Mobile Suit Gundam Century's Dawn
The Exalon had ascended into space in an attempt to gain support from the Colonies. The first colony they came to,
Side 6, refused them after it was discovered that the Exalon possessed a Gundam, a symbol of dark times for the Colonies.
Despite this, the Side 6 Mobile Suit Guard were able to aid the B-Gundam and Starlight Guncannon in fending off an
invading Marasai force. With both of their Mobile Suits damaged, Koshiro and Lee have no choice but to proceed to
the Anaheim factory on the moon.
[Episode 18: Beneath Starlight]
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"I hate this," Lee Moshiro grumbled. "I hate being blind."
"Oh calm down," Koshiro Anaka replied. "Isn't it better to be blind than dead?"
"Depends on your definition of better." Since Lee was in the cockpit of her own Mobile Suit, Koshiro had to imagine
her facial expressions. The B-Gundam was taking Starlight and itself to the Anaheim factory. According to Mister
Nicholson, Govenor Martin's representative (and now their semi-secret ally), the workers at Anaheim are experts in
repairing Mobile Suits. Captain Noah Lucas also said to talk to the workers about the possibility of upgrading the
Mobile Suits for space combat. The fixes they had made on Earth were only temporary and not very good quality, in
Koshiro's personal opinion.
"Come on, cheer up," Koshiro told his fellow MS pilot and friend. "Think of it as a little vacation. Besides, how
often can you brag to the others that you've been on the Moon."
"That reminds me," Lee said. "How can there be a factory on the moon?"
"A factory? Keela told me that there's a whole city on the moon. Well anyway, we're about to find out first hand,
we're about to come to it."
A voice came on inside Koshiro's helmet. "Attention Mobile Suits, please identify yourselves and explain your
mission."
"This is Koriko Irumi of the Exalon and pilot of the Mobile Suit Beam-Gundam. We need to proceed to Anaheim for
repairs. Can you help us." Koshiro had to use a fake name to protect his true identity. Koshiro thought that Captain
Lucas was just being paranoid, he doesn't even know anybody in space.
"Understood, Beam-Gundam. YOu and the Guncannon accompanying you please follow the lights and they will take you to
the Anaheim factory." Koshiro complied and follow the beacon lights to a metal panel located on the moon's dark side.
The panel opened revealing a Gundam-size cargo bay. The B-Gundam and Starlight landed. An orange-jumpsuited technician
met them.
"Well I'll be," he said in way of greeting. "An actual Gundam-type Mobile Suit. You don't see to many of those any
more."
Koshiro and Lee stepped out of their Mobile Suits.
"I'm Koriko Irumi," Koshiro introduced. "And this is Lisa Maddison. We're from the Exalon."
"Exalon, never heard of it. What's that, a merchant ship."
"Uh... yeah. We just came from Side 6..."
The man winced. "Oooh, Martin's territory. Well, despite where you from, you seem to be nice folks. My name's Victor
Raymond, call me Vic." He tipped his hat.
"We were caught in the middle of a battle," Koshiro explained. He pointed to Lee. "Her uh... Guncannon, lost its visual
monitors and as for mine, well... I think you can guess."
"Well, looks like everything's superficial. Tell you what, you just leave them with me, I'll have them done for you by
tomorrow."
"Couldn't you have it done sooner?" Lee asked.
"Maybe if I was working on one of them, but two, it'll take a while."
"That's fine," Koshiro said.
Vic nodded. "Hey Sal, over here!" He called to another technician. This one was much smaller and thinner than the
broad-shouldered Vic. "We've got a decapitation and a blind one here." The younger technician's face was hidden by
a hat bearing the Anaheim logo. The technician went straight up to Koshiro and seemed to be staring at his boots.
"Um..."
"What are you looking at, spacey?" The technician looked up and Koshiro came face-to-face with a kid with large magenta
eyes. But what's more...
"You're a girl!" Koshiro said shocked.
The 'girl' placed an index finger on Koshiro's nose and kept tapping it with each syllable. "Wo-man, I am a wo-man.
What's wrong, you spacenoids can't tell the difference between a man and a woman?"
"That's Sal?" Lee asked.
"Her full name's Sally," Vic whispered. "But don't call her that directly to her face, she gets real touchy."
"Hey, I'm right here," Sal pointed out. She looked passed Koshiro. "I can't believe it! She went right up to it and
rubbed her hands over the armor. "Incredible, looks like a replica of the old RX-78 model. Maybe even one of the GMs.
Lunar-titanium alloy, they don't make 'em like this any more. Ah yes, a time when Mobile Suit construction was more than
just how many guns you can fit on a frame hmm... doesn't look like it's been equipped with AMBAC yet. Where'd you find
this, it's obviously incomplete."
"It... was... during a salvage operation. We were on Earth looking for stuff to..."
"You went to Earth? Very gutsy. Earth Federation's in the middle of a nasty war. Surprised you guys didn't get caught
up in it."
"So what do you think?" Koshiro asked. "Will you be able to fix it?"
"Fix it?" Sal got up close in his face, making him lean back. "What kind of an ape-like Earthnoid do you think I am?"
Lee's eyebrow twitched.
"When it comes to Mobile Suit fixing, Sal's one of the best," Vic vouched. "We'll have them fixed by tomorrow
afternoon. Why don't you two go to Von Braun and take a look around. I'm guessing this is your first time to the
moon."
"Yes," Lee admitted. "It's our first time away from the Colony."
"Well, you'll be in for a treat. In Von Braun, anything's possible." Vic wiggled his eyebrows at Koshiro who blushed.
"Thank you," Lee said. "We'll be back tomorrow. And the two pilots headed for the exit.
"They're from Earth," Sal said casually once they were out of sight.
"Yup," Vic agreed.
"So what do you think, should we help them?"
"Earthnoid, spacenoid, a job's a job. Besides, would you turn down the opportunity to investigate the insides of a real
live Gundam?"
"Good point, Vic."
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Officer Tasha Benson was half-asleep at her station when she received the signal. It had been slow after the battle
with the Marasai. Captain Lucas initialized a one-on, three-off schedule with a six hour rotation. Unfortunately, for
Tasha, she drew the short straw and got the graveyard shift. Her eyes were just on the verge of closing when her consol
beeped. She checked it out, then called the Captain. "Captain Lucas to the bridge."
It was a full ten minutes before the Captain came onto the bridge, still straightening his uniform jacket.
"Tasha, what is it?"
"Captain, something tripped the long-range sensor probe we set out to detect enemy movement."
"Analysis," he requested sitting in his chair.
"Ships, sir. A lot of them."
"Affiliation?"
