tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762912786224840952024-03-08T15:15:32.909+08:00Project Light NovelNaz Helmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02428316782485566685noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776291278622484095.post-26579811923760271102012-05-13T02:43:00.001+08:002012-05-13T02:43:26.141+08:00PHASE 02<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Minna! gomennasai~ a bit late for this late because editor-san being too lazy this week ~(=w=~) anyway without further a do, i present to you guys, second chapter!(applause!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>2.1 Attack on Deimos</u> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The numbers on the panel is slowly
counting up. The dim white background colour of the holographic panel is no
brighter than the fluorescent lamps that illuminate the steel polymer cage that
Rathe was in. A soft chime sounded and swallowed for a second the soft hum
inside the lift, when it reached the second highest number on the panel. The
double doors slowly open. The lounge of the Leonardo was magnificent; the
windows provided amazing view of the stars beyond as the windows provided
real-time information via its holo screen. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Julian Forsell was staring down on
the red surface of Amaliea, once used to be Mars like a God watching over
Earth. The holo panels constantly beeped and changing its diagram, bringing new
information every time. Rathe stopped some few meters from the small stage and
eased himself.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Look at the planet. Dusty, cold,
and dry, unlike the Earth. Phobos and Deimos was at the horizon, you see,
that’s why we are here.” Forsell began. Rathe listened and waited. He can sense
the answer for his question coming, the reason he was here.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Phobos and Deimos were actually a
mining facility. I want you to take it.” ordered Forsell. He slowly turned
facing Rathe and looked at his confused face. “What mine, sir?” Rathe asked.
Forsell held his palm straight up. “The 69<sup>TH</sup> Fleet is standing by in
their position. Use them to take the mine.” Rathe opened his mouth to protest
but it was stuck in his throat and asks. “Sir, is this an invasion?” Forsell
looked at him like Rathe just said something funny. “Nah, I just want the
Energia, that’s all. Now go. We don’t have much time, Lieutenant.” Rathe
saluted and turned back at the lift. As he reached the lift’s door, Forsell’s
voice called again. “I don’t like prisoners, Lieutenant.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">As Rathe descended in the lift,
curiosity was a raging typhoon inside his cranium. Those two meteorites were
small, no more than 30 kilometres across. But the presence of 69<sup>TH</sup>
make Rathe think Forsell is lying. The 69<sup>TH</sup> is the second strongest
Fleet of all space-going groups. The numbers of computer calculations, it
predicted that the planet wouldn’t withstand a single nuclear barrage, let
alone a full scale invasion with Panzers and Blitz. It’s a waste, Rathe
thought. By the time he said that to himself, he already reached Leonardo’s
hangar.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Panzer was the latest model AMS
mass produced for the UN Space Force. Like its name, the AMS emphasises on
firepower and armour, but unlike its 20<sup>TH</sup> century ancestor, its manoeuvrability
was exceptional. The small nuclear engine inside each Panzer provides almost
unlimited power, but the heavy mechanical parts of the AMS make the Engine last
no more than 72 hours. Another drawback was this AMS was designed with creature
comfort from a sadist. Simply operating it demanded the pilot has to endure
vigorous physical burden like those World War Two bomber pilots.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Rathe already felt uncomfortable
when the hatch closes, shutting him from the world only by a piece of titanium
hybrid that serve as shield. The underside face of the shield facing him was a
large rectangular screen that a bit bent at the middle. Necessary informations
were projected on the screen. At his left and right, was set of buttons and
control columns. Rathe pressed a button at his right and the cockpit hummed to
life; the activation light lighted up, and the screen appeared the degree
scale. Rathe held the control; his gloves make a small squeak as the rubber rub
against each other.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Timing to you, sir.” The intercom
sounded form the control. Rathe took a deep breath. This is it, UN’s
declaration of war, he said inside his mind. But there’s no turning back now.
The Fates already laid down the path that cannot be altered. “Rathe Sugiura,
taking off” and the linear rail catapult shot his Panzer forward. The rail
spurted sparks and at the end of the line, the clamp of the pad unlocked as the
Panzer was shot into space. Rathe gunned the boosters and blasted to the
rendezvous point.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The space was terribly cold, and
the harmonizers inside Rathe’s suit were keeping the temperature warm and
adjust to the surrounding. The screen blipped a green dot, he has reached his
destination. But the 69<sup>TH</sup> wasn’t here, visually. His radar was full
of friendly contacts, and when Rathe was about to broke the silence, the black
space shimmered. Small sparks of electricity appeared out of the ripple, and
seconds later, more than 20 silver coloured Panzers appeared. Rathe was left
his mouth open in astonishment.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Sorry to surprise you sir, 69<sup>TH</sup>
here.” The intercom spoke. Rathe closes his mouth and swallowed a bulk of
saliva that stuck at his throat. Cloak technology, no wonder the 69<sup>TH</sup>
gets all the fab. “Who are you?” Rathe asked on the intercom. After a click of
static, a voice answered “Private First Class Roy Sullivan sir, at your
orders.” He sounds cheerful, as this was a training exercise and Rathe doesn’t
like it. “Have you and your team are briefed about the mission?” “No, sir. Our
CO told us to follow your command.” Rathe sighed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“We are going to take Phobos and
Deimos, it that clear? Expect little resistance from the workers.” They didn’t reply, but blips on Rathe radar
confirmed their acknowledgement. Rathe pushed the throttle lever until it
reached green zone and accelerated at the asteroids trailed by the 69<sup>TH</sup>
behind him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> *</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Yukio was zipping up his space
suit; overall clothing that covers his whole body until up his neck. The suit
was dark red matched with black. The helmet was like that. But Yukio wouldn’t
give a damn about colour. He clipped the button on his gloves and picked up his
helmet. The ship Interceptor was designed to test the new Veil technology and
its primary attribute was a multi-role capability. On the way to the hangar,
suddenly, his earpiece voiced. “Come to the hangar, quick!” Ralph shouted at
him. Yukio winked his left eye when he shouts; felt like his ear was going to
explode. “Relax. What’s the rush?” he said, but noticed he was walking faster.
“The UN is launching their invasion!” Suddenly, a long smile appeared on
Yukio’s face, and he felt terribly excited, like he had a mountain of fun
greeted him. And for the first time, he allowed himself to rush since his
mercenary career. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">When Yukio reached the door to the
hangar, he stopped because of the red neon light at the top of the door. Yukio
wore his helmet and with a click and wisp of air, he was safely airtight. He
rushed through the pressure doors and floated in zero gravity. Using the walls
as ground, he kicked himself to his AMS. But it wasn’t standing up but shaped
like a fighter aircraft. Yukio landed on the machine as the magnetic soles of
his boots got to work. He fell on one knee and turned a circular handle. The
hatch to cockpit slide open and Yukio sat inside and close the hatch back.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Hey, you say there’s an invasion?”
