Shin Kidou Senki Gundam W: Frozen Teardrop c9

The explosion of the Earth delegation shuttle in the vicinity of the L-1 colony cluster was finally announced as an act of terrorist by colonial extremists. The sole survivor, Duke Cinquant Khushrenada, expressed his feelings [by stating], "I think it is regrettable that the path to peaceful coexistence between Earth and the colonies comes to an end," and the Earth Sphere United Alliance Army added that [it] ought to be stationed in the colonies [ALT: and CINQUANT added that the ESUAA ought to be stationed in the colonies #0]. Regarding Sabrina Peacecraft, who was supposed to have been the other survivor, she was reported by the mass media as having died with the other passengers. Since then, no, since before then, history was full of ostentation and deception. Everything was handled with a (sort of) white washed interpretation [of events] that was favorable to the authorities. The colonies and Earth had decided that the AC 145 [shuttle] incident was the start of the antagonism [between them], but in fact this beginning is a fabrication through and through. On the one side, the rebels and United Alliance Army's deadlock in the Norther European kingdom of Cinq continued. The skirmishes at the (very) front lines were (see-sawing) one step forward and one step back; and despite the ocean blockade in [Cinq's] territorial waters that had been [in effect] for nearly half a year, [neither side] was able to make the decisive blow. Here a "buzzword" appeared. Though it truly was a momentary fad, it was (a word that was) exactly like it was the "truth" [ALT: it was a word that was taken at face value as being the truth]. Throughout history, these kinds of frequently appearing "buzzwords" often lead the masses off in the wrong direction. In the AC era, it was this [phrase]:

Early conclusion

In truth, this was ceased-thinking conclusionism and simple logic. Of course, an urgent situation that is getting worse must quickly be ended. However, as the situation was at a standstill, it was not necessary to arrive at an immediate conclusion [at the expense of one] that would allow for a gentle, good change to occur. Speaking more concretely-

"Because people will naturally die as long as the war continues, and where a number of victims is unavoidable, it is better to use a WMD (lit: large scale weapon) and wipe out the rebel forces once and for all."

-is one mode of thinking. This loses sight of the real issue. At the same time, the people were under the impression that they had thought up the words themselves. [Because of that buzzword], there was a tendency to value an 'end' to the war over the 'life' of a person. Mass media, which caters to public opinion, also backed the irresponsible 'early conclusion.' The United Alliance Army executives decided to launch a nuclear warhead (limited area dispute use that is in the satellite orbit 216/3/4-6).

"Set the launch for midnight on November 27th [#1], colony standard time." That was, of course, an order of the utmost top-secret importance. All the people were being lead around by their noses with superstitious sounding 'catch phrases' like 'it will be easier once it's over' without careful deliberation; they don't notice that they themselves are accomplices. Spreading thoughts of conventional conclusion didn't spread out 216/3/11-12. All they could do was move forward. They had lost the power to imagine. Humans who have lost their imagination can find value only in results. One may sympathize with this state of mind. And that is a terribly deep sin.

*

Sabrina was taken in by the Darlians. However, the Darlians were [no longer] affluent but had mortgaged their luxurious home and spacious grounds and were poised to relinquish them in few months' time. Because their own country had been taken over by the rebels, the Earth Sphere United Alliance was imposing a heavy tax upon them. Moreover, the colonies' middle classes gave official notice of 'wealth redistribution.' For the upper classes, [they, the middle classes] commenced the dismantling of the upper classes' 'vested interests.' The ever-magnanimous Darlians accepted all these demands and chose to relinquish their fortune. A sharp decline began. [Katerina] had to give up the (early morning) horseback riding and space walks. She even gave up her adored horse. Without the means to employ a tutor, it was decided that Heero Yuy would be discharged at the end of the month. For Katerina, that was the one thing she didn't want. Heero, however, consented. As he hadn't ever really done any tutoring, he had felt guilty about receiving the monthly reparation (lit: salary). When the seed in Katerina's heart sprouted with sadness, it probably had not yet been foreseen that this feeling would become 'love' in due time . It was Sabrina who breathed very different air from the Darlians [family] 217/1/4-5<. At this time, she closed her heart and did nothing but play the piano. She continually played Chopin's Revolutionary [#2]. Or she chose the difficult "mazurka" [#3]. These songs' senses of speed could not be expressed if they were not played from memory [thus allowing] one [to focus] on the keyboard. But they were excessively elaborate and short in emotion. It is believed that Sabrina definitely seemed to want to forget. Her country, her parents, the people who had perised in the shuttle explosion, and now, even herself; [she was] now a nobody. Yet the more she concentrated on the song, the more the faces of the people she'd lost came back to haunt her. She fell into a spiral of loss and the gap between herself and her surroundings widened. As a result, she became unable to concentrate on anything other than the songs and while the vicious circle continued without end, she continued beating the abyssally depressed keys [ALT: she continued to be the keys in her abyssal depression [adjectival order] 217/2/12-13<].

