Dana knew Milou's question was the first thing she had to contemplate when her men got back. She answered with as much realism as possible, "We better have one. If we don't we've just about lost every cause we had." She considered her options when the other pilots made their way to the carrying areas.
Gawel added another question to the scenario, “If we do have another one then what’s keeping the mobile dolls from trying to take out those ones?”
Dana stopped at the enterance of the cockpit area when she answered, “Might not have reached the area yet or they have to put up with more forces than anticipated. Let’s hope it’s enough to go out there again.”
Zachariah was the next to wonder, “Would you say we’re headed for another trip to Rome Captain?”
“I’ll have to ask the General about it. Just get us back home for now.”
Gawel strapped himself into the pilot seat when he agreed, “Easy enough.” With the order given the carrier made its way out of the ruins and back to Brussels.
Nasir, Cinzia and the others made their way to the crew holding area of the carrier when their Panthers had deployed in the hangar bay. Mercurio met with them when he introduced, "It's good to see some of you have made it this far. We believed the Sol Theros would have completely destroyed the city area."
Nasir disagreed with the sentiment when he pointed to the ruins outside the plane window, "They basically did. Not to mention took out our chances of getting to Kecker's location."
Cinzia stepped forward to remind him, "They could have either helped us and gave the forces in the capital an advantage or let us end up like Ludwika and the others while getting flanked again. This is why we spread our forces when necessary."
Mercurio looked out the window regretfully hearing Ludwika’s demise. "I see... If I had the chance to I would have made sure everyone came back safe. Now I'm not sure how many of us will still be here when this has ended."
Nasir sat down when he contemplated his regret, "Go figure. Sorry to be the one to break this to you but this war has not been letting up on us. It doesn't even look like Kecker wants to consider letting it down either. And that’s considering we’re going to make it past the end of this." Mercurio saw the man’s face and knew there was nothing he could do to convince him out of his disappointment.
Mercurio turned to the new soldiers who had just seen the carnage below when he told them, “Try not to let this day get you down. I’m sorry to say that we’ll be facing more like this.”
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Edward turned to answer Till’s questions, "Of course. I do try to be realistic for the most part however. Just considering all of these factors is rather tricky at times. Even if we did have a strategy against mobile dolls I don’t believe we had one against these sort of otherwise impossible tactics." He was more prepared for the second question when he brushed off the suggestion, "In order to even consider sympathizing with Kecker's plans I'd have to have an inkling of an idea of what he's doing."
Naina turned to the left when she saw the missiles were no longer firing and began to make her way down to the ground. She saw the final two Sol Thero units were now only reduced to offering gatling fire to the frontlines in an attempt to break through. Naina knew what would happen next if they were left standing and prepared the Tallgeese for a final dash to the ground. She contacted Donna, “Take the one on the left. Just try to avoid their blades.” The two mobile suits dashed forward with their respective close range weapons and in two final swipes saw the end of their enemies.
The long moments passed before Edward found there was no longer anything to worry about when the last Sol Thero fell at the hands of the Sandesgeist and Tallgeese. “Well the defense certainly wasn’t bad. If our only choice is to simply remain here then we might have a chance.” He commented on the final defense. He turned to Till asking, “I suppose if there is anything else to anticipate we should keep watch for our men?”
Two hours passed before Wing 1 descended to the landing area it came from while the remaining pilots tried to come to terms with their recent losses. Mercurio saw Zachariah took the news on Gilliam’s demise quite hard while only a few of the new recruits managed to gather with something less than total shellshock. Among the sights he began to notice just how little he wasn’t moved by the situation. All of these sights had become something of an everyday occurrence by now along with several others.
Mercurio descended to the ground when he saw the Earth Sphere soldiers preparing the landing pad for escort and it seemed to be larger than any he saw before. The number of carriers suggested an exodus when he saw several politicians found their way onboard. His thoughts were interrupted when he saw Naina meet with him. “Hey, from the looks of the city it looks like it at least managed to survive another invasion. I’m glad you were here for us Naina.”
Naina nodded to the compliment when she asked for his experience, “Was Amsterdam saved at least?”
Mercurio leaned on one of the hangar walls when he crossed his arms and answered, “Probably enough to rebuild. I don’t know if we’re going to make it into space now.”
Naina lightly sighed when she considered, “It does explain how Kecker was planning to keep anyone from following him. Any but the most secure areas are probably our only chance for pursuit now.”
“At least hoping we can make it. Did you at least manage to find out anything about his target?”
“I couldn’t find anything. Whatever the Sol Invictus is supposed to destroy will be a sizable target however. No one builds something this massive with the intention of destroying one minor establishment.”
