Episode 3: Five Gundams Confirmed
It was a nice rustic little town, just perfect for relaxing from the stresses of power.
Lady Une leaned back on the chair as her eyes scanned the expanse of her estate, watching briefly the gentleman practicing their shooting.
“So, we are always one step behind them?” Lady Une asked not looking at the vid screen on the table beside her.
“Their objective is still unclear to us; it’s a natural result,” Noin said as her visage flickered on the screen. “If you want to take a chance, the next place you should watch for is the Mediterranean base.”
“Where all the Leo’s are being built,” Une nodded as a butterfly fluttered next to her face. “I’m sure the Federation Armed Forces are doing everything to find the enemy. But maybe it’s time for us to give some help”
“Sending the Middle East Aries Unit to the area is one option,” Noin suggested as Une held out a finger for the butterfly to land on. “However, considering the obvious difference in the mobile suits performances, it will be quite difficult for us to operate with the Federation Armed Forces.”
“So you want to go,” Lady Une stated more than asked.
“Huh?” Noin said as she re-evaluated what she said.
“Your eyes are telling me so,” Une answered still not truly looking at the screen as the butterfly fluttered off her fingers. “I’ll be waiting for good news, Noin.”
Lady Une’s hand twitched through the air as she rose, leaving a crumbled butterfly by the inactive vid screen.
Deep in the trench in the undersea carrier Noin and an ensign stood. The watched the red crablike mobile suit for signs of how it was defeated.
“Cancer is a state of the art mobile suit, currently one of our best,” Noin mused glaring almost accusingly through the slits in her mask. “And it was no match for Gundam.”
“That mobile suit,” the ensign ventured slowly. “Is it really that dangerous?”
“I’ve lost five trained men of my own,” Noin said covering up the bitterness in her voice but not the sorrow. “The loss is too big.”
“Sir, what is on your mind?” the ensign asked not truly sure how to respond.
“We are going after every one of those Gundams,” Noin informed him with a cold certainly. “As for the investigation of battle let the Federation Navy take care of it. The Gundams are no longer here.”
“Your ship is approaching, sir,” another ensign informed Noin.
“Very good,” Noin acknowledged as she began walking away from the Cancer. “Surface so I may board.”
“Yes, sir,” the ensign said saluting.
As Noin rode the elevator up her mind was in constant reflection.
‘They always do things beyond our imagination,’ she thought with some respect. ‘They don’t seem to follow the same tactics we do. This could prove a serious dilemma.’
The sun reflected violently off the white paint and windows of the building. Inside a camera streamed data near instantly into a computer as a med tech read it off.
“Breathing rate: 27, Pulse: 57, Body Temperature: 93 degrees and rising,” the tech read off in a monotone jumping slightly as he thought he saw an eyebrow twitch.
“What is it?” the man next to the tech asked. The man was in a green military uniform with the markings of a Major, his black hair pulled into a tight ponytail and dark eyes scanning the data on the side screen bank.
“I thought she moved,” the tech said blinking repeatedly.
“Keep monitoring her,” the Major ordered as he looked down at the prone girl on the table.
Below the observation room was a white room, empty except for a table, to which Relena was strapped. Blood dripped unnoticed onto the floor with a loud plink.
Relena’s eyebrow twitched as she carefully opened a blue eye, obscured from sight behind her blond bangs.
‘Am I captured?’ she wondered half in a daze as she tested her restraints without appearing to move. Her mind snapped into full function as she analyzed the room and figured out where she was.
‘District J-B South,’ she began to list from memory. ‘Third Federation Naval Hospital, fifteenth floor, intensive care unit.’
Her mind began to run through plans of escape.
“Major Wufei,” the tech said spinning around on his chair, “it’s a call for you.”
Wufei leaned forward to listen to what the person had do say.
“That disk you told me to analyze,” the man on the other line said in confusion, “it’s impossible. I can’t open it with any access code I know of.”
“That girl had it,” Wufei said as the other man cut off the communication. “I thought the Federation’s main computer is supposed to be able to open anything.”
“So, do you think she’s one of the rebels agents?” the tech asked with awe in his voice.
