Phase 5:

Location: E.F.S.F. White Base. Solomon Space. December 26, 0079. Time: 1335.

"Captain Bright, multiple contacts, bearing 013, range 15000 checking thermal patterns. Enemy contact verified. Two Zanzibar Class, Three Musai Class, and one unknown. Distance 14000 and continuing to close."

This got Captain Noah Brights attention immediately.

"What's their current speed?" he inquired.

"They are moving too slow to register. It's almost as if they are floating in space."

"Is the gundam ready?" asked Captain Bright.

Sayla replied, "It's still badly damaged from the attack on Solomon. Should I launch in the core booster?"

Before Bright could reply, Marker shouted, "We're getting transmissions from enemy contacts, multi-band civilian distress frequency. I'm patching it in."

An eerie and tired voice began to filter through the bridges speakers. "Attention Trojan Horse Repeat Attention Trojan Horse: This is Commander Bluestone of the Trivvay Class Ship Sunrise. Hold Fire.

Repeat Hold Fire. Requesting immediate assistance for my battle group. Please respond on this frequency."

Everyone on the bridge snapped to attention.

Marker said, "Should we respond?"

Oscar replied, "No waythis has got to be a Zeon trick. They could be just posing as crippled ships from the recent battle."

Sayla said, "We have long range visual".

The LC screen zoomed in on the ships. It was a morbid sight to behold. The six ships drifting towards them literally had dozens of holes in them. Some of the engines were melted and twisted. The unknown ship which was obviously the Sunrise, had a white flag tied to its communication mast. It's haul was pitted with too many holes to count. There was barely any exterior paint remaining, the ship was like a floating scorched rock.

Marker said, "Distance 11,000, their engines are somewhat active, but not much. Particle density is at about 34 percent. Captain what the hell do you think happened to them?"

Bright replied, "I don't know, but I intend to find out." He then picked up the com and said, "Captain Bluestone do you read me?"

"Loud and Clear Trojan Horse go ahead."

Bright wondered why he was calling the ship Trojan Horse but filed this question to be asked later.

"Captain what is the status of your ships. What happened?" asked Bright.

Captain Bluestone replied, "Massive attack on Side 3 by an unknown force. Barely anyone survived. All the colonies have been destroyed. If you need verification I am willing to hand over my ships visuals and recordings. Do you have medical supplies? I need to transfer the injured crew of the ships over to you. All our supplies are damaged or in low supply. I have approximately 1,000 wounded on the fleet of six ships remaining."

Bright asked, "Shouldn't there be more crew than that?"

Bluestone replied, "They're all dead. All our ships are running on skeleton crews. Captain I recommend that you off-load the Musai first. They're on the brink of falling apart."

Oscar said, "Captain range 9,500. It looks like their engines just terminated."

Marker added, "One of the Musai's engine pods just detached. Sir, I don't think this is a trick, should we try to launch a recovery operation?"

Bright said, "Sayla, if we use every inch of space available do you think we can accommodate 1,000 additional?"

Sayla nodded and replied, "Yes that is basically the same as the number of refugees we took from Side 7."

Bright nodded and said, "Alright then, launch the guncannons, tell Kai and Hiyato to assist in transferring the wounded." He then turned back to the com and said, "Captain Bluestone, I request you presence immediately."

The voice through the com replied, "Of course. I'm preparing to transfer right this minute. I'm bring along the records as well. Captain Bright, I hope you and your crew have a strong stomach."

Location:

Satellite Orbit 2. Magellan Class Ship Phoebe. Time 1340.

"Absolutely out of the question, General Revel!"

Revel replied in a voice carried on orbit to ground communication, "You can't be serious! We're getting refugees from Zeon both civilian and military by the thousands. You've seen the records that Kaiser Zabi Sent showing Side 3's destruction by a possible extra-terrestrial force. How could you possibly deny refuge?"

On the other end of the communication stream sat six people. Each one representing a continent of Earth. It was these six who ran the Federation.

"General, the Oceanic District absolutely refuses to accept any refugees of any kind. You have to remember that those spacenoid bastards dropped a colony on our capitol Sydney. You are asking me to ignore the deaths of in excess of 10 million. For all I care, those aliens can wipe out every single person inhabiting space. Colonists are suppose to be loyal to their government no matter what. Personally, I see this as a fitting punishment for trying to rebel."

Another voice said, "The African District agrees with the Oceanic District. We refuse to accept any refugees. If any set foot on my soil they will be immediately executed as enemies of the state."

General Revel yelled, "But they are human beings!"

The African District replied, "Yet they chose to rebel against the Federation under a dictator no less. Therefore, my decision stands."

Another voiced boomed, "ENOUGH! I Ryan Coolidge in charge of the North American District hereby agree to accept all refugees. I'm appalled by both of you. I can clearly see why the colonies decided to rebel, if this is the official attitude of the Federation. This war may have cost two-thirds of humanity, but what you are purposing is the elimination of the entire species by this extra-terrestrial threat."

Another voice replied, "The South American District questions your judgment. Remember the Zeon did obliterate entire colony clusters. How do we know that this footage is not fake? Recordings from their British Colony drop operation?"

Ryan replied, "We have hundreds of military and civilian Zeon ships, mangled beyond all possible belief heading towards Texas Colony and the Earths surface. That's proof enough for me. Even if it means departing from the Federation, I once again stress that I will accept all responsibility for this action, and I will welcome all Zeon and military and civilian refugees."

The final voice replied, "I agree with Coolidge. There is no way this could have possibly been staged. The European District will also accept refugees as well. Also, I shall put all land, air, sea, and space forces under my districts command on full alert."

Coolidge nodded and said, "I thank you for your acceptance, the North American District will do the same."

A quiet Federation member stood up and said, "I will not risk severing economic ties with the Oceanic District by accepting refugees, however, the Asian District will deploy its entire military to combat this extra-terrestrial threat."

The African District member replied, "Fine then, we will do the same as the Asian District."

The South American District representative and Oceanic representative whispered to each other and rose.

"The South American and Oceanic District will still not accept any refugees, however, because we both believe there is no immediate threat to Earth we will deploy only half of our current military force. When this is over General Revel, I hope you enjoy the severe punishment you will receive for helping spacenoids."

The communication screen went blank and the lieutenant said, "General are you alright?"

Revel shook his head and said, "We are quite possibly looking at the beginning of the end."

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Next: PreparationsFederal-Zeon Side

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