Reunion in Jabrow… Missing Princess
Meanwhile, in the relative safety underground, Kira was restless. "We should have been up there!" he shouted. Knowing that Camille and Erin were in the open field of battle, and that he not accompanying them seemed so wrong.
Fraga shook his head. "No we are not. We have to trust Lond Bell's capabilities. We aren't exactly doing nothing: Archangel would need its repairs, and our units are being resupplied. We can't help them now."
Ramias nodded, agreeing to Fraga's logic and Kira could only grunt his displeasure, and look at the giant screen, wondering if they were really alright.
*****
"Damn, we still couldn't count on our long distance radar." Garrod cursed, as his instruments shown him a negative.
"Actually, we could see them with this 60 meters away." Sousuke corrected him. Everybody who heard him sweatdropped, for stating the obvious.
"Well, we could just rely our eyes for once," Roybea said lightly.
"We still couldn't tell where they'll be attacking from." Jamil said, the landship Freeden also deployed. "On Bright's orders: stand on your ground, and don't let them get through."
That was the idea, Jed willed his Sentinel into a firing position next with the Hyukebein and Zeta. Surprisingly even Noin's white Taurus joined them.
"I figure I'll be more useful here." The instructor told them. "Not to mention to look into your abilities."
"Our first battle together, Sis." Jed replied. "Hope you're up to it."
"Yeah I'm sure. Are you sure you can do this? You're still mending."
"As long as I don't push myself to a melee offensive, I can pull a trigger and two as support." As if to prove that, the Sentinel crouched down beside a building, gripping the beam rifle firmly.
"Here they come!" Camille warned. The twins gave each other a silent nod for good luck as they prepare their respective guns against the incoming first wave.
"Get ready!" Noin ordered, all the four mechas aimed at the enemy force, aware that the other mechas were also readying their weapons.
The winged Balm mecha flew towards Lond Bell, despite knowing that they knew their weakspot. However, the alien that attacked it earlier has heavily damaged Jabrow, and their radar-dampening device still held. And despite its earlier loss, they still outnumber Lond Bell two to one, despite the united forces of the human army. Lithiel, overlooking the battle personally, knew that they would be forced to use their swords against them, since they had no hope of denting their strong armor.
But Bright wasn't counting on the snipers to put down the enemy. Merely as distractions long enough for their offensive robots to finish with their first batch. Mazinger Z, Voltes V, Daimos and Shining Gundam were at their element, aiming for the flying mecha's back to severe their wings. On the ground, the two motherships would finish them off, if not from the Hayaku Shikki and the Re-GZ.
One of the Balm mecha's head was crushed by the force of impact by Mazinger's rocket punch, killing off its AI, it toppled and almost crushed Airmaster as it tried to bank off to the left to evade some of the missiles aimed by another enemy fire.
"Watch it!" Witz shouted, trying not to sound shaken by the knowledge he was a few inches closer from becoming a metal pancake.
"Sorry!" Kouji looked apologetic. "I can't fight gravity."
"We have to push them back!" Toniya said from the bridge, relayed to her from Jamil. "They're trying to swamp us."
"Kouji!" Sayaka said, "make a path!"
"That's right!" Boss shouted flailing his arms helplessly.
"No good." Kouji replied, looking at his other teammates along the path of fire. "Not until everyone clears away."
"Relay the message." Amuro was saying. "Just…"
"What's that sound?" Kyoshiro's voice managed to shout out, interrupting him. Amuro strained his ears, and also caught the strange sound reverberating from his radio.
"We have no time for that." Bright said, "We'll leave that transmission for the Freeden. Don't abandon your posts."
"You heard him, ignore it!" Kenichi Gou snapped at the rest of his teammates, Voltes V wielding the smoking cannon of the Voltes Bazooka. Daimos protecting Voltes' rear with its shuriken, Kazuya was feeling a strange premonition of dread.
*****
"Translating the sounds," Toniya reported, her forehead now damp with perspiration, as she was relaying more orders from the La Kairam while at the same time determining the strange transmission's origins. "It's coming from the Balm command ship."
"What?" Jamil gasped.
