Sciforums Fleet

[The Flemster]

"BING BONG! This is an information call for passengers heading for Earth Spacedock via Long Island Spaceport..." the tannoy aboard the Zoom chimed.
Flemster looked away from the window and the ever-decreasing urban sprawl outside and focused instead on the small screen above the inter-carriage doorway displaying the Zoom companies logo.
"Due to military activity in low Earth orbit, all flights extra athmospheric have been suspended for the forseeable future. We will keep you informed as more information comes in. Sagan Space in conjunction with Amtrak Zoomways apologises for any inconvenience caused by this unavoidable action. Thank you. BING BONG!"
Flemster stared at the now blank screen, ignoring the tutting of the other passengers as people grumbled and muttered at the news.
He fished in his bag and pulled out an ancient mobile phone. It looked to be an early 21st century vintage non-smart phone. It was, in fact, a state-of-the-art AI computer built using thousand year old tech, making it impossible to detect in these ceramic BrainCloud times.
Flemster plugged an earpiece in and hit a speed dial button. Within moments, the other end of the line was ringing.
"Hello?" a tinny voice finally said.
"Bob? Jim." Flemster said quietly.
"Jim? Jim who?"
"Jim Flemster."
There was a very long pause. Then, "Look, I dunno who you are but--"
"Delta two three, eight three six." Flemster interrupted.
Another long pause. Then, "Jesus, it IS you! Jim! Christ man, ghow long have you--"
"Couple of days. Look Bob, I need your help right now. Are you near a terminal?"
"Always, Cap. Whaddaya need?"
"I'm on the LI Zoom and we're stopping outside Hampton Bays. Something about some military action in orbit. Know anything about it?"
"Hold on..." Bob said.
Flemster waited patiently as Bob disappeared to do something. Flemster looked out of the window at the nearby empty beach. It was quite nice around here. When he was last planetside, this whole area was ridiculously expensive to live or visit. Nowadays it just seemed to be abandonned. Maybe it had something to do with the recent invasion. As he strained his eyes, he could make out the rusting hulks of what appeared to be alien ships poking out of the grey seas on the horizon. He guessed these were the vanguard of the invasion, probably aiming for the spaceport at the other end of Long Island and fell foul of the New York defenses.
"Jim?" Bob said into his ear, snapping him out of his daydream.
"Go."
"I took a peek into FleetNet and it seems there's some kind of standoff between our guys and the ESSCPA. Hasn't gone shouty yet but it looks like it could any moment. That's why your flight's been cancelled, I guess."
Flemster said nothing for a while as he mulled it over.
"Jim? You there?"
"Bob, you got my exact location?"
"Yeah, I got you at the western end of Shinnecock Bay, just shy of the Bay Bridge. That right?"
Flemster craned his neck and peered as far along the length of the now stopped Zoom as the glass would allow. He could see the track start to rise in the distance.
"Seems so." Flemster said.
"Got ya. Whaddaya need?"
"A ship. Fast."
"Air or space?" Bob asked.
"Earth orbit. I got one at SpaceDock Earth waiting."
"You know that place is shut, right?"
"So I heard."
"Let's see..." Bob said. Flemster could hear him clicking away on his keyboard at the other end of the line. "Nope. Got nothing until you get to the spaceport. Rentals any good?"
"They got anything inter-orbit?"
"Not really. All they're rentals are limited to planetary flight only. I could arrange someone to remove the equipment though. Takes about two days." Bob replied.
"No good. Too long. Bob, dont worry about it. I'll get there on my own. Thanks buddy. Laters." Flemster said as he cut the phone off.

Jim Flemster stuffed the phone back in his bag and stood up, subtly stowing the pistol he'd just removed from his bag into his waistband. He shouldered the bag and set off down the wide aisle towards the front of the Zoom, edging past passengers and staff alike.

A few minutes later, Flemster arrived at the open door to the driver's cabin. Even though the Zoom was mainly automated, it still carried a human operator as a backup. This backup, a man of about fifty, stood in the doorway, facing Flemster.
"Sorry sir, if you go back to your seat, we'll make an announcement as soon as we know mo--"
Flemster chose the moment when nobody was watching him and shoved the driver backwards into his cabin, shutting the door behind him with his foot. He shoved the gun against the man's chest.
"Hey, wait a minu--" the driver started. A soft pop followed by a wisp of smoke from the man's uniform and a splash of bright red blood spattering on the wall behind him signalled the end of the driver.
Flemster caught and lowered the dead man's corpse to the floor. He sat in the driver's seat and scanned the controls. They were very easy. Not much more than stop and go.
Flemster spotted an override switch and flicked it. Immediately, the radio chimed to life.
"AZ one three five, we're showing your safety override unchecked. Respond please."
Flemster turned the radio off and quickly found the remote operating terminal, hidden under the control panel. He gave it a yank and it came away with the minimum of fuss.

