Sorry, it seems like the number of gundams in this story will be absolutely unreal… I've just gotta get all these cool gundams in, and it seems like I'll be pulling in more pilots from Mahou Sensei Negima. Ever imagined the Heavy Arms versus the Geminass? Or perhaps the F91 versus the Wing? Or perhaps we could even pit the Gundam Physalis versus the Epyon. Well, here's my version of what such battles would be like.
Now to reply to reviews!
BigFics2: As I said in the revised edition of Chapter 1, I've already read your Gundam Hina, and it's no doubt a fantastic piece of work (and I'm seriously waiting for an update, btw). But I'm pretty sure this is the first Love Hina/Mahou Sensei Negima/Gundam Wing/Gundam Seed/Gundam Mobile Fighter/Mobile Suit Gundam crossover. Hope you don't mind. Thanks for the review
The Thirteenth Sapphire: As I said in the revised edition of chp 1, yes, I'm definitely bringing all the Gundam Wing mobile suits into the story, definitely. I mean, what's a gundam story without the heavy arms? Thanks again for the review.
Froger54: Thanks for the review. Plenty more characters coming in, especially cause I'm bringing in more gundams, so don't worry about character shortage. Thanks again.
ChaosRonin: Thanks for the review. Don't worry, insanity guaranteed, especially as soon as they get out into space...wait, was that too much of a spoiler?
Also, please send in any suggestions (by review) on any new gundams or possibly characters to add, and I will try and include it in the story. Thanks, and please enjoy the story.
Disclaimer: Don't own Love Hina, Mahou Sensei Negima, or any of the Gundam series. Sorry, not liable for anything, so don't even try.
Don't forget to review!
Onboard the Mercenary Ship, Galeniev Altus, a few hundred kilometers outside the UHR territorial space of ZO-1. 8.10 GMT, 4 hours before the assault on ZO-1
"Hey…are you serious?" A red haired girl asked, floating lazily across the cockpit of the ship. "They actually brought an entire battlecruiser here, along with 4 other mercenary groups…just to assault that puny colony?"
"Beats me, Asuna…de gozaru…" A tall black haired girl said, sitting at the pilot's seat. "It seems like they are expecting heavy resistance from their enemy, de gozaru."
"Really, Kaede?" A young black haired girl, with a ponytail sticking out form one side, came into the room and sat at one of the computer terminals. "As far as I know ZO-1 is completely a civilian colony…why would there be heavy resistance? That's just overkill. And I seriously don't feel right about working for ZEON…yes, they're fighting for the independence of the natural colonies…but the methods of the Zabi family is somewhat questionable."
"Yes…in fact, ZEON hired those space pirate mercenary bastards, the Crossbones as well…that can't be right. I can't stand the thought of working with such people…" Asuna said, turning around and kicking off the ceiling towards a computer console.
"When it comes to mercenary work, Setsuna, Asuna, we don't look at who the client is. We only look at the job offered and the cash…as long as the job doesn't concern anything like killing civilians then it's no problem. And if you do meet any Crossbones, fire at will…I'll take responsibility for it." A tall brown skinned girl who was sitting at another computer terminal turned around and faced the others. "Come people, we've got to get our Mobile Suits prepped…the operation starts in two hours."
"Yes, Captain Mana! Someone wake up Ku Fei!" Asuna shouted.
Onboard the Mercenary Ship, Galeniev Altus, a few hundred kilometers outside the UHR territorial space of ZO-1. 8.10 GMT, a few hours before the assault on ZO-1
"All right…thrusters check…veneers check…all weapons are go. Just wait for the signal…" Asuna said, sitting in the cockpit of her MS, a Blaze Zaku Phantom Custom. She was wearing a purple and white pilot suit with a matching helmet that was covered with insignias of many different military groups.
"Wait…incoming transmission de gozaru." Kaede said over the com.
"We've got new orders, they want us to hijack a transport that has just left the colony. It has quite an escort, so be careful out there. I'm sure you know the standard procedures." Mana's voice came over the com.
"Yeah, Aru! Get in there, whallop the whole lot of them, Aru!" Ku Fei shouted.
"Right, the Galeniev Altus should be all right by itself. Launch and form a skirmish formation around me. Asuna, you first. Launch!" Mana commanded.
"Right! Blaze Zaku Phantom Custom, Asuna Kagurazaka, Launch!" The bright red MS zoomed down the mass accelerator and out into the darkness of space. The next MS was lowered onto the mass accelerator.
"Ginn High Maneuver Custom Tsukishiro, Setsuna Sakurazaki! Launch!" A blazing white MS burst out and extended its white maneuver stabilizers.
"Jegan Custom, Kaede Nagase, Launch!" A jet black MS zoomed down the accelerator and launched.
"Slash Zaku Phantom Custom, Ku Fei, Launch, Aru!" A bright yellow Zaku launched and looped around the Blaze Zaku Phantom before pushing over the Jegan Custom.
"Taurus Custom, Mana Tatsumiya, Launch!" A pitch black Taurus with wing-like space stabilizers launched and joined the others. "Right, skirmish formation. Let's get going."
Laboratory Corridors, Morgenroette Laboratories, Morgenroette Industrial Park, United HINATA Regencies (UHR) civilian colony, ZO-1, L3 space. 12.26 GMT
"Where on ZO-1 am I?" Rayce asked, looking around at four corridors that led off an intersection. "And where the hell is Shinobu?"
Outside Airlock 3, Suzaka Spaceport, Zo-1, UHR territorial space, 12.30
"This is as far as I can take you…but you should be able to get to the OZ ship Grand Shario safely from here by yourself." Lee said, turning his MS back towards the Epyon. "Good luck Negi. I've contacted the people on the Grand Shario, they'll be ready for your arrival. I've got a medical team on standby too. Hope your sister gets better." Lee zoomed back into the colony spaceport airlock.
"Thanks…" Negi said, as he watched the MS Wing Exodus fly away back into the colony. Before him lay the endless darkness of space. "Now…if I follow this marker, I should be able to get to the Grand Shario. Hang in there, sis…" He activated his thrusters and moved forewards, leaving the colony behind.
"Hey…what have we got here?" a voice came over the com. Negi looked around wildly. A number of unidentified blips showed up on his radar.
"It's one of the target MS…more EAF garbage. But if we can get it back to the bos, we should get pretty hefty rewards." Another voice said. An assortment of custom MSs surrounded the Epyon, all painted in jet black, bearing skull and crossbone insignias.
"Hey, you there, in the MS, surrender peacefully and we'll let you live." Another voice said over the com.
"Hehe, why don't we play around a bit…"
"Idiot, the boss wants the target MS in one piece. A totaled MS is of no value to anyone, so hold it!"
"But…oh damn it…"
Negi was shaking with fear. His face was flowing with perspiration. There was no way out…surrender? But then he remembered what that pilot had said…he looked back at his sister who was breathing quick and shallow.
"Hey, he isn't responding…maybe scared shitless. This should wake him up…" One of the pirate MSs shot a short machine gun burst at the Epyon. The shock shook the unit to the core.
"…" Something welled up from within Negi…it was a basic instinct…the instinct to survive and protect…all fear was swept away from him as a new fire flared up in the depths of his eyes. "No one touches my sister!"
The MS that fired the shot was suddenly sliced into two halves, crackling in between, before blowing up into a supernova. All the other MSs scattered and opened fire. "What the hell was that? Did you see where it came from?" One of the pilots shouted.
"No…wait…that MS…since when was it holding that thing…" Another pilot said. The Epyon had its beam saber/whip out at full force.
Negi looked up at the other MS and shouted. "AAAAAAAAAAAGHHHH!" With one swift slash of the Epyon's beam saber, half the pirate MSs where slashed apart. The remaining MSs were desperately trying to fight back, peppering the Epyon with everything from machine gun bullets to missiles. The Epyon burst out from the resulting cloud of smoke and charged through the remaining MSs, leaving behind a trail of supernovae.
"hah…hah…" Negi looked back, panting. "I…I…" The spherical computer screen in the middle of the control console was shining bright, making a weird buzzing noise.
