Copernicus City, the Moon
February 5th C.E. 70
Everything was in place, all their targets were in one spot for them; it seemed almost too good to be true. But it was, they knew it was time to bring an end to the UN's tyranny and a new war would start between Coordinators and Naturals. One they hoped would be the last war humanity would ever see.
"Are they in position?"
"Yes Commander. Everyone and everything are in place sir. T-minus ten minutes."
The Commander nodded. "Excellent. Clyne's ship?"
"Delayed due to the tampering of our agents. It won't arrive for another half hour." his subordinate replied.
The Commander smirked. "As the Prophet once said, The rivers shall run red with the blood of those who oppose us. But this time, it will flow by their own hands."
Today was momentous day. The final round of peace negotiations between the United Nations and the PLANTs was to take place in Copernicus City. The UN leaders were already there, waiting for Siegel Clyne and his entourage. They had just received word that Clyne would be late due to a technical malfunction. But all and all, the UN leaders were hopeful. With the growing spread of Tiberium across the planet and the increased civil unrest chased by the Brotherhood of Nod, the United Nations needed to focus their attention to those two treats.
A Copernicus Security Officer entered the meeting hall. "Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. May I have your attention?"
Everyone turned to him. "Yes?" Secretary-General Cartwright asked.
Suddenly, the man pulled out a detonator. "In the name of Kane! Peace! Through! POWER!" the man shouted, pushing the button on the detonator.
Bombs hidden within the room and within the whole building detonated. In an instant, the entire building was engulfed in a fireball.
The hideout rumbled as the bombs exploded. A moment later, it passed. "Report." the Commander said.
"One moment sir..." one of his men said. "Confirmed. The bombs detonated. The building has been destroyed."
"Good. We're evacuating. Pack everything up. Tell our field agents to withdraw. I want nothing left behind." the Commander ordered.
His subordinates quickly began to carry out his order. He smirked again. "Now, let us hope that Mr. Tolk can complete the second half of the operation in the days to come." he said, adjusting his white mask.
E.A Central Command
JOSH-A, Alaska
Cosmic Era 71
"Kaohsiung has been completely overrun and the ZAFT forces have taken much of the island." The young officer said, reading the report to the joint commanders.
"Well there's no surprise. Kaohsiung was always the least protected Mass Driver. I can't help but wonder why they built it on Taiwan rather than in China, where it could be better defended." Admiral Thomas Dunham said with a downcast look.
Secretary-General Nathaniel Hood, Head of the Earth Alliance and Commander-in-Chief of the E.A, let out a tired sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose. The war was steadily turning against them. Despite their numbers, they were losing to ZAFT and the ICR due too their mobile suits. "Have the units stationed on the border of the Middle east moved. We need to reinforce Panama and Victoria before ZAFT sets its eyes on them as well."
"But sir," General Jack Granger, E.A's overall commander of their North America forces, protested. "With all due respect, we need those units to keep an eye on Nod."
"I'm sorry, General Granger. But we can't waste combat units in the middle of a war, waiting for an enemy that may or may not actually attack." Hood replied, already tired of this argument. "Kane is dead and Nod is but a shell of it's former self. They may have mobile suits like ZAFT and the ICR, but their military is too small for them to be a realistic threat."
"Kane has been dead before, just as Nod has been broken before, sir. Yet they've managed to come back every time." Granger pointed out. "It would be foolish to believe otherwise."
"Really, General, I did not expect you to be the type to chase after phantoms." Captain Sutherland, Commander of JOSH-A said, his tone condescending. "Your father was there when Kane was killed in Cairo. He saw that madman's death with his own eyes."
Granger turned to look at Sutherland, his eyes narrowing at the man. "And to his dying day, he did not believe that Kane was truly gone."
"Enough!" Hood said, his fist hitting the table. "At the moment, Kane and Nod are the least of our worries. ZAFT has taken one of our Mass Drivers and will likely try for the other two. If we lose both of them, our space-based forces will collapse. The Mass Drivers and the G Project are our top priorities. Speaking of that, what is the status of the G Project? How much longer until they are ready?"
"Sir, the Archangel and the eleven prototypes have been completed and the pilots of the machines will be arriving within the hour." Admiral Tein answered. "In three days, Captain Locke will take the Archangel to Ptolemaeus to finish the field tests there."
"How long until we'll be able to mass produce?"
"Within a week or so." He said. "We are close too finally developing a Natural O.S, and we have already created several units too test the Natural O.S."
"I still don't trust using Orb to create those machines." Sutherland said. "They left the United Nations decades ago, and yet we're entrusting them with something so vital. Not to mention their still part of AISDI."
The sound of fingers tapping the table echoed through the room. "Why worry about something like that?" The young voice said, catching their attention. "I'm more worried about things like the units' power supply. With the N-Jammers, we can't use nuclear reactors and batteries that are nowhere as effective. Especially when Nod has such an effective power system."
"No, don't even think about that, Azrael." Granger angrily said, glaring at the speaker. "We are EA, not Nod. Using Tiberium goes against everything we stand for."
Muruta Azrael bowed his head in apology. "My apologies, sir. But as I've said before, we're still having energy problems around the world because of the N-Jammers, so why shouldn't we use every resource available to us?"
