Hey, peeps~! Here's the next chapter of The Phoenix Rising. I hope you guys are ready for what's coming next here. ;) This time... it's all about the rising displeasure stirring within the ordinary populace. ;3

- operation meteor: Heh. :) I'm so glad I could make that fight an epic one. :)

- Spiceracksergeant001: Oh, I wanted to have Allen do that trick for some time! XD She is indeed an unorthodox pilot, that's for sure! XD

- CT7567Rules: Oh, yeah. :3 As for your question, well... not sure on that against Decepticons. But against a Destroy, no questions asked, it would be a much better choice than a standard machine for the AF. ;3

(A small light is shown flickering before it flares across the screen, fading to show the Strike Dagger S, Spray sitting on its shoulder, his trench coat fluttering in the breeze)

START MIKAKUNIN HIKOUSEN BY TAKAYOSHI TANIMOTO

(The camera pivots to show the mobile suit outside the main base of the resistance on Earth in Denver, the door open to show the interior of the warehouse with several shapes before the cylinders)

Oh yeah! Be strong, jump on, and become the wind (The camera zooms in on them to show President Eisenhower, Dr. Keith Martinez, Dr. Klaus Brand, Warren Thompson, and Marcus Wolcott with Turbine behind the warehouse itself)

Pass the orbit beyond the sky (The camera pivots away from them and out to show the resistance forces mobilizing to attack a camp in the desert, guards arming their rifles)

I can't hold back this rushing speed (The leading machine speeds in front, showing a NEMO armed with a clay bazooka, its pilot being shown to be a woman, her hazel eyes hard as she aims the gun and fires at a Destroy)

A familiar town becomes a diorama (The Destroy is hit by the explosive round, the flames engulfing the camera before it fades to show the camp in ruins)

Burst through the unclear skies (The camera pivots away to show another explosion as a Murasame blasts past, bearing an unfamiliar emblem)

Blow away your worries and discontent (The camera zooms in on the wolf head emblem before it starts to flutter as a flag, panning down to show the leader of Sicario, Arnold Franken, on the screen)

Who needs a journey that's by the book? (The commander of the mercenaries waves his hand and three mobile suits blast overhead, their pilots shown with their emblems behind them)

Even if you're lost or trembling, raise the altitude (The three engage a number of shadowy mobile suits before a beam engulfs the camera before fading to show Stella being held by Shinn in her agony)

Oh yeah! Show off, mess up, and stand back up (The boy is glaring as images of the Extended march past him, his eyes hidden in shadow before he looks up, his eyes in SEED Mode)

I'll watch the unknown horizon with you (The camera pans away to show the captain of the Archangel and Heero standing beside one another, their hands entwining)

Now be strong, jump on, and become the wind (The two look at one another before a mobile suit flies past, panning up to show the Strike Dagger with a new Striker Pack resembling phoenix wings)

Use the sun that lights tomorrow as a guide (A dark shadow looms behind the machine, its hand grasping for the image of the Earth as a ship is shown flying away, its name glinting in the light)

Fly off to the glorious world of freedom! (The image shows the resistance ship and their allies facing down the dark shadow, Djibril's face behind it as he looms over them)

GUNDAM WING: THE PHOENIX RISING

Let justice be done, though the heavens may fall

- Steven Jackson 'Spray' Krane

CHAPTER XXXII: Govern - Strike Three

December 17th, CE 0073

National Viewpoint

"...unexpected rioting happening in the city of Chicago..."

(Scenes of riots breaking out across the city are shown on the screen, with people clashing against the police in what can only be described as a battle. Half of the scenes are taken up by civilians armed with whatever they can get their hands on, ranging from pistols to assault rifles, broomsticks, baseball bats, spiked clubs, golf clubs, tire irons, fire extinguishers, and all sorts of other items for battle. One part of the screen is highlighted and the scene zooms in, showing the river with the drawbridges opened, acting as barricades against the LOGOs-aligned police force. Hovering behind are a few mobile suits from the Illinois National Guard, acting as sentinels to the ordinary civilians.)

"...against the police force. Many of the civilians have taken up arms, with a number having somehow acquired military-grade firearms, which is forbidden under current Atlantic Federation law. But as it stands, the real reason for the riots is actually quite realistic and reasonable..."

(The police aim their firearms and open up on a number of the civilians who are taking refuge behind the vehicles on the streets and bridges, using the huge slabs of steel for cover. One civilian aims around the bridge platform and fires, shouting as she does so.)

"THAT IS FOR MY SON, YOU BASTARD!"

"Our correspondent, Louise de Gaulle, is on the scene to help explain the background behind the rioting."

(A woman with long brown hair and startling green eyes holds the mike to her face as she speaks.)

