Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Song of the Storm Wolf: Howl of Destiny
by Storm Wolf77415, Wing Commander White Wolf, and Centurious the Azure
Crimson Fox Chronicles One: Blockade
(January 6th, C.E. 74, ZAFT Carpentaria Base, Oceania Union)
Sebastian stood on the deck beneath the Archangel's starboard Gottfried cannon mount as the majestic white vessel sailed into the port of Carpentaria Base, the structure of the mass driver looming up over him. Fenrir was tucked into his belt as always, as well as his faithful M1911 hanging at this side. He had spent the last day of the trip in a quiet reflection. The Storm Wolf of Jachin Due knew all too well of what was to come, most specifically a rematch with Neo Roanoke. The battle with the Black Comet during Break the World was replaying in his mind. A quiet fury was building inside him as he thought of the black mobile suit wielding one of his own blades. "Who is he?" He wondered aloud. "Where did he learn to wield our sword style?" His hands curled into fists. "Damn it, there's too many questions to answer!"
"Hey Sebastian! Where are you?" Anthony called out, coming out of the hatch. "We're about to dock and you're needed on the bridge." Anthony's calling brought the young soldier back to his senses. The Arctic White Wolf was resplendent in his own Orb uniform, Browning High-Power holstered on his hip. His eyes narrowed slightly at the distressed expression Sebastian wore. "But it looks like you have something weighing on your mind. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"I was just thinking about that Roanoke guy I fought a few months back, bro." Sebastian said, looking out as the Archangel expertly slid into the nearest docking slip near a Vosgulov. "I knew I would face him again eventually. There's just something about him that really gets to me." Anthony leaned against the wall, arms folded across his chest. "I know I've said that the whole 'Supreme Ace' moniker is presumptuous, but there is also certain degree of truth to it as well. The number of people who can fight on my level I can count on one hand. Kira, Athrun, You of course, maybe even Mu and Andy to a lesser extent, but that's about it." A frustrated grunt left his lips as he slammed his hand against the bulkhead. "Then he shows up, and actually manages to do some damage to me. It's like the entire dynamic has changed."
"It seems the Black Comet really has gotten under your skin, Bro. I don't think even Rau ever got you this worked up."
"Rau was one of those rare few who's skill in the cockpit outshined everyone. If I hadn't been an idiot that one time, and just faced off against Providence in Storm Wolf, it would have been an even fight to be sure." Sebastian looked up at the clear blue sky, raising his hand to guard against the sunlight. "But Neo, I look at him and I can say he is definitely my true, exact equal in skill as both a pilot and a swordsman. When I squared off against him at Break the World. It was like staring into a mirror at my own reflection, or at least a twisted rendition of it."
"Or maybe a better comparison would be looking at your shadow along the wall?" Anthony suggested. Neither of the Twin Wolves had anything to say after that. The White Wolf shook his head. "We can discuss this later, pup. The base commander is going to meet us when we disembark. We don't want to keep Naaman waiting." This made Sebastian perk up a little at the mention of the name. The two men departed from the deck, heading down to the boarding ramp where Murrue, Natarle, and Mu were waiting. The five officers disembarked, where they found a pair of ZAFT officers waiting at the foot of the gangplank. One Sebastian and Anthony recognized clearly as Heine, resplendent in his ZAFT redcoat, the badge of FAITH pinned to his collar.
But it was the other man who really drew everyone's attention. He was an imposing figure at five foot eleven, his dark brown hair was cut short, feathering out around his ears. His dark complexion was offset by the brilliant blue eyes that radiated experience, and a calculating nature. Which complimented the deep purple uniform he was wearing, reserved only for the senior most officials of the Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty. Sebastian and Anthony immediately snapped to attention, offering the man their best salute. "Lieutenant General Sebastian Connor and Rear Admiral Anthony Russo and party requesting permission to come ashore, General Ibn-La'Ahad."
"Permission granted, General Connor." The man spoke, his tone colored by a smooth Middle-Eastern accent. "And please, we don't need to stand on formality. You can call me Naaman."
"It's just basic respect, sir. You did forge the path for us, after all." Anthony replied, before realizing the other officers weren't in the loop. "Oh, I guess some introductions are in order. Rear Admiral Murrue Ramius, commander of the ONS Archangel, Captain Natarle Badgiurel, executive officer, and Captain Mu La Flaga, Archangel's Commander Air Group, this is General Naaman Ibn-La'Ahad. He is one of ZAFT's OGs. When the outfit was reorganized in 68, Naaman here was handpicked alongside my former mentor, Commander Aster Dupree, and a few others as one of its first ever whitecoats. He led the charge during the blockade in 69 and is regarded as one of our greatest heroes."
Naaman let out a lighthearted snort. "Aw, you know how to embarrass an old man, Anthony. I'm just doing my job the same as everybody else. Chairman Durandal and the rest of the Supreme Council knew that the entire region was going to be a hotspot, and they wanted someone down here they knew who could keep a degree of stability. So, they gave me these fancy new duds and put me in charge. I came down here during Spear of Twilight, and I've been working on consolidating our troops in the area while coordinating with our allies in Oceania."
"The council made a good call then, Naaman." The Storm Wolf of Jachin Due remarked. "If anything else, the purple uniform looks good on you. We can all rest a little easier knowing you're manning the walls." Sebastian then moved to shake Heine's hand. "And it's also great to see you here as well, Heine! What brings you around these parts?" He took note of the badge on his uniform, recalling Ren wearing it when he came aboard the Minerva. "It looks you've been moving up in the world as well. You're part of Commander Za Burrel's outfit, FAITH, right?"
"You would be very correct, General Connor. I was inducted just a few weeks ago. As for the reason I'm here, it's to join you and the crew of the Minerva." the orange haired redcoat responded, straightening up his uniform. "I even brought the last of the Second Stage Gundams with me. I'm certain Captain Gladys will appreciate the extra firepower." Some of the joviality faded from both Heine and Naaman's faces. "Although there is some matters of grave importance Naaman and I need to discuss with you and Lacus. I brought someone with me who's wanting to meet with you and your wife immediately."
