Episode 5: Ominous News
The year is After Colony 205. After successfully carrying out a coup d'etat, Mikol Esroni has Mars secede from the ESUN and begin building up military force. On Earth, the Preventer Corps and the Gundam pilots prepare for war. It has been only eight years since the Mariemaia Coup, and already, the peace is fading…
Milliardo Peacecraft, known to his friends and family (with the one exception of his sister) as Zechs, sat up in bed next to his wife Lucrezia Noin Peacecraft. A month or so ago, they had been the senior government officials on the Red Planet. Then Mikol Esroni had carried out a coup and confined them to their mansion. However, Esroni had not counted on some of the features Zechs had had built into his estate. Reaching over, he shook Noin's shoulder.
"Noin," he said, "it's time. We have to act now." Noin murmured wordlessly in her sleep and rolled onto her back, then woke up.
"Sorry. You're right. Let's go." Slipping out of the bed, she dressed quickly as Zechs did the same. Then, walking over to the decorative fireplace, the pair of them simultaneously pressed a knot on the wood paneling to either side of the hearth. Nothing happened. At least, nothing happened in the room. Deep below the foundation, never-used machinery stirred to life.
Zechs and Noin ducked under the mantelpiece and stood in the chimney shaft. Slowly, the square of material on which they were standing began to sink. After what seemed like aeons, Zechs and Noin were standing in one corner of a cramped hangar.
The cramped hangar was cramped because it was just large enough to hold a single shuttle capable of interplanetary travel.
"Well, this is it," Zechs said.
"Yeah," Noin agreed. "Let's get going." And she led the way into the shuttle cockpit where they both strapped themselves in.
Taking the controls, Zechs announced, more out of habit than any real necessity, "Hangar doors open, path clear." Indeed, one end of the hangar was opening from a vertical slit in the middle. Behind the doors was a dark tunnel that sloped sharply upwards. "Launching." The shuttle's main boosters roared to life, and the small craft shot out of the hangar and up the tunnel.
In Martian Launch Control, things were going smoothly for a change, and 1st Lieutenant Karen J. Miller was quite content. Quite content, that was, until one of her subordinates brought her attention to the unidentified shuttle that was launching from the middle of nowhere.
"Has it responded to our hails?" Lieutenant Miller asked, though she already knew the answer.
"No, Ma'am. Shall I try again?"
"No. Is it a Martian design, or a complete unknown?"
"It's one of ours," her subordinate confirmed. "We're getting funny engine readings from it, though."
"If it's one of our designs, it's probably some testing a new engine concept for our R&D. Top Secret, so naturally they aren't responding. Let it pass."
"Are you sure Ma'am?"
"On second thought, send out a pair of Vulturises for close-range inspection, then call them back."
"Damn," Noin said from where she was monitoring the secondary sensor display. "They're launching two suits at us."
"Um," Zechs said in reply. "If we accelerate, we'll only confirm their suspicions. I say we hold our speed steady."
"But if we do that," Noin objected, "we won't reach escape velocity in time."
"Alright then, we'll accelerate just enough to reach escape velocity," Zechs decided, easing the throttle forward.
"Ma'am, the shuttle is accelerating."
Karen frowned. "Only slightly, Corporal. Besides," she did some quick calculations, "They've only accelerated enough to reach escape velocity. Presumably that means that whatever they're testing is intended to be used in space, and they want the test data to reflect that."
"Oh," the corporal said.
The two MD Vulturises were now flanking the shuttle. Up close, they resembled Tauruses with their elongated head units.
"Do you think they've caught on?" Noin asked.
"No. If they had, they would have ordered us to return the moment their MD were on either side of us. I don't know what they think we are, but it's not escapees."
As he spoke, the MD peeled off to return to whatever hangar they had launched from.
"Excellent," Zechs said. A few moments later, the shuttle left Mars's atmosphere. Zechs aligned the ship towards Earth and shoved the throttle forward. Blue fire burst from the ship's thrusters, and the two of them sped away, disappearing amongst the stars.
At Vulkanus, Roche Nattono climbed out of his lifepod looking not at all his usual aristocratic self. His hair was unkempt, and his face was covered in a short beard. True to form, however, he stopped by his quarters and made himself presentable before going and reporting to Commander Une.
Lady Une was waiting for him in just a plain Preventer's jacket, the only clue to her rank the five gold stars on her collar. The contrast with Roche's barely-within-regulations tailored uniform was marked.
