Part I: Integration
A State of War
Thirteen months into a war between two super powers it would surprise many that the Federation would be the nation reeling. What was, originally, to be a simple conflict for the Federation has become a totally different affair. A war of containment to curtail the latest colonial independence movement, this time from the fanatical Zexen, had become a grueling fight for dominance. Perhaps even a battle for the Federation's very survival.
Initially deemed futile by many spacenoids, the conflict with the Zexen Loyal Militaire had dragged on for more than ten taxing months. And most surprising to many in the solar system with no clear victor in sight. With the Federation holding the advantage for most of the conflict and the Zexen Loyal Militaire constantly on the defensive no one was prepared for what was to come. The hectic months and gruesome battles, atrocities and devastation. The prepared was probably the Earth Federation military. Which had become overconfident after its string of victories and its large overbearing military presence.
Late in the conflict the Zexen Loyal Militaire underwent a huge paradigm shift in their tactics. They began going on a massive, almost suicidal, offensive push. A berserker blitzkrieg that left many doubting the sanity of the Zexen people. Needless to say the Federation was unprepared for the brute ferocity of the attack.
After weeks of intense conflict the Zexen initiated a siege on the Cities of Luna. This drew a large amount of Federation Fleets to break the blockade. In hindsight, it appears that this was what the Zexen stationed there really wanted. Despite the Federal Forces outnumbering them 6 to 1 they faced their enemy with an unsettling zealousness and fury. They attacked the Federal Forces in a series of maddening battles which culminated at the Battle of Luna Line. The Federation finally decided to retreat from the hectic field of battle as the Lunar cities seemed to only have been a lure. Federation Command hoped to draw the Zexen into tiring themselves while they repaired and regrouped their forces. As a result they retreated to, and took over many neutral colonies in the Side 4 cluster. Which was also harboring anti-Federation sentiments themselves. These events set the stage for one of the most brutal battles of the war.
Three Months have passed since the Zexen initiated their now infamous Operation Channelside.
High Admiral Vinay's shrewd and yet gutsy plan was a resounding success. The balance of power had wavered significantly since the High Admiral's gamble bared fruit. This eddy sent vast waves of change throughout the Earth Sphere, even the Entire Solar System.
A large portion of the Federation's space-based power was lost at the battles around Side 4 and simultaneous attacks elsewhere. As a result vast tracks of Federation Space had become undermanned, and some parts were outright unprotected, at least until the Federation could field reinforcements. This left the Federation Forces in the position of protecting its most vital space bases or trying to project its might over large areas. Either way resulting in the critical problem of having their forces isolated easily.
It was during this point that the Federation realized the true extend of the Zexen's ambitions. A goal far from the quest for spacenoid independence they initially used to garner support. Vinay's operation paved the way for the Zexen to potentially become an undisputed force in the Earth Sphere. Scarier still the grim collateral as a result of Channelside showed they were more than eager to do what it took to win. Another thing that shocked many was the amount of resources the Zexen had managed to assemble in their military forces and the grand scale of their strategic planning capabilities. Many began to believe that the Zexen had manipulated appearances for most of the war. The Zexen where largely on the defensive from the start of their independence movement, fighting a desperate struggle. But know it seemed that they were particularly clever in the areas of misdirection. Either their Machiavellian long view planning was used to startling affect, or they summoned a radical amount of luck. Everyone in the solar system was surprised at the turn of events, perhaps even the Zexen themselves.
The Earth Federal Forces, though reeling, still had the advantage in terms of , unit fielding capability, long-term manufacturing capacity, and potential manpower. Thus among the smarter minds in the Federation it was made urgent to initiate a plan of action that would allow them to survive this current storm. These next few months would be the critical points of the war that would most likely determine who eventually claimed total victory. And despite their vast losses the Federal Military still outnumbered the Zexen Loyal Militaire.
Things did not look favorable for them though, as overall the Federal Forces morale and the mid to lower level chains of command were reeling from their recent defeats. Partially do to a simultaneous suicide strike on Federal Forces main space-based headquarters. Whole fleets were lost or missing unable to be located. Certain parts of the Federal Forces were to some extend even going rouge, setting themselves up as de facto warlords separate from Earth Federation High Command. Some of the forces did this out of greed and ambition, some out of necessity. Worst still, many Colonies already under-garrisoned or not favorable to Federation rule were in various stages of revolt. Many remembered the Federations martial invasion of Side 4 despite the Zexen's grim aftermath. Even the few independent Sides were in turmoil. Refusing aid for fear of retaliation or mistrust of the Federation. Luckily these colonies were just as wary of the Zexen thanks to their Side 4 antics. Another critical issue was that of supply. As a result of their lost naval power, the supply lines were spotty at best do to unprotected lines. Further exasperating the already severe problem of Zexen raiding fleets and general privateering. Things that had gone on since the beginning of the War. It would be a monumental task before them
Zexen Forces, on the other hand, heady and arrogant from their fortunate victories now found themselves in the position to become the dominant power in the Earth Sphere. This definitely affected them psychologically. Their long laid plans were now bearing fruit. Their moral was high and so were their forces ambitions. And the Federation was now on the defensive and semi separated by the recent chaos.