“Let’s not jump to conclusions,” Wufei replied not wanting it to be true; the girl was too young to have that responsibility. “Medically that girl’s body is incredible. Over two hundred traces of small broken bones, and the only visible scar is the gunshot wound. She must have had quite and abnormal childhood.”
“Should we use any mind relaxant drugs?” the tech asked.
“No,” Wufei answered wincing at the thought; the mind relaxant drugs were not commonly used unless a prisoner was a deadly threat, and even then it was discouraged because of the strain on the brain and side effect of slight muscular deterioration. “I don’t want to use such a strong poison on a girl that age.”
Outside a girl dressed in black with a backpack leaned against the inside of a telephone booth chatting cheerfully and saying odd things.
“That’s right,” she assured the person on the other end of the line. “Also, the two almost identical cars are broken. So I want you to have your lunch behind the yellow field,” she said as she shifted her position, “Okay, and I’ll help you cut wheat later.”
With that she hung up the phone and walked outside to get a good look at the Naval Hospital.
“Now then,” she said with joyful determination. “It’s time to visit the patient.”
As the black plane streaked through the air, inside sheets of tactical plans printed out, to land in awaiting hands
“This maneuver indicates that they are trying to tell us where they’re heading on purpose,” the curly haired pilot said looking at the paper. “This is the one that emerged on the banks of the Yangzi River.”
“It’s rather slow,” Noin commented as her mind examined the data. “It may be a type without flying abilities.”
“But,” the curly haired pilot began. “Are there so many different types?”
“Yes,” Noin nodded remembering the reports and what she had seen first hand. “But at the Corsica base in the Mediterranean, we might well encounter one whose maneuvers are unclear; and we might be able to destroy it right at the site.”
The curly haired pilot looked at Noin trying to understand what she meant.
“This one by the Yangzi River, it will not show up at the ceremony in Corsica,” Noin predicted. “It heads straight up to the Federation’s doorstep then backs away. It’s rather cute as long as it’s still visible.”
“Then, Indus Supplement Base should be the next target,” the curly haired pilot guessed bringing the base up on the screen.
“Let’s hope they can manage it well,” Noin resigned as she leaned on the back of the pilot’s chair. “That’s all we can do for now.”
Shenlong spun its staff in a mighty arc; slashing into buildings, destroying each. Righting itself to an upright position the pilot activated the dragonfist on the right arm. It plunged into a gas tank sending the contents spattering to the ground. Fire shot from the dragon’s mouth putting the finishing touch on the destruction of the base.
Inside the pilot let out a long sigh as her hands flew over the controls with trained ease.
“They’re so unprepared,” Sally frowned as her eyes scanned the surrounding area. “How disappointing! No one to fight.”
Scrunching her eyes slightly she set the last building on fire.
“No visitors?” Heero said cocking an eyebrow at the nurse. “Is her condition that bad?”
“Oh,” the nurse said in recognition, “it was you who brought her here, wasn’t it? Hold on a minute.”
Heero nodded as the nurse tacked on the computer. Seconds later he noticed a movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned to find a dark haired Chinese man in uniform approaching.
“My name is Major Wufei, medical officer,” the man introduced himself folding both arms across his chest. “Would you mind telling me about that fine young lady?”
“That fine young lady?” Heero mimicked questioningly wondering who this guy was.
They stood there staring each other down as the nurse, with an adorably confused expression on her face, looked from man to boy.
“Still no change,” the tech said to the recorder just barely looking up from his newspaper and then returning to an article on the meteors that burnt up in the atmosphere days ago.
Below the table strained with an ill creak as the girl pulled at the straps that trapped her arms. Slight sounds of effort escaped her as she struggled.
She ceased, feeling as if she was being watched; her eyes narrowed and fixed on the screen filled with static. It blurred for a minute before the image of a girl with a black cap pulled down over her eyes appeared. The girl held a finger to her mouth signaling Relena to remain silent
Relena stared coldly and wordlessly at the girl who had shot her. The girl began to speak, though no words were heard through the screen.
