Gundam belongs to Bandai. Mass Effect to EA. Star Trek to Viacom. I own none of the material mentioned here.


0121.10.14

Shanxi System - Shanxi Capital: Auttobenid

23rd Buckner Street

Knight House Gremory

Knight Lord Ebenhorn Vest Gremory

Ebenhorn was a silent lad when he first was introduced into the Knightly Monastery. No older then Six at the time, the red haired young boy had shown an apt attention to the teachings of the Knightly House of Gremory. From the simplistic teachings of chivalry to more expansive lectures regarding knighthood and what is expected of a Knight.

A headstrong young man, Ebenhorn found himself constantly matching wits with the other young men and women of his House. Given that their name was derived from the Ars Goetia and focused more on love then anything, it is not a surprise that they have rapidly gained numbers though lineage and enticing young men or women of their Minor Houses into joining to undergo tutorage and training.

Ebenhorn himself had only been sixteen when he received his position as a squire under Knight Charleston Gremory. Partaking in a crusade against a Devil Gundam occupied system. Even now, a decade after that event, which had been his first real taste of combat, the nightmares plagued him. The Devil Gundam was unlike any enemy to date that humanity had faced. Even the ELS, as horrifying as they were, weren't malicious in any way. Their only means of understanding the world was through assimilation.

Yet the Devil Gundam, that monstrosity was still loose upon the cosmos and despite Humanities best Efforts, they had not been able to fully pin it to a single system to eradicate the errant machine. The scent of ash and corpses still filtered through his Power Armor's Filtration Systems, though that could be because Shanxi was now starting to remind him of that horrifying world. Only without the fact that his family, others of the Gremory Order and House, weren't rising back up after being injected with DG-Cells.

"...I repeat, the enemy has breached the Southern Wall and is now moving in mass towards the City. Any forces that can intercept move now. Between 23rd Buckner Street and 12th Leamon Street."

However such stories were for another time, for even now, as Ebenhorn slowly strode towards the sector of the City that had received word of a breach, his mind had been allowed to wander. Shaking his head, which in turn causes his Power Armored Frame to shift its helmet as well.

Designed to best resemble a knight, the power armor was forged from Tungsten to ensure protection, while set on a brace and an exo-suit, like what Scribes are first issued as well. The interlocked pieces of armor were covered in iconography of the House and Order that the individual belonged to. Given that he was of House and Order Gremory, Ebenhorn's own power armor consisted of a large picture of the Gremory House, a woman upon a camel on the right shoulder.

On the left, the symbol of the Gremory House. What appeared to be like an upside skull without the eyes, and jagged teeth in place of the standard. Three small circles run parallel to one another at the bottom of he skull. While Gremory is spelled out along the outer edge of the circular section of the ring that surrounds the central image.

The several ton suit of Power Armor had ridges running along the large tungsten boots, which in turn led to equally engraved and shaped knee guards, set directly below a large Faulds which had slightly ridged outer sections. Down from the waist, a long strip of embroidered cloth, depicting the actions of Ebenhorn himself, flowed between his legs. While a small shield was set above the Cod piece and the waist.

Above, with clearly defined slabs of tungsten, the chest was covered in several inch thick pieces of interlocking metal. The arms were clad in bracers and arm guards running from the shoulders down to the fingers. Jutting sections from the elbows would be marked with pressed glyphs and the House Crest. A pair of Fleur Da Leas set in the bottom right and upper left section of the shield. While the upper right housed the Icon of The Gremory House and the bottom left housed the Gremory Demon herself.

The Pauldrons were large, obscuring full views from the left and right. With broad bolts inlaid into the base of the shoulders to hold them into place. Atop the helmet, with a T shaped Visor of polarized bullet proof black glass. A Miniaturized Minovsky Ultracompact Fusion Reactor could be seen just barely peeking over his shoulders, encased in tungsten and trace amounts of Gundanium. A frankly expensive undertaking to forge ones Power Armor out of, but given their line of work, it was necessary.

"The Foe has breached out lines, they have slain our brothers and sisters in arms. We move now to close the gap. Hold Fast, Men of Shanxi. The Walls are secured, We hold the Line in the Name of Queens and Country! Knights of House Gremory. Let's not keep the Demon Waiting."

Within his left hand, gripped within those powerful fingers, a slab of Nanolaminate Armor applied to a Titanium Alloy/Ceramic Composite, also known as Gundanium Alloy, and Tungsten Shield, would be held in front of him even as fire was sent his way from the rent hole in the raised wall. Six of the four eyed aliens, eight of the strange carapace covered avian, and two of the humanoids with tentacles instead of hair. While they mostly focused their fire on him, given his role was to act as the focus, two of the Four eyed and one of the Avian went down to impressive fire from his Squires.

Though this state of affairs didn't last long as the forces in the opening of the wall seemed to realize that standing out in the open is liable to get oneself killed. So they stumbled back into cover. However one of the Blue skinned women, covered in tattoos, and lacking the collars he and the others had seen on what they had come to understand were slaves, from the few they had captured in the fighting over the last eighteen days.

"This One is Mine. For the Glory of the House and for the Lady."

The right arm had what appeared to be a set of four barrels that jutted from the wrist. Matching the description of Old World Heavy Machine Guns. Cooling Ports, or holes were opened along the length of two barrels, with a series of chains running between the individual barrels near their tops.

Belts ran along to the back, directly below the Miniaturized Minovsky Ultracompact Fusion Reactor. A large ammo Drum was attached just below the Reactor's Casing. However given the amount of fighting that he and the others of the Colony had been undergoing, it was nearing a status close to empty.

Two of the four barrels had sadly been destroyed by precise sniper fire some days beforehand, though thankfully they had since been altered. Rather then the slug based weapon system that the quad linked .50 Machine Guns had been otherwise using, the two destroyed barrels had been cannibalized by Ebenhorn's Onboard partner. They had since been replaced with downsized Beam Rifles taken from overrun Reaper Beam Gun Nests.

