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Post by Ketara on Sept 10, 2010 16:01:15 GMT -5
Updated for turn 2
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Post by Ketara on Sept 10, 2010 15:04:45 GMT -5
December 31st, UC 0079
Gihren Zabi speaks to the A Bao A Qu defense force |
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Chris
ZMF Officer 
Obersturmbannfuhrer
Ubersuperduperbannfuhrer!
Posts: 849
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Post by Chris on Sept 10, 2010 14:57:30 GMT -5
Waves of silence fell upon the room as a cloaked figure entered the room, flanked by a squad of Panzergrenadiers. The massive shock troopers dwarfed the other soldiers, their obsidian armor glistened under the overhead lights, and their red eyes gave the appearance of souless demons as they followed their leader silently. The young girl's cloak draped gracefully around her blackened armor, contouring her curves surprisingly well, her helmet she carried under her left arm as she marched through the hallways. Her hair jet black hair cascaded around her shoulders as she removed her hood in stride, a red hour glass symbol could be seen, emblazoned on the back of her glove. The young SS Officer flashed an innocent smile as she passed pilots and crew members; she did not feel like dealing with these imbeciles today... The majority of the Duchy's forces were meek and not worthy of the title, but a chess game could not be won with out pawns; the expendables were necessary for the bigger picture. They were weak and not prepared to do what was necessary for victory; they placed too much value in honor and morals, how stupid. This ignorance cost her one of her more experienced officers on Earth. Honor... what a waste...Her expression changed from one of fake kindness to disgust as she thought of how Xavier had strayed from the path; The Path of the spider, the orders, the necessary actions to ensure that Die Spinne would uplift the glory of zeon, the way that it should be. ~ "What is beautiful woman like you doing on a..." Hans was propped against a wall in the middle of wooing a beautiful pilot when he saw that her expression changed from cute bashfulness to fear. The spy raised an eyebrow and turned around to see what would cause such a pretty face to sour so quickly. Much to his dismay it was his 'Mistress' Raven. "Oh, how she brightens my day..." He mumbled under his breath as he turned to reassure the cute fighter pilot that there was no need to worry, only to find the spot she once stood to be vacate. "Great..." Bond turned, and flashed a charismatic smile at his officer as she neared him. "... Looking lovely as always." She glared at the man in the tuxedo as he winked at the SS Officer. If he wasn't so good at his job, she wasn't sure if she would be able to tolerate his incessant flirting and womanizing; but he had been one of her most effective operatives, and his record could not be argued. "I hope everything is on order?" She handed a set of papers to the spy. They were orders from Gihren himself, untouched by the filthy hands of the SAF or MAF commanders. "Indeed, m'lady." Hans tucked the intel and the orders into his suit jacket and smiled confidently. "Good, I will be preparing our departure... Don't be late Bond." She flashed a devious smile as she walked away. Die Spinne would have its glory... |
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Post by ender on Sept 10, 2010 12:45:58 GMT -5
U-34 Avalon
Vladivostok Port
0330 Hours
The cockpit of the Spriggan had been reinforced against the cold. It didn't matter to Alec, however. He still could feel the icy chill of the water around the suit as it dropped out of the belly of his submarine command. This was one of two TAF fortifications still active on Earth.
He had chosen to retreat here after the final assault on Jaburo, because of it's ability to repair the heavily damaged submarine. But even that was with a cost, and now, the famed Federation 87th Integrated were on their doorsteps. The shellings had gone near constantly, and he had to wonder just why hadn't the Federation assaulted already. Impatience was starting to show, and he simply couldn't sit still.
Part of it was the remains of the memories of dear friends and lost comrades. The entirety of his squad of 'Warjacks' had been killed. Grayson during the second assault on Jaburo. Nivinia during the Federation assault on California Base.
That had been a mistake. Confusion on the battlefield, and he couldn't protect her. It ate away at his very soul, and the Warmonger couldn't even figure out what had gone wrong. Where the squadron had been separated.
And the final, failed assault on Jaburo. Yuri "The Axe" Kolsk. His closest friend, and battlefield brother. So many things had gone wrong, and he knew exactly where the issue was. The promised back up from the SS, from Captain Nimue. But it was all a facade, her true nature backed up with that strange spider symbol that was also on Tarasova. They left them to die, and for what?
Alec gritted his teeth in anger as the Spriggan sank into the ocean, the mono-eye flashing briefly as he started his patrol. One of the few things that he could still take solace in. Even from his humble beginnings with artillery, he has become a King of the Seas. The Federation had probably heard of 'The Warmonger beneath the waves', and GM Aqua pilots would always sortie with a sense of cautiousness, never knowing if the behemoth that was Spriggan was waiting for them, claws extended to end their lives.
War had changed him from a man who lived for battle, to one who viewed each and every soldier as a fellow human being, and that even the enemy was fighting for a cause celebre that they felt was right. There was a sense of respect for them, and that's why Alec would always fight them with everything he had.
And why he hoped they would do the same.
The Z'Gok E swam through the ocean, the sonar pinging off of the ice and debris that had littered the ocean. His eyes moved from screen to screen, his fingers tight on the controls as he watched for any enemy encounter. He knew of the rumors that the Battle of A Bao A Qu would be starting soon, and he hoped and prayed for the safety of his comrades in space.
And how he lamented his inability to the end the war at Jaburo before it came to that. If he survived this battle in the ice, he had to wonder, would he go back to Jaburo, and try to take her still? Just where was the war going, and what did Gihren Zabi have planned?
The possibilities floated through Alec's mind, and he found himself, possibly for the first time, truly unsure of what his place in the universe was. He was a warrior, a soldier, and somewhat of a scholar, but only in teaching the art of war. This was the edge of existence, and it truly was a scary place to be. More frightening than any battlefield.
"I guess I just have... to see where I can go, and what I can do..." He muttered to himself as he felt the Gogg's of the Vladivostok MSM join him beneath the waves. Patrols.
Always good for the soul.
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Chan
ZMF Officer
Rear Admiral
Posts: 1,348
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Post by Chan on Sept 10, 2010 10:41:57 GMT -5
Not sure how I missed that.
Ketara didn't update anything so I don't know our exact numbers right now.
In this case, we should keep everyone where they are. Or we can move some MS from A Bao A Qu to East Field. There are only two ships in East Field right now, the Musai and Chivvay. It will take another turn for them to destroy those two ships. I also think we took down a few Salamis in that battle.
The earliest that the ZEF ships can return to the Reserve Field is next turn. If we turn back now, Delaz's line will crumble to the main assault in N Field. So we should stay for this turn and hopefully Chris and Hans can use the Solar System to wipe out enough of the N Field Feds so that Delaz and the ZEF can mop up this turn and move back to the Reserve Sector next turn.
I know this sounds like I'm saying "let's do nothing", but we don't have ships we can throw into E Field. MS sent there may be sacrificed to let the PCs return to the Reserve area.
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Frenzy
ZMF Officer
Commander
Could be Ramsus.
Posts: 2,152
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Post by Frenzy on Sept 10, 2010 6:07:38 GMT -5
Alright.
But we should send the bulk of the base's MS to E Field, assuming we can't stop them using alternative means.
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kuriboh
ZMF
Registered Newtype
Is Miang. Maybe.
