Kidou Senshi Gundam UC

(“…Even though it’s an initial estimation, I’ve already tabulated the accountable damages for you. We can use the work hazard insurance for those who died in the line of work, but it’s harder to determine what to do with the people who died due to other causes.”)

The face that was shown on the screen was of a woman’s, a face that one could hardly believe was over 50 years old. The medium-long blond hair still retained its glow, and the cheeks that were slightly protruding never lost their elasticity. The background was of a dull color that was suited for business, and the lips with lipstick on even look bewitching.

Even so, it was not appropriate to describe this woman as young and lively. This ‘woman’ that appeared was not one a man would recognize as one—or rather, recognize as an ideal ‘woman’ despite her beauty. The reason behind this thinking was because of her eyes. In her wish to become treated as an upper-cla.s.s lady, the probing eyes were giving off an icy cold magnetism. The greedy expression of the woman who was never satisfied with anything and only hoped to continue take in more was showing an evil tension.

(“Considering how the media would react, it’s more appropriate that we should offer some form of compensation to the victims. My husband will do something with regards to this as well.”)

After saying that, Martha Vist Carbine remained silent, perhaps waiting for the other party to respond. The other displays were showing all sorts of information like ‘insurance claims’, ‘medical fees’ and ‘survivor pension’ as each individual estimated sum scrolled down the displays. The amount of the total fees required to revive the colony was enough to match the budget of a small country in the old centuries, but Martha’s expression was rather calm as if she merely met a small car accident. Right below the numerous displays that were emulated in the air, “That’s really well thought out.” Syam Vist responded while looking similarly calm.

The body that laid down on the bed did not show any signs of moving, and the side of the emotionless face was basked under the light reflected off the displays. The Vist Foundation leader, who had been watching how the world changed ever since the start of the Universal Century and fought through many backdoor wars multiple times before making it till here, never changed his sharp expression even when he was lying down frailly on the bed. The presence he himself gave off never once faded. (“Someone will deal with this, so shut up. Is that what you mean?”) The voice that continued were so cold it felt like they were piercing into his bones.

(“This accident happened in a colony operated by Anaheim Electronics. No matter how we counter, it’s impossible to prevent the stocks from falling, right? I know very well that my role is not to let the voices of blame reach the Foundation.”)

Martha laughed away the leader’s sarcastic remark, narrowed her eyes and showed a suspicious look. The display beside her showed the words ‘A large-scale terrorist attack happened at Industrial 7’, ‘Is it done by the Neo Zeon guerillas?’, ‘The number of dead and missing people has already pa.s.sed 600’, ‘The Federation s.p.a.ce army has already issued warning to the forces guarding each side to remain alert’ and all sorts of such messages continued to appear and disappear. Only the top half silhouette of the news broadcaster or the reference footages of Industrial 7 when it was being built could be seen on the display, and there were no footages of what happened there at all. As for the footages the residents there provided to the media—the Federation units using beam rifles inside the colony and crashing into the residential areas—they could not be seen about 30 minutes ago, whether it was the TV or the Net. Syam shows an expression as if he never saw anything in the first place to avoid Martha’s doubt. “Cardeas did that. I don’t know anything.” He simply answered calmly.

(“You managed to argue back first…”) sighing, Martha could only show wrinkles as her lips give a bitter smile. (“I’m happier than anything to see you being so happy and lively, grandfather. I hope that I can go over to meet you in the near future.”)

“You don’t have to see such a sad old man like me who watched my son and grandson died earlier than me. Those who are still involved in the current world affairs should have something else to do, right?”

(“Please don’t say that. We’re siblings with the same blood, so of course I’m being emotional now that my older brother died. But since I’ve already wedded into the Carbine family, I can’t just dwell in sadness. If any independent action by the Vist Foundation cause Anaheim to be dragged down, how can I possibly meet my husband and my father-in-law? Besides, I’ve already got the approval to take over brother’s duties as the head of the Foundation…”)

After saying that without practically no sincerity, Martha gives a smirk to the display. The matter of succession was not decided through hierarchy, but through the agreement of most of the family members, and there’s something behind the expression. Anaheim Electronics was the family business of the Carbine family she married into, and while keeping this position, she use the muscle power that surpa.s.sed her husband to interfere with all sorts of affairs, playing a vital role in linking the Foundation and Anaheim in such a way that they were more than just partners. Syam’s eyebrows could only twitch slightly as he see his granddaughter’s shamelessness in not denying nor admitting that she was involved in this incident.

(“It’s the Vist Foundation’s leader right to know the location of the cryo the boss is in and the view of the ‘Box’, and also a duty. Please take a nap before I go meet you, boss. ”)

After leaving this message, the communication was cute off. The many displays shown in the air disappear, and darkness and silence return back to the s.p.a.ce that had nothing but a bed. Soon after, the panel installed on the wall of the dome increase in luminosity until the actual image of the universe was shown inside the room, and Syam’s bed was already surrounded by the clear stars.

The cloud of stairs light up every single corner of the room as if the floor was scattered with silver powder, and the image of outer s.p.a.ce showed all corners of the cryo the Foundation’s boss was in. Gael Chan hid himself in the darkness where neither the earth nor the moon could be seen as he saw that bed that was floating there in a lonely manner, sighed and stepped forward. As he lies on the bed that acted as a cryo device, Syam mutters to him ‘just laugh all you want’ as the side of his face that had lost all its glory shows self-mocking wrinkles.

“This is the portrait of the Vist Foundation.”

“I can’t laugh at all. I didn’t fulfill my responsibility in protecting my boss.”

Syam turns his stare at Gael, who’s standing about 3 meters away from him. It’s been half a day since the sudden battle in Industrial 7 and when he learnt about Cardeas Vist’s death. The Foundation’s boss had been through a lifetime that’s far too long for a human, watched too many of his relatives die, and now, it’s impossible to see any sadness in him. He lost his most trusted successor, and watched the Foundation he single-handedly built up move on its own. Right now, he could not even let out a sigh—maybe this was Syam’s current mood. If he could already realize that his own relative were all involved in such series of plots and gradually becoming the next successor, how would he feel—

Gael himself wasn’t as open-minded. He wasn’t able to protect his master, Cardeas, and he did not even fulfill the duty of destroying the “Unicorn”, the final order that was given. Even though he understood that all his paths of entry were already blocked by the Federation’s special forces, the burning hangar deck and the pa.s.sages being sealed weren’t enough to be excuses. In fact, Cardeas himself dragged his heavily wounded body and managed to reach the “Unicorn” successfully before dying—he was devoured by the flames the moment he left the c.o.c.kpit, and he was blown into bits the moment he was struck by the incoming shrapnel. The surveillance cameras at the hangar clearly caught the image.

