Gundam Crucible - [An AU Universal Century Quest]

[X][Paint Job] Black with Green and Dark Blue as secondary colors.

You could have painted this thing in Londo Bell colors, or imitated the iconic paint jobs of a famous Ace. Hell, you could have painted it like an Island Cascadia Mobile Suit, although that didn't occur to you until later.

No, you want something distinct.

Distinct, but important to you.

Well, you've got an idea.

Black. Black as the primary color. Sure, there's the practical reason, that being it'll make you visually indistinct from the backdrop of space (but stick out like a sore thumb against anything else) but it's almost like… space itself. Fitting to embody the void where all Spacenoids live when you're fighting those who seek to wipe all of you out.

Also, you know, it looks cool.

As for secondary colors, you decide to go with green and dark blue, the colors of the AUEG. A nod of sorts to your father and the cause he died for. Besides, what is the current day Londo Bell if not just a reversion to their AEUG/Karaba days? Honestly, how stupid was the Federation to attempt this purge whilst their elite special forces were still mostly composed of and led by former insurgents who'd fought against that very kind of behavior?

Well, people have short memories, and you guess that still holds true for Earth's Elite.

Nice. Looks great if you say so yourself.

You can't wait to take this baby into battle.

---

[X][Fight] Back up the Hrududu and sink the Clop

Meh, everyone has their own fights in hand. You've got a bigger fish in mind.

You switch to MA mode and head in the direction of Sicilia's fight. You have to weave around a few fights, jinking to the side to avoid one brawl as a Federation GM III without arms fires its Head Vulcans in a desperate attempt to stop a charging Republic Marasai. You pass them just the red Mobile Suit buries its Beam Saber into its opponent's chest, coring the cockpit. Ouch.

"Doing okay, Sicilia?" you ask her as you enter the combat area, executing some basic evasive maneuvers to dodge the sudden bursts of AA fire in your direction.

"Yeah Big Sis, doing fine." Sicilia frowns as she continues controlling the Hrududu. Even from a distance you can tell that she's making it move more like you'd expect a Funnel to move rather than a fighter. It must be burning through propellant like mad.

You see it deftly dodge a burst of AA fire and pepper the offending turret with the Beam Guns in the claws. Took out that gun, but it's clear that Sicilia isn't doing a whole lot of damage. So… your turn.

You switch the Woundwort over to MS mode and start to weave. You don't want that ship's main guns getting a bead on you. As you close in it redirects its point defenses away from the Hrududu and towards you. But it's too late for that. Far too late.

A handful of beam shots bounce off your I-Field, not nearly enough to give you pause. The Long Heat Blade swings out, glowing a bright orange. Your target, the Bridge! This ship is going down!

You remember what Riddhe said… but that doesn't apply here. A warship is a valid target. If you want to make sure it can't fight, what's the issue?

The Heat Blade digs into the side of the Bridge, and for just a split second you see the officers on the Bridge through the window. Some of them unaware of their fate, others screaming, none of them spared as your weapon carves through the entire deck. Steel or flesh, all of it melts away before your blade, pushed aside as a molten slurry. The follow-through rips the blade out the other side of the superstructure, slag spraying out in an arc.

Was that… actual screaming you heard? Just for a second? No. Couldn't be.

Their command center destroyed; the ship's defenses fall into disarray. Some guns even fall completely silent.

But that's not good enough. You won't be satisfied until the whole thing is a wreck.

"Sicilia," you smirk, readying your Heat Blade once more, "Let's carve this thing up like a roast chicken."

She nods, and you see the Hrududu pull back for an attack run, its Heat Blade now glowing too.

Like a part of ravenous hyenas, you descend upon the doomed vessel.

Sicilia makes pass after pass, each time carving a new deep cut into the hull. Out of some of those breaches you see fire, gas, or atmosphere erupt, spilled into the void.

You see people fly out of one too.

As for yourself, you destroy the Flight Deck and Hangar. Air vents through the large gash you leave in the hangar doors, and you fire your beam rifle through the crack for good measure. Flames pour out as fuel ignites and munitions cook off.

"Big Sis!" Sicilia calls your attention. Three Stark Jegans in High-Mobility configuration are rushing towards you, and you notice stylized Orcas painted on their units. An Ace team, maybe? Well, you aren't afraid to throw down with them.

"Oh, I'm sorry boys!" you mock them over comms, "Was this your ship? Well, don't worry, you won't have to worry about finding a new home…"

Your thrusters fire up, launching you from the deck of the smoldering Clop towards the three Feddies.

