Gundam 00: Phoenix
Bird Versus Prey
Pacific Ocean, February 22, Phoenix Carrier
The main screen of the Phoenix revealed to all a map of the Atlantic with the colour red slowly spreading from several points on screen showing the GN Particles being dispersed. It seemed certain that, if they kept this up their fleet could reach safety before UN Atlantic Fleets could escape the communications blackout and coordinate with their allies.
Wesker flipped his pocket watch's cover open and shut continuously as each passing minute meant they were closer to getting this over with and on to more important matters with Celestial Being.
He continued to stare at the watch until he heard the distinct sound of a transmission coming through. With a soft grunt he put the transmission up on his screen.
Looking at a medical officer who was the one who contacted him, he replied, "Yes what is it?" He wanted to know why he had been contacted. Surely there was nothing too important going on down in the medical bay.
"Sir, it's Helana. She refuses to listen to our instructions to stay down and-"
"I understand, but do not bother her," Wesker interrupted the medical officer who appeared quite surprise at his response. "Let her walk around a bit, she'll be okay even if it's against doctor's orders, just make sure to keep an eye on her should anything happen, understood?"
Reluctantly the medical officer gave a nod and sighed before disconnecting with him before Wesker looked back at his pocket watch, continuing to flick it open and shut again.
"So she's already up and about, let's just hope her wounds don't open," Wesker heard Kail comment who had listened in while still keeping up on his work.
Wesker stopped flicking his watch cover as he turned his gaze towards the sky. "Shouldn't prove too much of a problem, she is tough after all," he then switched the subject turning his head to Kail. "Have they finished accounting all the men from Arvineo?" he asked.
"For their personnel they're all accounted for, but we're checking their equipment before our boys give them some space. Any idea where we'll drop these guys off?" Kail replied.
"Somewhere," Wesker replied back simply, "Maybe we'll drop them off near Africa, I don't plan to be carrying them to space with us. The less people the better." He then turned his head away. "Celestial Being may not be too trusting if we bring an entire army with us. They prefer their secrecy more than we do."
Kail gave a weak chuckle upon hearing the end of Wesker's sentence. "Secrecy always goes down the drain when you pick a fight with another nation as well as revealing that we have Gundams. We were lucky there were some radicals to aid us or we'd still be stuck on the continent fighting our way through the Arvineo army. We just didn't have the man power to make a push to the Presidential Palace without aid." Kail explained back briefly. "Still, the variable turned this to our favor and I can't say I hate it in fact I'm grateful, but I'm still keeping my finger crossed in case we get back-stabbed."
"As am I Kail," Wesker answered back as he then brought up contact with Daveral on his console. "Daveral, how goes the operation?"
"Nothing really happening, haven't seen any UN forces or those two Gundams, but we're ready for them if they do appear," Daveral told him confidently.
"Tell Nena and Flint that you are to continue with particle dispersal, I'll signal you when it's time to come home," Wesker said to Daveral who nodded his head.
"Understood."
After those words the screen went blank and Wesker looked back at his pocket watch, pondering what the future had in store for all of them.
Inside one of the recreation rooms, Willard and almost every other pilot on the ship watched footage that had been captured across the globe about their performance and that of their enemies.
It was not the GN-X that had everyone worried, even with their impressive firepower, speed and maneuverability, but the two Gundams they've come upon on several occasions.
Willard kept his eyes glued to the screen while laying slightly hunched over in his seat, his palms pressed together, contemplating the best way to take one of these down.
If those two machines decided to strike the ship now they had to be able to drive them off before they did too much damage to the Phoenix. They were the first line of defense as well as the last.
"This makes me wish the Ace would get an upgrade about now," he heard someone mutter to him as Willard turned his gaze to the man who had just spoken up.
Willard gave a slight nod of approval. "You can say that. The Ace may be good, but it does have its problems. Far too many if we have to take on that thing," he pointed out on the screen which was showing off the Legacy in action.