Yukio asked, while busy flipping switches and pressing buttons. “Where is the
announcement…I mean alarm?” Yukio’s finger almost reached the activation button
when the intercom spoke again. “The UN are cowards, they always cheat and can’t
be trusted.” Ralph replied. Yukio could sense that Ralph has hate to the UN
from his tone. But Ralph came back as quick as it come. “I’ll designate you as
the A-One unit.” he said and Yukio was quick to detest that. “You say this
thing used to intercept intelligence, right?” he asked. “Uh…yes” came the slow
reply. Yukio pressed the button. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The machine comes to life as the
Energia inside its <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">A</span>lternator was
changing from crystal into energy. The screen front of Yukio comes beeping with
calculations strolling down with radar and other information. The helical
grooved ring around the Alternator spun like mad, spewing vermillion particles
of energy into the hangar. Slowly, the hangar door of the Interceptor swings
open and laid the linear rail for the catapult. “Save this name for this thing”
Yukio said to the intercom. “Yukio Junichiro, Eavesdropp, launching!” he
announced. At the same time, he pushed the control column forward and the
linear catapult surges forward. Less than a second later, Yukio was zooming at
high speed in space.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> “Ralph,
I’m going to push this machine until it broke, so release any constrains you
put on this thing” Yukio told him over the radio. “Okay, head to the asteroids.
That’s the reason they were here.” And Yukio sped off to the largest one,
Phobos.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> The
asteroid was surrounded by three massive yellow coloured rings that revolve
around at bisecting angle of the asteroid. The inboard computer detected
unknown craft on its radar and quickly activated its 50 millimetre tri-barrelled
machine cannon while sounding off alerts inside the mine. The bullets make the
space around the asteroid filled with sea of yellow streaks as the tracer
rounds burn. Rathe was caught inside the fire but luckily, the Panzer’s armour
held. He himself with a small group of 69<sup>TH</sup> fired at the asteroid
with missiles but smaller guns on the asteroid acted as AWACS and shot the
missiles down. The cannon fire didn’t affect the Panzers system, but it racked
some points to their pilots, confusion. The asteroid computer followed its
programmed protocols and greeted its visitors with swarms of missiles from pods
attached to the cannons.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> For
the first time, the 69<sup>TH</sup> suffered casualties. Five Panzers exploded
into smoke as the missiles detonated their delay fuse, after digging themselves
into the Panzer’s armour. Even Rathe was forced back and used his machinegun to
dart the chasing missiles. His Panzer was armed for short and medium range
battle but the 69<sup>TH</sup> were armed with high powered railguns and
missiles. Making things worse, Rathe sensors detected AMS coming out from the
asteroid.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Damn it. We’ve fallen into a trap!” he cursed. The
mud coloured Amaliean AMS fire their sub machineguns at the invaders, receiving
railgun projectiles as return gift. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> From
a distance, Rathe watched the situation develop in front of him. The 69<sup>TH</sup>
were popping Amaliean Rouges with their railgun and missiles, and there’s
little for the 15 year old AMS to fight back. From his eyes, Amalieans fought
hard, and caused a couple of silver Panzers to explode with their sonic knives.
But it won’t change much, Rouge frames was simply too obsolete to compete with
the 69<sup>TH</sup>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> Rathe
glanced at his mission timer, 15 minutes has passed and they haven’t taken
Deimos yet, and he waited for the signal from Phobos team. Suddenly, motion
warning exploded inside his cockpit, something very small was moving very fast
towards him. “No way, a missile?” he said inside his mind, and it was
impossible to evade. Instinctively, Rathe closed his eyes and waited for the
inferno of explosion killed him, but a terrifying shock his body as it collided
with the object. The shock knocked him cold, and caused his Panzer to shut
down.</span></span><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">2.2 Counterattack!</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> Yukio
looked at the Panzer he just fired with particle beam before he dodged, and the
sensors tell him it was dead. Yukio scanned the battlespace and quick as
thought; his screen was filled with Identification Friend-Foe [IFF] tags. He
pushed the throttle, and zoomed into the fight. As expected, UN’s Panzer never
saw what’s coming for them. With a push of a button, Eavesdropp transforms from
a fighter into slender framed black AMS with custom plasma rifle as the main
weapon. Using his momentum, Yukio catches one of the Panzers like an American
football player tackle. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> “What
was that?” a pilot shouted on the radio. With quick bursts from his rifle,
Yukio turned his catch into clouds of smoke and space junk. Before they knew
what it was, another Panzer exploded. The pilots of the 69<sup>TH</sup> were
shocked, there’s nothing on their radar. One of them tried to contact Rathe,
who were still passed out. “Pull back! Pull back!” one of the pilots shouted
and moved away while extending a small shield that flicked out from the hand.
Slowly, Rouges charged like the pilots were on drugs silver and Panzers backed.
But not one, Roy was enjoying himself. His railgun kept spitting out solid
metal projectiles and his missile counter was counting down as fast as a race
car. He lost it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> In
an instant, thousands of 75mm sub machine gun bullets were fired at him. Roy
presses a button on his control column, ordering the Panzer to take out its
only melee weapon, a long sword with a laser cutting edge. His metal skin took
the entire barrage, shaving his armour. Then he accelerated towards the
Amaliean suits.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> The
Panzer entered a group of Rouge, which all pressed the trigger of their sub
machine guns or draw their sonic knives. The Panzer sliced the Rouges like a
knife cuts through butter. One by one exploded, forming a chain reaction of
detonation. Shaken, some of the Rouges escape the frenzy and fall back. “Trying
to escape, huh?” Roy goes after them, firing his railgun. The super velocity
shell punctured the suits like air. The surviving ones opened fire. With a
highly trained as well psychotic pilot on the controls, the shots were either
dodged or deflected by the Panzer. Within range, Panzer swings its long sword,
expecting a sliced kill. Instead, his blade was stopped by a blade of a sonic
knife, wielded by yellow striped Rouge.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> “Captain,
leave this place! We’ll take him!” the other pilots shouted on the radio.
Struggling to keep up with the pressure, the captain shouts back. “Idiots!
Retreat! Your numbers won’t make any difference! “As soon he spoke that,
streaks of missiles rocketed past his view and exploded at his subordinates.
Shocked, he broke the clash and backed a little. Tapping into his frequency,
Roy spoke to the valiant with arrogance as the tone of choice.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> “Finally, a hero, “he said. “With
tragic fit for his end. I longed for this kind of duel.” Roy cackled on the
line. The captain didn’t respond although he heard Roy’s provocation. He
glanced to his side, and saw a mangled Rouge hand. He pulled out the lifeless sonic knife from
the hand and adds to his own. Getting
lease of energy from its new owner, the knife whirrs to life as the serrated
edge moves.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> “Let’s
end this!” the captain said through the radio. The Rouge accelerates, pointing
twin knives at its target. The knife at the left hand was stopped by sword,
cutting it away. “That’s all you get?” he yelled. The other knife went straight
to the torso, there’s no time to evade, but Roy wouldn’t have to. As the tip of
the knife touches the blade, massive surge of electricity went around the
Rouge, electrocuting the pilot. The captain’s agony filled the radio frequency.
