It was evening when Sora exited the train station and entered the Imperial city. He gaped, slack jawed at the beautiful city in front of him. He, Tsel, and Crow did not breathe a word as they basked in its splendor as if afraid the magic would vanish.

Moist and salty, a gentle breeze blew in from the ocean, enveloping passersby as they idled along their way on brown tiled cobblestone pavements that glowed in the evening sun. The windy streets had exotic plants lining the pavements, forever giving the city its sweet scent. The marble walled buildings were aesthetically made to ascend in height slowly around the city to its middle where the towers of a glistening brown castle with the Imperial flag flying proudly above it towered above them. Cars hovered unhurriedly past them as workers returned home for the night and he spread out his arms and took a deep breath, relishing in the sweet scents.

Sora asked for directions from a guard, then took their time sightseeing as they made their way to the hotel. He laughed when they entered a park called Field of Dreams and saw a man chasing after a girl, confessing his undying love.  They stopped at the centre where a Turk vendor sold cameras in front of a magnificent fountain made from emerald green stones, where water poured from the gourds of three mermaids lazing in the sun.

He bought a camera and took pictures of him, Tsel and Crow and explored a bit more. At seven sharp, a bell rang across the city, its tolls a mix of godly tunes that left him feeling serene. All the street lamps lit up around the city, brightening up like a constellation of stars.

He smiled with satisfaction when they finally got to the Imperial Star. It was a splendid white tower that lost solely to the palace in height. A large star spun in place at the top of the building, periodically changing colours.

Sora paid for their rooms then made his way to the hotel’s restaurant. He bumped into a fair-skinned tall man wearing a brown waistcoat at the door of the restaurant and apologized when the man’s wallet dropped. Upon closer inspection, he noticed the man looked in his late twenties and had a slight stubble. His brown hair looked like it had been scratched a lot and stood out in parts.

“I’m so sorry,” Sora said as he bent down to pick up the wallet. It accidently opened and he swallowed hard when he saw a badge from the Union which revealed the man to be a Thomas Jack.

“Sorry kid,” Jack apologized. “I’m a little preoccupied so I didn’t see you there.”

“No problem." Sora handed the badge to him. “Happens to all of us.”

“You’re a good kid.” Jack said, then turned to one of the waiters. “Whatever he’s having is on me.”

“We couldn’t possibly-” Tsel started.

“Thanks Mister.” Sora beamed. “You’re not too shabby yourself.”

Jack chuckled as he patted Sora’s shoulder. “Well good night kid, I have a long night ahead of me.”

“Night, and thanks for the meal,” Sora called after him as he left the restaurant. Jack waved over his shoulder. Sora and Tsel sat down by a window and watched people idly pass by while they ordered their meals.

“Finally,” Crow said with relief. “Acting like a dumb bird is tiring.”

“Who asked you to?” Sora asked, realizing that was the longest time he had gone without Crow’s sarcasm.

“You simpleton. Do you not realize it would draw unnecessary attention if you walk around with a talking bird.”

“The bird’s got a point,” Tsel affirmed, ignoring Crow’s glare. “Also, you must not, under any circumstances, use your Personal Gear until we’ve left this city”.

“What, why?” Sora pouted. “I just got it. I was planning on getting used to it here.”

“Cause the Union is still out for us pea-brain,” Crow answered. “It’s been less than a day since we stole the ship. If news of a man in strange gear pops up here, any clueless buffoon can put two and two together and they would track us before we are ready to escape.”

“Hmm, that does make sense,” Sora mused. “Okay I won’t use it.” He sighed and took out his pod.

“Who’re you calling?” Crow asked

“Jenkins,” he replied. “I paid a guy to fly Stinger back to Lamia. I want him to get someone to fly it up here.”

---

A procession of floats of different artistic design and make lined the streets in front of the palace as they prepared for the night parade. It was led by two brown first generation mobile suits, fondly known in the town as Bulls because of their large bulky frame rendering them useless in modern combat.