Willard liked the Ace, but without proper weaponry all it could do to an actual Gundam is whittle it away with bug bites from autocannons and then pray the ammunition lasted and the cannons didn't jam during combat. Missiles already proved to be ineffective, being shot down by all sides with relative ease unless there were dozens racing towards a single target, even then the chances of a confirmed hit weren't that high.
"Those tech boys better come up with something for us. We've been here far longer than those Gundam pilots. It ain't fair the kids are getting all the fancy toys, what are they like seventeen and eighteen?" Willard then heard one of his teammates complain. "There's also that girl we picked up awhile back, she gets all these special privileges even after what she's done. I wish I could kill a hundred civilians an get away with it," he ended sarcastically.
"Captain's decision man, and she's proving her worth. Not to mention adds one more Gundam to assist us and it's sure helpful in blinding the enemy," someone else from his squad said in an assuring tone.
"Back on topic boys," Willard interjected with a gesture. "To beat them in our current state I would have us and Teller make attack runs after the other squadrons force them into our path. I doubt we're going to win with only a single squadron. Best to use our numbers and wear them down through sheer attrition."
The previous speaker hunched to his level and looked at him. "Will we even have the numbers after such a fight? If we don't be careful a lot of us won't be going home, ever. And that screws the Phoenix over in defenses and then even less people will get to go home."
"Can't think of much else, Jeff. Unless the Ace gets upgraded we won't have a chance of competing with a Gundam in small numbers."
"Well we got one Gundam on-board from Celestial Being that might help us," the other man then brought up.
Willard shook his head. "More likely to get in the way since fighters can't stop on the spot so we're just as likely to get blasted by Celestial Being's Gundam if it misses. We'll also get in the way a lot unless we can coordinate properly," he willingly lied. It would best if they could think of their own way to best a Gundam without other Gundams to support them on. They just had to adapt or newer UN machines would give them hell if they popped up unexpectedly during a fight whether now or in the future and Gundams could not always be around to baby them. "Remember we're the elite, we'll find a way to beat that thing or I'm changing this squadron's name to cannon fodder because that's what we'll be if we can't hold our own. Our status is on the line here."
"No kidding, from aces to just lowly grunts, not going to make a good retirement story for my kids once I'm out," then came a response from someone behind him as he turned to see Teller's squadron leader who had been listening in. "So when do we start planning?"
"Well looks like Teller's in on this so we better start planning, the sooner we can come up with one the better," Willard said to his teammates before he signaled for his men to leave the room after the combat footage ended.
They needed to think this through, their reputation and skills were on the line and Willard knew if they could not surpass their enemy they may not be flying for much longer once the dust starts to settle and they were left behind in the past.
Pacific Ocean, February 22, Rising Phoenix Fleet
The entire bridge of the Draven stood completely silent aside from the noise of the machinery at work as the carrier and it's escorts traveled through one of the stealth fields that had been deployed, the particles making communications between the fleet impossible at the moment.
Admiral Hiller did not like having to send the fleet through one of the stealth fields, but from the data that Wesker had handed down to them, the alternatives were bloody. Two large UN fleets, one to the north of them and one to the south, were the only reason they were crippling themselves for the time being, even a slight detour could accidentally cause them to run into trouble. Only this route offered the closest thing to a safe trip and still it felt like trouble could occur at any time and place.
"Won't be too long till our voyage ends," Hiller muttered in a solemn tone.
The Vice Admiral Gerald turned to him and looked at him. "I just hope it ends the way we planned." Gerald then turned back towards the front. "I doubt there will be much celebration, we've still got much work to do after we return to port."
Hiller closed his eyes and nodded his head. "Hmm, just too true, with Wesker going back into space after all of this we'll be in charge of reorganizing and preparing, and I've got a hunch he'll be up there for awhile." Hiller opened his eyes and then noticed a slight smile on the vice admirals face. "What's there to smile about?" he asked.
