Gundam 00: Phoenix
Seeds of Doubt and Renewal
Middle East, September 5, Azadistan Border
Sergei and a couple trusted COs from his forces and Kati's command and herself were assembled on the airfield that the Rising Phoenix currently held. Dozens of soldiers from the Rising Phoenix all stared at them with their weapons loaded, unwilling to risk anything that may happen within the walls of the airfield. Some even seemed abit eager to press the trigger.
Walking up to greet him was the very same man who had stormed onto his ship with a dozen crack troops and knocked out most of his crew in a gas attack.
This man went by the name of Wesker who was apparently the man in direct control of all the Rising Phoenix's operations. He stood infront of all of them, still dressed in soldier fatigues, rifle in hand and in body armour. It appeared that if anything happened, he was prepared to fight.
"I see you have arrived as expected, now may you please follow me," Wesker said to them as he gestured to a transport plane with its cargo door open.
He looked over at Kati and a few other COs in the group and gave them a nod as his group followed the Rising Phoenix leader with several Rising Phoenix keeping a close watch on them.
The very same troops who had stormed his ship were a part of the group monitoring them with their gas masks replaced by balaclavas and dark red goggles; that coupled with their heavy body armour made them a fearsome sight to behold.
Still, he had a feeling the man would stick to his word and that if everything went out as planned they would avoid any further bloodshed for the moment.
"Colonel Smirnov, you're sure it's wise to negotiate with the Rising Phoenix? They could backstab us without us, our forces will fallapart," Kati whispered to him. She along with the rest of the officers were very uneasy about being in the enemy's temporary stronghold without the forces to back them up at a moment's notice.
"I don't, but it's all we can do. I'm not risking any more lives in a pointless battle that could have been adverted and I trust Wesker will keep to his word if he wanted this to end in blood he would have shot us already." He then shot a glare at the man wondering just what was he thinking at the moment.
Sergei then turned his head over at the cargo plane's hold and upon closer he saw that it had been heavily modified to become a command centre for the Rising Phoenix forces in the region with personnel monitoring all sorts of information being sent and received.
His people then entered the plane and continued following Wesker who walked up a set of stairs before they had reached a massive console hooked up to the wall that displayed a strategic map of the region.
Wesker looked at one of the people manning the console and gave him a nod before turning back to face Sergei and his people. "Well, now that we're all here, I think it's time to tell you why I've brought you people here," Wesker began as the map switched to the logo of the A-Laws. "I know a few of you are A-Laws personnel, but I think it's time that you and you soldiers of the Federation see the true face of your government. I know most of you are quite familiar with rumours going around in your own ranks, but you will have to see to believe," Wesker the concluded as the screen then changed.
There was no audio, but the images and video Sergei saw were graphic and disturbing, yet he could not turn away if this was what actually went on with the A-Laws then he needed to know just to what extent they would go to 'keep the peace'.
There were defenseless people being massacred by the dozens if not hundreds byautomatons in numerous places. Some here on Earth, others, what appeared to be in space-based colonies such as Proud. There were also ruthless interrogations and unjust incarcerations.
"This is only a hint of what your government does to 'keep the peace', yet I see nothing coming out of this but more pain and violence. And do not think these videos and images are staged, these are all stolen from security feeds or pieced together. I fear even worse atrocities may occur if nobody tries to put a stop to it," Wesker then stated.
"If putting a stop to these atrocities was your plan all along, why attack Federation troops in the first place and not target A-Law forces?" Sergei questioned, his men had no right to be attacked if this was the case. "Surely a man like you can see that."
"Because I needed to draw your attention for all the pieces to fall in place. Most Federation or A-Laws forces are unwilling to listen to what anyone has to say which is why I had to use force to drag you and your officers here to witness how rotten the government is through the actions of the A-Laws. The Rising Phoenix alone, even with Celestial Being is no match for the massive resources of the entire world."
Sergei knew what Wesker wanted. He wanted an internal force to go into revolt against the government and the A-Laws. And if that happened, it would be able to continuously gain support from other parts of the Federation Military if they played their cards right as there was alot of tensions between the Federation Military and the A-Laws that could snap when played with.