But the Zexen were not stupid, as they knew it wouldn't be long before Federation got their act together. So a massive reorganization of their forces took place. From their mostly defensive oriented military new divisions where created for specific duties. Divisions for keeping the Earth Federation Forces off guard and in disarray, while other parts focused on picking off the scattered Federation fleets, and yet another part tasked with defending its own assets. This organization happened swiftly again showing the Zexen's far reaching planning. The Zexen had obviously gone into the next phase of their plans.
Things wouldn't be anywhere near easy for the Zexen though. These new developments were not as favorable to the Zexen as they may have planned. In some ways they might prove rather costly in the long run. They had a host of problems to deal with new and old.
True, Operation Channelside and their offensive in general was yielding many promising returns. But the brutishness of the operations had played a toll on Zexen military personnel. Far more so than Military Materials. After months of desperate defense to suddenly shifting into unrelenting and reckless advance the Zexen military's personnel were approaching critical mass. This was further exasperated by the death toll of the grueling Operation Channelside. Vinay and High Command knew this going in but decided the risk was worth it. This "temporary shortfall of personnel" would probably come back to haunt them later in the war. Already they were forced to field more and more newly recruited and "drafted" personnel.
Secondly, the Zexen where suffering the effects of over eating. They had expanded too fast and gorged themselves. The colonies of Side 4, ravaged as they were, was a sizable increase in their holdings. They just would not have the resources at this moment to even begin to safely secure anything. They could only hope that by keeping the pressure on the Federation it would provide them time to catch up with their own momentum. This was to be augmented by a large surge in Military recruitment and volunteers.
Other factors were the Zexen's progressively more fanatical and ambitious Elites and Field Leaders. Individuals that would increasingly come at odds with the more traditional minded and reserved High leaders. The command of the Zexen Loyal Militaire was falling more and more under the controlling reign of the Zexen's Newtype Elite. The Templars. The Templars' methods did not always mesh with traditional regulations or tactics. These Templars held the awe and unquestioning loyalty of the common man in the Zexen Loyal Militaire to the annoyance of the Zexen's more normal leaders. The common people flocking to the Zexen "Evolution" banner were becoming increasingly fanatical and hard to control in their own right. As more and more new converts flocked to the cause from all over the Earth Sphere.
The other major powers in solar system and other rouge forces were another concern but the Zexen Loyal Militaire already had ideas to move those pieces off the field. Or so they thought.
It would be the smaller, harder to define pieces that could cause the largest eddies in the pool. Little unrelated incidents that could inevitably affect the course of the war, one small event at a time, chaining together... like a snowball effect.
Episode 1 : Messenger of the Gods.
"As hellacious as this one is…wars come and go. But I'll still be doing my trade. Plying the spacelanes, and moving my wares from port to port," – Marcus, intersystem transport Captain.
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"Transer MS0014, You have been authorized to approach along the appropriate course. We are transmitting... now." said the near monotone Controller. Maybe they are robots, thought the transport pilot Will Baker, It wouldn't surprise me in the least. Especially considering the mechanized nature of all the Federal Official drones I've dealt with. "Be aware," The Controller droned on, "Any unauthorized deviation from this course will cause you to be fired upon with intent to kill."
"Duh, Weighter," Will said jokingly to himself, using the common spacer slang for Earthnoids, "Like this isn't the fiftieth time I have been here." Will said out loud before he clicked the transmit button on his pocket communicator. "Acknowledged HRM Control.," was his purposefully neutral response.
Though Will knew security had been increased yet again, because of mercenary forces reputedly in the area, he still got a little agitated. He understood some of their concerns, especially considering the purpose of this base. That didn't mean he had to like the scrutiny even after being subjected to it time and again.
He'd heard that the pirates in the area had been initiating raids on unsuspecting helpless freighters, perhaps by using the "wolf in sheep's clothing" approach. This did not worry him though as this ship was far from a helpless freighter. In fact it tried its best to appear helpless. The MS0014 was actually a clandestine Federation military transport. It was armed and heavily armored as well as protected by two on board Mobile Suits. This wouldn't do more than surprise any dedicated assailants though. So it primarily relied on its stealth capabilities, its speed, and misdirection. To anyone else other than the crew the ship appeared as a rundown old Transer class bulk transport.
These "skulk transports", as Will called them , were used to ferry any manor of secrets around for the Federation. Not many people knew about them or what they carried, even within the Earth Federation Forces . They stealthily traveled from destination to destination, always under the radar, transporting anything from V.I.P. "soft cargo" to experimental equipment. Which we happen to have both of this time, thought Will with amusement. Will and the ships captain were in on the secret as well, but only because the Federation needed someone to drive the ships. Will knew full well he was nothing more than a glorified delivery boy. Or so the Federation High Command probably thought...
Getting out of his meditative position, he kicked his foot off the ceiling of the Transport's bridge. Flipping himself "right side up", so that he was able to sit in the main seat. Buckling in, he checked his course and entered it, then checked over his other displays. Will would need to hurry up on his propulsion burn. He clicked the Transports comm. system and paged the Captain. "Sir we are a go. Ready when you are." he said, "Oh mind you, there is not much time," he added whimsically. The Captain was probably holding conversation with the "soft cargo."
This had been a long trip from Earth and at first their passengers were very wary of them, and kept mostly to themselves. It had taken weeks on the ship together before they even spoke to each other more than out of necessity. Now, after quite the long trip the Captain had managed to draw them out a bit. He delighted in discussing with some of the scientists about many a topic, and the others as well. Will didn't exactly know if he liked these people though. He didn't trust them or what they did for the Federation. He particularly felt uneasy around the two "Specials." Something wasn't right about them.
