A Glimmer of Light in a World of Darkness
Part one: Pyper’s entry
“Pyper, wake up, you will miss your graduation ceremony!” Pyper’s father called out from the bottom of the stairs. Pyper Wolf snapped her eyes open and flew out of bed.
“Darn it, Dad, why didn’t you wake me up sooner?!” Pyper asked as she rushed into the bathroom.
“I tried, but you were out like a log,” Dr. Wolf said as he sat down to read the paper at the table. About five minutes later, Pyper flew down the stairs and into the kitchen. After munching down some toast, the sixteen-year-old girl bolted out the door and took off in her car. After about twenty minutes of driving, she arrived at the military base and parked on site. There were hundreds of people about since the graduation ceremony was taking place that day and they were all trying to get a good look at the new mass-produced RX-78-2 Gundam.
“There are more people here than I originally thought there would be,” Pyper said as she made her way to the building were her class was supposed to meet before the ceremony. “Almost there…”
“Ensign Wolf, Atten!” A harsh voice spoke from behind her. Pyper jumped 10 ft. into the air before turning to see her friends Zara and Aster standing behind her, laughing their heads off. “You should have seen the look on your face!”
“That impersonation of Ensign Commander Wells is going to get you into trouble one of these days, Zara,” Pyper said as the three of them entered the building. As the three of them entered the building, the U.S.N. forces that landed sent out a small force of 40 Mobile Suits to attack and destroy the base and the W.O.L.F. Project it protected. As the MS began to near the base, the Control Tower caught on to them.
“Sir, I have forty heat sources approaching the base!” The radar officer reported as the radar picked up the heat signatures of the enemy suits. “The force is made up of 10 Doms armed with bazookas, heat sabers and Guncannon beam rifles, a Gelgoog Commander armed with a Guncannon beam rifle, A twin beam sword and shield, nine GINNs armed with rocket launchers, heavy assault machine guns, and standard heavy blades, nine Gouf Customs, a Gouf Custom Commander, and 10 Z.A.F.T. GOUF Ignited.”
“Sound the alarms!” the Base Overseer ordered as the data was displayed before him. “Get all non-military personnel off of the grounds, have all trained Mobile Suit pilots suit up and engage the enemy! Notify the R. & D. facility; protect the W.O.L.F. Project at all cost!”
“A raid from the U.S.N.?!” Pyper exclaimed when word reached the trainee building. “While there are still innocent people on the grounds?!”
“The Base Overseer has ordered all free military personnel to escort the civilians off of the base as quickly as possible,” Another trainee answered, coming into the room. “We are to stay here.”
“Nathan…” Pyper said as she clenched her fists. “I am not going to stay here and watch other people die!” As she turned to leave, Nathan placed a hand on her shoulder. “If you try to stop me, I will kill you.”
“Who is trying to stop you, Pyper?” Nathan asked, removing his hand. “Listen up Trainees: suit up and show our teachers what we learned during our time here. Show them that though we may die today in the battle, we are not afraid to face it head on with honor!” The other trainees shouted their support and boarded their RGM-79(G) Mobile Suits. “Move out!” Nathan was the last one to suit up in his Ez8 Command Mobile Suit. At the sound of the order; the trainees surged into the hectic battle.
“Sir the trainees have entered the battle!” the radar operator exclaimed as the trainees appeared on his scanner.
“Put me through to Lieutenant Junior Grade Nathan Howard!” the Base Overseer ordered. The order went through and Nathan’s face appeared in front of him. “Are you insane, Nathan Howard?!”
“Actually, I am quite sane sir,” Nathan replied coolly. “But Ensign Pyper Wolf wanted to help out until every civilian was safely off the base. I fully support her actions and will accept all punishments due to this support.” And with that, he cut off the connection and returned to the fight.
“Zara, watch your right, Aster, your left. Don’t let them anywhere near the Control Tower or the R & D facility,” Pyper ordered as the trainees formed up their into their assigned three-member teams. “Nathan, we need to take out those Bazooka-toting Doms!”
“I realized that, so I called for some reinforcements from the closest base to us,” Nathan said as he fired at a GOUF Ignited with his suit’s Virgo II beam rifle. The Mobile Suit dodged the rounds and destroyed Nathan’s rifle with its “Slayer” whip. “Damn you!” Nathan pulled out a beam saber from his leg and attacked the GOUF Ignited before it could draw its “Tempest” sword from its shield. Nathan’s beam saber slashed right through the waist of the Mobile Suit like nothing. The GOUF Ignited pilot screamed as he was engulfed in the following explosion that destroyed the suit.
“When will they get here? Augh!” Pyper cried out as the Gouf Custom Commander knocked her down. “Curse you!”
“Trying to fight me in that? You’re in way over your head, Regular!” the pilot said as he raised his heat saber to destroy the cockpit and Pyper. “Die now!”
“SOMEONE HELP ME!!!” Pyper screamed as loud as she could. Suddenly, she heard the sound of metal colliding with metal. When she opened her eyes, she saw a blue-and-white GINN Mobile Suit standing over her. “What the hell?!” She raised her beam rifle to shoot the GINN down when Nathan opened a channel to her.
“Pyper, don’t shot that GINN!” Nathan ordered as he slashed a Dom in half down the middle. “That is our extra help!”
“This U.S.N. scum is our back-up?!” Pyper exclaimed as she got back onto her feet. “I won’t allow this!”
“And just who are you calling U.S.N. scum?” the GINN pilot asked, opening a channel to Pyper’s cockpit. “You are talking to Captain Ronon Shields, Ensign Wolf.”
“My apologies, Captain,” Pyper said, horribly embarrassed at talking about the Legendary Captain Ronon Shields like that in front of him. “What would you have me do?”
“Simply watch how a real fight goes,” Ronon said, putting away his heavy assault machine gun. “Gouf Custom Commanders are far more dangerous than ordinary Gouf Custom grunts in that the Commanders are far more ruthless.” As the Captain spoke, the Gouf Custom Commander got back onto his feet.
“How dare you betray the U.S.N.?!” The Commander growled as he charged Ronon’s GINN. Pyper saw the Commander and was about to warn the Captain when he spun around while drawing one of the MA-M3 heavy blades that was on his waist. The two weapons clashed in a shower of sparks and with a force that sent the Gouf Custom Commander staggering. Pyper watched in awe as the Captain settled his GINN into a stance. “Why you!”
“You are picking a fight with the wrong pilot,” Ronon said as he waited for his opponent. “Surrender and you won’t perish in fire.”
“It is you who will perish in fire!” the Gouf Custom Commander yelled, falling further into madness. “I will be known throughout history as the one who destroyed the legendary Mad Defender.” The Mobile suit charged the GINN at breakneck speeds with its heat saber raised into the air to deal the final blow. Ronon sighed and drew the other MA-M3 heavy blade from his side. “Die fiend!”
“Forgive me, family of this dead man,” Ronon said as the Gouf Custom Commander drew nearer.
“Captain!” Pyper shouted as the Gouf Custom Commander brought its heat saber down onto Ronon’s GINN. “CAPTAIN!”
“Eonos Athane!” Ronon shouted, moving into an attack. The first strike took off the Commander’s sword-arm while the second attack slashed through the waist of the Mobile Suit. The pilot gagged as fire consumed him and his suit. “It is done.”
“Captain, the Gelgoog Commander is heading your way, Permission to take it out sir,” A voice asked over the channel.
“Negative Lt. Sniper,” Ronon said. “All Mobile Knights are to head for the Research and Development sector immediately.”
“Yes sir!” Lt. Sniper said before relaying the orders to the other pilots. “Sir, I have visual of the Gelgoog Commander…it is heading for the docks and the civilians!” Pyper cursed and took off for the Docks followed by Nathan, Zara, and Aster. Ronon let them gain some distance before following them.
“Damn it! If that b*****d so much as scratches a civilian, I will tear him limb from limb!” Pyper swore as she arrived at the Docks, only to see the Gelgoog Commander destroy a fully loaded civilian transport. “Damn you!” Pyper opened fire with a barrage of beam energy. “I will destroy you!”
“Annoying little bug,” The Gelgoog Commander grunted as several rounds hit his shield. “I will destroy you!” the Mobile Suit aimed its rifle and fired at Pyper. The round missed Pyper’s MS but took out her beam rifle. She ditched the weapon, drew one of her two beam sabers, and attacked the Gelgoog Commander.
“I don’t have time to play with you,” The Gelgoog Commander said as he fired his beam rifle.
“I won’t allow you to murder anymore innocent people!” Pyper shouted as she deflected the beam rounds. The Gelgoog Commander took the brief occupation to destroy the rest of the transports and civilians. “NO!”
“I thought that you were going to stop me,” The Gelgoog Commander laughed as he shot at Pyper, who was immobilized by shock.
“Pyper!” Nathan shouted moving in front of Pyper’s unit and the rounds. “Pyper, snap out of it!” The rounds moved closer to destroying Nathan’s unit. “Goodbye, Pyper Wolf.”
“Nathan!” Pyper cried out before Ronon pushed Nathan’s unit out of the line of fire. The rounds punctured the GINN’s armor and explosions began to rip the mobile suit apart. “Ronon!”
“Don’t worry about me Pyper, I will be fine,” Ronon said as his suit’s systems began to fail. “I will see you again.”
“Please Ronon, eject now!” Pyper cried, tears falling down her face. “Eject!”
“Find your own path, follow it, and know your true self and power…” Ronon whispered as his GINN exploded.
“CAPTAIN!!!” Pyper screamed as she watched the GINN vanish into a ball of fire. Pyper cried her heart out at the fact that her hot-headedness and her inability as a mobile suit pilot caused the death of the Legendary Ronon Shields. “WHY?!”
“So much for the Mad Defender,” The Gelgoog Commander sniffed as he aimed at the back of Pyper’s unit. “Die little bug!” he pulled the trigger and the round raced towards Pyper.
“Damn you…” Pyper cursed, voice chocked from crying. An image of a star appeared before her, pulsating. “I will never forgive you!” the star exploded into a supernova and Pyper could suddenly feel the emotions of her mobile suit. It was scared, like her, but it was more angry than scared, angry at seeing a fellow mobile suit and pilot perish in battle. Pyper understood the unit and it understood her. “Let’s do it, for Ronon and the innocent civilians that were murdered!” Pyper spun the suit about and deflected the round back into the Gelgoog Commander’s rifle, making it overload and explode. The pilot quickly recovered and drew its twin beam sword. Pyper accelerated towards the enemy mobile suit with her beam saber ready to strike.
“How is this possible?!” the Gelgoog Commander asked himself as he clashed with Pyper’s unit several times. “The pilot is able to move faster and better than I ever could in the fastest unit we have!”
“Perish in fire!” Pyper shouted as she brought her saber to bear. The attack removed the mobile suit’s sword arm before Pyper sliced it in half at the waist. The pilot screamed as his suit exploded. “You all have been avenged.”
After the rest of the U.S.N. raiding party had been destroyed and all of the trainees had returned to the Mobile Suit hanger, they were placed under arrest and questioned one by one on their actions. Pyper, Nathan, Zara, and Aster, however, were placed before the highest ranking officers of the Military.
