Ch 5 – Wormwood
Secret Base, Unknown Location
In the secret base of the Innovators, C2 walked off into the hangar. There, she found the man she was supposed to find – a man in a red suit ready to sortie. In front of them, there was a great Mobile Suit in a red paintjob.
"The Arche Gundam – Jagd Type matches your suit," C2 said, "and data from the Thrones units were used in its production, as you would have liked it. You recall your mission?"
"Yup, to mess Azadistan real good," the man replied, "mere chicken feet to me."
By then, C2 was already at the other side of the hangar to leave.
"And there fell a great star from Heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell upon a river, and the name of the star was Wormwood," C2 said, "And many men died."
The man turned around, showing his face to be that of Ali Al-Saachez.
"And many men will die alright…" he said, "and Azadistan will crumble overnight."
Rub' al Khali Desert, former Saudi lands
The Rub' al Khali Desert stood as the last free land of the world, trapped in anarchy by the War of Saudi Succession. A Union-class Ground Battleship moved along the sandy regions, with several Tierens and Federation GN-XIIIs guarding it.
Inside of it, Sergei looked out from the main control deck with his crew. Suddenly, Fayer's image appeared on the monitor.
"Sorry sir, for letting you into this mess," Fayer apologised.
"Don't worry; we shall get back the prisoners soon," Sergei said, "any progress in the Volga region."
"Can't say I have," Fayer admitted, "It was all that stupid A-Laws' fault."
"Now Fayer, do not blame on our people," Sergei preached, "this will only lead to the foe being the ultimate victor in the end."
"I understand sir, but… in my opinion, the A-Laws do have too much power in things," Fayer grumbled.
Plains Region, Kingdom of Azadistan
The Sun then sets for the evening to come over the Middle East, and a herd of sheep were led back to their pen by an Azadistani shepherd and his sheepdogs.
"Faster you sheep, we will never get back home before sundown at this rate," the shepherd cried, "Mahmoud, Raza! Herd those dumb sheep back quicker now!"
As the sheep were being moved back, the sky shone an odd red light like a shooting star went past. Red powder then spread evenly throughout the region, and the sheep began collapsing on the spot.
"Hey, get up you sheep!" the shepherd yelled.
Without the shepherd's notice, something flew right past him and the last thing he recalled was a red beam that vapourised him literally.
St. Cuthbert II, Undersea of the Caspian
Meanwhile, the St. Cuthbert II was continuing its journey undersea. Lelouch and the crew were surveying the surroundings via sonar for a way out.
"If we continue this way, we can enter an underwater tunnel and into the Indian Ocean," Lelouch said.
"But the damages sustained in that battle earlier would've been detrimental to the ship," Feldt said, "speed have decreased by 34% to keep motion."
"And I cannot repair this ship if it keeps on moving," Ian said, "the main generator must be shut down first, only then I can assess it properly."
"The path we will go through is linked to Azadistan…" Setsuna said, "Perhaps we can rest there and restock while Ian go through repairs."
"It has been decided then," Lelouch said, "Ian, how long will repairs take?"
"Since damages are not too much, I guess around an hour or two," Ian said.
"We shall stop on the northern shores of Aza…" Lelouch said, but something cut him off.
"Mayday mayday, is this Celestial Being?" a voice cried out.
"Who is this?" Lelouch demanded, "And how you entered our network?"
"This is Mouvasi speaking, I am in Azadistan right now," the voice claimed, "There has been an attack on Azadistan… by a Mobile Suit that seemed like one of the Thrones units."
"Impossible, those Gudnams were all but destroyed back then," Lelouch exclaimed, "unless…
"Unless someone has rebuilt them," Ian continued.
"What is the course of that Mobile Suit?" Setsuna asked.
"Based on my Intel, it landed on the Qom River around Namak Lake, and attacked the towns there," Mouvasi read out, "I believe it is heading towards Tehran to attack the capital."
"Zero, may I go to Tehran myself and deal with this?" Setsuna pleaded.
"Very well, I have no wish to expend all our resources yet… so here is the mission outline," Lelouch agreed, "Setsuna will head out first, while we land and send in backup later on."
"Yes," Setsuna complied, and he ran off to his Gundam.
Royal Palace, Tehran, Kingdom of Azadistan
In Azadistan's capital of Tehran, it was a normal day as usual by their standards. Public riots and attacks were exponentially commonplace there, especially after the death of Imam Rasa Massoud Rachmadi to illness. The Conservatives then blamed the Reformists, Communists and Imperialists for the death, and martial law was placed in some parts of the nation.