A minute later the door to the cockpit opened and the Transport's Captain, Remers Cole floated over to his seat, a little above Will's position. An older man with a full beard, speckled through with gray, Remers had that calm and extremely laid back look to his face. Will had never seen the man angry before, and Will 's antics over the years had given much to get angry about. The Captain quickly plopped down into his chair and began flipping controls. "What?" replied Remers, noticing his co-pilots stare. "I made it in time Will."
Will just shot him a bemused glance.
"Well there was this particularly attractive Officer type back there I was chatting with," he said brushing the bristles of his beard thoughtfully.
"Oh her, we've been chatting a lot lately. The Scientist with the braids, she is pretty cute. "
"Who? Will, I was talking about the sharp looking fellow, with the golden hair."
"One of the Test Pilot guys? One of the specials?" Will said raising one eyebrow, definitely amused. "I don't know Capt'n. He seems all wrong for you. Trust me, you don't want to fall for us bad boys old man."
"I'll be the judge of that," the Captain said conspiratorially.
Punching in a few quick keys, The Captain initiating a burn from the engines. Almost instantly The Transport ship, June Ates, began to vibrateas the engines carried it forward. Something like gravity began to exert itself on the pilots of the Transport. This was the relatively easy part when coming to their destination, the Hermes Research Base. The hard part of things over, the meandering approach to get on their present approach vector. One had to be rather careful when approaching Hermes Research Base, for more than a few reasons. Some security related and some because of minor navigational dangers. A large part of the final approach was in lining up on the same plane with Hermes before proceeding. Even though it wasn't dangerous they were very paranoid at the HRB. Sometimes he had to explain this to a few relatively impatient passengers when pressed about travel times. It seemed that some Earth Sphere natives did not exactly understand the idea that they were not the center of the solar system.
The door to the cockpit opened as a few of their passengers walked in. Including that cute scientist girl Will Baker has an eye on. Of course they would want to see this. Grandstanding he stood and did a little bow indicating the viewport. "First timers," he said in his most knowledgeable sounding voice. "The lightshow, nothing like anywhere else in the Solar System. It is a rather stunning sight. Personally, I never get tired of it."
"Indeed," added Captian Cole. "You may want get anyone else interested, this is the only place you can get a good view, since most of the ship is heavily shielded."
"Wow, it is amazing," said one of the other passengers, adding to the ahs of excitement from the others.
"Seems like this place will be far more fun than I thought," someone said. Will turned to see that it was the Test Pilot that caught Cole's eye. The pilot nodded again definitely impressed, "Damn look at that."
There, a large spot off the bow of the ship, was the Hermes Research Base. A huge dark space rock, backed on the reverse side by partially visible panels of metal. Behind it though was the true beauty. The grayish glowing orb covered in shadow, surrounded by a magnificent Aura of brilliant light. Then a little up and behind it a beautiful bright ball. A shimmering sphere of energy that appeared almost 3 times as large as it did back in the Earth Sphere. Such was the effect that it took the breath away. This was the only habital place in the solar system to get such a view, and it was close to the sun as many dared go.
"Welcome to the Hermes Research Base…." Captain Remers Cole said with a large smile.
"... Welcome to Mercury."
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MercuryThe closest planet to the sun. A sun blasted lump of rock barely larger than our Moon. A simple description yet perhaps not. As with most of the planets in the solar system Mercury is riddled with a multitude of strange quirks. One would think this the last place humans would try to inhabit, but its peculiar traits made it an inviting prize.
It is easy to think of Mercury as just a hot rock close to the sun, a common misconception, but the planet is actually place of extremes. Temperatures on the grayish world range from well above 400°C. But because of the planets peculiarly slow orbital spin the "night side" of the planet remains dark for long periods of Mercury's rotation around the Sun. Also, combined with the fact that not much heat is retained by the planet do to its small atmosphere, and temperatures can reach less than 160°C.
Before common people realized this, Mercury would have seemed like the last place in the Solar System anyone would go searching for ice. Scorched by the burning heat of the Sun any exposed frozen water would instantly be evaporated. But as it was theorized in earlier times, ice might actually be found there. It had been known for centuries that Mercury revolves around the Sun once every 88 days, the fastest orbital period for a planet in the solar system, thus its name. Mercury, after the messenger of the gods. But the fact that the Planet also has a rotational period of 58 days means that one side of the planet can effectively remain obscured from the suns blazing heat. Also the craters located mostly at the poles of the planet were special in that they remain perpetually shaded even when facing the Sun. As it was theorized, the water was indeed found. This was one of the particular traits that made Mercury inviting to the more independent, pioneering, profiteer minded humans.
These diverse factors managed to make Mercury far more hospitable and desirable than one would originally assume. This coupled with its one of Mercury's other main features. Its isolated nature.
Exploration to Mercury was curtailed in the earlier parts of the Universal Century due to the strain of a mass migration of 8 billion inhabitants to space. With all the Herculean efforts involved in just creating a sustained environment for a new class of people, Spacenoids, the exploration of the solar system fell to the wayside. Though some deep research expeditions did take place, a majority of such research missions were ended by instability in the earth sphere. Mainly the Zeon's war of independence, and other subsequent wars. But ironically it was those turbulent events that later contributed to the colonization efforts focused on the far flung reaches of the Solar System.