Yet, Sergei could not agree with such an idea. He may be seeing the atrocities with his own eyes, but live and video were two completely different things when trying to make a judgment. And something like this could easily spread into full-blown war, something they've been trying to avoid for a long time now. He did not want citizens to get caught in the cross-fire and not matter how careful they were, war always had a way of bringing its destruction upon others not involved.
"I know what you're saying, but I'm not going to play along and fight against the government and the A-Laws. If we do, the only that will occur is war," Sergei replied back, standing behind his decision. "I'm a soldier who protects the people and I will not allow them to get caught in the middle of a revolution."
Wesker nodded his head, his look unchanged, expecting this would be the result. "Understandable, but I think when the time comes you will have to take action. Either this world changes for the better or remains the same for the worse."
Kati then stood forward with narrowed eyes and a meancing stance. "You do know the A-Laws tactics of suppression in the Middle Eastern nations were based off your incident in South America, though in a more subtle form. You have much to answer for before you can even gain a hint of trust from members of the Federation and my people."
"True," Wesker began as he crossed his arms, "which is why my group and Celestial Being have arisen back to the world's scene. We will correct our wrongs, but the world also needs to correct its own wrongs and find the lines between unity and disjointed cooperation."
Kati gave a short light laugh. "You play a very dangerous game revealing everything to us. I'm surprised you're willing to let us go afterwards."
Wesker rubbed his finger together. "I cannot allow such weights to bear me down if they prove no use in the long-run. Having prisoners expend our resources, even with the leverage, would prove pointless should the A-Laws go out of their way for the total destruction of the Rising Phoenix, something that cannot be allowed," he stated back to Kati.
Before anything else could be said, a buzz went out from Sergei's communicator catching everyone's attention.
With a simple nod from Wesker, Sergei activated the communicator and brought it up towards his face so he could see who it was. It was one of his men on the Gobi.
"Lieutenant, what new do you bring me?" Sergei inquired as he turned away.
"Sir, you might want to see this after they let you go, we're getting reports of destruction going on in Azadistan," came the reply. "Water treatment, police stations, hospitals, almost every single piece of civil infrastructure, levelled."
"Did the country just break into civil war? Sounds like extremist action," he then replied back, in a questioning tone. If Azadistan was tearing itself apart, his people had to go in under direct orders from the government to stabilize the region–even if it took Azadistan's independence away.
"We don't yet know, sir. We'll try to get more details as things come."
"Roger that, keep me posted on anything else." Sergei the closed the communicator and looked at Wesker. "This your action?"
Wesker only shook his head. "The news is as much as a surprise to me as it is to you. Everything that belongs to my forces are currently on this airfield as you can tell."
"I think we're finished here," Sergei then said to Wesker. "If you don't mind, we have situation to defuse around here."
"I'll leave it up to you. If we meet on the battlefield again as enemies, however, I will not grant the same chance as I did today, remember that," Wesker then replied in a cold, serious tone before looking at his troops. "Escort them back to their shuttle and give them access to leave unharmed."
"Yes, sir!" A soldier saluted Wesker before signalling for Sergei and his people to follow with the very same heavily equipped soldiers following.
Wesker may be planting the seeds of doubt and further increasing the tensions between the military and the A-Laws, but he was not going to betray the ESF just because a terrorist wants him to. Only when the it seemed truly right to fight what could easily become a bloody, senseless conflict and the things he had seen show are more then just video recorded images.
Daveral sat at the base of the Phalanx with Flint as troops and equipment were being dropped at the airfield, maximizing what little room they had to get to quickly get everything dropped off before the next plane came in.
"Should have seen what the Wesker did. Absolutely beat ever single person who decided to take him on in hand-to-hand combat despite the fact he's in his late-thirties and most of the guys he faced were young but battle hardened, highly-trained soldiers. I've never seen so much pride destroyed that quickly by one man," Flint said, retelling a story from some time ago. "Needless to say, I just watched."
