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:
Darn. Hope you guys understand my situation here. Lots of priorities I have to take...
I don't own SEED, SEED DESTINY their characters or anything else aside from numerous OCs I created.
ORB-X0 Astray "CrossZero" Frame
Model number: ORB-X0
Code name: Astray CrossZero Frame
Unit type: prototype assault mobile suit
Manufacturer: Orb Secret Weapons Division
Operator: United Emirates of Orb
Pilot: Erica Simmons, Joel Simmons
First deployment: C.E. 94
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: head height 17.8 meters
Weight: max gross weight 74.7 metric tons
Construction: carbon tungsten and titanium
Powerplant: compact Hyper-duetrion nuclear reactor
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; Phase Shift (PS) Armor (red, gold), energy efficient system INJECT
Fixed armaments:
DZN-428 "GRIPPE" grappling hook/penetrator, on left arm
2 x "Igelstellung" 80mm multi-barrel CIWS, fire-linked, mounted in head and both sides of cockpit
2 x Type ALPHA beam saber, mounted behind both shoulders, hand-carried in use
Multi-purpose launcher port x 4
Optional armament: Type GAMMA beam rifle
Technical notes and history:
In C.E. 90, in order to produce a much better mobile suit, chief Morgenroete engineer Erica Simmons developed this X0 Frame which will serve as a predecessor to the mass-produced X1 series. But the cost to build this unit alone was extremely high, due to the main resource for its basic construction, the new material known as carbon tungsten. When this fused with titanium, it created a far stronger material which probably the strongest in the universe. Erica eventually used this expansive material on this unit alone while other aspects of X0 were used for the X1 series. With carbon tungsten and titanium as the basis of its armor, X0 is almost invulnerable against most physical/melee weapons and beam attacks. Adding to its already impressive feature, Erica installed the experimental energy efficient system called INJECT which will cut down energy usage up to 40 percent while at the same time produces 25 percent more energy. The only downside of this formidable unit is that it never undergo any test pilot and Joel Simmons took a major risk with it to defend Orb.
Chapter 8: The Fallen Hero
Destiny was running out of energy but Shinn kept blasting away the enemies and he knew he couldn't last much longer.
"At this rate..."
One of the unmanned ZAKU hit him from behind. Shinn groaned. "DAMMIT!"
He swung his massive sword to cut away the first wave only for more to come at him.
"I can't believe I'll be beaten by these guys..."
"Don't give up yet, General!"
Shinn looked up to see the red-gold CrossZero Frame dived from the sky with beam sword in each hand. It landed in front the exhausted Destiny.
"Are you okay, General?" Joel asked.
"Yeah. I'm fine..." he replied.
"Can you hold until reinforcements arrive?"
"How long will it take?"
"Two minutes, sir."
Shinn grinned. "Make that a minute, soldier. It's just a matter of time before my energy all used up."
"Then I suggest you get yourself recharge, sir. I'll manage until back up arrives."
"Are you sure?"
"To be honest, I'm not. But I will try my best."
Shinn gave a nod. "I trust you. Don't die until I'm back."
"Understood, sir."
With that, Destiny left the battlefield as Joel scanned around the area. There are at least three dozens of mobile suits coming at him. He sighed.
"Two minutes. I only need to hold for two minutes."
On the bridge of Archangel, Captain Murrue Ramius already ordered the ship to march towards the center of the city. She heaved a sigh. Her husband, Mwu, who was standing next to her touched her shoulder.
"Sorry for bringing you back into this..."
Murrue smiled and touched his hand. "It's alright Mwu. With our defenses badly weakened..."
"Hey, at least I'm not going out, yeah?" Mwu said, smiling at her.
"Yeah. I need you to protect me, after all."
"As you wish, Captain."
"General Asuka requesting communication. Should I let it through?" a female crew asked.
Mwu nodded. "Granted."
Shinn appeared on screen. "Oh? Nice to see you, Murrue-san."
"Likewise, Shinn."
"I take it that Astray unit belongs to your ship?"
"Well, yeah. More or less." Mwu replied.
"Can you let me land for a while? My unit is running out of energy. I must help him out."
Murrue gave a nod. "Alright. I'll notify the hangar crew to attend to your suit as soon as you land."