The dire consequences happened in front of him was because of his own negligence. The bald head wrapped in the bandage sank as Gael clenched his burned fist. Just regretting alone can’t change anything, and these are all the results of fate—if it were Cardeas, he would probably say such a thing. Gael had already lots this boss that would comfort him like this. That one and only client of his who could understand him heart to heart; that only man who was worth selling his life to, whether in the army or in the underground society.

“Since it’s Cardeas, I suppose he has already prepared a failsafe such that even if he died, he can protect the secret tightly…someone like Martha will be forceful. She’s different from the men who’re concerned about their pride; she will not have any reservations when carrying out her plots. From the way she could get the approval of the family as the subst.i.tute leader in such a short time, I think it’s better to a.s.sume that it’s only a matter of time before she finds this place.”

“I’m a man. I won’t just be protective of my own pride, I’ll even swear allegiance for the sake of my own pride.”

At that moment, Gael forgot about being tense in front of the boss. He lifts his face.

“So long as you permit, boss, I’ll be willing to take revenge for Master Cardeas even if I have to sacrifice my life.”

Martha Carbine was staying in the lunar city Von Braun that’s under the protection of Anaheim Electronics. If the Foundation itself was just an organization meant to expand the family’s earnings, then she’ll be described as a really outstanding person who revived and expanded the authority of the Vist Foundation. She, who could even interfere with politics without a problem, detected Syam and Cardeas’ plans for Laplace Box and got the Federation army to attack Industrial 7. Even though the battle that got intense was a result of unforeseen circ.u.mstances, the main reason for Cardeas’ death was on Martha. In terms of underground talk, there’s no one else other than her who ‘settled the bill’.

Syam turns his head slightly at a way where one could not even detect, and his face that’s half-buried in the pillow faces over here. Gael gives an unwavering expression as he gets this answer,

“Do you want me to command you to kill my own granddaughter now?”

It was a growl that was full of rage, causing the temperature within Gael to drop. Gael’s stiffened by the other person’s overwhelming presence before he could even reflect on his words, “…I’m really sorry” and lowers his head.

“Very good. Cardeas did get a very good subordinate. Since this is because of what Cardeas did, we can only believe that things will proceed in the positive direction; no matter whether it’s the whereabouts of the Laplace Box or the future of Earth Celestial sphere.”

Syam clasps his hands on the blanket and closes his eyes. Gael had nothing to say and could only bow and answer ‘yes…’, showing a professional expression as he lifts his head to look at the boss.

“About the Box, I’ve already investigated on the details involving the pilot of the “Unicorn”.”

Gael reaches his hand to the floor and operates on the touch-type display that rose up from the floor silently. The holographic display again lights up the s.p.a.ce above the bed, showing the photo of a boy’s face.

“Banagher Links, 16 years old, a student studying at Anaheim Electronics. Registered from Side 1 area 3’s ‘Eden’. No special positive or negative data on him, and no records of him taking part in political activities. I don’t understand why he came to the “Magallanica”, but he did meet the leader hours before the battle. As for what happened when both of them met, it’s puzzling…”

Gael gives an overview of what happened yesterday, including the accidental meeting with ‘her’ . How Banagher, who was taken back to Industrial 7 once, managed to enter the “Magallanica” and ride on the “Unicorn”, was a mystery to Gael. However, the pilot login data that was sent to the Command Module “Magallinca” matched Banagher Links information from the records in Industrial 7. The fact that he piloted the “Unicorn” and forced the “Sleeves’” mobile suits to retreat was without a doubt. Also, ther was the fact that he was taken in by a Federation ship—

“To be registered as the pilot of the “Unicorn”, one has to gain the biometric authorization of the leader. In other words, Master Cardeas chose this boy as the pilot and died after that. I can only deduce that, so what happened that time…”

Due to its nature, the records of the “Unicorn’s” pilot could not be easily erased after its logged it. There was a chance to destroy all the system, so Cardeas must had his reason for handing the “Unicorn” to the outsider Banagherr Links. Gael starts to stroke his chin as he looks at what seems to be a boyish instead of a youthful face, but was suddenly startled by a snicker.

Syam lets out the snicker as he watches the face of this boy that’s projected in s.p.a.ce. His wrinkled face was smiling. Gael frowns in response, and Syam mutters, “I see. So you don’t know.” and turns to stare at Gael, who in turn inadvertently gulped his own saliva.

“Don’t you understand? He’s the new hope. Cardeas handed the “Unicorn” over to the most suitable person…”

Syam turns his eyes to look at the boy on the display and narrows his eyes as if he’s afraid of light. The boss of the Foundation let out a kind grandfather’s expression, and Gael could only blink hard bewilderedly.

On the display of the notepad-type PC, the designed English alphabets were shown. It was a simple logo formed as a combination of the letters U and C.

“The UC plan, the codename of the army rea.s.sembly plan that’s affiliated to the Federation fleet, one that the company underwent under extreme security; the “Unicorn” was a machine that was developed as the flagship under the project of the same name.”

In the dim room, the man with the frail-looking face said as the lamp shone on him. Aaron Terzieff was a 32 years old staff member of Anaheim Electronics and the person in charge of the armor material section in the development of the RX-0. As the battle broke out in Industrial 7, he tried to escape with the other workers from the Magallanica, but was detained by ECOAS as he was too slow. As most of the relevant data of the plan was wrecked, he was viewed as one of the people who knew most about the plans regarding the RX-0—

“Unlike the Mobile Suits of the past, this unit’s biggest unit is that it’s fully covered with Psycoframe all over the body. The development base was the Anaheim Electronics’ factory in Granada, and about one month ago, we have already finished both Test Unit 1 and 2 separately. Unit 2 was sent to Earth, and right now, it should be undergoing activation tests in the presence of gravity. I was in charge of Unit 1, and about 3 weeks ago, I was ordered by the company to send it to Industrial 7. The notification was an official doc.u.ment, and the superiors said that everything would be over if I only worked for another month…”

“Mr Aaron.”