Overlooking the window from the Palace, Marina looked out to see the brief smokes from rioters in the streets. Both Mouvasi and Shirin were behind her.
"Your Highness, please listen to reason," Mouvasi urged, "the attacker is laying waste over the nation and will be here in no time. You must be evacuated."
"And yet our people continues to fight amongst ourselves," Marina said, "There will be no peace."
"Your Highness, if you wish to be a martyr for your people, I will not allow that!" Shirin said, "As a friend, we cannot answer for it. And as your sovereign, the people need a beacon to guide them."
"But am I suitable to guide my people out of misery?" Marina wondered.
"Of course, so you must live on," Mouvasi stated.
Suddenly, a soldier stomped in at the moment.
"Your Highness, the attacker has been sighted in the outskirts," he reported, "it is attacking through our ranks as we speak."
"Shirin, get the Princess out by hook or crook!" Mouvasi commanded, "I will lead the forces against this menace, while the people are to be evacuated at once."
"Mouvasi…" Marina exclaimed.
"As your subject and a citizen of Azadistan, I am obliged to protect the monarchy and state," Mouvasi said, "take her out now!"
About an hour later, the Gabriel had arrived upon Tehran. However, much had changed during the hour. The streets were full of dead bodies and buildings went up in smoke. The remnants of cars and destroyed Anfs piled several regions of Tehran.
Over the distance, Setsuna could see them – the last of Tehran's defenders in their Anfs as they were destroyed one by one from an unknown enemy. Soon, Setsuna glimpsed at the attacker – a large red Mobile Suit. It stood head and shoulders over the Anfs firing out at it, but it blocked the attacks with its GN Shield. On its shoulder, there was a single GN Cannon and it shot out a blast on them, wiping them out at one go.
"That Mobile Suit… a Gundam!" exclaimed Setsuna, as he saw the Suit's face.
It then turned its attention on Setsuna's Gabriel Gundam, and charged forward. It lifted up its right arm and its GN Buster Sword slid down for immediate use; the Gabriel countered with its own GN Swords.
"Nice to meet you again, Gundam!" cried the voice of the pilot, seemingly familiar to Setsuna.
"That voice… it's Ali Al-Saachez!" Setsuna exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"
"I got a job to do and it pays well with this lovely machine gifted to me," Ali said, "and besides, I can get to fight you again."
"You bastard!" Setsuna cried.
He repelled off the Buster Sword of the Arche Jagd, and flew away. As it was pursued, the Gabriel fired on it with the Beam configuration of its Swords.
"Now now, here's a little blast from the past…" Ali said, "GN Fangs, attack him!"
From the skirt armour of the Arche Jagd, all eight projectiles were deployed at once. While midair, they split up and beam daggers appeared on them. They flew around and towards Setsuna and the Gabriel.
In response, the Gabriel turned its fire on the Fangs attacking it, destroying about half of them. However, the Arche Jagd attacked it from the sides with its Buster Sword, in which Setsuna blocked in the nick of time.
"Good reflexes there… but you miss these!" Ali exclaimed.
On his command, two Fangs stabbed into the back of the Gabriel and the Arche Jagd swung the blunt end of its Sword on the Gabriel. However, a bombarding of gunfire distracted the Arche away. It came from one of the last Anfs left standing as it stomped sideways to attack the Arche Jagd.
"Setsuna, I'll hold him off!" cried Mouvasi from within, "finish that brute quickly!"
"Ha ha, think that thing can stop me…" Ali boasted, "Fangs, attack him!"
The remaining two Fangs swarmed in and stabbed into the legs of the Anf, causing the frame to fall down.
"Damn it!" Mouvasi cursed.
"Now for the ki…" Ali continued, but a series of beam blasts bombarded him from above.
As he looked up, the other 4 Gundams of Celestial Being had arrived as well and covered the damaged Gabriel.
"One against four is not fair…" Ali said, "So let's even up the playing field!"
The Arche Jagd flew up and its backpack opened up to reveal 6 vents. From them, concentrated GN Particles were released and engulfed the evening sky blood-red.
"Now's… my chance…" Mouvasi murmured, as he opened up the escape hatch in the cockpit.
From the thick cloud of GN Particles, several blasts of red beams shot on the Gundams. The Apollyon still charged forward under its GN Field, while the others took evasive actions. Suddenly, the Arche Jagd appeared with its GN Sword to disperse the Field. As the Sword slashed through the barrier, six Beam Sabres stopped its attack.