"Thanks."
Like Shinn, Kira too was having difficulties in his fight as he tried his best to conserve the remaining energy. Not only he have to deal with the outdated DINNs, he now had to face numerous unmanned units originally belonged to the Federation. He was thinking of using the HiMaT but quickly dropped the idea. He ignited the double-bladed beam saber and engaged them head-on. He easily dispatched a few waves but he was quickly overwhelmed by the enemies' growing numbers.
"They're maybe unmanned suits but they are well organized. Must be their programming."
Suddenly, both legs of Strike Freedom were caught by them and the remaining units went for the kill. Kira struggled to shrug them off.
"Can't get out!"
As a DINN was about deliver the fatal blow, an anti-armor penetrator went through the unit from above and crush through the head downwards. Using it as a distraction, Kira managed to shake off the units that were holding him.
"Back, General!" warned a voice.
Kira could only see streaks of red and gold as CrossZero sliced through the enemy ranks and emerged out unharmed.
"I'm Joel Simmons. Captain Ramius assigned me to help you." he introduced himself.
"Murrue-san? Wait...Simmons?"
Joel grinned. "There will be another time for that, sir."
"Kira, do you hear me?" Mwu called as the Archangel approached.
"I do, Mwu-san."
"Get back in and recharge."
Kira nodded. "Alright."
"Joel, you go to the coordinates given and clean the mess. We'll manage from here."
"Yes sir. Simmons out."
With that, CrossZero left and approached the city center with maximum speed.
(Hope it's not too late...)
Back at the mysterious mobile colony, Valten and the rest of his group were watching the events unfolding across Earth. He smiled.
"Good. When chaos and disorder spreads, people will lost faith in their leadership and we will seize that chance to plunge the matter deeper."
"But the situation in Orb is still under control..." Irene remarked.
"That is to be expected of them." Roy interjected. "Though they are doing well beyond our expectations."
"Hey, that isn't good, right?" Anton said.
"Master Eckehart have a plan, right?" Maya stated with a subdued voice.
Valten smiled at her. "Of course, Miss Almonia. But I won't be revealing it anytime soon."
"So, what are we supposed to do at the moment?" Irene asked.
"My technicians are looking at the possibilities of improving your units. If you have the time, please consult with them. I assure you, they will be more than happy to help." he replied.
Valten then pushed a button on the remote he was holding and hologram images of Orb's well known mobile suits like Destiny, Strike Freedom, Infinite Justice and Akatsuki were on display.
"After it is done, all of you will undergo a simulation battle against these imitations of the originals. I'd like you to exploit any possible weaknesses we see."
"But of course we will eliminate possible weakness from our units of course." Roy added. "But in the end, it all depends on the pilot."
"Master Valten, the battleship from Orb is approaching this way. Shall we greet them?" Callista asked.
"Don't. They won't be foolish enough to come straight at us without any help. We will maintain our position until I say otherwise." the leader replied. "Instead, release the mobile suit we just recently completed. I'd like to see their reaction when they see it."
"Yes sir!"
Lacus made an unexpected entrance at the Orb Military HQ. "Cagalli, how's the situation?" she asked.
"We barely holding on. Kira and Shinn are now at the Archangel, recharging their units."
"What about the civilians? Are they evacuated safely?"
Cagalli nodded. "No problem at all. They are safe."
Suddenly, Joel made contact. "Corporal Joel Simmons to HQ. Do you hear me?"
The communications officer was about to answer but Cagalli snatched the microphone. "This is Cagalli Yula Attha. We hear you loud and clear, Corporal."
"Representative Attha, as you ordered, I am now approaching the battlezone within the city center."
"Engage the enemies as soon as you arrive. You only need to engage their frontliners. And you must hold out until backup arrives. Understood?"
"Understood. Simmons out."
"Godspeed, Corporal."
"Thank you, Representative Attha."
The communication ended as CrossZero Frame closed into the battlezone on the visual.
"So, that is the nephew of Erica..." Lacus remarked.
Cagalli nodded. "Right. He's our only hope now."
Xander was pacing up and down the corridor impatiently. The others looked at him silently.
"Dammit! What the hell are we doing here when others staking their lives out there!"
