Chapter 4: Facets
October 4, 0079
Sadera, Imperial Capital
"Sire, it is done. Leaderless, the tributary states can no longer oppose your will, your Majesty."
A robed stout bald man, just reported to Emperor Molt of the ultimate fate of Allied Army sent to Alnus Hill. The Emperor smirked
"Good, good, all is according to plan. Now then, there is the matter of this invading army from another world. These Soldiers of the Underworld, and their Titans…"
"Yes milord, I was about to bring that up."
Emperor Molt looked intensely at the man, as if expecting him to give some insight on the matter. The man became nervously silent when he noticed the Emperor's critical gaze on him. With nothing further forthcoming from the bald man, the Emperor continued to speak out what was on his mind.
"I assume they have yet to move out of Alnus, am I correct?"
The bald man nervously nods in agreement. "As stated before, they appear to be fortifying themselves around the gate, even after defeating the Allied Army, your Majesty."
"Hmm, most peculiar, unless …"
"Sire?"
The Emperor grinned then began to softly chuckle. All present including the bald man were concerned over his behavior.
"…They're having problems with logistics. This might be just the opportunity we need."
Emperor Molt stood up from his throne and shot forth an arm in a commanding gesture, addressing his advisers and generals.
"Have all the roads and communities between Alnus to Sadera razed! Poison all the wells and confiscate all the food and livestock! Conscript all able bodied men; kill those who resist, serving as examples; and spread word that their misfortunes are due to these Soldiers of the Underworld! With that, whatever army they are would have their invasion plans greatly hindered, and give us the time to prepare and rebuild our forces!"
Those present were amazed and lauded the Emperor's shrewdness and judgement, but the baldheaded adviser from before had his reservations.
"Scorched Earth Tactics, Sire? If I may be bold, what of the loss of revenue, as well as the prospect of defections and rebellion?"
"What of it?" Emperor Molt seemed rather annoyed as he sat back on his throne. "You said yourself; there are none who would oppose me. As for the potential loss to our coffers, well that can't be helped. You have to throw some coins in order to lose some pursuing bandits I say." At this laughter broke out among the other advisers, and generals. Baldy felt ridiculed but pressed on his concerns.
"I speak of the other lords and senators, who would not agree to this. Already, Marquise Garcel is making a move to have you step down with the help of the Senate, for the latest disastrous campaign on Alnus Hill, Your Majesty!"
"Hmph! Let them! Knowing those bickering fools, it will be a long while before they could muster a solid move against me. By then…I would have figured out a decisive way to deal with them, once and for all." Just then a strong feminine voice echoes within the throne room.
"Your Majesty!" All turn to the source of voice but most specially Emperor Molt who exhibits a bored-like, smirking expression toward the striding flame haired young woman in armor.
"Ah, Piña, my dear daughter…"
Back in Jaburo, within the Political Ward of the massive underground Federation facility which houses all of Earth's political leaders in exile, President Darril, duly elected leader of the Earth Federation Council was in a crucial discussion with his cronies.
"What is the Earth Federation Forces doing? They've arrived on the other side of the Gate, and what do they do? Sit on their asses and twiddle their thumbs!"
A tall broad-shouldered Federation officer with crimson-tinted googles addresses the President's concerns.
"Sir, the expeditionary force has been holding off a couple of massive attacks by the enemy for the past few days, with minimal losses. But be that as it may they simply have insufficient forces to hold the gate and move forward. They plan to conduct reconnaissance missions for now to investigate the new lands and its people."
"Then just send in more reinforcements! It's simple as that!"
"Not so, Mister President. General Revil thinks the Gate is not a priority with the war with Zeon at present."
"Bah! The old fool doesn't seem to realize a grand opportunity here when it is staring down right in his face! Think about it. This Gate is a new frontier, with new lands to exploit and vast amounts of untapped resources. No pollution. Things that we of Earth are in badly need of right now! Heck, the Zeeks could even have this crummy world, while we all move to the other side, just like the Bible in Exodus. We migrate to the new promised land!"
"That does sound prophetic, Mister President." An officer, far older than the two men, seemed to agree with the Federation leader's vision. "But to make that happen we need to learn more about the other world, and as Lieutenant Commander Om stated it be best if we let the Federation forces there do their job, to gather what we require–information, Mister President."
"I suppose." Darril leaned back on seat, putting his hands behind his back to ease the tension he was feeling. "But it would be much better if we were the ones running the show over there."
"Oh, don't worry Mister President; I've already set in motion something to that effect." The old officer grinned; seeing this Derril felt rest assured and smiled back.
"I leave to you then, Colonel Jamitov Hymen."