Daveral gave a light chuckle. "You were never one to be humiliated infront of others," he replied back before looking at all the Federation and A-Laws officers leave the airfield on a shuttle. "Hope we won't have to fight them anytime soon again."
"Strange, I could have sworn this was the same group we fought previously that had a special mobile suit reminiscent to a Gundam," Flint then began with an odd gander and turned to Daveral. "By any chance you see any mobile suit that could transform into a winged mobile armour with two cannons on its back?" he then asked, curiously.
"Can't say I have, just a bunch regular machines and one modified Ahead," Daveral answered with a slight shrug. He knew what machines Flint was talking about, he had seen the images and video after all, but there was no trace of that machine when he observed the enemy.
Flint rubbed his chin, pondering what possibly could have happened to the mobile suit. "I really wanted to be the one to take it down," he stated as he stood up with a smirk. "So Daveral, remember what you said to me four years ago and I was supposed to do all this time?"
Daveral was rather stumped by what Flint meant. He didn't have a clue to what it meant. It had been so long and he had been busy keeping up with life to remember much other then the major events. All he could do in return was raise a brow and say, "What?"
Flint sighed. "Goddamn it, you truly are oblivious." He spun around and grabbed Daveral onto his feet and shook him around. "Remember you said I needed to make sure I protected Nena for you if you weren't around, well I did. And you know what that means?"
Forcefully, Daveral made Flint let go. "Actually no I don't," he replied back. He still didn't have a clue at what Flint was getting at unless... "You want me to try and get together with her, don't you?"
"Exactly," Flint said exasperated with a gasp. "You seriously should I mean she's more stable then she was before and I mean alot more. You have a chance and you should take it!"
"Flint, that was four years ago. Besides I still don't think it would work out in the end. And we've got better things to worry about then love like not being killed out here," Daveral replied to Flint. He didn't come all this way for his friend to try and get him together with an old friend, he was here to make sure they all stayed alive. "You can get together with her if you want, though."
Flint seemed to shut up at that as he thought about it for a moment only to shake his head. "No way, man. I'm more likely to be punched in the face by her."
"My point exactly," Daveral pointed out as he saw parts for the Pegasus being shipped in from one of the planes. "Now, let's stay focused on the task at hand." He then walked off with Flint following in tow towards the command plane.
Middle East, September 5, Azadistan
Assembled in the ship's planning room, nearly the entire crew of the Ptolemaios were gathered together, figuring out what their next step of action would be.
Setsuna could see everyone pondering on what to do and decided to break the silence and find out what Tieria had heard while speaking with the Innovators.
"Tieria, when you were speaking with the Innovators, just what did they tell? I think we all deserve an explanation," he asked patiently.
Tieria seemed rather reluctant to answer as the group waited for what he had to say before he began with a sigh.
"The Innovators are...those like me and they say their completing the Aeolia Plan," Tieria said with a pause. "They're the ones responsible for what's happened in the world so far."
"You seem to be struggling to tell us all of this, is there something wrong?" Lyle then asked him who seemed to know what Tieria was thinking.
"Because, if they're truly the ones following Aeolia's Plan and we're just refuse that's interfering with what Aeolia does that mean we shouldn't even be alive?" Tieria replied back, the sense of doubt behind his words was something Setsuna had rarely ever heard from him before. "There's also the matter that I'm one of them and they want me to join them to complete the Plan," he said causing the room to go silent.
"You're conflicted over where your loyalties, I see," Sumeragi then said after a few moments of silence.
Tieria could only give a slow nod, knowing he couldn't hide anything anymore since he just let that all out for everyone to hear.
Looking at Tierra, Setsuna could only wonder what went on in his head. Trying to remain loyal to what he held so dear which was the completion of the Aeolia Plan or to his comrades would be a difficult choice as either one defied the other. And things were much different, before Tieria was completely dedicated to the Plan and he did not even give a damn about any of his comrades, but now over the course of four years, he was more desirable as a friend and someone you could trust.
