Chapter 28. Beginning of the Long Absence.





The constant pitch and rolling of the ship made for an incredible feeling. At least it was to the captain of the 181st. Sleeping against the hard metal wall, he let the movements of the ship move him back and forth, this would bring back the nostalgic memory of his grandmothers old rocking chair.
The Behemoth was a large old model cargo vessel. The vessel sailed through the pacific en route to Yokohama harbor. To all who would lay eyes on the vessel they would have suspected nothing except an old container vessel sailing with Brazilian flags. The truth was far from this. Inside the vessel covered by a large polymer sheet spread across the hull, was the latest TA developed mobile weapon. A massive Walking tank, designed to be a one-unit army.

One week later.

Leaning out her window in her fourth floor office, Natasha surveyed the massive military installation. California Base was one of the largest TA military installations in North America. With three 4-mile long runways, as well as a space catapult it served as vital strategic point for the re-supply and reinforcements of all TA orbital defense fleet.
Suddenly her hair began flowing back as a cool breeze, swept across her face. Closing her eyes, she indulged in the comforting feeling the cool wind brought to her worn out body. A mere 5 meters away form the building two MF’s walked in single file formation. The giant’s head temporarily cast a shadow across her window.
“This place is truly beautiful. I definitely take this over Utah any day”. Speaking to herself as she turned to survey the distant mountains to her left. Outside the base, hundred of California Palm threes dotted the perimeter. This created a rather relaxed and tropical scenery.
As she continued to watch the base personal all move towards there various objectives, a gentle nock at her office door pulled her attention. For a second she was taken aback for she had already wrapped up the last meeting almost an hour earlier. “One moment please!” She spoke as she walked towards the door. She quickly made a quick check to make sure her office was within proper military decorum. The floor carpet had recently been cleaned so she was not to worried about that, the desk all though a bit cluttered showed that she was busy working, and there was nothing thrown about.
Natasha quickly smirked as the memory of the only time Marcus had ever been to her actual office. Within 5 minutes the place had looked like complete chaos. Chinese takeout food trays thrown all over the place, empty plastic cups on the floor. Several books all littering her desk as well as a massive stack of her medical charts all completely disorganized into random piles, place at various corners of the office.

When she opened the door her mood went from pleasantly relaxed to tense and annoyed in a split second.