"Oh nothing really, just remembering what life will be like once everything quiets down," the vice admiral replied back with a slight laugh. "Going to be more a lot paper fights once we're back to desk work for the time being. I'm kind of glad that things will be taken a little less seriously and we don't have to be cautious, vigilant, or serious twenty-four-seven."
Hiller could only give a slight laugh back as well. Even if he was rather strict he knew he could turn a blind eye if needed. Everyone knew their duty, but a little horsing around would be an amusing change after all the danger they've been through.
"So you think things are going to change? You even said wars bring change, no matter the consequences," Gerald said to him in a optimistic tone.
"Things in South America will go more smoothly and hopefully we won't have another Taribia and the countries will remain united and stay that way. If countries do start to split, it's back to underhanded tactics till we get the candidate of our choice in power." Hiller responded as he took a breath. "If they do stay together less work on our part and then we can focus more on other areas that need our attention."
"So any plans to retire soon?" Gerald then brought up only for Hiller to shake his head in response.
Hiller just waved him off with a smile. "I don't have the time to retire, I'll probably still be working with the Rising Phoenix till they either kick me out or I die from old age. Just don't have much else in my life to do."
"Surely you have family?"
"I do, but kids are all grown up and on their own making a living and my wife left years ago. I think I've always been more into my work then family, but nobody can judge me; people do good and bad there's no perfect person in this world," Hiller responded back directly giving his true thoughts away. "If there was then I'll be surprised."
A small bell alarm suddenly rang throughout the bridge signaling that they had just cleared through a stealth field.
"Communications back up," one of the comm. officers reported before pausing. "Sir, we're picking up on some kind of weak signal, appears to be coming from northwest of us."
"Don't bother with it, just jot it down so we can remember this for later. We don't have time to check things out."
"Roger that."
Hiller then ordered for the anomaly to be reported to Wesker before he went back to watching over the ship's activities, waiting for something to happen.
Pacific Ocean, February 22
Daveral monitored the Drei and Zesus as the Drei began to deploy its stealth field over the area.
So far so good, he thought to himself as he watched the particles begin to blanket the skies.
"Any idea how much longer how long we'll be stuck doing this? We're quite a ways away from the Phoenix and it's getting quite late if you haven't noticed," Flint stated.
"You heard what Wesker said, we're stuck here until he calls us home," Daveral said as he slouched in his seat and gave a slight yawn. "Enjoy the time we have on Earth because the we're all likely to head out into space afterwords."
"I wonder how long it'll take for us and Celestial Being to negotiate once we're up there," Nena then brought up, reminding them all why there were going into the darkness of space.
Daveral glanced at her image on screen with a strange look for a second. "Funny how you bring that up Nena, you seem a lot more excited about it then us. You feel that by helping Celestial Being things will look up for you?" he asked her politely.
"Better than doing nothing," she replied back to him with a slight smile. "If I can make up for the things I've done I will do it. Besides, they probably need the help."
"She sounds more determined then you Daveral, I know you'll probably go back home once this is over," Flint then popped back into the conversation, stating the truth.
Daveral only shrugged. "I don't think I can spend my valuable years still working with the Rising Phoenix, I need to plan for life afterwords. I've still got university to go through. Besides there's probably more dedicated and more skilled people than me to take my place if I go,"
"You do that and I'll beat the crap out of you to make sure you don't," Flint said in a slightly threatening manner with his eyes narrowed while Nena just looked at him wondering if he was lying or not.
Raising his head back at them, he smiled before he gave off a laugh. "Don't worry, if you guys need me just ask. I can't let you die whether you're on or off my watch. Just try not to do anything to would scare the new guy if someone does take my place. God knows why I put up with you at times."
"I'll be sure to remember that."
It was then Nena's turn to speak up as she began her sentence which was directed at Flint. "Flint, why are you going to stay with the Rising Phoenix?" she asked curiously.
"I've got nothing better to do. Sure going home is nice and all, but I'm doing some good."
