Chapter 10

(P.O.V.) Reinhard

C.E. 70, February 20

Orb Union, Onogoro Island, Military Hospital

When I opened my eyes, I saw an unfamiliar ceiling and heard the steady beep of a heart monitor. Confused about how I got here, I sat up in bed and stretched, noticing my joints pop, which meant I hadn't moved in a while. I looked out the window and saw the National Defense HQ in the distance, confirming that I was in the military hospital on Onogoro Island. But why I was here was still a mystery.

"I wonder?" I said softly as I looked down at the foot of the bed. I noticed a medical chart, and it made me smile. It was good that some things stayed the same. I picked it up and began reading.

The chart said I was brought in after someone reported that I had passed out during a test. I didn't need to know how they got past security; only HARU and I could grant access, so I knew he was involved. After I arrived at the hospital, they performed many tests, but everything looked normal except for slightly increased brain activity, which reminded me of the strange visions I had.

Part of me wanted to wave off those vivid visions as just fatigue or a weird dream, but I couldn't ignore them. "Innovator, Quantum Brainwaves." Those words stuck in my mind, but I didn't understand what they meant. I knew an innovator could use Quantum Brainwaves, but I didn't know how one evolves into an innovator. The only clue I had was that my evolution started with the quantum teleportation. Was Aeolia aware of this? Did he know what would happen to me during the test?

Too many questions filled my mind, and I didn't have enough answers.

Sighing, I decided to freshen up. But I froze when I caught a glimpse of my reflection—my eyes were glowing golden. After blinking, they returned to normal. What the hell was that? I remembered a figure who didn't give me its name, so I decided to call it Alter. This figure also had golden eyes—though his were different. Could it be that innovators have golden eyes? If so, what do they represent?

After I washed up, I sat back on the bed, trying to process what I had seen. A few things stood out: the plan had been going well until everything fell apart because VEDA was compromised. Still, I hadn't seen the new GN Drive I created, which meant the Earth forces only had access to the Tau. That was somewhat comforting because it meant Celestial Being still had a chance if they could regroup.

I knew that only one of the Gundam Meisters had died; the others should still be alive. But then there was that one man who looked exactly like Alan, except his hair was a brighter green. And there was another guy who looked like a carbon copy of me. Were they clones? If so, what could anyone gain from cloning us?

"Seriously, nothing makes sense anymore," I muttered, scratching my head in frustration. How did the plan fall apart so quickly? Everything seemed fine until the Earth forces got the Tau GN Drives, and then those three Gundams showed up. Suddenly, a new thought hit me.

"How did they design and build thirty Tau GN Drives so quickly? It took me a whole year to modify the original GN Drive plans to create one. Yet they somehow built thirty in the same time. Sure, advancements in technology might help, but that seems way too fast. How did they even get the plans for the GN Drives? The Tau is basically a standard GN Drive without a TD Blanket. While VEDA had the blueprints, it thankfully lacked the information on how to create a TD Blanket. So, where did they get the plans? If VEDA wasn't compromised yet, they must have gotten them from someone else…"

Suddenly, a memory jolted me, reminding me of one of my last conversations with Aeolia. "The Europa!" I exclaimed. It all made sense; there was a crew onboard dealing with the GN Drives, meaning they knew the secrets behind them. "Whoever is behind this coup has been planning for a long time." Realization bubbled up inside me, fueling my anger. Someone wanted to use Celestial Being for their own gain. Was the person who killed Aeolia involved in this? No, I sensed he was just a pawn. If that's the case, who is the real mastermind?

I was lost in thought and didn't even notice when the door opened. I snapped back to reality when I heard someone call my name. "Reinhard." The voice startled me. I turned to see Uzumi standing there.

"Uzumi, good to see you." I said, pushing my thoughts aside for now. "I didn't know I was important enough for Orb's chief representative to visit me personally." I joked, noticing the stress in his eyes.

Uzumi sighed and took a seat next to my bed. "If I hadn't heard what happened while you were unconscious, I would probably joke about you being our ace in the hole." This made me pause as I wondered what happened while I slept.