Posts: 1,738
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Post by kuriboh on Sept 10, 2010 5:33:54 GMT -5
Keep fighting. it's turn 3 we'll have to refuel
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Frenzy
ZMF Officer
Commander
Could be Ramsus.
Posts: 2,152
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Post by Frenzy on Sept 10, 2010 5:23:51 GMT -5
Should I continue fighting for another turn or re-supply? These fuel rules have me confused.
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kuriboh
ZMF
Registered Newtype
Is Miang. Maybe.
Posts: 1,738
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Post by kuriboh on Sept 10, 2010 5:16:06 GMT -5
best case scenario, we can re-fire the Solar....ray/system, whichever is ours, at East.
Second best: We end the battle in North in the next two turns. Not gonna happen with Mr. Ray fucking around, but a girl can dream
What do we have in reserve?
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Gray
EFF Officer 
Colonel
I admit; I'm impressed
Posts: 1,005
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Post by Gray on Sept 10, 2010 2:42:48 GMT -5
I share a different opinion on E Field.
The situation there appears to be a bit more dire than we would have hoped. The Dolos, the field's main vessel, has fallen and I believe that the two remaining vessels will most likely fall by the end of Turn 2. If this comes to pass then by Turn 3, all enemy ships in E Field will begin their attack on our reserve.
This could mean the end of the battle unless Johnny Ridden, the two Gwazines, and our remaining forces are able to cut through them fast enough to reduce their number below our own. There's not much we can do about this. The ZEF fleet has apparently already left the reserve; this would have been our best bet at countering the Titans.
We do, however, have an important choice to make here:
Knowing that the reserve is about to come under attack, do we begin moving what we can to other fields to shore up escape routes or do we give them the greatest chance to repel their attackers by leaving everything be?
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Chan
ZMF Officer
Rear Admiral
Posts: 1,348
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Post by Chan on Sept 10, 2010 1:43:21 GMT -5
So Turn 1 is finally written. Some things was expected and others are still waiting to develop.
North Field: Holding strong. Delaz is being cautious while the ZEF is moving up to reinforce. According to the text, we identified the main Federal push. Most of our reinforcements were sent here in Turn 1.
West Field: The Solar Ray fired with the anticipated effect. Blex is taking control and for the moment the forces at W Field are unengaged. Yoritomo has yet to fight here and his key opponent is the Invincible 3rd and the RX-78-1.
East Field: The Feds are advancing slowly. Isaiah and Jim did a surprise attack on the ships which should earn us some breathing space.
South Field: The Feds are advancing slowly here as well. We have no PCs here but I asked for Junichi Ghettid (Kampfer) and Ray Walker (Gattle) to move to S Field. Not sure who made it.
We still have Olivia in Reserve since she didn't make it to the deadline. We can keep her in Reserve or move her to South Field.
Our best hope here is to annihilate the bulk of the Federal force at N Field then double back to the Reserve sector.
I have no orders for players at this time. We can move some of the MS from A Bao A Qu's hangar to the fields. South and East Field seem to need the most help.
Opinions? Suggestions? Ideas?
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Post by Ketara on Sept 10, 2010 0:05:48 GMT -5
S FIELD
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It was like watching an angry bee hive. Except the hive is kilometers in diameter and the bees were three stories high or more.
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Sublieutenant Ray Tatsuma frowned from the seat of his command chair. The Salamis Revised-class <i>Ruby</i> swung around as its heavy turrets realign towards the forces of A Bao A Qu. Even at the outer edge of bombardment range, his eyes can pick out the movement of mobile suits deploying from a massive Zeon vessel. Tatsuma is hesitant to confront such a thing with his ship. The vessel seems bottomless; it has been launching mobile suits for much of the last hour.
<br><br>
Mutlipe shadows passes through the <i>Ruby</i>'s bridge windows, reminding Tatsuma that he is not alone.
<br><br>
"Captain? Admiral Tianem is on the line."
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"Thanks Pixy," said Tatsuma as he reaches for his headset. The female communications officer shook her head. She wonders if the captain even reads their dossier files.
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"<i>Sublieutenant Tatsuma</i>," said the admiral's voice over the radio," <i>prepare your crew to advance as fire support for our mobile suits. It seems we have a lot of Zakus to chew through</i>."
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"Understood admiral."
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"<i>Minovsky levels are reaching battle density. Communicate with laser links only when necessary. Tianem out.</i>"
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Tatsuma had barely set down his headset when the massive formation of RB-79 Balls rush past his ship. Dispersed among them are Federal mobile suits. They have come a long way from the days where Zeon held the monopoly in that technology. Now they are repaying their past humiliations in full with the modern GM and the advanced GM Command and Guncannon MPT types.
<br><br>
One particular mobile suit caught his eye. Tatsuma smiled a bit as he gestured at his radio officer. His radio officer rolled her eyes as she patched her captain through to the mobile suit pilot.
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"<i>Lieutenant Kerrigan reporting.</i>"
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"This is Tatsuma of the <i>Ruby</i>."
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"<i>What now...</i>"
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"Hey G.I. Jane, you ready for this?"
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"<i>I'm waitin' on you!</i>" insisted Sublieutenant Arleana Kerrigan. Inside the cockpit of the GM Command Kai, she pushes the throttle forward. She is eager to get out of communications range with Tatsuma as soon as possible.
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"You know, since tonight will be the end of the war...?"
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"<i>Doesn't take a telepath to know what you're thinkin'.</i>"
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"So is that a yes?"
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"<i>You get off on annoying people, don't you?"</i>"
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"I find myself charming, as do everyone here." A few doubtful glances are exchanged by the bridge crew.
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"<i>Easily amused, huh?</i>"
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"I find it gives me a good outlook on life and I won't mind sharing it with you."
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"<i>You may have time to play games...</i>"
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"For you? Any time of the day and especially at night."
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"<i>... But I've got a job to do</i>." A sharp cackle of static suddenly floods the channel.
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"Sir?" said Tatsuma's radio officer," Kerrigan's unit has entered a heavy Minovsky particle area. Communications are difficult at this point."
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Tatsuma sighs. So close and yet so far. "Alright then. Go to action stations! Prepare all missile and rocket batteries! Gunnery crews stand by!"
<br><br>
As the <i>Ruby</i> and her crew went to full battle stations, the rest of the Federal forces in S Field continue their march forward. Wakkein's Magellan kept in stride with Tianem's battlewagon. Ahead of them is Henken's Salamis Revised who is leading the smaller Federal warships into battle.
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On the giant tactical screens on both Zeon and Federal vessels, the inevitable clash of might seems would be as violent as a collision between two freight trains. Both sides have men and machines in the hundreds.
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In one small cluster of units in the advancing Federal horde, a bunch of Saberfish and Balls fly cautiously. They give the only mobile suit with them a wide berth. Not for tactical reasons but as a result of past experiences.
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A childish song and humming is heard over their headsets. Minovsky interference is making the greater fleet communications tedious and difficult, but short range communications is still possible.
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To the unsuspecting eavesdropper, Yuka Kazami seems like any other sweet innocent girl. She even looks younger than the age listed on her dossier. Usually found playing with flowers and baking varous recipes, many people often wonder how someone like Kazami is a soldier. Nevertheless the pilot of a machine like the GM Sniper II.