"And it's being transmitted to every communication channels." Toniya managed to clarify, before Lithiel's imposing figure appeared on the Freeden's screen, smiling grimly.
"In the name of the Balm race, I demand your surrender!"
*****
Erika's tray holding various medicine and clean bandages clang to the ground, staring blankly at the familiar face on the console where Franzenberg just used to communicate with Commander Oka a few minutes ago.
"Surrender now, or I'll make certain not one of you will be spared." The longhaired blonde, wearing the snake head dress of Balm nobility with flashing green eyes barely containing his contempt and rage stared back at her. She had remembered that look. He had worn it ever since their father had been murdered on that disastrous day…
Her beloved father who only wished for a peaceful negotiation… their father…
"NO!" The poor girl screamed, clasping her head, realizing the terrible implications of this discovery. She had known that Balm commander, knew him very well, along with her place with him.
"Erika, what's the matter?" Dr. Franzenberg asked in concern, holding her shoulder. "Are you alright?"
She also realized that from this day forward, she will never be alright. Filled with despair and hopelessness she roughly pushed him away with a strength that surprised him. The doctor landed on the floor, his air knocked out of him. Erika stared at the shocked nurses and wounded soldiers, shaking her head as if she was going to lose her mind.
Franzenberg staggered on his feet, realizing that the one helping him up was that Chidori girl, and that Tifa was with her. He stared at his assistant, realizing that something was terribly wrong.
"Ms. Erika…" Tifa whispered, feeling a great sadness from this girl who had been in one way her friend, but made no move towards her.
"Forgive me." Erika whispered, looking at them as if wanting them to understand, "It is not my intent."
"What do you…" Chidori choked back her question as she noticed something. There, emerging from Erika's back was a pair of snowy white wings, feathers outstretched, looking like an angel.
"A Balm spy!" One of the soldiers screamed, his attention on drawing out his pistol. Though there was a common look of revulsion and dismay from the rest of the human soldiers and doctors, only Chidori ever thought of Erika's wings as the most magical and beautiful things she had ever seen in her life. To Tifa and Franzenberg, though, it was a symbol of sadness and ultimately… separation.
"Fly, Erika!" Franzenberg shouted, snapping Chidori from her trance. "Don't look back!"
There was no need for she had barely escaped from the first shot by leaping into the air, and with speed and grace they have never seen before, Erika disappeared into the darkness of Jabrow's rocky and cracked ceiling. As the rest of the soldiers frantically ran to relay a message to Oka, Franzenberg felt a great sadness in his heart for losing a very capable assistant.
*****
When Lond Bell heard about Erika's desertion, both Kyoshiro and Domon were not surprised when Kazuya retaliated angrily, refusing to believe what Oka had just said. "Let me find her!" the Daimos pilot insisted, "There must be some mistake!"
"Kazuya!" Domon snapped a warning too late, Daimos was too distracted that it didn't notice a Balm mecha grabbing it desperately at the shoulders and dragged Daimos from the air to land painfully onto the ground. The wingless Balm attempting to bash in Daimos head.
It was immediately been resolved when its own head was blasted away from a close range shotgun blast by the silver Arbalest. But Daimos didn't rise up to rejoin its other brothers against the enemy. To Bright's shock and displeasure, the robot simply began to pull back from the frontlines.
"Kazuya!" Jamil shouted, realizing Daimos' intention. Shining Gundam was forced to take on its own task as well as Daimos' abandoned post. While the rest of the shooters were also forced to move in closer in the battle to make up for the gap, Arbalest leading the way. For some reason, fighting blind or not, Sagara manages to shoot down enemy forces with amazing accuracy that even Jed and Erin found amazing. (2)
"Stop!" Bright said, feeling a headache forming again, which hasn't happened since the One Year War when a younger and more impulsive Amuro Ray ran out from them with his Gundam during the White Base's trek in the desert (1).
"Damn sentimental idiot!" Kyoshiro shouted, but to Nana's surprise the Galvar FX also broke away from Re-GZ, and following Daimos closely to its heels. Lond Bell or not, they were partners. And Kyoshiro prided himself to appeal at least as Kazuya's logic, if he had any. Not that he would admit it, though.