"Patient, man." Dearka said.
"Well, I barely doing it."
"Xan, like Yvonne said, trust Kira and Shinn." Lunamaria said, holding his hand.
"I know but..."
"You worry too much."
Xander shrugged. "I guess so..."
"I'm checking up my unit at the hangar. Anyone wish to follow?" Mai asked.
Dearka raised his hand. "I'm going. It's been a long time my Buster is out of battle."
"I'm going too, dad." Elena said. "You still haven't teach me on tuning up my unit."
"Ah, yeah. Riiight..."
Lunamaria looked around. "Where's Rina?"
"Hmph. Must be hanging out with 'Mwu Jr.'" Xander replied.
"You don't sound happy with that."
"Yeah. To an extent."
"Let it go, will you? I think Kei is a nice young man."
"I know that. But he's flirtatious. Too much to my liking."
"Give them a chance, okay? I'm sure Kei is serious about her."
Xander pulled his wife close. "Whatever you say. Whatever you say, dear..."
Back at the base of Junk Guild, Lowe and Jess were assessing the Out Frame's damages.
"I think this needs a major reconstruction." Jess said. "Judging by our current opposition."
Lowe grinned at him. "I have a few ways for that. But it will take some time though."
"Want us to lend a hand?" Canard Pars joined them, followed by Mina.
"I guess we can use a few..." replied Lowe.
Canard took off his upper part of his pilot suit. "Alright. Let's get the things you need and get to work."
"I think maybe you two should be alone for a while..." Jess said, referring to him and Mina.
Canard shrugged and Mina blushed. "I guess so. See you two in a while. Come on, Mina. I'm sure you'd like to ask a lot of things."
Zack was looking idly at the stars on the spacious observation deck.
"What am I doing here?"
"Zack?"
He turned around. "Laura. I thought you're at the bridge."
Laura smiled at him. "Unless the situation is sticky, I won't be needed there."
"I see..."
"What are you going to do now?"
"I...don't know. Unless I found the purpose to fight, I don't think I'll be able to do anything. I'm useless."
Laura held his hand. "No, you're not."
Suddenly, the ship rocked from a sudden missile attack. Zack caught Laura and pulled her close.
"Are we...under attack?"
"Ummm...Zack."
"Yeah?"
"I think I'm alright now." Laura said, with her face turned red.
Zack smiled and let her go. "I guess you're needed now."
She nodded. "I know."
"This is Captain Norman. All personnel are advised to return to their posts. Mobile suit pilots, prepare for battle."
"Be careful, Laura." Zack said.
"Yeah. You too, Zack."
"Have you got the enemy's position?" Yvonne asked Mirialia.
"Negative. The mobile suit is using Mirage Colloid and randomly attacks from long range."
"He's clearly avoiding our missiles." Yvonne assumed.
"Captain Norman," Mai appeared on the screen. "I'm going out."
Yvonne nodded. "You have my approval, Mai. Be careful out there."
Mai was about to board into her unit when Dearka stopped her.
"Captain."
"Now, now. No need for formalities here. We're all in this together."
Mai briefly smiled. "Very well...Dearka."
Her superior winked. "That's more like it. Anyways, will you be okay by yourself?"
"I'll be fine. Until General Darklighter says otherwise, that is." replied Mai. "Besides, I want to prove myself in my first battle."
"If you say so. Good hunting, Mai."
Xander and ANGEL took their place by Yvonne's side as he assessed the situation.
"ANGEL, are you able to detect where the enemy unit is?" Xander asked.
ANGEL shook. "I'm unable to detect any signal. Forgive me, Master."
"That's alright." he said.
"Any suggestions, Darklighter?" Yvonne asked.
"Unfortunately, none. Let's just hope Ensign Murakumo is able to adapt to battle quickly." he replied. "But if ANGEL couldn't detect anything out there, it can only be one thing; the unit is unmanned."
Mai breathed in as her unit was carried into the catapult launcher. She opened a locket attached around her neck. A photo of an elderly man was inside.
"Just where the hell are you, father?"
Laura Clyne contacted her from the bridge. "Ensign Murakumo, which pack you wish to use?"
"The Tactical Arms pack, please. Thank you, Laura." she replied.
