Forever Zero : Chapter VII - Plot Update

Betrayal from Within

It has begun: paradise has turned upon itself, the Circle of Ministers has thrown off its facade and proclaimed that it is the absolute, formal government of the Earth Sphere. In turn, they have declared the Warrior Houses to be archaic entities that no longer serve the people, but only their own lust for combat. The dream of Morgan Heliger is shattered, with the harmony of warrior and peace-maker thrown totally off balance. The flaws in "perfection" have become evident as true intentions shine through. Greed, power, and corruption have fully resurfaced, the sins past once again shaping the way of the future.

To back up their claims, and their unofficial declaration of war against the Warrior Houses, the Circle has turned to a new ally from the deep space colonies. The Empire of Xanadu, another "paradise" built on the foundation of Newtypism, has answered the proposal of Second Minister Augustine, and sent its finest soldiers to enforce the Circle's new law. Armed with advanced mobile suits, automated legions of mobile dolls, and battleships unlike any ever seen in the Earth Sphere, the special task force AEGIS has come to eradicate the Houses.

But AEGIS is not merely a new puppet for the Circle. Lead by the Empire's second heir, Duke Cascius Grevan, this task force has actually spent years training for their mission, though as an invasion force. The Circle has allowed AEGIS to begin its conquest of the Earth Sphere, without even realizing the Empire's intention to bring the birthplace of humanity under its control. Augustine has gone to great lenghes to supply the colony soldiers with information on each House, effectively presented them with the means of predicting and wiping out any who would stand in AEGIS' way. Whether he and his fellow ministers will be as willing to work with the Empire once they are victorious, however, is not so certain.

Fall of the Torquemada & Strange Bedfellows

Immediately after their arrival, the AEGIS fleet struck hard at the lunar fortress city of New Sanc, bombarding it from orbit before invading its remaining levels. With the help of the Circle, and the inside information provided by other turncoats, AEGIS troops ravaged the city in less than a day. Grevan's goal was simple: kill every single House warrior, but let the civilians live. Cut away the Torquemadas like a cancer, removing ALL traces of their culture and beliefs. New Sanc was to be the first of many cities converted to the Empire's Newtypist doctrine; a governor from the Empire has already been chosen.

A few warriors survived the New Sanc slaughter, escaping to different corners of the Earth Sphere in a desperate attempt to hide. Ironically, many have been saved and taken in by two of the Torquemadas' oldest enemies, the Sun Zhen and Renatus Romana Houses. The new-age samurai and Roman warriors, already long-time allies, have started to bring their forces closer together, trading technology and strategies at an incredible pace. Declarations have gone out to other Houses, each with the same message: We must unite, or die! The time left for such action is growing short, however. With their victory at New Sanc fresh in their minds, the confident AEGIS forces have turned towards Earth.

Discoveries, Plot Twists & Unexpected Help

While the Warrior Houses face the most terrible conflict of their 150 year history, several individuals have also begun to act. The recent months have yielded an unprecidented number of Dark Age relics as desperate Earth Sphere denizens strive hard to uncover fabled artificats that will save them. Renegade historian Edison Vale is just one of several such figures, having already uncovered an assortment of innovations. From a peculiarly childish artificial intelligence, to a monstrous space station, his discoveries are joined by the relic carried with Torquemada survivors aboard the battle cruiser Morgan: the mobile suit Gundam. However, whether such things will truly make a difference is up to those entrusted with them.

As the Empire and the Circle plot with and against one another,neither suspects the deception and betrayal brewing within their own ranks. House Warriors who have supposedly turned on their own kind have either begun having second thoughts, or have actually been spies from the beginning. Just as the Circle used its agents to sabotage and open New Sanc for AEGIS, so might these scattered misfits undermine their efforts. In the end, victory may not be determined by the battlefield alone, but also by the intricate games played by secret agents and would-be spies behind the scenes.

Further from the eyes of both sides, the deeds of the Empire and AEGIS have started a chain-reaction among the different deep space colony groups. Torn between their mutual oath never to interfere with the Earth Sphere, and their hatred or jealously for the Xanadu measures, some have started plotting their own response. Calls to arms against the Empire have arisen, but so has applause and offers to participate and share the spoils of the Earth. One power, the Evestine Colony Cluster, has sent a powerful warship to help combat the AEGIS threat. Whether others will follow their lead and come as allies of the Houses, the Circle, or merely as opportunists is uncertain. Only one thing is absolutely sure: the Earth Sphere will never be the same.

The storyline of chapter 7 has taken a profound turn, moving away from the internal conflicts of the Earth Sphere's ideal society and introducing an outside aggressor. This new threat from deep space represents both a common foe and a new opportunity for those affliated with the Warrior Houses. Will they stand with their old enemies, and fight together as a united force? Or will mistrust and prejudice keep them splintered? Perhaps a few may even find that future with AEGIS and the Circle will have more to offer them. Or others will give up their House loyalties altogether, turning rogue, mercenary, or just becoming wandering bandits or do-gooders.

Those already supporting the Circle will have gained newfound influence across the Earth Sphere, especially when its citizens believe that their spiritual government is about to take full command of their lives. Not that this is being received poorly; the AVN order has been the only way of life many of these people have known. It makes sense that it should rise to full power, over the Houses.

Of course, then there is the Empire's own perspective on this conflict. What will they do once the Houses are out of the way? Will they even be able to defeat these "introverted" soldiers as easily as they hope? Once again, only time will tell.