"Hey, that was splendid work…and they told me you were just a kid needing help." A voice came over the com.
The Epyon whirled around and faced the two MS Leos that had appeared on the scene. "H…Hey, calm down. We're OZ pilots from the Grand Shario. Lieutenant Lee Davis told us you'd be needing help so he told us to rendezvous with you…seems like it was them that needed help."
"I…I…" Negi's breaths were coming in sharp and fast.
"Hey, kid…you ok?" One of the pilots asked.
"I don't think so…grab the MS, we'll have to guide him in" The two Leos took hold of the Epyon and started to fly back to the OZ flagship.
Negi's vision blurred for a moment, "uh…" before everything blacked out, leaving him in a dark, cold world. "Mana-neechan…"
Laboratory corridors, Morgenroette Laboratories, Morgenroette Industrial Park, United HINATA Regencies (UHR) civilian colony, ZO-1, L3 space. 12.32 GMT
"Great…I'm definitely lost…" Rayce muttered, trudging along a corridor, looking into doors randomly. "Maybe if I backtrack now…"
Hangar 6, Morgenroette Laboratories, Morgenroette Industrial Park, United HINATA Regencies (UHR) civilian colony, ZO-1, L3 space. 12.35 GMT
"Right…first of all…system activation…" Shinobu murmured. The screen on the console in front of her flashed on, "GUNDAM system activated, Unit name: X-201 H1N-Alpha Codename Hinata now activated…" the panoramic display unit that surrounded the cockpit flashed on, showing the MS's exterior. "What a strange OS…" Shinobu murmured, looking across the console. A status screen showing the MS as a whole showed up. The MS Hinata looked more or less like the F91 piloted by Seabook Arno in Mobile Suit Gundam F91. Shinobu flipped a few more switches on the overhead consoles and a few more on the front consoles before talking into the com. "…SOS, please respond…ZO-1 colonist in need of help. SOS, please respond."
"X-201 Hinata?" A voice came over the com.
"Yes, I think that's the name of the unit I'm in." Shinobu replied. "I'm a ZO-1 colonist…"
"Yes, yes, Shinobu-chan. I could recognize your voice anywhere." The voice replied.
"Huh, who are you?" Shinobu asked, raising the volume slightly.
"Can't you recognize my voice, it's Suu-chan, Suu-chan! So you're in the Hinata, Shinobu-chan? You're fighting too? Hey, take this!" A few explosions came over the com as well as machine gun bursts.
"Suu-chan, are you all right?" Shinobu asked, suddenly worrying.
"hehe, don't worry Shinobu-chan. I'll take care of this…HEYA! EAT HOT LEAD!...anyway, Shinobu-chan, are YOU ok?" Suu asked, as calmly as if they were sitting opposite one another in a café.
"Wait…that's…" Shinobu looked up at the sky beyond the hangar doors. She noticed two MSs that were going straight towards a group of shelter escape pods. She looked down at her radar screen and brought up the MS identification panel. They were two ZEON Zaku models with Crossbone Pirate Identification markers. "Oh no…"
"What is it, Shinobu-chan?" Suu asked.
"Anou…Tell me, Suu-chan, would Crossbone pirates harm civilians?" Shinobu asked, flipping a few more switches on her overhead panel as the Hinata walked out into the open and extended its two huge aerodynamic stabilized thruster units.
"Yes, they either kidnap or kill civilians. Why? You're not saying you're being attacked by pirates are you?" Suu asked. "Hey, that's a cheap trick, take this! And This! And eat more of this!"
Shinobu ignited her thrusters. The vibrations in the cockpit shocked her at first but after a while she got used to it. "Well…no…but…anyway, the controls on this MS should be the same as any civilian MS, right?" She asked, as the MS lifted up slowly off the ground. She directed it towards the shelter escape pods and pushed the throttle to full. The engines roared, sending the lightweight MS into the sky. The two MS had drawn closer to the group of escape pods and were encircling them, probably demanding the pilots to surrender.
"Shinobu-chan! What's happening! Yes, these new models are built with more or less the same operating systems, but why? You're not telling me you're gonna fight, are you?" Suu shouted over the com.
"I'm going after some pirates." Shinobu said quickly. "I must protect those colonists."
"Shinobu-chan!" Suu shouted.
Shinobu quickly brought up her weapons inventory and looked through it. She realized these pirates won't back down without a fight. Her MS carried a number of fixed armaments including two head mounted vulcans, two torso mounted heavy machinecannons, two standard beam sabers, and two VSBRs (Variable Speed Beam Rifles), as well as two arm mounted beam shields. She activated one of the VSBRs, raised the MS's right hand up to the backpack and grasped it.
She primed it and aimed it at the nearest pirate MS's gun. Her targeting computer was still not set properly so the targeting computer was having a hard time locking on. "Don't hurt those civilians, or I'll shoot!" Shinobu shouted into her com.
"What…with that little pea-shooter?" The MS pilot laughed, turning around and facing Shinobu. "Here's what a proper gun looks like." The Zaku raised its bazooka and aimed.
"Seems like a nice MS you got there, must be worth quite a lot. Give it to me." The other pirate MS pilot said.
"You won't surrender…then for the sake of the colonists…" Shinobu pushed down the trigger on her right control yoke and fired the VSBR. It shot a straight narrow beam of light straight at the one of the Zaku's bazookas which pierced it and caused it to explode. She aimed again and fired at the second Zaku's head as it was about to fire its machine gun, blowing it off completely. It was rendered functionless immediately as it slowly descended towards the ground.
The remaining Zaku charged at Shinobu, it's Vulcan cannons primed. Shinobu aimed at it, but her targeting system was still not set properly for fast paced combat. "AWAWAWA…."
A huge laser beam shot came down from the sky above and blasted the last Zaku, leaving no traces behind. Shinobu noticed a blip on the radar moving in her direction as the hostile indicator lights flashed on. She looked up at her panoramic screen and saw an OZ Leo approach her. It raised its machine gun and fired.
Shinobu, half-by reflex, grasped the control yokes and quickly maneuvered the MS into a sideways roll, avoiding the machine gun burst.
"Hey, Shinobu-chan, I heard shots. Are you ok? Shinobu-chan!" Suu shouted over the com. "Sorry I was out for a moment there…this guy won't back down!"
"I'm ok Suu-chan, but I think I've got company." Shinobu said, wiping sweat off her forehead.
"I'm Lieutenant Lee Davis of the OZ special forces, I'm here for that MS you're in. Will you please surrender it peacefully? I heard that distress signal you sent out. As a civilian, you would be granted full protection by the OZ forces if you surrender it peacefully." A voice came over the com as another MS came down and hovered beside the Leo. It grasped the Leo's machine gun, gesturing it to stand down. The Leo retreated backwards slightly and kept the machine gun aimed in Shinobu's direction.
"No way! Shinobu, neither OZ, ZAFT, or ZEON could be trusted….nor the EAF for that matter. Shinobu, whatever happens, that MS musn't fall into OZ hands! The power of that single MS alone could singlehandedly…bzzzzzt…." Suu was suddenly cut off.
"Suu-chan! Suu-chan!" Shinobu shouted into her com.
"Please understand, if you surrender peacefully now, we'll protect you as a war-victim civilian." Lee said into the com. "Come peacefully and we could save a lot of unnecessary violence."
"You…you're going to use this MS…to kill people…aren't you? To attack more colonies like ZO-1…to cause more suffering and pain…" Shinobu asked, priming the MS for more action.
"Please understand. We, the OZ forces, have no territorial or dominion interests here in this colony. We are only here to prevent unnecessary civilian casualties and secure the cause of this assault, the new EAF weapons." Lee explained again patiently. "Please cooperate. We have no intentions of hurting civilians."
"…you…you're not going to use this MS…to create more violence?" Shinobu asked.
"No…that I promise you." Lee said. "You have my word as an OZ soldier."
"…Very well…" Shinobu said, giving in.
"Good. To show you how much I mean it, I'll let you pilot that MS until we get to the OZ ship, if you prefer. I can see you're pretty good at handling MSs" Lee offered. The Leo beside him advanced a bit to show disagreement, but the Wing Exodus raised its hand to again tell the pilot to stand down.
