Ch 3 – Abulhool
Shortly after I was introduced this secret life my parents withheld from me, I was given a series of files. Upon playing them, I deduced that they were recordings of the battles. Judging by the angles, it would be from the pilot's perspective… no, the Gundam's perspective to be precise. They might seem primitive at first, but they were indeed decades ahead of even the superpowers of the day.
Area 51, Disraeli Province, World Imperium
It was midnight in the Disraeli Desert, where cold winds swept the arid plains of America. Within the warmth of Area 51, Lelouch still stayed awake in his chamber and facing a monitor screen. On the said monitor, there were countless files with codenames on them.
"Hey Lelouch, you're still awake?" asked Chall, who was at the door.
"Couldn't sleep, so I decided to watch something to keep me entertained," Lelouch calmly replied, "care to join me?"
"As long it's not porn, I will of course," Chall answered and she walked in.
Gently shutting the door, she approached behind Lelouch and stared at what could be entertaining the child. At one glance, it just came to her what it was.
"You're watching the Gundams' previous battles," Chall remarked.
"If I had to direct Celestial Being in the future, it would be wise to gain knowledge of the Gundams' abilities," Lelouch answered.
"Ha, when we reveal ourselves to the world, I doubt we'll be using those weaker machines," Chall remarked.
"Even so, it can always entertain us," Lelouch said, pointing out to a file on the holo-monitor.
The highlighted file in question was labeled as "GNY-003 Mission E-86".
"GNY-003, that's the Abulhool, right?" Chall remarked.
"Yes, I actually would like to learn more of that Suit's power after fighting it," Lelouch said, shall we?"
With one click, the screen showed a brief description of the coded Mission itself.
GNY-003 Mission E-86
Pilot in priority: Marlene Vlady, GNY-003 Gundam Abulhool
Objective: Eliminate enemy unit (Hellion Initium – terrorist-controlled)
Notes: Avoid public awareness in regards to existence of Gundams. Should such were to occur, displace data to Veda for evaluation and action to be taken.
The monitor first showed the scenery of green grassy fields, with an occasional hill and herds of cattle running about. Soon, it came to what that was a small village. The buildings there were two-three storeys at most, and its people were minding their own businesses and oblivious to the Gundam's presence.
Suddenly, the screen shifted upward and a Hellion in Fighter Mode was sighted at once. Most Hellions were cream-coloured, but this one seemed to have a light blue colour on it. Upon seeing the Abulhool, it launched out a barrage of shells from its smoothbore gun.
As if it were natural, the fighter-shaped Gundam simply avoided the gunfire. After some evasiveness, it simply charged in for a direct attack at the Hellion's wings.
"What? A direct attack!" exclaimed Chall.
"No, it's most likely using the weapon at the tip of the nose… that drill…" Lelouch said.
However, the terrorist Hellion also managed to avoid the move.
"She missed it…" Chall sulked.
"No, it still connected," Lelouch corrected, "while the intention to break through the enemy unit has failed, the enemy cannot properly evade the Abulhool's speed and scratched a portion of the Hellion's wings. Now I believe this fight may be ending soon…"
While they were conversing, the aerial dogfight waged on and it seemed that the Abulhool had outmanoeuvred the terrorist Hellion without much effort. Suddenly, missiles were launched and they imploded on the frame of the enemy Hellion.
"But if this happens, won't the debris fall upon the village?" questioned Chall.
The smoke from the impact started to clear off, and a few pieces of the destroyed Hellion did fall upon. However, as they were falling, the metal pieces started to disintegrate and they broke down from visible range before even hitting the ground. With that, the screen blacked out.
"Those missiles must have contained some type of chemical that destabilises molecular bonds within a metal," Lelouch quickly deduced, "hence, the villagers might not be aware of the fight."
"If they did, then I fear it would mean a complete annihilation order from Veda," Chall mentioned, "with that collar, Marlene cannot disobey the command given."
"Who is this Veda who gives such commands?" wondered Lelouch.
"Veda is the computer system that oversees the activities of Celestial Being," Chall explained, "its recommendations are calculated and should be the best for the said scenario."
"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" lamented Lelouch.
"Huh, what you just said?" asked Chall.
"It's a quote from the Roman poet Juvenal," Lelouch explained, "it means who guards the guardians. If Veda was to be corrupted, won't it spell the end for us?"
"Well… you can be correct in that sense…" Chall agreed, "But the traditional hierarchy is always Veda above all."
"That's why I will continue to look through all these records in great detail," Lelouch said, "It can give all of us insight on improving the Gundams and covering our tracks more efficiently."
"You're indeed a more brilliant strategist than your father, Lord Charles," Chall remarked.
"Father was always the negotiator type, but to lead this group… Father must have agreed to the use of force somehow," Lelouch added, "I'm learning more of my parents than ever when they were alive… hiding this life from Nunnally and I."