Gundam 00: Phoenix

The Plan

2289 AD, August 28, Democratic Republic of Congo

Wesker and his squad continued to move forward towards their objective and away from the enemy having popped smoke to cover themselves as they moved closer to the supply base.

The team was now past the enemy's main defensive line. It showed as there were very few enemy troops patrolling this area and so far they had managed to avoid them up to this point.

His team soon came up to the ruins of a large clay building and got inside.

Wesker took a deep breath before he then turned to the rest of the squad who were also catching their breath.

There appeared to be no one in the ruins and it also appeared that no one was around their position, for the moment.

"Alright," he then began as he turned to Murry, "You can still fight right?" he asked the man.

Murry nodded his head as he lifted his rifle with the arm that was struck showing no signs of weakness. "If these guys keep coming then I'll keep killing," he responded.

"Good."

That was what he wanted to hear as he then turned to face the remains of a thick wall which was riddled with bullet holes and slumped against it were the bodies of three militia members. It looked like one of the teams got here before them.

A slight feeling of relief washed over, but soon disappeared; they weren't the only ones who had made it passed enemy lines.

"Let's go," Wesker then ordered as he signalled for everyone to move through the where the remains of the bodies and the wall was as they exited through the opening.

As they began to exit the building there was the sound of high calibre weaponry being fired followed up by the sound of rockets being launched which caused the air to scream. Air support was here.

"It's about time they got here," Paulis said as he climbed over the partially wrecked wall.

"Well, let's hope they get to the supply base to assists us before they start getting shot down," Kail muttered over to him. "I don't think it's going to be easy breaking in and then blowing up the place with explosives."

"That's why they sent us, isn't that right?" Wesker said with a hint of bravado to the two, still facing the direction they were now moving in. "Now keep it quiet." he lowered his voice as he spoke.

Wesker led the team through the village, trying to stay out of the open, lest they be spotted and have the supply base's garrison go after them. He was a little concerned, though, the battle behind them continued to get quieter and quieter. Would the enemy return before they got there? Still, he was surprised that they hadn't spotted any troops in this area, was the enemy that overstretched or were they just keeping a large portion of their force back so once the AEU moved in they would counter-attack?

"So far so good," one of his men whispered beneath his breath.

"Let's keep it that way," Wesker whispered back before he then heard some footsteps crunching over debris and it didn't seem to be them.

Signalling the squad to halt next to the wall of a nearby building, he continued to hear the sound of footsteps walking over rubble, it appeared to be coming from the right of them down a small path.

He slowly brought out his pistol which had a built in suppressor. He then signalled for the Murry and another man to slowly move around to the other side of the building to get into a flanking position.

The two men quietly moved back and began to move around the building.

The footsteps continued to get closer and closer, although it was now getting softer, no longer walking over debris.

"There's two of them, appears to be militia," Murry reported in with murmer. "If you can distract them we'll take them out."

Wesker nodded his head. Grabbing a spare magazine he tossed it on the ground. It rattled on impact, loud enough for their targets to hear clearly, unless they were deaf.

He then heard foreign dialect coming from the men. He didn't understand a word they were saying, but it had definitely drawn their attention.

A moment later, he then heard the sound of running before there were the shouts in foreign dialect before the sound of a muffled struggle and the sound of weapons hitting the ground.

"Excellent work," Wesker said as he began to walk out to see Murry and the other man standing over the body of two militia fighters who both were lying on their front and blood slowly oozing out. Murry was cleaning his knife off on the clothes of one man.

"These guys aren't even worth the bullets," Murry scoffed as he finished cleaning his knife before sheathing it.

"Okay, now let's-" Wesker didn't have time to finish as he was knocked back by the force of an explosion his sunglasses shattered infront of his eyes, but no pieces went flying into his eyes.

The next thing he knew was that he was laying on his back as his vision was blurred and darkened by the sudden shock and he was deafened by the noise of the explosion.

Ambush.

He felt helpless as he barely knew what was going on until he saw someone walking over him with the silhouette of a rifle in their hand that looked like it was pointing towards him. It seemed like a small person judging by the silhouettes height.

