Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Mobile Suit Gundam Fan Fiction / Gundam SEED Fan Fiction ❯ Mobile Suit Gundam Tournament ❯ Countdown To Oblivion ( Chapter 43 )

Episode 43

Countdown To Oblivion

Written By
Mark Moore

Author's note: Welcome to Level 4 of the tournament. This level will be comparatively shorter in length than Level 3 (only 1/2 the length - or 4 episodes). That's a very short sprint. I'm trying to put in a lot more new material from now on. Enjoy the story. Feedback is welcome.

The United States' fourth Gundam match is in two days, and Emma Sheen is nervous and fearful for her life. She is trying to pass the time until the match.

Monday, December 17, 2007, 8:30 AM, Eastern Standard Time

Emma sat at her desk in her and Relena's bedroom.

Emma was looking over the United States' Gundam team's profiles on her laptop:

NAME: MURRUE RAMIUS
RANK: CAPTAIN
OCCUPATION: GUNDAM TEAM LEADER
RACE: CAUCASIAN
DOB: 10/12/1980
AGE: 27
HEIGHT: 170 CM
WEIGHT: 54 KG
HAIR: BROWN
EYES: BROWN
CITIZENSHIP: AMERICAN
BIRTHPLACE: PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
RESIDENCE: TAMPA, FLORIDA

NAME: EMMA SHEEN
RANK: LIEUTENANT
OCCUPATION: GUNDAM PILOT
RACE: CAUCASIAN
DOB: 02/03/1983
AGE: 24
HEIGHT: 165 CM
WEIGHT: 49 KG
HAIR: BROWN
EYES: GREEN
CITIZENSHIP: AMERICAN
BIRTHPLACE: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
RESIDENCE: TAMPA, FLORIDA
WINS: 3
LOSSES: 0

NAME: LUNAMARIA HAWKE
RANK: LIEUTENANT
OCCUPATION: GUNDAM TEST PILOT
RACE: CAUCASIAN
DOB: 07/26/1989
AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 164 CM
WEIGHT: 46 KG
HAIR: RED
EYES: PURPLE
CITIZENSHIP: AMERICAN
BIRTHPLACE: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK
RESIDENCE: TAMPA, FLORIDA

NAME: NINA PURPLETON
RANK: LIEUTENANT
OCCUPATION: GUNDAM HEAD ENGINEER
RACE: CAUCASIAN
DOB: 01/05/1986
AGE: 21
HEIGHT: 165 CM
WEIGHT: 49 KG
HAIR: BLONDE
EYES: BLUE
CITIZENSHIP: AMERICAN
BIRTHPLACE: ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA
RESIDENCE: TAMPA, FLORIDA

NAME: LUCETTE AUDEVIE
RANK: LIEUTENANT
OCCUPATION: GUNDAM ENGINEER
RACE: CAUCASIAN
DOB: 10/15/1985
AGE: 22
HEIGHT: 165 CM
WEIGHT: 49 KG
HAIR: BROWN
EYES: BLUE
CITIZENSHIP: AMERICAN
BIRTHPLACE: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
RESIDENCE: TAMPA, FLORIDA

NAME: MATILDA AJAN
RANK: LIEUTENANT
OCCUPATION: SECURITY OFFICER
RACE: CAUCASIAN
DOB: 09/12/1980
AGE: 27
HEIGHT: 165 CM
WEIGHT: 49 KG
HAIR: RED
EYES: BLACK
CITIZENSHIP: AMERICAN
BIRTHPLACE: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
RESIDENCE: TAMPA, FLORIDA

NAME: RELENA PEACECRAFT
RANK: ENSIGN
OCCUPATION: MORAL SUPPORT / GUNDAM PILOT-IN-TRAINING
RACE: CAUCASIAN
DOB: 04/07/1989
AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 154 CM
WEIGHT: 38 KG
HAIR: BROWN
EYES: BLUE
CITIZENSHIP: AMERICAN
BIRTHPLACE: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
RESIDENCE: TAMPA, FLORIDA

Relena walked into the bedroom.

"Emma."

Emma looked at her. "Yeah?"

"The rest of the team is here. They want to have a meeting right now.

Emma nodded and shut down her laptop.

Emma and Relena walked downstairs.

