PHASE-07: Riders on the Storm
The chapter begins with Akiza, Flay, and Rio sleeping together naked in Rio's bedroom after the three having a threesome the previous night. Akiza was on the center, with Flay on the right side of the bed, the two partners embraced each other intimately, with Rio on the left side, sleeping facing at Akiza.
20 hours earlier...
Orb National Defense Headquarters, Onogoro Island, Orb Union [Command Room]
Rio meets up with Cagalli and the higher-ups of Orb's military. The heiress of the Tokino family was feeling goosebumps as she prepares to face her superiors and Cagalli. This is more than just her actions along with the rest of her new allies, worrying that she might compromise Akiza and Ian's technology from the future.
One of the commanders asked Rio about the attacking robots during the party.
"Lady Rio. Do you have any plausible intel regarding the attacking robotic soldiers during the party the other day?"
Rio replied, "Yes, sir. As a matter of a fact, while serving my suspension, I was tasked to supervise the three guests during Lady Cagalli's birthday party. The two of the three individuals use highly-advanced cutting-edge technology superior than ours. As a matter of a fact, they are highly-experienced soldiers for some reason."
"In other words, the two people are from the future.", Cagalli backed Rio.
Before the meeting, Rio recalls her conversation with Akiza in the event if their origins from the future were to be revealed:
Rio: I know the two of you are from the future. But, what bothers me if my superiors are forcing me to reveal about you and your futuristic mobile suits.
Akiza: Don't worry. I've already messed up with the time stream already with erasing Flay's death. Even if everything diverges from what history originally set it was intended to be, things better be off if it goes into a different direction.
Rio: So you're saying even if the future will be changed, history will move in a different direction regardless of whatever the course of action?
Akiza: Rio... The future is not yet set in stone. But we, as humans, have the power to change it with our own hands, for better or for worse. No matter what happens even if you spill everything to your superiors, I'm sure they will understand. We will be ready if JUNO's robotic soldiers attack again.
Rio: Then, I will take full responsibility.
Akiza: No, all of us. Because we share this as our destiny. And we will share that responsibility together.
After Rio's flashback ends, she finally makes her move.
"That's true. They come from 70 years into the future, where humanity has been wiped off from the planet by a computer virus, and to an extent, almost living creatures across have been wiped out and robotic lifeforms began ruling the planet through fear and oppression.", Rio elaborated to her superiors about Akiza and Ian's apocalyptic future. "Which explains the robotic soldiers and remote-operated enemy mobile suits attacking parts of Orb."
"Do the three individuals have any military background or combat experience?", one of the higher-ups clarified.
Rio continued, "Both Akiza Izinski and Ian Joule were resistance members opposing this enemy artificial intelligence's oppressive regime. They aren't ordinary soldiers, but they all have been accustomed to guerilla warfare. Mr. Joule is also working as a freelance bounty hunter, and he just recently captured a member of Blue Cosmos hiding in the mainland. Ms. Izinski possesses extrasensory perception (ESP) abilities, which allows her to probe into the memories of persons of interest that can provide intel."
Another commander then shows his skepticism regarding Flay, considering that her father has ties to Blue Cosmos. "However, there is one problem, Lady Rio. It's that girl. Her father, George Allster of the Atlantic Federation, has secret ties to Blue Cosmos."
"I know... I already told the child first hand about her father's ties with the terrorist group.", Rio further elaborated, she was unfazed by the strict questions from her superiors. "Also, thanks to an intel given to me from a mystery informant, I had to show Ms. Allster the truth about her father."
Two weeks prior, Rio presented to Flay and Akiza a dossier containing files of Blue Cosmos's activities that was given to her from an unnamed informant:
Flay: What are these?
Rio: Intel about Blue Cosmos given to me by an informant.
Akiza: I see. Those guys have been doing crazy stuff that is even kept from the public eye.
Rio: I know the truth can be that shocking, but knowing that your father is anything but a good person hits hard. In case if you haven't observed the three pilots that act as Muruta Azrael's attack dogs while you were in the Dominion, they are the result of the Alliance's unethical experiments of turning children into mobile suit pilots.
Flay: (shudders) No...
Akiza: (taps Flay in the shoulder) Yeah, I heard of that one before. The Alliance are indoctrinating youth into becoming Coordinator killers, they inject them with drugs, put them into special training, and psychological manipulation to make them on par with Coordinators.
Rio: That's right, it is through these medical proceedures involving children at the age of 16 to be injected with a stimulant called Gamma Glipheptin. However, the pilots needed a dose of this stimulant in order to keep fighting, whenever they reach their limit, they suffer withdrawal symptoms and thus needed periodic doses of that drug.
Ian: Holy shit, this is just fucked up. But unsurprisingly, the Atlantic Federation has been keeping this in the dark from the public eye.
