Chapter 1: "Force Majeure"

May, UC 0096...
Torrington Base, Australia...
The day right after the battle with the Zeon remnants...


BGM: "CAPTURE" (MS Gundam UC OST 2)



It was a hot day in the Australian outback. Debris of mobile suits and other weapons were scattered across the landscape, a testament to a grim event that happened less than 24 hours ago. It was the day after the tense battle between the Zeon remnants, and the Earth Federation Forces. Torrington was saved, but at the cost of many lives and mobile suits...

A jeep came to the gates, and upon seeing who the passenger was the guard immediately saluted him and allowed the jeep to enter the wrecked base. The vehicle stopped in front of a ruined headquarters. The passenger, a middle-aged man with a bald head and short stature, alighted and inspected his surroundings. It was none other than Captain Magnusson, an officer with great importance.

"This place is horrible. It smells and looks like shit. How can you bastards be so incompetent?!" he said as he slapped the base commander who came out to greet him. "From this day on, I'll make sure that no incident like this happens under my watch. You let a war museum crash your new mobile suits? You're embarrassing!" he said, and then slapped the commander again and spat in his eye.

The commander apologized to Captain Magnusson, and knelt in front of him. He tried to apologize but Magnusson had seen enough. The Captain took out his pistol and shot the commander dead right between the eyes. Afterwards Magnusson's men and took the commander's corpse to be burned near a pile of rubble.

"We can say he was killed during the battle..." Magnusson laughed as he took out a cigarette. He sat back in the jeep and looked at the wide base. "Form a mobile suit squadron immediately and get the equipment ready. We pursue the Zeon forces tomorrow. As long as they're on Earth they cannot get away from my grip..." he told one of his aides.

Quote :

(Okay, we start. Zeon and Londo Bell you wait for your admins to post before you do. EFF players can now report to me ASAP, I'm in the jeep in front of the main building.

-This time, everything will be stricter. Everyone is expected not to change the font or font color. If you want to highlight your speeches do so with Bold or Italics

-As much as possible check your work before posting it. If you keep editing your post after you made it it shows that you don't use the preview button.

-I will be much, much stricter this time so any violations will result in a warning. Read your writing before you post it.)

May, UC 0096...
Torrington Base, Australia...

Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant stepped out of the hangar and stretched. He had just finished going over his suit doing post-battle checks. He had come back yesterday from a successful battle against a group of Zeon Remnant suits. They were hardly worth the effort. Then again, a dead Zeke was a good Zeke in his books any day so he would take what he could get.

Looking around, he saw jeep with an important looking man sitting in the passenger seat. He saw him get out and talk to the base commander who knelt before him only to get shot. He scoffed. The man had made a major blunder yesterday. If Grant had been here instead of dealing with the Zeon's distraction he was certain things would have gone differently.

When one of the officer's men walked up to him and told him to report to Captain Magnusson, he sneered. So, they finally had a competent commander eh? He had heard of Magnusson alright. And he wished there were more men like him in charge of things. Then things like this fiasco wouldn't have happened.

Walking up to the Captain's jeep, he stood at attention and saluted. "Lt. Ulysses S. Grant reporting for duty as requested, sir!"

May, UC 0096...
Torrington Base, Australia...

Magnusson looked at this relatively young officer and saluted him back. After that, he brought out a small note book and a pen. He handed it to Lt. Grant. "Okay, you look like somebody competent. Give me a narrative of the events that happened yesterday if you don't want to end up like this so-called commander of yours. I want it long and detailed. You must submit it to me tomorrow morning before we go on a sortie. Understood?" Magnusson asked.

Quote :

(Vangran you need to write a 150-word narrative of the Battle of Torrington base and you may post it when I call for it. So apart from your post you need to write a narrative. Put it in spoiler and I will definitely count the words manually. This doesn't need to be done right away)

May, UC 0096...
Torrington Base, Australia...