"That's it?" she said, surprised by Flint's response.
The two continued to converse before Daveral decided the time to move was now. He gave the simple message, "It's time to move on," as he made the Lancaster begin to move to the next area before the Nena and Flint caught on to what was happening and quickly moved to catch up with him.
He could only give a slight smile at the things he would miss once he left.
Pacific Ocean, February 22, Phoenix Carrier
Tieria thought to himself in the room he took residence in at the moment before he grabbed the communicator that allowed him to contact Ian and the rest of Celestial Being.
After going through several security protocols and entering in several codes he got contact as the words 'access granted' appeared and connections were established on a secure channel.
"We are receiving go ahead," came a response from a male voice from the communicator.
He hoped there would not be too much anger as he had already broken several protocols such as secrecy and leaving the Virtue and its GN Drive on-board the Phoenix. These would be considered crimes if things weren't so desperate at the moment.
"It's Tieria Erde. I have made contact with the Rising Phoenix and I'm currently traveling alongside them for the time being," he said.
"You better have a good reason for this, you're risking yourself by doing this, many of us still don't trust them, even after going over the information you sent previously," came an immediate reply from the operator who did not seem pleased one bit.
"Let me continue," Tieria replied calmly. "With our current situation, the idea of setting up an alliance with the Rising Phoenix, whether it would be temporary or not, has been crossing my mind as well as theirs."
"And you want what's left of Celestial Being to ally with them? Not many are going to like working with traitors."
Traitors. Tieria did not consider the Rising Phoenix as traitors especially after he went over the data. They were helping to carry out the plan, if in their own way and they had many assets Celestial Being did not which could prove useful in the future
"It's not on the matter if others agree with the idea or not, but currently we need all the help we can get. With allies and the support they have with them, Celestial Being will have a much easier time rebuilding and if worst comes to worst, we won't have to stand alone like last time."
"Hold on, seems like some of the VIPs want in on this, I'm patching them through," There was a pause and he could hear switches in the background being flipped and keys being tapped.
Tieria then waited as he then heard a different voice over the communicator say, "Would we be able to trust such allies? You may have met them, be we have not. For all we know they could be setting us up to finish us off and are just using you. We cannot risk the safety of this organization unless you're completely sure."
This was the time where he wished Ms. Sumeragi was back. She would know that in their current situation they needed help and she could plan for any unseen events if the fears of other members came true, but all he could do was wish and nothing would come out of it.
"If we speak with their leader known as Wesker we may change our minds, but it will have to be over a communications channel for the time being. Have them use this channel when you think they're ready to speak with us. I'll be sure to have all of Celestial Being listen in once and then we can decide what we will do as a whole," came a old female voice as Tieria saw the channel that was to be used appear.
"You seem much different than before Tieria, you always seemed like the last one who would propose something such as this, let alone risk secrecy to any faction, tell us what has happened to you." someone then questioned him inquisitively.
"The loss of Veda and my friends has opened my eyes and have also changed my perspectives on life, my existence and why I am here," Tieria replied back bluntly. "If you would like me to write up a full report-"
"It will not be necessary," the female voice interrupted. "I understand what you mean as do many others. I find the change in your personality warming and I hope what you're trying to do works out for all of us. Now if you excuse us, we'll be signing off till the Rising Phoenix is ready to speak with Celestial Being."
"Understood ma'am," Tieria replied as the communicator then ceased the transmitting with the only thing on the communicator being the channel they had given out to him.
Would both sides be willing to join together? Even if they remained independently separate, having an alliance with one another can prove extremely useful in the future and less strain on each other with more resources, and data to work with.
If the first meeting messed up, however, for some reason, it seemed highly unlikely that Celestial Being would willingly help and ally with a foreign faction that could spoil its secrecy and be a security risk unless limited knowledge about this alliance was disclosed to the people working under the Rising Phoenix.
