Ch 7 – Hallelujah
Super-Soldier Research Facility, Himalayan Federative Socialist Republic, ICF
Many years before during the Solar Wars Era, the former nation of ICF had begun on the Super-Soldier Programme. It aimed to produce the Ultimate Fighter against opposing superpowers. To that end, hundreds of children from across the Federation were captured and put through experiments.
One such person was a boy from the Kazakh Republic, forgotten his true name and coded as E-057. This boy had wandered off to the restricted areas, and went to a room. Inside, there was a wide steel bed in its middle. Lying on it, there was a girl with long white hair. The boy approached this unknown girl.
"You were the one calling me out," the boy first spoke.
"Thank Lord, my cries have reached out to someone at last," a voice in the boy's head said.
However, the boy looked down at the girl. She was completely immobile and her lips were moving at all. In fact, even her eyes were fixed like a statue.
"Sorry, I had fallen into unconsciousness. I can't move around," she explained, "I can't go out there and make friends, so I try to send out a call."
"And I have heard your cries," the boy said.
"What is your name?" she asked.
"Uh… I forgot…" he answered.
"You need one then; I shall name you…" the girl said, "how about… Allelujah…"
"Allelujah…" the boy repeated.
"Yes, I think it is a way to give thanks to God," the girl said.
"Thanks?" wondered the boy, "but for what?"
"For living you silly," the girl said, "and my name… it is Marie Parfacy."
Unknown to the two, they were actually viewed by several hidden cameras of their talk. The ICF scientists were looking at them from another room.
"This is a violation of the rules here!" exclaimed one scientist, "I'm getting the guards to teach them…"
"Patience my comrade, let them be," said a younger Dr Kim.
"But Comrade…" the first scientist tried to object.
"This level of interaction is very interesting and deserves great research of course…" Dr Kim said, "Through these Quantum Brain Waves, non-verbal communication is achieved. We can learn so much from these young minds…"
"AHH!" panted Allelujah as he forced himself awake.
"Oh my head…" Allelujah said, "What on Earth happened…"
Then, the memories flashed by. He was fighting in the desert against the A-Laws, and then Marie was fighting him. Then, there was this explosion and everything went haywire…
"…Yah, Marie!" Allelujah exclaimed.
He then forced his way out of his Arios and opened out to the wild desert winds. Within miles, there was nothing but sand all the way. Some distance away, the Ahead Smultron was there too. While Allelujah ran towards the Ahead, a gunshot shot at his feet.
From the Ahead, Soma slowly staggered out and confronted the Gundam Meister. Due to the impact, blood was on her cheek and parts of her uniform. Despite the injuries, she still was able to move herself.
"Gundam Meister… you…" Soma muttered, "…I shall...avenge…my…my…"
The Super-Soldier clutched onto her own hand, apparently suffering from her wounds. Allelujah tried to approach her again, but her gunshot almost hit his feet.
"Don't move!" she snapped, "…or… I'll…I'll…shot…ya…"
Despite the threat, Allelujah leaned his head forward. Soma quickly let out a scream and fainted on the spot. Suddenly, Allelujah ran to help out Soma as another sandstorm was blowing in.
"God…help us…" he thought.
Skies Above Rub 'al Khali Desert (Low Altitude Range)
The remaining Gundams were embarking on a search party for the missing Arios. The Apollyon was flying over another region, trying to locate the Arios.
"The explosives were so powerful that it actually…" Zero said to himself, "no… we found no debris of the Arios at the Ground Zero, but what if the Federation took it away…"
Soon, he saw something flying towards the Apollyon. It was the Alpha Gundam, which Zero recognised as the one he saw at the Proud Colony.
"That is…" Zero exclaimed, "…that Gundam!"
Suddenly, the Alpha took out a Beam Rifle and fired at the Apollyon. While the Apollyon dodged the initial attacks, the Alpha drew out its Beam Sabre and went in a direct attack. In response, the Apollyon put up a GN Field around it.
"Now thinking about it, whose side this Gundam belongs to?" Zero pondered.
"If you put your head to it, I'm sure you can figure it out… Lelouch," a voice in his head spoke.
"Who was that?" exclaimed Zero.
"I am the pilot of this Alpha Gundam you see before you," the voice said, "via Quantum Brain Waves, I am able to communicate with you telepathically."
"Who are you?" Zero demanded, "And how do you know me?"
"I… no, we always know who you are and all of Celestial Being," the voice said, "We are the future of Humanity, the Innovators."
"What Innovator?" Zero exclaimed.
"Unlike you fickle humans, we have nano-machines introduced into our bodies to halt aging," the voice continued to elaborate, "furthermore, we are granted quicker reflexes than the human capacity."
"You still haven't answered my question!" Zero exclaimed.
Suddenly, the Apollyon let down its Field and unleashed all six arms together. Almost immediately, it grabbed hold of all four limbs of the Alpha and grounded them into the desert.
