Mobile Suit Gundam Century's Dawn
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The calendar of the Universal Century has reached the year 300. The Earth has fallen into a state of disarray due to a
war against an organization of countries who are seeking total world domination. Even though the Earth Federation has
numbers on their side, they are being overwhelmed by the battle-hardened soldiers of the Alliance of Middle-Eastern
Countries. This is because they had one advantage: strange humanoid machines that could devastate entire platoons
with a single strafe. To make matters worse, the Colonies have severed all diplomatic and economic ties.
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Suffering from damage inflicted by the Terran Alliance, the Exalon was forced to land in a devastated village. There,
they've discovered four children being cared for by Keela Nyoko, a young woman from the Space Colonies that seemed to
know a lot about the Gundam-class Mobile Suit. Ben Hoshum attacked the Exalon after taking down the B-Gundam. Suddenly, he lost control of Archangel and almost crushed Sonya, one of the children. Luckily the B-Gundam saved her.
Commander Lucas agreed to take Keela and the children on the Exalon.
[Title: Internal Conflict]
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The Exalon had been in battle after battle ever since they found the Gundam in the hidden Earth Federation facility.
The AMEC ship that has been pursuing them ever since they left the valley where Scatterhaven used to be was resilient
and relentless. The battles have begun to ware on some of the crew, but even through all this, they still find leisure
time. In the case of Koshiro Anaka and Henry Kozuko, it was testing out the other accessories that came with the B-Gundam.
Koshiro grunted as he tried to keep the B-Gundam stable. "It's no use," he said. "The armor's too heavy."
"That's okay, Koshiro," Henry Kozuko called from outside the cockpit. "Shut it down." Koshiro placed the B-Gundam into
stand-by mode and climbed out onto the cockpit. Hooks and pullies began lifting the armor off of the B-Gundam's shoulders.
Koshiro and Henry knelt down on the B-Gundam's knee. "I thought for sure that the armor would be helpful."
"Sure, the armor is strong," Koshiro agreed. "But it severely limits the B-Gundam's maneuverability. And it's taking
all I've got just to keep her afloat. What if we trim the armor a little bit."
"It might make the B-Gundam stand upright but it won't improve the maneuverability. You probably wouldn't even be able
to fly."
"So are we going to just get rid of the armor altogether."
"Absolutely not," Henry denied. "Maybe we can't use the armor altogether but maybe we can..."
"Hey up there!" A voice called. Koshiro and Henry looked down to see Keela and the children holding a mobile tray cart
with some food on it. "You two going to take a break this year?" The two jumped down from the B-Gundam's leg.
"You guys have been at that all afternoon. We thought you two might like something to eat."
"Thanks," Henry said as he dug in. Koshiro did too. "Is it all right that you're doing this?"
"I figured since we're going to be staying here for a while, we might as well earn our keep," Keela said. "So the
Commander has us doing odd jobs. "
"You don't seem to mind," Koshiro observed.
"I don't really. I used to do the same thing at home."
"Keela, tell me about your home," Koshiro requested. "What's a Space Colony like?"
Keela didn't reply, just stared at the cart.
"I'm sorry," Koshiro apologized. "I didn't mean to bring up something so sensitive to you."
Kikka smiled. "It's all right, Koshiro. That... was in another life. I arrived at Modouken hoping to start life anew.
But.. to tell you the truth, I don't think that you can ever escape from your past."
"Modouken? Was that the village where we found you?"
"Yup." Keela turned and rolled the cart out. The children followed her.
"She sure is an odd one," Henry commented. "I wonder how she knows so much about the Gundam though."
"Henry, why hasn't the Earth Federation been in contact with the Colonies yet?" Koshiro asked briefly changing the subject.
"Koshiro, we're in the middle of a war, interspacial contact's the last thing we need."
"But that's exactly my point. Why doesn't the Earth Federation request help from the Colonies? I mean, we... you..."
Koshiro forgot that although he wore a uniform, technically, he wasn't part of the Earth Federation military. "Must have
the technology."
"Koshiro, the Colonies have been wiped out. There's nothing but floating hulks of debree now."
Koshiro remembered hearing the same thing from one of the other officers.