Sebastian turned all business. "Is there something wrong?"
Naaman and Heine just looked at each other, making the Storm Wolf all the more anxious. "It's better if you just see for yourself, Kid. It's not easy to explain just with words. Grab Lacus and we'll head to my office. You can meet her there." He then addressed Murrue. "As for the you, Admiral Ramius, the base's amenities are open to the whole of your crew. I'm certain they're all eager to get off the ship and stretch their legs, in the meantime I have a base to run."
"Thank you, General." Murrue said, before turning to face Sebastian. "We'll get Lacus down here right away, Sebastian. Go and see what's happening." the Storm Wolf offered a curt nod to her and the Twin Wolves followed after Heine and Naaman.
(Carpentaria Base, Administration Building, Conference Room)
Sebastian nervously paced about while Lacus and Anthony sat at the long conference table. The pinkette let out a delicate giggle as she watched her husband continue to match back and forth in front of the large whiteboard used during briefings. The Arctic White Wolf found it less than amusing. "You're going to wear a trench in the carpet at this rate, Pup. And judging from the smell it's brand new. Please, sit down before you pop a valve!" Anthony finally spoke. Sebastian just grunted, taking a seat next to his beloved. Lacus began running her delicate fingers along his back, which helped calm him down. He let out a low growl, almost akin to a cat's purring.
The door swung open and in walked Naaman, followed by Heine, and then Sebastian and Anthony both sprang up at the same time, knocking their chairs back as Meer entered. The duplicate Pink Princess of the PLANTs squeaked for a minute as she found herself taking the full force of the Storm Wolf of Jachin Due's cold blue gaze. "Naaman, Heine, What exactly is this?" Sebastian managed through slowly grinding teeth. He pointed at Meer, who shrunk back in fear. "Who is this girl, and just why is she wearing my wife's face?"
"You can ease off, Sebastian." Heine said in his most mollifying tone. Putting himself in front of Meer. He had come to know her fairly well during the long ride to Earth and had become a little protective of her. "This young lady is Miss Meer Campbell. She came with me from the PLANTs on the Savior. She is the one who we wanted you to meet."
Lacus was more enthralled than angry, she got up from her seat, and walked up to Meer. For a couple seconds it was like the old gag of twins looking at each other in a mirror that didn't exist. The pink haired songstress started moving around her doppelgänger in a circle, taking in every facet of her newly discovered twin, almost like she was a breeder examining a prize show dog. "My my, I must give the plastic surgeon credit where it's due." There was an appreciative tone to her voice as she tapped her chin. "He did a superb job capturing my likeness. If not for the different hair clip and your much more sizable chest. I'd dare say you'd be able to fool anyone who didn't know me extremely well. What do you think, dear?" All she got from her husband was a low grunt. "Sebastian agrees with me, that's good."
The second pinkette meekly stepped forward, the envelope Durandal gave her in hand. "I-it's nice to meet you, General Connor. Chairman Durandal told me to hand deliver this to you. It will explain everything on why he felt he had to do this." He grunted before snatching the letter out of her hand. Meer squeaked in fear and went to hide behind Naaman, peeking out from over his shoulder.
Sebastian glowered as he opened the envelope, pulling the sheet of paper containing the official letterhead of the Supreme Chairman at the top. He cleared his throat and began reading. "Greetings to you, General Connor. If you are reading this, then it means you have met Miss Campbell. I have no doubt you're quite shocked, and maybe even a little angry at this turn of events, but rest assured there is method to my madness. I will be blunt, even with the death of her father, and the fact that Lacus has been out of the public eye these past two years, there is no denying that the name Clyne still holds a great deal of influence amongst our people." He looked to the true Lacus with those words, who just gave a slight nod of understanding before he continued.
"There are many on the council who would love nothing more than for Lacus to return to her old place as a beacon of light and hope to the people of the PLANTs. I have no doubt that Lacus feels a certain duty to guide them in this difficult time. I also know that the two of you are very close, and do not like being apart for long stretches of time either, so I present Miss Campbell to you as her possible body double. She is a talented actress who's done time in numerous productions on White Rose Avenue." This made him raise an eyebrow at those words. White Rose Avenue was the PLANT equivalent of Broadway in New York City on Earth. "But by far Miss Campbell's greatest talent, indeed the very reason she stands before you now, is that she sounds just like Lacus when she sings. Ask her for a demonstration. She will surprise you. It's my hope you will allow Meer to stand in for Lacus as she embarks on a tour of the various ZAFT installations both on Earth and in space, giving hope to the people, while Lacus remains at your side to give you the support in this difficult time. Sincerely, Gilbert Durandal, Supreme Chairman of the PLANTs."
Sebastian dropped the letter on the conference table, before zeroing in on Meer, who hadn't left her place behind Naaman. "Everyone except for Miss Campbell and my wife, out of the room. I want to speak with her alone." Naaman and Heine both gave slight nods before departing.
"I'll be out in the hall if you need me, Pup." Anthony said, following on the heels of the other two ZAFT officers. But not before giving a non too subtle glare of his own at Meer, showing his feelings about the situation. The door slammed shut and it was just the Wolf and the two Songstresses.
Meer was absolutely terrified. She had a notion that Sebastian might be a little upset at her having been altered to resemble his wife, but the cold fury he was exuding made her wonder how she hadn't wet herself out of sheer panic. She was rooted to her place, before the Storm Wolf sat down, banging his hand on the table to get her attention. "Have a seat, Miss Campbell, let's talk turkey."
"Y-yes sir!" She said hurriedly, sitting across from Sebastian and Lacus, her hands in her lap.
"Sing the first few lines of Quiet Night for me." Sebastian commanded firmly. "The Chairman's letter states you sound just like my wife. I want to hear it with my own ears." Meer smiled a little, and began singing. Durandal's words were correct. It was a perfect rendition of Lacus's signature hit. The Storm Wolf held his hand up, indicating Meer should stop. "Okay, I'm convinced. You definitely can sing like Lacus. Moving on, this says you've been on White Rose. That works in your favor." Meer visibly relaxed at those words. Sebastian leaned forward. "Do you have any major acting credits to your resume?"
