Gundam 00: Phoenix
Realization
February 16, Phoenix Carrier
Tieria was preparing to board his machine while his eyes kept staring at the data pad the Captain had given him. He had not gone over much of the data, but that that meant more than it sounds as there were hundreds of pages of information. Yet, despite this seemingly generous offer, he wondered why they would reveal so much to them, did the Rising Phoenix want an Alliance between themselves and Celestial Being or did they expect something in return? Was this to soften them so that they would aid them once again?
Previously he had thought Veda had been impossible alter, yet he had been proven wrong by alterations of data he saw. With the loss of his Veda access, Veda's control over the Gundams, and now this with everything about this group and how it used to be part of Celestial Being before slipping off the radar. It made Tieria extremely uncomfortable knowing someone had hacked into Veda and likely taken control.
He needed to investigate, this was too big to leave unattended. Thankfully he had been given a lead.
It was possible that the pilot of the White Gundam may have more insight, but capturing him and interrogating him would be difficult. If four machines failed to do anything to it what could he do? He may be a better pilot, but he doubted he could win one on one unless his triumph card in the form of Trans-Am came through.
As he was about to board via a line he saw someone come up to him. Instantly he knew it was that Throne pilot, Nena, due to the girl's red hair and yellowish eyes. She still felt disdain for her. How foolish and stupid could a girl be to commit such atrocities as if it were a game? And maybe if the Thrones had not been stubborn and had decided to actually be true Gundam Meisters by working with Celestial Being rather than against it, many others would still be alive.
"Hey can I ask you something?" Nena asked him.
"Make it quick," Tieria replied, albeit coldly. "I have no time to entertain you."
Her eyes shifted for a moment, irritated by the words he had said to her before she settled down.
"Well, it's about Setsuna," she began to him. "Do you know what happened to him?" she asked impatiently, wanting to know what happened to him.
'As to be expected.'
Tieria could only shake his head. "Don't know," he said simply. "Didn't return, yet I cannot confirm if the Exia was destroyed or not. We're assuming he's missing, for now. Does that answer your question?"
"Oh," Nena seemed disappointed, but also relieved at the same time. "Well, if you find him can you tell him that I'm grateful for him saving me and I owe him," she then finished before she walked up and passed him a note. "Give him this to him if you ever find him, and don't you dare read it," she added in a slight threatening tone before she walked off away from him.
Tieria quickly stored the note in one of his suits pockets. He still didn't understand what that girl had with Setsuna. Yet, it looked like nothing was going to stop her from liking him due to his reckless attitude and now his apparent knight-in-shining armour display.
He then had the line retract him up and entered the cockpit of Virtue. When he had full control, the hanger bay then signalled for him to take position in the main launch bay and soon he was back outside as the Virtue lifted up into the air and departed.
There was to be some more investigating to do on that machine the Rising Phoenix had discovered, but after he sent this data to Celestial Being. They would want a look at this. He would eventually return to the Phoenix, for it seemed like prime target for the machine's next attack and he would be ready for when it did.
February 17, Phoenix Carrier En-route to Spain
Nena sat on a bench and watched Daveral load a rifle and turned the safety off in the ships gun range, after having talked to him about what happened yesterday with her and Helana.
"Never thought Helana was like that, thought it had to do with something else," Daveral stated albeit surprised as he aimed the rifle down range. "Wish I had known sooner, damn privacy matters. We could never pry anything out on Helana, she often keeps to herself about anything personal. If you ever talk to her, it's going to be about the present and about work, nothing else."
Daveral fired several rounds in slow succession, down the range and most of his shots landed in the chest area in a relatively spread out pattern. He then took one last shot down the range and the round went through the targets head. He then lowered the rifle and turned to face Nena as the points came up on accuracy and precision.
"Ha, that's a relatively low score," he then heard someone say from their booth noting that his score was lower than theirs. "I thought you Gundam pilots were suppose to be good at shooting. Aiming for the head and stuff should be easy."