Henry decided to change the subject back to its original topic. "So how can a civillian know about an ancient Earth
Federation secret?"
"I wonder... perhaps there's more to this than meets the eye. Why would certain people know about the Gundam while a
majority of humanity was kept in the dark?"
"Now you're just being paranoid, Koshiro. And besides, who cares what we knew in the past? It's the present we need to
concentrate on now."
"Right." Koshiro and Henry entered the lounge and saw that some of the other crew members had the same idea they had.
The Twins, Victor Lenard and Tasha Benson, were having an arm wrestling competition (of which Tasha was winning).
Shinji Katsumoto, the security chief, was drawing something on paper.
Koshiro paused upon seeing the crew members acting like they were having a good time. "Henry... is this right?"
"Is what right?"
"This." Koshiro moved his hand around the room. "I mean there's a war going on even as we speak and we're all acting
like we're at a picnic."
"I understand your concern, Koshiro, but sometimes people need to forget the war, in order to remember that they're still
human at heart. At least, that's what I think."
"Sorry, I guess I seem like a complete novice here."
"Don't worry about it. Nobody will admit this, but we're all not used to this. Come on, I'll show you my favorite card
game."
It was then that the alarm rang out. "Later," Henry ammended as they returned to the launch bay.
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The attack didn't last long, there were only about ten Zakus. As soon as the battle was over, the Exalon continued
on its way.
Keela rolled the mobile tray cart onto the bridge. "Commander, I brought some drinks if you would like it."
"Thank you, Keela," Commander Lucas said. Sonya and Christopher also offered drinks to Lee and Muro.
"We really should find a place to sit down for the night," Muro suggested.
"Lee, check out the upper control panel, will you."
"Sure." Lee left her station and went upstairs to Tasha's control panel. "I agree with Muro, Commander. There's a fog
bank rolling in from the South-West. It's going to make future navigation difficult."
"Okay. Muro, let's sit down right here. Begin generating MPs as soon as possible."
"Aye, sir." The Exalon touched down softly.
"Get some sleep, you two," Commander Lucas suggested. "We take off again at daybreak."
"Yes, sir." Lee left the control panel and headed for the elevator. Muro was about to follow her when Commander Lucas
silently signalled her to wait.
"Muro, I'd like to talk to you alone."
"Okay." Commander Lucas and Muro went downt to the office that was adjacent to his bedroom. "The other day I received
an encoded message from Earth Federation HQ."
"What did they say?"
"Several of our early warning outpost went off-line a few days ago."
"Were they destroyed by the Desert Dictators?"
"I'm positive."
"But we had three fleets guarding the coast line. How were the Desert Dictators able to overpower them?"
"I don't think they were overpowered, 'Ro."
"Destroyed then?"
"No, not that either. I think they were tricked."
"Tricked? How?"
"I'm not sure. Truthfully, I'm just following on an instinct. But I'm going to find out. You still have that relative
who's in Interpol, right?"
"My cousin Yoshi. But I don't see how..."
"Good," Commander Lucas interrupted. "I'll get you a secure line, I need you to contact her and get information."
"Sir, are you sure it's wise to involve others in our fights?"
Commander Lucas gave her a sad smile. "It seems to be a growing habit of ours, isn't it?"
Muro nodded. "I'll see what I can do."
"Thanks, 'Ro, I owe you one. We'll be traveling the Atlantic Ocean very soon. If what I fear is true, I want to know
what's actually in store for us on the other side."
"Aye-aye, sir."
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Captain Garrett entered his private office with an encoded disk. He placed it into his computer and typed in his
access code. All it said was:
THE DRAGON HAS FALLEN.
"Hot damn," Garrett exclaimed then pressed his intercom button. "Ben Hoshum to my office." In a minute, a young boy
in brown and green jumpsuit appeared before him. "Ben, this is a momentous occasion."
"What do you mean?" Ben asked like Garrett was a mere annoyance.
"We have won." Ben was bewildered by the declaration. Have they done it, has AMEC really won the war?
"I received a message from Epsilon, Captain Raven's unit has succeeded in putting a foothold in the EF's door."
"So that's it? The war's over?"
"Not yet. We still need to retain our foothold so we have to deliver backup support to Captain Raven's Unit. You'll be
part of that backup."