"Sir, yes sir!" Lt. Grant took the notebook and went over to a small out of the way place and started to write. It had been a sorry excuse for a battle on the other soldiers parts from what he heard, but then again, Torrington usually got the rejects anyway, with its defense squads that were little more than children playing with the big boys.

Puysegur Trench, Southwest of New Zealand...
Mad-Angler Class Submarine...



The last of the Zeon remnants that attacked Torrington have all gathered in a fleet of 3 Mad-Angler submarines. They have narrowly escaped detection, and are on their way to the African front where more Zeonic forces are left.

Boss Chief popped his knuckles and punched the wall of his cabin. He was so frustrated that they lost the battle yesterday, and it even resulted in the death of one of his friends, Yonem Kirks. He gritted his teeth, clenched his fists and slammed another punch into the wall, this time smashing a picture frame.

His hands, were now bloody. He cursed the Federation with his heavy breath. Unable to save the lives of all those Zeon countrymen that fought on the Torrington front. He left the room, bandaging his hand with a shirt and went to the small bar. It was poorly lit and reeked so bad. He grabbed a bottle of whisky and gazed at the weary pilots around him.

"Come, let's drink. Let's pour out our emotional baggage tonight, dammet!" he announced, before chugging down that whisky.

(All Zekes inside the submarine. You can post now)

Puysegur Trench, Southwest of New Zealand...
Mad-Angler Class Submarine...
In the Ship's Bar...

Sitting on one of the farthest desks, A man in Ground Forces Uniform with Kevlar and all sat there staring blankly on the booze he ordered but never drank. He just left it there--staring at it's occasional ripples, Thinking about many things--but the Failed Battle of Torrington, ah that was what was on his mind. Heck it was on everybody's minds. There was deafening silence, He could not find his friend and mentor Rap Goblin, but then again knowing that bastard, Johann knew he would survive. The silence was broken by a rowdy man, No doubt the "Boss Chief" everyone was talking about. He was a Captain and Johann was merely an ensign. He decided to spare the man a quick look of examination before returning his attention to his revolver and started to disassemble it.

Old but Tough Looking...or maybe it's just the booze? He thought to himself quietly as he continued on disassembling like he was on auto-pilot. Can he really lead us together? I've yet to find Goblin.

Out of Courtesy, he replied to avoid trouble.Without sparing a second look much focused on his revolver.

"No Thanks Sir..."

Puysegur Trench, Southwest of New Zealand...
Mad-Angler Class Submarine...


Arc was looking around the Submarine a bit depressed he had not liked the Torrington job but had been persuaded to come along and now here he stood in a mad angler sub heading for safety.
As he wandered around the enclosed sub he heard

Quote :

"Come, let's drink. Let's pour out our emotional baggage tonight, dammet!"

Walking into the bar he stood still for a moment allowing his eyes to adjust to the low light. When his eyes had adjusted he saw Captain Boss Chief sitting at the bar drinking. Walking fully into the room he sat across from Boss Chief and said "I will take you up on that offer sir" Taking the drink He gulped the tumbler feeling the bitter burn. The glass of whiskey seemed to match the mood of the soldiers Harsh, Strong, and a bit bitter. pushing the empty tumbler back to Boss Chief with a grateful nod he pulled out his flute and began to play a slow mournful melody that was a combination of his disappointment over the mission, the sadness of lost comrades and the general frustration he was feeling.



And so he sat playing a sad song on his flute as he sat in the the dimly lit bar with the other pilots as they all drowned there sorrows.

May, UC 0096...
Torrington Base, Australia...
The day right after the battle with the Zeon remnants...

One of the test pilots in the Torrington facility ran as fast as she could, when she heard that a high-ranking official was in town. It was Angela, a hapless beginner. She finally arrived on the spot, where she saw a bald man sitting on his jeep. And he handed a note to what appeared to be a lieutenant, based on his badge.

