Mobile Suit Gundam Century's Dawn
The Earth Federation is no more. With their headquarters destroyed by their enemies, the remnants of the once mighty
government went underground. Once they did that, they decide to undertake a daring mission: establish an alliance with
the long-forgotten colonies. They sent their only space-worthy vessel, the Exalon, up to re-establish ties. Now, a new
adventure begins.
[Episode 17: Gundam In Space]
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Captain Noah Lucas has seen some pretty incredible sights during his time in service. And now, he can add seeing Earth
from space to that list. The crew also looked on with awe. The Earth was a glowing blue sphere with patches of green,
brown and white around it. Lucas noticed how the Earth sparkled, almost with a magical glow.
Commander Ming Xiao voiced his thought. "It's incredible, almost like it's glowing with energy."
"It's hard to believe that the Earth Federation once ruled all of it," Lucas commented.
"And more," Enlisted Officer (EO) Keela Nyoko said coming onto the bridge with the children that were her 'assistants.'
"Believe it or not, the Earth Federation used to preside over the Colonies as well."
"But I though the Colonies were soverign," Lee Moshiro commented.
"Well... it's kind of hard to explain," Keela said. "To tell the truth, I don't know the whole story myself."
Fortunately, Captain Lucas was able to divert attention from her. "Victor, Tasha, any sign of ships, any sort?"
"Not yet, sir," Victor replied.
"Then what do you call that?" Muro Okawa asked. A humanoid object was rapidly approaching them. The outline was
unmistakable, though nobody (with the exception of Keela) could understand how it was able to fly in space.
"It's a Zaku!" Christopher cried out running behind Kikka, as if afraid the thing would zero in on him.
"Crap. Battle Alert! Prepare launch of B-Gundam!"
But as the Mobile Suit (nobody could deny that it was a Mobile Suit) drifted closer, they realized that it wasn't a
normal-looking Zaku. While it had a Zaku's shape, it's features were somewhat different. It was taller and has two
guards on its shoulder and forearms. It had two extra thrusters on its legs. Its color scheme was red, white and blue
with small patches of yellow.
"That's the strangest Zaku I've ever seen," Commander Xiao commented. "It looks like someone painted it the same colors
as the B-Gundam."
"Captain, we're receiving a transmission from it," Lee announced.
"Well, no time like the present. Put it on, Lee."
"Yes, sir."
"Attention unidentified star craft, this is Colony Centurion Hizack Unit 14-a, halt and identify yourself and your
business here immediately. Warning, failure to respond would cause me to take action against you."
"Very forward, isn't he?" Lucas muttered. "Lee, introduce us as the Exalon, don't mention the Earth Federation.
Remember, officially, the Earth Federation no longer exists."
"Yes, sir," Lee replied before activating her microphone. "This is the Independent starship Exalon..." Lee looked to
Captain Lucas who nodded his consent. "Our business is peaceful. We wish to speak with your leaders."
"On what grounds?" The Hizack Mobile Suit asked.
"Let me speak," Captain Lucas said taking Lee's head set. "This is Captain Noah Lucas, we have information regarding
the war between the Earth Federation and the AMEC forces..."
There was a long pause from the other end. The Hizack stared at the Exalon. Finally, the voice said, "Follow me."
The Hizack took the Exalon out to the moon. Just beyond that was an incredibly huge cylindrical object rotating in
deep space. Soon, a new voice came over the speakers.
"Calling the ship Exalon, this is Spacedock Control Center of Side 6, code named Reah. Welcome to space. Please follow
the Hizack and follow all the instructions you're given. A government representative will meet you once you dock."
"Understood, Reah," Lee confirmed taking back her headset. "Exalon out."
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The Exalon crew couldn't believe the sophistication of the technology of Side 6. It was almost alien to them. The Exalon
was led down an incredibly huge tunnel by the Hizack. They ended up in what looked like a pier. Spaceships of all shape
and size were connected to the wall by large boarding tubes. What looked like giant metal suction cups hooked the Exalon
to the docking bay as a boarding tube moved up to a side air lock.
"Looks like we're locked down," Tasha Benson informed them.
"All right. Commander Xiao, Lieutenant Moshiro and Mister Lenard will accompany us. Lieutenant Okawa, you have command
of the ship until we get back."
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Captain Lucas, Commander Xiao, Lee, and Victor walked along the metal tube that connected the Exalon with the Colony
spaceport.
"Captain, what are we suppose to say to them?" Commander Xiao asked.
"We tell them the truth. The Earth has been taken over by AMEC. That's all they need to know."
A man in a business suit met them at the other end of the tube. He introduced himself as Mr. Oliver Nicholson,
representing Govenor Paula Zachary Martin. He lead them down a series of long hallways until they came to an elevator.
But it wasn't an elevator per se, rather it was more of a lift. A lift which lowered the group into the colony's
habitat region. Reah's Government Building was, ironically, a victorian-style meeting house. Nicholson informed them
that the people of Side 6 never wanted to forget their roots as they continued into the future. Commander Xiao thought
it was admirable.
Govenor Martin was a middle-aged woman who looked like a seasoned pro at running a colony. Her graying auburn hair was
held back by a clip and her brown eyes were hidden behind a pair of bifocals. She was dressed in a brown checkered
skirt and jacket over a pale white blouse. She made Lee nervous.