A second later there was a sudden bang then entered his ears which were now ringing more than ever. Wesker grunted as he placed his hand over his right ear before he then felt himself pulled up.

"Don't worry I've gotcha!" he heard an unfamiliar voice shouting to him as he his senses were starting to recover.

He then looked to see the body of a dead child not far from him, the boy still clutching a rifle in his arms, he appeared no older then the age of eleven. The eyes of the child soldier was wide open which sent a chill down his spine as he looked away.

"He may be a child, but he's still the enemy," he then heard the person holding him say before letting go of him. The man then called out the names of various people.

Wesker finally looked up to see a friendly face, it was an AEU Special Forces soldier whose face was covered in dirt and grime. He had been through much more then they had.

"Alright, now get back in the fight!" the man shouted who had lined his sights up with himself before letting off a burst.

"Who are you and what's your squad?" Wesker then called out to the man as he chucked his broken sunglasses off.

"Sergeant Devon Fox, Hunter Beta, you?" he called back.

"Sergeant Wesker, Hunter Delta," he replied, the man nodded his head as Wesker turned to see where the rest of his squad was before Fox shouted for him to pay attention and to shoot back.

Wesker quickly grabbed his rifle off his back and adjusted his sights before taking aim. There were several militia fighters in the ruins of buildings using them as cover while firing off dozens of rounds and obeying instructions from the shouts of mercenaries who were giving hand signals and operating the heavier weaponry.

Wesker could only hope his squad was alright and hoped they quickly got in contact with him to say that they were all still alive.

His thoughts were immdiately answered as a bit of static filled his headset before he could hear Kail's, slightly muffled voice.

"Sir, we're all alright. We've taken up positions with members of Hunter B team, but I've got bad news."

A scowl appeared on Wesker's face. "Lay it on me, get it over with."

"Jonathan is down, Paulis is doing the best he can to patch him up, but I don't think he can make it. He's lost right leg and going into shock!"

Wesker could only mutter a curse before he responded. "Just tell Paulis to do his best." He then shut off contact with Kail.

He looked up at the enemies in cover from his position. Something he saw made his rage for the anti-government forces go to even greater heights. There were children with the enemy troops who were fighting just as hard as their adult counter-parts intent on driving them off. Whether it had been the mercenaries or the militia, they had trained those boys into stone-cold killers

Wesker could only grit his teeth. He didn't want to have to kill the kids, but the safety of his squad and the others around him came first.

He raised his rifle at one of the kids who was closest to him, his finger just on the trigger before he suddenly hesitated, his soldier instinct unable to let him do it. He had not sign-up for this

'I can't do it.' a part of him said as he finger went slightly off the trigger. 'If I kill these kids it'll make them no worse than some criminals.' he could only let out a small growl of disgust at himself as he realigned his sights on one of the kids. 'This is war, where anything can happen.' another part of him said. 'If one of these kids kills one of your men it doesn't matter what age they are, they're still murderers.'

Wesker could on look at the child soldier through his sights, his mind tangled whether this was the right thing to do.

"What are you waiting for?" he heard Fox shout to him. "Shoot, unless you want to be a dead man!"

Wesker then took one deep breath before his finger slid over the trigger and he pressed down.

"I'm sorry," he muttered as he watch the bullet did its work, ending the life of one who did not get to live life to begin with as he then turned to point his rifle at one of the bastards who had made that child go to war.

2307 AD, February 13, Rising Phoenix carrier, Phoenix

Wesker was disgusted from what he saw eight-teen years ago, child soldiers, what kind of sick person lets a child go to war? This was far too common in the poorer nations in the Middle-East, Africa, and even some parts of South America.

He loathed the fact he had to kill those children, but the mission came first and they couldn't take them with them if they disarmed them, it would've just slowed them down and more lives would've been taken if they had delayed any longer. He doubt that would have even been possible given the eyes of the children he saw. They saw all of the AEU as something to be destroyed.