She saw a dead man being carried away, and to her surprise it was the chief of the base. She felt her knees buckle in fear. She had seen him as recent as yesterday, but now, he's just a cold cadaver. Curious, she went and checked the commander's dead body. She tried to see if he was really dead. She put her finger on the hole in his head, and her finger went right in.

Angela took her finger out and saw it covered with blood and what appeared to be brain matter. It was real. She could not believe what she just touched, and being the newbie that she is, passed out as the other soldiers laughed at her naivety.

May, UC 0096...
Torrington Base, Australia...

Arriving to the now torn up Torrington Base which was recently attacked by the Zeon Remants. Alan Got off of the transport craft that brought him from his original posting to here, seeing all the destruction was a heavy weight to him. Years ago he was stationed at Torrington for a time then transfered to another base. "Damn, look at all of this....". Seeing the destroyed GM's was a familiar sight to him that goes all the way back to to the One Year War. Knowing that he has pressing matters to attend to and visiting his old base will have to wait, Alan looked at his orders paper and had to find the Captain that will be leading the Anti-Zeon Remant squad.

Figuring that the new team will assemble at whats left of the hangers, Alan signaled to a passing jeep for a ride and hopped on in then sped off to the hanger that wasn't rubble. He thought to himself, "Captain Magnusson.....I've only heard rumors about him..guess I'll have to see for myself at what kindof captain he is..Got to take my commander's warnings into account as well"

What will happen next, Alan can only guess as he sped towards the remaining hanger....

Leon is currently sitting in the corner of the small bar, cradling the biggest mug of the strongest brew that the bar could offer. He is covered in a combination of sweat, Engine Lubricant, and who knows what else after hours of working in the mobile suit hangar, trying to repair the mobile suits enough for the future with what was on hand. It had been hard work, even with the crew on hand, and now he just sits there.

He sits alone, mostly because of his smell, and mostly because of his mood in general. Usually Leon is a plesant drunk, but not right now. His mood, combined with the alchahol, have made him very unplesant right now. As he sits, he mumbles to himself almost incoherantly, but those words that can be understood are not very plesant. Mostly, he grumbles about the situation, about the friends lost, and the incompitance in the previous battle. This makes others avoid him right now, afraid of what might happen if someone interupts him.

Puysegur Trench, Southwest of New Zealand...
Mad-Angler Class Submarine...
In the Ship's Bar...

BGM: "DESTROY- SELF- SACRIFICE"


Beside the group of solemn men, Javier sat down, languishing over Loni's death. She hardly knew him, well, all Javier got from her was a look when he helped her load fuel into her mobile suit. But for Javier, she was everything. That dark hair, tanned skin, and eyes that seemed to pierce his weak and vulnerable soul. She was the woman of his dreams, and now, she was... gone.

Javier grabbed his own bottle of liquor and drank it as fast as he could. He saw Boss Chief hold up a toast to the survivors of the war. As Javier looked at the Captain drinking from the bottle anger started to fill Javier up. He stood up, smashed his own bottle and grabbed the Captain by the collar and demanded an answer from him.

"SOME LEADER YOU ARE, CAPTAIN! WE JUST LOST MANY OF OUR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES IN THAT LAST MISSION!" Javier said, raising his fist as if to punch the Boss. "GODDAMMIT, MISS LONI WAS CORNERED BY TWO ENEMY MACHINES AND WHAT THE HELL, NOBODY EXCEPT ME CAME TO ASSIST HER! I ADMIT THAT I WAS NO GOOD IN THAT FIGHT, BUT I TRIED TO SAVE MISS LONI DAMMIT! AND NOW THAT TRAITOROUS SPLIT-HORN AND HIS FUCKING FRIEND SHOT HER DOWN! SHE COULD'VE WON THE BATTLE AND PREVENTED SO MANY DEATHS HAD YOU GUYS TRIED TO SAVE HER! FUCK THIS! FUCK EVERYTHING!!!" Javier said while still pulling Boss Chief's shirt. He wanted to punch the Captain so bad.