"I was Frenchie in a revival of Grease. but aside from that, it's been mostly small roles just in the background. I was looking to audition for the part of Cosette in Les Mis when I was approached by Chairman Durandal's people. I couldn't believe what they wanted from me, it was the role of a life time." She looked to Lacus with genuine admiration and respect. "I've always been a huge fan of your work, Lacus. Not just as a singer, but the role you played in guiding people during the last war. I talked with quite a few of the soldiers, and how you would often visit them. Helping temper their egos during their victories, comforting them during their losses, something I know your husband is all too aware of." Sebastian was stoic with those words, but he said nothing. "It was the same wherever I went, you made a difference in their lives and gave them hope that peace would come. I want to do my part to see this conflict end as quick as possible."
"That's very sweet of you to say that." Lacus said. "But certainly you must know of the dangers that come with wearing my face and bearing my name? While I was happy to provide support to both the soldiers and the people on the homefront. It meant I was the most visible aspect of the war effort. I had to endure numerous assassination attempts, at least once a month. It was actually thwarting an attempt on my life that brought Sebastian and I together. What I'm getting at here, Miss Campbell, you will be in danger truly every day. Can you bear this burden? Are you truly certain you know what you have agreed to do?"
Meer stood up a little straighter, and while her blue eyes were just as lovely as Lacus's, there was a certain steel to them. One that Sebastian had seen in his beloved's expression more times than he could count, and a smirk began growing on his face. "If you mean am I prepared to have crazy people try to kill me? The answer might surprise both of you. There was an incident about a year ago when a crazed fan got backstage and tried to knife me after a show. Fortunately one of my co-stars knew martial arts and managed to subdue the guy before security hauled him off. I'm all too aware that I'm painting a giant target on my back. I'm not worried about that at all. All I want to do is give back. So I hope that you're willing to give me the green light to act as your proxy, Miss Lacus, with your approval as well, General Connor. Rest assured I would never do anything to sully your good name."
"Sebby?" Lacus said, taking hold of her husband's hand, and gently stoking with her thumb.
Sebastian looked between the two pinkettes for a few seconds, and finally let out a resigned sigh. "Very well, Miss Campbell. You have my approval to act as Lacus's body double. But let me warn you right now, if you try and make any claims that you are my wife, then we will have a problem. That will make me angry, and you do not want to be there when that storm is bearing down on you. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal." Meer said, flashing a playful smile at the Storm Wolf, one that was all too familiar to him. With the meeting adjourned, they exited. Meer went down the hall while Sebastian and Lacus saw Anthony, leaning against the wall with his arms folded.
"Is everything copacetic, pup?" Anthony asked.
"For now at least." Sebastian replied, before yawning. "If you need me, I'm going to get some rest."
(January 10th, C.E. 74, Suez Base, Gulnahan Ravine, African Community)
On the other side of the world, the Suez Base was the largest Earth Alliance base in the North African region, currently under the command of one Major General Cornelia Lamperouge, the wife of the equally legendary Crimson Fox and a renowned pilot in her own right, having led her elite 103rd Division, twenty thousand strong, to victory during the First Bloody Valentine War, having managed to best no one less than the legendary Desert Tiger, Commander Andrew Waltfeld himself, during the First Battle of Victoria, earning herself the title "The Witch of Victoria."
The purple haired general, currently wearing standard Atlantic Federation Army desert fatigues, the single fat yellow bar indicating her rank as a Major General, pinned to her lapels, looked out on the massive training ground of Suez Base. Before her, a quartet of four GAT-04 Windams, mostly painted a light shade of pink, with the upper part of the shoulders, torso, and feet a darker shade, almost fuchsia in color, equipped with Jet Striker packs, were facing a trio of Gundams in black, trimmed in gold, although they were unlike anything created by the Atlantic Federation, Eurasian Federation, or even ZAFT.
They were sleek looking machines, nearly identical in design, with the only differences being in armaments and minor cosmetic differences. The center machine was equipped with a large cannon on its right shoulder, and a large horn protruded upwards, indicating its status as a command machine, the cannon opened fire on the Windams, shooting out an large red and blue beam reminiscent of the Freedom's plasma cannons. The four pink mobile suits scattered, opening fire on its trio of opponents. The Gundam with the cannon raised its other weapon, a compact looking beam rifle, a salvo of emerald bolts lancing out while providing cover fire for its partner machine.
The second one charged straight up the middle, a large zweihander clenched in its right hand while firing a wrist mounted beam rifle on its left hand at the same time. It came around in a wide, horizontal slash, only for the lead Windam to block with its shield, and swing an ES05B Melee Halberd right back at it. The edges of the two blades ground up against each other before two of the other Windams swooped in from either side, launching missiles, causing the two machines to disengage. The seven mobile suits were soon engaged in a frenzied brawl in the air and on the ground.
"I'm surprised you're not in there, Lieutenant Cui." Cornelia remarked to the figure seated next to her in a chaise lounge. "Considering you've made it quite clear you're only in this war because you love a good fight." She let out a derisive snort as she folded her arms. "I mean you took your squadmates, against my direct orders, I might add, and went all the way to Orb in order to get your combat fix. I'm not used to seeing you look so casual."
Yifei, wearing the normal Republic of East Asia fatigues, the dark blue jacket draped over the back of her chair, leaving just a black tank top that showed off her ample frame, pulled down her sunglasses. "Even I can't hog all the fun, General. I have to let the others have their shot at glory. Plus the boss lady gets cranky when she's cooped up in her office all day. Even the Colonel needs to have some fun every once in a while." It was then the final Gundam entered the fray. "Ooh, looks Saichiro's about to enter the fray! This fight is almost over!"
