Hello guys. I know you guys are reading this, 'cause I get plenty of hits for each chapter. So please leave a review if you do read please! I mean, it's a lot more encouraging to get reviews and it helps me write more! Anyways, we introduce the Star Division this chapter as well as Amina's new unit!
Ch. 4 International Negotiation
In the Ptolemaios, the crew looked on at the screen. Feldt, Christina, Lichty, Lasse and Sumeragi watched as the chairman of the Human Reform League made a speech concerning Celestial Being. And considering the current events, none of it was nice.
"Because of Celestial Being's intervention in Ceylon, a hundred and forty-eight of our brave soldiers lost their lives." He said as the cameras continually took pictures of him. "Although they speak of ending all warfare, all Celestial Being is doing is terrorism, and they are throwing the world into disorder. But we, the Human Reform League, are prepared to take action against their acts of violence."
"They really don't like us." Lichty said with a sad smile.
"That's natural." Lasse responded.
Christina turned around worriedly. "But what if the Human Reform League strengthens because of us?"
The sliding door opened, with Rachel and Tieria entered. She spoke first. "Why is everyone so depressed? All we have to do is keep doing what we're doing and everything will be alright."
"If only everything was that simple." Feldt said without any emotion.
"We just need to continue our armed interventions." Tieria responded. "That is our true goal."
And in the economic zone, Setsuna stared at an article of Aeolia Schenburg as he listened to the chairman's speech.
Kingdom of Azadistan
Azadistan, which is where modern Iran used to be, was in a state of political turmoil during this time. In addition to experiencing economic disasters, terrorism was rampant, with organizations like the KSPA running around.
In the city, fires spread across a few buildings. It didn't do much to destroy the huge city though.
It did a lot to break the heart of Princess Marina Ismael, the young woman in charge of Azadistan. She stared out her window with sad eyes as she viewed the the deadly fires. It got a lot worse as she saw another explosion occur.
"It looks like the terrorists have reached the city." Her advisor, Shirin Bakhtiar said from behind. "We need to hurry up with the reform before the moderates join with them."
"I'm aware of that." She said sadly. "Our country has relied on fossil fuels for too long. To that end, we must seek aid from the powers of the solar energy system."
"But our country did not take part in building the orbital elevator so we don't have the right to access their solar energy." Her advisor continued. "And since our oil is placed on terrible restrictions it will be very difficult to find a country to support us."
Marina immediately turned. "But the National Assembly put me in charge to find assistance, correct? So there's only one thing that can happen."
"Still, our present situation is very bad." Shirin said. "If our country continues like this, they will come. You know who I mean right? The armed organization, Celestial Being."
Marina gasped, then turned away. "Celestial Being..."
Night fell on the island which was Celestial Being's small base of operations. Kyrios, Adunai, and Dynames laid in their containers, with repairs being done on them by automated robots.
Origen, Lockon, and Allelujah stared at their mobile suits being fixed. Wanting to start a conversation, Lockon began, "Did you hear? The IRA's declaration of stopping terrorism?"
"Yes."
"I don't believe them." Origen replied. "You can't trust terrorists."
"Yeah." Lockon agreed. "Although now some countries are favoring us, that's only temporary. The real reason they stopped was because they feared our armed intervention."
"Which means when we stop, they'll start again." Allelujah replied, not even looking up from his book. "Ending all war isn't something easily done."
"Then you two should get some rest." Lockon started heading for the door. "We'll be busy soon."
As soon as Lockon left, Origen spoke. "Do you have any doubts?"
"I left all my doubts when I joined Celestial Being." Allelujah said. "And we have the Gundams."
"That's a good answer."
Human Reform League, Joint HQ
"How was it, Colonel?" The man sitting in front of him asked. "You fought one of the Gundams, correct? I want to hear your opinion on it."
"Yes sir." Sergei said. "To be honest, I do not believe that their exists a mobile suit that could stand up to a Gundam."
"Do you think they're that strong?"
"It's just my opinion." He confided.
"Then it was a good thing I've called you for this." The man smiled. "Colonel, I want you to steal a Gundam before the Union or AEU does."