Then, unexpectedly, she heard a voice speaking at her ear. If she focused too much on things, she would fall into an certain type of a state of trance 217/2/10-11. Despite the mezzo forte of the piano, she could hear the discussion of her littler sister Katerina and the tutor Heero Yuy in the neighboring room. Their voices seemed to have a certain anxiousness and reluctance in their soon-to-end relationship. It was a heated, lively discussion.

"Emmanuel Kant isn't saying 'one cannot lie' 'for the sake of eternal peace.'"

"Kant is saying that the foundation of moral metaphysics is: 'one must not tell lies whatever the circumstances.' So it stands to reason that it would be under that heading. For peace, 'sublime goals' and 'obligatory motive' are necessary and without that, if (decorating with falsehoods) isn't permissible, then bloody battle is also negated and peace that came of it will have no value."

Sabrina stopped playing, and she faced the adjoining room, drawing closer,

"Please tell me what you mean, in detail," Sabrina posed the question from the doorway. "I can accept that 'peace' is morally correct. Ergo, isn't it more important that 'peace' be achieved, regardless of the 'means'?"

"You're saying that peace achieved by military intervention is also just, yes?"

"Yes......"

"Come in......" said Heero, "you're wrong." Heero had two students for his final class. [#3.5]

"I am wrong!" Tears flooded Sabrina's eyes. "Isn't it obvious that [I am? you are?]wrong?" She went sobbing to Heero's arms. Heero was perplexed, hit as he was by Sabrina's flood of emotion. "I want to see Sam...... I want to see Sam!"

"Sam......?"

Sabrina's emotional support was the cat Sam who she had left on Earth. Katerina was likely sympathetic to her older sister's state. But sure enough, seeing her snuggled against Heero and in tears unmistakeably disquieted her heart. Katerina's expression was different from usual. Gone was the carefree cheek, it was replaced with dark jealous/envy.

Even though we have the same face, Sabrina is an angel from Earth......I'm the lost child that was thrown away in space.

That may have been the second when she realized the happiness which she had enjoyed was [actually] a 'hard life' that was [only] called 'freedom.'

*

Sabrina and Katerina were, on the surface, close sisters, but it was (perhaps) enmity neither one wanted to acknowledge that ran through their hearts. One might even call it an abhorrence of their closest relation. The two of them did not share a bedroom as if that were the most natural thing [#3.75]. Nevertheless, since their rooms were next to each other, it was possible for one to pay a visit to the other. That, however, had not yet happened even once. The siblings never spent the night talking, or shared their feelings or comforted one another. Undoubtedly any words they exchanged were empty ones. Worry for their country or thoughts of their father and mother (probably) only brought sighs and it was (probably) impossible to fill the deep gulf that had been dug between them. However, Katerina had been taught by Heero Yuy. If humans were intended to discover what it means to 'live,' each individual's thoughts were important and there was no particular need to limit it to history or place or environment. Setting aside the fact that her (older) twin sister--who was this young woman named Sabrina?--Katerina screwed up the courage to go and pay a visit to Sabrina's room.