Granger shook his head. "Using Tiberium is the Nod way. Not the EA way. If we become dependent on Tiberium, we'll be no better than Nod."
"I agree." Hood said. "Tiberium is destroying our world. Already, ten percent of the Earth has been rendered uninhabitable for human life. Our focus should be on Tiberium containment and eradication."
"Understood sirs." Azrael said.
Outside Sarajevo
C.E. 71
"Peace Through Power."
The greeting was simple, quick, and automatic, a motto of the righteous, and he responded immediately.
"One Vision, One Purpose," he replied with a smile as he extended his hand. The figure before him, clad in a black uniform with a thick, ceremonial red cape flowing out behind him, shook his offered hand.
"Brother-Captain Moone," he said, happy to see his old friend once again. "It has been a while."
"Time means nothing in the service of the Brotherhood, Commander Tolk," replied Moone. He turned and gestured behind him, down the hallway, wreathed in blood-red light. "Come, Commander. The meeting room is this way." Commander Joseph Rawn, a slender, Black-haired, blue eyed man clad in the simple black uniform of Nod officer, nodded as he walked down the passageway, flanked by his friend.
"You are still only a Captain? I would have expected you to have become a Major or higher after these years," he asked as he walked, and the taller, Ian shrugged.
"In the service of the Black Hand of Kane, rank is of little importance," he replied. "We are each awarded according to our skills and each given a station in accordance with the grand vision of Kane." Joseph nodded, smiling at his Brother's dogmatic devotion to the One Vision; ever since they had been Zone Runners a decade and a half ago, Ian Moone had always been exceptionally pious and devoted to the Brotherhood's mission and the One Purpose. Joseph was no less devoted, but he didn't allow his faith to interfere with his duties; it was that reason that he had pursued his advancement into the ranks of officers, while his old war comrade had taken the path of a warrior priest.
"I have not been told of why I was summoned here," Joseph remarked, and Ian shrugged again, his cape rippling. They passed by a prayer room, dozens of acolytes seated around a holographic projector that was displaying General Kilian Qatar, giving her famous "Origins of Nod" speech.
"You have seen it yourself, have you not?" Ian asked. "The preparations are well underway, and doubtless your summons have been made as part of the greater plan."
"I will admit that even I managed to notice the troops massing here," Joseph said.
"You only noticed there were many more Sisters present than normal," Ian shot back, and Joseph grinned.
"A lady, particularly a devotee of the Brotherhood, never escapes my notice, old friend," he explained. "But I would like to know what my purpose is in this plan."
"You will learn in a moment, brother," Ian replied, for they had paused before a large doorway. The Black Hand took off his left gauntlet and extended his had, the glittering green Tiberium tattoo that engulfed his fingers shining in the red light. Laser scanners played over the complex weave of green crystalline filaments carefully woven into his flesh, and the door slid open.
The room beyond was a chapel, filled with waist-high mist that glowed pink in the red lighting. Jack stepped forward, and noticed that Ian had stayed behind, his head lowered slightly as he stayed in the doorway. Frowning, Joseph stepped deeper into the room.
To his left were long rows of pews and seats, enough for hundreds of Nod worshippers, but no one was seated in the metal chairs. To his right, before high red and white stained glass windows, were a trio of data screens, rising out of the ground in man-height obelisk-shaped mounts, projecting lines of holy Nod texts in the divine, archaic script of the Brotherhood.
The chamber was empty, and Jack walked toward the center of the room, wondering why he had been summoned to the chapel.
"And he cried in a loud voice: Lazarus, come forth!"
The voice shook Joseph, and he stood stock still, not believing what he was hearing. The words, the sounds, the voice echoed in his ears, a familiar voice he had heard countless times, but always recorded and artificial. This voice was real, and it was here, in this room.
There was movement to his right, behind the obelisks, and Joseph looked up, shock and awe filling his body as he laid eyes on the figure who emerged, framed by the brilliant light streaming from the stained glass.
"And Lazarus did arise from the grave."
His smile sent shivers of devotion flowing through the Commander, and Joseph dropped to his knees, lowering his head as he saw the father of the Brotherhood of Nod, his Messiah and the one who was destined to lead the world into the golden age of Tiberium.
Kane.
Joseph was speechless for the first few moments. He had heard rumors, and knew that the UN claimed to have actually killed Kane in the Second Tiberium War, but had no body to prove it. The faith had been kept strong throughout the Brotherhood for the last two decades, and Joseph had dreamed one day of seeing Kane's prophetic return….
This was . . . far too incredible to ask for. He was being spoken to, personally, in the flesh itself, by Kane himself.
"Rise, my son, and look upon me," Kane spoke, and Joseph slowly turned his gaze up toward the messiah, who regarded him with a gentle, understanding smile. He was bald, his head completely shaven, and his mouth wreathed with a close but thick mustache and goatee, perfectly trimmed and immaculate. Kane's dark eyes glittered with unfathomable intelligence and unshakable faith and generosity, and his voice echoed of knowledge, mercy, and benevolence that knew no bounds.
Kane raised his hands slightly, and Joseph understood his intention. Slowly, he rose to his feet, to face the messiah as an equal.
