Mercurio, Naina and Zachariah went their own way when the band of pilots was dismissed for now. Zachriah was the first to evaluate the assembly, “Looks like most of the crew isn’t going to have a problem with one another.”
Mercurio was the first to agree, “It should be enough if we have the numbers. Do you think the mobile suit numbers we have are enough to handle an enemy offense?”
Naina gave her evaluation, “It will be up to us once we are on the battlefield. At least hoping Kecker doesn’t have a backup plan.”
Zachariah agreed to their hopes, “It will be up to us to lead them once we arrive. Hopefully Admiral Miles will be able to fend against the defenses.”
Naina brought out one concern she had on this situation, “If we are leading the others will Ms. Lindemann’s new position be enough to make her a true leader though? She hasn’t shown much openness since I’ve at least known her.”
“She’s actually pretty good around Milou. I think she’ll be alright.” Mercurio tried to reason.
“Then she hasn’t had much contact beyond him?” Naina asked.
Mercurio thought for a moment before he accepted, “I guess she never has been a very readable person. At least she comes to us when she has problems though.”
Zachariah noted Naina’s concern when he pointed out, “That has been a common theme. I’ve just been hoping it doesn’t come around to bite her in the end.”
Mercurio was hopeful when he reminded, “It wouldn’t. Milou isn’t going to do something that will distance himself from her. He’ll be able to hold himself out there in the field.”
Naina shook her head when she reminded the common necessity of being a soldier. “You should be more worried about her connection to fellow soldiers. It is the purpose of a unit to rely on the whole rather than one part. It is how a unit is capable of accomplishing a mission even if their superior should die under fire.”
Mercurio looked down when he considered such a possibility, “Perhaps that hasn’t been an addressed issue for her or she just hasn’t been willing to face it herself yet.”
Naina was blunt when she reminded them, “There are going to be heavy losses soon. Right now our hope should be that we are capable of handling them.” Naina found the entrance to the hangar with the Tallgeese Heaven when she began to part.
Zachariah tried to lift some of the pessimism when he added, “Ideally we won’t have to. All of our mobile suits have to be enough to stop Kecker’s plan.”
“I will be sure to support all of us once we arrive. It’s the least I can do for the good of humanity now.” Naina parted.
Now that the two were left to their own, Zachariah decided now was a good time to find out about Mercurio’s recent behavior when he asked, “Speaking of her observation, have you been feeling right in the head since the ascension Yuy?”
Mercurio was reluctant before he answered but left out a few details, “Yeah. I guess I should tell somebody. I found out about a message from Architect I on the Captain’s Gundam. He’s probably dead from what he said.”
Zachariah thought for a few moments before he remembered the former mentor Mercurio thought he knew. “Damn. Sounds like Luna got hit harder than we thought before we left. The guy was ominous and everything but at least it seemed like he was on our side.”
“That’s the only way it could have happened.”
“And that’s the only thing?”
Mercurio leaned on the edge of the hangar bay entrance when he answered, “He had a few other words but they didn’t seem to be prevalent to the mission we have now.”
Zachariah had a resounded tone when he accepted, “If you say so, I guess pushing it isn’t going to solve the problem. We should make sure that we’re ready for whatever Kecker is about to pull off.”
“The worst that could happen right now is if we’re caught in the blast range.”
“Where do you think he plans on firing it?”
“I would have said at a critical Coalition location. After all we have found about him and the others it seems like any target could be possible.”
“That is something to be worried about isn’t it? Especially for something that’s 180 miles wide.”
“If any more lives are lost it will be that much more of a tragedy. Unfortunately if we are going to stop this war now we may have to make such a sacrifice.”

|

“General. Please follow us. We have secured a way out of the building where the Colonel is waiting.”
Edward made his way for the door when he prepared for his way out. “Excellent work. It is time that I leave this prison then.” 
A few minutes passed before Edward could be heard from outside on his megaphone next to Colonel Huerta. “I bring my demands to the Earth Sphere leadership. As has been shown today they have proven themselves incapable of defending against enemy invasions.” Edward gestured for his men nearby to keep watch of the street he had entered. He turned to face the parliament building when he gave his demands, “I have no intention of further killings however. I recognize resources of war when they are still available for further use. What this administration lacks is leadership. One that will not fall prey to any threat. Today I demand this of the Earth Sphere leadership. Lay down your arms and surrender. Declare your loyalty under me and I will see that there is a position for you. Deny and you will be among the casualties.”

Malcolm attempted to keep his calm when he listened to Edward’s demands from outside but still asked in a defeated tone, “How did this happen? We were supposed to be ready for any enemy attacks.”
General Neustadt observed the testing grounds for the mobile suits when he pointed to the recently arriving vehicle, “Not from within it would seem. Even worse they seem to have used a vital supply truck to find their way in.”
Devine looked at the map and saw the perfect trap Edward was able to place the Earth Sphere leadership. “Perhaps now it is only a question of whether or not we deem ourselves worthy of surviving to lead our people.”
Malcolm denied the idea when he placed his hands on the table, “We must be. The Earth Sphere cannot fall to usurpers this close to the end.”