Riah Republic, Side 6
It was a night cycle within the capital of the space colony: the Riah Republic when a lone car drove through its deserted streets on its way to a secret meeting at a disclosed place. Onboard the vehicle is the Prime Minister, representing all the colonies of Side 6, Taide Chou.
"The Gate is truly a wondrous thing. Had we had a better standing with the Earth Federation I could have petition them to allow half of our people to be allowed to migrate to the other world, so that they, we, may once again walk and enjoy the blessings of a planet's surface."
His top adviser, who was seated up front, turned to respond to his leader.
"We might yet, Mister Prime Mister, if all goes well with this secret meeting with these representatives from the Earth Federation."
Taide Chou nodded as he looked through the glass window of the moving vehicle, eying the concaving world outside–that of a space colony. Unlike the rest of the bunches of colonies, Side 6 declared its independence from the Earth Federation two years before the start of the One Year War. With the backing of the Principality of Zeon, they achieved this independence, but unlike Side 3 which went to war, Side 6 remained on good terms with the Earth Federation. Side 6, or now known as the Riah Republic, stayed neutral in the course of the conflict between Zeon and the Earth Federation. However, Prime Mister Chou suspects that things might change fast with this secret negotiation with the Federation. What does it involve, and what would it require out of them? He wonders with great consternation. Regardless, he hopes to bring up the matter of the Gate on the table, for the future of the people of Side 6.
"We must be doubly careful here. Zeon must never know of this secret meeting."
Zum City, Capital of the Principality of Zeon, Side 3
Word of the Gate has finally reached the Zeon homeland in Side 3. At that moment, Gihren Zabi, Admiral and Supreme Commander of the Zeon's Armed Forces, was having a heated argument with his father, Degwin Zabi, the Principality's sovereign ruler, over the matter.
"I say we take this Gate right under the Federation's nose! With it, we could finally return to the loving embrace of mother Earth and start anew on the brave new world on the other side!"
Degwin has been quiet all this time since his son, Gihren babbled incessantly regarding the Gate that appeared in Japan. That is what he is good at–shooting his mouth off. But the Zeon leader wishes sometimes that his son controls his passion with words, for Gihren's tends to lose sight of what is really important.
"Really now, Gihren, what you're suggesting totally goes against the teachings of Zeon Zum Deikum, which the people have taken as gospel and thus sacred. We humans were meant to leave Earth so that it may recover from centuries of exploitation and degradation by man. The people of the Sides have come to accept this philosophy, Deikum's legacy. To go against it would invite schism and chaos."
The great leader pauses and closes his eyes in melancholic silence for a few moments before continuing.
"And even if we do somehow gain the Gate, how long do you think it would take before the other world suffers the same fate as Earth now. Nay my son, our destiny lies with the stars, and we must become the pinnacles that Zeon wanted us to be, to lead the misguided like the Federation to that glorious and shiny path."
Gihren frowned at his father, no, the Supreme Ruler of the Principality of Zeon.
"Such lofty ideals, since when have you become so sentimental, father? Age must be finally catching up with you it seems. We both know very well that we've been using Daikun's ideology to get us, the Zabis, right where we are now."
Degwin was taken aback by this but just quietly stared at his son, letting the eldest of the Zabi heirs continue with his raving banter.
"And do you think the Federation even cares about Zeon's teachings? No! They are a bunch of greedy elitists who think of only of themselves, that all others should give way to their selfish needs! Already, they're making a move on the other world beyond the gate. If there is someone that is going to despoil that world it will be them, not us!"
Degwin Zabi audibly sighed at this to Gihren annoyance. He raised a hand, wishing to be heard.
"Foolish Gihren, do you know how much we've already invested in this conflict? Already our forces are spread too thin as it is in many fronts. It is only a matter of time before the Federation forces catches up with us. No, we simply do not have the resources and troops to spare for an assault required for such a scale, not since the failed attack on their Headquarters in Jaburo."
"In that case, the gate should not be left in the hands of the Federation. I propose we destroy it with a colony drop!"
"And violate the Antarctic Treaty?" The sovereign ruler stood up, outraged by such a proposal. "Have you gone mad, Gihren? Are you so power hungry that it has clouded your judgement?"
"The treaty is a sham, and you know it, father!" Gihren retorted. "Had General Revil NOT escaped under our grasp, the Federation would be groveling at our very feet now!"
"Pardon me, sirs!" Both men turn to a lone Zeon trooper who had his presence made known to the two. The soldier's face was contorted in such a mask of consternation that one can't tell whether it is out of dismay over what has to report, or concern over the heated debate between the two of his great leaders.
