Gundam 00: Phoenix

Open and Closed Hearts

Middle East, September 6, Azadistan Border

The command room of the plane was cramped with COs looking over a display of a map regarding the entire area around them.

Wesker, despite being the commander, needed his COs to voice their opinions on his current plan he had in mind. They had very little room to manoeuvre with the Federation lurking all around them, yet, they had to make something happen within the dawn of the next day or the Federation was going to be coming back with more than just a regiment and the plan had to exceed all expectations to work for the sake of future operations.

Pointing at a location on the holographic map, he spoke, "With the last of our forces arriving, we need to prepare to move out eliminate the major base of the A-Laws in the Middle East," he said to his COs who were carefully studying the map. "We can also gain valuable Intel that may prove crucial later on in our endeavour."

One of his people then jumped in and pointed at two locations near the location he had designated. "What about the two Federation bases in the region, with such a large forces, slipping pass the two without alerting them will be extremely difficult."

"A distraction using the Gundams and our fighters we have will prove useful on keeping the Federation from responding to a land assault from the air with mobile suits," the commander of the Rising Phoenix forces that were in Azadistan–Matthews–then said. "While that's happening we can then split the ground forces into three attack groups and have them position in the area around the A-Laws base where they cannot be detected until we're ready to attack. Whatever mobile jammers we have can keep their sensors from working while the Dispersal Towers in the region do the rest."

"Me and my boys can quickly come with the Gundams to support the offensive once we've got enough of the Federation's attention, so no need to worry the air cover," Willard then added in. "We'll likely launch a pre-emptive strike with the Ace Phantoms and the new Phalanx to knock out the hangers and radar to prevent a response."

"Still not going to be easy, we're only at regimental strength; our planes can only transport so much. The enemy has been reported to be an corps strength alone without factoring in the Federation we have to face," the previous CO then said, voicing his concern of their numbers.

"The enemy may be at corps strength, but remember they'll barely have enough machines to face us. Both the Federation and A-Laws are still arming their forces with GN driven machines. They`re also spread out in the region. Some are operating in the Persian Gulf others in various Middle Eastern nations. Very rarely will A-Laws fight in large-scale engagements at full strength, preferring to operate in smaller units to cover more ground," Matthews stated as he hit something on Wesker's console which brought up the locations of A-Laws forces which were nearly operating everywhere in the Middle East. "And we can deal with any regular machine with ease. The Phantoms have proven to excel as a versatile strike-craft."

The man seemed to understand as he did not respond as another one of Wesker's COs added to the discussion at hand and it just happened to be Wallace Edmond, Captain of the 1st Rangers. From what had happened on Arvineo, if anyone could make infantry more valuable in the modern battlefield then mobile suits and Automatons, it was him.

"I can have the 1st Rangers advance ahead to the hills that overlook the base beforehand and when the battle breaks out you can have my men move in to assault the base. If we're lucky, we can stop them from trying to scuttle everything of value should things begin to turn against them," the Captain said as a marker representing his company then appeared which moved into the hills overlooking the A-Laws base. "My men can infiltrate the outer perimeter during the night right before dawn and then we'll wait until the main force attacks before we make our move. All we need is for you chaps to keep the enemy distracted."

Wesker pondered on the suggestion for a moment as he reviews his options before giving an approving nod before he said, "A viable plan if it can be succeed. I'll give you the go ahead on the plan, but I expect it to succeed. If it fails, we'll end up losing more then we can afford."

"Have no fear, sir," Wallace began in a reassuring tone with a confident look and smirk, "we'll live long enough to teach Alley a lesson they'll never forget. So, when shall we get started?"

From there on, Wesker knew these suggestions from his COs would be the basis of their operation. They could refine the plan over what little time they had, but other than that, there would be no turning away from the plan that had just been laid out.

Daveral and Flint looked at the Ptolemaios. Both men were impressed by the ship's majestic design despite the fact it was damage as it lay docked on the ground as what materials the Rising Phoenix could spare were being shipped into its cargo hold.

