December 30, UC 0079 -
Just outside Zeon Space Fortress "A Baoa Qu", EFSFS Borodino

"There she is, Sir. The Gwajin type," a lookout reported to his new CO, Major Alfonso. Promoted after the disgraceful performance of the Borodino's former CO.

"Yeah, I see her, too," Major Alfonso replied in a worried tone. He knew it was highly unlikely that the Gwajin was out here to fight, being outnumbered nearly fifty to one, but he still felt it may be a trap. But then, it was a chance to end this damn war, and THAT was something to root for.

"The White Base and accompanying ships are approaching the battlefield area," another lookout reported.

The Major simply nodded. They owed a lot to the White Base, he knew. Its crew had killed more than their fair share of dangerous enemies, including Lt. General Dozul Zabi and that mysterious new "Ghost of Solomon" mobile armor. The last one had been particularly frightening, being able to attack from beyond visual range with fire coming from seemingly nowhere. He had to thank them someday...

"SIR! High Energy Beam approaching, coming from Side 3!" a lookout reported in an excited tone.

"It's power is off the scale!!!" a technician screamed.

The Major was just about to order them to evade when a massive yellow beam rushed past just right of his ship. It seemed a bit like the 'Solar System' they had used at Solomon but...

Much, much, more powerful... Even though they were a few hundred meters from the beam, paint was scorched off the side of the ship and alarm claxons rang all around as small fires erupted all over the ship. The Major turned to the beam's target, General Revil's fleet, and saw that it was... melting... literally melting. With the Gwajin with it...

Suddenly, just as fast as it had come, it stopped. Nothing remained of what had been Revil's battle fleet, save a few glowing embers. That fleet had been nearly a third of the entire Federation Force. A panicked radio man began announcing the destruction of the Phoebe, General Revil's flagship, along with the Gwajin that had once carried Zeon's leader, Archduke Degin Zabi. And with their deaths, all hopes for an early peace died with them.
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"Damn, that bad?" Colonel Patterson commented as he heard news about the Solar Ray attack by the Zeons. That treacherous ******* Giren, he thought, willing to sacrifice his own father for military gain.

"At least Zeon has been quiet here for the past three days," Brigadier General Dolvich reminded, "And we're receiving even more new equipment today."

"What use is it, Sir?" the Colonel growed back, "General Nicolo won't let us engange in battle if a Zeon force does appear anyway."

"Only if they don't enter Side 2," General Dolvich reminded. That ******* Nicolo, intentionally making the orders unclear in the previous battle. Although the Zeon base was now firmly in Federation hands, along with a good deal of Zeon equipment and prisoners, an enemy battleship and cruiser had escaped along with that enemy ace pilot. Still a considerable force.

"You think they'll try to retake the base, Sir?" Colonel Patterson asked. Somehow, he felt the enemy force was now on its way to A Baoa Qu.

"You never know, Patterson, you never know..."
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"We're going to try to retake Hormuz base, Sir?" Colonel Jefferson asked doubtfully. Somehow, that seemed insane. Even for a guy like Wavell.

"No, only you and your three escorting Musais will be part of the attack," General Wavell replied with an evil smile.

"Why, Sir?" Jefferson asked.

"To distract them, my dear Colonel," General Wavell replied in a wicked tone, "Side 2 is the only route available to us in order to accomplish our mission to attack Side 6. You've seen the intelligence reports, all other routes are now being heavily guarded by the Federation, THIS is their weak spot."

"Yes sir, but they still have a formidable fleet," Jefferson countered.

"All you need is to delay the main fleet a few hours, Jefferson," the General replied in a gentler tone, "By then my speedy battleship and your old ship the Bremen will be already at Side 6."

"I doubt four ships and twelve mobile suits can last a few hours," the Colonel replied acidly.

"But remember, I will only have to make do with three mobile suits. The two Rick Dom IIs and your great ace," the General reminded, this time in a very forceful tone. You want to question me, COLONEL?

"Very well sir, I'll do my duty," Colonel Jefferson replied in a resigned tone. At least he wasn't going to be doing the mass murdering, was he?
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"What have you done to my Jaeger?" Ming asked as he entered the hangar. The engineers had wanted to make a few "modifications" to it, and the result did not please Ming. They had added a C-type Cannon upgrade to his Gelgoog Jaeger (right), giving it heavy firepower but at the expense of much of its maneuverability. He did NOT want to end up like Billy...

