Treize File 3
Heero Yuy had no intention of looking at me whatsoever, instead he got out of the frozen capsule and stood up [beside it]. Normally, it would take a whole day before you could stand up after being brought out of stasis. He had an unbelievably strong body. In the freezing air, he wiped the frost from his eyelashes and his breath came out in white puffs as he spoke.
“(Tell me) what’s the status of the situation……”
“Before I do that, there’s something I need to confirm [with you],” said Master Chang as he stood before Heero. He slowly punctuated his words; it sounded like he was confirming (his) will. “You had once said-“
“……”
“’I won’t kill anymore.’”
“…I remember.”
“And that feeling has not changed, has it?”
Heero was quiet for a long time.
…Not kill anymore? I find it hard to believe that those words were spoken by a Gundam pilot. That’s my candid impression. If that’s the case, how can we carry out Operation Mythos? Honestly, I was starting to wonder if we ought to have [bothered] waking him. I think there’s simply no pace on the battlefield for a soldier who will not kill. Duo couldn’t stand the long silence and interrupted with an ‘Oy, oy!’
“Hey, Fat Max, this ain’t what we talked about.”
“Cut it out, Duo,” Father Maxwell reproved without losing his smile.
“Hey, Duo……” Heero said as he turned to face the two Duo Maxwells. However, he only addressed the priestly one. “Who’s that noisy waste of space?”
“What!”
Before the young Duo could explode with anger, the priest grabbed the boy by the braid and said, “He’s my son.” It looked to me like the priest’s smile was [now] embarrassed.
“Your son…. then there’s no help for it.”
“Ha ha ha, I guess not.”
The priest was laughing but he immediately seemed to pick up on a deeper meaning to Heero’s words.
“Then [I suppose] you should be prepared to scramble.” In typical Treize fashion, his views were a foreshadowing of the tides of war [to come].
“We land on the moon in three days, that has not changes……” Treize looked at the doubtful faces of his cadets and supplements, “Men, with the Marius Plant blown up, this war has already been lost…… and our goal is not to control the rebels, nor should you worry about rescuing the lunar base.” No one had any questions. What, then, were they supposed to do? Why, then, were they going to fight? They had already learned the answer to those questions.
“Take action as you deem appropriate.”
“For the future soldiers!”
This was their absolute consciousness.
“We ought to negotiate for peace.”
“We ought to nit the Silent Sea!”
“No objections!”
“There’s no doubt we would win!”
Said the soldiers in strong tones.
“And then?” Commander Artemis, who normally did not partake in the discussion, asked. “After winning, what do you plan to do?”
“Obviously, we’re going to…” For a moment, the soldiers couldn’t finish the statement. Actually, nothing had been decided. “Our determination—we’ll make the Alliance acknowledge space’s independence!”
“Bluff?”
“You are familiar with poker? The card game?”
“We’re not talking about cards! We’re talking about war!”
“Yes, this is war, so……”
“Miss Artemis, please finish what you were saying. Tell us what we should do from here on out.” The laborers wished from the bottom of their hearts that the front line commander would be their guide. Artemis, however, spread her hands wide as she shrugged and all she said was “Well…..”
Someone from the resistance spoke up, “According to information from an ally, it looks like the OZ Specials have already arrived in the area of the L-1 colony……” The briefing room [exploded] in an uproar. They couldn’t maintain their isolation on the moon. The Specials had arrived for reinforcements and that meant there was the distinct possibility the Alliance would send more reinforcements from Earth. They needed the first ticket out of there. If they couldn’t decide, the Chimera ammunition, the soldiers’ rations, even purifying the very air they were breathing would become endangered. The Sagittarius was brimming with people being controlled by their impatience.
