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A/N: Okay, this is a plot bunny that's been bothering me lately, so much that it's interfering with my other stories. This is mainly due to something that I feel is sorely lacking in the way of Gundam/Worm fanfiction.
Wanting to sate my thirst for some bangin' giant robot fights (in spaaaaaaaaace) flavored with top-shelf Escalation©, I found that all the available fics on this site have a few things in common:
They all take place in Brockton Bay.
They all either explore the Tinker side of things or involve Shard-y bullshit. Not a bad thing, but come on, there's more to Gundam than just giant robots! Or Tinker, on the Worm side; combat Thinker, anyone?
NONE OF THEM REPRESENT ZEON.
For shame. I will do my best to rectify these oversights with this AU story, which I hope to tell in true dramatic Gundam fashion while staying true to the gritty intrigue that is Worm.
A few more things, before we begin:
This story is heavily AU; I've looked over the UC timeline, and it seems unusual that Earth would go through such a surprising leap in sciences and technology (according to the creator of Gundam, UC timeline starts in 2011 or thereabouts) over such a short period of time. As such, I have provided a handy timeline at the end of the first chapter, so there's no confusion on how we get to the point of the story's start. If you hate timelines, I apologize.
I'm taking considerable liberties with the canon on both sides of the fence, so please be gentle in your criticisms.
As far as I know, the only similar story (a futuristic soldier Taylor) out there is The Weaver Option by Antony444, a rather fantastic Warhammer 40K/Worm crossover written by an author that is so much better than this humble Bard. If Imperial Guard!Taylor is something that tickles your fancy, go give it a look! I'm not being paid or anything to advertise their work, but that story did inspire me (somewhat) to write this.
Lastly… this story may not be M-rated, but some of the subject matter may be disturbing to some readers. Nothing truly disturbing but… well, this story is about war. And war, while intriguing and awe-inspiring to those who have never stood upon a battlefield… war is an ugly thing, for those who work its insatiable gears. We're not going to go straight into the awful bits, but… just keep it in mind.
Oh, and feel free to deliver any criticism regarding this story in a review! This story hasn't been beta-ed, so it might still be rough around the edges, but I think I did a fair job for the opening chapter. My pre-reader thinks so, anyway…
Right, enough introduction! On with the show!
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-/o\-
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The Ghost of Mars
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TS 319, April 28th
Sol System
Asteroid Belt
AXIS Primaris
Military Quarter
Block 3 Pilot Housing
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The sound of heavy breathing mingled with the smell of sweat and recycled air in her room. Her room. It'd been so long since she'd been allowed her own room. It'd either been the barracks bunks on Titan, or the metallic taste in the recycled air of Ganymede's Proving Grounds. She missed neither, and was happy to be home, even if it might not be very long, what with the war.
All the same, she'd savor the privilege while it lasted.
Twenty seven, twenty eight, twenty nine, thirty, thirty one.
Her own bed, even! Never mind how stiff it was; that was pretty run-of-the-mill as far as beds went in the Republic, and the sheets were soft and smelled nice, so that was a great improvement. And a terminal! By Mars, she hadn't been allowed unrestricted access to a terminal since she tested into Flight Academy, back before… well, before she snuck into Dad's lab and totally slaughtered the MS Simulator with the safeties off. Seemed like ages ago now…
Thirty seven, thirty eight, thirty nine, forty!
Hopping to her feet, Taylor Olympia Hebert-Delaz, newest Second Lieutenant of the Colonial Space Forces' 122nd Mobile Suit Squadron, grabbed the exposed cold water pipe above her almost six foot frame and continued with her daily workout.
Growing up as the eldest daughter of two prestigious Solaris Houses hadn't been easy; in both the pre- and post-Side Republic, both House Hebert and House Delaz were considered the closest thing to nobility, as far as their society went. After Warren Hebert's legendary last stand and Alexander Delaz's near-suicidal rescue during the Siege, the prestige of being in either house skyrocketed to the point that just being in the vicinity of either a Hebert or a Delaz would, likely, ensure your face on the front of all the best ColNet news sites' celebrity pages.
