Mobile Suit Gundam: Raging Flames

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A/N: I'll probably make this story semi-AU, since it fails to take into account V Gundam. However, I stated that the Zakus guarding the Presidential Building were old, fallen-apart suits. Also, the Jegans and other such suits were destroyed after the Uprising of Nations (mentioned in paragraph 2, where it talks about Hakuta's past), in order to prevent further such wars. The Zakus were sold to the Earth Nation by militarized colonies as they entered the EN (although it's called the Earth Nation, it actually extends to the colonies as well, hence why Hakuta was guarding Side 1).

Hakuta blocked the shuttle from Side 1 because of the fact that it wasn't bearing any identification besides the model number of the shuttle (hence why Usaha Mirashi said that it was unknown).

Anyway, this chapter will merely be a transition from the current peaceful state of the EN into a temporarily-militarized state.

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Chapter 2

Fate Intervenes

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An unidentified shuttle approached Side 1, with devious intents. The ship intended to crash into the colony, using a bold terrorist tactic. Detecting the incoming threat, Admiral Hakuta orders his ship to block the shuttle. The shuttle impacts, killing both crews.

Later, President Barnard, leader of the Earth Nation, requested that the council authorize the creation of a Mobile Suit division.

UC 0125, 2 Days After the Side 1 Disaster

Earth Nation Presidential Building

London

"President Barnard, the council has reached a decision. We authorize the creation of the proposed division. However, if you fail, you will lose presidency and the council will exile you into Sector L6 with the rest of your administration." The head councilor said.

"I thank you, Head Councilor. I sincerely hope that you will not have to punish those who took part in this decision." President Barnard said, leaving the room.

"Do you think we can do this?" asked one of Barnard's bodyguards, a tough, young soldier with flaming red hair and a battle-scarred face.

"Yes, soldier, I think we can. I think we can." Barnard said, allowing his guards to fall in line, as they left the building.

UC 0125

Side 7 Militia Headquarters

Side 7

The Side 7 Militia was a non-entity. Although the colony was officially demilitarized, the militia was secretly hidden amongst the weakening republic's committee.

"Arkala, are you prepared?" thought one young boy, dressed in as close to military garb as a militia could manage, a red shirt and pair of pants that was left over from Zeon. He was Hurana Arkala, the boy chosen to pilot the Side 7 Militia's secret weapon, the UL-01-1A Hunter Gundam. He was a Newtype, and was trained in all sorts of combat since before he could remember.

Arkala was in a small, metallic room. This was his quarters. They were tiny, with a large bunk taking up almost all the space in the room. Sighing loudly, he exited the room. Then, he entered his access code, which he changed nearly every day.

"Colonel Hurana, are you ready for today's operation?" asked a man who had fallen into stride with Arkala. His name was Lieutenant Corica, the commander of the second fleet's flagship, the Ravager. It was a powerful destroyer, built in the shape of an eagle. It was equipped with the newest weaponry, the LC200 Anti-Ship Light Missile System, as well as the Y60 Laser Cannon.

"Yes, lieutenant. I just finished fine-tuning the Hunter's interface." Arkala replied.

"What effectiveness do you anticipate, Colonel?" asked Corica.

"I'd wager about 78 effectiveness, lieutenant." Replied Arkala, a hint of smugness in his voice. And it was for good reason. The Hunter was a Gundam designed to destroy anything in it's path, but it had proven that the interface was too cumbersome for anyone, even a Newtype, to use the suit to it's maximum potential.

"Very good, colonel." Replied Corica, heading off to the hangar to ready his ship.

UC 0125

Earth Nation Weapon Development Program Headquarters

Island 020

The Earth Nation Weapon Development Program Headquarters was a top-secret facility, located far away from any large concentration of civilians. The island it was built on had been created after a large block of ice chipped off from Antarctica.

The person in charge of the project, General Umira, was always a highly technically-oriented general. He was tall, slender, with almost no muscle or fat on him. He had a short, fuzzy beard, and his hair was blonde, with black highlights. It was cut short. He wore a black uniform, with a small saber at his right side.

"Lieutenant Yamato, we've received orders to activate Project: GUNDAM. Commence activation sequence!" Ordered Umira.

"Yes, general." Replied a young officer stationed with Umira. He was tall, and wore a similar uniform as the general did, minus the saber. "Commencing stage one... Complete, commencing stage two... Complete. Project: GUNDAM activation sequence complete. Both Gundams are no longer in stasis, general."

"Good. Looks like we're going to have something to do now, lieutenant." Said the general.

"Sir, they only ordered the activation of the prototypes." Said Lieutenant Yamato. "There's no way that that the council would order the deployment of the advanced models."

"And why not, Yamato? President Barnard is extremely trusted by the council, and a former soldier understand that demilitarization is not the answer." Countered the general. "Anyway, do you have pilots selected?"

"Yes, general. Private Brian Steuben and Colonel Jacob Akura." Answered the lieutenant.

"Is that wise? Entrusting a newbie and a wild soldier with the most important weapons we have?" asked the general.

"Yes, it is. They are both Newtypes. This means that they are able to pilot the Gundams effectively." Replied the lieutenant confidently.

UC 0125

Earth Nation Second Division Headquarters

Africa

"Private Steuben, the general has summoned you." A soldier in camouflage clothing told a soldier that was similarly dressed.

"Roger that." Replied the soldier that he was talking to. A short, bulky person, Brian was highly adventurous. He had joined the military at 17, and opted for the more dangerous qualifications.

As the messenger escorted Brian to the command building, which was actually a hut from the village that had been there a few years ago, he was playing nervously with his rifle, as though expecting something to happen.

The messenger was actually Horate Takashi, a Side 7 Militia spy. He hoped to get a chance to find out what the Earth Nation was planning to do in order to stop the militia, but he was unable to get deep enough into the Earth Nation military.

When at last the two entered the command building, Takashi was waved outside by the nervous Commander Richfield, the person in charge of the Africa base. He was tall, rough-looking, with a red beard and brownish hair.

"Sit down, Private Steuben." Ordered Richfield.

"Yes, commander." Replied Brian, taking a seat in the small, wooden hut.

"Brian, I think I should take this opportunity to say goodbye." The commander said.

"Goodbye? Sir, I don't understand. Is this division being dissolved?" asked Brian, dumbfounded at the commander's strange remark.

"You are being transferred to the Mobile Suit Pilot Training Facility on Luna 1. You'll get further instructions upon arrival. These are 'black' orders. Your cover story is that you are being transferred to a guard base, but these orders come straight from General Umira, director of the Military Technology Department. Your identification code is X-1056A." the commander said.

"Yes, commander. It was a pleasure serving under you, sir." Brian said, standing up and saluting.

"There's no need for formalities anymore. You are now under less strict formality rules due to your participation in the project. Oh, and here's some sealed project documentation." The commander said, giving Brian a pamphlet on which two swords were drawn crossing over an eagle insignia. "You are relieved of all responsibilities so that you may acquaint yourself with the details."

"Yes, sir." Brian said, taking his leave. He was in such a hurry that he didn't notice that the messenger had a smirk on his face.

When Brian reached his barracks, he plunked himself down onto his bunk and opened the documentation pamphlet.

"Project... GUNDAM." Brian muttered, confused at the foreign word.

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A/N: Another transition chapter. There won't be any battles until chapter 6 or so because of the fact that the Earth Nation's division isn't formed yet. For those who may be confused with the last phrase, Brian was not around while there were still Gundams, so he doesn't know what it is. I understand that naming such a project "GUNDAM" is stupid, but there was no need to keep the project's existence secret.