"Very funny, be grateful I have some infantry-based training, besides you come here every day, I don't and this isn't a mobile suit. Besides, if Flint were here he'd beat you easily, no question," Daveral replied in defenses as he moved on back to what he was saying to Nena. "All makes sense though. She did get along better with other people before this incident, well, sort of," Daveral continued took a few more shots at the target.
"She takes it kind of seriously, I know losing family hurts and being ignored but her life couldn't have been worse than mine," Nena said back to him. "But at least I understand why she thinks the world is messed up. I kind of think that too since my childhood was garbage."
Daveral then placed the rifle on the table and sat down beside Nena, changing the subject. "So," he began. "Have you thought about what I have said, about visiting the site? They've placed a memorial to honour the families who lost their lives, be a nice place to visit don't you think?"
"I still don't understand why you want me to do this," Nena answered, crossing her arms. "You think it'll bring me peace of mind, I don't even suffer nightmares for what I did except one time. Besides, I'm not going to make the same mistake again."
Daveral gave her serious stare, he was definitely not happy with her response.
"This is assurance to me and the others, Nena. You really have to take a look at what you caused. Civilians lost their damn lives while they were having a wedding party, stuff like that should never happen, it doesn't matter who does it or why," he then stated, strongly.
"Well, if it'll make you stop berating me I'll go, but only if you take me to the city, got it?" she told him telling him it was either her way or not at all. This caused Daveral to sigh.
"Sure, I don't see why not. We're probably going to be at the base for at least two days. Might as well," Daveral responded as he once again picked up the rifle, looked down the sights. He did not seem happy compiling with her demands.
Nena then got up from the couch and left the gun range only could only give a small smile, finally should would be allowed to get off this ship and see the city, and it wouldn't be on business or anything related, it would be the first time where should could actually look around and have fun.
South America, Arvineo, February 17
The ground rumbled as numerous armoured vehicles advanced down the paved roads while aircraft soared overhead, passing the column in large squadrons. Tanks took up the front and back their turrets scanning back and forth making sure the road was clear while the support units were positioned in the center of the column. Usually this would've been suicide driving up a road in a large group going against their doctrine, but with the enemy military falling apart at the seams with only minor resistance it made sense and was the quickest way. The Rising Phoenix needed to move at a rapid pace or else. They had gotten word that a UN regiment was on its way to stop them so they had to make this quick before unless they were being sacrificed for this, but for some people it didn't matter as long as things changed.
Still the main priority would be to either 'convince' the current government or take them out before quickly retreating and let their sympathizers take over.
They were gunning for the capital for a swift vitory as their forces began to move into position to attack the city. Multiple husks lay across the road from an assortment of mobile suits to armoured vehicles, having been recently knocked out by an airstrike and ambushes via infantry who have now moved ahead.
So far they had air superiority, while infantry continued to operate ahead of the main force taking out key targets of interest with guerrilla tactics and the mobile artillery had free reign as they could fire a deadly barrage of rockets before relocating. So as long as they struck first and hard enough, they did well. The times they did not, however, did prove costly. More than a few body bags had been filled or empty coffins for those who could not be found.
As the column approached their target, a large numbers of blips came up on radar along with mobile suits and vehicles ahead of them, yet, when they came into view, they didn't seem hostile. It seemed this was the more trained and equipped army units compared to what they've previously seen judging by their equipment which was relatively high quality compared to what they have seen, there were even Flags in the group from what the detection system picked up, surprising since all they have been seeing were older generation mobile suits and the Flags were currently the primary Union combat unit, well until the GN-X took complete control over the production line.
The entire Rising Phoenix column came to a halt with everyone on edge. Was this a trap?
"Sir, permission to fire?" someone in the column said through the speakers as they came to a halt all the tanks pointing their turrets towards the group.
"Negative on that, Cerberus," another responded. It was the CO of the group. "They appear to be albeit friendlier then what we've seen before, let them speak if they have anything to say but blow their asses sky high if they try anything."
"Roger that."
