Mobile Suit Gundam Century's Dawn
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The Exalon had begun its trek across the Atlantic Ocean. In a battle with the Zakus, the B-Gundam was unable to meet up
with the ship. Koshiro began to tranverse the ocean floor encountering obsticles both mechanical and organic. When
he was finally able to reunite with the Exalon, he collapsed.
[Episode 10: The Guardian]
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Commander Noah Lucas paced up and down the hallway outside the Sickbay. Koshiro Anaka, the Gundam Pilot, just collapsed
right in front of them. Next to him, communication officer/field commander Leeka Moshiro. Her face had gone as white
as a sheet when she saw Koshiro fall off the Gundam's knee. You didn't need to be a psychic to realize that she was
very worried about him.
The doors opened and Doctor Roger Paulson, the head medical officer, came out.
"Report," Lucas demanded. He didn't want any of that medical pretense that doctors have been known to do.
"Mr. Anaka appears to be suffering from Type 1 decompression sickness, most commonly calledthe bends. Decompression
sickness occurs when a body is unable to adjust to the rapid change in brometric pressure. The body enters a
paralyzing-like state."
"How did that happen?" Lee asked.
"Probably while the B-Gundam was under the water," Commander Lucas guessed.
"Yes, sir. Decompression sickness is most common among sky and sea divers," Doctor Paulson confirmed. "Professionals
find it painfull. For someone like Koshiro, who hasn't even had training, it must be agonizing."
"Is it treatable?"
"Yes, sir, but not here on the Exalon. He needs to be placed in a hyperbaric chamber for a maximum of twenty-four hours."
"Where can we find one?" Lee demanded to know.
"I... I'm not sure."
"Once we reach Earth Federation headquarters, we can ask that Koshiro be taken to a medical facility," Lucas decided.
"Somebody there should know. What can we do in the mean time?"
"All we can do for him is make him as comfortable as possible."
"Can we talk to him?" Lee asked although her question sounded more like a plea.
"Sorry, I gave him a sedative to ease the pain. But even without it, you wouldn't be able to get him to respond. He is
unable to form coherent sentences. He can listen, but not react."
"Thank you, doctor, you are dismissed." Doctor Paulson saluted and left.
"Poor Koshiro," Lee muttered.
"I wonder if this'll affect his desire to pilot the B-Gundam," Lucas said putting his hand on his chin.
"Commander! How can you be so heartless? A boy is lying there suffering and all you can think about is how he would
pilot the stupid Gundam?!"
"Lee, in case you haven't noticed, but we are defenseless. Koshiro and the B-Gundam were our only able defense. Now he's
out of action and we're basically wearing a big red bull's eye sign on us. If we don't find some way of defending
ourselves, AMEC will walk all over us. Do you want that to happen?"
"No, sir," Lee grumbled.
"I didn't think so. Dismissed." Lee saluted sharply. As she turned around to return to the bridge, Keela and the
children came around.
"Hey, is Koshiro going to be all right, Miss Lee?" Sonya asked. Lee just ignored her. "Miss Lee? Miss Lee!" But Lee
already disappeared into the elevator. Sonya scowled, a scowl that none could take seriously because of her age.
Ray tried asking Commander Lucas. "Koshiro's not going to die, is he?"
"No, he is not," Commander Lucas confirmed.
"Ray, why don't you take the others to the loading bay to look at the B-Gundam," Keela suggested. "I need to speak with
the Commander for a moment."
"Okay. Come on, Benny." Ray grabbed the mute girl's hand and almost dragged her away followed by Christopher and Sonya.
Once Keela was sure that they were out of listening range, she turned to the Commander. "Commander, I know I'm just a
civillian, but I think Lee's having some problems."
"What do you mean?"
"I think Lee is having trouble setting her priorities."
"Her alleigence?"
"No, I'm pretty sure she knows where her loyalties lie, but I think she's having trouble trying to differentiate between
listening to her head and listening to her heart."
Commander Lucas sighed. "I try to encourage my crew members to follow orders from me and themselves. I guess Lee's
just too young to understand when to do what."
"Has she been on the Exalon long?" Keela asked.
"Only two months. This is her first post."
Keela knew only too well the complex state of emotions non-military and rookies in combat personnell suffer from.
"In that case, she needs someone to follow, a mentor."
"And that should be you?" Commander Lucas' eyebrow went up.
"No, sir, it should be you."
"Me?"
"Who better? You are her commanding officer, her superior, and her friend unless I'm mistaken and you two are
constantly at each other's throats."
"No, we're not at each other's throats," Commander Lucas denied. "But are you sure it should be me?"
"You know someone who's better suited for the task?"
"No. Well, Keela, I'll take what you said into consideration. Thank you."
