Ch 4 – Ambush
A-Laws High Command, Brussels Federal City
Most of the ESF's operations were based in its capital of Brussels, including the Command Centre of its defences. The A-Laws High Command was based there as well, and led by Commander Homer Katagiri.
Currently in his own penthouse suite office, Commander Katagiri was having a call from a good ally of his in regards to the A-Laws. On his screen, there was no image; only wavelengths to indicate the sounds.
"Those men I had sent to you for training has done the A-Laws proudly," Katagiri said, "even Uganda had fallen to us and it was annexed to the East African Territory. I wish to send them to deal with the remains of the Saudi Empire, if that were okay with you."
"Of course, to unify the world is our priority and those warmongers of Arabia need to be pacified," the voice said, "but dispatch only Gino and Anya. I have other plans for my ace in the sleeve, Mr Bushido."
"What ideas you have for him?" Katagiri wondered, "The regular army can proceed with the occupation in East Africa, as we had in the Congo. Most other territories are largely pacified with a majority of the populace in support of us."
"Not when our greatest enemy is still at large… Celestial Being," the voice said, "I have confirmed their revival with their little stunt in the Caspian. They may inspire more rebellions, more than just the Schwarze Ritters and region-based rebels."
"Fear not, you have the government's support and we will continue to root out all opposition from the Parliament," Katagiri said.
Suddenly, the voice of Katagiri's secretary called up.
"Mr Katagiri, there is a person here to see you," she said, "She claimed that it is of utmost urgency and you expected her."
"Of course, send her in," he replied, "I have a discussion with her."
The secretary's voice cut off and Katagiri looked into the screen of static.
"I won't bother you any more, but note that Mr Bushido is already dispatched to the Caspian," the voice said, and it too ended.
At that moment, a stern womanly figure walked in the office. She donned a more regal version of the ESF Army uniform, with a flowing cape behind. Instead of the standard kepi, she wore a peaked cap on top of her purple hair. Accompanying her, there were her two comrades and friends in their ESF uniforms.
"Ah, General Cornelia of the ESF Army, I had been expecting you," Katagiri said.
Cornelia pulled back her cape and pulled out a rifle blade at the A-Laws Commander.
"Don't act gentleman with me, you bastard!" she yelled, "I want Euphie back! I know you guys took her away."
"If her Social Reform Party had been causing trouble such as a public protest against our wars for freedom, we must put it out," Katagiri justified, "she's in our care for now, where I can guarantee her safety… if you could help me…"
"Miss Cornelia will not negotiate anything with you people!" Guildford exclaimed.
"Wait now, it's okay," Cornelia said, "I swore to protect Euphie at all costs. As long she's alive, I will protect her. But if even a strand of hair was snipped off, you're a-Laws will burn."
St. Cuthbert II, Underwater of Caspian Sea
Underneath the depths of the Caspian Sea, the ship St. Cuthbert II sailed through the currents for a pathway to escape into the Indian Ocean. Lyle, or the new Lockon, was idling at the hangar. Haroes of many different colours were tending to the Mobile Suits on their attached units. The only Haro not at work was in his arms, the Haro partnered to the original Lockon. Feldt was staring at him from a distance.
"Oh hello there," Lockon greeted, "I guess you know who I am, or what I will be called from now on."
"Eh… code name is Feldt Grace, it's nice to meet you…" she replied hastily.
"You seem quite flushed somehow…" Lockon commented, "Why is that so?"
"Feldt likes Lockon! Feldt likes Lockon!" the Haro cried.
"So you like my bro, I cannot see why not," Lockon said, "such a nice lad, and all-round popular with people too. But he's now dead… so say I be your Lockon. I still look like him in the end."
Lockon put down Haro and walked towards Feldt. He held up her chin and placed it towards his lips. However, Lockon had a slap right across his face.
"You may look like him, but you're not Lockon," Feldt replied, and she walked away.
"Failed," Haro exclaimed, "Failed."
