Speech:
Talking: "Engage!"
Whispering/muttering: "Damn!"
Thought: 'Engage!'
Comms: "Engage!"
I do not own either Gundam SEED or Gundam 00.
Copyright: Sunrise inc.
Gundam SEED: 2002, 2013
Gundam 00: 2007
Intermission 1.5
Baikal-class Cruiser, Baikal
"…I see. It's a pity with what happened to Lieutenant Alagga, but there's not much we can do for him now, other than informing his Next-of-kin, and preparing for his funeral."
"Understood, sir. Is there anything else, General?"
"No, that would be all, Captain. Thank you for your report. You and Warrant Officer Halevy can stand down for now. Team two will take over for you now."
"Acknowledged. What about the After-Action Report, Sir?"
"That can wait until you've gotten some rest, Captain. That would be all."
"Yes, Sir!"
'But still, despite the…unfortunate turn of events, the mission was still an overall success…' Brigadier General Goodman thought to himself, after receiving the report from Captain Zinin about the operation. Although, it was disappointing that there were still survivors, and Katharon had managed to rescue all that's left. Even so, the primary goal of the mission this time was to test the newly acquired Military Automatons, and its field test was still an overall success, despite the loss of all 12 units.
"But still…" Lieutenant Colonel Lee began, breaking General Goodman out of his thoughts. "Who would've thought that a Gundam, of all things, would make an appearance."
'Ah yes, there was that, too.' "It's fine, isn't it?" Goodman said, with a hint of glee in his voice.
"Sir?"
"After all, with the reappearance of the Gundams, our existence will be required, more than ever."
"Indeed, sir. If Celestial Being DOES make a reappearance, we would be the only ones who can stand up to them."
"Indeed, Lt. Col Zhejiang. Indeed..."
CBS-74, Ptolemaios II
It had been a few hours after they had retrieved the Seravee, and recovered the heavily battered Exia. It was rather impressive that despite being five years old and in shambles, that the Exia, and in turn, Setsuna, was still able to keep up with the Federation's latest generation of GN powered Mobile Suits.
Currently, the Exia is laying securely on the ground of the rear hanger, with Kira helping Ian with removing its GN Drive.
"Right, that's Exia's GN Drive safely removed. Thanks for the help, Kira."
"No, I didn't do much, Mr. Ian."
"Nah, you've done plenty, kid." Ian replies, lowering his data pad as he did so. "Alright, I can take it from here. The removal of the core unit of the drive will take some time, so why don't you head up and get some rest? Feldt, Mileina, and I can take it from here.
"U-understood. I'll be taking my leave, then." Kira replied, a little hesitant, as he turned and pushed himself towards the door, using one of the Karels as a push-off platform.
"Have nice rest, kid!" Kira heard Ian say to him, as he opened the door, and exited the bay.
As he made his way towards the elevator, he came across Tieria, just as he was about to pass through the brig area.
'Oh, that's right; they brought someone else with them, didn't they?' Kira thought to himself, remembering when Tieria brought in the battered Exia, along with Setsuna and one other in the Seravee's free hand.
"Mr. Tieria!" Kira called out, as he came to a stop.
"Kira Yamato…what are you doing here?" Tieria asked, looking up from the keypad of the brig's door.
"I was just heading back up from the loading bay. Mr. Ian finished extracting the Exia's GN Drive, and he asked me to go get some rest."
"I see." Tieria replied, almost stoically.
"What about you, Mr. Tieria? What are you doing down here?"
"I just wanted to have a word with our…'guest'..." Tieria replied, as he inputted the access code to the cell's electronic lock.
"…Since you're here, you should listen as well." He finished, as the door's lock opened.
In the Ptolemy's brig(it looked more like one of those "padded cells" he used to hear Tolle joke about back in college. Definitely looks a whole lot more comfortable than the Archangel's, though) sat a young man, maybe just a little older than himself, and around the same age as Setsuna. He looked like he was mulling over something, with a depressed look on his face.
"Saji Crossroad." Tieria called out to the man, as he took a step into the room.