"All right, it might be some fun anyway." And without any other words, Ben left the room.
{That boy is disturbing,} Captain Garrett thought. {He treats this as if it was a game, a game that he can end any time
he wants. He has too much freedom. Perhaps it will be necessary to... limit that freedom.}
He clicked on his intercom again. "Bridge."
"Yes, sir."
"How is our plan coming along?"
"Proceeding ahead of schedule, sir."
"Good. Keep me informed."
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Koshiro was running, but he wasn't getting anywhere. It was like he was on a tredmill and running in place. He was
running towards something but he didn't know what it was. He could just make out a female form.
The female form turned and launched something at Koshiro. Koshiro saw that it was a blade but it was too late, it stuck
him right through the heart. He fell onto his back, the strange female form standing over him.
Koshiro quickly sat up in bed. He was in his room. He felt his forehead and wiped the beads of sweat that must've
accumulated during his sleep.
"That same dream," he said and pulled on a pair of pants. "And this time, I know what it means."
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Lee walked into the lounge and saw that she wasn't the only one who decided to take a late night stroll. Koshiro
was still there playing the card game that Henry was teaching him earlier.
"Koshiro, what are you doing up his late?"
"I couldn't sleep," he said.
"I noticed that you haven't been sleeping much ever since that attack the Terran Alliance made almost a week ago.
You're no good to anybody half-asleep in battle."
"Sorry, Lee, it's just that... all these constant battles... I'm getting sick of all these battles. I don't know how
you can keep up."
Lee sat down next to him. "It's something else, isn't it? It's not just the battles."
Koshiro nodded. "When the Terran Alliance attacked at the crevice, I recognized one of them."
"Sasari Mei? You said that she was originally from Scatterhaven."
"No, it wasn't her, it was... well... we were best friends growing up."
"Male or female?" Lee immediately asked.
"Female."
"Ah," Lee said like that answered everything.
"Hey, wait, it's not like... I mean..." Apparently Koshiro realized what Lee was thinking because his face went crimson.
"You're worried that you might have to face her in the future and you don't want to do that." Koshiro nodded. Lee massaged
his shoulders. "Koshiro, I would never want you to to forget your old friends, but the next time you face her, she might
not think of you as a friend. She might try to kill you. Know what I mean?" Koshiro nodded. Lee had to mentally remind
herself that he was just a boy, he hasn't gone through the mental training that Lee and the others had gone through.
He seemed to be unaffected by the first few battles only because he hasn't had time to digest all that has happened to him.
Now that he has had that time, he doesn't know what to make of it all.
"I don't think she realizes I'm part of the enemy. When she realizes that, she's going to feel betrayed and hurt. I...
don't want to hurt her."
"A true friend is someone who cares about you no matter the circumstances. If she despises the Earth Federation, that's
one thing. But if she despises you personally, then maybe she doesn't deserve to be your friend. Plus don't forget,
you have new friends here on the Exalon. Muro, Shinji, Henry, the twins, Keela, the children, even Commander Lucas,
everybody."
"Even you?" Koshiro asked almost hopefully.
Lee gave him a little hug. "Even me," she assured him.
"Thanks, Lee. The constant battles are still a little hard to handle, but now at least I have a definite reason to
continue fighting... for my friends."
Lee nodded. "Yeah, the battles are hard to handle for all of us, even the Commander. Hey, look." She pointed out the
viewport window at the night sky. A streak of light was traveling across the horizon. "A shooting star. When I was a girl,
my mother used to tell me that shooting stars contained magical powers. If you make a wish on one, it will use its magical
powers to make that wish come true."
"Do you still believe that?"
"Yes, I do. Let's make a wish."
"Okay." The two made a silent wish on the shooting star and sat back to enjoy the rest of the night. At least, until the
alarm sounded.
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Muro and Commander Lucas were having another secret meeting. Muro reported that after talking with her cousin, she
discovered that the EF fleets were called out to sea to respond to a distress signal. They lost contact after that.
"I see," Commander Lucas muttered. "We'll have to proceed straight to Washington then. Muro, I..."
"All hands report to battle stations!" Shinji Katzumoto's voice called out. Commander Lucas and Muro trouble was all
about. When they got to the bridge, they saw why the alarm had been been triggered. The Zeon approaching them at fast
speed.