"Thank you, James. This is Louise de Gaulle for CNN, broadcasting from Chicago, Illinois, where a huge riot has broken out along the river. As you can see, half of the bridges were taken over by the civilians and the rest is being held by the police, forcing the two sides into a fierce fight. All police are standing their ground, much like a military for a lord or king, which fits given the current circumstances."

(The screen splits to show the correspondent and the news anchor, James Stimson, as he sits at his desk. He clearly looks haggard from the ever accumulating stress of his job.)

"Can you elaborate a bit on the circumstances that led to these riots for our viewers here, Louise?"

"Gladly." (Louise nods.) "The reasoning behind the riots was a recent revelation that took place out in the desert. As you know, the Government had put forth during the intervening years about the need to, as they said, 'find children and bring them to the finest institutions to bring out their full potential in the service of the state', or some ridiculous garbage like that. But... in reality, all the children they gathered... were held in a concentration camp."

(James is flabbergasted as he goes pale, his skin draining of color.) "Wait... What did you just say?!"

"You heard me, James. Those kids... were all held within a concentration camp. And they were the children of political activists, moderates, and even higher ranking military officials who disregarded the fascist ideals they were putting in place." (Louise is dead serious as she says this. A smaller image of the battle at Kiddie Kamp comes up on the screen.) "And as you can see, the conditions were... horrific beyond words."

(James' face goes even paler as he observes the fight.) "Dear God...!"

"I know it's hard to believe, but..." (Louise's voice breaks as she continues to speak.) "...what you're seeing is real."

(She directs the viewers' attention to the camp conditions.) "As you can see, there was in no way any form of shelter, save for what few materials the kids could scavenge from the surrounding walls or whatnot. That was not adequate enough to provide protection from the intense desert heat or the freezing desert nights. A lot of those kids are having medical complications from injuries inflicted by the guards, and in some cases, even left with amputated limbs or removed bodily organs such as eyes, just to name one example."

(The interior of the camp is shown in the aftermath of the battle, and in the newsroom, a number of people are heard scrambling for the bathrooms or garbage cans.) "This is just one of the reasons why so many have elected to take up arms against the Government to begin with. And as a result, there has been a serious strengthening of the underground movement brewing right under the noses of the new nobility. The resistance movement has surprisingly even recruited a number of businesses, including four of the major manufacturing giants, to their cause, which is saying something, given how there isn't much business competition left in this country."

(James is silent as she continues.) "But there's more to it than just that."

"What do you mean?" (James doesn't know what else to say.)

(Here Louise gives a grim smile.) "Well, the whole movement for starters. There's so many questions some of the netural faction have been asking, such as how could such a movement of that scale evade detection from the real Government, LOGOs? The answer, according to a representative of the resistance I spoke recently to, lies in the technical communications industry that LOGOs was exploiting for their own gain. With the promise of better wages and less exploitation, the majority of the TCI has switched sides, and it's all because of them that LOGOs has no way of finding the rebels, as well as a surprising revelation regarding the so-called law enforcement agency, known by many in the resistance as the Headhunters, recently established to work alongside the CIA, FBI, and NSA."

"Then the new organization was not a government agency?" (James is incredulous.) "I find that hard to believe."

"Believe me, James, that is indeed the case. And actually, I think I know someone who may be able to provide some of the answers you seek..." (Louise looks to a man as he approaches, clad in camouflage fatigues and wearing the old Canadian flag on his left shoulder.)

"And who might this be?" (James studies the newcomer critically, taking in his powerful build and scruffy blonde hair with piercing gray eyes.)

"My name is Commander James Huey of the Royal Canadian Air Force No. 401 Tactical Fighter Squadron." (The commander is in his late fifties and has clearly seen battle, if the way he carries himself is any indication.)

"Pleasure to have you, Commander." (James gives a nod.) "So, I'm confused as to how the Headhunters can't be a true government agency."

"Yes. Well, that part is easy enough to explain. I was there when one of the American resistance fighters made contact with the one they have captured, and let me tell you, he was not above berating the woman who brought him to the base where they have him restrained. The whole organization, it turns out, is not a law enforcement agency at all, but a band of terrorists that was recruited to pose as one. And they have the ability to requisition equipment and personnel from all three intelligence agencies to convince people of their supposed corruption to LOGOs." (The commander scowls as he folds his arms.) "And for what it's worth, had it not been for the FBI, things could have been a lot worse for the resistance overall."

(James purses his lips.) "I understand that there's been a lot of discussion about how the FBI pulled the wool over LOGOs for so long. If you are able, can you elaborate on that somewhat, Commander?"

(The commander nods.) "I can tell a bit, but the rest of it is classified until we take back our countries."

(The news anchor nods.) "Very well. Tell us what you can then."

