Tragedy
Chapter 13
Diego stood in the ops bay overlooking the various positions of his recon platoon. So far none of his mobile suits found anything useful. Straitening up from the digital map he was hunched over, he heard a concerned 'hum' originating from behind.
"Hi, Soma,"he addressed her without even turning around.
"How did you know it was me?" she asked, slightly amused, as she walked to stand beside him.
Diego only gave her a rare smile, "I always know when it's you."
An unfamiliar feeling of euphoria overtook her with his words. Stopping by his side, analyzing the maps displayed, she asked, "Any reports?"
"Just three at the moment," Diego replied, handing her a digital tablet, "no hostile activity, outside of the normal, reported so far. I'm waiting on squad 4, they should be coming in from a dead zone."
Soma nodded, scanning the notes. "I interrogated all section heads and tech crew. Only 4 departments knew the enemy ship's coordinates, nobody there leaked them to Celestial Being." Putting the tablet down she sighed in frustration, "Whoever this is, they covered their bases well."
"To catch a rat, we have to think like one." Noting her quizzical expression, he elaborated, "If you got word of two officers investigating a leak, what would you do?"
Giving him an 'I think you're crazy' look, she pondered the question anyways. "I would, offer to help..." her eyes widened, "wait you think the leak is on the scouting crew?"
Diego nodded, "that's why I openly asked for volunteers. My men have kept the returning scouts in containment."
Soma looked closer at the displayed maps, "so that's why you picked such extraneous parameters. You sent them to known hostile locations." Picking up the tablet she added, "Knowing they should report specific reoccurring low-level hostiles." She said, looking up at him, amazed.
"Glad you approve."
"I'm relieved," smiling at his questioning look she added, "for a moment I thought you lost your touch."
He grinned at her amusement, they didn't get to relax very often, and definitely not in these circumstances. So what's changing? But to his dismay her playful expression didn't lingerfor long.
"I spoke to Colonel Smirnov."
Seeing a mixture of guilt and uncertainty on her face he asked, "He still wants to adopt you?" realizing how patronizing that must've sounded he added, "...I won't think any less of y-"
"I know," She added, still looking to him, "it just feels like I'm leaving one family for another."
"You will still be here. Nothing's going to change," Moving closer he put, "well except that we'll have another Smirnov onboard. You'd be adopting a pretty low standard."
She laughed, "Andrei's not a bad Lieutenant. Why do you give him such a hard time?"
"He has advantages many more qualified people don't." He shook his head, "but that's beside the point."
She let the subject drop, studying him carefully, noting just how close they now stood. "What would you do in my position?"
Stay, don't leave me here with Lindt. "I would do whatever is necessary."
"And what's necessary?" She enquired, turning to fully face him.
"Whatever you think is..." he murmured, holding her gaze. They stood like that, in intense yet not uncomfortable silence, many unspoken yet mutual feelings between them.
A glimmer of what he could only identify as doubt briefly reflected in her eyes, dropping her gaze to the floor.
"Soma..." she didn't look up at him. Putting his life into his own hands, he reached out and tilted her chin. "I think it's a good offer. I respect the colonel. And you deserve to be happy, to call someone "dad". He cares about you."
Sliding both her hands to clasp around his larger one, still beneath her chin she smiled, "thank you." Leaning into him, she kissed his cheek before resting her head in the crook of his neck, gently tracing his hand still in her own.
The moment was short lived as the display signal blared announcing the arrival of the fourth scouting party. Diego couldn't suppress a disappointed groan, hearing Soma's giggle in his ear as they slowly parted and looked to the screen.
"The cavalry has arrived,"
"Then let's get started," she said, stepping away, slipping back into her role of soldier as she headed for the door.
****************
Lockon quickly disposed of all the virtual targets rapidly closing in on his position. He spent over five hours of training non-stop, sniping everything from the HRL's Tieren units to the AEU Enacts and other units that were now considered out-dated for not having a false solar furnance. Starting out easy gave him time to adjust. He noted the improvement in the rifles' precision, cutting targeting time down from minutes to seconds.
"System training session expired."The robotic voice of Almagest's AI announced. The on-coming enemies disappeared as the screens around him polarized back into mirrored black surfaces.