Captain Lucas gave the Govenor their cover story. They were independently-owned relief workers lending aid to small
villages that were devastated from the war. They had been witnessed to a battle where an entire Earth Federation army
was wiped out by the Zakus. They explained how they came across Washington deserted, with the exception of a small
batallion of Desert Dictator forces. After that, they went out spreading what they found out to whoever would listen.
It was probably the weakest story the Captain ever told.
"And that's the story, Govenor," Captain Lucas finished.
The Govenor regarded the Captain with a skeptic look. She didn't even look at the suited men at her side, who were most
likely her advisors. She seemed to be the type of woman who only took advice from one person: herself.
"Let's say I believe you, Captain," the Govenor said steepling her hands. "What do you want of us?"
"With the Earth Federation gone, Earth is without a stable government body," the Captain explained. "This is the perfect
chance for the Colonies to come in and really set Earth on the right track. Set up a governing body and the Earth and
Colonies can truly be united under the Colonies' supervision."
Govenor Martin took off her bifocals and rubbed her eyes. "Captain, let me tell you something. over two hundred
years ago, the Colonies was at the center of a bloodbath that came to be known as the One-Year War. Even now, we are
rebuilding and replenishing what has been lost to us. If we make such a political movement while the Colonies are still
working to rebuild, then we're no better than the Earth Federation." Lee fumed. The Govenor was treating the Earth
Federation like it was the spawn of Satan.
"I understand, Govenor," Captain Lucas said. He turned to leave.
"Captain, do not mistake my curtness as a sign of disrespect," Govenor Martin said. "I empathize with you Earthnoids.
But the safety of the Colonies must be my first priority."
"Of course, Govenor. Good day."
"Well, that worked," Lee said sarcastically. "Any other ideas?"
"Perhaps one of the other Colonies might be more cooperative?" Victor offered.
"I don't think it'll work," Commander Xiao said. "Let's face it, Earth has a too hostile past."
"I wonder if the old Earth Federation had this problem," Lee said. Suddenly she gasped in pain and collapsed to her
knees, holding her head.
"Lee!" Captain Lucas gasped. "Victor, get her to Sickbay. Ming, I think we need to..."
Suddenly an alarm rang out. The Govenor's voice came out over a loudspeaker. "Attention all Colony citizens, we are under
attack. Please proceed to you designated shelters. All Jegan pilots please report to the spaceport immediately!"
Captain Lucas and Commander Xiao hurried over to the Exalon.
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Captain Lucas demanded an update of what's been going on as soon as he came on the bridge.
"According to the Colony's perimeter sensors, over 85 unidentified objects are approaching the colony," Tasha explained.
"They have failed to identify themselves to the Centurion Hizacks."
"All right. Tasha, tell Koshiro to prepare the B..."
"Captain, look." A line of strange Mobile Suits came out of a spaceship. They were primarily gray and had a single viser
where eyes would normally be.
"What kind of Mobile Suits are those?" Lucas asked.
"They're called the Jegans." It was Oliver Nicholson, the attache to Govenor Martin.
"Jegans?" Commander Xiao questioned.
"This colony has a company of two different types of Mobile Suits: the Jegans and the Hizacks. Unfortunately, in these
peaceful times, weapons had become all but extinct. So our original Mobile Suit complement was downgraded to just two
types of Mobile Suits about twenty-five. It's the same with most of the other Colonies."
"We better prepare for battle," Commander Xiao said.
"It won't be necessary," Nicholson said. "Switch your video frequency to 3579 and activate your general communication
frequency." Tasha complied with Nicholson's instructions.
"Jegan Units 1-12, take position. 13-24 back them up. Prepare portable I-field generators."
"What are they doing?" Captain Lucas said.
"Watch."
Soon, a group of lights appeared in the horizon. As they came into visual range, they were revealed to be Mobile Suits.
These Mobile Suits shared the same general design as the Zaku, but were obviously much more advanced. Their heads were
narrow and more exaggerated. One of its shoulders had spikes on them. On the opposite arm was a large two-piece shield.
It was a blood red color.
"What kind of Mobile Suits are those?" Commander Xiao asked.
"They're called the Marasai," Nicholson explained. "And judging by their colors, they're most likely from Side 2."
The Jegans held out a strange black box. The box began glowing. Energy shot out of it and connected with the black
boxes held by other Jegans, forming a strange net around the Colony. The Marasai opened fire with beam weapons which
bounced off of the net.
"Looks like the shield's holding," Tasha analyzed.
"Yes, but there's something seriously wrong with the Colony's strategy," Captain Lucas rebutted.
The truth came out when the Marasai charged the Jegans with vulcans and other non-beam weapons. A quarter of the
Jegans were already destroyed when the others decided to forfeit their barrier strategy and go into close-range combat.
"I think it's time we join the party," Captain Lucas said. "Tasha, launch B-Gundam!"
"Did you say Gundam?" Nicholson asked wide-eyed.
Lucas turned to look at him. "Yes, you know of the design?"
Nicholson's bewildered expression was almost comical.
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"Remember, Koshiro," Henry Kazuko said. "Space combat is very different from ground combat. The enemy can even attack
you from anywhere, even below so you'll need to be constantly moving."
"I understand, Henry."
"Attention all hands, prepare for the launch of the B-Gundam," came Tasha's voice. "All hands evacuate to safety zones.
Prepare for depressurization. Henry quickly ran to the newly-installed launch booth that the engineers so graciously
put in for just such an occasion.
