Here we go again.  I don't own GW. I DO own the Storm and their gundams.

Heart of the Storm

Chapter Ten


News of the base’s destruction and Barton’s death reach`ed the enemy suits in almost no time.

“Fight with everything you’ve got, boys,” shouted the leader of the space group, Trent.

“That’s right!  This has become a battle of pride!” yelled the ground leader, Harris.

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Epyon, Illumination, Sandrock, and Altron prepared for battle as they came face to face with the enemy.

“There’ll be about 25 suits apiece,” said Kalli, obviously having gotten over her breakdown earlier.  “That won’t be a problem for anyone, will it?”

“Fine with me,” came Quatre’s reply.

“Not even a challenge,” said Zechs.

“Are you sure you can handle this, woman?”  Wufei was NOT happy about having Kalli lead this team.  But then, if she wasn’t leading Zechs would, and that would be just as bad.

“You forget, Chang.  I’m a Stormer.  We handle the jobs that you Gundam boys can’t.”  There was a change in her voice.  It changed from the light-hearted voice that was typical of the Winner family, to a darker, almost monotonous voice of a soldier.

Wufei swallowed hard.  He knew she was serious, now.  He was almost afraid to say anything more to her.

“Right,” he simply said, before turning his attention to the oncoming battle.  He said no more to her.

Quatre noticed the change in his sister’s voice.

As did Zechs.  He chuckled to himself.  Finally, a woman that can make Chang cower in fear.

That’s what we were trained for, right Zechs?  Kalli replied to him, mentally, her mental voice almost just as dark, but…it almost sounded like three voices in one.  Like the entire Storm.

Zechs nodded and looked forward as the enemy suits engaged.  The battle had begun.

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Wing Zero, Thundershock, Deathscythe, and Heavyarms emerged from the underground tunnels.  A very tall mountain and several miles separated them from the city, so they could give the fight their full attention without worry of hurting innocent civilians.

“They’ve engaged in almost 100 suits in space,” said Izreina.  “We’ve got almost the same number headed for us.”

“25 suits each,” said Trowa.

“That won’t be a problem for us, Sis,” said Duo.

“Don’t underestimate them, Duo,” said Heero.

“That’s right,” said Izreina, her voice also changing, as Kalli’s had.  “They’ll be fighting with much anger, so they’ll be very aggressive.  Do NOT let your guard down.”

“Don’t intend to,” said Duo, sitting back in his seat at hearing the tone of his sister’s voice.

Heero looked towards ThundershockIzreina’s tone had him somewhat concerned.

Keep your mind on the battle, Yuy
, said three voices together, but Izreina was directing the thoughts.

Heero nodded and turned his attention to the engaging suits.  He understood, now, how the Storm operated.

“Here, they come,” said Trowa.

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Trinity was sitting up in her bed, her eyes closed.  This was the way it was supposed to be.  Three minds, as one.  Even thought she was physically not at the battlefields, she could direct the attack from her hospital room.  This was the truth behind the Storm.  When engaged in battle together, they were not three soldiers, three minds, three fights.  They were one body.

Lightning, was the speed of the Storm.  Thunder, the strength.  And Tempest, the power.  It had been this way since they first battled beside one another.  And it would always be this way.  This is why the Storm is undefeated.

Une was sitting beside Trinity’s bed, watching.  She knew better than to disturb Trinity.  It was concentration she needed, because she could not see the battle for herself.  It would be even more difficult since she would be monitoring two different battles.

The telepathic bond that held the three Stormers together was so strong, that all of the pilots could sense the connection, even the enemy.

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Trent wiped the sweat off of his forehead with the arm of his jumpsuit.  Nearly 75% of his group was destroyed, by Illumination and Epyon alone.  The remaining suits were on the verge of surrender, knowing they wouldn’t be able to retreat.  He barked his orders.

“Do NOT give in!  I will NOT let Master Barton die in vain.  Destroy the Stormer first, the others will be no problem.”  It’s just one Stormer, after all.  One has been destroyed and the other is down on the planet.  Just one Stormer shouldn’t be this difficult.

I’d check your history on the Storm before I came to that conclusion if I were you.
  Three voices rang out through Trent’s head, confirming what his subconscious suspected.  He shook his head.

No.  Just one Stormer.  Just one!

You should know, by now, that there will never be just one of us.  There will always be three, or none.  And all attempts at none have failed and will continue to fail.

Trent, in more frustration than fear, screamed as his suit was cut in half by Epyon’s beam saber.

No! ”NO!!!!!”

Always three.  Always three that are one.  These words of the three were the last he heard as his world went black forever.

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Harris’s fate would have been the same thing except the younger pilot had a little more sense to know when he was finished.  After 50% of his suits fell at the hands of Wing Zero and Thundershock, he announced the surrender of the ground forces.

Just after his surrender, he could feel the failure of the forces in space.  The Storm broadcasted that mental image to all of the opposing forces.

I’m sorry, Colonel Trent, Master Barton.  I’m sorry for being a coward to surrender.

The three voices appeared in his head.  It takes more courage to admit defeat than to lose your life for nothing.  Only a coward would destroy himself to keep from facing the consequences of his actions.  You have given yourself and your men a chance to repent for your wrong decisions.  Whereas they, they will be forever danmed for theirs.

Harris nodded.  I understand.  “I will try my hardest to make things right.”

Good.

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Trinity opened her eyes for a brief moment.  She looked over to Une and smiled weakly before laying her head back and closing her eyes again, falling into a deep sleep.

Une nodded and stood up.  She pulled a blanket over Trinity’s shoulders before walking out of the room.

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Kalli sat still in her Gundam for several minutes after the battle had ended.  This was the part she couldn’t get used to.  There were several moments that her mind nearly shutdown after the connection with the other Stormers was broken.  But it didn’t last long.

Kalli?” asked Quatre over the communications system.

She didn’t respond for a few minutes, which made him worry slightly, but he gave a sigh of relief when she finally did.

“I’m all right, Quatre,” she replied in her normal voice, though a little tiredly.

“Let’s go home, then,” he said.

“Agreed,” replied Zechs.

“Yeah,” said Wufei.

Kalli nodded.  “Home.”

The four suits prepared to re-enter the atmosphere.

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Izreina also remained still as her mind adjusted to the broken connection.  The other Gundams were busy rounding up the enemy soldiers, so they didn’t pay much mind to her.  At least, she didn’t think so.  When she opened her eyes, she found herself staring into her brother’s face.

“You okay, Iz?” he asked, a worried look on his face.

She smiled weakly and nodded.  “Yeah.  It just takes a lot of strength to be a Stormer, both physically and mentally.”

Duo nodded, not really replying.  “I’d guess so.”

She looked around her cockpit.  “All the prisoners rounded up?”

“Sure are.  Rounded up and on their way to HQ.  Just waiting for you and we’re heading home.”

“I’m ready, then.  Let’s go.”

“Great.”
  Duo flashed a smile and hoped out of her Gundam, dashing to his own.

The four suits headed back down to the underground tunnels back to Preventer Headquarters.

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