"You think you can just walk onto our soil destroy our military and invade our homeland?" a man dressed in a clean uniform shouted, their voice booming through the loud speaker mounted in their command vehicle, and the accent was heavy. "Tell us, what is your purpose here? Is there a reason a paramilitary organization like yours would invade our home?"
The CO of the group got on the channel and spoke through the armoured command vehicle's speaker to the forces ahead. "All we are here for is your government, we're forcing you to join the UN whether you like it or not, it's for the better, trust us." The CO later then regretted what he said, having gone abit to in detail for people of unimportance to hear. Maybe blowing them up would be best.
"Well, I guess we have a common purpose then, what a coincidence," the speaker then said to the entire column's surprise, even his own people.
"What are you saying?" the CO demanded, doubting that these people would truly betray their country. "And what makes you think we'll trust you; if you're lying we can and will flatten you. We have enough ordnance to pummel a city into a crater and you'll be the first if you hold us up too long," he then pointed out as the artillery began to open their rocket pods in preparation to fire.
There was only a chuckle from the speaker before he then spoke up. "You seriously think that all people actually like the current government? If we had joined with the Union we'd be prospering, but instead Radicals came to power who made country independent and severed our ties with the rest of the world, not what we had hoped for and fought for during our war for sovereignty." The speaker took a brief pause before he continued to speak through the loud speaker. "We are willing to aid you in your task, as long as you allow one of our people in government to take charge of our country after we would happily accept to join the Union."
The man thought about this, he had no idea if these people were trying to gain power with their help or were actually true to their word, but then again the help would be useful.
The CO sighed before he then talked once more. "We will discuss this in person after I've contacted my superiors; however any sort of backstab will result in all your deaths." as he then secretly ordered some infantry from the Ranger Company ahead of them near the city to keep watch on these forces just in case anything went down.
"I am true to my word, but the question is are you true to yours, until negotiation my forces will be on alert. Any attempt to attack us will be wrought with annihilation, don't mistake us for those you have previously fought with, as you can see we have stolen equipment from the Union and we know how to use it," the speaker then told them as their group began to mobilize and take a different road leading to their base while the armoured column took another towards the city, both keeping their distance for now.
"Maybe the more radicals there are, maybe more things will change...or stay the same," the CO then muttered as the Rising Phoenix column cautiously followed behind the renegade group as he connected to the Admiral's channel.
The screen then flickered on with Admiral Hiller handing off a report to someone on the bridge.
"I trust that you bring something worth contacting us over, not just another base you've taken out, we've got enough of those coming in," Hiller said back to the CO of the armoured column.
The CO nodded his head. "We've recently come upon a rouge group of the Arvineo military that wants to make a grab for power. Apparently they are pro-Union which means pro-UN. They're saying they'' join us if they get control."
"Apparently?" Hiller then crossed his arms not keen on trusting these radicals and the CO's choice of words. "What makes you think we can trust them and believe what they have said?"
"That's what I'm saying sir, do you want us to work with them or should we just fire on them?" the CO then asked, not enthusiastic about the two choices since it would cost lives and just show that they were bastards to the world more than they already were, but nobody was keen on trusting a group intent on personnel gain, especially since they had no control over it. Plans would be messed up if the latter was taken.
"Until I actually talk to them myself I'm not making any decisions, arrange a meeting with them, but make sure your people are on a moment's notice, we can't afford losing people due to a set-up. Contact me when it's arranged." Hiller then cut-off contact as the CO spun back to the table which mapped out their all their plans at the.
He sat back in his seat now thinking back on the approaching UN. If the UN got here they were going to need all the help they could get, especially with their numbers against a regiment. If things worked out here and they gained an ally they would have a place to recruit if things got too messy and casualties start to mount which they haven't yet. But against the UN it's going to be a bitter-fought battle, especially if the one in charge knew what the hell he was doing.
"Sir, Delta platoon is on the line they need to speak with you," One of the CO's advisors told him as the screen infront of him flickered into the image of a soldier masked behind his goggles and balaclava.
"Ya, what news do you bring?" the CO asked impatiently wanting this to be quick.
