Chapter 9 – Final Plans
Well hello and welcome back! I hope everyone had a nice Christmas over the weekend! I know I sure did!
Nikki – Only because it's your birthday on Christmas too…
Tsk… so not true! Sure I got a fair amount of presents, but that's not the most important thing!
Nikki – Whatever
Well what did you get for Christmas Nikki?
Nikki – Got a few things…from Kai mainly
Oooooh what'd he get you?
Nikki – None of your business
Sheesh touchy much…wait…where are the other three?
Nikki – Kai and Jenny have to both look after Jason, he ate too much at our Christmas party so he's been uncontrollably sick for the last couple of days.
Yeek and you need both of them? Must be a pretty bad case
Nikki – It's disgusting, he's throwing up everywhere and…!
Eeeww do NOT need details! Why don't we move onto the story instead! I'm overdue for updating!
Nikki – Whatever
Enjoy the chapter everyone! And MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Nikki and Kai made their way to the Representative's office to inform her of their plans. What they hoped was to gain her full support to the point where even she would be willing to contribute a few soldiers to help out. The same goal was directed towards Lacus as well.
They heard a "Come in" after knocking. Entering the room they were fortunate to find both Cagalli and Lacus engaged in a deep conversation, they could kill two birds with one stone with having both the head of nations in one place.
They turned to them, and straightened when they saw who it was.
Lacus smiled. "Nikki! Kai! It's nice to see the two of you, how may we help you?"
Kai glanced at Nikki, obviously wanting her to do the talking. She sighed before stepping forward.
"We have a plan for when the rebellion invades."
Cagalli raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Already? It hasn't been too long since I informed you about the sighting, Nikki."
Nikki smiled slightly. "I know, but we didn't want to waste anytime so we immediately formed a meeting to discuss several strategies."
Lacus leaned forward slightly. "And what are your plans?"
The older couple glanced at each other briefly before Kai spoke. "We don't have any completely strong strategies yet, but we have a few small ones that will help us gain an advantage."
Nikki and Kai continued to explain their ideas, Lacus and Cagalli occasionally giving strategies of their own. But Cagalli brought up a flaw that had been gnawing on Nikki's mind.
"What about all the citizens? There are over a million people living in this country, how do you expect to evacuate such a large number in only two days?"
Nikki thought for a moment. "We'll have to focus on them first, we'll use any means of transport to get them all out. I have several large water vessels that can fit a few several hundred people on them. And we can organise some shuttles to take another large portion to space. I'll need someone to keep this drill going while we're forging our armies. For those who don't get out in time, we'll have to find bunkers for them to hide out in until the fighting is over."
Cagalli leaned forward. "And you're certain that you'll win this battle? What will happen to these people if you don't?"
"Don't worry, I have every intention of winning." Nikki stated with determination.
Kai then stepped forward. "We'd also like to ask another favour if you don't mind."
Lacus tilted her head and stared at him. "What might that be?"
He spoke again, his voice firm. "We would like to request a contribution from each of you."
"What kind of contribution?" Cagalli asked.
Nikki took over. "A small army from each of your nations. I'm well aware that this rebellion will be large, so we're doing whatever we can do build up numbers. Because we don't have definite strategies quite yet, gaining more soldiers would be of great help."
Lacus smiled. "I would be delighted to help, you have my support. I will send word to the Supreme Council immediately."
Nikki smiled at her sister, before turning to Cagalli. She was deep in thought for several minutes before she lifted her head.
"Very well, I will help as well. But mainly because I am doing it for the sake of my country."
Nikki grinned. "I wouldn't have it any other way." She bowed to the two younger girls. "I am indeed most grateful for your support, we'll be leaving now to take care of the evacuations."
Just as she turned to leave, Lacus spoke out. "Nikki, wait"
She turned to her sister, who smiled at her. "You go and prepare your forces, Cagalli and I will look after the citizens. It'll take less time especially when you have many other responsibilities to take care of."