May, UC 0095,
The day after the Shamblo fell...

RaCailum Class Ship "Empyrean"
Above the Torrington airspace...

Captain Tatiana Romanova's ship, the Empyrean, was sent by Londo Bell to aid the pursuit of Zeon rebels. It was a rocky atmospheric reentry, fortunately for Tatiana and her crew they were used to such hazardous situations. When they heard that they will be serving under Magnusson for the pursuit she felt a bit worried. She heard nothing but bad news regarding this man, but he was a top EFF official, so there was nothing she can do about it.

After the Empyrean had been given permission to land, Tatiana ordered her Londo Bell pilots to make themselves right at home and introduce themselves respectfully to the Captain of the EFF. Once the Empyrean was safely on the ground the door opened. Tatiana hopped on a jeep readily made for the outback's rough terrain.

Boarding the 5-seater jeep, she called all of her pilots to join her. "Wesley, you go drive to the base," she ordered.

Quote :

INSTRUCTION:
Waiting for Wesley to post before we move inward. All the Londo Bell may now post getting into the jeep.

Puysegur Trench, Southwest of New Zealand...
Mad-Angler Class Submarine...
In the Ship's Bar...


Immediately after answering to the Captain's invitation, A red-head appeared behind the burly Captain, with a melancholic look in his eyes, took a drink and played a sad tune on the flute. Great,just what everybody needed. Everybody was on edge, some would already be too weak and may just grab a gun and pull the trigger over their heads. They needed to keep calm, to wrestle with the edge, but this guy had just to pull an outlet out of his ass, Sooner or later one of them would break and do stupid things.

Suddenly the sound of breaking glass could be heard, and another man stood up and confronted the Captain. Having just thought of it, It came as no surprise to Johann that someone would do what he thought would do. Introducing Candidate Number 1! NOT. Johann won't deal with this shit, so he decided to take matters into his own hands even if he's just an ensign.

Luckily, he had just finished re-assembling his Python Revolver again when the man mouthed off a lot about Loni Garvey, not being able to save her and stuff. OH That woman. An exotic beauty, but then again in the end, just another faceless casualty in war--Among many others.

Without looking at the man and the Captain, Johann loaded his Python Revolver with three bullets, extended his left hand and shot thrice almost simultaneously. Sound of Loud Gunfire echoed in the room, everyone stood up surprised...thinking he really shot the man. When what he shot were blanks, He only shot them for the noise they made to gain their attention.

"Calm your tits everyone...Those were blanks. And oh I'm sorry for doing this "Captain" I just had to do it, before everyone else followed suit" He said flatly as he put three rounds on his revolver again. "But this time around...They wouldn't be..."

He stood up from his bar stool and aimed the gun at the man's head.

"We all lost someone, not only on yesterday's fight, but even way back the OYW...Get a grip will you?!" He took another step closer but the gun still aimed high on the back of the man's head. "You're a Zeon Soldier...A Remnant for crying out loud! We have lost more wars even before this. What does this defeat differ from the others we had? We kept standing up, Why can't we do it again? Where's your pride? Or are you Feddie material to just break down and go throw tantrums...? Or better yet, has that Exotic woman of yours blinded you too much?"


He took another step, his boots making a hard sound towards the floor as he took a step further.

"Now let go of the Captain, Before I make you another Casualty in this war..." Johann cocked the revolver, he was going to pull the trigger soon, they may like it or not. "I'm not gonna warn you again..."

