Just a side note, but because that there's not much lore from the anime, I'll be making some stuff up. Not a lot, but enough to flesh it out and allow it to make sense.
This 'investigation', as the UN members called it, was getting on Pina's and Rory's nerves as the main spoke's woman kept focusing on aspect. 150 civilians dead due to the flame dragon attack and questioning why the EDF didn't react soon enough. They did expect that these people didn't know what a Flame Dragon could do, but to expect everyone getting out alive was just unrealistic. Pina looked to the EDF soldiers next to her and could see that they also had similar thoughts.
"150 people died due to the incompetence of the EDF!" the woman said before someone stood.
"Objection!" he yelled. "The EDF had no idea what they were facing up against. This isn't down to incompetence, but lack of useful intelligence to act on for an effective defence,"
"That just shows their incompetence!" the spokeswoman countered. "They should have been trying to look for threats and how to deal with them so that this couldn't happen,"
"If I may say something," a man in a white coat spoke as he stood.
A he did Kyon leaned in to Rory's ear. "He's one of the EDF scientists," she whispered. "Kinda like a mage who knows and experiments a lot,"
Rory nodded and passed the word down to the others as the man picked up a tablet. "The Flame dragon's scales are extremely hard so that standard anti B-class rounds aren't able to penetrate it. The same goes for higher calibre weapons. Velocity seems to be key with penetrating it's hide, this is why the railgun was able to take the creature down," he placed the tablet down onto the table. "In short, the EDF wouldn't have known which weapons would have useful until they faced the beast in action. Even if they had information,"
He than sat down leaving the room in silence for a few moments. "What kind of excuse is that?" the spokeswoman spat. "If that's the case, then they should have used the railgun outright,"
This time Takuma stood and all eyes focused on him as if he could just draw their attention like a black hole. "With respect Miss Amari, you have never been in combat so you don't understand what difficulties the EDF has using handheld railguns. They are heavy, even for PA Gear, and require a 30 second charge. Now, 30 seconds may not seem like a long time for normal situations. But in a combat field that 30 seconds can mean the choice between life and death. Using one isn't a choice to be taken lightly as that charge time leaves the soldier out in the open for too long as well as making them a very easy target. This is why we use them on specialised tanks. Due to the increase of power, they can fire more shots in a shorter time. One shot for a handheld railgun means that 15 shots can come from a tank,"
"Then why didn't they take tanks?" the woman demanded.
"Because they are expensive and it was decided that there was no need for them on a recon mission," with that he said down leaving the air of authority he had when he stood.
But once he sat, Rory stood. "While I don't fully understand about your weapons," she confessed. "I feel like I need to speak up on behalf of the soldiers. Little girl, you seem to enjoy presenting numbers in a certain way. But what you don't seem to understand id that despite not facing a dragon before, they didn't hesitate to attack," she looked to Pina. "Princess would you care to explain how your people deal with dragons,"
"Y… yes," Pina said as she stood. "Normally, Dragons appear every 100 years. This makes it easy to prepare for them. But…" she trailed away in thought. "…that preparation normally lead to widespread evacuations of people and farmland. Sometimes, entire villages of evacuees and the soldiers sent to protect them are never heard from again. We found ashes at what remined. Very few knights are brave enough to take on dragons, and even fewer come back with something to prove that they killed a dragon. We don't take on dragons, we avoid them. For us, to have one quarter of people die from a dragon attack is a miracle," she sat down and before anyone else could speak Rory continuing.
"You see little girl; you're not focusing on the real matter. Despite this great achievement they did you are too blind and instead focus on the negative. To you it's not that three quarters survive but that one third died because you don't care. All you care is about your career and will throw anyone under your feet to get there, little girl," she then spread her arm out to indicate the EDF next to her. "These people saved the lives of the people they were protecting, feeding them and giving them shelter when the empire did nothing. They deserve praise not ridicule form a coward who refused to pick up a sword,"
The twitch on Amari's stopped as she was about to unleash her anger. "How dare you, you little…." but before she could continue Itami stood.
"Before councillor Amari embarrass' herself," that earned him a death glare from the woman. "I should point out that Rory Mercury is the oldest person here despite her look,"
Some of the colour drained from Amari's face and other councillors looked on surprised. "How old are you?" Takuma asked.
"961," she declared making everyone fall silent in horror.
"WHATTTT!" most if not all exclaimed.
Amari's eyes then turned to the elf. "A….and you miss Chuka?"
"165," the elf answered which still shocked the room, but from Leiei onwards weren't a surprise.