"Gundam Pilot to battle," Commander Lucas called.
In seconds, Koshiro was in his jumpsuit and interface helmet ready to launch the B-Gundam.
"What is this, the fourth time they attacked us this week," Koshiro asked.
"Fifth," Lee corrected.
"They are trying to wear us down," Commander Lucas explained. "Make it so we can't even fight back anymore. Boy,
are they going to be disappointed. Launch B-Gundam!"
The Gundam was catapulted out. It flipped in the air and landed on one knee, its arms crossed.
"Unfold," Koshiro commanded. The B-Gundam stood on both feet and uncrossed its arms. "Bring it on!" The B-Gundam drew a
beam saber and started up its jet pack.
"Koshiro, listen," Lee called. "Don't try a direct assault against them. Do a surgical strike."
"And just how am I suppose to do that?" Koshiro asked, furiously dodging shots from the Zeon's cannons.
"Aim for the cannons on the right side first, the side's that closest to the Exalon, then go for the guns on the front.
Then go for the ones on the other sides if you can."
"Right." The B-Gundam did a verticle slice on one of the Zeon's side cannons. The other three cannons fired back.
The B-Gundam pulled back, dodging the shots in the process. He returned fire with the vulcan cannons. The officer
who was manning a cannon died and the gun became unusable.
Koshiro decided to try a bold move and aim for the three single barrel cannons on the Zeon's front. The main guns fired
and blew the B-Gundam back. A rocket came out of the central barrel and nailed the B-Gundam directly in the chest.
"Koshiro, hurry, aim for the side cannons," Lee instructed. The B-Gundam flew around and stabbed its beam saber into the
Zeon's side. It dragged the beam saber creating a large laceration in its side. The Zeon tilted to one side. It was
forced to back off.
The bridge crew (except for Commander Lucas) burst into cheers and applause.
"He injured that AMEC ship," Henry said excitedly.
"The B-Gundam is stronger than we thought," Lee commented.
Commander Lucas' brow lowered. {Something is wrong, this seemed a little too easy.}
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"Captain Garrett," Ben Hoshum called. He was sitting at an empty control station. He would've much rather be in his
mobile suit, but he just didn't feel like attacking this time around. "The dummy ship has been dispatched. They fell
for it."
"Good. At this rate, they won't even notice the receptor we placed on the ship. Contact Delta Source. Tell her to lay
in A-mode for a while until we contact her again."
"Yes, sir."
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Lee and Muro visited the launch bay soon after the battle. Henry and the engineering crew were taking care of maintenance
and replenishing the ammunition in the vulcans.
"I never realized the B-Gundam was so strong," Muro commented.
"I'll say," Henry agreed. "It took a buster rocket right in the chest and the circuitry was only a little singed.
"Hey, where's Koshiro?" Lee asked.
"Come to think of it, I don't think he exited the cockpit yet."
"Gee, I hope nothing's wrong," Muro commented as Lee went up a maintenance ladder. She leapt onto the B-Gundam's
leg and walked up to the cockpit door.
"Koshiro? Is everything all right?" Lee called.
"He might not be able to hear you through the B-Gundam's armor," Henry called out. Lee opened the cockpit door.
Koshiro was slumped down in his seat. His helmet's visor was still on.
"Koshiro? Koshiro, you okay, kid?" Lee touched a button on the side of the helmet and the visor folded open. Koshiro's
eyes were closed and his breathing was light. Lee smiled, he looked a little cute like that.
"Is he all right?" Muro asked from the bottom.
"He's fine," Lee reported. "He's just sleeping."
"We should let him," Henry decided. "After all this battling, he deserves some rest."
Lee took another glance at the sleeping Koshiro. "Yeah," she said. She gently removed his helmet and left him to vacation
in drean land. "You deserve it, Koshiro," she whispered to him.
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Koshiro continues to discover more powers and abilities of the B-Gundam. The Exalon arrives at the ocean and begin the long
trek across it, but Koshiro is left behind. How long can Koshiro last before he succumbs to the powerful attacks of the
ocean?
Next episode: Journey Across the Sea.
Koshiro will face the wraith not of AMEC, but of the mother nature herself.