That her mother eventually became High Admiral of the entire Republic Fleet, and her Dad was the one who designed and produced most of their weapons of war certainly didn't help young Taylor's formative years; she'd spent the first six years of her life moving between the two AXIS Quarters her father spent most of his time in and whatever ship her mother was captaining at the time, the remaining four years before Flight Academy mostly spent on Europa at her family's manor.
Not only did she get exposed to the inner-workings of the Navy and MS Development, the shuttling around from station to station gave the growing girl a good grounding in dealing with other nobility who came calling for one reason or another, both in the established Solaris Bloc, and now the largest of the Side families, Deikun, Zabi and Ral, that aided the new UCRS government.
Long, boring story short: the Deikun's were decent if somewhat arrogant, the Zabi's, slimy vent-slugs that they were, could die in a fire, and the Ral's, while intense and quick to anger, had honor to spare, which Taylor respected.
She'd been to enough boring cotillions and balls, both on Europa and the Side Colonies, to get the measure of the media that followed her family's every move: vultures, the lot of them, who'd be better off chasing skirts or jumping out airlocks than making suppositions regarding 7-year-old Taylor's 'alleged love interest' with her cousin, a then-13-year-old Anavel Gato, who Taylor tearfully hugged before he shipped off to the Flight Academy.
To say nothing of politics; in Taylor's opinion, there was a time and a place for that, and the battlefield wasn't either. Hence one of the lesser reasons she became a soldier: she wouldn't have to wear corsets and fake laughing at unfunny jokes over sparkling juice.
There was also what she'd learned from her parents, which modeled Taylor's view of the world and helped form the path that led her to this moment: simplistically, ships were complicated organisms that required a firm, steady hand to manage, and mobile suits were the fuck-mothering truth the Solaris Republic would lay upon those fascist pigs down on Earth.
Still in her sleeping shorts and tank top, the fifteen-year-old Mars descendant's face was fixed in a mask of grim focus. Black hair in a short, messy bob cut that didn't reach her jaw, her toned physique was, in her mind, more impressive and beautiful than the soft girls of Side 3 she'd seen at the spaceport intake; taller too, and her sharp, naturally-tanned features matched her narrowed bottle-green (to others) eyes in a way that made her look far more regal than those top-heavy sows.
In Taylor's opinion, those giggling floozies should wise up, and quick. This wasn't a vacation destination… though that did bring about the question: why were civilians here, of all places?
"Out of your mind, Taylor," she told herself between pull-ups, "Not your problem, not your duty. Eyes on the prize. Remember Mars, Ave Solaris, and liberate Earth while you're at it."
And her eyes were fucking Zaku green, she'd insisted whenever it was brought up in the girl's barracks. Not that anyone'd ever listened to 'little baby Tay-Tay'. Being the youngest person, period, in the entire crop came with downsides like these.
And now, she was the youngest pilot in the Republic. Finally. It was enough to turn the grim line of her mouth into a happy smirk.
Youngest Lieutenant in the Republic as well! And it wasn't because of her last name, like some other spoiled brats she could mention (coughAinacough). No, Taylor earned that officer's promotion!
Best shot in the entire crop of recruits, second best in history (Casval Deikun). Best maneuverability and response times, second only to her cousin Anavel. Never late. Never out of uniform. Okay, so she did have a few problems with the management, had to be disciplined a few times over her five Terran-standard years of training, but that wasn't her fault! She'd been twelve, for the Wrath's sake! How was she supposed to know not to make fun of the drill instructor's moustache?! If he didn't want to people making fun of him, he should've trimmed the broom-head-looking nosehair!
Dropping back to the floor, dog tags clinking together as she seamlessly went into jumping jacks, Taylor nonetheless couldn't help the feelings of giddiness and anticipation flowing through her; fresh out of the academy, top of her class (take that Aina! Twelve points higher than you, who's the top dog now?!), and she was already placed in a Strike Team! Sure, it wasn't a command, but the Senate and Admiralty probably didn't think a fifteen-year-old rookie pilot was command material.
'Which is bullshit,' she thought, breathing steadily as she came to a rest and began pacing and stretching, warming down, 'Aina gets to go off on some super-secret mission right out of the academy, and what do I get? The person who never lost to her in a mock duel? Second command on a strike team, grrrrr. I'll show them. By the time the Feddies are crushed,' and she was smiling again, 'I'll have my own squadron. Commander Taylor Hebert-Delaz. Yeah, that's got a nice ring to it.'