"Mr. Erde wouldn't forsake us for the Innovators," Mileina then jumped in with a reassuring tone and a smile.
Tieria could only return a smile back at her. "I thank you for your confidence in me," he replied back before turning back to everyone else before he headed over to Feldt's console and typed several keys in to Feldt's surprise, bringing a marker up on a global map. "The last thing they told me was to meet at this location."
Everyone glanced up at the screen at appeared on the wall with Miss Sumeragi rubbing her chin.
"That's all the way in Western Europe and the location is not very subtle and trying to get there in the Ptolemaios' current condition by sea is bound for failure," she said to all of them. "They obviously want this meeting to go according to their plans and make sure we won't make any unexpected alterations."
"Speaking about Ptolemy, where are we going to go to get repairs? We won't be able to complete repairs on the engines and hull without additional support," Lasse then brought up.
Nena was the first to jump in as she caught everyone's attention by instantly speaking up with the raise of her hand.
"I know that Wesker and the Rising Phoenix have just re-established a staging base and we might be able to ask for some of their supplies if we're nice about it," Nena said as Feldt put a marker over the airfield known as Foe Hammer which was not too far from their current position.
Lyle, who was just about to open his mouth, seemed rather surprised at how fast Nena's response came as he simply leaned back against the wall. "I was going to say that we may be able to ask Katharon for aid, but seeing the map, I'd go with her plan," Lyle said with a slight frown.
"Even if they can't offer much in the way of supplies, we can both provide protection for one another; Rising Phoenix forces are better equipped and prepared to fight machines with solar reactors, Katharon is not," Sumeragi then said and everyone gave a nod or a reply confirming their approval of what course of action they would take.
Before anyone else could begin, Feldt spoke up, "I'm receiving an encoded message from Wang Liu Mei." She then brought the message up the message for all to hear.
"Wang Liu Mei here, I have information that you might find useful. Members of the A-Laws leadership not yet presented to the public are expected to take part in an exclusive formal party. I'll be attending to act as your ears for this event, though I can also bring a few of you along if needed. The date and the place have already been sent and you can expect it shortly," Wang Liu Mei's voice message explained before it ended with the map being updated once more.
Everyone could only be slightly surprised that the location was the exact same place where Tieria was to meet with the Innovators once more.
"I'm not sure if this makes things less complicated since Wang Liu Mei can get us in or more with the entire A-Law's leadership being in one place," Lyle commented before raising his head up, glancing over everyone in the room. "So, who can we expect to see going?"
In an instance Tieria stood forward. "I need to take part in this, they'll be expecting me and I'll have a better chance of finding out more from the Innovators then any of you alone."
Stepping up, Setsuna then volunteered himself. "He'll need someone to back him up should anything go wrong. I need to see who our enemies myself, I need to know just what their motives are," he said to all of them. He was determined to find out why the people manipulating the world would do such things.
"Mind if I also join in?" Nena then asked. "I'm not one for dresses and all, but if these are the same people who got my brothers killed and then had one of their own hunt me and my friends, I also have to see who they truly are," she said, her tone had gradually changed from a eagerness to serious determination.
"Alright, but you three will have to follow my exact instructions," Sumeragi devilishly smirked as she looked at Tieria who gave her an odd look.
"Just what exactly are you planning for us?" Tieria questioned inquisitively.
Sumeragi could only suppress a chuckle. "You'll see."
Saji just looked at his food which Mileina had handed to him in a tray in Ptolemy's mess hall. The room was rather empty with most of the crew still at their stations, preferring to eat and still monitor their posts.
Today, he had killed someone and likely ruined someone's life and it made him sick. He wondered how could these people just make it seem so casual and not feel anything? And as much as he hated to say it, Nena, or any of the Meisters for the matter, would probably know as much as he despised her and he should probably ask her.
There was also Louise, who now knew of the situation he was in. Would she try anything crazy to rescue him from Celestial Being or would she be able to keep a level head restrain herself from doing what would be almost suicide.
