Gundam: Phoenix
Preparation Before the Storm
Thar Desert, February 13
The machine raced straight for the Drei, and in turn, the ranks of the Rising Phoenix.
"Focus fire, shoot him down!" Daveral commanded as the white machine dove and spun, evading attacks with inhuman foresight and skill.
"Locking, got'cha!" one of the Ace pilots shouted, pressing the trigger. Yet, his rounds failed to hit as the machine simply evaded with the fighter overshooting him. "What?!"
The machine was now on top of the Drei, its saber arcing down to strike. Nena barely managed to block.
The Lancaster then quickly turned to get a clear shot at the machine and fired with its beam carbine.
However, the Gundam's eyes glowed before it boosted away as the Lancaster opened fired. The beams struck the Drei instead causing some damage to the upper torso.
"Hey, what the hell?!" Nena shouted at him. "We're on the same side!"
"Sorry," Daveral apologized before scanning for the target. "Damn it, how fast is he?!"
A second later the machine appeared overhead and brought its blade upon the Lancaster.
Daveral attempted to dodge, but the Lancaster just wasn't fast enough. The beam saber sliced through his carbine before the Gundam flicked its arm which saw the howitzer severed into two, leaving him with only his missiles left for ranged combat.
"This is not good!" Daveral stated as he drew out his beam saber. "Flint, Helana can you keep the UN forces distracted?" he asked as he looked to see the UN forces beginning to close in. The opportunity for them had arose to take all of them in one go.
"Roger that," both Flint and Helana replied at the same time as the Zesus went into battle with the gun drones covering it.
Daveral then gave a sigh. "This is not good one bit," he muttered. "Whoever this guy is, he's good, maybe too good for us to handle."
He then looked back up at the machine that seemed to dodge everything and made it look like it was a form of art.
Pacific Ocean, February 13
"I want that damage report now!" Hiller demanded as he was constantly rocked about by the force of torpedoes detonating against his ship's hull.
"Moderate damage to the hull!" the report came. "Fractures being reported, we're at risk of taking water."
"This is one hell of a shit storm," a comment then was the sound of creaking metal coming from down below; immediately, the order came for a repair crew to inspect the damage, fearing that the hull was beginning to weaken to the point of structural failure.
"C'mon how many torpedoes can one tiny mobile armour carry?!" someone else then stated as time continued to past. "They have to reach their operational time limit eventually!"
"We'll just hold till then." Hiller responded sternly.
So far they had not lost any ships, but eventually they were going to be so banged up and weakened by these constant attacks that the UN fleet could move in and wipe them out while they needed to make repairs, something Hiller planned to not let that happen.
But he also knew he couldn't move the fleet out of the area to avoid taking more damage, since then the enemy would then follow them and pin point their landing LZ and have a field day massacring any forces that tried to leave for the shore. Landing on defended beaches never turned out well for the attackers, unless they had massive support. Even then, that did not guarantee success.
It was a tough decision. Stay here and get sunk by enemy reinforcements or head out and risk ruining the entire operation.
Suddenly, to everyone's surprise, the attacks abruptly stopped with their sonar losing track of the underwater attackers.
"It seems they're pulling back for, looks like they just reached their time limit, or they've ran out of ammo."
Hiller could not believe his luck, but he knew he had to make good use of it before they returned.
"Keep fleet on full alert, were heading back on course, full speed," he ordered as everyone quickly acknowledged the order. "And get me our teams on South America, it's about time the operation commenced."
South America, Arvineo, February 13
In the country of Arvineo -a relatively new country created due to one of the Solar Wars- hidden in the thick jungle underbrush lay a sniper waiting for his target to appear, having waited for at least three hours for his prey to come into sight.
Not far from him, was a military base, the largest one in the country, and he would be the one taking its leadership out today.
No one had a clue that he was here other than his allies. He was blending right in with the foliage due to his ghillie suit, and unless someone was up close or using thermal, no one would ever see him till it was too late.
"Viper, come in do you copy?" a voice came through the snipers headset.
"I copy, what do you want?" the sniper responded quietly, still peering down his scope.