Speaking of things that were to come, wasn't she forgetting something?
Looking about the four-by-one-meter steel-walled room, Taylor took stock: new uniform? In the dust jacket hanging on her door, waiting for her to put it on; hopefully they got the size right this time. Terminal? Giving a ticker of the latest news. Huh, Aunt Cima was coming home for a resupply.
Maybe, if Taylor suggested it gently… nah, Aunt Cima was even more… intense, than Taylor's mother. Dinner with her and Dad would just complicate things. Plus, both Taylor and her Aunt would have to sign literal tons of NDA's just to sit at a table with Danny, let alone engage in dinner conversation. Especially these days…
What was she forgetting… oh! "Shower! Duh!" It wouldn't do to front up to her Captain smelling like a gym!
Stripping down and opening a hidden panel in the wall across her bed, Taylor braced herself for the uncomfortable sensation of condensed steam being blasted against her skin.
Deep breath, arms above her head, grit her teeth, pray to Victory, "Shower, on."
Psh-hisssssssss-
"Jupiter's flimsy rings, fuck!" The shower was much hotter than she remembered.
-ssssssssss-
"Who the fuck is in charge of the R/HC Department?! A Mars-damned Feddie?!"
-sssssssss…
And now her skin was redder than Lord Delaz's flagship, damnit! She was supposed to be meeting her new team soon! "Shower, blow dry!"
FWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSH!
…She was having a talk with maintenance. She was a Titan-damned Lieutenant now, people would listen. Official complaint. She'd do it in triplicate, even. Better yet, she'd send a message to Dad, light a fire under these sluggard, slowtard morons. Because now she'd have to get her hair back under control and re-moisturize her skin!
'This kind of shit wouldn't fly on Victoria.' Then again, the war was taking most of the skilled workers from the UCRS and pushing them into service. Or was it because of the Sides being put into orbit around Jupiter and Saturn? No, that wasn't it, Taylor figured as she rapidly slathered her body in scentless moisturizing cream; if anything, infrastructure had gotten better since the arrival of Consul Zeon's movement.
Too bad there was a shortage of plumbers! Because for some stupid reason (the Feddies being fascist, half-assing pricks) each the Sides had substandard plumbing and needed refitting, which was still an ongoing process, even nine years later. Blast.
Two minutes, where she could've been finishing the letter to Mom – err, the High Admiral that she'd been working on since arriving last night. Two minutes of hair fixing and lotion application, wasted, all because some idiots couldn't get the plumbing ratios correct. Even Io wasn't this bad, and that place was a living forge!
Ping!
Message? Please don't be from Mom, please don't be from Mom – oh, Dad?
Hey kiddo!
First, make sure you clear the cache on this terminal after finishing this letter, before heading to your team meeting. Security's good these days, but I'd rather be safe about this one.
Taylor rolled her eyes, because, 'Like, duh Dad! That's day one cyberwarfare for the Wrath's sake!'
Second, and the reason I'm telling you to clear the cache: I know what your Strike Team is up to. Perks of being me, and all.
Taylor chuckled. Even in letters with the dad jokes.
You'll be attached to the Cima Fleet (don't complain, Taylor, your Aunt's had a hard time of it, to say nothing of Annette) and preform any operations she requires of you. You'll be leaving as soon as they can take in reinforcements for Solomon (and reinforcements for the front. Ten battleships, twenty cruisers, and you'll be escorting newer MS units and supplies from Ceres and Side 2 to Solomon, so at least you won't be bored.)
Taylor began bouncing in place with excitement, an eager grin splitting her face, 'Eeeeeee! New units! No wonder Dad's been quiet this past year! I hope I get one!'
Thirdly, yes, you'll be getting your own mobile suit, an R&D X-model, but no, you won't be piloting it immediately. I've already talked to your Aunt about unit assignments, and you'll use the standard issue MS-09R-2 Rick Dom ll we've supplied you. Don't pout, kiddo, she's still letting you use the engineering bay, so long as you behave yourself. That means no annoying Commander Cima, and no entering restricted areas without permission.