Looking at the ring around his neck, he wondered if Louise kept the other on her person as a reminder of what the future would hold in store for both of them once they reunited after all these years of silence.
"You know, looking at your food and letting it go cold isn't good for your health or the taste. Best to eat it when it's still warm," he heard Mileina say to him causing him to turn his head.
He could only put on a fake cheerful face for her, yet it almost felt natural due to her upbeat, cheerful presence. "I will, just give me a moment," he said back Mileina. He then noticed Ian wasn't anywhere around and he hadn't seen him since the battle had ended. "Mileina, where did Ian go?" he asked her.
"Oh, my dad just left to head up to space to finish some things that he has been working on for the Gundams," she replied back as she sat down and began eating her own meal with joy.
"Is that so?" Saji then turned back to look at his own meal and slowly began to eat thinking what was in store for Celestial Being and the world around it.
Persian Gulf, September 5, Bering-Class Aircraft Carrier Olympia
Graham and his team were all watching as one of the members of Barak's team had mentally broke down and was quickly taken to the ship's medical bay.
"You'd think someone like that would be transferred for a desk job. A-Laws aren't that stupid in recruitment," one of Graham's men spoke with a hint of disgust.
"The military is filled with all kinds of people, and remember that conversation we heard?" Graham began as took a gulp of water from his bottle with all his men giving a nod. "What are the chances of her lover being on the enemy's ship? I didn't expect that one bit."
"Strange indeed, but these days you can always seem to expect the worse."
Fast approaching footsteps could then be heard as Graham turned to see a messenger who handed him a letter. "Captain Graham, message from the top passed down to you," the messenger said before heading back the other way.
Graham instantly opened the letter with care to see a finely decorated card and a ticket stuffed within its covers.
Reading it over, he saw that it was an invitation to a party that consisted of members of the A-Laws, mainly the ones in charge a few lucky known people in the military which happened to include him, likely because he was an ace pilot– or maybe Billy just had the idea of dragging him into all of this as usual.
"Nice, you just got invited to some crazy party. Maybe you'll actually find yourself a girl and let me take over," Julius said sarcastically with a laugh gaining a few chuckles from the rest of the squad.
"Like most women would like to look pass this." Graham's fingers trailed over his scars before he looked at Julius. "Not like you guys have a chance either if you went. We're all too obsessed with restoring our names after all these years and I expect you guys will show Barack and his team your skills while I'm gone. I may not want to go, but I doubt they'll take kindly to their best ace sitting this one out. And I may even bring back a few presents."
All his men gave a nod and a determined, eager look.
"Understood, Captain, we'll show them."
With that Graham then left his group and proceeded to prepare for leave and wondered what could he expect from this formal event.
Middle East, September 5, Azadistan, Guyana-class Battleship Gobi
Despite the ship being ineffective in combat situations, Sergei still insisted that the ship take them to where the reports were coming from and all too well he knew what to expect as plumes of smoke and burning buildings came into sight.
Flames burned brightly in the night sky as the Gobi began to settle down and opened the rear hanger door, releasing troops and some vehicles carrying supplies. The situation had to be contained and everything had to be accounted for.
"To think the government already had a provisional government on standby, makes you wonder if we're just here to make this country ours," Sergei said to Kati who put on a frown.
"This is definitely not the work of conventional forces in the region," she began, her eyes taking note of the collateral damage in the area, "You can tell those are scorch marks from particle beams." She then had the ship's camera zoom in. "Yet from these reports and blurred images, the attackers don't match any description we've seen or achieved in the past." She brought up images from local sources which were of poor quality but they had something to tell at the very least.
"This is going to keep us busy for some time, Colonel Mannequin. My forces are going be here putting out all the fires around here, both metaphorically and literally. We won't be able to do much until the provisional government is in place," he said turning to his console.
Even once they cleaned up this area, they would have to move on and secure the capital which had the most problems. It wouldn't be easy to get back on track fighting the enemy when orders from the top demanded this area be secured. It was just something he could not disobey; all he could do was question it.
