Mobile Suit Gundam Prophecy

[Andromeda]

605 After Nuclear, there was a period of post nuclear winter holocaust for the earth. What were the causes remain unknown, but six hundred years ago a massive nuclear strike upon the earth’s surface nearly vaporized the atmosphere and turned over 95% of the world’s land into an uninhabitable wasteland radioactive for hundreds upon thousands of years. It was a catastrophe beyond imagining, in an instant over half of the population was killed. Fallout across the world along with radioactive matter contaminated the land and people, in a year exposure or disease killed off nearly the entire human race.

By the grace of God or a miracle it was Antarctica that was spared from the devastation, as temperatures warmed from the heat the polar caps melted raising the ocean levels until a thick cloud of dust from fallout began to rapidly cool the surface of the earth. A new winter was begun on the earth lasting for untold decades. However, slowing and carefully the remaining people at the Antarctica research base began to recover. Completely cut off from civilization and realizing they were all that was left of civilization, they began their work.

Toiling for years the small group of two hundred scientists and a few thousand civilians began to build a new civilization, the city that would be Antarctica City. The city became their hope and the future of the human race, even if it seemed but a dream. From inside the domed city they planned for the rebirth of the earth in a massive undertaking that would take generations to complete. The complete terraformation of the earth, remove the radioactivity and restore the fertile land.

Plagued with few resources and a starving people they continued to work believing in the hope for a better future. By 145 After Nuclear, the city had become stable and they could finally put their plan into motion. Constructing massive machines designed to work in the harsh conditions they were slowly able to begin terraforming the earth. Now in 605 nearly half of the earth is reclaimed, farmlands are sparse across the land as the population begins to recover. Spread around the southern hemisphere small towns and trading posts lay across the land all feeding Antarctica City, the center of the human civilization and hope. It is the home of the HOPE Organization, the group behind the construction and maintenance of the terraformers.

The HOPE Organization, as the name suggested was the center of the hope for the people of earth. All the energies of the people went into making their dream a reality. HOPE was the place where all new technologies were created and all the scientists worked. Everyone working together to better the human existence keeping the terraformers running, keeping all the technology that existed in perfect condition. Without HOPE the human civilization would have fallen into disarray and anarchy regressing backwards. Everyone was grateful for what HOPE had done and would do anything for them…

Location – South Asia near the Safety Zone

A cool breeze blew across the dusty fields north of a village. The breeze caught Shizuka’s hair taking it up in to the air to its full length that was nearly as long as she was tall. Her hair had not been cut since the day she left her father six years ago as a small part of her defiance or maybe difference from her life she knew then. There was a lot that had happened before that she did not want to be reminded of and whatever she could think of to remove herself from the image she had of herself she tried. These changes resulted in her changing her hair color to blonde, her clothes even a little of her speech.

The life she currently had in this small village was simple; the people cared about each other. Everyone knew each other and they helped each other, they even had their meals together. It was as though the whole village was a family, a new family for her, something that she had lacked since then. She tried not think about her own that much anymore; the people of the village had eventually became her new family as she adjusted to life.

Village life was very different from the life she had known in the city back in Antarctica, where technology was everywhere. People walked around in a daze almost not giving a care about anyone else but their own matters. They always said that they were there for the people, HOPE was made by the people for the people, but that was just a lie. There was no caring, all they worried about was their own selves making sure to maintain their own existence. It was full of people worried about their own happiness leaving others behind, most did not even know what it meant to live. The dome over their city even maintained constant temperatures; they were being held closed, on their leash never to stray far.

In school they said the people that went out into the world after the land was terraformed were bold adventurers looking for excitement and a new experience. She could believe part of that, though she really wondered if it was just that they got fed up with the solitary existence that stifled them. They probably wanted to breathe and leave the controlled environment of the city to live like normal people. It was the life beyond the dome that was where you learned what it meant to live. You had to work for what you wanted and grow what you wanted to eat, nothing processed or manufactured in some food plant that you could not even recognize what made it up. Real food and real work that made you sweat, dirtied your clothes and made you proud of what you did. It was an honest living with very little interaction with anyone. Most of the world was scattered with villages like the one Shizuka lived in with miles of distance to the next. Farmlands filled much of the distance between the villages and it was the farmhands or villagers that tended to them throughout the year. The harvest would be divided up enough for the villagers to keep and the rest was sent to trading posts where it would be shipped back to Antarctica City to feed the millions that lived there.

She hated the thought that her own work was going to support the continued life style of the people back in the city, but she also did not wish for their deaths. When she first had arrived in the village she was opposed to the idea of helping them, not because she did not want to do manual labor. It was because she knew where and to whom the food went back to, but eventually she came to realize that she did want them to die or starve. Rather she hoped to change their views, however she did not know how to do that. The thought had her in a paradox for a while until she just had to move past it in order to deal with how unfair life could be.

