Apologies for the long update. So, as an apology I'm posting two chapters.:)
But I'm not sure it's up to my standards. I did my best to make it best as I can but I'm not sure about it. So let met know what you guys think about it. Your criticisms (no matter how bitter it is) helps me a lot.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Gundam Franchise and anything related to it. This is for entertainment and recreation.
Long had Celestial Being remained silent. Long had they ran base after base as the United Nation turned the Earth Federation hunted Celestial Being down with its stolen technology. Long had they stayed in the shadows as the Federation, The A-Laws, commit atrocity after atrocity while the world remained ignorant of the truth that was being silenced.
Their silence will soon be over as soon they finally found their lost comrade. His missing brother-in-arms, and most of all, his younger brother in all but blood.
Their training, preparation, and hard work over the years will bear fruit. The World that they destroyed and rebirthed wrongfully would be washed with blood once more. Not blood of retribution for the lives they lost, but for justice that had evaded, hidden from their world.
No more, Lockon thought tightening his hold around Leesa's waist. His redhead lover turned kissing his chin. "Go get him, Neil. Bring Setsuna home."
The brunet sniper smirked a little, hands sliding upwards only to stop on the glare she sent him. "Roger that, Captain." He pecked her lips, making Kujo blush, before letting her go and exiting the bridge. Mileina, Ian's and his surprisingly younger beauty of a wife Linda, squealed loud that could be heard even from outside the bridge.
"I call dibs on being the bridesmaid!" Mileina said making him chuckle and slightly red cheeked.
"What!?" their Captain, now his girlfriend, reacted scandalized.
"Mileina!" Feldt nearly choked.
Lasse laughed, "Calm down, Mileina. Let Miss Sumeragi choose."
Lockon went to the hangar, wherein three Gundams lay inactive.
Arios, Cherudim, and his old partner, Dynames. Technically it was called Dynames Re. I, a modified GN-002 Dynames. The old Gundam was powered by a rushed made Solar Reactor. It was given to Lasse in case of emergency. They learned it the hard way that it's better to have something and not need it than need it and not have it.
The unit could act as Sniper and Reconnaissance due to its better and longer sensor range thanks to additional two smaller E-Sensors on chest and frontal shoulders armor. On its knees where the missiles were removed in favor for the extra sensors protected by movable armor plating. The Missile launcher were then attached on the side of the knees instead. Not only that, the original weapons had been replaced by the ones used by Cherudim too.
Ian had hinted something else, but he was tight lid on it.
In this regard, his unit was not akin to its predecesssor, the GNY-002 Sadalsuud.
As for why he was using an older Gundam unit (though older in name alone)? Well, personal preference. He like Cherudim, just as Dynames but the only thing that made him prefer the predecessor was because he was quite attached to it.
Aside from that, element of surprise, of course. The Federation, and in turn the A-Laws, would surely underestimate his unit once they saw it. A relic of the past.
Before his Gundams were Tiera waiting arms crossed. The innovade looked calm, very different from the hotheaded and impatient person he was during their interventions.
"Tiera," he floated towards the man below the cockpit of his Gundam.
"Lockon," Lockon had long abandoned the pursuit of letting the other call him by his christened name. He was adamant as the strength of Seravee's GN Field. The purple haired man remained on his position as he then said, "I'm sorry, I can't come with you."
Lockon waved his concerns away. He knew how important Setsuna was for Tiera too and that Seravee's pilot insisted to be the one to do the rescue. "That's fine. I'm sure he would understand why you couldn't be there to greet him. Someone needs to defend our home, you know."
"I'm sure Setsuna would be surprise to see how much you've change."
The other Gundam Meister turned his gaze on him, then smirking. "Speak for yourself."
He let out a hearty chuckle on his response finger gunning their heavy assault Gundam pilot. "Touché."
"Say hello to Setsuna for me." With that he left he hangar.
"Lockon, Lockon. Mission? Mission?" asked his rotund robot partner flapping its wing ears in excitement.
He in return patted his partner's head, "Yes. We're going to retrieve an old comrade. I'm sure you know who it is."
"Setsuna. Setsuna."
"Yes, Haro," he replied as the cockpit closed. His Gundam was moved up.
Given the clear from Feldt, the oldest Meister gripped the controls. "Neil Dylandy, Dynames launching!" shining green and slightly green-ish particles glowed and faded on his peripherals when he pushed the thrust as his unit flew forward and away from the Ptolemaios II and towards Lagrange IV, specifically to Colony Proud.