"This is Gundam Pilot," Koshiro called out. "B-Gundam Space Mode, launch!" The B-Gundam was flung out of the launch bay
and shot through the metallic tunnels of Side 6. The B-Gundam exited the colony and drew a beam saber. The momentum
given by the catapult enabeled the B-Gundam to immediately strike down a Marasai with its beam saber. Not even sparing
a moment to see if his kill had been complete. It used the thrusters built into the modified jet pack to move on to
another Marasai. The pilot of this one was definitely more skill than the one before, and Koshiro no longer had the
element of surprise.
The Jegans, upon seeing the B-Gundam in battle, were refuelled with courage. They all drew beam sabers and attacked
the Marasai. While a good most of them were destroyed, the Marasais didn't have it so easy.
"Have to keep moving, have to keep moving, have to keep moving," Koshiro kept telling himself. A Marasai plowed into
him sending him into the outer hull of the Colony. Koshiro pushed off from the hull and came back with its vulcans.
The Marasai was so busy with the B-Gundam that it failed to notice a Jegan come up behind it and stab it in the back.
One of the Marasai pilots was frightened at the Mobile Suit that just joined the battle. She had heard tales regarding
the Gundam-class Mobile Suits. But she never realized how powerful... and horrible, the Gundam was until she saw it
for herself.
Unfortunately, that would be the last thing she would ever see, before the B-Gundam sliced her Marasai in two.
Suddenly the Marasai began to gang up on the B-Gundam. Koshiro activated the beam shield and tried to absorb as much of
the blasts as possible.
I can't let them harm the colony, Koshiro thought. A Marasai snuck up behind him and grabbed the B-Gundam in a
tight bear hug.
And was promptly destroyed by Starlight.
"Koshiro, are you okay?" Koshiro almost jumped up in his seat. The voice that apparently was coming from Starlight
wasn't Lee's, but it was Muro's!
"Muro? What are you doing there? Where's Lee?"
"Lee collapsed on the Colony."
"Oh no! I have to get to her..."
"One thing at a time, Koshiro," Muro said backhanding a Marasai. "Let's finish these guys off." Together, the B-Gundam,
Starlight, and the remaining Jegans finished off the rest of the Marasais.
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"Good job, Koshiro, Muro," Captain Lucas congratulated. "Return to the Exalon. Engineering crew, prepare to recharge
and re-arm both units."
"Captain!" Captain Lucas turned to see the wide-eye look of Mr. Nicholson "How did you get a Gundam?"
"Believe it or not, we found it, Starlight too, in an abandoned bunker on Earth."
"Captain," Keela called from Lee's station. "We're receiving a transmission from Govenor Martin."
"I'll take it," the Captain said taking the headset. "Govenor Martin..."
"Captain Lucas, what is the meaning of this?" Govenor Martin asked. "Why didn't you tell us you had a Gundam?"
"I didn't realize it was that big of a deal."
"OF COURSE IT'S THAT BIG OF A DEAL!" Govenor Martin shouted almost causing Captain Lucas to fall down. "The
Gundam-class Mobile Suit is a symbol of the time where the Colonies were in the middle of one of the bloodiest
conflicts in human history! If the other Colonies find out we have a Gundam Mobile Suit, they'll be literally up
in arms."
"Govenor, don't you think you're blowing it our of proportion just a little?"
"Captain Lucas, I must demand that you and your ship leave immediately. Refusal or reluctance to do so will result in
us opening fire on your ship."
"Govenor, wait..." A dial tone told Captain Lucas that the transmission had been disconnected. Captain Lucas sighed in
defeat and handed the headset off to Keela. "Keela, tell the B-Gundam and Starlight to power down," he said in a
defeated tone. He went over and picked up his intercom phone. "Attention all hands, this is the Captain. cast off all
moorings, power up the engines, prepare to depart. We're leaving the Colony." Captain Lucas turned to Mr. Nicholson.
"Mister Nicholson, please return to the Colony spaceport." Mr. Nicholson left without so much as a word.
"All moorings have been disconnected," Victor reported.
"We are operating on independent power," Tasha added.
"Take off," Lucas ordered. The Exalon moved towards the exit at a leisurely pace. Tasha pointed out that there were
a couple of Jegans following on behind them, most likely escorting them out. The Jegans stopped just as the Exalon exited
the launch tunnel.
Koshiro and Muro came onto the bridge. "What's our next move, Captain?" Muro asked as she took the helm from Henry.
"We'll have to return to Earth and consult the council," Lucas said.
"Wait a minute, Captain," Commander Xiao said. "Perhaps we should conduct ourselves to Victor's suggestion and get in
touch with one of the other colonies."
"What's the point," Shinji Katsumoto asked. "we'll probably get the same reactin from all the others."
As the Exalon left the Colony, it proceeded on a vector that would take it past the moon and around the southern
hemisphere of the Earth. They would have to make sure nobody followed them as they returned to Earth.
As they past over the dark side of the moon, Tasha's consol suddenly lite up. Victor's followed suite.
"Unidentified objects closing in, bearing 230 mark 135, forty-five degree vector."
"Identify," Commander Xiao said.
"Identifying," Victor confirmed. "It's those Mobile Suits that attacked the Colony earlier!"
"The Marasai," Captain Lucas said. "Koshiro..."
"I'm already there," Koshiro said. He ran down to the hangar bay and jumped into the B-Gundam. The B-Gundam Space Mode
was launched.
"Koshiro, give me number and weapon capabilities," Captain Lucas demanded.
"Looks like thirty... no wait, thirty five... wait, there's another twenty behind them... I'm counting at least 60
Marasai."