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> “Arrrgh!”
his scream echoed inside Roy’s helmet. Roy enjoyed and laughed as if he was
enjoying a very beautiful music. “Enjoying right now, aren’t you? Hahahaha!”
Roy laughed loudly, accompanied by the captain’s scream. The Rouge’s whole body
jerked, except the hand that touches Roy. The mono-eye main camera exploded,
hydraulics spurted. Suddenly, without warning a particle beam hits the Panzer’s
body, shaking the Rouge off from torment. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“What?” The almost invisible aircraft zooms past,
jetting out luminous vermilion light. “A plane shot me?” Roy said. The plane
turned, accelerated at blinding speed while firing high speed beam shots,
burning Roy’s armour. As it was closing, Roy prepared to swat it off the sky
like a fly until suddenly the plane transform into thin framed AMS, pulls out a
sonic knife and clashes blades face-to-face with the Panzer, producing bluish
white lights and large sparks of electricity.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> The rest of the 69<sup>TH</sup> gathered
behind Roy, watching the duel like watching a baseball match. “Roy!” one of his
team shouted. “Don’t interfere, this is…” Roy replied, gritting his teeth to
keep up. “But this is the first time we’ve seen a suit like this!” Roy looked
at the suit he was fighting. Amaliean suits were crude and no better than shit
by their standards, but… “Don’t tell me the Amalieans have…!” Roy broke away
from the clash and instantly charged. “How could those putrid Amalieans have
that kind of technology on par with us?” Roy thrusted his sword straight but
Eavesdrop pushed the sword aside and sidestepped. Roy quickly backlashed, and
the suit vanished. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Then, the suit come from his top,
lashed and quickly cut Roy’s left hand. “It’s fast!” in moment notice, Roy
recovered and clashed blades again. “This guy…” he muttered, sudden realization
came in “This guy eliminated Turik’s units…” then Yukio’s voice suddenly filled
the channel. “So you know about it already… wanna have a taste of your own
medicine?” The Eavesdropp extends its right hand and engulfed the Panzer’s head
in his fingers.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Sorry, but I’m going to ruin your
day, soldier.” A push of a button, vermillion light exploded from Eavesdropp
palm. Swiftly, the Panzer body parts swells into bulges like being stung by
thousand bees. Inside the cockpit, intense heat destroyed the controls and Roy
was bleeding out of his nose. “What the hell is this?” he shouted in pain and
disbelief. His screen became fuzzy and distorted; a small window popup appeared
on the screen. “Roy, eject!” Roy didn’t try, his eyes entirely focused on the
black AMS. “How could I do that…the enemy is right in front of me…”</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">A cloud of silent explosion filled
the space. Yukio retracted his hand, smoke was whispering out from the
superheated radiator at the centre of the AMS palm. “Those Amalieans…this is
impossible…” the pilots murmured. Suddenly, a voice came out from their
internal speakers. “All units, retreat, retreat!” Rathe spoke to the radio. His
head still ached from what he just saw.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Everyone in the remaining 69<sup>TH</sup>
retreated but Yukio wasn’t happy letting his prize go away. He pulled a barrel segment from Eavesdropp’s
back and connected it with his rifle. “Don’t run, you pest!” a light glowed
from the cannon’s muzzle, reaching the maximum input, Yukio pressed the
trigger. A large beam shot at very high speed aimed for Rathe’s Panzer. With
his head still foggy, he doesn’t have any chance. The beam burned through the
thick armour and the reactor until it came out from his back.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Another silent explosion filled the
space. Yukio takes off his helmet and looked at his radar. The UN forces are
retreating from Amaliean space. He looked at the asteroids, Rouge debris
littered everywhere and smoke was flowing out from the ports at the mines. A
single beep got his attention. With a last look, Yukio turns back to the
Interceptor.</span></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">*</span></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Forsell clenched his fist. How
could he lose to the Amaliean forces? The 69<sup>TH</sup> had lost half their
strength, thanks to the Amaliean Shapeshifter, as what Forsell named it. Now
they are full speed back to Earth, Forsell sat in his seat and opened the
latest news broadcast. The news channels were buzzing with news about the
asteroid assault, and Forsell’s agent did the covering up. Everyone asked, why
he wanted the Amaliea, and he had a damn good reason to.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">With most of the fossil fuels gone
except the precious uranium, Earth was on the verge of power collapse. The
solar field and other renewables were doing a great job, but it wasn’t enough.
Now, Rathe is dead and he had explanation to do, as well the rest of the 69<sup>TH</sup>.
Forsell pushed a button on his desk, and seconds later, a small screen slides
out from his table. “Where is he?” Forsell asked. Using a voice scrambler, the
sound that came from the contact was impossible to distinguish by gender.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“He went out and hasn’t came back
yet” it replied. Forsell turned, his back facing the screen. “He’s dead. Do
what you have to do. “He said. No reply, but the screen sunk back. Forsell looked
up, gazes upon the space which full of brilliant stars, with a tiny red at the
edge. He has started the war, his people believed in him. But he has taken the
wrong feet and he had to prepare himself. For some reason, it reminded him
Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbour, and the will of the Americans to fight back,
but he’s not going to suffer the same fate as the Land of The Rising Sun do in
1945.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">His army was large and well
equipped. But Gradz was another story. Mark Brussels was a man with a few
words, especially about defence related matter, and he needed to tell him,
somehow. Forsell tried to reach a receiver at the corner of the table, but it
was ringing by the time he got it. Forsell pressed the answer button. “How was
it?” the voice asked. No one saw it, but Forsell’s expression change when he
heard the voice.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Quite a battering you got there,
Forsell. Said taking off on a wrong foot.” Brussels quoted. Forsell tightened
his grip on the receiver. “How the hell you…” he said. “Let’s just say I saw
you back there. No publicity but I’m staying out from this war.” Suddenly,
Forsell burst into laughter and wiped tears in his eyes. He was expecting
Brussels to say this. “Quit the pacifist theme, you Limey. A Gradz soldier was
dead and Amaliea was sure to involve you too.” Brussels was quiet for some
seconds.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Well, who was it? I’m intrigued.”
He calmly asked. Forsell was smiling as wide his lips let him. The fish has
taken the bait. “Rathe Sugiura. You know who I’m speaking about.” “I’ll see
about it.” Brussels said. But he was talking to a dead line. Forsell put the
receiver down in satisfaction. The war was on and he wasn’t fighting alone. The
Gradz will be the ultimate distraction while he aimed for the big prize;
Energia.</span></span><br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">2.2 A Weird Dream</span></u><br />
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The door’s lock clicked and opened.
Nao hung his jacket away and went to the washroom. A quick bath and a can of
soda did the job quenching the tiredness of work. The apartment was dark and
only the table lights was on, bringing dim light that shone on Laura’s face.