(Commander Huey clears his throat and begins to speak.) "While I can't delve into too much detail, what I know is that the FBI was clever in their use of their field agents to hunt down LOGOs members in key industries the resistance has a large presence in, particularly the manufacturing field and communications fields. The FBI, using their experience in sting ops, was able to set up takedowns to remove the LOGOs target from the field and then doctor their records to make it seem like that the killed LOGOs member was in fact a dissident. They then inserted key rebel personnel into the positions that the LOGOs member once held."

"That sounds a bit complicated." (James looks a bit uneasy.) "How did they pull it off so successfully?"

"As I said, classified information, James." (Commander Huey looks dead serious as he glares at the man.) "But it does show just how much they put into hunting down and removing those people from power. This alone let the resistance find a lot of information about LOGOs' personnel and people, as well as their resources."

(James nods, relief on his face.) "Well, however they did it, I'm just glad they were able to do that then."

(The commander nods.) "Frankly, James, we all are. And I for one am glad that people took initiative during the initial stages of the leadup to the war to establish the movement's size."

(James's next question throws the commander off guard.) "Do you know who the leader of the resistance is? Many people are curious about that."

(Commander Huey purses his lips as he thinks. Then he shakes his head.) "No, I do not know. The only thing I know about the leader is that they are an excellent strategist, having played the leadership of LOGOs like the fools they are."

"I see." (James's eyes narrow a bit.) "Anything else you can tell us about what's happening down in Chicago at the moment, Commander? Because from what I can see, it looks like things are getting rather hectic."

(The camera pans over to show the fighting raging, with a number of people firing on the LOGOs Police officers from concealed and protected locations. Some people are firing tear gas at a cluster of officers as they try to lower one of the bridge segments, only for the irritant to force them to back off, coughing and choking from the smoke. A few civilians are struggling to keep another bridge segment open, as someone on the opposite side has hacked it and is trying to lower it. Two women and a man are hunched over by another computer, gathered around as they work their magic to seize control of the systems for the bridge. The bridge halts, keeping the two sides divided.)

"Yes, things are getting rather hectic." (The commander nods.) "But we're holding our own, and as you can see..." (He sweeps an arm over to another bridge that is about to connect.) "We're not about to let LOGOs get away for long. We're already making inroads towards City Hall, and as it stands, this is only the first stage of the operation..."

. . .

SAN DIEGO

"...located at San Diego which has since become a major resistance hub. Already a number of National Guardsmen have defected and are helping to establish defensive lines against the LOGOs officers. Also, I just got a recent news update: the senators in California's capitol city have since issued an order to all officers to protect them. But, as you can see..." (A news woman sweeps the camera around at the incoming protestors and resistance members, allied with very furious Atlantian National Guardsmen.)

"...many people are tired of the lies and are demanding answers. With the recent revelation of the concentration camp in the American desert, and with the horrific conditions in place there, it's no surprise that even Atlantian military personnel are choosing to defect over the indoctrination."

(She lowers her arm and gazes directly into the camera.) "All kinds of questions have been asked, and none have been answered. But one thing that is sure, is that we will not be holding back until we get those answers." (Her eyes narrow.) "And I for one would like to ask one as well. Why? Why go to such lengths? What is the purpose of those barbarities? And why children? Why children?"

"Of course, no one will ever know the answer as of this moment. But that only shows why we are fighting. Because if we don't remember this... then what are we, but a possible future Atlantian Reich?

"The truth here is that there is more to the war than we know, and many people, including myself, are demanding answers from the elected officials in power. But given the circumstances, who's to say that they are really elected? Rumors have been recently swirling around about the possibility of the elections being rigged to keep the moderates and common-sense people out of power, and so far, what documents we have been sent seem to point towards that theory. And that indicates that LOGOs has a hold on our government, and therefore is in charge of everything going on here. From foreign policy to educational matters to lying to us about gasoline being completely removed from the earth... all kinds of things that many have demanded be reversed and overturned.

"Out of all the things that have incurred the wrath and fury of the people, the worst would be the concentration camp used to house the kids of political dissidents and moderates. It's a mockery and hypocrisy in many ways. LOGOs claims to be treating our children with pride, but then they go about and do this. They go and turn kids into weapons of war. They try to conscript boys no older than thirteen at the minimum into the war effort through indoctrination and brainwashing. They try to recreate the Hitler Youth, calling it the Patriot Youth to disguise its true purpose.

"With the revelation of the camp, people are calling for action from the so-called leaders to step down and resign from office, calling for true elections without them being rigged. But, given the circumstances, LOGOs is not budging on the issues. Even the Supreme Court, once an unbiased court of law, has been twisted into a mere pawn for LOGOs to force their outdated laws and ideology on us, the most notorious being the arranged marriage laws put forth to try and bring up the birth rate of blonde-haired and blue-eyed men and women. Coming from a family of immigrants, that alone is what Nazi Germany tried to do in the twentieth century. And that is what many of us have called them out on.