"I have always believed that faith was measured in deeds, not words," Kane explained as he stepped closer, "and while many of my children worshipped my name, their deeds betrayed them."
Joseph nodded, Kane's words striking a chord within his own faith, as if he knew the Commander down to his heart and soul. It was chilling and yet liberating at the same time.
"In my absence, they strayed from the path, but you, my son, your faith never wavered," Kane continued, his smile growing. "Not in Honduras or Jericho, or in the great Rio Insurrection. You risked your life countless times to topple the ASIDI and the E.A, to perpetuate our cause . . . to honor my name."
Joseph nearly choked, for at that moment Kane bowed his head to him, for only an instant, his gratitude nearly making the soldier's legs go weak. That Kane himself would acknowledge his actions as such was an honor he could scarcely believe, and Joseph honestly felt he didn't deserve, and yet it had been placed upon him by their messiah.
"Now, my son," he said, raising his eyes to meet Joseph's once more. "I must ask you to once more bring glory to the Brotherhood. I have seen that our enemies has grown vulnerable, bloated by arrogance and complacency. Divided by this Bloody Valentine war. Now is the time to strike! While they congratulate themselves on Tiberium advancements Nod made decades ago, while they are distracted by a pointless war on meer Genetics, we will expose their weaknesses for all the world to see!"
As Kane spoke, his words came faster, more furiously, more passionately, and Joseph felt himself being lifted up and carried by the messiah's emotions, the anger and contempt in his voice as he spoke of casting down the fascist Earth Alliance, and Allied Independent State Defense Initiative, the heathens and infidels that fought against the glory of Nod and the truth that was Tiberium.
"What do you ask of me?" Joseph asked, and Kane's anger faded, replaced by a sudden, understanding smile.
"I have assembled a small fleet for you. It consists of one of our new Stealth Cruisers." Kane Explained. "You are too set a course too the Orb Resources Satellite of Heliopolis."
"Heliopolis, sir?" Joseph asked.
"The E.A has been developing new mobile weapons, my son." Kane said. "The Orb Union industry Morgenroete has been aiding the alliance in there development, and developed 8 mobile suits for them. However two other suits have also been created in secret for the ICR. As we speak, a joint-attack fleet of ICR and Zaft ships approach Heliopolis too claim their prize, and capture these 'G-Weapons'." He then smiled as he gazed at Joseph. "Your mission, is simple: I need at least one of these G-Weapons."
Joseph bowed again, and Kane gestured toward the entrance of the chapel.
"Go now, my son," he commanded, and Joseph straightened. "More glory than you can possibly imagine awaits us, but only if you succeed in the mission I have laid out for you."
"What is this mission?" Joseph asked, curious as to what his leader would have tasked him with.
"The first shots of the Third Tiberium War, my son," Kane replied, his smile wide and genuine.
Three days later
Glen-Class Light Cruiser
ICRS Reinforce, Joint Zaft/ICR Task fleet en-route too Heliopolis
Cosmic Era 71 January 25th
Jordan Takeo, a young boy at the age of just 16, with short dark brown hair, and brown eyes looked out the porthole of the locker room of the light cruiser, ICRS-Reinforce and he couldn't believe what he was about to do. Usually, he actually likes a good fight every now and then, but this was different. He was to be part of a commando raid against a Neutral Colony.
Heliopolis was owned by Orb. A supposed neutral nation, but they were secretly building weapons for the Alliance according to their agents. In fact it was one of those same agents who actually proposed the idea to the Atlantic Federation after the combat debut of ZAFT's and the ICR's (under ZAFT command at the time) mobile suits. So, in truth the agent was "handing" these weapons over to them. Not only that, but members of Morgenroete even developed mobile suits that were to be given to the ICR.
Jordan took a glance at the reports of the five weapons he and his team were to collect. The other mobile weapons, the Strike, Blitz, Aegis, Buster, and Duel, were to be taken by Athrun Zala and his team. While the other two units that were built in secret for the ICR in the first place, the Katana, and Claymore, were for him and his brother to acquire.
Of course, they still have too be very careful. If Nod were too catch wind of this, they would no doubt use it against them.
Jordan and his brother were, of course, related too the famous General Ishmael Takeo of Orb. Well, now he moved from Orb too the ICR, and became a General for the AISDI forces. He supported Orb's ideals of Neutrality, but he knew that If the E.A won the war, it would spell out BIG trouble. His Grandfather knew that the E.A wouldn't stop until ALL nations that supported Coordinators were part of the Alliance.
Though Jordan had too give them some Credit, though. The E.A has done a good Job in holding them off with their current tech. At the time, the only mobile suit force they had were their GAT-06 Yeti series. And despite being just a little faster than a GINN while in space, all they were was mobile armors with Feet and arms. Their O.S's were so simple a child could probably use it, but the same O.S couldn't function in any other mobile suit being so bad.
But it does show how far they've come in their Mobile suit development. All the more reason too get these Prototype's ASAP.
Jordan then put on his Flight suit. It was an ICA flight suit, but customized to his appeal. It was mostly dark blue with a Red and white trim. One his suit was on he took one more glance at Heliopolis, and sighed.
"Hey, you OK?," said a male voice he recognized immediately.
