As Director Mathias Granqvist had requested, Helena and her squadron reported to The Cathedral's M.M.U. research and development sector. The building, part of the organization's scientific complex on Alpha colony, traded height for breadth; despite its few floors, the structure spread over thousands of square meters.
In one of the meeting rooms, Helena found herself surrounded by several well-known names she hadn't expected to encounter there. With the idea of elaborating a strategy for the impending enemy attack, the main squadron leaders of the colonial forces had been assembled.
Beside her, and probably the most decorated pilot in the fleet after Granqvist's retirement, Park Dae-Sang watched the Major's presentation without much enthusiasm. After a brief explanation about the new distribution of forces, which would be based on the distance of other colonies from Alpha, a short pause allowed old acquaintances to speak.
"I am sorry for your loss, Captain Kjestein. Alexis was a great friend," Park said with a solemn bow. Helena analyzed her colleague, and unlike most of the condolences she received, she knew this one to be genuine.
"He also shared the same sentiment, Captain Park. We grieve, but we move forward."
Park just nodded, and the two turned their attention to the solar system map in the center of the room's table, where the meeting was taking place.
The expectation was that Aegis would first attack the colonies orbiting the planets closer to the sun than Earth—specifically Mercury, and Gamma colony, and Venus, orbited by Zeta colony—and then focus on the colonies more distant from the system's star. However, this was nothing more than speculation, as intelligence on Earth's actions, and the actual strength their armies now possessed, was limited.
The meeting resumed, and it wasn't long before the atmosphere became tense. The strategy left a bitter taste in the mouths of The Cathedral's proud captains. One of them, Johannes Eze, among the most experienced in the force, slammed both hands hard on the table before verbalizing his dissatisfaction.
"Are you asking us to abandon Gamma and Zeta!?"
Helena observed the rest of the room, and most seemed to share the same dissatisfaction. Director Granqvist, however, maintained the same unyielding expression. When he had the silence he expected, he answered Eze.
"We do not have the luxury of dispatching forces to them; that was one of the reasons we did not extend an invitation to this meeting to our comrades from those two colonies. We will still provide the necessary structural support, but unfortunately, they will have to defend themselves. However, this will not be the idea we convey to our enemies."
The murmuring returned to the room, only to be interrupted again by the director's simple, cold gaze. Beside Helena, Park raised his hand.
"Proceed, Captain Park."
With his superior's authorization, Park used the solar system map on the table, zooming in on Mars and the U.S.C.'s second-largest colony, Beta, which orbited the red planet.
"Are you proposing to give our enemies the idea that we will help the colonies near the sun, so they believe we are weakened on Mars?"
"Yes, and when they attack Beta colony, we will crush them with our forces."
Helena saw merit in the plan but disliked the idea of bringing the battle so close to one of the main colonies, which held gigantic logistical importance for the rest of the organization. Beta and its support colonies and stations were responsible for a large part of the U.S.C.'s agriculture; a collapse there would be disastrous.
"The mobilization will begin shortly. Our fleet of ships and M.M.U.s will be positioned in the vicinity of Beta colony, in such a way that our position is undetectable.
Our objective, besides defending the colony, will be to capture the new enemy units, and in the worst-case scenario, a simple victory in this battle could mean an opportunity for a truce between the forces."
There was no murmuring this time, only silence. The mere mention of "Truce" caught most by surprise.
"Truce, sir!?"
Mathias looked down at the captain indignant at the suggestion, and then replied.
"Yes, Captain. If our forces are now equivalent, or in the worst case, inferior, the option of a peace treaty is the most viable. In any case, this is the opinion of the military Cathedral. As you well know, the cardinals will make that decision, when and if necessary."
Without saying goodbye, Granqvist ended the meeting, leaving the room without much delay. Helena's eyes followed the director's steps. The hint of dissatisfaction on the man's face upon simply mentioning the cardinals was a sentiment the Ice Queen had secretly shared for some years.
2000 M.M.U.s, 10 cruisers, and 35 transporters, in addition to Beta's own army. This was the force the U.S.C. would position near the colony. In one of the hangar's upper rooms, Helena watched the chaotic logistical movement.
"Too little."
The expectation was that 20% of the organization's entire force would participate in the battle, and if these numbers were real, perhaps The Cathedral was overestimating its own power. The complacency from decades of victory may have been a more potent poison than the captain believed.