Hilde let out a little chuckle as she looked down on the screen at Relena. The tech lay on the ground, the last words he read being ‘no harm can come from these meteors.’
“Even a girl like you knows when to keep quiet,” Hilde said in admiration. “I’m sure you’re a well trained solder like myself. You must be able to read my lips right?”
Relena turned her head and closed her eyes a bit not wanting to hear, or see, the idiot talk.
“What a gal!” Hilde said ignoring the annoyance in the blue eyes. “You’ve been awake all this time without changing your pulse or breathing pattern. Impressive. I’d like to ask you some questions. And, if you’d like, I’ll help you get out of here.”
Hilde smiled as Relena looked coldly at the screen again, though her eyes held a grudging acceptance of the offered help.
“She’s such a mysterious girl,” Wufei said conversationally as the elevator rose; hoping to break the boy’s annoying silence. “She looks so wretched at first glace, yet she seems to hold a certain grace…”
“Is that so?” Heero asked silently agreeing with Wufei but not wanting to admit it. “I think she’s just a normal girl.”
“What is your name?” Wufei asked noting the boy would not look him in the eyes. A sure sign he was hiding something.
“My name is Heero Yuy,” Heero replied staring at the passing floors just waiting for the usual response that came with the recognition of who he was.
“Yuy?” Wufei repeated. “Are you the Vice Foreign Minister’s…”
“Spoiled son, stuck up son, playboy son,” Heero cut Wufei off and listed some of the usual comments with annoyance.
“Did I upset you somehow?” Wufei asked with a little smirk. Obviously it was not his own identity he was hiding.
“No,” Heero admitted finally taking a look in Wufei’s direction. He did not want to get into another staring match. The other man was too good. “Can I see Relena?”
“Relena?” Wufei said his eyes narrowing at the information that had been an obvious slip up. “Is that her name, Relena?”
Heero’s eyes twitched and he wanted to slam his head into the wall. He hadn’t meant to tell Wufei her name, but it had just slipped.
They both kept silent as the elevator reached the fifteenth floor and during their walk to the observation room.
As the door slip open the tech inside didn’t even look up until Wufei asked if there were any new developments.
“Nothing Major,” the tech replied leaving out the part that the person he had relieved ten minutes ago was no where to be found.
Heero looked at the computers a bit as he walked toward the large display windows. Leaning over the consoles he looked down at the still non-moving form of Relena on the table.
“Relena?” he said in shock and anger as he turned to Wufei. “Why the hell is she tied up like that?”
“She’s too powerful,” Wufei replied coming to stand behind the tech. “We are afraid of what she might do to herself or others if she was allowed free movement,” Wufei explained changing tact to get Heero to tell him more about the girl. “If we can get to know her better, we won’t have to keep her bound like that anymore.”
Heero’s eyes narrowed, “so, she’s not a Federation solider then…”
“Let’s go downstairs,” Wufei suggested as his eyes locked with Heero’s once again. Heero nodded in assent, wondering what the hell he was getting into for the fifth time in under a second.
Click, click, click the timer sang just before the explosives blew in a shower of concrete and metal struts.
As the dust cleared a cheeky grinning girl became visible holding her arms slightly away from her face and locking eyes with cold blue ones.
Bounding into the room she looked over the elaborate system of wires and straps that held Relena down. “Damn, how does this work?” she wondered looking up and down for a lever or buckle or something.
“Just give me a knife,” Relena half ordered, half suggested as she held a bloody hand out to Hilde. “I can do it.”
Hilde turned to object that she was tied down but found the hand dripping blood in her face instead. She jerked back a little in surprise as her eyes looked from the bloody hand to the intense blue gaze to the broken and bloody strap on the other side of the table.
“Hey, your arm,” she said in part shock and part admiration as she handed her the knife. “What a gal!”
Relena quickly slashed the straps and the wires they had hooked to her and followed the other girl as she dashed out the hole in the wall and down the hall.
“Take this,” Hilde yelled throwing the backpack, obviously a parachute, at the blond girl behind her without stopping.