"Damn," Lucas cursed. "Muro, get down to Starlight and launch immediately. Koshiro, deal with them the best you can.
Shinji, power up AMS weapons. Don't use the main cannon, at least not until Starlight has launched."
Koshiro fired into the Marasai with his beam rifle. He got one. He strafed the beam rifle causing six more Marasai
to explode.
Koshiro grunted. "Captain, I don't know how much longer I can... whoa!" Koshiro fired the thrusters just as a
Marasai attempted to come up from under him.
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Lee grunted as she exited the sickbay. Doctor Paulson was hot on her heels.
"Lieutenant Moshiro, you mustn't be up like this. I can't clear you for active duty."
"The... B-Gundam won't stand a chance... without me."
"But Lieutenant..."
Lee glared evily at Doctor Paulson. He never seen such ferociousness in her before. "Doctor, I am going to get
into that robot and I am going to defeat the enemy. Don't try and stop me." Limping under her own power, Lee made her
way down to the secondary hangar where Starlight was stored. All this time, Lee was chanting a mantra to herself.
"Have to... help... have to... destroy... have to... have to..." Lee plopped herself down in the chair and closed the
hatch.
"Lieutenant," came a voice over her communicator. "You do not have clearance to launch. Please shut down and step from
the cockpit.
"Crewman," Lee said. "I suggest you open that door before I blast it open and send you out into space without
protection."
"But Lieutenant, I can't..."
"Do you know how to open the hatch, Crewman?"
"Well... yes, ma'am, but..."
"THEN DO IT!" Lee snapped. "Or do I have to blow it open?"
Lee could actually hear the crewman gulp over the channel. Soon, the launch alarms rang out and the launch bay
doors opened.
"Starlight, launch!" The moment the Starlight Guncannon was ejected from the Exalon, it started taking pot shots at
the Marasai.
Koshiro sliced up another Marasai with its beam saber (his beam rifle had been depleted of energy rather quickly).
But another was able to block. Three more attacked with two beam sabers. Koshiro drew his second beam saber but he
couldn't defend against all of them. They were ganging up on him and beating him rather mercilessly.
Starlight began shooting Marasai in the back. She was able to destroy three of them and injure a fourth before the
others separated from the B-Gundam.
"Koshiro... are you okay?" Lee asked.
"Lee? I should be asking you that same question."
"Apparently I'm in better shape than you are." Lee launched a barrage of cannon fire, most of which missed the
Marasai. The B-Gundam and Starlight engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the Marasai.
"There are too many of them!" Lee cried as the Marasai began surrounding them. She then grunted as a Marasai stuck
a beam saber into Starlight's neck. All of her video monitors shorted out at once. Lee covered her face from the spark-
shooting panel. "I'm blind!" She cried.
"Hang on, I'll take you back to the Exalon."
"No!" Lee snapped. Koshiro gasped. Lee lowered her tone. "I mean... look out for yourself, you can't spend time
worrying about me."
"Sorry," Koshiro murmurred.
Suddenly one of the Marasai detached its arm shield and drew a strange weapon. It looked like two heat hawks that were
placed end to end. It threw the double-bladed axe and as it twirled, it sliced off the B-Gundam's right hand, the one
with the beam saber in it. The B-Gundam started to draw its other beam saber but Koshiro realized that if he did, it
would just get cut off again then he really would be unarmed.
A new barrage of fire destroyed several of the Marasai. From the dark side of the Earth came several squadrons of Hizacks
and Jegans. Some of them were even carrying beam rifles.
"What the hell? Those are Reah's robots!" Captain Lucas realized. "What's going on."
"Receiving a transmission from the new force," Keela announced.
"Put it on the overhead," Captain Lucas ordered.
"Attention Exalon Gundam and Guncannon, return to your ship, we'll cover your escape." Lucas couldn't believe his
ears. It was Oliver Nicholson.
"B-Gundam and Starlight returning to Exalon bay," Tasha reported. The Jegans and the Hizacks had surrounded the Marasai
and were now herding them back the way they came.
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A little while later, the Exalon received Nicholson and his Jegan. Nicholson had changed from his business suit to
a gray flight suit much like Koshiro's.
"Mister Nicholson, thank you for your timely assistance," Captain Lucas said as he met the aide on the catwalk in the
upper level of the cargo bay. "I was under the assumption that you guys didn't like us."
"Despite how we feel about the Gundam, we owe you for helping us back at the Colony," Nicholson said. "Besides, to tell
you the truth, Govenor Martin's opinion doesn't reflect the colony citizens, nor the Mobile Suit Guard."
"You wouldn't happen to know of a place where we can get our Mobile Suits repaired?"
"Actually, I do," Nicholson said. "Anaheim."
"Anaheim, what's that?"
"Please tell me you're joking," Nicholson said. "Then again, you had no knowledge of the reputation of the Gundam-class
Mobile Suits so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. Anaheim is a company that specially designs in building and
repairing Mobile Suits. Their central headquarters is located on the Moon."
"I hope the Govenor isn't too hard on you," Captain Lucas said shaking Nicholson's hand.
"So do we all, Captain, so do we all."
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Koshiro and Lee are sent to the Anaheim factory on the Moon. There, they receive upgrades for the B-Gundam and
Starlight. They also discover something about each other. Meanwhile, the Exalon discovers a plot set forth by the
remaining Colonies that counteracts what Govenor Martin told them. Now, they must decide which side they want to
join, because in this revolution, there are no neutral parties.
Next episode: Beneath Starlight.