Still, the fact he killed them haunted his dreams as he constantly had flashbacks to that day, always starting with him seeing those children charge at them and him praying to god before he pressed down on that trigger, the children being gunned down by him and the rest of the squad. The flashback had never seemed to get any dimmer it was always clear like when he first experienced it.

Trying to push the thoughts he got off his bed and grabbed his jacket and got it on before going to an intercom that was in his room.

"Kail, you can be relieved of command now, I'll be coming up soon, get some rest," Wesker said through the intercom as Kail appeared on the small screen.

"Understood," he replied as the image display then shut off.

Opening the door, he walked out towards the lift.

Personnel were busily shuffling in and out of the corridors of the Phoenix; some were starting their shift others returning to rest up. While there were others being informed on what their assigned task were.

"You two, you're heading to the engine room to help with the repairs, you two are to get down to the hanger and help the maintenance crews with the repairs to the ship on the lower levels," he heard as he passed through a small group of people.

When he entered one of the lifts and pulled out his pocket watch. It had been over twenty-four hours, yet the enemy still hadn't attacked, and the stealth field had worn off. So far they hadn't been located, yet, but unfortunately their final engine actually exploded during descent from the stress and damage. They were forced for an emergency landing, luckily the V.T.O.L system jmanaged to keep them up just long enough to stop them from plummeting to the ground, but now the repairs to the ship would be even longer with all the engines in need of repairs.

The door soon opened and he proceeded into the bridge, immediately someone then came up to him.

"Sir, the repair report is in, from the damage it's going to take us at least four days to get us back in the air at a reasonable airspeed," he was told. "Also the fleet admiral would like a word with you."

"Understood," Wesker replied as he then began to move to his seat and activated the terminal.

Soon a black, bearded man appeared on screen dressed in a neatly pressed uniform while wearing a peaked cap. He was in his late fifties, his face wrinkled and a scar that went from his neck and down into his collar.

"You wanted a word with me, Admiral?" Wesker began.

"Yes," the admiral began. "It's about the operation; we're going to have to begin it without your help, we just can't wait any longer. If we hesitate, I doubt we'll last long against the UN. "

"It's understandable," Wesker answered, nodding his head. "You will have clearance to begin the operation, but hold off on the main assault for the first few days once you've cleared a landing zone, initiate the first half of the plan: elimination of the designated personnel, Make sure they're replaced by someone who sympathies with Union," Wesker instructed. "If any of the countries don't join, deploy the main force to engage until they submit and are forced to get the UN to aid them."

"Understood, I'll pass down orders to the teams already on the station, and for the fleet to move out," the admiral complied before he then spoke once again. "If the UN enters within our range, do we have permission to sink them?"

Wesker nodded his head. "Now I expect everything to go as planned, contact me when the first phase is complete."

"We'll get through this, I can assure you," the Admiral responded with a quick salute before the screen flickered off.

Wesker then sat back in his seat, with a smile; all would still go according to plan. Even without the Phoenix's help.

Thar Desert, February 12, Phoenix Carrier

Daveral, reading his novel, sat in one of the observation decks chairs slowly skimming down each page before flipping to the next.

Any assigned tasks he had were completed until his shift came around. Best to enjoy it by letting the quietness of reading overtake any memories of fighting and violence.

Below the observation deck, the hanger was bustling with activity, from Viper tanks re-equipped for AA duty and rolling out of the hanger to the sounds of repairs taking place, several launch bays had been crippled during the battle which was one of the main priorities aside from repairs on the engines.

Currently the Variant was the Gundam now on guard duty around the ship, cloaked and patrolling the most likely point of entry into their area, but Helana's shift would soon be up and then it would be Nena's turn, it had already been two hours, but the Variant was the best for the job. It was the only Gundam capable of long-range patrols without the risk of detection.

He then heard something rolling across the floor. He turned to see Nena's red Haro rolling about.

It then turned and faced him.

"Hello!" it said as he saw Nena, dressed in her flight suit, walk by and pick it up.

"You're still here?" Nena then said to him, surprised that he was down in the observation deck during his break.

