The Life of Leo Stenbuck
Before the Saga began...
Born on the colonies of Mars in 2157, Leo was an unloved child who was unwanted by either Mother or Father.
Moving to the Antilia Colony with his Father, which encircles Jupiter, Leo became a wanderer, but found some friendship in a few other Enders. Although they pushed Leo around at times Leo stayed with them as he had little other purpose in his life.
Although he lived with his Father, Leo rarely spent time with him as he was either off working or he would ignore Leo intentionally.
Zone of The Enders (2172) (The Antilia Raid)
While messing around with his fellow Enders, Leo finds himself caught by the owner of a near by truck. Watching in disbelief as the owner ties up his friends, he taunts the already in fear Leo to chose to either run away or save them by knocking him out.
All of a sudden they find themselves surrounded by a firefight in the air, in fear the truck owner takes off leaving the Leo’s comrades still tied up. As an LEV walks backwards towards them Leo finds himself to scared to save the pleading comrades from the falling LEV, which falls directly on top, instantly killing them. As blood pours from under the LEV Leo sees a very frightening Mech staring at him with bright Yellow Eyes. Running off Screaming Leo runs past countless bodies and destroyed LEV’s, hiding to avoid a strange Skeletal Mech, Leo enters a huge warehouse to find something strange docked inside.
As Leo looks on an explosion throws Leo from behind to the floor winding him. Climbing the strange object, the object all of a sudden opens up to Leo’s Surprise as he falls inside. Settling inside of what seems like a cockpit, the screen ahead of Leo Wakes up announcing itself to be called ADA and that Leo was Aboard an Orbital Frame Called “Jehuty”, as Leo asks questions the Skeletal Mech that Leo was running from had managed to enter the warehouse through a crack. Unable to yet control Jehuty, Leo tried multiple movements with, the 2 palm controllers to find what they controlled such as movement and various attacks, after a little practice Leo managed to destroy the Raptor.
With the enemy destroyed ADA Asks Leo if he would like any training, with a felling of obvious intent Leo says, “yes … please”, running through the training programs Leo found manipulating the frame was rather simple once you understood the basic control system.
Exiting the factory Leo, was confronted by a wave or Raptors and Mummy’s But thanks to the training simulations Leo disposed of them easily, relieved for the offence to be over, ADA notices a C type Orbital Frame approaching called Neith, With the hope of surviving Leo Attacked all guns blazing and found the Neith to be a powerful match, with luck the Neith is ordered off to Leo’s relief.
Leaving the factory area Leo finds that his hometown where Leo and his father live was under attack, rushing to find out if his father was still alive, Leo arrives to find out that everyone was either dead or as ADA had suggested that everyone had been evacuated. Watching from a distance at the huge Orbital Frame, ADA notices someone running, looking into the monitor Leo realizes that it was Celvice, a great friend of his. Rushing over Leo scares Celvice until, Leo shouts
“Is that you Celvice, it is you isn’t it?”
In the conversation that follows Leo begs Celvice to come aboard, but Celvice really wanted to check on any survivors in the nearby church. As shots were fired at Leo, ADA notifies Leo that the Orbital Frame had spotted them, looking back for Celvice; Leo found she had already run off.
Approaching the Orbital Frame, ADA denounced it to be “Tempest”, the pilot mocked at how Leo had defeated Viola, moving into battle, Leo uses the attacks he had learned to case damage to the Shell, while avoiding the fire balls. As the Shell disintegrates the pilot announces that he wasn’t playing anymore. The Tempest now started to use heat seeking energy balls, which where difficult to dodge, after dodging the attacks the Tempest launched off the ground, Leo realized that it was its one major weakness and prepared to make a large attack after it had landed, eventually the Tempest fell to the ground.
ADA wanted to kill the pilot of the Frame, but Leo was reluctant, as he didn’t wished for death on anyone, searching for Celvice, Leo finds her just after she had searched the church, with some persuasion Leo managed to get Celvice on board and they left the area. While in the air Leo is contacted by the commander of the ship Atlantis called Elena Weinberg, she asks for Leo to help them by taking Jehuty to the Space Port, for transportation to Mars. After the message ADA informs Leo of an SOS from a nearby Town, Arriving their Leo finds that the area was filled with enemies, hoping to avoiding casualties Leo tries as fast as he can to destroy the enemy forces patrolling the area, with all the enemies defeated Leo could leave the area. Once back in the Air ADA informs Leo of how the Centre of the colony was being pounded by electrical microwaves which where deadly to any living thing, suggesting Leo should check the Colony Tower, which was in the centre of the microwave field, ADA noted that to continue Leo had to search for a weapon, which could pass through the energy field.