"Just trying to help." As Commander Lucas returned to the bridge, Keela gripped her T-shirt as she has been known to do
when she was nervous. In so many ways, this ship resembles its archetype. I just pray that none of the
hostilities are here.
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The Exalon had been traversing the Atlantic Ocean on low power for almost two days. The crew tried to go about their
normal routines, but it wasn't easy. Koshiro's condition hadn't gotten better since he was brought in. In the mean
time, Shinji was talking with Commander Lucas. He told him that while a majority of their guns were out of
commission, he could salvage parts from them in order to form a single weapon when, by harnessing power from the
engine, would release an incredible force of energy. Commander Lucas approved the plan.
"Lee, have you been having any luck contacting Federation headquarters?" Commander Lucas asked.
"Not yet, sir. It could be the Minovsky Particles but they shouldn't be causing this much interference."
Victor Lenard confirmed, "Minovsky Particles do disorientate communication frequencies."
"But if Lee is right, then that means that something terrible must have happened to the Earth Federation." Tasha Benson
continued her partner's thought.
"We'll find out soon enough," Muro said. "Look." She pointed out the window where a faint green blur could be seen
in the horizon.
Downstairs in the Sickbay, the children had been keeping constant vigilence over Koshiro. They too could see the land
out the porthole.
"Look, land," Ray said excitedly.
Sonya turned to Koshiro. "Don't worry, Koshiro, you'll be all right." Koshiro, if he could act, would've smiled greatfully
for Sonya's encouragement. "We're going to the bridge, Koshiro, but we'll be right back." The children ran to the bridge
with Keela trailing behind them.
When they got to the bridge, they ran to the window and pressed their faces against it. And gasped in absolute horror.
Smoke was billowing from the land. Smoke that came from fires, large inferno-type fires.
The coastline was devastated.
"Commander Lucas, what happened?" Christopher asked.
"I... I don't know. Victor, Tasha, systems to maximum power."
"Yes, sir," the Twins said as one. They began programming their consols. Above the bridge on the ceiling, a view screen
appeared. It showed hundreds of buildings that were destroyed. The Washington Memmorial was cut in half. The statue at
the Lincoln Memmorial lost its head and half its pillars. And the headquarters of the Earth Federation, formerly known
as the Pentagon, was nothing but rubble.
"It's... it's just like our village," Ray realized.
"And Scatterhaven," Muro added.
"Any signs of life?" Commander Lucas inquired.
"None, sir."
"What about Earth Federation forces?" Henry voiced.
"Nothing..." Tasha began but stopped. "Wait, there's something over by the river."
The Patomac River was as much an icon of Washington D.C. as any of the memorials or statues. But right now, it served as
some sort of siege line for Desert Dictator anti-aircraft weaponry.
"Muro, evasive maneuvers," Commander Lucas ordered as missiles were launched at them. The Exalon was a sturdy
ship, but even they weren't invulnerable."
"If only we could launch the B-Gundam," Commander Lucas muttered. Then he had a crazy idea. "Lee, you were the only
one with Koshiro when you discovered the B-Gundam, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"Did you get a good glimpse at the controls?"
"Sort-of, sir."
"Do you think you can pilot it."
"What?!" Lee asked startled. "Um... I... I guess so."
"Good. Get suited up, you're going out."
"Sir, I can't! Not in combat conditions."
"We don't really have any choice, Lee. And you're the only other one besides Koshiro who has had some experience with
the B-Gundam."
"No! Sir, I can't! Koshiro's the only one who can pilot the B-Gundam! I'm sorry, but I can't pilot it."
Commander Lucas sighed. "All right, Lee. Would you do me a favor and go check on Koshiro?"
"Yes, sir," Lee said meakly. She turned and left the bridge.
"Commander," Muro called. "With all due respect to Lee, perhaps I should pilot it." Commander Lucas gazed at his second
officer. He's known of Muro's reputation as the woman who can pilot anything, but was he willing to risk everything on a
reputation? The explosions that raked his ship told him he didn't have much of a choice.
"All right, Muro, get into a flight suit. You leave in five minutes."
"Yes, sir."
"Tasha, get down here and take Muro's position. Henry, take Tasha's seat, you'll need to give Muro instructions in battle."
Kikka ussured the children off the bridge as Tasha and Henry exchanged positions and Muro left the bridge.
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Keela and the children arrived in the medical bay to see Lee sitting by Koshiro's bedside. The boy was still scrunched up
in a ball. His body was covered but he was still shivering.
"No change, huh?" Kikka asked. Lee shook her head. "I see."
Lee looked down at Koshiro. "Koshiro, I'm sorry, I wanted to pilot the B-Gundam for you, but I just... can't, I don't
have the skills you have. Please forgive me."
"L... Lee." Lee and Kikka gasped. It was Koshiro, he managed to speak Lee's name. "G... Gu..."