Rio: It can't be helped...
Flay: If this isn't horrifying, then I don't know what is. I can't believe my father would be part of something like this...
Akiza: Flay...
Flay could not cry at this point, despite being visibly shaken by the truth. It's not because that she has already shed enough tears after being constantly exposed by one bloodshed after another and unpleasant truths about her father. She told Akiza that she is unable to shed a single tear. Akiza, likewise, feels the same; as she herself has seen enough death and destruction back in her world. And by the time she arrived in the present, she doesn't seem surprised by the occurrences of attacks by Blue Cosmos and JUNO's robotic soldiers as if she has seen everything.
Once Rio's second flashback concluded, she then told the higher-ups to stop dwelling in the past. "The war is over. And like those who have lived to tell the tale, Flay Allster is also a victim of this horrible conflict. Just because of accusing her because of her father being Blue Cosmos isn't going to make us feel better! So, please, I'm begging you to stop looking back into the past."
"At this point, these three have proven themselves to be capable in the battlefield.", Cagalli then recommends Rio to have three be recruited in the military. "What they did back in the party shows they have the capacity through courage to protect innocent lives even if they don't have to be soldiers."
"Lady Cagalli...", Rio and the other higher-ups began to get the gist of the Chief Representative's words, while others kept their skepticism.
"Rio, I want you to assume full responsibility of your new task force unit.", Cagalli continued. "Even if they are still unofficial soldiers, they all have what it takes to do what's right."
"Thank you, Lady Cagalli. From this day onward, I, Rio Nagi Tokino, the head of the Tokino family, hearby declare the formation of the Anti-Blue Cosmos Task Force Unit: Team Paradox, today! As commander, I will take full responsibility."
Meanwhile, Akiza, Ian, and Flay enlisted themselves in Orb's military while Rio is speaking with her superiors. However, it is their decision to join with the military as noncomissioned officers even without waiting for Rio's approval. Before Rio could declare the formation of Team Paradox, it was Akiza's idea to name this task force as Team Paradox, perhaps referring to the time paradox she caused by undoing Flay's death, and having time travelers from the future involved in a new age of battle.
After leaving the Command Room, Rio once again runs into Mina, the head of the Sahaku family.
As always, Rio hasn't let go of her contempt of Mina back from the party. "You... Do you come here to rub it in again?!"
"No matter how you insist in making another petty accusation, you will only bring nothing misery to yourself.", the Sahaku heiress said. "I assume that you have got hands on that Magatama during the party, I see."
"What?!", Rio shook her head in surprise.
"For a second there, Lady Cagalli is about to touch that magatama until those robots attacked the auditorium. And then your friend managed to snag it, for you to harness its mysterious power."
It turns out that Mina had set a plan in motion in the middle of the party, she set up to have Rio retrieve the Ruby Magatama under the guise of a present for Cagalli. Mina then anticipated the JUNO Army's actions in order for the time medallion fall into Rio's hands.
"So you set the whole thing up to give that artifact to me?", that did not even convinced Rio to let go of her anger just yet, as she roasts Mina, "Don't you know how many lives were endangered back then all because you roped me into using that magatama?!"
Mina remains unfazed, but tells Rio about what her future holds and that's why she decided to give the magatama to the Tokino heiress.
"It was not my intention for you to give the magatama to you, Rio. It chose you.", Mina said. "It tells you that you are about to realize your own destiny, a destiny that you share with those three."
"Why give me this, Mina?", Rio pulled the Ruby Magatama from her uniform's pocket. "I'm not ready for this. Let alone having to face the threat of killer robots from the future trying to exterminate mankind."
"Do you really wish to honor your father's wish of protecting Orb, child? That stone has been an heirloom of the Sahaku clan for generations. Now, it wants someone worthy that will guide mankind to a better future. If you still insist that you are not prepared for what the future holds, you may hand it over."
Rio then realizes why the magatama is intertwined to both Akiza and Ian's time medallion and time ring, respectively. They both have the power to bend time to their will, and Mina points out that they are the key to create a shining future for mankind.
"Rio... the future is not yet set in stone. But we, as humans, have the power to change it, for better or for worse."
"Now I know...", Rio said after recalling what Akiza said about the future not yet set in stone. "In that case, I will keep that gem. Because, even if the future isn't yet set in stone, it will depend on the success I have with my comrades to change it."
"Good, good... If you wish to build a better future, strive for individual aid, not blind hostility.", Mina acknowledges Rio's determination. "Then we can dance a duet together. Until we meet again, daughter of Ryu Nasu Tokino."
Mina takes her leave, which then leads to her teammates appearing before her now dressed in Orb military uniform as noncommissioned officers to be assigned to the new task force Team Paradox. Akiza, on the other hand, unlike Flay or Rio, wears trousers instead of a long skirt and stockings.