Back in the skies ADA informs Leo that the area where Celvice was found had an SOS call, so they rushed. On arrival in the area it was apparent that the distress call had come from the church, which Celvice thought was empty.
Forced to eliminate the enemy groups once more Leo, used a tactic of drawing all the enemies to the nearby river, which passed through the area, by doing this although he faced more enemies at once he was able to protect all of the buildings from damage. With the area safe Leo goes off to find a useful weapon, with luck Leo finds that the weapon required was actually in the nearby town but it was only accessible by destroying multiple hubs.
With the Sniper Rifle in Leo’s possession, Jehuty returned to the Colony Tower, through using the sniper rifle Leo was able to disable part of the microwave field and they could now reach the 2 microwave dishes.
At the first dish Leo finds that a microwave field protects the dish. ADA suggests that Leo should go inside via the maintenance entrance, once inside Leo was confronted by a few defence mech’s and eventually reaches the generator, powering up Jehuty’s most powerful attack the energy burst, Leo destroyed the generator, which disabled the microwaves outside. On they’re way out Leo, notices a port for a Raptor Control Program, which could be useful, reaching the other microwave dish, Leo made his way to the 2nd Maintenance entrance. Once inside Leo discovers that the same energy field above blocked the passage, remembering about the raptor control program, Leo goes in search of the raptors with a reinforced program. After searching most of the area, Leo was able to the acquired the required access codes, returning to the port Leo extracted the Raptor Control Program.
Fortunately Leo had seen a raptor in the nearby town, which had been slightly damaged by gunfire in a battle with an LEV, activating the damaged Raptor ADA directed the raptor to the site of the microwave dish, which had not yet been destroyed.
At the site the raptor easily passed through the microwave field and gained access to the underground maintenance tunnels, using the raptor Leo disposed of the guards with little effort, Leo was able to destroy the second generator. Now the microwave field was down Leo was now able to reach the mountain area and finally finish his mission, on the way ADA points out a facility, which was where Jehuty was created.
Reaching the mountains Jehuty finds itself targeted, avoiding the attacks ADA takes Jehuty down to the park where a giant Orbital Frame called Tyrant. Describing the battle capability of the enemy frame ADA started to act funny, as a virus took over, unable to battle, nor avoid its lock on attack, Leo was forced to flee. Remembering about the facility that Jehuty was created in Leo took off towards the facility in the hope of a cure; arriving at the destination Leo finds the facility swarming with enemy frames. Searching the 3D map Leo finds an access point in the top right corner of the facility, carefully moving towards the access point, Leo tries to avoid the enemies field of vision, fortunately Leo succeeded in reaching the door. Once inside a low level raptor guard faces Leo, using Jehuty’s manoeuvrability Leo was incredibly lucky to avoid every attack. Acquiring a program contained in the Raptor, ADA was able to remove the virus, while their Leo notices another port with a program called decoy, realizing this would be hugely useful Leo went in the search of the program required to unlock it.
It turned out to be outside hidden by invisible porters, with the decoy program installed; Leo confidently took off to face the mighty Tyrant frame.
Facing the frame the runner denounced that if he is defeated he would loose control of all of the Raptors in the colony, with this in mind Leo began his attack on the frame with no idea of what the conclusion would be, dodging its many missile and physical attacks. Finally the monstrosity was down and Leo listened as ADA confirmed that all the raptors in the colony had shutdown, with the enemy down Leo sets off for his meeting place in the dams in the mountainous area.
Reaching the location, Jehuty is suddenly targeted and shot at by an unknown object situated at the dam, forced to the ground Leo is made to meander through the gullies towards the main dam.
On the way self-running raptors made it difficult to reach the main dam with their increased intelligence and better attacks. Finally reaching the main dam Leo is faced with the object that targeted him, it was an orbital frame called Nebula who was being piloted by the same person who ran the Tempest! Offering the ultimate battle the conflict began, dodging each other’s blows Leo struggled to find the weakness of this incredible frame. With a little luck Leo discovers that the weakness is the face, but attacking this was proving to be difficult, the best time seemed to be after a long range attack, which meant Jehuty could let off a huge energy burst.
