|
|
Post by gaplant on Nov 15, 2009 19:28:04 GMT -5
Ando Shoji has devoted his life to the destruction of the Earth Federation. However, the recent failure of the Malta assault has led many in the Zeon Military Forces to question not only his effectiveness as a leader, but also his combat ability and even his sanity. As he traverses the open plain towards his new mission, even Shoji himself has to wonder: is he heading towards certain victory, or another devastating defeat? Can he grasp the destiny of the legendary hero? Find out now, on COURAGEOUS ZAKU FIGHTER SHO!
Come on, Zaku!
Ando Shoji urged his mobile suit on as it sprinted through the African Savannah. Its pace was violent, each colossal step sending a resounding "BOOM" throughout the surrounding grasslands. A large group of gazelle was noted by the Zaku's mono-eye several miles away, having been spooked by its approach earlier and scrambling to flee. Further ahead of them, bits and pieces of lithe feline forms slipped behind an outcropping of rocks, and Shoji smiled.
"Stupid beasts! If you don't have to courage to face death head-on, you only rush to your doom!"
The spectacular African sun hung high overhead, and Shoji's eyes mirrored its blaze. His eyes remained glued to the cockpit monitor as several sub-windows appeared with information about the upcoming mission. Specifically, Shoji absorbed the personnel files of Rhett Paruta and Marko Dresner. The latter had fought with Ando at the Battle of Malta, and the former had saved Shoji's life after an equally disastrous attack on an unidentified Federation mobile suit in East Asia.
Damn it...
Vigorously shaking his head to focus himself, Shoji checked his location. He was almost at the rendezvous point, and he couldn't afford to be distracted by such irrelevant things as the past. The upcoming battles were too important - once there were no more enemies to fight, then he could worry about what could have been or what might have been. As his Zaku charged onward, he screamed.
"Come on, Zaku!"
|
|
Draco
Rogue 
Anaheim Electronics Employee
Anaheim Hitman
Posts: 1,240
|
Post by Draco on Nov 15, 2009 20:19:28 GMT -5
"I am sooooooo glad to be out of that desert!" Cora Posada said again as the "Hot Lightning" team flew over the savannah.
The two Mobile Suits and their Dodais, having finished their mission in North Africa, were now being deployed to the southern, most hospitable half of the African continent to accompany Ando Shoji on a mission in the area. Rhett Paruta, recently promoted to Sergeant for his role in the defense of the region and the destruction of half of the 42nd Brigade's ships, was all too glad to get out of there. Rumors had begun flying about him being another Roy Greenwood or Ramba Ral. Rhett shook his head at the thought; Dino might have wallowed in the quasi-fame the 25th Aerial Team had gained from the destruction of the Benedictus, but Rhett wasn't about to let his promotion go to his head.
"I'll do something truly great before I accept any hero-worship," he thought to himself. "Instead of just doing my job."
The flight was relatively smooth with none of the strong winds in North Africa reaching this region and there was a mostly-unbroken silence until radar began picking something up on the ground.
"A single mobile suit, sir," Cora reported.
"Any idea what kind it is?" Rhett asked.
"I can only tell what color it is until we get closer," Cora answered. "It's bright red...almost pink."
"It's most likely an officer's Zaku," Dino Kofutua injected.
"Yeah," Rhett agreed, then thought to himself. "Only an officer would be piloting an eyesore like that."
As they approached, their suspicions were confirmed: a commander-type Zaku II.
"This is the 25th Aerial MS Attack Team," Rhett called to the Zaku. "Please identify yourself."
|
|
|
|
Post by gaplant on Nov 15, 2009 20:27:56 GMT -5
Shoji's cockpit came alive with Paruta's voice. He recognized the identity of his ally, and grinned. Seconds later, his Zaku simultaneously slid to a stop and drew its heat hawk, pointing the bladed weapon towards the sky as if accepting a divine mandate. The mobile suit's cockpit flew open, revealing Shoji to be staring at the approaching pilots. His arms crossed, as he shouted a greeting.
"Who the hell do you think I am, Sergeant Paruta?!
|
|
Draco
Rogue
Anaheim Electronics Employee
Anaheim Hitman
Posts: 1,240
|
Post by Draco on Nov 15, 2009 20:34:22 GMT -5
"With all due respect, sir," Rhett answered with a grin. "I think you're a damn fool."