"Unknown."
Captain Lucas picked up the phone and keyed in the intercom. "Attention all crew, report to your duty stations. All
crew report to your duty stations." It was a few minutes before the bridge crew piled in, some of them still putting
on their uniform jackets.
"Officer Nyoko, please man the communication station in Lieutenant Commander Moshiro's absence."
"Yes sir," Enlisted Officer Keela Nyoko agreed. She sat in Lee's chair and put on the helmet. "Shall I open up
a comm. line, sir?"
"Not yet. Let's see who it is first."
The ship that passed by them was pink and looked like a body with its knees pulled up against its chest. Then, to
everyone's surprise, it began to "unfold" (for lack of better term) into a Zaku-like Mobile Suit.
"A Mobile Suit that can transform!" Commander Ming Xiao gasped. "Now I've seen everything."
"Twins, any chance that they noticed us yet?"
"Not yet, sir," the Twins replied.
"Good, do a scan before it leaves our range."
"Height of Mobile Suit is measured to be at least 20 meters," Tasha said.
"Weight measure at best guess is over 90 tons," Victor Lenard continued.
"No weapons array of any type detected."
"Looks like its destination is... Mars!"
"What's that? Hmmm... Muro, have we received any transmission from Koshiro or Lee yet?"
"Not yet, sir. Their ETA at Anaheim has already passed," informed Muro Okawa.
"Well, let's do a little snooping, shall we. Keela, try to contact Koshiro and Lee."
"Apparently they are one step ahead of you, sir. I'm receiving a transmission from them right now."
"I'll take it," Captain Lucas volunteered.
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"Hey Vic, take a look at this," Sal called from inside the B-Gundam. Vic moved a levitating platform over to her.
"What'cha got, Sal?"
"This is remarkable."
"Yeah, I'll say. How the heck does the kid see through this thing?"
"Not that. Look at this." Sal pointed to a panel she uncovered from behind the chair. Underneath several wires was a
jet-black panel. She pointed to her analyzer that she hooked up to the B-Gundam's computer system. "This panel isn't
registering on my scans."
"A black box!" Vic said squeezing into the cockpit beside his assistant.
"I figured as much. I never seen a Gundam up close before, let alone examine its insides, but doesn't this look suspicious
to you?"
"Have you tried activating it."
"What kind of an idiot do you take me for, Vic? Of course I tried that, but no matter what I do, it won't seem to open
up to me." Sal took off her hat and wiped the sweat from her dull orange hair. "It must contain something really
important."
"All right, here's what you do, do a scan around the black box, see if it's isolated or whether it's connected to
anything."
"Right." Sal played around with her scanner. "What the hey? It's connected right to the interface system. Whatever
that thing is, it receives the pilot's brainwave transmissions almost like a psycommu system."
"What do you think, that kid's a Newtype?"
Sal stared off a little. "I... don't think so. I mean we already know he's from Earth so the chances that he's a
Newtype is highly unlikely."
"But why else would it have this... pseudo-psycommu system?"
"Well there is one possibility... nah, I doubt it. Earth Federation isn't that advanced." Sal gave him a questioning
glance. "It's crazy, but... never mind, probably not possible. Hey, shake a leg, kid, we gotta get these repairs done
or else the pilot's going to have a fit."
"Why does everybody insist on calling me kid? Do I look like a kid? Wait, don't answer that. I'll get it done, Chief."
"Hey, don't call me, Chief."
"I'll stop calling you Chief only when you stop calling me kid." Vic floated back to working on the Starlight but Sal
wondered what Vic thought the black box was.
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"All right, I understand," Lee said into her communicator. "Roger, will rendezvous with you tomorrow by 1600 hours at
the latest... sorry, I can't be any more specific. Okay, over and out."
"Hey, Lee," Koshiro greeted coming into the crew cabin that they were sharing. The two had checked in to a hotel that,
according to the manager, used to be barracs. "I've got dinner."
"I just talked to the Exalon," Lee informed him. "We're suppose to rendezvous with them tomorrow afternoon."
"That's good," Koshiro said as he threw her a wrapped burger. "I guess we just sit tight until then." He opened up
his own burger.
"Koshiro, what do you think the history of the Gundam is?"
"Huh?" Koshiro asked with his mouth full of burger.
"That girl, Sal, she said that the B-Gundam was a 'replica of the old RX-78 model.'"
"Come to think of it, Keela said the same thing when we first met in Modouken," Koshiro said.
"I heard from Commander Xiao that Mr. Nicholson was almost stupified when Captain Lucas mentioned the B-Gundam.
Apparently, it has a reputation."
"Good or bad?"
"Beats me."
Koshiro took a drink from his soda. "Okay, let's see what we know so far. We know that the Gundam that we currently have
isn't the first of its kind. The registry number on the B-Gundam when we found it was RX-83, probably a tribute to the
year it was completed in. You know, 0083."
"We also know that with the exception of Keela, nobody on Earth has heard of the Gundam-class Mobile Suit," Lee threw in.
"But the Gundam was found in an Earth Federation bunker."
"For all we know, the Gundam-class Mobile Suit has always been around and we just forgot about it."
"Yeah, right, what are the chances of the whole planet forgetting about something as huge as that?"
"Good point." Lee crumpled up the burger wrapper and back-tossed it directly into the trash can (which would've been
impressive, had zero-g not be a factor). "On Earth, the only Mobile Suits I've seen are the Zakus."
"Not necessarily," Koshiro said. "Remember that blue Mobile Suit with the tentacle that attacked us after the Enterprise
was destroyed? Well, it didn't look like a Zaku. It was a different type of Mobile Suit."
Lee rubbed her temples. "Trying to remember why we don't know what a Gundam is is giving me a headache. I'm going to
bed." Lee unzipped her flightsuit's top half. Koshiro thought he would have to cover or at least avert his eyes but it
was unnecessary since she was wearing an Earth Federation-issue tank top.
"Good night," Koshiro said and turned off the light, deciding to get some sleep as well.
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"There it is," Muro announced. "Mars, the red planet."
"Looks more red-orange to me," Victor cracked causing Tasha to elbow him in the rib. On the planet surface, one could
see a large number of black dots.
"Look like quite the party," Captain Lucas said. "Let's go down and see what they're celebrating."
"We can use one of our new Space Core Fighters," Commander Xiao offered.
"Good idea. Let's go." Captain Lucas turned to leave the bridge.
"Captain, wait, you're not thinking of going down there by yourself, are you?" Muro asked almost frightened.
"I just have a feeling," Captain Lucas replied.
"Then... then I volunteer to go with you!"
