Chapter Three: Reactions
Gundams showing up one after another. Mysterious mobile suits with technology far exeeds the current one.. Those suits are far more powerful than any mobile weapon of the three superpowers, handling numerical superiority with ease. Now an unknown organisation, Celestial Being sent a video message to the world voiced by an old man as a probable leader.
-Old Man:We are Celestial Being. We're a private armed organisation, which employ the mobile weapons known as the Gundams.
-Louise: Celestial Being?
-Saji: A private armed organisation? Maybe mercenaries?
Nearly everyone is silent and stares at the broadcast screens. Saji and Louise keeps silent too. After few seconds of pause the old man continues his speech.
-Old Man: Our purpose, which we, Celestial Being exist is to end all warfare on this planet. We do not seek to fight for personal gain. In order to eliminate the strife of war on people's hearts, we stand. As I am doing presently, we shall announce our intentions to all mankind. Domination, Religion, Energy, no matter what kind of justification may be we will do any battle and quell it. In this way we hope to reform the world. No matter if it's a country, organisation or company. If they support war, then they will come to know us all too 're Celestial Being. We exist for the sole purpose of ending war, as an independent private military. I will repeat...
-Louise:They're surely some kind of super organisation financed by that rich man to save the world!
She must've meant the old man of the video message. She seems full of spirits about what she heard. Louise is a little bit naive and airhead but out of the two she's the more interested in worlld politics.
-Saji:Yeah!
Saji said bowingly while he watches Louise as she stares at the screen. He cares little about the whole Blocks, politics, terrorists or war? Who cares? Nowadays terrorist groups shows up then dissapears, in the Middle east something always happens, and the Power Blocks are fighting constant verbal battles butall of them means very little to Saji. His dream to work in space. That's why he's studiing for space engineering. He hardly cares when people killed somewhere far away. He can't do anything about it and it's not even his business at all.
Meanwhile the old man of the video message is continously speaking. Reinforcing and repeating the main objectives and aims of Celestial Being while everyone who can silently listens to him in the whole world.
On the irregulal meeting of the Advanced European Union Council at Brussels every official listens to Celestial Being's message. Meanwhile someone reports to the AEU's President, Gebhard Schmidt via his headset.
-Officer:Sir! We lost 29 Hellions and a five of our airbases burned to the ground yesterday. There's close to zero civilian property damage and not even one civillian died. The audition of witnesses and surviving pilots still in progress.
-Chief:Thank you. You dismissed for now.
-(Chief):Damn Gundams! This is our greatest causality since the second Solar Energy War! And this happens now when we're obviously at disadvantage compared to the other two Power Blocks. This is the worst timing ever possible!
The Council is far from happy about the message. Even more because one of those Gundams just devestated a couple of MS bases and the new experimental suit of the AEU. It's both humiliating and a great loss.
Meanwhile Graham Aker drives to the airport and laughing at the old man's message. Bill's a little bit surprised to hear that.
-Graham: This has got to be a bad joke! Ending violence by force. Celestial being... it represents it's own antithesis.
-(Graham): What are you planning, Celestial Being? You can't be fool like you state that!
At the time somewhere in New York, a man called Alejandro Corner is listening to the news while he stares out the view from the the balcony. It's the twentieth floor. He has a great view on the 's full of life and lights he enjoys his drink.
-Alejandro: It has begun, Ribbons.
Alejandro looking backwards. Ribbons is a young man and his servant. He has a blond hair with a light green shade and his face lacks any emotions. He remains silent and stares forward like a machine. After a while Alejandro averts his eyes from him and stares at the skies.
-Alejandro:That so called revolution of humanity.*smirks*
The video message ends and the President of the Union smirks. He's sitting at his desk in the Presidental Office in the White House. His Advisor is at the room too.
-President:They seems to be assuming our country's duties.
-Advisor: President, could they be serious?They're seeking no reward?
