Last Resistance to Peace
Chapter 26
by Scarlet Eve
A/N: Short update for Sunday Funday. I'll have a longer one out for you later this week. :-)
A.C. 205
April 9
Treize was surprised that the Colony Alliance had not come out to say that they were not a part of the attacks on the Sanc Kingdom. By now, the fervor of dislike against the Colonies was mounting on Earth, helping to justify taking the battle into space, which was something Treize was already prepared for. The Colony Alliance's silence only helped to justify his next course of action.
Treize and Une stood before the remaining three Gundam pilots, who he knew were growing frustrated with their lack of action. That would soon be changing.
"We have new assignments for the three of you," Une said. "Trowa Barton, you are to go to the moon, to infiltrate the Lunar Base there, a suspected hide-out for the Colony Alliance." Trowa nodded, his face impassive, as always. "Quatre, you are going to L4. We suspect that one of the leaders of the Colony Alliance makes his residence there. And Wufei, you are going to L5, where it is known that many mobile suit factories are located.
"More information for your missions will be sent to you on a regular basis, and we expect you to remain in constant communication with headquarters. Any information you find out needs to be sent back to us. And any justification for battle needs to be relayed immediately.
Make your preparations. You leave in a few weeks."
The three Gundam pilots nodded their heads in sync. Une dismissed them with a wave of her hand.
And just like that, the next phase of the war began.
A.C. 205
Late April
It took some time, but Hilde finally managed to get in touch with the young woman from the Colony Alliance, Sylvia Noventa. Communication lines from the Sanc Kingdom were now being watched by OZ, using the "attacks" as justification to ensure there would be no further attacks.
The young woman's face appeared on the vid-screen, and Hilde waved over Queen Relena, who sat down in the chair that Hilde vacated.
"Queen Relena, it's a pleasure to speak to you," Sylvia Noventa said, bowing her head.
"I am pleased to speak with you as well. I am hoping we can clear up some confusion."
"Yes. The Colony Alliance did not order the attacks," Sylvia said.
A collective sigh of relief could be heard in the command center room. "I am pleased to hear this," Relena said. "But why has the Colony Alliance not spoken out against OZ?"
Sylvia sighed. "My father and the others believe that speaking out against OZ, and accusing them of the attacks, would only bring the war into space faster. As it is, there are three Gundams on their way into space as we speak, splitting up in different directions to bring us under control," Sylvia explained.
"But they're just allowing OZ to get away with lies," Relena protested. Sylvia bowed her head once more.
"I know, your highness. I tried to talk him out of his decision to remain silent, but he would not listen to me. But please know, should you find yourself in danger, we have a place for you on our headquarters. The Colony Alliance will protect you."
Relena smiled sadly and thanked her. "I should hope it will not come to that, but the way things are going now, I cannot be certain of anything."
The call ended after the two women exchanged goodbyes. Hilde glanced around the room and could see the sadness in the faces of all who were present. The Sanc Kingdom was losing hope.
A.C. 205
Late April
"You cannot leave. Now now," Noin protested, grabbing onto Milliardo's arm, trying to stop him from packing a small duffel bag of clothes.
"I have to," Milliardo said. "They know that I am the pilot of Epyon. And the reason the Gundam pilots are here is to keep Eypon from fighting, but I cannot stop fighting."
"You can't leave us unprotected," Noin replied. "We have few defenses as it is. What if OZ attacks the country again."
"What would they gain from that?"
"Control of the country," Noin said, her anger rising. "You know that OZ has been trying to get their hands on the chromite supply beneath the country. If they decimated everything, they could take control of everything. What if Relena is killed?"
"Relena will not be killed," Milliardo said. Noin wanted to slap him.
"You do not know that for certain," she said. Angry tears flowed from her eyes. Milliardo sighed and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
"I understand that you are angry, and I know that this is not what we have planned for," he said, "but I have to do this. Someone has to stand up against OZ. If the Colony Alliance will not do it, then I have to."
Noin wanted to argue, but on this point, she couldn't. OZ must be stopped, and Epyon was the only way.
"You better come back to me, Milliardo Peacecraft," Noin said, fighting the urge still to slap him. He smiled and brought his lips to hers. Fire lit under Noin's skin. She tried to imprint the feeling in her mind, for who knew when she would feel it again.
"I will, Lucrezia Noin."
-SE