"Captain, I must agree with her," Commander Xiao threw in. "Earth Federation protocol states that should the Captain
leave the ship and go into a potentially hostile situation, that he should have a guard with him at all times."
"All right, Muro," Captain Lucas said with a smile. "I'll see you down in the launch bay in fifteen minutes." And with
those words, he left the Bridge. Muro soon followed.
"You know, if I didn't know better, I could've sworn that he planned it that way," Victor thought out loud causing Tasha
to elbow him again.
"Oh brother," she groaned. "If you don't get it by now, I doubt you'll ever get it."
When Muro came into the launch bay, she saw Captain Lucas sitting in the cockpit seat of a two-seat Core Fighter.
"Captain, what are you doing?" Muro asked.
"Relax, Muro, I used to be a pilot, remember?"
"But flying in the air and flying in space are two different things."
"So is flying a flagship and flying a Mobile Suit."
"Touche," Muro admitted. She climbed up behind him.
"Core Fighter to Exalon," Captain Lucas called. "Ready to launch."
"Roger, Core Fighter," Keela said from the Bridge's communication station. "Standby for launch." The main bay opened.
"Core Fighter, launching!" The Core Fighter shot out of the Exalon and immediately began a slow descent around Mars.
"We're taking a roundabout way to get down there," Muro commented.
"It's always better to come in the back way, especially when you don't want the hosts to know you're coming."
"I never thought of that," Muro said. "And I call myself a pilot."
"There are just some things you can learn only from experience."
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"No, no don't make me, I don't want to..." Koshiro opened his eyes. The room was pitch dark. The digital clock read
3:47a.m. Koshiro looked towards the bed next to him. Lee was tossing and turning, mutely talking in her sleep.
"No, don't kill... don't kill him! Stop, I won't... no, no, NO!"
"Lee, Lee," Koshiro caled shaking her shoulder. "Lee, wake up!"
With a loud gasp, Lee sat up in her bed, panting heavily. She looked around in a frantic, finally spotted Koshiro.
"Oh, Koshiro!" She embraced him fiercely, like the time when he took on the AMEC on the Enterprise ruins. "Thank God,
I was afraid I killed you."
"It's okay, Lee, it was just a nightmare."
"It... felt so real. Koshiro... don't leave, stay here with me for a while."
"It's okay, Lee, I won't go anywhere unless you want me to."
"Thank you."
{Lee is one of the strongest people I know,} Koshiro thought as he continued to comfort her. {What could've spooked
her so much?}
{It felt so real,} Lee was thinking. {It was like an uncontrollable urge to kill. Oh God, I'm so grateful that Koshiro's
here.}
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Prime Minister Seamus Asif came into the control room where Adviser Ben Hoshum was overseeing a delicate operation.
"Mister Hoshum," Seamus addressed remembering how he hated being called "Adviser Hoshum" "Any luck in contacting Delta
Source?"
"No, ma'am, but we confirmed that she's no longer on Earth."
"No longer on Earth? You mean she's dead?"
"No, not in that sense. She's literally not on Earth any more. At last transmission, she was ascending in the flagship."
"I see. Any way we could get a transmission out to her."
"We've been trying for the past three hours," one of the operators said. "We got through a couple of times but not
enough to send a clear command. It's this technology, Miss Seamus, it's over five years old."
"It can't be helped. We'll have to leave her alone for now," Seamus said. "Send her into dormancy for a while.
When she returns to Earth, let me know."
"Yes, ma'am," the technician replied.
"Miss Seamus," Ben said as they left. "Don't you think you're relying a little too much on Delta Source, even though
she's your only source of information."
"She's not the only source," Seamus revealed surprising Ben. "We have three sources named Delta, Gamma, and Beta.
Two are human spies that we have infiltrated within the Earth Federation. The third is within the very information
network of the enemy. These three information sources act independently of each other but Delta Source is the most
delicate. That's why we pay so much attention to it."
The two passed by a construction bunker where a skeleton of a large Mobile Suit is seen. Ben gasped at it.
"Second Prime Minister Howard's little project. Should be completed next month," Seamus informed him.
"It's big," Ben commented. "But I don't think it can stand up against Archangel."
"You're really proud of Archangel, aren't you?" Seamus asked casually. "Did someone give it to you?"
"Not exactly. I just found it one day. In no time at all, I could pilot it."
"Wow, and you're no older than I am. I guess we both had to assume adult responsibilities at an early age."
"Is there a point to this conversation?" Ben asked annoyed.
"Sorry, no, I guess there isn't..." Miss Seamus said withdrawing.
Ben sighed. "I apologize for my attitude, I'm not much of a talker."
"No, I apologize. I pried into something I shouldn't have. It's one of the bad habits I picked up from my father."
The two arrived at the throne room. Second Prime-Minister Howard was watching a news broadcast on the 3-D monitor.
"Ah, you two arrived just in time. Listen."
On the monitor came an image of an old man in an Earth Federation uniform.
"My name is Councilman Harvey Bennett of the Earth Federation Council. As of 1400 hours local time today, the Earth
Federation Council has agreed to surrender their remaining control of Earth to the Alliance of Middle-Eastern Countries.
The Earth Federation military has been disbanded and political control has been turned over to the regional govenors
until the AMEC can establish a political body. However, I implore to the AMEC leadership body, in the name of all
humanity, that they govern Earth fairly and justly. After nearly 200 years of governing, it is time to pass the torch.
It will be up to AMEC to keep that torch lit and not let it go out."
"Mercy plea," Ben said in a pish-posh voice.
"Congratulations, Miss Seamus, you have won," Second Prime-Minister Howard said.
"Yes, but it was at a heavy cost."
"And is all things achieved," Howard agreed.
"Second Prime-Minister Howard, inform Operations to begin ascent."
When Operations got the signal, they were wary. "This stuff hasn't been used for years," one technician comented.
"It better still work otherwise I'd be really pissed off."
On the surface, the desert started shaking. Then slowly, pylons raised a large four-story building out of the sand.
The Asif Fortress has risen.
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"Very interesting," Captain Lucas commented as he and Muro watched from a crater. "A lot of Mobile Suits. Marasai,
Jegans, and some I have no idea what they are."
"This seems like quite the little pow-wow," Muro agreed.
"Let's go and say hello, shall we?" Lucas and Muro had left their space Core Fighter far off and proceeded up to that
point on foot. They got up and proceeded into the camp.
They didn't get very far when two Jegan Mobile Suits appeared and aimed Mobile Suit-size machine guns at them.
"Perhaps we should've called ahead," Lucas joked putting his hands up.
"It's probably invitation only," Muro threw in while mimicing his gesture.
