Gundam SEED Fan Fiction ❯ Mobile Suit Gundam SEED: Last Impression ❯ Episode 15: Each Alone ( Chapter 15 )

Location: ZAFT-PLANTs; Aprilius-One colony, Aprilius City

Back in the colony's military HQ, where “RESEARCH AREA-21” was located, a moderate-sized experimental area was found beneath the room, where it contained the YFX-200bp CGUE DEEP Arms w Booster Pack MS, activated. Behind its controls was the masked Vann, who was strapped with his arms folded waiting.

 

In front of him, the CIS displayed the inside interior of the experimental battle area, which was a `blue room' where virtual imaging would take place, mimicking a mock battle.

 

Professor Asimalov's face then appeared on a small pop-up window located on the lower left-hand corner of the center CIS.

 

“Forgive the delays, it seem there was a technical difficulty with the dummy targets. It took my technicians an hour or so to remedy the problem.”

 

Vann shrugged off the professor's apology with his left hand, smiling little at him.

 

“It's understandable, it couldn't be helped. I was fine just relaxing.”

 

“…Ok, everything's set. The test run will commence in 5 seconds. A pop-up display screen will show the countdown in about… now.”

 

On the area's ceiling, a countdown display popped out from above and in view.

 

TEST RUN

YFX-200bp CGUE DEEP Arms w Booster Pack

…5

…4

…3

…2

…1

COMMENCE!

 

In seconds the entire area was illuminated in a mocked battleground of space. Asteroids were spread out all over, with pieces of space debris mixed in. The prototype MS's thrusters activated, as it floated under the influence of zero gravity.

 

“Can you hear me, Vann? For this battleground, it'll be a space setting. And to mimic the real-life setting of it, this area is now on zero gravity, thanks to a gravity system installed in this area,” Professor Asimalov informed, his com-link with the prototype MS still open.

 

“...Interesting… so the test run has started?” the masked ZAFT commander inquired.

 

“Yes. Keep your com-link open at all times, just in case of further announcements from me. Good luck… and show me that you're worthy of the YFX-200bp CGUE DEEP Arms w Booster Pack.”

 

Hovering about, the prototype MS looked around its surroundings, its arms folded. Inside its cockpit, Vann monitored closely the CIS, alert.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Meanwhile in a carefully concealed control room of the experimental battle area, several operators monitored the prototype MS's initial test-run, typing in their keyboard terminals. Pacing behind them with his hands behind his back, Professor Asimalov observed the prototype MS's image displayed on the main screen.

 

“Run the stage 1 program,” he ordered.

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Several target drones popped in view from among the asteroid-debris belt. The prototype MS then quickly dispatched them with a burst of fire from its heavy assault machine guns.

 

Smoke wisped out from their muzzles as the prototype MS let its arms hanging down and holstering its machine guns.

 

Vann shook his head in disappointment.

 

Child's play... I suppose this is a start.

 

Seconds after the thought, more target drones appeared from the asteroid-debris belt, swarming around the prototype MS. In its radar, Vann could make out multiple targets, then bringing up the targeting reticule aiming at each of them, one at a time in rapid succession. He shifted the control sticks, making the prototype MS unsheathing both its heavy swords. Next, the beam blades infused with the metal blades of both heavy swords were lighted up, turning them into beam swords.

 

Vann's eyes focused intently on the swarms of target drones on his CIS. His lips curved little upwards.

 

Let me see what this prototype MS can do, then.

 

The prototype MS then immediately charged past the ones in its front path.

 

-ZOOM-

 

-SHWAK- -SHWAK- -SHWAK-

 

Several explosions erupted, a result of their destruction. The prototype MS quickly shifted to its left, twirling its beam swords before charging past another group of target drones.

 

-ZOOM-

 

-SHWAK- -SHWAK- -SHWAK-

 

Not hesitating to witness their destruction, the prototype MS then threw both its beam swords at two target drones, piercing them upon impact and halting their movements. Electricity cackled all over them from the damage suffered.