Nikki turned back around and stared incredulously at her. "Are you sure? I mean you're doing enough by contributing."
Lacus nodded. "It's fine, besides, Cagalli is the Representative. Who else would know the best way to evacuate the city then her? This country and the people in it are her family, and mine as well. So we will do our part in protecting it."
Nikki stared in amazement as her sister made the final decision. She glanced at Cagalli who was nodding in agreement to Lacus's words. Turning back to Lacus, she smiled at her. "Very well, we'll leave it in your hands then. Best of luck to the both of you." Her and Kai both gave them a salute of respect, before turning and leaving the room.
As they exited, Kai turned to his girlfriend. "So what do we do first?" He asked as they walked down the hall.
She smiled knowingly. "There's a couple of people I know that may be able to help us, one is an old friend of mine. The other…well he's a little hard to get a hold of but he may give us some assistance if he hears ORB is being invaded."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Who are they?"
She turned to him. "The first is a expert mechanic. She knows everything there is to do with customization, installation, building and just all around everything."
He whistled. "Sounds good, what's her name?
Nikki grinned. "Echo, and I tell you now…do not underestimate her."
Kai stared. "Why would I?"
She sniggered. "Because when you meet her, she won't seem like she's a expert mechanic." When she saw the look on his face she explained. "You'll find out when you meet her."
He shrugged. "What about the other guy?"
Nikki stared back ahead. "He's a long story and will be harder to convince. So for now let's get to Echo, goodness knows that girl has been trying to find a use for her skills."
Meanwhile, Jason and Jenny had just taken off for the PLANTS in the Independence. They figured it would take less time to travel in a Gundam then waiting to board a shuttle. So Jason was currently flying his machine with his girlfriend in the space beside him.
"How long will it take to fly to the colonies?" she asked him
"A couple of hours at the most" He answered without taking his eyes away from the monitor."
Jenny sighed. "Man…not sure if I can sit that long in such a cramped spot"
Jason sniggered. "Oh relax, both Nikki and myself sometimes fly around for days, so if we can manage that I'm sure you can survive for one to two hours."
She huffed. "Fine, if that's the case I'm going to doze for a bit. Wake me up when we get there."
He glanced to her to see her lean against the side of the cockpit and drift off into an uneasy sleep. Not wanting her to be uncomfortable, he gently grabbed her waist and pulled her into his lap. She snuggled up to him and sighed contently. He smiled then turned his attention back to flying his machine.
They arrived at their destination almost 3 hours later. Seeing the colony a little ways, he gently nudged Jenny.
"Hey…hey Jen, wake up."
Her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked sleepily. "Are we there yet?"
He smiled. "Just about, it's just ahead."
She sat up straight in his lap and looked out the monitor to look at the PLANTS. It felt good to be back here again. Although she was born on Earth and loved her planet, she always enjoyed travelling to space to visit these artificial lands that were home to all the coordinators.
"So which colony are we going to?"
Jason pointed to one. "That one, it's a new one that was recently built a couple of years ago. It's specifically meant for teenagers signing up for war, so this colony is mainly for military usage. You almost never see citizens there."
Jenny listened in interest to his explanation. 'Only for the military?' Wow these coordinators sure are precise about the placing for everything." She leaned forward even more, her eyes shining with curiosity.
Jason chuckled at her expression. "Jen you've been to the PLANTS before."
She turned to him with sparkling eyes. "I know! But the ones I've been to are only for peaceful living! The one we're going to is different, so I'm anxious to see what it's all like!"
He shook his head in amusement, but before he could say anything an anonymous voice sounded on his radio.
"This is the recruitment colony calling out to unknown mobile suit. Pilot, please identify yourself."
Jason pressed a button. "This is Jason Kazahana, Commander in the Zaft Forces, second in command under High Commander Nikki Clyne. I am approaching in the ZX105 Independence." He answered in a formal military tone.