"You know, I never actually got to see the Ptolemaios II in person until now," Flint said.

Daveral gave him a strange stare. "Why is that?" he then asked.

Flint simply shrugged. "Don't know, but it's likely because I'm stuck in the Rising Phoenix while Nena was transferred to Celestial Being. And I prefer the Earth then being up there," he pointed up towards the heavens.

Suddenly Flint then felt someone's weight on his shoulder and he nearly gave out a cry in surprise as he turned his head to see it was Nena who was raised up and balancing on both his and Daveral's shoulders.

"Wha– Where did you come from?" Flint exclaimed still reeling back from the surprise. He felt his heart racing uncontrollably–he hated surprises more than anyone else here.

Nena giggled, rather amused by how surprised he was. "And to think you act so high and mighty most of the time, I'm surprised you didn't expect this," she said to him still giggling before she then stopped and turned to Daveral. "Long time no see, Daveral."

"Been awhile, Nena. I hear you've changed over the years, that true?" he asked her as she got off both his and Daveral's shoulders and back onto the ground.

"Some of it good and recently, some of it bad. Lot of things to deal with," she said to him with a sigh changing her mood from joy to near sadness. "But the rest of Celestial Being tolerates me so that means something." She then instantly switched her mood to what she had been previously. "So what have you've been up to?"

"Just trying to make my way in the world until you guys needed me back," Daveral responded, he seemed happy being out here with them despite how dangerous their job was.

"Surprised you didn't decide to stay back at home," Nena replied back to him.

Daveral could only grin. "I did say if I was needed I would come back, though same can't be said about Helana."

"Oh," Flint then began looking at Daveral, curious about an old comrade. "You've seen her over these four years?"

"Yep, she's still with her parents and I think things between them are going well and I've also got this." Daveral pulled a flash drive from his pocket. "She gave me some recordings of several songs she's been working on the piano; some of them her own work. Should listen to them when you guys get the chance."

"Helana, piano? Damn, she really has changed more than I thought," Flint then as he snatched to drive out of Daveral's hand causing Daveral to look at him in surprise. "I may have to take a listen."

Daveral then immediately snatched it back. "I can make you a copy, but you're not getting the original," Daveral snapped back at to him.

"You know, I want to go visit her one day," Nena then stated as her eyes shifted over to the flash drive. "You mind giving me a copy of that before I leave?"

"Leave?" Flint then uttered as he turned to her. "You already heading out somewhere, despite how beat up Ptolemy is? What the hell is Celestial Being up to?"

"Trying to figure out just what exactly the Innovators are up to," she replied only to realize her mistake as Flint gave her an odd look wondering what she was talking about. "Oh, right, you haven't heard of them."

In his mind, Flint could only wonder what she meant by Innovators. Were they something along the lines of Innovades? He had heard about the later and knew who they were thanks to Kail being a prime example, though he was rather different than the usual– from what he had heard.

Daveral rubbed his chin. "Innovators? I'm guessing they're the reason for the events unfolding in the world, am I right?" he asked her with Nena nodding her head in response.

"Daveral, Flint," someone then called out as the two men turned to see Willard coming towards them.

"What's up, Willard?" Flint asked as the ace came closer and handed Daveral a data pad. "These are the mission orders to commence. Everything is listed, any questions can be asked before we start tomorrow." Willard then turned his head to Nena. "Good to see you again, Nena, I wish you and Celestial Being good luck out there once you leave."

"Thanks," Nena replied back as Willard then left the trio. She then turned her head back to Flint and Daveral. "So what've you got?" she asked Daveral curiously who already had his eyes skimming through the information.

"Be patient, I just got it," Daveral replied back to her, his eyes still focused on the data pad.

Flint then leaned over to see what Daveral was reading as he saw parts of the plan and their mission, but he only had the basis of their orders which was acting as a diversion.

"Looks like both of us and some of the air force will be making sure the majority of the ground troops make it through Federation lines as a distraction so they can attack A-Law's main stronghold in the region; that is really risky," Daveral then told both him and Nena.