"After all, diversity is a key asset that allowed the Allies to win in World War II. And without the efforts of men and women in that war, would we be here today?

"And without the need to change, what are we but fools trapped in a static world?

"Change is the very thing that humans learn from. We learn from evolution. We change and evolve every day, not through physical changes, but through the changes of experience that we acquire over the course of our lives. And if LOGOs denies us that change, then we will only be trapped in a never changing world, and we would eventually die a slow, stagnant death.

"I'm not an expert on this, but I can say with certainty that whatever LOGOs has planned, it goes against whatever we Americans believe in as a country and as a nation."

. . .

DALLAS

"...reports of the police taking up arms against the Austin militia groups that have attacked the city borders. Houston's become overcrowded with rioters and protesters, with reports of cars burning and buildings being looted all over the city. Houston's NASA Headquarters has so far been spared the damage, but police suspect that could change as the rioters make their way across the city. Already hundreds of people have fled, and many more continue to flee the scene."

(Scenes of riots breaking out in Austin and Houston are played across the screen, showing men and women fighting against Blue Cosmos supporters and members with firearms stolen from the armories or given to them by sympathetic individuals in the military.)

"Thousands lie dead or dying, and more continue to be hurt in the clashes between protesters and police officers. The National Guard has been recently called in to try and help quell the riots, but so far there seems to be no real effect to try and stall them. In fact, there's more riots breaking out with some of the National Guard even joining the rioters."

(Paramedics are shown trying to help the wounded as they lay in the streets, with some rebels even working to patch up the injured Atlantians in contrast to the policy of putting down the weak and injured. A number of mobile suits are deployed to protect the injured Atlantian soldiers from their own kind, earning more turncoats to the ranks of the resistance.)

"As for why this is happening, the recent reports of a concentration camp that was actually holding innocent children prisoner in contrast to what we were told was what sparked the riots. Many people are demanding answers as to why this is happening, but the government has been tight-lipped on the matter. In fact, there has been no response at all from the White House on this insidious place. A number of officials across the country are actually even denying such a place exists, despite all evidence pointing to the contrary."

(The civilians are ushered to safety by the resistance as a number of soldiers try to mow them down, only to be blocked by a mobile suit's shield. A tank moves in front and runs down a number of Atlantian thugs as they try to shoot at a bunch of scared schoolkids.)

"Even now, many of us can't even comprehend how this is even happening. And to be honest, it's horrifying to think as to how low our country has fallen... no... it's not appropriate to say that. It's horrifying to even think of how low we were forced to fall by our lords and masters. The truth is out there, and many of us are waking up to it. And now we know what we have to do to change this."

(The scene shifts to show protests erupting outside of Dallas, prompting the resistance to take action and get involved to keep the civilians from being taken away and executed. A fierce firefight rages in the city center, only to be interrupted by a number of vehicles with LRADs mounted to their roofs: the resistance is in possession of these, and the loud sound wails across the area, disrupting the riots and potential executions, allowing the rebels to bring the civilians to safety.)

"It's fallen to us to reclaim our country. As stated in the old United States constitution, if the government does not work for the people, and does not represent the people, the people have a duty to rise up and reclaim the country from that very government. And that has never been clearer than now."

. . .

DENVER, COLORADO

RESISTANCE WAREHOUSE HEADQUARTERS

Eisenhower's eyes were narrowed as she studied the news feeds playing out before her.

'So far so good...' she thought. 'The base out there embedded a number of news reporters in the middle of the corps, so that helped a lot in showing what was really happening...'

"And people are pissed," she mused out loud.

"More than pissed. They're furious," Harris remarked from behind her.

The resistance commander looked to her VP out of the corner of her eye. "And with good reason," she stated. "After all, they never thought that this would happen to them. And yet it has. So why wouldn't they be furious?"

"It's not just that," the VP said as he walked up to stand beside her. "There is also the international angle to consider. Who's to say that no one will see the source of the riots?"

"I've got that covered," the President told him. "I asked Ben to instruct the news crews covering the riots in NYC as well to keep the cameras pointed away from the news screens in Times Square. This way, people won't know what caused the riots, and only in the aftermath of the war will it come out as to what happened to cause them."

"That's smart, but many will be curious," Harris cautioned her.

"I'm well aware of that," Eisenhower retorted as she leaned back, tenting her fingers in front of her mouth. "And believe me, I'm already thinking ahead on this."

Harris nodded, knowing how good she was when it came to strategy.

The only downside was that she lacked any long-term political planning.