"Well," the soldier began, his voice with a moderate Russian accent, before moving the camera turned what the CO was suppose to see. "Are you seeing this, sir, looks pretty bad here. We've just caught sight of it."
The capital city had smoke bellowing into the air while the sound of explosions and gunfire were being heard in the distance, mobile suits soaring overhead and engaging each other.
"Looks like the Arvineos decided to have a civil war when we weren't watching." Another explosion was then heard a tall building then collapsed sending out a shockwave of dust and debris.
The CO then sat up straight, definitely more interested on what the soldier had to say. "Any idea how long this has been going on?" he asked.
"Unfortunately no, my guess, maybe, it began late last night. We would've told you about it sooner but establishing secure communications here has been difficult, can't be too careful, they've got listeners out here," the soldier replied relaying his answer back to the CO. "Any orders for us sir?" the soldier then asked.
"Have some units enter the city to see how bad it actually is, but keep the majority of the infantry back and bring any news of importance. We'll be meeting you at the designated point in a few hours," he said back as the soldier nodded his head acknowledging the order before a sudden explosion appear nearby from a stray shell causing the camera to jerk back before the soldiers began to shout to each other and move away picking up the recording camera and ending the transmission.
The CO could only wipe his face with his hand, looked like hell had already broken loose before the UN have even got here and if this was supposed to be heaven for their forces, where now the entire country was beating itself to death around them just overnight, he hated to see what hell would look like around them when the country was beating itself to death and the UN launched its major assault.
Spain, February 17, Phoenix Carrier
Daveral waited in the hanger for Nena as three small transport aircraft were being prepped for flight, the Phoenix was going to dock at a nearby base, while people who wanted some time off were taking aircraft to a nearby airbase owned by the Rising Phoenix, disguised as a small, premier aircraft manufacturing facility.
He had only heard about the airbase they were heading to recently. He never expected the Rising Phoenix to actually own a small industry used to help fund itself, but then again he doubted even people like himself would get told what sponsored them or provided the money for these expensive operations. They simply were not high enough on the chain to be given such details.
A handed then landed on his shoulder as he turned around in slight surprise. He looked to see it was Wesker and immediately he stood up straight.
"Captain, what a surprise to see you here, what are you doing here, you rarely come down to the hanger," Daveral stated to Wesker.
"Well I'm just here to tell you to keep an eye out on Nena when you're out there, make sure nothing happens. I don't plan on losing any valuable assets over a little R&R." he told him.
"I take that as a complement since I'm looking after her?"
Wesker nodded his head. "I'm surprised you've managed to keep her in line this far. So far, we have nothing against her record," Wesker said. "Now, you planning anything with her?" he then asked which surprised Daveral again. This was far too personnel.
"No, just watching out for her as I should for anyone else on my team, pretty sure that's why I'm in the leadership role for the team," Daveral replied, keeping this cool and professional. "Besides I doubt I'd be her type. Too 'serious' I think was the word." he then added in.
"I'll keep your word to that," Wesker replied, although he did not seem convinced for whatever reason. Did Wesker really think he would have a couple being formed on this ship? Seemed stupid, even if they were not official military. Too many things to worry over.
"Look, I'm just going to take her over to that memorial, it's something she's got to see. After that, I'm stuck baby-sitting since I made a promise. I just hope it goes well, I don't think she may be ready to go out into a big city, not that I blame her for it. It has me a little worried and it'll take up all my free-time. Not that I really need it."
"Understood, that will be all, have fun out there," Wesker said, sounding more convince. He then disappeared into the elevator as the doors closed infront of him.
As he waited Daveral began to think more and more about Flint. He was probably going to die from boredom if he had been locked up, though at least it would not be dead. There was little to no doubt, in his mind, that Flint had survived and been taken prisoner. It was just too much of a hassle for the UN to waste time improving GN Drives when they could just take the one from the enemy and study it.