As they reached the window Hilde pulled out a small explosive and tossed it, her body instinctively throwing itself to the ground as did Relena.
Even before the explosion of glass, metal, and concrete dissipated both girls were up and running toward it and out it.
Hilde let out a loud yell as she did a flip before switching on a hand held propeller.
Relena, however, simply fell headfirst toward the rocky bluff below.
“Hey, what are you doing,” Hilde yelled with concern at the falling idiot. “Open the parachute. Hurry!”
Relena made no reply, made no movement, other than to continue her decent to certain death.
“Hey! What the hell are you doing?” Hilde screamed trying to get the crazy girls attention, wondering if she had passed out or simply had a death wish. “Damn, don’t waste any more time.”
Above Heero and Wufei reached the now destroyed window the two girls had jumped form.
“Did they jump from here?” Wufei asked rhetorically as he looked down at the girl with the propeller and the still falling freely Relena.
“Relena,” Heero yelled just wanting to strangle the idiot, suicidal girl; but still feeling genuinely concerned. “Relena!”
Relena’s eyes jerked open as her survival training kicked in and she pulled on the parachute to release. She was jerked violently in the air as the think deployed.
“It’s too late,” Hilde moaned above turning her eyes away having no wish to watch the blond become a permanent fixation on the rocks.
As the parachute swung its passenger toward the rocks, Relena undid the fastening and pressed her feet to the rock face in an attempt to slow her descent. The momentum pulled her body over her legs and sent her flipping violently down the bluff until she impacted with a thud into the sand and rolled a bit down the beach.
Her form was still for a moment as the sand formed a cloud around her. As it began to billow away she stood up instinctively and with contempt for her instincts and training.
Above Heero’s jaw dropped as he watched Relena move on the beach, fifteen stories and a bluff below. Wufei simply blinked his eyes and remarked that is was an incredible, almost impossible feat, and wished the girl were not his enemy.
Hilde landed with a thud on her feet not to far away from Relena. She let go of the propeller and watched as the blond girl stood in an almost daze before she clenched her fist angrily and growled out, “What… what am I doing still here?”
“I know you’d rather die,” Hilde said as she took off her hat, careful not to come up unnoticed on the suicidal girl. “But if you couldn’t die after all that, you’d better come up with a really good way to kill yourself.”
Walking toward Relena slowly Hilde made sure that she wasn’t in danger of being stuck at, “and I know it sounds corny, but all you can do right now is trust me.”
Relena closed her eyes in resignation as she let Hilde pull an arm over her shoulder.
“…in a related topic,” the radio’s cool sweet voice spoke. “The Defense Department announced today that the delayed production of the Leo, the ground type mobile suit, will be back on schedule by utilizing the Corsica base facilities. The mass production of the Leo has been delayed due to a massive explosion in the Leo’s main factory last month; the cause of the explosion is still under investigation. To take extra precautions, the Specials issued a high level to the Middle East Division…”
Berker switched of the radio of his mobile suit; the half-truths were far too annoying for a pilot to listen to. As the hatch of the plane opened he flipped the radio back on.
“I’m going to see Lt. Noin,” he informed his team, “I’ll be back in two hours.”
Noin’s craft landed on a lonely runway on the far side of the base. As she exited she ignored the soldier in a nervous salute and looked around.
“I guess I made it in time for the ceremony,” she commented lightly to no one.
“But, sir this is too dangerous,” an officer whined as he pleaded with Commander Bonapa.
“Never mind that,” the commander bellowed. “This is the best way to show our commitment to both our enemy and the Specials. Who needs help from the damned Specials anyway. This way we can tempt the enemy, and they’ll emerge right before us.”
“Specials?” an inexperienced officer asked.
“The Specials are the special mobile suit unit of the Armed Forces, which, in the past, made it possible for the Federation to dominate the United Earth Region,” the officer next to him explained. “But at the same time, many officers have an open mistrust and resentment toward the Specials, like Commander Bonapa. Young officers who are trying to create a new course of history don’t have this resentment.
