AEUG heavy cruiser Valiant, Shoal Zone, Side 4
18th August UC 0087

The Valiant's pilot's locker room had become a very quite place. It was with great sadness that James removed four name plates from four lockers, there wasn't enough time to clear them out properly that would have to be done when they made it back to port. While no stranger to loosing pilots in battle it still had an effect on James, the list of friends he'd lost was just too long. Anger welled up inside of him, clenching up a fist he punched the wall once before letting his arm drop. "I hate this job," he declared bitterly to the empty room.

There was a knock at the door and James turned to see Jason Raynor standing in the doorway. The younger pilot was wearing one of the AEUG standardised yellow pilot normal suits. "Lieutenant, Chief Scott wants us down in the hanger, he says we need to go over the mobile suits before we get into another battle," said Raynor.

"Okay," said James after a heavy sigh. "I'll be along in a moment." Raynor nodded and then left. James floated over to his own locker and dragged out his red and white normal suit; it was a bit old but served him well.

Titans cruiser Perseus, Shoal Zone, Side 4

Lieutenant Commander Graser was a very happy man; his bane had actually managed to do something significant. He'd watched the recording of the battle several times now despite his hatred of mobile suits he couldn't help but be impressed by the sheer power displayed by the Psyco Gundam prototype mass production model. He was sure that if these weapons were mass produced that the traitors would be completely wiped out and that the Earth would be able to exert the right level of control over the spacenoids. Even now his wall monitor was still showing the recording.

"Doctor how long will it take to repair the Psyco Gundam?" Graser asked the other man in his office.

"I can not say at the moment Lieutenant Commander," replied the Doctor, "The Psyco Gundam took damage to its power distribution controls, shoddy repair work there could prove most costly."

Doctor Mooro took off his glasses and cleaned them will a piece of cloth from his pocket, putting his glasses back on he looked around the Lieutenant Commander's office. Few words can accurately describe the interior of a Salamis Kai but spacious defiantly wasn't one of them; however Lieutenant Commander Graser's office was so spartan that it did feel quite roomy. Mooro could only see three personal items in the whole room and they were three pictures on the wall behind Graser. The first picture was of a Sabrefish space fighter in pristine condition, specifically Graser's Sabrefish from before the One Year War. The second picture was of a much younger Graser along with, who Mooro assumed to be, the other pilots in his fighter squadron; it was dated 01/01/0079. The last picture Mooro found quite strange it was of a space fighter hanger that was empty except for one heavily damaged Sabrefish, this picture bore a date 18/01/0079.

"When this weapon system is complete we will crush the AEUG once and for all!" said Graser. "Then maybe I'll be able to get out of this hellhole of a Side and back to a decent command."

Mooro smiled for the first time during this meeting. "Don't you find it funny Lieutenant Commander that your ticket out of here will be brought to you by a newtype piloting a mobile suit," the Doctor said abruptly. "Two things you hate are they not?"

Graser stared at the Doctor for a moment. "Keep your tongue in check Doctor," he replied, "It's all too easy to have accidents out here. I suggest you go and make sure those repairs are completed promptly."

Doctor Mooro considered a sharp reply but then decided against it, despite being a bitter little man Graser was still in command of his mission and had to be kept happy at least until they made it back to Gryps II. "Very well Lieutenant Commander I shall see to your request," Mooro stood and straightened his uniform slightly and then left the room.

The two surviving members of the Titans 185th MS team were less than happy with the current situation. Not only had they been upstaged by the newtype brat they had lost their leader, Lieutenant Barry Hoges, to an arrogant lone Nemo. Josh Renque was red-faced with anger as he'd just found a group of the Perseus' crew watching the video of Hoges' death, as recorded by Ken Grey the recon pilot, the lowly crewmen had been mocking the 185th and Hoges about how easily they were beaten.

"I can't believe this!" raged Renque as he paced up and down the pilots lounge. "How could this have happened?"

"Calm down Josh," placated Yuri Vedrievich. "Going off on one won't help at all."

"How can I calm down!" spat Renque. "We've been humiliated!"