About half-a-dozen space-suited guards came out and aimed rifles at them.
"Identify yourselves," one of the guards ordered. The voice was female, but harsh.
"I'm Captain Noah Lucas and this is Lieutenant Commander Muro Okawa. We're from the Exalon."
"You were that ship seen leaving Side-6 the other day. Give me one good reason why we shouldn't shoot you on the spot."
"Because we're not allied with Side-6. We're from Earth."
"Yeah right, and I'm a Newtype."
"You can call yourself whatever you want," Lucas retorted. "What I tell you is the truth."
"Lieutenant," one of the other guards touched his helmet to the leader's. "What if they're telling the truth."
"They were seen leaving Side-6. They had Side-6's Mobile Suits back them up. I know they're lying."
"We have a Gundam," Lucas stated matter-of-factly. All the guards were taken-back by that revelation. Lucas
continued, "That's right. I'm not sure what this little group meeting of yours is, but if you don't want us to sick it
on you, then put those guns away and let's talk."
"Lieutenant," the same guard said. "I'm not eager to go up against a Gundam. Our Mobile Suits wouldn't stand a chance."
The Lieutenant sighed and shouldered her rifle. "Fine, come with us." She lead them into one of the buildings. "There's
oxygen in here so it's safe to take off your helmets." To prove it, she took off her own helmet. She was Japanese from
her features. Her dark hair was cut pixie short and there was sweat glistening off her face. Lucas and Muro followed
suite.
"I'm Lieutenant Rena Ishiyama," she greeted. "Now, tell me what you're really doing here."
"Captain," Muro started to say.
Lucas held out a hand silencing her. "It's okay, Muro. Perhaps its best if they know the truth." He stared right into
Lieutenant Ishiyama's eyes. "You see, Lieutenant, I wasn't lying when I said we're from Earth. More specifically, the
Earth Federation."
"Well I'll be," Ishiyama said smirking. "I never thought I'd see an Earthnoid way out here."
"The Earth Federation is losing its battle against AMEC. We'll need the Colonies help if we're to survive."
"Interesting, but we have our own war to fight against."
"Against who? If you mean the Earth Federation, you'll find that we'll go down easy, especially considering all the
different types of Mobile Suits you have."
"Our fight is against Side-6."
"Side-6, how come?"
"Martin controls Side-6, but she's currently trying to gain political power in other Colonies. Sides 2, 4, and 7 have
been trying to plan some type of action against her."
"What about Side 1 and Side 3?"
"Side 3's moved too far out to be of any effective strategic use so we're using it as a supply base. And Side 1 was
destroyed fifteen years ago. Reah's doing. We thought it was best not to re-build it, at least, not until our battle
with Side-6 is over."
"So it's you three colonies against just one? Sounds like you guys have the fair advantage."
"You're wrong," Ishiyama said as the other guards dismissed themselves. Ishiyama led Lucas and Muro down a hallway.
"Martin is using her own citizens as hostages. She's threatened that if any heavy retaliation was used against them,
then she would self-destruct all the settlements in her Colony and escape. And trust me, she's not bluffing."
"Lieutenant Ishiyama," Lucas addressed. "Can you bring a message to your Colony leaders?"
"About what?"
"A proposition. Say this, 'we'll assist you in your battle if you assist us in ours.'"
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When Koshiro awoke next, it was morning. The digital clock read 10:37 a.m. He looked over and looked at his bed,
wrinkled but other than that unslept in. He looked over his other side and saw Lee resting peacefully next to him.
{I guess she didn't have any more nightmares last night,} Koshiro guessed. He got up and went into the bathroom to
splash some water on his face. When he came out, Lee was zipping up her flight suit.
"Koshiro, thanks again for last night," Lee said. "Sorry you had to see me like that."
"It's all right," Koshiro said. "I hope you're okay."
"I am, thanks. I used to have horrible nightmares as a child. I thought I was over them when I joined the Earth
Federation. I guess some of them still remain."
Koshiro thought it was best not to remind her of what she dreamed about. Instead, he said, "Let's go see if Vic and
Sal fixed our Mobile Suits..." Koshiro's stomach audibly growled. He blushed, "Um... right after we get some
breakfast."
Koshiro had never seen Lee laugh so hard.
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After breakfast, Koshiro and Lee floated over to Anaheim. The first thing they noticed upon entering the bay where
their Mobile Suits were being worked on was the B-Gundam with its right arm reattached. Sal was putting the finishing
touches on the connection circuitry inside the shoulder panel.
"Well, I hope you two had a pleasant night," Vic said with a sly smile.
Koshiro and Lee shared a look. "More or less," Koshiro replied.
Vic laughed. "That's what I thought. By the way, kid, I need to talk to ya' about something." He pulled Koshiro into
a corner. Lee was about to follow but Sal stopped her.
"Forget it, they're just talking about Mobile Suit stuff."
"Oh."
Sal scowled. "I swear, if it's big and has circuitry, they can talk about it for hours. Men."
"Hey Sal, can I ask you something. Do you moon dwellers have something against Govenor Martin."
"Hey, first of all, we're called lunarians. But a spacenoid like you should know that, huh?" Lee could see that she was
busted, and by a kid Koshiro's age, no less. Sal laughed and slapped Lee's upper back almost making her topple over.
"Don't worry, we knew you were earthnoids all along."
"Uh... sorry."
"Forget about it. And in answer to your question, she's been rulling with an iron fist ever since she was elected."
{She almost sounds like the AMEC leaders,} Lee thought. She heard rumors that the AMEC leader was a fascist in every
sense of the word. She killed the previous leader and assumed the leadership role in his place. But of course, those
are just rumors.
"Come on, let me show you what we did to your Mobile Suit." Sal showed Lee the omnidirectional communication
network, the sensors installed in the hands, and even the emergency evacuation pod (to be used in case of
emergencies, Sal said).
Koshiro floated over to the B-Gundam. "Come on, Lee, let's go."
Lee felt that something was wrong with Koshiro. "Koshiro, is something the matter?"
"Um... no, nothing's wrong. Come on, we need to get back."
The two Mobile Suits lift off as Vic came up behind his assistant.
"So you told him?" Sal asked.
"Yup," Vic confirmed. "He was just as shocked as I thought he would be."
"I find it hard to believe that a Gundam can be programmed that way."
"True. Then again, them newtypes are pretty incredible people."
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The Exalon joins forces with the other Colonies to free Side 6 from Govenor Martin. But Govenor Martin reveals that
she has a few tricks up her sleeve that prove more than a match for their combined forces. But Koshiro reveals the
B-Gundam's hidden power, which just might be enough to turn things around.