"Hey, isn't that the head of the Sahaku family?", Akiza asked.
"It turned out that she was using the chaos back from the party so she wants me to hold into this thing.", Rio discussed Mina's convoluted plan about bringing the magatama to her. "Mina has never changed one bit. She was a teacher to me back then, yet I was upset when she and her twin brother Gina have been in cahoots with Blue Cosmos behind closed doors. After her brother died, she only cares about looking forward what the future holds."
"I guess she had a good reason why she did that.", Flay glances at Rio.
"Let's not forget the Sahakus are one of two most powerful families here in Orb, next to the Athhas.", Rio continued. "Both Mina and Gina are experienced players in this political game, treating it like a game of chess. I was her protegee. Under Mina's ruthlessness and influence within Orb's hierarchy, she is a strict mentor with a good heart, and she knows how to close it when she is about to get serious."
With Rio concluding her history with Mina, Ian then asks her of the higher-ups about the new task force. "So, the top brass gave the green light?", he said.
"Yes, even Lady Cagalli gave me the approval.", Rio continued, "However, I will be your commanding officer the moment we step into the battlefield. You are to follow orders when told to. Akiza, because you were once a resistance leader back in your time period and given your experiences in combat, the chain of command recommended you to be ranked as a sergeant."
"So, I'm leading on the front lines? It feels like old times...", Akiza smiles, as she has been taught how to lead by her father figure.
Rio once again gives her teammates their designations as members of Team Paradox, "As part of the Anti-Blue Cosmos Task Force Unit Team Paradox, we will be giving ourselves designated code names. Akiza maintains her cool, determination, and rarely acting on impulse makes her a more better leader on the front lines. So, she's Gundam Operator Series Black."
"Wait, this sounds quite familiar...", Ian breaks the fourth wall trying to get the gist of Rio's giving color names to her team.
"Ian Joule, I don't know how I am going to say this. But, I will have to designate you as Gundam Operator Series Green.", Rio then gives Ian his assigned code name, followed by Flay. "As for you Flay, even though you haven't or yet to pilot a mobile suit... I'd rather give you the assigned name of Gundam Operator Series Blue. And lastly, as commander, I'll be refered to as Gundam Operator Series Red."
Ian continued, "Black, red, green, blue... Wait, we don't have a yellow?"
"It's just the four of us, Ian. That's all there is to it.", Flay replied.
Akiza got the gist of the color designations of each members of Team Paradox. It may have something to do with the time medallions and the time ring in their person. Her Obsidian Pendant has a deep black gem embedded in a cross-shaped pendant, Ian has an emerald time ring, and Rio now holding onto a Ruby Magatama. Flay, on the other hand, does not have any time medallion nor a ring, despite being an enlisted member.
"Starting next week, we're going to move our equipment and mobile suits to Morgenroete here on Ongoro Island. The building has been reconstructed after the war.", said Rio, telling her teammates about the newly-rebuilt headquarters that was destroyed during the battle against the EA.
For the time being, Team Paradox has to remain on the Tokino estate in Yalafath.
Elsewhere, a meteorite enters the Earth's atmosphere. At Orb's National Defense Headquarters, they saw the meteorite about the crash nearby Onogoro Island. The meteorite crashed near the memorial park.
No casualties or injuries were reported at the crash site. From the meteorite itself, it somehow opened a large hole, where a car's headlights lit up emerging from the space rock.
Tokino family Residence, Olofat, Yalafath Island, Orb Union
Team Paradox returned to the Tokino mansion. And they only have a week before moving to Morgenroete.
In the dead of night, Rio is sitting at the window of her bedroom as she pours champagne on her glass. Contemplating on the uncertainties that she and her teammates are about to face from here on out. Her thoughts were both on herself and on her father.
"Papa... I've finally redeemed myself and our family name. It was thanks to three unlikely allies who helped me find my purpose in life. Now, I can finally look forward what the future holds for the people of Orb, for my friends, and for everything in the world that's worth protecting. I hope you continue to watch over me."
Before she can drink her glass, she stopped after being interrupted by the sound of the knocking at the door. She gently placed the glass back at the table next to the champagne bottle stored in a steel bucket full of ice. When she answered the door, it's Akiza and Flay together.
"It's the two of you.", Rio sighed awkwardly, while looking around in case of Ian's presence. "I hope that unruly mutt is in his room."
"Ian isn't the type of guy who peeps on women.", Akiza said. "He only enjoys killing anything that moves and usually say that fighting tough opponents give him an erection."
"Heh. He must be such a psychopath that whenever he's drawn to violence, I can't imagine how his "thing" gets an erection. Either way, come inside.", Rio allows the two ladies to enter her room and quickly locked the door.
