Gundam SEED C.E. 79

Cameron, Separation Anxiety

Part 1

Running amidst the fields, a girl giggled gleefully under a beautiful cloudless sky. With no care in the world, she enjoyed the outdoor weather. It was something she could enjoy without cost, it was a priceless activity.

"Big Brother!" she shouted gleefully as she ran after him. When she caught up to him, they would laugh cheerfully. They didn't have many friends, but they had each other. It was a concern of their parents, but to them, all that mattered was the fact that they had each other. They were always together, so they felt that was all they needed.

...

"Big Brother, the girls at school are making fun of me because of who I said I'd like to go to the Summer Festival with..."

"Who do you want to go with?"

"Well...you of course..."

"...The guys at school were making fun of me for the same reason... what's so wrong with it anyway? It's just a Festival... it's not like it's a marriage or anything..."

...

While they were as close as the closest blood siblings, they were not blood related. Of course, at this time they didn't know this. They weren't related at all, step-siblings, nothing more. And their feelings for each other were much deeper than the bond of a brother-sister duo. It would be a step too far to call it a romantic love, but the love they have for each other is far beyond that of which normal blood siblings share. It was a kindred spiritual bond that couldn't be developed or taught, it simply was. From the moment these two were born, they were destined to understand one another, comfort one another, entertain one another, and ultimately, love one another in the most unconditional sense.

...

They could always find one another. It would baffle the others, but no matter what the situation, they could always find each other. No distance was too great for their uncanny ability to sense the other... but for the first time, he was unable to sense her. The only solace he found, was the feeling in his heart that she was alive...

...

On board the E.F. Fitzgerald carrier ship, thousands of survivors of the assault on Perth were being treated for injuries ranging from minor to critical. Among these survivors, Cagalli and Ashley were also on board. The Vierge was being repaired for the minor damages it received against the Iblis. During this time, Cagalli and Ashley were both in the captain's bridge. Captain Thames Amareaux of the Earth Federation Forces welcomed Cagalli Yula Athha and Ashley Rosi into his bridge with open arms. He had known both of their Father's from past experiences.

"It's such a great honor to meet with you in person, Lady Cagalli!" Captain Amareaux proudly exclaimed, "Why, the last time I saw you, you were a wee little thing tugging at your Papa's pant leg! Hahahaha!!"

"Please, Captain Amareaux... you needn't be so descriptive in your recollections... it's rather embarrassing," Cagalli replied bashfully.

"Oh I'm sorry, but I can't help but shudder with the recollection of such gleeful memories as those, milady! And Ash! Why it's been such a long time since I've seen you as well!"

"Yeah..."

"Why the long face, lad? Aren't ya happy to see ole' Thames again?"

"Pardon me for not sharing the 'gleefulness' you do, Captain... but my Mother was killed in that assault on Perth... and my sister is missing..."

"By God! Cammie is missing?! Well why didn't you say so in the first place, lad! I have scouting parties stationed all over Australia, surely we can find her quicker if we have help, no?"

"You could do that?!"

"Of course, lad! It's the least I could do for the son of Rubido Rosi!" Captain Thames retorts as he immediately presses the public announcement system for the entire ship, "Lads and Lasses, this is your captain speaking! Ensure the relay message to all contacts stationed on the Aussie mainland: Find and safeguard a 16 year old, Caucasian female standing at five foot six with long golden brown hair and violet eyes – the name of this young lass is Cameron Rosi!"

"Old man Thames... I can't thank you enough."

"Aw posh! Do not mention it, lad! Consider it a repayment for all the times your father saved my ass in battle!" Captain Amareaux replied, applying a strong head lock on Ashley.

"S-stop! Y-you're messing up my hair!"

"Don't be such a nancy-boy, lad!"

"A na-HEY! Arghhhh!! Don't call me tha—lemme GO!!"

Cagalli couldn't help but let slip a small chuckle at the rather comical sight before her, "You two get along well."

"C-cagalli! H-help me!!"

"Nonsense! You would ask for help from a beautiful lass, such as Lady Cagalli? Where's ya manly spirit, lad!"

As Captain Thames Amareaux continued to wrestle with Ashley, Cagalli mused the rather 'touching' interacting between them...