"Nothing else to do," Daveral simply replied as he turned back to his book.

"Still caught up in your reading?" she then asked.

"Yep." He then flipped the page. "I've got nothing else to do, at the moment," he then added. "Anyways, good job last battle, I knew you would watch my back out there," he said referring to when the GN-X had almost cut the Lancaster in two if it wasn't for Nena stopping it at the last second. "So you next on the patrol list?"

She nodded her head. "So much desert, I've already seen enough, it's all the same," she then stated.

"Be grateful you're not the only one on patrol and you get to stick closer to base. I feel bad for Helana. Sure her machines can cloak, but that means she's further out. Must be boring as well," Daveral said. "And you're not the only one who hates the desert, we all hate it. Messes with everything."

"Hey," Nena then started. "Do you think we'll ever be given time to actually get away from the ship, or do we wait till his plan is over before we can leave?" she asked.

"We will, but probably not for awhile," he answered soundly.

"That's good to know," Nena said softly with a smile.

There was then the sound of a Gundam stepping onto the bay deck. The Variant had returned.

"Well, I'm guess I'm out." Nena said with a sigh. "See you later." She walked down the stairs and onto the hanger floor and towards the Drei.

Daveral had noticed that she wasn't too affected by the loss of her brothers or that she didn't really show it. If she had already gotten to terms about their deaths then she was quite strong, maybe this had to do with the fact that she never had a normal life, and the fact Wesker offered her one was what was driving her to continue on with life. Though, maybe it was simply the fact there was nothing else and she didn't show it.

As he continued his book he noticed someone overshadowing him, infront of him. He looked up to see Flint with a small case.

"What do you have there?" Daveral wondered looking at the case as Flint sat down.

"I'm not exactly sure," Flint replied as he opened the case. "It was something that I brought with me ages ago and now I forget what was in the case."

Daveral then looked to see Flint bringing out a camera that looks like it's been through alot; its casing was dented and battered.

"Now I remember," Flint began. "It's the camera that I've used from the age of five till now. I can't believe I actually still have this thing or every used it given today's technology. I wonder if it still works." He then switched it on and watched as the small screen displayed to him what the camera saw. For an old machine it looked to be of good quality, especially if it had lasted this long.

"It explains why it's in poor condition," Daveral noted. "Any old photos stored in it?" he then asked as he closed his book after bookmarking where he left off.

Flint quickly hit a few buttons trying to remember their functions. "Not that I can seem" he then said after a few moments of fiddling around with the device. "Must of erased them all from before, so I might as well start again." he told Daveral before he snapped a photo of the hanger bay from the observation deck.

"Hey that gives me an idea," Daveral then said. "You should use that camera to get a team picture of all of us and maybe of all the things that go on."

"Good idea!" Flint exclaimed cheerfully. "Although," he then said with a hint of doubt in his voice the cheerfulness dissipating. "I don't think Nena and Helana can stand in the same room together without someone planning to kill the other, I think we should hold it off."

"Well, the longer we wait the more likely one of us is going to get shot down. So we can't wait forever. Maybe we'll have to force them."

Flint then pointed the camera towards himself. "We'll just have to see, won't we?" he said as he pressed down on the button as the cameras flash came on.

Thar Desert, February 12

Nena looked back at the ship as she went out on patrol. There was nothing really keeping it hidden, it was just sticking out like a sore thumb.

On the ground there were tanks digging into the ground, camouflaged with paint and partially dug-in. With their sensor jammers they would only be seen up close. There were other things also going along outside of the ship, repairs were taking place, there were troops heading out and setting relays to expand their sensor range, and even a few automated turrets being assembled around the Phoenix to provide as much defense possible should they be found.

"Haro," she began. "Set a course to patrol around the ship as last time and set to auto-pilot." Nena then took her helmet off since she couldn't stand being coped up in her helmet for two hours if nothing actually happened like before.

"Roger, roger," it acknowledged as it commenced her orders.