"What the hell?" The rifle's trigger wouldn't budge, forcing Lockon to descend back to the bridge, or stay in the dark shell of the Almagest. Since when did they start restricting me? Now back on the empty bridge he realized just how long he'd been up there. Neil locked himself in training right after his encounter with Lyle, deciding that his rage would be put to better use by killing things. Still, even hours of training were unable to help him understand how his own brother could do something so stupid. Slamming a fist against his chair, Lockon breathed a frustrated sigh, realizing that he didn't know a thing about the man piloting his successor suit.
Moments later, Lockon floated the halls, en-route to the hanger. The time limit was not helping in his case, he knew that A-laws could strike at any time, making mastery over his unit, top priority. But why wouldn't they say anything? This mixture of thought and emotion weighed heavily on his mind as he found himself at the hangar doors, the voice of a clearly irritated Sumeragi could be heard from the open doorway. Lockon stopped short and looked in, confirming that it was Ian at the receiving end of her frustration.
"You told me it was safe!"
"And it is," the engineer countered, raising his hands in defence, "it's still stable. It would have been better if we had an inhibitor, but it'll have to do for now."
"Why didn't you wait, Ian?" She yelled, her voice betraying the concern beneath. "Damn it! I need to know things like this. How are you containing it?"
"I was not counting on having 5 meisters." Ian sighed. "Look, Sumeragi-san this is the best thing that could have happened to us. There's a restriction lock in place, if its honoured there should be no problems." He held up a hand as she was about to protest, "Linda is already working on the inhibitor."
Neil didn't have to look twice to know how she felt. Every accusation, even though it was aimed at Ian, cut through Lockon like a knife. He never wanted anyone to worry about him, he's Lockon Stratos, team leader around here, the one who snipes through the stratosphere, the one everyone depends on, the one that she depends on. Slumping against the cold metal walls, he continued to listen as Sumeragi, now keeping her voice level continued her barrage.
"You know he won't like this." And with a defeated sigh she confessed, "I just don't want to hurt him."
Lockon was planning to question her about Almagest's secrets, but her simple concern hit him where it counted the most. With great reluctance he decided to call off his barrage. She knew what's best, and he would wait until she told him what the problem was. After all, what's a relationship without trust? Or am I just pushing my luck?
Diego's fist connected with Girard's jaw, eliciting a sharp cry with the simultaneous snap of bone. After an hour of torture, the traitor stubbornly stayed with his story. Kati was stoic in her questioning, with Soma acting as her secondary, leaving Diego to be the 'bad cop' anddeal out the pain.
Diego was starting to get irritated with the man's stupidity, but at the same time he enjoyed having an outlet for his aggravation.
"I'm not going to ask you again. We've played this game for far too long." She glanced at her two subordinates, seeing her impatience reflected in their eyes. "This is your last chance. Where is Katharon hiding?" Kati asked.
Girard only laughed as he spat out blood. Dyson was ready to deal him another blow, but to his surprise Soma beat him to it, landing a precise hit to the nose. "Answer her!" she demanded.
Girard's head lolled back as he slowly tried to recover. His breathing was laboured and shallow as he looked up to meet their eyes, allowing himself a micro expression of pain. Just when they thought he would spill, a slow grin made its way across his mangled features, "Go to hell."
Kati only sighed, turning to Diego she nodded.
Dyson stepped out and dragged in one of Girard's comrades. A boy of no more than 20 years of age was handcuffed and almost shaking in Diego's grasp. Girard's eyes went wide as he caught sight of his ex-subordinate. The boy was a rising corporal and an excellent right hand. "This is absurd! You have no proof that he's involved." Girard spat.
"Don't we? He came back from your scouting party," Kati said, giving the corporal a sidelong glance. "I think he's guilty by association."
"No!" Girard's eyes widened at the sight of his battered corporal. He had truly reached his end now. The fear in his corporal's eyes was all Girard could take. There was no way he was going to let the young man die for his cause.
Lockon resumed his training in the gun pods. The accuracy and rate of fire offered by Almagest were far superior in comparison, but with the time limit still in place he was forced to settle into the normal shooter. Shooting the last target and completing the simulation for the 8th time, he hit restart and began the session all over again. He was so focussed on the burdens weighing on his mind that it wasn't until his screen went red did he realize he was hit. Cursing he slammed a fist on the panel and powered off the system. I could die if I don't deal with this shit. He promised himself he'd wait for Sumeragi, but patience was not one of his many virtues. Something was wrong with Almagest, and it was killing him to know what. I'm piloting the damn thing, I should've been told. Anger, betrayal, and some confusion summed up his list of feelings for the moment. He tried to forget about his encounter with Lyle earlier, but it was like a nag that wouldn't let go. All the reasons for his brother's behaviour were tired of being thought.
