Darker Associations
"It's good to see you again." Tetsuya replied, shaking hands with Benkei as the huge crate was being fit into the truck. "It's been three years, isn't it?"
"Yes," Benkei said soberly. Tetsuya couldn't blame him for being sober, he would be if this sort of thing happened to Kouji.
"So… how is Genki?"
"She's doing quite well." Benkei said, brightening up a bit about that topic. "She still isn't talking much, but the doctor's optimistic that she's recovering."
"Being a father suits you."
"Shaddup." Benkei snarled back, but he was smiling. "Why don't you and Kouji pass by to visit? I'm sure she'd be glad to see you again."
"Somehow I doubt that." Tetsuya said, remembering that it was he and Kouji who grappled Ryouma to the ground a moment too late to save Professor Saotome. He gave a quick glance at the familiar Getta 3 was also loaded in the truck, frowning. "What's that for?"
"Top's orders." Benkei said, looking away, as though the sight of the machine sickened him. And as Musashi called his superiors that they are ready to go, Tetsuya stared at the truck, curiosity getting the better of him to wonder what the hell they were carrying.
*****
"Hey, glad you could make it." Kid replied as he finished writing his report on the clip board one of his assistant mechanics was holding out. This would directly go to the bridge for Sara and Jamil to look over into. To calculate the necessary expenses for their robots and the ship itself for maintenance and what not. "Let's go to my office."
Kid's 'office' was more of a box of crates containing extra parts that he couldn't bear to sell to the local market bunched up neatly against the wall in the far end of the hangar. "It took me longer than I expected, but I managed to break into it."
Jed looked at the remains of the metal capsule with a sweat drop on the side of his head. "I never expected that your techniques to be so... ah... literal."
"Give me some slack," Kid retorted, clearly offended. "I used some instruments that only apply for creating Mobile Suits. If Sara caught me using advanced hardware without permission..."
"OK, OK, I get your point. Still, I wish you saved this capsule. It would be great to use it for reference, I might be able to trace its whereabouts."
"Doubt it. That thing could have been used as a casing for a customized underground bomb." Kid replied, seeing Jed's expression he quickly added. "I checked that before opening the damn thing, geez. But that's not important; look what I found inside."
Jed gave a look at the neatly folded schematics that Kid gave him. "The blueprints of the Gundam Physiallis. Eight years ago, this was the ultimate Gundam ever created." he explained, dimly aware why he would know that as he frowned at the second blueprint. "This one looked like it wasn't even completed."
"I didn't know you used to work in Anaheim."
"Neither do I," Jed admitted, "But then again, that company has been hanging around in the background playing between two sides in the War."
"Its a shame Physiallis was destroyed. I would have liked to see it in action." Kid said wistfully.
"No, you won't." Jed replied grimly. "But thank you for your help, Kid. I think I understand where this is going."
"Really?"
"I don't want anyone to know we have the blueprints of a dead Gundam in our hands. I'll leave it to you to keep it safe. As for me, it seems that Anaheim have some clues," looking at Kid he added "I'm going to space... somehow."
*****
A base, Erin decided, look just the same as all other bases. The fighter pilots were given permission to wander around and familiarize themselves to the JSSDF main HQ where Miwa presided. Bright and the others were inside the main building to receive orders from him. It was said Miwa didn't take the news regarding the Balming Erika and the Nadesico lightly. Unfortunately, Miwa also has powers to control Lond Bell as much as Oka and Sutherland as a minor Federation corps. And thus, Bright and Jamil cannot contest against his wishes.
Still it had not been a complete waste. As Sousuke promised her, he found out the Preventers' Lady Une was in the area. Remembering Paula's request of her from space, she found herself in the small makeshift office where Lady was taking final checks on her report.
"How is she?" Lady asked her as Erin surrendered the small disk.
"I don't know. Lt. Quattro wouldn't tell us anything. The last time I've heard of them is that they were at Von Braun for a few days after the Archangel left."
"I see."
"Tell me, is the Preventers against the Titans rule as well."
"No." Lady said. "The Preventers are not a military force. But the reason Paula Cis stays with them is that they have my assurances that we will not move against them. And since she entrusted you with this data, I can see you are trustworthy enough to gain this information. There are lots of mining nearby asteroids activities getting rampant at late, just as I feared."
"Neo-Zeon. Haman Khan did formally declared war."