Shizuka turned her eyes up to the sky gazing at the clouds, she could not remember the last time that she has seen the sun. There was usually a little light breaking through the clouds, but it always felt like it was going to rain soon, even the clouds were dark most times. It made it difficult to keep warm temperatures with so much cloud cover, but she knew that it because of man’s mistake centuries ago that caused the sunless sky. So much of the dust was still in the clouds and by products of the nuclear weapons that it was usually just clouds in the sky. Though what little she was told from her classes, it was not completely clouds, but some strange matter that hung in the air forming like clouds. She did not really understand it, especially sense she was so young at the time most of it did not make any sense to her. What little she knew was what most people did and a little hearsay that people filled in the gaps with. She did not really believe most of what was said since it was just uneducated rumors, but she figured somewhere there had to be truth.

She dropped her hand shovel and grabbed the strip of cloth behind her that kept her sleeves neatly tied up. The work had loosened the knot and her sleeves were beginning to fall into the dirt covering up her hands. Standing up with the strip untied she quickly wrapped it around her pulling back her sleeves tying it behind her once again. She knelt down again resuming her work weeding the rows. There were always a few stray weeds in the field and they grew so fast despite the lack of sunlight, but nature does adapt. She ended up having to weed the fields twice a week most times; during the rainy season she would be weeding with half of the villagers helping.

The weeding usually kept her busy, however other times she would be helping out with jobs around the village cleaning, going into Osukimi, the trading post nearby, to help with buying things they needed. The rest of the time she managed the only electronic device they had in the village, it was halfway between a calculator and a computer. Most of the time it did not work correctly, but it was mainly just for managing finances and crop yields. She was the only one with any knowledge of computers since most of the people in the village were at least four generations or more removed from the city. Most of them had move north to setup this village two generations ago when the land became open for use. She was told that the land they had been on was starting to get crowded and some of the fertility was getting stripped away with the constant use. So it was decided by a group of them to move to a new location nearby that had become available recently.

As she continued to work moving through the row slowly she thought she heard the sound of engines from the above. She looked around, but did not see anything and the sound disappeared. The cloud cover was rather thick today, but it could have been her imagination, shrugging it off she resumed checking for weeds.

[Atma-Noah]

The cockpit of the T.M.L's air carrier reeked of suspense and sweat. They had been hovering above the village for almost three hours now. Awaiting the ok from Fin to land. Finally the silence was broke by the man at the helm. His gloved hands left the controls for only a moment as he spoke.

"Why don't I just land in the middle of the town? Who cares if it upsets some people. I don't see why we've got to just float up here all damn day while you search for a...."

"You say one more word in that sentence and you'll have my foot so far up your ass you'll taste the leather of my boot. Why the hell are you piloting anyways Sam? Where the hell is 'Gar? He wouldn't complain so damn much!"

"He's still in his room Cap'n. Prolly still sleepin' too. That kid is to damn lazy to be head pilot. Good thing he's switchin' over to HOPE. I'm sorry Cap'n but I don't trust hims steerin' this hunk o' metal and I really don't give a damn whose son he is or how many times he's got us out of trouble. Half o' them times was 'cause he got us into 'em and you know it Cap'n."

Everyone looked over toward the weapon command station. The response had come from a the big man who rested there. He sat ignoring them while combing his beard. Fin gave a sigh and rose. He made his way towards the large copper door.

"You may be right Jared but I owe it to Dave and you can't say that Ed isn't the best pilot we've got. I'm sure you'll even miss him once he's gone so try not to give him a hard time ok."

The tone in Fin's voice seemed to linger longer than his words did as the copper door opened and then shut again. As the footsteps faded Sam once again broke the silence.

"The Cap'n is takin' it hard ain't he?"


Ed was laying on his bed looking at the ceiling when Fin knocked at the door.
"You decent? Who the hell cares I help changed your diapers! I'm coming in one way or another so brace yourself."
Fin walked in to see Ed hadn't even moved.
"'Gar you there? Sam is complaining too much so I want you to take the helm. You listenin' at all? 'Gar?!"

"It's my last job with you guys for a long time eh? Could be my last job with you ever. Half of you helped raised me for Christ's sake. It's going to suck."

Sitting up Ed looked for some sort of comfort and as always Fin provided it.

"Look kid. Your one of the best damn pilots out there and now HOPE has given you the chance to pilot something that many will ever get the chance too. Your sixteen for Christ's sake. S'bout time you get out on your own anyway and what better way to do it than to pilot for the very organization that has kept this world running for so long. After your done with them kid you can retire on all the cash you'll have made. Frig! This whole crew could retire with you! So no more doubting it ok? Now get up and to the helm cause I can't stand Sam complainin' anymore!"

Ed quickly rose, smiled and nodded his head at the captain, and made his way out of his room. He ran down the hall towards the cockpit but couldn't help noticing the familiar reddish walls, the other crew members, the litter covered floor, and even the familiar smell that had raised him. Will I ever see it again? He couldn't help but wonder.

Ed decided not to wait for Fin and walked into the cockpit. He quickly noticed that his fedora was on one of the arms of the pilot's chair. "That's where I put it." He exclaimed as he took his seat.

"What the hell are you talking about Ed? What did you put where?"
Jared asked shaking his head as he listened to the others begin to chuckle.
"Ahhh....None of your business old timer. Why don't you do us all a favor and shut the hell up till your asked to do something of importance eh?"

Before Jared could respond Fin walked in and took his seat. He opened up the map on the front screen.