"Well, report?" Gihren spat. That jarred the soldier into revealing what he came to say.
"Sirs…Captain Garma…has been killed in action…"
October 6, 0079
Alnus Hill
Lieutenant Yanagida entered Lieutenant General Hazama's tent, his expression never betraying of was going over his mind for he had disturbing news to report to the General.
"Sir!" He saluted, Hazama reciprocated the gesture.
"Ah, Yanagida, at ease. Have anything to report?" he asked while going some papers on his desk.
"General, it's about the Kerensky Corps and Kuno Battalion…" Yanagida started; his face still impassive as ever, a perfect poker face.
"Ah, yes, the spitfires of the bunch. They're more trouble than their worth." Realizing who was involved, Hazama looked worried all of the sudden. "Don't tell me something bad, related to them, has happened?" He stared at Yanagida, looking for confirmation in the young man's eyes.
"I'm afraid so, sir. They've both left the camp on their own. To where, we're not certain yet."
"What?!" The leader of the expeditionary force stood up, flabbergasted. "Who gave them authorization to leave?"
"That's the thing, sir. According to those who saw them off, it was you who gave the orders."
"That's preposterous! I've never done such a thing! Have them called back immediately!"
"That is another thing, sir. Someone has just sabotaged our main communication equipment by taking some of its essential components when no one was looking, sir. They even took the spares." By this time only a grim expression replaced the usually composed look of the Lieutenant General's most trusted aide.
"Who could do such a thing?" Hazama sat back, and resting his chin over his clasped hands, both elbows leaning on the table. He has his suspicions but without any clues he dared not name names.
"If I'm to suspect, it must be someone within our ranks, someone who probably wants to hinder our operations, or even discredit us."
Again Yanagida's foresight never ceases to amaze the General. But the most important thing to do right now is damage control, and he has to personally oversee it himself.
"Come with me, Lieutenant." Both men then left the tent.
Within the "REC" tent, soldiers were allowed to relax, to take a spell from the hard work of setting up the FOB, which is still ongoing, as well as relieving the tension from the last few days of fighting against the Empire forces. Lieutenant Youji Itami was all by his lonesome self in one of the tables and benches, going over his personal PDA, over old acquisitions from his hobby. He sighed to himself in grief.
"I wonder I'll be able to attend the Winter Events. But with things going on with the war and now this, I'll be happy to settle with just even a doujin update. Thing is, when are they ever going to setup a connection over here, like they promised?"
"Hey everyone! There's a big announcement coming from the Zeeks! It's coming on, live, right now!"
Itami turned to guy who just came into the tent to give out the urgent news, along with ever one present, eager to want to know more.
"Switch it to the channel!" called out one.
"What do you think I'm doing?" retorted the one with the remote, finally bringing up the channel with the live broadcast straight from Side 3 in the heart of the Principality of Zeon.
"Quiet everyone! Let's listen to this."
The scene on TV shows panoramic view of a large gathering of people who are repeatedly chanting: Zabi, the family name of the present rulers of Zeon. A massive portrait of a young handsome man with short purple hair seems to highlight the event.
"Is this a state funeral? Who just died?"
"That's Garma Zabi! The youngest son of the Zabi Family!"
"Does this mean, he is dead?"
"Quiet! Someone is about to speak."
A tall man with an imposing air about him stood by the podium and began to deliver his speech. Static text appears on screen below his profile, identifying him as Admiral Gihren Zabi, Commander of the Zeon Armed Forces. Although it supposed to be a funeral honoring a fallen hero, Gihren turns it into an inspirational propaganda gimmick, trying to rile up further the sentiments of the Zeon people against the Earth Federation. He starts by saying how they, whose resources a mere fraction compared to that of Earth, were able to beat the Federation forces in every turn. And the reason he gives out is that Zeon's cause is just.
"That's a load of crap!" one said, unable to hold his personal rancor over the pronouncements. He was warned by his fellows to keep quiet.
Gihren's propaganda speech continues on, portraying the Earth Federation as greedy and corrupt, culminating in saying it as the ultimate evil and its Zeon's duty to stamp it for good. He elicits those who've lost family and friends in the service of the Zeon homeland to rise up and join the fight, for he predicts victory is within their grasp. The speech ends with Gihren uttering Zeon's infamous slogan: Sieg Zeon, with the masses fervently following his lead.
"Fuck you Gihren Zabi! And fuck all of the Zeeks!" It was man with blond wild hair, a mobile suit pilots assigned to this front. Many of the soldiers followed his sentiment.
"Yeah, we'll show them that they shouldn't mess with the Federation!"