Next episode: G-Mode.
Man and Machine acting as one.
The Exalon had ascended into space in an attempt to gain support from the Colonies. The first colony they came to,
Side 6, refused them after it was discovered that the Exalon possessed a Gundam, a symbol of dark times for the Colonies.
Despite this, the Side 6 Mobile Suit Guard were able to aid the B-Gundam and Starlight Guncannon in fending off an
invading Marasai force. With both of their Mobile Suits damaged, Koshiro and Lee have no choice but to proceed to
the Anaheim factory on the moon.
[Episode 18: Beneath Starlight]
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"I hate this," Lee Moshiro grumbled. "I hate being blind."
"Oh calm down," Koshiro Anaka replied. "Isn't it better to be blind than dead?"
"Depends on your definition of better." Since Lee was in the cockpit of her own Mobile Suit, Koshiro had to imagine
her facial expressions. The B-Gundam was taking Starlight and itself to the Anaheim factory. According to Mister
Nicholson, Govenor Martin's representative (and now their semi-secret ally), the workers at Anaheim are experts in
repairing Mobile Suits. Captain Noah Lucas also said to talk to the workers about the possibility of upgrading the
Mobile Suits for space combat. The fixes they had made on Earth were only temporary and not very good quality, in
Koshiro's personal opinion.
"Come on, cheer up," Koshiro told his fellow MS pilot and friend. "Think of it as a little vacation. Besides, how
often can you brag to the others that you've been on the Moon."
"That reminds me," Lee said. "How can there be a factory on the moon?"
"A factory? Keela told me that there's a whole city on the moon. Well anyway, we're about to find out first hand,
we're about to come to it."
A voice came on inside Koshiro's helmet. "Attention Mobile Suits, please identify yourselves and explain your
mission."
"This is Koriko Irumi of the Exalon and pilot of the Mobile Suit Beam-Gundam. We need to proceed to Anaheim for
repairs. Can you help us." Koshiro had to use a fake name to protect his true identity. Koshiro thought that Captain
Lucas was just being paranoid, he doesn't even know anybody in space.
"Understood, Beam-Gundam. YOu and the Guncannon accompanying you please follow the lights and they will take you to
the Anaheim factory." Koshiro complied and follow the beacon lights to a metal panel located on the moon's dark side.
The panel opened revealing a Gundam-size cargo bay. The B-Gundam and Starlight landed. An orange-jumpsuited technician
met them.
"Well I'll be," he said in way of greeting. "An actual Gundam-type Mobile Suit. You don't see to many of those any
more."
Koshiro and Lee stepped out of their Mobile Suits.
"I'm Koriko Irumi," Koshiro introduced. "And this is Lisa Maddison. We're from the Exalon."
"Exalon, never heard of it. What's that, a merchant ship."
"Uh... yeah. We just came from Side 6..."
The man winced. "Oooh, Martin's territory. Well, despite where you from, you seem to be nice folks. My name's Victor
Raymond, call me Vic." He tipped his hat.
"We were caught in the middle of a battle," Koshiro explained. He pointed to Lee. "Her uh... Guncannon, lost its visual
monitors and as for mine, well... I think you can guess."
"Well, looks like everything's superficial. Tell you what, you just leave them with me, I'll have them done for you by
tomorrow."
"Couldn't you have it done sooner?" Lee asked.
"Maybe if I was working on one of them, but two, it'll take a while."
"That's fine," Koshiro said.
Vic nodded. "Hey Sal, over here!" He called to another technician. This one was much smaller and thinner than the
broad-shouldered Vic. "We've got a decapitation and a blind one here." The younger technician's face was hidden by
a hat bearing the Anaheim logo. The technician went straight up to Koshiro and seemed to be staring at his boots.
"Um..."
"What are you looking at, spacey?" The technician looked up and Koshiro came face-to-face with a kid with large magenta
eyes. But what's more...
"You're a girl!" Koshiro said shocked.
The 'girl' placed an index finger on Koshiro's nose and kept tapping it with each syllable. "Wo-man, I am a wo-man.
What's wrong, you spacenoids can't tell the difference between a man and a woman?"
"That's Sal?" Lee asked.
"Her full name's Sally," Vic whispered. "But don't call her that directly to her face, she gets real touchy."
"Hey, I'm right here," Sal pointed out. She looked passed Koshiro. "I can't believe it! She went right up to it and
rubbed her hands over the armor. "Incredible, looks like a replica of the old RX-78 model. Maybe even one of the GMs.
Lunar-titanium alloy, they don't make 'em like this any more. Ah yes, a time when Mobile Suit construction was more than
just how many guns you can fit on a frame hmm... doesn't look like it's been equipped with AMBAC yet. Where'd you find
this, it's obviously incomplete."
"It... was... during a salvage operation. We were on Earth looking for stuff to..."
"You went to Earth? Very gutsy. Earth Federation's in the middle of a nasty war. Surprised you guys didn't get caught
up in it."
"So what do you think?" Koshiro asked. "Will you be able to fix it?"
"Fix it?" Sal got up close in his face, making him lean back. "What kind of an ape-like Earthnoid do you think I am?"
Lee's eyebrow twitched.
"When it comes to Mobile Suit fixing, Sal's one of the best," Vic vouched. "We'll have them fixed by tomorrow
afternoon. Why don't you two go to Von Braun and take a look around. I'm guessing this is your first time to the
moon."
"Yes," Lee admitted. "It's our first time away from the Colony."
"Well, you'll be in for a treat. In Von Braun, anything's possible." Vic wiggled his eyebrows at Koshiro who blushed.
"Thank you," Lee said. "We'll be back tomorrow. And the two pilots headed for the exit.
"They're from Earth," Sal said casually once they were out of sight.
"Yup," Vic agreed.
"So what do you think, should we help them?"
"Earthnoid, spacenoid, a job's a job. Besides, would you turn down the opportunity to investigate the insides of a real
live Gundam?"
"Good point, Vic."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officer Tasha Benson was half-asleep at her station when she received the signal. It had been slow after the battle
with the Marasai. Captain Lucas initialized a one-on, three-off schedule with a six hour rotation. Unfortunately, for
Tasha, she drew the short straw and got the graveyard shift. Her eyes were just on the verge of closing when her consol
beeped. She checked it out, then called the Captain. "Captain Lucas to the bridge."
It was a full ten minutes before the Captain came onto the bridge, still straightening his uniform jacket.
"Tasha, what is it?"
"Captain, something tripped the long-range sensor probe we set out to detect enemy movement."
"Analysis," he requested sitting in his chair.
"Ships, sir. A lot of them."
"Affiliation?"
"Unknown."
