0121.09.26
Shanxi System - Shanxi Capital: Auttobenid
Endrota Noble House
Duke Isenho von Endrota
Even as orders were being relayed through channels, the aging Duke of Shanxi sighed out. Turning to his wife, he places a hand upon her shoulder and gently squeezes it.
"Alestra dear, please gather the children and leave with the others."
Beside him, the young forty year old Azatastan born Coordinator shook her head, causing crisp black locks to sway as the one eyed woman grinned back at him.
"You know I can't do that. As you said. We protect our own. The children will refuse to leave as well..."
Isenho sighed but couldn't help but smile even as the screen with the High Admiral and the Captain cut out. Quickly typing in several commands, several new faces emerged on the screen. The first was Almenov Benita, captain of Shaxi's colonial guard. Then came Veronica Azimov, chief engineer in their repair yards. The final face belonged to Yunic Dre, public relations representative. It was Yunic that spoke first.
"Duke Isenho, to what do we owe the pleasure?"
They hadn't been informed then. Good.
"As if this moment, I am placing the planet under Code Silver, several hundred unidentifiable vessels have emerged from the God Gate as of five minutes ago and we are to begin evacuation and arming of militia and guard effective immediately."
Silence filled the chamber before the three started yelling at once. Trying to be heard over one another.
"Several hundred?! How?! We didn't detect and Point-to-Point jumps in the system since the four Laurasia-Class vessels arrived earlier."
"How much time do I have to even clear landing pads to begin evacuations?!"
It was Almenov that remained quiet, only to draw a pistol and fire it into the air. Silencing the other two.
"Quiet. If this is true I'll begin to deploy all available assets around the capital."
His face vanished seconds later, leaving the other two with the Duke. Isenho would nod his head seconds after Almenov's face vanished from the screen and he was left with Veronica and Yunic respectively.
"As I've come to understand, these vessels entered through the God Gate rather then Point-To-Point entry like our own use. That however isn't important. Veronica, be a dear and prepare all Mobile Suits we have on hand for deployment. Including my personal model. Your staff should still be on station."
Veronica slowly nodded her head, those cherry red locks of hers bobbing in time.
"I want all shuttles cleared from landing platforms and moved to the Orbital Elevator or the Mass Driver. All civilians are to be evacuated to the Fisherman. Military personnel will not be. Almenov will more then likely be preparing all available assets for colony protection. Now hop to it."
Veronica's face retained its drained features even as the screen became just Isenho and Yunic, the two old friends, despite one being nobility and the other of a commoner class, looked towards each other. Yunic broke the silence.
"So..back to basics then eh? Seems you've attracted more trouble. Even dragged poor Alestra into this, what are your orders old friend?"
Isenho would grimace even as Alestra sent him a smirk, before standing up. While she was in many ways a beautiful woman, her black locks of hair ending in tints of silver given her encroaching age, she was also as much a tiger. Turning, the hour glass figured woman, clothed in a lovely ballgown dress, shifted her own Saber of the Endrota family before turning back.
"My love, I will go tend to the children, be sure to let Azimov know I will be requiring my NEXT to be prepared for deployment. I won't be sitting this fight out."
With that, Alestra turned and began to walk out of the room, letting the two sit alone for a few seconds.
"Yunic...say not a word of that or I will see you put on the front lines. You know your station, send word to the colony, begin evacuation efforts without delay."
A salute from the Public Relations Representative was swiftly followed by the screen turning back. Isenho leaned back in his chair, turning his head to gaze upon the large fire place, the crackle of the flames filling his ears with the soothing sound. His study, as befitting his role as a Duke, was quite large, the walls covered in the recorded history of his family, though thankfully most of it was just copies.
A fare well gift from his father when he left home to colonize and establish Shanxi. Armored Suits and uniforms from generations of Endrota lined the walls while large plush chairs, which even now, he sat in, sat around the open front fire place. War may as well have come to his home, and as it stood he wasn't sure if he could protect those that mattered to him.
Frowning at that thought, he rose from his seat, and typed in several commands into the keyboard in his desk.
