Frozen Teardrop Chapter 9 - II
continuing Chapter 9...
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(p. 306)
Zechs' Epyon caused a series of loops in a shape of an 8 called "Cuban 8"
Wufei's Nataku closes in.
No matter at how much speed he orbits, ZERO will be able to read it.
Epyon's heat rod drew a big loop and caused a deep scratch on Nataku's shield.
I'm surprised to see that "Cuban 8" in a battle of speed between heavy mobile armors.
The three-headed pterosaur, that had been controlling this speed battle so far, tearing off its wings has the same significance (eg with Epyon when it rid off its wing a while ago)
It will be a burden to swerve against air resistance.
When I thought that continuing this air battle is impossible as Nataku spins and falls.
But, Epyon also falls at the same time.
It seems I misjudged that instant happening.
When they approach closer again, Wufei, with his persistent fighting spirit, freed the beam trident and splendidly pierced through Epyon's chest.
Cutting the flesh and severing the bones as they call it, this is indeed Wufei's way of fighting.
In this air battle, it's Wufei's overwhelming victory.
Both machines transformed into their mobile suits forms above ground before they crash, and stood on the land.
It's weird to think that there are two Gundams named "Epyon" at that place.
Though one is a heavily-armored suit and the other one a flexibly delicate suit, the image carries something contrastive.
While equipped with rustic dragon fangs, Epyon White is toned stylishly with white and blue colors -- Wufei's Nataku.
And---
The sinister black suit, in which the right arm grips a large sword and fires a green light beam that gives an impression of a beautiful, wondrous aurora. In its green-colored left arm is a heat rod burning red like a star, and a crimson rose-colored dainty shield --Zechs' Epyon. That left arm is green-colored because it was replaced with new parts as it was cut down by Wing Gundam during the EVE WARS.
That chest to the left shoulder that was pierced by Nataku a while ago still sparks.
Zechs' Epyon's large beam sword thrusts the land, and Wufei's Nataku disconnects the beam trident from from its chest.
That's actually a haughty act.
Before the battle starts, they intend to get rid of their weapon's handicaps, like how probing into each other's intentions and tactics were everything in the air battle a while ago. It was a fair conduct.
Zechs' Epyon carries a strong impression of not minding the degree of damage it has.
"Why does Zechs Merquise behaves like that?"
Kathy asked me.
The uplifting tune ended.
"Because it's Zechs."
The coffee became considerably lukewarm.
"But you did say that Zechs Merquise is not the Zechs of the Specials, didn't you?"
Without drinking the remaining coffee, I put down the mug on the nearby table.
"That's right...though it's not the real Zechs, the methods, even the actions, are Zechs in the past."
Meanwhile, Wufei's Nataku firmly grips its beam trident, and twirls it overhead. He's full of zeal and fighting spirit, as he aim for his prey.
It's as if I heard Wufei's fervent screams filled with his fighting spirit inside the cockpit.
As for Epyon, it's calm as it observes his enemy silently.
The air battle ended but it's still unknown who will win or lose.
I can feel as if the two machines continue to glare at each other as they confront.
Both of them are measuring the timing of their enemy's movement.
The first one who moved was---
Epyon.
The scorching heat rod moved advantagedly in that distance of the two confronting airframes.
That thing looked like a giant snake on screen as it once again sharply pierce through.
Wufei's Nataku leaped back a step behind.
Then, it immediately closes in and swings the beam trident downwards.
But, the heat rod once again dodged the swing of the beam trident like a whip and wrapped around its hilt to prevent its next movement.
If me and my partner are in such a situation, I'll jump into the enemy before the heat rod will wrap around beam scythe. If we get into an infighting, that long rod will be useless. After which will it be settled if death scythe will be able to cut through it.
But this is Wufei I'm talking about.
On the contrary, it moved half a step backward, and keep its beam trident at a distance.
Epyon's heat rod stretched completely in a straight line.
Then, Nataku positions its right arm's dragon fang ahead that straight line and fires.
It's more risky than my own way of fighting but Wufei's decision is correct.
I thought it will hit him directly.
But, Zechs' Epyon dodged it.
As if ZERO predicted that attack, it swings down its large beam sword.
It's the attack that brings down the space fort Barge in the past.
It had a tremendous destructive power.
Wufei, having dauntless courage, without hesitating in this absolute crisis, courageously attacked.
Immediately propelling the shoulder vernier to push upwards and attacks with the beam trident.
There were flashes of light--
Nataku's beam trident and Epryon's beam sword clashes.