She was sound asleep on the couch and haven’t realised his return. The
illumination makes her skin look pale and calm. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Nao lands a sheet of blanket on her
as she hasn’t changed since she came. “You’re going to catch a cold if you
sleep like that.” he said. Nao kneeled down to tidy the sides and he saw a
small video pad. Out of curiosity, he picked the pad. The pad’s edges were full
with cute stickers and the cover itself was light pink, a girl’s taste. It was
locked and password protected. Nao places the pad on the coffee table and went
to sleep.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“The pulse is normal and adrenaline
is okay. We are ready, doctor.” The nurse reported. Nao opened his eyes, white
light blinded him and quickly closes his eyes back, adjusting to the
brightness. The people are dressed the same like the room. The ‘doctor’ was
wearing a surgical mask and a pair of latex gloves. “Give him anaesthetic, 50.”
The people inside the room were encircling him. “What are you doing?” he
shouted. They ignored him as they didn’t hear anything. He looked down, to his
body lying flat on the operation table. His hands and feet were strapped and he
heard something zing in his ear.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“No. No, stop!” Nao shouted as the
circular saw closing at his right arm. At the dimmer distance of the theatre,
nurses were hugging their pads while looked at their subject. At the same time,
another saw was closing to his left by a mechanical arm that followed the
doctor’s movement. Nao shouted louder and louder every time, telling the doctor
to stop, and before the saw touches his skin, it suddenly stopped.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Nao lets out a storm of sighs. They
finally heard him. A weak smile carved on his face despite the exhaustion.
“Give the saws more power. We’ll need it when we cut through the bone” he told
the nurses. The fragile smile drains immediately from Nao’s face. After a rev
check, the doctor starts the saws again. Hopelessness was taking him away and
the saws bought in tremendous pain into his brain. Nao shakes his body but
useless by the straps. He shouted loudly in agony until a sudden shock stopped
it.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Are you okay?” Nao opened his
eyes, it was dark. He was breathing and sweating heavily. He remembered to set
the air conditioner at the lowest temperature, but it felt like a desert sun
was scorching his skin. Laura was at his side, her eyes showed concern, like a
mother worried about her sick children. “Yeah, I’m fine” Nao replied. “That
dream again” Nao said to himself. “You were shouting just now, it looked… painful”
Laura said. Nao didn’t said anything, the dream seemed so real and the pain was
really there, a lot less painful now. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Were you having trouble sleeping
because of this?” she asked. Nao didn’t take denial as answer. Nao glanced at
digital clock beside his bed. It was very late. The dream has the worst timing;
coming up when somebody’s in the house and let them knew his secret. “Go back
to sleep, Laura. It’s still early” Nao said while rises off the bed to wash his
face. “What was it like, the dream?” Nao was quick with a reply. “Look, let’s
not talk about this now. I don’t feel well”</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Obediently, Laura walked out from
his room and locked the door. Nao sighs when he turned the chromed tap. The
water filled up the sink quickly as it gushed out. A handful of it rinsed his
face. Nao was looking at himself on the mirror and at his hand where the pain
was.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">It was vivid like the dream itself but Nao never had
operation in his life, as long he could remember. Laura found out a part of him
he didn’t want anyone to know and he couldn’t deny it. “Couldn’t get any worse
than this, it’s just a dream” he assured himself, keeping the optimistic spirit
inside alive. Lying on his bed, Nao just stared at the ceiling.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> The
morning was a slow one. Nao managed to get short nap before his alarm go
off. He got dressed and looked at his
watch. It was 7.30 in the morning when he opened the door. The sunburst
penetrated the vinyl curtain with flower pattern. He got no lecture today, but
he doesn’t know about Laura. Before he’s going to ask anything, he went to the
kitchen. A sudden scent of hydrated food filled his nose and Nao found it
stacked on the table.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> “I’ve
got lecture today, so I’ve prepared you breakfast. Make sure you eat it” a
Post-it note tacked on the plastic pack. Trough observation, the pack wasn’t
from his fridge and the side were clear signs of wear. She was recycling packs.
Nao opened one and the chow was surprising. She cooked them herself early in
the morning, like his mother would. A sudden thought rushed into his mind. Nao
quickly looked for his phone to see any messages from his father.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> ‘No
new mail’ the screen says to him. It’s been two days since the last message and
his father wasn’t an absent-minded guy. He never missed a day, let alone two.
Nao wondered about the matter at the living room and sat on the couch. He
grabbed the TV remote and scanned all the channels. Most of it was news or
documentaries that failed to get Nao’s interest. But something on the table
managed to.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> “Maybe she forgot about it” Nao picked the
pink pad and touched the screen. The black background changes into a picture of
several people with Laura in it. Some has a face almost like her and the
elderly was in it. Her family? Nao asked himself. His fingers meddled with the
screen and finally found the Games folder. The games were boring but better
than none. His phone doesn’t have any. The Brick Breaker wasn’t so bad, and Nao
was busying himself with it until a popup screen killed his focus. He failed to
catch the ball and failed the level, but the new message word was captivating.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> “Have
you told him?” the message said. The sender’s name was replaced with several
question marks. One of her friends? Nao thought. It was boring and he decided a
little joke wouldn’t do any harm, so he sent back a message. “Not yet”. Seconds
later, the reply come, but it was a long way from Nao’s expectation. “You
better tell him now or…you know what I’ll do”. It sounded angry, but Nao decide
to play along a bit longer.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> “What
are you going to do?” Nao asked. That was the last straw for the other side.
“Don’t play dumb with me, Laura! Tell him Rathe is dead or your family dies!”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> The
pad fell and clattered. He felt
heaviness tightening in his chest. He was wheezing, breathing unsteadily. His
heartbeat was audible in his ear like a steam engine blowing its valves off.
Suddenly, his head feels lighter, his vision blurred. “Tell him Rathe is dead
or your family dies!” the words repeated over and over in his mind. Nao started
to shiver like a hypothermic person. Images flashes in his head, all the things
he has done with his father since his mother was gone. The pad! Nao looked at
it. It was Laura’s. She knew all this time, hiding everything from him.</span></span></div>
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</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> And
that’s why she was here. Nao’s shivering stopped. He calmly picked the pad from
the floor, and locked back the screen and put it slowly on the table. He
switches off the television, and snatches the bike tag from the hook. Laura was
going to explain, or he’ll make her to. Or, on second thought, he might as well
wait here. Why waste energy coming to her? Nao chose the latter and hung back
the bike tag on the hook</span></span>Naz Helmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02428316782485566685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776291278622484095.post-35652578424868099062012-05-05T22:59:00.000+08:002012-05-05T23:03:43.282+08:00PHASE 00 - Prologue<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The prolouge is here minna (everyone)! In this chapter we will explain what was going on actually what happened back at 2043! like and comments!!! ^-^</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Prologue - The Beginning</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The year was 2043, the Earth had depleted from all its
fossil fuels, except uranium. The little of what’s left available on Earth skyrocketed
after the Sahara meteorite incident. The news about the strange behavior of a
meteor sighting, slowing down before impact quickly sunk by the discovery of
the Tibet-sized meteorite. The meteorite was made from entirely different kind
of uranium that quickly revives the human population from energy deprivation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Along with renewable sources, the crisis was evaded, but
another came, overpopulation. The concept of countries are long gone, now
replaced with United Nations made science fiction a reality, transforming the
lifeless Moon into permanent human settlement, named Home Project. Using the
technology from building space elevators, the RSA was build. A ring that
encircles the Moon, provided almost infinite energy from the Sun. it was the
beginning of space colonization.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After the Moon, UN’s next target was Mars. But, they
have made a grave mistake. They tried the same thing they did on the Moon, but
there’s not enough sunlight. Nearly a third of people from Earth had made their
homes on Mars, and lack of energy was sipping their lives away. The UN tried
building semi-permanent nuclear power stations to hold while thinking of
another solution. But it was all in vain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So they secretly exiled Amaliea, the renamed Mars.