This third mobile suit was was built more for a support role, the oversized backpack opened up revealing a series of small indentations that would be recognizable as radar dishes. The Gundam's eyes lit up as well, flashing bright green. All of the mobile suits came to an immediate stop. The hatches of the mobile suits opened up, and the pilots stepped out. The pilot of the lead Gundam's black and gold helmet came off, revealing a young woman in her mid twenties, a long mane of raven black hair coursed out, ending just at the small of her back., Her eyes, a brilliant shade of red, carried off a calculated air.
Colonel Ayami Mochizuki, commander of the Republic of East Asia's elite special operations team, the Kurokami, looked across to the lead Windam, where a young woman in her late teens, clad in a pink and white Earth Alliance flight suit emerged. The pilot doffing her helmet to reveal ash-blonde hair that came down to her waist stood atop the open hatch. Ayami threw off a prompt salute. "Not bad, Lieutenant Peires, you and the other Valkryies are getting better every day. If the time ever comes when we have to face the enemy in combat you'll be ready for them."
First Lieutenant Anna Peires, commander of the Grahsam Valkyrie Squadron, threw her hair over her shoulder as she dismounted her machine, walking up to Ayami to shake her hand. "I appreciate you training with us, Colonel Mochizuki. We're still relatively new to this game, so any guidance is good in the long run. I'm sure the others agree me, right girls?" She asked her comrades, who had since joined her.
"You'll get no arguments here." Second Lieutenant Maria Falkner, a brunette with a considerable bust said. "There's no telling when ZAFT will come calling. Suez Base is our major supply hub for the entire Mediterranean theater of operations. It's a given they'll come calling on us eventually. The brass at Heaven's Base thinks that the Lohegrin Gate is enough to deter any assaults, but I seriously doubt that. Uh, no offense to you, General." She amended quickly to Cornelia.
The Lohegrin Gate was so named because a second base sat down at the far end of the Gulnahan Ravine, and equipped there was a massive Lohegrin Positron Cannon, the same weapon equipped on the Archangel and her sister ships. Certainly a weapon of such great destructive power was virtually untouchable. The Witch of Victoria knew better. "You and I are on the same page, Lieutenant. If anything else, that oversized pop gun is just daring ZAFT to try and take it out. I'm not about to let them have their way. In fact, Colonel Mochizuki." Cornelia looked her shoulder. "I think it would be practical if we didn't wait around for them to try and make such an attempt. What do you think?"
"Does that mean it's time for another op then, General? You know the Kurokami are always ready to cause trouble if need be." The woman known as the Night Witch smirked, a gesture that Yifei was quick to mirror. Even if they weren't on the direct frontline, that didn't mean there wasn't still action to be found. Even if they had to make some fun themselves.
(January 21st, C.E. 74, EAS Dynames, en route across the Pacific Ocean)
Like the Archangel and the Minerva, The Earth Alliance was also mobilizing its forces to the Mediterranean. Mark and his squadron had departed on the Dynames from Hawaii on New Year's Eve and were now cutting a swath across the Pacific Ocean. They would be making a temporary stop at a remote island in the Indian Ocean, where the Atlantic Federation had set up a new base, a necessity after losing Orb as a possible outpost, where they would be joined by the Dynames's two sister ships, the EAS Virtue LCAM-03XC, and the EAS Seraphim LCAM-04XJ.
The Crimson Fox's entire squadron was eager to get into the fight. Ezra and Nena were currently kicking back in the pilot's lounge, the former idly flicking playing cards into a nearby officer's hat. The redhead was laying on the couch, paging through a magazine she had picked up in Oahu before they shipped out. "It's a shame I couldn't be there for the attack on the PLANTs. While I'm not a fan of the nuclear weapons. It would have been awesome to just get a small piece of the action. I heard Admiral Lamperouge and the others went toe to toe with the Joule Team." Nena remarked.
"Indeed they did. The Boss Man and the others fought them to a standstill, at least until ZAFT pulled out the Neutron Stampeder." Ezra said, tossing another card into the hat. "Even if we weren't part of that. There will be plenty of chances for us to show our stuff down the line. That new warship ZAFT deployed is said to be in the area. And If what I've heard is true, we'll be going up against no one less than the legendary Archangel itself." Nena perked up when Ezra mentioned that. "You know that won't be just a light warmup. If they're traveling together, it's going to take our most elite troops to even stand a chance against them. I know that Captain La Flaga's squadron is going to be there, alongside the Frighteners and another special forces unit, Phantom Pain I believe."
Nena then tensed up, her magazine falling to the floor with a slight bang. "Really? Those guys are going to be there?" There was a notable tension in her voice. "How fun…"
The doors then opened, admitting Takachi and the others. "Did we interrupt something?" Taylor asked.
"It's nothing." Nena huffed as she picked her magazine up from the floor. "Just reminded of some bad memories is all." She opened it up, burying her nose inside. The others decided not to make too much of it, everyone settled down to do their own thing. Nena had gone back to her magazine, Asher joined Ezra in his card chucking, Taylor was on her laptop, while Takachi, and Alissa had pulled out a game of Battleship. It seemed like it would be a rather uneventful voyage. As such no one expected Mark himself to come into the pilot's lounge suddenly.
"Officer on deck!" Takachi barked, standing up to attention, the other pilots following his example with a crisp salute to their commanding officer.
Mark just looked on with bemusement. The Crimson Fox just waved it off. "As you all were. I just thought I'd come and check in on all of you. I know these long sea voyages can take a toll on your sanity. But I see you've been finding a way to keep yourselves occupied."
"Actually, Admiral. I do have a small request." Nena asked, her magazine now forgotten. "I'm certain you get this a lot, but please humor a girl who's been raised on the legacy of the Crimson Fox." She put on the cutest face she could manage, playfully twirling a scarlet lock between her fingers. "Do you think you could tell us of some of your exploits? Please?" She threw in the last part with an extra degree of pleading, punctuated by a batting of the eyes.
"So you want to hear some war stories is that it?" Mark drawled. "I suppose I could oblige you. Perhaps you can even take something away from it when I'm done. Gather around children. Let me tell you about the first time I ever locked horns with the soldiers of ZAFT." The Crimson Fox's brown eyes took on a distant air, recalling battles fought long ago. "It seems like it was so long ago and yet also just like yesterday when the coalition of sponsor nations that would become the Earth Alliance threw up a blockade around the PLANTs. We were so certain of our victory, it should have been our first warning."