"Gundam? I'm sorry, Koshiro, but I can't pilot it." Koshiro's eyes were wide open. Lee staredinto them. They were so
deep, so green, like fields after a summer rain.
Suddenly Lee knew what Koshiro was trying to say. It was a long shot, but she didn't mind a long shot. She turned and
ran out of the medical bay.
"Where's she going?" Sonya asked.
"I... I'm not sure," Kikka replied.
Lee was running towards the port loading bay, where the second Gundam was. It was small and somewhat stocky.
It had two big cannons on each of its shoulder. It looked like a football player.
Lee stared at it. This was it, this was how she could stop the attack, but was it battle ready?
"Engineer!" She called to an officer working on a control panel. He turned towards her, a little shocked. "What's the
status of that Gundam?"
"You mean the Guncannon?"
"Yeah, that, is it battle ready?"
"I guess so, although nobody has really tried..." Without waiting for him to finish, Lee ran towards the Guncannon.
Like the B-Gundam, it was down on one knee waiting to be called to battle. Lee climbed up onto the horizontal knee and
walked across to the cockpit area.
"Hold it!" The engineer called. "You're not authorized..." But Lee was already disappearing into the cockpit.
Unlike the B-Gundam, the Guncannon had a set of view screens that lowered into position blocking the entrance door which
was already closing. The Guncannon stood on both feet.
"Muro, status," Commander Lucas called.
"Ready for take-off, Commander." Muro was wearing a gray flight suit and the B-Gundam interface helmet. "The helmet is a
little tight."
"That's because it was meant for a fifteen year old boy, not a twenty-six year old woman," Henry cracked.
"Watch it, pal, I got a beam rifle here and not afraid to use it."
"Can the chatter you two," Commander Lucas ordered, but he could see that Muro and Henry were trying not to act so
nervous. He didn't blame them. "All right, launch B..."
"Wait!" Came a new voice. Lee's voice. Her face appeared on a small monitor at the front of the bridge. "Commander, the
B-Gundam isn't properly equipped for this sort of battle."
"What are you talking about?" Commander Lucas asked.
"The B-Gundam is specifically designed for close-range combat. We need a weapon that is long-range."
"What weapon do we have with that capabilities?"
"The Guncannon in the port docking bay."
"The what?!"
"It's the second Gundam that we recovered from the facility. It's capable of long-range combat. Don't launch the
B-Gundam."
"Now wait just a minute..." Commander Lucas began.
"I'm still the field commander here, aren't I? Well let me do my job then. Release the Guncannon."
Commander Lucas sighed. He hated to admit it but she was right. "Henry... cancel the B-Gundam launch, prepare to launch
the Guncannon."
Muro sighed. Unknown to anybody except herself, she smiled. She was wondering when Lee would come to her senses.
The launch bay opened. The Guncannon stepped onto the catapult. The Guncannon was launched.
The Commander of the siege line looked through his buinoculars as the Guncannon touched down almost flawlessly.
"What the devil is that?" He asked. It looked like a Zaku, but completely remodeled which made it... what? Not a Zaku,
that's for sure. Unfortunately, he didn't have any Zakus and the Zeon wasn't scheduled to arrive for another day.
He would have to use what he already has. "Channel all weapons on that Mobile Suit that was ejected from the
Pegasus-class."
Tons of missiles and guns fired at the Guncannon. The Guncannon held its arms up in defense. Smoke swirled around it
and when the dust cleared, the Guncannon stood unharmed.
"My turn," Lee announced. She pulled over the targeting scope and looked through it. She aimed the cannons at the missile
launchers first and fired. Two shafts of energy came out of the cannons. The recoil almost pushed the Guncannon into
the Exalon but the blasts were right on target. It destroyed the weapons. Lee continued firing destroying all of the
weapons. "All right, time to get up close and personal." The Guncannon started to run towards the camp but came to a halt.
Soldiers were exiting, their hands behind their heads. Lee was bewildered.
And so was Commander Lucas. "What's the meaning of this?"
One of the soldiers was holding a white flag, a sign of surrender. Abandoning all sense of logic in favor of her
curiosity, Lee climbed out onto the Guncannon's hand and it automatically lowered to the ground. "What's going on here?"
"As per orders of Captain Raven, we are surrendering ourselves to the Earth Federation Army."
"What happened? How did you gain control of Washington?"
The soldier looked at her warily. "Well... I guess since it already happened, it's okay to tell you. We attacked from the
Pacific. With the sun behind us, it was difficult for anyone to recognize us. Washington was easy picking."
"You lie!"
"No, I'm not. Their defenses were set to an absolute minimum."
"Where's your commanding officer?" The man pointed to a barrack. Taking out a pistol, Lee ran to it.