"…what do you want?" 'Saji' replied, with a small hint of venom coming from his voice.
"Why didn't you shoot Setsuna?"
'Eh?' Kira reacted, surprised at what Tieria accused this man of doing.
"…Killing somebody would've made me the same as the likes of you. That's the LAST thing I want happen…" 'Saji' replied, with a somber tone.
"…You should be grateful to Setsuna" Tieria shot back, surprising the man. "If he hadn't insisted on bringing you back with us, you would've been branded as a member of the Anti-Federation group, Katharon, and summarily executed."
"Like hell I would be!" the man shot back angrily, as if insulted at the very thought.
"You are far too blind to the reality of things. You need to take a closer look at the world you live in, with your own two eyes."
The man didn't have a reply to Tieria's comment. All he did was glare at the Meister angrily.
"…I have other matters to attend to now, so I'll excuse myself." Tieria said to the man, as he closed the brig's door.
As soon as the door closed, the lock activated, and both Kira and Tieria went on their way, heading in the same direction.
As the two entered the elevator, Kira pressed the switch for the bridge deck, while Tieria pressed the one for the hanger deck. As the elevator rose, Kira was still thinking about what Tieria just said to the man in the brig. In a way, that man reminded Kira of how he used to be like, how he naively believed that he wouldn't be caught up in the war between the Alliance and ZAFT, and how he lashed out at some of the Archangel's crew for getting him involved battle after battle. Should he ask Tieria about what happened during the extraction? Or-
"You could just ask, you know."
Tieria's comment snapped Kira out of his daze, one he didn't even realize he was in.
"…did you have to be so blunt with him? I mean, I understand where he's coming from-"
"Because you were the same as him?"
Kira knew what Tieria meant, as he was there for the debrief. Saji Crossroad, their guest in the brig, was a civilian who was unwittingly dragged into the conflict between A-LAWS and Katharon. Although it was under different circumstances, he knows what it's like to have the surprisingly fragile peace you have always known shatter out of the blue one day.
"Y-yes. But still-"
"…You're still too naïve, Kira Yamato."
"Eh?"
"A word of advice, Kira Yamato." Tieria started, as the elevator reached Tieria's intended deck. "That naïve, pacifist ideal of yours is only going to get someone killed, if not yourself." He said with an ominous tone, as he exited the elevator.
As the doors closed behind Tieria, leaving. Kira to his own thoughts in the elevator, as it started to move again.
"…I know that…...I know it, but still…."
'I made a promise to Lacus, to Mr. Clyne, that I would stay true to my belief…'
"…is that really so wrong?...Am I still too naïve?..."
Ptolemaios II, Bridge
"Alright, looks like everyone's here." Ian started, once everyone on board had gathered on the bridge.
"Looks like it, old man." Lasse replied, turning around in his seat.
"Alright, then, let's get started. First thing on the agenda; as we have a couple of new faces around here, let's get some introductions out of the way." Ian started, as he moved towards Setsuna, who had already changed out of his black custom pilot suit into his new uniform. "Setsuna, you remember Mileina, right?"
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Seiei!"
Setsuna quietly thought to himself, before turning to Ian. "…Are you sure about this, Ian?"
"I know what you're thinking, and yes, I'm fine with it. She's working alongside Feldt as a bridge crew, and will be helping me out with maintenance on the Gundams. Besides, not only is she fully capable, she's the one who insisted on wanting to help out on the main team."
"…if this is her decision, and you are alright with it, then I have no complaints."
"And for our second introduction; Setsuna," Ian continued, as he placed his hand on Kira's shoulder. "This is Kira Yamato."
"N-nice to meet you, Setsuna."
"Before you ask, Setsuna," Ian cut in before Setsuna could say anything. "He's here as Lasse's co-pilot, and, like Mileina, will be primarily helping me with maintenance work on the Ptolemy. He has experience as a pilot, but won't be a Meister like you and Tieria. Besides, like Mileina, he's here of his own will."