He turned and saw his elder Brother, Matthew Takeo, floating towards him in his Black and Gold pilot suit. He also had dark brown hair, only his was more longer and shaggier than Jordan's. He was just as tall as him, and had the same brown eyes.
He sighed as he answered her question, "Honestly, I don't know. Sure if this mission succeeds we could win the war in short order. Another part of me thinks; why do we have to attack a neutral colony to do it?" he told him with uncertainty in his voice.
"It's alright Jordan. I know the war changed you somewhat, but, we have to carry out our duty. And besides, the quicker this foolish war ends, the sooner we can go back home."Matthew comforted him as best as he could, and it seemed to work a little.
"Ya, but still…" Jordan said. "I hope that Kira will be Ok."
"Kira?" Matthew asked. "What does she have to do with the attack?"
Jordan gave His brother an incredulous look. "Am I the only one that tries to keep in contact with her?" he asked incrediously.
"Well, you were the only one to have a crush on her." Matthew commented, causing Jordan to blush furiously, and Matthew to laugh. "S-shut up Matt!" Jordan shouted, before regaining his composure. "Anyways, last time I talked to her she said she lives at Heliopolis now, and she's made a few new friends too."
"Competition?" Matthew asked while grinning, and Jordan just glared at him. "Matt, Shut. Up." he said slowly.
Matthew chuckled at that. "Well, I'm sure she and her friends will get to shelters in time during the attack." He said. "We're just here for Morgenroete after all. We're not here to destroy the colony intentionally. Now come on, we got a mission."
Jordan nodded, going back into their professional modes and they sped towards the hanger bay were the rest of the I.C.R compliments of the raiding party were at.
Hidden Nod Stealth Ship
Commander Joseph observed the overall battlefield on the bridge of the Nightmare-Class Stealth Cruiser, Shadow. The Nod Stealth team had already launched for Heliopolis. They were taking a separate route than the one the ICR and Zaft were using.
In the center of the Holographic display on the bridge was Heliopolis itself. It was an old Sawyer-Class open type space colony. It was out of the way, and held no strategic value in the war so it was very much ignored up till now.
Second, was the ICR/Zaft Fleet. It was small, but still dangerous. It consisted of Three Madagascar-Class Destroyers, a Glen-Class Light Cruiser, a Taygete-Class Command Cruiser, a Laurasia-Class Frigate, and finally a Nazca-Class Destroyer, a Grand total of 7 ships, and an estimate of about 34 mobile suits of Zaft and ICR origin.
Elsewhere was his own smaller fleet. All he had at his disposal were two Experimental Nightmare-Class Stealth Cruisers, and a Tiber-Class Supply ship. The Tiber-Class was given some make-shift stealth systems so it wouldn't be detected by anyone during the operation. They needed that ship in order too transport the G-Weapons they capture.
In addition, his two Cruisers carried four mobile suits each, so this gave him a total of 8 mobile suits. He had Four NOD-BH100 Purifiers, two on each ship, and four of the more new NOD-BH125 Zaka's.
His forces were outnumbered 3 to 1 here. He wouldn't stand a snowflake's chance if he got into a fight with the ICR/Zaft fleet. Stealth was critical for this operation.
In addition too his own Fleet, and the ICR Fleet, there was also a single E.A Fleet not too far away, just beyond the sensor range of the ICR/Zaft fleet and Heliopolis. It had one Agamemnon-Class Space Carrier, Eight Nelson-Class Battleships, and sixteen Drake-Class Escort ships. Joseph assumed that they were too be the escorts for the E.A Battleship Archangel.
This could be a problem. The E.A Fleet may move in too attack the Zaft/ICR fleet when they raid Heliopolis. Sure it would make a good distraction, but he didn't want things too get too crazy around here.
"Well, this will be interesting by the looks of it." A voice said too his left. Joseph looked too see a young 21 year old male wearing the a custom Nod uniform witch was now Red as oppose to standard black. He stood at 6', and wore a white Helmet and a steel grey mask over the upper half of his face. "This looks like its going too be a full Free-for-All battle."
Joseph nodded in agreement. "I agree, Commander Shepard." He said. "I think we should just get the G-Units, and get out before things hit the fan."
Roy Shepard, the Demon of Mt. Everest, nodded. "Yes, though may I suggest we have our pilots on stand-by? In the event we were discovered…"
"Do it." Joseph said. "I'll send word to the Ghost too get their suits ready as well. I know that we can't win in a one-on-one fight here, but I hope we can avoid that. However, in the event we are discovered, you launch and try too hold them off long enough for us too escape."
"Yes, sir." Roy said, as he left the bridge.
Joseph then took a look at the screen displaying the Heliopolis interior, and frowned ever so slightly as he watched the citizens of Heliopolis go about their daily routines; completely unaware of what's going to happen. He felt sorry for these people. Dispite being a commander in Nod, Joseph hated seeing the deaths of Civilians. Being them Nod, E.A or otherwise.
It was this reason he absolutely detested the bloody Valentine incident. Though it was true Nod provided the Nukes too Blue Cosmos, that was the doing of a rouge faction of Nod who were about as hostile against Coordinators as Blue Cosmos were. Some members of Nod called them 'Red Cosmos.' They are not really part of the Brotherhood, and they give the true purpose of Nod a bad name.