Flay, on the other hand, seems rather timid by the fact that this is the first time she is about to do a threesome with two attractive women. Granted, she and Akiza frequently have sex as a lesbian couple, and given the that latter is actually a lesbian herself and she has a tendency to be turned on by Flay's emotional vulnerability. Since then, Flay becomes intimately attached to Akiza ever since parting ways with Kira.
"Aki, are you sure you want to do this? I never been in a threesome before...", Flay said curiously.
"Rio and I talked about this the night after the party. I promise. I won't go rough on you.", Akiza reassures that everything will be fine. "To be honest, I never tried doing a threesome before."
Rio then prepared two glasses. However, Flay insists sharing one glass with Akiza. That said, Rio pours the other glass with champagne. The two ladies of Team Paradox then share a toast to dedicate the foundation of the task force: "To Team Paradox."
Rio proceeds to drink her glass of champagne, while Akiza then proceeded to drink half of the alcoholic drink. Then, she hands the glass over to Flay, who quickly drank the remaining half of the glass, much to Akiza's surprise. The taste of the champagne was sweet and mouthwatering. So much so, Flay asked for another glass.
Then again, Flay consumed an entire glass of champagne after Rio served her a second. By the time she gets a third one, she drinks a half like Akiza did earlier.
"Seriously, Flay... This is the first time you've gotten so drunk.", said Akiza as she drank the last remaining of the champagne on the glass.
Flay is already getting smashed after two and a half glasses of champagne, much to Rio's amusement while she drinks her own very carefully. "This is where it gets really amusing", Rio thought to herself as she's anticipating Flay and Akiza about to knock each other up on the bed.
Akiza decide to drink all what's left of the champagne bottle, getting drunk herself.
It's just like the first time Akiza got really drunk and inadvertently raped Flay. However, both ladies this time are already intoxicated. Rio was already anticipating this. While Rio is nonchalantly contempating at the window as both Akiza and Flay began leaning on each other, as rain starts to fall outside.
"Aki... I feel so hot.", Flay whispered while she removes the hair curler-like accessory from Akiza's bangs, where it restrains her psychic powers. Akiza doesn't seem to mind as her bangs begin covering her face. "So cute...", Flay continued as she put her hands on her partner's breasts.
Flay didn't feel any envy with Akiza's large breasts. But it is said that the bigger the woman's breast depends on the attractiveness.
"This is incredible. I just can't imagine how big they are! It's like five times the D-cup.. Or "5Ds"?", Flay thought to herself.
However, Akiza can read Flay's dirty thoughts without even noticing it. "Enough with the bad puns, Flay."
"Aki, don't read my mind! It's creepy!"
Flay stopped at the moment before looking awkwardly at her older partner. Akiza reassures that there's nothing to worry about, even with her psychic powers. The only thing important is they should enjoy the night together before Rio can join in. The lesbian couple exchanged smiles before Akiza kisses Flay on the forehead, cheek, and on the lips. The taste of their kisses is overlapped by the scent of champagne from earlier. As soon as the two exchanged passionate kisses, their thoughts have become more clear.
"Flay... I love you.", Akiza telepathically professed her feelings to Flay.
"I love you too, Aki. Promise me that you will stay by my side forever?"
"I will never let you go."
Flay continued massaging Akiza's breasts until she pins her down to the bed and aggressively begin to undress her partner before she undressed herself, and continued touching Akiza. Their breasts collided with one another, and having their nipples touching each other. Then, Akiza herself proceeded to touch Flay's breasts in return and then on her womanhood.
"I feel so dirty... Aki's finger is touching my insides!", Flay felt Akiza's fingers on her pussy as she is being thoroughly touched. "But, that's how it's supposed to be."
Akiza explored deeper into her partner, she is getting turned on by Flay's constant moans and breathes as she felt a sticky feeling from her fingers.
"Someone's getting wet.", Akiza lets out a lecherous smirk, as she licked her fingers soaked with her partner's "love juice".
Flay returns the favor as she started sucking on Akiza's boobs, and at the same time touching her other breast before going into her pussy. It is fitting that Flay is now the butterfly sucking the nectar out of the black rose that is Akiza.
"Flay... don't stop...! Keep going until I lose my mind!", Akiza demanded her partner to be more passionate and intense. That said, Flay decided to take an extra mile as she goes down below Akiza's crotch and lick its lips.
As Flay's tongue began touching and coursing around Akiza's bits, Akiza's eyes start to roll upwards, her face starting to turn red and her tongue protruding out by the ecstasy and suddenly letting out an orgasm.
Flay quickly crawled back to her partner, and once again exchanged the most passionate kiss.
Meanwhile, Rio headed into the bathroom and pulls out a sex toy from the drawer. Rio apparently uses this clear, translucent dildo whenever she needs to masturbate alone. It seems that she has a very active libido compared to the two (Akiza and Flay). That said, she prepares to join in with the two.