"You worry too much," retorted Vedrievich. He leaned back against the bulk head and slipped his cap down over his eyes. "We lost a man, so what? It happened all the time during the War. You get used to it."

Renque span round and stared at the older pilot. "I can't believe you!" he yelled before storming out of the lounge.

After Reque had left Yuri pushed his cap up slightly. "He's still green," he commented. Yuri dropped his cap down again. He was an old soldier and the loss of a comrade didn't really bother him anymore, during the One Year War he'd been a Ball pilot.

Titans transport Fyen, Shoal Zone, Side 4

The mechanics were clustered around a small table stationed between the enormous legs of the Psyco Gundam prototype mass production model. Doctor Mooro directed the mechanics as to how to properly repair the Psyco Gundam.

Zarn Farris stood, still clad in his pilot's suit, on an upper access way looking out across the Fyen's hanger. Adrenaline was still pumping through his veins he longed to be back out there fighting the AEUG. His face contorted up in confusion he didn't understand what Graser was so afraid of; the AEUG had already taken a huge blow one more strike would have finished them off.

"You're the pilot of that thing aren't you?" Zarn turn round to see who'd spoken the words; it was the pilot of the recon mobile suits. Zarn nodded and turned his head back to watch the workers around his Gundam.

"You should be careful with that thing," continued the recon pilot. "It's dangerous."

"It is a mobile suit designed for war. Of course it is dangerous, that is its purpose," replied Zarn dryly. Zarn was shocked when the older pilot grabbed him by the shoulder and pushed him against the wall.

"I mean for you," declared Ken Grey sternly. "I saw how you fought, that thing is evil. Don't let it suck you in, there's no point in wasting your life."

Zarn shrugged off Grey's grasp. "Why are you so interested in my life?" asked Zarn sharply.

"Kids like you shouldn't be fighting in a messed up wars like this," said Ken slowly. "You should be back home getting a proper education, rather than learning how to fight and hate like you do here."

"Thanks to the spacenoid trash the only home I have is the Titans," snarled Zarn fiercely. "No one can stop me from fighting to defend my home."

"Look kid I'm just trying to do you a favour," Ken snapped back. "Go throw your life away for all I care."

AEUG heavy cruiser Valiant, Shoal Zone, Side 4

James Keffer swam across the Valiant's hanger to where Chief Scott was standing next to the Full Armour Gundam Mark II. "How's it looking Chief?"

"Not bad," was the reply. Chief Scott put down the clipboard he'd been reading. "She flew well didn't she?"

"For something so bulky I was surprised at how manoeuvrable it was," said James. "I still don't get why Anaheim built it. I mean beam rifles pretty much make the concept of "full armour" obsolete."

"Let them spend their money how they want to," said Chief Scott. "Like I said before this baby came out of the plan to improve the Gundam Mark II, I understand the Argama got a sort of backpack upgrade with a big beam cannon."

"They always get the best kit," complained James. "We just get the junky rejects."

"What do you expect," retorted Scott. "It is the flagship after all. We just have to make do with what we've got. It's a nice machine even if it was scratch built. Anaheim might be wasteful with its resources sometimes but they are never going to let you pilot a true Gundam Mark II."

"Has Jason been getting used to his new 'Nemo Cannon'?" asked James as he turned to face the kitbashed mobile suit standing in the next scaffold over.

"He's getting there. Give him a little longer and he'll have it mastered," said the engineer. "Oh by the way Marcus is up and about now, he sure does recover fast that one. His GM Sniper is up and running again as well."

"So we've got just three mobile suits to take down that monster?" James asked to the air in general. "It should be nice and fun."

"I'm sure you'll come up with a plan," commented the older mechanic. "You usually do."

James stared at the bulky mobile suit before him. He could certainly think of several plans right now. However, when he ran the scenarios through his mind, they rarely resulted in a satisfactory out come. He considered a reply that included the phrase "hmmm tricky" but he then decided that 'tricky' wasn't a good enough word to describe the current situation so he remained silent.

After what seemed like an hour or two James broke the silence. "The beam cannons on the Nemo. Are they as powerful as they were on the GM?" James got his answer in the mechanics simple nod. He took a sheet of paper off Scott's clipboard and fished a pencil out of a pocket. "Thanks for the help Chief."

