Chapter 2: Gundam Meisters
~At an International Intergovernmental Conference, UN Headquarters, New York, Union Territory~
Two days after Celestial Being's first armed intervention, the leaders and politicians of the three power blocs, the AEU, the Union and the HRL, gathered at a conference to discuss the new threat to their political agendas, Celestial Being. All were in agreement that it would be nearly impossible to construct mobile suits and have the ability to intervene without powerful support and backing. None of the power blocs admitted to supporting or funding Celestial Being.
President Jonathan Kennedy, United States President, as well as the de facto head of the Union came up with his own explanation. "We do not know much about Celestial Being. Even with the combined efforts of intelligence from all three power blocs, we are still unable to ascertain any useful information with regards to this paramilitary organisation. However, we do know of its founder. Aeolia Schenberg, an academic born in 2051, he has made significant contributions in the fields of physics and engineering, having come up with the theoretical framework of the orbital space elevators and photovoltaic energy systems. After going underground, we suppose during which he founded Celestial Being, he also cut any ties with his family. This is evident as none of his descendants knew anything of him. However, there is only one definite thing we know of Celestial Being: they possess a mobile suit superior than any we've created, the Mobile Suit Gundam. These Gundams are far superior in both performance as well as technology to our Flag Fighters, the HRL's Tieren, as well as the AEU's newest Enact model. With that in mind, I, as President of the United States and representative of the Union member states to this conference, announce the formation of a Union Anti-Gundam Team, headed by our military aces."
The President's speech received thunderous applause from Union supporters within the conference. However, the leaders of the HRL and the AEU were not impressed. They would not let the Union have the glory of defeating Celestial Being. However Prime Minister David Kyrzynsky, the Prime Minister of Poland, as well as the Head of the AEU Diplomatic Envoy to this conference, was unable to say anything. Celestial Being's first act of armed intervention targeted the AEU, and in the process, not only proving the Enact's inferiority to the Gundams, but also exposing to the world of the AEU's failure to comply with the treaty. As a result of Celestial Being's intervention, the world now knows that the AEU has stationed more military forces within the pillars than what is allowed within the treaty.
The HRL's representative to the conference was just as annoyed at the Union's actions. Sergei Smirnov, commander and strategist within the HRL's military with the rank of Lieutenant General, was ordered by the HRL government to attend the conference as an observer, and purely an observer. Lt General Smirnov had observed the available tapes of Celestial Being's first two interventions. He was more absorbed in his thoughts than listening to the ramblings of politicians within the conference. "The manoeuvres of those machines, Gundams, are different from anything I've ever seen. They are more flexible; they have superior weapons and even with only four mobile suits, were able to carry out two successful interventions simultaneously. The two units which appeared in AEU territory were different than the ones we encountered during the attempted terrorist attack on Pillars of Heaven. The mobile suit with mostly blue and white colours were designed with the purpose of melee combat, as it was armed with multiple beam sabers and daggers, and a foldable sword. However, hidden between the sword and its shield, is a small rifle. Therefore, it is a versatile unit capable of changing tactics in the fields of battle. The green mobile suit is armed with a long-range weapon, capable of providing mid-to-long range support fire. It is a deadly unit if piloted well and receives proper tactical orders. The other two also differs in its characteristics. The orange flight-like mobile suit is a very fast and agile machine. It was able to intercept two of the incoming terrorists faster than that of our Tieren Space Type. Armed with a beam rifle, its accuracy is deadly as two of the terrorists were destroyed within a few shots. And lastly, the mobile suit with a bulky and thick exterior armour. Armed with a single bazooka, it was able to shoot a beam burst which completely obliterated the incoming terrorist. The mobile suit was literally destroyed, without any trace of it. This mobile suit is the single most destructive out of all of them. From just observing it, not only does it have thick armour, it has a weapon capable of wiping out an entire squadron of incoming mobile suits. It might even be able to destroy a warship. However, all the Gundams have one particular trait in common; they all disperse a type of light or particles. Based on analysis done by AEU scientists as well as our own HRL Advanced Warfare Lab, it has been confirmed that these particles are able to disrupt wireless communications and networks, basically jamming all types of radio frequencies. These Gundams are a terrifying combination. And if they are really intent with their goal of eradicating war through armed intervention, these Gundams give them an edge the rest of the power blocs, including us, will never have..."
Smirnov's thoughts were interfered by a pat on his back. "Forgive me for disturbing you, Lt General Smirnov. But it seems the Gundams have made an appearance yet again."
"Where?"
"In the Kingdom of Azadistan and the Republic of Kurdistan. It is most certain that they are planning to intervene in the conflict between the two states which had been raging in the region for nearly a hundred years."
Smirnov was not at all surprised at this new development. "As I thought, they really are intent in pursuing a goal of eradicating war. It wouldn't be surprising as the war between Azadistan and Kurdistan had been going on for nearly a hundred years, with peace talks amounting to nothing."
"One more important thing, Sir." The young man handed Smirnov images of the Gundams which have appeared.
"What the...? These.. These are all different from the four that we've encountered! Huh, it seems Celestial Being possesses more than just four of those terrifying mobile suits... This is a disturbing development."
Within the conference, the leaders and representatives from the AEU and the Union are no more within discussions. All are now too shocked with the new briefing that their military advisors are giving. The existence of more Gundams, more than just the four units which appeared two days ago.
