Mobile Suit Gundam: 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 remains. 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 Suits . . . The Mars Fleet

Chapter 6: The Long Journey
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> January 31, 0081
0516
Granada

It was early, Nasaki had just awoken from his five-hour slumber. Though his mind was fully aware of what was going on, his physical form was still a little groggy. It didn't really matter, he only needed his mind to do his duties. Lethargically, he walked down the corridors to the Command Center, where his first duty of the day awaits him. Check for abnormal activity around Granada. 'God, I hate this s***' he growled under his breath as he neared the entrance. He placed his hand on the side panel and the door split apart sideways.

"Anything happening out there, McBane?" he said as he approached the command chair.

"Nothing out of the ordinary, sir." Said the radar officer. His dark brown hair matted to his head from the head set he wore. His fingers worked busily, twisting the frequency knob, the other typing in things on the panel. Yet, amidst his work he found ways to converse, "Do you think they could have already left, sir?"

"I'm not sure, McBane." he replied. He yawned, and massaged his eyelids. He put his hands back down on the arms, but kept his eyes shut. A sudden burst from McBane startled him and brought him to his feet, running to his station.

"Sir, I've picked up three mobile suits entering our radar range." he twisted the knob slightly to the left, "Shouldn't you inform everyone, sir?" he said, looking up at him.

"You're right, I probably should." He sped back to his chair and flopped back into it. His right hand tapped away at the control panel, opening a comm to everyone in Granada, "Attention all Federal Forces personnel: Three mobile suits have entered Granada's vicinity. Everyone should report to their stations. Mobile suit pilots report to your suits. I want the Slovenia and Bokaro to launch immediately. The White Scar is to wait my arrival. Nasaki out."

The message rang through the quarters, corridors, and hangars of Granada. Personnel rose from their beds and scurried to their destinations.
- - - - - -
"Lt. Japa, we've entered Granada's radar range." Bock said over the comm.


"Alright, begin with our second stage of operations," he paused, "Divert the main fleet away from Granada."

"Yes sir!" They exclaimed over the comm.

Japa lifted his hand off the controls and pushed down the comm button with his fore-finger. His hand gently grasped the control again. He leaned his head back against the head rest, and closed his eyes. His breathing went from slow and heavy to fast and light. He made sure he made no sudden movements of his hands, this would cause him to lose his steady flight. Finally his slit open and then they opened fully. They searched the monitor for any type of movement. 'Nothing yet. Good' he said to himself. His peace was disrupted, however, as warning beeps went off, "What the hell?" he said aloud. Troike's face appeared on the comm screen in the upper right corner of the front monitor.

"Si-sir, there are two Salamis class cruisers approaching us. What should we do?" Troike said, quietly.

"Hold your positions and land on the surface." Japa said, "I want you to ignite your thrusters but do not take off. This should cause a huge of amount of dust to form. From within the could we'll begin firing on the Cruisers. Go now!" Japa said pulling back on his controls. Troike's face disappeared and the screen went blank. Japa's Kürzer dropped to the surface of the moon. The Rick Dom's followed, "Alright, begin." Japa eased his foot on the center pedal and the thrusters ignited. The thrusters hidden in his skirt armor, and lower legs gave off tremendous amounts of thrust. Dust scattered around them, and then, it engulfed the three mobile suits.
- - - - - -
Slovenia

"Sir, we lost the mobile suits in the dust cloud." the radar officer said.

"I figured they might do that. Don't change our course. We'll hover above them and when their thrust stops and the dust clears, we'll annihilate those bastards." the Captain of the ship said, snickering.

"Yes s-sir we have multiple heat sources emerging from the dust!" he said in fear.

The rockets from the Bazooka's screeched through the darkness of space and neared the Slovenia. Finally they met, and the ship's outer hull rippled with explosions. Everyone on the bridge fell to the cold metal floor.