"No Haro, that was what I wanted in the first place," Lockon said, "I may look like him and bear his code-name, but I am not him in the end. I don't want others to see me as him."
Meanwhile, Lelouch looked out to the surroundings of the St. Cuthbert. Lasse was steering the whole vessel around these waters.
"The sea is quiet… too quiet," Lelouch said, "Lasse, the A-Laws could be on our tail right now, given the stunt we pulled off back then."
"Yes sir, but what can they pull off?" Lasse asked, "I mean, we are underwater right now."
"Who knows if their Mobile Suits are made for underwater combat?" Lelouch questioned, "We cannot be taking chances."
"Aye aye," Lasse replied.
ALS Inquisitor, Surface Level of Caspian Sea
As the St. Cuthbert II sailed under the waves, the ALS Inquisitor was making its move above water. In the control brig, Major Lindt looked out as his crew surveyed the area for signs of Celestial Being.
"Major, we have detected an anomaly in Sector T-96," a technician reported, "an unidentified object is moving south at a rate of 500'000 km/h."
"That must be our sitting duck, looking for a way out of the net called the Caspian," Lindt said, "Rolo, you must be sad that you didn't had the pleasure to eliminate Celestial Being."
From the shadow, Rolo walked in. Some of the other soldiers were all in surprise to his presence.
"Major Lindt, what do you propose for an attack plan this time?" Rolo asked.
"I have commissioned a Trilobite to chase Celestial Being underwater," Lindt said, "send those coordinates to the Trilobite now. Rolo, prepare to sortie at any moment."
"The Trilobite, our ESF's first GN-powered Mobile Weapon for underwater operations," Rolo said, "how will they handle this?"
St. Cuthbert II, Underwater of Caspian Sea
Around the outer perimeters of the St. Cuthbert II, a projectile fired on its hull and broke through the outer hull. Water began to flood in the vessel itself.
"Warning: Sector D34 breached. Warning: Sector D34 breached."
"So they have pursued us all the way after all. We will sink at this rate," Lelouch said, "Jeremiah, seal the area and activate the drainage system to minimise damage. Lasse, activate the GN Field to stop further attacks."
The GN Field appeared and covered up the entire perimeter of the St. Cuthbert II. From behind, a streamlined watercraft in blue armour appeared and chased after the vessel. It launched out another two more such torpedoes on the ship. As the torpedoes made contact with the GN Field, they slowly pierced through the barrier and hit the ship again.
"Those torpedoes… they can breach the GN Field…" Lasse exclaimed.
"Give me a visual of the enemy vessel!" Ian exclaimed.
The screen popped up, showing the vague form of a streamlined object. Suddenly, it changed its form with 6 claws coming out. From there, it was seen that three GN Tau Drives were fixed into the machine.
"That's the Trilobite, the Federation's latest Mobile Suit," Ian explained, "This Mobile Suit is optimised for undersea combat, and lack ineffective beam weapons."
"Shall I move up to the surface so that it will not pursue us?" Lasse wondered.
"No, there's without a doubt that the A-Laws had prepared a welcoming party for us on the surface," Lelouch said, "we must eliminate this Trilobite before we can take out the welcoming committee up there."
"We do have special hatches for undersea sortie," Ian said, "We can use them to get the Gundams out."
"Excellent, all Gundam Meisters to sortie for this assault plan," Lelouch said, "Jeremiah will be in charge of this vessel, while the assault plan will be in my charge."
The Trilobite again launched out its GN torpedoes at the St. Cuthbert II. Knowing it cannot block them, it resorted to flee from the enemy vessel. Suddenly, hundreds of GN Missiles dived into the water and bombarded the entire area.
"Even the A-Laws above us are trying to flush us out to the surface," Jeremiah cursed, "continue our course and maintain depth!"
"Oh dear, it appears that our welcoming committee are quite an impatient lot," Lindt said, "Men, launch all GN Missiles at the sea. When Celestial Being crops up, destroy the ship and leave no survivors."