Daguza Mackle interrupted Aaron’s pleading-like voice with an emotionless face as he said, “I’m sorry, but we’re rather unaware of the technological side of things. Please describe the Psycommu, and get down to the details as much as possible.”

“Yes…”

On the other side of the table, Aaron nodded his head in agreement “Yes…” and gives a look behind to ask for permission. Standing behind him, Lieutenant Garrett nodded his head. Aaron then starts to use his trembling fingers to operate the computer he brought along. Before this, Aaron had reached out for the computer without permission before and had his hand twisted behind his back by Garrett, so this should be just precaution on Aaron’s side. Daguza senses that Lieutenant Commander Conroy was beside Garrett, shrugging and nudging his large body in the darkness, and deliberately leans forward to stare at the message on the screen. He used the cast-like left arm to slam the table and let out a shrill sound.

“Psycoframe. Basically put, it’s a unique alloy that has a psycommu functions on it. The theory behind it is to shrink the computer chips to the minimum and level them together with metal particles on the frame.”

The image shown on the display seemed to be an enlarged image of the psycommu under the microscope. If one stared at it closely, one could find what was obviously man-made chips lined in the gaps between the hive-shaped metal particles. That orderly yet mechanical construct felt more like a living cell than an object.

“As you know, the psycommu can receive and amplify the pilot’s brainwaves…or you can call it neural waves, and project the pilot’s consciousness into the movements of the machine. The psycommu that’s the main system is linked over to allow the psycoframe to receive the pilot’s neural waves and also the pilot and machine’s high-mobility coordination to happen. Due to the strength and production and all sorts of problems in the past, we could only install this system around the c.o.c.kpit. However, the RX-0 in this plan uses psycoframe in all the mobile parts.”

Then, the CG image of the RX-0 appeared on the screen, and above the moveable parts that formed the frame, there was a red light blinking. As it was just a simple introductory picture, it was impossible to see the details. Even though Aaron was one of the developers, he could only download this much data from his terminal. Daguza did not say anything as he merely prompted Aaron to continue.

“Due to the actual a.s.signment of the full-set psycoframe, the pilot’s neural waves can reach the machine’s activation system. In other words, the pilot does not need to ‘control’ the mobile suit as the word implies, and can control it basically through thoughts. Of course, all the joints are all magnet coated so in theory, the reaction speed of the RX-0 is unlimited. One can say that the machine’s one with the body…no, it may be even faster. No matter how outstanding a pilot is, there will be a timing lag of milliseconds from the moment the pilot detects danger to the moment the pilot reacts. The RX-0 interface far exceeds the reaction speed of the human body.”

“But in that case, the pilot’s body shouldn’t be able to react, right?”

If a metal giant that was more than 20m tall could immediately react to the pilot’s brainwaves, one could imagine the outcome if it moved at a speed that far exceeds human reflexes. No matter how big the mobile suit was, a slight movement will create vibrations of several meters, and no matter how st.u.r.dy the machine itself was built, the pilot inside would be all dizzy. “That’s right.” Aaron himself agreed with this sentiment.

“In order to reduce the large G force that happens when the machine moves, the RX-0 has a Shock Absorber that specializes in reducing the impact, and there’s also the pilot’s suit. However, even with these equipment, an ordinary person can’t endure the discomfort of piloting for a long time. Also, we have considered the stress the psycommu puts on the brain, and the maximum limit of continual operation is around 5 minutes. Thus, the limiter will be activated when the system is set in normal mode, and the NT-D device will only be activated in battle.”

The horn on the forehead opened up to show a V-sign, and the shoulders, chest and leg armor slid. The psycommu frame hidden underneath appeared, and the thrusters and boosters of the machine that could be said to a.s.sure destructive power and mobility bared out. This was the real form of the RX-0—if this was really the case, the appearance of the so-called “Unicorn” would be some form of a limiter and fixed state. As he watches the CG of the RX-0 gradually changed its appearance, Daguza started to feel a chill inside his heart, and whispers, “What’s NT-D?”

“NT-D is the name of the OS that operates the full psycoframe. I was only in charge of the exterior in the past, so I don’t really know the specifics. However, I hear that NT-D is the shortened form of Newtype-Drive.”

The unexpected term echoed in Daguza’s ears as a ripple rose in his heart. After giving a meaningful look to Conroy, Daguza answered back to Aaron “I see” in a monotonous voice.

“After the RX-0 was moved to the Magallanica, it was once modified by someone. You should know clearly that the system wasn’t involved in the initial design, right?”

A B5 sized photo was displayed on the table, and Aaron’s expression obviously wavered. The army had taken close range shots on the interface panel in the c.o.c.kpit when the RX-0 was taken back into the ship. In the photo, the terminal port showed a red symbol that showed “La+”. “I’m only in charge of the armor outside, so any questions about the system is a little too…” Aaron answered, but Daguza did not show any wavering in his stare as he questioned,

“Mr Aaron, you better think through this before answering. The army does outsource a.s.signments to civilian enterprises, but military use mobile suit developments are still part of the items in the Federation Technological Research Department that we have to report to the higher ups, and you may be deemed a suspect of taking up military resources, you know?”

“Why…!? I’m just…”

“Industrial 7 is a colony registered under Anaheim Electronics, but it’s different for the Magallanica. In fact, the Vist Foundation can be said to be outside of legal means. After the final adjustments of the RX-0 ‘s OS, it had a program that wasn’t in the manual installed into it. I don’t think you can simply pa.s.s this with a I don’t know.”

“I really don’t! I only knew of the new program that was installed together with the NT-D after reading the updated specs design. There were rumors that the new program was provided by the Vist Foundation, but I don’t know anything else other than this! Even the activation conditions of the NT-D is an undisclosed cla.s.sified secret to us who are in charge of hardware.”