They stopped flinging vital materials like food and medicine using magnetic
accelerators and ultimately leaving Amaliea engulfed in famine and plagues.
Civil wars erupted around the planet, fighting for food and other things just
to stay alive. But after several years of bloodshed, the wars ceased.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Earth has stopped communications with Amaliea
since their exile, and knew nothing about this -A Mongolian who worked as a
miner accidentally struck something that started a revolution for Amaliea.
Appeared mostly in emerald green or white, the Russian-tongued Mongolian called
the mineral Energia, Russian for energy. Altogether it provided almost
everything, from enormous controlled, pure energy to essential medical
supplies. It also worked as high performance food fertilizer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With power in their arms, some of the highly
influenced people of the Amaliea started planning revenge. Among the first
residents still remembered what the UN did to them, crystal clear, and the
Energia still have more potential yet to be unlocked as more colours are
discovered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Now, the Amaliean rigorously developed new
technologies and developing with one aim to reach. Revenge. Fueled by hatred
and rage burned inside every Amaliean. The feelings that will topple other’s
fake peace and <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=776291278622484095" name="_GoBack"></a>trigger the biggest clash in human history…</span></span>Naz Helmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02428316782485566685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776291278622484095.post-52700498558416688582012-05-01T13:03:00.000+08:002012-05-05T22:59:44.659+08:00PHASE 01<span style="font-size: large;">*phase 1 means chapter 1. not the novel's title...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Irrashaimase minna!!! We've decided to come up with a novel of our own here. it's still dont have any title yet, but if you guys come up with a good title we will make a vote for it! So sit back and relax, cuz this gonna be a looong post! (novel, d'oh) anyway here i presented you guys, the first CHAPTER~~~~<br /><br /><br />*psst... click read more... :D</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">PHASE 1 </span></span></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1.1 <u><b>Sugiura Naozumi</b></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Gradz</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> never sleeps. It is a
big city -a country with other satellite cities surrounding it. During
2052, the Home Project on the moon has reached its peak; building permanent residence for
half of the Earth’s population, and its people was given a new citizenry. As
the result, the name <b>Moon</b> were replaced with <b>Luna</b>, a tribute for
one of the Greek gods. Gradz is a solid copy of New York City fused with Tokyo
megalopolis with super Plexiglas dome over its sky, serving as an artificial
atmosphere. The Sun rise and fall every day, giving its light to shine on the
Resonance Solar Array that gave electricity to ten billion populations of the Gradz. One of them is Nao, a freshman in the national college. He woke up with a loud noise from his
alarm. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> "Shit..." He rose from the bed.The morning was
bright and the Sun’s ray sliced through the thin white curtains, wisped
occasionally from the wind of the air-conditioner. The Gradz’s cloud generator were churning out water vapour from a distance, installing a constant, low hum
in the air. Nao grabbed his hydrated breakfast pack from the kitchen machine and grabbed his bike tag from the wall hook. The door to his apartment locked
with soft electronic beep and with a metallic click. He then walked down the stairs
to the ground floor and out from the building. Quickly, he made his way to his
recently modified Ducati, putting his thumb over the scanner. The computer
inside instantly recognizes its owner and less than 3 seconds, the engine was running. Nao
wore his helmet and gloves and sat on the bike. It wasn’t a ritual but a habit,
Nao took a long, deep breath before he twisted the throttle. The engine was no
longer run on gasoline, instead it was replaced with an electric one but still powerful that Nao left rubber
stench and marks from where he sped off.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The traffic
wasn’t awful, but the vehicles wasn’t speeding or stopping. Nao, with his bike
slipped between vehicles, drawing warning honking from others. Minutes later, he
took an exit from the highway, sped up straight way to the college.
The speedometer needle almost reached the highest dial before Nao had
to brake. The bike slowed down and entered the college grounds. Nao parked
under a small shed and took off his helmet and gloves. He killed the engine,
walked straight to the college building. The Gradz National College was the only United
Nations-backed educational institute. They always become a test-bed
for new educational methods and its scholars were the beta-testers. Nao glanced
at his wristwatch, it was Thursday and the time was 8.15 a.m. he got another 15
minutes before his first lecture. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> He entered the lecture hall, picked a seat at the
fifth row from the right. Nao pulled his phone out from his trousers pocket and
opened it. There are some ads messages but Nao deleted them all,
without bothering to open them, except a couple of messages. The text messages
from his parent who was stationed at Amaliea, which once before known as Mars. Nao opened the messages and read
them:-</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Hello, Nao. How
are you? Hope the credit I’ve sent was enough, but it was the best I could
gather at this moment. Things weren’t pretty up here, the temporary government
wasn’t any good and the rebels were having good time for heavy provocation. The
UN said it will take care of the situation but everyone doubted it since the
rebellion. I don’t know-----“</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Nao deleted the
message and opened another one. The message continues there,</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“-----how long
I’m going to stay here. Rumours said the rebels are preparing for a war and
scraped as many AMS (Armed Mobile Suits) they can get. I can’t say much here, because messages are
screened. Take care.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Nao scrolled
down the message and looked at the date the message was sent. ’17 March 2067’.
The message was five days back when Nao got it. He deleted the message and
closes his phone and slipped it back into his pocket - the lecture was
starting and other students already starts to flood the hall. Nao had an empty seat next
to his left and only one person would seat at that place -If anyone was asked
who was Naozumi, they would shook their head or hunch their shoulders. Nao
didn’t speake much or didn’t stands out, that is why everyone seemed to avoid
him but not the person that seated next to Nao. She’s persistent, like a tough
stain on a plate.</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Good morning, Nao.