"Delta team one has finished rigging the bases vital structures with explosives and are now leaving the area, as soon as you get a confirmed kill on the General, detonate the charges, understood?"
"Roger that." Viper then looked at the detonation trigger which lay on the ground beside him.
The Sniper then looked to see a fancy limo pull into the base on the airfield; there were lots of people there to greet their president, the first person being his target, the general.
The death of a high-ranking general and destruction of this military bases would go a long way in making sure this country would join the Union once the Rising Phoenix was through creating enough panic to force the government to call for aid, despite the stubbornness of its leader. With enough blood, they would have to give in. Not to mention this general was not a particularly nice man. Then again, who was?
The Union would've originally taken this country for its resources, but the political backlash through such actions would've caused any attempt to become so unpopular with the public that any army sent in would be forced to be pulled out before it even went in. People would just see it as bullying a smaller country that really has done nothing at all. Why couldn't people figure out that pure independence was a good way for turmoil to continue?
Zooming in, he looked to see there was chatter going on between the general and the president of the country. As a large amount of men surrounded them for their protection. He then saw that they then began moving to one of the structures in the base.
"Nest, requesting permission to take the shot, it looks like they're going to be going inside," Viper requested as he trained his scope on the general.
"Permission to take the shot is denied Viper, Delta hasn't cleared the area," came a response.
"Tell them to hurry or I might lose the shot." as he watched the two men heading towards the buildings with several guards around them.
Viper continued to wait, as he continued tracking the target through the scope. If Delta didn't hurry, then in the next thirty seconds or so there would be no way for him to take the shot unless it meant shooting through a building. Impatience, despite his training, began to kick in.
'C'mon just give the damn order I've already waited long enough for this, to just miss the shot,' Viper thought to himself.
Something, however, caught his eye as he saw a single man come rushing out of one of the buildings waving his hands and shouting something in his native dialect.
The soldiers around the two vital figures then quickly began to move with the president and general not far behind towards the main structure, their pace speeding up.
'Shit, they must of found the explosives, looks like Delta screwed up,' Viper then quickly got in contact with his superiors. "Sir, I'm going to lose him, they've found the explosives and target is on the move to cover, requesting permission to take the shot."
"Negative," came a response which angered him. "Not until Delta team is out of there we can't afford risking anyone."
"We're going to lose him, I still have the chance to take the shot!" he whispered harshly. "
After several antagonizing moments as he continued to track the target he finally heard the words, after a sigh, he wanted to hear come through his headset. "Permission granted to take the shot; I repeat you are go to take the shot."
Viper focused in. "Roger that, opening up," he said back as he pressed downed on the trigger and felt the recoil against his shoulder before the bullet screamed through the air.
He watched through the scope to see the results. The bullet collided with the man's torso sending a spurt of blood. He instantly dropped and he appeared to be dead, but even if he wasn't, he would be in no shape for anything else in the future.
'Should have adjusted more.'
Several explosions then went of. Confusion quickly began to spread as structures went up, yet to Viper's disappointment, a few more structures stood then was intended.
'Delta, you really messed up.'
Viper then immediately began to pack up and move out.
"Nest, this is Viper mission accomplished, heading to extraction zone now," he said, leaving no trace of his presence.
Lagrange 3, February 13, Celestial Being Asteroid base
Tieria Erde could only continue to look at reports that continued to come in about the Rising Phoenix.
So much of the original plan had changed, due to the arrival of the Thrones, the super-powers being supplied with GN Drives. This only exacerbated the problems which was manpower. With Lockon dead, Allelujah captured and Setsuna missing, he was the only one left out of the Meisters who could do anything.
Miss Sumeragi had entered a state of depression. Last he saw her, she was constantly drinking due to death of Christina and Lichty. It did not take a genius to know that she would be leave Celestial Being; she just couldn't take it anymore. With so many gone, the burden must have felt heavy for a person who already had trouble accepting past mistakes.
This carried on also to Feldt who had become reclusive. She had to deal with the death of her friends after having just going through Lockon's death.
That left Ian who was always down in the hanger, busily repairing the Nadleeh. He too had been affected, but he kept it hidden by keeping to himself and simply working away, trying to lose himself so that he did not have to think about what had happened.