"Not necessarily. The data you brought me shows that this was done in secret."
"ZAFT? Another independent army?"
"I can't answer that." Lady answered her gently. "Please understand, you cannot be involved with our affairs, not until I am sure of this information."
"If I may speak?" Erin asked her. "Exactly what are you doing here?"
"Miwa asked me to oversee an investigation regarding Admiral Misumaru," Lady answered her, and to Erin's ears she felt a small sense of disapproval emanating from Une. "It seems his daughter was the captain of the renegade ship in the Sasebo harbor. Miwa suspected he was involved in a conspiracy..."
"And the Admiral?"
"Voluntarily allowed himself to undergo a house arrest. He takes full responsibilities of the whole fiasco. Nergal has yet to answer their inquisition."
"You don't seem pleased."
"I never liked Nergal very much." Lady replied, "But my feelings are not important."
"..."
"Thank you for bringing this data to me, Miss Shore." Lady Une said, shaking the younger girl's hand. "You have no idea how much this will help us."
"I certainly don't." Erin replied wryly as she departed. "But I believe you people."
*****
"I'm concerned about Kazuya than Admiral Misumaru, actually." Amuro admitted to the people of the room, particularly Bright, Quattro, Jamil and Kazuya. "At least Misumaru has strong influences, but Daimos and Voltes V are under the JSSDF jurisdiction. If Miwa makes a scene regarding Erika..."
"He won't." Bright said, "I've already have Oka's recommendation. I don't think he'd dare remove Kazuya as pilot either. For that he'll have to train another person for years. He can't afford that in the long run, not with so many enemies anyway."
"Sir." Kazuya said. "I'm sorry for troubling you."
"It's alright. But think twice before running off on your own again. You're not only responsible for yourself, but with the lives of the pilots who fought with you."
"I understand. It won't happen again." Though everyone else never made mention of it, Domon most especially since he never rubbed it in his face, Kazuya felt very foolish every time he was with them that he was beginning to think he preferred to stay in the brig.
To their surprise, much later when they have seated in the large spacious room of the Chief's office that Erika and Kazuya was no longer an issue.
"Give chase to the Nadesico?" Bright said, Amuro could tell that his friend was trying his best not to let his anger get the better of him for their sake.
"We have reason to believe that the Nadesico was manned by a civilian crew. As well as obtaining a destructive weapon not authorized by our weapons inspectors." Miwa said. "We must have that ship back in our territory at all cost."
"Why is that?"
"The head representative of Nergal Industries admitted that the ship will head for outer space. No doubt that they will surrender it to Zeon against us." Miwa said, his clenched fist shaking as he stalked back to his table.
"Does the Preventers acknowledge that information?" Jamil asked him calmly.
For once, Miwa was speechless at that before he looked dangerously at Jamil. "What are you implying?"
"I meant that if Nergal wished to smuggle dangerous weapons to our enemy, the Preventers surely would have detected it by now."
"They're not omnipotent. And I'm sure they were getting sloppy of late." Miwa said. "They spent too much time investigating in outer space when they should have concentrate more here. I swear they are foolishly spending taxpayers' money." Emphasizing that this conversation is over, he looked at Bright. "I made an appeal to Admiral Sutherland. He will provide you the military base Kimberlight to launch you to space after collecting your supplies in Hong Kong (1). As for the Freeden, you are asked to rendezvous with NERV regarding the Jupiter problem."
"I understand." Bright said, though he secretly wished he did. As the rest of them were beginning to leave the room, Miwa added. "And Captain, if the Nadesico resists, you may use force in any way necessary." (2)
"Attack the civilians?" Bright asked him.
"Consider them traitors to our cause." Miwa corrected him sharply. "And as such they are to be treated that way."
"…" Bright gave him a salute before joining his other comrades.
"Would you really do it?" Amuro asked him quietly as he and Bright walked slowly at the rear.
"No. Chief Miwa made a suggestion, not an order, from what I understood." Bright replied. "But we still have to know what they are doing and where they are going nonetheless."
"That's true." Amuro was glad that Bright was strong-willed when it comes to morality. They would not be alive if it hadn't been for him.
*****
Jed and Camille were surprised to learn that Erin wished to stay with the Freeden instead when Bright and Jamil made everyone line in to register their names in which ship they would like to go.