"Commander Kazahana sir! I'm sorry we were not informed that you were visiting us."Jason rolled his eyes. "Perfectly alright, this was at the last notice. This is an emergency order carried out by Nikki Clyne herself." He then grinned, "So are you going to disobey orders from her or are you going to grant me entry?" He held back a laugh when he heard the panicked soldier on the other side.
"NO! Of course not sir! You may come in immediately! I'll have someone meet you in the main hanger."
Jason nodded. "Very well, thank you very much soldier."
When the transmission ended, he burst out laughing causing his girlfriend, who was quiet the whole time, to look at him strangely.
"Why are you laughing?"
He grinned. "Oh these poor men, they order people around. Then when a superior officer visits they turn into a bunch of squealing girls."
Jenny lightly hit his arm, which just made him laugh harder. His hysteric fits were contagious and she found herself smiling slightly.
Another twenty minutes and they entered the main hanger in the colony. Looking down they saw a group of officers there to greet them.
Jason smirked at the sight of them. "Well this should be interesting, did I mention how much I love being in the top ranks?"
Jenny rolled her eyes. "Behave yourself down there, they have the highest respect for you, this is no time to act all cocky."
He turned to her with mock hurt. "What made you think that I would not behave?
She pushed him in response. "Stop wasting time and lets go! We have a deadline to meet and the last thing I want is Nikki getting pissed!"
Thinking about an angry brunette made the blonde coordinator shiver. "Alright let's go."
Jason held his girlfriend to him and he hoisted them down to the waiting crowd. As soon as they touched the ground, a soldier walked up to them and saluted,
"Greetings Commander, I am Captain Robert Andrews. I am in charge of this facility."
Jason saluted in return. "Ah yes of course. Thank you Captain. Well we're in a bit of a tight schedule so I will explain to you why I'm here. But I need you to assemble all of your soldiers before I do, this applies to them as well."
Andrews bowed. "As you wish Commander, it shall be taken care of right away. Would you like someone to take you to spare headquarters while you wait?"
Jason shook his head. "No thank you, but I'd like to take a look around if that's alright." He slightly smiled when he saw Jenny's face light up at the corner of his eye.
Andrews nodded. "Very well…YOU! Soldier!"
Said soldier ran over and saluted the officers. "Sir!"
Andrews gestured to Jason and Jenny. "The Commander wishes to be shown around, this will be your task. See to it!"
The young recruit saluted once more. "Yes sir!" Then he walked over to Jason. "Please follow me sir!"
Jason and Jenny shared an amused glance before following him.
While they were being shown around, Jason did his best to strike a conversation with the boy.
"So…I take it you're new here"
"Yes sir!"
"Do you like it?"
"Yes sir!"
"Is that all you can say?"
"Ye-No Sir!"
Jason sniggered at the slip up. Jenny elbowed him in the ribs for teasing the poor boy.
"Stop it Jason, what did I say to you back in the cockpit?"
He grinned, "But he's just a newbie! I like watching them squirm. Besides give him a few weeks and he'll loosen up, they always do. I mean look at Nikki, she's one of the highest commanders in Zaft but she's still down to Earth."
She rolled her eyes. "Yes but you don't see her take advantage of the newbies! It's probably why she was placed in a higher position than you!"
While the two bickered, the young soldier that was leading them was curiously peering at them. He had no idea that high rank solders were like this. He thought they were all stiff and strict like the captain leading the facility. His interest peaked up when he heard them mention Commander Clyne. As far as he knew, she was equal, if not better than the pilot of the Freedom. He wanted to one day have the honour of meeting the High Commander of the Zaft Forces.
The boy stopped and turned to the older teenagers. They in turn halted in their tracks to stare quizzically at him.
He squirmed under their gaze, but he was determined to ask the questions that were bursting in his chest.
He hastily saluted. "Sir! Permission to speak freely!"
Jason raised an eyebrow. "Sure, permission granted."