With a screech the flute playing stopped. looking up Arc saw one of the pilots Javier grabbing the Captain by the throat. and saying

Quote :

"SOME LEADER YOU ARE, CAPTAIN! WE JUST LOST MANY OF OUR FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES IN THAT LAST MISSION!" Javier said, raising his fist as if to punch the Boss. "GODDAMMIT, MISS LONI WAS CORNERED BY TWO ENEMY MACHINES AND WHAT THE HELL, NOBODY EXCEPT ME CAME TO ASSIST HER! I ADMIT THAT I WAS NO GOOD IN THAT FIGHT, BUT I TRIED TO SAVE MISS LONI DAMMIT! AND NOW THAT TRAITOROUS SPLIT-HORN AND HIS FUCKING FRIEND SHOT HER DOWN! SHE COULD'VE WON THE BATTLE AND PREVENTED SO MANY DEATHS HAD YOU GUYS TRIED TO SAVE HER! FUCK THIS! FUCK EVERYTHING!!!"

And then Johann had fired blanks before threatening to kill Javier. With a flash Arc stood up and looked Javier in the eyes. "Are you a fool It was the Sleeves who planned this mission and put us in this situation. As for no one supporrting Loni well maybe we could have had she moved into the base and supported us like she was supposed to instead of moving into the city itself.

I don't blame her war is hard on everyone. All I am saying is that it was a battle SHIT HAPPENS. when you go out to fight not only your life is at risk but your allies are as well. As he said"Arc pointed to Johann "we have all lost someone do you think i joined this mission alone?. Sadly sometimes you can do everything right make all the right moves and still people die. No one is to blame. But if you must blame someone blame the federation for keeping the world in such a state we still feel the need to fight. So calm down have another drink if it will make you fell better, but remove your hand from the Captain or I will remove it for you." Arc said the last part not yelling but deeply and with a definite hint of finality about it his hand resting on the hilt of his blade.

"As for you put your gun away I appreciate your defending our Captain but a misfire in this sub could be dangerous." Arc said to Johann trying to restore the calm.

Ra Cailum-class Battleship "Empyrean"
Luciano Raines' Quarters

The reports from the battle, or rather 'incident' as Earth Federation HQ called it, that took place at Torrington Base caused Luciano Raines, a young Lieutenant stationed aboard the Empyrean, to frown as he re-read several parts of the report. The regular Federal Forces has been entirely overrun in a matter of minutes and only the actions of the Byarlant Custom had spared the base from further destruction and even then the B-Custom had suffered a little damage itself due to being outnumbered. Torrington may be a 'back-water' base but it was a Federal Forces base nonetheless and it's failure to push back the attack from the start showed a major error in the Federation Forces. He sighed knowing the EFF had always been known not to have the most experienced and skilled pilots in it's ranks.

As it was nearly time to go he finished reading the report and decided it was time to go. Dressed in his full Londo Bell uniform he checked himself over once more knowing that he could not show himself nor his Captain up in front of an EF Forces Captain. Satisfied with his appearance he headed for his destination close to the ship's hanger bays. His Captain would be expecting him and he wasn't about to disappoint. Various crewman and lower-ranked officers saluted or said hello to him as he pasted them on his way, he was well liked among the non-pilot part of the crew. Some of the pilots disliked him since he was younger than a lot of other officers. Still, he felt he had personally earned his promotion to squad leader and the Captain seemed happy enough with it too.

Once at his destination he spotted the 5-man jeep almost instantly. As expected Captain Romanova was already sitting in the jeep awaiting her pilots and if any of them were late he'd be sure to make sure they paid for it later. Stepping up to the side of the jeep he raised his right arm in a salute to his Captain, "Lt Raines, reporting Ma'am!".

"Right ma'am. I'll be your truckie if that's what you want."

Wesley hoped in the driver seat of the jeepney, he fastens his seat belt before inserting the key in to the ignition. He turns the key, one foot on the clutch, and with his right foot, he slowly fed gas towards the engine. Wesley takes out a pair of sunnies from his pocket and fashions them on.

"G'Day mates. Welcome to never never, the Australian outback. Hope we don't run into a mob of roos on the way to our destination. Put on yer seat belts and we be off. Oh and hold onto your Chunder cause its gonna be a bumpy ride."

Puysegur Trench, Southwest of New Zealand...
Mad-Angler Class Submarine...
In the Ship's Bar..