0121.09.26
Shanxi System - Shanxi Capital: Auttobenid
23rd Buckner Street
Joseph Yui
Even as Joseph, a homeless man on Shanxi, scratched his beard while waiting in line at the food market to get his daily food rations till he could find a chance to restart his life, after loosing everything to his ex. His head turned as the multiple screens across the surrounding streets flashed with static. This caused conversation to cease in the immediate area as both Joseph and others turned to look at them.
Even handheld devices were acting strangely, as he spied a young couple trying to mess with their phone. Yet their confusion only grew as the screens were replaced. Many instinctively dropped to one knee at the sight of who was on the images, even Joseph did as well. Despite his conditions, he recognized the man on the screens as one to be given respect.
Dark skin, rather thin, hefty beard, and above all, the uniform of a Noble. Despite humanity having done and advanced so far in the last twenty years, there was no denying that humanity still understood the role that these men and women played in their society. Even as the image changed to Duke Isenho von Endrota, text started scrolling across the screen below him. Clearing his throat, he spoke, addressing all of Shanxi.
"My people, my beloved children of Shanxi, I come to you now baring grave news. As of ten minutes ago, the God Gate that had been opened by a Terrorist some months ago, has spilt forth a great many vessels. More so then the Second Fleet in orbit is prepared to combat...I ask you now, to have faith, but begin to gather what you are able and make for the Orbital Elevator and the Mass Driver or any personal Shuttles you may possess."
He sighed out, but Joseph was trying to understand what exactly he had meant, the United Earth Alliance didn't make use of the God Gates all that often. Something about a stigma Pilots and Captains had towards them.
"These, my Sons and Daughters of Shanxi, are not Human vessels. We have made a second First contact with another species. We do not know what this will entail, but High Admiral Reinhard has begun preparations for evacuation of the planet. I urge all able men and women, secure your families, get them off planet, but if you feel the urge, the drive to, move to a shelter, request either aid or a fire arm. As of this moment, the Shanxi colonial guard is to be taking on any volunteers to help in defending her should we find ourselves invaded."
This caused a slow rise in panic as people started to rush off towards their homes. Of course they were scared, the memories of the wars on earth were fresh for those over the age of thirty. However, others started banding together, talk of joining the Guard filled conversations.
"This is not something I can ask of you, but I and my Family have chosen to remain on Shanxi, to defend her from any attack. If you will follow me into battle, then please, find a Station and request from them a fire arm so that you may join the defense. Today, Shanxi stands as one, its Nobility will be the shield to defend those that can not!"
His voice boomed across the planet, every screen delivering his speech.
"Those of you in cities and villages, not close to the Capital, I request that you bar your doors and your windows, prepare your bomb shelters and hide your families. These Aliens, for that is what they are, have unknown intentions for Shanxi. I can not spar the limited guards to defend every inch of this planet, but if you can, make the trip to the Capital. That is all, Duke Isenho von Endrota, signing off. See you on the front lines Soldiers."
The screens would go black across the planet before resuming their previous content, but no one was paying any attention to that now. All had their minds focused on the words and the fact they may be invaded.
0121.09.26
Shanxi System - Orbit
Expeditionary Fleet
Duo Maxwell
Duo watched from within the cockpit as the sixty plus vessels of the Exploration Fleet moved into position around the planet. Placing themselves between the newly arrived vessels and that of Shanxi. Given the systems onboard the XXXG-01D Gundam Deathscythe Hell, his system started to catalogue the ships now entering into the system. The ZERO System detected some two hundred vessels that ranged from Patrol to Light Frigate sized.
Between fifty to one hundred meters. Though they were relatively strange looking, in that they appeared ramshackled and rather crude. The designs weren't even registered in the United Earth Alliance Database, not to mention the energy signatures played havoc with scanning. Forming up along with the other mobile suits, he looked towards the other three Gundams with him near the back of the formation.
Several signals were detected coming towards the Deathscythe, recognizing them, he accepted the incoming signals.
"Go for Callsign Reaper, this is Duo, what can I do for you today?"