Scott watched as the pilot pushed off the deck and floated up to one of the exits to the hanger. Once James had left Scott shook his head and turned round to face the Gundam again he checked the clipboard and then started shouting at some of his crew who weren't working fast enough.

Titans cruiser Perseus, Shoal Zone, Side 4
19th August UC 0087

The four remaining Titan pilots milled around in the Perseus' briefing room. Zarn Farris and Doctor Mooro sat rigidly in the front row of seats, the Doctor was deeply engrossed a large mass of print outs while Zarn stared fixedly at the Side map on the main monitor.

Renque and Vedrievich were huddled in the middle of the room locked in deep conversation; the two Sharpshooters were debating the best way to, as Renque put it, "restore their honour". Yuri was less than convinced.

"Look you don't need to worry about all that honour crap," he declared gruffly. "It's not worth all the effort."

"How can you say that?" exclaimed Josh. "We have to prove ourselves now, prove that we're just as good at that freak!" He pointed a finger at the back of Zarn's head.

"Why exactly must we do that?" asked Yuri. "So what if he's a newtype and is just better than us? I had my arse saved by one back during the war, fine bunch of people if you ask me."

"And you call yourself a Titan," snarled Renque. "Newtypes don't exist, that's just spacenoid propaganda. All that thing is, is a freak."

Yuri was sure the younger pilot would have carried on ranting were it not for Lieutenant Commander Graser waltzing into the briefing room carrying a clipboard under one arm.

"Gentlemen yesterdays action has brought us great success," began the commanding officer. "Success; which we must build on today. Our analysts predict that the traitors are on their last legs, one strike will knock them down and we will have acquired ourselves a nice prize to take back to Gryps II."

"It is true that the AEUG have a powerful mobile suit left, but we have the Pscyo Gundam and it is more than powerful enough to destroy anything they can field," continued Graser. "For the next mission all our remaining mobile suits will launch, Ensign Grey will join the Sharpshooters for this mission."

Ken Grey instantly stood to attention. "Sir, with all due respect sir my EWAC Zack is not designed for mobile suit combat I would only be a hindrance to my fellow pilots."

"Are you refusing to fight?" asked Graser, venom dripped from every word.

"No sir. I'm merely pointing out that my unit will not be able to operate to the same level as the Hizacks," said Grey smoothly without even batting an eyelid.

"Your objection has been noted Ensign but you will continue the mission as planned," said Graser sharply. "The Sharpshooters will provide the Psyco Gundam with an escort until the battle is joined. You will then create a perimeter and prevent the AEUG escaping while the Psyco Gundam will close and destroy their warships."

AEUG heavy cruiser, Shoal Zone, Side 4

James Keffer had just received permission to use his plan after a length discussion with Captain Jellico. He saluted and then started to walk towards the door to Jellico's office when he stopped and turn to look back at his old friend.

"You knew didn't you?"

"Knew what?" asked the captain.

"You knew that thing was going to be here in the Shoal Zone," replied James, "It's the only explanation for my Rick Dias being replaced with the Full Armour Gundam Mk II and for Anaheim insisting we take an extra Nemo along." He starred down his commanding officer; there was fury in the former fighter pilot's eyes.

"There had been intelligence reports that suggested the possibility," said Jellico finally.

"Damn it Alexander you should have told me! I could have planned for it, I could have prevented the deaths of three of my men!" yelled James. He walked up to the captain's desk and hammered his fist down onto it. "Don't you trust me? Haven't I gained your trust yet after all these years?"

"We didn't know for sure if it was actually here or not," replied Jellico. He was trying to stay calm despite Keffer's outburst. "It was felt that it would be better not to worry the crew when there was a good chance that nothing would happen."

"That's why you let Cole go out and test the beam launcher," said James. "You wanted him to stumble onto the Titans, but it didn't quite go to plan did it? Then there's Chief's Nemo 'Cannon' I guess you thought we didn't have enough firepower?"

Jellico nodded gravely. "I didn't want it to be this way James, I'm sorry."