Still the ability to arrange a meeting was quite a large step forward, especially for Celestial Being. If things had not been in their current situation, Tieria doubted that he would have managed catch the attention and speak with some of the member who were more influential and revered in the organization.
He probably should head up to the Phoenix's bridge as he looked at his communicator one last time before heading towards the door.
Just as he was about to exit though, the alarms went off, blaring loudly in the hallways of the ship.
Had they been located by the enemy and if so who was it? The UN or the Gundams?
"Sir it looks like those two Gundams are back and ready for more," came from of the radar operator. "They'll be within in range in five minutes, maybe even less than that."
Wesker turned to Kail, "Have Willard's squadron get out there ASAP along with whatever squadrons we have on-board be it Rising Phoenix or not," Wesker ordered as he gritted his teeth, the timing of this just could not have been worse. "Just our luck, instead of going for our Gundams as we thought they've come for us to make sure it'll be a lot easier to hunt them down afterwords," he stated. "Get Daveral and the others back here now, even with our numbers I get the feeling we'll need more."
"Already done!" Kail replied with a shout, having already gone to work. "I just hope they're aren't too many GN Particles in the way."
Wesker then got contact with the people down in charge of fire control. "Can we fire at them to delay their approach?"
"Rattlesnake Missiles in the launchers should be able to reach the target, but they won't do much against a Gundam aside from delaying them," came a reply through the comm.
"That's all we need, just fire off as many as you until Willard and his boys get out there," Wesker told them as he switched off the channel.
Immediately he could see launchers located on the starboard side and some on the bow of the ship begin to fire a barrage of missiles as he could see CIWS and flak cannons begins to come online, ready to intercept.
We need to keep them as far away from the front of the bridge and engines as possible, we lose either we die, fall out of the sky or both, Wesker thought to himself as he tried to remember what other weak points the ship had these Gundams could exploit.
"Wesker I can't get contact with them, they must be in a stealth field at the moment," Kail quickly warned him.
"Keep trying until you get a hold of them." Wesker said to Kail before he turned to Cray. "Maintain present course Cray, I want to regroup with Daveral and the others as soon as possible and redirect all power to the engines. We'll either reach them or head up into space"
"Roger that."
Wesker then waited for events to unfold as he saw another salvo of missiles launch towards the incoming Gundams. This could be the deciding factor, they take down these machines and possibly recover something useful, or they died here and their Gundams would be left out there alone and easy prey for the enemy.
Inside the hanger people and planes rushed around hurrying to get the Aces out as soon as possible. Even the towering Virtue had come online and was ready to go.
"Damn it, so much for planning," Willard said as he strapped his helmet on in his cockpit as his Ace was lowered for launch. "Alright boys do your best or we're all screwed, I doubt we'll be shown any mercy if the Phoenix gets destroyed."
"Good, because we ain't giving them any as well," came a loud reply through the comm.
"Just what I wanted to hear."
Even in the sealed hanger bay he could still hear the rumbling that the launchers created. At this rate they would be out of Rattlesnake missiles before they know it.
He looked down at his controls and HUD making sure everything was ready to go as he saw his launch bay door begin to open.
"Death Wing and Teller you guys are cleared for launch, I repeat you're cleared for launch!" The authorization was all he needed as his Ace catapulted out of its launch bay as soon as there was enough space.
Quickly he formed up with his squadron before they began to race towards where the threat was.
On his sensors, which were being aided in homing onto the Gundams by the ship, he located the two Gundams. In less than thirty seconds they would be already at the ship, indicated by flak cannons and CIWS opening fire on the targets.
"Concentrate on the Gundams and avoid the Fangs. Make sure you keep your distance and attack in pairs," Willard stated in his orders as the Death Wings separated into pairs, as did Teller.
As they closed he saw several contacts appear around the two Gundams which were likely the Fangs, and there were a lot of them.
He watched on his HUD as several targets were locked on by his fighter and without delay he immediately let loose a volley of missiles, as did his wing mate before they veered off course to set up for another run.
