Gundam 00: Phoenix
Risk That We Take
Author Notes: Sorry about the delay, I've been away on a three week vacation and then SC2 came out so I've been quite busy. Anyways here's the next chapter, and I need some opinions on the characters, like are they too boring, unoriginal, unnatural or something. Anyways enjoy the next chapter, or I hope you can.
China, February 21, Chengdu Military District
With a loud echoing shot, Flint instantly stirred from his sleep, his senses on full alert.
He looked towards the door to see fresh red bloodstains against the door's relatively large vision slit, streaks of blood still slowly running down the clear material.
As he got out of his bed, he moved closer to the door and tried to look through the vision slit.
Through the bloodstained view which he had been given, he could see the silhouette of a person who appeared to be speaking with someone from what he could tell from the murmuring between him and several others from behind the door.
The figure then moved closer and a second afterwards the door opened, revealing a dead body on the ground and a small group of people dressed almost exactly like the bases personnel, but there were some noticeable differences upon closer inspection such as colour, positioning of insignias and the material that was used in the fabrication.
"Shadow One, we have retrieved the package, clear to shut off the power, over," the figure infront of him said over his headset.
In that moment all the main lights suddenly went off with only the dim red emergency lighting remaining on to guide their way.
The figure infront then offered his hand to him. "C'mon, we're here to get you out of here. Rising Phoenix ain't going to let you rot. Your Gundam is just too valuable to leave behind, and you're the only one who can pilot it."
"Right," Flint replied simply as he grabbed the man's hand and got up before proceeding with them.
One of the members was near the body searching for something although after a moment he didn't seem find what he had been looking for.
"This guy's only armed with a taser and pepper spray, no weapon," he told them.
"We'll get him one later," the leader replied as he signalled for the man on his left the take point.
Going through a large door out of the cell block, the group entered a series of passage ways, with the man upfront carrying a digital map leading the way.
"Didn't think people would actually try to rescue me from this place," Flint said the group took a pause near the edge of the hallway that separated into two different directions.
"We're probably stupid for even trying this, we'll be lucky if we get of here," one of them replied, clearly referring to him and his group, not Flint.
A muffled shot then echoed through the hallways, one of his rescuers had fired off a single round from his silenced SMG with the sound of something collapsing onto the ground with a hard thud.
The shooter then gestured for them to move down the corridor he faced, "Target down," he said in a low voice. "You, grab his weapon you'll need it."
Flint instantly knew it meant him, for he was the only one unarmed, as he let the others move up first before he searched the body to find a handgun in its holster and checked to make sure it the weapon was fully loaded for he couldn't carry any ammunition with his current clothing, he didn't even have pockets. The handgun at least made him feel abit more secure now that he had a weapon.
As he caught up he wondered how were they going to get him out of here, the entire base may be in confusion for the moment, but it wouldn't be long before every soldier here would be hunting for them and if they got caught they would probably be killed.
Two more silenced shots were then heard with the same result as before, another dead body, allowing them to move on.
The hallways and corridors they continued through seemed like forever to Flint, until it opened up to a large room, with the front door wide open exposing the view of the outdoors.
"I don't remember the front door being open before, I'm pretty sure we closed it" the man upfront stated.
"Guards must be heading in the make sure none of the prisoners-" the other immediately stopped talking as the sounds of boots against the paved floor got louder.
Four guards came out from a nearby room along with another four from the opposite direction. Immediately they could be heard speaking in Chinese, but Flint could easily tell they were discussing the situation, by their body language and gestures.
The eight guards then, after about a minute or so, once again separated and headed into separate hallways, leading into other areas of the prison, most likely the less secure areas that required power to run.
"Should we go?" Flint heard one ask in an uneasy voice.
The leader gestured for the two members in the rear to move up as they walked past Flint with their weapons lowered trying to remain unsuspicious.
The two managed to walk through without seeing anyone as one of them signalled for them to move up.
When they caught up they immediately exited through the front door.