"Now you will tell who you are precisely…" Zero demanded, "…or I'll shoot you down."
The Alpha did open up, and its mysterious pilot walked out. The pilot removed the helmet, and her green locks flowed out. She gazed at the Gundam Apollyon with those amber eyes, as if admiring its very form.
"Hello Lelouch," she said, "it's been a long while."
Seeing the pilot, even Zero peered out of his Apollyon and removed his mask-like helmet.
"C2!" he exclaimed.
"I do look better in the flesh than on hologram; I have to admit," She said, "this is the work of my lord, V2."
"The man who sold out the GN Drives to the UN Forces," Lelouch said, "You're allied with our enemy."
"Though you claim to be following The Plan, it appears you lack an understanding towards it," C2 laughed, "I can tell you The Plan in its entirety."
"It's always about Celestial Being, what else is there," Lelouch replied.
"That's only Phase 1 – Unification of the Earth Sphere via Celestial Being's interventions," C2 said, "Phase 2 – Unification of human will via the A-Laws. Phase 3 – Expansion into Space via the Innovators."
"And your point being?" wondered Lelouch.
"You Celestial Being were supposed to be destroyed five years ago in the Battle of the Morning Star," C2 claimed, "currently; we are continuing The Plan via the A-Laws."
"This is not ending conflicts at all!" Lelouch cried, "I've seen those people work. That is nothing but mass murder!"
"But isn't that what you committed to do while a Gundam Meister?" she inquired.
"That was only against people who wage strife," Lelouch justified, "the A-Laws however are slaughtering civilians."
"As long we fulfil the final outcome, killing one thousand to save the masses is nothing," C2 said, "we can't make an omelette without breaking eggs. But I have a proposition for you…"
"What is it, you witch?" Lelouch snapped.
"The Plan was supposed to have you destroyed, but I'm thinking of enlisting you into the Innovators," C2 said, "with you by our side, we can secure humanity's future and sav them from themselves."
"To hell I will join you!" Lelouch cried, "I only know Celestial Being and the Gundams will bring forth change, and the A-Laws are distorting it."
"So will you… kill me now?" C2 asked.
Suddenly, her eyes glowed and beam blasts bombarded the area. Overhead, both the GN Cannon and the GN Flyer were heading towards them. The Apollyon let go of the Alpha and fired at the two newcomers.
However, both of them dodged the initial attacks and fled the scene along with the Alpha.
"Damn it, I have to continue my search for Allelujah at once," Lelouch said, putting back the Zero mask.
As the Alpha Gundam met up with the GN Cannon and Flyer, C2 established contact with them.
"I see that my call has been reached," she said.
"But we got a new job from V2," Gino said, "I would like to fight the Gundam longer though."
"I believe that in your new mission, you will have your chance," C2 said to them.
Rub 'al Khali Desert (Allelujah and Soma's Location)
Inside the Ahead Smultron, Allelujah was cuddling next to the fainted Soma Peries and keeping her safe from the sandstorm. Soon, Soma's eyes began to open…but they felt different from before.
"Allelujah…" she called out, "it's been a while…"
"Marie, is that you?" Allelujah said.
"Yes, I heard you calling out for me," Marie replied, "it's as though I had woken up from a dream."
"If only I had taken you with me back then…" Allelujah said.
"There, I would only be a burden to you," Marie replied, "those scientists later on erased my personality and redeveloped a new me – Soma Peries. But still, I can finally move around now."
"But alas, we finally meet each other again," Allelujah said, "and this time, I won't leave you."
Suddenly, another object had landed near them. It was a Tieren All-Region Type. Its pilot soon got out of his MS and walked around the sandy terrain, and Marie could see a glimpse of that man.
"General…" she said.
"Peries, is that you?" Sergei called out.
In response, Marie and Allelujah ran out in the desert and met General Sergei Smirnov. By then, Sergei had his attention on the Gundam.
"That Gundam…" he muttered, and then he turned again, "Peries, I'm glad you are safe! But who's that with you?"
There was a brief moment of silence, but Sergei understood everything soon.
"I see, you are the Gundam Meister," Sergei spoke, "I have no time for you. Just hand Ms Peries over to me and you can be on your way scot-free."
"No, Marie stays with me!" Allelujah declared, "She has been through enough bloodshed already."
"My orders were very clear; to bring back Soma Peries," Sergei said.
He then took out a gun and pointed it at Allelujah.
"And I shall see to it at all costs," he continued, "let go of Peries and go now… before the A-Laws get inpatient."
Then, Marie stood in front of Allelujah and blocked him with her arms.
"General, I am so sorry," Marie said, "the Soma Peries persona in me is dead, and I wish to be with Allelujah."
"So you are the true face of this body," Sergei said, "I see now. I will have to do this."