Captain Lucas picked up the phone and keyed in the intercom. "Attention all crew, report to your duty stations. All
crew report to your duty stations." It was a few minutes before the bridge crew piled in, some of them still putting
on their uniform jackets.
"Officer Nyoko, please man the communication station in Lieutenant Commander Moshiro's absence."
"Yes sir," Enlisted Officer Keela Nyoko agreed. She sat in Lee's chair and put on the helmet. "Shall I open up
a comm. line, sir?"
"Not yet. Let's see who it is first."
The ship that passed by them was pink and looked like a body with its knees pulled up against its chest. Then, to
everyone's surprise, it began to "unfold" (for lack of better term) into a Zaku-like Mobile Suit.
"A Mobile Suit that can transform!" Commander Ming Xiao gasped. "Now I've seen everything."
"Twins, any chance that they noticed us yet?"
"Not yet, sir," the Twins replied.
"Good, do a scan before it leaves our range."
"Height of Mobile Suit is measured to be at least 20 meters," Tasha said.
"Weight measure at best guess is over 90 tons," Victor Lenard continued.
"No weapons array of any type detected."
"Looks like its destination is... Mars!"
"What's that? Hmmm... Muro, have we received any transmission from Koshiro or Lee yet?"
"Not yet, sir. Their ETA at Anaheim has already passed," informed Muro Okawa.
"Well, let's do a little snooping, shall we. Keela, try to contact Koshiro and Lee."
"Apparently they are one step ahead of you, sir. I'm receiving a transmission from them right now."
"I'll take it," Captain Lucas volunteered.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey Vic, take a look at this," Sal called from inside the B-Gundam. Vic moved a levitating platform over to her.
"What'cha got, Sal?"
"This is remarkable."
"Yeah, I'll say. How the heck does the kid see through this thing?"
"Not that. Look at this." Sal pointed to a panel she uncovered from behind the chair. Underneath several wires was a
jet-black panel. She pointed to her analyzer that she hooked up to the B-Gundam's computer system. "This panel isn't
registering on my scans."
"A black box!" Vic said squeezing into the cockpit beside his assistant.
"I figured as much. I never seen a Gundam up close before, let alone examine its insides, but doesn't this look suspicious
to you?"
"Have you tried activating it."
"What kind of an idiot do you take me for, Vic? Of course I tried that, but no matter what I do, it won't seem to open
up to me." Sal took off her hat and wiped the sweat from her dull orange hair. "It must contain something really
important."
"All right, here's what you do, do a scan around the black box, see if it's isolated or whether it's connected to
anything."
"Right." Sal played around with her scanner. "What the hey? It's connected right to the interface system. Whatever
that thing is, it receives the pilot's brainwave transmissions almost like a psycommu system."
"What do you think, that kid's a Newtype?"
Sal stared off a little. "I... don't think so. I mean we already know he's from Earth so the chances that he's a
Newtype is highly unlikely."
"But why else would it have this... pseudo-psycommu system?"
"Well there is one possibility... nah, I doubt it. Earth Federation isn't that advanced." Sal gave him a questioning
glance. "It's crazy, but... never mind, probably not possible. Hey, shake a leg, kid, we gotta get these repairs done
or else the pilot's going to have a fit."
"Why does everybody insist on calling me kid? Do I look like a kid? Wait, don't answer that. I'll get it done, Chief."
"Hey, don't call me, Chief."
"I'll stop calling you Chief only when you stop calling me kid." Vic floated back to working on the Starlight but Sal
wondered what Vic thought the black box was.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"All right, I understand," Lee said into her communicator. "Roger, will rendezvous with you tomorrow by 1600 hours at
the latest... sorry, I can't be any more specific. Okay, over and out."
"Hey, Lee," Koshiro greeted coming into the crew cabin that they were sharing. The two had checked in to a hotel that,
according to the manager, used to be barracs. "I've got dinner."
"I just talked to the Exalon," Lee informed him. "We're suppose to rendezvous with them tomorrow afternoon."
"That's good," Koshiro said as he threw her a wrapped burger. "I guess we just sit tight until then." He opened up
his own burger.
"Koshiro, what do you think the history of the Gundam is?"
"Huh?" Koshiro asked with his mouth full of burger.
"That girl, Sal, she said that the B-Gundam was a 'replica of the old RX-78 model.'"
"Come to think of it, Keela said the same thing when we first met in Modouken," Koshiro said.
"I heard from Commander Xiao that Mr. Nicholson was almost stupified when Captain Lucas mentioned the B-Gundam.
Apparently, it has a reputation."
"Good or bad?"
"Beats me."
Koshiro took a drink from his soda. "Okay, let's see what we know so far. We know that the Gundam that we currently have
isn't the first of its kind. The registry number on the B-Gundam when we found it was RX-83, probably a tribute to the
year it was completed in. You know, 0083."
"We also know that with the exception of Keela, nobody on Earth has heard of the Gundam-class Mobile Suit," Lee threw in.
"But the Gundam was found in an Earth Federation bunker."
"For all we know, the Gundam-class Mobile Suit has always been around and we just forgot about it."
"Yeah, right, what are the chances of the whole planet forgetting about something as huge as that?"
"Good point." Lee crumpled up the burger wrapper and back-tossed it directly into the trash can (which would've been
impressive, had zero-g not be a factor). "On Earth, the only Mobile Suits I've seen are the Zakus."
"Not necessarily," Koshiro said. "Remember that blue Mobile Suit with the tentacle that attacked us after the Enterprise
was destroyed? Well, it didn't look like a Zaku. It was a different type of Mobile Suit."
Lee rubbed her temples. "Trying to remember why we don't know what a Gundam is is giving me a headache. I'm going to
bed." Lee unzipped her flightsuit's top half. Koshiro thought he would have to cover or at least avert his eyes but it
was unnecessary since she was wearing an Earth Federation-issue tank top.
"Good night," Koshiro said and turned off the light, deciding to get some sleep as well.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"There it is," Muro announced. "Mars, the red planet."
"Looks more red-orange to me," Victor cracked causing Tasha to elbow him in the rib. On the planet surface, one could
see a large number of black dots.
"Look like quite the party," Captain Lucas said. "Let's go down and see what they're celebrating."
"We can use one of our new Space Core Fighters," Commander Xiao offered.
"Good idea. Let's go." Captain Lucas turned to leave the bridge.
"Captain, wait, you're not thinking of going down there by yourself, are you?" Muro asked almost frightened.
"I just have a feeling," Captain Lucas replied.
"Then... then I volunteer to go with you!"
