Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FUTURE
Story:
Sequel to The New Coordinate. Twenty years later, a new force rised to threaten the peace forged over the years and intends to sent the whole world succumb to its knees. How will the children born in this era of peace cope with the chaos?
Notes:
Been a while. Damn. I'm focusing on this story at the moment, so expect a few more chaps soon.
I don't own SEED, SEED DESTINY their characters or anything else aside from numerous OCs I created.
ORB-120A Darkhawke
Model number: ORB-120A
Code name: Darkhawke Gundam
Unit type: prototype transformable assault mobile suit
Manufacturer: Orb Secret Weapons Division
Operator: United Emirates of Orb
Pilot: Lunamaria Hawke
First deployment: C.E. 94
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 16.3 meters
Weight: max gross weight 70.0 metric tons
Construction: unknown
Powerplant: compact Hyper-duetrion nuclear reactor
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; Phase Shift (PS) Armor (black, purple), "Dawn" wingblades, "Claw" extendable claws, Phase Zero System
Fixed armaments:
GFX-085 "Fuego" missile barrel launcher x 2
XP-107 22mm CIWS x 8
TRG-652 "Luna" beam saber x 2
Multi-purpose launcher port x 3
Optional armament: RPG-897 "Xploder" rocket propelled grenade, GSF-490 "Fray" beam rifle, power rating unknown
Technical notes and history:
After ditching the Splitterstern project, Xander Darklighter designed another mobile suit by the request of his wife, Lunamaria 11 years ago. After much input (and nagging) by her, Xander eventually completed it but it didn't undergo any test pilot. Hence, the risk of the unit to become unstable is reasonably high. However, it was maintained by ANGEL, the AI he created to protect the mobile suit dock below the mansion. The system had managed in fixing many defects on the unit's configuration system for general usage. On the design side, this suit was highly mobile and agile. Only second to Splitterstern in term of speed. The mobile armor mode was designed in the likeness of a hawk to match with Lunamaria's surname. The wingblades weren't the same design as Forgiven. They were lighter and more flexible for manual flight should the booster becomes unusable. The claws are stored on each forearm and are more than a match for enemies that are using any anti-ship/armor weaponry. To make this unit even more lethal, Xander created the Phase Zero System which controls the space-time anomaly. However, this system will drain much power and is not advisable to be used in a prolonged battle.
Chapter 7: A Hero in Need
"Is everything ready, Miria?" asked Yvonne to Mirialia.
"Yes. Everyone had returned to the ship. The supplies and other equipments had been loaded in as well." she replied from her seat.
"Very well." she turned to the navigator. "Boot up the systems. Prepare for launch."
"Yes, Captain!"
(I'm having a bad feeling about all this...)
Zack, Sarina, Ashton, Adora, Laura, Elena, Kei and Mai were called by Xander to the lounge for briefing.
"What's this about, dad?" Sarina asked after everyone arrived.
Xander stood up and turned to Dearka. "Maybe you should do this, man..." he whispered.
"Hey, you're the General here, remember?" he replied, much to Lunamaria's amusement.
"Ugh, dammit." he coughed before turning to them. "Ahem. Nothing serious, kids. I just want to place several rules before the battle happens. Since I am now in charge of your safety. Wouldn't want your dad went berserk on me should anything happen to you, Adora." he said to Shinn's daughter.
"Umm...don't worry, Uncle Xan. He won't."
"Hahaha. That's assuring. Now, for mobile suit pilots. My wife here and Dearka will accompany to help you rookies. Follow their orders. Mai, I understand that you are yet to go into battle."
Mai nodded. "Yes General. This will be my first."
"But you should at least able to handle the pressure and I hope you are able to help these children."
Mai looked at the others. She smiled and nodded. "I will, General."
"Good. Kei."
"Sir!"
"You are not to participate in battle until your unit is fully repaired. This is a strict order from me. Failure to comply will result in several rep points deducted."
"Rep points, Sir?"
Xander glanced at the chuckling Lunamaria. "What, you don't wanna build a good rep with me?"
"Of course not, Sir!"
"Heh. Good. Zack."
"Dad."