"-because you won't be going home at all!"

You move to cut the Jegan in the center completely in half, but it jets out of the way. In the same motion it fires both Beam Rifles at you. That move that would have absolutely destroyed an MS without an I-Field. Too bad for them, you've got one.

Before the surprise wears off you rush them and swing again. They're no amateur though, and are already moving to dodge. Instead of splitting them down the middle you instead lop off their left arm at the elbow.

The displays flash with alerts as your I-Field blocks several beam shots from the rear. That one Jegan that Sicilia couldn't engage. Well, as long as it only attacks with the Beam Rifle, you've got nothing to worry ab-what is it grabbing off its legs?

It throws something in your direction, something small and cylindrical. You quickly tap the trigger on your Head Vulcans, and a brief spray of bullets intercepts the thing a handful of meters from you. It explodes. Violently.

Hand grenades. Lovely.

A burst of Vulcans from the first Jegan pepper you, and the second Jegan grabs another grenade.

Yeah, these guys are going to be a problem.

"What I wouldn't give for some Funnels." You growl. You'll have to see about installing some. For now, you've got to make do.

Long Rifle out, wired mode. It weaves across the battlefield as you do your best to dodge the next grenade. That other damn Jegan firing its Head Vulcans gets lucky and pops one of your sub-cameras, making a portion of the lower screen flicker. It won't get its way for long.

Your Long Rifle finally loops back around, rushing that Jegan from its flank. It transforms into Claw mode, slamming into the Jegan's head and grasping it tightly. You pull the trigger, and with two flashes the Beam Gun inside the claw shoots through the Jegan's head.

"Big Sis! Behind us!"

Sicilia's cry makes you glance back, only to see the third Jegan charging at you, Beam Saber drawn.

And there you are, with your I-Field not on your person.

Oh shit.

You retract the Shield Booster, but it won't get back soon enough. Will the Vulcans be enough? They'll have to be!

"Back off!" you jam down the firing button. The entire cockpit vibrates as you send hundreds of rounds towards the approaching Federation MS. Despite the impressive-looking barrage, most of the small-caliber rounds just bounce off of the Jegan's armor. You can't stop it!

Are you going to have to eject? Rhea showed you how to trigger the ejection sequence for the Primrose II, but you practically just got this Gundam! And isn't it a one-of-a-kind? It's irreplaceable!

You've almost made the decision to do it when a burst of beam fire forces the Jegan to change their course. That red Bawoo from earlier rushes in, Beam Rifle in its right hand and Beam Saber in the other. Both of the remaining battle-worthy Jegans immediately switch their focus to it, which is both a relief and an annoyance. What are you, chopped liver?! The Long Rifle finally returns, and you fire off a couple of shots to remind them that you're still here.

"Don't look away from me!" you growl, coordinating with Sicilia's Hrududu as it rejoins you, the two of you pressuring the first Jegan with repeated shots from your Long Beam Rifles. You finally land a hit, blowing its right arm clean off at the shoulder! At the same time, that red Bawoo destroys part of its opponent's backpack with their Beam Saber, and immediately the last two Jegans break off, presumably to flee and link back up with that third Jegan you beheaded earlier.

"….So, what do you think they were called?" You glance back at Sicilia, pushing down that horrifying realization that you almost just died, again.

"The Lame Lameys." The young Cyber Newtype huffs.

"That's… an interesting name." You force a smile. Note to self, don't let Sicilia name anything, ever.

"I'm running low on propellant," she adds, looking to you, "Should I send it back?"

You nod, and the Hrududu speeds away back towards the Bellerophon. That was a short deployment, but hey, for something so old it held up pretty well on the battlefield.

You check up on the Clop. Still going down. Well, that's-wait. You can just barely make it out, but you're pretty sure that's a Beam Saber cutting its way through the hangar door from the inside! You thought you got the whole hangar! Guess there was still a Mobile Suit inside! Well, you don't see why you should let anyone get away!

You switch to MA mode and head towards the Clop just as the MS inside finishes cutting an escape hole. It's barely clambered out awkwardly onto the deck when you arrive, barely finishing your transformation into MS mode before slamming into them and pinning them to the deck. It's a Jegan with no backpack and covered in scorch marks. Guess it was down for maintenance. Well, bad luck for whoever's inside! It struggles, trying to bring its Beam Saber to bear, but you keep that arm pinned with your leg as you raise your Heat Blade.