But then again, her plan to bring back the UN was considered a long-term one, but for a different reason: to ensure LOGOs had no say in political matters anymore globally. Her endgame was what really mattered here, he knew. After all, without the UN, LOGOs was able to buy entire countries and put them under their thumb. Without a global leadership made up of the countries of the world - in orbit and on earth alike - there was no one to hold them accountable under international law. And he knew Eisenhower was a firm believer in upholding the law.

She looked directly at the monitors showing the news feed and she smirked as she eyed one in particular.

Harris frowned at the headline as it marched across the screen.

"SHIP CONSTRUCTION HALTED"

So that was her game, he mused.

"I must admit, your three-pronged strategy has merit," he remarked. "But was it even necessary?"

"It was," the President countered. "The camp raid was the perfect thing to cause riots, and that in turn would keep LOGOs from finding out about the sabotage of the shipyards." Her eyes narrowed as her smirk faded. "This way LOGOs would suffer another blow at home politically. To expose such hypocrisy makes the people less willing to follow them. And in turn that gives us more legitimacy in the eyes of the public."

For once, Harris was gob smacked. He had not even considered that angle!

His eyes widened a bit as he stared at her with a sense of respect. "It's very simple, really," she explained, sensing his astonishment. "It's like de Gaulle and France in World War II. He built up the French Republic during the war and showed himself an able leader, in his own way. But the fact he had to start from nothing is just like here. I had to start from nothing as well. I built up this movement from scratch, and turned it into what it is now through sheer will, determination, patience and a willingness to learn from the past. Unlike LOGOs, of course."

"And the rest of the world will see the truth," Harris remarked.

"Close enough," Eisenhower stated, looking down for a moment. "The need to keep the concentration camp for kids out of the international eye is essential. If that is exposed... it could damage our reputation even further, possibly even beyond repair." Here her eyes hardened into shards of pure glacial ice. "Only when the war is over can we reveal the truth behind that place."

Now Harris could understand the need for keeping it a secret. "But what if someone accidentally shows it?" he asked, concerned.

"Long story short, if they do show it accidentally, we can edit that part out," she said with a serious glare.

The VP was silent for a moment. He made to open his mouth, only to close it as he realized she did have a point.

"I assume then that this is underway?" he asked, looking to the screen showing the fighting raging in NYC at that point.

"Yes." Eisenhower gave a firm nod as she turned her gaze to the screen in question. She had already sent a number of reporters for Task Force Narrative down there, one of which was none other than Bright Noa, a bright young man who sought only to make a difference in the world. He had a good head for confrontation, knowing where and when to engage in fighting, and had things been different, he would no doubt have been one hell of a ship commander. But as it stood, he was a good journalist, and his dreams of a better world were what led him to the resistance to begin with.

Bright was already detailing the situation with the clarity of facts, and she had to suppress a smirk as his cameraman pivoted the camera to show the rioters in NYC opening up on a number of LOGOs personnel, including the police who had been called out to arrest all the protesters. A scowl crossed her face as she saw a number of women being beaten by the officers, only for other civilians and former officers to come in and stop them. A large cluster of FBI agents came swarming out from the subway closest to Times Square, and already official vehicles for them were moving in to blockade the whole square.

"The FBI's made their move then?" Harris asked.

"They've been planning this one for weeks," Eisenhower remarked as she narrowed her eyes. "And with the recent events, it makes sense, doesn't it, to arrest the perpetrators before they get out of the area?"

The Vice-President had to nod at that. "But how will they deal with the police?" he asked.

"Leave that to them," Eisenhower said with a knowing grin. "They're on top of it..."

. . .

International Viewpoint

"...riots erupting all over NYC due to certain unspecified circumstances relating to the war," a news reporter said.

The camera pivoted to the left to show the rioters in Times Square, many of them armed with military grade firearms and weapons, with some having jacked a few military vehicles and using them to split the square down the middle.

Half the square was overtaken by rioters and the other half was held by LOGOs personnel, both sides aiming their rifles, pistols, guns, and machine guns as they fired. As the two sides fought, several large black vehicles, all armed to the teeth, swarmed in, blocking off all exit roads for the police and even the rioters.

"Any idea as to what circumstances are even causing this?" a male voice asked over the speakers.

"That, unfortunately, we have not been able to get an idea of," the reporter stated seriously. "Any attempts at finding out were met with very unusual answers and very little information."

He then gestured to show the black vehicles, all of them with the lettering FBI painted or emblazoned on their sides. "As you can see, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has begun to take action in sealing off Times Square. There are questions as to why, but so far it seems like it's to try and keep the police from enacting police brutality. The efforts of the FBI in rooting out a terrorist group posing as a law enforcement agency has so far exposed a lot that the world has yet to understand about what is really happening here in the country."