Outside the Inquisitor, flocks of GN-XIIIs and Aheads were gathered around the ship. Each of them carried a weapon known as the GN Rocket Launcher. They were capable of firing solid GN Missiles and useful in undersea assault. The focus was more on the Ahead Sultron, and the GN-XIII flying alongside it.
"Andrei, you don't need to accompany me all the way here," Soma said, "I can handle any danger on my own."
"Andrei, pick up the pace!" Barack cried out from his Ahead, "If the Gundams are here right now, you would've been slain! Just because your dad is a General doesn't mean…"
"That guy is only in the regular army!" Andrei yelled back, "I am in the A-Laws, the true elite defenders of peace!"
Andre then turned his Rocket Launcher into the sea and fired away several missiles in.
"I won't be compared to that man…" he thought, "I won't be compared to a murderer…"
Just undersea, the special hatches of the St. Cuthbert II opened up as the ship continued its course. Both the Gabriel and Akagi were dispatched, along with the Apollyon, Cherudim and Arios.
"Setsuna and Q-1, your priority is at the Trilobite. It must be destroyed first," Zero declared, "everyone else including those onboard, your job is to clear the path for attack."
As another volley of missiles came down on the St. Cuthbert II, the Apollyon took immediate action. It fired out beam blasts at them, scattering out to hit most of the barrage. Though their power was weakened by the moisture, they still destroyed the missiles.
"So you want us to protect the ship and our comrades," Lockon said, "roger that. Say Haro, did my bro have any catchphrase to say at this point?"
"Sniping the target," it cried, "Sniping the target."
"Alright then," he said, "Lockon Stratos, sniping the target!"
The Gundam Cherudim took out its GN Sniper Gun and positioned itself well. A holographic shape in the form of a visor appeared around its eyes, and directed the missiles as they came about. At once, the Cherudim fired three shots and destroyed all three incoming missiles.
Even the Arios was involved as it launched out its own missiles to intercept the attack. The St. Cuthbert II unleashed some of its missile stockpile to fend itself from the attack.
Both the Akagi and the Gabriel were heading out to attack the Trilobite. The undersea combat Mobile Armour quickly launched out torpedoes on them. The Gabriel formed a GN Field around itself as a torpedo approached it. The Field did slow down the movement of the missile, and the Gabriel easily slashed it apart.
Meanwhile, the Akagi blocked out the other torpedo with its claw and slowly melted the weapon away. Both units then fired out beam blasts on the Trilobite, which was protected by a slight GN Filed of its own.
"With three GN Drives, the Trilobite can maintain a better GN Field than regular units," Zero said, "both of you, disperse and allow a clearing for the enemy to the St. Cuthbert II."
"We're allowing the enemy to attack us!" Setsuna exclaimed.
"Just do as I say, damn it!" Zero cried, "And make sure it's going for the ship too."
At once, both Gundams moved aside and allowed a direct path to the St. Cuthbert II. The Gabriel swooped in from the sides and tried to attack. However, a torpedo forced to hurl its GN Sword to destroy it.
"Talk about luck," one of the Trilobite pilots said, "the ship is right there like a sitting duck. We'll end this once and for all."
"Be careful, it could be a…" the fellow pilot cautioned.
"Quit worrying, it's now or never," the first pilot said, "Trilobite, maximising thrust."
Suddenly, the Trilobite gained more speed and rushed through the water. Its two front claws had electric-charged needles sprouting out as it sped towards the St. Cuthbert II. Before it reached the ship, the Akagi came up in front and grabbed the tip of the Trilobite.
"I won't be defeated by a mere Suit!" the pilot cried, "set thrust to maximum!"
The electro needles jabbed into the Akagi and attempted to electrocute the pilot inside. The three GN Drives also began to push further in.
"Q-1, it is time," Zero's voice said through the system.
"Trans-Am!" cried Q-1.
The Akagi glowed in red hue and it managed to push the Trilobite away from the ship despite the damages sustained by the electrocution. Then, it began its Radiation Wave and the whole Mobile Armour began to burst from within.