"…Anou…Very well." Shinobu agreed. On the whole, it would give her a lot more protection than riding on another OZ vehicle, or so she thought.
"Very well then, follow me. I'll lead you to our flagship, the Grand Shario." Lee said as the Wing Exodus started to move in the direction of the space ports. Shinobu followed suit. The Leo unit followed closely behind them. Shinobu could sense that the pilot of the Leo didn't trust her in the least bit.
"So, what's your name?" Lee asked over the com.
"…Shinobu Maehara…" Shinobu replied, short and concise. She still didn't know whether to trust this person or not but she'd rather not fight if she could avoid it.
"Maehara-san…you're quite a brave girl, you know that? Climbing into an MS like that…fighting off those pirates to save the evacuees…that takes a lot of guts, if you don't mind me saying so." Lee said. "I met another civilian piloting an MS today…he was only a kid who was trying to save his ill sister…it's amazing how war could cause people to act…How old are you, Maehara-san?"
"I'm…12 years old…turning 13." Shinobu answered. She kept glancing back at the Leo unit uneasily.
"So young and yet so skilled at piloting an MS…you must be a coordinator….but even a coordinator kid would find it difficult to handle an MS." Lee said.
"How old are you, Davis-san?" Shinobu suddenly asked, curious.
"I'm 14." Lee answered, turning his MS slightly in a different direction. Shinobu corrected her direction as well.
"You're very young yourself, Davis-san." Shinobu commented, mostly to fill up the awkward silence. "Anou…there're two MSs down there…" Shinobu said, looking down at her radar screen. "Heavy Arms and Geminass…They're fighting!"
"…Shinobu-chan, is that you!" Suu's voice suddenly came back over the com.
"Suu-chan! You're ok!" Shinobu exclaimed, relieved. Then she registered the source of the communication…the Gundam Heavy Arms. "Suu-chan!" She immediately accelerated downwards towards the Heavy Arms and Geminass which were encircling one another rapidly, firing everything they had.
Shinobu aimed her VSBR at the Geminass. Then a voice came over the com, "Stop it, Maehara-san!" Lee shouted.
"That's my friend over there!" Shinobu shouted, keeping the VSBR aimed.
"Shinobu-chan!" Suu shouted, aiming her beam gattling and micro-missile launchers at the Wing Exodus and firing. The Wing Exodus evaded the shots and missiles with a few rapid evasive maneuvers. The Heavy Arms aimed its huge cannon pack and charged "That's one of the stolen MSs! Get out of here, Shinobu-chan!". The Wing Exodus pulled out of the maneuver with its buster rifle primed and aimed. It pulled the trigger, releasing a huge beam shot at the Heavy Arms, blasting it apart before it could fire the bazooka.
"Suu-chan!" Shinobu screamed, as the light from the explosion danced across her eyes. "Suu-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!"
"I'm…sorry…" Lee said.
"Heh, I can see you guys have something to sort out. I gotta pull out of here ASAP, my energy's running low. See you back at the ship!" Kotarou's Geminass turned around and zoomed off towards the spaceport.
"Suu-chan…she…never…wanted…to…have…to…fight…sob…she…came …here…in search…of…peace…" Shinobu sobbed, tears running down her face. "Suu-chan…" She called out. "YOU!" She cried out angrily, suddenly turning towards Lee, aiming her VSBR. "You promised not to use this MS for violence…and yet that… that thing you're in….sob…that's just another stolen MS…taken from this colony… you… you just used it to kill Suu-chan… how can you not say that…sob…that's not violence!" Shinobu cried out. "It'll be the same…this MS will be used for violence too… it will kill more people like Suu-chan if I hand it over to you…" She shouted.
"Shinobu-chan, please, calm down. I had to do that…she had a bazooka aimed…" Lee tried to explain.
"Suu-chan was trying to protect me!" Shinobu fired her VSBR at the Wing Exodus which evaded easily. The Leo unit rushed down and fired a few bursts with its machine gun.
Some of the bullets struck her VSBR which fell out of her hand, luckily unscathed. Shinobu extended her left arm and opened up her beam shield. The red hot lead bullets flashed blue and silver as they burned up in the beam shield. "I'll destroy you!" She reached her right hand to her right hip armor and drew out a beam saber. The beam saber flashed bright red as she drew the hand back and threw it up at the Leo. It spun across the sky and struck the Leo's arms, severing them cleanly off. She grasped the returning saber and falling machine gun and fired the machine gun at Lee.
Lee's MS flashed a few times, disappearing and re-appearing, weaving in between the streaking lead tracers, before it appeared, mid-spin, in front of Shinobu's MS. It pushed the machine gun aside and aimed a rifle at the head of the HINATA. "I don't want to fight either, but for me, peace is everything…even if I must fight to achieve it. I can see you don't want to fight, so please surrender…"
"Wuu…." Shinobu shoved Lee's rifle aside, which accidentally shot downwards, then aimed a spinning kick at his MS that sent it crashing down into the ground.
The location of the fallen VSBR showed up on the radar and Shinobu quickly flew down to retrieve it.
The cloud of dust that was hovering over where the Lee's MS crashed suddenly dissipated, blown away by the roar of the MS' huge boosters. It lifted into the sky and zoomed after Shinobu.
"Maehara-san! Listen to reason! Your friend died because this is a battlefield and it's kill or be killed…If I had any other choice I would have not killed her… Don't force me to do the same to you!"
As Shinobu swooped down to pick up the VSBR, Lee swooped back down after her and fired his Vulcan cannons. Shinobu senses the incoming shots and weaved in between the shots as she reached for the VSBR. She grasped it as she swerved into a horizontal flying position facing upwards, her thrusters barely scraping the ground. She aimed her VSBR again and fired 5 consecutive shots which forced Lee to pull out of his pursuit.
Shinobu lifted back up into the sky and took out her second VSBR. She aimed both VSBRs at Lee and fired. The Wing Exodus weaved in between the shots and came up in front of Shinobu, beam saber out and ready.
Shinobu threw the MS' body backwards, leaning out of the way of the beam saber slash that Lee delivered. She stowed away both VSBRs as she did so, and took out her beam saber.
Lee meanwhile advanced with an overhead slash. Shinobu brought her saber up and blocked. The two sabers met and crackled. Lee forced Shinobu's saber aside by shifting his MS's weight in her direction. She fired up her veneers and strafed aside from Lee's oncoming slash, coming at him again from the side. Lee immediately fired up his thrusters and strafed, evading Shinobu's sideways slash. They boost-strafed around one another, crossing blades as they did so.
Lee made one last quick lunge and knocked aside Shinobu's saber, aiming his saber straight at Shinobu's cockpit. Shinobu was blinded by the flash of the saber as she desperately tried to avoid it…though she knew it was already too late. She shut her eyes, expecting the saber to slash through the cockpit and incinerate her…but it didn't.
She opened up her eyes again and saw that the saber had stopped a mere 2 meters away. Then it was lowered. "Maehara-san…" Lee said over the com. "I…All I want is peace…and OZ promised that. I'll let you go today…but remember…there is no place for innocence on the battlefield." The Wing Exodus's thrusters roared as it flew away.
"Y…You're running away!" Shinobu shouted after him. Then she noticed her energy gauge was in the red zone. Warning lights had started going off. "Uhh…" She muttered as she turned back towards the Morgenroette hangar.
"No place for innocence on the battlefield…" Shinobu whispered, as her MS flew over the wrecked colony below.
Laboratory Corridors, Morgenroette Laboratories, Morgenroette Industrial Park, United HINATA Regencies (UHR) civilian colony, ZO-1, L3 space. 12.38 GMT
"Hmmm…I'm sure I've seen this bulletin board before…" Rayce looked up at a bulletin board. "And I'm sure I've seen that cigarette butt there…hmmm…which means…." He hit one palm with a fist. "I'm going in circles…yeah, that's it…" he said, nodding in agreement with himself. "…" He punched a hole through the bulletin board. "DAMN IT!"
"Eh?" Part of the wall beside him crumbled, revealing another corridor. "Hmm… I'm guessing this should also lead somewhere…" he followed the corridor, passed a number doors and intersections, until he reached a steel blast door.