While joking, Duo understood the irritated look he received from Lunamaria when her face appeared beside him. Alongside her was Shinn Asuka, and the young Mikazuki Augus, the later of whom looked no older then sixteen. The other two were by far older, but younger then himself.
Mikazuki was a young man with black hair and light blue eyes. Human Refuse, the new term for child soldiers that had cropped up due to LOGOs.
"Duo, please try to take this seriously. We might be fighting soon."
Mikazuki rolled his eyes as ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos Lupus Rex came up beside the ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam and the ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam equipped with the θ Destiny Silhouette, the right shoulder sporting the MMI-710 "Excalibur" Anti-ship Laser Sword and the left sported a M2000F "Kerberos" High-Energy Long-Range Beam Cannon.
As always Duo spoke up.
"Oh come on Luna, if we spent all this time worrying we would have grey hair by now. Best bet is that we'll either do a fighting retreat or ordered down to Shanxi to help hold the planet after the fleet leaves."
The Barbatos Lupus Rex sported the standard design of the Gundam series, the ivory white limbs, with the golden head piece. However where it differed from other Gundams is in its heavier build. Like the ZZ and Zeta Gundams of the Earth Federation, its body sported additional armor across itself, mainly in the legs and arms to help support its primary weapons of choice. Shinn chose this moment to speak up.
"Duo, Lunamaria, keep it together...my god I'm the one saying that. Until we get word of our next course of action we hold position."
The Lupus Rex's feet were tipped with two golden claws, taken from the Mobile Armor, Hashmal, along with the tail extension on its back. Even its fingers were tipped with golden claws, presumably made of Gundanium rather then Nanometal. The back of the feet even sported what appeared to be a set of stabilizers. Mikazuki decided to take over the conversation here.
Mikazuki nodded his head, black locks shifting and bobbing as a result before Shinn spoke up.
"Duo, what is the Hellscythe telling you about the enemy composition?"
The arms of the Barbatos Lupus Rex sported twin 170mm Autocannons, causing the elbows to jut out from behind the arms. Though the shoulders were rounded rather then jutting out like other Gundam Models. The chin jutted out, the same red coloration. Even the golden head piece was more pronounced in how it sloped behind the Barbatos'es head. With a second pair jutting out just above the first but much shorter.
"So here's what I got. We got two Hundred lightly armored and barely armed patrol ships, measures between fifty to two hundred meters. Though they are staying behind the larger ones. We got one hundred Heavy Corvette, Planetary Defense Ships, Light Assault Carriers, or Escort sized vessels. Between Three hundred and One Meters to Four Hundred Meters."
Even as he says this, more information from the fleet was streaming into their systems as scans come back. However none of the other Gundam pilots spoke up, letting Duo continue.
"We got some fifty Medium, Frigates/Escort Frigates/or Assault Carriers. Between four hundred and fifty one to five hundred meters. No idea what these things run on but the ZERO system is coming back with a thirty percent chance of Mass Effect Systems. So we might be seeing Protheans boys and girls."
Shinn, Mikazuki, and Luminaria turned to look towards one another. So this was a Second First Contact Scenario. However Duo was far from finished.
"Hold up...counting four hundred fighter craft, between ten to twenty meters in length. So these guys are most definingly hostile towards us. Best get ready everyone."
The fact the fleet was deploying strike craft showed hostile intent, and already the Exploration Fleet was starting to power up systems as Neo-Mobile Dolls, AIs, and other pilots funneled more information to the only Gundam with the ZERO System in the Solar System. Duo Continued.
"Ok so we got ten Heavy Frigates, Planetary Invasion Carriers, or Medium Assault/Aircraft Carriers near the center of the Armada. Those may prove difficult to crack in the event that they form into wolf packs."
The ZERO System highlighted six Ships between Six Hundred and Eight hundred Meters. So Light, Medium, or Heavy Destroyers and Cruisers.
"We got Six ships ranging from Cruisers to Destroyers, they really didn't skimp on the forces they sent did they? I'm actually kind of flattered."