“Colonel Une, more commonly known as Lady Une is the woman who created the Specials. She is also a board member of the Romafeller Foundation, which is supported by the aristocrats who value their conservative traditions. Using her financial resources, she has been dedicated to the development of the mobile suit,” the officer continued taking another deep breath. “The Specials not only provides mobile suits to the Federation, but also possessed its own combat unit.
“This unit is highly regarded, and has obtained a special permit so that it is allowed to maneuver independently in any battle site. But this also accelerates the resentment of the older officers of the Federation toward the unit,” the officer concluded as the inexperienced one just nodded as if he understood.
“For them war is just one of their amusements,” Bonapa snarled looking out on the lined mobile suits protecting the blimp they were in. “They are making trouble all over the place because they want to fight more.”
Looking over the other people with him Bonapa advised, “there’s no need to be afraid. Just calm, and we can avoid unnecessary casualties. I’ll show the damned Specials that there is a way to achieve victory without spilling blood.”
Across base Noin stood feeling both avoided and annoyed.
“So, Commander Bonapa is not here?” she asked again of the particularly jumpy guard.
“I’m terribly sorry, sir,” the guard snapped, his shoulders tight.
“I’ve heard that he dislikes us, but…” Noin sighed annoyed that the commander couldn’t even pretend to act like an adult.
“I’m terribly sorry,” the guard repeated snapping a salute.
“Don’t be,” Noin said a faint bit of amusement at the guard twitching her lips. “We must have offended him in the past somehow.”
A motorcycle revved in the background and Noin began turning before she even heard the driver call her.
“Berker,” she greeted with a twinge of surprise as the bike skidded to a stop before her. “Long time no see.”
“Glad to see you again,” Berker stated respectfully as he balanced the bike with one hand.
“Do you have a suit I can use?” Noin asked having no wish to feel useless.
Berker gave a smile and motioned for Noin to follow him, “I’d like you to see something.”
The drove quickly to an old warehouse, all but abandoned. Noin followed Berker inside and nearly gasped at the sight of the white titan sleeping within.
“It’s huge,” she said to cover up her lack of words. “It looks like a prototype mobile suit and it’s larger than Leo in all dimensions.”
Noin’s eyes looked the suit up and down and stared at the head grasped tightly, almost protectively, in its hand.
“It’s an old machine,” Berker replied as he looked over it with fondness. “When you sent us the data on the Gundam, it reminded me of this one, which the local engineers call a ‘museum exhibit’.”
“You’re from Corisa too, right?” Noin affirmed unable to take her eyes off the giant.
“I used to be an engineer too,” Berker nodded in way of an answer. “This machine is the only one having features comparable to that of a Gundam’s. I don’t know the details of how it was designed. The only think I know is that, in order to strengthen the structural integrity, the mobile suit has to be this large.”
Noin finally took her eyes off the suit and stared at Berker taking in every word he said.
“Engineers in the past decided that there was no need for a stronger body so they came up with the current standard size of mobile suit,” Berker explained then with a look over at the suit. “Taurus, I believe that was its name.”
“If we can somehow complete his machine do you think we can compete with the Gundams?” Noin asked a bit of hope edging in her voice.
“Please take this with you,” Berker asked and Noin knew the tone instantly. She turned slightly looking him in the eyes through her mask, “you’re thinking of dying for me aren’t you?”
“You told me once,” Berker began. “Fight for the future generation. That is my principal now.”
“You are much braver than myself now,” Noin replied turning her eyes back to the machine. “How many can you handle?”
“As you told me, I’m always read you the maximum number of enemies,” Berker replied with his arms stiffly at his sides.
“There will be four. The other one is missing. That’s all I know,” Noin told him with a hint of sorrow in her voice. “I’m sorry, Berker.”
“Don’t be,” he responded. “That’s still good news, Lt. Noin…”
“Please don’t sir,” an officer tried to warn again as the preparation for the blimps launch were nearly complete.
“There will be no enemy,” Bonapa assured with a snap.
“There will be enemies,” Berker disagreed as he climbed into his mobile suit and watched the blimps chains drop to the ground and it begin to ascend.