Immediately Flint felt the warm air press against his skin, and already it made him uncomfortable as it got warmer and warmer, but fortunately the sun wasn't up. As took a quick look around, he already he was being left behind as he saw everyone get inside a small, wheeled, personnel transport which the guards had left behind.
"C'mon get inside; we're heading to reunite you with what makes you so valuable," the driver called out as Flint quickly caught up and entered, taking a seat in the back.
Slamming the door Flint then looked at the driver, "I take it you found my Gundam?"
"We have, now just hold on, the longer we stay here the more trouble we're in." the driver replied stepping on the pedal as the vehicle accelerated forward down the paved road past numerous building ranging from small barracks to large munition depots.
Seeing such a large of a base, Flint wondered how anyone would actually get out once the entire garrison got their act together and were put on full alert, any entrances were going to be covered, and he doubted his rescuers had an escape plan aside from gunning through one of the entrances.
"So how do you plan to get out of here?" Flint asked curiously.
The leader gave a very weak hesistant chuckle, "Well aside from booking it out of here, we don't have one, which is kind of embarassing," came the reply as the way Flint thought it might have come out. "You wouldn't mind helping us escape right? I mean you'll be flying a Gundam and that should be the only thing we need since we're more worried about mobile suits then foot mobiles."
"Well I don't want to be in debt to you guys, or be responsible for your deaths so I'll do it," Flint replied with a nod and a grin.
"Thanks," the leader said gratefully as he looked back out of the windshield.
Now if I can get in my Gundam I'll be sure things will go well for all of us, or I hope, Flint thought as the vehicle continued to race down the road towards what, as man he had just spoken to said, made him valuable to Rising Phoenix.
Pacific Ocean, February 21, Phoenix Carrier en-route to Arvineo
Wesker stared at a set of papers that were handed to him moments ago and already he was wondering what to do about the subject they presented.
"Sir you seem to be having trouble making up your mind, is it something important we should all know about?" Cray started as he passed by Wesker's seat to retake control of the ship from the autopilot.
"It appears a large group of Arvineo radicals want to join our cause. Knowing them they would bring quite a few impressive skills to the table considering the Arvineo elite are feared, but the thing is I don't know whether to trust them or not. "
"That's always a problem with getting more people," Kail said in a low tone. "No point in accepting the transfer if these men are just going to stab us in the backs later on, should worse come to worse I would prefer to die during a large scale-battle then be assassinated."
"Yes Kail that's true, but we're going to need more people eventually so that if the UN does something stupid later on and force is the only way to solve the issue. We need that extra manpower to help level the playing field and replace our dwindling numbers. Our troops are good, but they're still only human and not gods of the battlefield," Wesker replied back as he placed the papers aside. "Luckily, we still got some time left to think on it and if these people truly want to join us they'll probably follow us out during our withdraw from the continent."
"That's if they manage to survive first. I mean the UN does have those GN-Xs and they'll tear through anything that's not a Gundam at medium and close ranges." Cray then brought up.
"True, but let's not get to that," Wesker stated, not needing to know how superior GN-Drive machines could overtake their ordinary counterparts in nearly all aspect. Even the Ace which could put up a reasonable fight wouldn't last long with the only thing going for it being speed and for the moment, numbers.
Kail then spoke up showing his concern about GN-Drive mobile suits, "You know, after this is over we may have to start working on getting weapons that are effective against GN-Drive technology, or the next time we try to do anything we're going to be outmatched. Sure particle disruption pods are good, but we need something that can do damage."
"I'm pretty sure whatever engineers and scientist we have are working on something, but Kail remember after this we'll be having no more full-on assaults, we'll just be watching and see how things in the world go," Wesker assured placing the concern aside. "Maybe the occasional appearance in a fight, but nothing major like this."
Kail gave a weak laugh, "We'll see how that lasts,"
"I hope not Kail," Wesker replied seriously. "The longer we do it the more we break what we're trying to achieve. Hopefully this will be wrapped up before we even get there and all we have to do this pick-up people and then we're good to go."
"Sir," Cray then called out. "ETA to Arvineo eight hours, better tell pilots to get transports ready to go if you're planning on that pick-up."