"It's a bit late to start apologising Captain," said James bitterly. "If you'll excuse me I have a beast to slay." James marched to the door and exited.

Alexander Jellico stared at the closed door to his office. Alexander leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes he was tired, they all were tired. Running now wouldn't be good for the crews moral; they were hurting from a whole string of losses the AEUG had been suffering. A victory was something they sorely needed, even if the risk was great. James, as ever, had a plan; the only problem Alexander could see with it was the fact that the Valiant was the bait for the trap.

Nether the less he'd approved the plan. There was little he could do anymore really except going along with the pilots suggestions. Alexander was in over his head he knew little about mobile suits except that they were lethal to warships. He'd become a captain during the One Year War and fought through the bloodiest battles of the opening campaigns. He knew how ships fought ships and was good at it but he was really at a loss when mobile suits were involved. Alexander would freely admit that if it hadn't been for James he'd have been killed long ago.

Fastening the last few clasps on his pilots suit James Keffer kicked off from the gantry over to the open cockpit of his Full Armour Gundam Mark II. The left shoulder armour pad had James' crest, a stylised white coloured Panther head on a hexagonal black background, painted on as he floated past it he patted it for good luck. Reaching the open cockpit he swung himself in legs first and settled himself in to the linear command chair. James dropped into the linear seat and started up the mobile suit letting the monitor blink into life, he was surrounded by visions of the hanger. The heavy armour plating dropped down and locked into place around the cockpit hatch.

He hit a switch on his control panel and opened the squadron communication channel. "You two got the plan straight?"

"No problem here," said Marcus Cole slowly; he was still a little sore. "All ready for revenge."

"It's a plan worthy of the White Panther," spoke Jason Raynor from his Nemo "Cannon". "Let's show these Titans how Earth's real heroes fight."

"You're not a hero yet kid," joked Marcus. "Looks like it'll have to be me and the Lieutenant to sort this one out."

"Cut the chatter," commanded James. "We've got a job to do. Grab a hunk of debris and hide, just make sure they don't see you. If we mess this up the Captain will not be pleased."

The Full Armour Gundam Mark II stepped out of the frame that held it in place. The Gundam walked over to the central mobile suit elevator and was soon joined by Cole's GM Sniper Custom. The elevator brought the two mobile suits up to the catapult deck; James' Gundam clunked its way onto the catapult first. The elevator descended back down into the bowels of the ship and Jason's Nemo was soon waiting for get onto a free catapult.

The Full Armour Gundam was the first to be flung out into space as soon as the catapult reset itself the GM Sniper Custom clambered onto it. Eventually Cole and Raynor were able to join Keffer and take up their positions.

The Titans mobile suits charged their way through the debris field closing in on the approximate location of the AEUG force. Ken Grey checked his equipment one more time he'd been given a 120 mm machinegun, normally used by Hizacks, and a couple of spare ammunition drums. He was somewhat worried about the coming battle; the EWAC Zack wasn't the most heavily armoured mobile suit. He was going to have to rely on his piloting ability to keep himself out of danger.

Ken noted that the Psyco Gundam was slowly edging its way ahead of the accompanying mobile suit escort. He had no doubt that Zarn was itching to get back at the Gundam which had forced him to withdraw. A flashing light on his console indicated that his suits advanced sensor suite was picking something up among the debris. The EWAC Zacks computer trundled through all the possibilities before confirming it was a warship but failing to identify the class. Ken rocked the suit over to the nearest Hizack in order to commence skin to skin communications.

"Ensign Vedrievich, I'm picking up the AEUG vessel.' he reported. "It doesn't match any of the files on record. Also it either hasn't picked us up yet or have any escorts."

"Good work Grey," replied Yuri. "Looks like the Newtype already knows about it," The Psyco Gundam was establishing a considerable lead. "Pull around onto the left flank and cover Farris."

"Yes sir," answered Ken. He then pulled the EWAC Zack away and carefully positioned himself to going into a long flanking movement.