They would require special attention from the fleet to bring down considering the largest of their own vessels was now acting as an evacuation shuttle and the Flag Ship was Reinhard's own. However the biggest challange sat with the final vessel in the fleet.
"Death Scythe is coming back with...1.6 Kilometers for the final vessel. She's reading a large amount of weapon systems on that thing. Way more then what our Dreadnaughts sport."
Duo would frown slightly before he submerged himself into the ZERO System for a few minutes, then opened his eyes, nodding in tandom with the new orders from the Fleet.
"Mikazuki, Shinn, Luminaria, Reinhard is giving us orders. Make for Shanxi, we are gunna be bolstering the ground defenses. The Old Man has been told what's going on so we got to try and keep any forces that land ground side preoccupied. I'll be staying up here to play Cat and Mouse with these grey men."
Duo grinned as the other three Gundam Pilots nodded their head, even as Mikazuki broke off and headed to group up with the rest of the Tekkadan forces being deployed to the planet below them.
However, Shinn seemed to growl out as he looked towards Duo with a scowl. Oh so the Rabid ZAFT Dog still has something to say?
"Duo, you can't be serious! We need to stick together right now or we are going to be torn apart. We don't even know what these aliens intensions are. What if this is just how they do things when finding other species?"
He could see Lunamari nodding her head in agreement. It would be nice if that was the situation, but as veterans of several wars, they should have known better.
"Shinn, Luna, you and I both know well enough to recognize their actions."
The two seemed to be ready to say something when Klaxxe Alarms started blaring as the systems across the fleet detected lock on sensors from the other fleet. Seconds later, a combined barrage of light streaks slammed into many vessels. Half of which missed but the others seemed to over penetrate. Two RGM-79Q GM Quels, six RGM-86R GM IIIs, four LM111E02 Gun-EZs, ten AEU-05/92 AEU Hellion Initiums, and three AMX-009 Dreissens are reduced to particles as they are struck by the fire.
"Well there you go for if these guys are friendly or not! Now get to ground."
The Hellscythe would activate its Active Cloak and vanish from sight before heading off towards the conflict.
0121.09.26
Shanxi System - Orbit
Expeditionary Fleet
Shinn Asuka
Shinn wouldn't be what one would consider to be a patient man, but as he watched the Expeditionary Fleet come under fire, he couldn't help but grimmace as he forced himself to follow orders. Several Re-Entry Pods had been launched by one of the near by vessels and already, hundreds of them were streaming down towards Shanxi to help bolster the Garrison planet side.
"Come on Luna! Can't sit around and watch. Sooner we get planet side, the sooner we can keep our citizens safe. That is why we signed up after all!"
Even as he dragged Lunamaria off towards the bulbus looking vessel, he couldn't help but grimace as he watched one of the Nazca vessels, ZAFT made, begin to develop pock marks across its hull. Good Coordinators could be dying because some alien bastards decided that they looked like easy pickings.
However, hope blossomed as one of the Kueselin-class Heavy Cruisers aligned its Anti-Ship Mega Particle Cannons and let loose. While outranged by these aliens, the emerald beams of direct energy seemed to bypass vessels and scored a great gouge in the side of one of the Fast Attack Craft.
"Oh yeah! We got a hit. These things got shields but they sure as hell have no way to deal with Particle Cannons. Suck it you assholes!"
He missed however Luna rolling her eyes even as the vessel that was struck kept on going. In fact, as she and Shinn got inside the Drop Pod as they were called by Coffin Jockies, the Universal Tactical Display seemed to blink as it was updated.
"Shinn, you really need to look at the map, these aliens are acting really weird."
Turning back to his consul, even as the Drop Pod enclosed itself, connecting to their Grundams, and fired its aft thrusters to begin its descent towards Shaxi, he studied the tactical display.
While the largest Red Dots were hanging in a semi-staggered crescent moon, with three rows, the much smaller vessels were holding back in the center, a position reserved for the Flag Ship of an Armada. Then as another wave of the alien fire came towards the Expeditionary Fleet, some fifty seemed to break off and rush towards the edges of the tactical map. Then another group went over, another under, and the last group went to the left.