"I understand your situation. But you are free to help in any other way if your heart tells you so. Remember what I said back at the factory."
"Thanks Dad."
"Adora, Laura."
"Yes?" Laura replied.
"There is a place at the bridge for either of you. I understand that Adora wishes to be a mechanic. So..."
"I will lend a help in the bridge. Is that okay, Adora?" Laura said, turning to Adora.
Adora nodded, smiling. "Of course."
"What about you, Uncle Xan?" Elena asked.
"Huh? Me? Why, I'll be at the bridge of course. The Captain needs a battle coordinator after all. But if the situation went bad, I'll fly out. You can be assured of that."
"Master, you summoned me?" ANGEL asked from the doorway.
"Yes. This is ANGEL in case any of you haven't met yet. She's the AI I created."
ANGEL turned and looked at everyone. "It is a pleasure to meet all of you. I hope I will be able to help you in any way."
"You will, ANGEL." Xander turned to them. "She will be going out as well. Be sure to think over the battle strategies whenever she send you kids one. So, any questions?"
He looked at each of the teenagers. "No? Alright. Since we'll be launching shortly, you can either stay here or go back to your rooms. But stay put until we arrived in space. Understood?"
Within the mobile colony, Valten was having a drink by himself inside a garden that was artificially created. He stood up, gazing at the beautiful landscape. He smiled.
"Yes, Callista?"
Callista, who was standing not far away, approched him. "Sir, we have been informed that a battleship from Orb is approaching space."
"I see. They finally get out of their shelter. Callista, initiate our next plan of action."
"I'm already on it, sir. Everything is proceeding smoothly."
"Good. Await my next orders."
"Sir!"
Valten suddenly coughed violently. He covered his mouth with his hand. Callista held him and guided him back to the chair.
"Are you alright?"
Valten smiled at her. "I'm fine. Go back to your post. I'll be here for little while longer."
Maya and Irene were staring at the stars from the lounge.
"It's so beautiful. This is the first time we actually in space, right?" Maya said to her closest friend.
Irene nodded. "Yeah."
"I always dreamt of reaching out the stars and wish for something."
"What was your wish back then, Maya?"
Maya smiled happily. "I wanted everyone to live happily. Ever after."
Irene smiled back at her. "That's a nice wish to have..."
"What is your wish, Irene?"
"I...I don't know...maybe some peace for myself..."
Maya smiled. "That's nice. Maybe we can have our dreams come true."
"I...hope so, Maya. I hope so..."
The Seraphim already reached space and rendezvous with the Junk Guild ship ReHOME.
"When will we meet again, Lowe, Jess?" Xander asked as he shook hands with both of them.
"Not sure, Xan. But it will take a while to fix the Out Frame." replied Lowe.
"And you might want to consider improving Red Frame as well." Jess suggested. "With that kinda monster around..."
"Hey, hey. This is Lowe Guele, Jess. The genius mechanic. I'll definitely do something with it."
Xander laughed. "Well said, Lowe. Take care, you two."
Lowe nodded. "Yeah. You too. Just be careful with that guy Valten and his cohorts. They are certainly different from others we encountered."
"I will."
Lowe and Jess waved goodbye before setting out for their ship with the Red Frame, accompanied by Canard's Dreadnought.
"See you guys around..." Xander thought.
"Xan."
"Maria."
"We just received some bad news regarding Orb."
"I guess as much."
"Yvonne wants to see us in her office."
The situation was frentic in Orb as a large group of unmanned mobile suits appeared within the city. The group consisted of outdated GINN, CGUE and Strike Dagger. Kira and Shinn were assigned with their groups to counter the threat.
"Dammit! Just how did these mobile suits appeared?" Shinn cursed as Destiny sliced a group GINNs in one stroke.
"Seems that they were hiding in the city all along." Kira replied.
"Seems so. With Xander and Dearka gone, they took advantage of our defence..."
Kira smiled. "There won't be any problem, Shinn. We can take them."
"Heh. You read my mind. Let's do it!"
Cagalli and Mwu were assessing the current situation with other high ranking officials.
"Their attacks are random and doesn't seem to have any pattern in them." one of the officials stated.