Within moments, Rio took off her night robe and to both Akiza and Flay's shock, Rio has a more curvaceous figure and breasts larger than Akiza's outside of her uniform.
"Even Rio too?!", exclaimed Flay. "Her's are much bigger than Aki and mine..."
"Ladies, I think it's time we turn up the heat for both of us.", Rio's naughty smile becomes more apparent as she holds her dildo. "I have it cleaned and warmed up."
Rio proceeds to plunge her dildo into Akiza's insides and continuously stroke it back and forth while Flay went on to suck on her partner's breasts and touch the other with her right hand. And once again, Akiza's eyes rolled upward and her tongue sticking out as she enjoys every moment of being touched and feeling the warmth of Rio's dildo coursing in her body.
"I've enjoyed hearing both of you moan in agony and ecstasy at the same time while I was fantasizing the two of you going at it. The moment Akiza becomes lewd and perverted is the testament just to show how she is gifted such a perfect and wonderful body, despite lacking a womanly elegance!", said Rio, grasping Akiza's erotic body language.
Rio stroke faster than usual as Akiza is in the verge of another orgasm, as Akiza arched her body upwards and letting out a scream of pain and pleasure. Afterwards, Rio proceeds to take her naughty side on Flay as Akiza pants and breathes uncontrollably with a curved smile and her eyes wide open.
Rio proceeded to kiss Flay, the latter decided to return with the same passionate kiss she had with Akiza.
"Such a delicate young body. Yet, you sacrificed your own virginity to a young man who had been in constant adversity in his life. Even after that, you end up not satisfied with it.", Rio felt Flay's previous relationship with Kira while kissing and touching the latter. "Now that you've rediscovered love through Akiza, now I know why you are growing out of your shell..."
Meanwhile, as she watches Rio touching Flay, Akiza is still eager for more despite being visibly exhausted as she starts masturbating in front of the two. She pinched her nipples with her right hand and then touching her pussy with her left hand.
"Such an audacious woman...", Rio smirked.
"Aki, don't look at me like that! It's embarrassing!"
Flay stopped Akiza from touching herself, as the latter pulls out Rio's sex toy, now soaked with Akiza's very essence.
"It's your turn, Flay.", Akiza's naughty smile is still present on her face as the dildo is then placed into Flay's bits. Akiza gently stroked the dildo back and forth as Flay felt the pain and pleasure coursing in her body. "Let's push you further towards the red zone!"
"I'm...losing...myself... Aki's very essence, it's so warm.", Flay finding herself losing it like the same way Akiza is whenever she is about to come out. "Aki, don't go too fast, or I'll lose myself!"
As Flay is about to pop her own weasel, she lets out a cry as her head arched upwards.
A few minutes later, Flay manages to recover from the fatigue and so does Akiza, regaining control of themselves before they kissed softly. That said, they proceed to return the favor to Rio as the two begin touching and kissing her simultaneously while Flay uses Rio's own dildo against her. Flay and Akiza overwhelm Rio as the latter kissed her passionately as everything fades to black.
Returning to where it all began, the three ladies having enjoyed a night to remember, all share the bed for the night. Akiza was on the center, Flay was sleeping on the right side hugging Akiza intimately, and Rio was already on the left, facing at the opposite direction from the lesbian couple naked while letting them sleep with the blanket. When Akiza briefly woke up, she then extends the blanket to Rio's side.
"Hey, we are in this together, Rio.", Akiza smiled.
"I insist, you and Flay should sleep with the blanket on."
"No, I insist. Even if Flay and I love each other, but remember now that we have established Team Paradox, this is what it feels to be part of a family of unrelated people."
Even for the newly established Team Paradox, Akiza also valued the philosophy she learned from Kiryu: "The friends that truly care about you even if they're not related by blood are considered a family." Akiza ran away from Orb after a tumultuous childhood of being a pariah, and Ian was abandoned at a young age and was raised by Kiryu like he was his own son. Since then, she remembered what it felt like to have a family who cared about her, even if they aren't blood-related.
"I see... Sometimes, family doesn't have to be dependent on blood relations.", Rio muttered. "You truly have a good heart under that battle-hardened exterior. Your mentor must have taught you how to maintain such compassion even living in a cruel and unfair world."
"Kiryu taught me everything what I do on the battlefield.", Akiza then ponders about her mentor and father figure. "Like what Ian told me, Kiryu might be still alive somewhere..."
"Don't lose hope, Aki. I'm sure he'll turn up.", Flay woke up, overhearing about Kiryu. "And I might be interested to meet him someday."
Akiza smiled at her partner, giving her the hope she needed about Kiryu. "I'm sure he'll arrive here like Ian and myself did."
