PHASE-22: Burnout
"You can improve on everything, you're never perfect."
―Max Verstappen, Formula 1 driver & 2-time world driver's champion
Inside the Girty Lue, the three Extended pilots barely escaped from Team Paradox. They had no idea that they walked into a trap, and their mothership is far more superior given that it was able to suppress the ship's Mirage Colloid system. And worse, their pilots are properly trained and prepared, specifically four of the five Gundams that made short work of the Chaos, Abyss, and Gaia.
Professor Divine Sayer, one of the researchers overseeing the Extended trio, is talking with Captain Roanoke as Sting, Auel, and Stella are once again placed in a sleeping capsule called a "cradle" as their memories had to be once again altered, in addition to recovery process.
When Professor Sayer is shown a footage of the battle between the Extended pilots and Team Paradox by Neo, they saw the Mach Gundam vanishing in front of the Auel, only to reappear behind the Abyss and ambush Auel without warning. And then, the Paradox Gundam being able to kick the Gaia Gundam's head clean in just a split second.
"What's your take on this, doc?", the captain asked.
"I have no idea.", the scientist answered. "From what I can think of is that the Gundams have the ability to manipulate time. But, we are in space, time works differently here. Maybe it has something to do with the pilots."
"Lee said the same thing. And the fact that other ship that chased us is not ZAFT. But from Orb."
Professor Sayer had an analysis of the ship chasing the Girty Lue, as he shows Neo the blueprints, it's nowhere as identical to Orb's Izumo-class ships or even that of the Archangel. Team Paradox's mothership possess even much more advanced hardware, all what Sayer can say is that it is somewhat futuristic.
"I have a feeling we are facing a much more terrifying adversary than ZAFT.", Professor Sayer continued. "If those Gundam pilots have the ability to manipulate time even in space, we are absolutely screwed. If time is completely frozen, you'll be unable to move."
"Okay... I'll take your word for it, doc. Keep up the good work, and make sure those three are doing well.", Neo nodded before Sayer salutes the captain as he takes his leave.
While alone and observing the Extended trio, Professor Sayer apparently has a secret that neither the Phantom Pain crew are aware of...
"Could it be that those Gundam pilots are possessing fragments of the Philosopher's Stone?", Sayer began brainstorming. As he ponders around Stella's cradle pod, the young girl, despite her piloting skills, never stood a chance against the Paradox Gundam. "To think that the same mobile suit that appeared in Jachin Due was able to bring down the Gaia in one shot... This is something beyond what scientific logic can comprehend."
Meanwhile at the Gilgamesh, the Gundam Operators safely return back to the ship as they regroup. Kiryu, on the other hand, is isolating himself back into his quarters. With Akiza following him. Ever since fighting the Extended trio earlier, Akiza notices her father figure saying weird stuff about the Gaia's pilot.
While Kiryu takes his time to drink another can of beer, a knock from the door is heard.
"It's open!", he shouted. "Oh. It's just you, Akiza... and you too, Flay."
Akiza wasn't the only one trying to check on Kiryu, but Flay as well.
"I want to ask you something, Kiryu. How did you know all about these guys? These "Extended" that stole ZAFT's mobile suits?", Flay demanded.
Kiryu answers, "How do I put this... But before that, remember that I told you that I am a Carbon Human?"
"Yeah?"
"That I am a carbon clone of ZAFT's Shinn Asuka."
Akiza backed Kiryu's claims, "And he's not kidding. The fact that Kiryu has knowledge about the Extended may have something to do about the Gaia's pilot."
"And as the side effect of having his DNA, I even have his memories as well. Recently, I've been experiencing episodes of a "flash forward". If a "flashback" is looking back into the past, a "flash forward" means a glimpse into the future. I've been experiencing nightmares of that pilot's tragic loss of his family in Orb.", Kiryu tells Akiza and Flay about Shinn's past. "And as for that Extended who piloted the Gaia..."
"Wait, you know who piloted the Gaia?!", exclaimed Flay.
"Kiryu, do you know the name of that pilot?", Akiza clarified.