If this collision happened in space where there is no gravity, Wufei's tactics will be doomed for sure.
If you consider the loss of Epyon's vernier tank, Nataku has more power.
However, Epyon's momentum is intense.
Igniting the remaining vernier and using Mars' gravity, it forcibly breaks Nataku's beam trident.
Wufei's Nataku collapsed face up on the land.
The time to jump in between several seconds might have been too fast. He lost the maximum output for him to jostle. At this point, Wufei's bravery became unfavorable.
Epyon attacked to hang over, swinging its sword against Nataku.
Nataku blocked it with its scratched shield, returned the attack with the beam trident, decisively bombarding their short distance with its dragon fang.
ZERO also predicted those attacks. While skillfully avoiding the combination attack of the trident and beam cannon, Epyon intends to bring the fight into a hand-to-hand combat.
In this close combat, it's amazing that it evades Nataku's fatal blows so far.
Even so, for this armored suit that was able to evade thinly, those scratches multiply.
There are no more traces of its shield, and it became tattered.
If he doesn't withdraw once here and tear himself away from the current situation, Epyon will mercilessly attack him and come dashing unto him.
It will only be a matter of time before the final blow defeats him.
"But how will he...what should he do to escape such situation?"
I murmured.
Kathy said something unusual from those words
"Master Chang...start up"
"What?"
"Please start up ZERO system"
She said as if strongly wishing.
Unfortunately, I don't think that's possible.
Indeed, that's the only breakthrough solution.
But, no matter what the situation is, that guy only fights using his own strength.
"You should believe in it."
There was conviction in Kathy's eyes.
"Why did you give Nataku as that suit's codename?"
She strongly said.
My impression of her changed.
For this girl who only knew little of the world to declare such proposal with strength handed over by his mother, is as expected from her vicarious experience from the series of files during the AC era.
Time passed, I did not miss the moment the "battle analysis sphere" at Nataku's chest illuminates from green to red.
"T-that guy..."
I have no idea what kind of mental state did he change to.
But it's a fact that Nataku operates with its true ability which is the ZERO system.
At first, there's that fear whether he will make it in time.
But, it was an unnecessary concern.
His movements speed up.
Moreover, the hit accuracy of its dragon fang's beam cannon improved.
It concentrated its target to Epyon's damaged left shoulder.
Perhaps it's cowardice for a warrior, but it is a natural act for a soldier whose survival is at risk.
He attacked flinging off his self-respect.
No, it's actually more appropriate to say that it's an efficient attack.
He counterattacks and defends at the same time, and for that purpose, he caused his enemy's offensive and defensive gears to malfunction.
The flow changed at once.
Being bombarded with gunfires, Epyon was taken aback.
Nataku striked Epyon to the side using its dragon fang.
It was a satisfying blow.
Epyon crumbled.
Thrusting through that gap, Nataku withdrew from that position and placed itself in a fair distance to rearrange its preparations.
I think that Nataku's reaction speed had overcome a mobile suit's level a long time ago.
A battle between both ZEROs we haven't seen directly -- those suits unfold the 'next battle' (Epyon Ares)
"That was splendid, Master"
Kathy said as if feeling relieved.
But the timing of that instruction was miraculous.
"Hey, our signal with that guy isn't transmitted, right?"
"Of course"
A coincidence? Or maybe, her thoughts really reached him.
Either way, it's certain that 'something' changed in Wufei.
He was a stubborn person like an old man when we were kids, but just this time he had something like "trust" and "tolerance".
Silence returned to the battlefield.
The condition should be the same for both suits.
There are damages but, if they have opposing resolutions, there is still a chance of winning.
---They simultaneously strike at each other.
I expect the answer ZERO is showing them is frightening.
In the past, during last stage of the attack of the restored Sanc Kingdom, it seems there was a battle between two ZERO system equipped suits, Wing 0 (piloted by Zechs) and Epyon (piloted by Heero), who are actually both allies to the kingdom.
I heard that in that occasion, both of their ZERO system continued to read each other's movements, and as a conclusion to their 'endless repitition of movements', in the end, the systems got exhausted.
That and this time's situations are different.
Zechs' Epyon and Wufei's Nataku are obviously facing each other as enemies.
Each of the pilots holds the key to the outcome of this battle.
Their skills are the same but---
Is it Zechs who is faithful to the instructions of ZERO or Is it Wufei who had come to believe in Nataku's ZERO?
Those are the only differences that came to my mind if I have to compare them.
But before that battle comes to a close, something that we neglected happened...
"Father...something frightening..."
Kathy seemed different a while ago.
Her face turned pale.