"Yes sir!" Sergei straightened himself.
"For that purpose, I am forming an elite squad to deal with that." He continued. "While I will leave the personal selection to you, there are a few soldiers I'd like you to include."
"Hmm?"
"Come in."
A soldier opened the door, with six women entering the room. All of them had different hair colors but they wore the HRL uniform.
The first one had long white hair with yellow, rather sickening eyes. She walked in front of the other five and saluted him. "Excuse me. I am Lieutenant Soma Peries, Super Soldier Number One of the Super-Human Institute Research Center."
"Huh?"
The second one stepped up. She was tall, with short black hair and dark brown skin. "I am Ensign Oistas Weingberger, Super Soldier Number Two."
The third one was fairly short, but not as short as the next one. She had an air of maturity, with neck-length black hair and pale skin. She had a masculine appearance though. "I am Ensign Sakura Honda, Super Soldier Number Three."
The fourth one was very short, with a childish appearance. She had brown hair tied into two braids and tanned skin. "Hi! I'm Rosa Cardina! Nice to meet you! Oh, and I'm Super Soldier Number Four!"
The fifth was as tall as Sergei, with pale skin and long blond hair. Unlike Sakura, she had an air of serenity and peace. "Hello. My name is Latonia Virtoso. Super Soldier Number Five."
And the final had long, red hair with a few freckles on her face. She had a very confident face, probably the most confident of all the girls. "My name is Mercry Bright! Super Soldier Number Six!"
"But sir, I thought the project-"
"I suppose it was carried on in secret." He replied, although his look showed otherwise. "Our superiors believe that they will be our trump cards against the Gundams."
Soma spoke for all six of them. "As of today, we have been assigned to serve in your elite unit, the Star Division. Colonel. Pleased to meet you."
"Star... Division?"
"Yes, it is a codename for your new squad Colonel." The man said. "It is meant to symbolize that you and each member of your team will be the shining stars to victory... that is what our superiors came up with.
Sergei sighed as he looked at each one of them again. "You are all too young for this."
Setsuna and Naoto sat at on a bench next to a water fountain eating hot dogs. Both of them were staring at the peoples interactions with each other. They saw a couple on a date, two girls hanging out, a few kids running around.
Naoto noticed the kids as they ran and played tag with each other. "If we were younger and more carefree, we would've had a childhood like that."
Setsuna on the other hand, imagined a meteor crashing down on the city square in front of him, killing all the citizens and destroying the entire city! The remains of the city resembled Krugis at it's worse, when Soran and Emir fought against the machines.
He looked up, and saw everything was normal. Everyone was going through their happy, carefree lives.
"This is a happy place, huh Soran?"
"Don't call me by that name."
"Hey! It's you guys!"
The two turned to see Saji, Loiuse, and Francesca walk towards them. Naoto gulped as he saw the latter, but she didn't seem to have any change in personality when she saw him.
"Saji Crossroad. Francesca Apokata."
"Wow! You guys remembered our names!" Francesca exclaimed. "I always thought our names were hard to remember."
"Who are they?" Louise asked.
"Oh. They live next door to us." He replied. "Um... their names are..."
"Setsuna F. Seiei."
"Naoto Takeuchi."
Francesca blinked, then she gasped. "Oh yeah! You're that cute guy that lives next to me!"
"...You only remember me by my name?"
Meanwhile, at the Union HQ, professor Ralph Eifman was unveiling Graham's and Amina's new Flags.
Graham's Flag had a black paint-job with white trim, with an orange mask-like item on it's face. Besides that, it didn't look any different... on the outside.
"I've reinforced the backpacks and joints and I applied an anti-beam coating onto the surface." The professor explained to the awed pilots. "For new weapons, I was able to gain the Iris Corporation's new, prototype rifle." He referred to the rifle attached to it's left arm.
"Amazing..." Amina gaped.
"However, even with the G-System activated, you will feel about 12Gs when turning top speed." Billy smirked at his friend.
"I'm looking forward to it." Graham grinned back.
They turned to the Flag standing next to it. It had a dark-pink paint-job with white trim, with a black mask on it's face.
"And this is my new unit?" Amina asked.