Not having him around made things less lively. Sure, Flint may take more joy in combat than the rest of them, but he was still a good guy to be around. Someone you could talk to without really worrying about anything. And not as serious unlike everyone unless here including Daveral himself.
His eyes looked at the empty space where the Zesus once stood; the ship felt alot emptier without it and its pilot. Eventually they were going to get him back if not for Flint himself then for the Zesus it was too valuable for the enemy to have for an extended period of time. Yet, how long would that be?
As he stared into the hanger he did not notice someone shake him on his shoulder until he heard an all too familiar voice.
"Are you okay?" he heard, instantly he recognized it as Nena who seemed to be confused why he had gone abit blank.
"Just thinking about Flint/" he replied as he turned around. "So I trust that you are ready to go?"
Nena nodded her head as a small smile appeared on her face. "Well of course, I've been waiting for a chance to actually see somewhere nice that does not involve business for my whole life."
"I trust you know the deal we made?" Daveral replied, referring back to what they had said, prior.
Nena then gave a sigh. "Like you would let me forget."
"Then let's go." Daveral said as he already began to head out down into the hanger. "They aren't going to wait for us," he noted.
With that, they were off to the joys of civilian life.
China, February 17, Chengdu Military Region
Flint could only sit in his cell staring at the ceiling, bored to death, lying on his bed.
He couldn't believe he had actually fallen into that trap. Now he was sitting here to rot for the rest of his life. If only he hadn't been so reckless, but then again, close range was the only place where the Zesus could operate and the carbine wasn't exactly too powerful, although now he had wished he used it to take down those Tierens. But wishing and reminiscing was all he could do about the past
At least Helana had made, or he thought she did since he had not seen her or the Variant here. He just hoped Daveral and Nena had survived. Last he heard, they had gotten themselves into trouble with three GN-Xs.
Letting out a sigh, he got up and sat on his bed wondering if anyone would rescue him. The Rising Phoenix usually had operatives in most countries of interest; maybe they were trying to find where he was located right now.
'No,' he then thought remembering that they he had been placed in a fortified military prison, in a military base. There was no way a small team could sneak through and rescue him, it was too dangerous and risk of detection was high with bases being on full alert after what the Rising Phoenix had stirred up upon its sudden, and violent appearance to the world just like Celestial Being when it fully exposed itself, but with more bloodshed and looking more like a total break out to war then interventions.
There was then a knock on his cell forcing him to walk up to the clear, yet heavily armoured door as a guard opened the door, while another had his rifle ready in case he tried anything funny.
The other guard then placed a set of cuffs around his hands before one of them gave him a slight nudge to move as the other guard led the way.
They walked down sets of corridors past numerous other cells, first left, then right, then left again before going left for the final time which led straight to a three sets of doors.
A guard standing right beside the door on the left opened it before Flint was pushed to move into the room and the door was shut behind them leaving him and the two guards in a moderately bright, rectangular room with a desk in the middle along with fours chairs.
He then saw another man sitting on one side of the table dressed in an officer's uniform before a guard told him to take a seat at the opposite end and he did what he was instructed. The man had cold, stern eyes that demanded respect, yet the man had a certain class to him, as if he were from a royal family or had been born to be respected, though he doubted that was true.
'I hope he doesn't have special tools,' Flint though to himself, trying not to gulp.
"Flint Devard, you're quite a ways away from the Union, what got you working for such a para-military group that decided more Gundams would be a good idea, hm?" the man began. The fact the man knew Flint's name made him nervous. How much more did they know?
"Well, thought a little adventure would be nice, but the next thing I know I'm piloting a Gundam," he said with a slight laugh.
"A joker now are you?" The man then stood up and walked around the table. "That's hardly a convincing story, even for one as young as you. What are you afraid of telling? Fear that you may betray your friends and they'll come after you? Loyalty? Or are you afraid that once we get what we want we'll dispose of you?"
The man then tossed a piece of paper at Flint. He caught it and saw what seemed to be his rights.
"You should be thankful that you're protected under this, though I doubt that will continue if more powerful groups get a hold of you. Now do you know anything you'd be willing to share?"