“Lieutenant JG Nathan Howard; why did you allow Ensign Wolf to join the fight against well-trained U.S.N. troops?” The High Marshall asked in a deep, booming voice.
“Honorable Panel, I allowed Ensign Wolf to join the fight because she wanted to protect the citizens that died trying to escape,” Nathan explained as best he could. “I allowed her to do what she wanted to do, because I wanted to do the same thing!”
“Thank you Lt. J.G. Nathan Howard,” The High Marshall said, dismissing the pilot. “Bring forward the accused.” The doors opened and Pyper was escorted into the room by armed guard. “Ensign Wolf, you are hereby charged with insubordination against the orders of the Base Overseer that were given to you.”
“What do I care about your stupid accusations?” Pyper snapped, standing tall. “What do you know of what is right and what is wrong?”
“You will show respect for your senior officers!” the High Marshall commanded, rising from his seat. Pyper glared at the High Marshall, who began to sweat. “Anyway, this accusation is quite heavy due to the fact that your inability as a pilot has caused the death of our greatest pilot and ship captain; Ronon Shields, in a battle where it should have never happened.”
“Do you want me to apologize to his family?” Pyper asked coldly. “Do you want me to humiliate myself before them?” the High Marshall visibly shook with anger at Pyper’s insolence. “Answer me!”
“No,” The High Marshall replied, ordering the MP to take Pyper
away. “Take the Advocate away.”
“What did you just call me?” Pyper asked upon hearing the word. “I am a what?”
“You are an Advocate, a person who can go into a “supernova” state, allowing the pilot to feel the emotions of their machine and therefore perform far better than a Coordinator in “seed mode” could ever dream of,” The High Marshall answered gravely. Pyper stood there in shock upon hearing this news.
“This cannot be; I can’t be an Advocate!” Pyper cried as she fell to her knees, clutching her head. “I can’t be one of them!” Suddenly, footsteps were heard outside the room.
“Who goes there?” a guard asked from outside the room. “Impossible!” There was a small scuffle and two thumps as whoever or whatever was visiting knocked out the two guards.
“What is going on?” the High Marshall asked before the doors were kicked open. “Who are you?”
“I have come for the Ensign, her friends, and all of the other trainees that you have currently imprisoned,” The visitor said, stepping into the light.
“Captain Ronon Shields?!” The High Marshall said, shocked at seeing the supposedly dead pilot standing before him. “Impossible, you were engulfed by fire!” Ronon ignored the babbling Marshall and continued.
“I will also be taking every bit of data on the W.O.L.F. Project,” Ronon said making a full circle around the High Marshall. “And there is nothing that you can do about it.”
“What makes you so sure, Captain?” The High Marshall asked. Ronon smiled before snapping his fingers. Every screen in the room turned on a mixed variety of U.S.N. MS and E.S.F.A. MS aiming at the building. “Who do you work for?”
“I work for no one except Peace,” Ronon answered cryptically. “I lead the Peaceful Solar System double resistance group.”
“So why did you help us out in our time of need?” the High Marshall asked. “Why risk your life for a worthless Advocate trainee like Ensign Wolf?”
“Because she is the one who can help end this foolish war,” Ronon answered, walking over to Pyper. “Are you okay?”
“How could I be an Advocate?” Pyper repeated over and over again. Ronon sighed and called Nathan in. “Nathan, will you hate me because I am an Advocate?”
“No, Pyper,” Nathan answered as he held Pyper close. “I won’t hate you even though you are an Advocate, because I am an Advocate too.” Pyper looked into his eyes, saw the truth, and then fell unconscious.
“I was hoping to tell her the truth about her gift before she went into this state,” Ronon said, turning to face the Officers. “I was too late.”
“We will see you dead for treason against the E.S.F.A.!” The High Marshall swore, drawing a pistol. Ronon whipped out the sword that was at his side and knocked the weapon out of his hand before putting him at sword-point.
“You won’t be alive long enough to see that day!” Ronon shouted in a voice that struck fear into even himself. “Ace, Heero, how long until you are done pulling the W.O.L.F. Project data?”
“We are almost done Captain,” Ace said as his finger danced across the keyboard. “I would say about twenty minutes.”
“Captain, radar shows that a large mobile suit force is heading for the base,” A female voice said over the radio. “Estimate around 417 enemy units both U.S.N. and E.S.F.A., but mostly U.S.N. Mobile Suits”
“You have less than that, Ace, now hustle,” Ronon ordered before switching to the bridge of his ship the Republic “Captain to Bridge: Send out Commanders Kira Yamato and Athrun Zala in the Strike Freedom and the Infinite Justice.” Once that was done, Ronon motioned for Nathan to take Pyper away. “May Death find you swiftly, gentlemen.” And with that, the three of them left the room. “Republic, prepare to receive Lieutenants Nathan Howard and Pyper Wolf.”
“Roger that, sir,” The female voice said. A Mobile Suit landed before them and carried them back to the ship. Once there, they disembarked and Nathan began to look for the Medical bay when he came across a cute girl about his age. “Welcome aboard the Republic, Lieutenant Howard, my name is Ariel Nash; I am the Mobile Suit Coordinator of this ship.”
“Nice to meet you, Ariel,” Nathan said when Pyper groaned. “Where is the Medical Bay?”
“It is down the corridor to your left,” Ariel said giggling. Nathan thanked her and immediately took off with Pyper. “He is cute; I have to make him mine.”
“Captain, I have Pyper in the medical bay,” Nathan reported after lying Pyper on the bed. “What are your orders?”
“Stay on launch standby in your mobile suit,” Ronon said as he arrived on the ship and entered the Hanger. “I am heading out, Bridge, Captain Ramius, you have command until I return. Open the Gundam Storage unit; ready the GP01 Zephranthyes Gundam for combat!” the crew scrambled to ready the Captain’s MS. After about ten minutes the unit was ready and the Captain climbed aboard.
“Captain you are clear for launch,” Ariel said in a professional tone. “Go get them, Captain!”
“Captain Shields, Zephyranthes, launching!” Ronon said as the ship’s MS catapult launched him into battle along with Commander Kira Yamato in his Strike Freedom and Commander Athrun Zala in his Infinite Justice. “All P.S.S. MS: half of you will guard the R. & D. sector of the base until Ace and Heero are done pulling the W.O.L.F. Project from the base’s database; the other half is to help Commander Kira, Athrun and I in engaging the enemy.” The response came loud over the radio and Ronon entered the battle.
Meanwhile, in the Medical Bay of the Republic…
“What happened?” Pyper asked herself as she got out of the bed. Ever since she blacked out, she had a dream about a burning castle in the distance while E.S.F.A. forces demolished the city. “What were those images?”
“My dear, you should not be out of bed yet!” a nurse cried when she entered the room. “The Captain has not allowed it yet.”
“Who is the captain of this ship?” Pyper asked, looking about the bay. The nurse looked confused for a moment before she answered.
“Why my dear, this ship is commanded by the legendary Ronon Shields,” The nurse said as she laid a new uniform on Pyper’s bed. “Lieutenant Howard is in the Hanger if you want to see him.” Pyper’s eyes lit up and she changed into her new uniform before running off to the Hanger.
“Nathan!” Pyper called out as she came into the Hanger, Nathan climbed out of his MS and embraced Pyper. It is nice to see you alive and well.”
“You too, Pyper,” Nathan whispered, holding Pyper close. “I though I had lost you.” Pyper let a tear fall down her face before the ship shook violently. “The enemy got through?!” Nathan released Pyper and re-entered his Ez8 Gundam. “Ez8 to Bridge; what Mobile suits are being used and how many of each?”
“The force is a combined one, Lieutenant,” Ariel said as she took count. “On the E.S.F.A., forces include 100 RGM-79(G) Mobile Suits, 10 MPT Guntanks, 10 Tragos armed with Shoulder Beam Cannons, 50 Virgo II, and 30 Taurus MD. The U.S.N. force consists of 20 GINN, 2 Zaku Commanders, a Gelgoog High Commander, 30 Zaku Kais, 40 Zaku II (F2), 5 Kämpers, 4 Gelgoog Jaegers, 40 Gelgoog Marines, a MS-14Fs Gelgoog commander, 20 Geara-Doga, 2 Jagd-Doga, 30 GOUF Ignited, a Gouf Custom Commander, 10 Gouf Flight Types, 10 Doms, and a CGUE General.”
“Curses!” Ronon shouted as he punched a code into his Mobile Suit’s computer. “Ready the Destiny Gundam for launch; prepare to receive the GP01.” The order went through and the Destiny left the ship. Ronon put the GP01 under MD control and jumped to his new MS in mid air at high speeds. Ronon entered the cockpit and the machine came alive. “Let’s do it Destiny!” Ronon drew his beam rifle and began to shoot down the aerial enemy units.
“Bridge, this is Lieutenant Nathan Howard, the Captain and his troops are outnumbered. Prepare to launch my Ez8 Gundam.” Nathan said as he began to power up his unit.
“Negative, Lieutenant,” Ariel said as she opened a channel the Ez8. “But you can buy me dinner sometime.”
“I’ll think on it.” Nathan said, quickly shutting down the channel. “Blast it!”
“What is it Nathan?” Pyper asked, popping in after Nathan had shouted. “They won’t let you launch, will they?”
“No, I am to remain on standby until the Captain calls for my help,” Nathan said in a bitter tone. Pyper smiled and sat down on his lap. Nathan took a deep breath and put his hand around Pyper’s waist. “Thanks for listening, Pyp.”
“You’re welcome, Nate,” Pyper said affectionately as she played with his hair. “Let’s watch how true pilots fight an uneven battle.” And with that the two of them turned to the video screen and watched the fight unfold.
“Captain, there are too many of them,” Commander Kira Yamato said as he struck down several Mobile Suits. “Even if Athrun and I were in ‘seed’ mode, we would not be able to defeat them all.”
“I agree with Kira, Captain,” Athrun said as he shot down three Zaku Kais. “We have to pull out now!”
“We will not pull out and leave Ace and Heero to suffer at the hands of our enemies,” Ronon answered as he continued to shoot down U.S.N. Mobile Suits.
“Captain, the enemy has broken through the last MD defense line!” Ariel said urgently as the ship shook from the impacts. “I don’t think that we can take much more!” Ronon swore as he destroyed another Zaku (F2) II.
“High Marshall, the rebel’s ship is in the range of our Lohengrin Positron Blaster Cannon,” A tech officer said in an eager voice.
“Fire the Lohengrin as soon as it is fully charged,” The High Marshall ordered. The officer moved to obey.
“Sir, the base has locked on to us and is preparing to fire its Positron Cannon,” Captain Ramius reported after she was alerted by Ariel.
“Damn it!” Ronon swore as he watched the deadly weapon rise out of its shelter. “Is anyone able to take that out before it fires?”
“I could try to snipe it, Captain,” Pyper said, opening a channel to Ronon. “It would be a little difficult, but I could try.”
“Do it,” Ronon ordered. “Take my Deathscythe Gundam. You may choose any long-range rifle you want, but if you can’t destroy it, then get up close and personal with the unit’s scythe.”