A shriek echoes over the contact link. Not the voice of an adult. It's a child.

"No! Please!" They scream, and you pause.

That pause creates an opening. An opening that a ReZEL uses to body slam you off the Jegan. Sicilia cries out in shock, while you growl in irritation. Alerts blare in the cockpit as damage reports stream in from the left arm. A few sensors went dead, and there's slight structural damage. Damn it, who is that?!

You push off from the deck and distance yourself from your assailant, readying your weapon. Out of the corner of your eye you notice the Bawoo form up alongside you. The Pressure that pilot is exuding… they must be a Newtype too. You don't need to be a Newtype though to know that they're offering a team up against this new guy. You'll take it.

The ReZEL eyes the two of you, and you take the moment to evaluate it. Green eyes and sensors, with long Wing Binders. It's also hefting a Mega Launcher. Must be a Commander-Type. A bit higher-performance than a normal ReZEL. This shouldn't be that big of an issue, you think.

The ReZEL snaps up its Mega Launcher, and fires it right at you. Your I-Field completely dissipates the attack, and you return fire with your Long Rifle. The Bawoo joins in with its own Beam Rifle. The ReZEL dodges your shot and uses its shield to block the Bawoo's fire. Ugh, they treated their shield with Anti-Beam coating! This will be a pain.

You move to flank their left, while the Bawoo moves to approach from the right. The Fed pilot does a sort of cartwheel in midair, bringing its Mega Launcher to bear on the Bawoo while aiming its Beam Cannon Shield at you. With both weapons, it engages the two of you. You hardly need to dodge a Beam Cannon. Your I-Field will take care of it! You accelerate towards them, and then you see two grenades fire from above its wrist. Shit, explosives! You fire your verniers to dodge whilst holding down the trigger for the Vulcans, and one of the grenades explodes, intercepted.

The other hits the very tip of your right leg, and the explosion shakes the Woundwort.

You wrestle with the controls to stabilize yourself after the impact. Damn it! You quickly glance at the diagnostic readout. Looks like you lost your right "foot". That thing was like landing gear, hardly vital. Still, best not to get hit again.

The Bawoo flips and spins around the fire from the ReZEL, before its Wing Binders swing out to the side. Six white missiles scream away from it towards the Feddie, and it ceases its attacks to raise its shield in defense. All the missiles hit, engulfing the ReZEL in smoke and flames. It bursts from the cloud, trailing debris from its left shoulder, now missing the arm.

Chance!

You fire your Long Rifle again, hitting the Mega Launcher dead on. The explosion decapitates the ReZEL, but it keeps on flying. Stubborn thing.

You have half a mind to finish the thing off when it transforms, sparks flying from the deformed body, and speeds away. Looks like this is your win.

The red Bawoo moves closer, touching your Gundam's arm. At this distance, you can see that it's pretty beat up. The shield it had earlier is gone, the mounting point for it blasted apart. Guess it took a hit. Maybe a few hits.

A video feed pops up on your screen, and you get a good look at the pilot. A blonde woman in a red Normal Suit… and you think she has blue eyes. Wait, isn't she-?

"I take it that you're an ally in this fight," Artesia Deikun greets you, "Are you alright? Did your Mobile Suit suffer any serious damage?"

"Honestly, I think you're worse off than I am," you answer, taking note of all the scorch marks and warped armor plates on her MS, "I'll be fine. Do you need any help?"

She smiles, "Thank you for your concern. Your help is appreciated, but you don't have to lend anymore assistance if you don't want to. The Zeon Republic has more than enough forces to win this battle… and speaking of which-"

Almost as if on cue, another formation of Mobile Suits enters the combat zone. Much more modern Geara Zulus bearing all manner of weaponry descend upon the remaining Federation Mobile Suits and ships. The fight, which was previously only slightly in favor of the Republic of Zeon, immediately turns into a rout for the Federation.

The last surviving Clop, missing a whole engine block and trailing smoke and flames, launches a flare signaling retreat. None of the surviving Fed ships or Mobile Suits waste any time fleeing… although you do see one Salamis trying to flee in the direction of the Bellerophon and Argama.

"Oh boy," you open a line to your mothership, "Bellerophon, you've got one Fed Salamis inbound on your position. Should we intercept?"

"It's okay Cybele," Elle transmits from somewhere nearby, "Beecha's got it."

They… have it? Oh right, the Argama is armed, right? It's got a High Mega Launcher in one of the side compartments. If you zoom in, you can see it opening. The weapon extends on a gimbal, just like they said.

