Winning Vote:
[X] Ptolemaios II
-[X] Setsuna
Aboard the Archangel, Mendel Colony Spaceport
You adjust your helmet before climbing into the cockpit of the Rose. Nina shares a brief, passionate kiss with Yukari before licking her lips and putting on her own helmet and joining you in the cockpit.
After the two of you close the Rose's cockpit and get settled in, there's the sound of an explosion, followed by a shockwave that seems to impact the ship.
"What happened?" You ask as you and Nina continue preparations to launch.
"The enemy ship fired a massive beam at the spaceport wall. No major damage, but we're more exposed now!" Miriallia reports.
"We're going out now! All units, stand by to launch on my command!" Murrue orders as the Archangel lurches forward.
As you and Nina finish preparing to launch, a vaguely familiar voice comes in over an open frequency.
"This is the Blue Cosmos battleship Dominion. Archangel, can you hear me?"
"Is that...Natarle Badriguel?" Nina realizes.
"I regret that we had to meet again under these circumstances. Please, surrender. If you do not, we will be forced to destroy your ship. Captain Ramius, you should know more than anyone what a ship of this type is capable of." Natarle says, reluctance evident in her tone.
"We have a visual on the enemy ship!" Miriallia reports.
A live feed pops up of a ship identical in appearance to the Archangel save for the fact that it's painted primarily in black.
You hear Murrue sigh heavily before she responds.
"I'm sorry, Natarle. We cannot do that. It's not just about what happened in Alaska, but Blue Cosmos' intentions as a whole. We will not surrender." Murrue says.
You hear someone laugh.
"You should be embarrassed, Captain! If we could solve everything by talking, there would be no conflict in this world. Enemies are made through misunderstanding, and enemies must be shot!"
"Director Azrael!" Natarle says in surprise.
"Murata Azreal? The leader of Blue Cosmos himself?!" You realize out loud.
"The Dominion is launching mobile suits! Wait one...four Drake-class escort ships and two Nelson-class battleships detected accompanying the Dominion, also launching mobile suits!" Miriallia reports.
"All units, launch! Buster and Strike, stay back and protect the Archangel!" Murrue orders.
"This is the Ptolemaios II, we will launch alongside you!" Sumeragi says.
"Thank you." Murrue says.
Mu and Dearka launch in the Launcer Strike and Buster Gundams, followed by Kira and Athrun in the Freedom and Justice, and then yourself and Nina in the Rose.
You are Kira Yamato, and things are already getting hairy.
For starters, the three Gundams that Blue Cosmos deployed in Orb are here as well, and they're just as much of a pain to deal with as last time.
"Eat this and die, shithead!" The pilot of the Calamity yells as he hurls his flail at the Freedom.
You fire the Freedom's head-mounted CIWS at it in an attempt to to destroy it, but are forced to deflect it away with your shield when it gets too close.
In the distance, you see the Buster fire its railgun at a piece of debris, exposing the Strike Daggers that had been hiding behind it and allowing the Launcher Strike to destroy one of them with the Agni cannon. The Rose charges forward, smashing apart debris and Strike Daggers alike. The 00 Raiser charges ahead, dismembering or decapitating any Strike Dagger it encounters, while the Destiny Gundam makes its way over to help you and Athrun.
"Target the Dominion's engines!" Cagalli orders from aboard the Kusanagi.
You hear Cagalli yelp, followed by a metallic screeching sound.
"Damn it! Sorry, but it seems like we've been snagged by one of the colony's old docking cables! We can't break free!" Kisaka says.
"Shit!" Athrun yells as he sees the Forbidden move to attack the trapped Kusanagi.
Your only choice is to have faith that Athrun will make it in time as you and Stella try to fend off the other two Druggies. Unfortunately, although Stella is in a far superior machine, the enemy pilots' enhancements seem to have given them better piloting ability than her, as the Raider is able to box in the Destiny with a salvo of beam rounds and shells, distracting her enough that the Calamity is able to attack you unmolested.
You grit your teeth as you deflect the Calamity's mace again before firing the Freedom's Xiphias railguns at the enemy Gundam, momentarily disorienting the pilot and giving you a little breathing room. At the same time, you see Stella throw a beam boomerang at the Raider, forcing it to dodge both the initial throw and its return vector, allowing her to reunite with you.