"An exchange! 230/3/313<" Determination filled Katerina's eyes. "I'll take Sam! So don't let Heero-sensei go!"

"I don't understand......what does that mean?"

Katerina removed the sheet and nimbly go into the cockpit. "Let's go, Sam!"

"Meow," answered the Sam in the monitor happily. The propulsion systems started up one after the other.

"Can I leave the (form control) to you Sam......But the speed control is delicate, be extra careful."

"Roger!"

She took off at full throttle. Wyvern flew off at suicidal speed. Sabrina saw them off with a thousand emotions [in her heart]. Her little sister was on a journey [to save] the country that had rejected her. For all that they were twins, was it truly okay for her to accept such a cruel fate? At the time, Sabrina wouldn't register [what] the most important thing was that she'd received from Katerina. She didn't receive 'Heero Yuy.' She was entrusted with [Katerina's] 'love.'

*

Leaving from the spaceport [#13] to space, the Wyvern headed to Earth. When she was allowed to research 231/1/11< by Sam, it became clear that the United Alliance Army had eight offensive military satellites in high orbit. Which one of them had nuclear warheads, which satellite would fire at the Cinq Kingdom, as unclear.

"Sam! Do you know which one?"

"Meow."

Words appeared on the monitor:

It is not possible to predict launch time. Ergo, it's not possible to specify a more than 25% probability for each satellite.

"Well, calculate a route [where I can] hit them all!"

"Meow."

Making snap decisions was a characteristic Katerina came by naturally. After she destroyed the eight attack satellites, if the Alliance Army asked for compensation for damages, it would be an astronomical sum. There was no way Katerina could pay it herself, even if the Cinq Kingdom survived, it would be bankrupt.

"Never mind that! Now, I must protect Cinq!" But that alone wasn't the problem. But Sam asked questions one after the other: the attack method fuel supply, specifying the limits of Earth's gravitational field, etc. To each of those, Katerina calmly answered [Sam's questions]. As long as they were dealing with 'nuclear warheads,' there was no excusing a direct attack with means or missiles [due to the] pollution [that would contaminate] just outside of Earth's atmosphere. There was also no excusing an increase in unnecessary space debris.

"Isn't there some way to get them out of Earth's orbit?"

"Meow."

The answer was yes. It was possible to send the satellites into (graveyard orbit) which is outside the Earth sphere; to do this, the satellites would have to get off their original orbit. This could be done by manipulating the speed changes the satellites performed to [keep themselves in orbit]. [#13.5] The trouble was the attack satellites whose purpose was to destroy meteorites and large space debris. These satellites were double constructs consisting of an upper and lower part and came equipped with position stabilizing mechanisms that used high speed counter-revolution thrusters; in the event of an attack (from the outside) she could only assume that they would automatically take evasive action. She needn't consider the supply of propellant. She intended to get rid of all the satellites in a single orbit around Earth. When she was done, she would just storm through the atmosphere and land on Earth. However, the probability of being successful, while not zero, was close to being impossible. Her courage was taken down several notches.

"But it's not zero, right?"

"Meow."

Katerina was resigned/determined and ready to die, she plowed ahead to confront [her] despair. Just then, the commlink resounded with an incoming call.

"This is Heero Yuy......Wyvern, come in." On the monitor appeared the face of the one whose encouragement she most wanted.

"Sensei!"

"Jay was able to do the hacking. The launch will be midnight November 27th, colony standard time."

"Thank you! That's all I need to pinpoint the [right] satellite!"

"Meow," Sam also voiced his gratitude.

"There is something I want to ask." Heero's eyes were earnest. "Before, you said you were in pain."

"Yes! Truly I was; I am now!"

"Could you tell me what it is [that pains you]?"

"That's a secret. But I'll tell you if this mission is a success."

"Okay......in that case, you come back alive."

"Roger!"

"Meow, meow."