"The risk may be worth it," Nena stated before heading over at Ptolemy. "Anyways I'll see you guys later, I've got to help out Ptolemy." She then waved at both him and Daveral with a smile before she was gone.

"You know, she seems alot calmer yet happier then she was before," Daveral then commented, looking at Nena. "It was good to see her again, despite how short it was."

Flint shrugged. "We'll probably be meeting her alot more as things pick up." His hand took the data pad from Daveral who had it infront of him showing that he was finished with it.

His eyes then began to read what the orders were. Whatever the plan was he would make sure it would work. A-Laws was the last thing he wanted to have a lasting presence in the region.

Middle East, September 6, Azadistan, Guyana-class Battleship Gobi

Sitting at his desk in his room, Sergei thought about what he had just said over several hours ago to his son while he glanced through his paperwork.

He had been surprised to receive a message from Andrei requesting a meeting with him in private from the bridge of the Gobi.

Upon receiving that message, he became hesitant to answer the request, but he had decided something needed to be done while he still had the chance. The last engagement with the Rising Phoenix showed him just how precious his time was and that if he did not take action now then the battlefield would make him regret not using it wisely.

The tension between the both of them had tense at the beginning as Sergei could tell Andre still held his grudge and the only reason he had this arrangement was for the answers he sought for.

"Colonel Smirnov," Andrei had began with a glare. "I wanted to ask you–"

"Why did I abandon, Holly, out there," Sergei finished for him as he gave a tired look, but looked his son in the eye.

"That is correct, sir," Andrei responded, still keeping his calm demeanour which reminded Sergei of himself. "Why was it that you left mother out there to die? And don't tell me you were following orders, she was your wife."

Giving a sigh and knowing there was no escape, Sergei answered, "I did it because it was my orders and because it was my duty as a soldier."

"Don't–" Sergei raised his hand infront of Andrei before he could reply.

Sergei then started again. "Let me explain. The reason why we're soldiers is because we want to protect the people, that is our job. I made my choice knowing the outcome and I regret it every day, but Andrei you need to understand. This wasn't about just us, it was about the people working on the orbital elevator. Every single one of them had families and if I had let something happen to them I would have failed my mission to the people. And if I must accept the burden on my soul to avoid letting those innocent feel the pain of war so be it."

"You could of done something, though. You could have found a way to make sure mother made it back and protect the workers, why didn't you?" Andrei then said wondering why everything that did happen. "You shouldn't have just done nothing," he then added, his voice growing with each word.

"I know, but Andrei, I'm still only human," Sergei replied back tiredly. "At that time I thought it was the best solution. There may have been another way and if I had seen it I would have taken it, but it was the only one I saw. Would you have felt satisfied if your mother had lived yet hundreds of others had to die or suffer to achieve that? Holly wouldn't accept such a thing nor would I. Would you?"

Andrei seemed taken aback by Sergei's words as he thought over. It looked like he had never thought of it that way.

Before Andrei could finish thinking, Sergei spoke once more, "I know you're trying to become a better man then I am and I think you will, but as a soldier you need to make the hard choice and you rarely have time to consider every option before you must act. Often you'll have to decide between two evils and pick the lesser of the two."

"Colonel Smirn– father, if you had to make the same decision with me or Soma for some reason, would you do it?" Andrei then inquired.

Sergei thought for a moment. Would he be able to make the same decision again with his own blood or his adopted stepdaughter? He had made a promise to Holly, but what about the rest of the people under his command? They had families as well and it was his duty to be a good commander and soldier.

"I-I don't know," Sergei then replied looking away with Andrei looking slightly surprised.

"What do you mean you don't know? I thought the duty of being a soldier was the only thing that ever applied to you, the only thing you ever cared about," Andrei then said with a hint of hate. It seemed like he thought he had known the answer that was coming.

Taking a pause, Sergei remembered what his wife had said, "Darling, if something should happen to me during the next mission, please take care of Andrei."