Love can bloom even in the heart of war.
The Earth Federation is no more. With their headquarters destroyed by their enemies, the remnants of the once mighty
government went underground. Once they did that, they decide to undertake a daring mission: establish an alliance with
the long-forgotten colonies. They sent their only space-worthy vessel, the Exalon, up to re-establish ties. Now, a new
adventure begins.
[Episode 17: Gundam In Space]
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Captain Noah Lucas has seen some pretty incredible sights during his time in service. And now, he can add seeing Earth
from space to that list. The crew also looked on with awe. The Earth was a glowing blue sphere with patches of green,
brown and white around it. Lucas noticed how the Earth sparkled, almost with a magical glow.
Commander Ming Xiao voiced his thought. "It's incredible, almost like it's glowing with energy."
"It's hard to believe that the Earth Federation once ruled all of it," Lucas commented.
"And more," Enlisted Officer (EO) Keela Nyoko said coming onto the bridge with the children that were her 'assistants.'
"Believe it or not, the Earth Federation used to preside over the Colonies as well."
"But I though the Colonies were soverign," Lee Moshiro commented.
"Well... it's kind of hard to explain," Keela said. "To tell the truth, I don't know the whole story myself."
Fortunately, Captain Lucas was able to divert attention from her. "Victor, Tasha, any sign of ships, any sort?"
"Not yet, sir," Victor replied.
"Then what do you call that?" Muro Okawa asked. A humanoid object was rapidly approaching them. The outline was
unmistakable, though nobody (with the exception of Keela) could understand how it was able to fly in space.
"It's a Zaku!" Christopher cried out running behind Kikka, as if afraid the thing would zero in on him.
"Crap. Battle Alert! Prepare launch of B-Gundam!"
But as the Mobile Suit (nobody could deny that it was a Mobile Suit) drifted closer, they realized that it wasn't a
normal-looking Zaku. While it had a Zaku's shape, it's features were somewhat different. It was taller and has two
guards on its shoulder and forearms. It had two extra thrusters on its legs. Its color scheme was red, white and blue
with small patches of yellow.
"That's the strangest Zaku I've ever seen," Commander Xiao commented. "It looks like someone painted it the same colors
as the B-Gundam."
"Captain, we're receiving a transmission from it," Lee announced.
"Well, no time like the present. Put it on, Lee."
"Yes, sir."
"Attention unidentified star craft, this is Colony Centurion Hizack Unit 14-a, halt and identify yourself and your
business here immediately. Warning, failure to respond would cause me to take action against you."
"Very forward, isn't he?" Lucas muttered. "Lee, introduce us as the Exalon, don't mention the Earth Federation.
Remember, officially, the Earth Federation no longer exists."
"Yes, sir," Lee replied before activating her microphone. "This is the Independent starship Exalon..." Lee looked to
Captain Lucas who nodded his consent. "Our business is peaceful. We wish to speak with your leaders."
"On what grounds?" The Hizack Mobile Suit asked.
"Let me speak," Captain Lucas said taking Lee's head set. "This is Captain Noah Lucas, we have information regarding
the war between the Earth Federation and the AMEC forces..."
There was a long pause from the other end. The Hizack stared at the Exalon. Finally, the voice said, "Follow me."
The Hizack took the Exalon out to the moon. Just beyond that was an incredibly huge cylindrical object rotating in
deep space. Soon, a new voice came over the speakers.
"Calling the ship Exalon, this is Spacedock Control Center of Side 6, code named Reah. Welcome to space. Please follow
the Hizack and follow all the instructions you're given. A government representative will meet you once you dock."
"Understood, Reah," Lee confirmed taking back her headset. "Exalon out."
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The Exalon crew couldn't believe the sophistication of the technology of Side 6. It was almost alien to them. The Exalon
was led down an incredibly huge tunnel by the Hizack. They ended up in what looked like a pier. Spaceships of all shape
and size were connected to the wall by large boarding tubes. What looked like giant metal suction cups hooked the Exalon
to the docking bay as a boarding tube moved up to a side air lock.
"Looks like we're locked down," Tasha Benson informed them.
"All right. Commander Xiao, Lieutenant Moshiro and Mister Lenard will accompany us. Lieutenant Okawa, you have command
of the ship until we get back."
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Captain Lucas, Commander Xiao, Lee, and Victor walked along the metal tube that connected the Exalon with the Colony
spaceport.
"Captain, what are we suppose to say to them?" Commander Xiao asked.
"We tell them the truth. The Earth has been taken over by AMEC. That's all they need to know."
A man in a business suit met them at the other end of the tube. He introduced himself as Mr. Oliver Nicholson,
representing Govenor Paula Zachary Martin. He lead them down a series of long hallways until they came to an elevator.
But it wasn't an elevator per se, rather it was more of a lift. A lift which lowered the group into the colony's
habitat region. Reah's Government Building was, ironically, a victorian-style meeting house. Nicholson informed them
that the people of Side 6 never wanted to forget their roots as they continued into the future. Commander Xiao thought
it was admirable.
Govenor Martin was a middle-aged woman who looked like a seasoned pro at running a colony. Her graying auburn hair was
held back by a clip and her brown eyes were hidden behind a pair of bifocals. She was dressed in a brown checkered
skirt and jacket over a pale white blouse. She made Lee nervous.
Captain Lucas gave the Govenor their cover story. They were independently-owned relief workers lending aid to small
villages that were devastated from the war. They had been witnessed to a battle where an entire Earth Federation army
was wiped out by the Zakus. They explained how they came across Washington deserted, with the exception of a small
batallion of Desert Dictator forces. After that, they went out spreading what they found out to whoever would listen.