Where did that leave Tieria himself? It had left him feeling hollow. He may have not been the most friendly or understanding member of the team, but he felt emotions as everyone else, as hard as it would be to admit it. So much lingered on his mind, yet he knew they needed to press on. With these new events, someone had to focus and figure out what was going on. Why did a group employ such odd tactics? What was their game?
He was quite curious about this new group. They too had GN Drives, but they did not emit red GN particles unlike the Thrones, yet they did not emit green GN particles like the original drives. They were a bright blue.
Furthermore, while their actions gave a reason for the UN to continue to exists by providing a common foe to fight against, their suddenness caused a bit of uneasiness in him. It reminded him of the Thrones in a way, but with even more extreme actions. The Rising Phoenix's actions were likely to flare up another full-scale war, if not that, dozens of smaller engagements.
He wanted to investigate this and see for himself, but he would have to wait until Nadleeh had been repaired and converted back to Virtue.
Tieria could only feel the weight on his shoulders press down; so much has happened. With the loss of Veda, and most of the Meisters, getting anything done would be a challenge all to itself and now that this was going on, Celestial Being needed to figure out what was going on.
Thar Desert, February 13
Things were not looking up for the Phoenix Gundam pilots as the new machine continued to make a mockery of them by evading their blows.
The UN forces had disappeared from the battlefield, not wanting to get caught up in the fight with their mounting casualties. They also had to ensure to not waste any additional energy needed to get back to base, yet Willard's Death Wing had also pulled off having exhausted their ammunition rendering them practically useless.
This simply left the Gundam against Gundam, yet the numbers advantage was just not working out in their favour. In fact, it seemed to be working against them.
"Just how fast can this machine be?" Flint commented, trying to get the Zesus to keep up. "Whoever made it, I want it!"
The Zesus' blade then became locked with the mysterious machine's shield. It then quickly gave a lashed out with its beam saber before it then backed off and began darting around once more after having dealt the Zesus some damage
"Is he just going to keep this up all day?" Helana growled, trying to focus the drones in.
Nena couldn't even see where the machine was half the time; it would be in a location for a few seconds, engage, and then quickly back off.
Something then caught her eye as she managed to see the machine, but this time she saw several pieces disconnect, held aloft by small moving thrusters. She recognized what those were.
"We've got GN Fangs!" she warn
"Helana, intercept, we'll continue focusing on the Gundam," Daveral then ordered. "Make sure your all recording this, Wesker's will want to know what we're fighting."
Nena then saw the machine and quickly fired off several rounds from the GN Handgun at the machine in hopes that they would hit.
Immediately, the machine made a quick turn towards her and charged, its shield rose into position to protect itself from incoming fire as it closed in.
Slashing out, the Drei evaded with an aerial flip and readied itself to put a hole in the Gundam's back, yet by the time she was ready to press the trigger, a beam saber came lashing out at her.
Instinctively, she skirted back and kept distance long before the blow came to hitting her. It felt as if she could feel his every move, but it also seemed he knew her's.
"I've got a lock on him." she then heard Daveral then said as she watched a trail of GN missile begin to make their way towards the machine.
The Gundam quickly took evasive action and sheathed its beam saber and drew out its rifle to intercept the incoming missiles.
The trail of missiles detonated one by one, filling the air with explosions and smoke.
"Holy, did you see that!" Flint said who had observed the machine perform astoundingly well, not missing a shot or breaking a sweat. Nothing seemed to threaten it.
"What does it take to even touch him?" Daveral growled in disbelief.
Several GN Fangs from the machine then began to bombard the three Gundams with particle beams from all directions.
"What, I thought Helana had those covered!" Flint cried out as he took evasive action.
"They're all gone, it's as if they were nothing," Helana muttered through the comm.
"He can manage to do all that and take us all on? Even Michael couldn't do that without using pre-set attack patterns!" Nena exclaimed as she attempted to shoot down the Fangs that were barraging them.
"There's no way we can beat this guy, we've wasted enough time here, pull back!" Daveral then yelled before he then turned over to Nena.
"Roger," Nena answered.
