Disclaimer: See chapter one
Chap. 45
As the tekka-completion process continued, those within the Space Knight command center were moving around frantically in order to assist the two knights in the battle outside. But their efforts were minimal compared to the awesome force of Virgo Dolls they came down on them. In the laboratory within, the three tekkamen were still in their chambers, waiting for their tekkaforms to reach 100%
"How much longer?" Honda asked impatiently, which was an unusual behavior for him.
"Another three minutes, sir."
Honda frowned as he looked at the monitor displaying the battle outside.
"They may not last three minutes." he muttered to himself.
As he said those words, Aki and Tekkaman Dead where locked in an intense battle with the Virgo Dolls. With Dead's assistance, Aki was able to drive the machines away for a brief time. But as the numbers grew and the Dolls continued to descend, even Dead's great power began to wane from the massive strain of the disruptor crystals. And with Aki at half strength, the two were being forced back toward the command center.
'We're not doing too well.' Dead thought as he dodged an energy beam coming at him. Sighting the source, he raised his wrist and fired a couple of bolts at the doll, ripping it up and destroying it. Dead then engaged his crystal hawk mode and flew into the squadron of doll in the sky with him. However, due to the energy decrease, his power was only enough to destroy a few dozen of them before he had to stop. But they continued to drop from the sky like a plague of locusts.
On the ground below, Aki was fighting the dolls close range in order to conserve her energy. Relying solely on her melee and martial arts skills, the Scarlet Tekkaman sliced and diced through the Dolls one-by-one. But she was only destroying the front line machines. If she went too deep into the armada or if they managed to surround her, she wouldn't have the power to escape. Her armor was already damaged plenty and the red garb that covered the armor was torn up. They would finish her off quickly. But her current strategy was only slowing them down and not by much. They were still advancing and firing wildly at them. One of the beams hit her lancer just before she could strike and it flew away back. Aki went to reach for it, but the area was soon covered with beams. Aki jumped back and lashed out her energy wire. It hooked on to the lancer and she flicked her wrist. The lancer shot out of the ground and spun though the air, slicing three Virgos in half. But the momentum wasn't enough and upon contact with the fourth Virgo, it got stuck in the dolls chest. Aki landed back and tried to find a way to reach it, but the lancer was already to deeply entrench in the enemy forces. And the numbers were just too much for her to even attempt to reach it, much less come back out alive. In a nutshell, she was in trouble.
'We just need a little more time.'
********
Sank Kingdom…
The white peace of the Sank Kingdom was now slowly being ravaged by the very same destructive force occurring at the Space Knight Command Center. With a greater number of forces attacking them, the defenders of the kingdom where being pushed back as well.
"Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!"
One of the white Taurus exploded beside Noin and she slid away from the explosion. Noin sighed bitterly. That wasn't the first soldier that was killed by these lifeless machines and judging by the continued assault, it wouldn't be the last. She had never seen anything like it. The enemy forces were coming in sheer numbers, threatening to overwhelm everything. It seemed like an impossible battle. But Noin knew impossible battles before. And there was no way she was going to abandon the Sank Kingdom.
'Come on!' she roared mentally as her Sol-Tekka flew into action. Meanwhile, Wing Tekkaman was doing the greatest share of damage to the enemy forces. Thanks to the influence of the Epyon crystal, he plowed straight through the Dolls without being touched. But the crystal had long taken over Heero's mind as the altered tekkaman was fighting in a berserker style and with an uncontrollable rage; driven by one thought.
Destruction...
***********
Relena stood before the massive window in her quarters, watching the battle that was unfolding before her kingdom and drawing ever closer. This was exactly what she had feared of seeing. The kingdom now locked in an unavoidable war.
"Seems like the Sank kingdom and its peaceful ways have been dragged into this war."
Relena blinked and turned to the voice that came from behind her. Standing right there was none other than Dorothy Catalonia.
"Why are you still here, Dorothy? You should evacuate with the other students."
Dorothy smirked, "I couldn't possibly leave without seeing how this all turns out."
Relena sighed to herself and looked back out the window. Dorothy took a step toward her and stood slightly beside her, looking out the window as well. Unlike Relena, whose face was etched in sorry and deep thought, Dorothy continued to smile as she watched the battle take place.
"What are you going to do now, Miss Relena?" she asked. "Are you going to continue fighting? Or perhaps you're going to ask the other nations for help?"