"You all see point 5,20 on this map? Well that's where we are going to land. I've decided that we've got no right landing too close to the village. They left Antarctica City for a reason and I'd hate to bring that reason to them. So to play it safe we'll land up there and a few of us will go see the residents and get Kitawara's daughter. Sheila, 'Gar, and Rob will come with me. Take 'er down 'Gar and the rest of you get some rest while we're gone. Your all too God damn grouchy lately!"

With the new orders everyone went on their way to prepare. As soon as Ed had landed the carrier he began to feel the excitement. He had only been to villages outside of Antarctica City a few times and he was quite young the last time he did. He had always found them to be so much different. This one wasn't going to be an exception. In one quick motion he grabbed his fedora and placed it neatly on his head. The description of Kitawara's daughter ran though his mind as he made his way to meet the others.

She'll be around fourteen was it? Or fifteen? Ah shit maybe Fin remembers. She'll have black hair and is Asian like her father. Think that was it. I won't be the one to find her anyways. I'd rather just watch the people and see how they live. The others can find her fine.

Ed now found himself with Sheila, Rob, and Fin on the ground walking towards the village.
"We're pretty close to the safety zone aren't we? I wonder why they all moved so far this way?"

"Yes we are and you can ask one of the villagers when we get there Ed ok? Now remember to be on the look out for Kitawara's daughter. He said her name was Shizuka. Oh and Ed don't do anything stupid like last time we were at one of these villages. I don't think they liked you walking into their house's just to see what they were like."

"Shut up Sheila. I was like twelve and curious...and if I remember right you were suppose to be watching me and not trying to buy cheap booze off of that merchant."

Ed easily shifted his attention to the environment around him. The road they were walking on seemed to slowly become less like a road and more like a path. Grass had begun to sprout up through the gravel and went on unkept. Ed also noticed a few trees that had grown to a huge size. The biggest he had ever seen.

Not to long after the trees had become more sparse the group arrived at the village. Ed stood amazed looking at the stone houses with their dirt paths that lead to the main street. They were soon greeted by the mayor and some villagers. Fin easily talked his way into meeting privately with the mayor at his home. With the mayor's nod of approval the remaining three spilt up to search and the villagers went on their way.

Ed walked along trying to retain every detail he saw. A couple of kids were playing with dolls near one house. At another a older couple rocked back and forth holding hands. He finally came to where he wanted to go. He noticed it on the map the captain brought up on the main screen. It was an area within the village boarders that remained empty. It was the fields and their hundreds of rows.

"This is where some of it comes from. Antarctica City's food supply. They use shovels and their hands to harvest the food too. They must really be in tune with nature or arrogant. Are they that arrogant. The want to sperate themselves from Antarctica City as much as possible. They're like a whole different type of people and it seems so stupid."

Ed took a seat on the grass and watched the many people as they worked. He couldn't get over the fact that they did it themselves. With a yawn he laid back and closed his eyes. He had plenty of time before Fin would finish and Kitawara's daughter would be found. Why couldn't he take a nap? Would the people of the village care? He doubted it. Putting his hands behind his head he began to drift off.

[Andromeda]

Shizuka wiped her forehead as sweat dripped slowly down her face. A few strains of her hair caught in her mouth as she exhaled a sigh. She pulled her hair out with her relatively clean hand. Even though it was cool, the work was still tiring. Lunch would be soon and she could get something to eat then, but until then she sat down for a minute reaching behind her for a bottle. Strapped to her belt that brought in her dress around her waist was a leather carry for a water bottle. It was normally carried on the side at the hip, but with the work she was doing it would get in her way. Unsnapping the strap around the bottle she pulled it taking a quick drink from the bottle before returning it to its holder.

As she started back in on her work she heard that sound of engines again. This time closer, and now she knew it was real. It was constant now rather than intermittent, even though it was at a distance, she knew there was a plane or vessel of some type landing nearby. Though why would there be someone landing here? They could be here to work on the terraformer, though last she had seen it was busy at work not needing repair. She searched her mind thinking of other reason that there could be for someone wanting to land here. They could be out of fuel, though if they were it probably would have been a far worse sound. The trading post was miles away, so unless they had a navigation error she could not think of a reason they would need to come to her village.

She had some curiosity about the noise and who it was that had come to her village, though she had to keep working on the fields. Resuming checking for weeds she walked through the row coming back towards the village, her curiosity growing. She could see where the vessel was parked, far into the distance. Though she could not see it specifically, there was a soft haze of clouds from the engines that she could spot that gave away its location.

The row she was checking came to an end, though before she turned to start back into the next row she saw a man sitting back on the hill that over looked the rows of plants. It was a spot that she often would find herself at during the evening hours when she had nothing left to do. It gave a small sight across the plains, though in the distance there was the eerie purple fog. She tried to avoid looking at the fog too much; it was often a terrible reminder and stirred up a sour feeling in her stomach. Even though she never had been near to the safety zone she knew what the fog was, it always managed to create a strange fear inside.

