Phase 5: Prelude to Invasion - Judication

"He did better then I expected of a 16 year-old."

"Indeed. He'll need to be if he is to face the OMEGA forces."

"Keeping the most effective weapon concealed until the last moment..."

Play song Senkyou Henka
CPENN Newsflash:
OMEGA RETALIATION AGAINST VENUS

Earlier today, OMEGA forces have begun a planet-wide crackdown on Venus. This offensive is intended to flush out the terrorists responsible for the recent Artic ice-cap meltdown, and starve them of the resources needed to carry out such operations.

The tactics used by the OMEGA forces are the standard "shock and awe" style, with precision weapons deployed with great effect. It is disclosed that most major cities have been locked-down, and...

BREAKING NEWS:

OMEGA forces have detonated an atmospheric incinerator in the Ishtar Soleil Province. The belligerent province was a critical node in the terrorist supply and recruitment chain. OMEGA officials disclosed that the provincial authorities resisted searches and that huge caches of illegal weaponry, including MS and thermonuclear weapons capability were discovered.

General Gublai Ghan, the OMEGA Chief-of-Operations, Venus Arm had this to say: "We tried negotiating, warnings, threats, even stealth attacks, but they resisted and fought back, killing many of my best people. We informed Headquarters about this, and they told us to make a lesson out of them, so we did. Those terrorists are now history."

An atmospheric incinerator is a powerful weapon of mass destruction. It causes the air to ignite via force-field compression and heating. In effect, the air itself burns...
End song

Play song: Kizutsuita Ashiato
Emergency Martian Parliament meeting, Parliament Dome, 1032 Martian time:

"This is ridiculous!" shouted Minister Fete Deran. "They're linking the Venusian attack to us! Listen to this: 'Salvage teams located clear evidence that the Martians were also involved in funding the attack and providing the necessary resources.' "

"Calm down, Minister. We need clear minds, not harsh talk," reminded the Speaker.

Fete Deran collapsed back into his seat, disgruntled.

"It is certain that they will come for us soon. It is a trend that we have witnessed before."

"We must prepare the MDF (Mars Defence Forces) for war."
End song

Play song Umi to Sora to Kaze to
The gigantic MDF base was bustling with activity. Built inside a large crater, the base roughly approximated a small city in size and population. MSs and MAs, along with several large starships, were being readied and prepped for deployment.

Atop a control tower, Akira Nara stood, looking down at the scene below. A ship was launching, the flare of its drive blazing into the darkening sky.

(Up here,) he thought, (I can... relax a bit...)

"Akira? Akira, is that you?"

Akira nearly fell off the tower in his shock. (A girl's voice!)

"I knew you'd be up here!"

Akira spun around. A pretty girl about his age dressed in pilot's uniform was walking towards him.

"Lily Zala?"

"Of couse, silly! Now, step away from the edge! I really don't fancy seeing you smashed on the pavement below."

Complying, Akira wondered: "Where have you been? And... What happened to your hair?"

Giggling, she said: "Still haven't changed much, have you? Tactless as ever... But, that's what makes you so endearing..."

Akira swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Second question first: It was a bit too long to be kept in a helmet, so I had it cut! I''m in the pilot core now, just like you! Been training at the Marineris Plateau. They really couldn't keep up with me there!"

"But enough about me. How about you? Where did those two medals come from?" she asked, poking at them playfully.

Akira looked down at the medallions, still pinned to his coat. He had come here straight after the ceremony.

"Oh... These? Ummm, well... I can't really tell you about it..."

She sighed. "Top-secret military stuff again, huh? Figures."

Akira asked: "Uhh... So, which unit are you piloting?"

"Me? Oh, it's one of the new Gundams."

"WHAT!"

"Don't be so shocked! It's not like I'm not good enough for it, you know."

"Which one?"

"I think it was... Justice. Yeah, Justice!"

----To be Continued----