“Roger that,” Pyper said, leaving the Ez8’s cockpit and entering the unit that Ronon lent her. Pyper then rewrote the unit’s OS to meet her specifications. The machine sparked to life and Pyper smiled. She then ran through the armory list and picked out a MSN-04II Nightingale Mega Beam Rifle before positioning her new unit on the catapult system. “This is Pyper Wolf, Deathscythe Sniper, launching!” the catapult came to life and launched Pyper into the battle.
“Nathan, I want you to provide cover fire for Pyper,” Ronon ordered. “I don’t want to risk a miss.” Nathan saluted before moving his unit onto to the catapult. “Good Luck.”
“Nathan Howard, Ez8 Custom…launching!” Nathan said as the catapult launched him into the battle. “Pyper, are you in position yet?”
“I am in the perfect position, Nathan,” Pyper answered as she locked onto the Lohengrin positron cannon. “Now I must wait until the perfect moment.” Nathan nodded and began to shoot down any enemy unit that dared to come too close.
“The Lohengrin Cannon is ready to fire, High Marshall,” The gunnery chief reported when the energy meter read fully charged.
“Fire the Lohengrin Cannon!” the High Marshall ordered. The trigger was pulled and the cannon began to glow from the huge amount of energy.
“Now!” Pyper shouted as she pulled the trigger. The rifle coughed and the energy round pierced right through to the other side of the cannon. However, the cannon was able to discharge a sizable amount of energy. “s**t!”
“Captain, the cannon has fired at the Republic!” Nathan reported to Ronon, who swore quite loudly. The Destiny Gundam quickly moved to intercept the positron round. “Captain, what are you doing?!”
“I am going to stop the positron round,” Ronon answered, shutting off the channel. Ronon then pushed his unit as hard as it could take. But it was not going to be enough. The Zero System that he had installed activated and showed Ronon the future as if it was actually happening. The vision showed the positron round striking and destroying the Republic. It showed all of his crew perishing in fire. “I will not let it come to pass…” A large star appeared before him, pulsating wildly. Pyper and Nathan both sensed the star and turned to watch Ronon go “Supernova.” The ‘star’ exploded with a force that shook everything in the area. “I will not allow my ship and its loyal crew perish in such a way as that!” the Destiny Gundam’s “Wings of Light” activated and The speed of the Destiny Gundam increased dramatically, allowing Ronon to get ahead of the Positron round.
“Captain, you will be destroyed!” Ariel cried out as Ronon stabilized his unit. “Please don’t do this!” However, Ronon wasn’t listening.
“I will not it to happen!” Ronon growled as he waited for the round. The “Supernova” Captain held out a hand and gathered energy into the Beam Cannon that was located in the Destiny Gundam’s palm. The Positron round slammed into it and halted. The energy that had gathered into the beam cannon formed a shield that protected both the Gundam and the Republic. When the Positron round finally died away, the Destiny’s power level was drastically low.
“Captain, are you okay?” Pyper asked, keeping an eye on the Positron Cannon.
“I am fine,” Ronon answered, still in his “Supernova” state. “My Gundam’s battery needs to recharge though.”
“Captain, the base’s Lohengrin Cannon is charging up again,” Ariel reported.
“That is impossible,” Pyper exclaimed, scoping the Cannon. “My shot punctured both charge lines and the firing mechanism.”
“Impressive Pyper,” Ronon whispered examining the Cannon’s blueprints to see the damage. “Then they must be doing it manually.”
“Permission to go up close and destroy the weapon,” Nathan asked, reloading his rifle for emphasis.
“Negative, Lieutenant,” Ronon answered calmly. “Pyper, can you take out the battery pack on the cannon?”
“Yes, sir!” Pyper said, scoping the battery pack. “When can I shoot?”
“Anytime, Lieutenant,” Ronon answered as he landed on the Republic’s hull. “Hanger: give rise to Zephyranthes Full-burner; prepare to lie to rest the Destiny Gundam for now.” A hatch opened up next to Ronon and his new MS rose out of the Hanger. Ronon jumped to the new unit and entered the cockpit. The machine roared to life and the Destiny Gundam was lowered to rest.
“Positron Cannon at 50% charge,” Ariel reported. Pyper heard the report and pulled the trigger. The rifle coughed a second time and the round punched through the battery pack, causing it to explode. “Cannon charge has dropped 20%.”
“Captain, I can only do enough damage to stall the inevitable,” Pyper reported after assessing the damage.
“We need to get up close to destroy it,” Nathan shouted as he slashed a Dom in half. “Permission to execute.”
“Green light, green light to execute,” Ronon ordered. “You may have to kill some people to do it.”
“We will do what must be done, and we cannot go back to the E.S.F.A.,” Pyper answered in a final tone.
“Very well,” Ronon sighed. “Execute and then destroy any enemy unit that you come across on your way back to the ship.”
“Roger that,” The two lieutenants said as they moved towards the Positron Cannon. Ronon smiled and returned to his own task.
“Captain, the CGUE General is heading after Pyper and Nathan,” Ariel reported as she kept track of all of the remaining enemy suits.
“We will let them be, Ariel, Pyper and Nathan will be able to handle that one,” Ronon said calmly. “It will show them the true horror of war.”
“Yes, sir,” Ariel said quietly. The Captain whispered a prayer for Pyper and Nathan.
“I am a cursed soul, Ariel,” Ronon said he clashed with two Gelgoog Jaegers at once. “God will not allow me to help her now.”
“God will let you intervene at the end, My Lord,” Ariel whispered. “You will be able to save her again.”
“I hope that it does not come to pass,” Ronon prayed to himself. “I pray that it does not come to pass.”
“Pyper, we need to move faster,” Nathan said as the two of then drew closer to the Positron Cannon. “Leave the small fry for later.”
“Alright, Nathan,” Pyper replied, leaving a RGM-79(G) unit without arms and a head. “Distance to target…1000 meters.”
“Captain, we have pulled every piece of data on the W.O.L.F. Project,” Ace reported as he and Heero entered their Mobile Suits. “We are now returning to the ship.”
“Roger that, Ace,” Ronon said over the radio. “Pyper, are you close to destroying the base’s Lohengrin Cannon yet?”
“Almost Captain,” Pyper replied as she disabled another E.S.F.A. GAT-01 Strike Dagger. “I will destroy it with my scythe-glaive.”
“Alright, there is an enemy unit heading your way. It is the CGUE General,” Ronon said quietly. “I cannot help you to two, this is to be your final test; Good Luck.”
“I will deal with the CGUE General, Pyper; you take out the Lohengrin Cannon,” Nathan said as he pulled out one of his beam sabers.
“Are you sure, Nathan?” Pyper asked letting a RGM-79c-Ground GM Command MS fall to the ground. “CGUE Generals are one of the most dangerous officers in the U.S.N. Military forces.”
“I will be fine, Pyper,” Nathan said as he placed a hand on Pyper’s shoulder. “I am an Advocate too.”
“Roger that, Nate,” Pyper whispered, turning to complete their mission. “Don’t die on me…my love.” And with that, she hit the throttle and accelerated towards the Lohengrin Cannon.
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Pyp,” Nathan said, turning to face the CGUE General. “You cannot pass!”
“My fight is not with you,” The General said in a familiar female voice. “Nathan Howard.”
“It can’t be…” Nathan gasped when the CGUE General’s pilot opened an audio/visual channel to his cockpit. “Aurelia Thysian.”
“It is nice to see that you still remember me, Nathan,” Aurelia said smiling. “Why don’t you come over to my side?”
“I will not follow you!” Nathan replied as he raised his shield. “I will not abandon the Captain or Pyper!” Aurelia growled at hearing Pyper’s name.
“You were mine before she came!” Aurelia said darkly. “I won’t let you go that easily.”
“I won’t leave Pyper alone in this world!” Nathan said firmly, “Not for you or anyone else!” And with that he attacked. Aurelia deflected his attack and countered. Nathan dodged the counter and locked blades with his former girlfriend.
“Then I must show you the errors of your ways!” Aurelia said, breaking the lock and attacking. Nathan deflected the attack and slammed into her with his raised shield. “You are a fool to resist me, my love.”
“I am not yours anymore!” Nathan shouted as the two clashed several times. “I belong to Pyper Wolf!”
“If you really believe that, then I must defeat you here and now,” Aurelia said as she went into her “Supernova Seed” mode and attacked Nathan. Her first attack destroyed his shield, leaving him without a separate means of stopping her attacks. “Fall to me, Nathan Howard!”
“I will not fall…” Nathan whispered as Aurelia knocked him about. A medium-sized star appeared before him. “I promised Pyper that I would survive!” The star exploded and Nathan entered his “Supernova” state for the first time. “I will survive to marry Pyper Wolf!!” The Ez8’s eyes glowed blood-red and Nathan went on the offensive.
“That’s it, my love; fall into my trap,” Aurelia said smiling. Nathan attacked with a thrust that the General was able to dodge. It was here that the General made her move. In one swift attack Aurelia disabled Nathan’s MS.
“Pyper…I have failed you,” Nathan whispered as he placed a lock on his cockpit hatch before finally blacking out.
“Nathan!” Pyper cried out, slashing the Lohengrin Cannon with her scythe. As the cannon began to explode, the young lieutenant headed to where she last saw Nathan. When she arrived she found the CGUE General kneeling over his Ez8 MS. “Damn you!”
“Long time, no see, Pyper Wolf,” Aurelia said as she opened a channel to Pyper’s cockpit. “Are you ready to die?”
“What have you done to Nathan?!” Pyper shouted as she raised her scythe. “Tell me!”
“I was trying to take back that which you have stolen from me,” Aurelia growled, drawing her MA-M4 heavy blade from her back. “I will take Nathan back!” the U.S.N. General attacked and locked blades with
Pyper.
“I will not let you have Nathan!” Pyper cried out in anger. Her star appeared before her and went supernova. “I won’t let you!” The scythe flicked into a glaive form and the two pilots clashed repeated with a fury that matched the Sun’s.
“Captain, Nathan’s unit has been heavily damaged by the CGUE General, whose pilot used to date the Lieutenant,” Ariel said over the communicator.
“Ready the ZGMF-10A Freedom for immediate launch!” Ronon ordered as he reloaded his beam rifle. “Kira, Athrun, you are to retrieve Nathan and his unit and return to the ship.”
“Sir, a U.S.N. battleship has appeared about 1500km away,” Ariel reported when the ship’s heat signature registered on the radar.
“Alright people, we need to wrap this up quickly, all functioning units, gather up any disabled units and take them back to the Republic,” Ronon ordered briskly as he shot down a GOUF Ignited. “Captain Shields out.”
“Why do you not fall?” Aurelia asked after she and Pyper had clashed for the hundredth time. “What are you?”
“I will not allow you to take Nathan from me!” Pyper shouted, attacking Aurelia. “Never!”
“Curses!” Aurelia swore as she opened fire with her shield. Pyper dodged the rounds and destroyed the shield in one go. Aurelia then kicked Pyper’s unit down and accelerated towards her ship. Pyper quickly recovered and flew after the CGUE General.
“I won’t allow you to escape my wrath!” Pyper cried out, firing her Buster Shield. The CGUE General dodged the weapon, allowing Pyper to catch up to it. “Perish in fire!” the scythe-glaive slammed into the back of the CGUE General’s back at the waist, but not before Aurelia ejected. Pyper’s weapon finished its work and the CGUE General exploded.