Smooth compared to the other two barrels, this seemingly fused one was much smoother. Without the cooling ports, the holes as it were, twin barrels were fused togeher, their barrels opened to expose cords and wiring, which in turn were connected to flat pieces of conductive metal. Generating a stabilizing field between them both as well.

"You who sully these lands, who deny Love to those to young to experience it..."

Lining up the joint barrel, which began to generate a field of purplish energy, the Reactor began to scream for a few seconds before the joint barrel fired. With a scream, the energized field of Plasma sailed out from the joint barrel and consumed the blue skinned alien's upper torso. Her upper body from the waist up vanished and was vaporized by the shot. The legs of the Alien stumbling forward before collapsing, revealing the charred remains of the waist while the legs twitched a few times before laying still.

"...and for those whom have had that ripped from them by this Callus Invasion. May Gremory of Ars Goetia have Mercy upon your Souls, for I have not the Patience. Amen."

He turned, leveling his weapon on another of the Aliens which had popped out of cover, and raked the cracked concrete with .50 Caliber Rounds, one which collided with the chest. Though a yellow barrier would flare up before the round could properly take its life.

"...IV-192. See if you can't acquire something useful from these Aliens."

At his command, as he hefted his shield and intercepted another rocket on it, the Nanolaminate Metals imbedded into the shield's front helped to lessen the overall damage by the weapons being fired at it by the Aliens themselves. Nanolaminate Paint was still in the beginning stages of being mass produced, so it would be some time before it saw widespread use across all of the United Earth Alliance.

"All Squads, move and secure the Breach. Let us see if the ELS can't find something important to finally turn this Siege around..."

The ELS, also known as Extraterrestrial Living-metal Shape-shifter, were the first true aliens that Humanity ever encountered. They had been nearly impossible to defeat given their ability to assimilate anything they touched and the rapid way in which they had invaded. Yet if not for the aid of Setsuna F. Seiei, also known as the Terminal for the ELS in some circles, peace would have likely not been reached before Humanity was completely assimilated by them.

Their standing with the wider populace of Humanity was still very much in flux, but otherwise they had shown themselves to be not but a boon. In fact, they had brought with them their own means of inexpensive terraforming, though the more Puritans amongst Humanity refused to settle on planets that made use of their techniques.

"This is Kizer and Donzer of the 12th Light Armored Division. Our commander has redirected our Type 61s to your location. We are under your command. Where do you need us My Lord?"

From his right hand, which had opened itself, dropping its head down upon the ground. From the palm of the Power Armor, a liquid silver tendril erupted from said palm and collided with one of the dead and intact non-slave aliens. It had rapidly been made apparent that there was more going on to this attack then meets the eye. That the aliens were using Forced Combatants. The Silverish Liquid soaked into the body even as his Squires moved up.

"...All forces near23rd Buckner Street and 12th Leamon Street, this is Knight Lord Ebenhorn of House and Knight Order Gremory. The Breach is held for the time being but it can't be filled at this moment with enemy combatants pushing against it. We hold. Gather material and form a barricade. Kizer, Donzer, provide suppressive fire and air control till I can get requisition something more suitable for this task."

His Six Squires moved up, with one receiving a show to the side, flanked the gaping hole even as a pair of Type 61 Tanks moved up and began to provide some heavier fire to suppress the Aliens. Militia and Volunteers were given the chance they needed to collect the wounded, while moving barricades into position on the flanks and in front of the tanks. Forming hastily erected firing positions. The Breach wasn't about to be conveniently sealed so they were forced to turn it into a barricade and checkpoint, using large concrete slabs, dead aliens, and scrap metal.

"This is Scout Recon 12, reporting from the Meybank Building on 24th Buckner Street. We've spotted Enemy Armor moving towards the breach and two platoons of Forced Combatants along with what appear to be attack animals and six platoons of Slavers. Be Advised my Lord. All forces are currently deployed to hold off another series of assaults directed at other sectors of the city. It is clear that the Enemy means to breach and sweep into the city at your position."

Even as the this news filtered through to Ebenhorn, and the barricade was beginning to form, the silver liquid, an ELS, slithered back and returned to the armor. A few seconds later, his internal systems detected new systems being linked into his mainframe as he watched. A block looking symbol was displayed on his H.U.D. which in turn showed connecting links between it and the symbol for the Reactor on his back.

For the first time in some days, IV-192, spoke.

"Mass Effect Kinetic Barrier Technology Located. Translation Software Technology Located. Communications Systems infiltrated. Lord Ebenhorn, would you like to integrate these Discoveries with your Suit?"

A boon, truly, the ELS was a boon for humanity. They had been trying this on many of the bodies they had come across in the last eighteen days, and each time, they had found that the corpses of Slavers and Pirates were connected to Deadman Switches to ensure all systems would blow out. Either this one's systems failed to blow out, or their Deadman Switch was purposefully altered to not activate when they died.

However the ELS had not yet been given a seat on the Council of Humanity alongside the Queens, Dutchesses, Dukes, Princesses, Princesses, Barons, and Baronesses that made up the upper levels of Humanities Ruling Class. Though this was more due to their preference to interface with Neo-Mobile Dolls and other forms of Artificial Intelligence then anything. It had become a constant amongst the Knightly Houses and Orders, such as the Gremory and the other 72 Houses to petition the ELS for a single of theirs, so that it may be bonded to the Pilot's suit.

"...IV-192, begin integration of all Foreign Systems into Power Armor. Send Translation Software and Communication Systems to local Neo-Mobile Doll Uplink Node. Include Schematics for all technology currently collected in the upload."

Even as he slowly stood from his kneeling position, picking up his War Maul and holding it off to the side, he watched his left hand as a thin, but growing yellow glow of a Kinetic Barrier began to cover his left hand before spreading up his arm. Soldiers and Volunteers alike stopped to watch as his body became covered in the strange glow for a few seconds.