...As the ocean skyline was a beautiful, brilliant marigold. Cagalli was standing near the edge, port-side, of the carrier. Her wind blew gently with the gentle ocean breeze. It was then when Captain Thames Amareaux approached Cagalli. He lacked his previous casual demeanor, seriousness filled his voice, "I'm gravely saddened to hear about what had happened to ORB, Lady Cagalli... As a holder of dual-citizenship, I too had a home in ORB... of course for my sake, my wife and I were not in ORB at the time of the catastrophe..."

"I'm glad you were spared the horror, Captain..."

"Lady Cagalli... About Cammie... I heard she was en route to Canberra... but that's a problem."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"...When Canberra was first assaulted the other day, the Zodiac spread their forces amidst the span of Australia. To be blunt, the Earth Federation has lost control of the heart land of Australia. Only due to your heroic efforts, using the Vierge, is Canberra still a part of Earth Federation territory."

"...So what you're telling me is that Australia is a hot zone-that Zodiac basically controls it, no?"

"...More or less, yes, that's what I'm saying. That's what is going to pose a bit of a problem in finding Cammie. I've extended my colleagues... and it will become too dangerous for them to loiter around behind enemy lines for too long."

"...That's right. And since Cameron is a Natural... who knows what they might do to her if they find her..."

"...Actually, Lady Cagalli... that's something else I wanted to talk with you about. Something about Ash's little sister, Cammie..."

"What? Why are you telling me this and not Ashley?"

"...Because I do not believe it's prudent to do so at this time, milady..."

"...Very well, please, continue..."

"Lady Cagalli... Cameron Rosi isn't a Natural-she's a Coordinator. You see, Rubido's wife couldn't bear children conventionally... so, using the only means available, Cameron Rosi was born using Human Engineering."

"...So... what are you getting at, Captain?"

"...Lady Cagalli, it's possible that the Zodiac forces have apprehended Cammie. And if they have, there's a possibility they have already started reconditioning her mind."

"...I'm not convinced, if the Zodiac will imprison their own-Coordinators who sympathize with the Rebel Alliance... why don't they just recondition them?"

"That's the thing about an arrogant society who believes it's superior to all forms of humanity, Lady Cagalli. Those who of their own free will-defy the regulations set forth unto them by decree of the Emperor are imprisoned and treated like Naturals – however, the Coordinators who have nothing to do with the Rebellion are considered as 'Lostlings'. The typical procedure when dealing with a Lostling is to have them undergo Personality Reconditioning Therapy, or PRT for short. After undergoing the PRT, a Lostling's entire mental makeup has been reconfigured, or for lack of a better word, reconditioned to suit the will of the Zodiac Empire. This is why it's imperative that we locate Cammie before the Empire can tamper with her mind..."

Cagalli, her arms crossed, was deep in thought as she took in all of what Captain Thames Amareaux had to say. After a brief moment of silence, Cagalli lifted her head up, looking the captain directly in the eyes, "If what you're telling me is something the Zodiac Empire is practicing, then you're exactly right. It is imperative that we find Cameron. I'll begin the search using the Vierge-the repairs are completed right?"

"Yes, Lady Cagalli, the Vierge is all set to sortie, however I must ask you a small favor."

"What is it, Captain?"

"I'd like it if you would allow Ashley to accompany you on this quest. I've prepared a mobile suit that would be most suited to his abrasive nature."

"...Forget it, despite all that's happened so far... he's not ready."

"And where you ready when you first stepped inside a mobile suit, milady? Perhaps you should focus on doing what you think is right, instead of trying to act like this boys guardian?"

"...Just what kind of mobile suit do you have prepared for him?"

"Well, I was starting to think you'd never ask!" Captain Amareaux retorted.

...After leading Cagalli into the hangar, "As you can see, your Vierge is completely repaired and ready to sortie at any time!"

"As appreciative as I am, Captain, I'd still like to see this mobile suit you've spoken of..."

"...Has anyone told you that you can be rather scary at times, Lady Cagalli?"

"..."

"Heh...r-right, in any case, follow me." Captain Amareaux stammered as he led her into the next section of the hangar, "Here it is, Lady Cagalli... the legacy of Rubido Rosi... The Kokino-Ryuu Hyperion Gundam."