 

Next, the prototype MS back-flipped, its thermal cannons fixed at another group of target drones. It brought out its beam rifles, holstered on its ankles, and aimed them to its left and right. The thermal cannons charged for a few seconds before firing off the shot.

 

-PHOOSH-

 

-BLI-

 

With that attack, almost all the target drones were wiped out instantly, leaving behind the pierced ones remaining. The prototype MS flew to them, pulling out its beam swords from their frozen forms and slicing them up into two. It jettisoned back immediately, avoiding their expected explosions.

 

-BOOM-

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Back in the control room, operators started gathering the prototype MS's test data, typing in their terminals. Professor Asimalov stopped pacing around, heading back to his seat on the center of the room. He crossed his legs, pocketing his hands in his lab coat. He dryly grinned, seeming pleased with the prototype MS's performance shown on the main screen so far.

 

“-Chuckle- Initiate the stage 2 program!” he exclaimed.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

The experimental area was then turned into a battlefield setting in Earth. The prototype MS looked around, finding itself on an EA supply base.

 

“First space, then Earth… is this the next run?” Vann wondered. He then realized the gravity in the area had changed as well, mimicking Earth's. The prototype MS's thrusters kicked in, landing down to the ground.

 

Cannon fire greeted it in an instant as it barely touched the ground, targeting the spot the prototype MS was on previously after it boosted backwards avoiding it. It turned to find multiple tanks wheeling out from the base, heading towards the prototype MS.

 

The masked ZAFT commander shrugged his shoulders, gripping tightly the control sticks. He clicked his tongue in annoyance.

 

Humph… tanks are such a bore and old-fashioned.

 

Just then, several missiles trailed towards the prototype MS. Vann felt his senses kicking in, alerting him of them.

 

Behind me!

 

The prototype MS performed a back-flip, turning face around at the missiles. It then started boosting away from them, bringing up its heavy assault machine guns to pepper the projectiles with bullets, spraying its fire in a wide arc to hit all of them.

 

-BA-DA-DA-DA-DA- -BA-DA-DA-DA-DA-

 

-BOOM- -BOOM- -BOOM- -BOOM-

 

Alarms buzzed inside the prototype MS's cockpit, warning its pilot of incoming enemy fire coming from all sides. Vann glanced quickly at his radar, noticing many heat signatures trailing towards him. He lurched the control sticks firmly, prompting the prototype MS to pause and boost up, bringing out its beam rifles. Then, rapid beam fire streaked out from them, trailing towards each of the tanks in succession.

 

-BLI- -BLI- -BLI- -BLI-

 

Hit in succession, the tanks blew up instantly. The prototype MS quickly holstered its beam rifles, replacing them with its heavy assault machine guns. It turned around to see fighter jets zooming past by.

 

So that's where the missiles are coming from.

 

With a hefty boost from its thrusters, the prototype MS met up close with the fighter jets, zooming past and peppering each with bullets.

 

-BA-DA-DA-DA-DA- -BA-DA-DA-DA-DA-

 

The prototype MS left behind a trail of explosions in its path, with its heavy assault machine guns in hand. Smoke wisped out from their muzzles, as it hovered for the moment.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Back in the control room, the operators could hardly contain their amazement and interest in the prototype MS's test run, while they continued with their work.

 

“Woah… he's skilled, man!”

 

“He makes piloting a MS easy, I say.”

 

“Ironically, he's the first test pilot for that MS. Unbelievable!”

 

“He's just cleaning house of the target drones… what else can we deploy against him?”

 

Professor Asimalov's ears perked up by the operators' remarks as he continued monitoring Vann's piloting of the prototype MS on the main screen. He drummed his right fingers on his seat's right armrest, forming his opinions.

 

There's no doubt about it… he's the ideal pilot for the YFX-200bp CGUE DEEP Arms w Booster Pack.

 

“We'll commence the last stage of the test run. Initiate the stage 3 program,” he remarked to his operators, who glanced at him and nodded in reply, complying with his command.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

After dispensing several SAM (Surface-to-Air-Missile) sites around the base, the prototype MS remained still on the ground, switching off its thrusters. Smoke wisped from its experimental armor assault rifles' muzzle, before it holstered them and folded its arms, standing upright amidst the destruction it caused single-handedly.