It was probably the weakest story the Captain ever told.
"And that's the story, Govenor," Captain Lucas finished.
The Govenor regarded the Captain with a skeptic look. She didn't even look at the suited men at her side, who were most
likely her advisors. She seemed to be the type of woman who only took advice from one person: herself.
"Let's say I believe you, Captain," the Govenor said steepling her hands. "What do you want of us?"
"With the Earth Federation gone, Earth is without a stable government body," the Captain explained. "This is the perfect
chance for the Colonies to come in and really set Earth on the right track. Set up a governing body and the Earth and
Colonies can truly be united under the Colonies' supervision."
Govenor Martin took off her bifocals and rubbed her eyes. "Captain, let me tell you something. over two hundred
years ago, the Colonies was at the center of a bloodbath that came to be known as the One-Year War. Even now, we are
rebuilding and replenishing what has been lost to us. If we make such a political movement while the Colonies are still
working to rebuild, then we're no better than the Earth Federation." Lee fumed. The Govenor was treating the Earth
Federation like it was the spawn of Satan.
"I understand, Govenor," Captain Lucas said. He turned to leave.
"Captain, do not mistake my curtness as a sign of disrespect," Govenor Martin said. "I empathize with you Earthnoids.
But the safety of the Colonies must be my first priority."
"Of course, Govenor. Good day."
"Well, that worked," Lee said sarcastically. "Any other ideas?"
"Perhaps one of the other Colonies might be more cooperative?" Victor offered.
"I don't think it'll work," Commander Xiao said. "Let's face it, Earth has a too hostile past."
"I wonder if the old Earth Federation had this problem," Lee said. Suddenly she gasped in pain and collapsed to her
knees, holding her head.
"Lee!" Captain Lucas gasped. "Victor, get her to Sickbay. Ming, I think we need to..."
Suddenly an alarm rang out. The Govenor's voice came out over a loudspeaker. "Attention all Colony citizens, we are under
attack. Please proceed to you designated shelters. All Jegan pilots please report to the spaceport immediately!"
Captain Lucas and Commander Xiao hurried over to the Exalon.
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Captain Lucas demanded an update of what's been going on as soon as he came on the bridge.
"According to the Colony's perimeter sensors, over 85 unidentified objects are approaching the colony," Tasha explained.
"They have failed to identify themselves to the Centurion Hizacks."
"All right. Tasha, tell Koshiro to prepare the B..."
"Captain, look." A line of strange Mobile Suits came out of a spaceship. They were primarily gray and had a single viser
where eyes would normally be.
"What kind of Mobile Suits are those?" Lucas asked.
"They're called the Jegans." It was Oliver Nicholson, the attache to Govenor Martin.
"Jegans?" Commander Xiao questioned.
"This colony has a company of two different types of Mobile Suits: the Jegans and the Hizacks. Unfortunately, in these
peaceful times, weapons had become all but extinct. So our original Mobile Suit complement was downgraded to just two
types of Mobile Suits about twenty-five. It's the same with most of the other Colonies."
"We better prepare for battle," Commander Xiao said.
"It won't be necessary," Nicholson said. "Switch your video frequency to 3579 and activate your general communication
frequency." Tasha complied with Nicholson's instructions.
"Jegan Units 1-12, take position. 13-24 back them up. Prepare portable I-field generators."
"What are they doing?" Captain Lucas said.
"Watch."
Soon, a group of lights appeared in the horizon. As they came into visual range, they were revealed to be Mobile Suits.
These Mobile Suits shared the same general design as the Zaku, but were obviously much more advanced. Their heads were
narrow and more exaggerated. One of its shoulders had spikes on them. On the opposite arm was a large two-piece shield.
It was a blood red color.
"What kind of Mobile Suits are those?" Commander Xiao asked.
"They're called the Marasai," Nicholson explained. "And judging by their colors, they're most likely from Side 2."
The Jegans held out a strange black box. The box began glowing. Energy shot out of it and connected with the black
boxes held by other Jegans, forming a strange net around the Colony. The Marasai opened fire with beam weapons which
bounced off of the net.
"Looks like the shield's holding," Tasha analyzed.
"Yes, but there's something seriously wrong with the Colony's strategy," Captain Lucas rebutted.
The truth came out when the Marasai charged the Jegans with vulcans and other non-beam weapons. A quarter of the
Jegans were already destroyed when the others decided to forfeit their barrier strategy and go into close-range combat.
"I think it's time we join the party," Captain Lucas said. "Tasha, launch B-Gundam!"
"Did you say Gundam?" Nicholson asked wide-eyed.
Lucas turned to look at him. "Yes, you know of the design?"
Nicholson's bewildered expression was almost comical.
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"Remember, Koshiro," Henry Kazuko said. "Space combat is very different from ground combat. The enemy can even attack
you from anywhere, even below so you'll need to be constantly moving."
"I understand, Henry."
"Attention all hands, prepare for the launch of the B-Gundam," came Tasha's voice. "All hands evacuate to safety zones.
Prepare for depressurization. Henry quickly ran to the newly-installed launch booth that the engineers so graciously
put in for just such an occasion.