"So you have swords everywhere, but so do I," Ali proclaimed.
Suddenly, slits from the feet opened up and Beam Sabres activated at once. They quickly hacked off the knee-mounted Beam Sabres of the Apollyon, but they were blocked by the other Beam Sabres. The Gabriel flew in and kicked the Arche Jagd from the sides. Upon that, the Apollyon raised its GN Field and gathered particles for its attack.
Meanwhile, Mouvasi had remodified his Anf with other smoothbores from the remaining fallen Anfs in the area. That Anf had been stripped of its arms, and smoothbores were bolted into the frame hastily. Another smoothbore held by supports was in place of the notorious machine gun of the Anf. On top of its frame and on its waist, there were missile launchers mounted by force. Mouvasi stood next to the rigged Suit, and held a button in his hand.
"Al-Saachez, you wrought destruction to the Holy Land," he spoke, "for abandoning the faith and for everyone, this is for you!"
The Anf fired away all its remaining artillery on the Arche Jagd, at the same time when the Apollyon fired its scattering beam blasts. Caught in a two-pronged attack, Ali was certain to be doomed. However, an escape pod flew out from the frame in time, before the two attacks tore it apart.
"Damn those bastards!" he cursed.
Mountain Region, Outskirts of Tehran, Kingdom of Azadistan
While the fight seemed to be over, the damage had been done and the goal was fulfilled in the end. At the mountainous outskirts of Tehran, C2 observed the battle going on within the city. Next to her, there was a Gundam – the same in which she liberated Lelouch with. She donned a green suit, and similar helmet. However, she was not wearing it at the time and her eyes glowed eerily.
"Okay, the Arche Jagd has been destroyed," she reported, "of course it is of no issue."
She then paused for a while, and gazed into the city.
"Yes, our operation is still a success nonetheless," she continued, "Yes, retrieve Al-Saachez with the Alpha Gundam."
C2 put back her helmet, and the Alpha Gundam took off at once.
Remains of Tehran, Kingdom of Azadistan
Hours had gone by since the Arche's defeat from collective effort, and the five Gundams were still in Tehran proper. Setsuna held up Mouvasi, as the Azadistani was too exhausted by his ordeal.
"Didn't know you took that much punishment," Setsuna said.
"I spent the last five years holding off radical factions and secessionists," he replied, "but at least I know all of you are here… including you, Lockon…"
"Actually, I am Lockon, but not him exactly," Lockon replied.
"Huh…arh!" Mouvasi cried, as he fell in pain.
Suddenly, a jeep baring the Azadistani flag came by the group. A simple footsoldier served as its driver, but Princess Marina, Shirin and a small group of six children were seated in the back. All of them got out to tend to the wounded Mouvasi.
"You people… I take it that you're Celestial Being," Marina asked.
"Correct, Princess," Zero replied, "and you must be the Princess of this lovely nation."
"A pity we fail to protect it," Marina frowned.
Then, from his mask, Zero turned his head towards the children in the jeep. All of them had the weeping expression upon them.
"These children… what intentions you have with them…" Zero asked.
At that question, Setsuna had brief pictures of his childhood – a life as a child soldier under the KPSA.
"Are they going to be child soldiers?" he exclaimed.
"Don't you insult the Princess," Shirin barked, "there're laws about lese-majesty here and the penalties are quite harsh."
"Setsuna, don't be rude," Zero pointed out, "allow Her Highness to speak first."
"These children were among those whom I saved during the attack earlier on," Marina explained, "I wish to save more, but I could only keep six of them."
"Children are the future of today," Zero proclaimed, "therefore they must be taught proper values and to coexist with people regardless of superficial factors. Princess, your nation may burn but the children must be saved from despair and taught to forgive even those who conduct this act."
"I will," she replied, "I see you point and that we must understand one another and not impose our wills upon. But why must you impose your will on others?"
"That is our cause, and to usher in a time of peace to these children," Zero said, "and will you take Mouvasi, a patriot of your state, with you for treatment?"
At the suggestion, the soldier dragged Mouvasi to the side-seat and buckled him in. They went onboard and drove off out of Tehran.
Heisei Palace, Kyoto, Empire of Nippon, East Asia Federal Region
In the Far East state of Nippon, it was a regular day for the Imperial administration in Nippon. After the day where Tehran burnt, news of the event had spread to the public, but under a different tale. This tale would be witnessed to the Nipponese Empress Lee Noreiga, Tamaki, Tohdoh and Prime Minister Ohgi.