"God damnit! Find and kill those bastards!" the Captain said grabbing hold of a railing and pulling himself up. He was tossed back to the ground as another wave of explosions shook the ship. His head hit the ground, and blood spurted out from the gash on the back of his head.
- - - - - -
"Good, keep firing." Japa said, chuckling, "Now it's my turn." He slowly pushed back the middle trigger; three missiles from his right and left forearm exited their respective barrels. Exhaust trailing from each missile as they soared through space. They covered the space between Japa and the Slovenia in no time. Japa watched through his monitor as bursts of yellow, orange, and red lit up the eternal darkness of space.

"Nice shot, Japa." Bock said, excitedly. Japa grinned from ear to ear in his cockpit, "Should we keep our barrage of fire going, sir?"

"Yes, fire two more rounds at the wounded ship. That should bring it down." he paused, "I'll take care of the other one."
- - - - - -
Bokaro

The crew onboard the Bokaro stood in amazement as smoke trailed into the space from the Slovenia. The Captain did nothing but stare, and gulp, as he knew he would be next. A small whisper from his right brought him back to reality.

"What should we do, sir?"

"Can we get a fix on the mobile suits?" he asked.

"No sir, they're too well hidden in the dust."

"Damn, we have no other choice but to retreat." he said hanging his head.

"Yes sir, I'll inform Grana-sir another volley of rockets have been fired from the dust." he stopped in horror, as two more rockets burst through the cloud of dust. One finally hit the unscathed bridge. It exploded in flames and the ship seemed to crumble as the last rocket hit. The smoke was now greater, and the bow of the ship fell from its structure. It hit the moon and more dust gathered, "Sir, the Slovenia has sunk."

"Colonel, take us back to Granada." he said engulfing his face with his trembling hands.
- - - - - -
"No you don't." Japa said jamming his controls forward, sending him back into his chair. The Kürzer erupted on a wave of blue towards the Bokaro. His right hand carrying his Small Beam Machinegun. He tapped one of the left triggers in the cockpit, and the left hand took the Twin Beam Sword from its rack on his rear skirt armor. The front beam ignited, making it more of a Beam Naginata than a Twin Beam Sword.

"Do you want us to provide back-up fire for you, sir?" Bock said over the comm.

"After you reload, wait 180 seconds to begin firing." he replied.

"Yes sir."

Japa was gaining on the now retreating Slovenia. He had reached his maximum acceleration a while ago, and it maintained that speed. Finally he entered the range of his Small Beam Machinegun. He guided the red cross-hair to land on top of the bridge of the ship. It found its mark and a large, green, circular, cross-hair appeared. The Kürzer's arm lifted upward and remained still. Japa exhaled as he pulled back on the trigger. Tiny yellow beams flew from the end of the barrel, each one causing a burst of sudden bright light. After about fifteen beams flew through space, he relinquished his grip on the trigger.

The tiny beams penetrated the outer layer of armor of the bridge but were halted by the under layer. Japa targeted the hit area and fired again. Each beam bringing on more damage than the first. Japa realized that the front of the bridge had the main porthole. He grazed the starboard side of the ship. Firing his 110mm Machinegun's causing subtle damage to the outer hull.

He landed on the ship, just below the bridge. He thought about firing his Beam Machinegun, but he decided not to. He laid the Beam Machinegun down on the ship and grappled the Beam Sword with the free hand. Now in an upright position he slowly hovered upward and as he neared the bottom window of the bridge slashed downwards, making a laceration on the bridge. He was about to do the same to the upper level but a hellish yellow beam tore through the bow of the ship. "What the hell?" he exclaimed aloud in his cockpit.

"Japa, Lt. Colonel Ran has arrived, also, Joachim and Riko have infiltrated Granada's defense. The Feddies mobile suits never had a chance to deploy." Troike said, rejoicing. Another comm opened and Ran's face appeared.

"Japa, let them live. Our mission is complete. Andrea is on her way to pick up your team. We're going to go ahead. Ran out." With that his face vanished and Japa opened an comm to both his pilots.

"Col. Lowenhardt is waiting for his to begin her departure. Everyone needs to report back to the Blitzkrieg. Lets go."

"What about the Salamis?" Troike said, with a awkward quirk in his voice.