"Captain Roche Nattono, reporting," he said.
"Very well. I heard that you came in a lifepod. What happened to Lieutenant Aretha and your ship?"
"Well, Commander, as you know, we were assigned to keep Mars under surveillance from our ship, which was concealed inside a hollowed-out asteroid. About half a week ago, we observed a mobile suit made of Gundanium break through the cloud cover and cruise about. The pilot must have detected our fusion emissions, because the MS approached the asteroid where we were hidden and proceeded to investigate. I had readied the missile pods and was monitoring their comm traffic. Thus we, Lieutenant Aretha and I, learned that they had mistaken us for an unmanned station and were going to bring us in and attempt to dissect the circuitry. I then decided to take a chance by surprising the Gundam and engaging it in combat. I hoped that the element of surprise would allow us to destroy it; a vain hope, though it was severely damaged. Based on the reaction time we observed, in conjunction with some of its other features, I believe that the Gundam is equipped with the PX system. The Gundam withstood two missile volleys, then destroyed the ship. Lieutenant Aretha and I managed to get to the lifepods in time, but Aretha's was captured."
"I see," Une said. "At which point you decided to return to Vulkanus and notify me?"
"Correct, Commander," Roche replied. "If I may say, Commander, I know we have a number of Virgos here. Perhaps a strike now could convince them to reconsider secession?"
"No, Captain, they won't reconsider. They feel justified in their decision, and an attack now would only be handing them a propaganda weapon.
"Also, they will have captured the contingent of Virgos we kept on Mars. Our R&D department is working on a redesign of the Taurus. When they are put into production, I'll give you command of our first unit."
"Thank you, Ma'am!" Roche turned and left the room.
On an L4 colony, the Gundam pilots gathered at the Winner Mansion. Relena was there as well, because Heero refused to let her out of his sight. The purpose of the gathering was twofold: it was an anniversary of their descent to Earth, and it was an opportunity to discuss the roles that they would play in the coming conflict.
"All right, everyone," Quatre said. "It is time for some serious discussion. What should we do during the conflict that we all know is coming? We will stand up for peace, as we have always done, but how will we do it? Should we fight, or work away from the front lines?"
The silence that followed while the others digested the issue was broken by Duo. "I say we fight if we have to. You know, a sort of elite group Lady Une can call on if there's an absolutely critical spot that needs defending, stuff like that. But only in defense."
"We should at least help teach the Preventer pilots," Trowa said.
Wufei added his opinion: "I think that we should take a more active role than what Duo and Trowa suggested."
"I like concept of a solid core of battle-hardened veterans supporting the rookies, but the Preventers already have that in the many ex-OZ members. I also like the idea of performing purely in a defensive role," Quatre continued. "Heero, what do you think?"
Heero was silent for a moment, then spoke: "I think we should start out as a defensive group, like Quatre said, maybe with a little emergency reserve function thrown in. If, as the war progresses, we find ourselves needed in an offensive role, we should do what needs to be done for peace. However, I myself will not be fighting."
"Because of your commitment to protecting Relena?" Quatre asked.
"Partially. But also because... I don't have to kill the little girl anymore."
"It's your decision, Heero. For my part, I didn't expect you to fight," Quatre said.
Mariemaia walked into Lady Une's office. "Lieutenant Kushrenada requesting a transfer, Ma'am!" she said.
Lady Une hid a smile as she turned to face Mariemaia. "A transfer, huh? To what division?"
"Mobile suit pilot, Aunt Une."
"Mobile suit piloting, hmm?" I wonder… "Zhacque Lejeun just joined straight into that division. Did he tell you?"
"What? No," Mariemaia replied.
"Well, the only unit with vacancies is the new one that he's in, commanded by Captain Nattono. Zhacque is a Lance Corporal, by the way; you outrank him."
"Great," Mariemaia said.
"I'll have your transfer papers ready by tomorrow, Mariemaia."
"Thanks."
The next day, Mariemaia and Zhacque reported in to Captain Nattono for their first day of pilot training.
"Alright, rookies. I regard MS piloting much as falconry was once regarded in far distant ages past, as an art practiced by the noble and chivalrous. However, my job is not to impress upon you my philosophy but rather to teach you how to survive in battle. Toward that end, I'm going to put you in the simulators and assign each of you to a side in one of the historical battles we have records of. Each side will have its own goals. The purpose of this exercise is to isolate those of you that have leadership qualities.