Taylor sighed. She was never going to forget about sneaking into her Dad's lab when she was eight, not while her relatives lived. At least she wasn't getting a Zaku. The Dom's spatial maneuverability and targeting equipment was light-years ahead of the Zaku, and its OS was easier to modify to Taylor's exacting specifications. She hoped it came with a Gatling cannon, ohh, or one of those new CX-534b Praetorian 77mm Gatling cannons with a built-in I-Field generator in the underslung palisade shield and optional HE rounds! That'd be so cool.
As for your personal mobile suit, I don't know what your preferences are regarding settings, but you're not to use it until you make 1st Lieutenant or Captain. Because regulations. They make the world go round.
The sarcasm was so strong Taylor could taste it.
It's a XMS-07 Gouf Type-F Custom with an AXIS TA-122x Scarab Jump Pack. I worked on this one myself, kiddo, and it doesn't have that hand cannon the Zeon boys were so fond of. I remember how much you hated it in the simulator, so it's got an extra manipulator instead; by the way, that essay you wrote on the mass-produced jump packs had the lab boys going bonkers for weeks, so the reinforcements have all been outfitted with the latest model. Try not to wreck them, please. The specs for both are attached, so make sure you download them to your tablet before you ship out. Think of this as your early birthday present. For the next five years. At least.
Halfway through the paragraph, Taylor started jumping and squealing with joy. Her own Gouf! Wait, weren't those for commanders only? Never mind, who cares! 'I have a Gouf!' She couldn't wait to work on it!
And the jump pack! That thing was practically her baby! She designed it while still in basic; anti-grav thrusters, weapon racks for four foldable weapons, extra melee weapons, moisture condenser for the ultracompact reactor's fuel, and enough cubbies to store enough supplies for repairs and months of self-sufficiency!
Taylor couldn't believe her Dad actually built the damn thing! Kiyone, her old bunkmate, told her the thing would weigh almost as much as the Zaku Taylor designed it for. Dad probably made the new mobile suit chassis sturdier to deal with the extra bulk. Or ripped off the ones the Federation's ground type models used. Heh.
But Taylor wasn't about to complain or critique her father's work, because personal Gouf!
Be careful out there, Taylor. This war's chewed up a lot of lives, and it'll continue until either the Federation folds or we decide enough blood's been shed. If you see Annette, give her my love. Ave Solaris, honey, and I love you.
AXIS Deputy Director Daniel Hebert
Director, AXIS MS R&D
"I love you too, Dad," said Taylor softly, smiling at the screen.
Then her eyes caught the time, "Oh shit! I'm gonna be late!"
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AD 1989: The Long War (1942-1988) ends with the nuclear destruction of Berlin and the defeat of the 3rd Germanic Empire; it is the costliest war in human history thus far, claiming more than 5 billion lives over forty-six years, as well as the collapse of the Abrahamic religions after Jerusalem, Mecca and Vatican City were destroyed by Nazi forces, along with purges as their armies swept across the globe. The Earthsphere Coalition, headed by the remnants of the United States, Canada, the USSR, China, Korea and Japan all sign the Paris Pact, making the detonation of further nuclear weapons on the Earth's surface an 'unforgivable war crime'. While the remaining population of Earth (est. 1.1 billion in 1990) struggles to recover amidst widespread radiation and nuclear winter, the Earthsphere Coalition begins the Toward Stars Project, an international effort to save humanity from extinction through space exploration.
AD 1996: Lunar Primaris, the first permanent settlement on the Moon's surface, is founded. The result of a multinational effort to expand humanity into space, its purpose is the study and development of cutting-edge technology that will assist in stabilizing Earth's atmosphere, as well as more efficient space-capable transports.
AD 1997: The first 'atmospheric scrubber', a large device that can recycle a planet's atmosphere, is successfully tested on Venus' thermosphere; mass production and use is seen on Earth over the next decade. The AXIS (Albright-Xavier Innovative Sciences) Foundation, a group of scientists whose stated goal is to help humanity spread throughout the galaxy, is formed on Lunar Primaris.
AD 1998-2010: The Second Renaissance: a period of dramatic and explosive scientific development that sees the expansion of Lunar into a continent-sized station (2008 pop.: 376.3 million persons), the saving of Earth from radioactive winter, and, in 2008, the groundbreaking of Domus Juventae, which becomes the first permanent settlement on Mars. The first off-world Colonies, with maximum population capacities of 50,000, are proposed by AXIS Foundation in 2006; construction of the Laplace Torus Colony as a tourism destination begins in 2008. In 2010, Mars' population breaks 100 thousand; the Vivaldi Geo-Atmo Terraformer (VG-AT) Project is unveiled by the Coalition and subsequently used to stabilize Mars' atmosphere.
