Peacecraft File 1
“Naturally they’re going to stand in confrontation to me.”
“Isn’t that what you’re waiting for?”
“Those boys (lit: they) will charge through/head straight on a different (vector) professionally. That’s what it is to me, {Zechs Merquis}.”
AC-195 EVE WARS Libra
Zechs and Heero
MC-0022 NEXT WINTER
Brilliant golden light inundated the monitor. It was shining from the {Tall Geese Heaven} my father piloted. When the flood of light finally subsided, the two-hundred-fifty Mars suits went crashing down.
“Amazing, isn’t it……” Katrine said beside me, her large eyes opened even wider [than usual].
“The particles of the gold light from {Tall Geese Heaven} are nano-defensers that were developed for anti-mobile doll uses. Long ago, Treize Khushrenada was apparently requested to develop plans [for a device that] would annihilate the mobile dolls that were sweeping over the AC era,” Naina briefly explained clear mindedly as she opened a lunch box.
“Is a technique from such a long time ago useful now?”
“It’s ‘superstition,’ no it’s ‘blind faith’ to think scientific techniques consistently surpass and progress what came before, Katrine.” Naina took out the sandwiches and told us it was a “late lunch” as she handed Katrine and me a sandwich.
“We aren’t at the rendezvous point yet?”
“No,” I said, shaking my head.
“Are they there already?”
With my mouth stuffed with sandwich, I nodded in response to Naina’s question and switched this hovercraft to (auto-hover) in position 234/3/3-4<. Of the vegetables stuck between the slices of bread, the tomato was juicy and especially good. While enjoying [the sandwich], I looked absently at the light that was approaching our ship. I knew at once that that luminous point was the small ship on which my mother and President Relena rode. A few seconds later, they were within docking distance. Behind me, Katrine got depressed and sighed heavily.
“I fought using my family [#1] without knowing anything.”
I wanted to say that wasn’t true. The nano-defensers instantly reset the data accumulated in the unmanned machines [#2]. But there was someone to manage the mobile dolls’ systems and if they could (feedback [#3]) the data, it would be possible to restart them. I believed that, if it was the Maganacs, they were sure to respond, but Naina began speaking before I could.
“Even so, they weren’t effective against Snow White and Warlock. Moreover, it’s only just recently that those [nanotech] abilities have reached the stage of being able to be used practically, even though the theory came from the previous era, active application of nanotechnology has been the result of recent research.”
The reason people around me called me “reticent” was, I believe, because Naina was just too quick.
“This is delicious!” Katrine’s smiling face shone. “I’ve never had a sandwich this good before!”
“Sister Hilde taught me,” murmured Naina as she took a bite; her expression was somewhat sad. “There’s a trick to the distribution of mustard and mayonnaise…… she said it was the secret to drawing out the sweetness in the tomato.”
As she savored the flavor, Katrine muttered, “That old Professor Hilde Schbeiker, she’s been the authority on nanotechnology till now, hasn’t she?”
“Before she started the orphanage, her official [role] was as secretary in the Lanagrin Republic National Library…… in reality, she extracted data (that could be practically applied 236/2/14) from the enormous memory library from the past, and she’s been studying it since.”
“But ultimately that meant ‘Special Officer First Class Zechs Merquise’ was allowed to appear, right?”
On the wide range radar on the submonitor, a point of light appeared and it was leaving at a fast pace. It was {Gundam Epyon}, which had left from the above-mentioned battlefield at once, changing to flight mobile armor mode and withdrawing back to the Lanagrin Republic.
“That’s not right, Katrine.” Naina again made the denial before I could. “That hologram was a program that started with Dixneuf Neuenheim died…… Sister Hilde only extracted [the data] which was used for selfish purposes.”