There was so much red tape involved with just the simple meeting or speaking with just one of these Aliens, let alone their Collective, to procure an individual to bond and through their mutual partnership of Knight and ELS come to teach the Species more about Humanity.

"Acknowledged. Kinetic Barrier integration...Complete...Translation Software...Complete. Communications Systems, uploaded to localized Neo-Mobile Doll Servers."

Well this day just seemingly changed for the better. After all, as he held out his hand toward one of the Tentacle haired aliens, their fire would be intercepted, much like theirs had, on the yellow energy shielding. Though a thought occurred to Ebenhorn as he watched the rounds fizzle upon contact and vanish.

"...IV-192...can you alter the field in anyway? Perhaps to hold incoming projectiles inside it? Then dispel them back in the direction they are coming from?"

Even as he asked, Ebenhorn leveled his Twin Linked .50 Cal and Twin Linked Beam Machine Gun and compressed the trigger, sending a scything wave of rounds and Beams into the onrushing Aliens. The vast majority had the smart idea to drop into cover as well. Yet even as he soaked fire, watching the strange barrier that now covered his Power Armor. With each hit, the percentage of power and charge it held seemed to drop. Yet as he took aim, the .50 Cal on his wrist rattled off a few sparse shots, puncturing debris or otherwise sending shielded enemies collapsing backwards, IV-192 spoke again.

"Acknowledged. Warning. Incoming Propelled Rocket, Seven O'Clock. Warning, technology has a seventy percent rejection probability with current armor systems. Recommend waiting to test any alterations till such time as Proper facilities can be constructed. However, integration of Hostile Alien Species Translation Software is complete. You may now transmit sentences to them at your earliest convenience."

Even as IV-192 was informing its Bonded Partner, the Knight Lord was forced to thrust his shield up and intercept an oncoming RPG from one of the Four Eyed Aliens. The Choke Hole was slowly starting to grow much more contested as another Alien, one of the Tentacle Haired, now highlighted by his H.U.D leveled an RPG towards the Kizer and compressed the trigger slung below it. A contrail of smoke followed behind the RPG and smashed into the front of the Type-61 Tank, which thankfully only melted frontal armor and forced it to skid back.

Thankfully there was no second Rocket, as the Kizer took offense to the attack and, shifting its twin barrels on towards the breach in the wall. Causing Ebenhorn to widen his eyes as he and the others rapidly pulled back from the breach and behind the barricades.

"All forces. Get into Cover now!"

With twin detonations, the Type-61 Tank paid little mind to anything but the Breach its twin 155mm Smoothbore Cannons fired at once. Bodies were vaporized, chunks of Cement were blown outward into the retreating swarms of the aliens, but this had the unintended side effect of obscuring their view from the breach. As smoke and dirt were cast high into the sky, obscuring anything from view for several moments,


0121.10.14

Alien System - Alien Capital

Batarian Hegemony 65th Pirate Fleet

Slave Bele Olenaga

Bele huddled behind several upturned chunks of the strange material that these aliens the Hegemony was currently invading, used to build most of their structures. The young Turian had been snatched as a baby from his parents on one of the raids that the 12th Batarian Fleet had conducted on the outer Turian Colonies some years prior.

Since arrival in the system, the Pirates had unexpectedly run afoul of two interesting Particles that were still being processed by what counted as Scientists amongst the fleet.

One which caused electromagnetic interference, leaving conventional communication and radar devices useless, disrupt electronic equipment (as opposed to just interfering with EMW communication such as radio waves) this had lead to uncounted amounts of problems throughout the fleet following the end of the combat. Unprotected systems being burnt out over time, replacement parts needing to be collected. The number of problems began to increase as systems blew out and replacement parts were required over the coming days of combat.

Planetwide, the complications only continued as field stations found their systems in need of repairs and replacement parts as time wore on. Communication was disrupted constantly, vehicles met with key internal electrical systems breaking down and needing replacements as they suddenly broke down or even broke. Thankfully though, the engineers had discovered hints towards what was going on, scans showing an unidentified particle suffused throughout the Alien's sphere of influence. Hard Shielded systems were seemingly protected already from the harmful effects of these unidentified energies thankfully.

So while engineers worked to find a way to block out the harmful energies, the fighting had otherwise continued. Though with the lack of a stable communications between landing parties, the Pirates and Mercenaries had launched attacks against the various other cities across the planet. Word was trickling in as messengers were sent that they were gathering at least some members of this alien species. Hair covered Asari as they were being referred to now.

As he huddled there, scared out of his mind, he recalled the speech given to them by the Slave Masters, about potentially earning their freedom through active service. Which to the Slaves, though without the latest in Neural Inhibitors, meant that they would be forcing a member of this new species to replace them as a slave as they went free.

Well it did sound like that to the newest slaves, but Bele knew better then that. The Batarians had a means of going back on their deals at the last second, and so Bele and other veterans would do everything in their power without tipping off their Slave Masters that they had planned to fake their deaths and be left on this alien infested rock.

This was of course befoe the first Slave Carriers made it planet side and began unloading their cargo. These aliens didn't fight like those of the Citadel. From what little he saw, they used tactics that he was fairly certain were either outlawed or outright seen as archaic. Trenches, barbed wire, some kind of metallic obstruction made entirely out of large slabs of metal.

"Oh by the Spirits...please...I don't want to die here."

Yet without air superiority or even proper Artillery, the Slaves, Pirates, Troops, and Legionaries were forced to rush into the trenches, suffering severe casualties.

How he had survived the last eighteen days was a mystery only the Spirits knew the answer to. Between their willingness to use static defenses and their massive mechs, one of which he and other Slaves had been ordered to salvage, revealing that there was one of the aliens dead in the chest region. This species had inflicted horrendous losses to the invading forces.