“Activation conditions?”

“The pilot can’t just remove the RX-0’s limiter at will. The NT-D will only activate when certain conditions are met. I only heard that the program installed on the Magallanica…the Laplace Program was a program meant to install a new condition on the NT-D. As long as the machine’s controls aren’t affected, we never questioned too much into such hardware stuff.”

“But you should have taken part in the activation tests.”

“The activation was still in simulation mode. The Laplace Program was only installed after the tests!”

Two hands slammed onto the table hard, and Aaron covered his head with his hands as he sprawled down on the table. Daguza used his eyes to stop Garrett, who wanted to pull him up, and stared at the shoulders that were trembling.

“Of course I felt that it was weird. For a manufactured military machine, there’s too much cla.s.sified information. Even since I reached the Magallanica, I was forbidden to make contact with outside, and I had to remain in full vigilance under the Foundation all day…the weirdest thing was that none of the workers had any relations to the army. However, ever since the war with Neo Zeon ended, the mobile suit productions had only been at the stage where slight modifications were made as we couldn’t even try out new designs. During this time, even if we find it suspicious, the technicians would only close an eye and work on new technology that’s being produced at such a time. Besides, the machine that was developed was that famous “Gundam”.”

““Gundam”?”

Aaron’s depressed eyes looked up as he answered, “That’s our nickname for it”, and gave a forsaken smile on his face.

“The moment we saw its NT-D activated…we could only treat it as if it was deliberately designed to be like that. That’s what all the involved personnel called it, the “Unicorn Gundam”.”

“Then, what should we do? Do we use the drugs on him?”

Five minutes later, Conroy asked as they stared at the monitor showing the camera footage of Aaron’s face. Daguza drank the salted coffee, a Navy tradition, and asked back “What do you think?”

“It’ll just be a waste of time for us to continue. He probably would not know any more even if we probe in more. The Vist Foundation’s secretive measures were well played, giving each department only the information they’re in charge of and not letting them deduce the entire thing.”

Daguza did not disagree. Aaron, who was left in the monitor room, would either just touch the computer that was left in the room deliberately subconsciously or look down with a pale expression. It was not that they did not doubt that it was an act on his part, but his testimony were the same as the other developers. Besides, they were not professional interrogators. Daguza’s feeling the same as well, and he didt want to use the confession drug without being confident and then the few remaining survivors into vegetables.

They would normally hand them over to headquarters to begin formal interrogations. Daguza put down the mug that had coffee in it and checked the numbers on the monitor <11:17:32 4/08/0096="">>. 8th April, 11.17 in the morning, about half a day after the battle cased, and it’s been over 6 hours since the ““Nahel Argama”” left Industrial 7. Even though they were using the detention facilities inside the ship to question the 4 developers held inside the Magallanica, they got such messages that felt like they were blinded. After spending several hours listening to testimonies regarding the UC plan and trying to probe their relationship with Laplace Box, it felt like they were led by the blind as well. Daguza and the rest of ECOAS were feeling such futility.

“Let’s leave aside the UC project for now. The rea.s.sembly plan of the s.p.a.ce forces was already announced in the Mid-term defense . I heard that they’re to complete the unification of all the colonies that were scattered, and the earth orbital forces that are being built up to the level of the main fleets in the past is to hurry and prepare for the 100 year anniversary in UC 0100 4 years later.”

The hulking Conroy rested his large body that dwarfed any wrestler on the wall of the monitor room, rubbing his eyes as he said so. The UC plan that was declared to have ended when the RX-0 was finished was planned as part of the s.p.a.ce forces rea.s.sembly plan—all the members of the plan admitted. “I heard of it before. That’s a plan that was mentioned when the military budget was being trimmed, right?” Garrett let the chair at the console turn around and said to them.

“That plan never had any intent of ma.s.s building new fleets. In other words, it’s just a compression plan to gather all the forces. This is the first time I heard that they developed a new mobile suit.”

“It’s not completely impossible. There’s also the main show of the Republic of Zeon returning its self-independence back in UC 0100. They’re gathering the forces at such a time, and there’s the powerful new mobile suit…”

Daguza dragged his voice with half the mind to show how mystified he was, “Is this a PR activity on the military side?” Garrett frowned.

“I should say that the Federation government intends to show off. The reason why the main forces are stationed at colonies all over the place is to prevent the remnants of Zeon from rebelling. What should they do if they want to recall these fleets?”

“Ah…” Conroy’s hint caused Garrett mug to remain in the air just as it was about to be brought to his lips. “So the Government intends to eliminate the remnants of Zeon before that? But—”

“It’s not as easy as saying this goal. However, the Republic of Zeon’s returning their self-independence over to us is a rare chance to get rid of the name of Zeon. The Federation Government intends to use 0100 as the deadline to wipe out all remnants of Zeon, use that to rea.s.semble the Earth orbital forces, and after all those things, they can say that they finally ended the nightmare since the One Year War. What will be need to pave the way will most likely be the UC plan, the plan to develop the “Gundam” to eliminate Neo Zeon.”

It was dangerous to predict and conclude with only a few reports, but if one thought of it this way, a lot of things could be understood. In this time where military arming was gradually reduced, the development of a mobile suit with new technology, the reason to search for the limits of the machine even if the people involved have to view the pilot’s life as secondary, and the fact that the appearance of this mobile suit was similar to the “Gundam” Zeon so feared as the “White Devil”—

“Cardeas Vist hid a secret that can topple the Federation inside that machine and intended to hand it over to Neo Zeon…how ironic.””

If it really ended up like that, it would just be a slight commotion of sending salt to the enemy. Conroy and Garrett saw Daguza smiling bitterly, and looked at each other.

“Then, leader, is that mobile suit the Laplace Box?”

“Leaving aside whether we can put an end to this speculation, we do have enough proof here. We have a machine that was ready to be moved out with the spare parts and the Laplace Program that was only installed when it was moved to the Magallanica. I have no idea which level of the Vist Foundation got involved with this plan, but the Unicorn’s the symbol of the Foundation after all.”