The GM Sniper Custom's beam launcher rested upon a shattered segment of colony debris. The debris looked as if it had once been an external cargo bay door, it was jammed half open and the GM hid within its dark enfold. Marcus Cole watched the approaching Titan mobile suits he wasn't surprised to see the Hizacks escorting the monstrous grey mobile suit, at the moment they weren't really important. What was important was making sure the plan went a head correctly and the trap being sprung. He checked the alignment of the beam launcher again, just to be sure.

Far across the debris field Jason Raynor was also checking his alignment. It was harder for him to hide his kit bashed Nemo Cannon but he'd managed so far. He was waiting, waiting for the right moment to help spring the trap his finger hovered over the beam cannon trigger.

Zarn was willing the Psyco Gundam to faster. It was hurtling through the debris field and he'd long since left his escorts behind, now it was time for his battle and his glory. In the distance he could see the AEUG cruiser; trying unsuccessfully to hide from him, all his thoughts were fixed on the cruiser. As he closed the distance he selected the Psyco Gundam's main armament the large mega particle cannon built into its chest.

When he reached the effective firing range he let rip with a massive beam that leapt from the cannon and raced towards its target. The cruiser slowly tried to evade and was lucky as the beam sheared through the port side single barrel main gun. Zarn cursed and brought the Psyco Gundam in closer.

Then he sensed it far too late to effectively counter it. It felt as thought beams were coming at him from all directions and he couldn't dodge them all. Before he knew it he'd lost most of the Psyco Gundam's right leg and the left shoulder was disabled.

James sent the Full Armour Gundam Mark II rocketing down from directly above the Psyco Gundam. His first volley of beams had struck the monsters left shoulder but failed to destroy it. He fired again and again but the element of surprise was gone and his enemy was able to avoid it. He watched the Psyco Gundam bring up its good arm and fire the beam gun mounted on it. He dodged the beams and also saw Marcus and Jason close in, adding their own fire to the swarm around the Titan mobile suit.

James fired his beam cannon again. This time he got a lucky shot and his blast sliced down the side of the Psyco Gundam's head severely damaging it and the thrusters array on the mobile suits back. Unfortunately James was unable to dodge his opponent's counterattack, a beam from the remaining knee mounted beam cannon smashed its way through the Full Armour Gundam Mark II's right arm destroying the 2-barrel beam cannon.

He swore loudly and closed in on the giant mobile suit. He dropped own in front of it, raised his Gundam's left arm and fired off a barrage from the wrist mounted grenade launchers into the bigger Gundams crest, damaging the mega particle cannon built into it.

Zarn screamed with rage, he was being beaten by pathetic oldtypes! Half the monitors in his cockpit were damaged and those which remained were fading in and out of clarity. He wrestled with the controls but they were slow and unresponsive. All he could do was fire a few random shots with what little of his armoury was left.

The monitors cleared up just enough for him to see the Full Armour Gundam Mark II jab a beam sabre into a part of the Psyco Gundams torso. Zarn released a series of swear words in various European languages. The screens went blank and Zarn was left in the dark, tears began to roll from his eyes, they weren't tears of sorrow they were tears of rage. He was being humiliated again, the Lieutenant Commander would hate him again and Doctor Mooro would punish him. A few of the screens jerked back into life and Zarn looked up to see the AEUG cruiser bearing down on his stricken mobile suit. He felt a shiver of fear down his back as he saw the cruiser rolling and main guns start to glow as mega particles began to rush down the barrels. There was only one thing he could do; he triggered the ejection sequence that sent the sphere of his cockpit rocketing away from the mobile suit.

Alexander smiled grimly on the bridge of the Valiant as his main guns fired at the Psyco Gundam. The mighty beams sliced the giant mobile suit in half. They only had to wait a few moments before the Psyco Gundam prototype mass production model's reactor exploded, shredding what was left of the monstrous mobile suit. Now all that was left was the small matter of the Hizack team that had accompanied the Psyco Gundam.
Josh Renque could hardly believe what he'd just witnessed. The mighty Psyco Gundam reduced to scrap metal in barely any time at all. It had suddenly dawned on him that they weren't any old AEUG mobile suit team; these guys were veterans and damned good ones.