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The calendar of the Universal Century has reached the year 300. The Earth has fallen into a state of disarray due to a
war against an organization of countries who are seeking total world domination. Even though the Earth Federation has
numbers on their side, they are being overwhelmed by the battle-hardened soldiers of the Alliance of Middle-Eastern
Countries. This is because they had one advantage: strange humanoid machines that could devastate entire platoons
with a single strafe. To make matters worse, the Colonies have severed all diplomatic and economic ties.
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Suffering from damage inflicted by the Terran Alliance, the Exalon was forced to land in a devastated village. There,
they've discovered four children being cared for by Keela Nyoko, a young woman from the Space Colonies that seemed to
know a lot about the Gundam-class Mobile Suit. Ben Hoshum attacked the Exalon after taking down the B-Gundam. Suddenly, he lost control of Archangel and almost crushed Sonya, one of the children. Luckily the B-Gundam saved her.
Commander Lucas agreed to take Keela and the children on the Exalon.
[Title: Internal Conflict]
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The Exalon had been in battle after battle ever since they found the Gundam in the hidden Earth Federation facility.
The AMEC ship that has been pursuing them ever since they left the valley where Scatterhaven used to be was resilient
and relentless. The battles have begun to ware on some of the crew, but even through all this, they still find leisure
time. In the case of Koshiro Anaka and Henry Kozuko, it was testing out the other accessories that came with the B-Gundam.
Koshiro grunted as he tried to keep the B-Gundam stable. "It's no use," he said. "The armor's too heavy."
"That's okay, Koshiro," Henry Kozuko called from outside the cockpit. "Shut it down." Koshiro placed the B-Gundam into
stand-by mode and climbed out onto the cockpit. Hooks and pullies began lifting the armor off of the B-Gundam's shoulders.
Koshiro and Henry knelt down on the B-Gundam's knee. "I thought for sure that the armor would be helpful."
"Sure, the armor is strong," Koshiro agreed. "But it severely limits the B-Gundam's maneuverability. And it's taking
all I've got just to keep her afloat. What if we trim the armor a little bit."
"It might make the B-Gundam stand upright but it won't improve the maneuverability. You probably wouldn't even be able
to fly."
"So are we going to just get rid of the armor altogether."
"Absolutely not," Henry denied. "Maybe we can't use the armor altogether but maybe we can..."
"Hey up there!" A voice called. Koshiro and Henry looked down to see Keela and the children holding a mobile tray cart
with some food on it. "You two going to take a break this year?" The two jumped down from the B-Gundam's leg.
"You guys have been at that all afternoon. We thought you two might like something to eat."
"Thanks," Henry said as he dug in. Koshiro did too. "Is it all right that you're doing this?"
"I figured since we're going to be staying here for a while, we might as well earn our keep," Keela said. "So the
Commander has us doing odd jobs. "
"You don't seem to mind," Koshiro observed.
"I don't really. I used to do the same thing at home."
"Keela, tell me about your home," Koshiro requested. "What's a Space Colony like?"
Keela didn't reply, just stared at the cart.
"I'm sorry," Koshiro apologized. "I didn't mean to bring up something so sensitive to you."
Kikka smiled. "It's all right, Koshiro. That... was in another life. I arrived at Modouken hoping to start life anew.
But.. to tell you the truth, I don't think that you can ever escape from your past."
"Modouken? Was that the village where we found you?"
"Yup." Keela turned and rolled the cart out. The children followed her.
"She sure is an odd one," Henry commented. "I wonder how she knows so much about the Gundam though."
"Henry, why hasn't the Earth Federation been in contact with the Colonies yet?" Koshiro asked briefly changing the subject.
"Koshiro, we're in the middle of a war, interspacial contact's the last thing we need."
"But that's exactly my point. Why doesn't the Earth Federation request help from the Colonies? I mean, we... you..."
Koshiro forgot that although he wore a uniform, technically, he wasn't part of the Earth Federation military. "Must have
the technology."
"Koshiro, the Colonies have been wiped out. There's nothing but floating hulks of debree now."
Koshiro remembered hearing the same thing from one of the other officers.
Henry decided to change the subject back to its original topic. "So how can a civillian know about an ancient Earth
Federation secret?"