“There will be enemies?” Bonapa asked to the air with doubt as he looked down to the Leo with guns trained to take out the slightest unauthorized movement. “No fool would challenge such a heavy guard.”
Across the base the Taurus was being loaded into Noin’s plane.
Noin’s head jerked up and she felt a slight twist in her gut, “the fool is here.”
Ammo spewed forth from seemingly every part of the orange and red mobile suits body. Missiles launched from silos in the legs and shoulder. While bullets plowed down Leo’s from the guns concealed in the chest as well as mounted on the left arm.
“Specials,” Berker ordered adjusting his goggles. “Confirming enemy attack. Everyone come with me.”
“But there’s only one,” another pilot objected.
“Come on,” Berker snapped then quietly. “One may be enough.”
With that the Special unit leapt into the air.
From above Bonapa watched in distress as the single mobile suit plowed through his forces, both air and land, and began aiming for him.
“Descend,” a panicked officer yelled as the blimp listed sideways. “Hurry to the ground.”
“Calm down,” Bonapa ordered. “Only one enemy has been confirmed so far. Surround it an exterminate it.”
“There’s no radar response,” the officer yelled taking a few agitated strikes at the radar.
“Turn on the visual monitor,” Bonapa snapped.
“I’ve got it!” the officer cheered seconds before the lone mobile suit destroyed that means of tracking.
“That’s why I told you no to rely on machines too much,” Bonapa growled.
Below Heavyarms ducked behind its shield as is laid down intense fire toward a squad of Leo as well as a couple tanks. Straitening and raised the arm it finished off the last of the annoying planes that attempted dive-bombing.
Inside the brown haired girl blinked as she watched the movements of her enemies.
“In terms of strategy against fewer enemies, it is generally regarded as effective to cut off their retreat, surround them, and lay down intense fire,” she analyzed coolly as he hands flew over the controls. “Surround and exterminate, the enemy commander’s decision should be considered a textbook maneuver. But…”
Catherine’s hands flicked slightly as she reopened the chest and sent the rounds toward a trio of tanks that were attempting hit and runs. One by one they exploded.
“He should have waited to see what his enemy is capable of doing,” she informed the recorder as several of her missiles hit their target.
“Damn it! What a mess,” Bonapa snarled as he caught hold of a chair to keep himself from falling backwards.
Suddenly the Specials rose in front of the blimp and Bonapa tapped into their conversation.
“You help the commander’s ship retreat,” Berker ordered. “The rest of you keep attacking.”
“Yes, sir,” chimed from the others.
“You!” Bonapa growled not able to think of a fitting insult.
“We shall all be destroyed,” Berker said with some contempt to the commander. “Make sure to obtain all the data necessary from this battle. For the future generation.”
“Forgive me,” Bonapa moaned bowing his head slightly as the blimp began its decent and escape.
Across the base where Noin’s plane sat and Noin stood on a catwalk watching the explosions of the battle. She knew the losses were terrible and she knew that they were all on her side.
“Ready to go anytime,” the curly haired pilot announced standing stiffly behind her.
“How’s Bonapa doing?” she asked already guessing the answer.
“He seems to be fine. Though the rest are doing less than well,” the pilot responded as Noin turned back to the battle. “Lt. Noin, I’ll fight with you in the Leo.”
“No,” Noin snapped not quite looking back. “Don’t give me such a hard time.”
“Huh?” the curly haired man grunted.
“To save Taurus,” Noin explained. “Is all I can do at the moment. Sorry, but be patient for now.”
“Yes, sir,” he saluted as Noin stared out at the battlefield and brought her hand to her head in a salute as well.
Back on the battlefield two Specials charged at the enemy mobile suit firing sporadically and trying to distract with their flips and antics before they came down on either side of it and then began to circle.
Catherine fired several shots with her head guns before flipping a hidden knife from the right wrist and slicing both the annoyances in half.
The Special’s unit remained airborne with their guns trained on her as the smoke began to blow away from the battle. They appeared to be on only mobile suits still active, but were still a major problem.
Pulling the lever for the gatling gun, Catherine made no expression, no curse, when she found it was out of ammo. She simply flipped the switch allowing it to slide to the ground with a loud clanging thud. Attempting to use the guns in the chest cavity, she found they were out of ammo too and closed the chest.