The young soldier squirmed. "Well…I was wondering…have you actually met Commander Clyne, sir?"
Jason sighed. This was typical; everywhere he went people always asked about Nikki because she was a famous and strong soldier. He was only one rank beneath her yet she was the one shining in the spotlight. But he didn't hold any grudges because Nikki didn't seem to care that she had all these fans, she just performed her duties which is why he didn't have any right be annoyed at her.
Sighing again he turned back to the boy. "Yes I have, she's a close friend of mine. My girlfriend here is best friends with her."
The boys' eyes went wide as he turned and stared at Jenny in awe. "Wow! You're best friends her? That's amazing! What's she like?
Jenny smiled at him. "She's just a person like everyone else, she may seem like a brutal commander but she's a nice and caring person when you get to know her."
He twiddled his fingers. "I've heard so many stories about her, she sounds so amazing. I've always wanted to meet her and see if the rumours are true."
Jason raised an eyebrow. "What rumours have you heard?"
The young boys face went red. "Well…not only is she known to be one of the best pilots around but I heard she's also…um…well…"
Jason leaned forward. "Well that's she's also what?"
He turned away from the blonde's intense stare. "That…thatshesreallybeautiful."
Even though the sentence was rushed, Jason and Jenny understood him. This young soldier obviously had a little crush on their friend and they found the situation rather amusing.
An idea suddenly ran through Jenny's head. She turned to the boy. "Wait here please." She grabbed Jason's arm and dragged him to a corner.
Once out of earshot she turned to him. "I have an idea"
Jason crossed his arms. "You're thinking about recruiting him aren't you?"
She grinned. "Yes, but not for my army. I was thinking about making him a personal messenger for Nikki. She'll need someone that can blend in and send messages, heck even spy for her. Someone that won't be suspected."
Jason glanced at the young boy. "And you're going to use him? Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean he seems like the type to get nervous under pressure."
Jenny glared. "Didn't you hear him? He is absolutely dying to meet Nikki, imagine what a honour and promotion it would be for him to work for her!"
Jason thought about that for a moment. It could be handy to have him work as a spy, that stupid terrorist wouldn't suspect him in the least. This boy was no older than sixteen so he could easily be mistaken as a civilian.
Grinning he turned to his girlfriend. "Alright, we'll recruit him, boy can't wait to see how he'll react when we tell him he's going to be working for the great Commander Clyne."
Jenny rolled her eyes. 'Men, typical mischievous creatures'
The two of them walked back over to the young soldier, who was still standing in wait. At sight of the older teens, he immediately started fidgeting again.
Jason ignored how nervous he looked and approached him. "Before we tell you our idea, I'll need to know your name first."
The young soldier looked at him. "Khris Anderson, sir"
Jason smiled. "Alright then Khris, we have a proposition for you."
Khris stared. "Proposition sir?"
Jason nodded. "Yes, and since it was her idea I'll let my lovely girlfriend Jenny tell you." He turned to said girl with a hopeful grin.
She glared before looking at Khris. "We would like to offer you, the position of personal attendant, spy and messenger for High Commander Nikki Clyne. Do you accept this offer?"
Khris' eyes went wide. They were offering him to work for Commander Clyne? This was the biggest honour of his life!
He straightened and saluted, barely able to contain his excitement. "Ma'am! I accept! It would be a privilege!"
The two older teens grinned at the young soldier's excitement. They knew he would accept without hesitation, to work beside Nikki was always a dream for any soldier in the Zaft Forces.
Jason clamped his hands together. "Well! With that sorted! Let's see how the assembly is going."
Khris saluted. "Sir! I will take you there!" He turned and strolled off, Jason and Jenny casually trailing behind him.
Khris led them to a big hall inside the colony, there was over 200 soldiers waiting for them. They all saluted when their Commander entered.