"I'm to let them live. Ran's orders." Japa didn't want to speak anymore and so he closed the comm. He pushed the controls back and the Kürzer dropped a few meters to its previous landing spot. The suit kneeled to pick up the Beam Machinegun he had placed down on it earlier. As it stood back up, it flew, backwards, off of the ship. And on a dime, it turned and took off towards he location of the Blitzkrieg. The Rick Dom's came beside him.

The crew of the Bokaro could do nothing but watch, as three mobile suits, turned into small lights of blue among the stars.
- - - - - -
Blitzkrieg

Andrea tapped, nervously, at her right panel. She didn't know if Japa had survived his sortie, and was worried about him. Her eyes were bloodshot from not getting any rest the night before. She was only 24, and looked like she nearing 50. She had no idea when she took the position there would be so much stress involved. Finally, a comm came through and the comm officer relayed it to her.

"Ma'am, Japa and his squadron are on their way to the ship. They succeeded in their mission." he said.

Andrea sunk into her chair, relieved. She, abruptly, sat back up and gave orders to the crew, "Heda, inform Japa that we'll meet them half-way. I'm sure they're low on fuel. I need Cohrs, and Ivancic to stay here. The rest of you get some rest. Report back here at 1200 hours." she said, "Lt. Runo tell the technicians to prepare for the mobile suits. That is all."

"Yes ma'am." they all exclaimed at what seemed like the same time. The crew she did not mention left the bridge and headed for their quarters. Andrea yawned for a moment and rubbed the bridge of her eyes. She flopped back into her command chair, and felt total relaxation shoot through her muscles. She knew that if she stayed like this for long she would fall into the world of dreams. 'No, I can't let that happen.' She kept saying to herself.

"I'm going to find someway to stay awake. Will you three be okay?" she asked, yawning again.

"Yes ma'am. If you'd like, I could call Runo back to the bridge. So you can may get some rest." one said, softly.

She smiled at his kindness, "No, I should be fine. I'll be back in 30 minutes." she said, "Inform me over the intercom of any unexpected confrontations." She waved as she left the bridge. The door slid shut behind her, and the bridge was quiet, only the rumbling of the engines could be heard.
- - - - - -
Joachim rejoiced as he flew away from the smoking lunar city of Granada. His and Riko's squads stopped the remaining forces from departing. Their mission was a success. He had also heard Japa's squadron had shot down a Salamis, and almost another one. His joyous mood vanished as Riko appeared on the comm screen.

"Well done, Joachim. I had no idea you were that good a pilot." he said, smiling.

"Japa was the only one who knew." he winked, "Now the entire Federal Forces will tremble at the sight of my red, green, and white Kürzer." They both burst out laughing. Riko's was genuine, but Joachim's was fake. Riko had never heard him laugh so he thought it was sincere.

"We better head back to the ships, Joachim." he said, trying not to laugh.

"Yes sir. We'll move out right away." Joachim replied, opening a comm to Reilly and Merold, while closing the one to Riko, "That guys gets on my nerves." he said aloud.

"Sir?" Reilly heard his statement.

Joachim forgot he was open to Reilly and Merold, "Nothing don't worry about it. I want you two to head back to the Schrecklich. I'll be right behind you." Joachim nodded. The others closed the comm from their cockpits. He watched closely through the monitor as they flew off in a blinding blue flash.

Just as soon as they flew off, three purple beams screamed through the darkness. All three pierced the fairly weak armor of Reilly's Zaku II. The beams scorched the armor and three holes appeared. One through the left shoulder, one through the rear skirt armor, and the last, devastating beam pierced the rear thruster pack. Burning the fuel inside. In a tenth of a second after they punctured the suit, it exploded into a ball of fire. Illuminating the immediate surroundings. "No! Reilly!" Merold screamed through the cockpit comm.

Joachim watched, in horror, as his wing-man was blown from the sky. 'What just happened?' he thought to himself, trying to conceal his emotions. In anger, he swung the Kürzer around and spotted the suit responsible for this. "You piece of **** GM!" he screamed as he thrust the controls forward. The Kürzer burst off on a stream of blue, trailing from his many thrusters.