-President: We intervened in the wars of others to protect our nation's safety and interest. It was certainly not for charity. I think their true nature will be revealed soon enough.
-Advisor: And it will be our job to punish them when that happens.
The president, Brian Stegmeyer known as a really crafty polititian. He governs the Union for 6 years and thanks to him the people of the Union lving in a prosperity never heard of. He was the Vice President at the Second Solar Power War and thanks to his efforts the Union successfully backed out of the war while it claimed key locations and won over the simpathy of many neutral states. Despite his relatively old age he always plans two steps ahead of his opponents. He looks forward to the challange that this Celestial Being gives to him. Compared to the last Solar Power War it seems minuscule for now.
Next day at the HRL's Central, Bejing the HRL's Chairman is watching again the Celestial Being's video message from yesterday. The Chief of the Intelligence Department enters to report about his recent informations about both Celestial Being and the Gundams. The Chairman stops the video and listens to the report.
-ID Chief:We found nothing about this organisation, named Celestial Being. Nor it's connections, it's backing, it's past or any proof of it's existence. But even with that information we are almost sure that the strange mobile suits and the organisation are connected.*smirks* Perhaps if Celestial Being really exists.
-HRL Chairman:On what grounds?
He inserts a data card into the Chairman's computer.
-ID Chief: It contains the required proff for it. Please take a look at that picture. It was taken at the Heavens Pillar incident.
The picture is from Pretorian Gundam. A Mobile Suit in white and black colors. The whole design resembles a human much more than any Mobile Suit ever created. It's like a giant knight on foot. The chairman have already seen that picture and remained uninterested.
-Chairman:And? What about it?
-ID Chief:Take a closer look on the mobile suit's shield on the upper part. It says: Gundam.
The Chairman examines it and he's right. The letters are clearly readable.
-ID Chief:The same name as the suspected leader of Celestial Being mentioned. Perhaps maybe the whole thing about Celestial Being is a diversion. Maybe the whole organisation just the AEU or the Union's tale to avert our attention.
-Chairman: But the danger of that Gundam things are real.
-ID Chief: I can't deny it. The Gundams have far superior capabilities than any of our Mobile Suits. According to the observations from Heavens Pillar and the happenings in the AEU military parade, the Gundams have a completely new and superior way of propulsion. Not to mention their quick frame movements, their jamming abilities. The most interesting fact their ranged weaponry. They're seemingly not using any kind of solid ammunition, instead it shoots bright beams of some unknown particle.
-HRL Chairman:Beam weapons...it's not something that the Union working on?
-ID Chief: Exactly. We're currently trying to find some connection between the Union and the Gundams. When we have some valuable information I report it immediately!
-HRL Chairman: Perhaps we can't forget the possibility, that Celestial Being is real.
-ID Chief: Of course.
The leader of the Intelligence Department leaves.
-HRL Chairman: Damn that Stegmeyer. And I thought the peace last for at least another 10 years...*asks his secretary*Call the Super Soldier Institute. Those monsters have some use again.
Somewhere near the Earth's orbit the mobile suit carrier of the Celestial Being, Ptolemy and it's crew has just finished celebrating. It was a great party,the reason was the start of the armed interventions. They won't have much time for fun in the future so it's right to celebreta now.ű . Lichty drunk a lot, but he was only the second to Sumeragi. They enjoyed the party the best. Everyone goes sleeping except Christina and Feldt. They're on the watch for now and they're staying on the bridge. They're talking about the party, perhaps.
-Christina: Feldt! It seemed you didn't enjoy yourself back then.
-Feldt: It's true. It was too loud for me. Besides I'm no good in crowds.
-Christina:That's your problem, Feldt. You have to socialise now. Soon we'll hardly have any free time. You must loosen up sometimes...like now.
-Feldt:I'm relaxed enough with the work. And I still can't imagine how could Sumeragi organise a party at times like this. What if a wandering patrol have detected us?