Murrue, Sally, Nina, Lucette, Lunamaria, Karen, Matilda, Sayla, Fraw, and Dorothy were standing in the living room.

"Sir, what brings you here at this hour?" Emma asked.

"Emma, I want you to know that I was on the phone with Iran since early morning, trying to convince them to let us hold the match here, but they refused. They said they want to defeat the 'American infidels' on their own soil. I'm sorry, Emma."

"That's okay, sir. Thank you for trying."

Lunamaria looked at Emma. "Emma, say the word, and I'll fight this match for you. I'll absolve you of all responsibility."

Emma looked at Lunamaria and thought for a moment. "I'll keep it in mind. Thanks, Lunamaria."

"Sally, Nina, Lucette, Dorothy, and I are going to Anaheim Electronics' headquarters to pick up Shining Blue Fire. Practice in the simulator until we return, Emma. Then Sally and I will supervise a live exercise."

"Yes, sir."

In Anaheim, California, Murrue, Sally, Nina, Lucette, and Dorothy walked into the reception area on the first floor of the headquarters of Anaheim Electronics.

They walked over to a man sitting at a desk.

Nina smiled. "Hi. We're here to pick up Shining Blue Fire."

The receptionist smiled. "Yes, Ms. Purpleton, the girls are expecting you! I'll let them know you're here!"

The women walked into a large office filled with desks.

Women were busy typing on computers.

Nina smiled. "Hi, everyone!"

"Hi!" Lucette added, smiling.

The women sitting in the room stood up and ran over to Nina and Lucette.

"Do you ladies have something awesome for us?" Murrue asked.

"Yeah!" the women cheered.

Murrue, Sally, Emma, Relena, Matilda, Sayla, Fraw, Nina, Lucette, Dorothy, Karen, and Lunamaria gathered on a dirt road next to a power transmission substation. The United States' and United Kingdom's Gundams were also there. A console and elevator were set up by each Gundam.

Murrue looked at Emma. "All right, Emma, you wanted it; you got it. Let's see how well that you do in a live exercise."

Sally looked at Sayla. "Ready, Sayla?"

Sayla smiled. "Yes, sir."

Emma smiled at Sayla. "Good luck."

Sayla smiled at Emma. "You, too."

Emma walked into her elevator and pressed a button.

She rode up to the chest level of her Gundam.

Emma got into the cockpit and fastened her seatbelt.

"Power on!" Nina called.

Emma pressed the Power button, turning the Gundam on. The Gundam's eyes glowed blue.

"Can you hear me?" Nina asked.

Emma now heard Nina's voice through the cockpit's speaker.

"Yes."

"Okay. Close the cockpit."

Emma pressed a button. The cockpit closed.

Sayla walked into her own elevator and pressed a button.

She rode up to the chest level of her Gundam.

Sayla got into the cockpit and fastened her seatbelt.

"Power on!" Dorothy called.

Sayla pressed the Power button, turning the Gundam on. The Gundam's eyes glowed blue.

"Can you hear me?" Dorothy asked.

Sayla now heard Dorothy's voice through the cockpit's speaker.

"Yes."

"Okay. Close the cockpit."

Sayla pressed a button. The cockpit closed.

"Don't fuck up the Gundams too much!" Murrue yelled. "Fight!"

Emma moved her Gundam forward. She swung the left arm at Sayla's Gundam. Sayla jumped and avoided the attack. Emma jumped and fired her beam rifle. The blasts hit Sayla's Gundam repeatedly. Emma then kicked Sayla's Gundam three times with her Gundam's right leg.

"Overheating!" the simulated male voice of Sayla's Gundam declared.

Emma knew that she had caused damage to Sayla's Gundam. She activated her Gundam's thrusters and flew the Gundam into the sky. She fired at Sayla's Gundam with her beam rifle.

"Not enough power!" the simulated male voice of Emma's Gundam declared.

Emma's Gundam landed back on the dock. The Gundam didn't have enough power for long flights and had to recharge.

Sayla came at Emma and kicked her Gundam ten times with her Gundam's left leg.

"Overheating!" the simulated male voice of Emma's Gundam declared.

Emma punched Sayla's Gundam three times with her Gundam's right fist. Then she kicked it three times with her Gundam's right leg.

