Celestial Being Chronicles - Chapter 84
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Gundam series, nor any of the various series which are used or referenced in my fic, so please point that damned lawsuit cannon at someone else, also, don't read this if you are not of legal age to read such material. The story contains possibly disturbing content and should not be read by close-minded people (i.e., people who are easily offended.) Everything in the story is fictional. I am also not responsible for any actions taken by people who read this story and society's problems. I do, however, own my original character; Hope Yamato.
In the year 2000, Earth's scientists had predicted that the Arctic would be completely free of ice in seventy five years if greenhouse gases weren't drastically reduced, flooding coastal communities and archipelagos throughout the world by the year 2075. That prediction turned out to be overly optimistic as a tipping point for glacial meltdown was reached in summer of 2010. The resulting rise in ocean levels devastated economies on all seven continents.
Thousands of species of animals became extinct over the following decade, unable to adapt to the rapidly changing environment. The world's oceans eventually became uninhabitable for most marine life due to the absorption of carbon dioxide mixed with eroding calcium from dying reefs, turning the oceans to acid. Mosquitoes thrived in the increasing heat, spreading malaria, West Nile Virus, and Dengue Fever through all of North America and Europe.
In the fall of 2013, the United States President decreed martial law and ordered all persons attempting to cross America's borders to be shot on sight. Over the following five years widespread worldwide famine caused civil war in thirty seven countries including Russia, China, and India. The stockpiles of nuclear weapons from overthrown countries were sold to the highest bidder as the cycle of corruption repeated itself.
In 2024, after all attempts at diplomacy had failed, the United States launched a preemptive nuclear strike against the New Democracy of Arab States, which was a consortium of the oil rich nations of Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and New Palestine. Fearing their countries would also be targeted, Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran launched multiple nuclear attacks on the United States and each other. A total of 1,372 hydrogen bombs were detonated in fourteen nations around the world on July 10th 2024, guaranteeing the extinction of man and an end to all of his accomplishments.
Every television and radio station was now full of emotional, angry people. They had tears in their eyes and they were shouting, some even had torches and posters in their hands.
America had fired nuclear weapons into Iraq, vaporizing the entire country. The United States still had soldiers stationed in Iraq when the bombs hit. Kira hoped they thought of that before launching the weapons. Someone was aiming a nuke at the United States now. No one knew who yet, but there were now multiple bombs headed for America.
"Good evening, America." The newscaster began, even as screams could be heard from blocks away, along with the sounds of shattering glass and wailing sirens. "Thirty minutes ago the military confirmed half a dozen nuclear warheads heading towards our country." He paused for a few short seconds, but finally continued. "We have already received word that the first three weapons will impact in Washington DC, Detroit, Michigan and Atlanta, Georgia. The first weapon is expected to hit Washington within the next ten minutes." The newscaster put a hand to his ear for a moment, before once again continuing. "I've just been notified that the military has decided to launch its own nuclear weapons, although there is no word of what their targets will be." A few seconds later, the roar of distant rocket engines filled the air and the cameraman zoomed in on a bright point of orange-red light which was rapidly speeding up into the sky, leaving a thick, grey and white exhaust plume in its wake, the telltale sign of an intercontential ballastic nuclear missile.
As radioactive clouds began to spread around the globe less than ten minutes later, killing everything in their path, a long overdue silence finally fell over the Earth. Only the lowly cockroach and a few deep sea species of arthropods survived the initial year of the event.
If a planet could be said to be patient, Earth would certainly qualify. This was the fifth race to claim dominance over the land, and the fifth to fade into extinction because of arrogance, greed, and prejudice.
Throughout all this turmoil, Celestial Being had not interfered. But now, in what would have been the year 2025, the private armed organization was about to begin humanity anew.
The PLANTs still orbited the blue planet, although by this time they were goverened by Celestial Being and had become completely self-sufficent, no longer having to rely on supplies of any kind from the Earth.
"Attention all hands, as of six o'clock this morning, it is forbidden for female members of Celestial Being to wear clothing that conceals the nipples. Any clothing covering those parts must be transparent." Kira said as he stood on the Excalibur's bridge, speaking into the ship-wide communications system, his tone of voice leaving abolutely no room for arguement.
"What the fuck?" All of the women onboard shrieked in unison, with the only exceptions to the outburst being Cagalli, Hope, Lacus, Mayu and Murrue.