It was the Neuenheim Company [#4] that made [our] father’s residual memories, which were in {Gundam Epyon}’s “ZERO system” into a three-dimensional real image but it was someone from the Lanagrin Republic who’d hacked [into whatever system] that lead us to the present situation. Both I and Katrine had initially believed Professor Hilde Schbeiker to be the ring leader. But Naina had said, “That’s absolutely unbelievable.” I could infer that, in the Lanagrin Republic government, there was an even more (unscrupulous) man behind the black curtain [#5]. Because Naina said it and she’d lived with Professor Schbeiker for several years, she probably wasn’t wrong. Their close relationship was vouched for by the deliciousness of this very sandwich.
“So the “PPP” [Perfect Peace Program] wasn’t Professor Schbeiker either?” When Katrine said that, the rear door opened and my mother and Lucretia and President Relena appeared.
“That’s backwards. Professor Schbeiker resumed her research in order to free Father Maxwell from the (spellbinding) PPP.” Even now, mother’s voice and Naina’s voice resembled each other. If I kept listening I wouldn’t be able to tell which was which.
“Besides, the basic concept of the “PPP” has existed since before we were born.” Mother spoke as she passé me the two microchips to which the “files in question” had been saved, “This is what we had copied at the Preventer base and this is what Professor Schbeiker sent us.”
“May I ask you a favor, Milu?” President Relena asked, using a tone of voice far too polite for a guy like me.
couldn’t abide by that. They must have believed it was rather impudent [for the colonists] to assert their own rights from the safety of the colonies. It’s likely this “contempt” and “jealousy” became the driving force behind the Alliance Army’s (silent/tacit) pressure against the colonies. Meanwhile, for the idealists with [advocated] anti-Earth Unification Alliance [sentiments], many of whom attended the same college as Heero Yuy, there was no end to their being taken away by the Alliance’s military police. The idealists and activists were primarily graduates of this college and just like that their academically gifted underclassmen got involved, so naturally, [Heero] formed a connection [to the rebellion] via his friends. Before [they] knew it, the student activists had made the college into the base of operations for the underground organization. Heero was invited to join the group multiple times by one of his friends. He was, however, indifferent as per usual. As he understood it, activities of an illegal underground organization were “meaningless” and “useless.” The friend who had invited him was later to become “Doctor J,” the gifted scientist who developed the {Tall Geese} and {Gundam} but the particulars about [him] during this student activist time are unknown. Heero was consciously endeavoring to erase his presence. That was the best way. Taking action to help perfect strangers without so much as remuneration was more of a bother than anything else. It became a bother to keep refusing such invitations so he submitted a request for a leave of absence. He had already selected the theme of his (graduation thesis) and he was an honor student with a waived tuition so there was no reason to hesitate. It was then that the talk of being the Darlians tutor came around.
*
About a week had passed. In that time, the most conversation they’d had with each other ended at the greeting level. Katerina was bored. The indifferent tutor wasn’t scolding himself over it, that much was self-evident.
“We’re going to space?”
“That’s right. Northern Europe is likely to become enveloped in a fierce war (from now). While it’s unfortunate, I’m afraid we cannot vouch for the safety of your family 244/3/7-8.”
“Why that’s……”
“According to intelligence I have received, the rebels have planted informants in every country in Europe. The rebel army was able to easily infiltrate the palace probably because there was an informant among the royal family’s attendants.”
(Suddenly) it may be difficult to believe but the Cinq Kingdom’s recent financial difficulties may have changed the [loyal] hears of the people.
“There’s more, there are rumors that King Peacecraft himself is assisting the rebels. Princess Sabrina. There is nowhere on this Earth that is safe for you.” At this point in time, there was no room for any other option.
This was the point where Sabrina came to realize the magnitude of [being the] Peacecraft successor that she had heard about for many a year. At the Darlians house in the L-1 Colony was her younger sister Katerina. She was now the only blood relative Sabrina had who was unharmed. There was no one else she could count on.
Contrary [to expectation] the Brussels spaceport had been put under martial law. There had been a throng of European royalty and nobility thronging to escape to space as Sabrina was, but the upper echelons of the Alliance army would not permit it. It was unknown how many [among the would-be refugees] were rebel informants. Furthermore, they could not forgive [the royals and nobles] for the cowardice of the privileged classes as they tried only to save themselves.
