A warning to the people, the good and the evil

This is war

To the soldier, the civilian, the martyr, the victim

This is war

It's the moment of truth and the moment to lie

And the moment to live and the moment to die

The moment to fight, the moment to fight,

To fight, to fight, to fight

-This is War by Thirty Seconds to Mars

Dorothy stood in the antechamber in the Presidential Manor, her arms crossed over her chest. She rarely got nervous, but she was a little nervous now. Mainly because of the woman standing beside her.

Relena was calmly standing in the corner, doing something on her phone. Though Relena looked relaxed, Dorothy knew that Relena was likely anxious and stressed. And for good reason.

"Madam President, we're ready," an aid said, popping her head into the antechamber. Dorothy glanced at Relena.

"Ready?" she asked. Relena stowed away her phone and nodded. The two women stepped out of the antechamber into a large, circular room. The seal of the ESUN was emblazoned on the floor in the center of the room, and at the top, was a podium lined with microphones. Just behind and to the left of the podium was a large television screen. The press was held at bay by Preventer security guards.

Dorothy stepped up to the podium, motioning Relena to stand beside her. The cameras switched on, and the director pointed to Dorothy.

"Citizens of the Earth Sphere Unified Nation and the United Space Colonies: as you may know, the ESUN headquarters was attacked by unknown assailants yesterday. In the attacks, we lost our noble President, and it is with a heavy heart that I step into his role. Rest assured, our Preventer organization is doing everything possible to find out who was behind these attacks.

"But they can't do it alone.

"Relena Darlian, former Foreign Minister, is stepping out of retirement to assist with our current situation. We need her skills more than ever in these times."

Dorothy took a deep breath.

"And I call out to you, my people, to help us. I am instating the Earth Sphere Armed Legion. Those who enlist will be trained to operate a new type of weapon, which has been safeguarded until needed. The time is now, to reveal the Armed Legion Exo-Suits."

A photo appeared on the screen behind Dorothy, of a slightly-larger-than-human-sized mobile suit.

The press and Relena gasped. Dorothy glanced at Relena, and saw the disappointment and anger in her face. But there was nothing she could do about it now. And there was nothing she would do about it. Relena had a role to play in this game, and Dorothy would let her.

"These suits are not much different than the weapons that were used in the attacks against us. And we are prepared to match the forces of evil with our own weapons. Those unknown started this conflict, and I intend to finish it."

Dorothy nodded and stepped away from the podium. The press shouted questions at her, which she ignored. Dorothy walked to the antechamber, Relena hot on her heels. Once they were inside and the door was closed, Relena whirled on her.

"How could you?" Relena shouted. Dorothy held up her hands.

"It was a necessary precaution, and you can't deny that we're going to need these. Besides, two presidents ago lifted your total weapons ban. They knew that kind of thinking wasn't going to work long-term. There are always people who will fight us."

"You're asking for our children to fight?" Relena asked. Dorothy shook her head.

"We have to do this," Dorothy said. "It's for the good of everything we've worked for."

"We fought to end all wars," Relena said, her face still red, her chest heaving with anger.

"War is inevitable."

Relena exhaled sharply and turned, heading for the door leading to a secret corridor. Dorothy watched her go. Relena was predictable, and Dorothy's plan was falling into place.

Marina saw Dorothy's speech on the television, while still locked in the bunker at her parent's home. She stood beside her cousins and friends, her hands clenched. She knew she wanted to fight. She wanted to be a pilot, like her father. But there was no way she'd be able to join the ESUN Armed Legion. She was too young for military service, and her mother would lock her in a tower somewhere like a cursed princess before allowing her to become a pilot.

Marina turned and saw that Milou and Naina were standing close together, whispering. She knew they were also thinking about joining the Legion. At least they were of age. But her uncle and aunt wouldn't allow them to join either, Marina was sure.

Katherine approached Marina's side and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I know what you're thinking, and it's not a good idea," she said. Marina gave her an innocent look.

"Don't know what you're talking about," Marina said.

Katherine rolled her eyes. "You're just like your dad," she said with a laugh. "Quatre says that all the time." Marina smiled to herself.

"You really think so?"

"I think Aunt Relena thought you'd end up like her," Naina said, interjecting into the conversation. She and Milou had ceased their whispering.

"Instead you ended up like Uncle Heero, and I don't think Aunt Relena knows how to handle that," Milou agreed. Marina blushed, and she would never tell them that she was glad she was like her father. She didn't understand her mother. A gulf had formed between them that Marina didn't know how to cross. And now she suspected, neither did her mother.

Marina turned her attention back to the television. A news reporter was talking about Dorothy's Exo-Suits, flashing pictures on the screen. Marina felt an excitement in her she'd never really felt before.

Rain lashed against the windows of the tallest office tower in Moscow. Water ran in rivulets down the large windows. Arthur Walker stood at the window, staring out over the city, his hands clasped behind his back. He sighed and ran a hand through his greying hair.

The door to his office opened, and Arthur turned around. Doug Morra walked into the room, wearing a nicely tailored suit. His grey-free brown hair was slicked back. Arthur liked Doug, but always felt that he looked so much older than the man who was only ten years younger. Perhaps the years of running RenTech Industries as CEO had aged him faster than an upstart revolutionary.

A woman walked through the door behind Doug and closed the door. Her name was Grace Murphy, and she was the head of ODIN's Exo-suit army. In her mid-thirties, she was practically age-less with her wavy blonde hair and bright hazel eyes. She wore an ODIN uniform, black with grey trim. They crossed the room and sat down on the opposite side of Arthur's desk.

Arthur walked to his sideboard and pulled a decanter of rum from the cupboard and three glasses. He walked back to his desk, sat down, and poured out three glasses. He handed two over to the others and leaned back in his chair, circling his fingers around the glass.

"Well, she declared war," Arthur said. "As we expected."

"The former President would not have been so easy to manipulate," Doug said. "Madam President Catalonia is much easier to sway to war."

"Do you think her supposed army of Exo-Suits will match ours?" Arthur said.

Doug and Grace both scoffed.

"Of course not. Our people are trained killers. Whatever riffraff she comes up with will be too green to go into battle," Grace said.

"This war will be over before the ESUN can blink," Doug said, sipping his rum, a smile curling on his lips.

-SE