Rhett sent a quick message to Cora to perform a barrel roll. His Zaku shuddered lightly and the world seemed to spin around him as the Dodai tipped the Zaku off of its back. Having had much time and incentive to practice this maneuver, Rhett quickly righted his Zaku and landed it on its feet. As the Zaku rose, its cockpit opened and Rhett stepped into the sun. It might be as windy and dusty, he reflected, but it was just as hot.
"I'm glad to see you haven't gotten yourself killed without me watching your back," Rhett joked. "Still thinking with your Heat Hawk or did you learn something from me and borrow a rifle?"
|
|
|
|
Post by gaplant on Nov 15, 2009 20:47:41 GMT -5
Shoji scoffed at the thought, and clenched his fist.
"A weapon is just a tool for a fighting spirit, Sergeant Paruta. It doesn't matter what tool I use, as long as I use it to fight the enemy."
The young Zeon pilot turned his gaze to the grassy Savannah, as he spoke once more to Rhett Paruta.
"Have you heard anything from second lieutenant Dresner?"
|
|
Draco
Rogue
Anaheim Electronics Employee
Anaheim Hitman
Posts: 1,240
|
Post by Draco on Nov 15, 2009 20:58:38 GMT -5
"Can't say I have," Rhett replied with a shrug.
He grabbed a datapad with the orders he received and browsed through. They only mentioned meeting up with Ando Shoji. Nothing about another Lieutenant.
"They didn't promote me that high. They still only tell me to jump, not who's jumping with me."
|
|
|
|
Post by gaplant on Nov 15, 2009 21:10:35 GMT -5
"I see..."
Shoji wasn't surprised. He hadn't had much contact with Dresner since the Malta attack, but Ando still believed that the other officer would make it to the battlefield in time.
Turning back to Paruta, Shoji studied the newly-promoted soldier. Rhett had participated in the destruction of a Federation officer's suit in East Asia, and it was primarily due to the efforts of Paruta and Alain Grace (a test pilot) that the recent Federation incursion into North Africa was finally repulsed. His recent exploits had been admirable indeed, earning him a bit of fame and his name was no longer uncommon at officer tables across Africa. However, what was important to Shoji was that the pilot seemed to possess fighting spirit similar to his, which would make him a valuable ally both in the upcoming battle, and engagements beyond that.
More than I can say for the damned Schutzstaffel...
Restraining himself from gritting his teeth, Shoji motioned towards Sergeant's Paruta's companions.
"Are these your men?"
|
|
Draco
Rogue
Anaheim Electronics Employee
Anaheim Hitman
Posts: 1,240
|
Post by Draco on Nov 16, 2009 0:00:24 GMT -5
"Men and woman," Rhett corrected as he watched his team members land. "Private Cora Posada is my second in command, the stuffy short guy in the Gouf is Private Dino Kofutua, and my other Dodai pilot is..."
Rhett paused to think. He'd only met the pilot briefly before his team had returned to North Africa to destroy the Benedictus and he still had trouble remembering the pilot's name.
"Private K'dar Biqam," Rhett remembered. "He's...different."
|
|
|
|
Post by gaplant on Nov 16, 2009 2:18:31 GMT -5
Ando Shoji nodded, and analyzed Paruta's subordinates as they began to approach the pair. The second lieutenant wasn't very old himself, but as he watched the soldiers walk towards him he felt an unnerving sense of deja vu. They were so young...
Faces from Shoji's past suddenly flooded his mind, attempting to swallow him like an encroaching tidal wave. As waves of pain swelled and pounded against his psyche, he violently willed them to cease. They did, but not before the minor pain in his head caused a slight grimace to become visible on his face.
Attempting to disguise this event, he tried to redirect sergeant Paruta's back to the upcoming mission.
"So I guess you know why you're here?"
|
|
Draco
Rogue
Anaheim Electronics Employee
Anaheim Hitman
Posts: 1,240
|
Post by Draco on Nov 16, 2009 2:30:38 GMT -5
K'Dar saw the Lieutenant's grimace and ran off crying. Dino began laughing and Cora ran after the other Dodai piloting asking him to come back. Rhett sighed as he spoke.
"I'm sorry about that," Rhett apologized. "He's a little sensitive about having only one, large nostril."
Ignoring the commotion his pilots were causing, Rhett continued to talk.
"I've got a general idea," Rhett answered. "I have orders to rendezvous with you in two hours."
He grinned. "We're a little early. But anyway, while my orders mention you'll be briefing us on the details, I'm guessing it has something to do with a mine in the region."
|
|