James Flemster moved the dead driver's leg aside and sat in the chair properly. He activated the power couplings and instantly the Zoom began to pick up speed.
He figured he'd have at least twenty minutes before the BNYC cops got here and maybe ten before the spaceport cops arrived. He'd be off the Zoom by then though. They'd be too busy trying to stop a runaway mile long maglev train, with about five hundred passengers aboard, before it slammed into the spaceport terminal too notice him slipping onto the runways.

Jim Flemster checked his pack one last time as the Zoom passed the sixty mph mark, accelerating rapidly...

[Omega133]

Omega heard Shogun's transmission and was shocked when he did. He knew this battle would cost lots of lives; unless...

"Na", he thought. It was crazy. It would never work.

"Sir, Dradis contact." The man at sensors said.

"Report?" Omega was worried that it was ESSCPA back-up.

"It's the Temperance sir. They are requesting orders and are on alert."

Omega sighed with relief. It was the best news he'd heard all day. "Send him this: Captain Ilithi, I want you to prepare weapons systems. But do not, repeat do not fire unless fired upon."

That crazy idea hit Omega again. This time it sunk in deeper. It was a brilliant plan the second time he looked at it.

"Also, if anything happens to me, you are in command of the fleet. Omega out."

Everyone looked at him nervously. Him mentioning himself dying was a rare thing, and often a bad one.

"Open a channel to Shogun", Omega said. A deep fealing of courage came over him.

"Captain Shogun, I challenge you to a duel."

Shock came over the men. George began rambling on in a protestful way. With a wave of his hand it all went quiet.

"We can end this stand-off right here and now. Why risk the lives of all these men, when we can settle it with two? You and your Gundam, against mine. Accept and lives will be spared. Reject and you will have the blood of hundreds on your hands. I await your reply."

There was a cunning to this strategy. Although ESSCPA soldiers were taught to achieve victory, they were taught to achieve it in minimal casualties. He knew deep down inside Shogun would accept. It was just a matter of time now.

[Shogun]

Shogun thought, that it was perfect, he could kill Omega right there and then, just as Operation Divine Destiny required, and it will be legitimate, because it was after all a duel right? No, it wasn't. It was a coup d'eta, that was masterminded by the natural commanders of ESSCPA Special Operations, each battle group were assigned targets for them to hit, to disable and destroy the United Earth Alliance Armed Forces and the Imperial Vichi Forces as a whole. He knew that there are comrades of his that are awaiting the right moment to strike, none have executed the mission yet. After the UEA Armed Forces and the Vichi are out of the way, the natural commanders can take over the United Earth Alliance and establish a military dictatorship over its people. It is very easy, they could do whatever they want, and they have the most elite troops. The plan doesn't just involve the ESSCPA, there isn't enough of them, they recruited rouge commanders and hired mercenaries. On the very top of Shogun's Alpha List ( Assassination List ) was Omega, and his operation strike group was assigned to take out Scifleet in a blow. The situation is just right, he can do so right now.....


Somehow Shogun felt a weird feeling, a feeling that is like a black hole sucking all the light in his soul. It is pleading for him to stop. It is guilt. Shogun thought about it, it isn't honorable and it isn't right. It was against everything they stood for, the well being of the United Earth Alliance. They are supposed to defend it, not to control it. It is what they are born for. There was another voice inside him that called for the completion of Operation Divine Destiny, because it is after all their destiny and it is their orders. Shogun had a difficult decision, his orders or justice. If he chose justice, he might have to fight his former comrades, and his friends might turn on him, even his crew might. If he chose Operation Divine Destiny, he would have to kill Omega, and perhaps his family as well because they are Vichi royalty, he would have to betray his country the Vichi Empire as well. He flashes back to during his training, many years ago, a conversation, something his Mobile Suit training instructor told them,

"Do what is right, because it is right,"

He then shook his head in attempt to shake it out of his mind. He then had another flash back, back to when he was assigned to Scifleet.

"Amaterasu Battle Group," said General Nelson, the commanding officer of ESSPCA Special Operations Special Response Teams. He was a natural, and the ESSCPAs didn't like him, but didn't express so, their contempt was kept hidden. They do not dislike him simply because he was a natural, but for more deeper reasons, being a natural have nothing to do with it. They knew all of their biological parents were naturals, and they have nothing against naturals.

Shogun was professional and formal, as the commanding officer of Amaterasu, he replied,

"Sir, Amaterasu Battle Group reporting for duty sir!"

They have just been commissioned and are not on active duty.

"The Amaterasu Battle Group have been loaned to Scifleet, are is to report to duty to Scifleet immediatly,"

They were shocked, Shogun then asked,

"Sir, pardon?"