"Overheating!" the simulated male voice of Sayla's Gundam declared.

Sayla fired her beam rifle. The blasts hit Emma's Gundam repeatedly.

"Overheating!" the simulated male voice of Emma's Gundam declared.

Emma kicked Sayla's Gundam five times with her Gundam's right leg.

"Checkmate!" the simulated male voice of Sayla's Gundam declared.

Sayla's Gundam fell down.

"Emma is the winner!" Murrue declared proudly.

Emma shut off her Gundam. The blue glow in the Gundam's eyes disappeared.

Emma opened the cockpit and got out of it and into her elevator.

Emma rode the elevator down to the ground.

Emma walked out of the elevator.

Sayla shut off her Gundam. The blue glow in the Gundam's eyes disappeared.

Sayla opened the cockpit and got out of it and into her elevator.

Sayla rode the elevator down to the ground.

Sayla walked out of the elevator.

Emma smiled at Sayla. "Good match, Sayla."

Sayla smiled at Emma. "Thanks, Emma. Congratulations."

Murrue smiled at Emma. "Well done, Emma. All right, let's get back to the base. We're gonna install Shining Blue Fire and show you how it works."

Mobile Suit Gundam Tournament

Mobile Suit Gundam Tournament

Murrue, Sally, Emma, Relena, Matilda, Sayla, Fraw, Nina, Lucette, Dorothy, Karen, and Lunamaria gathered in the hangar. Emma was sitting in the cockpit of her Gundam. The rest of the women were standing on the platform. Nina, Lucette, and Dorothy were standing by the consoles.

"Okay, Emma, you should see an option on your computer console that says 'Shining Blue Fire'."

Emma looked. "Got it, Nina."

"Press it."

Emma touched the option on her screen.

Panels on the arms of the Gundam slid open. Missiles rose out of the arms of the Gundam.

"There should now be a 'Missile' option."

Emma looked. "Yeah."

"Don't press it."

"I wasn't planning on it."

"The missile system is now online. When you press that option, the quark-gluon plasma will be created in a chamber in the missiles. 1/10th of a second later, the missiles will fire."

"You're sure about that?" Emma asked.

"Well, it's worked in all of the simulations."

"You haven't tested it yet?!" Emma asked, shocked.

"Where? On the moon?" Nina asked. "Now, shut up and let me finish the explanation. The missiles' flight will be aided by the plasma's attraction to the opposing Gundam's electromagnetic field. It's pretty much a can't-miss situation."

Emma raised an eyebrow. "Pretty much?"

"Yeah. Just don't fire the missiles around any other electrical items...or...anything at all."

"Well, we'll be fighting in the desert, but what happens if the fight moves into a city, and I have to use the missiles?"

Nina hesitated for a moment. "Bad things will come about."

"I think that deserves an elaboration."

Murrue smiled in amusement. "I hate to cut this short, but we've gotta get to Iran. Emma, you leave tomorrow morning. Let's get to it, girls."

Murrue, Sally, Nina, Lucette, Dorothy, Karen, and Lunamaria were standing in the special, massive airplane that was transporting them and the Gundam. They were currently en route to Iran.

Nina, Lucette, Dorothy, Karen, and Lunamaria were standing at a console, testing the Gundam. Sally was watching them. Murrue was on a cell phone.

"Yes, Mr. President." Murrue turned off her phone and put it in a pocket. "Nina. Lucette. Lunamaria."

Nina, Lucette, and Lunamaria stopped their work and looked at Murrue.

"I just got off of the phone with the President. I pretty much guaranteed him a victory on Wednesday. Is everything ready?"

Nina smiled. "The Gundam is in better shape than it was before our third match."

"And our pilot?" Murrue asked.

Lunamaria frowned. "She's genuinely scared."

"You think it'll be a problem?" Murrue asked her.

"I don't know. I'll take over, if need be, sir."

"Thank you, Lunamaria."

Emma, Relena, Matilda, Sayla, and Fraw were sitting on the couches in Emma and Relena's living room.

Matilda looked at Emma and smiled. "That was a wonderful dinner, Emma."

Emma smiled weakly. "Thanks, Matilda."

Sayla looked at Emma. "I know what you're feeling right now, Emma. I felt it, too."