The three women slept peacefully as everything fades to black.
A week later...
Team Paradox Compound, Onogoro Island, Orb Union
Team Paradox managed to move their equipment and mobile suits into their new base of operations. From that point on, this is where Akiza, Flay, Ian, and Rio take residence now that the three are now enlisted as Orb Union soldiers and part of the task force to hunt down Blue Cosmos members hiding in Orb.
"Holy shit!", Ian exclaimed as he toured around the HQ with Rio taking point. "This is nothing compared to the Avengers HQ from the Marvel Cinematic Universe! They've got a conference room, a living area, a workshop, and too fucking many to mention!"
Afterwards, the team gather in the workshop as Rio introduces them their new pilot suits. However, Akiza then pulls out her G-Phone to scan the pilot suits. And by doing so, she gains a second pilot suit, and giving it a customization in a similar vein to her previous suit.
Akiza's pilot suit is given a matte black with carbon fibre in place of the base white, adding in turquoise accents, and sponsorship decals added giving the impression of a racing suit. And finally, she puts the number 63, on the right torso portion of her suit and on her helmet. To Ian's surprise, "Akiza are you a Mercedes fan? You are not the type of person to be a fan of George Russell.", then Ian pulled out his own G-Phone to customize his new pilot suit, only this time he paints his green with lime accents.
Akiza had spare G-Phones; the first one already came inside the Izayoi's cockpit when Rio used it during the afterparty battle. The second one is in Akiza's person, intending to give it to Flay this time. Akiza decided to customize Flay's pilot suit with navy blue colors and red accents.
"Wait, did you give her the Red Bull colors?", Ian asked wittily. "I hope she doesn't pull a Verstappen if she pilots a mobile suit one day. Hehehe."
"She's merely 10 years early to be on the same level as a racing driver on a mobile suit, boy.", Rio claps back at Ian as she takes out her own G-Phone. "In fact, I'd prefer a Ferrari red color on my suit, thank you very much."
Likewise, Rio did the same, giving her pilot suit a Scuderia Ferrari-style livery. If Akiza has the number 63 on her pilot suit, Flay has the number 51. Rio emblazoned the number 16 on both her suit and helmet, referencing how she was born on the sixteenth night of November. While Ian had his emblazoned with the number 33.
Akiza then brainstorms how to change into the pilot suits using the G-Phone, something that brings to mind Japanese superhero shows. It comes into two options either in smartphone or gun modes, since the phone can transform into a laser gun.
To suit up, an ID card must be inserted into the G-Phone to invoke the suit-up sequence. Akiza then demonstrates. "Once you put the card into the phone while in either smartphone or gun mode, you shout, "Paradox Change, followed by the color designation of your Gundam Operator Series name."
"How does it even work, Akiza?", Rio raised her eyebrow.
"Watch closely.", Akiza inserted her ID card into her G-Phone like what she mentioned.
And by doing so, her device proclaims: "Akiza, access granted!"
"Paradox Change: Gundam Operator Series Black!", Akiza invoked the suit-up call with energy and enthusiasm.
[Change: Operator Series Black]
A suit-up sequence is initiated, as Akiza is seen wearing black spandex as she spreads her arms sidewards, forming her pilot suit. Within moments, her helmet forms above her head and she has to put on the helmet by grabbing with her arms upwards and proceeds to wear the helmet, completing the suit-up.
And to Rio's surprise, all of Team Paradox's customized pilot suit helmets have headlights and wheels on the ear sections, invoking a vehicle theme.
"Impressive. For a second there, the design on the pilot suit was asinine. But, I'm impressed by the fact you and Ian carry cutting-edge technology from the future that none of us could possibly comprehend.", said Rio.
Fittingly, both the Paradox and Mach are designed based on common vehicles. The Paradox's four components are based on sea, air, and land vehicles, with the Core GT hypercar acting as the Core Block unit to operate the Gundam. The Mach is designed after a motorcycle, because of its Mobile Cycle mode. However, Akiza is not the only one with a Gun Vehicle. Ian also has a standalone Gun Vehicle of his own: The VGRS-5DS03 Limp Bizkit. The Limp Bizkit is based on a 992 Porsche 911 GT3. It runs with a top speed of 477 kph (296.4 mph) thanks to its 3.0L naturally-aspirated flat-six boxer engine with a 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Limp Bizkit is even armed with 75mm "Igelstellung" CIWS guns concealed in its headlights, MG50X 40mm "Red Hot Chili Pepper" Grenade Launchers under the hood since its engine is mounted at the back, VT4X "Longinus" extendable wheel spikes, and finally a DRS (drag-reduction system) function.