"I just felt homesick, that's all." Erin said to her brother, "I'm not looking forward back there. I want to stay in Japan a little longer."
"Alright. We'll see each other in Von Braun then." Jed said. If Erin was lucky she may meet their Grandmother again. "I'll see you after two weeks." he had already confided her about the blueprints of the Physiallis. And made Erin promise not to tell anyone about it.
"Take care." A hug was shared, as Jed left to his room to get the rest of his things.
Erin lay on her bed, while clutching a small tissue paper that she managed to hid away from her brother. Scribbled in it was a strange message she written from that bizarre telephone call on her way back to the ship after talking with Lady Une.
"To know the truth, go to Tokyo Jupiter." The voice simply said. Erin never got the chance to ask that voice's name. It was cut off as soon as she heard the words. Though she felt the voice was familiar, her shoddy memory won't likely shed some light regarding it.
Tokyo Jupiter… Erin thought. She was not worried about Jed though. Sousuke would look after him. And Bright was an excellent leader. She felt guilty she never told him about that incident, though she was surprised Jed didn't noticed. But she figured that even if she told him about it, she knew Jed would stop her. Tokyo Jupiter was still a dangerous mystery so far. Fifteen years ago, the strange phenomenon appeared, engulfing First Tokyo and all its surrounding cities, literally cutting it off from the rest of the world. Though there were theories that the people caught up in strange orb as it engulfed the city were alive, they were never heard from again. And anyone who went in there never returned.
Still, a link regarding Tokyo Jupiter and their memories was established. And as such, Erin Shore was looking forward that venture.
******
It took the Lond Bell a whole afternoon to sort the pilots and their robots. Bright would be bringing along the Daimos and Voltes team along with Jed, Camille, Fa and Sagara. Domon remained in the Freeden, knowing that the Devil Gundam was still at large in Earth. Kouji also decided to remain, for he managed to find out that Tetsuya and the remaining Getta pilots Benkei and Musashi were on their way to the JSSDF HQ bringing an important package. He was looking forward to meet them, for it was quite awhile since he'd last seen them. Loran, by special request, also asked to stay. Though Bright was a bit surprised that the young man showed no particular interest to return to his homeland, but kept quiet regarding it.
Quattro was assigned to space, while Amuro was to accompany Jamil's ship. The former didn't mind, though, he was already worried for the AEUG. For the sake of their mission, he wasn't allowed to establish communication with Brecks. But with the way things were going, he had to find the present situation in outer space. This was an opportunity he didn't want to lose.
Jamil was still receiving orders from Bright when he gotten word from Miwa that he wants the Freeden to move as fast as it was able. When he asked the reason, Miwa gravely told him the truth.
The people who were in charge of transportation of the package were attacked. Bright who was standing beside Miwa to receive orders from the man was grave, Jamil noted, and wondered what has happened.
*****
Tetsuya sliced neatly at the strange blackish mass identified by Musashi as an Invader. Though it would be safer for the Great Mazinger to simply fly, he couldn't dare to leave the truck that Benkei and Musashi were in. The rest of their escort were killed, and Tetsuya was forced to call in reinforcements. He realized, though, that the Invader wasn't attacking him earnestly was because it was only going after the truck.
Or more specifically, what was inside the truck…
"I'll help you!" Musashi called out as the Getta 3's arms reached out and batted the Invader away with a mighty punch. Great Mazinger jumped back as the huge monstrosity landed onto the ground. Using it's Thunder Break to electrocute the black mass.
"Did we got him?" Musashi whispered.
"Too soon to say, we have to be careful." Tetsuya managed to say as the black tendrils flailed about and knock the two mecha onto the ground.
"Damn it!" Tetsuya cursed, realizing that the Invader was making a lunge for the fleeing truck.
"Sempai!!!" Musashi cried a little too late when the tendrils took a hold onto the truck's underbelly… and tripped it over. "Tetsuya!"
Great Mazinger gave a quick glance at the other robot, and saw that Getta-3's wheels were damaged from that last attack. "Leave that to me!" Tetsuya replied as Great Mazinger made an insane dash towards to the truck, dimly aware that any minute now, the Invader would simply attack it in its moment of vulnerability.
But Tetsuya was not going to allow Genki to lose her second father. Not while he can help it. And that he would rip this mockery of a living thing into shreds if it harmed Benkei.