Three suits were projected in a different monitor's enemy radar.
The arrival of the three mobile dolls "Virgo IV" lagging behind is also projected in the observation sattelite.
At the back of these three suits, there were manual propulsion options installed, and based from their judgment of the battlefield, they ejected their shoulder verniers as they land.
After that, these three suits moved in accordance to Zechs' will.
In other words, it's the same as having a strong battle team.
It became an unfavorable situation tactically, aggressively, and overwhelmingly.
If Nataku's ZERO concentrated in defeating Epyon, he will certainly lose.
Even so, there are no other breakthrough solution.
The choices for the future in front of him became dark and insufficient.
In my memory, the Virgo III models were being manufactured in OZ mobile dolls auto plant "Vulcanus" above the Mars orbit.
After the Mariemaia incident, all the mobile dolls and plants were supposedly disposed but, it's not strange even if the people from Noeinheim Konzern retrieved them secretly.
Perhaps in producing a large quantity of remodeled Mars suits from MFT (Mars Terraformer), I can easily imagine that they were easily available for use.
Though I said that, the IV models do not differ from the II models that were used by the White Fang.
The colors did not especially change; it's the same during the time I was fighting them.
What the data analysis identified is that they are equipped with eight Planate* Defensers, which boast the strongest defense, on both shoulders.
However, the newest ability Virgo IV has is that its electromagnetic shield is strengthened and is substituted with a so-called "Neo Planate Defenser".
Morever, its long beam rifle resembles Vayeatte's and surpasses Nataku's beam cannon. I think it can rival Wing Zero's twin buster.
The three Virgos simultaneously fired their beam rifle in that high energy.
Wufei's Nataku leap backwards using its vernier.
If it's a normal jump, he might've been hit.
As Nataku evades, it fires the beam cannon from a barely short distance.
The three Virgos suspended their 24 planate defensers, and created a complex triple magnetic field.
The beam cannon wasn't able to penetrate the most external shield.
It's clear that the situation had gotten worse.
I can feel the ovewhelming difference in their destructive and defensive powers, to the point that there's no need to compare their battle ability ratios.
It's hard for Wufei to decide as he fights alone.
Perhaps Epyon's ZERO tactically predicted the arrival of the Virgo Ivs.
If that is so, its battle abilities and even its tactics are all higher.
This is completely a hopeless situation.
In order for Wufei to escape the Virgos' beam rifle, it transforms to its three-headed pterosaur form and withdraw to the sky.
His forte at present is only his motive power.
If withdrawing is allowed, I wanted that three-headed pterosaur to flee.
But Wufei has no intention of giving up yet.
He intends to evade until Nataku's Epyon comes up with a breakthrough solution.
That's so-like Wufei who possesses a strong will. He must had trusted Nataku to continue fighting with ZERO's commands.
No matter how bitter the end will be.
It's not only me, Kathy is also discouraged, and when we're about to give up--
A transmission from a coded line came in.
"This is Trowa Phobos...requesting a respond from the secret line F to T."
Kathy quickly replied to the secret line.
"This is the Arctic Base, I secured the line"
Phobos appeared in the monitor.
"A message from Snow White...it's pointing Nataku's escape route. Head for Northeast 02PX 78DY point."
I said reading the communication phrase.
"Tell Heero to say such thing himself directly!"
"He is currently moving within Zero system that it's impossible to connect to him. I tried connecting to Nataku, but I wasn't able to do so"
"Moving within Zero?"
I reflected on the word "hope" that welled up in my mind.
"If that's so..."
I grinned.
I guess it's not the time for me to smile.
"Sorry, but can you say this to Heero? That Nataku is also operating within Zero system, so we cannot connect to him."
"Like I said, I can't tell it to him. This is the second time I said this."
"Then tell it to my stupid son! That Wufei is already heading to the pointed direction!"
"Kathy Po, unfortunately I'm not a communication device. If you direct Snow White's message, my mission will be over. Not to mention, I won't be gentle to an older opponent."
"Roger that...I'm contacting Warlock from here"
Kathy slightly became composed.
"But Phobos, isn't it all right to be gentle even just a bit?"
"......."
"An older girl easily gets hurt more than you"
"End of transmission"
Trowa Phobos arbitrarily cut off the line.
"I wonder if I said something unpleasant to that child?"
Kathy muttered in bewilderement,
I don't know if she inspected "Zechs' File", but for that guy right now the words "girl" and "hurt"
are taboos.
But it was satisfying.
I'll allow the two of them to call me 'old' only this time.
Anyway, the situation of the battle completely changed.