Around as early as UC91, some 30 years before the beginning of the Crossbone revolutions, independent and sponsored expeditions arrived to study Mercury with some detail. Which resulted in the discovery of water. That factor alone lead to a rush of various people to the area. Where there is readily available water, human settlements are that much more feasible, and likely to survive.
Mercury's original population consisted mostly of the scientists there to study the planet. It was not soon however that they were joined by various nomads and refugees seeking to eke out any living as they could on the dark side of the surface. Early attempts to settle the Planet were very dangerous. Due to the attempts by prospectors to find valuable minerals, early settlements on the planet were underground. These early shelters were substandard and poorly constructed but were maintained for around a decade. Later years saw the introduction of artificial satellites as settlements such as small planetoids, mobile bases, and stations. Even one miniature, closed cylinder colony of the O'Neal type, possible by maintaining a geosynchronous orbit with the dark side of the planet. Many of the more elaborate settlements were made possible because of a small rush of financial concerns that came to the area. Some were mining concerns, others were those looking for unregulated areas to conduct business. One of the largest ventures was by a Colonial based corporation, called Nexus Development. They did research into energy transference, and energy regulation. Nexus was looking for cheap and efficient ways of gathering fuel. They hoped to capture the relatively limitless energy of the sun by constructing large solar collecting satellites and beaming the energy back to earth in the form of microwaves. This large venture helped to boost the local economy for a time, as the vast array of collectors were constructed, but eventually proved unsuccessful as a major profit earner. Though a few of the satellites still operate.
Over the last few decades many of the settlements have fallen on harder times. As projects failed, or nomadic concerns moved on, the old settlements began to degrade from lack of maintenance with many settlements now dead. Still there were many who chose to stay in this area stubbornly. Simply for the reason of Mercury's other main feature, its privacy. Mercury is uninviting and out of the way and many found it easy to disappear into the area that lacked any official government presence. Criminals found these traits desirable as well. Ironically, it would be the general lawlessness in the area that drew the Federation to the Mercury sector to "maintain order" and protect the still functioning mining operations and collection satellites. Even then, a major Federation presence did not stay for long, but it was the Federation's love of Mercury's privacy that drew them to set up a base in their leave. A small highly independent and self-contained Supply Base that left a token Federal Presence in the area. This was, of course, part of its cover.
Covertly this supply base became the home of the Hermes Research Base. The ability to maintain a highly secure facility was becoming increasingly difficult close to home. They saw the need for a few far removed, private research and testing grounds, Mercury proved to be an ideal locale. Functioning as a Resupply base, and maintaining minimal contact with normal Federal Forces channels kept it under the radar. Overtime, more and more man power was transferred to and from the base. Systems and personnel ferried in to bolster the R&D capability of the station, mostly accomplished through subterfuge. The facility has mostly been involved in the testing and development of weapon systems and even a few high level research projects. As the Zexen Conflict was brewing it became rather apparent that the Zexen Mobile Suit technology was, by leaps and bounds, better than standard Fed suits. Thus a push was initiated in many of the Federation's Research and Development think tanks to develop mobile weaponry to first understand the Zexen's incredible breakthroughs, and then if possible develop technology to counteract it or bring their own projects into parity.
Though many related factors are usually involved in a war, it was well known that powerful Mobile Suit technology could swing the balance of a conflict. As was incredibly apparent during conflicts like the One Year War, and Cosmo Babylonia Wars. The Federation was not inclined to suffer that fate again. And so it fell to the Hermes Research Base, among others to achieve success…
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"It has finally arrived Commander Wasaw," a young officer said addressing the HRB Base Commander. The Officer had an amused smile on his face as he eagerly relayed this information. The Base Commander stopped what he was doing at the news. "It is about time," said the weary Commander of the Hermes Base, he leaned forward in his chair massaging his temples. A pile of documents obscured his desk, more on the IN pile than the OUT pile. He signed again, feeling even more tired now. Federation Research High Command had finally sent all the packages he needed to get their research projects up to speed.
After massive delays and annoyances, it would be good to progress forward. But secretly he dreaded their arrival. To think, just managing this base alone could produce this immense amount of paperwork and data, this many headaches. How much worse will things be when the main projects are underway, The Base Commander thought to himself. On the Brightside, at the least he would get those impatient scientists off his back. "Those Scientist were about to tire my last nerve about their project's schedule. Don't they understand the security process that added and extra 9 weeks to the travel time alone." He said aloud to the young officer, who did a good job of maintaining an impassive face at the outburst.
"Well that Dr. Mishima doesn't seem so bad sir." The young man offered.
"That's because you don't have to deal with all the incessant whining of the labheads all the time." The Base Commander barked, again rubbing his temples. "God Emerson I swear those people…" Base Commander Wasaw sighed heavily, "Well let's go check out the cargo Emerson. I want to see what those Moon boys have for us to test out here." The Commander yawned as he raised out of a chair he had spent long hours in. "Lets see what all this nonsense has been about. What everyone is 'supposedly' looking forward to arriving."
"Well sir," Emerson ventured. "I think more of us are interested in the news from the front sir. With the blackout we haven't heard anything good or bad for months it seems. .I would… many of us would like to know what is going on."
"Don't worry yourself Lieutenant," He said shuffling an unruly gathering of papers and other documents into order in his arms. "Here take these Emerson." He grunted. "Frankly I have no doubt we have routed the foolish spacenoids by now. It's always something with these inane colonist fools, they never learn."