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But to the pilots who fly formations with her, they know better than to be tricked by the innocent demeanor.
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"<i>Hey Captain, blue line perimeter in three,</i>" spoke up one Saberfish pilot
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"I can read my instruments as well, Jonesy," replied the squadron leader
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"<i>You think we ought to tell the missy?</i>"
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"I ain't doing it."
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"<i>Hey man</i>," spoke up a different voice," <i>I may be in a Ball but I don't got the balls to be 'it' again.</i>"
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"Well she will find out sooner or-"
<br><br>
"<i>KEEEEEEEEHeheheheheheeeeeeeekeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...!</i>"
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"Oh shit," echoed the entire squadron of Saberfish and Balls.
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"Break off!" ordered the squadron leader," peel into your assigned groupings!"
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The GM Sniper II's thrusters flared brillantly like minature suns, as the outdated fighters and gun pods moved out of Kazami's way. Her colleagues deem her as a certified psycopath but insisting on the matter is pointless.
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The GM Sniper II blazes forward as all around Kazami, a million tons of Federal steel closes the distance with a million tons of Zeon metal. The signatures of hundreds of missiles lit up the airspace as the first bursts of mega particle fire erupts from the ships.
<br><br>
It is like a colorful orchestra of destruction. To anyone with a god-like point of view, it is utterly awe inspiring. History seem to held its breath as the seconds tick by before the two forces reach each other right about...
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...Now.
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<center><font color="3300FF" size=4><b>~</b></font></center>
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<b>THMP-THMP-THMP-THMP-THMP-THMP-THMP-THMP-THMP-THMP-THMP-THMP-THMP-THMP-THMP</b>
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Empty catridges spill out of a 120mm Zaku machinegun like candy from a broken vending machine.
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<b>FWEEEM... FWEEEM... FWEEEM... FWEEEM... FWEEEM... FWEEEM... FWEEEM... FWEEEM</b>
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Beam spray guns test the limits of their capacitors as they pour energy like a beer tap at happy hour.
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<b>P-WWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSHHHH... P-WWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSHHHH... P-WWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSHHHH...</b>
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Bazooka rounds left their launchers, detonating their high explosive warheads in the tightly packed battlefield. Friend and foe alike are baffled by constant explosions.
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Nothing is going well for both sides. The Federal forces face a wall of Zaku IIs. More than they had seen at Solomon. The flood of green warmachines seem endless despite the numbers that die in the opening exchange of fire. Saberfish and Balls try to use their smaller size to weave deeper into the Zeon lines but the sheer amount of munitions going everywhere hinders their efforts.
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It is equally frustrating for the Zeon pilots as well. Many of their comrades are green and untrained. They barely know what all the knobs and buttons in their cockpit do. Time and time again, the more expirenced Zeon pilots groaned as tactical advantages are missed and people die unnecessarily to rookie mistakes.
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It is utter chaos everwhere.
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Kerrigan's GM Command Kai popped up from a line of RB-79 Balls with her beam rifle blazing. As the smaller Balls are picked off by frantic 120mm shells, the female Fedeal pilot trains her gun on one Zaku II F after another. Five unsuspecting Zakus are downed before a wall of bullets came at her. On reflex, Kerrgian raised her shield and felt the GM Command Kai shook like a rattle from the impacts. She is tossed around so badly that her GM Command Kai was literally pushed a full kilometer back where she came from.
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All the skirmish line, mobile suits began to resort to close range weapons. The barely trained Zaku II pilots kept to their machineguns however since it's the only weapon they knew worked. Beam sabers ate into heathawks as a gladiatoral conflict began.
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A limb here. Another limb there. Bullet holes and melted armor plates. Death came in every form. A hapless GM pilot saw the warning lights on his overloading beam spray gun but was unable to throw it away before it exploded, taking him with it. Not even ten meters away, a Zaku II F drifted silently with no less than ten beam sabers engorged in its body. It bounced off a certain rampaging GM Sniper before being lost into the darkness of space.
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Kazami leaps onto the back of an unsuspecting Zaku II F. With a single motion, she drew her beam saber and cleanly impaled it into the side of the Zaku's head. A simple twitch of the controls and the upper torso of her victim is skewered into uncountable pieces. Another Zaku II F challenged her only to have Kazami's shield bash it in the face. The stunned pilot was not given a chance to recover as he is swiss cheesed by beam shots.
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All of this can be seen by Ray Tatsuma, who has a front row seat on the bridge of the <i>Ruby</i>. "Nat! Roll us twenty degrees portside and give me a five round volley from the port guns!"
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Mumbled around the reply of "Aye aye" came the reminder that her name is Jennifer.
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"Sir! Henken's reordering the battleline! AA picket formation!"
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"Counterroll!" grunts Tatsuma before shouting at his helmsan," correct our trim and get us back in position!"
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On the other side of the big whirlpool of combat, the Zeon ships grouped together. They are outnumbered greatly by the Federal warships which leads them vulnerable to be picked off by multiple Federal warships. Their best strategy is to stay together for mutual protection. Hopefully the heavy guns of the Dolos and the guantlet of mobile weapon combat can wither down the Federal cruisers before the lighter Zeon ships engage.
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Almost unnoticed in the battle are the waves of missile boats flying defiantly at enemy fleets. Publics and Jiccos push their engines to the max as they went on their bombing runs. Once in range those who survive let loose their payloads. Even less would return to the rear areas.
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Even though the entirety of S Field has devolved into a cloud of destruction, observers can see the Federal line still advancing. It had slowed from a march to a snail crawl but the mass of Federal equipment is visibly struggling forward. Federal pilots feel for every meter of space but they are taking many Zeon pilots with them.
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To those commanding the battle on their bridges and command intelligence centers, the battle plays like a silent movie. They know the ear deafening sounds of combat that must be rattling their soldiers, yet none of it reaches here.
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The next six hours would tell who will keep control of S Field.
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Post by Ketara on Sept 10, 2010 0:04:54 GMT -5
E FIELD
Creed surveyed the battlefield, like he always did prior to each engagement. The somewhat arbitrarily-named "East Field" looked to be stacked heavily in their favor. Zeon had three ships: A Chivvay, a Musai, and some hulking giant of a ship that Creed had never seen before. <i>What possible use could that thing have on the battlefield?</i> Creed wondered. Their Magellans and Salamis would eat the Zeeks there for breakfast, if that was all the resistance that their enemy could martial.
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"Jamitov reports that the unidentified Zeon ship is bleeding Zakus," Creed's comm officer relayed blankly. "Apparently, it's some sort of heavy carrier. The Musai and Chivvay have taken up defensive positions behind it."
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"That probably means it's well-armored," Creed mused. "But it can't withstand a sustained bombardment." Even with the addition of the Zakus, he was still confident in their chances of success. Their GMs would make a strong showing against their inferior Zaku counterparts, and most of the pilots were skilled enough to know their way around the battlefield. He doubted the same could be said for Zeon's pilots, some of whom were probably seeing their first real action ever, having been holed up at A Baoa Qu for the duration of the war. They would overwhelm their opponents, capture their headquarters, and the war would be over.