Uzumi looked at me and swallowed hard. "Six days ago, the first battle of the war began. The Earth Alliance launched a nuclear missile at Junius Seven, an agricultural colony with over two hundred thousand civilians onboard, and destroyed it. The Earth Alliance claims that the PLANTs self-destructed the colony, but I know that's bullshit."

If I weren't so shocked, I would have gasped in shock. It was the first time I had heard Uzumi swear since we met.

Two hundred thousand lives snuffed out in an instant. By the gods, what have they done? I remembered what Alter said about how someone could access the Quantum dimension. Was that why I heard those screams?

I was speechless. I always knew there was a chance they would actually use nukes, but hearing it confirmed horrified me. I can fight against mobile suits, but how can I fight against nukes?

"What do we do next, Uzumi?" I asked, eager to know Orb's next steps.

Uzumi considered my question before speaking sadly. "While I want to condemn the Earth Alliance for their actions, I think even they didn't know one of their mobile armors carried a nuclear weapon. A rogue faction within the Alliance must be responsible for the destruction of Junius Seven, but the PLANTs won't care about that. After Junius Seven, they will want revenge." He was right; the destruction of Junius Seven only gave the PLANTs more reason to escalate the war. After all, if they give up now, the lives lost would have been for nothing. "But I can't lead Orb while letting my feelings control me, so Orb will remain neutral while preparing for the day we are dragged into this war."

He was right. If I had to guess what would happen next in the war, I believed the PLANTs would keep pushing toward Earth while the Alliance kept sending soldiers at them. Both sides would likely suffer huge casualties, especially if they used nukes again. Eventually, it was likely that the PLANTs would gain strength in space, forcing the Alliance to retreat many of their forces back to Earth. After that, the war would probably reach a standstill.

I remembered what Alter said about activating the Lite Trans-Am system. As much as I didn't want to, I felt that the time for it was now. "Uzumi, I'm sorry to ask, but I need a favor." I said as I got up from the bed and began looking for my clothes.

"Right now, Reinhard, you should rest." he insisted. I assumed it was because he was worried about my health. "You can ask for the favor later."

"I can't wait. Uzumi, do you know that island used for testing by Morgenröte?" I asked, and Uzumi nodded, still confused. "I need to test an experimental system that I haven't had a chance to test since coming to Orb." I ducked behind a curtain to change. "It's not dangerous, but I would like a medical team on standby, just in case."

"Reinhard, why the hurry? Can't you do this after you properly rest?" he asked, trying to stop me from moving forward with my plan.

"If possible, I would like more time to prepare, but how do I explain this…" I struggled for the words. I couldn't simply say that a spirit told me to activate the Lite Trans-Am system. "Have you ever felt that if you didn't act, you would regret it forever?" I asked him, and I saw him nod, sadness on his face. It looked like he had a story, but now was not the time to ask. "That's how I feel right now."

Uzumi remained silent as he thought about what I said. "Fine, I'll send a medical team. Can I assume whatever happens during the test will need to be kept secret?" I nodded. The Fafnir would start glowing reddish-pink and releasing a large amount of GN particles since it could no longer compress the ones generated by the GN Drive, which now produced semi-perpetual energy. It was probably best for the events to remain hidden.

"Alright, I will send the same doctors and nurses who brought you here. They won't ask questions."

"Thank you. I'm heading to the island to wait with the Fafnir until they arrive." I said before exiting the room and sprinting as fast as I could.

(P.O.V.) Ledonir Kisaka

C.E. 70, February 20

Orb Union, Aboard a Warship on the Coast of Morgenröte Testing Island

I really don't understand why Lord Uzumi insisted on joining the medical team. While this gives him a brief break from all the meetings about the disaster at Junius Seven, he's also been busy preparing plans in case Orb is forced into war.

I still think there are better options, like spending time with Cagalli. But being with her might add to his stress, especially since she has been irritable lately. I suspect I know why, but I don't want to think about it right now.

Looking out at the island from the bridge, we waited for Reinhard to start his test. I felt mixed feelings about him. Despite knowing his story, part of me wanted to dismiss it—as if he were making up tales about coming from a different timeline and being part of an organization aimed at ending war through armed conflict.