 

“Tch… out of bullets… there's no use for the machine guns and rifles then,” Vann commented, after checking the prototype MS's weapons status. On the interface screen, the OS was running, showing the remaining weapons left for use.

 

I only have 1 more shot from the thermal cannons. Next, I'm down to the last magazines for the beam rifles. That leaves the heavy swords as my last offense.

 

Professor Asimalov's voice then sounded from the opened com-link.

 

“Remarkable performance, Vann, I see how highly your skills are when it comes to MS.”

 

“-Chuckle- Save the flattery, professor, I'm just doing what's needed.”

 

“Really… anyway, the test run is almost complete. Only one more run left for you to accomplish, that's final.”

 

“…Then precede with it, professor. I don't like to wait very long.”

 

Vann could make out a faint, stifled chuckle from the professor after his reply. He smirked to himself, thinking the professor also added a smirk as well.

 

Within seconds, 5 MS slowly popped up from the ground throughout the base. Vann recognized them as 4 GINNs, along with 1 CGUE. The 4 GINNs were outfitted with heavy assault machine guns and heavy swords, along with the CGUE also, plus with its vulcan-shield system.

 

“Well… a decent challenge at least. I thank you, professor.”

 

“For this last run, you'll be facing 4 GINNs and 1 CGUE. All of them are set in auto-pilot, but are also inputted with the latest combat data gathered so far. Don't expect them to be pushovers… the CGUE is fitted with Commander Rau Le Creuset's combat data, after I received permission from him to obtain it.”

 

“Rau Le Creuset… interesting, I might as well make the best out of this.”

 

“In 5 seconds, they'll start to attack you. Well, good luck.”

 

As soon as the professor's transmission ended, the 4 GINNs immediately engaged the prototype MS, with the CGUE remaining behind as a spectator. Vann noticed the behavioral pattern of the CGUE, taking a mental note.

 

Hmm… it certainly mimics Creuset's style, letting his subordinates do all the fighting. Well, I don't want to disappoint it.

 

The prototype MS's eye flickered a menacing bright red at its targets, as if it was a demon eyeing intently at its foes. Then, it brought up its beam rifles, crossing them over its chest, and stood its ground.

 

2 of the 4 GINNs went for close combat, throwing aside their heavy assault machine guns and unsheathing their heavy swords. They rushed at the prototype MS, both landing an overhead slash.

 

At that instant, the prototype MS whirled into action, delivering a left savage kick to the first GINN's body and knocking it far back. Thanks to an instant boost from its thrusters, it quickly backed away from the second GINN, as its heavy sword landed to the ground, missing its target. Before it could recover its momentum, a well placed shot from the prototype MS's right beam rifle went dead center through its body, destroying it within seconds.

 

The first GINN, regaining balance from the prototype MS's left kick, had its head shot by its left beam rifle, stopping the GINN in its tracks and making it drop its heavy sword before swaying back and forth, with its head then blown off. To end its misery, the prototype MS rushed up to it…

 

-SLICE- -SHWAK-

 

…leaving it sliced in half, with both of its halves explode.

 

-BA-DA-DA-DA-DA- -BA-DA-DA-DA-DA-

 

Machine gunfire from the other 2 GINNs greeted the prototype MS, prompting it to take evasive maneuvers. As it ran around them avoiding their gunfire, it brought up its beam rifles, pulling their triggers.

 

-CLICK- -CLICK-

 

“How unfortunate… out of beam ammo… well, time to get up close and personal,” Vann remarked with a new resolve.

 

The prototype MS threw aside its beam rifles, unsheathing its heavy swords and turning their beam blades on, making them into beam swords. The GINNs continued their futile firing assault, as the prototype MS inched closer and closer. Then, with a sudden boost from its thrusters, it neared them.