"Her name is Stella Loussier.", Kiryu continued, "Of the three, she's childish and playful. But, like most of the Biological CPUs, a terrifying opponent, especially when pushed to her limits. Some Extendeds can be provoked into submission through a certain trigger word, in Stella's case, anything that's associated with death."
Ironically, Kiryu's nom de guerre is the "God of Death", or "Shinigami"; he has since earned this during the days as leader of the Black Eagle resistance group. This explains why he did not fight the Gaia earlier, as the mere mention of anything associated with death can push Stella to her limits.
On the other hand, due to possessing Shinn's genetic coding, he knows that Stella would be eventually killed by the Freedom during the battle of Berlin. The fact that he has seen Shinn's future, he can't say for certain he can change it.
"Back in the days with our resistance group, our comrades gave me the name the "God of Death", the "Grim Reaper", or even "Shinigami".", Kiryu brings up why he got his moniker. "A reminder that for the 70 years of suffering that I've been through, I keep going and stand up no matter how many times I stumble. Gods of death never die."
"So?", Flay raised her eyebrow.
"I'd rather avoid getting closer to Stella by the mere mention of me being called the God of Death."
"And if Aki wasn't scary enough when she's been called the Black Rose Witch, and you of all people having the audacity to be called the God of Death.", Flay shook her head.
"Also, don't forget Ian is called the Silver Fox; and there's a reason why you don't take him too lightly despite his foul-mouthed and mischievious attitude. And Rio... is also the self-proclaimed Iron Lady of Orb. Maybe she is just as Machiavellian and superior to Lady Cagalli.", Akiza then brings up that even Ian and Rio have names that defined them who they are.
That said, four of the five Gundam Operators have their own respective monikers, the Black Rose Witch of Jachin Due (Akiza), the God of Death (Kiryu), Iron Lady of Orb (Rio), and Silver Fox (Ian). This leaves Flay as an exception, despite being reaching the elite ranks of the team. Awkwardly enough, this made Akiza to tease her partner on what should she be called.
"Wait, what am I supposed to be called? I can't think of an epithet of my own..."
Then Kiryu would tease Flay, "What about the "Witch's Pet"?", only to be furious by the mere mention of being called as Akiza's "pet".
"Don't you dare call me a pet!", Flay shouted, and given how she and Akiza are close together; she takes offense at anyone calling her as the "witch's pet".
"Actually, that's true.", Akiza seems to take it as a compliment.
"Aki!"
"Other people may see it that way, but the fact that we care for each other, that's not the case."
"No, that's not what I meant... It's because you, Kiryu, Ian, and Rio are the team's aces. I'm hardly trying to catch up to you.", Flay continued, given that the four Gundam Operators are more experienced as pilots at their peak, which further pointing that their status earned them their respective epithets.
"Don't worry, you still have a long way to go. Even as a Natural, you still have a room for improvement.", Kiryu reassures that Flay will be a better pilot. "Rio mentioned that those who don't learn from their mistakes cannot achieve the true meaning of perfection."
"He's right. Even Mr. Kira himself, as a pilot, he's doing well for himself. Not giving up is the important thing.", Akiza added. Before she can continue, her G-Phone sounded a beep. The same goes for Kiryu and Flay's phones.
Flay reads the notification. "Team, report to the conference room at once. - Rio"
"I guess this is urgent.", says Akiza.
The Gundam Operators, Vic, and the Payne twins report to the conference room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, forgive me for this urgent call.", Rio addresses the meeting to her crewmembers and teammates. "Kamiyama has found us a source of intel regarding Blue Cosmos' leadership.", she passes the tablet to each of the Gundam Operator to see the identity of the current leader of Blue Cosmos.
The tablet is passed to Flay, then to Akiza, and then to Kiryu and Ian, and finally to the Payne twins. Though the future trio seems to be aware of what will happen in the future, they seem to be aware of the current leader's existence.
"Who is the bitch in fancy clothes?", Ian asked.
"Lord Djibril. He's the current leader of Blue Cosmos, succeeding Muruta Azrael."
Ian suddenly breaks into laughter, "Hehehehe... Lord Djibril? Like, who the fuck names himself as "Lord"? He's merely a joke compared to that psycho Azrael."