Although with its greatly spanning attacks and difficult to dodge homing missiles Jehuty was finally victorious over Nebula. Free to continue Thunderheart contacts Leo, who tells Leo to meet him in the main transport sector nearby, relieved that it was finally over Leo moved on to the designated site.
On arrival ADA alerts Leo to a frame hidden nearby, depressed to find that it wasn’t over yet, it turns out to be Neith who Leo had met quite a while back.
With Viola using the full capabilities of her frame Leo was finding her to be quite a difficult opponent to fight against as she had a superior frame in close combat with her duel attacking arms. Forced into long range attacks Leo found he was having a much better success at damaging Neith until the use of the immobiliser that is…
Trapped in the force field ADA denounces that she will jettison the cockpit to save them, but in Leos determination they were able to break free from the force fields grip, now able to continue on the fight Leo continues on with his long-range attacks until finally Neith falls to the ground of the area. Standing atop the remains of Neith, Viola talks to Leo about why he won’t kill her and how a kid beat her. As Leo tried to supply Viola’s wish of death Leo stopped himself deciding that their had been enough bloodshed already.
Reaching Thunderheart Leo & Celvice got out of the cockpit for the first time since they both boarded, tired and relived they discussed between each other the next move to make, Rock discusses that Leo was needed for one last mission to prevent the colony from being destroyed. Sick of all the fighting Leo denounced he had enough and that he wouldn’t change his mind, then Celvice said lets go and the words “I know I’ll be safe because you’ll protect me”…
With that a gunshot flew though the air puncturing Celvice, as Leo looks at the shooter he becomes enraged (Viola) “Its time to finish our fight, come to Space Port” and with this a Raptor raises from the wreckage and she takes off in its hands.
Realising that he had one last thing to do and get revenge for Celvice, Leo takes off for the Space Port.
On the way Leo talks to ADA over what they had learnt from each other so far during their journey and how Leo had become a much stronger person because their were people who needed him and believed in him.
Arriving at the Space Port ADA points out that there are space mines and how they should be disposed of. Waiting for each of the mines to be located Leo does his best to eradicate the defence raptors that had been left near the mines.
With the mines defused Viola decided to reveal herself to Leo.
Offering one final all or nothing duel Viola began the battle in her new improved Zombie Neith which had better attacks and a longer close range attack, knowing Neith’s weaknesses Leo began using his long range attacks once more, although it was much more difficult to attack her with her improved attacks Leo with one final energy burst was able to slam her against the ports wall.
To Leo’s horror he looked on as a mine that was missed exploded in front of the already damaged Neith, throwing it into space towards Jupiter, begging for ADA to let him go rescue her she replies saying that it would be impossible and that they would also be drawn towards Jupiter.
Then all of a sudden Viola answers back asking why he still wants to rescue her and how she would still come after him, saying she was disappointed that it was some kid who had finally beaten her, her final words were of finally finding peace and going back to her love “Radium” as she burnt in Jupiter’s atmosphere.
Sad to see someone fall by his own hands for the first time, Leo was suddenly alerted by ADA to another frame behind him to which ADA says, “This is Anubis, we are not destined to meet yet”. Forced to battle Leo found that every attack he made failed to hit its mark and it was near impossible to avoid Anubis’s sudden movements. Caught by Anubis, Jehuty is badly damaged. Contacted by Elena she says to follow the trail after they blow an opening for their escape, waiting for this to happen Leo struggles to dodge the powerful blows until finally the opening was made, rushing for the Atlantis between the defence laser fire they finally made it onboard.
Talking to ADA about what he had experienced, he finally asks the question of what was going to happen after this mission, to Leo’s disbelief ADA says, “My mission on Mars is to infiltrate the enemy fortress Aumaan and self destruct from the inside”.
Upset to hear that ADA was so willing to give her life away so easily trying to find reasons why ADA shouldn’t do it ADA denounces the docking to be complete and opens the hatch he final words being “This is what I live for, this is the existence for those who have no life…” Getting off Jehuty, Leo is greeted by Elena, Rock and Celvice who although was in a bed seemed to be fine.
Afterwards....
Over the next 2 years the Atlantis is pursued through space by the forces of Barham in the hope of acquiring Jehuty back from them, Leo becomes a skilled pilot under the tutelage of Rock Thunderheart and is given the LEV Vic Viper as a reward for becoming a highly skilled pilot.
In the hopes of hiding Jehuty, Leo fires the frame towards Callisto in the hope of hiding it in the medatron ore during a heated battle with Barham.