But Kazuya paid no heed to everything that was happening, Erika was the only thing he could think about. He realized now that he couldn't live without her, enemy of his or not. Surely she cannot leave him without a proper explanation?
Kazuya was so absorbed by his thoughts he had forgotten that he had broken away from the team, and thus he was the most vulnerable mecha against a field of enemies. Garunrol, the flagship holding Lithiel, found that the foolish human had given him a chance to personally strike it down.
And it did not hesitate it to strike Daimos with its widespread laser.
Kazuya attempted to regain his machine midair, but the blast of the impact had stunned him long enough to awkwardly crash into the trees. The Garunrol loomed overhead, like a portent of doom, bearing in for a kill.
*****
Erika gave a scream when she saw Kazuya toppling from the sky by her brother's attack. From her vantagepoint, what it seemed to Lithiel's point of view was Daimos being helpless was in fact a fake. She could see Daimos stealthily bringing out its dagger. A last ditch attempt to kill off the Balm commander. But given that the proximity of both ship and robot, it was likely that Daimos would not get away in time from the explosion.
It was a nightmarish circumstance, in which Erika felt like rooted on the ground as the trees around her. She knew that she must do something… despite her love for Kazuya, she dearly loved her brother. She cannot bear the two of them killing each other in battle. She was sure she cannot live with that.
And so it was a genuine shock for both Kazuya and Lithiel when a small figure, heedless of the dangers around her, landed onto the Daimos, wings outstretched as well as her arms, an almost futile attempt to halt the fighting. Something both would not had notice if that said figure was not their beloved.
"Brother!" Erika shouted, "Please, don't!"
Kazuya was stunned, seeing this girl bearing Erika's face with the wings branding her as a Balm, Earth's most ruthless of enemies. The ones who killed his father in a peace negotiation. Long ago he swore that he would kill every one of them as a child, but some of that hatred fortunately faded away when he took up martial arts. Though he was resolved he won't let them do what the Balms pleased, a reason he had become a pilot in the first place. But seeing the girl he had fallen in love with was also an enemy, all his life-long certainties had become confusion.
Lithiel was just as stunned, but managed to regain some composure to order a subordinate to have Erika on board, and retreat as fast as they could. He could not risk his little sister in the battle now that he had found her at last. Although he inwardly rejoiced this reunion, a small seed of doubt and suspicion was already sown in his heart, thinking it odd that Erika chose such a way to reveal herself.
As for Erika, she didn't know what to feel at all, so she tore her eyes away from Daimos, saying a farewell to Kazuya in her heart.
She knew she will never see him again.
*****
"I don't get it," Erin said, looking at the still many Balms retreating into the horizon. "They could have continued fighting and eventually win out."
"Would you prefer they did?" Jed asked her.
"Good point." His sister admitted.
Everyone took the assessment of the damage. The ones who took the brunt of the attack, namely Shining Gundam, Mazinger Z and Voltes V, were in badly need of repairs, and the abandoned buildings that once used as a science institute centuries ago that were recently served as the defenders' protective cover was now reduced into rubble. A dejected Hyukebein kicked a small boulder with its foot, letting it roll onto the gravel floor. Everyone was grimly quiet, a few more minutes, seconds even, they could have been overrun by the opposing army. And the Lond Bell would end as soon as it had begun, in which only a fool would not understand.
Though Bright received word from the Galvar that the Daimos was also down, he asked Jamil to oversee its transportation back to Jabrow, as the Freeden would easily navigate through the foliage, (3) and Bright was unwilling to see Kazuya just yet.
Therefore, of all of the pilots present, only Amuro Ray felt a stirring of sympathy for Kazuya Ryuzaki, knowing what Bright Noah, when pissed, would be capable of when provoked.
*****
No one was surprised that Kazuya was given punishment for his behavior in the battlefield. Though Kyoshiro was slightly worried that his friend was not showing his usual spirit; knowing the true reason behind his silence. A meeting with Oka made a decision to make a log about the whole involvement with Erika, despite their belief that she may not be a spy. If she had been, she should not have left them where it would be more convenient to remain and fleece more information from them.
