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[MONTHLY] Beltorchika's Children Ch.08
🕑 Added 2023-04-12 09:47:22 +0000 UTCInside the Sweetwater colony, everything was a reproduction of the past or hastily constructed. In terms of 20th-century sensibilities, the term "prefabricated" might be the closest expression. Even so, there was a sense of naturalness from the harbor to the mountainous part of the cylinder's inner wall.
A linear car of seven vehicles descended the mountain slope, gliding into the suburban area filled with plastic sheets partitioning the town. There, a modest river had been created, and greenery was present. From above a café terrace with a cheap bonsai-like garden, the car passed through a district of buildings with exposed steel framework.
The cars were quite crowded.
"The Supreme Commander is on board?"
"Up front. Over there!"
Whispers of excitement spread among the passengers, and with each station, more people boarded, creating a ripple of emotion.
"For the Supreme Commander!"
"Right."
A small bouquet of flowers changed hands among the passengers in the vehicle.
"For the Supreme Commander, right?"
The bouquet arrived at its destination, where Char, accompanied by Quess and Glarv, stood. Still, no one offered their seat, as it was Char's custom not to accept one.
"Flowers?"
"For the Supreme Commander."
The elderly man who offered the bouquet in front of Glarv shyly reached out his hand towards Char, urging him for a handshake.
"For me? Thanks?"
"It's an honor, Supreme Commander! This bouquet is from over that way."
After shaking Char's hand, the old man stated the obvious and turned to face the passengers behind him. The passengers opened up the middle of the car to allow Char to see the middle-aged woman who had sent the bouquet to him.
"Sieg Zeon!"
The woman raised her right hand and sent a resolute call. Then, in harmony with her, the passengers all shouted "Sieg Zeon" in unison.
Char had made a habit of riding the linear car as soon as he was stationed in Sweetwater. This seemingly vain act of attention-seeking was overwhelmingly supported by the refugees of Sweetwater. Char's consideration had indeed laid the groundwork for accepting the Neo Zeon fleet in a short time. However, the passengers did not know that the Neo Zeon fleet would surrender to the Federation government the following day.
As the linear car entered the central station of the entertainment district, Wischtingen, news of Char's presence spread by word of mouth. Even a young man with an accordion had heard it.
From the linear car running between the towering high rises, a song bubbled up, accompanied by the accordion as the passengers sang together.
"In the light of the stars, our thoughts intertwine / Flowing like a river / It is the dream of blood, an eternal dream / Char, praying, become our light"
This simple, almost unpoetic song had rapidly gained popularity over the past month, and it now threatened to occupy the national anthem's position in the Neo Zeon government.
The linear car approached the hilly area of Sweetwater's only upscale residential district. It was a section built using the slope of the connection point between the closed and open-type colonies.
The linear car stopped at Beverly Hills Station, surrounded by trees.
The elevated station was desolate, with only a few silent soldiers standing guard. As Glarv, Quess, and Char disembarked one after another, the soldiers darted their vigilant gazes around the station, giving the impression they were working hard at that moment.
None of the other passengers got off.
"Commander! We're counting on you!"
"Down with the Earth Federation government!"
"Glory to the Spacenoids!"
Char acknowledged the passengers with a smile and saluted before watching the linear car depart.
It was a quiet residential station. From the platform to the waiting limousine, a long staircase had tents set up, with the shadows of security soldiers scattered about.
"Hehehe..."
Quess chuckled softly, looking at the sporadically lit houses from the running limousine's window.
"What's so funny?" asked Char, seated next to her.
"It's not just for show, is it? You're really trying hard?"
"Yes, we're trying hard. You have to do something, or nothing will happen."
"Does that mean you're going to destroy the Earth?"
"No, that's a little different. We just want the Earth to take a little rest."
"I see..."
Quess found Char's words to be very gentle.
"Do you have a headache? Alpha's psycommu should be forcing you, right?"
"No! I'm fine. My head's just dull, isn't it?"
The limousine stopped in front of a house with a round glass lamp at the entrance. The driveway was long, and darkness veiled the depths.
"Glarv, I'm counting on you to look after Quess in tomorrow's operation, okay?"
"Yes, sir!"
Glarv only answered Char with a glance in the rearview mirror and showed no signs of getting out of the car. Char disliked getting out of the car and being seen off at this location.