He cringed at remembering those words. He had promised Holly that, yet he never fulfilled the vow to the point it had put him in this situation; he had failed at that and he could never mend that, but he could at least settle the matter where both of them could not stand to be in each others presence and they could see each other eye-to-eye like men without hidden feelings.

"I made a promise to your mother and that was to take care of you, but I don't know if I could fulfil it if I was put in another situation like that, " Sergei then finally replied. "I don't want to repeat a mistake that cost me dearly, but I also have people looking up to me to get them through their job." Sergei then extended his hand to Andrei. "If you don't accept my words as the truth and refuse to acknowledge what I've said, I understand. But please, let's except each other as comrades in arms if we can't be family."

Andrei stared at the hand Sergei had extended to him before he returned the gesture and shook Sergei's hand. "Father, I will not fully forgive you over mother's death, though, I will understand why you made the choice and accept your reasoning. I will still prove that I can be a better soldier then you so something like that will not have to happen in my circumstance."

"I would not have it any other way." The two men then saluted each other and Andrei then began to head his separate way until Sergei then called out to him. "Andrei, if you can, keep the Peries safe. All I ask is that both of you watch out for each other out there."

Andrei didn't stop, but Sergei could somehow tell that Andrei understood and that in his mind, he would do his best to become a soldier who will go beyond the call of duty to put his father to shame.

The memory ended as Sergei opened a new folder containing medical reports and to his surprise, Erica Sierra was finally conscious, but to his dismay he found that she was already pushing her body too hard, trying to get up if it weren't for the doctor keeping her under restraints.

Regardless, in their present state and the mission they were tasked with, there would be not much she could do even if she was able to move around since her machine had been destroyed and they had better things to do at the moment then running to their deaths.

Erica gripped the white bed sheets against the excruciating pain that coursed throughout her body, holding back the tears, while she tried to get herself up once more. Her body screamed for her to rest but her minded demanded that she get up.

She needed to be back out there to fight the Federation's enemies. If should couldn't do her job the Federation would likely toss her away into civilian life, but she had no idea what to do other than fight. That was her job, her purpose and only reason why she managed to survive those gruelling training regimes.

Before she managed to get herself upright two members of the staff had forced her back into her bed and in their hands, she noticed them holding several restraints for her hands and legs which they began hooking her up to and to the bed.

"I'm sorry about this, but you just cannot move like that in your condition. Doctor's orders that you stay down until you've recovered from your injuries," one of them told her just wondering how she could bear to put her body through this.

"A-And sit here...while...I still–?" Erica tried to finish with a gasp but she found herself already needing to catch her breath, even trying to speak used up any energy that remained in her.

"Exactly, you're in no condition to do anything. Just be grateful you are a super soldier, you'll be out of bed before you know it," the previous speaker said as they had finished restraining her down before giving a nod to the doctor outside before then leaving the room.

The doctor outside then looked at her with firm, but nonsense look. "You'll be under restraints until I think you won't go tearing your own body apart. Now, just get some rest." The doctor then closed the door and the lights went out in the room.

With a groan, Erica could only think about how she managed to end up in this state. She was better than this; this just should have not happened. Her skills and abilities should have made that fight end in her favour, yet these Gundams always had a trick up their sleeves and they were generally better then the Federation's machines.

She then thought about herself in that battle and all she could do was hate who she was. Not because she had been made into a weapon or because she had lost her childhood, but because she kept losing. How could she constantly keep failing?

All she wanted was to defeat one of her opponents for good. She wanted respect and recognition not just from her fellow soldiers, but from other super soldiers that she knew during her days in the lab.

It pained her to think back to the project. Throughout the thing she had been teased and bullied due to her having the lowest scores compared to the other children who just seemed to be the best at what was handed to them. Even the scientist thought she wouldn't have passed her tests at the beginning.

If the others saw her in this state they would probably be laughing at her at how pathetic she was. And now the weapon that made her feel like she had value and power was gone, totalled, and never coming back.