Relena frowned lightly, knowing the implications of either choice would only result in more battle and death.
"It's not possible for the Sank Kingdom to make such a choice."
Dorothy turned to her, "What other choice do you have? If the Sank is destroyed, then your dream of peace will stay just that. A dream."
Relena turned to face her, "That won't happen. Peace is the dream and wish of all people."
Dorothy shrugged and looked out the window.
"Look at them. Isn't it wonderful that they are all fighting for their lives for peace?"
Relena didn't answer.
**********
Earth orbit…
Kaboommmm!!!!
In orbit of space just above the Sank, Zechs continues his own battle with the descending Virgos. A few squads had stayed behind to deal with him and reinforcements were arriving just behind him as well. To make matters worse, Tallgeese was in bad shape. Parts of its armor were damaged severely and the quantum cannon had been totaled, leaving him to fight with only the saber. The energy cells were mostly drained as well, leaving the machine to fight at 35% power. Zechs himself wasn't without injury as various bruises were on his body. Yet despite this and the odds against him, Zechs managed and continued to fight on.
'I will not let history be repeated!'
Tallgeese's venier boosters opened and the battered white machine flew into the horde. The Virgos fired relentlessly on the machine, but Tallgeese took the damage face on. It blasted through the dolls and a moment later, they all exploded right after sliding apart from the saber slashes. Tallgeese soared through the dark sky and rotated back for another pass, but some of the dolls had followed him through and attacked him much closer than he anticipated. Tallgeese raised its sword to block, but it was minimal and the energy beams pelted him thoroughly. The saber showed a few signs of wear as the beams continued on him and ultimately, it shattered. Zechs growled aloud as he tossed away the broken saber.
"I will not be stopped!!!!"
Without thinking, Zechs put the Tallgeese into full burn and charged at the dolls. He had no weapons to speak of, but he didn't care. He would use the machine's hands if he had to in order to destroy the dolls. Heck, he would fight out in the vacuum of space alone if need be.
He did...
The crystal on his chest shimmered to life and glowed brightly, flooding the inside of Tallgeese, causing light to spike out from within. The light grew in intensity and the Tallgeese suddenly exploded. The white machine sent debris in all direction and the dolls halted their attack. But they were soon in for a surprise as another flash emerged from within the explosion.
A crystal hawk. A huge crystal hawk...
The dolls were completely incinerated at the huge energy wave soared past them like a diving falcon. The crystal hawk continued its flight through the attackers, vaporizing them all as it swooped past. The energy finally began to die down, revealing the form of a primary body tekkaman. However, it was unlike any primary body ever seen. In addition to the usual dull-looking armor, there were a few extra armored pieces that jutted out from it like crystals. On his back were sleek protrusions, much like the ones that were on the back of Wing Tekkaman. Also, his wrist armor was equipped with its own set of voltekka cells. Cells that he raised upward and pointed another group of dolls. The energy charged quickly and a massive wave of energy blasted out and annihilated them. However, Zechs was far from in control. His mind was flooded with various images and information. In an attempt to make sense out of it and with the approach of a new set of dolls, he could only focus on one thing.
Destruction...
********
Space Knight Command Center, battlefield
"Yahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!"
A fist into the faceplate of the Virgo was crushed as Aki sent her fist into it and jumped away. Despite what she thought earlier, she decided to try to reach for her lancer. The dolls had begun to surround her so it didn't matter to her either way, so long as she could buy some time. 'How much longer will it take?' she thought as she landed a kick on another doll and jumped away. Her lancer was now in reach and she lashed out her wire to snag it, but one of the dolls got in the way and it was deflected away. Aki blinked with surprise as two more dolls came beside it and fired on her. She dodged the first beam, but the second one hit her on the right arm. Aki cried as she fell down to the floor. She struggled to rise, but only managed halfway and wound up on one knee. The dolls closed in on her and made ready to fire when several red energy blades shot out from the sky and tore through them, destroying them. Aki used the time to recover her lancer and used it to push herself to her feet while Dead dove out from the sky before her. His armor was equally as damaged as hers, but that didn't stop him from summoning the voltekka cells in his lancer. Dark lightning charged around and emerald hair whipped around in the maelstrom as Dead cried.
"VOLTEKKAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The dark wave of energy emerged and decimated the oncoming dolls. Aki was a bit surprised by the rescue, but she didn't complain. Dead's beam soon dispersed and he knelt down to the ground himself, his energy completely drained from the attack. But the dolls continued to come at them.
