Stage 24 - A Stategic Conclave

Gaojinizer- Stage 24

A Strategic Conclave

The city of Bogota was bustling with activity as one would expect, though, even more so than usual. The buzzing of those who swarmed the city's streets like wasps seemed to be more agitated today. Especially with the arrival of major figures, in a meeting which could very well decide the future of the human species as a whole. The UFE’s Bogota HQ, the regional one for South America, was built around a central meeting chamber. Rings of seats with gradually decreasing numbers, until the very center, where there were only five. The seats were all filled with generals, civilian government members.

Within the hallowed halls, the Pilots of the Machina walked across the sterile tile floors.

“Seems we hit it big if they're letting us in places this important…” joining them were Kyndal, Lucas, and Kyoko.

“You got that right. We Might even become known as heroes, isn't that right, Lucas?” heroes… his fist clenched at the mention of that word, especially in the context of those five, but he decided to bite his tongue, though this didn't exactly go unnoticed. Though, it did to one, who had her face buried into a book, eyes moving across blueprints, making calculations and marking sown ideas with strokes of her pen.

“As long as I get more info on how the Machina works, or some more tinkering tools to work with, I'm fine with anything…” A response by no means unexpected.

“You and your machines… Apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, from what you told me.” Takeshi responded.

“I suppose not…” As the woman trailed off, and began to look up, the surprised expressions of those around her, those who knew of their usual antics, at least, she tilted her head in confusion, as As Takeshi raised an eyebrow.

“What are you all looking at?” Them speaking in unison, however, was enough to silence them, if for a moment, where that came from, they did not know. Though, it seemed that a different figure had appeared to draw their attention away from this, a man with an ornately decorated officers dress filled with medals, and ribbons. His presence alone enough to make them all stop in their tracks, after all, his face was a well known one… The supreme Commander of the UFE himself. Walking with him were his aides, other commanders, civilian journalists who had simply come to observe the beginnings of the meeting, though, obviously, they wouldn't be allowed to record or be there for its contents.

“Takeshi Inoue, Andrew Howard, Han Chen, Prince Diederick, Haemon Florakis, your escapades on the battlefields have made it to my ears a lot in these past months. The stopping of a new occupation form from zoning, and dismantling another? You are truly deserving of praise…”

The man extended his hand, apparently offering a shake. Though tentatively, Takeshi took it. Soon enough, the flashes of cameras were heard time and time again. Just what was going on? The supreme commander himself appearing to them? Though, he stepped toward Kyoko, offering his hand as well, which alone was enough for her to look up from her book, straightening up as she took it in return.

“Of course, the engineer that keeps those machines fighting must not be forgotten. You have a bright future ahead of you.” The woman, despite her usual fire, seemed to only nod, nervousness having taken her.. But it seemed that as soon as he had arrived, he was already gone, making his way down the hallway once more… To those observing this scene, it seemed that two different opinions had formed in their conversations. That this was positive, and the Supreme commander was being genuine, or that the young ones would be used as tools to increase morale. Asani Igwe was, in many ways, a hard man to read. Today, it seemed no different… Hours would pass, and eventually, pilots of the Juzumaru and Artemis would filter into the central meeting chamber, and with them, were officers from all corners of the world. Including the central four, the most influential individual members of the UFE. Japan’s General Watanabe, Who Takeshi did not know well, but indeed led to him enlisting, was among them, To no surprise, Asani Igwe was as well. To watanabe’s left, there was Marshal Zou Bai, of the Sino-Thai Alliance. A man with a single braid reaching down to his back, a clean-shaven, yet angular, sharp chin, showed his age. Next, A woman with brown hair and Blue eyes. Her lithe form draped in the Officer’s dress of the Bela-russian Federation’s Navy. Buttoned down, and ornately decorated. Admiral Zhenya Mikhaylova. And beside her, was Admiral Fredrick cross of the Collective, a man of graying hair, which still managed to reach his back. Asani Igwe stood in the center of the circle, a podium raised above them all…

“Now then. Our purpose here is clear… It is time to break Garsalan Orbital Supremacy, as to keep important locations on earth from being attacked any longer. You all know of its name by now, Operation Orion’s Blade…”

Some chatters seemed to begin running through the room at the simple mention of the name. Break through orbital supremacy? They’d been successful in their battles thus far, but were they anywhere near ready to do so? One of those in the crowd, a general known as Silvana Salles Bastos.

“Ground combat is something we’re experienced with. But even back then, we were in our infancy in terms of space combat. We converted cargo ships, we didn't make use of dedicated warships…”

“Your concerns are not unfounded, but a solution to this issue has been put in place.”

Within moments, a holographic display appeared in the center of the room, displaying a vessel that seemed much unlike that of the Garsalan. There were no turrets to be found, rather, the guns were integrated into the rectangular shape of the ship. , the starboard, front, and forward lined with what looked to be holes,but were indeed barrels. Covalon Beams, and Railguns alike. While not as large as the largest Garsalan ships, in comparison to those fielded previously, gigantic, 600 meters in length. Something that led to surprise spreading throughout the room.

“What manner of ship is that?!”

“When was it built?”

“A new class of Garsalan Vessel?”

Eventually, Asani put his hand up, signaling for the crowd to quiet down, and that it did.

“This is the Victory class cruiser… Over time, our researchers have been able to collect data from wrecks of Garsalan Ships, and Vanguard Armors, and this is the culmination of that, Humanity’s first true Space Warship…” As the Marshal Finished, Zhenya spoke next.

