It had been a year since the unanticipated attack on Japan occurred. Encounters between the TA and the EAP had continued to grow in intensity since then, space had become nothing more than a tremendous graveyard with an unlimited reach. Red Fury remained quiet, still gathering their forces together. Many of Red Fury’s soldiers hoped to never have to fight, even though they knew it was a pipe dream they still aspired for that desire. Michael Lythe began to think of nothing more than his family since Gina was rescued from the secluded EAP space facility, Prometheus. He remained in the Red Fury camps since he knew he could never return to the TA, not after the stunts he pulled. Carlos Rendetore was more than willing to help out his friend. The swift breeze passed through the Red Fury camp located just outside of the city still being constructed known as Evo.

Freya sat amongst the cold darkness that embraced the crimson planet. Her green hair flapped gently through the breeze, her eyes blankly staring up into the flickering radiance of the stars. She had been with Red Fury for a little over 2 years now and still found herself questioning her own future. After losing friends in battle with both the EAP and Red Fury she wasn’t sure how much longer she could embrace the concept of battle. Hearing the sound of rocks crumbling under the footsteps of someone approaching, she casually glanced over her right shoulder.

“You mind if I join you?” Stephen Novus, a man known also as the Crimson Knight ended up stationed on Mars once again. He had left Red Fury a year ago in order to keep searching for his brother, after constantly ending up with no leads he decided it was best to give up the search for the time being. His battalion was sent back to Mars to watch for any suspicious EAP activity. Upon hearing of Red Fury’s camp he managed to skip out from his own camp to check up on the people who treated him with dignity and respect.

“Major Novus? What are you doing back?!” The sound of his voice was the last Freya expected to hear. Earlier in her youth she had a crush on the hero of the TA, and even though that crush faded mostly, she still would quiver with nerves upon hearing him speak.

“I’ve been sent to watch out for EAP activity. I felt like I owed it to you all to stop by while in the vicinity.” Stephen replied.

He took a seat next to Freya; he smirked back at her and then joined her in staring at the stars.

“Why don’t you join us?”

The question was sudden to him, while he did contemplate joining up with Red Fury over the course of his space campaign he was already restrained to the promise he made to himself when he joined the TA.

“Sorry…I have things I still must accomplish.”

“Oh…sorry to have imposed.”

“It’s alright. So, I’ve been meaning to ask, Carlos hasn’t made any moves. Does this mean he isn’t going to be making Red Fury’s presence felt anymore?”

“Not sure…he’s been keeping us hidden for a while. I think with the combined heat of the EAP and the 181st he’s wanted to stay under the radar.”

“I wouldn’t worry about the 181st for now. Their commander, Marcus Falden has been MIA for a year now. He’s already been presumed dead.”

“Japan right?”

“Yeah…”

“What was up with that anyway? I thought the Humanitarian Treaty was supposed to prevent battles to occur near the homeland of any country. And yet the TA straight up broke that sacred promise. How can you stand it Major? How can you stand to fight for such a disgusting nation?”

“Heh…it was a secret ops mission from my understanding. Under the direct supervision of the president and the Admiral Von Schuler, it, when it comes to the TA never happened. It’s not surprising to be honest. Nations always end up doing something that goes against what was agreed upon, it’s only a matter of which one will be brave enough to do it first. And call me Stephen.”

“Uh…ok, then…Stephen…”

“This world has been drowned in chaos since the beginning of time…there isn’t much we can do anymore but wait for the end to come.”

“You know…I used to admire you...”

“Huh?” Stephen glanced back towards Freya; it was something he never expected to come up in a casual conversation. He never was one to take any form of admiration well; it was embarrassing for him as he was still young himself and had plenty to learn.

“Even though you were the enemy…I still respected you, I wanted to be like you. I guess….I guess that’s one of the reasons I left the EAP and joined up with Red Fury.”

“I see…I don’t know what’s so good about me…I’m still learning every day. *sigh* Let me give you some advice. Don’t put someone on a pedestal, for if they do something to disappoint you then it’ll only leave you in a place of confusion and depression. Admire your own traits and work to become a better person, follow your own destiny and path. It is the only way you’ll be able to be happy and accomplish anything.”