"Hmmm…well, looks like a hangar…there might be shelter down there too…" he said, slicing into the control panel and hacking the security codes using his palmtop. "There." The panel beeped its approval. The gigantic doors slowly slid open with an ominous groan.
"What the…" Rayce took a rapid step backwards upon seeing what lay beyond the doors. Its sleek black exterior shone with a majestic darkness. Everything about it suggested certain death, from the colour to the shape as a whole. "Oh…man….now THIS is MY kind of MS…" He walked into the hangar where the MS stood, silent, domineering.
"I wonder what kind of drive system it uses…link or alpha…" He looked around. "No one seems to be around…"
There was a clatter behind him.
"Huh?" Rayce whirled around to regard the source of the sound. "Who's there?"
"Eh? Just a sober man…" The figure in the darkness under a platform said. He was obscured by a number of crates and the darkness itself.
"Yeah, you certainly sound sober…" Rayce said, drawing closer.
"I can see you have a good eye for MSs…hic" The figure said. "hehehe…in fact, I haven't seen a youth with such good eyes in a long time…hic" The figure staggered into the light.
"Huh?" Rayce was slightly taken aback by this strange apparition. It was a bald old man with a strand of white hair sticking out of the back of his head…which was slightly too long for a normal head at that. He had a long, rather frizzled beard that was now smelling strongly of sake. He was dressed in a white robe, held up by a length of rope. In one hand was a bottle of sake, in another was a data disk.
"Hehehe…see what I've done…" He gestured at the MS. "See what…hic… became of my life's work…hic… this is the…hic…culmination of so many years of research…hic… the ultimate harbinger of death…hic…" The old man hiccupped as he spoke, swinging his sake bottle around as he did so.
"Old geezer…you're saying you built this?" Rayce asked. "Or are you just plain drunk? I do believe the latter is more believable…"
"ME! Build this atrocity! Hoh, yes! NO! I left that to the young 'uns who wanted so badly to use the GUNDAM system to build such killing machines…!" The man staggered and fell backwards. "I…I never wanted…I…" The man slumped and started sobbing. "No…This…This is not what…I created the system for…"
"Hey, old geezer, pull yourself together. We've gotta get outta here before the whole place collapses. Do you know if there are any shelters here?" Rayce asked, extending a hand to the old man.
"Collapses…can't you see, young man, this whole place is about to collapse thanks to me….me and my creations….perversions of the ultimate system of good… they came for these…these…weapons of mass destruction…" The old man sobbed. "I've killed the entire colony….and possibly all of mankind…there's no knowing what they will do with such power…I…I must…die for these sins…you go"
"Who cares! To live is the greater challenge! If you think you're so sinful then do something to rectify it!" Rayce shouted with frustration. "and maybe you could start by telling me where the nearest shelter is!"
"…" The old man bowed down his head for a moment.
"Hey, old geezer? You haven't died already, have you?" Rayce looked down at him.
"You…You're right, kid." He said, throwing aside the sake bottle. He got up and walked over to a console and switched on a holographic display. "I don't know what… well…whatever. I can see you're a good young man."
"What? What're you talking about, old geezer." Rayce asked, walking over to him.
"Young man, I'm handing over the possession of this MS to you, the Gundam Deathscythe. You decide what you will become…a harbinger of death, or a saviour of humanity, your choice. But I can see you'll be able to make the right choice." The old man said, typing rapidly on the computer. "That MS, in the wrong hands, will bring death and destruction upon humanity. Now I'm handing over humanity's fate to you and whoever else became the pilots of the other Gundams… choose who you're going to fight for…protect those you hold dear…" The old man continued.
"You know, old geezer, those are really fine words, really fine indeed…but…" Rayce said, all jittery. "This place…"
"And when upon your travels you come across her, please, hand this over to my granddaughter. Her name's Konoka Peacecraft." The old man said, handing over a disk to Rayce.
"Hey, old geezer, nothing personal, but I ain't no delivery boy. You deliver it yourself." Rayce said, handing it back, but the old man was already striding to the console by the MS. "H…Hey! Old geezer. You're gonna hand this over to your granddaughter personally, you hear me!"
"Please, young man, please just listen to the final words of an old man." The old man said.
"You're delirious…ok, is she cute?" Rayce asked, scratching the back of his head and pocketing the disk. "This girl, Konoka Peacecraft."
"Don't push your luck, kid, she's way out of your league." The old man said, but Rayce noticed a twinkle in his eyes when he turned back to regard him. "Right now, anyway." He laughed for a moment. "But that really depends on you. Now go! Take that atrocity, and turn it into a blessing or a curse, whichever one you fancy."
The hangar bay doors opened up slowly, revealing the battle outside. Rayce gulped, "You sure old man, cause I ain't riding no junk ass MS out into that!" Rayce pointed at the battlefield.
"…" The old man watched the battlefield for a moment, silently, before turning back to Rayce. "I think you and that MS will get along just fine."
"Ok then, what about you, old man?" Rayce asked.
"I'll see, wherever the tides of fate bring me. If we're lucky, we might again meet at the intersection of fate." He said.
"Yeah, for all you know, it might be at your granddaughter's wedding…if she's really cute." Rayce nodded.
"You know, you really have quite an attitude for a young'un. I like that. Now show the world what you can do, I'll be watching." The old man walked back into the hangar and disappeared into the thick darkness under the platforms. Rayce could definitely hear a door slide open and shut somewhere in the gloom.
"Oh well…now to see what this MS can do…" Rayce said, getting onto the elevator and going up. He took out the disk and regarded it for a moment. The words 'for my granddaughter, when she is ready." Were written on the top of the disk.
"Interesting…as if I won't look at the contents…" Rayce murmured. "…" he went silent for a moment then "damn…I guess the old man was right…I'm TOO nice…"
"Now what've we got here?" He sat in the cockpit and regarded the console, both hands raised, fingers twitching. "hmm…first of all…stereo…"
"GUNDAM system activated, unit name: XXXG-01D codename: Deathscythe, activated." The words flashed across the screen as the panoramic display system turned on. "Sweet…" Rayce murmured. "Now what have we got…"
"Welcome onboard the MS XXXG-01D, codename Deathscythe. I am the detached battle computer ADA, at your service." A voice said from the speakers inside the cockpit.
"The hell, it's even got a female computer programmed in…even more Sweeeet…" Rayce rubbed his hands together.
"I'm sorry, but what was the meaning of your earlier statement?" The computer asked.
"Oh, you're an A.I…now I understand what the old geezer said about getting along. Right, that's kinda weird, actually, a female A.I. for a MS like this, but I ain't complaining." Rayce said, typing into the computer.
"I don't really understand…" The A.I. replied.
"Well, I can see we'll get along just fine." Rayce said. "Now, please tell me, which button turns on the stereo."
Onboard an EAF Military Transport, within the UHR territorial space of ZO-1. 12.25 GMT
"So…this is what those ZEON folks want…" Mana murmured, looking around.
"What are these…" Asuna asked, looking up at one particular sleek model. "I've never seen such models before…"
"New EAF models, no doubt." Setsuna said. They were all standing in the middle of a huge hangar in the transport ship. On the sides stood 5 different MSs, all secured on steel grids. "though I wonder…why's the transport empty of personnel…they were fighting tooth and nail to defend it outside just a while ago…"
"Hurry de gozaru! This place is about to self destruct! I can't override the system, de gozaru!" Kaede ran into the hangar. "We have to get out, de gozaru!"
"But…our MSs are out of energy Aru!" Ku Fei shouted. "We can't lift off without recharging Aru ne!"
"Quick people, get on those MS!" Mana shouted. "I'm sure they're all geared up for launch, at least. MOVE!"
"Leave our MSs behind, but…" Asuna began.
"That's an order, Asuna!" Mana shouted, running towards the control room. "I'll open the hangars, you guys choose an MS and launch!"
"All right, you heard the lady, scramble!" Setsuna shouted. Everyone ran in separate directions towards the new MSs.