"Lieutenant Joule, I'd rather not take him to lightly if I were you.", Rio reminds Ian that the threat Djibril imposes to the world is a cause for concern. "Djibril is no prize, he's a whore. A mad dog killer for the highest bidder."
"Cut me some slack, that guy will be reduced to shitting in his own pants if I personally meet him.", Ian is confident that he will hunt down Djibril, even if it means through unscrupulous methods of doing so.
"Check the tablet, and look the list of crimes he has racked on."
The rest of the Gundam Operators and the Payne twins look at the list of crimes Djibril has committed before and after becoming leader of Blue Cosmos. And to prove that this is a man not to be taken too lightly, they all read the list of crimes Djibril has committed even before he led Blue Cosmos.
Dijbril's list of transgressions includes:
-Various hate crimes
-War crimes
-Bribery
-Drug dealing & drug trafficking
-Arms trafficking
-Racketeering
-Murder by proxy
-Kidnapping
-Human trafficking
-Terrorism
-Bioterrorism
-Sexual assault
-Blackmail
-Money laundering
-Arson Usurpation
-Corporate espionage
-Torture
-Mass murder
-Mass destruction
-Conspiracy
-Intimidation
-Brainwashing & Indoctrination
"Shit... Is there anything else he wanted to put on his rap sheet?", Ian asked. "This guy needs a huge amount of body count to make himself the big deal."
"Unlike Azrael, the man has never step foot on the outside world. Take a quick guess why.", Rio hints to the team.
"I supposed that Djibril's name is already on every watchlist all around the globe.", Kiryu deduced.
"Seems that the Interpol, CIA, FBI, or even MI6 are already watching him...", Akiza followed.
Rio continued, "Correct. Djibril has surrounded himself with mercenaries to be his armed guards, while isolating himself in his mansion watching the war unfold. He's got so many connections with other corrupt businessmen, politicians, terrorists, private military contractors, and given his influence as Blue Cosmos' leader, he's basically untouchable; and holding him accountable is easier said than done."
As much as Team Paradox find a prime target in Blue Cosmos' Lord Djibril, hunting for the warlord is going to be a hard objective unless they make friends in high places. That said, even though Team Paradox did made an example out of the three Extended pilots earlier, they have to think of probable strategies in order to connect the dots in order to get any lead on Djibril.
"If we want to bring this war to a stop, we will have to cut the head of the snake. If that's what it takes.", Rio sits at the chair, tenting her fingers.
"So, what's our next course of action?", Flay asked.
"I think we have scheduled ourselves with an appointment with Chairman Durandal.", Rio states that if there's anything to track down perpetrators of the war, they might need something from the PLANTs, even if it means meeting with PLANT Supreme Council Chairman Durandal.
"So you're saying that we're going into the PLANTs?", asked Akiza.
"Precisely.", Rio nodded, and her smile suggests that she is confident about her plans, something that the other four Gundam Operators aren't aware of. "Even though we are from a neutral country. Remember that we are an Anti-Blue Cosmos Squad. And I know I have my own doubts with ZAFT, but we'll be giving it a shot."
"What are you planning this time?", Akiza asked, as she insists on clarifying.
"I was given word that the Seirans are conspiring to collaborate with the Earth Alliance; which is a violation of Orb's neutrality.", Rio reveals the Seirans' true intentions thanks to a message from Kamiyama, who remained on Earth to spy on the Seirans. "So long as I'm still alive and breathing, I won't let them do as they please to Orb. Everything confirms my suspicions of the Seirans being sympathizers of Blue Cosmos."
"And our attack on that Alliance ship unprovoked earlier, was it part of your plan?", Flay asked.
"Guilty as charged.", Rio doesn't bother denying anything. "It's all according to plan. Not because I hated the prime minister's guts and Yuna's buffonery, this is a reminder that I am not to be reasoned with if they threaten Orb's neutrality."
Rio is more than just a seasoned military leader, but a brilliant strategist and knows how to make long-term plans without everyone else knowing. Her cunning, charisma, leadership, and her ability to maintain her cool under pressure proves that she is truly the Iron Lady of Orb. Even so, she has no problem getting her hands dirty when the opportunity arises, all for the good of Orb and its people; something that makes her different than Cagalli of all people.