But only Amuro and Jamil noticed that Bright was not in his usual self, as if he was distracted, during the procedure. Only when Kazuya was taken to the brig and the other pilots were dismissed when Bright told them the reason in the privacy of the briefing room.
"Although it was not in the original plan, Oka could not spare the ships ever since the attack." Bright was saying as the two quietly finished reading the reports. Jamil's face remained neutral, whereas Amuro was trying to get in terms of what he just found out. "Since we are going to Japan, it seemed logical to bring him along until Miwa claims him."
"Who else knew?" Jamil asked.
"Kenichi Gou, Oka's daughter and now you two," Bright said, "Make sure it remains like that until we reach Japan."
"The conditions were to keep him chained and in a cell." Amuro protested.
"He is a dangerous criminal."
"You can't possibly believe that!" For the first time, Bright saw a brief flare of the old Amuro, "He's been with us and fought for us in the last war. You, of all people, should know him."
"We're back in the service, Amuro. You, of all people, should know procedures."
"Regardless," Jamil said, unexpectedly supporting Amuro, "this was a little too harsh. Inhumane, even."
Bright shook his head, "Those were the conditions, or we won't transport him at all. I don't want to think if Basque Ohm or his ilk would do this for us."
"I see." Amuro said, suddenly understanding.
"I am concerned about him as much as you and the others." Bright said flatly, "but not everyone in the Federation would share that sentiment. I don't know why he had been granted release, Oka wouldn't tell me, but for now, he is under our protection."
"Is he?" Jamil quietly asked under his breath that no one can hear, "I wonder…"
*****
"Ah, so that's Kira." Jed said as he watched Erin and Camille, in the Freeden, wave at the lone boy standing near the port waving back at them. The two mentioned were vastly fascinated with the Freeden, and insisted that they hitch the ride towards Japan "I heard you did a lot of crazy stuff together."
Erin laughed, remembering their frantic battles near Heliopolis and Von Braun. But Camille was quiet, and Erin somehow knew why. He had already told her about Fa and the people he left behind in Green Noa 2. "Hey," Erin said, giving the younger man a firm squeeze on his shoulder, "We're going to get into a lot of trouble in the future, so don't look too much in the past, alright?"
Camille shrugged, not looking at her. But he silently nodded at her words.
"Well, Japan again." Jed said, "Felt like years since we left…" his words drifted off when he saw a young girl quickly turning away and running from the adjacent corridor. Having spent his time in Jabrow with his sister, he never really had the chance to meet and get to know the newcomers.
Camille didn't know then, but Noin and Fa were also with them in the ship. Fa was sent to call them to start their lessons, but as she saw Erin leaning over Camille in an comradely manner, she found herself finding difficult to breath, and turned away, confused and hurt. Knowing that their brief separation had somehow disintegrated their own bond, and for that Fa knew it will never be the same.
*****
"Domon, you're the only one who could snap him out of this," Rain said, wishing that they were children again when he was a lot more easier to talk with.
It has been almost five days since Kazuya was kept in the brig for insubordination during the battle against the Balms, but the Daimos pilot was spending the day in a zombielike trance, refusing to eat and sleep. Nana Izumi had more than once tried to appeal Amuro to make Captain Bright lift his punishment. But Amuro refused to do such a thing. First because this punishment must be used as an example to the other pilots, secondly because he knew Bright, and once the Captain makes up his mind, it would be difficult to sway him. Finally, he too agreed that what Kazuya did back there, risking himself and his comrades recklessly, merits the solitary confinement. And so Nana was forced to let it run accordingly, but when Kazuya refused to eat on the third day she begged Kyoshiro to talk to him, who flatly refused, and finally Rain to talk to Domon, being intimidated with the latter.
Rain promised she would do something, but now facing at the grim faced Gundam fighter, she began to wonder if doing such a thing would be as simple as she said.
"He's not a kid anymore, Rain. And I'm not his father." Domon snapped, annoyed at this lengthy explanation "If he wants to starve to death, that's his damn problem."