"Yesterday at 1830 hours local time, the Azadistai capital of Tehran has been mysteriously burnt to the ground by an unknown attacker. This attacker is said to have originated from the city of Qom, and headed towards Tehran on a rampage of sorts. It is believed that the Azadistani Sovereign Princess Marina Ismail was killed during the attack. Historians have declared this incident as the Raid of Tehran. ESP officials are now trying to provide aid to Azadistan among other Middle Eastern nations…"
"With Azadistan gone in anarchy, guess the Federation will take over the Mid East," Tamaki commented.
"But how could this have happened?" Ohgi inquired, "Did the Imam's death really shake the country apart?"
"Azadistan is always a divided nation since its creation," the Empress spoke, "all parties have their own individual goals, sometimes in clash of the other parties."
"No doubt it is the work of Communists," Tohdoh said, "no one else would want to harm their own monarch with so much zeal."
"But severing ties with Chiba is a little bit too harsh…" Ohgi said.
"She is involved with people who aim to hurt the monarchy, the very symbol of our nation," Tohdoh justified, "I feel no need to associate myself with a traitor."
"But this only worries me even more," Ohgi said, "I was in the Parliament at Brussels the other day, and some were proposing the A-Laws to outline political parties with secessionist motives or that which may endanger the Federation…"
"And they believe your Nippon Kokuminto is a threat," Tohdoh raised his brow towards.
"The A-Laws are to conduct their private investigations without the interference of all nations," Ohgi said, "I can only fear that we will come under fire, after all our national movement is notably strong."
"We must be on high alert now, as in nothing to spark another foreign invasion," Lee Noreiga said, "We must build the future for our youth, including Kaguya…"
Schwarze Ritter HQ, Rub' al Khali Desert, former Saudi lands
In the Schwarze Ritter HQ in former Saudi territory, even they listened in to the recent news of the Federation's actions on a simple old radio. Bismarck and Klaus looked at each other and then the radio as the news broadcasted out.
"What bullshit is this?" Klaus exclaimed, "I bet that the A-Laws had something to do with this."
"So they have once again performed another checkmate on a free nation," Bismarck said, "we cannot falter now."
"Sir, I had heard that the regular army are patrolling these parts in search for escapees from the Caspian prison," Bismarck said, "We are courting a showdown with them. Get our forces ready when they come."
"And what of Celestial Being?" asked Klaus.
"We have to push forward a meeting with them," Bismarck said, "if we hope for any chance, an alliance must be made!"
"I shall forward this to Lyle pronto," Klaus said.
St. Cuthbert II, Northern Coast of Azadistan
Along the northern coasts of Azadistan, the St. Cuthbert II remained hidden due to its holographic camouflage system. As the repairs were undergoing, the Gundam Meisters also saw the news broadcast from the ESF.
"Was Al-Saachez with the ESF… or the A-Laws then?" Setsuna questioned, "How did he even acquire the GN technology?"
"The Federation is supposed to have a monopoly over that technology," Kallen said, "Al-Saachez is only a mercenary, so someone must be supplying him."
"What chances can there be of a traitor among the ranks of the Federation?" Allelujah wondered, "I know some in the regular army detested the A-Laws badly."
"Probable assumptions, but I can only narrow out two possibilities," Lelouch said, "either what Allelujah claimed of... or…there's another power behind the A-Laws and even the Federation itself."
"You won't mean…" Setsuna wondered.
"When I was captured, I saw a man with long blonde hair," Lelouch described, "but that man's disposition; he had a part to play against us."
"So you have identified our true foe," Setsuna said.
"There may be clues left in Azadistan, where that pseudo Gundam had sieged," Lelouch said, "until repairs are finished, we must identify the true power behind the Federation."
Meanwhile, Lockon was tucked in his private quarters. He was speaking to someone on the phone, who was Klaus to be exact.
"So Waldstein wants to negotiate a meeting between us," Lockon said, "but I won't be sure if they would comply."
"Well I hope you can bring us the best," Klaus said, "since your little operation in the Caspian, we may be coming under fire by the Federation soon."
"I apologise on behalf, but I will still do what I can to help you," Lockon said.
Just outside the room, Feldt was only casually walking past it. Then, she heard the phone conversation from inside.
"That's Lockon's room…" she thought, "who is that guy talking to?"