While wanting to end war is a noble goal that could help humanity, the way Celestial Being seeks to achieve it is not something I can support. I feel that Reinhard hasn't told the whole truth about Celestial Being's real objectives. Perhaps he does not see them, blinded by his own dislike of war, which leads him to accept the organization without question.

At the end of the day, my feelings about Reinhard are clear: I cannot fully trust him yet. But I hope that in the future, I will see him differently.

While we were heading to the island, I asked Lord Uzumi why he chose to come along, but his answer only confused me more.

"Lord Uzumi, I apologize if I'm prying, but why did you choose to join the medical team?" I inquired, glancing at him as he stood by the window, staring out at the sea.

"Reinhard asked a question that reminded me of something I would've preferred to forget." he replied, his expression thoughtful yet troubled.

I struggled to understand what he meant. What could he remember that prompted him to travel with the medical team?

(P.O.V.) Uzumi Nara Athha

C.E. 70, February 20

Orb Union, Aboard a Warship on the Coast of Morgenröte Testing Island

Have you ever felt that if you don't act, you will regret it forever?

Those words echoed in my mind, reminding me of how I lost the love of my life without telling her my feelings. A drunk driver robbed me of that chance one tragic day.

After that, my heart hardened, and I could show no emotion except anger. I focused on my work, determined to ensure Orb's success, earning me the title of "The Lion of Orb." Only when I adopted Cagalli did I begin to heal from what I lost so long ago. But I still felt incomplete, as if I could never fully recover.

For some reason I couldn't explain, I felt a strong need to watch Reinhard's upcoming test. It reminded me of how I felt after losing my sweet Kazumi.

As I looked out at the island, I saw the Fafnir begin to rise from the center of the island, climbing steadily into the sky. The sun got closer to the horizon, making the white and green GN particles released by the Fafnir glow brighter. It was captivating; I imagined if a painter could capture this moment, it would become a masterpiece that would resonate with many.

The radio crackled—something Reinhard explained was GN particles interfering with radio waves. As the noise settled, I heard his voice clearly say, "This is Reinhard, beginning the test."

The communications officer glanced at me, and I nodded before returning my focus to the Fafnir. The officer responded over the radio, "Understood, we are on standby. May the blessing of Haumea be with you."

I watched as the Fafnir hovered over the island and released GN particles from its drive. The particles gave it the appearance of angel wings—one white and the other green. Suddenly, the Fafnir glowed a bright reddish-pink, surrounded by GN particles. This continued for several seconds before it started glowing pure white and the GN particels started spreading, until they reached the warship.

Looking around the bridge, I noticed the air filled with GN particles. I might have thought I was imagining it if everyone else on the bridge didn't also look captivated by the sight.

Curiosity overwhelmed me, and I reached out to touch one of the particles. Then, I froze at the sound of a familiar voice—a voice I hadn't heard in years. "Uzumi."

In that moment, I knew who it was. "Kazumi?" I whispered.

An illusion appeared before me, and I was stunned. There she was, just as I remembered—her smile always brightened my day. I tried to reach out and touch her, but my hand passed through her. She shook her head, reminding me she was no longer here. Her gaze shifted to the Fafnir, her smile now sad.

"Isn't it beautiful? I never thought I'd see such a sight—like a lonely angel floating in the night sky. But an angel shouldn't fly alone; those who watch over us carry burdens far heavier than anyone can imagine." Her words captured the essence of the Fafnir perfectly.

How I wished she were really here. What I wouldn't give to talk to her one last time instead of facing this haunting vision. "But I am here, Uzumi, and yet, I am not."

My heart raced. Did she read my thoughts? "Yes, I did."

Kazumi looked at me as she waved her hand through the GN particles. "These particles… while I don't fully understand them, I know they exist in the past, present, and future at the same time. Because of them, my consciousness came to this moment, letting me see you one last time before I leave."

Wait—if these GN particles could carry her consciousness forward in time, then maybe they could… "I'm sorry, Uzumi, but I believe this is as far as I can go. All things must end."

Kazumi stepped closer and placed her hands on my cheeks. I felt her warmth. "You have grown old, Uzumi, and you are still haunted by your past," she said, her expression shifting to pity. "But you must move on; there are people who rely on you—your brother, your daughter, and all of Orb. Oh, how I would love to keep talking to you, but it seems I am reaching my limit."