"Are you okay with that, Quess?"
Char got out of the car alone and looked into Quess's face. She pressed herself against the door, looking up at him.
"Of course! The Alpha Azieru's psycommu system amplifies my brainwaves. Just by commanding, the funnels launch laser attacks... You have no idea how good that feels, do you, Captain?"
"Is that so?"
Quess didn't know why she was so excited, but she was happy because she could now clearly understand the presence of people who acknowledged her existence.
"Yes! I can feel the freedom, not affected by Minovsky particle interference. Everything I've been vaguely thinking about, I can now do... It's wonderful... Huh?"
Char kissed the back of Quess's hand, which was sticking out of the window.
"Captain!?"
Quess held her breath, sensing not only the softness of Char's lips but also the firm resolve behind them, and gazed intently into his eyes.
In return, Char's eyes smiled back, and he spoke to her like a father would.
"Get a good night's sleep tonight."
"Yes, sir!"
Char saw off the limousine and then walked through the small side door next to the gate light, casting a red glow onto the dark pebble road.
Mesta could keep a dog, Char thought to himself, savoring the few minutes of solitude during his walk.
He had returned to the Earth Sphere and had been able to meet Amuro, who had been his primary concern. All that was left was to gamble on the outcome of the battles starting tomorrow. There should have been nothing left to think about.
Perhaps that was why he was feeling somewhat weary.
The entrance light came on, casting a single shadow, but there was no one to greet him or unlock the door.
Of course, Char could also unlock the door, but the owner of this elegant house understood the peace of mind that comes with being able to enter a home without a locked door.
Glancing at the darkness where the gate light had disappeared, Char opened the door. A chime sounded in a distant room, but there was no sign of movement.
Everything was as it always was.
The air was neither too cold nor too hot, and a faint fragrance wafted through it. Char, slightly dissatisfied with the orderly welcoming method of this disciplined house, headed to the living room as he took off his jacket.
"Would you like to have dinner? Or..."
Mesta Mesa's voice came from the kitchen in the back right corner of the living room.
"Um... I'll take a shower..."
Char said that, hung his jacket on the usual hanger, and headed for the bathroom.
He allowed the use of several items procured for the quarters for personal use to avoid the danger of specifying only the things Char himself used. By preparing several similar buildings, Char tried to secure his private space.
However, letting Mesta Mesa use a single house is an abuse of Char's authority. The reason no one protests is that they also desire to have a mistress's house someday, and Char does not think of it as a sad human trait.
Mesta prepared a drink at the bar in the living room, but she spoke a lot.
"Ramming Axis into Earth will leave the planet in a state similar to that of a nuclear winter. Plus, if we were to utilize the nuclear weapons permanently stored on Luna II and drop them on Earth, it would be perfect, but..."
Char, wearing a bathrobe, sank deep into the sofa facing the window, and after signing the documents he had been reading, he placed them in a red trunk on the side table to his right. It was a trunk specifically for transporting administrative documents.
Mesta placed a glass on the side table to Char's left, "An atrocity never committed by any dictator before," she concluded.
Char, seemingly ignoring Mesta, picked up his glass and gazed at the forest spreading beyond the window. Unusually, lights from the city on the opposite side lined the skies on both sides, creating a column of brilliance.
Judging by the amount of light alone, Sweetwater appeared to be prospering. However, recalling the housing supply plan he had recently reviewed, Char was filled with a somber feeling, unable to shake off the harsh reality.
Mesta grabbed her own glass and perched herself on the armrest of her sofa.
"Why is it that humanity, even after venturing into space, still continues to fight for supremacy?" Char, sipping the amber liquid in his glass, asked.
"It's because we allowed exceptions, leaving people to reside on Earth."
"There's another reason. As social animals, humans have a natural tendency to fight over territory. I want to believe in the innovation of humanity in space, but someone has to shoulder all the evils of humanity."
"I don't understand your determination... or why you let Amuro capture the Psycho Doga."
"…?"
It was only natural for Mesta to be fixated on that issue. She fervently desired Char to remain at the forefront and serve as their leader.
This was because Mesta, as her career woman talents were revealed, began to crave a peaceful life.