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The simplicity of it all, as well as the impending victory, disappointed Creed. If he'd had his way, their enemies would just suffer repeated tactical bombardments, losing their force bit by bit, until there was nothing left. A long, tortuous siege would have been best. He hadn't given much thought to what a man like him would do after the war was over, and he didn't have time to think about it now.
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"We will advance with Jamitov and Ohm. Tell our mobile suits to be ready to launch as soon as we're in range, and tell everyone to be sharp." Despite the tension in the air, his voice was calm, as always. Creed was a calm, dangerous man. He felt secure in the company of Ohm and Jamitov; he sensed that they were like-minded, intelligent men, capable of bringing the war to a decisive close, but who also enjoyed a good, bloody battle.
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"Yes sir. We are beginning the assault now." The Richmond began its descent into the maelstrom, and Creed smiled as he prayed he'd live long enough to thoroughly enjoy the battle to come.
<br><br>
<center><font color="3300FF" size=4><b>~</b></font></center>
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Caleb DeGrau stared in wonder at the massive Federation fleet before him. This was the EFSF's much-hurrahed Grand Fleet? As far as he was concerned, it just meant more targets for his Gelgoog Cannon and his massive beam machine guns. He and Haifa had been instructed to follow the Bigros under the main part of the battle, to attack the flank of the Federation ships. They wouldn't last long against his Gelgoog, and if the numbers they'd gotten from command were correct, their enemy would be too busy swimming through a sea of Zaku II Fs to do a damn thing about it. They would waltz around the battlefield, and if they managed to avoid the heavy AA fire, they had the potential to do some real damage.
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Haifa stared at the Gelgoog Cannon, and then settled back into the cockpit of her GM Command. With any luck, her suit choice would throw off her opponents; the Federation had a few GM Commands on its side, but she had Zeon's one and only. She doubted her opponents would notice an enemy GM Command with all the Zakus they'd have to deal with. She intended to act as one of the Federation's own, catching the occasional GM in a spurt of accidental friendly fire. By the time they figured out who she really was, they'd be too overwhelmed with Zakus, Bigros and DeGrau to do much about her - or at least, so she hoped. She slapped the safeties off the firing controls and ducked out of the hangar into the emptiness of space, which was quickly filling with Zaku II Fs. <i>Let's do this.</i>
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<center><font color="3300FF" size=4><b>~</b></font></center>
<br>
The space between the Zeon and Federation fleets was quickly filling with mobile suits and beam fire, as the battle began. It was chaos. The Zaku II Fs already made an impressive display, but they continued to swarm out of the Dolos like bats from a cave. If the sky had not already been dark, they would have darkened it. The GM pilots, once so confident in the superiority of their machines, and their skill in combat, wavered slightly at the numbers advantage that Zeon enjoyed. Could they really fight that many Zakus? Even a lion could be brought down by enough hyenas, or ants.
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The pink beams and missiles from their ships thundered past them overhead, and their confidence was restored somewhat. Most of them shouldered their beam spray guns in favor of their machine guns; the Zakus would not be able to stand up to their projectile fire, and the machine gun was slightly more convenient, with a larger clip that could be refilled without a trip back to a friendly ship.
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Many of them had packed spare ammo, including Remington “Rem” Hace, who was waiting for the charge to begin in his GM II. The next iteration of the GM was slightly more powerful and a tad nimbler, but it was leagues more awesome, as far as REM was concerned. He was itching for the fight to begin, to remove without remorse every obstacle that stood in the way of achieving his goal: He wanted a piece of Zeon’s giant ship.
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Really, it didn’t seem like too much to ask. The ship was gigantic, and there was plenty of it to go round. He just wanted to do a little light remodeling of the ship in question: Take a few shots at it with his 305mm bazooka, maybe carve it up a bit with his beam sabers, all while subtracting a few Zakus from Zeon’s army. The GM II would be able to blend in with the main Federation force rather well, and Rem was confident that he could remedy the shortcomings in his machine and his plan with his own piloting skill. He would remind Zeon that you didn’t need a particularly awesome machine to take the fight to your enemy!
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Beside him, Cassandra Elaine Beckett was also psyching herself up in the face of apparently-poor odds. Her Guncannon MPT was also clutching a 90mm machine gun to supplement the firepower of the suit’s twin 240mm shoulder-mounted cannons. She would need it to keep the Zakus off her back, and her suit in the game. Her primary weapons wouldn’t be useless against the sea of Zakus before her, but when there were that many enemies, it almost never hurt to carry more guns – especially when her suit didn’t need to carry its primary weapons anyway.
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She wondered how many women there were, out there piloting or doing something similarly awesome. She was one of the only women in the EFSF, and she hadn’t met another like her, with good looks, good piloting skills, and a good chance of surviving the war. Sure, there were a lot of hot mechanics in the Earth Federation forces, for some reason, but there just weren’t as many pilots. She counted herself lucky to have risen so high in the military hierarchy. It wasn’t often that a woman like her got the chance to display her skill in an arena like this. She tightened the straps on her cockpit chair, and joined her comrades in the charge.
<br><br>
Lutz Leon wasn’t far behind in his Powered GM. The highly-mobile suit was one of the first to strike the wave of Zaku IIs, and he drew his beam saber to jump right into melee range. It was difficult maneuvering through the hail of bullets from the Zakus’ machine guns, but he figured that as long as he was close enough to stab, hack and slash, the enemies would be too afraid of hitting their own to fire at him.
<br><br>
He jumped straight into his first Zaku II, kicking it in the cockpit to jar the pilot inside, before cutting the cockpit out of the suit like the center of donut. He held the suit in front of him as he pressed further into the cloud, grabbing another Zaku by the neck as he pressed on. The captured Zaku struggled, its pilot unfamiliar with space combat, and unsure as to what the best way to escape a GM that had grabbed it would be.
<br><br>
Fortunately, he did not have long to decide, as another beam saber thrust stole the ability to decide from him. The pilot was vaporized almost instantly as the cockpit slagged, and Lutz kept his beam saber stuck through the hole in the suit, twisting it in almost to the hilt. He now had two Zakus impaled on his beam sabers, and he held them to either side like shields. His maneuverability and speed suffered, but the heavy machine gun rounds thudding into the Zakus thick masses did not touch him. He moved to the next group of Zakus, a battle-fired gleam in his eyes. This was going to be fun.
<br><br>
<center><font color="3300FF" size=4><b>~</b></font></center>
<br>
Haifa Hahnemuele and Caleb DeGrau maintained radio silence as they made their way below the mess of GMs and Zakus toward the Federation fleet. A few of the ships had already noticed them, and it was hard work dodging that much AA fire. The rest of the ships were too busy tossing missiles and beams at their Dolos, which dominated Zeon’s side of the battlefield. It was turned to present most of its guns to the Federation fleet, to ensure it did the maximum amount of damage. Unfortunately, this also meant that it was almost unmissable as a target.
<br><br>
Scores of missiles and beams thundered into the ship’s thick hull, and Haifa grimaced, thinking of how much damage was being caused. The tough ship was holding together though, and it appeared that the steady stream of Zakus had finally slowed to a trickle, as the last few mobile suits made their way out of the gigantic ship via its 7 catapults. Many of the ship’s guns still thundered into the Federation fleet, hitting several of the enemy’s Salamis. They weren’t enough to sink the ships, though – not on their own – and the Federation ships would eventually win the shootout, despite the ship’s unbelievably thick armor, and its many guns.
