Mobile Suit Gundam 0081: Road to Axis

The year is UC 0081, it's been two years since Zeon's defeat of the OYW. Zeon has no strong holds, and all their fleets are all but dead. However a secret Manufacturing plant on the dark side of the Moon still remain's. Its loyalty lies with Zeon, and they have newly designed Zeonic Mobile Suits. Fortunately there is one more fleet that can use these new model Mobile Suit's...The Mars Fleet

Chapter 2: Close Call
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January 25, 0081
0536

Andrea lay, sleeping, in her quarters. It was the first time in 2 weeks she had gotten actual sleep, however; it wouldn't last long. The communication monitor next to her bunk flickered. Sgt. Richards dreary looking face appeared, awaking Andrea.

"Ma'am, Colonel Lowenhardt," Richards said silently, and then "Colonel Lowenhardt," Richards hollered over the comm. Andrea rolled over in her bed, and gave a narrow look at the monitor.

"What's wrong, Sargent?" Andrea asked hoarsely.

"Ma'am, there's a problem with the Dommkompf. One of the Main Cannon's malfunctioned and exploded. The explosion didn't cause much damage to the hull, but it knocked out all the system's," Richards sighed and began once more "Ma'am, Minovsky Particle's were broadcasted from the nearest colony. We have reason to believe it might GM's."

"GM's?" Andrea said yawning.

"You haven't looked over the files sent from Luna, have you?" Richards said chuckling under his breath.

"Wake Japa, and tell him to get his squadron ready. I'll brief them when I arrive at the bridge. I'll be there at 0620." Andrea yawned again, and unzipped the covering to her bunk. She kicked off her bunk and towards her shower room.
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"Lt. Japa." Richards said through the monitor. Japa was wide-awake and was sitting on the edge of his bunk.

"Yes, Sargent?" Japa said not moving a muscle.

"The colonel wants you to get your squadron ready." Richards said thumbing a few keys on his control panel.

"Something happen to the Dommkompf, sargent?" Japa said turning his head so that he could see the dreary looking young man. Japa raised off of his bunk, and turned to the door, "No need to tell, Richards. I'll get them ready."

Japa slid his hand over a panel near the door; the door slid open, and Japa kicked off the floor to a transport control.
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Andrea was nearing the bridge, and could hear the sounds of officer's chatting. It was 0619 as usual Andrea was on time, and wide-awake. As she entered the bridge Richards approached her with a file sent from Luna. Andrea gave him a sarcastic smile and walked past. She climbed into her command chair, and once again fell into relaxation with the chair.

"Have you informed Japa yet, sargent?" Andrea said gazing through the monitor. As the last word exited her mouth she looked down at the young man.

"I'm right here, Colonel." Japa said smiling.

"I assume you are aware of what's happened?" Andrea said turning back to the monitor.

"Yes ma'am. My squadron are already at the ready room. Are our Zaku's ready yet?" Japa said putting his hands behind his back.

Andrea shifted the command chair behind the comm monitor. She thumbed a few buttons on the left panel. The harmless looking technician appeared.

"Hey! You better get those Zaku's onto the catapult and fast!" Rogers yelled across the hangar. He turned around was dumbfounded at the sight of Andrea, "Colonel? The Zaku's are almost ready. I take it that's what you wanted to hear?" Rogers said looking down at the files.

"Very well," Andrea shifted her attention to Japa "Japa, go tell you squadron to get ready. Hurry, I don't want the Dommkompf being captured." Andrea said positioning the command chair back to the center of the room. Japa saluted, and exited the bridge.
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"Joachim, is everyone ready?" Japa said walking into the ready room, "Andrea wants us out there now." Japa leaned against the doorway.

"Do you always do what Andrea tell you to do, Japa?" Raye said laughing, "I think you like her as much as she likes you."

"Raye, do you always have to be such an asshole?" Joachim said under his breath. He was getting very irritated with Raye's immature attitude.

"Enough, both of you, Raye and Alex go to your Zaku's. Joachim stay here, I want to talk to you," Japa said walking towards where Joachim was sitting. The other two pilots left, and Japa sat down next to him "Don't let them bother you so much. I know Raye's just joking, but I don't think you are aware of that. Just try to ignore him. It's bothering you, I can tell. You're probably the best pilot out of all of us, but you let Raye's attitude get to you," Japa stood up, and placed his forehead against Joachim's. He grabbed his shoulders, and whispered "Just forget about him. Just forget it." Japa straightened out, and floated backwards to the door. He grappled the side thrusted himself out the door. Joachim sat motionless. His eyes were fixated on the floor.