Did you take your breakfast today?” a voice asked. A girl sat next to him while
pushing her chestnut hair back with her finger. Without replying, Nao showed her
the empty pack from his sling bag and shoved it back. If it weren’t for her, Nao
wouldn’t bother to bring the pack inside the hall, because everyday she would
bring something to eat saying it was her cooking. The girl nodded her
head and rummaged through her orange bag, taking out her holographic pad for the
lecture.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Did you bring
the notes for today?” She asked. With a sigh, Nao took his chin off his hand and
looked inside his bag. "Of course I bring it, I’m not that lazy" he said inside
his mind. But his palm only felt the pack and several stuff but no pad. Like
she was reading his mind, she smiled. “Here, take this.” and gave Nao several
sheets of single line papers. Nao looked at her, the paper, and back to her.
His hand hesitantly moved to take it, she smiled until her cream coloured
teeth showed. Nao pulled the papers to his table and broke his view off her. Nao
take a black pen from his bag, ready to write. Without saying anything,
Nao turned back to the lecture.</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“You’re welcome,
Nao” she replied. A small shock caught Nao. He glanced his eyes at her, and met hers. Nao
immediately turned back and focused at the lecturer down the hall, speaking
through the individual speaker on the students tables. Nao lowered down the volume on
his speaker. He took notes and filled the paper with dot forms and mind maps
that he only could understand. The paper was almost full with pen ink until suddenly
a soft chime filled the hall, a sign that the period was over and the lunch
break has begun. Nao quickly shoved all his things inside his bag and prepared
to leave, because he only had one lecture today. He rises to his feet when suddenly his
path was blocked by the girl.</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">She wasn’t
holding him back or trying to prevent him from going, and Nao waited. She opened
her mouth, taking seconds before a voice came out. “Wait. There’s
something I had to tell you” Instantly, anger sparked inside him at that
moment, he felt like kicking her out of the way. “I’m busy. I had to go now”
Nao growled and moved forward past her, but aburptly stopped again. The girl was tugging his
jacket back. “No, I really need to tell you this” she added, “Please, it’s
really important”. But Nao wasn’t in the mood and he won’t to listen
what she had to say. “I said I’m busy and I have no time for----” He let his
words hung in the air; not because he wanted her to think, but he doesn’t know
the person’s name he was talking to. The air was silent for a few seconds until
she opened her mouth again, she had her chance to say anything, but Nao left
her.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><br />
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">1.2 Akai no Aakuma - The Red Devil</span></span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Lightning’s
flashed in the black clouds, followed with explosive thunders while the winds raged
with anger as the wind gods were very upset about a plane flew inside its territory.
Rain slapped the windshield like bullets, turbulence shook it like a
children shakes its toy. The pilots were struggling with the manual as the
autopilot failed to counter the storm’s abusive movements on the plane. In the
cabin, the plane carried a single passenger along with three cabin crews. The passenger
was a superstar. A superstar with feared notoriety that everyone inside the
plane knew including the passenger himself. He has a shoulder-length dark red
hair that was tied into a ponytail. Wearing a white suit, he was a middle
sized guy. In his coat laid the M12 under the bulge.</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The plane
suddenly jumped as if it has been hit by a rock. The cabin crews strapped in their seats, sweat
trailed their skin while fear showed on their faces, thinking that this will be
their last flight. The passenger unbuckled himself from his seat and stands up.
A crew saw him and unbuckled herself and walked cautiously to the passenger. Standing behind him, she lowered her head, aware of what the passenger could do to her. A sudden bravery grasped her and she rose her head to look at
him at the eye.</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Sir, please
stay in your seat,” she gulped saliva accumulated in her mouth like swallowing
burning charcoal. He turned to face her and to her surprise, she was looking at
a smile. An easy feeling instantly lowered her stress, but it washes down
quickly as it comes like water into drain as she was staring
down the 10mm muzzle of the M12 pointed at her. ”I think you should stay in your seat” he told
her. Sweat was drenched her back and weakly, she walked silently back to her
seat, staring at the floor.</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Walking to
the cockpit, he continuously hold parts of the plane to keep him steady, and
unlocked </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">the door</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">. He made quite a noise to get here, but the pilots were
too busy to notice the red-haired passenger already inside the cockpit. Slowly, he crouched between them, and make them surprised.
“Gentlemen, I believe that we are obviously late. Mind someone tell me why?”
the pilots looked among themselves, waiting for any of them to break the
silence. The co-pilot gulped. “The storm was delaying us, sir. I’ll expect that
we will arrive in 30 minutes, if----“ a soft sound suddenly filled the air
inside the cockpit. The co-pilot sat silently in his seat, his body shakes
lifelessly as the plane shook. Warm blood froze quickly when in touch with the
cold windshield, the killer turned his attention to the pilot.</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Mr Pilot, I
heard that Colonel Kashgari was an impatient man. He might shoot us down when
we get there or I’ll do it myself, because I can fly this old bucket myself damn well.” The
pilot was shaking as his face was drained-out white. He turned back at the instruments
and starts to focus, until the killer say again, “Oh, I’ll give you 15 minutes.
Good luck” and he closed the cockpit door. He walked back to his seat,
produced a cigarette from his coat and within seconds, smoke was puffing out
from his mouth. He could felt his body was pressing against the seat and he
giggled a bit. </span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The pilot was no
longer calm. He was desperate, and that’s why he pushed the throttle stick as
far it can go. He could hear the engine screaming for power, and the plane
jolted. The buzzers and warning lights are in mayhem, and he ignores it. His
life was on the edge as he made quick glances at the map. The screen was fuzzy,
the storm’s static interfered. But he could see that they were close to their
destination, the Cygnus Space Base. He glanced at his watch, he still got 7
minutes to deadline, and another glance to his dead co-pilot. The co-pilot's white uniform
was soaked with blood as well as his instruments.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Yukio Junichiro
looked through the window at his side; the runway lights started to come into
view and disappeared as fast it came. He could sense the landing gear was
lowered and the wing’s slats were lowered. A soft chime pinged, signalling to
buckle up. The plane continued to descend, and with a thud, the plane touched
the runway, the spoilers and the reverse thrust were engaged, together bringing
the plane into halt.</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The plane taxied
on the tarmac, and stopped beside a group of military officers that waited for
them. The plane’s door opened and provided stairs for its lone passenger. Yukio
Junichiro stepped out from the plane, looking at the sky. It was dark because
of the storm and the w</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">inds was blowing. Then he turned to the officers and one of
them stepped out from the crowd, offered his hand. ”Mr Junichiro, am I
correct?” without waiting for Yukio’s answer, “Welcome to Cygnus Base. The colonel
was expecting you.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Yukio smiled and shook his hand, showing a small smile. “I’m sure colonel was very anxious about
me.” The officer gestured his hand to a direction, and Yukio tapped the
officer’s shoulder. “Please help my pilot clean his cockpit, it’s a mess.” The
officer nodded, and sent two soldiers to the aircraft. Yukio stepped into a limousine
and was brought to the main building. The building was divided into sections and at
every section entrance was a couple of black armour clad soldiers with full
face helmet, guarding the entrance. They never saluted or spoke, they just make some space for the people
that coming through.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The colonel was
sitting behind a large table, the desktop filled with holo pads and data
sticks. His room was large; filled with pictures of people and collection of
his service medals. He noticed Yukio, immediately came forward, and
held out his hand. “I’m so glad you make it, Mr Yukio.” Yukio looked at the
hand for a moment, and for professionalism’s sake, he took it. The colonel
ushered Yukio’s escort to leave them, and when the door clicked close, he
started talking. “Do you know what’s happening right now, Mr Yukio?” he asked.