Mwu shrugged. "They are unmanned units, after all."
Cagalli nodded and opened up the layout of Orb's defence. "Generals Kira Yamato and Shinn Asuka are curently engaging them in this area. But as you can see, another group of them is now approaching unchecked into the city center..."
"And we can't rely on them to get there in a short time." Mwu added.
"We need someone who is capable of leading a squad of X1 to halt their advance." Cagalli said.
"How about we call Joel Simmons for this task?" another official suggested.
Cagalli pondered. "The nephew of Erica..."
"He's a good choice." Mwu said. "But how can we get to him in this frentic situation?"
Corporal Joel Simmons was busy helping the civilians evacuate the city.
"Don't rush. Please follow in a single file. We will attend to your needs as much as we can."
A woman approached him. "Please help me, sir! You have to help me!"
"What's the problem, Ma'am?"
"My newborn! She is trapped in the hospital! I..I..."
Joel held her trembling shoulders. "It's alright ma'am. Please tell me the room she is in. I will save her."
Joel was already inside the burning hospital. He sweated heavily from the heat.
"Third floor, last room at the left corridor..."
Before he could proceed, the headset attached to his left ear buzzed. "Simmons! Where are you?"
"Ah, Sarge. Sorry for leaving my post. I have something I must do..."
"Forget that! Representative Attha called on you herself! Get your butt in gear and head to the HQ on the double!"
"Afraid I have to make them wait, Sarge. Simmons out."
"Wait!"
Joel threw the headset into the burning fire before taking the stairs upwards.
Kira took out more than a dozen units with a wide HiMAT attack while Shinn blasted away repeatedly until there were no more enemy mobile suits near them. Only to see another wave came in.
Shinn sighed. "This is endless..."
"Shinn, did you get the news? Another group is marching towards the city center."
"I got it, Kira. But how can we leave these guys be? This area hasn't been eveacuated completely."
"You take care of here while I go there and take them on."
Shinn smiled. "That's what I'm gonna say."
Kira did a salute. "Good luck then."
"You too."
Strike Freedom spread its wings and left the area. A group CGUEs tried to stop it but was blocked by Destiny.
Shinn, his eyes darkened in SEED Mode, grinned. "You guys got to get past me!"
Kira was apparoaching the city center in full speed until he was halted by the newly arrived DINNs from the sky. Kira dodged their attacks and countered.
"Just where did all these came from?"
Kira activated his SEED Mode in order to finish them quickly.
Joel arrived on the third floor and managed to locate the room where the baby was. He heard a crying from outside.
"Hold on a little longer..."
He kicked the door open and approached the only cradle in the room. The baby girl was crying. Joel smiled and picked her up.
"There, there little girl. You're safe now."
With the baby covered in his jacket, he left and went downwards to second floor. However, the path to first floor was blocked by fire.
"Damn! There's no other way out! Unless..."
He looked at the crying infant and sighed. "I promised your mother. And I can't back out now..."
He turned at a broken window at the end of the hallway. He took a deep breath.
"It's now or never..."
With a shout, Joel sprinted towards the window, and leapt forward with a leg outstretched in a pose of a flying kick. He flew past the window but not before the shards grazed his cheek. The room he just left exploded and he was thrown out by the impact. Before he hit the ground, he rolled and covered himself to protect the child. He hit the ground and with his back. He groaned in pain. After a while, he opened up his jacket to check on the baby. He smiled in relief to see her uninjured.
"You're a tough one..."
The baby stopped crying and then she laughed. Joel laughed.
"Haha. Nice to see you laugh, girl. Now, let's go and see your mother."
"Have we get to Joel yet?" Mwu asked one of the officer at the terminal.
"We tried to reach him by the frequency of his headset, but we failed."
"How's the status?" Cagalli demanded.
"General Yamato is currently in battle with a group of DINNs in the air while General Asuka is defending his current position. Meanwhile, the other group had now reached the city center."
"Damn!" she cursed.
After delivering the baby back to her mother, Joel was escorted by a man in black. They were going somewhere with a military jeep. Joel sensed something was amiss.