"Don't worry, Captain," the chief engineer explained, "We've upgraded the thruster output a bit to offset the weight, as well as adding some extra fuel tanks to compensate for the higher consumption. Besides, you also get a spare beam rifle."

"But my job is to kill mobile suits, not ships," Ming countered. Which was exactly what the Gelgoog Cannon was designed for.

"The thing IS very powerful against mobile suits if properly used. However, you can detach the cannon mid-battle if you want," the chief replied with a grin, "We've got a few spares anyway."

"Where did we get those chief?" Ming asked.

"Call'm surplus from the Hormuz Base," the chief replied with a wide grin.
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"How many did you get?" Zeon's 'Crimson Lightning' Major Johnny Ridden asked as the last of the Ace Pilot Corps returned to their initial positons at the conclusion of "Operation Clarion." A surprise attack on the Federation fleet gathering outside of A Baoa Qu using their ship-killing Gelgoog Cannons. A few Federation;s Sabre Fish tried to follow them, but Johnny quickly fired two shots that killed one and convinced the rest to retreat.

"I think we got two ships and a dozen mobile suits, Major," Thomas Kurtz, a Federation defector and pilot of one of the Gelgoog Cannons, reported, "But when we were coming back I counted two Gelgoog Cannons short. A couple of other units were damaged as well."

"Damn!" Johnny muttered. The Gelgoog Cannon was one VERY limited issue unit, only around fifteen or so having been built. And now they had just lost at least two of them. A plan to upgrade existing A-Type Gelgoogs into the C-Type beam cannon carrying form was already underway, but the first shipment of parts to A Baoa Qu had been delayed due to some "technical difficulties." Great, just what they needed. He wondered if the Feddies have to go through the same type of bull****...
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"I didn't think they could finish it in time..." Max said quietly as he saw the new mobile suit in the Spruance's hangar. But just as the Federation's engineers had promised at the beginning of its rushed development program, here it was._THE_GM to pilot, RGM-79SP GM Sniper II (right).

"Another gift from Side 6," the chief mechanice explained with a VERY wide grin, "For you, Captain."

Max frowned a little at that last statement. He had been promoted to Captain as the new commander of the 44th after the death of Major Karl Grunther, but it was nothing to celebrate about.

"Sorry sir," the chief apologized, "Being Captain probably still needs some getting used to. But anyway, this GM is the best damn mobile suit I've ever had the honor of servicing. Good enough to beat the Gundam even."

"Who'll take my old Sniper?" Max asked, back to the point.

"Supposedly Fred, but he's down for a few more days due to that broken arm of his. For now it's going to be down for maintenance."

Max simply nodded. It was a damn shame that Fred had been injured in the previous battle, a result of being tossed around the cockpit a little too hard after suffering a direct hit from the fixed defenses. But he only had one other choice for the Sniper's pilot, but there was no way he was going to let her risk her life again...
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"Hey Fred, be careful..." Sylvie warned as he entered the wardroom, his left arm inert in a sling. The doctors had recommended bed rest for at least another week, lest his broken arm get worse.

"Yeah, but I couldn't stand the hospital food anymore," Fred replied with a smile, "Hey Juan, how'd you been doing without me for the past couple of days?"

"Oh, the usual," Juan replied with a grin to his old wingman, "Good thing you got here today, mail call you see..."

"There's not really much good news you know..." Fred warned. Juan was a rookie who hadn't known a lot of people in the military yet, but not Fred and most of the crew. Friends had died in the treacherous Zeon attack, and more may follow as soon as the Battle of A Baoa Qu got into full swing.

The door suddenly opened as John stepped in, carrying a packet of envelopes. John was usually the one who distributed the mail, and always with a smile. But today his face looked far serious.

"Any problem, John?" Sylvie asked.

"Umm... Sylvie, could you come with me?" John requested.

"Why?" Sylvie asked, slightly worried, slightly surprised.

"Just trust me, Sylvie." he replied quietly, "Juan, could you please give these...?"

"Sure," Juan replied as he saw the serious look on his face. What the hell had just happened?

"Thanks," John said as he handed over the envelopes, "Come on Sylvie..." he started as he exited the room.

"Alright John..." Sylvie replied as she followed him out. What now? she thought.
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"Okay John, what was so important that we had to go out here?" Sylvie asked as they had walked some distance away from the wardroom.