Lee kicked open the door and flashed her pistol around the room. She saw an elderly man sitting in a corner, his back
towards her.
"Congratulations on your victory," the man said.
"You're Captain Raven, aren't you?"
"I am." He stood up and turned to face her. He had week-old beard, and brown eyes that looked like they've seen much more
than they wanted to see. He reached into his coat pocket. Lee was afraid he was going to pull a gun out. Instead he took
out a pipe and started to light it. "Washington is yours again, or rather what's left of it." He took a closer look at
Lee. He gasped and took a step back. "I... I don't believe it! My Lady! After all these years, you've finally returned to
us."
This guy was starting to scare her. He was so calm, so serene. "Don't do anything drastic," she warned.
"I see. You don't recognize me, do you, My Lady? Well I suppose it's to be expected. The programming they did is pretty
hard to break." He took a puff from his pipe.
Don't let him scare you, Lee, take charge. "Look, pal, I don't know what your game is but you're coming with me."
The man turned so that his back was to her. "I'll allow you to ask three more questions before the end." Before the end?
Was the man trying to committ suicide? Lee's brain told her to shoot him, in the leg, in the heart, anywhere, but this was
her chance to find out more about what's been going on. She had to indulge him, for now at least.
"Three questions, all right. First question: Why did you have your men surrender?"
"I did not want my men to be killed. Surrender isn't as dishonorable as others would like you to believe. It is the job
of a commanding officer to make sure nothing happens to those under his command... or her command."
"What happened to the Earth Federation forces?"
"That unfortunately I can not tell you because I do not know. All we were told to do was to set up a perimeter and fend off
any relief force the Earth Federation sends. Had I known you had a Mobile Suit, I would've had my men clear out earlier.
oh well, live and learn."
Lee knew she had to make this last question count. Too bad, there was still so much she wanted to ask him, like why is
he choosing to tell her all this, what was the Desert Dictator planning, what did they do with the Council, anything.
Instead, she asked, "How do you know me?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you. If I do, it would just jeopardize your mission. However, I can say this, you are more
important to this war than any soldier, Leeka Moshiro."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" How do you know my name? Tell me or I'll shoot you!"
The man reached into his coat pocket again and pulled out a gun. He first aimed it at Lee, then brought it up to his temple.
"Farewell, My Lady, may fortune always smile on you." He saluted her and fired the gun. The bullet went straight through
his head. His pipe fell to the ground, the tobacco ash spilling out.
Lee stared with horror at the man's body. Not just at the fact that a commanding officer of the AMEC army had committed
suicide but at the fact that he seemed to know her personally. He called her 'My Lady.' He saluted her like she was
someone important. What was going on?
Shinji and some soldiers burst into the room. "Lee, are you all right?" He asked.
"Yeah... I'm fine, but that man... Captain Raven... he just shot himself."
"You can tell it to the Commander back at the ship, for now, let's just make sure there are no stragglers."
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Lee gave her report to Commander Lucas. He didn't seem too upset that she overruled his orders and took a Mobile Suit
that was almost as unfamiliar to them as the B-Gundam was or that she journied into enemy territory without orders or
protection. He apparently was more concerned with what Captain Raven said.
"Lee, is what you told me the Captain's exact words?"
"Yes, sir, every syllable, every pause, every tone, exactly how he addressed me." Of course, Lee left out the part about
him calling her "My Lady."
"I was afraid of this. The way they so easily captured Washington could mean only one thing: there's a traitor in the
Earth Federation, maybe even on the Council, if what Captain Raven and the soldier says is true."
"If that's true, then we can't show the B-Gundam to the Earth Federation, because then the AMEC would know its secret,"
Muro realized.
"How do we know they don't already know?"
"Lee, you've heard what Captain Raven said, they weren't ready for the Guncannon, which means the spy doesn't know
or he hasn't had time to inform AMEC. Let's deal with one problem at a time. First thing we need to do is get
Koshiro to a medical facility immediately."
"Commander," Victor called. "I'm picking up an energy discharge about fifteen miles portside. It looks like an Earth
Federation ship is engaged in a firefight."
"Any idea what ship it is?"
"No, sir."
"Well, can't have all the spoilers. Muro, intercept course. Lee, get to the Guncannon, we may need to launch it again."
"Does that mean..."
Commander Lucas smiled at her. "That you're the pilot? We'll see."
Lee saluted then walked firmly out.
"Muro, best possible speed. Activate." The Exalon turned away from the Washington ruins and started its trek west.
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The Exalon assists the Earth Federation aircraft carrier Enterprise in defending against an AMEC attack. They then allow
the Exalon crew to use their decompression chamber. While Koshiro is recovering, they are all attacked by the Zeon.
Can Lee defend herself while stationary.
Next episode: Gundam's Return.