Joseph knew whether or not Kane supported Red Cosmos, but he had a suspicion that he detested them about as much as he did. Kane, despite what people think, is a kind man. And there are several rumors around that Kane may be a Coordinator himself. Though these are just Rumors of course. No hard proof behind them at all.
Joseph silently prayed that only a few civilians would perish today. He knew that the ICR and Zaft will do what they can to minimize civilian casualties, and he hoped that it was enough.
Nod Infiltration Team
The Nod team silently moved through space as they approached Heliopolis. As they entered the colony itself, one of the members smirked. 'Time for these selfish fools of Orb to get what they deserve.' he thought as he traveled through the corridors with his teammates. 'A shame that this isn't the Orb homeland itself.'
"Remember, everyone." The Leader of the team said on their personal Radios. "Fire only when fired upon. We don't want too alert anyone with our presence here."
"Understood, Ma'am." The other Commando's coursed.
"Ya, ya, let's get this over with." The man said.
"Argis, I don't want your Trigger-happy self too blow our Cover!" the lead commando demanded.
"I said alright! I'll be 'stealthy' Regina." Argis Sakiris said. "Let's just get this over with."
Though unsatisfied, Regina just sighed. "Alright, when we secure our G-Weapons, have everyone else evac back too the Nightmare."
A course of 'yes sir's' answered her, as they moved into Heliopolis.
Inside Heliopolis, at a park.
Kira Yamato sighed as she typed away at her laptop. She was 16 years old, was around 5'5" with wavy chocolate brown hair that fell just past her shoulder blades that framed amethyst coloured eyes that sparkled with kindness, she had a slender frame with C-cup breasts, and was wearing a sleeveless black dress shirt along with black jeans and running shoes.
Professor Kato had given her a lot of work do and the guy who was suppose to be working with on this with him, had decided about thirty minutes ago to take a break and had yet to resume working.
"You know, you could actually start working again." she said as she looked up from her work and at the only other person in the gazebo.
The other person, a Coordinator named Joey Bowman, was currently playing his guitar. Joey was sixteen years old and a few inches taller than her. He had dark blue eyes and dark brown hair that was a little shaggy. He was wearing blue jeans with a simple leather belt, a black t-shirt, and a gray unzipped hoodie.
Kira had known him since she first moved to Heliopolis. And she was actually a bit surprised when he met him. Kira had heard rumors that Joey frequently picked fights with people. Leading Kira believe that he was violent person. Something that Kira would later learn wasn't true. Though he did get into fights, he had never seen Chris start a fight. Rather, all of the fights he did get into were in the defense of someone getting bullied by someone else or to protect himself. Most notably he would often release all hell if his Sister, Sarah Bowman, or more recently, certain Red-haired rich girl.
"I could." Joey replied as he continued playing his guitar. "But you're so much better at this than I am."
"Professor Kato asked for us both to do this. So could you please get back to work?"
"Alright, alight. Tell you what. You finish that page your on and then I'll take over for awhile and you can take a break. Deal?"
"Deal." Kira replied as she resumed her work.
A news report came on about the ZAFT invasion of Kaohsiung as Birdy landed on Joey's head.
"Birdy. Birdy." the mechanical bird chirped from its new perch.
"Hey! Get off of there!" Joey shouted as he tried to brush Birdy off of his head.
Kira chuckled at the scene as she half listen to the news report. "Oh, so you think this is funny, hu?" Joey said, glaring at Kira who just chuckled louder.
"Hey, he's just attracted too you for some reason or another." She admitted. "Why, I'll probably never know."
"…what's that suppose too mean?" Joey said darkly. Kira merely shrugged. "I'm just saying I don't see what's so special about you too him is all." She said, with a little grin etched on her face.
"Well, maybe he thinks I'm smarter after the Balloon prank." Joey said, causing Kira too blush.
"I told you never too speak of that again!" She half/shouted, causing Joey too laugh. "Oh come on, Kira, I thought you looked great with purple hair!" he said, causing Kira too blush at the memory.
"Shut up!"Kira shouted back as she crossed her arms across her chest and huffed in agitation "I swear you live just to tease me."
"Of course he does, if he didn't who knows how tense you would be Kira." a mirthful voice said, turning they saw a 5'4" tall male with brown hair and green eyes and a average build, beside him was a 5'3" tall girl with brown hair, blue eyes and a slender frame.
With them, were also a young girl who looked to be 15 and was an inch shorter than Joey, she had dark blue eyes and dark brown shoulder length hair. She was wearing faded blue jeans with a rip in the left knee, and a Black/White stripped hoodie. Next to her, was a 5'3" tall red headed blue eyed 16 year old girl wearing a pink dress.
The girl giggled as Kira blushed an interesting shade of crimson. "Mir!" Kira shouted at the girl as the said girl started laughing harder "It's not like that!"
"Sure Kira whatever you say, right?" Mirralia Haw teased as she playfully elbowed her boyfriend Tolle who was laughing at Kira's flustered expression.
"Ah, I don't think it would ever work out between those two anyways." The 15 year old said. "Their more like a brother/sister thing like me and Joey."