*

The satellite Sam specified was named 'Gemina MW." Currently, it was the farthest away, being located at the far side of the Earth. A time limit appeared on the monitor. It was the time the nuclear warhead would be launched. Even at top speed, the Wyvern's ETA was cutting it close. But it turned out that there was something even worse than that. That attack satellite was one of the duel construct ones.

The most effective method of attack is to destroy the median axis connecting the upper and lower parts at close range.

Katerina repeatedly thought over those words as they were displayed on the monitor. And by that method of attack, she confirmed that it was possible to keep it away from Earth's atmosphere, subtle timing was necessary. It was a method whereby she would approach and attack in an instant, even as Earth's powerful gravity was pulling at her from behind, and make the thrusters run flat out without destroying it. Her weapon of choice was the manipulator arm that came from [one of the heads/ #14] of the two-headed dragon.She would attack with the beam saber (attached to it). However, it would not be easy. If she cut it in two, it would fall to Earth. Masterful skill was required to neatly cut off just the rotational axis's magnet equilibrium system.

*

The target, 'Gemina MW', was caught on the radar. Sam instantly released/scattered EMC [Electric Counter Measures] that would obstruct the remote operation [of the satellite]. But they had already exceeded the time limit. They could not cancel the launch now.

"That was also in the realm of expectations." Katerina focused on the (operation) of the manipulator. She started up the beam saber. "Take care of (the handling), Sam."

"Meow."

While going a roundabout way, Wyvern got into the inner orbit of 'Gemina MW.'

"Excellent! Now Cinq can be helped even in the worst case scenario!" If she became the missile's target, she would be the only one to die. But Katerina had no intention of dying. "There's still a ton of things I want to do!" Wyvern suddenly took on more speed. Katerina extended the (eyepiece) scope (from behind the seat) and got the magnetic equilibrium system of the 'Gemina MW' between the cross hairs. The missile launch barrel was just barely open. She could make out a little of the ominous warhead in the light that was reflecting off the Earth.

"Not on my watch 232/2/14<." She would absolutely send it off into space. She approached with even more painstaking care. By the effect of the ECM, the Wyvern's approach of the 'Gemina MW' went unnoticed. [They were as] close [as possible] and Katerina was fixed on the image [seen through] the (eyepiece) scope.

"......" She took a deep breath. And she sang a song in a quiet voice. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." It was the song Judy Garland sang in that movie from long ago. As of recently, she'd been having Sabrina teach it to her. She'd said the song had given her a tiny bit of courage. It was an odd sensation. It was perhaps a trance-like state (in the midst of one's limits) 233/1/7. There was a force at work that far exceeded her own will, and with nimble accuracy, she made the manipulator move. Fine timing and masterful technique were demonstrated. It was a miraculous moment [ALT: It was the moment of truth]. The magnetic equilibrium system was carved out by the beam saber. Little flashes of light sparked out.

"Mission complete."

"Meow."

Katerina gave him a small smile. The next moment, attack satellite 'Gemina MW' detected the (scooped out) magnetic equilibrium system 233/1/7< and made to take evasive action. But the thrusters ended up synchronizing in the same direction and sent it further and further away from Earth. 'Gemina MW' disappeared off into empty space without launching its nuclear warhead.

*

Wyvern was slowly pulled in by Earth's gravity. She thought the faint G forces were pleasant; she said something to Sam that Sabrina used to often say.

"Play it once, Sam."

"Meow."

"Take the wave course to break into Earth's atmosphere."

"Meow."

"Let's head straight to Cinq and set her free!"

"Meow, meow!"

All at once, Wyvern was breaking into the atmosphere. The cockpit was filled with dazzling sunlight and under the harsh G forces, Katerina shouted loudly, "My name is Katerina Peacecraft! Second heir (in line in the Peacecraft family) to succeed to the Cinq Kingdom throne." Charging through the flash of light, the (white body of) Wyvern added still more light. "As of today, AC 145 November 27th, I declare war against the rebels who occupy [my] kingdom as well as proclaim the restoration of imperial rule [alt: the ruling house of Peacecraft]!"

To Be Continued..

Chapter end