“Stephen…”

Stephen smiled, patting Freya gently on the back of her shoulder blade. He leaned forward lifting his body from the rock as his cell phone began to vibrate. It was only a matter of time before his own battalion began to wonder where he ran off to.

“Sorry, I have to take this.” Turning away from Freya he flipped his phone open.     “Hello?”

“Stephen…its Ashley. You need to hurry up and get back here.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“A few things, one of satellites picked up a new EAP facility in space. The higher ups are already sending Von Schuler’s pets there.”

“Having them act without their commander huh? That’s pretty unexpected. We should probably head there as well.”

“Not just yet. I’ve found something else you might be more interested in.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, it’s an unidentified satellite orbiting around Phobos. It was where the 181st was sent a year ago before the tragedy at the shores of Tokyo. They finally released the footage….Stephen…”

“Yeah? What’s wrong?”

“They found him…”

“I see…so he went against the 181st then?”

“Yeah, he fought Marcus Falden.”

“And?”

“The footage cut out in the middle of the battle. So it’s up to you, head to the EAP facility just detected, or head towards the unknown satellite.”

“Let the 181st deal with the EAP. I need to find this asshole.”

“I figured you’d say that. I already relayed a message to HQ letting them know we’ll be investigating the area. Hurry back, we’ll leave once you return.”

“Thanks Ashley…” Stephen hung the phone while Freya pretended to be uninterested in the conversation. Her legs swung through the air while she continued to stare into the sky.

“You leaving again?”

“Yeah…something came up.” Stephen replied.

“Good luck then.”

“Thanks, stay out of trouble.”

“Heh, I’ll try.”

As Stephen headed back towards the standard military jeep he could hardly contain his anger. While he smirked he could only wonder about what he was going to do when he arrived at his destination.

“You won’t get away this time….”




******************************************

Orbis Resource Satellite


After the events that occurred on Earth Gail soon came to realize that he couldn’t waste any more time. The organization that he funded was supposed to fight for peace. He kept it hidden because he was afraid of how the people of the world would react to another side entering the fight with the TA and the EAP. But with the brash actions of the TA he knew waiting was no longer a logical option. His army of pilots was nearly complete, over the past year he managed to recruit more pilots from both sides; captains, ensigns, even generals all believed in his words and fell to his charismatic charm. The only remaining question was when he would make his presence known.

Gail’s eyes scanned the hanger as the mechanics continued to work hastily on his personal production units. He could not contain his smile from showing, dozens of men and women working hard to make his dream a reality, it seemed like a dream to him.

“With this my ties to you are cut Gail.”

Gail turned around as Adam Novus entered the hanger. Filled with determination no longer tainted with immature sensations of confusion Adam stood staring.

“I see. So then there’s no way I could persuade you to stay?”

“No, this past year I’ve worked with your technicians to create these frames. I…I just can’t do it
anymore. Sharon and I are heading back to Mars, we’re going to try and live a normal life.”

“Normal? And what exactly would a normal life consist of?”

“Not fighting…just living with her.”

“So a life of nativity then? “

“Call it whatever you want Gail but I’m done.”

“Don’t you want this war to end? Don’t you want to be a part of the change that will bring peace and end the war?”

“No. You clearly aren’t listening to what I’m saying. You fight your war, I don’t care. One person will not change this world.” Adam replied.

“*sigh* I see you’re no longer confused. Well then, all I can do is thank you for all the work you’ve done and wish you luck on your future endeavors.”

“Gail…all I ask is that you don’t fall under the persuasion of Luscious Malum.”

“Heh, I won’t. I’m not so easily manipulated.”

“Good to know.”

Gail hated to see Adam leave; he was the one person he hoped would lend him his power. But he was a man who was firm in the belief of free will, and if Adam was content with the decision he was making then he had no right questioning it. Extending his hand he smiled back at Adam who returned the favor. Shaking hands with a firm grip they said their final goodbyes. In the corner of his eye Gail caught sight of Sharon Amare leaning in the middle of the opened door way smiling. He knew how difficult it was for her to leave her life behind and follow Adam to this secluded area. She wanted Adam to do whatever he felt would make him happy and as such never questioned his decision to help Gail construct personal frames.