"Chief, come in."
Aki blinked. It was Honda on the communication line.
"Mission accomplished. They're finished."
Aki sighed in relief, "Understood. Returning now."
Aki stumbled toward Dead and helped him to his feet. Slinging his arm around her shoulder, she looked up at the rapidly approaching Virgo dolls.
'You get this round.' Out loud, "Pegasus!"
On command, the teknobot soared over and down low to the ground. Aki hopped up, still holding Dead as Pegasus swooped under them. Aki landed on the machine's top and flew away back to the command center.
**********
Sank Kingdom
The battle raged. The Virgo dolls had now crossed the country and were now beginning to march toward the populated areas. They showed no signs of stopping as the fired continuously upon the white Tauruses. Noin was forced to move her group back against the buildings and trees to use for cover. But it wouldn't last long.
'They are relentless. They won't stop until everything's destroyed.'
Shrrrrrriiiiiiiinnnnngggggggggg!!!!!
Noin caught the sound that was soon followed by an explosion of dolls. Noin looked out from her place to see…
"Quatre!"
Indeed it was Quatre, or rather Tekkaman Sandrock.
"I'm glad I made it in time."
Sandrock rushed through from the left and brought his massive blade lancers down upon the dolls. As he charged to the next target, beams of energy flew from behind him. But he wasn't deterred, for the target of the beams were the dolls as well. Charging in behind Sandrock, the Magnagac fired from behind their master, covering him with rounds from their beam rifles. The group soon joined with Noin's remaining forces and the battle shifted slightly, with the Sank Kingdom's defenders pushing a bit more into the offensive. But even this lasted briefly and soon the overwhelming forces of Romefeller took back the tide of battle.
"Damn." Quatre growled softly as he slashed through another doll. "It's still not enough."
********
"I don't have time to discuss your liking of war, Dorothy."
Dorothy continued to grin, wondering if she had in fact gotten to the young ruler, "Now that's not fair, Miss Relena."
"Not fair?" Relena questioned.
"You use such sweet words like peace and pacifism to lure everyone. But when it comes down to it, you don't do anything."
Relena's hand clenched into a fist and tightened, "It's not that I don't do anything."
"That's right." Dorothy spat. "You can't do anything. Total pacifism wouldn't have become a reality to begin with."
Dorothy turned to the opposite side of Relena, while Relena watched.
"What do you mean?"
Dorothy folded her arms behind her back and looked up, "Human are nothing more than animals that fight. Whoever it is that gains the victory, becomes the leader. That is just how nature is."
Relena continued to gaze at Dorothy's back, "That will not bring about peace. That is pure domination."
Dorothy shrugged, "Perhaps. But it's far more of a reality." Turning to Relena, "Tell me. What can total peace do in a world full of war?"
Relena's eyes narrowed, but a sudden explosion caught her attention and she looked back out of the window. Several energy blasts had hit some of the capital buildings and the palace. The battle had escalated from bad to worse as the dolls had moved beyond the Sank's borders and into the town itself. The remaining defenders were in a grueling battle and it was beginning to take its toll.
"This is it." Noin murmured as she piloted her Taurus into the air. The Sol-Tekka was fairly damaged and its power had been drained low. She landed it on the ground and fired a few shots, but they were answered by several more beams from the dolls.
"Miss Noin!"
Sandrock came to her rescue by chopping down the dolls, but it was only a few and he was soon besieged by energy beams. He raised his blades to block the attacks, but the beams wore on his armor nevertheless. The dolls continued to fire and more beams hit the palace directly.
"Miss Relena!" Noin shouted in horror.
However, Relena was perfectly fine and was moving out of the palace into one of the shelters her students were in. They were all huddled up in their own group with their friends, fearful of the battle outside. Dorothy followed behind her as well.
"What use is peace now? There is nothing it can do to help here. You've become Romefeller's prey." Dorothy then quickly whipped around Relena to look at her face-to-face.
"Now is the time to fight, Miss Relena."
Relena looked down sorrowfully, "Yes Dorothy. Humans fight. But that doesn't mean its the right thing." Her eyes rose and locked, "I believe that people can choose a path of peace without fighting."
