The small ship docked inside …its passengers were received by a the base security captain with a small team. After the usual greeting they were escorted into the small command deck.
Selene wasn't expecting the visitors. Usually the ZAFT or EU officials that came to inspect the projects developed for them by the DSSD were military. This time she was informed that the people coming will be civilians …some low officials inside United Universe. Apparently the batteries were not something of crucial matter for UU so they didn't bother sending military officials…or this was what she was told.
Anyway she didn't want to take any chances so she instructed Sven to make minimum contact with those people. Being an ex Phantom Pain member was bound to raise some questioning both from ZAFT and EU…not to mention that most of its members were dead or imprisoned for war crimes. The small part of them that had survived the war were mostly keeping a low profile. Not to mention the recent terrorist activities that involved some of them.
So Sven had to keep a low profile.
They had developed a new identity for him….the irony was that was listed as a Coordinator test pilot, but she knew that this couldn't hold to a thorough investigation so she was trying to keep him out of way of every delegation way.
This early visit was inopportune since they didn't finished all tests and the next day the last test was programmed. These people will want to see a live test for themselves instead of receiving recordings or the data analyses they were presenting. But if they wanted to see a live test they would want to meet the pilots as well.
Sven could pass as a Coordinator pilot…his reflexes were really high even by Coordinator standards but she didn't want to take unnecessary risks.
Damn why did they have to be so early …their arrival was scheduled for two days from now
The passengers entered the command deck following the security officer that escorted them there.
-Now gentlemen if you would follow me please I'll make the introductions .This is Selene McGriff out chief scientist and administrator for this base. She is also responsible for the UU project.
-Selene these are Mr. Crash Sauders and Mr. Alexander Black, said the official introducing the two men
-Nice to meet you gentlemen, I must say that your early arrival was quite a surprise.
-I hope we will not be of any inconvenience two you…it's just that we wanted to see a live test for the new equipment ourselves. We won't get in your way Ms. McGriff
- But it's not an inconvenience …we are always happy when our clients show this kind of interest for our products
- Well Ms. McGriff, if that has been settled I don't want to stand in your way….I would like you to tell us how is your test schedule and when can we see a live demonstration of the new equipment's capabilities.
- We did finish our tests for today with GSX-401FW. We were just gathering the test data for further analysis now and the nest test is scheduled for tomorrow. Furthermore I'm sure you gentlemen must be tired from the long journey so I'll ask our security captain to show you to your quarters
-Indeed you are really kind Ms. McGriff, but we aren't really tired…we would like to see with our own eyes the GSX-401FW…we heard do much about your Stargazer Project
-Please call me Selene
-Then call me Crash, Selene
-Well Crash, if you insist on it…I'll ask the captain to escort you to hangar bay six…Stargazer just returned to base couple of minutes ago
-Thank you Selene
Andrew, was really curios about the Stargazer. From the intelligence he had gathered the Stargazer was a really special Mobile Suit with extraordinary abilities.
First of all it used a prototype propulsion system that was supposed to function with the help of solar winds. Secondly it was his AI that was really interesting. Basically, from what he had gathered the AI core in Stargazer was one of the most advanced piece of technology at that time…and it wasn't fully developed yet.
Also from his information two years ago a special Phantom Pain unit had managed to steal a prototype of the AI core and almost destroyed the entire base in the process.
And still the Stargazer was a Mobile Suit that lacked any kind of weapon.
Yes Andrew was really curious about the Stargazer and its developer
-Mr Sauders….the captain was looking at him…hm Mr Sauders
-Oh yes, he had forgotten for one second his fake identity….it wouldn't sit good for the Supreme Commander of UU to be in a routine inspection on a scientific and neutral base.
-Mr. Sauders this way to the hangar room
The doors opened for the three people to pass. The hangar room wasn't really that big…in contradiction with ZAFT ships it was really small. Just barely enough space for five Mobile Suits and the engineering bay
They were somewhere on the bottom of the bay…the hangar room was almost empty. On the left a couple of people were working on some kind of small shuttle
On the right they could see the two Mobile Suits and more to the right the Stargazer
It was really an amazing sight …Andrew knew he had never seen such a machine before. But the most amazing thing was the propulsion system…it lacked any type of engine exhaust system or anything he had seen before. Instead a large ring was attached in the back of the suit just like and angel's hollow…
-So this is the Stargazer….said Andrew
- It is even more amazing then in the reports we received…his partner replied
-Well I never thought I would see such a machine…developed in a time of war.
-We are at peace now Andrew, the other men said in a hushed tone so their escort wouldn't hear their conversation
- And those must be the pilots…I would like to met them …said Andrew after seeing the pilots team that were discussing something with a couple of engineers just in front of the sleeping machine
- Captain…I would like to meet the people that are piloting this suit.
