teeth together, adjusting the collar of his coat. The meeting was to take place in the lower part of town, where all the Spacenoids and immigrants lived. He hated walking amongst them, even looking at them pathetically begging on the streets. But he was quickly approaching the destination he had been sent, an old bar that had been shut down by the Titans. To Om's surprise, the barriers around it had been torn down and none of the guards were there. He cautiously stepped inside, making sure that he had his pistol loaded. Suddenly, he felt a gun press against his hip.
"That will not be necessary Bask Om," a woman's voice spoke behind him.
She stunk of the same gutter trash that the other immigrants did, so she had obviously been hiding amongst them. Another man came out of one of the coat storage rooms, pulling Bask's pistol out of his pocket. He was in a Zeon uniform, a simple grunt and not an officer.
"Go on ahead," he said.
Bask was tempted to look over his shoulder at the woman, but he felt her push her pistol deeper into his hip.
"He is waiting," she said.
Bask walked into the bar, seeing the hooded figure sitting at one of the stools. He could see the metallic mask stretching out of the man's hood, immediately Bask recognised him as General Legacy.
"Bask Om, punctual as expected," he said.
He slid a bottle across the table, an Earth brand of scotch that was one of Bask's favourites. Cautiously sitting beside the masked man, Bask analysed the bottle before removing the cork.
"I'm not some common soldier to be summoned when you have need of me," he said.
"That's exactly what you are to me Bask, I have resources that you need, the Titans will be seen as a drain on resources without me," Legacy said.
"I despise being here, waiting, the spacenoids are far from being a threat to the Earth, that I must concede, even though I would like nothing more than for the Alliance to take absolute control from those Zeon bastards," Bask explained.
"The Side colonies are a kingdom, no matter the name they take. The Deikun's, the Zabi's, bearers of these family names stand as contenders for the throne, they are the kings and queens, the princes and princesses. One day, they may stand as the gods that oppose the Titans," Legacy chuckled as Bask looked at him in shock.
"You, what are you suggesting now?"
"Turn Side colonies against the Earth, then the Titans will be given authority, their existence will be justified," Legacy explained.
"But how can such a thing be done, and how can I do that without getting caught?" Bask demanded.
Legacy reached into his pocket, removing a slip of paper.
"I trust you have no qualms over it," he said.
Bask unrolled the note, read it and after a moment of shock, smirked.
"Not at all, in fact, it is perfect, we get our justification to launch a full occupation and a colony filled with pesky spacenoids dies, its perfect," he said, beginning to laugh.
Gekido chuckled as he walked through the streets. The get together had gone as he hoped it would, they all had a good time and parted ways. He removed his phone from his pocket and looked at a photo sent by Woolf. The racer had taken to the Grand Prix again, his 'final season', using a Shalldoll-G with Sensou sponsorship. His primary advertisement was the promotion of Sensou, Orb's Morgenroute, Madorna workshop and now the Deep Space Survey and Development Organisation. The more people with stakes in the venture, the greater its chance of success, or at least that seemed to be part of the logic behind it. With Orb's own economy in shambles, many of its engineering talent having immigrated to the Plants, they had passed the exploration mission onto Sensou's shoulders. For better or worse, it was Flay's responsibility now.
'Maybe there is something I can do to help,' Gekido thought.
He typed out a response for Woolf.
"Maybe the amount of sponsors on that thing will blind the other racers!"
"Lol, I could outrace them all, Shalldoll lighter."
"So brittle AF?"
"It's for racing not combat," Woolf's emoji rolled its eyes.
Gekido put his phone away and continued. Out of his other pocket he pulled out an envelope of cash, counted it and then looked towards the Mandarin styled garden he was to meet his contact at. He was just about to cross the corner when he narrowed his eyes.
"AAAAGH!" a voice bellowed out above him.
Gekido ducked, avoiding a kick. When his attacker landed, he jumped, avoiding a sweep kick. Kamille threw a punch that Gekido blocked, and then proceeded to follow up with a hook across Gekido's face. Growling in frustration, Gekido took a few steps back.
"Apologise right now," the blue haired youth said.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" Gekido asked.
"Kamille Bidan!"
"Kamille, isn't that a..."
"It's a man's name!"
Again Kamille threw a punch, and again Gekido blocked it.
"Look pal, I'm supposed to be calming and centring myself, but if you want a fight," Gekido grinned, punching Kamille across the face. "I'll be happy to oblige you!"
Kamille dropped into a stance, but widened his eyes as Gekido slipped into a stance of his own. Not the traditional boxing stance he usually used, but calmer and more elegant.
"Time to see if Sifu's guidance has paid off," Gekido muttered.
Kamille yelled and rushed towards Gekido, who was about to move forward. Suddenly, a fist crashed on top of Kamille's head.
"Kamille," Fa seethed. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!"
When Gekido stepped forward, a ribbon wrapped around his heel. He was suddenly flipped onto the ground, looking up at the sky. The artificial sun was blocked by the head of the man holding the ribbon. His purple robe was cheap, but fine, a traditional martial art robe. Though the man's hair was grey and his features aged, he still had a strong posture, and his robe didn't conceal his tone body. His moustache curled up with his smile.
"You dropped your guard angry one, Wing Chun is the ideal defence and offence, yet you've wasted it on a simple disagreement, you still have the combat lust within you," he shook his head in disappointment. "You are also quite late," he huffed, rolling up his sleeve and showing Gekido his watch.
Rubbing his sore head, Gekido's groan matched Kamille's. He looked up at the old man and sighed.
"You're right of course," he rolled onto his knees, bowing his head. "Sorry Sifu Kuroso!"
The man pulled his head back and laughed.
"Such formality angry one."
Kamille got off of the floor and dropped his jaw looking at the old man.
"It can't be," he gasped.
"What's with him Shuuji?" Gekido asked.
"There's that informality of yours...I suppose he's a fan of sorts, unlike you he knows me more by my more recognised title," the old teacher put his hands together and bowed to Kamille.
"Undefeated of the East, grand master of the school...of Master Asia!"
Next Chapter 18: Stillness and regret
The end of this chapter was one of my favourite moments, I'll say Master Asia will be called more by his real name Shuuji Kuroso than the Master Asia title.