BGM : 0-GEP1 (Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn OST II)


Boss Chief just stared deep into this young man's face. He saw how much anger Javier had in his heart. He brushed Javier's hand off, and told Johann to calm down.

"Put your firearm away kid," he told Johann. "If there's anyone who wants to use a gun on this sub, it has to be allowed by me..." he said. After hearing Arc's speech, he also told the red-headed youth to get easy. Boss Chief drew his own pistol, put it in Javier's hand, and gripped the boy's wrist so the pistol is aimed at Boss Chief's head.

"You think you can change everything by yourself? So, if that is your belief, and if you think you know better, kill me. Pull the trigger and shoot me, and none of the crew here will hold you liable. Kill me and succeed me as the leader of this crew of brave men. If you think, that Loni Garvey's death will gain justice by killing me, do it!!! KILL ME, IF YOU DARE. KILL ME BOY! SHOOT ME IN THE HEAD IF IT WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY! ON MY WORD NOBODY WILL HARM YOU! BE A MAN AND MAKE A CHOICE!" Boss Chief told Javier giving the kid an option to kill him.

Quote :

Stinger , you got 2 choices
a. Pull the trigger (Kills Boss Chief, puts Javier in command of the remnant fleet)
b. Refuse (Your chance to kill Boss Chief is canceled)

May 2, U.C.0096, The day after the battle at Torrington

Ra-Cailum Class Ship "Empyrean", James Kirkland's private quarters

James was laying soundly on his bed looking up at a framed photo of his brother and himself when they both joined Londo Bell together, grouped around a Jegan mobile suit. The nostalgia he felt was almost painful when he'd think back to that time, when his elder brother met his end at the hands of Char Aznable. He got up and placed the photo back on his desk. James' heart ached thinking about the countless number of innocent people that had needlessly lost their lives less than a day ago. He dressed down in full uniform when he felt that they had successfully passed through the Earth's atmosphere. The crew of the Empyrean was scheduled to land at the Torrington Base and assist the EFF in the pursuit of the remaining Zeon Remnants. James took one last look at the photo on top of his desk. "Wish me luck."

After he made sure he was clean & cut, he calmly strided to the hangar. Once they had safely landed, he disembarked the from the ship and reported to Captain Romanova who was sitting in a nearby five-seater jeep. "LTJG. James Kirkland reporting for duty, Ma'am!" He said as he saluted his Captain. He sat down in the middle seat on the right side next to Lt. Raines. The jeep was being driven by Petty Officer Wesley Ford, a........charming Australian man who has a knack for disobeying orders in combat situations.

Quote :

"G'Day mates. Welcome to never never, the Australian outback. Hope we don't run into a mob of roos on the way to our destination. Put on yer seat belts and we be off. Oh and hold onto your Chunder cause its gonna be a bumpy ride."

Having said that, James couldn't help but feel a little nervous. ("Oh boy.") He looked over at Lt. Raines and decided to introduce himself. "Hi, LTJG. James Kirkland. I'm looking forward to working with you Lieutenant." He stuck his hand out wanting to shake hands with him.

Dust sighed, he had just finished looking over the projected weather for the day and it was turning out to be another sunny day at the ruined base. He had heard the Captain had wanted him to come down to the hanger so he headed off in the direction, taking this time to get himself ready for the day. He rolled up the sleeves on his uniform and put on his favorite pair of sunglasses

The hanger had always been his favorite part of any ship and so he couldn't help but smile once he arrived. He looked in the direction of the Rezels and smirked, "They may be nothing but immitation Gundams, but they get the job done." He looked around a bit more before heading over to the large 5 person jeep, once there he saw that it looked like he wasn't last to arrive. "Ensign Shikai reporting for duty, Captain", he said with a grin, it had been awhile since he had served under a female and Captain Romanov was definetly a higher caliber woman.