"Any ideas?" You ask as the Freedom and Destiny face off against the Calamity and Raider.
"They were before my time and I never got any practice against even a simulated opponent of that level. Our best bet is to try not to die until either Athrun gets back or Setsuna or Mira get an opportunity to help us." Stella notes sourly.
You grit your teeth and ready the Freedom's beam rifle.
You are Murrue Ramius, and you are currently in a battle against one of the last people you wanted as an enemy.
Archangel vs Dominion
Archangel fires Gottfrieds and Helldarts
Roll 1d10 + 8 Ability + 3 (Helldart salvo)
vs
Dominion Armor DC 18 = 8 (Natarle's Ability) + 7 Armor + 3 (Top Officer)
Roll 4
4 + 8 + 3 = 15
Dominion attacks with delayed Sledgehammer volley and Valiant Salvo
Roll 1d10 + 8 (Natarle's Ability) + 3 (unorthodox tactic)
vs
Archangel Armor DC 18 = 8 Ability + 7 Armor + 3 (Igellstellung point defenses)
Roll 2
2 + 8 + 3 = 13
Result: Neither ship takes any damage
"Helldarts, Gottfrieds, fire!" You order.
The Archangel fires its primary beam cannons and a salvo of missiles at the Dominion. To your dismay, all of the Helldarts are shot down by the enemy ship's point defense systems, and the enemy helm officer seems to be almost as competent as your own, as they are also able to dodge the shots from your Gottfrieds.
"Incoming missiles, Mark Orange Delta, coming from above us!" Miriallia reports.
"When did-shoot them down!" You order.
"Enemy is firing Valiants at us!" Sai reports.
"Evade!" You order.
The Archangel twists and turns in ways that are only possible with Arnold Neumann at the helm, the Igellstellungs destroying any Sledgehammers that get too close while Natarle's Valiant salvo passes harmlessly above you.
"That was too close..." You mutter under your breath.
"Captian Ramius, do you need assistance?" Sumeragi asks from the Ptolemaios II.
You glance at the Dominion while considering Sumeragi's offer.
TACTICAL SITUATION
The Kusanagi is snagged on an old docking cable attached to Mendel Colony. An M-1 Astray is currently attempting to sever it with a beam saber, and should succeed before the start of next round provided they are not interrupted.
Athrun Zala in the Justice is moving to protect the Kusanagi
The Forbidden is moving to attack the Kusanagi
The Calamity and Raider are attacking the Freedom and Destiny. The enemy pilots seem to be holding back, perhaps to try and capture them relatively intact.
Blue Cosmos Strike Daggers and the other ships are attempting to breach the entrance to Mendel's spaceport, but are not succeeding at the moment due to the Rose, Launcher Strike, 00 Raiser, Buster, and Ptolemaios II
Mu la Flaga reports that he senses the presence of Rau Le Creuset and ZAFT. He and Dearka are moving into the interior of Mendel to the spaceport on the other side of the colony to verify.
Available Units
The Rose
Freedom Gundam
Justice Gundam
Buster Gundam
Launcher Strike Gundam
Destiny Gundam
00 Raiser
M-1 Astray x10
Archangel
Kusanagi (currently snagged on a cable)
Ptolemaios II
Known Opposition
Dominion
Drake-class escort ship x4
Nelson-class battleship x2
Strike Dagger x30
Calamity Gundam
Raider Gundam
Forbidden Gundam
VOTE BY PLAN
Do you send anyone to assist Athrun in protecting the Kusanagi?
[ ] Yes
-[ ] Pick any ally present aside from M-1 Astrays to assist
[ ] No
Who should assist Kira and Stella?
[ ] Setsuna
[ ] Mira
[ ] Sumeragi
[ ] No One
Who should assist Murrue against Natarle and the Dominion? (the chosen pilot/captain cannot be the same as the choice made above unless no one is chosen)
[ ] Setsuna
[ ] Mira
[ ] Sumeragi
[ ] No One
Write-in Option:
[ ] Decide on how to assist the Kusanagi (if you feel such a thing is required), how to help Kira and Stella, and how to help Murrue with Natarle. Anyone not assigned to any of the above will focus on holding of Blue Cosmos' generic forces.
A/N: And so we kick off the first major part of Gundam SEED's endgame. Please vote, discuss, and critique!