"In addition I am hereby repealing the rule against siblings getting married." Kira continued without any hesitation. "This includes marriages between mothers and sons, fathers and daughters, etcetera." He paused for a few seconds before finally continuing. "I realize that these measures may seem somewhat extereme, but keep in mind that we are the only remnant of the human race and as such, it's our duty to repopulate the planet and ensure the continuation of our species."
"You son of a bitch!" Shinn roared a few moments later, as the door leading to the bridge slid open, allowing the crimson-eyed man to enter, followed closely by Lunamaria, Athrun and Meyrin. Before anyone could say anything, Shinn had delivered a devestating punch to Kira's face, sending him reeling.
Athrun said nothing as Shinn delivered a second punch, before Kira finally grabbed Shinn's arm and twisted it behind his back with a single movement, stopping just short of the breaking point.
Finally, Kira let go of Shinn's arm, produced a small package from his pocket and opened it. Shinn stared as Kira fished out one of the garments and opened it out. It was a perfectly transparent bra, the size of a skimpy bikini top.
"The fabric is not only transparent but it's also non-reflective, so there won't be any glare off them." Kira grinned, while everyone else remained silent. "The girls will essentially look naked, and only on close inspection will a very slight sheen become apparent."
"This is bullshit." Shinn snarled.
"I don't think it's bullshit, Shinn." Mayu spoke up. "Humanity has exterminated itself and as a result, eveyone on the Excalibur has to do their part to help restore the human race."
"Let me guess." Shinn scowled after a moment of silence. "Our children will also have to do their part to help restore the human race, huh?"
"They certainly don't have to if they don't want to." Kira answered. "But they are more than welcome to help with restoring humanity if they wish to do so."
"You make me sick sometimes, Kira." Shinn sighed, before turning and walking off the bridge, leaving the amethyst-eyed man looking at his childhood friend, Athrun Zala.
"Yes, Athrun?" Kira calmly asked, knowing that his friend probably had an opinion as well.
"Kira." Athrun spoke after a few more seconds of tense silence. "I have no problem with having to help repopulate the Earth and saving the human race, but giving our children the option to help with that task? Do you really think that is necessary?"
"I'm giving them the option to help." Kira said. "They don't have to assist us with repopulating the Earth if they don't want to."
"And what will the cutoff age be?" Meyrin finally spoke up. "The age at which helping to repopulate the Earth and revive humanity is no longer a choice, but an order?"
"I wish that you wouldn't phrase it in such an extreme manner." The amethyst-eyed man frowned. "But in answer to your question; the cutoff age is 18 years." Athrun and Meyrin both let out a sigh of relief.
A few hours later, the entire crew had assembled in either the massive main conference room, the equally large crew lounge, or one of the many hanger bays and after a few short, and somewhat tense, seconds, Kira's voice boomed from the PA system. "Good morning members of Celestial Being. As I'm sure you are all aware, humanity made the foolish decision to exterminate itself only a few years ago."
"So, why should we really care?" The voice of Hope Yamato asked from within the crowd of people that had gathered in the crew lounge. "It's not like we haven't seen it happen before."
"As a result of humanity's decision, we have been tasked with repopulating the Earth and saving our species from extinction." Kira continued, completely ignoring Hope's outburst. The amethyst-eyed man certainly wasn't going to announce it to the entire crew, but humanity wasn't the only species that they would be working to bring back from the brink of extinction within the coming centuries. "Our first order of business is to find habitable areas; specifically places which haven't been flooded by tidal waves or rising sea levels, inundated with nuclear fallout, or otherwise rendered inhospitible for life."
"I wonder which would be worse." Asuka Langley Soryu mused as her red and orange F/A-22 Raptor screamed low over the now desolate German countryside. "Dying in a nuclear armageddon or dying in Third Impact."
"I doubt that either one would be very pleasant, Asuka." Misato Katsuragi quietly replied as her purple F/A-22 Raptor dove out of the clouds and pulled alongside the lava red and pumpkin orange aircraft.
"Probably not." The redhead agreed with a sigh, as the two fighter aircraft continued their recon sweep of the ruined German countryside. "I doubt that Third Impact would cause this much destruction though."
"Hopefully we'll never find out." Misato said, even as both Raptors achieved supercruise, effortlessly slicing through the sound barrier without having to ignite their afterburners, the twin sonic booms rocking the wasteland below.