The thought of having to take on veterans did faze him for a little while but then his own arrogance overrode any sensibly thoughts. He pushed the Hizack's thrusters to maximum intent on finished off the damaged Gundam prototype. However was stopped long before he could even get close by what his console identified as a GM Sniper Custom.

The old mobile suit fired the beam launcher it was carrying. Josh managed to avoid it but he was distracted long enough to let the GM to close in. The GM brandished a beam sabre and hacked at the Hizack, slicing off the right arm and leg.

Two bursts of machinegun fire from either side of Josh's Hizack caused the GM back off behind some debris. Josh looked around desperately to see Yuri's Hizack and Ken's EWAC Zack rush in and grab his damaged Hizack and started to drag him away from the battle and back to their cruiser. Josh also noted that Yuri was carrying a damaged escape pod.

AEUG heavy cruiser Valiant, Shoal Zone, Side 4

As soon as the Valiant had recovered her mobile suits; the heavy cruiser started to weave her way through the Shoal Zone and back towards Lunar. In his office Alexander sat in his chair slowly drinking tea from a carton. He looked at James Keffer, who sat opposite him.

"You know I've got a feeling that Anaheim Electronics aren't going to like you," he said softly.

"What do you mean?" asked James bemused. "I haven't done anything wrong."

"You went and broke one of their prototypes," answered Alexander. "I bet they take it out of your wages."

"We get paid?" James joked. "Well it can't be much worse than you; you broke a 'Forrestal'-type Salamis heavy cruiser. That can't be cheap."

"Let's just call it even," said Alexander as he smiled. "I sure we even out over the long run. Sooner we get out of this Side the better I can't stand it, no offence like."

"For once captain that is something we can agree on," replied James happily, "I can't stand it either."

Titans cruiser Perseus, Shoal Zone, Side 4

The Titans cruiser Perseus left the Shoal Zone and set course for Gryps, it was followed by the transport Fyen. The mood on the bridge was unusually subdued. Lieutenant Commander Graser hadn't really spoken much since the return of the Sharpshooters with the news of the Psyco Gundam's defeat.

The hatch at the back of the bridge slid open and Ken Gray stepped onto the sombre command deck. He had just completed compiling the data acquired during the final fateful battle. He suspected that Graser wouldn't really want to receive something like this now; however Ken knew that there were still procedures to follow even after a defeat.

He had detected some interesting markings on the AEUG Gundam. A little bit of research through the library files of the One Year War had brought up a surprising revelation.

"Sir while going through the data records of the last battle I found something I thought you might be interested in," said Gray.

"What could I possibly find interesting from that fiasco?" asked Graser bitterly.

"Well sir I found this," he handed Graser a photo print out of the insignia from the Gundam, "I believe the White Panther was a former subordinate of yours sir." Ken took great pleasure in seeing Graser's eyes nearly pop out of his head at the mention of that nickname.

"Keffer?" Graser's blood boiled with rage, "That insubordinate spacenoid bastard! Is he trying to ruin me again! If I ever get my hands on him I'll kill him!" raged the Titans officer.

'Lieutenant Commander Graser we're receiving a signal from Captain Om.' reported the communications officer. "He wishes to hear of our testing on the Psyco Gundam."

Everyone who could get away with it was looking at Lieutenant Commander Graser, he'd gotten quite pale upon hearing it was Captain Om.

"Very well," said the Lieutenant Commander as he recovered slightly. "I shall take it in my office." The Lieutenant Commander stood and stalked off the bridge.

An unusual number of crewmen found time to walk past Graser's office; they heard a great deal of shouting.

Titans transport Fyen, Shoal Zone, Side 4

Doctor Mooro stood looking over Zarn's prone body. The child hadn't been badly injured when he escaped from the Psyco Gundam mass production test type. While the Psyco Gundam test type had been destroyed the mission hadn't been a total write off; he had managed to gather a great deal of data on both Zarn and the Psyco Gundam. He suspected that it would take a while to process all the findings and then present the information to the relevant Titans authorities. Perhaps once that was done they would allow him to finish building the remaining two Psyco Gundam mass production test type units.