"I gotta write that one down.", Ian snickers as he is even amused by the fact that Rio is such a smooth operator.
The Gilgamesh's next course is for the PLANTs. Along the way, an Earth Alliance fleet is heading for the same direction from the Lunar Base Arzachel.
Back in the conference room, the alarms starts blaring as the mission control informs the Gundam Operators.
"Yarrgh. That ain't good.", said Vic.
The Gundam Operators head into the command center. The monitor shows an Earth Alliance fleet from Arzachel Lunar Base heading into the same direction as Team Paradox. They're heading for the PLANTs.
"An Alliance fleet?", asked Trent. "They're heading for the PLANTs. They've got GAT-02L2 Dagger Ls, GAT-04 Windams. Behind them are Agamemnon-class battleships, as well as Nelson and Drake class ships.", then another imagery pans on the outside of the PLANT colonies as ZAFT is already on battlestations. "Look at this, it seems ZAFT is on high alert now. You're seeing a lot of GINNs, GuAIZs, and ZAKUs there, along with Gondwana, Nazca, and Laurasia-class ships on patrol."
When the monitor checks back into the oncoming Alliance fleet, Flay notices some of the Windam's striker pack, and it somehow causes familiar, unpleasant memories to resurface into her mind. The Windams have nuclear missile launchers, with the intent of destroying the PLANT colonies.
"Oh my god...", Flay whispered as her face is contorted with the expression of horror, while remembering how Azrael ordered the Peacekeeper Corps to nuking the ZAFT space fortress Boaz. "Aki, we got to stop them."
"What?"
"Don't you see what those Windams have on their backs?! They're planning to do what they did just like in Boaz!"
Flay wastes no time as she immediately heads for the mobile suit hangar to sortie in with the Neptune.
"Flay, wait!", Akiza followed her.
Kiryu, Ian, and Rio would then follow suit, knowing that this is a precarious situation. Akiza understands why Flay starts acting impulsively at this moment, seeing the Alliance trying to continue what Azrael left off opens old wounds inside her. And the fact that Flay was unknowingly played like a fiddle by Le Creuset back in the earlier war; where she was tricked into giving schematics of the Neutron Jammer Canceller to Azrael, which allowed the Alliance to once again use nuclear weapons, resulting the final stages of the war into a battle for the extermination of either Coordinators and/or Naturals.
"Flay! Wait up!", Kiryu tries to call her out.
"Hey, Allster. I never seen you acting like this." Ian followed suit.
"Whatever your reasons will be, we want to know. You just can't act on your own without thinking things through.", Rio said.
"This is the Alliance we're talking about. And they're trying to pull the same stunt that Azrael did back in Boaz and in Jachin Due!", Flay replied, this time her anger is becoming more apparent.
Akiza tries to reason with Flay, "Flay, what happened in Boaz isn't your fault!"
"Then, who is? WHO!?", Flay spat. "Are you going to bring up that masked maniac who wanted to see the world burn? I've been played like a fool... by my own father... and that man."
"Flay... Please, calm down.", Kiryu intervenes, "Listen, this war is going to get even worse as time passes. Be careful on how you act with your emotions without keeping yourself in check, the more you're going throw yourself off-balance as an individual and as a soldier. I know the trauma you've been through in the earlier war is still burning in your mind, but be mindful of your own safety and everyone around you."
Flay doesn't answer, but she pressed on into the mobile suit launch bay. The other Gundam Operators have to keep her in line, not knowing the danger she might put herself through.
"Akiza, you're the one who is responsible for Flay's well-being. Please, don't let her out of your sight.", Rio instructs Akiza. "You know what to do if she disobeys orders."
"I know. But, remember that the trauma from the last war is still fresh in her mind. After we deal with the Alliance, I suggest putting her under psychological re-evaluation."
Seeing the Alliance bringing nuclear launchers had Flay's PTSD kicking in, and causes her to act impulsively, sending her into an unprecedented frenzy. And this worries Akiza, knowing that the more Flay acts on her emotions and impulses, she could hardly think straight.
The Gundam Operators hopped into the cockpits of their respective mobile suits.