Emerson hid his apprehension well at that comment. He was from the colonies after all, in fact his relatives fought for Zeon way back when. But Emerson held his tongue. He knew it would do him no good. In his experience Earthnoids like the Commander weren't even aware of hurtful comments like that. "Uh sir, another thing," he said handing Wasaw another piece of synthpaper, a bit clumsily as papers were now stacked in his arms. "Reports are in from sentry. It seems the lawless element from Delta Sig. point has been increasing again."
The Commander read the report quickly before leaving. Sighing again he joined the Lieutenant leaving the room. "Those pirates are getting rather aggressive again , one of the Aberes Mine facilities was harassed. Tell Captain Renolds to prepare the Casey. We may have to deal with the problem then if they are going to force the issue." He said as he joined Emerson as they walked down the hall.
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Hermes Main Docking Bay
A mass of personnel descended into the 'Great Hollow' of the Hermes Main Docking Bay. The base was made mostly out of an existing planetoid. It was easily hollowed out to suit the purposes of a supply base. Not much of the interior of the docking bay was made of metal, most of it was just the exposed and smoothed rock surface. "Up" above in the cavernous bay, one of the Hermes Research Bases' capital ships hung. An old Clop class ship, The Casey, sat secured and suspended by the clamps of its berth. Usually the ships were on hand to be worked on for routine maintenance, but no crew swarmed over the hull this day. Scientist, mechanics, and soldiers, edgy and giddy from the expected arrivals had gathered at the main landing approach. The new Suits would be here today. It was D-Day. The excitement of it all was affecting everyone.
One maintenance worker wanted to join in the "festivities" but he knew he had a few more activities to do… just like everyone else awaiting the transport. He just wanted to actually get his stuff done for the day before he cut loose. Like his current task, repairing a few problems in two of the Casey's Mobile Suits.
And he could get it done faster of course, if his assistant would well…assist him. He looked over to the other Mobile Suit and saw her small form, leaning back on the Mobile Suit frame. Her head nodding as she grooved to some tune blasting on her headphones, she lay back staring out of the open bay into space. She was lost to the world, again. "Reika!" yelled Ray Heinburg, to no response. Typical, he mused. He finished his latest project and sprung himself and his tools off of the suit easily, even though Ray was a larger man than most. A tall heavier set man he bounded down from the Jegan R he was working on quite easily, the low to nil gravity at the Hermes facility making such movement possible. He ran a hand through his low-cut course brown hair, as he approached his helper, trying to figure out how to handle her.
She wasn't a bad assistant. Not at all, he thought She was actually quite adept with machines and made a pretty decent mechanic. Ray smiled slightly at the thought. It was actually amusing watching her work sometimes. She once told the crew that she hadn't really any formal training, she seemed to just have a knack for machines, electronics. She said she loved taking things apart and placing them together again, loved to see how they worked. So Ray decided to teach her what he knew, and found to his surprise that she could do wonders…if she could focus on her work that is. She was a rather inquisitive girl always wanting to explore the world around her. Which, he had to admit could also be one of her bigger faults too. Reika would just get lost sometimes…
But it was more than just simple daydreaming. He once joked that she was like his old cat, Bartholomew. His old cat would just sit there sometimes for hours just Lost. Seemingly tuning out the world, just staring out into space. But he was later told that cats do that mostly because they where very sensitive creatures, it was more likely they were tuning in the world than tuning it out. Their brains trying to process that hoard of sensory data received by their hypersensitive bodies. Reika seemed like that sometimes.
Ray approached the suit she worked on and could now hear her softly singing the lyrics of some song she was listening to. There she was, lounging on the arm of her resized Jegan, like a cat, eyes closed, head nodding idly… A strange girl.
"R…."Ray started to say.
"What do you need? …Oh hey Ray," she said snapping out of her reverie, and interrupting Ray just as he decided to speak. She was a strange girl alright.
"Um Reika, you do know we have work to do?" He said, trying to talk with authority. "I want to be done with this work today you know."
"I was working on it….." Reika said trailing off. "Oh heh heh, amusing," she said blinking her eyes as she sat up, her head tilted slightly to the side. "Sorry Ray. I was…I don't know, thinking about something," she finished, noticing his scrutiny. She shrugged innocently, waving a lock of black hair out of her face.
"You aren't mad at me are you?" she said, giving him that winning smirk of hers. Ray slumped as if defeated, there was no use now, he could not stay angry at that adorable smirk of hers. Many couldn't. I wonder if she is actually aware of that fact though, Ray thought, knowing her I'd wonder… "Look kid." He tried again, waving his arms out to the side. "I know you haven't a care in the world. But come on, help me out here. I want to get done so I can go join the others…"
"No worries, I'm done." She said flatly.
Ray's mouth hung open, "What? But you said you were.."
Reika shook her and shrugged again. "Just a reflex I guess." She smiled sheepishly. "Maybe I like to procrastinate too much. Reflex response."
Ray could only look at her, his mouth gapping open still. "But when did you find the time to complete all your assignments? It took me a while just for that cursed S.O.B. over there."
"Mother was being a pain, again. And I was thinking of other things….I couldn't go to sleep really. So I came here. Worked all night to tell you the truth," She said, as if realizing it for the first time herself.
"Sorry I doubted you then Ms. Mishima." Ray said regaining his composure, throwing Reika his so-called "wry"" smile.