"Captain, I must agree with her," Commander Xiao threw in. "Earth Federation protocol states that should the Captain
leave the ship and go into a potentially hostile situation, that he should have a guard with him at all times."
"All right, Muro," Captain Lucas said with a smile. "I'll see you down in the launch bay in fifteen minutes." And with
those words, he left the Bridge. Muro soon followed.
"You know, if I didn't know better, I could've sworn that he planned it that way," Victor thought out loud causing Tasha
to elbow him again.
"Oh brother," she groaned. "If you don't get it by now, I doubt you'll ever get it."
When Muro came into the launch bay, she saw Captain Lucas sitting in the cockpit seat of a two-seat Core Fighter.
"Captain, what are you doing?" Muro asked.
"Relax, Muro, I used to be a pilot, remember?"
"But flying in the air and flying in space are two different things."
"So is flying a flagship and flying a Mobile Suit."
"Touche," Muro admitted. She climbed up behind him.
"Core Fighter to Exalon," Captain Lucas called. "Ready to launch."
"Roger, Core Fighter," Keela said from the Bridge's communication station. "Standby for launch." The main bay opened.
"Core Fighter, launching!" The Core Fighter shot out of the Exalon and immediately began a slow descent around Mars.
"We're taking a roundabout way to get down there," Muro commented.
"It's always better to come in the back way, especially when you don't want the hosts to know you're coming."
"I never thought of that," Muro said. "And I call myself a pilot."
"There are just some things you can learn only from experience."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"No, no don't make me, I don't want to..." Koshiro opened his eyes. The room was pitch dark. The digital clock read
3:47a.m. Koshiro looked towards the bed next to him. Lee was tossing and turning, mutely talking in her sleep.
"No, don't kill... don't kill him! Stop, I won't... no, no, NO!"
"Lee, Lee," Koshiro caled shaking her shoulder. "Lee, wake up!"
With a loud gasp, Lee sat up in her bed, panting heavily. She looked around in a frantic, finally spotted Koshiro.
"Oh, Koshiro!" She embraced him fiercely, like the time when he took on the AMEC on the Enterprise ruins. "Thank God,
I was afraid I killed you."
"It's okay, Lee, it was just a nightmare."
"It... felt so real. Koshiro... don't leave, stay here with me for a while."
"It's okay, Lee, I won't go anywhere unless you want me to."
"Thank you."
{Lee is one of the strongest people I know,} Koshiro thought as he continued to comfort her. {What could've spooked
her so much?}
{It felt so real,} Lee was thinking. {It was like an uncontrollable urge to kill. Oh God, I'm so grateful that Koshiro's
here.}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prime Minister Seamus Asif came into the control room where Adviser Ben Hoshum was overseeing a delicate operation.
"Mister Hoshum," Seamus addressed remembering how he hated being called "Adviser Hoshum" "Any luck in contacting Delta
Source?"
"No, ma'am, but we confirmed that she's no longer on Earth."
"No longer on Earth? You mean she's dead?"
"No, not in that sense. She's literally not on Earth any more. At last transmission, she was ascending in the flagship."
"I see. Any way we could get a transmission out to her."
"We've been trying for the past three hours," one of the operators said. "We got through a couple of times but not
enough to send a clear command. It's this technology, Miss Seamus, it's over five years old."
"It can't be helped. We'll have to leave her alone for now," Seamus said. "Send her into dormancy for a while.
When she returns to Earth, let me know."
"Yes, ma'am," the technician replied.
"Miss Seamus," Ben said as they left. "Don't you think you're relying a little too much on Delta Source, even though
she's your only source of information."
"She's not the only source," Seamus revealed surprising Ben. "We have three sources named Delta, Gamma, and Beta.
Two are human spies that we have infiltrated within the Earth Federation. The third is within the very information
network of the enemy. These three information sources act independently of each other but Delta Source is the most
delicate. That's why we pay so much attention to it."
The two passed by a construction bunker where a skeleton of a large Mobile Suit is seen. Ben gasped at it.
"Second Prime Minister Howard's little project. Should be completed next month," Seamus informed him.
"It's big," Ben commented. "But I don't think it can stand up against Archangel."
"You're really proud of Archangel, aren't you?" Seamus asked casually. "Did someone give it to you?"
"Not exactly. I just found it one day. In no time at all, I could pilot it."
"Wow, and you're no older than I am. I guess we both had to assume adult responsibilities at an early age."
"Is there a point to this conversation?" Ben asked annoyed.
"Sorry, no, I guess there isn't..." Miss Seamus said withdrawing.
Ben sighed. "I apologize for my attitude, I'm not much of a talker."
"No, I apologize. I pried into something I shouldn't have. It's one of the bad habits I picked up from my father."
The two arrived at the throne room. Second Prime-Minister Howard was watching a news broadcast on the 3-D monitor.
"Ah, you two arrived just in time. Listen."
On the monitor came an image of an old man in an Earth Federation uniform.
"My name is Councilman Harvey Bennett of the Earth Federation Council. As of 1400 hours local time today, the Earth
Federation Council has agreed to surrender their remaining control of Earth to the Alliance of Middle-Eastern Countries.
The Earth Federation military has been disbanded and political control has been turned over to the regional govenors
until the AMEC can establish a political body. However, I implore to the AMEC leadership body, in the name of all
humanity, that they govern Earth fairly and justly. After nearly 200 years of governing, it is time to pass the torch.
It will be up to AMEC to keep that torch lit and not let it go out."
"Mercy plea," Ben said in a pish-posh voice.
"Congratulations, Miss Seamus, you have won," Second Prime-Minister Howard said.
"Yes, but it was at a heavy cost."
"And is all things achieved," Howard agreed.
"Second Prime-Minister Howard, inform Operations to begin ascent."
When Operations got the signal, they were wary. "This stuff hasn't been used for years," one technician comented.
"It better still work otherwise I'd be really pissed off."
On the surface, the desert started shaking. Then slowly, pylons raised a large four-story building out of the sand.
The Asif Fortress has risen.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Very interesting," Captain Lucas commented as he and Muro watched from a crater. "A lot of Mobile Suits. Marasai,
Jegans, and some I have no idea what they are."
"This seems like quite the little pow-wow," Muro agreed.
"Let's go and say hello, shall we?" Lucas and Muro had left their space Core Fighter far off and proceeded up to that
point on foot. They got up and proceeded into the camp.
They didn't get very far when two Jegan Mobile Suits appeared and aimed Mobile Suit-size machine guns at them.
"Perhaps we should've called ahead," Lucas joked putting his hands up.
"It's probably invitation only," Muro threw in while mimicing his gesture.
About half-a-dozen space-suited guards came out and aimed rifles at them.