She had barely managed to make it as the pilot of the Serene just because her fighting style went well with the machine design and because she spent hours on the simulator and additional training to make sure her technical scores were suitable.

I need to get better and I'll prove that I'm better than them, she then thought to herself as she reluctantly began to try and get some sleep.

If she ever managed to get back into service as a pilot, her opponents were going to pay for everything.

Western Europe, September 7, Spain

Tieria looked over at the mansion situated far away on the other side of the bay surrounded by trees at where the party would be taking place. They had two days before it began and he wondered if the Innovators knew that he was already here.

He then looked down into the bay area near the mansion. Deep below was Seravee the 00 and the Vier, hidden in containers that they had so often used during their interventions five years ago. If anything went wrong and they needed to run, they had their Gundams to fall back on and get away– hopefully Ptolemy would be repaired by then to serve as their extraction.

"Innovators, just what are you planning?" he muttered to himself as he continued to stare off into the area where their mission would be occurring.

He continued to stare before he finally he gave a sigh, as he began to return to the safe house where Nena, Setsuna and himself were taking residence in and he loathed the idea Miss Sumeragi had for him.

If only Nena had could have take his place instead for this role...

It's been so long... Nena thought to herself as she exited the small car with a bundle of flowers.

She had to come back here after all these years. She needed to remind herself why she was a Gundam Meister and pay tribute to a painful travesty she had caused.

Walking towards the memorial for the many lives she had taken due to her callousness, Nena could only remember all the things of the past that led up to this point. Things had changed for the better since the moment she had walked up to the memorial four years ago, but it would never be enough to make up for this.

Upon reaching the base of the memorial, she placed the flowers at the base and then looked up at the memorial, still reminiscing about what brought her back all the way here after four years.

Just then, she noticed a short-haried blonde woman with gleaming blue eyes who emerged from the other side of the memorial and began walking back to a small limo that waited for her not far from where Nena had parked.

Nena nearly let out a gasp for instantly she knew who this woman was, but she managed to keep her cool and the same expression she had. She then turned her gaze back onto the memorial hoping to avoid this Louise's attention. She couldn't hope to look at Louise eye-to-eye without a sense of regret and guilt that would be made clear.

Just ignore me, I'm not here, was what went through Nena's head. She prayed that Louise didn't attempt to start conversation.

Louise passed by and took a glance at her before looking at the flower down at the base before smiling at her.

"Thank you for paying your respects, it's nice to know others truly care about what happened here, already too many people forget about what happened, " Louise said to her with gratitude causing her heart to nearly skip a beat and her blood run cold before Louise then continued onwards back to her limo.

It felt strange having the person you hurt most just talking to you as an ordinary person, even if they did not know who they were actually speaking to and part of her wanted to respond but she restrained herself in fear she would say the wrong thing.

After several long moments that seemed liked eternity, Nena turned around just as she heard the limo begin driving away before she let out a sigh of relief.

If Louise was here, that meant she would likely be at the upcoming party which made Nena regret the decision of coming here. Every time she saw Louise she felt the pain and guilt that she had tried to lock away resurface. No barrier or wall she had put up to focus on the present and redemption could prevent those feelings from re-emerging.

She prayed she could avoid Louise throughout the event because if she didn't, everything that she kept bottled up would likely spill out as part of her wanted to be forgiven, yet she knew it was impossible for that after what she's done.

Already mentally exhausted, Nena headed back to her vehicle and could only hope worst would not come to worst.

Middle East, September 7,

On an over watching rough hill looking out at the A-Law's main base through a set of night-vision binoculars, Viper wondered just what was in store for them as he stood beside the leader of the Rising Phoenix.

Although he would personally be out somewhere in the nearby area, watching the action unfold through the scope of his rifle while covering for the 1st Rangers from afar, he knew it would be of little use with the 1st Rangers having their own spotters watch from the hills and the fact most of the base was enclosed behind large walls, massive hangers, and linked facilities via enclosed corridors made his job of picking personnel impossible. For now, he was on standby to see what would transpire once the assault began.