(November 16th, C.E. 69, AFS Lincoln)
Atlantic Federation Naval Captain Mark Lamperouge squirmed in the pilot seat of his TS-MA2 Mobius mobile armor. He hadn't thought it was possible that he would see actual combat but here was the proof. A part of him sympathized with the Coordinators living in the PLANTs. All they wanted to do was be more self-sufficient and not rely on food shipments from the sponsor nations and be able to govern themselves. However, many felt their actions in the last three years had overstepped their authority and the colonies had to be brought to heel. Mark keyed his comms, and the face of his long time best friend and wingman, Lieutenant Commander David Bourne came up on the screen. "You ready for this D?" He asked.
"As always, buddy." the silver haired pilot responded. the two of them had known each other since Annapolis. The alert lights began blinking rapidly. "It looks like we're finally getting out there, M. Hope you're ready to pay for the drinks when we get back."
"Only because you skipped out paying for them last time!" Mark shot back. They shared a final laugh before turning all business. Mark felt his mobile armor be loaded onto the catapult. "Mark Lamperouge, taking off!" The familiar feeling of being kicked square in the ass and his Mobius hurtled down the launch tube and into the void of space. It wasn't long before he was joined by eleven other identical mobile armors, all bearing the same unit insignia. A cloud with the tell tale funnel cloud of a tornado coming out of it. "This is Tempest Leader, all units report in!"
"Tempest Two standing by!" David's voice responded, and each pilot in turn rattled off their number. The mobile armors falling into formation behind Mark as they did so. Tempest Squadron wasn't the most elite unit, but they were all veterans, having seem some action in one place or another. It was hard for Mark to not feel like a total and utter badass with his men at his back.
"All right, Tempest Squadron, let's see what the Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty is really capable of. Let cut across their axis and draw their fire off the Lincoln and the other cruisers!" The mobile armors dove down toward the enemy line of Laurasia-class frigates. "I don't any fighters, it doesn't seem like them. Hold on, I see something launching off the enemy ships." Mark's eyes blanched. "What in the hell is that?"
That was not a mobile armor or any other kind of fighter anyone in the Atlantic Federation Navy had ever seen before. It was a figure, humanoid in shape. It had to be at least seventeen meters tall. It was a giant robot, with a single, glowing light where the eyes should be. Clenched in its hands was a giant machine gun. This was the debut of the ZGMF-1017 GINN, this was the advent of the mobile suit, and with it, the entire face of modern warfare had changed forever. "All units, arm vulcans, linear cannons and missiles, prepare to fire on my command." Mark said, struggling to keep the fear in his voice down. He lined up on the first GINN, the reticle turning from green to angry red. "Tempest One, Fox Three!" The first pair of missiles leapt off the rail, streaking toward its target.
But the GINN was a different beast entirely, the powerful vernier engines mounted on the back allowed it to neatly sidestep the missiles, which streaked harmlessly by into the void of space itself. The thrusters flared to life and it quickly gained on its opponent. The wicked looking machine gun came up, the barrel glistening menacingly. Time seemed to slow down for the future Crimson Fox as the machine gun took aim at one of his subordinates. "Tempest Four, get out of the way!" He tried to warn him as the first round left the barrel. But the Mobius, far from the most graceful craft, was unable to avoid getting skewered by several 76mm shells, catching it in the engines and through the cockpit, the mobile armor flipped end over end before exploding in a massive fireball.
"Ted!" One of the pilots screamed. "Oh you're going to pay for that! Tempest Eight engaging!" He broke formation, ignoring David's commands to return. He opened fire with the vulcans that was standard armaments for all mobile armors, followed up by a shot from the linear cannon. Although the 40mm shells did little against the GINN's armor, and while powerful, the linear cannon was slow to fire, as the GINN sidestepped the 105mm shell just as it did the missiles earlier. Tempest Eight banked to the right, trying to zero in on another of the mobile suits. He pushed the throttle to the floor, "You won't get the chance to fire that oversized toy again! Tempest Eight, Fox Three!" He fired all four missiles at once, this time finding their target, one hitting in the left shoulder, the other in the right arm, causing visible damage to them. "Ha! how do you like that?"
"Tempest Eight, behind you!" Tempest Seven yelled. Eight only had enough time to see a second GINN coming from above, wielding a massive longsword in hand. the blade came down slicing the mobile armor in half. It hung there for a split second before the battery shorted and exploding, claiming the second member of Tempest Squadron. And more and more of the demonic machines were fast approaching them. Most were armed with the machine gun/sword combination which Mark assumed was the standard armaments, mowing down several Mobiuses in short order.
Tempest Three and Tempest Five tried to escape from their pursuers, only to get caught in a crossfire. While Tempest Six was impaled by yet another GINN. But it wasn't just Mark's men who were being torn apart. Across the battlefield, Mark could see small explosions, indicating that some poor soul's life had ended.
Sadly, it wasn't just the mobile armors who were having a bad day. The Atlantic Federation capital ships were also being handed a tremendous beating from these new titans of the battlefield, all carrying weaponry more appropriate for taking down ships. Some carried giant recoilless rifles, basically mobile suit sized bazookas. A Nelson and a pair of Drakes fell to the might of this heavy firepower. An Agamemnon class carrier, thankfully not the Lincoln, was vanquished by the combined firepower of a Laurasia's railguns and a GINN wielding a giant cannon that fired huge emerald beams.
"Tempest Leader to Tempest Two, David do you read me?" Mark said, hoping his executive officer was still alive.
Thankfully his prayers were answered. As the familiar voice, rough like old leather, responded. "Yeah I am, Mark. Although I can't say the same for a lot of our comrades. It's getting pretty bad out here. All of the brass are panicking. They were not expecting whatever these things are." There was a a grimness to his voice.
"What's the status of the Lincoln and the rest of the fleet?" Mark asked. Trying to get a handle of the entire situation.