AD 2011: Construction on the Laplace Torus Colony is completed. The AXIS Foundation is restructured into AXIS Corporation, and move their headquarters from Lunar Primaris to an asteroid facility near Mars orbit; three years later, they achieve Colony status and become, simply, AXIS. Lunar Primaris is renamed Von Braun by the Lunar Economic Development Authority (LEDA). The Roman Anno Domini era is declared ended by the Coalition, beginning the Toward Stars/Terran Standard era; from this point, the date on Earth and all its Colonies follows Earth's orbit around the Sun to mark each year. The Coalition restructure into the Earth Federation, on December 31st, 2011, to mark the occasion. Alphonso Marcenas, forebear of future Prime Minister Ricardo Marcenas, is elected as Governor of Mars; he is sworn in on January 1st, TS 0.
Toward Stars/Terran Standard (TS) 0-238: The Golden Age of Humanity, a long period of relative peace on Earth and its various holdings, which sees many groundbreaking events:
Mars becomes a 'garden world' in TS 23, by way of VG-AT Project technology. The Project is absorbed by AXIS in TS 25 and experimented with on the larger moons orbiting Saturn and Jupiter.
Over the resulting centuries, using AXIS' new Directed Plasma Impulse Drive (DPID) engines, which provides sublight travel for space vessels, humanity spreads throughout the Solar System from both Earth and Mars.
Venus becomes a proving ground for Federation space vessels on the Earth side, while Jupiter serves the same purpose for AXIS and Mars research facilities.
The asteroid/dwarf planet Ceres is colonized in TS 37; by TS 150, its population exceeds 1 million permanent residents.
Overall human population (Earth, Von Braun, Mars, AXIS Research Station and Ceres, plus three Earth-orbit Colonies and seven residential Colonies spread between Mars and Saturn) reaches 20 billion by TS 225.
The Side Project is first proposed in TS 237; an endeavor to further explore and colonize the rest of the galaxy, the Federation board rejects the proposal citing costs and administration issues.
TS 240 (UC 0000): Prime Minister Ricardo Marcenas is sworn in as leader of the Earth Federation; a 'spacenoid' sympathizer and galactic expansion supporter, PM Marcenas moves the seat of governance from Jaburo to Laplace Colony, a move seen as popular amongst Colonists but criticized as weak and foolish by 'centrists', a group who sees Earth as the foremost and final governing body amongst its Colonies, including Mars, which is seen more and more as an example of the architectural and technologic beauty humanity could bring to the galaxy.
During a speech by Marcenas, where he outlines a plan to create the Sides as "equals in governance of our great and fledgling empire" as well as uplift Mars, forming a diarchy headed by the leaders of both Earth and Mars, right-wing centrist extremists destroy the Laplace Colony, killing Marcenas and 10,000 others, including AXIS Chief Spokesman Quentin Hebert. George Marcenas, leader of the centrist movement and son of Ricardo Marcenas, seizes power and blames Mars for the destruction of Laplace, promising vengeance; at the same time, Earth's government declares the Toward Stars year count over, beginning the Universal Century count. Mars publicly and vehemently denies the allegations along with criticizing the change of era as unnecessary, and demands the perpetrators confess to their crimes, but the news doesn't reach Earth media outlets.
TS 241-42(UC 0001-0002): The Schism.
Nearly all media and communication from Mars is suppressed by the Federation as a result of an information and propaganda campaign intended to stir up war and strife between Earth and Mars. Earth Federation demands the AXIS Research Station and Ceres Colony be moved closer to Earth's orbit as a sign of 'good faith', and that Mars return all terraforming technology.
AXIS Director Dominic Hebert sends undercover personnel to Earth, who return bearing the truth of the matter: the Earth Federation has been renamed Earthsphere Federation, calling back to the organization that won the Long War, its constitution altered to render any Colonists outside Lunar orbit as 'servants of the Federation', and the government restructured into a military dictatorship.