-Christina:It would be really bad. But No worries. We're out of any enemy patrol zones. Not to mention they're searching for us on the surface first.
-Feldt: You're right, but it was still reckless.
-Christina: That's true. But you're still worrying too much. You should've drinked some.
-Feld: If you remember I'm still just 14. I can't drink alcohol.
-Christina: Oh my! What a good girl! You must had an excellent nurturing.
She says that with a happy face...as usual. She never looked sad. She meant that as a joke to bring out some kind of funny reaction from her. But Feldt don't answer her.
Feldt grown up at Krung Thep, a space colony operated by Celestial Being since she was a baby. She raised by the whole colony as everyone's child. Her parents died early and she has no memories only the things she heard about them. Somehow everyone was a stranger and family at once to her. Even if everyone was kind to her she still missed something she can't put into words. She joined to the crew of Ptolemy because of her incredible talent and deep knownledge despite her age. she misses the people at Krung Thepp but she's burning to do something for the world.
-(Feldt): At least if they were bad ones. But they were such a great persons. And I have no memories of them.
-Christina: What happened? You look down suddenly. Did i say something wrong?
Perhaps Christina noticed Feldt's sudden silence and worried over her.
-Feldt: No...nothing.
-(Feldt):Everyone so considerate and kind. How can I be sad? I make sad everyone else around me with that. I'm so stupid.
Christina is like an older sister to her. She's very kind and cares about everyone. Feldt was lost and lonely at the early days. Christina and her warm attitude was the thing that helped her to feel herself at ease a little bit. They're great friends since that day. Christina gives up the topic and starts the regular daily maintance of the operating systems.
After few hours of sleeping Sumeragi Lee Noriega wokes up in her room. The Ptolemy is spacious enough to have individual rooms for almost the whole crew and all of the Gundam Meisters, the operators of Gundams. Sumeragi's room is really plain. She has only a few personal belongings. The only noticable thing is her bar case.
She had a quite bad dream. She still had at least two hours until she changes shifts with Feldt.
-Sumeragi: Sheesh...That dream again.*drinks* How long it will keep haunting me again and again.
Meanwhile Christina has fallen asleep. It must be the alchohol. Christina tried to drink as little as possible but even with that her concentration was far from ideal. With the heavy work of checking the operation system she can't chase away her sleepiness. Feldt takes a look on her. She has such a peaceful smile even at sleep.
-(Feldt): I can't figure it out why she joined Celestial Being. She and Lichty always looks so happy. Even Miss Sumeragi has the looks of a sad person despite her sometimes lazy behaviour. I can't figure them out. Everyone must have suffered because of warfare. That's why every one of us hates it and join hands to stop it. But if i think about it even i am an exception to that rule somehow.
Feldt grins about the thought. It's a rare sight. She's extremely reserved. Maybe even a bit gloomy. Suddenly the door opens. It's Sumeragi.
-Sumeragi: Oh! Feldt, I come to replace you. You must be tired.
-Feldt: Mis Sumeragi! I feel alright. I think I can last another five hours. You should change with Christina. She has fallen asleep. I think I take her to her room.
-Sumeragi: Alright. Are you sure you can bring her just by herself?
-Feldt:Yes. Thanks for your care, but someone must stay on the bridge.
And as she has done speaking she loosens Christina's safety belt and carries her out from the bridge.
-(Sumeragi): Always the duties and others first...just don't overwork yourself, Feldt.
Next day Tieria announces the positions of the Meisters. He's young man with straight dark long hair, glasses and somewhat a girlish look. On the top of that his sense of fashion is disturbing. Pink cardigan with a simple shirt and horrible trousers. He's strict , level headed, anti-social and on the top of that even arogant.
- Tieria: Veda decided everyone's position. Kovac Sturmer, you remain on Ptolemaios along with me.
- Kovac: Roger that.