"…If no one has forced them, then I have no complains." Setsuna replied, though he was clearly still conflicted about having the two teens being on the frontline team.
"Well, now that that's out of the way, I think we need to discuss our next course of action."
"Regarding that, I have something in mind." Setsuna started off, catching everyone off a little.
"…What do you have, Setsuna?" Lasse asked.
"First off, what is our current combat strength?"
"Well," Ian started off. "For now, it's just Tieria. But once the 00 Gundam is ready, it'll be just you and Tieria, primarily"
"But, we have more units ready. One based on the Dynames, and one based on the Kyrios." Lasse continued.
"So, Allelujah's and…"
"Yeah, it would've been Lockon's…"
An air of silence filled the bridge, as everyone thought back to the late Meister. But it was soon broken, again by Setsuna.
"…And what of Miss Sumeragi?"
"Nada. We haven't heard from her in the last four years after she left, and the agents haven't managed to pinpoint her location. She's probably gone into hiding, even though we don't really need to…"
"What do you mean, Ian?" Setsuna asked, puzzled.
"Well," Lasse started off, cutting off Ian. "It turns out that the Trans-Am system and the working theory for the Twin Drive system weren't the only things old man Aeolia left behind for us."
"And that is…?"
"A full database wipe of all of Celestial Being's personnel's public records."
"What? How?" A confused Setsuna inquired.
"Well, we didn't know about it ourselves either until we met up with the Fereshte team, who were conducting secret operations using the 2nd generation Gundams, and the 0 Gundam's Solar Furnace. Apparently, one of their Meisters tried accessing VEDA after recapturing one of our resupply hideouts that the Federation found. Not only wasn't he traced by whoever took over VEDA, he didn't even show up on public records when he was walking out in the open."
"How is that related to the data wipe?"
"Well, for one," Ian continued, rubbing his neck. "He is what we call a 'Criminal Meister', which is someone VEDA has deemed a suitable pilot for Celestial Being, but is too dangerous to be let loose without ways to keep them in check."
"How dangerous was he?"
"Well, from what I heard from Chall, he was a pretty notorious mercenary who started out at a young age, and was rather infamous for his rather extreme ideas, even willing to kill off terrorist cells that he worked with when he lost interest in them."
"…First time I've heard you bring up someone like that, pops." Lasse commented after a whistle.
"Yeah, trust me, the things we've done would look small time compared to his rap sheet."
"Where is this man now?" Setsuna asked, curious about the man.
"Well…we don't know. After that insane stunt of his two years ago, he made off with the Euclides, and we haven't heard of him since then. That said, he DID at least leave the Astraea and it's GN Drive behind, and an old friend of mine is currently keeping an eye on him, so we're not worried about losing important assets."
"Two years ago…you mean-?"
"Yeah…that continent-wide blackout due to a crippling attack on the Grand Union's Solar array? That was him."
"Wow…that's very bold of him." Mileina spoke after a moment of silence on the bridge.
"Yeah…..So, Setsuna, what did you have in mind?"
"If we're going to begin operations again, then we'll need Miss Sumeragi back, along with a pilot for the Dynames's successor."
"You know where she is?"
"I have a hunch, Ian. But I'll need to leave for the surface."
"Hmm…Alright then, Setsuna, I'm counting on you."
"Understood, Ian."
"Then, about the pilots for-"
"We'll keep looking for Allelujah. And as for the other machine…I have someone in mind."
"Who's that?"
"You'll see…But first; Feldt, can you get in contact with Wang Liu Mei?"
"S-Sure." Feldt replied, a little flustered, "But, what for?"
"I need a favor…"
Lagrange 4, en route to Earth
Baikal-Class cruiser, Baikal
'Damn you, Celestial Being…..' Barack Zinin thought to himself, as he stood before his locker, looking over at Lieutenant Alagga's next to his. 'Were my comrades' lives not enough all those years ago?'
As he mulled over Alagga's death, he saw Warrant Officer Halevy rush into the locker room, shaking feverishly, and clutching her head in pain, franticly reaching and digging through her locker for something. That something turned out to be a pill box.