“YO, the Iron Fist beauty queen, we came to pay our outmost respects.” Arturo spoke with half a grin on his face as he mockingly vowed low to her. Behind him both Drake and Vladimir, each carried a twelve pack of beer, in each hand.
“Hey there, we brought you a present to cheer you up. Figured sense your husband isn’t here you be all bored and depressed.” As soon as Vladimir finished both Drake and Arturo began laughing.
“Is this how you three monkeys decided to waste your shore leave. Give me that.” She quickly graved the beer case Vladimir was holding and walked to her desk. Seating herself down she opened up the box and began drinking a bottle. “You three jokers, must have really be bored if you came all the way here.” Natasha spoke as she watched the trio enter her office and seat themselves on her two couches. Vladimir entered last, closing the door behind him.
“Don’t get to excited, we actually been assigned to this base. The Iron Fist has been deployed to Kuat for repairs and upgrades. Most of the crew got a 2-week shore leave. However we three been assigned here to, ah what was it that the orders said again..?” Arturo spoke as he laid one foot on top of Natasha’s small coffee table.
“All MF pilots as well as all senior officers are hereby assigned 2 weeks of naval training at the California Base. Orders signed and dated by Captain, Marcus Falden, of the 181st Independent Special Forces. Here is your copy.” Drake spoke as he handed a sealed envelope bearing the squadron insignia of the 181st to Natasha.
“Training for what?” She asked puzzled as she opened the envelope.
“That’s the joke, it does not specify anything. So us three have been so far busy training on how to beat drinking games with pure tequila. Yes its hard training but we making progress.” Natasha laughed along with the rest of the group, not so much because of what Drake said, as for the fact that it was actually true.
“Well I take it you all been assigned to the barracks.” She spoke as she began drinking another bottle, while throwing the empty one into a near by garbage can.
“Why you think we here. It’s dead boring over there. Plus the staff sergeant is actually a shit when it comes to alcohol.” Arturo spoke as he drank from his beer bottle.
“Well whatever the point is we getting combat pay for seating on our Asses. So I am not going to complain too much!” Vladimir spoke as he graved a TV remote control from the coffee table and switched on her 56inch wall mounted flat screen. Immediately SNN came up.
At first all the channel showed was the usual bombardment of advertisements, form different companies. Then a Breaking News report flashed across the screen. A young Japanese woman inside of what seemed like a news hovercraft was almost screaming as she reported live from what seemed like a war zone.
Looking at her mother, the only thought inhabiting her mind was of returning to active duty. For the past week all she had been able to do was be at home and partake in the usual social and private drama that was her family. As always her father was to busy working to be bothered, this however no longer bothered her.
She had finally gotten the guts or like her commanding officer put it. “You need to have cojones in life, well in your case ovaries!” She remembered the conversation they had right before they arrived at earth.
For once Von Schuler actually listened to his daughter. The moment she stepped of the orbital shuttle she took a military car directly to his office in Washington. Storming in and ignoring the secretary she walked right into his office.
“Listen here, I live my life the way I choose, not you or anyone else will change that. I joined the military to preserve our families long tradition sense no one else was willing to make that sacrifice. Now does this mean it gives you the right to give me off in marriage to whoever you wish, as if I was some sort of object to be bargained with.” Krista stood defiantly in front of the admiral’s desk.
“I have no problem continuing all your other side businesses, I am a Von Schuler after all, and I do take great pride in my heritage. But because I am a Von Schuler that means I am not to be used as anyone’s pawn. Including you, father. Marcus told me everything, how you wanted him to be your heir, and for him to take me as his wife.”
The old admiral began to chuckle at his daughter. “Well, well, you certainly have grown up in a short while. I am proud of having you as a daughter. As for him, didn’t you have a crush on him; sense you first met him 4 years ago. I distinctly remember you coming along with me every time you though there might be a chance to se him.”
“Give me a break I was 14 at the time.” Krista spoke as she seated herself, in one of her father’s office chair. She could feel her cheeks turning red.
“Well never mind I guess. Well at least I am glad there is still hope for this family to prosper in the future.”
Returning back to reality and the present she realized her mother had been talking to her for the past three minutes. “What, you said something.” Was all she could muster to say.
“You have not been listening to a word I said have you. Well never mind I guess I will go shopping alone.” Her mother walked away from the living room where Krista had been laying on the couch for the past hour. She been bored out of her mind ever sense she arrived home a week earlier.
After several minutes she dug out the remote for her TV from under one of the many pillows the sofa had. As soon as she turned on the power a massive holographic display appeared in front of the opposing wall to Krista. Being in her family had its perks. Her father had been very smart in all his investment choices, thus the Von Schuler’s where actually quite wealthy and members of the elite class.
The first thing to display was a soap opera. She quickly flipped through the channels not really paying much attention to any of them. Until she reached a local news station, which was displaying, what seemed like live images of an MF battle.
Krista quickly turned up the volume on her surround sound speakers.
“As you can see these are live images transmitted in real time from the battle.” A news anchor spoke as to his right side the video feed displayed what seemed like EAP MF flying and shooting about in a heavily populated urban city.
“To surmise at 10am japans local time an armed group calling itself the Falcons Claw has staged an attack on Tokyo. The group claims they are Brazilians, who are fighting for the liberation of Brazil from its capitalist dictators of the EAP.” Krista could only watch the news, for it made no real sense to her, and then she was left speechless once she looked at the live video feed.
There for 3 seconds she caught a glimpse OZ frame, as it flew past a group of EAP MF’s. “NO way.” Was all she could mutter to herself.
“You got to be kidding me, is he insane.” Screamed Arturo as he watched the live news report from Tokyo, Japan. Natasha could only watch in anguish for she new this news story would not end well for her.
“This is Megumi Ken Shin, from Tokyo sky cam. We reporting live from downtown Tokyo, where two unidentified MF’s have begun an all out assault on government buildings. OH my quickly look over there.” The reporter frantically pointed her cameraman to film the action. In seconds the OZ MF came into view as it just slashed through an EAP MF its massive Excalibur sword shined brightly as it held it in its left arm. While a split second later it fired the massive cannon on its right hand. The beam shot out it seemed the central intelligence office building was its intended target however the MF missed and the beam impacted against the far away waters of the harbor. Causing a massive explosion in the water.
The boosters on its back began to glow and fired off at full power igniting a hellish firestorm before taking off into the deep blue sky.
“There is the other terrorist unit. It seems some sort of four legged tank” The news Anchor could be heard in the background as the cameraman zoomed in on what appeared to be a giant mechanical crab. On its back it carried 2 massive cannons. Suddenly the OZ unit landed in front of the giant machine. It easily stood double the size of the OZ MF.