"This is Gundam Pilot," Koshiro called out. "B-Gundam Space Mode, launch!" The B-Gundam was flung out of the launch bay
and shot through the metallic tunnels of Side 6. The B-Gundam exited the colony and drew a beam saber. The momentum
given by the catapult enabeled the B-Gundam to immediately strike down a Marasai with its beam saber. Not even sparing
a moment to see if his kill had been complete. It used the thrusters built into the modified jet pack to move on to
another Marasai. The pilot of this one was definitely more skill than the one before, and Koshiro no longer had the
element of surprise.
The Jegans, upon seeing the B-Gundam in battle, were refuelled with courage. They all drew beam sabers and attacked
the Marasai. While a good most of them were destroyed, the Marasais didn't have it so easy.
"Have to keep moving, have to keep moving, have to keep moving," Koshiro kept telling himself. A Marasai plowed into
him sending him into the outer hull of the Colony. Koshiro pushed off from the hull and came back with its vulcans.
The Marasai was so busy with the B-Gundam that it failed to notice a Jegan come up behind it and stab it in the back.
One of the Marasai pilots was frightened at the Mobile Suit that just joined the battle. She had heard tales regarding
the Gundam-class Mobile Suits. But she never realized how powerful... and horrible, the Gundam was until she saw it
for herself.
Unfortunately, that would be the last thing she would ever see, before the B-Gundam sliced her Marasai in two.
Suddenly the Marasai began to gang up on the B-Gundam. Koshiro activated the beam shield and tried to absorb as much of
the blasts as possible.
I can't let them harm the colony, Koshiro thought. A Marasai snuck up behind him and grabbed the B-Gundam in a
tight bear hug.
And was promptly destroyed by Starlight.
"Koshiro, are you okay?" Koshiro almost jumped up in his seat. The voice that apparently was coming from Starlight
wasn't Lee's, but it was Muro's!
"Muro? What are you doing there? Where's Lee?"
"Lee collapsed on the Colony."
"Oh no! I have to get to her..."
"One thing at a time, Koshiro," Muro said backhanding a Marasai. "Let's finish these guys off." Together, the B-Gundam,
Starlight, and the remaining Jegans finished off the rest of the Marasais.
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"Good job, Koshiro, Muro," Captain Lucas congratulated. "Return to the Exalon. Engineering crew, prepare to recharge
and re-arm both units."
"Captain!" Captain Lucas turned to see the wide-eye look of Mr. Nicholson "How did you get a Gundam?"
"Believe it or not, we found it, Starlight too, in an abandoned bunker on Earth."
"Captain," Keela called from Lee's station. "We're receiving a transmission from Govenor Martin."
"I'll take it," the Captain said taking the headset. "Govenor Martin..."
"Captain Lucas, what is the meaning of this?" Govenor Martin asked. "Why didn't you tell us you had a Gundam?"
"I didn't realize it was that big of a deal."
"OF COURSE IT'S THAT BIG OF A DEAL!" Govenor Martin shouted almost causing Captain Lucas to fall down. "The
Gundam-class Mobile Suit is a symbol of the time where the Colonies were in the middle of one of the bloodiest
conflicts in human history! If the other Colonies find out we have a Gundam Mobile Suit, they'll be literally up
in arms."
"Govenor, don't you think you're blowing it our of proportion just a little?"
"Captain Lucas, I must demand that you and your ship leave immediately. Refusal or reluctance to do so will result in
us opening fire on your ship."
"Govenor, wait..." A dial tone told Captain Lucas that the transmission had been disconnected. Captain Lucas sighed in
defeat and handed the headset off to Keela. "Keela, tell the B-Gundam and Starlight to power down," he said in a
defeated tone. He went over and picked up his intercom phone. "Attention all hands, this is the Captain. cast off all
moorings, power up the engines, prepare to depart. We're leaving the Colony." Captain Lucas turned to Mr. Nicholson.
"Mister Nicholson, please return to the Colony spaceport." Mr. Nicholson left without so much as a word.
"All moorings have been disconnected," Victor reported.
"We are operating on independent power," Tasha added.
"Take off," Lucas ordered. The Exalon moved towards the exit at a leisurely pace. Tasha pointed out that there were
a couple of Jegans following on behind them, most likely escorting them out. The Jegans stopped just as the Exalon exited
the launch tunnel.
Koshiro and Muro came onto the bridge. "What's our next move, Captain?" Muro asked as she took the helm from Henry.
"We'll have to return to Earth and consult the council," Lucas said.
"Wait a minute, Captain," Commander Xiao said. "Perhaps we should conduct ourselves to Victor's suggestion and get in
touch with one of the other colonies."
"What's the point," Shinji Katsumoto asked. "we'll probably get the same reactin from all the others."
As the Exalon left the Colony, it proceeded on a vector that would take it past the moon and around the southern
hemisphere of the Earth. They would have to make sure nobody followed them as they returned to Earth.
As they past over the dark side of the moon, Tasha's consol suddenly lite up. Victor's followed suite.
"Unidentified objects closing in, bearing 230 mark 135, forty-five degree vector."
"Identify," Commander Xiao said.
"Identifying," Victor confirmed. "It's those Mobile Suits that attacked the Colony earlier!"
"The Marasai," Captain Lucas said. "Koshiro..."
"I'm already there," Koshiro said. He ran down to the hangar bay and jumped into the B-Gundam. The B-Gundam Space Mode
was launched.
"Koshiro, give me number and weapon capabilities," Captain Lucas demanded.
"Looks like thirty... no wait, thirty five... wait, there's another twenty behind them... I'm counting at least 60
Marasai."
"Damn," Lucas cursed. "Muro, get down to Starlight and launch immediately. Koshiro, deal with them the best you can.