Yet here he lay, next to the breach that his fellow slaves had made. Bombs strapped to themselves and sent rushing headlong towards the wall once the trenches had been overrun. The enemy however had retaliated and sent some kind of monster to shore up the defenses. It had fought like a Krogan, but from afar. Using some kind of fused weapon and slug thrower, based on the spent casings being launched off to the side.

Then it had seemingly extended some kind of sliver liquid and attached itself to a Batarian, the horrifying realization that this was likely to his and many others ultimate outcome for their actions had many Slaves attempt to flee after witnessing the act. However, the arrival of the actual soldiers, not to mention armor support, caused several to either be gunned down, or turn back. Yet even now as he watched the fighting continue, the strange aliens forming barricades around what was clearly their tank analogues, fire pelted near him.

"At this rate I'll be spo-spotted."

More of the Pirates and Mercenaries were starting to approach the breach in the wall, ducking into cover while ignoring the dead slaves that were covering the opening into the breach and even stretched behind it. For some days after they had first arrived, the Aliens had shown they would do a lot in an effort to not strike or kill any of the Slaves. Seems they recognized the Slave's situation. Yet it would also seem that their Batarian Masters understood the reluctance for the Defenders to shoot Slaves. So they had started to take advantage of that, hiding their soldiers amongst the Slaves and forcing the defenders to fire into their midst.

This strategy had for a time worked, till the Alien Defenders had started to put more pressure on the Batarians and their Pirate Allies. The loss of any arial assets had set the Slavers on edge after the orbital battle but in gravity they were doing marginally better, able to match the Defenders in actual dog fighting. Though this was before their Mechs had gotten involved and had managed to reduce the overall Arial surface forces that the Slavers could bring to bare.

As Bele lay there, he watched one of the Eclipse Asari rise out of cover with a RPG and fire it towards one of the Hairy Asari's tanks. While the initial detonation hadn't killed anyone of them blown a few defenders back, and dented the front of the tank, it would otherwise only draw fire towards her position. In the form of the second Tank which lowered those massive barrels.

"R-Run!"

With a scream, Bele rose out of his spot and scrambled back as others seemed to realize what the vehicle planned to do. More tried to rush backwards as the tank could be literally heard over the din of the fighting. The clack and creak as actual shells, which hadn't been heard in Citadel Space in a thousand years, since the Rachnii Wars and Krogan Rebellion. Yet, somehow, perhaps genetic memories of those conflicts, were ingrained to those affected directly by them. As such, more then fifty percent of the Mercenaries, Pirates, and Slaves at the Breach turned and rushed away. Sadly, it wasn't fast enough.

With twin detonations, the breach was shaken from the foundation as the barrels ejected spent rounds off to the side. Nearly fifty bodies were evaporated and reduced to a variety of colored mist in the air as others were thrown back and out of the breach. A large chunk of the strange metal material that had been observed jutting from the rock material was sent flying. Bele only had seconds to widen his eyes as he felt the sharpened and broken piece of metal pierce his back and erupt through his chest. The grooves along its side catching on his carapace and dragging the fleeing slave down. the bloodied tip punctured through the earth.

His spine was broken, his left lung punctured, his body was going into shock. Yet, tears fell without any warning, a smile graced his face as darkness creeped towards the edges of his eyes. He didn't want to die, and yet, he smiled, even as his shaking hands grasped the metal either way. Death was soon going to be upon him. Slowly, he lifted his head, the act causing the dying slave to meet the eyes of another slave Turian, their eyes glassy, but for a few seconds, his brother watched with wide eyes. A hand, covered in blood, reaching up.

"S-See you soo-soon, Sa-Saren."

With that, his chest froze up as he collapsed to the ground, he hacked out as a set of hands fumbled and pulled him out of the ground. Saren, his adoptive brother since becoming a slave to the Batarians. Turned over, Bele looked into the eyes of the man that had helped to raise him after his own parents had died and he was taken. Tears flowed down onto his chest as both his hands were grasped in Saren's own.

"Hey! Stay with me Bele! We'll get you out of here. I promise. Just stay with me."

The cold was flowing up now from his feet now as his body shut down from the blood loss. Yet he couldn't find himself to care. He was free now, he was dying yes, but he would soon be free from this nightmare. The Aliens had finally done the thing he had contemplated for years. He had always played the good brain washed slave, like the others, perhaps he was latently a Biotic and that had shorted out his Neural Inhibitor? There was no telling though. Even as he felt the life ebb away from him, he grasped the chest of the father he had come to find in his fellow Turian.

"L-Live Saren...get..Get ba-back to the Council...A S-Spectar can't di-die out here in so-some backwater."

Blood erupted from his mandibles as he watched the confusion in the Turians eyes. It was clear to see now, but before the threat of death had hidden it from Bele. The fact that Saren would from time to time vanish, only to return later. The sections of things Saren would mutter in his sleep. Even as his eyes began to glaze over, the two were bufferted as one of the Battleships entered into orbit over their position. The shadows obscuring Saren's tears and his own anger at the situation.

"I don't care, just stay with me, please. You'll get to go home! Your sister is still waiting on you. She's still alive."

This did bring a bit of hope to those dying eyes, but then he stopped, trying, trying...

"I...I can't remember her face...Saren...I don't...I couldn't...I wouldn't even know her..th..this is...for...the...be-"

His mouth remained open, his arms slack, even as the first Mass Accelerator fire reduced the Wall before the two of them to rent chunks and the defenders behind it.


0121.10.14

Shanxi System - Shanxi Capital: Auttobenid

Ground Side

Expeditionary Fleet

Duo Maxwell

Duo shifted the Deathscythe out of the way of another volley of Mass Accelerator Rounds from a pair of Arial Superior Fighters that the aliens had been using. Though unlike their own, their use of Mass Effect cores allowed them maneuverability unmatched by anything that humanities fighters could contend with. However, Mobile Suits and NEXTs were doing a rather impressive job of filling in for the slower fighters. As the Deathscythe ducked beneath another barrage, Duo would hit the thrusters and fly backwards.