"Well," a man said standing. "It's clear that the situation is not simple as you make it out to be, Miss Amari. I understand that Arabia doesn't like the EDF, but trying to throw them under the bus with a situation that is so clear cut just shows your bias toward them. While I have my own personal reservations about the EDF, it's clear that you want to disband them. I think we all know what happened the last time nations tried that. I move that the EDF will not be held responsible for a situation that they had no control over,"
A second speaker stood. "Will all members please cast their votes,"
There was a silence before a holographic screen appeared before the guests and councillors. The green bar was bigger than a red bar making the EDF soldiers sigh in relief. Pina and the others looked on unsure what to make of it. While they didn't fully understand what happened, it was clear what happened. The woman in front of them lost her argument and failed to make a case to show that the EDF failed in their duties to protect people.
"We are in agreement," the speaker said. "Does Miss Amari concede the argument?"
Hanna Amari sighed as she sat down in her chair. "I concede that the EDF did everything in their power to protect the people under their charge," she grumbled.
"Very good, now the final subject of this questioning will be directed at General Takuma," the speaker said making the EDF soldiers next to him stiffen.
"So that's why you're here sir?" Itami whispered and got a nod in return.
"Not sure if you heard, but the other generals and I have agreed to activate the Wasteland Protocol," the general whispered back.
The lieutenant nodded as the speaker spoke. "We would like an explanation for why the Wasteland Protocol was activated,"
"What's that?" Rory whispered to Kyon.
"It's a procedure to secure any and fall civilians who have been abandoned by their government or leaders to die," she answered. "Here slavery has been abolished for years, so if we see slaves, we'll be bringing them back or villages who have been turned away from the cities,"
Rory nodded and passed the message down which earned shocked looks from Pina and her group.
Takuma stood. "This decision was an easy one to make for several reasons. The first one is our hand in the matter of the bandit's rampage. Due to us killing a majority of the Empires local leaders during the Ginza incident and the battles at the Gate. The remaining soldiers have no leaders, no structure and raid what they can. The second is the slave trade within the empire. As you know, the EDF has a policy of freeing all slaves and give them housing. The third is simply due to population. We no longer have billions of people across the world, but while that means that the planet can heal from our arrogance, it also means that we don't have enough people to help defend the planet if the aggressors attack again. Yes, it is a way to get new soldiers, I will admit that, but it also means that populations can be boosted in other industries," Pina and her retinue just stared at him in a combination of confusion and shock.
"I don't think that this issue would require a vote," a woman said. "Again, this is a clear-cut case, but I would like to ask how the EDF plans to divide the refugee population between the different nations and industries,"
"We will be giving them basic academic tests to see where their skills lay. If they have military applications, we will be testing them out for EDF forces. If they fail or don't have a skill that can be used by the EDF. As for those who don't make the cut, each nation will be given a list of who is available and what field. It will be down to the persons choice after that," the General explained while several councillors nodded.
"Is that standard for them?" Hamilton asked in a hushed tone.
"I'm not sure, we'll ask later," Pina said.
"While a vote may not be necessary," the speaker said. "It is required, will all councillors please vote for the continuation of the protocol,"
A moment later another holo screen appeared with the green bar almost being full as a few people had voted against it. But red marks weren't even acknowledged by most of the councillors. Even Pina knew that even with the most rational sounding legislation or plans would have its detractors.
"The Wasteland Protocol will remain in effect until the EDF deem otherwise," the speaker said. "Now for the last topic on the agenda, the situation in Italica,"
OOOOO while the investigation was going on.
With most of the EDF technology being reversed engineered from alien tech, specialised engineers were needed to keep some of the more advanced technology going. This was true for the Avenger Sky Fortress due to the power and engines that keep it airborne. A small army was needed to keep the engines active.
The engine room of the Avenger was busting with engineers as they kept an eye on the systems of the sky fortress that kept it up in the sky. The EDF had a uniform colour code that allowed people to tell the difference between the jobs that the members performed. Blue was the standard uniform colour for all, green for the military, black for intel, orange for support and yellow for the engineers. This made it easy for personnel to pick out who was part of their group if needed.
As people moved around the main engine bay, a large open area with generators on the top and bottom that nearly filled the entire room, one of the engineers moved to one of the turbines. The sky fortress had four main turbines that kept it in the air. If one should fail then the fortress would descend into the sea. He smiled as he approached on of the primary terminals for the turbines. The area's around them were lightly staffed due to the fact that the turbines weren't much of a concern.
While these were alien technology, they weren't like the generators which needed constant observation. So, they were lightly staffed allowing the lone engineer to access the terminal turning the turbine off. As it began to slow down, he then got down an assessed the cabling inside the terminal and rewired a few things to make it seem like a rookie was making a few repairs. With a smile he then closed it and walked off.
Up on the bridge one of the pilots looked toward the turbine controls with a frown.
"Sir, one of the turbines is slowing down," he said making the Capitan walk over to him.