His tone has changed, from a friendly one when he just met him to deep, serious tone.
Yukio helped himself to one of the seats inside the room and lighted up a
cigarette. “Tensions building between Amaliea and the UN” he replied and puffed
a cloud of smoke. Kashgari walked back to his table and started pointing his hand
on the top as if he was searching for something. “If we going for a war…” he
paused, as he was imagining the real thing, “Amaliea would be probaly finished before she fired
her first shot. UN’s AMS was at least five years ahead of us and the Osmolitz
and other PMC’s…” he let it hang in the air. Yukio extinguishes the cigarette
and stood up. “That’s why I’m here, colonel. I’m the best they got.” Kashgari
nodded. He took a holo pad from his table and held it out to Yukio.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><u><b>1.3 The New AMS</b></u></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“This is still
top secret. The pad will show you brief details of the AMS.” He said. Yukio
smiled as his hands reached the pad. In moment’s notice, the room’s door opened
and the armour clad soldiers popped out from the door. Colonel looked at them
and slowly, he walked to Yukio’s side. “These soldiers will show you the way.
Hope you wouldn’t get lost” he said as the soldiers quickly formed a circle
around him. As Yukio started to walk out from the room, he stopped for a
moment. “Ah…where’s the AMS actually, colonel?” he asked while raised his hand.
“At Hangar 5. Ralph will meet you there.” Kashgari replied. The soldiers
escorted Yukio until they reached the main door of the building complex.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“I really liked
you guys, but I don’t like being boxed.” Yukio said. The soldiers said nothing,
and kept on following him. Yukio expected it, that’s what you get from a ghost
unit. It’s not that the unit was off the record, it was sewed on their uniform, a
purple circle emblem around a white ghost who looked like Casper’s which held a
bazooka with a hand. And the only way you could talk to these guys are by
showing them what you want, not asking them. Yukio pulled it from his coat and
pointed at one of the soldiers, and immediately, half a dozen assault rifle
muzzles are pointed at him. “I don’t like being escorted” Yukio made himself
clear. The moment became silent, and Yukio waited for their response.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Eventually one
of them decided to break the silence because he realized that if this continues,
they wouldn’t be going anywhere, and for some reason, Yukio appreciated it,
because he was going to pull the trigger, and not just one, he could take them
all out if he wanted to. “We have orders to escort you sir.” Yukio stuffed the M12
back into his coat and walked away. “I’m not going to die here. And remember,
I’m not some military freak like you guys. A mercenary can do whatever he
wants. Got that?” with that said the soldiers leave him alone.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Hangar 5 wasn’t
far from the complex and it looked like it made through some battles, but recently furbished as Yukio can smell the odour of new coat of paint in the
air. The hangar’s door was closed but its back door was wide open. Without even
trying to sneak in, Yukio entered the hangar. From his experiences, those who
make and design AMS were old people, always prevent him from doing whatever
he liked to the machine, because they consider the machines were like their
children.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“You must be
Yukio Junichiro right?” a voice called from above. Yukio looked up and saw a
figure darkened by the overhead spotlights, forcing him to cover his eye. The
figure was a man in his 20’s and wore spectacles. For the first few seconds, he
felt relieved that he got a young man to deal with the machine. The man invited
him to climb up the scissor lift and when Yukio reached the top, he felt
opposite of what he felt just now. When Yukio looked at his eyes, he knew that
this man never saw combat, let alone kill anyone.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“I’m Ralph, the technician for this machine” he
introduced himself. But Yukio’s attention was not on him anymore but at the 18 meter tall machine next
to him. The machine has many angled surface and most of it was painted black
with some white. The limbs of the suit were strangely thin and slender, unlike
the previous versions of Amaliean Armed Mobile Suit’s that Yukio ever seen were
big and bulky. But something attached at the back of the AMS caught his most attention. The propulsion unit
lacked nozzles and thrusters of any kind, and it was intriguing for Yukio to
ask. “Hey, Ralph. Don’t tell me that…”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> Instantly,
Ralph gave the answer. “Yes. This is the 5<sup>TH</sup> generation of all
Amaliea’s AMS. This AMS is still in experimental stage, using Energia
as power source. It’s still new, and we only managed to build only one.” Ralph
explained. “So, what does it do besides providing propulsion?” Yukio asked,
while touching the new machine with amazement. “Well, our findings said it
makes the suit stealthy from radar and sensors, and theoretically, the
engine does have no time limit of operation.” Ralph explained. Yukio looked at
Ralph with a puzzled face. “Huh? Why theoretically?” “Well, like I said, this
thing is still experimental” Yukio nodded. He looked at the machine, this
wasn’t what he expected, but this was way much better.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Ralph walked next to him and produced a holo pad.
“We’re assigned to the Wolf Unit, and Colonel Kashgari needs us to move ASAP.”
Yukio turned and moved away to walk back down. “Do whatever you like, Ralph. And first
thing first, don’t be so nice to me or I’ll kill you” he warned. As Yukio
walked out from the hangar, he pulled out another cigarette and a lighter. A
new AMS, and a war was brewing up on this dusty planet, and he was a mercenary.
“Jackpot” he muttered.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><u><b>1.4 The History</b></u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> Rathe
check his watch. Three hours had passed since the conference started and from
the solid door, he can hear curses and arguments of the politicians inside. The
Amaliean government still held their ground of not giving the resources to
Earth, and it all have </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">something </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">to do with the past. Being a soldier from
the United Nations, Rathe’s presence was hated by the citizens of the planet
and because of that, he disliked the duty to guard the main door of the
Central. Amaliean citizens always filled the square of the Central, waiting for
the news. And while at it, their attentions are directed to the UN soldiers
guarding the front door. Many of the civilians presents were armed with assortments of
weapons, from clubs to rifles. Rathe glanced at his partner at the other side
of the door. He nodded and walked to the door’s handle and Rathe did the same.