"Very well. Attaching Tactical Arms backpack."
Just as soon as the pack was attached, another vibration occurred from the mysterious mobile suit.
"BLUE FRAME SECOND, YOU ARE CLEAR FOR LAUNCH."
Mai muttered a sillent prayer for her first battle. No simulations. "Mai Murakumo. Blue Frame Second L, going out!"
Back in Orb, Joel was fighting valiantly with waves of enemies by his own. Despite the CrossZero Frame barely had any damages, tiredness slowly getting to Joel. Furthermore, his back was suffering as a result from the stunt he pulled to save Elise's daughter.
"Just...a little more..."
"Hang in there, rookie!" a voice called from above.
Joel weakly smiled. "Took you long enough, General..."
Shinn, in Destiny landed beside CrossZero. He pulled out its anti-ship sword.
"You okay?"
"I can take a few more."
"Alright then. Let's do this!"
"Captain, we are approaching Seraphim's position. We are also picking up a battle between two mobile suits." a bridge crew informed Taylor.
He nodded. "I see. Very well, keep on approaching their position until I say otherwise."
"Captain."
Taylor turned to Sylvia Jule, who was on screen. "Yes, Sylvia?"
"Please permit me to fly out and aid them should the need arise."
Yzak appeared on the other line. "Sylvia!"
"Shut it, father. I got mother's approval on this."
Yzak sighed and sank into his seat. "Fine. But you'll get hell from me if you got beat up."
Sylvia smiled. "I know that, father."
"Haha. Still scared of Shiho?" Athrun smirked.
"Shut up!" Yzak yelled. "And wipe that smirk off your face!"
Mai was severely at a disadvantage as the invisible mobile suit resorted to sneak attacks and forcing the Blue Frame to waste unnecessary energy.
"Now!"
She swung her beam saber only to miss the target completely. "Darn. Missed again. I hate doing this, but..."
Mai detached the Tactical Arms Pack from the back and it turned into a giant broadsword.
"Concentrate, Mai!" she thought to herself.
"Will she be alright?" ANGEL asked from the cockpit of her unit.
"She will be." Dearka replied. "Trust her."
"If the going gets tough, Ashton is ready." Xander said.
"I'm ready anytime, Uncle Xander!"
"I know kid but I'm pretty sure Ensign Murakumo will manage to beat our mysterious attacker."
Mai missed another swing but she felt she went close with it. "Almost there..."
She turned off the sensors and closed her eyes as she tried to use her feelings to get the final result. In her mind, she saw only darkness until she heard the sound of a booster. The sound was approaching her from behind and she waited, tensely.
"Now!"
She quickly swung the over-sized sword and felt an instant feedback as it connected with the invisible enemy. Mai opened her eyes and turned back on all the sensors as the enemy's Mirage Colloid wore off. She recognized the 'ancient' black mobile suit from 20 years ago.
"Blitz?" she uttered.
"Blitz?" Yvonne and Dearka said, in shock.
"So, they even reconstructed Blitz from the dead, and gave it a Mirage Colloid system that won't reduce much from its power source. Plus, it is unmanned and based on programming." Xander elaborated.
"This group is slicker than I thought..." Dearka remarked.
"If they're capable rebuilding Blitz, then..." Lunamaria gasped.
"You're right, Luna." Yvonne said. "They will most likely have other unit's blueprint as well. Just imagine what they can do with it."
"We will probably see a battalion of Freedom, Justice and other powerful mobile suits." ANGEL added.
"We'll worry about that later. Ensign, if possible, disable that Blitz and take it back. I'd like to see what type of programming they put in." Xander instructed.
"Roger, General."
Shinn took out the last of the unmanned mobile suits with ease. He then contacted HQ.
"General Shinn Asuka to HQ."
"We read you, Shinn." Cagalli replied.
"We got everything clear in our position."
"Confirmed. We'll leave the moping up to Kira. You and Corporal Simmons did a great job."
"Thanks. We will return to Archangel. Shinn Asuka out."
Shinn turned to CrossZero Frame which was relatively quiet for some time. "Simmons, do you read me?" he commed. "Simmons?"
Inside the cockpit, Joel already passed out from exhaustion and the injury he suffered.
"Megan..."
To Be Continued...