To think awhile ago everyone was filled with despair, but now looking at the A-Laws base and just what they were about to pull had revived the spirit the troops once had. If they won then they would prove they were a force to be reckoned with and it'll send a message to the A-Laws they rightfully deserved.

"Sun's about to start rising, sir," Viper stated as he then started hearing far off explosions resonating in the background indicating the mission had begun.

Looking over, Viper saw Wesker along with several COs who gave nods to each other as Viper saw the outlines of vehicles beginning to move in and close in on the A-Laws base with the muzzle flashes of cannons going off from various directions.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, let us begin," Wesker said to everyone as he crossed his arms with his pocket watch open in one hand. "Time to show A-Laws Celestial Being is the least of their concerns."

Daveral watched from afar as one of the Phalanx's railguns went off and tore a massive hole in one of the radar stations that belonged to this Federation base.

They needed to knock out the hangers and all their sensor equipment to ensure that the Federation would be unable to respond to this attack and to make sure they would not be followed once they made their way towards the A-Law's base once their mission was complete.

Several small bombs then fell on the hangers from several Phantoms that began pulling up after their attack run. Their explosion was much less then impressive as not a single cloud of smoke could be seen billowing from where the ordnance had landed or violent explosions.

Despite the initial appearance, a short wait saw the hangers rumble before they then began to shatter and collapse on themselves, crushing what was inside them under their own heavy ceilings–the surrounding area around the hangers also began to break with the concrete ground violently being broken, torn up from the ground.

"Oh, man, they're seriously using seismic munitions?" Flint asked as he saw the hangers fall apart.

"Seems like it, though it appears they're using down-scaled ordnance," Daveral replied back with his assumption as he fired another railgun round which then tore the rest of the radar station he had targeted.

He didn't destroy the main control terminal, but it would take a considerable amount of time for the Federation to replace and repair the damage, more then enough time to complete the rest of their mission.

The Pegasus then flew in over the base and fired several particle beams at some of the mobile suits that had barely managed to deploy out of their now destroyed hangers; the targeted mobile suits did not even have a chance to respond as most of them collapsed and crashed onto the torn up pavement now completely useless if they had not been destroyed.

"Looks like we're just about finished here," a pilot then said through the comm. Less then ten-percent of the targets remain. The last hanger then collapsed, kicking up grey clouds of dust as another set of bombs were dropped on it that detonated. "Never mind, all targets eliminated and Willard reports they've just took down their objectives. All units now proceed to the main objective as planned."

"Understood, we're–" Immediately warning signals began going off in Daveral's cockpit as he saw a massive glowing orange particle beam heading his way. Upon seeing it he got out of the way and looked in the direction of where that shot had come from.

"Daveral, three signatures approaching, they ain't A-Laws of Federation," Flint then told him as Daveral's cameras began focusing in at the three small objects in the distance. "One appears to be a mobile armour."

Instantly Daveral knew what they had to do–stick to the plan. "Flint, watch my back, we'll still make our way back to the A-Laws base as planned," he then replied back as the Phalanx then began moving out with the Pegasus following close behind as another particle beam came towards them from afar. "We'll have the Phantoms flank them when the time's right."

Flint nodded his head. "Roger–" Flint didn't get t finish his response as both pilots suddenly found the enemy machines closing the distance much faster then they had expected.

Focusing in once again, Daveral saw that the two mobile suits had some sort of booster hooked up which was spewing GN Particles into the air. Upon seeing this, Daveral began getting his sights laid in on the target as he send an ecrypted message to Wesker and the rest of the COs. Even with some Ace Phantoms overhead, he had no idea just what these machines were capable of and judging by the size of that mobile armour, it likely had more to it then just meets the eye.

Author Notes: Expect a slow down in chapters as I head off to university soon. I'll try my best to update, but I may have tp put this on hold if things get too rough down there for a first-year undergraduate but I'll ensure this gets finished by the before I start second year.