<br><br>
The space battle didn’t seem to be going overly well either, despite their numbers advantage. As she’d suspected, the green pilots and green Zaku II Fs were getting eaten alive by the Federation GMs. Sure, the Zeon troops had made some progress, but with the support of the Federation ships, the cloud of GMs was slowly advancing.
<br><br>
The Musai and Chivvay class vessels that were behind the Dolos were faring a little better. Out of the direct line of fire of the Federation ships, they were able to use their ordnance a little more tactically, and the Federation ships were paying for it. The cloud of ships weaved around each other, trying to evade the beam fire from the two Zeon ships, but there were just too many targets for Zeon’s gunners not to hit something. A few of the ships had sustained minor damage already, and the battle had hardly started yet. The Musai and Chivvay, however, were in pristine shape.
<br><br>
<i>Time to try evening the score.</i> Caleb thought grimly, as the Bigro in front of him tore into one of the Publics with its megaparticle cannon, twisting away from the anti-aircraft fire as it neared its next target. The explosion of the Public had drawn some attention, however. A GM Command was waiting for it at the next ship, nimbly dodging the fire from the Bigro’s megaparticle cannon, before pumping it full of beam rounds. This time, it was the Bigro that was on the receiving end of the explosion.
<br><br>
Caleb sent his Gelgoog Cannon bursting through the explosion, heading for the fleets’ flagships in the back. He wanted to bag a prize worth bragging about, and the Magellans would fit the bill perfectly. He kept the GM Command at bay with his two beam machineguns, knocking one of its legs out from under it, as he careened through the AA fire from one of the Salamises. Another GM Command started to give chase, and again, the pink beams flew his beam machine guns. The GM Command with the missing leg had settled into a support role, and it hounded him with beam fire from long-range, ducking out from behind ships and broken mobile suits to take potshots at him, while its companion took a more active role.
<br><br>
He didn’t have time for this. He thrust ahead, the GM Commands hot on his heels. The Gelgoog handled smooth as melted butter, and he plotted a course through the battlefield that he estimated would take him within firing range of one of the large battleships. The AA guns of the Salamises sent round after round at him, but Caleb DeGrau would not be stopped. This time, he was going to attain his goal. This time, there’d be a notch in his belt.
<br><br>
It would just be a smaller notch than he’d planned on. A squad of GMs, held back from the fight in reserve, swooped in front of him, blocking his path. The beam machine guns flashed, and two of the suits were disabled, but his forward progress had been halted. He was a better pilot than any of his Federation counterparts, and the Gelgoog a far better machine. It hurt that he would have to fall back to deal with 6 mobile suits.
<br><br>
But Caleb was not going to let his push go unrewarded. One of the Salamises was rather close to him, and the beam cannon shuddered as it unloaded the massive amount of energy into the Salamis’ hull. For a brief moment, Caleb could see through the hole to the other side of the ship, where the beam had bored halfway into another Public, and then the rapid decompression of the ship created a large explosion.
<br><br>
Caleb was ready for the explosion, but his Federation opponents were not. Whether blinded, distracted, or simply because they weren’t as good as he was, they were left vulnerable for an instant. Another two of them fell victim to his beam machine guns, adding to the debris that already littered the region.
<br><br>
<i>Gotcha!</i> One of the GM Command pilots roared, slashing toward the Gelgoog with a beam saber.
<br><br>
<i>Gotcha!</i> Haifa Hahnemeule smirked, sending the GM Command spinning with a well-aimed grenade, leaving its favored sword arm hanging useless at its side. Caleb turned to the source of the explosion, and another volley from his beam machine guns took care of the the would-be Federation hero.
<br><br>
“Thanks, Haifa.” He wasn’t sure how he knew her name – musta picked it up from somewhere. Maybe the listing of the GM Command on their assets list had caught his eye. There really wasn’t time to think about it now, as the remaining Federation warships were moving to concentrate their AA fire on the two Zeon aces. The other Bigro had already been obliterated in the thick rain of death from the Federation ships, and they moved quickly out of the hornet’s nest of ships to avoid the same fate.
<br><br>
<center><font color="3300FF" size=4><b>~</b></font></center>
<br>
“Where the hell are my panzergrenadiers?! Raven Tarasova cursed. She had gotten behind enemy lines with the help of Hans and they were both ready to complete their operation, but they had to wait for the support from Zeon’s elite infantry. The job would be much more difficult without them. Die Spinne would not be pleased.
<br><br>
“I do not know. If I were them, I’d be ashamed to keep a beautiful woman like yourself waiting.” Zeon’s smoothest, best-looking, most awesome spy was always calm, always ready to make a witty comment in combat, and always kept his eyes open for opportunities to hit on sexy ladies. It was part of his charm. The fact that some of the men here, unfamiliar with his exploits on Earth, had taken to calling him Chan’s Bond, bothered him only a little, if at all. After all, a rose by any other name…
<br><br>
“Shut up,” Raven interjected. “I am going to kill every man who survives this mission with my bare hands.” It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy Hans’ company; she just took serving Zeon a bit more seriously, it seemed. “Anyway, keep your eyes open.”
<br><br>
Of course, Ms. Tarasova,” Bond smiled, splitting his focus between Raven’s luscious curves and the battlefield around them.
<br><br>
<center><font color="3300FF" size=4><b>~</b></font></center>
<br>
“We have to pull back! We can’t take much more of this!” The voice of the Dolos’ captain rang out across the Zeon frequency – at least, to those who were close enough to hear anything but a crackle. The Minovsky particle interference was worse than awful. The Musai and the Chivvay had come under fire recently, as the Federation forces advanced. Both sides had taken heavy mobile suit losses, but Zeon had taken the worst of it, by far. There were simply too many Federation ships.
<br><br>
The Dolos had begun to retreat when Rem finally neared it. The Zakus were too busy shooting everything that shot back to notice him streaking wide of the main fight. The Chivvay had done its best to keep him away with concentrated AA fire, but he’d been far enough away from it to make dodging fairly simple.
<br><br>
The 305mm bazooka felt heavy in his hands as he raised it to threaten the dying ship. He aimed at its middle, to be sure he wouldn’t miss, and fired. The 305mm round hit the ship dead-center, along with another volley of missiles and megaparticle fire from the Salamises and Magellans behind him. He shot above their line of fire, narrowly avoiding the pink beams, watching as the Dolos slowly split into two pieces. Atmosphere vented from several spreading cracks in the ship, and parts of it were crumpling a little like a tin can. The amount of air inside the thing was considerable.
<br><br>
He barely got clear of the explosion, and had to turn to dodge pieces of shrapnel that shot his way. The monstrous ship was no more, and he had helped to bring it down. He retreated past a squad of Zakus who were staring, stunned, at the space that the massive ship had once occupied. He joined the diminished lines of GMs as they continued to advanced, pushing the Zeeks closer to the center of A Baoa Qu.