"I can agree with you on that," Flint then said as all of them began to pull back from a threat that felt impossible to face.
The pilot of the machine could only be pleased at the sight he saw as the four Gundams retreated. All the time he had spent training and preparing for a moment like this had come to fruition. With his skills and this machine's power, they would not be able to stop him.
He then looked to see a message coming in from Ribbons Almark. He immediately patched it through a secure channel.
"I see that your battle with the new Gundams was successful," Ribbons said to him, pleased with a light smile.
"It went well, although I didn't force any casualties on their ranks," the pilot responded, his red eyes staring in the direction of the Gundams.
"That was not the point," Ribbons responded. "Besides, we still have plenty of time to bring them to their knees."
The pilot nodded his head in approval. "I will now be returning back to base," he then said as he turned off communication channel.
Unknown Location, February 13
Ali gave a whistle.
"I have to say I'm quite impressed," Ali said to Ribbons as the feed from the battle ended with the four Gundams on the retreat after being overwhelmed by that single machine. "I wouldn't mind have this guy on my team seeing how it looks like I won't have to baby-sit him if he ever got into trouble."
Ribbons could only give a small smile. "I would hardly seek help if it did not know how to achieve its mission," he responded soundly.
Ali gave a slight chuckle before continuing on, "Well, you can call me when my machine is ready to go; you know how to get a hold of me." Ali then turned towards the door and promptly left the room.
Ribbons' smile could only widen. If he played his cards right, the Rising Phoenix would soon be no threat at all.
Thar Desert, February 13, Phoenix Carrier
Nena took a sip out of a water bottle that had been handed to her as she listened to Daveral and Flint discussing what had just happened on the battlefield in the observation deck.
"That did not end well, everything he did was either counter-acted or blocked. I don't even think we gave him a scratch," Daveral remarked on how that Gundam had managed to easily take them all on.
"And he had managed to nearly cripple all of us," Helana then mentioned. "I'm glad he didn't gun for me."
"I wish I could pilot the Variant," Daveral responded before he then went back to the subject. "If we have to fight that thing again we likely won't be able to beat it by brute force or finesse."
"Then what do we do?" Flint asked, disgruntled by the defeat. "Wait for it to fall into some kind of trap?"
"Well, we'll think of something or the Captain will. They're already analyzing the information that we sent to them," Daveral told Flint as he took a few steps towards the view port of the observation deck and looked out. "So do we have anything useful?"
"I think.." Nena hesitated before pushing herself to say it, might as well tell them. "I know what he's doing, well, sort of. It just feels like- it's hard to explain. Quantum Brainwaves have something to do with it."
Helana looked at her, this time without the usual glare. "Does it really help us or does it help him?"
"I don't know," Nena replied.
"If that's the case you're our best bet, I definitely won't fight him head on." Helana then got up.
Everyone stared at Helana as she disappeared. It just seemed odd for her to say something like that.
Daveral then turned his head back to her. "If that's the case, you'll just need to do your best and we'll do what we can."
At that point, everyone, but Nena left the room to go think about today's events.
How was it possible that the exact same man in her dreams was actually living and breathing person intent on killing her and not some figment from her imagination? Those same very red eyes that held a demonic flame that stared back at her, the emotionless voice speaking back to her and that he could communicate with her through the Quantum Brainwaves. None of this could be right.
If he could use Quantum Brainwaves did it mean he was created like her, some test tube baby meant for a specific purpose? Could he have also been some kind of super-soldier, or was it was both? Was he created solely to hunt her down and the Rising Phoenix or was he possibly another created from the same lab that she had been stuck in for most of her life and simply do this because he was told to?
There were just so many questions now.
She then straightened up in the chair before standing after giving a sigh. No people had to rely on her for something, great.
United Kingdom, London, UN military Headquarters, February 14
In the former AEU military headquarters were multiple officers from all around the globe stationed inside, now operating as one. The UN Army which had been enlarged to incorporate at least fifty-percent of the worlds military, allowed for decisions to be passed out sooner and better coordination. While different uniforms were worn and different languages were spoke, they all had the same goals and responsibilities here.