She then leaned back in her seat. These patrols were annoying and were boring as well. There had been nothing for the past twenty-four hours; it was unlikely they knew where they were, and she was sticking very close to the ship to avoid detection from enemy forces.

But orders were orders and she knew that she would have nowhere else to go if she left and having the entire Phoenix Organization coming after her if she ever decided to desert was not something she wanted. For now, she was stuck with them.

Besides she was at least being treated well by the rest of the team and the crew members that she had met with, most seemed like good people the only person that showed their hatred towards her was Helana.

Eventually she would find out why she hated her so much, but that's if either Helana was willing to talk or someone told her the reason and she doubted anyone actually knew the reason except Helana herself.

She would have to speak to her one day. Last thing she wanted was being stabbed in the back nor did she want to do the same thing for the fear of her own life. Still, Helana was crossing the line. Nobody got in Nena's way, ever.

Nena then stared outside gazing at the view; it was going to be a long two hours with just her, lost in her thoughts.

Pacific Ocean, February 13, Phoenix Fleet en-route to South America, HRL waters

The Phoenix fleet moved through the ocean with clear skies above them and a relatively calm ocean. It would not be hard to see this fleet coming once they started to go deeper into Union waters the only thing stopping them from being hit by every vessels in the entire Pacific Ocean was the largest ship, an old super carrier, was keeping the ships hidden from all forms of tracking and detection systems from the usage of a large custom built stealth field. It wasn't good as using GN Particles at masking objects, but it was effective nonetheless.

The fleet was made out of an assortment of older vessels that had been modified to fill different roles. The most common vessel and advanced were guided missile destroyers. Ringed with two large missile launchers on each side that were used from delivering anti-air to anti-ship warheads, and one vertical launch system at the ships rear which carried a payload of cruise missiles. Underneath the second set of launchers on each side which protruded slightly out of the ship was a bank of short-ranged torpedo tubes which helped the ship fight off other warships that got within its minimum range, but it was up to the frigates to actually engage submarines and keep other ships from closing in to the minimum range of the destroyers.

Currently there were eight destroyers, while the rest of the fleet, twenty vessels strong, were various ships obtained from the superpowers ranging from lighter frigates to larger amphibious assault ships.

In the middle of this fleet heavily modified Draven-class super-carrier. The Draven was previously used by the Union decades ago before it was replaced by smaller, more efficient carriers that were suited to launching mobile suits like Realdos and Flags. The only advantage the Dravenhad over those ships was the ability to launch most aircraft relatively quickly using its massive flight deck; it was nearly defenceless aside from CIWS systems that were dotted all over the ship, but even these were obsolete against much more sophisticated enemies. Like most carriers it relied on its escorts and aircraft to give it protection from enemies that had closed in.

"I hope this will actually change something," Admiral Hiller said to himself from his post. "With the entire fleet and seventy-percent of the Phoenix force being pressed into this operation we cannot fail."

"You know this is a big gamble," the ship's vice-admiral said who stood by his side. "We risk being sunk should the UN decide to send their entire Pacific fleet after us. There's a lot of good people that will lose their lives if we do get in a fight."

"Yes, but that's how war is," Hiller replied back as he continued to stare through the bridge. "We all take our chances with death, and eventually it'll catch up to us no matter what we try to do, war simply speeds up the process in deciding who lives or dies."

"Is that how you truly see war Admiral?" the vice-admiral then questioned.

"You are partially correct," the Admiral answered. "But I also think war should bring along change be it better or for worse, and what we're about to do will bring along that change."

"The question is what change it will bring?" the vice-admiral then stated to the Admiral, slightly concerned where this operation might lead them and the world. "Is it really worth it?"

"We take our chances as most say, we aren't-"

"Sir, transmission coming in from one of our teams on South America," one of the crew interrupted.

"Put them on," Hiller then said as the monitor above them switched to show the image of soldiers whose faces were completely covered in a balaclava, the background was that of an old building that was neglected over the course of several years with cracks in the wall and the paint completely peeled off.

"We're in position near the first target, requesting go ahead with the assassination."

