CHAPTER TWO: INTO THE FRONT

May 30, Cosmic Era 70

Low Lunar Orbit, Earth Alliance 3rd Fleet

Grimaldi Crater Base

The Battle group Dividend decelerated as it matched its speed with the other twelve vessels of the 3rd Fleet. After a rush towards 'the front', the members of the 3rd fleet breathed a sigh of relief that their unit was still intact. While in the burn towards the firebase, news of the disaster that befell El Alamein reached the crew of the Dividend, Flash and the Eclipse. Morale was low to begin with, considering the already one month battle at 'the front'; it didn't help the crews to know that they were fighting what seemed to be a losing war. The Grimaldi front war had to be an Earth Alliance success, it just had to.

Aboard the 3rd's flagship, the Inexorable, the commanders of the fleet began discussing the possibilities of a renewed offensive. With close to two hundred mobile armor and fifteen battleships, there was talk of repelling the ZAFT incursion. Several commanders believed that the best way was to strike the ZAFT base along the front, but most disagreed. In the past few days before the fleet gathered above the base, news gathered by Alliance Intelligence sources were pointing to a ZAFT flanking maneuver that would bypass Grimaldi firebase, cut right through Endymion Crater, one of the key Alliance resource bases on the moon and head straight for Ptolemeus Crater base, headquarters of the Alliance Fleet. Even the commander of the Grimaldi Firebase argued that striking at the ZAFT base would only make the thin defense line, even slimmer and there would be no defense whatsoever for what was the Alliance's strongest foothold in space.

Admiral Hadrian began his discussion "It is rare that the 3rd fleet is ordered into combat on such short notice, but there is no other option. The Information given to us leaves us with little choice. We must prevent the Fall of Endymion Base. General Senn of the Moebius Zero Corps has just informed me" turning towards the white mustached warrior "that the leaders at JOSH-A have put highest priority in defending the Ptolemeus Installation. The remnants of the 5th and 6th fleets have already begun preparations for the defense. However the 3rd fleet was requested to defend the Endymion base until the arrival of the 2nd fleet from the developing Daedeleus Installation on the far side of the moon."

"Sir, if I may." Colonel Barr raised his opinion "There are already reports of a growing ZAFT presence along that part of the border, undoubtedly we will be overwhelmed by their forces if we pull such a action. Our fleet of fifteen vessels will be no match, doesn't this seem to be a sacrifice rather than a defense?"

Colonel Church of the Relentless Dream quickly followed suit. "I have to agree with Tyrell on this one sir." Glancing at his screens he searched for information and quickly found it "Why send our fleet into a battle we may not escape from unscathed? The 1st and the 4th fleets are currently engaged along 'the front'. By sending us at those coordinates, we would be cut-off from the support of our brother and sister fleets."

General Lynn Kwon-Chua of the Lunar Solstice countered this. "I think you have misread the situation. We will not be digging-in and fortifying that base, we will be buying time for the defenders of the Ptolemeus base to prepare for what may be the most critical battle of 'the front'."

"Perhaps, we've forgotten that we have the Elite Moebius Zero Corp with us in this battle?" Admiral Hadrian said in a flat voice "That means that we'll have around thirty special units that could turn the tide to our favor…"

After close to three hours of fierce debating the doors of the Planning room opened. Colonel Barr walked out in a hurried pace followed by Colonel Keyes, there was no time to waste. Though he disapproved of the actions decide upon by the Admiral, the 3rd fleet's mission was top priority now, all but one of the 3rd's battle group will head straight for Endymion Crater. The Moebius Zero Corp would be used in combat, not as a squadron but as a full-blown assault group.

Boarding his shuttle in the Docking bays of the Inexorable he hastily opened a communications link to his ship. "This is Colonel Tyrell Barr, prepare the ready room, inform all pilots to prepare for combat. We shall be leaving within the hour."

Lieutenant Elsa Dupre walked into the ready room only Colonel Barr was missing, currently in communications with Admiral Hadrian of the 3rd. Colonel Keyes was pacing the floor in an irate manner. She eyed her fellow Lieutenant, Mwu La Flaga and questioningly glanced at Keyes and then back at him. Mwu Replied with a shrug and gestured her to sit down.

" What's got the Colonel so pissed off?" She asked in a hushed tone. "We've all felt that the rest of the Corps in orbit as well, does this mean we're going to see action again?"

Mwu brushed one of his blonde locks away from his eyes and shook his head. "You can say that. But the Colonel thinks that we're merely being manipulated. The entire Corps was never needed to enter combat at the same time. The Dividend will also be going in as well. And Keyes over there has a gut feeling that someone else besides the military is pulling the strings in this operation."

"A gut feel? Just like the insight we have when another with our talent is in the area? I though Keyes didn't believe in that aspect of 'sensitivity'. Besides, the story that the Alliance is being controlled by a radical pressure group is just another old wives tale."

"Rumors have to start from somewhere you know." Mwu replied in a matter-of-fact manner " Here comes Colonel Barr." He whispered to Elsa. "We'll know more after this briefing."

The Commander of the Dividend Battle group walked in the ready room in full dress uniform. The officers under his command stood up and saluted him; he motioned them to take their seats and then moved to the center of the room.

"As you might've heard, the 3rd's battle groups will be leaving within the hour." He said with his hands clasped behind him. "The Dividend's battle group will be moving into a forward position alongside the Relentless Dream's battle group. Our primary objective will be to protect the Endymion Crater supply base. As soon as we launch all mobile armor, we will move into a lower orbit, directly on top of the supply base, allowing their CIWS cannons to provide cover fire."

Colonel Keyes nearby shook his head but Commander Barr continued "Wing leaders, you will be on your own when we get to the Crater. Apparently ZAFT is using, yet again, their Neutron Jammers to interfere with our communications networks. If you remember what it did back on Earth's surface, we can expect the same jamming to occur."

Tyrell Barr then looked towards Edward Keyes and again started talking "The Moebius Zero Corps will provide as much cover fire a they can, but given the strength of the mobile suit in combat and the numbers we will be facing I leave it to your better judgment to make decisions as the situation warrants it. Good luck people."

Mwu and Elsa looked at each other, a surprised look still on their faces. A little while later, as the ready room cleared up, Mwu approached his fellow commander, wearing a concerned look "Well now, this seems interesting?"