"Kill 'em all I say!"
"Then what are we doing here fighting Romans, when the one we should be fighting are the Zeeks!"
"Their called Imperials, you ninny!"
Itami sighed yet again. The idea of going all out on either side whether Federation or Zeon does not bode well for him. The fighting would intensify and there would be more deaths…
"So it has finally come this, aye, Itami?"
"Oh, pops."
Sergeant Major Kuwahara joined the young Lieutenant, sitting beside him. He was going ask Itami for his opinion regarding the broadcast earlier but then notices something off about his former subordinate and dared to ask him about it.
"What's wrong, soldier? You don't look so swell?"
Realizing that his ex-CO was giving the funny look, Itami put on his best front, by smiling, in order to dissuade the older officer.
"It must be battle fatigue. Nothing to worry about."
"Son, I may not be doctor, but battle fatigue can be a serious thing if not attended to early. Have you gone to a see a doctor yet?"
"No, and I don't really need to, pops. It's nothing. I just need some rest, that's all." Truth is however, Itami has been having trouble sleeping lately, since after the first battle of Alnus Hill. He has been waking up to nightmares which he would rather forget.
"Well. Well. Well. If it isn't the Guntank Death God himself!"
A man who had a mean streak about him and wore his blond hair like a wild fluff hovered near Itami. Along with him was a man and a woman, all wore identifying marks indicating them to be mobile suit pilots.
"Lieutenant Youji Itami." The blond-haired man said as he leaned closely to read Itami's name patch up close, to the chagrin of the Lieutenant/Otaku/Mobile Suit Pilot. The guy then looked Itami in the face.
"Why not join us Mobile Suit Jocks, instead of mingling with the lowly grunts?" Many of the soldiers within the tent heard this and stop what they were doing, showing displeasure in their eyes but did nothing else to refute the slander.
Itami was dumbstruck. He turned to look at Kuwahara but the old soldier just shook his head, telling him don't. He turned back to face the blond mean of a man.
"I'm cool." He forced to bring out a smile. "I prefer the company of grunts. A few of them are my friends, well one of them at least, and they're easy to get along with. They're down to earth and… Actually, scratch that. Right now, I just want stay out of everyone's radar, if you don't mind."
"Give it up, Yazan. The Lieutenant obviously doesn't wish to have anything to do with us." The woman with purple hair pointed out, her obvious disdain over Itami's roundabout attitude showing.
"Lila's right Yazan. It's his lose for not buddying with us: The Killers Three!" The robust member of the three said with much gusto. The purpled-haired woman rolled her eyes.
"Please, Kacricon. Don't go on labelling silly names for our group. You're embarrassing us."
But one called Yazan was not giving up, not until he shames Itami at least, whom he sees him as an aloof upstart.
"Why? You think you're better than us? Is that it, huh?" Yazan barked. Itami could smell the man's breath since he hasn't withdrawn his twisted face from his.
"Really, I just want to be left alone in peace…"
"Don't think just because you've killed a lot of enemies since we got here, that you think yourself as above us? We're death gods here, you and I, and everyone piloting a mobile suit. We should stick to our own for we stand out among the common rabble who quake at our feet."
Okay… This guy is beginning creep me out, thought Itami. He definitely did want to get mixed up with these guys. He curses the day he even got involved in learning mobile suit piloting if would result in this, among other things.
"I've had enough of your trash talk!" All eyes turned to the one who made the sudden outburst. It was Kuribayashi and she stomped her way right before Yazan.
"Who do you think you are? Just because you guys have mobile suits doesn't make you any special. We grunts are the ones who risk our hides on the line, out in the battlefield, while you jocks sit pretty in the safety of your big metal dolls…"
"Bug off shrimp!" Yazan snarled as he shoved the female sergeant, causing her to fall on her rump on the ground.
"Yazan!" Lila scolded. Even though she part of his team, Lila could not agree with Yazan's chauvinistic behavior especially towards women. But all she could up now is tolerate the scum. One of these days the jerk is going to have it.
"What?" He turned to face Lila while acting all cocky. "The little bitch was asking for it. If there's one think I hate, its women acting all tough and doing a man's job-"
A fist smacked right onto one of his cheeks, making a loud meaty sound and causing him to crumple to the floor. It was Itami, who stood up and delivered the sucker punch, his face was twisted in anger as glared at the fallen Yazan.
"Kuribayashi-chan may be brash, a bit psychotic, and could be classified as tsundere, but what you did to her–that's no way to treat a lady."
Shino could only sit there and gawk at the Lieutenant. Did he just defend her honor? He, the guy she despises the most, for being more than what he looks and yet doesn't really deserve to due to his mediocre outlook. Then she realized something.