“We have a facility dedicated to producing them, and we’ll be able to begin transferring our most experienced crews to those being built, but until they are finished, we are beginning to outfit our ships with new armor based on the enemy’s material science, and new weaponry as well.” Soon enough, Admiral Fredrick cross stood to his feet, as the display changed once more, the graphic shown being that of earth, which, was surrounded by what looked to be a red sphere, of sorts, lined with individual dots, space stations, and the ships which surrounded them.

“Our enemy has constructed an orbital defense grid to keep us from launching. Our goal is to puncture that with a spearhead. Consisting of the Machina and the Juzumaru, and a force of 130 other ships… This will be a large undertaking, without a doubt, but a needed one. As we break through, we will begin to spread through the Solar system once more, and check upon the status of the colonies, to see if they are still there. While further forces from the homeworld will clean up the scattered Garsalan, if everything goes right…” The revelations brought to them were surprising ones, without a doubt, especially given the chatters that were taking place.

“The operation will begin in five days time, use that time to continue your preparations…” With this, Asani began to exit the room.

…

General Watanabe and Colonel Ryo, it was common to see these two together. After all, Ryo was his aide.

“What do you think, General? Will this plan succeed?” Ryo questioned.

“If nothing else, Asani Igwe is a good tactician and strategist alike… Its a radical change in our strategy, but that's likely what’s needed.” Their walk came to a halt, as they took note of who’d been waiting for them. Takeshi Inoue leaned on the wall, hands shoved in his pocket, reminiscent of how he would have during his neo-tokyo days. But, unlike then, there was no smile to be seen, rather, only a frown.

“... So… I’ve heard some very interesting things that relate to the Gaojinizer… A coup of the UFE, huh?”

“... The July 12th incident. I assume Moreau the swift told you of it.”

“He did… My question is why I didn’t know of it until then…” As they spoke, another began to walk into the same hallway. Kyoko had always looked up to Colonel Ryo, it only made sense to come and see him-

“Your statements are unfounded, based in opinion, not fact…”

“Screw that! I want an answer, are the ones involved still hiding out, and were you two involved?!” Where they involved… What could he be asking… At that moment, it came to her. To accuse them of that?! Kyoko’s feet moved quicker than they had in a while, as she put herself between them.

“Who are you to just claim that out of nowhere?!”

“I’m not claiming anything, I’m asking a question! They were there during that time, and from what I've heard, not everyone involved was found. Shouldn’t all of these questions be asked?!” The argument seemed to cease for a second if only because the two seemed to be leaving… Takeshi turned his back on Kyoko, as he spoke once more.

“Oi…”

The two stopped, even if for just a moment.

“I have no evidence now… But I don’t trust you. Once this is all over, I’ll be watching you two like a hawk. You heard?”

They did not respond to this, only continuing to walk. As they turned the corner, the machina pilots did as well, given their expressions, they’d heard the argument take place. While Takeshi received nods of solidarity from them, from Kyoko, he received only a fiery glare, as she walked away, saying no more. Yet again, it seemed a rift had appeared between the two. And this was not only shared by them. The HQ itself sat on a peak overlooking bogota. Where Luccas currently stood was a rocky outcropping, lined with binoculars, and fences to prevent a fall. Though, this usually popular spot remained strangely empty, outside of him. The slow sound of footsteps brought his attention from the city below, to his old friend coming to stand behind him.

“Kyndal…”

“Lucas… I’m going to make this brief. This needs to stop?”

The man looked forward once more.

“What needs to stop… I don’t know what you’re talking-” He began, but was cut off within moments.

“Don’t play dumb, Lucas… That attack came out of nowhere, there was nothing they could have done!” Kyndal shouted in response.

“... And who are we supposed to blame, they’re supposed to be this elite, praised force. And they couldn’t even do anything when it mattered most?!”

“Who else but the ones who dropped the bomb in the first place! I’m as angry about this as you are, but this isn’t the way to go about things!” It seemed that was enough to silence him… Though, given how his expression remained unchanged, and no words, apologetic or otherwise came from his mouth. If that was anything to go by, then his stance hadn’t been changed, only a decision to disengage was made…

Days passed, and the forces of the UFE continued to amass in the equatorial regions, where mass drivers had been subtly placed. Warships, and the cargo ships which carried living essentials were needed as well. Not to mention the undertaking that was retrofitting the ships themselves… To say the least, though somewhat Jubilant, the mood across the world was tense, what would the result of their attack be? Had those roaches somehow managed to catch wind? These questions and more had managed to make The Juzumaru and Artemis more somber in their moods… An idea from Kanta somewhat helped in this regard. The common room was filled with decoration, all marked happy birthday. A large cake remained in the center, while Moussaka, a favorite in a certain pilot’s homeland, and his favorite dish, sat there as well.

“Happy Birthday!” Those in the room shouted with glee, aside from one who was dragged there, standing in his own corner of the room, Lucas.

“Thanks, you all… What gave you all this idea in the first place?”

“We’ve been friends for years, of course, i wouldn’t forget your birthday, Especially your 18th.” Eventually, Han stepped beside the two, draping an arm over Haemon’s shoulder.

“Yup, We never would have known if Drew’ Didn’t tell us, Luckily, we have a great chef in our midst-” Though Han attempted to slide to Kanta’s side, he found Rakesh standing in his way, try as he might to get around him. Regardless, this had seemingly restored morale among them to some extent, even if one refused to engage. Though, that was not to say the pre-battle jitters had disappeared. After all, what could very well be the turning point was about to come. And its success depended upon them… Yet, even if they were scared, they had no desire to run. With what they had lost, and the losses they could prevent, to do so would be against what they stood for….