"The Lincoln is still active, but I'm afraid others weren't so lucky. The Saratoga's entire battle group was taken out, the Lexington, and the Yorktown as well!" David stated. It was a hard punch to the gut for the Crimson Fox, Three entire battle groups, numbering eighteen ships, had all been destroyed in a matter of minutes. "We can't win like this, Mark. What do we do?"
"Our best chance is to return to the ship and regroup. We'll consult with Captain Bergman. Maybe we can still salvage something from this." Mark said, before switching over to the Tempest Squadron's exclusive communication channel. "This is Tempest Leader, all remaining units form up, We're heading back to the Lincoln." the remaining seven members of Mark's squad slid into formation. It felt a little smaller with their missing comrades. And it was outright depressing to have to fly through the shattered remains of capital ships and mobile armors alike, and every so often a dead body could be seen floating amongst the jetsam. ZAFT had played their trump card, and proven just how outclassed the Mobius was compared to the GINN.
It wasn't long before the welcome sight of the Lincoln, as well as its battle group loomed into view. They had been on the back side of the coalition's formation and so had managed to avoid mauling. The remains of Tempest Squadron was eager to get onboard so they could catch their breath, and then they would put these upstarts in their place! At least that's what would have happened, if the radar suddenly didn't light up with incoming contacts, Mark had just enough time to watch as a group of almost a dozen GINNs swooped down.
Tempest Nine and Tempest Eleven were quickly annihilated by gunfire from the GINNs. "All units! Break! Break!" Mark ordered, only to see Tempest Seven bear down on a trio of GINNs. "Forget it Seven, it's not worth it!" But his words fell on deaf ears. The lead GINN opened fire, catching the mobile armor in the right engine, and finished off by a single swing of its wingman's blade. The Crimson Fox could only let out a muted snarl as the life of yet another of his men came to a premature end. The only ones that remained were Tempest Twelve, Tempest Ten, David, and himself.
"That does it! I am going to kill one of these things one way or another! Guys form up one last time!" Mark raged, turning toward the GINNs that had just blown up Tempest Seven. He charged up the linear cannon, locking onto the lead machine. "You're not going to escape this one!" He squeezed the trigger, letting the first shell fly and to the Crimson Fox's great satisfaction, it landed straight and hard knocking the head crest off, he fired a second time, finding his mark once again as the 105mm round slammed into the GINN's lower midsection on the right hip, and the final one struck home, going straight through the torso. The entire machine sparked for a few seconds before exploding in a massive fireball.
"You did it, Boss!" Tempest Twelve cheered.
"Hell yeah! That's our CO! No one can touch him!" Tempest Ten added.
David said nothing, but Mark could feel the smirk forming on his old friend's face. He switched to the general Atlantic Federation channel, praying there was something left of their command structure. "This is Tempest Leader to Lincoln Actual. Get the word out to the rest of our people. These things aren't invincible, they can be destroyed!" The brief moment of hope was shattered when several GINNs suddenly swooped in.
The mobile suits began raining fire on the Lincoln battle group, With support provided from a pair of Laurasias that had come with them. A Drake met its quick demise, the accompanying Nelson put itself between the ZAFT ships and the Lincoln. It fired a barrage of missiles, and one of the Laurasias was struck amidships before the Nelson's main battery, consisting of a trio of very large double beam cannons, blasted a series of holes destroying the ship. Only for the other frigate's railguns to destroy the battleship.
The GINNs in the meantime were going to town on the Lincoln. Mark tried in vain to chase them off, firing the linear cannon at one of them who had just taken out Tempest Twelve, He managed to score a hit to the GINN's engines disabling it, allowing David to finish it off with a well placed missile strike. However Tempest Ten was then taken down by a machine gun burst. Thus leaving only Mark and David.
The Crimson Fox pushed his poor mobile armor's engines well past their breaking point. He opened fire with the Vulcan cannons, followed by a linear cannon round, catching a GINN in the arm, taking it off entirely before destroying it thanks to David's assistance with a 105mm shell in the back. He got a second one by firing his remaining missiles, blowing off the right leg and causing severe damage to the right arm, rendering it unusable. Mark watched David's linear cannon fire again, knocking the head off, and Mark finished it off. He was about to notch his fifth kill when a GINN knocked his aim off by landing right on him, sending him tumbling along while just barely able to keep control of his machine.
Mark's widened in horror watching as the muzzle of the machine gun was leveled right in front of him. But the horror only grew as he watched David's Mobius fly in front of him just as the rifle discharged, the rounds going straight through the cockpit. The mobile armor came apart at the seams, debris scattered in all directions. He didn't have time to yell out David's name because it was then that the EAS Lincoln, a ship that had been a second home to him and all of Tempest Squadron, finally succumbed, exploding in a massive fireball that caused his mobile armor to rock. Mark was rattled int he cockpit before the tremendous G-forces finally caused him to black out.
(Twenty Minutes Later)
It took a few seconds for Mark's vision to clear. It was then it all came back to him. He looked around and saw only the floating debris of the Lincoln and Tempest Squadron's Mobiues. "Damn it." Was all he could manage. He checked the status on his fuel and ammunition. "Not a lot left, but it should be enough to reach the rear lines. Hopefully ZAFT hasn't torn them apart yet." He checked the radar, and to his relief saw a few Atlantic Federation IFFs still active, but it was quite a distance away. He fired a quick burn and headed in the direction of the signal.
"This is Captain Mark Lamperouge of Tempest Squadron broadcasting on an open channel to any Coalition forces within the sound of my voice, please respond to this message." Mark groaned, wondering if he wasn't just wasting his time, but luckily some higher power was on his side, because he got an immediate response.
"Oh thank God! I thought we were toast!" A very relieved voice responded. "This is Commander Nathan Anderson of Firestorm Squadron. My entire unit ate it except for one other. Give us your position and we'll join you, Captain." He rattled off his coordinates and he saw a pair of Mobiues as battered as his own was approach. He caught sight of emblems on both machines. A gray fox holding a sniper rifle and a hawk with flames coming off its wingtips. His monitors blinked to life, as the pilots of the two machines appeared. Both clad in the standard orange flight suit.