"Ya, that's true Sarah." Jake said. "What do you think Flay?"
The red-head, Flay Allster, just shrugged. "Eh, I dunno." She admitted. "Though, what about that Jordan person you mentioned to us once Kira?" Flay was the daughter of Vice Minister George Allster in the E.A. And is a Blue Cosmos member. As such, he hammered down loads of anti-coordinator propaganda into Flay's head, and her views were just like her Father's.
However, When she met and befriended Joey, Kira, and their friends, and finding out they were Coordinators, she started questioning her and her Father's beliefs, and now she not only tolerates them, she accepts them. This only increased the day some thugs tried too pick on her, and none other than Joey Bowman came too her rescue. Since then, the red head has had a bit of a crush on the young Coordinator.
Meanwhile, Kira blushed a slight red at the mention of one of her childhood friends. "Well…uh…" she muttered.
"Oh, does Kira have a childhood Crush?" Sarah said with interest as Kira's face became increasingly red. "W-well, kinda…" she stuttered out.
"Well, what was he like?" Mir asked with interest. "From what Sarah told me you told her, he sounds nice." Kira smiled. "He is." She said. "He's a little like Joey in a few ways. He likes to fight sometimes, but only does in when someone else is in danger. But he's still kind, and caring for others. Like his Older Brother."
"Did you ever…kiss him?" Mir asked grinning and Kira started to blush again. "N-n-no!" Kira said. "I-I don't think he likes me that way…at least I don't think so…"
"Well, who was he?" Joey asked.
"Jordan Takeo." Kira answered. "I men him, his Brother, and another friend of mine at the Lunar Academy a long time ago. Though me and Jordan try too stay in touch, I haven't heard from Athrun or Matthew."
"Who are they?" Tolle asked.
"Well, Matthew was Jordan's older brother." Kira said. "He would always find some way too prank us. But more than half of our pranks on him failed miserably. Only Jordan had a snowball's chance at pranking him. While Athrun was always calm, and a pacifist. He and the others hated war. We hoped we would meet up again at the ICR PLANT's but…"
"The war, right?" Joey asked, and Kira nodded.
"Anyways, Professor Kato wants to see you. Says he wants you to do something for him." Tolle said, breaking the news.
"Are you kidding me!" Kira asked/shouted incredulously "I haven't even finished the last stuff he gave me!"
"Yeah." Joey said in agreement. "Why can't the professor do some of this himself?"
"Why are you complaining? Chances are, you would have had Kira do most of it anyway." Sarah said as she sat down next to her brother. Flay sat down on the opposite side of him.
"Well, he should give it to Kira. She's the tech savvy one, not me." Joey said in his defense.
"Oh, so you think Women should do all of the work?" Flay asked in that all-too sweet voice, causing Joey too get nervous. "What? No!" he said. "T-That's not what I meant!"
"The what did you mean, Joey?" Sarah asked in a similar tone, and Joey was starting too get very uncomfortable.
"Looks like there's heavy fighting Taiwan now." Tolle commented as he watched the news on Kira's Lap-top, coming too Joey's Rescue.
"Yeah. Looks like ZAFT has its eyes on Kaohsiung and its mass driver, if they haven't already taken it over." Joey said as he started playing "Imagine" by John Lennon on his guitar.
"Taiwan. That's not far from Orb. Will the homeland be safe?" Mir asked with concern.
"Don't worry Orb is neutral. ZAFT isn't gonna attack it. The Earth Alliance isn't gonna do anything either, and the ICR are allies with Orb." Joey answered. "But even then, the ICR will keep the Atlantic Federation and those Blue Cosmos bastards from doing something crazy."
"Yeah. I have to say we're pretty safe." Sarah said in agreement. "Especially here in Heliopolis. After all, why would anyone want to attack Heliopolis? We're neutral and there's absolutely nothing here."
Suddenly, the screen was covered in static. The scorpion tail emblem of Nod appeared on the screen. "Ugh. Not another one of these broadcasts." Flay said, shaking her head. "You'd think those nut jobs would have something better to do."
The screen changed, showing a Nod pulpit. A dark-skinned man took the pulpit. The man who was currently the most powerful warlord among the Nod factions. Marcion, Supreme Confessor of the Black Hand. Marcion gripped the sides of his pulpit. "As long as man has drawn breath, the Brotherhood has existed. From the beginning, when man's struggle was with nature. Not knowing where he might sleep, how he would eat, or whether he would survive to see the light of dawn. And as long as man existed, there have always been those who would lord over others. People who believe that they, by some unseen right, are granted power over others, and would push others down so they might climb; they are the greatest threat to mankind's existence. For countless years, one man or one race prospered on the sweat and work of others." he said as though giving a sermon.
"Such injustices are not just a sin against mankind, but also a sin against God. The Brotherhood had its beginnings with the first downtrodden who looked for a better way. These oppressed sought a path that would allow them to gather fruits of life, to achieve enough resources and wealth that they and their families could survive and advance with the rest of mankind."