He's down, but not out.
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The Exalon had begun its trek across the Atlantic Ocean. In a battle with the Zakus, the B-Gundam was unable to meet up
with the ship. Koshiro began to tranverse the ocean floor encountering obsticles both mechanical and organic. When
he was finally able to reunite with the Exalon, he collapsed.
[Episode 10: The Guardian]
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Commander Noah Lucas paced up and down the hallway outside the Sickbay. Koshiro Anaka, the Gundam Pilot, just collapsed
right in front of them. Next to him, communication officer/field commander Leeka Moshiro. Her face had gone as white
as a sheet when she saw Koshiro fall off the Gundam's knee. You didn't need to be a psychic to realize that she was
very worried about him.
The doors opened and Doctor Roger Paulson, the head medical officer, came out.
"Report," Lucas demanded. He didn't want any of that medical pretense that doctors have been known to do.
"Mr. Anaka appears to be suffering from Type 1 decompression sickness, most commonly calledthe bends. Decompression
sickness occurs when a body is unable to adjust to the rapid change in brometric pressure. The body enters a
paralyzing-like state."
"How did that happen?" Lee asked.
"Probably while the B-Gundam was under the water," Commander Lucas guessed.
"Yes, sir. Decompression sickness is most common among sky and sea divers," Doctor Paulson confirmed. "Professionals
find it painfull. For someone like Koshiro, who hasn't even had training, it must be agonizing."
"Is it treatable?"
"Yes, sir, but not here on the Exalon. He needs to be placed in a hyperbaric chamber for a maximum of twenty-four hours."
"Where can we find one?" Lee demanded to know.
"I... I'm not sure."
"Once we reach Earth Federation headquarters, we can ask that Koshiro be taken to a medical facility," Lucas decided.
"Somebody there should know. What can we do in the mean time?"
"All we can do for him is make him as comfortable as possible."
"Can we talk to him?" Lee asked although her question sounded more like a plea.
"Sorry, I gave him a sedative to ease the pain. But even without it, you wouldn't be able to get him to respond. He is
unable to form coherent sentences. He can listen, but not react."
"Thank you, doctor, you are dismissed." Doctor Paulson saluted and left.
"Poor Koshiro," Lee muttered.
"I wonder if this'll affect his desire to pilot the B-Gundam," Lucas said putting his hand on his chin.
"Commander! How can you be so heartless? A boy is lying there suffering and all you can think about is how he would
pilot the stupid Gundam?!"
"Lee, in case you haven't noticed, but we are defenseless. Koshiro and the B-Gundam were our only able defense. Now he's
out of action and we're basically wearing a big red bull's eye sign on us. If we don't find some way of defending
ourselves, AMEC will walk all over us. Do you want that to happen?"
"No, sir," Lee grumbled.
"I didn't think so. Dismissed." Lee saluted sharply. As she turned around to return to the bridge, Keela and the
children came around.
"Hey, is Koshiro going to be all right, Miss Lee?" Sonya asked. Lee just ignored her. "Miss Lee? Miss Lee!" But Lee
already disappeared into the elevator. Sonya scowled, a scowl that none could take seriously because of her age.
Ray tried asking Commander Lucas. "Koshiro's not going to die, is he?"
"No, he is not," Commander Lucas confirmed.
"Ray, why don't you take the others to the loading bay to look at the B-Gundam," Keela suggested. "I need to speak with
the Commander for a moment."
"Okay. Come on, Benny." Ray grabbed the mute girl's hand and almost dragged her away followed by Christopher and Sonya.
Once Keela was sure that they were out of listening range, she turned to the Commander. "Commander, I know I'm just a
civillian, but I think Lee's having some problems."
"What do you mean?"
"I think Lee is having trouble setting her priorities."
"Her alleigence?"
"No, I'm pretty sure she knows where her loyalties lie, but I think she's having trouble trying to differentiate between
listening to her head and listening to her heart."
Commander Lucas sighed. "I try to encourage my crew members to follow orders from me and themselves. I guess Lee's
just too young to understand when to do what."
"Has she been on the Exalon long?" Keela asked.
"Only two months. This is her first post."
Keela knew only too well the complex state of emotions non-military and rookies in combat personnell suffer from.
"In that case, she needs someone to follow, a mentor."
"And that should be you?" Commander Lucas' eyebrow went up.
"No, sir, it should be you."
"Me?"
"Who better? You are her commanding officer, her superior, and her friend unless I'm mistaken and you two are
constantly at each other's throats."
"No, we're not at each other's throats," Commander Lucas denied. "But are you sure it should be me?"
"You know someone who's better suited for the task?"
"No. Well, Keela, I'll take what you said into consideration. Thank you."