"Yes, although I wish that women wouldn't have to go into battle." The professor sighed. "I apologize about that. Because of the massive damage, I had to work fast. I've had enough time to add anti-beam coating and repairing, but that's about it for armor."
"I don't mind, professor." Amina smiled. "As long as it's ready to fight."
"And for your weapon, I've attached one of my own design, called the railgun." The professor continued, referring to another gun on it's left arm. "While not as strong as the other Flag's prototype rifle, it's much, much faster and can it's power inputs can be controlled."
"Thank you, sir!" Amina bowed. "I will be sure to use it to the best of my ability!"
"I am sure you will, ma'am."
"Wow. So those are Lieutenant Graham Aker and Ensign Amina Halabi's new Flags."
The group turned to see two Union soldiers walk up to them. One was white with brown hair and glasses. The other was black with long, red dreadlocks.
The white one stepped up. "I am Warrant Officer Howard Mason, and this is Master Sargeant Daryl Dodge. We've been appointed to your Anti-Gundam Task Force as per your request, sir!"
"Good!" Graham saluted the two. "Allow us to welcome you, Flag Fighters!"
Back on the Ptolemaios, Sumeragi sat in front of a big-screen computer. "Veda, please tell me your prediction."
Three spots instantly appeared on the screen map. One in northern South America, one in northeast Africa, and one in northern Europe. "So, it's the same as mine. There are twelve counter-plans, but no matter which one we choose, our position will be in danger. I know it has to be done, but it's so hard."
A screen suddenly popped in front of her with Christina floating towards it. "Ms. Sumeragi! Taribia's made a declaration!"
Her eyes widened, turning back to the map. "Just as I thought..."
In a Taribia press conference, a man stood at the pulpit making a very powerful anti-Union speech. The Union, AEU, and the Human Reform League stared at the man speaking.
"The Union consists of fifty nations! But it truly is a dictatorship, as the United States controls the distribution of solar energy!" He barked. "The solar electric generation system should not be operated under a single nation! And so, the Taribian Republic will now secede from the Union and claim independent access to the energy! And if there be any political of militaty force that opposes this, then we shall respond with force! Our nation opposes dictatorship from the United States!"
The crowd burst into applause and stood up at the waving speaker.
"Taribia has begun." Shirin said to Marina inside the palace.
"That nation always opposed the U.S., but seceeding from the Union and demand rights to the solar energy system is..."
"Perhaps it's a step before the next elections?" Shirin proposed.
"I don't believe so." Marina replied. "If the relations between the countries became worse, it will worsen the solar power operation."
"But you know, the Union's military will be involved then." Shirin formed a small smile. "And I'm sure Taribia knows that will happen."
"They know...?"
The HRL soldiers within the cafeteria were watching, including the Star Division.
"Those Taribian bastards..." Oistas muttered. "They're taking advantage of the situation by using Celestial Being."
"You know already, Ensign?" Sergei turned.
"What do you mean, Oistas?" Rosa tilted her head.
"The Union will take military action, Ensign." Soma answered for her. "And Celestial Being prevents any type of military conflict. They know that they will fight for them, even if they don't want to."
"How dishonorable." Sakura whispered.
"That's cruel of them." Latonia gasped.
"If only we could fight-"
"Don't let your emotions get in the way." Soma snapped. "That isn't your mission."
"But, that's just wrong!" Amina growled. "And I know Emir isn't the type to be used like that."
"This 'Emir' person is part of Celestial Being." Billy replied. "I'm sure that he will follow orders, no matter how terrible it may seem."
"Will you accept our invitation, Gundam?" Graham's eyes flared with excitement.
"So, Taribia will take advantage of Celestial Being?" Marina asked.
"Still, I'm jealous." Shirin walked up with a cup of tea. "They can take such a radical approach because of how close their location is to the Orbital Elevator. Unlike our country, they have a trump."
"But do you really think they will appear?"
"I don't know." Her advisor responded. "But, I do know that whatever Celestial Being does for Taribia will change the fate of our country."
"Our fate?"
"I mean, we can take advantage of them as well."