"They...well that is rather strange. Luna, does it look like they are going to try and bypass the fleet? Cause that is what it seems like to me."
Even as the Drop Shop heated up, due to friction and entering the atmosphere of Shanxi, the real time conflict in space continued to be displayed before all those going to ground.
0121.09.26
Shanxi System - Ground Side
Expeditionary Fleet
Lunamaria Hawke
Even as Shinn pointed it out, his wife nodded her head, the red haired woman noted the same thing, given that she was a Coordinator after all.
"My best guess is they want to keep our fleet busy and launch a direct attack planet side. Could force our fleet to divert forces to the ground theater. However I don't think they know that the fleet is going to be doing a fighting retreat."
Even as she watched, one of the Blue Dots, "The Aleka's Pride" blinked off the Tactical Display. In its place, a large red X. However, six of the red dots vanished as well before it went down, causing Shinn to cheer.
"Well that confirms that while they have us outranged, they don't have us outgunned."
Luna nodded her head, even as the heat began to lessen on her Gundam and the Drop Pod's wings opened wide enough for the Gundams to be deployed. The Pod itself firing its remaining fuel to slow down as parachutes ejected from around its top engine and allow it to land safely.
"This looks like a planetary invasion however...it all depends on what kind of forces they land planet side though. Shinn, can you try and get any footage of the vessels firing?"
Thrusters ignited as the "ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam" and the "ZGMF-X56S Impulse Gundam" both flew from the drop pod. Husband and Wife, heading towards the Capital of Shanxi, Auttobenid where already, they could see sand bags and barricades being set at many of the walled cities major intersections.
Given how new the planet was, there had yet to be any highways built or large industry across more of the planet. Most of the outer villages and towns were connected via simple roads, some not even paved.
"We got quite the refugees coming into the city, think they have enough to eat?"
Luna grimmaced as Shinn asked, knowing very well his experiences as a Refugee following the Atlantic Federation's attack on Orb. However before she could answer, both Gundam Pilots received a hail.
"This is Auttobenid Ground Control, attention Mobile Suit pilots, you are clear to land at Flight Decks Two and Six. Over."
Shinn answered for the both of them as Luna was distracted by the tactical situation in space.
"This is Heavy Hammer and Humming Bird, we read you Ground Control. Adjusting vector 191-J31 to 310-Nb1. Over."
While Shinn moved on his own, Luna did it instinctively to stay close to her husband. The two flying towards the jutting rocky plateau that cast the cities northern side in shadow.
"This is Ground Control, thanks for stopping by Heavy Hammer, Humming Bird. You are cleared for landing. Over."
Luna snapped back as the two came in to land. While the city itself was gleaming metal, rising steel, and glittering glass, the garrison was built into the plateau and, if documents were to be believed, the complex wound through the mountains themselves. It was rather impressive the amount of work that this small garrison had gone through. Though something told Luna that there was something down there.
As the two Pilots reached within sight of the Garrison, they could see the landing strips, several in fact, that ran nearly ten miles from the base of the plateau and then curved upwards. Blinking lights along both sides of the runway helped to guide aircraft and mobile suits correctly onto the tarmac.
As both of them came in at an angle, they could see that, the roof of what once must have been a natural cave, had been expanded and raised nearly a hundred meters, after all, how else could they fit the Big Zam that currently was set off to one side.
"Humming Bird, Heavy Hammer, be advised. Tekkadon has landed and moved to the city already to begin defensive work. Most of the Mobile Suit cages are being used by the Big Green you no doubt have seen. It's legs are damaged so it won't be anything more then a stationary weapon platform. Over."
As the two came down and landed on the Tar Mac, they could see that the back of the cave had been replaced with a massive door, probably created by Vault-Tech or some other large corporation to be sure. It was however open, revealing the unfinished insides of the garrison. They certainly had Mobile Armor sized Expansion Efforts or even grounded vessels.
"Ground Control, this is Humming Bird, what is the current situation of the Evacuation? Over."