“That's just the way it is, the rebels are taking advantage! 245/2/5" From the car, Sabrina looked in fear at the shouting soldiers. They couldn’t get into space like this. Marquis Weyridge returned, “I have spoken to Duke Cinquante Khushrenada of the Romefeller foundation. I understand there is a special flight going to the colonies for observation as an ‘Earth Delegation.’”
“We’ll be allowed to take that flight?”
“Yes……” The cat Sam was peacefully sleeping on Sabrina’s knees but Marquis Weyridge who had come up beside [her] picked him up. “I’m sorry but you can’t take him into space.”
“I understand…… please take care of Sam.” Sam “meowed” in the quiet voice of the just-woken up. “I’ll be coming right back……be a good boy.”
“Meow, meow.” Sabrina had been up to this point a dauntless girl, but when she saw Sam’s sad face, she shed her first tears.
Cinquante Khushrenada greeted Sabrina with an elegant smile playing on his lips.
“You’re as beautiful as the rumors would have me believe……”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“We are going to visit the House of Winner on the L-4 Colony, then inspect L-2 and the L-1 Colony cluster in that order. It will take some time, but I shall see the young lady arrive at C11234.” Cinquante Khushrenada, who was aiming to become the next executive/leader of the Romefeller Foundation, was a middle aged gentleman. The birth of his daughter Angelina was seven years down the road and the birth of his son Treize would be twenty six years later. Not even the upper levels of the Alliance army could go against the Romefeller Foundation. Furthermore, the (colony dispatch) of this ‘Earth Delegation’ had been decided well before the current rebel uprising; they had no right to interfere. Sabrina was passed off as Cinquante’s niece, given a (free pass) and was able to board the shuttle.
The shuttle left the atmosphere. For the first time, Sabrina saw the Earth spread out under her eyes. That beauty was something she would probably remember her whole life. The endlessly extending space must have given some impression to the girl who had spent her entire life thus far sheltered in the palace. It wasn’t excitement nor was it fear. It was peace of mind—that night, eternal night. The time when she felt most at east, went on forever. That was what she felt. For Sam who she had left behind, she played a nocturne in her heart.
AC-145 AUTUMN
They finished the visit to the House of Winner on L-4 safely and completed their inspection of L-2 Colony without mishap. However, before boarding the shuttle to head to L-1 Colony, Cinquante called out for Sabrina to stop.
“It would be possible to have you remain here on L-2 of course, but if someone notices, that place would come to nothing.”
“What?”
“Princess Sabrina……please take this.” It was an astrosuit that she was given. “As it was my old friend Marquis Weyridge who made the request, I will see my promise through to the end.” Cinquante dropped his voice and began talking. “This shuttle will be blown up before it arrives at the L-1 Colony. As such, immediately prior to that, please get in an escape capsule and wait for rescue.”
“Explode?”
Cinquante checked his own astrosuit as he spoke, “Yes……it’s an act of terrorism put together by colonial terrorists who boarded on L-2.”
“What do you mean?” Sabrina didn’t have the slightest idea [what he was on about]. “If you know [the shuttle] will be blown up, shouldn’t something be done to prevent it?”
“These men are players in their own movie [alt: this is their charade]. That is their outline. For the sake of bringing Earth together, it’s necessary to make space the (imaginary) enemy.”
“I don’t quite understand.”
“Your highness’s kingdom has been completely taken over by the rebels and they have begun aggressions against the neighboring countries. It looks as though the Peacecraft royal family has joined forces with the (dirty) [rebels].”
“My father has……” By the treacherous actions of the royal house of Cinq, Sabrina’s situation had become that much worse. She would not be able to return to Earth again was her intuitive thought. Cinquante spoke with fear/danger, “Princess, have you never thought about why Earth, which is supposed to be unified, is so divided and continues to fight?”