"Gotcha!"

With a shifting of thrusters, the DeathScythe dropped below the fighter before bringing its Beam Scythe directly in front of the nose. The four eyed bastard flying right into the green blade and splitting the four crescent shaped fighter in half. two sides releasing billowing smoke as they rushed towards the ground, before the two sides would detonate over one of the now bombed out cities that once houses the various men and women of Shanxi.

"This is Duo, that's my eighth fighter down, how are you two doing so far?"

The fighters were strange, in a lot of ways they were just a large ball in the center mass of the fighter, with four curved sections of metal jutting in a crescent shape forward with either rockets or some variant of rapid machine gun slung under the wings. Though what they lacked in strength they made up for in sheer amount of fire. All four wings were generally mounted to the hilt with one of the two weapon systems and were quick to blanket an area in excess ammunition. Though thankfully the Aliens didn't rely on slugs with shell casings, just various sized grains of shaved metal, if the Hell System, the DeathScythe's ZERO System, was to be believed.

The Radio would crack and pop due to the combination of GN Particles and Minovsky Particles which saturated the air.

"This is Shinn Asuka, reporting my fifth Alien Fighter down today. They are really throwing their forces into the Grinder today. I think whoever is leading these monsters is growing tired of how long its taking for them to crack us or something."

Duo couldn't exactly disagree with that observation. Say what you want about Shinn when he was younger, but the man had obviously come into his own as a Gundam Pilot and soldier since the Second Bloody Valentine War. His wife was quick to chime in a few seconds later.

"This is Lunamaria reporting in. I've been holding over Bolenta for a few weeks now and only had one or two probing attacks by the Aliens using scouts or their damned slaves. It really pisses me off that we are dealing with this bullshit. I mean, they can't even put the effort into sending anything my way?!"

And there was the wife, the two hot heads of the Alliance, always so hot blooded. Yet they made a good team when fighting alongside one another. As Duo shifted the DeathScythe down, ducking below another volley of rockets from a pair of those strangely designed fighters, something on his radar caught his eye. The number of blips was inexorably increasing.

Looking up even as he launches the DeathScythe's Left Thigh and Right Shoulder Claws, smashing into the cockpits of both fighters that were rushing to attack him. The Claws themselves resembled that of the Schenlong's own but with small bat like wings and additional fangs to ensure Mobile Suits were catch by the jaws of the Claws. Looking up, even as both smoking ruins rushed to the earth, the Gundam Pilot frowned rather heavily as a Battleship class starship breached the planet's orbit and began to hover in place between cloud layers.

"This is Duo again...seems Mass Effect Tech is a lot more versatile then I thought. Battleship Class Alien Ship has breached the atmosphere and is now hovering...wait...Oh Shit.."

Zooming towards the vessel in question, the elongated and somewhat thin design was broken by the two massive wings which circled both above and below the vessel as well as to the sides. Port and Starboard held these massive rings, which in turn bloated the size of the starship by some meters on both sides. Some Seven Hundred meters in length with an additional forty meters along the port, starboard, top, and bottom in the shape of massive sections of rings. Coloration as well, almost sandstone in coloration.

"This is Duke Isenho von Endrota to all forces that can hear me. Any airborn mobile suits be advised that the Battleship which has breached orbit over Shanxi is to be targeted with any and all Anti-Ship Weapons we still have access to. We are working to get the Big Zam's legs repaired to hopefully blunt the siege but we require time. I know this is much to ask of you all, but, for Shanxi, I ask that you do whatever you can to stem the oncoming tide! I will do what I can from the ground, but that vessel represents a clear threat to all forces. Duke Isenho Von Endrota, Signing Out."

Well with that kind of request, who was he to say no! Though as the Deathsythe roared, he gunned the thrust of the Gundam on towards the Battleship, his sensors detected a handful of additional Mobile Suits and even a few NEXTs joining him in rushing the vessel. Yet as the dozen or so mobile suits and NEXTs rushed towards it, movement was detected across the vessel as bay doors along the main body and the rings started to open. From within, hundreds of thousands of strange drones flew out. At best, they looked like a brick with stabilizing fins, an engine at the back, a series of sensor lenses on the front which extended on a movable neck, and a pair of claws off to the sides.

Then came swarms of their Fighters, boasting both styles of weapon systems, and a new breed of surface fighter, which lagged behind. Bloated and looked in a lot of ways like the ancient American B-17 Super Fortresses of the ancient past. With additional wings farther back and a second body. Twin cockpits set at the front of both bodies. Bubble turrets were visible along the bodies, both on the back and the bottom, with twin linked pod turrets that seemed to jut from below and above the wings, meaning they were wide enough for bodies to pass through them to reach the pods themselves.

"Duo Here To all forces, I am seeing a whole lot of drone looking things, a bunch more of those fighters, maybe fifty to sixty, a lot more then what they had in space, and I think bombers. We can't deal with the latter two without dealing with the former...Damn. Ok...plan..plan. Ah I know! Ok here is how we are going to handle this. Mobile Suits with a lot of fire power, focus the Drones. NEXTs, I want you guys to try and do your best to get at those Bombers. Could be carrying Biological Agents or who knows what else."

Thankfully, as they were flying towards the swarms, a series of detonations would erupt amongst the Swarm of Drones. Dozens of the small things being either evaporated or merely sent towards the ground. The surface of Shanxi was actually starting to resemble a junk yard due to the amount of debris left over from the fighting in orbit and on the surface. A massive silver blip would emerge upon the various radars of the associated Mobile Suits and NEXTs from behind as an unfamiliar voice broadcasted on a broad band spectrum.

"Well looks like the foe does come to knock upon the doors of my friend. Attention all United Earth Alliance Forces. Mobile Armor Argo is now moving into position. Better hold onto something."