The one on the right took his helmet off, revealing a young man in his early twenties with brown hair that came down just above his shoulders, steel rimmed glasses obscured cobalt blue eyes, they held a melancholy air about them, but Mark could also see a calculating mind as well. "Greetings to you, Captain. I'm Commander Anderson, Firestorm Five. It's really good to see a friendly face, especially after what ZAFT has been doing to us!"
The pilot on the left monitor also removed his helmet, revealing an Asian man the same age at Nathan, his black hair cropped short while his brown eyes carried a heavy, exhausted air, a feeling Mark empathized with. "Lieutenant Commander Takachi Murakumo, Firestorm Six, at your service, Captain. It's pure chance we got your message, sir. Although I'm not complaining at all. Nathan and I thought we were the only survivors." Takachi shivered. "Those things are monsters, just picked us apart one by one. Blew up the carrier as well."
"Nothing new to me, Commander. I just saw my entire battle group get blown to pieces as well." Mark then smirked, no doubt making his new found companions wonder if he had snapped. "But I've got some news for you…those new machines of ZAFT, I managed to destroy three of them already." Hope immediately returned to Nathan and Taakchi's faces with those words. "That's right gentlemen. Although I'll admit that the only way we can stand a chance is with numbers, and right now we just don't have that. so if we can't overpower them, then we'll have to outsmart them."
"You have a plan in mind, sir?" Takachi asked.
"Call it the beginnings of one, Commander." Mark said, his mind already setting to work. "This is Captain Mark Lamperouge calling any remaining Atlantic Federation, Eurasian Federation, and Republic of East Asia forces within the sound of my voice. Rally on my position. We're going on the counterattack and we are going to make something of this day! ZAFT hasn't won yet, not by a long shot!"
It wasn't long before almost two dozen mobile armors from the various sponsor nations surrounded Mark. He looked on with approval. "Good, glad to see all of you survived. I'll be lying if I said that this hasn't been a great day for all of us. But even with their fancy new robots, we're about to show ZAFT that you don't need to have enhanced genes to be dangerous. I have a plan that should allow us to at least leave things even with ZAFT. Are all of you in?"
"Do you even have to ask, Captain Lamperouge?" the ranking Eurasian officer, a naval lieutenant from Russia said. "We all lost friends today, I for one won't be satisfied until I get my pound of flesh!"
"Agreed." A sergeant from the Republic of East Asia replied. "What do you have in mind?"
"It will require some preparation first." Mark began dividing up the labor. "Lieutenant Commander Murakumo, I want you to take three of our people and shadow the ZAFT fleet. I want to know what they're up to. Commander Anderson, take a few more and start sifting through the wreckage of the Lincoln and any other ships you come across. We need fuel and ammunition for our mobile armors. And also collect any spare missile warheads and proximity mines. They'll be critical."
"Are we setting some kind of trap, Captain?" The Eurasian lieutenant asked.
"Exactly!" Mark began laying it out. "I imagine that ZAFT is feeling pretty cocky right now. They just mowed us down and they're wanting more. So we're going to try and goad them into finishing us poor, helpless souls off. One of the reasons I sent Takachi and the others out to shadow the fleet, is that they're going to be the ones who try to lure the ZAFT forces to us. We're going to set up a network of mines and warheads, and once they're in range." He clapped his hands together. "They all go boom! I doubt even they could survive an explosion of that level."
"And whatever does survive we can pick off! Sounds brutal, I like it!" The Eurasian sneered. Mark just nodded in silent agreement. While he didn't have his counterpart's violent streak, he wanted to put ZAFT in their place. It wasn't long before Nathan and the others returned. He allowed himself a small smirk. It was all coming together as he saw it.
(Ten Minutes Later)
Takachi tensed a little as he led his four ship flight on a parallel course to the ZAFT fleet. The trap was set, and now it was time for him to act as the bait. He had already picked the target, a squadron of about a dozen GINNs. They looked like they had taken some hits, if the scorch marks and dents in the armor was any indication. But it looked like there was still plenty of fight in them. "All right, guys. remember we're not looking to slug it out, just get their attention. Arm linear cannons and missiles, wait for my mark."
The other three pilots sent their respective acknowledgements. They were all just a little scared, but they were prepared to do what was necessary. Takachi lined up on the first GINN he saw, it appeared to have taken a real beating, judging from the smoke belching out of his engine exhaust. He took a deep breath, lining up his crosshairs, while priming his linear cannon to take the fatal shot. "And with this, the hornet's nest gets kicked!" He fired straight and true, hitting the GINN square in the back, and claiming his first mobile suit kill.
The other GINNs did an immediate about face. "I think we got their attention!" One of Takachi's wingmen said, failing to hide the rising panic in his voice.
"So, Warp Speed then?" Takachi offered.
"Warp Speed!" The others all said. The four Mobiuses flared their engines to full power, made their own about face and shot in the other direction as fast as possible, the GINNs hot on their trail. But that's exactly how they wanted it, the mobile armors were heading for a debris field not far from the main combat zone, where all the mines had been set up and the rest of their makeshift wing was assembled, ready to pounce on them.
"This is Murakumo, we're coming in hot with about a half dozen of those things on our tail, is everything ready, Captain?" Takachi frantically maneuvered in and out of the gunfire, trying not to get shot, even as one of his wingman met a fiery end. The debris field came into view and it seemed all the farther away.
"Primed and ready, Commander Murakumo. Just lead them in!" Mark's urgings were enough for Takachi to grit his teeth and get that extra little bit of speed out of his mobile armor as they all flew in amongst the floating space junk. The GINNs were just seconds behind him. From his position higher up in the field, The Crimson Fox was in the perfect spot to trigger the trap. The GINNs flew past a specific piece of debris, which Mark was waiting for.