"Hey! Who are you calling psychotic, you otakufreak!" she shot out.
Before Itami could reply, Yazan picked himself up and stood glowering at him. "That's it! Nobody messes with Yazan Gable and gets away with it!" The man went for a wild swing with his fist which Itami deftly caught with both hands. Yazan's eyes went wide with disbelief. Itami then twisted to the side and flipped the offensive man over, sending him crashing to a nearby table with grunts who until now were just wide-eyed spectators to the ongoing drama.
"It's a fight!" shouted someone from the crowd.
'FIGHT! FIGHT!" They chanted, but soon all hell broke loose within the REC tent and it took the arrival of the MPs to try to forcibly restore order and take in the most troublesome of the malcontents.
October 7, 0079
"Well if it ain't the Empire-Killer, Lieutenant Youji Itami" Itami was greeted by a man with a southern accent as he entered the Dispatch tent. The man seated behind a desk wore a military cap which covers his shaven head, leaving his thick moustache as the only source of hair on his face.
"Really? It is that what everybody around the base is calling me now?" Itami sulked, a black eye on his right did not improve is dismal disposition. He squinted his eyes to read the balding man's name on his uniform. "Sergeant-"
"Sergeant Farrel is I am, and 'fraid so." The man responded. "Infamy can be like a double-edge sword. One side can get ya in the good books, while the other, well it can be damn downright annoying."
"I think I see myself in the later most part up to now." Itami grumbled.
"Yeah, I know what ya mean. Heard you got into a bad fight?" Sergeant Farrel gestures towards Itami's black eye.
Itami just brushed Farrel's observation aside and unbendingly replied. "I'm not going to make any excuses. I just did I think was right." There was conviction in his voice, in spite of what other people might think of him he still has his integrity.
"Uh-huh. Be grateful then that they let ya off with just a slap on the wrist. With the war and all, we can't afford locking up our men when they're all greatly needed. Which brings us to why you were sent here, Lieutenant."
"Let me guess, you're sending me on mission?" Bearing sarcasm is one of Itami's strong points, if nothing else.
"Very perceptive, Lieutenant! A stroke of genius I'd say. Can I call you Yo-gi? Anyways, before anything, else I should make it clear to ya, that in spite you outranking me, being just a Sergeant and all, I've been authorized by the higher-ups to assign you to one of our deep reconnaissance teams. That are being sent to gather intel on surrounding territories, as well as to establish friendly first contact relations with any locals you meet. Yes, Lieutenant Yo-gi Itami, you're goin on a mission!"
Itami could not believe his luck. If it's not one thing it's another and being assigned to command a squad and doing fieldwork is not among the highest things in his list of priorities. He groaned, outwardly and inwardly as he headed to meet his team: Third Recon. Looking over the roster again in his hand he smiled a bit upon seeing some familiar names. In addition to personnel consigned to him, Third Recon will have the following hardware that is standard to all of the deep reconnaissance teams: a M72 Lakota a jeep-type vehicle; a M353A4 Bloodhound armored hover carrier; and a RGM-79 (G) GM Ground Type Mobile Suit which he will be piloting.
"Lieutenant!"
Itami's attention on the list shifted to the source of the recognizable voice.
"Kurata! Nice to see you!"
"It's good that I'll be part of your team, Lieutenant!" Kurata beamed.
"Don't forget about me."
Itami's smile broadened. "How could I pops." He notices Kuribayashi, who immediately turns her head away from him, pouting. "And nice to see you too, Kuribayashi." Like him, she sports a black eye, a souvenir from yesterday's brawl. He though he noticed her blushed. Leaving her be, Itami turns his attention to the rest to the squad assembled.
"And you are…"
Sergeant Akira Tomita, Gender: Male, Age 27, Home Country: Japan
Sergeant Mari Kurokawa, Gender: Female, Age: 23, Home Country: Japan, Combat Medic
Private First Class Francis Linguine, Gender: Male, Age 22, Home Country: Italy, Head Translator
Private First Class Seni Morgan, Gender: Male, Age 23, Home Country: Papua New Guinea
Private First Class Hitoshi Furuta, Gender: Male, Age 20, Home Country: Japan
Private Second Class Alma Rodriguez, Gender: Male, Age 19, Home Country: Philippines
"Alright then, how do we go about this?" Itami strained a bit in thought, to the disappointment of Kurabayashi. Finally, he got it together.
"Oh, yeah! Third Recon, board the vehicles and move out! On my lead of course." Itami sheepishly added.
"Oh, brother." Kuribayashi groaned.