Their shift to guard inside the hall has come.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> Together,
they pushed the solid artificial wood door open. With a creak, the door swayed
open. To his astonishment, the Amaliean side of chairs was almost empty while
the UN is opposite. A pair of soldiers came to them, as Rathe and his partner
come were to change shifts. “What happened?” asked Rathe. A soldier looked at Rathe through
his blue tinged visor that covered half of his face. “The Amalieans won’t give
it. So they went away. Said it was because of the agreement.” Rathe nodded as
the pair walked away. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> The Supply Agreement between Earth and Amaliea was
abruptly cut when Amaliea was recently colonized and terraformed. The UN was
supposed to supply the new government until it was stable but for unknown
reasons, the agreement was cut prematurely.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The result, Amaelia was left with no resource. Economic and political disturbance that
engulfed Amaliea for 14 long years, mercenaries activity, and PMC’s along with black
market started to arise, as the government slowly collapses. But
less than a decade ago, the discovery of uranium halted the depression. It
practically revolutionizes Amaliea, electricity and other necessities of a
country are quickly filled. But it doesn’t stop there. That’s not the reason
why the UN is here. It’s because of something that Amaliean doesn’t want to
give.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Hey, look up.” A voice broke Rathe’s flashback. His
partner Neil was pointing his rifle up and had the safety off. Rathe looked at
the direction and immediately did the same. An Amaliean </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="en" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="hps">members of</span> <span class="hps">the Ministry</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> was
pointing a gun at one of the UN representatives. And he was obviously angry.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"> “Get the hell off this planet! We don’t trust the UN anymore, all of you are
rotten liars!” he shouted. Out of rage, he pulled the trigger. A loud bang
echoed in the hall and the bullet ricocheted of the metal bar just over the
delegates. The hall speaker tried to calm things down, but it was no use when
the rest of the hall joins the party. Rathe and Neil rushes up the elevated
chairs and formed a protective circle around the representatives.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Sir, we better leave right now.” Neil advised. The group nodded. Neil opens a door that
leads to their limousines down the wide marble stairs. From there, the people at
the square heard the shot and saw them running. The cheer was like a plague
among them. Once begin, it spread like rats. They ran after the limousine and
patted the windows of the vehicle while shouting their angryness and the
laminated glass seemed to break from their tapping. After several minutes, they
cleared out from the crowd and head to the airport, where a shuttle waited for
them.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Suddenly, one of the representatives got a call. He
took out his holo pad and pressed a button on his integrated earpiece. From the
look on his face, he doesn’t like what he just heard but before the call end, he
patted Rathe’s shoulder. Neil was driving so Rathe turned back to face him.
“The High Commissioner wants to talk to you.” And he gave his earpiece to
Rathe. Rathe inserted the earpiece and hesitated to push a small button on the
pad. Why the hell the High Commissioner want to talk to him? But he brushed the thought
away because time wasn’t letting him to.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Pull all men from Amaliea and meet me at Leonardo,
Lieutenant.” The voice of Julian Forsell filled Rathe’s ear. This is too
sudden, Rathe thought. “Sir, I’m maybe not the right person for you to talk to”
he exclaimed. A small burst of static filled his ear before the HC’s voice
comes again. “Yes, Lieutenant. I’m right.” And the tone of dead line filled his
ear canal. Rathe took out the earpiece and gave it back. “What is it?” Neil
suddenly broke his silence. Rathe told him what he heard and after he was done,
Neil nodded. “We maybe get to go home this time Rathe, but not you” he said.
Rathe looked at him, puzzled. “Why you say like that?” Neil sighed as he pulled
the handbrake as the limousine parked beside the shuttle. “Because I don’t
pilot Panzers like you, Rathe.” And he stepped out.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><u><b>1.5 A Strange Visitor</b></u></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">The black Ducati speeds down the highway while
crisscrossing the traffic. It wasn’t peak time, so Nao could cover a lot of
road in short time. He tried to focus on the road but the girl was bugging inside
his mind. He never gave her the chance to listen what she have to say. Nao felt
he has abandoned someone who cared for him but it was necessary. He doesn’t
want to get involved in relationship that going to fog him from reality, not
after what he saw it had done to his parents.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Nao exited the highway and rode into Side 3, where an
apartment building complex was erected. The security computer of the complex
caught his Ducati’s plate on one of its camera and ran a checklist inside its
database. When it found it's match, the computer raises the gate and Nao sped through.
Nao ride his bike into the revolving parking lot inside the building and took
the lift to his apartment. When he reached the door, Nao noticed that the door
wasn’t closed and was opened a little bit. He carefully crept forward and he
felt something under his feet. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Drops of blood trailed into his apartment and Nao
was more anxious than worried. He looked closely at the door lock, it wasn’t a
forced entry. Somebody with his tag was inside and wounded. Nao slowly pushed
the door and walked in slowly. The instinct was to ask but Nao kept it in. He
followed the blood trail, and kept his eyes fixed at the floor until he saw a
blood soaked bandage and moan of pain lodging inside his ear.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Wha...what...are you doing here?” Nao asked. He got
his voice trembled because of the surprise. In his mind, logic started to fight
against coincidences and sweat started to wet his back. He looked around the
living room, and then his focus was on the small table at the centre. His first
aid kit laid sprawled on the table and the floor and stained by blood. Slowly,
his eyes focus back at the source. “I hurt myself to get here. Don’t worry,
it’s just a scratch.” Nao quickly came forward. “It’s not a scratch if you’re
bleeding like that” and Nao got his hands at the wound. It was shallow gash and
the blood around it has started to coagulate. With some iodine and cotton, he
swabbed the wound and wrap with bandage as best he can.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">Nao picked up the aid box and place it on the table
and sat on a couch. He sunk his face inside cupped palms. Sighs and heavy
exhalations followed. He rubbed his face several times. “Why are you here?” he
asked. Several seconds passed before the reply came. “I was told to get here”
through gaps of his finger, Nao looked at her. The girl from before. Millions of questions barfed
inside his mind and he would like to know why. It's been a while since she started to bug him at college, but he didn't expect she would show up at his place. Nao stands up and looked at her.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“My name’s Laura.” she said. “I’m told to follow
you, Nao.” Nao clicked his tongue, “Oh yeah? Who tell you that?” she looked at
her bandaged calf. “I’m sorry I can’t tell you” </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Are you a…some kind of spy or what?” Nao asked.
Hearing that, Laura looked at him.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“No! I was told to follow you…everywhere” her
face blushed and turned away. Nao sighed
and rubbed his brow. “Look, it’s already late. You should go home.” Nao said
while looking at his watch. Laura stood up. “I’m already home.” She pulled a
somewhat mischievous smile. Nao rushes to the auxiliary room of his apartment
and opened the door so hard that it almost broke. Suddenly, avalanche of clothes
and house items buried Nao, who managed to let out a cry of surprise.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“I already had my stuff moved here” Laura smiled.
She walked to the hump and lifted the top. Nao’s head popped out with another
sigh. He moved his body like a dog shaking itself when wet and got freedom. “Fine.
Make yourself at home.” Nao said and rushes to the door and Laura straightway
pulled his jacket. “Where are you going?” Annoyed, Nao tugged his jacket off her. “None
of your business.” As soon he left, the door locked back. Laura stood there for
several seconds, quietly. Then, through the window, she saw a black figure
racing to the road outside the complex. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;">“Who’s going to clean the mess up?” she muttered...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">END OF PHASE ONE</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(psst... dont forget to comment! :D)</span></span></span></div>Naz Helmihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02428316782485566685noreply@blogger.com0