"In group A will be Lieutenant Kushrenada, Ensign Peters, Corporal Breton, and Privates Grey and Treadwell. Group B will be Ensign Sullivan, Lance Corporal Lejeun, and Privates Phinney and Nadeau. Now, scramble!" Roche watched as the rookies ran toward the sim units.
Mariemaia strapped herself in and powered up her displays. As her main screen activated, it was filled by Roche's head. "Listen up, Lieutenant. Your unit is a part of the UESA Army. You have been assigned to take your squad of Leos and destroy the rebel unit operating in this area. Understood?"
"Roger. Retransmitting to my squad," Mariemaia replied, and Roche disappeared.
On the screens of Ensign Sullivan's unit, Roche appeared and gave them their assignment.
"You are a rebel unit operating independently of the rest of the army. Your mission is to seize vital supplies and munitions for the rebels and, if possible, to capture advanced enemy weapons." He disappeared.
"Alright, people, we're in Leos armed with machine guns. The enemy will have machine guns at least as good as ours, probably better, and beam sabers," Ensign Sullivan said. "Now, historically, the rebels won this battle by setting up an ambush at…"
"… at Point Q, which is on your maps. The rebels probably won't opt for the historical formation, but if they do, what we'll do," Mariemaia was saying to her unit, "is swing around this cliff face here to take them from the rear…"
"Excuse me, Lieutenant? How do we figure out if they're using the historical tactics?"
"Congratulations, Private Grey. You just volunteered for scout duty."
"Oh."
"Now if they don't go for the historic approach, their only other viable option is to set up in the ravine near the road. Even with only four Leos, they can bottle us up in there."
"So if they go there, how do we get them, Lieutenant?"
Mariemaia smiled predatorily. "We set up at Point Q and wait for them to come to us."
Zhacque asked Ensign Sullivan, "But Sir, what if the UESA force anticipates us being here?"
"They won't, Lance Corporal. Why would they?"
The two MS were at Point Q, the end of a ravine that branched off from the valley where the road went through. The rebel Leos had been camouflaged to blend with the outcroppings at the entrance to the dead-end and the trees above on the slope.
Just then, Private Phinney commed on a tight channel, "I see one. They're coming right at us."
"See?" Sullivan said smugly to Zhacque.
"Sir, I don't think this- If they fell for it, where are the others?"
Sullivan frowned as he considered. "Good point, LC. All rebel units, hold your fire until we can get more information."
Zhacque watched the enemy Leo draw closer and smiled grimly.
Private Grey walked her MS cautiously into the dead-end ravine. Scanning her sensors, she breathed in relief and commed Mariemaia, "Lieutenant, Grey here. I've reached Pt. Q, no sign of the rebels. Shall I return?"
"Negative, Private. Instead I want you to stay in position. We'll be joining you shortly."
"Roger. Grey, out," Grey said.
"That Leo isn't leaving, Sir," Zhacque pointed out the obvious to Sullivan.
"I can see that," Sullivan replied. "They obviously didn't realize we're here. I underestimated Lieutenant Kushrenada. She anticipated our plan and sent a scout ahead to check."
"If I may say so, Sir, I know Lieutenant Kushrenada, and I think she might be heading here."
"Heading here? Why? No, LC, she'll most likely stay wherever she is. Yes, she'll stay put and send out scouts, trying to locate our position."
The enemy Leo wasn't watching the top of the cliff. "I think one of us should go scout for her base of operations," Sullivan was continuing. "In fact, I'll go out myself. LC Lejeun, you have command of this position until I return."
"Roger that," Zhacque replied as Sullivan eased away from the clifftop.
Sullivan, once certain he was out of sight of the enemy MS, began running along. He had a shrewd suspicion the Lieutenant Kushrenada was hiding on the other side of the road. He had just reached the road when the enemy's other four Leos burst over the ridge across from him. One of them had a shield in addition to the ubiquitous machine gun.
Mariemaia saw the rebel MS across the valley. "Fire! Eliminate the enemy scout before he can report to the rest of them!"
Her troops opened fire as one, and Sullivan's single stream of bullets paled into insignificance against the barrage that hit him. His MS's left hand disintegrated, and the front of his Leo was scarred and pockmarked. He fired at the one with the shield, assuming that it was Mariemaia. The suit dodged the bullets and returned fire. Its aim was dead accurate; the screens of Sullivan's cockpit went yellow, then black. A message in red flashed there: OUT OF SIMULATION. Then screens cleared, and he was watching as Mariemaia's troops headed for his unit.