“Good work Pyper,” Ronon said as he landed next to her. “You are a natural Gundam pilot.”
“Why do we fight, Captain?” Pyper asked, trying to hold back tears. “Why?”
“It is human nature to fight one another,” Ronon answered gravely. “Let us return to the ship so we can discuss it more.” Pyper agreed and returned to the Republic.
“How is Nathan doing?” Ronon asked, exiting his MS and leaving the Hanger. Commanders Kira and Athrun were following a little ways behind Pyper and the Captain.
“The Lieutenant is currently in stable condition,” Athrun said quietly. “However, his Mobile Suit is beyond repair at the moment.”
“We will have to give him a new Mobile Suit, Captain,” Kira said, keeping pace with the Captain. “I suggest that we give him the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam as a replacement.”
“I agree, Kira,” Ronon said turning into the Medical Bay. Two girls, one with pink hair, the other, with blonde hair, were checking Nathan’s vitals and injuries. “My Lady Lacus, my Lady Cagalli.” The two girls looked up and stepped aside. “You and your husbands are free to go.” The commanders took their respective wives hands and left the Medical Bay. “I will leave you with Nathan, Pyper.”
“Captain?” Lacus Yamato asked as Ronon came around the corner. “Are we going to keep her as a pilot?” Ronon sighed and motioned for the songstress to follow him.
“My Lady Lacus,” Ronon said as he shut the door to his office. “Please sit.” Lacus sat down in one of the chairs while Ronon leaned against the wall.
“What is it, Captain?” Lacus asked.
“I do not expect Pyper to stay as a pilot for us,” Ronon said quietly. “I would be happy if she did so that we can find the truth about the purpose of the W.O.L.F. Project.”
“They finished the W.O.L.F. Project?” Lacus asked in a shocked voice. “When? Is it being used?”
“Calm down, Lacus,” Ronon said sternly. “We pulled the data before the program was completed, but Pyper’s foster father, Dr. Stanford, is putting the finishing touches on it right now.”
“Her foster father?” Alex asked as he walked into the room. “Are you saying what I think you are saying?” Ronon looked over to his oldest brother and nodded. “That is impossible.”
“It is true!” Ronon shouted in anger. “Pyper Wolf is indeed the Princess of the Northern Kingdom!” a small squeak sounded from the doorway and the three turned to see Pyper standing in the doorway. “Pyper…”
“Stay away!” Pyper cried, running for the Hanger. Ronon swore as he ran after her.
“Pyper, stop!” Ronon shouted as he entered the Hangar. Too late, Pyper had launched in her new Gundam and was flying away. Ronon swore again and entered the cockpit of his Freedom Gundam. “Freedom, Launch!”
“Leave me alone!” Pyper shouted, attacking Ronon. The two clashed repeatedly as Ronon tried desperately to disable Pyper’s Gundam.
“Pyper, please listen to me!” Ronon pleaded as he and Pyper went into their “Supernova” states and clashed again. However, Pyper wasn’t about to listen. “Very well, you leave me no choice.” And with that, Ronon put away his beam sabers and waited for the final blow. Pyper swung her scythe-glaive and slashed the Freedom Gundam in half at the waist.
“What…why?” Pyper asked. Ronon smiled as a trickle of blood ran down his face. “Why did you stop fighting?”
“I stopped to get you to stop, My Lady,” Ronon answered as he struggled to keep the MS from exploding. “Ask your father for the truth of your past.” The Freedom finally overloaded and exploded.
“CAPTAIN!!” Pyper screamed. This was the second time that Ronon had been caught in an exploding MS. “Republic; please send out a rescue crew and two armed MS to arrest Lieutenant Pyper Wolf.” The request was carried out and Pyper was escorted back to the ship and into the brig. After several hours of searching, all of the remains of the Freedom Gundam were recovered and Ronon was taken to the Medical Bay. The next day, Pyper was released from prison and escorted to the bridge.
“Lieutenant Pyper,” Captain Ramius began, turning to face the pilot. “Why did you attack Captain Ronon?”
"I don’t know, Captain Ramius,” Pyper answered truthfully. “I was confused, shocked, and scared.”
“About what?” Kira asked. Pyper looked about the bridge before answering.
“It was about finding out that I was a princess of a lost Kingdom,” Pyper said, looking the Commander straight in the eyes. “I am confused.”
“Tell me, Lt. Pyper, do you have terrible dreams about a castle on fire, and E.S.F.A. troops destroying the city?” Alex asked, looking Pyper in the eyes. “Answer me truthfully.”
“Yes, sir,” Pyper answered quietly. “I have dreamed about a Kingdom being destroyed by the E.S.F.A. forces.” Alex whistled low while the others stared.
“Another question,” Alex said gently. “What does Eonos Athane mean?” Pyper looked confused before answering.
“It means ‘Peace in Fire’,” Pyper said, confident in her answer. “At least, that is what it sounded like to me.”
“One last question,” Alex said with fear in his voice, “Who were the King and Queen?”
“A tall man, black hair, blue eyes, a gentle man who rarely got angry over anything; King Aron Wolf,” Pyper said, picturing her true parents. “And Queen Mary Wolf, a kind woman who was loved by everyone, a woman with flame-red hair and green eyes that were filled with warmth.” There was a loud thump that made everyone jumped as they turned to see Ronon standing in the doorway.
“My Lady Pyper,” Ronon said, kneeling before Pyper, “It has been too long.”
“Wait, you knew me before now?” Pyper asked. Ronon simply nodded.
“You, my younger brother Phylis, and I used to play together when our parents would visit each other,” Ronon answered, standing back up. “I know what happened to your home and parents.”
“What happened to them?!” Pyper asked eagerly, wanting to learn more about her past.
“Alas, I cannot be the one to tell you that, My Lady,” Ronon said as he motioned for someone to come forward. It was her father…no, her foster father. “But this man can in my stead.”
“Father, what happened to my home, my family?” Pyper asked quietly.
“They were murdered by the Earth Shield Federation Alliance,” Dr. Stanford answered. “They were betrayed by the very person they trusted most.” And with that he drew a handgun. Everyone in the immediate area drew their own and took aim. “I betrayed them.” Dr. Stanford then turned the pistol’s grip towards Pyper. “I knew that we could not stop an attack from the E.S.F.A., so I arranged for the E.S.F.A. to march into the city and force your parents to sign a treaty with the Earth Government. Everything was going fine until your parents refused to sign the treaty. The man that was representing the E.S.F.A. ordered the Army to destroy the city. The Representative then turned a gun onto your parents, asking them to sign the treaty. They refused and were murdered where they stood. I was the Chief of State Affairs at the time and managed to escape with you in my arms as the Northern Kingdom fell. I have kept this crime a secret, and you, as punishment for what I had done.” He knelt before Pyper, “I wish for you to end my misery.”
“You are the only one that was like a real parent to me,” Pyper said, taking the handgun from Dr. Stanford. “That is why I cannot kill you.”
“Dr Stanford…no, Dr. Wolf,” Ronon said, walking forward. “Please finish the W.O.L.F. Project for the sake of those that can be spared a horrible fate.” The doctor nodded in agreement and left to return to his work.
“Pyper, My Lady Pyper,” Alex whispered as he and the others knelt/curtsied to her. “Please forgive us for our insolence.”
“I forgive you all,” Pyper said sincerely. Everybody rose and left the room. “Where are we going next?”
“We are here, in Japan, from here we will travel to Orb to refuel, repair and supply the Republic, then we will travel to Pearl Harbor, refuel and re-supply, and then we will travel to the HQ of the P.S.S. and the U.N.P.; the Central Kingdom,” Ronon said as he stood up.
“Will we see the High King and High Queen?” Pyper asked eagerly.
“It depends on how busy my parents are,” Ronon answered. “They have a lot on their plate in that they are trying to keep the E.S.F.A. from invading.”
“Your parents are the High King and Queen of the U.N.P.?!” Pyper asked in shock. Ronon simply nodded and Pyper’s jaw dropped.
“After we rest in the Central Kingdom, we will head to the Northern Kingdom’s capital,” Ronon said enlarging the map. “From there we will head into space and join up with the Eternal and the Kusanagi.”
“Why head into space?” Pyper asked. Ronon looked at the map and sighed.
“To stop the U.S.N. from using its Neo-GENISIS Cannon against the Earth and the E.S.F.A. from using its Requiem Cannon on the Colonies,” Ronon answered.
“Captain Shields, we are ready to go,” Captain Ramius reported. “We can launch at any time.”
“Prepare to launch immediately,” Ronon said before a familiar sensation ran through his head. “Battle Stations!”
“Sir?” Ramius asked before Ronon keyed in the situation to her. “All hands, Level 1 Battle Stations! Prepare to launch for Orb!”
“Ready the HM-Nu Gundam for launch!” Ronon ordered as he ran into the Hanger. The Mobile Suit was quickly prepped and launched within five minutes.
“Fire up the engines and head for Orb!” Captain Ramius ordered. The ship rumbled to life and lifted into the air.
“What is going on? Who is attacking?” Pyper asked as she came onto the bridge.
“One lone unit, database registers it as Sazabi Gundam!” Cagalli said. “It is him.”
“He followed us through the hurricane at Iwo Jima?!” Captain Ramius exclaimed. Pyper looked confused before the Captain explained. “U.S.N. Commander Zathrine Howard, a ruthless fighter that has been after this ship and Ronon since the War began.”
“Is he at all related to Nathan Howard?” Pyper asked, afraid of the answer.
“I don’t know, Lieutenant,” Captain Ramius said quietly.
“Captain Shields here, enemy unit has been located, preparing to engage,” Ronon reported, closing in on the Grey Sazabi MS. “Time to end this chase once and for all.” The two Mobile Suits reached each other and the Battle of Tokyo began. The people in the streets ran for cover as rifle rounds flew though the air. For several hours, the Legendary Aces fought each other over, in, and throughout the evacuated city. “Move it Republic!” Captain Ramius snapped out of her thoughts and the ship began to move for Orb.
“You won’t escape me, Knight Captain!” Zathrine shouted, shooting several rounds at the Captain. Ronon dodged the rounds and returned fire. The U.S.N. Commander dodged the rounds and bypassed the P.S.S. officer and headed for the ship. “You die first!” The beam saber was drawn and was about to pierce the bridge when Ronon intercepted the attack. “Impossible…”
“I will take you with me to Hell!” Ronon shouted as he rammed a beam saber into the Sazabi’s chest. “Perish in fire with me!” The two Mobile Suits overloaded and detonated. “Pyper, you are now in charge of the Republic’s defense forces.”
“Captain!” Ramius shouted as the Nu Gundam exploded. “Continue on course to Orb. We must get there at all costs!”
“R-roger,” The Bridge crew responded. The engines hit full power and the ship flew towards the Orb Union.
“We have to look for the Captain!” Pyper shouted, making everyone on the Bridge jump. “We can’t just leave!”
“We have no other choice Pyper!” Captain Ramius shouted back. “In a few minutes that U.S.N. Battleship will be all over us!” Pyper cowered for a second as the Captain glared at her. “I will not lose this ship, its crew, and its cargo to the U.S.N. or the E.S.F.A. Militaries!”
“Very well,” Pyper said reluctantly. “We will continue to Orb.”
