This is shorter than the rest. Forgive me, I am terribly rusty on my
Gundam Wing, feel free to track me down and whack me upside the head if
you think I haven't done this title justice. In any case, I do love your
feedback.
Inuyasha's next up this time tomorrow. Until then, here's to USA
upsetting them all! :)
---
Caught in the Sun
A 2002 World Cup / Anime Fanfic Series
By Roehl Sybing (indef@infinitedeferral.com)
Special Episode: For King and Country
Group D: United States v Portugal @ Suwon, Korea Republic
A Gundam Wing Fanfic
"On paper, the United States is in its underdog role in a David and
Goliath match against Portugal. The outside favorites to win this World
Cup, Portugal is superior to the US team in terms of speed, offense and
numbers. The bulk of Portugal's twenty-three play in European leagues,
compared to half a dozen or so internationals on the US side. Every
European analyst has handicapped this match as a very easy win for the
giants of Group D, leaving the United States in a virtual red alert in
their opening Cup match."
---
Once Duo broke the news to the others, they went scrambling for their
mobile suits to race into battle. Reports were sketchy at best. An outer
colony, some distance away from where they were. A hundred suits on the
offense? No, two hundred! No, maybe more! Where did these forces come
from? How was the Alliance able to mount such superior forces? And all
the helpless, innocent people...
Everyone was called into action, but one thing was absolutely clear: the
colonies did not have the numbers. Man for man, they were more powerful,
sure, and it is always easier to defend your home than attack another's.
But the Alliance simply had force in greater quantities. And the outer
colony in trouble would have to wait out the attack for a bit before
everyone was in place to mount a counterstrike.
There was no sense of dread among the Gundam pilots, though, as they sped
into the fight. They were always the underdogs.
---
"US manager Bruce Arena brought to the World Cup in Korea/Japan one of the
oldest teams in the 32-nation group. The likes of Claudio Reyna, Earnie
Stewart and third-string keeper Tony Meola bring veteran experience to
this team, but at times at the expense of the speed and power that youth
is known for. The aging stars of USA '94 and France '98 may simply not be
enough for the US to advance out of group play. One might wonder if
America's top players have anything left in the tank to produce goals and,
ultimately, wins for their country."
---
The mobile suits sped to the conflict as quickly as possible. But space
was large - at times too large - and Heero and the others spent much of
the battle that was in progress simply waiting out the long trip to the
outer colonies.
The red lights along Heero's console meant nothing. There was no danger,
all the ammunition was up to spec. They were simply stuck in place as a
sign that some parts inside Wing Gundam Zero were indeed broken. He and
his suit had been through much, and the battle scars along the outside and
even inside told every story. Together, they have had their glorious
share of victories and even a few defeats. Eventually and expectedly the
suit would go through a little wear and tear.
Heero silently contemplated this during the quiet trip into battle. The
fights never ended. The conflict was virtually eternal. The deadlock
would never be broken. Eventually, Heero would lose and his loss would be
a fatal one. Of this he was certain. But if he was smart enough, cunning
enough, he could postpone and even cheat death. Win a couple more
battles, be that much more victorious in battle. As long as Wing Gundam
Zero was in perfect shape, though.
That would never be the case forever. The red lights on his console told
him this. It was a machine, and all machines break down eventually. His
suit would make one mistake too many, and Heero would know before he died
exactly how many mistakes that was.
One thing was never quite clear to Heero: exactly how many victories does
he and his suit have left?
---
"The United States has one thing that is going for them against Portugal,
and that is heart. In France '98, the US finished thirty-second out of
thirty-two teams, scoring only one goal in their three losses under the
reign of Steve Sampson. The US roster this time out hopes that it will
simply not be the case again. They are looking to making a difference in
this World Cup, and most of all they are seeking to gain the favor and
respect of the world, to say nothing of the pride of a nation half a world
away."
---
The beleaguered Gundam pilots questioned among themselves just how many
more battles they would have to fight in order to prove themselves and to
have the Alliance take them seriously. Did their constant fighting with
the militants of Earth ever mean a damn up to this point? Heero certainly
would have liked to think so, and said as much to the others as they
neared the embattled colony, but as OZ remained as relentless and
irrepressible as ever, none of them could be so certain.
Nonetheless, the pilots hoped beyond hope that things were different, and
that they were in fact turning the tide of this neverending war. Wing
Gundam Zero was theirs, they had yet to see a crushing and fatal blow to
the chances for peace, and the support and pride of the colonies were
behind them to the bitter end.
When they were within sight of the terrible battle taking place between
the unmanned suits of the Alliance and the defenses of the outer colony,
Relena vowed to them that, one day, she would rally the people to take the
peace that was rightfully theirs from those that unjustly spoke for them.
The other pilots thought this a fantasy, but only because they had much
more pressing matters at hand. They had a battle to win, a fight that had
to be fought along with all the others in order to win the peace for the
colonies and the respect of Earth.
---
"Ever since the final draw in Korea last year, this has been the battle US
fans have all been waiting for. The US has had its critics, assuring that
Portugal will absolutely have their way with their opponents. It has been
a war of words between a perennial soccer power and a largely-developing
one. But as we get set for USA-Portugal here in Suwon, none of the
criticism, none of the analysis, none of the spin will matter when we
reach full time ninety minutes from now. The only thing that concerns the
US team is that they hope they will do their nation proud by the time this
game is over. The referee whistles the start of this match, and the fight
has begun!"
END.
Next match:
Episode Six: Cameroon v Saudi Arabia @ Saitama
An Inuyasha Fanfic
---
Roehl Sybing
"The past is gone but something might be found to take its place" - Gin
Blossoms, Hey Jealousy
Infinite Deferral - http://www.infinitedeferral.com/
- stories, fanfic, politics, j-pop, and some curling
every-now-and-then-when-it's-in-season
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