The year is After Colony 195. Mankind has colonised outer space, and vehicles known as 'mobile suits' are the cornerstone of modern warfare. And politics are as confusing as ever.
At present, the Romefeller Foundation, a ruthless military organisation, is the dominant force on Earth, being led by Duke Dermail. The Foundation has many enemies, the most notable of which being the Gundams - five highly advanced mobile suits - and their elite pilots.
However, a new problem for the Foundation has now arisen; the Sanc Kingdom, and its princess, Relena Peacecraft. The Peacecraft family has a history of advocating total pacifism, and this ideal has been rising in popularity considerably in recent months, with more and more nations beginning to push for it.
...The Romefeller Foundation, in danger of being overshadowed, has now taken its first step to dismantle this new threat.
On a sunny day in October, Relena Peacecraft was being driven by her butler, Pagan, down the long road to her institution, where she teaches pacifism.
"Relena, are you all right with that new student arriving today?" Pagan asked, breaking the silence.
"Why do you ask?" Said Relena.
"Well, I'm told she is a blood relative of Duke Dermail." Pagan said, clearly concerned. "..I know mustn't make assumptions, but the Romefeller Foundation has never had a high opinion of our pacifism. I can't help thinking it's a trick."
Relena smiled. "Don't be like that, Pagan. The Foundation is finally opening up to pacifism, and they sent this student to prove it. They want to learn. We should welcome this opportunity to change them for the better."
"I have trouble believing everything the Foundation says." Pagan said, still worried.
"Doubting people won't get you anywhere. Please try to be a bit more optimistic, and treat our new arrival well, will you?"
"..Right. Of course, my lady."
At the institution, Relena greeted the new student from behind her wooden desk. "I am Relena Peacecraft, Director of this institution. I welcome you to the Sanc Kingdom."
"Oh, my! I wasn't aware that the Director was also the Sanc Kingdom's princess! Allow me to introduce myself formally." The new arrival said happily. "My name is Dorothy Catalonia. I am deeply honoured to meet you, Miss Peacecraft."
Relena was quite taken by Dorothy's demeanour. She found all of her students to be beautiful in their own ways, but Dorothy had a unique charm that she couldn't quite place. Her blonde hair was very long, easily down to her hips, and her eyes were an intense shade of blue. She would be the picture of beauty, if not for her strange, wiry eyebrows, which made her look a bit sinister.
"I'm powerless to do anything on my own yet. I'm still learning my father's pacifism, as everyone else is." Relena said humbly.
Not for long, Dorothy thought. "As you're aware, I've come here on behalf of the Romefeller Foundation. The Foundation is surrounded with weapons, in this war-torn world." She said dreamily, sauntering over to the window. "I am very interested in the Sanc Kingdom's policies. Especially in what you'd do if the Foundation decided to invade."
Pagan, who was standing in the corner, showed slight concern at this sudden change in subject.
"All this beautiful scenery would be transformed into a flaming battlefield, on which the people who cherish such beauty would lose their lives." Dorothy gushed, as if reciting a poem, before turning to face Relena again. "I'm sure in that case, you would view the attackers as foolish barbarians, and you would do everything in your power to prevent their advance, wouldn't you?"
Relena was a bit puzzled by Dorothy's enthusiasm on the subject, but felt the question did deserve an answer. "On the contrary, I don't believe there are any foolish people in this world. People can reach an understanding by talking things over, and I believe such discussions can and will bring peace to all people one day."
"Miss Peacecraft, I am a foolish person myself. I like wars very much. In fact, I love them with every fibre of my being." Dorothy said honestly, before her smile faded into a sullen expression. "..I suppose I'd only be a nuisance by staying in this country."
"No, not at all. The main objective of the Sanc Kingdom is to provide a place for these kinds of conversations. I look forward to having more talks like this with you, Miss Catalonia." Relena said, walking over to her.
This will be easier than I expected, Dorothy thought, as her smile returned. "Oh, but please, just call me Dorothy."
"And you may feel free to call me Relena." Relena said, extending her hand.
Dorothy gladly took her hand. "I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship."
Deep in the institution's basement, Pagan was busy conducting research on the new student, while also meeting with Lucrezia Noin in a video call.