He then thought of Wesker's offer wondering if the right thing to do was to accept it. This clearly felt like something the government would do, but he wasn't so sure if his men would go along with it and for now, the best plan would be to play it safe and see what transpires in the end.
Kati nodded her head. "I see, well, I wish you good luck. I shall try to piece this together, though first, I need to report back to my superiors," she said as both COs saluted each other before Kati and her people left.
"Good hunting, Kati," Sergei then murmured before looking back at what needed to be done as reports began to come in from the field.
Soma spent her time in the medical bay of the ship wondering if she would be around if the corporal ever awakened. It would be likely that she would be elsewhere by the time it happened but one could hope.
Separated by a thick wall with an observation window looking in was the only way she could see what happened as the medical staff monitored her and made sure she was well-looked after. Yet, however, it did not change the fact that Erica would not be back on the battlefield for a months if not over a year given her condition, though being a supersoldier may change that.
The door of the medical bay then opened revealing Andrei who walked, not surprised by the fact she was here. He keep a calm, cool look but Soma could sense something eating away at him, uneasiness and doubt.
"Lieutenant, is something the matter?" she asked him, though she still kept her eyes focused on Erica.
Andrei shot her a strange look, wondering how she knew before he spoke, "Yes, it's about what happened today. Do you think the decisions from the COs to negotiate with our enemy was the right thing? Letting the enemy go even though we could have had a chance of defeating the Rising Phoenix once and for all," Andrei said rubbing his head. "I mean that would help bring about peace to this world, would it not?"
"Well," Soma began only to suddenly pause as she heard an all too familiar voice return.
Let me talk to him, Soma. A soldier's response won't work in this kind of situation, just for a moment, let me speak with him, Marie's voice uttered in her head.
Soma could only attempt to hide a scowl at the other part of arising back.
This doesn't involve you, let me handle this, Soma said back in her thoughts.
He's clearly confused on his father's decision. The fact that Sergei was willing to negotiate to save the lives of the soldiers despite the risks he had to take, yet he made the tactical decision to sacrifice his wife Andrei's mother, Marie responded back. If you don't let me speak at least try to talk to him as a person and not a soldier. He needs to understand not just from his own view but his father's as well.
"Lieutenant, are you okay?" Andrei then asked her, wondering why she had that look on her face which consisted of a blank stare.
Soma then went back to reality as she looked up and spoke, "I think the colonel made the right decision. If he didn't do what he did alot more people would have died," she said plainly to Andrei.
"Yes, but what if the enemy decided to stab us in the back? More people would have died on our side and then they would have free reign to do as they please in the region," Andrei said back, trying to discredit his father. "And I don't get why he would save our lives and risk his own when he left my mother and a whole platoon to die as if they were expendable."
"Your father–"
"Don't call that man my father," Andrei then interupted. "As far as it goes, he's simply a commanding officer."
Soma nearly gave a sigh as she turned away. She really didn't know what to say.
Andrei then began to walk up due to the conversation hitting a sour note and it was at that instant Soma rose to her feet and called out to him, but yet, it was not her in control. "Andrei, wait!" she heard herself say as she found herself no longer in control of her actions and instead, Marie had taken over. "Have you ever considered what the colonel had to go through before he made that action? You could at very least, try to understand what he went through."
Andrei seemed rather surprised by Soma's change of tone before giving her a glare. "There was a better way than just sacrificing her out there! He could have at least tried to save her but instead he abandons her out there with the rest of her platoon; he never even bothered to apologize or speak to me after she was killed!" Andrei tightened his fist into a ball, trying to control his anger. "He doesn't even care about me, even now. I mean you're closer to him than I ever was that your considered his own daughter," he said jealously. "I'm barely even considered a son to him as much as I barely consider him my father."
Just what are you doing? Soma demanded from Marie who had just taken over.
I'm simply here to make Andrei at least try and understand. I promise I'll no longer intervene after this, it's just something that has to be done, Marie replied back in a soft, regretful voice.