"So they did have more than we had anticipated," one of the HRL generals said in the control center of the building looking at feed taken during the battle.
"They caused significant damage and we have lost track of them. They are messing with sensors and satellites. They definitely do not want us to track them. They know they can't afford to come into direct contact with an equal force," an AEU general responded, going through the reports.
"Do we have any estimates on the size of their true force? I'm guessing those carriers are carrying an amphibious assault force," another high-ranking official then spoke.
"Considering their size, we're judging about maybe one thousand, possibly more," the HRL general then said who then sighed. "It's going to be hell organizing an army to support those South American nations who have just been hit by multiple terrorist attacks."
News reports were constantly coming in, attacks on military bases, assassinations of high-ranking personnel, countries having their leaders shot. While the victims differed drastically from each other, all of them had one thing in common, the person's country was not part of any super-power that currently existed.
A now, some were requesting aid due to fear of the approaching Rising Phoenix fleet.
This was now the perfect time for the super-power, particularly the Union, since they were closest, to incorporate more member nations and enlarge their territory, letting their military only come to aid if that nation joined, negotiations already under way for some countries out of fear or out of celebration with the countries' former leaders dead and quickly replaced. Yet, the AEU and HRL stood by to ensure all would be equal. They could not have the balance shift in the Union's favor that it might see the UN as useless. If the Union went in, the other powers would have their say.
"Where has the most activity been occurring, we just might know where they are headed. These clearly are related," the AEU general then asked.
"Arvineo, a well-known hotspot for problems."
"Get me Colonel Sergei Smirnov; it's time to put this UN Army through its paces."
Pacific Ocean, Rising Phoenix Fleet en-route to South America, Union waters, February 14, Draven-class aircraft carrier
Admiral Hiller and the officers for the upcoming operation were busy organizing how their small army was going to advance inland to their destination on a large table with several markers indicating Rising Phoenix infantry, and armour companies.
"I've just spoken with Wesker," Hiller began looking over the table. "Instead of following to the original plan, we're going to land troops as soon as the LZ is taken, no holding back because the clock is against us."
All the commanders and officers nodded their heads, willing to go through with the changes even if they did not feel comfortable with them; they were going to have to prepare much sooner for the upcoming landing.
"Okay, so 1st Ranger Company is going to hit the beach here and clear and resistance if there is any when we arrive," one of the commanders for the ground operations began as he moved up the marker representing the 1st Ranger Company onto the tip of South America representing their LZ before he then moved up the 1st Mobile Armour Company alongside the previous marker. "Once it's clear, 1st Mobile Armour can make their way to shore and establish a base of operation at this former Union military base only a few kilometres away from the coast."
"How many men are being assigned to each company?" Hiller asked making sure their troops were evenly distributed to each company.
"About two hundred, three hundred for the armour which is including engineers and technicians from the various vessels," the commander answered. "There are also the teams already stationed on the continent which are now regrouping to their main base of operations in Arvineo to prepare for our arrival."
"Is this even a smart move?" the vice-admiral then asked. "We risk losing a large part of our forces once the Arvineo military responds."
"Orders are orders," Hiller replied. "We're soldiers; we follow them to the letter from those above in the chain of command which Wesker currently holds." He then turned back to the board.
The group then discussed possible variables to the plan before it was decided to sit everything in stone.
At that point, Hiller raised his hand. "You're all dismissed, start preparing for operation immediately," he said as everyone then started piling out of the room to get ready.
It would not be long until the main stage of the operation commences.
UN Military Base, Eastern Asia, February 15
Sergei listened in as a man from the UN informed him in about his next assignment. He had barely just recovered from the battle with Celestial Being in space. He was glad to be back on Earth, it was just much more natural than staying up in space for extended periods of time. Although he had lost alot of good men, he was glad Soma Peries was still alive as well.
"Colonel Smirnov, you'll be in charge of the 126th Mobile Suit Regiment for the upcoming operation."
"Against what threat?" he asked, making sure he got all the details.
"The Rising Phoenix paramilitary group that's been making itself known," the man said, answering the first part of his question. "We have information they may be seeking to land on Arvineo for whatever reason that we have yet to discern."