"Haro, widen the sensor range." Six blimps appeared three clicks away. Right where the colony would be. Their IFFs read three Hellions and two GN-X plus one GNT-705 Ahead, the newer GN powered units according to the data.
Once he was near enough, the unit stood apart from the other two with its bulkier form painted in red and its thrusters behind its shoulders. The six units exchanged fire, but it could hardly be called a fair battle for the old units struggled to keep up with the newer GN Powered suits.
Non-GN units are now scarcely used by the Federation outside of Orbital Tower reserves. That leaves out one faction.
Grabbing the GN Sniper Rifle II, he extended the barrel. Just how he likes it to be. As he got near, blue flash exchanged with reddish hue. The brunet veered right where the rocks were thickest. Up and down he weaved through the space debris floating.
Sniper module down, he fired his first shot. Pale pink beam launched towards his target, the newer Mobile suit. The pilot lived up to the A-Laws standard as it was quick to defend itself with its shield. Opening a comm line, he talked to the Katharon, voice shifted of course, "Katharon, this is Celestial Being. Regroup behind me. What's the status?"
Lockon heard choked and surprise responses.
"It's really them!"
"We're res- ah!"
Exchanging his long-range weapon, he returned to his favored gun kata style with the two pistols as the two A-Laws unit chased and fired on the older AEU Mobile suits. He dashed to meet their attacks, shields raised, and returning fire.
The Gundam Meister had Haro kept an eye on the third unit and on the ship forcefully docked on the colony. His communication beeped as an open line was set up, "How far Celestial Being had fallen. Your unit's five years too late!"
Arrogant, he eyed the Ahead but no doubt the pilot could back his words. This is not just my old Dynames, he smirked.
The lead MS shot him, but he activated the shield to cover his front as he evaded the shots. All long-range strike proved to be accurate. One beam nearly hit him! A testament to the A-Laws' skills.
Drawing the two pistols, he returned the favor. With a swift swerve right, it then side flipped before hiding behind an asteroid along with the supporting unit.
"Katharon units, cover your ships," he ordered. Which he found lucky they followed quickly while providing cover fire for him. Blue streaks of linear rifle took shots at the GN Powered units, but they proved to be an agile target for them.
Lockon reacted in time just as the A-Laws units went out of their cover from the sides. The Ahead, moved up, the GN-X moved down, both fired on him.
His Dynames shook from the beam. Up and down, his enemy moved. He moved backwards and maneuvered in circular movements whilst retaliating. With a single press of a button, he released half of GN Missile on the armor skirt aimed towards the Commander unit. The sniper Meister followed as he spun then thrusted downwards going for the GN-X.
The GN-X tried to fire but the cover fire of his temporary allies gave him a huge opportunity to attack.
His enemy could only deftly dodge the rapid fire of his GN Pistols while charging with its lance and firing in turn. The beams was far off and didn't hit him. As it near, Lockon stopped and reversed. His beams met GN Shields of the other. They're good. Begrudgingly, he had to give them respect for their skills. A-Laws we're not all talk!
"Third attack! Third attack!"
Lockon barely dodged the shot identified from the third unit. His right shield was pounded more when the lead MS followed that by strafing him. His right shield now badly beaten, Lockon purged it and having only the left one remained. Putting power to the thrust, he flew to the debris. Accurate beams melted the scattered objects as he ran through the debris field.
His unit was quick to ping and lock-on to one as he then unleashed barrage of beams on the GN-X hitting its left leg. Quickly, he hid once again dodging the return fire. E-Sensors beeped, locking on the damaged unit. Lockon was quick to capitalize on its state only for the bulky unit to stand before its downed ally. He already had hidden before he could see what the result of his attack was.
Glancing at the radar, the two units went left and right, most likely to flank him and they took shots at him.
His nerves were running fast, but not wild, as his eyes followed their paths and calculated their trajectory. The Ahead hid behind an asteroid, then deeming it the right moment, he pushed the trigger. The Pseudo Solar Reactor powered Ahead left arm broke off just as it was going out its cover.
"Lance. Lance."
Lockon bit his lip, the unit moved faster than he expected and was now charging. Moving the shield to cover his vulnerable side, he then released it in time for the GN Lance to pierce his remaining defensive cover and then fired rapidly at it in an attempt to destroy the stuck shield. The brunet man didn't waste time kicked the piercer away making hit a rock.