"GUNDAM system activated, unit name: GF13-011NC, codename: Dragon". "Wow, Aru…let's see what this thing can do, Aru…" Ku Fei said, switching on the systems.
"GUNDAM system activated, unit name: GX-9900 codename: X", "Hey, what OS is this?" Asuna moaned. "Darn…get moving!"
"GUNDAM System activated, unit name: XXXG-01S, codename: Shenlong" "Nice to make your acquaintance, de gozaru. Let's work together harmoniously, ne, de gozaru." Kaede said, activating her new MS.
"GUNDAM System Activated, unit name: MAH-001X, codename: Astray RF Blademaster" "I can feel it now…whoever created this MS wanted peace…" Setsuna murmured.
"Get going people!" Mana shouted over the com. The hangar bay doors were slowly opening as Mana ran for the last MS.
"Right, captain." Asuna shouted. "Launch!" One by one the MSs launched out into the depths of space.
"Damn…move you hunk of junk!" Mana shouted. "GUNDAM system activated, unit name RX-78GP02A, codename: Physalis" "Launch!"
As the other 4 MSs cleared the transport, a large supernova lit up behind them. The 4 pilots watched as the inferno spread far and wide in the weightlessness of space.
"Mana…where's Mana…" Asuna shouted.
"She was still inside, de gozaru…" Kaede said.
"Oh no…it can't be…" Setsuna gasped.
"Mana, Aru!" Ku Fei shouted.
"Wait, I've got a signal on the scanner….it's the Physallis…but it can't be…it's still functioning….and it's right in the middle of that explosion…" Asuna said. "This can't be right…"
As the flames and smoke dissipated, a glowing red MS floated in the midst of the wreckage, smoke quickly dissipating around it as its huge cooling fins.
"What the hell…" Asuna shouted. "That's…Amazing! Mana! Are you all right!"
"Yeah…I'm all right…" Mana said over the com. Everyone breathed out with relief. "But this MS….now I can see why it withstood the blast."
"What?" Setsuna asked.
"That's one cool MS, Mana! I want one too, Aru ne!" Ku shouted.
"What is it, de gozaru? You seem worried about something… de gozaru."
"I'm really starting to worry…what exactly does ZEON want by attempting to capture this MS…" Mana murmured. "certainly not to destroy it…which means they intend to use it…"
"Use what?" Asuna asked.
"People, this MS is loaded with a nuclear launcher, with one live tactical nuclear warhead…" Mana said. And then there was silence…
Somewhere in the Commercial District of ZO-1, United HINATA Regencies (UHR) civilian colony, ZO-1, L3 space. 12.26 GMT
"All right! That's 3 down…and a lot more to go!" Rayce shouted. Three smoking heaps lay behind the Deathscythe, all were once either ZAFT, ZEON, or OZ MSs, whichever it was, it didn't matter to Rayce. "Whoever you guys are, I'll beat you all into space dust! This is my home, so watch yourself when you come visit! I ain't a very nice host!"
"Six MS Zakus detected flying in formation at 10 0'clock…4 OZ Leos at 12 O'clock. And we've got more another company consisting of 2 ZAFT Ginns coming in at 2 O'clock." The battle computer said.
"Looks like we got a tight schedule there…any time for lunch?" Rayce asked, flipping on a few switches. "Get the ECM jammers online, I want full radar invisibility."
"Very funny, I'll add singular sense of humour to your pilot profile. ECM jammers online." The battle computer said.
"You know, for a battle computer, you've got one large digital mouth ADA." Rayce said, taking hold of the controls again. "Now watch the master at work."
"Very well, as you wish." ADA said.
"Hey, where exactly are we headed again?" One of the OZ Leo pilots asked his comrades.
"To the UHF's MS factory, the Morgenroette laboratories. They say there are a few more MSs to retrieve. We've got to get there before ZAFT or ZEON does."
"Hey…did anyone else see that flash on the radar? It was there for just a second then it…" One of the pilots asked.
"Probably just a glitch or the effect of the smoke…don't worry about…h…hey! What…!" The pilot was cut off mid-sentence as his MS was sliced in two.
"What the hell! Battle formation people, get moving!" The wing leader shouted. "Where is it?"
"Sir, something just went past my screen…AGGHHHH!" Another pilot shouted, as his MS was rammed into a sky scraper.
"C'mon people, get me a fix on the target!" The wing leader shouted.
"Sir, it's an enemy MS. It's invisible to radar and scanners, but I think I got a visual…holy…" another pilot said, before the line went silent. A burning ball of flames struck a nearby building and exploded.
"Damn it, come out if you dare, you…" The wing leader shouted, as all around him the remnants of his wing fell towards the earth in flames.
"You what?" A voice came over his com.
"Huh? Ah…AGGHHHH!" The wing leader screamed as he saw a pitch black demon descend across his screen, scythe raised.
"Hey, an entire OZ Leo wing just disappeared on radar." A ZEON pilot said over the com.
"…be careful…whatever hit them, might hit us. Be on your guard." The commanding officer said.
"Yes, Major Haitani. But there wasn't anything else on radar…h…hey, the ZAFT wing on radar just disappeared too…."
"Which means whatever it was, it wasn't ZAFT, OZ, or ZEON…which makes it the EAF, be on full alert. Break formation and put up scanners on full power." Major Haitani said, flipping a few switches on his console.
"Yes si…AGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!" A Zaku that was flying beside Haitani blew up instantaneously.
"Damn, can anyone get me a visual…this thing's invisible to enemy radar!" Haitani shouted, looking around. "Where the hell are you…."
"Sir, he's right here. Engaging….damn…he disappeared again…Mark! Watch out!"
"UAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHH!" Another Zaku blew up into a shower of flaming debris, followed by anther Zaku that was strangely on the other side of the battlefield.
"Damn, this thing's moving…h..hey? what's that?" One of the pilots shouted, as a large rotating blur flew across his screen. "H…hey, that looked like…a flying beam saber? W..wait…it's turning around…I'm gonna shoot it down!...AAAAAAAGHHHH!"
"What, a flying beam saber?" Haitani shouted, as two more Zakus blew up on his left, and another far on his right. "How's he moving this fast, no one can be at two places at the same time!"
Then he saw it…
The phantom black MS that had wiped out three entire squadrons of MSs…
It floated before him, beam scythe in one hand, the other shield bearing arm extended. A boomerang-like beam saber flew back towards the shield and locked. The MS slowly lowered its shield bearing arm and calmly regarded his opponent.
"Greetings…I can see that you're piloting one of the stolen MSs I'm hearing so much about…" A voice came over his com. "I've been listening to your voice screaming all over the battlefield…and I think I recognize it…who are you? Please do realize that the only reason you're still in the air is because I'm so curious."
"I'm Major Haitani of the ZEON Special Ops Unit." Haitani answered, priming his primary weapons.
"Ah…Haitani!" a face flashed across his screen and smiled at him.
"R…Rayce?" Haitani asked, half disbelieving.
"Yup, it's me, your old buddy, Rayce Farelle…never thought I'd see you here." Rayce laughed. "So, what about it? Wanna surrender, for old time's sake? You are my friend, after all…"
"Why…Rayce…why are you in that unit! Why are you here, on the battlefield! Why are you fighting…and why did you kill my friends!" Haitani shouted.
"Wow…chill man. No one's dead, at least not yet." Rayce laughed. "But anyway, I have the same questions for you…why are you piloting that MS…er…it says here…"
"It's called the MS Gundam Sandrock." ADA filled in.
"Thanks ADA, right, the Sandrock. And you're piloting it for ZEON no less…" Rayce said.
"Answer me first!" Haitani shouted.
"Oh well…it's simple. You attack my home, I bust your guts. That simple. Keitarou, Shinobu, Shirai, Yue, Nodoka, Ssigh, Suu, Negi, Mana, and all our other friends are here on this colony." Rayce said. "I think I have full rights to be in this unit, blasting the crap out of all you civilian killers."
"Hmmph…you know that this colony is harbouring EAF military personnel and is manufacturing weapons for their cause. These units we're in are proof."