Shinn beat her to the punch as the two Gundams looked around, their exterior audio-recorders drinking in the sounds of rumbling as tanks and lower Mechs lumbered out of their Pens. They could see NEXTs, Wanzers, OmniMechs, Tactical Surfice Fighters, and a few Mobile Suits. The numbers were small however, given the size of the planet, but there was two that caught her eye.
Standing mightily, clad in Gundanium, and sporting a blade that seemed to be wreathed in flame, a ceremonial looking Mobile Suit stepped from its cage. A billowing cloak flowed behind the Mobile Suit as it walked towards the Gundams. Golden designs flowed across the mobile suit's shoulders and chest. Luna taking a few seconds to check the IFF, seeing as it said it belonged to Duke Isenho von Endrota himelf.
Both Gundam pilots received a hail at about the same exact time from the Noble. Their screens flashing to reveal the married couple of Duke Isenho von Endrota and Dutchess Alestra von Endrota herself sitting in the modified two seater cockpit.
"Noble Gundam Warriors, it does my aging heart good to see you have come to the surface. Thank you both. I have need of your experience. I would ask you both to attempt to keep air superiority over the city. We have few anti-air emplacements as our garrison's Catapults were expected to fill that role in the event of a pirate attack."
He was probably seriously regretting not putting in the additional credits for AA batteries or dedicated AA Mobile Suits or Mechs.
"The space bound forces are providing help and are now being deployed across the city, but a Gundam is still the strongest weapon I could ask for."
Luna nodded her head in understanding. Even as she turned to watch, several Catapults and two Heavy HOUNDS outfitted with Missile Packs and Flak Cannons. Luna nodded her head once more and looked towards Shinn before her attention shifted again towards Isenho.
"Well you can count on us! Honestly I'm not even sure if these aliens have a concept of mobile suits or combined arms warfare. We may be lucky and they only have air superiority fighters. I have to ask though...Duke..why are you in a mobile suit? I don't even recognize that model."
Even as she looked, the emerald gems on the sides of the shoulder pads would glow slightly as Izenho would nod his head.
"This is a Relic, not something I suspect you kids would have any interest in. It's name however, is Escaflowne. You would be wise to remember this."
Despite being smaller then the Gundams, the machine seemed to radiate a strange sort of malice that caused sweat to break out on their bodies. However this sensation passed as Klaxxan Alarms began to resound through the base. The Fisherman, which had been holding steady over the capital, fired a broadside towards the clouds. A few seconds later this was followed by a detonation before star ships began to break through the cloud cover and rush towards the ground.
"That seems like it is our time. Prepare yourselves!"
0121.09.26
Shanxi System - Shanxi Capital: Auttobenid
Tekkadan
Mikazuki Augus
When the first sirens began to sound, the young man that was Mikazuki Augus merely popped a grape into his mouth. The others of Tekkadan, including Orga, had been helping the local garrison set up sand bags at the various entrances leading into Auttobenid when the alarms started to sound and the Fisherman fired into the atmosphere.
Pulling up Tekkadon's Com, and the general Garrison Chatter, he listened in.
"We got vessels breaching the atmosphere. The Fly boys are trying to intercept but they have their own weapon systems. Bombers are flying on formation alongside fighters. Looks like a dogfight is about to begin."
Mikazuki, using Barbatos'es systems, logged the communication and brought up a 3d Map of Auttobenid. The Tactical display showed that the first landing craft had breached the atmosphere all across the planet. Hundreds of them, though some were vanishing as Mobile Suits or Fighters intercepted them on the way down.
"This is Jefferson of Seventh Squad, we got a ship landing a few kilometers from our position. Looks like they are unloading vehicles. Might be fast attack, but they are also deploying a lot of bodies. Hold on people, I think I see what our new neighbors look like. Ugly bastards actually. Over."
This caught his attention, Mikazuki would draw on the open channels before locating Seventh Squad of the 10th Planetary Garrison's Infantry Forces. They along with the rest of the 10th had been deployed along the southern wall and to lay mines outside the city. Upon finding their location, Barbatos brought up imaging from near by cameras to finally get a good look at the Aliens.