One of the larger vans came up alongside and the doors slid open, discharging FBI agents clad in riot gear and body armor, each holding assault rifles and heavier firepower. The first of the agents, a woman, brandished her rifle and held up a bullhorn. "All personnel are to act in accordance with the law and arrest the perpetrators of this riot!" she barked. "To all rioters, you are under arrest for disorderly conduct, public endangerment, assault on officers, and illegal possession of firearms!"

The rioters were caught off guard as the FBI started to swarm around, but unlike what they were fearing, the agents were moving in front of the civilians and rebels alike, deploying riot shields to protect them.

The LOGOs police force opened fire on the agents, but they returned fire alongside their civilian allies. The attempt to block off the square was working, as larger vehicles were needed to get past the FBI's own vehicles. One of the protesters proceeded to grab a grenade from a downed LOGOs police officer and, after arming it, chucked it right for one of the larger clusters of LOGOs police officers. A huge explosion took out a number of them, but there were more where those came from.

"The rioters and FBI are apparently coordinating together to try and keep the police in check and..." The man's voice trailed off as he spotted something in the shadows. His eyes narrowed as he gestured for the cameraman to shift the camera in that direction.

The screen showed the view adjusting until the camera was aimed at the shadowy spot, only for a number of other individuals to come swarming out, each moving for the LOGOs police officers. The officers were caught off guard as two hundred men and women of the League of the Batmen brandished handcuffs and slapped them on their opponents. Already two hundred and fifty officers were arrested, and more members of the underground police syndicate came out, tackling the officers or forcing them to drop their weapons before restraining them in handcuffs.

"Hold on, Harry! You seeing this, man?" the news reporter blurted.

"I sure do, Billy!" the cameraman replied. "It's the League of the Batmen!"

"What the hell is going on?!"

"This is Tim Drake of the League of the Batmen! All police officers of the New York Police Department, you are under arrest for violation of your duties and for breaking the oath you swore to uphold!" Tim Drake shouted.

The camera pivoted sharply to show the man standing atop one of the taller vehicles, a bullhorn held in his hand as he gazed down at the officers as they turned their attention to him. His coat billowed out behind him in the cold weather, the snow starting to pick up as clouds moved in and a blizzard began to swirl.

This was just what the League needed.

Already the rioters were forced to take shelter behind the bigger vehicles and some were moving into the buildings on their side of Times Square, but not without suffering injuries as the LOGOs police force opened fire on them. With the FBI acting as guards for them though, the number of wounds was not as bad as it could have been.

The camera panned to the left, only to sharply move away from one of the huge screens.

It wasn't enough though to properly keep the briefest of a scene showing a fight raging in the desert. To the observer, it seemed like it was a battle between two forces in the American Southwest, which it was. But the glimpse was too fast to even pause to get a proper viewing.

And that was fine with the President.

. . .

BUENOS AIRES

December 16th, CE 0073

"Hm..." The Premiere of the USSA frowned as he tented his fingers in front of his mouth. "It seems there's something more going on at home than we expected..."

Esmeralda pursed her lips. "Why would there be riots now, of all times?" she wondered.

"Honestly, I'm not entirely sure," Rocha admitted. "But this right here indicates that what we have seen is true: the public is not all united against the Coordinators, and that only a minority believe in that shit about Natural supremacy."

"So then... that means that people can start to see the truth!" she remarked, stunned.

"And not just that," Xandinho mused, narrowing his eyes. "The fact that such riots are taking place indicates that something else is afoot. They did say unspecified circumstances led to these riots. Don't you find that a bit... vague?"

Premiere Rocha knew what his Foreign Minister was getting at. "Yes," he said slowly. "I will admit that. But something tells me that there is a reason the circumstances are not being revealed."

"And what do you think those circumstances are?" Esmeralda wondered.

Here Rocha closed his eyes as he thought.

There were all kinds of possibilities, but only a few really stood out to him. And two of those were very dark for him indeed. His eyes slowly opened, showing a grim side to them. "I can think of a few..." he said softly. "But... as to what they are, I would rather not say." His hands clenched into fists. "It's too disturbing to even think about at the moment."

The group of assembled government officials was silent as they pondered his words. A few of them blanched and one even grabbed a garbage can close by and threw up into it.

"You... You can't be serious...!" Esmeralda whispered, her tan face a shade paler than it usually was.

Rocha just nodded grimly.

"That's what I fear." His eyes narrowed. "A concentration camp network."

"Or even worse?" someone asked.

"That's the worst situation I can conceive at the moment," the Premiere stated.

The room was silent as they all glanced at the screen.

"God..." Esmeralda was horrified. "How low did the Atlantic government sink...?"

"That we don't know," another person mused. "But... let's just hope that something good happens... and soon."

. . .