When it looked like his weapon was stuck, his opponent threw the lance and grabbed two beam sabers just as the Ahead retaliated once more. With quick and deft fingers, the brunet sniper exchanged his rifle for the GN Pistol II.
"Gundam Pilot," said an unfamiliar voice nearly breaking his focus. "Katharon thanks you. We have rescued most of our allies and some of the workers. Unfortunately, many died from the automatons. All units, support the Gundam! Give it everything you've got."
Linear rifle fire supported him from his rear. The GN-X ignored it and the Ahead made to move against the weaker units. Lockon raised his left to deflect the beam saber of the Ahead.
Automaton, he glared, and anger rose in his chest. Wang Liu Mei had report of what those machines can do. The A-Laws's immorality knows no bounds.
"Escape," he told the resistance group. "They're too much for you. I'll handle this."
The other arm made to stab him but swiftly pressing a single button, pink hued energy blade came out of the other beam handgun that the Gundam Meister expertly rebounded the attempted piercing strike.
Hands shaking on the grip, he quickly pushed any emotions down and kicking the limp GN-X before rushing again to the one-legged unit. Swinging down the melee weapon, his enemy countered it and kicked him from the side. The brunet Meister was taken aback but he recovered swiftly grabbing the pistols.
The damaged unit found itself in defensive as he rained it with beam attacks.
One of the A-Laws unit, the third one made to chase the retreating group, but he was quick to change targets. Unleashing a volley of beams, that stopped the GN-X in its tracks and hide behind its GN Shield. Keeping on moving, he didn't let up in his fast beam fire. Even just one attempts to charge, he peppered them with beam in a fast firing rate in conjunction with his pistol.
The brunet had to hold on. Setsuna was here, he knew it. Wang Liu Mei's intel was never wrong. The question is, where?
Holstering the rifle, the Dynames's pilot charged forward for the Ahead. The lead unit drew its saber too on its shoulder. Lockon, went down and around a small rock same sized as his unit. Beams firing made his cover groan, but it held on.
The damaged GN-X had him reeling to a stop as it blocked his path. Its lance nearly pierced him! Then from above, came the Commander unit.
Activating the saber mode of the other pistol, he kicked the other unit again and blocked the strike from above. "Unknown Mobile suit. Unknown Mobile suit." Going around the colony, an unknown suit was detected but the system didn't have enough time to detect it before it disappeared behind the colony.
Stabbing the Ahead, it swiftly sidestepped but he followed it with a turn that would've cut it in half had it not flown back. On the sensors, the third unit had not opted to attack, only support and he was fortunate for that. A greenhorn? He concluded.
The sensors beeped once again, for a moment he lost his concentrations and been hit had it not been for Haro's quick maneuvering. Approaching him was a Gundam they were looking for, Gundam Exia. A quick scan of it, and he saw it was beaten badly before turning his focus on his fight.
Backing up, the sniper holstered his pistols for the rifle and firing.
"Yo, Setsuna," he greeted. "I could use a little help here."
The younger pilot didn't reply but move for the one-legged unit while he dueled with the command MS. He had to had it to the pilot, even with one arm he still held him at bay despite using two weapons. He gritted his teeth when he was sent reeling back. "Damn it."
Sending out a retreat flare, the A-Laws team escaped. Lockon didn't bother firing at them having more important business. "Long time no see, Setsuna." He opened visual contact and grinned at man piloting the Exia now.
It took less than ten minutes to travel to a colony hangar entrance. The two of them faced each other silently a few meters away from each other.
After minutes of silence, Setsuna's voice echoed, "Lockon."
Lockon for his part grinned giving the youngest pilot a mock salute. "Yo, it's been a long time. Looks like time hit you hard, huh?" It was true for Exia's pilot now had darker skin, and his physique, broader and harder than he'd last seen the young man.
It was Setsuna's eyes that spoke the most. His eyes, it was firmer, as if he'd seen more than he liked. Knowing him and being missing for five years, he probably had.
"You've change too."
Lockon gave a hearty laugh at the others statement weaving a hand through his now short hair. "Yes, I did." and a lot more. But he had to keep that as a surprise to his younger brother.
"Setsuna!" he glanced right to see a brown-haired man in a normal spacesuit, same age as Setsuna closed on them. "Did you always pilot that Gundam!?"