Wesker nodded his head in acknowledgment, "Thanks for the heads up, I'll get right on, Kail you know what to do,"
Turning back to his console Kail immediately began getting the order out as Wesker began to finish planning out how they were going to help get their people off the continent and out of harm's way.
Arvineo, February 21, Outskirts of the Presidential Palace
The resounding explosions in the distance only grew louder as Colonel Renko, stood in a tent near the Presidential Palace using only a simple map and markers on makeshift table to plan out what remained.
His people had just relocated before the UN reached their base of operations, while Rising Phoenix COs fell back with their forces on the outskirts towards their battered fleet. Unfortunately there just wasn't enough time to deny the UN the base, but he hoped this would end before they used it for too long.
The only delays were that loyalist were still strong, their resolve unquestionable, they were fighting to the death which was admirable, willing to die for your own country and its ideals even if it happened to be misguided. In the end he hoped once this ended the remaining loyalist would accept the changes, yet remain loyal to their beloved country and fight with the same unquestionable resolve that they fought with now.
"Sir, 3rd Advanced Infantry Company and the 4th Mobile Company are once again ready for action," one of his people notified.
His hand reached for the two markers and positioned them elsewhere on the map. "Have them deploy to this area of the city to prepare for UN forces, we need more time," he told the man.
With a quick nod the men went outside of the tent to give new orders as Renko also left to see the smoke bellowing from the Presidential Palace in the distance.
The raindrops splattered off his face, the storm continuing with no sign of weakening as if the country itself was crying over the ordeal it has to go through for the Colonel and Rising Phoenix's plan to succeed.
Necessary evil, but it's for the best, if it's just to protect us from this country and its people from further harm, and our voice will be heard, showing that we do exist.
"Sir," came from behind a voice as the colonel turned to see another officer. "What are our orders once the president has been neutralized, sir?"
"We'll cover the Rising Phoenix's retreat with what people are willing to continue fighting; anyone else is free to leave on their own accord for at the end of our final mission we are officially disbanded, I'll send an announcement to the troops once we've taken the Presidential Palace," Renko replied back as he put his hat on the help shield his head from the rain.
"Understood," the man then took out several papers from a folder he was carrying and passed them to the colonel.
"What's this?" the colonel asked grabbing the papers before he began skimming through the papers that were handed to him.
The other man cleared his throat before he spoke up, "Some troops have been asking to join the Rising Phoenix. In the papers handed to you are a list of names and which units they're from that are requesting transfer to Rising Phoenix command."
"Does our ally know of this transfer?" Renko replied as he spread the papers out in his hands to see a relatively large list of names, larger than he expected.
"We've recently sent a message to their fleet commander, but they haven't decided yet, these are just here that should they accept, then these individuals will be transferred over from our command to theirs."
Renko passed the papers back to the man but kept one of them, "If they want to go they can go, there's nothing else for them after all of this is over, however they will continue to serve under this armies' command till we have disband, understood?" Renko replied as he took out a pen and quickly wrote on the paper he had kept before he handed it to the other man. "Give this to them so they know what I think of it."
"Yes sir, understood, I'll give them this immediately," The man saluted before heading off.
The colonel could only put on a small grin.
And I thought most of us just wanted to change this country. If these people are heading to the Rising Phoenix for not just then survival then I envy them. Their ideals are much broader then mine, he thought to himself, about these people who wanted to transfer.
"Sir, Rising Phoenix units have reported they've broken through the defenses and are in the Presidential Palace, men are flooding through the breakthrough they've created," someone then called out from their post near the radio.
Colonel Renko'sgrin only widened at the report. "Good, now let's end this. I personally will see the taking of the Palace, inform the troops this," He then signalled for several soldiers to come with him and they instantly obeyed, ready to lay down their lives for his protection.
"Yes sir!" came a reply as the man got back on the radio reporting the about Renko's status.
The Colonel checked his sidearm before giving a simple nod telling his escorts it was time to move; this would be it, their last act, and after this hopefully the country would change for the better and the people will embrace these changes, even if they would hate him and his troops for it.