"You see, Sylvie..." he started. ****! How the hell am I supposed to say this?

"What John? Tell me, it can't be that bad..." Sylvie added almost jokingly. His serious look quickly extinguished any humor she thought of the situation.

"Ten days ago, the Zeons attacked a colony at Side 6," John reported quietly, "That colony was Libo..."

"What... what are you saying?" Sylvie asked, her voice now shaking. Dear God, no...

"There were lots of civilian casualties and..." John continued.

"Who!?" Sylvie asked, unable to contain herself anymore. No! Please, not just after we had finally begun to make up... no...

"Both your dad and sister were killed Sylvie, I'm sorry," John reported solemnly as his shoulders slumped down, feeling weak and numb. There was nothing he could have done, nothing he could do. But he was a human being, and he also felt her pain, more so since he had to endure the same situation so long ago...

Sylvie simply stood motionless, completely shocked. It was soon replaced by overwhelming grief, one that threatened to rip out her heart. She started to feel tears start pouring down her cheeks, and felt that it was too much, that she didn't want to be seen, to be with anybody anymore. She quickly turned and ran to her room without another word.

"****!" John growled. This damn war! This damn ****ing war just kept taking lives and causing grief. What glory? What patriotism? This was just another damn ****ing excuse for those power mongers, those who could not even see its truest horrors. And to make it worse there was nothing he could do... or could he?
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"Maybe John finally realized he liked her..." Juan said jokingly as speculations began to spread around the wardroom on what had happened. He was about to regret ever saying that.

"Anybody seen Max?" John suddenly asked as he burst into the room.

"Uh... he's in the hangar, why?" Juan asked.

"I need to talk to him," John replied simply.

"John, what happened anyway?" Fred asked in a concerned tone.

"Sylvie's father and sister are dead," John replied quietly, before tunrning to leave. All eyes turned to Juan.

"Oh God..." Juan said as he had realized just how stupid he had been. ****! Why did I say that?! Why the hell did I say that!? Sylvie...

"Don't think about it too much kid..." Fred advised, "But... ****!" Of all people, why her again?
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"Max, you need to talk to Sylvie," John told Max just as he met him in the hangar.

"John, we've already been through this..." Max started.

John angrily grabbed Max and pulled him away to a more secluded location, despite Max's incredolous look. This was no time for them to have a violent argument, but if he needed to he would start one.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Max asked angrily as soon as they managed to reach an out of the way part of the hangar, looking very annoyed.

"Sylvie's dad and sister are dead, Max. She's alone," John replied more quietly. And I really hope I'm right about you...

Max's cold expression didn't change, but something more important did. His eyes. They were showing real grief, real sadness. Real regret.

"I think it's time for you to get back into her life, Max," John advised.

"John... you know what has happened in the past two weeks. I'll only make her situation worse," Max protested, but in a weak tone. He wanted to go, but after all that he had been putting her through... Making her feel alone all the time... ignoring her feelings... making her do things she didn't want to do... things she hated herself for...

"Do YOU belive that?" John asked.

"Yes," Max replied quietly and honestly. He'd been hurting her for a year, and he doubted that will change.

"But can you really stand her being alone?" John suddenly added. Max's expression rapidly changed. He had hit the mark.

"No," Max replied, "Excuse me but..."

"Don't let me stop you," John replied as he nodded his head. And please don't make her cryanymore, he didn't add. But he knew Max would try.
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The door to her room had been open when he got there, and he quietly let himself in. Sylvie was inside, sobbing alone in her bed. Not caring about the world around her anymore. Max decided it was best to close the door behind him now, lest her tears cause unwanted attention.

Sylvie turned her head at the sound of the door closing, and saw HIM. What did HE want now? "What do you want?" she muttered coldly as she sat up.

"Sylvie... I... I heard about what happened..." Max started.

"So?" Sylvie asked angrily, "You're not going to do anything about it anyway..."

"I'm sorry, Sylvie... I really am," Max apologized. Knowing that it would never be enough, "And I'm not just going to sit around and watch you anymore..." he continued as he sat beside her.

"Max?" Sylvie asked, her voice a mix of grief and surprise. Before she could utter another word he suddenly put his arms around her... Trying... actually trying... to comfort her... Sylvie felt more tears well up. This was... this was the only thing that she had really ever wanted. To be in his arms again, for him to be able to love her again...