Shizuka looked closely at the man that was laid back on the grass, reclining comfortably with a view of the sky. It took her a moment but she realized that his clothes were different; he was not a villager meaning he had to be from that vessel. Such a strange relaxed air about him without a care in the world, made her think of Antarctica City. Her hands clinched together as her thoughts became emotion and she had a sudden urge to punch him. Walking slowly up the hill to where he was, she stood over him looking down at him.

“You are blocking the view,” the man said.

“The view,” she said curtly. The man looked at her directly as he sat up slowly. “You from that vessel that landed outside of my village?”

“Hmm? How’d you know?”

“No one around ‘ere would be wearing that. I can tell you are from the city.”

“Ah, well yeah I am. Name’s Edgar Dubois, but you can call me Ed.”

“Well Mr. Dubois what are you doing here, navigation troubles?”

“Huh, oh…ah…no we are looking for someone. Hey! You must be from this village right? You might know, we are looking for a girl, ah what was the name again, Shizuka! Yeah, Shizuka Kitawara. You wouldn’t happen to know her, miss…?

“Hiraoka, Miss Hiraoka.”

“You have a first name don’t you, no need to be so formal, call me Ed.”

She was surprised by this sudden revelation that he had made. What did they want with her? Were they working for her father, did he want her back? She was not going back, she had made that clear to him. What reason could he have for wanting her? Though she could not be certain if it was her father that they were working for. But if they were not working for him, what possible reason would they have for wanting her? She needed to know more. “Why are you looking for her?”

“Hmm? Well I don’t know all the details but I think her father wants her. I don’t know, sounded like a family matter.”

“I see…so I was right he is looking for me,” she thought, ”but why it has been six years, if he was wanting me back I’d think he would have tried sooner. Probably so caught up in his work that he did not even notice I was gone until now. I have half a mind just to go back to tell him off.” Her body was becoming warmer with anger and frustration. She needed to release it, but there was nothing she could do. She wanted to do something, but she could not go back to the village, they would be looking for her. Even if this man was so relaxed, she knew he was not alone and the others would be trying harder to find her than he was. Turning away she started back down the hill leaving him abruptly.

“Hey! You didn’t answer my question!”

“I have to go back to work, I wasted enough time already.” She quickly walked back into the rows disappearing from sight of the hill. This development worried her; she might have to leave the village. Though being able to get out of the village would be hard since she had no food, almost no water and the next village was a full day’s walk away. At the very least she could keep working and try to stay out of sight until she decided what she would do.

[Atma-Noah]

These villagers sure are strange and the girl has got another thing coming if she thinks she can blow me off like that. She must know Shizuka. She wouldn't have been so defensive if she didn't....wait maybe that's just the attitude of the village folk 'round here. Ah screw it! I'll go see what's up with the Cap'n.

Ed gave a quick glance behind him to find his fedora. It must've fallen while I was laying down. Standing up he dusted it off and placed it neatly back on his head. Saying his goodbyes to the rows and the purple haze he made his way back into the village.

Upon entering however he quickly encountered a problem. " Nargh! I've got no idea where the mayor's shack is at!" He said kicking up some dust.

"What did I tell you about makin' a scene here kid!? I swear we can't take you out anywhere anymore!"

The foolhardy tone and thick accent gave her away before Ed even felt the cuff upside the head. It was Sheila. Ed managed to get a sigh of relief in before he was hauled towards one of the houses.

"I swear if I catch you doin' anythin' foolish like that again in public no less! You'll be so damn sore you won't be sittin' in any sorta pilot seat! Do I make myself clear."

"Sheila I'm so glad you found me. Did the Cap'n tell you where he was going? Did you find Shizuka?.....Wait did you just say you'd spank me? What the hell is that about?"

Ed paused looking at her awkwardly awaiting a reply.

"Well first things first kid. Cap'n Fin is goin' ta meet us over where we all had first come inta the village once he's done talkin' ta the mayor. Second, no I didn't find the girl. Everyone I have asked says there is no Shizuka Kitawara that resides here."

Sheila stopped, leaned over, and whispered into Ed's ear.
"Seems they're all tryin' ta hide 'er from us."

So that's why she blew me off. She does know the girl and was keepin' her safe. It's not like we're trying to hurt her or anything we're just doing our job.

Ed though while making his way back towards the entreance where Rob awaited. After hearing that Rob had no leads either the three of them waited for captain Fin to return. When he did it was the first time in a long time any of them had seen the captain run.

"None of you have got anything on her have you?" The captain strained to get out before he began catching his breath. After regaining a steady heart rate and seeing them all nod he began to explain.

"So this is what I got from the mayor. He didn't know a Shizuka Kitawara and was surprised when he found that there was suppose to be one here. So I tried to explain the description and still nothing clicked. Wasn't till I mentioned that she probably came to the town six years ago did I get a reaction. Seems that six years ago a bunch o' villagers found a young girl collapsed on the ground. They helped her out and welcomed her to the village with open arms. She's still here too. The mayor said she has darkish blonde hair with pink highlights. She goes by Shizuka Hiraoka....."

The face of the girl that had blew him off flashed before Ed's eyes.
"Oh....shit!"
He muttered kicking dust up again. The captain, Sheila, and Rob all looked at him with wide eyes.
"What the hell did you do now Eddy?"
Rob asked before Ed could continue.