After a brief debate, Mars, AXIS, Ceres and the remaining colonies beyond Earth-Lunar Space declare independence from the Federation, forming the Solaris Colonial Republic. In response, amid economic backlash from the loss of trade from the Republic and rising tensions amongst its own colonies, the Earthsphere Federation declares war on the 'dissident' SCR. Construction on the Sides begins, Von Braun being used as a processing facility.
TS 243-250 (UC 0003-0010): The War in Heaven.
It is the bloodiest and costliest war in human history, claiming nearly 17 billion lives on both sides. All but one non-asteroid Colony outside Earth orbit, the Saturn-based Ceres-Trident Fuel Refinery, are destroyed by Federation forces. Von Braun declares neutrality in the conflict and emerges relatively unscathed, though relations between the Federation and Lunar are cooler over the decades following the war.
The Venus Shipyard, the Federation's largest shipyard at the time, is partially destroyed in a surprise attack by Ceres forces, who move the dwarf planet into Venusian orbit using experimental FTL technology co-developed by AXIS; after stripping much material from the Shipyard, Ceres retreats to the asteroid belt, but not before taking heavy damage and losses from the Federation's home fleet.
Meanwhile, Mars and AXIS forces use hit-and-run tactics to disrupt supply and reinforcement lines, which they also use to implant deep-cover intelligence agents and saboteurs amongst the Federation, with great success. However, through sheer attrition, the Federation pushes the SCR forces out of Earth-Luna territory in TS 246 and begins an aggressive counter-offensive lasting 4 years.
In TS 247, amid worsening fortunes amongst Republic forces and increasing hostility from the Federation, the oldest surviving families of Mars, Hebert, Delaz, Gato, Wallis and Garahau, move their remaining members, along with a great deal of cultural and historic paraphernalia, to asteroid bases AXIS, Ceres and Victoria (formerly Vesta). The first mobile suits are deployed by Mars and AXIS during this period, but do not turn the tide in the SCR's favor; in early TS 250, the Battle of Bertrand sees the SCR forces routed with heavy casualties, leaving Mars vulnerable with only its home fleet and orbital defenses.
March 29-30, TS 250 (March 16-17, UC 0010): The Siege of Mars. The first Solar Flare System is deployed at Mars by the Federation, utterly destroying the main fleet and orbital batteries defending Mars (1.2 million casualties). However, planet-based defense arrays destroy 70% of the Federation's attacking fleet (475,000 casualties) when they attempt to invade the planet, forcing a temporary withdrawal. As Federation reinforcements arrive, the SCR offers truce, on the condition that they are allowed protectorate status under the Federation's constitution, which would give them the same civil rights as Earth-orbit Colonists. The Federation, in response, begins to use the SFS array to burn away Mars' surface, using the planet's rotation to ensure widespread destruction.
In a daring and desperate move, 20-year-old Captain Alexander Delaz of Ceres, eventual father of High Admiral Annette Rose Hebert-Delaz, with only twenty cruisers and a Trident superheavy cargo ship, evacuates 300 million people from Mars before the Flare attack can be completed; AXIS pilot Warren Hebert, alone, distracted the Federation fleet for three hours in a prototype red-and-white Zaku mobile suit before being killed by a Federation battleship's main cannon while trying to stop the Solar System, but not before destroying five cruisers, three battleships and thirty-eight mobile suits, catapulting him into legend as "The Wrath of Mars".
However, over 3 billion settlers remained on the planet, and Captain Delaz could not return for more, having lost three of his cruisers in the evacuation while the rest sustained heavy damage. As a final act of bitter defiance, highly radioactive weapons are detonated under the planet's crust, denying the Federation the possibility of resettlement. The final message from Mars: "We are beaten, but unbowed! Ave Solaris!"
TS 250-295 (UC 0010-0055): The Earthsphere Federation hides the fate of Mars from the public with disinformation and continues with the Side Project, under the guise of restoring the Earth's biosphere, which was nearly destroyed by the War in Heaven; in actuality, the Sides are used as an economic resource for the Federation's military buildup in preparation for war with the remnants of the Republic, and the Earth's biosphere is not nearly as damaged as the aftermath of the Long War. However, no Solaris Republic counterattack is forthcoming, the asteroid bases hidden from Federation astronomers. Thinking they have left the Solar System, but believing they will return, the Federation interferes in education, both on Earth and amongst the Sides, teaching children of human experimentation undertaken by AXIS scientists (an outright fabrication) and the biological weapons released on Earth by Ceres forces (partial truth; after the Federation's destruction of the Ceres-built Beethoven Torus Colony in TS 245 (10 million civilian deaths), Ceres and AXIS deep-cover agents released a weaponized Influenza virus on Earth in 246, which claimed 2.9 billion lives before a vaccine could be developed).