Heero's Snow White using ZERO's tactics means it's a way break the deadlock in this worst situation.
And, Nataku, which is moving accordingly to ZERO, synchronizing with Snow White will supposedly give us an option to win.
"I contacted Warlock"
"Kathy, project the escape route in the monitor"
"Roger"
A complicated topographic map was immediately projected.
If I look closely at the flickering points, they become deep canyons.
500 meters wall of rocks tower left and right, if you go inner, it's a terrain that becomes narrow the more you advance.
"Hey, hey, this is..."
The last stop completely becomes a dead end.
"They lost a place to escape...right?"
"But Master Chang is heading to that direction"
Just when hope welled up in me, the situation became ominous.
If that terrain is more tactical...
I don't really activate my thinking circuit fully.
If it's Quatre, he'll be able to explain it easily at once.
What I can only think is they will ambush and block the three Virgo IVs and Epyon to that point, then Snow White, Warlock and Nataku will destroy them on both sides.
But if it's that level of strategy, Epyon's ZERO system will immediately think of a countermeasure.
Then again, even if Snow White and co. fire simultaneously from three directions, it will be powerless against the overwhelming power of those neo-planate defensers.
Even if by some sly tactics, they steal Virgo IV's beam rifle, that destructive power won't be able to destroy that triple magnetic defense field.
"Any other strategies..."
I am not supposed to guess ZERO's predictions like this. Perhaps I can only believe in the three of them who are projected in the main monitor.
"A message from Duo"
"What does it say?"
" 'Expect my impressive moves' or so it says"
"What the heck is that?"
That's certainly anti-climactic. A rascal who gets easily carried away like always.
Though it's not my place to say that.
The three-headed ptesaurus continues to fly while being attack by the Virgo suits.
Its speed fairly went down.
It slows down as a 'decoy' because it's luring them to a different point, or it reached its limit because of the severity of its damage.
Even so, Epyon's ZERO have to carry out its tactics before it notices Heero and co's presence.
But my prediction of overturning the situation lies in waiting.
"That fool...what impressive moves?"
Before they enter the deep canyon, Warlock in cape calmly block their way.
That suit moves covertly. He's displaying that ability fully.
Good grief, I shouldn't had named him Duo.
"I cannot expect anything from you"
Virgo IV once again targeted on Warlock.
It immediately concentrated on attacking with its beam rifle.
Warlock charges as it nimbly evades them from left and right.
It moves as the remnants of its black cape leave a tricky locus.
That was quite a light footwork.
Perhaps, Virgo IV misrecognize Warlock as numerous suits in its enemy monitor.
Its beam rifle inaccurately aims in a distant place.
It seems the name Warlock isn't just for sophistication.
Warlock's irregular movements speed up further.
But, no matter how much closer he gets--
As Warlock got too close, it thrusts its large beam scythe to the electromagnetic shield.
As I thought, he wasn't able to land a hit with its iron wall of defense that are neo-planate defensers.
While making big circles, like taking the Virgo Iv's circumference, there cannot be any blind spot.
At that moment, the white three-headed pterosaur turned around, and returned to the air.
Perhaps he wasn't able to ignore my son's erratic behavior.
In that very damaged state, being a cover or attacking specially, is too reckless.
The beam rifle was aimed upwards immediately.
At that same moment, Warlock's beam scythe attacked.
The three-headed ptesaurus fired its beam cannon.
It became a perfect wavelike attack that connects the sky and the land.
Though it wasn't able to deal with the Virgo IV, their combination wasn't bad.
"Was that a feint?"
Kathy ask naively.
"Those two suits on both sides together..."
I thought agreeing.
An offbeat attack and a reckless special attack---
Behind this overblown battle, Snow White is calmly targetting something.
With its cape that has an additional special stills function, it's impossible to discover that suit even with the Mars Federation surveillance satellite.
He hasn't been caught by Epyon's ZERO system.
I suddenly thought.
I remember the battle data between Quatrine's Maguanac versus Snow White and Warlock several hours ago.
If I'm correct, Heero fought more than enough with beam saber.
When that suit was loaded in the long-distant high speed hover ship "Voyage", it should've been carrying a new model of buster rifle.
But, he didn't use it at that time.
Heero said "I will kill Quatrine" but it means that he hasn't come up with a certain method to do so.
In other words, he takes that as his trump card.
The new model of buster rifle's shooting range and destructive factor fairly went up.
Using the exclusive cartridge formula of the former Wing Gundam, its maximum output becomes three fires.
There's also a spare of three shots prepared.