"I wonder... perhaps there's more to this than meets the eye. Why would certain people know about the Gundam while a
majority of humanity was kept in the dark?"
"Now you're just being paranoid, Koshiro. And besides, who cares what we knew in the past? It's the present we need to
concentrate on now."
"Right." Koshiro and Henry entered the lounge and saw that some of the other crew members had the same idea they had.
The Twins, Victor Lenard and Tasha Benson, were having an arm wrestling competition (of which Tasha was winning).
Shinji Katsumoto, the security chief, was drawing something on paper.
Koshiro paused upon seeing the crew members acting like they were having a good time. "Henry... is this right?"
"Is what right?"
"This." Koshiro moved his hand around the room. "I mean there's a war going on even as we speak and we're all acting
like we're at a picnic."
"I understand your concern, Koshiro, but sometimes people need to forget the war, in order to remember that they're still
human at heart. At least, that's what I think."
"Sorry, I guess I seem like a complete novice here."
"Don't worry about it. Nobody will admit this, but we're all not used to this. Come on, I'll show you my favorite card
game."
It was then that the alarm rang out. "Later," Henry ammended as they returned to the launch bay.
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The attack didn't last long, there were only about ten Zakus. As soon as the battle was over, the Exalon continued
on its way.
Keela rolled the mobile tray cart onto the bridge. "Commander, I brought some drinks if you would like it."
"Thank you, Keela," Commander Lucas said. Sonya and Christopher also offered drinks to Lee and Muro.
"We really should find a place to sit down for the night," Muro suggested.
"Lee, check out the upper control panel, will you."
"Sure." Lee left her station and went upstairs to Tasha's control panel. "I agree with Muro, Commander. There's a fog
bank rolling in from the South-West. It's going to make future navigation difficult."
"Okay. Muro, let's sit down right here. Begin generating MPs as soon as possible."
"Aye, sir." The Exalon touched down softly.
"Get some sleep, you two," Commander Lucas suggested. "We take off again at daybreak."
"Yes, sir." Lee left the control panel and headed for the elevator. Muro was about to follow her when Commander Lucas
silently signalled her to wait.
"Muro, I'd like to talk to you alone."
"Okay." Commander Lucas and Muro went downt to the office that was adjacent to his bedroom. "The other day I received
an encoded message from Earth Federation HQ."
"What did they say?"
"Several of our early warning outpost went off-line a few days ago."
"Were they destroyed by the Desert Dictators?"
"I'm positive."
"But we had three fleets guarding the coast line. How were the Desert Dictators able to overpower them?"
"I don't think they were overpowered, 'Ro."
"Destroyed then?"
"No, not that either. I think they were tricked."
"Tricked? How?"
"I'm not sure. Truthfully, I'm just following on an instinct. But I'm going to find out. You still have that relative
who's in Interpol, right?"
"My cousin Yoshi. But I don't see how..."
"Good," Commander Lucas interrupted. "I'll get you a secure line, I need you to contact her and get information."
"Sir, are you sure it's wise to involve others in our fights?"
Commander Lucas gave her a sad smile. "It seems to be a growing habit of ours, isn't it?"
Muro nodded. "I'll see what I can do."
"Thanks, 'Ro, I owe you one. We'll be traveling the Atlantic Ocean very soon. If what I fear is true, I want to know
what's actually in store for us on the other side."
"Aye-aye, sir."
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Captain Garrett entered his private office with an encoded disk. He placed it into his computer and typed in his
access code. All it said was:
THE DRAGON HAS FALLEN.
"Hot damn," Garrett exclaimed then pressed his intercom button. "Ben Hoshum to my office." In a minute, a young boy
in brown and green jumpsuit appeared before him. "Ben, this is a momentous occasion."
"What do you mean?" Ben asked like Garrett was a mere annoyance.
"We have won." Ben was bewildered by the declaration. Have they done it, has AMEC really won the war?
"I received a message from Epsilon, Captain Raven's unit has succeeded in putting a foothold in the EF's door."
"So that's it? The war's over?"
"Not yet. We still need to retain our foothold so we have to deliver backup support to Captain Raven's Unit. You'll be
part of that backup."