"I don't-"
Suddenly Flint a fist slug him face, that caused even the officer to be surprised.
"Hey, what was that for? I didn't even finish!" he shouted, rubbing his injury with a groan.
"Stand down, no need for force. This fool won't need much. Let him talk."
"Nice name to call me," Flint replied in a low voice as he looked up at that guard who looked at him with glaring eyes. Clearly this man hated him, or was it anyone who piloted a Gundam? "Look, I'm not smart enough to be given anything. I may pilot a Gundam and I'd like to change the world like Celestial Being, but I don't get shit. I'm a grunt, I follow, I don't tell or hear, honest."
"But you do hear something and you're clearly trusted enough to be given one of the most powerful manned weapons this world has seen. What makes you think I can trust that answer?" The officer finally sat back down. "I want names, information, whatever you have. If not, I may have to send you for special treatment and even that slip of paper won't be able to protect you, so you better start talking, now. This may be your only chance to get off easy."
Flint hesitated. Did he really want to say anything, would he really betray his friends and comrades? Yet, the stories he heard of people disappearing and coming out as a broken clashed with that desire. He did not want to be utterly destroyed and if what this man was saying turned out to be true, drastic measures would be taken during troubled times. They had enough of the Gundams and the disorder to bring order.
'I won't do it, I can't. My family's going to be threatened by this, but, I can stop Daveral's, Helana's and everyone else from getting involved. I screwed up hard so I have to do this, alone,' Flint thought to himself. He needed to give some up, nothing important or close, but something.
"T-that's not something I can just tell you. Anything important I don't know, any important bases I don't know since I've been stuck in that carrier that you already know of, but-" He saw the man's eyes narrow, waiting for him to finish. "What if I told you why we're doing this and a bit more to start. You need motives, right? I can also give some information on our stuff, but I'm not a tech guy, so bear with me."
'They're going to get that stuff anyways,' Flint said to himself, knowing that the Zesus would have a crew of expert technicians to look through everything. Might as well give them the basics while that's going on.
"Start talking, we're all listening."
His eyes turned to the guard for a moment, hoping he would not strike him again as he began his story. He did not want to betray his friends, but he had to give something for his own sake. There were ideals to die for, but not just yet.
Spain, February 17, Memorial Site
The car came to a stop near the memorial site which had been established by people in the nearby city to mourn the death caused by the Gundams. The Halevy's wealth and power showed from this alone, even if there were many others who had been slain here.
Nena exited the car that Daveral had driven.
She never expected to be here again and never wanted to see it in person. She only did it because Daveral forced her to and she agreed to it. It all seemed so pointless.
There were traces of the destruction caused, the mansion was still standing but it was battered and sections of wall were missing with scorch marks from the particle blasts. The courtyard still had craters in the ground, although she could tell some had been filled in to make the area more accessible. It seemed she had caused more damage than she thought, however.
Standing in the middle of the site that was clear of all the debris lay a rising monument located in the center of the courtyard. It gleamed in the sunset, pristine and free of any marks.
"I wonder if they are going to leave it like this with all the debris to remind people of the Gundams." Daveral stated aloud as he took a look around. "Was this really necessary?" he then muttered to Nena from a distance as he walked around. He seem to have trouble believing that Nena and her Drei had done all this for no good reason, from his view.
Nena didn't answer back as she went on ahead towards the monument while examining the place. She wondered how many people actually lost their lives from what she could tell. Up on the memorial was a screen displaying the images of the many victims. Some of them were old people, other young, some even children.
She could only grit her teeth as she saw the images. No, they had deserved it, she kept telling herself that even the kids. They got it easy while she was stuck trying to change a world that barely even acknowledged or knew her.
As she slowly approached the monument she looked what was written on it.
Dedicated to all those lives lost during the terrible, unremorseful attack, may god rest their souls in peace while may their killers be punished for the crimes they have committed here on what was supposed to be a day of happiness and celebration.