Between 0040 and 0055, Zeon Zum Deikun spreads his ideology amongst the Sides that Earth should be kept sacred, and that the colonies should become sovereign nations to protect it; he is unaware of the events of Red Sorrow, and is expelled from Side 2 by Federation loyalists. He and his family settle on Side 3.
By 0055, Side 3 Colony Munzo and its neighbors formed the Colonial Republic of Zeon, declaring independence. The Federation, unwilling to destroy the Side and risk a scandal, places economic sanctions on Side 3.
Side 6 is secretly contacted by AXIS diplomats in 0053, and begins quietly supporting Zeon with smuggled mobile suits.
Solomon Asteroid Station is infiltrated by Ceres special forces in 0054; by 0060, it belongs to Solaris in all but name.
TS 274 (UC 0034): Annette Delaz, Daniel Hebert, and Cima Garahau are born on Ceres, AXIS and Victoria, respectively, this year. Aiguille Delaz, Annette's first cousin, is born in the next year.
TS 298 (UC 0058): Anavel Gato is born on Europa Station. His family moves to AXIS in TS 301.
TS 299 (UC 0059): Aina Sahalin is born on Side 3 Munzo. Casval Rem Deikun, son of Zeon Zum Deikum, is also born on Munzo, but is secretly moved to AXIS, along with most of Zeon's family, as tensions between the RoZ and Earthsphere worsen.
TS 304 (UC 0064): AXIS Station appears in space between Mars and Side 3, along with a fleet of battleships and heavy cruisers numbering in the thousands; they subsequently hack media outlets throughout Federation holdings and play a recording of the destruction of Mars by Federation forces, with a final message promising vengeance "paid back one-hundredfold" for every life lost. Zeon Zum Deikun decries the Federation attack on Mars as willful genocide and calls for the government to step down; three days after this public address, AXIS agents foil an assassination attempt against Zeon and force the assassins to publicly confess on social media. Riots break out on Side 6, Side 2 and Side 4; Side 4 suppresses its riots peacefully, but Side 2 remains in a state of civil unrest for the next six years.
June 15, TS 304 (June 2, UC 0064): Taylor Olympia Hebert-Delaz is born on Victoria to AXIS MS R&D Director Daniel Hebert and Solaris Rear Admiral Annette Hebert-Delaz. Her birth is marked by tectonic activity being observed on Mars' ruined surface for the first time in recorded history.
TS 310 (UC 0070): The Republic of Zeon's involvement with the SCR is discovered and exposed by the Federation. Public outcry is more violent than either side could estimate, with rioting both on Earth and many of the Sides. Side 4 calls for the immediate destruction of Side 3, while Side 2 secedes from the Federation and leaves its marked orbit, stopping only when it runs out of fuel just outside Lunar orbit. The Federation brings its full might to bear to quell the flames of rebellion; by the end of the year, nearly ten thousand warships are arrayed about Earth. The day before Saturnalia, the Federation unveils its plan to pacify the Sides: their navies will deploy to each colony and 'disarm the populace and garrison the Sides, so that a lasting peace between Earth and its Colonies might be realized'. The next day, on Saturnalia, AXIS Station, Side 2 and Side 3 vanish from Federation sensors.
TS 311 (UC 0071): The Solaris Colonial Republic and the Colonial Republic of Zeon sign the Saturn Pact, forming the United Colonial Republic of Sol (UCRS); under its constitution, the elected Ministers (three) would each choose their successor, who would be interviewed by a Senate of representatives from each colony (or, in the case of Jupiter and Saturn, permanent moon bases of Titan, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto) to ensure excellence in governance, though the Senate would be checked for corruption in the same way by the Emperor's household guard (in practice, both would be observed and policed by AXIS and Ceres counter-espionage agents, as well as former CRZ military police).