Jason saluted in kind before addressing them. "Soldiers of Zaft! I have come here today on behalf on High Commander Nikki Clyne. This is not a practise drill or exercise. We have a real war threatening to happen again and if we don't stop it, it could once again escalate out of control and threaten this peace we have worked so hard to obtain!
Jenny watched in awe as her boyfriend spoke firmly to the young recruits. She decided she liked this side of him, when he's an actual commander addressing his soldiers. She smiled as he continued to speak.
"The ORB nation is being threatened by a terrorist who is after revenge. At this moment he is heading towards that country, a massive army in pursuit. I am here to collect the best and gain a number in hopes of crushing this intruder! But remember, you are only under my command during the preparations! Whilst on the battlefield, you will be under command of Nikki Clyne herself! Is that understood?"
All the soldiers spoke simultaneously. "Yes Sir!"
Jason nodded. "Now we will be splitting you all into two large groups. One group will be with me, the other will be with her." He gestured to Jenny. "Soldiers! This is Captain Jennifer West, respected officer of the Orb Union, second in Command of the Murasames, directly underneath the command of Captain Kai Rodgericks!"
Jenny blushed slightly when they all saluted at her, not used to that much attention. But she quickly regained her composure and saluted back.
Jason stepped forward once again. "Now is the time for volunteering, those who do not want to take part in this fight please step out now."
No one moved, every young teenager in the room stood steadily in their place. They stared directly in front of them at their commander, fully ready to serve and fight for their fellow Nation.
Jason smiled. "Very well, your choice is much appreciated. Now we will split you into age groups for preparation. The youngest age up to the 17 year olds are under command of Captain West. The rest of you are to be with me, is that understood?
"Yes Sir!"
He nodded "Very well, Dismissed!"
Jenny immediately turned to her boyfriend once all the soldiers had been dismissed. She had no idea he could play his role as commander so well.
"My gosh Jason! That was amazing! No wonder you were promoted, you really know how to take charge!"
He smirked. "Well they're only newbies, it's a different story ordering soldiers that have been in the military for a long time. Especially ones that are many years older."
She smiled. "I'm sure you handle them just fine."
Jason smiled at her. "Well as much as I'd love to chat all day, we have youngsters to train."
Jenny rolled her eyes. "They're not that much younger than us."
He grinned. "Yeah but we're more experienced." He gave her a quick kiss. "I'll see you later then ey?"
She mockingly saluted. "Yes Sir!"
He sniggered. "Dismissed!"
She turned on the spot and walked off with an exaggerated march, looking much like a dysfunctional robot. Jason laughed at her before turning and making his way to where the said 'youngsters' were waiting for him. As he made his way over, he couldn't help the thought that crossed his mind.
"This is going to be a long day."End of Chapter
(Strokes chin) You know I rather like this chapter
Nikki – (raises eyebrow) Why's that?
Well because Jason and Jenny had some spotlight for a change, and also you get to meet Khris!
Nikki – (smiles) He is a rather nice guy isn't he?
Kai – (walks in) Hey girls
Nikki – Hey (walks up and kisses him) How is he?
(Gags in the background)
Kai – (sighs) Not so good… We think he caught a bug or something.
Is Jenny with him still?
Kai – Yeah we managed to get him to sleep for now
(Nods) That's good then…well why don't you two go ahead and do the honours of introducing the next chapter?
Kai – Sure thing… (turns and looks and audience) Thank you to those who have read this so far.
Nikki – We hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas, so here is the preview for the next chapter.
N/K: See you then!
(Wipes fake tears) That was beautiful!
Nikki – SHUT UP!
Before they could even reach the steps, the front door swung open and a young girl came out. She was rather small with blonde hair and exotic deep amethyst sparkling eyes. As soon as she set her gaze on Nikki, her face lit up and she bolted down the stairs towards her.
Kai watched in amusement as Nikki was just about flattened by the massive hug that was thrown her way by this girl. But regardless of the brutal impact, the two girls laughed happily. He smiled. He figured they were happy to see each other, considering it had been years since they last saw each other.