"Glitch?" he asked but the pilot shook his head. "Doesn't look like it. Probably a fault with the system. I need to set her down in the ocean either way,"
"Do so," the Capitan said before walking over to his chair and picking up the mic.
OOOOO
"Attention all hands," the Capitan said over the comm. "It seems that one of our turbines is slowing down. Please stand by for decent and splashdown,"
"What he mean by that?" Rory asked.
"One of the wings that is keeping us had got something wrong with it," Kyon replied. "So, we're going to land in the sea to get it repaired,"
Rory passed the word down to the others but it seemed that the investigation had stopped as people strapped themselves into their chairs. Pina felt her ears pop as she turned to look though the window behind her. The others follow suit watching as the Fujin descended into the sea. They couldn't help but be in awe as they could not only see the city but the as as it came closer and closer.
"Strap in," Kyon said as she brought a belt over her lap and locked it on.
The others follow suit but still managed to turn to see as the sky fortress splashed into the sea. They were then transfixed by the sight of the underwater world as lights came on.
"Wow," was all Hamilton was able to say as the UN council allowed them to take it all in.
Once the shock wore off the Speaker then asked if they were ready to continue.
"Yes," Pina said quickly turning to face them. "I apologise," she bowed.
"It's no worry," one of the councillors said. "It's understandable that you need to take a few moments to take all of this in,"
"Thank you," Pina said. "As for the matter of Itcalica, I agree to the terms of it being neutral between the EDF and the Empire. However, as to having an EDF garrison there. I do not think that my father, the Emperor, will accept that. As such I wish to ask for the EDF to have a weapon demonstration at Italica to show what my father and the senate is facing,"
There was a moment silence but there were a few hushed tones before one spoke up. "Would this be a demonstration of power? If so, we have reservations about that,"
Pina was about to talk but Rory stood placing her hand on the princess' shoulder silencing her. "If I may, yesterday me and Pina had the same talk about a show of power to the Emperor. We agree that to stop this war, a show of force would make them think about what they are going to do. You see the Empire has been looking to expand for years, currently they have the continent under their grasp. With my position I can essentially force them to the table. If they see how powerful your weapons are, there will be a very strong push for peace,"
"But what if it has the opposite effect?" another asked. "If they see this as a show of power, what's to stop them from being emboldened and ramping up their attacks?"
"Internal struggle," Pina said. "While most senators are with the Emperor, they are like that out of fear and not any kind of respect or loyalty. If we can show them that the EDF is a bigger threat to their power then they'll capitulate,"
There was another moment of silence as people started talking to each other before a series of nods echoed in the room.
"We agree on one condition," another member said. "All traders who operate under the EDF banner are tax exempt,"
"That we can manage," Pina agreed.
And with that it the investigation was over and after a few signings of papers people began to leave the Fujin.
OOOOO EDF Alnus base.
Quite a few of the slaves who had been brought in were taken for medical treatment. One man however was brought from a nearby village. He had long dark hair and a well-built body. But he was missing his left arm and leg. It appeared that the local villages couldn't help him any longer so brought him to the base in order to help him out. Apparently, he refused at first before agreeing. But that meant little to EDF doctors as they helped anyone regardless.
Dr Stephen Strange walked up to the man and sat next to him. "So how are we doing today?" he asked.
"I'm fine," the old man smiled. "I've never seen such a place like this before, and you help all you can. You must be very skilled,"
"We like to think so," Strange said as he pulled back the man's sheet and looked at the nubs where the man's limbs used to be. "Look like they are healing nicely, we can get you fitted with prosthetics if you like?"
"What are those?" the man asked.
In order to answer his question Strange pulled up his trouser leg showing a metal leg where his real one used to be. "This is a prosthetic. It can help you walk and give you back both your arms,"
"Such amazing magic," the old man said. "Can they help me fight again?"
"You're a soldier?" the man nodded. "Well yes and no. Normally the military prosthetics are only available to EDF personnel. But I can put in an order for an athlete one,"
"That will be fine with me," the man said.
Arabian Republic.
After the Second Aggressor war, many nations were reformed with some being larger than others. Mostly due to the outright destruction of cultures and ethnic groups. As such some nations no longer existed and what was left of them were absorbed into a bigger nation. This is true for the nations that once existed in the middle east. While many cultures and ethnic groups from the region did still exist, it was agreed that being part of a bigger nation was better for all then separating into smaller ones.
The Arabian Republic is one of these nations, but despite being helped out by the EDF they have a strong dislike for the multinational organisation. This is mostly due to the view that they had even before the war.
When the EDF was founded many nations distrusted the organisation seeing it as just an arm of the USA. This is in despite of the fact that even nations that distrusted the US signed the Defence agreement. This included China who added legitimacy to the agreement, but didn't prevent conspiracy theorists from making claims.