Ah, the only other Mobile Armor on the planet, having been left here by the Fisherman after it had been knocked out of orbit and crashed onto what was left of Bolenta at the start of the conflict. The UEA Argo, with nearly a kilometer wingspan, the massive Arial Warship, or Arial Fortress as it was known amongst Pilots and even the ground Pounders, cast a heavy shadow over the battlefield below. Resembling a massive manta ray of all things, the massive Mobile Armor slowly moved towards the Battleship, which in turn started to turn its attention towards the Argo as well.

"This is the DeathScythe to the UEA Argo, want to give you Fly Boys a heads up, but these Aliens have some kind of main gun running the length of their ships. You get hit with that, and unless you've got shields, it's going to drop you like a sack of potatoes."

Even as he radios in, several of the Battleships's port side missile ports would open, even as the forward bow mounted intercept weapons seemingly drew locks on the Argo. At the same time, the Drone Swarm finishes reorienting itself towards the Mobile Armor as the Fighters and Bombers behind it switch targets and begin to zero in on the various Mobile Suits and NEXTs that had come to intercept the battleship.

Already, weapon fire was beginning to be launched from one side. NEXTs opening up with either slug based weaponry, such as the 04-Marve began to fill the air between the horde and defenders with rapid amounts of large shells. While most of them were intercepted by those yellow shields, the NEXTs would alternate fire as the two sides closed with burst volleys from Laser Rifles for more precision shots which would down a target, or the use of Funnels and Orbital Weapons which would detach from NEXTs and fire independently of the actual machine.

"We hear you DeathScythe. We've been watching the fight since the start, taking the time to switch out our gear. Shouldn't be a problem now though. Thanks for holding on as long as you guys did. Time to show you what this Baby can really do!"

Those whom came from the Surface were many, nearly thirty assorted machines. Mobile Suits, two Gundams, Tactical Arial Fighters, Normals, General Purpose Armored Cores, and NEXTs. From the Argo, some thirty additional aircraft. From the Surface, Five RGM-79 GM IIs, Five RGM-79 GM IIIs, Two RGM-79C GM Kais, Two RGZ-95 ReZELs, Two ZM-S06S Zoloats, Eight Type-89/F-15J Kagerou, Three Ace GPACs, One 00-Aretha, One 002-B, and a single OZ-06MS-SS1 Leo-S bringing up the rear of the mecha streaming from the surface.

The RGM-79 GM II, III, and Kais were rather mundane compared to the other machines that they were taking the lead for, the standard mobile suit for frontier world garrisons as the aging models were rotated out of active service and given over the garrisons. Resembling a humanoid frame and close to that of a Gundam, they had one distinct difference between the Original Gundam and these models, in that the head lacked the eye visors and the golden v horns above like eyebrows. Most of the face was taken up by a large visor, making it resemble something of a fish bowl then an actual face. Each using either a simple Beam Rifle and shield or a Beam Saber and Shield.

The truly unique mobile suits that drew the eye were the RGZ-96 ReZELs. With a muted blue paint coloration, The additional boosters on the thighs and elongated feet were just icing on the cake. it was the large horn like protrusion from the crotch of the mobile suit, the bright red glassy spheres on the shoulders, and the large jutting slab of blue metal from behind. This is of course after they had transformed back from their Waverider Mode. Compact fighter compared to the mobile suits that now closed the distance with the onrushing Drone swarm.

"Argo, see if you can't put yourself between us and this swarm, you're Close Intercept Weapons should have some Neo Doll Operators right?"

The Argo didn't so much as reply as it would slowly speed up, before putting itself indeed between the swarm and the various Mecha of the United Earth Alliance. However, one Mobile Suit shot ahead of the others, rushing to land atop the Argo. A new voice joined the conversation even as the Argo's Close Intercept Weapon Systems started to spin up. Bright Violet Beams lancing out from its various twin linked rapid fire machine turrets and directing them towards the swarm in front of them.

"This is acceptable a steed as any, for I, Roche Nattono, wish to be flown closer!"

Standing atop the Argo, the only other non-mass produced Mobile Suits, NEXTs, and Surface Tactical Fighters, stood there with its Beam Duel Sabers in both hands of the mobile suit. Compared to the others there, it resembled more along the lines of Escaflowne. A cloak of bright red Diffuser Material was slung over the shoulders. Based on the Aging Leo Mobile Suit designed by OZ after the creation of the OZ-00MS Tallgeese which was one of the first Earth Sphere Mobile Suits ever developed.

The feet of the OZ-06MS-SS1 Leo-S were slightly rectangular but tappered off nearly to a point. Bright red like most of the Mobile suit, the feet were connected to gold colored ankle joints which led up to the knees. Said knees jutting away from the legs and forming nearly triangular sections, mostly red with a yellow outer finish. The groin of the Mobile Suit sported a nozzle for expelling thrust, while flared sections of bright red armor jutted from the hips and behind. Formerly the Golden Beam Duel Sabers sat on these extended pieces of armor. The waist was a light grey in comparison to the otherwise vibrant colored suit of armor.

"All Forces, form up on the Argo and provide additional coverage with your weapons. if you need to, land atop the vessel and provide protection from those Drones!"

The chest of the Leo-S was marked with two beautiful golden sigils, marks of the Nattono House in which Roche was one of their youngest sons. A single golden cresent with two arching wings that ran parallel to one another over the top of the arch. Upon both shoulders however, two large Red Pauldrons with Golden Epaulettes that hang off the far corners of the Mobile Suit's Shoulders. Unlike most Leos however, the Leo-S's visor was more a band of polarized green glass then a box like the original Leo. Donning the top of the head, a thin and spiked jut of golden armor had been formed to resemble that of a curved horn or a shark's fin, which, while dulled and muddy from the constant fighting, still remained unbroken.