Rain's shoulders sank in disappointment as Domon stalked away, clearly finished with this conversation.
*****
"You there."
Megumi Oka immediately stopped her tracks as she recognized Shining Gundam's pilot walking towards her. He glanced at her tray, "That for Ryuzaki?"
"Yes."
"Good." Domon nodded curtly, "I would like to accompany you."
*****
"What the hell are you doing here?" Kazuya snarled in anger as he saw Domon entering the cell. Megumi, who was assigned for Kazuya's rations, felt her eyes widen in shock, hearing him speak for the first time.
"Come to see how pathetic you could actually be, just for a woman," Domon replied. There was no taunting or mocking in his voice and face, just a simple remark from an observation.
It somehow made Kazuya more angrier, forgetting that he was slightly weak from lack of food and sleep, he lurched at Domon with all his strength, shoving him at the wall.
"Shut up!"
"Hmph." Domon snorted, unconcerned by Kazuya's murderous look, "So you CAN talk."
"You two, stop it!" Megumi warned.
"So you're going to spend the rest of the trip moping, hoping that your girlfriend would somehow fly back to you?" Domon continued, ignoring her, "I've always thought you were tougher than this. But all you're good at after all is just running away."
Kazuya's grip on his neck tighten, but it didn't daunt Domon a bit. Finally with a curse, Kazuya dropped his hand, still glaring at him. But his voice did not carry any hatred when he asked, "What do you want to say?" he asked bluntly.
"You already know that. Either you find her, or you forget her. As long she distracts you, you're no good to us or to yourself." Domon said, "As a martial artist you should know this: your fist comes from your heart. It you doubt your heart, it will also reflect in your fist."
"……"
"I've said what I wanted to say. It's up to you now." Domon said, leaving the cell, "You have to be strong, if you wanted to see her again."
"Domon," Kazuya said, not seeing this side of Domon's personality before. Then his old familiar smile began to appear. "I'll beat you up in front of Erika."
"Not very likely." Domon retorted, but he was also starting to chuckle.
*****
"I guess it worked after all." Rain looked around in surprise at the newcomer. Kyoshiro was looking at her distractedly. "For all his coldness, that Domon guy isn't so different from Kazuya."
"Really?" Rain said, looking sad and quite vulnerable, making Kyoshiro wonder if he was correct with that observation, "At least Kazuya is more honest."
"… Domon has a good heart." Kyoshiro corrected, guessing what Rain was thinking.
Rain was leaning onto the wall, this time smiling. "Yes he has." She whispered.
*****
Lithiel was enraged, he looked at Erika, as if daring her to repeat what she just said.
"Talk to the humans, those murderous traitors!" Lithiel almost screamed. "There is no hope for them! Think of our father whom they thoughtlessly killed when he also tried to do this peacefully."
"And I am sure Father will do it again, had he lived to be given that chance," Erika pleaded. "Please Brother, talk to Lond Bell. They will hear you out."
"It seems you lived with those humans too long." Lithiel scoffed. "Perhaps you found love there, if they are capable of it." It was meant as a mockery, but to Lithiel's horror he found that his sister could not reply, even looked guilty. "It can't be…" he whispered.
"Brother… Kazuya is no different from you…" Erika began.
"You traitor!"
"His father was killed by Balms, and he dedicated himself for the defense of his planet. The same dedication you have." She continued, trying to ignore the look of murder in his face.
"Be silent!"
"But he will listen to us, if we only give him a chance!"
"I said be silent!" Erika felt the heavy hand of her brother as he slapped her hard at her cheek, Erika fell on the floor, and then her tears came. More for Lithiel's cold heart than the pain he had just inflicted.
"My lord!" Barbas protested, stepping forward. But Raiza made no movement, watching at the other girl with a neutral expression.
"My sister Erika is dead." Lithiel bit out, turning away from her, as if he could no longer stand the sight of her. "Take that woman in the dungeon and let her stay there until a proper trial is conducted."
Barbas was torn with that decision, for he had loved the two siblings dearly as their father before them. But it was Raiza who stepped forward to do what was bidden. Escorting Erika not too gently, the two women leave the throne room.