But--
As I calculate in my mind, the maximum output of buster rifle cannot shoot out the defensive power of triple electromagnetic field of neo-planate defensers.
For example, he successively targets the same point, the most external shield might disappear but, more than reaching either Virgo IV or Epyon, he cannot turn around to give a strike.
Unless it's the most extensive powerful attack, that triple-structured electromagnetic field cannot be shoot out.
Morever, if he cannot decide in an instant--
"You can't do it...I can do it"
The words Heero told me a very long time ago.
Indeed, he's a man who makes impossible things possible.
Well, right now, I have no choice but to see what that guy got.
That black-caped mischievous kid is playing with the mobile dolls while circling around the electromagnetic field.
Hand-to-hand combat isn't a specialty of Virgo IV.
Meanwhile, Epyon who has that ability is in the center attacking closely.
Even if ZERO doesn't predict it, the attacks Warlock is giving is obvious.
The Virgo IV simultaneously fired at the white three-headed ptesaurus circling the pylon, and at that same moment, Epyon charges towards Warlock with its beam sword.
Duo was waiting for that moment.
From the bottom of his black cape, he pulled out something like a hand granade and tossed it to the sky.
That was the spare cartridge of the buster rifle.
The clashing of Epyon's beam sword and Warlock's beam scythe sparked at their relay point.
Warlock turn over its wrist like that and fixed it so that Epyon's sword is caught.
With its other hand, brilliantly like a magician, he tossed a second spare cartridge to the sky just like a while ago.
"I see, he has those!"
Perhaps, Heero's Snow White on top of a cliff is preparing its beam rifle not far away.
Point 02PX 78DY
Perhaps, he's setting his target at that place.
A third cartridge once again freely went down to the Virgo IV's triple-structured electromagnetic field.
There's a flashing light at that spot I predicted.
Heero flicked the buster rifle's trigger.
The first spare cartridge caused a big explosion on its target.
The most external electromagnetic field and eight of the planate defensers disappeared at the same time.
Regardless of how much he's using ZERO, it's an excellent shot given that he's firing accurately from such a delicate height.
I can only be awed at the fact that he's shooting from such a far distance the primer (detonator) of those revolving cartridge as they fall.
Morever, without that method, he cannot raise the power of the buster rifle several times to destroy the field and defensers on both sides.
Several seconds passed, he targeted the second spare cartridge and the second layer of electromagnetic field got destroyed.
Furthermore, he fired the third spare cartridge and all the neo-planate defensers and electromagnetic field vanished.
The surrounding was swallowed in an intense plasma air current and scorching torrent.
Virgo IV had lost their strongest defense.
But, those guys are not naive to get lax in their attacks.
Wufei isn't specially easy-going.
As the three-headed pterosaur swooped down, it transformed into Nataku and at the same time successively attack with its beam trident and beam cannon crushing the Virgo IVs in an instant.
It's a speed that didn't caught my eye.
One suit left -- Zechs' Epyon.
If Warlock show its true power, it will be able to hold Epyon down.
But Duo didn't do that.
(p. 314 - shot of Heero and Duo Jr.)
In that big explosion, any movement will stop for an instant.
I cannot blame him as expected. Not because he's my son, but anyone will be like that if he's immediately beside that explosive flash.
That kid showed impressive moves beyond my expectations.
Zechs' Epyon leap up transforming into its crimson double-headed flying dragon form.
It's obvious that it chose to retreat.
Even if Nataku once again transform in its mobile armor form to pursue Epyon, he wouldn't be able to catch up with it given how much damaged its arm is right now.
For both ZEROs, that's the best measure they can take up.
"Mission all over...he won somehow, didn't he?"
At that moment, a coded transmission from Wufei came in.
"Nataku here...battle's over"
"Roger...Master Chang, you fought magnificently"
"No, Associate Kathy...I was weak."
"No way..."
"Nataku won't praise me like this"
"That's not true! I'm proud to be blessed with such a brave and resolute superior like you, Master Chang"
"I'm going back...Kathy, will you make a coffee for me once I return?"
"Yes, my pleasure!"
Kathy salutes smiling fully.
"Ah, how about sugar and milk?"
"I'll have them both...a lot of them"
"Roger"
"...thanks..."
After the monitor is disconnected, we breathe a sigh of relief.
"I'm really glad..."
"Yeah, it's as what you said. It's Wufei win."
"Though it seems it won't work easily as you expect it to"
We heard a girl's voice coming from the communication device.
What appears next on the large screen is the smiling Quatrine-ojou-sama.
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tbc on next post
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