"Identify yourselves," one of the guards ordered. The voice was female, but harsh.
"I'm Captain Noah Lucas and this is Lieutenant Commander Muro Okawa. We're from the Exalon."
"You were that ship seen leaving Side-6 the other day. Give me one good reason why we shouldn't shoot you on the spot."
"Because we're not allied with Side-6. We're from Earth."
"Yeah right, and I'm a Newtype."
"You can call yourself whatever you want," Lucas retorted. "What I tell you is the truth."
"Lieutenant," one of the other guards touched his helmet to the leader's. "What if they're telling the truth."
"They were seen leaving Side-6. They had Side-6's Mobile Suits back them up. I know they're lying."
"We have a Gundam," Lucas stated matter-of-factly. All the guards were taken-back by that revelation. Lucas
continued, "That's right. I'm not sure what this little group meeting of yours is, but if you don't want us to sick it
on you, then put those guns away and let's talk."
"Lieutenant," the same guard said. "I'm not eager to go up against a Gundam. Our Mobile Suits wouldn't stand a chance."
The Lieutenant sighed and shouldered her rifle. "Fine, come with us." She lead them into one of the buildings. "There's
oxygen in here so it's safe to take off your helmets." To prove it, she took off her own helmet. She was Japanese from
her features. Her dark hair was cut pixie short and there was sweat glistening off her face. Lucas and Muro followed
suite.
"I'm Lieutenant Rena Ishiyama," she greeted. "Now, tell me what you're really doing here."
"Captain," Muro started to say.
Lucas held out a hand silencing her. "It's okay, Muro. Perhaps its best if they know the truth." He stared right into
Lieutenant Ishiyama's eyes. "You see, Lieutenant, I wasn't lying when I said we're from Earth. More specifically, the
Earth Federation."
"Well I'll be," Ishiyama said smirking. "I never thought I'd see an Earthnoid way out here."
"The Earth Federation is losing its battle against AMEC. We'll need the Colonies help if we're to survive."
"Interesting, but we have our own war to fight against."
"Against who? If you mean the Earth Federation, you'll find that we'll go down easy, especially considering all the
different types of Mobile Suits you have."
"Our fight is against Side-6."
"Side-6, how come?"
"Martin controls Side-6, but she's currently trying to gain political power in other Colonies. Sides 2, 4, and 7 have
been trying to plan some type of action against her."
"What about Side 1 and Side 3?"
"Side 3's moved too far out to be of any effective strategic use so we're using it as a supply base. And Side 1 was
destroyed fifteen years ago. Reah's doing. We thought it was best not to re-build it, at least, not until our battle
with Side-6 is over."
"So it's you three colonies against just one? Sounds like you guys have the fair advantage."
"You're wrong," Ishiyama said as the other guards dismissed themselves. Ishiyama led Lucas and Muro down a hallway.
"Martin is using her own citizens as hostages. She's threatened that if any heavy retaliation was used against them,
then she would self-destruct all the settlements in her Colony and escape. And trust me, she's not bluffing."
"Lieutenant Ishiyama," Lucas addressed. "Can you bring a message to your Colony leaders?"
"About what?"
"A proposition. Say this, 'we'll assist you in your battle if you assist us in ours.'"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Koshiro awoke next, it was morning. The digital clock read 10:37 a.m. He looked over and looked at his bed,
wrinkled but other than that unslept in. He looked over his other side and saw Lee resting peacefully next to him.
{I guess she didn't have any more nightmares last night,} Koshiro guessed. He got up and went into the bathroom to
splash some water on his face. When he came out, Lee was zipping up her flight suit.
"Koshiro, thanks again for last night," Lee said. "Sorry you had to see me like that."
"It's all right," Koshiro said. "I hope you're okay."
"I am, thanks. I used to have horrible nightmares as a child. I thought I was over them when I joined the Earth
Federation. I guess some of them still remain."
Koshiro thought it was best not to remind her of what she dreamed about. Instead, he said, "Let's go see if Vic and
Sal fixed our Mobile Suits..." Koshiro's stomach audibly growled. He blushed, "Um... right after we get some
breakfast."
Koshiro had never seen Lee laugh so hard.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After breakfast, Koshiro and Lee floated over to Anaheim. The first thing they noticed upon entering the bay where
their Mobile Suits were being worked on was the B-Gundam with its right arm reattached. Sal was putting the finishing
touches on the connection circuitry inside the shoulder panel.
"Well, I hope you two had a pleasant night," Vic said with a sly smile.
Koshiro and Lee shared a look. "More or less," Koshiro replied.
Vic laughed. "That's what I thought. By the way, kid, I need to talk to ya' about something." He pulled Koshiro into
a corner. Lee was about to follow but Sal stopped her.
"Forget it, they're just talking about Mobile Suit stuff."
"Oh."
Sal scowled. "I swear, if it's big and has circuitry, they can talk about it for hours. Men."
"Hey Sal, can I ask you something. Do you moon dwellers have something against Govenor Martin."
"Hey, first of all, we're called lunarians. But a spacenoid like you should know that, huh?" Lee could see that she was
busted, and by a kid Koshiro's age, no less. Sal laughed and slapped Lee's upper back almost making her topple over.
"Don't worry, we knew you were earthnoids all along."
"Uh... sorry."
"Forget about it. And in answer to your question, she's been rulling with an iron fist ever since she was elected."
{She almost sounds like the AMEC leaders,} Lee thought. She heard rumors that the AMEC leader was a fascist in every
sense of the word. She killed the previous leader and assumed the leadership role in his place. But of course, those
are just rumors.
"Come on, let me show you what we did to your Mobile Suit." Sal showed Lee the omnidirectional communication
network, the sensors installed in the hands, and even the emergency evacuation pod (to be used in case of
emergencies, Sal said).
Koshiro floated over to the B-Gundam. "Come on, Lee, let's go."
Lee felt that something was wrong with Koshiro. "Koshiro, is something the matter?"
"Um... no, nothing's wrong. Come on, we need to get back."
The two Mobile Suits lift off as Vic came up behind his assistant.
"So you told him?" Sal asked.
"Yup," Vic confirmed. "He was just as shocked as I thought he would be."
"I find it hard to believe that a Gundam can be programmed that way."
"True. Then again, them newtypes are pretty incredible people."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exalon joins forces with the other Colonies to free Side 6 from Govenor Martin. But Govenor Martin reveals that
she has a few tricks up her sleeve that prove more than a match for their combined forces. But Koshiro reveals the
B-Gundam's hidden power, which just might be enough to turn things around.
Next episode: G-Mode.
Man and Machine acting as one.