"Joachim, I can take him out from here, just move out of my way." Merold said.

"No, I'll take care of this ****er." he said, angrily. He pushed on the middle trigger and the Beam Machinegun was tossed aside. The right hand took the Twin Beam Sword off of its rack and brought it forward. Beams extending from each side. The Kürzer lifted it over its head, and twirled it with both hands. The right holding it, and bringing it out to the side, while the left arm was positioned in a guarding pose in front.

He was gaining speed as he flew at a downward angle towards the GM. The pilot inside sat in fear, knowing he was about to die. He did nothing, said nothing, but sit there, helplessly. He watched through his monitor as the Kürzer gained on his position. The blue stream exiting from the thruster pack, rear skirt armor, and from beneath the lower legs. Beams on either side of the Twin Beam Sword.

Joachim grinned in the cockpit, knowing someone was going to pay for Reilly's death. He was almost on top of the old type GM, and as soon as he was within a few meters he brought the Beam Sword over his head, and with a quick fatal downward slash from it, the GM was sliced in half. He pulled back on the controls as soon as he slashed, so he wouldn't be caught in the reactor explosion. "Merold hurry, before more reinforcements arrive. I'll be right there."

"Yes sir."

So the two remaining mobile suits of Joachim's squadron flew off amongst the starts, heading for the Schrecklich.
- - - - - -

Granada

Nasaki slammed his fist down in a rage of anger. "Who the hell can six mobile suits damage a whole city this badly? Tell me god damnit!" he said, furiously.

"I-I don't know, sir." McBane said, lowering his head.

"Sir, there are four Musai class cruiser departing the moon." said another officer.

"Okay, now it makes sense." he rubbed his chin with his fore-finger and thumb, "They attacked the ship depot so we couldn't follow them." his eyes lit up, "As much as I would hate to admit it, that move was genius. Too bad we can't counter it." his eyes calmed back down.

"Sir, couldn't we just inform Side 4*?"

"No, I will be the on bring down these Zeek bastards." Nasaki's stubbornness was showing, "Tell the mechanic's to get busy on fixing the space port. We will leave as soon as it's finished." he paused to think for a moment, "Tell the technicians we need new mobile suits, and pilots good enough to handle them." he smirked. "We'll kill them all."
- - - - - -
Blitzkrieg
Mobile Suit Deck
0712

Japa sat in the cockpit, as the Kürzer went into the Deck, backwards. A blip on the monitor showed him what was behind, so he wouldn't ram into anything. He had to concentrate as much as his mind would let him. The bay doors in front of him, began to come together. He let out a sigh of relief.

"Alright, Japa, you can leave the rest to us." Meikle said over the comm.

"Okay." he replied, softly. He pressed down a few buttons on the panel next to him and the cockpit hatch opened, letting light enter the dark cockpit. Japa slid his visor up into the helmet and kicked off the pedals. He floated out of the cockpit and grabbed hold of a nearby railing. He swung himself onto the rafter and held onto the railing as he glided to the exit.

"Don't worry, Japa. We won't harm it." Meikle yelled from the other side of the deck. Japa cracked a little smile and ran his hand along on the control panel. The door hissed as the airlock was broken. He stared at the floor but a hand on his shoulder brought his head up.

"Andrea?" he asked.

"Yes, Japa," he paused and looked into his dark brown eyes, "I have bad news about Joachim." She saw his eyes shoot open.

"What happened?" he grabbed her by the shoulders, not aggressively, but softly.

"He lost one his pilots." she continued staring into his eyes.

"Damn, Andrea. You scared me." he smiled. 'That's a first' she thought to herself, "Your tone was so dreadful, I thought I lost my only friend."

She blushed, "Sorry." Japa saw her pale white face turn red in embarrassment. He blushed in return, but she couldn't see it from behind his visor.

"If you don't mind, Colonel, I'd like to get some rest."

"That's fine." she let go his shoulder and he let go of her. She went by him and into the Mobile Suit Deck. 'What is she doing in there?' he questioned to himself. A sudden yawn brought back his attention. He pushed off the wall and was sent soaring through the winding corridors.