"Yeah it's ok, you know it helped me get my mind off things. I really hate it here sometimes…I find I actually miss the Earth Sphere…I miss my old life." Reika said looking back out into space.
Reika Mishima was the child of a Federal Forces officer and one of the researchers here at this base. With the war as it was, she was sent here to the Hermes to be with her mother rather than stay in the ever volatile Earth sphere. Ray wasn't actually sure what her mother did here, but he did know that the relationship wasn't too good between them. With a distant father, perhaps lost in the war, and a mother more involved in her work than her daughter, Reika was a textbook latchkey kid. On a whole order of magnitude greater. Someone more used to raising themselves that having a stable household. Ray figured she missed her clan of likewise off youths. "You know I do as well." Ray sympathized. "I haven't seen my home on the Earth in four years."
Reika nodded then jumped down off the mobile suit to meet him. "Hey Ray I'll help you mop up the other Suit."
Ray shook his head. "Naw. Why don't you take the rest of the day off? "
"Thanks. I guess," she said, looking at him quizzically.
"Going to wait for the MS to arrive?" he asked her. A little excitement in his voice. "It's Crazy but the MSI Project is finally going to begin testing. We are finally going to see the new Mobile Suits! I can't wait to see them… " It was well know that Ray was a Mobile Suit enthusiast, perhaps fittingly for the strange duo, Reika was a mobile suit lover as well.
"Well I guess I have been intrigued," she said. "Truth be told Ray, I've really been waiting for something else other the new Mobile Suits'." She looked down for a second, fearing that color was rising into her cheeks. Ray had to admit he was intrigued at this, something special was on that shuttle he didn't know about. "What do you think Ray?" she said, dodging his quizzing look with a question.
Ray rubbed a dirty hand over his face, which elicited a cute giggle from Reika, as it always did. "I don't think they would let an old grease monkey like me get a hold off them."
"Well I know but I was going to make sure I saw them one way or another. So I'm in no rush. You're free to join me" she said smiling deviously. "I have my ways…"
He held his hands up, in reserve. "I don't doubt that you do. Heh heh but I can't afford any time in the brig," Reika threw him that winning smile of hers as she left.
"Good night Ray. I'll see tomorrow. And don't spend forever on that last suit. I know you consider yourself a perfectionist but…."
Ray accepted her ribbing of his speed in stride. "Hey I'd watch it if I was you. Someone is going to have to get you out of Solitary young lady."
Reika left the Mobile Suits behind. A big smile on her face. Though it was more about who was on the coming shuttle than the equipment it was carrying. Will was coming. She hadn't told Ray about her friend yet. She hadn't seen him in months. He'd actually sent her a letter earlier in the year letting her know he might be on his way sometime. When she heard about the transport on approach she knew with certainty that Will was on it. Even though Ray and her had become quite close, there was something about Will Baker. Reika never felt as giddy as when Will was at the Research Base.
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It took another thirty minutes for the transport to land. As the outer bay doors closed the intermediary chamber was pumped full of atmosphere. Base Commander Wasaw had agreed to keep the Docking Bays of the Research Base closed for non assisted travel and work. He found it helped with productivity and morale, and only kept the doors open to space as necessary. Space could still be seen though through large reinforced Viewports, guarded by blast shutters. Those he kept open to help relax the stuffy Research Base.
The intermediary bay doors finally opened and the Signals Officer waved the Transer in. The first arrival of a new ship in about four months, the atmosphere of the Base was electric. The apparently old Transer class ship glided into the docking bay to some amount of fanfare. A larger than usual crowd of personnel populated the bay. The arrival of new transports had become something of an anticipated event around the Research Base, but this was special. Everyone in the bay probably had different reasons for expecting it. Some for precious information; On the war, News, mail, information on loved ones. A craving greatly exasperated by the bases security communication blackout, not to mention the isolated location of the base. Some looked forward to any new development or device to work on. Many, mostly the scientists, tech heads, and developers craved the updated data and equipment. But this was a special arrival to all. They were here. The new Mobile Suits…
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Once the hold was secured and pressure equalized the hatchway on the Transport decanted and the passengers of the old Transer walked out into the cavernous hold of the Hermes Docking Bay. Many were more that eager to escape the tedious and cramped quarters that they had spent so much time on, journeying through space.
A young man with a rather dazzling set eyes and shocking yellow hair bounded off of the exit bays. He looked around, taking it all in, as if judging the essence of the place. He nodded to himself and somersaulted over the breath of the crowd gathered around the shuttle and landed a few meters behind them. This of course drew the ire of a few Officers on deck. Already pissed off a few stuffed shirts, heh, they haven't even began to see my antics, the yellow haired man thought. Jehan Lasus though, did not care, he was definitely feeling appreciative to be out of it that cramped ship. He was just happy to be able to stretch himself without the cramp confines of the four walls in a shuttle. Sure it was a decent ship for its job, but far more cramped than even the smallest Federation ship. Especially when it was carrying a full load, stuffed to the gills with equipment and personnel. It was probably the worst thing to do to a man who couldn't fathom sitting still or seeing the same place for more that a short amount of timee. Jehan's mind and body were practically screaming to become active. How those shuttle jockeys did this for a living he didn't know. He nodded to the passing pilot…Will Baker, out of respect. "I guess it takes a certain kind," he mused. By God there was nothing to do on that trip. No trouble to get into…, Jehan thought checking out the assembled group of base personnel. And he was quite surprised to find one or two "intensities" shout back to him. He smiled wondering if they even knew.