"You damned fool! Told you this was a tra…" the second pilot yelled as the screen exploded in front of his face.
As the Trilobite was pushed out of harm's way, it just exploded into scrap pieces that floated up on the surface.
"Now that the Trilobite has been destroyed…" Zero said, "We can proceed to the next phase. Allelujah!"
"Roger," he replied, "Trans-Am!"
His Arios switched into fighter mode and it jetted through the waves with the boost of the Trans-Am. The Apollyon swan over it, and grabbed onto the Arios. The Arios then flew all the way up to the surface, where the remnants of the Trilobite surfaced.
"Those debris… they're from the Trilobite…" Lindt exclaimed, "No no, must be my error. Check for their signal."
"Major, the signal from them has been lost," the technician reported, "but we have detected an unknown object moving towards the surface at high speed. In fact, it will be surfacing at this region."
Suddenly, the Arios ascended into the surface and the Apollyon maintained its own flight in the air. It stared down at the A-Laws fleet, unprepared for a fully ready Gundam.
"All forces, attack that Gundam!" Lindt exclaimed, "The Trilobite was only the appetiser. Here comes the main course!"
All the A-Laws Suits began to attack the two Gundams. The Arios converted into MS Mode and shot out several such units. The Apollyon raised its arm and fired out a pulse of beam energy towards the Inquisitor.
"Shi-" Lindt cried.
As the pulse blast headed for the Inquisitor itself, something came up and blocked out the attack. It was the Ahead Sakigake, a custom Ahead themed after the samurais of Old Nippon. It quickly pulled out a Beam Sabre and charged towards the Apollyon.
"-t… That's Mr Bushido… the High Command must have sent him here," Lindt said, "Rolo, sortie now. We cannot allow an outsider to finish our duty."
"There's no doubt about it…" Mr Bushido said, "I can feel the fate that runs between us…"
The Ahead Sakigake attempted to move in for an immediate kill. The Apollyon formed a GN Field to hold off the attack, while it pulled out its own Beam Sabre for a counteroffensive.
"This reckless fighting style, only one man can be the pilot of this unit," Zero said, "Kururugi Suzaku, you're a cockroach!"
The Apollyon pushed the Ahead Sakigake away from it. It flew from another opening, and fired out Vulcan blasts from the vertical shoulder thrusts. The Apollyon formed a GN Field as it charged forward. Suddenly, its other hand produced a Beam Sabre. But it was only the hands; the shoulder and knee cannons sprouted out their own Beam Sabres. These six swords then clashed against the single Beam Sabre of the custom Ahead.
"Despicable of you to outmatch me in arms," Bushido said.
As the two Suits were locked in battle, the Ahead Prototype suddenly came up and pushed the Gundam away.
"Soldier, this is my fight," Bushido said, "no one will be taking this chance with me."
However, Rolo paid no heed and swooped down at the Apollyon as it maintained low flight. Suddenly, one of its knee-mounted cannons fired out a spherical blast on the Ahead Prototype. However, it flexed its arms in a cross to block it out.
While the Ahead Prototype was distracted by the attack, the Apollyon came in and tried to strike it with a Beam Sabre. It managed to cut off one of its arms and pushed it down to the waters. Then, the Ahead Sakigake slammed into the Apollyon again and backed off from it in an instant. Suddenly, it struck from above and was countered by the Apollyon's own Beam Sabre.
"Against Suzaku, no normal strategy can work…" Zero commented, "Only brute force can counter his own brute force. Trans-Am!"
Suddenly, the Apollyon glowed in a reddish hue and it fired out a blast from its shoulder cannons at blank point. The Ahead Sakigake quickly escaped, but it still destroyed two of the regular Aheads in the distance.
"This ability… it's the same as last time," Bushido said, "Gundam, pour out your all to this fight!"
Meanwhile, the other A-Laws units were focusing their firepower on the Arios. As it narrowly evaded an Ahead's Beam Sabre, it quickly snapped a GN-XIII into half with its scissor-like front. Then, it turned into MS Mode and gunned down several other units attacking it. Suddenly, the Ahead Smultron tried to attack the Arios from behind. While the attack missed, it damaged the left tip of Arios' wings.