"Doesn't concern me. It's my home all the same. They could be deciding to fry the earth for all I care, but it's my home, and I will defend it as long as my friends are in it." Rayce said. "So, what'll it be? Stand down and go out for a couple of drinks together with the others, or I blast your sorry ass out of the sky, your choice."
"You…arrogant…" Haitani's hands shook. "RAYCE!" The Sandrock took out both its huge heat shotels out of their recharge racks in the backpack and flung one in Rayce's direction.
"Your decision, ain't my fault…" Rayce said calmly, spinning around to evade the incoming shotel. The shotel burst through a high rise building behind Rayce and left a crumbling hole.
"Ummm…that shotel had a boomerang system…" ADA cautioned.
"Hmm?" Rayce looked around. "HOLY…" The deathscythe spun out of the way just in time to avoid being fricasseed by the returning shotel that burst out of the same high rise building.
The sandrock was charging at full speed towards Rayce, one shotel up in the air, its other arm catching the other shotel.
Rayce spun his scythe around, ready to counter. Just then, the Sandrock raised its shield and emitted a blinding glare. "Huh? Damn!"
"Gundam Sandrock's 'shield flasher' blinding flare system, it effectively blinds both visuals and exterior scanners." ADA explained.
"You could've warned me sooner, baka ona!" Rayce shouted, blindly flying sideways. "Haitani's supposed to be a pushover at simulator games, how can he be this good?"
"Perhaps you shouldn't underestimate your friends like that." ADA said, wisely.
"Preach again and I'll turn you into a calculator!" Rayce shouted. "Help me find where he is!"
"Right-o! Oh, he's got us…" ADA announced cheerfully.
"Baka ona!"
"So, how about it Rayce…care to surrender?" Haitani smirked. As the Flash subsided, Rayce found the deathscythe held tightly in the Sandrock's pincer grip against a sky scraper. Both shotels had been attached onto the shield to form the Sandrock's cross-crusher pincer.
"You wish, you just got lucky…" Rayce laughed, firing his beam blade stored in his shield. It flew off and came back towards Haitani.
"Damn!" Haitani shouted, turning around so that Rayce faced the incoming beam blade.
"hehehe…got ya!" Rayce laughed. The beam blade made a narrow turn and spun through the Sandrock's shield, severing the pincer system, before smashing into the windows of the building behind the Sandrock. The Deathscythe broke free and readied its scythe. The Sandrock took hold of its two shotels again. The two gundams crossed blades, each trying to force down the other, beam scythe versus heat shotel.
"Well...I can see you've forgotten one thing…" Rayce said, nodding sagely.
"Huh?"
"I've got a beam blade with a boomerang system too." Rayce said. Haitani looked around and saw the incoming beam blade behind him, smashing its way through the building. He disengaged himself from the blade lock and spun sideways out of the beam blade's way as it burst out from the building behind him.
"Well…" Rayce said, catching the beam blade again, and charging. The Deathscythe rammed into the Sandrock and sent it flying through a nearby tower. "Seems like you've gotten slightly better than our days back in the game arcades...but not quite good enough."
"Underestimating me won't get you anywhere." The Sandrock's two shotels burst out of the tower, followed closely by the Sandrock. The Deathscythe narrowly evaded the two shotels by spinning sideways but got caught in the Sandrock's grip. "EAT THIS!" The Sandrock fired its vulcansat the Deathscythe's chestplate, before flinging it through a flying billboard and through another building. The two shotels came back to Haitani who caught them and threw them sideways again. The Deathscythe burst out of the building at top speed, scythe raised. But just as it reached the Sandrock, it was bludgeoned from two sides by two collapsing towers. The two shotels that had just broken through the two tower's support columns came back to Haitani.
"So...what do you think, eh?" Haitani smirked.
"Good...but still not good enough" Rayce said. A whole upper portion of a high rise was toppling down on Haitani.
"Huh, how'd he...!" Haitani shouted, as he sliced through the concrete block with his heat shotels. Out of the smoke and dust in between the two halves came the Deathscythe, descending down with its scythe raised. The beam blade flew from behind it and blasted the shotels out of the surprised Haitani's hands.
"This it it..." Rayce said, pinning down the Sandrock with the tip of his scythe. "Surrender!"
"Never!" Haitani shouted, as the shotels flew back from behind Rayce.
"Oh well..." Rayce said, picking up the Sandrock and flinging it at its own shotels. "Ohhh...that's gotta hurt..." As the shotels ripped through the Sandrock's legs and one of its arms.
"Ok...time for you to withdraw..." Rayce said, landing his Deathscythe on a pile of rocks.
"Huh, what!" Haitani shouted.
"Well, I wouldn't want to see you getting blown to bits by that EAF battlecruiser." Rayce said, gesturing at the huge EAF battlecruiser that had just entered the colony. "Not to mention you're disarmed, not to mention dis-legged. I wouldn't want to finish off such a pathetic loser..."
"Damn, we'll finish this another time, Rayce Farelle!"
"I look forward to it, Haitani. Think over what I said while you're polishing your MS, ok?" Rayce shouted after him. "But don't let your mind wander too far, it's too small to be let out alone."
"I'll get you next time, Rayce, you and your blasted unit!" Haitani flew away towards the colony exit.
"ADA, how far can you aim with the vulcans?" Rayce asked the computer.
"Far enough." ADA said. Rayce could barely register a hint of a smirk in her voice.
"Then prime it."
Haitani suddenly felt a sudden jolt. He checked his MS's status and found that one of his rear thrusters was severely damaged. "DAMN YOU RAYCE FARELLE!"
"MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That was comical…" Rayce was doubled up with laughter. "Nice aiming, ADA."
"Thank you, Rayce. Now, I suggest rejoining the others at the Morgenroette laboratories…I've intercepted a few radio transmissions and I believe I've located the friends you mentioned in that conversation with that pilot." ADA said. "And don't underestimate that pilot either...he managed to damage us quite significantly. Armor intergrity is actually at 35...getting bludgeoned by those towers was a real pain."
"Right...Right...but don't worry, we got through that one pretty well. Very good ADA…I can see we're going to make really good partners." Rayce said. "Now…where do you store the champagne?"
Outside Hangar 13, Morgenroette Laboratories, Morgenroette Industrial Park, United HINATA Regencies (UHR) civilian colony, ZO-1, L3 space. 12.20 GMT
"Which lame brain made this impossible system?" Motoko spat, as she tried to type in new control commands into the computer console in front of her. "We asked for human-friendly controls!"
"Wait….this system…" Keitarou was watching her over her shoulders. He reached forwards and started typing rapidly on the keyboard. "You should re-route this command here, then activate the drive link….use the beta format…" He voiced out his actions under his breath.
"Hey, you pervert! Get off me!" Motoko yelled, trying to pound him.
"Please get out of the seat. If we're to get out of here alive, we should at least be able to move." Keitarou said, pushing her out of the seat.
"H…hey! I…!" She stopped, as she saw the speed with which Keitarou was altering the program. She decided to comply and move aside, letting Keitarou take the controls.
"Hey…I'm not trying to rush you or anything…but there's an enemy unit in front of us…" Motoko tapped Keitarou's shoulders.
"There…that's done." Keitarou grasped the control handles and looked up at the screen. Two ZAFT Ginn units landed in front of the Strike. One of them aimed a machine gun at him while the other took out a steel sword. A number of people suddenly came out of the building beside them.
"Damn…that shelter was already full…" Maxton muttered. "We're going to have to go to another area…eh?"
"The battle's still going on outside!" Nodoka cried out.
"So much for escaping…" Yue said calmly, still sipping her tomato juice.
"You gotta be kidding me, we gotta get out of here! Run!" Shirai shouted.
"Guys, take cover. I'll cover you for now, but get out of here!" Keitarou shouted over the external speakers.
"H…Hey, is that Keitarou?" Ssigh asked.
"Yeah, it is! Keitarou! Go!" Shirai shouted.
"You heard what he said, get moving kids!" Maxton shouted. He looked up at Ketarou and murmured, "good luck kid,"
The Ginn with the sword charged towards the Strike. The Strike's phase shift armor system turned on automatically as the sword came down on the mobile suit. There wasn't so much as a scratch.