A lone figure reclined on a small military bed as it flipping through TV channels. Sense his last excursion everything seemed to have come to a crawling halt. The days where spent with the outmost boredom.
As he flipped through the channels he realized all news where at least 12 hours old, sense all communications took a minimum of 12 hours to travel from earth to mars. Finally giving in he switched the SNN channel for everyone knew it was the biggest news networks on Earth or mars for that matter.
“As you can see this is live video from out affiliates at the Tokyo TV stations. From what information we have received it seems a Brazilian armed terrorist group has staged an all out attack on Japans government center.” Adam quickly took notice of the news report. The first thing that crossed through his mind was, this latest incident being another manipulation by Genesis.
He watched the video as several EAP MF flew about the city shooting their weapons at the off screen enemy. This brought back the memories of when he faced the Chimera in New York City, fighting with his MF through a densely populated area.
“I wonder who the fool is they suckered into this!” Adam spoke his mind aloud. Then he saw the image of the OZ MF flash across the screen as it flew around the city. The moment he recognized the MF he quickly jumped out of his bed and moved closer to the TV.
“You got to be kidding me,” he thought as he continued to watch the news.
“As we have stated earlier two unidentified MF has begun an all out assault in Tokyo’s government sector. So far no civilian casualties have been reported, however several buildings can be clearly seen destroyed or on fire. Also unofficial sources have estimated that 12 EAP units have been shut down sense the commence of the attack.” The news anchor looked to her right as another video appeared on the screen.
“This is just in we are now showing a live coverage of a news conference called by Brazils prime minister.”
“I Javier Del Alba, here by wish to denounce the current act of violence that is occurring in Tokyo, Japan. I also wish to state that the nation of Brazil has nothing to do with this act of terrorism. We as a people will never support senseless violence, or terrorist attacks.”
So that’s where he went. The fool, he is a good pilot however no matter his ego he must still now this is a suicide battle. Adam thought as he contemplated the live images of the chaos that engulfed the Far East.
Sweat began to accumulate at the edges of his helmet, as he breathed heavily. It had been already 3 hours sense the start of the operation and they where yet no closer to their objective then when the first rounds where fired.
Fear and anxiety was something he had not felt in a long time. And now his whole body stank of it. As he read all the displays inside his MF he new he had little options left. Fuel was almost completely gone. Soon the only thing keeping him relatively safe would be exhausted. His reactor was already running critical, the cannon had spent all it’s plasma, and his machine gun had been blown apart by a well placed bazooka shot.
“God Damn japs, don’t they ever give up?"
“Ahhaha looks like we are royally screwed”
Turning his head slightly to the left he smiled at the video image of his newest wingman. A large face with dark skin smiled at him from inside a sealed helmet. Bob Thomson, had been the test pilot to take the experimental EX-0043 Devastator on its first live combat trial. During the week long voyage from California to Japan, him and Marcus had made a mutual friendship.
“Well all my orbital weapons are either destroyed disabled or out of fuel. However I still have my Defensive shields at full capacity, but my targeting has been shorted out. I can only fire the main cannons on manual. That means I cant hit shit worth a damn.” Bob laughed as he spoke to Marcus.