“We’ll probably only figure out about it once we find it. After that we can meet like regular cousins right?”
Naina met his eyes when she agreed, “I would enjoy that. If I could have changed anything about our first meeting I probably should have revealed myself to begin with.”
Mercurio waved a hand when he conceded, “I should have been the one to trust you. If I had then Kecker probably wouldn’t be out there right now.”
“Then Golsin would have slipped under our noses because of it.”
Mercurio felt himself stumped at the idea when he had to consider such an inevitable fate. “Guess there is a consequence to every action after all. Probably just a question of why Neil didn’t make the launch anyway.”
Naina corrected him further when she answered, “It’s a question of meeting with the Solaris at the same time. The mirror it is meant to line up with is not exactly a choice for finding shelter in space regardless of the time it takes. Especially considering how old he was.”
Dana saw one of the pilots rush up to report, “Captain. We’ve got a transmission from General Neustadt. Requesting your report.”
“Well if there’s going to be anyone to break the news…” Dana said before she made her way to the nearest projection device.
A hologram of General Neustadt appeared before Dana when he greeted, “Captain. It is fortunate to see that you have survived. Please tell me you have good news in regard to the recent mission.”
"We managed to extract some of our forces from the city General. Unfortunately we weren't able to secure our main objective. The Sol Theros managed to destroy the spaceport before we could get there in time."
The General didn’t give a verbal chastisement when he shook his head, "Most regrettable. It doesn't seem anything could have been done to realistically undo this destruction however." He returned his face to her when he explained, "We could have requested that all of your forces move in to secure the city and risked losing our lives here today or remained here and face a more desperate battle from another side. Perhaps we have only managed to avoid the worst this scenario could offer."
"We need to get to space sir. Are we at least able to make our way to Rome for launch?"
"Our forces are at too much risk in Europe now to remain here. The current mission as of now is to enact the Second Carthage Protocol."
The first mention of the protocol had Dana curious about the decision but remained at attention when she asked, "With foremost concern at hand sir what is this protocol for?"
"To move the Parliament and what remaining Earth Sphere officials remain to Quebec City in its second stronghold. If we had prior knowledge of the Testudo's position it would have been enacted beforehand. Hopefully the attacks from the Sol Theros will be lighter before the attack continues."
"Is a spaceport there sir?"
"St. Johns has the port that will provide transport to your team at Kecker's coordinates. Upon arrival their position will mark the ideal time to align with Kecker's destination."
Dana began to feel some more confidence brewing in her when she affirmed her dedication, "Just a slight delay then. Better than just waiting here I guess. I take it we have the transport prepared for a trip that far away?"
"Major Yuy and the remaining forces have prepared several carriers to be ready for the travel. I suggest you inform you men to be prepared for another journey."
"Understood General. We'll be ready when everyone else is."
The General gave a final nod before he concluded, "The order will be issued in the next half hour. Have everything loaded by then. We'll see to it that the mission goes back as scheduled. Dismissed." The hologram faded and it left Dana to explain the news.
Dana stood near one of the crates to substitute as a podium when she announced to the soldiers, “Listen up everyone. We’re being asked to follow through the Second Carthage Protocol. Simply put this city of ours is too busted to be defended anymore. So you’re about to travel to the other side of the world to get a chance to launch into space. Prepare for the flight, it’s going to be another two days before we reach it. And everyone see me after we take off. I have to discuss a few things with all of you. This final mission of ours is that important to elaborate on. We leave in another half hour. Dismissed.”
Malcolm considered the protocol on the faded war desk when he asked Marcel, "Our forces have no other option then?"
"Not without risking the Parliament to the possibility of further Sol Thero attacks."
"We still may have to endure attacks from the Coalition forces from New Brunswick and Pennsylvania."
"The odds of facing the Coalition and hopefully informing them of our plight is a safer option then attempting to protect a further ruined capital. I must press that you consider this option as our only chance to maintain the integrity of the Earth Sphere."
Malcolm looked down in deep thought on the desk before he came to another decision. The wear and strategizing had been demanding for the past few days alone but the decisions only continued to demand more of him. If I am carrying even a fraction of what Kecker once had… He looked up before he faced the General, "If it must be so then I will follow through. Gather the Parliament and inform them that Second Carthage is now in act. Ensure this message is met with every civilian so they may leave as soon as possible."
Marcel saluted, "Very good sir. Our forces are anxious to see the next chance to being their pursuit."
Malcolm gathered his materials before he walked along with the General agreeing, "As are we all. If Kecker can be stopped this evacuation will be our wisest option."