However, unbeknownst to those within the conference, spies and agents of Celestial Being were observing the panic and chaos within the conference. A man with long red hair, seated at the back, was both amused and satisfied with their reactions. Addressing the young man sitting next to him, "Now Ribbons, the world shall see Celestial Being will not bow down to the pressures of humanity. The very same humanity which seeks to fight among themselves for power, glory, resources and pride. Celestial Being shall force humanity to reform, to change its warmongering ways." His partner simply nodded.
"However, Mr. Alejandro, did you know of the existence of more Gundams?"
To this, the red-haired man simply gave a short answer, "It is unimportant. I'm simply an observer for Celestial Being. There are certain things that even Veda will not share with observers."
~Secondary Team Mothership, Eternal, Celestial Being~
Underwater, in the oceans of the Atlantic, was Celestial Being's Secondary Team and its mothership, the Eternal. They had been ordered to be on standby and ready for the next mission.
A man with dark blue hair is standing in front of his Gundam, gazing at it, pondering with his own thoughts. "So, it has started. The time for me, Athrun Zala, Celestial Being's Gundam Meister, to appear before the world with my Gundam, Aegis..."
His thoughts were interrupted by his friend. A man with dark brown hair approached him. "What's with the serious face Athrun?"
"You know Kira; you are very laidback, considering this will be our first mission as Celestial Being's Gundam Meisters."
"I know that. This will by my first mission as well, together with my own Gundam."
Suddenly, an announcement was made to the crew of the whole ship. "This is Andrew Waltfeld, commander of the Eternal. To the crew of this ship, get ready for combat. This ship will commence with its first mission. Gundam Meisters, Athrun Zala and Kira Yamato, you are to be on standby in your Gundams. Veda will upload the mission details to your machine's cockpit. Everyone, this will be our first mission as Celestial Being. Over and out!"
At the ship's briefing room, Andrew was discussing battle plans with another young lady with pink hair. "Veda's instructions are simple. Perform an armed intervention within the Kingdom of Azadistan and the Republic of Kurdistan. However, Veda did not specify on the targets. What do you think Ms. Clyne?"
The pink-haired young lady simply smiled. She knew the answer after reading up on the history of the conflict between the two countries. "It is simple. The background to this conflict is religion and energy. We are unable to alter their beliefs, which is fine. However, we can tackle the other source of conflict, energy. Since the construction of the orbital space elevators, the nations which used to profit from the sale and purchase of oil and gas are now struggling with new ways to keep its economy alive. And since solar energy distribution is only available for nations which are under the power of the three blocs, smaller states had to cope with the remaining oil. Azadistan still has more oil reserves compared to Kurdistan, but politically both countries are instable. Based on the reports by our agents within the two countries, Kurdistan's government employs a number of mercenaries to fight for them. However, their armaments aren't as advanced as that of Azadistan. Azadistan's armed forces are equipped with an army of Anf mobile suits. This gives them the advantage in terms of weapons arsenal. However, politically, Azadistan is struggling with an administrative crisis. The Crown Princess of the Kingdom of Azadistan, Marina Ismail, is being condemned and criticised by the conservatives within the country. The conservatives believe that the reformists had kidnapped their spiritual leader. The reformists on the other hand demand that the Princess expel the conservatives and join one of the three power blocs."
Taking a sip from her drink, she continued, "So, Celestial Being's objectives for this mission would be: 1) Rescue the spiritual leader of the conservatives from whoever is holding him, this would keep the conservatives at bay, delaying a possible civil war within Azadistan itself. 2) Attack mobile suit forces which are still in combat in both countries. 3) Bombard crucial military supplies moving between the boundaries of both countries."
Andrew was impressed by her mission plan. "As expected from someone chosen by Veda to be a strategist for Celestial Being."
Kira and Athrun were both within their Gundam's cockpit. They were thoroughly analysing the mission plan that Ms. Clyne had sent to their Gundams. Athrun has been charged with the first phase of the plan, which was to find and rescue the conservatives' spiritual leader. The second phase of the plan would have Kira using his Gundam to disable and destroy all remaining forces which are still in combat, from both sides. The third and last phase of the mission would have both Kira and Athrun destroy military supply lines to cripple the efforts of continuing the war.
"Why do I get the hardest mission?" Athrun sighed, even with the intelligence provided by Veda, searching for one man within a whole city guarded by hostile mobile suits will not be easy.
Kira appeared on his screen, "Don't worry. You'll do fine. All of us were chosen by Veda to be Gundam Meisters. We've been given a responsibility. We need to carry that out." With that, Kira switched off his intercom line with Athrun.
"Eternal, this is Kira Yamato. Systems check, all green. GN Particle dispersion activated. Striker Pack, Aile Strike. Waiting for orders."
"Eternal, this is Athrun Zala. Mobile suit capabilities, all functioning. GN Particle dispersion switched to minimum. GN Drive functioning. Ready when you are."
"This is Andrew. All Eternal crew, we are surfacing above water! Set GN Particle dispersion to a maximum."
Slowly and steadily, the Eternal rose above the surface of the ocean.
"Gundam Meisters, all green. Transferring timing to Strike and Aegis."
"Kira Yamato, Strike, launching!"
"Athrun Zala, Aegis, going out!"
Both Gundams launched. Strike's impressive design is now seen by the whole world. Its GN Drive is between the docked Aile Striker Pack and Strike. Aegis looks striking with its red-themed colour.