Gathering his duffel bag, Jehan checked out the bay in detail, noting the Old Clop class up above. "Well looks like I traded one cramped space for another albeit larger one," he said aloud. It wouldn't be that bad though since the New Suit was here. He'd be as active as possible, more than that even with the work ahead of him and it filled him with delight. Jehan almost felt bad for the new Mobile Suits, he hoped they could handle him…
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All right you dogs!" yelled a stout officer handling a large cloth bag. He almost seemed comical, as the bag had to be twice his size, possible due to the low gravity of Hermes research Base. He took a hard stance, inhaled a large breath, and bellowed "Mail!"
A small melee started as people flocked to see if they would receive the goods. Will barely dodged that squall… when another storm found him. Though as storms went he definitely didn't mind this one. "Will!" the Storm blurted. A short, young, blur of black hair tackled him off his feet.
Disoriented, Will looked up at the hyperkinetic energy ball that he knew as a friend. "Hey cutestuff, it's been a while." Will Baker said, giving her his most roguish grin. He looked up from the ground and was rewarded with cheeks turning rather red.
"Will Baker, I told you not to take so long in stopping back by." Reika Mishima said, a faux pout on her face
"You know I have no control over that Reika," he said smiling, then looking at the attention they had drawn. And Reika's position over him... "Reika dear… Hey do you mind not straddling me here. We are sort of drawing a little too much attention." She only smiled at him, with that winning smirk of hers. "Hey Reika, you know I like you and all…." he said again as she moved to "dismount" him.
"Like you aren't enjoying it.," she said, as she got up and helped Will to his feet.
"Well yeah but…." Will purred, dusting himself off. "But I only just got here. I can't get myself hated on my first day back by drawing the attention of your admirers," Will said in jest. Will rose and let loose a long sigh as he stretched his tired muscles, almost falling backwards in the process. "By heaven, it is good to have some room. I'm a spacer born and breed for sure, but even I get a touch of the sickness after being cramped up for so long."
"About how I feel being trapped on this rock," Reika added with a gesture.
"What? This? This is cake girl," Will said waving to the space of the Docking bay beyond. "You know, I'm glad to be a spacenoid, I wouldn't want to be anything else. But sometimes I feel I get a glimmer of why the Earthers like to cling to that rock so hard."
"I couldn't even begin to image that kind of space," Reika thought a loud. "Even being colony born. It's almost…"
"Too opulent, I think would be the word." Will said shaking his head. "Ah well, let me get my stuff unpacked. Looks like I may be here for a bit."
"That's good to hear, we have some time to catch up," she said eagerly. A bright light in her eyes.
"How bout over some dinner tonight maybe?"
She stopped suddenly. "You askin me out?" Reika asked, flirtation and mirth in her voice.
"Huh? No…Are you kidding me? Imagine for a second the ire that would cause. One of the few babes on this installation and I sneak her up. Fresh off the boat."
"Flatterer." Reika interrupted.
"besides… 15 will get you 20. Kid. What do you take me for?" Will finished a devilish grin on his face.
"Kid? I'll have you know I'll be 18 very soon." She said hitting him in the arm.
Will deflected the blow and put her in the headlock. "All right Ok. I'll check you later. I'll be unloading my stuff for a bit, filling out forms, and generally being debriefed by these wanks deep and hard." Will shivered at the thought. "We were a little late and I bet they will want to know why. Don't wait up for me."
"Have fun then, don't let then make you do anything I wouldn't do" she said as Will started to make his way.
."Oh that doesn't leave much to hold out on, Miss capital T for Trouble," he fired back casually. Though he put his arms up in surrender at her quasi amused and shocked face. She started to leave again, on her way back to her quarters Will guessed. "Hey kid," Will said, turning Reika's head around. "You really have grown since I last saw you." He emphasized with purposefully creepy smirk.
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Reika was still a little heady as she made her way to leave the docking bay. Will was here but she admitted that things were a bit different now. Sure she had hit it off with him as if he never left but she felt awkward around him now. She felt embarrassed about this, but that certainly did not make sense. Why had she been so put off by his slick style, wit, and that handsome smile now and not in the past. Why was she noticing this now? She didn't really have the time to ponder her feelings over her old friend though.
As she was leaving the bay, she passed by the throng of personnel gathered around the shuttle. Easing through a small crowd she suddenly felt a strange sensation. A sharp bolt struck her, a tingling down her spine. Almost instinctively she turned and her eyes locked almost instantly on a young Earth Federation officer gliding across the bay. A young man with bright yellow hair, tall and lean. And his eyes. His shockingly piercing eyes, seemed as if they were on fire. He seemed to possess a palpable aura as if it was tangible. She hadn't felt anything as like it sense…. "Aden.. " she said without knowing.
"But that's not your name is it." She said mumbling to herself, unknowingly. The young officer flashed a smile her way, and nodded to her as he glided further away. Leaving Reika to muse what was wrong with her.
And like that the moment was gone. What in the hell was that… , she thought as she wandered back to her quarters a little frazzled but still excited.
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A large gasp escaped from everyone in the bay as the large transfer housing beds descended from the June Ates cargo hold. Large humanoid shapes lay flat on the transport beds, covered by thick grayish tarps and manacles. Lending the gargantuan Mobile Suits concealed under, the air of restrained giants, or some monstrous experiment that was not to be seen by the light of day.