‘Japa's never spoke out like that before. I must mean more to him than I thought I did.' That same thought kept racing through his mind, until he realized he was supposed to be at his Zaku. He stood up, grabbed his helmet, and kicked off towards the door.
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"Captain Schneider, The Zaku's from the Blitzkrieg are nearing our location," Lt. Connors said turning his head back to the monitor "Sir! The GM's from the colony have just exited the Minovsky Particle field!" Connors shrieked.

"How many Zaku's do we have onboard?" Riko asked flicking a few switches on the control panel.

"Sir, we only have your customized Zaku on board." Connors said trying to get a hold of Japa's squadron.

"Alright, I'm going out in it. If you get a hold of Japa tell him to escort the ship and its crew to the Blitzkrieg. I will take care of these GM's on my own." Riko said grinning evilly.

"Yes sir," Connors said. He began to thumb a few buttons, and finally he came into contact with Japa "Lt. Japa, Riko has gone to take out the GM's coming our way," Connors said brining up a new screen on the monitor "They look to be the GM Command's."

"How many?" Japa asked bringing up a screen on the side monitor.

"There's four of them, Sir." Connor's took a breath, and began, "You are not to engage, Lt. Riko specifically ordered me to inform you not to engage. You are to escort half of the crew to Ran's ship and the other half to your ship."

"You can't be serious! Riko can't take them out by himself!" Raye said hysterically.

"Raye don't worry about him." Japa said calmly.

"Do you want me to help him out, Japa?" Joachim mumbled.

"No, I will go. The rest of you need to help out the Dommkompf." Japa said closing the comm. He stepped with all might onto the throttle, and his Zaku burst off to the rear of the ship. He wasn't to sure about Riko's abilities, but was certain he could help him out. As he neared the back of the ship Riko saw him coming, and opened a comm to him.

"Lt. Japa, what are you doing? I specifically ordered you to help out the crew." Riko growled.

"With all do respect, sir, I don't think you can hold these GM's for long. The other member's of my squadron are helping your ship," Japa replied. He magnified a object on the lefthand monitor. It was the GM's "Sir, they're here."

Riko didn't reply; he just flew straight at the oncoming force. He readied his 105mm Machinegun, and fired sporadically at the GM's. They easily dodged, and began their retaliation. They fired their own Machinegun's. These pilots were once again, Rookies. Riko was gaining ground on them, preparing to use his Heat Hawk. A GM Sniper II was amongst them, but had withdrew away's back. It was preparing to fire its Long Beam Rifle. Riko had no clue it was there, and was rapidly coming towards them. The Sniper pilot grinned as he eased down on the control trigger inside the cockpit. A single purple beam burst through the barrel. As the beam soared through the darkness of space, Riko fired his 105mm Machinegun and shattered a GM's visor.

"What the hell is that?" Riko said to himself as the purple beam closed in on his Zaku.

"Captain Schneider Move out of the way!" Japa screamed as he flew straight into the side of Riko's Zaku. The beam pierced Japa's shoulder armor, and disintegrated the whole left side of the Zaku.

"Lt. Japa!" Riko said, anger boiling up inside of him. He saw the GM's etching close to him, and grabbed Japa's Machinegun. Now with two Machinegun's Riko would get revenge for Japa. He eased down the thumb controls inside the cockpit, and both Machinegun's fired. Yellow flashes of light lit the darkness. GM's scurried in every which way trying to avoid being destroyed. The GM that had its visor shattered was the first to be blown to smithereens.

"Captain, give me you Heat Hawk," Japa mumbled "I don't think we will survive, Riko."

"Yes we will, Japa. I'll make sure of that." Riko said proudly.

"We'll make sure of that too, Japa." Raye said cheerfully.

Joachim was already in full-burn at a GM. Riko fired at it to distract it while Joachim came up behind it, and plunged his Heat Hawk into the backpack. He pulled it out, and spun around chopping its head off.

There was only one GM left in the battlefield. The GM Sniper II had retreated. Japa was closing in on it, and the others had encircled it. All of a sudden they all rushed at him, but stopped. Japa kept going though. As he neared it he brought the Heat Hawk above his head slashed downwards at an diagonal. The Heat Hawk had made a huge gash down the middle of its chest. Sparks, and wires flew through the space around them. The remaining Zaku's flew back to the Blitzkrieg now one mobile suit down again.
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January 25, 0081
1206


"I'm sorry Lt. Japa. I don't think we'll be able to repair your Zaku," Rogers said looking down "You shouldn't be worried though. We'll be at Luna soon, and they have new MS for us." Rogers said smiling.

"I am aware of that, Lt. If the Federal Forces should attack us though, then we are down one MS." Japa said giving him a evil look.

"Alright, Alright. We'll see what we can do with Alex's Zak-,"

"No, he can pilot my Zaku," Riko said walking into the hangar "Andrea needs me to help her onboard the bridge," He turned to Japa "You can pilot my Zaku, Japa."

Japa didn't say a word. He just turned his back to him, and floated out the hangar...