"Andrei, just please consider what I said; just try and understand him and maybe even talk to him." Marie then pleaded. "You need to understand him at the very least and be the one to settle things. You both can't let go of what family you have and need to put the past to rest. Would your mother wish that her son continued to hate his father after all these years without either of you trying to understand the other?"
The brown haired man didn't speak as he just looked at her wondering what had happened to the cool and determined super soldier known as Soma who now had a completely different personality in place that seemed to understand more than Soma did or anyone for the matter-of-fact.
"You're not the lieutenant, are you?" Andrei then said as Marie nodded her head while Soma just watched and rather stunned by how well Marie managed to make this sound understandable to even the most hardened soldiers. Andrei then looked at the wall, thinking about something–something must of hit home. "Maybe I will speak with him before we go our separate ways once again and maybe then my mother can rest easy." He then glanced back at her as he proceeded out of the room. "I won't tell anyone about this," he said, referring to Marie before the door closed behind him with a hiss.
The next moment afterwards, Soma felt herself back in control of her body as she could only, somehow, give a weak smile as she looked out and saw Andrei heading towards the bridge.
She did not want to say but she just had to as she muttered, "Thank you," to herself.
I just hope the two will manage to set aside their differences and speak not as soldiers but as father and son, Marie said back to her as a feeling of happiness that rarely came swept over Soma. Maybe Marie, the other part of her, wasn't such a bad thing after all.
Western Europe, September 6, Spain
"Can we honestly expect for them to show aside from Tieria?" Ribbons asked Wang Liu Mei, not bothering to look at her as he sat on an exquisite couch meant for royalty looking out of the window. "As curious as they may be, they know that us Innovators be expecting them."
Wang looked over at him with a soft smile. "Of course they will. I've already got a list of who will be attending. I've sent it to your database."
Ribbons nodded his head as his eyes glowed yellow for less than a couple seconds before the colour faded away as he raised himself up slightly from his hunched position.
"Interesting, both Setsuna and Nena have decided to show up within the next couple days. What a turn of events, the pilot of the 00 and a mistake that still exists," Ribbons stated as he smirked. "This will be quite interesting if things go as planned."
The wealthy woman could only glance over at him with narrowed, inquisitive eyes. "You expect something to happen?" she asked.
Ribbons could only lean his head over hands. "Of course, the guests of honour may be able to keep their subtlety if they're not distracted, but I wonder if a few old 'friends' could stir up emotions?" he said, though the question was not directed to Wang. Ribbons then finally turned to her. "I am truly grateful that you are willing to provide such information which will bring a balance to this world. However, what are you trying to gain from all of this? You've once visited the Trinities during their appearance four years ago and now you have come to me. Just what is it that you're looking for?"
The question simply caused Wang put the same smile she had before back on her face. "I'm simply just helping bring together a unified world. One that everyone's been waiting for over centuries and I've finally found those who may bring it about," she replied back in a sincere tone.
Ribbons then looked away and stood up "Is that so? Well then, I must leave now. There is much to prepare for." Ribbons then opened the door of the room and stepped out.
Wang's eyes followed him and she managed to catch a glimpse of a white-haired Innovator with glowing, demonic red eyes that seemed to burn with anger, yet his facial expression hid any emotion as he simply followed behind Ribbons like he were his bodyguard before leaving her sight.
Turning to face the massive clear window frame that covered a good fourth of the west wall, she heard her brother enter the room.
"My mistress, how was the meeting?" Hong Long asked her politely.
"One of his better moments, especially when you're not being eyed by those like him." She then put on a weak frown. "It seems things at the upcoming event won't go as smoothly as we once thought."
Hong then stepped closer to her. "Will you still attend or shall you be cancelling the invitation?" he asked her, showing his concern.
Wang only shook her head. "No, I think everything will go fine for us." She then looked up at the view of the horizon ahead of her. "Whatever side comes closer to unifying the world has my support and so far, the Innovators are proving they will be the ones to do it, but I will continue my support towards Celestial Being. There needs to be a player capable of seeing things to the true end," she finished as she knew soon the world would become what it should have been four years ago and no longer would she be bound to the old world.