As she spoke, her image began to fade. My eyes widened in panic as I reached out, trying to grab her, but my hands passed through her. She shook her head and smiled at me one last time. "I never got to tell you this, but I loved you too. Thank you for loving me, even after all this time."

With that, she kissed me, and then she completely vanished.

I felt something wet on my cheek and lifted my hand to check. "A single tear?"

I looked back at the island, now filled with white GN particles, and then up at the Fafnir, still floating majestically. "Thank you, Reinhard, for giving me closure."

(P.O.V.) Reinhard

C.E. 70, February 20

Orb Union, CB-A-001-Gundam Fafnir

Sitting inside the cockpit of the Fafnir, I watched the main panel display information about the Gundam. A flood of emotions hit me—sadness, joy, and more—but I realized these feelings didn't belong to me. They belonged to the crew on the warship. I didn't know how I knew this, but the connection was real. What could cause such a reaction?

[Sir, I have failed to find anything.]

Well, it was worth a shot. I had asked HARU to analyze the GN Drive while the Lite Trans-Am was activated, hoping to discover how to perform quantum teleportation. Alter had said I wouldn't be able to teleport to another timeline alone, but he promised I could manage small teleportations—though I didn't know what he meant by "small." I still needed to build some equipment to teleport at will. Just another task to add to my list, alongside finishing the second Gundam and GN Drive.

I wondered why the Fafnir was glowing white when it was supposed to be reddish-pink. Maybe it was a side effect of the Lite Trans-Am. Even so, it was still doing its job—compressing particles and then scattering them throughout the Gundam for a performance boost—but it was a bit strange.

I hummed softly as I watched the timer countdown to twenty seconds remaining from the full five minutes. I had shortened it for the test; I didn't want the Gundam's performance to drop too much due to the Lite Trans-Am's side effects. Suddenly, HARU interrupted me.

[Sir, I have managed to reconnect with one of VEDA's terminals.]

That made me freeze. Wait, what?! How was that possible? While the Fafnir's OS was base on the VEDA assisted operating system and slightly modified to allow HARU assist the pilot if the Fafnir lost contact with VEDA during testing, it shouldn't be capable of reconnecting over such a distance—especially since I was in a parallel timeline. "HARU, explain now!" I ordered, urgency creeping into my voice. What was happening? Was this a trap? Was I about to quantum teleport again?

[All I know, Sir, is that I managed to reconnect to a terminal that was once linked to VEDA but has been cut off. I don't know why. However, I have detected what seems to be two additional AIs along with a large object on the island below us.]

So, he hadn't reconnected to VEDA but rather to a disconnected terminal. Even so, how did he manage to make that connection? Wait—did he just say the terminal is on the island below us? Impossible. "HARU, are you sure you're not malfunctioning? You didn't detect anything when we arrived," I said, looking down at the shrouded island covered in white GN particles.

[Sir, it's more likely that you'll grow wings before I malfunction. I'm 100% sure that something has appeared on the island since the GN particles enveloped it.]

That meant something from my timeline might have teleported into this one. If true, it matched what Alter mentioned about a surprise, but what could it be? I was fairly certain it had something to do with Celestial Being, since HARU detected one of VEDA's terminals and two AIs. The thought made me pause. Could whatever was sent be from the future? In my time, AIs were primitive, usually just following commands. "Let's wait until the Trans-Am ends before we investigate."

Eventually, after the Trans-Am ended, the particles below began to scatter, revealing something familiar. "Is that the Ptolemaios?" I said, looking at the wreckage of the ship. Wait, wasn't it supposed to be destroyed during the battle with the Earth forces? If so, what was it doing here?

I quickly directed the Fafnir to land near the wreckage. "Haru, tell Uzumi to send all available personnel to the island immediately." I climbed out of the cockpit and ran toward the wreckage.

Entering through a hole in the hull, I passed a destroyed infirmary before continuing my search. I moved through empty crew quarters, which I assumed had belonged to the ship's staff.

[Sir, Lord Uzumi and the medical team have arrived on the island and are heading to the wreckage of the Ptolemaios.]

