2023-03-15: Changing of the Guard

• Log: 2023-03-15: Changing of the Guard
• Cast: Char Aznable, Citizens of Palau
• Where: Asteroid Mining Base Palau
• Date: U.C. 0097 03 15
• Summary: Char Aznable seeks sanctuary for himself and his prisoner after the battle at Kowloon Walled City Park. He makes his first play.

---

The dockworkers at Asteroid Mining Base Palau stare in awe at the machine entering the mobile suit hangar. It's an impossibility - a machine everyone thought as destroyed, limned in a golden aura that, as it touches down, slowly fades to a dull inner glow, allowing the crimson paint of its armour to be brought back into prominence. It sets down a powder-blue cockpit sphere, as its own cockpit block opens up.

Char Aznable steps out onto the gantry, looking out over the assembled with crystal blue eyes whose pupils contain a single pinprick each of dawnfire.

Nobody is sure what to do, and a silence descends. Then - Char smiles.

"I would seek an audience with the governer," he says. "And an escort for my guest - " he indicates the second cockpit block - "to the governor's quarters. Please do not harm her - she is to be kept in the finest of comforts."

He starts descending the access gantry, confused, awestruck murmurs starting to whisper through the crowd.

"Is it really him?"
"I thought he disappeared with the White Devil!"
"Well, he's not Full Frontal. Look at how he stands. That confidence. That's gotta be the real thing?"
"Is he... glowing?"

He might be, a little bit, but the power of the Oath is not needed at present. Char lets the rumours start to spread, the crowd parting in front of him as he walks until he's approached by armed soldiers in Zeon uniforms.

"Are you Char Aznable," the leader asks flatly, rifle trained on him. The Red Comet smiles again.

"Please. There is no need for weapons." He raises his own hands. "As you can see, I come to you unarmed, seeking sanctuary from our enemies the Federation and hospitality for another I would also request sanctuary for."

"Come with us," another guard says gruffly, reaching out to grab Char by the wrist.

Now it's needed. As they lead him away, warding off the crowd of onlookers, Char focuses, and The Power within him flows outwards, into the soldiers restraining him.

"I am here to bring about a Change," he says to the leader as they release him, one of them reaching out to touch his superior officer and repeat the process, "and complete our sadly interrupted mission. The Truth of the Federation's harm can no longer be denied or ignored - after all, they are only human; harm is all they know how to do."

His two new converts make contact with their squadmates. One by one, they are sworn in to the same Oath.

He sees the glow of dawnfire in the leader's eyes, and smiles thinly. They understand. "Please escort me to the governor. I wish to elucidate him of this Truth myself."

The confusion of having the axiom of the Oath dumped into their heads fades, and the newly converted Ruin Apostles choose to follow their commander's lead.

The governor's office is suddenly greeted by the arrival of this dire unit, though nothing seems amiss. The sergeant - Kolin Amari - presents the Red Comet to the governor, who smiles like a predator. "My, my, the Red Comet returned from the dead! The Federation will surely be most appreciative if we turn you over, Char. Perhaps you can finally pay your dues for what you've done."

The shark thinks itself the master of the sea.

It is ignorant to the presence of the orca.

"I think, Governor, you misunderstand your situation," Char says calmly. "There is indeed unfinished business to be completed, but you will not see it. Sergeant Amari? Your sidearm, please."

Three shots ring out. Three scarlet blossoms decorate the governor's office.

Char looks down at the body of the governor, tuts disapprovingly, then turns to his soldiers. "We have much work to do. Find others you can trust to show the Truth I have given you - not too many. Only the best soldiers. Prepare for an announcement broadcast to the Earth Sphere. Additionally, I require additional materiel for my plans, prepare a salvage team to receive my instructions."

He looks back at the body of the governor. "Soon. Soon this will all be over."

"This time, no miracle will stop us."