"Just trying to help." As Commander Lucas returned to the bridge, Keela gripped her T-shirt as she has been known to do
when she was nervous. In so many ways, this ship resembles its archetype. I just pray that none of the
hostilities are here.
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The Exalon had been traversing the Atlantic Ocean on low power for almost two days. The crew tried to go about their
normal routines, but it wasn't easy. Koshiro's condition hadn't gotten better since he was brought in. In the mean
time, Shinji was talking with Commander Lucas. He told him that while a majority of their guns were out of
commission, he could salvage parts from them in order to form a single weapon when, by harnessing power from the
engine, would release an incredible force of energy. Commander Lucas approved the plan.
"Lee, have you been having any luck contacting Federation headquarters?" Commander Lucas asked.
"Not yet, sir. It could be the Minovsky Particles but they shouldn't be causing this much interference."
Victor Lenard confirmed, "Minovsky Particles do disorientate communication frequencies."
"But if Lee is right, then that means that something terrible must have happened to the Earth Federation." Tasha Benson
continued her partner's thought.
"We'll find out soon enough," Muro said. "Look." She pointed out the window where a faint green blur could be seen
in the horizon.
Downstairs in the Sickbay, the children had been keeping constant vigilence over Koshiro. They too could see the land
out the porthole.
"Look, land," Ray said excitedly.
Sonya turned to Koshiro. "Don't worry, Koshiro, you'll be all right." Koshiro, if he could act, would've smiled greatfully
for Sonya's encouragement. "We're going to the bridge, Koshiro, but we'll be right back." The children ran to the bridge
with Keela trailing behind them.
When they got to the bridge, they ran to the window and pressed their faces against it. And gasped in absolute horror.
Smoke was billowing from the land. Smoke that came from fires, large inferno-type fires.
The coastline was devastated.
"Commander Lucas, what happened?" Christopher asked.
"I... I don't know. Victor, Tasha, systems to maximum power."
"Yes, sir," the Twins said as one. They began programming their consols. Above the bridge on the ceiling, a view screen
appeared. It showed hundreds of buildings that were destroyed. The Washington Memmorial was cut in half. The statue at
the Lincoln Memmorial lost its head and half its pillars. And the headquarters of the Earth Federation, formerly known
as the Pentagon, was nothing but rubble.
"It's... it's just like our village," Ray realized.
"And Scatterhaven," Muro added.
"Any signs of life?" Commander Lucas inquired.
"None, sir."
"What about Earth Federation forces?" Henry voiced.
"Nothing..." Tasha began but stopped. "Wait, there's something over by the river."
The Patomac River was as much an icon of Washington D.C. as any of the memorials or statues. But right now, it served as
some sort of siege line for Desert Dictator anti-aircraft weaponry.
"Muro, evasive maneuvers," Commander Lucas ordered as missiles were launched at them. The Exalon was a sturdy
ship, but even they weren't invulnerable."
"If only we could launch the B-Gundam," Commander Lucas muttered. Then he had a crazy idea. "Lee, you were the only
one with Koshiro when you discovered the B-Gundam, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"Did you get a good glimpse at the controls?"
"Sort-of, sir."
"Do you think you can pilot it."
"What?!" Lee asked startled. "Um... I... I guess so."
"Good. Get suited up, you're going out."
"Sir, I can't! Not in combat conditions."
"We don't really have any choice, Lee. And you're the only other one besides Koshiro who has had some experience with
the B-Gundam."
"No! Sir, I can't! Koshiro's the only one who can pilot the B-Gundam! I'm sorry, but I can't pilot it."
Commander Lucas sighed. "All right, Lee. Would you do me a favor and go check on Koshiro?"
"Yes, sir," Lee said meakly. She turned and left the bridge.
"Commander," Muro called. "With all due respect to Lee, perhaps I should pilot it." Commander Lucas gazed at his second
officer. He's known of Muro's reputation as the woman who can pilot anything, but was he willing to risk everything on a
reputation? The explosions that raked his ship told him he didn't have much of a choice.
"All right, Muro, get into a flight suit. You leave in five minutes."
"Yes, sir."
"Tasha, get down here and take Muro's position. Henry, take Tasha's seat, you'll need to give Muro instructions in battle."
Kikka ussured the children off the bridge as Tasha and Henry exchanged positions and Muro left the bridge.
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Keela and the children arrived in the medical bay to see Lee sitting by Koshiro's bedside. The boy was still scrunched up
in a ball. His body was covered but he was still shivering.
"No change, huh?" Kikka asked. Lee shook her head. "I see."
Lee looked down at Koshiro. "Koshiro, I'm sorry, I wanted to pilot the B-Gundam for you, but I just... can't, I don't
have the skills you have. Please forgive me."
"L... Lee." Lee and Kikka gasped. It was Koshiro, he managed to speak Lee's name. "G... Gu..."