Treize had expected that situation. That was why he would land on the moon in three days [and not immediately]. It was a mere two days until their arrival, yet the battleship Sagittarius did not move. That alone was a basis [for planning as Treize had], but it became more than sufficient proof. The enemy was not united. That was how Treize interpreted it. Even if he were somehow wrong in that interpretation, and the Anti-Alliance opened hostiles first, Treize had relayed that they would immediately surrender to the Cosmo Arma base at the Silent Sea. If the base was taken over by the Anti-Alliance, then Treize could use the Anti-Alliance people at the base as a way to make a starting point to being cooperation between the space colonies. There was also the possibility they could declare their independence from the Alliance. [As he thought about his second option] and the increased difficulties became readily apparent. The colonies close to the moon, L-1 and L-2, would first get armed then compete a protective/defensive line to the lunar base and the war of independence against the earth-based Alliance would unfold and there was no doubt that ultimately, they would be forced into a besieged war at the lunar base. It was a big gamble. It couldn’t be said for sure if Treize had foreseen events to that extent, but he thought of almost the same thing. If that weren’t Treize’s predictions, if there wasn’t any meaning to controlling the lunar base, even an average commander could make that decision. In fact, Artemis objected to controlling the base and the laborers also, who had spent much time on the moon, had no proof that taking over the base would put freedom in their hands. If it was possible, the laborers should have been trying to get off the moon. And all the more so with the OZ Specials en route. They could only imagine what kind of abilities the new Grifs the Specials were piloting had, but as far as mobile suit development went, due to their similar experiences, the laborers knew better than most what tremendous innovations could occur in a matter of months.
There was a large lounge at the L-1 colony cluster spaceport; there was a restaurant where one could enjoy a light meal while gazing at the beauty of space from the windows. Luretia and Zechs were seated by the window and drinking coffee.
“Space is beautifu, isn’t it Zechs…..” Even from there, one could see the summer constellations.
“In that galaxy, there’s the Milk Dipper, it’s [part of the constellation] Sagittarius…… you can see it more clearly [here] than you can from Earth.” It made the innocent girl’s face glow.
“There’s believed to be a black hose in the center of a star in Sagittarius…… Everything – even light- gets swallowed by the darkness…… but, there isn’t really anything there, right?”
“……”
“Yes… I want to know all about the stars. Like you, Zechs, The Star Prince [Little Prince]. I want to know all about you, too,” she said looking at his eyes.
“The colony technicians have succeeded in smelting that new alloy,” Odin uttered as he looked at the foam dissipating in his gin tonic. “I couldn’t let that fall into OZ or the Alliance’s hands.”
Aoi smiled, fascinated. “You aren’t saying that they are planning to make a gundanium mobile suit, are you?”
Their conversation didn’t progress past that point. Aoi had spoken half joking but [in truth] the colony scientists really were attempting to construct a mobile suit—a Gundam—from the gundanium alloy. And it was ironic that it would be their son who would pilot one of them.
These three days
The Anti0Alliance soldiers had devoted themselves to maneuver drills. They had the Specials beat when it came to experience in lunar battle as well as with their formidable numbers: eighty Chimera and the Sagittarius. These, in Commander Artemis’ head thought up her battle formation for certain victory. Experience on the battle field was valuable, but it was not strictly necessary. The enemy was not (limited to) attacking with identical battle tactics. The enemy was not expected to fight with the same weapons. The Anti Alliance soldiers, however, assumed an air of superiority that bordered on blind faith.
“Whatever they attack us with, it will be their pilots’ first time [in those suits] and they won’t be familiar with the battlefield! By comparison, we’re all experienced Chimera pilots! There’s no doubt we have the advantage!”