As he began to realign his fighter came under fire by particle beams from several GN Fangs while the Gundams made no attempt at engaging, instead going directly for the Phoenix as several Aces gave chase.
Racing towards the Gundams, he fired off a short burst with the autocannons to try and hit a Fang that was in the way, but to no avail. The GN Fang just veered out of the line of fire before beginning it's attack anew.
"We can't hit these damn things they're too small and too fast. They move even a little they mess up our aim," his wing mate said in anger as both of them evaded several more particle beams. "You think the Arvineo's could get out here and help us with their mobile suits?"
"Just push them out of the way, you don't need to hit them to get through," Willard responded back as he began locking onto the Legacy. "Just need to survive to outrun them," he murmured as his HUD got a confirmed lock on the Legacy.
"One of them is aiming for the launch bays others going for the bridge!" one of his men reported.
"Son of a bitch," Willard cursed to himself as he fired off several autocannon rounds, followed up by a single missile before changing course to intercept the Ares.
"Split up and engage them, support is on the way!" he then heard the leader of Teller squadron announce as Willard turned to saw several bright, radiating pinkish hue particle beams come out of the port-side mobile suit hanger .
Four Aces went for the Legacy, which broke off, with everyone else heading in to engage the Ares that danced its way through the ship's defenses and moved into position, ready to take out the bridge.
Just before the Ares could get a good shot off at the bridge several missiles forced it to evade, forcing it into the ship's guns.
Several rounds struck it dead on and even a couple flak shell made direct contact, however the damage done did not do significant damage. Only change on the Ares was a blast mark which stained the sword and parts of the armour.
The Ares then moved underneath the ship with Willard and the majority of the ship's defense team gave chase.
Tieria fired off the Virtue's GN Cannons at the Legacy causing it to evade before it fired several shots at him with its GN Rifle forcing Tieria to bring up the Virtue's GN Field for defense.
"Looks like I get to finish off Celestial Being and finally put an end to your actions," the pilot of the Legacy said to him as if he had been waiting for this.
"Just who are you?" Tieria said back as he made the Virtue fire back once more.
The pilot snickered, "Like I would give any info to you, all I can tell you," the Legacy then brandished its beam saber upon drawing it, "I'll be the one to end it once and for all!"
Tieria gritted his teeth as he tried to get a lock onto the Legacy as it weaved through the Phoenix's field of fire while its Fangs acted as its defensive screen against the fast Aces.
In his mind Tieria wondered if it would be a good time to activate the Trans AM system. If it worked he may be able to take both Gundams down, but if he failed he would be helpless against such quick machines.
Blasting the Legacy with both the GN Bazookas and Cannons to force it away he noticed its flier separate from the main body before then changing course towards the bridge, but not before it fired several shots that went past him and took some of the Phoenix's launch bays.
He continued to go after the Legacy, firing his shots with precision until there was more room, lest he accidentally hit the Phoenix itself as he noticed the fighters supporting him go after the flier.
"We've got you covered, you stay on him," he heard clearly through the comm. as several missiles thwarted the flier from continuing the pursuit as the Aces chased after it.
He acknowledged them as he kept his sights on the Legacy, using the GN Field to block incoming Fangs.
As he continued to engage the Legacy until he pushed it away from the bridge with a barrage of particles beams, making sure to get a good angle to avoid the Phoenix itself, he detected the Ares appear from the other side of the ship, firing its GN Handgun at the Phoenix.
Smoke could be seen coming out of turret mountings as the Ares proceeded to wipe out more and more of the Phoenix's guns.
"At this rate we'll be the only ones here to defend it," he said to himself, continuing to fire at the legacy only to have a set of GN Fangs force his field up. "They're just so fast, I can barely keep track of them," he stated as he fired both Bazookas off, causing the Fangs to evade.
Suddenly he noticed the Ares coming at him, almost within range to swipe its sword. Tieria's widened his eyes as he immediately pulled back out of range before firing the GN Bazookas at the Ares in front of him.