-S…sure… Mr Sauders…there shouldn't be any problem…the captain had wished he could had time to warn those to leave before the UU guys showed up. He didn't expect them to still be here.
Sven and Sol had just finished sending the whole data package in the main computer. Selene wanted that information as soon as possible. They had a minor malfunction in one of the batteries. The core temperature had risen a little above the standard and now they were discussing these with the engineer team.
They didn't see the three people coming until they were no more then five meters away
-Hm…hm…the captain tried to get their attention
- Mr Sauders, Mr Black… this is the pilot team for the Stargazer…SolRyuune and Mathius Dorman
Sven was surprised…he had established with Selene to use a fake name when they were other people then DSSD around, but he didn't use that name before.
-Mathius, Sol…these two gentlemen are from UU they came to inspect on our current project
-Nice to meet you gentlemen, Sol turned to the UU guest. I hope your stay here will be enjoyable and pleasant (and short he thought)
-Really this is an amazing machine….Andrew was stunned
-Thank you
-My colleague and I had heard of this machine but I can't believe my eyes ..isn't that right Alexander…Alexander…suddenly Andrew saw the baffled expression on his friend face…behind the sunglasses he wore in order to hide some of his scars…Mu's face was white as snow. He locked like he had seen a ghost
He turned around following his friend's gaze…it was the second pilot…the guy with white hair….Mu knew him…somehow. But the boy didn't seem to recognize him.
-Yes…it is an amazing machine Mr Ryuunne. Finally Mu said… and must require an amazing pilot
- You are too kind Mr Black, Sol said again, we don't deserve such praise
Mu couldn't help but stare at the second pilot…he knew him all to well…but what could a Phantom Pain veteran do in a Coordinator research facility…and mostly piloting one of the most advanced machines in existence. Could Phantom Pain have infiltrated so much inside DSSD. What kind of interest could they have had here? Could be anything, the Stargazer, the different technologies that were developed here. ZAFT and EU and the Peacekeeping Force had contracts with DSSD. Could be anything ? He realized that the young pilot would get suspicious if he kept looking at him like that.
When in Phantom Pain he had worn as mask but his voice …Sven could have recognized his voice. He had to leave now…and tell Andrew about this. They had to find out what was Blue Cosmos interest in this and neutralize the threat…..capture Sven and find out what was going on.
-Chase I'm really tired...I think we should get back to our quarters and leave this fine gentlemen with their work.
Andrew knew something was wrong
-Yes, I think we shall. Well gentlemen it was really a pleasure.
- Same for us I assure you
The two inspectors hurried up chased by the captain that was stunned by the change. One moment ago they couldn't wait to see the machine and now they were tired.
-You know, Sol said after the trio left the bay…it wouldn't hurt if you say a word from time to time…Mathieu
Sven expression was unreadable.
-Sven…are you ok…Sven
-Those two are dangerous….Sven turned away and hurried through the hangar bay's doors.
-Sven…Sven…what happened
Sven didn't answer…in spite of the sunglasses and the mask he had recognized the second UU visitor…Captain Neo Roanoke from the Phantom Pain.
Now everything made sense…the early arrival was jus a carefully devised plan to infiltrate DSSD. Phantom Pain had some kind of interest here….but he wasn't about to let those two do anything that could damage his new home. He didn't recognize the second person…from the look of it the guy was military also. He didn't have time to warn the others.
Neo had recognized him, he knew it for sure. It took al his strength to keep his mask…to show no emotion, not even a strange look to betray him to deceive the other man.
But Neo was about to change the initial plan and probably attack now since he clearly didn't expect him to be there.
He had to stop him now before anything could be set in motion.
Even if it was two against one he had the surprise factor…and the fact that he was defending his home. He had to neutralize those two. Maybe he could get Neo alone and then take down the other guy. But Neo was his priority.
He knew where the captain was leading those two and he knew how to reach on another route faster then him. He just had to get there sooner and take him out before he could do anything. He didn't carry a weapon. He relied on his battle reflexes and his strength. Not very much to start with but he had to try.
Ok…couple of explanations here
Mu was captured after the Battle of Berlin…before that Sven in shown seeing the Stella very sick being led to a medical facility (after Shin had returned her to Mu). So this is before Battle of Berlin and before Sven and his team were send to attack the DSSD. So the Battle of Berlin happened in the same time or before the attack on DSSD. Mu couldn't have known the results of that battle since he was captured. Same for Sven …even if the attack was after the battle I doubt that any commander would inform his crew that is about to leave for a mission the catastrophic results of another battle (besides Sven and the others leave for space probably just before the Battle of Berlin starts).
Anyway…if I'm not tight …well …I don't know…I've just imagined it this way
So next time…I don't think I need to tell you guys what happens in the next episode…I don't do fillers
So if you like it ..or don't I wish I knew your opinion