Emma looked at Sayla. "I suppose I'll just have to do my best and hope for the best - but prepare for the worst."

Relena looked at Emma. "Is that your only option?"

Emma looked at Relena. "Well, Lunamaria could take over."

"So let her."

"Part of me wants to, but another part of me doesn't want to be responsible for whatever would happen to her."

"You don't get it; do you?" Relena asked her.

Fraw stood up. "That's our cue to take a shower. C'mon, girls."

Sayla and Matilda stood up and followed Fraw upstairs.

Emma stood up. "What don't I get? If you mean the danger, I get it. Trust me. I get it."

Relena stood up. "That's not what I meant."

"So what are you saying?" Emma demanded.

"You can't win!" Relena cried.

Emma grew angry, then she curtly nodded, turned, walked over to the front door, opened it, and walked outside.

Relena felt ashamed at herself but made no attempt to stop Emma. She simply watched her go.

Emma hopped into her yellow convertible, put the key into the ignition, started the engine, fastened her seatbelt, put the car in reverse, turned the car around a bit, put the car in drive, and drove onto the street.

"Oblivion" by MIO started playing on the radio.

As Emma listened to the song and drove off into the night, she got lost in thought.

October 5, 2007

Vladimir moved his Gundam forward and punched Iran's Gundam with its right fist. Iran's Gundam was knocked back a bit.

Ali made his Gundam jump into the air, then he fired at Russia's Gundam with the beam rifle in its left hand. The shots hit Russia's Gundam repeatedly.

Ali fired his Gundam's beam rifle repeatedly, hitting Russia's Gundam over and over again.

Ali extended his Gundam's arms and grabbed hold of Russia's Gundam. He activated his Gundam's thrusters and flew his Gundam into the sky.

When they were over the water, Ali let go.

Vladimir pressed the Eject button. His Gundam's cockpit opened, and his chair was fired out of the cockpit area. He opened his parachute.

Russia's Gundam fell into the Moskva River.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Ali moved his Gundam forward and punched Poland's Gundam with its right fist. Poland's Gundam was knocked back a bit.

Ali made his Gundam jump into the air, then he fired at Poland's Gundam with the beam rifle in its left hand. The shots hit Poland's Gundam repeatedly.

Panels on the arms of Ali's Gundam slid open.

Lech fired his Gundam's beam rifle. Ali made his Gundam fly into the air and dodged the blast.

Missiles rose out of the arms of Ali's Gundam.

Ali fired the missiles directly at the cockpit of Poland's Gundam.

The missiles impacted.

Poland's Gundam exploded.

Ali's Gundam landed back on the street.

Friday, December 7, 2007

Ali moved his Gundam forward and punched Sayla's Gundam with its right fist. Sayla's Gundam was knocked back a bit.

Ali made his Gundam jump into the air, then he fired at Sayla's Gundam with the beam rifle in its left hand. The shots hit Sayla's Gundam repeatedly.

Ali's Gundam landed back on the street.

Sayla fired her Gundam's beam rifle. The shots hit Ali's Gundam repeatedly.

Sayla selected the MISSILE option on her Gundam's computer console.

Panels on the arms of Sayla's Gundam slid open, and the missiles rose out of the arms.

Ali made his Gundam run at Sayla. Sayla made her Gundam jump backwards.

Ali made his Gundam lunge at Sayla. He picked up her Gundam and threw it at the Victoria Memorial. Sayla's Gundam landed on the angel statues, destroying them.

Sayla used her thrusters to balance her Gundam on top of the remaining part of the memorial and prevented it from falling over.

Panels on the arms of Ali's Gundam slid open.

Sayla fired her Gundam's missiles. Ali made his Gundam fly into the air and dodged the blast.

Missiles rose out of the arms of Ali's Gundam.

Sayla pressed the EJECT button on her console.

The cockpit opened.

Sayla and her seat were ejected from her Gundam.

Sayla deployed her parachute and landed gently on the street.

Ali's Gundam landed back on the street.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007, 12:05 AM, Eastern Standard Time

Emma walked into her and Relena's bedroom.

Relena was sitting in bed, not doing anything. She was worried.

Relena looked at Emma.

Emma stared at Relena, uncertain of what to say.