<br><br>
<center><font color="3300FF" size=4><b>~</b></font></center>
<br>
Creed stared back at the Solar System. It was in position, and should be firing soon. He wondered what it felt like, to press the button that fired the damn thing – to have the power to make your enemies melt before you, literally. For now, he’d have to content himself with driving the Zeeks further towards A Baoa Qu. The more ground they gave, the less room they had to run, and the more damage the Solar System could do. It was a goal worth fighting for, even if it did mean they’d be one step closer to the end of the war.
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Post by Ketara on Sept 10, 2010 0:02:28 GMT -5
W FIELD<center><font color="3300FF" size=4><b>PROLOGUE</b></font></center> <p> Sharp boot heels approach the great Degwin Sodo Zabi from behind, their sharp staccato bouncing around the lavishly decorated grand hall of the Zabi Castle like freakish vampire bats. His face is creased in displeasure as he looks over a display an advisor had handed him, and each impending footfall makes the Zeon leader even more displeased. His displeasure came to a climax as his eldest son, Gihren, appeared at his left like a specter, his eyes illuminating just how far he had fallen. What sort of pact he had signed, and with who, eluded the elder Zabi, but it was certain that it was not of this earth. Devils ought not to meddle in the affairs of man, thought Degwin, trying to pull himself out of his son's sinister Medusa gaze and back on the matter at hand. <p> Gihren saluted his father in parade-like fashion and bowed, taking the extra effort to kowtow to his ailing forbearer before something, or <i>someone</i>, put an end to his unfashionable reign. He spied the source of his father's apparent crestfallen attitude. <p> “The Solar Ray is complete, father.” The words are oily, brackish. A thin smile edged its way onto his slim face and cuts it like butter. It doesn't fit him. It made his father uncomfortable. <p> “Yes, so I've heard,” he audibly sighed. “But at what cost, Gihren? We have displaced 20 million of our countrymen, squandered countless fortunes, worked--” <p> “We have ensured victory, father!” Gihren interrupted, his arm flung high in his signature propagandist pose. He continued, as if such magics worked on the man who had mastered many of them. “The Federation won't dare to oppose us now that we have the ultimate trump card. Zeon will finally have its glory!” <p> Absolute horror crossed the elder Zabi's expression, nearly paralyzing him. “To even talk of using such a device is madness, Gihren. You sound like Hitler, completely lost in his own legacy—ignorant of his own actions, as well as their consequences.” <p> The paper-thing smirk sharpened still. “I could only hope to live up to such a admirable visionary.” <p> Gihren turned sharply towards the exit, his cape unfolding behind him like a dragon's tongue. “I thank you for the compliment, father, but I have important matters to attend to.” He leaves the elder frozen in his throne, listening to the malevolent syncopation of his footsteps. <br><br> <center><font color="3300FF" size=4><b>~</b></font></center> <br> <b>FEDERATION/ZEON RENDEZVOUS, FIELD W</b> <p> The enormous hulk known as the <i>Birmingham</i> ferried itself closer to <i>The Great Degwin</i>. Never before had two enemy vessels of such immense size been in such proximity without aft guns blazing, and men dying. Each vessel was of vastly differing designs, showing just how much man had diverged from his original, Earth-bound roots. It was as if an alien race had wandered into our insignificant little solar system and decided to make contact just outside Zeon space, at this specific hour. Both parties were treating it almost as such, eager to make contact, but wary of one another's motives. Who knew what was lurking behind the supposed banner of peace, deep within the lumbering war machines whose sole construct was destruction. Though talk was all that either desired, each side's armada still kept the other in its cross hairs. <p> Degwin had sent his top aces back to A Bao A Qu so as to save them the humiliation of being the first to be disarmed. Shin Matsunaga looked back with <i>real</i> shame as the glorious flagship slowly vanished out of sight, his duty as Side 3's protector now diminished. What was Side 3 than little more than a bunch of floating pieces of metal and carbon spinning in infinity? The real heart, the real soul he dedicated his life to protecting was back on that ship, and he was abandoning him to his fate. He an several others handpicked, roared back to Gihren Zabi. He'd never forgive himself. <p> Aboard the <i>Birmingham<i/>, the garishly dressed Revil sat behind an old plank and steel table deep within the vessel, arms crossed, but patient. Though he bore the title “the old man of the Federation,” he was still ripe with life. His trademark dishevelment did not make him out to be the grumpy old man he should be, but rather, a man more concerned with practical matters than trivialities. He dressed as though he'd just been sprung out of Zeon prison and didn't have time to change. At least, that's what his staff thought when the old man was out of the room. If Blex had been present at such gathering, he'd have something a little more pointed to gossip about. <p> The opposite door to the room opened and in walked an entourage of flamboyantly dressed Zeon officers. He counted two generals, three colonels, five majors, and a handful of unmarked, black-clad bodyguards who undoubtedly Gihren Zabis' renown Schutzstaffel. They filtered in like a stream, Zabi at the front, barely able to stand under his immense girth and age, officers on his rear. Suddenly the room didn't feel big enough. <p> Revil stood and bade his staff to do likewise. For a moment the two opposing parties merely stared one another down, clearly unwilling to make the first move, fearing what it might mean. Revil, the tactician he was, knew in order for things to go smoothly, Zeon needed to retain some of its dignity. That meant not being pushed into formal surrender. And a room full of secessionist-happy Federal bureaucrats would quickly eliminate at chance at a quick and painless proceeding. Luckily Revil was there to keep them at arm's reach, otherwise Zeon would feel cornered and forced to continue the conflict. There would be no end to the bloodshed if something wasn't made of all this, today. Either that, or a lot of young men would die. <p> <i>Old men talking, young men dying,<i> the old cliché went, Revil thought. <p> On the other hand, he knew they were unwilling to admit defeat. Who wouldn't? A full year of fighting, more than half the human race gone. It was hard to walk away from, especially when the initial objective of freedom had not been realized. <p> One of the Zeon generals began to step forward, but Degwin waved him off. “This war has cost me much, gentlemen. As much, I am sure, as it's cost every single sentient in this Earth sphere. We cannot go on like this—Zeon cannot go on like this. As it stands, we have no choice. Either way we will find ourselves back at this table. There must be an end to the bloodshed, and the Republic of Zeon is willing to negotiate the terms of our surrender.” <br><br> <center><font color="3300FF" size=4><b>~</b></font></center> <br> Gihren stood at the command and control center of A Boa A Qu, the quiet bustlng of preparation before him, yet he was almost certain he'd heard wrong despite his underling's carefulness. <p> “What did you say?” <p> “Mein Fuhrer, <i>The Great Degwin</i> has moved into the Federation battlegroup and is currently docked with the flagship.” <p> Gihren considered, but then didn't. It had taken him less than a second. “Prepare to fire the Solar Ray! Mark coordinates on the Federation battle group in sector W as originally planned!” <p> A sneer instead of a smile contorted his hircine features. So their glorious leader had betrayed them to the Federation, attempted to broker a deal behind their backs on the eve of this auspicious occasion. He had suspected his father's cowardice some time ago, but he'd played the obedient son and passed it off as mere paternal concern. He had no idea he'd turn on them all. What saddened him most, if anything made him sad anymore, was that his father had such little faith in him. <p> “You may fire when ready.” <p> A technician, hardly in any position to speak at such juncture, chimed in. “The Solar Ray has yet to reach peak readings. If we fire now, we may forfeit any chance to fire it again! We're simply not ready!” <p> Gihren ignored him and repeated his orders. “You may fire when ready.” <br><br> <center><font color="3300FF" size=4><b>~</b></font></center> <br> The talks had ended with unanimous agreement. The war would end, and a peace treaty would be signed by both parties. Zeon would relinquish the use of its ships, and the Federation would see to the disarmament of its military. It was all going to end. <p> <i>...3...