She met Char when he began organizing his fleet, and she did not overlook the shadow of domesticity within him. Char, too, took interest in Mesta, who was intrigued by this side of him.
However, as Char's need for personnel became apparent, Mesta discovered her own surprising aptitude for practical work, and she started assisting him in building his military organization.
Starting with personal secretarial tasks, she was entrusted with discretionary power over personnel matters in small organizations and, eventually, managing finances. It was only natural for someone living on the frontier to become interested in striking back against the Earth Federation government.
Mesta's parents were suspected of supporting the Zabi faction, and they were assigned to asteroid mining and collection duties. They were exiled to an outdated, small Island One-type colony. Mesta, who lost her father to a workplace accident there, spent her days weeping with her mother while looking at the Earth, smaller than a coin.
That's why Mesta was also fascinated by Char's plan for Cyber-Newtype, as she was captivated by the dream that someday humans could survive even in a vacuum.
This feeling was not unrelated to her father's death.
"Glarv mentioned that it should have been possible to retrieve it... Is it the enemy, Amuro Ray? His mobile suit was weak and no match for the Nightingale... I don't understand. You say Amuro is your sworn enemy, but he doesn't attack when he could... So, does that mean you are giving up on tomorrow's operation? No, that's not it... In other words, the asteroid drop operation that began with Fifth Luna will be carried out."
"Isn't that bad...?"
"Why do you see Amuro Ray as such an enemy? Amuro Ray is a man who mistakenly thinks compassion is a weapon... But women, perhaps because they can feel it in their wombs, can swallow any kind of man's kindness. But you cannot forgive that about Amuro. Why?" {A woman may forgive his delusions}
Char stared into the amber liquid in his glass, not listening to Mesta's words.
Mesta was unusually talkative, likely due to the anxiety of having to act separately the next day. That's why Char was indulging her.
Perhaps this tolerant aspect of Char felt like a domestic side to Mesta.
Char was watching the scene where the early prototype of the First Gundam and the pale green mobile armor, Elmeth, made contact.
"During the last battle of the Zeon War of Independence, the pilot I was looking after, Lalah Sune... She found compassion in Amuro, even though he was the enemy... I don't want to think that was Newtype empathy..."
At that time, Char saw a sudden image of people appearing between the clashing Gundam and Elmeth. It was the entwined forms of young Lalah and Amuro.
It might have been Char's illusion or hallucination. But Char also heard the two voices.
"Lalah!"
"Amuro!?"
At that moment, he was enraged. At that time, he drove the red mobile suit he was using, the Gelgoog, between the two machines.
"Lalah! Don't play with the enemy!"
Char had the conviction that Amuro and Lalah, each in their separate mobile suits, heard his cry.
The Gundam, with Elmeth at its back, tried to confront Char, but
"Stop!"
Elmeth's Lalah's scream struck Char's ears. In Char's eyes, he saw the image of Lalah shielding Amuro.
"Damn it!"
Char charged the Gelgoog, and Elmeth came between the Gundam and Gelgoog. Because of that, the beam saber of the Gundam, trying to attack the Gelgoog, pierced through Elmeth's cockpit instead.
"Ah! Ugh!"
Amuro and Lalah's screams intertwined in Char's ears, and a flash of light erased everything, scattering them into space.
"Merely because one could sense another's intentions..." Char thought.
"What troubles you?"
Char showed a slight hint of unease. Mesta's décolletage filled his view, the soft, pale skin stretching from her neck to her chest appearing like an expansive sea, perhaps due to Char's incomplete awakening.
"Ah? I was just thinking... Amuro and I... we're too similar."
"As Newtypes, you mean?"
"... If we were both true Newtypes, then yes. But I am not a Newtype. I am a living, breathing human with emotions. Newtypes are far purer."
Char had grown tired of Mesta's company. He stood up.
"I'm counting on you tomorrow. I will go ahead to Axis..."
Char let the glass he held touch Mesta's chest. The cold sensation made her shudder slightly before she took the glass.
She felt a slight urge to grind her teeth.
If only she could ask Char whether he intended to wage war against Amuro because of Lalah Sune. It would save her from this tiresome conversation.
Mesta cursed her personality for being unable to ask. She had heard Lalah Sune's name in Char's sleep talk numerous times. She had researched the name and understood the relationship between Amuro, Lalah, and Char.