Relena felt ashamed of herself. "I'm sorry, Emma. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you."

"It's okay, sweetie. I went out, drove around, and did some thinking. I really don't know what I'm gonna do. I'm so scared."

"I'm scared, too. I don't wanna lose you."

Emma sat to Relena's right on the bed.

A moment of silence passed between them.

Emma kissed Relena on the lips.

The 2 women hugged each other.

Emma finished the kiss. "I wish I could say 'You're not going to lose me'. Relena, the truth is I have never felt so nervous, confused, or burdened. I need...I need to be with you...and feel you...and be nourished by you."

Relena pulled back and unbuttoned her pajama top, exposing her breasts.

"Thank you."

Emma lowered her head and took Relena's right nipple into her mouth.

Relena placed her hands on the back of Emma's head.

Emma sucked on Relena's nipple. She felt Relena's breast against her face. It gave her a warmth that she'd been lacking on this night.

Relena was content to let Emma suckle at her breasts for long as she needed. She gently ran her hands through Emma's hair and looked at Emma with love.

Emma put a duffel bag on the bed and opened it.

Then she got a clean uniform and put it into the bag.

She also got a toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste, a box of dental floss, a small bottle of mouthwash, a small can of deodorant spray, a small bar of soap, and a small bottle of shampoo from the bathroom and put them into the bag.

Emma zipped the bag closed.

Relena and Matilda each got a duffel bag, put it on the bed, and opened it.

"Don't worry about the hygiene stuff. I already packed it."

Relena smiled. "Okay."

Matilda smiled. "Okay."

Relena and Matilda each got a fresh set of clothes and put them into the bags.

They zipped the bags closed.

Emma checked her watch. "We should get to the base and board the plane."

Emma, Relena, and Matilda walked out of their bedroom and walked downstairs.

Sayla and Fraw were in the living room. Each woman zipped her own duffel bag closed of the couch.

"Ready?" Emma asked.

Sayla looked at Emma. "Not really."

"We gonna leave now?" Fraw asked.

Emma looked at Fraw. "I really don't want to."

"Scared?" Sayla asked.

Emma looked at Sayla. "Yeah."

There was silence for a moment.

Suddenly, Sayla had an idea and grinned. "I've got it!"

Emma was confused. "You've got what?"

"A solution to your worries!" Sayla exclaimed. "It's crazy, but it might work! Let's get to the base!"

Murrue, Sally, Nina, Lucette, Lunamaria, Karen, and Dorothy rode in a military vehicle to the location of the match. A truck followed them, carrying the Gundam.

After Murrue, Sally, Nina, Lucette, Lunamaria, Karen, and Dorothy got out of the vehicle, they stood and watched as the Gundam was unloaded from the truck and placed in an upright position. Then computer consoles and an elevator shaft were set up near the Gundam. Iran's Gundam stood across from their own, covered with canvas.

Nina turned on the consoles and checked the readings. "Everything seems to be working just fine. The consoles are interfacing with the Gundam's systems. Lunamaria, please go up there."

Lunamaria walked over to the elevator shaft and got into the elevator. She pressed a button. The elevator rose and stopped at the Gundam's chest area. Lunamaria opened the cockpit and climbed in.

"Power on!" Nina called.

Lunamaria pressed a button and turned on the Gundam. The Gundam's eyes glowed blue.

Lucette checked the readings on the console. "We've got a 100% signal. Good. Radio on!"

Lunamaria turned on her radio.

"Can you hear me?" Lucette asked Lunamaria.

"Yeah. Can you hear me?"

"Yeah." Lucette looked at Murrue. "We're going to do some system checks."

Murrue nodded. "I just wish we had more time. Fucking Iranian bureaucracy."

Dorothy smiled. "Well, we've got the rest of the day to make sure that everything in top shape."

Lucette smiled. "Let's get to it."

Murrue checked her watch. "Emma and Relena have probably left for the base by now. Let's hope that Emma has trained enough."

The United States' fourth Gundam match is here. Emma Sheen is uncertain of the outcome. Will she be able to defeat the Iranian pilot and keep the United States in the tournament? For that matter, will she stay alive?

Next on "Mobile Suit Gundam Tournament":

"Level 4, Match 1"

You will race with the tide.