Next in line were rows of humans dressed like fairies with small silvery wings. Behind them a few Turks juggled flaming sticks or balls, and played tricks with hoops of fire. A float of the legendary battleship Bullshit followed close behind with a small human child dressed as the Captain with a funny mustache. A few other floats and performers brought up the rear with two more third generation mobile suits.

Rosaline grimaced as she lifted the hem of her gown and walked down the stairs of the palace towards the float she would be standing on for the next two hours. It was a beautiful painted paper Mache of a white swan with its wings folded by its side. It had a long slender neck that turned from side to side and neon eyes. It also had seats in its belly in case she got tired.

The night parade was a custom her grandparents had made to bolster the hearts of the citizens of their country. After they had passed on, her parents had also decided to continue the tradition and now it was her turn.

“It’s only for two hours. Bear with it,” a gruff voice said behind her and she turned to see her two bodyguards looking at her.

The one who had spoken was Siegfried, a man in his late fifties with blond hair and a scar that ran along his cheek. He stood next to Tau, a tall, lanky man in his late thirties with black gelled hair.

Rosaline made a face at Siegfried as she got on her float, and they both joined her for protection. She did not like Siegfried because he always found faults in her and forced her to be what she was not.

“Remember, smile and wave,” Tau said and she nodded her head smiling. She liked Tau because he always knew the right things to say and he always watched out for her.

Tau gave his signal and the procession made their way out of the castle grounds with large fireworks to announce their advancement.

-----

The conference room of Imperial Star hotel had been converted to a base for the soldiers from the Union. Jack and Daniel Hughes took a sip from their coffee drinks as the last of the squad captains entered the room.

Jack flipped out a hologram showing a map of the city with some roads marked in red. He took a seat as he let Daniel handle the briefing and closed his eyes massaging his temple in thought.

“As you all know, Operation Meteor has been invoked. That gives us exactly two days to complete our objectives before this city is blown to space,” Daniel started and when he saw he had their undivided attention, he continued. “Our first priority is the immediate capture of Princess Rosaline Christina Augusta III,” he said and pulled up an image of her as Jack handed out a sheaf of pictures to be passed around. “Our best chance is tonight during her parade. Among the files you received earlier is a detailed map with her planned route marked in red.” He watched as the soldiers looked over the pages and memorized routes and vantage sniping points.

“For this mission, we will be using the three Dolls we brought with us. All Doll pilots must use close range combat to minimize damage to civilians but in case of emergencies, use of firearms is authorized. Your stations are all on your files and I believe I don’t have to walk you there myself.” The soldiers laughed uneasily at the bad attempt at humor. “I hope you did not need me to realize that is completely top secret and must be carried out as swiftly as possible. The point of ambush will be three blocks from here. God be with you, men” he finished and saluted, which the soldiers replied in kind before exiting the room.

“Well, that went well,” Jack said as he dropped his now cold coffee on the table.

“Tell me Tom, I don’t like that haughty Princess from the devil, but is kidnapping really what we entered the military for?” Daniel sighed, massaging his eyes.

“We don’t question the uppers, friend,” Jack said and patted his shoulder as he left the room.

-----

A few minutes after their dinner, Sora and Tsel lazily watched as people gathered outside on the streets. Their excited cheers could be heard inside the restaurant.

“Excuse me miss.” Tsel signalled a Turk waitress and she sauntered over to them. “What’s going on outside?”

“Oh, it’s the Night Parade,” she replied excitedly.

“What’s that?” he asked

“It’s a pet tradition in our city. Once a month, the Empress comes out to greet us.”

“Seems like a waste of stellars.” Crow accidently thought out loud, earning Sora a stern look from the waiter.

“Sorry,” Sora apologized before the lady could reply and walked out of the store into the cramped streets.

He squeezed through to the front of the crowd and his eyes sparkled as the Mobile Suits passed. The first generation had favoured power over speed, so the mobile suits were short and huge with a small head and wheels for easy movement. He pitied the machines for the mockery they had become. These models lacked the ability to fly, hence they were mostly only found in museums or events such as these.