One full suit came down the hold. Followed by another Mobile Suit which seemed to require a lot more assembly. It's Torso on one bed and the "Legs" on another. Once out on the open bay they were descended on by an army of technicians and soldiers. Some eager to get started on their work and others hoping to catch a glimpse of it.
"Finally Ms. Mishima, it took them long enough," said a dark haired scientist, brushing his long hair away from his face. He was gaunt, emaciated. A lanky man with sallow eyes, and a hard driven look in his face. "I can finally experiment on my little angels…it seems an eternity have I waited."
"I agree. The timing couldn't be better" said the female scientist standing next to her colleague, though there was an under current of ire to her voice. She didn't like to be called Miss. And he knows this, she thought. She had worked too hard to obtain her Doctorates and would be accorded the same respect as any of the other scientists at the station. But he still insists on playing his inane little games. Perhaps with these new "Toys" we can finally drop this foolishness and do something productive. She was a tall woman with short light blonde hair, and a somewhat ethereal, aloof beauty. She looked much younger than her 42 years of age. She spoke with an accented language compared to many on the station. It rang of an old European country many in space did not recall. She was Doctor Anastasia M. Mishima one of the researchers attached to the new MSI Project dubbed "Ikarus."
Her colleague was one Doctor Heleon Tomas. The so-called Mobile Suit master. Like he needs any more excuses to further bloat his already distended ego, Mishima thought with mild disgust. Tomas was the overall head of the testing to be done here and had personally helped with the design of the new machines and various theoretical technologies that would be apart of their testing. Mishima had to admit that his abilities did deserve respect despite the colossal ego involved. But such was the way of research departments and development teams. Give hyper-talented people a "pet" project and little fiefdoms were inevitably created.
Mishima wasn't about to cow to them though, she was far from ordinary in her own write. She was quite the specialist in her own fields of expertise. Mishima had come to this research base about two years ago. But she was tasked with paving the way for the others to come, to begin work on the new MIS Project rather late in her stay. Originally her purpose here was experimentation and research on another field of importance to the Federation. Then the newest wasteful war broke. And when High Command decided to move their new project out here, they drafted her into the project as well. Which they named Project Ikarus in an uncharacteristic show of mirth she thought. Annoyed at first, upon review of the projects goals, she found herself quite intrigued. It would be a delicious challenged to her.
Dr. Tomas had only arrived about nine months ago but immediately projected his authority. Usurping what resources and favors he could and generally marked his territory. Which Mishima expected, but when he began trying to make her jump through hoops then she knew she would end up detesting him. Since then their subtle and overt sniping had gone on pretty much the entirety of his stay at Hermes.
"While I am definitely glad to have something to do now that they are here, I still don't understand what all this fuss is about." Mishima said indicating the large crowd around the newly arrived shuttle. Though she knew she was just being disagreeable with Heleon.
Dr. Tomas glanced at her incredulously, a bright shine in his eyes. "Please my dear Ms. Mishima. You can not fool me. Besides I know with some certainty that you are just as eager as I to proceed." He looked over at her mysteriously before continuing, "And despite what you may think my dear lady I'm eager to see what you can do. Especially with your hands on our promised Pilots. Or should the word Test Subject be more apt."
Dr Mishima only hooded her eyes. One of her fields of specialty was in Human Neural Biology. Particularly in what some called Proto-Evolutionary humans, more commonly known as New Types. The "specially gifted" people, responsible for causing so much trouble for Federation in the current War.
The Zexen belief was that these Newtypes, mutations of human norm, were heralds to the next step in Human Evolution. This issue was one of many Mishima, and many other scientists in her field studied about Newtypes. So many unusual and phenomenal incidents involving Newtypes had happened over the years it was like pollen to bees for the scientific community. Feth take him, Mishima had to admit she was glad to finally have a decent setting to do extensive research on the beings. When she was ousted out here those few short years ago she thought she would have a few Newtypes spared to come out here. But things hadn't turned out that way, especially after the outbreak of war with the evolution fanatics the Zexen. The Federation had their hands more than full and needed any and every type of pilot they could get. Especially their own Newtypes.
"Ms. Mishima, how many do we have by the way?"
"I'm rather disappointed actually. They only sent us two," Mishima said with a little disappointment creeping into her voice. "And worst, one is artificial. This will not exactly help my research a lot, but it will do. Though I shouldn't be surprised what with the war. "
Dr. Tomas took a little enjoyment out of her dissatisfaction. "Two should be sufficient for my needs," he added with childlike glee.
"Hmmp. I just hope your little toys can handle them. I've heard stories about these types of hotshots. Especially when they are…unstable."
"Oh you'll be surprised by what these machines can do," said Dr. Tomas closing his eyes, a little smile playing across his face.
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Yeah well I said it would be a while between chapters. A lot of shake ups in the life of Tsavong Lah have seen to that.
This chapter was originally about twice as long. But how insano is it to put out a chapter that long. No one would want to finish it. Time for some judicious rewriting and reploting. I had a few ideas I want to implement . This thing is flowing nicely. The idea river that is…
Thanks to any one that is giving this a chance. I appreciate it. Make sure to let me know if you spot any errors. Or just want to chime in on something a little off, the outside perspective helps. Did I put enough description of the environs? I think that is one of my flaws, I sometimes get to bogged down with dialog that I don't describe what is going on in the background. At least I feel this way. Did you all get a good feel for Hermes?