SINGAPORE

Prime Minister Jingyi Liu pursed her lips as she observed the fighting in the center of New York. "So... the riots have begun, hm?" she mused.

"Jingyi."

The Natural turned as she spotted Liu Bei standing off to the side, his arms crossed over his chest.

"You came in to see how I was doing?" she asked.

The Coordinator shook his head. "No. I wanted to see if you were watching this recent development," he explained, uncrossing his arms and walking up to her.

"I am," she remarked, leaning back in her chair as she placed one hand on the desk. "But what I'm curious on is what the resistance is doing right now." Her eyes narrowed behind her glasses.

"You're thinking of making contact with them then?" Liu Bei noted.

She gave a firm nod. "Yes. The whole thing with the riots is something I want to know more about, but it will also allow me to try and gauge just how trustworthy the resistance is."

Her Defense Minister nodded. "I see. But do you know how to contact them?"

The Prime Minister was silent as she pondered the question. There were not very many options for her to contact the resistance, but that didn't mean that she wasn't without them. Her eyes narrowed for a moment. "There aren't very many options," she admitted. "And I'm not even sure if any of them are viable, given how we lack any real information on them."

"I see." Liu Bei was silent for a moment as he turned to look out at the city, his eyes softening a bit. "But... for what it is worth, with the riots that have broken out, it seems like that the resistance is preparing for something, at least from what I can guess."

Jingyi looked up. "Oh?"

The Coordinator nodded. "Yes. I can't guess as to what it is though."

Prime Minister Liu glanced over to the television screen, her eyes locking onto the fighting. "If only we could reach out to them..."

Thankfully, there was about to be a real surprise that evening. The afternoon passed by without much fanfare, allowing the two to get stuff done for their respective ranks in government.

As Prime Minister Liu was about to leave for her house that evening, her gaze landed briefly on her terminal and she sighed as she went over to shut it down. However, her eyes widened as she saw a blinking message on her email. A frown crossed her face as she brought it up, and her eyes widened in shock as she saw the sender's address.

At once all thoughts of being at home with her cat and dog were brushed aside as she sat down, bringing up the email and reading it over.

To: Prime Minister Jingyi Liu

From: The Defense Secretary of the United States

I know this is suspicious under most circumstances, but given the state of things, I feel it is time to reach out to possible new allies.

First off, introductions are in order.

My name is Lorenzo Green, and I am indeed the Secretary of Defense for the United States. Or rather, the United States Resistance.

Yes, resistance.

What you have heard is indeed the case. There is indeed a viable resistance force underground, and it is currently growing in strength. Our numbers notwithstanding, there is much you have to be informed on when it comes to our ideals and goals.

For what it is worth, our goals are the same as anyone else who has sense left in this world: to bring down LOGOs and end this farce of a war over genes. And when I say it is a farce, it is a farce. Why should people be discriminated against all because of genes? And why should the possibility of change be feared?

Well, that is what is happening. And we want to end it. While we have built up considerable strength and numbers, our real goal is to reestablish the trust the world once had in us as a country and superpower. We are not like the Atlantian Reich which has tarnished our reputation and left a negative impression on the world regarding our people.

And that is why we need help from foreign allies as well as domestic. Our foreign allies, which consist of the Kingdom of Scandinavia, the United States of South America and the Eurasian Federation alongside Orb and Terminal, are significant, but we need help from your side as well. Why do we need your help? It's simple: to deter ZAFT from attacking Orb at the time when we are still in the middle of building up for the revolution at home.

Your forces are not as advanced as others, but they are numerous enough to make people think twice. So that's why we're asking you to help us. In exchange, you will be allowed to be a part of the negotiations when this farce is brought to an end. It is our hope that together we can lead the world away from extremism and fascism to sensibility and sanity.

Let us make it work together.

I have enclosed a private frequency for you to use on the radio should you wish to confirm this email or make direct contact with us.

Feel free to use it when you see fit.

Defense Secretary Lorenzo Green

United States Department of Defense

She closed down the email and tented her fingers.

'Interesting...' she thought.

. . .

L4 COALITION

"The riots have begun then?" the Blue Masque asked.

One of her spies nodded. "Yes, ma'am. And it appears that the cause was the revelation of a children's concentration camp of all things."

The Blue Masque pursed her lips as she pondered that. "I see..."

"Of course, we can't exactly reveal that we know the cause of the riots," the man stated.

"I am well aware of that," she said. "I can count on you and the others in the intelligence service to remain discreet?"

"We've kept the information about the Chairman's ambitions secret, haven't we?" he countered. "We can do this as well."

"Good." The Blue Masque nodded. "That's all I ask."

She leaned back in her seat, her hands clasped in front of her. "The real issue now is... whether or not this will translate into a budding revolution or if they are holding back."