"H...hey. This is not the way to the HQ..."
The man grinned. "Of course not. We're going to the Archangel."
"Ar...changel..?"
The man pulled off his shades. It was Andrew Waltfeld. Joel sighed.
"I should have known..."
"Kid, ask your aunt if you have anything to say."
Back at Seraphim, senior mobile suit pilots had been briefed about Orb's current situation.
"They really got us this time." Dearka said.
"How about PLANT?" Lunamaria enquired.
"We are still getting in touch with them. But from the sound of things, no attacks had been reported." replied Yvonne.
"That's a relief." Mai commented.
"But Orb needs help. How about Earth Feds? Can they send out reinforcements there?" Xander suggested.
Yvonne shook. "They can't. Some of their main bases are under attack too..."
"Our current orders?" Dearka asked.
"Seraphim and it's crew will remain on course until further notice." Yvonne stated. "That is the order from Orb Representative Cagalli Yula Attha."
"What? Remain here? That's incredilous!" Xander half-shouted.
Lunamaria held his arm. "Easy, Xan. I'm sure Cagalli have something up her sleeve by ordering us to remain here."
"Trust in Shinn and Kira, Xander." Yvonne said. "That is all we can do."
Athena was approaching the last known location of the mysterious mobile colony. Captain Taylor Gladys was in his seat overseeing the journey.
"Captain, we have received word that the Orb battleship Seraphim already in space." informed one of the bridge crew.
Taylor nodded. "I see. Continue on course. We will make contact with them as soon as it is in range."
"Yes sir."
He then got up and left. He headed towards the mobile suit hangar. Along the way, he met Sylvia Jule. Her features was very much like her mother, Shiho which doesn't suit well with her. She was often called 'Chibi Shiho' by her grandmother, the late Ezalia Jule. To move away from that nickname, she purposely kept her hair long and poorly groomed. Despite this, she was still beautiful.
She bowed. "Greetings, Captain."
"Greetings, Sylvia. Your father and Chairman Zala are at the hangar, I assume."
"Yes."
"Thank you. I'll be on my way then."
"Please do, Captain. I have to attend to my mother."
Taylor smiled and nodded.
"Yzak, when was the last time you used a mobile suit?" Athrun asked as he tweaked his unit in his cockpit.
"Eight years ago. The battle at Mendel to suppress the rebels." he replied from his unit. "Why?"
Athrun chuckled. "Hah. Looks like I have a lot of catching up to do..."
"I don't believe you."
"It's your choice."
"Bastard."
Joel arrived at the pier where the Archangel at. Surprisingly, the area was still intact with no indications of enemy attacks.
"Get inside, kid." Andrew said with a grin.
Dreadfuly, he went inside the hangar. A few units of X1 Astray lined up.
"Glad to see you made it, nephew." a voice of a woman exhoed. A woman in her mid forties appeared from the back. Despite her age, she was still attractive. Joel sighed.
"Aunt Erica, I thought you already left for Eurasia."
Erica grinned. "I was about to. But all of a sudden, everything went chaotic."
"And what are you doing here, exactly?"
Erica mischievously grinned. "Well, you are chosen by Miss Cagalli to lead this squad of Astrays to defent the inner city."
Joel almost shouted. "What? Why me? Granted, I piloted a suit before but that was years back. Plus, I didn't take any exams for it."
Erica chuckled. "Some people from the higher up already looked into your records. You are capable of piloting every vehicle available."
"Earth to Erica Simmons. Hello? Mobile suit is NOT a transportation. Well, maybe a little but the thing is a weapon for God sakes."
"That is why you are chosen, nephew. Because you didn't crave for power."
Joel looked up at the mobile suits. "Power, huh..." he thought before turning back to his aunt.
"Can you find someone else? I'm just a normal soldier. Besides, there are a bunch who are better than me."
Mwu appeared from the shadows. "It's hard to convince you, eh?"
"Major Fllaga." Joel saluted. Mwu nodded.
"What can we do to convince you?" he asked.
Joel didn't reply.
"If it's up to me, I'll take one of these and teach em a few but too bad I'm old for this."