"Whoaah…what was that?" Keitarou gasped in awe.
"The Phase-shift, it deflects all physical attacks. Basically bullets and other solid objects won't be able to penetrate the armor." Motoko explained. "Now, attacking would be nice. I'd like to get out of here alive, please."
"Now…is there anything we could defend ourselves with…" Keitarou maneuvered the Strike's arms, throwing the Ginn aside. He pushed the touch screen panel, bringing up the weapons panel and selecting the only weapons available, the beam daggers. "Beam daggers…" The Strike took out the two beam daggers stored in its thigh storage spaces and held them reversed fashion. "You gotta be kidding me!"
The Ginn turned towards Keitarou, sword at the ready. It charged. The other Ginn had started to open fire on Keitarou.
Out of reflex, Keitarou maneuvered the Strike's arms around, causing the strike to block the sword with one dagger, before spinning around and stabbing the Ginn in the torso using the other beam dagger.
"Get away from it! It's gonna blow!" Motoko yelled. Keitarou didn't need more warning.
The Strike's thrusters roared, sending the suit forwards, passing the wrecked Ginn that was now crackling, ready to explode. As the Strike gained speed, the Ginn behind it exploded into a huge fireball, leaving a small crater along with a few pieces of scrap metal behind. The Strike charged towards the other Ginn. The Ginn lit up its thrusters and flew up into the air while still firing at Keitarou.
Keitarou took aim and threw one of the beam daggers at the Ginn's machine gun which exploded. He came up close to it and slashed its head off, rendering it immobile.
"Phew…that's…done…" Keitarou wiped the sweat off his brow. "Hope the others got to safety."
The remaining enemy mobile suits in the area all started to retreat. "Huh, that's odd…" Keitarou looked at the radar and noticed all the hostile blips were moving away. "All of the enemy units are moving away simultaneously…ZAFT, OZ, and ZEON…but why?"
"There's your answer, right there!" Motoko pointed at a larger blip on the radar. It was marked Arch-Hinata.
"Eh?" Keitarou looked up at the sky and saw a large battlecruiser descending over the laboratories. "Oh man, that's one huge ship…"
"Ok…you could open up the cockpit now…it's kinda cramped in here…" Motoko said. "Hurry up Baka!"
"Right, right!"
As Keitarou and Motoko descended together using the pilot winch from the cockpit, the others came running up to them.
"Hey, Keitarou, that was way cool!" Ssigh shouted, patting him on the back.
"Rad's the word, man, truly awesome!" Shirai added.
"Th…Thanks for saving u..us, Keitarou-sempai." Nodoka stammered.
"Yeah, thanks." Yue said. "Tomato juice?" She offered Keitarou a carton of juice.
"No thanks Yue…I think I'm gonna puke…" Keitarou moaned. "Hey, what's that?" he asked, gesturing at the sky. A MS was approaching."An enemy MS?" Keitarou was about to rush back into the Strike.
"Hey, that was the MS that saved the shelter escape pods earlier." Shirai said. "I don't think the pilot would harm civilians."
"That's the Hinata, and it's got both hands raised…don't worry, I don't think it means any harm." Motoko said. "But stay alert."
The MS landed gracefully beside the Strike. The cockpit opened up and the pilot was lowered down by the pilot winch.
"Is that…who I think it is…?" Ssigh asked, straining his eyes.
"It's…it can't be…" Shirai said.
"Yep…she saved those evacuees…" Yue said.
"It's…It's…" Nodoka stammered.
"Shinobu Maehara…" Maxton said.
"That little girl piloted that MS?" Motoko asked incredulously. "No way!"
"You guys are all right…that's a relief…" Shinobu said as she approached them. "hmmm? why're you all staring at me like that? By the way, I watched the last part of that MS's battle." She pointed at the Strike. "Where's the pilot, I must thank him for protecting you guys."
Everyone pointed at Keitarou. Shinobu stared open-mouthed at Keitarou for a few moments. "Keitarou-sempai? That was amazing!" Shinobu gasped in awe.
"Shinobu-chan…you're all right!" Nodoka ran forwards and hugged her friend, followed by Yue.
"Shinobu-chan, did you really pilot that thing!" Ssigh asked her, grasping her by the shoulders. "That was truly amazing, the way you shot down those pirates!"
"Yeah, gotta hand it to you, Shinobu-chan, you maybe small but you pack quite a punch." Shirai said, laughing.
"Good job, Shinobu, saving those evacuees and all…though next time I would rather you not risk yourself like that." Maxton said, patting her on the shoulder. "Well, a little round of applause for our Ace pilots here." Everyone clapped…with the exception of Motoko…who was aiming a gun at them.
"huh, Aoyama-san?" Keitarou was taken aback by the gun.
"I'm sorry, these MSs are military secrets…I can't allow civilians that have seen it roam free. I'll have to take you two with me." She gestured at Keitarou and Shinobu.
"You gotta be kidding us!" Shirai shouted. Just then the ground shook. They all looked around and saw three ZEON MS Zakus standing by the gundams, weapons raised.
"Surrender peacefully and you will be taken in as prisoners of war. Otherwise, we couldn't guarantee your safety, EAF." One of the pilots said using his external speakers.
"Damn…there's no way we'd be able to get on the MSs in time…" Keitarou muttered.
"Awawawa…what'll we do…" Shinobu's eyes went all twirly.
"Hey, what's that?" Ssigh pointed up at the sky. All three Zakus turned around, noticing the new presence. It was a large black object, speeding towards them at an insane speed. All three Zakus opened fire on the unidentified object which just zipped in between the tracers.
It came up right in front of the first Zaku and with a quick spinning movement, it severed the legs of the Zaku. In a flash, it appeared beside the second Zaku…which was already crackling in the middle, ready to explode. The third Zaku tried to escape but was quickly pinned down, slashed in two by something the black figure threw.
The jet black MS turned towards Keitarou and the others as the Zakus exploded, catching the scythe that it had thrown like a boomerang. It spun its scythe in a would be cool manner before slamming its tip into the ground. The cockpit opened up and revealed the pilot.
"Hell no…" Shirai muttered.
"That explains the fancy tricks…" Yue said calmly.
"…heh, that makes our third Ace today." Maxton turned back to Motoko. "No, you're not taking my students away. They're my responsibilities and the EAF have no authority over UHR citizens."
"It doesn't matter whether they were ORB, EA, or ZEON citizens, this place became a demilitarized zone as soon as the assault started and international laws allow the taking of another nation's citizens as prisoners should they interfere with military…" Motoko explained.
"Who DAMN cares?" Ssigh shouted, interrupting Motoko. Rayce had gotten down and was approaching.
"Hey, no applause? You gotta say that was cool." Rayce said, coming up to the others.
"You! I'm going to have to take you with me as well." Motoko said, pointing at Rayce. "That MS is EAF military property, you will do well by complying as you bear witness to military secrets…"
"Hey, that MS is mine! That old geezer gave it to me!" Rayce shouted. "And what do you mean I have to come with you!"
"You aren't taking them, not while we're around!" Shirai shouted, standing in front of Motoko.
"Over our dead bodies!" Ssigh shouted.
"If you take them, you're gonna have to take us too." Yue said, calmly, positioning herself in front of Shinobu.
"Anou…yes, you can't take them! Not while we're here!" Nodoka shouted.
"And you're all saying this in the face of a gun…impressive. Very well, I'll take all of you in. We'll guarantee your safety as long as you cooperate. You are off course, civilians." Motoko said. The Arch-Hinata had landed close-by.
"Well, considering the circumstances, that isn't a bad offer." Maxton suddenly said.
"WHAT!" Everyone shouted.
"I mean, think about it. There are no shelters left…the colony has gotten severely destabilized and may collapse at any moment…going on that ship would at least mean we'll survive." Maxton reasoned.
"He's right…" Keitarou said. "Very well then, we'll come."
"Well, first of all, I'm going to need your help." Motoko said, blushing slightly from the embarrassment. "Please pilot those things onto the ship…"
Everyone face faulted.
Onboard an unknown ship, a few hundred kilometers outside the UHR territorial space of ZO-1. 13.10 GMT
"Kaolla Suu?" A voice asked.