"Despite that, we will make our move." Wang Liu Mei said in the backseat of the car as Hong Long drove. "Because that's what Celestial Being does."
Sumeragi entered the room with the entire crew. "We will begin the mission shortly. Contact the Meisters!"
As the news gave out the message that the Union was sending their military to Taribia, Setsuna and Naoto dashed towards their Gundam hiding places.
Lockon, Origen, and Allelujah ran inside the containers and hopped into their Gundams.
"Let's do this, Haro!" Lockon shouted, placing the small ball onto it's platform.
"Roger!"
Dynames's eyes flashed alive.
"Let this mission be in glory of Veda." Origen said, activating the Adunai Flyer. "And allow us to achieve victory!"
The pair jumped into the ocean off of a harbor near the city and swam down. Because it was close to land, the bottom wasn't that far. At the bottom of the ocean, two containers rested.
The three island containers opened up, with Dynames arising from his.
"Allelujah Haptism, Kyrios, beginning operation!" Allelujah announced, launching out.
"Lockon Stratos, Dynames, ready to snipe down the targets!" Lockon grinned, flying out of his container as well.
"Origen Admantus, Adunai, commencing intervention!"
And the five units flew out of the island. From the distance, one could assume they were beautiful, green shooting stars in the daylight.
Exia and Alauda arose from their containers as well.
"Setsuna F. Seiei, Exia, heading out!"
"Naoto Takeuchi, Alauda, launching!"
"I can't wait to see the Gundams, Lieutenant!" Daryl exclaimed with his Flag.
The four Flags, consisting of the two new Custom Flags with Howard and Daryl's normal Flags, flew across the ocean as they headed towards Taribia.
"Now, now Sargeant." Amina hushed him. "Once you fight them, you will wish otherwise."
"Don't be so strict on them, Ensign Halabi." Graham said. "They are you superiors after all. And besides, you're not as excited because you've encountered them several times already."
"Does that mean you're excited, sir?"
"Of course I am." Graham grinned. "They're the reason I live! Now team, let us fight and return with victory!"
"Yes sir!"
The Pacific Ocean off Taribia
Several ships sailed towards Taribia, being of Union ownership.
Feldt spoke. "The Union's fleet and America's second fleet have appeared off the coast of Taribia."
"The Brazilian Garrison Base has sent out their air force as well." Christina continued, referring to the predecessors of the Flags, the Realdos. They were more jagged, with an airplane-like jetpack on their back.
"What about the Taribian military?" Sumeragi asked.
"They also have Realdos around some of their major cities." Christina replied.
"This is an interesting situation we're in, huh?" Lasse leaned against his chair.
"So what will we do, Ms. Sumeragi?" Lichty asked.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"I want to fight too!" Rachel floated into the room, wearing her normal suit. "I wanna go to Earth and participate in the mission!"
"But then you'd leave Tieria to protect the ship." Sumeragi smiled at the small girl. "And as strong as he is, he can't do everything by himself."
"Awww..."
Alauda and Exia flew over the fleet of ships close to Taribia. Dynames, Kyrios, and Adunai in it's MS form had appeared as well.
"This is Blue Shark. I have visual confirmation of the Gundams." One sky Realdo announced. "They are heading for the capital. Prepare to intercept- agh! They've jammed the communications..."
In an unknown area in space...
Within an unknown mothership, five people stood in front of a screen, watching these events unfold.
"Hey big brother Michael. Those are the Gundam Meisters right?"
"Hmph! They all look weak!" Michael sneered.
"Talk all you want, but they can be strong themselves." Gabriel intervened. "Nena, those people are our allies. Remember that."
"I know!"
"What's with all the noise?"
"Wake up from your sleep, Zelea?"
"Of course I did. Where's Johann?"
Michael shrugged. "Probably looking over the Thrones."
"Why don't we intervene?" Nena suggested.
"Not yet, young one." Zelea spoke in an all-knowing voice. "It is not our time yet."
"Still, I wonder what they will do? The Meisters that is." Gabriel said aloud. "Will they decide to aid Taribia? Or maybe they will support the Union? Or..."
"The Gundams have split up, most likely to attack the three cities." One soldier in a ship said, pointing to a map. "But will they actually fight against the Union and U.S. military?"