During their mobile suit battle, Lalah and Amuro, who had barely met, intuitively recognized each other as necessary partners, exchanging words and thoughts. Char, sensing this, tried to separate the two. This fact was not detailed in war history.
But Mesta could deduce it from Char's sleep talk.
Because of his fixation on this one event, Char had infiltrated the Earth Federation Forces under the alias Quattro Bajeena, becoming close to Amuro for a time and waiting for this day.
Mesta understood that this was Char's nature.
However, Mesta had resolved, as a woman, never to mention Lalah's name in front of Char. It was her preparedness, her nobility.
"What about Quess? Is she fine?"
She asked Char, who had his hand on the door knob.
"...? Just don't meddle too much."
With that, Char left, closing the door behind him.
Mesta Messa stared at the glass Char had left in her hand.
"There have been signs that he's been trying to run away with a girl like Quess ever since he was ready to take on the name of Deikun. Quess is close to Lalah's age... Acknowledging that makes me sick..."
Having voiced her deepest concern, Mesta felt disgusted with herself and threw the glass she held onto the bar counter.
The glass, with its remaining ice and water, scattered about, making hardly any noise as it rolled onto the thick carpet.
Not far from Mesta's residence, there was lodging for the mobile suit pilots. The building was designed to resemble a medieval chateau and had originally been a privately owned hotel.
Although it was late, an early victory party was held in preparation for tomorrow's sortie, and the festivities lasted late into the night. For the pilots who had recently been stationed there, they had no homes to return to.
In the central lobby surrounded by corridors, pilots filled the space with their last dance. Rezin Schneider, who had been laughing at the bar just moments ago, was now drunkenly watching the young people dancing cheek to cheek while urging the burly pilot next to her, "You better join me tonight, alright?"
Under a corner stand light, Quess and Glarv, who still looked like a boy and a girl, were sitting up and facing each other.
"Dangerous? The Captain?"
Quess pursed her lips as she stirred milk with a spoon.
"That's right... He's just channeling his frustrations into war."
"Is that bad?"
"Tch! You don't understand war at all, do you?"
"I know it's scary! We were the only passengers on our space shuttle that barely missed Fifth Luna you guys brought down!"
"That's what I mean. People like the Captain, when they make a mistake, they don't hesitate to destroy colonies like Gihren Zabi of the old Zabi family. I want to stop the Captain when that happens. That's why I had my Newtype abilities enhanced. My parents died when the Side 4 colonies were destroyed..."
"Hmm. So you want to become a psychic?"
"Yeah, I'd love to. But I realized that I can't become like you just through enhancement at the Newtype Labs. That's why I want to study you more."
"What do you mean?"
By the time she asked, Quess was already standing.
"You know, like, hanging out more and stuff..."
"You're just badmouthing the Captain because you're jealous!"
With that, Quess slipped through the dancing pilots and left.
"It's not like that!"
As Glarv tried to chase after her, he tripped over Rezin's outstretched leg and fell.
"What the-!"
"Don't talk nonsense! Go pee and go to bed! Having kids in the military is a bad sign for the future!"
Rezin swayed to her feet and propped up the muscular pilot beside him.
"What did you say?!"
"Don't talk back, you Cyber-Newtype!"
"I'm not a Cyber-Newtype! I'm a Newtype!"
Glarv clenched his fists and stood up, but he was shoved from behind and stumbled.
"Ah...!"
As Glarv's upper body staggered towards the muscular pilot, the pilot's knee caught him in the chin.
"Ugh...!?"
Glarv stiffened, and amid the jeers of the other pilots, he fell backward.
* * *
Halfway up a run-down high-rise apartment building in a slum in Hong Kong, Mirai climbed the stairs with a package in her hands, catching her breath. The elevator in the building didn't seem to work.
Just before Mirai's eyes, beyond the railing, a pile of discarded garbage tumbled down.
"Always like this...!"
Catching her breath as she walked down the hallway, Mirai glanced up at the laundry hung like festive decorations on a rope stretched from the neighboring building. This was not a sight she enjoyed either.
Down below, she could hear the voices of children fighting.
As Mirai pressed the chime on the iron door, a cautious girl's voice inquired from within, "Who's there?"
"It's me."
"Okay, just a sec."