"I got some....kinda-sorta bad news. Instead of looking I went to the fields to see how it was they all worked. After watching them I decided to lay back and enjoy the cloudy sky eh. That's about the time she walked up to me. Younger girl, couldn't really tell what colour her hair was 'cause it was all sweaty and dirty. She asked why the ship had landed. I told her who we were lookin' for and asked if she knew her. I asked for her name too. She said Miss Hiraoka....."

"Damn 'Gar! God knows where she is now. You better pray that she's still 'round this village. I won't be loosing the pay we're gettin' from this job ya hear! Well don't just stand there go find her!"

Once again the small group spilt up. Ed ran back towards the field. His cheeks scorching hot with embarrassment they probably looked just as red too.

Fin was real mad there Ed way to screw up your last job. I doubt she'll come easily too. Rob will end up haulin' her back to the ship and shoving her in one of the detaining rooms. I should've known she would've been the only one who would talk to me. She was just milkin' me for info....What the hell am I going to do now eh? I doubt I'll be leavin' for HOPE on good terms with T.M.L now.

It was about mid day now and the ones that had been working in the field were leaving for lunch. Ed looked into the mass carefully seeing if he could find her but he had no such luck. He was now alone looking down the large field and staring at the purple haze. She wouldn't have...would she? No. Whatever the reason was that she left wouldn't have been enough to make her run to her death.

"Well Shizuka Kitawara, Hiraoka, or whatever the hell you go by....it's just you and I in this field now... that is if your even here. I've got one question for you. Whatever the reason was to make you run away from your father was it worth making an ass out of me eh?! I hope it was because that's what you did! Look, I don't understand why people like you can't let us mercs do our job. You always have to complicate things and make everything difficult...." Ed paused and looked around seeing if he could see her moving but found nothing.

"Listen I'll be honest with you I don't really care what happened between you and your pops but your pops wants you to go see him and hired us to do it....so one way or another your going to go see him! Frig, if my mom was willing to spend as much money to see me as your dad did to get you to see him, hell...I'd do it. Hell I'd go for free if she wanted to see me. It wasn't like he asked you to come and live with him again for Christ's sake! Why don't you just let us take you to see him so we can get paid. After that your free to do whatever the hell you want to! For all I care you can run right back here and live a life rummaging through the ground for food. Sound like a deal?"

Edgar stopped. He was at the end of the field now and couldn't think of anything more to say. He looked around once again then headed back towards the village.

[Andromeda]

Shizuka went back to her usual business in the fields. Even though she was on edge about being searched for, there was little she could do until she was able sneak back into the village. But she also did not know how determined they were to find her, if she remained hidden long enough maybe they would look somewhere else. Though she knew that was wishful thinking, the others with that man were in the village no doubt asking questions. Depending on how much they knew the villagers may or may not be confused by their searched. Thinking back, she remembered that she never did tell them her last name was Kitawara, the subject had never really came up. She just wanted to try to forget about the past that she had left behind, so she had ended up giving them her mother’s maiden name instead. Hopefully they would think they got the wrong village and move on else where, but she could not rely on that alone.

She slowly walked through the row, working at a much slower pace than usual, her thoughts kept her busy. Though she was also trying to keep her full attention to the surroundings in case any of them decided to start searching the fields. Her mind ran over ideas for escaping, but she would keep running into the problem of uncertainty. She had gotten enough information from the man to know what was going on, but she really did not know more than that. Did they come with a small group or was a large band of men waiting to start a search party? How violent were they; the man seemed laid back, but he was hardly a measure of the entire group.

There were just too many questions that she had and her time was running short. She knew that lunch would begin soon and the fields would be empty. Her not being there would look suspicious; at the very least the villagers would begin to worry where she was, but with the situation as it was there was little choice she had if she wanted to remain away from Antarctica City. She had to escape and hope some of the villagers would be sympathetic to her reasons and help her out.

In the distance, talking could be heard, she recognized it as some of the villagers that usually were in the fields tending to the plants. She relaxed, calming down from a knot of tension. Lunch was called and everyone was leaving to get something eat, she had to decide what she wanted to do. Shizuka bit on her lip, chewing on it in nervousness as she thought. Her mind was racing with ideas, but just as she was thinking earlier everything was coming up blank.

Shizuka sat in the row where she stopped in a rather deep concentration, when suddenly she heard a voice yelling. It was that man she spoke to before and he did not seem as pleased now, it gave her a small grin. She listened carefully, “Well Shizuka Kitawara, Hiraoka, or whatever the hell you go by....it's just you and I in this field now... I've got one question for you. Whatever the reason was to make you run away from your father was it worth making an ass out of me eh?!”

“So he knows now, I guess that his friends filled him in. But hey making you look like an idiot is not my problem, you did that on your own.”

“I hope it was because that's what you did! Look, I don't understand why people like you can't let us mercs do our job.”

“Mercs huh, father sent hired men to find me.”

“You always have to complicate things and make everything difficult....”

“Me complicate things, us, right mister easy-going-you’re block my view. Might want to get a clue before you continue to sound like an idiot. I just want a life alone, it is simple as that. I disappeared for a reason, not to be found.”