There was a long list of names on the monument with many of them belonging to the Halevy family, however, there were others. Presumably they had been friends, relatives or guests who had been invited as well as the one proceeding over the entire event.
"No," Nena muttered softly as her eyes scrolled down the list of names. "There just couldn't be that many people there."
Surely more people had been inside and protected from the blast.
"Huh?" came a female voice let out.
"Just coming from her, Madame. She's paying her respects to the lives lost here," came another voice responding to the previous. "You sure you want to do this Madame? You've only recently left the hospital, you should not strain yourself."
"I'm sure."
Nena turned to see a blonde haired girl with her servant nearby and in the girl's arms was a bouquet of flowers.
Nena moved away from the monument as the girl walked up and placed the bouquet of flowers on it. Already tears were beginning to well up in the girl's eyes as she backed up and took a look over the entire monument and the surrounding area.
"I wish mom and dad were still alive, I wish none of it happened why did it have to happen to me, why did they both have to die?" Nena heard the girl nearly choking on her tears.
The servant passed her a tissue from his pocket and crouched down beside her. "We all wished it never happened Madame it is a tragic lose, but you're lucky, it's a miracle that you made out alive you should be grateful for that."
"Was it worth being lucky?" the girl replied now breaking down and shaking uncontrollably. "I can't even get my hand back and the doctors don't even know what's wrong with me."
The servant tried his best to comfort his master but he didn't appear to have any words to say and could only look at her sadly before bringing her back onto her feet before they both headed back to a parked limousine to head back home, away from this place. It just seemed too stressful for the girl.
"We should go now, your family would never want to see you like this," Nena then heard the servant speak back to his mistress as they left. "Maybe another day when you are feeling better."
Nena then noticed that her left hand was missing, instead was a stump wrapped in bandages. Modern medical science should have been able to cure it unless that poison she was talking about was stopping her hand from being regenerated in the hospital.
Just by looking at the missing hand made her feel uneasy and sick. She turned away and walked away from the monument, trying to maintain her outer appearance, despite these feelings. She needed to get away from this place.
The girl must have been a survivor from the attack, but judging by the way she was acting her entire family had been killed and maybe most of her relatives since the servant had addressed her by Halevy.
For some reason Nena felt disgust for herself build up in her. Normally she wouldn't care, but seeing how the girl had lost her entire family, was suffering GN-Particle poisoning and all because of her acting on impulse and seeing the list of names and images made things worse. All those people's lives she had ended were not soldiers. Rather than fully accepting it, however, part of her fought backing, saying it was right.
'Nena you're a stupid girl why did you have to ruin this girl's life?' part of her mind said to her. "Just because you weren't having any fun, that's despicable, you were a Gundam Meister you weren't supposed to do things like this and you had little reason to do it, why?"
'I'm not a Gundam Meister, I never wanted to be one. Instead I get the short-end of life and get made to be one. It's not fair. Everyone always gets to be happy while I don't, I'm sick of it.'
'Were things not being fair worth all this?'
"I don't know," Nena muttered to herself.
That blonde girl never truly deserved it. The unintentional poisoning, the random attack, the lose of her family. Even Nena could relate to the latter. It was not a good feeling.
And then there were the rest of the people. Their faces and names were being etched into Nena's mind. So many of them seemed at least happy in their photo, yet that could not be said to how they died. Innocent people, minding their own business and the next thing they knew or didn't was that they were gone from this world.
The feeling she got that was aimed at herself, guilt, did not settle with her well. It made her think and even regret her past actions that she had never cared about, previously. Hate, disgust, pity, and many more terrible feelings targeted her that did not belong to anyone else, but herself.
Nena shook her head trying to get rid of these thoughts and simply forget, but the images of that girl were burned into her mind and the names of the monument. This was just too difficult to take in at once with the guilt and emotions she felt upon thinking about all of it.
She needed time, and hopefully all of this would be forgotten for her sake and things would return to normal as she entered the car waiting for Daveral who was now looking at the monument.
Nena kept her head facing in the opposite direction, away from the site, not wanting to see the terrible scene she had created.