The sound of a chain being removed was heard, and Cheimin's face greeted Mirai.
"With that face, I guess you couldn't get a shuttle ticket?"
"It's not just that. The shuttle company is fleeing Hong Kong."
"Is the news about peace being possible a lie?"
"There are rumors that Hong Kong is being targeted in this meteorite drop."
As Mirai organized the contents of the package she had brought, she told Cheimin, "We're leaving here tomorrow." Beyond the window of the room, the sea could be seen far away between the buildings.
"Is it true...?"
"If it's Char, he would do it. I know because I fought him in the past. The people of Earth just make things worse. Char is just too much of a perfectionist."
Half of the rumors Mirai had heard were false, but the other half were true.
Char was delivering his final instructions to all the vessels and soldiers of Neo Zeon, preparing for yet another sortie.
Nearly a dozen vessels were anchored in the port of Sweetwater, their catapult decks lined with fully armed mobile suits, all listening to Char's speech.
"This colony, Sweetwater, was hastily built to accommodate refugees who had been victims of past space wars..."
On each vessel's mobile suit deck, a holographic image of Char was projected, surrounded by pilots and mechanics standing at attention.
"However, the Earth Federation government's efforts for the refugees stopped here. They concluded that this would suffice. They remained on Earth and refused to share the planet. My father, Zeon Zum Deikun..."
From the port to the colony's inner pier, three vessels, including Rewloola, were moored, and countless soldiers on their decks looked up at the holographic image.
On the colossal platform at the back, Char passionately argued his case.
"...When my father had made a request for autonomy for all space emigrants, known as Spacenoids. But he was assassinated by the Zabi family! Then, the Zabi family deceived the Zeon army and waged a war of independence against Earth. You know how it ended, with the Zabis losing the war..."
Behind the podium, high-ranking officials occupied rows of seats, with Mesta, Glarv, and Quess at the rear.
"I knew all that."
Quess was deeply moved.
"However, as a result, the Earth Federation government had grown arrogant, and corruption spread within the Federation Forces. This gave rise to anti-federation government movements like the Titans and the rebellion of Haman, who claimed to be remnants of the Zabi family. This is the history that made us refugees! Now, in order not to repeat the history of war, I will purge those who continue to live on Earth – the source of all problems in the Earth Sphere! This is the true purpose behind our operation to drop Axis onto Earth!"
A tumultuous roar of applause and cheers erupted from the soldiers, and Quess looked down at the source of the noise, the pier.
"Ants are screaming...!" That was Quess's true feeling.
However, the government officials in front of Quess also stood up, clapping and cheering.
"Supreme Commander Char!"
"The savior of Sweetwater!"
"The eternal shining star of hope for the refugees!"
Finally, Quess realized that Char's speech and the soldiers' cheers were indeed a bizarre spectacle.
"…? There was talk of disarming at Luna Two, I wonder if that was a lie?"
"Everyone! So that we may forge our own path, I ask you to lend me your great strength for just a little longer!"
At Char's final words, applause and cheers rose again. He raised both his hands in response, and with his Neo Zeon commander's cape fluttering, he descended from the podium.
High-ranking officials, including Horst Harness and Kaises M. Buyer, greeted him with applause and sought to shake his hand.
"Kaises, what do you think?"
"Quite good. You have the aura of a commander. After this operation, I'd like you to step away from mobile suits, don't you think? That's my request as someone involved in politics."
"I'll step away from mobile suits after this operation."
"Can you promise me you'll step down now?"
"I still consider myself young. I don't want to lose to those girls."
Char glanced at Quess, who was sitting behind the adults. Suddenly noticed by them, she stood up, flustered, and nodded to no one in particular.
"A Newtype, you say?"
Kaises asked quietly in Char's ear.
"Her performance is quite good. I'll have those girls purge the politicians of the Federation government who fled to the colony."
"Yes, indeed! Those seeds of theirs are harmful substances to humanity."
"Seeds? Yes, that's right."
Char approached Quess with a smile, took her hand, and spoke to Mesta next to her.
"Mesta, let's see the results of the Newtype Labs, shall we?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Glarv!"
"Sir!"
Receiving salutes from the two, Quess gazed up at Char as if looking at something dazzling.
"Captain, you're amazing, aren't you?"