But to his shock, he found out that someone else had beaten him to it.
A huge tomahawk embedded itself onto the alien's neck, knocking it down once again onto the ground. It thrashed violently, vainly trying to remove the weapon. It was its last moment as it was incinerated by a huge green light. The Invader literally dissolved into nothingness as the weapon finished its work.
"Getta beam?" (3) Tetsuya whispered in shock, as the Great Mazinger slowly turned around to look at their rescuer.
He got the shock of his life to see the huge towering Shin Getta landing near the overturned truck, it's huge bat-like wings kicking up dust as it folded. Tetsuya couldn't believe it, he heard from Professor Yumi that Shin Getta was never completed, ever since the terrible accident that caused Michiru Saotome her life. But seeing it now, operational and battle-ready, was another thing entirely. Getta 3 was nearby, its pilot as stunned as Tetsuya was, as the lightning bolts flashed above in the sky, foretelling a coming storm.
Benkei somehow managed to be conscious, as he tried to wipe the blood away from his eyes as he tried to assess the situation. From his angle in the driver's seat, could see that the metal crate protecting their item was flung from the truck and was on the ground, but the crate was damaged enough to give him a glimpse of what the heck they were carrying.
He bit back a scream as he saw a familiar face staring at him within the contents of the crate, lighted by the brief flashes of the lightning bolts. "It can't be…!" he gasped.
Meanwhile Tetsuya had said the same when he saw the Shin Getta's pilot. He had known him well enough. He also knew that he was dead.
But somehow he was standing before them, a look of contempt on his face, as the Shin Getta moved to the crate to pick up the crate. Tetsuya felt a hidden power from the giant robot, and knew it was foolish to challenge it. It certainly didn't help with Benkei down there.
Still he had to be certain, "Professor!" Tetsuya shouted, "Is that you, Saotome?!?!"
But the professor ignored him, as the Shin Getta gently lifted the crate, as if carrying a child. Secured in its hands, the Shin Getta unfurled its wings, and flew into the horizon, disappearing as quickly as it appeared.
Great looked at the fleeing robot for a moment before quickly returned its attention to the truck, where Tetsuya saw Benkei crawling out from the window. He was bleeding badly, and would need help from a doctor.
"Tetsuya." Musashi reported, his voice noticeably shaking. "The Lond Bell Earth squad are sending hails near our position. We should get there and be treated."
"Roger. You go ahead to lead them in. I'll carry him." As Great Mazinger knelt and opening its metal palm for Benkei to ride on. The other man looked shaken, as though he had seen something terrible. And Tetsuya knew this was only the beginning.
*****
"Are you sure you saw Professor Saotome?" Jamil asked Tetsuya. He was sitting on the chair of his private chambers, hands clasped in thought, as though he had found the missing piece of a puzzle.
"I wish I could say I was bleeding badly from the fight and am merely hallucinating." The Great Mazinger pilot replied wryly. "How's Benkei?"
"The doctor said that his wounds are not serious. However, it would be wiser to move him to a hospital and recuperate there. I even asked Chief Miwa to bring Genki to Benkei's side. If it was indeed Saotome, it would be better if she goes to a well defended area."
"It sounds like that Miwa already knew what's going on…"
"…"
"Did he?" Tetsuya stressed, a bit harshly, than he intended.
"The Shin Getta Robot activities were reported before. But your confirmation regarding the pilot shed some light regarding someone." Jamil looked at Tetsuya gravely. "I'm sure you knew Ryouma Nagare?"
"I thought I knew him."
"Then you would be upset if you know that he will work with you once again?"
"WHAT?!"
*****
"What's the meaning of this?!" Kouji shouted, back in the base. Mazinger Z and the Hyukebein were left behind for maintenance. It was really an accident, really, when Kouji recognized the old robot that he thought he would never see again.
"Kouji," Erin warned him.
But Kouji ignored her as he grasped the closest mechanic, giving him a hard shake, not actually noticing that 'he' was actually a woman. "Why is that thing here?" he shouted, the Getta 1 towering overhead, revoking old and painful memories.
The poor girl could only stare at the pilot in fear before Erin gave him a bump on the head (a righteous anger for manhandling the opposite sex) that literally brought him back to his senses. Blushing furiously, he apologized to the girl before he noticed that the mechanic was not paying attention to him. And neither does Erin. Both women were looking at another the scene behind him.