It seemed both the soldiers and the laborers shared this opinion. In the previous battle, they had gone from 100 down to 80 Chimera but in making the battle formation, a change from an eight-point to a six-point star was of negligible difference. Though they had unwavering faith in their twenty search and destroy Chimera piloted by ace pilots, the six commanders at the head of six units that contained ten mobile suits a piece were a little uneasy. Artemis believed that as long as they couldn’t wipe out that small measure of worry, it wouldn’t be possible to win. As their opponent was Treize Khushreanada leading the Specials, there was no mistaking that leadership was the most important point [for the Anti Alliance to consider]. Also, she assumed Treize would open hostilities with a surprise attack that played up the characteristic of the highly mobile Greif and that would lead to a breakdown in the command system whereby they would [have to ] move according to their own judgment which would then destroy their star formation. The danger of complete decimation grew higher. The Anti-Alliance, however, was a medley of soldiers and laborers and so their (consciousness) and purpose were dissimilar. It would be almost impossible to lead [them]. Artemis chose sic of the twenty search and destroy ace pilots and entrusted them with the command of six units. They, the search and destroy team, were primarily good at taking solitary action: so to lead a corps of nine others was no small burden they were expected to bear. Nonetheless, Artemis was adamant in her volition [to have them lead the corps]. At the very least, if they failed to gain a victory in the lunar battle, it was self evident that any further strategies wouldn’t [stand a chance].
Three days later, the OZ Specials arrived at the Silent Sea Cosmos Arma base where they joined with the Alliance but did not make any immediate moves.
There was no surprise attack. Artemis was relieved. If Treize was considering doing as General Million had and approaching the lunar battle as a full scale war, then she could counter with the same formation as before. To fight on the moon, being comfortable with the one-sixth gravity was a prerequisite. Thinking (backward) from that, it was quite understandable to choose full on war over a surprise attack. In that case, the six selected ace pilots would return to their original search and destroy corps and they could take on the enemy with the protective double star formation. Artemis believed that selection was the most strategic means.
She was rather conscious of Treize. Simply put, she was *too* conscious of him. That made her feel close to [being in a] command potion from which victory could be gained merely at the effective employment soldiers who were practically laymen. At some point, it evolved into a rivalry. However, that was not truly the case. As she had done with General Million Artemis studied her opponent’s character and defensive tendencies before the battle as per usual.
Familiarity with one’s enemy saves you one hundred battles.
That was a saying she kept close to her heart. Meanwhile Treize shoed no interest in the opposing commander and likely didn’t even know Artemis’ name. And the difference between these two worthy of mention was [their confidence in the face of this query]: Do I trust my troops? Artemis was dead set in thinking of soldiers as pieces on a chess board or shogi board where as Treize respected each soldier as a person and had come to believe in entrusting everything to their volition to fight. At the time, Van Khushrenada was paying a visit to the medical facilities in the L-1 colony cluster. The official reason was to make a plan of action concerning the continuing spread of a new virus on the L-2 colony which was situated between L-1 and the moon. With the death rate over 40% and the infection rate similarly high, it was a very dangerous virus. Civilians called it the “colony cold.” If a vaccine wasn’t made and distributed immediately, it would become a crisis. Brilliant medical staff from the former Cinq kingdom had defected to the health care facilities on the L-1 colony.
“Now, we can only depend upon them.” Van promised to provide funds and implored them to put a priority upon [making] the life-saving vaccine.
One doctor commented, “On the one hand, you Romefeller people are turning a profit on making murder weapons and on the other, you sued that money to save lives.” That certainly was a contradiction.
“[Spare me the irony.] We want to help the people in space. Please help.” The medical staff accepted from a humanitarian point of view. They completed the vaccine and immediately distributed it to the L-2 colony cluster.
Incidentally, around this time a six-year old Duo Maxwell appeared on V08744 in the L-2 colony cluster and met a boy named Solo. Solo had contracted this new virus and Duo had stolen the vaccination from a medical facility. He gave it to Solo, but apparently he had been too late and Solo died not long after. Duo should have also been exposed to the virus, but he did not fall ill. After Solo’s death, Duo assumed the name ‘Duo’ with the intent that he and Solo would always be remembered.
Van went to visit Angelina. This was the primary reason he had gone into space. He had wanted to see his beloved other’s face.
“You’re looking well.”
“Thanks to Cinq……” Angelina was now thirty four years old. Her (former) beauty had not faded but her voice was withered and it was as weak as it was sad to hear. “The air here seems to agree with me.” Further, with the lengthy hospitalization had robbed her legs of their strength and her ability to walk on her own or even to stand up.
“Is that right?”