She looked so desperate, to the point where she didn't even sit on the bench, she just dropped to her knees beside it, shook out a number of pills, and quickly swallowed one, apparently unaware that a couple extra tablets floated away from her.
"…Why the hell is someone like her in A-LAWS?" Barrack asked himself quietly, flicking away one of the tablets that floated towards him, disappointed that it's HER, and not Lieutenant Alagga who survived that encounter.
Rather than waste his time taking his anger out on her, he instead just turned around, and headed to his quarters.
'Damn you, Celestial Being…you'll pay for this.'
Lagrange 2
Deep Space Exploration Ship, Celestial Being
"Louise Halevy…"
Unknown to most others, Ribbons Almark had been observing the encounter through Miss Halevy. Though the new Gundam was a bit of a surprise, it was still insignificant in the grand scale of things, especially when he and his Innovators are involved.
"Good for you…Now you, too, have a reason to fight again…"
As he was in thought, mentally going through the battle again, he was broken out of it when Regenne called out to him.
"Ribbons, you have a guest."
As soon as Ribbons turned to look in Regenne's direction, Regenne had taken a step backwards, letting the "guest" step forward from behind the divider.
The information broker, Wang Liu Mei.
'Fufufufu…this should be interesting…'
Two days later
AEU Northern Ireland
Ireland KPSA Bombing Memorial
Two days.
It had been two days since he received that surprise message from an unknown sender, asking to meet at the memorial site, the very place his family, sans his twin brother, died 15 years ago, in that horrific bombing.
Even though it was a tragic event for them, it never hit Lyle as hard as it did for Neil, as he was away at the Boarding school at the time. But still, of all the places to meet…
'Could it be…? Nah, it couldn't be. We haven't been on speaking terms for YEARS, even before then.' Lyle silently thought to himself, shaking his head, as he watched a couple of youths run past the gate of the memorial park, right past the custom Lancia that belonged to Neil.
'Seriously, first, you cut all ties with our remaining family, disappear to God-knows-where for YEARS, and then suddenly, four years ago, you give me your car, left me a note saying "take care of it", and didn't even bother to stick around just to say "Hi"?'
As his mind wandered off, looking at the memorial, he pulled out a cigarette from his coat's pocket. 'Did something happen to you, brother? Even though we haven't seen each other directly for a long time, you've never missed a single anniversary. For you to not show for four years…'
As he pulled out his lighter and lit his cigarette, he heard footsteps approaching him from behind.
'Must be my mystery contact.' He thought, as he took a puff. 'And I just lit my smoke, too…Oh well, here goes…'
"So…you're the one who called me out?" Lyle said, as snuffed his cigarette, a little annoyed that he had to put it out so quickly.
"Katharon member, Lyle Dylandy."
'What the fuck?!' Lyle thought to himself, as he quickly turned around to face his assumed assailant. "You're with the Bureau?!"
Only to find, instead of the usual stereotypical men in suits, it was a young Middle-Eastern man wearing a white shirt, with a dark, navy colored blazer, and a bright red scarf over said shirt.
"I've come to pick you up"
'Ooooookay…. definitely NOT from the Bureau.' Lyle thought, as he let his guard down a little.
"My name is Setsuna F. Seiei, I am a Gundam Meister of Celestial Being."
"…Celestial Being?"
"And you, too, will become a Gundam Meister, Lyle Dylandy…no,"
"Lockon Stratos."
I can't believe it's been over two years...
TWO! BLOODY! YEARS!
So, yeah...despite being an interlude, this SINGLE CHAPTER has been a giant pain in the ass to write.
Aaaaaanyways, despite the two year absence, thank you for supporting this story. Not sure if I can get the next chapter out early enough, but I'll try my best(fingers crossed)
And no, I am NOT abandoning this fic.
As usual, please leave a review if you spot any mistakes and/or inconsistencies. Criticism is welcomed.
See you again soon(I hope).
Uploaded: 26th January 2022