The Core GT, being based on the Koenigsegg Jesko, with headlights of the Ferrari F8 Tributo and taillights of the Apollo Intensa Emozione, has its own fair share of equipment and specs. It runs with a 5.0L hybrid twin-turbocharged V8 engine, with a top speed of 519 kph (322.4 mph). It has a 10-speed LST non-synchronous multi-clutch transmission and a DRS function. Likewise, it has "Igelstellungs" concealed on its headlights, "Longinus" wheel spikes, a functioning rear wing that moves downwards during braking points, allowing it to generate 775 kg (1708 lb) of downforce at 297 kph (184.5 mph), 1000 kg (2205 lb) at 361 kph (224.3 mph) and 1400kg (3086 lb) at top speed.
"Such incredible pieces of machinery...", Rio comments on the two Gun Vehicles. "Although the Core GT has a secondary function to form the Paradox, Limp Bizkit is merely a car designed for the race-track, aside being fitted with conventional weaponry seen in most mobile suits and mobile armors."
"If you want to see how these things work on the road, we'll demonstrate.", says Ian, Akiza also gives a nod.
"I see... But, first things first. There's a meteorite that crashed somewhere around Onogoro Island.", Rio decides to see how the Gun Vehicles perform on the road, but has other things in mind. "However, the GPS of the G-Phone states that the crash site is not too far from here."
"Well, it might be worthwhile to kill some time to investigate? Right, commander?", Akiza replied, referring Rio, albeit mockingly, with her military rank.
Team Paradox then proceeded to the meteorite crash site, which is located not too far from their compound. While there are no authorities around right now to seal off the meteorite from the locals, so the team decide to investigate the meteorite themselves.
While Dr. Paradox is busy analyzing the meteorite, a blue butterfly strangely flying around the team.
"What the fuck, get lost!", Ian tries to get away from the strange butterfly before he could threaten to swat it.
However, Rio asks him not to. "You'd be bringing a bad omen to yourself should you even try to kill that creature."
Akiza seems to be unfazed by the butterfly's presence, however Flay begins to see visions as it flew around. She begins to see the face of an androgynous young man who has ties to Akiza and Ian; while at the same time from Flay's point of view changes that from Akiza's, and a vision of her spirit from the original timeline comforting a grieving Kira.
"Flay, what's wrong?", Akiza then took notice that the butterfly's presence begin to bother her partner.
"Nothing... I didn't mean to worry you, Aki.", Flay gave a gesture that she's unaffected.
"No heat signatures around this thing.", Rio used her G-Phone to probe the meteorite of possible heat signatures. But, alas... There was nothing special about this meteorite. "This is no ordinary space rock.", until she discovers a hole that leads to the inside of the "meteorite", "There's a passageway inside. Everyone over here!"
The team entered the meteorite's interior with the strange butterfly following them inside, only to discover that this is no ordinary space rock to begin with as Rio pointed out. The interior is more like a garage room of sorts as there are visible tire tracks from the floor all the way outside.
"This is no meteorite, it's an escape pod!", Akiza came to a conclusion.
Dr. Paradox elucidated further, judging by the presence of control panels inside. "Or in this case, a time capsule. Someone must have time traveled from C.E. 150 into the present!"
This shocks both Akiza and Ian, since they have a hunch that JUNO's soldiers are after them. In fact, they all know that JUNO and its army are capable of developing time travel technology to stop anyone from threatening its existence. On Akiza's end however, this gave her a possible hope that her mentor and friend Kiryu is still alive and he managed to escape into the present.
"A time machine?", Rio shook her head.
"Apparently, most of the JUNOids use wormholes for time travel. But this one is a bit different. And this is a technology developed by the people of the Mars colonies.", Akiza is also familiar by the technology incorporated in this time capsule.
"The Mars Resistance Team.", Ian added. "JUNO didn't just destroyed the Earth, it also began conquering other planets and colonies. Before I got here, I was busy on Mars fending off its last line of defense before it was on the verge of being overrun by the JUNO Army. Don't tell me that the guys from Mars are also planning to change the timeline too..."
Suddenly the blue butterfly guides the team outside as the roar of an engine can be heard from the inside of the "meteorite". Once the team leave the "meteorite", Ian decides to plant explosives inside to destroy the time capsule so it won't fall into the wrong hands.
"We better blow this thing up or some average Joe might try to use it and fuck with the time stream.", said Ian.
"Destroying the evidence. A very smart move, Ian.", said Rio.
"Because we won't allow anyone, not even Blue Cosmos would get their hands on time travel technology.", said Akiza. "Think about it, if they have that kind of power to go back into the past by killing George Glenn before his revelation as a Coordinator, then Coordinators would cease to exist!"
Once explosives are set, Akiza and Flay get on board the Core GT, while Ian and Rio got inside Limp Bizkit. The team quickly exit from the meteorite's crash site to stay clear of the blast radius. Ian uses his G-Phone to detonate the explosives inside the meteorite, destroying the time capsule inside of it.