"Gundam, I remember you from before…" Soma said, "I am Soma Peries, a Super-Soldier of the former ICF. You have slaughtered many of my former comrades once. They will now be avenged!"
Soon, the Ahead Smultron began its attack on the Arios. It tried to slash it with its Beam Sabre, but the Arios easily avoided those strikes. It then switched to its GN Pistol and fired on it. The Arios fought back with its GN Rifle, but the Ahead was damaging it much already.
"Damn it… this isn't the way I fight…" Allelujah thought, "Since Hallelujah left me, fighting now feels so different…"
"…But I cannot falter just yet!" he cried, "I must still save Marie!"
Suddenly, the Arios switched into Fighter Mode and sped towards the Ahead Smultron. Its pincer front clamped down on the left arm of the Ahead, and snapped it and the GN Pistol it held off. The Arios returned to its MS Mode midair and fired back on the Ahead. However, a GN-XIII charged in and forced the Arios to focus on it instead.
"Gundam, you won't be taking Peries," Andrei said.
And then, the GN-XIII began heavy firing at the Arios and pulled out a Beam Sabre for support. The Arios pulled back as more GN-XIIIs and Aheads were attacking it. Andrei then turned towards Soma.
"Are you…" he asked.
"Why did you stop him?" Soma snapped, "I could've finished him off. I am the superior one of the two…"
"Andrei, I have told you already to keep mission priorities," Barack lectured, "You could've jeopardised the whole operation."
"I understand, sir," Andrei obeyed.
Back with Zero's duel with Mr Bushido, Bushido's Ahead had been getting the upper hand as Zero's Apollyon had been defending itself.
"That Suzaku, he has never changed," Zero said, "there's only one thing to do… Trans-Am!"
Suddenly, the Apollyon lifted its shields and glowed red. Without warning, it fired a beam blast from its shoulders that shot off the left leg of the Ahead.
"That ability, it's the same as before," Bushido thought, "this is the true battle I desire."
Immediately, Bushido's Ahead charged in from another opening and rammed into the Apollyon. The Apollyon then pulled out its twin Beam Sabres and clashed against the Ahead, and slashed off its right arm away. However, the GN Drives on the shoulders began to fizzle and steam formed. The whole unit lost altitude and simply fell into the sea.
"That machine, it's still not complete yet…" Bushido said, "I can capture it…"
However, several more forms jumped out of the water – the other three Gundams. The Cherudim quickly fired on the GN-XIIIs chasing the Arios and shot them down. The Akagi turned to deal a group of an Ahead with 2 GN-XIIIs firing on it, and shot out a GN Disc on them.
While the GN-XIIIs fled in time, the Ahead was caught in the blast and blew up in seconds. The Akagi then shot out its claw-arm and it collided into one of the GN-XIII and destroyed it against the hull of an A-Laws craft. The claw-arm retracted back to the Akagi, as it approached against the other GN-XIII and engulfed it in GN Particles.
Before the Ahead Sakigake reached for the fallen Apollyon, the Gabriel rammed into the side and kicked it out. It then fired a small barrage to warn it off.
"Their opposition is strong," Bushido claimed, "my goal is not to capture, therefore my work here is done for now; but we shall meet again."
The Ahead Sakigake quickly deserted the area at once, as the Gundams continued their assault on the A-Laws forces there. The Command on board the Inquisitor was observing the battle becoming more in favour of Celestial Being, and Lindt banged his fist on his chair.
"Order the retreat," he said, "we've lost this battle, but I swear the war shall be won."
Several missiles were launched from the Inquisitor and remaining ships, and landed into the water. Once in the sea, they formed a black smoke on the surface. Taking the chance, the A-Laws forces all made their retreat and were gone almost immediately.
