A revolution is an idea which has found its bayonets.
-Napoleon Bonaparte
Ptolemios II
"So, if it isn't the Wild Bear who tried steal a Gundam," said Sumeragi, standing before Smirnov with a bemused expression on her face. She then gave a light smile and inclined her head. "I am Sumeragi Lee Noriega, Celestial Being's Tactical Forecaster, welcome aboard the Ptolemios." The two then shook hands as Smirnov responded.
"I'm grateful. Former Colonel Sergei Smirnov of both the United Earth Sphere Federation and the Human Reform League. Though I'm guessing that you already knew that." Sumeragi laughed.
"Five years ago, I recognized your tactics from the Solar Power Wars."
"Oh, I see, so you used to be in the military before you joined Celestial Being. I guess you just got tired of war right?" Sumeragi hesitated a moment before making a gesture.
"Please, this way, once Double-O returns, we will be headed straight to space again."
On the bridge, Sumeragi introduced Smirnov to the rest of the crew. Smirnov's interest was actually stirred by the gunner.
"Lasse Aeon...forgive me if I'm wrong, but by any chance are you related to Mikhas Aeon?"
"That dirty flea-bag? He was my uncle. I used to live and work for the Solntsevo Mafia. It was good living but it wasn't the kind of life I wanted. So when Celestial Being invited me to join, I accepted."
"No way!" Mileina awed, "You were in the mafia?" And that went on for a few minutes before everyone else could settle down. Smirnov however felt quite refreshed. So this was what life was like in a armed organization without strict codes of conduct. Truth be told, it didn't appear to be all that bad. He could get used to this easy.
"Double-O is returning," said Anew Returner, then she noticed something. "It looks like they're...carrying someone."
"Another new arrival? Well that's just great," said Sumeragi with a loud sigh, "I guess I have my work cut out for me."
Double-O landed and docked after Setsuna placed Louise down on the catwalk. The meanwhile, Saji docked the O-Raiser, got out without unplugging Red Haro, ran down to the hanger, and almost slammed into the door before it fully slid open. Saji and Louise were now staring at each other, neither of them moving, and both still had their faces covered. Saji moved first, slowly raising his hands to his helmet and lifting it off his head before lowering it to chest level. Louise hesitated then followed suit as Saji's helmet came off, only she kept her eyes shut until her arms were relaxed. Her eyes opened and the two of them starred at each other. Setsuna stayed in 00's cockpit and watched on and Sumeragi quietly entered the hanger, but wisely decided not to interfere.
"Saji..."
"Louise..." Both had tears in their eyes and both could feel emotions churning inside themselves. Saji was afraid that Louise might actually hate him for what had transpired, and Louise was struggling with the concept that Saji was not with Celestial Being and that something called "the Thrones" were responsible for the death of her family. She took a hesitant step forward and he copied the motion. They repeated this twice before they both broke into a run and flung their arms around each other, tears streaming down their faces.
"Oh Louise," Saji whispered into her hair, "everything is going to be alright Louise. I promise, we're both going to make it through all this."
"Saji..." Louise cried into his throat. Saji felt Louise shudder against him and felt her knees buckle. They both sank to the floor, Louise continued to sob and clung to Saji as though she would die if she let go of him. And Saji continued to hold her to his chest, gently raising a hand to stroke her hair.
Nexus Halos
Veritas Stigma exited his personal hanger and went to the computer room. There was actually a total of 20 computer rooms and a central hub, but only seven of them could allow Veritas to interact directly with the Federation without having to sneak past Veda. He loaded a video disc, brought up some programs he created before hand, trimmed them a bit to adjust for the situation (the Africa Tower still "fell" after all), and initiated the transmission sequence.
He smiled, thinking of how the broadcast would filter through Earth's communication networks within the span of roundabout fifteen minutes or so, load at all media distribution stations, then auto-initiate the actual broadcast ten minutes afterward.
"Just one step closer to a Universal Revolution," he said to himself. Then he thought to himself for a moment before saying aloud: "I wonder how the Seraphim Brothers and Shade are doing. I know full-well that Shadow will succeed with minimal effort."