-Defection-
August 18, 2017 a.t.b.
Ekkehardt sat inside of his Sutherland. If anyone can see his face, it was full of fury and rage. It seemed during last night that the Japanese Liberation Front, one of the well known resistance group fighting against Britannia in a violent way, only for the freedom of Japan, has came to Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center and took the place and its hostages. That meant that they had Milly, Shirley, and Nina among their hostages.
Right now Ekkehardt is being transported over there for military deployment, but word has it that they won't make an immediate and direct move to rescue the hostages. This was part of Cornelia's orders. Ekkehardt was being put over there but can't do a thing. He felt so helpless. His fury got to the point that he slammed a fist on side of the cockpit. "G7, are you alright?" One of the pilots spoke to Ekkehardt through the channel. After hearing that, he sat back, rubbing his temples. "Yes, I am Sir, I just got valuable friends in there…" Ekkehardt answered.
"Hey Ekkehardt. Me, Milly, and Nina are coming to the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center tomorrow. I was hoping that you can come since I asked Suzaku, but he said he couldn't come." Shirley asked Ekkehardt as of yesterday before he left the academy grounds. "Ah, I wish I could, but I have to be ready for active military duty." Ekkehardt answered. "Hmm, what a shame. I'm sorry to hear about that."
Is this the way fate is trying to toy with me? If I did come, I still can't do a thing and I just get killed if I did any funny moves. What can I do! Ekkehardt thought. He hated the JFL for doing this, he really did if he could swear under his rage.
Outside the Convention Center
Hours later, Ekkehardt got to the deployment area for the Britannian military and he's not out of his Sutherland, waiting for orders. None seems to be coming any time soon. He wandered around the deployment zone, seeing that he can't do anything within his Sutherland in this situation. That was when he encountered Suzaku at the line for food. "Ekkehardt? So, you got deployed here too I see." Suzaku called out to Ekkehardt, who gave a slow and lazy lift of his hand as he approached. "You don't look too good. You alright?" Suzaku asked, noting Ekkehardt's despair. "How can I? Our friends are in there and we can't do a thing. I feel so much rage." Ekkehardt answered. "I know how you feel. Say, why don't you come over to the Camelot transport? I'm sure that we can settle down." Suzaku suggested.
Camelot Transport
Ekkehardt and Suzaku entered the transport and Ekkehardt found himself in front of the Lancelot, a new Knightmare Frame. "Suzaku, I didn't know you were the pilot of the this, not at the very least, am a pilot of a Knightmare Frame." Ekkehardt commented to Suzaku in awe. "Well, here's a familiar voice and face." Lloyd said over the elevated platform. "Earl Lloyd? Well, I shouldn't be surprised at all to see you behind a screen." Ekkehardt said. "Wait, you two know each other?" Suzaku asked in between. "Aha! You never knew about Ekkehardt? He's the son of the Earl Alaric Von-" "Don't ever speak his name. It bleeds my ears hearing it." Ekkehardt said in a stern tone. "Still short of the animosity towards your father huh? Suit yourself." Lloyd said before going back to the desk behind him.
"You don't like your father do you?" Suzaku asked Ekkehardt as they stood outside. "You can say that I suppose. Two different and opposite beliefs will never allow a good relationship. That's why I stay at the Ashford Academy dorms." Ekkehardt answered. By then, Cecile came out with a tray. "Hello, my name is Cecile Croomy, it's a pleasure to meet you." Cecile introduced herself. Ekkehardt nodded and stood up from leaning against the side. "Ekkehardt Von Kaiser, it's my pleasure." Ekkehardt said with his smile. "It's nice to see that Suzaku is making good friends, here's try this, I made this on my own." Cecile said, holding out an onigiri to Ekkehardt. "Sure, thank you. W-what an odd mix of flavors. It's…Delicious though." Ekkehardt said, biting into the onigiri to find blueberry jam inside. Not being able to take the heart to comment it being bad, he had to lie. Suzaku had to laugh at him for that.
"So Suzaku, is this really your plan to change the system within?" Ekkehardt asked, having to know what his desires are. "Yes, it's a vision that I can see happening. What about you?" Suzaku answered. Ekkehardt seemed unsure. "I don't know. It's not like I have been given much choice here. I was forced into the military because of my father two years ago. With all of this happening, I'm at my breaking point." Ekkehardt replied. "I don't know about you, but it just never seems that I can get out of this with my own dignity intact." Ekkehardt said.
"Then why don't you quit? I mean, surely your father will understand. You can always go to your officer now and ask to resign out of this mission." Suzaku suggested, but Ekkehardt shook his head. "No, I doubt that they would allow me to do that, at the very least Princess Cornelia calling me a coward." Suzaku looked over to Ekkehardt as he said this.
Later on that night, Ekkehardt gathered his composure to be able to stand this for a while and is in his Sutherland, resting back. No orders yet still from Cornelia. This was about it for him. He would charge in on his own, but his senses kept him back. "Ugh…If only I had power…If only I had power! I'm tired of being an insignificant being!" Ekkehardt yelled to himself, his rage still inside of him. When he looks up however, a news truck passed by him, the infamous Zero standing on top. "What is he doing?" Ekkehardt asked himself, unsure of what Zero plans to do. He came unarmed, but that doesn't mean anything. He saw Cornelia stopping him and actually coming out to confront him for his death. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but it seems Zero was let through.
An hour or so passed by when Zero came in. Ekkehardt was dozing off in his Sutherland until the console started to beep. That startled Ekkehardt awake to see that the Factsphere Sensors caught something. The screen zoomed in a window to see that Zero was there. Shortly afterwards that, there were explosions, blowing floors of the hotel down. "No!" Fortunately, his channels were off so no one else can hear his yell. Wide-eyed, he slumps on the seat, defeated purpose filled his heart. It wasn't until the screen popped to something as if it was forced to show the news. Zero's helmet filled the screen.
During the speech Zero gave, which Ekkehardt ignored most of it, saw that the hostages has been released, especially Milly, Shirley, and Nina. He sighed in relief that they are safe, though he felt oblivious and upset that he couldn't help them at all.
Britannian Military Headquarters
Ekkehardt got out of the barracks, changed back into his casual clothes but intends to find his officer. He had enough of being in the military. After taking quite a bit of a walk, he finally encounters with his officer. "Sir, permission to speak freely with a request." Ekkehardt said to his officer with a salute. "What troubles you? You didn't look well after you have returned." The officer replied. "I wish to drop out of the military with a resignation." Ekkehardt said. "But why Ekkehardt? For two years you did a great service!" The officer tried to reassure Ekkehardt after the surprise. "Only because I did nothing. What Zero did this night, he saved my friends that I couldn't save on my own. That, is humiliation that I can't allow for it to haunt me. Even now I can't face my friends because of this. I'm sorry Sir, but I will loose my sanity if I continue. Farewell." Ekkehardt said before turning towards the exit.
"Hold on Ekkehardt." The officer stopped him from leaving. "To make sure you haven't ran off in the intentions of the resignation, you should sign the official papers. It's the least I can do for an honest kid." The officer said with a smile. Ekkehardt turned and nodded before following the officer to get the papers signed for his resignation.