</i> <p> Revil extended his hand. Each member of the Zeon delegation looked on with a sort of tired resignation, unable to voice the protest quelling in their hearts. Degwin appeared to be feeling that two-fold. He lifted a sagging hand, reluctance making it quake as it closed on the other man's. <p> <i>...2...</i> <p> The Federation delegation looked on, their tongues nearly hanging out of their mouths in anticipation as the deal progressed as though it were underwater. Revil's face was a complete mask of calm, as if the end of a war was inconsequential. Retirement was just over the bend. <p> <i>...1...</i> <br><br> <center><font color="3300FF" size=4><b>~</b></font></center> <br> Aboard the <i>White Base</i>, Amuro Ray suddenly perks to life from his incongruous spot by Sayla. He'd been looking out at the formations, Gundam, for once, far from his mind. A teenager during wartime had a lot on his mind, but girls were always at the forefront. But this sudden shock had sent him into an irrational burst of emotion that startled everyone on the bridge. <p> “Mr. Bright, Sayla, Frau—a lot of people are going to die. You need to warn General Revil. You need to contact him. People are going to die!” He rushed up to Mr. Bright, who had been making notes on placement before Amuro had started belching obscenities, and grabbed both of his cuffs. “Mr. Bright, please! Please. Call Revil. Call...” <p> Bright brushed him off and took several welcoming steps back. “Impossible. The General is in a very important meeting, he cannot be disturbed.” <p> “You must--” Amuro broke in. <p> “All communications have been severed due to the sensitivity of the meeting.” Bright started inquiring into the outburst, but Amuro moved away quickly, back to the window. <p> “No. This can't happen.” <p> Elsewhere in the Federation armada, Marion begins a loud, garbled screech, filling the Blue Destiny, as well as all neighboring communications, with a mind-shattering static. The only words that can be made out are “people” and “death.” No one knows how to console her, and all they can do is put on ear protection and let it tire itself out. <p> Similar events happen in the Zeon fleet. Zeon newtypes, Florian Cuyler and Persephone Dawn, receive matching visions of destruction and wide-spread death. Neither of them can stand the pressure amassing in their skulls, and they yell out to the surprise of their companions. <br><br> <center><font color="3300FF" size=4><b>~</b></font></center> <br> <i>...fire...</i> A light born from the energies of mad science and human ingenuity collected at the business end of the colony previously known as Mahal and formed a ball-point of solar-infused light. After a split second, the ball burst and streamed tens of thousands of kilometers from the base of A Bao A Qu, to meet Revil's <i>Birmingham</i> and countless other ships unlucky enough to be her escorts, were caught in the maelstrom. The explosion was immense, covering several kilometers in diameter, and enveloping every particle it encountered. Space was illuminated in that one glorious instance, its void revisiting energies unheard of since the Federation's Solar System—since the formation of <i>the</i> solar system by way of super nova. The light is blinding, and for an instance, all sides believe themselves dead. <p> But instead of standing in line at the heavenly gates, those with the best view saw only shimmering hulks of burnt out carapaces, formerly immense machines of death. <p> Revil, Degwin Zabi, more than half the Federation fleet in that sector, as well as <i>The Great Degwin</i> and all her souls, were reduced to fluttering space particles. Nothing remained those caught in the initial burst. Thousands of men and women lost their lives in the time it took to flip a switch. Peace was now farther away than ever. <p> Yoritomo Naizen was slowly regaining his eyesight aboard the bridge of the Jotunheim. He and several other crewers had been thrown from their feet. They were one of the only Duchy vessels still standing in the sector, all others completely annihilated. He watched on in horror as the aft section of the <i>The Great Degwin</i>, a semicircle where the rest of the ship once was, floated heedlessly in a outward course, as if propelled by some great force that defied all logic. He could not find the words to scream. <p> Elsewhere on the remnants of the Federation flotilla, Vann Kashky watched in similar horror as he awoke within his Gundam, far from the mother ship he last knew himself to be stationed on previous. He felt disoriented, alone. He felt as though the world had been turned completely on its end. <br><br> <center><font color="3300FF" size=4><b>~</b></font></center> <br> In the aftermath, chaos ensued. Frantic ships, on fire, flew in every three dimensional position, ramming into one another. Radios exploded in incomprehensible jabber—some human, the others the final death throes of the Federation vessels as they imploded. Mobile suits and Balls slid off jury rigged mounts and plummeted like falling stars back towards the moon. <p> Blex looked on at the mess with grim satisfaction. This is what happened when you trusted a fascist, he thought. Now with all obstacles out of his way, he'd begin his---His moment of reverie broke as he saw a neighboring Columbus begin to veer off course towards the <i>Manticore</i>. He barked out orders to correct. After the crisis was averted, he straightened his cap and issued supplementary executive orders, taking complete control of the Federal Forces Fleet. Though he doubted many of the vessels were receiving, or even understood, he needed for the record to read that he immediately took charge after the tragic fall of the late General Revil. <p> There would be no more talk, no more attempts at peace. The battle of A Bao A QU was about to begin.
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Post by Ketara on Sept 10, 2010 0:01:55 GMT -5
I'm going to splice them together after everything is done, but for now you can read them seperate!
N Field and Reserve
Two Pegasus class ships, side by side. White Base and Orange Base had been ordered to the front of the forces at N field, the vanguard of the Federations assault. Reed and the Luna II defense fleet floated on behind them, Reed immensly happy that the crew of refugees and greenhorns he'd helped to orbit turned out to be some of the Federations most powerful aces. The fighting power of this field was lower than W or E fields in numbers, but in quality of its soldiers, N field was king of the hill.
While Amuro and the rest of the White Base crew prepared for the engagement, the Prince of Orange and his men did the same. The quirkiness of the Beam Team and Thorvald and the rest were not lost on their newest addition, who floated about the halls, his persona hidden behind a gaudy mask.
Breakfister Turbulance had been assigned to the Orange Base, which was in need of pilots matching Aurem, Slater and Thorvalds skill level, but he found nothing but jealousy on board. They were all piloting Gundams. Each and every one of them. Turbulance grumbled as he made his way to the hangar, looking at the EZ-8, the Heavy Gundam and the Blue Destiny. Orange Base was like a mobile testing facility, and Turbulance was still piloting a GM Command. Even it, a high performance model for ace pilots, paled in comparison to the Gundams.
Breakfister was unable to put up his usual persona, smothering others in his ego and manly spirit. Instead he simply prepared for battle, muttering to himself.
Also muttering was one Thorvald Siggurdson, who floated through the hangar bay, Victoria on his arm. They were so close already, after only a short while together. If Marion had a jealous bone in her spiritual body she may have tried to split them apart, but she felt nothing but happiness for Thorvald. Although he couldn't feel the same way.