The moment Daguza finished, the left arm and flank that were numb started to ache, and he did not continue . It seemed that the effect of the painkiller had worn out. Conroy seemed to detect this situation as he wanted to say something, but Daguza averted his stare and quickly said before Conroy could, “What we can understand is that the weapon was built for Newtypes to pilot.”

“The Newtype Theory is the core of Zeon. Removing Zeonism is something that has to be linked with eliminating the remnants of Zeon. It’s really puzzling why they would gamble on the Federation’s trust in the plan and take a weapon meant for Newtypes.”

“Fight fire with fire…you can think of it that way, but I heard that the Newtype research facility was already closed.”

“No matter how we deny it, the conclusion is that we can’t ignore how useful Newtype weapons are, is it? In fact, all the Gundam pilots up till now are…”

“It’s because of this, that the elimination of Newtypes has to be carried out by non-Newtypes. This is to crush the myth that’s ingrained deeply in people’s hearts.”

Conroy and Garrett immediately remained silent as the short silence descended on the narrow monitor room. Daguza darnk the coffee that went cold, and said,

“The UC plan, the NT-DNewtype Drive, the psycommuu…there might be other things we don’t know of. It’s the same with the things seemingly related to Laplace Box. That “Gundam” really seem fishy.”

Getting right down to it, why did it suddenly move on its own? Daguza suddenly recalled the appearance of the boy he found in the c.o.c.kpit. Now what’s his name… Daguza’s mind is somewhat slowed by the use of the painkiller, and at this moment, he heard a voice that rang through the room’s interal phone.

The members of ECOAS were in charge of this monitor room and the facilities used to detain the prisoners. Even the servicemen on this battleship were not permitted inside. “What is it?” Conroy picked up the receiver and gave a grumpy look. Daguza could read from his lips that Alberto called, and sighs as he walked towards the door. He unlocked the door to this room that could become an airlock in emergencies and pushed the metal door aside.

Alberto, who was standing right in front of the door, was nearly slammed by the metal door that was opened as he backs away in a jumpy manner. The gravity block inside the ship was not that much different from the moon, and quite some skill was required to control and move the body. The ‘guest’ from Anaheim was supported by his subordinates who were dressed in suits. He tried to steady himself, but this time, he nearly trips forward.

The man shook off the hands of the subordinates who wanted to support him again and forcefully steadied his feet on the floor of the pa.s.sage. He tidied the collar that was buried under the collar’s flesh and stared at Daguza. “What is it?” Daguza merely answered the expected antagonistic stare with an emotionless look.

“You’re already asking me what’s wrong? I’ve already sent someone to say that I’ll be questioning the members of the plan who are detained. Besides, they’re our company’s staff…”

“Right now, they’re important people managed under the military. We can’t let civilians take part in the questioning.”

“Then, I request to investigate the “Unicorn” that’s inside this ship. That’s our company’s property, right? We have the right as it’s not handed over to the military yet.”

“Of course. We’ll be requesting your company for a.s.sistance. We’ll contact you at that moment. Please leave for now.”

The conversation between both of them was not any different from before. Alberto used ECOAS to get the initiative and searched the “Magallanica” for any information about the box. He, who showed an out-of-character att.i.tude when the “Unicorn” appeared and demanded for it to be taken back, naturally did not feel happy about being lurched behind for these few hours. Alberto wanted to start arguing back immediately as he glanced at his subordinates who were dressed in suits. The fat and thick face twists mysteriously. Once Daguza detected that it was a smile, Alberto said without a care in the world, “Looks like we still lack a common understanding to this situation, Commander Daguza.”

“What happened in Industrial 7 isn’t something that can be covered up by chopping off the heads of to three conspirators. If there’s anything wrong with the response, even Central Command can collapse. It’s better for both sides to give some leeway to keep the damage to the minimum. Regarding this, I suppose the Supreme Council Committee would have a similar agreement, isn’t it?”

The man’s expression and voice showed that he felt that if the superior’s name was used, the soldier would shut up. Daguza took a deep breath and calmly answered, “It’s true that it does seem that we lack a common understanding.”

“To me, the damage was already done. Including my subordinates, several people, probably even hundreds have died. Even if we try to a.s.sist each other, they won’t be revived.”

Perhaps Daguza had some intent to restrain himself, but his eyes were showing some killing intent. Alberto, who was definitely overwhelmed by the mood, backed away and knocked his back into his subordinates who did not move. He glanced back at the stare he once tried to avert and seemingly muttered to himself, “…You’re unexpectedly fragile for a soldier being the leader of ECOAS.” In response, Daguza remained silent.

“Never mind. That’s how it will be then. If there’s difficulty in coming to an agreement, we’ll let the topdown handle it. I’ll report to the higher-ups as soon as possible and get the company HQ to mark the ECOAS headquarters in Luna Two.”

“Do as you please. That’s if the laser communicator can still work while we’re hidden in the shoal s.p.a.ce region.”

Alberto’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Daguza stared at his face and continued in a manner of fact, “Right now, the “Nahel Argama” is still hidden in the remnants of Side 5. This place is the remains of the battle of Loum, but there’s not many places to hide a ship. If the enemy intercepts our long-distanced contact, it’ll be very hard for us to find another place to hide.”

The “Nahel Argama” was not that reckless to solo through the s.p.a.ce areas where the enemies might appear after having lost most of their forces. They could only remain in the remnants of the colony until the reinforcements arrived and seal off all contact to the outside. The current situation of the “Nahel Argama” was already antic.i.p.ated by Daguza. If not, he would not talk to the official of Anaheim in such a direct tone.

The enraged Alberto looked like he realized what Daguza was thinking as he gave a defiant look,

“I’ll talk to Captain Otto.”

After glaring at Daguza, Alberto said as he turned around.

“He’s a reasonable soldier.”

After leaving these words behind, Alberto and his men, who gave dangerous looks walked down the pa.s.sageway before leaving. The cylindrical gravity block was built with the inner wall arcing inwards, making a gradual slope. About more than 30m away from here, the other group disappeared at the edge of the ceiling, and Daguza waited for Alberto’s large b.u.t.t to disappear from his sights before sighing softly. He breathed hard to ease the pain that was gradually rising up his flank and asked Conroy, who was been watching the conversation from the door, “That boy just now hasn’t woken up yet?” “Yes.” Conroy’s thick eyebrows frowned.