He watched with mild interest as the rest of the procession passed until the Princess’s float arrived which was punctuated by loud cheers from the overexcited crows.

Princess Rosaline waved at the excited crowd and met Sora’s gaze for a second before turning to the other thousands of fans.

“That girl…” Sora mused.

“What is it?” Crow asked, not bothering to hide its voice since no one would think it was talking in the crowd.

“Nothing, never mind. Isn’t my business,” Sora said as he waited for the two last mobile suits to ride through.

At that point an explosion resounded from the top of the Imperial Star. Sora looked up and watched with horror as the star fell from its mast, towards the frightened fans below.

The mobile suits sprang into action and fired grappling hooks to the side of the building, making a makeshift net that caught the star and slid it towards them. Police officers were in the middle of guiding the pedestrians out of the danger zone when a well-aimed missile blew off the legs of one of the suits, misbalancing it and the star slid off the net then fell onto the street.

It was Pandemonium as men, women and children tried to flee the area but they were blocked by mercenaries holding heat rifles. Two third generation Northern mobile suits blocked both sides of the street with rifles at the ready. They were taller compared to the eastern suits and preferred speed over power, using their rifles to inflict damage while they ran.

“We’re here for the princess, so hand her over and no one gets hurt,” they announced.

The bulky mobile suits were too clumsy to take action in such clustered areas without harming civilians so the Imperial guards dropped their weapons and abandoned the Bulls.

Sora was still thinking about the Princess and inched his way towards her float ignoring the threat from the mercenaries. He 'borrowed' a party mask from a frightened lady and put it on then covered his hair with his hoody.

-----

“What the hell is going on?” Daniel screamed into his intercom. He stood on the balcony of the conference room and saw everything unfold beneath him.

“Sir, mercenaries have taken the people hostage and are trying to take the target,” Sargent Miller replied through the intercom in his Doll, which was a pet name military used for Mobile Suits. He hoped the commander gave the orders he wanted to hear as he fingered the ignition.

“Our priority is the Princess,” Jack said when Daniel could not give the dreaded order. “Eliminate all obstacles blocking this objective… including civilians.”

“Yes Sir!” Miller hooted as the walls of the cockpit changed to what the cameras of his mobile suit picked up. “All units move out. Capture the Princess at all costs. Do not let those barbarians have her.”

----

Sora got to the float and saw the Princess glaring at the mercenaries as if challenging them. The crowd parted as a mercenary walked between them and hopped onto the float. He reached for her but a bullet passing through his head stopped his advance.

A stunned spell of silence passed over the crowd as the man fell to the ground. Then a woman’s scream pierced the silence awakening the crowd to terror and they ran, pushing against the mercenaries or running through back alleys.

The mercenaries retaliated by pulling their triggers and soon the streets were littered with bloodied bodies but at that same moment the Union soldiers broke into the scene.

----

Sargent Miller ordered the two other dolls to stay behind and drew his combat knife as he charged the Northern Dolls. The closest pointed his rifle and fired at him but Miller veered sharply, dodging the shots. The Northern Doll dropped its rifle as it withdrew its own dagger and charged at Miller.

He lunged at Millers’ chest but the westerner sidestepped easily and drove his dagger into the connecting circuits in the Northern’s arm joints, rendering it useless.  Before the Northern could recover, Miller swept him off his legs then stabbed him through his cockpit.

“That, boys, is how you quickly take out a Doll without causing an explosion.” He laughed as he turned on his optical sensors and searched for the target. He smiled satisfactorily when he saw she was surrounded by mercenaries and ordered some men to go after her while dealt with the second Doll.

----

Sora noticed the Princess’s bodyguards had somehow been drawn away from her in the commotion and she was surrounded by five mercenaries that backed her to a wall. He walked over to them, tapped one of them on his shoulder then punched his jaw, knocking him out when he turned around. The other mercs whirled to him in surprise but he was too fast.