To be continued....Part one: Pyper’s entry
“Pyper, wake up, you will miss your graduation ceremony!” Pyper’s father called out from the bottom of the stairs. Pyper Wolf snapped her eyes open and flew out of bed.
“Darn it, Dad, why didn’t you wake me up sooner?!” Pyper asked as she rushed into the bathroom.
“I tried, but you were out like a log,” Dr. Wolf said as he sat down to read the paper at the table. About five minutes later, Pyper flew down the stairs and into the kitchen. After munching down some toast, the sixteen-year-old girl bolted out the door and took off in her car. After about twenty minutes of driving, she arrived at the military base and parked on site. There were hundreds of people about since the graduation ceremony was taking place that day and they were all trying to get a good look at the new mass-produced RX-78-2 Gundam.
“There are more people here than I originally thought there would be,” Pyper said as she made her way to the building were her class was supposed to meet before the ceremony. “Almost there…”
“Ensign Wolf, Atten!” A harsh voice spoke from behind her. Pyper jumped 10 ft. into the air before turning to see her friends Zara and Aster standing behind her, laughing their heads off. “You should have seen the look on your face!”
“That impersonation of Ensign Commander Wells is going to get you into trouble one of these days, Zara,” Pyper said as the three of them entered the building. As the three of them entered the building, the U.S.N. forces that landed sent out a small force of 40 Mobile Suits to attack and destroy the base and the W.O.L.F. Project it protected. As the MS began to near the base, the Control Tower caught on to them.
“Sir, I have forty heat sources approaching the base!” The radar officer reported as the radar picked up the heat signatures of the enemy suits. “The force is made up of 10 Doms armed with bazookas, heat sabers and Guncannon beam rifles, a Gelgoog Commander armed with a Guncannon beam rifle, A twin beam sword and shield, nine GINNs armed with rocket launchers, heavy assault machine guns, and standard heavy blades, nine Gouf Customs, a Gouf Custom Commander, and 10 Z.A.F.T. GOUF Ignited.”
“Sound the alarms!” the Base Overseer ordered as the data was displayed before him. “Get all non-military personnel off of the grounds, have all trained Mobile Suit pilots suit up and engage the enemy! Notify the R. & D. facility; protect the W.O.L.F. Project at all cost!”
“A raid from the U.S.N.?!” Pyper exclaimed when word reached the trainee building. “While there are still innocent people on the grounds?!”
“The Base Overseer has ordered all free military personnel to escort the civilians off of the base as quickly as possible,” Another trainee answered, coming into the room. “We are to stay here.”
“Nathan…” Pyper said as she clenched her fists. “I am not going to stay here and watch other people die!” As she turned to leave, Nathan placed a hand on her shoulder. “If you try to stop me, I will kill you.”
“Who is trying to stop you, Pyper?” Nathan asked, removing his hand. “Listen up Trainees: suit up and show our teachers what we learned during our time here. Show them that though we may die today in the battle, we are not afraid to face it head on with honor!” The other trainees shouted their support and boarded their RGM-79(G) Mobile Suits. “Move out!” Nathan was the last one to suit up in his Ez8 Command Mobile Suit. At the sound of the order; the trainees surged into the hectic battle.
“Sir the trainees have entered the battle!” the radar operator exclaimed as the trainees appeared on his scanner.
“Put me through to Lieutenant Junior Grade Nathan Howard!” the Base Overseer ordered. The order went through and Nathan’s face appeared in front of him. “Are you insane, Nathan Howard?!”
“Actually, I am quite sane sir,” Nathan replied coolly. “But Ensign Pyper Wolf wanted to help out until every civilian was safely off the base. I fully support her actions and will accept all punishments due to this support.” And with that, he cut off the connection and returned to the fight.
“Zara, watch your right, Aster, your left. Don’t let them anywhere near the Control Tower or the R & D facility,” Pyper ordered as the trainees formed up their into their assigned three-member teams. “Nathan, we need to take out those Bazooka-toting Doms!”
“I realized that, so I called for some reinforcements from the closest base to us,” Nathan said as he fired at a GOUF Ignited with his suit’s Virgo II beam rifle. The Mobile Suit dodged the rounds and destroyed Nathan’s rifle with its “Slayer” whip. “Damn you!” Nathan pulled out a beam saber from his leg and attacked the GOUF Ignited before it could draw its “Tempest” sword from its shield. Nathan’s beam saber slashed right through the waist of the Mobile Suit like nothing. The GOUF Ignited pilot screamed as he was engulfed in the following explosion that destroyed the suit.
“When will they get here? Augh!” Pyper cried out as the Gouf Custom Commander knocked her down. “Curse you!”
“Trying to fight me in that? You’re in way over your head, Regular!” the pilot said as he raised his heat saber to destroy the cockpit and Pyper. “Die now!”
“SOMEONE HELP ME!!!” Pyper screamed as loud as she could. Suddenly, she heard the sound of metal colliding with metal. When she opened her eyes, she saw a blue-and-white GINN Mobile Suit standing over her. “What the hell?!” She raised her beam rifle to shoot the GINN down when Nathan opened a channel to her.
“Pyper, don’t shot that GINN!” Nathan ordered as he slashed a Dom in half down the middle. “That is our extra help!”
“This U.S.N. scum is our back-up?!” Pyper exclaimed as she got back onto her feet. “I won’t allow this!”
“And just who are you calling U.S.N. scum?” the GINN pilot asked, opening a channel to Pyper’s cockpit. “You are talking to Captain Ronon Shields, Ensign Wolf.”
“My apologies, Captain,” Pyper said, horribly embarrassed at talking about the Legendary Captain Ronon Shields like that in front of him. “What would you have me do?”
“Simply watch how a real fight goes,” Ronon said, putting away his heavy assault machine gun. “Gouf Custom Commanders are far more dangerous than ordinary Gouf Custom grunts in that the Commanders are far more ruthless.” As the Captain spoke, the Gouf Custom Commander got back onto his feet.
“How dare you betray the U.S.N.?!” The Commander growled as he charged Ronon’s GINN. Pyper saw the Commander and was about to warn the Captain when he spun around while drawing one of the MA-M3 heavy blades that was on his waist. The two weapons clashed in a shower of sparks and with a force that sent the Gouf Custom Commander staggering. Pyper watched in awe as the Captain settled his GINN into a stance. “Why you!”
“You are picking a fight with the wrong pilot,” Ronon said as he waited for his opponent. “Surrender and you won’t perish in fire.”
“It is you who will perish in fire!” the Gouf Custom Commander yelled, falling further into madness. “I will be known throughout history as the one who destroyed the legendary Mad Defender.” The Mobile suit charged the GINN at breakneck speeds with its heat saber raised into the air to deal the final blow. Ronon sighed and drew the other MA-M3 heavy blade from his side. “Die fiend!”
“Forgive me, family of this dead man,” Ronon said as the Gouf Custom Commander drew nearer.
“Captain!” Pyper shouted as the Gouf Custom Commander brought its heat saber down onto Ronon’s GINN. “CAPTAIN!”
“Eonos Athane!” Ronon shouted, moving into an attack. The first strike took off the Commander’s sword-arm while the second attack slashed through the waist of the Mobile Suit. The pilot gagged as fire consumed him and his suit. “It is done.”
“Captain, the Gelgoog Commander is heading your way, Permission to take it out sir,” A voice asked over the channel.
“Negative Lt. Sniper,” Ronon said. “All Mobile Knights are to head for the Research and Development sector immediately.”
“Yes sir!” Lt. Sniper said before relaying the orders to the other pilots. “Sir, I have visual of the Gelgoog Commander…it is heading for the docks and the civilians!” Pyper cursed and took off for the Docks followed by Nathan, Zara, and Aster. Ronon let them gain some distance before following them.
“Damn it! If that b*****d so much as scratches a civilian, I will tear him limb from limb!” Pyper swore as she arrived at the Docks, only to see the Gelgoog Commander destroy a fully loaded civilian transport. “Damn you!” Pyper opened fire with a barrage of beam energy. “I will destroy you!”
“Annoying little bug,” The Gelgoog Commander grunted as several rounds hit his shield. “I will destroy you!” the Mobile Suit aimed its rifle and fired at Pyper. The round missed Pyper’s MS but took out her beam rifle. She ditched the weapon, drew one of her two beam sabers, and attacked the Gelgoog Commander.
“I don’t have time to play with you,” The Gelgoog Commander said as he fired his beam rifle.
“I won’t allow you to murder anymore innocent people!” Pyper shouted as she deflected the beam rounds. The Gelgoog Commander took the brief occupation to destroy the rest of the transports and civilians. “NO!”
“I thought that you were going to stop me,” The Gelgoog Commander laughed as he shot at Pyper, who was immobilized by shock.
“Pyper!” Nathan shouted moving in front of Pyper’s unit and the rounds. “Pyper, snap out of it!” The rounds moved closer to destroying Nathan’s unit. “Goodbye, Pyper Wolf.”
“Nathan!” Pyper cried out before Ronon pushed Nathan’s unit out of the line of fire. The rounds punctured the GINN’s armor and explosions began to rip the mobile suit apart. “Ronon!”
“Don’t worry about me Pyper, I will be fine,” Ronon said as his suit’s systems began to fail. “I will see you again.”
“Please Ronon, eject now!” Pyper cried, tears falling down her face. “Eject!”
“Find your own path, follow it, and know your true self and power…” Ronon whispered as his GINN exploded.
“CAPTAIN!!!” Pyper screamed as she watched the GINN vanish into a ball of fire. Pyper cried her heart out at the fact that her hot-headedness and her inability as a mobile suit pilot caused the death of the Legendary Ronon Shields. “WHY?!”
“So much for the Mad Defender,” The Gelgoog Commander sniffed as he aimed at the back of Pyper’s unit. “Die little bug!” he pulled the trigger and the round raced towards Pyper.
“Damn you…” Pyper cursed, voice chocked from crying. An image of a star appeared before her, pulsating. “I will never forgive you!” the star exploded into a supernova and Pyper could suddenly feel the emotions of her mobile suit. It was scared, like her, but it was more angry than scared, angry at seeing a fellow mobile suit and pilot perish in battle. Pyper understood the unit and it understood her. “Let’s do it, for Ronon and the innocent civilians that were murdered!” Pyper spun the suit about and deflected the round back into the Gelgoog Commander’s rifle, making it overload and explode. The pilot quickly recovered and drew its twin beam sword. Pyper accelerated towards the enemy mobile suit with her beam saber ready to strike.
“How is this possible?!” the Gelgoog Commander asked himself as he clashed with Pyper’s unit several times. “The pilot is able to move faster and better than I ever could in the fastest unit we have!”
“Perish in fire!” Pyper shouted as she brought her saber to bear. The attack removed the mobile suit’s sword arm before Pyper sliced it in half at the waist. The pilot screamed as his suit exploded. “You all have been avenged.”
After the rest of the U.S.N. raiding party had been destroyed and all of the trainees had returned to the Mobile Suit hanger, they were placed under arrest and questioned one by one on their actions. Pyper, Nathan, Zara, and Aster, however, were placed before the highest ranking officers of the Military.