"Dorothy Catalonia. She is 15 years old, the same age as Relena. She is the granddaughter of Duke Dermail, and she loves battles." Pagan said, reciting everything he knew about the girl.
"Sounds like a dangerous one." Noin said.
Pagan pulled a gun out of his pocket. "I even had this ready just in case. But it seems the Foundation's intent isn't to assassinate Relena, but simply to spy on us."
"We have to do our best to protect Relena, and prevent history from repeating itself. Keep your eye on that new student." Noin advised.
Pagan nodded. "Yes, and it seems I'll have to protect her in more ways than one. I fear that Dorothy may be a bad influence on her."
The next day, Relena was back to teaching her class, which is comprised of the teenage daughters of pacifist world leaders.
"There is no place for armaments in a pacifist nation. But unless the whole world agrees on this ideology, the Sanc Kingdom will likely never be safe. Under these circumstances I'm delighted to be attending classes with you. You, who are poised to take on the responsibility of total pacifism, for the future of your nations." Relena said to her class. She was finally starting to get used to teaching. "I hope that together, we can think of a way to eliminate wars from the world as soon as possible."
Dorothy, who was sitting in the back, gave a small smirk. "How very noble."
She caught Relena's attention. "Dorothy? Anything to add?"
Dorothy promptly stood up. "What you're saying is indeed admirable in its own way. I expect if everyone thought like you, there would be no more wars. But if that were the case, you would no longer be able to take the moral high ground, would you?"
Relena looked almost a bit offended upon hearing this. "Dorothy, what are you implying?"
"Oh, nothing really." Dorothy, said, averting her eyes.
"I'm aware my views may seem naive to some people." Relena admitted. "But I wonder why people fight, if so many of them agree that it is foolish? ..I don't think we're far from the answer."
"I believe I already know the answer." Dorothy said with confidence.
"Then tell us." Said one of the students.
"It's because people love to fight. Fighting satisfies their human instincts. All throughout history, mankind has fought time and time again, as if it were their purpose. So it's impossible to deny. As a species, we must fight. That's what it means to be human." Dorothy concluded, without a hint of uncertainty in her voice. It was clear she'd thought long and hard on the subject.
Relena wasn't convinced. "I'm afraid I don't share your opinion. As a species, we are fully capable of living in peace. I know it for a fact." She said with conviction.
"Even if that were true, I'd much prefer the world of warfare over your ideal world, Relena. And not just because it's in our nature." Dorothy said, starting to scratch the surface of her real fascination. "But nevertheless, I am interested to see just how long you can go on preaching about peace. Who knows, maybe I'll learn something from you." She finished through a smirk.
"Just watch me, Dorothy. I'll promote total pacifism for as long as I live."
Challenge accepted, Dorothy thought.
Later that day, Relena was looking out at the sea from the institution's balcony.
"Relena, are you feeling all right?" Pagan asked, joining her.
She turns to him. "What do you mean, Pagan?"
"Well, the number of nations adopting pacifism just keeps on growing, and these nations are all relying on the Sanc Kingdom for leadership. The responsibility would be enough to exhaust anyone."
Relena was touched by his thoughtfulness. "Thank you for your concern, Pagan. It has indeed been difficult. But this is what I live for now. I have to rise to meet the challenge, or I became the Kingdom's leader for nothing."
"But there's also the issue of the new student, who has me worried. You mustn't let your guard down around her." Pagan warned.
"Do you mean Dorothy? Pagan, you mustn't speak badly of her. She is very intelligent friend. And though we may disagree now, I'm certain she will someday understand our views." Relena said, looking wistfully out at the sea.
Pagan thought for a moment. "..Miss Noin told me to keep this a secret from you.. but right now, I think you need all the allies you can get."
"What is it?" Relena asked, puzzled.
Pagan looked right at her. "We've located the Gundam pilot Heero Yuy."
Relena was surprised. "Heero?!"
Pagan nodded. "Miss Noin is on her way to meet with him now."
"You mean he's here? On Earth?" Relena could hardly believe it. She was finally going to get to see him again.
Meanwhile, somewhere on a battlefield, Heero Yuy assisted the Treize Faction in fighting off Romefeller's unmanned Mobile Dolls.
To be continued in Prologue part 2