"From the looks of things, it's almost like it's reaching the breaking point," her spy said. "But we can't really tell. The resistance is not one to hold back unless something is in the works, from what we know of them."

"Keep an eye on them then," the Blue Masque ordered. "I want any new information sent to me as soon as you get it."

"Affirmative," he said. Then his eyes narrowed a bit. "But what if Durandal finds out himself? The resistance did inform me of possible spies he has down on Earth after all."

"All the more reason to keep the resistance informed of their actions then," the Blue Masque said. "Unless they are already aware of why they are reporting to him."

Here her best spy grimaced. "Honestly, I'm not entirely sure if they are aware of that."

The leader of the L4 Coalition turned her gaze to the window showing the interior of the colony she called home. The entire place was a refurbished O'Neil Cylinder, with all external damage repaired or replaced with salvaged components, only outmatched in its size by Judgment Station not too far off. And it was a real beast in of itself, she knew. But that didn't mean her own colonies were unusable. In fact, thanks to the salvage and repair ops they had conducted in the last few years, many of them were still operational.

But she forced that thought from her mind as she sighed.

"Still, keep me informed. We need to be aware of Durandal's moves for them," she ordered.

"Yes, ma'am." He saluted and the screen went dark, allowing her to focus more on what their next move would be, and what it would pertain to.

. . .

KINGDOM OF SCANDINAVIA

The King was stunned by the outbreak of the riots across the Atlantic Federation.

He could see the cities engulfed in masses of people as civilians and Atlantian thugs went at it, some of them even using military grade equipment to disperse their enemies from key points related to civilian infrastructure or even places where children gathered.

It was clear to him now what was happening.

The Atlantian nobility was cracking down hard. And knowing their MO, they were going for children to capture and turn into weapons of war... or barring that, a crash indoctrination course to brainwash their sons and brothers and nephews into fanatical Sonsoldiers of the Reich.

It was also clear as to who really had the advantage in relation to the layout of the country's roads, rails, and airports, seaports, and spaceports.

And it was not the Atlantians.

It was the resistance.

He turned to his Minister of Intelligence, Lord Michael Åkesson. "What do you make of this, old friend?" he asked.

Michael was an old friend of the Isaksen's, going back at least thirty years from when they were in their prime. The Minister was one of the nobility, his family having been one of the founding families of the Kingdom of Scandinavia, and as such, he took great pride in his lineage, but not to the point of arrogance or narcissism. In fact, it was the opposite. He was a humble, sympathetic, but prideful man whose family was also involved in intelligence gathering for close to four generations. Having served in the Swedish intelligence services and now in the Scandinavian Secret Service, the Åkesson line had always served in the shadows.

The nobleman was in his fifties, with a shock of graying blonde hair and bright blue eyes that reflected the world around them like mirrors, never seeking lies but seeing the truth for the world as it was. Much like a child still did. It was a rare gift that had allowed him to be aware of what the Atlantians had been up to, as well as informing through underworld contacts the Eurasian Federation of the possibility of LOGOs being the backer for Blue Cosmos' rise to power within the Reich. He was an unassuming man; most would expect him to be a towering giant like his sons were. But with an unassuming appearance, he was able to slip into places others would not with the right disguise on occasion. He had a slightly chubby face with a scruffy beard, a protruding gut, and average muscle tone, but it was his keen mind that made him a threat to his enemies.

And he had many, even within the Scandinavian elite.

But those enemies would not make a move as the King would know about it first, and they were wise to remain out of his way for now.

"Honestly, I was half-expecting the riots to start sooner," the nobleman admitted. "I'm impressed the leader of the resistance has kept the people in check for so long."

"It goes to show how much influence she has over them through their common sense and reasoning in comparison to the primal passions LOGOs arouses in their supporters and soldiers," Isaksen mused.

Åkesson gave a slight nod.

"Yes. But the biggest issue is... how long can she keep them back from the breaking point?" he wondered.

"It seems like she is, but only just," Isaksen stated.

His old friend merely frowned. "You are sure then? That she is preparing for the coming rebellion?"

Isaksen nodded. "Yes..."

. . .

EARTH ORBIT

"...because otherwise, things will not look good for everyone on Earth... and in space..."

The king's voice faded as the shape of the SVCA-01 Redemption soared through the vastness of space.

Its laminated armor gleamed in the light as its engines pulsed, sending energy and fire out through the thrusters and granting it motion. The windows glinted as the ship passed by the sun, and as it sailed through the black void, the camera panned around to show the colonies that were its destination.

The L4 colony debris field.

The ship's name flashed as it approached, and on its side was the star of the United States military.

Its twin fusion reactors hummed with power as the captain observed the huge colony coming up on the horizon.

This was it.

The final fitting out.

And soon... a new era for LOGOs would begin.

The era of their Judgment.