As Cagalli looked upward, she marveled the sight of the mobile suit before her. It's primary color was a deep ruby red. On the cuffs of it's arms were dragon's claws. In the right hand was a Zastava Stigmate beam sub-machine gun. In the left hand was twin beam trident pole arm. To compliment the 'dragon' image, located on it's back were two 'wings' which were shields for the two vernier boosters located in the back of the Gundam.

"Rupido Rosi... the Red Dragon... How could I have forgotten... In one battle against the ZAFT forces, he was able to severely damage the Impulse Gundam... only to be killed in a latter battle by that very Gundam... I had thought his mobile suit was destroyed beyond repair...but it appears I was wrong."

"To be more precise, Rubido's Red Dragon Gundam was destroyed, the Kokino-Ryuu Hyperion Gundam is the upgraded variant of the Red Dragon. Since the Red Dragon only saw two battles, it's still highly unknown even to this day – 5 years after the 2nd Bloody Valentine War. Rubido was a great pilot, and piloted various windam models before getting inside the Red Dragon, which made him famous among the Earth Alliance forces... It's only proper that Ashley Rosi pilot the Gundam that was designed specifically for his late great father, Rubido Rosi."

"T-that was to be my Father's Gundam?!"

In that moment, both Captain Amareaux and Cagalli turn around to see Ashley standing behind them in utter awe. His deep myrtle green eyes glistened as they focused upon the majestic sight of the Kokino-Ryuu Hyperion Gundam.

"Yes, lad, had he not been slain by the Impulse Gundam during the 2nd Bloody Valentine War – the Kokino-Ryuu Hyperion Gundam was to be what he would've piloted..."

"Cagalli... please! I have to go with you! It's my responsibility to protect Cam! And with this Gundam... I'll have the power to do so!"

"...Power is no more than just that, power. Foolish are those who hope for it in excess...yet equally foolish are those who resent it for no apparent reason. Think of it as a sword for protection..." Cagalli spoke the words of her Father, when she received the Akatsuki many years ago, "If it's protection you desire, then I've no reason to object your using of this Gundam. But... if it's vengeance you seek... I cannot allow you to fight with me."

"Cagalli... Of course I burn up inside when I think of what they did to my Mother... but moreover, the only thing that matters to me is protecting Cam. She's the only family I got left... I can't let anything happen to her. She's my sister and I love her!" Ashley exclaimed profoundly, placing his hand on his chest.

Cagalli smiled, assured of Ashley's volition, "Then what are you waiting for-let's go find Cameron."

Preview of Chapter 7

Alone, Cameron Rosi must deal with her new situation. After being told that her Mother and Brother are dead, Cameron makes a fateful decision. Next time on Gundam SEED C.E. 79, "Cameron, Separation Anxiety, Part 2"

Kokino-Ryuu Hyperion Gundam Specs

Model Number: CAT1-X3G/01S2

Code Name: Kokino-Ryuu Hyperion Gundam

Unit Type: Prototype attack use mobile suit

Manufacturer: Earth Alliance

Operator: Earth Federation

First Deployment: February 25th, C.E. 79

Accommodation: Pilot only, in standard cockpit torso

Dimensions: head height 16.9 meters

Weight: max gross weight 54 metric tons

Powerplant: ultracompact energy battery

Equipment and Design Features: Sensors; Neutron Jammer Cancelor; Self-Destruct Systematic

Fixed Armaments: 2 x multi-barrel CIWS, fire-linked, mounted in head; 2 x dragon fang w/internal flame throwers, mounted on arms;1 x twin beam trident, stored in recharge rack on backpack, hand-carried in use; 5 x RBW Type 7001 "Romteknica" beam knife, mounted on main body and RFW-99 "Zastava Stigmate" beam sub-machine gun, powered by cable connected to mobile suit, hand-carried in use

Pilot: Ashley Rosi

Additional Info: The Kokino-Ryuu Hyperion Gundam is basically a crossover between the Altron Gundam from the GW universe and the Hyperion Gundam from Gundam SEED X Astray. It's fairly balanced and can fight a ranged or close quarters fight.