"Hope you don't mind being enlightened." He quipped, before a massive chain of explosions ripped through the debris field, and the mobile suits as well. The fireball spread outward, catching a few more GINNs. "This is Lamperouge, light them up!" The other mobile armors came out of hiding, unloading 105mm rounds into their hapless targets. A few more went in to close quarters, firing the Vulcans and launching missiles. While a few mobile armors were destroyed, it wasn't long before the GINNs were just as much scrap. A cheer went out amongst the coalition pilots, even though many of their comrades had died, they had managed to exact a degree of revenge.
Nathan and Takachi's mobile armors flew up to him. "We did it Captain!" The bespectacled pilot spoke. "Those Coordinators are going to be feeling that for awhile!"
"This was all because of you, sir!" Takachi said, admiration in his voice. "I'll follow you into the depths of hell itself!"
"You flatter me gentlemen, but it wasn't just me. We all played a part to make this work. I could use a couple of guys like you on my team. Think you'd be interested?" Mark's radar then started blaring again, indicating another contact.
It was a single GINN, it was battered but still looked intimidating. He tensed, ready for whatever attack, but none came. "So you managed to take out my team. That was actually a pretty good plan, leading them into the debris belt to be caught in the explosion." A deep, baritone voice spoke, carrying a hard edge to it. "I suppose you Naturals aren't totally clueless after all. Let me assure you this is far from over. Tell me your name, pilot. I want to remember it."
"Captain Mark Lamperouge, Atlantic Federation Navy!" He snarled. "Just because we haven't had our DNA tinkered with, doesn't mean we still can't give you a fight!"
"Indeed, I am Commander Naaman Ibn-La'ahad. Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty. I'll be looking forward to seeing you again, Captain Lamperouge. I hope you'll be just as cunning then. Trust me…you'll need it!" And with that the GINN departed, and the three men waere left alone.
"What was that about, Captain?" Nathan asked.
"That Commander Anderson, is what you call throwing down the gauntlet. I dare say this is far from over." Mark said, committing the name Naaman Ibn-La'ahad to memory.
(December 21st, C.E. 69, San Diego, California, Atlantic Federation, Earth)
Mark sighed as he sat at the bar, a nearly full bottle of Jack Daniels and an empty shot glass in front of him. It had been nearly a month since the debacle of the blockade. Relations between the sponsor nations and the PLANTs were deteriorating by the day, and it seemed war was all but inevitable. His exploits had already spread around the entire armed forces community. Despite the fear factor the new mobile suits had created. Mark had proven they weren't totally unstoppable. There was even talk of giving him a promotion to the Admiralty for his efforts.
Although that was the farthest thing from his mind at that point. All that mattered to Mark was the fact he had managed to go home to his wife and daughter, alive and in one piece. Once the survivors had returned to the orbital base at L1, he had immediately contacted Cornelia, who had been on station planet side at the time.
His triplet daughters, all with the same violet hair as their mother, had also been overjoyed to hear from him. Melody had been on stage performing as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker as the battle had been happening. Harmony had been at her job for one of the many tech corporations that served as defense contractor for the Atlantic Federation Government, and Rhythm was at the academy.
He smiled a bit at the figure sliding onto the bar stool on his right. "Barkeep, give me a cold one!" Captain Lewis Halberton barked. A longneck bottle of beer was put in front of him. Lewis popped off the cap, holding it up, Mark took the hint, picking up the shotglass, clinking them together. "A toast…to survival." Lewis said.
"To survival." Mark could agree with that, knocking it back in a single gulp. "It's good to see you, Lewis. I wasn't sure if you made it through that meat grinder. A lot of the other guys didn't. David included."
"So I heard." Lewis patted Mark on the shoulder. "I'm sorry about that, I know you two had been together since Annapolis. And actually, I wanted to talk to you about something. You see, this whole thing has been an eye-opener for me. Those robots ZAFT used, they're called mobile suits."
"Mobile Suits." Mark tried out the word. He leaned forward. "What do you have in mind?"
Lewis took a swig of his beer. "It's pretty evident they have us completely outmatched. I'm already spearheading a campaign to start working on a countermeasure against these things. I'm calling it the G-Project. I'm heading out to D.C. in another few days to pitch this to the brass at the Pentagon. I want you there along with me. Your stock has been rising because of what you did. They'll value your opinion. There's no way they would turn this proposal down if it comes with your seal of approval." He held his hand out. "What do you say, Mark? Are you willing to help me with this?"
He regarded Lewis for a few seconds, before pouring himself another shot, holding it up. "You had me sold at the name. A toast to the G-Project. May it bare great fruit." Lewis chortled, sharing another toast.
(Present Day)
"Wow!" Nena said in genuine admiration. No one had said a word during the entirety of Mark's story. They had hung onto everything he had said. "Even when you had your back to the wall. You managed to overcome the odds and give it right back to ZAFT! I bet they never forgot that bomb trap!"
Mark just smirked, "No, they never did. ZAFT even had terminate on sight orders for me. Because they knew I wasn't afraid to fight dirty, and I believe that order still stands."
"They put out that order for Nathan and I as well, if I recall sir." Takachi said, remembering when the intelligence reports had come back after the blockade, warning all ZAFT forces to put down the Crimson Fox and his cohorts at their first possible convenience.
"ZAFT has reason to feel that way. They know we'll kick their asses all over Earth and space!" Alissa smirked. "Perhaps by the end they'll see us in the same light."
"So you want them shooting at you every chance they can get? I didn't think you were such a masochist." Taylor remarked, watching as Alissa sputtered, Takachi and Asher both laughed.
"What about Naaman, Admiral?" Ezra asked, eager for more. "Did you ever fight him again?"
"Oh yes, Naaman and I actually fought each other a few times once the war began. We clashed at Yggdrasil and later during the Battle of Nova. But I think the most impressive battle was our last one during the Third Battle of Victoria." The Fox's children settled in, realizing they were going to get two stories for the price of one. "You all remember that Azrael tried to conquer Orb and take the Kaguya Mass Driver, but it was destroyed. So, a second operation was planned to retake Victoria Base for the Earth Alliance, and I just happened to be one of the guys chosen to plan it. Let's just say I pulled a couple pages from ZAFT's playbook for that one."