Hangar, St. Cuthbert II, Underwater of Caspian Sea
Without the A-Laws to harass them, Celestial Being's ship continued down underwater and into the ocean. In the hangar, all five Gundams underwent repairs from the battle just now. Lelouch walked into the room, and confronted with Ian.
"Lelouch…" Ian said, "I believe you had used the Trans-Am just now…"
"Yes, but why it didn't work?" Lelouch asked.
"Thought we had done it; creating a revolutionary machine ever since the introduction of Gundam," Ian said, "but I guess there's still work to do."
"Then why send an experimental machine out to the frontline?" Lelouch asked.
"What other choice we have here?" Ian replied, "The A-Laws have already taken over almost all of Africa, and moving in to Saudi lands and Azadistan. We have no time to make a prototype, and work out its flaws."
"Then do whatever it is necessary for Celestial Being," Lelouch said, "thanks for your effort."
"Nah, this is what I chose," Ian replied, "My wife and I just can't stand the EU and those fat cats there. Even the current ESF is just the same fat cats but under a different flag."
Main Deck, ALS Inquisitor, Caspian Sea Surface
While in retreat, the Inquisitor stopped to rest and replenish. Lindt was on his way out, as Rolo finally got out of his Ahead Prototype.
"Rolo, you have disappointed me," Lindt said.
"I apologise, sir," Rolo replied, "It was only that Bushido's fault. But why was he sent?"
"Bushido is one of those licensed officers who can do whatsoever he wishes," Lindt said, "to us, the High Command orders. But to him, the High Command merely suggests; whether he follows or not is up to him."
Suddenly, a VTOC was landing on the Inquisitor itself. The craft bore the stylised A insignia of the A-Laws. As it landed, a portly man with blonde hair and an A-Laws uniform walked out. Upon seeing him, Lindt immediately saluted him.
"High General Arthur Goodman!" he called out, "what can I do for you?"
"Perhaps an explanation," he replied, "I was in a factory inspection in Saarland when I heard of the need of one Trilobite unit in the Caspian Sea. Perhaps you may explain that."
"I was in the middle of apprehending terrorists belonging to Celestial Being," Lindt explained, "as they fled via underwater; I feel the need for the Trilobite's deployment."
"And where are these terrorists you claim to be pursuing?" Goodman asked.
"They have escaped sir, but I promise…" Lindt said.
"No, failure is not tolerated among us and you wasted a good Trilobite unit on our end," Goodman said, "for that, we cannot have you lead our operations against Celestial Being. In fact, I am here with your new superiors."
Two more figures stepped out of the VTOC, both Cornelia and Kati. However, both of them wore the A-Laws uniform instead. Behind them, Patrick, Guildford and Claudio were seen as well; and in A-Laws regalia.
"Major Lindt, meet Colonel Cornelia and Brigadier General Mannequin," Goodman introduced, "they will be in charge from now on. They once fought against Celestial Being five years ago and their experience will prove valuable to us."
"Urg… yes sir," Lindt replied.
Innovator HQ, Unknown Location
Back in the Innovators' den, V2 continued to contemplate over affairs of the world. C2 stared down on him from a distance away, but they were aware of each other's presence.
"That new Gundam, the one run by two GN Drives," C2 pondered, "why you think of it?"
"A prototype put out to the field, it is effectively the weak link of our foes," V2 commented, "not to mention that Haptism has lost part of his skills with the death of the Hallelujah persona."
"But the Twin Drive is something Veda has no data of or from our memory," C2 said, "Aeolia is not too keen on letting others know of this."
"Regardless of what is thrown at us, we will defeat it," V2 said.
The enigmatic self-proclaimed "Innovator" then stood up and faced C2 directly.
"But for now, let's focus more on the conquest," V2 said, "what is the status?"
"With the fall of Uganda, only the Middle East is out of Federation authority," C2 said, "we do have Gino and Anya sent to attack the Saudi Empire or what's left of it. Azadistan is a time bomb waiting to happen. But I worry of nationalist movements in some states."
"Accuse those movements of fascist connections and that will rally the world against them," V2 said, "as for Azadistan, the government must go…"