“Lately, you haven’t been dropping in on your way home from school.”
If you weren’t paying close attention, everything seemed normal; however, it seemed that Angelina was convinced that she was still at the Cinq National hospital.
“Excuse me……”
“The stars are so pretty……” Her eyes were vacant. Directly across from the window as another wing of the hospital and space stretched out beyond the transparent roof (there).
“But night is so long……” Van wiped the corners of his eyes covertly so as not to draw Angelina’s attention. Van couldn’t help but shed a few tears at seeing his beloved mother like that.
“How is Treize?”
“Yes, now he is heading to the moon.”
“Is that so……”
“That’s right.”
Two days had passed since Treize had joined the Cosmo Arma; they made their first sortie from the Silent Sea base. The Specials soldiers had not yet gotten accustomed to the moon’s gravity. Nevertheless, Treize ordered them to attack.
“Aha……” said Artemis as she understood Treize’s intent. She predicted his plan (of attack) was to use a slow advance to make her fire the canon then attack while she waited the lengthy requisite amount of time needed for the canon to recharge. “But I’m not going to bite.”
Treize made the forward-most line of Tragos halt. They were still in a position from which they could not see their opponents.
“Well, it’s almost time to open hostilities,” he said comfortably. He had an elegant nuance that seemed on par with a man about to enjoy a cup of afternoon tea. Characteristically, at that time, not a single soldier among the Specials was nervous. Zechs spoke to the four men under his command about the Greif’s high performance. Lucretia admired the beauty of Earth as seen from the moon. Izumi expounded upon the brilliance of the attack plan Treize had drafted. Solac cheerily told [everyone] how to survive the battlefield. Elv was in a unit of four suits [note: he only got four suits to command because Treize's at the head] and under direct control of Treize. Elv ordered his three subordinates to consider it their job to protect Treize at all costs. Everyone was calm. They had already been defeated. With all the soldiers [operating under that assumption], they were freed from nerves and understood precisely what they ought to do. They showed not even the lead indication of hesitancy even as they stood before the heavy fire power of the enemy’s Chimeras and a Sagittarius.
“What was that for?”
But Treize then ordered the Tragos to attack as if he had been waiting [for the fighters]. From that distance, they couldn’t possibly reach the enemy Chimera.
“Finally!” Artemis gave an easy smile. Before, during the capture of Mogadishu, Treize’s battle plan was to first send Aries suits to start the confusion, then let the Tragos attack from mid-distance support. Now, there was nothing in the way of military gains but his actions seemed far too similar.
“Even if it’s not effective, [his] actions have a touch of jinx and that has the benefit of elevating [their] fighting spirit.” Considering Treize’s noble birth, [his actions] could easily be taken as a chivalrous courtesy prior to the start of battle. The act of the fighters drawing a centerline could also be interpreted as [being like] the rules for a sport or duel. The Tragos second round of fire also failed completely to reach [their targets].
“Generic [?!] pointless firing,” the aide sneered. “Shall we return fire?”
“Yes……” Treize should have already been aware of Artemis’ formation. “They know what we’re doing.” If they fired, [Treize] could read their moves. “That’s interesting,” she smiled with fascination. In chess, the pawns were the first to move. He was aiming to make a gamti (this is a standard move in chess. It’s a ove where in sacrificing a pawn, a profitable opening is gained.)
“Forward Chimera units 01, 02, 03 move forward! Flyin squadrons Alpha and Bravo, fall in behind the third unit!”
The front half of the formation, forty chimera, moved out. The front line of five Tragos they were facing retreaded as one.
“#Enemy front line retreating!” Announced an operator.
“Ha! They’re afraid of us!” As the aide’s laugh filled her ears, Artemis could not conceal a touch of unease.
Something’s off.
With that thought, the Sagittarius and remaining troops moved out in the usual way and their formation returned to its original shape.
“What about firing the beam canon?”