“Lieutenant JG Nathan Howard; why did you allow Ensign Wolf to join the fight against well-trained U.S.N. troops?” The High Marshall asked in a deep, booming voice.
“Honorable Panel, I allowed Ensign Wolf to join the fight because she wanted to protect the citizens that died trying to escape,” Nathan explained as best he could. “I allowed her to do what she wanted to do, because I wanted to do the same thing!”
“Thank you Lt. J.G. Nathan Howard,” The High Marshall said, dismissing the pilot. “Bring forward the accused.” The doors opened and Pyper was escorted into the room by armed guard. “Ensign Wolf, you are hereby charged with insubordination against the orders of the Base Overseer that were given to you.”
“What do I care about your stupid accusations?” Pyper snapped, standing tall. “What do you know of what is right and what is wrong?”
“You will show respect for your senior officers!” the High Marshall commanded, rising from his seat. Pyper glared at the High Marshall, who began to sweat. “Anyway, this accusation is quite heavy due to the fact that your inability as a pilot has caused the death of our greatest pilot and ship captain; Ronon Shields, in a battle where it should have never happened.”
“Do you want me to apologize to his family?” Pyper asked coldly. “Do you want me to humiliate myself before them?” the High Marshall visibly shook with anger at Pyper’s insolence. “Answer me!”
“No,” The High Marshall replied, ordering the MP to take Pyper
away. “Take the Advocate away.”
“What did you just call me?” Pyper asked upon hearing the word. “I am a what?”
“You are an Advocate, a person who can go into a “supernova” state, allowing the pilot to feel the emotions of their machine and therefore perform far better than a Coordinator in “seed mode” could ever dream of,” The High Marshall answered gravely. Pyper stood there in shock upon hearing this news.
“This cannot be; I can’t be an Advocate!” Pyper cried as she fell to her knees, clutching her head. “I can’t be one of them!” Suddenly, footsteps were heard outside the room.
“Who goes there?” a guard asked from outside the room. “Impossible!” There was a small scuffle and two thumps as whoever or whatever was visiting knocked out the two guards.
“What is going on?” the High Marshall asked before the doors were kicked open. “Who are you?”
“I have come for the Ensign, her friends, and all of the other trainees that you have currently imprisoned,” The visitor said, stepping into the light.
“Captain Ronon Shields?!” The High Marshall said, shocked at seeing the supposedly dead pilot standing before him. “Impossible, you were engulfed by fire!” Ronon ignored the babbling Marshall and continued.
“I will also be taking every bit of data on the W.O.L.F. Project,” Ronon said making a full circle around the High Marshall. “And there is nothing that you can do about it.”
“What makes you so sure, Captain?” The High Marshall asked. Ronon smiled before snapping his fingers. Every screen in the room turned on a mixed variety of U.S.N. MS and E.S.F.A. MS aiming at the building. “Who do you work for?”
“I work for no one except Peace,” Ronon answered cryptically. “I lead the Peaceful Solar System double resistance group.”
“So why did you help us out in our time of need?” the High Marshall asked. “Why risk your life for a worthless Advocate trainee like Ensign Wolf?”
“Because she is the one who can help end this foolish war,” Ronon answered, walking over to Pyper. “Are you okay?”
“How could I be an Advocate?” Pyper repeated over and over again. Ronon sighed and called Nathan in. “Nathan, will you hate me because I am an Advocate?”
“No, Pyper,” Nathan answered as he held Pyper close. “I won’t hate you even though you are an Advocate, because I am an Advocate too.” Pyper looked into his eyes, saw the truth, and then fell unconscious.
“I was hoping to tell her the truth about her gift before she went into this state,” Ronon said, turning to face the Officers. “I was too late.”
“We will see you dead for treason against the E.S.F.A.!” The High Marshall swore, drawing a pistol. Ronon whipped out the sword that was at his side and knocked the weapon out of his hand before putting him at sword-point.
“You won’t be alive long enough to see that day!” Ronon shouted in a voice that struck fear into even himself. “Ace, Heero, how long until you are done pulling the W.O.L.F. Project data?”
“We are almost done Captain,” Ace said as his finger danced across the keyboard. “I would say about twenty minutes.”
“Captain, radar shows that a large mobile suit force is heading for the base,” A female voice said over the radio. “Estimate around 417 enemy units both U.S.N. and E.S.F.A., but mostly U.S.N. Mobile Suits”
“You have less than that, Ace, now hustle,” Ronon ordered before switching to the bridge of his ship the Republic “Captain to Bridge: Send out Commanders Kira Yamato and Athrun Zala in the Strike Freedom and the Infinite Justice.” Once that was done, Ronon motioned for Nathan to take Pyper away. “May Death find you swiftly, gentlemen.” And with that, the three of them left the room. “Republic, prepare to receive Lieutenants Nathan Howard and Pyper Wolf.”
“Roger that, sir,” The female voice said. A Mobile Suit landed before them and carried them back to the ship. Once there, they disembarked and Nathan began to look for the Medical bay when he came across a cute girl about his age. “Welcome aboard the Republic, Lieutenant Howard, my name is Ariel Nash; I am the Mobile Suit Coordinator of this ship.”
“Nice to meet you, Ariel,” Nathan said when Pyper groaned. “Where is the Medical Bay?”
“It is down the corridor to your left,” Ariel said giggling. Nathan thanked her and immediately took off with Pyper. “He is cute; I have to make him mine.”
“Captain, I have Pyper in the medical bay,” Nathan reported after lying Pyper on the bed. “What are your orders?”
“Stay on launch standby in your mobile suit,” Ronon said as he arrived on the ship and entered the Hanger. “I am heading out, Bridge, Captain Ramius, you have command until I return. Open the Gundam Storage unit; ready the GP01 Zephranthyes Gundam for combat!” the crew scrambled to ready the Captain’s MS. After about ten minutes the unit was ready and the Captain climbed aboard.
“Captain you are clear for launch,” Ariel said in a professional tone. “Go get them, Captain!”
“Captain Shields, Zephyranthes, launching!” Ronon said as the ship’s MS catapult launched him into battle along with Commander Kira Yamato in his Strike Freedom and Commander Athrun Zala in his Infinite Justice. “All P.S.S. MS: half of you will guard the R. & D. sector of the base until Ace and Heero are done pulling the W.O.L.F. Project from the base’s database; the other half is to help Commander Kira, Athrun and I in engaging the enemy.” The response came loud over the radio and Ronon entered the battle.
Meanwhile, in the Medical Bay of the Republic…
“What happened?” Pyper asked herself as she got out of the bed. Ever since she blacked out, she had a dream about a burning castle in the distance while E.S.F.A. forces demolished the city. “What were those images?”
“My dear, you should not be out of bed yet!” a nurse cried when she entered the room. “The Captain has not allowed it yet.”
“Who is the captain of this ship?” Pyper asked, looking about the bay. The nurse looked confused for a moment before she answered.
“Why my dear, this ship is commanded by the legendary Ronon Shields,” The nurse said as she laid a new uniform on Pyper’s bed. “Lieutenant Howard is in the Hanger if you want to see him.” Pyper’s eyes lit up and she changed into her new uniform before running off to the Hanger.
“Nathan!” Pyper called out as she came into the Hanger, Nathan climbed out of his MS and embraced Pyper. It is nice to see you alive and well.”
“You too, Pyper,” Nathan whispered, holding Pyper close. “I though I had lost you.” Pyper let a tear fall down her face before the ship shook violently. “The enemy got through?!” Nathan released Pyper and re-entered his Ez8 Gundam. “Ez8 to Bridge; what Mobile suits are being used and how many of each?”
“The force is a combined one, Lieutenant,” Ariel said as she took count. “On the E.S.F.A., forces include 100 RGM-79(G) Mobile Suits, 10 MPT Guntanks, 10 Tragos armed with Shoulder Beam Cannons, 50 Virgo II, and 30 Taurus MD. The U.S.N. force consists of 20 GINN, 2 Zaku Commanders, a Gelgoog High Commander, 30 Zaku Kais, 40 Zaku II (F2), 5 Kämpers, 4 Gelgoog Jaegers, 40 Gelgoog Marines, a MS-14Fs Gelgoog commander, 20 Geara-Doga, 2 Jagd-Doga, 30 GOUF Ignited, a Gouf Custom Commander, 10 Gouf Flight Types, 10 Doms, and a CGUE General.”
“Curses!” Ronon shouted as he punched a code into his Mobile Suit’s computer. “Ready the Destiny Gundam for launch; prepare to receive the GP01.” The order went through and the Destiny left the ship. Ronon put the GP01 under MD control and jumped to his new MS in mid air at high speeds. Ronon entered the cockpit and the machine came alive. “Let’s do it Destiny!” Ronon drew his beam rifle and began to shoot down the aerial enemy units.
“Bridge, this is Lieutenant Nathan Howard, the Captain and his troops are outnumbered. Prepare to launch my Ez8 Gundam.” Nathan said as he began to power up his unit.
“Negative, Lieutenant,” Ariel said as she opened a channel the Ez8. “But you can buy me dinner sometime.”
“I’ll think on it.” Nathan said, quickly shutting down the channel. “Blast it!”
“What is it Nathan?” Pyper asked, popping in after Nathan had shouted. “They won’t let you launch, will they?”
“No, I am to remain on standby until the Captain calls for my help,” Nathan said in a bitter tone. Pyper smiled and sat down on his lap. Nathan took a deep breath and put his hand around Pyper’s waist. “Thanks for listening, Pyp.”
“You’re welcome, Nate,” Pyper said affectionately as she played with his hair. “Let’s watch how true pilots fight an uneven battle.” And with that the two of them turned to the video screen and watched the fight unfold.
“Captain, there are too many of them,” Commander Kira Yamato said as he struck down several Mobile Suits. “Even if Athrun and I were in ‘seed’ mode, we would not be able to defeat them all.”
“I agree with Kira, Captain,” Athrun said as he shot down three Zaku Kais. “We have to pull out now!”
“We will not pull out and leave Ace and Heero to suffer at the hands of our enemies,” Ronon answered as he continued to shoot down U.S.N. Mobile Suits.
“Captain, the enemy has broken through the last MD defense line!” Ariel said urgently as the ship shook from the impacts. “I don’t think that we can take much more!” Ronon swore as he destroyed another Zaku (F2) II.
“High Marshall, the rebel’s ship is in the range of our Lohengrin Positron Blaster Cannon,” A tech officer said in an eager voice.
“Fire the Lohengrin as soon as it is fully charged,” The High Marshall ordered. The officer moved to obey.
“Sir, the base has locked on to us and is preparing to fire its Positron Cannon,” Captain Ramius reported after she was alerted by Ariel.
“Damn it!” Ronon swore as he watched the deadly weapon rise out of its shelter. “Is anyone able to take that out before it fires?”
“I could try to snipe it, Captain,” Pyper said, opening a channel to Ronon. “It would be a little difficult, but I could try.”
“Do it,” Ronon ordered. “Take my Deathscythe Gundam. You may choose any long-range rifle you want, but if you can’t destroy it, then get up close and personal with the unit’s scythe.”