"Huh?" Suu's head was spinning, her vision blurry. She tried to open her eyes properly. "Am I…?"
"No, you're not dead, not yet anyway…" the voice said.
"Where…is Suu-chan?" Suu asked.
"Onboard the ZEON flagship, Halcrest. You're our special guest here. Welcome."
"I…uh…is it normal…to tie up special guests?" Suu asked, looking about. "Suu-chan's feeling a little cramped."
"Bear with me. I'll release you as soon as you agree to our conditions." The source of the voice advanced from behind the seat she was bound to and stood in front of her. "So, you're the designer of the new EAF weapons…those new MSs. I must say, you're not quite what I imagined."
"Suu-chan gets that a lot, hehehehe…" Suu giggled. "I didn't design them, I only continued my parents' project."
"Right, now, ZEON is fighting a war for independence and the last thing we want is the EAF to gain the upperhand. Neither do we want the UHR to possess such technology and power, or for the other nations to gain the ability to reproduce it. To that end, we have stolen not only the new units but also kidnapped you, the designer."
"Hey, don't I know you?" The little designer asked.
"Heh, I thought you might ask that. No one seems to be able to remember me… I'm Haitani, remember?" the young man came closer. "I'm sorry for doing this Suu-chan, but the colonies have suffered for long enough under the heel of the EAF… we've been suspected of collaborating with ZAFT for a long time… now we have finally gained the ability to fight for our own freedom."
"hehehehehe…and yet, Haitani, you're a coordinator…" Suu laughed.
"I'm still a ZEON advocate. My parents were naturals…the natural colony L3-22 was their home…until the paranoid EAF accused it of secretly helping ZAFT…" Haitani said.
"You know, I don't know how far ZEON's brainwashed you, but freedom and independence is the last thing the Zabi family wants…ZEON's nothing more than an extension of their ambitions." Suu laughed. "You really want to be their pawn?"
"My loyalties do not lie with the Zabi, and they know that. Many people aren't. Their loyalties lie with Char Aznabel, son of Zeon Zum Daikun, the original proclaimer of independence of the natural colonies." Haitani said.
"Well, suit yourself. Just keep me out of your weird ambitions for revenge or whatever. We might have been friends, but if you decide to go down that road, then we might as well forget that friendship." Suu said, looking away.
"Listen to me, you little brat!" Haitani shouted, holding Suu by the shoulders. "I don't care what you think, but you will help ZEON gain independence, whether you like it or not. I never thought the designer would be you, Suu, that is unfortunate…but you are, and there's no way past it. Only you can help ZEON overcome the new EAF threat."
"Yeah, as if. Look at yourself, Haitani-kun, you've turned into just another civilian killer… you were there with the ZEONs when they assaulted our colony, weren't you? Our colony was a civilian colony…" Suu said, scowling up at him.
"And yet you build weapons for the EAF…"
"So be it, people have got to eat. Anyway, it was my parents' last wish, to end the war and return to PLANT. If these things will end the war, then I'll finish them." Suu said. "I never thought the UHR would sell them to the EAF. The EAF killed my parents."
"I…I'm sorry, Suu-chan…they asked me to talk to you…since we were old friends… but I was also asked to deliver a final ultimatum, though I seriously don't like it… but for the sake of ZEON…" Haitani looked down.
"It's my sister, isn't it?" Suu asked quietly.
"…" Haitani remained quiet for a moment. "You already know… "
"Yes, as long as I cooperate, you'll guarantee her safety and so on and so forth, right?" Suu said. "You ZEON lowlifes are just so predictable. You're nothing more than scumbags as far as I'm concerned."
"Listen, Suu-chan…"
"There's nothing more to listen to or be discussed. I'll cooperate…just let me see my sister, then I'll do whatever you like as long as she is kept safe. And perhaps it's a little too much to ask you to let her go?" Suu asked, sarcastically.
"No…" Haitani looked down. "Sorry, Suu-chan."
"Good…then I wait for the day the other Gundam pilots pound ZEON into the dirt." Suu said. "And you wouldn't have any bananas, would you? I'm hungry."
"Same old Suu…"
"No, wars change people. You should know that better than anyone."
To be Continued…
Credits:
Written by: Beyond the Bounds
Cast (in order of appearance)
Keitarou Urashima:Keitarou Urashima from Love Hina
Naru Narusegawa: Naru Narusegawa from Love Hina
Rayce Farelle: Rayce Farelle from Love Hina Children of the Exodus
Shinobu Maehara:Shinobu Maehara from Love Hina
Mei Narusegawa/Sakura:Mei Narusegawa/Sakura from Love Hina/MSN
Kanako Yula Hina:Kanako Urashima from Love Hina
Shirai:Shirai from Love Hina
Nodoka Miyazaki:Nodoka Miyazaki from Mahou Sensei Negima
Ssigh Arggle:Ssigh Arggle from Gundam Seed
Flay Allstar: Flay Allstar from Gundam Seed
Yue Ayase: Yue Ayase from Mahou Sensei Negima
Makie Sasaki: Makie Sasaki from Mahou Sensei Negima
Chao Rin Yen: Chao Rin Yen from Mahou Sensei Negima
Mitsune Konno: Mitsune Konno from Love Hina
Motoko Aoyama: Aoyama Motoko from Love Hina
Sarah McDouggal: Sarah McDouggal from Love Hina
Amala Suu: Amala Suu from Love Hina
Kaolla suu:Kaolla Suu from Love Hina
Negi Springfield:Negi Springfield from Mahou Sensei Negima
Mana Springfield:Mana Springfield from Mahou Sensei Negima
Kotarou:Kotarou from Mahou Sensei Negima
Lee Davis:Lee Davis from Love Hina Children of the Exodus
Asuna Kagurazaka:Asuna Kagurazaka from Mahou Sensei Negima
Kaede Nagase:Kaede Nagase from Mahou Sensei Negima
Setsuna Sakurazaki:Setsuna Sakurazaki from Mahou Sensei Negima
Mana Tatsumiya: Mana Tatsumiya from Mahou Sensei Negima
Sai Ku Fei :Ku Fei from Mahou Sensei Negima
Haitani: Haitani from Love Hina
Gundams (so far):
Strike Gundam (from Gundam Seed), piloted by Keitaoru Urashima (faction not yet decided)
Gundam Duel (From Gundam Seed), piloted by Chao Rin Yen (ZAFT)
Gundam Buster (From Gundam Seed), piloted by Makie Sasaki (ZAFT)
Gundam Blitz (From Gundam Seed), piloted by Mitsune Konno (ZAFT)
Gundam Aegis (From Gundam Seed), piloted by Naru Narusegawa (ZAFT)
Gundam Heavy Arms (From Gundam Wing), piloted by Kaolla Suu (faction not yet decided)
Gundam Geminass (From Gundam G-Unit, Wing Dual Story), piloted by Kotarou (OZ)
Gundam Wing Exodus (OC, based on Gundam Wing from Gundam Wing), piloted by Lee Davis (OZ)
Gundam Epyon (From Gundam Wing), piloted by Negi Springfield (faction not yet decided)
Gundam Hinata (OC, based on Gundam F91 from Mobile Suit Gundam F91), piloted by Shinobu Maehara (faction not yet decided)
Gundam Deathscythe (From Gundam Wing), piloted by Rayce Farelle (faction not yet decided)
Dragon Gundam (From Mobile Fighter G Gundam), piloted by Ku Fei (Galeniev Mercenary Force)
Gundam X (From After War Gundam X), piloted by Asuna Kagurazaka (Galeniev Mercenary Force)
Gundam Shenlong (From Gundam Wing), piloted by Kaede Nagase (Galeniev Mercenary Force)
Gundam Astray RF Custom Blademaster (OC, based on gundam Astray RF From Gundam Seed), piloted by Setsuna Sakurazaki (Galeniev Mercenary Force)
Gundam Physalis, AKA GP02 (from Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory/Last Blitz of ZEON), piloted by Mana Tatsumiya (Galeniev Mercenary Force)
That makes 16 gundams so far…and 16 pilots…Any more suggestions?