"With the unstoppable growth of Tiberium across the globe, our time has come. The former United Nations has tried and failed to destroy us. They claim that the Prophet is dead." He shook his head. "No, Kane is not dead. He will return. And he will lead all who believe down the path of Ascension while those that refuse to believe will be cast aside. The Earth Alliance, ICR and ZAFT are corrupt nations. The former United Nations hides behind the facade that they are here to help and protect the free nations, so long as they are willing slaves to their government. ZAFT sits around in their pristine PLANTs, caring nothing for those who struggle on Earth. And finally, there is the worst of them all. The nation of the ICR. They dare to destroy our Tiberium world!"
Marcion raised his hands. "All of them declare us, the Brotherhood of Nod, to be terrorists, seeking to destroy their governments and spread anarchy. But we in the Brotherhood know the truth. Our fight is for all mankind, not for those cherished few that live in the nations of the Alliance, or those in the PLANTs, or those in Orb." Marcion slammed his fists into the pulpit. "They are nothing more than tyrants and heretics! But they will go the way of all diseased flesh, rotting away while Nod lives on. Transforming ourselves and the planet. Rejoice, Children of Nod! Our enemies are slaying themselves for us!"
The crowd below Marcion cheered.
"One Vision, One Purpose." Marcion proclaimed to the masses.
"Peace through power! Peace through power!" the crowd cheered before the transmission ended.
Miriallia groaned at the whole thing. "Turn it off, Kira."
Kira closed her laptop just as the crowd continued to chant. Kira had to admit that she herself found Nod's constant broadcasts to try and bring people to their ways of thinking annoying. But recently, their broadcasts have been becoming more frequent.
"Man. Those guys are nuts." Tolle commented. "I mean they always go on about how Tiberium is the future, yet they always seem to ignore the fact that it's destroying the planet and fatal to humans."
Sarah shrugged. "What do you expect? Those guys are lunatics that worship Tiberium and follow a dead madman." She said.
"Ya…but what's worrying me are the broadcasts are becoming for frequent now." Joey speculated. "Last time they started doing that…the second Tiberium War started up."
"Ah, your just paranoid." Tolle said. "Nod's shattered, Kane's dead, nothing else too it."
Meanwhile
A group of EA officers in disguise made their way to the hanger were the new Earth Forces Warship was. One of them was a woman wearing a white long sleeved shirt and pants, a red trenchcoat, a pair of white gloves, and a pair of sunglasses and had black neck length hair. They were at the automated taxi station waiting for a cab. While waiting one of them asked the woman..."You really we can get away with this Ms. Badgiruel?,"
"Theres no other way. We have to do this, in order to bring the Earth Alliance to the Negotiating table." She said to her companions, the one who asked was still uneasy.
"Still. What we are about to do here is considered treason," he reminded her but Enisgn Badgiruel just reminded him with a harsh tone.
"The only ones who will think of us as traitors are those who are members of Blue Cosmos. And they control almost half of the EA,"
The one who started the conversation finally shut his mouth at that. When a auto-taxi came up to the platform, a group of teenagers were busy doing what they always do: the girls gossip, while the boys just listened. She got their attention by clearing her throat and asked them..."If you're not getting on, mind if we take it?" she asked the two boys and one girl in front of her. One had brown hair and brown eyes, the other had Orange hair and strange Red eyes, and the girl had Dark brown hair, and amethyst eyes. One of the boys immediatley responded.
"Uh, sure, go ahead," he answered and he and his friends moved to the sides to let them pass.
As soon as they got in the taxi they were off to the hanger.
"This place is so peaceful, too bad it has to be caught up in all this. And to think there are people as young as them fighting on the frontlines." She thought outloud in disgust at that last part.
Meanwhile
Kira and her friends made it to Professor Kato's lab. While on their way Tolle kept on bugging Kira about this crush she had on Jordan, but she just waved it off.
There to meet them were Sai Argyle, Kuzzey Busirke, and one other they didnt recognize.
"Hey, you finally showed up, guys," Sai said to them when they came through the door.
Tolle noticed the stranger, who was wearing a brown jacket, and a dark grey cap, and went over to Kuzzey to ask him. "Hey, who's that?"
"Professor's guest, he told'em to wait here," Kuzzey answered.
"So, where's the Prof?" Kira asked him.
Outside Heliopolis, aboard the Vesalius.
A young man, no younger than 16, stands on the bridge of the ZAFT vessel, looking at his watch. It was almost time. By now the charges have been set, and their agents are in position to strike. He was wearing the black and dark green uniform of the ICR, but given direct command of this mission personally by his mother the President of the ICR, PLANT Defense Committee Chairman Patrick Zala, and his Father, who is one of their best fleet admirals. He was at first against the idea, but his mother and father convinced him to take it, telling him it will bring this war, caused by those Religious Fanatics in Blue Cosmos and Nod, to an quick end. And the world can start focusing more on the Tiberium problem once again. He accepted, though reluctantly, not because he's able to, but it's because he believes he's not ready yet. He was brought out of his thoughts by the Captain of the ship...
"Sir, it's just about ready to begin," informed Captain Ades.
"Yes...I understand Ades," he told the Captain, "patch me through to the ships,"
Ades nodded as he instructed the Communciations officer to open a channel to the other four ships.