"All right, it might be some fun anyway." And without any other words, Ben left the room.
{That boy is disturbing,} Captain Garrett thought. {He treats this as if it was a game, a game that he can end any time
he wants. He has too much freedom. Perhaps it will be necessary to... limit that freedom.}
He clicked on his intercom again. "Bridge."
"Yes, sir."
"How is our plan coming along?"
"Proceeding ahead of schedule, sir."
"Good. Keep me informed."
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Koshiro was running, but he wasn't getting anywhere. It was like he was on a tredmill and running in place. He was
running towards something but he didn't know what it was. He could just make out a female form.
The female form turned and launched something at Koshiro. Koshiro saw that it was a blade but it was too late, it stuck
him right through the heart. He fell onto his back, the strange female form standing over him.
Koshiro quickly sat up in bed. He was in his room. He felt his forehead and wiped the beads of sweat that must've
accumulated during his sleep.
"That same dream," he said and pulled on a pair of pants. "And this time, I know what it means."
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Lee walked into the lounge and saw that she wasn't the only one who decided to take a late night stroll. Koshiro
was still there playing the card game that Henry was teaching him earlier.
"Koshiro, what are you doing up his late?"
"I couldn't sleep," he said.
"I noticed that you haven't been sleeping much ever since that attack the Terran Alliance made almost a week ago.
You're no good to anybody half-asleep in battle."
"Sorry, Lee, it's just that... all these constant battles... I'm getting sick of all these battles. I don't know how
you can keep up."
Lee sat down next to him. "It's something else, isn't it? It's not just the battles."
Koshiro nodded. "When the Terran Alliance attacked at the crevice, I recognized one of them."
"Sasari Mei? You said that she was originally from Scatterhaven."
"No, it wasn't her, it was... well... we were best friends growing up."
"Male or female?" Lee immediately asked.
"Female."
"Ah," Lee said like that answered everything.
"Hey, wait, it's not like... I mean..." Apparently Koshiro realized what Lee was thinking because his face went crimson.
"You're worried that you might have to face her in the future and you don't want to do that." Koshiro nodded. Lee massaged
his shoulders. "Koshiro, I would never want you to to forget your old friends, but the next time you face her, she might
not think of you as a friend. She might try to kill you. Know what I mean?" Koshiro nodded. Lee had to mentally remind
herself that he was just a boy, he hasn't gone through the mental training that Lee and the others had gone through.
He seemed to be unaffected by the first few battles only because he hasn't had time to digest all that has happened to him.
Now that he has had that time, he doesn't know what to make of it all.
"I don't think she realizes I'm part of the enemy. When she realizes that, she's going to feel betrayed and hurt. I...
don't want to hurt her."
"A true friend is someone who cares about you no matter the circumstances. If she despises the Earth Federation, that's
one thing. But if she despises you personally, then maybe she doesn't deserve to be your friend. Plus don't forget,
you have new friends here on the Exalon. Muro, Shinji, Henry, the twins, Keela, the children, even Commander Lucas,
everybody."
"Even you?" Koshiro asked almost hopefully.
Lee gave him a little hug. "Even me," she assured him.
"Thanks, Lee. The constant battles are still a little hard to handle, but now at least I have a definite reason to
continue fighting... for my friends."
Lee nodded. "Yeah, the battles are hard to handle for all of us, even the Commander. Hey, look." She pointed out the
viewport window at the night sky. A streak of light was traveling across the horizon. "A shooting star. When I was a girl,
my mother used to tell me that shooting stars contained magical powers. If you make a wish on one, it will use its magical
powers to make that wish come true."
"Do you still believe that?"
"Yes, I do. Let's make a wish."
"Okay." The two made a silent wish on the shooting star and sat back to enjoy the rest of the night. At least, until the
alarm sounded.
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Muro and Commander Lucas were having another secret meeting. Muro reported that after talking with her cousin, she
discovered that the EF fleets were called out to sea to respond to a distress signal. They lost contact after that.
"I see," Commander Lucas muttered. "We'll have to proceed straight to Washington then. Muro, I..."
"All hands report to battle stations!" Shinji Katzumoto's voice called out. Commander Lucas and Muro trouble was all
about. When they got to the bridge, they saw why the alarm had been been triggered. The Zeon approaching them at fast
speed.