"This is Hanna of First Squad, yeah the same is happening over here. Looks like those vessels are drop ships and they are unloading infantry actually. Four eyed bastards, wait...I'm seeing other aliens... actually .. can someone confirm what I am seeing? Do those other aliens and even some of their own have collars around their necks? Over."
Mikazuki blinked several times as his system registered at least six distinct alien species being deployed near the 10th. The first that was most prevalent was a strange four eyed humanoid alien with ridges atop their head and two raised ridges on either side of their mouths. As Hanna had said over the radio, they sported collars, but they also wore battered looking armor. Some with patches of mismatched metals.
"This is Jessica of Tenth Squad, I am reading limited energy coming off those armor systems, be careful everyone they might have nasty surprises instore for us. Though Hanna is right, I'm reading ninety percent of the troops being deployed have some kind of collar wrapped about their necks. Though my Sniper tells me that some are outfitted with fire arms or some kind of shield, with I think...shock sticks? Can you confirm? Over?"
Well that certainly didn't spell anything good for them. Switching his optics on, Mikazuki shifted his attention to one of the other alien species that seem to be prevalent amongst these ground forces. Reptilian, given the scales covering their head, these aliens were much slimmer then the first. Their heads sporting two raised ridges that ended in points just above their eyes. Both of which were rather large. On some of them, their armor was more pronounced, identifying females of the species. Unlike the first, their hands ended in three fingers and their legs were bent like that of some birds Mikazuki had seen in the past.
"This is Taner of Second Squad. I can confirm that they are handing out melee and shields to the front line forces, the sticks seem to be releasing electricity. They are beginning to gather up, it looks ... yes it looks like they are about to make a push! Several more ships have landed, though one was taken out by a NEXT, have we tried to make contact yet? Over."
Even as Mikazuki watched the tactical display of the planet, more of the vessels seemed to breach the atmosphere and head planet side to unload troops and vehicles. The other alien that he saw caused his blood to run cold as for a few seconds he thought he was looking at a woman. Then he noted the blue skin and tentacles on her head. Some of them were in chains and weak looking armor, but others actually carried sophisticated weapon systems. What did that even mean?
"So this is Jessica again, we got blue girls out there, they seem to be two kinds? One with nice looking stuff and the other in hand-me-downs. Over."
"This is Ahab from from 14th over near the western wall, I can confirm this as well. Wait...holy shit! One of the blue gals just shot another who was trying to run the other way. Repeat, forced combatants are in play, I repeat, forced combatants are in place. Over."
The next Alien that Mikazuki could see was like the Blue women, in that there were those at the back with nice armor and weapons, and those in patched armor and with older models or something. Strange bone like growths covered the head, they seemed to even have mandibles of some kind as well. With ridges that ran behind their head. Like the second alien, they sported backwards facing legs and three fingered hands rather then the first and third aliens having five fingers.
"All forces, this is Duke Isenho von Endrota of Shanxi, I am deploying to the Southern side of the City to direct defense. If there are indeed forced combatants we will need to work to minimize casultie-"
Sadly his voice is cut off as the Fishermen, in orbit above the city lists sideways. Several dozen of the now leaving drop ships switch focus as they rush towards the Fisherman rather then go back into space. Six of them are blown out of the sky by the Particle Guns but, the civilian ladened warship is struck by others. Even as mobile suits of all kinds work to engage, the vessel is rammed and forced downward.
"Attention all forces! This is Captain Jesse Denton of the Fisherman! We have been breached, the Aliens have kamakazied into my ship and we are going down. Several of their ships apparently filled with high explosives. Vector puts us near the Devil Canyon. I repeat, Devil's Canyo-"
The vessel dips out of sight of Mikazuki as smoke and minor detonations rock the vessel as it begins to be dragged into the planet's orbit and drawn towards the ground as well. Their destination put them on the other side of the world and with several thousand civilians, well given the attacks that number may have become less actually.
"This is Duke Isenho von Endrota, I need a relief force to make for the Fisherman as soon as possible and guard it till we can prepare an evacuation effort to bring them here. I've been informed that the fighting in space is starting to turn against us and the fleet is pulling out. They have supplied us with all they can but the rest is up to us now. Men, Women, Citizens of the United Earth Alliance, let's give these aliens what for!"