China, February 21, Chengdu Military District
The vehicle came to complete halt near a relatively large hanger, the door already opened and another vehicle parked outside as Flint looked to see the Zesus, in relatively perfect condition; it even had its weapons equipped.
It looked like they hadn't managed to take it apart its GN-Drive just yet as it hung overhead held by mechanical arm connected to a nearby mobile platform, still fully assembled and ready to go.
Everyone got out of the vehicle and entered into the hanger to see the first team already there working on making sure the Zesus and all its systems would be good to go. There were also the bodies of several guards around the place and several technicians laying around, it looked like they didn't even know what hit them before they were all killed off.
"What's the status on the Zesus?" the leader of the team asked as he signalled for his people to be on lookout.
"We're just initializing the GN-Drive instalment, the Zesus' systems seem good, and are at one-hundred percent. No bugs or viruses found in the OS," one of them replied still continuing to scan through the station's consoles.
"What about homing devices, you had enough time to check for them right?"
"Negative on that, but our main concern is getting this thing good to go, there's just not enough time to remove it if there is one. This place is going to be flooding with guards if we don't hurry, the power is already back on."
"You okay with that?" Flint was then asked as he nodded his head. It didn't matter if he was tracked or not, the HRL probably knew where he would be going in the first place and he didn't like the idea of leading them to a hidden base.
The sound machinery could then be heard in the hanger as it went to work. The platform carrying the mechanical arm which in turn carried the GN-Drive repositioned itself and began to install the GN-Drive into the Zesus.
"You, get inside and start the Zesus up, it's just about good to go," the station operator told Flint.
The cockpit had already been opened and the line deployed by the crew. Quickly he ran over to his machine grabbed onto line and let it carry him up to the cockpit.
As he got inside he booted the systems up as his surroundings came up on screen. Everything seemed to be fine, including particle output, and levels.
At that moment any sort of cable hooked on to the Zesus instantly disconnected as the two teams on the ground rushed out of the hanger and back into their vehicles.
"Alright you're going to have to help us get out of here," came a voice through the comm.
"Roger that," Flint replied as he moved the Zesus forward towards the exit as he saw the two vehicles begin to race off while gunshots could be heard as the vehicle's occupants returned fire as did the guards who were now storming the hanger.
The people on the ground were instantly sent scurrying away however, as the Zesus entered the air, unable to do anything about it as they waited for support to come up.
As he took flight gaining an overhead view of the area, he kept a small screen zoomed in onto the two vehicles now racing towards the nearest exit.
There didn't seem to be much yet as he continued to scan the area, until he noticed a hanger open up ahead of the vehicles with a Tieren stepping out, followed by another.
"Damn it take those Tierens out!" came a shout as Flint instantly reacted by getting in closer and drew the GN-Carbine and let loose a hail of shots.
The two machines were instantly shredded, as one fell to the ground and exploded while the other just stopped moving completely, dead where it stood.
The vehicles continued pass the destroyed mobile suits as they cleared the hangers.
"Alright we've cleared the hangers we should be okay for now," the leader said to him.
Flint continued to keep an overhead view of the two vehicles, before he then noticed three blips on his sensors coming from behind, out of the from three separate hangers.
Spinning the Zesus around to face the threat, Flint saw three Tieren Type-B quickly hovering over the ground, closing in on vehicles which wouldn't last long once they started shooting. Even if the teams were faster in their wheeled transports, the Tierens could probably keep them in range before they got out.
Quickly he moved in on them a let loose another hail of shots. One of them took several shots to the leg thrusters and was sent tumbling backwards as it lost control of its movement. The other two immediately then began firing at the two racing vehicles instead of the Zesus, picking on easier pray, knowing full well they couldn't do much about a Gundam.
Flint then decided to close in for the kill, in hopes he would draw the attention of the Tierens to himself as the Zesus drew its sword. Within seconds he had closed in and was now infront of both Tierens before he slashed one of the Tierens in half. The remaining Tieren however managed to fire one more shot before the Zesushad closed and finished it with a single swipe from the sword.