Hearing this concerned him a bit; going onto foreign soil, especially on the country of Arvineo that had been created not too long ago due to nationalistic tendencies would be troublesome if they were not careful.
Sergei needed to confirm this.
"You're sure the Arvineo government will even allow us onto their soil? Last time Union tried that they lost any sort of diplomatic relations with the nation and had their military forced out."
"We're trying to work that out, but you are to be deployed regardless, we must halt this organization. We've had enough trouble from a small group like Celestial Being, we don't need more fires being started," the man replied as he placed both elbows on his table and held his hands together his head leaning on them. "Be warned we don't know much about the enemy's strength or numbers."
"Anything else that I should know?" Sergeri then asked.
"Nothing, else." The man then sat back straight in his chair. "The 126th is being transferred over, once they arrive you will be given clearance to deploy."
Sergei nodded his head. "Understood."
The screen then shut off. At that point his door then opened revealing Soma Peries in full HRL uniform.
"Colonel," she began. "What did they say?"
"Another mission, they're shipping us out with the 126th Mobile Suit Regiment to Arvineo to counter the Rising Phoenix forces/ I'll be taking command," he explained. "It looks like the world just can't give a break to weary soldiers like us."
"I see," she said, nodding her head in agreement. "So when do we head out?" she asked him, focusing on their new mission.
"When the 126th gets here," he answered before he looked at her with a look of concern in his eyes. "This is going to be a lot different from the missions from before." He then paused before giving his features softened. " I don't want anything to happen to you, so when we're there, stick close. You still have a life ahead of you so don't risk it for anything."
"I understand Colonel, I'm a super soldier," she responded back. "I am a living weapon to be used; I doubt anyone would take it kindly with me living an ordinary life. I was made for this."
"Well, then make so that the brass thinks there is no point in sending you off to war. If we can complete this I'm sure it'll be a long while before we'll ever have to head back out onto the battlefield again," Sergei replied as he left the room letting Soma think about what he just said.
He walked down the corridors. He and Soma always seemed to be the ones who got themselves out of situations where others had fallen. That and they had gotten quite close from the day they started. He had even considered adopting her as his own daughter once all of this was over, but these thoughts had to be put aside at the moment, for a good soldier could not have such thought linger in his mind when the signs of war were beginning to appear.
Thar Desert, February 15, Phoenix Carrier
The previous day had been uneventful aside from the continuous repairs on the ship the while crew members on the bridge busily analyzed all the data that was received from the battle with that white Gundam that had interfered with their operation.
Wesker continued to instruct them men and decide the proper course of action as more and more things came up that needed to be authorized, changed, reviewed or confirmed.
Any break he had involved viewing footage on the white Gundam, trying to pick out if there was anything else it may be hiding and thinking of a strategy to counter it, seeing how four Gundams failed to bring it down. So far he had mainly taken note on how much the machine burned through particles, judging by its glowing red trail.
'That must be the reason that allowed it to reach them so quickly and still have enough particles to put up a fight,' he analyzed in his mind. 'But where could it store such large condenser to allow it to operate that long?' he then wondered thinking how that machine could operate for so long.
Shortly he then scrapped the condenser idea, there was no way a mobile suit like that could store enough particles to make the trip and engage them and then get back home. Well, not from the Drives the UN forces used now.
He then skimmed through more of the footage until something caught his eye in the background. Immediately he rewinded the footage to the part where the Drei was backing away from the machine before it struck. He could see a small out of place dot in the horizon, and zoomed in as close as possible. From blurry image, even after trying to unblur it as much as possible and have it focused, he could barely make out what appeared to be some kind of pack floating around. He then realized the condenser theory was not that far off.
But instead of a condenser it seemed to be what appeared to be a mobile recharge pack, seeing as how it was still in the air, automated.
'So this mobile suit has a pack that allows it to remain fully charged till it needs to disconnect and egage, interesting,' he thought.
This then made him wonder if there were there more packs that could be equipped to that machine. If the answer was yes, then this thing would have many surprises up its sleeves so they had to be ready. If they weren't, it could mean the death for anyone, especially the Gundam team.