“Even so, I don’t believe it is right to demonize the people of the colonies.”
“I agree. However, [right] now, at this point in time, if we do not concoct antagonism between [Earth] and Space, Earth’s ruin cannot be stopped.” Beautiful Earth was being destroyed. That was something Sabrina could easily imagine. It was easy to think of 246/3/12 the exploded streets of the Cinq kingdom spreading all across the globe.
“But.....” wouldn’t doing [was they were doing] incur/invite that much more confusion/disorder? She thought. It made a reasonable amount of sense in thinking that turning the rebels and colonies both into enemies and it was hopeless to fight the Alliance 246/3/13-15<.
“Do not fear……there truly is no power in space that holds military force. Moreover, controlling the rebels can be accomplished without too much effort.”
“Even so,” the people of the ‘Earth Delegation’ were harmoniously boarding the shuttle. “What about them?”
“If you call it something, then this is the ‘Darkness of the Genesis.’” His eyes with their (forced) resolution and his bearing—steeped with unchanging determination—could not be defied. “I’m certain it was C11234. In the vicinity [of that colony], the time bomb will go off. I’ll guide you to the escape capsule.” [They] boarded the shuttle with surprising calm. But at the time, Sabrina thought: Isn’t this when I am supposed to die? Her life up until now had all been for the sake of the Cinq kingdom. As long as that country was under the control of the rebels, there was no point in extending her life. Carrying such grievous thoughts, there was no point to succeeding to the throne of Cinq.
The shuttle left the spaceport and continued on as it overlooked the moon. Beyond the opposite side of the moon was the L-1 colony cluster. The huge lunar surface, seen from the window, was a grey land covered in countless craters. Certainly it was an inorganic/mineral thing that was associated with the afterlife. As Sabrina gazed at that scenery, she hardened her resolve: wouldn’t it be easier if she died? Wouldn’t she be free if she dies? That was the grave impression she was under. Before she knew it, they had closed in on the L-1 colony cluster. Cinquante who had been behind Sabrina smiling the whole while she gazed out the window, was standing.
“It’s about time. Shall we make our preparations?”
*
That day, Heero Yuy didn’t have his tutoring job and he was hard at work at the colony construction [job]. He’d had a bit of a [financial] break [between his two jobs’ income, but he’d continued [the construction work] with intent to get his body in shape. The rambling discussions with Katerina, he felt, had become a persona source of energy. He’d continued the [labor] job for more than six months and become rather adjusted to it and his chest had filled out as his muscles strengthened and his shoulders broadened. Just recently, he’d become able to go out into [open] space in an astrosuit; the (contents) of today’s work was mainly delivering materials using a large-scale work machine with attached manipulators. He had finally become accustomed to the [suit’s] handling. Suddenly, an image of astrosuited Katerina (clung) to the central monitor. When he opened the commlink, he could hear her ever-cheerful voice.
“Sir, are you working hard?”
“Don’t interrupt me.”
“But I was lonely because I couldn’t see your face.” She hung around with a carefree smile on her face 247/3/6.
“Go home.”
“The talk about the theory of evolution the day before yesterday, it was interesting.”
“Really? That’s good.”
“If a species does adapt to its environment as Darwin says, humans living in space like us just might become a new type of human.”
“That wouldn’t be for dozens of generations……For all that we are in space, it’s a change acquired postnatally. It’s not hereditary and there’s talk that the real issue is the danger of giving birth in space. However, according to the most recent DNA analysis, there is no room for idle talk 248/3/13-14. Would you please go away!”
“What’s that?” Katerina saw two points of light leave from the shuttle that was crossing [behind] Heero.
“?” Heero brought up the viewpoint preceding [them] on the monitor. Then, the shuttle was suddenly swallowed up in a blinding flash and disappeared.
“And explosion?”