Dorothy stretched her arms out in a mocking display, "You're so wonderful when you preach your ideals! Just one word from you and those soldiers who are discontent with OZ will come right to the rescue. Who knows? Maybe even the Space Knights will come as well."
Relena gazed at Dorothy thoroughly before she looked out the window. The streets and buildings of her once beautiful kingdom were now in flames. Burnt craters were scattered over the grounds as well and trees and cars were either smashed or burning. 'I guess…that is the only way.' With this silent resolve, she turned to Dorothy.
"If the Sank Kingdom and I are the cause of more war, then I must start a new path to peace."
Dorothy smiled, believing that she had finally reached Relena's heart. "Of course, Miss Relena. You must act first."
Relena shut her eyes and eyes and then reopened them, "I will need to speak with Romefeller."
Meanwhile, back in the battlefield, Tekkaman Wing had also seen the attacks on the capital and palace and for a moment, Heero's mind surfaced.
"Re...Relena..."
But this moment of sanity was brief as the Epyon crystal seemed to feed off his thoughts and Wing began his carnage anew upon the Virgos
"RAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!"
*********
Space Knight Command Center
In the cockpit bay, Aki had just emerged from Pegasus after it docked. Moving to the side, she grabbed one of the robes and wrapped them around herself before turning to Honda who had just entered the room.
"How are they?"
Honda nodded, "Everything went well. They're tekka-forms are now completed and the new weapon systems have been installed successfully."
Aki nodded and began to walk when she stumbled a bit. Honda moved to catch her, but she had caught her footing on time. She was badly weakened from the battle and it showed by the heavy sweat on her face. Honda began to worry. If they could drain out tekkamen like her and Dead, then the three knights would have similar problems. Probably greater since two of them are equipped with weapons that they don't know how to use. And that in itself was dangerous, just like when Yumi used the Reactor Voltekka for the first time and damaged the Space Ring.
"Aki. Will they be enough?"
Aki took a breath and answered, "They'll have to be." But that didn't silence her own doubts.
*********
Sank Kingdom
"Here you go, Miss Relena."
Dorothy had finished inputting the connections to the communication relay and handed the microphone to Relena.
"As you wanted, you're connected to Earth, space and even the Foundation's private lines. But I doubt anyone from Romefeller will come to your aid."
Relena didn't answer her as she took the microphone into her hands. Dorothy then activated the vid-screen and soon, the entire world and space was looking at Relena's face. Taking a deep breath, Relena began.
"I am Relena Peacecraft, the representative of the Sank Kingdom."
From a nearby room, the students and Pagan was watching the broadcast.
'Miss Relena.'
"At present, our country is under attack from OZ."
In outer space on the Lunar Base, Col. Tuberoff was watching the same broadcast.
'Is she trying to get help from the other nations?' he thought with disdain. 'What a conceited child.'
"The Sank Kingdom does not wish to take up arms and fight, but if our country is to become a target and a cause for war, then the kingdom will yield its sovereignty and dissolve."
At the Space Knight Command Center, D-Boy watched the broadcast with interest and walked away as it continued.
"No matter what happens, the Sank Kingdom and its principal will not be the cause for any fighting." Relena closed her eyes, readying for their next words. "I too will surrender to OZ."
Noin gasped after hearing that over her communicator.
'Miss Relena...'
Relena opened her eyes once again and spoke her last words.
"This will be my legacy to peace. So please, stop fighting. There is no longer a reason to fight anymore."
The lines were then cut off, leaving everyone with this stunning revelation. The Sank Kingdom...has surrendered to Romefeller. This particularly caught the attention of the representatives of the Foundation and especially their leading representative, Duke Dermail.
'That's quite bold of her. Such power...could be of some value to the Foundation,'
As the communication finished, Dorothy smiled gleeful and took a hold of Relena's hands.
"Wonderful. That was absolutely wonderful, Miss Relena."
Relena obviously didn't share enthusiasm, "You do not have to call me Miss anymore."
But Dorothy went on, "Oh, but I must. Now more than ever."
Relena gave her a quizzical look. Sometimes it was hard trying to decipher the long blond-hair girl. Soon, Dorothy released her hold on Relena and gestured to the door.
"Miss Relena. I'll personally escort you to the Romefeller Foundation."
Silently, Relena moved ahead with Dorothy trailing behind her. As they walked to the limousine (don't ask how it survived), Relena's eyes were cast downward, realizing what she had done.