All around them more and more EAP units began to circle them in. However the Devastators two main particle guns kept them at bay. With a 360-degree firering arc the Devastator had proven itself almost impregnable to attack.
“Well this is useless now” saying this Marcus hits a switch on his throttle controls and the OZ MF releases its grip on the units massive beam cannon. It instantly hits the ground cracking the street asphalt beneath it and raising a small cloud of dust.
All of a sudden several night wing carrying heavy bazooka fired at the Devastator. Inside his cockpit the proximity alarm went off.
“Oh fuck me incoming, damn all my AMS are shorted out as well.” Bob spoke almost frantic as he desperately tried to reroute systems to bring back the Mobile weapons anti missile systems.
Not thinking Marcus quickly boosted in front the giant crab like walker and activated his left arm shield. Almost at the 5 bazooka missiles impacted against it.
“MARCUS” Screamed Bob as he saw the OZ mf be engulfed in a giant fireball. The force of the blast blew out all the glass windows on the entire city block.
“Hehe, shit I am still alive.” The voice of Marcus came through Bob’s radio amidst static.
“Well that was my final magic trick,” The video of Marcus flashed at Bobs right monitor. He then saw his helmet glass had cracked and there was blood splattered across it.
“fuck you ok.”
“Nothing to worry about bro. Just a scratch” Marcus spoke as he removed his helmet. Throwing it to the side of the cockpit, he wiped his bleeding forehead with his left hand.
All across his monitor red warning messages as well as alarms all screamed the dire state of his MF.
Once the smoke cleared it revealed the OZ MF had lost its left arm completely. All across the frame, it was rattled with bullet holes or torn off armor plating. Electrical sparks emanated from the cinched wires of where the left arm attached to the chest.
“Bro, we dead, we are so dead it’s not funny, tell me what was I thinking when I signed up for this. I mean really!” Bob spoke as he looked at his radar, and lost count of the number of enemy units approaching them.
“You, the same thing I as. End the war, and get triple hazard pay.” Marcus replied as he smiled.
However this small moment of peace was all to short. All around them the EAP units charged in for the kill. Hundreds of missiles, lacers, bullets and artillery shells came raining down on them. Unable to block the incoming enemy fury Marcus reactivated his Excalibur sword and charged the closest enemy units. Inside his MF warning messages flashed about the critical temperature spike in the frames generator. Its emergency cooling system could not keep up with the heat build up.
“Auto shutdown overwrite.” Screamed Marcus has his MF flew at full throttle towards its target.
As soon as the MF reached its intended victim its right arm activated its shoulder boosters causing it to swing the massive sword in a lightning speed diagonal cut. The night wing was cut right at its torso. The blade slicing through the cockpit incinerating the pilot inside. The MF could be seen as it separated in two for a split second before exploding.
However this victory would be short lived.
”Marc…they got me” this was all Bob managed to say as 4 Night wings landed onto of the Devastator, and pierced it with their energy savers. Fire soon erupted from the now dead walker as it collapsed on itself. Seconds later a 5 night wing approached it and fired its massive bazooka as it hovered several hundred feet above the walker.
In a Flash the Devastators reactor went critical and the resulting detonation not only left a massive crater, but also brought down a 6-story office building.
His eyes widening, now the message was truly coming home. This would be his grave.
“You fucking pieces of shit I will Kill you ALL.” He screamed as he graved a small black box with a red skull and cross bones printed on it. Opening it he took out an injection gun with the words DRIVE printed in bold red letters across it. Quickly taking the gun to his neck, he pulled the trigger and instantly a needle pierced his neck into his main artery and injected the deadly drug know as DRIVE.
This drug had been developed by Protech Pharmaceuticals as a combat enhancement drug. It was basically a cocktail mix of endorphins, adrenalin, synthetic steroids, as well as a myriad of sensory enhancing drugs. The drug was never approved by the military sense it was found a small dosage of about 10ml would have almost instant effect in a soldier’s brain and body but would also cause a massive heart attack within 30 seconds to a minute.
Instantly his fear and exhaustion where gone. He was no longer hungry or thirsty. A massive wave of exhilaration came over him. His entire body wanted to fly out of the frame and fight his enemy hand to hand. He quickly typed in releasing the limiter on both the generator and the boosters. This was a safety precaution sense the reactor was experimental no one new what a full power run could produce. Engineers established the limiter as a safety measure to prevent the MF from running its fusion reactor to critical mass.
The OZ MF charged Bobs killers with blinding speed. The pounding g-forces slammed Marcus body hard against his seat. At maximum Thrust the boosters flared an almost eerie blue white flame. The night wing with the bazooka quickly turned to face the charging OZ frame.
All it managed was to raise its weapon before being cut in two. The pilot did not even have time to feel anything as the frame detonated in midair. The rest of the night wings all flew off, heading for a defensive line where hundreds of Night wings all waited for them. With the drugs full effect working his heart rate was at nearly 400. All he could think of was charging the enemy; all logic or reason had been thrown out the window.
“Is he insane he’s actually charging us” One EAP pilot commented over the radio.
“Wait for him to get into maximum range.” Ordered the EAP commander.
As the OZ Unit charged its boosters flaring inside Marcus screamed on top of his lungs as he could only see the enemy in front of him. Just as he neared them his boosters shut off and the MF unable to glide smashed into the street beneath it. He frantically fought with the controls as he sliced down the street tearing the asphalt apart. As soon as he managed to make the MF stand again a bright warning message flashed indicating he had ran out of fuel.
“Hehe…hehehhe…Hhahahahahah.” Marcus laughed as he hit the booster jettison button. The massive rocket engine backpack fell to the ground with a large smashing sound.
Slamming down on the accelerators the OZ unit ran at the enemy sword in hand.
“All units fire” Screamed the EAP commander and all night wings began shooting at Marcus. As he ran he was able to avoid the initial rounds but soon an artillery shell ripped apart the OZ-054d head, inside the cockpit it switched to an emergency backup camera. A bazooka round then impacted its right leg severely damaging it. As hundreds of bullets ate away at the armor plates. One beam tore through the right arm melting it and severing it at the elbow joint. The giant arm flew off crashing onto the street and creating even more debris. The OZ suit still tried to move forward however a bazooka missile exploded of its torso sending the mobile frame flying backwards and crashing into an office building. Another artillery round disintegrated the right leg completely.
Several more rounds all impacted against the Mobile Frame until the EAP commander called for a cease-fire.