"Looks like you could use a drink?" Lockon turned to find Allelujah standing in the doorway.
"You got that right, partner" he said smiling. Who better than a man with a split conscience to help me with mine?
"Alpha team, secure your positions, nobody moves till I give the order," Diego spoke to his team of GN-XIII's as they dispersed from formation; lights of acknowledgement showing up on his display. "Remember we attack the suits, but take these people alive. We need all the intel we can get."
A unison "Roger that, sir," came over his comm once his team was in position.
"Actually that's no longer a concern, lieutenant." Diego's mood darkened, hearing Lindt's voice was not a good sign. "Both teams are cleared to use automatons."
"Colonel?" Soma's voice came through the commander lead channel.
"Both teams have been equipped, Bravo-5 and Alpha-2 are the carriers," with great disdain she added, "the Automatons need to undergo a field test. Be quick Lieutenants, we are counting on you both."
Diego slammed his dashboard, well thanks for telling us that now! Giving Smirnov and Harvey automatons, why not just backstab us altogether?
"Yes Colonel," Soma replied, before switching to team comm line.
Getting to position, in his custom GNX-704T/SP Ahead Smultro, Diego swapped his submachine gun for a sniper rifle. Huddling down in the sand, he listened as Alpha team fell into position one by one, all the while hoping for the action to finally get underway.
Lockon thanked god for alcohol. Allelujah talked non-stop about his imprisonment, not that he blamed the man, but his past 4 years were pretty bleak. After catching bits about two douches, Horace and Shane was it? Maybe, he started tuning out. Lockon was thankful that generations of alcohol tolerance flowed through his veins and helped him maintain his semi-interested projection.
"I better go now, it looks like we're leaving," Allelujah spoke, getting up from his telling conversation with a barley attentive Lockon, "it was good to talk."
"Sure was. See you in the field." He replied, watching with a hint of nostalgia as his comrade ran the familiar route to the hangar. He missed the action, and being stuck within the ship was a real killjoy. How does Sumeragi do it? He slumped atop the table, but was quickly jolted to full alert when the ship gave a rumble of life. Realizing that they were leaving, he made his way to the bridge.
On the bridge Feldt and Milleina were busy as usual typing way too many commands per second. Lasse, was at the helm and Sumeragi was seated in her command position, reviewing the intel displayed before her.
"We're leaving?"
His voice startled her and she quickly cleared the displayed plans, turning to him with a smile. "Hey, yes we're done here. Tieria is right. We would be putting them at risk if we stay. I contacted Setsuna, he will meet us halfway. " He nodded, slowly, his eyes lingering briefly on her screen. "Is everything alright, Lockon?"
"I'm fine," His eyes snapping to her's as he forced his trademark grin to life, "I'm always fine," taking a seat in Almagest's chair, he was lifted to the elevated cockpit before she could utter another word.
"Bravo-5 in position, ma'am," saidAndrei Smirnov
"Roger that, stand by." Soma relayed over the comm.
"Alpha team is ready," Diego came in over their command line, "we've got you covered."
"Good." Switching channels she addressed her team, "Bravo team, commencing assault."
Diego kept her in his scope, as Bravo team began their attack. The unsuspecting Katharon forces were no match for their strength. Andrei and Louise started their barrage, killing the hundreds of pilots running for their suits. Damn Harvey! Why's she leaving her position? But before he could call her back, a new enemy appeared on their radar. Cursing, he started sniping targets, giving orders to advance at the same time.
Soma and her team focussed on the already deployed units, taking them down like nothing. Jabbing her lance into the outdated suit Soma followed its falling path. As the suit fell, the terrified civilians scrambled back for cover, only to be obliterated by an automaton. The pure savagery of these innocent people stopped her dead. Soma was so out of focus in that moment, she failed to see the green Gundam coming for her at full speed.
Moments before impact a flash of red was all she saw as Diego's unit tackled her out of the way, countering the gundam at the same time. She heard his voice over the team chat, "Alpha team, focus on Celestial Being."
"Soma, you ok?" He asked on their private channel.
"I'm fine." Not to be outdone, she got back into the fight, taking out more Katharon members before duelling with the purple gundam. Two of her men came behind him, taking his attention off her, giving her a clear shot at the earlier green gundam who was now dispatching of the automatons.