"Gundam? I'm sorry, Koshiro, but I can't pilot it." Koshiro's eyes were wide open. Lee staredinto them. They were so
deep, so green, like fields after a summer rain.
Suddenly Lee knew what Koshiro was trying to say. It was a long shot, but she didn't mind a long shot. She turned and
ran out of the medical bay.
"Where's she going?" Sonya asked.
"I... I'm not sure," Kikka replied.
Lee was running towards the port loading bay, where the second Gundam was. It was small and somewhat stocky.
It had two big cannons on each of its shoulder. It looked like a football player.
Lee stared at it. This was it, this was how she could stop the attack, but was it battle ready?
"Engineer!" She called to an officer working on a control panel. He turned towards her, a little shocked. "What's the
status of that Gundam?"
"You mean the Guncannon?"
"Yeah, that, is it battle ready?"
"I guess so, although nobody has really tried..." Without waiting for him to finish, Lee ran towards the Guncannon.
Like the B-Gundam, it was down on one knee waiting to be called to battle. Lee climbed up onto the horizontal knee and
walked across to the cockpit area.
"Hold it!" The engineer called. "You're not authorized..." But Lee was already disappearing into the cockpit.
Unlike the B-Gundam, the Guncannon had a set of view screens that lowered into position blocking the entrance door which
was already closing. The Guncannon stood on both feet.
"Muro, status," Commander Lucas called.
"Ready for take-off, Commander." Muro was wearing a gray flight suit and the B-Gundam interface helmet. "The helmet is a
little tight."
"That's because it was meant for a fifteen year old boy, not a twenty-six year old woman," Henry cracked.
"Watch it, pal, I got a beam rifle here and not afraid to use it."
"Can the chatter you two," Commander Lucas ordered, but he could see that Muro and Henry were trying not to act so
nervous. He didn't blame them. "All right, launch B..."
"Wait!" Came a new voice. Lee's voice. Her face appeared on a small monitor at the front of the bridge. "Commander, the
B-Gundam isn't properly equipped for this sort of battle."
"What are you talking about?" Commander Lucas asked.
"The B-Gundam is specifically designed for close-range combat. We need a weapon that is long-range."
"What weapon do we have with that capabilities?"
"The Guncannon in the port docking bay."
"The what?!"
"It's the second Gundam that we recovered from the facility. It's capable of long-range combat. Don't launch the
B-Gundam."
"Now wait just a minute..." Commander Lucas began.
"I'm still the field commander here, aren't I? Well let me do my job then. Release the Guncannon."
Commander Lucas sighed. He hated to admit it but she was right. "Henry... cancel the B-Gundam launch, prepare to launch
the Guncannon."
Muro sighed. Unknown to anybody except herself, she smiled. She was wondering when Lee would come to her senses.
The launch bay opened. The Guncannon stepped onto the catapult. The Guncannon was launched.
The Commander of the siege line looked through his buinoculars as the Guncannon touched down almost flawlessly.
"What the devil is that?" He asked. It looked like a Zaku, but completely remodeled which made it... what? Not a Zaku,
that's for sure. Unfortunately, he didn't have any Zakus and the Zeon wasn't scheduled to arrive for another day.
He would have to use what he already has. "Channel all weapons on that Mobile Suit that was ejected from the
Pegasus-class."
Tons of missiles and guns fired at the Guncannon. The Guncannon held its arms up in defense. Smoke swirled around it
and when the dust cleared, the Guncannon stood unharmed.
"My turn," Lee announced. She pulled over the targeting scope and looked through it. She aimed the cannons at the missile
launchers first and fired. Two shafts of energy came out of the cannons. The recoil almost pushed the Guncannon into
the Exalon but the blasts were right on target. It destroyed the weapons. Lee continued firing destroying all of the
weapons. "All right, time to get up close and personal." The Guncannon started to run towards the camp but came to a halt.
Soldiers were exiting, their hands behind their heads. Lee was bewildered.
And so was Commander Lucas. "What's the meaning of this?"
One of the soldiers was holding a white flag, a sign of surrender. Abandoning all sense of logic in favor of her
curiosity, Lee climbed out onto the Guncannon's hand and it automatically lowered to the ground. "What's going on here?"
"As per orders of Captain Raven, we are surrendering ourselves to the Earth Federation Army."
"What happened? How did you gain control of Washington?"
The soldier looked at her warily. "Well... I guess since it already happened, it's okay to tell you. We attacked from the
Pacific. With the sun behind us, it was difficult for anyone to recognize us. Washington was easy picking."
"You lie!"
"No, I'm not. Their defenses were set to an absolute minimum."
"Where's your commanding officer?" The man pointed to a barrack. Taking out a pistol, Lee ran to it.