"At Once My Lord!"

The first to land upon the top of the Argo were the RGM-79 GM IIs and RGM-79 GM IIIs. Two of the IIs landed near to the Leo-S with HWF GMG·MG79-90mm Bullpup Machines and wasted no time in firing into the oncoming Drone Swarm. Given how many the Aliens had sent out, rather then mark and slowly work their aim in proper fashion as they had been taught, they merely added to the volume of fire currently being belched out by the Argo below them. The Machine Gun was of simple design, not intended to be used for accuracy but more for supression fire.

The Monitors of the two RGM-79 GM IIs were lighting up as their OS Systems registered the number of hostile combatants. However, when it became clear that they would bleed their ammunition dry on these enemies, given that it took two or three rounds to bring a single Drone down due to their Kinetic Barriers, they were forced to switch to the same firearms that the other two RGM-79 GM IIs had brought with them. From their heads, twin 60mm Vulcan Guns would begin to burn through their own ammo stores as they started to leave twin trails of flakk rounds into the oncoming storm.

"This is Melody JJX1, The enemy Drones utilize Shielding Technology. Permission to switch to Heavier weapon systems My Lord"

One of the RGM-79 GM IIs turned its head towards the Leo-S as it slapped in a fresh magazine into the Bullpup. The other Two RGM-79 GM IIs had landed behind them, both sporting heavier weapons in the form of the devastatingly powerful BR-M-79C-1 Beam Spray Gun which they would put to great effect as the Bow of the Argo passed into the swarm of Drones. Even as their 60mm Vulcan Guns mounted of the four's heads opened fire, causing detonations or trails of smoke from the small drones which was swiftly approaching, they would heft and align the Beam Spray Guns with the cloud before compressing the trigger.

"Yes my friends! Prepare your strongest attacks for what is to come!"

Even as he said this, the Drones unfolded their bellies to reveal a single lens which projected a beam of light that, upon contact with one of the RGM-79 GM II's FADEGEL RGM-M-Sh-007 Shield, the energy was otherwise diffused but overall left a light scorch mark upon impact. The Titanium-Ceramic Composite helping to negate its otherwise weak output of what appeared to be some kind of cutting beam. Yet this was offset by their sheer numbers. Already, as the IIs were firing into the swarm, punching through Kinetic Barriers with significant ease, they were starting to accumulate damage over time.

However the last RGM-79 GM IIs to land was equipped with a rather interesting weapon, in the form of a YHI YF-RC180 Railcannon and while this weapon was best used against stationary or slow moving targets, such as the Battleship that now hung in orbit, the II, tagged JJX5 on IFF sensors of the DeathScythe, lowered the weapon anyway and let it belch a single round. Given the sheer power involved in it being a Railcannon, it cut a swath through the center mass of the swarm ahead of the Argo. Drones over loaded due to the passing energy that traveled behind the round, even as it swept through the dense cluster of automated machines, punching through an unlucky bomber, and then striking with significant force against the side of the Battleship.

"This is Melody JJX5! Confirm direct hit on Xeno Battleship, I repeat, Confirm Direct Hit on Xeno Battleship. Cover Me as I reload!"

That was excellent News, though as dozens of drones either evaporated under beam fire, were torn asunder by the Argo and Vulcan Intercept Weapon Systems, or were struck down by the Leo-S'es Duel Blades, the strike seemed to jog something in the ship. Now that it knew it wasn't out of range of the fighting even with its forces. As the Drones reoriented to strike at JJX5, the RGM-79 GM IIIs landed around them in a broader circle, adding their own Vulcan fire to the rather withering storm of lead being slung into the air around the Argo.

"This is Nelda 1 to 5. Don't worry JJX, we got you covered."

Unlike the IIs, the IIIs were simply equipped with the HFW-GR·MR82-90mm GM Rifle which they were much more sparing with in terms of providing fire support for their aging counterparts. However thanks to their more advanced operating systems, they were much more precise with their shots, ensuring that the flaming wreckage of multiple drones were sent spiraling either onto the ground or landing atop the Argo. Thanks in part to the fact that the GM Rifle was a direct energy Beam Weapon, the Drones Kinetic Barriers did nothing to slow it down and allowed for proper penetration and even over penetration. The energy involved however fried internal systems and otherwise destroyed their internal components.

"Nelda Squad, Prepare Micro Missiles...Lock on Target..."

The HUDs of the Five Mobile Suits would rapidly begin picking targets for amongst the Swarm. By Sharing Tactical Information between one another, their systems easily ensured that the 75 Micro Missiles which eventually sprung from their shoulders wouldn't strike the same target as another.

"And...Fire!"

With sweeping contrails of smoke, they leaped forth and struck targets, though the Drones did little to dodge the incoming fire. Scrap Metal and burning wreckage either fell atop the Argo or were sent spiraling down to the surface far below. It was at this point that the two RGM-79C GM Kais which had accompanied the others joined in on the fire. While Vulcan Guns and other Shell based fire proved to be a rather large drain on ammunition compared to the time it took to bring down a single drone in the thousands still remaining, they still did so.

"This is Jacob's Squad, Last of our forces. Let us meet the foe headon!"

Rather then wait for the Drones to continue coming to them, these two, whom had lost the rest of their Squad to a concentrated Tank assault a few days prior, were itching to avenge them. Jacob1 was sadly missing its left arm, taken off by a tank in the previous battle, so its only remaining arm held a rather unorthodox weapon. Known as the Gundam Hammer when in actuality it was a chain attached to a Titanium-Tungsten Composit Ball covered in spikes. With a single swing of the damaged Mobile Suit, the ball connected with half a dozen Drones, crushing them beneath its weight, while those that flew into the chain were mangled or knocked away.