"If Celestial Being does fight against the Union, they will be in support of Taribia." Shirin said to Marina as they stared out of the window.
"Yet, if they don't intervene, and let the Union military fight, they will have broken their ideal of eradicating war." Marina sighed. "So, what will they do?"
And within the Ptolemaios, two words Sumeragi uttered would change the whole world.
"Mission... start."
From a distance, several beams were fired, crashing into a few Realdos guarding the city! The remaining ones, in shock, flew out of the smoke of three destroyed units!
"What was that?" A Realdo pilot gasped. "Did the Union begin their attack?"
Another beam smashed his unit, killing him! The remaining few Realdos' eyes widened as they saw...
"GUNDAM!"
Exia had switched it's GN Sword into Vulcan mode, while Alauda flew on it's Subflight Lifter shooting with it's Beam Cannons and Guns. The two Gundams flew at a very fast pace, aiming for the Taribian units!
"Why? We haven't done anything yet!" Another Realdo yelled.
"You should've known from that message that Celestial Being will intervene against anyone who promotes war." Naoto clenched his teeth. "And moreover, you jerks tried to take advantage of us!" He expressed his rage by throwing both GN Boomerangs at two Realdos, destroying them.
"I have concluded that Taribia is a country that promotes war." Setsuna announced. "Eliminating the targets!"
He landed on the ground, pointing his sword at the enemies. The blade gleamed from the bright light of the sun, blinding some of the pilots. He took that advantage of slice through more of the enemies!
"Bastard!" Naoto roared, slicing through two enemies with his Subflight Lifter's Beam Blades.
At another city, Kyrios reverted to it's MS form and fired rounds from it's GN Submachine Gun.
"Kyrios, starting intervention!" Allelujah announced, destroying three Realdos on the ground. The rest flew up in an attempt to surround him, but were shot down by Adunai's GN Cannon-Rifle.
"Don't underestimate Gundam!" Origen roared, withdrawing Adunai's Cannon-Rifle and taking out it's Hyper Beam Sabers. The gigantic sabers crashed down onto the weak mobile suits, easily destroying them.
"Dynames, sniping the targets!" Lockon yelled, firing it's GN Sniper Rifle at the enemies! He accurately shot and destroyed them. "That's what you get for taking advantage of us."
Several more shots from Adunai's Cannon-Rifle and Kyrios's Submachine Gun wiped out most of the troops.
Allelujah sighed. "Their battle force is weak."
"So, Celestial Being has decided to fight our military." The speaker from before gravely spoke. "Get President Brian on the phone."
"I see... yes, yes..." The president nodded his head. "And you'll withdraw your secession from the Union?... Good."
He got off the phone and spoke to his secretary. "David, to protect out Taribian allies, our military will attack Celestial Being."
"The American mobile suit teams have launched." Christina reported. "We believe that they will act too protect Taribia, as predicted."
"I knew it..."
"In accordance to the plan, each Gundam will withdraw to a safe zone." Feldt announced.
"Those Union people are jerks, huh?" Rachel pouted. "We sorta help them and they repay us by attacking us!"
"This is a farce." Tieria said.
"Wait a second!" Christina gasped. "I have two machines closing in on Exia and Alauda! They are... Union Flags! And they are twice as fast as normal!"
Naoto's eyes widened. "Those Flags... could it be?"
"That man..." Setsuna narrowed his eyes.
"With this mobile suit, I can fight you properly! Gundam!" Graham's eyes widened in excitement, firing it's new linear rifle in jet form.
"Emir! With my new weapon, I'll defeat you!" Amina roared, firing several quick blasts from her railgun! The blasts were so fast it knocked both Exia and Alauda's shields away!
"Tch!" Alauda drew it's Twin Beam Saber and tried to strike down Amina's Flag's arm, but missed! "It's very fast!"
"I won't let you defeat us!" Amina fired it's railgun directly in front of her, striking Alauda on the chest!
"Aghhh!" Alauda lowered altitude a bit and fired his GN Cannons, each missing!