Lee kicked open the door and flashed her pistol around the room. She saw an elderly man sitting in a corner, his back
towards her.
"Congratulations on your victory," the man said.
"You're Captain Raven, aren't you?"
"I am." He stood up and turned to face her. He had week-old beard, and brown eyes that looked like they've seen much more
than they wanted to see. He reached into his coat pocket. Lee was afraid he was going to pull a gun out. Instead he took
out a pipe and started to light it. "Washington is yours again, or rather what's left of it." He took a closer look at
Lee. He gasped and took a step back. "I... I don't believe it! My Lady! After all these years, you've finally returned to
us."
This guy was starting to scare her. He was so calm, so serene. "Don't do anything drastic," she warned.
"I see. You don't recognize me, do you, My Lady? Well I suppose it's to be expected. The programming they did is pretty
hard to break." He took a puff from his pipe.
Don't let him scare you, Lee, take charge. "Look, pal, I don't know what your game is but you're coming with me."
The man turned so that his back was to her. "I'll allow you to ask three more questions before the end." Before the end?
Was the man trying to committ suicide? Lee's brain told her to shoot him, in the leg, in the heart, anywhere, but this was
her chance to find out more about what's been going on. She had to indulge him, for now at least.
"Three questions, all right. First question: Why did you have your men surrender?"
"I did not want my men to be killed. Surrender isn't as dishonorable as others would like you to believe. It is the job
of a commanding officer to make sure nothing happens to those under his command... or her command."
"What happened to the Earth Federation forces?"
"That unfortunately I can not tell you because I do not know. All we were told to do was to set up a perimeter and fend off
any relief force the Earth Federation sends. Had I known you had a Mobile Suit, I would've had my men clear out earlier.
oh well, live and learn."
Lee knew she had to make this last question count. Too bad, there was still so much she wanted to ask him, like why is
he choosing to tell her all this, what was the Desert Dictator planning, what did they do with the Council, anything.
Instead, she asked, "How do you know me?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you. If I do, it would just jeopardize your mission. However, I can say this, you are more
important to this war than any soldier, Leeka Moshiro."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" How do you know my name? Tell me or I'll shoot you!"
The man reached into his coat pocket again and pulled out a gun. He first aimed it at Lee, then brought it up to his temple.
"Farewell, My Lady, may fortune always smile on you." He saluted her and fired the gun. The bullet went straight through
his head. His pipe fell to the ground, the tobacco ash spilling out.
Lee stared with horror at the man's body. Not just at the fact that a commanding officer of the AMEC army had committed
suicide but at the fact that he seemed to know her personally. He called her 'My Lady.' He saluted her like she was
someone important. What was going on?
Shinji and some soldiers burst into the room. "Lee, are you all right?" He asked.
"Yeah... I'm fine, but that man... Captain Raven... he just shot himself."
"You can tell it to the Commander back at the ship, for now, let's just make sure there are no stragglers."
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Lee gave her report to Commander Lucas. He didn't seem too upset that she overruled his orders and took a Mobile Suit
that was almost as unfamiliar to them as the B-Gundam was or that she journied into enemy territory without orders or
protection. He apparently was more concerned with what Captain Raven said.
"Lee, is what you told me the Captain's exact words?"
"Yes, sir, every syllable, every pause, every tone, exactly how he addressed me." Of course, Lee left out the part about
him calling her "My Lady."
"I was afraid of this. The way they so easily captured Washington could mean only one thing: there's a traitor in the
Earth Federation, maybe even on the Council, if what Captain Raven and the soldier says is true."
"If that's true, then we can't show the B-Gundam to the Earth Federation, because then the AMEC would know its secret,"
Muro realized.
"How do we know they don't already know?"
"Lee, you've heard what Captain Raven said, they weren't ready for the Guncannon, which means the spy doesn't know
or he hasn't had time to inform AMEC. Let's deal with one problem at a time. First thing we need to do is get
Koshiro to a medical facility immediately."
"Commander," Victor called. "I'm picking up an energy discharge about fifteen miles portside. It looks like an Earth
Federation ship is engaged in a firefight."
"Any idea what ship it is?"
"No, sir."
"Well, can't have all the spoilers. Muro, intercept course. Lee, get to the Guncannon, we may need to launch it again."
"Does that mean..."
Commander Lucas smiled at her. "That you're the pilot? We'll see."
Lee saluted then walked firmly out.
"Muro, best possible speed. Activate." The Exalon turned away from the Washington ruins and started its trek west.
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The Exalon assists the Earth Federation aircraft carrier Enterprise in defending against an AMEC attack. They then allow
the Exalon crew to use their decompression chamber. While Koshiro is recovering, they are all attacked by the Zeon.
Can Lee defend herself while stationary.
Next episode: Gundam's Return.
He's down, but not out.