The sniper didn't say anything, feeling like he would intrude into something personal. "Saji Crossroad." Was all Exia's pilot could say.
"Tell me!" screamed this Saji Crossroad in anger.
The middle eastern pilot didn't reveal anything in expression and opting to remain neutral. "Yes. I pilot the Exia."
"Ah!" Even as the other grabbed the gun from Exia's pilot he didn't move knowing his fellow Gundam Meister can handle himself. "Why! Why!" Saji shook his head fervently, in anger, frustration, denial, he didn't know. "Because of y…you. Many people died!"
Setsuna remained impassive.
"My... sister," Saji's eyes shifted between glaring as tears gradually glistening, "Louise!"
His heart leapt when Saji fired.
"Setsuna!" Feldt said eyes tearing up. Everyone was waiting for them in the Mobile suit hangar when they landed.
"Now you've done it! Look at Exia! She's torn up all over," Ian berated the youngest pilot and nearly screaming.
Setsuna suddenly froze, and Lockon knew why. Lasse grinned from his position behind Tiera. "Lasse."
"Long time no see, Setsuna."
"You're alive."
It was indiscernible but for anyone knowing the Krugis man, it was an utter shock for his voice was lower and less sharp than it usually was. Ptolemy's helmsman pushed his way forward and put an arm on his right shoulder. "Thanks to you."
"You haven't changed at all," Tiera smiled with a shake of his head.
"You have change," the brunet Gundam Meister replied. "You all have."
"No one stays the same Setsuna," Leesa stated entwining her hands with his hugging him from the side. "I'm glad you two came back fine. Especially you, Setsuna."
"No kidding," Ian grunted, agreeing on the statement, "you nothing like the squirt you were before."
If Setsuna was shock from the changes they had throughout time, then his shocked widening eyes from their relationship made him chuckle as he stared at him and the tactical forecaster in silence. "You two are…"
"In a relationship, yes," the brunet cut him off. That's all he had to say for that matter. "Done be shy to admit you're shock. Everyone was," he smirked at Lasse and Tiera.
"Come on Setsuna," Feldt took Setsuna by the hand and led him away. "Let's get you settled in. Ian, I'll follow you on the attachment of Exia's GN Drive to 00 after Setsuna settles in."
After the small greeting they have for their lost pilot, he and Leesa had time for themselves. Time well spent on each other's arms.
"It would take some time for us to examine the synch rate of Exia and O Gundam's GN Drive," Ian began as they took off for one of their resource satellites. "Simulation could only take us so far. We need to hide as we test the 00."
"Not to mention missing one pilot," Lasse supplied. "Look, I can pilot that thing fine, but were short of crew. Plus, I'm needed more at the helm. We need a Meister for Cherudim or Dynames Repair. Whichever Neil wants to chooses to pilot."
Ian was bitter about that one fact that the extra Gundam would be unused and tasked Wang Liu Mei of finding the right pilot. But none had come close to their standards. Lasse was supposed to be Dynames Re. I pilot, only in dire situations. Leesa had argued that a pilot would need to be found or else it'd be a waste or resource.
Its an argument done before but one that was never given resolution. He hoped that it would never come to this, but given the situation he had no choice.
"I know someone who can pilot it."
"You do?" his girlfriend asked turning him. "Who."
He smirked, "It'll be a surprise."
So, it was then agreed that he'll recruit the pilot for the last Gundam.
Before taking for his mission, Lockon had one last thing he had to do. Putting in the code, there on hugging his knees looking into nothingness was Saji Crossroad. He was greeted by glare by the younger man.
"Are you fine?" he asked.
No answer. If anything, the glare strengthened and the anger behind it very much evident.
He sighed, fine he could deal with silence. Setsuna and Tiera was the king of silence among the Gundam Meisters five years back. "I just wanted to ask why you didn't shoot Setsuna, but," he simply shrugged, "since I know you won't answer then I'll take my leave. Just letting you know that we're heading to one of our bases. I'll just leave you with Haro right here," he gestured for the Haro to enter.
"Nice to meet you! Nice to meet you!"
"Later."
Before he pressed the door to close the man whispered, "If I shot Setsuna, I wouldn't be better than you guys."
Saji's situation was fucked up, he knew from Setsuna's report. Just an accused civilian. All of them from the Ptolemy wanted to help him but he was not making it easy for them. He was deeply ingrained in his hatred of Celestial Being.