Dust gave a half assed salute and then sat down in the jeep. Noticing Wesley was the driver he couldn't help, but give him a hard time, "Let's hope you pilot this Jeep better than you do a Mobile Suit", he said in an obviously joking manner.

dovenwolf wrote:

Dust gave a half assed salute and then sat down in the jeep. Noticing Wesley was the driver he couldn't help, but give him a hard time, "Let's hope you pilot this Jeep better than you do a Mobile Suit", he said in an obviously joking manner.

"Don't worry sir, I've driven far more worse things. Like yer mum." Wesley chuckled.

Quote :

"Hi, LTJG. James Kirkland. I'm looking forward to working with you Lieutenant." He stuck his hand out wanting to shake hands with him.

Luciano smiled politely at the slightly older man, shaking his hand at the same time, "Lt Luciano Raines, it's a pleasure to have you as part of the squadron". He was glad that his squadron wasn't entirely made up of dangerous and rogue elements that the regular Federal Forces had dumped into the taskforce like most skilled pilots had. Londo Bell was made up of two types of people: Former-AEUG/Karaba members and those elements that weren't right for the regular forces but that the Federation didn't want to lose. Result: much headache for many leader-type officers within the taskforce, unless you were Captain Bright.

He caught the end tail of a conversation between us other two pilots:

Quote :

"... Like yer mum." Wesley chuckled.

Whilst he could enjoy and understand the need for a good joke such talk and language infront of the Captain was something Luciano didn't tolerate. Sure, he wasn't a hard ass by any standards but he did have standards. He was not too sure what sort of Captain his new CO was so he believed it was best to act like she ran a very tight ship until he was otherwise informed. Luc cleared his throat to grab the attention of his other two pilots, "Ensign, Petty Officer keep that sort of language for your off-duty, behind-closed-doors time. You're officers of Londo Bell, act like it", he spoke with an authoritative but no mean a threatening tone.

Puysegur Trench, Southwest of New Zealand...
Mad-Angler Class Submarine...
In the Ship's Bar..

A soldier sat on a stool at the bar, drinking a glass of Jack, and turned toward the commotion going on around him. Lazra watched the events unfold infront of him, and jumped a little when the man had fired three blank rounds. He turned to where Johann was standing, and listened to his speech. He thought over Johann's words, and began to nod in agreement with what he was saying. Lazra then turned his attention to Boss Chief, who was guiding Javier's pistol toward his own head. "You are not in a position to be judging our leaders abilities..." he said, watching Javier's finger that was on the trigger.

May, UC 0096...
Torrington Base, Australia...
The day right after the battle with the Zeon remnants...

A pilot that had been reassigned to the earth unit from a space colony defense force was walking nonchalantly past the wreckage of Mobile suits and the endless piles of body bags. He wasn't smiling but he was surely not frowning in disgust as a normal person would. He had an air of calmness about him as he strode toward Magnussons jeep. Before reporting in, his naturally unconcerned personality took over and he decided to survey the rubble that was thrown around the immediate area.

With a bit of a smile he began to quickly look around at what was left of the mobile suits from the battle. He made mental notes of them all, down to the equipment they were carrying (or what was left of it) and totaling the cost that this battle had the EFF paying. With a bit of a smug grin, he laughed at how much it was all worth. It had become a bit of a hobby to him because he enjoyed the irony of Mobile Suit Warfare and it's cost vs result.

After he was done with his mental game, he walked toward the Jeep where he saw his new Captain speaking to another pilot.
Before he even came within 10 feet of the jeep, he encountered another distraction. A girl had collapsed on the floor next to a body bag. With his normally cheery disposition, he strolled over to her and propped her up against the wreckage of a downed GM. Before he left he saw that she had blood on her hand and he quickly wiped it off with a cloth he had in his pocket.

After finally realizing that he had delayed enough, he briskly jogged over to Magnusson and saluted.
"Warrant Officer Thanatos Eriksson reporting for duty sir!"
He was all to happy to get his next assignment and go back to the battlefield but his mind still wandered.
Even though he knew his focus should be receiving orders from his new leader, he couldn't help but make a mental note to wake the girl up at some point.