A grim realization had dawned on them both. Marion was the only survivor of a failed project, and had been deemed uncontrollable by the military. The only reason the Blue Destiny hadn't been dismantled already was because of Thorvald, and because of his incredible record of successes in the unit. When the war was over, and it would surely be over soon, Marions un-life as she knew it would end. She and Thorvald had only talked about it once, while Thorvald was drunk no less, but since then they were both thinking the same thing. This would probably be their last real time together, regardless of what happened in the battle.
Aurem was moping, as had become usual since he'd left Arietas side. Kyle and the rest of the Beam Team looked tired of war, and sat together, wishing that it would all be over soon. Everybody wanted to get back to Earth, and to their families.
Aboard the bridge, Nigel was a little confused, but understood things for the most part. The orange Gray Phantom class ship was normally the goofiest, liveliest ship in the fleet, but the horrors of war had finally caught up with them. They had all been sobered by endless combat, for whatever reason. The Prince of Orange looked on at the fortress ahead, letting out a sigh. It seemed like only yesterday he was hiding in the back of a Medea, playing with monkeys and failing to take tiny Zeon mines. Now he was at the head of a gigantic fleet, with admirals and newtype prodigies looking to him for guidance.
They had come a long way, and the final stretch was there before them, its guardians glaring with teeth bared, like dogs at the very gates of hell.
~
"We've spotted both White Base and Orange Base in this sector, we assume the main offensive will come from this side." Delaz said, the lights from the Gwazines bridge blinking off his shiny bald head. He was one of the most noble supporters of the Zabi cause, a man of ethics and morals, protecting those with none.
"We were thinking it would be. The Cajun has been more than helpful." Banks said, the communication was barely discernable, even though his mobile suit was less than a kilometer from Delaz's ship.
"I'll tell Wu and the ZEF to redeploy." Richard added. Veronica and the rest of them had decided to hold in reserve, in case there were any undue surprises. Banks and Florian had gone on ahead with the Delaz fleet, which stood resolutely in the way of the Federations advance. The Perfect Zeong and Gelgoog Marine commander looked a funny pair, hidden behind the mass of Delaz's warships. The giant newtype mobile weapon looked like an ogre, barely reigned in by the small Gelgoog beside it. Richard told himself that he would make sure Florian made it out of this battle alive. Emil had been too young to die, and he would not let Florian go as well.
Florian, as had been his norm the past few weeks, had mixed feelings about most everything. He was stll fighting, and he still felt an intense loyalty for Banks, but his newfound independence was slowly getting to him. He wondered what would happen when the war was over. Would he be put back in a white cell on Granada? He sure hoped not.
The two sides slowly floated towards each other, stopping only briefly when an intense flash of light crossed their paths, the Solar Ray firing on the Federal fleet in W Field all the way from the safety of Side 3. They would not find out until much later that Degwin and Revil had both been killed in the blast.
~
Meanwhile, in the bowels of A Bao A Qu, the devilish flash of light went by huge glass panels, brightening the void outside the mobile suit hangar. Char Aznable had been called here by Kycillia, the two having just arrived ahead of the Earth Federation.
"It doesn't look finished." Char said, looking at the legless Zeong. He'd heard about these mobile suits before, designed specifically for newtype pilots. He'd had a small number of training hours on the Elmeth, but mostly just to slate his own curiosity.
"It is 80% complete. The legs are merely cosmetic after all." Kycillia said. She was unable to finalize her plans to have a complete platoon of newtype soldiers, mostly due to the exorbitant costs of mobile weapons like the Zeong and Elmeth. But she felt that just giving this Zeong to Char would win them the battle, and the war.
"But will it defeat the Gundam?" Char said, more to himself than anyone else.
Elsewhere in the hangar, and angry Redan Hsuodrak was watching tech crews fail miserably at refitting his Gyan. He had ordered the cannon refit done by the time the battle started, and when the Mechanics told him that was impossible, he simply thought they were lazy.
"What do you mean three more hours?!" He yelled, looking at the half dismembered machine.
"It should take six, but I think we can get it done in three. If you want us to change it back to the standard config it'll be 15 minutes." The chief mechanic said. This Gyan Cannon idea was turning very bad, very fast.
"Alright fine, change it back to the standard. I'm needed out there now!" Redan mumbled. He didn't know how far he would get blaming the mechanics after this was over.
Just outside the fortress, Veronica Wu and the ZEF recieved a signal from Richard Banks that the main push was to come at N field. Veronica ordered her fleet to advance towards the north, the Cajun watching her go about her business.
"I thought you wanted to end this war, madam." He said, oozing an aura of aristocracy that even Veronica could not ignore.
"Of course, but we have to get out of here first. I cannot abandon my duty, at least not yet." Veronica said. The two had come to an agreement that the war had lasted too long, and at this point more death was simply unwarranted. Unfortunately, Kycillia, and especially Ghiren did not agree.
"Ahh, right you are, right you are." Lavache answered, not the least bit uncomfortable on the Wraths bridge.
~
The opening shots at N Field were light, Reed groups missiles exchanging fire with that of the Delaz fleet. Delaz and his forces were already withdrawing, unwilling to engage in a head on battle before the ZEF came and offered its support. Warheads streaked into each other, flak barrages providing cover for mobile suits which slowly but surely launched towards each other, one by one and two by two. At the head of the line were the aces of the Orange and White Bases, a quartet of Gundams heading the charge.
Minovsky particle density was too thick to speak, but these aces were so sure of themselves, that teamwork was but an afterthought, the two groups working seamlessly with each other. Marion and Amuro felt each other dashing forwards, slicing through the Zakus in the front line and quickly breaking into the thick of Delaz's forces. Kyle and the rest of the Beam Team engaged a group of Zeonic MS, while Aurem in the slower Heavy Gundam provided fire support. Breakfister, Hayato, Kai and Job John mopped up the remainder, the group easily busting through all opposition.
Anaval Gato saw the group of Federal aces moving towards Delaz and the rest of the fleet, and moved quickly to respond, his Dom Funf as fast as even the Federal Gundams. However, he was stopped by a shot from a beam rifle, turning to see a GM Sniper II heading for him. Yazan Gable and the rest of Reeds GMs were hot on the Pegasus class ships heels, ready to pound hard into the Zeonic lines. Delaz launched a pair of bazooka shells towards Yazan, the crazed fighter ace dodging both and responding with his own fire. The two were evenly matched, quickly circling each other and starting a most deadly dogfight.
Kyle, Breakfister, Amuro and Thorvald were just about to make it to the Zeonic Musais when a pair of monstrous mobile suits, if you could call them merely mobile suits, rushed towards them, a lone Gelgoog following suit. Amuro and Char quickly recognized each other, the two blasting off to the side of the battlefield and launching death at each other with beam rifles and MPCs. Florian and Richard were less identifiable, but the Perfect Zeong packed a bit more reactor power than its legless cousin, and thirteen streams of mega particles forced Slater and Siggurdson to pay attention. The two Gundams dodged the blasts, Richard Banks moving straight for Breakfister and nearly destroying the GM Command with his first shot. Kai and Hayato responded, their cannons forcing Banks back and giving the masked GM pilot some breathing room.
The battle had begun in earnest, and although the Federation held a considerable advantage, it was clear that they would not be able to break the back of the Delaz fleet before Veronica and the ZEF arrived.
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