Even at extremely close range the Ares managed to evaded before it suddenly started sparking violently on sections of its armour with some kind of unstable energy with of even as Aces fired upon it.
"Doesn't look like the sparks are from damage, but why is it acting... like..." Immediately pulled back realizing what it was. "Keep your distance!" he shouted out in a warning as the sparks got.
"Play time is up you annoying little pest! It's time for something special!" he heard Ali laugh manically.
A massive energy surge emitted from the Ares as Tieria felt an extremely painful shock overcome him. He grunted in pain as he kept moving till he left the radius, gasping for breath.
Several Aces explode near the Ares as their electronic and engines overloaded while those which were further up began to lose control.
"Damn it that just took out half my squad," he heard Willard angrily say as the electrical field died down. "Damn the Phoenix's bridge it being hit hard!" he then pointed our as the Legacy had fired at the sides of the bridge during that period of time.
"That's it," Tieria began as he began activating the Trans Am system. "I'm not letting them complete their mission!" The Virtue then began to glow brightly, radiating with GN Particles before engaging both the Legacy and Ares.
What ever happened his allies needed to survive or all of this would have been for nothing.
Emergency lights lit the bridge as the warning sirens echoed. The electrical surge was much more powerful than predicted as it managed to pierce the bridge's shielding.
Wesker removed his hands which had covered his eyes as he looked to see the bridge in a state of disarray.
The prolonged exposure to the field must have overwhelmed the electronic shielding Wesker predicted as he looked around, "Everyone alright?" he called out as he got up to see several members of the crew laying dead on the bridge, having been electrocuted by their own station.
"I'm alright!" he heard Kail call back, raising his hand as he got up from the floor. "Goddamn electrical surge, I've never seen anything that powerful. Not since an Agrissa plasma field." Kail turned his head to the front of the bridge and his eyes widened in horror. "Cray is down, Cray is down!" he shouted as he ran towards the ship's controls and checked on their helmsman.
Wesker curled his hand into a fist as he looked at the dead crew members littering the floor, reminding him of Africa before looking at Kail. "Can we still maintain control of the ship?" he asked solemnly, his hand shaking in both anger at the machines and the loss of life.
Kail pushed Cray's body off the seat as he took over and checked the controls. "Looks like it. Damn it Cray why did you have to die of all people," Kail said, depressingly before he turned to Wesker. "You may want to get off the bridge Wesker, we can't afford to lose you like we lost Cray, I can take control of the ship," Kail pointed out towards several injured crew members being taken down below into the ship via an emergency hatch before manning the controls.
Wesker gave Kail a stare as if his friend were a mad man given the circumstance. "I won't allow you to stay here and get-"
"Somebody has to maintain manual control unless the next time it attacks it fries the autopilot as well! Besides you're more important than me and we can't take the risk of losing our leader." Kail shot back sharply as a blast shook the bridge.
"I can't allow you to get killed. I've been through too much with you only to see yourself get killed!"
"Wesker I know that, I don't like this either but this is the only way, I'm the only other guy who knows how to fly this thing aside from you. Commanders like you should seek their own safety for the good of their men, don't let people like Cray give up their lives only for you to get killed," Kail told him.
Another shot rattled the bridge as both men looked to see the Virtue drive away the Ares.
Kail sighed before looking up at Wesker once more with a stern look. "Just leave Wesker, I'm asking as your friend. Just go I'll be alright by myself. Remember the time in Africa, I already proved I'm a big boy so just get out of here."
Looking at Kail, Wesker knew arguing could only make the situation worse as he began moving off the bridge, but turned his head back one last time and said, "I will see you again. Don't you dare die on me, you hear?"
"Understood," Kail replied solemnly as he took control of the ships as Wesker left the bridge.
Author Notes: Sorry for the delay been busy will school, lack of will power, but now I finally have a proof-reader to help me with the chapters! :D Anyways review and comment.