Puysegur Trench, Southwest of New Zealand...
Mad-Angler Class Submarine...
In the Ship's Bar..



He stood awaiting an answer from the assailant Javier. But he wasn't able to wait for an answer, Because All the others were telling him to calm down including the Captain. Well he was and still is calm, but only wanted to shoot this man down, but now he couldn't because everyone was stopping him from doing so. At least his firing of blanks earlier did it's job. Grab everyone back to reality and make them think straight, cause if they don't they'll be killing each other or worse be massacred by the first competent group of feddies that finds them. He pulled back his arm the nuzzle of the revolver pointed upwards the body of the gun against his face--eyes closed fighting the urge to disobey orders and shoot Javier in cold blood. The orders seem dire and better than his judgement at the moment, so for now he complied.

He heard the Boss shout at Javier, Oh he was getting told alright. But the Captain's action was extreme as well, asking an angered man to shoot him? If he was in Javier's shoes knowing Johann he would shoot the Boss without even him asking him to.

"Your Choice Capt., But then again don't you think this is too extreme for a decision?" He said as he added more rounds to his revolver before holstering it on his side.

He walked to the Bar casually as if the Commotion wasn't happening at all, and took a rootbeer, Yeah sure he was of drinking age but he couldn't bring himself to drink like all the other remnants did, poured some on a small shot glass and sipped sitting on the bar stool infront of the small bar counter, the captain and javier two arms reach away from him, but still close enough to shoot at accurately.

"If you think you could lead the many zeon remnants in here, and are determined to gain justice for your exotic girlfriend, Settle it out on a brawl. Who wins becomes Captain and may do whatever the fuck he wants" He took another sip, and examined the glass like it was diamond, looking bored before he spoke again. "But then again that's just me..."

Londo Bell vessel Empyrean
Hayase’s Quarters

Hayase sat on the floor with his back against his bed. He stared blankly at the wall in front of him his mind a lost deep in his thoughts. He thought but his sister, wondering how she and her new business were doing. “Heck maybe she has found herself a nice boy by now.” Hayase said with a smile on his lips. Hayase then lifted his arms up and planted his hands on his bed lifting himself up into a standing position. He turned his head and looked out the small window on the wall. Outside he could she the damaged base off in the distance.

He had read the report on what had happened the day before. He couldn’t help but feel like the EFF was allowing the Zeon problem to get worse. Something needed to be done about it soon before more innocent lives were lost. Hayase lazily walked over to the chair next to his desk and picked up his uniform shirt. He began to put it on slowly buttoning each button before tucking it in. Hayase looked around the room making sure he hadn’t forgotten anything before leaving. He notice a small over turned picture frame on the right side of his desk. He picked it up and looked it over. It was him and a young women. Both of the appeared to be happy in the photo. Hayase couldn’t help but feel a bit of sadness while looking at it. “Its been what? Almost two months now. Since I seen you last. I cant help but wonder just how long your going to put up with this crap…Risa.” Hayase let out a sigh as he placed the frame back on the desk and exited the room.

The captain wanted the mobile suit team to ride over to the base together. They were going to be meeting with the EFF officer that would be leading the mission to take on the remaining Zeon forces. Hayase quickly walked the ship. About half to the hanger he felt the ship jolt from it touching down. Hayase quicken his pace to a slight jog. He didn’t want to be the last one there. He glanced down at his watch. He still have five minutes before he had to be there. Hayase entered the hanged and jogged down the ramp. He could see the jeep, and he was the last one there. “DAMN IT!” he thought as load as he could as he glanced back at his watch. “But hey I am still not late.” Hayase jogged the rest of the way up to the jeep. Stopping next to Lt. Raines. He then looked at the captain and gave her a salute. “Kazahara reporting in Ma’am!”