Diego, shooting down a katharon suit to the other world, heard Soma's cut off 'wait'. Turning around he caught a glimpse of her losing a limb as she dodged the green ball of energy now coming towards him. Putting the suit to overdrive he managed to dodge it as well, but the loud crashes behind him told him two of his men were not as lucky.
"Damn it, that came from the ship! Bravo team, take out that cannon."
"All units retreat," Kati's voice came over the loudspeakers.
"MA'AM, we can take them, we-"
"Lieutenant Dyson, you're not equipped to battle Gundams for this assault. Everyone pull out, now!" Her voice came out menacingly low, leaving no room for argument.
Neil cursed as he missed. How did hours of practice not do anything? Getting an arm was not good enough. Lyle could've been killed, that idiot. He followed the enemy with his sights as they retreated, before powering to standby and descending to the bridge.
"How did they find us?"
But Lockon's question fell on deaf ears as the entire bridge crew looked mortified at the scene before them. The base that only moments ago offered a sophisticated line of defence lay in ruins before them. Limbs and bodies littered the ground amidst the fallen suits. The few that could walk started looking for those still breathing.
Lockon turned to Ian as he walked into the bridge, his expression just as mortified as the rest of them.
"Come on, Miliena, you don't need to see this," it was Feldt who performed the fatherly duty, getting a small nod of thanks from Ian.
Walking up to Lasse and Sumeragi at the overseeingplatform Ian spoke, "I don't understand how could A-laws do this to human beings?"
Lockon walked up to the group, only a glimpse at the carnage below was enough to make his blood boil. It doesn't change. No matter what it never changes. Images of his own life altering tragedy threatened to break into his mind's eye, but he kept them at bay.
The scanner picked up audio from the techs below, "we all live for something and we all die for something. If that is our destiny we cannot change it..."
Lockon focused on Sumeragi who suddenly stilled with horror beside him. "Sumeragi-san, is everything alright?" She turned to him, one look into her eyes told him she was miles away. Her breath caught in her throat, as she wobbled and slumped forward. Alarmed, Lasse and Ian ran up, but Lockon pitched forward and caught her just in time.
"I'm getting the doc!" Lasse announced as he raced out the door.
"Sumeragi-san!" He felt her go completely limp in his arms, now horrified he kept trying to get a response, "Leesa! Can you hear me?" He didn't care about protocol or officer/meister relations as he tried not to panic.
Ian, kneeling down beside them checked her pulse. "It's feint but it's there. Moreno is coming." He tried to be as calm as possible, for Lockon's sake. But the meister was completely drained of color, worried sick.
Surprising the engineer, Lockon lifted her into his arms, heading for the door.
"Lockon! You're still hea-"
"She can't wait. Lead me to the med bay, hurry!"
Moments later, Lockon waited outside the medbay along with Feldt, Ian, and Lasse.
"She will be okay, Sumeragi-san is strong," Feldt offered, putting a light hand on Lockons back, lightly trailing it to rest on his shoulder, as he sat hunched over with worry.
He put his own hand over her's in reply, so worried that he missed the younger woman's slight blush. Everyone stood up when the doors opened to reveal Dr. Moreno.
"She will be ok. Sumeragi-san is in the resting pods right now." Dr. Moreno stated, faster than any of them could utter a question.
"Can we see her?" Lockon asked, his posture slightly more relaxed than it had been moments ago.
"I can allow one of you to sit in, yes."
Neil felt a pat on his shoulder, as Feldt spoke, "go ahead Lockon, we'll wait out here."
Looking around to see the others nod in agreement, Lockon followed Dr. Moreno. The revelation of their relationship was the least of his worries, as he kept pace. "Do you know what happened?"
"She seemed to have experienced a mental shock, usually accompanied by the recollection of a traumatic experience."
Lockon didn't have to ask what brought that on. As they entered her area, he immediately came to her side. He grew to hate those pods, and now seeing one encapsulating his woman, he hated them with renewed passion. Pulling up a chair, he peered down at her as she slept. She looked peaceful, but he could only imagine the horror she was reliving. When Dr. Moreno left them alone, Lockon placed a hand atop the glass, just like she had done, years ago.
"I'm here Leesa," watching her unmoving form he continued, "I'm not going anywhere."
A/N: Remember, your reviews are motivating!