The sound of the automatic door opening was the signal for Helena to snap out of her worries. She turned, saluting the four members of her squadron before giving the group's specific instructions.
"We will be part of the cruiser Aldebaran's force during the mission. Let's ensure that victory is the only possible outcome, Lieutenants."
The victory so often achieved by the U.S.C. still eluded the young squadron. The current circumstances, however, made it a necessity. Defeat on Mars would be a catastrophe for The Cathedral's fragile structure, whose cracks Helena was only now beginning to notice.
<>
At the Amaterasu base, the auditorium that just weeks ago was the site of the warm year-end ceremony, that day was where the briefing for the most important mission to date for the Aegis project was taking place.
All sectors were present, including faces Gabriel didn't recognize. One of them would certainly be the pilot of the project's fifth and final unit. Major Pellegrini was accompanied by a superior this time. General Watkins, whom the R.A.F. pilot had known since his academy days, was present. On the large display, the numbers of the gigantic operation drew a gasp of surprise from the audience. Henry's whistle made Gabriel turn his attention to his friend.
"That's 50% of our current forces. And by the specifications, they'll be using new models. I didn't even know they had already made four Avalons!"
The mission would be divided into two forces: the main one would attack the orbital colonies of Mars, while the secondary one would take care of Mercury and Venus. After a few more minutes, Ortiz called the members of her squadron. Beside her, a young man of Asian origin with a military haircut wore the same uniform as the others. The emblem below the Aegis symbol revealed the pilot's origin. Xu Qiqiang was a First Lieutenant in the People's Liberation Army of China, and also the pilot of M.M.U. YuHuang, created by the Chengdu Aerospace Industry Group, which Gabriel had seen for the first time that morning. The machine, with sleek lines and silver armor with purple details, was the project's M.M.U. that most resembled Arthur, though its wings did not contain the blue crystals of Merseyside's M.M.U.
"First Lieutenant Xu Qiqiang reporting."
After exchanging salutes, the Chinese pilot positioned himself beside the others. Ortiz observed her complete team for the first time before continuing.
"We finally have everyone available. Unfortunately, this will not be our team's first joint mission."
The expectation of seeing what a squadron formed by the army's top machines would be capable of was high, so the pilots' surprise was something Ortiz already expected.
"Unfortunately, as in the last mission, one of you will be dispatched for the secondary objective. First Lieutenant Sirghi."
Gabriel took a step forward, and the others looked at him in surprise.
"Along with the Avalon, you will be responsible for dealing with Gamma and Zeta colonies."
She noticed the pilot's inquisitive look.
"At ease, First Lieutenant."
"What is the size of the secondary force?"
"Your M.M.U. and the Avalon."
Kiyoko let her surprise escape, and the others didn't do a much better job of hiding theirs.
"As for the rest, you will receive information about the ships you will use as a base in the coming hours. Without further ado, good hunting."
Only Gabriel and Ortiz remained in the room. As if predicting this, the woman showed no surprise, merely indicating for the pilot to ask his obvious question.
"Just one ship and one unit, ma'am?"
She turned her chair towards the pilot, crossing her legs and arms, with a small smile.
"I wouldn't worry about that, First Lieutenant. If our plan works, you'll only need two shots. And then you'll join the rest of our forces on Mars."
The obvious implication made Gabriel look at her with a mixture of surprise and terror. Ortiz's smile didn't change before she continued.
"If this is too much for you, First Lieutenant, it's possible to adapt Excalibur to another of our units. The theoretical numbers for M.M.U. Izanagi and Lieutenant Ogata were excellent."
The surprise and terror turned to hatred, however brief. Ortiz knew the feeling well enough to identify it even in the smallest doses. Gabriel composed himself quickly enough for the captain to praise him silently with her gaze.
"...I will complete the mission, Captain Ortiz."
Gabriel saluted his captain and headed for the room's door. However, instead of leaving, he stopped in front of it. And without turning around, he asked.
"...How many people live in those colonies?"
"...Three and a half million."
Gabriel hesitated for an instant but took a step forward, and the automatic door closed. Sabrina M. Ortiz knew the magnitude of the order she had just given her subordinate, and of the cowardly, indirect threat to Ogata, whom she knew the First Lieutenant and the entire project team liked. Of the weight she would place on the shoulders of the pilot she knew already carried a heavy burden. But for Aegis to achieve its objectives, she would be willing to use everything and everyone.