The Sentinel takes off from the Gilgamesh first, "Gundam Operator Series Yellow, Kiryu Fudo Nagare, Sentinel is taking off!"
Followed by the Neptune, "Gundam Operator Series Blue, Flay Allster, Neptune launching!"
The Mach Gundam in Mobile Cycle mode is equipped with a unit that allows it to ride into space with the Izayoi.
"Gundam Operator Series Green, Ian Joule, Mach Gundam Mobile Cycle, heading out!"
"Gundam Operator Series Red, Rio Nagi Tokino, Izayoi is on the scene!"
Afterwards, Marine Braver, Jet Jaguar, Land Convoy, and the Core GT are launched from the Gilgamesh, as the four Gun Vehicles quickly combine into the Paradox. Then, the Gundam proceeds to transition to 2.0...
"The courage and power to protect the future of the planet is a revolution! Become the path its light shines upon!", Akiza invokes the chant, "Gundam Operator Series Black, Akiza Izinski, Paradox 2.0 launching!"
Team Paradox's mobile suits head for the Alliance fleet. However, the Agamemnon-class warship is alerted by the presence of the Gundams.
"Five unidentified mobile suits? Could they be the same ones that singlehandedly beaten the three Extended pilots?!", an EA admiral said as the other officers are unable to identify the suits. "Protect our Windams and their launchers before they attack them!"
"Looks like they saw us.", said Rio. "Okay, let's give these cretins a-"
Flay pre-emptively charges at the Alliance forces, much to Rio's chagrin as she prepares to take on a platoon of Dagger Ls and Windams on her own.
"Flay, what the hell do you think your doing?!", Kiryu calls Flay out.
"This is insanity...", Rio is furious seeing Flay disregarding orders.
"Flay, stay in formation.", Akiza instructed. "Flay... Flay! Answer me, dammit!"
"Wasn't it obvious, Aki?", Flay coldly answered. "I'm going to slaughter these bastards one by one..."
The Neptune pulled out its "Gran Turismo Superleggera" Beam Trident as Flay starts to singlehandedly take on a platoon of Dagger Ls, wielding the "Suzaku" Beam Rifle on the other hand as she aims at the cockpits of every single enemy mobile suit.
Flay has come completely unglued, not only she singlehandedly made short work of every Alliance mobile suit, but her piloting skills have improved. Surprisingly enough, she is in control of herself while being angry at the same time.
Akiza felt that Flay concentrated her rage while maintaining complete control of herself as she proceeds to slaughter every Earth Alliance mobile suit in sight.
"Rio, what's the plan?"
"We stop the Alliance from firing those missiles at the PLANTs."
The Windams prepare to launch the nuclear missiles, with one of the pilots saying, "Say your prayers, you damn Coordinators! For the preservation of our blue and pure world! This time for sure!"
The Sentinel, Paradox, and Izayoi spread out as they head for the Nelson and Drake-class ships. Meanwhile, Ian invokes his emerald ring.
As ZAFT forces are seeing incoming nuclear missiles and a Nazca-class ship preparing its Neutron Stampeders, little what they know is that the nukes are being redirected back to sender!
"What the?! The missiles are being redirected back at us!", the Windam pilot spoke in utter horror and disbelief as their own nuclear missiles being turned against their users.
"This is my emerald ring's signature ability.", Ian boasted his ring's power. "Think of it as King Crimson in a mobile suit."
In reality, Ian used his time ring to erase a certain time frame, starting from the instant the ring glows. From that period of erased time, Ian was fully conscious and since he is the only one who can execute his course of action. The Alliance pilots are unable to see what happened; in this case, while Ian erased the time frame where the nukes are about to hit the PLANTs, he redirects the missiles back to the Windams.
Ian was able to get out of the blast radius, as the nuclear missiles hit the Windams, killing many pilots in the process.
The Alliance had no idea what happened, as they are indeed the same people that defeated the three Extended pilots earlier.
Author's Note:
- Earlier this week, it seems that the Gundam SEED film, officially titled Gundam SEED Freedom, is set to be released next year. I know it's been two decades since Destiny ended, I know this is a long time coming.