TS 311-318 (UC 0071-0078): Skirmishes between the UCRS and Federation become commonplace throughout near-Earth space. Attempts by Federation tacticians to locate Republic bases are met with frustration, as the Federation is unable to replicate the FTL technology that has, since the Venus Strike in the Red War, been perfected by Ceres and AXIS. Instead, near-Earth space becomes a literal minefield of high explosive devices scattered through the void, the Federation Navy trying to stop the now-regular raids of supply lines; it is only partially successful, due to the Federation's continued use of Solomon as a rally point for operations, in ignorance of some of its resident's actual allegiances. Tensions mount, and open war seems inevitable.
The spark comes in November of 0078, when an attempted 'crackdown' on Republic sympathizers amongst the Sides ends in blood when Federation soldiers responding to a taxation protest outside the Side 4 embassy open fire on the unarmed crowd, killing hundreds. Victoria agent Stannis Medhall, who was observing and recording the protest from a nearby hotel, sends the video both to the Republic and the remaining Sides. Side 6 attempts to use this as an excuse to secede totally from Federation space, but is blockaded by the Navy; attempts to gain access to the Side's many colonies failed as airlocks were shut and solar panels closed, the colonists locking themselves in. Federation command in Jaburo orders the blockade continue and begins attempting to hack into the colony systems, an act which breaches their constitution regarding the Sides.
Two days after the blockade began, an enormous Republic fleet, under the combined command of UCRS High Admiral Annette Hebert-Delaz, Vice Admiral Aiguille Delaz, Vice Admiral Dozle Zabi, Commander Anavel Gato, Deputy Commander Casval Deikun, and Rear Admiral Yuri Hasler suddenly strike at Federation hard and soft points around the Sides and general Federation space, capturing Solomon and destroying one-third of the Federation Space Forces in the process while taking minimal losses.
High Admiral Hebert-Delaz makes Solomon the main base of Republic operations and, one week into the war, after receiving reports of the attempted Federation destruction of Side 6 Colonies Ontario and Palda, drops a gutted Side 2 Colony onto the Earth; the Zaku escorts manage to paint 'MARS' on the colony's side before sending it to the surface. Sydney, along with most of the Australian continent, are reduced by the resultant impact, but the Earth's biosphere is saved by the permanent 'scrubbers' installed on the planet's surface.
The High Admiral then begins other operations within Earth space, sending the newly-graduated pilot Aina Sahalin and her brother to begin the Aupsalis Project in Southeast Asia while simultaneously instilling fear into her enemies through Admirals Delaz (her cousin) and Hasler, who take Commanders Deikun and Gato on a tour of the colonies to drum up support and beat back the Federation blockades. The Federation's counteroffensive begins at the end of the year, launching both sides into a brutal total war.
TS 319 (UC 0079): By April of this year, both sides are locked in a seeming stalemate, a lack of skilled mobile suit pilots and the sheer destruction wrought by both Federation and Republic forces on one another taking its toll. The initial UCRS invasion fleet has, by this time, been reduced to 43% combat effectiveness, though the High Admiral's FTL-capable Cassini-class* flagship, Olympus Mons, remains untouched, while the Federation fleet fares little better, at 45% its pre-wartime numbers and infrastructure.
Fearing the loss of the frontlines, and with the Aupsalis Project bleeding money and resources, High Admiral "Bloodrose" Hebert-Delaz sends Fleet Commander Cima Garahau back to AXIS to re-arm and resupply, as well as pick up the latest mobile suit tech and a fresh batch of pilots. Cima is expected to return by early June at the latest, and is ordered to "break in" the pilots and fleet reinforcements on the way back to Solomon.
At the same time, Taylor Hebert-Delaz graduates AXIS Flight Academy at the top of her class as a Second Lieutenant. Eager to join her mother on the frontlines and avenge the destruction of Mars, the fifteen-year-old piloting prodigy sees this as her chance to get out from beneath her parent's shadow and make her own name, through deeds and service.
Thus, the tale begins…
*Cassini-class: an upscaled version of the Gwazine-class heavy battleship, this 5km-long dreadnought is capable of docking and repairing other ships, has two mobile suit storage/repair bays, and has FTL-movement capability inside 0.5LY(light-year).