The brunet sniper knew why they were hated by him. Justifiably so. But that was precisely why they were returning. To correct the sins of the past, we must spill blood once more.
A disturbing thought but a justified one, for the path the Federation was heading was one of more destruction. The A-Laws with their unquestioned rule would spill more innocent blood than their operations could.
Pushing it all back, he had a mission to do.
Ireland. Lockon's heart panged in both pain and recognition. It changed and was the same. The building behind that used to be a store, was now an apartment. The brunet didn't recognize the building besides it, and across it. They were newer than what he recalled, which he concluded was demolished and replaced.
The grey skies gently wept as if remembering all the departed souls or lives wasted on this place. Rain click clacked against his umbrella creating a strange rhythm that he found peaceful.
Standing in silence in front of the statue that marked the site of the incident. What used to be a bloody and dreadful place, now became one of peace and remembrance. For those who died here are always honored by the people.
The brunet remained in his position until he heard a familiar purring. The mechanical purr that he knew since he left the military. The hum of engine swiftly stopped and died down.
"What took you so long."
"Give me a break Neil," a similar but tired voice replied. The man stood next to him. "It's traffic hour, y'know."
How much his brother had changed much in the long time they haven't seen each otehr. Lyle's hair was nearly as long as his a year ago before he decided to cut it off. His face less taut than his. His younger brother wore a brown trench coat and same colored hat. He pocketed his sunglasses.
"So," Lyle trailed off, "What's the occasion for this meeting." He hid his distaste when his brother grabbed a nicotine stick and light it. He inhaled and exhaled a puff of smoke. "It's not that time yet."
Even if it was that time, Lyle and him never met. Not once in their own graveyard visit.
They were so near, yet so far away. It must be really awkward and funny for normal people to know twin brothers, twins, having so much unresolved tension and awkwardness between them. He wished they could rekindle a fraction of what was once their bond as brothers. Though knowing Lyle, he'd take it the wrong way. Not out of jealousy or anything but out of pride in his personal quest to separate himself from his twin.
"A-Laws will soon strike on the Katharon Eurpoean branch," Lockon stated without warning. He noted Lyle's brief shocked expression before settling on a neutral one. "That is after dealing with the problems in middle east."
"What? Why are you telling me this?" suspicions on his younger twin's words very much obvious.
He would've rolled his eyes in the innocent act of the younger brunet. They may have grown up and changed, but one thing remained the same; Neil knew his brother just as Lyle knew him. "You are a member of Katharon."
Lyle visibly reacted this time, his eyes widening in shock whether in betrayal or disbelief. He slowly stepped back and dropping his smoke. "Are you from the Security Agency." Neil noticed how his brother's hand moved towards his waist.
He didn't move form his spot and turned his head to where the sculpted prayers to those who lost their lives. "Codename: Lockon Stratos. Celetial Being's Gundam Meister."
His brother stood frozen and wide eyed at the statement. He was quiet for a good while before he broke the harmony of rain and wind, "Gundam Meister." His younger brunet twin narrowed his eyes in suspicion and doubt. "Gundam Meister," he repeated.
If Lyle remembered him even with their lives spent apart then he'd knew that bullshitting was not Neil's forte.
A long sure nod was his reply. "Ever since I quit the military," he replied in assurance whilst keeping vigilant watch on the people nearby. "They recruited me. You've likely watched our intervention from before."
He breathed deeper and closed his eyes for a second, "I've avenged our family. We killed the bastard responsible for the bombing four years ago." Four long years had done him good in recovering the lost or missing pieces that his fractured heart had. Time had healed him of his anger, for his family on Celestial Being stood with him along the way that he can say those words without anger, apathy just a statemen of facts that happened.
Lyle shook his head, "You were one to never give up." Whether it was in disdain or respect his twin didn't bother to clarify. "Why are you meeting with me?"
"Everything you need to know about us, and our mission is on this. If you want to change the world," Lockon handed him the datastick, "and is prepared to fight for it. You'll know where to find me."
The brunet sniper turned and walked away form the monument but not before silently saying his farewell to the souls etched in the stone.
"What if I give this to the authorities?"
"I know you won't. Besides," he glanced back smirking. "you're better than that Lyle."
Edit: Again, many sorry for the format. I forgot to put the linebreak when I edited the story in the website.