Nelson then said,

"You heard me, you and your battle group are on loan to ESSCPA, in order to build good relations and learn from them,"

They were professionals and didn't converse amongst themselves. They could not believe it, they are on loan. ESSCPA usually kept to themselves, unless necessary, if they worked with someone, it was almost always with Vichi. They have never been on loan. Shogun knew there are other reasons, it was for Operation Divine Destiny, and he loathed is, as with other ESSCPAs. They know they are being used by the naturals, but it is a mission that they must preform.

He also flashes back to the day he met his family, his parents and his two sisters, Cecilia and Relena. It was also the first day he have ever been on Earth and in a bar before, and having ever socialized with civilians. He also met Cera. It was the best day of his entire life.

Shogun then said to himself,

"Father, Mother, Oniichan,"

He then tried to shut out his emotions.

He flashes back to the last him he was with his family, and his conversation with Cera. It was in the beautiful garden of his family's temporary palace, under the noon day sun.

"Shogun, what would you do if you have to preform your imperial duties, as a Prince of Vichi and Xenturia,"

Shogun said thoughtfully and firmly,

"I will preform and stand up to them to the best of my ability,"

Shogun tried to shake it out of his mind, one part of him keep reminded him to be professional and keep his emotions out. He thought about Cera, and a trickle of tear came out of his closed eyes. He would have to fight her as a part of the Operation. She is his first love, and the first time he experienced such. She is a Xenturian with godly beauty with silky green hair and sparkling gold orbs. She have the power of Code, she is immortal and will always look like she is sixteen years of age, her true age is unknown, as with her surname, she won't share that information. She is also the one who bestowed Geass upon him.

Shogun then screamed,

"CERA!"

Shogun then realized that he and his comrades will be cast away after the Operation and that is by far the biggest mental obstacle for him. Shogun decided that he won't preform Operation Divine Destiny, he won't walk in the path of his "divine destiny", he will chose his own destiny and walk his own path. Shogun then turned on the emergency channel to all in the ESSCPA Special Operations,

"I, Captain Shogun vi Yamato....." he have never used his full name, ever since he knew of it, because it might expose his royal status. He gave a inspirational and touching speech to his comrades, his fellow ESSCPA Super Soldiers. He talked about what they have to lose, and the injustice of such. He also told them about them just being used and will be cast away afterward, he also proved it, and all his comrades knew such, they just didn't say anything about it. He showed them that they have a future ahead of them, and they can chose it themselves instead of being controlled. They weren't obedient mindless droids, they are sentient beings. The speech was long and filled with emotion, he ended with,

"We can chose our own destiny and our own path, instead of the so-called 'divine destiny' the natural commanders chose for us. We can do what is right, because it is right,"

Shogun then terminated communications, and awaiting a long time, for responses from his comrades. It was filled with anxiety, he might have to fight his own. His own brothers in arms that he have fought and marched among for so long, the people that he grew up with and stood by his side. However, he already chose his own destiny. It won't be the controlled destiny that he once knew, and he will be free. Each second felt like a day, then finally after a long time, he got his first break, the Executive Officer of his ship, along with his crew turned on communications,

"We will follow you to the very end sir,"

Then one by one his comrades followed as such, every single one. The Tactical Branch, the Materials and Logistics Branch, the Intelligence Branch, and the Research & Development Branch. Every single branch except for the central command, with natural officer that planned this operation in the first place. Every one in the branches save for a few natural overseers that they will overthrow.

Shogun then said,

"Let this be, the beginning of a new ESSCPA, we didn't betray ESSCPA, we are ESSCPA!"

[Shogun]

Out of Game: There are 5 ESSCPA ships in L1

[Shogun]

Out of Game: Bad thing about a elite military unit with virtually unlimited funding and power = coup d'eta

[Omega133]

Omega stood on the deck. Ready to walk down to the hangar, emotion mixed inside him.

"What's he waiting for? He must fight me. He must!" he thought to himself. "All of these men will die if he doesn't."

He then spoke aloud, "I'm going to the hangar, ready the Orion."

"Sir, we don't know if he's accepted." The XO stood there judging his commander's decision.

"He'll accept. Unless.......na! But maybe.........no!" Theories shrouded his head. He just was in no mood for guessing.

"Sir?" George was wondering just what the theory was.

"Unless he betrays his orders." There was a feeling of enlightenment in him. But he hardly knew what he was talking about.

"And what are they?" The XO asked, still puzzled.

"I don't know."

[Omega133]

OUT OF GAME: Oz.