Roars came up as the city seemed to shake from the soldiers on the ground, but still, compared to what the enemy was supposedly bringing, Mikazuki knew they were vastly outnumbered. However, even as he turned to watch, one of the Drop Vessels that had struck the Fisherman rose off the ground in the distance, beyond their artillery range, and rushed towards the city.
"Got a Crasher incoming, eastern wall. Mikazuki Augus, engaging."
The first shot fired from the ground came from his Gundam as it deployed one of its 200mm Guns from under the right arm and leveled it at the incoming ship. The air shook as the 200mm Spat Shells at the vessel, but to the suprise of many, the first two were intercepted by a yellowish field.
However, the field must have been weak as they failed after the sixth shot and a round punched through. A series of detonations caused it to dive towards the ground, where it dug a trench into the hard Shanxi Soil before whatever explosives it had inside cooked off and a mushroom cloud formed.
"All forces this is Almenov Benita of the Shanxi Garrison Command. Alien vessels are doubling as suicide bombers after they have unloaded their cargo. We have as well seen reports of armor mixed in amongst their forces. I want mobile suits to arm Anti-Personnel Weapons due to a lack of mechanized armor beyond what appears to be APC and Tank Analogs. As of this moment, all forces groundside are to prepare themselves, the enemy comes and we must last. Almenoy Out."
His words hung in the air as soldiers, both conscripted, volunteered, and enlisted, hunkered down behind sand bags, barricades, and vehicles used to form said barricades at every entrance into the city. Now they awaited the coming hailstorm to rain upon them. Mikazuki was granted the luxury of claiming fist kill of the City Defense Forces, but it would be far from the last.
0121.09.26
Shanxi System - Orbit
Expeditionary Fleet
Reinhard von Lohengramm
His ship shuddered and quaked as another series of rounds struck the vessel and he was nearly thrown from his Command Throne. A growl echoed from his lips as Reinhard barked out.
"We've taken enough of a beating, all vessels, begin a fighting retreat, we can't do much more against this onslaught and we've lost ten percent of our fleet already for a holding action. The rest is up to the good Duke and Shanxi."
Even as he said this, a barrage of missiles flew past the view ports on both sides, smashing into the alien fighters which had become engaged in a dog fight that they were rapidly loosing against the fleets remaining Mobile Armor contingent and the fighter squadrons.
The rumble of the spinal mounted "Lohengrin" Positron Blaster Cannon signaled the death of another Destroyer, leaving four more. The Bloody Red and Black beam sliced through the six hundred and eighty five meter long vessel's flank and ejected out the other side, claiming several fighters and a pair of Frigates at the same time.
Even as his ships, beaten and battered as they were from the strange weapon systems the aliens utilized pulled back, they seemed to switch their focus from the fleet one ship at a time to the planet. The Fisherman had already been struck and sent crashing to the planet below. His last report from Jesse was about boarders on top of the kamakazi strikes against his ship.
"All ships, recall your mobile suits and fighters, their pilots need rest and their systems need repairs."
Yet even still, some of the alien vessels decided to follow after the retreating fleet, though they found that the alternativing fields of positron fire was enough to deter them from doing such. They left behind some ten ships and a few hundred mobile suits and fighters, even though the enemy had lost nearly one hundred and fifty six of their original five hundred.
"This is High Admiral Reinhard Von Lohengramm, while this battle is lost, and now our sons and daughters lay in the freezing void of space, we will return. We will be switching to hit and run after we have gotten to the edge of the system. Even if a direct confrontation isn't feezable, we can still bleed them in space."
The com lines lit up, though he looked to the Comm Station, sighing, Abigail had gone planet side a month ago to visit her family and asked for extended leave to look after her sick mother. Bethany, her sister, had taken her place as the vessel's Comms. Reinhard turned back to watch the slowly shrinking planet of Shanxi, before his vessel and others jumped into the Point-to-Point Corridor and left the Shanxi System.
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