“Roger that,” Pyper said, leaving the Ez8’s cockpit and entering the unit that Ronon lent her. Pyper then rewrote the unit’s OS to meet her specifications. The machine sparked to life and Pyper smiled. She then ran through the armory list and picked out a MSN-04II Nightingale Mega Beam Rifle before positioning her new unit on the catapult system. “This is Pyper Wolf, Deathscythe Sniper, launching!” the catapult came to life and launched Pyper into the battle.
“Nathan, I want you to provide cover fire for Pyper,” Ronon ordered. “I don’t want to risk a miss.” Nathan saluted before moving his unit onto to the catapult. “Good Luck.”
“Nathan Howard, Ez8 Custom…launching!” Nathan said as the catapult launched him into the battle. “Pyper, are you in position yet?”
“I am in the perfect position, Nathan,” Pyper answered as she locked onto the Lohengrin positron cannon. “Now I must wait until the perfect moment.” Nathan nodded and began to shoot down any enemy unit that dared to come too close.
“The Lohengrin Cannon is ready to fire, High Marshall,” The gunnery chief reported when the energy meter read fully charged.
“Fire the Lohengrin Cannon!” the High Marshall ordered. The trigger was pulled and the cannon began to glow from the huge amount of energy.
“Now!” Pyper shouted as she pulled the trigger. The rifle coughed and the energy round pierced right through to the other side of the cannon. However, the cannon was able to discharge a sizable amount of energy. “s**t!”
“Captain, the cannon has fired at the Republic!” Nathan reported to Ronon, who swore quite loudly. The Destiny Gundam quickly moved to intercept the positron round. “Captain, what are you doing?!”
“I am going to stop the positron round,” Ronon answered, shutting off the channel. Ronon then pushed his unit as hard as it could take. But it was not going to be enough. The Zero System that he had installed activated and showed Ronon the future as if it was actually happening. The vision showed the positron round striking and destroying the Republic. It showed all of his crew perishing in fire. “I will not let it come to pass…” A large star appeared before him, pulsating wildly. Pyper and Nathan both sensed the star and turned to watch Ronon go “Supernova.” The ‘star’ exploded with a force that shook everything in the area. “I will not allow my ship and its loyal crew perish in such a way as that!” the Destiny Gundam’s “Wings of Light” activated and The speed of the Destiny Gundam increased dramatically, allowing Ronon to get ahead of the Positron round.
“Captain, you will be destroyed!” Ariel cried out as Ronon stabilized his unit. “Please don’t do this!” However, Ronon wasn’t listening.
“I will not it to happen!” Ronon growled as he waited for the round. The “Supernova” Captain held out a hand and gathered energy into the Beam Cannon that was located in the Destiny Gundam’s palm. The Positron round slammed into it and halted. The energy that had gathered into the beam cannon formed a shield that protected both the Gundam and the Republic. When the Positron round finally died away, the Destiny’s power level was drastically low.
“Captain, are you okay?” Pyper asked, keeping an eye on the Positron Cannon.
“I am fine,” Ronon answered, still in his “Supernova” state. “My Gundam’s battery needs to recharge though.”
“Captain, the base’s Lohengrin Cannon is charging up again,” Ariel reported.
“That is impossible,” Pyper exclaimed, scoping the Cannon. “My shot punctured both charge lines and the firing mechanism.”
“Impressive Pyper,” Ronon whispered examining the Cannon’s blueprints to see the damage. “Then they must be doing it manually.”
“Permission to go up close and destroy the weapon,” Nathan asked, reloading his rifle for emphasis.
“Negative, Lieutenant,” Ronon answered calmly. “Pyper, can you take out the battery pack on the cannon?”
“Yes, sir!” Pyper said, scoping the battery pack. “When can I shoot?”
“Anytime, Lieutenant,” Ronon answered as he landed on the Republic’s hull. “Hanger: give rise to Zephyranthes Full-burner; prepare to lie to rest the Destiny Gundam for now.” A hatch opened up next to Ronon and his new MS rose out of the Hanger. Ronon jumped to the new unit and entered the cockpit. The machine roared to life and the Destiny Gundam was lowered to rest.
“Positron Cannon at 50% charge,” Ariel reported. Pyper heard the report and pulled the trigger. The rifle coughed a second time and the round punched through the battery pack, causing it to explode. “Cannon charge has dropped 20%.”
“Captain, I can only do enough damage to stall the inevitable,” Pyper reported after assessing the damage.
“We need to get up close to destroy it,” Nathan shouted as he slashed a Dom in half. “Permission to execute.”
“Green light, green light to execute,” Ronon ordered. “You may have to kill some people to do it.”
“We will do what must be done, and we cannot go back to the E.S.F.A.,” Pyper answered in a final tone.
“Very well,” Ronon sighed. “Execute and then destroy any enemy unit that you come across on your way back to the ship.”
“Roger that,” The two lieutenants said as they moved towards the Positron Cannon. Ronon smiled and returned to his own task.
“Captain, the CGUE General is heading after Pyper and Nathan,” Ariel reported as she kept track of all of the remaining enemy suits.
“We will let them be, Ariel, Pyper and Nathan will be able to handle that one,” Ronon said calmly. “It will show them the true horror of war.”
“Yes, sir,” Ariel said quietly. The Captain whispered a prayer for Pyper and Nathan.
“I am a cursed soul, Ariel,” Ronon said he clashed with two Gelgoog Jaegers at once. “God will not allow me to help her now.”
“God will let you intervene at the end, My Lord,” Ariel whispered. “You will be able to save her again.”
“I hope that it does not come to pass,” Ronon prayed to himself. “I pray that it does not come to pass.”
“Pyper, we need to move faster,” Nathan said as the two of then drew closer to the Positron Cannon. “Leave the small fry for later.”
“Alright, Nathan,” Pyper replied, leaving a RGM-79(G) unit without arms and a head. “Distance to target…1000 meters.”
“Captain, we have pulled every piece of data on the W.O.L.F. Project,” Ace reported as he and Heero entered their Mobile Suits. “We are now returning to the ship.”
“Roger that, Ace,” Ronon said over the radio. “Pyper, are you close to destroying the base’s Lohengrin Cannon yet?”
“Almost Captain,” Pyper replied as she disabled another E.S.F.A. GAT-01 Strike Dagger. “I will destroy it with my scythe-glaive.”
“Alright, there is an enemy unit heading your way. It is the CGUE General,” Ronon said quietly. “I cannot help you to two, this is to be your final test; Good Luck.”
“I will deal with the CGUE General, Pyper; you take out the Lohengrin Cannon,” Nathan said as he pulled out one of his beam sabers.
“Are you sure, Nathan?” Pyper asked letting a RGM-79c-Ground GM Command MS fall to the ground. “CGUE Generals are one of the most dangerous officers in the U.S.N. Military forces.”
“I will be fine, Pyper,” Nathan said as he placed a hand on Pyper’s shoulder. “I am an Advocate too.”
“Roger that, Nate,” Pyper whispered, turning to complete their mission. “Don’t die on me…my love.” And with that, she hit the throttle and accelerated towards the Lohengrin Cannon.
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Pyp,” Nathan said, turning to face the CGUE General. “You cannot pass!”
“My fight is not with you,” The General said in a familiar female voice. “Nathan Howard.”
“It can’t be…” Nathan gasped when the CGUE General’s pilot opened an audio/visual channel to his cockpit. “Aurelia Thysian.”
“It is nice to see that you still remember me, Nathan,” Aurelia said smiling. “Why don’t you come over to my side?”
“I will not follow you!” Nathan replied as he raised his shield. “I will not abandon the Captain or Pyper!” Aurelia growled at hearing Pyper’s name.
“You were mine before she came!” Aurelia said darkly. “I won’t let you go that easily.”
“I won’t leave Pyper alone in this world!” Nathan said firmly, “Not for you or anyone else!” And with that he attacked. Aurelia deflected his attack and countered. Nathan dodged the counter and locked blades with his former girlfriend.
“Then I must show you the errors of your ways!” Aurelia said, breaking the lock and attacking. Nathan deflected the attack and slammed into her with his raised shield. “You are a fool to resist me, my love.”
“I am not yours anymore!” Nathan shouted as the two clashed several times. “I belong to Pyper Wolf!”
“If you really believe that, then I must defeat you here and now,” Aurelia said as she went into her “Supernova Seed” mode and attacked Nathan. Her first attack destroyed his shield, leaving him without a separate means of stopping her attacks. “Fall to me, Nathan Howard!”
“I will not fall…” Nathan whispered as Aurelia knocked him about. A medium-sized star appeared before him. “I promised Pyper that I would survive!” The star exploded and Nathan entered his “Supernova” state for the first time. “I will survive to marry Pyper Wolf!!” The Ez8’s eyes glowed blood-red and Nathan went on the offensive.
“That’s it, my love; fall into my trap,” Aurelia said smiling. Nathan attacked with a thrust that the General was able to dodge. It was here that the General made her move. In one swift attack Aurelia disabled Nathan’s MS.
“Pyper…I have failed you,” Nathan whispered as he placed a lock on his cockpit hatch before finally blacking out.
“Nathan!” Pyper cried out, slashing the Lohengrin Cannon with her scythe. As the cannon began to explode, the young lieutenant headed to where she last saw Nathan. When she arrived she found the CGUE General kneeling over his Ez8 MS. “Damn you!”
“Long time, no see, Pyper Wolf,” Aurelia said as she opened a channel to Pyper’s cockpit. “Are you ready to die?”
“What have you done to Nathan?!” Pyper shouted as she raised her scythe. “Tell me!”
“I was trying to take back that which you have stolen from me,” Aurelia growled, drawing her MA-M4 heavy blade from her back. “I will take Nathan back!” the U.S.N. General attacked and locked blades with
Pyper.
“I will not let you have Nathan!” Pyper cried out in anger. Her star appeared before her and went supernova. “I won’t let you!” The scythe flicked into a glaive form and the two pilots clashed repeated with a fury that matched the Sun’s.
“Captain, Nathan’s unit has been heavily damaged by the CGUE General, whose pilot used to date the Lieutenant,” Ariel said over the communicator.
“Ready the ZGMF-10A Freedom for immediate launch!” Ronon ordered as he reloaded his beam rifle. “Kira, Athrun, you are to retrieve Nathan and his unit and return to the ship.”
“Sir, a U.S.N. battleship has appeared about 1500km away,” Ariel reported when the ship’s heat signature registered on the radar.
“Alright people, we need to wrap this up quickly, all functioning units, gather up any disabled units and take them back to the Republic,” Ronon ordered briskly as he shot down a GOUF Ignited. “Captain Shields out.”
“Why do you not fall?” Aurelia asked after she and Pyper had clashed for the hundredth time. “What are you?”
“I will not allow you to take Nathan from me!” Pyper shouted, attacking Aurelia. “Never!”
“Curses!” Aurelia swore as she opened fire with her shield. Pyper dodged the rounds and destroyed the shield in one go. Aurelia then kicked Pyper’s unit down and accelerated towards her ship. Pyper quickly recovered and flew after the CGUE General.
“I won’t allow you to escape my wrath!” Pyper cried out, firing her Buster Shield. The CGUE General dodged the weapon, allowing Pyper to catch up to it. “Perish in fire!” the scythe-glaive slammed into the back of the CGUE General’s back at the waist, but not before Aurelia ejected. Pyper’s weapon finished its work and the CGUE General exploded.