"Negative on that, you wait till we have made it near the continent, after then you may proceed upon confirmation. I will, however, allow it early if it appears the target decides to head out of the country," Hiller told the soldiers before continuing on. "Now, give me a status report on the others."

"All other teams have their assigned targets and have reported that all preparations are complete. We are just waiting for the go ahead."

"Roger that, pass down the order that once all targets are eliminated you are to take part in supporting Phoenix troops should any conflict arise."

"Understood," the man said before disconnecting the signal.

"Alright, now, what's our estimated time till we reach the designated point?" Hiller then asked, wanting a quick answer from the crew.

"Should be a minimum of two days, at our current speed."

The vice-admiral then spoke up. "Not good enough, have the engines forced at maximum capacity, the longer we stay here the more likely we'll be detected by the small fleet." he then turned to face the admiral. "That, alright, with you sir?" he then asked for permission.

Hiller nodded his head in approval as the helmsmen began to adjust the ships speed, while other parts of the crew were informing the rest of the fleet to increase speed as well.

"Si,r enemy vessels coming within range of the fleet sir, it appears that haven't noticed us." one of the crew reported. "They're straight ahead of us."

The admiral then turned to the man. "What's their ship strength?" he demanded an answer from.

"Appears to be a medium size fleet with two carriers and several frigates and destroyers, a total of eight vessels. Appears they haven't detected us, but they will be in sight soon, they're only a few miles away and moving at a steady pace of thirty three knots right towards us."

"We can't just manoeuvre around we're going to waste valuable time, the less enemies we have the better," Hiller spoke up as crossed his arms. "Have the first two destroyers at the front launch a wave of anti-ship warheads, once they begin to enter into our frigates cannon range have Ace fighters equipped for anti-ship warfare deploy and havethem stay as high up as possible before they divedown and hit them from above with anti-warship missiles before pulling off, destroyers will cover them from aerial threats that should launch from the carriers."

"Roger, passing on orders now."

"We'll send them to the abyss," he then said as he watched smoke trails begin to fill the air as missiles began launching by the dozen.

Thar Desert, February 13

In the mess hall, Daveral and Flint were currently discussing the situation they were in. They would have all the time in the world as they had been currently taken off patrol duty for the day.

"I'm glad they've stopped putting us on patrols," Flint said to Daveral as he pushed his tray back having finished eating before wiping his mouth with a napkin.

"For now at least," Daveral added as he fiddled with Flint's camera. "How do you even work this thing?"

"Geez, it's simple. Click here and adjust the setting as you like here. Simple really, I thought out of all people you'd be able to handle a simple camera," Flint replied, pointing things out for Daveral.

"I like new stuff, not something that's outdated and barely used," Daveral then responded.

"Says the guy who reads paperbacks. Besides, if it works why get a new one?"

"Because it's a piece of junk."

Daveral then got up, handing the camera back to Flint and headed towards the exit.

As he walked out he looked to see people still constantly moving in and out. Ever since they the base personnel boarded this ship it was alot busier than it used to be, he wondered how many people they actually took onboard.

He was then tapped on the back. He instantly turned around to see one of the Death Wing pilots there. He knew it was a member of the Death Wing since even on their standard uniform, they wore a patch on the side of their arm that had a winged skull and their title underneath it. Good to know in case you needed to brag or confirm.

"Captain wants all of you at the briefing room, it seems we've got a joint operation together," he told Daveral before he took off to continue on with his business. The life of a professional.

"Well, you heard him," Flint said to Daveral from behind. "Let's go this way," he pointed towards their right.

"Lucky it's on the same level as the crew compartment," Daveral stated as they moved down the corridors before they came to a large heavy metal door that was open and inside were members of the Death Wing squadron all seated, the others were nowhere in sight. Daveral then noticed Wesker was leaning back against the end wall beside a large at the back of the room monitor looking at his pocket watch and at a podium at the front of the room infront of that monitor was Kail who was looking through something on the small, blue holographic terminal that was projected from the podium.