Good. We needed to secure the wreckage and transport it as quickly as possible. "Haru, access the terminal and gather any information you can." I ordered as I passed through a destroyed briefing room. I noticed that the layout looked like the blueprints I designed. I thought back and realized I should have added weapons in case the Ptolemaios faced space battles.

[Sir, the last time the terminal was online was 16/08/2308. I found mission reports detailing Celestial Being's actions from 2307 to 2308, along with a hidden file encrypted under Alpha-level security. This file was uploaded to the terminal before VEDA cut off its connection.]

An encrypted file hidden under Alpha-level security? Why did VEDA send that to this terminal before cutting off contact? I should check it later, especially since only Aeolia or I have Alpha-level access.

I kept wandering until I noticed a fire along the wall, probably caused by an explosion. Strange—how was it possible for the fire to still be burning? Did the ship teleport here after being destroyed? If so, how did it manage to teleport?

"Haru, check if you detect any readings like the Fafnir's GN Drive in the Ptolemaios." I was trying to piece together a theory about why this ship appeared on the island; I just needed more information.

As I walked through a hatch that led to an empty container for a mobile suit, I found what looked like a GN Sniper leaning against the wall. Interesting—maybe it was a backup weapon for a Gundam.

[Sir, I have detected a reading similar to the GN Drive. Upon closer analysis, it seems to be hidden inside the hull of the Ptolemaios. Even the crew didn't know it was there, and it is set to activate by remote control. When it activates, it will trigger a modified Trans-Am system, similar to the Lite Trans-Am.]

Everything is starting to fit together. Someone had been tasked with installing a variant GN Drive along with a modified Trans-Am system. Perhaps they wanted the Ptolemaios to quantum teleport. It looks like someone tried to recreate the conditions that allowed for quantum teleportation. But if that's true, who could it be? The Quantum dimension? No, if it could interact with our world, it would have likely changed humanity into innovators already. While it can see into our world and control GN particles, it can't affect the physical world. Aeolia? Also unlikely, especially since he's dead. That still pisses me off, but remembering that one of the Gundam Meisters managed to kill his murderer calms me down.

I continued walking and remembered that according to my blueprints, the bridge should be close. As I approached, I smelled something very familiar… blood. It reminded me that some crew members died here. Hesitantly, I entered the bridge and saw two bodies: one male and one female.

The male had half his spacesuit destroyed, revealing a completely mechanical arm. I thought he must have been injured badly enough to need mechanical implants to survive. In another situation, I would be fascinated by the fact that humanity created a cyborg. But right now, that didn't matter. No other part of his body looked damaged. From his face, it seemed he was just sleeping. I wondered what his last thoughts were that allowed him to die peacefully.

The female had a piece of shrapnel piercing her stomach. From where I stood, it didn't look critical, but looks can be deceiving. Looking into her eyes, I saw that she had cried before dying. "They are both so young." I said, realizing they were probably younger than me and had died because of a betrayal against Celestial Being. "I promise I will avenge you both." I vowed, committed to avenging them and every member of Celestial Being who died. Just then, I thought I saw both of them twitch.

"No way," I said, doubting what I had seen, and then decided to remove their helmets. I checked their necks for pulses and felt weak heartbeats in both of them. "Holy shit, they are still alive!" I yelled with excitement before contacting HARU. "Haru, tell Uzumi to send the medical evac team to the wreckage. I found survivors, and they are in critical condition."

[Alright, sir. I was about to call you about another survivor found in the outskirts of the wreckage. Apparently, he was wearing a suit similar to yours.]

Another survivor? If he wore a suit like mine, that meant he was likely a Gundam Meister. I let out a weak chuckle. "What kind of surprise is this, Alter?" Not that I was complaining—after all, one of my goals is to save Celestial Being. "What's his status?"

[He is also in critical condition with severe internal organ damage. It seems one of his eyes was slightly damaged and he will require regeneration treatment, but according to the doctors, he should recover eventually.]

A damaged eye? A vision of one of the four Gundam pilots popped into my mind, and I laughed aloud. "Shit, fate works in mysterious ways! And here I was wondering what to do with the second Gundam."