Jacob2 however had drawn forth the BOWA XBC-M-83D-2C Beam Carbine in one hand and the standard Beam Saber in the other. Like his companion, his own GM Kai was damaged, with part of its left leg missing, taken off between the ankle and the knee. Sparks and coolant leaked as it raised its Beam Carbine and let loose a series of accurate strikes, but not on drones. It was aimed past them. For the two Mobile Suits were heading towards the Surface Fighters and Bombers.

However, seeming to understand that their tactics weren't working, even as the fire from the Argo intensified, the Drones started to branch out and strike the Mobile Suits from multiple sides. Even at the arrival of the ZM-S06S Zoloats, those strange looking Mobile Suits of the Zanscare Empire, the Drones began to wear down the IIs and IIIs. With curved feet that tapered into two points with open parts, red and gold respectively, connected to a brown foot in the center and there by connected to the actual legs of the mobile suit. While built in tune with some Gundams, what with the front sporting armor below the cockpit, the shoulders were broad and rather robust, with three opening sections along the sides and one which ran near the bottom of the third all the way around to the other side.

"This is Jelda Squad of the Zanscare Empire, We are moving to aid. Hold fast, Sons and Daughters of Humanity!"

The Two Zoloats would not land on the back of the Argo as they opened their chest plates, revealing twin 4-Barrel 60mm Vulcan Guns which they would begin sweeping through the Drone Swarm along with a combination of their Vulcan Guns and 5-tube Beam String Emitters which were housed in the shoulders. These thin wires were shot from the shoulders, each impaling a drone, and puncturing through to the other side before its edge began to glow. Drones by the dozens which were scraped by the Emitters were bisected or overall reduced to scrap as a result of their systems frying from the intense heat and static electricity.

Unfolding from their backs, twin sets of Beam Cannons would release their concentrated payload into the swarm, which by now was starting to thin, merely a thousand or so left compared to where it had began. However, the Mobile Suits were still being ravaged. JJX3 fell back as a Drone smashed into its head and detonated, blowing out and overloading its head sensors, causing it to shut down. JJX4 had several Drones laying around it, having run clean through its Spray Gun's ammunition and switched to its Beam Saber. Nelda2 was laying on its back, having suffered the same fate as JJX3 before it.

Slowly, fire was beginning to prove more costly, and the Mobile Suits were switching to Shield and Sword as the Drones tried to use their own fire against them. JJX1 nearly being cut in half from a stray shot by the Argo as its Close Intercept Guns tracked one of the Drones.

"This is Benja2, prepare for Explosive Ordinance!"

However, the RGZ-95 ReZELs would provide some much needed relief in the form of their additional Beam Rifles, Vulcans, and their Grenade Launches mounted under both arms. The delayed detonations helping to swat nearly three dozen Drones at once as they blew up in the midst of large swarms.

"This is the Argo, we have Boarders! These damn things are chewing through the underside of the Argo and trying to get inside. We Require aid!"

Aid they did receive, for both the DeathScythe Hell and the Destiny Gundam both swooped below the Argo to provide support. The DeathScythe opened up first with the use of its Bat Funnels which were launched from its skirt and moved independently of the Gundam which drove its Beam Scythe through two Drones trying to dig into the ebony metal of the Argo like mechanical Ticks. The Funnels would fire thin emerald beams, piercing through the bodies of Drones and causing them to freeze or detonate before they began their descent towards the ground far below.

The Destiny would join in a few seconds later as the remaining Mobile Suits arrived. Shinn actually going for a close up approach. Grasping one of the Drones and used its MMI-X340 "Palma Fiocina" Palm Beam Cannon which would would prove to be overkill as it reduced the drone to scrap metal. Turning, and using its MMI-GAU26 17.5mm CIWS on another wave of incoming Drones, several more would fall before the others got their turn in.

"This is NVA1, we hear you Argo, moving to Assist Gundams now. NVA1 to 8, let's go!"

Compared to the other mobile suits, the Type-89/F-15J Kagerou weas known as a Tactical Surface Fighrer and as the name suggests, never saw combat in space theaters. They were purely made for planet side combat by their parent company, Fugaku Heavy Industries or their Subsidiaries, Mitsuhishi Heavy Industries. With a mottled grey coloration to their armor, the bodies looked much more streamlined compared to mobile suits. Slender legs led down to feet which looked almost human in nature. Both knees had a jutting section of solid armor in the shape of a hexagon. The back of the Tactical Surface Fighter lacked standard vents and in their place were twin "jets" with stabilizing fins which in turn were connected to the broad hips. The groin of the Type-89 had a single jutting piece of grey metal which tapered to a point.

Fire came in from the eight machines using two main means of fire, though NVA 4 and 7 were lacking a left arm and a back thruster respectively. They used either the AMWS-21 Combat System or the WS-16 Assault Cannon which spat just as much ammunition into the Drone Swarms. The Type-89s had rather slender waists, with a boxy body which sat atop it. Shoulders sporting Pauldrons jutted off to the sides while the mark of Japan was embroidered on the left and the Squad on the right shoulder. The head itself was more sloped, and with two eye ports giving it a very human like appearence. It's head even possessed something akin to a chin on it.

"This is the Deathscythe, we've cleared your stomach of bugs, you should be clear to continue on target."

However, even as the two Gundams began to pull back, Jacob1 finally was brought low. The Mobile Suit had managed to blow through the Drone Swarm and close on the Fighters and Bombers. It had taken several missiles and Mass Accelerator shots to its waist and right leg, but continued to swing its Gundam Hammer. However, on its last swing, the Hammer was knocked off course as an Alien Gunship, sturdier then one would think, slammed into its side. It's nose mounted Mass Accelerators would come online directly against Jacob1's Cockpit. The machine's armor lasted for a few moments before the rounds started erupting through the back.

"G..Glory to the Alliance! I'll...See you later..Marcus.."

The Mobile Suit was actually cleaved in two as a result of the continuous fire from the Gunship, the two halves smoking before a detonation engulfed both Jacob1 and the Gunship.


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