Shinji, power up AMS weapons. Don't use the main cannon, at least not until Starlight has launched."
Koshiro fired into the Marasai with his beam rifle. He got one. He strafed the beam rifle causing six more Marasai
to explode.
Koshiro grunted. "Captain, I don't know how much longer I can... whoa!" Koshiro fired the thrusters just as a
Marasai attempted to come up from under him.
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Lee grunted as she exited the sickbay. Doctor Paulson was hot on her heels.
"Lieutenant Moshiro, you mustn't be up like this. I can't clear you for active duty."
"The... B-Gundam won't stand a chance... without me."
"But Lieutenant..."
Lee glared evily at Doctor Paulson. He never seen such ferociousness in her before. "Doctor, I am going to get
into that robot and I am going to defeat the enemy. Don't try and stop me." Limping under her own power, Lee made her
way down to the secondary hangar where Starlight was stored. All this time, Lee was chanting a mantra to herself.
"Have to... help... have to... destroy... have to... have to..." Lee plopped herself down in the chair and closed the
hatch.
"Lieutenant," came a voice over her communicator. "You do not have clearance to launch. Please shut down and step from
the cockpit.
"Crewman," Lee said. "I suggest you open that door before I blast it open and send you out into space without
protection."
"But Lieutenant, I can't..."
"Do you know how to open the hatch, Crewman?"
"Well... yes, ma'am, but..."
"THEN DO IT!" Lee snapped. "Or do I have to blow it open?"
Lee could actually hear the crewman gulp over the channel. Soon, the launch alarms rang out and the launch bay
doors opened.
"Starlight, launch!" The moment the Starlight Guncannon was ejected from the Exalon, it started taking pot shots at
the Marasai.
Koshiro sliced up another Marasai with its beam saber (his beam rifle had been depleted of energy rather quickly).
But another was able to block. Three more attacked with two beam sabers. Koshiro drew his second beam saber but he
couldn't defend against all of them. They were ganging up on him and beating him rather mercilessly.
Starlight began shooting Marasai in the back. She was able to destroy three of them and injure a fourth before the
others separated from the B-Gundam.
"Koshiro... are you okay?" Lee asked.
"Lee? I should be asking you that same question."
"Apparently I'm in better shape than you are." Lee launched a barrage of cannon fire, most of which missed the
Marasai. The B-Gundam and Starlight engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the Marasai.
"There are too many of them!" Lee cried as the Marasai began surrounding them. She then grunted as a Marasai stuck
a beam saber into Starlight's neck. All of her video monitors shorted out at once. Lee covered her face from the spark-
shooting panel. "I'm blind!" She cried.
"Hang on, I'll take you back to the Exalon."
"No!" Lee snapped. Koshiro gasped. Lee lowered her tone. "I mean... look out for yourself, you can't spend time
worrying about me."
"Sorry," Koshiro murmurred.
Suddenly one of the Marasai detached its arm shield and drew a strange weapon. It looked like two heat hawks that were
placed end to end. It threw the double-bladed axe and as it twirled, it sliced off the B-Gundam's right hand, the one
with the beam saber in it. The B-Gundam started to draw its other beam saber but Koshiro realized that if he did, it
would just get cut off again then he really would be unarmed.
A new barrage of fire destroyed several of the Marasai. From the dark side of the Earth came several squadrons of Hizacks
and Jegans. Some of them were even carrying beam rifles.
"What the hell? Those are Reah's robots!" Captain Lucas realized. "What's going on."
"Receiving a transmission from the new force," Keela announced.
"Put it on the overhead," Captain Lucas ordered.
"Attention Exalon Gundam and Guncannon, return to your ship, we'll cover your escape." Lucas couldn't believe his
ears. It was Oliver Nicholson.
"B-Gundam and Starlight returning to Exalon bay," Tasha reported. The Jegans and the Hizacks had surrounded the Marasai
and were now herding them back the way they came.
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A little while later, the Exalon received Nicholson and his Jegan. Nicholson had changed from his business suit to
a gray flight suit much like Koshiro's.
"Mister Nicholson, thank you for your timely assistance," Captain Lucas said as he met the aide on the catwalk in the
upper level of the cargo bay. "I was under the assumption that you guys didn't like us."
"Despite how we feel about the Gundam, we owe you for helping us back at the Colony," Nicholson said. "Besides, to tell
you the truth, Govenor Martin's opinion doesn't reflect the colony citizens, nor the Mobile Suit Guard."
"You wouldn't happen to know of a place where we can get our Mobile Suits repaired?"
"Actually, I do," Nicholson said. "Anaheim."
"Anaheim, what's that?"
"Please tell me you're joking," Nicholson said. "Then again, you had no knowledge of the reputation of the Gundam-class
Mobile Suits so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. Anaheim is a company that specially designs in building and
repairing Mobile Suits. Their central headquarters is located on the Moon."
"I hope the Govenor isn't too hard on you," Captain Lucas said shaking Nicholson's hand.
"So do we all, Captain, so do we all."
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Koshiro and Lee are sent to the Anaheim factory on the Moon. There, they receive upgrades for the B-Gundam and
Starlight. They also discover something about each other. Meanwhile, the Exalon discovers a plot set forth by the
remaining Colonies that counteracts what Govenor Martin told them. Now, they must decide which side they want to
join, because in this revolution, there are no neutral parties.
Next episode: Beneath Starlight.
Love can bloom even in the heart of war.