"Gundam Pilot to battle," Commander Lucas called.
In seconds, Koshiro was in his jumpsuit and interface helmet ready to launch the B-Gundam.
"What is this, the fourth time they attacked us this week," Koshiro asked.
"Fifth," Lee corrected.
"They are trying to wear us down," Commander Lucas explained. "Make it so we can't even fight back anymore. Boy,
are they going to be disappointed. Launch B-Gundam!"
The Gundam was catapulted out. It flipped in the air and landed on one knee, its arms crossed.
"Unfold," Koshiro commanded. The B-Gundam stood on both feet and uncrossed its arms. "Bring it on!" The B-Gundam drew a
beam saber and started up its jet pack.
"Koshiro, listen," Lee called. "Don't try a direct assault against them. Do a surgical strike."
"And just how am I suppose to do that?" Koshiro asked, furiously dodging shots from the Zeon's cannons.
"Aim for the cannons on the right side first, the side's that closest to the Exalon, then go for the guns on the front.
Then go for the ones on the other sides if you can."
"Right." The B-Gundam did a verticle slice on one of the Zeon's side cannons. The other three cannons fired back.
The B-Gundam pulled back, dodging the shots in the process. He returned fire with the vulcan cannons. The officer
who was manning a cannon died and the gun became unusable.
Koshiro decided to try a bold move and aim for the three single barrel cannons on the Zeon's front. The main guns fired
and blew the B-Gundam back. A rocket came out of the central barrel and nailed the B-Gundam directly in the chest.
"Koshiro, hurry, aim for the side cannons," Lee instructed. The B-Gundam flew around and stabbed its beam saber into the
Zeon's side. It dragged the beam saber creating a large laceration in its side. The Zeon tilted to one side. It was
forced to back off.
The bridge crew (except for Commander Lucas) burst into cheers and applause.
"He injured that AMEC ship," Henry said excitedly.
"The B-Gundam is stronger than we thought," Lee commented.
Commander Lucas' brow lowered. {Something is wrong, this seemed a little too easy.}
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"Captain Garrett," Ben Hoshum called. He was sitting at an empty control station. He would've much rather be in his
mobile suit, but he just didn't feel like attacking this time around. "The dummy ship has been dispatched. They fell
for it."
"Good. At this rate, they won't even notice the receptor we placed on the ship. Contact Delta Source. Tell her to lay
in A-mode for a while until we contact her again."
"Yes, sir."
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Lee and Muro visited the launch bay soon after the battle. Henry and the engineering crew were taking care of maintenance
and replenishing the ammunition in the vulcans.
"I never realized the B-Gundam was so strong," Muro commented.
"I'll say," Henry agreed. "It took a buster rocket right in the chest and the circuitry was only a little singed.
"Hey, where's Koshiro?" Lee asked.
"Come to think of it, I don't think he exited the cockpit yet."
"Gee, I hope nothing's wrong," Muro commented as Lee went up a maintenance ladder. She leapt onto the B-Gundam's
leg and walked up to the cockpit door.
"Koshiro? Is everything all right?" Lee called.
"He might not be able to hear you through the B-Gundam's armor," Henry called out. Lee opened the cockpit door.
Koshiro was slumped down in his seat. His helmet's visor was still on.
"Koshiro? Koshiro, you okay, kid?" Lee touched a button on the side of the helmet and the visor folded open. Koshiro's
eyes were closed and his breathing was light. Lee smiled, he looked a little cute like that.
"Is he all right?" Muro asked from the bottom.
"He's fine," Lee reported. "He's just sleeping."
"We should let him," Henry decided. "After all this battling, he deserves some rest."
Lee took another glance at the sleeping Koshiro. "Yeah," she said. She gently removed his helmet and left him to vacation
in drean land. "You deserve it, Koshiro," she whispered to him.
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Koshiro continues to discover more powers and abilities of the B-Gundam. The Exalon arrives at the ocean and begin the long
trek across it, but Koshiro is left behind. How long can Koshiro last before he succumbs to the powerful attacks of the
ocean?
Next episode: Journey Across the Sea.
Koshiro will face the wraith not of AMEC, but of the mother nature herself.