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"Madam secretary. A moment of your time!" a young Zeon desk jockey called from behind Secretary of Defense Veronica Wu. Veronica stopped just outside the entrance to her ship's, the Athenas Might, hangar. She could just ignore the shrill voice that bombarded her ears and proceed inside the hangar, pretend she didn't hear the paper pusher until it was too late. Unfortunately, such behavior was not becoming a woman in her position, and duty forced her to acknowledge the grunt. "Thank... you... for stopping." the young woman gasped for breath between words. Veronica stood patiently. She needed to leave soon, otherwise the Athenas Might would be reset to the bottom of the scheduled departures list for the day. "You're... departure request... you only stamped it 4 times. It needs a 5th stamp to be filed and approved.” the woman explained, flashing a small paperback book's worth of forms that bared Veronica's handwriting. Veronica remained silent, but raised an eyebrow at the woman. Dejectedly, she snatched the forms and a stamp from the woman's hand. Veronica turned to the hangar door and slammed the stamp against the form, then tossed the book back to her. "Thank you again. I'll file these with traffic control right away. I'll even upgrade it to a priority order. We should have you clear to launch in 14 to 16 hours. Thank you again, sir... er... ma'am.” The woman struck a salute then bolted to her station again. Veronica stood stern until the woman was clear of her sight. Now alone in an empty hallway, Veronica was free to vent her frustration. "14 to16 hours.” the normally quiet woman whispered before she punched the hangar door. Still frustrated, she pulled a phone from her uniform's pocket "Hi Winny. It's Mommy...”  Lunar Union Victory
• Veronica Wu: 1VP gained, No Damage 
 Republic of Zeon Victory
• Jeremiah Black: 1VP gained, No Damage Nothing but lush vegetation and rocks. That's all she saw throughout the hot african day. Colonel Belanie Reece lowers the binoculars from her face with a sigh. She is standing on the shoulder of the GP03 Stamen. The Gundam is crouched in a ravine, trying to stay hidden from the Zeon fortress. The colonel walks around to the back of the head of the GP03. She squints in the sunlight. "Sergeant Maheart!" she shouts into the ravine," get ready to take cover! It's almost time!" A grease-smeared head poked out of an access panel. Scarth "(>o.O)>" Maheart lifts the welding mask from his face. "Not to worry colonel! We can finish the repairs even through the bombardment." "Let's hope that's the case," mutters Reece to herself. A low sound came over the horizon. The EFF colonel hops back over to the front of the GP03. "Here it comes." This time, the underground mountain fortress of Kimberlite struck first. One of the four Artillery Howitzers booms, sending a shell into the far off EFGF naval fleet. The other three Artillery Howitzers stood ready with their ordinance close. Several kilometers away, sailors ran to their battlestations. The 2nd Indian Ocean Patrol Fleet went to general quarters as klaxons scream their song. In the skies above, the Medeas and their air formation broke away to give room for the passing munitions. Water splashes as Zeon artillery shells straddle the armada. Then, in thunderous reply, the Vertical Launch Systems of the Hillocks let loose their payloads. As the missiles begin their ascent, the twin 350mm cannons of the Himalaya belch fire and brimstone. Back at Kimberlite, the mobile suits are bracing for an attack on their forward trenches. Dozens of mono-eyes watch the distance for the colors of EFF mobile suits. But nothing came and soon the sky fell. Missiles and shells pound the Zakus and armor vehicles. Caught outside their fortified cover, the Zeon pilots and soldiers could do nothing but ride it out and take whatever cover they can. Hell rain down on them relentlessly. The 2nd Indian Ocean Patrol Fleet didn't have it easy either. All four of Kimberlite's Artillery Howitzers have a bead on one of the Hillocks. Shells straddle the Ardent, scoring repeated hits on its superstructure and decking. The exchange of long range firepower would go on for another fifteen minutes. As the final sounds of the bombardment fade away, both sides move quickly to control the damage. On Kimberlite, surviving units are pulled back inside the interior and engineering teams salvage what they can from the wreckage. Back at sea, the Ardent is pulled to the rear of the fleet as fire control teams do what they can to keep the Hillock operational. At that point, another day ends.  Siege Continues
• Belanie Reece: 1 VP gained, No Damage • Scarth "(>o.o)>" Maheart: 1 VP gained, No Damage |