"Blue Cosmos will do anything rub out all Coordinators on Earth.", Rio continued. "They would pose more danger if they have those things to alter the past."
Flay finally understands the risks of time travel and the technology to use it. The fact Ian had to destroy the time capsule inside the meteorite is the right thing, because it could pose a danger to the space-time continuum should it fall into the wrong hands, especially if it's Blue Cosmos, who are dead set to kill Coordinators in the name of "preserving their blue and pure world" by any means necessary.
[*BGM: "Razor's Edge" from GRID Legends*]
Once the meteorite is destroyed, another Gun Vehicle is observing Team Paradox as the professor intercepts this familiar Gun Vehicle.
"This Gun Vehicle looks all too familiar...", Dr. Paradox's voice echoed from both Akiza and Ian's dashboards.
"Yeah, I know what you're sayin', doc.", Ian apparently recognizes the car elsewhere.
"I have a bad feeling about this.", Akiza shares the same hunch as Ian. "Something tells me that he wants us to race."
"Whoever is driving that mysterious car, we're not sure if he's a friend or a foe.", Rio had her thoughts on this situation, as Akiza and Ian are the only ones who are familiar of this Gun Vehicle.
That said, with both Akiza and Ian at the wheel of their respective Gun Vehicles, they begin the chasing the mysterious Gun Vehicle on the highway. Rio warns them to drive carefully or else they could attract police attention. However, the car in front, along with the strange butterfly, lead them further into the freeway where there is less traffic.
The high-speed chase starts as the Core GT is catching up with the unknown Gun Vehicle, and Limp Bizkit is right behind them. Akiza needs to overtake this mystery driver as soon as possible.
"This Gun Vehicle, I think I remember it now...", Akiza somehow remembers the car. "That's Kiryu's car, the Slapshock GTR!"
"Say WHAT?!", Ian exclaimed, as his voice can be heard from the dashboard. "You're saying that's Kiryu's car?!"
"Can't you see his driving pattern? Of course, it's him!"
The car is revealed to belong to Akiza and Ian's mentor and father figure, Kiryu Fudo Nagare, the VGTR-5DS02 Slapshock GTR; it is based on the McLaren Senna GTR, a hypercar designed for track racing.
"Kiryu... alive?!", even Dr. Paradox could not contain the surprised expression shared with both Akiza and Ian.
Within moments, the Core GT's DRS function activates, allowing Akiza to overtake the Slapshock. The moment Akiza and Flay are now in front of the Slapshock GTR, both the Core GT and Limp Bizkit intercept a radio transmission coming from the Slapshock.
"Akiza... Ian... Can you hear me?", a familiar voice said from the Slapshock, and from the driver's seat reveals Kiryu Fudo Nagare.
"No way... It can't be you, Kiryu.", Akiza said in utter disbelief.
"Yes way! It's really him!", Ian exclaimed. "Kiryu, you fucking asshole! You had us worried, man! We thought you were dead after we made our way here!"
The two Black Eagles from the future seemed to be happy to find their mentor and father figure alive at last, but the time for a reunion is not yet as the three Gun Vehicles enter a time portal, and end up one year into the past.
January 24, C.E. 71
[*BGM: "Theme of Akiza Izinski (Duel Links version)" from Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links*]
The three cars managed to enter into a very familiar place. This time, it's not Earth.
"Did we just traveled into the past?", asked Rio.
Flay apparently recognizes the atmosphere of the place within this time period.
"We're in... Heliopolis.", Flay said as Team Paradox find themselves in Heliopolis, one day before it was destroyed during ZAFT's invasion.
Author's Note:
- Thanks to the G-Phone and considering that Team Paradox is using a more futuristic, cutting-edge technology, rather than manually suiting up as with per Gundam series staple, the approach to suiting up is by doing a Kamen Rider or Super Sentai-style suit up sequence. When Akiza demonstrates how to suit up, she invokes the henshin pose of the Dekarangers, considering how Ayumi Kinoshita is the fan cast voice for this story's version of Akiza, is known for the role of Jasmine from Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger. Also, the suit-up sequence is based on the Go-Ongers' transformation sequence.
- A quick introduction to the fifth main character of this story: Kiryu Fudo Nagare. He's Akiza and Ian's mentor and father figure. Despite being their father figure, Kiryu apparently looks young and androgynous, which seems a bit weird. His name is an homage to both Kalin Kessler (Kyosuke Kiryu) and Yusei Fudo. Kiryu's appearance leans more closer to Kalin, except with black hair. This story has two expies of Yusei - Akiza and Kiryu himself. He's neither a Coordinator nor Natural, but the next chapter will elaborate a part of his origins.