Zhacque, meanwhile, was exercising his abilities of command.
"Phinney, Nadeau, on my mark, commence comm jamming, to be ended upon the audible signal of, 'clear,' and ready your weapons to fire on the UESA MS; got that?"
"Roger. Standing by."
"Roger and ditto."
Zhacque waited for a few moments, then said, "Mark!" Raising his machine gun and aiming it at the enemy MS, he removed the camouflage and flipped his external speakers on. "UESA Leo," his boomed, "you are surrounded. Drop your weapon and exit your suit."
In her cockpit, Pvt. Grey began to panic when she heard the voice. "Lieutenant, this is Grey. I am surrounded and in need of support."
"You can't contact your comrades," the voice continued. "We have you jammed. Drop your weapon and exit your cockpit, or we will open fire."
Grey released her controls, making the Leo drop its machine gun to the ground. Then her screens went black and displayed a 'sim over' message. After a moment, the screens cleared and she, like Sullivan, was watching without being able to affect.
Roche's voice came over Zhacque's speakers after he cleared the jamming. "Congratulations, Lance Corporal. You have just captured a UESA Leo. What now?"
"I take the captured Leo and its weapon, but I also keep my old gun and ammo."
"Very well," Roche said, adjusting some data in the control center. "Continue."
"Alright, Phinney, Nadeau, get back in your camo. We wait. I know Mariemaia will be coming here." Just then, he received an audio-only comm call.
"Grey, what happened? We lost your signal for a moment." It was Mariemaia's voice. Dialing his transmitter down to the minimum amount of data, he said, "Sorry. A rebel attacked me. I've subdued him and taken his suit's weaponry."
"Your signal is weird."
"I know. I mean, the rebel damaged the comm transmitter. Otherwise, everything is normal here."
"Good. We took out another rebel on the way, so there's only two left. See you in a bit, Grey."
That's what you think, Zhacque thought with satisfaction, saying, "Roger. Grey, out." Switching to his unit's channel, he said, "Okay, Pvts., the enemy will be here shortly. When they arrive, hold your fire until they are all in the ravine. I'm going to my position on top of the cliff. When I say, 'I see the rebels,' you come out shooting; understood?" To the answering pair of affirmatives, he replied, "Excellent." Switching off his comm, he murmured to himself, "Let's dance."
Mariemaia led her troop into the ravine, stopping her MS below the one Zhacque had captured and was now piloting. "Well done, Grey. You did a good job today."
"Thank you, Lieutenant"
"I'll send someone else out to try and lure the last two rebels here; you've earned a break."
"No need. I see the rebels coming now."
"Where?" Mariemaia whirled her Leo around to see the MS of Pvts. Phinney and Nadeau block off the end of the ravine. "Uuunngh," she said, as bullets slammed into her suit from her rear. "Pvt. Grey, what are you doing?"
"Pvt. Grey has been captured, Lieutenant Kushrenada. This is Lance Corporal Lejeun. Tell your unit to surrender themselves, or they will die."
"Zhacque… what?"
"I am sorry, Mariemaia. But I have a mission to accomplish. Besides, it's just our first sim mission. Not even your father could have won all his battles."
"All right…," Mariemaia sighed. "UESA Leo troop, this is Lieutenant Kushrenada. The enemy has offered us a choice: surrender or die. I don't want to see you killed for no reason, so please, lay down your weapons."
One by one, the UESA Leos put down their guns and sabers. The screens went black, then were filled with Roche's head. "Simulation terminated. Well done, rebel forces. We will continue simulator training tomorrow with the same campaign; you will keep the equipment gained, and the same teams. One change, however: Lance Corporal Zhacque Lejeun, you are now in charge of the rebel detachment. As such, you are awarded the acting rank of Chief Warrant Officer, which carries the same authority as a junior-grade lieutenant." Murmurs of shock arose at this last. It was unheard of to jump clear from Lance Corporal to Chief Warrant Officer. "And if you're interested, I'll see about turning your warrant into a regular commission."
"Thank you very much, Sir."
"Don't thank me yet, Chief. If you don't do as well tomorrow, I'm bumping you down to Sergeant."
"Right. I'll keep that in mind, Sir."
"See that you do," Roche replied. "Dismiss!"
Continued In Episode 6: The Dance Goes On