Across the radio she heard one of the Specials crowing, “Looks like it’s out of bullets. Great! We have a chance.”
“Don’t assume anything,” another voice snapped wisely.
“I’ll show you what a Special is capable of,” the other growled in annoyance as the Special charged Heavyarms.
Catherine closed her eyes as the Special began its charge.
“I guess this is it…” she said as the Special’s pilot screamed for her to die as it launched over her head.
Suddenly a pinpoint of light appeared directly in the middle of the Specials head. It pushed though and arched inches from hitting Heavyarms. Instantly Heavyarms’s shield less arm flew up to protect from the now exploding Special.
From across the base shots rang out one after another as an unknown unit slowly moved forward. Their shots devastating the last of the Specials.
“Come on dammit!” Berker snarled as he watched the last of his unit explode. The last of his ammunition aimed for a black and white suit, he knew could only be a Gundam.
The Gundam leaped for him holding its shield with attached swords in front. It locked the still firing Special between the blades and squeezed.
“I wanted to see how they are before I die,” Berker said softly.
“I’m sorry,” the blond girl piloting the Gundam apologized as her blades slashed thought the Special in a burst of sunlight and a ball of fire.
Heavyarms stood, bullet less, facing the black and white Sandrock as well as a well-equipped unit of mobile suits.
“Miss Dorothy,” one of the pilots began.
“Leave them to me,” Dorothy replied taking in the design of the suit she faced.
“That one seems to be out of bullets,” another pilot noted with some pleasure that the young miss wouldn’t be in too much danger.
“That pilot won’t rely on firearms anyway,” Dorothy replied quietly, more to herself than anyone. Suddenly behind her she heard the sound of an aircraft taking off in haste.
“Damn,” she cursed taking a look for the craft before she remembered the suit in front of her.
Flipping out the knife Heavyarms kicked in its boosters and charged forward, using the takeoff as a distraction. With a grunt of exertion Catherine slammed the knife deep into Sandrock’s shoulder, causing it to stagger back.
Using its elbow as a lever Heavyarms hooked it under the shield and pulled causing temporary loss of control in Sandrock’s left arm. Quickly bringing up a knee Heavyarms forced the other suit farther backwards before Sandrock swung, with a clumsy effort that was easily caught in Heavyarms hand.
As the servos wined under the pressure Dorothy stared blankly at the other mobile suit before closing her eyes and cracking a smile, “You are… aren’t you?”
Taking another look into the face of Heavyarms she let her smile get a bit bigger, “you are.”
The hatch in Sandrock’s midsection opened as well as an internal blast shield.
A platinum blond haired girl with her hair in a ponytail and goggles jumped out, clenching her fists and yelling in hopes the other pilot would hear and listen, “we must stop fighting against each other! Please stop!”
For a second Dorothy was worried she hadn’t gotten through, but then the other suit relented its grip in her Sandrock and the midsection opened to reveal a girl with brown hair who exited with her hands raised and no expression on her face.
“I’m the one who came out first to show my trust in you,” Dorothy smiled gently as they stood face to face.
The splash of the water running off Wing thundered loudly as the crane hoisted it out of the water.
“There it is,” Hilde yelled as she cracked her knuckles. “It’s all yours now. I hope you appreciate this…”
She trailed off as she caught sight of the person she was trying to talk to, “what are you doing?”
Relena lay on her back, her right leg, locked against the railing as she applied pressure. With strangled grunts of pain she rolled to the side and with a resounding crack she was done.
Hilde winced at the whole spectacle.
“I’ve had enough,” she sighed resting her head on her hand.
Relena stood, wrapping her leg tightly, before walking over toward the half exhumed Wing.
“Who else treats their own broken bones,” Hilde sighed rhetorically. “Please… I just had my lunch.”
Lifting her head Hilde watched as Relena ignored her and stood at the edge of the pool, simply staring at her Gundam caught up in the crane wires.
Relena’s haunted expression was mirrored by the Gundam.