…

That isn't a gimbal.

A cobbled-together High Mega Launcher held by a disembodied Zaku arm extended on makeshift hydraulics takes wobbly aim at the approaching Salamis. Somehow, despite your expectations that it might explode, the thing somehow fires. The bright beam lances out… and misses the Salamis, instead hitting a floundering GM III on the other side of the combat area and annihilating the poor bastard in a large explosion.

That wasn't what the Argama was aiming for, but it was still enough to scare the Salamis off and they changed course… but still.

Honestly, you're surprised that the Argama crew isn't flying makeshift Mobile Suits too. It would fit this whole scrapyard aesthetic they've got going on.

---

Artesia Som Deikun. Daughter of Zeon Zum Deikun, Sister of Casval Rem Deikun. Better known as Sayla Mass, one of the famous members of the White Base Crew. You… didn't seriously think you'd ever meet anybody that famous, even in passing.

"So, what was she like, huh?" Eris grills you excitedly amid the noise and din of the Bellerophon's hangar, "What was it like to meet her? Oh man, it must have been amazing, right?!"

Sicilia tilts her head, confused, "Who are you talking about?"

Before you have a chance to answer either of their questions, Eris switches target.

"Excuse me, I'm only talking about Sayla Mass, born Artesia Deikun, daughter of the Zeon Deikun and sister to the infamous Char Aznable! A woman who helped defeat the Zabi family and win the One Year War, and who just became leader of the Republic of Zeon in the past few days! How could you not know of her?" Eris sighs, looking a bit faint, "To think I shared a battlefield with her, and while flying a Mobile Suit meant for her brother too! Did she see me? Did she mention my Mk. III at all?"

"Uh…" you stare at your friend, "No."

"I've heard those names before," Sicilia asks with childish curiosity, "Who were they?"

Eris gasps in an almost theatrical fashion, before looking to you with a determined expression.

"Cybele. I'm borrowing her." Your friend declares, brooking no argument as she proceeds to drag Sicilia away, "Little girl, you may be woefully uneducated, but fear not! You're about to learn the history of the One Year War, Abridged version! Straight from the Kallis family museum!"

You smile apologetically at Sicilia as she looks helplessly back at you. It's for her own good. Eris may be a bit over-enthusiastic about this, but Sicilia really needs to learn this stuff if she's going to stay involved in this conflict. Historical context is important, after all.

…

Not that she should be involved. Same goes for you.

None of you should have to be laying your lives on the line… but while you can't speak for others, you can say that you can't stop fighting. If you do, what did your brother die for?

---

The Bellerophon still has that new furniture smell in the lounge areas. You doubt it'll last long, especially when the ship gets its full crew complement… but will you stick around long enough to see that? You don't mean in a mortal sense. Once you reach Londenion, there will undoubtedly be the question of what you intend to do. Will you stay with Londo Bell? Try to go independent? Join another group like the Republic of Zeon? The Captain said that there's a doctor in Londenion who can help your mother, but can they really help her, or is the Captain just saying that?

Well, when you get there, you'll demand to speak to the man in charge. You don't entirely trust Londo Bell as a whole, but Bright Noa, now that's a man with a solid reputation for being up front and honest. You mean, he's a war hero four times over! If what Eris has told you is true, he can give you a straight answer.

In the meantime, you're crashing hard in the lounge. After the battle and all that adrenaline, you just want to… not think. The Bellerophon doesn't have a large media database, but it has quite a bit of content. There's also that live feed from the networks broadcasting out of Von Braun.

---

[] "The White Meteor of Side 7" produced by Londo Bell

[] "Newtypes, Existential Threat or Evolutionary Leap?" by Dakar News Network

[] "Noblesse Oblige: Principles of a more Civilized Era" produced by the Buch Concern

[] "The One Year War in Retrospect" produced by the Republic of Zeon

[] "How to Make the Perfect Parfait" sponsored by the Vist Foundation

[] "History of the RX-series" produced by Anaheim Electronics

[] "Char Aznable: The Man, The Legend, The Red Comet" by Axis Entertainment

[] "The Mightiest Mobile Suit" by the RB-79 Preservation Society

[] Live News Feed from Von Braun News Network

Author's Note: Sorry that this took so long to finish! I was having problems writing after Finals were over. Hopefully that won't be an issue anymore. And yes, these bits of media do contain plot-important info. Well, most of them.