"Listen I'll be honest with you I don't really care what happened between you and your pops but your pops wants you to go see him and hired us to do it....so one way or another your going to go see him!”

“Over my dead body I am going to see him again.”

“Frig, if my mom was willing to spend as much money to see me as your dad did to get you to see him, hell...I'd do it.”

“If he spent so much money to find me, why isn’t he here himself, too busy. Right, he is too busy to come find me, I am too busy for him.”

“It wasn't like he asked you to come and live with him again for Christ's sake! Why don't you just let us take you to see him so we can get paid.”

“How noble of you, come out so you can get paid, right better work on your persuasiveness, mister.”

“After that your free to do whatever the hell you want to! For all I care you can run right back here and live a life rummaging through the ground for food. Sound like a deal?”

“Right, insult my way of life and you expect me to come out with open arms. How dense are you?” She had stayed down low the entire time during his little monologue with the plants. After everything he said, the urge to punch him had come back. Unfortunately that would solve nothing for her but reveal her position, especially since she knew that she could not knock him out with a single punch, at best she could stun him. But even still, she was small compared to him and he was a mercenary, meant he was probably of tougher stock than she was even for having been in the city. “I wish I had a rock right now…”

The man turned having come to the end of the rows and began walking back to the village. He had apparently not seen her, or at the very least was not trying very hard. She did manage to blend in with the surroundings well enough, but she could see him, so if he had been looking carefully, he would have probably seen her. But maybe he had and was just waiting for a moment to sneak up on her when she was off guard. Either way, she waited until she could not see him anymore before moving. As she began working her way out of the fields the long way, she came up with an idea. A crazy idea that seemed stupid, but it might work. If she could get out of the fields and across the open plains unseen, she could hide in that forest where their vessel landed. It seemed like the safest place, because who would look for her at the one place she would not want to go to. It was simple, risky, but it could work to her advantage, plus if the rest of the crew did not know what she looked like anymore than that man, then she could get away by just saying she was passing by if seen. She was just worried about how risky of a move it was to go into the open plains with no cover. At least the fields provided an amount of cover for her.

She slowly made her way to the edge of the field staring out into the emptiness beyond. All of it was unclaimed fertile ground, in a few more years the village would probably stop using the ground that they are now and move to this and let the current ground rest and recover from the use. Past mistakes of man could not be repeated, if the Earth was to survive it had to remain fertile. There was a lot of land, but there were so few people to manage it that it all went to waste. But what land they did have, they had to maintain carefully just like a machine.

Shizuka looked back towards where the village would be if she could see it. She would miss the village; they had taken care of her for six years. “I hope I can repay you for your kindness one day.”

“Pink hair is a little strange for someone out here,” a voice said.

She quickly turned around looking up to find a woman staring down at her. The woman seemed to appear out of nowhere while she was looking away. It was not a good sign; she was probably with that man. She tried to stand up and run away, but her arm was quickly restrained. “Let me go.”

“I don’t think so Miss Shizuka Kitawara.”

“What?! You got the wrong person, let me—!” Shizuka tried to pull free of the woman’s grasp, but her hand was tightly wrapped around her wrist. She was not going anywhere.

“Right, I know who you are, changin’ your name and hair, had us going for a while. Made a fool out of the kid, have to give you credit for that. Didn’t think a little girl like you would give us so much trouble.”

“What you talking about? Let me go!”

“Shut your hole, you’re coming with me.” The woman began to drag her by her arm towards the village. Shizuka tripped herself on purpose hoping it might free her arm, but the woman’s grip remained. “Goin’ to be a brat about this huh?” Shizuka refused to stand even at the yanking of her arm, the woman continued walking just dragging her slowly behind her. There was little she could do; the woman was determined to bring her back, though Shizuka was not done yet. She painfully turned her arm around behind her, the arm that still remained free, and reached for her water bottle. Quickly as she could, she unsnapped the bottle and squeezed the bottle at her captured wrist. The woman quickly turned back at her in surprise, and with a wet wrist and the grip loosened she ripped her wrist free fleeing in the opposite direction into the fields. Shizuka quickly disappeared into the rows of plants easily fitting through as the woman was slowed down. She had bought herself a moment of time, though that woman would not be very happy, and they knew where she was now.

[2ndPower]

The ore hauler pulled along, slowly. Very slowly. Jarek sighed. This was already shaping up to be a long trip. It had been a few years since the Federation has had any major conflicts with anyone, but protocol still demanded that ships carrying cargo from the moon's mining operations recieved a full escort, since the metals that they carried were essential to many of the Federation's functions, as they could not repair and construct without it. Still, the White Star Battallion was one of the Federation's most successful military force, even having a small portion such as this pull escort duty was overkill. Hell, just having Jarek's flagship, a Hecatonchires-class battlecruiser known as the Briareos, there was overkill. But once again, protocol demanded these things. The force that was present was firing their engines in bursts, with long pauses in between, so that the hauler could keep up. Jarek sighed once more. He hated downtime. It was so... unproductive. He had already run his crew through all the excercises they could perform without leaving the cargo ship behind, there was little more to do right now.