"Shit we just lost Shadow One! That ain't good!" came a shout from one of the remaining members.
Flint looked to see one of the vehicles had flipped over forward and was now upside down in flames, there wasn't even a sign of whoever had been inside, all that could be seen from the inside were the flames that continued to consume the entire vehicle.
Eh, let's hope I keep rest of them safe I owe them that much if not more, Flint said in his mind as he once more focused on keeping the remaining team alive. "C'mon Flint you can do better," he then muttered to himself refocusing on the task at hand.
"We're just about out, but there's a gate in the way, crashing through it is going to tear this vehicle's top off and our heads. Can you stomp on it for us and clear the guards?" the leader asked him who didn't seem affected by the loss, but then again survival was at top priority for anyone at the moment trying to escape.
"I've got it, time to show them a bit of fear," Flint replied as the Zesus raced ahead of the vehicle.
As he approached overhead, he began to descend upon the metallic gate like an angel of death. Instantly the gate had been flattened while guards were sent panicking, running away for their lives as the Zesus then lifted off just before the team passed straight through the wreckage with just a slight bounce.
Everything seemed clear to Flint, before he noticed a Tieren outside of the base which and aimed its gun at the vehicle, ready to fire, however Flint had already picked up on it and appeared right infront of the Tieren and slashed its cannon off before knocking it down onto the ground with the Zesus.
"Too slow," Flint stated as the Zesus then darted off once more
"Thanks for the help, we should be able to make it the rest of the way without you," a call came as Flint watched the team drive away from the military base while he then took off towards the east, hopefully to meet up with the others and surprise them that he escaped.
Pacific Ocean, February 21, Phoenix Carrier en-route to Arvineo
Inside her room Nena just stared at the mirror looking straight into her own eyes. While the wrappings around her arm were undressed, no longer being any use with the wounds healed.
They definitely didn't seem to have much life in them and they easily gave the appearance that something troubled her, which was all too true.
She even didn't know if she saw her own image in the mirror or someone else's. Is this her, a depressed girl who didn't even know what to do about the mess she had gotten herself, but showed concern for the crimes she had committed or could it be the impulsive, but bright eye and happy one that didn't know what she was doing or just didn't care most of the time, even when people's lives were at stake?
Either way, both didn't do any good for her; one just had trouble living with herself while the other made living hard for others and didn't regret a damn thing.
She didn't want to be either, especially not the depressed one, but the feelings of remorse and regret begged to differ, making living hard for her since she had to spend nearly every waking second regretting her actions, yet she didn't want to forget them completely and become what she had been before to later commit another atrocity which would just repeat entire cycle all over again and then everyone would definitely no longer trust her, probably not even anyone here.
If only she could actually live with it, yet still remain happy and cheerful. Being dragged down by it would probably screw up any chance of a normal life if they decided to let her go.
'you'll find a reason to live other then surviving, if I can then you can also,' those words Helana said were repeated in her head as Nena wondered if she could actually find one.
Would Celestial Being ever let me be a part of them after what I've done. They don't have to like me, but atleast I hope I can help somehow and maybe actually deserve to be called the title of Gundam Meister, she wondered since the Rising Phoenix would probably lay extremely low after this.
Gundam Meisters, to think that she and her brother could be called that, especially the way they did things, interventions were one thing, but utter annihilation was something completely on its own and caused more of an outrage then getting people to realize maybe they need to put aside differences and just stop fighting. Even the Rising Phoenix actions were more explainable at the moment, even radicals were joining in so atleast they had some support for their actions.
Could the world even accept someone like her to reform and change? If anything, she needed to make it up to the people that have died because of her, especially that girl she saw at the memorial.
If Celestial Being could accept her it would be a start and regain their trust would be all the better and make her feel that she could actually atone for her sins, but that seemed far away, and they needed to meet up first and then they'd have to accept her.
A knock at the door abruptly ended the subject of Celestial Being. She took one last look at herself before she let out a sigh and then turned around to answer the knocking at her door.
When she opened the door she saw one of the crew members right outside in the hallway.