With a slight nod Adam walked away from Gail, wrapping his arm around Sharon he left the hanger for what he hoped would be the final time.

“You sure you want to do this?” Sharon asked looking up into his eyes.

“Yeah, I’ve done all I can for him, there’s nothing more for me to give.”

“So what now?”

“Now? Heh, now we head to Mars. We’ll head to Evo, get an apartment there and start over. A real life, no more fighting.”

“Adam…I….”

“Listen, I don’t regret this decision. I’m done with fighting, what would happen if I died? Who would take care of you then? I can’t risk that happening.”

“…” She didn’t know what to say, here before her was a man who hid his emotions in his cockpit. And now he stood before her wanting to get rid of that part of his life, just to live what he considered to be a normal life with her. At first she wanted to tell him that he was full of shit, that he wanted to be the one to change the world, and that deluding himself wasn’t healthy. But she remained quiet as she enjoyed his warm embrace.

“I have no regrets Sharon. None whatsoever.”


********************************

“Nathan, how’s the MK.II coming along?” The familiar sound of his friend’s voice was welcomed. Hayate had been occupied with the suppressing the minor outbreaks of TA and EAP conflict that occurred around the Prometheus area. It was late and the majority of the mechanics and technicians had already ended their shifts and headed to bed. But Nathan, a man who still yearned to redeem himself from the years of failure remained. His eyes were heavy and his vision was slightly blurred from the lack of sleep.

“It’s about 90% complete. There’s a test run scheduled for tomorrow. Hopefully things will go perfectly.”

“I see, the higher ups are impressed with your resolve Nathan. If I’m good at sensing things, and I know I am then I can positively tell you that you’ll soon be cleared to pilot once again.”

“I don’t care.” Nathan mumbled while he continued to work on the specs for the Diabolos specs.

“You don’t care? What the hell man?”

“Listen, I’m doing this so I can be relieved from duty and go home. I want to live away from all this war.”

“This again huh? Will you stop being such an idealist and live in the real world. Conflicts happen all the time, and war is a necessary process of humanity.”

“I don’t care Hayate. I’ve seen too many disturbing things, for instance. The test pilot of the MK.II. He’s the only test subject that hasn’t developed any superior characteristics other than abnormal strength which seems dependent on his rage. The scientists are torturing the man, I’m not completely sure about what they’re doing, but I know it isn’t pleasant. I was pretty surprised when they named him as the test pilot; I figured they wanted one of the subjects that developed subpar psychic abilities.”

“Who knows what’s going on anymore? But I’ll say that I’m excited to see this thing in action.”

“Yeah…so is everyone else.”

“Hey, you hear about the new units?”

“The ZHFT- R256 and ZHFT- S258? Yeah, I heard they had a real time test exercise.” Nathan replied.

“Yeah, from what I hear they’re pretty fierce in battle.”

“Whatever, it doesn’t concern me.”

“Ugh, man I miss the times when you were actually interested in this sort of thing.”

“Sorry Hayate, don’t know what to tell you.”

“Fine, listen, the reason I’m here is because I have a favor to ask of you.”

“What?”

“I want you to update my MF. I have a big mission coming up the day after tomorrow and I need its speed increased and offensive power tweaked.”

“Why? You’re pretty deadly with your frame already.”

“This mission is going to be chaotic. I’m to lead a Special Forces unit to this area near Phobos. There was a battle that occurred there a year ago that peaked the interest of the higher ups. It’s also said that the TA is heading there as well to investigate. Word on the street is that there’s a secret facility working on prototype MFs. My job is to get there, steal the frames and destroy any and all who get in my way. I need my frame at its best.” Hayate replied.

“Fine…”

“Thanks a ton Nathan.”

“I’m only doing this so you don’t die out there.”

“Thanks….and hopefully the test goes smooth tomorrow.”

“Why? It’s just a test run.”

“Well, because if it does the MK. II will be accompanying me on my mission.”

“What? Please tell me you’re kidding. Even if the test goes well it won’t be ready for a mission.”

“Not my call….sorry man.”

“I fucking hate the higher ups…” Nathan grumbled.

“Join the club man…join the club….”