“Shit.” Heero drew Katerina up with the manipulator arm and used the large work machine to shield Katerina [from the blast]. There were only a small number of fragments from the exploded shuttle, but they came flying If the large scale work machine hadn’t been there, Katerina may have suffered a direct hit and been killed.
“That light just now came from the escape pods.” Heero promptly referred to the (space work use manual) on the monitor and confirmed the handling of emergency escape pods. “Just as I thought!” Shown there was a heading which read: If [an emergency escape pod is: discovered, promptly switch to recovery detail. Of the two lights, one had headed of towards D11587 but another was closing in on Colony C11234. Heero left Katerina where she was and propelled the large work machine to where the escape capsule was heading.
“Escape capsule (in front of me), respond! Pull the reverse engine lever! If you pick up any more speed, I will not be able to rescue you!”
There was no reply. At first, he thought it might be unmanned, but he felt an obvious intent [of the occupant] to get off course. Heero made the large work machine speed up, launched the rescue wire, hooked the escape capsule’s propulsion unit, and decreased speed, using the last of his (propulsion fluid). Then from the astrosuit’s wireless commlink, he heard a weak voice.
“……please let me go……” Heero thought he’d heard a similar female’s voice. “……won’t you release me……I want to die……”
Heero shouted, “You want to die? Don’t screw around!” For the youth, it was an act that was truly inefficient and made him expend energy unnecessarily. “[If you didn't want to get rescued, t]hen you shouldn’t have used the escape pod, should you have!” Opening the hatch of the large work suit, he followed [along] the wire and clung to the escape capsule. But in doing so, the battery pack of [his] astrosuit got damaged and made his wireless communicator unusable. “I don’t know what you were doing but you will not die!” Heero continued yelling without realizing his commlink was disconnected [i.e. dead]. “The majesty/dignity of the human existence is not allowed to kill itself, either by killing or being killed! 248/2/9-11” He grabbed the escape capsule’s outer lock release lever. “Since you used the astrosuit’s commlink, you’re wearing a helmet, right?” Naturally, there was no reply. Heero steeled himself and released the lock. Inside there was a female victim. He checked that she was wearing an astrosuit and was relieved. And then, he found the reverse engine lever on the console and pulled it hard. Somehow, the escape capsule lost speed and came to a stop. However, the face plates of [their] helmets were in mirror mode and so they could not see one another.
“Are you alright? Can you stand? What the hell happened?” Heero asked many things, but there was absolutely no reply. At this time, he finally realized his battery pack was damaged. That was dangerous. His air would run out in a few minutes. In a flurry, Heero returned to the large work suit and went to replace [the battery] with a spare pack. While he did this, he made the victim stand as she’s not appeared to have lost consciousness, took firm hold of her hand and took her back to the large work suit. Of course, that female victim was Sabrina.
*
Sabrina thought it was strange. She didn’t understand why this person had gone out of their way save her suddenly reticent self. That was when she heard an auditory hallucination. It was a voice that sounded very much like her own.
“Sensei, are you alright? Answer me already!” That was Katrina’s voice, but there was no way Sabrina could have known that. She heard a tapping in her helmet. She heard the modulation of the unique sound wave 249/1/7-8, was it matching frequencies or playing with the volume? During the modulation, she heard a second sound that was very similar to Sam’s mewl, the cat she had left of Earth.
“Sam……” Tears moistened Sabrina’s eyes. Her closed heart burst like a dam, overflowing [with tears] “……I want to see Sam……” She remembered the Earth with its beautiful greens, clear blue skies, and pretty rainbows—she didn’t want to die yet. She couldn’t die until she’d seen her cute Sam again. She had to thank her savior. “Thank you very much……I” She thought it would be rude not to introduce herself, “I am Sabrina Peacecraft……and you are?” Slowly, she extended her hand to the person who had rescued her.
*
#10 - I believe an LJ reader commented that there is a Weyridge in the original animated series and he says “Katrina.” I am only left to wonder why this might be since he is clearly helping Sabrina, not Katrina, here. Foreshadowing, perhaps?