Jarek heard the sound of running feet behind him, the repetitive clunk of boots hitting the metal deck. Apparantly, somebody had something important. Jarek welcomed it. Anything would be better than the unchanging view out of the command deck's windows. The running man entered the room, skidded to a stop in front of Jarek, and through a hasty salute.

"Sir, we're getting some strange readings from the shield." He panted. It was Jonathan Trilby, the ship's head scientist. It had been found a while ago that having scientists on ship during battles and missions helped them become more effecient at developing new weapons and machines, as well as new countermeasures for enemy technology. Now, they were standard issue on most flagships.

"And what do these readings indicate?"

"The shield is less dense than normal. However, it is slowly returning to its original state. If we're lucky, we might be able to break through it, but we have to act quickly."

Jarek pondered for a minute, his face impassive beneath his red-eyed mask. In the past couple of years, the shield has shown readings like this a few times, but it took far too long to get anyone near enough to analyse it. They, however, were relatively close to Earth. With luck, they could reach there in time. However, an operation such as the one Jarek was currently planning was outside of his jurisdiction, he'd have to get permission from High Command. Of course, by the time those assholes finished their bickering, the shield would probably be back to it's original state. Jarek reached out and fiddled with the communication screen that was connected to his command chair, hailing the lead technichian.

"Is the scoutship in prime condition?" he asked.

"Yes sir," the technician replied. "One engine is performing at 100% capacity, the other is at 98%. We'd have it up to 100%, too, but there's a bit of energy leakage that we need some new parts to fix. It shouldn't hamper performance, though. All other specs are at 100%."

"That'll be fine, for now. Make sure to get it fixed as soon as possible." Jarek shut of the screen, and turned to the rest of the command deck. "You, grab another scientist, of your choosing, to join you on the flight down there." he said, indicating Jonathan. "You'll both be operating the sensory equipment on the scout. And you," he continued, directed at the Communications Manager, "send a message to High Command, asking them for permission to do what we'll already be doing. The scouting team should be back well before you get a definitive answer one way or the other." He activated his communications screen again, this time with another target. "Fleet Commander Edwards, prepare a small guard to escort a scoutship down to Earth, a couple Light Fighters, maybe a mobile suit or two, and anything else that you think would work. We need them to be swift, and preferably hard to detect on any sensing equipment."

"To Earth, sir?!!!"

"Yes, and we don't have time to debate. Get to it." He shut off the screen, and turned to his second. "I'll be piloting the scoutship personally, so you're in charge, for now. Keep the Briareos within range of Earth, and let the rest of our current squadron finish the current mission."

"You're taking it in personally?!!"

"What is it with all the questions today?!!! Yes!! Do you know anyone else on this ship as qualified to pilot a scout as I am?!!!"

"No sir."

"Exactly. Now helm, steer us a little closer. Try to keep within communications range of Earth."

The scoutship Eagle Eye was cramped, at least for the scientists. While it was meant to carry three people, it was also built to be almost invisible to anything but the naked eye, which meant as small as possible. The pilot's seat was as roomy as in a normal cockpit, but other than that and the sensor equipment, everything was shrunken. With little weaponry, it was not meant to be in the midst of combat, but Jarek did not know what to expect in this situation, hence the guard he had over. After the routine checks and tests, they were good to go. Jarek smoothly released the grapple holding the ship in the Briareos' docking bay and guided the ship out without the slightest lurch. Meeting up with his escort, they all flew towards the shield.

"Any changes in the shield?" He asked.

"No, sir. In spite of the readings, physically there's not any diff... wait!! Over there!" The scientist exclaimed. "I'm not quite sure yet, maybe if you took us closer........yes!!!! Definetely a patch of shield missing! It does appear to be closing up, though. We could go inside! We could go to Earth!!!!!"

"Don't get too excited yet. How long until the hole closes?"

"We've got an hour, maybe more."

"Did you guys get all that?" Jarek asked over the comm, speaking to his escort. A series of affirmations replied. "Very well then. All ships, prepare to enter Earth."

As one, they dove towards the hole in the shield. As they passed through it, all the ships started to buck violently. "We've hit atmosphere, sir!" Stated one of the scientist.

"I've noticed." Replied Jarek.

As the hulles of all the ships started to heat up, one of the lightly armored ones exploded.

"Decrease speed, now!!!!" Jarek shouted over the comm. It slowed the rate at which the temperature grew, but another ship lost a hunk of its stabilizers, and started rolling uncontrollably. The pilot instinctively ejected, but the ejector systems were not built for gravity, and the pilot fell to the unforgiving Earth.

The rest of the ships made it through safely, then started on the original mission of collecting data. They stayed at a high altitude. Jarek had no way of knowing whether whoever remained on Earth would welcome them or attack them, but having lost two pilots already, Jarek wasn't taking any chances. He didn't know what kind of sensory equipment Earth had, either, so he had no idea whether they were detected or not.

Jarek gave the scientist less than a half an hour to collect their data, mostly stuff on the clouds, the shield, the air, and a few pictures of obviously human settlements on the electrotelescope. They wanted more time, but he didn't want to risk them getting trapped on this side in case the scientist's prediction of how long the shield would remain open was wrong. Hoping that they had went unnoticed by Earth thus far, Jarek and his escort pulled out towards the hole in the shield.