"Hm…? Thank you. It's not the era to continue small wars anymore. With this, we'll put an end to everything."
"I understand, Commander!"
Quess saluted as well, and then followed Mesta and the others, her body flowing gracefully.
"Is this really enough to deceive them?"
High-ranking government officials, including Char, stood in a lounge overlooking the harbor. They watched as what appeared to be rocks outside the window began to inflate with a bubbling sound. With a hint of concern, Kaises spoke.
The inflating decoys took on the silhouette of warships, some even resembling Char's flagship, the Rewloola.
"Navy officers are easily reassured by the correct number of ships," Char stated.
"So the plan is to assemble a decoy Neo Zeon fleet to surrender to the Earth Federation using the Rewloola and preserved harbor ships, while the real Rewloola-led vessels invade Axis?" Kaises asked.
"Did you get all that?" Char inquired, peering into Horst's face with a wry smile.
"I must admit, I don't quite understand military strategy. Will the timeline work out? And then you intend to use the surrendered fleet to transport Luna Two's nuclear weapons to Axis, Supreme Commander?"
"Yes. Luna Two's nuclear weapons can be used to accelerate Axis and contaminate Earth. Mesta can handle it."
"I don't doubt her or the Musaka's captain's capabilities. But aren't there cunning strategists within the Earth Federation as well?"
"Well, in that sense, the Londo Bell unit might be, but the Federation Forces won't try to mobilize them."
Before their eyes, the decoy fleet began to move, towed by the real ships. Leading the procession was the Musaka, towing the massive Alpa Aziru.
"I must share tragic news with the people of Sweetwater. I can't find the words to express my feelings..."
The Neo Zeon fleet's departure was suddenly broadcast live on Sweetwater's government-run television station.
The news came as a shock to the people of Neo Zeon, but However, for the crew of the Clop, which had entered Luna Two's harbor with Adenauer Paraya aboard, the news was expected.
"How many nuclear weapons from past centuries are stored at Luna II?"
"Ha! There's enough payload to annihilate the Neo Zeon fleet a hundred times over," the captain of the Clop replied curtly, clearly not fond of Adenauer.
"Char is aware of that fact. He's a very clever man."
"Are you implying that our Londo Bell is itching for a war?"
"It does look that way from Earth."
This was how things stood.
"Vice-Minister. There's a broadcast from Sweetwater!"
"Good... This one?"
The Clop's captain opened a ceiling display for Adenauer.
"How's the signal?"
"The fleet that offered great hope to the refugees of Sweetwater has now set sail to establish eternal peace with the Federation. This is the final, glorious departure of the fleet that brought independence and courage to our Sweetwater."
Listening to the overly emotional announcement, Adenauer was satisfied.
"Their flagship Rewloola is at the rear?"
"The count is correct, right? There's one extra cruiser, more than our intel suggested."
"Shows you how honest Char is."
Adenauer, seemingly proud of his own achievement, replied as he gazed intently at the television screen.
"Bon voyage! Although our time was brief, the Neo Zeon fleet has brought pride to the refugees! Yet, from now on, the name of Neo Zeon will live on in Sweetwater!"
"The only thing left to worry about are space aliens. The military will be disbanded, right?"
"I wonder if any jobs will be left when this is over."
"On Earth, they're always looking for people to clean the beaches."
At that moment, the captain of the Clop thought about striking Adenauer's head with a fist but only raised it halfway.
Not long after the broadcast from Sweetwater ended, in the command center near the pier of the Londenion's Londo Bell, Bright was dumbfounded as he read the files received from Cameron.
"There were fifteen nuclear warheads in addition to the ones on Luna II?"
"But considering they're under the Audit Bureau's jurisdiction, I "d say they're virtual antiques. Thus, they're destined for the museum. If used, please exercise caution."
"Aren't your actions considered a crime?"
"If the Federation government survives, I'll get life imprisonment."
"You're fine with that?"
"I'm betting on the success of Londo Bell's operation."
"Thank you, Cameron."
"No need for thanks... I've done this because I want to see Mirai alive."
"You were once her fiance. I understand."
"This Neo Zeon broadcast. Is their claim that the entire fleet has left for disarmament a sham?"
"Probably. It's all a big show."
Bright immediately dismissed Cameron's optimistic observation.
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