“His body is a lot weaker than we thought.”

“It can’t be helped…he went through such acceleration just now. Once he wakes up, report to me. We have to hurry our investigations on the “Unicorn”.”

“Yes. If possible, I really want to go back to Luna Two and carry out investigations without other people interfering!”

The small asteroid Juno, “Luna Two”, was dragged over from the asteroid belt to obtain resources needed to build colonies. It was the Federation’s largest base in s.p.a.ce ever since it was steadied on the lunar orbit 50 years ago, and the special commands headquarters that was the base of ECOAS was also located there. There was no better place to investigate the RX-0 better than Luna Two, but the problem was that the Earth was right in the middle from there to where the ship was, as they’re directly opposite from each other. Sighing, Daguza added on, “Tough one.”

“Londo Bell’s reinforcements are too slow. If the fleets that are stationed nearby are unwilling to move, it’s likely that the Nahel Argama will reach the moon that’s closer. Once we enter Anaheim’s headquarters, we’ll lose the chance to investigate the “Unicorn”.”

Though the moon did have a military command post, it was not as secure as ECOAS in terms of secrecy. Besides, if Anaheim lodged a complaint, the RX-0 will have to be left to the legislature, and it would definitely be moved away from the base. In this situation, Anaheim’s outstanding lawyers in the Earth Celestial Sphere would try to drag on the legal case and use this time to thoroughly investigate the RX-0. Once a conclusion was made, the machine that was returned to the military will be an empty sh.e.l.l, and all data related to the box will be wiped clean…this outcome was extremely obvious. No matter what anyone said, the moon itself was a world revolving around Anaheim Electronics.

Hiding in the shoal s.p.a.ce region was their one and only chance. Even if Anaheim might talk later, they would have to do something before Anaheim does. “Understood”. Conroy answered, showing that he understood the situation.

“So please get some sleep, commander.”

Daguza heard these words that were quipped in at the end, and look like he was unprepared for this sudden attack as he glanced back at Conroy.

“When was the last time you slept? Around 30 hours ago, I believe? n.o.body can replace you, so please treat your rest as part of the job.”

The voice of the vice commander who had been with him for many years causes Daguza’s tense feelings to ease somewhat. That’s good. Daguza watches Conroy leave these words as he left the monitor room, and leaned his body that felt extremely heavy onto the wall, maintaining this state as he closed his eyes for a while.

I’m old now. Daguza felt the bitterness that came with age in the chest of his almost-40 body that was starting to become useless.

There’s a piano sound. I know this—Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” mother liked. The music that was quiet, sad yet maddening in a way that the heart would flutter, echoed throughout the high-ceiling and wide room. It felt like it was saying that his distant past could only look up from the Earth to the moon as it excited the human heart once before.

Looking up, the large tapestry hung on the wall filled his sights. The tapestry that reached all the way to the ceiling had flowers and animals woven on the scarlet red background of the cloth, and there was a woman in a sari dress standing in the middle of each tapestry. Playing the small piano, holding the flower garland, holding a sweet; in the six tapestries that decorated the room, the women were all focused on doing different things. Beside her, there was a lion with a thick mane and a unicorn with the horn on its forehead pointing to the sky—

“Sight, hearing, touch, scent, taste. What these ill.u.s.trations describe all the 5 senses that come with most living creatures when they were born, but as for this 6th one…what this ‘tent’ represents, there’s still no conclusion.”

Banagher was carried up by the large hands of his father, and stared at the tapestry with the tent woven in the middle. The lady put the ornament into the box the servant girl beside her was holding, and intended to enter the tent. At the top of the tent, there were the words in ancient language ‘My only wish’. Banagher read these words in the way he was taught before, and his father smiled happily as he said, “Amazing, you remembered.”

But even father doesn’t know what “My only wish” is about…

“It was drawn because that person didn’t understand. And we think. Only humans are blessed with such ability. The unicorn that’s woven on the tapestry and the music that’s heard now show what that person felt through the human eyes and ears. That is a certain feeling the five senses can’t comprehend, a certain feeling that transcends reality…maybe that might be called an existence called G.o.d, or maybe that’s just an illusion created as a result of a human’s wish. However, as long as we believe in that existence and do something for the world, that chance will become reality.

Do you understand? Banagher? Only humans have G.o.d. It’s a great power to visualize their ideals and go close to their ideals…the G.o.d that exist within, called possibilities.”

I don’t understand completely, but I know father feels that he wants to teach me something important. Banagher stared at his father’s face.

“That’s the source of the power that allowed humans to rise up amongst countless animals and even land in s.p.a.ce. It’s true that humans devoured Earth until it was drained. They wasted their precious knowledge on killing each other, and the past wars have forced half of humanity to their deaths. Based on these, some people concluded that as a species, humans have reached their end. But I feel that’s a pessimistic view, Past wars have shown the possibilities of Newtypes to people. Humans are the ones who can find hope in any given situation and use it to overcome any situation. Knowledge and kindness, things that make humans what they are, come from possibility. Right now, the world’s involved in the mess of despair and rebirth. You people who’re to live on in the future must create a world where people can accept their deaths properly as humans. You must bring out the possibility within you and fulfill a world that can showcase the power and kindness of humanity.”

“What you’re saying it is too difficult…Banagher still doesn’t understand.”

His mother said without stopping her hands from playing the piano. The face that showed itself from the grand piano seemed to be smiling. “This kid is special.” After saying that, Banagher’s father carried him up again as he smiled.

“If you’re willing to try, you’ll be able to understand. This boy has the ability to listen to others. Even if he doesn’t understand, he’ll use his own way to try and feel what others intend to expression. This is an inherent gift. Once a person’s 5, the nature will show itself like this. This isn’t a talent that can be nurtured whether you want to or not. This kid’s special.”

Special. This word brought about a chill into his chest. The room that was surrounded by soft light suddenly darkened. He could not see the tapestries, and his father’s hands were not there to hold him. A red light came out from the darkness, and just when that light was about to disappear, many lights appeared all over the place, moving on their own. They looked like fireflies he saw on the TV, but they were much faster. These red lights would reach places Banagher could not see, and sometimes, some icy cold needle-like things would poke his body.