[LadyNithpantiel]

Antarctica City

There are always signs on the walls about the HOPE Organization; it always showed people smiling as a sign of thanks for what they have done. On the bottom there was different line about the organization.

The HOPE Organization—Bringing happiness and care to those around us.

Or something along those lines…she didn’t know…

In the dome city, there was people walking around, shopping, or just browsing—a typical lifestyle at any city. It bothered some people that they were closed in…never to see the skies ever again; however, it was only for their safety. As people walked around, there was a large building in the middle of the city, with other buildings surrounding it. There was a strange symbol hanging above on the building. This was the HOPE Organization—a group that helped their people.

Inside, on one of the highest floors, a group of scientists gathered around a table in a room. The room was fairly large and cold, with all sorts of machines surrounding them. There were loud sounds from machinery and there were sparks popping out. Some of the scientists took a step back and began to observe.

“Ah…Project KIMI, it is almost complete,” one of them said.

On the table, there was a woman; however, this woman was fairly different. Yes, she had the same features as any female, but there were several differences. A metal plate covered her left eye; it was mainly used as a scanner and a scope to snipe enemies; her right eye was closed. One scientist connected the blue wires together, while another connected the red wires. They put her arms and legs together easily like a puzzle piece. The other scientists turned the female over and placed a bar code on her neck. The bar code read: 0K523-i1560-179M11-99I-763.

“This bar code will help us, if she needs to be scan…just in case, she causes any trouble,” said the main creator of the project. Some of the scientist laughed. “Now, let us test our new creation.”

They all took a step back and watched as the table began to rise. The woman had her head down, with dark brown hair flowing down her shoulders. “Arise, it is time for you to be awaken,” said the creator.

Her head snapped up and her eyes were opened; her scanner looked about each and every individual. Her face was emotionless and harsh, she blinked once and stared at the man who started this project.

“Welcome KIMI.”

The scientists clapped and shook hands with each other for their accomplishments.

~

In the next couple of weeks, KIMI roamed out in the city as the first human looking robot. No one knew this at all; they all looked at her as one of them—a mere human being. Even though, some question the use of the metal plate; some wondered about the metal plate surrounding her eye, other’s were amazed to see such a thing.

KIMI, before she had the privilege to see the city, learned how to speak like a human and was trained to fight in combat. The scientists were pleased that their creation was quite the fast learner. They gave her the privilege to see what is outside of the organization and she only came “home,” before night settled in.

She didn’t know, however, that it was only a dome city. She thought she saw the beautiful sky; she thought she “felt” warmth on her body because of the sun. Whereas in reality, it was all programmed…just like her.

KIMI walked around the city, observing those around her; she didn’t understand why some were smiling or frowning. “Everyday, I see someone with a different expression on their face. Why?” She whispered to herself.

“It is called emotion,” her scanner spoke.

“Emotion…” she muttered, “Strange, I do not have such a program.” With that, she just kept walking.

[Atma-Noah]

Edgar's walk back to the village was a thoughtful one to say the least. His mind had become swamped with the fact that he had screwed up earlier. Throughout his years with T.M.L however he learned the art of hiding how he felt behind a very relaxed appearance.

The village had changed from it's earlier deadness now that it was lunch time. Tables had been set out and the people brought out so many different types of salads Ed couldn't tell what half of them were made of. They all talked amongst themselves. The cheery feeling he got from them all easily swept away his earlier disappointments.

The mayor arose and briefly explained what Cap'n Fin and the rest of the group were doing here. Ed was surprised that the people didn't get upset about it. Some of them showed a strange expression of concern but Ed couldn't tell if it was directed and Shizuka or the group. Before he could figure it out and older lady approached him.

"Would you like to grab something to eat? Feel free we always make plenty. Go on and grab yourself some."

As the old lady shoved Ed towards the tables to get some food. He couldn't help to think that these people seemed so much nicer than those in Antartica city. As he ate he watched the younger kids play with their fathers and the ladies all gossiping.

I guess my first impression of these folks wasn't really of them at all. I wonder why they are so happy. The don't have nearly as much stuff as the people back in Antartica city do. Frig I've seen some people in Antartica city who look so depressed. It's always on the news. None of that is here.

"'Gar drop that plate of food and follow me! Sheila's found the girl but she ran into the fields. Let's go get her! Sheila contacted me and Rob over the 2-way...."

"Yeah I didn't bring my 2-way cap'n. Didn't think I was going to need it around here. I'm sorry for before eh? You know I'm no good for these jobs. You could've took Big J or someone else. They at least know what their doing."

"...Look 'Gar you need experience and this is the only way you'll get it. For instance you'll know to always bring your 2-way from now on. Plus she's a kid around your age so maybe she'll feel more comfortable if your around. We're droppin' ya off at HOPE too ya know. I figure she might as well meet you now. Ya get what I'm sayin'?"

"Not really cap'n."

Their conversation had ended as they had reached the field. A gentle breeze had picked up and all the plants had begun to sway back and forth. Ed rested his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath. Once he finished catching his breath he stretched up