Kouji looked over his shoulder, and then froze, both in shock and in fear.
For there, still being escorted by heavily armed soldiers, arms shackled, in tattered clothes that tells how long he had been in prison, was the man who once piloted the machine. Kouji looked as the renegade Ryouma Nagare stopped and looked at the trio. Kouji was struck by the hatred in the older man's eyes, the warmth of the old Ryouma diminished forever. Vanquished during his stay in the prison…
Still, Kouji couldn't flinch. Would not dare show weakness to the one who was once his friend. Ryouma then looked away, as if he didn't recognize him, and stalked to the Getta 1, now repainted in black, an obvious statement on the pilot's state of mind.
Kouji couldn't still believe it. "It can't be…"
Erin whispered. "Don't tell me we're bringing him along…"
*****
"They knew that Saotome was alive. How, I won't know until I have enough information," Jamil said tiredly. "We brought Ryouma with us from Jabrow. And after all this time, I've wondered why he was granted pardon from his life imprisonment. Now, everything is put into place."
"…"
"You know as well," Jamil said, nodding at Tetsuya's grim look. "Ryouma is back on pilot duty, to kill the Professor one more time."
"What the hell was Miwa thinking?" Tetsuya cursed.
"I don't know." Jamil admitted, "But I think, for once, Miwa was right on something."
"On what?"
"On some things." Jamil said, "Have you heard stories regarding the Professor, since you have worked with him in the past?"
"Ever since his daughter died, he stopped working altogether." Tetsuya recounted, the painful memories surfacing again. "He never got over it. His life literally stopped there. Even at Michiru's funeral, when he should be there comforting his other child, he couldn't accept that she died."
"Did you see her body?"
Tetsuya frowned, off balanced by the question. "Her coffin was closed. She was crushed to death, Jamil, I'm sure you wouldn't want to see the body either if you were there. Why did you ask?"
"Because I managed to talk to the other man, Benkei, before he lost consciousness." Jamil replied. "You may not like what I may going to tell you.
*****
The Shin Getta was still flying in the air, its pilot lost in contemplation. Though it may not look like it, the mecha was in need of serious repair from its past battles against the Invader. And returning to the abandoned Saotome lab was also out of the question, since JSSDF was somehow alerted of his presence, and that they would most likely have it guarded. For now he had to recuperate, and build up his forces to get that base back through force.
But for now, he stared lovingly at the Shin Getta's hand, where the capsule was held… and the contents inside it…
"Michiru." (4) He whispered, as the moon illuminated her pale face, the only humanoid part of her body, while her once human lower limbs were now black substance that once was a part of an Invader. But this alien object had somehow preserved, and he would not rest until she wakes up once again.
He swear it.
Nadesico VS La KairamLove is found in various places. This holds true when Camille encounters an enigmatic girl named Four Murasame while Fa struggles in her lonely battle towards her platonic feelings for her childhood friend. Meanwhile in Nadesico, Gai slowly rekindles Akito's dormant feelings towards Gekigangar 3. Reminding him that he can become more than what he had ever hoped for, and that also means standing up for himself.
(1) As far as I've known, this is a base in the 0083 series ^^;;, (I also never watched that series coz Kou is a pain) and not even anywhere near HK (in fact it may be even be in Australia). I liked the name, though….Artistic license!
(2) In A, Miwa wants to shoot the Nadesico down with the Physiallis' nuclear warhead. He IS a jerk.
(3) Yes, Shin Getta down powered in this fic. It's Getta beam brings back dinosaurs, for crying out loud, so that little addition is removed. I'm sure Banpresto did the same with that matter.
(4) Yes, character switch! I don't know about you, but I hate Gou. This emotion hasn't changed ever since watching the OAV and playing SRWR. He cannot take over Ryouma's position as the badass Getta 1 pilot! I DENY HIM! I DENY HIM!! I DENY HIM!!! Whew, that got off my chest.
Notes: The Silver Streak of Light got itself lost for my carelessness, and am now re-writing it. As such next chapter might take awhile than intended. Sorry in advance to my readers.
Adyen: You're right, I wish Banpresto ditch the Getta theme and bring in "Heats". Mazinkaiser has, what, three original tracks?, before the OAV came out. Why can't they do the same to the poor Shin Getta? ;_;