Antagonistic intent, this term appeared in his mind. As he hated this piercing feeling, Banagher desperately tried to note where the lights were. He wanted to teach these things really badly.

“Don’t be fooled by what you can see or hear. Use your feelings. If it’s you, you can do it.”

Banagher heard his father. He closed his eyes and tried to feel that icy cold object. This was not too hard as these guys would give a sharp and painful presence before they attacked. Just aim there and attack. There’s no need to use your hands or your feet; just use your head to think. Once he detected the presence, the belt that’s tied on his head moved on its own as he thought of teaching those things a lesson. See? Another one down.

However, the opponent would attack in response to my presence, so I can’t show my emotions too much. I have to imagine that there’s a pair of eyes staring outside, and I can see the entire battlefield completely. I have to read the flow of the enemy’s presence and lure them into a corner—

“THAT’S ENOUGH!”

The piano let out a distorted sound. His mother’s face came out from the darkness as her hands were still on the piano. She was glaring at his father with a horrifying expression.

“What are you intending to do to Banagher!? Aren’t you treating him as some test subject!?”

“This is just a game. There’s no drugs used at all.”

“Of course not, right!? Of course you can’t use such things! Newtype is just a term Zeon’s promoting themselves with.”

“But this kid has power, a power you and I don’t have. This power can clear the curse that’s bestowed on the Vist Foundation and show the world the future it should have…”

“Just let the kid who inherited the Vist family’s name to do it. It has nothing to do with us.”

“I intend to hand the Foundation over to Banagher in the future. If you wish, I can allow you to be registered under the Vist’s family name…”

“THAT’S NOT WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT! I LIKE THE MAN CALLED CARDEAS VIST, AND IF POSSIBLE, I WANTED TO HAVE A KID WITH HIM—THAT WAS ALL! I DON’T CARE ABOUT THE FOUNDATION OR THE VIST FAMILY’S CURSE!”

There’s no point talking any further. His mother showed such an expression and sat behind the piano, not to be seen again. The light that vaguely showed revealed a piano no one was playing, and a faint light showed his father’s silhouette outside the light. His father’s face sank into darkness, and could hardly be seen.

“…Those bestowed with power will create responsibility that comes with it. This is something I can’t choose.”

“So you’re working on the order of the G.o.d of possibilities… I like the strong you who will back up his words, but I have no intent on offering Banagher as a sacrifice to G.o.d.”

His father wanted to say something, but did not as he faded into the darkness. Banagher was left in this silent and cold room, and he did not have time to feel uneasy or even cry before he was taken away by somebody else’s arms. It was his mother’s. To those eyes of the kid, the arms were large and warm. But at the same time, he felt that the arms were relying on him. Yes, father’s no long around. I have to be mother’s support—

“Let’s go, Banagher. This isn’t the place for us to stay in. I hope that you become an adult who understands the importance of an ordinary life.”

After these words were spoken, Banagher suddenly felt difficulty in breathing. But if this is mother’s wish, I’ll obey. It’s best for me to forget this family and what father taught. That tapestry’s the same too, and also everything about father. I’ll hide them all deep within my memories.

I have to protect mother. Father said before that a man has to do this. I think remembering what father taught me has nothing to do with this…

Banagher left the Vist family’s house as he was dragged away by his mother’s hands. The sculptures in the garden, the fountains and usually trimmed gra.s.s hedges all gradually faded away, and a world that Banagher had never seen before appeared in front of him. It was a world that focused on being ‘ordinary’, a world where he must not let himself be ‘special’. He was likes an obstinate old man. He had to change, but he would not. Even if he had a wish to step forward, he would not move on his own. It felt like a gust of wind blew by, and like he was floating on the oceans, showing an expression that he was not disappointed despite losing half his body in a major injury a few years ago.

That kind of thing has its own fun. That’s right, it’s just as mother said. Being ‘ordinary’ will definitely have significance and greatness that comes from being ‘ordinary’. But Banagher felt the ‘disjoined’ feeling in there. For every step he took away from the house, the ‘disjointed feeling’ felt stronger. Maybe I forgot something important? He instinctively stops in his tracks and looks back at the house that seemed to have gone far, far away, and then continue on without thinking. At this moment, Banagher’s ankle was grabbed as he immediately knelt down.

Looking back in shock, his father’s hand was grabbing onto his ankle. The large and reliable hand of his father—was so icy cold it was scary. He had much more wrinkles, and he was as skinny as bones. The face looked aged, and his hair seemed to have all grayed. What was most shocking was that his father was covered with blood. Cardeas, who laid down on the floor, grabbed onto Banagher’s ankle tightly, and the face that was like a dead man was staring at his own son.

“Don’t be afraid. Believe in yourself. Do what you feel you have to do.”

Cardeas Vist said as his body was partly collapsed as it fused with the floor. Banagher only felt like escaping that hand’s grip, but Cardeas just would not let go of his ankle. He originally intended to move further away as he held his mother’s hand. Banagher, who thought of shaking the leg that was grabbed and even stamp on him to get away, saw a giant that was standing in place of what was his house.

In that darkness, there was a darkness that was much deeper. The giant figure with the lone horn is staring down at Banagher. The term ‘Unicorn’ immediately appeared in his mind, and the giant’s body suddenly expands as the surface that’s cracked open reveals red light that looked like bleeding.

At the same time, the horn of the giant cracks in half as its eyes seems to shine like a demon. Banagher instinctively felt that he’s about to be eaten as his body would not listen to him. The fear that rose within him form a voice that roared out from his throat—

The voice that came out from his throat was so hoa.r.s.e it was surprising, and Banagher Links opened his eyes.

What first entered his eyes is the light panel that’s giving off white light. The light panel had a wire fence on the surface. It doesn’t look like furniture an ordinary house will have. It seems that I’m on a certain ship. On thinking about this, Banagher’s head started to move slowly. He remained lying down as he moves his sights.