The room was large; it felt more like an assembly area then a briefing room with several long metalic tables that were in front of a stage which, ontop of it was a well crafted wooden podium and a large monitor behind it. The room was almost never used, since each team was given their assignments individually. This was why they were often sent up to the bridge to be briefed, directly. The last time Daveral remembered being here was when most of the new crew was recruited, his team being part of that new group. They were introduced to the Rising Phoenix organization right here, but that was at least a year ago.

Daveral and Flint both got seated on a table near the right end of the room against a wall as they waited for the others to arrive.

The two chatted with each other until they noticed that the other two had arrived who sat down with them, at the same table although Helana and Nena were both at the very ends of the tables trying to avoid each other. They knew better than to start a fight

There was a groan that came from Helana who was rubbing her eyes as she shuffled to her seat and sat down. She looked like she had just woken up by the looks of it, her hair was messy, and her eyes were drooping. At least she wouldn't be able to be aggressive to Nena for abit, but it would probably mean they would have to re-inform her for she now had her head against her arms which were ontop of the table, probably fast asleep again.

"Hey Nena," he heard Flint say over him to Nena. "Care for a picture?" he said as he pulled out her camera.

"I don't see why," she said as she quickly put on a smile and gave the V-sign with her right hand.

"Kids these days," Daveral sworn he could of heard from someone in the area. He had to admit taking pictures here did seem childish. They were old enough to be- wait only he was old enough to actually be recruited into any military and just barely. Damn, he felt old.

A second later the picture was taken as Flint passed the camera to Nena who quickly looked at it before handing it back. She gave a nod of approval.

"Alright, listen up," Kail then called out to everyone, any chatter quickly died away and everyone awake at attention. "That means wake up as well Helana," he then said which made Flint knock Helana on the back of her head with the palm of his hand to get her to look up and listen. She slowly rose up only rising her head up enough so she could look forward at the front.

"Too damn soon," she muttered.

"We've got mission orders to pass out thanks to forward scouts finding something interesting," he began as the screen behind him powered on showing a map of the surrounding area. "The UN seems to be amassing their forces in the region. The closest one here," He pointed out with a measure to the location of a base only several hundred miles from their position. "We are going to have to take out this base before they can act. It'll give us a better fighting chance and lower the numbers of enemies we'll face. If the Phoenix gets off the ground, we'll need to minimize contact."

"Do they even know where we are? If we do destroy that base we risk leading them back here," the Death Wing leader, Willard called out to Kail from the back.

"Well, that's a risk we are going to take, Wesker doesn't want us to be destroyed by a war of attrition once they do find us, right Wesker?" Kail had turned his head to Wesker.

"Correct," he replied with a nod as he closed his watch. "Even if we do lead them back to our area, it'll mean they'll have less time in the air and a longer resupply route," he then took Kail's place who had moved off the stage. "The operation will begin like this." The screen behind him changed to a digital image of the Lancaster overlooking then enemy base with the other three Gundams nearby. "The Lancaster will begin to bombard the base with its 450mm howitzer and draw the enemies out towards it, essentially it's bait. From there, this should leave the base undefended long enough for the Death Wing to move in and carpet bomb the facility, he then informed them before carrying on. "For our Gundams, the Lancaster, as stated, is drawing the fire of the enemy mobile suits, the Variants will provide support by using its remote drones to shoot down enemy machines while remaining hidden. The Zesus and Drei will then flank around and engage the enemy. Once enough damage is caused to the enemy mobile suit formations, the Drei will deploy its stealth field before everyone returns to base. Remember you're are to remain locked in combat until the fighters complete their mission and enough damage is done to the enemy formation."

He paused as he turned to Willard. "Willard you'll be given a choice after bombing the base, you can move in to assist the Gundams or hightail it back to base it's your call. We're not here for a prolonged fight"

Everyone turned to Wilard who immediately responded. "We'll move to assist the Gundams, right guys?" he then said looking back on his team who agreed with his decision, tough not all seemed happy to be the ones to bail out the younger team members if things went poorly. "Well, there's your answer, we're going to stay out. Nothing's going to stop us from getting into a fight."