He looks quite rough compared to the other Meisters despite being only 22. He's more than 6 foot tall, bland, heavily stumbled and muscular built. A walking colossus. Probably he can break Tieria's arm easily. Luckily he's quite calm and even reserved. He's not the man of casual talks.
-Tieria: Lockon, you remain on standby at the Union's central, Washington DC.
-Lockon: Alright. Mr. Leader. It was such a long time since I last visted it. Mind if I bring some suvenirs?
Lockon Stratos, almost at the same age as Lasse, the ship's gunner. Sharp looking, with a brown long hair and almost as tall as Kovac. He's an excellent sniper and quite a ladies man..He's understanding and acts like the big brother of every other Meister. He detests every terrorist, probably because someone close to him become a victim of their attacks.
Tieria ignores Lockon's question and continues his talk.
-Tieria Allelujah, you stay at Tokyo as an engineering student until further notice.
-Allelujah: So. Alone? You're going to loosen my chains?
Allelujah tried to joke again. He constantly tries to draw out some emotion from Tieria. He's the only one whose emotions Allelujah can't read. It's almost like he's not even near him. Allelujah Haptism is the youngest Meister. Average height, quite muscular but compared to Kovac he's slender. He wears a black military trike and His hair hides a part of his face, including his right eye.
-Tieria: Under normal circumstances there's no problem with you. I have no reason to monitor you personally.That's all what Sumeragi and Veda said. The meeting is dissmissed.
Tieria said all that with his usual deadpan voice. Lockon and Kovac don't know a thing about Hallelujah just that Allelujah could act strangely at battles. Their confusion about the talk of the two is understandable.
Meanwhile at the AEU Military Headquarters the Military Chief, Commander Alexander Rowkins currently negotiates with a mercenary.
-Military Chief: You and your men are now officially hired for a special mission concerning the Gundams. It currently have no specific name. You've got some of our latest equipment and one of our new Enact suits as advance payment
-Mercenary:That's nice to hear. Let's talk about the money.
The mercenary has a long and a bit messy red hair, stumbled face and a long goatee. On the top of that he reeked from alcohol. It took aminutes for the secretary to actually let him in.
-Military Chief: I pay nothing without results. But you're free to use the equipment i give you and after every defeated Gundam you get a huge bonus.
-Mercenary: What about the capture then?
-Military Chief: Do if you have a chance for it. Scavenge every part of left of them or capture it intact. Do as you get another bonus for theparts you bring. But i can guarantee it's a generous amount. Even more if it's a whole Gundam.
-Mercenary: Sounds good. So even if I destroy them I'll get some extra from the scraps. Then it's a deal.
The mercenary leaves. His face was disorted by a grin as he left. The Vice-Chief notices the mercenary and watches him with a piercing stare for a while then he enters.
-Vice Chief:Why are you bargaining with that madman? Why mercenaries? We have our own military and our own ace pilots.
-Military Chief: A mercenary group can act more independently. Besides it's much more cheaper. Especially that so called madman and his group. The regular military and the ace pilots needs a mountain of amount as payment with their change to an anti-Gundam special force. Not to mention that we risk our own ace pilots' life with it. While the life of freelance mercenaries is not our concern.
-Vice Chief: But about the mercenary leader you hired...
-Military Chief: As i said that's the reason I hired him. He called as the Demon of War. A war addict. I think he even accepted it with normal payment just to fight with the latest equipment. Not to mention he's the best mercenary on the market. If anyone he can do Ali Al'Saachez...
I'm done with that chapter too. It's more of a character development/introduction chapter with some cliffhangers to the plot. I've decided to Alter some certain points in the Gundam 00's history tooand rework some characters. I'm a kind of writer who constantly thinks over the whole plot while writing it down. The base plot of the S1 happenings has finished since a long time, but i constantly change it while thinking it over at writing every new chapter. I hope, despite it being short in action you enjoy reading this chapter too.