“We’re not at 20% destruction rate.” The enemy continued to retreat further and further. Aremis thought it was suspicious that the man known as Treize Khushrenada would be this passive in battle,
“]Beam] projected effectiveness has dropped to 15%.” The Anti Alliance’s vanguard of Chimera until 01 and the following Alpha and Bravo units continued to advance. The Sagittarius (desperately) worked to get into the lead.
For the future soldiers!
Elv's unit understood what they had to do. What Treize was going to do; that their protection and support were integral in this mission.
"We the Specials shall endure!"
"Main canon (has been) charged!" The operator yelled. "(We ill) fire the canon!"
"If you could just hang on for ten more seconds," muttered Artemis.
In the face of the giant oncoming beam, Treize's Greif leveled its gun in a flash and opened fire without hesitation. It was an excellent shot; a direct hit on the giant beam canon.
"This is Treize Khushrenada. I am confirming the destruction of the enemy's main firepower." He heard the soldiers'' cheers. In a cool voice, Treize said, "My good students have done me a kindness."
With that single hit, the Sagittarius was silenced. The explosion of the beam canon [caused] the stored energy to connect with the main engine and shut it down. It would take [well over ten] minutes for the Sagittarius to get back online and retreat using [back up generator] power. The blackout from the power outage caused a panic on the bridge. Yet Artemis had a smile playing about her lips.
"Hmm, looks like we got a little carried away......" That embarrassed smile was true to her old self.
Treize's suit and Elv's unit backed away from the Sagittarius immediately. They had taken too much enemy fire and had to cool off their armor. As soon as they had vacated the spot, Lucretia and Izumi's units went up to the Sagittarius and took out one (main battery) after another.
"We are protecting Earth's light."
"Lucretia, this fight-- we won, right?"
"Yes, but we must not be careless, Izumi." In no time, the battle turned into a melee where one could not tell friend from foe. Into the battlefield, with all its confusion, rushed the Alpha and Bravo flying squadrons. Following them were the 02 and 03 Chimera units. And that brought together the entire forces from both camps. The (confused battle) was even further purred on.
As the ALpha and Bravo units made to attack Treize and Elv's unit, they were confronted by Zechs's and Solak's units. Wen units 02 and 03 attacked Lucretia's and Izumi's units, Treize and Elv's units came to their aid, firing even as they maintained their distance [presumably to continue to allow their suits to cool off]. As the remains of units 04 and 05 went round to help, Zechs's and Solak's units spearheaded them with bullet fire. It was at that stage of the game that both Zechs and Solak alone skillfully wielded their beam sabers against the Alpha and Bravo units and overwhelmed them with difficult close-quarters combat. Supple defense strategies and the attack spreading out like waves. The Specials managed both at the same time. Or more precisely, they changed offense and defense (at the same time). That was just how fast they could deal with [battle]. Under those circumstances, despite the number of fighters being roughly the same, the Specials in their Greifs operated like a well-oiled machine and were [all the more] superior for it. The Anti Alliance Chimera units, from an organizational point of view, had the two abilities of the flying squadron skilled at trench warfare and the mobile units specializing in mid-range [operations], but those advantages were all locked up and in a state of being able to move nary a hand. They could neither take the winning hit nor give it. (Before they realized it) fatigue and (sighs of defeat) were making the Chimera units' movements sluggish. Elsewhere, the Sagittarius connected to a reserve power source; the (submotor) started and once again managed to start its retreat.
There came a moment when her [probably Artemis, but not 100% sure ] concentration was broken. To promptly rush in attacking was battlefield theory. Naturally, it had been Treize's side that had done just that. The silent pressure of the twenty five Greifs made the remaining thirty Chimeras retreat.
The point when the ever retreating Sagittarius reached the field of land mines was when the Anti Alliance was decidedly defeated. With a big explosion, the land mines blew up and an (approach?) was made. Before them were the Cosmo Arma's five Tragos and fifteen Chimera standing at attention and behind them were the twenty five Greifs; they were sandwiched between the enemy.
"Well done..... a complete defeat." And with self-depreciations, she accepted Treize Khushreanada's advice to surrender.
The war was over.
[End of part 1]