But to Lithiel a new wrath reawakened. Surely those manipulative humans bewitched Erika. Though she admitted that she had lost her memory for the past week, perhaps that human she just mentioned had taken advantage of her vulnerability. Made her blind of what they truly are.
He swore he will kill Kazuya with his own two hands.
*****
Raiza looked at the stone cage with its reinforced metal bars. It was never meant for comfort, really, and she had a hard time imagining a princess to stay here.
"Your brother is fighting for the lives of one billion Balms." Raiza said. "I thought you of all people understand that."
"What would you have me do."
"Regret the words you've said, deny you loved that human, and ask for Lord Lithiel's forgiveness. He loved you more than he would like to admit."
"I will not say those things that would deny my feelings, Raiza. I cannot do that."
"Then you are indeed a heartless woman, abandoning your brother and your people." Raiza said, her voice rising, "May you stay here for eternity." Without another word, Raiza stalked away, leaving Erika in the dark prison.
*****
Akito Tenkawa was lying on the field of grass, he had been screaming, and found himself snapping back to reality. Fearfully he turned around, expecting a bug to pounce on him.
There were no robot bugs waiting for him, no longer in the overrun bunker.
He looked at the blue sky… blue…
He was on Earth!
That was too much for the poor boy, and Akito began to throw up, sick to the stomach, at the sudden realization.
Somehow, he managed to stay alive.
Author's notes:
Adyen: OK, for a minute there I've confused SEEDs Mao Mu/Mwu Fraga with the RahXephon Mu/ Mulians with your review. I written "Mwu"'s character as Fraga instead in this story (I refuse to call him after the sound of a cow). As for Jed and Erin being Mulians, you are jumping to conclusion… they're regular red-blooded humans. I'm surprised at your reaction at Rayearth and Full Metal Panic's addition in the story… I already put that in the "Feature List" ever since the first chapter.
1: Though I do admit I'm pleased how Amuro's character evolved from his original series to Zeta and finally to CCA, in a bizarre kind of way I felt kind of sad that he did grow up. It's like a part of himself had died, never to return again (though I am HUGELY upset he died in CCA with Char when I first saw it). Though his teenage angst would eventually become a basis for future anime "boys forced to be pilots because they have no choice" templates, I really liked his love-hate relationship with Bright Noah. You could see how both of them who hates each others' guts eventually turn to respect each other, appreciate their importance in the war and finally become comrades-in-arms… see that emotional scene where Amuro sees Bright breaks down when Sleggar died, despite the Captain saying "We will all die eventually" (I wouldn't count Bright as his father figure, because Amuro was only three years younger than him, and that would be strange). IMHO Amuro was the most difficult (and problematic) he'd handle… And though Bright's role "looking after a kid and giving them a slap for misbehaving" was again repeated in Zeta, here he is much matured and responsible (being a war veteran and a father to his two kids). It wasn't really the same :\ … Belatedly realized that he is absent in Scramble Commander (though he and the Ahgama were mentioned in the game). Mou!
2: He shoots a watermelon METERS away blindfolded using a shotgun ^^;; Though this may seem that I like Sousuke Sagara, that is not the case. He's funny, in a warped sort of way, and voiced by Tomokazu Seki-sama. Other than that, well, he's alright… I prefer Kouji Kobuto and Garrod Ran… though Arbalest rocks in more ways than one. Missed it a lot in the bizarre FMP? sequel.
3: I firmly believe the Freeden is a cross between a battleship and a hovercraft. Considering it can travel in any kind of terrain (minus underwater, the sky and outer space). I haven't seen such a thing in future mecha animes. One could say its one of a kind. It's also one of my favorite ships (designwise nothing beats the White Base, and Turn-A's Soreil) in SRWs.
Next Chapter: You Get To Burning!
Akito Tenkawa found himself in Earth with no recollection of how he got there in the first place, a week after Mars colony was destroyed. While looking for work, he found himself hired as a cook for the civilian ship Nadesico, in which he discovered that his childhood friend Yurika was, in fact, her captain. It appears that the world is smaller than what he had thought.