"Captain wants you on the bridge immediately," he informed her.
"About what," Nena asked wanting details.
"Didn't say, but if you'll excuse me," he replied back with a slight respectful nod before he left.
She wondered what the captain wanted, he only called them up for important matter at most, something must be up which probably means they'll be heading out again.
After the short trip down the hall and up the lift she entered into the bridge, with the captain signalling her to come over to his area. She saw Daveral was already there and he looked like quite happy, something good must be happening.
"You've got to look at this," Daveral said as he turned to face a screen onboard the ship.
To her surprise she saw Flint's image on the screen and he could be seen with a wide smile on his face.
"Hey guys, you surprised to see me?" he asked, jokingly though, since everyone on the bridge was obviously surprised to see his face.
Daveral let out a small laugh before he let out the first reply, "Flint what the hell did you do to get out, beat every guard up with your bare hands?"
"Well I did have some help," Flint replied with a smile.
"Just got the report two teams entered and managed to get him out, although one didn't make it out in during the escape, but their sacrifice won't be forgotten," Wesker then stated to her and Daveral.
"Well they were helpful unitl, I had to help them out, I only wish I could've gotten all of them out," Flint's face then went into a serious manner. "Now, I think I'll need help getting back to the carrier if I want to get back in one piece," he told them also to their surprise.
"Why is that?" Daveral asked, knowing something wasn't right if Flint requested help in one of the fastest and most agile Gundams they had. "Even if you do encounter resistance you could probably fly right past it."
Flint hesitated for a second figuring out what to say. "Well... I think I may be tracked, they told me there wasn't enough time to check the entire machine before I got out, just the OS and main systems. If that's true the UN is going be ready to intercept. The Zesus can't go flying into a shit storm unsupported, right?"
"Oh that's just great, if it's not a virus it's a homing device," Everyone heard Kail mutter with his hand rubbing his forehead.
Wesker sighed as the good news then took a turn for the worse before he turned to Nena and Daveral, "Daveral, Nena, I need you two to head out and escort Flint back here safely if he's actually being tracked, I don't want to take any risk over this. I'll attempt to get Willard and his men to also help; we can't afford to lose the Zesus and Flint twice."
"But that's past the UN fleet, they'll probably intercept us before we even reach him," Nena said as she pointed out the Zesus' location on another screen and where the UN fleet was.
That scared her the most if they were heading out, to reach Flint they had to go over the fleet, and they weren't going to take kindly for them to pass through not to mention they would be outnumbered if they got into a fight. Even if they did take a safer route away from the fleet, mobile suits would likely go in after them while they were meeting up with Fint.
"I guess we'll have to do it anyways," Daveral replied to her before he turned to the captain, "When should we leave? I'm eager to get my friend home."
"The Zesus won't be in range for a couple of hours," Kail stated in a tired voice. "That'll give us some time to prepare and finish any remaining repairs on the Gundams. I doubt the UN will stray far from their fleet with Willard and his boys around."
"That's right, but they need to leave when repairs are all complete, they could be possibly sending a team after him right now," Wesker said back. "The longer we wait the more trouble he'll probably get into."
"Hey I don't get myself into that much," Flint said slightly offended.
"More then you think you do," Daveral replied back to his friend honestly.
Flint stared back at Daveral, not seemingly happy that his friend didn't trust him. "C'mon Daveral having I gained your trust about this yet?" Flint had raised arm, his hand clenched in front of him.
"Nope,"
Wesker then cut in between the two's conversation to give orders. "Daveral, Nena, try to avoid as much contact as possible, but if you have to engage then do it, we can't lose more then we gain during this, understood?" Wesker then told her and Daveral, she and him nodded. "Flint take the route we're sending you, it'll minimize contact with the enemy fleet, but it will take longer to meet up with them."
"I got it," Flint replied with a thumbs up.
The captain then dismissed the two to get ready as Nena wondered if the white Gundam would appear again. If he did she just hoped the UN wasn't on his side so their would be more distractions for him and then maybe the risk of going out will be worth it.