[Shogun]

"Commence Operation Primal Innocence! We will protect the United Earth Alliance, from the coup d'eta!" Shogun said, feeling a strong emotion, one he never felt before. Shogun felt good. The ESSCPA Central Command attempted to jam Shogun's transmissions, it didn't work. The Central Command retreated to their own private ships, because they know that the ESSCPA Battle Groups in-training will take over the colonies and space stations. The Super Soldiers closed all channels to ESSCPA Central Command permanently. The central command miscalculated one thing, that will bring about their own fall, the ESSCPA Super Soldiers. Now, they relied on their fellow rouges and their mercenaries, who are still very formidable, and ESSCPA can't fight them alone. Shogun then said,

"I will give control back to the bridge,"

Shogun's chair then lifted out of the cockpit, and back into the bridge. Shogun then said,

"The Central Command will broadcast a warning to the United Earth Alliance, I will prepare for it, you have the bridge, Minamoto"

Commander Minamoto then said,

"Sir!"

Shogun then left to return to his quarters. He will changed into his dress uniform, he is deep in thought when doing so, as he put on his uniform, his gloves and his boots. He even put on a cape. He then clipped on his sword. He took it out and examined his sword, then put it back in the sheath. He will make his intentions clear.

The broadcast from the ESSCPA Central Command is now displayed on all channels,

"This is General Kaminachi, we ESSCPA Special Operations are now the rulers of Earth. We will crush the UEA Armed Forces, bow down to us, or suffer a certain fate. We will show no mercy, all those who are not our supporters are our enemies. Hail us and....."

There was static, their broadcast is overwritten by the ESSCPA Super Soldiers. Shogun went on the bridge of the Amaterasu. His bridge crew is in full combat armor with their weapons ready behind him.

"We are the ESSCPA Super Soldiers, we no longer serve those rouges and criminals. Do not heed their words, we will protect Earth, please remain calm and pray for our success. We will right what we did wrong, we will defend the UEA, even if it cost us our lives," Shogun then took out his sword and did a sword salute. His cape billowed from the wind generated by the swift salute.

[Omega133]

"I've waited long enough. Get Orion into the launch tube." Omega stepped off the bridge and into the corridor system that was the Aggressor. The walk was long, he thought long and hard about what he was about to do. The hangar was quiet. Everyone at battlestations. Omega grabbed his flight suit and helmet.

After a quick change he began to walk down towards Orion. A row of pilots and hangar crew had formed. As Omega walked the long way to his Gundam, each man and woman stuck out their hand. Each was shook by the man they'd trusted for several years. As he neared Orion he put on his helmet, and then he entered the large suit. A salute was flashed as he prepped the launch system.

[Shogun]

"Please place your faith in us, we will not disappoint you," Shogun then ceased the broadcast.

They then went back to their stations, and Shogun into his seat. The media is now broadcasting the message to all and repeatedly, and tried to comment of it. An officer then said,

"Sir, MS approaching! It is not ours,"

Shogun then said,

"Do not fire,"

Shogun then turned on fleet channel and sent Omega a message,

"I will not fight you, or anyone in UEA, if you want to know what is going on, switch to any civilian channels, and you will know,"

[Omega133]

Omega was now en route to the Amaterasu when he received a message. After listening to Shogun he sent a reply.

"I think I understand, I would like to talk to you though. Shall I come aboard your ship, or you come aboard mine?" Omega needed some answers, although he had some already.

[Shogun]

Shogun knew that they can't fight the coup by themselves and need to regain Omega's trust, he said,

"I will come aboard your ship,"

Shogun then went to his personal hanger, without his flight suit and helmet. He got into his cockpit and started his MS. He then moved it into the launch tube after the preflight checks.

"Admiral Yamato, you are clear to launch,"

Shogun then said,

"Admiral Shogun vi Yamato, Inazuma, Launching!"

The Inazuma then shot out of the launch tube.

[Omega133]

Omega listened and decided to rendezvous with him and escort him to the Aggressor's hangar bay. He kicked Orion into full speed and met with Shogun.

"Follow me in." He said over the comms and then he maneuvered into a landing position.

[Shogun]

Shogun transformed the Inazuma into fighter mode. Shogun prepared to land, he was running the different scenarios in his head, including the worse case scenario.

[Omega133]

Omega landed and he watched as Shogun landed. Security was in the hangar, guns pointed at Shogun's MS.

"Stand down troopers." Omega said with authority. "He comes in peace."

[Shogun]

Shogun turned off his systems and locked them. He then opened his cockpit and jumped out doing three flips in the air before landing softly. Shogun remained silent and professional.

[Omega133]

"Follow me." Omega motioned for Shogun to follow as he began walking to the Mess Hall.

[Shogun]

Shogun followed Omega, while keeping an eye on his surrounded as he is trained to do so.

[Omega133]

The hangar chief looked at the other crew members. "Alright get back to work."

Omega kept on walking until they reached the Mess.

"In here please."

[Shogun]

Shogun followed, but he was careful. He didn't know what Omega intended, and he is definitely not sure. He kept his Geass off as an act of peace.