Daveral turned to Flint who was trying to get Helana back up to listen who had lowered her head once again and fallen asleep. Nothing Flint was doing was getting her to pay attention. From pokes to slight whacks on the back of the head it didn't seem to be working.

"Just let her sleep," Daveral whispered over to Flint stopped his attempts as he heard Nena give a slight giggle given that Helana generally was nonsense and usually threatening her.

"Well, at least this is one way to stop her from hating m,." Nena said to the two before she turned back to face Wesker.

"As I had expected to hear," Wesker replied to Willard after a small discussion that Daveral hadn't been listening to. "Alright, then any questions?" Wesker then said to everyone both his hands gripped on the podium as he leaned forward.

Daveral then raised his hand as Wesker then quickly pointed at him to let him speak out and for all to listen.

"For the bombardment of the base will this involve having a spotter to take out key installations or is it just lobbing shells in hopes to hit something?" Daveral questioned who wasn't quite keen on drawing the enemy towards him if it didn't involve atleast lowering their numbers before being engaged.

"You'll be given the information and location of the base layout once the Variant does a fly over of the base before returning to its position." Wesker answered briefly.

Daveral nodded his head, his question answered and now a bit more assured in being the bait.

Wesker waited for a moment if there were any more question before he then spoke. "Alright, mission will begin in the next hour, should be enough time for anyone still asleep to wake up and alert," he said, as he looked down at Helana who got up off the table from hearing Wesker's voice. "You are all dismissed."

"I'm awake, I'm awake," she said sleepily before she let out yawn. "Did I miss anything?"

Daveral could only sigh. It looked like they were going to have to re-brief her themselves, so much for Flint trying to keep her awake.

"Only the entire briefing," Flint informed her as she groaned before lowering her head and leaning back in her seat.

"Damn it," she cursed out-loud as everyone began to exit the room aside from the team.

There was abit of laughter from the rest of the team aside from Daveral who only found it tedious that they would have re-brief her later on. So little time to get ready.

"Alright, let's get going." Daveral then finally said as everyone got out of their seats and prepare for the next mission.

Unknown Location, February 13

Ribbons Almark could only be pleased by the current events that were going on in the world as of now.

The UN would've dissolved after Celestial Being was defeated and he would have to come up with a plan to get everything back on track, due to each own super-powers selfish desire and differences such as identities that formed the basis of each power; but, with this new threat they would be forced to remain unified. It would be long enough for people to open their eyes that the world had to be one.

The first phase of the plan would accelerate faster than he had expected and all for the better. He had calculated that it would require at least seven years to form a united world, but with these events unfolding it would only be in three to five years.

He had also managed to obtain private information about the Rising Phoenix from a supporter of the group. He had 'willingly' gave up the information about everything that the Phoenix was up to, and if every was correct they were going to use force to have nations join any of the super powers. Something he did not have a problem with as it only help complete the plan for a unified world.

There was only one thing to worry about and that was if the Rising Phoenix continued to exist after the first phase had been completed. It would prove troublesome to deal with them afterwards; the only way to completely to neutralize this threat would to be destroy their massive atmospheric carrier and the four Gundams that were with it.

The remaining Trinity was lucky to have even survived, and now that she was part of this group it would make things harder for him with their ability to now become untraceable. She and her brothers had only been created for the first phase of the previous plan set out by the fool, Alejandro. Because she was still living it had made him slightly concerned about the situation since she could spy on him using quantum brainwaves and use Veda all due to that he proved his genes to create the siblings so technically he was their father.

Ribbons also found it disturbing that the Phoenix had managed to actually make a near complete identical GN Drive, if he was correct they were able to operate for an unlimited amount of time similar to the true GN Drives. These needed to be dealt with, the more Gundams there were, the more difficult it will be to complete the other stages of the plan.

However his usually calm mind took over once more and shook off thoughts, not worrying about it anymore. He had already began to develop a plan to destroy the faction once its main objectives were complete.

For now, however, he could only watch and wait, it would only be little longer and then he would be able to 'guide' humanity towards the path to Innovation.