'I'm sorry everyone. But this is the only path I could take.'
******
Space Knight Command Center
"She surrendered?" was Natasha's gasped reply to the news. After the process was completed, they quickly got into their uniforms and were ready to fight when word of the Sank Kingdom's surrender reached their ears. The command center was still under heavy fire, but they seemed to have slowed down a bit.
"That doesn't sound like the Relena I know." Anita mentioned.
"On the contrary, that sounds exactly like the Relena Peacecraft we know."
The group turned to see Aki walk into the hall. Her face looked badly fatigue, but she gave no evidence of any weakness.
"For peace, she gave up her kingdom." she said quietly. "It's an example to follow."
With that said Aki turned to the nearest communication terminal and asked Honda to patch them in to Romefeller's broadcast. Honda was a little confused, but did as order. Once done, Aki spoke.
"Attention OZ forces. This is Aki Kisaragi, Chief of the Space Knights. In response to the surrender of the Sank Kingdom, this command center will be surrendered to you as well."
It wasn't as grand as Relena's speech, but she had made her point, much to the shock of the other knights.
"Chief, that's crazy!" David shouted. "We're surrendering?!"
"The command center, yes. But not you guys." She turned to face them. "You all will have to leave this place."
"Leave?"
"It's a risk, I know. But it's the best thing we can do right now. A frontal attack now wouldn't do us any good any more. And I believe you can all survive on your own for awhile until you can return." Her glare became hard, "But for now, Romefeller must not control the tekkamen, understand?"
The group looked at her with a stunned silence. It was at that moment that a communication came back from Romefeller.
"Space Knight Command Center. Your surrender is accepted."
"Understood." Aki spoke back before cutting the line. Looking at the knights once again...
"You don't have much time. Go now, all of you. And take care."
The group looked to one another, seeming unsure about everything. Then surprisingly, Yumi folded her arm up in salute, which was followed by Hayato, David and soon the rest. Aki smiled lightly as they accepted the order.
"Yes Chief."
The knights soon turned around and walked off, leaving Aki by herself, or so it seemed.
"Aki..."
Aki didn't have to turn to know that D-Boy stood behind her, well shadowed in the background.
"I know. You have to leave as well."
D-Boy moved up behind her, "Not for long. I will be leaving with Noal. There's more going on than we think."
"Just go, D." She crossed her arms lightly. "Please be careful..."
D-Boy gave her a light embrace from behind before releasing her and exiting the room. Now truly alone, Aki walked back to the corridor she had come from. Opening the door, she gazed up at her machine, Pegasus.
"I guess it's time."
***********
At the Sank, the doll continued to march toward the capital. But they had ceased from fighting and were merely beginning to secure positions on the battle ravaged land. As they approached, the others who had been fighting were left to themselves.
"Master Quatre." Ahmed called. "We can still fight."
Sandrock however, shook his head. "No. We must respect her decision."
From behind, Noin, still in her white Taurus, strode up beside Sandrock and watched the forces invade the country.
"Quatre. Will you come with me?"
"Where?"
The Taurus's head shifted upward, "To outer space."
"Hmm." Sandrock gazed upward as well. The sun was beginning to descend and the stars were beginning to take up the sky. Wistfully, he answered,
"Back to outer space. Very well. I'll come."
And so it was on the same day, both the Sank Kingdom and the Space Knights surrendered to the power of Romefeller. However, the Space Knight team, Noin and Quatre had fled long before Romefeller established control. Aki remained behind in the center under their watch and was a bit surprised to learn that her position, although now limited, would not be changed and she would still act as Chief. However, the disappearance of her team has put her in an even more difficult position. Back at the Sank, forces have gain total control over the country except for in the mountainous region. There, forces were still in battle with a single tekkaman, who was currently wiping them out.
"YAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Wing Tekkaman, still under the influence of the Epyon Crystal was waging a one man massacre on the Sol-Tekkas and Virgo dolls. Nothing seemed to be able to stop him or his insane rage.
A star twinkled above…
--------------
The Sank Kingdom is no more. With Relena's announcement, the battles have ended and the smoke is allowed to clear. The Space Knights have scattered across the globe, looking for ways through the chaos. Relena is brought before Duke Dermail and he offer her an interesting proposal. But Heero continues to fight in a one man assault until he is confronted by his counterpart, Zero. Next on Gundam Tekkaman- Zero vs. Epyon