“Good work Pyper,” Ronon said as he landed next to her. “You are a natural Gundam pilot.”
“Why do we fight, Captain?” Pyper asked, trying to hold back tears. “Why?”
“It is human nature to fight one another,” Ronon answered gravely. “Let us return to the ship so we can discuss it more.” Pyper agreed and returned to the Republic.
“How is Nathan doing?” Ronon asked, exiting his MS and leaving the Hanger. Commanders Kira and Athrun were following a little ways behind Pyper and the Captain.
“The Lieutenant is currently in stable condition,” Athrun said quietly. “However, his Mobile Suit is beyond repair at the moment.”
“We will have to give him a new Mobile Suit, Captain,” Kira said, keeping pace with the Captain. “I suggest that we give him the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam as a replacement.”
“I agree, Kira,” Ronon said turning into the Medical Bay. Two girls, one with pink hair, the other, with blonde hair, were checking Nathan’s vitals and injuries. “My Lady Lacus, my Lady Cagalli.” The two girls looked up and stepped aside. “You and your husbands are free to go.” The commanders took their respective wives hands and left the Medical Bay. “I will leave you with Nathan, Pyper.”
“Captain?” Lacus Yamato asked as Ronon came around the corner. “Are we going to keep her as a pilot?” Ronon sighed and motioned for the songstress to follow him.
“My Lady Lacus,” Ronon said as he shut the door to his office. “Please sit.” Lacus sat down in one of the chairs while Ronon leaned against the wall.
“What is it, Captain?” Lacus asked.
“I do not expect Pyper to stay as a pilot for us,” Ronon said quietly. “I would be happy if she did so that we can find the truth about the purpose of the W.O.L.F. Project.”
“They finished the W.O.L.F. Project?” Lacus asked in a shocked voice. “When? Is it being used?”
“Calm down, Lacus,” Ronon said sternly. “We pulled the data before the program was completed, but Pyper’s foster father, Dr. Stanford, is putting the finishing touches on it right now.”
“Her foster father?” Alex asked as he walked into the room. “Are you saying what I think you are saying?” Ronon looked over to his oldest brother and nodded. “That is impossible.”
“It is true!” Ronon shouted in anger. “Pyper Wolf is indeed the Princess of the Northern Kingdom!” a small squeak sounded from the doorway and the three turned to see Pyper standing in the doorway. “Pyper…”
“Stay away!” Pyper cried, running for the Hanger. Ronon swore as he ran after her.
“Pyper, stop!” Ronon shouted as he entered the Hangar. Too late, Pyper had launched in her new Gundam and was flying away. Ronon swore again and entered the cockpit of his Freedom Gundam. “Freedom, Launch!”
“Leave me alone!” Pyper shouted, attacking Ronon. The two clashed repeatedly as Ronon tried desperately to disable Pyper’s Gundam.
“Pyper, please listen to me!” Ronon pleaded as he and Pyper went into their “Supernova” states and clashed again. However, Pyper wasn’t about to listen. “Very well, you leave me no choice.” And with that, Ronon put away his beam sabers and waited for the final blow. Pyper swung her scythe-glaive and slashed the Freedom Gundam in half at the waist.
“What…why?” Pyper asked. Ronon smiled as a trickle of blood ran down his face. “Why did you stop fighting?”
“I stopped to get you to stop, My Lady,” Ronon answered as he struggled to keep the MS from exploding. “Ask your father for the truth of your past.” The Freedom finally overloaded and exploded.
“CAPTAIN!!” Pyper screamed. This was the second time that Ronon had been caught in an exploding MS. “Republic; please send out a rescue crew and two armed MS to arrest Lieutenant Pyper Wolf.” The request was carried out and Pyper was escorted back to the ship and into the brig. After several hours of searching, all of the remains of the Freedom Gundam were recovered and Ronon was taken to the Medical Bay. The next day, Pyper was released from prison and escorted to the bridge.
“Lieutenant Pyper,” Captain Ramius began, turning to face the pilot. “Why did you attack Captain Ronon?”
"I don’t know, Captain Ramius,” Pyper answered truthfully. “I was confused, shocked, and scared.”
“About what?” Kira asked. Pyper looked about the bridge before answering.
“It was about finding out that I was a princess of a lost Kingdom,” Pyper said, looking the Commander straight in the eyes. “I am confused.”
“Tell me, Lt. Pyper, do you have terrible dreams about a castle on fire, and E.S.F.A. troops destroying the city?” Alex asked, looking Pyper in the eyes. “Answer me truthfully.”
“Yes, sir,” Pyper answered quietly. “I have dreamed about a Kingdom being destroyed by the E.S.F.A. forces.” Alex whistled low while the others stared.
“Another question,” Alex said gently. “What does Eonos Athane mean?” Pyper looked confused before answering.
“It means ‘Peace in Fire’,” Pyper said, confident in her answer. “At least, that is what it sounded like to me.”
“One last question,” Alex said with fear in his voice, “Who were the King and Queen?”
“A tall man, black hair, blue eyes, a gentle man who rarely got angry over anything; King Aron Wolf,” Pyper said, picturing her true parents. “And Queen Mary Wolf, a kind woman who was loved by everyone, a woman with flame-red hair and green eyes that were filled with warmth.” There was a loud thump that made everyone jumped as they turned to see Ronon standing in the doorway.
“My Lady Pyper,” Ronon said, kneeling before Pyper, “It has been too long.”
“Wait, you knew me before now?” Pyper asked. Ronon simply nodded.
“You, my younger brother Phylis, and I used to play together when our parents would visit each other,” Ronon answered, standing back up. “I know what happened to your home and parents.”
“What happened to them?!” Pyper asked eagerly, wanting to learn more about her past.
“Alas, I cannot be the one to tell you that, My Lady,” Ronon said as he motioned for someone to come forward. It was her father…no, her foster father. “But this man can in my stead.”
“Father, what happened to my home, my family?” Pyper asked quietly.
“They were murdered by the Earth Shield Federation Alliance,” Dr. Stanford answered. “They were betrayed by the very person they trusted most.” And with that he drew a handgun. Everyone in the immediate area drew their own and took aim. “I betrayed them.” Dr. Stanford then turned the pistol’s grip towards Pyper. “I knew that we could not stop an attack from the E.S.F.A., so I arranged for the E.S.F.A. to march into the city and force your parents to sign a treaty with the Earth Government. Everything was going fine until your parents refused to sign the treaty. The man that was representing the E.S.F.A. ordered the Army to destroy the city. The Representative then turned a gun onto your parents, asking them to sign the treaty. They refused and were murdered where they stood. I was the Chief of State Affairs at the time and managed to escape with you in my arms as the Northern Kingdom fell. I have kept this crime a secret, and you, as punishment for what I had done.” He knelt before Pyper, “I wish for you to end my misery.”
“You are the only one that was like a real parent to me,” Pyper said, taking the handgun from Dr. Stanford. “That is why I cannot kill you.”
“Dr Stanford…no, Dr. Wolf,” Ronon said, walking forward. “Please finish the W.O.L.F. Project for the sake of those that can be spared a horrible fate.” The doctor nodded in agreement and left to return to his work.
“Pyper, My Lady Pyper,” Alex whispered as he and the others knelt/curtsied to her. “Please forgive us for our insolence.”
“I forgive you all,” Pyper said sincerely. Everybody rose and left the room. “Where are we going next?”
“We are here, in Japan, from here we will travel to Orb to refuel, repair and supply the Republic, then we will travel to Pearl Harbor, refuel and re-supply, and then we will travel to the HQ of the P.S.S. and the U.N.P.; the Central Kingdom,” Ronon said as he stood up.
“Will we see the High King and High Queen?” Pyper asked eagerly.
“It depends on how busy my parents are,” Ronon answered. “They have a lot on their plate in that they are trying to keep the E.S.F.A. from invading.”
“Your parents are the High King and Queen of the U.N.P.?!” Pyper asked in shock. Ronon simply nodded and Pyper’s jaw dropped.
“After we rest in the Central Kingdom, we will head to the Northern Kingdom’s capital,” Ronon said enlarging the map. “From there we will head into space and join up with the Eternal and the Kusanagi.”
“Why head into space?” Pyper asked. Ronon looked at the map and sighed.
“To stop the U.S.N. from using its Neo-GENISIS Cannon against the Earth and the E.S.F.A. from using its Requiem Cannon on the Colonies,” Ronon answered.
“Captain Shields, we are ready to go,” Captain Ramius reported. “We can launch at any time.”
“Prepare to launch immediately,” Ronon said before a familiar sensation ran through his head. “Battle Stations!”
“Sir?” Ramius asked before Ronon keyed in the situation to her. “All hands, Level 1 Battle Stations! Prepare to launch for Orb!”
“Ready the HM-Nu Gundam for launch!” Ronon ordered as he ran into the Hanger. The Mobile Suit was quickly prepped and launched within five minutes.
“Fire up the engines and head for Orb!” Captain Ramius ordered. The ship rumbled to life and lifted into the air.
“What is going on? Who is attacking?” Pyper asked as she came onto the bridge.
“One lone unit, database registers it as Sazabi Gundam!” Cagalli said. “It is him.”
“He followed us through the hurricane at Iwo Jima?!” Captain Ramius exclaimed. Pyper looked confused before the Captain explained. “U.S.N. Commander Zathrine Howard, a ruthless fighter that has been after this ship and Ronon since the War began.”
“Is he at all related to Nathan Howard?” Pyper asked, afraid of the answer.
“I don’t know, Lieutenant,” Captain Ramius said quietly.
“Captain Shields here, enemy unit has been located, preparing to engage,” Ronon reported, closing in on the Grey Sazabi MS. “Time to end this chase once and for all.” The two Mobile Suits reached each other and the Battle of Tokyo began. The people in the streets ran for cover as rifle rounds flew though the air. For several hours, the Legendary Aces fought each other over, in, and throughout the evacuated city. “Move it Republic!” Captain Ramius snapped out of her thoughts and the ship began to move for Orb.
“You won’t escape me, Knight Captain!” Zathrine shouted, shooting several rounds at the Captain. Ronon dodged the rounds and returned fire. The U.S.N. Commander dodged the rounds and bypassed the P.S.S. officer and headed for the ship. “You die first!” The beam saber was drawn and was about to pierce the bridge when Ronon intercepted the attack. “Impossible…”
“I will take you with me to Hell!” Ronon shouted as he rammed a beam saber into the Sazabi’s chest. “Perish in fire with me!” The two Mobile Suits overloaded and detonated. “Pyper, you are now in charge of the Republic’s defense forces.”
“Captain!” Ramius shouted as the Nu Gundam exploded. “Continue on course to Orb. We must get there at all costs!”
“R-roger,” The Bridge crew responded. The engines hit full power and the ship flew towards the Orb Union.
“We have to look for the Captain!” Pyper shouted, making everyone on the Bridge jump. “We can’t just leave!”
“We have no other choice Pyper!” Captain Ramius shouted back. “In a few minutes that U.S.N. Battleship will be all over us!” Pyper cowered for a second as the Captain glared at her. “I will not lose this ship, its crew, and its cargo to the U.S.N. or the E.S.F.A. Militaries!”
“Very well,” Pyper said reluctantly. “We will continue to Orb.”
