As the Sun Falls, Darkness Rises

"The paper work you requested fuhrer. Alvarez' report on Odessa and your brother." A young woman dressed in the Schutzstaffel officer's uniform entered the bridge just behind the captain's chair. She handed the Obersturmbannfuhrer a folder with the High Command's emblem across the front, and Operation Odessa written across the bottom. "It would seem that the ball was dropped."

The man sat quietly as he flipped through the report on the events that occurred at Odessa and the written dossier on Xavier. He paused as he came across the confirmation of Xavier's death. "It would seem that way, Vanessa, it would seem that way..."

She bowed her head in silence out of respect for the loss of his brother. They may have never gotten along, but he was a good soldier and had been a valued asset to their campaign on the ground. Sebastian let out a slight chuckle of amusement. "Xavier, what a fool."

He continued to read through the read out of Odessa's fall, shaking his head at the lack of organization and structure within the TAF's forces; It was a wonder Degwin still allowed that little brat of his, Garma to lead them.

Sebastian looked over the notable Federation soldier's that participated in the capture of Odessa, a few sticking out and striking his interest. In the end they were all worthless pieces of shit that needed to be smeared across the god forsaken rock they called home. "I guess, since little brother couldn't handle it, its time I step in."


"Hmm?" A few pictures fell into his lap as he began to close the folder; he had planned to finish browsing once planet side. The photos caught his interest as he held them in his hand.



"What do you make of these?" Sebastian asked aloud to Vanessa as he showed her the photos.

"Sir, it would appear to be the guerrilla federation pilots, known as the 08th, they piloted the mass production Gundam type suits. Rumor has it that Lady Aina had been rather fond of that one there." Vanessa pointed to the picture of the young pilot that had a blindfold across his eyes.

Sebastian rolled his eyes; Vanessa's knowledge was for the most part always of use, but there were moments that she seemed to deem it necessary to waste his time with pointless trivia. Intrigued by the pictures, he reopened the folder and found the information pertaining to the 08th MS Team and the alleged war crimes his brother had committed during the conflict in South East Asia.

"Well well well, would you look at this." A smile spread across his face as he read on.

"Almost makes me proud to call him my kin. A pair of Gundams huh?"

"Sir, control has informed me that we are preparing to enter the atmosphere. We will be arriving on the surface shortly." Vanessa interrupted his plotting.

"About damned time." He looked out at the blue planet in disgust; if he had his way, he'd burn everything across the face of the planet, leaving it nothing but a scared shadow of its former self.

There was no more denying it for the young captain as she wandered the hallways of the North African base; Command had confirmed Xavier's death at Odessa. Marina's mind was a mess as she tried to cope with the harsh reality that had been set upon her; nothing was going to ever be right.

"You were suppose to always be there..."

She had excused herself from her duties while they were docked at Alexandria, leaving the responsibilities to her second in command, Rezanova. Marina let out a long drawn out sigh as she turned a corner.

I didn't even get to say goodbye...

Her ears perked up as she heard a noise echo faintly throughout the corridor. She picked her head up and looked down the hallway to see a single door opened, with some luggage stacked outside it.

"Isn't that..."

Her eyes went from a sullen blue color, full of tears, to ice cold as she narrowed them at the woman that stepped out from the open door; it was that witch...

"Catalina..."

Marina marched her way down the hallway; it was her fault, she got Xavier killed.

"Why are you here Sebastian?" Catalina glared at the Schutzstaffel officer as he stared with a rather smug expression at the girl. Vanessa circled around to her other side, whispering in her ear.

"You think we wouldn't find out?" She grinned as she came to a stop next to her commander.

"I suggest you put your bags down, stay awhile, get comfortable." Sebastian motioned to the bag she had shouldered just moments ago, insisting she think again about leaving. He flashed an arrogant smile as he watched Catalina reluctantly place her bag back on the floor.

...Sebastian?

Marina stared at the rather large officer, towering over the three women as he confronted Catalina; She had never seen her so quiet and submissive.

"I- I... I was just on my way back to report to Lord Gihren." She stuttered as she avoided eye contact with the intimidating officer.

"Oh, I don't think so m'dear." He chuckled evilly as he handed her a set of papers. Her eyes began to tear up as she flipped through them. "Mein Fuhrer has granted my request to have you transferred under my command, Alvarez."

The Obersturmbannfuhrer took a step forward, craning his neck over her shoulder. His eyes met Marina's for a brief second as he began to whisper in Catalina's ear. "And I know it was you that pushed my brother to his death... Xavier would still be alive if you had never meddled in his affairs."

Simultaneously, Catalina and Marina's eyes widened in horror. Catalina realized the fate that awaited her, stuck to do his bidding ; it was going to be torture...

Brother?!

Marina, felt like she was hit with a ton of bricks; Xavier had a brother? Catalina REALLY was responsible?! She had blamed her out of grief, but to have her assumptions confirmed fueled her rage.

Sebastian paused for a second, seeing Marina's body begin to shake as she stared a hole through the back of Catalina's skull

"And you must be Marina..." He stepped around his newest recruit and looked down at the small captain. She stared back in defiance, her eyes burning with hatred for the woman he now stood in front of. He moved out of the way, and watched her gaze fall back to the woman who had killed his brother.

"I see..." He squatted until he was at eye level with her.

"You want to kill her don't you?" Sebastian whispered into her ear, smiling as he continued to feed the fire.

"That witch had no right, she killed Xavier..." He unstrapped his firearm.

Marina began shaking, the words sinking in as Catalina turned around, a look of concern apparent on her face as she watched the evil man whisper in the young girl's ear. She caught the glint of his firearm out of the corner of her eye.

Oh shi-

She started to move as if to run for it, but felt the barrel of another gun press against her temple. "Now, now, now, why would you go and do a stupid thing like that."

Vanessa stood next to her, firearm held to the side of the traitor's head. "It wouldn't be a good idea love." She smirked as Catalina's shoulder's dropped in submission.

Sebastian paused as he watched Vanessa cut off any attempt at escape before returning his attention to Marina. He held his brother's dog tags out. "I think you should take these."

Marina stared blankly at his outstretched hand. "Xavier..."

"Is gone because of her." Sebastian pointed at Catalina as the young girl took the tags from his hand. A few tears began to fall down Marina's cheek as her emotions were beginning to overwhelm the young girl; the waves of anger and sadness washed back and forth.

"You know what you should do..." The Schutzstaffel officer removed his gun from the holster and held it out for Marina. "... Take it."

Her small, unsteady hands grabbed the firearm from Sebastian. She looked at him for a moment, her blue eyes hurting behind all the tears. All he did was nod reassuringly, smiling as she turned, shakily pointing the gun at the woman who killed her father figure.

"You killed him... I told him you were no good..." She struggled to get the words out through the tears.

Catalina knew her time had come to an end. If the brat didn't shoot her, she had no doubt that the bitch to her left would put a bullet through her skull; so much for the day not getting any worse.

"He was weak!" She hissed in retaliation.

"YOU BITCH!" Marina screamed as she fired off several shots into the woman's chest, the gun fire echoing through out the corridors of Alexandria. Sebastian couldn't help but grin as the flashes from the muzzle lit up the hallway.

She may be useful after all... He mused to himself as she held the smoking gun in her still trembling hands, the adrenaline causing Marina's body to shake even more than before. He placed his hand on the young girl's wrist, trying to calm her.

"It's ok..." Sebastian took the gun from her, cleaning the muzzle before re-holstering it.