Zone of The Enders : The 2nd Runner (2174) (The Fall of Bahram)
Now a lead member of the United Nations Space Force (UNSF), which is now the only resistance to Barham's complete and utter domination, although few in number they are very determined to gain peace and prosperity.
Leo finds out via a spy that Barham forces had captured Jehuty, to his dismay Leo took Vic Viper and went to Mars in the hopes of finding Jehuty and getting it back, aware that the Atlantis was following Leo scanned the now scorched surface of Mars in search of his beloved friend. Crossing near Vascilia county Leo picks up the telltale signal from Jehuty and moved in for a closer look.
Finding it in battle with Barham forces, Leo waits to see how the new pilot does before eradicating a wave and confronting.
Standing in front of his friend he is nervous but determined to get back what rightfully belongs to him, using long range attacks in flight mode and close range in battle mode Leo tries his best to defeat the new runner only to find that they are evenly matched.
Talking to the new runner he discovers that he is not from Barham and that his name in Dingo Egret. Discussing what he plans to do with Jehuty, Leo reveals what ADA intends to do when it reaches Aumaan, confirming this the new pilot in disbelief argues exactly the same point Leo had made a few years before, although it ended in the same response. Handing the new runner the Gauntlet program, Leo takes off to find fellow resistance units for the great push on Aumann. Later on while patrolling the skies Leo is contacted by Dingo about some resistance LEV’s in Vascilia to go and pick up, doing this Leo thinks about what this new runner is like and quickly realises that his ideals are surprisingly similar to his own.
Now with all the LEV’s ready at the battle site Leo waits patiently for Dingo to arrive, initially he leaves him to argue his point between the LEV pilots and Elena. Then deciding to stand in Leo explains that Dingo was a friend who could be trusted.
In the speech that followed by Dingo, Leo could really understand his determination to bring down Barham and to defend his new friends to the best of his ability.
Moving in to battle Leo along with Dingo attacked the enemies with everything they had while protecting the LEV’s the best they could using the Geyser program to quickly repair them. Finally reaching the goal of the ridge with the remaining LEV’s Leo allowed Dingo to go ahead to remove the opposition before then entered behind.
Catching up at the gate to Aumaan Leo watched as the Vector Cannon was used and with a huge flash of light the field defending Aumaan was gone.
Following into the military fortress Aumaan Leo watched initially as Jehuty took on Anubis before beginning his attack with long-range lasers in flight mode before transforming into battle mode launching wave after wave of Gauntlet shots which all hit their target before giving the final move of launching Vic’s fist into the chest disabling Anubis.
Thankful for it to be finally over and that Jehuty was safe Leo relaxed, only to find the true Anubis appears behind him absolutely battering the Viper into submission.
As a massive light falls from the heavens Leo finds himself unable to move he is drawn into the sky along with the 2 Anubis’s and Jehuty. Dragged along helplessly Leo watched on as Dingo did battle with Anubis in his now greatly damaged Jehuty, amazed to find that despite damaged Jehuty was winning the fight, then all of a sudden Leo was picked up and taken safely to the ground of what turned out to be Phobos.
Looking at Jehuty in disbelief it had transformed taking on a human face, listening in on the conversation with Elena their came a point where Dingo demanded that if he did this one last thing that Mars would be free of the depression from Earth, agreeing to this Dingo entered the Core of Phobos, which turned out to be the true home of Aumaan. Once Dingo had defeated the final form of Anubis, which had merged with Aumaan itself. Aumaan activated itself, coming inside to find out what was happening as soon as Leo found out that ADA had activated the self-destruct on Jehuty. He flung Vic into the ever-expanding explosion to try and stop the explosion.
Only captured in the expanding it all went silent as if all time had stopped, then all of a sudden there was a huge explosion from the core and Jehuty dragged themselves clear of the coming implosion.
After the fireworks had died down Leo & Ken carried Dingo back to the base on Atlantis relieved that both Nohman and Aumaan had been finally stopped…
Back at the base Leo talks to ADA about what happened and how they used Anubis to cause the implosion, relived that it was finally over Leo stayed with Jehuty alone while it activated its self repair using the spare medatron in its vector trap.
To Be Continued....
Note: Zone of The Enders : Fist of Mars / Testiment 2173 and the Dolores, i Series
Are not part of the KOJIMA's ZOE Universe, but they do nicely fill in those 2 years...