 

-SHWAK- -SHWAK-

 

Crouched down on its left leg with its beam swords in hand pointing to the ground, the prototype MS eyed the CGUE. Behind it, the GINNs were sliced in half like the others, but this time vertically. Electricity cackled throughout them, as sparks from their crumbling halves triggered them to explode.

 

-KA-BOOM-

 

The prototype MS stood up, approaching the CGUE slowly, step by step.

 

“Well… will you really fight like Creuset?” Vann asked amusingly, waiting for the CGUE's move.

 

Answering his question, the CGUE immediately boosted away from the prototype MS, triggering the start of the battle. It went into hiding behind one of the base's defaced buildings, with the prototype MS in pursuit. As it approached its hiding spot and peeked warily, a looming shadow was over it.

 

Vann wryly smiled, knowing the answer to his question.

 

The CGUE attempted a surprise overhead slash with its heavy sword. However, the prototype MS then drew up both its beam swords, forcing the two MS in a deadlock. With its left hand, the CGUE had its heavy assault machine gun aimed at the prototype MS's cockpit while being held in the deadlock.

 

The prototype MS applied more pressure on the deadlock, then breaking it and leaving the CGUE staggering back and dropping its guard.

 

In one fluid motion, the prototype MS sliced off both the CGUE's arms, then dancing behind it, forcing it to turn around facing the prototype MS's thermal cannons' end barrels.

 

The CGUE's eye flickered, seeming like it was blinking.

 

“Unfortunately… you're not Creuset,” the masked ZAFT commander commented, pulling the triggers of the control sticks.

 

-PHOOSH-

 

-BOOM-

 

A big explosion erupted, rocking the experimental area.

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In the control room, everyone could feel instant rumbles of the explosion, as the main screen flashed bright white, forcing them to shield their eyes. Waiting a few seconds for the brightness to subside, the main screen showed smoke clearing, revealing the charred form of the prototype MS standing still, its beam swords in hand. Around it was the burnt remains of the auto-pilot MS.

 

The operators' gaping mouths were a sign of their disbelief at the sight before them.

 

Professor Asimalov stood up from his seat, bracing for the worst. Fortunately, it wasn't to be. He let out a sigh of relief deep down, then clapping his hands to get the operators' attention.

 

“Establish com-link with the test pilot!” he bellowed.

 

The operators immediately shook out from their dazed stupor, resuming their work and typing in their terminals.

 

“Com-link established, professor!” one of them reported.

 

“Vann, are you alright?” the professor started.

 

“-Cough- Yes, there's no need for concern. Well, that turned out more than I could bargain for, to say the least,” Vann replied.

 

Several of the operators found the reply amusing, prompting them to stifle their laughter. Professor Asimalov ran his left hand through his hair, blowing its front bangs.

 

“...Well, the test run has turned out to be a success. Deactivate the gravity and background systems at once, operators. Vann, this concludes the test run for the YFX-200bp CGUE DEEP Arms w Booster Pack. Proceed to the nearest exit and park the prototype MS there, and deactivate it.”

 

“Understood… I'm signing off.”

 

With that said, Vann's transmission ended. The professor sat back down on his seat, propping his right arm and hand holding underneath his chin.

 

“Compile all the test run data immediately. I want its results saved in a mini-disk and given to me when completed,” he remarked to the operators, who nodded in reply and continued their assigned tasks.

 

A female secretary walked in the control room, then approaching the professor with a cell-phone in hand, getting his attention.

 

“Sir, there's a call for you, it's urgent.”

 

“I'll take it, thank you. Yes…? Well… it went better than you'd hope for, sir. No, there were no problems encountered, I'll have the results of the test run ready for you soon. When do you need them? I see… I'll make sure of that. Yes sir, that's all, thank you.”

 

The professor ended the call, handing the cell-phone back to his female secretary.

 

“Have all my calls forwarded to my office, Irene. I'll take them from there. I'll be at my office by half an hour.”

 

“Yes sir.”

 

Giving him a polite bow, the professor's secretary named Irene walked off, exiting the control room. The professor let out a tired sigh, closing his eyes.

 

Aile Kato… I'm not to be taken very lightly. I'll make sure of that.