There was a light antiseptic smell here. The fans seemed to be too loud for an air-conditioner. Most likely, it was the sound of the machines inside the ship making the sounds. From the way the sounds came about, this place was not a s.p.a.ce shuttle or a working-cla.s.s ship. It’s a larger ship—the sound of a large carrier-cla.s.s ship’s engine running. As Banagher thought about that “Are you awake?” a voice came from beside him, and a man dressed in white appears in his sights.

One could tell from the slightly tan skinn that this man with some moustache was of Arabic descent. Baangher immediately tried to get up, but the man pushed him back onto the bed without hesitation. The small torchlight shines right into Banagher’s eyes, causing his face to frown. Fm, the man snorted and let go, and Banagher quietly leaned his back on the bed he was lying on.

He could see boxes with medication inside the room and 9 monitors on the wall. There was a treatment table beside the console, and there are doc.u.ments of medical history. The wall beside the bed had small holes that are like mini tunnels, and they should be for something like CT scans. Banagher stared at his numb hands and notices that he was waiting a gown for patients. He tried to force out a hoa.r.s.e voice, “May I know…this is?” The man in white continued to write something on the record and answered Banagher’s doubt without looking at him.

“This is the infirmary of the Nahel Argama…can you understand it this way? Anyway, it’s a Federation ship.”

Tossing aside the medical record, the man picked up a canteen and returned to Banagher. Banagher immediately realized that he was in low gravity conditions from the way the water inside the canteen swayed. He received the canteen and seemingly gulped all the water down in one shot.

“I took your wallet to check. Your name’s Banagher Links, a student of Anaheim Electronics Industrial College. Am I right?”

The man, who returned back to the treatment table, pulled out the chair and sat down before asking. “Yes.” Banagher, who could finally make some sound after drinking, answered,

“As we were rushing out of the port, we didn’t have the time to check the data of the colony, so I’ll ask directly. Do you have any past medical history or any allergies to drugs?”

“I guess not…is this ship moving in s.p.a.ce?”

“Yeah. We’re still hidden inside the shoal s.p.a.ce region. Don’t worry, the enemy won’t come looking for us so quickly.”

From that nonchalant tone, he could tell that the man was already used to such a situation. Enemies; Banagher remembered this term that had nothing to do with him. Even though he could vaguely sense some danger, Banagher showed a relaxed expression and diverted his attention to the canteen that was already empty. He felt that the water was filling his originally parched body, melting away the weight that was built up within his heart.Why am I so thirsty? How long have I been asleep? He could not remember anything, and the brain that tried to recall was still not working. Even though he remembered he did have a very bad nightmare, it was just a vague feeling left, melting away gradually together with the weight inside.

Perhaps this might be a dream as well. This is a dream I’m having in the AEIC dorm. Once I wake up, I’ll have to be careful not to wake Takuya up and sneak out to work in the morning—speaking of which, I don’t know what happened to the people of the Bubbo Company. The 4 winged mobile suit appeared in the Industrial zone. If there’s a disaster at the port, the office that had some gasoline stench should be…

Banagher’s heart started to beat faster as his temples hurt. He used his hand to touch, and the feeling of the bandage reached his fingertips, causing him to gasp. Perhaps detecting Banagher’s current situation, the man asked without looking over, “Does it hurt?” “A little…” Banagher answers. “That’s proof that you’re still alive. Try and endure it.” What he got was such cold words. “The latch that’s used to fasten the helmet forced itself on the forehead. Without that, you would have died with your neck snapped.”

His heart started to race again, and this time, the sound is so loud that other could hear it. The latch was used to fasten the helmet—that machine that looked like it had an interrogation set attached to the headrest. His head was once held by that thing on both left and right side before pressing onto his forehead. The scene in the past immediately became a bright visual, and the thin layer that covered his memories was ripped apart.

The siren could not stop, and the monitor displayed the words “NT-D”. His body was then held down with such force that it felt like his eyeb.a.l.l.s were about to explode from the acceleration. Finally, everything was soaked in a very viscous liquid, causing everything in front of his eyes to look like they’re in slow-motion…what happened after that?

The canteen dropped out from Banagher’s hand and onto the floor, letting out a clear sound. That’s right, I was once sitting inside that c.o.c.kpit, piloting that mobile suit called the “Unicorn” and fighting against the “enemy”. Audrey, Cardeas, Takuya, Micott; several faces and names appeared in his mind. Banagher used his hand to support his head that felt like exploding soon. The automatic door opened, and a woman’s voice could be heard “Excuse me!” before she entered.

“Doctor Ha.s.san, I heard that the kid’s awake…” Speaking halfway through, the woman’s eyes met Banagher, who lifts his head. “Ah, it’s true.” The woman’s round eyes became even rounder. The Easterner’s pet.i.te body had a grey shirt and white pants on her. Though one could tell from her attire that it was the Federation s.p.a.ce Forces, the woman herself did not look like a soldier. Once Banagher felt that she was basically a girl around his age, the man called Dr Ha.s.san turned around and said with a flat tone, “Oh, you’re here alone.”

“The person himself did indicate that the ident.i.ty’s correct. I’ve already done the checks you wanted as well. What I investigated using the facilities here show that he’s all clean.”

Ha.s.san showed a meaningful expression as he concluded and said this to the woman. The woman looked back at his expression and nodded. The grim atmosphere that came with the term check reached Banagher’s heart, but he did not have the mind to think too much into it. “Nice to meet you. I’m Ensign Mihiro Oiwakken.” She lifted her expression that seemed to be hidden before and greeted with a smile, causing Banagher to blink.

“Welcome to the Nahel Argama…the current situation doesn’t make it situation to say this, but are you alright? Banagher Links?”

“Ehh, well…”

“There’s a lot of things I would like to ask you, but first, I have to thank you. It’s thanks to you piloting the gundam that we’re able to survive.”

““Gundam”?”

“The machine you piloted. Am I right? The face was hidden thought, and there’s only one horn left.”

I don’t understand at all. I don’t even understand what she’s asking. Banagher turned towards Ha.s.san, who was facing the desk as the white back did not look like it was going to turn around. “Don’t you remember?” Mihiro’s head tilted slightly to the side as she glanced at Banagher’s eyes.

“I remember sitting in the mobile suit and piloting it. But at that time,