But then she remembered her father, who had held her so lovingly as a baby... And now he could never hold her like that anymore... And how it had taken his death for Max to finally come back to her... Damn Max... why didn't he do that all the times before?! "Max, please just get off me..."

"Sylvie..." Max started. But he knew that his sins were now catching up to him, and he wanted to hold her a little longer, just to keep her from being cold for a little longer...

"Max, I don't feel anything anymore, being in your arms..." Sylvie interrupted in a cold tone. There... she thought, I'm finally really going to be alone... I'm really going to throw him away now... I'm just going to be cold like he is.... But her heart was screaming for her not to do it.

"Sylvie, don't throw your heart away," Max told her desperately, "Sylvie, you know that you have a kind heart... it's the best part of you... so don't..."

"It's already gone, Max..." Sylvie replied coldly, "You ripped it out and threw it away for me. So just leave me, please..."

Finally, Max let go, letting Sylvie see for the first time tears in his eyes. She began to feel terrible. Had she become so spiteful as that? Had she become as cruel as that? Even if she had nothing left to live for... did it mean she could hurt him too?

But before she could think of anything else, Max quickly stood up and headed for the door and opened it. Just before he stepped out, he whisphered, "I know... that you hate me, Sylvie. But..."

"I do hate you," Sylvie interrupted coldly, "And leave it at that," But inside her, she felt as if she had just been torn apart.

"But I can't stand to see you alone... like me," Max finished, before he stepped out, closing the door behind him. Sylvie felt as if the world had just frozen all around her, as she could no longer feel any warmth inside of her... only loneliness...
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"****, I've made things worst again, haven't I?" John asked as he saw Max's devastated face.

"No John, it's alright," Max replied as he regained his composure, "I deserve it anyway. But I just hope that I helped her back there..."

"Time will tell," John replied simply, "Time will tell."
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Sylvie lay alone in her bed, tears still trickling down her cheeks. "I was right, wasn't I?" she thought to herself. He didn't care about me this past year. He told me to go home early in the war, but I didn't listen did I? But at least he could have appreciated me wanting to be with him... So why does it still hurt? Why do I feels so terrible?

I loved him before the war... she thought. In fact I loved him through much of it... But I've given up on him after Muarice died... After all, all he ever did was... to be alone. To be alone all the time... even when he had lost everyone he loved, when he needed somebody the most... he never asked for me to be with him... Didn't he want me to share that pain? Did he... love me so much that he threw away his... his own heart... so that I wouldn't have to worry about him anymore...

But, how could he have shared that pain...? When I never tried to comfort him? To tell him that he wasn't alone... To tell him... that I love him...

It then came as a sudden shock, a sudden realization. That in all the time they had spent together, even before the war when life had been more peaceful... she had never, not once, told him how she really felt... that she loved him... that all she ever wanted was to be with him... and all she could tell him was the opposite: I do hate you...

She quickly stood up. She needed to talk to Max. Right now.
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"Not bad, Max," John observed as he saw the complicated maneuvers the new Captain's GM Sniper II was taking. John was now on the cruiser Johnston, sent by Colonel Patterson to help teach a new bridge crew the works. The old crew, including Major Miles, were all now safe in Side 6 recieving medical attention for their injuries. He just hoped the new crew could get their **** together, because even Lady Luck may be unable to do anything to help them now...

Around the bridge the new crew seemed as if they were fish pulled out of water. Being no more than a bunch of inexperienced non-coms and 2nd Lieutenants, it was obvious that somebody was skimping on the training budget. What made it worse was that the new CO had less than a sterling reputation. Reportedly a yellow bellied idiot who abandoned his post. Wonderful.

"Recto, how is the new crew?" Colonel Patterson asked over the radio.

"Sir, do you want me to be frank?" John asked.

"Alright, I understand, but give them a chance, alright?" the Colonel advised.

"Yes, Sir."
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"How long till he comes back?" Sylvie asked the chief mechanic as she arrived at the hangar.

"A couple of hours. He's enjoying flying the new machine," the chief explained.

"Do you mind if I wait here?" Sylvie asked.

"Of course not," the chief replied with a smile.

Sylvie had just nodded when alarm claxons began to ring all round her...

Notice: This story and all related material is copyrighted by Thomas E. "Zinegata" Ting, no part of this story may be taken by any other person. If you wish to use any material, please contact me first. Gundam and all related trademarks are owned by their respective companies.