Graham's Flag was having an easy time fighting Exia (although Setsuna wasn't really fighting). Without his shield, Exia dodged the rest of his Flag's bullets and submerged into the water!
"Gundam!" Amina flew even closer, but Naoto predicted she would get overconfident and fired his even faster Beam Guns at her! While it missed his intended target (the head), he barely struck both shoulders, causing her to freeze.
Naoto also took this opportunity to submerge into the water. The Flags weren't built for underwater combat, so they couldn't follow them.
"That was amazing, Lieutenant Aker and Ensign Halabi!" Daryl congradulated them, now having caught up with the Flag's vicious speed.
"They got away..." Amina sighed. "And I was too overconfident."
"That's alright, Ensign." Graham replied. "I couldn't defeat the Gundam either."
Graham removed his helmet's visor. "Our Flags were able to take on the Gundam. But it can move underwater? Those Gundams have a little too much in versality!"
In the water, Alauda attempted to communicate to Exia, but Setsuna wouldn't respond.
"I didn't expect them to attack the Taribian military." Marina said.
"Really? I believe both Taribia and American knew this would happen." Shirin replied.
"You do?"
"Once Celestial Being intervened, Taribia had no choice but to get help from the Union's military." Shirin explained. "Now, Taribia will no longer have domestic anti-Union feelings and support the U.S.'s policies. Meanwhile, Taribia's government will receive support from America. This also shows other anti-Union countries to think twice before attacking."
Marina breathed in, a little shocked from the current events.
"I wonder which country gained the most benefit from these events." Shirin narrowed her eyes. "If you don't know, then you can't lead our nation, Royal Princess of the Kingdom of Azadistan, Marina Ismail."
"Hey big sis, do you know what this means?" Saji asked Kinue from in their apartment. "Celestial Being attacked Taribia's military even though they didn't start attacking."
"You're right." She responded, more focused on typing her story.
"They say they want to stop fighting, but they're starting it." Saji said looking at the TV screen and seeing all the destruction in Taribia. "It's so wrong..."
Kinue sighed. "Saji, the world isn't that simple."
And as they had that conversation, Setsuna laid on his bed, feeling dejected from the current events.
Naoto laid on his bed, but he was thinking. "Amina's Flag has gotten stronger. It looks like I'll have to stop going easy on her from here on out."
A short chapter, I know. But you learn a few things here. First, Soma isn't the only super soldier in the mix, now that I've added five more. Second, there are five members in Team Trinity? That's ludicrous! Third, Amina's new unit (which I will explain later). Other than that, the new characters are being introduced, and with that, the plot will eventually thicken.
Anyways, here's Amina's new unit for those who want to know.
Name: SVMS-01F Union Flag Amina Halabi Custom
Model Number: SVMS-01F
Developed From: SVMS-01 Union Flag
Manufacturer: Union
Operator: Union
Known Pilot: Amina Halabi
Overall Height: 17.8 meters
Max Weight: 59.6 metric tons
Power Plant: Hydrogen, Solar Energy System
Armor: E-Carbon Armor
Special Features: G-System
Looks: Just like Graham Aker's Custom Flag, it's a copy of the original Flag but sleeker (if you can imagine that). Instead of a black paint job, it's dark pink similar to the Strike Rouge's color with white trim. It's railgun is on it's left arm as well, like Graham's prototype rifle. It looks just like the Duel's railgun.
Weapons: REW-01 Railgun (left forearm-mounted), Grenade Launcher (right forearm-mounted; contains four grenades), Sonic Blade (Hip-mounted; can emit a plasma sword), 20mm Machine Gun (next to cockpit drum), Defense Rod (Left elbow-mounted)
If the Gundams didn't exist, this would truly be a formidable unit. I wanted to create a mobile suit that could be an equal to Graham's, and here it is. I had a difficult time in choosing what weapons to give to this suit, but eventually I decided on the railgun because it seems like something people would make before the introduction of beam weaponry. I also added the Grenade Launcher for variety. The biggest inspiration for this mobile suit is probably the Strike Rouge because of it's ability for all-purpose combat and both users are stubborn and tomboyish.
Next chapter happens to be my favorite episode, so please stick around. Also, don't forget to press that review button right below!