"Attention, all personel, this is Commander Harkin. I just want to wish you all the best of luck while on this mission. We are planning to attack a colony that is owned by a neutral nation," This caught the attention of everyone onboard the seven ships as they listened to their commanding officer. "The reason we are doing this is to aquire the New Warship and the Ten machines that were built by the Earth Alliance, along with the Morgenroete, Inc. Now, I know you must be having second thoughts about this, but let me make one thing perfectly clear..."
The crews of the five ships held their breath as they listened intently, "If we succeed in this mission...we will bring the war to a much quicker end and we can all go home to our families and loved ones," he took one deep breath as he finished his speech, " Now, I ask of you. Will lend your strength, so that we can succeed in this mission and finally bring peace to the Earth Sphere, and rid those who dare defile the peace of our two nations, by destroying a defenseless colony. By using nuclear weapons, on innocent men, women, children, Coordinator and Natural. Will you help in this noble cause to liberate the nations, that are under the so-called Earth Alliances iron grip, and forced to fight against us, against their will? What do you say, soldiers of ZAFT, Soldiers of the ICR!" He got his answer, when the three other ships shot up green flares, meaning they're willing to do what is necessary to bring an end to the war, and looking at the bridge crew and Captian Ades, he got warm smiles and sharp salutes meaning they are willing to go all the way. He smiled as he returned the salute and then... gave the order...
"Commander Harkin to all ships: battlestations!" with that order given, pilots manned their Mobile Suits, Guns were primed and ready, and and the ships fired up their engines.
Commander Canard Pars Harkin, looked out, at the ships under his command and then, looked at his watch as the numbers reached a full zero.
'So it begins' he thought as he gave the command for the ships to move forward and launch the mobile suits. For the People of Heliopolis, they were about to get a very rude wake up call...
Madagascar-Class:
Class: Madagascar
Unit Type: Destroyer
Manufacturer: Armstrong Electronics
Ships of the Line: Clark, David, Alamo, Claymore, Repulse, Victor, Pershing, Escadrille, Pearl, Kappa, Youkai, Houshi
Operator(s): Independent colony alliance (I.C.A)
Length: 244 Meters
Width:
Weight:
Propulsion: Unknown
Equipment and Design Features: Sensors range unknown
Fixed Armaments: 1 x 2-barrel high-energy main gun, 6 x 2-barrel machine cannon; 4 x 65mm CIWS;
Capitan(s):
Colors: Green with brown trim
Author's Notes: Based on the Kignus-Class from After War Gundam X.
Glen-Class:
Class: Glen
Unit Type: Light Cruiser
Manufacturer: Armstrong Electronics
Ships of the Line: Glen, Marley, Reinforce, Amazon, Porto Rico, Magellan, Salamis, Heliopolis, Berlin, St. Nazaire,
Operator(s): Independent colony alliance (I.C.A)
Length: 249 Meters
Width: 68 Meters
Propulsion: 2x Main engine, 6x Secondary engine
Equipment and Design Features: Sensors range unknown
Fixed Armaments: 4 x 2-barrel high-energy main gun; 8 x Tri-barrel 65mm CIWS; 4 x missile launcher
Mobile Weapons: 6
Catapult: 1
Capitan(s):
Colors: Grey with Yellow trim
Author's Notes: Based on the Reinforce-Class cruiser from Victory Gundam
Taygete-Class Command Cruiser:
Manufacturer: Armstrong Electronics
Ships of the Line: Taygete, Chaldene, Aoede, Erinome, Kallichore, Kalyke, Carme, Callirrhoe, Pasithee, Kore
Operator(s): Independent colony alliance (I.C.A)
Length: 310 Meters
Width: 72 Meters
Propulsion: Unknown
Equipment and Design Features: Sensors range unknown
Fixed Armaments: 2 x 2-barrel high-energy main gun; 4 x 65mm CIWS; 8 x missile launcher
Mobile Weapons: 4
Catapult: 1
Capitan(s):
Colors: Grey with Dark Green trim
Author's Notes: Based on the Callisto-Class
Nightmare-Class Stealth Cruiser:
Manufacturer: Cabal Industries
Ships of the Line: Nightmare, Ghost, (May be more, unknown)
Operator(s): Brotherhood of Nod
First Deployment: Unknown
Length: 160 Meters
Propulsion: Tiberium Core Reactor
Equipment and Design Features: Sensors range unknown; Nod Stealth Systems
Fixed Armaments: 4 x 2-barrel main beam cannons; 12 x 2-barrel Defensive machine guns; 6 x Missile Launchers;
Mobile Weapons: 4
Capitan(s): Mark Sirius (Nightmare)
Colors: Black with gold trimming
Author's Notes: looks like the Musaka Class Cruiser from Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
Tiber-Class Supply Ship:
Manufacturer: Cabal Industries
Ships of the Line: (Many) Papua, Tiber,
Operator(s): Brotherhood of Nod
First Deployment: Unknown
Length: 300 Meters
Propulsion: Tiberium Core Reactor
Equipment and Design Features: Sensors range unknown; Nod Stealth Systems
Fixed Armaments: 10 x 68mm CIWS;
Mobile Weapons: Unknown
Capitan(s): Ming Gottom (Papua)
Colors: Blue
Author's Notes: looks like the Papua-Class Supply ship