Mobile Suit Gundam: 0079 Side Stories

Band of Zeon

Prologue

January 3, UC 0079

The Principality of Zeon launched a surprise attack on the Earth Federation controlled Sides, a mere three seconds after declaring its independence from the Earth Federation. This would later be referred to as the "Three Second Warning".

January 10, UC 0079

The Zeon forces fought for, secured, and attempted to drop the space colony 'Island Iffish' on the Federation's main base in Jaburo, Brazil, but instead, the colony broke apart, one half scattering across the planet causing much destruction, the other half colliding with Sydney, Australia. This action started what was known as the One Week Battle, though in fact, began the One Year War officially.

January 15, UC 0079

The Battle of Loum. Many pilots made names for themselves in this battle, such as Johnny Ridden, Shinn Matsunaga, and Char Aznable. Federation forces suffered heavy casualties, and due to this, the Earth Federation decided to begin production on their own mobile suits.

February 15, UC 0079

The formation of the 23rd Mobile Assault Infantry, under the command of General Darrel F. Heisenberg. The 23rd would have four companies: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta. Each company would hold four platoons.

March 1, UC 0079

Drop Operations for Earth begin under the command of Garma Zabi. 23rd held for Middle East Drop Operations—scheduled for March 10th, UC 0079.

Chapter One: Seig Zeon!

March 4, UC 0079

This party is rather dull, Ensign Kain Blackbyrne mulls to himself as he swishes about a pressed scotch on the rocks. It's been nothing but high-class, and it feels like they're getting ready to drop some really bad news... This isn't comforting at all.

The Ensign was brought out of his thoughts by someone bumping into him. He turns, rather aggravated at the clumsiness of another person—though his anger quickly subsided when he saw the lovely woman dressed in white standing before him.

"Oh, are you all right, milady?" His chivalrous tone could only have been matched by his elegant demeanor and his smooth voice.

"Yes, I'm fine," she mouthed, a soft, silky voice meeting his ears. "I do hope I did not inconvenience you..."

"No," he replies quickly, "no inconvenience, simply an accident." He smiles, reaching out a white gloved hand to the beautiful woman. "Ensign Kain Blackbyrne, reserve Conscon Fleet Platoon Commander."

"..." She did not reply, but took his hand. He quickly responded:
"Do you not have a name?"
"Just call me Misa..." She smiled a little, though her identity was still under speculation by the Ensign.

"What brings you to the Officer's lounge, Misa? Do you know anyone here?" He looks around a bit, thinking she was one of the Admiral's daughters or something. She nods in response, and points at him. "Me? How do you know me?"

"I've been watching you for quite some time, Kain," she spoke rather stoically, "your resolve impresses me, so I've decided I must walk beside you down the road you've chosen. I will warn you—choosing to deny me will spell certain death for you."

"What?" He obviously did not understand. Assuming she was joking, he replies, "If you're asking to join my unit, I will see what I can do, but threats won't get you anywhere."

"Interesting," she muses on, "you actually want me to join your cause? Never has someone invited me to join them before."

"Invited? I guess you could say that..." The Zeon soldier shrugs, turning to the door. "But why the sudden interest in me? I don't even know you."

"Ah, but I know you, and I know I want to stand by your side until the end." She grabbed a hold of his hand, and began pulling him to the elevator. "Come, show me to your room."

What an odd girl, Kain thought, Not even one date I've taken her on, and she's trying to get me to take her home? Wait! I'm not even dating her!

Somehow, though, they ended up in his apartment, given to him by Zeon for when he was back home in Side 3. However, Kain was not going to give in to whatever plan she had in mind, and decided that he was going to shower.

"I'll be gone for about five to ten minutes, just sit there and hang out. Order a pizza or something, just don't get into anything."

Not two minutes after he was undressed and in the shower, the sound of the door opening and her voice:
"Kain, I've come to bathe."

March 5, UC 0079

The officer was already up and getting dressed when Misa finally got up.

"So you're just gonna walk out on me without saying goodbye?" The sheets slipped, releaving one of her voluptuous breasts.

"I have work, you know. And they need me down at the auditorium today, I'm supposed to be getting my orders. I think they'll be sending me to Solomon with the rest of the Conscon Fleet. You can come if you'd like." Ensign Blackbyrne buttoned up his top, while carrying on his conversation.

"Wouldn't I just get in the way?" She sounded kind of downcast, as if she wanted to come along, deep inside.

"I don't see how you could, it's simply announcements."

"Do... Do you really want me to come?" Her voice changed to a hopeful tone, causing Kain's mind to be made up.

"Sure. Just make sure you're dressed and ready to go."

Well, she did get dressed, but she wore one of his shirts, which was rather baggy on her, and a pair of shorts. Not anything really presentable for this sort of event, but he wasn't about to turn her away. As soon as they entered, they were directed backstage, where the Ensign was to go up onto the stage and accept his orders from the Commandant. A moment or two of them talking, a crisp salute from the Ensign, followed by a dismissal salute from the Commandant, and the Ensign returned to Misa.

"So, how'd it go?" Her voice, while rather mellow, had hints of curiosity and excitement to it. Her words were met by a grave-faced Kain.

"They've transferred me... To the 23rd Mobile Assault Infantry."

"Wh-what does that mean?" Misa's tone turned from slightly excited to worried.

"It means," he takes a deep breath, a look of fright on his face, "a shorter life expectancy."

It was nearing the end of the day, and the stress of the upcoming transfer was weighing heavily down upon Ensign Blackbyrne. "I need a drink," he mutters, melancholic, as he turns toward the bar. Misa stops him, shaking her head.
"No, you go back to the apartment, I'll get you something." Deep down, he was glad she could tell that he was in such a stressful situation, and did not argue as he headed back to the room. By the time Misa got back, Kain was at his desk, shirt undone, hair askew, and open folders strewn across the tabletop, with its contents scattered about in an organization only Kain knew of.

"I got us some wine," she whispers, retrieving a dark red liquid from her bag, but Kain shook his head.

"I don't drink wine, unless it's at a party, where there's nothing else. I will be fine with my scotch, thank you." His voice was slightly harsh, and immediately after realizing this, he continues: "Though I do appreciate it, Misa."

Hours passed, and the only noise coming from the Zeon officer was the occasional shuffling of papers. Misa couldn't stand it. She approached him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders from behind, and pulled him close. "Come, let's lie down."

He sighs, and follows her to the bed, where they got under the covers and lay in each other's arms, while Misa tried to comfort him. However comfortable he got, his mind still raced. He had never killed anyone—and as a matter of fact, he had only graduated from the Military Academy months ago! Now that he was being put on the front lines, he had absolutely no idea about what was going to happen, and with the high mortality rate of this war so far, it was hard to keep a calm mind.

"Are you scared?"

"Yes... Yes I am."