Mobile Suit Gundam: Raging Flames

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Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam. That honor belongs to Sunrise, Inc. and BANDAI.

A/N: This fanfiction is my first Gundam fic. It takes place in the UC continuum, after Gundam F91. However, there are no mentions of any events that occurred before it, as the story does not focus on Zeon and the Federation.

Story: After the battle of Frontier 1, Zeon and the Federation merged to create the Earth Nation. But a new group emerges, and throws the next era of war onto the unprepared Earth Nation.

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Chapter 1

The Curse of the Star Rage

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UC 0125

Earth Nation Battle Cruiser "Star Rage"

Side 1 Sector

The Star Rage was the first combat ship that the Earth Nation had built. Designed to carry a squadron of Mobile Suits, it was the only weapon that they had. The Earth Nation was built on a principle of demilitarization. About one-fourth of the few Mobile Suits in their possession were old Zakus that could barely move.

The Star Rage's captain was Admiral Hakuta, a hotshot Earth Nation pilot who fought during the Uprising of Nations, which was a short revolution in Siberia. The rebels had stolen several Mobile Suits left over and attacked the Siberian Spaceport.

"Captain Hakuta, we have an unidentified contact, coming in from Sector 2." A young ensign said. Her name was Usaha Mirashi. She was the only one of her class to get a perfect in interstellar navigation, but she was afraid of combat. Therefore, she was only assigned after revolution ended. She didn't know that she would soon be called upon to fight to defend the entire Earth Nation.

"Roger, Mirashi. Open a communication link with the ship. I'll talk to them." Admiral Hakuta ordered.

"Yes, sir." Mirashi said. "Comm link opening... Opened."

"This is Admiral Hakuta of the Star Rage calling unidentified ship. You are entering a secure zone. Turn back immediately." Hakuta ordered.

"Star Rage, this is shuttle number R12A. We took some heavy laser fire from the moon. We request authorization to approach for an emergency landing on Side 1." The unidentified ship said.

"R12A, your request has been denied. Please hold... turn around immediately or I will give the order to fire!" the admiral yelled into the communications board.

The shuttle continued to fly, firing up it's boosters. Admiral Hakuta ordered all the ship's gunners to train their fire on the incoming shuttle. But the gunners were unable to hit the fast shuttle. So Admiral Hakuta "took one for the team" and ordered the Star Rage to block it.

Immediately, there was a loud crash. The shuttle ripped through Admiral Hakuta's ship. Explosions rang out throughout it.

"Abandon the ship! Everyone to the escape probes!" Admiral Hakuta yelled, before the entire front section of the Star Rage broke off, sending debris off into the vacuum of space. "Mother... Father... I'm coming..." Thus Admiral Hakuta died. His body drifted off into space, and was never recovered.

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UC 0125, 1 Day After the Disaster at Side 1

Earth Nation Presidential Center

London

The Earth Nation Presidential Center was one built during a time of war. It stood where the British Parliament Building once was, and in fact was built on the building's foundations. It had been built to take all standard Mobile Suit projectiles and lasers. The center was also built to survive raids. Even now, during peacetime, five Zakus surround it in a defensive formation.

The President of the Earth Nation, Former Lieutenant William Barnard, was a strong, burly man. He had fought in many battles, but was wounded. Because of this, he had to retire from military service five years before he should have.

When William was selected for presidency, everyone was skeptic about the choice. Can a soldier, moreover one that loved battle, really be entrusted with the role of ruling a peaceful nation?

"Council, I am sure you heard about the attack on the Star Rage yesterday. I am sure that you will all agree that this was not an accidental incident. Someone deliberately attacked Side 1 and Admiral Hakuta decided to protect it. He cannot be faulted by opening fire. The point now stands that we, the Earth Nation, are at war with an unknown foe. We know nothing about them. What can they do? What do they have? Mobile suits? Gundams?" President Barnard began the emergency meeting.

"What are you proposing, sir?" asked one of the council members. The council members all wore hoods during the taped meetings, for security.

"I am proposing the formation of a Mobile Suit division of Zakus supported by several top secret Gundam models, the RX-78-5A, and the RX-78-5B." President Barnard responded forcefully.

"Do you know what you are asking!? You are proposing militarization? To what end? Do you want another war!?" asked another of the council members.

"I understand your concerns. However, the formation of such a division is necessary. As I am sure you all remember, I took an oath, upon taking this post, to uphold the ideals of the Earth Nation. I am not, and it is important that you all understand this, not proposing complete militarization. That would undermine several centuries of work. But the point remains that, like it or not, we are at war. This is true no matter if you are prepared to accept this or not." President Barnard answered.

"Then why has no one declared war upon us, Mr. President?" inquired yet another council member.

"The reason is simple. The enemy, whoever he may be, realizes that we will squabble about this. He knows that we will argue about militarization. But we cannot prove him right. If you do not authorize the formation of the Mobile Suit division, we will lose stability. Then nothing can stop the rebels." The president responded.

"The council will ponder upon this matter." The Head Councilor, who had remained silent throughout the meeting, said.

"The council doesn't realize that, unless we act now, we are finished." William thought, before taking his leave.

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A/N: I understand that this chapter was boring, but I had to set up the scenario.