He grabbed the gun hand of the closest one and twisted it behind him, then used him as a meat shield to take the shots from the remaining three. He then took the gun from the now limp hand and shot wildly, somehow hitting the rest before they could recover from the shock of killing their comrade.

Sora flung the gun away and held out his bloodied hand to the princess. “Quick, come with me!"

“Who are you?” she screamed over the din of gunfire.

“Sora Hawk. Pirate,” he replied and she ripped her hands from his with disgust.

“A pirate?! Who do you wish to sell me too?” she hissed.

“Listen. If you don’t come with me, there’ll be nothing to sell!” he yelled as he grabbed her arm and ran towards one of the third generation suits.

They ran through the crowd, ducking behind floats to dodge the shots from the mini war. As he neared his target, a Union Doll blocked their path and trained its gun at them. Sora cursed as he shielded the princess and looked for a way out.

 An expertly aimed beam hit the Doll in its neck circuits and it sparked as it rendered the suit blind. Sora looked up to where the shot came from and saw a glint coming from the room they had hired.

Thanks Tsel.

Miller’s scanner cameras showed the princess being dragged by a boy in a mask and he sped through alleyways to head them off leaving the Northern doll he had been fighting alone.

The Second Northern Doll rushed for the Princess now that Miller had left it alone but was caught when one of the abandoned Bulls shot up from the ground and clamped its neck with its hands. It squeezed tightly, igoring the shots from the Dolls rifle’s since it only grazed its heavy armor.

The head popped off and surges of electricity shocked its pilot from the  energy overload. The Bull grabbed both hands of the now blind Doll and placed it under its armpits then placed its right leg on the Doll's chest for support and pulled sharply, ripping off the arms of the Northern Doll.

The disabled Doll fell to the ground and the Bull made to punch in its chest. The pilot hurriedly pressed the auto eject and the cockpit shot out from the suit and landed a few blocks from the fighting.

The Bull knelt in front of Sora as the cockpit opened and Sora smiled when he saw Crow perched in the cockpit. The ladder came down and he held on and grabbed the princess as it lifted him into the cockpit.

Crow had already tuned the systems to his suit his style so he turned it on and fled the battlefield. They entered an abandoned street and Sora slowed the Bull to a halt.

“You can come out now,” he said into a public channel.

“I’m impressed,” Miller said as he came out of an alleyway. “You even drew me into an open field."

“It’s your advantage isn’t it?” Sora challenged. “I just didn’t want any innocents getting affected by our fight.”

“Noble aren’t we,” Miller taunted. “Hope your pride can dodge this,” he laughed as he pushed the throttle to full blast with his knife drawn, knowing there was no way they could dodge him at full speed with that bulky machine.

“Fool,” Crow muttered.

Sora stood his ground without moving and Miller wondered if he had been stupefied from fear. Miller aimed for the head of the robot since he could not kill the princess.

At the last second, Sora quickly pulled off some commands and the Bull grabbed the Dolls hands as its eyes went blind.

“I never said I was going to dodge,” he said as the preordained orders were carried out. The bull yanked the lighter model towards it then placed its hands on the chest and raised it upside down into the sky as its joints creaked and sparked under the strenuous weight of the Dol. It felt to the ground with and slammed the Doll headfirst into the ground. Inside the cockpit, Miller screamed as the impact caused a surge that shocked him till he fainted.

Sora opened the cockpit of the Bull and jumped out together with the Princess then ran to a safe place as the overworked machine collapsed and exploded. When the fighting in the distance quieted down, they made their way back to the hotel using alleys.

---

“You failed!” O’Reilly yelled. Sighing, Jack wished Daniel was the one in charge of reports.

“I’m truly sorry. We had unforeseen interference,” Jack pleaded

“Never mind your excuses, We can use this to our advantage.”

“How’s that Sir?”

“I’ll contact you tomorrow with the update,” O’Reilly replied curtly and cut off the connection.

“Damn it,” Jack screamed. Who the hell had piloted that Bull.