"Sir...I promised not to fight. Not anymore. I don't want anyone die because of me...I'm not worth it..."
Erica slapped him. Joel didn't flinch but felt the stinging effect on his left cheek.
"Don't start with that, Joel. I know what happened to you six years ago. To Megan..."
"WHAT DO YOU KNOW? WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT MY PAIN?" he shouted in fury. "MY SUFFERING? MEGAN DIED BECAUSE OF WHAT I DID AND I PROMISED HER TO REPENT FROM FIGHTING! BUT NOW..."
Mwu and Erica was taken back by the sudden burst of fury. Joel realized it and stopped.
"I'm...sorry...I'll take my leave. Forgive me."
He bowed and left. Mwu sighed. "It's too hard for him, I guess."
Erica stared at the fleeting back of her nephew. "It was my fault. I failed to understand his feelings..."
Joel was walking back to his post, ignoring everything that was happening around him; explosions, civilians running and screaming and gunshots. He touched the left side of his chest.
"Megan, what do you want me to do?"
"Sir!" a voice called.
"Huh?"
He looked up ahead and saw a female. It was the young mother whom he saved her child from before.
"Ma'am?"
She stopped in front of him, panting. Clearly, she was running a long way. "I...must...thank you for saving my daughter."
She fell on her knees but Joel held her hand. "Are you alright? You shouldn't run a long way here just to thank me."
The woman smiled. "I must, sir. She's the only one I have in this world."
Joel smiled at her. "In that case, you're welcome. It is my job after all. Miss..."
"Elise. Elise Edwards. And I'm not a Miss."
"Ah, sorry..."
"Call me Elise."
"Sorry...Elise. I'm Joel Simmons. Joel will do. Where's your child?"
"She was sleeping back at the relief centre."
"I see. Shall I escort you back?"
Elise nodded. But they barely took a step when more unmanned Strike Daggers appeared and attacked randomly.
"Damn! Better get out. Let's go!"
Joel suddenly grabbed Elise by the wrist and made their way back to the pier.
"Where are we going?" Elise shouted as explosions hit just meters away from them.
"To the Archangel! We should be safe there!"
They eventually arrived in the hangar. Erica was there to welcome them.
"Changed your mind?" she asked.
"I..."
Before Joel could reply, and announcement was made throughout the ship;
"This is Captain Murrue Ramius. All hands, return to your posts. We will launch shortly. X1 Astray pilots, get into your respective units and prepare for battle."
Joel looked around as the crew scrambled back to their posts. He turned to the concerned face of Elise and knew she was worried of her child. He looked back at Erica.
"Aunt, I..."
"Hush, nephew." she said, pointing to a custom red and gold Astray unit. Totally different from the standard X1 units, the mobile suit was equipped with extra boosters, an anti-ship sword, a grappling hook and several multi-purpose launcher ports for extra functionality.
Joel looked up and gasped. "This is..."
Erica nodded. "Yeah. This is the X1 prototype. X0 or CrossZero Frame I made years back."
Joel stared at the mobile suit, wondering what he should do. "Megan..." he thought.
"Trust your heart, Joel. I believe in you..."
He turned to Elise. "I'll take you back to your daughter. I promise."
Elise silently nodded. He glanced at his aunt. "Let me into this one."
"Are you sure?" asked Erica.
He gave a nod, reluctantly. "I'm scared of myself."
"Joel..."
"This time, I'll do things right. I want to be sure of that."
CrossZero Frame was loaded on the catapult launcher with Joel in control.
"Joel, I already notified Captain Ramius." Erica commed. "She approved."
"Thanks, Aunt. Did you tell her that I am not going to lead the Astrays?"
"Yeah. I did. You're free to go solo as long as you head to the city center. The situation is getting worse there."
He nodded. "I know."
"ASTRAY CROSSZERO FRAME, YOU ARE CLEAR FOR TAKE OFF." announced the CIC.
Joel looked ahead as the catapult door opened to the battle outside. He breathed in deeply.
"I want to believe that I'm doing the right thing..."
He pushed forward. The mobile suit screeched outwards. "Joel Simmons, CrossZero. Taking off!"
To Be Continued...