A gunshot soon followed, and the vultures nearby scattered to the sound. While both Allelujah and Marie braced for impact of death, they realised they were still intact. Sergei had his gun raised to the sky and fired into the sky instead.
"With this, Soma Peries is pronounced dead," Sergei spoke, "I will now return to Base and file the death cert."
After saying that, Sergei turned back and walked towards his Tieren. Before he actually entered into his Tieren, Marie ran up to him.
"General, Soma Peries wants me to convey a word to you," Marie said, "she wants to thank you and Colonel Li for helping her along the way."
"That was only our duty as soldiers to guide our men," Sergei said, "this comes only as natural; there is no need for thanks."
"Even so, we thank you for your help," Marie said, saluting to Sergei one last time.
Sergei smiled at Marie, and even saluted to her. Then, he looked at Allelujah.
"Meister, I do not personally know you. Yet, can you promise me one thing?" Sergei asked, "Peries has seen war way beyond her time. Keep her safe."
"Yes, General," Allelujah replied.
"And one more thing, leave fast," Sergei warned, "I will have the regular army pick up the remnants of the Ahead Smultron."
Sergei turned to his Mobile Suit, and the Tieren flew away. Alone again, Marie returned to Allelujah's side.
"I think we should leave now," Allelujah said.
"They won't come so fast, but first…" Marie said.
She closed in on Allelujah and their lips came in contact with each other's, putting the two in a wild kiss alone in the deserts. At that time, Lockon and the Gundam Cherudim had came across the Arios and found the couple making out.
"Found them! Found them!" cried Haro.
"We found them alright," Lockon said, "While we were worried sick for him, he goes and gets himself a make-out. Wait till the others hear out this."
Control Brig, St. Cuthbert II
Inside the Control Brig, the crew of the St. Cuthbert II also saw the footage of Alleujah's make-out thanks to Lockon giving out a transmission.
"How sweet…" Mileina remarked.
"This seems unorthodox," Lasse commented.
"Lockon, get them in," Jeremiah said, "We got other things to worry now. All Meisters are to return now!"
Sergei's Chamber, Ground Battleship
Back in his chamber, Sergei received a live call from an old friend, Colonel Li Xingke.
"So you had reported to them that Soma Peries had died in line of duty," Xingke said, "honestly, I don't believe you."
"You don't need to," Sergei replied, "only the High Command needs to acknowledge this."
"Fine, but I am not convinced and no body was found according to your report," Xingke said.
"But the Ahead Smultron was found and it was badly damaged too," Sergei said.
"I won't drag this matter anyway, I got a new mission elsewhere," Xingke said.
"And what would that be?" Sergei asked.
"The Federation has declared war on the Empire of Nippon," Xingke said, "I am now in Jiaozhou Bay and mounting an assault from there. Other fronts were placed in Fusan, Taiwan, Vladivostok and Hawaii."
"They wanted an all-front war and nothing to stand in their way," Sergei said, "despite all that happens, you just complete your orders."
Heisei Palace, Kyoto, Empire of Nippon
In the Imperial Palace of Nippon, a crisis was being informed to the government and members of the Imperial Court.
"My Empress, we have confirmed that Federation troops are building up in ports surrounding us," the messenger reported, "our vessels are facing a massive blockade from them."
"Yah and they claimed they were there to check out reports on piracy," Tamaki added.
"So have they declared war on us yet?" Tohdoh wondered, "Such cowardly means to keep us down!"
"No, they plan to seal our resources," Lee Noreiga said, "the Federation bases in Okinawa, Hokkaido, Karafuto, and Fukoku will also be mounted for an attack. Can we see the news first?"
An attendant next to the Empress quickly turned on a holo-screen and it was tuned in to the news network, where an emergency announcement was made.
"In Brussels, the Federal Parliament has declared the Nippon Kokuminto as a dangerous terrorist group after much investigation and the Empire of Nippon will be liberated immediately by an ESF Resolution. The A-Laws will also be dispatched to capture anti-Federation forces…"
"Get our forces ready and detain those traitors in the Federation bases!" Tohdoh yelled, "We are officially at war with the world!"
"But can we make it out… safely?" the Nipponese Empress thought.
Innovator HQ, Unknown Location
In the Innovators' lair, V2 was also looking at the news reported from Brussels and chuckled to himself. Soon, another holo-screen opened and Schneizal showed his face to V2.
"Lord V2, have you heard the news?" Schneizal asked.
"Indeed, and splendid job you have done," V2 said, "We shall send a Spear of Judgment against all who foolishly stand in our way!"
"But the regular army alone has won half the battle with the massive blockade and all," Schneizal said, "the people will starve and will realise that resisting us will be futile."
"I know that Celestial Being will come to Nippon," V2 said, "once there, they will deal with a pincer attack from the A-Laws and ESF Army."
"So I believe this is a ploy to frighten he world in submission and erase all traitorous thoughts from the people," Schneizal said, "I understand."